EX-10.32 8 dex1032.htm PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC. CORPORATE GOAL PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.32
THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC.
2006 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
CORPORATE GOAL PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT
This Corporate Goal Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”) is effective as of <GRANT DATE> (the “Grant Date”) by and between The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and <PARTICIPANT NAME> (the “Participant” or “you”). Capitalized terms used without definition herein shall have the meanings set forth in The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).
P R E A M B L E
WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Plan and this Agreement, the Administrator has agreed to grant to the Participant a target number of corporate goal performance-based restricted stock units (the “PBRSUs”); and
WHEREAS, the PBRSUs will be subject to certain restrictions, the attainment of certain performance criteria and other terms and conditions as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and promises hereinafter set forth, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:
| 1. | Corporate Goal PBRSUs. The Administrator hereby grants to the Participant <NUMBER OF PBRSUs> PBRSUs, each representing the right to receive one share of Stock upon and subject to the restrictions, terms and conditions set forth below. The Stock issued upon vesting of the PBRSUs, if any, shall be referred to hereinafter as the “Shares”. The actual number of PBRSUs granted herein shall be subject to adjustment as set forth on Schedule A. |
| 2. | Vesting. The PBRSUs shall vest as set forth below. |
One half (50%) of the PBRSUs will vest on the third anniversary of the Grant Date (the “Three-Year Vesting Date”) and the remaining one half (50%) of the PBRSUs will vest on the fourth anniversary of the Grant Date (the “Four-Year Vesting Date”, together with the Three-Year Vesting Date, the “Time-Based Vesting Date”); provided:
| i) | The Company achieves the corporate goals set forth on Schedule A (the “Corporate Goals”) by the date set forth on Schedule A (the “Goal Completion Date”). The actual number of PBRSUs that shall be awarded shall be determined in accordance with the terms set forth on Schedule A; and |
| ii) | The Participant is continuously an Employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates (the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates hereinafter referred to as “THG”) throughout the period from the Grant Date to the applicable Time-Based Vesting Date. |
The determination of (i) whether and to the extent the Corporate Goals set forth on Schedule A have been achieved, and (ii) any adjustment to the actual number of PBRSUs, shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of the Administrator. All decisions by the Administrator shall be final and binding upon the Participant. As soon as reasonably practicable following the vesting of the PBRSUs, but in no event later than 60 days following vesting, the Company shall issue the Shares to the Participant. Any fractional share shall be rounded up such that only whole shares are issued. In the event the applicable Time-Based Vesting Date falls on a non-business day (weekend or holiday on which banks are not generally open in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts), the Time-Based Vesting Date shall be the next following business day.
| 3. | Termination of Employment. Except as provided in Sections 4, 5 and 6, upon the termination of Participant’s Employment with THG for whatever reason, whether with or without Cause, for good reason or otherwise, any non-vested PBRSUs shall be automatically cancelled and forfeited and be returned to the Company for no consideration. |
| 4. | Disability. In the event Participant is placed in a long term disability status (as such term is defined in the Company’s Long-Term Disability Program, as in effect at such time) (“LTD Status”), the Participant shall vest in the PBRSUs as follows: |
| i) | No vesting shall occur pursuant to Section 2 if the Company does not achieve the Corporate Goals by the Goal Completion Date; and |
| ii) | Provided and to the extent the Company achieves the Corporate Goals by the Goal Completion Date, and the Participant is placed in LTD Status prior to the Four-Year Vesting Date, then the Participant shall vest in a pro-rata portion of the PBRSUs that would otherwise vest and the remaining unvested PBRSUs shall be automatically forfeited and returned to the Company for no consideration. For purposes of this subsection, the pro-rata portion of the PBRSUs that otherwise would vest shall be determined by dividing the number of days that the Participant was an active Employee (plus any days counted pursuant to the next paragraph) since the Grant Date by 1,461 and applying this percentage to such PBRSUs. In the event the Participant had already vested in 50% of such PBRSUs on the Three-Year Vesting Date, the number of PBRSUs that Participant shall receive shall be determined by calculating the pro-rata number of PBRSUs that Participant is otherwise entitled to, determined as set forth above, and deducting from this amount the number of PBRSUs that had already vested on the Three-Year Vesting Date. Any fractional units shall be rounded up such that only whole shares are issued. |
Provided Participant remains in LTD Status through such date, and solely for the limited purpose of calculating Participant’s pro-rated vesting of the PBRSUs pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Participant shall continue to vest pursuant to Section 2(ii) until the first anniversary of the date Participant was placed in LTD Status (the “LTD Vesting Extension Period”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, prior to the expiration of the LTD Vesting Extension Period, Participant is removed from LTD Status and immediately thereafter returns to active Employment with THG, Participant shall be treated (for the purposes of Section 2(ii) of this Agreement) as if he/she were never placed in LTD Status, shall be given credit toward vesting pursuant to Section 2(ii) for the period Participant was in LTD Status, and this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.
