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

SCHEDULE 14A

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

Filed by the RegistrantFiled by a Party other than the Registrant     

CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX:
 Preliminary Proxy Statement
Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
Definitive Proxy Statement
 Definitive Additional Materials
Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12

CVS Health Corporation

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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Table of Contents

Notice of

2019
Annual Meeting
of Stockholders
and Proxy Statement

May 10, 2017; 9:00 a.m.

May 16, 2019; 8:00 a.m.

CVS Health Corporation
Customer Support Center
One CVS Drive
Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895





Table of Contents


Message from Our Chair and Our Chief Executive Officer

DEAR FELLOW STOCKHOLDERS:

MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN AND OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

20162018 was another successfula year formarked by tremendous change in the industry, and CVS Health was at the center of it all. In a health care landscape scarred by an overly complex system, which has been delivering inconsistent outcomes to patients for years, CVS Health’s acquisition of Aetna (the Aetna Transaction) brings together two premier health-centric companies that are best positioned to reshape the health care landscape.

Creating the Front Door to Health Care
The combination of the nation’s largest pharmacy retailer with one of the country’s leading diversified health care benefits companies creates nearly limitless possibilities to transform the broken health care system. Aetna’s “go local” approach is a perfect match with CVS Health’s nearly 10,000 stores across the country. This winning combination creates a true front door to health care in local communities as we continuedcontinue to benefit from our focus on delivering affordable, accessibledevelop innovative products and effectiveservices to expand access to quality health care. Our unmatched suiteCVS Health recently launched our first HealthHUBs, with the goal of leading integrated assets continuesbringing more health-centric services to create superior valueCVS customers than ever before. These HealthHUBs will serve as the testing grounds for patients, payorsa variety of new products and providers.

While we delivered significant growthservices that will continue to grow and expand across the country over time. In addition to our new store concepts, CVS Health is investing in Adjusted Earnings Per Share, this past year was also impacted by some headwinds that weighed on our stock’s performance. Thanks in partdigital capabilities to bring health care to the rhetoric surrounding last year’s presidential election,palm of your hand. CVS already engages with one in three Americans on a daily basis and, through our stock, as well asdigital expansion, we expect to grow that of others inreach even more. Ultimately, between our space, was affected bynationwide store presence and through the public discussion regarding the rising costs of prescription drugs, and the possible repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. Additionally, the loss of retail pharmacy prescriptions associated with a few pharmacy network changes announced in late 2016 is expected to challenge our retail pharmacy business and make this year a rebuilding year.

However, we have implemented plans that are expected to return us to more robust levels of earnings growth in the years ahead. We remain well-positioned to be successful and achieve long-term growth because of our abilityelectronic platforms, we expect to pivot as healthexpand access to quality care changesand deliver needed solutions that will enhance patient access, improve health outcomes and lower overall health care costs. When you consideracross the breadth of our assets, all of which are focused on making health care more accessible, affordable and effective, our competitive advantage is clear.country.

We continue to remain focused on our three pillars that maximize stockholder value. First, we drive productive, long-term growth as evidenced by our solid increases in revenues, operating profit and earnings per share. Second, we generate substantial levels of free cash flow, providing a solid platform to drive future growth. Third, we maintain a disciplined approach to optimizing capital allocation, investing our free cash opportunistically in value-enhancing projects while returning more than $6 billion to stockholders through dividends and share repurchases this past year alone. In addition, we have embarked on an enterprise streamlining initiative that will enable us to create significant savings that can be used to further maximize stockholder value.

Corporate Social Responsibility
CVS Health works every dayis committed to provide people with high quality pharmacy and basic health care services, and to make these services accessible and affordable. We align our purpose of helping people on their path to better health across the country, and this is evident in our commitment of $100 million to theBuilding Healthier Communitiesinitiative announced earlier this year. In collaboration with the CVS Health Foundation and the Aetna Foundation, we will invest $20 million annually over five years to partner with local communities and to help support a wide range of initiatives and non-profit organizations. Under this initiative, CVS Health and its affiliates will join forces with organizations that have missions to improve local access to affordable quality care and to impact public health challenges. Through this new initiative, we will strengthen our corporate social responsibility roadmap, Prescription for a Better World. We have takenlocal and community engagement and further improve the roadmap a step further by makinghealth of our business operations, workplace, supply chain and communities more sustainable.neighborhoods. Some of the highlights of our progressthis program as well as other initiatives can be found inside the back cover of this proxy statement.

ThisCorporate Governance
Following the Aetna Transaction, we added four of Aetna’s directors to our Board and, in conjunction with our existing directors, we will leverage their guidance to help drive future

 

success at CVS Health. Over this past year we continued to engagewe’ve proactively met with our stockholders to ensure that we understand your needs. We pride ourselves on strong corporate governance practicesneeds and we believe that accountabilityare actively working to position our stockholders is a mark of good governance. Withincompany for future growth, and within this proxy statement you will find the details of the changes we have made as a result of conversations with many of you.in response to those conversations. We certainlypride ourselves on our strong governance practices, thank you for your continued support and welcome your feedback onregarding future improvements.

Overall 2018 Performance
CVS Health showed strong growth in 2018, with revenues increasing nearly $10 billion year-over-year, bolstered by the changesAetna Transaction and by continued script growth of 8.6% for the year. We delivered adjusted earnings per share of $7.08,* at the top end of our previous guidance range. However, last year was not without its challenges: CVS Health took $6.1 billion of goodwill impairment charges related to our Long-Term Care business, which was largely responsible for our 2018 GAAP loss per share of $0.57. We are taking comprehensive actions to address the impact of certain headwinds we have made.are facing, and we are confident that our actions will position us well in 2020 and beyond.

Annual Meeting of Stockholders
Our 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Wednesday,Thursday, May 10, 2017,16, 2019, at 9:8:00 a.m., at the CVS Health Customer Support Center located at One CVS Drive in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. We invite you to attend, and ask you to please vote at your earliest convenience, whether or not you plan to attend.convenience. Your vote is important.

Thank you for your interest and investment in CVS Health. We remain confident that our leadership across the pharmacy spectrum will allow usappreciate your continued support as we look to continue to drive superior value fortransform our health care partners and our shareholders. Thank you for investing in CVS Health.system as we know it today.

Sincerely,

     

David W. Dorman
Chair of the Board

Larry J. Merlo

Chairman of the Board


President and Chief Executive Officer



*Adjusted earnings per share is a non-GAAP measure. See Annex A to the proxy statement.

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Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTSTable of Contents

01Message from Our Chair and Our Chief Executive OfficerMESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIRMAN AND OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER1
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders3
Proxy Statement Highlights4
Corporate Governance and Related Matters9
 
03NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
04PROXY STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
10CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS
10Item 1: Election of Directors9
19The Board’s Role and Activities in 2016201820
21Board Structure and Processes23
22Committees of the Board as of the Annual Meeting24
28Board Meetings and Attendance31
28Non-Employee Director Compensation31
Audit Committee Matters33
 
30AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS
30Item 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 201933
Executive Compensation and Related Matters35
 
32EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS
32Item 3: Say on Pay, a Proposal to Approve, on an Advisory Basis, the Company’s Executive Compensation as Disclosed in this Proxy Statement35
33Item 4: Proposal Regarding the Frequency of Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation
34Letter from the Management Planning and Development Committee37
35Compensation Committee Report37
Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Summary38
38SummaryCompensation Discussion and Analysis — Overview38
42Business and Performance HighlightsCompensation Discussion and Analysis — Detailed Discussion42
46Detailed Program DiscussionComponents44
Compensation of Named Executive Officers63
Important Information Regarding the Presentation of Executive Compensation Program63
53Summary Compensation TableOther Benefits63
54Key Policies Related to Compensation
55Agreements with Executive Officers
57EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES
57Summary Compensation Table
59Grants of Plan-Based Awards66
60Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End67
61Option Exercises and Stock Vested69
61Pension BenefitsPension Benefits69
62Nonqualified Deferred Compensation70
63Payments/(Forfeitures) Under Termination Scenarios72
CEO Pay Ratio75
Stockholder Proposal76
 
672017 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
67Item 5: Proposal to Approve the Company’s 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan
72STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
72Item 6:4: Stockholder Proposal Regarding theExclusion of Legal or Compliance Costs from Financial Performance Adjustments for Executive Compensation76
Executive Officers and Ownership Threshold for Calling Special Meetings of Stockholdersand Trading in Our Stock79
73Executive Officers of CVS HealthItem 7: Stockholder Proposal Regarding a Report on Executive Pay79
75Item 8: Stockholder Proposal Regarding a Report on Renewable Energy Targets
77OWNERSHIP OF AND TRADING IN OUR STOCK
77Executive Officer and Director Stock Ownership Requirements80
78Share Ownership of Directors and Certain Executive Officers81
79Share Ownership of Principal Stockholders82
79Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance82
80Other InformationOTHER INFORMATION83
80Information About the 2019 Annual Meeting and Voting83
82Stockholder Proposals and Other Business for Our Annual Meeting in 2018202085
82Other MattersOther Matters85
Annex AA-1

2              2019 Proxy Statement


Table of Contents

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Date and Time
May 16, 2019, 8:00 a.m.

 

A-1Place

EXHIBIT A - 2017 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLANCVS Health Corporation
Customer Support Center
One CVS Drive
Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895


02   

2017 Proxy StatementItems to be Voted




Table of Contents


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Date and Time
May 10, 2017, 9:00 A.M.

Place
CVS Health Corporation
Customer Support Center
One CVS Drive
Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895

Items to be Voted

Elect 1216 directors named in this proxy statement;

Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2017;

2019;

Act, by non-bindingSay on pay, an advisory vote to approve the Company’s executive compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement;

compensation;

Recommend, by non-binding vote, the frequency of future advisory votesAct on the Company’s executive compensation;

one stockholder proposal, if properly presented; and

Adopt the Company’s 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan;

Act on three stockholder proposals, if properly presented; and

Conduct any other business properly brought before the Annual Meeting.


Eligibility to Vote
Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 201721, 2019 may vote at the Annual Meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

Colleen M. McIntosh
Senior Vice President, & Corporate Secretary and Chief Governance Officer

How to Vote
Your vote is important to the future of CVS Health. You are eligible to vote if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on March 14, 2017. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote as soon as possible using one of the following methods. In all cases, you should have your proxy card in hand:

Use the Internet
www.proxyvote.com
Use a Mobile Device
Scan this QR Code
Call Toll-Free
1-800-690-6903
Mail Your Proxy Card
Follow the instructions on your voting form

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to Be Held on May 10, 2017:

The proxy statement and annual report to security holders are available atwww.cvshealthannualmeeting.com and at www.proxyvote.com/cvs.



Your vote is important.

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote your shares. In addition to voting in person or by mail, stockholders of record have the option of voting by telephone or via the Internet. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record (i.e., in “street name”), please read your voting instructions to see which of these options are available to you. Even if you are attending the Annual Meeting in person, we encourage you to vote in advance by mail, phone or Internet.

We began mailing and made available this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card on or about March 31, 2017April 5, 2019 to all stockholders entitled to vote. Our 20162018 Annual Report, which includes our financial statements, is being sent with this proxy statement.

HOW TO VOTE

Your vote is important to the future of CVS Health. You are eligible to vote if you were a stockholder of record at the close of business on March 21, 2019. Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote as soon as possible using one of the following methods. In all cases, you should have your proxy card in hand:


Use the Internet
www.proxyvote.com


Use a Mobile Device
Scan this QR Code


Call Toll-Free
1-800-690-6903


Mail Your Proxy Card
Follow the instructions on your voting form

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to Be Held on May 16, 2019:

The proxy statement and annual report to stockholders are available at www.cvshealthannualmeeting.com and atwww.proxyvote.com/cvs.



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PROXY STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTSProxy Statement Highlights

This summary highlights selected information in this Proxy Statement – please review the entire document before voting.

All of our Annual Meeting materials are available in one place at www.cvshealthannualmeeting.com. There, you can download electronic copies of our Annual Report and Proxy Statement, and use the link to vote.

All of our Annual Meeting materials are available in one place at www.cvshealthannualmeeting.com. There, you can download electronic copies of our Annual Report and Proxy Statement, and use the link to vote.Voting Items

     

ITEMBoard Recommendation

Further
information
Item 1


Election of directors
FOReach
director nominee
Our nominees16 directors are seasoned leaders who bring a mix of skills and qualifications to the Board
See pages 10-19 for further information
9-17
Item 2
Ratify the appointment of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for 2019

ElectionFORBased on its recent evaluation, our Audit Committee believes that the retention of 12 directors namedErnst & Young LLP is in this proxy statement

the best interests of the Company and its stockholders
33-34
Item 3
Say on pay - an advisory vote on the approval of the Company’s executive compensation

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote each director nomineeFOR

Our executive compensation program reflects our unwavering commitment to paying for performance and reflects feedback received from stockholder outreach35-36
Item 4
Stockholder proposal regarding exclusion of legal or compliance costs from financial performance adjustments for executive compensation
AGAINSTThe proposal is overly restrictive and broad, preventing the Board from exercising discretion to consider important additional factors. Further, we believe that our approach to incentive compensation for our senior executives, which considers individual results, company performance and the values set forth in ourCode of Conduct, is an appropriate way to align the interests of our senior executives with the long-term interests of our stockholders76-78

4              2019 Proxy Statement


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Proxy Statement Highlights  The CVS Health Board

 The CVS Health Board

You are asked to vote on the election of the following 1216 nominees to serve on the Board of Directors of CVS Health. All directors are elected by a majority of votes cast.cast, and all presently serve on the CVS Health Board. The information reflected below is as of our Annual Meeting date, May 16, 2019.


      CVS HEALTH COMMITTEES
NAME, PRIMARY OCCUPATIONAGEDIRECTOR
SINCE
INDEPENDENTOTHER
PUBLIC
COMPANY
BOARDS
 AMP&DN&CGPS&CQE
Richard M. Bracken
Retired Chairman and CEO of HCA
Holdings, Inc.
642015YESNone
C. David Brown II
Chairman of Broad and Cassel
652007YES2
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux
Retired President of Mills College
622015YESNone
Nancy-Ann M. DeParle
Co-Founding Partner of Consonance
Capital Partners, LLC
602013YES1
David W. Dorman
Chairman of the Board of CVS Health
Corporation,Founding Partner
of Centerview Capital Technology Fund
632006YES2   
Anne M. Finucane
Vice Chairman of Bank of America Corporation
642011YESNone
Larry J. Merlo
President and CEO of CVS Health Corporation
612010NONone
Jean-Pierre Millon
Retired President and CEO of PCS Health
Systems, Inc.
662007YESNone
Mary L. Schapiro
Vice Chair, Advisory Board Promontory
Financial Group
61----YES2
Richard J. Swift
Retired Chairman of the Board, President and
CEO of Foster Wheeler Ltd.
722006YES4
William C. Weldon
Retired Chairman of the Board and CEO of
Johnson & Johnson
682013YES2

Tony L. White
Retired Chairman of the Board, President and
CEO of Applied Biosystems, Inc.

702011YES2

Director
Since
Other Public
Company Boards
CVS Health Committees
Name, Primary OccupationAgeIndependentAI&FMP&DN&CGMAE
Fernando Aguirre
Former Chairman, President and CEO of Chiquita Brands International, Inc.
612018YES1
Mark T. Bertolini
Former Chairman and CEO of Aetna Inc.
622018NO1
Richard M. Bracken
Former Chairman and CEO of HCA Holdings, Inc.
662015YESNone
C. David Brown II
Partner & Member of Executive Committee of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
672007YES1
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux
President Emerita of Mills College and Former Executive at Eli Lilly and Company
642015YESNone
Nancy-Ann M. DeParle1
Co-Founding Partner of Consonance Capital Partners, LLC and Former Director of White House Office of Health Reform
622013YES1
David W. Dorman
Chair of the Board of CVS Health Corporation and Former Chairman and CEO of AT&T Corporation
652006YES1
Roger N. Farah
Chairman of Tiffany & Co. and Former Executive at Tory Burch and Ralph Lauren
662018YES3
Anne M. Finucane
Vice Chairman and Member of the Executive Management Team of Bank of America Corporation
662011YESNone
Edward J. Ludwig
Former Chairman and CEO of Becton, Dickinson and Company
672018YES1
Larry J. Merlo
President and CEO of CVS Health Corporation
632010NONone
Jean-Pierre Millon
Former President and CEO of PCS Health Systems, Inc.
682007YESNone
Mary L. Schapiro
Vice Chair of Public Policy and Special Advisor to the Chairman of Bloomberg L.P.
632017YES1
Richard J. Swift2
Former Chairman, President and CEO of Foster Wheeler Ltd.
742006YES2
William C. Weldon
Former Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson
702013YES2
Tony L. White
Former Chairman, President and CEO of Applied Biosystems, Inc.
722011YES1
: Committee ChairMemberAAuditMP&D: Management Planning &and DevelopmentMAPS&CQ: Patient Safety & Clinical QualityMedical Affairs
A: AuditCommittee ChairI&FInvestment and FinanceN&CG: Nominating &and Corporate GovernanceEE: Executive

04   

1
Ms. DeParle will become Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee at the time of the Annual Meeting.
2

2017 Proxy Statement

At the time of the Annual Meeting, Mr. Swift will be retired from two of the four other public company boards of directors on which he currently sits.

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Proxy Statement Highlights  The CVS Health Board

SELECTING OUR DIRECTORS

PROXY STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

  Director Independence
  Director Tenure  Financial Expertise
14
Independent
2
Not Independent
7
0-3 years
4
4-7 years
5
>7 years
12
Financial Experts
4
Financially Literate
14 directors,including our Chair, are independent of the Company and management. Mr. Merlo, our President and CEO, and Mr. Bertolini, former Chairman and CEO of Aetna, are our only non-independent directors.Our directors bring a balance of experience and fresh perspective to our boardroom.The average tenure of our directors is 5.7 years.Five members of our Audit Committee are designated Audit Committee Financial Experts.Seven other board members have qualifications to be financial experts, and the remainder are financially literate.

  Born Outside of the U.S.  Director Gender
3
Born Outside U.S.
13
U.S. Born
4
Female
12
Male
Our directors come fromvaried backgrounds, including10 different statesandthree foreign countries.25% of our directors are women.

THE CVS HEALTH BOARDDIRECTOR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

2016Our directors possess relevant experience, skills and qualifications that contribute to a well-functioning Board to effectively oversee the Company’s strategy and management. Our directors’ principal areas of Directors

expertise include:


For more information about our directors11/16
13/16
8/16
Business Development and our new nominee, please refer to pages 10-16 of this proxy statement.Corporate TransactionsHealth Care and Regulated IndustriesPublic Company Board Service
8/16
8/16
7/16
Business OperationsInternational Business OperationsPublic Policy and Government Affairs
8/16
12/16
10/16
Corporate GovernanceLeadership (Current or Former CEOs)Risk Management
13/16
4/16
5/16
FinanceLegal and Regulatory ComplianceTechnology and Innovation

6              2019 Proxy Statement


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Proxy Statement Highlights  The CVS Health Board

BOARD AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS

The CVS Health Board continues to evaluate the Company’s corporate governance policies and practices to ensure that the right mix of individuals are present in our boardroom and to best serve the stockholders we represent by ensuring effectiveoversighteffective oversight of our strategy and management. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance, and have established a strong and effective framework by which the Company is governed and reviewed.

Further Information
2018-2019 Board and Corporate Governance Developments

FURTHER
INFORMATION

2016-2017 Board
and Corporate
Governance
Developments

FormationIn November 2018, Fernando Aguirre, Mark T. Bertolini, Roger N. Farah and Edward J. Ludwig were elected to our Board of a newDirectors, providing our Board with additional depth from their knowledge of Aetna’s business and their complementary expertise, which will be essential to the combined company as we transform the way health care is delivered in America
pages 10, 13 and 14
In connection with the Aetna Transaction, we changed the name of the Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Committee focused on patientto the Medical Affairs Committee, to reflect the expanded work of the Committee regarding medical-related strategies, policies and practices that relate to promoting member health, enhancing access to cost-effective quality health care, and advancing safety and clinical quality in March 2016efficacy of care

page 27

30
We adopted a proxy access by-law that allows holders of at least 3% of our stock for a period of three yearsformed the rightInvestment and Finance Committee to nominate candidates for upassist the Board in reviewing the Company’s policies, strategies, transactions and performance regarding its investment portfolio, and to 20% of board seats, with a minimum of two seatsoversee the Company’s capital and financial resources
page 26
Board Communication and Stockholder Rights
page 18
In March 2017 we nominated Mary Schapiro for election to our Board of Directors; if elected, Ms. Schapiro will strengthen our Board and increase its gender diversity

pages 16-17

Board
Communication
and Stockholder
Rights

Our Board supports our stockholder outreach program and has responded to stockholder input with changes in our compensation program and other areas

pages 6-7, 20, 32, 42

8 and 22
Majority voting in director elections
page 19
Proxy access by-law
page 19
Annual election of all directors
pages 9-17
Annual “say-on-pay” vote
page 35
Right to act by written consent and to call special meetings
page 20
MajorityPursuant to a 2018 management proposal that our stockholders approved, we amended our Certificate of Incorporation to lower the threshold required for stockholders to call a special meeting from 25% to 15% of the voting in director electionspower of the Company’s outstanding capital stock
See our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws at https://investors. cvshealth.com under “Governance Documents”
Director Alignment with Stockholder Interests
page 18
Annual election of all directors, annual “say-on-pay” vote

pages 10, 34-35


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PROXY STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS


FURTHER
INFORMATION

Director
Alignment
with Stockholder
Interests

At least 75% of our directors’ annual retainer mix is paid in shares of CVS Health common stock

pages 32-33

31-32
Directors must own at least 10,000 shares of CVS Health common stock
page 7780
All directors except oneDirectors had 100%excellent meeting attendance, averaging 99%

page 28

31

Board Oversight
of Risk

Full Board and individual CommitteeCommittees focus on understanding and assessing Company risks

page 19

21
Annually,Our independent Chair and our CEO are focused on the Company’s and the Board’s risk management efforts and ensure that enterprise risks are appropriately brought to the Board and/or its Committees for review
page 21
At least annually, the Audit Committee reviews our policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including discussing with management our major risks and the steps that have been taken to monitor and mitigate such risks
page 2325
The Management Planning and Development Committee is responsible for reviewing and assessing potential riskrisks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices
page 2628
Our independent ChairmanBeginning in 2019 the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for oversight of our CEO are focused onpolicies, practices and risks related to cybersecurity and data and information security governance, a responsibility shifted from the Company’s risk management efforts and ensure that risk matters are appropriately brought to the Board and/or its Committees for reviewAudit Committee

pages 19-20

page 27

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Proxy Statement Highlights  The CVS Health Board

STOCKHOLDER OUTREACH – GOVERNANCE AND COMPENSATION ACTIONS

DuringFollowing our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the fallManagement Planning and Development Committee reviewed the results of 2016,the stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation. Due to changes we made to our compensation programs in response to stockholder feedback after the 2017 Annual Meeting, approximately 91% of votes were cast in favor of the proposal, an increase from 61% in 2017. In the latter part of 2018 and early 2019, we reached out to our 50 largest stockholders, holders of more than 50%approximately 41% of our outstanding common stock in the aggregate, and offered to discuss corporate governance,spoke with holders of nearly 19% of our compensation programs andany other matters of interest. We had discussions with many stockholders andoutstanding shares, as well as one of the leading proxy advisory firms. During those discussions,We discussed with them a number of topics, including our strategy in the evolving health care industry, our Board composition and practices, our initiatives around corporate social responsibility, including enhanced initiatives to help fight the national opioid abuse crisis, and our executive compensation programs. In response to these meetings, we heard several themes that caused ushave made a number of changes to take action:our governance structure, practices and programs for which we have received positive feedback from our stockholders. Below are some of the actions we took.

What we heardOur response
How has the skill set of the Board been supplemented following the Aetna Transaction?    What we have done
in response
Intended outcomeWhen effective
Proxy access is a right that is important to stockholdersDiscussed our proxy access by-law, which was adopted early in 2016, with our stockholdersProvidestockholdersWe added four members of the right to nominate candidates for electionAetna board to our Board of Directors, supplementing the depth of our Board’s knowledge of the health care industry, consumer products and brand management, international business operations and medical technology with their deep knowledge of Aetna’s business and complementary expertise and new perspectives. Please see their biographies on pages 10-17.
How have their nominees includedthe responsibilities of your Board Committees changed in our proxy statementlight of operational and industry changes?2016
DiversityWe added a new Investment and Finance Committee to oversee our investment portfolio, changed the name of the Board may be improved by ensuring that diverse candidates are included in director searchesAmendedPatient Safety and Clinical Quality Committee to the Medical Affairs Committee to reflect the expanded work of the Committee, and shifted responsibilities among the various Committees, including delegating oversight of our policies, practices and risks related to cybersecurity and data and information security governance to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Charter to specifically include a requirement for diverse candidateswhose members possess expertise in those subjects. Please see the Committee descriptions on pages 24-31.
How is CVS Health addressing the opioid abuse crisis that is facing the U.S.?Memorialize

We believe we are part of the solution to the opioid abuse crisis. CVS Health is dedicated to helping communities address and formalizeprevent opioid abuse. The Company has a range of programs aimed at addressing various aspects of the issues regarding opioids, including safe medication disposal units, pharmacist counseling, enhanced utilization management through our existing practice of including diverse candidates in all director searchesPBM, our youth education program,Pharmacists Teach, and making opioid overdose reversal medication widely and more easily available. Please see the new opioid response page on our website at http://www.cvshealth.com/OpioidResponse.

How have you improved your executive compensation program?2017
Annual stockholder advisory votes on executive compensation (“say-on-pay”) allow usWe made a number of changes to evaluate the Company’s compensation practicesRecommended “annual” as the frequency for future stockholder advisory votes on executive compensationMaintain a regular dialoguesimplify our program and receive annualimprove transparency, and we received positive feedback from our stockholdersstockholders. We have denominated the long-term incentive program in performance stock units (PSUs) that are subject to a two-year holding period after settlement, and replaced time-vested restricted stock units with PSUs, increasing the performance-based component of our long-term incentive programs as well as the portion of our equity grants that is subject to a holding period. Please see the Compensation Discussion and Analysis on pages 38-62.

For more information on changes to our executive compensation practicesThis proxy statement
Your ability to use discretion in determining bonus payments is unclear and allows substantial increases

Reduced cap on our Executive Incentive Plan (EIP) to be aligned withprograms, see the broad-based Management Incentive Plan (MIP) and better articulated guidelines that the Committee uses for discretionary adjustments

Improved transparency; program design reflectsletter from the Management Planning and Development (MP&D) Committee’s intentions

The MP&D Committee appliedon page 37 and the new limits to the 2016 performance year EIP awards; improved disclosure in this proxy statement related to the Committee’s use of discretion


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PROXY STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS


What we heardWhat we have done
in response
Intended outcomeWhen effective
Describe how the incentive plan metrics support the Company’s growth strategyImproved disclosureImprove stockholders’ understanding of why we use certain incentive plan metricsThis proxy statement
Practice of paying dividend equivalentsCompensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on unvested restricted stock units (RSUs) at the same time and rate as stockholders is inconsistent with time vesting requirementsDividend equivalents on unvested RSUs will be paid only to the extent the underlying award vestsAlign the dividend equivalent awards with the vesting provisions of RSUs; simplify accounting treatment of awardsBeginning with 2017 awards

page 38. For more information on corporate governance at CVS Health, please refer to pages 17-299-32 of this proxy statement and to our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com/corporate-governance.

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Table of Contents

Corporate Governance and Related Matters

 

Item 1: Election of Directors

 

ITEM 2Our Board of Directors has nominated 16 candidates for election as directors at the Annual Meeting. All 16 nominees currently serve as directors. If elected, each nominee will hold office until the next annual meeting.

Based on its recent evaluation, our Audit

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the retentionBoard is well-balanced and that it fully and effectively addresses the Company’s needs. All of Ernst & Young is inour nominees are seasoned leaders, the best interestsmajority of whom are or were chief executive officers or other senior executives, who bring to the Board skills, qualifications and perspectives gained during their tenure at a vast array of public companies, private companies, non-profits, governmental and regulatory agencies and other organizations. We have indicated below for each nominee certain of the Companyexperience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led the Committee and its stockholders

See page 30the Board to conclude that the nominee should continue to serve as a director.

Please note that for further information

each director we have only listed the core attributes that the Board considered to be most relevant to each nominee. Each director nominee possesses qualifications in addition to those listed under his or her name.

Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal 2017

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote this proposalFORthe election of all director nominees.

2019 Board of Directors

1Richard Swift2Jean-Pierre Millon3Fernando Aguirre4Alecia DeCoudreaux5Edward Ludwig6Tony White
7Roger Farah8Larry Merlo9David Dorman10Anne Finucane11David Brown12Mary Schapiro
13Mark Bertolini14Nancy-Ann DeParle15William Weldon16Richard Bracken

ITEM 3

Our executive compensation program reflectsFor more information about our unwavering commitmentdirectors, please refer to paying for performance and reflects feedback received from stockholder outreach
See pages 32-33 for further information

Approve, on a non-binding basis, the Company’s executive compensation as disclosed in10-17 of this proxy statementstatement.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote this proposal


ITEM 4

We believe that an annual vote on our executive compensation program provides us with valuable and actionable feedback from our stockholders
See page 33 for further information

Recommend, by a non-binding vote, the frequency of future advisory votes Company’s executive compensation

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote every(1) YEAR for this proposal


ITEM 5

Our ICP is an important tool to attract and retain quality executives and employees
See pages 67-71 for further information

Approve the Company’s 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan (ICP)

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote this proposal


ITEMS 6-8

See the Board’s statement of opposition AGAINST each stockholder proposal
See pages 72-76 for further information

Stockholder proposals

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote all stockholder proposals


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9



Table of Contents

PROXY STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS

For CVS Health, 2016 was a successful year. Here are some highlights:

NET REVENUES ($ billions)
1 year growth of 15.8%
OPERATING PROFIT ($ billions)
1 year growth of 9.3%
2014-2016 RETURN ON
NET ASSETS (%)
Exceeded target by 22%
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER
RETURN (TSR) (%)
LTIP Modifier (Percentile of S&P 500)
ANNUAL CASH DIVIDENDS
($ PER SHARE)
1 year increase of 21.4%
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS ($)
1 year growth of 6.2%

For more information on our financial performance, please refer to our Annual Report available at www.cvshealthannualmeeting.com. Please also see page 56 of this proxy statement for additional information about how we calculate Return on Net Assets, a metric used in our Long-Term Incentive Plan.

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PROXY STATEMENT HIGHLIGHTS


COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS

LEADING PRACTICES IN COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Our pay practices align with and support our core compensation principles. They also demonstrate our commitment to sound compensation and governance practices.

Our executive compensation program motivates executive officers to take personal responsibility for the performance of CVS Health
Core Executive Compensation Principles Designed to Promote Company Growth
Performance Measures Aligned with Stockholder Interests
Majority of the Total Compensation Opportunity is Performance-Based
Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) Awards Settled in Common Stock that is Subject to Retention Requirement (Holding Period)
Stock Ownership Guidelines
We apply leading executive compensation practices
No Excise Tax Gross-Ups
No Option Repricing
No Recycling of Shares
Recoupment Policy
Broad Anti-Pledging and Hedging Policies
Executive Severance Policy
Limited Perquisites and Personal Benefits
SERP Closed to New Participants
Double Trigger Vesting of Equity Awards
Board Committee Oversight of Comprehensive Annual Compensation Program Risk Assessment
New this year
Dividend Equivalents on RSUs Paid Only When Awards Vest
Reduced Maximum Annual EIP Award to Align with Broad-Based MIP
Limited Positive Discretion on Annual Incentive Awards
Revised Total Shareholder Return (TSR) Modifier for 2017-2019 LTIP to Adjust Above or Below the 50th Percentile Relative Ranking

OUR 2016 EXECUTIVE PAY

The following shows the breakdown of reported 2016 compensation for our CEO and our other named executive officers, or NEOs.

CEO

89% Performance Aligned

Base
Salary
7%

Annual
Incentive
Awards
10%
RSUs and Options
33%
LTIP
46%
Other
4%
79%Long-Term

All Other NEOs

85%Performance Aligned

Base
Salary
12%

Annual
Incentive
Awards
12%
RSUs and Options
35%
LTIP
38%

Other
3%

73%Long-Term

For more information on our executive compensation practices, please refer to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section, beginning on page 35 of this proxy statement.

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Table of Contents

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS

ITEM 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors has nominated 12 candidates for election as directors at the Annual Meeting. Eleven nominees currently serve as directors and one nominee would be a new member of our Board. If elected, each nominee will hold office until the next annual meeting.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that the Board, with Ms. Schapiro as a new nominee, is well-balanced and that it fully and effectively addresses the Company’s needs. All of our nominees are seasoned leaders, the majority of whom are or were chief executive officers or other senior executives, who bring to the Board skills and qualifications gained during their tenure at a vast array of public companies, private companies, non-profits, governmental and regulatory agencies and other organizations. We have indicated below for each nominee certain of the experience, qualifications, attributes or skills that led the Committee and the Board to conclude that the nominee should continue to serve as a director.Related Matters  Item 1

BIOGRAPHIES OF OUR INCUMBENT BOARD NOMINEES


Independent Director
Age
Age 61

64
Director since
January 2015

CVS Health Board
Committees
Patient Safety
and Clinical Quality (Chair);
Nominating and Corporate
Governance
Other Public Boards
NoneNovember 2018

Richard M. BrackenFernando Aguirre
RetiredFormer Chairman, President and CEO
of HCA Holdings,Chiquita Brands International, Inc.

Director Qualification Highlights
Leadership – Former CEO
Business Operations; Consumer Products or Services
Finance
Health Care/Regulated Industry
Risk Management
Corporate Governance

Education B.A., San Diego State University; M.H.A., Medical College of Virginia

Biography
Mr. Bracken is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HCA Holdings, Inc., one of the nation’s leading providers of health care services. At the time of Mr. Bracken’s retirement, HCA’s facilities included approximately 165 hospitals and 115 freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and England. Mr. Bracken served in a number of executive roles in his 33 year career at HCA, including President of HCA’s Pacific Division in 1995, Western Group President in 1997, Chief Operating Officer of HCA in July 2001, and President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2002. He was elected to the HCA Board of Directors in November 2002, became President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2009, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in December, 2009. He retired as CEO in December 2013, and as Chairman in December 2014.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
Mr. Bracken’s experience in leading a large, publicly traded health care company lends expertise and perspective greatly valued by the Board. In addition, his experience operating in the highly-regulated health care industry with significant experience in enterprise clinical quality is also a complementary skill set for the Board. In fact, that experience led the Board to appoint Mr. Bracken as Chair of the new Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Committee in March 2016.


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:ITEM 1

C. David Brown II
Chairman of Broad and Cassel

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Audit; Nominating and Corporate Governance

Other Public Boards
Barry Callebaut AG


Director Qualification Highlights
Leadership – Former CEO
Business Operations; Consumer Products and Services
International Business Operations
Corporate Governance
Business Development and Corporate Transactions
Finance
Health Care/Regulated Industry

EducationB.S., Southern Illinois University

BiographyMr. Aguirre was formerly a member of the board of directors of Aetna from 2011 until the closing of the Aetna Transaction, when he became a director of CVS Health. Mr. Aguirre is the former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (Chiquita) (a global distributor of consumer products), having served as Chiquita’s President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2004 to October 2012 and its Chairman from May 2004 to October 2012. Prior to joining Chiquita, Mr. Aguirre worked for more than 23 years in brand management, general management and turnarounds at The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) (a manufacturer and distributor of consumer products). Mr. Aguirre began his P&G career in 1980, serving in various capacities including President and General Manager of P&G Brazil, President of P&G Mexico, Vice President of P&G’s global snacks and U.S. food products, and President of global feminine care. He served as a director of Coveris (packaging) from 2014 to 2015, Levi Strauss (manufacturer of clothing) from 2010 until August 2014, and Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. (manufacturer and distributor of consumer products) from 2005 to 2010. Mr. Aguirre also serves as a director on the board of directors of Barry Callebaut AG (a manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products).

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. Aguirre brings to the Board extensive consumer products, global business and executive leadership experience. As a former Chairman and CEO of a large public company that produces and distributes consumer products worldwide, he has significant brand management and international experience that is valuable to the Board’s strategic and operational understanding of global markets. Mr. Aguirre’s experience and service on other large public company boards, where he chaired various committees, positions him well as a member of our Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees.

Age 62

Director since
November 2018

Mark T. Bertolini
Former Chairman and CEO of Aetna Inc.

Non-Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
None

Other Public Boards
Verizon Communications Inc.


Director Qualification Highlights
Leadership – Former CEO
Business Operations
Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Transactions
Finance
Health Care/Regulated Industry
Public Policy and Government Affairs
International Business Operations

EducationB.S., Wayne State University; M.B.A., Cornell University

BiographyMr. Bertolini was formerly a member of the board of directors of Aetna from 2010 until the closing of the Aetna Transaction, when he became a director of CVS Health. Mr. Bertolini was also the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aetna until that time. He assumed the roles of Chairman of Aetna’s board of directors on April 8, 2011 and Chief Executive Officer of Aetna on November 29, 2010. From July 2007 to December 2014, he served as President, responsible for all of Aetna’s businesses and operations. Mr. Bertolini joined Aetna in 2003 as head of Aetna’s Specialty Products, and subsequently served as Executive Vice President and head of Aetna’s regional businesses. Before joining Aetna, Mr. Bertolini held executive positions at Cigna, NYLCare Health Plans, and SelectCare, Inc., where he was President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bertolini also serves as a director of Verizon Communications, Inc. (communications, information and entertainment products and services), Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (insurance and investment products and services), Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Thrive Global and the Mind & Life Institute.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. Bertolini brings to the Board extensive health care industry expertise, with over 30 years in the health care business. He has particularly strong leadership skills and business experience, as he has demonstrated as the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aetna and in several prior executive-level positions. He is a well-recognized leader in the health care industry and possesses deep insights into health care issues as well as broad knowledge and appreciation of public policy issues affecting the Company.


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Table of Contents

Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Item 1

Age66

Director since
January 2015

Richard M. Bracken
Former Chairman and CEO of HCA Holdings, Inc.

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Medical Affairs (Chair); Investment and Finance; Executive

Other Public Boards
None


Director Qualification Highlights
Leadership – Former CEO
Business Operations; Consumer Products and Services
Finance
Health Care/Regulated Industry
Risk Management
Corporate Governance

EducationB.A., San Diego State University; M.H.A., Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University

BiographyMr. Bracken is the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HCA Holdings, Inc., one of the nation’s leading providers of health care services. At the time of Mr. Bracken’s retirement, HCA’s facilities included approximately 165 hospitals and 115 freestanding surgery centers in 20 states and the U.K. Mr. Bracken served in a number of executive roles in his 33-year career at HCA, including President of HCA’s Pacific Division in 1995, Western Group President in 1997, Chief Operating Officer of HCA in July 2001, and President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2002. He was elected to the HCA Board of Directors in November 2002, became President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2009, and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in December, 2009. He retired as CEO in December 2013, and as Chairman in December 2014.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. Bracken’s experience in leading a large, publicly traded health care company lends expertise and perspective greatly valued by the Board. In addition, his experience operating in the highly-regulated health care industry with significant experience in enterprise clinical quality is also a complementary skill set for the Board. That experience led the Board to appoint Mr. Bracken as Chair of the Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Committee (now known as the Medical Affairs Committee) when it was formed in March 2016.

Age67

Director since
March 2007

C. David Brown II
Partner and Member of the Executive Committee of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Management Planning and Development (Chair),; Nominating and Corporate Governance,Governance; Executive

Other Public Boards
Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc.


Director Qualification Highlights
Business Operations; Real Estate
Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Transactions
Finance
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Health Care/Regulated Industry
Risk Management
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.S.B.A., University of Florida; J.D., University of Florida College of Law

BiographyMr. Brown has been a partner and a member of the Executive Committee of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP (Nelson Mullins), a national law firm, since the August 2018 merger of Nelson Mullins and the Florida-based Broad and Cassel, of which Mr. Brown was Chairman from March 2000 through the time of the merger. He is also the lead director of Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (RYAM), a leading specialty cellulose production company. Mr. Brown previously served on the board of directors and as lead director of Rayonier Inc., a real estate development and timberland management company, prior to the spin-off of RYAM in June 2014. He also served as a director of ITT Educational Services, Inc., a national provider of technology-oriented degree programs, from April 2015 until September 2016. Mr. Brown previously served on the board of Caremark Rx, Inc. from March 2001 until the closing of the merger transaction involving CVS Health and Caremark, when he became a director of CVS Health.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. Brown’s legal expertise and health care experience are highly valued by the Board, as is his ability to analyze and interpret complex issues and facilitate Board engagement. Mr. Brown has significant health care experience, including through his oversight of UF Health while serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of Florida and as a former member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Orlando Health, a not-for-profit health care network. The Board believes that Mr. Brown’s experience adds knowledge and leadership depth to the Board.


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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Item 1

Age64

Director since
March 2015

Alecia A. DeCoudreaux
Former President Emerita of Mills College and Former Executive at Eli Lilly and Company

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Audit; Patient Safety and Clinical Quality
Medical Affairs

Other Public Boards
None

Director Qualification Highlights

Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Transactions

Age65
Director since
March 2007

Age62
Director since
March 2015

Director Qualification Highlights

Director Qualification Highlights

Real Estate
Business Development and Corporate Transactions
Finance
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Risk Management
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.S.B.A., University of Florida; J.D., University of Florida College of Law

Biography
Mr. Brown has been Chairman of Broad and Cassel, a Florida law firm, since March 2000. From 1989 until March 2000, he was Managing Partner of the Orlando office of the firm. He is also the lead director of Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (RYAM), a leading specialty cellulose production company. Mr. Brown previously served on the board of directors and as lead director of Rayonier Inc., a real estate development and timberland management company, prior to the spin-off of RYAM in June 2014. He also served as a director of ITT Educational Services, Inc., a national provider of technology-oriented undergraduate and graduate degree programs, from April 2015 until September 2016. Mr. Brown also previously served on the board of Caremark Rx, Inc. from March 2001 until the closing of the merger transaction involving CVS Health and Caremark, when he became a director of CVS Health.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
Mr. Brown’s legal expertise and health care experience are highly valued by the Board, as is his ability to analyze and interpret complex issues and facilitate Board engagement. Mr. Brown has significant health care experience, including through his oversight of UF Health while serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the University of Florida and as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of Orlando Health, a not-for-profit health care network. The Board believes that Mr. Brown’s experience adds knowledge and leadership depth to the Board.

Business Development and Corporate Transactions
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Health Care/Regulated Industry
Corporate Governance
Risk Management
Public Policy and Government Affairs

EducationB.A., Wellesley College; J.D., Indiana University School of Law

BiographyMs. DeCoudreaux is President Emerita of Mills College, a liberal arts college for women with graduate programs for women and men, having served a five-year term as President from July 2011 through June 2016. Previously, Ms. DeCoudreaux served in a number of leadership roles at Eli Lilly and Company, a global pharmaceutical manufacturer, including as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Specialty Legal Team, from 2010-2011, Vice President and General Counsel, Lilly USA, from 2005-2009, and Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Eli Lilly from 1999-2005. During her 30-year career with Eli Lilly Ms. DeCoudreaux also previously served as Executive Director of Lilly Research Laboratories, Director of Federal Government Relations, Director of State Government Relations and Director of Community Relations. In addition, Ms. DeCoudreaux has served on a number of charitable, educational, for profit and nonprofit boards, including as both a trustee and board chair at Wellesley College.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health

EducationB.A., Wellesley College; J.D., Indiana University School of Law

Biography
Ms. DeCoudreaux is the former President of Mills College, a liberal arts college for women with graduate programs for women and men, having served in that position from July 2011 through June 2016. Previously, Ms. DeCoudreaux served in a number of leadership roles at Eli Lilly and Company, a global pharmaceutical manufacturer, including as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Specialty Legal Team, from 2010-2011, Vice President and General Counsel, Lilly USA, from 2005-2009, and Secretary and Deputy General Counsel of Eli Lilly from 1999-2005. During her 30-year career with Eli Lilly Ms. DeCoudreaux also previously served as Executive Director of Lilly Research Laboratories, Director of Federal Government Relations, Director of State Government Relations and Director of Community Relations. In addition, Ms. DeCoudreaux has served on a number of charitable, educational, for profit and nonprofit boards, including as both a trustee and board chair at Wellesley College.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
Ms. DeCoudreaux has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, and her experience as an attorney in that field and in the area of corporate governance makes her a great asset to our Board.

Age62

Director since
September 2013


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:ITEM 1

Nancy-Ann M. DeParle
Co-Founding Partner of Consonance Capital Partners, LLC

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees Audit; Patient Safety and Clinical Quality
Other Public Boards HCA Holdings, Inc.

David W. Dorman
Chairman of the Board of CVS Health Corporation, Founding Partner of Centerview Capital Technology Fund

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees Management Planning and Development, Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair), Executive
Other Public Boards PayPal Holdings, Inc.; Yum! Brands, Inc.

Age60
Director since
September 2013

Age63
Director since
March 2006

Director Qualification Highlights

Director Qualification Highlights

Business Development and Corporate Transactions
Finance
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Health Care Industry
Public Policy and Government Affairs
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.A., University of Tennessee; B.A. and M.A., Balliol College, Oxford University; J.D., Harvard Law School

Biography
Ms. DeParle has been a Co-Founding Partner of Consonance Capital Partners, LLC, a private equity firm focused on investing in small and mid-size health care companies, since August 2013. From March 2009 to January 2013, Ms. DeParle served in the White House, first as Counselor to the President andFormer Director of the White House Office of Health Reform

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Nominating and later as Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy. In addition, from 1993 to 2000, Ms. DeParle served as the Associate Director for Health and Personnel for the White House Office of Management and Budget, and later as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (then known as the Health Care Financing Administration). From 2001 to March 2009, Ms. DeParle served as a Senior Advisor with JPMorgan Partners and as a Managing Director of its successor entity, CCMP Capital, L.L.C., focusing on private equity investments in health care companies. Ms. DeParle is also a director of Corporate Governance (pending Chair); Medical Affairs; Executive (pending)

Other Public Boards
HCA Holdings, Inc., a health care services company that owns, manages or operates hospitals

Director Qualification Highlights

Business Development, Corporate Strategy and various other health care facilities.

SkillsTransactions

Finance
Legal and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Regulatory Compliance
Health
Ms. DeParle has more than 25 years of experience in the health care arena, Care/Regulated Industry
Public Policy and is widely considered to be one of the nation’s leading experts in health care policy, management and financing, which makes her an excellent fit for our Board.

Government Affairs
Leadership – Former CEO
Finance
International Business Operations; Consumer Products or Services
Technology and Innovation
Risk Management
Corporate Governance
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.A., University of Tennessee; B.A. and M.A., Balliol College, Oxford University; J.D., Harvard Law School

BiographyMs. DeParle has been a Co-Founding Partner of Consonance Capital Partners, LLC, a private equity firm focused on investing in small and mid-size health care companies, since August 2013. From March 2009 to January 2013, Ms. DeParle served in the White House, first as Counselor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Health Reform, and later as Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy. In addition, from 1993 to 2000, Ms. DeParle served as the Associate Director for Health and Personnel for the White House Office of Management and Budget, and later as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (then known as the Health Care Financing Administration). From 2001 to March 2009, Ms. DeParle served as a Senior Advisor with JPMorgan Partners and as a Managing Director of its successor entity, CCMP Capital, L.L.C., focusing on private equity investments in health care companies. Ms. DeParle is also a director of HCA Holdings, Inc., a health care services company that owns, manages or operates hospitals and various other health care facilities.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMs. DeParle has more than 25 years of experience in the health care arena, and is widely considered to be one of the nation’s leading experts in health care policy, management and financing, which makes her an excellent fit for our Board.


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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Item 1

EducationAgeB.S., Georgia Tech University65

BiographyDirector since
March 2006

David W. Dorman
Mr. Dorman has been the ChairmanChair of the Board of CVS Health Corporation, since May 2011. He has also been aFormer Chairman and CEO of AT&T Corporation, and Founding Partner of Centerview Capital Technology Fund

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Management Planning and Development; Nominating and Corporate Governance; Executive

Other Public Boards
PayPal Holdings, Inc.

Director Qualification Highlights

Leadership – Former CEO
Finance
International Business Operations; Consumer Products or Services
Technology and Innovation
Risk Management
Corporate Governance
Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Transactions

EducationB.S., Georgia Institute of Technology

BiographyMr. Dorman has been the Chair of the Board of CVS Health Corporation since May 2011. He has also been a Founding Partner of Centerview Capital Technology Fund, a private investment firm, since July 2013. He also served as Lead Director of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (formerly Motorola, Inc.), a communications products company, until his retirement from that board in May 2015, and was Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Motorola from May 2008 through May 2011. From October 2006 through April 2008, he was a Managing Director and Senior Advisor with Warburg Pincus LLC, a global private equity firm. From November 2005 until January 2006, Mr. Dorman served as President and a director of AT&T Inc., a telecommunications company (formerly known as SBC Communications). From November 2002 until November 2005, Mr. Dorman was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Corporation. Mr. Dorman is also a director of PayPal Holdings, Inc., a leading digital and mobile payments company, as well as Dell Technologies Inc., the world’s largest privately controlled technology company. He was a director of Yum! Brands, Inc., a global quick service restaurant company, from 2005 until his retirement from that board in May 2017.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. Dorman’s experience in leading large companies, beginning with Sprint and later Pacific Bell and AT&T, lends a perspective and skill set that is greatly valued by the Board. His business background of growing companies is in line with and useful to our business strategy. The Board believes that Mr. Dorman’s experience leading the boards of AT&T and Motorola make him well-suited to serve as its independent Chair.

Age66

Director since
November 2018

Roger N. Farah
Chairman of Tiffany & Co. and Former Executive at Tory Burch and Ralph Lauren

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Medical Affairs; Management Planning and Development

Other Public Boards
The Progressive Corporation; Metro Bank PLC; Tiffany & Co.

Director Qualification Highlights

Leadership – Former CEO
Business Operations
Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Transactions
Health Care/Regulated Industry
Public Policy and Government Affairs
Public Company Board Service
International Business Operations

EducationB.S., University of Pennsylvania

BiographyMr. Farah was formerly a member of the board of directors of Aetna from 2007 until the closing of the Aetna Transaction, when he became a director of CVS Health.Mr. Farah is the Chairman of the Board and a director of Tiffany & Co. (jewelry and specialty products), and also serves as a director of The Progressive Corporation (auto insurance), and Metro Bank PLC (financial services). He served as Executive Director of Tory Burch LLC (lifestyle products) from March 2017 to September 2017, having previously served as Co-Chief Executive Officer and director from September 2014 to February 2017. He is former Executive Vice Chairman of Ralph Lauren Corporation (lifestyle products) having served in that position from November 2013 to May 2014, and previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer from April 2000 to October 2013, and Director from April 2000 to August 2014. During his 40-plus year career in retailing, Mr. Farah also held director and/or executive positions with Venator Group, Inc. (now Foot Locker, Inc.), R.H. Macy & Co., Inc., Federated Merchandising Services, the central buying and product development arm of Federated Department Stores, Inc., Rich’s/Goldsmith’s Department Stores, and Saks Fifth Avenue, Inc.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. Farah brings extensive business and leadership experience to the Board. He has strong marketing, brand management and consumer insights developed in his over 40 years of experience in the retail industry. His former positions as Executive Vice Chairman, President and COO of Ralph Lauren and Executive Director and Co-CEO of Tory Burch give Mr. Farah important perspectives on the complex financial and operational issues facing the Company.


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Table of Contents

Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Item 1

Age66

Director since
January 2011

Anne M. Finucane
Vice Chairman and Member of Executive Management Team of Bank of America Corporation

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Investment and Finance; Management Planning and Development

Other Public Boards
None

Director Qualification Highlights

Business Operations; Consumer Products or Services
Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Transactions
Public Policy and Government Affairs
Regulated Industry
Finance
Corporate Governance
Risk Management

EducationB.A., University of New Hampshire

BiographyMs. Finucane has been Vice Chairman of Bank of America Corporation, an international financial services company, since July 2015 and is a member of its executive management team. From 2006 through July 2015 Ms. Finucane served as Global Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer for Bank of America and served as Northeast Market President from 2004 through July 2015. During her 20-plus years as a senior leader at Bank of America and its legacy firms, Ms. Finucane has served as senior advisor to four chief executive officers and the Board of Directors. Ms. Finucane is responsible for the strategic positioning of Bank of America and oversees the public policy, customer research and analytics, global marketing, communications and corporate social responsibility efforts for the company. She is chair of Bank of America’s Environmental, Social and Governance Committee, and is also chair of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMs. Finucane’s experience in the financial services industry, consumer policy, strategy, marketing, corporate social responsibility and government affairs provides the Board with valuable insight in those key areas.

Age67

Director since
November 2018

Edward J. Ludwig
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AT&T Corporation. Mr. Dorman is also a director of PayPal Holdings, Inc., a leading digitalBecton, Dickinson and mobile payments company, and Yum! Brands, Inc., a global quick service restaurant company, as well as Dell Technologies Inc., the world’s largest privately controlled technology company. He was also a director of SecureWorks Corp., an information security solutions provider and a subsidiary of Dell, from the time of SecureWorks’ IPO in April 2016 until he joined the board of Dell in September 2016.Company

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
Mr. Dorman’s experience in leading large companies, beginning with Sprint and later Pacific Bell and AT&T, lends a perspective and skill set that is greatly valued by the Board. His business background of growing companies is in line with and useful to our business strategy. The Board believes that Mr. Dorman’s experience leading the boards of AT&T and Motorola make him well-suited to be the Company’s Chairman.


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2017 Proxy Statement




Table of Contents

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:ITEM 1

Anne M. Finucane
Vice Chairman of Bank of America Corporation

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
NominatingAudit; Investment and Corporate Governance; Management Planning and Development
Finance (Chair); Executive

Other Public Boards
Boston Scientific Corporation

Director Qualification Highlights

Leadership – Former CEO
Business Operations
Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Transactions
Finance
Health Care/Regulated Industry
Technology and Innovation
Risk Management
International Business Operations

EducationB.A., College of the Holy Cross; M.B.A., Columbia University

BiographyMr. Ludwig was formerly lead director of the board of directors of Aetna from 2003 until the closing of the Aetna Transaction, when he became a director of CVS Health. Mr. Ludwig is the former Chairman of the board of directors of Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) (a global medical technology company), having served in this position from February 2002 through June 2012. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of BD from January 2000 to September 2011, President of BD from May 1999 to December 2008, and Chief Financial Officer of BD from January 1995 to May 1999. Mr. Ludwig joined BD as a Senior Financial Analyst in 1979. Prior to joining BD, Mr. Ludwig was a senior auditor with Coopers and Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) where he earned his CPA. Mr. Ludwig also served as director of Xylem, Inc. (a water technology company) from 2011 to 2017, and Chairman of Advanced Medical Technology Association, or AdvaMed (a medical device trade association), from 2006 to 2008. He serves as the lead independent director of Boston Scientific Corporation (medical devices) and as a director of POCARED Diagnostics Ltd. (a diagnostics technology manufacturer based in Israel).

