Exhibit 10.35
DRAFT
LIBERTY FINANCIAL COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NON-COMMISSIONED EMPLOYEE SEVERANCE AND RETENTION PLAN
The Company hereby adopts the Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. and
Subsidiaries Non-Commissioned Employee Severance and Retention Plan for the
benefit of certain employees of the Company and its Affiliates, on the terms and
conditions hereinafter stated. All capitalized terms used herein are defined in
Section 1 hereof.
1. DEFINITIONS. As hereinafter used:
1.1 "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 under
Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
1.2 "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act.
1.3 "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.4 "Cause" means (i) the willful and continued failure by a Covered
Employee to substantially perform the Covered Employee's duties with the
Employer (other than any such failure resulting from the Covered Employee's
incapacity due to physical or mental illness), or (ii) the willful engaging by a
Covered Employee in conduct which is demonstrably injurious in a material extent
to the Company or any of its Affiliates, monetarily or otherwise. For purposes
of this definition, no act, or failure to act, on a Covered Employee's part
shall be deemed "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Covered
Employee not in good faith or without reasonable belief that the Covered
Employee's act, or failure to act, was in the best interest of the Company.
1.5 A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the
events set forth in the following paragraphs shall have occurred:
(a) any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner (except in connection
with a transaction described in paragraph (2) below), directly or indirectly, of
(i) securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting
power of the Company's then outstanding Voting Securities or (ii) assets of the
Company comprising 50% or more of such assets;
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(b) the consummation of any merger or consolidation or similar
business transaction of the Company (or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the
Company) with any other corporation or other entity in which the holders of the
Company's outstanding Voting Securities immediately prior to such transaction no
longer hold (in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under any employee benefit plan of the Company) at least 50%
of the outstanding Voting Securities of the Company, the surviving entity or any
parent thereof immediately after such transaction; or
(c) any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner (except in connection
with a transaction described in paragraphs (1) and (2) above), directly or
indirectly, of assets of the Company comprising of all or substantially all of
the Company's annuity or asset management business (as determined by the Board
in its discretion); provided, however, that such event will result in a "Change
in Control" only with respect to a Covered Employee the assets of whose Employer
are transferred in connection with the transaction described in this paragraph
(3).
1.6 "Change in Control Price" means the cash value of a share of the
Company's common stock on the date of a Change in Control, as reasonably
determined by the Plan Administrator.
1.7 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended
from time to time.
1.8 "Company" means Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. or any successors
thereto.
1.9 "Covered Employee" means any employee who is a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3,
Tier 4, Tier 5, Tier 6, Tier 7 or Tier 8 Employee and who is in good standing
(not on probation). A Covered Employee becomes a "Severed Employee" once he or
she incurs a Severance.
1.10 "Date of Hire" means the earlier of the date a Covered Employee
commences employment with the Employer or a Covered Employee's adjusted service
date designated in the Company's records.
1.11 "Employer" means the Company or any of its Affiliates (or any
successor Person following a Change in Control) which is an employer of a
Covered Employee.
1.12 "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.
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1.13 "Excise Tax" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section
6 hereof.
1.14 "Good Reason" in respect to a Tier 7 or Tier 8 Employee means, the
occurrence, on or after the date of a Change in Control and without the affected
Covered Employee's written consent (which the Covered Employee may withhold in
his or her sole discretion), of (i) the assignment to the Covered Employee of
duties in the aggregate that are materially different with the Covered
Employee's level of responsibility either as of November 1, 2000 or immediately
prior to the date of the Change in Control or any material reduction in the
nature or status of the Covered Employee's responsibilities from those in effect
either as of November 1, 2000 or immediately prior to the date of the Change in
Control; provided, however, that the mere fact of a Covered Employee ceasing to
be an officer of a public company shall not constitute a material reduction in
the nature or status of such Covered Employee's responsibilities; (ii) a
material reduction by the Employer in the Covered Employee's annual base salary
or annual incentive compensation opportunity (based upon factors reasonably
within the management control and influence of such Covered Employee) from that
in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; or (iii) the relocation of
the Covered Employee's principal place of employment to a location more than
fifty (50) miles from the Covered Employee's principal place of employment
immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control. "Good Reason" in respect
of a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4, Tier 5 or Tier 6 Employee means, the
occurrence, on after the date of a Change in Control and without the Covered
Employee's written consent, of (i) a material reduction by the Employer in the
Covered Employee's total annual pay (including the variable pay target) from
that in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control or (ii) the relocation
of the Covered Employee's principal place of employment to a location more than
fifty (50) miles from the Covered Employee's principal place of employment
immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control.
