IROQUOIS GAS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM
SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT AGREEMENT
FOR XXXX XXXXXX
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the first day of July, 1997,
between IROQUOIS GAS TRANSMISSION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (the "Company") and XXXX
XXXXXX ("Xx. Xxxxxx").
WHEREAS, Xx. Xxxxxx is currently serving as Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company ("IPOC"); and
WHEREAS, the Company highly values the efforts, abilities and
accomplishments of Xx. Xxxxxx and desires that he remain in his current
position with IPOC; and
WHEREAS, in order for Xx. Xxxxxx to continue to serve as Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of IPOC, it is necessary for him to terminate his
employment with TransCanada Pipelines, Ltd. ("TransCanada");
WHEREAS, in order to induce Xx. Xxxxxx to continue in his position as Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of IPOC and to relinquish his employment
with TransCanada, the Management Committee of the Company wishes to enter into
an unfunded deferred compensation arrangement upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter stated, to ensure that Xx. Xxxxxx will be provided with retirement
benefits, from all qualified and non-qualified sources, that are at least equal
in value to those benefits he would have been entitled to had he remained
employed by TransCanada.
WHEREAS, Xx. Xxxxxx wishes to provide for his retirement and financial
security, and the Management Committee of the Company has approved and
authorized the entry into this Agreement with Xx. Xxxxxx.
NOW THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Retirement Upon Reaching Normal Retirement Date. Xx. Xxxxxx shall
be entitled to retire and commence receiving benefits under this Agreement
upon attaining his sixtieth (60th) birthday (his "Normal Retirement Date").
2. Normal Retirement Benefits. Upon retiring from active service
with IPOC on or after his Normal Retirement Date as defined in this Agreement,
Xx. Xxxxxx shall be entitled to receive, beginning on the first day of the
month immediately following Xx. Xxxxxx'x retirement, and on the first day
of each month thereafter for his life, an amount calculated as a single
life annuity payable at his Normal Retirement Date (or, if later his actual
retirement date), equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of (a) minus (b):
(a) Forty Percent (40%) of his Final Average Earnings (as
hereinafter defined),
(b) reduced by the sum of the following:
(i) Xx. Xxxxxx'x accrued benefit based on his credited service
through September 1, 1995, which would be payable to him from the
Pension Plan for Employees of TransCanada Pipelines Limited and
Designated or Associated, Subsidiary or Affiliated Companies (the
"TransCanada Registered Pension Plan") as of his actual retirement
date, regardless whether he actually commences receiving such accrued
benefit on such date, calculated in the form of a single life annuity,
in accordance with the terms of the TransCanada Registered Pension
Plan and using the conversion factors specified therein; plus
(ii) Xx. Xxxxxx'x accrued benefit based upon an additional one
year and ten months of credited service (i.e., his service from
September 1, 1995 through June 30, 1997), which would be payable to
him from the TransCanada Pipelines Limited Executive Supplemental
Retirement Benefits Plan (the "TransCanada SERP") as of his actual
retirement date, regardless whether he actually commences receiving
such accrued benefit, calculated in the form of a single life annuity,
in accordance with the terms of the TransCanada SERP; plus
(iii) Xx. Xxxxxx'x accrued benefit which would be payable to him
from the Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company Cash Balance Retirement
Plan (the "Iroquois Qualified Pension Plan" or "IPOC Cash Balance
Plan") as of his actual retirement date, regardless whether he
actually commences receiving such accrued benefit, calculated in the
form of a single life annuity in accordance with the terms of the
Iroquois Qualified Pension Plan; plus
(iv) Xx. Xxxxxx'x supplementary pension benefit which would be
payable to him from the Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company
Supplementary Pension Plan based on his Credited Service as of actual
retirement date (his "IPOC Supplementary Pension Benefit"), regardless
whether he actually commences receiving such accrued benefit,
calculated in the form of a single life annuity; plus
(v) Xx. Xxxxxx'x 401(k) Employer Contribution Account, which
Account is calculated to be the Actuarially Equivalent life annuity
value of an Employer contribution equal to 100% of his salary
reduction contributions up to five percent (5%) of his base annual
salary for each year of his participation in the Iroquois Pipeline
Operating Company Savings Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan (the
"IPOC 401(k) Plan"), plus the Actuarially Equivalent value of any
discretionary contributions that may be made on his behalf under the
IPOC 401(k) Plan, together with interest and earnings actually
accumulated on such account as of Xx. Xxxxxx'x actual termination of
service or retirement; plus
(vi) the Actuarial Equivalent of Xx. Xxxxxx'x age 62 Primary
monthly Social Security Benefit based upon Xx. Xxxxxx'x actual age as
of the determination of his Accrued Benefit. In the event that Xx.
