THE EXECUTIVE NONQUALIFIED EXCESS PLANSM PLAN DOCUMENT
Exhibit
99.1/Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan adopted May 17,
2006
THE
EXECUTIVE NONQUALIFIED EXCESS PLANSM
PLAN
DOCUMENT
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
THE
EXECUTIVE NONQUALIFIED EXCESS PLANSM
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Page
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Section
1.
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Purpose:
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1
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Section
2.
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Definitions:
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1
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2.1
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“Active
Participant”
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1
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2.2
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“Adoption
Agreement”
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2
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2.3
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“Beneficiary”
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2
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2.4
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“Board”
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2
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2.5
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“Change
in Control”
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2
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2.6
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“Committee”
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3
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2.7
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“Compensation”
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3
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2.8
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“Crediting
Date”
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4
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2.9
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“Deferred
Compensation Account”
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4
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2.10
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“Disabled”
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4
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2.11
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“Education
Account”
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4
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2.12
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“Effective
Date”
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4
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2.13
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“Employee”
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5
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2.14
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“Employer”
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5
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2.15
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“Employer
Credits”
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5
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2.16
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“Independent
Contractor”
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5
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2.17
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“In-Service
Account”
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5
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2.18
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“Normal
Retirement Age”
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6
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2.19
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“Participant”
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6
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2.20
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“Participant
Deferral Agreement”
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6
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2.21
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“Participant
Deferral Credits”
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6
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2.22
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“Participating
Employer”
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6
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2.23
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“Performance-Based
Compensation”
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6
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2.24
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“Plan”
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7
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2.25
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“Plan
Administrator”
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7
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2.26
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“Plan-Approved
Domestic Relations Order”
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7
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2.27
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“Plan
Year”
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9
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2.28
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“Qualifying
Distribution Event”
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9
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2.29
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“Retirement
Account”
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9
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2.30
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“Service”
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9
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2.31
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“Service
Bonus”
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9
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2.32
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“Specified
Employee”
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10
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2.33
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“Spouse”
or “Surviving Spouse”
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10
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2.34
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“Student”
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10
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2.35
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“Trust”
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10
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2.36
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“Trustee”
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10
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2.37
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“Unforeseeable
Emergency”
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10
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2.38
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“Years
of Service”
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11
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Section
3.
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Participation:
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11
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Section
4.
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Credits
to Deferred Compensation Account:
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11
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4.1
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Participant
Deferral Credits
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11
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4.2
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Employer
Credits
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13
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4.3
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Deferred
Compensation Account
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13
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Section
5.
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Qualifying
Distribution Events:
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14
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5.1
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Separation
from Service
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14
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5.2
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Disability
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14
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5.3
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Death
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14
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5.4
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In-Service
Distributions
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14
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5.5
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Education
Distributions
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15
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5.6
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Change
in Control
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16
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5.7
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Unforeseeable
Emergency
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16
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Section
6.
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Qualifying
Distribution Events Payment Options:
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17
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6.1
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Payment
Options
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17
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6.2
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De
Minimis Amounts
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18
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6.3
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Subsequent
Elections
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19
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6.4
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Acceleration
Prohibited
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19
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Section
7.
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Vesting:
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20
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Section
8.
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Accounts;
Deemed Investment; Adjustments to Account:
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20
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8.1
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Accounts
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20
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8.2
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Deemed
Investments
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20
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||
8.3
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Adjustments
to Deferred Compensation Account
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21
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Section
9.
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Administration
by Committee:
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21
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9.1
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Membership
of Committee.
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21
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9.2
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Committee
Officers; Subcommittee
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21
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9.3
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Committee
Meetings
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22
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9.4
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Transaction
of Business
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22
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9.5
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Committee
Records
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22
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9.6
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Establishment
of Rules
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22
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9.7
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Conflicts
of Interest
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22
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9.8
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Correction
of Errors
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23
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9.9
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Authority
to Interpret Plan
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23
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9.10
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Third
Party Advisors
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23
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9.11
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Compensation
of Members
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23
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9.12
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Expense
Reimbursement
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24
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9.13
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Indemnification
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24
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ii
Section
10.
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Contractual
Liability; Trust:
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24
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10.1
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Contractual
Liability
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24
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10.2
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Trust
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25
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Section
11.
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Allocation
of Responsibilities:
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25
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11.1
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Board
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25
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11.2
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Committee
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25
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11.3
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Plan
Administrator
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25
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Section
12.
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Benefits
Not Assignable; Facility of Payments:
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26 |
12.1
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Benefits
Not Assignable
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26
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12.2
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Plan-Approved
Domestic Relations Orders
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26
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12.3
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Payments
to Minors and Others
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27
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Section
13.
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Beneficiary:
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27
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Section
14.
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Amendment
and Termination of Plan:
|
28
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14.1
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Termination
in the Discretion of the Employer
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28
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14.2
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Termination
Upon Change in Control
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29
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14.3
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Termination
On or Before December 31, 2005
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29
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14.4
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No
Financial Triggers
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29
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Section
15.
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Communication
to Participants:
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29
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Section
16.
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Claims
Procedure:
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29
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16.1
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Filing of a Claim for Benefits |
29
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16.2
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Notification
to Claimant of Decision
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30 |
16.3
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Procedure
for Review
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30 |
16.4
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Decision
on Review
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31 |
16.5
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Action
by Authorized Representative of Claimant
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31 |
Section
17
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.
Miscellaneous Provisions:
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31
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17.1
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Set
off
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31
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17.2
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Notices
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31
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17.3
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Lost
Distributees
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32
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17.4
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Reliance
on Data.
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32
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17.5
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Receipt
and Release for Payments
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32
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17.6
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Headings
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33
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17.7
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Continuation
of Employment
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33
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17.8
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Merger
or Consolidation; Assumption of Plan
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33
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17.9
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Construction
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33
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iii
THE
EXECUTIVE NONQUALIFIED EXCESS PLANSM
Section
1. Purpose:
By
execution of the Adoption Agreement, the Employer has adopted the Plan set
forth
herein to provide a means by which certain management Employees or Independent
Contractors of the Employer may elect to defer receipt of current Compensation
from the Employer in order to provide retirement and other benefits on behalf
of
such Employees or Independent Contractors of the Employer, as selected in the
Adoption Agreement. The Plan is intended to be a nonqualified deferred
compensation plan that complies with the provisions of Section 409A of the
Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan
maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation benefits
for a select group of management or highly compensated employees under Sections
201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act
of 1974 and independent contractors.
Section
2. Definitions:
As
used in
the Plan, including this Section 2, references to one gender shall include
the
other and, unless otherwise indicated by the context:
2.1
“Active Participant” means,
with respect to any day or date, a Participant who is in Service on such day
or
date; provided, that a Participant shall cease to be an Active Participant
immediately upon a determination by the Committee that the Participant has
ceased to be an Employee or Independent Contractor, or that the Participant
no
longer meets the eligibility requirements of the Plan.
1
2.2
“Adoption Agreement” means
the
written agreement pursuant to which the Employer adopts the Plan. The Adoption
Agreement is a part of the Plan as applied to the Employer.
2.3“Beneficiary”
means
the
person, persons, entity or entities designated or determined pursuant to the
provisions of Section 13 of the Plan.