1.15 "Gross-Up Payment" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 6 hereof.
1.16 "In-The-Money Amount" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 4.1(2) hereof.
1.17 "Maximum Retention Bonus" shall mean a cash amount equal to the
following with respect to a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4, Tier 5, Tier 6, Tier
7 or Tier 8 Employee:
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Tier 8 Employee Two times his or her Target Bonus.
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Tier 7 Employee His or her annual base salary rate.
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Tier 5 or Tier 6 Employee The greater of (i) two times his or her Target
Bonus or (ii) nine months of his or her annual
base salary rate; provided, however, that with
respect to a New Covered Employee, such amount
shall be equal to the product of (i) 75% and
(ii) one month of his or her annual base salary
rate for each Month of Service (subject to a
maximum of nine months of his or her annual
base salary rate).
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Tier 3 or Tier 4 Employee Nine months of his or her annual base salary
rate; provided, however, that with respect to a
New Covered Employee, such amount shall be
equal to the product of (i) 75% and (ii) one
month of his or her annual base salary rate for
each Month of Service (subject to a maximum of
nine months of his or her annual base salary
rate).
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Tier 2 Employee Six months of his or her annual base salary
rate; provided, however, that with respect to a
New Covered Employee, such amount shall be
equal to the greater of (i) one month of his or
her annual base salary rate for each Month of
Service (subject to a maximum of six months of
his or her annual base salary rate) or (ii) one
month of his or her annual base salary rate.
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Tier 1 Employee Four months of his or her annual base salary
rate; provided, however, that with respect to a
New Covered Employee, such amount shall be
equal to the greater of (i) one month of his or
her annual base salary rate for each Month of
Service (subject to a maximum of four months of
his or her annual base salary rate) or (ii) one
month of his or her annual base salary rate.
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For purposes of this Section 1.17, "annual base salary rate" shall be
determined immediately prior to a Change in Control.
1.18 "Minimum Retention Bonus" shall mean a cash amount equal to the
following with respect to a Tier 3, Tier 4, Tier 5, Tier 6, Tier 7 or Tier 8
Employee:
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Tier 8 Employee His or her Target Bonus.
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Tier 7 Employee Six months of his or her annual base salary
rate.
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Tier 5 or Tier 6 Employee The greater of (i) his or her Target Bonus or
(ii) six months of his or her annual base
salary rate; provided, however, that with
respect to a New Covered Employee, such amount
shall be equal to four months of his or her
annual base salary rate.
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Tier 3 or Tier 4 Employee Six months of his or her annual base salary
rate; provided, however, that with respect to a
New Covered Employee, such amount shall be
equal to two months of his or her annual base
salary rate.
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For purposes of this Section 1.18, "annual base salary rate" shall be
determined immediately prior to a Change in Control.
1.19 "Month of Service" means each full month during which a New Covered
Employee has been employed by the Employer; provided, however, that a New
Covered Employee whose Date of Hire occurs on or before the 14th day of the
month in which the Date of Hire occurs shall be credited with a Month of Service
for such month; provided, further, that in the event the date of a Change in
Control occurs on or after the 15th day of the month during which a Change in
Control occurs, a New Covered Employee who is then employed by the Employer
shall be credited with a Month of Service for such month.
1.20 "New Covered Employee" means any Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 or
Tier 5 Employee who commences employment with the Employer following November 6,
2000 and who is designated as a New Covered Employee in his or her offer of
employment; provided, however, that any Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 or Tier 5
Employee who is designated as a Covered Employee in his or her offer of
employment shall not be a New Covered Employee; provided, further, that a New
Covered Employee shall be treated the same as a Covered Employee for purposes of
the Plan except where different treatment is specifically stated in the Plan.
1.21 "Notice Period" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 2.4 hereof.
1.22 "Person" shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the
Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except
that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii)
a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) an underwriter temporarily
holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities or (iv) a
corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.
1.23 "Plan" means this Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Non-Commissioned Employee Severance and Retention Plan, as set forth herein, as
it may be amended from time to time in accordance with Section 8 hereof.
1.24 "Plan Administrator" means the Compensation Committee of the Board or
one or more successors appointed by the Board.
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1.25 A "Potential Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if
the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:
(a) the Company or any of its stockholders enter into an agreement,
the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control;
or
(b) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that a Potential
Change in Control has occurred.
1.26 "Prorated Retention Bonus" shall have the meaning ascribed to such
term in Section 3.1(1) hereof.
1.27 "Replacement Option" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 4.1(1) hereof.
