EXHIBIT 10-A
GPU COMPANIES
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
(as amended through June 5, 1997)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2. Definition of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
3. Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
4. Deferral Election . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
5. Supplemental Savings Plan Benefits . . . . . . . . . . .10
6. Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
7. Distribution of Deferred Compensation . . . . . . . . . .12
8. Non-Assignment of Deferred Compensation . . . . . . . . .17
9. Termination of Participation or Employment . . . . . . .18
10. Transfer of Employment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
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GPU COMPANIES
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
(as amended through June 5, 1997)
1. Purpose
This document sets forth the GPU Companies Deferred Compensation Plan,
as amended and restated, effective June 5, 1997.
The Plan provides Elected Officers of each Company, as defined herein,
with an opportunity to defer part or all of their Compensation, pursuant to
their elections made in accordance with the provisions hereof. The Plan also
provides Elected Officers and Other Eligible Employees with an opportunity to be
credited with additional deferred amounts that are intended to approximate the
Company Matching Contributions that otherwise might have been made on their
behalf to the GPU, Inc. and Subsidiary System Companies Employee Savings Plan
for Nonbargaining Employees (the "Savings Plan") but for the limitation on the
amount of compensation that can be taken into account under the Savings Plan
pursuant to section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Compensation Limit").
The Plan is intended to constitute an unfunded plan of deferred
compensation for "a select group of management or highly compensated employees"
within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").
Each Company has adopted this Plan as its own Plan. Accordingly, each
Company shall be obligated hereunder only with respect to amounts distributable
from the Accounts it maintains for Participants who are its own employees; and
the right to receive any amount distributable hereunder with respect to any
Participant shall be enforceable only against the Company with which such
Participant is or was last employed.
2. Definition of Terms
2.1 Account - refers, as the context may require, to the Retirement
Account, or the Pre-Retirement Account or Accounts, or to the Retirement Account
and all Pre-Retirement Accounts, established for a Participant hereunder.
2.2 Board - refers to the Board of Directors of a Company.
2.3 Chairman - refers to the Chairman of the Board or the Chairman, as
appropriate for each Company that has adopted the Plan.
2.4 Change in Control - A "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence
during the term of the Plan of:
(1) An acquisition (other than directly from GPU, Inc. (the
"Corporation") of any common stock of the Corporation ("Common Stock") or other
voting securities of the Corporation entitled to vote generally for the election
of directors (the "Voting Securities") by any "Person" (as the term person is
used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")), immediately after which such Person has
"Beneficial Ownership" (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) of twenty percent (20%) or more of the then outstanding shares of
Common Stock or the combined voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding
Voting Securities; provided, however, in determining whether a Change in Control
has occurred, Voting Securities which are acquired in a "Non-Control
Acquisition" (as hereinafter defined) shall not constitute an acquisition which
would cause a Change in Control. A "Non-Control Acquisition" shall mean an
acquisition by (A) an employee benefit plan (or a trust forming a part thereof)
maintained by (i) the Corporation or (ii) any corporation or other Person of
which a majority of its voting power or its voting equity securities or equity
interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation (for purposes of
this definition, a "Subsidiary"), (B) the Corporation or its Subsidiaries, or
(C) any Person in connection with a "Non-Control Transaction" (as hereinafter
defined);
(2) The individuals who, as of August 1, 1996, are members of the board
of directors of the Corporation (the "Incumbent Board"), cease for any reason to
constitute at least seventy percent (70%) of the members of the board of
directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that if the election, or
nomination for election by the Corporation's shareholders, of any new director
was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Board, such new
director shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the
Incumbent Board; provided further, however, that no individual shall be
considered a member of the Incumbent Board if such individual initially assumed
office as a result of either an actual or threatened "Election Contest" (as
described in Rule 14a-11 promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or
threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other
than the board of directors of the Corporation (a "Proxy Contest") including by
reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or
Proxy Contest; or
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(3) The consummation of:
(A) A merger, consolidation or reorganization with or into the
Corporation or in which securities of the Corporation are issued, unless such
merger, consolidation or reorganization is a "Non-Control Transaction." A
"Non-Control Transaction" shall mean a merger, consolidation or reorganization
with or into the Corporation or in which securities of the Corporation are
issued where:
(i) the shareholders of the Corporation, immediately before
such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own directly or
indirectly immediately following such merger, consolidation or
reorganization, at least sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting
power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting
from such merger or consolidation or reorganization (the "Surviving
Corporation") in substantially the same proportion as their ownership
of the Voting Securities immediately before such merger, consolidation
or reorganization,
(ii) the individuals who were members of the Incumbent Board
immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for such
merger, consolidation or reorganization constitute at least seventy
percent (70%) of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving
Corporation, or a corporation, directly or indirectly, beneficially
owning a majority of the Voting Securities of the Surviving
Corporation, and
(iii) no Person other than (w) the Corporation, (x) any
Subsidiary, (y) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part
thereof) that, immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or
reorganization, was maintained by the Corporation or any Subsidiary, or
(z) any Person who, immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or
reorganization had Beneficial Ownership of twenty percent (20%) or more
of the then outstanding Voting Securities or common stock of the
Corporation, has Beneficial Ownership of twenty percent (20%) or more
of the combined voting power of the Surviving Corporation's then
outstanding voting securities or its common stock.
