Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement - Employee Grantee
Exhibit 10.3(b)
XXXXXX XXXX EDUCATORS CORPORATION
2010 Comprehensive Executive Compensation Plan
Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement - Employee Grantee
This Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement, consisting of this designations page and the Non-Qualified Stock Option Terms and Conditions attached hereto or delivered concurrently herewith, (the “Agreement”) evidences the grant by XXXXXX XXXX EDUCATORS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), to you of a non-qualified stock option (the “Option”) to purchase shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share if the Company under the 2010 Comprehensive Executive Compensation Plan (as amended from time to time) (the “Plan”).
Designations:
Employee Grantee: «First_Name» «Last_Name»
Xxxxx Date: «Date»
Number of shares of Stock for which the Option is granted: «SO_text»
Exercise Price: $ xx.xx per share
Expiration Date: «Date» provided you remain continuously employed by the Company, except as otherwise provided herein.
Vesting Schedule:(Numbers shall be rounded up or down to the nearest whole share.)
| The Option shall vest and become nonforfeitable on the following Vesting Dates: | %age becoming vested | Cumulative %age vested | ||||||
| Prior to first anniversary of Grant Date | 0% | 0% | ||||||
| First anniversary of Grant Date | 25% | 25% | ||||||
| Second anniversary of Grant Date | 25% | 50% | ||||||
| Third anniversary of Grant Date | 25% | 75% | ||||||
| Fourth anniversary of Grant Date | 25% | 100% | ||||||
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, if you have a termination of service prior to the Vesting Date for any reason, the unvested portion of the Option shall be forfeited immediately.
Notwithstanding anything herein (including the Terms and Conditions attached hereto) to the contrary, if you retire (as defined in Section 4(f)(ii) of the Terms and Conditions) after «Date», and are in good standing with the Company as of your retirement date, your award will vest in full as of your retirement date. Stock options will remain exercisable until the Expiration Date.
| XXXXXX XXXX EDUCATORS CORPORATION | |||||
Date: March 8, 2023 | By:  Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||
Attachment: Non-Qualified Stock Option Terms and Conditions. – March 8, 2023
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT
By executing the Agreement, the undersigned xxxxxx accepts and agrees to all the terms of the Plan, the attached Terms and Conditions, and this Agreement. Electronic acceptance of this Agreement pursuant to the Company’s instructions to the Grantee (including through an online acceptance process) is permitted and shall be binding on the parties to this Agreement.
I acknowledge that I have had an opportunity to consult with my own attorney and/or financial advisor concerning the financial and tax effects on me as a result of this Agreement.
Employee Name
XXXXXX XXXX EDUCATORS CORPORATION
2010 Comprehensive Executive Compensation Plan
(as amended and restated effective May 20, 2015)
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The following Terms and Conditions apply to the Option granted to you as an employee grantee by the Company under the Plan as specified in the Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement of which these Terms and Conditions form a part. Certain specific terms of the Option, including the number of shares purchasable, the Grant Date, the vesting schedule, the Expiration Date, and Exercise Price, are set forth on the designations page of this Agreement.
1. General. By accepting the grant of the Option, you agrees to be bound by all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and the Plan (as presently in effect or later amended), which is incorporated herein by this reference, the rules and regulations under the Plan adopted from time to time, and any interpretations, decisions and determinations the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Committee”) may make from time to time. Terms used in this Agreement but not defined herein shall have the same meanings as in the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan govern.
The Option is a non-qualified option and is NOT an incentive stock option as defined under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
2. Right to Exercise Option. You may exercise the Option only after the time and to the extent the Option has become vested and exercisable and prior to the Expiration Date or other termination or forfeiture of the Option.
