Defined Contribution Plans The Company does not maintain, contribute to or have any liability under (or with respect to) any employee plan which is a tax-qualified "defined contribution plan" (as defined in Section 3(34) of ERISA), whether or not terminated.
Employee Matters; Benefit Plans (a) Subject to applicable Legal Requirements, the employment of each of the Company’s employees is terminable by the Company at will. The Company is not a party to, nor is currently negotiating in connection with entering into, any collective bargaining agreement or other Contract with a labor organization or work council representing any of its employees and there are no labor organizations representing, purporting to represent or, to the knowledge of the Company, seeking to represent any employees of the Company. Since January 1, 2019, there has not been any strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout, material labor dispute or any union organizing activity, or any threat thereof, in each case, involving any of the Company’s employees. There is not now pending, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no Person has threatened in writing to commence, any such strike, slowdown, work stoppage, lockout, material labor dispute or union organizing activity or any similar activity or dispute.
(b) Since January 1, 2019, there has been no material Legal Proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened in writing relating to the employment or engagement of any Company Associate. Since January 1, 2019, the Company has complied with all applicable Legal Requirements related to employment, including employment practices, payment of wages and hours of work, leaves of absence, plant closing notification, privacy rights, labor dispute, workplace safety, retaliation, immigration, and discrimination matters, except any lack of compliance which has not had and would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Section 3.16(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of each Employee Plan. The Company has either delivered or made available to Parent or Parent’s Representatives prior to the execution of this Agreement with respect to each Employee Plan, accurate and complete copies of the following, as relevant: (i) all plan documents and all amendments thereto, and all related trust, insurance or other funding documents, and all amendments thereto; (ii) the most recent determination letter or opinion letter received from the IRS; (iii) for the three most recent plan years, (A) the annual actuarial or other valuation reports, (B) the IRS Form 5500 and all schedules thereto and (C) audited financial statements; (iv) the most recent summary plan descriptions and any material modifications thereto; (v) the most recent nondiscrimination tests required to be performed under the Code; and (vi) any material non-routine communications with any Governmental Body regarding any Employee Plan.
(d) Neither the Company nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has at any time sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or been required to contribute to, or had any liability in respect of, (i) an “employee pension benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) subject to Title IV of ERISA, Code Section 412 or Section 302 of ERISA, including any “multiemployer plan” as defined in Section 4001 of ERISA. No Employee Plan is a (i) a “multiple employer plan” as defined in Section 413(c) of the Code, or (ii) a “multiple employer welfare arrangement” within the meaning of Section 3(40) of ERISA.
(e) Each Employee Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has obtained a favorable determination letter (or opinion letter, if applicable) as to its qualified status under the Code. Each Employee Plan is now and has been operated, maintained, and administered in compliance in all material respects with its terms and all applicable Legal Requirements, including but not limited to ERISA and the Code. No non-exempt “prohibited transaction” (within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the code) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Employee Plan.
(f) Except to the extent required under Section 601 et seq. of ERISA or 4980B of the Code (or any other similar state or local Legal Requirement) at the participant’s sole expense, neither the Company nor any Employee Plan has any present or future obligation to provide post-employment welfare benefits to or make any payment to, or with respect to any Company Associate.
(g) Since January 1, 2019, all individuals who perform or have performed services for the Company have been properly classified under applicable law as (i) employees or independent contractors and (ii) for employees, as an “exempt” employee or a “non-exempt” employee (within the meaning of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and applicable state laws), and no such individual has been improperly included or excluded from any Employee Plan, except for misclassifications, non-compliance or exclusions which would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect and the Company has not received notice of any pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened inquiry or audit from any Governmental Body concerning such classifications.
(h) The Company maintains no obligations to gross-up or reimburse any individual for any tax or related interest or penalties incurred by such individual under Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code.
(i) Each “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” maintained by the Company has been at all times in material documentary and operational compliance with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the guidance provided thereunder.
(j) The consummation of the Transactions (including in combination with other events or circumstances) will not (i) result in any payment or benefit becoming due to any Company Associate or under any Employee Plan, (ii) increase any amount of compensation or benefits otherwise payable to any Company Associate or under any Employee Plan, (iii) result in the acceleration of the time of payment, funding or vesting of any benefits to any current or former employee, contractor or director of the Company or under any Employee Plan, (iv) limit the right to modify, amend or terminate any Employee Plan (except any limitations imposed by applicable Legal Requirements, if any).