1.28 "Restricted Stock Agreement" means a restricted stock agreement
between a Covered Employee and the Company pursuant to which the Covered
Employee was granted shares of the Company's common stock that are subject to
restrictions on transfer.
1.29 "Restricted Period" shall have the meaning set forth in a Covered
Employee's Restricted Stock Agreement.
1.30 "Restricted Stock Target Price" means that price per share of the
Company's common stock stipulated in a Covered Employee's Restricted Stock
Agreement at which such shares must trade for a period of ten consecutive
trading days after the expiration of the applicable two year waiting period set
forth in such Covered Employee's Restricted Stock Agreement as a condition
precedent to the expiration of the Restricted Period.
1.31 "Retirement" means a termination of a Covered Employee's employment
with the Employer within or after the calendar year the Covered Employee attains
age sixty (60).
1.32 "Second Payment Date" means a date six months immediately following a
Change in Control.
1.33 "Severance" means the termination of a Covered Employee's employment
with the Employer (or, if applicable, a successor to the Employer) on or within
eighteen (18) months following the date of the Change in Control, (i) by the
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Employer (or, if applicable, a successor to the Employer) other than for Cause,
or (ii) by the Covered Employee for Good Reason. A Covered Employee will not be
considered to have incurred a Severance (i) if his or her employment is
discontinued by reason of the Covered Employee's death or a physical or mental
condition causing such Covered Employee's inability to substantially perform his
or her duties with the Employer, including, without limitation, such condition
entitling him or her to benefits under any sick pay or disability income policy
or program of the Employer; provided, however, that a Covered Employee who is
entitled to short-term disability benefits may incur a Severance of such Covered
Employee's employment in accordance with this Section 1.33 or (ii) by reason of
the divestiture of a facility, sale of a business or business unit, or the
outsourcing of a business activity with which the Covered Employee is affiliated
(including, but not limited to, a sale of the Company's annuity or asset
management business that results in a Change in Control pursuant to Section
1.5(3) hereof) if the Covered Employee is offered employment by the entity which
acquires such facility, business or business unit or which succeeds to such
outsourced business activity (subject to such Covered Employee's right to
terminate his or her employment for Good Reason), in which case such acquiring
entity shall be treated as the Employer of such Covered Employee for all
purposes under the Plan.
1.34 "Severance Date" means the date on or after the date of the Change in
Control on which a Covered Employee incurs a Severance.
1.35 "Severance Pay"shall mean a cash payment from the Company equal to
the greater of (i) any severance pay due under the Employer's existing severance
guidelines based upon a Covered Employee's Date of Hire or (ii) the following
with respect to a Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4, Tier 5, Tier 6, Tier 7 or Tier
8 Employee:
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Tier 8 Employee The sum of (i) two times his or her annual base
salary rate, plus (ii) his or her Target Bonus.
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Tier 6 or Tier 7 Employee The sum of (i) his or her annual base salary
rate, plus (ii) his or her Target Bonus.
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Tier 2, Tier 3, Tier 4 or Tier His or her annual base salary rate; provided,
5 Employee however, that with respect to a New Covered
Employee, such amount shall be equal to the
greater of (i) one month of his or her annual
base salary rate for each Month of Service
(subject to a maximum of his or her annual base
salary rate) or (ii) two months of his or her
annual base salary rate.
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Tier 1 Employee Six months of his or her annual base salary
rate; provided, however, that with respect to a
New Covered Employee, such amount shall be
equal to the greater of (i) one month of his or
her annual base salary rate for each Month of
Service (subject to a maximum of six months of
his or her annual base salary rate) or (ii) one
month of his or her annual base salary rate.
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For purposes of this Section 1.35, "annual base salary rate" shall be
determined immediately prior to the Severance (without regard to any reductions
therein which constitute Good Reason).
1.36 "Target Bonus" means the Covered Employee's target annual incentive
bonus in effect on the date immediately prior to the Change in Control or, in
the event a Change in Control does not occur prior to November 1, 2001, the
Covered Employee's target annual incentive bonus in effect on October 31, 2001.
1.37 "Tier 1 Employee" means any employee of the Employer selected by the
Plan Administrator to participate in the Plan and who is designated in the
Company's records as a Tier 1 Participant.
1.38 "Tier 2 Employee" means any employee of the Employer selected by the
Plan Administrator to participate in the Plan and who is designated in the
Company's records as a Tier 2 Participant.
1.39 "Tier 3 Employee" means any employee of the Employer selected by the
Plan Administrator to participate in the Plan and who is designated in the
Company's records as a Tier 3 Participant.
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1.40 "Tier 4 Employee" means any employee of the Employer selected by the
Plan Administrator to participate in the Plan and who is designated in the
Company's records as a Tier 4 Participant.
