BIOSITE INCORPORATED 409A NONQUALIFIED DEFERREDCOMPENSATION PLAN
Exhibit 10.47
BIOSITE INCORPORATED
409A NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Table of Contents
| Article 1 - Definitions |
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1.1 | Account. |
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1.2 | Administrator. |
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1.3 | Board. |
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1.4 | Bonus. |
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1.5 | Code. |
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1.6 | Commission. |
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1.7 | Compensation. |
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1.8 | Deferrals. |
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1.9 | Deferral Election. |
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1.10 | Disability. |
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1.11 | Effective Date. |
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1.12 | Eligible Employee. |
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1.13 | Employee. |
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1.14 | Employer Discretionary Contribution. |
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1.15 | Investment Fund or Funds. |
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1.16 | Participant. |
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1.17 | Plan Year. |
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1.18 | Performance-based Compensation. |
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1.19 | Retirement. |
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1.20 | Salary. |
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1.21 | Trust. |
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1.22 | Trustee. |
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1.23 | Years of Service. |
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| Article 2 - Participation |
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2.1 | Commencement of Participation. |
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2.2 | Loss of Eligible Employee Status. |
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| Article 3 - Contributions |
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3.1 | Deferrals. |
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3.2 | Employer Discretionary Contributions. |
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3.3 | Time of Contributions. |
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3.4 | Form of Contributions. |
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| Article 4 - Vesting |
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4.1 | Vesting of Deferrals. |
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4.2 | Vesting of Employer Discretionary Contributions. |
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4.3 | Vesting in Event of Retirement, Disability, Death or Change in Control. |
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4.4 | Change in Control. |
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4.5 | Amounts Not Vested. |
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| Article 5 - Accounts |
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5.1 | Accounts. |
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5.2 | Investments, Gains and Losses. |
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5.3 | Forfeitures. |
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| Article 6 - Distributions |
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6.1 | Distribution Election. |
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6.2 | Payment Options. |
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6.3 | Changes to Distribution Elections. |
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6.4 | Commencement of Payment upon Death, Disability or Termination. |
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6.5 | Distributions to Specified Employee. |
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6.6 | Minimum Distribution. |
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6.7 | Unforeseeable Emergency |
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| Article 7 - Beneficiaries |
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7.1 | Beneficiaries. |
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7.2 | Lost Beneficiary. |
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| Article 8 - Funding |
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8.1 | Prohibition Against Funding. |
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8.2 | Deposits in Trust. |
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8.3 | Indemnification of Trustee. |
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8.4 | Withholding of Employee Contributions. |
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| Article 9 - Claims Administration |
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9.1 | General. |
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9.2 | Claims Procedure. |
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9.3 | Right of Appeal. |
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9.4 | Review of Appeal. |
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9.5 | Designation. |
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| Article 10 - General Provisions |
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10.1 | Administrator. |
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10.2 | No Assignment. |
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10.3 | No Employment Rights. |
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10.4 | Incompetence. |
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10.5 | Identity. |
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10.6 | Other Benefits. |
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10.7 | No Liability. |
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10.8 | Expenses. |
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10.9 | Insolvency. |
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10.10 | Plan Amendment. |
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10.11 | Plan Termination. |
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10.12 | Employer Determinations. |
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10.13 | Construction. |
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10.14 | Governing Law. |
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10.15 | Severability. |
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10.16 | Headings. |
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10.17 | Terms. |
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BIOSITE INCORPORATED
409A NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Biosite Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and its affiliates and subsidiaries (the Employer), hereby adopts this Biosite Incorporated 409A Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan) for the benefit of a select group of management or highly compensated employees. This plan is an unfunded arrangement and is intended to be exempt from the participation, vesting, funding, and fiduciary requirements set forth in Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). It is intended to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. This Plan is effective January 1, 2005.
Article 1 - Definitions
1.1 Account.
The bookkeeping account established for each Participant as provided in section 5.1 hereof.
1.2 Administrator.
An administrative committee appointed by the Board of Directors.
1.3 Board.
The Board of Directors of the Employer.
1.4 Bonus.
Remuneration which is designated as such by the Employer and which relates to services performed during an incentive period by an Eligible Employee, including any pretax elective deferrals from said Bonus to any Employer sponsored plan that includes amounts deferred under a Deferral Election or a qualified cash or deferred arrangement under Code Section 401(k) or cafeteria plan under Code Section 125.
