CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT Separation Agreement Including Release of Claims and Disclosure of Information Required by Federal Law

Exhibit 10.20

PPM America, Inc.

000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xx., Xxxxx 0000

Xxxxxxx, XX 00000

312-634-2500

CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT

Separation Agreement Including Release of Claims and Disclosure of

Information Required by Federal Law

Xxxx Xxxxxxx (“Associate”) and PPM America, Inc. (“PPM”) agree as follows:

1. References. All references to PPM in this Separation Agreement Including Release of Claims (“Agreement”) shall include PPM and its parent(s), subsidiaries, affiliates, and other related entities, including but not limited to Prudential plc and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates, and Xxxxxxx Financial, Inc. (“Jackson”), and each of Xxxxxxx’x direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliates, including but not limited to Xxxxxxx National Life Insurance Company, Xxxxxxx National Insurance Company of New York, Xxxxxxx National Life Distributors LLC and Xxxxxxx National Asset Management, LLC.

2. Last Day of Employment. Unless modified by PPM, Associate’s last day of employment with PPM shall be May 1, 2021 (the “Separation Date”).

3. Eligibility for Benefits. In order to receive the separation benefits provided for in Paragraph 7 of this Agreement, Associate must satisfy the following criteria:

a. support PPM through Associate’s Separation Date and satisfy PPM’s attendance, conduct, and performance expectations as determined by PPM in its sole discretion;

b. timely sign, and not revoke, this Agreement.

4. Associate Representations. Associate represents and agrees that Associate has been paid all wages for services rendered on behalf of PPM, as well as for accrued but unused vacation, due and owing as of the date Associate executed this Agreement. Associate further represents and expressly warrants that Associate has not suffered any workplace or work-related injury or illness during employment with PPM. Associate hereby represents and warrants that Associate is not presently, and has not been, aware of any illegal or fraudulent conduct engaged in by PPM. Associate understands that PPM is expressly relying on these representations as a material inducement to enter into this Agreement.

5. General Release. In consideration for the separation benefits provided herein, and except only with respect to claims for benefits provided by the Agreement and any other claims that cannot be waived as a matter of law, Associate without limitation of any kind releases and forever discharges PPM, its directors, officers, employees and agents, from all claims that Associate has, or may have, based upon any fact or circumstance, whether known or unknown, arising at any time during Associate’s employment with PPM and/or the conclusion of that employment, including, but not limited to, claims related to any disclosures PPM must make to FINRA, the SEC, or any regulatory authority regarding the conclusion of Associate’s employment, claims for breach of any express or implied contract, claims for wrongful discharge and claims for employment discrimination of all types, including but not limited to race, national origin, religion, ethnicity, age, gender, sex, sexual orientation, disability, and/or any other category protected under applicable law.

An indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Xxxxxxx Financial Inc., which is a subsidiary of Prudential plc, incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 0 Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx XX0X 0XX. Registered number 1397169. Prudential plc is a holding company, some of whose subsidiaries are authorized and regulated, as applicable, by the Hong Kong Insurance Authority and other regulatory authorities.

6. Specific Release. Without limiting in any way the General Release provided in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement, and notwithstanding any provision anywhere to the contrary, Associate specifically releases and forever discharges PPM, its directors, officers, employees and agents, from all claims, known and unknown, that Associate might now have:

under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), 42 U.S.C. §§621-634, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990 (“OWBPA”); and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000e, et seq; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, 29 U.S.C. §1001, et seq.; the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Workers Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; the Fair Credit Reporting Act; the National Labor Relations Act; the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act; and any claims or rights arising under the state statutes, laws, and/or regulations identified in this Agreement.

under the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Equal Wage Act, the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, the Illinois Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act, the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act; the Illinois Genetic Privacy Act, the Illinois Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Act, the Illinois School Visitation Rights Act, the Illinois AIDS Confidentiality Act, the Illinois Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Illinois Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act, the Illinois Family Military Leave Act, if applicable, Illinois WARN Laws, the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act, the Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Act, and the Illinois Constitution, all as amended.

for any award of money, personal or equitable relief that by law or regulation, or otherwise, Associate might pursue or be awarded in any forum, including but not limited to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or any federal or state fair employment practice agency.