1.41 "Tier 5 Employee" means any employee of the Employer selected by the
Plan Administrator to participate in the Plan and who is designated in the
Company's records as a Tier 5 Participant.
1.42 "Tier 6 Employee" means any employee of the Employer selected by the
Plan Administrator to participate in the Plan and who is designated in the
Company's records as a Tier 6 Participant.
1.43 "Tier 7 Employee" means any employee of the Employer selected by the
Plan Administrator to participate in the Plan and who is designated in the
Company's records as a Tier 7 Participant.
1.44 "Tier 8 Employee" means any employee of the Employer selected by the
Plan Administrator to participate in the Plan and who is designated in the
Company's records as a Tier 8 Participant.
1.45 "Total Payments" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in
Section 6 hereof.
1.46 "Voting Securities" means voting securities entitled to be voted
generally in the election of directors.
2. SEVERANCE BENEFITS.
2.1 Each Covered Employee who incurs a Severance shall be entitled,
subject to Section 2.5 hereof, to receive Severance Pay. Severance Pay shall be
paid to a Severed Employee in a cash lump sum, as soon as practicable following
the Severance Date, but in no event later than thirty (30) days immediately
following the expiration of the revocation period, if any, applicable to such
Severed Employee's Nonsolicitation/Waiver and Release of Claims Agreement,
described in Section 2.5.
2.2 The Company shall provide each Severed Employee with outplacement
services in accordance with the Company's past policy and practice for a period
of up to twelve (12) months.
2.3 The coverage period for purposes of the group health continuation
requirements of section 4980B of the Code shall commence on a Severed Employee's
Severance Date. The Company shall waive any premium payments
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otherwise required of a Severed Employee in connection with such continuation
coverage with respect to the period beginning on each such Severed Employee's
Severance Date and continuing thereafter for the period with respect to which
such Severed Employee is entitled to Severance Pay in accordance with Section
1.35 hereof (subject to a maximum period of eighteen (18) months); provided,
however, that during such period, each such Severed Employee shall continue to
pay to the Company the employee portion of any premium payments at active
employee rates (which may be changed by the Company).
2.4 If an Employer is obligated by law or by contract to pay severance
pay, a termination indemnity, notice pay, or the like to a Covered Employee, or
if an Employer is obligated by law to provide advance notice of separation (not
including any notice period that relates to obligations of an Employer which
arise under the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. Section
2101, et seq.) ("Notice Period") to a Covered Employee, then any Severance Pay
hereunder to such Covered Employee shall be reduced by the amount of any such
severance pay, termination indemnity, notice pay or the like, as applicable, and
by the amount of any compensation received during any Notice Period. Any
Severance Pay hereunder shall be reduced, on a dollar for dollar basis, by any
severance payment made by the Company, any subsidiary of the Company, the
Employer or successor Employer to the Covered Employee pursuant to any other
severance plan, program, policy or arrangement.
2.5 No Severed Employee shall be eligible to receive Severance Pay or
other benefits under the Plan unless he or she first executes a Nonsolicitation/
Waiver and Release of Claims Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto
as Schedule A (or, if the Severed Employee is not a United States employee, a
similar agreement which is in accordance with the applicable laws of the
relevant jurisdiction).
2.6 Notwithstanding the foregoing, any individual who is designated on
Exhibit A hereto will not be entitled to any benefits under this Section 2.
3. RETENTION BONUS.
3.1 Payment of Retention Bonus. A Covered Employee's Retention Bonus shall
be paid by the Company to the Covered Employee as follows:
(a) In the event a Change in Control occurs during the period
beginning on November 1, 2000 and ending on October 31, 2001, a Tier 3, Tier 4,
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Tier 5, Tier 6, Tier 7 or Tier 8 Employee who is employed by the Employer on the
date of a Change in Control shall be entitled to receive from the Company an
amount equal to the greater of (A) such Covered Employee's Minimum Retention
Bonus or (B) the product of (i) such Covered Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus
multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which shall the number of full
months from November 1, 2000 to the date of a Change in Control and the
denominator of which shall be twelve (12) (such greater amount, the "Prorated
Retention Bonus"); provided, however, that in the event the date of a Change in
Control occurs on or after the 15th day of the month during which a Change in
Control occurs, the month during which a Change in Control occurs shall be
deemed to be a full month for purposes of determining the number of full months
to be included in the numerator of such fraction. Fifty percent (50%) of such
Covered Employee's Prorated Retention Bonus shall be paid by the Company to the
Covered Employee as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days,
following the date of a Change in Control. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of
such Covered Employee's Prorated Retention Bonus shall be paid by the Company to
the Covered Employee as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days
following, the Second Payment Date if the Covered Employee is then employed by
the Employer. If such Covered Employee's employment is terminated prior to the
Second Payment Date by the Employer without Cause, by the Covered Employee for
Good Reason or due to the Covered Employee's death, Disability or Retirement,
the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the Covered Employee's Prorated Retention
Bonus shall be paid by the Company as soon as practicable, but no later than
thirty (30) days, following the date of such termination. If such Covered
Employee's employment is terminated prior to the Second Payment Date for any
other reason, the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the Covered Employee's
Prorated Retention Bonus shall be forfeited.