1.5 Code.
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
1.6 Commission.
Remuneration which is designated as such by the Employer and which relates to services performed during an incentive period by an Eligible Employee, including any pretax elective deferrals from said Commission to any Employer sponsored plan that includes amounts deferred under a Deferral Election or a qualified cash or deferred arrangement under Code Section 401(k) or cafeteria plan under Code Section 125.
1.7 Compensation.
The Participants earned income, including Salary, Bonus, Commission, and Performance-based Compensation, if any, and other remuneration from the Employer.
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1.8 Deferrals.
The portion of Compensation that a Participant elects to defer in accordance with section 3.1 hereof.
1.9 Deferral Election.
The separate written agreement, submitted to the Administrator, by which an Eligible Employee agrees to participate in the Plan and make Deferrals thereto.
1.10 Disability.
Provided that such definition does not fail to comply with Code Section 409A(a)(1)(C) and regulations, a participant shall be considered disabled if the participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for continuous period of not less than 12 months.
1.11 Effective Date.
January 1, 2005.
1.12 Eligible Employee.
An Employee shall be considered an Eligible Employee if such Employee is designated as an Eligible Employee by the Administrator
1.13 Employee.
Any person employed by the Employer.
1.14 Employer Discretionary Contribution.
A discretionary contribution made by the Employer to the Trust and that is credited to one or more Participants Accounts in accordance with the terms of section 3.2 hereof.
1.15 Investment Fund or Funds.
Each investment(s) which serves as a means to measure value, increases or decreases with respect to a Participants Accounts.
1.16 Participant.
An Eligible Employee who is a Participant as provided in Article 2.
1.17 Plan Year.
The calendar year.
1.18 Performance-based Compensation.
Remuneration which meets the requirements of performance-based compensation as defined by Code Section 409A(a)(4)(B)(iii) and related regulations, and is designated as such by the Employer and which relates to services performed during an incentive period by an Eligible Employee, including any pretax elective deferrals from said Performance-based Compensation to any Employer sponsored plan that includes amounts deferred under a Deferral Election or a
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qualified cash or deferred arrangement under Code Section 401(k) or cafeteria plan under Code Section 125.
1.19 Retirement.
Retirement means the Participant has separated service from the Employer, and the Participant has completed at least five (5) Years of Service with the Employer, and a combination of the Participants age and Years of Service equals at least fifty-five (55).
1.20 Salary.
An Eligible Employees base salary rate or rates in effect at any time during a Plan Year, including any pretax elective deferrals from said Salary to any Employer sponsored plan that includes amounts deferred under a Deferral Election or a qualified cash or deferred arrangement under Code Section 401(k) or cafeteria plan under Code Section 125.
1.21 Trust.
The agreement between the Employer and the Trustee under which the assets of the Plan are held, administered and managed, which shall conform to the terms of Rev. Proc. 92-64.
1.22 Trustee.
Investors Bank and Trust Company or such other successor that shall become trustee pursuant to the terms of the Biosite Incorporated 409A Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan.
1.23 Years of Service.
A Participants Years of Service shall be measured by employment during a twelve (12) month period commencing with the Participants date of hire and anniversaries thereof.
Article 2 - Participation
2.1 Commencement of Participation.
Each Eligible Employee shall become a Participant at the earlier of the date on which his or her Deferral Election first becomes effective or the date on which an Employer Discretionary Contribution is first credited to his or her Account.
2.2 Loss of Eligible Employee Status.
(a) A Participant who is no longer an Eligible Employee shall not be permitted to submit a Deferral Election and all Deferrals for such Participant shall cease as of the end of the Plan Year in which such Participant is determined to no longer be an Eligible Employee.
(b) Amounts credited to the Account of a Participant described in subsection (a) shall continue to be held, pursuant to the terms of the Plan and shall be distributed as provided in Article 6.
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Article 3 - Contributions
3.1 Deferrals.
(a) The Employer shall credit to the Account of a Participant an amount equal to the amount designated in the Participants Deferral Election for that Plan Year. Such amounts shall not be made available to such Participant, except as provided in Article 6, and shall reduce such Participants Compensation from the Employer in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Deferral Election; provided, however, that all such amounts shall be subject to the rights of the general creditors of the Employer as provided in Article 8.