(B) A complete liquidation or dissolution of the
Corporation; or
(C) The sale or other disposition of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Corporation to any Person (other than a transfer to a
Subsidiary).
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not
be deemed to occur solely because any Person (the "Subject Person") acquired
Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding
Common Stock or Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Common Stock
or Voting Securities by the Corporation which, by reducing the number of shares
of Common Stock or Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the
proportional number of shares Beneficially Owned by the Subject Persons,
provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this
sentence) as a result of the acquisition of shares of Common Stock or Voting
Securities by the Corporation, and after such share acquisition by the
Corporation, the Subject Person becomes the Beneficial Owner of any additional
shares of Common Stock or Voting Securities which increases the percentage of
the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or Voting Securities Beneficially
Owned by the Subject Person, then a Change in Control shall occur.
2.5 Committee - refers to the Personnel, Compensation and Nominating
Committee of the Board of Directors of GPU, Inc.
2.6 Company - refers, as the context may require, singularly and not
jointly, to any Company, a majority of the outstanding common stock of which is
owned, directly or indirectly, by GPU, Inc., that has adopted the Plan. When
used in reference to a Participant, the term "Company" shall mean the Company
with which such Participant is or was last employed unless the context otherwise
requires.
2.7 Compensation - refers to all amounts which, but for an election
hereunder, would be paid in cash during a Plan Year to a Participant for
services performed on behalf of the Company, but does not include reimbursement
for travel or other expenses, Company contributions to retirement programs or
other employee benefit plans, payments under the Company's Short-Term or
Long-Term Disability Income Plans, any amounts distributed to the Elected
Officer from any Pre-Retirement Account. A Participant's Compensation for any
Plan Year includes any Performance Award that becomes payable to the Participant
during such year, but does not include any other amounts that are paid or that
become payable to the Participant under the 1990 Stock Plan for Employees of
GPU, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Stock Plan"). A Participant's Compensation for
any Plan Year beginning on or after April 1, 1991, shall not include any
severance payments made to the Participant in connection with his or her
termination of employment.
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2.8 Disability - refers to entitlement to benefits under the Company's
Long-Term Disability Income Plan or Employee Pension Plan as a result of a
disability which, in the opinion of the Board, is considered to be a permanent
disability.
2.9 Elected Officer - refers to an individual who, pursuant to election
by the Board, is serving as an officer of the Company other than as an Assistant
Controller, an Assistant Secretary, or an Assistant Treasurer; provided,
however, that the Board of any Company may limit participation in the Plan to
such of that Company's elected officers as the Board may designate, and in such
case, the term "Elected Officer" shall refer only to any elected officer of such
Company so designated by the Board.
2.10 "Excess Compensation" - refers, in the case of any Participant for
any month beginning on or after January 1, 1995, to the amount by which (i) the
aggregate amount of the Participant's Regular Compensation and Incentive
Compensation for such month and for all prior months within the Plan Year of the
Savings Plan ("ESP Plan Year" ) that includes such month exceeds the sum of (ii)
the Compensation Limit in effect for such ESP Plan Year and (iii) the aggregate
amount of the Participant's "Excess Compensation" (as determined under clause
(i) and (ii) hereof) for all prior months within such Plan Year.
2.11 Incentive Compensation - refers to the portion of a Participant's
Compensation for a Plan Year that consists of amounts awarded to the Participant
during such year under the Company's Incentive Compensation Plan for Elected
Officers, Employee Incentive Compensation Plan, or Annual Performance Award
Plan.