(k) The consummation of the Transactions (including in combination with other events or circumstances) will not result in the payment of any amount that could, individually or in combination with any other payment or benefit, constitute an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, result in the payment of an excise tax by any Person under Section 4999 of the Code or any amount that would not be deductible under Section 280G of the Code.
(l) With respect to any Employee Plan, (i) no Legal Proceeding (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course) are pending, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against any Employee Plan, the assets of any of the trusts under such plans or the plan sponsor or administrator, or against any fiduciary of any Employee Plan with respect to the operation thereof, and (ii) no facts or circumstances exist that could reasonably be expected to give rise to any such Legal Proceeding.
Benefit Plans (a) Section 5.13(a) of the Hanover Disclosure Letter lists each material “employee benefit plan” (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA), and all other material employee benefit, bonus, incentive, deferred compensation, stock option (or other equity-based), severance, change in control, welfare (including post-retirement medical and life insurance) and fringe benefit plans, programs and arrangements, whether or not subject to ERISA and, whether written or oral (i) sponsored, maintained or contributed to or required to be contributed to by Hanover or any of its Subsidiaries or to which Hanover or any of its Subsidiaries is a party and (ii) in which any individual who is currently or has been an officer, director or employee of Hanover (a “Hanover Employee”) is a participant (the “Hanover Benefit Plans”). Neither Hanover, any of its Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate thereof has any commitment or formal plan, whether legally binding or not, to create any additional employee benefit plan or modify or change any existing Hanover Benefit Plan that would affect any Hanover Employee except in the ordinary course of business. Hanover has heretofore delivered or made available to Xxxxxx and Spinco true and complete copies of each Hanover Benefit Plan and any amendments thereto (or if the plan is not a written plan, a description thereof), any related trust or other funding vehicle, the most recent annual reports or summaries required to be prepared or filed under ERISA or the Code and the most recent determination letter received from the IRS with respect to each such plan intended to qualify under Section 401 of the Code and the three most recent years (A) the Form 5500s and attached Schedules, (B) audited financial statements and (C) actuarial valuation reports.
(b) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to Hanover, (i) neither Hanover nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has incurred any liability under Title IV or Section 302 of ERISA or under Section 412 of the Code that has not been satisfied in full, and (ii) no condition exists that would reasonably be expected to result in Hanover incurring any such liability.
(i) No Hanover Benefit Plan is a “multiemployer pension plan,” as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA and (ii) none of Hanover, or any ERISA Affiliate thereof has made or suffered a “complete withdrawal” or a “partial withdrawal,” as such terms are respectively defined in Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA, the liability for which would reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to Hanover.
(d) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to Hanover, each Hanover Benefit Plan has been operated and administered in all respects in accordance with its terms and applicable law, including, but not limited to, ERISA, the Code and the laws of any applicable foreign jurisdiction. Except as would not result in a material liability to Hanover, all contributions required to be made with respect to any Hanover Benefit Plan have been timely made. There are no pending or, to Hanover’s Knowledge, threatened claims by, on behalf of or against any of the Hanover Benefit Plans or any assets thereof, other than routine claims for benefits under such plans, that, if adversely determined could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect on Hanover or any of its Subsidiaries and no matter is pending (other than routine qualification determination filings, copies of which have been furnished to Xxxxxx and Spinco or will be promptly furnished to Xxxxxx and Spinco when made) with respect to any of the Hanover Benefit Plans before the IRS, the United States Department of Labor or the PBGC that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to Hanover.
(e) Each Hanover Benefit Plan intended to be “qualified” within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a determination letter from the IRS stating that they and the trusts maintained thereunder are exempt from taxation under Section 401(a) of the Code, respectively, and each trust maintained under any Hanover Benefit Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 501(c)(9) of the Code has satisfied such requirements and, in any such case, no event has occurred or condition is known to exist that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect such tax-qualified status for any such Hanover Benefit Plan or any such trust.
(f) No Hanover Benefit Plan is maintained outside the jurisdiction of the United States, or covers any employee residing or working outside the United States.