(b) In the event a Change in Control occurs during the period
beginning on November 1, 2000 and ending on October 31, 2001, a Tier 1 or Tier 2
Employee who is employed by the Employer on the date of a Change in Control
shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal to such Covered
Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus. Fifty percent (50%) of such Covered
Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus shall be paid by the Company to the Covered
Employee as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days, following
the date of a Change in Control. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of such
Covered Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus shall be paid by the Company to the
Covered Employee as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days
following, the Second Payment Date if the Covered Employee is then employed by
the Employer. If such Covered Employee's employment is terminated prior to the
Second Payment Date by the Employer without Cause, by the Covered Employee for
Good Reason or due to the Covered Employee's death, Disability or Retirement,
the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the Covered Employee's Maximum Retention
Bonus shall be paid by the Company as soon as practicable, but no later than
thirty (30) days, following the date of such termination. If such Covered
Employee's employment is terminated prior to the Second Payment Date for any
other reason, the remaining fifty
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percent (50%) of the Covered Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus shall be
forfeited.
(c) In the event a Change in Control does not occur prior to
November 1, 2001, a Tier 3, Tier 4, Tier 5, Tier 6, Tier 7 or Tier 8 Employee
who is employed by the Employer on November 1, 2001 shall be entitled to receive
from the Company an amount equal to such Covered Employee's Maximum Retention
Bonus. Fifty percent (50%) of such Covered Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus
shall be paid by the Company to the Covered Employee as soon as practicable, but
no later than thirty (30) days, following November 1, 2001. The remaining fifty
percent (50%) of such Covered Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus shall be paid
by the Company to the Covered Employee as soon as practicable, but no later than
thirty (30) days following, May 1, 2002 if the Covered Employee is then employed
by the Employer. If such Covered Employee's employment is terminated prior to
May 1, 2002 by the Employer without Cause, by the Covered Employee for Good
Reason or due to the Covered Employee's death, Disability or Retirement, the
then unpaid amount of a Covered Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus shall be paid
by the Company as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days,
following the date of such termination. If such Covered Employee's employment is
terminated prior to May 1, 2002 for any other reason, the remaining fifty
percent (50%) of the Covered Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus shall be
forfeited.
(d) In the event a Change in Control does not occur prior to
November 1, 2001, a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Employee who is employed by the Employer on
November 1, 2001 shall be entitled to receive from the Company an amount equal
to such Covered Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus. Fifty percent (50%) of such
Covered Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus shall be paid by the Company to the
Covered Employee as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days,
following November 1, 2001. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of such Covered
Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus shall be paid by the Company to the Covered
Employee as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days following,
May 1, 2002 if the Covered Employee is then employed by the Employer. If such
Covered Employee's employment is terminated prior to May 1, 2002 by the Employer
without Cause, by the Covered Employee for Good Reason or due to the Covered
Employee's death, Disability or Retirement, the then unpaid amount of a Covered
Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus shall be paid by the Company as soon as
practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days, following the date of such
termination. If such Covered Employee's employment is terminated prior to May 1,
2002 for any other reason, the
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remaining fifty percent (50%) of the Covered Employee's Maximum Retention Bonus
shall be forfeited.
3.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, any individual who is designated on
Exhibit B hereto will not be entitled to any benefits under this Section 3.