(b) Each Eligible Employee shall deliver a Deferral Election to the Employer before any Deferrals can become effective. Such Deferral Election shall be void with respect to: (i) any Deferral Election associated with Salary, Bonus or Commission unless submitted before the beginning of the calendar year during which the amount to be deferred will be earned, (ii) any Deferral Election associated with Performance-based Compensation unless submitted at least 6 months prior to the end of the 12 month period over which the services for such Performance-based Compensation are performed; provided, however, that in the year in which the Plan is first adopted or an Employee is first eligible to participate, such Deferral Election shall be filed within thirty (30) days after the date on which the Plan is adopted or the date on which an Employee is first eligible to participate, respectively, with respect to Compensation to be earned during the remainder of the calendar year.
(c) The Deferral Election shall, subject to the limitation set forth in Section 3.1(g), below, designate the amount of Compensation deferred by each Participant, the subaccount, if any, as set forth in subsection (e), below, the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the Participant and such other items as the Administrator may prescribe. Such designations shall remain effective unless amended as provided in subsection (d), below.
(d) A Participant may amend his or her Deferral Election from time to time; provided, however, that the timing of, and the effective date of any such amendment to the amount of a Participants Deferrals shall comply with the provisions of subsection (b), above and the provisions of Code Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(e) A Participant may direct his or her Deferral to be credited to one or more subaccounts as may be established, as provided in Article 5, by the Participant at the time of the Deferral Election.
(f) The minimum amount that may be deferred each Plan Year is the greater of one thousand dollars ($1,000) or one percent (1%) of the Participants Compensation.
(g) The maximum amount that may be deferred each Plan Year is twenty-five percent (25%) of the Participants Salary, one hundred percent (100%) of the Participants Bonus, net of applicable taxes, and one hundred percent (100%) of the Participants Commission, net of applicable taxes.
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3.2 Employer Discretionary Contributions.
The Employer reserves the right to make Employer Discretionary Contributions to Participants Accounts in such amount and in such manner as may be determined by the Employer.
3.3 Time of Contributions.
(a) Deferrals shall be credited to the Accounts of Participants as soon as administratively feasible following each payroll period. The Employer shall also transmit to the recordkeeper or trust, in the event of trust usage, at that time any necessary instructions regarding the allocation of such amounts among the Accounts of Participants.
(b) Employer Discretionary Contributions shall be credited to the Accounts of Participants at such time as the Employer shall determine. The Employer shall also transmit to the recordkeeper or trust, in the event of trust usage, at that time any necessary instructions regarding the allocation of such amounts among the Accounts of Participants.
3.4 Form of Contributions.
All Deferrals and Employer Discretionary Contributions, if any, to the Trust shall be made in the form of cash or cash equivalents of US currency.
Article 4 - Vesting
4.1 Vesting of Deferrals.
A Participant shall have a vested right to the portion of his or her Account attributable to Deferrals.
4.2 Vesting of Employer Discretionary Contributions.
A Participant shall have a vested right to the portion of his or her Account attributable to Employer Discretionary Contribution(s) and any earnings or losses on the investment of such Employer Discretionary Contribution(s) according to such vesting schedule as the Employer shall determine at the time an Employer Discretionary Contribution is made.
4.3 Vesting in Event of Retirement, Disability, Death or Change in Control.
(a) A Participant who terminates employment due to Retirement shall be fully vested in the amounts credited to his or her Account.
(b) A Participant who terminates employment due to Disability shall be fully vested in the amounts credited to his or her Account.
(c) A Participant who terminates employment due to death shall be fully vested in the amounts credited to his or her Account.
(d) Upon a Change in Control, as defined in Section 4.4, all Participants shall be fully vested in the amounts credited to their Accounts.
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4.4 Change in Control.
Provided that such definition does not fail to comply with Code Section 409A and related regulations, a Change in Control of the Employer means the first occurrence of any of the following events:
(a) The date that any one person or persons acting as a group acquires ownership of Employer stock constituting more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the Employer;
(b) The date that any one person or persons acting as a group acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of the stock of the Employer possessing thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Employer;
(c) The date that any one person or persons acting as a group acquires assets from the Employer that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty percent (40%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Employer immediately prior to such acquisition; or
(d) The date that a majority of members of the Employers Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or elections.
4.5 Amounts Not Vested.
Any amounts credited to a Participants Account that are not vested at the time of his or her termination of employment with the Employer shall be forfeited.
