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Table of Contents

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:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

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

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

Abbott Laboratories

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

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

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

ý

 

No fee required.

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
         
  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
         
  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
         
  (5) Total fee paid:
         

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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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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.

 

 

(1)

 

Amount Previously Paid:
        
 
  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
         
  (3) Filing Party:
         
  (4) Date Filed:
         

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Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400 U.S.A.

 







On the Cover:Tyrone MorrisTyler Walsh, Quality Control Technician, Rapid Diagnostics


Milwaukee, Wisconsin


    
Tyrone Morris isBy leveraging Abbott's experience in
infectious disease assay development and
research—knowing which regions of the
virus to target and applying proven
development approaches—we were able
to quickly develop a very busy man. Withcomprehensive array
of highly accurate tests for COVID-19 in a
matter of months, a restaurant to run and a weekly bowlingprocess that often
league to dominate, he doesn't let
anything slow him down—not even heart
failure. Abbott technologies have let him
get back to leading the life he wants to
live.takes years.


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 PAGE

Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

 2

Proxy Summary

 
3

Information About the Annual Meeting

 
1012

Notice and Access

12

How to Attend the Meeting on the Virtual Meeting Platform

12

How to Attend the Meeting by Phone

12

Who Can Vote

 1012

Notice and AccessHow To Vote

 1013

Cumulative VotingHow to Submit Questions

 1013

Voting by ProxyTechnical Support

 1013

Revoking a Proxy

 1013

Cumulative Voting

13

Discretionary Voting Authority

 1014

Quorum and Vote Required to Approve Each Item on the Proxy

 1114

Effect of Withhold Votes, Broker Non-Votes, and Abstentions

 1114

Inspectors of Election

 1114

Cost of Soliciting Proxies

 1115

Abbott Laboratories Stock Retirement Plan

 1115

Confidential Voting

 1215

Householding of Proxy Materials

 1215

Nominees for Election as Directors (Item 1 on Proxy Card)

 
1316

The Board of Directors and its Committees

 
2023

The Board of Directors

 2023

Leadership Structure

 2023

Director Selection

 2124

Board Diversity and Composition

 2225

Board Evaluation Process

 2326

Committees of the Board of Directors

 2427

Communicating with the Board of Directors

 2629

Corporate Governance Materials

 2629

20192020 Director Compensation

 2730

Security Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors

 
2932

Executive Compensation

 
3033

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 3033

Compensation Committee Report

 5060

Compensation Risk Assessment

 5161

Summary Compensation Table

 5363

20192020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 5566

20192020 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 5667

20192020 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 6275

Pension Benefits

 6275

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

 6578

CEO Pay Ratio

 6780

 
 PAGE

Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as Auditors (Item 2 on Proxy Card)

 6881

Report of the Audit Committee

 6982

Say on Pay—An Advisory Vote on the Approval of Executive Compensation (Item 3 on Proxy Card)

 
7083

Approval and Adoption of Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation To Eliminate Statutory Supermajority Voting Standards (Item 4 on Proxy Card)


85

Shareholder Proposals

 
7187

Shareholder Proposal on Lobbying Disclosure (Item 45 on Proxy Card)

 72

Proponent's Statement in Support of Shareholder Proposal

72

Board of Directors' Statement in Opposition to the Shareholder Proposal

7388

Shareholder Proposal on Non-GAAP Financial Performance Metrics Disclosure (Item 5Report on Proxy Card)

74

Proponent's Statement in Support of Shareholder Proposal

74

Board of Directors' Statement in Opposition to the Shareholder Proposal

75

Shareholder Proposal on Shareholder Voting on By-law AmendmentsRacial Justice (Item 6 on Proxy Card)

 76

Proponent's Statement in Support of Shareholder Proposal

76

Board of Directors' Statement in Opposition to the Shareholder Proposal

7791

Shareholder Proposal on Simple Majority VoteIndependent Board Chairman (Item 7 on Proxy Card)

 78

Proponent's Statement in Support of Shareholder Proposal

78

Board of Directors' Statement in Opposition to the Shareholder Proposal

7995

Approval Process for Related Person Transactions

 
8097

Additional Information

 
8198

Information Concerning Security Ownership

 8198

Date for Receipt of Shareholder Proposals for the 20212022 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement

 8198

Procedure for Recommendation and Nomination of Directors and Transaction of Business at Annual Meeting

 8299

General

 83100

Exhibit A—Director Independence Standard

 
A-1

Reservation Form for Annual MeetingExhibit B—Proposed Amendments to
the Articles of Incorporation

 
Back CoverB-1

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NOTICE OF 2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT


Please sign and promptly return your proxy in the enclosed envelope, or vote your shares by telephone or using the Internet.


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to Be Held on April 24, 202023, 2021

The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Abbott Laboratories will be held at Abbott's headquarters, 100 Abbott Park Road, at the intersection of Route 137 and Waukegan Road, Lake County, Illinois, on Friday, April 24, 2020,23, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. for

In light of restrictions and guidelines on group gatherings issued by government and public health officials regarding the following purposes:

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR Items 1, 2, and 3.any adjournment or postponement thereof.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote AGAINST Items 4, 5, 6, and 7.

The close of business on February 26, 2020, has been fixed as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Abbott's 20202021 Proxy Statement and 20192020 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at www.abbott.com/proxy.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Please sign and promptly return your proxy or voting instruction form in the enclosed envelope, or vote your shares by telephone or using the Internet.

If you are a registered shareholder (you received your proxy materials from Abbott through Abbott's transfer agent, Computershare), you may accessvote your shares by telephone (1-800-652-VOTE (8683)) or on the Internet at www.investorvote.com/abt.

If you are a beneficial shareholder (you received your proxy card by either:

    Admission to the meeting will be by admission card only. If you plan to attend, please complete and return the reservation form on the back cover, and an admission card will be sent to you. Due to space limitations, reservation forms must be received before April 17, 2020. Each admission card, along with photo identification, admits one person. A shareholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a shareholder.your broker, bank, or other agent.

By order of the Board of Directors.

Hubert L. Allen
Secretary

March 13, 202012, 2021

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PROXY SUMMARY

This summary contains highlights about Abbott and the upcoming 20202021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider in advance of the meeting, and we encourage you to read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.

The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors on behalf of Abbott for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. The meeting will be held on April 24, 2020,23, 2021, at Abbott's headquarters, 100 Abbott Park Road, at the intersection of Route 137 and Waukegan Road, Lake County, Illinois. This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy card are being mailed to shareholders on or about March 13, 2020.12, 2021.

In light of restrictions and guidelines on group gatherings issued by government and public health officials regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and to support the health and safety of Abbott's shareholders, employees, and communities, any shareholder who wishes to attend the Annual Meeting may only attend virtually. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. For more information on how to access and participate in the Annual Meeting, please see pages 12 to 13.

ACHIEVINGABBOTT'S DIVERSIFIED BUSINESS MODEL DELIVERS LEADING LONG-TERM GROWTH

Abbott's three-yearsustained strong performance has resulted in total shareholder return (TSR) significantly exceeding the peer median and major market indices on a one-, three-, and five-year basis.

Abbott's three-year TSR of 139.5%101.7% is more than twice that of the peer group median and the broader Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) and more than three times that of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) market indicesindex. These consistent above-market returns are driven by the strength of our diversified business model with leadership positions in some of the largest and fastest growing markets in healthcare and innovative product portfolios across our businesses.

Abbott delivered strong returns for shareholders in 20192020, despite the global market challenges from COVID-19, and achieved or exceeded the financial targets that were set atbefore the beginning of last year.pandemic in January 2020. Abbott's one-year TSR was 22.1%28.0%, delivering significant shareholder returns on topmore than three times the peer median TSR, and significantly above major market indices, a testament to the strength of the one-year TSR of 29%our diversified business model and ability to innovate and deliver in 2018, which ranked #1 in our peer group.this challenging environment.


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In addition to delivering significant shareholder returns, Abbott continued to take important steps to position the Company for long-term, sustainable growth.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONCOVID-19 RESPONSE

CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL TESTING NEEDS

Abbott quickly responded to the global spread of SARS-CoV-2. We leveraged our expertise in infectious disease diagnostic testing and in a short period time, developed multiple diagnostic tests to meet the various needs in the market. We have launched and scaled significant manufacturing capacity for our tests around the globe and sold over 400 million tests in 2020.

Abbott's rapid response, significant manufacturing scale, and affordable pricing strategy have allowed for broad access to testing and have further positioned Abbott as a world leader in diagnostic testing. The demand for COVID-19 tests remains strong and Abbott will continue to be a leader in supporting global testing needs.

PROTECTING OUR PEOPLE

As a healthcare company, Abbott has continued to provide an uninterrupted supply of vital diagnostics, medical devices, medicines and nutritional products to our customers. To help keep our own people safe, Abbott has taken aggressive steps to limit exposure and enhance the safety of facilities for our employees, including implementing mandatory temperature screening and social distancing, providing and requiring the use of personal protective equipment, and at most U.S. facilities, on-site COVID-19 testing.

Abbott has 109,000 employees in more than 160 countries, and throughout 2020, there were no pay cuts and we did not lay off or furlough any employees due to COVID-19. We're also assisting Abbott families whose lives have been disrupted by COVID-19 including, paying people when sick or in quarantine, offering flexible working hours, providing support for employees with children, and expanding employee assistance programs that offer health and wellness resources.

MAINTAINING ACCESS TO OUR TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS

Throughout the pandemic, we were able to continue providing our essential products to people around the world—even when route closures meant we needed to adapt and identify new delivery pathways. With more than 75,000 suppliers in 120 countries, Abbott's global supply chain enabled our life-changing technologies to get to the millions of people who need them, when they need them. That's why we have spent years building our supply chain resilience to function even under the greatest stresses.

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COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Diversity is fundamental at Abbott—from our people and our mindset to our business model. It's core to fulfilling our purpose, is embedded in our values and key to our long-term growth and success.

Over the years we have received numerous honors related to a diverse and inclusive culture—Fortune 100 Best Workplaces for Diversity, Forbes Best Employers for Diversity, Working Mother, Top Company for Executive Women, DiversityInc, and Best Companies for Multicultural Women. Our Chief Executive Officer heads our Diversity Council and executive leader compensation has been tied to diversity results for several years.

During 2020, we reviewed our practices and took steps to further our commitment to diversity and inclusion, including:

Looking ahead, we are committed to further advancing diversity and inclusion across our company, and in our work with others, including:

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

SHAREHOLDER FEEDBACK

During 2019,2020, we conducted extensive shareholder outreach to discuss our compensation program, among other topics. In the spring, we engaged shareholders representing over 65%60% of our outstanding shares in an open dialogue to discuss various topics, including the enhancedAbbott's market-leading disclosures in our 2019 proxy that furtheredenhance shareholder understanding of how pay decisions are made and how the metrics we use are linked to business strategy and goals. Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive, which was reflected in the 94%92% support for Say-on-Pay Vote.

In the fall, we continued our dialogue with shareholders and shared the process we used to review and update our peer group in 2019 to better reflect Abbott's size and complexity. Shareholders were highly supportive of our approach and agreed with the changes approved by the Compensation Committee. Additional information regarding the changes to Abbott's peer group can be found on page 32 of this proxy statement.

KEY FEATURES OF OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

The following practices and policies ensure alignment of interests between shareholders and executives, and effective ongoing compensation governance.

  COMPENSATION PRACTICE  ABBOTT POLICY  MORE
INFORMATION
ON PAGE


 
​   Compensation is Market-Based  Yes  Benchmark peers with investment profiles, operating characteristics, and employment and business markets similar to Abbott. Annual incentive plan goals are set to exceed market growth in relevant markets/business segments  32-3335-37 
  Compensation is Performance-Based   Yes   Short-term and long-term incentive awards are 100% performance based. Annual incentive plan goals are set to exceed market growth in relevant markets/business segments   3336-37   
​   Double-Trigger Change in Control  Yes  Provide change in control benefits under double-trigger circumstances only  65-6778-80 
  Recoupment Policy   Yes   Forfeiture for misconduct provision in equity grants and recoup compensation when warranted   5060   
​   Robust Share Ownership Guidelines  Yes  Require significant share ownership for officers and directors, and share retention requirements until guidelines are met  27-2830-31 and 4959 
  Capped Incentive Awards   Yes   Incentive award payments are capped  ��3336 and 5161   
​   Independent Compensation Committee Consultant  Yes  Committee consultant performs no other work for Abbott  2528 
  Tax Gross Ups   No   No tax gross ups under our executive officer pay program   48-4958-59 and 6679   
​   Guaranteed Bonuses  No  No guaranteed bonuses  3336 
  Employment Contracts   No   No employment contracts   6578   
​   Excessive Risk Taking  No  No highly leveraged incentive plans that encourage excessive risk taking  51-5261-62 
  Hedging of Company Shares   No   No hedging of Abbott shares is allowed   4960   
​   Discounted Stock Options  No  No discounted stock options are allowed or granted  5161 

Details of the compensation decisions made for our named executive officers are outlined on pages 3842 to 47.57.

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DIRECTOR NOMINEES

The Board of Directors recommends a voteFOR the election of each of the following nominees for director. All nominees, other than Mr. Roman, are currently serving as directors. Additional information about each director'sdirector nominee's background and experience can be found beginning on page 13.16.

 Name
Principal Occupation

Age
Director
Since


Committee Memberships
 Name
Principal Occupation

Age
Director
Since


Committee Memberships 
 Robert J. Alpern, M.D. Professor and Former Dean, 69 2008 

Nominations and

  Robert J. Alpern, M.D. Professor and Former Dean, 70 2008 

Nominations and

 
  Yale School of Medicine       Governance   Yale School of Medicine       Governance 
     

Public Policy

      

Public Policy

 
 Roxanne S. Austin President and CEO, 59 2000 

Audit

   Roxanne S. Austin President and CEO, 60 2000 

Compensation (Chair)

  
  Austin Investment Advisors     

Compensation (Chair)

    Austin Investment Advisors     

Nominations and

  
      

Executive

            Governance  
      

Executive

   
 Sally E. Blount, Ph.D. Professor and Former Dean, 58 2011 

Nominations and

  Sally E. Blount, Ph.D. CEO, Catholic Charities of the 59 2011 

Nominations and

 
  J.L. Kellogg Graduate School       Governance   Archdiocese of Chicago, and       Governance 
  of Management   

Public Policy

   Professor and Former Dean,   

Public Policy

 
  J.L. Kellogg Graduate School    
  of Management    
 Robert B. Ford President and CEO, 47 2019 

Executive

  
 Robert B. Ford President and COO, Abbott Laboratories 46 2019 

Executive

    Abbott Laboratories       
 Michelle A. Kumbier Chief Operating Officer, 52 2018 

Audit

  Michelle A. Kumbier Former Chief Operating Officer, 53 2018 

Audit

 
  Harley-Davidson Motor Company   

Compensation

   Harley-Davidson Motor Company   

Compensation

 
 Edward M. Liddy Retired Chairman and CEO, 74 2010 

Audit (Chair)

   Darren W. McDew Retired General, U.S. Air Force, 60 2019 

Nominations and

  
  The Allstate Corporation     

Compensation

    and Former Commander of         Governance  
      

Executive

    U.S. Transportation Command     

Public Policy

   
 Darren W. McDew Retired General, U.S. Air Force, and 59 2019 

Nominations and

  Nancy McKinstry CEO and Chairman of the Executive 62 2011 

Audit

 
  Former Commander of U.S.       Governance   Board, Wolters Kluwer N.V.   

Nominations and

 
  Transportation Command   

Public Policy

          Governance 
 Nancy McKinstry CEO and Chairman of the 61 2011 

Audit

   William A. Osborn Retired Chairman and CEO, 73 2008 

Compensation

  
  Executive Board,     

Nominations and

   (Lead Independent Director) Northern Trust Corporation     

Nominations and

  
  Wolters Kluwer N.V.         Governance            Governance (Chair)  
 Phebe N. Novakovic Chairman and CEO, 62 2010 

Compensation

 
  General Dynamics Corporation   

Public Policy (Chair)

 
     

Executive

 
 William A. Osborn Retired Chairman and CEO, 72 2008 

Compensation

  
 (Lead Independent Director) Northern Trust Corporation     

Nominations and Governance (Chair)

  
      

Executive

  
 Daniel J. Starks Retired Chairman, President and CEO, 65 2017 

Public Policy

 
  St. Jude Medical, Inc.    
 John G. Stratton Retired Executive Vice President and 59 2017 

Nominations and

  
  President of Global Operations,         Governance  
  Verizon Communications Inc.     

Public Policy

        

Executive

   
 Glenn F. Tilton Retired Chairman, President and CEO, 71 2007 

Audit

  Michael F. Roman Chairman, President, and CEO, 61 New  
  UAL Corporation   

Public Policy

   3M Company  Nominee  
 Miles D. White Chairman and CEO, 65 1998 

Executive (Chair)

   Daniel J. Starks Retired Chairman, President and CEO, 66 2017 

Public Policy

  
  Abbott Laboratories        St. Jude Medical, Inc.       
 John G. Stratton Retired Executive Vice President and 60 2017 

Audit

 
  President of Global Operations,   

Public Policy

 
  Verizon Communications Inc.    
 Glenn F. Tilton Retired Chairman, President 72 2007 

Audit

  
  and CEO, UAL Corporation     

Public Policy

   
 Miles D. White Executive Chairman, 66 1998 

Executive (Chair)

 
  Abbott Laboratories    

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Abbott is committed to strong corporate governance that is aligned with shareholder interests. Our Board spends significant time with the Company'sAbbott's senior management to understand the dynamics, issues, and opportunities for Abbott. During these interactions, directors provide insights and ask probing questions which guide management decision-making. This collaborative approach to risk oversight and emphasis on long term sustainability begins with our leaders and is engrained in the culture of our Company.Abbott's culture. The Board also regularly monitors leading practices in governance and adopts measures that it determines are in the best interest of Abbott and its shareholders.

CEO SUCCESSION PLANNING:

In November 2019, Abbott announced thatOn March 31, 2020, Miles D. White will be steppingstepped down as Chief Executive Officer, on March 31, 2020, after a remarkable 21-year tenure. The Boardtenure and became Executive Chairman of Directors appointedthe Board. Robert B. Ford, Abbott'spreviously President and Chief Operating Officer and a 24-year Abbott veteran, to succeed Milessucceeded Mr. White as Abbott's President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. White will remain Executive Chairman of the Board.

With this transition, Mr. Ford will becomebecame the 13th CEO of Abbott in its 131-year132-year history, all having been appointed from within, a testament to Abbott's strong management philosophy and succession-planning discipline.

BOARD GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS:

Lead Independent Director with Distinct Responsibilities


  

 

Elected annually by independent directors

 

  

 

Authority to call meetings of independent directors

  

 

Liaises between chairman and independent directors

 

  

 

Reviews matters such as meeting topics and schedules

  

 

Consults and engages directly with major shareholders

 

  

 

PresidesRegularly presides over executive sessions of independent directors at each regularly scheduled Board meetingmeetings



Leads annual Board and individual director performance reviews




Robust Board Evaluation and Refreshment Process

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Other Board Governance Highlights

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Highly qualified Board, with broad diversity across backgrounds, skills and experiences

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SHAREHOLDER OUTREACH:

Active shareholder engagement throughout the year is essential to maintaining good corporate governance. We routinely seek investor input on a variety of topics, including corporate governance, executive compensation, sustainability and other strategic matters. During 2019,2020, we conducted outreach with a cross-section of shareholders representing more than 65%60% of our outstanding shares. Investor sentiment and specific feedback was summarized and shared with executive management and the Board of Directors, as appropriate.

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SUSTAINABILITY

At Abbott, sustainability means managing our company to deliver long-term impact for the people we believe that being a responsibleserve—shaping the future of healthcare and sustainable business is an essential foundation for helping the greatest number of people live fuller,better and healthier lives.

Our Sustainability efforts are focused on the most relevant industry and company-specific risks and opportunities. TheIn December 2020, we launched our new 2030 Sustainability Plan focused on Abbott's greatest opportunities to make an impact: creating new life-changing technologies and products, expanding the access and affordability of this innovation, and breaking down barriers that prevent people from getting the care they need. That reach and impact requires a strong foundation and sustainable business, which is why we're also taking action in key areas, including building the workforce of focus listed below aretomorrow, responsibly applying data to advance care, building a more resilient, diverse and responsible supply chain and protecting health by safeguarding the basis of our Sustainability strategy. environment.

These areas have been identified through an in-depth materiality analysis, directed by executive management, and in partnership with several,numerous diverse stakeholders. We aim to deliver sustainable, responsible growth that improves lives and creates value in communities around the world.

Innovation, Access & AffordabilityTalentProduct Quality

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Robust internal innovation process that targets the world's most pressing healthcare challenges and incorporates access and affordability considerations into the design process


Award winning development programs, integrated talent management and succession planning processes


Focused on ensuring the highest quality standards and systems


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Climate & Water UseSupply Chain, Packaging & WasteData & Data Privacy

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Active management of our environmental impact throughout our value chain


Committed to maintaining a high-quality, sustainable and resilient supply chain


Utilizing data to create healthcare solutions while ensuring responsible data protection

The Board of Directors and its committees have oversight over Abbott's environmental, social and governance practices. The Board was presented with sustainability objectives and efforts and has regular discussions with management on all the above sustainability matters, as well as workplace, management, and Board diversity, emerging governance practices and trends, global compliance matters, and sustainability reporting. In addition, executive compensation is linked to Sustainability commitments, as discussed in more detail on pages 40 and 41.

To learn more about Abbott's sustainabilitySustainability efforts, please visit www.abbott.com/responsibility/sustainability.sustainability.html.

SELECT RECOGNITION BY THIRD-PARTY ORGANIZATIONS

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Dow Jones Sustainability Index global Industry Group Leader for 8 consecutive years.  

Fortune's Most Admired Companies listTop 50 Company and leader in the Medical Products and Equipment sector for the past 7 years.8 years, and on Fortune's 2020 "Change the World" list for companies making positive social impacts through their core business.



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Dow Jones Sustainability Index Industry Group Leader for 7 consecutive years.Fast Company's 2020 World-Changing Company of the Year.  

Recognized by Working Mother, Great Place to Work, DiversityInc, Science and manyseveral other publications for workplace leadership and diversity.

Member of the elite S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats Index, which recognizes companies who have raised their dividend payout annually for at least 25 consecutive years. In December 2019,2020, Abbott announced a 25% increase to its quarterly dividend. This is the 4849th consecutive year of increasing thethat Abbott has increased its quarterly dividend.

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VOTING MATTERS AND BOARD RECOMMENDSRECOMMENDATIONS

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Election of 14 Directors13 Director Nominees Named in this Proxy Statement: The Board recommends a vote FOR

Highly qualified Board, with diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences.

Relevant expertise to provide oversight and guidance for Abbott's diversified operating model. See pages 1316 to 1922 for more information.

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Ratification of Ernst & Young as Auditors: The Board recommends a voteFOR

Independent firm with significant industry and financial reporting expertise.

See pages 6881 to 6982 for more information.

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Say on Pay: Advisory Vote on the Approval of Executive Compensation: The Board recommends a voteFOR

Market-based structure producing differentiated awards based on both company and individual performance, managed with independent oversight by the Compensation Committee.

Aligned to drive Abbott's strategic priorities, reflects consistent above-market TSR including #1and upper-quartile Relative 3-year TSR for 3-year timeframe.performance vs. Peers. See page 70pages 83 to 84 for more information.

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Approval and Adoption of Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation to Eliminate Statutory Supermajority Voting Standards: The Board recommends a vote FOR

Implementing majority voting standards for amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and approval of certain extraordinary transactions. See pages 85 to 86 for more information.

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The Board recommends a voteAGAINST

Proposal 4:5: Lobbying Disclosure

Proposal 5: Non-GAAP Financial Performance Metrics Disclosure

Proposal 6: Shareholder VotingReport on By-law AmendmentsRacial Justice

Proposal 7: Simple Majority VoteIndependent Board Chairman

See pages 7187 to 7996 for more information.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

WHO CAN VOTENOTICE AND ACCESS

Shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 2020 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of January 31, 2020, Abbott had 1,763,433,243 outstanding common shares, which are Abbott's only outstanding voting securities. All shareholders have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors and one vote per share on all other matters.

NOTICE AND ACCESS

In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's "Notice and Access" rules, Abbott mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") to certain shareholders in mid-March of 2020.2021. The Notice describes the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting and how the shareholders can access the proxy materials online. It also provides instructions on how those shareholders can vote their shares. If you received the Notice, you will not receive a print version of the proxy materials, unless you request one. If you would like to receive a print version of the proxy materials, free of charge, please follow the instructions on the Notice.

HOW TO ATTEND THE MEETING ON THE VIRTUAL MEETING PLATFORM

Shareholders can attend, vote their shares, and submit questions during the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/290382097. Shareholders may log into the Annual Meeting beginning at 8:15 Central Time on April 23, 2021. The Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.

To be admitted to the Annual Meeting, shareholders will be required to enter the meeting password (ABT2021) and a 15-digit control number.

Registered Shareholders.    If you are a registered holder (i.e., you received your proxy materials from Abbott through Abbott's transfer agent, Computershare), you may attend the Annual Meeting without advance registration. Your 15-digit control number is provided on your proxy card, email, or Notice. Please follow the instructions on your proxy card, email, or Notice to attend the meeting. If you no longer have these documents, please contact Computershare at 1-888-332-2268.

Beneficial Shareholders.    If you are a beneficial holder (i.e., you received your proxy materials from your broker, bank, or other agent), you must register in advance to receive a 15-digit control number and attend the Annual Meeting. To register, you must submit your name, email address, and one of the following registration materials to Computershare:

Please send your registration materials to Computershare at legalproxy@computershare.com, with "Registration Materials" in the subject line. Registration requests must be received by Computershare no later than 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.

You will receive a confirmation of your registration by email from Computershare, along with a 15-digit control number needed to be admitted to the Annual Meeting. If you have questions, please contact Computershare at the telephone support line provided on the virtual meeting platform at www.meetingcenter.io/290382097.

HOW TO ATTEND THE MEETING BY PHONE

Shareholders who wish to attend the Annual Meeting by phone should contact Abbott representatives at 224-668-7238 or abbottshareholders@abbott.com to obtain the meeting telephone number in advance of the meeting. Shareholders participating by phone will be able to listen to the meeting but will not have the ability to vote or submit questions during the meeting. If you would like to vote your shares or submit questions during the meeting, please follow the instructions above in "How to Attend the Meeting on the Virtual Meeting Platform."

WHO CAN VOTE

Shareholders of record at the close of business on February 24, 2021 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of January 31, 2021, Abbott had 1,771,529,358 outstanding common shares, which are Abbott's only outstanding voting securities. All shareholders have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors and one vote per share on all other matters.

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HOW TO VOTE

Whether or not you plan to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, Abbott strongly urges you to submit your proxy or vote your shares in advance of the Annual Meeting.

Registered Shareholders.    Registered shareholders may vote by mail by signing and promptly returning their proxy in the enclosed envelope. Abbott's By-Laws provide that a shareholder may authorize no more than two persons as proxies to attend and vote at the meeting. Registered shareholders may also vote their shares:

If you vote by telephone or using the Internet, you do not need to return your proxy card. The instructions for voting can be found with your proxy card or on the Notice.

Registered shareholders who have not voted their shares in advance of the meeting may do so at the Annual Meeting by clicking the "Cast Your Vote" link on the meeting center site.

Beneficial Shareholders.    Beneficial shareholders should refer to the voting instructions provided by their broker, bank, or other agent to direct the voting of their shares in advance of the meeting.

Beneficial shareholders may vote their shares at the Annual Meeting if they obtain a legal proxy from their broker, bank, or other agent giving the shareholder the right to vote such shares at the Annual Meeting. Please follow the instructions provided above in "How to Attend the Meeting on the Virtual Meeting Platform."

Shareholders participating by phone will not be able to vote their shares at the Annual Meeting.

HOW TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS

Following conclusion of the business items on the agenda for the Annual Meeting, Abbott will hold a live question and answer session where questions pertinent to meeting matters will be answered, as time permits. Shareholders participating in the meeting on the virtual meeting platform can submit questions during the Annual Meeting by clicking on the message icon in the upper right-hand corner of the page on the meeting center site. Questions that are substantially similar may be grouped together in a single response to avoid repetition and to allow more time for other questions.

Shareholders participating in the meeting by phone will not be able to submit questions during the meeting.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

If you experience technical difficulties accessing the Annual Meeting, a technical support telephone number and additional support information will be available on the virtual meeting platform at www.meetingcenter.io/290382097.

The virtual meeting platform is fully supported across browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome and Safari) and devices (desktops, laptops, tablets and cell phones) running the most up-to-date version of applicable software and plugins. Participants should ensure that they have a strong WiFi connection wherever they intend to participate in the Annual Meeting.

REVOKING A PROXY

You may revoke your proxy by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or, at any time prior to the meeting:

CUMULATIVE VOTING

Cumulative voting allows a shareholder to multiply the number of shares owned by the number of directors to be elected and to cast the total for one nominee or distribute the votes among the nominees, as the shareholder desires. Shareholders may not cumulate their votes against a nominee. If shares are voted cumulatively and there are more nominees than there are director vacancies, nominees who receive the greatest number of votes will be

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elected. If you wish to cumulate your votes, you must sign and mail in your proxy card or attend the Annual Meeting.

VOTING BY PROXY

All of Abbott's shareholders may vote by mail or at the Annual Meeting. Abbott's By-Laws provide that a shareholder may authorize no more than two persons as proxies to attend and vote at the meeting. Most of Abbott's shareholders may also vote their shares by telephone or the Internet. If you vote by telephone or the Internet, you do not need to return your proxy card. The instructions for voting can be found with your proxy card or on the Notice.

REVOKING A PROXY

You may revoke your proxy by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or, at any time prior to the meeting:

DISCRETIONARY VOTING AUTHORITY

Unless authority is withheld in accordance with the instructions on the proxy, the persons named in the proxy will vote the shares covered by proxies they receive to elect the 1413 nominees named in Item 1 on the proxy card. Should a nominee become unavailable to serve, the shares will be voted for a substitute designated by the Board of Directors, or for fewer than 1413 nominees if, in the judgment of the proxy holders, such action is necessary or desirable. The persons named in the proxy may also decide to vote shares cumulatively in their sole discretion so that one or more of the nominees may receive fewer votes than the other nominees (or no votes at all), although they have no present intention of doing so. The proxy holders may not cast your vote for any nominee from whom you have withheld authority to vote.

Where a shareholder has specified a choice for or against the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors, the advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation, or the management proposal for approval and adoption of amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, or a shareholder proposal, or where the shareholder has abstained on these matters, the shares represented by the proxy will be

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voted (or not voted) as specified. Where no choice has been specified, the proxy will be voted FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors, FOR the approval of executive compensation, FOR the approval and adoption of amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, and AGAINST the shareholder proposals.

Aside from matters set forth in this proxy statement, the Board of Directors is not aware of any other issue which may properly be brought before the meeting. If other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the accompanying proxy will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders.

QUORUM AND VOTE REQUIRED TO APPROVE EACH ITEM ON THE PROXY

A majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on a matter, represented in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum for consideration of that matter at the meeting. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on a matter shall be the act of the shareholders with respect to that matter.matter, except for the management proposal to approve and adopt amendments to Abbott's Articles of Incorporation, which requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes of the shares entitled to vote on such amendments.

EFFECT OF WITHHOLD VOTES, BROKER NON-VOTES, AND ABSTENTIONS

Shares represented by proxies which are present and entitled to vote on a matter but which have elected to withhold authority to vote for one or more directors or to abstain from voting on another matter will have the effect of votes against those directors or that matter. A proxy submitted by an institution, such as a broker or bank that holds shares for the account of a beneficial owner, may indicate that all or a portion of the shares represented by that proxy are not being voted with respect to a particular matter. This could occur, for example, when the broker or bank is not permitted to vote those shares in the absence of instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares. These "non-voted shares" will be considered shares not present and, therefore, not entitled to vote on those matters, although these shares may be considered present and entitled to vote for other purposes. Brokers and banks have discretionary authority to vote shares in the absence of instructions on matters the New York Stock Exchange considers "routine", such as the ratification of the appointment of the auditors. They do not have discretionary authority to vote shares in absence of instructions on "non-routine" matters. The election of directors, the advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation, and management and shareholder proposals are "non-routine" matters. Non-voted shares will not affect the determination of the outcome of the vote on any matter to be decided at the meeting.meeting, except for the management proposal to approve and adopt amendments to Abbott's Articles of Incorporation, for which non-voted shares will have the effect of votes against that matter.

INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

The inspectors of election and the tabulators of all proxies, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify shareholders are independent and are not Abbott employees.

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COST OF SOLICITING PROXIES

Abbott will bear the cost of making solicitations from its shareholders and will reimburse banks and brokerage firms for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation. Proxies may be solicited by mail, telephone, Internet, or in person by directors, officers, or employees of Abbott and its subsidiaries.

Abbott has retained Morrow Sodali LLC to aid in the solicitation of proxies at an estimated cost of $19,500 plus reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

ABBOTT LABORATORIES STOCK RETIREMENT PLAN

Participants in the Abbott Laboratories Stock Retirement Plan will receive voting instructions for their shares held in the Abbott Laboratories Stock Retirement Trust. The Stock Retirement Trust is administered by both a trustee and an Investment Committee. The trustee of the Trust is The Northern Trust Company. The members of the Investment Committee are Mary K. Moreland, Karen M. Peterson, and Brian P. Wentworth, employees of Abbott. The voting power with respect to the shares is held by and shared between the Investment Committee and the participants. The Investment Committee must solicit voting instructions from the participants and follow the voting instructions it receives. The Investment Committee may use its own discretion with respect to those shares for which no voting instructions are received.

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CONFIDENTIAL VOTING

It is Abbott's policy that all proxies, ballots, and voting tabulations that reveal how a particular shareholder has voted be kept confidential and not be disclosed, except:

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY MATERIALS

Shareholders sharing an address may receive only one copy of the proxy materials or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials, unless their broker, bank, or other intermediary has received contrary instructions from any shareholder at that address. This is known as "householding." Shareholders wishing to discontinue householding and receive separate copies of the proxy materials or the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials should notify their broker, bank, or other intermediary.

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NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS

GRAPHICROBERT J. ALPERN, M.D.

Director since 2008 Age 6970
Ensign Professor of Medicine and Physiology and Professor of
Internal Medicine and Cellular and Molecular Physiology, and
Former Dean of Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
    

Dr. Alpern has served as the Ensign Professor of Medicine and Professor of Internal Medicine at Yale School of Medicine since June 2004. From June 2004 to January 2020, Dr. Alpern served as Dean of Yale School of Medicine. From July 1998 to May 2004, Dr. Alpern was the Dean of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Alpern also serves as a Director of AbbVie Inc. and Tricida, Inc. and served as a Director on the Board of Yale New Haven Hospital from October 2005 through January 2020.

As a result of his long-tenured leadership positions at the Yale School of Medicine and The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and as a former Director on the Board of Yale New Haven Hospital, Dr. Alpern contributes valuable insights to the Board through his medical and scientific expertise and his knowledge of the health care environment and the scientific nature of Abbott's key research and development initiatives.


GRAPHICROXANNE S. AUSTIN

Director since 2000 Age 5960
President and Chief Executive Officer, Austin Investment Advisors,
Newport Coast, California (Private Investment and Consulting Firm)

Ms. Austin is President and Chief Executive Officer of Austin Investment Advisors, a private investment and consulting firm, and chairs the U.S. Mid-Market Investment Advisory Committee of EQT Partners. Previously, Ms. Austin also served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Move Networks, Inc., a provider of Internet television services. Ms. Austin served as President and Chief Operating Officer of DIRECTV, Inc. Ms. Austin also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hughes Electronics Corporation and as a partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Ms. Austin served on the Board of Directors of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson from 2008 to 2016.2016 and Target Corporation from 2002 to 2020. Ms. Austin currently serves on the Board of Directors of AbbVie Inc., CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., Target Corporation, and Teledyne Technologies Inc.Incorporated, and Verizon Communications. Ms. Austin will not stand for re-election at Target Corporation's June 2020Teledyne Technologies Incorporated's 2021 annual meeting of shareholders.stockholders.

Through her extensive management and operating roles, including her financial roles, Ms. Austin contributes significant oversight and leadership experience, including financial expertise and knowledge of financial statements, corporate finance and accounting matters.

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GRAPHICSALLY E. BLOUNT, PH.D.

Director since 2011 Age 5859
Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and Michael L. Nemmers Professor of Strategy and Former Dean of the J.L. Kellogg
Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
    

Ms. Blount has served as Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago since August 2020. Ms. Blount also is the Michael L. Nemmers Professor of Strategy and former Dean of the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University from 2010 to 2018. From 2004 to 2010, she served as the Vice Dean and Dean of the Undergraduate College of New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business. Ms. Blount joined the faculty of New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business in 2001 and was the Abraham L. Gitlow Professor of Management and Organizations. Prior to joining NYU in 2001, Ms. Blount held academic posts at the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Business from 1992 to 2001. Ms. Blount currently serves on the Board of Directors of Ulta Beauty, Inc. and the Joyce Foundation.

Having served as Dean of the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University and as the Vice Dean and Dean of the Undergraduate College of New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Ms. Blount provides Abbott's Board with expertise on business organization, governance and business management matters.

 

GRAPHICGRAPHICROBERT B. FORD

Director since 2019 Age 4647
President and Chief OperatingExecutive Officer, Abbott Laboratories
    

Mr. Ford has served as Abbott's President and Chief OperatingExecutive Officer since 2018 and will succeed Mr. White as Abbott's Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2020. Previously, Mr. Ford served as theAbbott's President and Chief Operating Officer from 2018 to 2020, Executive Vice President, Medical Devices from 2015 to 2018, Senior Vice President, Diabetes Care from 2014 to 2015, and Vice President, Diabetes Care, Commercial Operations from 2008 to 2014. Prior to 2008, he served in various leadership roles across Abbott's Diagnostics, Nutrition, and Diabetes Care businesses in the U.S. and Latin America. Mr. Ford joined Abbott in 1996.

HavingAs Abbott's President and Chief Executive Officer, and having previously held leadership positions across several of Abbott's businesses, and ultimately assuming responsibility for all of Abbott's operating businesses as Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Ford contributes an extensive knowledge of the Company's global operations, a wide breadth of experience in strategy and execution, and valuable insights into global healthcare markets.

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GRAPHICGRAPHICMICHELLE A. KUMBIER

Director since 2018 Age 5253
Former Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company,
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Motorcycle and Related Products Manufacturer)

Ms. Kumbier has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company since October 2017.from 2017 to 2020. Previously, she served as its Senior Vice President of Motor Company Product and Operations from May 2015 to October 2017, as its Senior Vice President of Motorcycle Operations from September 2012 to April 2015, and as its Senior Vice President of Product Development from November 2010 to August 2012. She started her career with Harley-Davidson in 1997. Prior to Harley-Davidson, Ms. Kumbier was employed with Kohler Company, maker of premium plumbing products, in a variety of positions from 1986 to 1997. Ms. Kumbier currently serves as a Director of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated.

As the Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer ofHaving served in several executive roles at Harley-Davidson, Motor Company, Ms. Kumbier contributes extensive experience in the management of a multinational public company, including significant manufacturing, product development, business development, and strategic planning experience.


GRAPHICEDWARD M. LIDDY

Director since 2010 Age 74
Retired Chairman & CEO, The Allstate Corporation, Northbrook, Illinois
(Insurance Company)

Mr. Liddy served as a partner in the private equity investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC from January 2010 to December 2015. At the request of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury, Mr. Liddy served as Interim Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of American International Group, Inc., a global insurance and financial services holding company, from September 2008 until August 2009. From January 1999 to April 2008, Mr. Liddy served as Chairman of the Board of the Allstate Corporation. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Allstate from January 1999 to December 2006, President from January 1995 to May 2005, and Chief Operating Officer from August 1994 to January 1999. Mr. Liddy currently serves on the Board of Directors of AbbVie Inc., 3M Company, and The Boeing Company. Mr. Liddy has reached the mandatory retirement age for directors at both Boeing and 3M and will not stand for re-election at either company's 2020 Annual Meeting.

Through his executive leadership at Allstate and American International Group, and his board service at several Fortune 100 companies across a broad range of industries, Mr. Liddy provides valuable insights on corporate strategy, risk management, corporate governance and many other issues facing large, global enterprises. Additionally, as a former chief financial officer, audit committee chair at Goldman Sachs and 3M Company, and partner at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC, Mr. Liddy provides significant knowledge and understanding of corporate finance, capital markets, financial reports and accounting matters.

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GRAPHICDARREN W. MCDEW

Director since 2019 Age 5960
Retired General, United States Air Force, and Former
Commander of
U.S. Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois

General McDew is a retired four-star general who served for 36 years in the United States military before retiring in October 2018. From August 2015 to August 2018, General McDew served as Commander, U.S. Transportation Command, the single manager for global air, land and sea transportation for the U.S. Department of Defense. Previously, he also served as Vice Director for Strategic Plans and Policy for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Military Aide to the President, Director of Air Force Public Affairs, and Chief of Air Force Senate Liaison Division. General McDew currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club ofParsons Corporation, Rolls-Royce, North America, Inc., United Services Automobile Association, and Rolls-Royce, North America, Inc.Boys & Girls Club of America.

Through his extensive leadership in the U.S. Air Force, General McDew contributes significant experience managing large, complex global operations, including strategic planning, security and risk management, cybersecurity, and supply chain and infrastructure management.


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GRAPHICNANCY MCKINSTRY

Director since 2011 Age 6162
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of
Wolters Kluwer N.V.,
Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands (Global
(Global Information, Software, and Services Provider)
    

Ms. McKinstry has been the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of Wolters Kluwer N.V. since September 2003 and a member of its Executive Board since June 2001. Ms. McKinstry serves on the Board of Accenture plc, the Board of Overseers of Columbia Business School, and the Board of Directors of Russell Reynolds Associates. Ms. McKinstry is also a member of the European Round Table of Industrialists. Ms. McKinstry served on the Board of Directors of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (LM Ericsson Telephone Company) from 2004 to 2012.

As the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Executive Board of Wolters Kluwer N.V., Ms. McKinstry contributes global perspectives and management experience, including an understanding of key issues facing a multinational business such as Abbott's.

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GRAPHICPHEBE N. NOVAKOVIC

Director since 2010 Age 62
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, General Dynamics Corporation, Falls Church, Virginia
(Worldwide Defense, Aerospace, and Other Technology Products Manufacturer)

Ms. Novakovic has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Dynamics Corporation since January 1, 2013. Previously, she served as President and Chief Operating Officer from May 2012 to December 2012 and as Executive Vice President, Marine Systems of General Dynamics from May 2010 to May 2012. From May 2005 to April 2010, Ms. Novakovic served as its Senior Vice President—Planning and Development. She was elected Vice President of General Dynamics in October 2002 after joining the company in May 2001. Previously, Ms. Novakovic was Special Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense, and had been a Deputy Associate Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of General Dynamics Corporation, Ms. Novakovic has strong management experience with a major public company, including significant marketing, operational and manufacturing experience, and contributes valuable insights into finance and capital markets. Her tenure with the Office of Management and Budget and as Special Assistant to the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of Defense enables her to provide government perspective and experience in a highly regulated industry.


GRAPHICWILLIAM A. OSBORN
Lead Independent Director


Director since 2008 Age 7273
Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Trust Corporation (Multibank Holding
Company) and The Northern Trust Company, Chicago, Illinois (Banking Services Company)

Mr. Osborn was Chairman of Northern Trust Corporation from 1995 through 2009 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 1995 through 2007. Mr. Osborn currently serves as a Director of Caterpillar Inc. and General Dynamics Corporation. Mr. Osborn served on the Board of Directors of Nicor, Inc. from 1999 to 2006 and on the Board of Directors of Tribune Company from 2001 to 2012.

As the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern Trust Company, Mr. Osborn acquired broad experience in successfully overseeing complex global businesses operating in highly regulated industries.

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GRAPHICMICHAEL F. ROMAN
Director Nominee Age 61
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, 3M Company, St. Paul, Minnesota (Global Manufacturing and Technology Company)

Mr. Roman has served as the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of 3M Company since May 2019. Previously, he served as Chief Executive Officer from July 2018 to May 2019 and as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President from July 2017 to June 2018 with direct responsibilities for 3M's five business groups and its international operations. From June 2014 to July 2017, Mr. Roman served as 3M's Executive Vice President, Industrial Business Group. He served as 3M's Senior Vice President, Business Development, from May 2013 to June 2014 and as Vice President and General Manager of Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division from September 2011 to May 2013.

As Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of 3M Company, Mr. Roman has extensive experience leading a multinational public company with multiple businesses, contributing significant manufacturing, supply chain, technology, and finance experience, as well as valuable insights into corporate strategy and risk management.


GRAPHICDANIEL J. STARKS

Director since 2017 Age 6566
Retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Jude Medical, Inc.,
St. Paul, Minnesota (Medical Device Manufacturer)

Mr. Starks served as the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Jude Medical, Inc. from 2004 until his retirement in January 2016, after which he served as its Executive Chairman of the Board until January 2017, when Abbott completed the acquisition of St. Jude Medical. Mr. Starks also served as President and Chief Operating Officer of St. Jude Medical from 2001 to 2004 and as its President and CEO, Cardiac Rhythm Management Business from 1997 to 2001.

Having served as St. Jude Medical's Executive Chairman and its Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and having joined St. Jude Medical in 1996, Mr. Starks contributes not only comprehensive and critical knowledge of St. Jude Medical's operations,the medical devices industry, but also extensive business and management experience operating a global public company in a highly regulated industry.


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GRAPHICJOHN G. STRATTON

Director since 2017 Age 5960
Retired Executive Vice President and President of Global Operations, Verizon Communications Inc.,
New York, New York (Telecommunications and Media Company)


    

Mr. Stratton served as Executive Vice President and President of Global Operations of Verizon Communications Inc. from February 2015 to December 2018. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and President of Global Enterprise and Consumer Wireline from April 2014 to February 2015, as President of Verizon Enterprise Solutions from January 2012 to April 2014, and as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Verizon Wireless from October 2010 to January 2012. Mr. Stratton currently serves on the Board of Directors of General Dynamics Corporation. Mr. Stratton also served as a member of The President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee from October 2012 to July 2018 and as Director of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association from February 2015 to July 2018.

Through his executive leadership at Verizon Communications, Mr. Stratton contributes extensive business and management experience operating a global public company such as Abbott, including valuable insights on corporate strategy and risk management. His service on the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee enables him to provide government perspective and experience in a highly regulated industry.

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GRAPHICGLENN F. TILTON

Director since 2007 Age 7172
Retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of UAL Corporation,
Chicago, Illinois (Airline Holding Company)
    

Mr. Tilton served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of UAL Corporation, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Air Lines, Inc., an air transportation company and wholly owned subsidiary of UAL Corporation, from September 2002 to October 2010. Mr. Tilton also served on the Board of United Continental Holdings, Inc. from 2001 to 2013 and served as its Non-Executive Chairman of the Board from October 2010 to December 2012. Mr. Tilton is also a Director of AbbVie Inc. and Phillips 66. Mr. Tilton also served on the Board of Directors of Lincoln National Corporation from 2002 to 2007, of TXU Corporation from 2005 to 2007, of Corning Incorporated from 2010 to 2012, and as Chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and a member of its companywide Executive Committee from June 2011 to June 2014.

Having previously served as Chief Executive Officer of UAL Corporation and United Air Lines, Non Executive Chairman of the Board of United Continental Holdings, Inc., Chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase & Co., Chairman, President, and Vice Chairman of Chevron Texaco, and as Interim Chairman of Dynegy, Inc., Mr. Tilton acquired strong management experience overseeing complex multinational businesses operating in highly regulated industries, as well as expertise in finance and capital markets matters.


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GRAPHICMILES D. WHITE

Director since 1998 Age 6566
Executive Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer, Abbott Laboratories
    

Mr. White has served as Abbott's Executive Chairman of the Board since March 2020. Mr. White previously served as Abbott's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since 1999. He servedfrom 1999 to 2020 and as an Executive Vice President of Abbott from 1998 to 1999. He joined Abbott in 1984. He currently serves as a Director of Caterpillar Inc. and McDonald's Corporation.

ServingHaving joined Abbott in 1984 and having served as Abbott's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since 1999 and having joined Abbott in 1984,for 21 years, Mr. White contributes not only his valuable business, management and leadership experience, but also his extensive knowledge of the Company and its global operations, as well as key insights into strategic, management and operation matters, ensuring the appropriate level of oversight and responsibility is applied to all Board decisions.

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors held 78 meetings in 2019.2020. The average attendance of all directors at Board and committee meetings in 20192020 was 95%98% and each director attended at least 75% of the total number of Board meetings and meetings of the committees on which he or she served. Abbott encourages its Board members to attend the annual shareholders meeting. Last year, all of Abbott's directors attended the annual shareholders meeting.

The Board has determined that each of the following directorsindividuals is independent in accordance with the New York Stock Exchange listing standards: R. J. Alpern, R. S. Austin, S. E. Blount, M. A. Kumbier, E. M. Liddy, D. W. McDew, N. McKinstry, P. N. Novakovic, W. A. Osborn, M. F. Roman, S. C. Scott III, D. J. Starks, J. G. Stratton, and G. F. Tilton. To determine independence, the Board applied the categorical standards attached as Exhibit A to this proxy statement. The Board also considered whether a director has any other material relationships with Abbott or its subsidiaries and concluded that none of these directors had a relationship that impaired the director's independence. This included consideration of the fact that some of the directors or their family members are officers or serve on boards of companies or entities to which Abbott sold products or made contributions or from which Abbott purchased products and services during the year. In making its determination, the Board relied on both information provided by the directors and information developed internally by Abbott.

The Board has risk oversight responsibility for Abbott and administers this responsibility both directly and with assistance from its committees.

LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

On March 31, 2020, Miles D. White has served as Abbott's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 1999. In November 2019, Abbott announced that Mr. White will stepstepped down as Chief Executive Officer, on March 31, 2020after a remarkable 21-year tenure, and remainbecame Executive Chairman. The Board also unanimously appointedChairman of the Board. Robert B. Ford, the current PresidentAbbott's then-President and Chief Operating Officer, and a 24-year Abbott veteran, to succeedsucceeded Mr. White as Abbott's President and Chief Executive OfficerOfficer. With this transition, Mr. Ford became the 13th CEO of Abbott in its 132-year history, all having been appointed from within, a testament to Abbott's strong management philosophy and named him to the Board, effective November 12, 2019.succession planning.

The Board is actively involved in succession planning and is focused on ensuring leadership continuity. The Board believes that the continuation of Mr. White's service as Executive Chairman is in the best interests of Abbott and its shareholders. Mr. White contributes comprehensive, in-depth knowledge of Abbott's businesses and the global health care industry, as well as valuable insights on leadership and strategy. The Board believes that his advice and guidance to Mr. Ford and the Board will help continue to facilitate a successful leadership transition.

The Board also has a lead independent director that is chosen by and from the independent members of the Board of Directors. Currently, the Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee, Mr. Osborn, is the lead independent director, whose key functions and responsibilities include:

The Board reviews its leadership structure on at least an annual basis. The Board has determined that this leadership structure ensures the appropriate level of oversight, independence and responsibility is applied to all Board decisions, including risk oversight, and is in the best interests of Abbott and its shareholders.

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DIRECTOR SELECTION

The Nominations and Governance Committee assists the Board of Directors in identifying individuals qualified to become Board members and recommends to the Board the nominees for election as directors at the next annual meeting of shareholders. The process used by the Nominations and Governance Committee to identify a nominee to serve as a member of the Board of Directors depends on the qualities being sought. From time to time, Abbott engages an executive search firm to assist the Committee in identifying individuals qualified to be Board members. Mr. Roman was recommended as a director nominee by a third-party search firm retained to help identify and evaluate potential director nominees.

Abbott's outline of directorship qualifications, which is part of Abbott's corporate governance guidelines, is available in the corporate governance section of Abbott's investor relations website (www.abbottinvestor.com). These qualifications describe specific characteristics that the Nominations and Governance Committee and the Board take into consideration when selecting nominees for the Board, such as: strong management experience and senior-level experience in medicine, hospital administration, medical and scientific research and development, finance, international business, technology, government, and academic administration. An individual nominee is not required to satisfy all the characteristics listed in the outline of directorship qualifications and there is no requirement that all such characteristics be represented on the Board.

In addition, Board members should have backgrounds that, when combined, provide a portfolio of experience and knowledge that will serve Abbott's governance and strategic needs. Board candidates will be considered on the basis of a range of criteria, including broad-based business knowledge and relationships, prominence, and excellent reputations in their primary fields of endeavor, as well as a global business perspective and commitment to good corporate citizenship. Directors should have demonstrated experience and ability that is relevant to the Board of Directors' oversight role with respect to Abbott's business and affairs. Each director's biography includes the particular experience and qualifications that led the Board to conclude that the director should serve on the Board. The directors' biographies are on pages 1316 through 19.22.

A description of the procedure for the recommendation and nomination of directors, including by proxy access, is on page 82.99.

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BOARD DIVERSITY AND COMPOSITION

In the process of identifying nominees to serve as members of the Board of Directors, the Nominations and Governance Committee considers the Board's diversity of relevant experience, areas of expertise, ethnicity, gender, and geography and assesses the effectiveness of the process in achieving that diversity.

The process used to identify and select nominees has resulted in a balanced, diverse, and well-rounded Board of Directors that possesses the skills, experiences, and perspectives necessary for its oversight role. All of Abbott's directors exhibit:

   Global business perspective    Successful track record    Innovative thinking

  

 

Knowledge of corporate governance requirements and practices

 

  

 

High integrity

 

  

 

Commitment to good
corporate citizenship

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BOARD EVALUATION PROCESS

Each year, Abbott's directors evaluate the effectiveness of the Board and its Committees in performing its governance and risk oversight responsibilities. Directors assess the performance of their peers, as well as the full Board of Directors and each of the Committees on which they serve, as follows:

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COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors has five committees established in Abbott's By-Laws: Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominations and Governance Committee, Public Policy Committee, and Executive Committee.

All members of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominations and Governance Committee, and Public Policy Committee are independent. These Committees are governed by written charters setting forth their respective responsibilities, and each Committee reviews its charter at least annually, with any changes being recommended to the full Board for approval. Copies of the Committee charters are all available in the governance section of Abbott's investor relations website (www.abbottinvestor.com)(www.abbottinvestor.com).

Current Members

Audit*

Compensation

Nominations
and Governance


Public Policy

Executive

Current Members

Audit*

Compensation

Nominations
and Governance


Public
Policy†


Executive

R. J. Alpern  GRAPHICGRAPHIC  R. J. Alpern  GRAPHICGRAPHIC  
R. S. AustinGRAPHICGRAPHICGRAPHICR. S. Austin GRAPHIC GRAPHIC GRAPHIC
S. E. Blount  GRAPHICGRAPHIC  S. E. Blount  GRAPHICGRAPHIC  
R. B. FordGRAPHICR. B. Ford GRAPHIC
M. A. KumbierGRAPHICGRAPHIC    M. A. KumbierGRAPHICGRAPHIC    
E. M. LiddyGRAPHICGRAPHICGRAPHICE. M. Liddy GRAPHIC GRAPHIC GRAPHIC
D. W. McDew  GRAPHICGRAPHIC  D. W. McDew  GRAPHICGRAPHIC  
N. McKinstryGRAPHICGRAPHICN. McKinstry GRAPHIC GRAPHIC
P. N. Novakovic GRAPHIC GRAPHICGRAPHIC P. N. Novakovic GRAPHIC GRAPHICGRAPHIC 
W. A. OsbornGRAPHICGRAPHICGRAPHIC W. A. Osborn GRAPHIC GRAPHIC GRAPHIC
S. C. Scott IIIGRAPHICGRAPHIC    D. J. Starks   GRAPHIC  
D. J. StarksGRAPHICJ. G. Stratton GRAPHIC GRAPHIC
J. G. Stratton  GRAPHICGRAPHIC  G. F. TiltonGRAPHIC  GRAPHIC  
G. F. TiltonGRAPHICGRAPHICM. D. White GRAPHIC
M. D. White    GRAPHIC Total Meetings Held in 202084540 
Total Meetings Held in 201974440

GRAPHICGRAPHIC

*
Each of the committee members is financially literate, as is required of audit committee members by the New York Stock Exchange. The Board of Directors has determined that Edward M. Liddy the Audit Committee's Chair, is anand Nancy McKinstry are "audit committee financial expert.experts." The Board of Directors will appoint a new Audit Committee chair upon Mr. Liddy's retirement at the Annual Meeting.

Ms. Novakovic is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting. The Board of Directors will appoint a new Public Policy Committee chair upon conclusion of her tenure at the Annual Meeting.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to:

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In performing these functions, the Audit Committee meets regularly with the independent auditor, Abbott's management, and Abbott's internal auditors to review the adequacy, effectiveness and quality of Abbott's accounting and financial reporting principles, policies, procedures and controls, as well as Abbott's enterprise risk management, including Abbott's risk assessment and risk management policies.

A copy of the report of the Audit Committee is on page 69.82.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee assists the Board of Directors in carrying out the Board's responsibilities relating to the compensation of Abbott's executive officers and directors. Its primary responsibilities include:

The Compensation Committee engaged Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC as its compensation consultant for 2019.2020. Meridian performs no other work for Abbott. Based on its evaluation of Meridian's independence in accordance with the New York Stock Exchange listing standards and information provided by Meridian, the Committee determined that the work performed by Meridian does not present any conflicts of interest.

A copy of the Compensation Committee report is on page 50.60.

Nominations and Governance Committee

The Nominations and Governance Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to governance matters. Its primary responsibilities include:

The process used by this Committee to identify a nominee to serve as a member of the Board of Directors depends on the qualities being sought. From time to time, Abbott engages an executive search firm to assist the Committee in identifying individuals qualified to be Board members. The process used by the Committee to identify nominees is described on page 2124 in the section captioned, "Director Selection."

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Public Policy Committee

The Public Policy Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to:

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee may exercise all the authority of the Board in the management of Abbott, except for matters expressly reserved by law for Board action.

COMMUNICATING WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Interested parties may communicate with the Board of Directors by writing a letter to the Chairman of the Board, to the Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee, who acts as the lead independent director, or to the independent directors c/o Abbott Laboratories, 100 Abbott Park Road, D-364, AP6D, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064, Attention: Corporate Secretary. The General Counsel and Corporate Secretary regularly forwards to the addressee all letters other than mass mailings, advertisements, and other materials not relevant to Abbott's business. In addition, directors regularly receive a log of all correspondence received by Abbott that is addressed to a member of the Board and may request any correspondence on that log.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATERIALS

Abbott's corporate governance guidelines, outline of directorship qualifications, director independence standards, code of business conduct, and the charters of Abbott's Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominations and Governance Committee, and Public Policy Committee are all available in the corporate governance section of Abbott's investor relations website (www.abbottinvestor.com)(www.abbottinvestor.com).

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20192020 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

Messrs. White and Ford are not compensated for serving on the Board or Board committees. Abbott's remaining directors, who are all non-employee directors, are compensated for their service under the Abbott Laboratories Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan and the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program.

The following table sets forth a summary of the non-employee directors' 20192020 compensation.

Name


Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash
($)(1)



Stock
Awards
($)(2)



Option
Awards
($)(3)



Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(4)








All Other Compensation ($)(5)

Total
($)


Name


Fees Earned
or Paid in Cash
($)(1)



Stock
Awards
($)(2)



Option
Awards
($)(3)



Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(4)








All Other
Compensation
($)(5)



Total
($)


R. J. Alpern

$126,000$174,910$0$64,323$25,000$390,233 

R. J. Alpern

$126,000$184,920$0$63,098$25,000$399,018 

R. S. Austin

152,000174,910000326,910

R. S. Austin

152,000184,9200025,000361,920

S. E. Blount

126,000174,910010,35525,000336,265 

S. E. Blount

126,000184,92009,50825,000345,428 

M. A. Kumbier

132,000174,910000306,910

M. A. Kumbier

132,000184,920000316,920

E. M. Liddy

151,000174,910000325,910 

E. M. Liddy

151,000184,920000335,920 

D. W. McDew

31,500000031,500

D. W. McDew

126,000184,920000310,920

N. McKinstry

132,000174,910000306,910 

N. McKinstry

132,000184,9200020,000336,920 

P. N. Novakovic

141,000174,910000315,910

P. N. Novakovic

141,000184,920000325,920

W. A. Osborn

156,000174,910000330,910 

W. A. Osborn

156,000184,920000340,920 

S. C. Scott III

132,000174,9100025,000331,910

S. C. Scott III

44,000000044,000

D. J. Starks

126,000174,910000300,910 

D. J. Starks

126,000184,920000310,920 

J. G. Stratton

126,000174,910000300,910

J. G. Stratton

126,000184,9200025,000335,920

G. F. Tilton

132,000174,9100025,000331,910 

G. F. Tilton

132,000184,9200025,000341,920 
(1)
Under the Abbott Laboratories Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan, non-employee directors earn $10,500 for each month of service as a director. Audit Committee members, other than the Audit Committee chair, receive $500 for each month of service on the Audit Committee. Board Committee chairs receive monthly fees of: $2,083.33 for the Audit Committee chair, $1,666.66 for the Compensation Committee chair, $1,250.00 for the Public Policy Committee chair, and $1,250.00 for the chair of any other Board committee. In addition, the lead independent director earns $2,500 for each month of such service and does not receive a fee for service as Nominations and Governance Committee chair. Fees earned under the Abbott Laboratories Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan are paid in cash to the director, paid in the form of vested non-qualified stock options (based on an independent appraisal of their fair value), deferred (as a non-funded obligation of Abbott), or paid currently into an individual grantor trust established by the director. The distribution of deferred fees and amounts held in a director's grantor trust generally commences when the director reaches age 65, or upon retirement from the Board of Directors, if later. The director may elect to have deferred fees and fees deposited in trust credited to either a guaranteed interest account or to a stock equivalent account that earns the same return as if the fees were invested in Abbott shares. If necessary, Abbott contributes funds to a director's trust so that as of year-end the stock equivalent account balance (net of taxes) is not less than seventy-five percent of the market value of the related common shares at year-end.

(2)
The amounts reported in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718. Abbott determines the grant date fair value of stock unit awards by multiplying the number of restricted stock units granted by the average of the high and low market prices of an Abbott common share on the date of grant. In addition to the fees described in footnote 1, each non-employee director elected to the Board of Directors at the annual shareholders meeting receives vested restricted stock units having a value of $175,000$185,000 (rounded down) under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program (effective as of the 2020 Annual Meeting, this will increase to $185,000 (rounded down))Program). In 2019,2020, this was 2,2411,974 units. The non-employee directors receive cash payments equal to the dividends paid on the shares covered by the units at the same rate as other shareholders. Upon termination, retirement from the Board, death, or a change in control of Abbott, a non-employee director will receive one common

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(3)
The following options were outstanding as of December 31, 2019:2020: R. S. Austin, 47,883;57,618; E. M. Liddy, 46,743;56,414; N. McKinstry, 47,902;56,356; P. N. Novakovic, 102,943;93,553; W. A. Osborn, 49,190;37,733; and S. C. Scott III, 41,622.44,440.

(4)
The totals in this column include reportable interest credited under Abbott Laboratories Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan during the year.

(5)
Charitable contributions made by Abbott's non-employee directors are eligible for a matching contribution (up to $25,000 annually). The amounts reported in this column represent charitable matching grant contributions, as follows: R. J. Alpern, $25,000; R. S. Austin, $25,000; S. E. Blount, $25,000; S. C. Scott III,N. McKinstry, $20,000; J. G. Stratton, $25,000; and G. F. Tilton, $25,000.

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The table below reflects the number of Abbott common shares beneficially owned as of January 31, 20202021 by (i) each director thenominee, (ii) each individual serving as Chief Executive Officer theand as Chief Financial Officer during 2020, and the three other most highly paid executive officers in 2019 (the2020 (collectively, the "named officers"), and by(iii) all directors and executive officers of Abbott as a group. It also reflects the number of stock equivalent units held by non-employee directors under the Abbott Laboratories Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan and restricted stock units held by non-employee directors, named officers, and executive officers.

