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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

Filed by the Registrantý

Filed by a Party other than the Registranto

Check the appropriate box:

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

BRT REALTY TRUST

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

 

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BRT REALTY TRUST
60 Cutter Mill Road
Suite 303
Great Neck, New York 11021
(516) 466-3100



NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
March 20, 201214, 2013



        The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of BRT Realty Trust will be held on Tuesday,Thursday, March 20, 2012,14, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. local time, at the offices of BRT Realty Trust, 60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 303, Great Neck, New York 11021, for the following purposes:

        Shareholders of record at the close of business on January 23, 201215, 2013 are entitled to notice of and to vote at our annual meeting. It is important that your common shares of beneficial interest be represented and voted at the meeting. You can vote your common shares of beneficial interest by completing and returning the proxy card. Certain shareholders can also vote their common shares of beneficial interest over the internet or by telephone. If internet or telephone voting is available to you, voting instructions are printed on the proxy card sent to you. You can revoke a proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the meeting by following the instructions in the accompanying proxy statement.

  Simeon Brinberg

 

 


GRAPHIC
  Secretary

Great Neck, New York
January 27, 201228, 2013


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BRT REALTY TRUST
20122013 ANNUAL MEETING
PROXY STATEMENT




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 Page

General

 1

Questions and Answers About the Meeting and Voting

 1

Governance of Our Company

 4

General

 4

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 4

Risk Oversight

 4

Leadership Structure

 5

Committees of the Board of Trustees

 5

Trustee Qualifications

6

Independence of Trustees

 7

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

 89

Compensation of Trustees

 89

Non-Management Trustee Executive Sessions

 10

Communications with Trustees

 11

Information Regarding Beneficial Ownership of Principal Shareholders, Trustees and Management

 12

Election of Trustees (Proposal 1)

 13

BRT Realty Trust's 2012 Incentive Plan (Proposal 2)

 16

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Proposal 3)2)

 2217

General

 2217

Change in Auditors

 2317

Audit and Other Fees

 2318

Approval Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services

 2418

Report of the Audit Committee

 2519

Executive Compensation

 2721

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 2721

Highlights

 2721

General

 2721

Say-on-Pay

 2822

Objectives of our Executive Compensation Program

 2822

Compensation Setting Process

 2923

Components of Executive Compensation

 3024

Chairman of the Board's Compensation

27

Deductibility of Executive Compensation

 3327

Analysis

 3327

Summary Compensation Table

 3732

Grant of Plan Based Awards

 3834

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 3934

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 3934

Compensation Committee Report

 4035

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

 4136

Introduction

 4136

Related Party Transactions

 4136

Policies and Procedures

 4237

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 4338

Other Matters

 43
38

Annex A

 A-1

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PROXY STATEMENT




GENERAL

        Our board of trustees is furnishing you with this proxy statement to solicit proxies on its behalf to be voted at the 20122013 annual meeting of shareholders of BRT Realty Trust. In this proxy statement we refer to BRT Realty Trust as "BRT," "we," "our," "us," "our company," or the "Trust" and to our common shares of beneficial interest as "common shares" or "shares." The meeting will be held at our offices, 60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 303, Great Neck, New York, at 9:00 a.m., local time, on Tuesday,Thursday, March 20, 2012.14, 2013.

        Our fiscal year begins on October 1st and ends on September 30th. References in this proxy statementUnless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, all references to "fiscal 2011" refersa year (e.g. 2012), refer to the twelve months from October 1, 2010 throughapplicable fiscal year ended September 30 2011.th.

        Our executive offices are located at 60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 303, Great Neck, New York 11021. Our telephone number is (516) 466-3100.


QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE MEETING AND VOTING

        At our annual meeting, shareholders will vote on the following matters:

        We are mailing this proxy statement on or about January 31, 201230, 2013 to our shareholders of record on January 23, 2012.15, 2013. The record date was established by our board of trustees. Shareholders as of the close of business on the record date of January 23, 201215, 2013 are entitled to notice of and to vote their shares at the meeting. Each share is entitled to one vote and shareholders do not have the right to vote cumulatively in the election of trustees. Our common shares constitute our only outstanding class of voting securities and will vote as a single class on all matters to be considered at the annual meeting.

        A quorum is the presence in person or by proxy of shareholders holding a majority of shares entitled to vote at the meeting. On the record date, there were 14,076,71214,191,887 common shares outstanding and entitled to vote. In order to carry on the business at the meeting, a majority of our outstanding shares must be present in person or by proxy. This means that at least 7,038,3577,095,944 common shares must be represented at the meeting, either in person or by proxy, to constitute a quorum. Generally, action cannot be taken at the meeting unless a quorum is present.


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        Because many shareholders cannot attend the meeting in person, it is necessary that a large number of shares be represented by proxy. Most shareholders have a choice of voting over the internet,Internet, by using a toll-free telephone number or by completing a proxy card and mailing it in the postage paid


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envelope provided. Please refer to your proxy card or to the information provided by your bank, broker, or other holder of record to see which options are available to you. You should be aware that if you vote over the internet,Internet, you may incur costs, such as telephone and internetInternet access charges, for which you will be responsible. The internetInternet and telephone voting facilities for shareholders of record will close at 11:59 p.m., E.S.T. on March 19, 2012.13, 2013. If you vote by telephone or via the internet,Internet, it is not necessary to return a proxy card.

        If you wish to name as a proxy someone other than the proxies named on the proxy card, you may do so by crossing out the name of the designated proxies and inserting the name of another person. In that case, you should sign the proxy card and deliver it to the person so named, and the person so named must then be present to vote at the meeting. Proxy cards so marked should not be mailed to us or to our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC.

        Yes.    Under applicable rules, brokers, banks and other nominees are prohibited from voting shares held in street name on matters pertaining to the election of trustees and the approval of our 2012 Incentive Plan, unless the client specifically instructs his or her nominee to vote their shares. Shares held in street name and for which voting instructions are not provided and accordingly, as to which bank, brokers and other nominees do not have discretionary authority to vote on their clients' behalf, are referred to "broker non-votes." Because "broker non-votes" will have the effect of a vote against these proposals,the election of the nominees to serve as trustees, it is very important that you vote your shares.

        A representative of our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC, will tabulate the votes and act as inspector of elections.

        If you hold stock directly in your name, you can revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the annual meeting by filing a written revocation with our Secretary, or delivering to American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, LLC a properly executed proxy bearing a later date. If you vote by telephone or internetInternet you may also revoke your proxy with a timely and valid later telephone or internetInternet vote, as the case may be. You may also revoke your proxy by attending the meeting and voting in person. If not so revoked, the shares represented by such proxy will be voted.

        If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, you must contact such nominee and comply with the nominee's procedures if you want to revoke or change the instructions that you previously provided to the nominee. Attendance at the meeting will not by itself automatically revoke a previously granted proxy.

        All shares entitled to vote and represented by properly completed proxies received prior to the meeting and not revoked, will be voted at the meeting in accordance with your instructions. If no choice is indicated on the proxy card received from a registered holder, the persons named as your proxies will vote the common shares "FOR" the threefour nominees (Alan H. Ginsburg,(Matthew J. Gould, Louis C. Grassi, Israel Rosenzweig and Jeffrey A. Gould and Jonathan H. Simon)Rubin) for Class III Trustee, "FOR" the proposal to approve our 2012 Incentive Plan and "FOR" the ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2012,2013, and as the proxy holders may determine, in their discretion, with


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respect to other matters that properly come before the meeting. The board of trustees is not currently aware of any business to be acted upon at the meeting other than that which is described in this proxy statement.