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. Ludwig’s more than 30 years of experience in the field of medical technology gives him a unique perspective on the Company’s strategy. As the former Chairman and CEO of BD, Mr. Ludwig brings a thorough appreciation of the strategic and operational issues facing a large public company in the health care industry. As a former CFO and a CPAMr. Ludwig offers the Board a deep understanding of financial, accounting and audit-related issues. Mr. Ludwig’s experience positions him well to serve as Chair of our new Investment and Finance Committee.


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Table of Contents

Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Item 1

Age63

Director since None
May 2010

Larry J. Merlo
President and Chief Executive Officer of CVS Health Corporation

IndependentNon-Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Executive

Other Public Boards
None

Director Qualification Highlights

Age64
Director since
January 2011

Age61
Director since
May 2010

Director Qualification Highlights

Director Qualification Highlights

Consumer Products or Services
Corporate Strategy Development and Oversight
Marketing, Brand Management
Public Policy
Public Relations
Regulated Industry 

EducationB.A., University of New Hampshire

Biography
Ms. Finucane has been Vice Chairman of Bank of America Corporation, an international financial services company, since July 2015 and is a member of its executive management team. From 2006 through July 2015 Ms. Finucane served as Global Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer for Bank of America and served as Northeast Market President from 2004 through July 2015. During her twenty-plus years as a senior leader at Bank of America and its legacy firms, Ms. Finucane has served as senior advisor to four chief executive officers and the Board of Directors. Ms. Finucane is responsible for the strategic positioning of Bank of America and oversees the public policy, customer research and analytics, global marketing, communications and corporate social responsibility efforts for the company. She is chair of Bank of America’s Environmental, Social and Governance Committee, and is also chair of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
Ms. Finucane’s experience in the financial services industry, consumer policy, strategy, marketing, corporate social responsibility and government affairs provides the Board with valuable insight in those key areas.

Leadership – Current CEO
Business Operations; Consumer Products or Services
Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Transactions
Health Care/Regulated Industry
Technology and Innovation
Public Policy
Retail, Retail Pharmacy and Government Affairs
Pharmacy Benefit Management

EducationB.S., Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh

Biography
Mr. Merlo has been Chief Executive Officer of CVS Health Corporation since March 2011 and President of CVS Health Corporation since May 2010. Mr. Merlo formerly served as Chief Operating Officer of CVS Health Corporation from May 2010 through March 2011 and was President of CVS Pharmacy from January 2007 through May 2010, and Executive Vice President – Stores from April 2000 to January 2007.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
Mr. Merlo has been with CVS Health and its subsidiaries for more than 30

Real Estate

EducationB.S., Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh

BiographyMr. Merlo has been Chief Executive Officer of CVS Health Corporation since March 2011 and President of CVS Health Corporation since May 2010. Mr. Merlo formerly served as Chief Operating Officer of CVS Health Corporation from May 2010 through March 2011 and was President of CVS Pharmacy from January 2007 through May 2010, and Executive Vice President – Stores from April 2000 to January 2007.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. Merlo has been with CVS Health and its subsidiaries for nearly 40 years, and provides the Board with invaluable experience and insight into the retail drugstore and health care industries.

Age68

Director since
March 2007


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:ITEM 1

Jean-Pierre Millon
RetiredFormer President and Chief Executive Officer of PCS Health Systems, Inc.

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Audit; Patient Safety and Clinical Quality
Medical Affairs

Other Public Boards
None

Director Qualification Highlights

Leadership – Former CEO
Finance
Business Development, Corporate Strategy and Transactions
Health Care/Regulated Industry
International Business Operations
Pharmacy Benefit Management
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.S., Ecole Centrale de Lyon (France); B.A., Université de Lyon (France); M.B.A., Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University

BiographyMr. Millon is the former President and Chief Executive Officer of PCS Health Systems, Inc. Mr. Millon joined PCS in 1995, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer from June 1996 until his retirement in September 2000. Prior to that, Mr. Millon served as an executive and held several global leadership positions with Eli Lilly and Company. Mr. Millon previously served on the board of Caremark from March 2004, upon Caremark’s acquisition of AdvancePCS, and as a director of AdvancePCS (which resulted from the merger of PCS and Advance Paradigm, Inc.) beginning in October 2000. He became a director of CVS Health upon the closing of the merger transaction involving CVS Health and Caremark. Mr. Millon has over ten years of financial management experience and 15 years of general functional management experience, including strategic planning experience specific to pharmacy benefit management companies as the former head of PCS. He also has extensive venture capital and public and private company board experience.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. Millon’s extensive background and experience in the pharmacy benefit management, pharmaceutical and life sciences businesses, combined with his financial expertise, provide the Board with additional perspective across the enterprise.


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Table of Contents

Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Item 1

Age63

Director since None
May 2017

Mary L. Schapiro
Vice Chair for Public Policy and Special Advisor to the Founder and Chairman of Bloomberg L.P. and former Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Independent Nominee
CVS Health Board Committees
Audit; Investment and Finance

Other Public Boards
Morgan Stanley

Director Qualification Highlights

Leadership – Former CEO
Public Policy and Government Affairs
Finance
Risk Management
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.A., Franklin and Marshall College; J.D., George Washington University

BiographySince October 2018 Ms. Schapiro has been Vice Chair for Public Policy and Special Advisor to the Founder and Chairman of Bloomberg, LP, a privately held financial, software, data and media company. Since January 2014, Ms. Schapiro has also served as Vice Chair of Promontory Advisory Board, part of Promontory Financial Group, a leading strategy, risk management and regulatory compliance firm. From January 2009 through December 2012, Ms. Schapiro was Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, becoming the first woman to serve as that agency’s Chairman. Prior to becoming SEC Chairman, Ms. Schapiro was Chairman and CEO of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) from 2006 through 2008, and held a number of key executive positions at FINRA and its predecessor from 1996 through 2006. She also served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from 1994 to 1996. Ms. Schapiro is also a director of Morgan Stanley, a financial services company. Ms. Schapiro was a director of General Electric Company and of the London Stock Exchange Group PLC, until her retirement from those boards in April 2018 and October 2018, respectively.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMs. Schapiro’s experience in leading the SEC, FINRA and the CFTC makes her extremely well qualified to serve on our Board. Ms. Schapiro’s leadership of the SEC during the turbulent period that followed the 2008 financial crisis, one of the busiest rulemaking periods in the agency’s history, demonstrates her ability to navigate through a difficult and complex regulatory and political environment. The Board believes that her skills fill important needs in the areas of legal and regulatory compliance, finance, risk management, and public policy and government affairs.

Age74

Director since
September 2006

Richard J. Swift
RetiredFormer Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foster Wheeler Ltd.

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Audit (Chair),; Executive

Other Public Boards
Ingersoll-Rand plc,plc; Kaman Corporation (retiring April 2019); Hubbell Incorporated (retiring May 2019); Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated

Director Qualification Highlights

Age66
Director since
March 2007

Age72
Director since
September 2006

Director Qualification Highlights

Director Qualification Highlights

Leadership – Former CEO
Finance
Corporate Strategy Development and Oversight
Health Care/Regulated Industry
International Business Operations
Pharmacy BenefitTechnology and Innovation
Risk Management
Corporate Governance
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.S., Ecole Centrale de Lyon (France); B.A., Université de Lyon (France); M.B.A., Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University

Biography
Mr. Millon is the retired former President and Chief Executive Officer of PCS Health Systems, Inc. Mr. Millon joined PCS in 1995, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer from June 1996 until his retirement in September 2000. Prior to that, Mr. Millon served as an executive and held several global leadership positions with Eli Lilly and Company. Mr. Millon previously served on the board of Caremark from March 2004, upon Caremark’s acquisition of AdvancePCS, and as a director of AdvancePCS (which resulted from the merger of PCS and Advance Paradigm, Inc.) beginning in October 2000. He became a director of CVS Health upon the closing of the merger transaction involving CVS Health and Caremark. Mr. Millon has over 10 years of financial management experience and fifteen years of general functional management experience, including strategic planning experience specific to pharmacy benefit management companies as the former head of PCS. He also has extensive venture capital and public and private company board experience.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
Mr. Millon’s extensive background and experience in the pharmacy benefit management, pharmaceutical and life sciences businesses, combined with his financial expertise, provide the Board with additional perspective across the enterprise.

Leadership – Former CEO
Finance
International Business Operations
Risk Management
Corporate Governance
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.S., U.S. Military Academy at West Point; M.S., Purdue University; M.B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University

Biography
Mr. Swift is the former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foster Wheeler Ltd., an international engineering and construction firm, having served in those positions from April 1994 until his retirement in October 2001. Mr. Swift also served as a member and as Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC) from 2002 until his retirement from FASAC in December 2006. Mr. Swift is also lead director of Ingersoll-Rand plc, a diversified industrial company, and a director of Kaman Corporation, a diversified manufacturer and distributor, Hubbell Incorporated, an electrical and electronic products company, and Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, an energy company.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
The Board greatly values Mr. Swift’s financial expertise, including his experience at FASAC and with various public company boards and audit committees for over 30 years of combined service. Mr. Swift is an audit committee financial expert and his accounting and financial skills are important to the oversight of our financial reporting, enterprise and operational risk management.

EducationB.S., U.S. Military Academy at West Point; M.S., Purdue University; M.B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University

BiographyMr. Swift is the former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foster Wheeler Ltd., an international engineering and construction firm, having served in those positions from April 1994 until his retirement in October 2001. Mr. Swift also served as a member and as Chairman of the Financial Accounting Standards Advisory Council (FASAC) from 2002 until his retirement from FASAC in December 2006. Mr. Swift is also lead director of Ingersoll-Rand plc, a diversified industrial company, and a director of Kaman Corporation (Kaman), a diversified manufacturer and distributor, Hubbell Incorporated (Hubbell), an electrical and electronic products company, and Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated, an energy company. Mr. Swift intends to retire from the boards of Kaman and Hubbell in April and May of 2019, respectively.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthThe Board greatly values Mr. Swift’s financial expertise, including his experience at FASAC and with various public company boards and audit committees for over 35 years of combined service. Mr. Swift is an audit committee financial expert and his accounting and financial skills are important to the oversight of our financial reporting, enterprise and operational risk management.


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2017  2019 Proxy Statement




Table of Contents

Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Item 1

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:AgeITEM 170

Director since
March 2013

William C. Weldon
RetiredFormer Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Management Planning and Development, Nominating and Corporate Governance

Other Public Boards
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Exxon Mobil Corporation

Director Qualification Highlights

Leadership – Former CEO
Finance
Health Care/Regulated Industry
International Business Operations; Consumer Products or Services
Risk Management
Corporate Governance
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.S., Quinnipiac University

BiographyMr. Weldon is the former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson, a global developer and manufacturer of health care products, having served in those positions from 2002 until his retirement as Chief Executive Officer in April 2012 and his retirement from the board in December 2012. Mr. Weldon previously served in a variety of senior executive positions during his 41-year career with Johnson & Johnson. Mr. Weldon is also a director of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a global financial services company, and Exxon Mobil Corporation, an international oil and gas company. He was formerly a director of The Chubb Corporation, an international insurance company, until it was acquired by ACE Limited in January 2016.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. Weldon’s experience in managing a complex global health care company and his deep knowledge of the worldwide health care market across multiple sectors makes him extremely well suited to serve on our Board. His background in international business management and operating in the highly-regulated health care industry is also greatly valued by the Board.

Age72

Director since
March 2011

Tony L. White
RetiredFormer Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Applied Biosystems, Inc.

Independent Director
CVS Health Board Committees
Management Planning and Development; Patient Safety and Clinical Quality
Medical Affairs

Other Public Boards
Ingersoll-Rand plc C.R. Bard, Inc.

Director Qualification Highlights

Age68
Director since
March 2013

Age70
Director since
March 2011

Director Qualification Highlights

Director Qualification Highlights

Leadership – Former CEO
Finance
Health Care/Regulated Industry
International Business Operations; Consumer Products or Services
Technology and Innovation
Risk Management
Corporate Governance
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.S., Quinnipiac University

Biography
Mr. Weldon is the former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson & Johnson, a global developer and manufacturer of health care products, having served in those positions from 2002 until his retirement as Chief Executive Officer in April 2012 and his retirement from the board in December 2012. Mr. Weldon previously served in a variety of senior executive positions during his 41-year career with Johnson & Johnson. Mr. Weldon is also a director of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a global financial services company, and Exxon Mobil Corporation, an international oil and gas company. He was formerly a director of The Chubb Corporation, an international insurance company, until it was acquired by ACE Limited in January 2016.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
Mr. Weldon’s experience in managing a complex global health care company and his deep knowledge of the worldwide health care market across multiple sectors makes him extremely well suited to serve on our Board. His background in international business management and operating in the highly-regulated health care industry is also greatly valued by the Board.

Leadership – Former CEO
Finance
Health Care/Regulated Industry
Technology and Innovation
Risk Management
Corporate Governance
Public Company Board Service

EducationB.A., Western Carolina University

Biography
Mr. White is the former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Applied Biosystems, Inc. (formerly Applera Corporation), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of life science systems and genomic information products, having served in those positions from September 1995 until his retirement in November 2008. Mr. White is also a director of Ingersoll-Rand plc, a diversified industrial company, and C.R. Bard, Inc., a company that designs, manufacturers, packages, distributes and sells medical, surgical, diagnostic and patient care devices.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
Mr. White’s wealth of management experience in the life sciences and health care industries, including over 13 years as Chairman and CEO of an advanced-technology life sciences company and 26 years in various management positions at Baxter International, Inc., a provider of medical products and services, makes him well qualified to serve as a director of CVS Health.

EducationB.A., Western Carolina University

BiographyMr. White is the former Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Applied Biosystems, Inc. (formerly Applera Corporation), a developer, manufacturer and marketer of life science systems and genomic information products, having served in those positions from September 1995 until his retirement in November 2008. Mr. White is also a director of Ingersoll-Rand plc, a diversified industrial company. He was a director of C.R. Bard, Inc. (Bard), a company that designs, manufactures and sells medical, surgical, diagnostic and patient care devices, from 1996 until Bard was acquired by Becton Dickinson and Company in December 2017.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS HealthMr. White’s wealth of management experience in the life sciences and health care industries, including over 13 years as Chairman and CEO of an advanced-technology life sciences company and 26 years in various management positions at Baxter International, Inc., a provider of medical products and services, makes him well qualified to serve as a director of CVS Health.


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Table of Contents

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:ITEM 1

BIOGRAPHY OF OUR NEW BOARD NOMINEE

Independent Nominee
Age
61

CVS Health Board
Committees

None 

Other Public Boards
General Electric Company;
London Stock Exchange
Group plc

Mary L. Schapiro
Vice Chair of the Advisory
Board Promontory Financial
Group

Director Qualification Highlights
Leadership – Former CEO
Public Policy and Government Affairs
Finance
Risk Management
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Public Company Board Service

Education B.A., Franklin and Marshall College; J.D., George Washington University

Biography
Since January 2014, Ms. Schapiro has served as the Vice Chair of Promontory Advisory Board, part of Promontory Financial Group, a leading strategy, risk management and regulatory compliance firm that was acquired by IBM Corporation in November 2016. She previously served as managing director of Promontory Financial Group from March 2013 through January 2014. From January 2009 through December 2012, Ms. Schapiro was Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, becoming the first woman to serve as that agency’s Chairman. Prior to becoming SEC Chairman, Ms. Schapiro was Chairman and CEO of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) from 2006 through 2008, and prior to that held a number of key executive positions at FINRA and its predecessor from 1996 through 2006, including Vice Chairman and President of NASD Regulation. She also served as Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) from 1994 to 1996, and was the first person to serve as Chairman of both the CFTC and the SEC. Ms. Schapiro is also a director of General Electric Company, a global diversified infrastructure company, and of The London Stock Exchange Group plc, which engages in market infrastructure and the capital markets business.

Skills and Qualifications of Particular Relevance to CVS Health
Ms. Schapiro’s experience in leading the SEC, FINRA and the CFTC makes her extremely well qualified to join our Board. Ms. Schapiro’s leadership of the SEC during the turbulent period that followed the 2008 financial crisis, one of the busiest rulemaking periods in the agency’s history, demonstrates her ability to navigate through a difficult and complex regulatory and political environment. The Board believes that her skills fill important needs in the areas of legal and regulatory compliance, finance, risk management, and public policy and government affairs.


The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote the election of all nominees.

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Table of Contents

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:ITEM 1

SELECTING OUR DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Director Nominee IndependenceDirector Nominee GenderDirector Nominee Tenure

11 nominees for Director,including our Chairman, are independent of management. Mr. Merlo, our President and CEO, is our only non-independent nominee.

Three of the last four additions to our Board,including our new nominee, are women.

Our nominees bring a balance of experience and fresh perspective to our boardroom.The average tenure of current CVS Health directors is seven years.


In addition to our current Directors, we have nominated Mary L. Schapiro for election to our Board. Ms. Schapiro has been determined to beindependent, and her election would reduce average tenure tosix years.


Director SkillsCorporate Governance and ExperienceRelated Matters  Item 1

Our directors and our new nominee possess relevant experience, skills and qualifications that contribute to a well-functioning Board to effectively oversee the Company’s strategy and management. Areas of director expertise include:

Director Qualification Criteria; Diversity

Recognizing that the selection of qualified directors is complex and crucial to the long-term success of the Company, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has established in its charter guidelines for the identification and evaluation of candidates for membership on the Board. Under its charter, the Committee recommends to the Board criteria for Board membership and recommends individuals for membership on our Board. The criteria used by the Committee in nominating directors are found in the Committee’s charter and provide that candidates should be distinguished individuals who are prominent in their fields or otherwise possess exemplary qualities that will enable them to effectively function as directors. While the Committee does not believe itappropriateit appropriate to establish any specific minimum qualifications for candidates, it focuses on the following qualities in identifying and evaluating candidates for Board membership:

Background, experience and skills

Character, reputation and personal integrity

Judgment

Independence

Diversity

Viewpoint

Commitment to the Company and service on the Board

Any other factors that the Committee may determine to be relevant and appropriate


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:ITEM 1

The Committee makes these determinations in the context of the existing composition of the Board so as to achieve an appropriate mix of characteristics. Consistent with this philosophy, the Committee is committed to including in each search qualified candidates who reflect diverse backgrounds, including diversity of gender and race. The Committee also takes into account all applicable legal, regulatory and stock exchange requirements concerning the composition of the Board and its committees. The Committee reviews these guidelines from time to time as appropriate (and in any event at least annually) and modifies them as it deems appropriate.

The Committee also reviews the composition of the Board in light of the current challenges and needs of the Board and the Company, and determines whether it may be appropriate to add or remove individuals after considering, among other things, the need for audit committee expertise and issues of independence, diversity, judgment, character, viewpoint, reputation, age, skills, background and experience.

The Committee values diversity, which it broadly views in terms of, among other things, gender, race, background and experience, as a factor in selecting members to serve on the Board. Our nominees reflect that diversity, including in terms of race, gender and ethnic background. In addition, to ensure that it has access to a broad range of qualified, experienced and diverse candidates, the Committee may use the services of an independent search firm to help identify and assist in the evaluation of candidates.

Board Evaluation Process

When considering current directors for re-nomination to the Board, the Committee takes into account the performance of each director, which is part of the Committee’s annual Board evaluation process. That process consists ofincludes individual interviews of each director by our General Counsel, followed by a report summarizing his findings. The Committee then recommends actions for the Board to consider and adopt as it sees fit.

Board Refreshment; Retirement Age

The Committee and the Board believe that setting a retirement age for CVS Health directors is advisable to facilitate the addition of new directors. Accordingly, our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that no director who is or would be over the age of 74 at the expiration of his or her current term may be nominated to a new term, unless the Board waives the retirement age for a specific director in exceptional circumstances. In the event any waiver is provided, the Board will disclose the rationale for its decision.

In March 2019, the Board approved a waiver of the retirement age for Mr. Swift, who is currently 74. The Board believes that Mr. Swift’s continued leadership as Chair of the Audit Committee is critically important during the first full year following the closing of the Aetna Transaction. Oversight of the Company’s financial statements, and its internal audit and risk management functions, during the post-merger period will benefit from Mr. Swift’s extensive experience. In making its decision, the Board also considered Mr. Swift’s impending retirement from two of the other boards on which he currently sits.

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Table of Contents

Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Item 1

Majority Voting

As discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement, directors are elected by a majority of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting (assuming that the election is uncontested). Under our by-laws, each nominee who is a current director is required to submit an irrevocable resignation, which resignation would becomeeffective upon (1) that person not receiving a majority of the votes cast in an uncontested election, and (2) acceptance by the Board of that resignation in accordance with the policies and procedures adopted by the Board. The Board, acting on the recommendation of the Committee, will no later than at its first regularly scheduled meeting following certification of the stockholder vote, determine whether to accept the resignation of the unsuccessful incumbent. Absent a determination by the Board that a compelling reason exists for concluding that it is in the best interests of the Company for an unsuccessful incumbent to remain as a director, the Board will accept that person’s resignation. In the event any resignation is not accepted, the Board will disclose the rationale for its determination.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

As of March 21, 2019, the members of the Management Planning and Development Committee are Mr. Brown (Chair), Mr. Dorman, Mr. Farah, Ms. Finucane, Mr. Weldon and Mr. White. None of the members of the Management Planning and Development Committee has ever been an officer or employee of the Company. There are no interlocking relationships between any of our executive officers and any Management Planning and Development Committee member.

Stockholder Submission of Nominees

The Committee will consider any director candidates proposed by stockholders who submit a written request to our Corporate Secretary (including via our proxy access by-law, described below). All candidates should meet the Director Qualification Criteria, discussed above. The Committee evaluates all director candidates and nominees in the same manner regardless of the source. If a stockholder would like to nominate a person for election or re-election to the Board, he or she must provide notice to the Company as provided in our by-laws and described in this proxy statement. The notice must include a written consent indicating that the candidate is willing to be named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serve as a director if elected and any other information that the SEC would require to be included in a proxy statement when a stockholder submits a proposal. See “Other Information – Stockholder Proposals and Other Business for ourOur Annual Meeting in 2018”2020” for additional information related to proposals, including any nominations, for our 20182020 Annual Meeting.

Proxy Access
In January 2016, following the receipt of a stockholder proposal and extensive conversations with the proponent and several other stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommended and the Board adopted

CVS Health has had a proxy access by-law. Under the by-law a stockholder, or a groupsince January 2016. The key terms of up to 20 stockholders, owning at least three percent of the Company’s outstanding common stock continuously for at least three years, may nominate and include in the Company’sits proxy materials director nominees constituting up to the greater of two nominees or 20% of the Board, provided that the stockholders and the nominees satisfy the requirements specified in the Company’s by-laws.access by-law are:

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2017 Proxy Statement

A stockholder, or a group of up to20 stockholders, owning at least3%of the Company’s outstanding common stock continuously for at least3 yearsMay nominate and include in the Company’s proxy materials director nominees constituting up to the greater of2 nominees or20% of the BoardProvided that the stockholders and the nominees satisfy the requirements specified in the Company’s by-laws



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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:THE BOARD’S ROLE AND ACTIVITIES IN 2016

Independence Determinations for Directors

Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, a substantial majority of our Board must be comprised of directors who meet the director independence requirements set forth in the Corporate Governance Rules of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) Listed Company Manual. Under NYSE Rules, no director qualifies as “independent” unless the Board affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the Company.

Our Board has adopted categorical standards to assist in making director independence determinations. Any relationship that falls within the following standards or relationships will not, in itself, preclude a determination of independence. These categoricalstandardscategorical standards are set forth in Annex A to the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com/corporate-governance/documents or upon request to our Corporate Secretary.

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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  The Board’s Role and Activities in 2018

2019 Determinations
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board undertook its annual review of director and nominee independence in March 2017.2019. The Committee recommended and the Board determined that each of Mmes. DeCoudreaux, DeParle, Finucane and Schapiro, and each of Messrs. Aguirre, Bracken, Brown, Dorman, Farah, Ludwig, Millon, Swift, Weldon and White, is independent. The Committee recommended and the Board determined that Mr. Bertolini is not independent due to his leadership of Aetna until the closing of the merger in November 2018. Mr. Merlo is not an independent director because of his employment as President and CEO of the Company.

THE BOARD’S ROLE AND ACTIVITIES IN 2016 The Board’s Role and Activities in 2018

The Board acts as the ultimate decision-making body of the Company and advises and oversees management, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the Company. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Board reviews and assesses CVS Health’s long-term strategy and its strategic, competitive and financial performance.

In 2016 theThe Board oversaw the return of approximately $6 billion to our stockholders through a combination of cash dividends and stock repurchases.transformational Aetna Transaction, which closed on November 28, 2018. The Board increasedbelieves that the cash dividend significantly for both 2016 and 2017, taking the quarterly payment from $0.35 per share to $0.50 per share, an aggregate increase of over 40% from 2015. In November 2016, the Board approvedAetna Transaction is a new $15 billion share buyback program, further showing its commitment to returning value to stockholders. The Board also approved the refinancing of muchkey aspect of the Company’s long-term debt, resulting in significant ongoing savings in termsstrategy to create an innovative health care model that addresses many of interest ratesthe issues facing the nation’s health care system and payments. In addition, givenfurthers the Company’s expanded offerings throughoutpurpose of helping people on their path to better health. CVS Health’s revenues in 2018 increased by 5.3 percent to a record $194.6 billion, and the spectrumCompany continued to generate significant cash flow in 2018, with cash flow from operations totaling $8.9 billion. The Board returned over $2 billion to stockholders in 2018 based on a cash dividend of health care,$2.00 per share. The Company has a clear line of sight to deliver more than $750 million of synergies in year two following the Aetna Transaction, and the Board formed a new Committeeis monitoring progress toward that is focused on the quality of pharmacy and medical care being delivered by the Company.goal.

The Board’s Role in Strategy and Succession PlanningTHE BOARD’S ROLE IN STRATEGY AND SUCCESSION PLANNING

The Board reviews the Company’s financial performance on a regular basis at Board meetings and through periodic updates, with a particular focus on peer and competitive comparisons. The Board also periodically reviews the Company’s long-term strategy, and assesses its strategic, competitive and financial performance, on both an absolute basis and in relation to the performance, practices and policies of its peers and competitors. While the Board receives updates regarding strategic matters throughout the year, at least one Board meeting per year typically in September, is focused almost entirely on the Company’s short- and long-term strategic direction. The Board receives reports from management and expert speakers are often engaged.invited to present to the Board. At this meeting the Board provides input and oversight on short-term strategic goals and sets the long-term strategic direction of the Company.

The Board also reviews the Company’s succession planning, including succession planning in the case of the incapacitation, retirement or removal of the CEO. In that regard, the CEO provides an annual report to the Board recommending and evaluating potential successors, along with a review of any development plans recommended for such individuals. The CEO also provides to the Board, on an ongoing basis, his recommendation as to a successor in the event of an unexpected emergency. The Board also reviews succession planning with respect to the Company’s other key executive officers, i.e., those who are membersofficers.

20            2019 Proxy Statement


Table of the Business Planning Committee, or BPC.Contents

Corporate Governance and Related Matters  The Board’s Role and Activities in Risk Oversight2018

THE BOARD’S ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT

The Board’s role in risk oversight involves both the full Board and its Committees, as well as members of management.

Risk Oversight Framework

Management

Each major business unit is responsible for identifying risks, assessing the likelihood and potential impact of significant risks, and reporting to management’s Executive Risk Steering Committee on actions to monitor, manage and mitigate significant risks.
The CFO, Treasurer, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Audit Executive and General Counsel periodically report on the Company’s risk management policies and practices, including risk assessments and evaluation of compliance and legal risks, to relevant Board Committees and to the full Board.
Board Committees

Each of our principal Board Committees is responsible for oversight of risk management practices for categories of risks relevant to their functions.

Audit Committee

Primary committee charged with carrying out risk oversight responsibilities on behalf of the Board, including reviewing financial, operational, compliance, reputational and strategic risks.

Management Planning and Development CommitteeInvestment and Finance CommitteeNominating and Corporate Governance CommitteeMedical Affairs Committee

Board of Directors

Focuses on understanding Company-wide risks and ensuring that risk matters are appropriately brought to the Board and/or its Committees for review.
Ensures that the Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board’s leadership structure and the Board’s practices facilitate the effective oversight of risk and communication with management.

The CFO, Treasurer, Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Audit Executive and General Counsel periodically report on the Company’s risk management policies and practices, including risk assessments and evaluation of compliance and legal risks to relevant Board Committees and to the full Board. The Board is regularly updated on specific risks in the course of its review of corporate strategy, business plans and reports to the Board by its respective Committees.

As part of CVS Health’s ongoing Enterprise Risk Management process, each of our major business units is responsible for identifying risks that could affect achievement of business goals and strategies, assessing the likelihood and potential impact of significant risks, prioritizing risks and actions to be taken in mitigation and/or response, and reporting to management’s Executive Risk Steering Committee on actions to monitor, manage and mitigate significant risks.
The Audit Committee is charged with the primary role in carrying out risk oversight responsibilities on behalf of the Board. Pursuant to its charter, the Audit Committee annually reviews our policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including discussing with management the Company’s major risk exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and mitigate such exposures. The Audit Committee also reviews CVS Health’s major financial risk exposures as well as major operational, compliance, reputational and strategic risks, including developing steps to monitor, manage and mitigate those risks.

In 2019 responsibility for oversight of risks related to cybersecurity and data and information security governance was transferred from the Audit Committee to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, whose members possess expertise regarding those subjects.

Each of our other Board Committees is responsible for oversight of risk management practices for categories of risks relevant to their functions. For example, the Management Planning and Development Committee has oversight responsibility for our overall compensation structure, including review of its compensation practices, with a view to assessing associated risk.Seerisk.


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See “Compensation Risk Assessment” on page 2629 for additional information.


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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:THE BOARD’S ROLE AND ACTIVITIES IN 2016

As part The Medical Affairs Committee reviews and assesses risks arising from the Company’s provision of CVS Health’s ongoing Enterprise Risk Management process, each of our major business units is responsible for identifying risks that could affect achievement of business goalshealth care services across the enterprise, including safety issues related to opioid abuse, and strategies, assessing the likelihood and potential impact of significant risks, prioritizing risks and actions to besteps taken in mitigation and/ or response, and reporting to management’s Executive Risk Steering Committee on actions to monitor manage and mitigate significantthose risks.

The Investment and Finance Committee reviews risks related to the Company’s investment portfolio and its capital and financial resources.

Additionally,The Board considers its role in risk oversight when evaluating our Corporate Governance Guidelines and its leadership structure. Both the CFO, Chief Compliance OfficerCorporate Governance Guidelines and General Counsel periodically reportthe Board’s leadership structure facilitate the Board’s oversight of risk and communication with management. Our independent Chairman and our CEO are focused on CVS Health’s and the Company’sBoard’s risk management policiesefforts and practices to relevant Board Committees and to the full Board. The Board is regularly updated on specific risks in the course of its review of corporate strategy, business plans and reportsensure that risk matters are appropriately brought to the Board byand/or its respective Committees.

Committees for their review.

THE BOARD’S ROLE IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OVERSIGHT

The Board considers its role in risk oversight when evaluating ourNominating and Corporate Governance GuidelinesCommittee of the Board of Directors, pursuant to its charter, is formally charged with oversight of the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy and its leadership structure. Bothperformance. The Company’s Senior Vice President of CSR and Philanthropy regularly updates the Corporate Governance GuidelinesCommittee on CSR risks and opportunities, and the Board’s leadership structure facilitateCommittee provides feedback and direction on the Board’s oversight of risk and communication with management. Our independent Chairman and our CEO are focusedCompany’s approach to key issues. The Committee also reviews the annual CSR Report, refreshed for 2018 asBetter Health, Better Community, Better World, prior to its publication. It is available on CVS Health’s risk management efforts and ensure that risk matters are appropriately brought to the Board and/or its Committees for their review.

Stockholder OutreachCompany’s website at https://cvshealth.com/social-responsibility.

Because theSTOCKHOLDER OUTREACH

The Company values each of its stockholders and their opinions, and we have regularly interactedinteract with our stockholders on a variety of matters. Again in 2016,In the latter part of 2018 and early 2019, at the direction of the Board, the Company engaged in a robust stockholder outreach effort to best understand and address any concerns stockholders might have. Additional details regarding our outreach effort and the actions taken are found on pages 6,78, 35 and 4239 of this proxy statement.

Much of our dialogue with stockholders was focused on compensation-related matters, including the results of our most recent say-on-pay vote. The 80% vote in favor fell short of our expectations, and we received a great deal of feedback on that subject. In addition to compensation-related matters, a number of corporate governance, mattersfinancial results, social responsibility issues such as the Company’s response to the opioid abuse crisis, and executive compensation matters. Matters related to the Aetna Transaction were also discussed with our stockholders during the outreach process including our proxy access by-law amendment, frequency of our say-on-pay votes, board tenure and composition, board evaluations and board diversity. As a result of these discussions, in early 2017 the Board approved a change to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, memorializing its existing practice of including diverse candidates in each board search. Stockholders also were appreciative and supportive of the Company’s proxy access by-law, which was adopted in January 2016. Based on stockholder input, the Board is recommending the continuation of annual say-on-pay votes.

We believe that taking the responsive actions summarized above will continue to strengthen our relationships with our stockholders and provide positive improvements in the areas identified.

Stockholder Rights

Under our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Charter) and our Amended and Restated By-laws (By-laws), our stockholders have the right to call a special meeting of stockholders and to act by written consent that is less than unanimous. Holders of at least 25% of our common stock can call a special meeting or request an action by written consent by following the procedures described in our Charter and By-laws. Our stockholders also have the right to proxy access, as described below. Our Charter and By-laws are available to stockholders at no charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary.closing of that transaction.

Contact With the Board, the Chairman and Other Independent DirectorsCONTACT WITH THE BOARD, THE CHAIR AND OTHER INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS

Stockholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with the Board, the independent ChairmanChair of the Board or with the independent directors as a group may do so by writing to them care of CVS Health Corporation, One CVS Drive, MC 1160, Woonsocket, RI 02895. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has approved a process for handling letters received by the Company and addressed to the Board, the independent ChairmanChair of the Board or to independent members of the Board. Under that process, our Corporate Secretary reviews all such correspondence and regularly forwards to the Board copies of all correspondence that, in her opinion, deals with the functions of the Board or its Committees or that she otherwise determines requires their attention.

Code of ConductCODE OF CONDUCT

CVS Health has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our CEO, CFO and Chief Accounting Officer. Our Code of Conduct is available on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com and will be provided to stockholders without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary. We intend to post amendments to, or waivers fromof, our Code of Conduct (to the extent applicable to our executive officers or directors) at that location on our website within the timeframe required by SEC rules.

Related Person Transaction PolicyRELATED PERSON TRANSACTION POLICY

In accordance with SEC rules, the Board has adopted a written Related Person Transaction Policy. The AuditNominating and Corporate Governance Committee has been designated as the Committee responsible for reviewing, approving or ratifying any related person transactions under the Policy.Policy, since it already has responsibility for evaluating the impact of conflicts involving directors on independence. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviewswill review the Policy on an annual basis and will amend the Policy as it deems appropriate.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:BOARD STRUCTURE AND PROCESSES

Pursuant to the Policy, all executive officers, directors and director nominees are required to notify our General Counsel or Corporate Secretary of any financial transaction, arrangement or relationship, or series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, involving the Company in which an executive officer, director, director nominee, five percent beneficial owner or any immediate family member of such a person has a direct or indirect material interest. Such officers, directors, nominees, five percent beneficial owners

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Corporate Governance and their immediate family members are considered “related persons” under the Policy. For the above purposes, “immediate family member” includes a person’s spouse, parents, siblings, children, in-laws, step-relativesRelated Matters  Board Structure and any other person sharing the household (other than a tenant or household employee).Processes

The General Counsel or the Corporate Secretary presents any reported new related person transactions, and significant proposed transactions involving related persons that might be deemed to be related person transactions, to the AuditNominating and Corporate Governance Committee at its next regular meeting, or earlier if appropriate. The General Counsel or Corporate Secretary provides the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee with an analysis and recommendation regarding each reported transaction. The Committee reviews these transactions, to determine whetherincluding the related person involved has a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction.analysis and recommendation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may conclude, upon review of all relevant information, that the transaction does not constitute a related person transaction, and thus that no further review is required under the Policy. On an annual basis, the Committee reviews previously approved related person transactions, under the standards described below, to determine whether such transactions should continue.

In reviewing a related person transaction or proposed transaction, the Committee considers all relevant facts andcircumstances, including without limitation the commercial reasonableness of the terms, the benefit and perceived benefit, or lack thereof, to the Company, the availability and/or opportunity costs of alternate transactions, the materiality and character of the related person’s direct or indirect interest, and the actual or apparent conflict of interest of the related person. The Committee does not approve or ratify a related person transaction unless it has determined that, upon consideration of all relevant information, the transaction is in, or is not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

If after its review, the review described above, theNominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines not to approve or ratify a related person transaction, (whether such transaction is being reviewed for the first time or has previously been approved and is being re-reviewed), the transaction will not be entered into or continued, as the Committee shall direct. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may ratify or approve a related person transaction if, upon consideration of all relevant information, the transaction is in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

The AuditIn March 2019, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviewed certain transactions reported under the Policy and determined that no transactions constituted reportable related person transactions under the Policy.

Corporate Governance GuidelinesCORPORATE GOVERNANCE GUIDELINES

The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are available on our investor relations website at http://investors.cvshealth.com/corporate-governance/documents and are also available to stockholders at no charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary. These Guidelines meet the listing standards adopted by the NYSE, on which our common stock is listed.

BOARD STRUCTURE AND PROCESSES Board Structure and Processes

THE BOARD’S LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE

David W. Dorman is our independent ChairmanChair of the Board. The independent ChairmanChair presides at all meetings of the Board, and works with our CEO to set Board meeting agendas and the schedule of Board meetings. In addition, the independent ChairmanChair has the following duties and responsibilities:

the authority to call, and to lead, independent director sessions;

the ability to retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors in connection with these sessions;

the responsibility to facilitate communication and serve as a liaison between the CEO and the other independent directors; and

the duty to advise the CEO of the informational needs of the Board.


The Board believes that Board independence and oversight of management will be maintained effectively through the independent Chairman,Chair, the Board’s composition and its Committee system.

DIRECTOR EDUCATION

CVS Health’s Corporate Governance Guidelines establishes recommendations for director education.

All new members of the Board are encouraged to participate in the Company’s orientation program for directors. Other directors may also attend the orientation program. As newly elected directors following the Aetna Transaction, each of Messrs. Aguirre, Bertolini, Farah and Ludwig took part in an orientation program to familiarize them with the CVS Health businesses and board processes.

In addition, during the September/October Board meeting, the directors participate in an in-depth review of the strategy of the Company and have the opportunity to meet with senior management and gain detailed insights into the business. At these meetings, external speakers are often invited to share insights, best practices and emerging trends with the Board.

All directors are encouraged to participate in continuing education programs, with any associated expenses to be reimbursed by the Company, in order to stay current and knowledgeable about the business of the Company.

Such orientation and continuing education programs are overseen by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board.

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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Committees of the Board as of the Annual Meeting

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD Committees of the Board as of the Annual Meeting

In 2016,CVS Health’s Board oversees and guides the Company’s management and its business. Committees support the role of the Board on issues that are better addressed by smaller, more focused subsets of Directors.

For most of 2018, the Board utilized five standing committees. The Investment and Finance Committee was added in November 2018 upon the closing of the Aetna Transaction, and that Committee held its first meeting in January 2019. The table below provides membership and meeting information for eachpresents, as of May 16, 2019, the standing Committees of the committees during 2016.Board, the membership of such Committees and the number of times each such Committee met in 2018. For further details regarding current committeeCommittee membership and activities see pages 22-28.25-31.

NAMEAUDIT
COMMITTEE
MANAGEMENT
PLANNING AND
DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
NOMINATING
AND CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE
PATIENT
SAFETY AND
CLINICAL QUALITY
COMMITTEE
EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
Richard M. BrackenC
C. David Brown IIC
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux
Nancy-Ann M. DeParle 
David W. DormanC 
Anne M. Finucane 
Larry J. Merlo
Jean-Pierre Millon
Richard J. SwiftC
William C. Weldon
Tony L. White
2016 Meetings95540

NameAudit
Committee
Investment
and Finance
Committee
Management
Planning and
Development
Committee
Nominating
and Corporate
Governance
Committee
Medical
Affairs
Committee
Executive
Committee
Fernando Aguirre
Mark T. Bertolini
Richard M. Bracken
C. David Brown II
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux
Nancy-Ann M. DeParle
David W. Dorman
Roger N. Farah
Anne M. Finucane
Edward J. Ludwig
Larry J. Merlo
Jean-Pierre Millon
Mary L. Schapiro
Richard J. Swift
William C. Weldon
Tony L. White
2018 Meetings1006442
Committee Chair
*Audit Committee Financial Expert
Mr. Aguirre joined the Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees in November 2018.
Ms. DeParle will become Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of the Executive Committee at the time of the 2019 Annual Meeting.
**Mr. Farah joined the Management Planning and Development and Medical Affairs Committees in November 2018.
Mr. Ludwig joined the Audit, Investment and Finance and Executive Committees and assumed the role of Chair of the Investment and Finance Committee in November 2018.

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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Committees of the Board as of the Annual Meeting

 Audit Committee

Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate and independent of the Company and management under the standards set forth in applicable SEC rules and the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. The Board designated each of Messrs. Swift and Millon as an audit committee financial expert, as defined under applicable SEC rules. The Board has approved a charter for the Committee, which can be viewed on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com and also is available to stockholders without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary.

Current Committee Members
(independent, photographed left to right)

Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate and independent of the Company and management under the standards set forth in applicable SEC rules and the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. The Board designated each of Messrs. Swift, Aguirre, Ludwig and Millon and Ms. Schapiro as an audit committee financial expert, as defined under applicable SEC rules. The Board has approved a charter for the Committee, which can be viewed on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com and also is available to stockholders without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary.Jean-Pierre Millon*
Nancy-Ann DeParle
Richard Swift (Chair)*
Alecia DeCoudreaux

* Audit Committee Financial Expert

Meetings in 2016:9





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Rotated in
Fernando Aguirre
(Nov. 2018)
Edward Ludwig
(Nov. 2018)
Rotated out
Nancy-Ann DeParle
(Nov. 2018)

2017 Proxy Statement

2018 Committee Members (independent)
Alecia DeCoudreaux
Nancy-Ann DeParle
Jean-Pierre Millon*
Mary Schapiro*
Richard Swift (Chair)*

2019 Committee Members (independent)
1Edward Ludwig*
2Jean-Pierre Millon*
3Richard Swift (Chair)*
4Alecia DeCoudreaux
5Fernando Aguirre*
6Mary Schapiro*

*Audit Committee Financial Expert



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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Primary Responsibilities


Pursuant to its charter, the Committee assists the Board in its oversight of:

the integrity of our financial statements;
the qualifications, independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm, for whose appointment the Committee bears principal responsibility;
the performance of our internal audit function;
our policies and practices with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including discussing with management the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps that have been taken to monitor and control such exposures;
compliance with, and approval of, our Code of Conduct;
the review of our information governance framework, including its privacy and information security programs, as well as the cybersecurity aspects of the information security program;
the review of our business continuity and disaster recovery program;
the review of our environmental, health and safety program;
the review and ratification of any related person transactions in accordance with our policy on such matters; and
our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including the review and oversight of matters related to compliance with Federal health care program requirements.

Audit Committee Activities in 2016

The Audit Committee met nine times in 2016

Audit Committee Activities in 2018
The Audit Committee met ten times in 2018 and except for one absence each for two members of the Committee due to unavoidable conflicts, each member of the Committee attended all of its meetings while he or she was a member. Four of the Committee’s meetings were focused primarily on our quarterly financial reports, including our Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and our related earnings releases. At each of these meetings the Committee reviewed the documents in depth with our CFO and our Chief Accounting Officer, as well as our Chief Compliance Officer (CCO), Chief Audit Executive, General Counsel and other key members of management. The Committee also received reports from our internal audit department and our independent outside audit firm, Ernst & Young LLP. The Committee regularly meets with Ernst & Young outside the presence of management, and also meets individually with members of management, including the CCO, the Chief Compliance Officer for Omnicare and the Chief Audit Executive. In addition to its responsibilities related to our financial statements, the Committee plays a primary role in risk oversight, including reviews of our enterprise risk management program, cybersecurity efforts, business continuity and disaster recovery program, privacy programs, and environmental, health and safety program. For 2019, in order to balance Committee workloads and take advantage of member expertise, responsibility for oversight of cybersecurity and data and information security governance has been transferred to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Audit Committee also reviews our legal and regulatory compliance program on a quarterly basis, including oversight of the Company’s compliance with its Corporate Integrity Agreements, or CIAs. During 2018, the Committee provided the required annual certification of compliance with the Company’s 2014 CIA related to PBM operations, and the 2016 CIA related to our institutional pharmacy services (long-term care) operations. The Committee also provided the report found on page 33 of this proxy statement, recommending the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statements in its Form 10-K.

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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Committees of the Committee attended all of its meetings while he or she was a member. FourBoard as of the Committee’s meetings were focused primarily on our quarterly financial reports, including our Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q and our related earnings releases. At each of these meetingsAnnual Meeting

 Investment and Finance Committee

Each member of the Investment and Finance Committee is independent of the Company and management under the standards set forth in applicable SEC rules and the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. The Board has approved a charter for the Committee, which can be viewed on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com and also is available to stockholders without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary.

Current Committee Members (all independent)
1Richard Bracken
2Anne Finucane
3Edward Ludwig (Chair)
4Mary Schapiro

Meetings in 2018:0 (newly formed and first met in January 2019)

Primary Responsibilities
Pursuant to its charter, the Committee reviewedassists the documents in depth with our CFO and our Chief Accounting Officer, as well as our Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Audit Executive, General Counsel and other key members of management. The Committee also received reports from our internal audit department and our independent outside audit firm, Ernst & Young. The Committee regularly meets with Ernst & Young outside the presence of management, and also meets individually with members of management, including the CCO, the chief compliance officer for Omnicare and the head of Internal Audit. In addition to its responsibilities related to our financial statements, the Committee plays a primary role in risk oversight, including reviews of our enterprise risk management program, cybersecurity efforts, business continuity and disaster recovery program, privacy programs, and environmental, health and safety program. The Committee also reviews our legal and regulatory compliance program on a quarterly basis, including oversight of the Company’s compliance with its Corporate Integrity Agreements, or CIAs. During 2016, the Committee provided the required annual certification of compliance with the Company’s 2014 CIA, and also assumed oversight of a new CIA related to its institutional pharmacy services (long-term care) operations. The Committee provided the report found on page 30 of this proxy statement, recommending the inclusion of the Company’s audited financial statementsBoard in its Form 10-K.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

Each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent of the Company and management under the standards set forth in the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. The Board has approved a charter for the Committee, which can be viewed on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com and also is available to stockholders without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary.

Current Committee Members
(independent, photographed left to right)oversight of:

David Brownthe investment policies, strategies, and programs of the Company and its subsidiaries;
Anne Finucanethe approval of investment transactions on behalf of the Company that exceed any delegated authority;
David Dorman (Chair)investment transactions made on behalf of the Company and its subsidiaries;
William Weldonthe performance of the investment portfolios of the Company and its subsidiaries;
the Company’s processes for managing the finances of its employee pension and defined contribution benefit plans;
the Company’s capital plan, including the review of significant financial policies and matters of corporate finance, such as the Company’s dividend policy and the issuance or retirement of debt and other securities;
significant multi-year strategic capital project expenditures and management;
the review and approval of the Company’s decision to enter into swap transactions that are not cleared and are not traded on a designated contract market or swap execution facility, including establishing policies governing the use of such swaps; and
the Company’s stock repurchase programs, including assessing whether to recommend modification to such programs to the Board.

Investment and Finance Committee Activities in 2018
The Investment and Finance Committee was newly formed in November 2018 upon the closing of the Aetna Transaction, and did not meet during 2018.


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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Committees of the Board as of the Annual Meeting

 Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent of the Company and management under the standards set forth in the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. The Board has approved a charter for the Committee, which can be viewed on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com and also is available to stockholders without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary. At its meetings, various members of management provide the Committee with updates on areas of its responsibility, including the General Counsel, the Chief Governance Officer, the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, the Senior Vice President of CSR and Philanthropy and the Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer.

Rotated in
Fernando Aguirre
(Nov. 2018)
Nancy-Ann DeParle
(Nov. 2018)
Rotated out
Richard Bracken
(Nov. 2018)
Anne Finucane
(Nov. 2018)
2018 Committee Members (independent)
Richard Bracken
David Brown
Anne Finucane
William Weldon
David Dorman (Chair)

2019 Committee Members (independent)
1David Brown
2William Weldon
3Nancy-Ann DeParle (Chair)
4Fernando Aguirre
5David Dorman

Meetings in 2016:2018:54





Primary Responsibilities


Pursuant to its charter, the Committee has responsibility for:

identifying individuals qualified to become Board members consistent with criteria approved by the Board;
recommending to the Board director nominees for election at the next annual or special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected or to fill any vacancies or newly-created directorships that may occur between such meetings;
recommending directors for appointment to Board Committees;
making recommendations to the Board as to determinations of director independence;
evaluating Board and Committee performance;
effective in January 2019, the oversight of our information governance framework, including our privacy and information security programs, as well as the cybersecurity aspects of the information security program and cybersecurity risk exposures;
effective in January 2019, the review and ratification of any related person transactions in accordance with our policy on such matters;
considering matters of corporate governance and reviewing, at least annually, our Corporate Governance Guidelines and overseeing compliance with such Guidelines; and
reviewing and considering our policies and practices on issues relating to corporate social responsibility, charitable contributions, political spending practices and other significant public policy issues.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Activities in 2016

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met five times in 2016 and, except for two absences for one member of the Committee due to unavoidable conflicts, each member of the Committee attended all of its meetings. Throughout the year the Committee evaluated – and continues to evaluate – potential candidates for future election to the Board. In addition, the Committee reviewed the Company’s political activities and expenditures in depth during two of its meetings, and reviewed the Company’s corporate social responsibility roadmap, Prescription for a Better World, as well as the corporate social responsibility report itself. The Committee oversaw the development of the Company’s proxy access by-law, which was finalized and recommended by the Committee, and adopted by the Board, in January 2016. The Committee also oversaw the evaluation process for the Board and its Committees in 2016, which consisted of an in-depth interview of each director by the Company’s General Counsel. At the completion of the interview process, the General Counsel reviewed the results with the Committee and the Board, and a number of enhancements to the Board and Committee meeting process resulted. In addition, the Committee received updates regarding legal and regulatory developments related to corporate governance, as well as updates on the proxy season and stockholder communications.

24   Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Activities in 2018
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met four times in 2018 and each member of the Committee attended all of its meetings. Throughout the year the Committee evaluated – and continues to evaluate – potential candidates for future election to the Board. In addition, the Committee reviewed the Company’s political activities and expenditures in depth during two of its meetings, and reviewed the Company’s corporate social responsibility roadmap, refreshed for 2018 asBetter Health, Better Community, Better World, as well as the corporate social responsibility report itself. The Committee oversaw a review of all of the Company’s principal governance documents in 2018, including its Certificate of Incorporation, By-laws, Corporate Governance Guidelines and all Committee Charters, and recommended changes to each to simplify and harmonize the documents, as well as to adopt certain leading practices. The Committee also oversaw the evaluation process for the Board and its Committees in 2018, which consisted of an in-depth interview of each director by the Company’s General Counsel. At the completion of the interview process, the General Counsel reviewed the results with the Committee and the Board, which resulted in a number of enhancements to the Board and Committee meeting processes. In addition, the Committee received updates regarding legal and regulatory developments related to corporate governance, as well as updates on the proxy season and stockholder communications.

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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Committees of the Board as of the Annual Meeting

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:COMMITTEES OF THE BOARDManagement Planning and Development Committee

MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Each member of the Management Planning and Development Committee is independent of the Company and management under the standards set forth in applicable SEC rules and the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. No Committee member participates in any of our employee compensation programs and none is a current or former officer or employee of CVS Health or its subsidiaries. At its meetings, non-members, such as the CEO, the CFO, the Chief Human Resources Officer, the General Counsel, other senior human resources and legal officers, or external consultants, may be invited to provide information, respond to questions and provide general staff support. However, no CVS Health executive officer is permitted to be present during any discussion of his or her compensation or performance, and the Committee regularly exercises its prerogative to meet in executive session without management.

The Committee’s responsibilities are specified in its charter. The charter, as approved by the Board, may be viewed on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com and also is available to stockholders without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary.

Each member of the Management Planning and Development Committee is independent of the Company and management under the standards set forth in applicable SEC rules and the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. No Committee member participates in any of our employee compensation programs and none is a current or former officer or employee of CVS Health or its subsidiaries. At its meetings, non-members, such as the CEO, the CFO, the Chief Accounting Officer, the Chief Human Resources Officer, the Chief Governance Officer, other senior human resources and legal officers, or external consultants, may be invited to provide information, respond to questions and provide general staff support. However, no CVS Health executive officer is permitted to be present during any discussion of his or her compensation or performance, and the Committee regularly exercises its prerogative to meet in executive session without management.

The Committee’s responsibilities are specified in its charter. The charter, as approved by the Board, may be viewed on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com and also is available to stockholders without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary.

  Rotated in
Roger Farah
(Nov. 2018)
  Rotated out
None
Meetings in 2016:5
Current2018 Committee Members
(independent)
(independent, photographed left to right)
David Brown (Chair)
Anne Finucane
David Dorman
William Weldon
Tony White

2019 Committee Members (independent)
1David Dorman
2Tony White
3Anne Finucane
4David Brown (Chair)
Anne Finucane
5William Weldon
6Roger Farah



Meetings in 2018:6

Primary Responsibilities


Pursuant to its charter, the Committee:

oversees our compensation and benefits policies and programs generally;
evaluates the performance of designated senior executives, including the CEO;
in consultation with our other independent directors, oversees and sets compensation for the CEO;
oversees and sets compensation for our designated senior executives;
reviews and recommends to the Board compensation (including cash and equity-based compensation) for our non-employee directors; and
prepares and recommends to the full Board the inclusion of the Report of the Compensation Committee Report that is found on page 3437 of this proxy statement.

The Committee may delegate its authority relating to employees other than executive officers and directors as it deems appropriate and may also delegate its authority relating to ministerial matters.

Management Planning and Development Committee Activities in 2016

The Management Planning and Development Committee met five times in 2016 and, except for one absence due to an unavoidable conflict, each member of the Committee attended all of its meetings. In addition to reviewing the independence of its advisor as described below, the Committee devoted substantial time to its oversight of the Company’s compensation and benefit programs as part of its annual governance process. This review is aimed at ensuring that the Company is providing its employees with compensation and benefit programs that are appropriate. The Committee received updates on compensation trends and legislative and regulatory developments. The Committee also reviewed the Company’s compensation programs, retirement, health and welfare plans. In addition, the Committee devoted considerable time to CVS Health’s stockholder outreach efforts and the feedback received from investors. The Committee’s review of executive compensation matters and its decisions, including changes made in response to input from our stockholders, is discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 35 of this proxy statement.

