EXHIBIT 10.27

                           ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED

                  NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR RETIREMENT BENEFIT AGREEMENT

     THIS AGREEMENT is entered into this ______ day of ____________, ____ by and
between ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED ("ABM") and __________________("Non-Employee
Director"), as follows:

1a.   Early Retirement. At any time during Non-Employee Director's term of
      office, upon or after completing at least five years of service as a
      Non-Employee Director and upon or after attaining the age of sixty-two
      years (but before attaining the age of seventy-two years) Non-Employee
      Director may, but shall not be required to, retire from membership on the
      Board of Directors of ABM ("Board").

1b.   Senior Retirement. At any time during Non-Employee Director's term of
      office, upon or after attaining the age of seventy-two years, Non-Employee
      Director may, but shall not be required to, retire from membership on the
      Board of Directors of ABM ("Board").

2.    Any Non-Employee Director who elects either Early Retirement or Senior
      Retirement shall have the title "Director Emeritus" and shall receive the
      retirement benefits provided below.

3.    Director Emeritus shall be entitled to compensation as follows:

      a.    Upon Early or Senior Retirement, ABM shall pay to Director Emeritus
            the monthly retainer ("Monthly Retainer") received by Non-Employee
            Director prior to retirement, which amount shall be reduced on a
            pro-rata basis for fewer than ten years of service (i.e. eight years
            of prior service as a Non-Employee Director entitles Director
            Emeritus to eighty per cent of the full benefit) and such payments
            shall continue until the earlier of: (i) a period of ten years after
            the Non-Employee Director's retirement or (ii) the death of Director
            Emeritus.

      b.    A Non-Employee Director under age seventy-two who retires with
            fewer than five years service as a Non-Employee Director shall not
            be entitled to any retirement benefit.

4.    Any Director Emeritus, upon or after attaining the age of seventy-two
      years, may elect in writing to receive a lump sum payment of the total or
      balance, as applicable, of the Monthly Retainer on a present value basis
      using an annual discount rate of eight per cent.

5.    Upon invitation by the Board, a Director Emeritus will be welcome to
      attend Board meetings and other Board activities, however a Director
      Emeritus shall not be entitled to payment of any fees or expenses by ABM
      in connection with such attendance.

      NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR               ABM INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED



      ______________________________      BY _______________________________