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        We are soliciting proxies and will pay the entire cost of soliciting proxies, including preparing and mailing this proxy statement. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail and through our regularfull-time and part-time employees, we will request banks, brokers, custodians, nominees and other record holders to forward copies of the proxy statement and other soliciting materials to persons for whom they hold common shares and to request instruction on how to vote the shares. We will reimburse such record holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in forwarding proxies and proxy materials to shareholders. We have retained AST Phoenix Advisory PartnersAdvisors for a fee of $4,500, plus reasonable out of pocket expenses, to aid in the solicitation of proxies from our shareholders. To the extent necessary in order to ensure sufficient representation at the meeting, we or our proxy solicitor may solicit the return of proxies by personal interview, mail, telephone, facsimile, Internet or other means of communication or electronic transmission. The extent to which this will be necessary depends upon how promptly proxies are returned. We urge you to send in your proxy without delay.

        Shareholders who share the same address and last name may receive only one copy of the proxy materials unless we, in the case of shareholders of record, or such shareholder's broker, bank or nominee, in the case of shareholders whose shares are held in street name, has received contrary instructions. This practice, known as "householding," is designed to reduce printing and mailing costs. Shareholders desiring to discontinue householding and receive a separate copy of the proxy materials, may (1) if their shares are held in street name, notify their broker, bank or nominee or (2) if they are shareholders of record, direct a written request to: BRT Realty Trust, 60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 303, Great Neck, NY 11021, Attn: Secretary.

        Our proxy materials are available at:www.brtrealty.com/investor_relations/annualmeetingmaterials.pdf.

        Our annual meeting of shareholders for the year ending September 30, 20122013 is scheduled to be held in March 2013.2014. In order to have any proposal presented by a shareholder at the meeting included in the proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 20132014 meeting, the proposal, in writing and addressed to our secretary, must be received by us no later than October 3, 2012.2, 2013. Upon timely receipt of any such proposal, we will determine whether to include such proposal in the proxy statement in accordance with applicable regulations.

        For any proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in next year's proxy statement, but is instead intended to be presented directly at the 20132014 annual meeting of shareholders, rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, permit us to exercise discretionary authority to the extent conferred by proxy if we:


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GOVERNANCE OF OUR COMPANY

General

        We are governed by a board of trustees and by the committees of the board. Members of the board are kept informed about our business through discussions with our chairman, our president and chief executive officer and our other officers, by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating in meetings of the board and its committees. During fiscal 2011,2012, the board held fivefour meetings and each trustee attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of board and applicable committee meetings. We typically schedule a board meeting in conjunction with our annual meeting and encourage our trustees to attend the annual meeting of shareholders. SevenSeventy percent of the ten individuals then serving as trustees attended our 20112012 annual meeting of shareholders; three trustees were delayed due to transportation issues and all our trustees attended the annual board of trustees meeting that immediately followed the annual shareholders meeting.shareholders.


Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

        We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all trustees, officers, employees, agents and consultants, including our chief executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or person performing similar functions. The code of business conduct and ethics covers a variety of topics, including those required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange. Topics covered include, but are not limited to, conflicts of interest, confidentiality of information, and compliance with laws and regulations. The code of business conduct and ethics, as amended and restated, is available at the corporate governance section of our website atwww.brtrealty.com and may be obtained by writing to us at 60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 303, Great Neck, New York 11021, Attention: Secretary. During fiscal 2011,2012, there were no waivers of the provisions of the code of business conduct and ethics with respect to any of our trustees, officers, employees, agents or consultants. We will post any amendments to, or waivers of, our code of business conduct and ethics as amended and restated, on our website.


Risk Oversight

        Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks we face. Our board of trustees has overall responsibility for overseeing risk management with a focus on the more significant risks facing us. Our audit committee oversees risk policies and processes related to our financial statements, financial reporting processes and liquidity risks, our nominating and corporate governance committee oversees corporate governance risks and our compensation committee oversees risks relating to remuneration of our officers and employees. The compensation committee does not believe that the compensation programs which are in place give rise to any risk that is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on us.

        At each quarterly meeting of the audit committee, a portion of the meeting is devoted to reviewing material credit risks, our loan portfolio, status of foreclosure and similar proceedings, status of the properties in our real estate portfolio and other matters which might have a material adverse impact on current or future operations, and, as required, the audit committee reviews risks arising from related party transactions. In addition, at each meeting of the audit committee, our chief financial officer, as well as the independent registered public accounting firm reviewing or auditing, as the case may be, our financial statements, reports to the committee with respect to compliance by us with our internal control policies in order to ascertain that no failures of a material nature have occurred. This process assists the audit committee in overseeing the risks related to our financial statements and the financial reporting process.

        At each meeting of the board of trustees, the trustees review and discuss significant risk issues reviewed by the audit committee.


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Leadership Structure

        Our company is led by Fredric H. Gould, chairman of our board, and Jeffery A. Gould, president and chief executive officer. The board of trustees believes that: (i) separating the role of chairman and chief executive officer is the most appropriate structure at this time because it makes the best use of the abilities of Fredric H. Gould and Jeffery A. Gould; and (ii) its risk oversight activities does not have any effect on the board's leadership structure. The nominating and corporate governance committee hashad previously considered the appointment of a lead director but determined that such appointment, in light of, among other things, the appointment of the special committee described below, would not improve the governance of our company.


Committees of the Board of Trustees

        Our board of trustees has three standing committees: an audit committee, a compensation committee, and a nominating and corporate governance committee. In addition, the board has appointed a special committee—its term expires in 2014. The board has adopted a charter for each standing committee, as well as corporate governance guidelines that address the make-up and functioning of the board. The charter for each standing committee requires that such committee be comprised of at least three independent directors and in the case of the audit committee, also requires that at least one member of the committee qualify as a "financial expert." All of the members of each committee were independent during their period of service on such committee and in the case of the audit committee, each such member was also financially literate.

You can find each charter and the corporate governance guidelines by accessing the corporate governance section of our website atwww.brtrealty.com. Copies of these charters and the corporate governance guidelines may be obtained by writing to us at 60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 303, Great Neck, New York 11021, Attention: Secretary.

        The table below provides membership and meeting information for each of the board committees for 2012:

Name
 Audit Compensation Nominating
and Corporate
Governance
 Special

Kenneth F. Bernstein

        

Alan H. Ginsburg

   ü    

Louis C. Grassi

 Chair*   ü ü

Gary Hurand

 ü   Chair  

Jeffrey Rubin

   Chair   ü

Jonathan H. Simon

   ü    

Elie Weiss

 ü   ü Chair

Number of Meetings

 

4

 

2

 

2

 

2


*
Audit committee financial expert.

Audit Committee

        Our board of trustees has adopted an audit committee charter delineating the composition and responsibilities of the audit committee. The audit committee charter requires that the audit committee be comprised of at least three members, all of whom are independent trustees and at least one of whom is an "audit committee financial expert." Our board of trustees has determined that all of the members of our audit committee are independent for the purposes of Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and Section 303.01 of the Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange, and that Louis C. Grassi, chairman of the audit committee, qualifies as the "audit committee financial expert."

        The audit committee, which is comprised of Louis C. Grassi (Chairman), Gary Hurand and Elie Weiss, all of whom are independent, met five times during fiscal 2011. Among other things, the auditThis committee is responsible for assisting the board in its oversight ofoverseeing, among other things, (i) the integrity of our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) our independent registered public accounting firm's qualification and independence, and (iv) the performance of the accounting firm performing our internal control audit function, and of our independent registered public accounting firm, and(v) for the preparation of the audit committee report required by the Securities and Exchange Commission for inclusion in this proxy statement. The board has determined that each memberThis committee is also responsible for the selection and engagement of the audit committee satisfies the financial literacy requirementsour independent registered public accounting firm and for approving related party transactions.


Table of the New York Stock Exchange.Contents

Compensation Committee

        The compensation committee, which is comprised of Jeffrey Rubin (Chairman), Alan H. Ginsburg and Jonathan H. Simon, all of whom are independent, met one time during fiscal 2011. The compensationThis committee reviews and makes recommendations and/or determinations with respect to the salaries, bonuses and stock awards of our trustees, executive officers and employees.