 Name

Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)(2)



Stock Options
Exercisable
Within 60 Days of
January 31, 2020(3)




Stock
Equivalent
Units



  Name

Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)(2)



Stock Options
Exercisable
Within 60 Days of
January 31, 2021(3)




Stock
Equivalent
Units



 
 R. J. Alpern 30,406 0 7,766   H. L. Allen 151,896 1,109,341 0  
 R. S. Austin 44,913 47,883 0  R. J. Alpern 32,380 0 8,214 
 S. E. Blount 26,266 0 0   R. S. Austin 40,043 57,618 0  
 L. D. Earnhardt 56,946 0 0   S. E. Blount 28,240 0 0 
 R. B. Ford 197,382 926,022 0   R. B. Ford 244,868 1,218,661 0  
 M. A. Kumbier 3,258 0 0  R. E. Funck, Jr. 200,475 378,314 0 
 E. M. Liddy 28,153 46,743 21,268   J. F. Ginascol 89,003 169,059 0  
 D. W. McDew 0 0 0  M. A. Kumbier 5,248 0 0 
 N. McKinstry 23,666 47,902 0   E. M. Liddy 30,127 56,414 21,584  
 P. N. Novakovic 26,333 102,943 0  D. W. McDew 1,974 0 0 
 W. A. Osborn 56,323 49,190 28,512   N. McKinstry 25,640 56,356 0  
 D. G. Salvadori 95,088 461,015 0   P. N. Novakovic 41,004 93,553 0 
 S. C. Scott III 40,053 41,622 7,138   W. A. Osborn 79,745 37,733 28,935  
 D. J. Starks 7,018,683 0 0  M. F. Roman 0 0 0 
 J. G. Stratton 8,641 0 4,651   D. G. Salvadori 102,433 594,254 0  
 G. F. Tilton 41,403 0 32,710  D. J. Starks 7,020,657 0 0 
 M. D. White 3,194,710 5,417,294 0   J. G. Stratton 10,615 0 6,049  
 B. B. Yoor 116,620 184,281 0  G. F. Tilton 43,377 0 33,196 
 All directors and executive officers as a group(4)(5) 12,502,322 12,334,341 102,045   M. D. White 3,141,293 5,959,728 0  
 B. B. Yoor 69,886 197,150 0 
 All directors and executive officers as a group(4)(5) 12,367,861 14,370,846 97,978  
(1)
This column includes shares held in the officers' accounts in the Abbott Laboratories Stock Retirement Trust as follows: R. E. Funck, Jr., 17,758; M. D. White, 34,239;35,146; B. B. Yoor, 2,239;2,272; and all executive officers as a group, 69,290.79,829. Each officer has shared voting power and sole investment power with respect to the shares held in his or her account.

(2)
This column includes restricted stock units held by the non-employee directors and payable in stock upon their retirement from the Board as follows: R. J. Alpern, 30,406;32,380; R. S. Austin, 38,069;40,043; S. E. Blount, 23,666;25,640; M. A. Kumbier, 2,241;4,215; E. M. Liddy, 25,833;27,807; D. W. McDew, 1,974; N. McKinstry, 23,666;25,640; P. N. Novakovic, 25,833;27,807; W. A. Osborn, 32,323; S. C. Scott III, 34,053;34,297; D. J. Starks, 8,623;10,597; J. G. Stratton, 5,186;7,160; G. F. Tilton, 34,053;36,027; and all directors as a group, 283,952.273,587.

(3)
This column also includes 66,14572,590 restricted stock units held by all named officers and executive officers as a group that will be payable in stock within 60 days of January 31, 2020.2021.

(4)
Certain executive officers of Abbott are fiduciaries of several employee benefit trusts maintained by Abbott. As such, they have shared voting and/or investment power with respect to the common shares held by those trusts. The table does not include the shares held by the trusts. As of January 31, 2020,2021, these trusts owned a total of 30,557,88829,672,769 (1.7%) of the outstanding shares of Abbott.



None of the directors, named officers, or executive officers has pledged shares.



(5)
No director or executive officer beneficially owns more than one percent of the outstanding shares of Abbott. Excluding the shared voting and/or investment power over the shares held by the trusts described in footnote 4, the directors named officers, and executive officers as a group togetherbeneficially own beneficially less than one1.5 percent of the outstanding shares of Abbott.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) describes Abbott's executive compensation program in 2019.2020. In particular, this CD&A explains how the Compensation Committee (the Committee) and Board of Directors made compensation decisions for the Company's executives, including the fiveseven named officers: Miles D. White, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer; Robert B. Ford, President and Chief Executive Officer effective March 31, 2020 (previously President and Chief Operating Officer; Brian B. Yoor,Officer); Robert E. Funck, Jr., Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer; Lisa Earnhardt,Officer effective March 1, 2020; Hubert L. Allen, Executive Vice President, Medical Devices;General Counsel and Secretary; John F. Ginascol, Executive Vice President, Core Diagnostics; Daniel G. Salvadori, Executive Vice President, Nutritional Products.Products; Miles D. White, Executive Chairman of the Board effective March 31, 2020 (previously Chairman and Chief Executive Officer); and Brian B. Yoor, former Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

The CD&A also describes the process the Committee utilizes to examine performance in the context of executive pay decisions, the performance goals and results for each named officer, and recent updates to our compensation program. This year's CD&A reflects the feedback from our shareholders gathered during our 20192020 shareholder outreach described on page 31.34.

20192020 PERFORMANCE

Abbott's three-yearsustained strong performance has resulted in total shareholder return (TSR) significantly exceeding the peer median and major market indices on a one-, three-, and five-year basis.

Abbott's three-year TSR of 139.5%101.7% is more than twice that of the peer group median and the broader Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) and more than three times that of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) market indices.index. These consistent above-market returns are driven by the strength of our diversified business model with leadership positions in some of the largest and fastest growing markets in healthcare and innovative product portfolios across our businesses.

Abbott delivered strong returns for shareholders in 20192020, despite the global market challenges from COVID-19, and achieved or exceeded the financial targets that were set atbefore the beginning of last year.pandemic in January 2020. Abbott's one-year TSR was 22.1%28.0%, delivering significant shareholder returns on topmore than three times the peer median TSR, and significantly above major market indices, a testament to the strength of the one-year TSR of 29%our diversified business model and ability to innovate and deliver in 2018, which ranked #1 in our peer group.this challenging environment.


Primary performance metric for long-term incentive programGRAPHIC
 

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In addition to delivering significant shareholder returns, Abbott continued to take important steps to position the Company for long-term, sustainable growth.

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CHANGES BASED ON SHAREHOLDER FEEDBACK AND MARKET PRACTICES

During 2019,2020, we conducted extensive shareholder outreach to discuss our compensation program.

program, among other topics. In the spring, we engaged shareholders representing over 65%60% of our outstanding shares in an open dialogue to discuss various topics, including the enhancedAbbott's market-leading disclosures in our 2019 proxy that furtheredenhance shareholder understanding of how pay decisions are made and how the metrics we use are linked to our business strategy and goals. Their feedback was overwhelmingly positive, which was also reflected in the 94%92% support for theour Say-on-Pay Vote.

In the fall, we continued our dialogue with shareholders and shared the process we used to review and update our peer group in 2019 to better reflect Abbott's size and complexity. Shareholders were very supportive of our approach and agreed with the changes approved by the Compensation Committee. Additional information regarding the changes to Abbott's peer group can be found on page 32 of this proxy statement.Proposal.

As illustrated in the table below, over the past several years we have made numerous changes to our program and our proxy statement based on feedback from our shareholders as well as a review of market practices.

  
RECENT EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION CHANGES
    


 
 

 

Significantly increased disclosure related to payouts for both annual and long-term incentives

Revised annual cash incentive plan goals and weighting

Changed performance-based restricted stock awards to vest only over a 3-year term with no more than one-third of the award vesting in any one year

Implemented a strengthened recoupment policy


 

Introduced new long-term incentive measures to reflect sustained performance over a three-year period

Increased director share ownership guidelines

Increased the ROE target for vesting of performance restricted shares

Updated our peer group to reflect increased size and complexity of business
    


 

 

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ABBOTT'S PEER GROUP FOR PAY AND COMPANY PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKING

To determine the competitiveness of our compensation and benefit programs, the Committee, in consultation with its independent consultant, annually compares the level of compensation, pay practices, and our relative performance to those of peer companies. As we previewed in last year's proxy, ourOur Compensation Committee reviewed our peer group in 20192020 to determine whether any changes were necessary to better reflect the increased size (sales and market capitalization) and complexity of Abbott's business. They also reviewed whether United Technologies should remain a peer following its corporate transaction with Raytheon in which they merged and spun off various businesses, resulting in the new company, Raytheon Technologies.

Based on this review, the Compensation Committee revised the peer group to reflect the breadth of our business, reflecting our diversereplaced Raytheon Technologies with Cisco and balanced portfolio.Nike. This newrevised peer group strikes the appropriate balance between size (revenue and market capitalization between approximately one-third and three times Abbott's), growth and return profiles, geographic breadth, and management and operating structure. This approach has been overwhelmingly supported by our investors during shareholder outreach.

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The updated peer group is summarized below, showing the primary characteristics for each company selected, including the Abbott business segment(s) represented by the peer company.

Company NameSales/
Rev.(1)
(billions)
Market
Cap(1)
(billions)
% Rev.
Outside
U.S.
Similar #
Employees
Mfg. Driven/
Consumer-
Facing
Abbott Business Segment(s)
Represented
 Company NameSales/
Rev.(1)
(billions)
Market
Cap(1)
(billions)
% Rev.
Outside
U.S.
Similar #
Employees
Mfg. Driven/
Consumer-
Facing
Abbott Business Segment(s)/Characteristics
Represented
 
3M Company$32.1$101.5üüüDiagnostics 3M Company$32.2$100.8üüüDiagnostics 
Becton Dickinson$17.3$73.6üüüDiagnostics, Medical Devices Becton Dickinson$17.1$72.8üüüDiagnostics, Medical Devices 
Boston Scientific$10.4$63.0ü üMedical Devices Boston Scientific$10.1$51.5ü üMedical Devices 
Bristol-Myers Squibb$24.2$150.5üüEstablished Pharmaceuticals Bristol-Myers Squibb$39.4$140.2üüEstablished Pharmaceuticals 
The Coca-Cola Company$37.3$237.1üüüNutrition Cisco$48.1$189.1üüüDiagnostics, Medical Devices 
Danaher Corporation$19.9$110.2üüüDiagnostics The Coca-Cola Company$33.5$235.7üüüConsumer 
Honeywell International$36.7$126.5üüüDiagnostics, Medical Devices Danaher Corporation$22.3$157.8üüüDiagnostics 
Johnson & Johnson$82.1$383.9üüüDiagnostics, Established Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices Honeywell International$32.6$149.2üüüDiagnostics, Medical Devices 
Medtronic$30.9$152.1üüüMedical Devices Johnson & Johnson$82.6$414.3üüüDiagnostics, Established Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices 
Merck$46.0$231.6üüüEstablished Pharmaceuticals Medtronic$27.9$157.7üüüMedical Devices 
Mondelez International$25.9$79.3üüüNutrition Merck$47.3$207.0üüüEstablished Pharmaceuticals 
Procter & Gamble$69.6$311.5üüüNutrition Mondelez International$26.6$83.6üüüConsumer 
Reckitt Benckiser(2)$16.2$57.6üüüNutrition Nike$38.3$222.1üüüConsumer 
Stryker Corporation$14.9$78.6üMedical Devices 
Procter & Gamble$74.0$345.0üüüConsumer 
Thermo Fisher Scientific$25.5$130.3üüüDiagnostics Reckitt Benckiser(2)$18.4$63.4ü üNutrition 
United Technologies$77.0$129.3üüDiagnostics Stryker Corporation$14.4$92.1üMedical Devices 
Peer Group Median$28.3$127.9     Thermo Fisher Scientific$32.2$184.6üüüDiagnostics 
Abbott$31.9$153.5üüü Peer Group Median$32.2$157.7 
Abbott Percentile Rank59th73rd     Abbott$34.6$194.1üüü  
Abbott Percentile Rank65th71st  
(1)
Data source: Nasdaq IR Insight database reflects most recently disclosed (as of January 31, 2020)2021) trailing 12-month sales/revenue. The market cap reflects values on December 31, 2019.2020.

(2)
Revenue/Market Cap converted to USD for OUS companies.companies outside the U.S.

32      GRAPHIC


BASIS FOR COMPENSATION DECISIONS

Abbott and its Compensation Committee have designed a compensation program that balances short- and long-term objectives to focus our executives on actions that create value today, while building for sustainable future success. Approximately two-thirds of our pay is equity-based, directly tying a significant portion of executive compensation to shareholder returns.

Our compensation program ismarket-based (to ensure our ability to attract and retain talented executives) and produces compensation outcomes that areperformance-based (to incent the achievement of profitable growth that increases shareholder value).

COMPENSATION PROGRAM IS MARKET-BASED

All components of total direct compensation are market-based. Each year, the Compensation Committee reviews market data with the independent compensation consultant to ensure our programs are aligned and our officers are positioned appropriately relative to the market.

Base Salary

Base salary targets are initially set using the median of the peer group as a benchmark. Base salaries then vary depending on the officer's experience, expertise, and performance. The average base salary of our executive officers is approximately at the market median.

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Table of Contents

Annual Incentive Plan

Annual incentive targets are initially set using the median of the peer group as a benchmark. The targets may vary based on other factors, including internal pay comparisons. Further linkage to the market is achieved by setting targets that require our officers to exceed the anticipated growth of the market in which they compete in order to achieve a target payout of their annual incentives.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTI)

To set annual LTI award guidelines, the Committee first reviews LTI grants made by peer companies to identify the competitive market range. Each year the guidelines are set at the appropriate level within the competitive market range based on Abbott's relative performance, as described on the following page. To recognize the continued growth focus of Abbott and to directly align the interests of executive officers with the interests of our shareholders, the Compensation Committee grants long-term incentive awards in the form of 50% stock options and 50% performance restricted shares. This mix of incentive awards is consistent with our peers.

COMPENSATION OUTCOMES ARE PERFORMANCE-BASED

Other than base salary, which is the smallest component of our executives' compensation, all remaining components of Total Direct Compensation (i.e., annual incentive, performance-based restricted stock awards, and stock options) are aligned with individual, business segment and Company performance.

Annual Incentive Plan

In order for the annual incentive plan to pay out, the EPS goal must be achieved. If the EPS goal is not achieved, then the annual incentive plan is not funded. Final payouts are determined based upon performance relative to annual goals and are capped as a percentage of consolidated net earnings (CEO cap is 0.15%; COO cap is 0.10%; other NEO cap is 0.075%). The following formula summarizes the annual incentive payout process for officers, assuming the EPS goal is achieved.

For example:

BASE SALARY   BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

   AWARD PAYOUT
 $525,000 x 90% x 

95%

 = $448,875
​  

GRAPHIC 33


For 20192020 performance, annual incentive payouts for Abbott executive officers averaged 96% of target. For individual calculations for each named officer, see pages 3842 to 47.57. The annual incentive plan is formula driven based on financial, strategic, and talent and succession results. Officer financial goals are based on adjusted financial measures that reflect the true results of our ongoing operations and are set based on the expected market growth of the businesses in the markets in which we compete.

The goals used to determine annual incentive payouts for Abbott executive officers were set at the beginning of 2020. Abbott did not adjust 2020 financial goals due to the impact of the pandemic. Instead, the Compensation Committee evaluated and rewarded each business leader based on their original goals, as well as their contribution to the Company's extraordinary response to the pandemic.

This response, which enhanced Abbott's position as a world leader in diagnostic testing, included:

In addition, business continuity across the Company was maintained through close partnerships with existing suppliers and a focus on supply chain management that ensured customer needs were met and R&D programs continued yielding approvals and a strong pipeline for future growth.

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Long-Term Incentive Plan

Throughout the process, Abbott's awards are based on Company and individual performance, from guideline positioning all the way through vesting. Conversely, most other companies reflect performance only at the company level, through relative TSR at vesting. Thus, Abbott's process is much more rigorous and performance-based than other companies' programs.

The Committee positions LTI award guidelines relative to the market by comparing Abbott's 3-year TSR performance against our peers. 5- and 1-year TSR performance are also referenced to ensure long-term performance is sustained, and current performance is on track with shareholder expectations.

For example, guidelines for grants made in February 20192020 were set at the 7560th percentile of our peer group, reflecting 100th percentile relative 3-year TSR performance for the period ending in 2018.2019. The 5-year TSR ranked at the 10075th percentile of our peer group for the period ending in 2018,2019, while the 1-year TSR was at the 9425th percentile of our peer group.

The recommendation for each officer starts with the Company LTI award guideline (based on relative TSR performance and market data as described above) for the officer's position and is adjusted based upon assessment of their sustained contributions over the last three years. Contribution scores are totaled and used to adjust each officer's award guideline. Final awards may be increased or decreased based on the long-term impact each individual officer had on the organization. For example:

 SAMPLE INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
  SAMPLE INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
 
 METRIC  2016  2017  2018  OVERALL  METRIC  2017  2018  2019  OVERALL 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Met (0)  Did not meet (-1)  Exceeded (+1)  0  Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Met (0)  Did not meet (-1)  Exceeded (+1)  0 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Margin Contribution   Met (0)   Met (0)   Exceeded (+1)   +1   Margin Contribution   Met (0)   Met (0)   Exceeded (+1)   +1   
 Strategic Financial Contribution  Met (0)  Met (0)  Met (0)  0  Strategic Financial Contribution  Met (0)  Met (0)  Met (0)  0 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
            Total   +1              Total   +1   
       LTI Adjustment
 110%        LTI Adjustment
 110% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

 

LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND
TOTAL RESULT RESULT
​ ​ 
+3 or More 125%
+4 or More 125%
​ ​ 
+1 or +2 110%
+1 to +3 110%
0 100% 100%
​ ​ 
-1 or -2 90% 90%
-3 or Less 75% 75%
​ ​ 

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Table of Contents

Awards granted in 2019,2020, based on individual officer performance for the three-year period ending in 2018,2019, resulted in awards ranging from the 5410th percentile to the 90th percentile of our peer group, with an average of the 7860th percentile. For individual calculations for each named officer, see pages 3842 to 47.57.

Since stock options realize value only through share price appreciation, the value realized upon the exercise of vested stock options directly aligns the compensation earned with the value shareholders received over the same period. Options are also aligned with shareholder value through the impact of relative TSR in determining the LTI award guidelines.

34      GRAPHIC


Performance restricted shares vest one-third each year only if the Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE) performance target is achieved. Vesting is absolute—either 100% or 0%.There is no partial vesting if the target is missed and no additional vesting upside if the Company over-performs. The Committee believes Adjusted ROE is the appropriate performance measure for vesting because ROE measures how much profit the Company generates over the long-term with the capital that shareholders have invested and is a measure reflecting deployment of capital or capital allocation. Adjusted ROE reflects earnings from continuing operations excluding specified items, such as intangible amortization expense and various other costs including expenses related to restructuring actions or business acquisitions. Adjusted ROE also excludes the impact of foreign exchange on equity.

In 2019,2021, the Adjusted ROE vesting target to determine future vesting was increased from 12%13% to 13%14%. This increase follows similar increases in prior years, which have increased this target 30%40% since 2014. This is consistent with our stated intent to increase our Adjusted ROE targets over time following the separation of AbbVie, which had a significant impact on our ROE and other return measures, including Return on Assets (ROA).

Prior to the separation of Abbott and AbbVie, the AbbVie business accounted for the majority (65%) of Abbott's adjusted net income.However, at the separation of AbbVie, Abbott retained the majority (90%) of the equity. While Abbott's ROE was disproportionally lower following the AbbVie separation, shareholders that retained both their Abbott and AbbVie shares over the past sixeight years since the AbbVie separation would have seen a 168%231% appreciation in their holdings.

 

IMPACT OF ABBOTT/ABBVIE SEPARATION

GRAPHICGRAPHIC

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Summary of LTI Process

The graphic below summarizes the LTI process and its direct linkage to the market and company and individual performance.

GRAPHICGRAPHIC

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COMPENSATION PROGRAM IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO BUSINESS STRATEGY

Our compensation program is also linked directly to our business strategy, to ensure that officers are focused on those activities that drive our business strategy and create value for shareholders.

The table below explains the strategic link of the key metrics used in our annual and long-term incentive plans.

  EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE
 
​   METRIC  STRATEGIC LINK
​ ​ ​ ​ 
  Our annual incentive plan is aligned to the following drivers of shareholder value:  
  Sales  Measures Abbott's ability to compete effectively in the markets in which we participate and focuses management on achieving strong top-line growth, consistent with our business strategy. 
​ ​ ​ ​ 
  Diluted EPS   Basis on which Abbott sets annual performance expectations and consistent with how we report operating results to the financial community.   
​   Return on Assets  Measures profitability and how effectively Company assets are used to generate profit. 
​ ​ ​ ​ 
  Free Cash Flow   Recognizes the importance of generating cash to fund ongoing investments in our business and to pay down debt, pay dividends, and fund investments outside of capital expenditures.   
  Our long-term incentive plan relies on the following Company metrics, and 3-year sustained individual performance metrics, to determine award value:   
  Total Shareholder Return  Measures Abbott's stock and dividend performance against our peer group. Used to position LTI award guidelines relative to the market. 
​ ​ ​ ​ 
  3-year LTI Contribution Metrics   Measures how each officer has performed relative to their sales, margin, and strategic financial contribution goals. Used to adjust LTI award guidelines to reflect individual performance.   
​   Return on Equity  Measures how much profit Abbott generates over the long-term with the capital that shareholders have invested. Used to determine if performance-restricted awards vest. 
​ ​ ​ ​ 

Officer financial goals are set and assessed based on adjusted measures that the Committee believes more accurately reflect the results of our ongoing operations. We make certain adjustments for specified items, whether favorable or unfavorable, that are unusual or unpredictable, such as cost reduction initiatives, restructuring programs, integration activities and other business acquisition-related costs, and the impact of significant tax changes. We also exclude intangible amortization expense to provide greater visibility on the results of operations excluding these costs, similar to how Abbott's management internally assesses performance.

The Committee believes these adjusted measures provide a more stable assessment of Abbott's core business and encourage decision-making that considers long-term value. They also align compensation goals with the financial guidance we communicate to investors, which is also based on adjusted measures.

COMPENSATION LINK TO SUSTAINABILITY

Our leadership covenant includes commitments to multiple environmental, social and governance efforts. Examples include:

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Table of Contents

Since this covenant is considered the minimum requirement of being an officer at Abbott, any officer that does not fulfill the covenant can receive a reduction of up to 100% of their annual incentive and/or long-term incentive awards.

In addition, we maintain several sustainability commitments, which are further described in our Proxy Summary on page 8,10, and include:

PAY DECISIONS FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following pages detail the goals and metrics used to determine each named officer's payout under our annual and long-term incentive plans. For some goals, the target is not disclosed for competitive reasons. The long-term incentive decisions shown in the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement and detailed here were based upon performance through 2018,2019, whereas the annual incentive plan payouts are based upon performance during 2019.2020.

GRAPHIC       3741


NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION DECISIONS

GRAPHICGRAPHICMILES D. WHITEROBERT B. FORD
 
Chairman of the Board,President and Chief Executive Officer, and Director Since 1999
   
    

Mr. Ford previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer until his appointment to President and Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2020.

Base Salary

Mr. White'sFord's annual base salary of $1,900,000 has not changed since 2010.was increased to $1,400,000 in March 2020 in connection with his promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer.

Annual Incentive Plan

Mr. White'sFord's target bonus ofwas increased to 175% was not changed during 2019.in connection with his promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer. Based on performance in 2019,2020, Mr. WhiteFord received a bonus in February 20202021 which was calculated as follows:

 2018
2019 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2019
 GOAL
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL SCORE
 
 FINANCIAL METRICS(1)
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Adjusted Sales(2)$31.2B25%$31.65B$31.80B$31.95B$31.96B37.5%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Adjusted Diluted EPS $2.88 25% $3.15 $3.20 $3.25 $3.24 35.0% 
​  
​  Adjusted ROA9.2%10%10.5%10.6%10.7%10.9%15.0%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Free Cash Flow(3) $4.9B 10% $4.1B $4.3B $4.5B $4.5B 15.0% 
​  
 STRATEGIC METRICS   
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Diabetes Care Sales Growth10%92.6% of TargetTarget106.8% of Target>Maximum15.0%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Structural Heart Sales Growth 10% 76.2% of Target Target 109.5% of Target >Maximum 15.0% 
​  
 Alinity C/I Instrument Placements10%85.5% of TargetTarget103.2% of Target<Threshold0.0%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
              Total 132.5% 


 2019
2020 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2020
 GOAL
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
SCORE


 
 FINANCIAL METRICS(1)
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Adjusted Sales(2)$31.96B25%$34.02B$34.18B$34.33B$34.92B37.5%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Adjusted Diluted EPS $3.24 25% $3.55 $3.60 $3.65 $3.65 37.5%  
​  
​  Adjusted ROA10.9%10%11.6%11.7%11.8%11.8%15.0%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Free Cash Flow $4.5B 10% $4.3B $4.6B $4.8B $5.7B 15.0%  
​  
              Financial Total 105.0%  
BASE SALARY   BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

   AWARD PAYOUT
 $1,900,000 x 175% x 132.5% = $4,405,625
    (1)
    Adjusted Sales exclude the impact of foreign exchange on actual sales relative to the goal target. Adjusted Diluted EPS is diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations excluding specified items, such as intangible amortization expense and various other costs including expenses related to restructuring actions or business acquisitions. Adjusted Return on Assets (ROA) reflects earnings from continuing operations, excluding interest expense and specified items. Adjusted ROA also reflects total assets less current liabilities excluding short-term borrowings. Diabetes Care, Structural Heart and Nutrition Sales Growth exclude the impact of foreign exchange. Free Cash Flow equals Operating Cash Flow less acquisitions of property and equipment.

    (2)
    Set based on expected market growth of the businesses and markets in which we compete. To achieve target payout, must increase market share.

​  
 STRATEGIC METRICS(3)   
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Diabetes Care Sales Growth10%93.7% of TargetTarget106.0% of TargetBelow Threshold0.0%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Structural Heart Sales Growth 10% 83.6% of Target Target 109.3% of Target Below Threshold 0.0%  
​  
 Core Diagnostics Sales Growth10%85.5% of TargetTarget112.0% of TargetBelow Threshold0.0%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
(3)
2019 target lower than 2018 results due to increased capital expenditures to support strategic initiativesTarget not disclosed for competitive reasons. Diabetes Care, Structural Heart and timingCore Diagnostics Sales Growth exclude the impact of pension funding and tax payments.foreign exchange.

3842      GRAPHIC


    
    

Given the course of the pandemic, the strategic goals set in February 2020 shifted immediately to focus on pandemic response. Our extraordinary response was focused on 3 specific goals, all of which were overachieved.

STRATEGIC METRICS2020 RESULTSGOAL SCORE

Goal (10% weight): Develop COVID-19 related tests across Abbott's broad diagnostic portfolios.Overachieved: Abbott developed 12 tests, half of which were approved for use during the first six months of 2020.15.0%
Goal (10% weight): Expand manufacturing capacity for COVID-19 tests in both the U.S. and internationally.Overachieved: Authorized $639MM of spending to expand manufacturing at existing facilities and create two new facilities (in IL and ME). Sold 424MM COVID-19 tests during 2020, representing $3.9B in sales.15.0%
​  Goal (10% weight): Ensure supply chain and business continuity for existing base business.Overachieved: Through proactive and continuous communication with suppliers and vendors, Abbott experienced no disruptions to our supply chain.15.0%
Strategic Total45.0%
Financial Total
(prior page)
105.0%
Total Goal Score150.0%


BASE SALARY   BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

   AWARD PAYOUT
 $1,400,000 x 175% x 

150%

 = $3,675,000

GRAPHIC 43



Long-Term Incentives

Based on the Committee's review of Abbott and individual performancethrough 20182019,, Mr. WhiteFord received an LTI award inFebruary 20192020 with a value of $15,125,000,$11,250,000, which was equal to 125%90% of his LTIthe market value equity award guideline. Additional calculation details are as follows:for a CEO in Abbott's peer group. This award was paid 50% in stock options(1) and 50% in performance restricted shares(2).

LTI AWARD GUIDELINE   LTI ADJUSTMENT   

AWARD ALLOCATION

   AWARD
VALUE
   LTI ADJUSTMENT   

AWARD ALLOCATION

   AWARD
VALUE

$12,100,000
 x 
125%
 x 

​ 50% Stock Options(1)

 = $7,562,500

$12,500,000
 x 
90%
 x 

​ 50% Stock Options(1)

 = $5,625,000
         50% Performance Restricted Shares(2)   $7,562,500         50% Performance Restricted Shares(2)   $5,625,000
       Total   $15,125,000       Total   $11,250,000

 

 INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
 INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
 METRIC  2016  2017  2018  OVERALL  METRIC  2017  2018  2019  OVERALL 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Did not meet (-1)  Met (0)  Exceeded (+1)  0   Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  +3 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Margin Contribution   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   +3   Margin Contribution   Met (0)   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   +2   
 Strategic Financial Contribution  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  +3  Strategic Financial Contribution  Exceeded (+1)  Met (0)  Did not meet (-1)  0 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
            Total   +6   Total   +5   
       LTI Adjustment
 125%  Preliminary Adjustment

 125% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Impact(3)   -   
 LTI Adjustment

 90% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

 

 LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND
​  TOTAL RESULT
​ 
 +3 or More 125%
​ 
 +1 or +2 110%
 0 100%
​ 
 -1 or -2 90%
 -3 or Less 75%
​ 
  LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND 
​   PRELIMINARY ADJUSTMENT  IMPACT 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
​   TOTAL  RESULT  IMPACT ON BUSINESS
PRIORITIES

 
 SCORE  RESULT 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  +4 or More  125%  High Impact  ++  +25% or More 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  +1 to +3   110%   Medium/High Impact   +   Up to +25%   
​   0  100%  Medium Impact  =  0% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  -1 or -2   90%   Medium/Low Impact   -   Up to -25%   
​   -3 or Less  75%  Low Impact  --  -25% or More 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
(1)
Stock options realize value only through share price appreciation.

(2)
Performance restricted shares vest only if the 13% Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE) performance target is achieved.

(3)
Individual LTI performance assessment was based upon Mr. Ford's role as President and Chief Operating Officer. The Committee adjusted the grant to reflect Mr. Ford's upcoming promotion to President and Chief Executive Officer.

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GRAPHICGRAPHICROBERT B. FORDE. FUNCK, JR
 
Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief OperatingFinancial Officer and Director
   
    

Mr. Funck previously served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Controller. Mr. Funck was appointed to Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer effective March 1, 2020.

Base Salary

Mr. Ford'sFunck's annual base salary of $1,000,000 did not changewas increased in 2019.January 2020 to $825,000 in connection with his promotion to Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer.

Annual Incentive Plan

Mr. Ford'sFunck's target bonus of 125%was increased to 115% of base salary was not changed during 2019.in 2020 in connection with his promotion to Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Based on performance in 2019,2020, Mr. FordFunck received a bonus in February 20202021 which was calculated as follows:

 2018
2019 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2019
 GOAL
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
SCORE


 
 FINANCIAL METRICS(1)
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Adjusted Sales(2)$31.2B25%$31.65B$31.80B$31.95B$31.96B37.5%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Adjusted Diluted EPS $2.88 25% $3.15 $3.20 $3.25 $3.24 35.0% 
​  
​  Adjusted ROA9.2%10%10.5%10.6%10.7%10.9%15.0%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Free Cash Flow(3) $4.9B 10% $4.1B $4.3B $4.5B $4.5B 15.0% 
​  
 STRATEGIC METRICS   
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Diabetes Care Sales Growth15%92.6% of TargetTarget106.8% of Target>Maximum22.5%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Cardiovascular and Neuromodulation Sales Growth 15% 86.8% of Target Target 109.2% of Target <Threshold 0.0% 
​  
              Total 125.0% 


 2019
2020 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2020
 GOAL
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
SCORE


 
 FINANCIAL METRICS(1)
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Adjusted Sales(2)$31.96B10%$34.02B$34.18B$34.33B$34.92B15.0%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Adjusted Diluted EPS $3.24 20% $3.55 $3.60 $3.65 $3.65 30.0%  
​  
​  Free Cash Flow$4.5B10%$4.3B$4.6B$4.8B$5.7B15.0%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Achieve Key Treasury and Tax Metrics(3)  15% Target Target Target Achieved 15.0%  
​  
              Financial Total 75.0%  
BASE SALARY   BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

   AWARD PAYOUT
 $1,000,000 x 125% x 

125.0%

 = $1,562,500
    (1)
    Adjusted Sales exclude the impact of foreign exchange on actual sales relative to the goal target. Adjusted Diluted EPS is diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations excluding specified items, such as intangible amortization expense and various other costs including expenses related to restructuring actions or business acquisitions. Adjusted Return on Assets (ROA) reflects earnings from continuing operations, excluding interest expense and specified items. Adjusted ROA also reflects total assets less current liabilities excluding short-term borrowings. Diabetes Care, Structural Heart and Nutrition Sales Growth exclude the impact of foreign exchange. Free Cash Flow equals Operating Cash Flow less acquisitions of property and equipment.