Xxxxxx terminates service later than age 62, the Actuarial Equivalent
of Xx. Xxxxxx'x Primary Monthly Social Security Benefit payable at his
actual retirement date shall be used.
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In calculating the benefit to which Xx. Xxxxxx is entitled under this
Agreement, the methodology specified in the Iroquois Gas Transmission System
Proposed SERP Sample Benefit Illustrations, which are attached hereto as Exhibit
A, shall be followed.
(c) For purposes of converting Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars
in determining the amount of the offsets specified in (i) and (ii) above,
the exchange rate shall be the rate as announced by Citbank N.A. in effect
on the last business day prior to the actual retirement of Xx. Xxxxxx.
(d) In calculating the benefit to which Xx. Xxxxxx is entitled
under this Agreement, the following definitions shall have the following
meanings:
"Actuarial Equivalence" shall mean
(a) for purposes of calculating the offsets specified in
Paragraph 2(b)(iii)(vi), shall mean a benefit of equivalent
current value to the benefit to which it is being compared,
determined on the basis of the definition of "Actuarial
Equivalence" contained in the IPOC Cash Balance Plan, as those
factors may be amended from time to time. As of July 1, 1997, the
following factors were used:
(1) the 1983 Group Annuity Mortality Table blended by 50% of
the Male Table and 50% of the Female Table (the "Applicable
Mortality Table"); and
(2) the annual rate of interest on the 30 Year Treasury Bond
for the third month which precedes the commencement of the
year containing the benefit commencement date under this
Agreement, for purposes of calculating lump sums (including
the lump sum value of a commuted death benefit); and
(3) for purposes of converting benefits (including death
benefits) into equivalent forms (other than a lump sum), the
Applicable Mortality Table specified in (1) above in
combination with an eight percent (8%) interest rate; and
(b) for purposes of calculating the offsets specified in
Paragraph 2(b)(i)(ii), the factors for determining actuarial
equivalence specified in the plan referred to in (b)(i) and (ii)
or, in the absence of such factors, the definition of Actuarial
Equivalence specified in (a) above; and
"Credited Service" for purposes of calculating Xx. Xxxxxx'x IPOC
Supplementary Pension Plan Benefit and benefit under this
Agreement, Credited Service shall include Xx. Xxxxxx'x aggregate
years of employment with IPOC, the Company and TransCanada.
Credited Service for purposes of determining offsets under
Paragraph 2(b) hereof shall be determined in accordance with the
definitions contained in the specific benefit plan which is the
subject of the offset.
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"Final Average Earnings" shall mean the average of the three
highest consecutive calendar years of Earnings with IPOC.
"Earnings" shall mean Xx. Xxxxxx'x annual base salary, plus the
actual annual incentive bonus payment paid with respect to a
calendar year. Final Average Earnings and Earnings shall be
calculated without regard to the dollar limitations imposed by
Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code.
"Primary Social Security Benefit" shall mean (i) Xx. Xxxxxx'x
actual Social Security Benefit, he provides evidence of that
amount to the Company or, in the absence of such amount, (ii) the
estimated annual amount of benefit under Title II of the Social
Security Act that Xx. Xxxxxx would be entitled to receive as of
age 62 (or, his actual retirement date, if later), whether or not
he applies for or actually receives such benefit. For purposes of
this Agreement, such estimated amount shall be determined on the
following basis:
(1) the Social Security Act in effect on Xx. Xxxxxx'x
termination of employment;
(2) the rate of past wage increases equal to the rate in
increases in the average national wage as reported by the
Social Security Administration;
(3) assuming no wages for the period following Xx. Xxxxxx'x
termination of employment; and
(4) assuming no change in the Primary Social Security
Benefit amount occurs after Xx. Xxxxxx'x termination of
employment.
