Exhibit 10(m)

EX-10.M 3 dex10m.htm MAYTAG DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN Maytag Deferred Compensation Plan

 

Exhibit 10 (m)

 

 

 

[MAYTAG LOGO]

 

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

 

(As Adopted Effective January 1, 2003)

(As Amended January 17, 2003)

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         

Page


ARTICLE I INTRODUCTION

  

1

1.1

  

Plan; Purpose

  

4

1.2

  

Non-Qualified “Top-Hat” Plan

  

4

1.3

  

Plan Document

  

4

1.4

  

Effective Date of Document

  

4

ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

  

4

2.1

  

Definitions

  

4

2.2

  

Choice of Law

  

9

ARTICLE III PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTION CREDITS

  

9

3.1

  

Participation

  

9

3.2

  

Elective Deferral Credits

  

9

3.3

  

Company Match Credits

  

11

ARTICLE IV ACCOUNTS AND INVESTMENT ADJUSTMENTS

  

12

4.1

  

Accounts

  

12

4.2

  

Valuation of Accounts

  

12

4.3

  

Earnings Credits

  

13

4.4

  

Statements

  

14

ARTICLE V VESTING

  

15

5.1

  

Fully Vested Accounts

  

15

5.2

  

Accounts Subject to Vesting Schedule

  

15

ARTICLE VI WITHDRAWALS WHILE EMPLOYED

  

15

6.1

  

Scheduled Withdrawals

  

15

6.2

  

Financial Hardship Withdrawal

  

17

ARTICLE VII DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER TERMINATION

  

17

7.1

  

Benefit on Termination of Service

  

17

7.2

  

Time and Form of Distribution

  

17

7.3

  

Cash-Out of Small Accounts

  

19

7.4

  

Valuation of Accounts Following Termination of Service

  

19

ARTICLE VIII DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER DEATH

  

19

8.1

  

Survivor Benefits

  

19

8.2

  

Beneficiary Designation

  

20

8.3

  

Successor Beneficiary

  

20

ARTICLE IX CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND FUNDING

  

21

9.1

  

Contractual Obligations

  

21

9.2

  

Funding

  

21

ARTICLE X AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN

  

22

10.1

  

Right to Amend or Terminate

  

22

10.2

  

Effect of Termination

  

22

 

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Page


ARTICLE XI ADMINISTRATION

  

23

11.1

  

Administration

  

23

11.2

  

Correction of Errors And Duty to Review Information

  

23

11.3

  

Claims Procedure

  

24

11.4

  

Indemnification

  

25

11.5

  

Exercise of Authority

  

26

11.6

  

Telephonic or Electronic Notices and Transactions

  

26

ARTICLE XII MISCELLANEOUS

  

26

12.1

  

Nonassignability

  

26

12.2

  

Withholding

  

26

12.3

  

Successors of the Company

  

26

12.4

  

Employment Not Guaranteed

  

27

12.5

  

Gender, Singular and Plural

  

27

12.6

  

Captions

  

27

12.7

  

Validity

  

27

12.8

  

Waiver of Breach

  

27

12.9

  

Notice

  

27

 

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MAYTAG CORPORATION

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

 

ARTICLE I

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1.1    PURPOSE OF THE PLAN. The MAYTAG CORPORATION DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN is sponsored by the Company to attract high quality executives and directors and to provide eligible executives and directors with an opportunity to save on a pre-tax basis and accumulate tax-deferred earnings to achieve their financial goals. The Plan is a successor to the Maytag Deferred Compensation Plan (which was effective January 1, 1996) and which itself was a successor to the Maytag Corporation 1988 Capital Accumulation Plan for Key Employees, and all obligations under such predecessor plans shall be satisfied under this Plan.

 

1.2    NON-QUALIFIED “TOP-HAT” PLAN. The Plan is a “top-hat” plan – that is, an unfunded plan maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees within the meaning of ERISA §§ 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1), and therefore is exempt from Parts 2, 3 and 4 of Title I of ERISA.

