EX-10.1 2 d699449dex101.htm EX-10.1 EX-10.1 Exhibit 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BIOMARIN PHARMACEUTICAL INC.
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BIOMARIN PHARMACEUTICAL INC.
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
RECITALS
This BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“Plan”) was adopted by BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. effective as of December 1, 2005, was thereafter amended and restated, effective January 1, 2009, and is now being amended and restated effective December 19, 2013 in order to establish special distribution rules for Qualified Employees, as defined below. The Plan has been adopted primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Company and its related entities. This Plan shall also be available to non-employee members of the Board of Directors. Accordingly, it is intended that this Plan be exempt from the requirements of Parts II, III and IV of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), pursuant to Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA. This Plan is intended to be an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Plan participants shall have the status of unsecured creditors of BioMarin Pharmaceutical with respect to the payment of Plan benefits.
| | 1.1 | “Account” means the book entry account(s) established under the Plan for each Participant’s Compensation Deferrals, Discretionary Employer Contributions and any contribution credits and deemed income, gains and losses credited thereto or debited therefrom. Account balances shall be reduced by any distributions made to the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary(ies) therefrom and any charges that may be imposed on such Account(s) pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Separate Subaccounts may be established to which shall be credited a Participant’s Compensation Deferrals for each separate Plan Year, the Discretionary Employer Contributions, if any, and the gains and losses with respect thereto. Where Subaccounts have been established, Account shall refer to all of the Participants’ Subaccounts, collectively, as the context may require. |
| | 1.2 | “Affiliate” means, with respect to any entity, all other entities with which the subject entity would be aggregated and treated as a single employer under Code Section 414(b) (controlled group of corporations) and Code Section 414(c) (a group of trades or businesses, whether or not incorporated, under common control), as applicable. |
| | 1.3 | “Beneficiary” means any person or persons so designated in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.1. |
| | 1.4 | “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company. If one or more committees have been appointed by the Board to determine eligibility under the Plan, Discretionary Employer Contributions to be made to the Plan, or to exercise any other Company discretion with respect to such Plan, “Board” also means such committee(s). |
| | 1.5 | “Change Of Control” shall mean either (i) a merger, consolidation, share exchange, business combination, issuance of securities, direct or indirect acquisition of securities, tender offer, exchange offer or other similar transaction as a result of which the persons that beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, the shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to such transaction cease to beneficially own, directly or indirectly, shares of voting stock representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of all outstanding classes of voting stock of the Company or the continuing or surviving corporation if Company is not the continuing or surviving corporation in such transaction, or (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Company. |
| | 1.6 | “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations thereunder, as amended from time to time. |
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| | 1.7 | “Committee” means the Administrative Committee composed of such individuals as may be appointed by the Board which shall function as the administrator of the Plan. |
| | 1.8 | “Company” means BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc., a Delaware company, and any successor organization thereto. |
| | 1.9 | “Compensation” means, in the case of a Participant who is an employee of the Company such Participant’s regular cash salary and cash bonuses, and Restricted Stock Compensation, and in the case of a Participant who is a Director of the Company, such Participant’s annual Board retainer and Board meeting fees (including Board Committee meeting fees). Compensation shall also include any “Performance Based Compensation” as that term is defined under Section 409A of the Code and any regulations thereunder. |
| | 1.10 | “Compensation Deferrals” means the percentage or dollar amount of an Eligible Employee’s Compensation which the Eligible Employee elects to defer pursuant to Section 3.1. |
| | 1.11 | “Designation Date” means the date or dates as of which a designation of deemed investment directions by an individual pursuant to Section 4.3, or any change in a prior designation of deemed investment directions by an individual pursuant to Section 4.3, shall become effective. The Designation Dates in any Plan Year shall be determined by the Committee. |
| | 1.12 | “Director” means a non-employee member of the Board of Directors. |
| | 1.13 | “Disability” will be determined to exist if the Participant is, 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 a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, eligible to receive income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under any disability benefit plan for covered Employees of the Employer, or, if the Participant does not participate in such plan, would have been eligible to receive such benefits had the Participant participated in such plan. |
| | 1.14 | “Discretionary Employer Contributions” means the amount, if any, of contributions awarded to a Participant pursuant to Section 3.2. |
| | 1.15 | “Effective Date” means the effective date of the Plan, which shall be December 1, 2005, or if later, the date the Plan is approved by the Board. |
| | 1.16 | “Election” means the form on which a Participant (i) elects to make Compensation Deferrals pursuant to Article 3 or (ii) elects a fixed payment date pursuant to Article 5, or (iii) elects the method by which his or her Account will be distributed pursuant to Article 6. The Election shall be in such form, including specifically by electronic means, as may be prescribed by the Committee. |
| | 1.17 | “Eligible Employee” means, for any Plan Year (or applicable portion thereof), an employee of the Employer who is a member of the select group of management or highly compensated employees as more particularly described in Article 2 and who has been designated by the Committee, in its sole discretion, as eligible to participate in the Plan. |
| | 1.18 | “Employer” shall be defined as follows: |
| | (a) | Except as otherwise provided in part (b) of this Section, the term “Employer” shall mean the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates (now in existence or hereafter formed or acquired) that have been selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan and have adopted the Plan for the benefit of its Eligible Employees. |
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| | (b) | For the purpose of determining whether a Participant has experienced a Separation from Service, the term “Employer” shall mean the entity for which the Participant performs services and with respect to which the legally binding right to compensation deferred or contributed under this Plan arises, and all of its Affiliates. |
| | 1.19 | “Entry Date” means the first day of any Plan Year and, as to any Eligible Employee, the date which is thirty (30) days from the date on which such Eligible Employee is first notified by the Committee of his or her eligibility to participate in the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any individual first designated as an Eligible Employee on or before the Effective Date, his or her Entry Date shall be the Effective Date |