Article 5 - Accounts
5.1 Accounts.
The Administrator shall establish and maintain a bookkeeping account in the name of each Participant. The Administrator shall also establish subaccounts, as provided in subsection (a) and (b), below, as elected by the Participant pursuant to Article 3. A Participant may have a maximum of ten (10) subaccounts at any time.
(a) A Participant may establish a Retirement Account by so designating in such Participants Deferral election. Each Participants Retirement Account shall be credited with Deferrals (as specified in the Participants Deferral Election), Employer Discretionary Contributions, if any (as specified in the Participants Deferral Election), and the Participants allocable share of any earnings or losses on the foregoing. Each Participants Account shall be reduced by any distributions made plus any federal and state tax withholding and any social security withholding tax as may be required by law. Distributions from a Retirement Account to a Specified Employee, as defined in Section 6.5, shall be subject to the requirements of Section 6.5.
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(b) A Participant may elect to establish one or more In-Service Accounts by designating in such Participants Deferral Election the year in which payment shall be made at the time the account is initially established. The minimum initial deferral period for an In-Service Account shall be three (3) years. Each Participants In-Service Account shall be credited with Deferrals, Employer Discretionary Contributions (as specified in the Participants Deferral Election), and the Participants allocable share of any deemed earnings or losses on the foregoing. Each Participants In-Service Account shall be reduced by any distributions made plus any federal and state tax withholding and any social security withholding tax as may be required by law.
5.2 Investments, Gains and Losses.
(a) Trust assets shall be invested in the discretion of the Trustee. The Trustee may consider any investment suggestions received by the Employer or by a Participant with respect to his or her own Account.
(b) The Administrator shall adjust the amounts credited to each Participants Account to reflect Deferrals, Employer Discretionary Contributions, investment experience, distributions and any other appropriate adjustments. Such adjustments shall be made as frequently as is administratively feasible.
(c) A Participant may direct that his or her Retirement Account and or In-Service Account(s) established pursuant to Section 5.1 may be valued as if they were invested in one or more Investment Funds multiples of one percent (1%) of the balance in an Account. A Participant may change his or her selection of Investment Funds no more than six (6) times each Plan Year. An election shall be effective as soon as administratively feasible following the date of the change as indicated in writing by the Participant.
5.3 Forfeitures.
Any forfeitures from a Participants Account shall continue to be held in the Trust, shall be separately invested as directed by the Administrator and shall be used to reduce succeeding Employer Discretionary Contributions until such forfeitures have been entirely so applied. If no further Employer Discretionary Contributions will be made, then such forfeitures shall be returned to the Employer.
Article 6 - Distributions
6.1 Distribution Election.
Each Participant shall designate on his or her initial Deferral Election the form and timing of his or her distribution by indicating the type of account as described under Section 5.1, and by designating the manner in which payments shall be made from the choices available under Section 6.2 hereof. In the event a Participant fails to make a timely distribution election, distributions shall be made in the lump-sum form.
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6.2 Payment Options.
(a) Retirement Account payouts shall commence as soon as administratively feasible immediately after the Participants Retirement and are payable in one of the following forms: (i) in a lump-sum payment; or (ii) in annual installments over a period of up to ten (10) years (as elected by Participant on a form provided by the Administrator).
(b) In-Service Account payouts shall begin as soon as administratively feasible following January 1 of the calendar year designated by the Participant, on a properly submitted Deferral Election and in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, and are payable in either a lump sum or substantially equal annual installments over a period of five (5) years (as elected by Participant on a form a provided by the Administrator).
(c) The amount of the substantially equal payments described in subsections (a) and (b) above shall be determined by multiplying the Participants Retirement or In-Service Account by a fraction, the denominator of which in the first year of payment equals the number of years over which benefits are to be paid, and the numerator of which is one (1). The amounts of the payments for each succeeding year shall be determined by multiplying the Participants Retirement or In-Service Account as of the applicable anniversary of the payout by a fraction, the denominator of which equals the number of remaining years over which benefits are to be paid, and the numerator of which is one (1).
(d) Payments under this Section 6.2 are subject to the requirements of Section 6.5.
6.3 Changes to Distribution Elections.
(a) In the event Participant desires to modify his or her elected form of distribution, i.e., lump-sum payment or annual installments, Participants election to change must be submitted to the Employer at least twelve (12) months prior to the distribution commencement date and shall not take effect until twelve (12) months after the election is made, provided however that any change may not accelerate benefit payments as provided under Code Section 409A and related regulations promulgated thereunder.