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Management Planning and Development Committee Activities in 2018
The Management Planning and Development Committee met six times in 2018 and each member of the Committee attended all of its meetings. In addition to reviewing the independence of its advisor as described below, the Committee devoted substantial time to its oversight of the Company’s compensation and benefit programs as part of its annual governance process. This review is aimed at ensuring that the Company is providing its employees with compensation and benefit programs that are appropriate. The Committee received updates on compensation trends and legislative and regulatory developments. The Committee also reviewed the Company’s compensation programs, retirement, health and welfare plans applicable to all full-time employees. In addition, the Committee devoted considerable time to CVS Health’s stockholder outreach efforts and the feedback received from investors. The Committee’s review of executive compensation matters and its decisions, including changes made in response to input from our stockholders, is discussed in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 38 of this proxy statement.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Committees of the Board as of the Annual Meeting

Compensation Risk Assessment

The Committee is responsible for reviewing and assessing potential risk arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices. In 2016,2018, the Company performed a comprehensive risk assessment of its compensation policies and practices to ascertain any potential material risks that may be created by the programs. Included in its assessment were all major components of the Company’s compensation programs, including: the mix between annual and long-term compensation; short-term incentive program design; long-term incentive program performance measures; incentive plan performance criteria and corresponding objectives; a comparison of the Company’s programs with those of its peer group; the Company’s severance and change-incontrolchange-in-control policies; its recoupment policy; its share retention requirements and ownership guidelines; and the Internal Audit Department’s review of the controls regarding the Company’s long-term incentive program. The Committee considered the findings of the assessment and concluded that the Company’s compensation programs are aligned with the interests of its stockholders, appropriately reward pay for performance, and do not promote excessive risk-taking.

Independent Consultant

Exequity LLP is the Committee’s independent compensation consultant. Exequity provides no other services to the Company. Exequity’s fees for executive compensation consulting to the Committee for 20162018 were $244,763.$252,244. During 2016,2018, Exequity:

Collected, organized and presented quantitative competitive market data for a relevant competitive peer group with respect to executive officers’ target, annual and long-term compensation levels;
levels, including providing data for the most senior Aetna executives;
Developed and delivered an annual Committee briefing on legislative and regulatory developments and trends in executive compensation and their implications for CVS Health;
Provided guidance, including relevant competitive market data, in support of discussions related to the design of our 2018 long-term incentive program; and
Analyzed market data and provided recommendations for non-employee director compensation to the Committee for approval by the Board.

The Committee believes that the advice it receives from Exequity is objective and not influenced by any other business relationship. The Committee and Exequity have policies and procedures in place to preserve the objectivity and integrity of the executive compensation consulting advice, including:

The Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate the executive compensation consultant;
The consultant reports to the Committee Chair and has direct access to the Committee without management involvement;
While it is necessary for the consultant to interact with management to gather information, the Committee determines if and how the consultant’s advice can be shared with management; and
The Committee regularly meets with the consultant in executive session, without management present, to discuss recommendations.

The Committee conducts an annual review of the independence of its compensation consultant, taking into account the standards above, the items required to be considered under the NYSE listing standards and applicable rules and regulations. The Committee determined that its compensation consultant is independent and that its consultant’s work does not raise any conflicts.


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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Committees of the Board as of the Annual Meeting

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:Medical Affairs Committee (formerly Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Committee)COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Each member of the Medical Affairs Committee is independent of the Company and management under the standards set forth in applicable SEC rules and the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. The Board has approved a charter for the Committee, which can be viewed on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com and also is available to stockholders without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary.

In light of the Company’s expanded offerings throughout the spectrum of health care, the Committee was formed in March 2016 and renamed in November 2018. Its focus is on oversight of the Company’s medical- and pharmacy-related strategies and initiatives, matters relating to the advancement of quality of pharmacy and medical care, patient safety and patient experience, the enhancement of access to cost-effective quality health care, and the promotion of member health.


PATIENT SAFETY AND CLINICAL QUALITY COMMITTEE

Each member of the Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Committee is independent of the Company and management under the standards set forth in applicable SEC rules and the Corporate Governance Rules of the NYSE. The Board has approved a charter for the Committee, which can be viewed on our website at http://investors.cvshealth.com and also is available to stockholders without charge upon request to our Corporate Secretary.

In light of the Company’s expanded offerings throughout the spectrum of health care, this Committee was formed in March 2016. Its focus is on the quality of pharmacy and medical care being delivered by the Company.

2016 Committee Members
(independent, photographed left to right)

Jean-Pierre Million
  Rotated in
Roger Farah
(Nov. 2018)
  Rotated out
None
Nancy-Ann DeParle
2018 Committee Members (independent)
Richard Bracken (Chair)
Alecia DeCoudreaux
Nancy-Ann DeParle
Jean-Pierre Millon
Tony White

2019 Committee Members (independent)
1Tony White
2Jean-Pierre Millon
3Richard Bracken (Chair)
4Nancy-Ann DeParle
5Alecia DeCoudreaux
6Roger Farah

Tony White
Alecia DeCoudreaux

Meetings in 2016:2018:4




Primary Responsibilities


Pursuant to its charter, the Committee:

assists the Board in its oversightreviews significant medical- and pharmacy-related strategies and initiatives of the Company’s policiesCompany, and procedures relatingmatters concerning efforts to (1) advance the deliveryquality of quality pharmacy and medical care, to its customers and patients, including clinical quality, patient safety and experience, management of(2) enhance access to cost-effective quality health care, claims againstand (3) promote member health;
reviews the enterpriseCompany’s medical, pharmacy, and regulatory review by relevant authorities;
other strategies and initiatives designed to foster health care innovation, lower patient costs and to improve the delivery of clinic, in-home, and other health care solutions;
reviews matters and receives reports concerning the quality performance of the Company’s (1) pharmacy and medical care, such as (a) dispensing, compounding, and infusion services and (b) nursing and medical clinic operations; (2) patient safety and experience; (3) the management of health care claims against the enterprise;Company; and (4) boards ofregulatory activity related to pharmacy and nursing activity;
reviews matters concerning efforts to (1) improve the quality of pharmacyhealth care; and medical care, patient safety and experience, (2) reduce health care claims against the enterprise, and (3) enhance boards of pharmacy and nursing activity; and
takes such other actions and performs such services as may be referred to it from time to time by the Board, including the conduct of special reviews as it may deem necessary or appropriate to fulfill its responsibilities.

Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Committee Activities in 2016

The Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Committee met four times in 2016 and each member of the Committee attended all of its meetings. The Committee’s meetings focused on a wide variety of matters related to the Company’s provision of health care services across the enterprise, including retail, mail, specialty, specialty mail and long-term care pharmacy, retail clinic services provided by MinuteClinic, and drug compounding activities conducted by Coram and across the enterprise. The Committee received reports regarding regulatory activity by boards of pharmacy and nursing related to the Company and reviewed accreditations issued by various agencies to the Company’s various business lines. The Committee received updates on health care-related claims against the Company, as well as steps being taken to minimize and mitigate those claims. The Committee also provided oversight in the development of a number of scorecards in various lines of business, and other efforts to measure and improve patient safety and clinical-effectiveness.


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Medical Affairs Committee Activities in 2018
The Medical Affairs Committee met four times in 2018 and each member of the Committee attended all of its meetings. The Committee’s meetings focused on a wide variety of matters related to the Company’s provision of health care services across the enterprise, including retail, mail, specialty, specialty mail and long-term care pharmacy, retail clinic services provided by MinuteClinic, and drug compounding and infusion activities conducted by Coram and across the enterprise. The Committee received reports regarding regulatory activity by boards of pharmacy, nursing and health related to the Company. The Committee reviewed various issues related to patient safety, including matters related to the Company’s efforts to address the opioid abuse crisis. The Committee received updates on health care-related claims against the Company, as well as steps being taken to minimize and mitigate those claims. The Committee also provided oversight in the development and enhancement of a number of scorecards in various lines of business, and other efforts to measure and improve patient safety and clinical effectiveness.


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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Board Meetings and Attendance

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS:Executive Committee BOARD MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE

At all times when the Board is not in session, the Executive Committee may exercise many of the powers of the Board, as permitted by applicable law.

The Executive Committee met two times during 2018, to discuss urgent matters.

Mr. Bracken, Chair of the Medical Affairs Committee, was added to the Executive Committee in January 2018, Mr. Ludwig was added to the Executive Committee when he became Chair of the newly-formed Investment and Finance Committee in November 2018 and Nancy-Ann DeParle will be added to the Executive Committee at the time of the Annual Meeting, when she will become Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
  Rotated in
Edward Ludwig
(Nov. 2018)
Nancy-Ann DeParle
(May 2019)
  Rotated out
None
2018 Committee Members
Richard Bracken
David Brown
David Dorman
Larry Merlo
Richard Swift

2019 Committee Members
1Richard Bracken
2Richard Swift
3Larry Merlo
4David Dorman
5Nancy-Ann DeParle
6Edward Ludwig
7David Brown


At all times when the Board is not in session, the Executive Committee may exercise most of the powers of the Board, as permitted by applicable law.

The Executive Committee did not meet during 2016.

2016 Committee Members
(photographed left to right)

Richard Swift
David Dorman
David Brown
Larry Merlo

Meetings in 2016:2018:None2



   

BOARD MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCEBoard Meetings and Attendance

During 2016,2018, there were seveneight meetings of the Board. Directors are expected to make every effort to attend the Annual Meeting, all Board meetings and the meetings of the Committees on which they serve. All of our directors at the time of our 20162018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders attended that Annual Meeting. In 2016,2018, all but one directordirectors attended 100%more than 75% of the meetings of the Board and the Committees of which he or she was a member. Ms. Finucane attended 67% of the meetings of the Board and the Committees of which she was a member, missing two sets of meetings due to unavoidable conflicts that arose in connection with her role as a Vice Chairman at Bank of America Corporation. The independent Chairman of the Board and the CEO use their best efforts to schedule Board and Committee meetings far enough in advance to avoid such conflicts, but they recognize unexpected and unresolvable conflicts sometimes occur. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee fully considered meeting attendance in its evaluation of nominees, and has reviewed dates for meetings in future years to ensure maximum attendance.averaging over 99%.

One Board meeting was our annual meeting of independent directors. The independent directors also regularly hold executive sessions during regularly scheduled Board meetings in which our management does not participate.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATIONNon-Employee Director Compensation

CVS Health’s approach to compensating non-employee directors for Board service is to provide directors with an annual retainer comprised of a mandatory 75% paid in shares of our common stock and 25% paid in cash (or up to 100% stock at the director’s election). The payment of a significant portion of the annual retainer, and additional retainers as outlined below, in our common stock is consistent with our policy of using equity compensation to better align directors’ interests with stockholders. This also enhances the directors’ ability to meet and continue to comply with our stock ownership guidelines described below.

For the 2016-20172018-2019 Board year, the total annual retainer for non-employee directors remained $280,000, consisting of shares of our stock valued at $210,000 (the mandatory annual stock retainer) and a cash payment of $70,000 (unless the director elected to receive up to 100% of the annual retainer in shares of our common stock).

Additional retainers were paid to the Chairs of the Committees and the Board as follows: Audit, $25,000; Investment and Finance, $15,000 (pro-rated to $7,500 for the 2018-2019 Board year); Management Planning and Development, $20,000; Medical Affairs, $15,000; Nominating and Corporate Governance, $15,000; Patient Safety and Clinical Quality, $15,000; Management Planning and Development, $20,000; Audit, $25,000; and Independent ChairmanChair of the Board, $275,000.

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND RELATED MATTERS: NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

At least 75% of each additional retainer must be paid in shares of our common stock, with the remaining 25% paid in cash, unless the director elects to be paid an additional percentage in shares. Each retainer was paid in two equal installments, in MayandJune and November of 2016.2018. Directors may elect to defer receipt of shares;shares, and deferred shares are credited with dividend equivalentsreinvestment shares to the extent dividends are paid to stockholders. There are no meeting fees.

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Corporate Governance and Related Matters  Non-Employee Director Compensation

On November 6, 2018, the Management Planning and Development Committee and Exequity LLP reviewed a director compensation study prepared by Exequity, and the Board approved the Director compensation package for non-employee Directors for the 2019-2020 Board year. The Board retainer will be increased to $310,000, with at least 75% paid in stock, and all of the Chair retainers will remain the same as the current Board year.

   
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR RETAINER MIXNon-Employee Director Retainer Mix

ALL OTHER COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Directors are eligible to participate in the employee discount program and are subject to the same terms of the program as our employees. Directors are generally reimbursed for business expenses incurred directly in connection with their roles and duties on the Board, such as services provided by an executive assistant, travel, meals and lodging. We allow all directors to enroll themselves and their eligible dependents in our prescription drug benefit program, paying the same premium rates as employees. If a director retires from the Board with at least five years of service, we will allow continued participation in the prescription drug benefit plan for life, but the director must bear the full cost of the premium after retirement.

The following table shows amounts paid to each of our non-employee directors in 2016.2018.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATIONNon-Employee Director Compensation20162018


NAME      FEES EARNED
AND PAID
IN CASH
1
($)
      CASH FEES
ELECTED TO BE
PAID IN STOCK
2
($)
      STOCK
AWARDS 2
($)
      ALL OTHER
COMPENSATION 3
($)
      TOTAL
($)
Richard M. Bracken474,524222,976200297,700
C. David Brown II75,000225,0002,056302,056
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux70,000210,000200280,200
Nancy-Ann M. DeParle70,075209,925200280,200
David W. Dorman92142,408427,500200570,200
Anne M. Finucane70,075209,925280,000
Jean-Pierre Millon70,075209,9252,056282,056
Richard J. Swift76,347228,6532,056307,056
William C. Weldon70,000210,000200280,200
Tony L. White70,075209,9252,056282,056

NameFees Earned
and Paid
in Cash
1
($)
Cash Fees
Elected to be
Paid in Stock2
($)
Stock
Awards2
($)
All Other
Compensation3
($)
Total
($)
Fernando Aguirre    35,007        104,993        140,000
Mark T. Bertolini35,007104,993140,000
Richard M. Bracken73,913221,0872,043297,043
C. David Brown II075,000225,0002,043302,043
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux70,083209,917973280,973
Nancy-Ann M. DeParle70,083209,917280,000
David W. Dorman100142,400427,500570,000
Roger N. Farah35,007104,993140,000
Anne M. Finucane70,083209,917280,000
Edward J. Ludwig36,888110,612147,500
Jean-Pierre Millon70,083209,9172,043282,043
Mary L. Schapiro070,000210,000280,000
Richard J. Swift76,250228,7502,043307,043
William C. Weldon070,000210,000280,000
Tony L. White70,083209,9172,043282,043
1The amounts shown include cash payments made in lieu of fractional shares to Mmes. DeCoudreaux, DeParle and Finucane and Messrs. Aguirre, Bertolini, Bracken, Dorman, Farah, Ludwig, Millon, Swift and White.
2These awards are fully vested at grant and the amounts shown represent both the fair market value and the full fair value at grant. During 2016,2018, each director receiving a 12-month retainer received 2,2902,970 shares of stock with a total value of approximately $210,000 (the mandatory annual stock retainer) on the date of grant; each director electing to receive the remaining annual retainer in stock also received 762990 shares valued at $70,000 on the date of grant. Two directors also elected to receive their additional chairchairperson retainers in stock in lieu of cash. The four directors elected at the time of the Aetna Transaction each received a six-month retainer consisting of 1,308 shares valued at $105,000; Mr. Ludwig also received 70 shares valued at $5,625 as a six-month retainer for his service as Chair of the Investment and Finance Committee; the remainder of each such retainer was paid in cash. As of December 31, 2016,2018, our directors had deferred receipt of shares of Company common stock as follows: Mr. Brown, 47,93359,107 shares; Ms. DeCoudreaux, 6,40910,667 shares; Ms. DeParle, 3,2833,470 shares; Mr. Dorman, 16,13017,047 shares; Ms. Finucane, 2,678 shares;5,750; Ms. Schapiro, 7,887; Mr. Swift, 52,921;62,371 shares; and Mr. Weldon, 12,90421,525 shares.
3Represents Company costscontributions for director health and prescription benefits for Messrs. Brown, Millon, Swift and White. Also represents participation in our matching gifts program, under which director or employee contributors to the CVS Health Employee Political Action Committee may designate a charity to receive a matching contribution from the Company of up to $200. Mmes. DeCoudreaux and DeParle and Messrs. Bracken, Brown, Dorman, Millon, Swift, Weldon and White participated in this program.
4Mr. Bracken became Chair of the Patient Safety and Clinical Quality Committee in March 2016. His compensation includes a pro rata retainer for the portion of the 2015-2016 Board year that he served as Chair of that Committee.benefits.

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Audit Committee Matters

 

Item 2: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2019

The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP (Ernst & Young), an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019, and recommended to our full Board that it approve that appointment. We are submitting the appointment by the Committee to you for your ratification.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a voteFORthis proposal.

AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS

ITEM 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has appointed Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017,and recommended to our full Board that it approve that appointment. We are submitting the appointment by the Committee to you for your ratification.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote this proposal.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

During most of 2016,2018, the Committee was composed of foureither five or six independent directors.directors, with Messrs. Aguirre and Ludwig joining the Committee after their election to the Board in November 2018 and Ms. DeParle rotating off the Committee at that time. Set forth below is the report of the current Committee on its activities with respect to CVS Health’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162018 (audited financial statements).

The Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management;

The Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young, CVS Health’s independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed under applicable auditing standards;

The Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young pursuant to applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Ernst & Young’scommunications with the Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Ernst & Young its independence from the Company; and

Based on the review and discussions referred to above and relying thereon, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in CVS Health’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2018, for filing with the SEC.


    

Richard J. Swift, Chair

Fernando Aguirre

Alecia A. DeCoudreaux

Nancy-Ann M. DeParle

Edward J. Ludwig

Jean-Pierre Millon

Mary L. Schapiro

INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM INDEPENDENCE AND FEE APPROVAL POLICY

The Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm. The Committee has retained Ernst & Young as CVS Health’s external audit firm since September 2007. In order to assure continuing external auditor independence, the Committee periodically considers whether there should be a rotation of the audit firm. Further, in conjunction with the mandated rotation of the external audit firm’s lead engagement partner, the Committee and its chairChair are directly involved in the selection of Ernst & Young’s new lead engagement partner. Based on its most recent evaluation of Ernst & Young, the members of the Committee believe that the continued retention of Ernst & Young to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Among the factors considered by the Committee in reaching this recommendation are the following: the quality of Ernst & Young’s staff, work and quality control; its capability and technical expertise, given the complexity of the Company’s business, including its expertise in the health benefits business acquired by the Company in the Aetna Transaction; its independence from the Company; the quality and candor of its communications with the Company and the Committee; and the benefits of its tenure as auditors, including enhanced audit quality and competitive fees.

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Audit Committee Matters  Item 2

All audit services, audit-related services and tax services were pre-approved by the Committee, and the Committee is ultimately responsible for audit fee negotiations associated with the retention of Ernst & Young. The Committee has considered whether Ernst & Young’s provision of services is compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young’s independence. The Committee’s audit approval policy provides for pre-approval of audit, audit-related and tax services that are specifically described on an annual basis to the Committee and, in addition, individual engagements anticipated to exceed pre-established thresholds must be separately approved. The policy also requires specific approval by the Committee if total fees for audit-related and tax services would exceed total fees for audit services in any fiscal year. The policy authorizes the Committee to delegate to one or more of its members pre-approval authority with respect to permitted services, so long as such pre-approvals are reported to the full Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

Representatives of Ernst & Young will be at the Annual Meeting to answer your questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire.

If you do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young, the Committee will reconsider its appointment, although in the event of reconsideration the Committee may determine that Ernst & Young should continue in its role. Even if you do ratify the appointment, the Committee retains its discretion to reconsider its appointment if it believes that reconsideration is necessary in the best interest of the Company and the stockholders.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS:ITEM 2

FEES OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTING FIRM

The following table summarizes the fees paid to Ernst & Young for services rendered during fiscal 20162018 and 2015.2017.

      FISCAL YEAR
ENDED
12/31/16
      FISCAL YEAR
ENDED
12/31/15
Fiscal Year
Ended
12/31/18
($)
Fiscal Year
Ended
12/31/17
($)
Audit Fees1$10,360,000$10,680,969    24,210,000    10,530,000
Audit Related Fees2$624,008$228,564
Audit-Related Fees22,269,3951,318,736
Tax Fees3$2,985,026$2,001,2781,642,8161,420,837
All Other Fees
1

Represents the aggregate fees and expenses billed for the audit of our consolidated financial statements and the audit of our internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year, the reviews of the condensed consolidated financial statements included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, audits of our insurance captives, services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings for the fiscal year, and consultations on technical matters.

Audit fees increased in 2018 due to additional audit procedures associated with the new lease accounting standard, goodwill impairments, debt offering, and the Aetna Transaction.
2

Represents the aggregate fees billed for audit and other services that are typically performed by auditors, including audits of our employee benefit plans, compliance reporting, non-financial metric reporting and certain agreed upon procedures.

3

RepresentsIncludes $152,500 and $170,000 for the aggregate fees billed foryears ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to tax compliance consulting and relatedpreparation services.


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Table of Contents

Executive Compensation and Related Matters

 

Item 3: Say on Pay, a Proposal to Approve, on An Advisory Basis, the Company’s Executive Compensation

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a voteFOR this proposal.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERSBACKGROUND

ITEM 3: PROPOSAL TO APPROVE, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT

BACKGROUND

We are asking our stockholders to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to our named executive officers,Named Executive Officers, as described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) and the Executive Compensation section of this proxy statement. Although the advisory vote is not binding upon the Company, the Management Planning and Development Committee (referred to in this Item 3 as the Committee), which is responsible for designing and administering our executive compensation program, values our stockholders’ opinions and will continue to consider the outcome of the vote in its ongoing evaluation of our executive compensation program.

At CVS Health, our executive compensation philosophy and practice reflect our unwavering commitment to paying for performance – both short- and long-term. We define performance as the achievement of results against challenging internal financial targets that take into account our results relative to that of our peer companies, as well as industry and market conditions. We believe that our multi-faceted executive compensation plans, with their integrated focus on short- and long-term metrics, provide an effective framework by which progress against our strategic goals may be appropriately measured and rewarded.

OUR 2016 2018 VOTE; STOCKHOLDER OUTREACH

Following our 20162018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders,Stockholders, the Committee reviewed the results of the shareholderstockholder advisory vote on executive compensation that was held at the meeting with respect to the 2015 compensation actions and decisions for the named executive officers.compensation. Approximately 80%91% of votes were cast in favor of the proposal; this was lower thanproposal, an increase from 61% in 2017.

Management and the support receivedBoard had conducted extensive outreach with our stockholders following our 2017 Annual Meeting to better understand their perspectives on our compensation program, particularly for those who voted against our say-on-pay proposal. As a result of investor feedback, the Committee approved several changes to our compensation program for 2018 in 2015 (94%an effort to simplify and enhance the performance-based nature of the program and to increase overall transparency. The 2018 changes followed a number of enhancements made to our executive compensation programs following stockholder feedback in favor). Duringprior years. In the falllatter part of 2016,2018 and early 2019, we contactedreached out to stockholders representing approximately 41% of our 50 largest stockholders,outstanding shares and held calls or meetings with holders of more than 50%nearly 19% of our common stock, to get their views on our programoutstanding shares, as well as the required vote on the frequency of the say on pay vote. We conducted meetings with many investors and one of the leading proxy advisory firms. The stockholders thatDuring our outreach, we spoke with generally approved of our core compensation principles anddiscussed the changes to our executive compensation program, but some of them offered suggestions for improvements to our programor our disclosure. After careful consideration, theprograms that were put into place in 2018 and received positive feedback.

The Committee had implemented several changes to our 2018 plan design aimed principally at enhancing the performance-based nature of the program and increasing overall transparency, including:

reducing maximumdenominating long-term incentive plan awards underin stock, i.e., performance stock units, or PSUs, rather than denominating them in cash and settling them in stock, which simplifies the Executive Incentive Plan (EIP);

reporting of the awards and further aligns the program to our stockholders;

enhancing the performance mix of long-term incentives, by replacing time-based restricted stock units with PSUs, and implementing limits on discretiona two-year post-vest holding period for shares delivered under the EIP;

PSUs; and

adopting vesting schedulesrevising the comparator group for dividend equivalents on restricted stock units (RSUs); and

revising themeasuring relative total shareholder return (TSR) modifier forunder our Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) from the 2017-2019 cyclefull S&P 500 to an index of approximately 90 companies that adjusts for performance above and below the 50th percentile.

more closely reflects our business.

We are also improvedenhancing the disclosure and providing more insight into the Committee’s evaluation of oureach executive’s individual goals and performance metricsunder the annual incentive plan.

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Executive Compensation and how they correlate to the creation of long-term value for our stockholders.Related Matters  Item 3

OUR 20162018 PERFORMANCE AND PAY ACTIONS

2016In 2018, the Company delivered on our financial expectations. As a result, revenues grew 5.3% and adjusted earnings per share were $7.08,1 at the top end of our previous guidance range. Earnings (loss) per share on a GAAP basis was a successful year for$(0.57), due primarily to goodwill impairment charges taken with respect to the Company.Company’s Long-Term Care business. We had record revenues and cash flow from operations and generated healthy profit growth across the enterprise. We also returned more than $6$2 billion to stockholders through cash dividends and share buybacks. However, we set challenging internal goals which resulted in below-target level annual bonus payments. Strong performanceduring 2018, but suspended both dividend increases and our stock buyback program in connection with the Aetna Transaction as we take steps to return to our target debt leverage ratio through disciplined approach to capital allocation contributed to the satisfaction of the maximum performance levels under the 2014-2016 long-term performance awards, despite a decline in our stock price due to industry-wide pressures on reimbursement, drug pricing and headwinds created by restricted networks adopted by payors in 2016.allocation.

The value of our named executive officers’Named Executive Officers’ compensation is significantly influenced by the value of our stock. Approximately 70% of target total compensation under our program is provided through stock-based pay (stock options, RSUsperformance stock units and the performance-based Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP))LTIP). As a result of our long vesting periods and the two-year holding requirement for net shares issued under the LTIP, the members of our executive team, like our stockholders, have been affected by the decrease in our stock price and only ultimately achieve the full target grant value of their equity compensation by creating long-term stockholder value.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS:ITEM 3

CONCLUSION; RESOLUTION

We urge stockholders to read the letter from the Committee found on page 3437 and the CD&A beginning on page 3538 of this proxy statement, which describes in more detail how our executive compensation policies and procedures operate and are designed to achieve our compensation objectives, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narrativenarratives appearing on pages 57 through 66,63-74, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our NEOs.Named Executive Officers. The Committee and the Board of Directors believe that the policies and procedures articulated in the CD&A are effective in achieving our goals and that the compensation of our NEOsNamed Executive Officers reported in this proxy statement has contributed to CVS Health’s long-term success.

Stockholders are being asked to vote on the following resolution:

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the CVS Health executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, as disclosed pursuant to the SEC’s compensation disclosure rules (which disclosure includes the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and other narrative executive compensation disclosures).”

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a votethis proposal.
ITEM 4: PROPOSAL REGARDING THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION1Adjusted earnings per share is a non-GAAP measure. For more information, see Annex A of this proxy statement.

36            2019 Proxy Statement


BACKGROUND AND RECOMMENDATION

As described in Item 3 above, our stockholders have the opportunity to cast an advisory vote to approve the compensationTable of our named executive officers, the so-called “say-on-pay” proposal. This Item 4 affords stockholders the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on how often we should include a say-on-pay proposal in our proxy materials for future stockholder meetings for which we must include executive compensation information in the proxy statement for that meeting (often referred to as the “say-when-on-pay” proposal). Under this Item 4, stockholders may vote to have the say-on-pay vote every year, every two years, or every three years.Contents

Our stockholders voted on a similar proposal in 2011, with a large majority voting to hold a say-on-pay vote every year, as then recommended by the Board. Though we currently hold our say-on-pay votes every year, there are valid arguments regarding the relative benefits of both annual and less frequent say-on-pay votes. After considering inputLetter from our stockholders, the preference evident from voting results at otherFortune 500companies, and practical commentary that has become widely available with respect to the say-when-on-pay vote since its implementation, our Board is again recommending that the say-on-pay vote be held on an annual basis.

As an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding on the Company, the Board or the Management Planning and Development Committee. However, the BoardCommittee and theCompensation Committee value the opinions expressed by stockholders in their votes on this proposal and will consider the outcome of this vote when making future decisions regarding the frequency of conducting a say-on-pay vote. Unless and until the Board determines otherwise, the next say-when-on-pay vote will occur at our 2023 Annual Meeting, since this vote is required to be held every six years.Report

Stockholders may cast a vote on the preferred voting frequency by selecting the option of every one year, every two years, or every three years (or abstaining) when voting in response to the resolution set forth below.

“RESOLVED, that the stockholders recommend, on an advisory basis, that after the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Company conduct any required stockholder advisory vote on the executive compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as set forth in the Company’s proxy statement should be every year, every two years, or every three years in accordance with such frequency receiving the greatest number of votes cast for this resolution.”

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a voteevery(1) YEAR for this proposal.

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DEAR CVS HEALTH
CORPORATION STOCKHOLDER,

As the members of the Board’s ManagementPlanning and Development Committee (for purposes of this letter and the Board of Directors,CD&A, the Committee), we are responsible for and highly focused on overseeing the design and implementation of competitive compensation programs that furtheralign pay and performance, support our long-term strategic goals, and drive stockholder value.

It was a milestone year for CVS Health. In 2018 we successfully completed our transformational acquisition of Aetna, began effective implementation of our integration strategy, and took important steps toward building the interestsintegrated healthcare model that will bring substantial value to our various stakeholders. During this time, we maintained strong financial performance and delivered on our operating expectations. The Committee took into account all of these factors, in addition to the direct feedback we heard from our stockholders, as we implemented the 2018 compensation program and demonstrate strong pay-for-performance. This responsibility includes listeningstructured the compensation program for 2019.

In 2018, following a thorough review of the compensation program and significant stockholder engagement, the Committee implemented a number of substantive enhancements that both responded to stockholder feedback and considering your viewscontinued to support our core compensation principles. These changes were designed to simplify and enhance the performance-based nature of the program, and to increase overall transparency. Stockholder feedback since these changes were implemented, through the 2018 say-on-pay proposal, which received 91% support, and subsequent stockholder engagement in late 2018 and early 2019, has been positive.

We remain firmly committed to incent management to remain focused on executive compensation.

The Compensation Discussion & Analysis (CD&A) that follows describes what we pay, why we pay it,drivers of sustainable performance over the long term. As a result of the Aetna Transaction which closed in late 2018 and how we madeas our pay decisions for 2016. It also demonstrates how our executive pay program reflectsstrategy continues to evolve, the Committee has reviewed the performance metrics within our compensation philosophy andprogram to ensure appropriate alignment. For 2019, the Committee determined to grant the performance stock units (PSUs) portion of our long-term corporate strategy. In addition,incentive program following the program reflectsCompany’s Investor Day presentation in June using an EPS growth rate and a leverage ratio as the actions we took based on your feedback. For example:performance metrics for the awards. We believe these metrics are key to driving long-term, sustained growth and will be critical measures of success for you, our stockholders.

Beginning with 2017 grants, dividend equivalents on RSUs will only be paid if and when the underlying award vests.

We reduced the maximum Executive Incentive Plan (EIP) award opportunity to align with the broad-based Management Incentive Plan (MIP) (maximum bonus is 200% of target).

We formalized the guardrails we use for discretionary adjustments for superior performance under the EIP (no more than 25% of the calculated payout under the MIP).

We revised the total shareholder return (TSR) modifier for the 2017-2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) award by adjusting awards by +/- 25% for performance above or below the 50th percentile.


We remain firm in our beliefbelieve that our compensation programs drive the right behaviors for our executives, which in turn benefits our stockholders by driving our business strategies and goals. Though inWe look forward to ongoing dialogue and collaboration with our stockholders as we transform the short-run the stock price may not correlate with these actions, we believe our stockholders’ interests are best served over time by a balanced compensation program that takes a long-term, holistic view of our business strategy and emphasizes the drivers of long-term value creation.consumer health care experience.

You can find additional information in this Proxy Statement as well as the AnnualCompensation Committee Report both of which can be found on the Company’s website (www.cvshealth.com) or our annual meeting website (www.cvshealthannualmeeting.com).

C. David Brown II
(Chairman)
David W. DormanAnne M. FinucaneWilliam C. WeldonTony L. White

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

We met with management to review and discuss the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (the CD&A.&A). Based on that review and discussion, we recommended to the Board that the CD&A be included in this proxy statement.

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:David W. DormanCOMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS — SUMMARYTony L. WhiteAnne M. FinucaneC. David Brown II
(Chair)
William C. WeldonRoger N. Farah

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS — SUMMARY

Our 2016 compensation programs:

Are tailored to our short- and long-termbusiness strategies and drive performance,

Reflect therapidly changing health care landscape,

Drivesustainable performance in an era where human, social, natural, and intellectual capital are joining financial and operating capital as performance drivers, and

Operate withinstrong governance parameters.


Ourbusiness performance showcases our financial discipline, conservative management, strong track record and focus on stockholder returns. In 2016 we delivered:

15.8%
net revenue growth
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37
growth in
operating profit
GAAP EPS
growth of
6.2%

Return of
>$6 billion
to stockholders
through dividends and
share repurchases

Return on
net assets
that exceeded target by
22%

Outperformed the
S&P 500 and
Dow Jones
Industrial Average
for the prior
5 and 10 years


The rapidlychanging health care landscape includes uncertainties concerning health care policy and the exclusion of CVS Pharmacy from certain health plan retail networks, resulting in the loss of prescription volume beginning in late 2016. Together, these have created a headwind for 2017. Our compensation, both the cash component and the value of our outstanding stock awards, is — and should be — affected by such factors, whether or not those factors are within management’s ability to influence.

We are committed to helping people on their path to better health. Our values of innovation, collaboration, caring, integrity and accountability affect how we drive performance. We are strongly committed to evaluating and incenting management to remain focused ondrivers of sustainable performance, even though we recognize that this focus is not always reflected in the stock price. Our annual stockholder outreach to holders of over 50 percent of our shares confirms strong support for this commitment and for the value we place on other forms of capital—including human, natural, social and intellectual:

We include retail service and client satisfaction in our pay calculations.

Our decision to remove tobacco from pharmacy stores continues to show positive results by reinforcing the value of our brand in health care.

We value the recruiting and reputation advantages of placing first in our sector of World’s Most Admired Companies, of placing third in Fast Money’s list of 50 Most Innovative Companies, and of being one of Forbes’ Most Admired Brands.

Finally, our compensation program is implemented by a board that maintains good corporate governance practices.For example:

We have an independent board chair,

We do not have a staggered board, poison pill, supermajority voting requirements, or a dual class capitalization structure,

Our stockholders have proxy access, special meeting, written consent and majority voting rights,

Our Board is characterized by diversity of background, race, gender and ethnicity, and

We engage in regular stockholder engagement and are responsive to stockholder input.

We seek your voting support for our pay programs. We encourage you to consider this summary in the context of the important details that follow.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Summary

 Compensation Discussion and Analysis

The CD&A explains how our executive compensation programs are designed and operate with respect to our named executive officers (NEOs or Named Executive Officers), who for 2018 are:

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:Larry J. MerloPresident and Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS — SUMMARYEva C. BorattoExecutive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Jonathan C. RobertsEVP and Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Derica W. RiceEVP and President – CVS Caremark
Thomas M. MoriartyEVP, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer and General Counsel
David M. DentonFormer EVP and CFO

In connection with the closing of the Aetna Transaction, David M. Denton left the Company and Eva C. Boratto, formerly CVS Health’s Executive Vice President – Controller and Chief Accounting Officer, was appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Boratto joined the Company in 2010 and has an extensive financial background that spans more than 20 years and includes senior positions in both the pharmaceutical and pharmacy benefit management (PBM) industries.

Derica W. Rice joined the Company on March 30, 2018 and serves as President of CVS Caremark and Executive Vice President of the Company. He previously served as CFO at Eli Lilly and Company.

The CD&A is organized into the following sections:

Summarypage 38
Business and Performance Highlightspage 42
Detailed Program Discussionpage 44

 Summary

OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION CORE PRINCIPLES

What is your executive compensation philosophy?

Our executive compensation program is governed by fiveFive core principles that drive our executive compensation philosophy:

IIIIIIIVV
Support,
Communicate and
Drive Achievement
Of of our business strategies and goals.goals
Attract and RetainThe the highest-caliber executive officers by providing compensation opportunities comparable to those offered by other companies with which we compete for business and talent.talent
Motivate High
Performance
From from executive officers in an incentive-driven culture by delivering greater rewards for superior performance and reduced awards for underperformance.underperformance
Align InterestsOfof our executive officers and our stockholders, and foster an equity ownership environment.environment
Reward AchievementOf of short-term results as well as long-term stockholder value creation.creation

Management and the Committee believe these principles motivate our executive officers to take personal responsibility for the performance of the business continually improve our results and operations and deliver long-term stockholder value, consistent with CVS Health’s values of Innovation, Collaboration, Caring, Integrity and Accountability.

Our compensation programs:

Are tailored to our short- and long-termbusiness strategies and drive performance,
Reflect therapidly changing health care landscape,
Drivesustainable performancein an era where human, social, natural, and intellectual capital are joining financial and operating capital as performance drivers, and
Operate withinstrong governanceparameters.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Summary

STOCKHOLDER OUTREACH AND CONSIDERATION OF 2018 “SAY ON PAY” VOTE

Following our core values. 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the Committee reviewed the results of the stockholder advisory vote on executive compensation. Approximately 91% of votes were cast in favor of the proposal, an increase from 61% in 2017. Management and the Board had conducted extensive outreach with our stockholders following our 2017 Annual Meeting to better understand their perspectives on our compensation program, particularly for those who voted against our say-on-pay proposal. As a result of investor feedback, the Committee approved several changes to our compensation program for 2018 in an effort to simplify and enhance the performance-based nature of the program and to increase overall transparency. The 2018 changes followed a number of enhancements made to the program following stockholder feedback in prior years.

In the latter part of 2018 and early 2019, we reached out to stockholders representing approximately 41% of our outstanding shares and had conversations with stockholders who requested engagement representing nearly 19% of our outstanding shares, as well as one of the leading proxy advisory firms. During our outreach, we discussed a range of relevant topics with stockholders, including the changes to our executive compensation programs that were put into place in 2018 and received positive feedback.

2018 Enhancements To Executive Compensation Program

Denominate
Long-Term
Incentive Plan
(LTIP) Grants
in Stock
We historically denominated the value of our LTIP grants in cash. Based on feedback from stockholders, beginning in 2016 we provided for the awards to be settled 100% in shares of common stock that are subject to a two-year holding period.

Even after the 2016 change, some stockholders continued to find the disclosure surrounding the LTIP confusing, and many suggested a preferable and more common approach to denominate grants in shares. Thus effective beginning with the 2018-2020 performance cycle, all LTIP grants will be denominated as performance stock units (PSUs) and reported in the Summary Compensation Table in the year of grant.
Enhance
Performance-
Based
Component of
Long-Term
Incentives
Beginning with 2018 grants, we replaced time-vested restricted stock units (RSUs) with PSUs with a three-year performance period based on adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA) targets, which we refer to as EBITDA PSUs, resulting in 75% of our target annual long-term incentive grant value being performance-based. The remaining 25% of the target grant value is in the form of a stock option grant, which many stockholders view as performance-based or performance-aligned. Unvested PSUs are not eligible for dividend equivalent payments (unlike the prior unvested RSUs). Shares delivered in settlement of PSUs are subject to a two-year holding period.

Prior to 2018, RSUs accounted for 25% of an executive’s long-term incentive target grant values, and investors indicated a preference for greater emphasis on PSUs.
Increase
Portion of
Long-Term
Incentives
Subject to
Holding Period
Beginning with 2018 grants, LTIP awards are granted as PSUs and settled 100% in shares of common stock that are subject to a two-year holding period. As a result, the portion of long-term incentive awards subject to a holding period by our executives has increased to 75% versus the prior 50%.

Stockholders have provided positive feedback on the two-year holding period, recognizing that it further aligns executive and stockholder interests over a longer term.
Improve Annual
Cash Incentive
Program
Design
For the 2018 performance year, we simplified the design of the annual cash incentive program and eliminated the bonus pool. NEOs are eligible for maximum awards based on competitive targets. For 2018, the program continued to use rigorous goals for MIP Adjusted Operating Profit that align to our external financial guidance along with customer satisfaction and client service goals that the Committee believes are leading indicators of future performance. The program also incorporates individual goals for each NEO.

Stockholders previously had indicated that our annual cash incentive program was too complex.
Adjust
Comparator
Group For
Relative TSR
Performance
Modifier
Beginning with the 2018-2020 LTIP performance cycle, we changed the comparator group for measuring relative TSR (rTSR) under our LTIP from the S&P 500 to an index of companies that more closely reflects our business. Specifically, this group includes over 55 health care and over 30 consumer staples companies.

We received feedback that a comparator group more closely aligned to our business might be more appropriate, and would help to mitigate some of the macro issues that can potentially impact the share price of a particular industry or industries.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Summary

The above changes are in addition to enhancements made to our compensation program in prior years as a result of stockholder input that remain in effect, including:

Adding transparency to the individual component of our annual cash incentive program,
Reducing maximum awards under the annual cash incentive program,
Providing that dividend equivalents on unvested RSUs (a portion of our long-term incentive program prior to 2018) are only paid out when and if awards vest, and
Revising the TSR modifier beginning with the 2017-2019 LTIP performance cycle by applying it in pro-rated quartiles that reduce payouts for performance below the 50th percentile.

COMPENSATION PROGRAM DESIGN

Our pay-for-performance philosophy places a majority of an executive officer’s compensation at risk and emphasizes long-term incentives tied to individual and Company performance as well as continued service. As a result, the only fixed compensation paid is base salary, which represents 9% of the CEO’s total target compensation and no more than 16% of the other NEOs’ total target compensation.

2018 CEO Target Pay Mix

IMPACT OF LTIP PLAN DESIGN CHANGES: TRANSITION IN PSU SETTLEMENT

In 2016, in response to stockholder feedback, the Company moved from an LTIP award that was partially settled in cash to awards denominated in cash and settled 100% in stock. This resulted in a change in our reporting as previously awards were reported half in the year of grant and half in the year of vesting. In accordance with SEC guidance, the LTIP payouts for the 2016 and 2017 grants are reported at the end of the three-year performance period as cash even though they will be settled and paid fully in stock. Although our stockholders generally approved of the design (payment in stock that is subject to a two-year post-vesting holding period), they found the multi-year reporting confusing and that it resulted in an incomplete analysis of our compensation program. To address these concerns, commencing with the 2018 grants, LTIP awards are made in PSUs (LTIP PSUs) that are reported in the year of the grant as stock awards in the Summary Compensation Table (SCT) and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.

During the transition period, which includes the payout of the 2016-2018 performance cycle and will continue through the payout of the 2017-2019 performance cycle, there will be timing issues that occur as awards for multiple years will appear in the SCT as follows:

Last year’s SCT included the cash portion earned for the 2015-2017 LTIP performance cycle (the stock portion was reported in 2015).
The 2018 SCT in this proxy statement includes 100% of the value earned for the 2016-2018 LTIP performance cycle (reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column) and 100% of the grant date fair value at target performance for the awards granted for the 2018-2020 LTIP performance cycle (reported in the “Stock Awards” column).
The 2019 SCT in next year’s proxy statement will include 100% of any value earned for the 2017-2019 LTIP performance cycle (reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column) and 100% of the grant date fair value at target performance for the awards granted for 2019-2021 LTIP performance cycle (reported in the “Stock Awards” column).

We will return to normal, single-cycle reporting in the 2020 Summary Compensation Table.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Summary

The table below shows the Committee’s compensation determinations for our CEO for the last three years, and as such is a better and more comparable representation of the CEO’s compensation. This table is different from the SEC-required 2018 SCT that begins on page 63 only in that it removes the double reporting of LTIP awards. For example, the value earned for the 2016-2018 LTIP performance cycle that paid out in 2018, which was granted in 2016, is not included for fiscal 2018 below, but is included in the SCT. As reflected in the table below, the value at target of the compensation to Mr. Merlo in 2018 remained consistent from the prior years.

CEO Annual Compensation Determinations

     Salary
($)
     Annual Cash
Incentive
Award1
($)
     RSU
($)
     EBITDA PSU
Grant Value
($)
     Stock
Option
Grant Value
($)
     LTIP Grant
Value2
($)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
     Total
Compensation1
($)
20181,630,0002,605,00003,374,9553,374,9956,749,992667,15618,402,098
20171,630,0002,128,8003,374,96003,374,9986,750,000754,10618,012,859
20161,630,0002,382,0003,991,93103,999,9906,750,000847,45619,601,377
1Excludes payout of LTIP awards granted for the following three-year performance periods: 2014-2016, 2015-2017, and 2016-2018. Such payouts were reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the SCT for each of the respective years.
2Includes the LTIP award granted in each respective year at target performance. For 2016 and 2017, the awards were cash-denominated with settlement in shares following the three-year performance period. For 2018, the award was granted as LTIP PSUs.

PAY FOR PERFORMANCE ALIGNMENT

The vast majority of our NEOs’ pay is tied to challenging performance measures. We saw strong operational and financial performance in 2018, particularly the closing of the Aetna Transaction, one of the largest business combinations in history. Despite these successes, we did not meet the rigorous performance targets underlying both our short-and long-term incentive awards. As a result, our NEOs’ actual realized pay with respect to 2018 is well below the target grant value, demonstrating the strong performance-based and at-risk nature of our pay programs.

The 2018 corporate performance result for our annual cash incentive award was 88.8% of target. Individual performance assessments for many executives, including our CEO, resulted in a further reduction to annual cash incentive payouts.
In addition, based on three-year Return on Net Assets (RoNA) results and our relative TSR performance for the performance period that ended in 2018, the 2016-2018 LTIP award vested at 52.4% of target.

To illustrate the alignment with stockholder value, the following table compares the three-year target compensation to the realizable compensation for our CEO.

2016 - 2018 CEO Target Compensation vs. Realizable Compensation

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Business and Performance Highlights

LEADING PRACTICES IN COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Our pay practices align with our core compensation principles and facilitate our implementation of those principles. They also demonstrate our commitment to sound compensation and governance practices.

What were the specific elements of compensation for 2016?

The main compensation elements of our executive compensation program remained unchanged in 2016:

competitive base salaries,

Our executive compensation program motivates executive officers to take personal responsibility for the performance of CVS Health

annual cash incentives,Core Executive Compensation Principles Designed to Promote Company Growth

Performance Measures Aligned with Stockholder Interests

Majority of the Total Compensation Opportunity is Performance-Based

75% of Long-term Incentives are Performance-Based

LTIP Awards and
2018 EBITDA PSUs Settled in Common Stock that is Subject to Retention Requirement (Holding Period)

TSR Modifier Provides for Reduced Payout for Below Median Performance

Robust Stock Ownership Guidelines

We apply leading executive compensation practices

long-term incentive plan awards.No Excise Tax Gross-Ups

No Option Repricing

No Recycling of Shares

Recoupment Policy

Broad Anti-Pledging and Hedging Policies

Executive Severance Policy

Limited Perquisites and Personal Benefits

SERP Closed to New Participants

Double Trigger Vesting of Equity Awards

Dividend Equivalents on RSUs Paid Only When Awards Vest

Board Committee Oversight of Comprehensive Annual Compensation Program Risk Assessment

Cap on Annual Cash Incentive Awards for NEOs

Replaced Cash Denominated LTIP with Performance Stock Units

Replaced Time-Vested RSUs with Performance Stock Units

Simplified and Improved Disclosure for Annual Cash Incentive Program

The majority of our executive compensation program is at risk; no more than 15% of any named executiveofficer’s target compensation is fixed.

Were there any changes in the Company’s executive compensation program in 2016?

Meaningful dialogue with our stockholders continues to contribute to our decisions on compensation. Last fall, we contacted our top institutional stockholders who collectively ownmore than 50 percent of our shares and spoke with representatives of many large institutional stockholders to get their views on our compensation program. Based on these discussions and other input, we have made a number of enhancements to further link the Company’s compensation programs with the Company’s business and talent strategies and the long-term interests of our stockholders, such as:

reducing the maximum award levels under our EIP,

NEW THIS YEAR

adopting guardrailsLTIP Awards Denominated in Shares of Common Stock (see page 49)

Increased the Stock Ownership Guidelines for using positive discretion,
the CEO and Business Planning Committee (BPC) Members, and Added Ownership Guidelines for All Other Corporate-level EVPs and SVPs (see pages 59 and 80)

Enhanced Recoupment Policy to Include Disclosure of any Recoupments (see page 58)

improving disclosure around plan metrics and discretionary elements of compensation

adopting vesting schedules for dividend equivalents commencing with grants made in 2017, and

revising the TSR modifier for the 2017-2019 LTIP to reduce payouts for performance below the 50th percentile.

Did your NEOs get raises for 2016?

No, after consideration of competitive market rates, the base salaries for our executive officers in 2016 remainunchanged from 2015 levels.

How do you determine bonuses under the Executive Incentive Plan?

Our short-term bonus plan pool under the Executive Incentive Plan (EIP) was equal to 0.5% of Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations. However, actual awards were made with reference to our broad-based plan (MIP), that relates payment to achievement with respect to three performance metrics: (1) MIP Adjusted Operating Profit (weighted at 80%) and a combination of (2) retail customer service and (3) PBM client satisfaction (weighted together at 20%). Although our financial and service results were strong in 2016, we did not meet our challenging internal targets for short-term awards. As a result of stringent performance targets and lagging retail results, the MIP funded at 81.2% of target. When approving bonuses for 2016, the Committee considered the Company’s strong consolidated financial performance during 2016 in earnings growth, cash flow from operations and value returned to stockholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. However, the Committee also considered that earnings performance fell shy of the higher mid-year financial goals announced during our quarterly earnings call in August 2016. Finally, the Committee adjusted bonuses for executives in reflection of the individual performance of each NEO together with the subjective achievement of strategic and operational goals.

The annual bonus payments for the NEOs were, on average, 15% below the MIP funding formulaand 38% lower than they were in 2015.

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Do you limit the amount by which an award can exceed MIP funding?

Yes. The EIP is a pool-based plan for tax deductibility purposes. As part of its determination of individual awards, the Committee reviews all EIP awards with reference to the formula-driven results of the broad-based MIP applied to each executive’s target award expressed as a percent of salary: [salary × target % × MIP funding %]. Just as for our other colleagues, individual awards may vary based on performance, but for our NEOs, awards are limited to no more than 25% above MIP funding and no more than 200% of target.

Do the 2016 equity grants reflect 2016 performance?

No, the equity grants reported in the Summary Compensation Table were made in April 2016 and reflect strong company and individual results in 2015. During 2015, the Company achieved superior financial results and completed the acquisitions of Omnicare, Inc. and the pharmacies and clinics of Target Corporation. Additional information about the 2016 equity awards for each of our NEOs, including stock option exercise price and the number of shares subject to each award, is shown in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 59. Additional information about the 2015 performance of each NEO can be found in our 2016 Proxy Statement.

What was the payout for the 2014-2016 LTIP cycle?

Our 2014-2016 long-term incentive awards paid out at the maximum level of 200% as a result of our exceeding the performance target for return on net assets for the three year period. TSR over the same period was 35% resulting in a modifier of 1.0. We are currently estimating a payout below target for the 2015-2017 award cycle. In addition, beginning with the 2017-2019 cycle, the TSR modifier prorates for performance above and below the 50th percentile.

Why can’t we find the stock portion of the 2016-2018 LTIP in the Summary Compensation Table?

As we discussed in last year’s proxy, during our fall 2015 stockholder outreach, our stockholders indicated a preference that, on a going forward basis, our LTIP awards pay out in shares, rather than cash and shares as had been our historical practice. After considering this stockholder feedback, the MP&D Committee made this change prospectively, beginning with the 2016-2018 LTIP performance cycle. We noted in last year’s proxy that this change would result in different reporting of the LTIP awards in this year’s Summary Compensation Table. The change results from the application of the SEC disclosure rules to an LTIP award that is fully denominated in cash until it vests and is then settled in stock. Specifically,

The value of the LTIP award for the three-year cycle beginning in 2016 (at threshold, target and maximum performance levels) appears in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Tableon page 59.

The value of the actual vested award for that same three-year cycle will appear in the Summary Compensation Table in the proxy reporting 2018 compensation, which will be the year the award vests and the final performance-based payout is calculated.

The full amount paid upon vesting (in the form of shares of common stock subject to a two-year holding requirement) will appear under the Non-Equity Incentive Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table in the proxy reporting 2018 compensation. The LTIP award is a cash denominated award even though it is settled in shares. Under SEC disclosure rules, the award is reported upon vesting, not at grant. 

Why is the reporting different?

Historically, the LTIP awards were bifurcated in the Summary Compensation Table with half, the stock portion, being reported at the time of grant (i.e., at the beginning of the cycle), and the remaining half, the cash portion, reported three years later upon vesting (i.e., at the conclusion of the cycle). This reporting – although performed in accordance with the SEC rules – did not fully reflect either the structure of the grants as cash denominated awards or the results of the performance metrics and TSR modifier for the stock portion of the LTIP reported at the time of grant. By reporting the value of the LTIP award when it is actually paid, the Summary Compensation Table will reflect the full value received by the executives in the year of payment. We believe this insight is beneficial to our stockholders. To assist you with a year over year comparison, we have included a footnote to the Summary Compensation Table that identifies the additional amounts that would have been reported for each NEO if no change to the LTIP structure had been made to the 2016-2018 award.

Why do you award equity and LTIP?

Our long-term executive compensation for NEOs is split evenly between options and RSUs that vest over time, and the LTIP that vests based on the attainment of internal performance measures modified by TSR. This is consistent with the Committee’s desire to balance the types and amounts of awards to support the Company’s strategy, drive the creation of long-term value, ensure that a substantial portion of long-term incentives are performance-based, and promote the retention of key talent. See pages 46-52 for more information about the elements of compensation and how they support the Company’s long-term strategy.

Why is Return on Net Assets an appropriate metric for the Company?

Return on net assets is driven by generating strong net operating profit after taxes, while efficiently managing cash, inventory and accounts receivable. For the 2014-2016 cycle, net operating profit was largely driven by strong earnings over

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS — OVERVIEW

the performance period, recordincreases in PBM net new sales, strong PBM client retention, and improvements in tax rates. Net assets were efficiently managed over the period including through strong performance of SilverScript (our Medicare Part D prescription drug plan) and efficient cash management practices. These operational and financial goals are directly aligned with the creation of long-term stockholder value over the performance period by driving stockholder return, controlling costs, and generating cash flow, which is then used in our capital allocation strategy.

How is the compensation program aligned with stockholder interests?