| | 1.20 | “Open Enrollment Period” means such period as the Committee may specify which ends prior to the first day of each Plan Year, or, with respect to an Eligible Employee or Director who first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan during a Plan Year, ends within thirty (30) days of becoming an Eligible Employee or Director, provided that the newly Eligible Employee or Director was not previously eligible in another individual account deferred compensation plan that would be aggregated with this Plan pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c) at any time during the 24-month period ending on the date he or she became eligible to participate in the Plan. If an Eligible Employee or Director first becomes eligible after the first day of the Plan Year, the Compensation Deferral shall be limited to Compensation paid for services performed after the date of the Election. For Compensation that is earned based upon a specific performance period (e.g., annual bonus or retainer), a Compensation Deferral shall be limited to Compensation paid for services performed after the Election if the Compensation Deferral applies to no more than an amount equal to the total amount of the Compensation for the performance period multiplied by the ratio of the number days remaining in the performance period after the Election over the total number of days in the performance period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Open Enrollment Period for deferrals of Performance Based Compensation may end no later than six (6) months prior to the end of the performance period for which services are to be rendered. |
| | 1.21 | “Participant” means an Eligible Employee or Director who has elected to participate in the Plan by executing and submitting an Election to the Committee. A Participant shall also mean an Eligible Employee for whom Discretionary Employer Contributions are made, regardless of whether such Eligible Employee has executed and submitted an Election. |
| | 1.22 | “Performance-Based Compensation” means any incentive bonus or other compensation amount to the extent that it is (a) variable and contingent on the satisfaction of pre-established organizational or individual performance criteria, (b) not readily ascertainable at the time the deferral election is made, and (c) based on services performed over a period of at least twelve (12) months. For this purpose, performance criteria are “pre-established” if they are established in writing no later than ninety (90) days after the related service period begins. |
| | 1.23 | “Plan” means this BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended from time to time. |
| | 1.24 | “Plan Year” means the twelve (12) month period beginning on each January 1 and ending on the following December 31. |
| | 1.25 | “Qualified Employee” means a Participant employed by the Company who has at least 5 years of service at the time of Separation from Service. |
| | 1.26 | “Restricted Stock Compensation,” means any restricted stock, restricted stock unit, phantom stock or similar award granted by the Employer to a Participant under any Employer-sponsored equity compensation plan. |
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| | 1.27 | “Retirement” means, in the case of a Participant employed by the Company, Separation from Service on or after age 55 with 10 years or more of service, and in the case of a Director, Separation of Service as a Director. |
| | 1.28 | “Separation from Service” (or “Separates from Service”) shall mean the termination of services provided by a Participant to his or her Employer, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, as determined by the Committee in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h). In determining whether a Participant has experienced a Separation from Service, the following provisions shall apply: |
| | (a) | For a Participant who provides services to the Employer as an Employee, except as otherwise provided in Section 1.28(b), a Separation from Service shall occur when such Participant experiences a termination of employment with such Employer. A Participant shall be considered to have experienced a termination of employment when the facts and circumstances indicate that either (i) the Participant is not reasonably expected to perform further services for the Employer after a certain date, or (ii) that the level of bona fide services the Participant will perform for the Employer after such date (whether as an Employee or as an independent contractor) will permanently decrease to no more than 49% of the average level of bona fide services performed by such Participant (whether as an Employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding 36-month period (or full period of services to the Employer if the Participant has been providing services to the Employer for less than 36 months). |
| | (b) | If a Participant is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence, the employment relationship between the Participant and the Employer shall be treated as continuing intact, provided that the period of such leave does not exceed six months, or longer, so long as the Participant retains a right to reemployment with the Employer under an applicable statute or by contract. If the period of leave exceeds six (6) months and the Participant does not retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the Participant will incur a Separation from Service as of the first day immediately following the end of such 6-month period. However, where a Participant’s leave of absence is due to his or her inability to perform the duties of his or her position or any similar position as the result of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or last for a continuous period of not less than six (6) months, a 29-month period of absence will be substituted for such 6-month period. In applying the provisions of this paragraph, a leave of absence shall be considered a bona fide leave of absence only if there is a reasonable expectation that the Participant will return to perform services for the Employer. |
| | (c) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant who provides services to the Employer as both an Employee and a member of the Board, then to the extent permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(5), the services provided by such Participant as a Board member shall not be taken into account in determining whether the Participant experiences a Separation from Service as an Employee, and the services provided by such Participant as an Employee shall not be taken into account in determining whether the Participant has experienced a Separation from Service as a Board member. |
| | (d) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, if, in connection with the Employer’s sale of substantial assets to an unrelated buyer (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(4)), a Participant would otherwise experience a Separation of Service, then, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(4), the asset purchase agreement may specify whether or not such Participant has experienced a Separation from Service, provided that all Participants affected by the asset sale are treated consistently under the Plan. |
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| | 1.29 | “Trust” means any trust, including a grantor trust within the meaning of subpart E, part I, subchapter J, chapter I, subtitle A of the Code, created by the Trust agreement, to hold Compensation Deferrals and Discretionary Employer Contributions. |
| | 1.30 | “Trustee” means the trustee of the Trust described in Article 11. |
| | 1.31 | “Valuation Date” means any business day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open, or such other date that the Committee, in its sole discretion, designates as a Valuation Date. |
| 2. | ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION. |
| | 2.1 | Eligibility. Eligibility for participation in the Plan shall be limited to Directors and a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Employer, who are designated by the Committee, in its sole discretion, as eligible to participate in the Plan. Eligible Individuals shall be notified as to their eligibility to participate in the Plan. Participation in the Plan is voluntary, other than for Discretionary Employer Contributions. A person shall cease to be an Eligible Person for future plan years at such a time as he or she is neither a member of a select group of management nor highly compensated employees of the Company nor a Director of the Company. |
| | 2.2 | Commencement Of Participation. An Eligible Employee may begin participation in the Plan upon any Entry Date, subject to the execution and submission of an Election pursuant to Article 3. In addition, participation of an Eligible Employee who has not otherwise commenced participation in the Plan, shall commence when a Discretionary Employer Contribution is made to the Account of such Eligible Employee pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.2. |
| | 2.3 | Cessation Of Participation. Active participation in the Plan shall end when a Participant’s employment terminates for any reason or at such time as a Participant is notified by the Committee pursuant to Section 2.4 that he or she is no longer eligible to participate in the Plan. Upon Separation from Service of employment or termination of eligibility, a Participant shall remain an inactive Participant in the Plan until the vested Account of the Participant under this Plan has been paid in full. |