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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

        The nominating and corporate governance committee, which is comprised of Gary Hurand (chairman), Louis C. Grassi and Elie Weiss, all of whom are independent, met one time in fiscal 2011. TheThis committee's principal responsibilities of this committee include proposing to the board of trustees a slate of nominees for election to the board of trustees at the annual meeting of shareholders, making a recommendation to the board of trustees with respect to the independence of each trustee, identifying and recommending candidates to fill vacancies on the board of trustees or committees thereof between annual meetings of shareholders, proposing a slate of officers to the trustees for election at the annual meeting of the board and monitoring corporate governance matters, including overseeing our corporate governance guidelines.

Special Committee

        This committee was established in March 2011 to, among other things, review, analyze, monitor and make recommendations with respect to our management structure and the advisory agreement pursuant to which we make payments to our advisor, REIT Management Corp., which is wholly-owned by Fredric H. Gould, our Chairman of the Board. See "Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Analysis—Advisor Fees."


Trustee Qualifications

        The board believes that it should be comprised of trustees with complementary backgrounds, and that trustees should, at a minimum, have expertise that may be useful to us. Our nominating and corporate governance committee has not adopted a formal diversity policy in connection with the consideration of trustee nominations or the selection of nominees. It considers the personal and professional attributes and the business experience of each trustee candidate to promote diversity of expertise and experience among our trustees. Additionally, trustees should possess the highest personal and professional ethics and should be willing and able to devote the required amount of time to our business.

        When considering candidates for trustee, the nominating and corporate governance committee will take into account a number of factors, including the following:

        The nominating and corporate governance committee will consider candidates for trustee suggested by shareholders, applying the criteria for candidates described above, considering the additional


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information referred to below and evaluating such nominees in the same manner as other candidates. Shareholders wishing to suggest a candidate for trustee should write to our Secretary and include:


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        Before nominating a sitting trustee for re-election at an annual meeting of shareholders, the nominating and corporate governance committee will consider:

        When seeking candidates for trustee, the nominating and corporate governance committee may solicit suggestions from management, incumbent trustees or others. The committee or its chairman will interview a candidate if it is believed the candidate might be suitable to be a trustee. The nominating and corporate governance committee may also ask the candidate to meet with management. If the nominating and corporate governance committee believes a candidate would be a valuable addition to the board, it will recommend the candidate's election to the full board.

        The nominating and corporate governance committee generally intends to recommend that the board nominate incumbent trustees whom the committee believes will continue to make important contributions to us, inasmuch as the committee believes that the continuing service of qualified incumbents promotes stability and continuity, giving us the benefit of the familiarity and insight into our affairs that its trustees have accumulated during their tenure, while contributing to the board's ability to work as a collective body.

Special Committee

        The Special Committee, which is comprised of Elie Weiss (Chairman), Louis Grassi and Jeffrey Rubin, all of whom are independent, met seven times in fiscal 2011. This committee was established in March 2011 to, among other things, review, analyze and make recommendations with respect to our management structure and the advisory agreement pursuant to which we make payments to our advisor, REIT Management Corp., which is wholly-owned by Fredric H. Gould, our Chairman of the Board.


Independence of Trustees

        In determining whether our trustees are independent, we apply the New York Stock Exchange's corporate governance listing standards. Such standards provide:


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        The board has affirmatively determined that each of Kenneth F. Bernstein, Alan H. Ginsburg, Louis C. Grassi, Gary Hurand, Jeffrey Rubin, Jonathan H. Simon and Elie Weiss, constituting more than two-thirdsapproximately 64% of our trustees, is "independent" for the purposes of Section 303A of the Listed Company Manual of the New York Stock Exchange, and all of the members of our committees are independent for the purposes of Section 303A. The board based these determinations primarily on a review of the responses of our trustees to questions regarding employment and compensation history, affiliations and family and other relationships, discussions with trustees and relevant facts and circumstances provided to management of any relationships bearing on the independence of a trustee.

        In determining the independence of each of the foregoing trustees, the board considered that Gary Hurand holds approximately a 40% beneficial interest in a family entity which owns a preferred limited partnership interest in Gould Investors L.P. (an, an affiliate of our company—seecompany. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions").Transactions." The preferred limited partnership interest owned by the Hurand family entity had, as of December 31, 2011,2012, a deemed value of $14,678,000approximately $11.5 million (the redemption price of the interest) and very limited voting rights, and no member of the Hurand family, including Mr. Hurand, has any management involvement in Gould Investors L.P. In fiscal 2011, Gould Investors paidInvestors. For 2012, distributions of approximately $1.17 million$998,000 were accrued and paid on the interests owned by the Hurand family entity. Pursuant to the governing documents, in January 2012, Gould Investors exercised its right to repurchase and the Hurand family entity exercised its right to require Gould Investors to repurchase, $2,935,600approximately $2.94 million or 20% of such preferred limited partnership interests. In October 2012, the family entity and Gould Investors agreed that notwithstanding the terms of such preferred interests, until the twelve months ending September 30, 2018, the family entity would defer its right to require Gould Investors to purchase, and Gould Investors would defer its right to redeem, up to 20% (without giving effect to the repurchase in January 2012) of the original preferred interest (a redemption value of up to $2.94 million) that would otherwise be subject to potential redemption or repurchase during 2013. In connection therewith, the parties agreed to reduce the annual distribution rate on such deferred partnership interests from 8% to 5%.

        The board concluded that the foregoing did not disqualify Mr. Hurand from being independent.


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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

        The members of the compensation committee are Jeffrey Rubin (Chairman), Alan H. Ginsburg and Jonathan H. Simon.        None of the members of the compensation committee has ever been an officer or employee of our company or any of our subsidiaries or has had any relationship with the Trust that would require disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K (Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions).


Compensation of Trustees

        Non-managementThe following table sets forth the cash compensation payable to the non-management members of our board of trustees are paid an annual retainerfor service on our board and the committees thereof:

 
  
 Committee 
 
 Board Audit Compensation Nominating Special 

Annual retainer

 $20,000 $5,000 $4,000 $3,000   

Presence in-person at meeting

  1,200  1,000  1,000  1,000  1,000 

Presence by telephone at meeting

  750  750  750  750  1,000 

Chairman's annual retainer

  200,000(1) 10,000  8,000  4,000   

(1)
Such payment is made to Fredric H. Gould, a management trustee and the Chairman of $20,000.our Board of Trustees.

        In addition, each member of the audit committee is paid an annual retainer of $5,000, the chairman of the audit committee is paid an additional annual retainer of $10,000, each member of the compensation committee is paid an annual retainer of $4,000, the chairman of the compensation committee is paid an additional annual retainer of $8,000, each member of the nominatingin 2012 and corporate governance


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committee is paid an annual retainer of $3,000 and the chairman of the nominating and corporate governance committee is paid an additional annual retainer of $4,000. Each member of the special committee is paid $1,000 for each meeting of such committee in which such member participates. Each non-management member of our board of trustees is also paid $1,200 for each board meeting and $1,000 for each committee meeting attended in person and $750 for each board meeting and committee meeting attended by telephone conference. The board, effective as of January 1, 2012, approved the payment of an annual fee of $200,000 to the chairman of our board. In each of fiscal 2011 and 2012,2013, each non-management member of our board of trustees was awarded 3,100 and 3,250, restricted common shares, respectively, under the BRT Realty Trust 2009 Incentive Plan.Plan and 2012 Incentive Plan, respectively. The restricted shares have a five year vesting period, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of specified events, during which period the registered owner is entitled to vote and receive distributions, if any, on such shares. Non-management trustees who reside outside of the local area in which our executive office is located also receive reimbursementare reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in attending board and committee meetings.

