EXHIBIT 10.4
AMERIGAS PROPANE, INC.
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYEE
SEVERANCE PAY PLAN
AS IN EFFECT AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2003
AS AMENDED ON DECEMBER 6, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
Article I Purpose and Term of Plan........................................ 1
Article II Definitions..................................................... 2
Article III Participation and Eligibility for Benefits...................... 5
Article IV Benefits........................................................ 7
Article V Method and Duration of Benefit Payments......................... 11
Article VI Administration.................................................. 12
Article VII Amendment and Termination....................................... 14
Article VIII Duties of the Company........................................... 15
Article IX Claims Procedures............................................... 16
Article X Miscellaneous................................................... 18
Appendix A Change of Control............................................... A-1
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ARTICLE I
PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN
Section 1.01 Background. This Plan is amended and restated in its entirety
as of December 15, 2003, with all changes effective as of that date.
Section 1.02 Purpose of the Plan. The Plan is intended to alleviate, in
part or in full, financial hardships which may be experienced by certain
Executive Employees employed in the United States whose employment is terminated
without Just Cause, in recognition of their past service to the Company and its
Affiliates. In essence, benefits under the Plan are intended to be additional
compensation for past services or for the continuation of specified employee
benefits for a transitional period. The amount or kind of benefit to be provided
is to be based on the Executive Employee's Compensation and the employee benefit
programs applicable to the Executive Employee at the Executive Employee's
Employment Termination Date. The Plan is not intended to be included in the
definitions of "employee pension benefit plan" and "pension plan" set forth
under Section 3(2)(B)(i) of ERISA. Rather, this Plan is intended to meet the
descriptive requirements of a plan constituting a "severance pay plan" within
the meaning of regulations published by the Secretary of Labor at Title 29, Code
of Federal Regulations, Section 2510.3-2(b). Accordingly, the benefits paid by
the Plan are not deferred compensation and no employee shall have a vested right
to such benefits. In addition, the Plan has been drafted to give the Company
broad discretion in designating individuals who are eligible for benefits and
the amount of such benefits. All actions taken by the Company shall be in its
role as the plan sponsor and not as a fiduciary.
Section 1.03 Term of the Plan. This amendment and restatement is a
continuation of the Company's existing Plan. The Plan will continue until such
time as the Company, acting in its sole discretion, elects to modify, supersede
or terminate it in accordance with the further provisions hereof.
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ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
Section 2.01 "Affiliate" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended.
Section 2.02 "Benefit" or "Benefits" shall mean any or all of the benefits
that a Participant is entitled to receive pursuant to Article IV of the Plan.
Section 2.03 "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
Company, or any successor thereto.
Section 2.04 "Chairman of the Board" shall mean the individual serving as
the Chairman of the Board of Directors as of the date of reference.
Section 2.05 "Change of Control" shall mean a change of control as defined
in the attached Appendix A, as amended from time to time by the Committee, in
its discretion.
Section 2.06 "Chief Executive Officer" shall mean the individual serving
as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company as of the date of reference.
Section 2.07 "Committee" shall mean the administrative committee
designated pursuant to Article VI of the Plan to administer the Plan in
accordance with its terms, or its delegate.
Section 2.08 "Company" shall mean AmeriGas Propane, Inc., a Pennsylvania
corporation, and any corporation succeeding to the business of AmeriGas Propane,
Inc. by merger, consolidation, liquidation, purchase of assets or stock or a
similar transaction.
Section 2.09 "Compensation" shall mean the Participant's annual base
salary and applicable target annual bonus amount (if any) in effect on the first
day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the Participant's Employment
Termination Date.
Section 2.10 "Employment Commencement Date" shall mean the most recent day
on which a Participant became an employee of the Company, any Affiliate of the
Company, or any entity whose business or assets have been acquired by the
Company, its Affiliates or any predecessor of such entities, unless the Company
determines to give credit for prior service, if any.
Section 2.11 "Employment Termination Date" shall mean the date on which
the employment relationship between the Participant and the Company and its
Affiliates is terminated.
Section 2.12 "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended.
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Section 2.13 "Executive Employee" shall mean an employee of the Company,
or any subsidiary or other Affiliate that has adopted the Plan, who is employed
in the United States and who is classified as Grade 36 or above at the
employee's Employment Termination Date. In no event shall any of the following
persons be considered an employee for purposes of the Plan: (i) independent
contractors, (ii) persons performing services pursuant to an arrangement with a
third party leasing organization or (iii) any person whom the Company
determines, in its sole discretion, is not a common law employee, whether or not
any such person is later determined to have been a common law employee of the
Company or an Affiliate.