2.12 Other Eligible Employee - refers, with respect to any Plan Year,
to any employee of a Company who is not an Elected Officer of such Company but
who is expected to have "Excess Compensation" for any one or more months during
such Plan Year and who has been designated by the Chairman of such Company as
eligible to make a deferral election for such Plan Year under Section 4.3.
2.13 Participant - refers to any Elected Officer or Other Eligible
Employee who has made a deferral election for any Plan Year under Section 4.1 or
4.3. For all purposes of the Plan other than for purposes of continuing
entitlement to make deferral elections under Section 4.1 or 4.3, an Elected
Officer who at any time ceases to be such, or a Participant whose employment is
terminated or whose participation in the Plan is terminated pursuant to Section
9, shall, notwithstanding such cessation or termination, continue to be treated
as a
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"Participant" until all amounts credited to his or her Accounts under the Plan
have been distributed pursuant to Section 7, or transferred pursuant to Section
10.1.
2.14 Performance Award - refers to the portion of a Participant's
Compensation for a Plan Year that consists of any Performance Cash Incentive
Award that becomes payable to the Elected Officer during such year under the
Stock Plan. For this purpose, a Performance Award shall be treated as becoming
payable to a Participant on the "Vesting Date" for the restricted shares or
restricted units with respect to which the Performance Award becomes payable;
and the "Vesting Date" shall mean the date on which such restricted shares or
restricted units become vested under the terms of the written agreement between
the Elected Officer and GPU, Inc. evidencing the award of such shares or units
to the Elected Officer.
2.15 Plan - refers to the GPU Companies Deferred Compensation Plan as
set forth in this document and as it may be amended in the future.
2.16 Plan Year - refers to each 12-month period from April 1 through
March 31. In the case of any Company that adopts the Plan as of a date after the
start of a Plan Year, as so defined, the initial "Plan Year," with respect to
such Company's Elected Officers and Other Eligible Employees, shall be the
period commencing on the date as of which the Plan is so adopted and ending on
the next following March 31.
2.17 Pre-Retirement Account - refers to the memorandum account which
shall be established and maintained for a Participant who elects, pursuant to
Section 4.5, to have payment of any portion of his or her Compensation for any
Plan Year deferred to a date which is expected to occur prior to his or her
Retirement or Disability. A separate Pre-Retirement Account shall be established
and maintained for the Compensation for each Plan Year which the Participant so
elects to defer.
2.18 Regular Compensation - refers to a Participant's Compensation for
a Plan Year, exclusive of any Incentive Compensation awarded to the Participant
during such Plan Year, and exclusive of any Performance Award that becomes
payable to the Participant during such Plan Year.
2.19 Retirement - refers to termination of service with the Company on
account of retirement under the Company's Employee Pension Plan, resignation,
death or any other reason other than employment by any other Company. A
Participant will not be deemed to have retired until he or she ceases to be
employed with any Company.
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2.20 Retirement Account - refers to the memorandum account which shall
be established and maintained for a Participant who elects, pursuant to Section
4.5, to have payment of any portion of his or her Compensation for any Plan Year
deferred to a date after his or her Retirement or Disability. The term
Retirement Account shall also refer to the memorandum account that shall be
established and maintained for a Participant pursuant to Section 5.3.
3. Administration
3.1 Subject to the concurrence of the Committee, the Company may modify
the provisions of the Plan from time-to-time, or, may terminate the entire Plan
at any time; provided, however, that Section 2.4, this Section 3.1, Section 3.4,
Paragraph (d) of Section 6 and Section 7.5 may not be amended or modified, and
the Plan may not be terminated, (i) at the request of a third party who has
indicated an intention or taken steps to effect a Change in Control and who
effectuates a Change in Control, (ii) within six (6) months prior to, or
otherwise in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in Control which
has been threatened or proposed and which actually occurs, or (iii) following a
Change in Control, if the amendment, modification or termination adversely
affects the rights of any Participant under the Plan. Action to amend the Plan
may be taken by the Company either by resolution duly adopted by the Company's
Board, or by an instrument in writing executed by an officer of the Company to
whom authority to adopt or approve amendments to the Plan has been delegated
pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Company's Board. No modification or
termination of the Plan shall adversely affect the rights of any Participant
with respect to any amounts standing to the Participant's credit in any Account
immediately prior to the date of the adoption of such modification or
termination, including without limitation any rights with respect to the time
and method of payment of, or the crediting of interest equivalents with respect
to, any such amounts.
