Share-Based and Other Deferred Compensation | Share-Based and Other Deferred Compensation LP Units Equities business – In conjunction with the acquisition of the operating businesses of ISI in 2014, the Company issued Evercore LP units and interests which have been treated as compensation. In July 2017, the Company exchanged all of the previously outstanding 4,148 Class H limited partnership interests of Evercore LP ("Class H LP Interests") for 1,012 vested (963 of which were subject to certain liquidated damages and continued employment provisions) and 938 unvested Class J LP Units. These units converted into an equal amount of Class E LP Units, and became exchangeable into Class A Shares of the Company, ratably on February 15, 2018, 2019 and 2020. These Class J LP Units had the same vesting and delivery schedule, acceleration and forfeiture triggers, and distribution rights as the Class H LP Interests. In connection with this exchange, one share of Class B common stock has been issued to each holder of Class J LP Units, which entitles each holder to one vote on all matters submitted generally to holders of Class A and Class B common stock for each Class E LP Unit and Class J LP Unit held. As the number of Class J LP Units exchanged was within the number of Class H LP Interests that the Company determined were probable of being exchanged on the date of modification, the Company expensed the previously unrecognized grant date fair value of the Class H LP Interests ratably over the remaining vesting period of the Class J LP Units. Compensation expense related to the Class J LP Units was $1,067, $18,101 and $15,054 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. On February 15, 2020, 223 Class J LP Units vested and were converted to an equal amount of Class E LP Units. Following the conversion, no Class J LP Units remain issued and outstanding. The following table summarizes activity related to the LP Units for the Company's equities business during the year ended December 31, 2020: Class J LP Units Number of Units Grant Date Weighted Unvested Balance at January 1, 2020 223 $ 4,311 Granted — — Modified — — Forfeited — — Vested (223) (4,311) Unvested Balance at December 31, 2020 — $ — Othe r Performance-based Awards – In November 2016, the Company issued 400 Class I-P Units in conjunction with the appointment of a current Co-Chief Executive Officer (then Executive Chairman). These Class I-P Units convert into a specified number of Class I LP Units, which are exchangeable on a one -for-one basis to Class A Shares, contingent on the achievement of certain market and service conditions, subject to vesting upon specified termination events (including retirement, upon satisfying certain eligibility criteria, on or following January 15, 2022, subject to a one year prior written notice requirement) or a change in control. These Class I-P Units are segregated into two groups of 200 units each, with share price threshold vesting conditions which are required to exceed a certain level for 20 consecutive trading days (which were met as of March 31, 2017). The Company determined the fair value of the award to be $24,412 and is expensing the award ratably over the implied service period, which ends on March 1, 2022. As the award contains market-based conditions, the entire expense will be recognized if the award does not vest for any reason other than the service conditions. Compensation expense related to this award was $4,632 for the year ended December 31, 2020 and $4,619 for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. In November 2017, the Company issued 64 Class K-P Units to an employee of the Company. These Class K-P Units convert into a specified number of Class K LP Units (which are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis to Class A Shares), contingent upon the achievement of certain defined benchmark results and continued service through December 31, 2021. In June 2019, the Company issued 220 Class K-P Units to an employee of the Company. These Class K-P Units convert into a number of Class K LP Units (which are exchangeable on a one-for-one basis to Class A Shares), contingent and based upon the achievement of certain defined benchmark results and continued service through February 4, 2023 for the first tranche, which consists of 120 Class K-P Units convertible into a number of Class K LP Units, and February 4, 2028 for the second tranche, which consists of 100 Class K-P Units convertible into a number of Class K LP Units. These Class K-P Units may convert into a maximum of 460 Class K LP Units, contingent upon the achievement of certain defined benchmarks and continued service, as described above. The Company determined the grant date fair value of these awards probable to vest as of December 31, 2020 to be $34,684, related to 403 Class K Units which were probable of achievement, and recognizes expense for these units over the respective service periods. Compensation expense related to the Class K-P Units was $8,920, $3,690 and $1,200 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the total compensation cost not yet recognized related to the Class I-P Units and Class K-P Units, including awards which are subject to performance conditions, was $21,112. The weighted-average period over which this compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 26 months. Stock Incentive Plan In 2006 the Company's stockholders and board of directors adopted the Evercore Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. The total number of Class A Shares which could be issued under this plan was 20,000. During the second quarter of 2013, the Company's stockholders approved the Amended and Restated 2006 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan. The amended and restated plan, among other things, authorized an additional 5,000 shares of the Company's Class A Shares. During 2016, the Company's stockholders approved the Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the "2016 Plan"). The 2016 Plan, among other things, authorized an additional 10,000 shares of the Company's Class A Shares. During 2020, the Company's stockholders approved the Amended