| | 2.4 | Change Of Employment Category. During any period in which a Participant remains with the company, but ceases to be an Eligible Person, he or she shall not be eligible to make Compensation Deferrals, or to receive Discretionary Employer Contributions hereunder for future plan years. |
| 3. | CONTRIBUTIONS AND CREDITS. |
| | 3.1 | Participant Contributions And Credits. |
| | (a) | Time and Manner of Election. In accordance with rules established by the Committee, a Participant may elect to defer Compensation that would otherwise be paid to the Participant that is attributable to services first performed after the end of the applicable Open Enrollment Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Open Enrollment Period for deferrals of Performance Based Compensation may end no later than six (6) months prior to the end of the performance period for which services are to be rendered. A Participant who is a Director may elect to defer up to 100% of his or her Compensation earned during the Plan Year. Amounts so deferred shall be considered a Participant’s “Compensation Deferrals” and shall be deducted by the Company from the Compensation of the deferring Participant and shall be credited to the Compensation Deferral Account of the deferring Participant. The Participant may, on an applicable election form provided by the Committee, elect for his or her Compensation deferrals to be paid in a lump sum within a specific calendar year, subject to such limitations as the Committee may set forth in the applicable election form. In addition, if permitted by the |
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| | Committee, a Participant may elect to receive a distribution in annual installments. The annual installments shall commence within a specific calendar year as set forth within the election form. Furthermore, in accordance with rules established by the Committee, a Participant may elect to defer Restricted Stock Compensation that would otherwise be payable to the Participant to the Participant’s Account. The value of the Restricted Stock Compensation to be credited to the Participant’s Account shall be equal to fair market value of the number of shares vesting to the Participant as of the date of the shares vesting. |
| | (b) | Timing of Election. The Election must be filed with the Committee during the Open Enrollment Period for the Plan Year to which such Election applies. Elections to defer Restricted Stock Compensation must be made no later than twelve (12) months prior to the vesting of the shares and no later than thirty (30) days after the granting of the award. |
| | (c) | Irrevocable Election. The Participant’s Election with respect to his or her Compensation Deferrals is irrevocable. Unless increased, decreased or terminated during any subsequent Open Enrollment Period, an Election shall remain in effect until so changed by the Participant during such subsequent Open Enrollment Period. |
| | (d) | Limitation on Compensation Deferrals. A Participant’s Compensation Deferral Elections shall be subject to the following: |
| | (i) | A Participant electing to defer compensation for a given Plan Year must elect to defer a minimum of the greater of 1% of his or her Compensation or $10,000 each Plan Year. |
| | (ii) | A Participant may elect to defer up to a maximum of one hundred percent (100%) of his or her Compensation and 100% of Performance Based Compensation. |
| | (iii) | For each Plan Year in which a Compensation Deferral is being withheld from a Participant, the Participant’s Employer(s) shall withhold from that portion of the Participant’s Compensation that is not being deferred, in a manner determined by the Employer(s), the Participant’s share of FICA or other employment taxes on such Compensation Deferral. If necessary, the Committee may reduce the Compensation Deferral in order to comply with this Section. |
| | (e) | No Withdrawal. Except as provided in Section 5.2, amounts credited to a Participant’s Account may not be withdrawn by a Participant and shall be paid only in accordance with the provisions of this Plan and applicable Participant Election. |
| | (f) | Vesting. A Participant shall at all times be 100% vested in the amounts credited to his or her Compensation Deferral Account. |
| | 3.2 | Discretionary Employer Contributions And Credits. |
| | (a) | Discretionary Employer Contributions. Apart from Compensation Deferral Contributions, the Board shall retain the right to make discretionary contributions for any Participant under this Plan at the times and in the amount(s) designated by the Employer, in its sole discretion. Amounts so credited will be considered a Participant’s “Discretionary Employer Contributions.” |
| | (b) | Company Contribution Account. There shall be established and maintained a separate Company Contribution Account in the name of each Participant to which shall be credited the amount of any Company Contributions during a plan Year and any earnings thereon, and from which shall be debited the amount of any losses thereon and the amount of any distributions made to the Participant therefrom. |
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| | (c) | Vesting. Amounts credited to the Company Contribution Account shall become 100% vested after the Participant has had three full Years of Service with the Company following the Plan Year in which the Company Contribution was made, or at such other time as the Company may designate at the time the Contribution is made. Notwithstanding the preceding, if (i) the Participant dies or incurs a Disability prior to vesting or (ii) there is a Change of Control, all amounts credited to his or her Company Contribution Account shall become 100% vested. Any Participant that experiences a severance prior to full vesting shall irrevocably forfeit the portion not vested at the time of severance, and the amount so forfeited shall be returned to the Company. Any Participant that experiences a Retirement prior to full vesting shall, unless the Committee determines otherwise in its sole discretion (which shall include the discretion to fully vest amounts credited to the Company Contribution Account on Retirement), irrevocably forfeit the portion not vested at the time of Retirement, and the amount so forfeited shall be returned to the Company. |
| | (d) | Forfeitures for Misconduct. If a Participant Separates from Service with the Employer as a result of the Participant’s gross misconduct, as determined by the Committee, or if the Participant engages in unlawful business competition with the Employer, the Participant shall forfeit all amounts allocated to his or her Discretionary Employer Contribution Account(s) under this Section 3.2 (regardless of the vesting of such amounts). Such forfeitures shall be retained by the Employer. |
| | 4.1 | Allocation Of Deemed Earnings Or Losses On Accounts. Subject to such limitations as may from time to time be required by law, imposed by the Committee or the Trustee or contained elsewhere in the Plan, and subject to such operating rules and procedures as may be imposed from time to time by the Committee, prior to the date on which a direction will become effective, the Participant shall have the right to direct the Committee as to how amounts in his or her Compensation Deferral Account shall be deemed to be invested. However, with regard to Restricted Stock Compensation the amount deferred will be deemed to be invested in Company stock and will remain in Company stock until such amount is distributed in shares to the Participant pursuant to Section 6. The Committee may, but is not required to, invest assets held by the Company on behalf of the Participant pursuant to the deemed investment directions the Committee has properly received from the Participant, and may utilize the Trust for the same in its discretion. |
As of each Valuation Date, the Participant’s Account will be credited or debited to reflect the Participant’s deemed investments, The Participant’s Account will be credited or debited with the increase or decrease in the realizable net asset value of the designated deemed investments, as follows. As of each Valuation Date, an amount equal to the net increase or decrease in realizable net asset value (as determined by the Committee) of each deemed investment option within the Account since the preceding Valuation Date shall be allocated among all Participants’ Accounts deemed to be invested in that investment option in accordance with the ratio which the portion of the Account of each Participant which is deemed to be invested within that investment option, determined as provided herein, bears to the aggregate of all amounts deemed to be invested within that investment option.
