EXHIBIT 10.15
SOUTHERN STATES COOPERATIVE, INCORPORATED
SPLIT DOLLAR AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the day of , 19__, by and
between outhern States Cooperative, Incorporated, a Virginia corporation (herein
called Corporation") and (herein called "Employee"), an individual
residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
WHEREAS, Employee is employed by Corporation;
WHEREAS, Employee wishes to obtain life insurance protection for his
family in the event of his death, under a policy of life insurance insuring his
life (herein called the "Policy");
WHEREAS, Corporation is willing to pay a portion of the premium due
on the Policy for Employee, on the terms and conditions herein set forth; and
WHEREAS, Employee will be the owner of the Policy and possess all
incidents of ownership in and to the Policy and the Policy will be collaterally
assigned to Corporation by Employee, in order to secure the repayment of its
interest in the Policy.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
agreements and covenants contained herein, the parties agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
Policy
1.1 Application for Insurance. Employee has purchased or will
contemporaneously purchase the policy of life insurance insuring his or her
life, which is described in Exhibit A attached hereto and by this reference made
a part hereof, and which was or will be issued by the insurance company
identified in Exhibit A (herein called "Insurer") in the total initial face
amount of Dollars ($ ). The parties hereto have taken all necessary action to
cause Insurer to issue the Policy and shall take any further action which may be
necessary to cause the Policy to conform to the provisions of this Agreement.
1.2 Assignment of Policy. To secure the repayment to Corporation of
its Corporate Interest in the Policy arising hereunder and as defined in
paragraph 5.4, Employee has, contemporaneously herewith, assigned the Policy to
Corporation as collateral, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the
"Assignment"). The Assignment shall be filed with Insurer and shall not be
terminated, altered or amended by Employee, without the express written consent
of Corporation. The parties agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of the
Assignment and of this Agreement.
1.3 Additional Policy Benefits and Riders. Employee may add a rider
to the Policy for Employee's own benefit. Upon written request by Corporation,
Employee shall add a rider to the Policy for the benefit of Corporation.
ARTICLE II
Ownership of Policy
2.1 Ownership of Policy. Employee shall be the sole and absolute
owner of the Policy including all supplemental riders and endorsements, and may
exercise all ownership rights granted to the owner thereof by the terms of the
Policy, except as may otherwise be provided herein.
2.2 Corporation's Rights. Corporation's rights with respect to the
Policy shall be limited to the following:
(i) The right to receive the Corporate Interest upon the
occurrence of a Termination Event as defined in paragraph 5.1 or
upon Rollout as defined in paragraph 5.3;
(ii) The right to possess the Policy;
(iii) The right to borrow against the Policy and to secure such
loan with the Policy in an amount which together with the unpaid
interest thereon will at no time exceed the Corporate Interest; and
(iv) The right to release the Assignment upon receipt of the
Corporate Interest.
Corporation shall make the Policy reasonably available to Employee and Insurer.
2.3 Employee's Rights. Employee, as owner of the Policy, shall
retain all other rights in the Policy not held by Corporation pursuant to
paragraph 2.2, including but not limited to, the following:
(i) The right to succeed to full ownership of the Policy cash
values after satisfaction of the Corporation Interest upon the
occurrence of a Termination Event or Rollout;
(ii) The right to designate and change the beneficiary or
beneficiaries of the portion of the Policy payable upon the death of
Employee, pursuant to paragraph 4.1 (the "Employee Death Benefit
Portion"); and
(iii) The right to assign Employee's rights in and with respect
to the Policy.
Prior to a Termination Event, Employee shall not have the right to borrow
against the Policy.
2.4 Application of Dividends. Dividends shall be applied to purchase
paid-up additional insurance protection.
ARTICLE III
Premium Payments
3.1 Payment of Premiums on the Policy. On or before the due date of
each Policy premium, or within the grace period provided therein, Corporation
shall pay the full amount of all premiums (including the cost associated with
all supplemental riders and endorsements) on the Policy to Insurer according to
the schedule of planned annual premiums in the Policy, and shall, upon request,
promptly furnish Employee evidence of timely payment of such premium.
3.2 Reimbursement by Employee. Each month, Employee shall reimburse
Corporation a portion of the premium paid by Corporation. The amount of the
reimbursement shall equal one-twelfth (1/12) of:
(i) The economic value attributable to the life insurance
protection provided to Employee under this Agreement, plus
(ii) The excess, if any, of the actual premium for the Policy
and for any rider added to the Policy to benefit Employee over
Insurer's standard class premium rates for like policies having the
same face amount and carrying no rider.