2.4“Board”
means
the
Board of Directors of the Employer, if the Employer is
a
corporation. If the Employer is not a corporation, “Board” shall mean the
Employer.
2.5“Change
in Control” of
a
corporation (or, to the extent permitted in this Section
2.5, a partnership or other entity) shall occur on the earliest of the following
events:
2.5.1
Change in Ownership: A change in ownership of a corporation occurs on the date
that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires
ownership of stock of the corporation that, together with stock held by such
person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or
total voting power of the stock of the corporation, excluding the acquisition
of
additional stock by a person or more than one person acting as a group who
is
considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting
power of the stock of the corporation.
2.5.2
Change in Effective Control: A change in effective control of a corporation
occurs on the date that either:
(i) Any
one
person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired
during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition
by
such person or persons) ownership of stock of the corporation possessing 35%
or
more of the total voting power of the stock of the corporation; or
(ii) A
majority
of the members of the board of directors of the corporation is replaced during
any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed
by a majority of the members of the board of directors prior to the date of
the
appointment or election; provided, that this paragraph (ii) shall apply only
to
a corporation for which no other corporation is a majority
shareholder.
2
2.5.3
Change in Ownership of Substantial Assets: A change in the ownership of a
substantial portion of a corporation’s assets occurs on the date that any one
person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired
during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition
by such person or persons) assets from the corporation that have a total gross
fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market
value
of the assets of the corporation immediately prior to such acquisition or
acquisitions. For this purpose, gross fair market value means the value of
the
assets of the corporation, or the value of the assets being disposed of,
determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such
assets.
For
this
purpose, the Change in Control must relate to (i) a corporation that is the
Employer of the Participant; (ii) a corporation that is liable for the payment
of benefits under this Plan; (iii) a corporation that is a majority shareholder
of the corporation described in (i) or (ii); or (iv) any corporation in a chain
of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another
corporation in the chain, ending with the corporation described in (i) or (ii).
To the extent provided in regulations and administrative guidance promulgated
under Section 409A of the Code, the provisions of this Section 2.5 may be
applied to changes in the ownership of a partnership and changes in the
ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of a partnership. A Change
in
Control shall not be deemed to have occurred until a majority of the members
of
the Board receive written certification from the Committee that one of the
events set forth in this Section 2.5 has occurred. The occurrence of an event
described in this Section 2.5 must be objectively determinable by the Committee
and, if made in good faith on the basis of information available at the time,
such determination shall be conclusive and binding on the Committee, the
Employer, the Participants and their Beneficiaries for all purposes of the
Plan.
2.6“Committee”
means
the
person designated in the Adoption Agreement. If the Committee designated in
the
Adoption Agreement is unable to serve, the Employer shall satisfy the duties
of
the Committee provided for in Section 9.
2.7“Compensation”
shall
have
the meaning designated in the Adoption Agreement.
3
2.8
“Crediting Date” means
the
date designated in the Adoption Agreement for crediting the amount of any
Participant Deferral Credits to the Deferred Compensation Account of a
Participant. Employer Credits may be credited to the Deferred Compensation
Account of a Participant on any day that securities are traded on a national
securities exchange.
2.9
“Deferred Compensation Account” means
the
account maintained with respect to each Participant under the Plan. The Deferred
Compensation Account shall be credited with Participant Deferral Credits and
Employer Credits, credited or debited for deemed investment gains or losses,
and
adjusted for payments in accordance with the rules and elections in effect
under
Section 8. The Deferred Compensation Account of a Participant shall include
any
In-Service Account or Education Account of the Participant, if
applicable.
2.10
“Disabled” means
a
Participant who is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by
reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can
be
expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period
of not less than 12 months, or is, by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can
be
expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving
income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under
an
accident and health plan covering Employees of the Employer.
2.11
“Education Account” means
a
separate account to be kept for each Participant that has elected to take
education distributions as described in Section 5.5. The Education Account
shall
be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Deferred Compensation
Account under Section 8 and in accordance with the rules and elections in effect
under Section 8.
2.12
“Effective Date” shall
be
the date designated in the Adoption Agreement as of which the Plan first becomes
effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amounts “Employee”
means
an
individual in the Service of the Employer if the relationship between the
individual and the Employer is the legal relationship of employer and employee
and if the individual is a highly compensated or management employee of the
Employer. An individual shall cease to be an Employee upon the Employee’s
termination of Service.
4
2.14
“Employer” means
the
Employer identified in the Adoption Agreement, and any Participating Employer
which adopts this Plan. The Employer may be a corporation, a limited liability
company, a partnership or sole proprietorship. All references herein to the
Employer shall include each trade or business (whether or not incorporated)
that
is required to be aggregated with the Employer under rules similar to
subsections (b) and (c) of Section 414 of the Code.
2.15
“Employer Credits” means
the
amounts credited to the Participant’s Deferred Compensation Account by the
Employer pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.2.
2.16
“Independent Contractor” means
an
individual in the Service of the Employer if the relationship between the
individual and the Employer is not the legal relationship of employer and
employee. An individual shall cease to be an Independent Contractor upon the
termination of the Independent Contractor’s Service. An Independent Contractor
shall include a director of the Employer who is not an Employee.
2.17
“In-Service Account” means
a
separate account to be kept for each Participant that has elected to take
in-service distributions as described in Section 5.4. The In-Service Account
shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Deferred Compensation
Account under Section 8 and in accordance with the rules and elections in effect
under Section 8.
5
2.18
“Normal Retirement Age” of
a
Participant means the age designated in the Adoption Agreement.
2.19
“Participant” means
with
respect to any Plan Year an Employee or Independent Contractor who has been
designated by the Committee as a Participant and who has entered the Plan or
who
has a Deferred Compensation Account under the Plan.
2.20
“Participant Deferral Agreement” means
a
written agreement entered into between a Participant and the Employer pursuant
to the provisions of Section 4.1
2.21
“Participant Deferral Credits” means
the
amounts credited to the Participant’s Deferred Compensation Account by the
Employer pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.1.
2.22
“Participating Employer” means
any
trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which adopts this Plan with
the
consent of the Employer identified in the Adoption Agreement.
2.23
“Performance-Based Compensation” means
compensation where the amount of, or entitlement to, the compensation is
contingent on the satisfaction of preestablished organizational or individual
performance criteria relating to a performance period of at least twelve months
in which the service provider performs services. Organizational or individual
performance criteria are considered preestablished if established in writing
at
least 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the
criteria relates, provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at the
time the criteria are established. Performance-based compensation may include
payments based upon subjective performance criteria in accordance as
provided in regulations and administrative guidance promulgated under Section
409A of the Code.
6
2.24
“Plan” means
The
Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan, as herein set out or as duly amended. The
name of the Plan as applied to the Employer shall be designated in the Adoption
Agreement.
2.25
“Plan Administrator” means
the
person designated in the Adoption Agreement. If the Plan Administrator
designated in the Adoption Agreement is unable to serve, the Employer shall
be
the Plan Administrator.