    (2)
    Set based on expected market growth of the businesses and markets in which we compete. To achieve target payout, must increase market share.share

    (3)
    2019 target lower than 2018 results due to increased capital expenditures to support strategic initiatives and timing of pension funding and tax payments.Target not disclosed for competitive reasons.
​  
STRATEGIC METRICS   
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​
Goal (10% weight): Execute integration milestones related to Cardiovascular Entity/Enterprise Resource Planning, global expense reporting and management, and site strategies.
Result: Achieved
​  
Goal (10% weight): Reduce operational risk associated with aging technology through specific application remediation, upgrading and replacing critical applications, and remediating unsupported infrastructure.
Result: Mostly achieved

​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​
Goal (10% weight): Execute improvements to key financial processes, including financial planning, monthly close, capital expenditure, and Financial Policies and Procedures.
Result: Mostly achieved
​  

4045      GRAPHIC


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Given the course of the pandemic, the strategic goals set in February 2020 shifted immediately to focus on pandemic response. Our extraordinary response was focused on 3 specific goals, all of which were overachieved.

STRATEGIC METRICS2020 RESULTSGOAL SCORE

Goal (10% weight): Develop COVID-19 related tests across Abbott's broad diagnostic portfolios.Overachieved: Abbott developed 12 tests, half of which were approved for use during the first six months of 2020.15.0%
Goal (10% weight): Expand manufacturing capacity for COVID-19 tests in both the U.S. and internationally.Overachieved: Authorized $639MM of spending to expand manufacturing at existing facilities and create two new facilities (in IL and ME). Sold 424MM COVID-19 tests during 2020, representing $3.9B in sales.15.0%
​  Goal (10% weight): Ensure supply chain and business continuity for existing base business.Overachieved: Through proactive and continuous communication with suppliers and vendors, Abbott experienced no disruptions to our supply chain.15.0%


TALENT AND SUCCESSION METRICS2020 RESULTSGOAL SCORE

Goal (15% weight): Meet talent and succession planning targets.Achieved15.0%
Strategic and Talent Total60.0%
​​​​​​​​
Financial Total
(prior page)

75.0%
​​​​​​​​
Total Goal Score135.0%


BASE SALARY   BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

   AWARD PAYOUT
 $825,000 x 115% x 

135.0%

 = $1,280,800

GRAPHIC 46


Table of Contents

    
    

Long-Term Incentives

Based on the Committee's review of Abbott and individual performancethrough 20182019, Mr. FordFunck received an LTI award inFebruary 20192020 with a value of $6,952,132,$4,432,500, which was equal to 115%112.5% of his LTI award guideline. Additional calculation details are as follows:

LTI AWARD
GUIDELINE
   LTI ADJUSTMENT   

AWARD ALLOCATION

   AWARD
VALUE
   LTI ADJUSTMENT   

AWARD ALLOCATION

   AWARD
VALUE

$6,045,332
 x 
115%
 x 

​ 50% Stock Options(1)

 = $3,476,066

$3,940,000
 x 
112.5%
 x 

​ 50% Stock Options(1)

 = $2,216,250
         50% Performance Restricted Shares(2)   $3,476,066         50% Performance Restricted Shares(2)   $2,216,250
       Total   $6,952,132       Total   $4,432,500

 

 INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
 INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
 METRIC  2016  2017  2018  OVERALL  METRIC  2017  2018  2019  OVERALL 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Did not meet (-1)  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  +1   Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Met (0)  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  +2 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Margin Contribution   Met (0)   Met (0)   Exceeded (+1)   +1   Margin Contribution   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   +3   
 Strategic Financial Contribution  Did not meet (-1)  Exceeded (+1)  Met (0)  0  Strategic Financial Contribution  Exceeded (+1)  Met (0)  Met (0)  +1 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Total   +2   Total   +6   
 Preliminary Adjustment

 110%  Preliminary Adjustment

 125% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Mr. Ford's contributions to the completion of the St. Jude and Alere acquisitions and other initiatives to drive future profitable growth for Abbott represented significant impact   +   Impact(3)   -   
 LTI Adjustment
 115%  LTI Adjustment

 112.5% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

 

 LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND  LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND 
 PRELIMINARY ADJUSTMENT  IMPACT  PRELIMINARY ADJUSTMENT  IMPACT 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 TOTAL  RESULT  IMPACT ON BUSINESS
PRIORITIES

 
 SCORE  RESULT  TOTAL  RESULT  IMPACT ON BUSINESS
PRIORITIES

 
 SCORE  RESULT 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 +3 or More  125%  High Impact  ++  +25% or More  +4 or More  125%  High Impact  ++  +25% or More 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 +1 or +2   110%   Medium/High Impact   +   +5% or More   +1 to +3   110%   Medium/High Impact   +   Up to +25%   
 0  100%  Medium Impact  =  0%  0  100%  Medium Impact  =  0% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 -1 or -2   90%   Medium/Low Impact   -   -5% or More   -1 or -2   90%   Medium/Low Impact   -   Up to -25%   
 -3 or Less  75%  Low Impact  --  -25% or More  -3 or Less  75%  Low Impact  --  -25% or More 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
(1)
Stock options realize value only through share price appreciation.

(2)
Performance restricted shares vest only if the 13% Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE) performance target is achieved.

(3)
Individual LTI performance assessment was based upon Mr. Funck's role as Controller. The Committee adjusted the grant to reflect Mr. Funck's upcoming promotion to Chief Financial Officer.

47      GRAPHIC41


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GRAPHICGRAPHICBRIAN B. YOORHUBERT L. ALLEN
 
Executive Vice President, FinanceGeneral Counsel and Chief Financial OfficerSecretary
   
    

Base Salary

Mr. Yoor'sAllen's annual base salary of $825,000 did not changewas increased to $760,000 in 2019.March 2020.

Annual Incentive Plan

Mr. Yoor's target bonus was increased to 115% of base salary in 2019. Based on performance in 2019,2020, Mr. YoorAllen received a bonus in February 20202021 which was calculated as follows:

2018
2019 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2019
2019
2020 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2020
GOAL
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
SCORE


 GOAL
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
SCORE


 
FINANCIAL METRICS(1)FINANCIAL METRICS(1)
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Adjusted Sales(2)$31.2B10%$31.65B$31.80B$31.95B$31.96B15.0%Adjusted Sales(2)$31.96B10%$34.02B$34.18B$34.33B$34.92B15.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Adjusted Diluted EPS $2.88 20% $3.15 $3.20 $3.25 $3.24 28.0% Adjusted Diluted EPS $3.24 15% $3.55 $3.60 $3.65 $3.65 22.5%  
Free Cash Flow(3)$4.9B10%$4.1B$4.3B$4.5B$4.5B15.0%Free Cash Flow$4.5B10%$4.3B$4.6B$4.8B$5.7B15.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Ratio 3.0 5% < 3.0 < 3.0 < 3.0 2.5 5.0% Other Financial Returns(3)  10% Target Target Target Achieved 10.0%  
Improve Credit Ratings5%Achieved5.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
STRATEGIC METRICS   STRATEGIC METRICS   
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Goal (10% weight): Execute integration milestones related to Cardiovascular entities, legacy St. Jude Medical expense reporting, and facility management services in North America.  Goal (30% weight): Resolve certain key litigation matters and investigations.  
Result: All achieved. 10.0% Result: Achieved 30.0%  
Goal (15% weight): Develop methodology and evaluate individual country's attractiveness to guide future investments.Goal (10% weight): Achieve intellectual property strategy initiatives across all Abbott divisions.
Result: All achieved.15.0%Result: Achieved10.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Goal (15% weight): Develop and execute plans to increase corporate cost savings and efficiencies and improve data analytics to measure ongoing results. Address specified technology challenges.  TALENT AND SUCCESSION METRICS   
Result: All achieved. 15.0% 
TALENT AND SUCCESSION METRICS   
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Goal (10% weight): Meet talent and succession planning targets.  Goal (15% weight): Meet talent and succession planning targets.  
Result: Mostly achieved. 9.4% Result: Mostly achieved 12.5%  
             Total 117.4%              Total 115.0%  

 

BASE SALARY   BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

   AWARD PAYOUT   BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

   AWARD PAYOUT
$825,000 x 115% x 

117.4%

 = $1,113,800
$760,000 x 105% x 

115%

 = $917,700
    (1)
    Adjusted Sales exclude the impact of foreign exchange on actual sales relative to the goal target. Adjusted Diluted EPS is diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations excluding specified items. Free Cash Flow equals Operating Cash Flow less acquisitions of property and equipment.

    (2)
    Set based on expected market growth of the businesses and markets in which we compete. To achieve target payout, must increase market share.

    (3)
    2019 target lower than 2018 results due to increased capital expenditures to support strategic initiatives and timing of pension funding and tax payments.Target not disclosed for competitive reasons.

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Long-Term Incentives

Based on the Committee's review of Abbott and individual performancethrough 20182019, Mr. YoorAllen received an LTI award inFebruary 20192020 with a value of $4,900,000,$3,750,000, which was equal to 125% of his LTI award guideline. Additional calculation details are as follows:

LTI AWARD GUIDELINE   LTI ADJUSTMENT   

AWARD ALLOCATION

   AWARD
VALUE
   LTI ADJUSTMENT   

AWARD ALLOCATION

   AWARD
VALUE

$3,920,000
 x 
125%
 x 

​ 50% Stock Options(1)

 = $2,450,000

$3,000,000
 x 
125%
 x 

​ 50% Stock Options(1)

 = $1,875,000
         50% Performance Restricted Shares(2)   $2,450,000         50% Performance Restricted Shares(2)   $1,875,000
       Total   $4,900,000       Total   $3,750,000

 

 INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
 INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
 METRIC  2016  2017  2018  OVERALL  METRIC  2017  2018  2019  OVERALL 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Did not meet (-1)  Met (0)  Exceeded (+1)  0   Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Met (0)  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  +2 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Margin Contribution   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   +3   Margin Contribution   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   +3   
 Strategic Financial Contribution  Met (0)  Met (0)  Met (0)  0  Strategic Financial Contribution  Exceeded (+1)  Met (0)  Met (0)  +1 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
            Total   +3              Total   +6   
       LTI Adjustment

 125%        LTI Adjustment

 125% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

 

LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND
TOTAL RESULT RESULT
​ ​ 
+3 or More 125%
+4 or More 125%
​ ​ 
+1 or +2 110%
+1 to +3 110%
0 100% 100%
​ ​ 
-1 or -2 90% 90%
-3 or Less 75% 75%
​ ​ 
(1)
Stock options realize value only through share price appreciation.

(2)
Performance restricted shares vest only if the 13% Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE) performance target is achieved.

GRAPHIC       4349


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GRAPHICGRAPHICLISA D. EARNHARDTJOHN F. GINASCOL
 
Executive Vice President, Medical DevicesCore Diagnostics
   
    

Base Salary

Ms. Earnhardt has anMr. Ginascol's annual base salary of $710,000.was increased to $710,000 in March 2020.

Annual Incentive Plan

Ms. Earnhardt's target bonus was set at 115% of base salary for 2019. Based on performance in 2019, Ms. Earnhardt2020, Mr. Ginascol received a bonus in February 20202021 which was calculated as follows:

2018
2019 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2019
2019
2020 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2020
GOAL

 RESULTS ACHIEVED
 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
SCORE


 GOAL
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
SCORE


 
FINANCIAL METRICS(1)FINANCIAL METRICS(1)
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Adjusted Division Net Sales(2)$10.5B20%$11.5B$11.6B$11.8B$11.8B30.0%Adjusted Division Net Sales(2)$4.8B20%$4.97B$5.03B$5.08B$4.52B0.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Adjusted Division Margin  20% Target Target 103.6% of Target 105.0% of Target 30.0% Adjusted Division Margin(3)  20% Target Target 101.7% of Target 72.5% of Target 0.0%  
Adjusted Division Gross Margin10%99.7% of TargetTarget102.9% of Target100.9% of Target11.5%Adjusted Division Gross Margin(3)5%99.6% of TargetTarget103.9% of Target91.1% of Target0.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​���​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Market Share  10%     8.5% Gross Margin Improvement(3)  5% 90.0% of Target Target 110.0% of Target 105.7% of Target 6.5%  
Adjusted Division Free Cash Flow5%TargetTarget105.8% of Target106.6% of Target7.5%Market Share(3)10%<TargetTargetTargetPartially Achieved6.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Cash Conversion Cycle  5%  Target  2 days over target 4.0% Adjusted Division Free Cash Flow(3)  5% Target Target 103.0% of Target 88.7% of Target 0.0%  
Cash Conversion Cycle(3)5%5 days over targetTargetTarget5 days over Target2.5%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
STRATEGIC METRICS   STRATEGIC METRICS   
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​



Goal (20% weight): Execute specified reliability improvements, product submissions and launches, network strategies, and achieve test of record and utilization targets.
Result: Achieved.


 


20.0%


 
TALENT AND SUCCESSION METRICS   
Goal (20% weight): Execute specified product approvals, capacity increases, regulatory submissions and salesforce expansions.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Result: Partially achieved.10.0%

Goal (10% weight): Meet talent and succession planning targets.
Result: Achieved.





10.0%


​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
TALENT AND SUCCESSION METRICS                Total 45.0%  
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Goal (10% weight): Meet talent and succession planning targets. 
Result: Achieved.10.0% 
             Total 111.5% 

50      GRAPHIC


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Mr. Ginascol and his business contributed significant resources and expertise, particularly in R&D and manufacturing, to assist the Rapid Diagnostics Infectious Disease Developed Market (IDDM) business as they developed and produced COVID-19 tests. Given the significant contributions to both businesses, the Committee determined Mr. Ginascol's payout based on the sales and margin of the two businesses combined.

 2020 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2020
 GOAL
 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
SCORE


 
 Adjusted Division Net Sales Core + IDDM businesses(3)20%98.6% of TargetTarget100.9% of Target129.7% of Target30.0%
​  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
 Adjusted Division Margin Core + IDDM businesses(3) 20% Target Target 101.8% of Target 163.6% of Target 30.0%  
​  
            Sales and Margin Total60.0%
​ ​​​​​​​
            Total
(prior
page)
 45.0%  
            Total Goal Score105.0%
​ ​​​​​​​

 

BASE SALARY   BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

   AWARD PAYOUT    BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

    AWARD PAYOUT
$710,000 x 115% x 

111.5%

 = $910,400 x 115% x 

105.0%

 = 

$857,300

    (1)
    Adjusted Division Net Sales exclude the impact of foreign exchange on actual Medical DevicesCore Diagnostics sales relative to the goal target. Adjusted Division Margin and Adjusted Division Gross Margin exclude the impact of foreign exchange on actual Medical DevicesCore Diagnostics division margin and gross margin relative to the respective goal target. Adjusted Division Free Cash Flow reflects Medical Devices'Core Diagnostics pre-tax operating cash flow less capital expenditures and excludes the impact of foreign exchange.

    (2)
    Set based on expected market growth in medical devicesCore Diagnostics market. To achieve target, must gain market share.

    (3)
    Target not disclosed for competitive reasons.

44      GRAPHIC51


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Long-Term Incentives

As partBased on the Committee's review of Ms. Earnhardt's employment offer, sheAbbott and individual performance through 2019, Mr. Ginascol received an LTI award in February 2020 with a grantvalue of 91,367 stock$3,308,000, which was equal to 100% of his LTI award guideline. Additional calculation details are as follows:

LTI AWARD
GUIDELINE
   LTI ADJUSTMENT   

AWARD ALLOCATION

   AWARD
VALUE

$3,308,000
 x 
100%
 x 

​ 50% Stock Options(1)

 = $1,654,000
​  
​           50% Performance Restricted Shares(2)   $1,654,000
        Total   $3,308,000


  INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
​   METRIC  2017  2018  2019  OVERALL 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Did Not Meet (-1)  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  +1 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  Margin Contribution   Did Not Meet (-1)   Met (0)   Did Not Meet (-1)   -2   
​   Strategic Financial Contribution  Exceeded (+1)  Met (0)  Did Not Meet (-1)  0 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
              Total   -1   
​   Preliminary Adjustment

 90% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  Impact   +   
​   LTI Adjustment
 100% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 


  LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND 
​   PRELIMINARY ADJUSTMENT  IMPACT 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
​   TOTAL  RESULT  IMPACT ON BUSINESS
PRIORITIES

 
 SCORE  RESULT 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  +4 or More  125%  High Impact  ++  +25% or More 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  +1 to +3   110%   Medium/High Impact   +   Up to +25%   
​   0  100%  Medium Impact  =  0% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  -1 or -2   90%   Medium/Low Impact   -   Up to -25%   
​   -3 or Less  75%  Low Impact  --  -25% or More 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
(1)
Stock options and 17,431 performancerealize value only through share price appreciation.

(2)
Performance restricted shares (valued at $2,764,707 in total) which reflected a prorated grant for 2019. She also received a grant of 39,515 restricted shares (valued at $3,200,000) with 3-year cliff vesting to offset unvested long-term incentives at her previous employer.

vest only if the 13% Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE) performance target is achieved.

52      GRAPHIC45


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GRAPHICDANIEL G. SALVADORI
 
Executive Vice President, Nutritional Products
   
    

Base Salary

Mr. Salvadori's annual base salary was increased from $680,000 toof $710,000 did not change in March 2019.2020.

Annual Incentive Plan

Mr. Salvadori's target bonus was increased to 115% of base salary in 2019. Based on performance in 2019,2020, Mr. Salvadori received a bonus in February 20202021 which was calculated as follows:

2018
2019 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2019
2019
2020 GOAL MEASUREMENT
2020
GOAL
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
SCORE


 GOAL
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL
WEIGHT


 THRESHOLD
 TARGET
 MAXIMUM
 RESULTS
ACHIEVED


 GOAL SCORE
 
FINANCIAL METRICS(1)FINANCIAL METRICS(1)
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Adjusted Division Net Sales(2)$7.2B20%$7.3B$7.4B$7.5B$7.5B27.6%Adjusted Division Net Sales(2)$7.47B20%$7.54B$7.63B$7.74B$7.68B24.2%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Adjusted Division Margin  20% Target Target 103.6% of Target 100.4% of Target 21.2% Adjusted Division Margin(3)  20% Target Target 103.2% of Target 101.3% of Target 24.2%  
Adjusted Division Gross Margin5%99.8% of TargetTarget103.7% of Target99.3% of Target0.0%Adjusted Division Gross Margin(3)5%99.8% of TargetTarget103.7% of Target100.0% of Target5.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Incremental Plan Savings  5% Target Target Target 109.7% of Target 5.0% Gross Margin Improvement(3)  5% Target Target 110.0% of Target 100.0% of Target 5.0%  
Market Share10%10.0%Market Share(3)10%TargetTargetTargetAt Target10.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Adjusted Division Free Cash Flow  5% Target Target 105.6% of Target 99.0% of Target 0.0% Adjusted Division Free Cash Flow(3)  5% Target Target 102.9% of Target 119.7% of Target 7.5%  
Cash Conversion Cycle5%5 days over TargetTarget5 days over Target2.5%Cash Conversion Cycle(3)5%5 days over TargetTargetTarget1 day less than Target5.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
STRATEGIC METRICS   STRATEGIC METRICS   
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​



Goal (20% weight): Execute specified product launches, e-commerce expansion, innovation sales, and key country initiatives.
Result: Overachieved.


 


21.6%


 
Goal (20% weight): Execute specified product launches, innovation sales, key country initiatives, ingredient supply strategy, and manufacturing capacity initiatives.   
Result: Achieved. 20.0%  
TALENT AND SUCCESSION METRICS   TALENT AND SUCCESSION METRICS   
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​



Goal (10% weight): Meet talent and succession planning targets.
Result: Achieved.





10.0%


Goal (10% weight): Meet talent and succession planning targets.
Result: Achieved.10.0%
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
             Total 97.9%              Total 110.9%  

 

BASE SALARY   BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

   PRELIMINARY AWARD
PAYOUT
   BONUS TARGET %   

TOTAL GOAL SCORE

   AWARD PAYOUT
$710,000 x 115% x 

97.9%

 = 

$799,400

 x 115% x 110.9% = $905,500

    In addition to the calculations derived from the scoring of financial and strategic goals, the plan allows further adjustments up or down by the Compensation Committee to reflect achievements not anticipated when goals were set. For 2019, the Committee adjusted Mr. Salvadori's bonus (by $104,000) to reflect the unanticipated achievement.

    (1)
    Adjusted Division Net Sales exclude the impact of foreign exchange on actual Nutrition sales relative to the goal target. Adjusted Division Margin and Adjusted Division Gross Margin exclude the impact of foreign exchange on actual Nutrition division margin and gross margin relative to the respective goal target. Adjusted Division Free Cash Flow reflects Nutrition's pre-tax operating cash flow less capital expenditures and excludes the impact of foreign exchange.

    (2)
    Set based on expected growth in nutrition market. To achieve target, must gain market share.

    (3)
    Target not disclosed for competitive reasons.

4653      GRAPHIC


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Long-Term Incentives

Based on the Committee's review of Abbott and individual performancethrough 20182019, Mr. Salvadori received an LTI award inFebruary 20192020 with a value of $4,704,000,$3,804,200, which was equal to 120%115% of his LTI award guideline. Additional calculation details are as follows:

LTI AWARD GUIDELINE   LTI ADJUSTMENT   

AWARD ALLOCATION

   AWARD
VALUE
   LTI ADJUSTMENT   

AWARD ALLOCATION

   AWARD
VALUE

$3,920,000
 x 
120%
 x 

​ 50% Stock Options(1)

 = $2,352,000

$3,308,000
 x 
115%
 x 

​ 50% Stock Options(1)

 = $1,902,100
         50% Performance Restricted Shares(2)   $2,352,000         50% Performance Restricted Shares(2)   $1,902,100
       Total   $4,704,000       Total   $3,804,200

 

 INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
 INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
 METRIC  2016  2017  2018  OVERALL 
 METRIC  2017  2018  2019  OVERALL 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Exceeded (+1)  Met (0)  Exceeded (+1)  +2  Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Met (0)  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  +2 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Margin Contribution   Exceeded (+1)   Met (0)   Met (0)   +1   Margin Contribution   Met (0)   Met (0)   Exceeded (+1)   +1   
 Strategic Financial Contribution  Did not meet (-1)  Met (0)  Met (0)  -1  Strategic Financial Contribution  Met (0)  Met (0)  Exceeded (+1)  +1 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
            Total   +2              Total   +4   
 Preliminary Adjustment

 110%      Preliminary Adjustment

 125% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 Mr. Salvadori contributions to the accelerated profitable growth
in the Nutrition business represented significant impact
   +              Impact   -   
 LTI Adjustment
 120%        LTI Adjustment
 115% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

 

 LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND  LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND 
 PRELIMINARY ADJUSTMENT  IMPACT  PRELIMINARY ADJUSTMENT  IMPACT 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 TOTAL  RESULT  IMPACT ON BUSINESS
PRIORITIES

 
 SCORE  RESULT  TOTAL  RESULT  IMPACT ON BUSINESS
PRIORITIES

 
 SCORE  RESULT 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 +3 or More  125%  High Impact  ++  +25% or More  +4 or More  125%  High Impact  ++  +25% or More 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 +1 or +2   110%   Medium/High Impact   +   +5% or More   +1 to +3   110%   Medium/High Impact   +   Up to +25%   
 0  100%  Medium Impact  =  0%  0  100%  Medium Impact  =  0% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
 -1 or -2   90%   Medium/Low Impact   -   -5% or More   -1 or -2   90%   Medium/Low Impact   -   Up to -25%   
 -3 or Less  75%  Low Impact  --  -25% or More  -3 or Less  75%  Low Impact  --  -25% or More 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
(1)
Stock options realize value only through share price appreciation.

(2)
Performance restricted shares vest only if the 13% Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE) performance target is achieved.

GRAPHIC       4754


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GRAPHICMILES D. WHITE

Executive Chairman of the Board, and Director

Mr. White previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. White stepped down as Chief Executive Officer on March 31, 2020.

Base Salary

Mr. White has an annual base salary of $1,900,000.

Annual Incentive Plan

Mr. White is eligible for a 2020 annual incentive plan payout for the 3 months he served as CEO. Based on Abbott and Mr. White's performance, the Committee awarded Mr. White a payout of 150% of his target.

Long-term Incentives

Based on the Committee's review of Abbott and individual performance through 2019, Mr. White received an LTI award in February 2020 with a value of $12,000,000, which was equal to 96% of his LTI award guideline. Additional calculation details are as follows:

LTI AWARD
GUIDELINE
   LTI ADJUSTMENT   

AWARD ALLOCATION

   AWARD
VALUE

$12,500,000
 x 
96%
 x 

​ 50% Stock Options(1)

 = $6,000,000
​  
​           50% Performance Restricted Shares(2)   $6,000,000
        Total   $12,000,000


  INDIVIDUAL LTI PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
  METRIC  2017  2018  2019  OVERALL 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  Sales and Market Growth Contribution  Met (0)  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  +2 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  Margin Contribution   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   Exceeded (+1)   +3   
​   Strategic Financial Contribution  Exceeded (+1)  Exceeded (+1)  Met (0)  +2 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
              Total   +7   
​        Preliminary Adjustment

 125% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
              Impact(3)   -   
​         LTI Adjustment

 96% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 

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  LTI ADJUSTMENT LEGEND 
​   PRELIMINARY ADJUSTMENT  IMPACT 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
​   TOTAL  RESULT  IMPACT ON BUSINESS
PRIORITIES

 
 SCORE  RESULT 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  +4 or More  125%  High Impact  ++  +25% or More 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  +1 or +3   110%   Medium/High Impact   +   Up to +25%   
​   0  100%  Medium Impact  =  0% 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
  -1 or -2   90%   Medium/Low Impact   -   Up to -25%   
​   -3 or Less  75%  Low Impact  --  -25% or More 
​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 
(1)
Stock options realize value only through share price appreciation.

(2)
Performance restricted shares vest only if the 13% Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE) performance target is achieved.

(3)
Individual LTI performance assessment was based upon Mr. White's role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The Committee adjusted the grant to reflect Mr. White's upcoming transition to Executive Chairman.

GRAPHIC 56


GRAPHICBRIAN B. YOOR

Former Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Yoor retired from Abbott on February 29, 2020.

Base Salary

Mr. Yoor had an annual base salary of $825,000.

Long-Term Incentives

Based on the Committee's review of Abbott and individual performance through 2019 and his upcoming retirement, Mr. Yoor received an LTI award in February 2020 with a value of $2,262,500. This award was paid 50% in stock options(1) and 50% in performance restricted shares(2)

(1)
Stock options realize value only through share price appreciation.

(2)
Performance restricted shares vest only if the 13% Adjusted Return on Equity (ROE) performance target is achieved.

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BENEFITS AND PERQUISITES

Each of the benefits described below was designed to support the Company's objective of providing a competitive total pay program. Individual benefits do not directly affect decisions regarding other benefits or pay components, except to the extent that benefits and pay components must, in aggregate, be competitive.

 

BENEFITS AND PERQUISITES


DESCRIPTION

 

Retirement Benefits

 

The named officers participate in two Abbott-sponsored defined benefit plans: the Abbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan and the Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan. These plans are described in greater detail in the "Pension Benefits" section of the proxy.

  

   

Since officers' Supplemental Pension Plan benefits cannot be secured in a manner similar to qualified plans, which are held in trust, officers receive an annual cash payment equal to the increase in present value of their Supplemental Pension Plan benefit. Officers have the option of depositing these annual payments to an individually established grantor trust, net of tax withholdings. Deposited amounts may be credited with the difference between the officers' actual annual trust earnings and the rate used to calculate trust funding (currently 8%) while they are employed. Amounts deposited in the individual trusts are not tax deferred.

  

   

Officers do not receive tax gross-ups on their grantor trusts. The manner in which the grantor trust will be distributed to an officer upon retirement from the Company generally follows the manner elected by the officer under the Annuity Retirement Plan. Should an officer (or the officer's spouse, depending upon the pension distribution method elected by the officer under the Annuity Retirement Plan) live beyond the actuarial life expectancy age used to determine the Supplemental Pension Plan benefit and, therefore, exhaust the trust balance, the Supplemental Pension Plan benefit will be paid by the Company.

 

 

Deferred Compensation

 

Officers of the Company, like all U.S. employees, are eligible to defer a portion of annual base salary and bonus (in certain cases), on a pre-tax basis, to the Company's qualified 401(k) plan, up to the IRS contribution limits. Officers are also eligible to defer up to 18% of their base salary, less contributions to the 401(k) plan, to a non-qualified plan. Unlike other U.S. managers, officers are not eligible to elect to defer compensation into the Deferred Compensation Plan. However, up to one hundred percent (100%) of annual incentive awards earned under the Company's Performance Incentive Plan is eligible for deferral to a non-qualified plan. Officers may defer these amounts to unfunded book accounts or choose to have the amounts paid in cash on a current basis and deposited into individually established grantor trusts, net of tax withholdings. These amounts are credited annually with earnings. Officers do not receive tax gross-ups on their grantor trusts. Officers elect the manner in which the assets held in their grantor trusts will be distributed to them upon retirement or other separation from the Company.

 

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BENEFITS AND PERQUISITES


DESCRIPTION

 

Change in Control Arrangements

 

Mr. White does not have an Abbott change in control agreement. The other named officers have Abbott change in control agreements, the purpose of which is to aid in retention and recruitment, encourage continued attention and dedication to assigned duties during periods involving a possible change in control of the Company, and protect the earned benefits of the officer against adverse changes resulting from a change in control. The level of payments provided under the agreements is established to be consistent with market practices as confirmed by data provided to the Committee by its independent compensation consultant. These arrangements are described in greater detail in the "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control" section of this proxy.

 

 

Financial Planning

 

Named officers are eligible to receive up to $10,000 of fees annually associated with estate planning advice, tax preparation, and general financial planning. If an officer chooses to utilize this benefit, fees for services received up to the annual allocation are paid by the Company and are treated as imputed income to the officer, who then is responsible for payment of all taxes due on the fees paid by the Company.

 

 

Company Automobile

 

Named officers are eligible for use of a Company-leased vehicle, with a lease term of 50 months. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the cost of the vehicle is imputed to the officer as income for federal income tax purposes.

 

 

Company Aircraft

 

Non-business-related flights on corporate aircraft by Mr.Messrs. Ford and White are covered by a time-sharing lease agreement,agreements, pursuant to which incremental costs associated with those flights are reimbursed by the executive to the Company in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations.

 

 

Disability Benefit

 

In addition to Abbott's standard disability benefits, the U.S. named officers are eligible for a monthly long-term disability benefit, which is described in greater detail in the "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control" section of this proxy.

 

SHARE OWNERSHIP AND RETENTION GUIDELINES

To further promote sustained shareholder returns and to ensure the Company's executives remain focused on both short- and long-term objectives, the Company has established share ownership guidelines. Each officer has five years from the date appointed/elected to his/her position to achieve the ownership level associated with the position.

  

 

ROLE

  GUIDELINE 

 

 

Chief Executive OfficerChairman

  6 times base salary 

 

 

President and Chief OperatingExecutive Officer

   46 times base salary   

​  

 

Executive Vice Presidents and Senior Vice Presidents

  3 times base salary 

 

 

Senior Vice Presidents

3 times base salary

​  

All other officers

  2 times base salary 

Any officer who has not achieved at least 50% of the share ownership guideline after three years in their current position will be required to hold 50% of future equity awards until they meet the ownership guideline. All named officers with 5 years tenure in their current position meet or exceed the guidelines.

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HEDGING

Directors and officers are prohibited from entering into or engaging in any financial transaction that is designed to reduce the financial risk associated with owning Abbott shares. These financial transactions include, but are not limited to, engaging in short sales, derivative transactions (such as equity swaps, straddles, puts, or calls), and hedging or monetizing transactions (such as collars, exchange funds, or prepaid forward variable contracts) that are linked directly to Abbott stock.