Section 2.14 "Executive Equity Plan" shall mean any long-term equity
incentive plan of the Company or any of its Affiliates, including without
limitation the AmeriGas Propane, Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive Plan, the UGI
Corporation 2004 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, the UGI Corporation 2000
Stock Incentive Plan, and the UGI Corporation 1997 Stock Option and Dividend
Equivalent Plan.
Section 2.15 "Just Cause" shall mean (i) dismissal of an Executive
Employee due to misappropriation of funds, (ii) substance abuse or habitual
insobriety that adversely affects the Executive Employee's ability to perform
his or her job, (iii) conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude, or (iv)
gross negligence in the performance of duties. Disputes with respect to whether
Just Cause exists shall be resolved in accordance with Article IX.
Section 2.16 "Participant" shall mean any Executive Employee who has been
designated by the Company as a participant in this Plan.
Section 2.17 "Plan" shall mean the AmeriGas Propane, Inc. Executive
Employee Severance Pay Plan, as set forth herein, and as the same may from time
to time be amended.
Section 2.18 "Plan Year" shall mean each fiscal year of the Company during
which this Plan is in effect.
Section 2.19 "Release" shall mean a release and discharge of the Company,
all of its Affiliates and all affiliated persons and entities from any and all
claims, demands and causes of action, other than as to amounts or benefits due
to the Participant under any qualified employee retirement plan of the Company
or an Affiliate, which shall be in such form as may be proscribed by the
Company, acting as an employer and not as a fiduciary, from time to time and
with such modifications as the Company deems appropriate for the Participant's
particular situation.
Section 2.20 "Restricted Awards" shall mean restricted units, restricted
stock, stock units, performance units, dividend equivalents, distribution
equivalents and other equity-based awards, other than stock options, that are
granted to a Participant under an Executive Equity Plan.
Section 2.21 "Salary Continuation Period" shall equal one business day for
each month which is included in the Participant's Years of Service plus the
number of months of paid notice under Section 4.01(c) to a maximum of fifteen
(15) months (eighteen (18) months in the case of the Chief Executive Officer).
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Section 2.22 "Year of Service" shall mean each 12-month period (or part
thereof) beginning on the Participant's Employment Commencement Date and ending
on each anniversary thereof. Additional Years of Service based on earlier
employment with the Company, any Affiliate of the Company or any entity whose
business or assets have been acquired by the Company, its Affiliates or any
predecessor of such entities, shall be counted only if permitted by the Company.
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ARTICLE III
PARTICIPATION
AND ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS
Section 3.01 General Eligibility Requirement. In its sole discretion,
acting in its role as Plan sponsor and not as a fiduciary, the Company may grant
a Benefit under this Plan to any Executive Employee whom the Company designates
as a Participant and whose employment is terminated by the Company or an
Affiliate other than for Just Cause, death, or continuous illness, injury or
incapacity for a period of six consecutive months. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, an Executive Employee will not be considered to have
incurred a termination by the Company or an Affiliate for purposes of this Plan
if his or her employment is discontinued due to voluntary resignation or the
expiration of a leave of absence. In addition, the Executive Employee must meet
the requirements of Section 3.03 in order to receive a Benefit under this Plan.
Section 3.02 Substantially Comparable Employment. In the absence of a
Change of Control, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Benefits
shall be due hereunder to an Executive Employee in connection with the
disposition of a business, division or affiliated company by the Company or an
Affiliate if substantially comparable terms of employment, as determined by the
Company, have been offered to the Executive Employee by the transferee;
provided, however, that the Company, acting in its role as Plan sponsor and not
as a fiduciary, may determine that the Company or an Affiliate will provide some
or all of the Benefits to an Executive Employee whose employment with the
Company and its Affiliates is terminated as described in Section 3.01. This
Section 3.02 shall not apply at or after a Change of Control.
Section 3.03 Conditions to Entitlement to Benefits.
(a) As further conditions to entitlement to Benefits under the Plan,
all Participants must, prior to the payment of any Benefits due hereunder, (i)
sign and not rescind or contest the enforceability of a Release; (ii) ratify any
patent assignment, confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition and other
post-employment activities agreement in effect between the Participant and the
Company or an Affiliate; (iii) return to the Company and its Affiliates any and
all property of the Company and its Affiliates held by the Participant,
including but not limited to, all reports, manuals, memoranda, computer disks,
tapes and data made available to the Participant during the performance of the
Participant's duties, including all copies; (iv) hold confidential any and all
information concerning the Company and its Affiliates, whether with respect to
its business, subscribers, providers, customers, operations, finances,
employees, contractors, or otherwise; and (v) cooperate fully with the Company
and its Affiliates to complete the transition of matters with which the
Participant is familiar or responsible to other employees and make himself or
herself available to answer questions or assist in matters which may require
attention after the Participant's Employment Termination Date.
