In connection with the merger in January 2020, the Class B Units and SARs held by our NEOs were treated as discussed below under “—Treatment of Equity Incentive Awards in Connection with the Merger”.
2018 Retention Awards
In 2018, we approved a retention program designed to motivate and retain our employees. Pursuant to this program the APX Group Compensation Committee approved the grant of retention awards to Messrs. Davies, Eyring, Santiago and Gerard.
Mr. Gerard was granted a retention award in the amount of $1.0 million, payable as follows: (i) $333,333.33 payable in June 2018; (ii) $333,333.33 payable in June 2019; and (iii) $333,333.34 payable in June 2020, subject to continued employment and good standing with the Company or its subsidiaries through each payment date. Each of Messrs. Davies, Eyring and Santiago was granted a retention award in the amount of $2.5 million, payable as follows: (i) $833,333.33 payable in August 2018; (ii) $833,333.33 payable in August 2019; and (iii) $833,333.34 payable in August 2020, subject to continued employment and good standing with the Company or its subsidiaries through each payment date.
If Messrs. Gerard’s, Davies’, Eyring’s, or Santiago’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause (as defined in his employment agreement or retention award agreement, as applicable), including due to death or disability, prior to any remaining payment date, he will receive the full remaining amount of the retention award, payable within two and one half months following his termination date subject to his (or his estate’s, as applicable), execution of an effective release of claims in favor of the Company. He will not be entitled to receive any remaining amount of his retention award if (i) he terminates his employment with the Company for any reason, or (ii) his employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, in either case at any time prior to the applicable eligibility date set forth above.
Benefits and Perquisites
We provide to all of our employees, including our NEOs, employee benefits that are intended to attract and retain employees while providing them with retirement and health and welfare security. Broad-based employee benefits include:
| • | | paid vacation, sick leave and holidays; |
| • | | medical, dental, vision and life insurance coverage; and |
| • | | employee assistance program benefits. |
All participants are eligible for matching under our 401(k) savings plan. Under this matching program, we match an employee’s contributions to the 401(k) savings plandollar-for-dollar up to 1% of such employee’s eligible earnings and $0.50 for every $1.00 for the next 5% of such employee’s eligible earnings. The maximum match available under the 401(k) plan is 3.5% of the employee’s eligible earnings. For employees who have been employed by us for less than two years, matching contributions vest on the second anniversary of their date of hire. Our matching contributions to our employees who have been employed by us for two years or more are always fully vested.
At no cost to the employee, we provide an amount of basic life insurance and basic accidental death and dismemberment insurance valued at 1x times their basic annual earnings up to a maximum of $250,000 ($50,000 minimum).
We also provide our NEOs with specified perquisites and personal benefits that are not generally available to all employees, such as personal use of our Company leased aircraft (subject to the terms and limits set forth in our corporate aircraft policy), use of a company vehicle, financial advisory services, reimbursement for health insurance premiums, enhanced employee cafeteria benefits, country club memberships, excess liability insurance premiums, alarm system fees, event tickets, fuel expenses, relocation assistance and, in certain circumstances, reimbursement for personal travel. In addition, as to Messrs. Pedersen and Dunn, perquisites have included personal use of Company personnel, however Messrs. Pedersen and Dunn
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