Exhibit 10.5
ADIRONDACK FINANCIAL SERVICES BANCORP, INC.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
Effective as of October 1, 1997
ADIRONDACK FINANCIAL SERVICES BANCORP, INC.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREAMBLE 1
ARTICLE I DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONSTRUCTION
1.1 Definitions
(a) "Act" 2
(b) "Administrator" 2
(c) "Annual Additions" 2
(d) "Authorized Leave of Absence" 2
(e) "Beneficiary" 2
(f) "Board of Directors" 2
(g) "Break" 3
(h) "Code" 3
(i) "Compensation" 3
(j) "Date of Hire" 3
(k) "Disability" 3
(l) "Disability Retirement Date" 3
(m) "Early Retirement Date" 4
(n) "Effective Date" 4
(o) "Eligibility Period" 4
(p) "Employee" 4
(q) "Employer" 4
(r) "Employer Securities" 4
(s) "Entry Date" 4
(t) "Exempt Loan" 4
(u) "Former Participant" 4
(v) "Fund" 4
(w) "Hour of Service" 5
(x) "Investment Adjustments" 5
(y) "Limitation Year" 5
(z) "Normal Retirement Date" 5
(aa) "Participant" 5
(bb) "Plan" 6
(cc) "Plan Year" 6
(dd) "Qualified Domestic Relations Order" 6
(ee) "Retirement" 6
(ff) "Service" 6
(gg) "Sponsor" 6
(hh) "Trust Agreement" 6
(ii) "Trustee" 7
(jj) "Valuation Date" 7
(kk) "Year of Service" 7
1.2 Plurals and Gender 7
1.3 Incorporation of Trust Agreement 7
1.4 Headings 8
1.5 Severability 8
1.6 References to Governmental Regulations 8
ARTICLE II PARTICIPATION
2.1 Commencement of Participation 9
2.2 Termination of Participation 9
2.3 Resumption of Participation 9
2.4 Determination of Eligibility 10
ARTICLE III CREDITED SERVICE
3.1 Service Counted for Eligibility Purposes 11
3.2 Service Counted for Vesting Purposes 11
3.3 Credit for Pre-Break Service 11
3.4 Service Credit During Authorized Leaves 11
3.5 Service Credit During Maternity or
Paternity Leave 12
3.6 Ineligible Employees 12
ARTICLE IV CONTRIBUTIONS
4.1 Employee Stock Ownership Contributions 13
4.2 Time and Manner of Employee Stock Ownership
Contributions 13
4.3 Records of Contributions 14
4.4 Erroneous Contributions 14
4.5 Re-employed Veterans 15
ARTICLE V ACCOUNTS, ALLOCATIONS AND INVESTMENTS
5.1 Establishment of Separate Participant
Accounts 16
5.2 Establishment of Suspense Account 16
5.3 Allocation of Earnings, Losses and Expenses 17
5.4 Allocation of Forfeitures 17
5.5 Allocation of Annual Employee Stock
Ownership Contributions 17
5.6 Limitation on Annual Additions 18
5.7 Erroneous Allocations 21
5.8 Value of Participant's Interest in Fund 21
5.9 Investment of Account Balances 21
ARTICLE VI RETIREMENT, DEATH AND DESIGNATION
OF BENEFICIARY
6.1 Normal Retirement 22
6.2 Early Retirement 22
6.3 Disability Retirement 22
6.4 Death Benefits 22
6.5 Designation of Death Beneficiary and
Manner of Payment 23
ARTICLE VII VESTING AND FORFEITURES
7.1 Vesting on Death, Disability, Normal Retirement 24
7.2 Vesting on Termination of Participation 24
7.3 Disposition of Forfeitures 24
ARTICLE VIII EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP RULES
8.1 Right to Demand Employer Securities 26
8.2 Voting Rights 26
8.3 Nondiscrimination in Employee Stock Owner-
ship Contributions 26
8.4 Dividends 27
8.5 Exempt Loans 27
8.6 Exempt Loan Payments 29
8.7 Put Option 30
8.8 Diversification Requirements 30
8.9 Independent Appraiser 31
ARTICLE IX PAYMENTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
9.1 Payments on Termination of Service
- In General 32
9.2 Commencement of Payments 32
9.3 Mandatory Commencement of Benefits 33
9.4 Required Beginning Dates 35
9.5 Form of Payment 35
9.6 Payments Upon Termination of Plan 36
9.7 Distribution Pursuant to Qualified
Domestic Relations Orders 36
9.8 Cash-Out Distributions 36
9.9 ESOP Distribution Rules 37
9.10 Withholding 37
9.11 Waiver of 30-day Notice 38
9.12 Re-employed Veterans 38
ARTICLE X PROVISIONS RELATING TO TOP-HEAVY PLANS
10.1 Top-Heavy Rules to Control 39
10.2 Top-Heavy Plan Definitions 39
10.3 Calculation of Accrued Benefits 41
10.4 Determination of Top-Heavy Status 42
10.5 Determination of Super Top-Heavy Status 42
10.6 Minimum Contribution 43
10.7 Vesting 44
10.8 Maximum Benefit Limitation 44
ARTICLE XI ADMINISTRATION
11.1 Appointment of Administrator 45
11.2 Resignation or Removal of Administrator 45
11.3 Appointment of Successors: Terms of
Office, Etc. 45
11.4 Powers and Duties of Administrator 45
11.5 Action by Administrator 47
11.6 Participation by Administrators 47
11.7 Agents 47
11.8 Allocation of Duties 47
11.9 Delegation of Duties 47
11.10 Administrator's Action Conclusive 48
11.11 Compensation and Expenses of
Administrator 48
11.12 Records and Reports 48
11.13 Reports of Fund Open to Participants 48
11.14 Named Fiduciary 48
11.15 Information from Employer 49
11.16 Reservation of Rights by Employer 49
11.17 Liability and Indemnification 49
11.18 Service as Trustee and Administrator 49
ARTICLE XII CLAIMS PROCEDURE
12.1 Notice of Denial 50
12.2 Right to Reconsideration 50
12.3 Review of Documents 50
12.4 Decision by Administrator 50
12.5 Notice by Administrator 50
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS, TERMINATION AND MERGER
13.1 Amendments 51
13.2 Consolidation, Merger or Other
Transactions of Employer 51
13.3 Consolidation or Merger of Trust 52
13.4 Bankruptcy or Insolvency of Employer 52
13.5 Voluntary Termination 53
13.6 Partial Termination of Plan or Permanent
Discontinuance of Contributions 53
13.7 Change of Control 53
ARTICLE XIV MISCELLANEOUS
14.1 No Diversion of Funds 54
14.2 Liability Limited 54
14.3 Incapacity 54
14.4 Spendthrift Clause 54
14.5 Benefits Limited to Fund 55
14.6 Cooperation of Parties 55
14.7 Payments Due Missing Persons 55
14.8 Governing Law 55
14.9 Nonguarantee of Employment 56
14.10 Counsel 56
ADIRONDACK FINANCIAL SERVICES BANCORP, INC.
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
PREAMBLE
Effective as of October 1, 1997, Adirondack Financial Services Bancorp,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Sponsor"), has adopted the Adirondack
Financial Services Bancorp, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan in order to
enable Participants to share in the growth and prosperity of the Sponsor and its
wholly owned subsidiary, Gloversville Federal Savings & Loan Association, and to
provide Participants with an opportunity to accumulate capital for their future
economic security by accumulating funds to provide retirement, death and
disability benefits. The Plan is a stock bonus plan designed to meet the
requirements of an employee stock ownership plan as described at Section
4975(e)(7) of the Code and Section 407(d)(6) of ERISA. The primary purpose of
the employee stock ownership plan is to invest in employer securities. The
Sponsor intends that the Plan will qualify under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of
the Code and will comply with the provisions of ERISA. The Plan has been drafted
to comply with the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
of 1986, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, the Technical and
Miscellaneous Revenue Act of 1988, the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1989, the
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, the Small Business Job Protection Act
of 1996, and the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997.
The terms of this Plan shall apply only with respect to Employees of
the Employer on and after October 1, 1997.
ARTICLE I
DEFINITION OF TERMS AND CONSTRUCTION
1.1 Definitions.
Unless a different meaning is plainly implied by the context, the
following terms as used in this Plan shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Act" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time, or any successor statute.
(b) "Administrator" shall mean the administrative committee provided
for in Article XI.
(c) "Annual Additions" shall mean, with respect to each Participant,
the sum of those amounts allocated to the Participant's accounts under this
Plan and under any other qualified defined contribution plan to which the
Employer contributes for any Limitation Year, consisting of the follow ing:
(1) Employer contributions;
(2) Forfeitures; and
(3) Voluntary contributions (if any).
(d) "Authorized Leave of Absence" shall mean an absence from Service
with respect to which the Employee may or may not be entitled to
Compensation and which meets any one of the following requirements:
(1) Service in any of the armed forces of the United States
for up to 36 months, provided that the Employee resumes Service within 90
days after discharge, or such longer period of time during which such
Employee's employment rights are protected by law; or
(2) Any other absence or leave expressly approved and granted
by the Employer which does not exceed 24 months, provided that the Employee
resumes Service at or before the end of such approved leave period. In
approving such leaves of absence, the Employer shall treat all Employees on
a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis.
(e) "Beneficiary" shall mean such persons as may be designated by the
Participant to receive benefits after the death of the Participant, or such
persons designated by the Administrator to receive benefits after the death
of the Participant, all as provided in Section 6.5.
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(f) "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
Sponsor.
(g) "Break" shall mean a Plan Year during which an Employee fails to
complete more than 500 Hours of Service.
(h) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time, or any successor statute.
(i) "Compensation" shall mean the amount of remuneration paid to an
Employee by the Employer, during a Plan Year in which the Employee is or
becomes a Participant, for services rendered to the Employer during a Plan
Year and reported on IRS Form W-2, including base salary, bonuses, overtime,
commissions, restricted stock and non-qualified stock options, and any
amount of compensation contributed pursuant to a salary reduction election
under Code Section 401(k) and any amount of compensation contributed to a
cafeteria plan described at Section 125 of the Code, but excluding amounts
paid by the Employer or accrued with respect to this Plan or any other
qualified or non-qualified unfunded plan of deferred compensation or other
employee welfare plan to which the Employer contributes, payments for group
insurance, medical benefits, reimbursement for expenses, and other forms of
extraordinary pay, and excluding amounts accrued for a prior year.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the annual Compensation of
each Participant taken into account under the Plan for any Plan Year shall
not exceed $160,000, as adjusted from time to time in accordance with
Section 415(d) of the Code.
(j) "Date of Hire" shall mean the date on which a person shall perform
his first Hour of Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event a
person incurs one or more consecutive Breaks after his initial Date of Hire
which results in the forfeiture of his pre-Break Service pursuant to Section
3.3, his "Date of Hire" shall thereafter be the date on which he completes
his first Hour of Service after such Break or Breaks.
(k) "Disability" shall mean a physical or mental impairment which
prohibits a Participant from engaging in any occupation for wages or profit
and which has caused the Social Security Administration to classify the
individual as "disabled" for purposes of Social Security.
(l) "Disability Retirement Date" shall mean the first day of the month
after which a Participant incurs a Disability.
(m) "Early Retirement Date" shall mean the first day of the month
coincident with or next following the date on which a Participant attains
age 55 and completes 5 Years of Service.
(n) "Effective Date" shall mean October 1, 1997.
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(o) "Eligibility Period" shall mean the period of 12 consecutive months
commencing on an Employee's Date of Hire. Succeeding eligibility computation
periods after the initial eligibility computation period shall be based on
Plan Years which include the first anniversary of an Employee's Date of
Hire.
(p) "Employee" shall mean any person employed by the Employer,
including officers but excluding directors in their capacity as such;
provided, however, that the term "Employee" shall not include leased
employees, employees regularly employed outside the employer's own offices
in connection with the operation and maintenance of buildings or other
properties acquired through foreclosure or deed, and any employee included
in a unit of employees covered by a collective- bargaining agreement with
the Employer that does not expressly provide for participation of such
employees in this Plan, where there has been good-faith bargaining between
the Employer and employees' representatives on the subject of retirement
benefits.
(q) "Employer" shall mean Adirondack Financial Services Bancorp, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiary, Gloversville
Federal Savings & Loan Association, or any successors to the aforesaid
corporations by merger, consolidation or otherwise, which may agree to
continue this Plan, or any affiliated or subsidiary corporation or business
organization of any Employer which, with the consent of the Sponsor, shall
agree to become a party to this Plan.
(r) "Employer Securities" shall mean the common stock issued by
Adirondack Financial Services Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(s) "Entry Date" shall mean each October 1 and April 1, so long as
this Plan shall remain in effect.
(t) "Exempt Loan" shall mean a loan described at Section 4975(d)(1) of
the Code to the Trustee to purchase Employer Securities for the Plan, made
or guaranteed by a disqualified person, as defined at Section 4975(e)(2) of
the Code, including, but not limited to, a direct loan of cash, a purchase
money transaction, an assumption of an obligation of the Trustee, an
unsecured guarantee or the use of assets of such disqualified person as
collateral for such a loan.
(u) "Former Participant" shall mean any previous Participant whose
participation has terminated but who has a vested interest in the Plan which
has not been distributed in full.
(v) "Fund" shall mean the Fund maintained by the Trustee pursuant to
the Trust Agreement in order to provide for the payment of the benefits
specified in the Plan.