Associate warrants and represents that Associate has not filed any action, claim, charge, or complaint against PPM with any local, state, or federal agency, in any court, or before an arbitrator. Associate agrees not to file or initiate a lawsuit in any court or initiate an arbitration proceeding asserting any of the claims released by this Agreement. Associate also agrees to waive any right to bring, maintain, or participate in a class action, collective action, or representative action against PPM to the fullest extent permitted by law. Associate agrees that he/she may not serve as a representative of a class action, collective action, or representative action, may not participate as a member of a class action, collective action, or representative action, and may not recover any relief from a class

action, collective action, or representative action. Associate further agrees that if he/she is included within a class action, collective action, or representative action, he/she will take all steps necessary to opt-out of the action or refrain from opting in, as the case may be. Associate is not waiving any right to challenge the validity of this paragraph on any grounds that may exist in law and equity, including, but not limited o, any right Associate may have to challenge PPM’s compliance with the waiver requirements of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. However, PPM reserves the right to attempt to enforce this Agreement, including this paragraph, in any appropriate forum.

7. Payments and Benefits. Subject to the conditions set forth in Paragraph 3 and, unless stated otherwise, within thirty (30) days of the Effective Date determined according to Paragraph 26 of this Agreement, PPM shall provide the separation payments, which Associate and PPM agree are reasonable and adequate consideration for the releases and waiver, and other commitments, described in this Agreement, to Associate as follows:

a payment equal to eighteen (18) months of Associate’s adjusted annual cash compensation (measured as 18 months of current base salary of $525,000, or $787,500, plus 1.5 times 90% of Associate’s 2019 annual incentive bonus of $2,825,550, or $3,814,493), in this case $4,601,993.

an additional payment of $1,058,417.66, equal to the 2020 bonus payment received by you on or around March 15, 2021, prorated for your calendar year employment up to the Date of Separation.

a payment equal to the cost of approximately eighteen (18) months of COBRA insurance coverage, in this case $9,513 (you have rights under COBRA to participate in PPM’s health plans through November 30, 2022).

Prudential Long-Term Incentive Plan (“PLTIP”) awards granted to Associate in 2019 and 2020 will be pro-rated based on service through the Separation Date and shall vest and settle in the normal course in 2022 and 2023. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment of all PLTIP awards described in this Paragraph 7.e shall be subject, among other conditions provided by the PLTIP, to achievement of performance metrics as well as any change in such performance conditions resulting from the demerger of M&G Prudential from Prudential plc as otherwise provided by the PLTIP plan document, notwithstanding that Associate’s employment terminated before these awards otherwise would vest. In relation to any changes in performance metrics related to the demerger of Jackson from Prudential plc, or otherwise, awards will be treated in the same way as those held by Associate’s peers.

Associate shall not receive any additional PLTIP grants for 2021 or for any period after the date this Agreement is executed.

e. PPM America, Inc. Performance Incentive Award Plan (PIA) awards granted to Associate in 2019 and 2020 will retain their full value and settle in the normal course in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment of the 2019 and 2020 PIA awards described in this Paragraph 7.e shall be subject, among other conditions provided by the PIA, to achievement of performance conditions as determined by the PPM America Remuneration Committee. Associate shall not receive any additional PIA grants for 2021 or for any period after the date this Agreement is executed.

8. Paid Time Off. As required by law, PPM shall pay Associate the sum equal to earned but unused paid time off Associate has accumulated as of Associate’s Separation Date valued at Associate’s salary daily rate then existing.

9. Taxes. PPM shall withhold taxes from the payments described in this Agreement as required by law, and Associate exclusively shall be responsible for taxes due as a result of those payments.

10. Exclusive Payments. Except as provided in Paragraphs 7 and 8 of this Agreement, PPM shall have no obligation pursuant to any employment agreement; any bonus, incentive or separational management plan or award; or otherwise, whether or not vested, to make payment of any kind to or for Associate, and Associate expressly waives any such claim, provided that neither this Paragraph nor any other Paragraph of this Agreement impairs in any manner whatever entitlement Associate may have, if any, to: (i) investments in and benefits provided under the Xxxxxxx National Life Insurance Company Defined Contribution Retirement Plan (the “401(k) Plan”); and (ii) deemed investments in and benefits provided under the Xxxxxxx National Life Insurance Company Management Deferred Income Plan (“MDIP”).

11. Return of Property. Within ten (10) business days of the Separation Date, Associate shall return to PPM all property, equipment, items, documents, lists, and other materials provided and (originals and copies) belonging to or generated for PPM, including, but not limited to, computer hardware, including laptop computers; computer software; business records and information, including correspondence, spreadsheets, and computer-generated printouts; and keys. If any property that is otherwise subject to return under this provision is stored electronically on a form of media that cannot be returned to PPM, such as a third-party email server, Associate shall permanently delete such information and retain no copies thereof.