The value of the economic benefit attributable to the life insurance protection
provided to Employee under this Agreement shall be the lower of the PS-58 rates
or Insurer's current published premium rate for annually renewable term
insurance for standard risks, assuming death benefit equal to the face amount of
the Policy less the Corporate Interest.
ARTICLE IV
Death Benefits
4.1 Employee's Death Benefit Portion. If Employee dies prior to a
Termination Event, Employee's designated beneficiary or beneficiaries as set
forth in the Policy shall be entitled to receive the excess of the death
proceeds as provided in the Policy over the Corporate Interest. For purposes of
this Agreement, "death proceeds" shall mean the face amount of the death benefit
provided for in the Policy plus any increase in the Death Benefit from
dividends, cash or accumulation value as those terms may be defined in the
Policy contract or option contained therein.
4.2 Corporation's Death Benefit Portion. Corporation shall have the
unqualified right to receive a portion of such death benefit equal to the
Corporate Interest.
ARTICLE V
Termination of Agreement
5.1 Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate, without
notice, upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) The total cessation of the business of Corporation;
(ii) The bankruptcy, receivership or dissolution of
Corporation;
(iii) The termination of Employee's employment with Corporation
prior to his or her retirement (other than by reason of Employee's
death or disability); or
(iv) The failure of Employee to repay to Corporation, his or
her portion of the premiums required by paragraph 3.2 whether such
failure occurs while Employee is employed with Corporation or
following his or her retirement or disability.
The events described in this paragraph are referred to throughout this Agreement
as "Termination Events". For this purposes, "retirement" means Employee's
retirement determined under the Retirement Plan for Employees of Southern States
and "disability" means the inability to work due to illness or injury as
determined under the Southern States Long Term Disability Plan.
5.2 Disposition of Policy upon Termination of Agreement. If this
Agreement terminates pursuant to an event described in paragraph 5.1, Employee
shall have the right to obtain a release of the collateral assignment of the
Policy to Corporation. To obtain such release, Employee shall repay to
Corporation within sixty (60) days of the Termination Event, the Corporate
Interest. Alternatively, at the election of Employee prior to the expiration of
said sixty (60) day period, Employee may request, in writing, that Corporation
apply to Insurer for a loan from the Policy the proceeds of which shall be paid
to Corporation in satisfaction of its Corporate Interest. Upon receipt of such
amount, Corporation shall release the collateral assignment of the Policy, by
the execution and delivery of an appropriate instrument of release. If Employee
fails to exercise either such option within such sixty (60) day period, then, at
the request of Corporation, Employee shall execute any document or documents
required by Insurer to transfer the interest of Employee in the Policy to
Corporation. Alternatively, Corporation may enforce its right to be repaid the
Corporate Interest from the cash surrender value of the Policy under the
collateral assignment of the Policy; provided that in the event the cash
surrender value of the Policy exceeds the amount due Corporation, such excess
shall be paid to Employee. Thereafter, neither Employee nor his respective
heirs, assigns or beneficiaries shall have any further interest in and to the
Policy, either under the terms thereof or under this Agreement.
5.3 Rollout of Policy to Employee. If an Employee retires or
terminates employment with Corporation as a result of a disability and no
Termination Event has occurred prior to Employee's reaching his or her Rollout
Age as that term is defined in Exhibit A hereto, Corporation shall surrender
dividend additions (and, if necessary, apply for a loan from the Policy the
proceeds of which shall be paid to Corporation) in an amount sufficient to
satisfy its Corporate Interest and, having obtained such satisfaction, shall
execute any document or documents required by Insurer to release the Assignment
so that Employee's rights in and to the Policy shall become free and clear of
any obligation to Corporation.
5.4 Corporate Interest Defined. Corporate Interest means an amount
equal to the cumulative value of all premiums paid by Corporation, less (i) the
amounts repaid to it by Employee pursuant to paragraph 3.2 and (ii) any
indebtedness secured by the Policy that was incurred by Corporation and remains
outstanding as of the date of such termination, including any interest due on
such indebtedness.
ARTICLE VI
Named Fiduciaries
6.1 Fiduciaries. The named fiduciary and Plan Administrator shall be
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx.
ARTICLE VII
Claims Procedure
7.1 Claims Procedure. If for any reason a claim for benefits under
this Plan is denied, the Plan Administrator shall deliver to the claimant a
written explanation setting forth the specific reasons for the denial, pertinent
references to the section of this Agreement on which the denial is based, such
other data as may be pertinent and information on the procedures to be followed
by the claimant in obtaining a review of his claim, all written in a manner
calculated to be understood by the claimant. For this purpose:
(i) The claimant's claim shall be deemed filed when presented
orally or in writing to the Plan Administrator.
(ii) The Plan Administrator's explanation shall be in writing
delivered to the claimant within ninety (90) days of the date the
claim is filed.