GRAPHIC 49


PLEDGING

Directors and officers are prohibited from holding Abbott stock in a margin account, pledging Abbott stock, or otherwise securing any of their obligations by assigning Abbott stock as collateral. The Compensation Committee, or its delegate, may grant an exception provided that:

RECOUPMENT POLICY

The Compensation Committee has broad discretion to administer and implement the Company's policy and seek recoupment of equity or cash incentive awards if it determines that a senior executive engaged in misconduct or failed in a supervisory capacity, resulting in a material violation of law or Abbott policy that causes significant financial harm to Abbott. The Compensation Committee may recover incentive compensation awarded to a senior executive in the prior three years or reduce future awards. The policy will not affect awards made prior to its effective date or following a change in control.

COMPLIANCE

The Committee considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) and reserves the flexibility to take actions that may be based on considerations in addition to tax deductibility. The Committeemaking its compensation decisions, but believes that shareholder interests are best served by not restricting the Committee's discretion and flexibility in crafting compensation programs, even if such programs may result in certain non-deductible compensation expenses. Accordingly, Abbott may provide compensation that is not deductible. Section 162(m) (as amended in 2017 by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) generally disallows, subject to certain exceptions, a federal income tax deduction to public companies for compensation in excess of $1 million per year paid to an individual who was the company's chief executive officer or chief financial officer, or among the company's three most highly compensated executive officers, at any time during the year, or an individual whose compensation was subject to the $1 million cap on deductible compensation in 2017 or later years (under the once a covered employee always a covered employee rule), or beneficiary of any such individual.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee of the Board is primarily responsible for reviewing, approving, and overseeing Abbott's compensation plans and practices, and works with management and the Committee's independent consultant to establish Abbott's executive compensation philosophy and programs. The Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and has recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

Compensation Committee
R. S. Austin, Chair
M. A. Kumbier
E. M. Liddy
P. N. Novakovic
W. A. Osborn
S. C. Scott III

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COMPENSATION RISK ASSESSMENT

During 2019,2020, Abbott conducted its annual risk assessment of its compensation policies and practices for employees and executives. Abbott's risk assessment is reinforced by Abbott's adherence to a number of industry-leading best practices, including:

Based on this assessment, Abbott determined its compensation and benefit programs appropriately align employees' compensation and performance without incentivizing risky behaviors. Any risk arising from its compensation policies and practices is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on Abbott or its shareholders.

The following factors were among those considered:

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    Abbott's hedging policy prohibits directors and officers from entering into financial transactions designed to reduce the financial risk associated with owning Abbott shares.

    Abbott's pledging policy prohibits directors and officers from holding Abbott shares in a margin account, pledging Abbott shares, or securing obligations by assigning Abbott shares as collateral unless granted an exception by the Compensation Committee.

This assessment was discussed with the Compensation Committee and its independent compensation consultant. The Committee and the consultant both agreed with the assessment.

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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The following table summarizes compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to the named officers. The section of the proxy statement captioned, "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Basis for Compensation Decisions" describes in greater detail the information reported in this table.

Name and Principal
Position


YearSalaryStock
Awards(2)

Option
Awards(3)

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(4)


Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(5)






All Other
Compensation(6)

SEC TotalTotal
Without
Change in
Pension
Value ($)(7)




 Name and Principal
Position


YearSalaryStock
Awards(2)

Option
Awards(3)

Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(4)


Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings(5)






All Other
Compensation(6)

SEC TotalTotal
Without
Change in
Pension
Value ($)(7)




 
Miles D. White,2019$1,900,000$7,562,448$7,562,499$4,405,625$5,707,836$664,409$27,802,817$24,675,423 Robert B. Ford,2020$1,298,462$5,623,995$5,624,993$3,675,000$4,150,264$77,872$20,450,586$16,549,550 
Chairman of the Board, Chief20181,900,0007,499,3677,499,9964,779,6881,381,8451,193,34224,254,23824,254,238 President and Chief Executive20191,000,0003,475,9923,476,0541,562,5002,311,49971,84111,897,8869,777,514 
Executive Officer, and Director20171,900,0004,099,5234,099,9984,500,0003,350,9021,020,59618,971,01916,772,295 Officer, and Director2018784,2502,691,6212,691,8971,297,500382,771279,2138,127,2527,821,493 




 


 


 


 



 



 



 


 


 


 
           
Robert B. Ford,20191,000,0003,475,9923,476,0541,562,5002,311,49971,84111,897,8869,777,514 Robert E. Funck, Jr.,2020813,4622,215,8672,216,2471,280,8003,100,265173,5689,800,2097,069,425 
President and Chief Operating2018784,2502,691,6212,691,8971,297,500382,771279,2138,127,2527,821,493 Executive Vice President, Finance          
Officer, and Director2017675,000974,870974,9991,066,400949,74860,8914,701,9083,797,358 and Chief Financial Officer          

























           
Brian B. Yoor,(1)2019825,0002,449,9762,449,9871,113,8002,105,60471,3319,015,6987,031,097 Hubert L. Allen,2020751,3461,874,6071,874,988917,7002,904,940154,5968,478,1775,919,894 
Executive Vice President, Finance2018796,0572,691,6212,691,897974,600385,17873,4837,612,8367,280,548 Executive Vice President,2019710,0002,199,9622,199,990879,7001,429,52366,9057,486,0806,386,933 
and Chief Financial Officer2017643,269877,378877,4981,062,4001,013,53962,9904,537,0743,553,412 General Counsel and Secretary2018706,7092,691,6212,691,897902,000205,233120,3167,317,7767,278,480 




 


 


 


 



 



 



 


 


 


 
           
Lisa D. Earnhardt,2019400,0584,610,9181,353,145910,400184,52219,7987,478,8417,295,162 John F. Ginascol,2020708,2691,653,6781,653,987857,3001,781,066112,7296,767,0295,208,537 
Executive Vice President, Medical Devices          Executive Vice President, 
Core Diagnostics 

























           
Daniel G. Salvadori,2019704,9232,351,9892,351,986903,400395,71059,8066,767,8146,388,821 Daniel G. Salvadori,2020710,0001,901,7081,902,099905,500477,01179,4215,975,7395,518,569 
Executive Vice President,2018675,0381,993,7981,993,992803,20053,668434,5145,954,2105,907,979 Executive Vice President,2019704,9232,351,9892,351,986903,400395,71059,8066,767,8146,388,821 
Nutritional Products2017608,4611,249,9121,262,326733,700179,46154,6284,088,4883,913,693 Nutritional Products2018675,0381,993,7981,993,992803,20053,668434,5145,954,2105,907,979 




 


 


 


 



 



 



 


 


 


 
           
Miles D. White,20201,900,0005,998,9345,999,9971,250,0003,415,3431,264,11019,828,38418,799,774 
Executive Chairman of the Board20191,900,0007,562,4487,562,4994,405,6255,707,836664,40927,802,81724,675,423 
 20181,900,0007,499,3677,499,9964,779,6881,381,8451,193,34224,254,23824,254,238 
           
Brian B. Yoor,(1)2020207,8371,231,0271,231,2370781,11438,2643,489,4792,839,222 
Former Executive Vice President,2019825,0002,449,9762,449,9871,113,8002,105,60471,3319,015,6987,031,097 
Finance and Chief Financial Officer2018796,0572,691,6212,691,897974,600385,17873,4837,612,8367,280,548 
           
(1)
Mr. Yoor retired on February 29, 2020.

(2)
In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules, the amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718. Abbott determines grant date fair value by multiplying the number of shares granted by the average of the high and low market prices of an Abbott common share on the award's date of grant.

(3)
In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules, the amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 718. These amounts were determined as of the option's grant date using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model. These amounts are being reported solely for the purpose of comparative disclosure in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules. There is no certainty that the amount determined using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model would be the value at which employee stock options would be traded for cash. The assumptions are the same as those described in Note 10,9, entitled "Incentive Stock Program" of Abbott's Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in Abbott's 20192020 Annual Report on Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K.

(4)
This compensation is earned as a performance-based incentive bonus, pursuant to the 1998 Abbott Laboratories Performance Incentive Plan. Additional information regarding the Performance Incentive Plan can be found in the section of this proxy statement captioned, "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Basis for Compensation Decisions."

(5)
The plan amounts shown below are reported in this column.

For Messrs. Ford, Allen, Salvadori, White, Ford,and Yoor, and Salvadori, the amounts shown alongside the officer's name are for 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017,2018, respectively. For Ms. Earnhardt,Messrs. Funck, Jr. and Ginascol, the amounts shown are for 2019.2020.

63      GRAPHIC


Table of Contents

    Abbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan

    R. B. Ford: $142,819 / $176,268 / ($37,501); R. E. Funck, Jr.: $256,555; H. L. Allen: $184,384 / $117,142 / ($2,013); J. F. Ginascol: $142,322; D. G. Salvadori: $45,483 / $41,282 / $3,413; M. D. White: $34,629 / $180,690 / ($87,156) / $153,425; R. B. Ford: $176,268 / ($37,501) / $106,226;; and B. B. Yoor: $94,394 / $188,095 / ($30,841) / $109,749; L. D. Earnhardt: $25,037; and D. G. Salvadori: $41,282 / $3,413 / $24,698..

GRAPHIC 53


    Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan

    R. B. Ford: $3,758,217 / $1,944,104 / $343,260; R. E. Funck, Jr.: $2,474,229; H. L. Allen: $2,373,899 / $982,005 / $41,309; J. F. Ginascol: $1,416,170; D. G. Salvadori: $411,687 / $337,711 / $42,818; M. D. White: $993,981 / $2,946,704 / ($3,700,892) / $2,045,299; R. B. Ford: $1,944,104 / $343,260 / $798,324;; and B. B. Yoor: $555,863 / $1,796,506 / $363,129 / $879,913; L. D. Earnhardt: $158,642; and D. G. Salvadori: $337,711 / $42,818 / $150,097.$363,129.

    Non-Qualified Defined Contribution Plan Earnings

    The totals in this column include reportable interest credited under the 1998 Abbott Laboratories Performance Incentive Plan, the Abbott Laboratories 401(k) Supplemental Plan, and the 1986 Abbott Laboratories Management Incentive Plan (although none of the named officers currently receives awards under this plan).

    R. B. Ford: $249,228 / $191,127 / $77,012; R. E. Funck, Jr.: $369,481; H. L. Allen: $346,657 / $330,376 / $165,937; J. F. Ginascol: $222,574; D. G. Salvadori: $19,841 / $16,717 / $7,437; M. D. White: $2,386,733 / $2,580,442 / $1,381,845 / $1,152,178; R. B. Ford: $191,127 / $77,012 / $45,198;$1,381,845; and B. B. Yoor: $130,857 / $121,003 / $52,890 / $29,877; L. D. Earnhardt: $843; and D. G. Salvadori: $16,717 / $7,437 / $4,666.$52,890.

(6)
The amounts shown below are reported in this column.

For Messrs. Ford, Allen, Salvadori, White, Ford,and Yoor, and Salvadori, the amounts shown alongside the officer's name are for 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017,2018, respectively. For Ms. Earnhardt,Messrs. Funck, Jr. and Ginascol, the amounts shown are for 2019.2020.

Earnings on Non-Qualified Defined Contribution Plans (net of the reportable interest included in footnote 5).

R. B. Ford: $8,116 / $0 / $6,125; R. E. Funck, Jr.: $106,106; H. L. Allen: $81,695 / $896 / $52,571; J. F. Ginascol: $47,348; D. G. Salvadori: $1,701 / $0 / $1,004; M. D. White: $926,052 / $105,715 / $638,710 / $423,890; R. B. Ford: $0 / $6,125 / $8,600;$638,710; and B. B. Yoor: $26,090 / $0 / $3,237 / $268; and D. G. Salvadori: $0 / $1,004 / $0.$3,237.

Each of the named officers' awards under the 1998 Abbott Laboratories Performance Incentive Plan is paid in cash to the officer on a current basis. Each of the named officers have grantor trusts into which the awards may be deposited, net of maximum tax withholdings. The named officers also have grantor trusts in connection with the Abbott Laboratories 401(k) Supplemental Plan and the 1986 Abbott Laboratories Management Incentive Plan (although none of the named officers currently receives awards under the Management Incentive Plan). These amounts include the trusts' earnings (net of the reportable interest included in footnote 5).

Employer Contributions to Defined Contribution Plans

R. B. Ford: $64,924 / $50,000 / $39,213; R. E. Funck, Jr.: $40,673; H. L. Allen: $37,568 / $35,500 / $35,335; J. F. Ginascol: $35,414; D. G. Salvadori: $35,500 / $35,247 / $33,752; M. D. White: $95,000 / $95,000 / $95,000; R. B. Ford: $50,000 / $39,213 / $33,750;and B. B. Yoor: $7,139 / $41,250 / $39,803 / $32,163; L. D. Earnhardt: $19,798; and D. G. Salvadori: $35,247 / $33,752 / $30,423.$39,803.

These amounts include employer contributions to both Abbott's tax-qualified defined contribution plan and the Abbott Laboratories 401(k) Supplemental Plan. The Abbott Laboratories 401(k) Supplemental Plan permits eligible Abbott officers to contribute amounts in excess of the limit set by the Internal Revenue Code for employee contributions to 401(k) plans up to the excess of (i) 18% of their base salary over (ii) the amount contributed to Abbott's tax-qualified 401(k) plan. Abbott matches participant contributions at the rate of 250% of the first 2% of compensation contributed to the plan. The named officers have these amounts paid to them in cash on a current basis and deposited into a grantor trust established by the officer, net of maximum tax withholdings.

Other Compensation

Mr.Messrs. Ford's and White's non-business-related flights on corporate aircraft are covered by a time-sharing lease agreement,agreements, pursuant to which he reimbursesthey reimburse Abbott for certain costs associated with those flights in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The following amounts are included in the totals in this column, which reflect Abbott's incremental cost less reimbursements for non-business-related flights: R. B. Ford: $4,832; M. D. White: $10,792 / $226,633 / $229,599 / $292,292.$229,599.

Abbott determines the incremental cost for flights based on the direct cost to Abbott, including fuel costs, parking, handling and landing fees, catering, travel fees, and other miscellaneous direct costs.

For Mr. White, the following costs associated with security less the amount reimbursed are included: $232,266 / $237,061 / $230,033 / $209,414.$230,033. Abbott determines the cost for these expenses based on its actual costs. The security is provided on the recommendation of an independent security study.

Also included in the totals shown in the table is the cost of providing a corporate automobile less the amount reimbursed by the officer: R. B. Ford: $0 / $21,841 / $19,516$19,516; R. E. Funck, Jr.: $20,319; H. L. Allen: $28,666 / $18,541;$25,509 / $23,600; J. F. Ginascol: $ 24,017; D. G. Salvadori: $26,773 / $24,559 / $27,727; and B. B. Yoor: $35 / $20,081 / $20,443 / $20,559;$20,443.

GRAPHIC 64


Table of Contents

    For Messrs. Funck, Jr., Allen, Ginascol, Salvadori, and D. G. Salvadori: $24,559 / $27,727 / $18,360.

    For Mr. Yoor, and Mr. Salvadori, the following costs associated with financial planning are included: R. E. Funck, Jr.: $6,470; H. L. Allen: $6,667 / $5,000 / $8,810; J. F. Ginascol: $5,950; D. G. Salvadori: $15,447 / $0 / $0; and B. B. Yoor: $10,000$5,000 / $10,000 / $10,000;$10,000. For Mr. Salvadori, the 2020 amount includes payments made for services incurred in 2020 and D. G. Salvadori: $0 / $0 / $5,845.2019.

    The named officers are also eligible to participate in an executive disability benefit described on page 65.78.

(7)
To demonstrate how year over year changes in pension value impact total compensation, as determined under SEC rules, we have included this column to show total compensation without pension value changes. The amounts reported in this column are calculated by subtracting the change in pension value reported in the Change in Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings column, as described in footnote 5 to this table, from the amounts reported in the SEC Total column. The amounts reported in this column differ from, and are not a substitute for, the amounts reported in the SEC Total column.

5465      GRAPHIC


Table of Contents

20192020 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

   Estimated Future
Payouts Under
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards(1)





Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards







All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock






All Other
Option
Awards:
Numbers of
Securities
Underlying






Exercise
or Base
Price of
Options




Closing
Market
Price on



Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and




   Estimated Future
Payouts Under
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards(1)





Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards







All Other
Option
Awards:
Numbers of
Securities
Underlying






Exercise
or Base
Price of
Options




Closing
Market
Price on



Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and




 
Name

Grant
Date


Approval
Date


Target
($)


Maximum
($)


Target
(#)(2)(3)


of Units
(#)(3)


Options
(#)(4)


Awards
($/Sh.)


Grant
Date


Option
Awards


 Name

Grant
Date


Target
($)


Maximum
($)


Target
(#)(2)(3)


Options
(#)(4)


Awards
($/Sh.)


Grant
Date


Option
Awards


 
M. D. White2/22/192/22/19  99,637    $7,562,448(5) R. B. Ford2/21/2020  64,124   $5,623,995(5) 
 2/22/192/22/19    522,272$75.90$76.137,562,499(6)  2/21/2020   390,896$87.72$87.455,624,993(6) 
R. B. Ford2/22/192/22/1945,7973,475,992(5) R. E. Funck, Jr.2/21/202025,2652,215,867(5)
2/22/192/22/19240,05975.9076.133,476,054(6) 2/21/2020154,01387.7287.452,216,247(6)
B. B. Yoor2/22/192/22/19  32,279    2,449,976(5) H. L. Allen2/21/2020  21,374   1,874,607(5) 
 2/22/192/22/19    169,19875.9076.132,449,987(6)  2/21/2020   130,29887.7287.451,874,988(6) 
L. D. Earnhardt6/10/194/25/1917,4311,411,388(5) J. F. Ginascol2/21/202018,8551,653,678(5)
6/10/194/25/1939,515(7)3,199,530(5) 2/21/2020114,94087.7287.451,653,987(6)
D. G. Salvadori2/21/2020  21,683   1,901,708(5) 
 2/21/2020   132,18287.7287.451,902,099(6) 
M. D. White2/21/202068,3995,998,934(5)
6/10/194/25/1991,36780.9881.271,353,145(6) 2/21/2020416,95687.7287.455,999,997(6)
D. G. Salvadori2/22/192/22/19  30,988    2,351,989(5) B. B. Yoor2/21/2020  14,036   1,231,027(5) 
 2/22/192/22/19    162,43075.9076.132,351,986(6)  2/21/2020   85,56287.7287.451,231,237(6) 
(1)
During 2019,2020, each of the named officers participated in the 1998 Abbott Laboratories Performance Incentive Plan, an annual, non-equity incentive plan. The annual cash incentive award earned by the named officer in 20192020 under the plan is shown in the Summary Compensation Table under the column captioned, "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation." No future payouts will be made under the plan's 20192020 annual cash incentive award. The Performance Incentive Plan is described in greater detail in the section of the proxy statement captioned, "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Basis for Compensation Decisions."

(2)
These are performance-based restricted stock awards that have a 3-year term and vest upon Abbott reaching a minimum return on equity target, with no more than one-third of the award vesting in any one year. In 2019,2020, Abbott reached its minimum return on equity target and one-third of each of the awards made on February 22, 201921, 2020 vested on February 28, 2020 and one-third of the award made on June 10, 2019 will vest on June 10, 2020.26, 2021. The equity targets are described in the section of the proxy statement captioned, "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Basis for Compensation Decisions."

(3)
In the event of a grantee's death or disability, these awards are deemed fully earned. The treatment of these awards upon a change in control is described in the section of the proxy statement captioned, "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control—Equity Awards." Outstanding restricted shares and restricted stock units receive dividend payments at the same rate as all other shareholders.

(4)
Options with respect to one-third of the shares covered by these awards are exercisable after one year; two-thirds after two years; and all after three years. The options vest in the event of the grantee's death or disability. The treatment of these awards upon a change in control is described in the section of the proxy statement captioned, "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control—Equity Awards." Under the Abbott Laboratories 2017 Incentive Stock Program, these options have an exercise price equal to the average of the high and low market prices (rounded-up to the next even penny) of an Abbott common share on the date of grant.

(5)
Abbott determines the grant date fair value of stock and stock unit awards by multiplying the number of restricted shares or restricted stock units granted by the average of the high and low market prices of a common share on the grant date.

(6)
These values were determined as of the option's grant date using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model. The model uses the assumptions described in Note 10,9, entitled "Incentive Stock Program" of Abbott's Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplemental Data" in Abbott's 20192020 Annual Report on Securities and Exchange Commission Form 10-K.

(7)
These are restricted stock units granted to offset long-term incentives at Ms. Earnhardt's previous employer, which will vest on June 10, 2022.

GRAPHIC       5566


Table of Contents

20192020 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

The following table summarizes the outstanding equity awards held by the named officers at year-end.

 Option Awards(1)(2) 

 Stock Awards(2) 

  Option Awards(1)(2)  

 Stock Awards(2)  

 Name

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)








Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)












Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












  Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)







Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)











Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












 
 M. D. White                 30,781 $2,673,638   R. B. Ford                 14,970 $1,639,065  
                 83,417 7,245,601                   30,531 3,342,839  
                 99,637 8,654,470                   64,124 7,020,937  
 302,500     $27.0336 2/16/22             45,492     $39.1200 02/20/24            
 980,000     34.9400 2/14/23             56,933     41.1400 06/30/24            
 727,699     39.1200 2/20/24             127,436     47.0000 02/19/25            
 937,031     47.0000 2/19/25             14,243     48.9000 05/31/25            
 1,198,630     38.4000 2/18/26             285,388     38.4000 02/18/26            
 425,753 212,876   44.4000 2/16/27             151,869     44.4000 02/16/27            
 229,358 458,715   59.9400 2/15/28             164,642 82,321   59.9400 02/15/28            
   522,272   75.9000 2/21/29             80,019 160,040   75.9000 02/21/29            
   390,896   87.7200 02/20/30            

See footnotes on page 61.74.

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Table of Contents

20192020 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END (CONTINUED)

 Option Awards(1)(2) 

 Stock Awards(2) 

  Option Awards(1)(2)  

 Stock Awards(2)  

 Name

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)








Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
























Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












  Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)







Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)











Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












 
 R. B. Ford                 7,320 $635,815   R. E. Funck, Jr.                 6,677 $731,065  
                 29,940 2,600,588                   15,562 1,703,883  
                 45,797 3,977,927                   25,265 2,766,265  
 45,492     $39.1200 2/20/24             31,325     $39.1200 02/20/24            
 56,933     41.1400 6/30/24             55,097     47.0000 02/19/25            
 127,436     47.0000 2/19/25             48,831     44.4000 02/16/27            
 14,243     48.9000 5/31/25             73,431 36,715   59.9400 02/15/28            
 285,388     38.4000 2/18/26             40,789 81,578   75.9000 02/21/29            
 101,246 50,623   44.4000 2/16/27               154,013   87.7200 02/20/30            
 82,321 164,642   59.9400 2/15/28            
   240,059   75.9000 2/21/29            

See footnotes on page 61.74.

GRAPHIC       5768


Table of Contents

20192020 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END (CONTINUED)

 Option Awards(1)(2) 

 Stock Awards(2) 

  Option Awards(1)(2)  

 Stock Awards(2)  

 Name

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable





 
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable





 
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)









 
Option
Exercise
Price
($)



 
Option
Expiration
Date


 
  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)







 
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)







 
Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)











 











Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)











 
  Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)







Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)











Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












 
 B. B. Yoor                 6,588 $572,234   H. L. Allen                 14,970 $1,639,065  
                 29,940 2,600,588                   19,323 2,115,675  
                 32,279 2,803,754                   21,374 2,340,239  
 41,229     $47.0000 2/19/25             107,793     $39.1200 02/20/24            
 81,709     48.9000 5/31/25             157,421     47.0000 02/19/25            
 213,470     38.4000 2/18/26             285,388     38.4000 02/18/26            
 91,121 45,561   44.4000 2/16/27             167,056     44.4000 02/16/27            
 82,321 164,642   59.9400 2/15/28             164,642 82,321   59.9400 02/15/28            
   169,198   75.9000 2/21/29             50,644 101,289   75.9000 02/21/29            
   130,298   87.7200 02/20/30            

See footnotes on page 61.74.

58      GRAPHIC


2019 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END (CONTINUED)

    Option Awards(1)(2) 

 Stock Awards(2) 

  Name

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)








Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)












Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












 
  L. D. Earnhardt                 17,431 $1,514,057  
                39,515 $3,432,273      
      91,367   $80.9800 6/09/29            

See footnotes on page 61.

GRAPHIC 59


2019 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END (CONTINUED)

    Option Awards(1)(2) 

 Stock Awards(2) 

  Name

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



 Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock
That
Have Not
Vested
(#)








Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares,
Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)
























Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












 
  D. G. Salvadori                 6,654 $577,966  
                    2,391  207,682  
                    22,178  1,926,381  
                    30,988  2,691,618  
    42,479     $47.0000 02/19/25             
    71,313     38.4000 02/18/26             
    92,033 46,016   44.4000 02/16/27             
    33,074 16,537   50.7200 07/20/27             
    60,979 121,956   59.9400 02/15/28             
      162,430   75.9000 02/21/29             

See footnotes on page 61.

6069      GRAPHIC


Table of Contents

2020 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END (CONTINUED)

     Option Awards(1)(2)  

 Stock Awards(2)  

  Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)







Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)











Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












 
  J. F. Ginascol                 2,344 $256,645  
                    4,856 531,683  
                    7,978 873,511  
                    18,855 2,064,434  
    45,709     $47.0000 02/19/25            
    25,779 12,890   59.9400 02/15/28            
    12,730 25,460   75.9000 02/21/29            
    20,908 41,817   76.1200 06/02/29            
      114,940   87.7200 02/20/30            

See footnotes on page 74.

GRAPHIC 70


Table of Contents

2020 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END (CONTINUED)

     Option Awards(1)(2)  

 Stock Awards(2)  

  Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)







Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)











Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












 
  D. G. Salvadori                 11,089 $1,214,135  
                    20,658 2,261,844  
                    21,683 2,374,072  
    71,313     $38.4000 02/18/26            
    138,049     44.4000 02/16/27            
    49,611     50.7200 07/20/27            
    121,957 60,978   59.9400 02/15/28            
    54,143 108,287   75.9000 02/21/29            
      132,182   87.7200 02/20/30            

See footnotes on page 74.

71      GRAPHIC


Table of Contents

2020 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END (CONTINUED)

     Option Awards(1)(2)  

 Stock Awards(2)  

  Name Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)







Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)











Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












 
  M. D. White                 41,709 $4,566,718  
                    66,424 7,272,764  
                    68,399 7,489,007  
    302,500     $27.0336 02/16/22            
    980,000     34.9400 02/14/23            
    727,699     39.1200 02/20/24            
    937,031     47.0000 02/19/25            
    1,198,630     38.4000 02/18/26            
    638,629     44.4000 02/16/27            
    458,715 229,358   59.9400 02/15/28            
    174,090 348,182   75.9000 02/21/29            
      416,956   87.7200 02/20/30            

See footnotes on page 74.

GRAPHIC 72


Table of Contents

2020 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END (CONTINUED)

     Option Awards(1)(2)  

 Stock Awards(2)  

  Name

Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable






Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable






Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)










Option
Exercise
Price
($)




Option
Expiration
Date



  Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
(#)







Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)








Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
(#)











Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares, Units
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested
($)












 
  B. B. Yoor                 14,970 $1,639,065  
                    21,519 2,356,115  
                    14,036 1,536,802  
      82,321   $59.9400 02/15/28            
      112,799   75.9000 02/21/29            
      85,562   87.7200 02/20/30            

See footnotes on page 74.

73      GRAPHIC


Table of Contents

Footnotes to 20192020 Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal Year-End table:

(1)
Except as noted, these options are fully vested.

(2)
The vesting dates of outstanding unexercisable stock options and unvested restricted stock awards at December 31, 20192020 are as follows:
 Option Awards 

 Stock Awards(a) 

  Option Awards  

 Stock Awards(a)  
 Name

Number of
Unexercised
Shares
Remaining
from
Original
Grant







Number of
Option Shares
Vesting—Date
Vested 2020




Number of
Option Shares
Vesting—Date
Vesting 2021




Number of
Option Shares
Vesting—Date
Vesting 2022




 Number of
Restricted
Shares or
Units




Number of
Restricted
Shares or
Units
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2020







Number of
Restricted
Shares or
Units
Vesting—
Date
Vesting 2022







  Name

Number of
Unexercised
Shares
Remaining
from
Original
Grant







Number of
Option Shares
Vesting—Date
Vested 2021




Number of
Option Shares
Vesting—Date
Vesting 2022




Number of
Option Shares
Vesting—Date
Vesting 2023




 Number of
Restricted
Shares or
Units




Number of
Restricted
Shares or
Units
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2021







 
 M. D. White 212,876 212,876 - 2/17       30,781 (b)     R. B. Ford 82,321 82,321 - 2/16       14,970 (b)  
 458,715 229,357 - 2/16 229,358 - 2/16     83,417 (c)     160,040 80,020 - 2/22 80,020 - 2/22     30,531 (c)  
 522,272 174,090 - 2/22 174,091 - 2/22 174,091 - 2/22   99,637 (d)     390,896 130,298 - 2/21 130,299 - 2/21 130,299 - 2/21   64,124 (d)  
 R. B. Ford 50,623 50,623 - 2/17    7,320 (b)  
 R. E. Funck, Jr. 36,715 36,715 - 2/16    6,677 (b)  
  164,642 82,321 - 2/16 82,321 - 2/16   29,940 (c)    81,578 40,789 - 2/22 40,789 - 2/22   15,562 (c)  
  240,059 80,019 - 2/22 80,020 - 2/22 80,020 - 2/22  45,797 (d)    154,013 51,337 - 2/21 51,338 - 2/21 51,338 - 2/21  25,265 (d)  
 B. B. Yoor 45,561 45,561 - 2/17       6,588 (b)     H. L. Allen 82,321 82,321 - 2/16       14,970 (b)  
 164,642 82,321 - 2/16 82,321 - 2/16     29,940 (c)     101,289 50,644 - 2/22 50,645 - 2/22     19,323 (c)  
 169,198 56,399 - 2/22 56,399 - 2/22 56,400 - 2/22   32,279 (d)     130,298 43,432 - 2/21 43,433 - 2/21 43,433 - 2/21   21,374 (d)  
 L. D. Earnhardt 91,367 30,455 - 6/10 30,456 - 6/10 30,456 - 6/10  17,431 (e)  
 J. F. Ginascol 12,890 12,890 - 2/16    2,344 (b)  
  25,460 12,730 - 2/22 12,730 - 2/22   4,856 (c)  
  41,817 20,908 - 6/3 20,909 - 6/3   7,978 (e)  
       39,515  39,515 - 6/10   114,940 38,313 - 2/21 38,313 - 2/21 38,314 - 2/21  18,855 (d)  
 D. G. Salvadori 46,016 46,016 - 2/17       6,654 (b)     D. G. Salvadori 60,978 60,978 - 2/16       11,089 (b)  
 16,537 16,537 - 7/21       2,391 (f)     108,287 54,143 - 2/22 54,144 - 2/22     20,658 (c)  
 121,956 60,978 - 2/16 60,978 - 2/16     22,178 (c)     132,182 44,060 - 2/21 44,061 - 2/21 44,061 - 2/21   21,683 (d)  
 M. D. White 229,358 229,358 - 2/16    41,709 (b)  
  348,182 174,091 - 2/22 174,091 - 2/22   66,424 (c)  
  416,956 138,985 - 2/21 138,985 - 2/21 138,986 - 2/21  68,399 (d)  
 B. B. Yoor 82,321 82,321 - 2/16       14,970 (b)  
 112,799 56,399 - 2/22 56,400 - 2/22     21,519 (c)  
 162,430 54,143 - 2/22 54,143 - 2/22 54,144 - 2/22   30,988 (d)     85,562 28,520 - 2/21 28,521 - 2/21 28,521 - 2/21   14,036 (d)  
(a)
The equity targets are described in the section of the proxy statement captioned, "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Basis for Compensation Decisions."

(b)
These are restricted shares that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2019, from an award made on February 17, 2017. The award has a 5-year term, with no more than one-third of the original award vesting in any one year upon Abbott reaching a minimum return on equity target, measured at the end of the relevant year. In 2019, Abbott reached its minimum return on equity target and these shares vested on February 28, 2020.