12. Non-Disparagement or Public Disclosure.

Except as provided by Paragraph 12c of this Agreement, Associate shall not disparage or denigrate PPM, its officers, directors, or employees or the officers, directors, or employees of its parent(s), subsidiaries, or affiliated companies, or PPM’s products or services, in any manner whatever and will do and say nothing to encourage or facilitate the disassociation of persons currently affiliated with PPM and, if called upon by PPM to do so, will employ honest effort to encourage that continued affiliation and to encourage persons to newly affiliate with PPM.

Except as provided by Paragraph 12c of this Agreement, Associate neither shall disclose, nor participate in public discussion of, PPM-related information, regardless of whether PPM considers the information confidential, that Associate acquired by virtue of Associate’s employment with PPM.

Nothing in this Paragraph 12 shall preclude Associate from lawfully (i) communicating with, cooperating with, providing information to, or otherwise assisting in an investigation by any governmental or regulatory agency, entity, or official(s) (collectively, “Governmental Authorities”) regarding a possible violation of any law; (ii) responding to any inquiry or legal process directed to Associate individually (and not directed to the Company and/or its subsidiaries) from any such Governmental Authorities, or as otherwise permitted by law; (iii) testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in an action or proceeding by any such Governmental Authorities relating to a possible violation of law; or (iv) making any other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law. However, Associate is waiving any and all rights to receive individual monetary relief resulting from such claims, regardless of whether Associate or another party has filed them, and in the event Associate obtains such monetary relief, PPM will be entitled to an offset for the payments made pursuant to this Agreement and Release, except where such limitations are prohibited as a matter of law (e.g., under the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C.A. §§ 1514A). Additionally, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, Associate shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (a) is made (i) in confidence to a U.S. Federal, State or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Nor does this Agreement require Associate to obtain prior authorization from PPM before engaging in any conduct described in this paragraph, or to notify PPM that Associate has engaged in any such conduct.

13. Continued Cooperation. Associate will cooperate in the orderly transition of duties as requested by PPM. Associate without any limitation as to duration shall provide all assistance, including attendance at depositions, hearings and other proceedings that PPM shall reasonably require with respect to any legal or regulatory proceeding. Associate shall make no untrue statement or allegation in or with respect to any such proceeding, or to any legal authority or regulator.

PPM shall reimburse Associate’s reasonable costs of travel away from Associate’s domicile and related out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the above cooperation in legal and regulatory proceedings.

In the event that Associate is subpoenaed or otherwise contacted in any way in connection with any litigation, proceeding, or investigation involving PPM or any PPM affiliate, subsidiary, or parent, to the extent legally permitted, Associate will immediately notify PPM and give PPM an opportunity to respond to such notice before taking any action or making any decision in connection with such subpoena or other contact. PPM will reimburse Associate for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including attorneys’ fees, incurred as a result of such cooperation, to the extent Associate would otherwise be entitled to indemnification therefor.

14. Rehire. No term of this Agreement precludes Associate from rehire at PPM or a PPM affiliate and no term grants Associate any preference over any other candidate for any job vacancy at PPM or a PPM affiliate or, in the event of rehire, job assignment or promotion; provided, however, if Associate is rehired by PPM or a PPM affiliate prior to the payment of the separation benefits in Paragraph 7, Associate shall have no right to, and shall not receive such separation benefits.

15. Non-Competition. At no time prior to the eighteen-month anniversary of the Separation Date will Associate establish or accept employment with any Competitive Business. A “Competitive Business” shall mean any person, company and/or entity that designs, develops, manufactures, markets or sells goods or services that are similar to, or compete with, any goods or services that PPM designs, develops, manufactures, markets, or sells.

16. Non-Solicitation.

At no time prior to the eighteen-month anniversary of the Separation Date will Associate, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, encourage, or in any other manner persuade or attempt to persuade, any person who, in the 6 months preceding the solicitation, served as a director, officer, employee, consultant, independent contractor, agent or representative of PPM: (i) to apply for or accept any employment, engagement or other business relationship with any Competitive Business ; or (ii) to discontinue or alter his, her or its respective employment, engagement, or other business relationship with PPM.