(w) "Hour of Service" shall mean each hour for which an Employee is
directly or indirectly paid or entitled to payment by an Employer for the
performance of duties or for reasons other than the performance of duties
(such as vacation time, holidays, sickness, disability, paid lay-offs, jury
duty
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and similar periods of paid nonworking time). To the extent not otherwise
included, Hours of Service shall also include each hour for which back pay,
irrespective of mitigation of damages, is either award ed or agreed to by
the Employer. Hours of working time shall be credited on the basis of actual
hours worked, even though compensated at a premium rate for overtime or
other reasons. In computing and crediting Hours of Service for an Employee
under this Plan, the rules set forth in Sections 2530.200b- 2(b) and (c) of
the Department of Labor Regulations shall apply, said Sections being herein
incor porated by reference. Hours of Service shall be credited to the Plan
Year or other relevant period during which the services were performed or
the nonworking time occurred, regardless of the time when Compensation
therefor may be paid. Any Employee for whom no hourly employment records are
kept by the Employer shall be credited with 45 Hours of Service for each
calendar week in which he would have been credited with a least one Hour or
Service under the foregoing provisions, if hourly records were available.
Effective October 1, 1985, for absences commencing on or after that date,
solely for purposes of determining whether a Break for participation and
vesting purposes has occurred in an Eligibility Period or Plan Year, an
individual who is absent from work for maternity or paternity reasons shall
receive credit for the Hours of Service which would otherwise have been
credited to such individual but for such absence, or in any case in which
such hours cannot be determined, 8 Hours of Service per day of such absence.
For purposes of this Section 1.1(w), an absence from work for maternity or
paternity reasons means an absence (1) by reason of the pregnancy of the
individual, (2) by reason of a birth of a child of the individual, (3) by
reason of the placement of a child with the individual in connection with
the adoption of such child by such individual, or (4) for purposes of caring
for such child for a period beginning immediately following such birth or
placement. The Hours of Service credited under this provision shall be
credited (1) in the computation period in which the absence begins if the
crediting is necessary to prevent a Break in that period, or (2) in all
other cases, in the following computation period.
(x) "Investment Adjustments" shall mean the increases and/or decreases
in the value of a Participant's accounts attributable to earnings, gains,
losses and expenses of the Fund, as set forth in Section 5.3.
(y) "Limitation Year" shall mean the calendar year.
(z) "Normal Retirement Date" shall mean the first day of the month
coincident with or during which a Participant attains age 65 and completes
the fifth anniversary of his participation in the Plan.
(aa) "Participant" shall mean an Employee who has met all of the
eligibility requirements of the Plan and who is currently included in the
Plan as provided in Article II hereof.
(bb) "Plan" shall mean the Adirondack Financial Services Bancorp, Inc.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan, as described herein or as hereafter amended
from time to time.
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(cc) "Plan Year" shall mean any 12 consecutive month period commencing
on October 1 and ending on September 30.
(dd) "Qualified Domestic Relations Order" shall mean any judgment,
decree or order (including approval of a property settlement agreement) that
relates to the provision of child support, alimony, marital property rights
to a spouse, former spouse, child or other dependent of the Participant (all
such persons hereinafter termed "alternate payee") and is made pursuant to a
State domestic relations law (including community property law) and,
further, that creates or recognizes the existence of an alternate payee's
right to, or assigns to an alternate payee the right to receive all or a
portion of the benefits payable with respect to a Participant and that
clearly specifies the following:
(1) the name and last known mailing address (if available) of
the Participant and the name and mailing address of each alternate
payee to which the order relates;
(2) the amount or percentage of the Participant's benefits to
be paid to an alternate payee or the manner in which the amount is to
be determined; and
(3) the number of payments or period for which payments are
required.
A domestic relations order is not a Qualified Domestic Relations Order
if it:
(1) requires the Plan to provide any type or form of benefit
or any option not otherwise provided under the Plan; or,
(2) requires the Plan to provide increased benefits, or
(3) requires payment of benefits to an alternate payee that is
required to be paid to another alternate payee under a previously
existing Qualified Domestic Relations Order.
(ee) "Retirement" shall mean termination of employment which qualifies
as early, normal or Disability retirement as described in Article VI.
(ff) "Service" shall mean employment with the Employer.
(gg) "Sponsor" shall mean Adirondack Financial Services Bancorp, Inc.,
a Delaware corporation.
(hh) "Trust Agreement" shall mean the agreement, dated January 12, 1998
by and between Adirondack Financial Services Bancorp, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and Community Bank, N.A., of Olean, New York.
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(ii) "Trustee" shall mean the Trustee or Trustees by whom the assets of
the Plan are held, as provided in the Trust Agreement, or his or their
successors.
(jj) "Valuation Date" shall mean the last day of each Plan Year. The
Trustee may make additional valuations, at the instruction of the
Administrator, but in no event may the Administrator request additional
valuations by the Trustee more frequently than quarterly. Whenever such date
falls on a Saturday, Sunday or holiday, the preceding business day shall be
the Valuation Date.
(kk) "Year of Service" shall mean any Plan Year during which an
Employee has completed at least 1,000 Hours of Service, except as otherwise
specified in Article III, in the determination of Years of Service for
eligibility and vesting purposes under this Plan, the term "Year of Service"
shall also mean any Plan Year during which an Employee has completed at
least 1,000 Hours of Service with an entity that is:
(1) a member of a controlled group including the Employer,
while it is a member of such controlled group (within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Code);
(2) in a group of trades or businesses under common control
with the Employer, while it is under common control (within the meaning
of Section 414(c) of the Code);
(3) a member of an affiliated service group including the
Employer, while it is a member of such affiliated service group (within
the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code); or
(4) a leasing organization, under the circumstances described
in Section 414(n) of the Code.
1.2 Plurals and Gender.
Where appearing in the Plan and the Trust Agreement, the masculine
gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders, and the singular shall
include the plural, and vice versa, unless the context clearly indicates a
different meaning.
1.3 Incorporation of Trust Agreement.
The Trust Agreement, as the same may be amended from time to time, is
intended to be and hereby is incorporated by reference into this Plan and for
all purposes shall be deemed a part of the Plan.
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1.4 Headings.
The headings and sub-headings in this Plan are inserted for the
convenience of reference only and are to be ignored in any construction of the
provisions hereof.
1.5 Severability.
In case any provision of this Plan shall be held illegal or void, such
illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Plan,
but shall be fully severable, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if
said illegal or invalid provisions had never been inserted herein.
1.6 References to Governmental Regulations.
References in this Plan to regulations issued by the Internal Revenue
Service, the Department of Labor, or other governmental agencies shall include
all regulations, rulings, procedures, releases and other position statements
issued by any such agency.
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ARTICLE II
PARTICIPATION
2.1 Commencement of Participation.
(a) Any Employee who completes at least 1,000 Hours of Service during
his Eligibility Period or during any Plan Year beginning after his Date of Hire
shall initially become a Participant on the Entry Date coincident with or next
following the later of the following dates, provided he is employed by the
Employer on that Entry Date:
(1) The date which is 12 months after his Date of Hire; and
(2) The date on which he attains age 21.
(b) Any Employee who had satisfied the requirements set forth in
Section 2.1(a) during the 12-month period prior to the Effective Date shall
become a Participant on the Effective Date, provided he is still employed by the
Employer on the Effective Date.
2.2 Termination of Participation.
After commencement or resumption of his participation, an Employee
shall remain a Participant during each consecutive Plan Year thereafter until
the earliest of the following dates:
(a) His actual Retirement date;
(b) His date of death; or
(c) The last day of a Plan Year during which he incurs a Break.
2.3 Resumption of Participation.
(a) Any Participant whose employment terminates and who resumes Service
before he incurs a Break shall resume participation immediately on the date he
is reemployed.
(b) Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.3(c), any Participant who
incurs one or more Breaks and resumes Service shall resume participation
retroactively as of the first day of the first Plan Year in which he completes a
Year of Service after such Break(s).
(c) Any Participant who incurs one or more Breaks and resumes Service,
but whose pre- Break Service is not reinstated to his credit pursuant to Section
3.3, shall be treated as a new
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Employee and shall again be required to satisfy the eligibility requirements
contained in Section 2.1 before resuming participation on the appropriate Entry
Date, as specified in Section 2.1.
2.4 Determination of Eligibility.
The Administrator shall determine the eligibility of Employees in
accordance with the provisions of this Article. For each Plan Year, the Employer
shall furnish the Administrator a list of all Employees, indicating the original
date of their reemployment with the Employer and any Breaks they may have
incurred.
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ARTICLE III
CREDITED SERVICE
3.1 Service Counted for Eligibility Purposes.
Except as provided in Section 3.3, all Years of Service completed by an
Employee shall be counted in determining his eligibility to become a Participant
on and after the Effective Date, whether such Service was completed before or
after the Effective Date.
3.2 Service Counted for Vesting Purposes.
All Years of Service completed by an Employee (including Years of
Service completed prior to the Effective Date) shall be counted in determining
his vested interest in this Plan, except the following:
(a) Service which is disregarded under the provisions of Section 3.3;
(b) Service prior to the Effective Date of this Plan if such Service
would have been disregarded under the "break in service" rules (within the
meaning of Section 1.411(a)-5(b)(6) of the Treasury Regulations).
3.3 Credit for Pre-Break Service.
Upon his resumption of participation following one or a series of
consecutive Breaks, an Employee's pre-Break Service shall be reinstated to his
credit for all purposes of this Plan only if either:
(a) He was vested in any portion of his accrued benefit at the time the
Break(s) began; or
(b) The number of his consecutive Breaks does not equal or exceed the
greater of 5 or the number of his Years of Service credited to him before the
Breaks began.
Except as provided in the foregoing, none of an Employee's Service
prior to one or a series of consecutive Breaks shall be counted for any purpose
in connection with his participation in this Plan thereafter.
3.4 Service Credit During Authorized Leaves.
An Employee shall receive no Service credit under Section 3.1 or 3.2
during any Authorized Leave of Absence. However, solely for the purpose of
determining whether he has incurred a Break
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during any Plan Year in which he is absent from Service for one or more
Authorized Leaves of Absence, he shall be credited with 45 Hours of Service for
each week during any such leave period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an
Employee fails to return to Service on or before the end of a leave period, he
shall be deemed to have terminated Service as of the first day of such leave
period and his credit for Hours of Service, determined under this Section 3.4,
shall be revoked. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, an
Employee who is absent by reason of military service as set forth in Section
1.1(d)(1) shall be given Service credit under this Plan for such military leave
period to the extent, and for all purposes, required by law.
3.5 Service Credit During Maternity or Paternity Leave.
Effective for absences beginning on or after January 1, 1985, for
purposes of determining whether a Break has occurred for participation and
vesting purposes, an individual who is on maternity or paternity leave as
described in Section 1.1(w), shall be deemed to have completed Hours of Service
during such period of absence, all in accordance with Section 1.1(w).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no credit shall be given for such Hours of
Service unless the individual furnishes to the Administrator such timely
information as the Administrator may reasonably require to determine:
(a) that the absence from Service was attributable to one of the
maternity or paternity reasons enumerated in Section 1.1(w); and
(b) the number of days for which such absence lasted.
In no event, however, shall any credit be given for such leave other
than for determining whether a Break has occurred.
3.6 Ineligible Employees.
Notwithstanding any provisions of this Plan to the contrary, any person
who is employed by the Employer, but who is ineligible to participate in this
Plan, either because of his failure
(a) To meet the eligibility requirements contained in Article II; or
(b) To be an Employee, as defined in Section 1.1(p), shall,
nevertheless, earn Years of Service for eligibility and vesting purposes
pursuant to the rules contained in this Article III. However, such a person
shall not be entitled to receive any contributions hereunder unless and until he
becomes a Participant in this Plan, and then, only during his period of
participation.
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ARTICLE IV
CONTRIBUTIONS
4.1 Employee Stock Ownership Contributions.
(a) Subject to all of the provisions of this Article IV, for each Plan
Year commencing on or after the Effective Date, the Employer shall make an
Employee Stock Ownership contribution to the Fund, in such amount as may be
determined by the Board of Directors in its discretion. Such contribution shall
be in the form of cash or Employer Securities. In determining the value of
Employer Securities transferred to the Fund as an Employee Stock Ownership
contribution, the Administrator may determine the average of closing prices of
such securities for a period of up to 90 consecutive days immediately preceding
the date on which the securities are contributed to the Fund. In the event that
the Employer Securities are not readily tradable on an established securities
market, the value of the Employer Securities transferred to the Fund shall be
determined by an independent appraiser in accordance with Section 8.9.
(b) In no event shall such contribution by the Employer exceed for any
Plan Year the maximum amount that may be deducted by the Employer under Section
404 of the Code, nor shall such contribution cause the Employer to violate its
regulatory capital requirements. Each Employee Stock Ownership contribution by
the Employer shall be deemed to be made on the express condition that the Plan,
as then in effect, shall be qualified under Sections 401 and 501 of the Code and
that the amount of such contribution shall be deductible from the Employer's
income under Section 404 of the Code.
4.2 Time and Manner of Employee Stock Ownership Contributions.
(a) The Employee Stock Ownership contribution (if any) for each Plan
Year shall be paid to the Trustee in one lump sum or installments at any time on
or before the expiration of the time prescribed by law (including any
extensions) for filing of the Employer's federal income tax return for its
fiscal year ending concurrent with or during such Plan Year. Any portion of the
Employee Stock Ownership contribution for each Plan Year that may be made prior
to the last day of the Plan Year shall be maintained by the Trustee in the
Employee Stock Ownership suspense account described in Section 5.2 until the
last day of such Plan Year.