3.2 Responsibility for the ongoing administration of this Plan rests
with the Board.
3.3 The Board may delegate the day-to-day administration of this Plan,
including the maintenance of appropriate records, receiving notifications,
making filings, and maintaining related documentation, to the officer or other
employee of the Company in charge of the Company's Human Resources division or
function, and to his or her staff, or to any one or more other officers or
employees of any Company as the Board may determine in its discretion.
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3.4 The Board shall have exclusive authority to resolve all questions
concerning the Plan, including any dispute over accounting or administrative
procedures or interpretation of the Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any determination made by the Board
after the occurrence of a Change in Control that denies in whole or in part any
claim made by any individual for benefits under the Plan shall be subject to
judicial review, under a "de novo", rather than a deferential, standard.
3.5 A Participant's election to defer Compensation, selection of a
distribution commencement date and distribution option, or designation of a
beneficiary and contingent beneficiary, made pursuant to this Plan, shall be
made in writing, on a form that is furnished to the Participant for such purpose
by the Committee and that is signed by the Participant and delivered to the
Committee. Any such election, selection, designation, or any change therein,
shall not become effective unless and until received by the Committee.
Except as provided in Section 7.4 or Section 7.5, a change in the
selection of a distribution commencement date or distribution option shall not
be effective unless made at least twenty-four (24) months prior to the
Participant's Retirement or Disability.
4. Deferral Election
4.1 For each Plan Year beginning on and after April 1, 1991, an Elected
Officer may elect, separately, to defer (a) any part or all of his or her
Regular Compensation for such year, (b) any part or all of his or her Incentive
Compensation for such year, and/or (c) any part or all of any Performance Award
that becomes payable to the Elected Officer during such year; subject, however,
in each case to the limitations set forth in Section 4.4.
4.2 An election to defer Regular Compensation for any Plan Year
beginning on and after April 1, 1991, shall be made on or prior to October 31 of
the year preceding such Plan Year. An election to defer Incentive Compensation
for any Plan Year beginning on or after April 1, 1991, shall be made on or prior
to October 31 of such Plan Year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) Elected
Officers who are initially elected prior to November 1st of any Plan Year may,
within 30 days of such initial election, or, if later, the date the Elected
Officer's Regular Compensation is fixed by the Board, make a deferral election
for his or her Regular Compensation for the then current Plan Year, and (b)
Elected Officers who are initially elected after November 1st of
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any Plan Year may, within 30 days of such initial election, or, if later, the
date the Elected Officer's Regular Compensation is fixed by the Board, make a
deferral election for both his or her Regular Compensation and Incentive
Compensation (if any) for the then current Plan Year, as well as for his or her
Regular Compensation for the immediately succeeding Plan Year; provided,
however, that any deferral election made pursuant to clause (a) or (b) hereof
shall be effective only with respect to Compensation earned after such deferral
election has become effective. An election to defer any part of a Performance
Award shall be made at least one year prior to the Vesting Date for the
restricted shares or restricted units with respect to which such Performance
Award is payable. All deferral elections made under Section 4.1 or 4.3 shall be
irrevocable.
4.3 For each Plan Year beginning on or after April 1, 1996, any Other
Eligible Employee may elect to defer any part or all of any "Excess
Compensation" that may become payable to such Other Eligible Employee for any
month during such Plan Year, subject to the limitations set forth in Section
4.4. Such election shall be made on or prior to October 31 of the year preceding
such Plan Year.
4.4 Deferral elections otherwise permitted to be made under the Plan
for Plan Years beginning on or after April 1, 1995 shall be subject to the
following limitations:
(a) No amount may be deferred pursuant to a Participant's election
under this Plan for a period of 12 months following the Participant's receipt of
a hardship withdrawal under Section 7.2(e) of the Savings Plan.
(b) No Incentive Compensation for a Plan Year may be deferred pursuant
to a Participant's election hereunder if the Participant's Retirement or
Disability occurs after the date on which he or she made such election but prior
to the first day of the calendar year next following the date on which the
Participant made the election for such Plan Year.
(c) No portion of a Participant's Compensation for a Plan Year may be
deferred pursuant to the Participant's election hereunder to the extent such
portion is required to be applied to payment of any tax or other obligation of
the Participant.