3. Method of Exercise. To exercise the Option, you must (a) give written notice to the Vice President, HR Finance or other designee of the Company, which notice shall specifically refer to this Agreement, state the number of shares of Stock as to which the Option is being exercised, state whether you wish the shares of Stock to be in your name or jointly in the names of you and your spouse (and if so, the spouse’s name), and be signed by you, and (b) pay in full to the Company the Exercise Price of the Option for the number of Shares being purchased either (i) in cash (including by check), payable in United States dollars, (ii), by delivery of a number of whole Shares already owned by you having a fair market value, determined as of the date the Option is exercised, equal to (but not in excess of) all or the part of the aggregate Exercise Price being paid in this way, (iii) by a net exercise or other cashless exercise technique permitted by the Committee, or (iv) in any other manner then permitted by the Committee. The value of any fractional share shall be paid in cash. Once you give notice of exercise, such notice may not be revoked. When you exercise the Option or part thereof, the Company will transfer shares of Stock (or make a non-certificated credit) to your brokerage account at a designated securities brokerage firm or otherwise deliver shares of Stock to you. Neither you nor your Beneficiary shall have at any time any rights with respect to shares of Stock covered by the Option prior to the valid exercise and full payment for the shares, and no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to such valid exercise and payment. To the extent you excise any portion of the Option and later dispose of the shares of Stock acquired in connection with such exercise prior to the later of (A) the second anniversary of the Grant Date, and (B) the first anniversary of the date of exercise, you shall promptly notify the Company of such disposition.
4. Termination of Service or Change in Control Prior to the Expiration Date of the Option.
(a)Termination of Service in General. Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph 4, if you have a termination of service for any reason other than Cause (as defined in Section
11.03 of the Plan) prior to the Expiration Date, the Option (i) to the extent then vested and outstanding, shall remain outstanding and exercisable for three months following such termination of service (or, if earlier, until the Expiration Date), and (ii) to the extent then unvested, shall immediately terminate and shall not thereafter be exercisable, and shall be forfeited. To the extent any portion of the Option remains unexercised following the period described in clause (i) of the preceding sentence, such portion of the Option shall immediately terminate and shall not thereafter be exercisable, and shall be forfeited. If you have a termination of service for Cause (as defined in Section 11.03 of the Plan) prior to the Expiration Date, the entire Option, whether vested or unvested, shall immediately terminate and shall not thereafter be exercisable, and shall be forfeited.
(b) Death. In the event you terminate service due to death prior to the Expiration Date, the Option, to the extent then outstanding, will immediately vest and become nonforfeitable (to the extent not already vested) and shall be immediately exercisable in full by your Beneficiary. The Option will remain exercisable until the earlier of the Expiration Date of the Option shown on the designations page or the second anniversary of your death. To the extent any portion of the Option remains unexercised following the period described in the preceding sentence, such portion of the shall immediately terminate and shall not thereafter be exercisable, and shall be forfeited.
(c) Disability. In the event you terminate service due to Disability (as defined below), the Option, to the extent then outstanding, will immediately vest and become nonforfeitable (to the extent not already vested) and shall be immediately exercisable in full by you. The Option and will remain exercisable until the Expiration Date. To the extent any portion of the Option remains unexercised following the Expiration Date, such portion of the Option shall immediately terminate and shall not thereafter be exercisable, and shall be forfeited.
(d) Retirement. In the event you terminate service due to Retirement (as defined below), the Option, to the extent then vested and outstanding or becoming vested as provided below, will remain exercisable (unless sooner exercised or terminated) until the Expiration Date. To the extent any portion of the Option remains unexercised following the Expiration Date, such portion of the Option shall immediately terminate and shall not thereafter be exercisable, and shall be forfeited. Upon your termination of service due to Retirement one year or more after the Option was granted, a portion of the unvested Option shall become vested immediately, such portion determined by (a) multiplying the number of Options granted (as shown on the designations page) by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months elapsed since the Grant Date (for example, if the Grant Date is March 15, one month elapses as of the 14th of each subsequent month) and the denominator of which is 48, and (b) subtracting the number of Options that became vested prior to your Retirement. Upon your termination of service due to Retirement less than one year after the Option was granted, the Option shall be forfeited.
(e) Change in Control. If a Change in Control occurs prior to the Expiration Date of the Option and prior to or coincident with the date of your termination of service, then unless the Committee provides otherwise in the exercise of its discretion, the following terms shall apply:
(i) If the acquiring company assumes the Option (as determined in the discretion of the Committee), and if you are involuntarily terminated by the applicable employer other than for Cause, death or Disability on or prior to the first anniversary of the Change in Control, then to the extent outstanding, the Option will vest, become nonforfeitable, and remain exercisable (unless sooner exercised) until the Expiration Date; or
(ii) If the acquiring company does not assume the Option, and the Option remain outstanding following the Change in Control, then upon the Change in Control (whether you are terminated or not), to the extent outstanding, the Option will vest and become
nonforfeitable (to the extent not previously vested) and become immediately exercisable in full and remain exercisable (unless sooner exercised) until the Expiration Date.