| | 4.2 | Accounting For Distributions. As of the date of any distribution hereunder, the distribution made hereunder to the Participant or his or her Beneficiary or Beneficiaries shall be charged to such Participant’s Account. Such amounts shall be charged on a pro rata basis against the investments of the Plan in which the Participant’s Account is deemed to be invested. |
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| | 4.3 | Deemed Investment Directions Of Participants. Subject to such limitations as may from time to time be required by law, imposed by the Employer or the Trustee or contained elsewhere in the Plan, and subject to such operating rules and procedures as may be imposed from time to time by the Employer, prior to and effective for each Designation Date, each Participant may communicate to the Employer a direction (in accordance with (a), below) as to how his or her Account should be deemed to be invested among such categories of deemed investments as may be made available by the Employer hereunder. Such direction shall designate the percentage (in any whole percent multiples) of each portion of the Participant’s Account which is requested to be deemed to be invested in such categories of deemed investments, and shall be subject to the following rules: |
| | (a) | Any initial or subsequent deemed investment direction shall be in writing, on a form supplied by and filed with the Committee, and/or, as required or permitted by the Committee, shall be by written designation and/or electronic transmission designation. A designation shall be effective as of the Designation Date next following the date the direction is received and accepted by the Committee on which it would be reasonably practicable for the Committee to effect the designation. The Participant may, if permitted by the Committee, make a deemed investment direction for his or her existing Account balance as of the Designation Date and a separate deemed investment direction for contribution credits occurring after the Designation Date. |
| | (b) | All amounts credited to the Participant’s Account shall be deemed to be invested in accordance with the then effective deemed investment direction, and as of the Designation Date with respect to any new deemed investment direction, all or a portion of the Participant’s Account at that date shall be reallocated among the designated deemed investment funds according to the percentages specified in the new deemed investment direction unless and until a subsequent deemed investment direction shall be filed and become effective. An election concerning deemed investment choices shall continue indefinitely as provided in the Participant’s most recent Election, or other form specified by the Committee. |
| | (c) | If the Employer receives an initial or revised deemed investment direction which it deems to be incomplete, unclear or improper, the Participant’s investment direction then in effect shall remain in effect (or, in the case of a deficiency in an initial deemed investment direction, the Participant shall be deemed to have filed no deemed investment direction) until the next Designation Date, unless the Employer provides for, and permits the application of, corrective action prior thereto. |
| | (d) | If the Employer possesses (or is deemed to possess as provided in (c), above) at any time directions as to the deemed investment of less than all of a Participant’s Account, the Participant shall be deemed to have directed that the undesignated portion of the Participant’s Account be deemed to be uninvested. Or, in its discretion, the Employer may direct such undesignated portion of the Account to be deemed to be invested in a money market, fixed income or similar fund made available under the Plan as determined by the Employer. |
| | (e) | Each reference in this Section to a Participant shall be deemed to include, where applicable, a reference to a Beneficiary. |
| 5. | ENTITLEMENT TO BENEFITS. |
| | 5.1 | Fixed Payment Dates; Separation from Service. During the Open Enrollment Period of each Plan Year and on his or her Election a Participant may select a fixed payment date for the payment of amounts (or a portion of amounts) credited to his or her vested Account during the Plan Year for which the Participant Election is effective, which will be valued and payable according to the provisions of Article 6. Such fixed payment dates or distribution methods set forth on the Election may be postponed to later dates so long as elections to so postpone the dates or changes |
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| | the distribution methods are made by the Participant at least twelve (12) months prior to the date on which the distribution was originally scheduled to be made, the election will not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made, and the new postponed distribution date is at least five (5) years after the originally scheduled date. |
A Participant who selects a fixed payment date for amounts credited to his or her Account during a Plan Year shall receive payment of such vested amounts at the earlier of such fixed payment date (as postponed, if applicable) or his or her Separation from Service.
Any fixed payment date elected by a Participant as provided above must be a date no earlier than the January 1 of the second calendar year after the calendar year for which the election is effective.
During the first Open Enrollment Period for which a Participant elects Compensation Deferrals, the Participant may specify on his or her Election whether he or she wishes to elect installment distributions in accordance with Section 6.3(b) for distributions on account of the Participant’s Separation from Service either while a Qualified Employee or within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control that qualifies as change of control event under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5). In the absence of such a timely election such payments will be in a lump sum in accordance with Section 6, but a Participant may thereafter elect to receive installment distributions in accordance with Section 6.3(b) at any time that is at least (12) months prior to the Participant’s Separation from Service if the election does not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made, and payments do not commence until at least five (5) years after the originally scheduled distribution date.
If a Participant does not make an election as provided above for any particular amounts hereunder, and the Participant Separates from Service for any reason, other than at a time when the Participant is a Qualified Employee or within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control that qualifies as “change in control event” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5), the Participant’s vested Account at the date of such Separation from Service shall be valued and payable in a single lump sum after such Separation from Service according to the provisions of Section 6.