4.5 In any election to defer Regular Compensation or Incentive
Compensation for any Plan Year, in any election to defer any Performance Award
that becomes payable during a Plan Year, and in any election by any Other
Eligible Employee to defer any Excess Compensation for any Plan Year, the
Participant shall specify the amount or portion of such Compensation to be
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deferred, and shall indicate whether the Compensation so deferred is to be
credited to a Pre-Retirement Account, or to a Retirement Account. If an Elected
Officer elects to defer Incentive Compensation for any Plan Year to a
Pre-Retirement Account, the Compensation so deferred shall be credited to the
Elected Officer's Pre-Retirement Account for the Plan Year next following the
Plan Year in which such Incentive Compensation is awarded to the Elected
Officer.
4.6 With respect to Compensation deferred hereunder for a Plan Year
which a Participant elects to have credited to his or her Pre-Retirement
Account, he or she shall specify in his or her election form the date on which
distribution of such account shall be made or commence. The date so selected
shall be no earlier than January 15 of the third calendar year beginning after
the close of such Plan Year, and may be the January 15 of any subsequent
calendar year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may elect to have
distribution of any Pre-Retirement Account made or commence on the earlier of
any date selected by the Participant in accordance with the preceding sentence,
or January 15 of the calendar year following the Participant's Retirement or
Disability. In his or her election form for the Plan Year, the Participant shall
also select an option under Section 7.2 for the distribution of the
Pre-Retirement Account. Except as provided in Section 7.4 or Section 7.5, the
date so specified, and the option so selected, may not thereafter be changed by
the Participant.
4.7 With respect to any Compensation deferred hereunder which a
Participant elects to have credited to his or her Retirement Account, he or she
shall, at the time he or she first elects to have an amount credited to such
account, also elect a distribution commencement date and a distribution option
under Section 7.2 for the distribution of such account. A Participant may,
subject to the provisions of Section 3.5, change any election as to the
distribution commencement date and distribution option for the Retirement
Account previously made by him or her. The distribution commencement date so
elected shall be either January 15 of the calendar year following the
Participant's Retirement or Disability, or January 15 of any subsequent calendar
year.
5. Supplemental Savings Plan Benefits
5.1 Beginning on or after April 1, 1992, for each month for which an
Elected Officer has Excess Compensation, and beginning on or after April 1,
1996, for each month for which any Other Eligible Employee has Excess
Compensation, there shall be credited to such Participant's Retirement Account
an amount
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determined by multiplying the Participant's Excess Compensation for such month
by his or her Matching Percentage for such month.
5.2 For purposes of Section 5.1, the following definitions and rules
shall apply beginning on or after January 1, 1995:
(a) In determining the amount of a Participant's "Excess Compensation"
for any month, only the Participant's Regular Compensation for those months
during which he or she is eligible to participate in the Savings Plan shall be
taken into account.
(b) A Participant's Regular Compensation for any month shall include
the total amount of Regular Compensation that would have been paid to the
Participant in such month but for any deferral election made by the Participant
hereunder. A Participant's Incentive Compensation for any month shall include
the total amount of Incentive Compensation awarded to the Participant during
such month whether or not paid to the Participant in such month.
(c) A Participant's "Matching Percentage" for any month shall mean the
percentage, not in excess of 4%, determined by dividing the aggregate amount of
the Participant's Regular Compensation and Incentive Compensation for such
month, and for all prior months within the ESP Plan Year that includes such
month, that is deferred pursuant to elections made by the Participant hereunder,
by (ii) the aggregate amount of the Participant's Excess Compensation for such
month and for all prior months within the ESP Plan Year that includes such
month.
5.3 If, on the first date as of which an amount is to be credited to a
Participant's Retirement Account under Section 5.1, a Retirement Account had not
previously been established for such Participant pursuant to Section 4.5, a
Retirement Account shall be established for such Participant as of such date. By
no later than 30 days after such date, such Participant shall elect a
distribution commencement date and a distribution option for his Retirement
Account, and may thereafter change any such election, in accordance with the
provisions set forth in Section 4.7.
6. Interest
Interest equivalents will be calculated and credited to Accounts at the
end of each quarter in the calendar year. Such interest equivalents shall be
determined in accordance with the following rules:
(a) The amount of Regular Compensation deferred each month pursuant to
an Elected Officer's election hereunder, the amount of Excess Compensation for
any month that is deferred pursuant to
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any Other Eligible Employee's election hereunder, and any amount credited to a
Participant's Retirement Account for any month under Section 5.1, shall be
treated as having been credited to the Participant's Account in two equal
installments during such month, one at mid-month, and the other at month's end;
and interest equivalents thereon shall be compounded monthly on each quarter's
beginning balance with proportionate monthly compounding for any amounts so
deferred or credited during any calendar quarter.