2.26
“Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Order” shall
mean
a court order that is lawfully directed to this Plan and that is served upon
the
Plan Administrator before the Participant receives a distribution of his benefit
that pursuant to a state domestic relations law creates or recognizes the
existence of the right of an alternate payee to receive all or a portion of
a
Participant’s benefit and that meets all of the following requirements. An order
shall not be a Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Order unless the Plan
Administrator determines that the court order on its face and without reference
to any other document states all of the following:
(a) The
court
order expressly states that it relates to the provision of child support,
alimony, or marital property rights to a spouse, former spouse, or child of
a
Participant and is made pursuant to State domestic relations law.
(b) The
court
order clearly and unambiguously specifies that it refers to this
Plan.
(c) The
court
order clearly and unambiguously specifies the name of the Participant’s
Employer.
(d) The
court
order clearly specifies: the name, mailing address, and social security number
of the Participant; and the name, mailing address, and social security number
of
each alternate payee.
(e) The
court
order clearly specifies the amount or percentage, or the manner in which the
amount or percentage is to be determined, of the Participant’s benefit to be
paid to or segregated for the separate account of the alternate
payee.
7
(f) The
court
order expressly states that the alternate payee’s segregated account shall bear
all fees and expenses as though the alternate payee were a
Participant.
(g) The
court
order clearly specifies that any distribution to the alternate payee becomes
payable only after a Qualifying Distribution Event of the Participant and only
upon the alternate payee’s written claim made to the Administrator.
(h) The
court
order clearly specifies that any distribution to any alternate payee shall
be
payable only as a lump sum.
(i) The
court
order expressly states that it does not require this Plan to provide any type
or
form of benefit or any option not otherwise provided under this
Plan.
(j) The
court
order expressly states that the order does not require this Plan to provide
increased benefits.
(k) The
court
order expressly states that any provision of it that would have the effect
of
requiring any distribution to an alternate payee of deferred compensation that
is required to be paid to another person under any court order is
void.
(l) The
court
order expressly states that nothing in the order shall have any effect
concerning any party’s tax treatment, and that nothing in the order shall direct
any person’s tax reporting or withholding.
An
order
shall not be a Plan-approved Domestic Relations Order if it includes any
provision that does not relate to this Plan. Without limiting the
comprehensive effect of the preceding sentence, an order shall not be a
Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Order if he order includes any
provision relating to any pension plan, retirement plan, deferred compensation
plan, health plan, welfare benefit plan, or employee benefit plan
other than this Plan. An order shall not be a Plan-Approved Domestic
Relations Order unless the order provides for only one alternate
payee.
An
order
shall not be a Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Order if the order includes
any
provision that would permit the alternate payee to designate any beneficiary
for
any purpose. However, an order does not fail to qualify as a Plan-approved
Domestic Relations Order because it provides that any rights not paid before
the
alternate payee’s death shall be payable to the duly appointed and
then-currently serving personal representative of the alternate payee’s estate.
The Plan Administrator may assume that the alternate payee named by the court
order is a proper payee
and
need not inquire into whether the person named is a spouse or former spouse
or
child of the Participant.
8
2.27
“Plan Year” means
the
twelve-month period ending on the last day of the month designated in the
Adoption Agreement; provided, that the initial Plan Year may have fewer than
twelve months.
2.28
“Qualifying Distribution Event” means
(i)
the separation from Service of the Participant, (ii) the date the Participant
becomes Disabled, (iii) the death of the Participant, (iv) the time specified
by
the Participant for an in-service or education distribution, (v) a Change in
Control, or (vi) an Unforeseeable Emergency, each to the extent provided in
Section 5.
2.29
“Retirement Account” means
the
portion of the Deferred Compensation Account of a Participant, excluding any
In-Service Account or any Education Account. The Retirement Account shall be
adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Deferred Compensation
Account under Section 8 and in accordance with the rules and regulations in
effect under Section 8.
2.30
“Service” means
employment by the Employer as an Employee. For purposes of the Plan, the
employment relationship is treated as continuing intact while the Employee
is on
military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period
of
such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as the Employee’s
right to reemployment is provided either by statue or contract. If the
Participant is an Independent Contractor, “Service” shall mean the period during
which the contractual relationship exists between the Employer and the
Participant. The contractual relationship is not terminated if the Participant
anticipates a renewal of the contract or becomes an Employee.
2.31
“Service Bonus” means
any
bonus paid to a Participant by the Employer which is not Performance-Based
Compensation.
9
2.32
“Specified Employee” means
an
employee who meets the requirements of Section 41 6(i)( 1 )(A)(i), (ii) or
(iii)
of the Code (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and without
regard to Section 41 6(i)(5) of the Code) at any time during the twelve-month
period ending on December 31 of each year (the “identification date”). If the
person is a key employee as of any identification date, the person is treated
as
a Specified Employee for the twelve-month period beginning on the first day
of
the fourth month following the identification date.
2.33
“Spouse” or
“Surviving
Spouse” means,
except as otherwise provided in the Plan, a person who is the legally married
spouse or surviving spouse of a Participant.
2.34
“Student” means
the
individual designated by the Participant in the Participant Deferral Agreement
with respect to whom the Participant will create an Education
Account.
2.35
“Trust” means
the
trust fund established pursuant to Section 10.2, if designated by the Employer
in the Adoption Agreement.
2.36
“Trustee” means
the
trustee, if any, named in the agreement establishing the Trust and such
successor or additional trustee as may be named pursuant to the terms of the
agreement establishing the Trust.
2.37
“Unforeseeable Emergency” means
a
severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from a sudden or
unexpected illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s Spouse or
dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code), loss of the Participant’s
property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable
circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the
Participant.
10
2.38
“Years of Service” means
each
Plan Year of Service completed by the Participant. For vesting purposes,
Years
of Service shall be calculated from the date designated in the Adoption
Agreement.
Section
3. Participation:
The
Committee in its discretion shall designate each Employee or Independent
Contractor who is eligible to participate in the Plan. An Employee or
Independent Contractor designated by the Committee as a Participant who has
not
otherwise entered the Plan shall enter the Plan and become a Participant as
of
the date determined by the Committee. A Participant who separates from Service
with the Employer and who later returns to Service will not be an Active
Participant under the Plan except upon satisfaction of such terms and conditions
as the Committee shall establish upon the Participant’s return to Service,
whether or not the Participant shall
have
a balance remaining in the Deferred Compensation Account under the Plan on
the
date
of the
return to Service.
Section
4. Credits
to Deferred Compensation Account:
4.1
Participant Deferral Credits. To
the
extent provided in the Adoption Agreement, each Active Participant may elect,
by
entering into a Participant Deferral Agreement with the Employer, to defer
the
receipt of Compensation from the Employer by a dollar amount or percentage
specified in the Participant Deferral Agreement. The amount of the Participant
Deferral Credit shall be credited by the Employer to the Deferred Compensation
Account maintained for the Participant pursuant to Section 8. The following
special provisions shall apply with respect to the Participant Deferral Credits
of a Participant:
11
4.1.1
The
Employer shall credit to the Participant’s Deferred Compensation Account on each
Crediting Date an amount equal to the total Participant Deferral Credit for
the
period ending on such Crediting Date.
4.1.2
An
election pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be made by the Participant by
executing and delivering a Participant Deferral Agreement to the Committee.
Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.1, the Participant Deferral
Agreement shall become effective with respect to such Participant as of the
first day of January following the date such Participant Deferral Agreement
is
received by the Committee. A Participant’s election may be changed at any time
prior to the last permissible date for making the election as permitted in
this
Section 4.1, and shall thereafter be irrevocable. The election of a Participant
shall continue in effect for subsequent years until modified by the Participant
as permitted in this Section 4.1, or until the earlier of the date the
Participant separates from Service or ceases to be an Active Participant under
the Plan.
4.1.3
In
the case of the first year in which the Participant becomes eligible to
participate in the Plan, the Participant may execute and deliver a Participant
Deferral Agreement to the Committee within 30 days after the date the
Participant enters the Plan to be effective as of the first payroll period
next
following the date the Participant Deferral Agreement is received by the
Committee. For Compensation that is earned based upon a specified performance
period (for example, an annual bonus), where a deferral election is made in
the
first year of eligibility but after the beginning of the service period, the
election will be deemed to apply to Compensation paid for services subsequent
to
the election if the election applies to the portion of the Compensation equal
to
the total amount of the Compensation for the service period multiplied by the
ratio of the number of days remaining in the performance period after the
election over the total number of days in the performance period.
4.1.4
A
Participant may unilaterally modify a Participant Deferral Agreement (either
to
terminate, increase or decrease the portion of his future Compensation which
is
subject to deferral within the percentage limits set forth in Section 4.1 of
the
Adoption Agreement) by providing a written modification of the Participant
Deferral Agreement to the Employer. The modification shall become effective
as
of the first day of January following the date such written modification is
received by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time during
the
calendar year 2005, a Participant may terminate a Participant Deferral
Agreement, or modify a Participant Deferral Agreement to reduce the amount
of
Compensation subject to the deferral election, so long as the Compensation
subject to the terminated or modified Participant Deferral Agreement is
includible in the income of the Participant in calendar year 2005 or, if later,
in the taxable year in which the amounts are earned and vested.
4.1.5
If
the Participant performed services continuously from a date no later than the
date upon which the performance criteria are established through a date no
earlier than the date upon which the Participant makes an initial deferral
election, a Participant Deferral Agreement relating to the deferral of
Performance-Based Compensation may be executed and delivered to the Committee
no
later than the date which is 6 months prior to the end of the performance
period, provided that in no event may an election to defer Performance-Based
Compensation
be made after such Compensation has become both substantially certain to be
paid
and readily ascertainable.
12
4.1.6
If
the Employer has a fiscal year other than the calendar year, Compensation
relating to service in the fiscal year of the Employer (such as a bonus based
on
the fiscal year of the Employer), of which no amount is paid or payable
during the fiscal year, may be deferred at the Participant’s election only
if
the
election to defer is made not later than the close of the Employer’s fiscal year
next preceding the first fiscal year in which the Participant performs any
services for which such Compensation is payable.
4.1.7
Compensation payable after the last day of the Participant’s taxable
year solely for services provided during the final payroll period
containing
the last
day of the Participant’s taxable year (i.e., December 31) is treated for
purposes of this Section 4.1 as Compensation for services performed in the
subsequent taxable year.
4.1.8
The
Committee may from time to time establish policies or rules consistent with
the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code to govern the manner in which
Participant Deferral Credits may be made.
4.1.9
The
requirements of Section 4.1.2 relating to the timing of the Participant Deferral
Agreement shall not apply to any deferral elections made on or before March
15,
2005, provided that (a) the amounts to which the deferral election relate have
not been paid or become payable at the time of the election, (b) the Plan was
in
existence on or before December 31, 2004, (c) the election to defer compensation
is made in accordance with the terms of the Plan as in effect on December 31,
2005 (other than a requirement to make a deferral election after March 15,
2005), (d) the Plan is otherwise operated in accordance with the requirements
of Section 409A of the Code, and (e) the Plan is amended to comply
with
Section 409A in accordance with Q&A 19 of Notice 2005-1.
4.2
Employer Credits. If
designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, the Employer shall cause
the Committee to credit to the Deferred Compensation Account of each Active
Participant an Employer Credit as determined in accordance with the Adoption
Agreement.
4.3
Deferred
Compensation Account. All
Participant Deferral Credits and Employer Credits shall be credited to the
Deferred Compensation Account of the Participant.
13
Section
5. Qualifying
Distribution Events:
5.1
Separation from Service. If
the
Participant separates from Service with the Employer, the vested balance in
the
Deferred Compensation Account shall be paid to the Participant by the Employer
as provided in Section 6. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no distribution shall
be made earlier than six months after the date of separation from Service (or,
if earlier, the date of death) with respect to a Participant who is a Specified
Employee of a corporation the stock in which is traded on an established
securities market or otherwise. Any payments to which a Specified Employee
would
be entitled during the first six months following the date of separation from
Service shall be accumulated and paid on the first day of the seventh month
following the date of separation from service.
5.2
Disability. If
the
Participant becomes Disabled while in Service, the vested balance in the
Deferred Compensation Account shall be paid to the Participant by the Employer
as provided in Section 6.
5.3
Death. If
the
Participant dies while in Service, the Employer shall pay a benefit to the
Participant’s Beneficiary in the amount designated in the Adoption Agreement.
Payment of such benefit shall be made by the Employer as provided in Section
6.
If a Participant dies following his separation from Service for any reason,
and
before all payments under the Plan have been made, the vested balance in the
Deferred Compensation Account shall be paid by the Employer to the Participant’s
Beneficiary in a single lump sum.
5.4
In-Service Distributions. If
the
Employer designates in the Adoption Agreement that in-service distributions
are
permitted under the Plan, a Participant may designate in the Participant
Deferral Agreement to have a specified amount credited to the Participant’s
In-Service Account for in-service distributions at the later of the date
specified by the Participant or as specified in the Adoption Agreement. In
no
event may an in-service distribution be madeprior
to
two years following the establishment of the In-Service Account of the
Participant. If the Participant elects to receive in-service distributions
in
annual installment payments, the payment of each annual installment shall be
made on the anniversary of the date of the first installment payment, and the
amount of the annual installment shall be adjusted on such anniversary for
credits or debits to the Participant’s account pursuant to Section 8 of the
Plan. Such adjustment shall be made by dividing the balance in the In-Service
Account on such date by the number of annual installments remaining to be paid
hereunder; provided that the last annual installment due under the Plan shall
be
the entire amount credited to the Participant’s In-Service Account on the date
of payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant incurs a Qualifying
Distribution Event prior to the date on which the entire balance in the
In-Service Account has been distributed, then the balance in the In-Service
Account on the date of the Qualifying Distribution Event shall be distributed
to
the Participant in the same manner and at the same time as the balance in the
Deferred Compensation Account is distributed under Section 6 and in accordance
with the rules and elections in effect under Section 6.