(g) Except as otherwise provided in or contemplated by this Agreement or any Executed Transaction Agreement, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not result by itself or with the passage of time in the payment or acceleration of any amount, the accrual or acceleration of any benefit or any increase in any vested interest or entitlement to any benefit or payment by any employee, officer or director under domestic or foreign law that would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a material liability to Hanover.
Benefit Plans; ERISA (a) The Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth a complete list of all "employee benefit plans" (as defined in Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA")), bonus, pension, profit sharing, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, excess benefit, stock, stock option, severance, termination pay, change in control or other material employee benefit plans, programs, arrangements or agreements currently maintained, or contributed to, or required to be maintained or contributed to, by the Company, the Majority Stockholder or any Person that, together with the Company, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code for the benefit of any current or former employees, officers, directors or independent contractors of the Company or any Subsidiary and with respect to which the Company or any Subsidiary has any liability (collectively, the "Benefit Plans"). The Company has delivered or made available to Parent true, complete and correct copies of each Benefit Plan.
(b) Each Benefit Plan has been administered in accordance with its terms and in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other applicable law, except where the failure to so administer or comply would not have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(c) All Benefit Plans intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code have been the subject of determination letters from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that such Benefit Plans are qualified and exempt from federal income taxes under Section 401(a) and 501(a), respectively, of the Code as amended at least through the statutory changes implemented under the Tax Reform Act of 1986, and no such determination letter has been revoked nor, to the knowledge of the Company, has revocation been threatened, nor has any such Benefit Plan been amended since the date of its most recent determination letter or application therefor in any respect that would adversely affect its qualification.
(d) No Benefit Plan is subject to Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code and no Benefit Plan is a "multiemployer plan" (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA).
(e) No Person has incurred any material liability under Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code during the time such Person was required to be treated as a single employer with the Company under Section 414 of the Code that would have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(f) With respect to any Benefit Plan that is an employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(l) of ERISA), (i) no such Benefit Plan provides benefits, including without limitation, death or medical benefits, beyond termination of employment or retirement other than (A) coverage mandated by law or (B) death or retirement benefits under a Benefit Plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, and (ii) each such Benefit Plan (including any such Plan covering retirees or other former employees) may be amended or terminated without liability that would have a Company Material Adverse Effect.
(g) The execution of, and performance of the transactions contemplated in, this Agreement will not (either alone or upon the occurrence of any additional or subsequent events) (i) constitute an event under any Benefit Plan that will or may result in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise), acceleration, forgiveness of indebtedness, vesting, distribution, increase in benefits or obligation to fund benefits with respect to any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) result in the triggering or imposition of any restrictions or limitations on the right of the Company or Parent to cause any such Benefit Plan to be amended or terminated (or which would result in any materially adverse consequence for so doing). No payment or benefit that will or may be made by the Company, Parent, or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates with respect to any employee of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under any Benefit Plan in connection with the Offer and the Merger will be characterized as an "excess parachute payment," within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code. The parties hereby agree to use their commercially reasonable efforts to limit the application of Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code to the transactions contemplated hereby.
Employee Plans Except as provided in Section 4.12, the Assuming Institution shall have no liabilities, obligations or responsibilities under the Failed Bank's health care, bonus, vacation, pension, profit sharing, deferred compensation, 401K or stock purchase plans or similar plans, if any, unless the Receiver and the Assuming Institution agree otherwise subsequent to the date of this Agreement.
Plans and Benefit Arrangements Except to the extent a violation of the following would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:
(i) With respect to all Benefit Arrangements, Plans and Multiemployer Plans, the Borrower and each member of the Controlled Group is in compliance with all applicable provisions of ERISA and any other Applicable Laws. There has not been any non-exempt Prohibited Transaction or Reportable Event with respect to any Benefit Arrangement or any Plan or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, with respect to any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan. The Borrower and all members of the Controlled Group have made any and all payments required to be made under any agreement relating to a Multiemployer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan or any Applicable Law pertaining thereto. With respect to each Plan and Multiemployer Plan, the Borrower and each member of the Controlled Group (i) have fulfilled their obligations under the minimum funding standards of ERISA, (ii) have not incurred any liability to the PBGC and (iii) have not had asserted against them any penalty for failure to fulfill the minimum funding requirements of ERISA.