        The following table sets forth the cash and non-cash compensation of trustees for fiscal 2011:2012:

Name(1)
 Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)(2)
 Stock
Awards
($)(3)
 Total
($)
  Fees
Earned
or Paid
in Cash
($)
 Stock
Awards
($)(2)
 Total
($)
 

Kenneth F. Bernstein*

 25,750 22,351 48,101  23,750 19,840 43,590 

Alan H. Ginsburg*

 27,750 22,351 50,101  29,750 19,840 49,590 

Fredric H. Gould

  70,298 70,298(6) 175,000(3) 58,400 233,400 

Matthew J. Gould

  70,298 70,298(6)  58,400 58,400 

Louis C. Grassi*

 54,500 22,351 76,851  48,500 19,840 68,340 

Gary Hurand*

 41,500 22,351 63,851  40,500 19,840 60,340 

Israel Rosenzweig

  (4)  

Jeffrey Rubin*

 44,750 22,351 67,101  39,750 19,840 59,590 

Jonathan H. Simon*

 30,250 22,351 52,601  30,750 19,840 50,590 

Elie Weiss*

 49,750 22,351 72,101  37,750 19,840 57,590 

*
Independent trustee

(1)
This table does not reflect: (a) the compensation received by Jeffrey A. Gould, our president, chief executive officer and a trustee,trustee; or (b) compensation paid to Fredric H. Gould, and Matthew J. Gould and Israel Rosenzweig by REIT Management Corp., our advisor and Majestic Property Management Corp., each of which is wholly-owned by Fredric H. Gould. See "Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table" and "Certain

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(2)
Includes all fees earned or paid in cash for services as a trustee during fiscal 2011, including annual retainer and meeting fees and committee and committee chairmanship annual retainer and meeting fees.

(3)
Represents the aggregate grant date fair value for fiscal 2011 computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718.

(3)
Reflects the annual retainer paid to the Chairman of the Board.

(4)
Excludes 9,125 shares of restricted stock issued to him in 2012 prior to his becoming a trustee.

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        The table below shows the aggregate number of unvested restricted shares awarded to and held by the named trustees and the value thereof as of September 30, 2011:2012:

Name
 Unvested
Restricted
Shares
 Market Value
of Unvested
Restricted
Stock ($)
  Unvested
Restricted
Shares
 Market Value
of Unvested
Restricted
Stock ($)
 

Kenneth F. Bernstein(1)

 11,850 73,707  13,700 89,050 

Alan H. Ginsburg(1)

 11,850 73,707  13,700 89,050 

Fredric H. Gould(2)

 32,550 202,461  38,875 252,688 

Matthew J. Gould(2)

 32,550 202,461  38,875 252,688 

Louis C. Grassi(1)

 11,850 73,707  13,700 89,050 

Gary Hurand(1)

 11,850 73,707  13,700 89,050 

Israel Rosenzweig

 38,875 252,688 

Jeffrey Rubin(1)

 11,850 73,707  13,700 89,050 

Jonathan H. Simon(1)

 11,850 73,707  13,700 89,050 

Elie Weiss(3)

 10,600 65,932 

Elie Weiss(1)

 13,700 89,050 

(1)
On January 31, 2007, we awarded 1,250 restricted shares, with a grant date fair value of $35,688. On January 31, 2008, we awarded 1,500 restricted shares, with a grant date fair value of $23,535. On February 2, 2009, we awarded 3,000 restricted shares, with a grant date fair value of $12,150. On January 29, 2010, we awarded 3,000 restricted shares with a grant date fair value of $13,320. On January 15, 2011, we awarded 3,100 restricted shares with a grant date fair value of $25,130.$22,351. On January 16, 2012, we awarded 3,100 restricted shares with a grant date fair value of $19,840. Each share of restricted stock vests five years after the date of grant.

(2)
On January 31, 2007, we awarded 2,800 restricted shares, with a grant date fair value of $79,940. On January 31, 2008, we awarded 4,000 restricted shares, with a grant date fair value of $62,760. On February 2, 2009, we awarded 8,000 restricted shares, with a grant date fair value of $32,400. On January 29, 2010, we awarded 8,000 restricted shares, with a grant date fair value of $35,520. On January 15, 2011, we awarded 9,750 restricted shares with a grant date fair value of $70,298. Each share of restricted stock vests five years after the date of grant.

(3)
On January 31, 2008,16, 2012, we awarded 1,5009,125 restricted shares with a grant date fair value of $23,535. On February 2, 2009, we awarded 3,000 restricted shares, with a grant date fair value of $12,150. On January 29, 2010, we awarded 3,000 restricted shares, with a grant date fair value of $13,320. On January 15, 2011, we awarded 3,100 restricted shares with a grant date fair value of $25,130.$58,400. Each share of restricted stock vests five years after the date of grant.


Non-Management Trustee Executive Sessions

        In accordance with New York Stock Exchange listing standards, our non-management trustees meet regularly in executive sessions without management. "Non-management" trustees are all those trustees who are not employees or officers of our company and include trustees, if any, who are not employees or officers but who were not determined to be "independent" by our board of trustees. The person who presides over executive sessions of non-management trustees is one of the committee


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chairmen. To the extent practicable, the presiding trustee at the executive sessions is rotated among the chairmen of the board's committees. See "Governance of our Company—Leadership Structure" for information about the decision not to appoint a "lead trustee."


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Communications with Trustees

        Shareholders and interested persons who want to communicate with our board or any individual trustee can write to:

        Your letter should indicate that you are a shareholder of BRT Realty Trust. Depending on the subject matter, the Secretary will:

        At each board meeting, the Secretary will present a summary of communications received, if any, since the last meeting that were not forwarded and make those communications available to the trustees on request.

        In the event that a shareholder, employee or other interested person would like to communicate with our non-management trustees confidentially, they may do so by sending a letter to "Non-Management Trustees" at the address set forth above. Please note that the envelope should contain a clear notation that it is confidential.


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INFORMATION REGARDING BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL
SHAREHOLDERS, TRUSTEES AND MANAGEMENT

        The following table sets forth information concerning our common shares owned as of January 23, 201215, 2013 by (i) each person beneficially owning five percent or more of our common shares, (ii) each trustee, (ii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table, and (iii) all trustees and executive officers as a group.

Name of
Beneficial Owner
 Amount of
Beneficial
Ownership(1)
 Percent
of Class
  Number of
Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)
 Percent
of Class
 

Kenneth F. Bernstein(2)

 19,998 *  23,248 * 

Alan H. Ginsburg(2)

 17,530 *  20,780 * 

Fredric H. Gould(2)(3)

 3,515,578 25.0% 3,417,512 24.1 

Jeffrey A. Gould(2)(4)

 425,207 3.0% 479,110 3.4 

Matthew J. Gould(2)(5)

 3,208,675 22.8% 3,176,999 22.4 

Mitchell Gould

 91,854 *  101,979 * 

Louis C. Grassi(2)

 22,093 *  25,343 * 

Gary Hurand(2)(6)

 360,296 2.6% 363,546 2.6 

David W. Kalish(7)

 438,135 3.1% 448,685 3.2 

Mark H. Lundy(8)

 118,044 *  131,769 * 

Israel Rosenzweig

 394,702 * 

Jeffrey Rubin(2)

 19,998 *  23,248 * 

Jonathan H. Simon(2)

 17,530 *  20,780 * 

Elie Weiss(2)(9)

 34,871 *  38,121 * 

George Zweier

 34,990 *  40,990 * 

Gould Investors L.P(10)

 2,777,264 19.7% 2,777,264 19.6 

All trustees and executive officers as a group (18 persons)

 5,641,175 40.1%

Greenwood Investments, Inc.(11)

 871,245 6.1 

All trustees and executive officers as a group (19 persons)

 5,285,423 37.2 

*
Less than 1%

(1)
Shares are listed as beneficially owned by a person who directly or indirectly holds or shares the power to vote or to dispose of the shares. The percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 14,076,71214,191,887 shares outstanding on January 23, 2012.15, 2013.

(2)
A trustee.

(3)
Includes (i) 271,440 shares owned by the pension and profit sharing trusts of BRT Realty Trust and REIT Management Corp. of which Fredric H. Gould is a trustee, as to which shares he has shared voting and investment power, (ii) 23,469 shares owned by a charitable foundation, of which he is a director, as to which shares he has shared voting and investment power, (iii) 33,259 shares owned by a trust for the benefit of his grandchildren of which he is a trustee (as to which shares he disclaims beneficial interest), (iv) 25,260 shares owned by a partnership in which an entity wholly owned by him is the managing general partner, and (v) 2,468 shares held by him as custodian for his grandson (as to which shares he disclaims beneficial interest). Also includes 37,081 shares owned by One Liberty Properties, Inc., of which he is chairman of the board and 2,777,264 shares owned by Gould Investors L.P., of which an entity wholly owned by him is the managing general partner and another entity wholly owned by him is the other general partner. Does not include 7,512 shares owned by his spouse, as to which shares she has sole voting and investment power and as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.