14
5.5
Education Distributions. If
the
Employer designates in the Adoption Agreement that education distributions
are
permitted under the Plan, a Participant may designate in the Participant
Deferral Agreement to have a specified amount credited to the Participant’s
Education Account for education distributions at the later of the date specified
by the Participant or the date specified in the Adoption Agreement. If the
Participant designates more than one Student, the Education Account will be
divided into a separate Education Account for each Student, and the Participant
may designate in the Participant Deferral Agreement the percentage or dollar
amount to be credited to each Education Account. In the absence of a clear
designation, all credits made to the Education Account shall be equally
allocated to each Education Account. The Employer shall pay to the Participant
the balance in the Education Account with respect to the
Student at the time and in the manner designated by the Participant in the
Participant Deferral Agreement. If the Participant elects to receive education
distributions in annual installment payments,
the payment of each annual installment shall be made on the anniversary of
the
date of
the first
installment payment, and the amount of the annual installment shall be adjusted
on such anniversary for credits or debits to the Participant’s Education Account
pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan. Such adjustment shall be made by dividing
the
balance in the Education Account on such date by the number of annual
installments remaining to be paid hereunder; provided that the last annual
installment due under the Plan shall be the entire amount credited to the
Participant’s Education Account on the date of payment. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Participant incurs a Qualifying Distribution Event prior
to
the date on which the entire balance of the Education Account has been
distributed, then the balance in the Education Account on the date of the
Qualifying Distribution Event shall be distributed to the Participant in the
same manner and at the same time as the Deferred Compensation Account is
distributed under Section 6 and in accordance with the rules and elections
in
effect under Section 6.
15
5.6
Change in Control. If
the
Employer designates in the Adoption Agreement that distributions are permitted
under the Plan in the event of a Change in Control, the Participant may
designate in the Participant Deferral Agreement to have the vested balance
in
the Deferred Compensation Account paid to the Participant upon a Change in
Control by the Employer as provided in Section 6.
5.7
Unforeseeable Emergency. A
distribution from the Deferred Compensation Account may be made to a Participant
in the event of an Unforeseeable Emergency, subject to the following
provisions:
5.7.1
A
Participant may, at any time prior to his separation from Service for any
reason, make application to the Committee to receive a distribution in a lump
sum of all or a portion of the vested balance in the Deferred
Compensation
Account (determined as of the date the distribution, if any, is made under this Section 5.7) because of an Unforeseeable Emergency. A distribution because of an Unforeseeable Emergency shall not exceed the amount required to satisfy the Unforeseeable Emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of such distribution, after taking into account the extent to which the Unfore seeable Emergency may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship).
Account (determined as of the date the distribution, if any, is made under this Section 5.7) because of an Unforeseeable Emergency. A distribution because of an Unforeseeable Emergency shall not exceed the amount required to satisfy the Unforeseeable Emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of such distribution, after taking into account the extent to which the Unfore seeable Emergency may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship).
16
5.7.2
The
Participant’s request for a distribution on account of Unforeseeable Emergency
must be made in writing to the Committee. The request must specify the nature
of
the financial hardship, the total amount requested to be distributed from the
Deferred Compensation Account, and the total amount of the actual expense
incurred or to be incurred on account of the Unfore seeable
Emergency.
5.7.3
If a
distribution under this Section 5.7 is approved by the Committee, such
distribution will be made as soon as practicable following the date it is
approved. The processing of the request shall be completed as soon as
practicable from the date on which the Committee receives the properly completed
written request for a distribution on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency.
A
distribution due to Unforeseeable Emergency shall not affect any deferral
election previously made by the Participant. If a Participant’s separation from
Service occurs after a request is approved in accordance with this Section
5.7.3, but prior to distribution of the full amount approved, the approval
of
the request shall be automatically null and void and the benefits which the
Participant is entitled to receive under the Plan shall be distributed in
accordance with the applicable distribution provisions of the Plan.
5.7.4
The
Committee may from time to time adopt additional policies or rules consistent
with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to govern the manner in which
such distributions may be made so that the Plan may be conveniently
administered.
Section
6. Qualifying
Distribution Events Payment Options:
6.1
Payment Options. The
Employer shall designate in the Adoption Agreement the payment options which
may
be elected by the Participant. The Participant shall elect in the Participant
Deferral Agreement the method under which the vested balance in the Deferred
Compensation Account will be distributed from among the designated payment
options. Payment shall be made in the manner elected by the Participant and
shall commence upon
the
date of the Qualifying Distribution Event. A payment shall be treated as made
upon the date of the Qualifying Distribution Event if it is made on such date
or
a later date within the same calendar year or, if later, by the 15th
day of
the third calendar month following the Qualifying Distribution Event. A payment
may be further delayed to the extent permitted in accordance with regulations
and guidance under Section 409A of the Code. The Participant may elect a
different method of payment for each Qualifying Distribution Event as specified
in the Adoption Agreement. If the Participant elects the installment payment
option, the payment of each annual installment shall be made on the anniversary
of the date of the first installment payment, and the amount of the annual
installment shall be adjusted on such anniversary for credits or debits to
the
Participant’s account pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan. Such adjustment shall
be made by dividing the balance in the Deferred Compensation Account on such
date by the number of annual installments remaining to be paid hereunder;
provided that the last annual installment due under the Plan shall be the entire
amount credited to the Participant’s account on the date of payment. In the
event the Participant fails to make a valid election of the payment method,
the
distribution will be made in a single lump sum payment upon the Qualifying
Distribution Event. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 6.3 or 6.4 of
the
Plan, a Participant may elect on or before December 31, 2006, the method of
payment of amounts subject to Section 409A of the Code provided that such
election applies only to amounts that would
not
otherwise be payable in 2006 and does not cause an amount to paid in 2006 that
would
not
otherwise be payable in such year.
17
6.2
De Minimis Amounts. Notwithstanding
any payment election made by the Participant, the vested balance in the Deferred
Compensation Account of the Participant will be distributed in a single lump
sum
payment if the payment accompanies the termination of the Participant’s entire
interest in the Plan and the amount of such payment does not exceed the
amount
designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement. Such payment shall be
made
on or before the later of (i) December 31 of the calendar year in which the
Participant separates from Service from the Employer, or (ii) the date that
is
2-1/2 months after the Participant separates from Service from the
Employer.
6.3
Subsequent Elections. With
the
consent of the Committee, a Participant may delay or change the method of
payment of the Deferred Compensation Account subject to the following
requirements:
6.3.1
The
new election may not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on
which the new election is made.
6.3.2
If
the new election relates to a payment for a Qualifying Distribution Event other
than the death of the Participant, the Participant becoming Disabled, or an
Unforeseeable Emergency, the new election must provide for the deferral of
the
first payment for a period of at least five years from the date such payment
would otherwise have been made.
6.3.3
If
the new election relates to a payment from the In-Service Account or Education
Account, the new election must be made at least 12 months prior to the date
of
the first scheduled payment from such account.
For
purposes of this Section 6.3 and Section 6.4, a payment is each separately
identified amount to which the Participant is entitled under the Plan; provided,
that entitlement to a series of installment payments is treated as the
entitlement to a single payment.
6.4
Acceleration Prohibited. The
acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment due under the Plan is
prohibited except as provided in regulations and administrative guidance
promulgated under Section 409A of the Code. It is not an acceleration of the
time or schedule of payment if the Employer waives or accelerates the vesting
requirements applicable to a benefit under the Plan.