(f) Certain Definitions. The following definitions apply for purposes of this Agreement:
(i) “Disability” means a disability entitling you to long-term disability benefits under the Company’s long-term disability policy applicable to you (or which would be applicable if you were covered by the policy) as in effect at the date of your termination of service.
(ii) “Retirement” means your termination of service with the Company and its subsidiaries (other than a termination by death or by the Company for Cause) after attaining the earlier of (A) age 65 with 5 years of service or (B) age 55 with 10 years of service.
5. Your Representations and Warranties.
(a) You acknowledge receipt of the Form S-8 prospectus for the Plan in connection with the Option. Upon request, a copy of the Plan document will also be provided. As a condition to the grant of the Option, the Company may require you to make any representation or warranty to the Company as may be determined by the Committee or by counsel to the Company to be appropriate or required by law or regulation.
(b) Covenants. As a condition to the grant of this Option, you agree as follows:
(i)Confidentiality. During your employment with the Company and for at least three (3) years thereafter, or such longer period as may be permitted by applicable law, you agree not to disclose any “Confidential Information” which you acquire or develop as an employee of the Company to any other person or entity, or use such information in any manner other than in the interest of the Company and its affiliates. “Confidential Information” shall mean information, material and trade secrets, including as defined by the Illinois Trade Secrets Act, maintained by the Company or any related or affiliated entity of the Company or designated as confidential by the Company, whether or not owned or developed by the Company, which you have obtained knowledge of or access to, through or as a result of the services provided to the Company or to any related or affiliated entity of the Company. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Confidential Information shall include, but is not limited to, the following types of information and other information of a similar nature (whether or not reduced to writing or still in development): data, documentation, diagrams, flow charts, formulas, research, economic and financial analysis, developments, processes, procedures, “know how,” marketing techniques and materials, marketing and development plans, customer names and other non-public information related to customers, employees, price lists, pricing policies, Company-derived market information and financial information.
(ii)Non-Solicitation. You shall not, during your employment with the Company or for a period of twelve (12) months after your termination of employment with the Company: (A) on your own behalf or on behalf of any person, firm, business organization or entity, directly or indirectly, solicit (or communicate with) for the purpose of offering products or services similar to or competitive with any product or service offered by the Company or its affiliates: (x) any school, school system, school district, college, educational association or other business organization which has an established relationship with the Company or its affiliates for purposes of marketing the Company’s or its affiliates’ products and services to its employees and with which you had material contact at any time
during the two (2) years immediately preceding your last day of employment with the Company, or (y) any individual policyholder or other customer of the Company’s or its affiliates’ products or services with whom you had material contact at any time during the two (2) years immediately preceding your last day of employment with the Company; or (B) directly or indirectly solicit for employment, attempt to employ or affirmatively assist any other person, firm, business organization or entity in employment or soliciting for employment any person employed or hired by the Company during the six (6) months immediately preceding your last day of employment with the Company
(iii)Non-Disparagement. During your employment with the Company and following your termination of employment with the Company, you will refrain from directly, indirectly or anonymously making or causing to be made any statements or comments (through the internet, industry outlets or channels, social media, television, radio, print media, or before or to any other audience (including to current, former or prospective customers or employees of the Company or its affiliates) that defame or disparage the Company or its affiliates (including its officers, directors, employees, or agents and any of its products or services) in any way, with respect to any matter through communications that (A) state or imply that the services or business practices of the Company or its affiliates are or were inconsistent with industry standards, unlawful or otherwise improper, or (B) harass, threaten, or make knowingly false statements against representatives, officers, directors or employees of the Company or its affiliates.
(iv)Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in the preceding paragraphs shall be construed to limit your right, if any, under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act and/or other applicable laws to discuss the terms and conditions of your employment or to engage in protected concerted activity as defined by law. In addition, nothing in the preceding paragraphs shall be construed to prohibit you from first (or later) reporting, or assisting in the reporting or investigation, of possible violations of federal or state law or regulation to any governmental agency or self-regulatory organization, or making other disclosures that reasonably may be protected under whistleblower or other provisions of any applicable federal or state law or regulation. Authorization by, or notice to, the Company is not required for any such reports or disclosures.