and Restated 2016 Evercore Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the "Amended 2016 Plan"), which amended the 2016 Plan. The Amended 2016 Plan, among other things, authorizes an additional 6,000 shares of the Company's Class A Shares. The Amended 2016 Plan permits the Company to grant to certain employees, directors and consultants incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs and other awards based on the Company's Class A Shares. The Company intends to use newly-issued Class A Shares to satisfy any awards under the Amended 2016 Plan and its predecessor plan. Class A Shares underlying any award granted under the 2016 Plan that expire, terminate or are canceled or satisfied for any reason without being settled in stock again become available for awards under the plans. The total shares available to be granted in the future under the Amended 2016 Plan was 7,047 as of December 31, 2020. The Company also grants, at its discretion, dividend equivalents, in the form of unvested RSU awards, or deferred cash dividends, concurrently with the payment of dividends to the holders of Class A Shares, on all unvested RSU grants awarded in conjunction with annual bonuses, as well as new hire awards. The dividend equivalents have the same vesting and delivery terms as the underlying RSU award. The Company estimates forfeitures in the aggregate compensation cost to be amortized over the requisite service period of its awards. The Company periodically monitors its estimated forfeiture rate and adjusts its assumptions to the actual occurrence of forfeited awards. A change in estimated forfeitures is recognized through a cumulative adjustment in the period of the change. The Company had 199 RSUs which were fully vested but not delivered as of December 31, 2020. Equity Grants 2020 Equity Grants. During 2020, pursuant to the above Stock Incentive Plans, the Company granted employees 1,946 RSUs that are Service-based Awards. Service-based Awards granted during 2020 had grant date fair values of $44.21 to $93.19 per share, with an average value of $80.94 per share, for an aggregate fair value of $157,508, and generally vest ratably over four years. During 2020, 2,715 Service-based Awards vested and 121 Service-based Awards were forfeited. Compensation expense related to Service-based Awards was $192,070 f or the year ended December 31, 2020. The following table summarizes activity related to Service-based Awards during the year ended December 31, 2020: Service-based Awards Number of Shares Grant Date Weighted Unvested Balance at January 1, 2020 6,414 $ 527,456 Granted 1,946 157,508 Modified — — Forfeited (121) (10,458) Vested (2,715) (209,388) Unvested Balance at December 31, 2020 5,524 $ 465,118 As of December 31, 2020, the total compensation cost related to unvested Service-based Awards not yet recognized was $226,584. The ultimate amount of such expense is dependent upon the actual number of Service-based Awards that vest. The Company periodically assesses the forfeiture rates used for such estimates. A change in estimated forfeiture rates would cause the aggregate amount of compensation expense recognized in future periods to differ from the estimated unrecognized compensation expense described herein. The weighted-average period over which this compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 21 months. 2019 Equity Grants. During 2019, pursuant to the 2016 Plan, the Company granted employees 2,598 RSUs that are Service-based Awards. Service-based Awards granted during 2019 had grant date fair values of $72.11 to $96.22 per share, with an average value of $91.04 per share, for an aggregate fair value of $236,529. During 2019, 2,473 Service-based Awards vested and 121 Service-based Awards were forfeited. Compensation expense related to Service-based Awards was $208,786 for the year ended December 31, 2019. 2018 Equity Grants. During 2018, pursuant to the 2016 Plan, the Company granted employees 1,968 RSUs that are Service-based Awards. Service-based Awards granted during 2018 had grant date fair values of $81.84 to $114.80 per share, with an average value of $95.01 per share, for an aggregate fair value of $186,964. During 2018, 2,523 Service-based Awards vested and 70 Service-based Awards were forfeited. Compensation expense related to Service-based Awards was $171,354 for the year ended December 31, 2018. Deferred Cash Deferred Cash Compensation Program – The Company's deferred cash compensation program provides participants the ability to elect to receive a portion of their deferred compensation in cash, which is indexed to notional investment portfolios selected by the participant and vests ratably over four years and requires payment upon vesting. The Company granted $181,165, $93,366, $82,592 and $3,750 of deferred cash awards pursuant to the deferred cash compensation program during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Compensation expense related to the Company's deferred cash compensation program was $112,216 , $66,374 and $36,443 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the Company expects to pay an aggregate of $315,862 related to the Company's deferred cash compensation program at various dates through 2024 and total compensation expense related to these awards not yet recognized was $182,542. The weighted-average period over which this compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 28 months. Amounts due pursuant to this program are expensed over the service period of the award and are reflected in Accrued Compensation and Benefits, a component of current liabilities, on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2020. Other Deferred Cash Awards – In November 2016, the Company granted a restricted cash award in conjunction with the appointment of a current Co-Chief Executive Officer (then Executive Chairman) with a target payment amount of $35,000, of which $11,000 vested on March 1, 2019, $6,000 vested on March 1, 2020, and $6,000 is scheduled to vest on each of the next three anniversaries of March 1, 2020, provided that the current Co-Chief Executive Officer continues to remain employed through each such vesting