 

1.3    PLAN DOCUMENT. The Plan document consists of this document, any appendix to this document and any document that is expressly incorporated by reference into this document.

 

1.4    EFFECTIVE DATE OF DOCUMENT. The Plan (as stated in this document) is effective January 1, 2003.

 

 

ARTICLE II

 

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

 

2.1    DEFINITIONS.

 

2.1.1    “Account” means an account established for a Participant pursuant to Article IV.

 

2.1.2    “Affiliate” means any corporation that is a member of the same controlled group as the Company as defined in Code § 414(b) or any business entity that is under common control with the Company as defined in Code § 414(c).

 

2.1.3    “Beneficiary” means a person or persons designated as such pursuant to Sec. 8.2.

 

2.1.4    “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

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2.1.5    “Change of Control” means:

 

(a)    Acquisition of 20% Control. The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of twenty-percent (20%) or more of either (1) the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (2) the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that, for purposes of this paragraph (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control:

 

(1)    Any acquisition directly from the Company,

 

(2)    Any acquisition by the Company,

 

(3)    Any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or an Affiliate, or

 

(4)    Any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction that complies with Sections 1(d)(3)(A), 1(d)(3)(B) and 1(d)(3)(C).

 

(b)    Change in Board. Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board.

 

(c)    Certain Business Combinations. Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination:

 

(1)    All or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination

 

 

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beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than sixty percent (60%) of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,

 

(2)    No Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination; and    

 

(3)    At least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination.

 

(d)    Liquidation or Dissolution. Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

2.1.6    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

2.1.7    “Company” means Maytag Corporation.

 

2.1.8    “Company Performance Match Credit” means a credit to the Account of a Participant pursuant to Sec. 3.3.1

 

2.1.9    “Company Make-Whole Match Credit” means a credit to the Account of a Participant pursuant to Sec. 3.3.2

 

2.1.10    “Deferral Eligible Amounts” means:

 

(a)    Employees. In the case of an Employee, his/her base salary, incentive bonuses, and payments under the Performance Incentive Award Plan (PIAP) from the Company and its Affiliates, plus any other bonus or other incentive payment the Compensation Committee of the Board determines in its sole discretion to be eligible for a deferral election under Sec. 3.2.

 

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(b)    Non-Employee Directors. In the case of a Non-Employee Director, his/her meeting, chair (if any) and retainer fees.

 

2.1.11    “Disability” means eligibility to receive benefits under the long-term disability plan maintained by the Company as in effect at the time of such Disability.

 

2.1.12    “Earnings Credit” means the gains and losses credited on the balance of an Account based on the choice made by the Participant (or Beneficiary after the death of the Participant) among the investment options made available under the Plan.

 

2.1.13    “Eligible Group” means any person within the group consisting of:

 

(a)    Employees. Those Employees who are:

 

(1)    On payroll in the United States; and

 

(2)    In exempt Salary Band 18 (or above).

 

The ERISA Executive Committee in its sole and absolute discretion may determine that an Employee described above will not be in the Eligible Group, or may determine that an Employee not described above will be in the Eligible Group. However, as to Employees, the Plan is intended to cover only those Employees who are in a select group of management or highly compensated employees within the meaning of ERISA §§ 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1); and, accordingly, if any interpretation is issued by the Department of Labor that would exclude any Employee from satisfying that requirement, such Employee immediately will cease to be in the Eligible Group.

 

(b)    Non-Employee Directors. Any Non-Employee Director.

 

2.1.14    “Employee” means any common-law employee of the Company or an Affiliate (while it is an Affiliate).

 

2.1.15    “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

2.1.16    “Non-Employee Director” means an individual who is a member of the Board but who is not an Employee

 

2.1.17    “Participant” means an Employee or Non-Employee Director who is enrolled in the Plan, or a current or former Employee or Non-Employee Director who is not enrolled but who has a balance remaining in an Account under the Plan. “Active Participant” means an Employee or Non-Employee Director who is enrolled in the Plan.