18
Section
7. Vesting:
A
Participant shall be fully vested in the portion of his Deferred Compensation
Account attributable to Participant Deferral Credits, and all income, gains
and
losses attributable thereto. A Participant shall become fully vested in the
portion of his Deferred Compensation Account attributable to Employer Credits,
and income, gains and losses attributable thereto, in accordance
with the vesting schedule and provisions designated by the Employer in the
Adoption
Agreement. If a Participant’s Deferred Compensation Account is not fully vested
upon separation from Service, the portion of the Deferred Compensation Account
that is not fully vested shall thereupon be forfeited.
Section
8. Accounts;
Deemed Investment; Adjustments to Account:
8.1
Accounts. The
Committee shall establish a book reserve account, entitled the “Deferred
Compensation Account,” on behalf of each Participant. The Committee shall also
establish an In-Service Account and Education Account as a part of the Deferred
Compensation Account of each Participant, if applicable. The amount credited
to
the Deferred Compensation Account shall be adjusted pursuant to the provisions
of Section 8.3.
8.2
Deemed Investments. The
Deferred Compensation Account of a Participant
shall be credited with an investment return determined as if the account were
invested
in one or
more investment funds made available by the Committee. The Participant shall
elect the investment funds in which his Deferred Compensation Account shall
be
deemed to be invested. Such election shall be made in the manner prescribed
by
the Committee and shall take effect upon the entry of the Participant into
the
Plan. The investment election of the Participant shall remain in effect until
a
new election is made by the Participant. In the event the Participant fails
for
any reason to make an effective election of the investment return to be credited
to his account, the investment return shall be determined by the
Committee.
19
8.3
Adjustments to Deferred Compensation Account. With
respect to each Participant who has a Deferred Compensation Account under the
Plan, the amount credited to such account shall be adjusted by the following
debits and credits, at the times and in the order stated:
8.3.1
The
Deferred Compensation Account shall be debited each business day with the total
amount of any payments made from such account since the last preceding business
day to him or for his benefit.
8.3.2
The
Deferred Compensation Account shall be credited on each Crediting Date with
the
total amount of any Participant Deferral Credits and Employer Credits to such
account since the last preceding Crediting Date.
8.3.3
The
Deferred Compensation Account shall be credited or debited on each day
securities are traded on a national stock exchange with the amount of deemed
investment gain or loss resulting from the performance of the investment funds
elected by the Participant in accordance with Section 8.2. The amount of such
deemed investment gain or loss shall be determined by the Committee and such
determination shall be final and conclusive upon all concerned.
Section
9. Administration
by Committee:
9.1
Membership of Committee. If
elected
in the Adoption Agreement, the Committee
shall consist of at least three individuals who shall be appointed by the Board
to serve
at the
pleasure of the Board. Any member of the Committee may resign, and his
successor, if any, shall be appointed by the Board. The Committee shall be
responsible for the general administration and interpretation of the Plan and
for carrying out its provisions, except to the extent all or any of such
obligations are specifically imposed on the Board.
9.2
Committee Officers; Subcommittee. The
members of the Committee may elect Chairman and may elect an acting Chairman.
They may also elect a Secretary and may elect an acting Secretary, either of
whom may be but need not be a member of the Committee. The Committee may appoint
from its membership such subcommittees with such powers
as
the Committee shall determine, and may authorize one or more of its members
or
any agent to execute or deliver any instruments or to make any payment on behalf
of the Committee.
20
9.3
Committee Meetings. The
Committee shall hold such meetings upon such notice, at such places and at
such
intervals as it may from time to time determine. Notice of meetings
shall not be required if notice is waived in writing by all the members of
the
Committee
at the
time in office, or if all such members are present at the meeting.
9.4
Transaction of Business. A
majority
of the members of the Committee at the time in office shall constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business. All resolutions or other actions taken by
the
Committee at any meeting shall be by vote of a majority of those present at
any
such meeting and entitled to vote. Resolutions may be adopted or other action
taken without a meeting upon written consent thereto signed by all of the
members of the Committee.
9.5
Committee Records. The
Committee shall maintain full and complete records of its deliberations and
decisions. The minutes of its proceedings shall be conclusive proof of the
facts
of the operation of the Plan.
9.6
Establishment of Rules. Subject
to
the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may from time to time establish
rules
or by-laws for the administration of the Plan and the transaction of its
business.
9.7
Conflicts of Interest. No
individual member of the Committee shall have any right to vote or decide upon
any matter relating solely to himself or to any of his rights or benefits under
the Plan (except that such member may sign unanimous written consent to
resolutions adopted or other action taken without a meeting), except relating
to
the terms of his Participant Deferral Agreement.
21
9.8
Correction of Errors. The
Committee may correct errors and, so far as practicable, may adjust any benefit
or credit or payment accordingly. The Committee may in its discretion waive
any
notice requirements in the Plan; provided, that a waiver of notice in one or
more cases shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver of notice in any other
case. With respect to any power or authority which the Committee has discretion
to exercise under the Plan, such discretion shall be exercised in a
nondiscriminatory manner.
9.9
Authority to Interpret Plan. Subject
to
the claims procedure set forth in Section 16 the Plan Administrator and the
Committee shall have the duty and discretionary authority to interpret and
construe the provisions of the Plan and to decide any dispute which may arise
regarding the rights of Participants hereunder, including the discretionary
authority to construe the Plan and to make determinations as to eligibility
and
benefits under the Plan. Determinations by the Plan Administrator and the
Committee shall apply uniformly to all persons similarly situated and shall
be
binding and conclusive upon all interested persons.
9.10
Third Party Advisors. The
Committee may engage an attorney, accountant, actuary or any other technical
advisor on matters regarding the operation of the Plan and to perform such
other
duties as shall be required in connection therewith, and may employ such
clerical and related personnel as the Committee shall deem requisite or
desirable in carrying
out the
provisions of the Plan. The Committee shall from time to time, but no less
frequently than
annually, review the financial condition of the Plan and determine the financial
and liquidity
needs of
the Plan. The Committee shall communicate such needs to the Employer so that
its
policies may be appropriately coordinated to meet such needs.
9.11
Compensation of Members. No
fee or
compensation shall be paid to any member of the Committee for his Service as
such.
22
9.12
Expense Reimbursement. The
Committee shall be entitled to reimbursement by the Employer for its reasonable
expenses properly and actually incurred in the performance of its duties in
the
administration of the Plan.
9.13
Indemnification. No
member
of the Committee shall be personally liable by reason of any contract or other
instrument executed by him or on his behalf as a member of the Committee nor
for
any mistake of judgment made in good faith, and the Employer shall indemnify
and
hold harmless, directly from its own assets (including the proceeds of any
insurance policy the premiums for which are paid from the Employer’s own
assets), each member of the Committee and each other officer, employee, or
director of the Employer to whom any duty or power relating to the
administration or interpretation of the Plan may be delegated or allocated,
against any unreimbursed or uninsured cost or expense (including any sum paid
in
settlement of a claim with the prior written approval of the Board) arising
out
of any act or omission to act in connection with the Plan unless arising out
of
such person’s own fraud, bad faith, willful misconduct or gross
negligence.
Section
10. Contractual
Liability; Trust:
10.1
Contractual Liability. The
obligation of the Employer to make payments hereunder shall constitute a
contractual liability of the Employer to the Participant. Such payments shall
be
made from the general funds of the Employer, and the Employer shall not be
required to establish or maintain any special or separate fund, or otherwise
to
segregate assets to assure that such payments shall be made, and the Participant
shall not have any interest in any particular assets of the Employer by reason
of its obligations hereunder. To the extent that any person acquires a right
to
receive payment from the Employer, such right shall be no greater than the
right
of an unsecured creditor of the Employer.