4. STOCK OPTIONS.
4.1 Unvested Stock Options.
(a) Upon a Change in Control, each then outstanding unvested stock
option held by a Covered Employee may be assumed by the surviving, successor or
purchaser corporation or parent thereof, as the case may be, or replaced with a
comparable option or right to purchase shares of the capital stock of such
corporation or parent thereof (the "Replacement Option"), subject to the same
terms and conditions except as set forth herein; provided, however, that such
shares shall be (i) registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and (ii)
either (A) listed on the New York Stock Exchange or (B) included in the Nasdaq
Stock Market; provided, further, that each Covered Employee may elect by written
notice delivered to the Company at least ten days prior to the date of a Change
in Control, on a tranche by tranche basis, to have his or her unvested stock
options cancelled for cash in accordance with Section 4.1(2) hereof. Fifty
percent (50%), on a tranche by tranche basis, of a Covered Employee's
outstanding Replacement Options shall become fully vested immediately prior to a
Change in Control. The remaining fifty percent (50%), on a tranche by tranche
basis, of a Covered Employee's outstanding Replacement Options shall become
fully vested on the Second Payment Date if the Covered Employee is then employed
by the Employer. If a Covered Employee's employment is terminated prior to the
Second Payment Date by the Employer without Cause, by the Covered Employee for
Good Reason or due to the Covered Employee's death, Disability or Retirement,
the remaining fifty percent (50%), on a tranche by tranche basis, of such
Covered Employee's Replacement Options shall become fully vested on the date of
such termination. If such Covered Employee's employment is terminated prior to
the Second Payment Date for any other reason, the remaining fifty percent (50%)
of the Covered Employee's Replacement Options shall be forfeited. The phrase
"immediately prior to a Change in Control" in the second sentence of this
Section 4.1(1) shall be understood to mean sufficiently in advance of a Change
in Control to permit the Covered Employee to take all steps reasonably necessary
to deal with the shares of such stock so that such shares may be treated in the
same manner, subject to the consummation of a Change in Control, as the shares
of stock of other shareholders in connection with a Change in Control.
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(b) Any outstanding unvested stock option held by a Covered Employee
that is not assumed or replaced in accordance with Section 4.1(1) above shall be
cancelled upon a Change in Control in exchange for a cash payment from the
Company equal to the difference, if any, between the Change in Control Price and
the exercise price per share of such option, multiplied by the number of shares
subject to such option (the "In-The-Money Amount"). Fifty percent (50%) of a
Covered Employee's In-The-Money Amount shall be paid by the Company to the
Covered Employee as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days,
following the date of a Change in Control. The remaining fifty percent (50%) of
a Covered Employee's In-The-Money-Amount shall be paid by the Company to the
Covered Employee as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty (30) days,
following the Second Payment Date if the Covered Employee is then employed by
the Employer. If a Covered Employee's employment is terminated prior to the
Second Payment Date by the Employer without Cause, by the Covered Employee for
Good Reason or due to the Covered Employee's death, Disability or Retirement,
the remaining fifty percent (50%) of such Covered Employee's In-The-Money Amount
shall be paid by the Company as soon as practicable, but no later than thirty
(30) days, following the date of such termination. If such Covered Employee's
employment is terminated prior to the Second Payment Date for any other reason,
the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the Covered Employee's In-The-Money Amount
shall be forfeited.
4.2 Vested Stock Options. Upon a Change in Control, each then outstanding
vested stock option held by a Covered Employee may be assumed by the surviving,
successor or purchaser corporation or parent thereof, as the case may be, or
replaced with a comparable option or right to purchase shares of the capital
stock of such corporation or parent thereof; provided, however, that such shares
shall be (i) registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act and (ii) either (A)
listed on the New York Stock Exchange or (B) included in the Nasdaq Stock
Market; provided, further, that each Covered Employee may elect by written
notice delivered to the Company at least ten days prior to the date of a Change
in Control, on a tranche by tranche basis, to have his or her vested stock
options cancelled upon a Change in Control in exchange for a cash payment from
the Company equal to the difference, if any, between the Change in Control Price
and the exercise price per share of such option, multiplied by the number of
shares subject to such option.
5. RESTRICTED STOCK.
If the Change in Control Price equals or exceeds the Restricted Stock
Target Price applicable to an outstanding share of restricted stock held by a
Covered Employee, then, immediately prior to a Change in Control, such
outstanding share of restricted stock shall become fully vested and all
restrictions relating to such stock
15
shall lapse. Any then outstanding share of restricted stock of the Company held
by a Covered Employee for which the Restricted Stock Target Price applicable to
such share of restricted stock is less than the Change of Control Price shall be
forfeited by the Covered Employee upon a Change in Control. The phrase
"immediately prior to a Change in Control" in the first sentence of this Section
5 shall be understood to mean sufficiently in advance of a Change in Control to
permit the Covered Employee to take all steps reasonably necessary to deal with
the shares of such stock so that such shares may be treated in the same manner,
subject to the consummation of a Change in Control, as the shares of stock of
other shareholders in connection with a Change in Control.