 

2.1.18    “Participating Affiliate” means any Affiliate (while it is an Affiliate) which employs one or more Employees who are in the Eligible Group.

 

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2.1.19    “Plan Year” means the calendar year.

 

2.1.20    “Predecessor Plan” means the Maytag Deferred Compensation Plan (which was effective January 1, 1996) and its predecessor, the Maytag Corporation 1988 Capital Accumulation Plan for Key Employees.

 

2.1.21    “Retirement” means:

 

(a)    Employees. In the case of an Employee, any Termination of Service on or after the date on which the Employee:

 

(1)    Has both attained age sixty-five (65) and reached the fifth (5th) anniversary of the first day of the Plan Year in which he/she was first employed with the Company or an Affiliate (or, in the case of an Employee who previously was employed with Amana, reached January 1, 2007) (referred to as “Normal Retirement”); or

 

(2)    Has both attained age fifty-five (55) and completed at least ten (10) Years of Credited Service under the Maytag Retirement Plan (referred to as “Early Retirement”).

 

(b)    Non-Employee Director. In the case of a Non-Employee Director, departure from the Board under circumstances that constitute “retirement” under the policies of the Company in place at the time of departure from the Board.

 

2.1.22    “Termination of Service” means:

 

(a)    Employee. In the case of an Employee, resignation, discharge, retirement, death or the happening of any other event or circumstance that results in the severance of the common-law employer-employee relationship with the Company and all Affiliates, unless the Employee then becomes a Non-Employee Director. For an Employee working for an Affiliate, a Termination of Service will occur upon sale of the stock of such Affiliate such that it no longer satisfies the definition of an Affiliate under the Plan.

 

(b)    Non-Employee Director. In the case of a Non-Employee Director, departure from the Board, unless the Non-Employee Director then becomes an Employee.

 

2.1.23    “Trustee” means the trustee of the trust established pursuant to Sec. 9.2.

 

2.1.24      “Valuation Date” means the last day of each calendar month on which trading occurs on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

2.2    CHOICE OF LAW. The Plan will be governed by the laws of the State of Iowa to the extent that

 

 

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such laws are not preempted by the laws of the United States. All controversies, disputes, and claims arising hereunder must be submitted to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

 

 

ARTICLE III

 

PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTION CREDITS

 

3.1    PARTICIPATION.

 

3.1.1    Eligible Group. All Employees and Non-Employee Directors who are in the Eligible Group will be eligible to participate in the Plan.

 

3.1.2    Enrollment. An Employee or Non-Employee Director who is in the Eligible Group will be allowed to enroll in the Plan as of the first day of the month that coincides with or next follows the date thirty (30) days after he/she is notified of eligibility for the Plan, or if later, as of January 1, 2003. Thereafter, an Eligible Executive may elect to enroll for a Plan Year during the enrollment period established by the Company for such Plan Year, which enrollment period will be a period of at least thirty (30) days that precedes the start of the Plan Year.

 

Enrollment must be made in such manner and in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed for this purpose by the Company (including by means of a voice response or other electronic system under circumstances authorized by the Company).

 

3.1.3    End of Eligibility. An Employee or Non-Employee Director who is in the Eligible Group may continue to participate as an Active Participant in the Plan for so long as the Plan remains in effect and he/she remains in the Eligible Group.

 

3.2      ELECTIVE DEFERRAL CREDITS.

 

3.2.1    Elective Deferral Credits. Elective Deferral Credits will be made for each pay date on behalf of each Active Participant who has enrolled in the Plan and who thereby elects to have his/her Deferral Eligible Amounts reduced in order to receive Elective Deferral Credits. The Elective Deferral Credits for a given pay date will be given on or as soon as administratively practicable after the pay date in an amount equal the amount of the reduction in Deferral Eligible Amounts.