In the event the Participant is entitled to a pro-rata vesting of PBRSUs pursuant to this Section 4, the vesting date (for purposes of issuing the Shares), shall be the later to occur of (i) the expiration of the LTD Vesting Extension Period, or (ii) the Goal Completion Date; provided, however that such date shall not be later than the Four-Year Vesting Date.
| 5. | Death. In the event Participant dies, the Participant shall vest in the PBRSUs as follows: |
| i) | No vesting shall occur pursuant to Section 2 if the Company does not achieve the Corporate Goals by the Goal Completion Date; and |
| ii) | Provided and to the extent the Company achieves the Corporate Goals, and the Participant dies prior to the Four-Year Vesting Date, then the Participant shall vest in a pro-rata portion of the PBRSUs that would otherwise vest and the remaining unvested PBRSUs shall be automatically forfeited and returned to the Company for no consideration. For purposes of this subsection, the pro-rata portion of the PBRSUs that vest shall be determined by dividing |
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| the number of days that the Participant was an Employee since the Grant Date by 1,461 and applying this percentage to such PBRSUs. In the event the Participant had already vested in 50% of such PBRSUs on the Three-Year Vesting Date, the number of PBRSUs that Participant shall receive shall be determined by calculating the pro-rata number of PBRSUs that Participant is otherwise entitled to, determined as set forth above, and deducting from this amount the number of PBRSUs that had already vested on the Three-Year Vesting Date. Any fractional units shall be rounded up such that only whole shares are issued. |
In the event the Participant is entitled to a pro-rata vesting of PBRSUs pursuant to this Section 5, the vesting date (for purposes of issuing the Shares), shall be the later to occur of (i) Participant’s death, or (ii) the Goal Completion Date.
| 6. | Covered Transaction/Change in Control. In the event of a Covered Transaction (other than a Change in Control, whether or not it is a Covered Transaction), the PBRSUs shall be fully governed by the applicable provisions of Section 7(a) of the Plan. Notwithstanding the terms of the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control (whether or not it is a Covered Transaction), the following rules shall apply: |
(a) Except as provided below in Section 6(c), upon consummation of a Change in Control the Participant shall automatically vest in such number of PBRSUs as determined in Section 6(b).
(b) No vesting pursuant to Section 6(a) shall occur if the Company does not achieve the Corporate Goals by the Goal Completion Date; provided, however, to the extent the effective date of the Change in Control is prior to the Goal Completion Date and the Corporate Goals have not yet been achieved (at the target level set forth on Schedule A) as of such date, such Corporate Goals shall be deemed satisfied at such level determined in accordance with Schedule A.
