New UnitedHealth Chief Executive Stephen Hemsley will get a pay package worth $61 million, mostly in stock options that vest after three years, and which he could keep even if he steps down or is terminated sooner.

UnitedHealth Group CEO Stephen Hemsley, who replaced Andrew Witty, said he has the right strategy in place “for the era ahead.”

UnitedHealth Group Inc. is giving Stephen Hemsley a one-time $60 million equity award on top of a $1 million base salary as he begins his second round as chief executive officer of the beleaguered insurer.