23
10.2
Trust. If
so
designated in the Adoption Agreement, the Employer may establish a Trust with
the Trustee, pursuant to such terms and conditions as are set forth in the
Trust
Agreement. The Trust, if and when established, is intended to be treated as
a
grantor trust for purposes of the Code and all assets of the Trust shall be
held
in the United States. The establishment of the Trust is not intended to cause
Participants to realize current income on amounts contributed thereto, and
the
Trust shall be so interpreted and administered.
Section
11. Allocation
of Responsibilities:
The
persons responsible for the Plan and the duties and responsibilities allocated
to each are as follows:
11.1
Board.
(i)
To amend the Plan;
(ii)
To appoint and remove members of the Committee; and
(iii)
To
terminate the Plan as permitted in Section 14.
11.2
Committee.
(i) To
designate Participants;
(ii) To
interpret the provisions of the Plan and to determine the rights of the
Participants under the Plan, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section
16 relating to claims procedure;
(iii) To
administer the Plan in accordance with its terms, except to the extent powers
to
administer the Plan are specifically delegated to another person or persons
as
provided in the Plan;
(iv) To
account
for the amount credited to the Deferred Compensation Account of a Participant;
and
(v) To
direct
the Employer in the payment of benefits.
11.3
Plan Administrator.
(i)
To
file such reports as may be required with the United States Department of Labor,
the Internal Revenue Service and any other government agency to which reports
may be required to be submitted from time to time; and
(ii) To
administer the claims procedure to the extent provided in Section
16.
24
Section
12. Benefits
Not Assignable; Facility of Payments:
12.1
Benefits Not Assignable. No
portion
of any benefit credited or paid under the Plan with respect to any Participant
shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer,
assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt so to anticipate,
alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge the same shall
be
void, nor shall any portion of such benefit be in any manner payable to any
assignee, receiver or any one trustee, or be liable for his debts, contracts,
liabilities, engagements or torts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event
that all or any portion of the benefit of a Participant is transferred to the
former
spouse of the Participant incident to a divorce, the Committee shall maintain
such amount
for the
benefit of the former spouse until distributed in the manner required by an
order of any court having jurisdiction over the divorce, and the former spouse
shall be entitled to the same rights as the Participant with respect to such
benefit.
12.2
Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Orders. The
Plan
Administrator shall establish written procedures for determining whether an
order directed to the Plan is a Plan-Approved Domestic Relations
Order.
12.2.1
Review by Plan Administrator: The Plan Administrator shall make a determination
on each final court order directed to the Plan as to whether the order is a
Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Order. The Plan Administrator may delay the
commencement of its consideration of any order until the later of the date
that
is 30 days after the date of the order or the date that the Plan Administrator
is satisfied that all rehearing and appeal rights with respect to the order
have
expired.
12.2.2
Payment to Alternate Payee: If the Plan Administrator determines that an order
is a Plan-approved Domestic Relations Order, the Plan Administrator shall cause
the payment of amounts pursuant to or segregate a separate account as provided
by (and to prevent any payment or act which might be inconsistent with) the
Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Order.
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12.2.3
Expenses: The Employer and the Plan Administrator shall not be obligated to
incur any cost to defend against or set aside any judgment, decree, or order
relating to the division, attachment, garnishment, or execution of or levy
upon
the Participant’s account or any distribution, including (but not limited to)
any domestic relations proceeding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any such
person is joined in any proceeding, the party may take such action as it
considers necessary or appropriate to protect any and all of its legal rights,
and the Participant (or Beneficiary) shall reimburse all actual fees of lawyers
and legal assistants and expenses reasonably incurred by such
party.
12.3
Payments to Minors and Others. If
any
individual entitled to receive a payment under the Plan shall be physically,
mentally or legally incapable of receiving or acknowledging receipt of such
payment, the Committee, upon the receipt of satisfactory evidence of his
incapacity and satisfactory evidence that another person or institution is
maintaining him and that no guardian or committee has been appointed for him,
may cause any payment otherwise payable to him to be made to such person or
institution so maintaining him. Payment to such person or institution shall
be
in full satisfaction of all claims by or through the Participant to the extent
of the amount thereof.
Section
13. Beneficiary:
The
Participant’s beneficiary shall be the person or persons designated by the
Participant on the beneficiary designation form provided by and filed with
the
Committee or its designee. If the Participant does not designate a beneficiary,
the beneficiary shall be his Surviving Spouse. If the Participant does not
designate a beneficiary and has no Surviving Spouse, the beneficiary shall
be
the Participant’s estate. The designation of a beneficiary may be changed or
revoked only by filing a new beneficiary designation form with the Committee
or
its designee. If a beneficiary (the “primary beneficiary”) is receiving or is
entitled to receive payments under the Plan and dies before receiving all of
the
payments due him, the balance to which he is entitled shall be paid to the
contingent beneficiary, if any, named in the Participant’s current beneficiary
designation form. If there is no contingent beneficiary, the balance shall
be
paid
to
the estate of the primary beneficiary. Any beneficiary may disclaim all or
any
part of any benefit to which such beneficiary shall be entitled hereunder by
filing a written disclaimer with the Committee before payment of such benefit
is
to be made. Such a disclaimer shall be made in a form satisfactory to the
Committee and shall be irrevocable when filed. Any benefit disclaimed shall
be
payable from the Plan in the same manner as if the beneficiary who filed the
disclaimer had predeceased the Participant.
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Section
14. Amendment
and Termination of Plan:
The
Employer may amend any provision of the Plan or terminate the Plan at any time;
provided, that in no event shall such amendment or termination reduce the
balance in any Participant’s Deferred Compensation Account as of the date of
such amendment or termination, nor shall any such amendment affect the terms
of
the Plan relating to the payment of such Deferred Compensation Account.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following special provisions shall
apply:
14.1
Termination in the Discretion of the Employer. Except
as
otherwise provided in Sections 14.2 or 14.3, the Employer in its discretion
may
terminate the Plan and distribute benefits to Participants subject to the
following requirements:
14.1.1
All
arrangements sponsored by the Employer that would be aggregated with the Plan
under Section 1 .409A- 1(c) of the Treasury Regulations are
terminated.
14.1.2
No
payments other than payments that would be payable under the terms of the Plan
if the termination had not occurred are made within 12 months of the termination
date.
14.1.3
All
benefits under the Plan are paid within 24 months of the termination
date.
14.1.4
The
Employer does not adopt a new arrangement that would be aggregated with the
Plan
under Section 1 .409A- 1(c) of the Treasury Regulations providing for the
deferral of compensation at any time within five years following the date of
termination of the Plan.
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14.2
Termination Upon Change in Control. If
the
Employer terminates the Plan within thirty days preceding or twelve months
following a Change in Control, the Deferred Compensation Account of each
Participant shall become fully vested and payable to the Participant in a lump
sum within twelve months following the date of termination.