(b) If the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that the
Participant has violated one or more of the foregoing conditions to entitlement
to Benefits, the Committee may determine that the Participant will not receive
the Benefits or the Company may discontinue the payment of Benefits under the
Plan. Any remedy under this Section 3.03 shall be in addition to,
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and not in place of, any other remedy the Company and its Affiliates may have,
at law or otherwise.
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ARTICLE IV
BENEFITS
Section 4.01 Amount of Immediate Cash Benefit. The Company, acting in its
role as Plan sponsor and not as a fiduciary, shall determine which Executive
Employees shall be awarded a Benefit hereunder and the amount of any such
Benefit. The Company may take into account any factors it determines to be
relevant in deciding which Executive Employees shall be awarded Benefits and the
amount of such Benefits, and need not apply its determinations in a uniform
manner to terminated Executive Employees similarly situated. All such decisions
shall be final, binding, and conclusive with respect to the Participant. Unless
the Company determines otherwise, the cash amount to be paid to a Participant
eligible to receive Benefits under Section 3.01 hereof shall be paid in a lump
sum as provided in Section 5.01 hereof and shall equal the sum of the amounts
described in subsections (a) through (d), less the amount described in
subsection (e), except that any payment under paragraph (b) below that is based
on annual financial performance will be excluded from the lump sum payment and
paid separately as provided below:
(a) An amount equal to the Participant's earned and accrued vacation
entitlement, including banked vacation time, and personal holidays through the
end of the Participant's Salary Continuation Period.
(b) An amount equal to the Participant's annual target bonus amount
under the applicable annual bonus plan (or its successor) for the current Plan
Year multiplied by the number of months elapsed in the current Plan Year to his
or her Employment Termination Date and divided by twelve (12), together with any
amounts previously deferred by the Participant under such plan (with interest
thereon at the rate prescribed by such plan) as well as any amounts due from the
prior year under such plan but not yet paid, provided, however, that if the
Employment Termination Date occurs in the last two (2) months of the fiscal
year, in lieu of the payment described above, the amount of the current Plan
Year target bonus to be paid pursuant to this paragraph (b) shall be determined
and paid after the end of the fiscal year in accordance with the terms and
conditions of the applicable annual bonus plan as though the Participant were
still an employee, except that the weighting to be applied to the Participant's
business/financial performance goals under the annual bonus plan will be deemed
to be 100%; provided further, however, that the Company, in its sole discretion,
may determine that the amount payable pursuant to this paragraph (b) for
Employment Termination Dates occurring in the last two (2) months of the fiscal
year may be computed in the same manner as that provided for Employment
Termination Dates occurring during the first ten (10) months of the fiscal year.
(c) In the case of the Chief Executive Officer, an amount of paid
notice equal to one hundred thirty (130) times a fraction, the numerator of
which is the Chief Executive Officer's Compensation and the denominator of which
is two hundred sixty (260), and in the case of all other Participants, paid
notice calculated as an amount equal to sixty-five (65) times a fraction the
numerator of which is the Participant's Compensation and the denominator of
which is two-hundred sixty (260).
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(d) An amount equal to the number of the Participant's Years of
Service multiplied by twelve (12) times a fraction, the numerator of which is
the Participant's Compensation and the denominator of which is two-hundred sixty
(260); provided, however, that such amount shall not exceed 100% of the
Participant's Compensation.
(e) If the Participant's employment with the Company and its
Affiliates terminates before a Change of Control, the cash amount computed in
subsections (a) through (d) above shall be reduced by the amount of cash and the
fair market value of any partnership units, stock or other property that is
payable to the Participant under Restricted Awards after the Participant's
termination of employment, as determined by the Committee. The Committee may
determine that payment of a portion of the Benefit under this Plan will be
delayed pending calculation of the amount payable under Restricted Awards, or
the Committee may decide to pay the amounts described in subsections (a) through
(d) above immediately and offset amounts payable under the Restricted Awards by
the amount of the Benefit previously paid under this Plan. In no event shall a
Participant be required to return to the Company or an Affiliate any amounts
previously paid under this Plan as a result of a decline in the value of
Restricted Awards.
(f) The offset described in subsection (e) shall not apply if the
Participant's employment with the Company and its Affiliates terminates at or
after a Change of Control. In addition, the offset described in subsection (e)
shall not apply to any Restricted Awards for which all requirements for payment
have been met before the Participant's Employment Termination Date (for example,
if the restriction period for a Restricted Award ends on December 31, 2005, the
Restricted Award is payable on February 1, 2006 and the Participant's employment
is terminated on January 15, 2006, Benefits under this Plan shall not be offset
by the Restricted Award).