| | 5.2 | Hardship Distributions. In the event of an unforeseeable emergency of the Participant, as hereinafter defined, the Participant may apply to the Committee for the distribution of all or any part of his or her vested Account. The Committee shall consider the circumstances of each such case, and the best interests of the Participant and his or her family, and shall have the right, in its sole discretion, if applicable, to allow such distribution, or, if applicable, to direct a distribution of part of the amount requested, or to refuse to allow any distribution. Upon a finding of unforeseeable emergency, the Committee shall make the appropriate distribution to the Participant from amounts under the Participant’s vested Account. In no event shall the aggregate amount of the distribution exceed either the full value of the Participant’s vested Account or the amount determined by the Committee to be necessary to alleviate the Participant’s financial hardship (which financial hardship may be considered to include any taxes due because of the distribution occurring because of this Section 5.2) caused by the unforeseeable emergency, and which is not reasonably available from other resources of the Participant. For purposes of this Section 5.2, the value of the Participant’s vested Account shall be determined as of the date of the distribution. “Unforeseeable Emergency” shall mean an unanticipated emergency that is caused by an event beyond the control of the Participant that would result in severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from (i) a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the Participant, or the Participant’s spouse, Beneficiary, or dependent (as defined in Code Section 152, without regard to Code Section 152(b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B)), (ii) a loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty, or (iii) another similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstance arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant, all as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(3). |
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| | 5.3 | Limitation On Distributions To Covered Employees. If the Company reasonably anticipates that the Company’s deduction with respect to any distribution from this Plan would be limited or eliminated by application of Code Section 162(m), then to the extent permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(i), payment shall be delayed as deemed necessary to ensure that the entire amount of any distribution from this Plan is deductible. Any amounts for which distribution is delayed pursuant to this Section shall continue to be credited or debited with additional amounts in accordance with Section 4. The delayed amounts (as adjusted for any amounts credited or debited thereon) shall be distributed to the Participant (or his or her Beneficiary in the event of the Participant’s death) at the earliest date the Company reasonably anticipates that the deduction of the payment of the amount will not be limited or eliminated by application of Code Section 162(m). Notwithstanding the foregoing, distribution of a Participant’s Account shall be made without regard to the deductibility limitation of Code section 162(m) if the time for distribution is accelerated pursuant to Section 9.3 or Section 10.3. |
| 6. | DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS. |
| | 6.1 | Amount. The value of the Participant’s (or his or her Beneficiary’s) distribution shall be equal to the vested value of the Participant’s Account as of the Valuation Date or such other date as the Committee may specify, each as adjusted for Compensation Deferrals, Discretionary Employer Contributions, and/or withdrawals which have been subsequently credited thereto or made therefrom prior to the distribution date. |
| | 6.2 | Timing Of Distribution. Distributions shall be paid (or, payments shall commence in installments) within ninety (90) days after the earlier of: |
| | (a) | the fixed payment date designated by the Participant; or |
| | (b) | the date within ninety (90) days after the Participant’s Separation from Service, death, or Disability. |
| | 6.3 | Method Of Distribution. A Participant’s Account shall be paid in one of the following methods, as specified in his or her Election: |
| | (a) | as to all or any designated portion of Participant’s Account, a single lump sum payment; |
| | (b) | if, and only if, the Participant’s employment was terminated at a time when the Participant was a Qualified Employee or within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control that qualifies as a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3((i)(5), and if elected by the Participant in his or her most recent effective Election made in accordance with Section 5.1, in annual installment payments of substantially equal amounts over a period of up to fifteen (15) years; |
| | (c) | a Participant may amend his or her Election so as to select installments upon Separation from Service at a time when the Participant is a Qualified Employee by filing an amended Election provided, however, that such Election to so change to installment distributions upon such Separation of Service is made by the Participant at least twelve (12) months prior to the separation date, the election will not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made, and the new postponed distribution date is at least five (5) years from the original Separation from Service by the Qualified Employee; provided that, in no event shall any such distribution date be accelerated to a date earlier than that initially selected by the Participant; and |
| | (d) | the Employer (or its designee) may establish from time to time limitations on the Participant’s ability to select the time and method of payment of his Account based upon the amount in the Participant’s Account; provided further that, unless and until changed |
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| | by the Employer (or its designee), any Account that has a total vested balance of less than $5,000 at the time of distribution shall be paid in a lump sum regardless of an election by the Participant to be paid in installments. |
| | (e) | If, at the time of Participant’s Separation from Service, the Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Code Section 409A and Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(2)), the Company will not pay or provide any “Specified Benefits” (as defined herein) during the six-month period (the “409A Suspension Period”) beginning immediately after the Participant’s Separation from Service. For purposes of this Agreement, “Specified Benefits” are any amounts or benefits that would be subject to Code Section 409A penalties if the Company were to pay them, pursuant to this Plan, on account of the Participant’s Separation from Service. During the 409A Suspension Period, the Participant’s Account will continue to be credited or debited in accordance with Section 4.1 until the Participant’s Account is distributed. Within fourteen (14) calendar days following the end of the 409A Suspension Period, the Participant shall be paid a lump sum payment in cash equal to any Specified Benefits delayed during the 409A Suspension Period. |
| 7. | BENEFICIARIES; PARTICIPANT DATA. |
| | 7.1 | Designation Of Beneficiaries. Each Participant from time to time may designate any person or persons (who may be named contingently or successively) to receive such benefits as may be payable under the Plan upon or after the Participant’s death, and such designation may be changed from time to time by the Participant by filing a new designation. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, shall be in a form prescribed by the Employer, and will be effective only when filed in writing with the Employer during the Participant’s lifetime. |
In the absence of a valid Beneficiary designation, or if, at the time any benefit payment is due to a Beneficiary, there is no living Beneficiary validly named by the Participant, the Employer shall pay any such benefit payment to the Participant’s spouse, if then living, but otherwise to the Participant’s then living descendants, if any, per stirpes, but, if none, to the Participant’s estate. In determining the existence or identity of anyone entitled to a benefit payment, the Employer may rely conclusively upon information supplied by the Participant’s personal representative, executor or administrator. If a question arises as to the existence or identity of anyone entitled to receive a benefit payment as aforesaid, or if a dispute arises with respect to any such payment, then, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employer, in its sole discretion, may distribute such payment to the Participant’s estate without liability for any tax or other consequences which might flow therefrom, or may take such other action as the Employer deems to be appropriate.