(ii) With respect to any Plan, no determination has been made that such Plan is in “at-risk” status (as defined in Section 303(i)(4) of ERISA or Section 430(i)(4) of the Code).
(iii) To the best of the Borrower’s knowledge, each Multiemployer Plan and Multiple Employer Plan is able to pay benefits thereunder when due.
(iv) Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has instituted proceedings to terminate any Plan in other than a “standard termination” (as defined in ERISA Section 4041(b)). Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has incurred any liability under Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan.
(v) No event requiring notice to the PBGC under Section 303(k)(4)(A) of ERISA has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Plan.
(vi) Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has been notified by any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan has been reorganized or terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA or is in “endangered” or “critical” status, within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA, and, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, no Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan is or shall be reasonably expected to be reorganized or terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA.
(vii) To the extent that any Benefit Arrangement is insured, the Borrower and all members of the Controlled Group have paid when due all premiums required to be paid. To the extent that any Benefit Arrangement is funded other than with insurance, the Borrower and all members of the Controlled Group have made all contributions required to be paid for all prior periods.
(viii) Neither the Borrower nor any member of the Controlled Group has withdrawn from a Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, nor has a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA occurred.
Company Benefit Plans (a) Section 4.13(a) of the Company Disclosure Letter sets forth a complete list, as of the date hereof, of each Company Benefit Plan. With respect to each Company Benefit Plan, the Company has made available to OmniLit, to the extent applicable, true, complete and correct copies of (A) such Company Benefit Plan (or, if not written a written summary of its material terms) and all plan documents, trust agreements, insurance Contracts or other funding vehicles and all amendments thereto, (B) the most recent summary plan descriptions, including any summary of material modifications, (C) the most recent annual reports (Form 5500 series) filed with the IRS with respect to such Company Benefit Plan, (D) the most recent actuarial report or other financial statement relating to such Company Benefit Plan, (E) the most recent determination or opinion letter, if any, issued by the IRS with respect to any Company Benefit Plan and any pending request for such a determination letter, (F) the most recent non-discrimination testing results relating to such Company Benefit Plan, and (G) all non-routine written correspondence to or from any Governmental Authority relating to such Company Benefit Plan.
(b) (i) Each Company Benefit Plan has been operated, funded and administered in all material respects in compliance with its terms and all applicable Laws, including ERISA and the Code; (ii) all contributions required to be made with respect to any Company Benefit Plan have been made or, to the extent not yet due, accrued and reflected in the Company’s financial statements to the extent required by GAAP in accordance with the terms of the Company Benefit Plan and applicable Law; (iii) each Company Benefit Plan which is intended to be qualified within the meaning of Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination or opinion letter from the IRS as to its qualification or may rely upon an opinion letter for a prototype plan and, to the knowledge of the Company, no fact or event has occurred that would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the qualified status of any such Company Benefit Plan.
(c) No Company Benefit Plan is, and none of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates has sponsored or contributed to, been required to contribute to, or has any liability (whether actual or contingent) with respect to, (i) a multiemployer pension plan (as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA), (ii) a defined benefit pension plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA, Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, (iii) a multiple employer plan (within the meaning of Section 413(c) of the Code), or (iv) a multiple employer welfare arrangement (as defined in Section 3(40) of ERISA). None of the Company, its Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates has incurred or would reasonably be expected to incur any liability under Title IV of ERISA.
(d) With respect to each Company Benefit Plan, no Legal Proceedings (other than routine claims for benefits in the ordinary course) are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened, and to the knowledge of the Company, no facts or circumstances exist that would reasonably be expected to give rise to any such Legal Proceedings.
(e) No Company Benefit Plan provides medical, surgical, hospitalization, death, life insurance, welfare or similar benefits (whether or not insured) for employees, former employees, consultants, managers or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (or any dependent or beneficiary thereof) for periods extending beyond their retirement or other termination of service, other than coverage mandated by applicable Law or benefits the full cost of which is borne by the current or former employee, consultant, manager or director (or his or her beneficiary).