7.2 Claims Review. The claimant shall have sixty (60) days following
his receipt of the denial of the claim to file with the Plan Administrator a
written request for review of the denial. For such review, the claimant or his
representative may submit pertinent document and written issues and comments.
The Plan Administrator shall decide the issue on review and furnish the claimant
with a copy within sixty (60) days of receipt of the claimant's request for
review of his claim. The decision on review shall be in writing and shall
include specific reasons for the decision, written in a manner calculated to be
understood by the claimant, as well as specific references to the pertinent
provisions of this Agreement on which the decision is based. If a copy of the
decision is not so furnished to the claimant within such sixty (60) days, the
claim shall be deemed denied on review.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous Provisions
8.1 Insurer not a Party. Insurer shall be fully discharged from its
obligations under the Policy by payment of the Policy death benefit to the
beneficiary or beneficiaries named in the Policy, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Policy. In no event shall Insurer be considered a party to
this Agreement, or any subsequent modifications or amendments of this Agreement.
No provision of this Agreement, nor of any modification or amendment of this
Agreement, shall in any way be construed as enlarging, changing, varying, or in
any other way affecting the obligations of Insurer as expressly provided in the
Policy, except insofar as the provisions of this Agreement are made a part of
the Policy by the Assignment executed by Employee and filed with Insurer in
connection herewith.
8.2 Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of
any other provision.
8.3 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to the matters set forth herein and
supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with
respect to the same.
8.4 Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be
effective as against the waiving party unless such waiver is in writing signed
by the waiving party. Waiver by a party as provided in this section shall not be
construed as or constitute either a continuing waiver or a waiver of any other
matter.
8.5 Modification. This Agreement may not be amended, altered or
modified, except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto, or their
respective successors or assigns, and may not be otherwise terminated except as
provided herein.
8.6 Benefit. This Agreement shall be binding on and inure to the
benefit of Corporation and its successors and assigns and Employee and his
successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, and beneficiaries. All
benefits payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be payable only from the
Policy, and only to the extent that the Policy so provides.
8.7 Governing Law. This Agreement, and the rights of the parties
hereunder, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
8.8 Original Copies. This Agreement may be executed in more than one
counterpart, each of which shall be deemed an original.
8.9 Headings. The underlined headings herein are for convenience
only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.
8.10 Interpretation. This Agreement will be interpreted consistent
with its being a welfare benefit plan for a select group of management and
highly compensated employees. The Plan Administrator shall have full discretion
authority to interpret the terms of the Agreement which interpretations shall be
binding and conclusive for all purposes.
8.11 Notice to Parties. Any and all notices required to be given
under the terms of this Agreement shall be given in writing and signed by the
appropriate party, and shall be sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, to the
appropriate address set forth below:
(i) to Employee at:
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(ii) to Corporation at:
Southern States Cooperative, Incorporated
0000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Post Office Box 26234
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
ATTN: Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
as of the above written date.
SOUTHERN STATES COOPERATIVE,
INCORPORATED
By:
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President
[INSERT NAME OF EMPLOYEE]
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EXHIBIT A
The following life insurance policy or policies is (are) subject to the attached
Split-Dollar Agreement:
Insurer - Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company
Insured -
Policy Number -
Face Amount -
Corporation - Southern States Cooperative Incorporated
Date of Issue - _________________, 19__
Rollout Age -
EXHIBIT B
Assignment of Life Insurance Policy as Collateral
A. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ("Employee") hereby assigns, transfers and sets over to
Southern States Cooperative, Incorporated, with its principal offices in
Richmond, Virginia, its successors and assigns, (herein called the
"Corporation") Policy No. , issued by The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance
Company, (herein the "Insurer") and any supplementary contracts issued in
connection therewith (said policy and contracts being herein called the
"Policy"), upon the life of Employee, an individual residing in the Commonwealth
of Virginia and all claims, options, privileges, rights, title and interest
therein and thereunder (except as provided in Paragraph C hereof), subject to
all the terms and conditions of the Policy and to all superior liens, if any,
which Insurer may have against the Policy. The undersigned by this instrument
jointly and severally agree and Corporation, by the acceptance of this
Assignment, agrees to the conditions and provisions herein set forth.
B. It is expressly agreed that, without detracting from the generality of the
foregoing, the following specific rights are included in this Assignment and
pass by virtue hereof:
1. The right to collect from Insurer an amount equal to the
Corporate Interest in the Policy or a portion of the death proceeds
as provided for under the terms of a Split Dollar Agreement between
Employee and Corporation, dated (herein called the "Split Dollar
Agreement"), when it becomes a claim by death or maturity or upon
such other events as may be set forth in the Split Dollar Agreement:
2. The right to surrender the Policy and receive the surrender
values thereof at any time provided by the terms of the Policy and
at such other times as Insurer may allow; and
3. The right to obtain one or more loans or advances on the Policy,
either from Insurer, or, at any time, from other persons, and to
pledge or assign the Policy as security for such loans or advances.