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(4)
Includes 28,49773,055 shares owned by Jeffrey A. Gould as custodian for his children (as to which shares he disclaims beneficial ownership), 23,469 shares owned by a charitable foundation of which he is a director, as to which shares he has shared voting and

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(5)
Includes 20,47947,633 shares owned by Matthew J. Gould as custodian for his children (as to which shares he disclaims beneficial ownership), 23,469 shares owned by a charitable foundation of which he is a director, as to which shares he has shared voting and investment power, 33,259 shares owned by a trust for the benefit of his children and other relatives, of which he is a trustee (as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership), 37,081 shares owned by One Liberty Properties Inc., of which he is a director and an executive officer and 2,777,264 shares owned by Gould Investors L.P.Investors. Mr. Gould is president of the managing general partner of Gould Investors L.P.Investors. Does not include 48,745 shares owned by his spouse nor 1,140 shares owned by his children, as to each of which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(6)
Includes 96,872 shares held directly by Mr. Hurand, of which 57,293 shares are pledged; 101,945 shares owned by limited liability companies in which Mr. Hurand is a member, of which 97,953 shares are pledged; and 161,479 shares owned by a corporation in which Mr. Hurand is an officer and shareholder, of which 121,377 shares are pledged. Mr. Hurand shares voting and investment power with respect to the shares owned by the limited liability companies and the corporation.

(7)
Includes 312,636 shares owned by the pension and profit sharing trusts of BRT Realty Trust, REIT Management Corp. and Gould Investors L.P., as to which Mr. Kalish has shared voting and investment power. Does not include 4,870 shares owned by his spouse, as to which shares she has sole voting and investment power and as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(8)
Includes 69,268 shares held in a margin account.account and which are therefore deemed to be pledged. Does not include 1,221 shares owned by his spouse, as custodian for their children, as to which shares she has sole voting and investment power and foras to which he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(9)
Excludes 271 shares owned by his spouse, as to which shares he disclaims beneficial ownership.

(10)
Such person's address is: 60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 303, Great Neck, NY 11021.

(11)
Based on information reported in Form 13F filed by such person with the SEC on November 15, 2012. Such form discloses the reporting person's address as 200 Clarendon Street, 25th floor, Boston, MA 02116.


ELECTION OF TRUSTEES
(Proposal 1)

        The board of trustees is divided into three classes, each of which is elected for a staggered term of three years. Our Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust provides for the number of trustees to be between five and fifteen, the exact number to be determined by our board of trustees. The board has fixed the number of trustees at ten.eleven. The board may, following the meeting, increase or decrease the size of the board and fill any resulting vacancy or vacancies.

        At the annual meeting of shareholders, threefour Class III Trustees (Alan H. Ginsburg,(Matthew J. Gould, Louis C. Grassi, Israel Rosenzweig and Jeffrey A. Gould and Jonathan H. Simon)Rubin) are standing for election to our board of trustees. Each nominee


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has been recommended to our board of trustees by the nominating and corporate governance committee for election at the annual meeting and each nominee has been nominated by our board of trustees to stand for election at the annual meeting, to hold office until our 20152016 annual meeting and until his successor is elected and qualified. Class III Trustees will be considered for election at our 20132015 annual meeting and Class III Trustees will be considered for election at our 2014 annual meeting. Proxies will not be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named in the proxy statement.


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        We expect each nominee to be able to serve if elected. However, if any nominee is unable to serve as a trustee, unless a shareholder withholds authority, the persons named in the proxy card may vote for any substitute nominee proposed by the board of trustees. Each nominee, if elected, will serve until the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2015.2016. Each other trustee whose current term will continue after the date of our 20122013 annual meeting will serve until the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2013 with respect to the Class II Trustees, and 2014 with respect to the Class III Trustees.

        The following table sets forth certain information regarding each nominee for electionTrustees, and 2015 with respect to the board of trustees:


Nominees for Election As Class I Trustees Whose Term Expires in 2015
Trustees.

Name and Age
Principal Occupation for the past Five Years and
other Directorships or Significant Affiliations

Alan H. Ginsburg
73 years

Trustee since December 2006; Chief Executive Officer since 1987 of The CED Companies, a private company which develops, builds and manages multi-family apartment communities. His more than 20 years experience as chief executive officer of a real estate developer/manager provides our board with a long-term perspective on the real estate and real estate lending industry.

Jeffrey A. Gould
46 years

Trustee since 1997; President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2002, President and Chief Operating Officer from March 1996 to December 2001; Senior Vice President and director since December 1999 of One Liberty Properties, Inc.; Senior Vice President of Georgetown Partners, Inc., managing general partner of Gould Investors L.P., since 1996. He is the son of Fredric H. Gould and the brother of Matthew J. Gould. Mr. Jeffrey A. Gould's experience in a broad range of real estate activities, including mortgage lending, real estate evaluation, management and sale of real estate, and his nine years as our President and Chief Executive Officer enables him to provide key insights on strategic, operational and financial matters related to our business.

Jonathan H. Simon
46 years

Trustee since December 2006; President and Chief Executive Officer since 1994 of The Simon Development Group, a private company which has developed, owns and manages a diverse portfolio of residential, retail and commercial real estate, primarily in New York City. His background in the real estate industry and in particular, his experience in real estate development, affords him an understanding of the challenges faced by real estate entrepreneurs which is helpful to us as a real property lender.


Vote Required for Approval of Proposal 1

        The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding common shares is required for the election of each nominee for trustee. Abstentions and broker non-votes have the effect of a vote against the nominee(s).

        THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ALAN H. GINSBURG, JEFFREY A. GOULD AND JONATHAN H. SIMON AS CLASS I TRUSTEES. THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE PROXY CARD INTEND TO VOTE SUCH PROXY FOR THE ELECTION OF SUCH PERSONS AS TRUSTEES.


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The following tables settable sets forth certain information regarding trustees whose terms will continue aftereach nominee for election to the dateboard of the annual meeting:trustees:


Nominees for Election as Class II Trustees Whose Term Will Expire in 20132016

Name and Age
 Principal Occupation for the past Five Years and
other Directorships or Significant Affiliations

Matthew J. Gould
5253 years

 Trustee since June 2004, a senior vice president since 1993, and a trustee from March 2001 to March 2004; President of Georgetown Partners, Inc., managing general partner of Gould Investors L.P., since March 1996; vice president of REIT Management Corp., advisor to the Trust, since 1986; director and senior vice president of One Liberty Properties, Inc. since 1999 and1999; President of One Liberty Properties from 1989 to 1999.1999; President of Georgetown Partners, Inc., the managing general partner of Gould Investors L.P., since March 1996. Gould Investors is primarily engaged in the ownership and operation of real estate properties held for investment. He is the son of Fredric H. Gould and brother of Jeffrey A. Gould. His experience in real estate matters, including the acquisition and sale of real property, mortgage financing and real estate management, makes him a valuable asset to our board in its deliberations.

Louis C. Grassi
5657 years

 

Trustee since June 2003; Managing partner of Grassi & Co. CPAs, P.C. since 1980; Director of Flushing Financial Corp. since 1998. Mr. Grassi has been involved for more than 25 years in accounting and auditing issues. His knowledge of financial and accounting matters and his experience as a director and member of the audit committee of a publicly traded financial institution provides him with the accounting and governance background and skill needed as the chairman and financial expert of our audit committee and as a member of our compensation committee.