6. EXCISE TAX.
If any of the payments or benefits received or to be received by a Covered
Employee in connection with the Change in Control or his or her termination of
employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this Plan or any other plan,
arrangement or agreement) (such payments or benefits, excluding the Gross-Up
Payment, being hereinafter referred to as the "Total Payments") will be subject
to any excise tax imposed under section 4999 of the Code (the "Excise Tax"), the
Company shall pay to the Covered Employee an additional amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") such that the net amount retained by the Covered Employee, after
deduction of any Excise Tax on the Total Payments and any federal, state and
local income and employment taxes and Excise Tax upon the Gross-Up Payment,
shall be equal to the Total Payments. The amount of the Gross-Up Payment, if
any, shall be determined in a reasonable manner by the Plan Administrator or any
person or entity designated by the Plan Administrator. The Gross-Up Payment, if
any, (a) with respect to a Severed Employee, shall be paid in a cash lump sum,
as soon as practicable following the Severance Date, but, in any event, not
later than thirty (30) days immediately following the expiration of the
revocation period, if any, applicable to such Severed Employee's release,
described in Section 2.5, and, (b) with respect to any other Covered Employee,
shall be paid in a cash lump sum not later than thirty (30) days immediately
following the receipt of payments subject to the Excise Tax.
7. PLAN ADMINISTRATION.
7.1 The Plan Administrator shall administer the Plan and may interpret the
Plan, prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations under the Plan and make
all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the
Plan, subject to all of the provisions of the Plan, including, without
limitation, Sections 8 and 9.2 hereof.
16
7.2 The Plan Administrator is empowered, on behalf of the Plan, to engage
accountants, legal counsel and such other personnel as it deems necessary or
advisable to assist it in the performance of its duties under the Plan. The
functions of any such persons engaged by the Plan Administrator shall be limited
to the specified services and duties for which they are engaged, and such
persons shall have no other duties, obligations or responsibilities under the
Plan. Such persons shall exercise no discretionary authority or discretionary
control respecting the management of the Plan. All reasonable expenses thereof
shall be borne by the Company.
8. PLAN MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION.
The Plan may be amended or terminated by the Board at any time; provided,
however, that the Plan may not be amended or terminated during the pendency of
or within six (6) months following a Potential Change in Control and during the
eighteen (18) month period following a Change in Control.
9. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
9.1 The Company shall pay to each Covered Employee all reasonable legal
fees and expenses incurred by such Covered Employee in pursuing any claim under
the Plan in which such Covered Employee prevails in any material respect.
9.2 In the event of a claim by a Covered Employee as to the amount or
timing of any distribution, such Covered Employee shall present the reason for
his or her claim in writing to the Plan Administrator or its designee. The Plan
Administrator shall, within sixty (60) days after receipt of such written claim,
send a written notification to the Covered Employee as to its disposition. In
the event the claim is wholly or partially denied, such written notification
shall (a) state the specific reason or reasons for the denial, (b) make specific
reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, (c) provide
a description of any additional material or information necessary for the
Covered Employee to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or
information is necessary, and (d) set forth the procedure by which the Covered
Employee may appeal the denial of his or her claim. In the event a Covered
Employee wishes to appeal the denial of his or her claim, he or she may request
a review of such denial by making application in writing to the Plan
Administrator within sixty (60) days after receipt of such denial. Such Covered
Employee (or his or her duly authorized legal representative) may, upon written
request to the Plan Administrator, review any documents pertinent to his or her
claim, and submit in writing, issues and comments in support of his or her
position. Within sixty (60) days after receipt of a written appeal (unless
special circumstances, such as
17
the need to hold a hearing, require an extension of time, but in no event more
than one hundred twenty (120) days after such receipt), the Plan Administrator
shall notify the Covered Employee of the final decision. The final decision
shall be in writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision, written
in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, and specific references
to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based.
9.3 An Employer shall be entitled to withhold from amounts to be paid to a
Covered Employee hereunder any federal, state or local withholding or other
taxes or charges (or foreign equivalents of such taxes or charges) which it is
from time to time required to withhold.
9.4 Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, no right or interest of
any Covered Employee under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable, in
whole or in part, either directly or by operation of law or otherwise, including
without limitation by execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge or in any
manner; no attempted assignment or transfer thereof shall be effective; and no
right or interest of any Covered Employee under the Plan shall be liable for, or
subject to, any obligation or liability of such Covered Employee. When a payment
is due under this Plan to a Severed Employee who is unable to care for his or
her affairs, payment may be made directly to his or her legal guardian or
personal representative.
9.5 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 Covered Employee, or any person whomsoever, the
right to be retained in the service of the Employer, and all Covered Employees
shall remain subject to discharge to the same extent as if the Plan had never
been adopted.
9.6 If any provision of this Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable,
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.