(f) Except as set forth on Section 4.13(f) of the Company Disclosure Letter, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, either alone or in combination with another event (such as termination following the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby), (i) entitle any current or former employee, officer or other service provider of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to any severance pay or any other compensation or benefits, (ii) accelerate the time of payment, funding or vesting, or increase the amount of compensation or benefits due any such employee, officer or other service provider, (iii) accelerate the vesting and/or settlement of any Company Award, or (iv) restrict the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s rights to amend or terminate any Company Benefit Plan.
(g) The consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, either alone or in combination with another event, result in any “excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code. No Company Benefit Plan provides for, and the Company and its Subsidiaries do not have any obligation to make, a Tax gross-up, make whole or similar payment with respect to any Taxes, including any Taxes imposed under Sections 409A or 4999 of the Code. Each Company Benefit Plan that is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A(d)(1) of the Code has been operated in all material respects in compliance with Section 409A of the Code. No payment or benefit under any Company Benefit Plan has been, is or is reasonably expected to be subject to the penalties imposed under or by operation of Section 409A of the Code.
(h) There have been no non-exempt “prohibited transactions” within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Sections 406 or 407 of ERISA and no breaches of fiduciary duty (as determined under ERISA) with respect to any Company Benefit Plan. Each Company Benefit Plan may be amended, terminated or otherwise modified (including cessation of participation) by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the greatest extent permitted by applicable Law. Except as required by applicable Law, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has announced its intention to modify or terminate any Company Benefit Plan or adopt any arrangement or program which, once established, would come within the definition of a Company Benefit Plan. No Company Benefit Plan is, or within the past six (6) years has been, the subject of an application or filing under a government sponsored amnesty, voluntary compliance, or similar program, or been the subject of any self-correction under any such program. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has incurred (whether or not assessed) any material penalty or Tax under Section 4980H, 4980B, 4980D, 6721 or 6722 of the Code.
(i) There is no action currently contemplated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and for the past three years, no action has been taken by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in respect of any current or former employee or individual independent contractor of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or such individuals’ compensation or benefits, in each case, in response to COVID-19.
Tax Arrangements 47.1 Where the Contractor is liable to be taxed in the UK in respect of consideration received under this contract, it shall at all times comply with the Income Tax (Earnings and Xxxxxxxx) Xxx 0000 (ITEPA) and all other statutes and regulations relating to income tax in respect of that consideration.
47.2 Where the Contractor is liable to National Insurance Contributions (NICs) in respect of consideration received under this Framework Agreement, it shall at all times comply with the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Xxx 0000 (SSCBA) and all other statutes and regulations relating to NICs in respect of that consideration.
47.3 The Authority may, at any time during the term of this Framework Agreement, request the Contractor to provide information which demonstrates how the Contractor complies with sub-clauses 47.1 and 47.2 above or why those clauses do not apply to it.
47.4 A request under sub-clause 47.3 above may specify the information which the Contractor must provide and the period within which that information must be provided.
Tax Laws (a) AVIF (IVIF) represents and warrants that each Fund is currently qualified as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and represents that it will use its best efforts to qualify and to maintain qualification of each Fund as a RIC. AVIF (IVIF) will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so qualify or that it might not so qualify in the future.