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Name and Age
Principal Occupation for the past Five Years and
other Directorships or Significant Affiliations

Israel Rosenzweig
65 years

Trustee and Vice Chairman of our Board of Trustees since September 2012; Senior Vice President since April 1998. Mr. Rosenzweig has been a Vice President of Georgetown Partners, Inc., the managing general partner of Gould Investors, L.P., since May 1997. From 2000 to March 2009, he was President of GP Partners, Inc., an affiliate of Gould Investors L.P., which provided advisory services in the real estate and financial services industries to an investment advisor. He also has been a Senior Vice President of One Liberty Properties, Inc. since June 1989. His experience as a lending officer at a major financial institution prior to becoming associated with us, his knowledge and experience in business, finance and accounting matters and his approximately 30 years of experience in the real estate industry and of working with us, provides the Board with a valuable resource in its deliberations.

Jeffrey Rubin
44 years

 

Trustee since March 2004; since March 2009, President and CEO of The JR Group, which provides consulting services to the electronic payment processing industry; President and director of Newtek Business Services, Inc., a provider of business services and financial products to small and medium sized businesses, from February 1999 to March 2009. Mr. Rubin's experience as the president and a director of a public company and his experience in business and financial matters are valuable to our company in his activities as the chairman of our compensation committee and in his activities as a trustee.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF MATTHEW J. GOULD, LOUIS C. GRASSI, ISRAEL ROSENZWEIG AND JEFFREY RUBIN AS CLASS II TRUSTEES. THE PERSONS NAMED IN THE PROXY CARD INTEND TO VOTE SUCH PROXY FOR THE ELECTION OF SUCH PERSONS AS TRUSTEES.

        The following table sets forth certain information regarding trustees whose terms will continue after the date of the annual meeting:


Class III Trustees Whose Term Will Expire in 2014

Name and Age
 Principal Occupation for the past Five Years and
other Directorships or Significant Affiliations

Kenneth F. Bernstein
5051 years

 Trustee since June 2004; President and Chief Executive Officer of Acadia Realty Trust, a real estate investment trust focused primarily on the ownership, acquisition, redevelopment and management of retail properties, since January 2001. His experience as president and chief executive officer of a New York Stock Exchange listed REIT for approximately ninetwelve years, his leadership positions with various real estate industry associations and his background as a practicing attorney make him a valuable member of our board.

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Name and Age
 Principal Occupation for the past Five Years and
other Directorships or Significant Affiliations

Fredric H. Gould
7677 years

 

Trustee since 1983; Chairman of our Board since 1984; Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1989, Chief Executive Officer from July 2005 to December 2007, and President from July 2005 to December 2006, of One Liberty Properties, Inc.;Properties; Chairman of the Board of Georgetown Partners, Inc., managing general partner of Gould Investors L.P., since December 1997 and sole member of Gould General LLC, a general partner of Gould Investors L.P.;Investors; President of REIT Management Corp., advisor to the Trust, since 1986; Director of East Group Properties, Inc. since 1998. He is the father of Matthew J. Gould and Jeffrey A. Gould. Mr. Gould has been involved in the real estate businessindustry for approximately 50 years, as an investor, owner, manager, and as the chief executive officer of publicly traded real estate entities and real estate investment trusts. He has also served as a director of four real estate investment trusts, and as a director and a member of the loan committee of two savings and loan associations. His knowledge and experience in business, finance, tax, accounting and legal matters and his knowledge of our company's business and history makes him an important member of our board of trustees.

Gary Hurand
6566 years

 

Trustee since 1990; President of Dawn Donut Systems, Inc. since 1971; President of Management Diversified, Inc., a real property management and development company, since 1987; Director of Citizens Republic Bancorp Inc. and predecessor since 1990. He is the father-in-law of Elie Weiss. Mr. Hurand brings valuable business and leadership skills to the board in light of his 20 years of service as aour trustee, of our Company, his extensive experience in commercial real estate and in business operations and as a director and member of the audit committee of a publicly traded financial institution.

Elie Weiss
3940 years

 

Trustee since December 2007; engaged in real estate development since September 1997; Executive Vice President of Robert Stark Enterprises, Inc., a company engaged in the development and management of retail, office and multi-family residential properties from September 1997 to September 2007. Mr. Weiss is a principal in two restaurant development and operating groups, Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar and Province with restaurants in Ohio, Maryland, Illinois and Arizona. He is also actively engaged in managing his personal real estate investments. He is the son-in-law of Gary Hurand. His entrepreneurial and extensive real estate experience makes him a valuable member of our board.


BRT REALTY TRUST 2012 INCENTIVE PLAN
(PROPOSAL 2)Class I Trustees Whose Term Expires in 2015

General

        The board of directors has approved, subject to shareholder approval, the adoption of the BRT Realty Trust 2012 Incentive Plan (the "2012 Plan" or the "Plan").

        The board believes that granting equity based compensation is an important component of our compensation structure. The purpose of the Plan is to motivate, retain and attract employees, officers and trustees of experience and ability and to further the financial success of our company by aligning

Name and Age
Principal Occupation for the past Five Years and
other Directorships or Significant Affiliations

Alan H. Ginsburg
74 years

Trustee since December 2006; Chief Executive Officer since 1987 of The CED Companies, a private company which develops, builds and manages multi-family apartment communities. His more than 20 years' experience as chief executive officer of a real estate developer/manager provides our board with a long-term perspective on the real estate and real estate lending industry.

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the interests of participants in the Plan, through the ownership of common shares, with the interests of our shareholders.

        An aggregate of 628,355 shares of restricted stock issued pursuant to all of our equity incentive plans were outstanding on January 23, 2012. Since all these restricted shares have a five year cliff-vesting requirement, the outstanding restricted shares vest in approximately equal annual amounts through 2017. There are 133,790 shares available to be awarded pursuant to our 2009 Incentive Plan, as amended (the "2009 Plan") and we propose the adoption of the 2012 Plan pursuant to which up to 600,000 shares may be awarded. If shareholders adopt the 2012 Plan, no further awards will be made under the 2009 Plan. As of January 23, 2012, there were 14,077,173 shares outstanding. Generally, the awards granted each year have represented less than 1% of our outstanding shares at the time of grant.

        It is anticipated that awards will be granted under the Plan to: eleven full-time and part-time executive officers; seven non-management trustees; and approximately 41 full-time and part-time non-executive officers and employees.

        The following summary of major features of the Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the actual text of the Plan, set forth as Annex A.


Shares Subject to the Plan

        The total number of shares available for grant under the Plan will not exceed 600,000 shares. The Plan authorizes the discretionary grant of (i) incentive stock options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (ii) non-qualified stock options, (iii) restricted stock, (iv) restricted stock units and (v) performance-based awards. The shares available for issuance under the Plan will be authorized but unissued common shares. Shares related to awards that are forfeited, cancelled, terminated or expire unexercised will be available for grant under the Plan. Neither shares tendered by a participant to pay the exercise price of an award, nor any shares withheld by us for taxes will be available for future grants under the Plan. In the event of a stock dividend or stock split affecting our shares, the number of shares issuable and issued under the Plan and the number of shares covered by and the exercise price and other terms of outstanding awards will be adjusted to reflect such event to prevent dilution or diminution of awards.


Administration of the Plan

        The Plan will be administered by our compensation committee which, to the extent deemed necessary by the board, will consist of two or more persons who satisfy the requirements for a "non-employee director" under Rule 16(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and/or the requirements for an "outside director" under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The compensation committee has authority to administer and construe the Plan in accordance with its provisions. The compensation committee's authority also includes the power to (a) determine persons eligible for awards, (b) prescribe the terms and conditions of awards granted under the Plan, (c) adopt rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan which are consistent with the Plan and (d) establish, interpret, amend or revoke any such rules.


Options

        Stock options entitle the holder to purchase a specified number of shares at a specified exercise price subject to the terms and conditions of the option grant. The purchase price per share for each incentive stock option is determined by the compensation committee, but must be at least 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant. The aggregate fair market value of shares with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by an individual during any calendar year cannot exceed $100,000. To the extent that the fair market value of shares with respect to which incentive stock options become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year exceeds $100,000,


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the portion in excess of $100,000 will be treated as a non-qualified option. Options granted under the Plan may be exercisable for a term up to ten years. If a participant owns more than 10% of the total voting power of all classes of our shares at the time the participant is granted an incentive stock option, the option price per share cannot be less than 110% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant and the term of the option cannot exceed five years.