date, subject to vesting upon specified termination events (including retirement, upon satisfying certain eligibility criteria, on or following May 1, 2019, subject to a six month prior written notice requirement) or a change in control. The Company had the discretion to increase (by an amount up to $35,000) or decrease (by an amount up to $8,750) the total amount payable under this award. In 2017, the Company granted deferred cash awards of $29,500 to certain employees. These awards vest in five equal installments over the period ending June 30, 2022, subject to continued employment. The Company recognizes expense for these awards ratably over the vesting period. Compensation expense related to other deferred cash awards was $12,897, $26,827 and $21,987 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 , the total compensation cost related to other defe rred cash awards not yet recognized was $16,555. The weighted-average period over which this compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 19 months. 2021 Equity and Deferred Cash Grants During the first quarter of 2021, as part of the 2020 bonus awards, the Company granted to certain employees approximately 2,000 unvested RSUs pursuant to the Amended 2016 Plan, with a grant date fair value of approximately $232,000. These awards will generally vest over four years. In addition, during the first quarter of 2021, the Company granted approximately $99,000 of deferred cash compensation to certain employees, principally pursuant to the deferred cash compensation program. These awards will generally vest over four years. Long-term Incentive Plan The Company's Long-term Incentive Plan provides for incentive compensation awards to Advisory Senior Managing Directors, excluding executive officers of the Company, who exceed defined benchmark results over four-year performance periods beginning January 1, 2013 (the "2013 Long-term Incentive Plan") and January 1, 2017 (the "2017 Long-term Incentive Plan"). The 2013 Long-term Incentive Plan was paid in cash installments in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The 2017 Long-term Incentive Plan, which aggregate $48,631 of current liabilities and $70,560 of long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2020, is due to be paid, in cash or Class A Shares, at the Company's discretion, in three equal installments in the first quarter of 2021, 2022 and 2023, subject to employment at the time of payment. The performance period for the 2017 Long-term Incentive Plan ended on December 31, 2020. These awards are subject to retirement eligibility requirements after the performance criteria has been achieved. The Company periodically assesses the probability of the benchmarks being achieved and expenses the probable payout over the requisite service period of the award. The Company recorded $21,808, $31,931 and $42,745 of expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company distributed cash payments of $19,516 and $4,532 during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to the 2013 Long-term Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2020, the total remaining expense to be recognized for the 2017 Long-term Incentive Plan over the future vesting period ending March 15, 2023 is $25,692. Employee Loans Receivable Periodically, the Company provides new and existing employees with cash payments in the form of loans and/or other cash awards which are subject to ratable vesting terms with service requirements ranging from one Other The total income tax benefit related to share-based compensation arrangements recognized in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $46,572, $49,251 and $39,958, respectively. Separation and Transition Benefits During 2020, the Company completed a review of operations focused on markets, sectors and people which delivered lower levels of productivity in an effort to attain greater flexibility of operations and better position itself for future growth. This review, which began in the fourth quarter of 2019, generated reductions of approximately 8% of the Company's headcount. In conjunction with the employment reductions, for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company incurred expenses related to separation benefits, stay arrangements and accelerated deferred cash compensation (together, the "Termination Costs") of $30,340 and $1,578, respectively, and the acceleration of the amortization of share-based payments previously granted to affected employees of $10,916 and $1,272 (related to 156 and 22 RSUs), respectively, each recorded in Special Charges, Including Business Realignment Costs, primarily within the Investment Banking segment, on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. In conjunction with these arrangements, the Company distributed cash payments of $26,492 and $377 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company granted separation and transition benefits to certain employees, resulting in expense included in Employee Compensation and Benefits, primarily within the Investment Banking segment, of $8,145 and $9,420 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. This is comprised of expense related to Termination Costs of $6,178 and $6,190, respectively, and expense related to the acceleration of the amortization of share-based payments of $1,967 and $3,230, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. In conjunction with these arrangements, the Company distributed cash payments of $6,035 and $8,565 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company also granted separation and transition benefits to certain employees, resulting in expense included in Special Charges, Including Business Realignment Costs, of $2,024 for the year ended December 31, 2018. See Note 6 for further information. The following table presents the change in the Company's Termination Costs liability for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019: For the Years Ended December 31, 2020 2019 Beginning Balance $ 1,151 $ 505 Termination Costs Incurred 30,340 7,756 Cash Benefits Paid (26,492) (6,412) Non-Cash Charges (410) (698) Ending Balance $ 4,589 $ 1,151 |