(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the minimum payment calculated
under subsections (a) through (d) above shall not be less than six (6) months of
base salary at the level in effect on the beginning of the quarter immediately
preceding the Employment Termination Date, without regard for target bonus, for
Participants in employment grades 36-39 and one (1) year's base salary in effect
on the beginning of the quarter immediately preceding the Employment Termination
Date, without regard for target bonus, for Participants in employment grades 40
and higher.
Section 4.02 Executive Benefits. A Participant shall continue to be
entitled, through the end of the Participant's Salary Continuation Period, to
those employee benefits listed below (but only if they are in effect from time
to time during the Salary Continuation Period) based upon the amount of coverage
or benefit provided at the Participant's Employment Termination Date:
(a) Basic Life Insurance;
(b) Supplemental Life Insurance;
(c) Medical Plan and Dental Assistance Plan, including COBRA
continuation coverage;
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(d) AmeriGas Propane, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan,
and
(e) UGI Corporation Senior Executive Retirement Plan, to the extent
applicable.
In each case, when contributions are required of all Executive Employees at the
time of the Participant's Employment Termination Date, or thereafter, if
required of all other Executive Employees, the Participant shall be responsible
for making the required contributions at the employee rate, on an after-tax
basis only, during the Salary Continuation Period in order to be eligible for
the coverage. Notwithstanding the foregoing language, the Participant shall not
be entitled to make any Flexible Spending Account (childcare or medical)
contributions during the Salary Continuation Period. In lieu of any or all of
the coverages provided under any of clauses (a) through (c) above, the Company
or an Affiliate may pay to the Participant, at the time payment is otherwise to
be made of cash Benefits pursuant to Section 5.01 hereof, a single lump sum
payment equal to the then present value of the cost of such coverages.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any such coverages shall be
discontinued if, and at the time, the Participant obtains other employment and
becomes eligible to participate in the plan of, or is provided similar coverage
by, a new employer; provided, however, that the Participant shall not be
required to refund any sum to the Company or an Affiliate should a lump sum have
been paid pursuant to the preceding sentence. Any applicable conversion rights
shall be provided to the Participant at the time coverage ceases. The Committee
shall determine to what extent, if any, any other perquisites or benefit
coverages such as tax preparation services shall continue to be provided during
the Salary Continuation Period and whether the Participant shall be entitled to
outplacement services or to receive title to the Participant's Company-supplied
automobile, if any, in which case the value of the Participant's cash Benefit
under Section 4.01 hereof shall be increased accordingly. The Participant shall
be responsible for the payment of sales tax on such automobile, if any.
Section 4.03 Retirement Plans. This Plan shall not govern and shall in no
way affect the Participant's interest in, or entitlement to benefits under, any
of the qualified retirement plans of the Company or an Affiliate, and any
payments received under any such plan shall not affect a Participant's right to
any Benefit hereunder.
Section 4.04 Effect on Other Benefits. There shall not be drawn from the
continued provision by the Company of any of the aforementioned Benefits any
implication of continued employment or of continued right to accrual of benefits
under a qualified retirement plan of the Company or an Affiliate or an Executive
Equity Plan, and a terminated Executive Employee shall not, except as provided
in Section 4.01(a) hereof, accrue vacation days, paid holidays, paid sick days
or other similar benefits normally associated with employment for any part of
the Salary Continuation Period during which benefits are payable under this
Plan. The benefits payable under this Plan shall be in addition to and not in
lieu of any payments or benefits due to the Participant under any other plan,
policy, or program of the Company and its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, as determined by the Company, the Benefits payable under
this Plan to any Participant may be reduced by any and all payments required to
be made by the Company or an Affiliate under federal, state and local law,
including the Worker
9
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 2101 et. seq., or
under any employment agreement or special severance arrangement.
10
ARTICLE V
METHOD AND DURATION OF BENEFIT PAYMENTS
Section 5.01 Method of Payment. The cash Benefits to which a Participant
is entitled, as determined pursuant to Article IV hereof, shall be paid in a
lump sum. Payment shall be made by mailing to the last address provided by the
Participant to the Company or an Affiliate. Payment shall be made as soon as
reasonably practicable after the fulfillment of all conditions for payment of
the Benefit set forth in Section 4.01, and subject to compliance with all
requirements of Section 3.03. All payments under the Plan are subject to
applicable federal, state and local taxes.
Section 5.02 Payments to Beneficiaries. Each Participant shall designate
one or more beneficiaries to receive any Benefits due hereunder in the event of
the Participant's death prior to the receipt of all such Benefits. Such
beneficiary designation shall be made in the manner, and at the time, prescribed
by the Committee. In the absence of an effective beneficiary designation
hereunder, the Participant's estate shall be deemed to be the Participant's
designated beneficiary.