14.3
Termination On or Before December 31, 2005. The
Employer may terminate the Plan on or before December 31, 2005, and distribute
the vested balance in the Deferred Compensation Account to each Participant
so
long as all amounts deferred under the Plan are included in the income of the
Participant in the taxable year in which the termination occurs.
14.4
No Financial Triggers. The
Employer may not terminate the Plan and make distributions to a Participant
due
solely to a change in the financial health of the Employer. This provision
shall
apply to amounts earned and vested before, on or after December 31,
2004.
Section
15. Communication
to Participants:
The
Employer shall make a copy of the Plan available for inspection by Participants
and their beneficiaries during reasonable hours at the principal office of
the
Employer.
Section
16. Claims
Procedure:
The
following claims procedure shall apply with respect to the Plan:
16.1
Filing of a Claim for Benefits. If
a
Participant or beneficiary (the “claimant”) believes that he is entitled to
benefits under the Plan which are not being paid to him or which are not being
accrued for his benefit, he shall file a written claim therefore with the Plan
Administrator. In the event the Plan Administrator shall be the claimant, all
actions which are required to be taken by the Plan Administrator pursuant to
this Section 16 shall be taken instead by another member of the Committee
designated by the Committee.
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16.2
Notification to Claimant of Decision. Within
90
days after receipt of a claim by the Plan Administrator (or within 180 days
if
special circumstances require an extension of time), the Plan Administrator
shall notify the claimant of the decision with regard to the claim. In the
event
of such special circumstances requiring an extension of time, there shall be
furnished to the claimant prior to expiration of the initial 90-day period
written notice of the extension, which notice shall set forth the special
circumstances and the date by which the decision shall be furnished. If such
claim shall be wholly or partially denied, notice thereof shall be in writing
and worded in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, and shall
set forth: (i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial; (ii) specific
reference to pertinent provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based;
(iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for
the
claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or
information is necessary; and (iv) an explanation of the procedure for review
of
the denial and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a
statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA following
an adverse benefit determination on review. Notwithstanding the forgoing, if
the
claim relates to a Participant who is Disabled, the Plan Administrator shall
notify the claimant of the decision within 45 days (which may be extended for
an
additional 30 days if required by special circumstances).
16.3
Procedure for Review. Within
60
days following receipt by the claimant of notice denying his claim, in whole
or
in part, or, if such notice shall not be given, within 60 days following the
latest date on which such notice could have been timely given, the claimant
shall appeal denial of the claim by filing a written application for review
with
the Committee. Following such request for review, the Committee shall fully
and
fairly review the decision denying the claim. Prior to the decision of the
Committee, the claimant shall be given an opportunity to review pertinent
documents and to submit issues and comments in writing.
29
16.4
Decision on Review. The
decision on review of a claim denied in whole or in part by the Plan
Administrator shall be made in the following manner:
16.4.1
Within 60 days following receipt by the Committee of the request for review
(or
within 120 days if special circumstances require an extension of time), the
Committee shall notify the claimant in writing of its decision with regard
to
the claim. In the event of such special circumstances requiring an extension
of
time, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior
to the commencement of the extension. Notwithstanding the forgoing,
if the claim relates to a Participant who is Disabled, the Committee
shall
notify
the claimant of the decision within 45 days (which may be extended for an
additional 45 days if required by special circumstances).
16.4.2
With respect to a claim that is denied in whole or in part, the decision
on review shall set forth specific reasons for the decision, shall be
written
in a
manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, and shall cite specific
references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is
based.
16.4.3
The
decision of the Committee shall be final and conclusive.
16.5
Action by Authorized Representative of Claimant. All
actions set forth in this Section 16 to be taken by the claimant may likewise
be
taken by a representative of the claimant duly authorized by him to act in
his
behalf on such matters. The Plan Administrator and the Committee may require
such evidence as either may reasonably deem necessary or advisable of the
authority to act of any such representative.
Section
17. Miscellaneous
Provisions:
17.1
Set off. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Plan, the Employer may reduce the amount of any
payment otherwise payable to or on behalf of a Participant hereunder (net of
any
required withholdings) by the amount of any loan, cash advance, extension of
credit or other obligation of the Participant to the Employer that is then
due
and payable, and the Participant shall be deemed to have consented to such
reduction.
17.2
Notices. Each
Participant who is not in Service and each Beneficiary shall be responsible
for
furnishing the Committee or its designee with his current address for the
mailing
of
notices and benefit payments. Any notice required or permitted to be given
to
such Participant or Beneficiary shall be deemed given if directed to such
address and mailed by regular United States mail, first class, postage prepaid.
If any check mailed to such address is returned as undeliverable to the
addressee, mailing of checks will be suspended until the Participant or
beneficiary furnishes the proper address. This provision shall not be construed
as requiring the mailing of any notice or notification otherwise permitted
to be
given by posting or by other publication.
30
17.3
Lost Distributees. A
benefit
shall be deemed forfeited if the Plan Administrator is unable to locate the
Participant or Beneficiary to whom payment is due on or before the fifth
anniversary of the date payment is to be made or commence; provided, that the
deemed investment rate of return pursuant to Section 8.2 shall cease to be
applied to the Participant’s account following the first anniversary of such
date; provided further, however, that such benefit shall be reinstated if a
valid claim is made by or on behalf of the Participant or Beneficiary for all
or
part of the forfeited benefit.
17.4
Reliance on Data. The
Employer, the Committee and the Plan Administrator shall have the right to
rely
on any data provided by the Participant or by any Beneficiary. Representations
of such data shall be binding upon any party seeking to claim a benefit through
a Participant, and the Employer, the Committee and the Plan Administrator shall
have no obligation to inquire into the accuracy of any representation made
at
any time by a Participant or beneficiary.
17.5
Receipt and Release for Payments. Subject
to
the provisions of Section 17.1, any payment made from the Plan to or with
respect to any Participant or Beneficiary, or pursuant to a disclaimer by a
Beneficiary, shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims
hereunder against the Plan and the Employer with respect to the Plan.
The
recipient of any payment from the Plan may be required by the Committee, as
a
condition precedent to such payment, to execute a receipt and release with
respect thereto in such form as shall be acceptable to the
Committee.
31
17.6
Headings. The
headings and subheadings of the Plan have been inserted for convenience of
reference and are to be ignored in any construction of the provisions
hereof.
17.7
Continuation of Employment. The
establishment of the Plan shall not be construed as conferring any legal or
other rights upon any Employee or any persons for continuation of employment,
nor shall it interfere with the right of the Employer to discharge any Employee
or to deal with him without regard to the effect thereof under the
Plan.
17.8
Merger or Consolidation; Assumption of Plan. No
Employer shall consolidate or merge into or with another corporation or entity,
or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to another corporation,
partnership, trust or other entity (a “Successor Entity”) unless such Successor
Entity shall assume the rights, obligations and liabilities of the Employer
under the Plan and upon such assumption, the Successor Entity shall become
obligated to perform the terms and conditions of the Plan. Nothing herein shall
prohibit the assumption of the obligations and liabilities of the Employer
under
the Plan by any Successor Entity.
17.9
Construction. The
Employer shall designate in the Adoption Agreement the state according to whose
laws the provisions of the Plan shall be construed and enforced, except to
the
extent that such laws are superseded by ERISA and the applicable requirements
of
the Code.
32