Better money for those in authority (3,5)
I believe the answer is:
top brass
'those in authority' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'better money' is the wordplay.
'better' becomes 'top' (I've seen this in other clues).
'money' becomes 'brass' (I've seen this before).
'top'+'brass'='TOP BRASS'
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for top brass that I've seen before include "senior command" , "military leaders" , "Highest-ranking officials with best yellow alloy" , "most important officials" , "Leadership" .)