(b) If an Employee Stock Ownership contribution for a Plan Year is paid
after the close of the Employer's fiscal year which ends concurrent with or
during such Plan Year but on or prior to the due date (including any extensions)
for filing of the Employer's federal income tax return for such fiscal year, it
shall be considered, for allocation purposes, as an Employee Stock Ownership
contribution to the Fund for the Plan Year for which it was computed and
accrued, unless such
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contribution is accompanied by a statement to the Trustee, signed by a
representative of the Employer, which specifies that the Employee Stock
Ownership contribution is made with respect to the Plan Year in which it is
received by the Trustee. Any Employee Stock Ownership contribution paid by the
Employer during any Plan Year but after the due date (including any extensions)
for filing of its federal income tax return for the fiscal year of the Employer
ending on or before the last day of the preceding Plan Year shall be treated,
for allocation purposes, as an Employee Stock Ownership contribution to the Fund
for the Plan Year in which the contribution is paid to the Trustee.
(c) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, no
Employee Stock Ownership contribution shall be made for any year during which a
"limitations account" created pursuant to Section 5.6(c)(2) is in existence
until the balance of such limitations account has been reallocated in accordance
with Section 5.6(c)(2).
4.3 Records of Contributions.
The Employer shall deliver at least annually to the Trustee, with
respect to the contributions contemplated in Section 4.1, a certificate of the
Administrator, in such form as the Trustee shall approve, setting forth:
(a) The aggregate amount of contributions, if any, to the Fund for such
Plan Year;
(b) The names, Internal Revenue Service identifying numbers and current
residential addresses of all Participants in the Plan;
(c) The amount and category of contributions to be allocated to each
such Participant; and
(d) Any other information reasonably required for the proper operation
of the Plan.
4.4 Erroneous Contributions.
(a) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the
Employer's request, a contribution which was made by a mistake of fact, or
conditioned upon the initial qualification of the Plan, under Code Section 401,
or upon the deductibility of the contribution under Section 404 of the Code,
shall be returned to the Employer by the Trustee within one year after the
payment of the contribution, the denial of the qualification or the disallowance
of the deduction (to the extent disallowed), whichever is applicable; provided,
however, that in the case of denial of the initial qualification of the Plan, a
contribution shall not be returned unless an Application for Determination has
been timely filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Any portion of a
contribution returned pursuant to this Section 4.4 shall be adjusted to reflect
its proportionate share of the losses of the fund, but shall not be adjusted to
reflect any earnings or gains. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Plan
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to the contrary, the right or claim of any Participant or Beneficiary to any
asset of the Fund or any benefit under this Plan shall be subject to and limited
by this Section 4.4.
(b) In no event shall voluntary Employee contributions be accepted. Any
such voluntary Employee contributions (and any earnings attributable thereto)
mistakenly received by the Trustee shall promptly be returned to the
Participant.
4.5 Re-employed Veterans.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan, if an
Employee has been rehired by the Employer and is eligible for the benefits
provided by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act by
virtue of his prior military service and by virtue of his having met all the
requirements of that Act for being accorded the benefits provided thereunder, he
shall not be deemed to have incurred a Break because of his period of military
service. The Employee's military service shall be treated as Service hereunder
for eligibility, vesting and benefit accrual purposes. Such Employee shall be
entitled to all Employer contributions to which he otherwise would have been
entitled had he been employed by the Employer during the period of his military
service. In computing contribution amounts dependent upon or limited by the
amount of Compensation the Employee earned or would have earned, the Employee
shall be treated as receiving Compensation from the Employer during the period
of military service equal to the Compensation that Employee otherwise would have
received from the Employer during that period, or, if the Compensation the
Employee otherwise would have received is not reasonably certain, the Employee's
average Compensation from the Employer during the period immediately preceding
the period of military service. Such Employee shall not, however, be credited
with any earnings on any such additional Employer or Employee contributions
described in this Section before the contribution is actually made. Furthermore,
no forfeitures shall be allocated to such Employee's Accounts hereunder for the
period of military service. The rules governing the limitations on all such
contributions that may be required hereunder the Employer shall be governed by
Section 414(u) of the Code and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
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ARTICLE V
ACCOUNTS, ALLOCATIONS AND INVESTMENTS
5.1 Establishment of Separate Participant Accounts.
The Administrator shall establish and maintain separate individual
accounts for Participants in the Plan and for each Former Participant in
accordance with the provisions of this Article V. Such separate accounts shall
be for accounting purposes only and shall not require a segregation of the Fund,
and no Participant, Former Participant or Beneficiary shall acquire any right to
or interest in any specific assets of the Fund as a result of the allocations
provided for under this Plan, except where segregation is expressly provided for
in this Plan.
(a) Employee Stock Ownership Accounts.
The Administrator shall establish a separate Employee Stock
Ownership Account in the Fund for each Participant. The account shall
be credited as of the last day of each Plan Year with the amounts
allocated to the Participant under Sections 5.4 and 5.5. The
Administrator may establish subaccounts hereunder, an Employer Stock
Account reflecting a Participant's interest in Employer Securities
held by the Trust and an Other Investments Account reflecting the
Participant's interest in his Employee Stock Ownership Account other
than Employer Securities.
(b) Distribution Accounts.
In any case where distribution of a terminated Participant's
vested interest in the Plan is to be deferred, the Administrator shall
establish a separate, nonforfeitable account in the Fund to which the
balance in his Employee Stock Ownership Account in the Plan shall be
transferred after such Participant incurs a Break. Unless the Former
Participant's distribution accounts are segregated for investment
purposes pursuant to section 9.4, they shall share in Investment
Adjustments.
(c) Other Accounts.
The Administrator shall establish such other separate accounts
for each Participant as may be necessary or desirable for the
convenient administration of the Fund.
5.2 Establishment of Suspense Accounts.
The Administrator shall establish separate accounts to be known as
"suspense accounts." There shall be credited to such appropriate suspense
accounts any Employee Stock Ownership contributions that may be made prior to
the last day of the Plan Year, as provided in Section 4.2. The suspense accounts
shall share proportionately as to time and amount in any Investment Adjustments.
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As of the last day of each Plan Year, the balance of the Employee Stock
Ownership suspense account shall be added to the Employee Stock Ownership
contribution and allocated to the Employee Stock Ownership Accounts of
Participants as provided in Section 5.5, except as provided herein. In the event
that the Plan takes an Exempt Loan, the Employer Securities purchased thereby
shall be allocat ed to a separate Exempt Loan Suspense Account, from which
allocations shall be made in accordance with Section 8.5.
5.3 Allocation of Earnings, Losses and Expenses.
As of each Valuation Date, any increase or decrease in the net worth of
the aggregate Employee Stock Ownership Accounts held in the Fund attributable to
earnings, losses, expenses and unrealized appreciation or depreciation in each
such aggregate Account, as determined by the Trustee pursuant to the Trust
Agreement, shall be credited to or deducted from the appropriate suspense
accounts and all Participants' Employee Stock Ownership Accounts (except
segregated distribution accounts described in Section 5.1(b) and the
"limitations account" described in Section 5.6(c)(4)) in the proportion that the
value of each such Account (determined immediately prior to such allocation and
before crediting any Employee Stock Ownership contributions and forfeitures for
the current Plan Year but after adjustment for any transfer to or from such
Accounts and for the time such funds were in such Accounts) bears to the value
of all Employee Stock Ownership Accounts.
5.4 Allocation of Forfeitures.
As of the last day of each Plan Year, all forfeitures attributable to
the Employee Stock Ownership Accounts which are then available for reallocation
shall be, as appropriate, added to the Employee Stock Ownership contribution (if
any) for such year and allocated among the Participants' Employee Stock
Ownership Accounts, as appropriate, in the manner provided in Sections 5.5 and
5.6.
5.5 Allocation of Annual Employee Stock Ownership Contributions.
As of the last day of each Plan Year for which the Employer shall make
an Employee Stock Ownership contribution, the Administrator shall allocate the
Employee Stock Ownership contribution (including reallocable forfeitures) for
such Plan Year to the Employee Stock Ownership account of each Participant who
completed at least 1,000 Hours of Service during that Plan Year, regardless of
whether he is still employed by the Employer on the last day of the Plan Year.
Such allocation shall be made in the same proportion that each such
Participant's Compensation for such Plan Year bears to the total Compensation of
all such Participants for such Plan Year, subject to Section 5.6.
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5.6 Limitation on Annual Additions.
(a) Notwithstanding any provisions of this Plan to the contrary, the
total Annual Additions credited to a Participant's accounts under this Plan (and
under any other defined contribution plan to which the Employer contributes) for
any Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of:
(1) 25% of the Participant's compensation for such Limitation
Year; or
(2) $30,000 (or, if greater, one-fourth of the defined benefit
dollar limitation set forth in Section 415(b)(1)(A) of the Code).
Whenever otherwise allowed by law, the maximum amount of $30,000 shall
be automatically adjusted annually for cost-of-living increases in
accordance with Section 415(d) of the Code and the highest such
increase effective at any time during the Limitation Year shall be
effective for the entire Limitation Year, without any amendment to
this Plan.
(b) Solely for the purpose of this Section 5.6, the term "compensation"
is defined as wages within the meaning of section 3401(a) of the Code and all
other payments of compensation to an Employee by an Employer (in the course of
the Employer's trade or business) for which the Employer is required to furnish
the Employee a written statement under sections 6041(d) and 6051(a)(3) of the
Code. "Compensation" as determined hereunder shall be determined without regard
to any rules under section 3401(a) of the Code that limit the remuneration
included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or the
services performed, all as determined in accordance with Treas. Regs. Section
1.415(d)(11).
(c) In the event that the limitations on Annual Additions described in
this Section 5.6(a) above are exceeded with respect to any Participant in any
Limitation Year, then the contributions allocable to the Participant for such
year shall be reduced to the minimum extent required by such limitations in the
following order of priority:
(1) If any further reductions in Annual Additions are necessary,
then the Employee Stock Ownership contributions and forfeitures
allocated during such Limitation Year to the Participant's Employee
Stock Ownership Account shall be reduced. The amount of any such
reductions in the Employee Stock Ownership contributions and
forfeitures shall be reallocated to all other Participants in the same
manner as set forth under Sections 5.4 and 5.5.
(2) Any amounts which cannot be reallocated to other Participants
in a current Limitation Year in accordance with Section 5.6(c)(1)
above because of the limitations contained in Sections 5.6(a) and (d)
shall be credited to an account designated as the "limitations
account" and carried forward to the next and subsequent Limitation
Years until
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it can be reallocated to all Participants as set forth in Sections
5.4, and 5.5, as appropriate. No Investment Adjustments shall be
allocated to this limitations account. In the next and subsequent
Limitation Years, all amounts in the limitations account must be
allocated in the manner described in Sections 5.4 and 5.5, as
appropriate, before any Employee Stock Ownership contributions may be
made to this Plan for that Limitation Year.
(3) The Administrator shall determine to what extent the Annual
Additions to any Participant's Employee Stock Ownership Account must
be reduced in each Limitation Year.
The Administrator shall reduce the Annual Additions to all other
qualified, tax-exempt retirement plans maintained by the Employer in accordance
with the terms contained therein for required reductions or reallocations
mandated by Section 415 of the Code before reducing any Annual Additions in this
Plan.
(4) In the event this Plan is voluntarily terminated by the
Employer under Section 13.5, any amounts credited to the limitations
account described in Section 5.6(c)(2) above which have not be
reallocated as set forth herein shall be distributed to the
Participants who are still employed by the Employer on the date of
termination, in the proportion that each Participant's Compensation
bears to the Compensation of all Participants.
(d) The Annual Additions credited to a Participant's accounts for each
Limitation Year are further limited so that in the case of an Employee who is a
Participant in both this Plan and any qualified defined benefit plan
(hereinafter referred to as a "pension plan") of the Employer, the sum of (1)
and (2) below will not exceed 1.0:
(1) (A) The projected annual normal retirement benefit of a
Participant under the pension plan, divided by
(B) The lesser of:
(i) The product of 1.25 multiplied by the dollar
limitation in effect under Section 415(b)(1)(A) of the Code
for such Limitation Year, or
(ii) The product of 1.4 multiplied by the amount of
compensation which may be taken into account under Section
415(b)(1)(B) of the Code for the Participant for such
Limitation Year; plus
(2) (A) The sum of Annual Additions credited to the Participant
under this Plan for all Limitation Years, divided by:
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(B) The sum of the lesser of the following amounts determined for such
Limitation Year and for each prior year of service with the Employer:
(i) The product of 1.25 multiplied by the dollar
limitation in effect under Section 415(b)(1)(A) of the Code
for such Limitation Year, or
(ii) The product of 1.4 multiplied by the amount of
compensation which may be taken into account under Section
415(b)(1)(B) of the Code for the Participant for such
Limitation Year.
The Administrator may, in calculating the defined contribution plan
fraction described in Section 5.6(d)(2), elect to use the transitional rule
pursuant to Section 415(e)(6) of the Code, if applicable. If the sum of the
fractions produced above will exceed 1.0, even after the use of the "fresh
start" rule contained in Section 235 of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility
Act of 1982 ("TEFRA"), if applicable, then the same provisions as stated in
Section 5.6(c) above shall apply. If, even after the reductions provided for in
Section 5.6(c), the sum of the fractions still exceed 1.0, then the benefits of
the Participant provided under the pension plan shall be reduced to the extent
neces sary, in accordance with Treasury Regulations issued under the Code.
Solely for the purposes of this Section 5.6(d), the term "years of service"
shall mean all years of service defined by Treasury Regulations issued under
Section 415 of the Code.