The value of our NEOs’ compensation is significantly influenced by the value of our stock. Approximately 70% of target total compensation is provided through stock-based pay (stock options, RSUs and LTIP awards). As a result of our long vesting periods and the two-year holding requirement for net shares issued under the LTIP, the members of our executive team, like our stockholders, have been affected by the decrease in stock price and only ultimately achieve the full value of their equitycompensation by creating long-term stockholder value.

In 2016, our performance against operational and financial goals was strong, shown in our solid earnings, record cash flow from operations and significant cash returned to stockholders. However, we set challenging internal goals which resulted in below-target level annual bonus payments. Strong performance and our disciplined approach to capital allocation contributed to the satisfaction of the maximum performance levels under the 2014-2016 long-term performance awards, despite a decline in our stock price due to industry-wide pressures on reimbursement, drug pricing and headwinds created by restricted networks adopted by payors in 2016.

We believe the above supports our belief that our compensation program drives the right behaviors and that this benefits our stockholders by driving our business strategies and goals. We believe our stockholders’ interests are best served over time by a balanced compensation program that takes a long-term, holistic view of our business strategy and emphasizes the drivers of long-term value creation.

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS — OVERVIEW

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS

Our Business

We are a pharmacyhealth innovation company helping people on their path to better health. AtWhether in one of our pharmacies or through our health services and plans, CVS Health is pioneering a bold new approach to total health by making quality care more affordable, accessible, simple and seamless. CVS Health is community-based and locally focused, engaging consumers with the forefront of a changing health care landscape, we have an unmatched suite of capabilitiesthey need when and the expertise needed to drive innovations that will help shape the future of health care. Through ourwhere they need it. The Company has more than 9,7009,900 retail stores, more thanlocations, approximately 1,100 walk-in health caremedical clinics, a leading pharmacybenefitspharmacy benefits manager with more than 80approximately 92 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, expanding specialty pharmacy services, and a leading stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, we enableplan. CVS Health also serves an estimated 38 million people businesses,through traditional, voluntary and communitiesconsumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including rapidly expanding Medicare Advantage offerings. The Company believes its innovative health care model increases access to managequality care, delivers better health in more affordable, effective ways.outcomes and lowers overall health care costs.

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Business and Performance Highlights

We had strong financial performance and delivered on our operating expectations in 2018. It was also a milestone year for CVS Health as we successfully completed our transformational acquisition of Aetna, began effective implementation of our integration strategy, and took important steps toward building the integrated healthcare model that will bring substantial value to our various stakeholders. CVS Health believes that Aetna complements its competitive strategy, which is built on a diversified set of core and emerging businesses that enable it to better compete with more cost-effective products, pursue profitable growth across a range of opportunities, and lead the transformation of health care.

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:5.3%COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – OVERVIEW
revenue growth

2016 Business Highlights

  
Completed
$70 billion
acquisition of Aetna
Maintained dividend of
$2.00per share
NET REVENUES ($ billions)
1 year growth of 15.8%
OPERATING PROFIT ($ billions)
1 year growth of 9.3%
2014-2016 RETURN ON
NET ASSETS (%)
Exceeded target by 22%
   

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER
RETURN (TSR) (%)
LTIP Modifier (Percentile of S&P 500)

The rapidly changing health care landscape continues to include uncertainties concerning health care policy. During 2018, we faced headwinds from reduced generic launches, continued reimbursement pressure and the slowing of brand drug price inflation. Compensation to our executives, including the cash incentive component, the long-term incentive plan performance cycle ending in 2018 and the value of our outstanding stock awards, is – and should be – affected by such factors, regardless of whether or not management can influence those factors.

ANNUAL CASH DIVIDENDS
($ PER SHARE)
1 year increase of 21.4%

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS ($)
1 year growth of 6.2%


For more information on our financial performance and strategy, please refer to our 2018 Annual Report available at www.cvshealthannualmeeting.com. Please also refer to page 5660 of this proxy statement for additional information about how we calculatecalculate: (i) MIP Adjusted Operating Profit, a metric used to determine annual cash awards; (ii) Return on Net Assets, a metric used in connection with our Long-Term Incentive Plan.long-term incentive awards; and (iii) Adjusted EBITDA, a metric used in connection with our long-term equity awards.

We are committed to helping people on their path to better health. Our values of innovation, collaboration, caring, integrity and accountability affect how we drive performance. We remain firmly committed to evaluating and incenting management to remain focused on drivers of sustainable performance over the long-term, even though we recognize that this focus is not always reflected in our stock price. We invest in our employees at all levels of the Company by rewarding performance that balances risk and reward, is consistent with our values, and supports short- and long-term goals and, ultimately, value creation for our stockholders. We provide opportunities for professional growth and development and aim to offer affordable benefits and programs that meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. Feedback from stockholders during our annual outreach confirms strong support for this commitment and for the value we place on other forms of capital—including human, natural, social and intellectual:

We include retail customer service and PBM and long-term care (LTC) client/member satisfaction metrics in our pay calculations.
In 2018 we introduced the CVS Beauty Mark and made a commitment not to digitally alter or change a person’s shape, size, proportion, skin or eye color or enhance or alter lines, wrinkles or other individual characteristics. We want our beauty aisle to be a place where our customers can always come to feel good, while representing and celebrating the authenticity and diversity of the communities we serve.
Our decision to remove tobacco from pharmacy stores continues to show positive results by reinforcing the value of our brand in health care. We continue our work to create the first tobacco-free generation and made more than $4 million in grants in 2018 to organizations that provide an array of programming that supports ourBe The Firstfocus areas, including youth tobacco and e-cigarette prevention in classrooms and communities across the country; supporting clinicians with trainings and resources on screening youth for tobacco use; helping youth become tobacco-free advocates in their own communities; and creating more smoke-free college campuses across the country.
We have implemented an industry-leading program to increase access to naloxone in 48 states, where patients do not require an individual prescription. Following the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Naloxone and Opioid Overdose in April 2018, we have further expanded our efforts to educate patients about naloxone. Today, all CVS Pharmacy locations have in-store signage and in-store radio messages to educate patients about the availability and accessibility of the life-saving drug. We are dedicated to helping the communities we serve address and prevent opioid abuse. In 2018, we enhanced our commitment to supporting addiction recovery programs, providing grants to 21 community health centers across the U.S. that deliver medication-assisted treatment and other addiction recovery services. These investments work to ensure clear, safe and effective protocols for opioid prescriber practices; to strengthen and systematize partnerships with specialists and community based organizations; and to help create safe, non-judgmental environments for all patients.
We value the recruiting and reputational advantages of placing first in our sector of World’s Most Admired Companies and of being ranked as one of Forbes Most Valuable Brands; Points of Light’s The Civic 50; Military Times Best for Vets; Newsweek’s Green Ranking of America’s Greenest Companies; and Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s 100 Best Corporate Citizens.

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LEADING PRACTICES IN COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Our pay practices align with our core compensation principlesCompensation Discussion and facilitate our implementation of those principles. They also demonstrate our commitment to sound compensation and governance practices.

Our executive compensation program motivates executive officers to take personal responsibility for the performance of CVS HealthAnalysis  Detailed Program Discussion
Core Executive Compensation Principles Designed to Promote Company Growth
Performance Measures Aligned with Stockholder Interests
Majority of the Total Compensation Opportunity is Performance-Based
Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) Awards Settled in Common Stock that is Subject to Retention Requirement (Holding Period)
Stock Ownership Guidelines

We apply leading executive compensation practices

No Excise Tax Gross-Ups
No Option Repricing
No Recycling of Shares
Recoupment Policy
Broad Anti-Pledging and Hedging Policies
Executive Severance Policy
Limited Perquisites and Personal Benefits
SERP Closed to New Participants
Double Trigger Vesting of Equity Awards
Board Committee Oversight of Comprehensive Annual Compensation Program Risk Assessment

New this year

Dividend Equivalents on RSUs Paid Only When Awards Vest
Reduced Maximum Annual EIP Award to Align with Broad-Based MIP
Limited Positive Discretion on Annual Incentive Awards
Revised Total Shareholder Return (TSR) Modifier for 2017-2019 LTIP to Adjust Above or Below the 50th Percentile Relative Ranking

For more information on our compensation practices, please refer to pages 42-56 of this proxy statement.

OUR COMPENSATION CORE PRINCIPLES

Our executive compensation program has five core principles that drive our executive compensation philosophy.

Support, CommunicateWe have made significant investments in our colleagues by raising the minimum starting wage enterprise-wide and Drive Achievementoffering paid family leave for all new parents, both effective April 1, 2018. We also increased pay ranges and rates for many of our business strategiesretail hourly employees effective July 1, 2018, and goals.

we did not increase employee health plan premiums for the 2018-2019 plan year despite a 5% increase in costs, indicative of our commitment to ensuring access to affordable health care.

AttractOur holistic approach to leveraging diversity within our talent pipeline, talent development, leadership accountability and Retainsupplier diversity initiatives, earned us a spot on the highest-caliber executive officers by providing compensation opportunities comparable to those offered by other companies with which we competeDiversityInc Top 50 Companies for business and talent.

Diversity list in 2018.

Motivate High Performancefrom executive officersWe are a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, an organization that recognizes and supports corporations that achieve $1 billion in an incentive-driven culture by delivering greater rewards for superior performanceannual spending on diverse- and reduced awards for underperformance.

women-owned suppliers.

Align InterestWe achieved a 100% score on The Disability Equality Index, a joint initiative of the American Association of People with Disabilities and the US Business Leadership Network for our executive officerscommitment to recruiting and retaining talent from the differently-abled community and our stockholders, and foster an equity ownership environment.

utilization of companies owned by differently-abled suppliers.
We achieved a perfect score for the fourth consecutive year on the 2018 Corporate Equality Index, a national benchmarking survey and report on corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality administered by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

Reward Achievement Detailed Program Discussionof short-term results as well as long-term stockholder value creation.

Management and the Committee believe these principles motivate our executive officers to take personal responsibility for the performance of the business and deliver long-term stockholder value, consistent with CVS Health’svalues of Innovation, Collaboration, Caring, Integrity and Accountability.

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How We Pay Our Executives

We achieve these objectives by employing the following elements of pay for our executives:

Base salary

Annual cash incentives

Annual equity incentives in the form of RSUs and stock options generally vesting over three to five years

Long-term incentives that reward performance over a three-year period; beginning with the 2016 grant, long-term incentive plan awards will be settled 100% in common stock that will remain subject to a two-year holding period

Retirement and health benefits

Limited perquisites


For more information on our compensation core principles, and how we pay our executives, please refer to pages 43-44 of this proxy statement.

Our 2016 Executive Pay

The following shows the breakdown of reported 2016 compensation for our CEO and our other named executive officers.

CEO

89%Performance Aligned

 
Base
Salary
Annual
Incentive
Awards
RSUs and OptionsLTIP Other
7%10%33%46%4%
 

79%Long-Term

All Other NEOs

85%Performance Aligned

 
Base
Salary
Annual
Incentive
Awards
RSUs and OptionsLTIP Other
12%12%35%38%3%
 

73%Long-Term


For more information on reported 2016 compensation for our CEO and our other named executive officers, please refer to the Summary Compensation Table on page 57 of this proxy statement.


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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

CONSIDERATION OF MOST RECENT “SAY ON PAY” VOTE

Following our 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Committee reviewed the results of the shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation that was held at the meeting with respect to the 2015 compensation actions and decisions for the named executive officers. Approximately 80% of votes were cast in favor of the proposal; this was lower than the support received in 2015 (94% in favor). During the fall of 2016, we contacted our 50 largest stockholders, holders of more than 50% of our common stock, to get their views on our compensation program as well as the required vote on the frequency of say on pay. We conducted meetings with many investors and one of the leading proxy advisory firms and they were generally supportive of our executive compensation program. After careful consideration, the Committee implemented several changes in both plan design and disclosure including: reducing maximum awards under the EIP, implementing limits on discretion under the EIP, adopting vesting schedules for dividend equivalents on RSUs and revising the TSR modifier for the 2017-2019 LTIP cycle to adjust for performance above and below the 50th percentile.

SUPPORTING OUR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

We believe that our executive compensation program is consistent with our core compensation principles and is structured to assure that those principles are implemented. Through our stockholder outreach program, we have obtained helpful feedback on the program and have made certain modifications to implement our stockholders’ suggestions. We believe that our major stockholders generally approve of our core compensation principles and our executive compensation program, and we believe our stockholders as a whole should support them as well.


COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

INTRODUCTION

This section explains how our executive compensation programs are designed and operate with respect to our named executive officers, who for 2016 are:

Larry J. MerloPresident and Chief Executive Officer
David M. DentonEVP and Chief Financial Officer
Helena B. FoulkesEVP and President – CVS Pharmacy
Jonathan C. RobertsEVP and President – CVS Caremark
Thomas M. MoriartyEVP, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel

CVS HEALTH VALUES

When determining compensation awards and incentive payments, the Committee validates that our results were achieved in line with the Company’s five core values:

Innovation   InnovationCollaboration   Caring   
Demonstrating openness, curiosity and creativity in the relentless pursuit of delivering excellence.
CollaborationSharing and partnering with people to explore and create things that we could not do on our own.
CaringTreating people with respect and compassion so they feel valued and appreciated.

Integrity   IntegrityAccountability   
Delivering on our promises; doing what we say and what is right.
AccountabilityTaking personal ownership for our actions and their results.

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Detailed Program Discussion

ELEMENTS OF COMPENSATION PROGRAM

The Committee believes each componentelement of our executive compensation program furthers one or more of our five core principles:

I.Support, Communicate and Drive AchievementIV. Align Interests
II.Attract and RetainV.Reward Achievement
III. Motivate High Performance

The table below outlines each element of our executive compensation program for 2018, its connection to our five core principles, as outlined in the following chart:and how it supports our long-term strategy and growth. Information about our voluntary deferral program and other benefits can be found beginning on page 56.

   BASE SALARY2018 Compensation Program

ANNUAL CASH
INCENTIVE
  LONG-TERM
INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP)
STOCK OPTIONS AND
RESTRICTED STOCK
UNITS (RSUs)
        Target BasisLink to Strategy/GrowthAdditional Information

Base Salary

Set based on experience, comparative market data and level of responsibility
Reviewed annually
Adjusted periodically based on market positioning and individual qualifications

Annual Cash Incentive

Financial and non-financial targets approved by the Committee at the beginning of the fiscal year
Payout based on key measures of profitability followed closely by investors and on client satisfaction
Important drivers of recurring revenue and the achievement of long-term strategic and operational goals
Maximum payouts capped as percent of base salary
Payments reflect performance against MIP Adjusted Operating Profit target and customer service/client satisfaction metrics
Payout subject to individual performance modifier (with only 20% upside potential)

LTIP PSUs

Established at start of a three-year performance cycle
Target grant value based on market data, level of responsibility, and desired pay mix
Payout determined formulaically based on achievement of Aetna Transaction-related performance goals and operational synergies
TSR modifier provides link to market-based outcomes
Minimum performance threshold required for any payout
Maximum payouts capped
Denominated and settled in stock
Two-year holding period post-vesting

EBITDAPSUs

Established at start of a three-year performance cycle
Target grant value based on market data, level of responsibility, and desired pay mix
Payout determined formulaically based on 2020 Adjusted EBITDA
Measures profitability and cash flow
Minimum performance threshold required for any payout
Maximum payouts capped
Denominated and settled in stock
Two-year holding period post-vesting

Stock Options

Grant value based on market data, level of responsibility, and desired pay mix
Stock price appreciation aligned to stockholder interests
Seven-year term
Vest 25% per year over 4 years

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Detailed Program Discussion

Performance Metrics Support Corporate Strategy and Long-Term Growth

The Committee recognizes that external factors that are beyond CVS Health’s control may impact its stock price. Consequently, the Committee believes that other performance indicators, including profitability and cash flow, should also be factored into our executive compensation program. By using a variety of pay vehicles and balancing short- and long-term awards, the Committee believes our program supports retention and long-term growth creation because the metrics are measured independently and no single factor impacts all elements of performance.

The table below describes the performance metrics the Committee set for 2018.

Pay Element2018 Performance Metric
(weightings)
Rationale

Annual Cash Incentive

MIP Adjusted Operating Profit (80%)

Key measure of profitability followed closely by investors
     

Fixed/Variable

FixedFinancial/ Operational Goal

Variable

Settled in

CashRetail Customer Service and PBM and LTC Client/Member Satisfaction Adjusted by MIP Adjusted Operating Profit Result (20%)

Stock

Important drivers of recurring revenue and the achievement of long-term strategic and operational goals

Performance Rewarded

Near-term

Multi-year

Long-term

Target Basis

Level commensurate with experience, role and responsibility

Percentage of base salary based on competitive pay information, level of responsibility and desired mix of short- and long-term compensation

Established at start of the three year cycle based on competitive pay information, level of responsibility, and desired mix of long-term incentive pay relative to other pay components

Based on competitive pay information, level of responsibility and emphasis on long-term incentive pay as key component of the executive pay program

Support, Communicate and Drive Achievement

  
 

Individual Goal

Individual Performance Goals (modifier 0-120%)

AttractDrives specific, job-related performance that is linked to overall company performance

LTIP PSUs

Aetna Transaction-related Operational Synergies and RetainProduct Offering Goals (100%)

Operational Synergies: Measures the value of cost synergies delivered as a result of the Aetna Transaction. The LTIP PSUs will vest at between zero and 200% of the number of units granted based on our achievement in 2020 of Aetna Transaction-related cost synergies. Subject to satisfaction of the Product Offering Goals, the LTIP PSUs will vest at target (100%) if we deliver $750 million of synergies in 2020
Product Offering Goals: Delivery of integrated programs that deliver transformational value to clients and members. To align with the success of the Aetna Transaction and our commitment to investors, in order for any LTIP PSUs to vest, by December 31, 2020, we must, in the reasonable judgment of the Committee, (i) develop a robust pipeline of integrated offerings designed to deliver transformational value to clients and members, and (ii) successfully launch at least one such offering
  

TSR (modifier +/-25%)

TSR modifier adjusts any LTIP PSU payout resulting from the achievement of the operational synergy metric and product offering goals based on our performance relative to the broad market of companies with which we compete for talent and capital

EBITDA PSUs

2020 Adjusted EBITDA (100%)

Measures profitability and cash flow

BASE SALARY

The Committee annually reviews the base salaries of all senior officers, including the NEOs, and adjusts them periodically as needed to maintain market position and consistency with evolving responsibilities. Upon consideration of this competitive market analysis and input from its independent compensation consultant, the Committee increased salaries for Messrs. Roberts, Moriarty and Denton in 2018. Ms. Boratto and Mr. Rice were new to their roles in 2018 and were not NEOs in 2017. Mr. Roberts completed his first year as Chief Operating Officer in 2017, and the Committee adjusted his salary in 2018 to reflect appropriate competitive positioning against peers in that role in comparably-sized companies. Mr. Moriarty assumed significant additional responsibilities in 2018 in the areas of public affairs and external communications, both of critical importance to the Company as we acquired Aetna, and the Committee increased his salary in acknowledgement of that expanded portfolio. Mr. Denton left the Company in connection with the closing of the Aetna Transaction.

NEO and 2018 Title(s)     2017 Salary
($)
      2018 Salary
($)
     Percentage
Increase
Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO1,630,0001,630,0000%
Eva C. Boratto, EVP and CFOn/a1850,000n/a
Jonathan C. Roberts, EVP and COO1,050,0001,200,00014%
Derica W. Rice, EVP and President – CVS Caremarkn/a11,050,000n/a
Thomas M. Moriarty, EVP, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer and General Counsel750,000850,00013%
David M. Denton, Former EVP and CFO850,000900,0006%
1Neither Ms. Boratto nor Mr. Rice was a NEO in 2017.

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2018 ANNUAL CASH INCENTIVE

Our NEOs participate in our annual cash incentive program under which they are eligible for a cash award based on the achievement of pre-established financial, operating and individual performance objectives. In the first quarter of each year, the Committee approves for each NEO an annual target bonus amount expressed as a percentage of the executive’s base salary — 200% for Mr. Merlo, 175% for Mr. Roberts, and 150% for each of Ms. Boratto and Messrs. Rice, Moriarty and Denton. Awards are paid out, if earned, in the first quarter of the following year based on the following formula:

NEO
Base Salary
Paid in 2018
XTarget Annual
Incentive %
XCorporate
Performance %
XIndividual
Performance
Modifier %
=Final Award

Corporate Performance

For 2018, the Committee measured company performance using MIP Adjusted Operating Profit (80% weighting) and retail customer service and PBM and LTC client/member satisfaction results adjusted by the MIP Adjusted Operating Profit result (20% weighting). The Committee established challenging targets for MIP Adjusted Operating Profit that are both consistent with the earnings guidance we provided to investors and which require year-over-year growth. Our customer service and client/member satisfaction metrics ensure that we are providing excellent service and position us to retain and win new business. The MIP Adjusted Operating Profit and customer service and client/member satisfaction goals for 2018 were set above 2017 actual performance.

Individual Performance

The Committee also approved individual goals and objectives for business operations, merger and integration, and talent and organizational development. Each NEO’s individual performance was evaluated against his or her goals and assigned a value between 0 and 120. The Committee did not assign specific weightings to any NEO’s goals. The individual performance modifier cannot exceed 120 or 20% of what would have been earned based on corporate performance. An individual performance modifier of less than 100 will reduce payouts below what would have been earned based solely on corporate performance. In all cases, total payouts cannot exceed 200% of target when including both Company and individual performance.

Actual Performance

Company performance was 88.8% for 2018 — a result of 2018 MIP Adjusted Operating Profit (performance of 99% of target, resulting in funding of 90%, weighted 80%) and customer service and client/member satisfaction results (performance 93% of target, resulting in funding of 84%, weighted 20%).

   2018 Objective Goals

*Dollars in millions.

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The Committee evaluates each NEO’s performance and considers Mr. Merlo’s input on the performance of the other NEOs. In determining the annual cash incentive for Mr. Merlo, the Committee consulted with the other independent members of the Board. For 2018, the Committee assigned a numeric performance result for each NEO’s individual performance against his or her pre-established goals. The Committee used its judgment in evaluating each NEO’s performance.

ExecutiveFiscal 2018 Individual Performance Assessment
Larry J. Merlo
The Committee recognized Mr. Merlo’s leadership in driving and overseeing the consummation of the Company’s acquisition of Aetna, and also noted that results of operations missed its target, due to shortfalls in the LTC and PBM lines of business.
Eva C. Boratto
Ms. Boratto provided comprehensive leadership to the Company and the Finance function in particular as the Company navigated through successful integration planning and commenced integrating with Aetna while concurrently managing its core business lines.
Jonathan C. Roberts
The Committee acknowledged Mr. Roberts’ strong contributions to our successful integration planning for the Aetna Transaction and the superior performance of the Retail business. It noted that operating results of both the LTC and PBM lines of business fell short of their goals.
Derica W. Rice
Mr. Rice joined the Company as President of the PBM business in early 2018. The Committee recognized his early leadership successes and also acknowledged the shortfall in PBM operating results.
Thomas M. Moriarty
Mr. Moriarty played a critical role in guiding the Company through the complex state and federal regulatory processes necessary to secure approval of the Aetna Transaction.
David M. Denton
Under Mr. Denton’s separation agreement with the Company (Separation Agreement), his pro-rated 2018 annual cash incentive is based on the average percentage of funding payout awarded to the CEO and his peers.

The actual payout of each NEO’s 2018 annual cash incentive award, as approved by the Committee, is set forth in the table below:

   2018 Annual Cash Incentive Award

NEO 2018
Eligible
Earnings
($)
Target
Annual
Incentive %
Company
Performance %
Individual
Performance
Modifier %
Final Award
($)
Final
Payout as a
% of Target
Larry J. Merlo1,630,000200%88.8%90%2,605,00079.9%
Eva C. Boratto630,303150%88.8%120%1,007,000106.5%
Jonathan C. Roberts1,162,500175%88.8%75%1,355,00066.6%
Derica W. Rice791,477150%88.8%90%949,00079.9%
Thomas M. Moriarty825,000150%88.8%100%1,099,00088.8%
David M. Denton1781,818150%88.8%n/a1,073,925n/a
1Mr. Denton’s 2018 annual cash incentive award was set in accordance with his Separation Agreement. See page 57.

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LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

Each year the Committee makes long-term incentive compensation grants to employees, including the NEOs. Following the Committee’s comprehensive review of our compensation program, which included input from our stockholders, the Committee approved changes to the long-term incentive compensation program to reduce time-vested awards and increase the performance aligned component. As a result, NEOs no longer receive time-vested RSUs. For 2018, the long-term incentive compensation is comprised of stock options and two forms of PSUs as set forth below. The LTIP PSUs are tied to the future success of and synergies resulting from the Aetna Transaction modified by relative TSR. The PSUs that replaced the RSUs may be earned based on Adjusted EBITDA goals, and we refer to them as EBITDA PSUs. Both EBITDA PSUs and LTIP PSUs are subject to a three-year performance period and a two-year post-vesting holding period.

Long-Term Incentive Target Mix

2018 Long-Term Incentive Target Mix

2018 EBITDA PSU and Stock Option Grant Decisions

The EBITDA PSU portion of our long-term incentive program features formulaically determined payouts based on performance goals established at the beginning of the three-year performance period. The Committee approved 2020 Adjusted EBITDA as the performance measure for the 2018 EBITDA PSUs. The target, threshold and maximum goals are aligned with the Company’s long-term targets communicated to investors and were set at a level expected to generate strong profitability. The Committee set the Adjusted EBITDA targets to contemplate the closing of the Aetna Transaction during the performance period. These Adjusted EBITDA targets are consistent with the Company’s public disclosures about the transaction, adjusted for the impacts of tax reform and the related investments of savings by both companies. The goals for 2020 Adjusted EBITDA range from a threshold of $19,852 million, to a target of $20,892 million, to a maximum of $21,937 million. Shares resulting from EBITDA PSU awards earned after the three-year performance period are subject to an additional two-year holding period.

The following table sets out the grant date fair value of stock options and EBITDA PSUs granted on April 1, 2018.

Executive Name2018 Stock Option
Grant Date Fair Value
($)
2018 EBITDA PSU
Grant Date Fair Value
($)
Larry J. Merlo3,375,0003,375,000
Eva C. Boratto300,000300,000
Jonathan C. Roberts2,125,0002,125,000
Derica W. Rice1,000,0001,000,000
Thomas M. Moriarty1,250,0001,250,000
David M. Denton11,000,0001,000,000
1Pursuant to Mr. Denton’s Separation Agreement, the portion delivered as EBITDA PSUs was pro-rated for service time during the performance cycle, and the portion delivered as stock options continues to vest and remains exercisable through the third anniversary of his separation.

LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP) PSUs

The LTIP PSU portion of our long-term incentive program features formulaically determined payouts based on performance against financial goals established at the beginning of the three-year performance period and modified by relative TSR measured over the same period. The TSR modifier adjusts LTIP PSU payouts based on our performance relative to the broad market of companies with which we compete for talent and capital. Shares resulting from LTIP PSU awards earned after the three-year performance period are subject to an additional two-year holding period.

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Beginning with the 2018-2020 LTIP PSU grant, the comparator group for measuring relative TSR changed from the S&P 500 to an index of over 55 health care and over 30 consumer staples companies that more closely reflect our business. The companies included in this peer group are listed at the end of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Awards are adjusted if TSR performance is above or below the 50th percentile as shown in the chart to the right. In addition, the modifier is applied in quartiles on a pro-rata basis to provide for reduced payout for below median performance.

The following summarizes LTIP awards granted in the last three years, each of which are described in more detail below.

2016201720182019202020212022
 

Motivate High Performance

2016-2018
50% of long-
term equity

Denominated as cash value and settled 100% in stock
Based on Return on Net Assets, with target set at 42.93%
Subject to rTSR modifier (+/- 25%)

Shares earned are subject to a 2-year holding period

 

Align Interests

 

Reward Achievement2017-2019

Additional Information50% of long-
term equity

Reviewed annuallyDenominated as cash value and adjusted periodically based on comparability to market peers, position responsibility and individual qualifications
Payments reflect performance against operating profit target
Maximum pool based on small percentage of Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations and maximum payouts are capped as a percentage of base salary
Committee evaluates financial and customer service metrics and individual performance
Starting with the 2016-2018 performance cycle, awards will be settled 100% in common stock
Minimum performance threshold (below which no payment will be made) and capped maximum payoutsBased on Return on Net Assets, with target set at 43.76%
Executive prohibited from selling or trading shares for two years following payment dateSubject to rTSR modifier (+/- 25%)

Shares earned are subject to a 2-year holding period

2018-2020
50% of long-
term equity*

Annual nonqualified stock option grants with seven-year terms that vest in four equal installments on first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date and provide value only to the extent that stock price appreciates100% PSUs
Annual RSU awards vestBased on achievement of Aetna Transaction-related synergies ($750 million at target) in two equal installments, on the third2020 and fifth anniversariesdevelopment of grant date; dividend equivalentsa pipeline of integrated offerings, and launch of one, by December 31, 2020
Subject to rTSR modifier (+/- 25%)

Shares earned are subject to vesting beginning with 2017 awards

a 2-year holding period


cvshealthannualmeeting.com*Excludes Additional LTIP PSU awards granted in 2018 and described below.

2018-2020 LTIP PSU Awards

In early 2018, the Committee established alternative performance metrics for the 2018-2020 LTIP PSU grant. A RoNA metric would apply if the Aetna Transaction closed after June 2019. Because the Committee recognized that the pending acquisition of Aetna could materially alter RoNA results, the Committee also established alternative metrics designed to align with the success of the Aetna Transaction and our commitment to investors which would apply if the Aetna Transaction closed before June 2019. The Aetna Transaction closed in November 2018, so the performance metrics applicable to the 2018-2020 LTIP PSUs are: achievement of Aetna Transaction-related cost synergies (the Synergy Goal) in 2020 and the development of a robust pipeline of integrated offerings designed to deliver transformational value to clients and members and the launch of at least one such offering by December 31, 2020 (the Product Offering Goals). The 2018-2020 LTIP PSUs will vest at between zero and 200% of the number of units granted based on our achievement of the Synergy Goal ($750 million at target), provided the Product Offering Goals have been met. Both the Synergy Goal and the Product Offering Goals must be met for any vesting to occur. The 2018-2020 LTIP PSUs are also subject to a relative TSR modifier.

The following table sets out the grant date fair value at target and number of 2018-2020 LTIP PSUs granted to each NEO. Except as noted below with respect to Ms. Boratto, LTIP PSUs for this cycle were granted on April 1, 2018. If earned, the awards below will be paid in stock in early 2021, and the stock will be subject to a two-year holding period. The awards are not guaranteed and can range from 0%-250% of target (Company performance of 0%-200% of target subject to a +/- 25% rTSR modifier). Payouts are formulaic, though the Committee has discretion to reduce the payout of the awards.

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Executive NameGrant Date Fair Value of 2018-2020
LTIP PSU Grants at Target
($)
         LTIP PSUs
(#)
Larry J. Merlo6,750,000120,128
Eva C. Boratto12,000,00027,051
Jonathan C. Roberts3,750,00066,737
Derica W. Rice2,125,00037,818
Thomas M. Moriarty2,000,00035,593
David M. Denton22,000,00035,593
1In connection with her promotion to CFO, Ms. Boratto received $1,500,000 in 2018-2020 LTIP PSUs on November 28, 2018. The above reflects the sum of her annual award granted on April 1, 2018 and her additional award granted on November 28, 2018.
2Pursuant to his Separation Agreement, Mr. Denton’s 2018-2020 LTIP PSU award has been pro-rated for service provided during the performance period to 10,875 LTIP PSUs with a value of $611,111, and is payable at the end of the performance period. See page 57.

Additional 2018-2020 LTIP Awards Related to the Aetna Transaction

In August 2018, the Committee approved one-time LTIP PSU awards to certain individuals, including several of the NEOs, in recognition of the critical role each played in the Aetna Transaction, which we refer to as Additional LTIP PSUs. Our CEO and then-outgoing CFO did not receive Additional LTIP PSUs. The performance metrics for the Additional LTIP PSUs are identical to the metrics for the 2018-2020 LTIP PSUs described above, and the grants were made contingent upon the close of the Aetna Transaction. The purpose of these awards was to recognize the effort needed to ensure the continued success of ongoing operations through the transition period, to recognize the additional effort needed to integrate Aetna and achieve the target synergies announced in connection with the deal, and to incent these key leaders to remain with the Company. In determining the size of the these one-time grants, the Committee considered several factors, including the magnitude of the role the executive would play in driving the success of the Aetna integration while concurrently maintaining the forward growth momentum of the core businesses, retention of key talent, and potential for expanded responsibilities in the Company. As with our regular LTIP PSU grant, the additional grant to NEOs carries a two-year post-vesting holding requirement.
Executive NameGrant Date Fair Value of 2018-2020
Additional LTIP PSU Grants at Target
($)
         Additional
LTIP PSUs
(#)
Larry J. Merlo00
Eva C. Boratto2,500,0001 31,950
Jonathan C. Roberts3,750,00050,471
Derica W. Rice3,000,00040,376
Thomas M. Moriarty3,500,00047,106
David M. Denton00
1Ms. Boratto’s 2018-2020 Additional LTIP PSU award was granted in two installments: she received an award in August 2018 in her former role as the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer and an award in November 2018 upon her promotion to CFO.

2016-2018 LTIP Performance Period Results

The Committee set the 2016-2018 LTIP RoNA goal in early 2016 to align with the Company’s long-term targets communicated to investors in 2015 and at a level expected to generate strong operational execution and asset management. The RoNA result for the three year performance cycle was 42.13%, 80 basis points below target, which resulted in a payout of 69.8% prior to the application of the relative TSR modifier.

Our relative TSR performance over this same period reduced the payout level by 25% to a final result of 52.4%. This outcome highlights the strong alignment of pay to performance under our compensation program.

The following tables set forth the target goal, our actual performance, the range of potential payouts as a percent of target and the actual results for the 2016-2018 LTIP grant.

% of RoNA
Target
         Payout Level as a
% of Target
Threshold (minimum level of performance) (41.34%)96.3%40%
Actual (42.13%)98.1%69.8%
Target (42.93%)100.0%100%
Maximum (45.56%)106.1%200%
Final payout after application of rTSR modifier of -25% (reflecting 10thpercentile)52.4%

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS2016DETAILED DISCUSSION2018 LTIP Grant Opportunities and Actual Award Payments

Executive NameMinimum
Award
(% of
Target)
Threshold
Award
(% of
Target)
Target
Award
(% of
Target)
Maximum
Award
(% of
Target)1
Target
Grant Value
of Award
($)
Actual
Value of
Total
Award
At 52.4%
($)
Actual
# of Shares
Delivered in
Settlement of
Award Net of
Tax Withholding
Larry J. Merlo             0%            40%     100%          200%     6,750,000     3,537,000     33,431
Eva C. Boratto20%40%100%200%300,000157,2001,893
Jonathan C. Roberts0%40%100%200%3,000,0001,572,00027,183
Derica W. Rice3
Thomas M. Moriarty0%40%100%200%1,875,000982,50010,869
David M. Denton40%40%100%200%2,000,000
1Assumes 0% rTSR modifier, which can range from -25% to +25%.
2Ms. Boratto was not a NEO at the time of the 2016-2018 LTIP grant.
3Mr. Rice joined the Company in 2018 and therefore did not receive an LTIP grant in 2016.
4Pursuant to his Separation Agreement, Mr. Denton’s 2016-2018 LTIP grant was pro-rated based on service provided during the performance period, and was paid in cash. See page 57.

2017-2019 LTIP Performance Cycle

The performance goal for the 2017-2019 LTIP grant is based on RoNA, and is subject to a modifier based on our relative TSR performance vs. the S&P 500 over the same three-year period (+/- 25% for above or below median performance). The Committee set the RoNA goal in early 2017 at 43.76%, a challenging level designed to drive performance. The goal aligns with the Company’s long-term targets communicated to investors in 2016, and was set higher than the actual results for the 2014-2016 performance cycle of 40.56%.

LINKING PAY TO PERFORMANCE

For 2016,2018, as in previous years, the Committee reviewed a historical assessment of the relationship between CVS Health’s performance and executive pay relative to our 20162018 Peer Group (as described below). The following graphs illustrate the results of the Committee’s core assessment and illustrate the relationship between:

our CEO’s realized compensation (base salary earned, incentives earned, value of restricted shares or RSUs that vestvested during the period, the value of stock options exercised during the period, and changes in the value of unvested restricted shares/RSUs and unexercised options held during the period); and

CVS Health’s performance as measured by total shareholder return (TSR)TSR – over one-year (2015)(2017), three-year (2015 – 2017) and five-year (2013 – 2015) and five-year (2011 – 2015)2017) periods (the most recent periods for which financial and compensation data were available at the time).

In the following graphs, data points that are within the shaded area designate ideal pay-performance relationships. Data points below the shaded area identify peer companies where pay was lower than expected given the organization’s performance, and those data points above the shaded area suggest the opposite.identify companies where pay was higher than anticipated.

3-YEAR1-Year CEO COMPENSATION REALIZED PERCENTILE
VS. TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERCENTILE
(2013-15)Compensation Realized Percentile vs. Total Shareholder Return Percentile (2017)



In the graph above, CVS Health rests well within the area that indicates an ideal pay-performance relationship based on the CEO’s 2017 pay and Company performance relative to the 2018 peer group.

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3-Year CEO Compensation Realized Percentile vs. Total Shareholder Return Percentile (2015-17)



The graph above illustrates the relationship between CEO pay rank and the relative return to stockholders for CVS Health and the 2018 peer group over the 3-year period 2015 to 2017. Our CEO’s realized compensation during this period was within the range that characterizes ideal pay-for-performance alignment.

Similarly, the graph above illustrates the relationship between

5-Year CEO pay rank and the relative return to stockholders for CVS Health and the 2016 Peer Group over the 3-year period 2013 to 2015. Relative compensation rests within the range that characterizes ideal pay-for-performance alignment.

Compensation Realized Percentile vs. Total Shareholder Return Percentile (2013-17)

1-YEAR CEO COMPENSATION REALIZED PERCENTILE
VS. TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERCENTILE (2015)

The graph above illustrates the relationship between CEO pay rank and the relative return to stockholders for CVS Health and the 2018 peer group over the five-year period 2013 to 2017. Five-year compensation realized by CVS Health’s CEO rests outside of the range that characterizes ideal pay-for-performance given the pay-for-performance relationships exhibited elsewhere across the peer group. Strong Company performance over the 2013-17 measurement period resulted in above-target payouts under our LTIP for the 2012-2014, 2013-2015 and 2014-2016 performance cycles. Industry-wide pressures on reimbursement, drug pricing and headwinds created by restricted pharmacy networks adopted by payors beginning in 2016 negatively impacted performance and contributed to below-target results under our LTIP for the 2015-2017 performance cycle. TSR was also impacted by the same factors, further reducing the payout for that cycle. The value of our CEO’s compensation is significantly influenced by the value of our stock, since approximately 75% of target total compensation is provided through stock-based pay. As a result, our CEO, like our stockholders, has been affected by the decrease in our stock price and only ultimately achieves the full target grant value of his equity compensation by creating long-term stockholder value.

In the graph above, compensation realized by CVS Health’s CEO in 2015 ranked at the 61st percentile, our TSR ranked at the 39th percentile, indicating that our CEO’s realized compensation was just outside the range that characterizes an ideal pay-for-performance alignment.


5-YEAR CEO COMPENSATION REALIZED PERCENTILE
VS. TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERCENTILE
(2011-15)



Similarly, the graph above illustrates the relationship between CEO pay rank and the relative return to stockholders for CVS Health and the 2016 Peer Group over the 5-year period 2011 to 2015. Relative compensation rests within the range that characterizes ideal pay-for-performance alignment.


The Committee believes this historical view validates that our executive compensation programs work as intended and link pay and performance.

The Committee believes this historical view validates that our executive compensation programs work as intended and link pay and performance while demonstrating the Committee’s commitment to maintaining design and administration practices that ensure alignment with stockholder interests. The Committee reviews this analysis annually after current data becomes available.

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These assessments demonstrateCompensation Discussion and Analysis  Detailed Program Discussion

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PLANNING AND REVIEW PROCESS

The Committee follows the Committee’s commitmentframework below to maintaining practices that ensurereview, discuss and approve all aspects of our executive compensation aligns with results in a manner that benefits our investors.program.

Executive Compensation Development and Review

MP&D Committee MeetingOCTOBER
Annual risk assessment of compensation programs
Peer group reviewed and established for executive compensation benchmarking
Pay-for-performance alignment for prior year reviewed




MP&D Committee Meeting
Total compensation market data for our executives reviewed
Stockholder comments received on our executive compensation program



MP&D Committee Meeting
Preliminary financial results with respect to TSR, growth in revenue, GAAP operating income growth, and diluted GAAP EPS growth reviewed
Preliminary incentive award payouts calculated for the completed fiscal year

CEO Performance Review
The CEO presents a self-assessment of his performance against his Board-approved strategic, operational and financial goals
The Chairman of the Board and the Committee Chair meet with the independent directors privately to consider the CEO’s performance
Committee members consult with their independent compensation consultant and consider the independent directors’ assessments in reviewing the CEO’s total compensation and determining his annual incentive compensation award and equity compensation grants




MP&D Committee Meeting
Other Named Executive Officer Final Decisions
For named executive officers other than the CEO, final decisions on actual incentive awards for the prior year are made in February after review of the CEO’s assessment of individual executive contribution and performance;as described above, the CEO’s performance is reviewed separately


MP&D Committee Meeting
Target Setting
The Committee establishes financial targets and approves any base salary changes and individual target incentive award levels for the current performance year

The annual cycle of reviewing and developing the Company’s executive compensation program and pay levels is a multi-step process that incorporates input from stockholders, management, peer group information, consideration of say-on-pay results, and both short- and long-term Company results compared to objectives, as well as consultation with the Committee’s independent compensation consultant.



Throughout the annual compensation cycle, Committee decisions incorporate and reflect our deep commitment to the Company’s five core values:Innovation, Collaboration, Caring, Integrity, andAccountability.

MP&D Committee Meeting
Annual risk assessment of compensation programs
Peer group reviewed and established for executive compensation benchmarking
Pay-for-performance alignment for prior year reviewed
NOVEMBER
MP&D Committee Meeting
Total compensation market data for our executives reviewed
Review compensation policies
In 2018, we updated our Stock Ownership Guidelines and our Recoupment Policy
JANUARY
MP&D Committee Meeting
Review stockholder comments received on our executive compensation program
Preliminary financial results reviewed
Preliminary incentive award payouts for the completed fiscal year reviewed
CEO Performance Review
The CEO presents a self-assessment of his performance against his Board-approved strategic, operational and financial goals
The Chair of the Board and the Committee Chair meet with the independent directors privately to consider the CEO’s performance
Committee members consult with the independent compensation consultant and consider the independent directors’ assessments in reviewing the CEO’s total compensation and determining his annual incentive compensation award and equity compensation grants
FEBRUARY-MARCH
MP&D Committee Meeting
Other NEOs Final Pay Decisions
For NEOs other than the CEO, final decisions on actual incentive awards for the prior year are made in February after review of the CEO’s assessment of individual executive contribution and performance;as described above, the CEO’s performance is reviewed separately
Target Setting
The Committee establishes financial targets and approves any base salary changes and individual target incentive award levels for the current performance year

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Detailed Program Discussion

Pay Positioning

CVS Health positions its aggregate target total direct compensation opportunity (base salary plus annual and long-term incentives) for its executive officers at competitive pay levels using the median of our peer group for reference. Positioning varies by job, and the Committee considers a number of factors including market competitiveness, specific duties and responsibilities of the executive versus those of peers, and succession planning. The Committee believes it is appropriate to reward the executive management team with compensation above the competitive median if the ambitious financial targets associated with its variable pay programs are exceeded in a way that is consistent with the Company’s core values.

20162018 Compensation Peer Group

The Committee assesses financial performance and compensation competitiveness against a group of peer companies that it selects based on input from its independent compensation consultant. The 20162018 peer group consisted of the following companies from across general industryindustries that are similar to CVS Health in terms of industry affiliation, labor market, and operatingoperations and character image. The Committee reviews the peer group annually and periodically makes changes. No changes were made to the peer group for 2017.2018.

   

CVS Health 20162018 Compensation Peer Group


CVS Health vs. Peer Group

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

The Boeing Company

Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Express Scripts Holding Company

The Home Depot, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson

The Kroger Co.

McKesson Corporation

McKesson Corporation

Merck & Co., Inc.

PepsiCo, Inc.

PepsiCo,Pfizer Inc.

Pfizer Inc.

The Procter & Gamble Company

Target Corporation

Target Corporation

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

Walmart Inc.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

The Walt Disney Company

CVS Health vs. 2018 Peer Group

 

*Revenue reported for four most recent quarters as of February 28, 2019
**

COMPONENTS OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Fixed versus Variable Compensation; Cash versus Equity

Our pay-for-performance philosophy places a majority of an executive officer’s compensation at risk and emphasizes long-term incentives tied to individual and company performance as well as continued service. As a result, the only fixed compensation paid is base salary, which represents no more than 15 percent of a named executive officer’s total target compensation. Base salary and annual incentives are paid in cash. Beginning with the 2016 LTIP cycle, all long-term awards are paid entirely in stock. The greater focus on equity was adopted as the result of shareholder feedback. The previously awarded 2014 and 2015 LTIP cycles that are payable in 2017 andMarket capitalization as of December 31, 2018 will be paid 50% in cash. As a result of the shift to 100% stock payments, the 2016 awards (for the 2016-2018 cycle) will be reported in the Summary Compensation Table in our 2019 Proxy Statement in accordance with SEC requirements.

Target Total Direct Compensation Mix (%)

2019 Compensation Peer Groups

In consideration of the Aetna Transaction, the Committee has determined that two compensation peer groups are appropriate for 2019 considering our diverse business segments and aggregate revenues. The Committee used the compensation peer groups described below as reference points when reviewing and setting compensation levels in 2019. A list of the companies included in the 2019 peer groups can be found on page 62.

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General Industry Group - 30 largest U.S. companies, irrespective of industry, but excluding banks. The companies in this group have revenues from $63 billion to $500 billion, and median revenue of $120 billion.

2017 Proxy Statement

Health Care and Retail Group - 20 companies with operations comparable to CVS Health’s, 13 of which are health care organizations and 7 of which are retailers. The median revenue for companies in this group is $100 billion.

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Table of Contents

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

Performance Metrics Support Corporate Strategy and Long-Term Growth

The Committee recognizes that external factors that are beyond CVS Health’s influence may impact its stock price. Consequently, the Committee believes that other performance indicators, including profitability and sound financial management of our working capital, should also be factored into our executive compensation program. By using a variety of pay vehicles and balancing short- and long-term awards, the Committee believes the program supports retention and long term growth creation because the metrics are measured independently and no one factor impacts all elements of performance.

ADJUSTED OPERATING
PROFIT (MIP)
RETAIL AND PBM
SERVICE METRICS (MIP)
RETURN ON NET
ASSETS (LTIP)
TOTAL SHAREHOLDER
RETURN (LTIP)

Compensation Element

Annual Cash Incentive

LTIP and Equity

Short-Term/Long-Term

Short-Term

Long-Term

How Metrics Support
Strategy and Growth

Measures performance that is tracked by investors
Correlates to long-term growth
Measures client and customer satisfaction
Correlates to strategic operational goals
Measures performance in a way that is easily understood by participants and valued by investors
Captures both income and balance sheet impacts, including capital management actions
Provides a useful gauge of overall performance while limiting the effects of factors management cannot influence
Correlates to creation of long-term stockholder value and free cash flow
Measures performance relative to the broad market in which we compete for talent and capital


Base Salary

The Committee annually reviews the base salaries of all senior officers, including the named executive officers, and adjusts them periodically as needed to maintain competitiveness and consistency with evolving responsibilities. Upon consideration of this competitive market analysis and input from its consultant the Committee did not raise base salaries for our named executive officers.

2016 Salary Decisions

EXECUTIVE NAME AND 2016 TITLE(S)2016 SALARYPERCENTAGE
INCREASE
Larry J. Merlo, President and CEO$1,630,0000%
David M. Denton, EVP and CFO$850,0000%
Helena B. Foulkes, EVP and President – CVS Pharmacy$950,0000%
Jonathan C. Roberts, EVP and President – CVS Caremark$950,0000%
Thomas M. Moriarty, EVP, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel$750,0000%

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

Executive Incentive Plan Award Opportunity

The Executive Incentive Plan (EIP) is our annual cash bonus plan. Under the EIP, a maximum pool is created that can be used to pay annual incentives to named executive officers. For 2016, the pool formula was the lower of 0.5% of Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to CVS Health ($31,500,000) or the sum of the total maximum potential awards under the EIP ($24,250,000). At the beginning of 2016, the Committee established a target for each named executive officer as a reference point to determine actual payouts. The target award opportunity is expressed as a percentage of base salary and is determined using a variety of factors, including CVS Health’s 2016 peer group practices and the desired ratios of cash to non-cash and fixed to variable compensation for each named executive officer. The Committee also set individual limits on awards, expressed as a percentage of the pool and salary. EIP awards are not guaranteed and can range from 0% to 200% of the referenced target.

In 2017, the Committee reduced the maximum bonus under the EIP to align with the maximum bonus payable under the broad-based Management Incentive Plan (MIP) (200% of target). The EIP allows for individual performance-based discretionary adjustments. The Committee believes that the use of discretion to increase payouts should be limited and has adopted a policy limiting increases for superior performance to no more than 25% of the calculated payout based on MIP results [salary × target % × MIP funding %]. However, there is no limit on the Committee’s ability to exercise negative discretion to lower bonus payments for poor performance.

Since market compensation practices, including incentive opportunity, differ by job, our target bonus opportunities as a percentage of base salary vary for our named executive officers.

EXECUTIVE NAME2016
TARGET OPPORTUNITY
AS A PERCENTAGE OF
SALARY
MAXIMUM
PORTION OF
POOL
FORMER
MAXIMUM
PAYOUT AS A
PERCENTAGE OF
SALARY
NEW
2017 MAXIMUM
PAYOUT AS A
PERCENTAGE OF
SALARY
Larry J. Merlo200%30.0%500%400%
David M. Denton150%15.0%400%300%
Helena B. Foulkes150%15.0%400%300%
Jonathan C. Roberts150%15.0%400%350%1
Thomas M. Moriarty150%15.0%400%300%
1

In connection with his March 2, 2017 promotion to Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Roberts’ 2017 target opportunity was increased to 175% of salary.


2016 EIP results and decision making

As a starting point for evaluating annual EIP awards, the Committee considered performance results under our MIP, a program maintained for a broad portion of the employee population, and for our named executive officers prior to the establishment of the EIP. For 2016, the MIP used MIP Adjusted Operating Profit, Retail Service and Client Satisfaction as performance metrics which the Committee believes are appropriate for annual incentives. The Committee believed that these metrics were challenging and would serve as an appropriate measure of management’s success in delivering short-term stockholder value while maintaining momentum toward the achievement of longer-term financial progress.

The 2016 performance targets and actual results under the MIP were as follows:

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

The Committee exercises judgment in determining individual EIP awards and does not assign specific weights to the factors it considers. Its decisions were based primarily on the results of the 2016 MIP, which achieved funding of 81.2%. The below target MIP achievement was primarily attributable to the challenging nature of the performance targets and Retail performance. When approving bonuses for 2016, the Committee considered the Company’s financial performance in 2016 compared to internal goals and guidance. The Committee adjusted bonuses for executives in reflection of the individual performance of each named executive officer together with the subjective achievement of certain strategic and operational goals. As a result, bonuses for our NEOs in 2016, on average, were 15% below MIP funding, and 38% lower than they were in 2015. See below for a summary of named executive officer performance in 2016.

2016 – Individual Performance Assessment

NEO

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE

Larry J. Merlo
President & Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Merlo contributed to the strong, overall financial results of the Company including PBM sales, cash flow from operations and earnings growth. The Committee also considered that performance was shy of mid-year guidance, TSR decreased, and the retail network exclusions resulted in a headwind for 2017. Mr. Merlo implemented a four part plan to return the Company to profitable growth in 2018.

David M. Denton
Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer

Mr. Denton produced strong financial results in 2016 including record cash flow from operations and strong revenue and earnings growth. Mr. Denton continued his strong capital allocation plan that included returning over $6 billion to stockholders and the 13th consecutive annual increase in dividends. The Committee also considered that that performance was shy of mid-year guidance and TSR decreased.

Helena B. Foulkes
Executive Vice President and
President – CVS Pharmacy

Ms. Foulkes delivered improved front store margins as a result of her promotional strategy. She also made significant progress on digital platforms and the initiative to provide retail pharmacy services to other PBMs. The Committee also considered the mixed financial results for Retail including revenue and profit levels below plan.

Jonathan C. Roberts
Executive Vice President and
President – CVS Caremark

Mr. Roberts delivered above plan performance for PBM revenue, sales, and profitability along with strong client retention and satisfaction. These drove results under the MIP and LTIP. Under Mr. Roberts’ leadership, PBM clients experienced the lowest trend in four years as a result of adoption of innovative cost saving measures.

Thomas M. Moriarty
Executive Vice President,
Chief Strategy Officer and
General Counsel

Mr. Moriarty provided strong leadership and continued success in case resolution and regulatory compliance. Mr. Moriarty restructured the Government Affairs function and positioned the Company as a thought leader in health care at the state and federal level including advancing the value of the PBM and the role of the pharmacist. The Committee also considered that the retail network exclusions resulted in a headwind for 2017.


2016 EIP Decisions

   RANGE OF POTENTIAL PAYMENTS
EXECUTIVE NAMEBASE SALARYMIP
REFERENCE
TARGET
MINIMUM81.2%
OF REFERENCE
TARGET BASED ON
MIP RESULTS
ACTUAL
EIP AWARD
FOR 2016
ACTUAL EIP
AWARD AS A
PERCENTAGE
OF REFERENCE
TARGET
Larry J. Merlo$1,630,000200%$0$2,647,120$2,382,00073%
David M. Denton$850,000150%$0$1,035,300$880,00069%
Helena B. Foulkes$950,000150%$0$1,157,100$752,00053%
Jonathan C. Roberts$950,000 150%$0$1,157,100$1,157,00081%
Thomas M. Moriarty$750,000150%$0$913,500$776,00069%

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

Long-Term Incentive Compensation

The Committee believes strongly in the use of long-term incentive compensation for executives to reinforce four strategic objectives:

Focus on the importance of returns to stockholders and alignment with changes in stock price;

Promote the achievement of long-term performance goals;

Encourage executive retention; and

Promote meaningful levels of Company stock ownership by executives.

The key elements of the Company’s long-term incentive compensation plans (LTI plans) are:

an annual stock option and RSU grant, which vest upon continued employment with the Company, and

long-term performance incentive awards under our Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) to reward financial progress over a three-year period.

The Committee believes that the LTI plans properly balance the incentives required to drive achievement of the four strategic objectives above, with the amount and timing of the rewards dependent on the successful achievement of Company objectives. The structure also reinforces the alignment between executive and stockholder interests. All three of these long-term compensation elements are delivered under the provisions of our 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan (2010 ICP).