At no time prior to the eighteen-month anniversary of the Separation Date will Associate, directly or indirectly, solicit, induce, encourage, or in any other manner persuade or attempt to persuade, any customer (as defined below) of PPM (i) to conduct business with any Competitive Business or (ii) to discontinue or alter his, her, or its business relationship with PPM.

Solely for the purposes of this Paragraph, “Customer” shall include any person, company and/or entity (including, without limitation, clients, customers, licensees, licensors, suppliers or business partners) with which PPM (or Associate acting on behalf of PPM) has had or has expended significant time and resources to attempt to have a business relationship during the two (2) years immediately preceding the expiration of this Non-Solicitation obligation.

17. Breach of Agreement. Notwithstanding Paragraphs in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that Associate breaches Paragraphs 11, 12, 13, 15, or 16 of this Agreement, the releases and waivers to which Associate agreed at Paragraphs 5, 6 and 10 of the Agreement shall survive that breach and remain valid and fully enforceable, but PPM may require that Associate repay to PPM all sums paid Associate except $5.00, and to forfeit any payment due Associate pursuant to this Agreement.

18. Controlling Law. Except to the extent federal law controls, this Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the law of Illinois, except Illinois’s conflict of laws rules shall not apply.

19. Litigation Venue. Any litigation to enforce any term of this Agreement shall be pursued exclusively in the Xxxx County Circuit Court or in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

20. Unenforceable Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be ineffective, unenforceable, or illegal for any reason, such decision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any or all of the remaining portions thereof, except that, if the release in Paragraphs 5 and 6 above is determined to be ineffective, unenforceable or illegal in any respect, PPM shall be relieved of any obligations hereunder.

21. Agreements Regarding “Non-Solicitation,” “Intellectual Property,” and “Confidentiality.” Except as provided in this Paragraph, and subject to 12c, no provision of this Agreement shall modify, void or otherwise render unenforceable Associate’s obligations and assignments under the Non-Solicitation, Intellectual Property Assignment and Confidentiality Agreement between Associate and PPM which remains in full force and effect and is attached here as Exhibit B.

22. Headings. The Paragraph headings in this Agreement are for reference only and shall not limit or otherwise inform the Paragraphs’ meaning.

23. Confidentiality.

Except as otherwise provided in Paragraphs 23a.i. and 23a.ii. of this Agreement or as permitted by Paragraph 12c of this Agreement (i) all discussions between PPM and Associate regarding PPM’s offer of the Agreement and the terms of the proposed Agreement, are confidential, and (ii) Associate shall not directly or indirectly disclose the discussions between PPM and Associate regarding PPM’s offer of the Agreement and the existence or terms of the Agreement to any third person. Notwithstanding this obligation of confidentiality, Associate may disclose:

the existence of this Agreement as necessary to implement its terms, secure its enforcement, as compelled by a court order, or to Associate’s spouse, attorneys, accountants, or other professional advisors; and

ii.

the terms of Paragraph 21 to any employer considering Associate for employment.

24. Acceptance of, and Right to Revoke, Agreement.

Associate may not accept, sign, date or return this Agreement before Associate’s Separation Date.

Consistent with federal laws protecting persons from age discrimination, including the ADEA as amended by the OWBPA:

PPM hereby advises Associate to consult with an attorney prior to signing and returning this Agreement;

ii.

Understanding that Associate may not sign this Agreement prior to Associate’s Separation Date, Associate shall have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on the date forty-five (45) days after the Separation Date to accept and sign the Agreement, and to deliver the Agreement as provided in Paragraph 24.d of this Agreement; and

iii.

should Associate timely accept and sign the Agreement, Associate thereafter shall have seven (7) days to revoke Associate’s acceptance.

No deadline provided in this Paragraph of this Agreement shall be extended because of any change to any of the terms, material or otherwise, of the Agreement as initially or subsequently presented to Associate. Changes to this Agreement, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of Associate’s 45-day consideration period.

In the event Associate elects to ACCEPT this Agreement, Associate must deliver the Agreement, signed, dated and initialed where indicated, to Xxx Xxxxx, SVP, Human Resources. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including facsimile transmissions and/or electronic signatures, each of which shall be deemed an original against any party whose signature appears on such counterpart and all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. The parties agree that signatures exchanged via facsimile or electronic mail shall be binding to the same extent as if original signatures were exchanged.

In the event Associate elects to REVOKE Associate’s acceptance of this Agreement, Associate must communicate that decision to Xxx Xxxxx, SVP, Human Resources.

