As far as I know you couldn't actually DECLINE payouts until a little while ago.
That is incorrect. It wasn't implemented in the UI but the feature was available on the blockchain since June. I'm sure the lead developer could have figure out a way to use it if he really wanted to, or implemented a simple check box/menu in the UI, or he could have burned, donated, or otherwise returned his rewards if he likewise wanted to do so.
Dan has a lot of followers, and so does Ned
So does @ozchartart
Thanks for the clarification. I did not realize you could decline it via the CLI that long ago.
EDIT: That is also why I said "as far as I know".