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ARTICLE VI
ADMINISTRATION
Section 6.01 Appointment. The Committee shall consist of one (1) or more
persons appointed by the Board of Directors. Committee members may be, but need
not be, employees of the Company.
Section 6.02 Tenure. Committee members shall serve at the pleasure of the
Board of Directors. Committee members may resign at any time on ten (10) days'
written notice, and Committee members may be discharged, with or without cause,
at any time by the Board of Directors.
Section 6.03 Authority and Duties. It shall be the duty of the Committee,
on the basis of information supplied to it by the Company, to determine the
eligibility of each Participant for Benefits under the Plan, to determine the
amount of Benefits to which each such Participant may be entitled, and to
determine the manner, time of payment and other requirements of payment of
Benefits consistent with the provisions hereof. The Company shall make such
payments as are certified to it by the Committee to be due to Participants. The
Committee shall have the full power and discretionary authority to construe,
interpret and administer the Plan, to correct deficiencies therein, and to
supply omissions. All decisions, actions, and interpretations of the Committee
shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon the parties. The Committee may
delegate ministerial and other responsibilities to one or more Company
employees.
Section 6.04 Action by the Committee. A majority of the members of the
Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting
of the Committee. Any action of the Committee may be taken upon the affirmative
vote of a majority of the members of the Committee at a meeting, or at the
direction of the Chairperson, without a meeting, by mail, telegraph, telephone,
or electronic communication device; provided that all of the members of the
Committee are informed of their right to vote on the matter before the Committee
and of the outcome of the vote thereon.
Section 6.05 Officers of the Committee. The Committee shall designate one
of its members to serve as Chairperson thereof. The Committee shall also
designate a person to serve as Secretary of the Committee, which person may be,
but need not be, a member of the Committee.
Section 6.06 Compensation of the Committee. Members of the Committee shall
receive no compensation for their services as such. However, all reasonable
expenses of the Committee shall be paid or reimbursed by the Company upon proper
documentation. The Company shall indemnify members of the Committee against
personal liability for actions taken in good faith in the discharge of their
respective duties as members of the Committee.
Section 6.07 Records, Reporting, and Disclosure. The Committee shall keep
all individual and group records relating to Participants and former
Participants and all other records necessary for the proper operation of the
Plan. Such records shall be made available to the Company and to each
Participant for examination during business hours except that a Participant
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shall examine only such records as pertain exclusively to the examining
Participant and to the Plan. The Committee shall prepare and shall file as
required by law or regulation all reports, forms, documents and other items
required by ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code, and every other relevant statute,
each as amended, and all regulations thereunder (except that the Company, as
payor of the Benefits, shall prepare and distribute to the proper recipients all
forms relating to withholding of income or wage taxes, Social Security taxes,
and other amounts which may be similarly reportable).
Section 6.08 Actions of the Committee. All determinations made by the
Committee under the Plan shall be made solely at the discretion of the
Committee. The exercise of discretion by the Committee need not be uniformly
applied to similarly situated Participants and shall be final and binding on
each Participant or beneficiary to whom the determination is directed.
Section 6.09 Benefits of the Chief Executive Officer and other Executive
Officers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation/Pension Committee
shall serve as the Committee under the Plan with respect to the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and other executive officers (as determined by the Board
of Directors). The Compensation/Pension Committee of the Board of Directors
shall make all determinations with respect to the Chief Executive Officer and
other executive officers as to any matter that directly pertains to, or affects,
the Chief Executive Officer or other executive officers.
Section 6.10 Bonding. The Committee shall arrange any bonding that may be
required by law, but no amount in excess of the amount required by law, if any,
shall be required by the Plan.
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ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Section 7.01 Amendment, Suspension, and Termination. The Company, by
action of its Board of Directors or its Compensation/Pension Committee, retains
the right, at any time and from time to time, to amend, suspend or terminate the
Plan in whole or in part, for any reason, and without either the consent of or
the prior notification to any Participant. No such amendment shall give the
Company or an Affiliate the right to recover any amount paid to a Participant
prior to the date of such amendment or to cause the cessation and discontinuance
of payments of Benefits to any person or persons under the Plan already
receiving Benefits.
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ARTICLE VIII
DUTIES OF THE COMPANY
Section 8.01 Records. The Company shall supply to the Committee all
records and information necessary to the performance of the Committee's duties.
Section 8.02 Payment. The Company shall make payments from its general
assets to Participants in accordance with the terms of the Plan, as directed by
the Committee.
Section 8.03 Discretion, Delegation.
(a) Any decisions, actions or interpretations to be made under the
Plan by the Company shall be made in its sole discretion, not in any fiduciary
capacity and need not be uniformly applied to similarly situated individuals,
and such decisions, actions or interpretations shall be final, binding and
conclusive upon all parties.