9.7 This Plan shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs,
executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the parties, including each
Covered Employee, present and future, and any successor to the Company or the
Employer. If a Severed Employee shall die while any amount would still be
payable to such Severed Employee hereunder if the Severed Employee had continued
to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in
accordance with the terms of this Plan to the executor, personal representative
or administrators of the Severed Employee's estate.
18
9.8 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.
9.9 The Plan shall not be funded. No Covered Employee shall have any right
to, or interest in, any assets of any Employer which may be applied by the
Employer to the payment of benefits or other rights under this Plan.
9.10 Any notice or other communication required or permitted pursuant to
the terms hereof shall have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United
States Mail, first class, postage prepaid, addressed to the intended recipient
at his, her or its last known address. The address of the Plan Administrator is
c/o Liberty Financial Companies, Inc., 600 Atlantic Avenue, 24th Floor, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110, Attention: William O'Donnell. The Plan Administrator may
change such address by notice to the Covered Employees.
9.11 This Plan shall be construed and enforced according to the laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the extent not preempted by federal law,
which shall otherwise control.
19
SCHEDULE A
NONSOLICITATION/WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS AGREEMENT
YOU HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO SIGNING THIS
NONSOLICITATION/WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement").
[YOU HAVE [FORTY-FIVE] [TWENTY-ONE] DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THIS AGREEMENT TO
CONSIDER WHETHER TO SIGN IT.
AFTER SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT, YOU HAVE ANOTHER SEVEN DAYS IN WHICH TO
REVOKE IT, AND IT DOES NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL THOSE SEVEN DAYS HAVE ENDED.](1)
In consideration of, and subject to, the payments to be made to me by
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, parent and
any of their respective successors, the "Company"), pursuant to the Liberty
Financial Companies, Inc. and Subsidiaries Non-Commissioned Employee Severance
and Retention Plan (the "Plan"), which I acknowledge that I would not otherwise
be entitled to receive, I hereby waive any claims I may have for employment or
re-employment by the Company after the date hereof, and I further agree to and
do release and forever discharge the Company and its present officers,
directors, shareholders, employees and agents from any and all claims and causes
of action, known or unknown, arising out of or relating to my employment with
the Company or the termination thereof, including, but not limited to, wrongful
discharge, breach of contract, tort, fraud, the Civil Rights Acts, [Age
Discrimination in Employment Act,] Employee Retirement Income Security Act,
Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other federal, state or local
legislation or common law relating to employment or discrimination in employment
or otherwise.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision hereof, nothing in
this Agreement shall adversely affect (i) my rights under the Plan; (ii) my
rights to benefits other than severance benefits under plans, programs and
arrangements of the Company; or (iii) my rights to indemnification under any
indemnification agreement, applicable law and the certificates of incorporation
and bylaws of the Company, and my rights under any director's and officer's
liability insurance policy covering me.
- ----------
(1) Square bracketed sections for employees over age 40 only.
E-1
I hereby acknowledge and agree that, for a period of twelve months from my
Severance Date (as such term is defined in the Plan), I will not, either
directly or indirectly, solicit, recruit, hire or promise future employment to
any employee of the Company, or solicit or encourage any employee of the Company
to leave the employment of the Company.
I acknowledge that I have signed this Agreement voluntarily, knowingly, of
my own free will and without reservation or duress, and that no promises or
representations, written or oral, have been made to me by any person to induce
me to do so other than the promise of payment set forth in the first paragraph
above and the Company's acknowledgment of my rights reserved under the second
paragraph above.
I understand that this Agreement will be deemed to be an application for
benefits under the Plan, and that my entitlement thereto shall be governed by
the terms and conditions of the Plan, and I expressly hereby consent to such
terms and conditions.
I acknowledge that [I have been given not less than [forty-five (45)]
[twenty-one (21)] days to review and consider this Agreement, and that] I have
had the opportunity to consult with an attorney or other advisor of my choice
and have been advised by the Company to do so if I choose. [I may revoke this
Agreement seven days or less after its execution by providing written notice to
the Company.]
Finally, I acknowledge that I have carefully read this Agreement and
understand all of its terms. This is the entire Agreement between the parties
and is legally binding and enforceable.
This Agreement shall be governed and interpreted under federal law and the
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
E-2
I knowingly and voluntarily sign this Agreement.
Date Delivered to Employee: [Company]
- --------------------------------
Date Signed by Employee: By:
-----------------------------
Title:
- -------------------------------- --------------------------
[Seven-Day Revocation Period Ends:
- --------------------------------]
Signed: Date:
------------------------- -------------------------
- --------------------------------
(Print Employee's Name)
E-3