To determine the overall LTI plan opportunity and appropriate mix of equity instruments, the Committee considers a variety of factors, including competitive market positioning against comparable executives of the companies in the 2016 peer group, potential economic value realized, timing of vesting and taxation. Along with a review of 2016 Peer Group long-term incentive award practices, the Committee considers the retentive value of the unvested equity awards held by each executive officer to determine whether additional awards to secure continued employment with the Company are warranted. For named executive officers other than the CEO, the Committee also considers the CEO’s recommendations.

2016 Long-Term Incentive Opportunities and Awards

The Committee annually reviews the weighting and components of our LTI plans. The structure currently in place provides for an equal weighting of awards between performance-based (LTIP) and time-based awards (RSUs and stock options) for Mr. Merlo and the other NEOs.

As in the past, each of our performance- and equity-based long-term incentives will continue to be earned independently, meaning that successful achievement of any of the financial  goals established for any of the LTI plans will not trigger or accelerate vesting of the RSU or stock option grants; similarly, any awards payable under the LTIP will be based solely on results as measured against the relevant performance metric and will not be affected by any value realized by the RSU or stock option grants. This approach supports a continuing focus on the creation of long-term shareholder value and promotes retention.

Long-Term Incentive Target Mix (%)

CEO and All Other Named Executive Officers

Options
25%
RSUs
25%
LTIP - Paid in Shares
50%

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

Equity Awards - Option and RSU Grants

Equity grants are made on a predetermined date consistent with the Committee’s equity grant practices. For 2016, the grant date was April 1, the first business day of the second quarter. The full grant date fair value of stock options and RSUs granted to each named executive officer during fiscal 2016 is shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 57. Options have a term of seven years and typically vest in four equal annual installments. The annual RSU grants to our named executive officers vest in two equal installments: 50% on the third anniversary of the grant date and 50% on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.

In determining the amount of individual awards, the Committee considers the competitive benchmarking data described above as well as an executive’s individual performance during the immediately preceding year, potential future contributions, his or her prior year’s award value, and retention considerations. Options and RSU grants may also reflect changes in role or responsibilities. In the past, the Committee has made limited use of special awards.

2016 Stock Option and RSU Grant Decisions

The following table sets out the aggregate value of stock options and RSUs granted on April 1, 2016. Each named executive officer received a grant at or above their target based on their individual performance in 2015 and the performance of the Company. In the case of Mr. Roberts, the award also reflects the Committee’s desire to specifically retain Mr. Roberts for a minimum of three years. During 2015, the Company achieved superior financial results and completed the acquisition of Omnicare, Inc. as well as the pharmacies and clinics of Target Corporation. Additional information about the 2016 awards to each of our named executive officers, including stock option exercise price and the number of shares subject to each award, is shown in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 59. Additional information about the 2015 performance of each named executive officer can be found in our 2016 Proxy Statement.

EXECUTIVE NAME2016 AGGREGATE
EQUITY AWARD VALUE
Larry J. Merlo$8,000,000
David M. Denton$2,000,000
Helena B. Foulkes$2,000,000
Jonathan C. Roberts$4,500,000
Thomas M. Moriarty$2,000,000

PERFORMANCE-BASED LONG-TERM INCENTIVES

2014-2016 LTIP Awards

All of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table earned payments in 2016 for awards granted in 2014 for the 2014-2016 LTIP performance period. The Committee set the 2014-2016 LTIP Return on Net Assets (RoNA) goal in 2014 to be aligned with the Company’s long-term steady state targets communicated to investors in 2013 and at a level expected to generate strong operational execution and asset management. Based on strong performance against the RoNA metric throughout the three year cycle, actual RoNA (40.56%) exceeded the goal by 730 basis points and earned a maximum payout on this metric. The strong performance of RoNA closely correlates to the Company’s strong cash flow and is the result of our ongoing focus on working capital. As a discussion point during our outreach in 2016, we specifically reviewed the LTIP performance metrics with our top stockholders and received positive feedback regarding the alignment with the Company’s long-term strategy. As a result of similar conversations in 2015, awards beginning with the 2016-2018 cycle will be paid 100% in shares of common stock subject to a two-year holding requirement (net of taxes).

The Company’s RoNA performance has improved steadily since the Committee incorporated RoNA as a performance metric for the LTIP. Below is a summary of performance over the past three cycles.

RoNA Result for LTIP Performance Cycles

The following table sets forth threshold, target and maximum goals, the range of potential payouts as a percent of target and the actual results for the 2014-2016 performance period. The payout of the LTIP award is formulaic, though under the terms of the 2010 ICP the Committee has discretion to reduce the awards. Based on the strong performance throughout the 2014-2016 performance cycle, the Committee did not exercise any discretion with respect to the awards.

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 % OF RoNA
TARGET
PAYOUT LEVEL AS A
% OF TARGET
Threshold (minimum level of performance)96.2%40%
Target (33.26%)100.0%100%
Maximum106.5%200%
Actual (40.56%)122%200%
TSR Modifier 1.0 (reflecting 35thpercentile)200%

2014 – 2016 LTI PLAN OPPORTUNITIES AND ACTUAL AWARD PAYMENTS

EXECUTIVE NAMEMINIMUM
AWARD
(% OF
TARGET)

THRESHOLD
AWARD
(% OF
TARGET)

TARGET
AWARD
(% OF
TARGET)
MAXIMUM
AWARD
(% OF
TARGET)
MAXIMUM
AWARD
AFTER TSR
MODIFIER
(% OF
TARGET)
ACTUAL
TOTAL
AWARD
AT 200%
ACTUAL
CASH
PORTION
OF AWARD
($)
ACTUAL
STOCK
PORTION
OF AWARD
(# OF
SHARES)
Larry J. Merlo0%40%100%200%250%$11,000,000$5,500,00068,255
David M. Denton0%40%100%200%250%$3,000,000$1,500,00018,615
Helena B. Foulkes0%40%100%200%250%$2,500,000$1,250,00015,512
Jonathan C. Roberts0%40%100%200%250%$3,500,000$1,750,00021,717
Thomas M. Moriarty0%40%100%200%250%$2,500,000$1,250,00015,512

2016-2018 Performance Period Target Awards Decisions

The LTIP focuses on sustainable financial progress and optimal use of the Company’s assets to improve our working capital and free cash flow. If earned, the awards below will be paid in stock in 2019 subject to a two-year holding requirement following certification of the financial performanceby the Committee. The awards are not guaranteed and can range from 0%-250% of target. Payouts are formulaic, though the Committee has discretion under the 2010 ICP to reduce awards.

EXECUTIVE NAMETARGET PERFORMANCE-BASED LTIP AWARD
FOR 2016-2018 PERFORMANCE PERIOD;
AWARDS ARE PAID IN STOCK SUBJECT TO
TWO-YEAR HOLDING REQUIREMENT
Larry J. Merlo$6,750,000
David M. Denton$2,000,000
Helena B. Foulkes$2,000,000
Jonathan C. Roberts$3,000,000
Thomas M. Moriarty$1,875,000

2017-2019 LTIP Awards

LTIP awards have formulaically determined payouts based on performance against our three-year RoNACompensation Discussion and Analysis  goal modified by relative TSR (S&P 500). As a result of feedback from our stockholders, the Committee revised the TSR modifier for the cycle beginning in 2017 such that awards are adjusted if performance is above or below the 50th percentile as shown in the chart. In addition, the modifier will be applied in quartiles as opposed to terciles to be more reflective of market practices.Detailed Program Discussion


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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

We maintain an unfunded supplemental retirement plan (SERP), which is designed to supplement the retirement benefits of selected executive officers. The SERP is a legacy plan in which participation has decreased over the years as individuals have retired, and we have not provided SERP benefits to new participants since 2010. Mr. Merlo is the only active executiveofficer in the SERP. Mr. Merlo has reached the maximum amount of service under the SERP based on his more than 30 years with the Company. As a result, any increase to his benefit would be primarily as a result of performance-based bonuses. See the Pension Benefits Table on page 62 for more information.

OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS AND BENEFITS

The Company maintains medical and dental benefits, life insurance and short- and long-term disability insurance programs for all of its employees. Executive officers are eligible to participate in these programs on the same basis and with the same level of financial subsidy as our other salaried employees.

Executive officers may participate in the CVS Future Fund, which is our qualified defined contribution, or 401(k), plan. An eligible CVS Health employee may defer up to 85% of his or her total eligible compensation, defined as salary plus annual cash incentive, to a maximum defined by the IRS; in 2016,IRS. In 2018, that maximum was $18,000$18,500, plus an additional $6,000 for those age 50 and above. After the first full year of employment, CVS Health will match the employee’s deferral dollar-for-dollar up to a maximum equaling 5% of total eligible compensation. CVS Health’s matching cash contributions into the CVS Health Future Fund for the named executive officersNEOs who participated are a component ofincluded in “All Other Compensation” and described in the All Othernotes following the Summary Compensation Table beginning on page 58.64.

We offer other benefits that are available to eligible employees, including executive officers, as follows.

Deferred Compensation Plan and Deferred Stock Plan

Eligible executive officers may choose to defer earned and vested compensation into the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) and the Deferred Stock Compensation Plan (DSP), which are available to any U.S. employees meeting the Plans’ eligibility criteria. The plans are intended to provide retirement savings in a tax-efficient manner and to enhance stock ownership. The DCP offers a variety of investment crediting choices, noneofnone of which represents an above-market return. The individual contributions of each of the named executive officersNEOs during fiscal 20162018 to the DCP and the DSP, including earnings on those contributions, any distributions during 20162018 and their respective total account balances as of the end of 2016,2018, are shown in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table on page 63.71.

Perquisites and Other Personal Benefits

We provide the following personal benefits to our named executive officers:NEOs:

Financial planning: An allowance of $15,000 to cover the cost of a Company-provided financial planner to assist with personal financial and estate planning. We believe it is important to provide to our executives the professional expertise required to ensure that they maximize the efficiencies of our compensation and benefit programs and are able to devote their full attention to the management of the Company.

Limited personal use of corporate aircraft: We maintain corporate aircraft that may be used by our employees to conduct Company business. Pursuant to an executive security program established by the Board upon the Committee’s recommendation, the CEO is required to use our aircraft for all travel needs, including personal travel, in order to minimize and more efficiently use histravel time, protect the confidentiality of his travel and our business, and enhance his personal security. Certain other named executive officersNEOs were also permitted to use our corporate aircraft for personal travel on a very limited basis during fiscal 2016. 

2018. The cost of such personal use is included in “All Other Compensation” and described in the notes following the Summary Compensation Table.

Home security: An allowance to the named executive officersNEOs to cover the costs of the installation and maintenance of home security monitoring systems. While the Committee believes these security costs are business expenses, disclosure of these costs as personal benefits is required.

The value of all of these items is treated as income taxable to the executives.NEOs. The aggregate incremental cost to the Company of providing these personal benefits to each of the named executive officersNEOs during fiscal 20162018 is shown in the Summary Compensation Table beginning on page 57.63.

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

KEY POLICIES RELATED TO COMPENSATIONPartnership Equity Program

Recoupment

Effective with performance cycles beginning in 2009, we have maintained a recoupment policy that appliesIn addition to all annual andthe core long-term incentive awards grantedcompensation plans described above (collectively, the ICPs), since 1997 the Company has maintained the Partnership Equity Program (the PEP). The PEP is designed to executive officers. The policy applies in cases where financial or operational results used to determine an award amount are meaningfully altered basedensure that those executives with significant impact on fraud or material financial misconduct (collectively, Misconduct), as determined by the Board, and apply to any executive officer determined to have been involved in the Misconduct.

The policy applies to Misconduct committed during the performance period that is discovered during the performance period or the three-year period following the performance period. The policy allows us to recoup the entire award, not only excess amounts generated by the Misconduct, subject to the determinationfuture success of the Board, and the policy may apply even where there is no financial restatement.

CVS Health’s Anti-Gross-Up Policy

CVS Health adoptedhave a broad policy against tax gross-ups several years ago. It is notable that when the policy was first adopted, there was an exception for gross-ups payable pursuant to pre-existing agreements. However, in 2012 our executives amended their existing employment and change in control agreements to eliminate any tax gross-ups potentially payable in connection with a change in control. This wasdone voluntarily, and without any payment of additional compensation. The only current exception to our anti-gross-up policy is for tax payments that may be due under our broad-based relocation policy, which is applicable to a large number of employees (i.e., those who must relocate upon hire, transfer or promotion).

Insider Trading Policy, Including Anti-Pledging and Hedging

A significant percentage of executive compensation is payablesubstantial “at-risk” personal equity investment in CVS Health common stock and is generally provided to selected newly-hired or newly-promoted senior executives in critical positions who can drive the strategic objectives of the Company. The Committee believes that the PEP strongly links the economic interests of

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Detailed Program Discussion

senior executives with CVS Health stockholders, provides future long-term compensation opportunities that are competitive in the formexternal marketplace and reflect internal responsibility levels, and assures key management stability, retention, motivation and long-term focus on corporate strategy. To invest in the PEP, an executive chooses to purchase a number of “Employee-Purchased RSUs,” which are matched by CVS Health on a one-for-one basis (Company-Matching RSUs) and stock options. The Board andvest on the fifth anniversary of the purchase date.

In addition, the executive managementreceives an option to purchase shares of CVS Health take seriously their responsibilities and obligationscommon stock equal to exhibit the highest standards of behavior relative to selling and trading our stock. All transactions in our stock contemplated by any director, executive officer or designated employee who has a significant role in, or access to, our financial reporting process (collectively, lnsiders), must be pre-cleared by either the General Counsel or the Corporate Secretary. Insiders are generally prohibited from trading in any of our securities except during periods of varying length beginning shortly after the release of our financial results for each quarter, and Insiders and other employees may be required to refrain from trading during other designated periods when significant developments or announcements are anticipated. In addition, it is our policy that Insiders and other employees may not engage in any of the following activities with respect to our securities:

Trading in our securities on a short-term basis (stock purchased in the open market must be held for at least six months);

Purchasing stock on margin or pledging our stock or any stock incentive award as collateral for a loan or margin account;

Engaging in short sales or purchases of our stock;

Buying or selling puts, calls, exchange traded options or other derivative securities; or

Engaging in any other hedging transactions, which includes transactions designed to offset any decrease in the market value of equity securities.

Our most senior executives and Board members are generally required to transact in our stock pursuant to a 10b5-1 trading plan, and our other executives are encouraged to use trading plans. A trading plan is a contract that allows the individual to sell a pre-determined number of shares at a time in the future when conditions in the plan are met. However, there are extensive guidelines that govern the use of 10b5-1 trading plans including the timing of entry or modification of a plan, the price at which shares will be traded, a “cooling off” period during which no trades can take place, minimum and maximum terms, restrictions onten times the number of plans an individual can maintain, a prohibitionCompany-Matching RSUs. The stock option grant vests ratably on trading outsideeach of the plan,third, fourth and pre-approvalfifth anniversaries of plans (and any modificationthe grant date. The vesting for each of plans) by the General Counsel or Corporate Secretary.stock option grant and the Company-Matching RSU award is contingent upon the executive retaining the Employee-Purchased RSUs until all of the stock options and Company-Matching RSUs are vested and upon the continued employment of the executive through the vesting period.

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Upon his hire in March 2018, Mr. Rice was provided the opportunity to participate in the PEP and credited with an initial pre-tax amount to be invested in the PEP. The investment value provided to Mr. Rice is reflected as a sign-on bonus in the Summary Compensation Table on page 63 and in the Grants of ContentsPlan-Based Awards Table on page 66.

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:

Agreements with Named Executive Officers
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION


AGREEMENTS WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

As previously disclosed, we have an employment agreement (Employment Agreement) with Mr. Merlo and change in control agreements (CIC Agreements, and together with the Employment Agreement, the Agreements) with Messrs. Denton,Rice, Roberts and Moriarty, and Ms. Foulkes.Boratto. Mr. Denton had a CIC Agreement, but left the Company in November 2018.

In addition, CVS Health entered into a Separation Agreement with Mr. Denton on June 25, 2018 in connection with his termination of employment with the Company. Under the Separation Agreement, during the twenty-four month period immediately following his November 2018 separation date (the Severance Period), Mr. Denton will continue to (i) receive his base salary (as in effect immediately prior to the separation date) and (ii) subject to a valid COBRA election, participate in the Company’s medical and other health benefit plans and programs that he participated in immediately prior to the separation date at Company-subsidized rates, subject to the terms and conditions of each such plan or program. During the Severance Period, Mr. Denton is entitled to: (i) a reimbursement of up to $15,000 per year for tax preparation and financial planning services during 2018 and 2019 (reduced by amounts previously reimbursed for 2018), and (ii) a one-time payment of $15,000 of attorneys’ fees in connection with the negotiation of his Separation Agreement. The last paragraph under “Payments/(Forfeitures) Under Termination Scenarios” reflects the provisions of Mr. Denton’s Separation Agreement with respect to his annual bonus, previously-granted CVS Health stock options, RSUs, PSUs and LTIP awards. The Separation Agreement also contains a release of claims against the Company and customary confidentiality and cooperation covenants and incorporates by reference any other covenants to which Mr. Denton already is subject, including his Restrictive Covenant Agreement.

In accordance with his Offer Letter dated January 17, 2018, Mr. Rice’s base salary is $1,050,000, and his annual cash incentive target is 150% of his annual base salary. In addition, Mr. Rice’s annual equity grant target opportunity for 2018 was established at $2,000,000 and his 2018-2020 LTIP PSU target opportunity was set at $2,125,000. Further, Mr. Rice received a $700,000 sign-on bonus, paid $200,000 in March 2018, $250,000 within the first 60 days of employment, and $250,000 within 60 days of the first anniversary of his hire date. In addition, Mr. Rice received a sign-on RSU grant valued at $1,500,000 and was credited with an initial pre-tax amount of $500,000 to be invested in the PEP (described above), which is reflected as a bonus in the Summary Compensation Table. Mr. Rice also received standard relocation benefits under the Company’s broad-based relocation program that included tax assistance. If Mr. Rice voluntarily terminates his employment and is not receiving severance, or if his employment is terminated by the Company for Cause (as defined in his Offer Letter), prior to the two-year anniversary of his hire date, Mr. Rice must repay $500,000 of the sign-on bonus promptly upon termination of his employment.

The Committee believes that the interests of stockholders are best served by ensuring that the interests of our senior management are aligned with our stockholders. The change-incontrol provisions of theCIC Agreements with NEOs (other than Mr. Merlo) are intended to eliminate, or at least reduce, the reluctance of senior management to pursue potential change-in-control transactions that may be in stockholders’ best interests. The Agreements serve to eliminate distraction caused by uncertainty about personal financial circumstances during a period in which CVS Health requires focused and thoughtful leadership to ensure a successful outcome. Accordingly, the Agreements provide certain specified “double trigger” severance benefits to the covered executives in the event of their termination under certain circumstances following a change in control. The CommitteebelievesCommittee believes a “double trigger” severance benefit provision is more appropriate, as it provides an incentive for greater continuity in management following a change in control. “Double trigger” benefits require that two events occur in order for severance to be paid, typically a change in control of the Company followed by the executive’s involuntary termination of employment. The 2010 ICP wasand 2017 Incentive Compensation Plans that govern the terms of outstanding equity awards to all NEOs also amended in 2012 to require a “double trigger” equityfor vesting of equity change in control benefits.

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The Committee reviews the Company’s severance benefits annually with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant to evaluate both their effectiveness and competitiveness. The review for fiscal 20162018 found the current level of benefits to be within competitive norms for design. Details of hypothetical payments that would have been made to the executivesNEOs upon a change in control on December 31, 2018 and under various termination scenarios; provisions for the treatment of equity awards, SERPsupplemental executive retirement plan and other benefits; and estimated payments that would be made to the executives whose employment terminates following a change in control may be found in Payments/“Payments/(Forfeitures) Under Termination ScenariosScenarios” beginning on page 63.72.

COMPLIANCE WITH IRC 162(m)

IRC 162(m) generally disallowsSupplemental Executive Retirement Plan
We maintain an unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP), which is designed to supplement the retirement benefits of selected executive officers. The SERP is a tax deductionlegacy plan in which participation has decreased over the years as individuals have retired. We have not provided SERP benefits to public companies for compensation over $1 million paid to a company’s chiefnew participants since 2010. Mr. Merlo is the only active executive officer in the SERP. Mr. Merlo has reached the maximum amount of service under the SERP based on his more than 30 years with the Company. As a result, any increase to his benefits would be primarily as a result of performance-based bonuses. See the Pension Benefits Table on page 70 for more information.

KEY POLICIES RELATED TO COMPENSATION

Recoupment

Since 2009, we have maintained a recoupment policy that applies to all annual and long-term incentive awards granted to executive officers. The policy applies in cases where financial or operational results used to determine an award amount are meaningfully altered based on fraud or material financial misconduct (collectively, Misconduct), as determined by the three other most highly compensatedBoard, and applies to any executive officers at year end, other thanofficer determined to have been involved in the chief financial officer. However, qualifying performance-based compensationMisconduct.

The policy applies to Misconduct committed during the performance period that is discovered during the performance period or the three-year period following the performance period. The policy allows us to recoup the entire award, not only excess amounts generated by the Misconduct, subject to the deduction limit if certain requirementsdetermination of the Board, and the policy may apply even where there is no financial restatement.

In addition, in March 2019 the Board approved an amendment to the Recoupment Policy to increase transparency of the policy. The amendment requires CVS Health to publicly disclose the circumstances of any recoupment from any “executive officer” under the Recoupment Policy to the extent the underlying event already has been publicly disclosed in CVS Health’s filings with the SEC and the disclosure would not violate applicable law, violate legal privilege, breach contractual obligations or be likely to result in, or exacerbate any existing or threatened, employee, stockholder or other litigation, arbitration, investigation or proceeding against the Company.

Anti-Gross-Up Policy

CVS Health maintains a broad policy against tax gross-ups. The only current exception to our anti-gross-up policy is for tax payments that may be due under our broad-based relocation policy, which is applicable to a large number of employees (i.e., those who must relocate upon hire, transfer or promotion).

Insider Trading Policy, Including Anti-Pledging and Hedging

A significant percentage of executive compensation has been and continues to be payable in CVS Health common stock. The Board and executive management of CVS Health take seriously their responsibilities and obligations to exhibit the highest standards of behavior relative to trading our stock. All transactions in our stock by any director, executive officer or designated employee who has a significant role in, or access to, our financial reporting process (collectively, lnsiders), must be pre-cleared by either the General Counsel, the Corporate Secretary, or their designee. Insiders are generally prohibited from trading in any of our securities except during periods of varying length beginning shortly after the release of our financial results for each quarter,

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Detailed Program Discussion

and Insiders and other employees may be required to refrain from trading during other designated periods when significant developments or announcements are anticipated. In addition, it is our policy that Insiders and other employees may not engage in any of the following activities with respect to our securities:

Trading in our securities on a short-term basis (stock purchased in the open market must be held for at least six months);
Purchasing stock on margin or pledging our stock or any stock incentive award as collateral for a loan or margin account;
Engaging in short sales of our stock; 
Buying or selling puts, calls, exchange traded options or other derivative securities based on our stock; or 
Engaging in any other hedging transactions with respect to our stock, which includes transactions designed to offset any decrease in the market value of equity securities.

Our most senior executives and Board members are generally required to use a 10b5-1 trading plan to sell our stock, and our other executives are encouraged to use 10b5-1 trading plans. A 10b5-1 trading plan is a contract that allows the individual to sell a pre-determined number of shares at a time in the future when pre-determined conditions in the plan are met. However, there are extensive guidelines that govern the use of 10b5-1 trading plans including the timing of entry or modification of a plan, the price at which shares will be traded, a “cooling off” period after the plan is entered into during which no trades can take place, minimum and maximum terms, restrictions on the number of plans an individual can maintain, a prohibition on trading outside of the plan, and pre-approval of plans (and any modification of plans) by the General Counsel or Corporate Secretary.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

The Committee oversees the Company’s stock ownership guidelines, which require the Company’s directors and executive officers to maintain ownership of a minimum number of shares, in the case of directors, or stock valued at a multiple of annual salary, in the case of executive officers. In 2018, the Committee increased the multiple of salary for the CEO and BPC members, and expanded the ownership requirement to cover all corporate-level executive vice presidents and senior vice presidents. For additional details, see “Executive Officer and Director Stock Ownership Requirements” on page 80.

COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 162(m) OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE

With exceptions only for compensation paid pursuant to certain binding contracts as described in Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC 162(m)), the tax deduction for annual compensation of each of our NEOs is limited to $1 million. While the Committee considers the tax deductibility of executive compensation under IRC 162(m), but may authorize certain non-deductible payments in excess of $1 million. Asas a matter of compensation design,factor, the Board adopted and stockholders approved the 2010 ICP, under which the Committee may grant annual equity awards, stock options and certain other LTI plan awards to senior executives, including the named executive officers. Certain of the awards granted thereunder are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation and therefore are not subject to the $1 million limitation on deductibility. Awards under the EIP, which are earned based on performance relative to predetermined financial and operating targets, are designed with the intention that amounts paid to the named executive officers will qualify as performance-basedcompensation and therefore be deductible by CVS Health. However, it is possible that payments under the LTI plans and/or the EIP could be non-deductible.

The Committee generally intends to design certain portions of named executive officer compensation that are over $1 million in order to qualify such compensation as performance-based compensation under IRC 162(m). The Committee believes it is important to retain flexibility to structure the Company’s executive compensation program and practices in a manner that the Committee determines is in the best interests of the CompanyCVS Health and its stockholders. This includes the establishment of objective performance criteria at the beginning of a performance cycle, before results are known, and the certification of financial results by an independent Committee of the Board. The Committee retains discretion to operate the Company’s executive compensation programs in a manner designed to promote varying companyCompany goals. As a result, the Committee may from time to time conclude that certain compensation arrangements are in the best interestinterests of CVS Health and its stockholders and consistent with its compensation philosophy and strategy, despite the fact that the arrangements might not qualify for tax deductibility. Elements of the executive compensation program that do not comply with the deduction rules of IRC 162(m) include base salaries above $1 million and time-vested RSU awards.

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REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS – DETAILED DISCUSSION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Detailed Program Discussion

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES USED IN COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Throughout this Compensation Discussion and Analysis,CD&A, we refer to various financial measures. The majorityMany of these financial measures are calculated in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. However, there are some financial measures that management adjustsin orderadjusts and uses to assess our year-over-year performance. These adjusted financial measures are commonly referred to as non-GAAP. An explanation of how we calculate these non-GAAP financial measures is included below.

Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations

Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to CVS Health is defined as follows:

Income before income tax provision

Plus (minus): Non-GAAP adjustments not part of the underlying business performance 

Less: Adjusted income tax provision (using the adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted for the items above)

Plus (minus): Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interest

Less: Earnings allocated to participating securities

Adjusted Operating Profit (MIP) or MIP Adjusted Operating Profit

Adjusted Operating Profit (MIP) or


MIP Adjusted Operating Profit is defined as earnings before interest and taxes adjusted for certain financial items. For the purposes of measuring performance against established targets in any period, when applicable those excluded items comprise certain legal settlements, store rationalization impairment charges andinclude activity related to newly acquired or divested businesses.

Free Cash Flow

We define Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities less net additionsbusinesses, goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges, the impact of hurricanes, and adjustments to property and equipment (i.e., additions to property and equipment plus proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions).

legal reserves in connection with certain legal settlements.


RoNA or Return on Net Assets


RoNA, or Return on Net Assets, is calculated by dividing adjusted net operating profit after tax (Adjusted NOPAT) by the most recent two year’s Adjusted Average Net Assets. Adjusted NOPAT is Operating Profitoperating profit adjusted for certain permitted financial adjustments after taxitems described below. Adjusted Average Net Assets for the purposes of this calculation is defined as current assets plus net fixed assets less accounts payable and accrued expenses.expenses adjusted for certain financial items described below. For the purposes of measuring performance against established targets in any period, Adjusted NOPAT and Adjusted Average Net Assets exclude from operating profit and average net assets, respectively, after tax amounts related to newly acquired or divested businesses, goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges, the impact of hurricanes, and adjustments to legal reserves in connection with certain legal settlements. The impact of tax reform is also reversed. Adjusted Average Net Assets are also excludes cashadjusted for funding to our captive insurance entity related to a tax planning strategy associated with the pre-fundingtax reform.

Adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (Adjusted EBITDA)

We define EBITDA as income before interest expense, income tax provision, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for certain financial items including amounts related to newly acquired or divested businesses, adjustments to legal reserves in connection with certain legal settlements, restructuring and/or impairment charges, the 2017 accelerated share repurchase agreement, as well as the financial impact of the changechanges in accounting principle associated with the classificationprinciples, Federal and/or state regulations, and other items of deferred tax assets.

gain, loss or expense determined to be unusual or infrequent in occurrence.



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Compensation Discussion and Analysis  Detailed Program Discussion

RELATIVE TSR PEER GROUP FOR 2018-2020 LTIP GRANTS

S&P 500 Health Care

Abbott LaboratoriesDanaher CorporationMerck & Co., Inc.
AbbVie Inc.DaVita Inc.Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
Agilent Technologies, Inc.DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc.Mylan N.V.
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Edwards Lifesciences CorporationPatterson Companies, Inc.
Align Technology, Inc.Eli Lilly and CompanyPerkinElmer, Inc.
Allergan plcEnvision Healthcare CorporationPerrigo Company plc
AmerisourceBergen CorporationGilead Sciences, Inc.Pfizer Inc.
Amgen Inc.HCA Healthcare, Inc.Quest Diagnostics Incorporated
Anthem, Inc.Henry Schein, Inc.Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Baxter International Inc.Hologic, Inc.Stryker Corporation
Becton, Dickinson and CompanyHumana Inc.The Cooper Companies, Inc.
Biogen Inc.IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Boston Scientific CorporationIllumina, Inc.UnitedHealth Group Incorporated
Bristol-Myers Squibb CompanyIncyte CorporationUniversal Health Services, Inc.
Cardinal Health, Inc.Intuitive Surgical, Inc.Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
Celgene CorporationJohnson & JohnsonVertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Centene CorporationLaboratory Corporation of America HoldingsWaters Corporation
Cerner CorporationMallinckrodt plcZimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
Cigna CorporationMedtronic Public Limited Company

S&P 500 Consumer Staples

Altria Group, Inc.Kellogg CompanyThe Estée Lauder Companies Inc.
Archer-Daniels-Midland CompanyKimberly-Clark CorporationThe Hershey Company
Brown-Forman CorporationMcCormick & Company, IncorporatedThe J. M. Smucker Company
Campbell Soup CompanyMolson Coors Brewing CompanyThe Kraft Heinz Company
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.Mondelēz International, Inc.The Kroger Co.
Colgate-Palmolive CompanyMonster Beverage CorporationThe Procter & Gamble Company
Conagra Brands, Inc.PepsiCo, Inc.Tyson Foods, Inc.
Constellation Brands, Inc.Philip Morris International Inc.Walmart Inc.
Costco Wholesale CorporationReynolds American Inc.Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
Coty Inc.Sysco Corporation
General Mills, Inc.The Clorox Company
Hormel Foods CorporationThe Coca-Cola Company

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2019 COMPENSATION PEER GROUP

General Industry Comparator Companies

Walmart Inc.Costco Wholesale CorporationPhillips 66
Exxon Mobil CorporationChevron CorporationValero Energy Corporation
Apple Inc.Verizon Communications Inc.Comcast Corporation
McKesson CorporationThe Kroger Co.International Business Machines Corporation
UnitedHealth Group IncorporatedGeneral Electric CompanyJohnson & Johnson
AT&T Inc.Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.Target Corporation
Ford Motor CompanyMicrosoft CorporationLowe’s Companies, Inc.
AmerisourceBergen CorporationThe Home Depot, Inc.United Parcel Service, Inc.
General Motors CompanyThe Boeing CompanyPepsiCo, Inc.
Cardinal Health, Inc.Anthem, Inc.

Health Care and Retail Comparator Companies

Walmart Inc.Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.Centene Corporation
McKesson CorporationThe Home Depot, Inc.HCA Healthcare, Inc.
UnitedHealth Group IncorporatedAnthem, Inc.Cigna Corporation
AmerisourceBergen CorporationTarget CorporationAflac Incorporated
Cardinal Health, Inc.Lowe’s Companies, Inc.Centene Corporation
Costco Wholesale CorporationMetLife, Inc.
The Kroger Co.Humana Inc.

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Compensation of Named Executive Officers

   

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE Important Information Regarding the Presentation of Executive Compensation

As discussed in detail on pages 40-41, we changed our approach to the denomination of our LTIP awards, which resulted in an overlap in disclosure of both awards granted and earned during a fiscal year. During the transition period, which will continue through the payment of the 2017-2019 performance cycle, there will be timing issues that occur as awards for multiple years will appear in the SCT. The following table shows the Committee’s compensation determinations for our CEO when removing the double reporting.

CEO Annual Compensation Determinations
Salary
($)
Annual
Cash
Incentive
Award1
($)
RSU
($)
EBITDA
PSU
Grant
Value
($)
Stock
Option
Grant Value
($)
LTIP Grant
Value2
($)
All Other
Compensation
($)
Total
Compensation1
($)
20181,630,0002,605,00003,374,9553,374,9956,749,992667,15618,402,098
20171,630,0002,128,8003,374,96003,374,9986,750,000754,10618,012,859
20161,630,0002,382,0003,991,93103,999,9906,750,000847,45619,601,377
1Excludes payout of LTIP awards granted for the following three-year performance periods: 2014-2016, 2015-2017, and 2016-2018. Such payouts were reported in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the SCT for each of the respective years.
2Includes the LTIP award granted in each respective year at target performance. For 2016 and 2017, the awards were cash-denominated with settlement in shares following the three-year performance period. For 2018, the award was granted as LTIP PSUs.

 Summary Compensation Table

The following Summary Compensation Table shows information about the compensation received by our CEO, CFOour CFOs and each of our three other most highly compensated executive officers for services rendered in all capacities during the 2018 fiscal year and the applicable comparable data for the 2017 and 2016 fiscal year.years.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLESummary Compensation Table

NAME & PRINCIPAL
2016 POSITIONS
1
YEARSALARY
($)
BONUS
($)
STOCK
AWARDS
($)2 3 4
OPTION
AWARDS
($)3
NON-EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
COMPENSATION
($)5
CHANGE IN
PENSION
VALUE AND
NONQUALIFIED
DEFERRED
COMPENSATION
EARNINGS
($)6

ALL
OTHER
COMPENSATION
($)7

TOTAL
($)
Larry J. Merlo
President and Chief
Executive Officer
20161,630,0003,999,9313,999,9907,882,000847,45618,359,377
20151,560,0006,749,9003,999,9939,692,5966,087,680852,88528,943,054
20141,350,0006,749,9963,999,99811,465,0528,065,273720,41432,350,733
David M. Denton
Executive Vice
President and Chief
Financial Officer
2016850,000999,983999,9872,380,000319,0265,548,996
2015843,7501,874,937874,9993,077,597289,2986,960,581
2014825,0008,928,958749,9973,975,043205,58214,684,580
 
Helena B. Foulkes
Executive
Vice President
and President –
CVS Pharmacy
2016950,000999,983999,9872,002,000210,2135,162,183
2015925,0001,749,937874,9992,283,078232,3146,065,328
2014850,0001,249,927624,9923,165,044174,1196,064,082
 
Jonathan C. Roberts
Executive
Vice President
and President –
CVS Caremark
2016950,0002,249,9612,249,9992,907,000274,1478,631,107
2015937,5002,124,898999,9953,397,597280,5597,740,549
2014900,0001,749,988874,9913,915,058246,3867,686,423
Thomas M. Moriarty
Executive
Vice President,
Chief Strategy
Officer and General
Counsel
2016750,000999,983999,9872,026,000174,7704,950,740
2015730,0001,624,975749,9892,656,298163,1315,924,393
2014670,0001,374,958749,9972,412,573208,1945,415,722

Name & Principal 2018
Positions1
YearSalary
($)
Bonus
($)2
Stock
Awards
($)3
Option
Awards
($)4
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)6
Change In
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)7
All
Other
Compensation
($)8
Total
($)
Larry J. Merlo20181,630,00010,124,9473,374,9956,142,000667,15621,939,098
President and Chief20171,630,0003,374,9603,374,9983,118,800754,10612,252,864
Executive Officer20161,630,0003,999,9313,999,9907,882,000847,45618,359,377
Eva C. Boratto2018630,3034,799,831299,9971,164,20078,0906,972,421
Executive Vice2017
President and Chief2016
Financial Officer
Jonathan C. Roberts20181,162,5009,624,9172,124,9942,927,000227,55716,066,968
Executive Vice20171,033,3331,999,9531,999,9941,605,000244,4846,882,764
President and Chief2016950,0002,249,9612,249,9992,907,000274,1478,631,107
Operating Officer
Derica W. Rice2018791,477950,0008,124,8481,705,3125 949,000285,43612,806,073
Executive Vice2017
President and2016
President –
CVS Caremark

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Compensation of Named Executive Officers  Summary Compensation Table

Name & Principal 2018
Positions1
    Year    Salary
($)
    Bonus
($)2
    

Stock
Awards
($)3

    Option
Awards
($)4
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)6
    Change In
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)7
    All
Other
Compensation
($)8
    Total
($)
Thomas M. Moriarty2018825,0006,749,9331,249,9932,081,50077,43010,983,856
Executive2017750,0001,249,9711,249,9981,160,000102,5854,512,554
Vice President,
Chief Policy and
External Affairs Officer
and General Counsel
2016750,000999,983999,9872,026,000174,7704,950,740
David M. Denton2018781,8182,999,935999,993782,8055,564,551
Former Executive Vice2017850,000999,977999,9971,193,000334,9794,377,953
President and Chief
Financial Officer
2016850,000999,983999,9872,380,000319,0265,548,996
1On March 2, 2017, the Company announced that Mr. RobertsMs. Boratto was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief OperatingFinancial Officer andin November 2018; she was not a NEO in prior years. Mr. Moriarty was appointedRice began serving as Executive Vice President Chief Policy and External Affairs OfficerPresident – CVS Caremark in March 2018 and General Counsel. For purposes of 2016 disclosure, this proxy statement reflects each executive’s title as of December 31, 2016.was formally appointed to those positions in June 2018. Mr. Denton left the Company effective November 19, 2018.
2In connection with joining the Company Mr. Rice received cash sign-on bonus payments of $450,000 in 2018 and an additional $500,000 bonus which he used to purchase RSUs under the PEP.
3Included in the stock awardthis column is the full grant date fair value of all RSU and PSU awards made to each NEO in the executive in 2016.
3applicable year. Also includes sign-on RSUs and RSUs granted under the Company’s PEP Program to Mr. Rice on May 31, 2018. Mr. Rice’s PEP RSUs will cliff vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. The figures shown are the fullgrant date fair value onof each grant is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding forfeiture estimates. The grant date fair values for PSUs granted in 2018 are based upon the probable outcome of the performance conditions associated with these PSUs as of the grant date, and specifically, the values of grant.the LTIP PSUs and Additional LTIP PSUs are calculated using a Monte Carlo Model. For afurther discussion of the relevant assumptions and methodologies used to value the 2018 stock and option awards in this column, please see the discussion of stock awards and option awards contained in our 20162018 Annual Report, to Stockholders, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements at Note 9,11, “Stock Incentive Plans”.
4The amounts reported for years 2014 Additional details regarding the grants of stock awards and 2015 include 50%option awards can be found in the Grants of the valuePlan-Based Awards Table. Each PSU represents one share of the LTIP award grantedour common stock and upon vesting will be paid in that year, representing the portionshares of our common stock, net of applicable withholding taxes, subject to be settled in stock at target value.a two-year holding period. As discussed on page 46,40, in response to stockholder feedback, beginning with the 2016-20182018-2020 performance cycle LTIP awards will be denominated in cash and settled 100% in stock (rather than cash and stock).PSUs. As a result, and consistent with SEC reporting rules, the LTIP awardawards will be reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the year it vests, notin the year of grant. If these changes had not been madeThe grant date fair value of the LTIP PSUs and Additional LTIP PSUs granted to the LTIP design,NEOs in 2018, assuming the following additional amounts would have been reported in 2016: Mr. Merlo $3,375,000; Mr. Denton $1,000,000; Ms. Foulkes $1,000,000; Mr. Roberts $1,500,000;highest level of performance conditions associated with these PSUs occurs and Mr. Moriarty $937,500.prior to the application of the rTSR modifier, which can range from -25% to +25%, is as follows:

NameAward TypeDate of GrantGrant Date Fair Value Assuming
Highest Level of Performance
Conditions Achieved
($)
Larry J. MerloEBITDA PSUsApril 1, 20186,749,909
LTIP PSUSApril 1, 201813,499,985
Eva C. BorattoEBITDA PSUsApril 1, 2018599,953
LTIP PSUsApril 1, 2018999,957
LTIP PSUsNovember 28, 20182,999,965
Additional LTIP PSUsAugust 31, 20182,499,898
Additional LTIP PSUsNovember 28, 20182,499,888
Jonathan C. RobertsEBITDA PSUsApril 1, 20184,249,938
LTIP PSUsApril 1, 20187,499,904
Additional LTIP PSUsAugust 31, 20187,499,991
Derica W. RiceEBITDA PSUsApril 1, 20181,999,927
LTIP PSUsApril 1, 20184,249,987
Additional LTIP PSUsAugust 31, 20185,999,874
Thomas M. MoriartyEBITDA PSUsApril 1, 20182,499,971
LTIP PSUsApril 1, 20183,999,941
Additional LTIP PSUsAugust 31, 20186,999,952
David M. DentonEBITDA PSUsApril 1, 20181,999,927
LTIP PSUsApril 1, 20183,999,941
4Grant date fair value of the options granted to the NEOs on April 1, 2018, except as described in note 5. These options have an exercise price of $62.21 (the closing price of our common stock on April 1, 2018) and will vest in equal installments on the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant and expire seven years from the date of grant. The option values are calculated using a modified Black-Scholes Model for pricing options. Refer to our 2018 Annual Report, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements at Note 11, “Stock Incentive Plans,” for all relevant valuation assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value of these options.

64            2019 Proxy Statement


Table of Contents

Compensation of Named Executive Officers  Summary Compensation Table

5Also includes the grant date fair value of the options granted to Mr. Rice on May 31, 2018 under the PEP. These PEP options have an exercise price of $63.39 (the closing price of our common stock on May 31, 2018) and will vest in three equal installments on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the date of grant and expire in ten years from the date of grant. The option values are calculated using a modified Black-Scholes Model for pricing options. The assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value of these options were:

Dividend Yield3.16%
Volatility19.92%
Risk Free Interest Rate2.58%
Expected Life4.75
Fair Value $8.9428

6The figures shown include amounts earned in 20162018 as annual cash incentive awards (see page 49) and the cash portion of the 2014 – 2016 LTIP cycle (see page 52)48). Beginning withFor the 2016-2018 performance cycle, LTIP awards will bewere settled in stock and are reported forin the final year of the cycle. Awards will beThis cycle is reported in thisthe Non-Equity Incentive Plan column because they are denominated in cash and then paid in common stock that is subject to a two-year holding requirement. Beginning with the 2018-2020 performance cycle, LTIP awards will be granted in PSUs and reported in the “Stock Awards” column in the year of grant.
67The amounts reported in this column represent only changes in pension value, as the Company does not pay above-market earnings on deferred compensation. The value of Mr. Merlo’s pension benefit decreased by $669,139$1,273,824 in 20162018 from the prior year’s valuation; however under SEC rules the negative change in the pension value is disclosed as $0. The Company adopted a policy in 2010 stating that it will not offer SERP benefits to new participants. Mr. Merlo is the only active executive participantofficer participating in the SERP. For additional information on the SERP, see “Pension Benefits” beginning on page 61.69.
78Set forth below is additional information regarding the amounts disclosed in the All“All Other CompensationCompensation” column for 2016.2018.

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Table of ContentsAll Other Compensation – 2018

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES:SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

ALL OTHER COMPENSATION – 2016

COMPANY
CONTRIBUTIONS
PERQUISITES &TO DEFINED
OTHER PERSONALCONTRIBUTION
BENEFITSAPLANSBOTHERC
NAME & PRINCIPAL 2016 POSITIONS($)($)($)
Larry J. Merlo66,737267,750512,969
President and Chief Executive Officer
David M. Denton17,37724,000277,649
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Helena B. Foulkes21,341118,25070,622
Executive Vice President and President – CVS Pharmacy
Jonathan C. Roberts25,813136,000112,334
Executive Vice President and President – CVS Caremark
Thomas M. Moriarty18,299102,50053,971
Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel
Name & Principal 2018 PositionsPerquisites &
Other Personal
Benefits A
($)
Company
Contributions
to Defined
Contribution
Plans B
($)
Termination
Payments C
($)
Other D
($)
Larry J. Merlo
President and Chief Executive Officer
    112,470    187,940        366,746
Eva C. Boratto
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
15,84446,21516,031
Jonathan C. Roberts
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
26,837118,12582,595
Derica W. Rice
Executive Vice President and President – CVS Caremark
285,436
Thomas M. Moriarty
Executive Vice President, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer and General Counsel
22,47113,75041,209
David M. Denton
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
21,562506,442254,801
AThe amounts abovein this column reflect the following: for Mr. Merlo, $13,840$13,500 for financial planning services, $564 forcosts associated with home security, $47,084and $96,017 associated with personal use of companyCompany aircraft; for Ms. Boratto, $15,000 for financial planning services, and costs associated with personal use of Company aircraft; for Mr. Roberts, $15,000 for financial planning services, $3,104 associated with personal use of Company aircraft, and $5,249$8,278 associated with the CVS Health Charity Classic;Classic, and costs associated with home security; for Mr. Rice, $153,513 associated with relocation benefits under the Company’s broad-based relocation program, $116,091 in tax assistance provided in connection with the relocation benefits, $15,000 for financial planning services, and costs associated with personal use of Company aircraft; for Mr. Moriarty $15,000 for financial planning services, $2,150 associated with personal use of Company aircraft, $5,000 associated with the CVS Health Charity Classic, and costs associated with home security; and for Mr. Denton, $15,000 for financial planning services, $180 for home security, and $2,197$6,472 associated with personal use of company aircraft; for Ms. Foulkes, $15,000 for financial planning services, $1,092 for home securityCompany aircraft, and $5,249costs associated with the CVS Health Charity Classic; for Mr. Roberts, $15,000 for financial planning services, $292 for home security, $5,272 associated with personal use of company aircraft and $5,249 associated with the CVS Health Charity Classic; for Mr. Moriarty, $15,000 for financial planning services and $3,299 associated with the CVS Health Charity Classic.security. The Company determines the amount associated with personal use of Company aircraft by calculating the incremental cost to the Company based on the cost of fuel, trip-related maintenance, deadhead flights, crew travel expenses, landing fees, trip-related hangar costs and smaller variable expenses.
BFor 2016,The amounts in this amount includescolumn include Company matching contributions to the CVS Health Future Fund of $13,250$13,750 for each of Messrs. Merlo, Denton, Roberts and Moriarty and Ms. Foulkes. ItBoratto. These amounts also includesinclude Company matching contributions credited to notional accounts in the unfunded Deferred Compensation Plan equal to: $174,190 for Mr. Merlo $254,500;Merlo; $32,465 for Ms. Boratto; and $104,375 for Mr. Denton, $10,750; for Ms. Foulkes, $105,000; for Mr. Roberts, $122,750; and for Mr. Moriarty, $89,250.Roberts.
CThis amount includesThe amounts in this column reflect the following for Mr. Denton: salary continuation of $105,682 received in the 2018 calendar year, $385,760 representing the realized value of accelerated PSUs and $15,000 in attorneys’ fees all paid pursuant to his Separation Agreement. For a description of the Separation Agreement, see the last paragraph under “Payments/(Forfeitures) Under Termination Scenarios”.
DThe amounts in this column include cash dividend equivalents paid by the Company on unvested RSUs as follows: for Mr. Merlo, $369,023;$197,398; for Ms. Boratto, $16,031; for Mr. Roberts, $70,943; for Mr. Moriarty, $41,209; and for Mr. Denton, $277,649; for Ms. Foulkes, $70,622; for Mr. Roberts, $102,430; and for Mr. Moriarty, $53,971.$254,801. Also includes cash dividend equivalentsdividends paid by the Company on deferred RSUs, as noted in the NonqualifiedNon-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table, equal to: for Mr. Merlo, $143,946;$169,348 and for Mr. Roberts, $9,904.$11,652.

58   

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2017 Proxy Statement

65



Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables  Grants of Plan-Based Awards

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES: Grants of Plan-Based Awards

This table reflects awards granted under the CVS Health Corporation 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan (the 2017 ICP) in the respective amounts listed. The Management Planning and Development Committee approved the grants for 2018, which include stock options, PSU and, for Mr. Rice, stock options and RSUs granted in connection with his participation in the PEP.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDSGrants of Plan-Based Awards – 2018

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

This tablereflectsawardsgranted under our annual cashincentive plan for 2016, the 2016 – 2018 LTIP cycle, and the annual equityawards for 2016, whichinclude stockoptions and RSUs.

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS – 2016

NAME & PRINCIPAL
2016 POSITIONS
AWARD TYPEDATE OF
COMMITTEE
ACTION
GRANT
DATE
 

EST. FUTURE PAYOUTS
UNDER NON-EQUITY
INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS1
  


EST. FUTURE PAYOUTS
UNDER EQUITY
INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
 ALL OTHER
STOCK
AWARDS:
NUMBER OF
SHARES OF
STOCK OR
UNITS
(#)
ALL OTHER
OPTION
AWARDS:
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
OPTIONS
(#)
EXERCISE
OR BASE
PRICE OF
OPTION
AWARDS
($ / SH)
GRANT
DATE FAIR
VALUE OF
STOCK
AND
OPTION
AWARDS
($)
THRESHOLD
($)2
TARGET
($)
MAXIMUM
($)
THRESHOLD
(#)2
TARGET
(#)
 MAXIMUM
(#)
Larry J. Merlo
President and
Chief Executive
Officer
 
Stock Options2/19/20164/1/2016286,787104.823,999,990
Annual RSUs2/19/20164/1/201638,1603,999,931
Annual Cash978,0003,260,0008,150,000
LTIP (16-18)12/19/20162,700,0006,750,00013,500,000
David M. Denton
Executive Vice
President
and Chief Financial

Officer
Stock Options2/19/20164/1/201671,696104.82999,987
Annual RSUs2/19/20164/1/20169,540999,983
Annual Cash382,5001,275,0003,400,000
LTIP (16-18)12/19/2016800,0002,000,0004,000,000
Helena B. Foulkes
Executive Vice
President
and President – CVS

Pharmacy
Stock Options2/19/20164/1/201671,696104.82999,987
Annual RSUs2/19/20164/1/20169,540999,983
Annual Cash427,5001,425,0003,800,000
LTIP (16-18)12/19/2016800,0002,000,0004,000,000
Jonathan C. Roberts
Executive Vice
President
and President – CVS

Caremark
Stock Options2/19/20164/1/2016161,318104.822,249,999
Annual RSUs2/19/20164/1/201621,4652,249,961
Annual Cash427,5001,425,0003,800,000
LTIP (16-18)12/19/20161,200,0003,000,0006,000,000
Thomas M. Moriarty
Executive Vice
President, Chief
Strategy Officer

and General Counsel
Stock Options2/19/20164/1/201671,696104.82999,987
Annual RSUs2/19/20164/1/20169,540999,983
Annual Cash337,5001,125,0003,000,000
LTIP (16-18)12/19/2016750,0001,875,0003,750,000

Name &
Principal
2018 Positions
Award Type
Date of
Committee
Action

Grant
Date
 
 
 
 
Est. Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards
Est. Future Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive Plan Awards

All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)

All
Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)

Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($ / Sh)

Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)
        Threshold
($)
1
  Target
($)
  Maximum
($)
  Threshold
(#)
1
  Target
(#)
  Maximum
(#)
        
Larry J. Merlo
President and Chief Executive Officer
Stock Options2/15/20184/1/2018394,09162.213,374,995
EBITDA PSUs2/15/20184/1/201827,12654,251108,5023,374,955
LTIP (18-20)2,3 2/15/20184/1/201848,051120,128240,2566,749,992
Annual Cash1,630,0003,260,0006,520,000
Eva C. Boratto
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Stock Options2/15/20184/1/201835,03062.21299,997
EBITDA PSUs2/15/20184/1/20182,4114,8229,644299,977
LTIP (18-20)2,3 2/15/20184/1/20183,5598,89817,796499,979
LTIP (18-20)3,4 8/16/20188/31/20186,72916,82333,6461,249,949
LTIP (18-20)3,5 11/6/201811/28/20187,26118,15336,3061,499,982
LTIP (18-20)3,4,5 11/6/201811/28/20186,05115,12730,2541,249,944
Annual Cash472,727945,4551,890,909
Jonathan C. Roberts
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Stock Options2/15/20184/1/2018248,13162.212,124,994
EBITDA PSUs2/15/20184/1/201817,07934,15868,3162,124,970
LTIP (18-20)2,3 2/15/20184/1/201826,69566,737133,4743,749,952
LTIP (18-20)3,4 8/16/20188/31/201820,18850,471100,9423,749,995
Annual Cash1,017,1882,034,3754,068,750
Derica W. Rice
Executive Vice President and President – CVS Caremark
Stock Options2/15/20184/1/2018116,76762.21999,993
EBITDA PSUs2/15/20184/1/20188,03716,07432,148999,963
LTIP (18-20)2,3 2/15/20184/1/201815,12737,81875,6362,124,993
PEP Stock
Options
6 11/8/20175/31/201878,87063.39705,319
RSUs6 11/8/20175/31/201823,6631,499,998
PEP RSUs6 11/8/20175/31/20187,887499,957
LTIP (18-20)3,4 11/6/20178/31/201816,15040,37680,7522,999,937
Annual Cash593,6081,187,2162,374,432
Thomas M.Moriarty
Executive Vice President, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer and General Counsel
Stock Options2/15/20184/1/2018145,95962.211,249,993
EBITDA PSUs2/15/20184/1/201810,04720,09340,1861,249,986
LTIP (18-20)2,3 2/15/20184/1/201814,23735,59371,1861,999,971
LTIP (18-20)3,4 8/16/20188/31/201818,84247,10694,2123,499,976
Annual Cash618,7501,237,5002,475,000
David M. Denton
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Stock Options2/15/20184/1/2018116,76762.21999,993
 EBITDA PSUs2/15/20184/1/20188,03716,07432,148999,964
LTIP (18-20)2,3 2/15/20184/1/201814,23735,59371,1861,999,971
 Annual Cash586,3641,172,7272,345,455
1

Represents the value,denominated in cash, at grant.Beginning with the 2016-2018 LTIP cycle,awards will be settled 100% in CVS Healthcommon stockadjusted forperformance. At the end of the three year cycle, finalawards will bedisclosed in theSummaryCompensation Table under thecolumn “Non-EquityIncentive PlanCompensation”. Prior to the 2016-2018 LTIP cycle,awards were settled in equalportions of stock and cash andreported in the OptionExercises and Stock Vested Table and theSummaryCompensationTable,respectively.