If you violate any of the representations and covenants described in this Section 5, both the unvested and vested but unexercised portion of your Award will immediately be cancelled. In addition, you agree to repay to the Company any gain, plus reasonable interest thereon, resulting from any prior exercise of any Option hereunder. You acknowledge that violation of the representations and covenants described in this Section 5 would cause irreparable harm to the Company and the Company may also take any action at equity or in law to enforce such covenants.
6. Nontransferability and Other Limitations.
(a) Nontransferability. You may not transfer the Option or any rights thereunder to any third party other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, during your lifetime, only you or your duly appointed guardian or legal representative may exercise the Option.
(b) Beneficiary Designation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may designate a Beneficiary to exercise the Option after your death, and you may transfer any portion of the Option that is not an incentive stock option to a Permitted Transferee during your lifetime, provided such transfer is not for value, subject to the applicable terms and conditions set forth in Section 12.03 of the Plan.
(c) Potential Forfeiture. Additional events could result in forfeiture of loss of the Option. In addition, all rights granted and/or shares of Stock delivered under this Agreement are subject to recoupment under the Company’s recoupment policy as in effect from time to time.
(d) 12-month Holding Requirement for Section 16 Officers. If on the date of exercise you are a Section 16 Officer, then for a period of at least 12 months after the date of exercise, you shall not sell, transfer, pledge, alienate or otherwise encumber the net shares of Stock (or any rights thereunder) received after payment of the Exercise Price and any required Stock withholding, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
(e) Shares Subject to Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx and Recoupment Policies. Sales of shares of Stock will be subject to any Company policy regulating trading by employees. All rights granted and/or shares of Stock delivered under this Agreement are subject to recoupment under the Company’s recoupment policy as in effect from time to time.
7. Miscellaneous.
(a) Binding Agreement; Written Amendments. This Agreement shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators and successors of the parties. This Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the Option, and supersede any prior agreements or understandings with respect to the Option. No amendment or alteration of this Agreement which may impose any additional obligation upon the Company shall be valid unless expressed in a written instrument duly executed in the name of the Company, and no amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of this Agreement which materially impairs your rights with respect to the Option shall be valid unless expressed in a written instrument executed by you. Any amendment, alteration, suspension or termination required by law or the terms of any Agreement to which the Company is a party, or necessary to preserve or improve the tax status of the Option for you shall be deemed not to materially impair your rights with respect to the Option.
(b) Adjustments; No Dividend Equivalents. The number and/or type of shares of Stock and or the Option Exercise Price shall be appropriately adjusted in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of your rights or economic benefits with respect to the Option or to reflect any changes in the number or type of outstanding shares of Stock resulting from an event described in Section 12.05 of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine. Dividend Equivalents shall not be credited to the Option.
(c) No Promise of Continued Employment. The Option and the granting thereof shall not constitute or be evidence of any agreement or understanding, express or implied, that you have a right to continue as an officer or employee of the Company for any period of time, or at any particular rate of compensation.
(d) Governing Law. The validity, construction, and effect of this agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws (including those governing contracts) of the state of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and in accordance with applicable federal law.
(e) Mandatory Tax Withholding. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if and at the time the Option becomes subject to tax, the Company will withhold from any shares deliverable in settlement of the Option a number of whole shares of Stock having a value nearest to, but not exceeding, the amount of income and employment taxes required to be withheld under applicable laws and regulations, and pay the amount of such withholding taxes to the appropriate taxing authorities. You will be responsible for any withholding taxes not satisfied by means of such mandatory withholding and for all taxes in excess of such withholding taxes that may be due with respect to the Option on exercise or otherwise. You will be responsible for any withholding taxes not satisfied by means of such mandatory
withholding and for all taxes in excess of such withholding taxes that may be due with respect to the Option upon exercise or otherwise. The Company makes to representations and gives no advice on the taxation of the Option.
(f) Notices. Any notice to be given the Company under this Agreement shall be addressed to the Company at its principal executive offices, in care of the Vice President, HR Finance, and any notice to you shall be addressed to you at your address as then appearing in the records of the Company.
(g) No Shareholder Rights. You and any Beneficiary or Permitted Transferee shall not have any rights with respect to Stock (including voting rights) covered by this Agreement prior to the exercise of the Option and delivery of the shares of Stock in accordance with such exercise.
Effective March 8, 2023