3. Early Retirement Benefit. Xx. Xxxxxx shall be entitled to retire from
active service with IPOC as of the first day of any month on or after reaching
age fifty-five (55) (his "Early Retirement Date") and shall be entitled to
receive an immediate supplemental pension under this Agreement calculated in
the manner provided in Paragraph 2 above, except that
(a) the 40% figure provided for in Paragraph 2 above shall be prorated by
multiplying it by a fraction, the numerator of which is Xx. Xxxxxx'x
Credited Service as of his actual early retirement date, and the
denominator of which is his Credited Service had he remained employed by
IPOC until age 60; and
(b) the benefit derived under Paragraph 2 shall be further reduced by three
percent (3%) for each year from ages year from ages 55 through 59, by which
Xx. Xxxxxx'x benefit commencement date precedes his Normal Retirement Date
as defined in this Agreement.
4. Benefits Subject to a Substantial Risk of Forfeiture. Xx. Xxxxxx shall
be vested in his Accrued Benefit under this Agreement as of July 1, 2002. No
benefits shall be payable if Xx. Xxxxxx terminates employment for any reason,
including death, prior to having become vested in his Accrued Benefit.
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5. Payment of Benefits Upon Termination of Service. If Xx. Xxxxxx
terminates service with a vested Accrued Benefit under this Agreement prior to
reaching age fifty-five (55), he may commence payment of his vested Accrued
Benefit under this Agreement, calculated in accordance with Paragraph 2, at any
time on or after having reached age fifty-five (55), provided, however, that:
(a) the 40% figure provided for in Paragraph 2 above shall be prorated by
multiplying it by a fraction, the numerator of which is Xx. Xxxxxx'x
Credited Service as of his actual termination of service, and the
denominator of which is the Credited Service he would have had had he
remained employed until age 60; and
(b) the benefit derived under Paragraph 2 shall be further reduced by five
percent (5%) for each year from ages year from ages 55 through 59, by which
Xx. Xxxxxx'x benefit commencement date precedes age sixty (60).
6. Timing and Forms of Benefit Payment.
(a) Normal Form of Benefit Payment. The normal form of benefit payment
under this Agreement shall be an annuity for the life of Xx. Xxxxxx.
(b) Actuarially Equivalent Optional Forms. At least twelve full months
prior to the commencement of his benefits under this Agreement, Xx. Xxxxxx
may elect to retire and commence benefits under this Agreement in one of
the following Actuarially Equivalent forms of benefit payments:
(i) a joint and sixty percent (60%) survivor annuitant with his
spouse as the joint annuitant; and
(ii) a joint and fifty percent (50%) survivor annuitant with his
spouse as the joint annuitant; and
(iii) a life and ten (10) year certain form of benefit payment with
his spouse or other Beneficiary.
(c) Timing of Election of Optional Forms and Commencement Date. At
least twelve months prior to the date on which benefits otherwise would
commence hereunder, Xx. Xxxxxx may elect to change the commencement date of
his benefits or elect an Actuarially Equivalent form of benefit payment;
provided, however, that no election as to the timing of commencement of
benefits under this Agreement, or the form of benefit payments hereunder,
shall be given effect if such election is made by Xx. Xxxxxx within twelve
months of his retirement or termination of service from IPOC.
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7. Death Benefits.
(a) If Xx. Xxxxxx had no vested interest in his Accrued Benefit as of
his death, no death benefit shall be payable under this Agreement.
(b) If Xx. Xxxxxx dies after having commenced benefits under this
Agreement, then a death benefit shall be payable to his Spouse or other
Beneficiary only if the form of payment in force for Xx. Xxxxxx under this
Agreement provides for such a death benefit.