(b) The Company may take actions under the Plan by action of its
Board of Directors or its Compensation/Pension Committee, or by action of any
officer or administrative committee to whom any of the Company's authority with
respect to the Plan shall have been delegated. The Compensation/Pension
Committee shall be authorized to take all Company actions under the Plan with
respect to the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers (as
determined by the Board of Directors).
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ARTICLE IX
CLAIMS PROCEDURES
Section 9.01 Application for Benefits. Participants who believe they are
eligible for benefits under this Plan may apply for such benefits by completing
and filing with the Committee an application for benefits on a form supplied by
the Committee. Before the date on which benefit payments commence, each such
application must be supported by such information as the Committee deems
relevant and appropriate.
Section 9.02 Claim. A terminated employee may contest his or her
eligibility for the amount of benefit awarded by completing and filing with the
Committee a written request for review in the manner specified by the Committee.
Each such application must be supported by such information as the Committee
deems relevant and appropriate. The Committee will review the claim and provide
notice to the terminated employee, in writing, within 90 days after the claim is
filed unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing
the claim. In no event shall the extension exceed a period of 90 days from the
end of the initial period. In the event that any claim for benefits is denied in
whole or in part, the terminated employee whose claim has been so denied shall
be notified of such denial in writing by the Committee. The notice advising of
the denial shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the
terminated employee and shall set forth: (i) specific references to the
pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based; (ii) a description of
any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the
claim and an explanation as to why such information is necessary; and (iii) an
explanation of the Plan's claim procedures and the time limits applicable to
such procedures, including a statement of the claimant's right to bring a civil
action under section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination
on appeal.
Section 9.03 Appeals of Denied Claims for Benefits. All appeals shall be
made by the following procedure:
(a) The terminated employee whose claim has been denied shall file
with the Committee a notice of appeal of the denial. Such notice shall be filed
within sixty (60) days of notification by the Committee of the claim denial,
shall be made in writing, and shall set forth all of the facts upon which the
appeal is based. Appeals not timely filed shall be barred.
(b) The claimant or his duly authorized representative may:
(i) request a review upon written notice to the Committee;
(ii) examine the Plan and obtain, upon request and without
charge, copies of all information relevant to the claimant's appeal; and
(iii) submit issues and comments in writing.
(c) The Named Appeals Fiduciary (as described in Section 9.04) shall
issue a decision no later than 60 days after receipt of a request for review
unless special circumstances, such as the need to hold a hearing, require a
longer period of time, in which case a decision shall
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be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than 120 days after receipt of
the terminated employee's notice of appeal.
(d) The Named Appeals Fiduciary shall consider the merits of the
claimant's written presentations, the merits of any facts or evidence in support
of the denial of benefits, and such other facts and circumstances as the Named
Appeals Fiduciary shall deem relevant.
(e) The Named Appeals Fiduciary shall render a determination upon
the appealed claim, which determination shall be accompanied by a written
statement setting forth:
(i) specific reasons for the decision, written in a manner
calculated to be understood by the claimant;
(ii) specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions upon
which the decision is based;
(iii) the claimant's right to receive, upon request and free
of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other
information relevant to the claim for benefits; and
(iv) the claimant's right to bring a civil action under
section 502(a) of ERISA.
Section 9.04 Appointment of the Named Appeals Fiduciary. The Named Appeals
Fiduciary shall be the person or persons named as such by the Board of
Directors, or, if no such person or persons be named, then the person or persons
named by the Committee as the Named Appeals Fiduciary. Named Appeals Fiduciaries
may at any time be removed by the Board of Directors, and any Named Appeals
Fiduciary named by the Committee may be removed by the Committee. All such
removals may be with or without cause and shall be effective on the date stated
in the notice of removal. The Named Appeals Fiduciary shall be a "Named
Fiduciary" within the meaning of ERISA, and unless appointed to other fiduciary
responsibilities, shall have no authority, responsibility or liability with
respect to any matter other than the proper discharge of the functions of the
Named Appeals Fiduciary as set forth herein.
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ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.01 Nonalienation of Benefits. None of the payments, benefits or
rights of any Participant shall be subject to any claim of any creditor, and, in
particular, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all such payments, benefits
and rights shall be free from attachment, garnishment, trustee's process, or any
other legal or equitable process available to any creditor of such Participant.
No Participant shall have the right to alienate, anticipate, commute, pledge,
encumber or assign any of the benefits or payments which the Participant may
expect to receive, contingently or otherwise, under this Plan.