(b) The amount of Incentive Compensation deferred pursuant to an
Elected Officer's election hereunder shall be treated as having been credited to
the Elected Officer's Account as of the 15th day, or the last day of the month
(whichever is earlier), following the date on which such amount would have been
paid to the Elected Officer in the absence of such election, and interest
equivalents thereon shall be compounded monthly.
(c) Any part of a Performance Award deferred pursuant to an Elected
Officer's election hereunder shall be treated as having been credited to the
Elected Officer's Account as of the 15th day, or the last day of the month
(whichever is earlier), following the Vesting Date for the restricted shares or
restricted units with respect to which such Performance Award became payable.
(d) The rate used in calculation of interest equivalents will be the
rate equal to the simple average of Citibank N.A. of New York Prime Rates for
the last business day of each of the three months in the calendar quarter or, if
greater, such other rate as established from time to time by the Committee.
Interest equivalents will be credited to the balance of each Account
maintained for a Participant hereunder, including the undistributed balance of
any such Account from which payments are being made in installments. However, if
a Participant elects Option (c) under Section 7.2 below, no interest equivalents
will be credited to the Participant's Account for any period after the date on
which distribution under such Option is to commence.
7. Distribution of Deferred Funds
7.1 Subject to Sections 7.4 and 7.5, a Participant's Pre-Retirement
Accounts shall be distributed to him or her, or distributions from such
Pre-Retirement Accounts shall commence, on the date or dates specified in the
elections made by the Participant pursuant to Section 4.6 with respect to such
accounts. Subject to Sections 7.4 and 7.5, a Participant's Retirement Account
shall be distributed to him or her, or distributions from such Retirement
Account shall commence, on the
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date specified in the most recent effective election made by the Participant
pursuant to Section 4.7 with respect to such Account.
7.2 The options available for distribution are:
(a) A single lump sum payment.
(b) Annual installments over any fixed number of years selected by the
Participant, with a minimum of five annual installments required for the
Retirement Account.
(c) With the prior consent of the Committee and subject to such terms
and conditions as it may require, a lifetime annuity payable in annual or more
frequent installments, the amount of which shall be determined by reference to
mortality tables and interest and dividend rates applicable under individual
whole life insurance policies being issued at the time of the Committee's
approval by such life insurance companies as the Committee may designate.
(d) Any other form of distribution, in equal or unequal payments, as
specifically approved by the Committee.
If distribution of any of a Participant's Accounts is to be made in
annual installments under Option (b) of this Section 7.2, the amount of each
installment will equal the total amount in said Account on the date the
installment is payable, divided by the number of installments remaining to be
paid. In addition, if the distributions are made in installments under Option
(b) of this Section 7.2, the interest equivalent accrued on each Account each
year after the date the first installment is payable will be distributed on each
anniversary of such date.
7.3 Except as the Board may otherwise determine based on the
circumstances at the time the distribution to the beneficiary is to commence:
(a) If a Participant should die after distribution of any Account
maintained for him or her hereunder has commenced, but before the entire balance
of such Account has been fully distributed, distributions will continue to be
made from such Account to the Participant's designated beneficiary or contingent
beneficiary, in accordance with the distribution option in effect for such
Account at the time of the Participant's death.
(b) If a Participant should die before any distribution from an Account
maintained for him or her hereunder has been made to him or her, distribution of
such Account to the Participant's designated beneficiary or contingent
beneficiary shall be made,
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or shall commence, as soon as practicable after the Participant's death, in
accordance with the distribution option in effect for such Account at the time
of the Participant's death.
Any amounts remaining to be paid to a Participant's designated
beneficiary at the time of the designated beneficiary's death shall be paid to
the Participant's contingent beneficiary or, if such contingent beneficiary has
predeceased the Participant's designated beneficiary, to the estate of the
designated beneficiary. Any amounts remaining to be paid to a Participant's
contingent beneficiary at the time of such contingent beneficiary's death shall
be paid to the estate of the contingent beneficiary. If the Participant's
designated beneficiary and contingent beneficiary have both predeceased the
Participant, any amounts remaining to be paid to the Participant at the time of
his or her death shall be paid to the Participant's estate.