2Represents thethresholdthreshold achievement in order to receive a payout under therespectivethe respective plan;performance belowthresholdbelow the threshold results in nopayout.no payout.

2

Beginning with the 2018-2020 LTIP cycle, awards will be denominated 100% in PSUs. These awards are included in the SCT in the “Stock Awards” column. For the 2016-2018 and 2017-2019 LTIP cycles, awards were denominated in cash and have been or will be settled 100% in CVS Health common stock adjusted for performance. At the end of the three-year cycle, final awards are or will be disclosed in the SCT in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column.


66            2019 Proxy Statement


ThestockTable of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables  Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

3The award earned, based on the performance of the Company against the applicable performance metrics, will be modified by up to +/- 25% based on CVS Health’s performance as measured by relative TSR. All “Est. Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards” assume a relative TSR modifier of 0%.
4Aetna Transaction-related Additional LTIP PSU award for the respective NEOs.
5Awards granted in connection with Ms. Boratto’s promotion to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
6Represents sign-on options and RSU awards granted under the PEP and the 2017 ICP. Mr. Rice’s PEP options will vest one-third on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date. Mr. Rice’s PEP RSUs will cliff vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.

The stock optionawardsshownabove vest in equalinstallmentsequal installments on the first,second, third andfourthand fourth anniversaries of the grant date of grant andexpireand expire seven years from the grant date, ofgrant. Asdescribedexcept for Mr. Rice’s PEP options, which vest one-third on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date and expire ten years from the grant date. As described above, ourpolicythe Company’s policy is toestablish theexerciseto establish the exercise price forstockfor stock options as theclosing salethe closing price of ourcommonthe Company’s common stock on the grant date.Annual RSUgrantsdate. Annual RSU grants typically vest inincrementsin increments of 50% on the thirdanniversarythird anniversary of the grant date of grant and 50% on the fifthanniversaryfifth anniversary of the date ofgrant.grant date. Mr. Rice’s PEP RSUs will cliff vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.

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Table of Contents Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES:OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END

This table reflects stock option, PSU and RSU awards granted to our named executive officersNamed Executive Officers under our 1997 and 2010 ICPs that were outstanding as of December 31, 2016.2018.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2016 YEAR-ENDOutstanding Equity Awards at 2018 Year-End

STOCK OPTION AWARDSSTOCK AWARDS
NAME &
PRINCIPAL
2016 POSITIONS
   GRANT
DATE
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS (#)
EXERCISABLE
NUMBER OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLYING
UNEXERCISED
OPTIONS (#)
UNEXERCISABLE
OPTION
EXERCISE
PRICE
($)
OPTION
EXPIRATION
DATE
    GRANT
DATE
NUMBER
OF
SHARES
OR UNITS
OF STOCK
THAT
HAVE NOT
VESTED
(#)
MARKET
VALUE OF
SHARES
OR UNITS
OF
STOCK
THAT
HAVE NOT
VESTED
($)1
EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
AWARDS:
NUMBER
OF
SHARES
OR UNITS
OF STOCK
THAT
HAVE NOT
VESTED (#)
EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
AWARDS:
MARKET
VALUE OF
SHARES
OR UNITS
OF STOCK
THAT
HAVE NOT
VESTED
($)1
 
Larry J. Merlo
President and
Chief Executive
Officer
4/1/201076,494236.234/1/20174/2/201241,60253,282,814
4/1/2011241,150334.964/1/20184/1/201336,67852,894,261
4/2/2012332,736345.074/2/20194/1/201453,84354,248,751
4/1/2013236,03478,679354.534/1/20204/1/201539,11553,086,565
4/1/2014167,848167,849374.294/1/20214/1/201638,16053,011,206
4/1/201568,482205,4473102.264/1/20222/18/201526,41692,084,487
4/1/2016286,7873104.824/1/2023
David M. Denton
Executive Vice
President and
Chief Financial
Officer
3/5/200812,420440.283/5/20184/1/20104,3137340,339
4/1/201095,618236.234/1/20174/2/201213,86851,094,324
4/1/2011107,178334.964/1/20184/1/201312,6085994,897
4/2/2012110,912345.074/2/20194/1/201410,0955796,596
4/1/201381,13727,046354.534/1/20204/1/2014100,00087,891,000
4/1/201431,47131,472374.294/1/20214/1/20158,5565675,154
4/1/201514,98044,9423102.264/1/20224/1/20169,5405752,801
4/1/201671,6963104.824/1/20232/18/20159,6069758,009
Helena B.
Foulkes
Executive Vice
President and
President – CVS

Pharmacy
4/1/201112,058334.964/1/20184/1/20092,6707210,690
4/1/201128,607434.964/1/20214/1/20102,4167190,647
4/2/201219,965345.074/2/20194/2/20124,9935393,998
4/1/201329,5059,835354.534/1/20204/1/20134,5855361,802
4/1/201426,22626,226374.294/1/20214/1/20148,4125663,791
4/1/201514,98044,9423102.264/1/20224/1/20158,5565675,154
4/1/201671,6963104.824/1/20234/1/20169,5405752,801
2/18/20158,4059663,239
Jonathan C.
Roberts
Executive Vice
President
and

President – CVS
Caremark
4/1/201061,196236.234/1/20174/2/20129,7085766,058
4/1/201185,743334.964/1/20189/4/201211,6256917,313
4/2/201277,639345.074/2/20194/1/20138,0245633,174
9/4/201272,58036,290445.939/4/20224/1/201411,7785929,402
4/1/201351,63317,211354.534/1/20204/1/20159,7785771,582
4/1/201436,71636,717374.294/1/20214/1/201621,46551,693,803
4/1/201517,12051,3623102.264/1/20222/18/201510,8069852,701
4/1/2016161,3183104.824/1/2023
Thomas M.
Moriarty
Executive Vice
President
Chief Strategy

Officer and
General Counsel
10/1/201241,09320,547448.6710/1/202210/1/20126,5826519,364
4/1/201336,88012,294354.534/1/20204/1/20135,7315452,233
4/1/201431,47131,472374.294/1/20214/1/201410,0955796,596
4/1/201512,84038,5213102.264/1/20224/1/20157,3345578,726
4/1/201671,6963104.824/1/20234/1/20169,5405752,801
2/18/20158,4059663,239
Stock Option Awards1Stock Awards
Name & Principal
2018 Positions
  Grant
Date
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
   Option
Exercise
Price
($)
  Option
Expiration
Date
  Grant
Date
  Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
(#)
  Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
($)2
  Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested
(#)
   Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested
($)2

Larry J. Merlo
President and Chief Executive Officer

4/2/2012332,7363 45.074/2/20194/1/201426,9224 1,763,929
4/1/2013314,7133 54.534/1/20204/1/201519,5584 1,281,440
4/1/2014335,6973 74.294/1/20214/1/201638,1604 2,500,243
4/1/2015205,44668,4833 102.264/1/20224/3/201743,2414 2,833,150
4/1/2016143,393143,3943 104.824/1/20234/1/201854,2515 3,554,526
4/3/201784,526253,5793 78.054/3/20244/1/2018120,1286 7,870,787
4/1/2018394,0913 62.214/1/2025

Eva C. Boratto
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

4/1/201317,7033 54.534/1/20204/1/20141,5144 99,197
4/1/201418,8823 74.294/1/20214/1/20151,9564 128,157
4/1/201520,5546,8483 102.264/1/20222/29/20164727 30,925
4/1/201610,75410,7553 104.824/1/20234/1/20162,8624 187,518
4/3/20178,76526,2973 78.054/3/20242/28/20179247 60,540
4/1/201835,0303 62.214/1/20254/3/20174,4844 293,792
4/1/20184,8225 315,937
4/1/20188,8986 582,997
8/31/201816,8238 1,102,243
11/28/201818,1536 1,189,385
11/28/201815,1278 991,121

Jonathan C. Roberts
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

4/2/201277,6393 45.074/2/20194/1/20145,8894 385,847
9/4/2012108,8709 45.939/4/20224/1/20154,8894 320,327
4/1/201368,8443 54.534/1/20204/1/201621,4654 1,406,387
4/1/201473,4333 74.294/1/20214/3/201725,6244 1,678,884
4/1/201551,36117,1213 102.264/1/20224/1/201834,1585 2,238,032
4/1/201680,65880,6603 104.824/1/20234/1/201866,7376 4,372,608
4/3/201750,089150,2693 78.054/3/20248/31/201850,4718 3,306,860
4/1/2018248,1313 62.214/1/2025

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Table of Contents

Executive Compensation Tables  Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

Stock Option Awards1   Stock Awards
Name & Principal
2018 Positions
Grant
Date
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
Option
Expiration
Date
Grant
Date
Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
(#)
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
($)2
Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of Shares
or Units of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested
(#)
 Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock that
Have Not
Vested
($)2
Derica W. Rice4/1/2018116,767362.214/1/20254/1/201816,0745 1,053,168
Executive Vice President and President – CVS Caremark5/31/201878,870963.395/31/20284/1/201837,8186 2,477,835
5/31/20188,00110 524,226
5/31/201823,66310 1,550,400
8/31/201840,3768 2,645,436
Thomas M. Moriarty4/1/201462,943374.294/1/20214/1/20145,0484 330,745
Executive Vice President, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer and General Counsel4/1/201538,52012,8413102.264/1/20224/1/20153,6674 240,262
4/1/201635,84835,8483104.824/1/20234/1/20169,5404 625,061
4/3/201731,30693,918378.054/3/20244/3/201716,0154 1,049,303
4/1/2018145,959362.214/1/20254/1/201820,0935 1,316,493
4/1/201835,5936 2,332,053
8/31/201847,1068 3,086,385
David M. Denton4/1/201432,618374.294/1/20214/1/20102,76511 181,163
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer4/1/201523,92710,4553102.264/1/20224/1/20143,3234 217,723
4/1/201620,53828,4423104.824/1/20234/1/201475,59512 4,952,984
4/3/201719,82769,483378.054/3/20244/1/20153,2444 212,547
4/1/2018116,767362.214/1/20254/1/20166,5954 432,104
4/3/20176,7224 440,425
4/1/201810,87513 712,530
1The Company had no equity incentive plan awards that were securities underlying unexercised, unearned options at fiscal year end, so that column is intentionally omitted from this table
12The value of the RSUs and PSUs is based on $78.91,a price of $65.52 per share, which was the closing sale price of ourthe Company’s stock on December 30, 2016,31, 2018, the last trading day of ourthe Company’s fiscal year.
23The stock options vest in one-third increments on each of the first, second and third anniversaries of the date of grant.
3TheThese stock options vest in one-quarter increments on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of grant and expire seven years from the date of grant.
4RSUs vest in increments of 50% on the third anniversary of the grant date and 50% on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.
45Represents the value of the EBITDA PSUs granted in 2018, assuming target performance is achieved.
6Represents the value of the 2018-2020 LTIP PSUs, assuming target performance is achieved and a 0% rTSR modifier.
7Represents the unvested portion of a performance-based RSU grant that vests in one-third increments on the first, second and third anniversaries of the grant date.
8Represents the value of the Aetna Transaction-related Additional LTIP PSU award for the respective individuals, assuming target performance is achieved and a 0% rTSR modifier.
9The stock options vest in one-third increments on each of the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries of the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant.
510RSUsRepresents sign-on RSU and stock option awards. Mr. Rice’s PEP options will vest in increments of 50% on the third, anniversaryfourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date, and his PEP RSUs will cliff vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.
611RSUs vest on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant.
7RSUs vest on the executive’s 55th birthday.
812RSUs vest on the seventh anniversary of the date of grant.
913Represents share portionthe value of the 2018-2020 LTIP 2015-2017 cycle, assumingPSUs at target performance is achieved. For additional information regardingand with a 0% rTSR modifier, pro-rated for the disclosure of LTIP cycles beginningexecutive’s service during the performance period in 2016, see the CD&A section and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table.accordance with Mr. Denton’s Separation Agreement.

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Executive Compensation Tables  Option Exercises and Stock Vested

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES:OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED Option Exercises and Stock Vested

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

The table below reflects information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162018 concerning options exercised and the vesting of previously granted RSUs and non-transferable shares for each of the named executive officers.NEOs. The value of thesharesthe shares acquired upon exercise of options is based on the optionsmarket price of our common stock at exercise and the value of shares represented by the vesting of RSUs is based on the closing sale price of our common stock on the date of exercise and the date of vesting, respectively.vesting.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTEDOption Exercises and Stock Vested20162018

OPTION AWARDSSTOCK AWARDS
NAME & PRINCIPAL 2016 POSITIONSNUMBER OF
SHARES
ACQUIRED
ON EXERCISE
(#)
VALUE
REALIZED
ON EXERCISE
($)
NUMBER OF
SHARES
ACQUIRED
ON VESTING
(#)1
VALUE
REALIZED
ON VESTING
($)2
Larry J. Merlo169,28011,329,316137,11212,717,579
President and Chief Executive Officer
David M. Denton45,5264,320,808
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Helena B. Foulkes30,8242,889,009
Executive Vice President and President – CVS Pharmacy
Jonathan C. Roberts41,1823,790,277
Executive Vice President and President – CVS Caremark
Thomas M. Moriarty21,2431,850,680
Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel

Option Awards Stock Awards
Name & Principal 2018 PositionsNumber of
Shares
Acquired
on Exercise
(#)
Value
Realized
on Exercise
($)
 Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Vesting
(#)1
Value
Realized
on Vesting
($)2
Larry J. Merlo
President and Chief Executive Officer
00      117,3977,035,378
Eva C. Boratto
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
17,737539,864 6,180381,170
Jonathan C. Roberts
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
00 40,0962,375,311
Derica W. Rice
Executive Vice President and President – CVS Caremark
00 00
Thomas M. Moriarty
Executive Vice President, Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer
and General Counsel
00 26,3871,567,123
David M. Denton00 9,5943 2,541,7873
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer89,4504 38,8365 
1Includes RSUs that vested during 20162018 and, except with respect to Mr. Denton, the share portionshares of common stock issued in settlement of the 2014-20162016-2018 LTIP cycle issued in early 2017.2019.
2Includes the RSU value deferred during 2016,2018, which is also shown in the NonqualifiedNon-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table: for Mr. Merlo $3,373,108; for Ms. Foulkes, $1,158,453; andTable, for Mr. Roberts $2,040,321.of $803,318.
3The 2016-2018 LTIP cycle value was paid to Mr. Denton in cash after his separation from the Company. No shares were acquired, but the cash equivalent payment is included in the Value Realized on Vesting column.
4Represents stock options that are held in constructive trust for the benefit of Mr. Denton’s ex-spouse pursuant to a divorce decree.
5Represents RSUs that are held in constructive trust for the benefit of Mr. Denton’s ex-spouse pursuant to a divorce decree.

PENSION BENEFITS Pension Benefits

We maintain an unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP), which is designed to supplement the retirement benefits of select executives in lieu of a tax qualified defined benefit plan. The SERP is a legacy plan in which participation has decreased over the years as participants have retired, and the Company has not provided SERP benefits to new participants since 2010. Mr. Merlo is the only active executive officer participating in the SERP.

Under the SERP’s benefit formula, participants (including Mr. Merlo and certain retired executives) will receive an annual benefit commencing on the later of age 55 or retirement, equal to 1.6% of a three-year average of final compensation (as defined in the SERP) for each year of service up to 30 years, with no offset for any amounts provided by our tax qualified plans, Social Security or other retirement benefits. Final compensation for purposes of the SERP benefit formula is the average of the executive’s three highest years of annual salary and annual cash bonus during the last ten years of service. The estimated credited years of benefit service for Mr. Merlo as of the measurement date of December 31, 20162018 was 30 years (Mr. Merlo’s years of service are capped at 30, in accordance with the terms of the SERP). Benefits under the SERP formula are payable in annual installments for the life of the executive, unless the executive has made an advance election in accordance with plan and IRS rules to have the benefitpaidbenefit paid in the form of a lump sum or joint and survivor annuity of equivalent actuarial value. Mr. Merlo has made an election to receive his entire benefit payable on account of termination of employment in the form of a lump sum.

No SERP benefits are payable to an eligible executive until he terminates employment. As of the measurement date, Mr. Merlo was eligible for an immediate benefit.SERP benefit upon termination.

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Executive Compensation Tables  Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

As Mr. Merlo has reached the maximum amount of service under the SERP based on his more than 30 years with the Company, any benefit increases are primarily as a result of performance-based bonuses. In addition, because the SERP is a defined benefit plan, it is subject to certain actuarial variations including discount rates and mortality table assumptions. As a result, the present value of Mr. Merlo’s accumulated benefit decreased by $669,139$1,273,824 during 2016.2018.

The accumulated value in the Pension Benefits Table and the change in value reflected in the Summary Compensation Table is based on the benefit accrued as of the measurement date payable as a lump sum commencing on the earliest unreduced retirement age (55)(age 55, or current age if later) using assumptions which include a 2.50% discount rate as of December 31, 2016.2018. Mr. Merlo is fully vested in his accrued benefit. For further information regarding pension assumptions, please see the Notes to the Consolidated Financial StatementsNote 9, “Pension Plans and Other Postretirement Benefits”, in our 2018 Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016.Report.

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Table of ContentsPension Benefits – 2018

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES:PENSION BENEFITS

Name & Principal 2018 PositionsPlan
Name
PENSION BENEFITSNumber of
Years of
Credited
Service
(#)
Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)
Payments
During
Last
Fiscal Year
($)
Larry J. MerloSupplemental Executive30141,718,178
President and Chief Executive OfficerRetirement Plan for Select Senior
Management
Eva C. BorattoN/A
Executive Vice President and
Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan C. RobertsN/A
Executive Vice President and
Chief Operating Officer
Derica W. RiceN/A
Executive Vice President and
President2016CVS Caremark
Thomas M. MoriartyN/A
Executive Vice President, Chief Policy and
External Affairs Officer and General Counsel
David M. DentonN/A
Former Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
1Mr. Merlo has been with the Company for more than 30 years, but his years of service is capped at 30 years under the SERP.

NAME & PRINCIPAL 2016 POSITIONSPLAN
NAME
NUMBER OF
YEARS OF
CREDITED
SERVICE
(#)
PRESENT
VALUE OF
ACCUMULATED
BENEFIT
($)
PAYMENTS
DURING LAST
FISCAL YEAR
($)
Larry J. MerloSERP3043,743,846
President and Chief Executive Officer
David M. DentonN/A
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Helena B. FoulkesN/A
Executive Vice President and President – CVS Pharmacy
Jonathan C. RobertsN/A
Executive Vice President and President – CVS Caremark
Thomas M. MoriartyN/A
Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Executive officers and selectedselect members of senior management may participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) and the Deferred Stock Plan (DSP). The DCP allows participants to defer payment of a portion of their salary and all or a portion of their annual cash incentive (and in the case of executive officers, all or a portion of any LTIlong-term incentive plan cash award) to facilitate their personal retirement or financial planning. For participants in the DCP, we provide a maximum match of up to 5% of the salary and annual cash incentive deferred, plus an additional match for matching contributions only on amounts that cannot be deferred into qualified 401(k) plans due to IRS plan limits.

The investment crediting options for the DCP mirror those offered for the CVS Health Future Fund, which is one of the Company’s 401(k) plan.plans. Each year, the amount of a participant’s deferredcompensationdeferred compensation account increases or decreases based on the appreciation and/or depreciation in the value of the investment crediting alternatives selected by the participant. There are no vesting requirements on deferred compensation accounts.

Executive officers and selectedselect members of management are eligible to participate in the DSP, in which they may elect to defer settlement of RSUs beyond the scheduled vesting date. Dividend equivalents are reinvested during the deferral period. During 2018, Messrs. Merlo, Roberts and Moriarty deferred portions of their equity-based compensation in the DSP. Executive officers are not permitted to defer proceeds of stock option exercises.

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Executive Compensation Tables  Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The amounts shown in the table below for “Cash” and “Stock” were deferred pursuant to the DCP and the DSP, respectively.

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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation – 2018


Name & Principal
2018 Positions
TypeExecutive
Contributions
in Last FY
($)1
Registrant
Contributions
in Last FY
($)2
Aggregate
Earnings
in Last FY
($)3
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)3
Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE
($)4
Larry J. MerloCash237,440174,190(422,931)6,473,298
President andStock989,942(4,984,520)169,34867,181,711
Chief Executive Officer
Eva C. BorattoCash46,21532,465(35,244)482,080
Executive Vice President andStock
Chief Financial Officer
Jonathan C. RobertsCash276,750104,375(339,805)6,955,048
Executive Vice President andStock1,208,275(729,959)11,65211,773,064
Chief Operating Officer
Derica W. RiceCash
Executive Vice President andStock
President – CVS Caremark
Thomas M. MoriartyCash315,000(522,691)8,109,971
Executive Vice President,Stock314,945(187,703)2,772,186
Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer
and General Counsel
David M. DentonCash(2,460)37,228
Former Executive Vice President andStock
Chief Financial Officer

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES:PAYMENTS/(FORFEITURES) UNDER TERMINATION SCENARIOS

NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION – 20161

NAME & PRINCIPAL
2016 POSITIONS
TYPEEXECUTIVE
CONTRIBUTIONS
IN LAST FY
($)1
REGISTRANT
CONTRIBUTIONS
IN LAST FY
($)2
AGGREGATE
EARNINGS
IN LAST FY
($)3
AGGREGATE
WITHDRAWALS/
DISTRIBUTIONS
($)4
AGGREGATE
BALANCE AT
LAST FYE
($)5
Larry J. Merlo
President and
Chief Executive Officer
Cash267,750254,500124,1185,028,127
Stock3,373,108(16,658,886)143,94675,813,116
 
David M. Denton
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Cash10,75066125,927
Stock
 
Helena B. Foulkes
Executive Vice President and
President – CVS Pharmacy
Cash118,250105,00091,5261,947,330
Stock1,158,453(694,574)232,6312,812,226
 
Jonathan C. Roberts
Executive Vice President and
President – CVS Caremark
Cash1,899,597122,750353,1925,609,076
Stock3,667,724(2,073,561)9,9048,917,542
 
Thomas M. Moriarty
Executive Vice President,
Chief Strategy Officer and
General Counsel
Cash1,300,00089,250444,7725,565,717
Stock(118,929)549,473
 
1The cash contributionsExecutive Contributions in Last FY include amounts shown for 20162018 in the Salary column of the Summary Compensation Table as follows: for Mr. Merlo, $81,500; for Ms. Foulkes, $47,500;Boratto, $31,515; and for Mr. Roberts, $95,000.$116,250. All other amountscash Executive Contributions in Last FY represent non-equity incentive compensationNon-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation deferred during 2016.2018. The stock contributionsExecutive Contributions in Last FY for Messrs. Merlo andMr. Roberts and Ms. Foulkes representincludes deferred settlement under the DSP of RSUs granted in prior years that vested in 2016.2018. The stock contributionExecutive Contributions in Last FY for Mr.Messrs. Merlo, Roberts, includesand Moriarty include the deferred settlement under the DSP of shares of common stock granted under the LTIP for the 2013-20152015-2017 performance cycle that were credited to his accounttheir accounts in 2016.2018.
2All amounts shown are also disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table underin the “All Other Compensation” column and reflect amounts credited and/or earned in 2016.2018.
3All earningsAggregate Earnings in Last FY shown on the Stock line are attributable to dividend equivalents credited as additional deferred RSUs and an increase inthe performance of our common stock price.
4stock. All amounts distributed from the DSP include cash dividend equivalent payments.
54The following amounts included in this column have been previously reported in the Summary Compensation Tables of our annual proxy statements since 2007:

CASHSTOCKCashStock
Mr. Merlo$3,292,173$19,486,349$4,477,123$19,486,349
Ms. Boratto
Mr. Roberts4,737,0754,252,515
Mr. Rice
Mr. Moriarty5,822,5001,249,957
Mr. Denton31,67542,175
Ms. Foulkes689,301
Mr. Roberts2,224,678
Mr. Moriarty3,172,750

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Executive Compensation Tables  Payments/(Forfeitures) Under Termination Scenarios

 Payments/(Forfeitures) Under Termination Scenarios

The tables below show the amounts that would be received or forfeited by each named executive officerNamed Executive Officer under various termination scenarios, assuming (1) that the termination occurred on December 31, 20162018 and (2) that amounts that have been paid or are payable in all events, such as the non-equity incentive plan amounts earned with respect to fiscal year 20162018 and disclosed in the Non-Equity“Non-Equity Incentive Plan CompensationCompensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table beginning on page 57,63, the amounts payable under the pension plansSERP discussed beginning on page 61,69, and the amounts in the nonqualified deferred compensation plans discussed beginning on page 62,70, are not included in the tables below, nor is any amount for stock options that are vested and exercisable as of December 31, 2016.2018.

With respect to the tables below:

Messrs. DentonRice and Moriarty and Ms. FoulkesBoratto were not eligible for retirement benefits as of December 31, 2016.
2018.
The amounts paid as base salary upon voluntary termination for Mr. Merlo reflectsreflect the Company’s option to continue to pay 50% of his salary for 18 months in consideration for compliance with a non-competition provision.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES:PAYMENTS/(FORFEITURES) UNDER TERMINATION SCENARIOS

The option value of options is determined by multiplying the number of unvested options outstanding as of December 31, 20162018 by the difference between the exercise price and $78.91,$65.52, the closing sale price of our common stock on December 30, 2016,31, 2018, the last trading day of the Company’sour fiscal year. Generally, the option grant agreements provide for the following post-termination exercise periods, but in no case will the post-termination exercise period be longer than the original option term:

In the case of termination due to death, during the one-year period following termination;

In the case of constructive termination without cause prior to a change in control of the Company (CIC), during the severance period;

In the case of constructive termination without cause after a CIC, during the remainder of the option term; and

In the casescase of a voluntary termination, awards granted in 2017 and later include a 90-day post-termination option exercise period; options granted before 2017 expire immediately upon a voluntary termination; and

In the case of termination for cause, or voluntary termination, generally there is no post-termination exercise period.

The value of the RSUs is determined by multiplying the number of RSUs as of December 31, 20162018 by $78.91,$65.52, the closing sale price of our common stock on December 30, 2016,31, 2018, the last trading day of our fiscal year.

Upon a CIC and subsequent termination of employment, all outstanding unvested stock options will vest in full and restrictions will lapse on all RSUs.

The value of PSUs and LTIP cycles assumes that pro-rated payments are made for the outstanding 2015201720172019 LTIP cycle (two-thirds) and 2016201820182020 LTIP cycle (one-third); a share price of $65.52, the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2018, the last trading day of our fiscal year; all outstanding performance cycles are assumed to be achieved and paid at targettarget; and the value of prorated paymentsall applicable rTSR modifiers are made at target.

0%.

In the event of his covered termination prior to a CIC, Mr. Merlo would receive a cash severance payment equal to two times the sum of his annual base salary and his then-current annual cash incentive at target. In the event of a covered termination following a CIC, Mr. Merlo would receive a cash severance payment equal to three times the sum of his annual base salary and his then-current annual cash incentive at target, but under his amended employment contractEmployment Agreement such cash severance would be reduced to avoid the excise tax under IRC Section 280G if that would give Mr. Merlo a better after-tax result. EarlyApproved early retirement is defined in Mr. Merlo’s Employment Agreement and in his various stock option, PSU and RSU agreements. See “Agreements with

Larry J. Merlo
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Death
($)
Termination
For Cause
($)

Voluntary
Termination
($)

Termination
w/o Cause or
Constructive
Termination
w/o Cause
Prior to CIC
($)
Termination
w/o Cause or
Constructive
Termination
w/o Cause
After CIC
($)
Approved
Early
Retirement
($)
Cash Severance Value                        
Base Salary1,222,5003,260,0004,890,000
Bonus6,520,0009,780,000
Immediate Vesting of Equity
Value of Options1,304,441(1,304,441)(1,304,441)1,304,4411,304,4411,304,441
Value of RSUs8,378,763(8,378,763)(8,378,763)8,378,7638,378,7636,581,221
Value of PSUs3,554,526(3,554,526)(3,554,526)1,184,8423,554,5261,184,842
Value of LTIP Cycles11,250,000(13,500,000)(13,500,000)6,750,00013,500,0006,750,000
Benefits and Other
Health Insurance27,88541,827
SERP
Excise Tax Gross-Up
Total24,487,730(26,737,730)(25,515,230)27,425,93141,449,55715,820,504

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Executive Officers” on page 55 for additional information.Compensation Tables  Payments/(Forfeitures) Under Termination Scenarios

LARRY J. MERLO
PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER
DEATH
($)
TERMINATION
FOR CAUSE
($)
VOLUNTARY
TERMINATION
($)
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE OR
CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE
PRIOR TO CIC
($)
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE OR
CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE
AFTER CIC
($)
APPROVED
EARLY
RETIREMENT
($)
Cash Severance Value
Base Salary1,222,5003,260,0004,890,000
Bonus6,520,0009,780,000
Immediate Vesting of Equity
Value of Options2,693,657(2,693,657)(2,693,657)2,693,6572,693,6572,693,657
Value of RSUs16,523,597(16,523,597)(16,523,597)16,523,59716,523,59711,737,152
Value of LTIP Cycles5,916,667(5,916,667)(5,916,667)5,916,66712,250,0005,916,667
Benefits and Other
Health Insurance26,82640,240
SERP
Excise Tax Gross-Up
Total25,133,921(25,133,921)(23,911,421)34,940,74746,177,49420,347,476

With respect to each of the remaining named executive officers,Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Denton, in the event of his or her termination without cause or constructive termination prior to a CIC, pursuant to a restrictive covenant agreement and the Company’s Severance Plan for Non-Store Employees, the named executive officerNamed Executive Officer is eligible forto receive up to 18 months of base salary as severance, payments,paid in equal monthly installments, provided that he or she executes a separation agreement with the Company that includes, among other things, standard restrictive covenants regarding non-competition and non-solicitation of customers and employees. In the event the named executive officer is terminated bythe Company without cause or experiences a constructive termination prior to a CIC, he or she is eligible to receive up to 18 months of base salary as severance, paid in equal monthly installments, in consideration for a general release of claims and compliance with various restrictive covenants, including non-competition and non-solicitation provisions. Each of the remaining named executive officersNamed Executive Officers has entered into a CIC Agreement with the Company that specifies payments that would be made to him or her in the event of a CIC. In the event of a covered termination, the named executive officer


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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES:PAYMENTS/(FORFEITURES) UNDER TERMINATION SCENARIOS

Named Executive Officer would receive a cash severance payment equal to one and one-half times the sum of annual base salary and then-current annual cash incentive at target, full value at target achievement level for the 2015-20172017-2019 LTIP and 2016-20182018-2020 LTIP cycles, and immediate vesting of stock options and RSUs. Underthe amendedUnder their CIC AgreementAgreements, such cash severance would be reduced to avoid the excise tax under IRC Section 280G if that would give the named executive officerNamed Executive Officer a better after-tax result. Tables for each of the remaining named executive officersNamed Executive Officers other than Mr. Denton are set forth below.

DAVID M. DENTON
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
DEATH
($)
TERMINATION
FOR CAUSE
($)
VOLUNTARY
TERMINATION
($)
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE OR
CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE
PRIOR TO CIC
($)
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE OR
CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE
AFTER CIC
($)
Eva C. Boratto
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Death
($)
Termination
for Cause
($)
Voluntary
Termination
($)
Termination
w/o Cause or
Constructive
Termination
w/o Cause
Prior to CIC
($)
Termination
w/o Cause or
Constructive
Termination
w/o Cause
After CIC
($)
Cash Severance Value                    
Base Salary1,275,0001,275,0001,275,0001,275,000
Bonus1,912,5001,912,500
Immediate Vesting of Equity
Value of Options804,782(804,782)804,782804,782115,949(115,949)(115,949)57,971115,949
Value of RSUs12,545,112(12,545,112)2,825,05712,545,112800,130(800,130)(800,130)559,475800,130
Value of PSUs315,937(315,937)(315,937)105,312315,937
Value of LTIP Cycles2,000,000(2,000,000)2,000,0004,000,0004,833,333(5,000,000)(5,000,000)1,833,3335,000,000
Benefits and Other
Health Insurance21,17821,17821,79321,793
SERP
Excise Tax Gross-Up
Total15,349,894(15,349,894)6,926,01720,558,5726,065,349(6,232,016)(6,232,016)3,852,8849,441,309
HELENA B. FOULKES
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
PRESIDENT – CVS PHARMACY
DEATH
($)
TERMINATION
FOR CAUSE
($)
VOLUNTARY
TERMINATION
($)
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE OR
CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE
PRIOR TO CIC
($)
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE OR
CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE
AFTER CIC
($)
Cash Severance Value
Base Salary1,425,0001,425,000
Bonus2,137,500
Immediate Vesting of Equity
Value of Options360,941(360,941)360,941360,941
Value of RSUs3,248,883(3,248,883)1,425,2723,248,883
Value of LTIP Cycles1,833,333(1,833,333)1,833,3333,750,000
Benefits and Other
Health Insurance21,32621,326
SERP
Excise Tax Gross-Up
Total5,443,157(5,443,157)5,065,87210,943,650

Jonathan C. Roberts
Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer
Death
($)
Termination
for Cause
($)
Voluntary
Termination
($)
Termination
w/o Cause or
Constructive
Termination
w/o Cause
Prior to CIC
($)
Termination
w/o Cause or
Constructive
Termination
w/o Cause
After CIC
($)
Approved
Retirement
($)
Cash Severance Value                        
Base Salary1,800,0001,800,000
Bonus3,150,000
Immediate Vesting of Equity
Value of Options821,314(821,314)(821,314)615,984821,314615,984
Value of RSUs3,791,446(3,791,446)(3,791,446)3,791,4463,791,4463,691,986
Value of PSUs2,238,032(2,238,032)(2,238,032)2,238,0322,238,0322,238,032
Value of LTIP Cycles10,000,000(11,250,000)(11,250,000)5,000,00011,250,00011,250,000
Benefits and Other
Health Insurance21,97121,971
SERP
Excise Tax Gross-Up
Total16,850,792(18,100,792)(18,100,792)13,467,43323,072,76317,796,002

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES:PAYMENTS/(FORFEITURES) UNDER TERMINATION SCENARIOS

Executive Compensation Tables  Payments/(Forfeitures) Under Termination Scenarios

Derica W. Rice
Executive Vice President
and President – CVS Caremark
Death
($)
Termination
for Cause
($)
Voluntary
Termination
($)
Termination
w/o Cause or
Constructive
Termination
w/o Cause
Prior to CIC
($)
Termination
w/o Cause or
Constructive
Termination
w/o Cause
After CIC
($)
Cash Severance Value                    
Base Salary1,575,0001,575,000
Bonus2,362,500
Immediate Vesting of Equity
Value of Options554,492(554,492)(554,492)193,248554,492
Value of RSUs2,074,625(2,074,625)(2,074,625)1,033,5782,074,625
Value of PSUs1,053,168(1,053,168)(1,053,168)351,0561,053,168
Value of LTIP Cycles5,990,741(6,423,611)(6,423,611)2,574,0746,423,611
Benefits and Other
Health Insurance1,1881,188
SERP
Excise Tax Gross-Up
Total9,673,026(10,105,896)(10,105,896)5,728,14414,044,584

JONATHAN C. ROBERTS
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT
AND PRESIDENT – CVS
CAREMARK
DEATH
($)
TERMINATION
FOR CAUSE
($)
VOLUNTARY
TERMINATION
($)
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE OR
CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE
PRIOR TO CIC
($)
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE OR
CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE
AFTER CIC
($)
APPROVED
RETIREMENT
($)
Cash Severance Value
Base Salary1,425,0001,425,000
Bonus2,137,500
Immediate Vesting of Equity
Value of Options1,786,081(1,786,081)(1,786,081)1,786,0811,786,0811,786,081
Value of RSUs5,711,332(5,711,332)(5,711,332)3,173,2085,711,3324,236,599
Value of LTIP Cycles2,500,000(2,500,000)(2,500,000)2,500,0005,250,0004,500,000
Benefits and Other
Health Insurance21,32621,326
SERP
Excise Tax Gross-Up
Total9,997,413(9,997,413)(9,997,413)8,905,61516,331,23910,522,680

THOMAS M. MORIARTY
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
AND GENERAL COUNSEL
DEATH
($)
TERMINATION
FOR CAUSE
($)
VOLUNTARY
TERMINATION
($)
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE OR
CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE
PRIOR TO CIC
($)
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE OR
CONSTRUCTIVE
TERMINATION
W/O CAUSE
AFTER CIC
($)
Cash Severance Value
Base Salary1,125,0001,125,000
Bonus1,687,500
Immediate Vesting of Equity
Value of Options1,066,470(1,066,470)(1,066,470)1,066,4701,066,470
Value of RSUs3,099,721(3,099,721)(3,099,721)1,662,7133,099,721
Value of LTIP Cycles1,791,667(1,791,667)(1,791,667)1,791,6673,625,000
Benefits and Other
Health Insurance19,75719,757
SERP
Excise Tax Gross-Up
Total5,957,858(5,957,858)(5,957,858)5,665,60710,623,448

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2017 Proxy Statement




Thomas M. Moriarty
Executive Vice President,
Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer
and General Counsel
Death
($)
Termination
for Cause
($)
Voluntary
Termination
($)
Termination
w/o Cause or
Constructive
Termination
w/o Cause
Prior to CIC
($)
Termination
w/o Cause or
Constructive
Termination
w/o Cause
After CIC
($)
Cash Severance Value                    
Base Salary1,275,0001,275,000
Bonus1,912,500
Immediate Vesting of Equity
Value of Options483,124(483,124)(483,124)241,560483,124
Value of RSUs2,245,370(2,245,370)(2,245,370)1,408,1562,245,370
Value of PSUs1,316,493(1,316,493)(1,316,493)438,8311,316,493
Value of LTIP Cycles6,750,000(7,375,000)(7,375,000)3,083,3337,375,000
Benefits and Other
Health Insurance20,73520,735
SERP
Excise Tax Gross-Up
Total10,794,987(11,419,987)(11,419,987)6,467,61514,628,222

TableOn June 6, 2018, the Company announced that Mr. Denton would be leaving CVS Health at the close of Contents

ITEM 5:2017 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

ITEM 5: PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE COMPANY’S 2017 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

In May 2010, our stockholders approved our 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan (2010 Plan). Assuming current grant rates, we believe that the shares currently available for issuancepreviously announced acquisition of Aetna. The Company entered into a Separation Agreement with him and, on November 19, 2018, Mr. Denton separated under the 2010 Plan would be sufficientterms of his Separation Agreement. In connection with Mr. Denton’s departure, CVS Health agreed to provide him 24 months of continued base salary as severance following his last day of employment, as well as subsidized benefits continuation for those 24 months (the Severance Period). He also received a pro-rated bonus for calendar year 2018 based on his actual time worked. Mr. Denton’s stock options and RSU awards that the Company plans to grant in 2017, but may not be sufficient for awards to be granted in 2018. We are therefore requesting that our stockholders approve a new 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan (2017 Plan) in order to permit the Company towill continue to grant awards. We are seeking an additional 21 million shares for future grants.

On March 2, 2017vest through the Board adoptedend of the 2017 PlanSeverance Period, other than his retention RSU award, which fully vested on his last day of employment and is recommending it for your approval at this year’s annual meeting of stockholders. If approved the 2017 Plan will be the only compensation plan under which the Company grants stock options, restricted stock and other equity-based awards (Awards) to its employees. These awards have enabled and will continueto enable CVS Health to attract and retain key employees and enable those employees to acquire and/or increase their proprietary interest in CVS Health, thereby aligning their interests with the interests of CVS Health’s stockholders.

In the event this proposal is approved by our stockholders, the shares that then remain available for issuance under the 2010 Plan will be transferred to the 2017 Plan and no further awards will be made under the 2010 Plan. As of March 14, 2017, the closing sale price of CVS Health’s common stock on the NYSE was $79.89. If the 2017 Plan is not approved by stockholders, the 2010 Plan will remain in full force and effectsettled in accordance with its terms.

Significant Historical Award Information.The following table provides information regarding His outstanding PSU awards and LTIP awards vested on a pro-rated basis through his last day of employment, at target performance levels, and will be settled in accordance with their existing terms. Subject to his compliance with the grantrestrictive covenants and other obligations in the Separation Agreement, Mr. Denton will receive salary continuation of $1,800,000, vesting of equity awards under our 2010 Plan over the past three completed fiscal years:

KEY EQUITY METRICS201620152014
Percentage of equity awards granted to NEOs(1)13.7%10.9%12.4%
Equity burn rate(2)0.59%0.57%0.62%
Dilution(3)(5)4.3%4.9%5.5%
Overhang(4)(5)2.7%2.7%2.9%
1Percentage of equity awards granted to individuals who were named executive officers in the relevant year is calculated by dividing the number of shares that were issuable pursuant to equity awards that were granted to NEOs during the year by the number of shares issuable pursuant to all equity awards granted during the year.
2Equity burn rate is calculated by dividing the number of shares issuable pursuant to equity awards granted during the year by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year, as disclosed in our Form 10-K.
3Dilution is calculated by dividing the sum of (x) the number of shares issuable pursuant to equity awards outstanding at the end of the fiscal year and (y) the number of shares available under the 2010 Plan for future grants, by the number of shares outstanding at the end of the year.
4Overhang is calculated by dividing the number of shares issuable pursuant to equity awards outstanding at the end of the year by the number of shares outstanding at the end of the year.
5The Company repurchased approximately 47.5 million shares during 2016. If the Company had not repurchased these shares, approximately 1.12 billion shares would have been outstanding at the end of 2016, and dilution and overhang would have been 4.1% and 2.5%, respectively, for 2016.

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s commonvalued as follows: stock that may be issued upon the exercise of options, warrants$289,873; RSUs, $8,426,855; EBITDA PSUs, $385,760; and rights under all of our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2016.

 Number of
securities to
be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
(1)
Weighted average
exercise price
of outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding
securities reflected in
first column)(1)
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders23,275$68.6017,645
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
Total23,275$68.6017,645

1Shares in thousands.

2017 Plan Features. The following isLTIP cycles, $3,814,459; a brief description of the material features of the 2017 Plan. The full text of the 2017 Plan is set forth inExhibit A to this Proxy Statement and the description set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference toExhibit A.

HIGHLIGHTING IMPORTANT POLICIES THAT WILL APPLY TO THE 2017 PLAN

HIGHLIGHTING IMPORTANT PROVISIONS OF THE 2017 PLAN

Performance Measures Aligned with Stockholder Interests

Broad-based Plan that Benefits a Range of Employees

Stock Ownership Guidelines

Minimum Three-year Vesting of Time-based Awards

LTI Plan Share Award Retention

Minimum One-year Vesting of Performance-based Awards

Broad Anti-Pledging and Hedging Policies

No Option or SAR Repricing or Cash Buyouts

Recoupment Policy for Clawback of Awards

No Discounted Options or SARs May be Granted

Double Trigger Vesting Upon a Change in Control

No Liberal Change in Control Provision

No Payment of Dividends on Unvested Awards

No Liberal Share Counting or Recycling of Shares

No Excise Tax Gross-Ups

Limitations on Awards to Non-Employee Directors


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ITEM 5:2017 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

Shares Subject to the 2017 Plan. Under the 2017 Plan, 21 million shares of CVS Health common stock would be reserved and available for delivery to participants in connection with Awards, plus the number of shares remaining available for issuance under the 2010 Plan at the time it is terminated. As of March 14, 2017, there were approximately 17 million shares available for grants under the 2010 Plan. The Company anticipates utilizing approximately seven million of those shares for its annual grants to be made in April 2017. Therefore, at the time of the 2017 Annual Meeting, the 2010 Plan will have approximately 10 million shares remainingand, upon approval, the 2017 Plan will have a total of 31 million shares available for issuance. We anticipate that number of shares will be sufficient for approximately four years of grants, based on current grant practices and share price.

No Liberal Share Counting. The 2017 Plan includes provisions that prohibit liberal share counting or “recycling”. For purposes of determining the number of shares of stock that remain available for issuance under the 2017 Plan, the number of shares corresponding to Awards that are forfeited or cancelled or otherwise expire for any reason without having been exercised or settled, or that are settled through the issuance of consideration other than shares of stock (including, without limitation, cash), will be added back to the Plan Limit (as defined in the 2017 Plan) and again be available for the grant of Awards. The following shares of stock, however, will not be available again for grant under the 2017 Plan:

(i) shares of CVS Health stock not issued or delivered as a result of net settlement of an outstanding option or stock appreciation right (SAR);

(ii) shares of CVS Health stock delivered or withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price or withholding taxes with respect to an Award; and

(iii) shares of CVS Health stock repurchased with proceeds from theone-time payment of the exercise price of an option.

The administrator of the 2017 Planhas discretion to adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute awards)attorney’s fees, $15,000; and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award.

Annual Per-Person Limitations. The 2017 Plan imposes individual limitations on the amount of certain Awards in order to comply with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Under these limitations, during any fiscal year the number of options, shares of restricted stock, RSUs, shares of deferred stock, shares of CVS Health stock issued as a bonus or in lieu of other obligations, and other stock-based Awards granted to any one participant shall not exceed one million shares for each type of such Award, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The maximum cash amount that may be earnedas a final annual incentive award or other annual cash Award in respect of any fiscal year by any one participant is $10 million, and the maximum cash amount that may be earned as a final performance award or other cash Awardpayment in respect of a performance period other than anpro-rated 2018 annual period by any one participantbonus, $1,073,925. The value of Mr. Denton’s stock options, RSUs and LTIP cycles is determined on an annualizedthe same basis is $5 million.

Non-Employee Director Award Limits. The 2017 Plan limits the Awards that may be made to a non-employee Director of the Company to $500,000 per director, with an additional $500,000as for the independent chairman or lead independent director, if any is so designated.

Eligibility. Executive officers and other officers and employees of CVS Health or any subsidiary, and any person who is a non-employee director of CVS Health, will be eligible to be granted Awards under the 2017 Plan. Based on current grant practices, approximately 40,000 persons are eligible to receive Awards under the 2017 Plan.

Administration. The 2017 Plan is administered by the Management Planning and Development Committee,NEOs, except to the extent the Board elects to administer the 2017 Plan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the 2017 Plan, the Committee is authorized to select participants, determine the type and number of Awards to be granted and the number of shares of CVS Health stock or dollar amounts to which Awards will relate, specify times at which Awards will vest (including performance conditions that, may be required as a condition thereof), set other terms and conditions of such Awards, prescribe forms of Award agreements, interpret and specify rules and regulations relating to the 2017 Plan, and make all other determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2017 Plan.

Types of Awards.

Stock Options and SARs.The Committee is authorized to grant stock options, including both incentive stock options (ISOs) that can result in potentially favorable tax treatment to the participant and nonqualified stock options (i.e., options not qualifying as ISOs) and SARs entitling the participant to receive the excess of the fair market value of a share of CVS Health stock on the date of exercise over the grant price of the SAR. The exercise price per share subject to an option and the grant price of a SAR is determined by the Committee, but must not be less than the fair market value, i.e., the closing sale price on the NYSE, of a share of CVS Health stock as of the date of grant. In the event the date of grant is a date on which the NYSE is not open, the closing NYSE sale price on the last day prior to the grant date is used. The maximum term of each option or SAR, the times at which each option or SAR will be exercisable and provisions requiring forfeiture of unexercised options or SAR at or following termination of employment generally is fixed by the Committee, except

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no option or SAR may have a term exceeding ten years. Options may be exercised by payment of the exercise price in cash, CVS Health stock, outstanding Awards, or other property having a fair market value equal to the exercise price, as the Committee may determine from time to time.

Restricted Stock, RSUs and Deferred Stock. The Committee is authorized to grant restricted stock, RSUs and deferred stock. Restricted stock is a grant of CVSHealth stock which may not be sold or disposed of, and which may be forfeited in the event of certain terminations of employment and/or failure to meet certain performance requirements prior to the end of a restricted period specified by the Committee. Restricted stock and RSUs typically vest over a three- to five-year period, or if based on performance requirements vest over a minimum period of one year. A participant granted restricted stock generally has all of the rights of a stockholder of CVS Health, including the right to vote the shares and to receive dividends thereon upon vesting, unless otherwise determined by the Committee. An RSU or an award of deferred stock confers upon a participant the right to receive shares at the end of a specified restricted or deferral period, subject to possible forfeiture of the Award in the event of certain terminations of employment and/or failure to meet certain performance requirements prior to the end of a specified restricted period (which restricted period need not extend for the entire duration of the deferral period). Prior to settlement, an RSU or an Award of deferred stock carries no voting or dividend rights or other rights associated with share ownership, although dividend equivalents may be granted, as discussed below.
Dividend Equivalents. The Committee is authorized to grant dividend equivalents conferring on participants the right to receive, on an accrual basis, cash, shares, or other property equal in value to dividends paid on a specific number of shares or other periodic payments.Dividend equivalents may not be granted in connection with stock options and SARs, and shall be paid on an accrued basis only upon the vesting of the Award, or may be deemed to have been reinvested in additional shares, Awards, or other investment vehicles specified by the Committee.

Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Cash Obligations. The Committee is authorized to grant shares as a bonus free of restrictions, or to grant shares or other Awards in lieu of obligations to pay cash under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as the Committee may specify.

Other Stock-Based Awards. The 2017 Plan authorizes the Committee to grant Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to shares. Such Awards might includeconvertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into shares, purchase rights for shares, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of CVS Health or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of shares or the value of securities of or the performance of specified subsidiaries. The Committee determines the terms and conditions of such Awards, including consideration to be paid to exercise Awards in the nature of purchase rights, the period during which Awards will be outstanding and forfeiture conditions and restrictions on Awards. Other stock-based awards vest over a minimum three-year period, or if based on performance requirements vest over a minimum period of one year.

Performance Awards, Including Annual Incentive Awards. The right of a participant to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of an Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee. In addition, the 2017 Plan authorizes specific annual incentive awards, which represent a conditional right to receive cash, shares or other Awards upon achievement of pre-established performance goals during a specified one-year period.Performance awards and annual incentive awards granted to persons the Committee expects may, for the year in which a deduction arises, be among the CEO and other highly-compensated executive officers subject to the limitation on tax deductibility under IRC Section 162(m), will, if so intended by the Committee, be subject to provisions that should qualify such Awards as “performance-based compensation” under IRC Section 162(m).

The performance goals to be achieved as a condition of payment or settlement of a performance award or annual incentive award will consist of (i) one or more business criteria, and (ii) targeted level(s) of performance with respect to each business criterion. In the case of performance awards intended to meet the requirements of IRC Section 162(m), the business criteria used must be one of those specified in the 2017 Plan, although for other participants the Committee may specify any other criteria. The business criteria specified in the 2017 Plan are: (1) earnings per share; (2) revenues; (3) cash flow; (4) cash flow return on investment; (5) return on net assets, return on assets, return on investment, return on capital, or return on equity; (6) economic value added; (7) operating margin; (8) Common Knowledge Retail Customer Service score or a similar customer service measurement as measured by a third-party administrator; (9) Pharmacy Benefit Services Customer Satisfaction score (10) net income; pretax earnings; pretax earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization; pretax operating earnings

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ITEM 5:2017 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

after interest expense and before incentives, service fees and extraordinary or special items; or operating earnings; (11) total stockholder return; or (12) any of the above goals as compared to the performance of a published or special index deemed applicable by the Committee including, but not limited to, Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index or a group of comparable companies.

In granting annual incentive or performance awards, the Committee may establish unfunded award pools,the amounts of which will be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals using one or more of the business criteria described in the preceding paragraph. During the first 90 days of a fiscal year or other performance period (or such other period as permitted under IRC Section 162(m)), the Committee will determine who will potentially receive annual incentive or performance awards for that fiscal year or other performance period, either out of the pool or otherwise. After the end of each fiscal year or other performance period, the Committee will determine the amount, if any, of the pool, the maximum amount of potential annual incentive or performance awards payable to each participant in the pool, and the amount of any potential annual incentive or performance award otherwise payable to a participant. The Committee may, in its discretion, determine that the amount payable as a final annual incentive or performance award will be increased or reduced from the amount of any potential Award, but may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount intended to qualify under IRC Section 162(m).

Subject to the requirements of the 2017 Plan, the Committee will determine other performance award and annual incentive award terms, including the required levels of performance with respect to the business criteria, the corresponding amounts payable upon achievement of such levels of performance, termination and forfeiture provisions, and the form of settlement.

No Repricing or Cash Buyouts. The Committee may not, without further approval of CVS Health stockholders, grant any Award under the 2017 Plan or make any payment or exchange that would constitute a “repricing” of any option or SAR granted under the 2017 Plan. The 2017 Plan also does not permit cash buyouts of stock options or SARs.

Other Terms of Awards. Awards may be settled in the form of cash, CVS Health stock, other Awards, or other property, in the discretion of the Committee. The Committee may require or permit participants to defer the settlement of all or part of an Award in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Committee may establish, including payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents on deferred amounts, and the crediting of earnings, gains and losses based on deemed investment of deferred amounts in specified investment vehicles, provided, however, that dividends or dividend equivalents may not be paid on unvested Awards. The Committee may condition any payment relating to an Award on the withholding of taxes and may provide that a portion of any shares or other property to be distributed will be withheld (or previously acquired shares or other property surrendered by the participant) to satisfy withholding and other tax obligations. Awards granted under the 2017 Plan generally may not be pledged or otherwise encumbered and are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or to a designated beneficiary upon the participant’s death, except that the Committee may, in its discretion, permit transfers for estate planning or other purposes.

Recoupment Policy. Unless the Award agreement specifies otherwise, the Committee may cancel or rescind Awards if the participant fails to comply with certain non-competition, confidentiality, intellectual property or other covenants. In addition, Awards under the 2017 Plan will be subject to the Recoupment Policy as in effect from time to time (for more information on that policy see page 54 of this proxy statement), as well as other recoupment policies or provisions as may be required under the terms of any agreement between the Company and any regulatory authority or as may be required under applicable law.

Double Trigger Change in Control. The Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the exercisability, the lapsing of restrictions, or the expiration of deferral or vesting periods of any Award, and such accelerated exercisability, lapse, expiration and vesting shall occur automatically in the case of an actual or constructive termination without cause within two years of a Change in Control, as defined in the 2017 Plan. In addition, the Committee may provide that performance goals relating to any performance-based award will be deemed to have been met at actual performance or prorated to the date of termination following a Change in Control.

No Liberal Definition of Change in Control.“Change in Control” is defined in the 2017 Plan to include the followingevents:

changes in the stock ownership of the Company, or a subsidiary owning substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company (Significant Subsidiary), representing in excess of 30% of the voting power of then outstanding securities of the Company or Significant Subsidiary;
changes of a majority of CVS Health’s board of directors during a 12-month period;
mergers and consolidations of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary, unless the voting securities of the Company or Significant Subsidiary continue to represent more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving or resulting entity; and

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sales or dispositions of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of CVS Health (in no event less than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all consolidated assets of the Company), in a single transaction or series of transactions over a 12-month period.