(b) In the event Participant desires to postpone the distribution commencement date for his or her Retirement Account or In-Service Accounts, Participants election to postpone said distribution commencement date must be submitted to the Employer at least twelve (12) months prior to the distribution commencement date and shall not take effect until twelve (12) months after the election is made and the new distribution commencement date must be at least five (5) years subsequent to the date when distributions would otherwise commence. Moreover, any election to change a Participants distribution commencement date, pursuant to this section, shall only be permitted to extend the deferral period.
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6.4 Commencement of Payment upon Death, Disability or Termination.
(a) Upon the death of a Participant, all amounts credited to his or her Account(s) shall be paid, as soon as administratively feasible, to his or her beneficiary or beneficiaries, as determined under Article 7 hereof, in a lump sum.
(b) Upon the Disability of a Participant, all amounts credited to his or her Account(s) shall be paid to the Participant in a lump-sum payment, as soon as administratively feasible.
(c) Upon the termination of employment of a Participant, all amounts credited to his or her Account(s) shall be paid to the Participant in a lump-sum payment, as soon as administratively feasible subject to Section 6.5 below.
6.5 Distributions to Specified Employee.
(a) If any employee is a Specified Employee, as defined in subsection (b) below, upon a termination of employment for any reason other than Disability or death, a distribution may not be made before the date which is six (6) months after the date of separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the employee).
(b) Pursuant to Code Section 409A, a Specified Employee means a key employee (as defined in Code Section 416(i) without regard to paragraph (5) thereof) of a corporation any stock in which is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise.
6.6 Minimum Distribution.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, and subject to Section 6.5, above, if the balance of a Participants Account at the time of a termination due to Retirement is $10,000 or less, then the Participant shall be paid his or her benefits as a single lump sum as soon as administratively feasible following said termination.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, if the balance of a Participants In-Service subaccount at the time of a scheduled In-Service Account distribution is $10,000 or less, then the Participant shall be paid his or her benefits as a single lump sum.
6.7 Unforeseeable Emergency
The Administrator may permit an early distribution of part or all of any deferred amounts; provided, however, that such distribution shall be made only if the Administrator, in its sole discretion, determines that the Participant has experienced an unforeseeable emergency. An unforeseeable emergency is defined as a severe financial hardship resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participants spouse, or a dependent (as defined in Code Section 152(a)) of the Participant, loss of the Participants property due to casualty or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant. If an unforeseeable emergency is determined to exist, a distribution may not exceed the amounts necessary to satisfy such emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes
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reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution, after taking into account the extent to which such hardship is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Participants assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship).
Article 7 - Beneficiaries
7.1 Beneficiaries.
Each Participant may from time to time designate one or more persons (who may be any one or more members of such persons family or other persons, administrators, trusts, foundations or other entities) as his or her beneficiary under the Plan. Such designation shall be made on a form prescribed by the Administrator. Each Participant may at any time and from time to time, change any previous beneficiary designation, without notice to or consent of any previously designated beneficiary, by amending his or her previous designation on a form prescribed by the Administrator. If the beneficiary does not survive the Participant (or is otherwise unavailable to receive payment) or if no beneficiary is validly designated, then the amounts payable under this Plan shall be paid to the Participants estate. If more than one person is the beneficiary of a deceased Participant, each such person shall receive a pro rata share of any death benefit payable unless otherwise designated on the applicable form. If a beneficiary who is receiving benefits dies, all benefits that were payable to such beneficiary shall then be payable to the estate of that beneficiary.
7.2 Lost Beneficiary.
(a) All Participants and beneficiaries shall have the obligation to keep the Administrator informed of their current address until such time as all benefits due have been paid.
(b) If a Participant or beneficiary cannot be located by the Administrator exercising due diligence, then, in its sole discretion, the Administrator may presume that the Participant or beneficiary is deceased for purposes of the Plan and all unpaid amounts (net of due diligence expenses) owed to the Participant or beneficiary shall be paid accordingly or, if a beneficiary cannot be so located, then such amounts may be forfeited. Any such presumption of death shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties.