7.4 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Account
maintained for a Participant hereunder may be distributed, in whole or in part,
to such Participant on any date earlier than the date on which distribution from
such Account is to be made or commence pursuant to the Participant's election
with respect to such Account, if (a) the Participant requests such early
distribution, and (b) the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that such
early distribution is necessary to help the Participant meet some severe
financial need arising from circumstances which were beyond the Participant's
control and which were not foreseen by him or her at the time he or she made his
or her election as to the date or dates for distribution from such Account. A
request by a Participant for an early distribution shall be made in writing,
shall set forth sufficient information as to the Participant's need for such
distribution to enable the Board to take action on his or her request, and shall
be mailed or delivered to the Company's Corporate Secretary.
7.5 Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary or
any other optional form of distribution otherwise elected, each Participant
shall be permitted to make a special distribution election under (a), (b) or (c)
below, in accordance with the provisions of (d) below.
(a) A Participant may elect under this Section 7.5(a) to have the
entire balance of each of his or her Accounts distributed in the form of a
single lump sum payment upon the occurrence of a Change in Control prior to the
Participant's "Termination of Employment", as defined in (e) below. Such payment
shall be made by no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which such
Change in Control occurs.
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(b) A Participant may elect under this Section 7.5(b) to have the
entire balance of each of his or her Accounts distributed in the form of a
single lump sum payment in the event of the Participant's Termination of
Employment for any reason within the two (2) year period following a Change in
Control. Such payment shall be made by no later than thirty (30) days after the
date of the Participant's Termination of Employment.
(c) Under this Section 7.5(c) a Participant may elect, in the event a
Change in Control occurs after the Participant's Termination of Employment but
before all payments with respect to the Participant's Accounts have been made
pursuant to the Participant's elections under Section 4.6 and/or Section 4.7, to
have the entire unpaid balance of his or her Accounts at the time of such Change
in Control distributed in the form of a single lump sum payment. Such payment
shall be made by no later than thirty (30) days after the date on which the
Change in Control occurs.
(d) An election under Section 7.5(a) shall be effective only if it is
made at least one year prior to the Change in Control referred to in Section
7.5(a). An election under Section 7.5 (b) shall be effective only if it is made
either (i) at least twenty-four (24) months prior to the Participant's
Termination of Employment, or (ii) if such Termination of Employment constitutes
an "Involuntary Termination", as defined in (e) below, at least one year prior
to the Change in Control referred to in Section 7.5(b). An election under
Section 7.5(c) shall be effective only if it is made prior to the Participant's
Termination of Employment and at least one year prior to the occurrence of the
Change in Control referred to in Section 7.5(c). Any special election made under
Section 7.5(a), (b) or (c) may be revoked, and a new special election may be
made thereunder at any time; provided, however, that any such revocation or new
election shall be effective only if it is made within the applicable election
period specified herein. Any special election, or revocation of a special
election, that may be made under Section 7.5(a), (b) or (c) shall be made in the
manner set forth in Section 3.5
(e) For purposes of this Section 7.5, the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
(i) "Termination of Employment" shall mean the termination of
a Participant's employment with the Company other than as a result of
the transfer of the Participant's employment to any other Company.
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(ii) "Involuntary Termination" shall mean a Participant's
Termination of Employment (A) as a result of the Participant's death, (B) by
the Company, for any reason, or (C) by the Participant for "Good
Reason" as defined in (iii) below.
(iii) "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence after a Change
in Control of any of the following events or conditions:
(A) a change in the Participant's status, title,
position or responsibilities (including reporting
responsibilities) which, in the Participant's reasonable
judgment, represents an adverse change from his or her status,
title, position or responsibilities as in effect immediately
prior thereto; the assignment to the Participant of any duties
or responsibilities which, in the Participant's reasonable
judgment, are inconsistent with his or her status, title,
position or responsibilities; or any removal of the
Participant from or failure to reappoint or reelect him or her
to any of such offices or positions, other than in connection
with the termination of his or her employment for disability,
for cause, or by the Participant other than for Good Reason;
(B) any reduction in the rate of the Participant's
annual base salary;
(C) the relocation of the offices of the Company at
which the Participant is principally employed to a location
more than twenty-five (25) miles from the location of such
offices immediately prior to such relocation, or the Company
requiring the Participant to be based anywhere other than at
such offices, except to the extent the Participant was not
previously assigned to a principal place of duty and except
for required travel on the Company's business to an extent
substantially consistent with the Participant's previous
business travel obligations;
(D) the failure by the Company to pay to the
Participant any amount of the Participant's current
compensation, or any amount payable under this Plan, within
seven (7) days of the date on which payment of such amount is
due; or
(E) the failure by the Company (1) to continue in
effect (without reduction in benefit level, and/or reward
opportunities) any material compensation or
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employee benefit plan in which the Participant was
participating immediately prior to such failure by the Company
unless a substitute or replacement plan has been implemented
which provides substantially identical compensation or
benefits to the Participant or (2) to continue to provide the
Participant with compensation and benefits, in the aggregate,
at least equal (in terms of benefit levels and/or reward
opportunities) to those provided for under all other
compensation or employee benefit plans, programs and practices
in which the Participant was participating immediately prior
to such failure by the Company.