| | 7.2 | Information To Be Furnished By Participants And Beneficiaries; Inability To Locate Participants Or Beneficiaries. Any communication, statement or notice addressed to a Participant or to a Beneficiary at his or her last post office address as shown on the Employer’s records shall be binding on the Participant or Beneficiary for all purposes of the Plan. The Committee shall not be obliged to search for any Participant or Beneficiary beyond the sending of notice to such last known address. If the Committee notifies any Participant or Beneficiary that he or she is entitled to an amount under the Plan and the Participant or Beneficiary fails to claim such amount or make his or her location known to the Committee within three (3) years thereafter, then, except as otherwise required by law, if the location of one or more of the next of kin of the Participant is known to the Committee, the Committee may direct distribution of such amount to any one or more or all of such next of kin, and in such proportions as the Committee determines. If the location of none of the foregoing persons can be determined, the Committee shall have the right to direct that the amount payable shall be deemed to be a forfeiture, except that the dollar amount of the forfeiture, unadjusted for deemed gains or losses in the interim, shall be paid by the Committee if a claim for the benefit subsequently is made by the Participant or the Beneficiary to whom it was payable. If a benefit payable to an unlocated Participant or Beneficiary is subject to escheat pursuant to applicable state law, the Committee shall not be liable to any person for any payment made in accordance with such law. |
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| | 8.1 | Committee Powers And Responsibilities. Other than the powers reserved for the Board, the Committee shall have the complete control of the administration of the Plan herein set forth with all the powers necessary to enable it to properly carry out its duties in that respect. Not in limitation, but in amplification of the foregoing, the Committee shall have the power and authority to: |
| | (a) | Construe and interpret the Plan and determine all questions that shall arise as to the interpretations of the Plan’s provisions including determination of which individuals are Eligible Employees and the determination of the amounts credited to a Participant’s Account, and the appropriate timing and method of distributions. |
| | (b) | Adopt such rules of procedure and regulations as in its opinion may be necessary for the proper and efficient administration of the Plan and as are consistent with the Plan. |
| | (c) | Implement the Plan in accordance with its terms and the rules and regulations adopted as above. |
| | (d) | Appoint any persons or firms, or otherwise act to secure specialized advice or assistance, as it deems necessary or desirable in connection with the administration and operation of the Plan, and the Committee shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon, and shall be fully protected in any action or omission taken by it in good faith reliance upon, the advice or opinion of such firms or persons, The Committee may authorize one or more persons to execute any certificate or document on behalf of the Company, an Employer or the Committee, in which event any person notified by the Committee of such authorization shall be entitled to accept and conclusively rely upon any such certificate or document executed by such person as representing action by the Committee until such notified person shall have been notified of the revocation of such authority. |
| | (e) | Subject to Section 9, adopt amendments to the Plan document which are deemed necessary or desirable to facilitate administration of the Plan and/or to bring the Plan into compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, provided that the Committee shall not have the authority to adopt any Plan amendment that will result in substantially increased costs to the Company unless such amendment is either expressly authorized by the Board or contingent upon ratification by the Board before becoming effective. |
| | (f) | Select, review and retain or change any deemed investment fund under the Plan. |
| | (g) | Compile and maintain all records it determines to be necessary, appropriate or convenient in connection with the administration of the Plan. |
| | (h) | Direct the investment of the assets of the Trust. |
| | (i) | Review the performance of the Trustee and any other advisor or service provider to the Plan. |
| | (j) | Take such other action as may be necessary or appropriate to the management and investment of the Plan assets and administration of the Plan. |
| | 8.2 | Litigation. Except as may be otherwise required by law, in any action or judicial proceeding affecting the Plan, no Participant or Beneficiary shall be entitled to any notice or service of process, and any final judgment entered in such action shall be binding on all persons interested in, or claiming under, the Plan. |
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| | 8.3 | Indemnification. To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify each member of the Committee, and any other employee or member of the Board with duties under the Plan, against losses and expenses (including any amount paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any claims against such person by reason of such person’s conduct in the performance of duties under the Plan, except in relation to matters as to which such person has acted fraudulently or in bad faith in the performance of duties. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not indemnify any person for any expense incurred through any settlement or compromise of any action unless the Company consents in writing to the settlement or compromise. |
| | (a) | Initial Claim. A Participant or Beneficiary who believes he or she is entitled to any Benefit (a “Claimant”) under this Plan may file a claim with the Committee. The Committee shall review the claim itself or appoint an individual or an entity to review the claim. |
| | (i) | Benefit Claim. The Claimant shall be notified within ninety (90) days after the claim is filed whether the claim is allowed or denied, unless the Claimant receives written notice from the Committee or from an appointee of the Committee before the end of the ninety (90) day period stating that special circumstances require an extension of the time for decision. Any such extension will not extend beyond one hundred eighty (180) days after the day the claim is filed. |
| | (ii) | Manner and Content of Denial of Initial Claims. If the Plan Administrator denies a claim, it must provide to the Claimant, in writing or by electronic communication: |
| | 1. | the specific reasons for the denial; |
| | 2. | a reference to the Plan provision upon which the denial is based; |
| | 3. | a description of any additional information or material that the Claimant must provide in order to perfect the claim; |
| | 4. | an explanation of why such additional material or information is necessary; |
| | 5. | notice that the Claimant has a right to request a review of the claim denial and information on the steps to be taken if the Claimant wishes to request a review of the claim denial; and |
| | 6. | a statement of the participant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA §502(a) following a denial on review of the initial denial. |
| | (i) | Benefit Claims. A request for review of a denied claim must be made in writing to the Committee within sixty (60) days after receiving notice of denial. The decision upon review will be made within sixty (60) days after the Committee’s receipt of a request for review, unless special circumstances |
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| | require an extension of time for processing, in which case a decision will be rendered not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of a request for review. A notice of such an extension must be provided to the Claimant within the initial sixty (60) day period and must explain the special circumstances and provide an expected date of decision. The reviewer shall afford the Claimant an opportunity to review and receive, without charge, all relevant documents, information and records and to submit issues and comments in writing to the Committee. The reviewer shall take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim regardless of whether the information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination. |
| | (ii) | Manner and Content of Notice of Decision on Review. Upon completion of its review of an adverse initial claim determination, the Committee will give the Claimant, in writing or by electronic notification, a notice containing: |
| | 2. | the specific reasons for the decision; |
| | 3. | the relevant Plan provisions on which its decision is based; |
| | 4. | a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and without charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information in the Plan’s files which is relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits; |
| | 5. | a statement describing the Claimant’s right to bring an action for judicial review under ERISA §502(a); and |
| | 6. | if an internal rule, guideline, protocol or other similar criterion was relied upon in making the adverse determination on review, a statement that a copy of the rule, guideline, protocol or other similar criterion will be provided without charge to the Claimant upon request. |
| | (c) | Calculation of Time Periods. For purposes of the time periods specified in this Section 8.5, the period of time during which a benefit determination is required to be made begins at the time a claim is filed in accordance with the Plan procedures without regard to whether all the information necessary to make a decision accompanies the claim. If a period of time is extended due to a Claimant’s failure to submit all information necessary, the period for making the determination shall be tolled from the date the notification is sent to the Claimant until the date the Claimant responds. |