(e) In the event that the Employer is a member of (1) a controlled
group of corporations or a group of trades or businesses under common control
(as described in Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code, as modified by Section
415(h) thereof), or (2) an affiliated service group (as described in Section
414(m) of the Code), the Annual Additions credited to any Participant's accounts
in any such Limitation Year shall be further limited by reason of the existence
of all other qualified retirement plans maintained by such affiliated
corporations, other entities under common control or other members of the
affiliated service group, to the extent such reduction is required by Section
415 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder. The Administrator
shall determine if any such reduction in the Annual Additions to a Participant's
accounts is required for this reason, and if so, the same provisions as stated
in 5.6(c) and (d) above shall apply.
(f) Annual Additions shall not include any Employer contributions which
are used by the Trust to pay interest on an Exempt Loan nor any forfeitures of
Employer Securities purchased with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan, provided that
not more than one-third of the Employer contributions are allocated to
Participants who are among the group of employees deemed "highly compensated
employees" within the meaning of Code Section 414(q).
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5.7 Erroneous Allocations.
No Participant shall be entitled to any Annual Additions or other
allocations to his accounts in excess of those permitted under Sections 5.3,
5.4, 5.5, and 5.6. If it is determined at anytime that the Administrator and/or
Trustees have erred in accepting and allocating any contributions or forfeitures
under this Plan, or in allocating Investment Adjustments, or in excluding or
including any person as a Participant, then the Administrator, in a uniform and
nondiscriminatory manner, shall determine the manner in which such error shall
be corrected and shall promptly advise the Trustee in writing of such error and
of the method for correcting such error. The accounts of any or all Participants
may be revised, if necessary, in order to correct such error.
5.8 Value of Participant's Interest in Fund.
At any time, the value of a Participant's interest in the Fund shall
consist of the aggregate value of his Employee Stock Ownership Account and his
distribution account, if any, determined as of the next-preceding Valuation
Date. The Administrator shall maintain adequate records of the cost basis of
Employer Securities allocated to each Participant's Employer Stock Ownership
Account.
5.9 Investment of Account Balances.
The Employee Stock Ownership Accounts shall be invested primarily in
Employer Securities. Employer Securities shall constitute at least 51% of the
assets of all Employee Stock Ownership Accounts. All sales of Employer
Securities by the Trustee attributable to the Employee Stock Ownership Accounts
of all Participants shall be charged pro rata to the Employee Stock Ownership
Accounts of all Participants.
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ARTICLE VI
RETIREMENT, DEATH AND DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY
6.1 Normal Retirement.
A Participant who reaches his Normal Retirement Date and who shall
retire at that time shall thereupon be entitled to retirement benefits based on
the value of his interest in the Fund, payable pursuant to the provisions of
Section 9.1. A Participant who remains in Service after his Normal Retirement
Date shall not be entitled to any retirement benefits until his actual
termination of Service thereafter (except as provided in Section 9.3(g)) and he
shall meanwhile continue to participate in this Plan.
6.2 Early Retirement.
A Participant who reaches his Early Retirement Date may retire at such
time (or, at his election, as of the first day of any month thereafter prior to
his Normal Retirement Date) and shall thereupon be entitled to retirement
benefits based on the value of his interest in the Fund, payable pursuant to the
provisions of Section 9.1.
6.3 Disability Retirement.
In the event a Participant incurs a Disability, he may retire on his
Disability Retirement Date and shall thereupon be entitled to retirement
benefits based on the value of his interest in the Fund, payable pursuant to the
provisions of Section 9.1.
6.4 Death Benefits.
(a) Upon the death of a Participant before his Retirement or other
termination of Service, the value of his interest in the Fund shall be payable
pursuant to the provisions of Section 9.1. The Administrator shall direct the
Trustee to distribute his interest in the Fund to any surviving Beneficiary
designated by the Participant or, if none, to such persons designated by the
Administrator pursuant to Section 6.5.
(b) Upon the death of a Former Participant, the Administrator shall
direct the Trustee to distribute any undistributed balance of his interest in
the Fund to any surviving Beneficiary designated by him or, if none, to such
persons designated by the Administrator pursuant to Section 6.5.
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(c) The Administrator may require such proper proof of death and such
evidence of the right of any person to receive the interest in the Fund of a
deceased Participant or Former Partici pant as the Administrator may deem
desirable. The Administrator's determination of death and of the right of any
person to receive payment shall be conclusive.
6.5 Designation of Death Beneficiary and Manner of Payment.
(a) Each Participant shall have the right to designate a Beneficiary or
Beneficiaries to receive the sum or sums to which he may be entitled upon his
death. The Participant may also des ignate the manner in which any death
benefits under this Plan shall be payable to his Beneficiary, provided that such
designation is in accordance with Section 9.4. Such designation of Beneficiary
and manner of payment shall be in writing and delivered to the Administrator,
and shall be effective when received by the Administrator. The Participant shall
have the right to change such designation by notice in writing to the
Administrator. Such change of Beneficiary or the manner of payment shall become
effective upon its receipt by the Administrator. Any such change shall be deemed
to revoke all prior designations.
(b) If a Participant shall fail to designate validly a Beneficiary or
if no designated Beneficiary survives the Participant, his interest in the Fund
shall be paid to the person or persons in the first of the following classes of
successive preference Beneficiaries surviving at the death of the Participant:
the Participant's (1) widow or widower, (2) children, (3) parents, and (4)
estate. The Administrator shall decide what Beneficiaries, if any, shall have
been validly designated, and its decision shall be binding and conclusive on all
persons.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant has been married
throughout the 12 month period preceding the date of his death, the sum or sums
to which he may be entitled under this Plan upon his death shall be paid to his
spouse, unless the Participant's spouse shall have consented to the election of
another Beneficiary. Such a spousal consent shall be in writing and shall be
witnessed either by a representative of the Plan or a notary public. If it is
established to the satisfaction of the Administrator that such spousal consent
cannot be obtained because there is no spouse, because the spouse cannot be
located, or other reasons prescribed by governmental regulations, the consent of
the spouse may be waived, and the Participant may designate a Beneficiary or
Beneficiaries other than his spouse.
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ARTICLE VII
VESTING AND FORFEITURES
7.1 Vesting on Death, Disability and Normal Retirement.
Unless his participation in this Plan shall have terminated prior
thereto, upon a Participant's death, Disability or upon his attainment of Normal
Retirement Date (whether or not he actually retires at that time) while he is
still employed by the Employer, the Participant's entire interest in the Fund
shall be fully vested and nonforfeitable.
7.2 Vesting on Termination of Participation.
Upon termination of his participation in this Plan for any reason other
than death, Disability, or Normal Retirement, a Participant shall be vested in a
percentage of his Employee Stock Ownership Account, such vested percentages to
be determined under the following table, based on the Years of Service
(including Years of Service prior to the Effective Date) credited to him for
vesting purposes at the time of his termination of participation:
Years of Service Completed Percentage Vested
-------------------------- -----------------
Less than 3 0%
3 but less than 4 20%
4 but less than 5 50%
5 or more 100%
Any portion of the Participant's Employee Stock Ownership Account which
is not vested at the time he incurs a Break shall thereupon be forfeited and
disposed of pursuant to Section 7.3. Distribution of the vested portion of a
terminated Participant's interest in the Plan may be authorized by the
Administrator in any manner permitted under Section 9.1.
7.3 Disposition of Forfeitures.
(a) In the event a Participant incurs a Break and subsequently resumes
both his Service and his participation in the Plan prior to incurring at least 5
Breaks, the forfeitable portion of his Employee Stock Ownership Account shall be
reinstated to the credit of the Participant as of the date he resumes
participation.
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(b) In the event a Participant terminates Service and subsequently
incurs a Break and receives a distribution, or in the event a Participant does
not terminate Service, but incurs at least 5 Breaks, or in the event that a
Participant terminates Service and incurs at least 5 Breaks but has not received
a distribution, then the forfeitable portion of his Employer Account, including
Investment Adjustments, shall be reallocated to other Participants, pursuant to
Section 5.4 as of the date the Participant incurs such Break or Breaks, as the
case may be.
(c) In the event a former Participant who had received a distribution
from the Plan is rehired, he shall repay the amount of his distribution before
the earlier of 5 years after the date of his rehire by the Employer, or the
close of the first period of 5 consecutive Breaks commencing after the
withdrawal in order for any forfeited amounts to be restored to him.
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ARTICLE VIII
EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PROVISIONS
8.1 Right to Demand Employer Securities.
A Participant entitled to a distribution from his Employee Stock
Ownership Account shall be entitled to demand that his interest in the Account
be distributed to him in the form of Employer Secu rities, all subject to
Section 9.9. In the event that the Employer Securities are not readily tradable
on an established market, the Participant shall be entitled to require that the
Employer repurchase the Em ployer Securities under a fair valuation formula, as
provided by governmental regulations. The Participant or Beneficiary shall be
entitled to exercise the put option described in the preceding sentence for a
period of not more than 60 days following the date of distribution of Employer
Securities to him. If the put option is not exercised within such 60-day period,
the Participant or Beneficiary may exercise the put option during an additional
period of not more than 60 days after the beginning of the first day of the
first Plan Year following the Plan Year in which the first put option period
occurred, all as provided in regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the
Treasury.
8.2 Voting Rights.
Each Participant with an Employee Stock Ownership Account shall be
entitled to direct the Trustee as to the manner in which the Employer Securities
in such Account are to be voted. Employer Securities held in the Employee Stock
Ownership Suspense Account or the Exempt Loan Suspense Account shall be voted by
the Trustee on each issue with respect to which shareholders are entitled to
vote in the manner directed by the majority of the Participants who directed the
Trustee as to the manner of voting their shares in the Employee Stock Ownership
Accounts with respect to such issue. Prior to the initial allocation of shares,
the Trustee shall be entitled to vote the shares in the Suspense Account without
prior direction from the Participants or the Administrator. In the event that a
Participant fails to give timely voting instructions to the Trustee with respect
to the voting of his allocated Employer Securities, the Trustee shall be
entitled to vote such shares in its discretion.
8.3 Nondiscrimination in Employee Stock Ownership Contributions.
In the event that the amount of the Employee Stock Ownership
contributions that would be required in any Plan Year to make the scheduled
payments on an Exempt Loan would exceed the amount that would otherwise be
deductible by the Employer for such Plan Year under Code Section 404, then no
more than one-third of the Employee Stock Ownership contributions for the Plan
Year, which is also the Employer's taxable year, shall be allocated to the group
of Employees who:
(a) Was a 5 percent owner (as defined at Code ss.416(i)(1)), at any
time during the Plan Year or during the preceding Plan Year, of the Employer; or
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(b) Received compensation from the Employer in excess of $80,000, as
adjusted under Code Section 414(q), in the preceding Plan Year, and was in the
"top-paid group" of employees (as defined below) for such year.
An Employee shall be deemed a member of the "top-paid group" of
employees for a given Plan Year if such Employee is in the group of the top 20%
of the employees of the Employer when ranked on the basis of compensation.
8.4 Dividends.
Dividends paid with respect to Employer Securities credited to a
Participant's Employee Stock Ownership account as of the record date for the
dividend payment may be paid in cash to the Participants, pursuant to the
directions of the Board of Directors of the Sponsor. If the Board of Directors
shall direct that the aforesaid dividends shall be paid directly to
Participants, the quarterly dividends paid with respect to such Employer
Securities shall be paid to the Plan, from which dividend distributions in cash
shall be made to the Participants with respect to the Employer Securities in
their Employee Stock Ownership Accounts within 90 days of the close of the Plan
Year in which the dividends were paid. Dividends on Employer Securities obtained
pursuant to an Exempt Loan and still held in the Suspense Account may be used to
make payments on an Exempt Loan, as described in Section 8.5.
8.5 Exempt Loans.
(a) The Sponsor may direct the Trustee to obtain Exempt Loans. The
Exempt Loan may take the form of (i) a loan from a bank or other commercial
lender to purchase Employer Securities (ii) a loan from the Employer to the
Plan; or (iii) an installment sale of Employer Securities to the Plan. The
proceeds of any such Exempt Loan shall be used, within a reasonable time after
the Exempt Loan is obtained, only to purchase Employer Securities, repay the
Exempt Loan, or repay any prior Exempt Loan. Any such Exempt Loan shall provide
for no more than a reasonable rate of interest and shall be without recourse
against the Plan. The number of years to maturity under the Exempt Loan must be
definitely ascertainable at all times. The only assets of the Plan that may be
given as collateral for an Exempt Loan are Employer Securities acquired with the
proceeds of the Exempt Loan and Em ployer Securities that were used as
collateral for a prior Exempt Loan repaid with the proceeds of the current
Exempt Loan. Such Employer Securities so pledged shall be placed in an Exempt
Loan Suspense Account. No person or institution entitled to payment under an
Exempt Loan shall have recourse against Trust assets other than the aforesaid
collateral, Employer Stock Ownership contributions (other than contributions of
Employer Securities) that are available under the Plan to meet obligations under
the Exempt Loan and earnings attributable to such collateral and the investment
of such contributions. All Employee Stock Ownership contributions paid during
the Plan Year in which an Exempt Loan is made (whether before or after the date
the proceeds of the Exempt Loan are received), all Employee Stock Ownership
contributions paid thereafter until the Exempt
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Loan has been repaid in full, and all earnings from investment of such Employee
Stock Ownership contributions, without regard to whether any such Employee Stock
Ownership contributions and earnings have been allocated to Participants'
Employee Stock Ownership Accounts, shall be available to meet obligations under
the Exempt Loan as such obligations accrue, or prior to the time such
obligations accrue, unless otherwise provided by the Employer at the time any
such contribution is made. Any pledge of Employer Securities shall provide for
the release of shares so pledged upon the payment of any portion of the Exempt
Loan.