Section 10.02 No Contract of Employment. Neither the establishment of the
Plan, nor any modification thereof, nor the creation of any fund, trust or
account, nor the payment of any benefits shall be construed as giving any
Participant, or any person whosoever, the right to be retained in the service of
the Company or an Affiliate, and all Participants shall remain subject to
discharge to the same extent as if the Plan had never been adopted.
Section 10.03 Severability of Provisions. If any provision of this Plan
shall be held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction,
such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions
hereof, and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had
not been included.
Section 10.04 Successors, Heirs, Assigns, and Personal Representatives.
This Plan shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors
and assigns of the parties, including each Participant, present and future.
Unless the Committee directs otherwise, the Company shall require any successor
or successors (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Company, or a division or Affiliate thereof, (i) to acknowledge expressly that
this Plan is binding upon and enforceable against such successor in accordance
with the terms hereof, (ii) to become jointly and severally obligated with the
Company to perform the obligations under this Plan, and (iii) to agree not to
amend or terminate the Plan for a period of three (3) years after the date of
succession without the consent of the affected Participant.
Section 10.05 Headings and Captions. The headings and captions herein are
provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the
Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.
Section 10.06 Gender and Number. Except where otherwise clearly indicated
by context, the masculine and the neuter shall include the feminine and the
neuter, the singular shall include the plural, and vice-versa.
Section 10.07 Unfunded Plan. The Plan shall not be funded. The Company
may, but shall not be required to, set aside or designate an amount necessary to
provide the Benefits specified herein (including the establishment of trusts).
In any event, no Participant shall have any right to, or interest in, any assets
of the Company or an Affiliate which may be applied by the Company or an
Affiliate to the payment of Benefits.
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Section 10.08 Payments to Incompetent Persons. Any Benefit payable to or
for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent person, or other person incapable of
receipting therefor shall be deemed paid when paid to such person's guardian or
to the party providing or reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such
person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Company, its Affiliates, the
Committee and all other parties with respect thereto.
Section 10.09 Lost Payees. A Benefit shall be deemed forfeited if the
Committee is unable to locate a Participant to whom a Benefit is due. Such
Benefit shall be reinstated if application is made by the Participant for the
forfeited Benefit while this Plan is in operation.
Section 10.10 Controlling Law. This Plan shall be construed and enforced
according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, to the extent not
preempted by Federal law, without giving effect to any Pennsylvania choice of
law provisions.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused the Plan to be executed by its
duly authorized officer and its corporate seal to be affixed hereto as of the
effective date described above.
AMERIGAS PROPANE, INC.
Attest
____________________________________ By:_________________________________
Secretary Vice President - Human Resources
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APPENDIX A
CHANGE OF CONTROL
For purposes of this Plan, the term "Change of Control," and defined terms
used in the definition of "Change of Control," shall have the following
meanings:
1. "Change of Control" shall mean:
(a) Any Person (except UGI, any Subsidiary of UGI, any
employee benefit plan of UGI or of any Subsidiary of UGI, or any Person or
entity organized, appointed or established by UGI for or pursuant to the terms
of any such employee benefit plan), together with all Affiliates and Associates
of such Person, becomes the Beneficial Owner in the aggregate of twenty percent
(20%) or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of UGI
(the "Outstanding UGI Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of UGI entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors (the "UGI Voting Securities"); in either case unless the
members of UGI's Executive Committee in office immediately prior to such
acquisition determine within five business days of the receipt of actual notice
of such acquisition that the circumstances do not warrant the implementation of
the Change of Control provisions of this Plan; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the beginning of any twenty-four
(24) month period, constitute the UGI Board of Directors (the "Incumbent UGI
Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Incumbent
UGI Board, provided that any individual becoming a director of UGI subsequent to
the beginning of such period whose election or nomination for election by the
UGI stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors
then comprising the Incumbent UGI Board shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent UGI Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection
with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of the
Directors of UGI (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A
promulgated under the Exchange Act); or
(c) Completion by UGI of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation (a "Business Combination"), in each case, with respect to which
all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the respective
Beneficial Owners of the Outstanding UGI Common Stock and UGI Voting Securities
immediately prior to such Business Combination do not, following such Business
Combination, Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, more than fifty percent
(50%) of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination in substantially the same proportion as
their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the
Outstanding UGI Common Stock and UGI Voting Securities, as the case may be; in
either case unless the members of UGI's Executive Committee in office
immediately prior to such Business Combination determine at the time of such
Business Combination that the circumstances do not warrant the implementation of
the Change of Control provisions of this Plan; or
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(d) Completion of (a) a complete liquidation or dissolution of
UGI or (b) sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of UGI other than to a corporation with respect to which, following such sale or
disposition, more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors is then owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, by all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial
Owners, respectively, of the Outstanding UGI Common Stock and UGI Voting
Securities immediately prior to such sale or disposition in substantially the