(c) Notwithstanding Section 6(a), no acceleration of vesting shall occur with respect to the PBRSUs if the Administrator reasonably determines in good faith prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control that this Award of PBRSUs shall be honored or assumed, or new rights substituted therefor (such honored, assumed or substituted award hereinafter called an “Alternative Award”), by Participant’s employer (or the parent or a subsidiary of such employer) immediately following the Change in Control, provided that the Alternative Award shall be a time-based restricted stock unit award that is no longer subject to any performance-based vesting requirement, and shall also:
(i) be based on stock which is traded, or will be traded upon consummation of the Change in Control, on an established securities market;
(ii) provide such Participant (or each Participant in a class of Participants) with rights and entitlements substantially equivalent to or better than the rights, terms and conditions applicable under this Award, including, but not limited to, an identical or better time-based vesting schedule;
(iii) have substantially equivalent economic value to this Award (determined at the time of the Change in Control and based upon the number of Shares the Participant would have received had the Award been accelerated pursuant to Section 6(a) above); and
(iv) have terms and conditions which provide that in the event that the Participant’s employment is involuntarily terminated (other than for Cause) or Participant terminates employment for “Good Reason” (as defined below) prior to the second anniversary of the Change in Control, the Participant shall automatically vest in 100% of the Alternative Award and any conditions on a Participant’s rights under, or any restrictions on transfer or exercisability applicable to, the vested portion of such Alternative Award shall be waived or shall lapse.
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For this purpose, “Good Reason” shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the events listed below following a Change in Control:
(x) to the extent you are a “Participant” (as that term is defined in the CIC Plan) in the Company’s Amended and Restated Employment Continuity Plan or its successor plan (the “CIC Plan”), the occurrence of any of the events enumerated under the definition of “Good Reason” applicable to Participant’s “Tier” level as set forth in the CIC Plan; or
(y) if you are not a “Participant” in the CIC Plan, the occurrence of any of the following (A) a reduction in Participant’s rate of annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to such Change in Control; (B) a reduction in Participant’s annual short-term incentive compensation plan target award (but excluding the conversion of any cash incentive arrangement into an equity incentive arrangement of commensurate value or vice versa) from that which was in effect immediately prior to such Change in Control; or (C) any requirement that you relocate to an office more than 35 miles from the facility where Participant was located immediately prior to the Change in Control.
(d) In the event a Participant believes that a “Good Reason” event has been triggered, the Participant must give the Company written notice within 30 days of the occurrence of such triggering event and a proposed termination date which shall be not sooner than 60 days nor later than 90 days after the date of such notice. Such notice shall specify the Participant’s basis for determining that “Good Reason” has been triggered. The Company shall have the right to cure a purported “Good Reason” within 30 days of receipt of said notice.
(e) Notwithstanding Sections 6(a) and (c) above, the Administrator may elect, in its sole discretion, exercised prior to the effective date of the Change in Control, to accelerate all, or a greater percentage of the PBRSUs, than is otherwise required pursuant to the terms of this Section 6.
(f) Upon vesting under Section 6(a) or upon termination as provided herein, any remaining unvested PBRSUs, if any, shall be automatically cancelled and forfeited and returned to the Company for no consideration.
| 7. | Termination of Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, if the Corporate Goals are not satisfied in accordance with the terms set forth on Schedule A by the Goal Completion Date, this Agreement shall automatically terminate and Participant shall be deemed to have forfeited all rights to the PBRSUs. |
| 8. | Notices. Notices hereunder shall be in writing and, if to the Company, shall be delivered personally to the Human Resources Department or such other party as designated by the Company or mailed to its principal office and, if to the Participant, shall be delivered personally or mailed to the Participant at his or her address on the records of the Company. |
| 9. | Dividend and Voting Rights. The Participant will not be entitled to any dividends (or dividend equivalency rights) upon the PBRSUs or have any voting rights until and to the extent the PBRSUs vest and are exchanged for Shares. |
| 10. | Non-Hire/Solicitation/Confidentiality. As a condition of Participant’s eligibility to receive these PBRSUs and regardless of whether such PBRSUs vest, Participant agrees that he or she will (i) not, directly or indirectly, during the term of your employment with THG, and for a period of one year thereafter, hire, solicit, entice away or in any way interfere with THG’s relationship |
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| with, any of its officers or employees, or in any way attempt to do so or participate with, assist or encourage a third party to do so, and (ii) neither disclose any of THG’s confidential and proprietary information to any third party, nor use such information for any purpose other than for the benefit of THG and in accordance with THG policy. The terms of this Section 10 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of this Agreement. |
| 11. | Damages/Specific Performance. |
(a) The Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of Section 10 of this Agreement, the Company would be irreparably harmed and could not be made whole by monetary damages. The Participant accordingly agrees to waive the defense in any action for injunctive relief or specific performance that a remedy at law would be adequate and that the Company, in addition to any other remedy to which it may be entitled at law or in equity, shall be entitled to an injunction or to compel specific performance of Section 10.