Article 8 - Funding
8.1 Prohibition Against Funding.
Should any investment be acquired in connection with the liabilities assumed under this Plan, it is expressly understood and agreed that the Participants and beneficiaries shall not have any right with respect to, or claim against, such assets nor shall any such purchase be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Employer and the Participants, their beneficiaries or any other person. Any such assets shall be and remain a part of the general, unpledged, unrestricted assets of the Employer, subject to the claims of its general creditors. It is the express intention of the parties hereto that this arrangement shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the ERISA. Each Participant and beneficiary shall
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be required to look to the provisions of this Plan and to the Employer itself for enforcement of any and all benefits due under this Plan, and to the extent any such person acquires a right to receive payment under this Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Employer. The Employer or the Trust shall be designated the owner and beneficiary of any investment acquired in connection with its obligation under this Plan.
8.2 Deposits in Trust.
Notwithstanding Section 8.1, or any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Employer may deposit into the Trust any amounts it deems appropriate to pay the benefits under this Plan. The amounts so deposited may, but need not, include all contributions made pursuant to a Deferral Election by a Participant, and any Employer Discretionary Contributions.
8.3 Indemnification of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee shall not be liable for the making, retention, or sale of any investment or reinvestment made by it, as herein provided, nor for any loss to, or diminution of, the Trust assets, unless due to its own negligence, willful misconduct or lack of good faith.
(b) Such Trustee shall be indemnified and saved harmless by the Employer from and against all personal liability to which it may be subject by reason of any act done or omitted to be done in its official capacity as Trustee in good faith in the administration of the Plan and Trust, including all expenses reasonably incurred in its defense in the event the Employer fails to provide such defense upon the request of the Trustee. The Trustee is relieved of all responsibility in connection with its duties hereunder to the fullest extent permitted by law, short of breach of duty to the beneficiaries.
8.4 Withholding of Employee Contributions.
The Administrator is authorized to make any and all necessary arrangements with the Employer in order to withhold the Participants Deferrals under Section 3.1 hereof from his or her Compensation. The Administrator shall determine the amount and timing of such withholding.
Article 9 - Claims Administration
9.1 General.
If a Participant, Beneficiary or his or her representative is denied all or a portion of an expected Plan benefit for any reason and the Participant, Beneficiary or his or her representative desires to dispute the decision of the Administrator, he or she must file a written notification of his or her claim with the Administrator.
9.2 Claims Procedure.
Upon receipt of any written claim for benefits, the Administrator shall be notified and shall give due consideration to the claim presented. If any Participant or Beneficiary claims to be entitled to benefits under the Plan and the Administrator determines that the claim should be denied in whole or in part, the Administrator shall, in writing, notify such claimant within ninety (90) days following receipt of the claim that the claim has been denied. The Administrator may
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extend the period of time for making a determination with respect to any claim for a period of up to ninety (90) days, provided that the Administrator determines that such an extension is necessary because of special circumstances and notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial ninety (90) day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Plan expects to render a decision. If the claim is denied to any extent by the Administrator, the Administrator shall furnish the claimant with a written notice setting forth:
(a) the specific reason or reasons for denial of the claim;
(b) a specific reference to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
(c) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
(d) an explanation of the provisions of this Article.
9.3 Right of Appeal.
A claimant who has a claim denied wholly or partially under Section 9.2 may appeal to the Administrator for reconsideration of that claim. A request for reconsideration under this section must be filed by written notice within sixty (60) days after receipt by the claimant of the notice of denial under Section 9.2.
9.4 Review of Appeal.
Upon receipt of an appeal the Administrator shall promptly take action to give due consideration to the appeal. Such consideration may include a hearing of the parties involved, if the Administrator feels such a hearing is necessary. In preparing for this appeal the claimant shall be given the right to review pertinent documents and the right to submit in writing a statement of issues and comments. After consideration of the merits of the appeal the Administrator shall issue a written decision which shall be binding on all parties. The decision shall specifically state its reasons and pertinent Plan provisions on which it relies. The Administrators decision shall be issued within sixty (60) days after the appeal is filed, except that the Administrator may extend the period of time for making a determination with respect to any claim for a period of up to sixty (60) days, provided that the Administrator determines that such an extension is necessary because of special circumstances and notifies the claimant, prior to the expiration of the initial sixty (60) day period, of the circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Plan expects to render a decision.