Amendment and Termination of the 2017 Plan. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the 2017 Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards without further stockholder approval, except stockholder approval must be obtained for any amendment or alteration if required by law or regulation or under the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares are then listed or quoted. Stockholder approval will not be deemed to be required under laws or regulations, such as those relating to ISOs, that condition favorable treatment of participants on such approval, although the Board may, in its discretion, seek stockholder approval in any circumstance in which it deems such approval advisable. Thus, stockholder approval will not necessarily be required for amendments that might increase the cost of the 2017 Plan. Unless earlier terminated by the Board or extended by the stockholders, the 2017 Plan will have a term that expires on May 9, 2027, after which no further Awards may be made, provided, however, that the provisions of the Plan shall continue to apply to Awards made prior to such date. Additionally, the 2017 Plan will terminate at such time as no shares remain available for issuance under the 2017 Plan and CVS Health has no further rights or obligations with respect to outstanding Awards under the 2017 Plan.

Certain Federal Income Tax Implications of the 2017 Plan. The following is a brief description of the federal income tax consequences generally arising with respect to Awards under the 2017 Plan.

The grant of an option will create no tax consequences for the participant or CVS Health. A participant will not recognize taxable income upon exercising an ISO (except that the alternative minimum tax may apply). Upon exercising an option other than an ISO, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the exercise price and fair market value of the freely transferable and non-forfeitable shares acquired on the date of exercise.

Upon a disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO before the end of the applicable ISO holding periods, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the shares at the date of exercise of the ISO minus the exercise price, or (ii) the amount realized upon the disposition of the ISO shares minus the exercise price. Otherwise, a participant’s disposition of shares acquired upon the exercise of an option (including an ISO for which the ISO holding periods are met) generally will result in short-term or long-term capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the sale price and the participant’s tax basisin such shares (the tax basis generally being the exercise price plus any amount previously recognized as ordinary income in connection with the exercise of the option).

CVS Health generally will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as ordinary income by the participant in connection with an option. CVS Health generally is not entitled to a tax deduction relating to amounts that represent a capital gain to a participant. Accordingly, CVS Health will not be entitled to any tax deduction with respect to an ISO if the participant holds the shares for the ISO holding periods prior to disposition of the shares.

With respect to Awards granted under the 2017 Plan that result in the payment or issuance of cash or shares or other property that is either not restricted as to transferability or not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the cash or the fair market value of shares or other property received. Thus, deferral of the time of payment or issuance will generally result in the deferral of the time the participant will be liable for income taxes with respect to such payment or issuance. CVS Health generally will be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

With respect to Awards involving the issuance of shares or other property that is restricted as to transferability and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the shares or other property received at the first time the shares or other property becomes transferable or is not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, whichever occurs earlier. A participant may elect to be taxed at the time of receipt of shares or other property rather than upon lapse of restrictions on transferability or substantial risk of forfeiture, but if the participant subsequently forfeits such shares or property, the participant would not be entitled to any tax deduction, including as a capital loss, forhis Separation Agreement, the value of the shares or property on which he previouslyEBITDA PSUs was pro-rated for his service time during the performance cycle and reflects the cash amount paid tax. The participant must file such election withto Mr. Denton during 2018, and the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days ofLTIP cycles are pro-rated for his service time during the receipt of the shares or other property. CVS Health generally will be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.applicable performance cycle.

The foregoing summary of the federal income tax consequences in respect of the 2017 Plan is for general information only. Interested parties should consult their own advisors as to specific tax consequences, including the application and effect of foreign, state and local tax laws.

Awards under 2017 Plan. Awards to be granted after May 10, 2017 under the 2017 Plan are not determinable at this time. For information on awards made to NEOs under the 2010 Plan, see the tables on pages 59-61.

The Board unanimously recommends a voteapproval of the 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan.

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALSCEO Pay Ratio

ITEM 6: STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING THE OWNERSHIP THRESHOLD FOR CALLING SPECIAL MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

On or about December 6, 2016,We invest in our employees at all levels of the Company received the following proposal from Mr. William Steiner, 112 Abbottsford Gate, Piermont, NY 10968,by rewarding performance that balances risk and his proxy John Chevedden, 2215 Nelson Avenue, No. 205, Redondo Beach, CA 90278, who represent that Mr. Steinerreward, is the beneficial owner of noless than 100 shares of the Company’s stock. In accordanceconsistent with SEC rules, we are reprinting the proposalour values and supporting statement (William Steiner Proposal) in this proxy statement as they were submitted to us:

Proposal 6 – Special Shareowner Meetings

Resolved, Shareowners ask our board to take the steps necessary (unilaterally if possible) to amend our bylawssupports short and each appropriate governing document to give holders in the aggregate of 15% of our outstanding common stock the power to call a special shareowner meeting. This proposal does not impact our board’s current power to call a special meeting.

Dozens of Fortune 500 companies allow 10% of shares to call a special meetinglong term goals and, this proposal is only asking that 15% of our shares be enabled to call a special meeting. Special meetings allow shareowners to vote on important matters, such as electing new directors that can arise between annual meetings. Shareowner input on the timing of shareowner meetings is especially important when events unfold quickly and issues may become moot by the next annual meeting. This is important because there could be 15-months or more between annual meetings.

This proposal is of more importance to our company. GMI Analyst said CEO Larry Merlo’s pay and perks were flagged as being excessive relative to peers and other named executive officers, resulting in a 20% negative Say-on-Pay vote in 2016. If Merlo was fired without cause, unvested equity awards would vest immediately. These provisions provideultimately, value creation for excessive levels of potential payments that are not linked to company performance.

CVS Health Corp.’s Audit Committee chair and director Richard Swift served on 4 additional boards including as Lead Director and Audit Committee chair at Ingersoll-Rand plc. In addition, CVS’s Audit Committee was not fully independent due to the membership of Richard Bracken, a director (and retired chairman and CEO) of HCA Holdings, Inc. CVS Health was also flagged for excessive asset-liability ratios, relative to peers.

Please vote to enhance shareholder value:
Special Shareowner Meetings – Proposal 6

STATEMENT OF THE BOARD RECOMMENDING A VOTE AGAINST THE WILLIAM STEINER PROPOSAL

CVS Health is strongly committed to good governance practices and is keenly interested in the views and concerns of our stockholders. To that end, since 2010 the Company has included, in both its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (Charter) and Amended and Restated By-laws (By-laws), provisions that allow stockholders owning 25% of our outstanding common stock the right to call a special meeting, provided certain requirements are met. The Board put these Charter and By-law provisions to a vote at its 2010 annual meeting and the Company’s stockholders overwhelmingly supported the provisions, with a vote in favor of over 97%. The Board continues to believe that 25% is an appropriate threshold for this right, particularly when viewed in connection with the many stockholder protections CVS Health has adopted and our strong corporate governance practices in general. CVS Health’s 25% ownership threshold is also a very common threshold among large public companies that offer stockholders the right to call a special meeting.

CVS Health has adopted many leading corporate governance practices, including the annual election of all directors, majority voting in director elections, the right of stockholders to act by written consent that is less than unanimous, and a proxy access by-law. Our current QualityScore ratings from Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) include a 1 in Board Structure and a 2 in Shareholder Rights, meaning that CVS Health is in the top 10% and 20%, respectively, of ranked companies in those categories. The Company’s overall QualityScore is a 2 (top 20%), indicating that ISS views our Company as among the lowest in terms of governance risks.

If adopted, this proposal would have the effect of allowing a relatively small minority of stockholders with narrow interests to call special meetings to consider matters that may not be in the best interests of all of our stockholders. We observeprovide opportunities for professional growth and development, and offer affordable benefits and programs that calling a special meetingmeet the diverse needs of stockholders is not a matterour employees and their families. In 2018, we made significant investments in our colleagues including increasing the starting wage to be taken lightly. We believe that a special meeting should only be held to cover extraordinary events, when fiduciary, strategic, significant

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transactional or similar considerations dictate that the matter be addressed on an expeditious basis, rather than waiting until the next annual meeting. Organizing and preparing for a special meeting involves significant management commitment of time and focus, and imposes substantial legal, administrative and distribution costs. Recognizing the substantial administrative and financial burdens that a special meeting imposes on the Company and its stockholders, the Board believes that CVS Health’s existing 25% ownership threshold strikes theappropriate balance between allowing stockholders to vote on important matters that arise between annual meetings and protecting against the risk that a small group of stockholders could call a meeting that serves only a narrow agenda not favored by the majority of stockholders. We therefore continue to believe that at least 25%$11 per hour effective in April 2018, and by increasing pay ranges and rates for many of our stockholders should agreeretail employees, to ensure a competitive compensation structure that a matter be addressed before a special meeting is called.

The Board unanimously recommends a vote the William Steiner Proposal.

ITEM 7: STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING A REPORT ON EXECUTIVE PAY

On or about December 2, 2016, the Company received the following proposal from Zevin Asset Management, LLC (Zevin), 11 Beacon Street, Suite 1125, Boston, MA 02108, on behalf of its client the Claire L. Bateman 1991 Trust. Zevin represents thatits client is the beneficial owner of 175 shares ofsupports the Company’s stock.plans to evolve its retail stores into a health care destination. In accordance with SEC rules, wetotal, these programs are reprinting the proposal and supporting statement (Bateman Proposal) in this proxy statement as they were submittedexpected to us:

TOP EXECUTIVES’ PAY

WHEREAS: Recent events have increased concerns about the extraordinarily high levels of executive compensation at many U.S. corporations. Concerns about the structure of executive compensation packages have also intensified, with some suggesting compensation systems incentivize excessive risk-taking.

In aForbes article on Wall Street pay, the director of the Program on Corporate Governance at Harvard Law School noted that “compensation policies will prove to be quite costly – excessively costly – to shareholders.” A study by Glass Lewis & Co. declared that compensation packages for the most highly paid U.S. executives “have been so over-the-top that they have skewed the standards for what’s reasonable.” That study also found CEO pay may be high even when performance is mediocre or dismal.

On July 25, 2015,The New York Times featured an extended front-page article entitled: “Pay Gap Widening as Top Workers Reap the Raises.” A September 5, 2015New York Times article (“Low-Income Workers See Biggest Drop in Paychecks”) showed the decline in real wages (2009-2014) for the lowest-paid quintile was -5.7 percent while that of the highest-paid quintile was less than half of that: -2.6 percent.

A 2015Harvard Business Review article cited a recent global study finding that CEO-to-worker pay ratio in most countries is “at least 50 to one,” but “in the United States it’s 354 to one.”

In a 2015 PayScale report,cost CVS Health had the largest ratio between CEO and employee pay among all companies studied: approximately 434 to 1.

Some companies have begun disclosing CEO-to-worker pay ratios in anticipation of the Pay Ratio Disclosure Rule approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission in August 2015. Beginning in 2018, that rule will require issuers to report the ratio between median employee compensation and the CEO’s total compensation.

RESOLVED: Shareholders request the Board’s Compensation Committee initiate a review of our company’s executive compensation policies and make available, upon request, a summary report of that review by October 1, 2017 (omitting confidential information and processed at a reasonable cost). We request that the report include: 1) A comparison of the total compensation package of senior executives and our employees’ median wage (including benefits) in the United States in July 2007, July 2012 and July 2017; 2) an analysis of changes in the relative size of the gap and an analysis and rationale justifying this trend; 3) an evaluation of whether our senior executive compensation packages (including, but not limited to, options, benefits, perks, loans and retirement agreements) should be modified to be kept within boundaries, such as that articulated in the Excessive Pay Shareholder Approval Act; and 4) an explanation of whether sizable layoffs or the level of pay of our lowest paid workers should result in an adjustment of senior executive pay to more reasonable and justifiable levels and how the Company will monitor this comparison annually in the future.

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STATEMENT OF THE BOARD RECOMMENDING A VOTE AGAINST THE BATEMAN PROPOSAL$425 million annually.

As required by the Dodd-Frank Act, we are disclosing the ratio of compensation of Mr. Merlo, our Chief Executive Officer, to that of the employee who has been identified as having annual compensation that is the median of all of our employees.

We identified the median employee by ranking the total compensation based on W-2 information for all employees, excluding Mr. Merlo, who were employed by the Company on December 31, 2018. The population of our approximately 238,000 employees includes many part-time, temporary and seasonal workers. Adjustments were made to annualize the compensation of full-time and part-time employees who were not employed by the Company for the entire year. We did not apply any cost-of-living adjustments as part of the calculation. As permitted by SEC rules under thede minimisexception, we provideexcluded approximately 1,350 employees located in Brazil, who represent less than 5% of our total employees. Consistent with our 2017 practice, we also excluded employees who joined CVS Health through businesses that we acquired during 2018, including those from our acquisition of Aetna.

Using this methodology, our median employee was determined to be a detailed reportfull-time, hourly employee. The annual compensation for our median employee was $35,529, calculated in accordance with the rules applicable to the Summary Compensation Table (SCT) found beginning on executive compensation in our annualpage 63 of this proxy statement. The annual compensation discussion and analysis (CD&A) sectionfor our median employee includes the company-paid portion of this proxy statement describeshealth benefits plus company contributions to our executive401(k) plan, if applicable. For 2018, the annual compensation practicesfor Mr. Merlo was $21,953,040, which is $13,942 higher than the amount shown in detail, elaborating on all material elementsour SCT because of our executive compensation program and policies with accompanying tables that quantify our named executive officer paythe inclusion of company-paid medical benefits, which are not reflected in the SCT in accordance with SEC requirements.rules. The CD&A also examines the compensation decision-making process of the Management Planning and Development Committee (for purposes of this statement, the Committee), describes the material components of our executive compensation packages and discusses the goals and underpinnings of our compensation program. The report requested by the Bateman Proposal is duplicative of this required disclosure, which is provided at pages 35 through 56 above. Additionally, in 2018, as will then be required by SEC rules, we will disclose the ratio of our CEO’s payMr. Merlo’s annual compensation to that of our median employee. employee for 2018 is 618-to-1.

Given the extensive compensation-related disclosure already provideddifferent methodologies that various public companies use to our stockholders, the requested reviewdetermine their estimates of pay ratio, including different methodologies, exclusions, estimates and report would divert our resources and attention while providing stockholders with little or no incremental information.

Putting aside the Bateman Proposal’s call for information that is redundant with information that is already provided, or that will be required to be providedassumptions allowed under newly adopted SEC rules, and different employment and compensation practices among companies, the ratio reported above should not be used as a basis for comparison between CVS Health and other companies.

Please note that in 2018, Mr. Merlo’s 2016-2018 performance-based Long-Term incentive Plan (LTIP) award was cash-denominated at grant and thus included as 2018 SCT compensation based on the timing of the final value being earned (rather than in 2016, as it would have been had the award been denominated in shares), per SEC reporting requirements. In 2018, as a result of changing the denomination of the 2018-2020 LTIP awards to PSUs, and in accordance with SEC reporting requirements, Mr. Merlo’s SCT compensation also includes the 2018-2020 LTIP PSU grant. As shown above in the supplemental table on page 41 in the CD&A, Mr. Merlo’s 2018 SCT compensation would have been $3,537,000 lower had we are opposed to the Bateman Proposalhistorically been denominating LTIP compensation in principle. The Committee, which is composed entirely of independentdirectors,shares, and the full Board, are best placedresulting ratio for Mr. Merlo’s 2018 compensation to determine what factors should be considered when making decisions on executive pay and to implement executive compensation practices that are aligned with the interests of our stockholders. This proxy statement highlights the Committee’s mandate under its charter and describes the rigorous policies and practices wemedian employee would have implemented to provide appropriate executive compensation. We believe that adoption of the policy requested by the proponent does not serve to enhance a compensation decision-making process that is focused on the long-term performance of CVS Health, taking into account best practices, market competitiveness and our strategic, operational and financial goals and other appropriate factors in the Committee’s judgment. Adoption of the unnecessary and arbitrary Bateman Proposal would not support these objectives and would not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

The Board also notes that the proponent submitted this same proposal for a vote in 2016, and the Company’s stockholders overwhelmingly rejected it, by a vote of:been 518-to-1.

cvshealthannualmeeting.com        For: 6.8%
Against: 87.5%
Abstain: 5.6%

The Board unanimously recommends a vote 75the Bateman Proposal.

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Stockholder Proposal

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS:Item 4: Stockholder Proposal Regarding Exclusion of Legal or Compliance Costs from Financial Performance Adjustments for Executive Compensation

On or about December 19, 2018, the Company received the following proposal from The City of Philadelphia Public Employees Retirement System (the “PPERS”), Sixteenth Floor, Two Penn Center Plaza, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1712, which represents that PPERS has held more than $2,000 worth of the Company’s stock. In accordance with SEC rules, we are reprinting the proposal and supporting statement (which we refer to as the “PPERS Proposal”) in this proxy statement as they were submitted to us:

RESOLVED that shareholders of CVS Health Corporation (“CVS”) urge the Board of Directors to adopt a policy that no financial performance metric shall be adjusted to exclude Legal or Compliance Costs when evaluating performance for purposes of determining the amount or vesting of any senior executive Incentive Compensation award. “Legal or Compliance Costs” are expenses or charges associated with any investigation, litigation or enforcement action related to drug manufacturing, sales, marketing or distribution, including legal fees; amounts paid in fines, penalties or damages; and amounts paid in connection with monitoring required by any settlement or judgment of claims of the kind described above. “Incentive Compensation” is compensation paid pursuant to short-term and long-term incentive compensation plans and programs. The policy should be implemented in a way that does not violate any existing contractual obligation of the Company or the terms of any compensation or benefit plan.

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

As CVS shareholders, we support compensation arrangements that incentivize senior executives to drive growth while safeguarding company operations and reputation over the long-term. CVS adjusts certain financial metrics when calculating progress on goals for the purposes of awarding incentive compensation. While some adjustments may be appropriate, we believe senior executives should not be insulated from legal risks, particularly on matters that are core to the company’s business.

These considerations are especially critical at CVS given the potential reputational, legal and regulatory risks CVS faces over its role in the nation’s opioid epidemic. In June 2018, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced that CVS agreed to settle claims that a number of its pharmacy stores located in Long Island violated the federal Controlled Substances Act (“CSA”) by failing to timely report the loss or theft of controlled substances, including hydrocodone. Pharmacies, such as CVS, are required by the CSA to promptly report the loss or theft of controlled substances to the DEA. (https://www.justice.gov/usao-edny/pr/cvs-pharmacy-inc-pay-15-million-settle-civil-penalty-claims-violations-controlled)

In its August 2018 quarterly report, CVS disclosed that it is named in more than 200 federal court cases filed by counties, cities, hospitals, Indian tribes, and others, asserting claims regarding the impacts of prevalent opioid abuse. Approximately 25 similar cases that name the Company in some capacity are pending in state courts.

ITEM 8As of July 2018, theWall Street Journal reported that over 600 lawsuits have been filed by municipalities, states and Native American tribes related to the opioid epidemic. The majority of these lawsuits have been consolidated to the Northern District Court of Ohio, where CVS is one of the named defendants. (https:/www.wsj.com/articles/ new-front-on-opioid-litigation-suits-over-rising-premiums-1525279402)

In the midst of such scrutiny, we take issue with CVS’s use of adjusted operating profit and adjusted return on net assets, each of which exclude legal settlements, according to page 52 of CVS’s 2018 proxy statement.

We believe a superior approach is to include Legal and Compliance Costs, particularly those associated with opioid litigation.

We urge shareholders to vote for this proposal.


ITEM 8: STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING A REPORT ON RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGETS76            2019 Proxy Statement


On or about November 23, 2016, the Company received the following proposal from Zevin Asset Management, LLC (Zevin), 11 Beacon Street, Suite 1125, Boston, MA 02108, on behalfTable of its client the Pamela L Parker Trust. Zevin represents that itsclient is the beneficial owner of 660 shares of the Company’s stock. In accordance with SEC rules, we are reprinting the proposal and supporting statement (Parker Proposal) in this proxy statement as they were submitted to us:

Whereas:Contents To limit the average global temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Centigrade, a goal shared by nearly every nation, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that the United States needs to reduce annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions approximately 80 percent. This will involve a significant shift to renewable energy.

Costs of generating electricity from sources like wind and solar have been declining rapidly and are influencing companies’ response to climate change. The EPA currently lists 78 Fortune 500 companies as purchasing renewable energy (or certificates).

CVS Health Corporation (“CVS” or “the Company”) has taken halting steps in this direction. According to the 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility report, the Company’s renewable energy program includes solar panels at five stores and a sixth store under construction. CVS states that it is “constantly evaluating opportunities through renewable technologies, renewable energy credits, power purchase agreements, and tax credits.”

In its response to the 2016 CDP Climate Change questionnaire, CVS indicates that it will set a science-based target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with IPCC guidance.

Yet CVS still lacks a quantitative target for renewable energy sourcing and/or production.

Investors are concerned that CVS may be behind other large corporations which are developing quantitative renewable energy goals in response to climate change. The RE100, a coalition pushing companies to switch to 100 percent renewable energy, now includes Apple, General Motors, Johnson & Johnson, Nestle, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Walmart. Walmart has a goal of sourcing 100 percent of its electricity from renewable energy and an interim target “to produce or procure 7,000 GWh of renewable energy globally by the end of 2020.”

Investors seek clarity on how renewable energy plays into CVS’s overall response to climate change. Failure to set a renewable energy target may impede the Company’s GHG reduction strategy. By setting quantitative goals on renewable energy, our Company can strengthen its current climate change strategy, respond ably to energy market changes, move closer to achieving GHG reductions, and help meet the global need for cleaner energy.

Resolved:Stockholder Proposal  Shareholders request that CVS produce a report assessing the climate benefits and feasibility of adopting enterprise-wide, quantitative, time-bound targets for increasing CVS’s renewable energy sourcing and/or production. The report should be produced at reasonable cost, in a reasonable timeframe, and omitting proprietary and confidential information. This proposal does not prescribe matters of operational or financial management.Item 4

Supporting Statement: Shareholders request that the report consider and analyze options and scenarios for achieving renewable energy targets, for example by using on-site distributed energy, off-site generation, power purchases, and renewable energy credits, or other opportunities management would like to consider, at its discretion.

STATEMENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDING A VOTE AGAINST THE PARKERPHILADELPHIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM PROPOSAL

The PPERS Proposal requests that the Board hasadopt a policy that would require that all financial performance metrics used to determine performance for calculating senior executive incentive compensation award not exclude expenses or charges associated with any investigation, litigation or enforcement action related to drug manufacturing, sales, marketing or distribution, including legal fees, amounts paid in fines, penalties or damages.

By imposing a broad and indiscriminate restriction, the PPERS Proposal does not provide the Board and its Management Planning and Development Committee (the “MP&D Committee”) with any flexibility to address factors that would be critical in assessing whether such costs should in fact be considered in calculating executive incentive compensation. The PPERS Proposal unduly restricts the Parker Proposal and believes it is unnecessary in light of CVS Health’s ongoing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pursue sustainability initiatives while optimizing efficiency. The Board is committed to reducing the environmental impactability of the Company’sBoard and the MP&D Committee to distinguish between matters that relate to an action for which the Company was successful in its defense, matters that arise from a business operations anddispute in the ordinary course or a matter that relates to promote the conservation of the natural resources used by the Company.a decision attributable to a prior management team for whom compensation decisions are not being made.

In addition to completing the questionnaire from CDP (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project) and disclosing data around GHG emissions each year,ordinary course of business, the Company already provides information on its sustainability efforts with its stockholders thoughis subject to a number of frivolous and meritless suits which the Company’s annual Corporate SocialResponsibility Report, which is available at https://cvshealth. com/social-responsibility/corporate-social-responsibility-csr. The Corporate Social Responsibility Report details our corporate sustainability goals on energy efficiency, renewables, reducing GHG emissions, reducing waste, and developing sustainable products and packaging, as well as the steps being taken to achieve those goals, including the fact that we have been measuring and reporting our GHG emissions since 2008. As detailed in the report, we set specific internal and external targets that help reduce GHG emissions while driving operational efficiency, including targets relating to the reduction of energy use, water use and waste in its retail drug

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stores. We pursue energy efficiency and cost-savings through detailed, thoughtful and Company-specific measures that are designed to address the particular impact our operations have on the environment and the best ways to mitigate those effects. Our Board of Directors believes that these measures more than adequately address the concerns underlying the Parker Proposal.

As just a few examples of our accomplishments that we believe have positively impacted the environmental footprint and overall sustainability of our business, we ask that you consider the following:

In 2015, we achieved a 16% reduction in carbon intensity, exceeding our internal target of reducing carbon intensity by 15% per square foot of retail space by 2018.

In 2015, we retrofitted 349 stores with LED lighting, which yields a 10% increase in efficiency compared to high-efficiency florescent solutions.

We began implementing improved routing software in our fleet in 2015, which saved approximately 34,450 gallons of fuel at only 50% program completion by the end of 2015;

We maintained the same level of electricity usage in 2015 as compared to 2014 despite an increase in overall square footage of 1.8% and the introduction of open-air refrigeration units in 450 stores, attributable to store energy efficiency initiatives.

We decreased our usage of natural gas by 12% in 2015 compared to 2014.

We also have established committees and task forces to provide guidance on sustainability-related decisions and initiatives. These include the Energy Technology Assessment Committee, which works to identify opportunities across our operations to reduce energy and GHG emissions while also lowering costs. We continue to work towards further reductions and seek to establish a new GHG emissions reduction target within the next year.

We are proud of our environmental leadership and thoughtful, business-appropriate initiatives that our management works hard to integrate through measures to reduce GHG emissions, increase energy efficiency, reduce cost and remain competitive, and we believe that these measures compare favorably with the guidelines and requested practices embodied in the Parker Proposal.

In light of our existing efforts, accomplishments and reporting, we believe that a stand-alone report, as described in the proposal, would be duplicative of the overall sustainability reporting that we currently provide and would not be an effective use of our Company’s resources norCompany, in the best interests of its shareholders, aggressively defends. Under the PPERS Proposal, the costs and expenses of a successful defense of any such matter, as well as the costs and expenses associated with a business dispute with a supplier or a contractual party that breach the terms of an agreement, could not be excluded from calculations necessary to determine executive incentive compensation. In including, for example, all possible litigation claims that could be made against the Company, the PPERS Proposal, which is predicated on the idea that “senior executives should not be insulated from legal risks” is a standard that goes far beyond the stated objective. The Company believes that decisions related to legal risks faced by the Company and the responsibility for managing those risks are nuanced and an arbitrary policy reflected by the PPERS Proposal ignores many important considerations. The Company believes the Board is best suited to address these matters.

The MP&D Committee is composed entirely of independent, non-management directors who are best equipped to make decisions about metric selection and adjustments for use in our incentive compensation program, which is currently aligned with our stated strategic objectives and the long-term interests of our stockholders. The MP&D Committee carefully selects performance metrics for executive compensation, taking into account feedback from our annual stockholder engagement efforts, and sets goals based on available information at the time the goals are set. The PPERS Proposal would unduly restrict the MP&D Committee’s judgment in determining executive compensation levels and structure, and limit the Committee’s ability to be flexible and responsive.

The MP&D Committee has selected certain non-GAAP metrics for our compensation program. It believes that adjustments to some financial measures are necessary to assess our year-over-year performance and can provide a more accurate view of our core operational performance. The Committee cannot anticipate extraordinary matters that may occur in the future, and each year has consistently applied adjustments, both positively and negatively, when evaluating the Company’s performance at the end of a period. In the event any additional adjustments are made, we disclose the circumstances and rationale. Further, we are transparent about our use of non-GAAP measures and provide a detailed explanation regarding how non-GAAP measures have been calculated. For an explanation of non-GAAP measures included in this proxy statement, see page 60 and Annex A. The MP&D Committee considers risk management criteria, but it does so in a holistic manner by considering the facts and circumstances of events, including litigation brought against or by the Company.

Our businesses operate in highly regulated and litigious industries. As disclosed in our quarterly and annual securities filings, we are currently subject to various litigation matters, investigations, audits, inspections, government inquiries, and regulatory and legal proceedings, including the matters described in the PPERS Proposal. The Company or its stockholders.

Theis defending all such matters and we believe that our commitment to compliance mitigates compliance risk and litigation exposure. Our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Board unanimously recommends a vote have established an enterprise-wide culture that promotes the Parker Proposal.importance of compliance. Our compliance program, including our Code of Conduct adopted by the Board of Directors, incorporates the seven elements of an effective program as outlined in the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, and applies broadly to all colleagues, vendors and the Board of Directors.


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Stockholder Proposal  Item 4

CVS Health has made addressing the opioid abuse epidemic a cornerstone of our social responsibility initiatives. We have enhanced the Company’s broad commitment to fighting the national opioid abuse epidemic and are dedicated to helping the communities we serve address and prevent opioid abuse. We have implemented company-wide initiatives supporting safe drug disposal, utilization management of pain medications and funding for treatment and recovery programs. Additional information about these initiatives can be found inside the back cover of this proxy statement, in our 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, available at https://cvshealth.com/social-responsibility/corporate-social-responsibility-csr, and on our opioid response website page, available at http://www.cvshealth.com/OpioidResponse.

Our investments work to ensure clear, safe and effective protocols for opioid prescriber practices, to strengthen and systematize partnerships with specialists and community-based organizations, and to help create safe, non-judgmental environments for all patients. We are not alone in making these kinds of investments and taking positive steps to address the opioid abuse epidemic – many in our industry are doing the same. The opioid abuse epidemic requires these kinds of efforts, along with partnerships with local, state and federal policymakers. A policy like the PPERS Proposal is not an appropriate or effective response to the opioid abuse epidemic facing our country.

In summary, the Board believes the PPERS Proposal is overly broad and would unnecessarily limit the ability of the Board and its MP&D Committee to design and administer the Company’s incentive compensation program. We also believe that the PPERS Proposal is not an appropriate response to the opioid abuse epidemic facing our country. Further, we believe that adoption of the policy requested by the proponent does not serve to enhance a compensation decision-making process that is focused on the long-term performance of CVS Health, taking into account best practices, market competitiveness and our strategic, operational and financial goals and other appropriate factors in the Committee’s judgment. Adoption of the PPERS Proposal would not support these objectives and would not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

The Board unanimously recommends a voteAGAINST the PPERS Proposal.


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Executive Officers and Ownership of and Trading in Our Stock

    Executive Officers of CVS Health

The following sets forth the name, age and biographical information for each of CVS Health’s executive officers as of April 5, 2019. In each case the officer’s term of office extends to the date of the Board meeting following the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company. Previous positions and responsibilities held by each of the executive officers over the past five years or more are indicated below:

OWNERSHIP OF AND TRADING IN OUR STOCKLisa G. Bisaccia, age 62, Executive Vice President of CVS Health since March 2016 and Chief Human Resources Officer of CVS Health since January 2010; Senior Vice President of CVS Health from January 2010 through February 2016. Ms. Bisaccia is also a member of the board of directors of Aramark, a leading global provider of food, facilities and uniform services.

Eva C. Boratto, age 52, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CVS Health since November 2018; Executive Vice President – Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of CVS Health from March 2017 through November 2018; Senior Vice President – Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of CVS Health from July 2013 through February 2017.

Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., age 64, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health since November 2008; Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Aetna from February 2006 through November 2008.

James D. Clark, age 54, Senior Vice President – Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of CVS Health since November 2018; Vice President – Finance and Accounting of CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (CVS Pharmacy) from September 2009 through October 2018.

Joshua M. Flum, age 49, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Strategy and Digital of CVS Health since November 2018; Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development of CVS Pharmacy from June 2016 through October 2018; Executive Vice President – Pharmacy Services of CVS Pharmacy from March 2015 through May 2016; Senior Vice President of Retail Pharmacy of CVS Pharmacy from December 2010 through February 2015. Mr. Flum is a member of the board of directors of CreditRiskMonitor.com, Inc., a company that facilitates the analysis of corporate financial risk, mostly in the context of the extension of trade credit from one business to another.

Kevin P. Hourican, age 45, Executive Vice President of CVS Health and President of CVS Retail since April 2018; Executive Vice President – Retail Pharmacy and Supply Chain of CVS Pharmacy from June 2016 through March 2018; Senior Vice President, Field Operations and Supply Chain of CVS Pharmacy from June 2014 through May 2016; Senior Vice President, Field Operations of CVS Pharmacy from June 2012 through May 2014.

Alan M. Lotvin, M.D., age 57, Executive Vice President — Transformation of CVS Health since June 2018; Executive Vice President – Specialty Pharmacy, CVS Caremark from November 2012 through May 2018.

Karen S. Lynch, age 56, Executive Vice President of CVS Health and President of the Aetna Business Unit since November 2018; President of Aetna from January 2015 to the present; Executive Vice President, Local and Regional Businesses of Aetna from February 2013 through December 2014; Executive Vice President, Head of Specialty Products of Aetna from July 2012 through January 2013. Ms. Lynch is a member of the board of directors of U.S. Bancorp, a banking and financial services company.

Larry J. Merlo, age 63, President and Chief Executive Officer of CVS Health since March 2011; President and Chief Operating Officer of CVS Health from May 2010 through March 2011; President of CVS Pharmacy from January 2007 through August 2011; Executive Vice President of CVS Health from January 2007 through May 2010; also a director of CVS Health since May 2010. See Mr. Merlo’s Director biography on page 15.

Thomas M. Moriarty, age 55, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of CVS Health since October 2012 and Chief Policy and External Affairs Officer since March 2017; Chief Strategy Officer from March 2014 through February 2017.

Derica W. Rice, age 54, Executive Vice President of CVS Health and President of CVS Caremark since March 2018; Executive Vice President of Global Services and Chief Financial Officer of Eli Lilly and Company from May 2006 through December 2017. Mr. Rice was formerly a director of Target Corporation from September 2007 until January 2018, and became a director of The Walt Disney Company in March 2019.

Jonathan C. Roberts, age 63, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CVS Health since March 2017; Executive Vice President of CVS Health and President of CVS Caremark from September 2012 through February 2017; Executive Vice President of CVS Health and Chief Operating Officer of CVS Caremark from October 2010 through August 2011.

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Executive Officers and Ownership of and Trading in Our Stock  Executive Officer and Director Stock Ownership Requirements

 Executive Officer and Director Stock Ownership Requirements

CVS Health has long been mindful of the importance of equity ownership by directors and executive management as an effective link to stockholders and, as such, the Board maintains stock ownership guidelines for all directors, as well as for the officers serving on the Company’s Business Planning Committee (BPC),BPC, and requires that directors and BPC members achieve compliance with the ownership requirements within five years of becoming a director or BPC member. In November 2018, the Management Planning and Development Committee voted to increase the multiples for the CEO and the members of the BPC and also expanded ownership requirements to include minimum ownership levels for all corporate-level executive vice presidents and senior vice presidents. Our named executive officers,Named Executive Officers, who appear in the Summary Compensation Table beginning on page 57,63, must maintain ownership levels as set forth in the table below. Shares included in thecalculationthe calculation to assess compliance with the guidelines include shares owned outright, unvested RSUs, shares held in the Deferred Stock Compensation Plan and shares purchased through our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Unexercised stock options do not count toward satisfying the guidelines. The Board believes that these requirements emphasize the importance of equity ownership for the Board and executive management, which in turn reinforces alignment with stockholder interests. To further reinforce this commitment, the Board annually reviews thethis policy and compliance by directors and executives.

EXECUTIVE NAMEExecutive NameMULTIPLE OF SALARY
REQUIRED
MULTIPLE OF SALARYMultiple of Salary
HELD AS OF MARCH 14, 2017Required
IN COMPLIANCEIn Compliance
Larry J. Merlo5x79x7xYes
David M. DentonEva C. Boratto3x30x4xYes
Helena B. FoulkesJonathan C. Roberts3x11x4xYes
Jonathan C. RobertsDerica W. Rice3x19x4xYes
Thomas M. Moriarty3x9x4xYes
David M. Denton4xYes

All non-employee directors must own a minimum of10,000of 10,000 shares of CVS Health common stock, which is worth approximately $800,000$574,000 based on the March 14, 201721, 2019 closing sale price of $79.89,our common stock of $57.40, or 11approximately 8.2 times the amount of the annual cash retainer ($70,000). Directors must attain this minimum ownership level within five years of being elected to the Board and must retain this minimum ownership level for at least six months after leaving the Board. The current level of stock payinpay in the director’s mix of annual compensation is intended to facilitate the directors’ ability to meet the ownership level within the timeframe. Each of our directors who has served in such capacity for at least five years has timely attained the minimum ownership level. Mmes. DeCoudreauxlevel, as have Messrs. Aguirre, Bertolini, and DeParleLudwig. Ms. Schapiro and Mr. Bracken, each of whom has five years from the date of her or his election to the Board to attain the ownership requirement,Farah are on track to meet this requirement.

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Executive Officers and Ownership of and Trading in Our Stock  Share Ownership of Directors and Certain Executive Officers

OWNERSHIP OF AND TRADING IN OUR STOCK:SHARE OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND CERTAIN EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Share Ownership of Directors and Certain Executive Officers

SHARE OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND CERTAIN EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table shows the share ownership, as of March 14, 2017,21, 2019, of each director, each executive officerNamed Executive Officer appearing in the Summary Compensation Table foundbeginning on page 5763 and all directors and executive officers as a group, based on information provided by these individuals. Each individualbeneficiallyindividual beneficially owns less than 1% of our common stock and, except as described in the footnotes to the table, each person has sole investment and voting power over the shares. None of the shares listed below has been pledged as collateral.

OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK1Ownership of Common Stock1
NAME  NUMBER   PERCENT
NameNumber     Percent
Fernando Aguirre     16,8902 *
Mark T. Bertolini110,0723 *
Eva C. Boratto153,6341,4 *
Richard M. Bracken5,244*11,392*
C. David Brown II139,7311*170,8075 *
Alecia A. DeCoudreaux6,4521*13,7185 *
David M. Denton749,1702 3 4*279,3061,4,6,7 *
Nancy-Ann M. DeParle9,9001*15,8795 *
David W. Dorman89,1421*139,4785 *
Roger N. Farah3,821*
Anne M. Finucane19,7051 5*25,7735,8 *
Helena B. Foulkes326,2232 3 4 6*
Edward J. Ludwig18,4579 *
Larry J. Merlo    2,814,5712 3 4 6 7*2,943,1061,4,6,10,11 *
Jean-Pierre Millon85,7168*91,50412 *
Thomas M. Moriarty269,4222 3 6*382,3851,4,10 *
Derica W. Rice68,9771,4 *
Jonathan C. Roberts677,8462 3 4 6 7*909,6101,4,6,10,11 *
Mary L. Schapiro7,9475 *
Richard J. Swift59,3531*66,1025 *
William C. Weldon14,5821*23,2795 *
Tony L. White21,7099*27,49713 *
All directors and executive officers as a group (22 persons)6,434,6300.61%
All directors and executive officers as a group (28 persons)6,888,1772,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 0.53%
*

Less than 1%.

1Includes the following shares of common stock constituting deferred non-employee director compensation, which do not have current voting rights: Mr. Brown, 48,479; Ms. DeCoudreaux, 6,452; Ms. DeParle, 3,305; Mr. Dorman, 16,456; Ms. Finucane, 2,696; Mr. Swift, 53,595; Mr. Weldon, 12,991; and all non-employee directors as a group, 143,973.
2

Includes the following shares of common stock not currently owned, but subject to options which were outstanding on March 14, 201721, 2019 and were exercisable within 60 days thereafter: Ms. Boratto, 97,544; Mr. Denton, 338,166; Ms. Foulkes, 187,193;172,684; Mr. Merlo, 1,349,031;1,407,003; Mr. Moriarty, 181,078;267,177; Mr. Rice, 29,191; Mr. Roberts, 434,450;602,827; and all executive officers as a group, 3,152,287.3,440,719.

2

Includes a total of 668 shares held by Mr. Aguirre’s spouse and adult children.

3

Includes 100,072 shares held in a Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, for which Mr. Bertolini is the grantor and serves as investment advisor.

4

Includes the following shares of common stock granted under the Company’s 19972010 Incentive Compensation Plan and 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan and, for legacy Aetna employees, the Aetna Inc. 2010 ICPsStock Incentive Plan (together, the Plans), that remain subject to certain restrictions regarding employment and transfer as provided in the ICPs:Plans: Ms. Boratto, 11,278; Mr. Denton, 158,980; Ms. Foulkes, 41,172;104,447; Mr. Merlo, 209,398;127,881; Mr. Moriarty, 39,326;34,270; Mr. Rice, 31,724; Mr. Roberts, 72,456;57,867; and all executive officers as a group, 776,673.589,318.

45

Includes the following shares of common stock constituting deferred non-employee director compensation, which do not have voting rights: Mr. Brown, 59,555; Ms. DeCoudreaux, 10,748; Ms. DeParle, 3,496; Mr. Dorman, 17,176; Ms. Finucane, 5,794; Ms. Schapiro, 7,947; Mr. Swift, 62,844; Mr. Weldon 21,688; and all non-employee directors as a group, 189,248.

6

Includes shares of common stock held by the Trustee of the ESOPCVS Health Future Fund 401(k) Plan that are allocated to the executive officers as follows: Mr. Denton, 1,689; Ms. Foulkes 4,071;1,772; Mr. Merlo, 6,643;6,917; Mr. Roberts, 5,320;5,539; and all executive officers as a group, 18,300.14,829.

57

Excludes stock options, RSUs and restricted shares held in constructive trust for the sole benefit of Mr. Denton’s ex-wife. Mr. Denton has no beneficial ownership of these securities.

8

Includes 17,00919,979 shares held in a family trust.

69

Includes 11,079 shares held in a revocable trust.

10

Includes the following shares of common stock that were receivable upon the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock units or the exercise of options, but the actual receipt of which was deferred pursuant to the Company’s Deferred Stock Compensation Plan, and which do not have current voting rights: Ms. Foulkes, 51,389; Mr. Merlo, 605,988;651,164; Mr. Moriarty, 22,522;42,632; Mr. Roberts, 135,442;208,188; and all executive officers as a group, 867,824.948,148.

711

Includes the following hypothetical shares of common stock held in notional accounts in the Company’s unfunded Deferred Stock Compensation Plan, which do not have current voting rights: Mr. Merlo, 5,140;5,159; Mr. Roberts, 1,4191,424 and all executive officers as a group, 7,026.7,052.

812Includes 85,716

Consists of 91,504 shares held in a family trust.

913

Includes 7 shares held by Mr. White’s wife.


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Executive Officers and Ownership of and Trading in Our Stock  Share Ownership of Principal Stockholders

OWNERSHIP OF AND TRADING IN OUR STOCK:SHARE OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS Share Ownership of Principal Stockholders

SHARE OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

We have been notified by the entities in the following table that each is the beneficial owner (as defined by the rules of the SEC) of more than five percent of our common stock. According to the most recent Schedule 13G filed by theeach of these beneficial owner withtheowners with the SEC, these shares were acquired in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired for the purpose of, and do not have the effect of, changing or influencing control over us.

TITLE OF CLASSNAME AND ADDRESS OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER
NO. OF SHARES
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
1 2
PERCENT OF
CLASS OWNED
1 2
Common StockBlackRock, Inc.1
55 East 52ndStreet
New York, NY 10022
66,417,0576.2%
Common StockThe Vanguard Group, Inc.2
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
74,381,0787.0%
1Title of ClassName and Address of
Beneficial Owner
No. of Shares
Beneficially Owned
Percent of
Class Owned
Common StockBlackRock, Inc.193,814,95817.3%1
55 East 52ndStreet
New York, NY 10055
Common StockThe Vanguard Group, Inc.2109,213,45228.4%2
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
1

Information based on a Schedule 13G/A filed January 23, 2017.February 11, 2019. BlackRock, Inc. (BlackRock) is the parent holding company of a number of subsidiaries that hold CVS Health common stock for the benefit of various investors. BlackRock and/or its subsidiaries have sole voting power with respect to 54,713,96081,862,331 of these shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 66,403,376all of these shares.

2

Information based on a Schedule 13G/A filed February 9, 2017.11, 2019. The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard) directly or through its subsidiaries, holds CVS Health common stock for the benefit of shared various investors. Vanguard and/or its subsidiaries have sole voting power with respect to 1,673,4281,508,097 of these shares, shared voting power with respect to 211,117316,851 of these shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 72,512,905107,420,666 of these shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 1,868,1731,792,786 of these shares.


SECTION Section 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCEBeneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors and any persons who own more than 10% of our common stock (Reporting Persons) to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the SEC. These Reporting Persons are required by SEC regulation to furnish us with copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5that5 that they file with the SEC, though as a practical matter CVS Health assists its directors and executive officers by monitoring transactions and completing and filing such forms on their behalf. Based on a review of forms filed with the SEC and written representations from our Reporting Persons, CVS Health believes that all forms were filed in a timely manner during 2016.2018, except that due to a clerical error one Form 4 for Director Tony White, reporting the award of his annual Board retainer, was inadvertently filed one day late.

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Other Information

   

OTHER INFORMATION

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING Information about the 2019 Annual Meeting and Voting

The Board of Directors of CVS Health is soliciting your proxy to vote at our 20172019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (or at any adjournment of the meeting, referred to as the Meeting or Annual Meeting). This proxy statement summarizes the information you need to know to vote at the Meeting.

We began mailing this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card on or about March 31, 2017April 5, 2019 to all stockholders entitled to vote. CVS Health’s 20162018 Annual Report, which includes our financial statements, is being sent with this proxy statement.

DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING

Date:May 10, 201716, 2019
Time:9:Time:8:00 A.M.a.m. Eastern Time
Place:CVS Health Customer Support Center
(Company Headquarters)
One CVS Drive
Woonsocket, Rhode Island 02895

Stockholders must present a form of personal photo identification in order to be admitted to the Meeting. No cell phones, cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, large bags, briefcases or packages will be permitted in the Meeting.


SHARES ENTITLED TO VOTE

Stockholders entitled to vote are those who owned CVS Health common stock at the close of business on the record date, which is March 14, 2017.21, 2019. As of the record date, there were 1,035,791,1701,298,405,172 shares of common stock outstanding. Each share of CVS Health common stock that you own entitles you to one vote.

We maintain two 401(k) plans for our employees: the CVS Health Future Fund 401(k) Plan and the Aetna 401(k) Plan (each a Plan, and collectively, the Plans). The Bank of New York Mellon presently holds shares of common stock as Trustee under the CVS Health Future Fund 401(k) Plan, and State Street Bank and Trust Company presently holds shares of common stock as Trustee under the Employee Stock Ownership Plan of CVS Health Corporation and Affiliated Companies (ESOP).Aetna 401(k) Plan. Each participant in the ESOPinstructsPlans instructs the Trusteerespective Trustees of the ESOPPlans how to vote his or her shares.

As to shares with respect to which the Trustee receivesTrustees receive no timely voting instructions, the Trustee, pursuant to the ESOP Trust Agreement, votesTrustees vote these shares in the same proportion as it votesthey vote all the shares as to which it hasthey have received timely voting instructions.instructions unless contrary to ERISA. The results of the voting will be held in strict confidence by the Trustee.Trustees. Please note that the cut-off date by which participants of the ESOPPlans must submit their vote to the tabulator in order to be counted is 12:0011:59 p.m. Eastern Time on May 8, 2017.13, 2019.

TYPES OF OWNERSHIP OF OUR STOCK

If your shares are registered in your name with CVS Health’s transfer agent, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.,Equiniti Trust Company, you are the “stockholder of record” of those shares. This proxy statement and any accompanying materials have been provided directly to you by CVS Health.

If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other holder of record, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of those shares, and this proxy statementandstatement and any accompanying documents have been provided to you by your broker, bank or other holder of record, which is your “nominee”. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your nominee how to vote your shares by using the voting instruction card provided by your nominee or by following the nominee’s instructions for voting by telephone or on the Internet.

VOTING

Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote. Stockholders of record may vote by calling a toll-free telephone number, by using the Internet or by mailing your signed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. If you vote by telephone or the Internet, you do NOT need to return your proxy card. Returning the proxy card by mail or voting by telephone or Internet will not affect your right to attend the Annual Meeting and change your vote, if desired.

If you are a beneficial owner, you will receive instructions from your nominee that you must follow in order for your shares to be voted. Many of these institutions offer telephone and Internet voting.

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Other Information  Information about the 2019 Annual Meeting and Voting

The enclosed proxy card indicates the number of shares that you own as of the record date.

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OTHER INFORMATION:INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING

Voting instructions are included on your proxy card. If you properly fill in your proxy card and send it to us in time to vote, or vote by telephone or the Internet, one of the individuals named on your proxy card (your “proxy”) will vote your shares as you have directed. If you sign the proxy card but do not make specific choices, your proxy will follow the Board’s recommendations.

The Board of Directors and the Company’s management have not received notice of, and are not aware of, any business to come before the Meeting other than the agenda items referred to in this proxy statement.

Revoking your proxy cardYour Proxy Card

If you are a stockholder of record, you may revoke your proxy card by:

sending in another signed proxy card with a later date;

providing subsequent telephone or Internet voting instructions;

notifying our Corporate Secretary in writing before the Annual Meeting that you have revoked your proxy card; or

voting in person at the Annual Meeting.


If you are a beneficial owner of shares, you may submit new voting instructions by contacting your nominee.

Voting in personPerson

If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person, we will give you a ballot when you arrive. However, if your shares are held in the name of a nominee, you must bring an account statement or letter from the nominee indicating that you were the beneficial owner of the shares on March 14, 2017,21, 2019, the record date for voting.

Appointing your own proxyYour Own Proxy

If you want to give your proxy to someone other than the individuals named as proxies on the proxy card, you may cross out the names of those individuals and insert the name of the individual you are authorizing to vote. Either you or that authorized individual must present the proxy card at the Annual Meeting to vote.

Proxy solicitationSolicitation

We are soliciting this proxy on behalf of our Board of Directors and will bear the solicitation expenses. We are making this solicitation by mail but we may also solicit by telephone, e-mail or in person. We have hired Morrow Sodali LLC, 470 West Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902, for a fee of $20,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses, to provide customary assistance to us in the solicitation. We will reimburse banks, brokerage houses and other institutions, nominees and fiduciaries, if they so request, for their expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners.

Householding

Under SEC rules, a single set of annual reports and proxy statements may be sent to any household at which two or more of our stockholders reside if they appear to be members of the same family. Each stockholder continues to receive a separate proxy card. This procedure, referred to as “householding,” reduces the volume of duplicate information stockholders receive, conserves natural resources and reduces mailing and printing expenses for the Company. Nominees with accountholders who are stockholders may be householding our proxy materials. As indicated in the notice previously provided by these nominees to our stockholders, a single annual report and proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from an affected stockholder. Once you have received notice from your nominee that it will be householding communications to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate annual report and proxy statement, please notify your nominee so that separate copies may be delivered to you. Beneficial owners who currently receive multiple copies of the annual report and proxy statement at their address who would prefer that their communications be householded should contact their nominee. Stockholders of record who currently receive multiple copies of the annual report and proxy statement at their address who would prefer that their communications be householded, or stockholders of record who are currently participating in householding and would prefer to receive separate copies of our proxy materials, should contact our transfer agent, Wells FargoEQ Shareowner Services, by writing to P.O. Box 64874, St. Paul, MN 55164-0874; by calling toll-free, 877-287-7526; or by e-mailing to stocktransfer@wellsfargo.com.stocktransfer@eq-US.com.

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Other Information  Stockholder Proposals and Other Business for Our Annual Meeting in 2020

QUORUM REQUIREMENT

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid meeting. The presence in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting of holders of shares representing a majority of shares entitled to vote constitutes a quorum. Abstentions and broker “non-votes”are counted as present for establishing a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs on an item when a broker is not permitted to vote on that item absent instruction from the beneficial owner of the shares and no instruction is given.

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OTHER INFORMATION:STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND OTHER BUSINESS FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING IN 2018

VOTE NECESSARY TO APPROVE PROPOSALS

Item 1: Election of directors

Each director is elected by a majority of the votes cast with respect to that director’s election (at a meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present) by the holders of shares of common stock present in person or by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote.

A “majority of votes cast” means that the number of votes “for” a director’s election must exceed 50% of the votes cast with respect to that director’s election. Votes “against” a director’s election will count as a vote cast, but “abstentions” and “broker non-votes” will not count as a vote cast with respect to that director’s election and will have no effect.

Item 4: Frequency of
say-on-pay votes

Approval of the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation requires the favorable vote of the majority of votes cast for one of the three options provided, unless none of the three choices receives a majority, in which case we will consider the choice that receives the greatest number of votes (every one, two or three years) the frequency recommended by our stockholders. Abstentions are counted as shares present or represented and voting and have the effect of a vote against all of the frequencies. Broker non-votes are not counted as shares present or represented and voting and have no effect on the vote.

All other items

For Items 2, 3 5, 6, 7 and 8,4, approval is by affirmative vote (at a meeting at which a quorum is present) of a majority of the votes represented by the shares of common stock present at the meeting in person or by proxy and entitled to vote. Abstentions are counted as shares present or represented and voting and have the effect of a vote against. Broker non-votes are not counted as shares present or represented and voting and have no effect on the vote.


Broker Voting

Under NYSE rules, if the record holder of your shares (usually a nominee) holds your shares in its name, your nominee is permitted to vote your shares on Item 2, Ratification of Auditors,in its discretion, even if it does not receive voting instructions from you. On all other Items, your nominee is not permitted to vote your shares without your instructions and uninstructed shares are considered broker non-votes.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND OTHER BUSINESS FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING IN 2018Stockholder Proposals and Other Business for Our Annual Meeting in 2020

If you want to submit a proposal for possible inclusion in our proxy statement for the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, you must ensure your proposal is received by us on or before December 1, 20176, 2019 and is otherwise in compliance with SEC rules.

Under our proxy access by-law, if a stockholder (or a group of up to 20 stockholders) who has owned at least 3% of our shares for at least three years and has complied with the other requirements set forth in the Company’s by-laws wants us to include director nominees (up to the greater of two nominees or 20% of the Board) in our proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the nominations must be received by our Corporate Secretary and must arrive at the Company in a timely manner, between 120 and 150 days prior to the anniversary of the date our proxy statement was first sent to stockholders in connection with our last annual meeting, which would be no earlier than November 16 and no later than December 1, 2017.6, 2019.

In addition, if a stockholder would like to present business at an annual meeting of stockholders that is not to be included in our proxy statement, the stockholder must provide notice to the Company as provided in its by-laws. Such notice must be addressed to our Corporate Secretary and must arrive at the Company in a timely manner, between 90 and 120 days prior to the anniversary of our last annual meeting, which would be no earlier than January 10February 4 and February 9, 2018.no later than March 6, 2019. Under our by-laws, any stockholder notice for presenting business at a meeting must include, among other things (1) the name and address, as they appear in our books, of the stockholder giving the notice, (2) the class and number of shares that are beneficially owned by the stockholder (including information concerning derivative ownership and other arrangements concerning our stock), (3) a brief description of the business to be brought before the meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and (4) any material interest of the stockholder in such business. See “Selecting Our Director Nominees – Director Nominations”“Stockholder Submission on Nominees” for a description of the information required for director nominations.

OTHER MATTERSOther Matters

We do not know of any matters to be acted upon at the Annual Meeting other than those discussed in this proxy statement. If any other matter is presented, your proxy will vote on the matter in his best judgment.