25. No Forbidden Release or Waiver. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to release or waive any of Associate’s rights to file a charge or claim of discrimination with, to communicate and cooperate with, or to participate in any investigation or other proceeding undertaken by, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or any state or local fair employment practices agency acting as an EEOC referring agency, or to pursue any claim that by law cannot be released or waived by private agreement.

26. Agreement Effective Date. This Agreement is effective only in the event that Associate accepts, signs and timely delivers this Agreement as provided in Paragraph 24.d of the Agreement and does not timely revoke Associate’s acceptance; in that circumstance, the Agreement Effective Date is the date upon which Associate’s right to revoke the Agreement expires.

27. No Admission of Wrongdoing. Associate acknowledges that neither the offer nor the payment of the severance benefits hereunder is an admission by PPM of any wrongdoing in connection with any matter, including without limitation the matters set forth above.

28. Medicare Disclaimer. Associate represents that Associate is not a Medicare beneficiary as of the time Associate enters into this Agreement. To the extent that Associate is a Medicare Beneficiary, Associate agrees to contact Human Resources for further instructions.

29. Personal Trading and Other Compliance. Associate understands that Associate must continue to comply with PPM compliance policies prior to and including the Separation Date, and (i) Associate has a continuing obligation to safeguard the confidentiality of any material non-public information (“MNPI”) obtained during their employment or affiliation with PPM; (ii) Associate must continue to comply with the federal securities laws prohibiting trading while in possession of MNIP, including, without limitation, any MNPI related to Prudential plc; and (iii) after the Separation date, Associate will remain restricted from trading in Prudential plc securities during any closed period as designated by Prudential plc until two business days after Prudential plc’s earnings release following the date of the demerger of Prudential plc and Xxxxxxx Financial, Inc.

30. Removal or Resignation as a Director or Officer of PPM Related Entities; No Authority. Associate acknowledges that effective as of the Separation Date or earlier if requested by PPM, that Associate will be removed as an officer and from the Board of Directors of PPM and any applicable subsidiaries and affiliates of which Associate is an officer and as a member of all committees on which Associate serve for such entities, respectively. Notwithstanding such removal, if requested for any reason, Associate agrees to acknowledge that Associate has resigned any and all such offices or positions to the extent that such removal has not otherwise taken effect. Associate agrees not to represent himself to any other person or entity as an employee or otherwise having a position with PPM or any PPM subsidiary, parent, or affiliate at any time after the Separation Date, and Associate represents that Associate has not done the same after the Separation Date. After the Separation Date, Associate acknowledges that he shall have no authority to, and hereby agrees not to, legally, contractually or otherwise bind PPM or any PPM subsidiary, parent, or affiliate or incur any liabilities on their behalf.

31. Entire Agreement. This Agreement is the entire agreement between Associate and PPM concerning the matters identified herein. Except as provided in Paragraph 21 of this Agreement, the Agreement supersedes all prior and contemporaneous oral and written offers of agreement, and all agreements and understandings between the parties concerning the matters identified herein. No modification of this Agreement shall be enforced unless written and signed by both parties.

Agreed:



/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx	Xxxxxxx Holdings LLC

Xxxx Xxxxxxx	By	/s/ Xxx Xxxxx

	Its	VP – HR Consulting & Strategy

Date May 1, 2021	Date	May 1, 2021

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ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I acknowledge that:

I understand completely the terms of this Agreement, and that my decision to sign the Agreement was knowing and voluntary and made only after full and careful consideration.

I understand that PPM advises me before I sign this Agreement that I have the right to consult with an attorney before signing the Agreement and to consult an attorney again before expiration of the revocation period described in Paragraph 24b.iii of the Agreement.

The payment described in Paragraph 7 of this Agreement is a payment to which I am entitled only by virtue of the Agreement and is offered to me in return for the releases and waivers to which I have agreed in the Agreement.

PPM has made no representation regarding likely income tax treatment of the payments described in this Agreement.

I acknowledge that I have received and have read the “Required Information” exhibit attached to this Agreement, which includes a listing of the ages and job titles of employees in the Decisional Unit (defined below) who have been selected for termination and employees in the Decisional Unit who have not been selected for termination.



/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxx	Date	May 1, 2021
Xxxx Xxxxxxx

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CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT Separation Agreement Including Release of Claims and Disclosure of Information Required by Federal Law

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