9.5 Designation.
The Administrator may designate any other person of its choosing to make any determination otherwise required under this Article. Any person so designated shall have the same authority and discretion granted to the Administrator hereunder.
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Article 10 - General Provisions
10.1 Administrator.
(a) The Administrator is expressly empowered to limit the amount of compensation that may be deferred; to deposit amounts into trust in accordance with Section 8.2 hereof; to interpret the Plan, and to determine all questions arising in the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan; to employ actuaries, accountants, counsel, and other persons it deems necessary in connection with the administration of the Plan; to request any information from the Employer it deems necessary to determine whether the Employer would be considered insolvent or subject to a proceeding in bankruptcy; and to take all other necessary and proper actions to fulfill its duties as Administrator.
(b) The Administrator shall not be liable for any actions by it hereunder, unless due to its own negligence, willful misconduct or lack of good faith.
(c) The Administrator shall be indemnified and saved harmless by the Employer from and against all personal liability to which it may be subject by reason of any act done or omitted to be done in its official capacity as Administrator in good faith in the administration of the Plan and Trust, including all expenses reasonably incurred in its defense in the event the Employer fails to provide such defense upon the request of the Administrator. The Administrator is relieved of all responsibility in connection with its duties hereunder to the fullest extent permitted by law, short of breach of duty to the beneficiaries.
10.2 No Assignment.
Benefits or payments under this Plan shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment, or garnishment by creditors of the Participant or the Participants beneficiary, whether voluntary or involuntary, and any attempt to so anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, attach or garnish the same shall not be valid, nor shall any such benefit or payment be in any way liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagement or torts of any Participant or beneficiary, or any other person entitled to such benefit or payment pursuant to the terms of this Plan, except to such extent as may be required by law. If any Participant or beneficiary or any other person entitled to a benefit or payment pursuant to the terms of this Plan becomes bankrupt or attempts to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, attach or garnish any benefit or payment under this Plan, in whole or in part, or if any attempt is made to subject any such benefit or payment, in whole or in part, to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of the Participant or beneficiary or any other person entitled to any such benefit or payment pursuant to the terms of this Plan, then such benefit or payment, in the discretion of the Administrator, shall cease and terminate with respect to such Participant or beneficiary, or any other such person.
10.3 No Employment Rights.
Participation in this Plan shall not be construed to confer upon any Participant the legal right to be retained in the employ of the Employer, or give a Participant or beneficiary, or any other person, any right to any payment whatsoever, except to the extent of the benefits provided
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for hereunder. Each Participant shall remain subject to discharge to the same extent as if this Plan had never been adopted.
10.4 Incompetence.
If the Administrator determines that any person to whom a benefit is payable under this Plan is incompetent by reason of physical or mental disability, the Administrator shall have the power to cause the payments becoming due to such person to be made to another for his or her benefit without responsibility of the Administrator or the Employer to see to the application of such payments. Any payment made pursuant to such power shall, as to such payment, operate as a complete discharge of the Employer, the Administrator and the Trustee.
10.5 Identity.
If, at any time, any doubt exists as to the identity of any person entitled to any payment hereunder or the amount or time of such payment, the Administrator shall be entitled to hold such sum until such identity or amount or time is determined or until an order of a court of competent jurisdiction is obtained. The Administrator shall also be entitled to pay such sum into court in accordance with the appropriate rules of law. Any expenses incurred by the Employer, Administrator, and Trust incident to such proceeding or litigation shall be charged against the Account of the affected Participant.
10.6 Other Benefits.
The benefits of each Participant or beneficiary hereunder shall be in addition to any benefits paid or payable to or on account of the Participant or beneficiary under any other pension, disability, annuity or retirement plan or policy whatsoever.
10.7 No Liability.
No liability shall attach to or be incurred by any manager of the Employer, Trustee or any Administrator under or by reason of the terms, conditions and provisions contained in this Plan, or for the acts or decisions taken or made thereunder or in connection therewith; and as a condition precedent to the establishment of this Plan or the receipt of benefits thereunder, or both, such liability, if any, is expressly waived and released by each Participant and by any and all persons claiming under or through any Participant or any other person. Such waiver and release shall be conclusively evidenced by any act or participation in or the acceptance of benefits or the making of any election under this Plan.
10.8 Expenses.
All expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan, whether incurred by the Employer or the Plan, shall be paid by the Employer.