(b) For each Plan Year during the duration of the Exempt Loan, the
number of shares of Employer Securities released from such pledge shall equal
the number of encumbered shares held im mediately before release for the current
Plan Year multiplied by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the sum of
principal and interest paid in such Plan Year. The denominator of the fraction
is the sum of the numerator plus the principal and interest to be paid for all
future years. Such years will be determined without taking into account any
possible extension or renewal periods. If interest on any Exempt Loan is
variable, the interest to be paid in future years under the Exempt Loan shall be
computed by using the interest rate applicable as of the end of the Plan Year.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee may obtain an Exempt
Loan pursuant to the terms of which the number of Employer Securities to be
released from encumbrance shall be determined solely with reference to principal
payments. In the event that such an Exempt Loan is obtained, annual payments of
principal and interest shall be at a cumulative rate that is not less rapid at
any time than level payments of such amounts for not more than 10 years. The
amount of interest in any such annual loan repayment shall be disregarded only
to the extent that it would be determined to be interest under standard loan
amortization tables. The requirement set forth in the preceding sentence shall
not be applicable from the time that, by reason of a renewal, extension, or
refinancing, the sum of the expired duration of the Exempt Loan, the renewal
period, the extension period, and the duration of a new Exempt Loan exceeds 10
years.
8.6 Exempt Loan Payments.
(a) Payments of principal and interest on any Exempt Loan during a Plan
Year shall be made by the Trustee (as directed by the Administrator) only from
(1) Employee Stock Ownership contributions to the Trust made to meet the Plan's
obligation under an Exempt Loan (other than contributions of Employer
Securities) and from any earnings attributable to Employer Securities held as
collateral for an Exempt Loan and investments of such contributions (both
received during or prior to the Plan Year); (2) the proceeds of a subsequent
Exempt Loan made to repay a prior Exempt Loan; and (3) the proceeds of the sale
of any Employer Securities held as collateral for an Exempt Loan. Such
contribution and earnings shall be accounted for separately by the Plan until
the Exempt Loan is repaid.
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(b) Employer Securities released by reason of the payment of principal
or interest on an Exempt Loan from amounts allocated to Participants' Employee
Stock Ownership Accounts shall immediately upon payment be allocated as set
forth in Section 5.5.
(c) The Employer shall contribute to the Trust sufficient amounts to
enable the Trust to pay principal and interest on any such Exempt Loans as they
are due, provided however that no such contribution shall exceed the limitations
in Section 5.6. In the event that such contributions by reason of the
limitations in Section 5.6 are insufficient to enable the Trust to pay principal
and interest on such Exempt Loan as it is due, then upon the Trustee's request
the Employer shall:
(1) Make an Exempt Loan to the Trust in sufficient amounts to
meet such principal and interest payments. Such new Exempt Loan shall
be subordinated to the prior Exempt Loan. Securities released from the
pledge of the prior Exempt Loan shall be pledged as collateral to
secure the new Exempt Loan. Such Employer Securities will be released
from this new pledge and allocated to the Employee Stock Ownership
Accounts of the Participants in accordance with applicable provisions
of the Plan;
(2) Purchase any Employer Securities pledged as collateral in
an amount necessary to provide the Trustee with sufficient funds to
meet the principal and interest repayments. Any such sale by the Plan
shall meet the requirements of Section 408(e) of ERISA; or
(3) Any combination of the foregoing. However, the Employer
shall not, pursuant to the provisions of this subsection, do, fail to
do or cause to be done any act or thing which would result in a
disqualification of the Plan as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan under
the Code.
(d) Except as provided in Section 8.1 above and notwithstanding any
amendment to or termination of the Plan which causes it to cease to qualify as
an Employee Stock Ownership plan within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(7) of the
Code, or any repayment of an Exempt Loan, no shares of Employer Securities
acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan obtained by the Trust to purchase
Employer Securities may be subject to a put, call or other option, or buy-sell
or similar arrangement while such shares are held by the Plan or when such
Shares are distributed from the Plan.
8.7 Put Option.
If a Participant exercises a put option (as set forth in Section 8.1)
with respect to Employer Securities that were distributed as part of a total
distribution pursuant to which a Participant's Employee Stock Ownership Account
is distributed to him in a single taxable year, the Employer or the Plan may
elect to pay the purchase price of the Employer Securities over a period not to
exceed 5 years. Such payments shall be made in substantially equal installments
not less frequently than
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annually over a period beginning not later than 30 days after the exercise of
the put option. Reasonable interest shall be paid to the Participant with
respect to the unpaid balance of the purchase price and adequate security shall
be provided with respect thereto. In the event that a Participant exercises a
put option with respect to Employer Securities that are distributed as part of
an installment distribution, the amount to be paid for such securities shall be
paid not later than 30 days after the exercise of the put option.
8.8 Diversification Requirements
Each Participant who has completed at least 10 years of participation
in the Plan and has attained age 55 may elect within 90 days after the close of
each Plan Year during his "qualified election period" to direct the Plan as to
the investment of at least 25 percent of his Employee Stock Ownership Account
(to the extent such percentage exceeds the amount to which a prior election
under this Section 8.8 had been made). For purposes of this Section 8.8, the
term "qualified election period" shall mean the 5-Plan-Year period beginning
with the Plan Year after the Plan Year in which the Participant attains age 55
(or, if later, beginning with the Plan Year after the first Plan Year in which
the Employee first completes at least 10 years of participation in the Plan). In
the case of the Employee who has attained age 60 and completed 10 years of
participation in the prior Plan Year and in the case of the election year in
which any other Participant who has met the minimum age and service requirements
for diversification can make his last election hereunder, he shall be entitled
to direct the Plan as to the investment of at least 50 percent of his Employee
Stock Ownership Account (to the extent such percentage exceeds the amount to
which a prior election under this Section 8.8 had been made). The Plan shall
make available at least 3 investment options (not inconsistent with regulations
prescribed by the Department of Treasury) to each Participant making an election
hereunder. The Plan shall be deemed to have met the requirements of this Section
if the portion of the Participant's Employee Stock Ownership Account covered by
the election hereunder is distributed to the Participant or his designated
Beneficiary within 90 days after the period during which the election may be
made. In the absence of such a distribution, the Trustee shall implement the
Participant's election within 90 days following the expiration of the qualified
election period.
8.9 Independent Appraiser.
An independent appraiser meeting the requirements of Code Section
170(a)(1) shall value the Employer Securities in those Plan Years when such
securities are not readily tradable on an established securities market.
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ARTICLE IX
PAYMENTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
9.1 Payments on Termination of Service - In General.
All benefits provided under this Plan shall be funded by the value of a
Participant's vested interest in the Fund. As soon as practicable after a
Participant's Retirement, death or termination of Service, the Administrator
shall ascertain the value of his vested interest in the Fund, as provided in
Article V, and the Administrator shall hold or dispose of the same in accordance
with the following provisions of this Article IX.
9.2 Commencement of Payments.
(a) Distributions upon Retirement or Death. Upon a Participant's
Retirement or Death, payment of benefits under this Plan shall, unless the
Participant otherwise elects (in accordance with Section 9.3), commence no later
than 6 months after the close of the Plan Year in which occurs the date of the
Participant's Retirement or death.
(b) Distribution following Termination of Service. Unless a Participant
elects otherwise, if a Participant terminates Service prior to Retirement or
death, he shall be accorded an opportunity to commence receipt of distributions
from his Accounts within six (6) months after the Valuation Date next following
the date of his termination of service. A Participant who terminates Service
with a deferred vested benefit shall be entitled to receive from the
Administrator a statement of his benefits. In the event that a Participant
elects not to commence receipt of distributions from his Accounts in accordance
with this Section 9.2(b), after the Participant incurs a Break, the
Administrator shall transfer his deferred vested interest to a distribution
account. If a Participant's vested Employer Account does not exceed (or at the
time of any prior distribution did not exceed) $5,000, the Plan Administrator
may distribute the vested portion of his Employer Account as soon as
administratively feasible without the consent of the Participant or his spouse.
(c) Distribution of Accounts Greater Than $5,000. If the value of a
Participant's vested Account balance exceeds (or at the time of any prior
distribution exceeded) $5,000, and the Account balance is immediately
distributable, the Participant must consent to any distribution of such Account
balance. The Plan Administrator shall notify the Participant of the right to
defer any distribution until the Participant's Account balance is no longer
immediately distributable. The consent of the Participant shall not be required
to the extent that a distribution is required to satisfy Code ss.401(a)(9) or
Code ss.415.
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9.3 Mandatory Commencement of Benefits.
(a) Unless a Participant elects otherwise, in writing, distribution of
benefits will begin no later than the 60th day after the latest of the close of
the Plan Year in which (i) the Participant attains age 65, (ii) occurs the tenth
anniversary of the year in which the Participant commenced participation in the
Plan Year, or (iii) the Participant terminates Service with the Employer.
(b) In the event that the Plan shall be subsequently amended to provide
for a form of distribution other than a lump sum, as of the first distribution
calendar year, distributions, if not made in a lump sum, may be made only over
one of the following periods (or a combination thereof):
(i) the life of the Participant,
(ii) the life of the Participant and the designated beneficiary,
(iii) a period certain not extending beyond the life expectancy
of the Participant, or
(iv) a period certain not extending beyond the joint and last
survivor expectancy of the Participant and a designated
beneficiary.
(c) In the event that the Plan shall be subsequently amended to provide
for a form of distribution other than a lump sum, if the participant's interest
is to be distributed in other than a lump sum, the following minimum
distribution rules shall apply on or after the required beginning date:
(i) If a Participant's benefit is to be distributed over (1) a
period not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Participant or the
joint life and last survivor expectancy of the Participant and the
Participant's designated beneficiary or (2) a period not extending beyond
the life expectancy of the designated beneficiary, the amount required to be
distributed for each calendar year, beginning with distributions for the
first distribution calendar year, must at least equal the quotient obtained
by dividing the Participant's benefit by the applicable life expectancy.
(ii) For calendar years beginning after December 31, 1988, the
amount to be distributed each year, beginning with distributions for the
first distribution calendar year shall not be less than the quotient
obtained by dividing the Participant's benefit by the lesser of (1) the
applicable life expectancy or (2) if the Participant's spouse is not the
designated beneficiary, the applicable divisor determined from the table set
forth in Q&A-4 of section 1.401(a)(9)-2 of the Proposed Regulations.
Distributions after the death of the participant shall be distributed using
the applicable life expectancy in sub-section (iii) above as the relevant
divisor without regard to Proposed Regulations 1.401(a)(9)-2.
(iii) The minimum distribution required for the Participant's
first distribution calendar year must be made on or before the Participant's
required beginning date. The minimum distribution
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for other calendar years, including the minimum distribution for the
distribution calendar year in which the employee's required beginning date
occurs, must be made on or before December 31 of the distribution calendar
year.
(d) If a Participant dies after a distribution has commenced in
accordance with Section 8.3(b) but before his entire interest has been
distributed to him, the remaining portion of such interest shall be distributed
to his Beneficiary at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in
effect as of the date of his death.
(e) If a Participant shall die before the distribution of his interest
in the Plan has begun, the entire interest of the Participant shall be
distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary
of the death of the Participant, except in the following events:
(i) If any portion of the Participant's interest is payable to
(or for the benefit of) a designated beneficiary over a period not extending
beyond the life expectancy of such beneficiary and such distributions begin
not later than December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the
calendar year in which the Participant died.
(ii) If any portion of the Participant's interest is payable
to (or for the benefit of) the Participant's spouse over a period not
extending beyond the life expectancy of such spouse and such distributions
begin no later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the
Participant would have attained age 70-1/2.
If the Participant has not made a distribution election by the time of
his death, the Participant's designated beneficiary shall elect the method of
distribution no later than the earlier of (1) December 31 of the calendar year
in which distributions would be required to begin under this Article or (2)
December 31 of the calendar year which contains the fifth anniversary of the
date of death of the Participant. If the Participant has no designated
beneficiary, or if the designated beneficiary does not elect a method of
distribution, distribution of the Participant's entire interest shall be
completed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary
of the Participant's death.
(f) For purposes of this Article, the life expectancy of a Participant
and his spouse may be redetermined but not more frequently than annually. The
life expectancy (or joint and last survivor expectancy) shall be calculated
using the attained age of the Participant (or designated beneficiary) as of the
Participant's (or designated beneficiary's) birthday in the applicable calendar
year reduced by one for each calendar year which has elapsed since the date life
expectancy was first calculated. If life expectancy is being recalculated, the
applicable life expectancy shall be the life expectancy as so recalculated. The
applicable calendar year shall be the first distribution calendar year, and if
life expectancy is being recalculated, such succeeding calendar year. Unless
otherwise elected by the Participant (or his spouse, if applicable) by the time
distributions are required to begin, life expectancies shall be recalculated
annually. Any such election not to recalculate shall be irrevocable
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and shall apply to all subsequent years. The life expectancy of a nonspouse
beneficiary may not be recalculated.
(g) For purposes of Section 9.3(b) and 9.3(e), any amount paid to a
child shall be treated as if it had been paid to a surviving spouse if such
amount will become payable to the surviving spouse upon such child reaching
majority (or other designated event permitted under regulations).