 

An Employee who is in the Eligible Group may elect to reduce his/her Deferral Eligible Amounts by the following:

 

(a)    Base Salary. With respect to base salary, for any payroll period, he/she may elect to reduce base salary for a payroll period by any dollar amount or whole percentage (or combination dollar amount and whole percentage), but not more than seventy-five percent (75%). A different percentage may be elected for payroll period ending within each calendar quarter of the Plan Year, subject to Sec. 3.2.2 regarding when the election

 

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is made and the irrevocability of the election during the Plan Year.

 

(b)    Bonuses. With respect to annual incentive bonus, he/she may elect to reduce the annual incentive bonus by any dollar amount or whole percentage (or combination dollar amount and whole percentage), but not more than one-hundred percent (100%).

 

(c)    Performance Incentive Award Plan Payments. With respect to payments under the Performance Incentive Award Plan (PIAP), he/she may elect to reduce the payment by any dollar amount or whole percentage (or combination dollar amount and whole percentage), but not more than one-hundred percent (100%).

 

(d)    Other Amounts. With respect to other amounts that the Compensation Committee of the Board may determine are Deferral Eligible Amounts, the Compensation Committee will establish such minimum and maximum reduction amount as it may determine appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

If an Employee who is in the Eligible Group elects to participate at any level for a Plan Year, his/her election must be such that the amount by which his/her Deferral Eligible Amounts for the Plan Year are expected to be reduced is two-thousand five-hundred dollars ($2,500).

 

 

A Non-Employee Director who is in the Eligible Group may elect to reduce his/her Deferral Eligible Amounts by any dollar amount or whole percent (but not a combination thereof), but not more than one-hundred percent (100%).

 

An election (or the modification or revocation of an election) must be made in such manner and in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed for this purpose by the Company (including by means of a voice response or other electronic system under circumstances authorized by the Company). An election must be made as part of enrollment described in Sec. 3.1.2. and may specify an investment election for purposes of Sec. 4.3.2, a scheduled distribution date for purposes of Sec. 6.1.1, and a payment form election for purposes of Sec. 6.1.2 or 7.2.2.

 

3.2.2    Elections are Irrevocable. An election will apply solely with respect to the given Plan Year – that is, an election will not automatically be carried over and applied to the next Plan Year. An election will be irrevocable throughout the Plan Year; except that:

 

(a)    Automatic Discontinuance. Elective Deferrals will automatically stop during the Plan Year:

 

(i)    If the Participant receives a hardship withdrawal prior to age 59½ from his/her elective deferral account under the Maytag Corporation Salary Savings Plan (or comparable account under any other 401(k) arrangement maintained by the Company or an Affiliate);

 

(ii)    Upon Termination of Service or upon otherwise ceasing to be within Eligible Group; or

 

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(iii)    Upon termination of the Plan.

 

(b)    Administrative Discretion. The Company may, in its sole discretion, allow a Participant to reduce or stop his/her Elective Deferrals during the Plan as necessary to alleviate a Financial Hardship.

 

3.2.3    Limits. The Company may, in its sole discretion, limit the minimum or maximum amount of Elective Deferrals that are allowed under the Plan by any Active Participant or any group of Active Participants.

 

3.3    COMPANY MATCH CREDITS.

 

3.3.1    Company Performance Match Credits. Company Performance Match Credits will be made for each Plan Year on behalf of each Employee who elects to reduce his/her payments under the Performance Incentive Award Plan (PIAP) pursuant to this Plan, and further elects to have the resulting Company Performance Match Credits hypothetically invested in shares of common stock of the Company pursuant to Sec. 4.3. The Company Performance Match Credits for a Plan Year will be given not later than the first business day of the next Plan Year in an amount equal to ten-percent (10%) of the Elective Deferral Credits resulting from the election described above.