March 31, 2017

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EXHIBITAnnex A

2017 Incentive Compensation Plan
of
CVS Health Corporation

1.Purpose. The purpose of this 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is to assist CVS Health Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Corporation”), and its subsidiaries, in attracting, retaining and rewarding high-quality executives, employees, and other persons who provide services to the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries, to enable such persons to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in the Corporation in order to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such persons and the Corporation’s stockholders and to provide such persons with short- and long-term performance incentives to expend their maximum efforts in the creation of stockholder value. The Plan is also intended to qualify certain compensation awarded under the Plan for maximum tax deductibility under Code Section 162(m) (as hereafter defined) to the extent deemed appropriate by the Committee (or any successor committee) of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

2.Definitions.For purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth below, in addition to such terms defined in Section 1 hereof:

(a) “Annual Incentive Award” means a conditional right granted to a Participant under Section 9(c) hereof to receive a cash payment, Stock or other Award, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, after the end of a specified fiscal year.

(b) “Award” means any Option, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Stock Appreciation Right, Deferred Stock, Stock granted as a bonus or in lieu of another award, Stock awarded to a director pursuant to Section 8, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award, Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award, together with any other right or interest granted to a Participant under the Plan.

(c) “Beneficiary” means the person, persons, trust or trusts which have been designated by a Participant in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation filed with the Committee to receive the benefits specified under the Plan upon such Participant’s death or to which Awards or other rights are transferred if and to the extent permitted under Section 11(b) hereof. If, upon a Participant’s death, there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary, then the term Beneficiary means person, persons, trust or trusts entitled by will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits.

(d) “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act and any successor to such Rule.

(e) “Board” means the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

(f) “Change in Control” means Change in Control as defined with related terms in Section 10 of the Plan.

(g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, including regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations thereto.

(h) “Committee” means a committee of two or more directors designated by the Board to administer the Plan.

(i) “Constructive Termination Without Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(c)(ii) hereof.

(j) “Covered Employee” means an Eligible Person who is a Covered Employee as specified in Section 9(e) of the Plan.

(k) “Deferred Stock” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(e) hereof, to receive Stock, cash or a combination thereof at the end of a specified deferral period.

(l) “Dividend Equivalent” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(g), to receive cash, Stock, other Awards or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments.

(m) “Eligible Person” means each Executive Officer and other officers and employees of the Corporation or of any subsidiary, including such persons who may also be directors of the Corporation, and any Eligible Director. An employee on leave of absence may be considered as still in the employ of the Corporation or a subsidiary for purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.

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TableThe Company defines Adjusted Earnings per share, or Adjusted EPS, as income before income tax provision (GAAP measure) excluding the impact of Contents

(n) “Eligible Director” means a director of the Corporation who at the relevant time is not, and for the preceding twelve (12) months was not, an employee of the Corporation or its subsidiaries.

(o) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, including rules thereunder and successor provisions and rules thereto.

(p) “Executive Officer” means an executive officer of the Corporation as defined under the Exchange Act.

(q) “Fair Market Value” means the fair market value of Stock, Awards or other property as determined by the Committee or under procedures established by the Committee. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Stock shall be the closing price of a share of Stock, as quoted on the composite transactions table on the New York Stock Exchange, on the date on which the determination of fair market value is being made. In the event the date on which the determination is being made is a date on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed, then the closing price of a share of Stock, as quoted on the composite transactions table on the New York Stock Exchange on the last date prior tocertain adjustments such date on which the New York Stock Exchange was open, shall be used.

(r) “Incentive Stock Option” or “ISO” means any Option intended to be and designated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422 or any successor provision thereto; provided, however, that only an Eligible Person who is an employee within the meaning of Code Section 422 and the regulations thereunder shall be eligible to receive an ISO.

(s) “Option” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(b) hereof, to purchase Stock or other Awards at a specified price during specified time periods.

(t) “Other Stock-Based Awards” means Awards granted to a Participant under Section 6(h) hereof.

(u) “Participant” means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan that remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible Person.

(v) “Performance Award” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 9 hereof, to receive Awards based upon performance criteria specified by the Committee.

(w) “Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, and shall include a “group” as defined in Section 13(d) thereof.

(x) “Plan Limit” means the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued for all purposes under the Plan as set forth is Section 4(a).

(y) “Qualified Member” means a member of the Committee who is a “Non-Employee Director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) and an “outside director” within the meaning of Regulation 1.162-27 under Code Section 162(m).

(z) “Recoupment Policy” means the Recoupment Policy of CVS Health Corporation as amended and restated on May 19, 2016, as it may be amended from time to time.

(aa) “Restricted Stock” means Stock granted to a Participant under Section 6(d) hereof, that is subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.

(bb) “Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean a contractual right granted under Section 6(d) hereof that represents a right to receive the value of a share of Stock upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan and the applicable Award agreement.

(cc) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time and applicable to the Plan and Participants, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(dd) “Stock” means the Corporation’s Common Stock, and such other securities as may be substituted (or resubstituted) for Stock pursuant to Section 11(c) hereof.

(ee) “Stock Appreciation Rights” or “SAR” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c) hereof.

(ff) “Substitute Award” means an Award granted in assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Corporation or with which the Corporation combines.

(gg) “Termination Without Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10(c)(i) hereof.

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3.Administration.

(a)Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, except to the extent the Board elects to administer the Plan, in which case references herein to the “Committee” shall be deemed to include references to the “Board”. The Committee shall have full and final authority, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to select Eligible Persons to become Participants, grant Awards, determine the type, number and other terms and conditions of, and all other matters relating to, Awards, prescribe Award agreements (which need not be identical for each Participant) and rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, construe and interpret the Plan and Award agreements and correct defects, supply omissions or reconcile inconsistencies therein and to make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable for the administrationamortization of the Plan.

(b)Manner of Exercise of Committee Authority. At any time that a member of the Committee is not a Qualified Member, any action of the Committee relating to an Award granted or to be granted to a Participant who is then subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Corporation, or relating to an Award intended by the Committee to qualify as “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m)intangible assets, acquisition-related transaction and regulations thereunder, may be taken either (i) by a subcommittee, designated by the Committee, composed solely of two or more Qualified Members, or (ii) by the Committee butintegration costs, goodwill and long-lived asset impairments, gains/losses on divestitures, net interest expense on financing associated with each such member who is not a Qualified Member abstaining or recusing himself or herself from such action; provided, however, that, upon such abstention or recusal, the Committee remains composed solely of two or more Qualified Members. Such action, authorized by such a subcommittee or by the Committee upon the abstention or recusal of such non-Qualified Member(s), shall be the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan. Any action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Corporation, its subsidiaries, Participants, Beneficiaries, transferees under Section 11(b) hereof or other persons claiming rights from or through a Participant, and stockholders. The express grant of any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may delegate to officers or managers of the Corporation or any subsidiary, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee shall determine, to perform such functions, including administrative functions, as the Committee may determine, to the extent that such delegation will not result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3(d)(1) for Awards granted to Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act in respect of the Corporation and will not cause Awards intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) to fail to so qualify. The Committee may appoint agents to assist it in administering the Plan.

(c)Limitation of Liability. The Committee and each member thereof shall be entitled to rely or act upon in good faith any report or other information furnished to him or her by any executive officer, other officer or employee of the Corporation or a subsidiary, the Corporation’s independent auditors, consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee and any officer or employee of the Corporation or a subsidiary acting at the direction or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Corporation with respect to any such action or determination.

4.Stock Subject to Plan.

(a)Overall Number of Shares Available for Delivery.Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11(c) hereof, the total number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan shall be equal to: (i) twenty-one million (21,000,000); plus (ii) such additional number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Corporation’s 2010 Incentive Compensation Plan, as amended on January 15, 2013 (the “Existing Plan”) that remain available for grant under the Existing Plan immediatelyproposed acquisitions (for periods prior to the Corporation’s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; provided, however, that the total number of shares of Stock with respect to which ISOs may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed three million (3,000,000). Any shares of Stock delivered under the Plan shall consist of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. Following approval of the Plan by the Corporation’s stockholders, the Existing Plan shall be retired and no further awards shall be granted from the Existing Plan; provided, however, that awards previously granted under the Existing Plan shall continue to be governed by the terms of the Existing Plan and any agreements pertaining to those awards.

(b)Application of Limitation to Grants of Awards. No Award may be granted if the number of shares of Stock to be delivered in connection with such Award exceeds the number of shares of Stock remaining available under the Plan after taking into account the number of shares issuable in settlement of Awards or relating to then-outstanding Awards. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Awards settleable only in cash shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock available under the Plan and Stock issued for

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Substitute Awards shall not count against the limits of Section 4(a). Additionally, for purposes of determining the number of shares of Stock that remain available for issuance under the Plan, the number of shares of Stock corresponding to Awards under the Plan that are forfeited or cancelled or otherwise expire for any reason without having been exercised or settled, or that are settled through the issuance of consideration other than shares of Stock (including, without limitation, cash)acquisition), shall be added back to the Plan Limit and again be available for the grant of Awards. The following shares of Stock, however, shall not be available again for grant under the Plan:

(i) shares of Stock not issued or delivered as a result of net settlement of an outstanding Option or SAR;

(ii) shares of Stock delivered or withheld by the Corporation to pay the exercise price of or the withholding taxes with respect to an Award; and

(iii) shares of Stock repurchased with proceeds from the payment of the exercise price of an Option.

The Committee has discretion to adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting, avoid double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute awards) and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an Award.

5.Eligibility;Per-Person Award Limitations. Awards may be granted under the Plan only to Eligible Persons. In each fiscal year during any part of which the Plan is in effect, an Eligible Person may not be granted Awards relating to more than one million (1,000,000) shares of Stock, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11(c), under each of Sections 6(b) through 6(h), 9(b) and 9(c). In addition, the maximum cash amount that may be earned under the Plan as a final Annual Incentive Award or other cash annual Award in respect of any fiscal year by any one Participant shall be ten million dollars ($10,000,000), and the maximum cash amount that may be earned under the Plan as a final Performance Award or other cash Award in respect of a performance period other than an annual period by any one Participant on an annualized basis shall be five million dollars ($5,000,000).

6.Specific Terms of Awards.

(a)General.Awards may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 6, and with respect to directors of the Corporation, in Section 8. In addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof, at the date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 11(e)), such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards in the event of termination of employment of the Participant and terms permitting a Participant to make elections relating to his or her Award. The Committee shall retain full power and discretion to accelerate, waive or modify, at any time, any term or condition of an Award that is not mandatory under the Plan. Except in cases in which the Committee is authorized to require other forms of consideration under the Plan, or to the extent other forms of consideration must be paid to satisfy the requirements of the Delaware General Corporation Law, no consideration other than services may be required for the grant of any Award.

(b)Options.The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

(i)Exercise Price.The exercise price per share of Stock purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee, provided that such exercise price shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of such Option except as provided under the first sentence of Section 7(a) hereof.

(ii)Time and Method of Exercise.The Committee shall determine the time or times at which or the circumstances under which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid, the form of such payment, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the Corporation or any subsidiary, or other property, and the methods by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants.

(iii)ISOs.The terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects with the provisions of CodeSection 422. Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no term of the Plan relating to ISOs shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to disqualify either the Plan or any ISO under Code Section 422, unless the Participant has first requested the change that will result in such disqualification.

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(c)Stock Appreciation Rights.The Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

(i)Right to Payment.A SAR shall confer on the Participant to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock on the date of exercise over (B) the grant price of the SAR as determined by the Committee.

(ii)Other Terms.The Committee shall determine at the date of grant or thereafter, the time or times at which and the circumstances under which a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which Stock will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants, whether or not a SAR shall be in tandem or in combination with any other Award and any other terms and conditions of any SAR. The exercise price of a SAR shall be determineditems specifically identified herein, divided by the Committee, provided that such exercise price shall be not less thanCompany’s weighted average diluted shares outstanding. Adjusted EPS for the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of such SAR. SARs may be either freestanding or in tandem with other Awards.

(d)Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.The Committeeyear ended December 31, 2018 is authorized to grant Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units to Participants on the following terms and conditions:

(i) Grant and Restrictions.Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any,calculated utilizing weighted average diluted shares outstanding, which includes 3 million potential common shares, as the Committee may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievementimpact of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise,the potential common shares was dilutive. The potential common shares were excluded from the calculation of GAAP loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2018, as the Committee may determine at the date of grant or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted under the terms of the Plan and any Award agreement relating to the Restricted Stock, a Participant granted Restricted Stock shallshares would have all of the rights of a stockholder, including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and the right to receive dividends thereon, provided that dividends shall accrue and be paid only upon vesting, and may be subject to any mandatory reinvestment or any other requirement that may imposed by the Committee. During the restricted period applicable to the Restricted Stock, subject to Section 11(b) below, the Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise encumbered by the Participant. Restricted Stock Units may be settled in Stock, cash equal to the Fair Market Value of the specified number of shares of Stock covered by the Units, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee at the date of grant or thereafter.

(ii) Forfeiture.Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon termination of employment during the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units that are at that time subject to restrictions shall be forfeited, provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.

(iii) Certificates for Stock.Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock are registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require that such certificates bearhad an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, that the Corporation retain physical possession of the certificates and that the Participant deliver a stock power to the Corporation, endorsed in blank, relating to the Restricted Stock.

(iv) Dividends and Splits.As a condition to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may require that any cash dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock be automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock or applied to the purchase of additional Awards under the Plan, or shall require vesting of an Award prior to payment of accrued cash dividends. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or Stock dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject to restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Stock or other property has been distributed. The Committee shall determine and specify in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement theanti-dilutive effect if any, of dividends paid on Stock during the period such Award is outstanding.

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(e)Deferred Stock.The Committee is authorized to grant Deferred Stock to Participants, which are rights to receive Stock, cash, or a combination thereof at the end of a specified deferral period, subject to the following terms and conditions:

(i)Award and Restrictions.Satisfaction of an Award of Deferred Stock shall occur upon expiration of the deferral period specified for such Deferred Stock by the Committee (or, if permitted by the Committee, as elected by the Participant). In addition, Deferred Stock shall be subject to such restrictions (which may include a risk of forfeiture) as the Committee may impose, if any, which restrictions may lapse at the expiration of the deferral period or at earlier specified times (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), separately or in combination, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may determine. Deferred Stock may be satisfied by delivery of Stock, cash equal to the Fair Market Value of the specified number of shares of Stock covered by the Deferred Stock, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Committee at the date of grant or thereafter.

(ii)Forfeiture.Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon termination of employment during the applicable deferral period or portion thereof to which forfeiture conditions apply (as provided in the Award agreement evidencing the Deferred Stock), all Deferred Stock that is at that time subject to deferral (other than a deferral at the election of the Participant) shall be forfeited; provided that the Committee may provide, by rule or regulation or in any Award agreement, or may determine in any individual case, that restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating to Deferred Stock shall be waived in whole or in part in the event of terminations resulting from specified causes, and the Committee may in other cases waive in whole or in part the forfeiture of Deferred Stock.

(iii)Dividend Equivalents.Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at date of grant, Dividend Equivalents on the specified number of shares of Stock covered by an Award of Deferred Stock shall be either (A) paid with respect to such Deferred Stock at the dividend payment date in cash or in shares of unrestricted Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such dividends, or (B) deferred with respect to such Deferred Stock and the amount or value thereof automatically deemed reinvested in additional Deferred Stock, other Awards or other investment vehicles, as the Committee shall determine or permit the Participant to elect.

(f)Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Obligations.The Committee is authorized to grant Stock as a bonus, or to grant Stock or other Awards in lieu of obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under the Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, provided that, in the case of Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the amount of such grants remains within the discretion of the Committee to the extent necessary to ensure that acquisitions of Stock or other Awards are exempt from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. Stock or Awards granted hereunder shall be subject to such other terms as shall be determined by the Committee. In the case of any grant of Stock to an officer of the Corporation in lieu of salary or other cash compensation, the number of shares granted in place of such compensation shall be reasonable, as determined by the Committee.

(g)Dividend Equivalents. Except with respect to Options and SARs, which shall not be eligible for Dividend Equivalents, the Committee is authorized to grant Dividend Equivalents to a Participant, entitling the Participant to receive cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividends paid with respect to a specified number of shares of Stock, or other periodic payments. The Committee shall provide that Dividend Equivalents either shall accrue and be paid or distributed upon the vesting of an Award or shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Stock, Awards, or other investment vehicles and subject to such restrictions on transferability and risks of forfeiture as the Committee may specify.

(h)Other Stock-Based or Cash Awards. The Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law, to grant to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase rights for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Corporation or any other factors designated by the Committee and Awards valued by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified subsidiaries. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Stock delivered pursuant to an Award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(h) shall be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property, as the Committee shall determine. Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other Award under the Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Section 6(h).

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7.Certain Provisions Applicable to Awards.

(a)Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem and Substitute Awards.Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted at any time, either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, any other Award or any award granted under another plan of the Corporation, any subsidiary, or any business entity to be acquired by the Corporation or a subsidiary, or any other right of a Participant to receive payment from the Corporation or any subsidiary, but if an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award or award, the Committee shall require the surrender of such other Award or award in consideration for the grant of the new Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash amounts payable under other plans of the Corporation or any subsidiary, in which the value of Stock subject to the Award (for example, Deferred Stock or Restricted Stock) is equivalent in value to the cash compensation, provided, however, that any such Award that is an Option or SAR shall have an exercise price that is at least one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of such Option or SAR. Notwithstanding the foregoing language of this Section 7(a), no outstanding Option or SAR may be amended to decrease the exercise price except in accordance with Section 11(c), and no outstanding Option or SAR may be surrendered in exchange for another Award or for cash.

(b)Term of Awards.The term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee; provided that in no event shall the term of any Option or SAR exceed a period of ten (10) years (or such shorter term as may be required in respect of an ISO under Code Section 422).

(c)Form and Timing of Payment under Awards; Deferrals.Subject to the terms of the Plan, including but not limited to Section 11(l), and any applicable Award agreement, (i) payments to be made by the Corporation or a subsidiary upon the exercise of an Option or other Award or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis, (ii) the settlement of any Award may be accelerated, and cash paid in lieu of Stock in connection with such settlement, in the discretion of the Committee or upon occurrence of one or more specified events (in addition to a Change in Control), (iii) installment or deferred payments may be required by the Committee (subject to Section 11(e) of the Plan, including the consent provisions thereof in the case of any deferral of an outstanding Award not provided for in the original Award agreement) or permitted at the election of the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee, and (iv) payments may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment or deferred payments denominated in Stock.

(d)Exemptions from Section 16(b) Liability.It is the intent of the Corporation that the grant of any Awards to or other transaction by a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be exempt under Rule 16b-3 (except for transactions acknowledged in writing to be non-exempt by such Participant). Accordingly, if any provision of this Plan or any Award agreement does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 as then applicable to any such transaction, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 so that such Participant shall avoid liability under Section 16(b).

(e)Cancellation and Rescission of Awards.Unless the Award agreement specifies otherwise, the Committee may cancel any unexpired, unpaid, or deferred Awards at any time, and the Corporation shall have the additional rights set forth in Section 7(e)(iv) below, if the Participant is not in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Award agreement and the Plan including the following conditions:

(i) While employed by the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries, a Participant shall not render services for any organization or engage directly or indirectly in any business that, in the judgment of the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation or other senior officer designated by the Committee, is or becomes competitive with the Corporation.

(ii) A Participant shall not, without prior written authorization from the Corporation, disclose to anyone outside the Corporation, or use in other than the Corporation’s business, any confidential information or material relating to the business of the Corporation that is acquired by the Participant either during or after employment with the Corporation.

(iii) A Participant shall disclose promptly and assign to the Corporation all right, title, and interest in any invention or idea, patentable or not, made or conceived by the Participant during employment by the Corporation, relating in any manner to the actual or anticipated business, research or development work of the Corporation and shall do anything reasonably necessary to enable the Corporation to secure a patent where appropriate in the United States and in foreign countries.

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(iv) (A) Upon exercise, settlement, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award, the Participant shall certify on a form acceptable to the Committee that he or she is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Plan. Failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 7(e) prior to, or during the six (6) months after, any exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award shall cause such exercise, payment or delivery to be rescinded. The Corporation shall notify the Participant in writing of any such rescission within two (2) years after such exercise, payment or delivery. Within ten (10) days after receiving such a notice from the Corporation, the Participant shall pay to the Corporation the amount of any gain realized or payment received as a result of the rescinded exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award. Such payment shall be made either in cash or by returning to the Corporation the number of shares of Stock that the Participant received in connection with the rescinded exercise, payment or delivery.

(B) To the extent determined by the Committee, all Awards shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Corporation’s Recoupment Policy as it exists from time to time.

(f)Limitation of Vesting of Certain Awards.Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock, Dividend Equivalents and Other Stock-Based Awards, as described in Sections 6(b), 6(c), 6(d), 6(e), 6(g) and 6(h) of the Plan, respectively, granted to employees, and Awards granted to directors as described in Section 8 of the Plan, will vest over a minimum period of three (3) years, exceptGAAP net loss incurred in the event of a Participant’s death or disability, or inperiod. Management believes that this non-GAAP measure enhances investors’ ability to compare the event of a Change in Control and (i) Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock, Dividend Equivalents and Other Stock-Based Awards as to which either the grant or the vesting is based on the achievement of one or moreCompany’s past financial performance conditions will vest over a minimum period of one (1) year except in the event of a Participant’s death or disability, or in the event of a Change in Control, and (ii) up to five percent (5%) of the shares of Stock authorized under the Plan may be granted as Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock, Dividend Equivalents or Other Stock-Based Awards without any minimum vesting requirements. For purposes of this Section 7(f), vesting over a three (3)-year period will include periodic vesting over such period if the rate of such vesting is proportional throughout such period and in no event shall Awards subject to a minimum vesting period vest any earlier than one (1) year from the date of grant.

8.Special Rules for Directors.

(a)Awards; Per-Director Award Limitation.Eligible Directors may receive Awards, including without limitation Awards in respect of their annual retainer and any additional retainers for chairing the board or a committee of the board, or serving as lead independent director.with its current performance.

The maximum numberfollowing is a reconciliation of sharesincome before income tax provision to adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to CVS Health and a calculation of Stock subject to Awards granted under the Plan during any one fiscal year to any one Eligible Director, taken together with any cash fees paid or Stock otherwise granted by the Company to such Eligible Director during such fiscal year for service as a non-employee director, will not exceed the following in total value (calculating the value of any such Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards for financial reporting purposes): (i) five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for each Eligible Director, and (ii) an additional five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000)Adjusted EPS for the Eligible Director designated as independent chairman of the board or as lead independent director, in each such case including the value of any Awards in Stock that are received in lieu of all or a portion of any annual board chair, committee chair, or lead independent director cash retainers or similar cash-based payments and excluding, for this purpose, the value of any dividend equivalent payments paid pursuant to any Awards granted in a previous year.year ended December 31, 2018:

(b)Deferral of Shares by Directors. Each Eligible Director may elect to defer the receipt of shares otherwise currently payable to such Eligible Director under Section 8(a) of this Plan until such Eligible Director terminates service as a director or such other date or event as permitted under rules established by the Board and uniformly applied. In that event, such Eligible Director shall be granted an award of share credits equal to the number of shares of Stock elected to be deferred, including fractional share credits to not less than three decimal places.

(c)Settlement.As soon as practicable after an Eligible Director has ceased being a Director of the Corporation or such other date or event elected by an Eligible Director under Section 8(b), all awards shall be paid to the Eligible Director or, in the case of the death of the Eligible Director, the Eligible Director’s designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, or in the absence of a designated beneficiary, to the estate of the Eligible Director, in a single payment or installments as elected by the Eligible Director.

(d)Dividend Equivalents.

(i) In addition to the payment provided for in Section 8(c), each Eligible Director (or beneficiary) entitled to payment under this Section 8(d) shall receive at the same time the dividend equivalent amounts calculated under subsection (ii) below.

2018
In millions, except per share amounts     
Income before income tax provision (GAAP measure)$1,406
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Amortization of intangible assets1,006
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs1492
Goodwill impairments26,149
Impairment of long-lived assets343
Loss on divestiture of subsidiary486
Net interest expense on financing for the acquisition of Aetna5894
Adjusted income before income tax provision10,076
Adjusted income tax provision62,660
Adjusted income from continuing operations7,416
Loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests2
Adjusted income allocable to participating securities(12)
Adjusted income from continuing operations attributable to CVS Health$7,406
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding71,047
Adjusted EPS$7.08

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1
Acquisition-related transaction and integration costs relate to the acquisitions of Aetna and Omnicare.
2

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The goodwill impairments relate to the LTC reporting unit within the Retail/LTC segment.
3The impairment of long-lived assets primarily relates to the impairment of property and equipment within the Retail/LTC segment.
4The loss on divestiture of subsidiary represents the pre-tax loss on the sale of the Company’s RxCrossroads subsidiary for $725 million on January 2, 2018.
5Interest expense of $1.4 billion related to (i) bridge financing costs, (ii) interest expense on the $40 billion of 2018 Senior Notes and (iii) the  $5 billion term loan facility. The interest expense was reduced by related interest income of $536 million earned on the proceeds of the 2018 Senior Notes.
6The Company computes its adjusted income tax provision after taking into account items excluded from adjusted income before income tax provision. The nature of each non-GAAP adjustment is evaluated to determine whether a discrete adjustment should be made to the adjusted income tax provision.
7Adjusted earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2018 is calculated utilizing weighted average diluted shares outstanding, which includes 3 million potential common shares, as the impact of the potential common shares was dilutive. The potential common shares were excluded from the calculation of GAAP loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2018, as the shares would have had an anti-dilutive effect as a result of the GAAP net loss incurred in the period.

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(ii) The dividend equivalent amount is the number of additional share credits attributable to the number of share credits originally granted plus additional share credits previously calculated hereunder. Such additional share credits shall be determined and credited as of each dividend payment date by dividing the aggregate cash dividends that would have been paid had share credits awarded or credited (but not yet paid) under this Section 8(d), as the case may be, been actual shares of Stock on the record date for such dividend by the Fair Market Value of Stock on the dividend payment date. Fractional share credits shall be calculated to not less than three decimal places.

(e) Payment; Fractional Shares.Payments pursuant to Sections 8(c) and 8(d) above shall be made in shares of Stock, except that there shall be paid in cash the value of any fractional share.

9.Performance and Annual Incentive Awards.

(a)CVS Health Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report HighlightsPerformance Conditions.The right

At CVS Health, we have long been focused on improving not only the health of a Participant to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Award,our patients and consumers, but the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions and may exercise its discretion to reduce or increase the amounts payable under any Award subject to performance conditions, except as limited under Sections 9(b) and 9(c) hereof in the case of a Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m).

(b)Performance Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees.If the Committee determines that a Performance Award to be granted to an Eligible Person who is designated by the Committee as likely to be a Covered Employee should qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Award shall be contingent upon achievement of pre-established performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 9(b).

(i)Performance Goals Generally.The performance goals for such Performance Awards shall consist of one or more business criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance with respect to each of such criteria, as specified by the Committee consistent with this Section 9(b). Performance goals shall be objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder (including Regulation 1.162-27 and successor regulations thereto), including the requirement that the level or levels of performance targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of performance goals being “substantially uncertain.” The Committee may determine that such Performance Awards shall be granted, exercised and/or settled upon achievement of any one performance goal or that two or more of the performance goals must be achieved as a condition to grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Awards. Performance goals may differ for Performance Awards granted to any one Participant or to different Participants.

(ii)Business Criteria.One or more of the following business criteria for the Corporation, on a consolidated basis, and/or for specified subsidiaries or business units of the Corporation (except with respect to the total stockholder return and earnings per share criteria), shall be used by the Committee in establishing performance goals for such Performance Awards: (1) earnings per share; (2) revenues; (3) cash flow; (4) cash flow return on investment; (5) return on net assets, return on assets, return on investment, return on capital, return on equity; (6) economic value added; (7) operating margin; (8) Common Knowledge Retail Customer Service score or a similar customer service measurement as measured by a third-party administrator; (9) Pharmacy Benefit Services Customer Satisfaction score; (10) net income; pretax earnings; pretax earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization; pretax operating earnings after interest expense and before incentives, service fees and extraordinary or special items; operating earnings; (11) total stockholder return; or (12) any of the above goals as compared to the performance of a published or special index deemed applicable by the Committee including, but not limited to, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index or a group of comparator companies. One or more of the foregoing business criteria shall also be exclusively used in establishing performance goals for Annual Incentive Awards granted to a Covered Employee under Section 9(c) hereof.

(iii)Performance Period; Timing for Establishing Performance Goals.Achievement of performance goals in respect of such Performance Awards shall be measured over a performance period of at least one (1) year and up to ten (10) years, as specified by the Committee. Performance goals shall be established not later than ninety (90) days after the beginning of any performance period applicable to such Performance Awards, or at such other date as may be required or permitted for “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m).

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(iv)Performance Award Pool.The Committee may establish a Performance Award pool, which shall be an unfunded pool, for purposes of measuring performance of the Corporation in connection with Performance Awards. The amount of such Performance Award pool shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 9(b)(ii) hereof during the given performance period, as specified by the Committee in accordance with Section 9(b)(iii) hereof. The Committee may specify the amount of the Performance Award pool as a percentage of any of such business criteria, a percentage thereof in excess of a threshold amount, or as another amount that need not bear a strictly mathematical relationship to such business criteria. The maximum amount payable to any Participant shall be a stated percentage of the pool; provided the sum of such percentages shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) and the payment does not exceed the per-person award limit set forth in Section 5.

(v)Settlement of Performance Awards; Other Terms.Settlement of such Performance Awards shall be in cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, at the discretion of the Committee. The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce the amount of a settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Performance Awards, but may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount payable to a Covered Employee in respect of a Performance Award subject to this Section 9(b). The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance Awards shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment of the Participant prior to the end of a performance period or settlement of Performance Awards.

(c)Annual Incentive Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees.If the Committee determines that an Annual Incentive Award to be granted to an Eligible Person who is designated by the Committee as likely to be a Covered Employee should qualify as “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Annual Incentive Award shall be contingent upon achievement of pre-established performance goals and other terms set forth in this Section 9(c).

(i)Annual Incentive Award Pool.The Committee may establish an Annual Incentive Award pool, which shall be an unfunded pool, for purposes of measuring performance of the Corporation in connection with Annual Incentive Awards. The amount of such Annual Incentive Award pool shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 9(b)(ii) hereof during the given performance period, as specified by the Committee in accordance with Section 9(b)(iii) hereof. The Committee may specify the amount of the Annual Incentive Award pool as a percentage of any of such business criteria, a percentage thereof in excess of a threshold amount, or as another amount that need not bear a strictly mathematical relationship to such business criteria. The maximum amount payable to any Participant shall be a stated percentage of the pool; provided the sum of such percentages shall not exceed one hundred percent (100%) and the payment does not exceed the per-person award limit set forth in Section 5.

(ii)Potential Annual Incentive Awards.Not later than the end of the ninetieth (90th) day of each fiscal year, or at such other date as may be required or permitted in the case of Awards intended to be “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m), the Committee shall determine the Eligible Persons who will potentially receive Annual Incentive Awards, and the amounts potentially payable thereunder, for that fiscal year, either out of an Annual Incentive Award pool established by such date under Section 9(c)(i) hereof or as individual Annual Incentive Awards. In the case of individual Annual Incentive Awards intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), the amount potentially payable shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section 9(b)(ii) hereof in the given performance year, as specified by the Committee; in other cases, such amount shall be based on such criteria as shall be established by the Committee. In all cases, the maximum Annual Incentive Award of any Participant shall be subject to the limitation set forth in Section 5 hereof.

(iii)Payout of Annual Incentive Awards.After the end of each fiscal year, the Committee shall determine the amount, if any, of (A) the Annual Incentive Award pool, and the maximum amount of potential Annual Incentive Award payable to each Participant in the Annual Incentive Award pool, or (B) the amount of potential Annual Incentive Award otherwise payable to each Participant. The Committee may, in its discretion, determine that the amount payable to any Participant as a final Annual Incentive Award shall be increased or reduced from the amount of his or her potential Annual Incentive Award, including a determination to make no final Award whatsoever, but may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount in the case of an Annual Incentive Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m). The Committee shall specify the circumstances in which an Annual Incentive Award shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment by the Participant prior to the end of a fiscal year or settlement of such Annual Incentive Award.

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(d)Written Determinations. All determinations by the Committee as to the establishment of performance goals, the amount of any Performance Award pool or potential individual Performance Awards and as to the achievement of performance goals relating to Performance Awards under Section 9(b), and the amount of any Annual Incentive Award pool or potential individual Annual Incentive Awards and the amount of final Annual Incentive Awards under Section 9(c), shall be made in writing in the case of any Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m). The Committee may not delegate any responsibility relating to such Performance Awards or Annual Incentive Awards.

(e)Status of Section 9(b) and Section 9(c) Awards under Code Section 162(m). It is the intent of the Corporation that Performance Awards and Annual Incentive Awards under Sections 9(b) and 9(c) hereof granted to persons who are designated by the Committee as likely to be Covered Employees within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder (including Regulation 1.162-27 and successor regulations thereto) shall, if so designated by the Committee, constitute “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder. Accordingly, the terms of Sections 9(b) through (e), including the definitions of Covered Employee and other terms used therein, shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder. The foregoing notwithstanding, because the Committee cannot determine with certainty whether a given Participant will be a Covered Employee with respect to a fiscal year that has not yet been completed, the term Covered Employee as used herein shall mean only a person designated by the Committee, at the time of grant of Performance Awards or an Annual Incentive Award, as likely to be a Covered Employee with respect to that fiscal year. If any provision of the Plan as in effect on the date of adoption or any agreements relating to Performance Awards or Annual Incentive Awards that are designated as intended to comply with Code Section 162(m) does not comply or is inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) or regulations thereunder, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such requirements.

10.Change in Control.

(a)Effect of “Change in Control”.In the event that a Participant experiences a Termination Without Cause or a Constructive Termination Without Cause within two (2) years following a “Change in Control,” the following provisions shall apply unless otherwise provided in the Award agreement:

(i) Within two (2) years of a Change in Control, any Award carrying a right to exercise that was not previously exercisable and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested upon a Termination Without Cause or a Constructive Termination Without Cause and shall remain exercisable and vested for the balance of the stated term of such Award without regard to any termination of employment by the Participant, subject only to applicable restrictions set forth in Section 11(a) hereof;

(ii) Within two (2) years of a Change in Control, the restrictions, deferral of settlement and forfeiture conditions applicable to any other Award granted under the Plan shall lapse and such Awards shall be deemed fully vested upon a Termination Without Cause or a Constructive Termination Without Cause, except to the extent of any waiver by the Participant and subject to applicable restrictions set forth in Section 11(a) hereof; and

(iii) With respect to any outstanding Award subject to achievement of performance goals and conditions under the Plan, such performance goals and other conditions will be deemed to be met at actual performance or prorated as of the date of termination.

(b)Definition of “Change in Control”.A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if:

(i) any Person (other than (w) the Corporation, (x) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Corporation, (y) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Corporation immediately after the occurrence with respect to which the evaluation is being made in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the common stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such occurrence, or (z) any surviving or resulting entity from a merger or consolidation referred to in clause (iii) below that does not constitute a Change in Control under clause (iii) below) becomes the Beneficial Owner (except that a Person shall be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of all shares that any such Person has the right to acquire pursuant to any agreement or arrangement or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options or otherwise, without regard to the sixty (60) day period referred to in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), as directly or indirectly, of securities of the Corporation or of any subsidiary owning directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Corporation (a “Significant Subsidiary”), representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s or such Significant Subsidiary’s then outstanding securities;

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(ii) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Corporation’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the twelve (12)-month period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;

(iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any Significant Subsidiary with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Corporation or a Significant Subsidiary outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving or resulting entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the surviving or resulting entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or

(iv) the consummation of a transaction (or series of transactions within a twelve (12)-month period) which constitutes the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Corporation but in no event assets having a gross fair market value of less than forty percent (40%) of the total gross fair market valuehealth of all of the consolidated assets of the Corporation (othercommunities we serve. Our CSR strategy ensures we put our businesses and resources to work – not just at a global or national level, but in tangible ways that make a difference in our communities and people’s lives. There is no more pressing issue than such a sale or disposition immediately after which such assets will be owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the common stock of the Corporation immediately prior to such sale or disposition.

(c)Definition of “Termination Without Cause” and “Constructive Termination Without Cause”.

(i) “Termination Without Cause” shall mean the involuntary termination of a Participant’s employment by the Corporation or a subsidiary without Cause.

(ii) “Constructive Termination Without Cause” shall mean the Participant’s termination of his or her employment following the occurrence, without the Participant’s written consent, of one or more of (A) an assignment of any duties to the Participant thatfixing what is materially inconsistent with Participant’s position, (B) a material decrease in Participant’s annual base salary or target annual incentive award opportunity, or (C) a relocation of Participant’s principal place of employment more than thirty-five (35) miles from Participant’s place of employment before such relocation. In all cases, no Constructive Termination Without Cause shall be deemed to have occurred if any such event occurs as a result of a prior termination. In addition, no Constructive Termination Without Cause shall be deemed to have occurred unless the Participant provides written notice to the Corporation that any such event has occurred, which notice identifies the event and is provided within thirty (30) days of the initial occurrence of such event, a cure period of forty-five (45) days following the Corporation’s receipt of such notice expires and the Corporation has not cured such event within such cure period, and the Participant actually terminates his/her employment within thirty (30) days of the expiration of the cure period.

(iii) “Cause” shall be deemed to occur if the Participant (A) willfully and materially breaches any of his or her obligations to the Corporation with respect to confidentiality, cooperation with regard to litigation, non-disparagement and non-solicitation; (B) is convicted of a felony involving moral turpitude; or (C) engages in conduct that constitutes willful gross neglect or willful gross misconduct in carrying out Participant’s duties to the Corporation, resulting, in either case, in material harm to the financial condition or reputation of the Corporation.

11.General Provisions.

(a)Compliance with Legal and Other Requirements.The Corporation may, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee, postpone the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of other benefits under any Award until completion of such registration or qualification of such Stock or other required action under any federal or state law, rule or regulation, listing or other required action with respect to any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon which the Stock or other securities of the Corporation are listed or quoted, or compliance with any other obligation of the Corporation, as the Committee may consider appropriate, and may require any Participant to make such representations, furnish such information and comply with or be subject to such other conditions as it may consider appropriate in connectionbroken with the issuance or deliveryU.S. health care system, and CVS Health is positioned to lead the change. We welcome the opportunity to work with our partners, stockholders and other stakeholders. Together, we will deliver better health, all toward better communities and a better world.


Larry J. Merlo
President and CEO

Our CSR Strategy

Better Health, Better Community, Better World.
At CVS Health, we share a single, clear purpose: helping people on their path to better health. Whether in our pharmacies or through our pharmacy and health services and plans, we are pioneering a bold new approach to total health - making quality care more affordable, accessible, simple and seamless. As we integrate Aetna into our enterprise, our innovative new business model will allow us to bring real, meaningful change to the marketplace.

In 2018, we took the opportunity to reframe our CSR strategy to be more inclusive of our broader enterprise and maximize our impact. Our refreshed CSR framework, Better Health, Better Community, Better World, conveys our mission to leverage our scale, expertise and innovative spirit in ways that positively impact all of our stakeholders. It charts our course for the future and focuses in the three key areas:


Building Healthier Communities
Making community health and wellness central to our charge for a better world
To ensure we are accountable in delivering our strategy, we track our progress against 23 measurable, multi-year performance targets. We continue to work with internal and external stakeholders to deliver on these commitments, identify new opportunities to strengthen our performance, and increase transparency.

Leading & Inspiring Growth
Leveraging the power and scale of our business to create economic opportunities and value for employees, customers, suppliers and investors

Protecting Our Planet
Ensuring environmental sustainability is embedded in our approach to business operations and product development
To read our full 2018 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, please visit www.CVSHealth.com/CSR.


Table of Stock or payment of other benefits in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, listing requirements, or other obligations. The foregoing notwithstanding, in connection with a Change in Control, the Corporation shall take or cause to be taken no action, and shall undertake or permit to arise no legal or contractual obligation, that results or would result in any postponement of the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of benefits under any Award or the imposition of any other conditions on such issuance, delivery or payment, to the extent that such postponement or other condition would represent a greater burden on a Participant than existed on the ninetieth (90th) day preceding the Change in Control.Contents

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(b)Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries.No Award or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan shall be pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or subject to any lien, obligation or liability of such Participant to any party (other than the Corporation or a subsidiary), or assigned or transferred by such Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution or to a Beneficiary upon the death of a Participant, and such Awards or rights that may be exercisable shall be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative, except that Awards and other rights (other than ISOs in tandem therewith) may be transferred (without receipt of value from the transferee) to one or more Beneficiaries, family members or other permitted transferees designated by the Committee during the lifetime of the Participant, and may be exercised by such transferees in accordance with the terms of such Award, but only if and to the extent such transfers are permitted by the Committee pursuant to the express terms of an Award agreement (subject to any terms and conditions which the Committee may impose thereon). A Beneficiary, transferee, or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and to any additional terms and conditions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.2018 CSR Achievements

(c)Adjustments.In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Stock, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, share exchange, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Stock such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and kind of shares of Stock which may be delivered in connection with Awards granted thereafter, (ii) the number and kind of shares of Stock by which annual per-person Award limitations are measured under Section 5 hereof, (iii) the number and kind of shares of Stock subject to or deliverable in respect of outstanding Awards, and (iv) the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any Award and/or make provision for payment of cash or other property in respect of any outstanding Award. In addition, the Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards (including Performance Awards and performance goals, and Annual Incentive Awards and any Annual Incentive Award pool or performance goals relating thereto) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in the preceding sentence, as well as acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets) affecting the Corporation, any subsidiary or any business unit, or the financial statements of the Corporation or any subsidiary, or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, accounting principles, tax rates and regulations or business conditions or in view of the Committee’s assessment of the business strategy of the Corporation, any subsidiary or business unit thereof, performance of comparable organizations, economic and business conditions, personal performance of a Participant, and any other circumstances deemed relevant; provided that no such adjustment shall be authorized or made if and to the extent that such authority or the making of such adjustment would cause Performance Awards granted under Section 9(b) hereof or Annual Incentive Awards granted under Section 9(c) hereof to Participants designated by the Committee as Covered Employees and intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder to otherwise fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder.

(d)Taxes.The Corporation and any subsidiary is authorized to withhold from any Award granted, any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution of Stock, or any payroll or other payment to a Participant, amounts of withholding and other taxes required to be withheld by the applicable employment tax rules in connection with any transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Corporation to satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes relating to any Award. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee shall be entitled to deduct and withhold additional amounts so long as such additional deductions would not cause an Award classified as equity under applicable accounting principles and standards to be classified as a liability award under such principles and standards. The Committee’s authority shall also include authority to withhold or receive Stock or other property and to make cash payments in respect thereof in satisfaction of such withholding tax obligations.

(e)Changes to the Plan and Awards.The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards under the Plan without the consent of stockholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration to the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Corporation’s stockholders not later than the annual meeting next following such Board action if such stockholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the Stock may then be listed or quoted, or if the amendment increases the number of shares of Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Awards, materially modifies the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan, or materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants, and the Board may otherwise, in its discretion, determine to submit other such changes to the Plan to stockholders for approval;

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provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Board action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under any previously granted and outstanding Award, except to the extent the Committee considers such amendment necessary or advisable to comply with any law, regulation, ruling, judicial decision, accounting standards, regulatory guidance or other legal requirement. Subject to the provisions of Section 7(a) the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any Award theretofore granted and any Award agreement relating thereto, except as otherwise provided in the Plan; provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such Committee action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant under such Award.

(f)Limitation on Rights Conferred under Plan.Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible Person or Participant or in the employ or service of the Corporation or a subsidiary, (ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Corporation or a subsidiary to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s employment or service at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly with other Participants and employees, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any of the rights of a stockholder of the Corporation unless and until the Participant is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance with the terms of an Award.

(g)Unfunded Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts.The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant or obligation to deliver Stock pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in the Plan or any Award shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater than those of a general creditor of the Corporation; provided that the Committee may authorize the creation of trusts and deposit therein cash, Stock, other Awards or other property, or make other arrangements to meet the Corporation’s obligations under the Plan. Such trusts or other arrangements shall be consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise determines with the consent of each affected Participant. The trustee of such trusts may be authorized to dispose of trust assets and reinvest the proceeds in alternative investments, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may specify and in accordance with applicable law.

(h)Non-exclusivity of the Plan.Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the stockholders of the Corporation for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable including incentive arrangements and awards which do not qualify under Code Section 162(m).

(i)Payments in the Event of Forfeitures; Fractional Shares. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of a forfeiture of an Award with respect to which a Participant paid cash or other consideration, the Participant shall be repaid the amount of such cash or other consideration. No fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards or other property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.

(j)Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations under the Plan, and any Award agreement shall be determined in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and applicable federal law.

(k)Recoupment. Each Award under the Plan shall be subject to the terms of the Corporation’s Recoupment Policy, and to such other recoupment policies or provisions as may be required under the terms of any agreement between the Corporation and any regulatory authority or as may be required under applicable law.

(l)Code Section 409A. With respect to Awards subject to Code Section 409A, the Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and the provisions hereof shall be interpreted in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Code Section 409A and the related regulations, and the Plan shall be operated accordingly. If any provision of the Plan or any term or condition of any Award would otherwise frustrate or conflict with this intent, the provision, term or condition will be interpreted and deemed amended so as to avoid this conflict. The Committee may not accelerate the payment or settlement of any Award that constitutes a deferral of compensation for purposes of Code Section 409A except to the extent such acceleration would not result in the Participant incurring interest or additional tax under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, if a Participant is determined under rules adopted by the Committee to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) and as defined in the Corporation’s Universal 409A Definition Document, payment under any Award hereunder shall be delayed to the extent necessary to avoid a violation of Code Section 409A.

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2017 Proxy Statement




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(m)Plan Effective Date and Stockholder Approval; Expiration Date. The Plan has been initially adopted by the Board on March 2, 2017, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Corporation, in accordance with applicable law. The Plan will become effective on the date of such approval. Unless an extension is approved by the stockholders of the Corporation, the Plan shall have a term that expires on May 9, 2027, after which no further Awards may be made, provided, however, that the provisions of the Plan shall continue to apply to Awards made prior to such date.

cvshealthannualmeeting.com

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2016 CSR AchievementsAccess to Health Care
Prescription$100 million
New philanthropic commitment: to make community health and wellness central to our charge for a Better Worldbetter world by supporting initiatives and nonprofits across three categories: improving local access to affordable quality care; impacting public health challenges; and partnering with local communities on the most pressing health issues

80,000/$5 million

Awards &
Recognition
reached 80,000 people in underserved communities with free health screenings, delivering more than $5 million free health services

     

Charitable Giving and Disaster Relief
$100+ million
provided in charitable giving through the CVS Health Foundation, corporate grants, in-kind gifts, employee giving and fundraising, and other community investments
Tobacco
228 schools
including 34 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, awarded grants as part of the Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative
9 million youth
reached through programs, partnerships and strategic investments to provide smoking cessation and prevention messaging

     

Prescription Drug Programs
About 450,000
students reached with prescription drug abuse education through Pharmacists Teach; 9,800 presentations in 48 states, DC and Puerto Rico
217+ metric tons
of unwanted medications collected in our safe medication disposal program through more than 1,650 total locations in 2018
Provided grants to 12 more community health centers
to support increased access to medication-assisted treatment and other recovery services


Leading and Inspiring Growth

$5.3 million
in value of employee volunteer hours provided to communities

15,000
colleagues hired with military experience and employed more than 4,000 military spouses since 2015

Supplier Diversity
38,000 jobs supported
$532 million in wages
$5.8 billion contributed to the U.S. economy

Protecting Our Planet

Emissions Reductions
Science-based emissions reduction target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative

2 million
CVS Health colleagues, in partnership with the Ocean Conservancy & the International Coastal Cleanup removed 2 million+ cigarette butts from shorelines around the country

115 million yards
of receipt paper saved by delivering more than 99 million digital CVS Pharmacy receipts in 2018


Awards & Recognition

100 Best Corporate Citizens, 2018 (#26)
2016 (#29)
CRCorporate Responsibility Magazine

Sustainability IndexDow-Jones, 6th
straight year

Civic 50– List of 50 most community-minded companies in the U.S. Points of Light Institute, for the second year in a row

America’s Greenest Companies (#16)(#39)
Newsweek’s Green Rankings

Sustainability Index
Learning Elite Silver Finalist (#27)
Dow JonesChief Learning Officer magazine

ChangeHealthfor continuously improving the World List
Fortune Magazinelearning and development for our organization and industry

     

Corporate Equality Index
Human Rights CampaignAchieved 100% score for fifth consecutive year

World’s Most Admired Companies (#27)(#35)
Fortune Magazine

FTSE4Good IndexTop 50 Companies for Diversity
FTSE GroupDiversityInc

Corporate Equality Index
Human Rights Campaign
Achieved 100% score for third consecutive year

90/100 Disability Equality Index scoreScore (second year in a row)–Best Places to Work List
American Association of People with Disabilities and US Business Leadership Network

25 Noteworthy Companies
DiversityInc

America’s Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business
DiversityBusiness.com

     

HealthBillion Dollar Roundtable
Joined group that is spending more than $1 billion annually with diverse suppliers

#10 Top Companies for Supplier Diversity
Recognized by DiversityInc for our focus on expanding our engagement of minority and women-owned businesses in Action
our supply chain


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We are
health care
innovators

Project Health

$117MOur Purpose
worth of freeHelping people on their path to better health offerings provided since 2006

888,000
patients seen since 2006

101,000
participants reached in 2016

Tobacco

#BeTheFirst
announced, a 5-year, $50 million commitment to help deliver the nation’s first tobacco-free generation

20 grants
awarded to U.S. colleges and universities as part of the Tobacco-Free Generation Campus Initiative

Prescription Drug Abuse

170,000+
students reached with prescription drug abuse education through Pharmacists Teach

56.7 tons
of prescription drugs collected for disposal nationally at 639 units donated to law enforcement agencies


Planet
in Balance

Leader
in Growth

100%
of the palm oil we use in our products will come from verified, responsible sources; our new goal is to accomplish this by 2020

         

Our Strategy
$2.5M
in value of employee volunteer hours providedCreating unmatched human connections to communities

$1B
target of spending on diverse Tier I suppliers, achieved
60,000+
underserved young people introduced to careers intransform the health care experience

Our Values
Innovation
Collaboration
Caring
Integrity
Accountability




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CVS HEALTH CORPORATION
C/O WELLS FARGO SHAREOWNER SERVICES
P.O. BOX 64945
ST. PAUL, MN 55164-0945

CVS HEALTH CORPORATION
C/O EQ SHAREOWNER SERVICES
P.O. BOX 64945
ST. PAUL, MN 55164-0945

VOTE BY INTERNET -www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode abovewww.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. ET on May 15, 2019 for shares held directly and by 11:59 P.M. ET on May 13, 2019 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. ET on May 15, 2019 for shares held directly and by 11:59 P.M. ET on May 13, 2019 for shares held in a Plan. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS
If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.
VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903
Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.





IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW

IN BLUE OR BLACK INK, DETACH, AND RETURN IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE:

E24739-P85844E69548-P18898-Z74361    KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
CVS HEALTH CORPORATION
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR
the following proposal:
1.  Election of Directors
Nominees:ForAgainstAbstain
1a.  Richard M. Bracken
1b.  C. David Brown II
1c.  Alecia A. DeCoudreaux
1d.  Nancy-Ann M. DeParle
1e.  David W. Dorman
1f.  Anne M. Finucane
1g.  Larry J. Merlo
1h.  Jean-Pierre Millon
1i.  Mary L. Schapiro
1j.  Richard J. Swift
1k.  William C. Weldon
1l.  Tony L. White
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR
each of the following proposals:Nominees:
1.   ForElection of Directors Against Abstain
2.  Proposal to ratify independent public accounting firm for 2017.Nominees:ForAgainstAbstain
1a.Fernando Aguirre
1b.
3.Say on Pay - An advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation.Mark T. Bertolini
1c.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote 1 year on the following proposal:1 Year2 Years3 YearsAbstain
4.To recommend, by non-binding vote, the frequency of executive compensation votes. ☐Richard M. Bracken
1d.C. David Brown II
1e.Alecia A. DeCoudreaux
1f.Nancy-Ann M. DeParle
1g.David W. Dorman
1h.Roger N. Farah
1i.Anne M. Finucane
1j.Edward J. Ludwig
1k.Larry J. Merlo
1l.Jean-Pierre Millon

ForAgainstAbstain
1m.Mary L. Schapiro
1n.Richard J. Swift
1o.William C. Weldon
1p.Tony L. White
The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal:proposals:FORForAgainstAbstain
5.2.Proposal to approve the 2017 Incentive Compensation Plan.ratify appointment of independent registered public accounting firm for 2019.
3.Say on Pay, a proposal to approve, on an advisory basis, the Company's executive compensation.
The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the following proposals:proposal:ForAgainstAbstain
4.
6.Stockholder proposal regarding the ownership thresholdexclusion of legal or compliance costs from financial performance adjustments for calling special meetings of stockholders.executive compensation.
7.Stockholder proposal regarding a report on executive pay.
8.Stockholder proposal regarding a report on renewable energy targets.
For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated.
NOTE:In their discretion, the proxies may vote on such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.


Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. The signer hereby revokes all proxies heretofore given by the signer to vote at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of CVS Health Corporation and any adjournment thereof.

  
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer.
Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]Date
 
Signature (Joint Owners)Date




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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:
The Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at
www.proxyvote.com and at www.cvshealthannualmeeting.com.










E24740-P85844

E69549-P18898-Z74361

CVS HEALTH CORPORATION
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
May 10, 2017, 9:16, 2019, 8:00 AMA.M., EDT

This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors

The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Larry J. Merlo and David W. Dorman, or eitherand each of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares ofCommon Stock of CVS HEALTH CORPORATION that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 9:8:00 AM,A.M., EDT, on May 10, 201716, 2019 at the CVS Health Customer Support Center, One CVS Drive, Woonsocket, RI 02895, and any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Additional Voting Instructions for Certain CVS Health and Aetna Employees:To the extent the undersigned is a participant in (i) the CVS Health Future Fund 401(k) Plan (the "CVS Plan") or (ii) the Aetna 401(k) Plan (the "Aetna Plan", and Employee Stock Ownershiptogether with the CVS Plan, of CVS Health Corporation and Affiliated Companies (the "Plan"the "Plans"), the undersigned hereby instructs The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee under the CVS Plan, and/or State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee under the Aetna Plan, to vote as indicated on the reverse side, all shares of CVS Health Common Stockcommon stock held in the Plan,Plan(s), as to which the undersigned would be entitled to give voting instructions if present at the Annual Meeting. Shares held under the PlanPlan(s) for which voting instructions are not properly completed or signed, or received in a timely manner (no later than noon11:59 P.M., EDT on May 8, 2017)13, 2019), will be voted in the same proportion as those shares for which voting instructions were properly completed and signed and received in a timely manner, soas long as such vote is in accordance with the provisions of the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. All votes will be kept confidential by the trustee.trustee(s).

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations.

Address Changes/Comments: 
(If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)

Continued and to be signed on reverse side