C. It is expressly agreed that the following specific rights, so long as the
Policy has not been surrendered, are reserved and excluded from this Assignment
and do not pass by virtue hereof:
1. The right to collect from Insurer any disability benefit payable
in cash that does not reduce the amount of insurance;
2. The right to designate and change the beneficiary;
3. The right to elect any optional mode of settlement permitted by
the Policy or allowed by Insurer,
but the reservation of these rights shall in no way impair the right of
Corporation to surrender the Policy completely with all its incidents or impair
any other right of Corporation hereunder, and any designation or change of
beneficiary or election of a mode of settlement shall be made subject to this
Assignment and to the rights of Corporation hereunder.
D. This Assignment is made and the Policy is to be held as collateral security
for any and all liabilities of the undersigned, or any of them, to Corporation,
either now existing or that may hereafter arise under the terms of the Split
Dollar Agreement (all of which liabilities secured or to become secured are
herein called "Liabilities").
E. Corporation covenants and agrees with the undersigned as follows:
1. That any balance of sums received hereunder from Insurer
remaining after payment of the then existing Liabilities, matured or
unmatured, shall be paid by Corporation to the persons entitled
thereto under the terms of the Policy had this Assignment not been
executed;
2. That Corporation will not exercise either the right to surrender
the Policy or the right to obtain policy loans from Insurer, except
as expressly provided under the terms of the Split Dollar Agreement;
and
3. That Corporation will upon request forward without unreasonable
delay to Insurer the Policy for endorsement of any designation or
change of beneficiary or any election of an optional mode of
settlement.
F. Insurer is hereby authorized to recognize Corporation's claims to the rights
hereunder without investigation into the reason for any action taken by
Corporation, or the validity or the amount of the Liabilities or the existence
of any default therein, or the application to be made by Corporation of any
amounts to be paid to Corporation. The sole signature of Corporation shall be
sufficient for the exercise of any rights under the Policy assigned hereby and
the sole receipt of Corporation for any sums received shall be a full discharge
and release to Insurer. Checks for all of any part of the sums payable under the
Policy and assigned herein, shall be drawn to the exclusive order of Corporation
(or to the Beneficiary if so directed by Corporation), if, when, and in such
amounts as may be requested by Corporation.
G. The exercise of any right, option privilege or power given herein to
Corporation shall be at the option of Corporation, but (except as restricted by
Paragraph E(2) above) Corporation may exercise any such right, option, privilege
or power without notice to, or assent by, or affecting the liability of, or
releasing any interest hereby assigned by the undersigned, or any of them.
H. Corporation may take or release other security, may release any party
primarily or secondarily liable for any of the Liabilities, may grant
extensions, renewals or indulgences with respect to the Liabilities, or may
apply to the Liabilities in such order as Corporation shall determine, the
proceeds of the Policy hereby assigned or any amount received on account of the
Policy by the exercise of any right permitted under this Assignment, without
resorting or regard to other security.
I. Each of the undersigned declares that no proceedings in bankruptcy are
pending against him and that his property is not subject to any assignment for
the benefit of creditors.
EXECUTED IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA THIS ________ DAY OF__________________ , 19__.
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Witness Employee
Employee's Address:
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COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
OF
------- -------
Subscribed, sworn and acknowledged before me by _________________,
the Employee, subscribed and sworn before me by _____ , the witness, this
_________ day of _______________, 19__.
[SEAL]________________________
Notary Public
My Commission expires ________________________.
Attachment A
to EXHIBIT 10.15
SCHEDULE IDENTIFYING OMITTED DOCUMENTS
Executive Officers who Participate in the Company's
Executive Split Dollar Program Under Agreements Substantially
in the Form of the Split Dollar Agreement Filed as EXHIBIT 10.15
Executive Policy No. Face Amount Age at Rollout Issue Date Status
--------- ---------- ----------- -------------- ---------- ------
X. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Jr. 13126400 103,580 65 11/01/94 Active
Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxx 13132450 105,487 75 11/01/94 Active
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx 13969294 208,885 75 11/01/96 Active
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx 13127063 106,438 75 11/01/94 Active
Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxx 13127184 104,340 66 11/01/94 Active
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, III 13132566 105,000 75 11/01/94 Active
M. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx 13127269 159,541 85 11/01/94 Retired
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx 13127882 103,093 65 11/01/94 Active
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx 13126278 104,823 67 11/01/94 Active