 

3.3.2    Company Make-Whole Match Credits. Company Make-Whole Match Credits will be made for each Plan Year on behalf of each Employee who receives Elective Deferrals Credits for such Plan Year, and whose employer matching contributions or allocations under the Maytag Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) are reduced because of the reduction in taxable compensation resulting from an election under this Plan. The Company Make-Whole Match Credits for a Plan Year will be given not later than the first business day of the next Plan Year in an amount equal to the difference between the amount of the employer matching contributions or allocations that would have been made under the ESOP if his/her taxable compensation had not been reduced as a result of the election under this Plan (disregarding the impact such additional matching contributions or allocations would have had on the nondiscrimination test under Code § 401(m)), and the actual amount of employer matching contributions or allocations made under the ESOP for the Plan Year.

 

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ARTICLE IV

 

ACCOUNTS AND INVESTMENT ADJUSTMENTS

 

4.1    ACCOUNTS.

 

4.1.1    Types of Accounts. The following Accounts will be maintained under the Plan on behalf of each Participant:

 

(a)    “Elective Deferral Account” to reflect any Elective Deferral Credits with respect to the Participant.

 

(b)    “Company Make-Whole Match Account” to reflect any Company Make-Whole Match Credits with respect to the Participant.

 

(c)    “Company Performance Match Account” to reflect any Company Make-Whole Match Account with respect to the Participant.

 

(d)    “Predecessor Plan Account” to reflect balances and obligations assumed by this Plan that arose under a Predecessor Plan.

 

A separate Elective Deferral Account, Company Make-Whole Match and Company Performance Match Account will be maintained for each Plan Year for which credits of that type are added on behalf of the Participant, and a separate Elective Deferral Account also will be maintained to reflect any Elective Deferral Credits that result in a Company Performance Match Credit under Sec. 3.3.1.

 

Additional Accounts may also be maintained if considered appropriate by the Company in the administration of the Plan.

 

4.1.2    Balance of Accounts. Accounts will have a cash balance expressed in United States Dollars.

 

4.1.3    Accounts for Bookkeeping Only. Accounts are for bookkeeping purposes only and the maintenance of Accounts will not require any segregation of assets of the Company or any Participating Affiliate. Neither the Company nor any Participating Affiliate will have any obligation whatsoever to set aside funds for the Plan or for the benefit of any Participant or Beneficiary, and no Participant or Beneficiary will have any rights to any amounts that may be set aside other than the rights of an unsecured general creditor of the Company or Participating Affiliate that employs (or employed) the Participant.

 

4.2    VALUATION OF ACCOUNTS.

 

4.2.1    Daily Adjustments. Accounts will be adjusted from time to time as follows:

 

(a)    Elective Deferral and Company Match Credits. Elective Deferral Credits, Company

 

 

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Make-Whole Match Credits and Company Performance Match Credits will be added to the balance of the appropriate Account as of the dates specified in Secs. 3.2 and 3.3.

 

(b)    Earnings Credits. Earnings Credits will be added to (or subtracted) from the balance of the Account as of each Valuation Date as provided in Sec. 4.3.

 

(c)    Distributions. The distributions made from an Account will be subtracted from the balance of the Account as of the date the distribution is made from the Plan.

 

4.2.2    Processing Transactions Involving Accounts. Accounts will be adjusted to reflect Elective Deferral Credits, Company Make-Whole Match Credits, Company Performance Match Credits, Earnings Credits, distributions and other transactions as provided in Sec. 4.2.1. However, all information necessary to properly reflect a given transaction in an Account may not be immediately available, in which case the transaction will be reflected in the Account when such information is received and processed. Further, the Company reserves the right to delay the processing of any Elective Deferral Credit, Company Make-Whole Match Credit, Company Performance Match Credit, Earnings Credit, distribution or other transaction for any legitimate business reason (including, but not limited to, failure of systems or computer programs, failure of the means of the transmission of data, force majeure, the failure of a service provider to timely receive net asset values or prices, or to correct for its errors or omissions or the errors or omissions of any service provider).

 

4.3    EARNINGS CREDITS.

 

4.3.1    Adjustment to Reflect Earnings Credits. Accounts will be adjusted (increased or decreased) as of each Valuation Date to reflect Earnings Credits as determined under Sec. 4.3.2.