same proportion as their ownership of the Outstanding UGI Common Stock and UGI
Voting Securities, as the case may be, immediately prior to such sale or
disposition; in either case unless the members of UGI's Executive Committee in
office immediately prior to such sale or disposition determine at the time of
such sale or disposition that the circumstances do not warrant the
implementation of the Change of Control provisions of this Plan; or
(e) Completion by the Company, Public Partnership or the
Operating Partnership of a reorganization, merger or consolidation (a "Propane
Business Combination"), in each case, with respect to which all or substantially
all of the individuals and entities who were the respective Beneficial Owners of
the Company's voting securities or of the outstanding units of AmeriGas
Partners, L.P. ("Outstanding Units") immediately prior to such Propane Business
Combination do not, following such Propane Business Combination, Beneficially
Own, directly or indirectly, (a) if the entity resulting from such Propane
Business Combination is a corporation, more than fifty percent (50%) of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined
voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of such corporation
in substantially the same proportion as their ownership immediately prior to
such Combination of the Company's voting securities or the Outstanding Units, as
the case may be, or, (b) if the entity resulting from such Propane Business
Combination is a partnership, more than fifty percent (50%) of the then
outstanding common units of such partnership in substantially the same
proportion as their ownership immediately prior to such Propane Business
Combination of the Company's voting securities or the Outstanding Units, as the
case may be; or
(f) Completion of (a) a complete liquidation or dissolution of
the Company, the Public Partnership or the Operating Partnership or (b) sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the
Public Partnership or the Operating Partnership other than to an entity with
respect to which, following such sale or disposition, (I) if such entity is a
corporation, more than fifty percent (50%) of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors is then owned beneficially, directly or indirectly, by all or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the Beneficial
Owners, respectively, of the Company's voting securities or of the Outstanding
Units, as the case may be, immediately prior to such sale or disposition in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Company's voting
securities or of the Outstanding Units, as the case may be, immediately prior to
such sale or disposition, or, (II) if such entity is a partnership, more than
fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding common units is then owned
beneficially, directly or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the
individuals and entities who were the Beneficial Owners, respectively, of the
Company's voting securities or of the Outstanding Units, as the case may be,
immediately prior to such sale or disposition in substantially the same
proportion as their
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ownership of the Company's voting securities or of the Outstanding Units
immediately prior to such sale or disposition; or
(g) UGI and its Subsidiaries fail to own more than fifty
percent (50%) of the then outstanding general partnership interests of the
Public Partnership or the Operating Partnership; or
(h) UGI and its Subsidiaries fail to own more than fifty
percent (50%) of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or
more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors; or
(i) The Company is removed as the general partner of the
Public Partnership by vote of the limited partners of the Public Partnership, or
is removed as the general partner of the Public Partnership or the Operating
Partnership as a result of judicial or administrative proceedings involving the
Company, the Public Partnership or the Operating Partnership.
2. "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").
3. A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of any
securities: (i) that such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
Associates, directly or indirectly, has the right to acquire (whether such right
is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) or upon the
exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, rights, warrants or options, or
otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial
Owner" of securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by
such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates until such tendered
securities are accepted for payment, purchase or exchange; (ii) that such Person
or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates, directly or indirectly, has
the right to vote or dispose of or has "beneficial ownership" of (as determined
pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange
Act), including without limitation pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding, whether or not in writing; provided, however, that a Person shall
not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of any security under this clause (ii) as a
result of an oral or written agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote
such security if such agreement, arrangement or understanding (A) arises solely
from a revocable proxy given in response to a public proxy or consent
solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable provisions
of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, and (B) is not then
reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or any
comparable or successor report); or (iii) that are beneficially owned, directly
or indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) with
which such Person (or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates) has any
agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether or not in writing) for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a revocable proxy as
described in the proviso to clause (ii) above) or disposing of any securities;
provided, however, that nothing in this Section 1(c) shall cause a Person
engaged in business as an underwriter of securities to be the "Beneficial
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Owner" of any securities acquired through such Person's participation in good
faith in a firm commitment underwriting until the expiration of forty (40) days
after the date of such acquisition.
4. "Operating Partnership" shall mean AmeriGas Propane, L.P.
5. "Public Partnership" shall mean AmeriGas Partners, L.P.
6. "Person" shall mean an individual or a corporation, partnership,
trust, unincorporated organization, association, or other entity.
7. "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation in which UGI or the
Company, as applicable, directly or indirectly, owns at least a fifty percent
(50%) interest or an unincorporated entity of which UGI or the Company, as
applicable, directly or indirectly, owns at least fifty percent (50%) of the
profits or capital interests.
8. "UGI" shall mean UGI Corporation.
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