        Non-qualified options may not be granted at an exercise price per share that is less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of the grant. The maximum aggregate number of shares underlying options that may be granted in one calendar year to an individual participant is 60,000.

        The closing price for our shares on the New York Stock Exchange on January 23, 2012 was $6.50 per share.


Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units

        Restricted stock are shares that may not be sold, transferred, gifted, bequeathed, pledged, assigned or otherwise disposed of until the end of a specified restriction period. Restricted stock units or RSU's represent the right, upon satisfaction of specified conditions, to receive shares and are subject to the same restrictions on transferability applicable to restricted stock. RSU's and shares of restricted stock will be issued at the beginning of the restriction period and the compensation committee shall set restrictions and other conditions applicable to the vesting of such award, including restrictions based on the achievement of specific performance goals, time based restrictions or any other basis determined by the compensation committee.

        Recipients of restricted stock have the right to vote such shares and to receive and retain cash dividends and other distributions, if any, paid thereon, even if such restricted stock is forfeited in the future. Recipients of RSU's are not entitled to vote or receive dividends with respect to the underlying shares until such shares have been issued. Recipients of such awards will not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate representing the shares until all the restrictions have been fulfilled.

        Generally, it is anticipated that any restricted stock or RSU that does not vest on the vesting date, or on a date prior to the vesting date if it is determined that it cannot vest (for example due to the termination of employment prior to achievement of a time based restriction), will be forfeited to us and the recipient will not thereafter have any rights (including rights to dividends and distributions) with respect to these securities.

        No more than 60,000 shares of each of restricted stock and RSU's will be awarded to any participant in any calendar year. We will not repurchase outstanding restricted stock or RSU's in exchange for cash. Except as otherwise provided in an award agreement, in the event of the death, disability or retirement (as defined in the Plan) the restriction period shall not automatically terminate. The compensation committee may grant restricted stock or RSU's and set restrictions based upon performance goals so that such grant would qualify as "performance based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.


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Performance Based Awards

        In view of our relatively small market capitalization in comparison to our peers, and our small number of executive officers, it has been our judgment that fair and equitable compensation of our executive officers and the alignment of the interests of our executive officers with the interests of our shareholders could be accomplished by our compensation committee, with input from our chairman and senior management, analyzing our performance and the performance of each executive officer, and by awarding restricted stock to our executive officers in reasonable amounts. In view of the pay for performance emphasis of many of our peers and institutional investors, the Plan authorizes the compensation committee to grant performance based awards. Our compensation committee has commenced the process for establishing performance goals for the grant of performance based awards to senior executives, including our president and chief executive officer. It is currently anticipated that performance based goals will be established in 2012 for performance based awards to be granted in 2012. Performance based awards will be made by the issuance of restricted stock units or other Awards, or a combination thereof, contingent upon the attainment of one or more performance goals (described below) that our compensation committee establishes. The minimum period with respect to which performance goals are measured is one year, but the compensation committee generally intends to establish a performance cycle of not less than three years. The maximum number of shares with respect to which a participant may be granted performance based awards in any calendar year is 60,000 shares.

        The terms and conditions of a performance based award will provide for the vesting of the award to be contingent upon the achievement of one or more specified performance goals that the compensation committee establishes. For this purpose, "performance goals" means for a performance cycle, the specific goals that the compensation committee establishes that may be based on one or more of the following performance criteria:


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        The performance goals need not be the same with respect to all participants and may be established for the Trust as a whole, on a per share basis or may be based on our performance compared to the performance of businesses specified by the compensation committee or compared to any prior period.


Amendment and Termination of the 2012 Incentive Plan

        No awards may be made under the 2012 Incentive Plan on or after the tenth anniversary of the plan's effective date. Our board of directors may amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time for any reason. However, no amendment shall permit the repricing, replacing or regranting of an option in connection with the cancellation of the Option or by amending an Award Agreement to lower the exercise price of an option or the cancellation of any award in exchange for cash without shareholder approval. In addition, before the plan can be amended, modified or terminated, where such amendment, modification or termination would adversely affect a participant who has already been granted an award, such participant's consent must be obtained.


Change in Control

        Any awards granted under the Plan that are outstanding and not then exercisable or subject to restrictions at the time of a change in control (as defined in the Plan) shall become immediately exercisable and all restrictions shall be removed effective as of such change in control. The Plan defines a change in control as follows:


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Federal Income Tax Consequences

        The federal tax rules applicable to awards under the Plan under the tax code are summarized below. This summary omits the tax laws of any municipality, state, or foreign country in which a participant resides.

        Stock option grants under the Plan may be intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the tax code or may be non-qualified stock options governed by Section 83 of the tax code. Generally, federal income tax is not due from a participant upon the grant of a stock option, and a deduction is not taken by us. Under current tax laws, if a participant exercises a non-qualified stock option, he or she will have taxable income equal to the difference between the market price of the common stock on the exercise date and the stock option grant price. We are entitled to a corresponding deduction on our income tax return. A participant will not have any taxable income upon exercising an incentive stock option after the applicable holding periods have been satisfied (except that the alternative minimum tax may apply), and we will not receive a deduction when an incentive stock option is exercised. The treatment for a participant of a disposition of shares acquired through the exercise of a stock option depends on how long the shares were held and whether the shares were acquired by exercising an incentive stock option or a non-qualified stock option. We may be entitled to a deduction in the case of a disposition of shares acquired under an incentive stock option before the applicable holding periods have been satisfied.

        Generally, taxes are not due when a restricted stock (unless the participant makes election under section 83(b) of the Code) or RSU award is initially made, but the award becomes taxable when it is no longer subject to a "substantial risk of forfeiture" (it becomes vested or transferable), in the case of restricted stock, or when shares are issuable in connection with vesting, in the case of an RSU. Income tax is paid on the value of the stock or units at ordinary rates when the restrictions lapse, and then at capital gain rates when the shares are sold.

        Section 409A of the tax code affects taxation of awards to employees but does not affect our ability to deduct deferred compensation. Section 409A applies to RSUs, performance units, and performance shares. Such grants are taxed at vesting but will be subject to new limits on plan terms governing when vesting may occur. If grants under such plans do not allow employees to elect further deferral on vesting or on distribution, under the regulations, a negative impact should not attach to the grants.

        Section 409A of the tax code does not apply to incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options (that are not discounted), and restricted stock, provided that there is no deferral of income beyond the vesting date.

        As described above, awards granted under the Plan may qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the tax code. To qualify, stock options and other awards must be granted under the Plan by a committee consisting solely of two or more outside directors (as defined under Section 162 regulations) and satisfy the Plan's limit on the total number of shares that may be awarded to any one participant during any calendar year. In addition, for awards other than stock options to qualify, the grant, issuance, vesting, or retention of the award must be contingent upon


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satisfying one or more of the performance criteria set forth in the Plan, as established and certified by a committee consisting solely of two or more outside directors.


New Plan Benefits Table

        We have not determined the type, amount or recipients of awards under the 2012 plan. Accordingly, we provide the following table which reflects the awards granted in fiscal 2011 pursuant to the 2009 Incentive Plan to the persons and groups indicated. All of such awards were in the form of restricted stock that vest on a "cliff-vesting" basis five years after grant.

Name and Position
 Number of
Shares(1)
 Dollar
Value ($)(2)
 

Jeffrey A. Gould

  9,750  70,298 

President and Chief Executive Officer

       

George Zweier

  4,200  30,282 

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

       

Mitchell Gould

  9,750  70,298 

Executive Vice President

       

David W. Kalish

  9,750  70,298 

Senior Vice President

       

Mark H. Lundy

  9,750  70,298 

Senior Vice President

       

Executive group (11 persons)

  88,400  637,364 

Non-executive director group (7 persons)

  21,700  156,457 

Non-executive officer and employee group (41 persons)

  28,050  202,241 

(1)
Represents shares of restricted stock that generally vest five
Name and Age
Principal Occupation for the past Five Years and
other Directorships or Significant Affiliations

Jeffrey A. Gould
47 years after the date of grant.