(c) If Xx. Xxxxxx had a nonforfeitable right to his Accrued Benefit
under this Agreement and dies while employed by IPOC prior to benefit
commencement, then a monthly death benefit shall be payable to his Spouse
for her life in an amount equal to sixty percent (60%) of the benefit to
which Xx. Xxxxxx would have been entitled had he retired or terminated
service, survived to the earliest date on which he could commence benefits
under this Agreement, and then commenced benefit payments immediately
before his death. In the sole discretion of the Company, the Actuarially
Equivalent present value of this monthly amount may be paid in a lump sum
to Xx. Xxxxxx'x surviving spouse as soon as administratively feasible
following Xx. Xxxxxx'x death.
(d) Xx. Xxxxxx'x Spouse shall be his Beneficiary under this Agreement.
With his Spouse's consent, Xx. Xxxxxx may designate another Beneficiary to
receive payments in the form of a life and ten year certain form of benefit
payment in accordance with Paragraph 6(c). In such event, Xx. Xxxxxx shall
file with the Company a written designation of a Beneficiary on such form
as may be prescribed by the Company. If Xx. Xxxxxx fails to designate a
Beneficiary or if a Participant's designation of Beneficiary fails for any
reason, then the Beneficiary or Beneficiaries designated by Xx. Xxxxxx, or
deemed to have been designated by Xx. Xxxxxx under the Qualified Plan shall
be deemed to be the Participant's Beneficiary.
8. Unfunded Benefits. The benefits under this Agreement shall be
unfunded and all benefit payments shall be made from the general assets of the
Company. The right of Xx. Xxxxxx or his Spouse or other Beneficiary to receive
benefits under this Agreement shall be an unsecured claim against the general
assets of the Company. All benefits accrued under this Agreement shall remain
the property of the Company until paid to Xx. Xxxxxx or his spouse or other
Beneficiary and shall be subject only to the claims of the Company's general
creditors. The Company may in its discretion set aside assets, purchase
insurance contracts, and the like to provide a source of funds that the Company
may use, in its discretion, to make payments that become due under the
Agreement, however, any amounts set aside shall remain the general assets of
the Company subject to the claims of the general creditors of the Company.
(a) Provisions for Rabbi Trust. Notwithstanding the provisions of
Paragraph 8, the Company may, in its discretion, enter into a trust agreement
known as a "Rabbi Trust", whereby it contributes to the trust, from time to
time, such amounts as may be approved by the Management Committee of the
Company for the purposes of providing benefits under this Agreement. The Trust
Agreement shall be substantially in the form of the model trust agreement set
forth in Internal Revenue Procedure 92-64, as that may be modified or revised
from time to
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time, and shall include provisions that all of the assets of the Trust shall be
subject to the creditors of the Company in the event of insolvency.
9. Administration of this Agreement. The Management Committee of the
Company is appointed to administer the terms of this Agreement. The Committee
shall have the absolute authority and discretion:
(a) to determine the benefits payable under the Plan;
(b) to interpret the Agreement, and to decide all matters arising
under it, including the right to remedy possible ambiguities,
inconsistencies, and omissions;
(c) to employ actuaries, attorneys, accountants, and other agents and
advisors, and to delegate to such persons, and any additional persons, such
powers and responsibilities as it deems appropriate;
(d) to establish the basis for actuarial calculations made pursuant to
the Agreement;
(e) to direct the Company to make appropriate financial arrangements
to facilitate the Company's satisfaction of its obligations hereunder;
(f) to delegate allocate the administrative responsibilities as they
deem appropriate; and
(g) to maintain all necessary records for the administration of the
Agreement, and file and distribute all reports that may be required by the
Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, or others as required by
law.
10. Benefit Upon a Change of Control.
(a) Lump Sum Payment Upon a Change of Control. Notwithstanding any
other provision of the Agreement, upon a Change in Control, Xx. Xxxxxx
shall automatically be paid a lump sum amount in cash by the Company which,
together with the payment, if any, under a Rabbi or other trust arrangement
established by the Company to make payments hereunder in the event of a
Change in Control, would provide Xx. Xxxxxx with the same benefit as he
would have received under this Agreement if he terminated service upon the
date of the Change of Control, based on the benefits accrued to the Xx.
