SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Filed by the Registrant |X| Filed by a party other than the Registrant |_| Check the appropriate box: |_| Preliminary Proxy Statement |_| Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |_| Definitive Proxy Statement |_| Definitive Additional Materials |X| Soliciting Material Under Rule 14a-12 MAYTAG CORPORATION ------------------------------------------ (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) -------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |X| No fee required. |_| Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: ---------------------------------------------------------- (2) ---------------------------------------------------------- Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ---------------------------------------------------------- (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): ---------------------------------------------------------- (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ---------------------------------------------------------- (5) Total fee paid: ----------------------------------------------------------- |_| Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |_| Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: ---------------------------------------------------------- (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ---------------------------------------------------------- (3) Filing Party: ---------------------------------------------------------- (4) Date Filed: ---------------------------------------------------------- MAYTAG CORPORATION 403 WEST FOURTH STREET, NORTH NEWTON, IOWA 50208-0039 December 12, 2005 Dear Fellow Stockholder: According to our latest records, we have not yet received your proxy for the important special meeting of stockholders of Maytag Corporation, to be held on December 22, 2005. YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE PROPOSED MERGER WITH WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION. Please help your company avoid the expense of further solicitation by voting TODAY by telephone, VIA the Internet, or by signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided. Sincerely, Patricia J. Martin SECRETARY -------------------------------------------------------------------------- REMEMBER: YOU CAN VOTE YOUR SHARES BY TELEPHONE OR VIA THE INTERNET. PLEASE FOLLOW THE EASY INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED CARD. If you have any questions, or need assistance in voting your shares, please call our proxy solicitor, INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED TOLL-FREE, AT 1-877-687-1873. -------------------------------------------------------------------------