(2)
The value has been computed based upon $7.21 per share, the closing price for our shares of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on January 15, 2011, the date of grant.

        The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast at the meeting is required to adopt the Plan, provided that a majority of the shares entitled to vote actually vote on this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes have the effect of a vote against this proposal.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE BRT REALTY TRUST 2012 INCENTIVE PLAN. PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSAL UNLESS SHAREHOLDERS SPECIFY OTHERWISE.

Trustee since 1997; President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2002, President and Chief Operating Officer from March 1996 to December 2001; Senior Vice President and director since December 1999 of One Liberty Properties.; Senior Vice President of Georgetown Partners, Inc., since 1996. He is the son of Fredric H. Gould and the brother of Matthew J. Gould. Mr. Jeffrey A. Gould's experience in a broad range of real estate activities, including mortgage lending, real estate evaluation, management and sale of real estate, and his eleven years as our President and Chief Executive Officer enables him to provide key insights on strategic, operational and financial matters related to our business.

Jonathan H. Simon
47 years

Trustee since December 2006; President and Chief Executive Officer since 1994 of The Simon Development Group, a private company which has developed, owns and manages a diverse portfolio of residential, retail and commercial real estate, primarily in New York City. His background in the real estate industry and in particular, his experience in real estate development, affords him an understanding of the challenges faced by real estate entrepreneurs which is helpful to us as a real property lender.


INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(Proposal 3)2)

General

        The audit committee and the board of trustees is seeking ratification of the appointment of BDO USA, LLP ("BDO") as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012.2013. Representatives of BDO, our auditors for fiscal 2011,2012, are expected to be present at the annual meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if such representatives desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

        We are not required to have our shareholders ratify the selection of BDO as our independent registered public accounting firm. We are doing so because we believe it is good corporate practice. If our shareholders do not ratify the selection, the audit committee will reconsider whether or not to


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retain BDO, but may, after reconsidering, still decide to retain such independent registered public accounting firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the audit committee, in its discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in our best interests.

        THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BDO AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL 2012.THE YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2013.


Change in Auditors

        On December 14, 2010, the audit committee of our board of trustees dismissed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

        Ernst & Young's reports on our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor were such reports qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and through December 14, 2010, (i) there were no disagreements with Ernst & Young on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Ernst & Young, would have caused Ernst & Young to make a reference thereto in its reports on our


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consolidated financial statements for such periods and (ii) there were no "reportable events" as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

        On December 28, 2010, the audit committee of our board of trustees engaged BDO as our independent registered public accountants, as of and for the fiscal year endingended September 30, 2011 and the interim periods prior to such year-end.

        During fiscal 2010 and 2009 years and through December 28, 2010, we did not consult with BDO regarding the application of accounting principles to a specific transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements, nor did BDO provide advice to us, either written or oral, that was an important factor considered by us in reaching a decision as to an accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue. Further, during fiscal 2010 and 2009 and through December 28, 2010, we did not consult with BDO on any matter described in Item 304(a)(2)(i) or (ii) of Regulation S-K.


Audit and Other Fees

        The following table presents, except as otherwise indicated, theBDO's fees (including expenses) for the services indicated billed by BDO for fiscal 20112012 and Ernst & Young for fiscal 2010:2011:


 Fiscal
2011
 Fiscal
2010
  2012(1) 2011(1) 

Audit fees(1)(2)

 $315,000 $425,000  $384,936 $332,695 

Audit related fees(2)

   

Audit-related fees

   

Tax fees(3)

  15,130    

All other fees(4)

      
          

Total fees

 $315,000 $440,130  $384,936 $332,695 
          

(1)
AuditThe amount reflected in 2012 and 2011 excludes Ernst & Young's fees includeof: (a) $10,000 and $19,500 for its review in 2012 and 2011, respectively, of the consolidated financial statements for 2010 included in our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K; and (b) $5,000 for its review of our registration statement in 2012.

(2)
Includes fees for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, the annual audit of internal controls over financial reporting, as required by Section 404the review of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and review of theconsolidated financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The amount reflected in fiscal 2011 excludes $19,500

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(2)
Audit related fees include fees related to the preparation ofa Registration StatementsStatement on Form S-8 in 2012 and Form S-3.

(3)
Tax fees consistthe audits of fees for tax advice, tax compliancethe statements of revenues and tax planning.

(4)
Excludes $30,000 paid to Ernst & Young for services renderedcertain expenses performed in fiscal 20112012 in connection with the transition to BDO as our auditors.multi-family property acquisitions in accordance with Rule 3-14 of Regulation S-X.


Approval Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services

        The audit committee annually reviews and approves the retention of our independent registered public accounting firm for each fiscal year and the audit of our financial statements for such fiscal year, including the fee associated with the audit. In addition, the audit committee approves the provision of tax related and other non-audit services. Any fees for the audit and any fees for non-audit services in excess of those approved by the audit committee must receive the prior approval of the audit committee.

        Proposals for any non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm must be approved in advance by the audit committee in advance at a regularly scheduled meeting, by unanimous consent or at a meeting held by telephone conference.committee.

        For fiscal 2011,2012, the audit committee pre-approved all of the audit, tax and non-audit services rendered by our independent registered public accounting firm.


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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

        The audit committee of the board of trustees is comprised of three independent trustees and operates under a written charter adopted by the board of trustees. The board of trustees has determined that each member of the audit committee is "independent," as required by Section 10A(m)(3)was independent during his service on the committee.

        The role of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder and by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

        The audit committee is appointed by the board of trusteesto, among other things, select and engage our independent registered public accounting firm and to oversee and monitor among other things, theour financial reporting process, the independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm the Trust's internal controls and the performancefunctioning of the accounting firm performing theour internal audit function on behalf of the Trust.controls. It is themanagement's responsibility of executive management to prepare the Trust's financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and it is the responsibility of the independent registered public accounting firm to perform an independent audit of the Trust's financial statements and to express an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles.

        In this context,performing its duties, the audit committee committee:


        The audit committee was provided with a report by the independent registered public accounting firm that included a descriptionTable of material issues raised by its most recent "peer review" and any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the past few years respecting one or more independent audits carried out by the independent registered public accounting firm.Contents

        The audit committee meets with the independent registered public accounting firm and the accounting firm performing the internal control audit function, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the internal controls, and the overall quality of the Trust'sour financial reporting. In fiscal 2011, the audit committee reviewed and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm, the accounting firm performing the Trust's internal audit function and management, the Trust's compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding the audit of internal controls over financial reporting.


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        Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the audit committee recommended that the Trust's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 20112012 be included in the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 20112012 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 Louis C. Grassi (Chairman)
Gary Hurand
Elie Weiss

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Highlights

        The following are highlights of our compensation practices; we encourage you to read the more detailed information set forth herein:


General

        This compensation discussion and analysis describes our compensation objectives and policies as applied to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and our three other most highly compensated officers (collectively, the "named executive officers") in fiscal 2011.2012. This discussion and analysis focuses on the information contained in the compensation tables that follow this discussion and analysis. We also describe compensation actions taken historically to the extent it enhances an understanding of our executive compensation disclosure. Generally, our compensation committee oversees our compensation program, recommends the compensation of executive officers employed by us on a full-time basis to our board of trustees for its approval, and our audit committee reviews the appropriateness of the allocation to us under a shared services agreement of the compensation of executive officers who perform services for us on a part time basis. Another element of our compensation program is the fee paid by us to our advisor, REIT Management Corp., pursuant to the advisory agreement, and the related payment by our advisor of compensation to certain of our executive officers.

        Historically, we have used the following compensation structure with respect to the compensation paid by us to our executive officers:


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