(b) In addition to any other remedy to which the Company may be entitled at law or in equity (including the remedy provided in the preceding paragraph), the Participant hereby acknowledges and agrees that in the event of any breach of Section 10 of this Agreement, Participant shall be required to refund to the Company the value received by Participant upon vesting of the PBRSUs; provided, however, that the Company makes any such claim, in writing, against Participant alleging a violation of Section 10 not later than two years following your termination of employment with the Company.
| 12. | Successors. The provisions of this Agreement will benefit and will be binding upon the permitted assigns, successors in interest, personal representatives, estates, heirs and legatees of each of the parties hereto. However, the PBRSUs are non-assignable, except as may be permitted by the Plan. |
| 13. | Interpretation. The terms of the PBRSUs are as set forth in this Agreement and in the Plan. The Plan is incorporated into this Agreement by reference, which means that this Agreement is limited by and subject to the express terms and provisions of the Plan. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control. |
| 14. | Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and applied (except as to matters governed by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as to which Delaware law shall apply) in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. |
| 15. | Facsimile and Electronic Signature. The parties may execute this Agreement by means of a facsimile or electronic signature. |
| 16. | Entire Agreement; Counterparts. This Agreement and the Plan contains the entire understanding between the parties concerning the subject contained in this Agreement. Except for the Agreement and the Plan, there are no representations, agreements, arrangements, or understandings, oral or written, between or among the parties hereto, relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, that are not fully expressed herein. This Agreement may be signed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement. |
| 17. | Further Assurances. Each party to this Agreement agrees to perform all further acts and to execute and deliver all further documents as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the intent of this Agreement. |
| 18. | Severability. In the event that any of the provisions, or portions thereof, of this Agreement are held to be unenforceable or invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions, or portions thereof, will not be affected, and such unenforceable provisions shall be automatically replaced by a provision as similar in terms as may be valid and enforceable. |
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| 19. | Construction. Whenever used in this Agreement, the singular number will include the plural, and the plural number will include the singular, and the masculine or neuter gender shall include the masculine, feminine, or neuter gender. The headings of the Sections of this Agreement have been inserted for purposes of convenience and shall not be used for interpretive purposes. The Administrator shall have full discretion to interpret and administer this Agreement. Any actions or decisions by the Administrator in connection with this Agreement shall be conclusive and binding upon the Participant. |
| 20. | No Effect on Employment. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to limit or restrict the right of THG to terminate the Participant’s employment at any time, with or without cause, or to increase or decrease the Participant’s compensation from the rate of compensation in existence at the time this Agreement is executed. |
| 21. | Taxes. If at the time the PBRSUs vest the Company determines that under applicable law and regulations it could be liable for the withholding of any federal, state or local tax, Participant shall remit to the Company any amounts determined by the Company to be required to be withheld or the Company may, at its option, withhold from such units, or the Shares which such units represent, a sufficient number of units/Shares to satisfy the minimum federal, state and local tax withholding due, if any, and remit the balance of the units/Shares to the Participant. |
The Company makes no representations to Participant with respect to the tax treatment of any amount paid or payable pursuant to this Award. While this Award is intended to be interpreted and operated to the extent possible so that any such amounts shall be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A”), in no event shall the Company be liable to Participant for or with respect to any taxes, penalties and/or interest which may be imposed upon any such amounts pursuant to Section 409A or any other federal or state tax law. To the extent that any such amount should be subject to Section 409A (or any other federal or state tax law), the Participant shall bear the entire risk of any such taxes, penalties and or interest.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement as of the Grant Date.
| THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP, INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇. ▇▇▇▇▇ Title: Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer |
| <PARTICIPANT NAME> |
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Schedule A
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