(h) For distributions beginning before the Participant's death, the
first distribution calendar year is the calendar year immediately preceding the
calendar year which contains the Participant's required beginning date. For
distributions beginning after the Participant's death, the first distribution
calendar year is the calendar year in which distributions are required to begin
pursuant to this Article.
9.4 Required Beginning Dates.
(a) General Rule. The required beginning date of a Participant is the
first day of April of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the
participant attains age 70-1/2, provided that such Participant is a 5-percent
owner.
(b) 5-percent owner. A Participant is treated as a 5-percent owner for
purposes of this section if such Participant is a 5-percent owner as defined in
section 416(i) of the Code (determined in accordance with section 416 but
without regard to whether the plan is top-heavy) at any time during the Plan
Year ending with or within the calendar year in which such owner attains age
66-1/2 or any subsequent Plan Year. Once distributions have begun to a 5-percent
owner under this section, they must continue to be distributed, even if the
Participant ceases to be a 5-percent owner in a subsequent year.
9.5 Form of Payment.
Each Participant's vested interest shall be distributed in a lump sum
payment. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, but subject to Section 9.3, the
Administrator may not distribute a lump sum when the present value of a
Participant's total Account balances is in excess of $5,000 without the
Participant's consent. This form of payment shall be the normal form of
distribution. Furthermore, however, in the event that the Administrator must
commence distributions, pursuant to Section 9.4, with respect to an Employee who
has attained age 70-1/2 and is still employed by the Employer, if the Employee
does not elect a lump sum distribution, payments shall be made in installments
in such amounts as shall satisfy the minimum distribution rules of Section 9.3.
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9.6 Payments Upon Termination of Plan.
Upon termination of this Plan pursuant to Sections 13.2, 13.4, 13.5 or
13.6, the Administrator shall continue to perform its duties and the Trustee
shall make all payments upon the following terms, conditions and provisions: All
interests of Participants shall immediately become fully vested; the value of
the interests of all Participants shall be determined within 60 days after such
termination, and the Administrator shall have the same powers to direct the
Trustee in making payments as contained in Sections 9.1 and 13.5.
9.7 Distributions Pursuant to Qualified Domestic Relations Orders.
Upon receipt of a domestic relations order, the Administrator shall
notify promptly the Participant and any alternate payee of receipt of the order
and the Plan's procedure for determining whether the order is a Qualified
Domestic Relations Order. While the issue of whether a domestic relations order
is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order is being determined, if the benefits
would otherwise be paid, the Administrator shall segregate in a separate account
in the Plan the amounts that would be payable to the alternate payee during such
period if the order were a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. If within 18
months the order is determined to be a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, the
amounts so segregated, along with the interest or investment earnings
attributable thereto shall be paid to the alternate payee. Alternatively, if
within 18 months, it is determined that the order is not a Qualified Domestic
Relations Order or if the issue is still unresolved, the amounts segregated
under this Section 9.6, with the earnings attributable thereto, shall be paid to
the Participant or Beneficiary who would have been entitled to such amounts if
there had been no order. The determination as to whether the order is qualified
shall be applied prospectively. Thus, if the Ad ministrator determines that the
order is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order after the 18-month period, the
Plan shall not be liable for payments to the alternative payee for the period
before the order is determined to be a Qualified Domestic Relations Order.
9.8 Cash-Out Distributions
If a Participant receives a distribution of the entire present value of
his vested Account balances under this Plan because of the termination of his
participation in the Plan, the Plan shall disregard a Participant's Service with
respect to which such cash-out distribution shall have been made, in computing
his accrued benefit under the Plan in the event that a Former Participant shall
again become an Employee and become eligible to participate in the Plan. Such a
distribution shall be deemed to be made on termination of participation in the
Plan if it is made not later than the close of the second Plan Year following
the Plan Year in which such termination occurs. The forfeitable portion of a
Participant's accrued benefit shall be restored upon repayment to the Plan by
such former Participant of the full amount of the cash-out distribution,
provided that the former Participant again becomes an Employee. Such repayment
must be made by the Employee not later than the end of the 5-year period
beginning with the date of the distribution. Forfeitures required to be restored
by virtue
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of such repayment shall be restored from the following sources in the following
order of preference: (i) current forfeitures; (ii) additional employee stock
ownership contributions, as appropriate and as subject to Section 5.6; and (iii)
investment earnings of the Fund. In the event that a Participant's interest in
the Plan is totally forfeitable, a Participant shall be deemed to have received
a distribution of zero upon his termination of Service. In the event of a return
to Service within 5 years of the date of his deemed distribution, the
Participant shall be deemed to have repaid his distribution in accordance with
the rules of this Section 9.8.
9.9 ESOP Distribution Rules.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Article IX to the contrary, the
distribution of a Participant's Employee Stock Ownership Account (unless the
Participant elects otherwise in writing), shall commence as soon as
administratively feasible as of the first Valuation Date coincident with or next
following his death, disability or termination of Service, but not later than 1
year after the close of the Plan Year in which the Participant separates from
Service by reason of the attainment of his Normal Retirement Date, disability,
death or separation from Service. In addition, all distributions hereunder
shall, to the extent that the Participant's Account is invested in Employer
Securities, be made in the form of Employer Securities. Fractional shares,
however, may be distributed in the form of cash.
9.10 Withholding.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary that
would otherwise limit a distributee's election under this Article IX, a
distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Plan
Administrator, to have any portion of an "eligible rollover distribution" paid
directly to an "eligible retirement plan" specified by the distributee in a
"direct rollover."
(b) For purposes of this Section 9.10, an "eligible rollover
distribution" is any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the
credit of the distributee, except that an "eligible rollover distribution" does
not include: any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal
periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for the life (or life
expectancy) of the distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies)
of the distributee and the distributee's designated beneficiary, or for a
specified period of ten years or more; any distribution to the extent such
distribution is required under section 401(a)(9) of the Code; and the portion of
any distribution that is not includible in gross income (determined without
regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with respect to Employer
Securities).
(c) For purposes of this Section 9.10, an "eligible retirement plan" is
an individual retirement account described in section 408(a) of the Code, an
individual retirement annuity described in section 408(b) of the Code, an
annuity plan described in section 403(a) of the Code, or a qualified trust
described in section 401(a) of the Code, that accepts the distributee's eligible
rollover
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distribution. However, in the case of an "eligible rollover distribution" to the
surviving spouse, an "eligible retirement plan" is an individual retirement
account or individual retirement annuity.
(d) For purposes of this Section 9.10, a distributee includes a
Participant or former Participant. In addition, the Participant's or former
Participant's surviving spouse and the Participant's or former Participant's
spouse or former spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic
relations order, as defined in section 414(p) of the Code, are "distributees"
with regard to the interest of the spouse or former spouse.
(e) For purposes of this Section 9.10, a "direct rollover" is a payment
by the Plan to the "eligible retirement plan" specified by the distributee.
9.11 Waiver of 30-day Notice.
If a distribution is one to which sections 401(a)(11) and 417 of the
Code do not apply, such distribution may commence less than 30 days after the
notice required under section 1.411(a)-11(c) of the Income Tax Regulations is
given, provided that: (1) the Plan Administrator clearly informs the Participant
that the Participant has a right to a period of at least 30 days after receiving
the notice to consider the decision of whether or not to elect a distribution
(and, if applicable, a particular distribution option), and (2) the Participant,
after receiving the notice, affirmatively elects a distribution.
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ARTICLE X
PROVISIONS RELATING TO TOP-HEAVY PLANS
10.1 Top-Heavy Rules to Control.
Anything contained in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, if for
any Plan Year the Plan is a top-heavy plan, as determined pursuant to Section
416 of the Code, then the Plan must meet the requirements of this Article X for
such Plan Year.
10.2 Top-Heavy Plan Definitions.
Unless a different meaning is plainly implied by the context, the
following terms as used in this Article X shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Accrued Benefit" shall mean the account balances or accrued
benefits of an Employee, calculated pursuant to Section 10.3.
(b) "Determination Date" shall mean, with respect to any particular
Plan Year of this Plan, the last day of the preceding Plan Year (or, in the case
of the first Plan Year of the Plan, the last day of the first Plan Year). In
addition, the term "Determination Date" shall mean, with respect to any
particular plan year of any plan (other than this Plan) in a Required
Aggregation Group or a Permissive Aggregation Group, the last day of the plan
year of such plan which falls within the same calendar year as the Determination
Date for this Plan.
(c) "Employer" shall mean the Employer (as defined in Section 1.1(q))
and any entity which is (1) a member of a controlled group including such
Employer, while it is a member of such controlled group (within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Code), (2) in a group of trades or businesses under common
control with such Employer, while it is under common control (within the meaning
of Section 414(c) of the Code), and (3) a member of an affiliated service group
including such Employer, while it is a member of such affiliated service group
(within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code).
(d) "Key Employee" shall mean any Employee or former Employee (or any
Beneficiary of such Employee or former Employee, as the case may be) who, at any
time during the Plan Year or during the 4 immediately preceding Plan Years is
one of the following:
(1) An officer of the Employer who has compensation greater
than 50% of the amount in effect under Code 415(b)(1)(A) for the Plan
Year; provided, however, that no more than 50 Employees (or, if lesser,
the greater of 3 or 10% of the Employees) shall be deemed officers;
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(2) One of the 10 Employees having annual compensation (as
defined in Section 415 of the Code) in excess of the limitation in
effect under Section 415(c)(1)(A) of the Code, and owning (or
considered as owning, within the meaning of Section 318 of the Code)
the largest interests in the Employer;
(3) Any Employee owning (or considered as owning, within the
meaning of Section 318 of the Code) more than 5% of the outstanding
stock of the Employer or stock possessing more than 5% of the total
combined voting power of all stock of the Employer; or
(4) Any Employee having annual compensation (as defined in
Section 415 of the Code) of more than $150,000 and who would be
described in Section 10.2(d)(3) if "1%" were substituted for "5%"
wherever the latter percentage appears.
For purposes of applying Section 318 of the Code to the provisions of
this Section 10.2(d), Section 318(a)(2)(C) of the Code shall be applied by
substituting "5%" for "50%" wherever the latter percentage appears. In addition,
for purposes of this Section 10.2(d), the provisions of Section 414(b), (c) and
(m) shall not apply in determining ownership interests in the Employer. However,
for purposes of determining whether an individual has compensation in excess of
$150,000, or whether an individual is a Key Employee under Section 10.2(d)(1)
and (2), compensation from each entity required to be aggregated under Sections
414(b), (c) and (m) of the Code shall be taken into account. Notwithstanding
anything contained herein to the contrary, all determinations as to whether a
person is or is not a Key Employee shall be resolved by reference to Section 416
of the Code and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(e) "Non-Key Employee" shall mean any Employee or former Employee (or
any Beneficiary of such Employee or former Employee, as the case may be) who is
not considered to be a Key Employee with respect to this Plan.
(f) "Permissive Aggregation Group" shall mean all plans in the Required
Aggregation Group and any other plans maintained by the Employer which satisfy
Sections 401(a)(4) and 410 of the Code when considered together with the
Required Aggregation Group.
(g) "Required Aggregation Group" shall mean each plan (including any
terminated plan) of the Employer in which a Key Employee is (or in the case of a
terminated plan, had been) a Participant in the Plan Year containing the
Determination Date or any of the 4 preceding Plan Years, and each other plan of
the Employer which enables any plan of the Employer in which a Key Employee is a
Participant to meet the requirement of Sections 401(a)(4) and 410 of the Code.
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10.3 Calculation of Accrued Benefits.
(a) An Employee's Accrued Benefit shall be equal to:
(1) With respect to this Plan or any other defined
contribution plan (other than a defined contribution pension plan) in a
Required Aggregation Group or a Permissive Aggre gation Group, the
Employee's account balances under the respective plan, determined as of
the most recent plan valuation date within a 12-month period ending on
the Determination Date, including contributions actually made after the
valuation date but before the Determination Date (and, in the first
plan year of a plan, also including any contributions made after the
Determination Date which are allocated as of a date in the first plan
year).
(2) With respect to any defined contribution pension plan in a
Required Aggregation Group or a Permissive Aggregation Group, the
Employee's account balances under the plan, determined as of the most
recent plan valuation date within a 12-month period ending on the
Determination Date, including contributions which have not actually
been made, but which are due to be made as of the Determination Date.
(3) With respect to any defined benefit plan in a Required
Aggregation Group or a Permissive Aggregation Group, the present value
of the Employee's accrued benefits under the plan, determined as of the
most recent plan valuation date within a 12-month period ending on the
Determination Date, pursuant to the actuarial assumptions used by such
plan, and calculated as if the Employee terminated Service under such
plan as of the valuation date (except that, in the first plan year of a
plan, a current Participant's estimated Accrued Benefit Plan as of the
Determination Date shall be taken into account).
(4) If any individual has not performed services for the
Employer maintaining the Plan at any time during the 5-year period
ending on the Determination Date, any Accrued Benefit for such
individual shall not be taken into account.
(b) The Accrued Benefit of any Employee shall be further adjusted as
follows:
(1) The Accrued Benefit shall be calculated to include all
amounts attributable to both Employer and Employee contributions, but
shall exclude amounts attributable to voluntary deductible Employee
contributions, if any.
(2) The Accrued Benefit shall be increased by the aggregate
distributions made with respect to an Employee under the plan or plans,
as the case may be, during the 5-year period ending on the
Determination Date.