Any event or condition described in clause (A) through (E)
above which occurs (1) within twelve (12) months prior to a Change in
Control or (2) prior to a Change in Control but which (x) was at the
request of a third party who has indicated an intention or taken steps
reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control and who effectuates
a Change in Control, or (y) otherwise arose in connection with, or in
anticipation of, a Change in Control which has been threatened or
proposed and which actually occurs, shall constitute Good Reason for
purposes of this Section 7.5 notwithstanding that it occurred prior to
a Change in Control.
7.6 The Company may, but shall not be required to, purchase a life
insurance policy, or policies, to assist in funding any of its payment
obligations under the Plan. If any policy is so purchased, it shall, at all
times, remain the exclusive property of the Company and subject to the claims of
its creditors. Neither the Participant nor any beneficiary or contingent
beneficiary designated by him or her shall have any interest in, or rights with
respect to, such policy.
7.7 A Participant shall have the status of a mere unsecured creditor of
the Company with respect to his or her right to receive any payment under the
Plan. The Plan shall constitute a mere promise by the Company to make payments
in the future of the benefits provided for herein. It is intended that the
arrangements reflected in this Plan be treated as unfunded for tax purposes and
for purposes of Title I of ERISA.
8. Non-Assignment of Deferred Compensation
A Participant's rights to payments under this Plan shall not be subject
in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer (other than transfer
by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, in the absence of a
beneficiary designation), assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or
garnishment by creditors of the Participant or his or her spouse or other
beneficiary.
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9. Termination of Participation or Employment
A Participant's participation in the Plan may be terminated by the
Board at any time. No promise or representation, either express or implied, is
made with respect to continued employment, transfer or promotion because of
participation in the Plan, and the employment of a Participant may be terminated
at any time.
10. Transfer of Employment
10.1 If a Participant transfers employment to any other Company that
maintains this Plan for such Company's Elected Officers and Other Eligible
Employees and the Participant is or becomes an Elected Officer or Other Eligible
Employee of such other Company, the balance to the Participant's credit in each
Account maintained for the Participant under this Plan shall be transferred to
the comparable account established for the Participant under the Plan maintained
by such other Company, effective as of the date on which the Participant's
employment is so transferred or, if later, the date on which the Participant
first becomes an Elected Officer or Other Eligible Employee of such other
Company. Upon the transfer of the Participant's Account balances, the Company
making the transfer shall have no further obligation to the Participant or his
or her designated beneficiaries with respect to payment of the Account balances
so transferred.
10.2 If an Elected Officer or Other Eligible Employee of any other
Company that maintains this Plan for its Elected Officers or Other Eligible
Employee transfers employment to the Company and is or becomes an Elected
Officer or Other Eligible Employee of the Company, as of the date on which such
Elected Officer's or Other Eligible Employee's employment is so transferred or,
if later, the date on which such Elected Officer or Other Eligible Employee
first becomes an Elected Officer or Other Eligible Employee of the Company,
there shall be established for the Elected Officer or Other Eligible Employee
under this Plan an Account or Accounts comparable to each account maintained for
such Elected Officer or Other Eligible Employee under such other Company's Plan,
and there shall be transferred to each Account so established an amount equal to
the balance to such Elected Officer's or Other Eligible Employee's credit in the
comparable account maintained for the Elected Officer or Other Eligible Employee
under such other Company's Plan.
In addition, on and after the date on which an Elected Officer's or
Other Eligible Employee's Account balances are so transferred, any election to
defer Compensation, any election as
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to the date of commencement or form of distribution of Account balances, and any
designation of a beneficiary, made by the Participant under such other Company's
Plan shall be treated as having been made under this Plan.
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