(b) AVIF (IVIF) represents that it will use its best efforts to comply and to maintain each Fund’s compliance with the diversification requirements set forth in Section 817(h) of the Code and Section 1.817-5(b) of the regulations under the Code. AVIF (IVIF) will notify LIFE COMPANY immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that a Fund has ceased to so comply or that a Fund might not so comply in the future. In the event of a breach of this Section 4.1(b) by AVIF (IVIF), it will take all reasonable steps to adequately diversify the Fund so as to achieve compliance within the grace period afforded by Section 1.817-5 of the regulations under the Code.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, but without limiting the ability of AVIF (IVIF) and/or INVESCO to assume the defense of any action pursuant to Section 12.2(d) hereof, LIFE COMPANY agrees that if the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) asserts in writing in connection with any governmental audit or review of LIFE COMPANY or, to LIFE COMPANY’s knowledge, of any Participants, that any Fund has failed to comply with the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code or LIFE COMPANY otherwise becomes aware of any facts that could give rise to any claim against AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates as a result of such a failure or alleged failure:
(i) LIFE COMPANY shall promptly notify AVIF (IVIF) of such assertion or potential claim (subject to the Confidentiality provisions of Section 18 as to any Participant);
(ii) LIFE COMPANY shall consult with AVIF (IVIF) as to how to minimize any liability that may arise as a result of such failure or alleged failure;
(iii) LIFE COMPANY shall use its best efforts to minimize any liability of AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates resulting from such failure, including, without limitation, demonstrating, pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2), to the Commissioner of the IRS that such failure was inadvertent;
(iv) LIFE COMPANY shall permit AVIF (IVIF), its affiliates and their legal and accounting advisors to participate in any conferences, settlement discussions or other administrative or judicial proceeding or contests (including judicial appeals thereof) with the IRS, any Participant or any other claimant regarding any claims that could give rise to liability to AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates as a result of such a failure or alleged failure; provided, however, that LIFE COMPANY will retain control of the conduct of such conferences discussions, proceedings, contests or appeals;
(v) any written materials to be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to the IRS, any Participant or any other claimant in connection with any of the foregoing proceedings or contests (including, without limitation, any such materials to be submitted to the IRS pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.817-5(a)(2)), (a) shall be provided by LIFE COMPANY to AVIF (IVIF) (together with any supporting information or analysis); subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 18, at least ten (10) business days or such shorter period to which the Parties hereto agree prior to the day on which such proposed materials are to be submitted, and (b) shall not be submitted by LIFE COMPANY to any such person without the express written consent of AVIF (IVIF) which shall not be unreasonably withheld;
(vi) LIFE COMPANY shall provide AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates and their accounting and legal advisors with such cooperation as AVIF (IVIF) shall reasonably request (including, without limitation, by permitting AVIF (IVIF) and its accounting and legal advisors to review the relevant books and records of LIFE COMPANY) in order to facilitate review by AVIF (IVIF) or its advisors of any written submissions provided to it pursuant to the preceding clause or its assessment of the validity or amount of any claim against its arising from such a failure or alleged failure;
(vii) LIFE COMPANY shall not with respect to any claim of the IRS or any Participant that would give rise to a claim against AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates (a) compromise or settle any claim, (b) accept any adjustment on audit, or (c) forego any allowable administrative or judicial appeals, without the express written consent of AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that LIFE COMPANY shall not be required, after exhausting all administrative remedies, to appeal any adverse judicial decision unless AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates shall have provided an opinion of independent counsel to the effect that a reasonable basis exists for taking such appeal; and provided further that the costs of any such appeal shall be borne equally by the Parties hereto; and
(viii) AVIF (IVIF) and its affiliates shall have no liability as a result of such failure or alleged failure if LIFE COMPANY fails to comply with any of the foregoing clauses (i) through (vii), and such failure could be shown to have materially contributed to the liability. Should AVIF (IVIF) or any of its affiliates refuse to give its written consent to any compromise or settlement of any claim or liability hereunder, LIFE COMPANY may, in its discretion, authorize AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates to act in the name of LIFE COMPANY in, and to control the conduct of, such conferences, discussions, proceedings, contests or appeals and all administrative or judicial appeals thereof, and in that event AVIF (IVIF) or its affiliates shall bear the fees and expenses associated with the conduct of the proceedings that it is so authorized to control; provided, that in no event shall LIFE COMPANY have any liability resulting from AVIF (IVIF)’s refusal to accept the proposed settlement or compromise with respect to any failure caused by AVIF (IVIF). As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliates” shall have the same meaning as “affiliated person” as defined in Section 2(a)(3) of the 1940 Act.
(d) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that the Contracts currently are and will be treated as annuity contracts or life insurance contracts under applicable provisions of the Code and that it will use its best efforts to maintain such treatment; LIFE COMPANY will notify AVIF (IVIF) immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that any of the Contracts have ceased to be so treated or that they might not be so treated in the future.
(e) LIFE COMPANY represents and warrants that each Account is a “segregated asset account” and that interests in each Account are offered exclusively through the purchase of or transfer into a “variable contract,” within the meaning of such terms under Section 817 of the Code and the regulations thereunder. LIFE COMPANY will use its best efforts to continue to meet such definitional requirements, and it will notify AVIF (IVIF) immediately upon having a reasonable basis for believing that such requirements have ceased to be met or that they might not be met in the future.
Company Plans Section 1.11(a)................ 6 Company................................Preamble....................... 1