(c)
These are the restricted shares that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2019,2020, from an award made on February 16, 2018. The award has a 3-year term with no more than one-third of the original award vesting in any one year upon Abbott reaching a minimum return on equity target, measured at the end of the relevant year. In 2019,2020, Abbott reached its minimum return on equity target and half of these shares vested on February 28, 2020.26, 2021.

(d)(c)
These are the restricted shares that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2019,2020, from an award made on February 22, 2019. The award has a 3-year term with no more than one-third of the original award vesting in any one year upon Abbott reaching a minimum return on equity target, measured at the end of the relevant year. In 2019,2020, Abbott reached its minimum return on equity target and half of these shares vested on February 26, 2021.

(d)
These are the restricted shares that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2020, from an award made on February 21, 2020. The award has a 3-year term with no more than one-third of the original award vesting in any one year upon Abbott reaching a minimum return on equity target, measured at the end of the relevant year. In 2020, Abbott reached its minimum return on equity target and one-third of these shares vested on February 28, 2020.26, 2021.

(e)
These are the restricted shares that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2019,2020, from an award made on June 10,3, 2019. The award has a 3-year term, with no more than one-third of the original award vesting in any one year upon Abbott reaching a minimum return on equity target, measured at the end of the relevant year. In 2019,2020, Abbott reached its minimum return on equity target and one-thirdhalf of these shares will vest on June 10, 2020.

(f)
These are the restricted shares that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2019, from an award made on July 21, 2017. The award has a 5-year term, with no more than one-third of the original award vesting in any one year upon Abbott reaching a minimum return on equity target, measured at the end of the relevant year. In 2019, Abbott reached its minimum return on equity target and these shares will vest on July 21, 2020.3, 2021.

GRAPHIC       6174


Table of Contents

20192020 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

The following table summarizes for each named officer the number of shares the officer acquired on the exercise of stock options and the number of shares the officer acquired on the vesting of stock awards in 2019:2020:

 Option Awards 

 Stock Awards 

 Option Awards  

 Stock Awards  

 Name

Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)



Value Realized
on Exercise
($)



  Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)



Value Realized
on Vesting
($)



  Name

Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)






Value Realized
on Exercise
($)



  Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)



Value Realized
on Vesting
($)



 
 M. D. White 589,700 $32,016,664   118,062 $9,117,928   R. B. Ford 0 $0   37,556 $2,974,060  
 R. B. Ford 0 0  33,140 2,559,402  R. E. Funck, Jr. 120,033 8,128,936  16,813 1,331,421 
 B. B. Yoor 43,763 2,089,351   29,673 2,291,646   H. L. Allen 0  0   32,684 2,588,246  
 L. D. Earnhardt 0 0  0 0  J. F. Ginascol 135,298 8,418,723  10,688 899,955 
 D. G. Salvadori 71,000 3,237,607   28,249 2,206,202   D. G. Salvadori 42,479  2,755,188   30,464 2,460,001  
 M. D. White 0 0  105,702 8,370,541 
 B. B. Yoor 694,131  26,927,604   32,318 2,559,262  

PENSION BENEFITS

During 2019,2020, the named officers participated in two Abbott-sponsored defined benefit pension plans: the Abbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan, a tax-qualified pension plan; and the Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan, a non-qualified supplemental pension plan. The Supplemental Pension Plan also includes a benefit feature Abbott uses to attract officers who are at the mid-point of their careers. This feature provides an additional benefit to officers who are mid-career hires that is less valuable to officers who have spent most of their careers at Abbott. Except as provided in Abbott's change in control agreements, Abbott does not have a policy granting extra years of credited service under the plans. These change in control agreements are described on pages 6578 and 66.79.

The compensation considered in determining the pension payable to the named officers is the compensation shown in the "Salary" and "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" columns of the Summary Compensation Table on page 53.63.

ANNUITY RETIREMENT PLAN

The Annuity Retirement Plan covers eligible employees in the United States who are age 21 or older, and provides participants with a life annuity benefit at normal retirement equal to A plus the greater of B or C below.

A.
1.10% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service after 2003.

B.
1.65% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service prior to 2004 (up to 20); plus 1.50% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service prior to 2004 in excess of 20 (but no more than 15 additional years); less 0.50% of the lesser of 3-year final average earnings (but not more than the social security wage base in any year) or the social security covered compensation level multiplied by years of benefit service.

C.
1.10% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service prior to 2004.

The benefit for service prior to 2004 (B or C above) is reduced for the cost of preretirement surviving spouse benefit protection. The reduction is calculated using formulas based on age and employment status during the period in which coverage was in effect.

Final average earnings are the average of the employee's 60 highest-paid consecutive calendar months of compensation (salary and non-equity incentive plan compensation). The Annuity Retirement Plan covers earnings up to the limit imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17) and provides for a maximum of 35 years of benefit service.

Participants become fully vested in their pension benefit upon the completion of five years of service. The benefit is payable on an unreduced basis at age 65. Participants hired after 2003 who terminate prior to age 55 with at least 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 55. Participants hired prior to 2004 who terminate prior to age��age 50 with at least 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 50. Participants hired prior to 2004 who

75      GRAPHIC


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terminate prior to age 50 with less than 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 55.

62      GRAPHIC


The Annuity Retirement Plan offers several optional forms of payment, including certain and life annuities, joint and survivor annuities, and level income annuities. The benefit paid under any of these options is actuarially equivalent to the life annuity benefit produced by the formula described above.

Participants who retire from Abbott prior to their normal retirement age may receive subsidized early retirement benefits. Participants hired after 2003 are eligible for early retirement at age 55 with 10 years of service. Participants hired prior to 2004 are eligible for early retirement at age 50 with 10 years of service or age 55 if the employee's age plus years of benefit service total 70 or more. As of December 31, 2019,2020, Messrs. White, Funck, Jr., Allen, and YoorGinascol were eligible for early retirement benefits under the plan.

The subsidized early retirement reductions applied to the benefit payable for service after 2003 (A above) depend upon the participant's age at retirement. If the participant retires after reaching age 55, the benefit is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62. If the participant retires after reaching age 50 but prior to reaching age 55, the benefit is actuarially reduced from age 65.

The early retirement reductions applied to the benefit payable for service prior to 2004 (B and C above) depend upon age and service at retirement:

    In general, the 5-year final average earnings portions of the benefit are reduced 3 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62 and the 3-year final average earnings portion of the benefit is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62.

    Employees who participated in the plan before age 36 may elect "Special Retirement" on the last day of any month after reaching age 55 with age plus Seniority Service points of at least 94 or "Early Special Retirement" on the last day of any month after reaching age 55, provided their age plus Seniority Service points would reach at least 94 before age 65. Seniority Service includes periods of employment prior to attaining the minimum age required to participate in the plan. If Special Retirement or Early Special Retirement applies, Seniority Service is used in place of benefit service in the formulas. The 5-year final average earnings portions of the benefit in B above are reduced 12/3 percent for each year between ages 59 and 62 plus 21/2 percent for each year between ages 55 and 59. The 3-year final average earnings portion of the benefit is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62. Benefit C is payable on an unreduced basis at Special Retirement and is reduced 3 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62, if Early Special Retirement applies.

SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION PLAN

With the following exceptions, the provisions of the Supplemental Pension Plan are substantially the same as those of the Annuity Retirement Plan:

    Officers' 5-year final average earnings are calculated using the average of the 5 highest years of base earnings and the 5 highest years of payments under Abbott's non-equity incentive plans.

    The Annuity Retirement Plan does not include amounts deferred or payments received under the Abbott Laboratories Deferred Compensation Plan in its calculation of a participant's final average earnings. To preserve the pension benefits of Deferred Compensation Plan participants, the Supplemental Pension Plan includes amounts deferred by a participant under the Deferred Compensation Plan in its calculation of final average earnings. Beginning in the year following their election as an officer, Abbott officers are no longer eligible to defer compensation under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

    In addition to the benefits outlined above for the Annuity Retirement Plan, participating officers are eligible for a benefit equal to 0.6% of 5-year final average earnings for each year of service for each of the first 20 years of service occurring after the participant attains age 35. The benefit is further limited by the maximum percentage allowed under the Annuity Retirement Plan under that plan's benefit formulas (A, B, and C above). The portion of this additional officer benefit attributable to service prior to 2004 is reduced 3 percent per year for each year that payments are made before the plan's unreduced retirement age. The portion attributable to service after 2003 is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before the plan's unreduced retirement age if the participant is at least age 55 at early retirement. If the participant is under age 55 at retirement, the portion attributable to service after 2003 is actuarially reduced from age 65.



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    The Supplemental Pension Plan provides early retirement benefits similar to those provided under the Annuity Retirement Plan. The benefits provided to Abbott's officers under the Supplemental Pension Plan are reduced

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      from the plan's unreduced retirement age, unless the benefit is being actuarially reduced from age 65. As of December 31, 2019,2020, Messrs. White, Funck, Jr., Allen, and YoorGinascol were eligible for early retirement benefits under the plan.



    Vested plan benefits accrued under the Supplemental Pension Plan may be funded through a grantor trust established by the officer. Consistent with the distribution requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and its regulations, those officers who were elected prior to 2009 may have the entire amount of their vested plan benefits funded through a grantor trust. Officers elected after 2008 may only have the vested plan benefits that accrue following the calendar year in which the officer is first elected funded through a grantor trust. Vested plan benefits accrued through December 31, 2008, to the extent not previously funded, were distributed to the participants' individual trusts and included in the participants' income.

Benefits payable under the Supplemental Pension Plan are offset by the benefits payable from the Annuity Retirement Plan, calculated as if benefits under the plans commenced at the same time. The amounts paid to an officer's Supplemental Pension Plan grantor trust to fund plan benefits are actuarially determined. The plan is designed to result in Abbott paying the officer's Supplemental Pension Plan benefits to the extent assets held in the officer's trust are insufficient.

20192020 PENSION BENEFITS

Name

Plan Name

Number Of
Years
Credited
Service
(#)





Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefit ($)(1)




Payments
During
Last Fiscal
Year ($)




Name

Plan Name

Number Of
Years
Credited
Service
(#)





Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefit ($)(1)




Payments
During
Last Fiscal
Year ($)




M. D. WhiteAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan35$1,683,301$0 R. B. FordAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan24$682,422$0 
 Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan3538,777,5292,416,939(2)  Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan247,883,470298,329(2) 
R. B. FordAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan23539,6030
Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan234,125,253212,001(2)
R. E. Funck, Jr.Abbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan331,694,2820
Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan338,053,119368,136(2)
H. L. AllenAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan15586,4540 
 Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan155,623,414208,869(2) 
J. F. GinascolAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan371,948,5340
Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan375,485,168183,896(2)
D. G. SalvadoriAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan6143,7740 
 Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan61,094,2000(2) 
M. D. WhiteAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan361,717,9300
Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan3639,771,5102,530,729(2)
B. B. YoorAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan22597,1570 B. B. YoorAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan23691,55124,430 
 Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan224,048,215233,883(2)  Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan234,604,0781,169,843(2) 
L. D. EarnhardtAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan125,0370
Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan1158,6420(2)
D. G. SalvadoriAbbott Laboratories Annuity Retirement Plan598,2910 
 Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan5682,5130(2) 
(1)
Abbott calculates these present values using: (i) a 3.5%2.9% discount rate for the Annuity Retirement Plan and a 3.4%2.8% discount rate for the Supplemental Pension Plan, the same effective discount rates it uses for Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 715 calculations for financial reporting purposes; and (ii) each plan's unreduced retirement age. The present values shown in the table reflect post-retirement mortality, based on the Financial Accounting Standards Board ASC Topic 715 assumption (the Pri-2012 Healthy Annuitant table with projected mortality improvements), but do not include a factor for pre-retirement termination, mortality, or disability.

(2)
Consistent with the distribution requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and its regulations, vested Supplemental Pension Plan benefits, to the extent not previously funded, were distributed to the participants' individual grantor trusts and included in the participants' income. Amounts held in the officer's individual trust are expected to offset Abbott's obligations to the officer under the plan. During 2019,2020, the amounts shown, less applicable tax withholdings, were deposited in such individual trusts established by the named officers. Grantor trusts are described in greater detail in the section of the proxy statement captioned, "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Benefits and Perquisites." For Mr. Yoor, the amount shown also includes unfunded Supplemental Pension Plan benefits paid to him upon his retirement in 2020.

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POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION—GENERALLY

Abbott does not have employment agreements with its named officers.

The following summarizes the payments that the named officers, other than Mr. Yoor, would have received if their employment had terminated on December 31, 2019.2020. Earnings would have continued to be paid to the named officer's Performance Incentive Plan, Management Incentive Plan, and Supplemental 401(k) Plan grantor trusts, until the trust assets were fully distributed. The amount of these payments would depend on the period over which the trusts' assets were distributed and the trusts' earnings. If the trusts' assets were distributed over a ten-year period and based on current earnings, the named officers would receive the following average annual payments over such ten-year period:

    M. D. White, $1,903,759R. B. Ford, $345,588

    R. B. Ford, $199,573E. Funck, Jr., $361,709

    B. B. Yoor, $95,729H. L. Allen, $331,279

    L. D. Earnhardt, $18,204J. F. Ginascol, $222,176

    D. G. Salvadori, $14,111$19,223

    M. D. White, $2,030,151

In addition, the following one-time deposits would have been made under the Abbott Laboratories Supplemental Pension Plan for the following named officers:

    R. B. Ford, $459,446$1,072,368

    B. B. Yoor, $1,419,794R. E. Funck, Jr., $1,096,421

    H. L. Allen, $1,678,916

    J. F. Ginascol, $528,045

    D. G. Salvadori, $154,989$228,021

If the termination of employment was due to disability, then the following named officers also would have received, in addition to Abbott's standard disability benefits, a monthly long-term disability benefit in the amount of:

    M. D. White, $220,281R. B. Ford, $183,750

    R. B. Ford, $78,125E. Funck, Jr., $64,040

    B. B. Yoor, $55,690H. L. Allen, $45,885

    L. D. Earnhardt, $45,520J. F. Ginascol, $42,865

    D. G. Salvadori, $45,170$45,275

    M. D. White, $62,500

This long-term disability benefit would continue for up to 24 months following termination of employment. It ends if the officer retires, recovers, dies, or ceases to meet eligibility criteria.

In addition, if the employment of these named officers had terminated due to death or disability, the officer's unvested stock options and restricted shares would have vested on December 31, 20192020 with values as set forth below in the section captioned, "Equity Awards."

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL

Mr. White does not have a change in control agreement with Abbott.

Abbott has change in control arrangements with other key members of its management team, in the form of change in control agreements for Abbott officers and a change in control plan for certain other management personnel. The agreements with Mr.Messrs. Ford, Mr. Yoor, Ms. Earnhardt,Funck, Jr., Allen, Ginascol, and Mr. Salvadori are described below.

Each change in control agreement continues in effect until December 31, 2020,2022, and can be renewed for successive two-year terms upon notice prior to the expiration date. If notice of non-renewal is given, the agreement will expire

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on the later of the scheduled expiration date and the one-year anniversary of the date of such notice. If no notice is given, the agreement will expire on the one-year anniversary of the scheduled expiration date. Each agreement also automatically extends for two years following any change in control (see below) that occurs while the agreement is in effect.

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The agreements provide that if the officer is terminated other than for cause or permanent disability or if the officer elects to terminate employment for good reason (see below) within two years following a change in control of Abbott, the officer is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three times the officer's annual salary and annual incentive ("bonus") award (assuming for this purpose that all target performance goals have been achieved or, if higher, based on the average bonus for the last three years), plus any unpaid bonus owing for any completed performance period and the pro rata bonus for any current bonus period (based on the highest of the bonus assuming achievement of target performance, the average bonus for the past three years, or in the case of the unpaid bonus for any completed performance period, the actual bonus earned). If the officer is terminated other than for cause or permanent disability or if the officer elects to terminate employment for good reason during a potential change in control (see below), the officer is entitled to receive a lump sum payment of the annual salary and bonus payments described above, except that the amount of the bonus to which the officer is entitled will be based on the actual achievement of the applicable performance goals. If the potential change in control becomes a "change in control event" (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code), the officer will be entitled to receive the difference between the bonus amounts the officer received upon termination during the potential change in control and the bonus amounts that would have been received had such amounts instead been based on the higher of the officer's target bonus or the average bonus paid to the officer in the preceding three years. Bonus payments include payments made under the Performance Incentive Plan. The officer will also receive up to three years of additional employee benefits (including welfare benefits, outplacement services and tax and financial counseling, and the value of three more years of pension accruals).

If change in control-related payments and benefits become subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, payments under the agreement will be reduced to prevent application of the excise tax if such a reduction would leave the executive in a better after-tax position than if the payments were not reduced and the tax applied. The agreements also limit the conduct for which awards under Abbott's incentive stock programs can be terminated and generally permit options to remain exercisable for the remainder of their term.

For purposes of the agreements, the term "change in control" includes the following events: any person becoming the beneficial owner of Abbott securities representing a specified percentage of the outstanding voting power (not including an acquisition directly from Abbott and its affiliates); a change in the majority of the members of the Board of Directors whose appointment was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the incumbent directors; and the consummation of certain mergers or similar corporate transactions involving Abbott. A "potential change in control" under the agreements includes, among other things, Abbott's entry into an agreement that would result in a change in control. Finally, the term "good reason" includes: a significant adverse change in the executive's position, duties, or authority; Abbott's failure to pay the executive's compensation or a reduction in the executive's base pay or benefits; or the relocation of Abbott's principal executive offices to a location that is more than thirty-five miles from the location of the offices at the time of the change in control.

If a change in control had occurred on December 31, 20192020 immediately followed by one of the covered circumstances described above, Mr.Messrs. Ford, Mr. Yoor, Ms. Earnhardt,Funck, Jr., Allen, Ginascol, and Mr. Salvadori would have been entitled to receive the following payments and benefits under the change in control agreements:

Name


Cash
termination
payments



Additional
Supplemental
Pension Plan
benefits




Welfare and
fringe benefits


Name

Cash
termination
payments



Additional
Supplemental
Pension Plan
benefits




Welfare and
fringe benefits


 

R. B. Ford

$8,312,500$818,330$70,570 

R. B. Ford


$15,225,000

$2,437,080

$93,884
 

B. B. Yoor

6,435,0501,742,95070,181

R. E. Funck, Jr.


4,937,083


2,138,528


60,029


L. D. Earnhardt

5,489,900237,83569,916 

H. L. Allen


5,994,600

1,627,907

49,207
 

J. F. Ginascol


5,436,800


2,477,186


68,653


D. G. Salvadori


5,485,000

168,302

87,581
 

D. G. Salvadori

5,482,900149,41069,916

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EQUITY AWARDS

Under Abbott Laboratories' Incentive Stock Programs, upon a change in control, the surviving company may assume, convert, or replace awards to executive officers on an equivalent basis. If the surviving company does not do so, then the awards vest. If the surviving company does assume, convert, or replace the awards on an equivalent basis, then the awards vest if the officer's employment is terminated without cause or the officer resigns for good reason during the period six months prior to and through two years after a change in control. The term "good reason" has the same definition as in the change of control agreements.

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If a change in control had occurred on December 31, 2019,2020, and the surviving company did not assume, convert, or replace the awards, then Mr. Ford,the named officers, other than Mr. Yoor, Ms. Earnhardt, and Mr. Salvadori would have vested in the following options, restricted shares, and restricted stock units:

 Unvested Stock Options

Restricted Shares/Units

  Unvested Stock Options

Restricted Shares/Units

Name

Number of
Option
Shares



Value of
Option
Shares



 Number of
Restricted
Shares/Units



Value of
Restricted
Shares/Units



 Name

Number of
Option
Shares



Value of
Option
Shares



 Number of
Restricted
Shares/Units



Value of
Restricted
Shares/Units



 
M. D. White1,193,863$27,111,424 213,835$18,573,709 R. B. Ford633,257$17,964,556 109,625$12,002,841 
R. B. Ford455,3249,212,66383,0577,214,330R. E. Funck, Jr.272,3067,912,29647,5045,201,213
B. B. Yoor379,4018,221,093 68,8075,976,576 H. L. Allen313,90810,317,891 55,6676,094,979 
L. D. Earnhardt91,367537,23856,9464,946,330J. F. Ginascol195,1075,391,57834,0333,726,273
D. G. Salvadori346,9397,614,775 62,2115,403,647 D. G. Salvadori301,4479,536,422 53,4305,850,051 
M. D. White994,49632,137,254176,53219,328,489

The value of stock options shown is based on the excess of the closing price of a common share on December 31, 20192020 over the exercise price of such options, multiplied by the number of unvested stock options held by the named officer. The value of restricted shares shown is determined by multiplying the number of restricted shares that would vest as of December 31, 20192020 and the closing price of a common share on December 31, 2019.2020.

CEO PAY RATIO

In 2019,2020, we compared CEO pay to that of our median employee. To identify our median employee, we first excluded all 2,579 employees who are employed in Egypt (348), Indonesia (631), Israel (138), and Pakistan (1,462), representing less than 5% of our global workforce of 108,275 employees as of October 1, 20201. We then examined the 2020 base salary of all remaining employees globally, excluding our CEO, who were employed by us on October 1, 2020. We annualized the base salary of all permanent employees who were hired in 2020, but did not work for the entire year. The base salary for employees outside of the U.S. was converted to U.S. dollars.

After identifying the median employee, previously identified in 2017 using the methodology described in our 2018 proxy statement. Abbott does not believe there have been changes in Abbott's employee population or employee compensation arrangements in 2019 that would significantly impact our median employee.

Wewe collected the 2019 annual total compensation for the medianthis employee using the same methodology we use for our named executive officers as disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table on page 5363 and then added the cost of medical and dental benefits ($12,674)12,619) in the calculation of annual total compensation for the median employee and CEO.

Robert Ford became Abbott's CEO on March 31, 2020. In accordance with SEC rules, in determining our CEO annual total compensation for this calculation, we annualized Mr. Ford's base salary, company matching contributions, and pension accruals, which resulted in 2020 total CEO compensation of $20,639,568.

The annual total compensation of our median employee was $84,434,$77,594, resulting in a ratio of 329:266:1.

The above ratio and annual total compensation amount are reasonable estimates that have been calculated using methodologies and assumptions permitted by Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC rules.


1
Total U.S. employees: 33,743; total non-U.S. employees: 74,532.

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RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS AUDITORS
(ITEM 2 ON PROXY CARD)

Abbott's By-Laws provide that the Audit Committee shall appoint annually a firm of independent registered public accountants to serve as auditors. In October 2019,2020, the Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP to act as auditors for 2020.2021. Ernst & Young LLP has served as Abbott's auditors since 2014.

Although the Audit Committee has sole authority to appoint auditors, it would like to know the opinion of the shareholders regarding its appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors for 2020.2021. For this reason, shareholders are being asked to ratify this appointment. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors for 2020,2021, the Audit Committee will take that fact into consideration, but may, nevertheless, continue to retain Ernst & Young LLP.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors for 2020.2021.

Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.

AUDIT FEES AND NON-AUDIT FEES

The following table presents fees for professional audit services by Ernst & Young LLP for the audit of Abbott's annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 20192020 and December 31, 20182019 and fees billed for other services rendered by Ernst & Young during these periods.

 

 
2019


2018

 

 
2020


2019

 

Audit fees:(1)

 $23,960,000 $25,381,000   

Audit fees:(1)

 $24,474,000 $23,960,000  

 

Audit related fees:(2)

 1,029,000 770,000   

Audit related fees:(2)

 1,158,000 1,029,000 

 

Tax fees:(3)

 6,668,000 8,905,000   

Tax fees:(3)

 5,944,000 6,668,000  

 

All other fees:(4)

 149,000 8,000  

All other fees:(4)

 99,000 149,000 

 

Total

 $31,806,000 $35,064,000   

Total

 $31,675,000 $31,806,000  
(1)
Audit fees include amounts billed or to be billed for professional services rendered for the audit of Abbott's annual financial statements, the review of Abbott's financial statements included in Abbott's quarterly reports, and the audits of Abbott's internal control over financial reporting, statutory and subsidiary audits, the review of documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and certain accounting consultations in connection with the audits.

(2)
Audit related fees include: accounting consultations and audits in connection with proposed acquisitions and divestitures, and audits of certain employee benefit plans' financial statements.

(3)
Tax fees consist principally of professional services rendered for tax compliance and tax planning and advice including assistance with tax audits and appeals, and tax advice related to mergers and acquisitions.

(4)
All other fees include regulatory and technical education services. All other feesservices, participation in 2019 also include fees related toindustry surveys, and a required compliance assessment associated with Abbott's hosting of certain health data.

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POLICY ON AUDIT COMMITTEE PRE-APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND PERMISSIBLE NON-AUDIT SERVICES OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR

The Audit Committee has established policies and procedures to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services performed by the independent auditor and its related affiliates.

Prior to engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for the next year's audit, management will submit a schedule of all proposed services expected to be rendered during that year for each of four categories of services to the Audit Committee for approval.

Prior to engagement, the Audit Committee pre-approves these services by category of service. The fees are budgeted and the Audit Committee requires the independent registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus the budget periodically by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the Audit Committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging the independent registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Management is responsible for Abbott's internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an audit of the consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, as well as expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee reviews these processes on behalf of the Board of Directors. In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements contained in the 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K with Abbott's management and its independent registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the firm's independence. The Audit Committee has also considered whether the provision of the services described on page 6881 under the caption "Audit Fees and Non-Audit Fees" is compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm.

Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in Abbott's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Audit Committee

E. M. Liddy,Chair
R. S. Austin
M. A. Kumbier
N. McKinstry
S. C. Scott IIIJ. G. Stratton
G. F. Tilton

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SAY ON PAY—AN ADVISORY VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION (ITEM 3 ON PROXY CARD)

Shareholders are being asked to approve the compensation of Abbott's named officers, as disclosed under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and related material included in this proxy statement.

Abbott's three-yearsustained strong performance has resulted in total shareholder return (TSR) significantly exceeding the peer median and major market indices on a one-, three-, and five-year basis.

Abbott's three-year TSR of 139.5%101.7% is more than twice that of the peer group median and the broader Standard & Poor's 500 (S&P 500) and more than three times that of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) market indicesindex. These consistent above-market returns are driven by the strength of our diversified business model with leadership positions in some of the largest and fastest growing markets in healthcare and innovative product portfolios across our businesses.

Abbott delivered strong returns for shareholders in 20192020, despite the global market challenges from COVID-19, and achieved or exceeded the financial targets that were set atbefore the beginning of last year.pandemic in January 2020. Abbott's one-year TSR was 22.1%28.0%, delivering significant shareholder returns on topmore than three times the peer median TSR, and significantly above major market indices, a testament to the strength of the strong one-year TSR of 29%our diversified business model and ability to innovate and deliver in 2018, which ranked #1 in our peer group.this challenging environment.

Primary performance metric for
long-term incentive program

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In addition to delivering significant shareholder returns, Abbott continued to take important steps to position the Company for long-term, sustainable growth.

    Achieved important product approvals in 2020 across our businesses that will be significant contributors to growth in the coming years.

    Increased manufacturing scale and capabilities across several important products, including significant investment in COVID-19 diagnostic test capacity to help meet immediate global testing needs and further accelerate Abbott's leadership position in diagnostic testing.

    Returned $2.6 billion to shareholders through dividends in 2020 and announced a 25% increase to the dividend payable in 2021, demonstrating Abbott's financial strength and commitment to shareholder returns.

    Launched our 2030 Sustainability Plan focused on Abbott's greatest opportunities to make an impact: creating new life-changing technologies and products, expanding the access and affordability of this innovation, and breaking down barriers that prevent people from getting the care they need.

Our compensation program is market-based and produces outcomes that directly link to both Company and officer performance. The vast majority of compensation for our executive officers is performance-based and objectively determined. Long Term Incentives (LTI), which comprise the largest percentage of compensation for our executive officers, are directly linked to shareholder returns. Our annual incentive plan links officer compensation to the metrics which ensure financial success for the short-term and position the Company for growth in the future as well.

The Compensation Committee, with the counsel of its independent consultant, concluded that the compensation reported herein was earned and appropriate. The specific details of the executive compensation program and compensation paid to the named executive officers are described on pages 3033 through 5060 of this proxy statement.

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While this vote is advisory and non-binding, the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee value the opinion of the shareholders and will review the voting results and take into account the results and our ongoing dialogue with shareholders when future compensation decisions are made.

Accordingly, the Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the approval of the named officers' compensation.

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APPROVAL AND ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION TO ELIMINATE STATUTORY SUPERMAJORITY VOTING STANDARDS (ITEM 4 ON PROXY CARD)

Shareholders are being asked to approve and adopt amendments to Abbott's Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") to replace and supersede certain supermajority voting standards set forth in the Illinois Business Corporation Act (the "IBCA") with majority voting standards. The proposed amendments to be approved by the shareholders are set forth in Items 4(a) and 4(b) below (each, a "Proposed Amendment"), and will be voted on separately. Approval and adoption of one Proposed Amendment is not conditioned upon approval and adoption of the other Proposed Amendment.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

At the 2020 Annual Meeting, shareholders approved a shareholder proposal requesting that each provision in Abbott's governing documents requiring a two-thirds vote of outstanding shares under the IBCA be replaced by a majority vote of outstanding shares. As discussed below, under the IBCA, approval by at least two-thirds of the shares entitled to vote on a matter is required to amend the Articles and to approve certain extraordinary transactions. After consideration of shareholder input, including the approved shareholder proposal in 2020, the Board is recommending that shareholders approve and adopt the Proposed Amendments to supersede and replace the relevant IBCA supermajority voting standards with majority voting standards.

Item 4(a): Implement Majority Voting Standard for Amendments of the Articles of Incorporation and Effect Other Ministerial Changes

Currently, the Articles do not specify a voting standard for amendments to the Articles. As a result, the vote required to amend the Articles is determined by the provisions of the IBCA. Section 10.20 of the IBCA provides that an amendment of a corporation's articles of incorporation requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes of outstanding shares, and that this voting standard may be superseded in the corporation's articles of incorporation by a smaller requirement of not less than a majority of outstanding shares. Item 4(a) proposes to amend the Articles, by adding a new Article R-X, to provide that any amendment to the Articles subject to a vote of the shareholders under Section 10.20 of the IBCA shall require the affirmative vote of at least a majority of outstanding shares entitled to vote on such proposed amendment. The voting standard set forth in Article R-X, if adopted, would supersede the two-thirds voting standard set forth in Section 10.20 of the IBCA.

Item 4(a) also proposes ministerial changes to the Articles to (i) update the name and address of Abbott's registered agent (Article R-II), (ii) update the capitalization of Abbott and remove references to a previous stock split (Article R-VII), and (iii) remove references to a prior restatement of the Articles (Article R-VIII).

Item 4(b): Implement Majority Voting standard for Certain Extraordinary Transactions

Currently, the Articles do not specify a voting standard for the following transactions:

    A proposed plan of merger, consolidation or exchange,

    A sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, the property and assets, with or without the good will, of the corporation, if not made in the usual and regular course of its business, and

    A voluntary dissolution of the corporation.

As a result, the vote required for such transactions is determined by the relevant provisions of the IBCA. The IBCA provides that each such transaction requires the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes of the shares entitled to vote on the transaction. The IBCA also provides that this voting standard may be superseded in each case, in the corporation's articles of incorporation, by a smaller requirement of not less than a majority of outstanding shares.

Item 4(b) proposes to amend the Articles, by adding a new Article R-XI, to provide that each of the above transactions subject to a vote of the shareholders under the corresponding section of the IBCA shall require the affirmative vote of at least a majority of outstanding shares entitled to vote on such transaction. The voting

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standard set forth in Article R-XI, if adopted, would supersede the two-thirds voting standard set forth in the IBCA for each of the above described transactions.

VOTE REQUIRED

The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the vote of the outstanding Abbott common shares is required to approve each of Item 4(a) and Item 4(b). Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, have the same effect as votes against these Items.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The full text of the amended and restated Articles implementing the Proposed Amendments is set forth in Exhibit B. Additions and deletions implementing the Proposed Amendments are indicated, respectively, by underlining and strike-outs. The general description of the Proposed Amendments set forth above is qualified in its entirety by reference to the amended and restated Articles implementing the Proposed Amendments, which is attached as Exhibit B.