(3) Rollover and direct plan-to-plan transfers shall be taken
into account as follows:
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(A) If the transfer is initiated by the Employee and made
from a plan maintained by one employer to a plan maintained by
another unrelated employer, the transferring plan shall
continue to count the amount transferred; the receiving plan
shall not count the amount transferred.
(B) If the transfer is not initiated by the Employee or
is made between plans maintained by related employers, the
transferring plan shall no longer count the amount
transferred; the receiving plan shall count the amount
transferred.
(c) If any individual has not performed services for the Employer at
any time during the 5-year period ending on the Determination Date, any accrued
benefit for such individual (and the account of such individual) shall not be
taken into account.
10.4 Determination of Top-Heavy Status.
This Plan shall be considered to be a top-heavy plan for any Plan Year
if, as of the Determination Date, the value of the Accrued Benefits of Key
Employees exceeds 60% of the value of the Accrued Benefits of all eligible
Employees under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Employer
maintains any other qualified plan, the determination of whether this Plan is
top-heavy shall be made after aggregating all other plans of the Employer in the
Required Aggregation Group and, if desired by the Employer as a means of
avoiding top-heavy status, after aggregating any other plan of the Employer in
the Permissive Aggregation Group. If the required Aggregation Group is
top-heavy, then each plan contained in such group shall be deemed to be
top-heavy, notwithstanding that any particular plan in such group would not
otherwise be deemed to be top-heavy. Conversely, if the Permissive Aggregation
Group is not top-heavy, then no plan contained in such group shall be deemed to
be top-heavy, notwithstanding that any particular plan in such group would
otherwise be deemed to be top-heavy. In no event shall a plan included in a
top-heavy Permissive Aggregation Group be deemed a top-heavy plan unless such
plan is also included in a top-heavy Required Aggregation Group.
10.5 Determination of Super Top-Heavy Status.
The Plan shall be considered to be a super top-heavy plan if, as of the
Determination Date, the Plan would meet the test specified in Section 10.4 above
for classification as a top-heavy plan, except that "90%" shall be substituted
for "60%" whenever the latter percentage appears.
10.6 Minimum Contribution.
(a) For any year in which the Plan is top-heavy, each Non-Key Employee
who has met the age and service requirements, if any, contained in the Plan,
shall be entitled to a minimum con tribution (which may include forfeitures
otherwise allocable) equal to a percentage of such Non-Key
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Employee's compensation (as defined in Section 415 of the Code) as follows:
(1) If the Non-Key Employee is not covered by a defined
benefit plan maintained by the Employer, then the minimum contribution
under this Plan shall be 3% of such Non-Key Employee's compensation.
(2) If the Non-Key Employee is covered by a defined benefit
plan maintained by the Employer, then the minimum contribution under
this Plan shall be 5% of such Non-Key Employee's compensation.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the minimum contribution otherwise
allocable to a Non-Key Employee under this Plan shall be reduced in the
following circumstances:
(1) The percentage minimum contribution required under this
Plan shall in no event exceed the percentage contribution made for the
Key Employee for whom such percentage is the highest for the Plan Year
after taking into account contributions under other defined
contribution plans in this Plan's Required Aggregation Group; provided,
however, that this Section 10.7(b)(1) shall not apply if this Plan is
included in a Required Aggregation Group and this Plan enables a
defined benefit plan in such Required Aggregation Group to meet the
requirements of Section 401(a)(4) or 410 of the Code.
(2) No minimum contribution shall be required (or the minimum
contribution shall be reduced, as the case may be) for a Non-Key
Employee under this Plan for any Plan Year if the Employer maintains
another qualified plan under which a minimum benefit or contribution is
being accrued or made on account of such Plan Year, in whole or in
part, on behalf of the Non-Key Employee, in accordance with Section
416(c) of the Code.
(c) For purposes of this Section 10.6, there shall be disregarded (1)
any Employer contributions attributable to a salary reduction or similar
arrangement, or (2) any Employer contri butions to or any benefits under Chapter
21 of the Code (relating to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act), Title II
of the Social Security Act, or any other federal or state law.
(d) For purposes of this Section 10.6, minimum contributions shall be
required to be made on behalf of only those Non-Key Employees, as described in
Section 10.7(a), who have not terminated Service as of the last day of the Plan
Year. If a Non-Key Employee is otherwise entitled to receive a minimum
contribution pursuant to this Section 10.6(d), the fact that such Non-Key
Employee failed to complete 1,000 Hours of Service or failed to make any
mandatory or elective contributions under this Plan, if any are so required,
shall not preclude him from receiving such minimum contribution.
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10.7 Vesting.
(a) For any Plan Year in which the Plan is a top-heavy plan, a
Participant's Employer account shall continue to vest according to the following
schedule:
Years of Service Completed Percentage Vested
-------------------------- -----------------
Less than 1 0%
1 but less than 2 20%
2 but less than 3 40%
3 but less than 4 60%
4 but less than 5 80%
5 or more 100%
(b) For purposes of Section 10.7(a), the term "year of service" shall
have the same meaning as set forth in Section 1.1(kk), as modified by Section
3.2
(c) If for any Plan Year the Plan becomes top-heavy and the vesting
schedule set forth in Section 10.7(a) becomes effective, then, even if the Plan
ceases to be top-heavy in any subsequent Plan Year, the vesting schedule set
forth in Section 10.7(a) shall remain applicable with respect to any Participant
who has completed 3 Years of Service.
10.8 Maximum Benefit Limitation.
For any Plan Year in which the Plan is a top-heavy plan, Section
5.6(d)(1)(B)(i) and Section 5.6(d)(2)(B)(i)shall be read by substituting "1.0"
for "1.25" wherever the latter figure appears; provided, however, that such
substitution shall not have the effect of reducing any benefit accrued under a
defined benefit plan prior to the first day of the plan year in which this
Section 10.8 becomes applicable.
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ARTICLE XI
ADMINISTRATION
11.1 Appointment of Administrator.
This Plan shall be administered by a committee consisting of up to 5
persons, whether or not Employees or Participants, who shall be appointed from
time to time by the Board of Directors to serve at its pleasure. The Sponsor may
require that each person appointed as an Administrator shall signify his
acceptance by filing an acceptance with the Sponsor. The term "Administrator" as
used in this Plan shall refer to the members of the committee, either
individually or collectively, as appropriate. In the event that the Sponsor
shall elect not to appoint any individuals to constitute a committee to
administer the Plan, the Sponsor shall serve as the Administrator hereunder.
11.2 Resignation or Removal of Administrator.
An Administrator shall have the right to resign at any time by giving
notice in writing, mailed or delivered to the Employer and to the Trustee. Any
Administrator who was an employee of the Employer at the time of his appointment
shall be deemed to have resigned as an Administrator upon his termination of
Service. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, remove any Administrator
with or without cause, by giving notice in writing, mailed or delivered to the
Administrator and to the Trustee.
11.3 Appointment of Successors: Terms of Office, Etc.
Upon the death, resignation or removal of an Administrator, the
Employer may appoint, by Board of Directors' resolution, a successor or
successors. Notice of termination of an Administrator and notice of appointment
of a successor shall be made by the Employer in writing, with copies mailed or
delivered to the Trustee, and the successor shall have all the rights and
privileges and all of the duties and obligations of the predecessor.
11.4 Powers and Duties of Administrator.
The Administrator shall have the following duties and responsibilities
in connection with the administration of this Plan:
(a) To promulgate and enforce such rules, regulations and procedures as
shall be proper for the efficient administration of the Plan, such rules,
regulations and procedures to apply uniformly to all Employees, Participants and
Beneficiaries;
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(b) To determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, all questions
arising in the administra tion, interpretation and application of the Plan,
including questions of eligibility and of the status and rights of Participants,
Beneficiaries and any other persons hereunder;
(c) To decide any dispute arising hereunder strictly in accordance with
the terms of the Plan; provided, however, that no Administrator shall
participate in any matter involving any questions relating solely to his own
participation or benefits under this Plan;
(d) To advise the Employer and the Trustee regarding the known future
needs for funds to be available for distribution in order that the Trustee may
establish investments accordingly;
(e) To correct defects, supply omissions and reconcile inconsistencies
to the extent necessary to effectuate the Plan;
(f) To advise the Employer of the maximum deductible contribution to
the Plan for each fiscal year;
(g) To direct the Trustee concerning all payments which shall be made
out of the Fund pursuant to the provisions of this Plan;
(h) To advise the Trustee on all terminations of Service by
Participants, unless the Employer has so notified the Trustee;
(i) To confer with the Trustee on the settling of any claims against
the Fund;
(j) To make recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to
proposed amendments to the Plan and the Trust Agreement;
(k) To file all reports with government agencies, Employees and other
parties as may be required by law, whether such reports are initially the
obligation of the Employer, the Plan or the Trustee; and
(l) To have all such other powers as may be necessary to discharge its
duties hereunder.
Discretion is granted to the Administrator to affect the benefits,
rights and privileges of Participants, Beneficiaries or other persons affected
by this Plan. The Administrator shall exercise its discretion under the terms of
this Plan and shall administer the Plan in accordance with its terms, such
administration to be exercised uniformly so that all persons similarly situated
shall be similarly treated.
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11.5 Action by Administrator.
The Administrator may elect a Chairman and Secretary from among its
members and may adopt rules for the conduct of its business. A majority of the
members then serving shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
All resolutions or other action taken by the Administrator shall be by vote of a
majority of those present at such meeting and entitled to vote. Resolutions may
be adopted or other action taken without a meeting upon written consent signed
by at least a majority of the members. All documents, instruments, orders,
requests, directions, instructions and other papers shall be executed on behalf
of the Administrator by either the Chairman or the Secretary of the
Administrator, if any, or by any member or agent of the Administrator duly
authorized to act on the Administrator's behalf.
11.6 Participation by Administrators.
No Administrator shall be precluded from becoming a Participant in the
Plan if he would be otherwise eligible, but he shall not be entitled to vote or
act upon matters or to sign any documents relating specifically to his own
participation under the Plan, except when such matters or documents relate to
benefits generally. If this disqualification results in the lack of a quorum,
then the Board of Directors shall appoint a sufficient number of temporary
Administrators who shall serve for the sole purpose of determining such a
question.
11.7 Agents.
The Administrator may employ agents and provide for such clerical,
legal, actuarial, accounting, medical, advisory or other services as it deems
necessary to perform its duties under this Plan. The cost of such services and
all other expenses incurred by the Administrator in connection with the
administration of the Plan shall be paid from the Fund, unless paid by the
Employer.
11.8 Allocation of Duties.
The duties, powers and responsibilities reserved to the Administrator
may be allocated among its members so long as such allocation is pursuant to
written procedures adopted by the Administrator, in which case, except as may be
required by the Act, no Administrator shall have any liability, with respect to
any duties, powers or responsibilities not allocated to him, for the acts of
omissions of any other Administrator.
11.9 Delegation of Duties.
The Administrator may delegate any of its duties to other employees of
the Employer, to the Trustee with its consent, or to any other person or firm,
provided that the Administrator shall prudently choose such agents and rely in
good faith on their actions.
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11.10 Administrator's Action Conclusive.
Any action on matters within the authority of the Administrator shall
be final and conclusive except as provided in Article XII.
11.11 Compensation and Expenses of Administrator.
No Administrator who is receiving compensation from the Employer as a
full-time employee, as a director or agent, shall be entitled to receive any
compensation or fee for his services hereunder. Any other Administrator shall be
entitled to receive such reasonable compensation for his services as an
Administrator hereunder as may be mutually agreed upon between the Employer and
such Administrator. Any such compensation shall be paid from the Fund, unless
paid by the Employer. Each Administrator shall be entitled to reimbursement by
the Employer for any reasonable and necessary expenditures incurred in the
discharge of his duties.
11.12 Records and Reports.
The Administrator shall maintain adequate records of its actions and
proceedings in administering this Plan and shall file all reports and take all
other actions as it deems appropriate in order to comply with the Act, the Code
and governmental regulations issued thereunder.
11.13 Reports of Fund Open to Participants.
The Administrator shall keep on file, in such form as it shall deem
convenient and proper, all annual reports of the Fund received by the
Administrator from the Trustee, and a statement of each Participant's interest
in the Fund as from time to time determined. The annual reports of the Fund and
the statement of his own interest in the Fund, as well as a complete copy of the
Plan and the Trust Agreement and copies of annual reports to the Internal
Revenue Service, shall be made available by the Administrator to the Employer
for examination by each Participant during reasonable hours at the office of the
Employer, provided, however, that the statement of a Participant's interest
shall not be made available for examination by any other Participant.
11.14 Named Fiduciary.
The Administrator is the named fiduciary for purposes of the Act and
shall be the designated agent for receipt of service of process on behalf of the
Plan. It shall use ordinary care and diligence in the performance of its duties
under this Plan. Nothing in this Plan shall preclude the Employer from
indemnifying the Administrator for all actions under this Plan, or from
purchasing liability insurance to protect it with respect to its duties under
this Plan.
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11.15 Information from Employer.
The Employer shall promptly furnish all necessary information to the
Administrator to permit it to perform its duties under this Plan. The
Administrator shall be entitled to rely upon the accuracy and completeness of
all information furnished to it by the Employer, unless it knows or should have
known that such information is erroneous.
11.16 Reservation of Rights by Employer.
Where rights are reserved in this Plan to the Employer, such rights
shall be exercised only by action of the Board of Directors, except where the
Board of Directors, by written resolution, delegates any such rights to one or
more officers of the Employer or to the Administrator. Subject to the rights
reserved to the Board of Directors acting on behalf of the Employer as set forth
in this Plan, no member of the Board of Directors shall have any duties or
responsibilities under this Plan, except to the extent he shall be acting in the
capacity of an Administrator or Trustee.