Xxxxxx hereunder as of the date of the Change in Control. Payment under
this Paragraph shall not in and of itself terminate the Agreement, but such
payment shall be taken into account in calculating benefits under the
Agreement which may otherwise become due thereafter.
(b) No Divestment Upon a Change of Control. In no event shall a
Change of Control deprive Xx. Xxxxxx of, or adversely affect his right to, any
benefit accrued under this Agreement.
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(c) Change of Control Define.
For purposes of the Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall be deemed to
have occurred if:
(i) a person, partnership, joint venture, corporation or other entity,
or two or more of any of the foregoing acting as a group (or a
'person' within the meaning of Sections 13(d)(3) and 14(d)(2) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Act"), other than
the Company, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company or an employee
benefit plan maintained or contributed to by the Company), becomes the
'beneficial owner' (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Act) of more than
65% of the then outstanding voting stock of IPOC or more than 65% of
the partnership interests of IGTS; or
(ii) the stockholders of IPOC approve a merger or consolidation of
IPOC with any other corporation, other than (a) a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of IPOC
outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either
by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities
of the surviving entity) more than 80% of the combined voting power of
the voting securities of IPOC or such surviving entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (b) a merger or
consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of IPOC (or
similar transaction) in which no "person" (as previously defined)
acquires more than 65% of the combined voting power of IPOC's then
outstanding securities; or
(iii) the stockholders of IPOC (or the partners of IGTS) approve a
plan of complete liquidation of IPOC or IGTS or an agreement for the
sale or disposition by IPOC or IGTS of all or substantially all of the
IPOC's or IGTS's assets.
(d) Arbitration. Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection
with the Agreement subsequent to a Change in Control shall be settled
exclusively by arbitration in Connecticut, in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the
arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction.
11. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless any
member of the Committee from any liability incurred in his or her capacity as
administrator of this Agreement for acts which he or she undertakes in good
faith as a member of such Committee.
12. Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a writing
signed by both parties thereto.
13. Miscellaneous.
(a) Anti-alienation. Neither Xx. Xxxxxx nor any Beneficiary shall have the
right to assign, transfer, encumber or otherwise subject to any lien any payment
or other interest under this Agreement, nor shall such payment or interest be
subject to attachment, execution or levy of any kind.
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(b) No Employment Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall confer any right
upon Xx. Xxxxxx to be retained in the service of the Company, IPOC or any of
their Affiliates.
(c) Incompetence. In the event that the Committee determines that Xx.
Xxxxxx is unable to care for his affairs because of illness or accident or for
any other reason, any amounts payable under this Agreement may be paid to the
duly appointed guardian, conservator or other legal representative or, if none,
to his Spouse or other relative or person deemed by the Committee to be
responsible for Xx. Xxxxxx'x care, and any such payment shall be in complete
discharge of the liabilities of the Agreement therefor.
(d) Governing Law. The Agreement shall be construed and governed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut to the extent not preempted
by ERISA.
(e) Withholding. The Company shall deduct from all amounts paid under this
Agreement any taxes required to be withheld by any federal, state, or local
government tax statutes. Xx. Xxxxxx, or if applicable his Spouse or other
Beneficiary or their personal representatives will be responsible for the
payment of any and federal, foreign, state, local, or other income or other
taxes imposed on amounts paid under this Agreement.
(f) Headings. The headings and subheadings of this Agreement have been
inserted for convenience of reference only and shall not be used in the
construction of this Agreement.
Dated as of July 1, 1997 IROQUOIS GAS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM LIMITED
PARTNERSHIP, by its agent IROQUOIS PIPELINE
OPERATING COMPANY
By:/s/
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Its President and Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/
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Its Vice President and General Counsel
XXXX XXXXXX
/s/XXXX XXXXXX
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