If shareholders approve either of the Proposed Amendments by the requisite vote, Abbott will file Articles of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Illinois to implement each of the Proposed Amendments that was approved and restate the Articles, as amended by each Proposed Amendment that was approved, in its entirety. Each Proposed Amendment that was approved will become effective upon the filing of the Articles of Amendment by the Secretary of State of the State of Illinois. For any Proposed Amendment that does not receive the requisite vote, that Proposed Amendment will not be implemented and the respective IBCA voting standard or provision in the Articles (in the case of Item 4(a)) will remain in place.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the approval of the proposed amendments to Abbott's Articles of Incorporation.

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SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

INTRODUCTION

FourThree shareholder proposals have been received and will be voted upon at the annual meeting only if properly presented by or on behalf of the proponent. Abbott is advised that the proposals will be presented for action at the Annual Meeting. The proposed resolutions and the statements made in support thereof, as well as the Board of Directors' statements in opposition to the proposals, are presented on the following pages.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposals.

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THE PROPOSALS

Shareholder Proposal on Lobbying Disclosure
(Item 45 on Proxy Card)

The Unitarian Universalist Association, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210-1409,02210, has informed Abbott that it intends to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting and that it owns 3,0832,783 Abbott common shares.

PROPONENT'S STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL

Whereas, we believe in full disclosure of Abbott Laboratories' ("Abbott") direct and indirect lobbying activities and expenditures to assess whether Abbott's lobbying is consistent with its expressed goals and in the best interests of stockholders.

Resolved,, the stockholders of Abbott request the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing:

    1.
    Company policy and procedures governing lobbying, both direct and indirect, and grassroots lobbying communications.

    2.
    Payments by Abbott used for (a) direct or indirect lobbying or (b) grassroots lobbying communications, in each case including the amount of the payment and the recipient.

    3.
    Abbott's membership in and payments to any tax-exempt organization that writes and endorses model legislation.

    4.
    Description of management's decision-making process and the Board's oversight for making payments described in section 2 above.

For purposes of this proposal, a "grassroots lobbying communication" is a communication directed to the general public that (a) refers to specific legislation or regulation, (b) reflects a view on the legislation or regulation and (c) encourages the recipient of the communication to take action with respect to the legislation or regulation. "Indirect lobbying" is lobbying engaged in by a trade association or other organization of which Abbott is a member.

Both "direct and indirect lobbying" and "grassroots lobbying communications" include efforts at the local, state and federal levels.

The report shall be presented to the Public Policy Committee and posted on Abbott's website.

Supporting Statement

We encourage transparency in Abbott's use of funds to lobby. Abbott spent $32,730,000$36,700,000 from 2010 – 20182019 on federal lobbying. This figure does not include state lobbying, expenditures to influence legislation in states, where Abbott also lobbies in 37 states1 but disclosure is uneven or absent. For example, Abbott spent $822,611$896,284 on lobbying in California from 2010 – 2018. Abbott was one of the top three lobbying medical device companies for the previous five years,2 and Abbott's lobbying on infant formula has attracted media scrutiny.32019.

Abbott sits on the board of the Chamber of Commerce, which has spent over $1.5$1.6 billion on lobbying since 1998, and also belongs to the Business Roundtable (BRT)boards of the Advanced Medical Technology Association and Nationalthe Medical Device Manufacturers Association, of Manufacturers (NAM), which together spent over $68 million$9,300,408 on lobbying for 20172018 and 2018. Both the BRT2019 and NAM arehave drawn scrutiny for lobbying restrict the abilityto weaken mandatory disclosure of shareholders to file resolutions.medical device incidents.2 Abbott does not disclose its payments to trade associations and social welfare organizations, or the amounts used for lobbying.


1
https://publicintegrity.org/state-politics/here-are-the-interests-lobbying-in-every-statehouse/

2
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/medical-device-makers-spend-millions-lobbying-loosen-regs-d-c-n940351.

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We are concerned that Abbott's lack of lobbying disclosure presents significant reputational risk when its lobbying contradicts company public positions. For example, Abbott believes in addressing climate change, yetpublicly supported COVID-19 relief efforts, but the Chamber undermineddirectly lobbied against using the Paris climate accord.Defense Production Act for production of personal protective equipment for workers.3 Abbott supports the World Health Organization's goal of increasing breast-feeding rates, its lobbying on attracted scrutiny after the Trump administration blocked a World Health Organization resolution encouraging breastfeeding.4 And Abbott supports good health, yet the Chamber has worked to block global antismoking laws. drew attention and ultimately cut ties with one of its lobbyists over his controversial statements about Black Lives Matter.5

We believe the reputational damage stemming from this misalignment between general policy positions and actual direct and indirect lobbying effortsthese misalignments harms long-term value creation by Abbott. Thus, we urge Abbott to expand its lobbying disclosure.

   


1
https://publicintegrity.org/federal-politics/state-politics/here-are-the-interests-lobbying-in-every-statehouse/

2
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-care/medical-device-makers-spend-millions-lobbying-loosen-regs-d-c-n940351

3
https://maplight.org/story/infant-formula-makers-sweetened-mothers-milk-of-politics-with-60-million-in-lobbying-funds/corporatereformcoalition.org/chamber-dpa.

4
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/07/the-epic-battle-between-breast-milk-and-infant-formula-companies/564782/.

5
https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-campaign-begins-paying-matt-schlapp-as-his-lobbying-clients-flee

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Board of Directors' Statement in Opposition to the
Shareholder Proposal on Lobbying Disclosure

(Item 4(Item 5 on Proxy Card)

The Board of Directors recommends that you voteAGAINST the proposal.

In 2012, 2013, and 2014, a shareholder submitted thisThis same proposal which calls for various disclosures in an annual report in connection withhas come before Abbott's lobbying activities.shareholders at least four times, most recently last year, when Abbott shareholders rejected it by more than 80%. Abbott was then and still is transparent about its lobbying activities, disclosing its policies and procedures, lobbying activity, and trade-association memberships on Abbott's website or through other public means.activities. Preparing and maintaining the annual report the shareholder called for thenthis proposal requests would have addedadd cost and effortconsume resources, but not increasedwithout increasing any shareholder value. Thus, eachIndeed, as the Board laid out last year, Abbott's shareholders overwhelmingly rejected this proposal. In fact,Abbott already provides transparency around the last timecategories of disclosure sought by this proposal, was included in the annual meeting agenda, in 2014, only about 6% of Abbott's outstanding shares supported it.

enabling shareholders to assess whether Abbott has been no less transparent since 2014. Indeed, recently,any undue corporate influence over initiatives with which its investors disagree. Further, Abbott's political disclosure and accountability policies and practices have beencontinue to be recognized as top tier among S&P 500 companies.1 The Board believes Abbott's disclosures about its lobbying activities are transparent and informative, and responsive to the proposal. Consider the categories of disclosure called for by this proposal:proposal continue to be publicly available and are updated semiannually.

    Policies and Procedures Governing Lobbying.  The shareholder requests that Abbott prepare an annual report onprovides its policies and procedures governing lobbying. Abbott already provides this informationlobbying year-round on its website. AbbottThe Company also discloses the key principles that guide its participation in political and advocacy activities, the decisionmaking process, and Boardboard oversight of those activities on its website and annually in Abbott's Global Sustainability Report.

    Payments Used for Lobbying. The shareholder seeks an annual report on Abbott's lobbying payments.  In compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act, Abbott files a quarterly report that discloses Abbott'sthe Company's total federal lobbying expenditures (paid directly and through trade associations), the name of any legislation or its subject that was the topic of communication, the individuals who lobbied on behalf of Abbott, and the legislative body or executive branch contacted. That report can be found on the U.S. Senate Office of Public Records website or the U.S. House of Representatives Office of the Clerk website. Similarly, any indirect contribution (e.g.(e.g., payments for events honoring covered elected officials), is disclosed as part of mandatory filings available on the Senate's and House's website. Payments Abbott makes for outside lobbying services are disclosed by the outside firms as well, and are also available and searchable in the lobbying disclosure website of both the Senate and the House of Representatives and the Senate.Representatives. Regarding state activity, in states where Abbott has a registered lobbyist, reports are filed consistent with state law and are publicly available at the appropriate state agency or on the state's public website. Abbott does not currently make direct expenditures toward grassroots lobbying communications to the general public.

    Decisionmaking and Oversight for Lobbying-Related Payments. The shareholder also seeks an annual report on  Abbott's decisionmaking and oversight process for those payments. This information, too,lobbying-related payments is already available to Abbott's shareholders. As described on Abbott's website, its Government Affairs office is responsible for advocacy activities with Congress, the federal government, and at the state level. These activities are managed by the Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs, who makes the decision regarding advocacy activities, in consultation with senior management of relevant business units. He then reports to senior management and annually to the Board's Public Policy Committee.

    Tax-Exempt, Lobbying Organizations. Last, the shareholder seeks disclosure about Abbott's membership in organizations that may conduct lobbying activities.   Abbott is a member of various U.S. trade organizations that engage in lobbying and other political activity to champion and protect Abbott, our industry, and the people who rely on our products to achieve good health. For years, Abbott's website has listed the trade organizations to which Abbott pays dues of $50,000 or more. And, every year, the Board's Public Policy Committee reviews a report of Abbott's major trade association memberships, the amount of dues, and the amount used for lobbying.

Abbott already discloses the information the shareholder seeks. RehashingRepeated reporting of existing disclosures would needlessly waste corporate resources and would not be in the best interests of Abbott or its shareholders.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposal. this proposal again.

   


1
Center for Political Accountability, and the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research at the Wharton School of the University, "The 2019"2020 CPA-Zicklin Index of Corporate Political Disclosure and Accountability," pg. 4142 (Oct. 13, 2020), https://politicalaccountability.net/hifi/files/2019-CPA-Zicklin-Index-Report.pdf.2020-CPA-Zicklin-Index.pdf.

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Shareholder Proposal on Non-GAAP Financial Performance Metrics DisclosureReport on Racial Justice
(Item 56 on Proxy Card)

The Vermont Pension Investment Committee, 109 StateHandlery Hotels, Inc., 180 Geary Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05609-6200,Suite 700, San Francisco, California 94108, has informed Abbott that it intends to present the following proposal at the Annual Meetingannual meeting and that it owns 4,4802,694 Abbott common shares.

PROPONENT'S STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL

RESOLVEDWhereas:, that shareholders In the wake of the George Floyd murder by police officers on May 25, 2020 a majority of Russell 1000 corporations made public statements expressing their plans to address racial justice, thereby taking the first step to becoming antiracist organizations. Antiracism is the practice of identifying, challenging, and changing the values, structures, and behaviors perpetuating systemic racism.1Abbott Laboratories (the "Company") urgeissued a statement, on its "corporate newsroom" website page, supporting racial justice and the Boardelimination of Directors (the "Board")systemic racism. The statement provides only a generalized overview of Abbott's plans to further this effort. It did not provide measurable targets, goals, or quantifiable outcomes.

Numerous studies cite material corporate benefits associated with adopting corporate policies promoting racial justice:

    A McKinsey study shows companies with the strongest racial and ethnic diversity are 35% more likely to outperform their industry medians2

    Companies with the most ethnically/culturally diverse boards worldwide are 43% more likely to experience higher profits3

    For every 10% increase in racial and ethnic diversity among senior executives, EBIT rises 0.8%4

However, inequities in the workplace continue:

    People of Color comprise 33% of entry level positions, but only 13% of the C-suite5

    Among companies in the Russell 3000, Black individuals accounted for only 4.1% of board members versus 13.4% of the U.S. population6

    "Failure to adopt inclusion practices translates into a policy that whenloss of customers and reduces profitability"7

Abbott can play a critical role in ending systemic racism by promoting racial justice.

The need for action is underscored by Abbott's 40% score on a recent Racial Justice Scorecard. This score is significantly below peers AbbVie Inc. and Boston Scientific, which both scored above 60%. Abbott's low score is due to its lack of publicly accessible diversity and inclusion targets and lack of disclosed data concerning hiring, retention, and promotion rates of people of color within the Company adjusts or modifies any generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") financial performance metric for determining senior executive compensation,Company. Given heightened awareness around racism, failing to act and disclose policies and quantifiable data raises the Compensation Committee's Compensation Discussionmaterial risk of revenue loss and Analysis shall include a specific explanation of the Compensation Committee's rationale for each adjustment and a reconciliation of the adjusted metrics to GAAP.reduced brand value.

Resolved: SUPPORTING STATEMENT:

Our Company selects several metrics to assess senior executive performance for purposes of determining incentive compensation. On page 33 of the 2019 Proxy Statement, the Company detailed the metrics used for the annual incentive plan Shareholders request that are intended align the incentives of executives with shareholders: Sales; diluted EPS; Return on Assets;Abbott Labs publish a report, at reasonable expense and Operating Cash Flow. However, three-fourths of these metrics used an adjusted version of GAAP metrics.

The Company's 2018 diluted EPS calculated under GAAP yielded a result of $1.31, as reported on page 22 ofexcluding proprietary information, disclosing the Company's 2019 Form 10-K. However,plan, if any, to promote racial justice.


1
Ontario Anti-Racism Secretariat, "Anti-Racism Defined", 2020 Retrieved from Alberta Civil Liberties Research Center: http://www.aclrc.com/antiracism-defined

2
McKinsey & Company, "Delivering through Diversity", January 2018
https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/business%20functions/org anization/our%20insights/delivering%20through%20diversity/delivering-through-diversity_full-report.ashx

3
Ibid.

4
Ibid.

5
McKinsey & Company, "Women in the 2019 Proxy Statement presents an adjusted diluted EPS metric that yielded a result of $2.88. The target goal was $2.85Workplace 2018", https://womenintheworkplace.com/

6
Cydney Posner, "Will companies accede to calls for actions to improve racial and since theadjusted result exceeded the goal, the CEO received an above target payout.

Similarly, on the Sales metric, the GAAP calculation yielded a result of $30.6 billion according to page 22 of 2019 Form 10-K. However, the 2019 Proxy Statement presents an Adjusted Sales result of $31.2 billion. The target goal for this metric was $30.97 billionethnic diversity in hiring and since theadjusted result exceeded the goal, the chief executive received above target payout.

These two metrics account for 50% of the Company's weighting for the annual incentive plan that provided the CEO with an award of $4,779,688 in 2018. We are concerned that the use of GAAP-adjusted metrics may inflate senior executive compensation by overstating the Company's financial performance as measured by GAAP. In our view, the Compensation Committee should provide a specific explanation for why these adjustments were made.

We believe that the Company's explanation on page 33 of 2019 Proxy Statement for using GAAP-adjusted metrics for executive pay was vague and unsatisfactory. The Company stated that "Officer financial goals are based on adjusted measures that the Committee believes more accurately reflect the results of our ongoing operations and are determined based on the expected market growth of the businesses and markets in which we compete.promotion?"

Many investors believe that companies should do a better job disclosing the purpose of using adjusted-GAAP metrics for executive compensation. For example, the Council of Institutional Investors has petitioned the SEC to address this lack of transparency. The petition seeks "...a requirement for clear explanations and GAAP reconciliations that would permit a shareholder to understand the company's approach and factor that into its say-on-pay vote and/or buy/sell decision" (https:,July 2020 https://www.sec.gov/rules/petitions/2019/petn4-745.pdf).

For these reasons, we urge a vote FOR this resolution.

cooleypubco.com/2020/07/15/calls-for-actions-racial-ethnic-diversity/

7
Neesha-ann Longdon, Dimitri Henry, Caitlin Harris, "Diversity And Inclusion As A Social Imperative", August 2020 https://www.spglobal.com/ratings/en/research/articles/200803-environmental-social-and-governance-diversity-and-inclusion-as-a-social-imperative-11573860

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Supporting statement: Investors seek quantitative, comparable data to understand if and how the Company is promoting a commitment to Racial Justice. Proponents suggest the report include:

    Potential policies the company could adopt to promote Racial Justice in its corporate workplaces and operations

    Detailed quantitative information on diversity and inclusion, including recruitment, hiring, and retention policies and outcomes

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Board of Directors' Statement in Opposition to the
Shareholder Proposal on
Non-GAAP Financial Performance Metrics Disclosure Report on Racial Justice

(Item 5(Item 6 on Proxy Card)

The Board of Directors recommends that you voteAGAINST the proposal.

The shareholder's proposal is premised on Abbott's executive compensation program is designedpurported "score" on a "Racial Justice Scorecard." But this "Scorecard" (put out by the proponent itself) does not accurately reflect Abbott's commitment and work to evaluatedate on racial justice, or the Company's intentions moving forward. Rather, Abbott's current disclosures in its Global Sustainability Report and reward management performance.2030 Sustainability Plan depict Abbott's compensation program is intendedrobust commitment to focus executives on actions that create value today while building for sustainable future success. To that end,racial justice, diversity, and inclusion, which were not included by the program has bothproponent when creating their "scorecard." Further, going forward, Abbott will publish a long-Diversity and short-term component. The long-term component includes an award of stock options and performance restricted shares tied to several metrics designed to capture more durable results: 3-year performance relative to sales, margin, and strategic contribution; total shareholder return; and return on equity. The short-term component is an annual payout based on metrics designed to capture performance for that year: sales, diluted earnings per share (EPS), return on assets, and free cash flow. As explained in this and prior proxy statements, in setting targets and evaluating short-term performance, the Compensation Committee excludes categories of gains or losses that would distort the picture of management's performance. That is, the Committee excludes both positive and negative unusual or unpredictable events and circumstances,Inclusion (D&I) report, which will enhance these disclosures as well as provide a consolidated EEO-1 report that provides a summary of Abbott employees by race, gender, and job category. Thus, the proposal's new called-for report is unnecessary.

As captured in Abbott's existing disclosures and will be discussed further in its forthcoming D&I report, Abbott has had a long-lasting commitment to diversity, inclusion, and racial justice. First, for years, Abbott has been dedicated to building a pipeline of diverse talent. Nearly three decades ago, Abbott helped found the nonprofit group Advancing Minorities' Interest in Engineering, which develops partnerships among industry, government, and universities to achieve diversity in the engineering workforce. Abbott remains a partner today. Since 2006, Abbott has been building a pipeline of diverse talent through its science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. Since that time, more than 6,000 Abbott scientists, engineers, and other employees have shared their expertise to support programs that advance STEM education around the world, reaching more than 325,000 students. Even further, Abbott has operated a STEM internship program for U.S. high-school students since 2012, and Abbott hosts hundreds of college students for paid internships. In 2020, 71% of the high-school and 39% of college students participating in those largelyprograms were minorities. By 2030, Abbott aims to create opportunities in STEM programs for more than 100,000 young people, including 50% from underrepresented groups.

Second, Abbott recruits job candidates through partnerships with historically black universities and colleges, Hispanic-serving institutes, and other organizations, such as the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, to name a few.

Third, Abbott has, for years, been dedicated to the retention and advancement of historically disenfranchised groups. Abbott facilitates ten employee affinity groups, including groups appealing to African Americans, Latinos, LGTBQ members, and women to expand opportunities for these historically underrepresented groups. Each group is supported by a corporate officer. Nearly 10,000 Abbott employees participate in these groups—an accomplishment that did not within management's control (happen overnight. And, as a result of all these efforts, today, one third of Abbott's front-line leadership roles are held by minority talent.

As the proposal mentions, since the events of this summer, Abbott reaffirmed its commitment to promote racial justice. But, omitted from the proposal and its "scorecard," is that after the events of this summer, Abbott's CEO communicated with Abbott employees to understand their concerns and ideas about how Abbott could further support racial justice. Abbott held numerous sessions with employees on this topic, surveyed employees about diversity and inclusion, named a Divisional Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion, offered a match to employees for donations to organizations promoting racial justice, and issued a statement on its digital and social channels denouncing racism, the killing of George Floyd and others, and requested the parties responsible be brought to justice.

Abbott's achievements with respect to racial justice and workplace diversity and inclusion have been recognized by third parties for years.

    Abbott has earned a place on e.g.,DiversityInc magazine's list of the impact"Top 50 Companies for Diversity" every year since 2004.

    Abbott's efforts to create a woman-friendly workplace have seen Abbott recognized by the 2020 Women on Boards group and the National Association for Female Executives, which has named Abbott among the "Top 50 Companies for Executive Women" each year since 2009.

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Table of foreign exchange rate changesContents

    DiversityPlus magazine listed Abbott as a 2019 "Top 10 Champion of Diversity" in recognition of its efforts with suppliers.

    This past year, Forbes listed Abbott on sales, U.S. tax reform). These exclusions result in some short-term performance metrics being non-GAAP financial metrics. This approachits list of Best Employers for Diversity and for Veterans. And Vault ranked Abbott's internship No. 11 for diversity and for veterans. No other healthcare companies even made Vault's top 30.

Ultimately, the shareholder proposal is consistent with what Abbott uses when announcing its quarterly financial results as well as what is used by other publicly traded companies. Non-GAAP measures are used to assist investors in understanding the companies' underlying performance.based on a flawed premise and erroneously seeks a new report of existing or planned disclosures based on that premise.

For all these reasons, the Board recommends voting Abbott is and has been transparent about the way in which it sets its targets and measures executives' short-term performance.AGAINST The use of non-GAAP financial metrics when evaluating performance is consistent with the way many S&P 500 companies' report on management's performance for purposes of determining compensation. Non-GAAP financial metrics are intended to eliminate "noise" that would distort an annual or short-term picture, ultimately providingmore transparency into core performance for each year. Every quarter when Abbott releases its earnings, Abbott provides investors with what Abbott believes more accurately captures performance for that quarter—e.g., adjusted sales and adjusted diluted EPS—alongside with a reconciliation to the corresponding GAAP financial metrics. Thus, contrary to the proponent's claim, investors are already aware of the manner in which adjusted EPS relates to GAAP EPS. Inclusion of additional reconciliations in the proxy statement is unnecessary.this proposal.

Moreover, Abbott's proxy disclosure around executive compensation is robust. Each year, Abbott specifically describes its executive compensation program in detail—including the short-term and long-term components. And the proxy statement (pg. 36) describes why the Compensation Committee has chosen to use adjusted metrics rather than GAAP metrics as part of Abbott's compensation philosophy. Abbott is likewise transparent with adjustments to any metrics and the reasons for those adjustments when assessing performance. Preparing a reconciliation that neither increases shareholder value nor adds to shareholder understanding wastes corporate time and resources. In particular, for some officers, creating a reconciliation for adjusted divisional metrics would require significant time and effort while potentially compromising sensitive information regarding Abbott's operations, strategies, or initiatives.

Abbott's shareholders overwhelmingly approve of Abbott's compensation structure, including the way in which performance targets are set and measured. In past years, Abbott enhanced its disclosures around management compensation to address specific shareholder feedback. We consistently engage with shareholders representing approximately 65% of Abbott's outstanding shares. Feedback received in those discussions, some of which included the Chair of the Compensation Committee, indicated that overall, shareholders viewed Abbott's compensation program favorably. In fact, last year, approximately 94% of Abbott's shares voted were in favor of Abbott's executive compensation program.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposal.

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Shareholder Proposal on Shareholder Voting on By-law AmendmentsIndependent Board Chairman
(Item 67 on Proxy Card)

Mr. Kenneth Steiner, 14 Stoner Avenue, 2M, Great Neck, New York 11021, has informed Abbott that he intends to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting and that he owns no less than 500 Abbott common shares.

PROPONENT'S STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL


Proposal 6—Let Shareholders Vote on Bylaw Amendments7—Independent Board Chairman

ShareholdersThe shareholders request that the Board of Directors to adopt as policy, and amend the bylaws as necessary, to require the Chair of the Board of Directors, whenever possible, to be an independent member of the Board. This policy could be phased in for the next CEO transition.

If the Board determines that any amendmenta Chair who was independent when selected is no longer independent, the Board shall select a new Chair who satisfies the requirements of the policy within a reasonable amount of time. Compliance with this policy is temporarily waived if in the unlikely event no independent director is available and willing to bylaws thatserve as Chair.

This proposal topic won 52% support at Boeing and 54% support at Baxter International in 2020. Support for this proposal topic jumped from 34% to 52% in one-year at Boeing.

Support for this proposal topic received 17% higher support at U.S. companies in 2020. Since management performance setbacks often result in higher support for this proposal topic, the mere submission of this proposal may be an incentive for our Chairman of the Board to perform better leading up to the 2021 annual meeting.

    The role of the CEO and management is approvedto run the company.

    The role of the Board of Directors is to provide independent oversight of management and the CEO.

    There is a potential conflict of interest for a CEO to have the oversight role of Chairman.

Shareholders are best served by an independent Board Chair who can provide a balance of power between the board shall be subjectCEO and the Board. The primary duty of a Board of Directors is to oversee the management of a non-binding shareholder votecompany on behalf of shareholders. A CEO serving as soon as practical unless such amendment is already subjectchair can result in excessive management influence on the Board and weaker oversight of management. We urge the Board to take the opportunity to appoint a binding shareholder vote.new independent Board Chair.

It is also important that bylaw amendments take into considerationto have an independent board chairman to be the impact that such amendments can have on limitingshareholder watchdog and help make up for the rights2020 silencing of shareholders and/or on reducingat shareholder meetings with the accountabilitywidespread substitution of directors and managers. For example, Directors could adoptonline shareholder meetings using the pandemic as an easy steppingstone. Online meetings, which are a narrowly crafted exclusive forum bylaw to suit the unique circumstances facing our directors.

A proxy advisor recently adopted a policy to vote against directors who unilaterally adopt bylaw provisions or amendments to the articles of incorporation that materially diminish shareholder rights.

Our directors could be neutral on this proposal to obtain feedback from shareholders without interference. If our directors are opposed to this form of shareholder engagement thenand shareholder outreach wasteland, are so easy for management that management will never want to return to in-person shareholder meetings.

With tightly controlled online shareholder meetings everything is optional. For instance management reporting on the status of the company is optional. Also answers to questions are optional even if management misleadingly asks for questions. And it would be usefulwas easy for our directorsAbbott Laboratories to give recent examplescover up that Ms. Nancy McKinstry received 21% in negative votes at the 2020 online Abbott meeting.

For instance Goodyear management hit the mute button right in the middle of companies whose directors took the initiative and adopted bylaws that primarily benefitted shareholders. Aa formal shareholder vote is the best form ofproposal presentation at its 2020 online shareholder engagement because everymeeting to bar constructive criticism.

Please see:
Goodyear's virtual meeting creates issues with shareholder has an opportunity to be heard.
https://www.crainscleveland.com/manufacturing/goodyears-virtual-meeting-creates-issues-shareholder

Please vote yes:
Let Shareholders Vote on Bylaw Amendments—Independent Board Chairman—Proposal 67

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Table of Contents

Board of Directors' Statement in Opposition to the
Shareholder Proposal on Independent Board Chairman
Shareholder Voting on By-law Amendments

(Item 6(Item 7 on Proxy Card)

The Board of Directors recommends that you voteAGAINST the proposal.

As stated in Abbott's governance structure ensures efficient useguidelines, "[t]he board of corporate timedirectors believes that it is important to retain the flexibility to allocate the responsibilities of the offices of chairman of the board and resources. Abbott's governing documents empower itschief executive officer in any manner that it determines to be in the best interests of Abbott."1 The need for that flexibility has never been more apparent than this past year, when Abbott transitioned to a new CEO. The Board's current guidelines provided the Board with the abilityflexibility necessary to amend Abbott's By-Laws. Nearlyall large publicly traded companies empower their boardsadopt the leadership structure in the best interests of Abbott and its shareholders during this way for good reason. By-laws typically govern the company's operating rules for more administrative actions—transition.e.g., the time and place for Abbott's Annual Meeting, the number and tenure of Board members, as just a few examples.

Indeed, the last few timesevery year, the Board did amend Abbott's By-Laws, it did soreviews its leadership structure to ensure the appropriate level of oversight, independence, and responsibility. The Board continues to believe that flexibility coupled with a strong Lead Independent Director is best for purposes of board refreshment. Other key matters, such as a merger or amending Abbott's Articles of Incorporation, are reserved for shareholder vote. Developing, filing,Abbott and mailing proxy materials and devoting management and Board time to arrange shareholder vote—even the non-binding, advisory vote the proposal calls for here—on every By-Law amendment is an ineffective use of time and resources.

Abbott's governance structure and shareholder engagement already enable shareholders to voice their view on any amendment to Abbott's By-Laws. If Abbott shareholders are displeased withany change to the Company's By-Laws, then shareholders can undo that change by repealing that By-Law or adopting one of their own. And shareholders can hold the Board accountable through the annual director-election process. Indeed, the last few times the Board amended Abbott's By-Laws to add new directors, shareholders voted on those very directors at the subsequent Annual Meeting. As the proponent has done here, shareholders can also file an annual shareholder proposal to recommend governance changes to the Board and obtain the view of fellowits shareholders.

Additionally, throughout the year, Abbott management, Abbott's Lead Independent Director and other membersis selected from among the ranks of Abbott's Board are available to hear from Abbott'sindependent directors. In that role, the Lead Independent Director consults directly with major shareholders on their concerns. As mentioned earlier in this proxy, Abbott routinely seeks investor input on corporate governancebusiness. The Lead Independent Director oversees the Board evaluation process. The Lead Independent Director is empowered to call meetings of the independent directors, if necessary. And the Lead Independent Director can review and approve agenda items, the Board's schedule, and, where appropriate, information provided to other matters and this year engaged with shareholders representing 65% of Abbott's outstanding shares.Board members.

Ultimately,Not only would the shareholder's generic proposal provides no benefithandcuff the Board when deciding on the best leadership structure for the Company, it misleadingly suggests there is a trend among S&P 500 companies to Abbott's shareholders and, if implemented, would create unnecessary administrative waste and expense.do so. The shareholder's proposal confuses the existence This proposal fails to identify any problem with Abbott's governance or shareholder engagement, apart from imagining a future scenario in which Abbott's Board might amend a By-Law that might operate in some unspecified manner to the detriment of a shareholder who chooses to sueseparate and independent board chair among S&P 500 companies with the company. This hypothetical is offset by the very real time and cost this proposal would impose on Abbott and its shareholders if implemented. The proposal would requireadoption of a non-binding vote on any By-Law amendment "as soon as practical," which could entail organizing and soliciting proxies for aspecial meetingpolicy mandating, in all circumstances, the separation and independence of a company's board chair. A number of companies do have separate and independent board chairs, but the actual number of S&P 500 companies that have adopted an inflexible policy mandating the chair and CEO be separate, no matter the situation, is miniscule.2 The sort of rigidity this proposal calls for andoes not serve every company. It does not even serve most S&P 500 companies. And it does not serve Abbott's interests or its shareholders, as demonstrated with this recent leadership transition.advisory vote. A

This is the fifth time this shareholder meeting for a non-binding vote any time a By-Law is amended transforms the otherwise nimble By-Law-amendment process into an expensive, time-consuming affair.has submitted this same proposal. Abbott shareholders have consistently voted against this proposal by significant margin, and should do so again here.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposal.


1
https://www.abbott.com/investors/governance/governance-guidelines.html.

2
See Spencer Stuart U.S. Board Index, pg. 20 (2015) (finding that only 4% of S&P 500 companies adopt a policy mandating separate and independent board chairs and CEOs).

GRAPHIC       77


Shareholder Proposal on Simple Majority Vote
(Item 7 on Proxy Card)

John Chevedden, 2215 Nelson Avenue, No. 205, Redondo Beach, California 90278, has informed Abbott that he intends to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting and that he owns no fewer than 50 Abbott common shares.

PROPONENT'S STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSAL


Proposal 7—Simple Majority Vote

RESOLVED, Shareholders request that our board take each step necessary so that each provision in the governing documents of the company requiring a two-thirds vote of outstanding shares under Illinois Business Corporation Act is replaced by a majority vote of outstanding shares. This proposal shall apply only to the two-thirds vote provisions under Illinois Business Corporation Act that can be replaced by a majority vote of outstanding shares.

Shareholders are willing to pay a premium for shares of companies that have excellent corporate governance. Supermajority voting requirements have been found to be one of 6 entrenching mechanisms that are negatively related to company performance according to "What Matters in Corporate Governance" by Lucien Bebchuk, Alma Cohen and Allen Ferrell of the Harvard Law School. Supermajority requirements are used to block initiatives supported by most shareowners but opposed by a status quo management.

This proposal topic won from 74% to 88% support at Weyerhaeuser, Alcoa, Waste Management, Goldman Sachs, FirstEnergy, McGaw-Hill and Macy's. These votes would have been higher than 74% to 88% if more shareholders had access to independent proxy voting advice. The proponents of these proposals included Ray T. Chevedden and William Steiner. This proposal topic also received overwhelming 99%-support at the 2019 Fortive annual meeting.