11.17 Liability and Indemnification.
(a) The Administrator shall perform all duties required of it under
this Plan in a prudent manner. To the extent not prohibited by the Act, the
Administrator shall not be responsible in any way for any action or omission of
the Employer, the Trustee or any other fiduciaries in the performance of their
duties and obligations set forth in this Plan and in the Trust Agreement. To the
extent not prohibited by the Act, the Administrator shall also not be
responsible for any act or omission of any of its agents, or with respect to
reliance upon advice of its counsel (whether or not such counsel is also counsel
to the Employer or the Trustee), provided that such agents or counsel were
prudently chosen by the Administrator and that the Administrator relied in good
faith upon the action of such agent or the advice of such counsel.
(b) The Administrator shall not be relieved from responsibility or
liability for any responsibility, obligation or duty imposed upon it under this
Plan or under the Act. Except for its own gross negligence, willful misconduct
or willful breach of the terms of this Plan, the Administrator shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the Employer against liability or losses
occurring by reason of any act or omission of the Administrator to the extent
that such indemnification does not violate the Act or any other federal or state
laws.
11.18 Service as Trustee and Administrator.
Nothing in this Plan shall prevent one or more Trustees from serving as
Administrator under this Plan.
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ARTICLE XII
CLAIMS PROCEDURE
12.1 Notice of Denial.
If a Participant or his Beneficiary is denied any benefits under this
Plan, either in whole or in part, the Administrator shall advise the claimant in
writing of the amount of his benefit, if any, and the specific reasons for the
denial. The Administrator shall also furnish the claimant at that time with a
written notice containing:
(a) A specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions;
(b) A description of any additional material or information necessary
for the claimant to perfect his claim, if possible, and an explanation of why
such material or information is needed; and
(c) An explanation of the Plan's claim review procedure.
12.2 Right to Reconsideration.
Within 60 days of receipt of the information described in 12.1 above,
the claimant shall, if he desires further review, file a written request for
reconsideration with the Administrator.
12.3 Review of Documents.
So long as the claimant's request for review is pending (including the
60-day period described in Section 12.2 above), the claimant or his duly
authorized representative may review pertinent Plan documents and the Trust
Agreement (and any pertinent related documents) and may submit issues and
comments in writing to the Administrator.
12.4 Decision by Administrator.
A final and binding decision shall be made by the Administrator within
60 days of the filing by the claimant of his request for reconsideration;
provided, however, that if the Administrator feels that a hearing with the
claimant or his representative present is necessary or desirable, this period
shall be extended an additional 60 days.
12.5 Notice by Administrator.
The Administrator's decision shall be conveyed to the claimant in
writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision, written in a manner
calculated to be understood by the claimant, with specific references to the
pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based.
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ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS, TERMINATION AND MERGER
13.1 Amendments.
The Employer reserves the right at any time and from time to time, and
retroactively if deemed necessary or appropriate by it, to the extent
permissible under law, to conform with governmental regulations or other
policies, to amend in whole or in part any or all of the provisions of this
Plan, provided that:
(a) No amendment shall make it possible for any part of the Fund to be
used for, or diverted to, purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of
Participants or their Beneficiaries under the Trust Agreement, except to the
extent provided in Section 4.4;
(b) No amendment may, directly or indirectly, reduce the vested portion
of any Participant's interest as of the effective date of the amendment or
change the vesting schedule with respect to the future accrual of Employer
contributions for any Participants unless each Participant with 3 or more Years
of Service with the Employer is permitted to elect to have the vesting schedule
in effect before the amendment used to determine his vested benefit; and
(c) No amendment may eliminate an optional form of benefit.
(d) No amendment may increase the duties of the Trustee without its
consent.
Amendments may be made in the form of Board of Directors' resolutions
or separate written document. Copies of all amendments shall be delivered to the
Trustee.
13.2 Consolidation, Merger or Other Transactions of Employer.
Nothing in this Plan shall prevent the consolidation, merger,
reorganization or liquidation of the Employer, or prevent the sale by Employer
of any or all of its property. Any successor corporation or other entity formed
and resulting from any such transaction shall have the right to become a party
to this Plan by adopting the same by resolution and by appointing a new Trustee
as though the Trustee had resigned in accordance with the Trust Agreement, and
by executing a proper supplemental agreement with the Trustee. If, within 180
days from the effective date of such transaction, such new entity does not
become a party to this Plan as above provided, this Plan shall automatically be
termi nated and the Trustee shall make payments to the persons entitled thereto
in accordance with Section 9.5.
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13.3 Consolidation or Merger of Trust.
In the event of any merger or consolidation of the Fund with, or
transfer in whole or in part of the assets and liabilities of the Fund to,
another trust fund held under any other plan of deferred compensation maintained
or to be established for the benefit of all or some of the Participants of this
Plan, the assets of the Fund applicable to such Participants shall be
transferred to the other trust fund only if:
(a) Each Participant would receive a benefit under such successor trust
fund immediately after the merger, consolidation or transfer which is equal to
or greater than the benefit he would have been entitled to receive immediately
before the merger, consolidation or transfer (determined as if this Plan and
such transferee trust fund had then terminated);
(b) Resolutions of the Board of Directors under this Plan, or of any
new or successor employer of the affected Participants, shall authorize such
transfer of assets, and, in the case of the new or successor employer of the
affected Participants, its resolutions shall include an assumption of
liabilities with respect to such Participants' inclusion in the new employer's
plan; and
(c) Such other plan and trust are qualified under Sections 401(a) and
501(a) of the Code.
13.4 Bankruptcy or Insolvency of Employer.
In the event of (a) the Employer's legal dissolution or liquidation by
any procedure other than a consolidation or merger, (b) the Employer's
receivership, insolvency, or cessation of its business as a going concern, or
(c) the commencement of any proceeding by or against the Employer under the
federal bankruptcy laws, and similar federal or state statute, or any federal or
state statute or rule providing for the relief of debtors, compensation of
creditors, arrangement, receivership, liquidation or any similar event which is
not dismissed within 30 days, this Plan shall terminate automatically on such
date (provided, however, that if a proceeding is brought against the Employer
for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code or any
similar federal or state statute, then this Plan shall terminate automatically
if and when said proceeding results in a liquidation of the Employer, or the
approval of any Plan providing therefor, or the proceeding is converted to a
case un der Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar conversion to a
liquidation proceeding under federal or state law including, but not limited to,
a receivership proceeding). In the event of any such termination as provided in
the foregoing sentence, the Trustee shall make payments to the persons entitled
thereto in accordance with Section 9.5 hereof.
13.5 Voluntary Termination.
The Board of Directors reserves the right to terminate this Plan at any
time by giving to the Trustee and the Administrator notice in writing of such
desire to terminate. The Plan shall terminate upon the date of receipt of such
notice, the interests of all Participants shall become fully vested, and
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the Trustee shall make payments to each Participant or Beneficiary in accordance
with Section 9.5. Alternatively, the Employer, in its discretion, may determine
to continue the Trust Agreement and to continue the maintenance of the Fund, in
which event distributions shall be made upon the contin gencies and in all the
circumstances which would have been entitled such distributions on a fully
vested basis, had there been no termination of the Plan.
13.6 Partial Termination of Plan or Permanent Discontinuance of Contributions.
In the event that a partial termination of the Plan shall be deemed to
have occurred, or if the Employer shall discontinue completely its contributions
hereunder, the right of each affected Participant to his interest in the Fund
shall be fully vested. The Employer, in its discretion, shall decide whether to
direct the Trustee to make immediate distribution of such portion of the Fund
assets to the persons entitled thereto or to make distribution in the
circumstances and contingencies which would have controlled such distributions
if there had been no partial termination or discontinuance of contributions.
13.7 Change of Control.
In the event of a Change of Control, every Participant, to the extent
that he is not already fully vested in his interest in the Fund, shall become
fully and immediately vested therein, notwithstanding the vesting schedules set
forth at Sections 7.2 or 10.7. As used herein, the term "Change of Control"
shall mean (i) any third person, including a "group" as defined in Section
13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, shall become the beneficial
owner of shares of the Sponsor with respect to which 25% or more of the total
number of votes may be cast for the election of the Board of Directors of the
Sponsor; (ii) as a result of, or in connection with, any cash tender offer,
merger or other business combination, sale of assets or contested election, or
combination of the foregoing, the persons who were directors of the Sponsor
shall cease to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors; or (iii) the
stockholders of the Sponsor shall approve an agreement providing either for a
transaction in which the Sponsor shall cease to be an independent publicly owned
entity or for a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets
of the Sponsor.
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ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS
14.1 No Diversion of Funds.
It is the intention of the Employer that it shall be impossible for any
part of the corpus or income of the Fund to be used for, or diverted to,
purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of the Participants or their
Beneficiaries, except to extent that a return of the Employer's contribution is
permitted under Section 4.4.
14.2 Liability Limited.
Neither the Employer nor the Administrator, nor any agents, employees,
officers, directors or shareholders of any of them, nor the Trustee, nor any
other person shall have any liability or responsibility with respect to this
Plan, except as expressly provided herein.
14.3 Incapacity.
If the Administrator shall receive evidence satisfactory to it that a
Participant or Beneficiary entitled to receive any benefit under the Plan is, at
the time when such benefit becomes payable, a minor, or is physically or
mentally incompetent to receive such benefit and to give a valid release
therefor, and that another person or an institution is then maintaining or has
custody of such Participant or Beneficiary, and that no guardian, committee or
other representative of the estate of such Participant or Beneficiary shall have
been duly appointed, the Administrator may direct the Trustee to make payment of
such benefit otherwise payable to such Participant or Beneficiary, to such other
person or institution, including a custodian under a Uniform Gifts to Minor Act,
or correspond ing legislation (who shall be an adult, a guardian of the minor or
a trust company), and the release of such other person or institution shall be a
valid and complete discharge for the payment of such benefit.
14.4 Spendthrift Clause.
Except as permitted by the Act or the Code, no benefits or other
amounts payable under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to anticipation,
sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, charge or alienation. If the
Administrator determines that any person entitled to any payments under the Plan
has become insolvent or bankrupt or has attempted to anticipate, sell, transfer,
assign, pledge, encumber, charge or otherwise in any manner alienate any benefit
or other amount payable to him under the Plan or that there is any danger of any
levy or attachment or other court process or encumbrance on the part of any
creditor of such person entitled to payments under the Plan against any benefit
or other accounts payable to such person, the Administrator may, at any time, in
its discretion, direct the Trustee to withhold any or all payments to such
person under the Plan and apply
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the same for the benefit of such person, in such manner and in such
proportion as the Administrator may deem proper.
14.5 Benefits Limited to Fund.
All contributions by the Employer to the Fund shall be voluntary, and
the Employer shall be under no legal liability to make any such contributions.
The benefits of this Plan shall be only as can be provided by the assets of the
Fund, and no liability for the payment of benefits under the Plan or for any
loss of assets due to any action or inaction of the Trustee shall be imposed
upon the Employer.
14.6 Cooperation of Parties.
All parties to this Plan and any party claiming interest hereunder
agree to perform any and all acts and execute any and all documents and papers
which are necessary and desirable for carrying out this Plan or any of its
provisions.
14.7 Payments Due Missing Persons.
The Administrator shall direct the Trustee to make a reasonable effort
to locate all persons entitled to benefits under the Plan; however,
notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, if, after a period of
5 years from the date such benefit shall be due, any such persons entitled to
benefits have not been located, their rights under the Plan shall stand
suspended. Before this provision becomes operative, the Trustee shall send a
certified letter to all such persons at their last known address advising them
that their interest in benefits under the Plan shall be suspended. Any such
suspended amounts shall be held by the Trustee for a period of 3 additional
years (or a total of 8 years from the time the benefits first became payable),
and thereafter such amounts shall be reallocated among current Participants in
the same manner that a current contribution would be allocated. However, if a
person subsequently makes a valid claim with respect to such reallocated amounts
and any earnings thereon, the Plan earnings or the Employer's contribution to be
allocated for the year in which the claim shall be paid shall be reduced by the
amount of such payment. Any such suspended amounts shall be handled in a manner
not inconsistent with regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service and
Department of Labor.
14.8 Governing Law.
This Plan has been executed in the State of New York and all questions
pertaining to its validity, construction and administration shall be determined
in accordance with the laws of that State, except to the extent superseded by
the Act.
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14.9 Nonguarantee of Employment.
Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed as a contract of
employment between the Employer and any Employee, or as a right of any Employee
to be continued in the employment of the Employer, or as a limitation of the
right of the Employer to discharge any of its Employees, with or without cause.
14.10 Counsel.
The Trustee and the Administrator may consult with legal counsel, who
may be counsel for the Employer and for the Administrator or the Trustee (as the
case may be), with respect to the meaning or construction of this Plan and the
Trust Agreement, their respective obligations or duties hereunder or with
respect to any action or proceeding or any question of law, and they shall be
fully protected with respect to any action taken or omitted by them in good
faith pursuant to the advice of legal counsel.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Sponsor has caused these presents to be
executed by its duly authorized officers and its corporate seal to be affixed on
this 4th day of February, 1998.
ADIRONDACK FINANCIAL
SERVICES BANCORP, INC.
ATTEST:
/s/ Menzo D. Case By /s/ Lewis E. Kolar,
- ----------------------------------- ----------------------------
Menzo D. Case, Lewis E. Kolar,
Executive Vice President and President
Secretary
[Corporate Seal]
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