| | (d) | Failure of Plan to Follow Procedures. If the Plan fails to follow the claims procedures required by this Section 8.5, a Claimant shall be deemed to have exhausted the administrative remedies available under the Plan and shall be entitled to pursue any available remedy under ERISA section 502(a) on the basis that the Plan has failed to provide a reasonable claims procedure that would yield a decision on the merits of the claim. If the Claimant fails to follow the claims procedures required by this Section 8.5, the Claimant shall not be entitled to pursue any further legal action, claim or remedy until such time as the Claimant, to the extent applicable, exhausts the administrative remedies available under the Plan. |
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| | 9.1 | Right To Amend. The Committee or the Company, by action of the Board, 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 a Participant or a Beneficiary of a right accrued hereunder prior to the date of the amendment unless such an amendment is required by applicable law or deemed necessary to preserve the preferred tax treatment of the Plan. |
| | 9.2 | Amendments To Ensure Proper Characterization Of Plan. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.1, the Plan may be amended by the Committee or the Company, by action of its Board, at any time, retroactively if required, if found necessary, in the opinion of the Committee or the Board, in order to ensure that the Plan is characterized as a “top-hat” plan of deferred compensation maintained for a select group of management or highly compensated employees as described under ERISA sections 201(2), 301(a)(3), and 401(a)(l ), and to conform the Plan to the provisions and requirements of any applicable law (including specifically Section 409A of the Code, and other applicable portions of ERISA and the Code). No such amendment shall be considered prejudicial to any interest of a Participant or a Beneficiary hereunder. |
| | 9.3 | Changes In Law Affecting Taxability. |
| | (a) | Operation. This Section 9.3 shall become operative upon the enactment of any change in applicable statutory law or the promulgation by the Internal Revenue Service of a final regulation or other pronouncement having the force of law, which statutory law, as changed, or final regulation or pronouncement, as promulgated, would cause any Participant to include in his or her federal gross income amounts accrued by the Participant under the Plan on a date (an “Early Taxation Event”) prior to the date on which such amounts are made available to him or her hereunder. |
| | (b) | Affected Right or Feature Nullified. Notwithstanding any other Section of this Plan to the contrary (but subject to Section 9.3(c)), as of an Early Taxation Event, the feature or features of this Plan that would cause the Early Taxation Event shall be null and void, to the extent, and only to the extent, required to prevent the Participant from being required to include in his or her federal gross income amounts accrued by the Participant under the Plan prior to the date on which such amounts are made available to him or her hereunder. If only a portion of a Participant’s Account is impacted by the change in the law, then only such portion shall be subject to this Section 9.3, with the remainder of the Account not so affected being subject to such rights and features as if the law were not changed. If the law only impacts Participants who have a certain status with respect to the Employer, then only such Participants shall be subject to this Section 9.3. |
| | (c) | Tax Distribution. If the Plan fails to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A with respect to a Participant, the Participant’s Account may be distributed to the Participant in an amount that is not greater than the amount required to be included in the Participant’s income as a result of the Plan’s failure to comply with Code Section 409A. |
| | 10.1 | Employer’s Right To Terminate Or Suspend Plan. Subject to Section 10.3 hereof, the Employer reserves the right to terminate the Plan and/or its obligation to make further credits to Plan Accounts, by action of its Board of Directors. The Employer also reserves the right to suspend the operation of the Plan for a fixed or indeterminate period of time, by action of its Board of Directors. |
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| | 10.2 | Suspension Of Deferrals. In the event of a suspension of the Plan, the Employer shall continue all aspects of the Plan, other than Compensation Deferrals and Discretionary Employer Contributions, during the period of the suspension, in which event payments hereunder will continue to be made during the period of the suspension in accordance with Sections 5 and 6. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Compensation Deferrals may not be discontinued in the middle of a Plan Year. |
| | 10.3 | Limits on Plan Termination. The Plan may be terminated at any time in accordance with one of the following circumstances set forth in (a) through (c) below in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix). |
| | (a) | The Company may terminate the Plan if the termination and liquidation is not proximate to a downturn in the Company’s financial health and: |
| | (i) | The Plan and all other plans maintained by the Company that would be aggregated with the Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c) are irrevocably terminated; |
| | (ii) | No payments other than payments that would otherwise be payable under the terms of the Plan are made within twelve (12) months following the date the Company takes all necessary actions to terminate and liquidate the Plan; |
| | (iii) | Except with respect to the Participants who became entitled to benefits under the terms of the Plan and any other plan maintained by the Employer that would be aggregated with the Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c) within the first twelve (12) months following the date such plans are irrevocably terminated, all payments to the Participants due under the terms of such plans must be made between the first day of the 13th month and the last day of the 24th month following the date such plans terminated; and |
| | (iv) | The Company does not adopt a plan that would be aggregated with this Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c) within three years following the date the Plan is terminated. |
| | (b) | The Company terminates and liquidates the Plan pursuant to irrevocable action taken within thirty (30) days preceding or twelve (12) months following a “change in control event” (defined below), provided that the Plan and all other plans maintained by the Company that would be aggregated with the Plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c) are terminated on the same date with respect to each participant in such plans that experienced the “change in control event,” and all such participants receive all benefits payable under such plans within twelve (12) months following the termination date. For purposes of this Section 10.1(b), “change in control event” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5). |
| | (c) | The Company terminates and liquidates the Plan within twelve (12) months of a corporate dissolution taxed under Code Section 331, or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. § 503(b)(1)(A), provided that all benefits payable under the Plan are distributed to Participants during the earlier of (i) the taxable year in which the amount is actually or constructively received, or (ii) the latest of the calendar year in which (a) the Plan is terminated and liquidated; (b) the benefits are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (c) the payment first becomes administratively practicable. |
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| | 11.1 | Establishment Of Trust. The Employer, in its sole and absolute discretion, may establish a Trust with a qualified trustee pursuant to such terms and conditions as are set forth in a Trust agreement to be entered into between the Employer and such Trustee. Or, the Employer may cause to be maintained one or more separate subaccounts in an existing Trust maintained with the Trustee with respect to one or more other plans of the Employer, which subaccount or subaccounts represent Participants’ interests in the Plan. The Employer shall have the discretion to make contributions to such Trust that correspond to credits to Participants’ Accounts and/or to invest Trust assets in a manner that corresponds to Participants’ selected deemed investments in order to provide a source of funds with which the Employer shall pay Plan benefits as they become due. |
Any amounts held in a Trust established under this Section 11.1 shall be the sole property of the Employer and will not be held as collateral security for fulfillment of the Employer’s obligation under the Plan. Any such Trust shall be intended to be treated as a “grantor trust” under the Code and the establishment of the Trust or the utilization of any existing Trust for Plan benefits, as applicable, shall not be intended to cause any Participant to realize current income on amounts contributed thereto, and the Trust shall be so interpreted. Any such funds will be subject to the claims of all bankruptcy or insolvency creditors of the Employer as provided in the Trust agreement, and no Participant or Beneficiary will have any vested interest or secured or preferred position with respect to such funds or have any claims against the Employer hereunder except as a general creditor.