Currently a 1%-minority can frustrate the will of our 66%-shareholder majority in an election with 67% of shares casting ballots. In other words a 1%-minority could have the power to prevent shareholders from improving the governance of our company. This can be particularly important during periods of management underperformance and/or an economic downturn. Currently the role of shareholders is downsized because management can simply say out-to-lunch in response to an overwhelming 66%-vote of shareholders.

Please vote yes:
Simple Majority Vote—Proposal 7

78      GRAPHIC


Board of Directors' Statement in Opposition to the Shareholder Proposal on Simple Majority Vote

(Item 7 on Proxy Card)

The Board of Directors recommends that you voteAGAINST the proposal.

The shareholder proposal is not designed to address any issue specific to Abbott, nor does it identify any concrete benefit that Abbott's shareholders could derive if the Board were to implement it. Rather, this proponent has recycled this proposal from company to company over the years, changing only the company name. Abbott's Restated Articles of Incorporation and its By-Laws do not even contain any supermajority voting provisions to be "replaced."

Supermajority voting is imposed by default under the Illinois Business Corporation Act of 1983 to a narrow set of key matters (e.g., a merger, a sale of substantially all of Abbott's assets, a voluntary dissolution, and amendment to Abbott's Articles of Incorporation). Although these matters were never included in Abbott's governing documents, the Board believes this limited set of matters should depend on a broad consensus of Abbott's shareholders, and thus, a supermajority vote in these few settings is appropriate. All other matters put to shareholders, including ratification of compensation programs, are decided through a simple majority vote.

In the limited set of matters where supermajority voting does apply, it properly balances the need to afford Abbott shareholders a voice in corporate matters while protecting Abbott shareholders as a whole. Abbott's Board—whose directors are elected annually by a simple majority vote and 12 out of 14 of whom are independent under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards—has fiduciary duties to act in the best interests of all shareholders as a whole. But a group of activist shareholders has no such fiduciary duties and may act in their own short-term self-interests. The statutory supermajority voting standards are critical to safeguarding the long-term interests of Abbott and its shareholders.

The Illinois legislature recognized that requiring supermajority voting for a narrow set of extraordinary matters ensures that small shareholders have a voice in decisions that fundamentally affect their investment. Abbott's Board believes the same.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposal.

GRAPHIC 7996


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APPROVAL PROCESS FOR RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS

It is Abbott's policy that the Nominations and Governance Committee review, approve, or ratify any transaction in which Abbott participates and in which any related person has a direct or indirect material interest if such transaction involves or is expected to involve payments of $120,000 or more in the aggregate per fiscal year. Related person transactions requiring review by the Nominations and Governance Committee pursuant to this policy are identified in:

    Questionnaires annually distributed to Abbott's directors and officers,

    Certifications submitted annually by Abbott officers related to their compliance with Abbott's Code of Business Conduct, or

    Communications made directly by the related person to the Chief Financial Officer or General Counsel.

In determining whether to approve or ratify a related person transaction, the Nominations and Governance Committee will consider the following items, among others:

    The related person's relationship to Abbott and interest in the transaction,

    The material facts of the transaction, including the aggregate value of such transaction or, in the case of indebtedness, the amount of principal involved,

    The benefits to Abbott of the transaction,

    If applicable, the availability of other sources of comparable products or services,

    An assessment of whether the transaction is on terms that are comparable to the terms available to an unrelated third party or to employees generally,

    Whether a transaction has the potential to impair director independence, and

    Whether the transaction constitutes a conflict of interest.

This process is included in the Nominations and Governance Committee's written charter, which is available in the corporate governance section of Abbott's investor relations website (www.abbottinvestor.com). The spouse of one of our former executive officers, Jaime Contreras, and the son of one of our executive officers, Roger Bird, arewas employed by Abbott. During 2019, their respective2020, her total compensation exceeded the foregoing threshold.

8097      GRAPHIC


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

INFORMATION CONCERNING SECURITY OWNERSHIP

The table below reports the number of common shares beneficially owned as of December 31, 20192020 by BlackRock, Inc., Capital Research Global Investors, and The Vanguard Group (directly or through their subsidiaries), the only persons known to Abbott to beneficially own more than 5% of Abbott's outstanding common shares.

  Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Shares
Beneficially
Owned



Percent of
Class


    Name and Address of Beneficial Owner

Shares
Beneficially
Owned



Percent of
Class


 BlackRock, Inc.(1)
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
 124,728,602 7.1%   BlackRock, Inc.(1)
55 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10055
 133,426,810 7.5%  
  Capital Research Global Investors(2)
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071


 
113,689,293 6.5%    The Vanguard Group(2)
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355


 
147,272,920 8.3% 
 The Vanguard Group(3)
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
 151,783,436 8.6%  
(1)
The information shown was provided by BlackRock, Inc. in a Schedule 13G/A it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 5, 2020.January 29, 2021. BlackRock reported that it has sole voting power over 109,245,728117,661,786 of these shares and sole dispositive power over all of these shares.

(2)
The information shown was provided by Capital Research Global Investors in a Schedule 13G it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2020. Capital Research reported that it has sole voting power over 113,687,058 of these shares and sole dispositive power over all of these shares.

(3)
The information shown was provided by The Vanguard Group in a Schedule 13G/A it filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 12, 2020.10, 2021. Vanguard reported that it has soleshared voting power over 2,664,4792,954,299 of these shares, sole dispositive power over 139,509,311 of these shares, and soleshared dispositive power over 148,783,9827,763,609 of these shares.

DATE FOR RECEIPT OF SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 20212022 ANNUAL MEETING PROXY STATEMENT

Shareholder proposals for presentation at the 20212022 Annual Meeting must be received by Abbott no later than November 13, 202012, 2021 and must otherwise comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and proxy for the 20212022 meeting.

GRAPHIC       8198


PROCEDURE FOR RECOMMENDATION AND NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS AND TRANSACTION OF BUSINESS AT ANNUAL MEETING

Proxy Access:    A shareholder, or a group of up to 20 shareholders, owning continuously for at least three years Abbott common shares representing an aggregate of at least 3% of the voting power entitled to vote in the election of directors, may nominate and have included in Abbott's proxy materials director nominees constituting up to 20% of the Board, provided that the shareholder(s) and the nominee(s) satisfy the requirements in Abbott's By-Laws.

Nominating shareholders are permitted to include in Abbott's proxy statement a 500-word statement in support of their nominee(s). Abbott may omit any information or statement that it, in good faith, believes is materially false or misleading, omits to state a material fact, or would violate any applicable law or regulation.

Other Nominations of Directors or Proposals to Transact Business:    A shareholder may also recommend persons as potential nominees for director by submitting the names of such persons in writing to the Chair of the Nominations and Governance Committee or the Secretary of Abbott. Recommendations should be accompanied by a statement of qualifications and confirmation of the person's willingness to serve. A nominee who is recommended by a shareholder following these procedures will receive the same consideration as other comparably qualified nominees.

A shareholder entitled to vote for the election of directors at an Annual Meeting and who is a shareholder of record on:

    the record date for that Annual Meeting,

    the date the shareholder provides timely notice to Abbott, and

    the date of the Annual Meeting

may directly nominate persons for director, or make proposals of other business to be brought before the Annual Meeting, by providing proper timely written notice to the Secretary of Abbott.

Notice Requirements:    The notice submitted by a shareholder must include certain information required by Article II of Abbott's By-Laws, including information about the shareholder, any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is being made, their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them, and any proposed director nominee.

For each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting, the notice must also include a brief description of the business to be discussed, the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting, any material interest of the shareholder in such business and certain other information specified in the By-Laws. In addition, in the case of a director nomination, including through proxy access, the notice must include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement of the nominee addressing matters specified in the By-Laws.

To be timely, written notice either to directly nominate persons for director, including through proxy access, or to bring business properly before the Annual Meeting must be received at Abbott's principal executive offices not less than ninety days and not more than one hundred twenty days prior to the anniversary date of the preceding Annual Meeting. If the Annual Meeting is called for a date that is not within twenty-five days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder must be received not later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such notice of the date of the Annual Meeting was mailed or made public in a press release or in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, whichever occurs first. To be timely for the 20212022 Annual Meeting, this written notice must be received by Abbott no later than January 24, 2021.23, 2022.

In addition, the notice must be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided is true and correct as of the record date for the Annual Meeting and as of the date that is ten business days prior to the meeting. Any such update or supplement must be delivered to the Secretary of Abbott at Abbott's principal executive offices not more than five business days after the record date for the Annual Meeting, and not less than eight business days before the date of the Annual Meeting in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of ten business days prior to the Annual Meeting.

8299      GRAPHIC


GENERAL

It is important that proxies be returned promptly. Shareholders are urged, regardless of the number of shares owned, to vote their shares. Most of Abbott's shareholders may vote their shares by telephone or using the Internet. Shareholders who wish to vote by mail should sign and return their proxy card in the enclosed business reply envelope. Shareholders who vote by telephone or using the Internet do not need to return their proxy card.

The Annual Meeting will be held at Abbott's headquarters, 100 Abbott Park Road, located at the intersection of Route 137 and Waukegan Road, Lake County, Illinois. AdmissionIn light of restrictions and guidelines on group gatherings issued by government and public health officials regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and to support the meeting will be by admission card only. Ahealth and safety of Abbott's shareholders, employees, and communities, any shareholder planningwho wishes to attend the meeting should promptly completeAnnual Meeting may only attend virtually. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Please see pages 12 to 13 for information on how to virtually attend and returnparticipate in the reservation form. Reservation forms must be received before April 17, 2020. An admission card admits only one person. A shareholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a shareholder.Annual Meeting.

By order of the Board of Directors.

HUBERT L. ALLEN
Secretary

GRAPHIC       83100


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EXHIBIT A

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE STANDARD

No director qualifies as "independent" unless the board affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with Abbott or its subsidiaries (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Abbott or any of its subsidiaries). In making this determination, the board shall consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including the following standards:

    A director is not independent if the director is, or has been within the last three years, an employee of Abbott or its subsidiaries, or an immediate family member is, or has been within the last three years, an executive officer of Abbott or its subsidiaries.

    A director is not independent if the director has received, or has an immediate family member who has received, during any twelve-month period within the last three years, more than $120,000 in direct compensation from Abbott or its subsidiaries, other than director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service), and other than amounts received by an immediate family member for service as an employee (other than an executive officer).

    A director is not independent if (A) the director or an immediate family member is a current partner of a firm that is Abbott's internal or external auditor; (B) the director is a current employee of such a firm; (C) the director has an immediate family member who is a current employee of such a firm and personally works on Abbott's or its subsidiaries' audit; or (D) the director or an immediate family member was within the last three years a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on Abbott's or its subsidiaries' audit within that time.

    A director is not independent if the director or an immediate family member is, or has been within the last three years, employed as an executive officer of another company where any of the present executive officers of Abbott or its subsidiaries at the same time serves or served on that company's compensation committee.

    A director is not independent if the director is a current employee, or an immediate family member is a current executive officer, of a company that has made payments to, or received payments from, Abbott or its subsidiaries for property or services in an amount which, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeds the greater of $1 million, or 2% of such other company's consolidated gross revenues.

    A director is not independent if the director is an executive officer of a charitable organization that received charitable contributions (other than matching contributions) from Abbott and its subsidiaries in the preceding fiscal year that are in excess of the greater of $1 million or 2% of such charitable organization's consolidated gross revenues.

Exhibit A-1      GRAPHIC


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EXHIBIT B

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

A B B O T T
L A B O R A T O R I E S

AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

RESTATED ARTICLE R-I

The name of the corporation is: Abbott Laboratories.

The corporation was incorporated March 6, 1900 under the name: The Abbott Alkaloidal Company.

Subsequent corporate names and the dates of their adoption are:

NameDate Adopted
Abbott LaboratoriesMay 29, 1915


RESTATED ARTICLE R-II (Amended)

The address of its registered office in the State of Illinois on the date ofadoption offiling thisAmendmentAmended andRestatement ofRestated Articles of Incorporationwas: 14th Street and Sheridan Road, Northis: C T Corporation System, 208 South LaSalle Street, Suite 814, Chicago, Illinois,60604, County ofLakeCook, and the name of its Registered Agent at said addresswas: Laurence R. Leeis: C T Corporation.


RESTATED ARTICLE R-III

The duration of the corporation is: Perpetual.


RESTATED ARTICLE R-IV

The purpose or purposes for which the corporation is organized are:

    (1)
    To manufacture, purchase or otherwise acquire, own, sell, mortgage, pledge, assign, convey, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, to invest, trade, deal in and deal with all kinds of medicines, medicinal preparations and supplies; chemical products, pharmaceutical products, drugs, druggists' sundries, surgical instruments, dressings and supplies, dental instruments, dressings and supplies, dentifrices, preparations used by dentists, and in dentistry and oral surgery; hospital preparations and supplies; medicines, preparations and instruments used in the cure and care of animals; perfumes and perfumery, toilet preparations, and other articles generally dealt in the retail drug trade; instruments, supplies and preparations used for medicinal, sanitary and other health purposes; and in general all instruments, preparations and supplies that appertain to pharmacy, pharmacology, medicines, drugs, sanitation and health.

    (2)
    To own and operate laboratories for experimentation and research in the fields of chemistry, pharmacology, biology and physics, or such other fields as the corporation may engage in under its charter.

    (3)
    To manufacture, purchase, or in any manner acquire, own, mortgage, pledge, sell, assign, convey, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, to invest, trade, deal in and deal with, goods, wares and merchandise, and personal property of every class and description wherever situated or located.

    (4)
    To develop, apply for, purchase, lease, acquire, hold, use, take or grant licenses in respect of, mortgage, pledge, lease, sell, assign or otherwise dispose of, letters patent of the United States or any foreign country, patent rights, licenses, privileges, inventions, devices, improvements, and processes, formulas, copyrights, trade marks and trade names.

    (5)
    To purchase or otherwise acquire the whole or any part of the property, assets, business, good will and rights and to undertake or assume the whole or any part of the bonds, mortgages, franchises, leases, contracts, indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of any person, firm, association, corporation or

GRAPHIC       Exhibit B-1


Table of Contents

      organization, and to pay for the same or any part or combination thereof in cash, shares of the capital stock, bonds, debentures, debenture stock, notes, or other obligations of the corporation or otherwise, or by undertaking and assuming the whole or any part of the liabilities or obligations of the transferor; and to hold or in any manner dispose of the whole or any part of the property and assets so acquired, and to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of the business so acquired and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in and about the conduct, management and carrying on of such business.

    (6)
    To purchase, subscribe for, acquire, own, hold, sell, exchange, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of shares of voting trust certificates for shares of the capital stock, or any bonds, notes, securities or evidence of indebtedness created by any other corporation or corporations organized under the laws of this state or any other state or district or country, nation or government to issue in exchange therefor shares of the capital stock, bonds, notes or other obligations of the corporation and while the owners thereof to exercise all the rights, powers and privileges of ownership including the right to vote on any shares of stock or voting trust certificates so owned; to promote, lend money to any corporation or association of which any bonds, stocks, voting trust certificates, or other securities or evidences of indebtedness shall be held by or for this corporation, or in which or in the welfare of which, this corporation shall have any interest, and to do any acts and things permitted by law and designed to protect, preserve, improve or enhance the value of any such bonds, stocks or other securities or evidences of indebtedness or the property of this corporation.

    (7)
    In general, to carry on any other lawful business whatsoever in connection with the foregoing or which is calculated directly or indirectly to promote the interest of the corporation or to enhance the value of its properties and to have and exercise all the rights, powers and privileges, which are now or may hereafter be conferred by the laws of Illinois, to execute, from time to time, general or special powers of attorney to persons, firms, associations or corporations either in the United States or in any other country, state or locality, and to revoke same as and when the Board of Directors may determine; and so far as law will permit, to do any or all of the things hereinbefore set forth to the same extent as natural persons might or could do, and in any part of the world, either as principal, agent, contractor, or otherwise, or through corporations of which it may own the stock or securities, or any part thereof, or otherwise, and either alone or in company with others.

    (8)
    To have all other powers possessed by corporations organized or operating under the general corporation law of the State of Illinois.


RESTATED ARTICLE R-V

The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation is authorized to issue is 2,401,000,000 divided into two classes. The designation of each class, the number of shares of each class, and the par value, if any, of the shares of each class, or a statement that the shares of any class are without par value, are as follows:

ClassSeries
(if any)
Number of SharesPar Value per Share or
Statement that Shares
are Without Par Value

Preferred Shares

Issuable in series1,000,000$1 per share

Common Shares

None2,400,000,000Without par value

The preferences, qualifications, limitations, restrictions and the special or relative rights in respect of the shares of each class are:


SECTION A
The Preferred Shares

1.
The Preferred Shares may be issued in one or more series and with such designation for each such series sufficient to distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other series and classes, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of each such series adopted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors in any such resolution or resolutions is hereby expressly authorized to divide the Preferred Shares into series and to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of the shares of any series so established as to:

(i)
The rate per annum at which the holders of shares shall be entitled to receive dividends.

Exhibit B-2      GRAPHIC


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    (ii)
    The price at and the terms and conditions on which shares may be redeemed.

    (iii)
    The amount payable upon shares in event of involuntary liquidation.

    (iv)
    The amount payable upon shares in event of voluntary liquidation.

    (v)
    The sinking fund provisions, if any, for the redemption or purchase of shares.

    (vi)
    The terms and conditions on which shares may be converted, if the shares are issued with the privilege of conversion.

The Board of Directors may increase the number of shares designated for any existing series by a resolution adding to such series authorized and unissued Preferred Shares not designated for any other series.

2.
All preferred Shares of any one series shall be identical with each other in all respects, except that shares of any one series issued at different times as provided in paragraph 3 of this Section A, may differ as to the dates from which dividends thereon shall be cumulative.

3.
Before any dividends on the Common Shares or on any other class or classes of shares of the Corporation, ranking junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends, shall be paid or declared or set apart for payment, the holders of Preferred Shares shall be entitled to receive when and as declared by the Board of Directors, cumulative cash dividends, out of any funds legally available for the declaration of dividends and in the case of each series at the rate per annum, and no more, for the particular series fixed in the resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such series of Preferred Shares, adopted by the Board of Directors, payable quarterly on such dates, in each year, as may be fixed in such resolution or resolutions. With respect to each series of the Preferred Shares, such dividends shall be cumulative from the respective dates of issue thereof. No dividends shall be paid on any series of the Preferred Shares in respect of any dividend period unless all cumulative dividends accrued prior to said dividend period with respect to all Preferred Shares of each other series shall have been paid or declared and set aside for payment.

4.
The holders of Preferred Shares shall be entitled to vote as a class and otherwise as provided by law.

5.
Preferred shares which have been redeemed or shall have been purchased, converted or otherwise acquired by the Corporation may thereafter be reissued under such terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Section A, as the Board of Directors may thereafter determine.

6.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, and before any distribution of the assets of the Corporation shall be made to or set apart for the holders of the Common Shares or of any other class of shares of the Corporation ranking junior to the Preferred Shares with respect to payment of dividends or upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Corporation, the holders of the shares of each series of the Preferred Shares then outstanding shall be entitled to receive payment of such amount, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series; but such holders upon receipt of such payment shall be entitled to no further payment.

7.
In case of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, if the amounts payable with respect to all series of Preferred Shares then outstanding are not paid in full, the shares of all series of the Preferred Shares shall share proportionately in accordance with the respective amounts which would be payable on said shares if all amounts payable were paid in full.

8.
A consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into one or more corporations shall not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up within the meaning of this Section A.


SECTION B
The Common Shares

1.
Subject to the limitations set forth in Section A of this Restated Article R-V, the holders of Common Shares shall be entitled to dividends if, when and as the same shall be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds of the Corporation legally available thereof.

2.
The holders of Common Shares shall be entitled to vote as provided by law.

GRAPHIC       Exhibit B-3


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SECTION C
The Preferred and Common Shares

No holder of shares of any class of the Corporation shall be entitled as of right to subscribe to or purchase any additional or increased shares of any class (whether now or hereafter authorized), or obligations convertible into any class or classes of shares (whether now or hereafter authorized), or shares of any class convertible into shares of any other class or classes (whether now or hereafter authorized), or obligations, shares or other securities carrying warrants or rights to subscribe to shares of the Corporation of any class or classes (whether now or hereafter authorized), but any and all shares, bonds, debentures or other securities or obligations, whether or not convertible into shares or carrying warrants entitling the holders thereof to subscribe to shares, may be issued, sold or disposed of from time to time by the board of Directors to such persons, firms or corporations and for such consideration (so far as may be permitted by law, by the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, and by the terms of any resolution creating any series of Preferred Shares) as the Board of Directors shall from time to time in its absolute discretion determine. Among other things the Board of Directors shall have the right at any time and from time to time to offer, sell and issue shares of any class of the Corporation, or obligations, shares or other securities carrying warrants or rights to subscribe to shares of the Corporation of any class or classes, to employees of the Corporation and to employees of subsidiaries of the Corporation without first offering the same to itsshare holdersshareholders, for such prices or considerations, and upon such terms and conditions as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine, and upon any such issuance and sale, or plan or proposal to issue and sell, the Board of Directors may classify employees as in its discretion it may deem advisable, and may differentiate between classes, and exclude any class from participation. The fact that an employee may be a director or an officer of the Corporation, or any of its subsidiaries, shall not disqualify him from participation as an employee in any such issuance or sale to employees.


RESTATED ARTICLE R-VI

1.
A director of the corporation shall not be personally liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 8.65 of the Illinois Business Corporation Act, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit; provided that the foregoing provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any act or omission occurring before the date this provision became effective.

2.
Any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or who is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall, in the case of persons who are or were directors or officers of the corporation, and may, as to such other persons, be indemnified (and the corporation shall, in the case of persons who are or were directors or officers of the corporation, and may, as to such other persons, advance expenses incurred in defending such actions, suits or proceedings) to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by law.

3.
The foregoing right of indemnification and advancement of expenses shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

Exhibit B-4      GRAPHIC


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RESTATED ARTICLE R-VII (Amended)

1.    The class and number of shares issued on the date ofadoption offiling thisRestatement of theAmended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and thestatedamount of paid-in capitaland paid-in surplus as of such datewereare:1

ClassSeries
(If Any)
Number of
Shares
Par ValueStatedPaid-in Capital
with Respect Thereto

Common

None4,388,318[·]$5Without par value$41,889,395.75[·]

Paid-in SurplusPreferred

None Designated0$1$None0

TotalStatedPaid-in Capitaland Paid-in Surplus

$41,889,395.75[·]

2.    The class and number of shares and the stated capital and paid-in surplus set forth in paragraph 1 above are changed by this Amendment and Restatement as follows:

    Effective as of the close of business on the date of filing this Amendment and Restatement with the Secretary of State of Illinois each of the presently issued Common Shares of $5 par value is hereby changed into three Common Shares without par value authorized by this amendment to and restatement of Articles of Incorporation. The amendment does not affect stated capital or paid-in surplus.


RESTATED ARTICLE R-VIII (Amended)

The foregoing Restated Articles R-I to R-VII are an amendment constituting a restatement of the Articles of Incorporation of Abbott Laboratories, effective as of the date of issuance of the Certificate of Amendment of Articles of Incorporation by the Secretary of State, and shall from that time supersede and stand in lieu of the Corporation's pre-existing Articles of Incorporation.[Intentionally omitted.]


ARTICLE R-IX

A majority of the directors then in office may fill one or more vacancies occurring in the board of directors arising between meetings of shareholders by reason of an increase in the number of directors or otherwise and any director so elected shall serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders, provided that at no time may the number of directors selected to fill vacancies in this manner during any interim period between meetings of shareholders exceed 331/3 percent of the total membership of the board of directors.


RESTATED ARTICLE R-X (Amended)

Any proposed amendment to this Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation subject to a vote of the shareholders pursuant to Section 10.20(c) of the Illinois Business Corporation Act ("IBCA") (or any successor thereto) shall be adopted by the shareholders of the Corporation upon receipt by the Corporation of the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such proposed amendment (unless any class or series of shares of the Corporation is entitled to vote as a class on such proposed amendment, in which event such proposed amendment shall be adopted by the shareholders of the Corporation upon receipt by the Corporation of the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of each such class or series ofshares entitled to vote as a class on such proposed amendment and of the total outstanding shares entitled to vote on such proposed amendment). The vote requirement for shareholder approval set forth in this Restated Article R-X supersedes the two-thirds vote requirement set forth in Section 10.20(c) of the IBCA.


1
Amounts to be inserted on the date of filing Articles of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Illinois.

GRAPHIC       Exhibit B-5


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RESTATED ARTICLE R-XI (Amended)

(i)Any proposed plan of merger, consolidation or exchange subject to approval by the shareholders pursuant to Section 11.20(a) of the IBCA (or any successor thereto);

(ii)


any sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition of all, or substantially all, the property and assets, with or without the good will, of the Corporation, if not made in the usual and regular course of its business, subject to approval by the shareholders pursuant to Section 11.60(c) of the IBCA (or any successor thereto); and

(iii)


any voluntary dissolution of the Corporation subject to approval by the shareholders pursuant to Section 12.15(c) of the IBCA (or any successor thereto);

in each case, shall be approved by the shareholders of the Corporation upon receipt by the Corporation of the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the votes of the outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote on the applicable matter (unless any class or series of shares of the Corporation is entitled to vote as a class on such matter, in which event such matter shall be approved by the shareholders of the Corporation upon receipt by the Corporation of the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the outstanding shares of each such class or series of shares entitled to vote as a class on such matter and of the total outstanding shares entitled to vote on such matter). The vote requirement for shareholder approval set forth in this Restated Article R-XI supersedes the two-thirds vote requirement set forth in each of the sections of the IBCA referenced above in this Restated Article R-XI.

Exhibit B-6      GRAPHIC


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Abbott Laboratories
100 Abbott Park Road
Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6400 U.S.A.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING
OF SHAREHOLDERS
AND PROXY STATEMENT

MEETING DATE
APRIL 24, 202023, 2021
9:00 A.M. CENTRAL TIME

       
​  
  
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Please sign and promptly return your proxy in the
enclosed envelope or vote your shares by telephone or using the Internet.
 
     
​  

In light of restrictions and guidelines on group gatherings issued by government and public health officials regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and to support the health and safety of Abbott's shareholders, employees, and communities, shareholders may only attend the Annual Meeting virtually. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

GRAPHICHow to Attend the Meeting on the Virtual Meeting Platform.    Shareholders will be able to attend, vote their shares, and submit questions during the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/290382097. To be admitted to the meeting, shareholders will be required to enter the meeting password (ABT2021) and a 15-digit control number. Please see pages 12 to 13 of this proxy statement for instructions on how to be admitted to the Annual Meeting.

How to Attend the Meeting by Phone.    Shareholders who wish to attend the meeting by phone should contact Abbott representatives at 224-668-7238 or abbottshareholders@abbott.com to obtain the meeting telephone number in advance of the meeting. Shareholders participating by phone will be able to listen to the meeting but will not have the ability to vote or submit questions during the meeting. Shareholders who wish to vote their shares or submit questions during the meeting should attend the meeting on the virtual meeting platform.

​  


If you plan to attend the meeting, please complete and return the Reservation Form directly to Abbott Laboratories, Annual Meeting Ticket Requests, H395 AP6C, 100 Abbott Park Road, Abbott Park, Illinois 60064-6048. Due to space limitations, Reservation Forms must be received before April 17, 2020. An admission card, along with a form of photo identification, admits one person. A shareholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a shareholder.

To avoid a delay in the receipt of your admission card, do not return this form with your proxy card or mail it in the enclosed business envelope.

​  
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MMMMMMMMMMMM MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM C123456789 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000004 ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________ MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 Your vote matters – here’s how to vote! You may vote online or by phone instead of mailing this card. Votes submitted electronically must be MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 received by April 24, 2020, at 1:00 A.M., Central Time. Online GIof ntoo welwewct.rinovneicstvoortviontge,.com/abt delete QR code and control # o∆r scan thethe≈ QR code — login details are located in the shaded bar below. Phone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories and Canada Save paper, time and money! Sign up for electronic delivery at www.investorvote.com/abt Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q 5, 6 and 7. + Abstain 1. Election of 1413 Directors: 01 - R.J. Alpern 05 - M.A. Kumbier 09 - P.N. NovakovicM.F. Roman 13 - G.F. TiltonM.D. White For Against Abstain 2. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as Auditors 02 - R.S. Austin 06 - D.W. McDew 10 - D.J. Starks 03 - S.E. Blount 07 - D.W. McDewN. McKinstry 11 - D.J. StarksJ.G. Stratton 04 - R.B. Ford 08 - N. McKinstryW.A. Osborn 12 - J.G. Stratton For Against 06G.F. Tilton 3. Say on Pay - E.M. Liddy 10 - W.A. Osborn 14 - M.D. White 4. Shareholder Proposal - Lobbying DisclosureAn Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation Mark here to vote FOR all nominees Mark here to WITHHOLD vote from all nominees 5. Shareholder Proposal - Non-GAAP Financial Performance Metrics Disclosure4. Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation to Eliminate Statutory Supermajority Voting Standards for: For Against Abstain For All EXCEPT - To withhold authority to vote for any nominee(s), write the name(s) of such nominee(s) below. (a) Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation _____________________________________________________________________ (b) Approval of Certain Extraordinary Transactions For Against Abstain For Against Abstain For Against Abstain 5. Shareholder Proposal - Lobbying Disclosure 6. Shareholder Proposal - Shareholder VotingReport on By-Law Amendments _____________________________________________________________________Racial Justice 7. Shareholder Proposal - Simple Majority Vote For Against Abstain 2. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as Auditors 3. Say on Pay – An Advisory Vote to Approve Executive CompensationIndependent Board Chairman Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title and, where more than one is named, a majority should sign. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. MMMMMMM C 1234567890 J N T 4 6 4 1 9 MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND + 1 P C F 4 036EDD9 0 7 5 2 03DVJH MMMMMMMMM B Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to count. Please date and sign below. The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST Items 4,5, 6 and 7. A Proposals — The Board of Directors recommend a vote FOR all the nominees listed in Item 1 and FOR Items 2, 3 and 3. 20204. 2021 Annual Meeting Proxy Card1234 5678 9012 345

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In light of restrictions and guidelines on group gatherings issued by government and public health officials regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and to support the health and safety of Abbott’s shareholders, employees, and communities, shareholders may only attend the Annual Meeting virtually. Shareholders will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person. How to Attend the Meeting on the Virtual Meeting Platform. Shareholders will be able to attend, vote their shares, and submit questions during the Annual Meeting at www.meetingcenter.io/290382097. To be admitted to the meeting, you must have the meeting password (ABT2021) and the 15-digit control number printed on the reverse side of this form. How to Attend the Meeting by Phone. Shareholders who wish to attend the meeting by phone should contact Abbott representatives at 224-668-7238 or abbottshareholders@abbott.com to obtain the meeting telephone number in advance of the meeting. Shareholders participating by phone will be able to listen to the meeting but will not have the ability to vote or submit questions during the meeting. q IF VOTING BY MAIL, SIGN, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q + Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors for Annual Meeting - April 24, 202023, 2021 The undersigned, revoking all previous proxies, acknowledges receipt of the Notice and Proxy Statement dated March 13, 2020,12, 2021, in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Abbott Laboratories to be held at 9:00 a.m. on April 24, 2020,23, 2021, at the corporation’s headquarters, and hereby appoints Miles D. WhiteRobert B. Ford and Hubert L. Allen, or either of them, proxy for the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to represent and vote all shares of the undersigned upon all matters properly coming before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof. If the undersigned is a participant in the Abbott Laboratories Stock Retirement Plan, then this card also instructs the plan’s Investment Committee to vote as specified at the 20202021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, and any adjournments thereof, all shares of Abbott Laboratories held in the undersigned’s plan account upon the matters indicated and in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting. Abbott’s proxy holders reserve the right to vote shares cumulatively in their sole discretion so that one or more of the nominees may receive fewer votes than other nominees (or no votes at all). This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder. If no such directions are indicated, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominees listed in Item 1, FOR Items 2, 3 and 3,4, and AGAINST Items 4, 5, 6 and 7. In their discretion, the proxy holders are authorized to vote upon any other matters as may properly come before the meeting. (Items to be voted appear on reverse side) Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. + C Non-Voting Items Proxy — Abbott Laboratories Small steps make an impact. Help the environment by consenting to receive electronic delivery, sign up at www.investorvote.com/abt

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