10.9 Insolvency.
Should the Employer be considered insolvent (as defined by the Trust), the Employer, through its Board and chief executive officer, shall give immediate written notice of such to the Administrator of the Plan and the Trustee. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrator or Trustee shall cease to make any payments to Participants who were Employees of the Employer or their beneficiaries and shall hold any and all assets attributable to the Employer for the benefit of the general creditors of the Employer.
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10.10 Plan Amendment.
(a) Right to Amend. The Board of the Employer and any authorized committee by written instrument, shall have the right to amend the Plan at any time and with respect to any provisions hereof, and all parties hereto or claiming any interest hereunder shall be bound by such amendment; provided, however, that no such amendment shall deprive the Participant or any Beneficiary(s) of any rights accrued hereunder prior to the date of the amendment, including the right to receive the payment of his or her benefit upon a benefit entitlement event, or earlier as provided herein.
(b) Amendment Required by Law. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Plan may be amended at any time, retroactively if required, if found necessary, in the opinion of the Board of the Employer, in order to ensure that the Plan is characterized as a non-tax-qualified plan of deferred supplemental retirement compensation maintained for members of a select group of management or highly compensated employees as described under Code Sections 451 and 409A, ERISA Sections 201(2), 301(a) (3) and 401 and to conform the Plan to the provisions and requirements of any applicable law (including ERISA) and the Code.
10.11 Plan Termination.
(a) Employers Right to Terminate Plan. Subject to applicable law, the Board of the Employer reserves the right, at any time, to terminate the Plan; provided however, that no such termination shall deprive the Participant or any Beneficiary of a right accrued hereunder prior to the date of termination and provided that, upon termination, the Participant shall become fully and immediately vested in his or her Account and such Account shall be held in the Plan until an appropriate distribution event as provided by this Plan and Code Section 409A.
(b) Termination of Plan Upon Dissolution. Subject to applicable law, the Plan shall terminate automatically upon the dissolution of the Employer. No such termination shall deprive the Participant or Beneficiary(s) of a right accrued hereunder prior to the date of termination and provided that, upon termination, the Participant shall become fully and immediately vested in his or her Account and such Account shall be held in the Plan until an appropriate distribution event as provided by this Plan and Code Section 409A.
(c) Termination of Plan Due to Change in Control. The Employer may decide in its discretion to terminate the Plan in the event a Change in Control (as defined in Section 4.4) and distribute all Participants Accounts within twelve (12) months of the effective date of the Change in Control as allowed by law. Any corporation or other business organization that is a successor to the Employer by reason of a Change in Control shall have the right to become a party to the Plan by adopting the same by resolution of the entitys board of directors or other appropriate governing body. If within thirty (30) days from the effective date of the Change in Control such new entity does not become a party hereto, as above provided, the full amount of the Participants Account shall become immediately distributable to the Participant.
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10.12 Employer Determinations.
Any determinations, actions or decisions of the Employer (including but not limited to, Plan amendments and Plan termination) shall be made by the Board in accordance with its established procedures or by such other individuals, groups or organizations that have been properly delegated by the Board to make such determination or decision.
10.13 Construction.
All questions of interpretation, construction or application arising under or concerning the terms of this Plan shall be decided by the Administrator, in its sole and final discretion, whose decision shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all persons.
10.14 Governing Law.
This Plan shall be governed by, construed and administered in accordance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, and any other applicable federal law, provided, however, that to the extent not preempted by federal law this Plan shall be governed by, construed and administered under the laws of the state of Delaware, other than its laws respecting choice of law.
10.15 Severability.
If any provision of this Plan is held invalid or unenforceable, its invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Plan and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provision had not been included therein. If the inclusion of any Employee (or Employees) as a Participant under this Plan would cause the Plan to fail to comply with the requirements of sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA, or Code Section 409A, then the Plan shall be severed with respect to such Employee or Employees, who shall be considered to be participating in a separate arrangement.
10.16 Headings.
The Article headings contained herein are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference and in no way define, limit, enlarge or describe the scope or intent of this Plan nor in any way shall they affect this Plan or the construction of any provision thereof.
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10.17 Terms.
Capitalized terms shall have meanings as defined herein. Singular nouns shall be read as plural, masculine pronouns shall be read as feminine, and vice versa, as appropriate.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Biosite Incorporated has caused this instrument to be executed by its duly authorized officer, effective as of this day of , 20 .
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