| | 12.1 | Limitations On Liability Of Employer. Neither the establishment of the Plan nor any modification thereof, nor the creation of any account under the Plan, nor the payment of any benefits under the Plan shall be construed as giving to any Participant or other person any legal or equitable right against the Employer, or any officer or employer thereof except as provided by law or by any Plan provision. The Employer does not in any way guarantee any Participant’s Account from loss or depreciation, whether caused by poor investment performance of a deemed investment or the inability to realize upon an investment due to an insolvency affecting an investment vehicle or any other reason. In no event shall the Employer, or any successor, employee, officer, director or stockholder of the Employer, be liable to any person on account of any claim arising by reason of the provisions of the Plan or of any instrument or instruments implementing its provisions, or for the failure of any Participant, Beneficiary or other person to be entitled to any particular tax consequences with respect to the Plan, or any credit or distribution hereunder. Participant shall be solely responsible for the satisfaction of any taxes with respect to the benefits payable to the Participant under this Plan (including, but not limited to, employment taxes imposed on employees and additional taxes on nonqualified deferred compensation). Although the Company intends and expects that the Plan and its payments and benefits will not give rise to taxes imposed under Section 409A of the Code, neither the Company, nor its employees, directors, or agents shall have any obligation to mitigate or to hold any Participant harmless from any or all of such taxes. |
| | 12.2 | Construction. The Plan is intended to be and at all times shall be interpreted and administered so as to qualify as an unfunded deferred compensation plan, and no provision of the Plan shall be interpreted so as to give any individual any right in any assets of the Employer which right is greater than the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Employer. |
| | 12.3 | Spendthrift Provision. No amount payable to a Participant or a Beneficiary under the Plan will, except as otherwise specifically provided by law, be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, attachment, garnishment, sale, transfer, assignment (either at law or in equity), levy, execution, pledge, encumbrance, charge or any other legal or equitable process, and any attempt to do so will be void; nor will any benefit be in any manner liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of the person entitled thereto. Further, (i) the withholding of taxes from Plan benefit payments, (ii) the recovery under the Plan of overpayments of benefits previously made to a Participant or Beneficiary, (iii) if applicable, the transfer of |
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| | benefit rights from the Plan to another plan, or (iv) the direct deposit of benefit payments to an account in a banking institution (if not actually part of an arrangement constituting an assignment or alienation) shall not be construed as an assignment or alienation. |
In the event that any Participant’s or Beneficiary’s benefits hereunder are garnished or attached by order of any court, the Employer or Trustee may bring an action or a declaratory judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction to determine the proper recipient of the benefits to be paid under the Plan. During the pendency of said action, any benefits that become payable shall be held as credits to the Participant’s or Beneficiary’s Account or, if the Employer or Trustee prefers, paid into the court as they become payable, to be distributed by the court to the recipient as the court deems proper at the close of said action.
| | 12.4 | Tax Withholding. Distribution and withdrawal payments under this Plan shall be subject to all applicable withholding requirements for state and federal income taxes and to any other federal, state or local taxes that may be applicable to such payments. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to deduct from any distribution from the Plan, that amount equal to all or any part of the federal, state, local and foreign taxes, if any, required by law to be withheld by the Company with respect to such distributions. Alternatively or in addition, in its discretion, the Company shall have the right to require a Participant, through payroll withholding, cash payment or otherwise, to make adequate provision for any such tax withholding obligations of the Company arising in connection with any distribution from the Plan. The Trustee shall have no obligation to distribute amounts form the Trust until the Company’s tax withholding obligations have been satisfied by the Participant. |
| | 12.5 | No Employment Agreement. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring upon any Participant the right to continue in the employ of the Employer as an employee. |
| | 12.6 | Attorney’s Fees. If the Employer, the Participant, any Beneficiary, any beneficiary under an insurance policy purchased under the Trust, and/or a successor in interest to any of the foregoing, brings legal action to enforce any of the provisions of this Plan, the prevailing party in such legal action shall be reimbursed by the other party, the prevailing party’s costs of such legal action including, without limitation, reasonable fees of attorneys, accountants and similar advisors and expert witnesses. |
| | 12.7 | Governing Law. This Plan shall be construed in accordance with and governed by any applicable provisions of ERISA and the laws of the State of Delaware. |
| | 12.8 | Entire Agreement. This Plan constitutes the entire understanding and agreement with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and there are no agreements, understandings, restrictions, representations or warranties among any Participant and the Employer other than those as set forth or provided for herein. |
| | 12.9 | Severability. If any provision of this Plan is determined, by the Committee or any governmental agency or court decision, to be unenforceable or invalid under any applicable law, such unenforceability or invalidity shall not render this Plan unenforceable or invalid as a whole, and such provision shall be changed and interpreted by the Committee, in its sole discretion, so as to best accomplish the objectives of such unenforceable or invalid provision within the limits of applicable law or applicable court decisions. |
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