 

4.3.2    Earnings Credits. The Company will establish a procedure by which a Participant (or Beneficiary following the death of a Participant) may elect to have his/her Earnings Credits determined based the performance of one or more investment options deemed to be available under the Plan. The Investment Committee of the Company, in its sole discretion, will determine the investment options that will be available as benchmarks for determining the Earnings Credit, which may include mutual funds, common or commingled investment funds or any other investment option deemed appropriate by the Company, and will include a fund that invests in common stock of Maytag Corporation. The Investment Committee of the Company may at any time and from time to time add to or remove from the investment options deemed to be available under the Plan.

 

A Participant (or Beneficiary following the death of the Participant) will be allowed on a hypothetical basis to direct the investment of his/her Account among the investment options available under the Plan. Hypothetical investment directions may be given with such frequency as is deemed appropriate by the Company, and must be made in such percentage or dollar increments, in such manner and in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed for this purpose by the Company (including by means of a voice response or other electronic system under circumstances so authorized by the Company). If an investment option has a

 

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loss, the Earnings Credit attributable to such investment option will serve to reduce the Account; similarly, if an investment option has a gain, the Earnings Credit attributable to such investment option will serve to increase the Account. If the Participant fails to elect an investment option, the Earnings Credit will be based on a money market investment option or such other investment option as may be selected for this purpose by the Investment Committee of the Company.

 

Notwithstanding any contrary provision, a Company Performance Match Account and the Elective Deferral Account that reflects the Elective Deferral Credits that resulted in the Company Performance Match Credit reflected in the Company Performance Match Account will be invested in the fund that invests in common stock of Maytag Corporation until such time as the Company Performance Match Account is fully vested under Sec. 5.2.

 

4.3.3    Hypothetical Investments. All investment directions of a Participant or Beneficiary will be on a “hypothetical” basis for the sole purpose of establishing the Earnings Credit for his/her Account – that is, the Account will be adjusted for Earnings Credits as if the Account were invested pursuant to the investment directions of the Participant or Beneficiary, but actual investments need not be made pursuant to such directions. However, the Company, in its sole discretion and without any obligation, may direct that investments be made per the investment directions of Participants and Beneficiaries in order to hedge the liability of the Company and Participating Affiliates.

 

4.4    STATEMENTS.

 

4.4.1    Statements. The Company may cause benefit statements to be issued from time to time advising Participants and Beneficiaries of the balance and/or investment of their Accounts, but it is not required to issue benefits statements.

 

4.4.2    Errors on Statements and Responsibility to Review. The Company may correct errors that appear on benefit statements at any time, and the issuance of a benefit statement (and any errors that may appear on a statement) will not in any way alter or affect the rights of a Participant or Beneficiary with respect to the Plan.

 

Each Participant or Beneficiary has a duty to promptly review each benefit statement and to notify the Company of any error that appears on such statement within thirty (30) days of the date such statement is provided or made available to the Participant or Beneficiary (for example, the date the statement is sent by mail, or the date the statement is provided or made available electronically). If a Participant or Beneficiary fails to review a benefit statement or fails to notify the Company of any error that appears on such statement within such period of time, he/she will not be able to bring any claim seeking relief or damages based on the error.

 

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ARTICLE V

 

VESTING

 

5.1    FULLY VESTED ACCOUNTS. A Participant will at all times have a fully vested interest in his/her Elective Deferral Account, Company Make-Whole Match Account and Predecessor Plan Account.

 

5.2    ACCOUNTS SUBJECT TO VESTING SCHEDULE.

 

5.2.1    Vesting Based on Occurrence of Certain Events. A Participant will obtain a fully vested interest in his/her Company Performance Match Account upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

 

(a)    Death or Disability. The Participant’s death or Disability while employed with the Company or an Affiliate (while it is an Affiliate);

 

(b)    Retirement. The Participant’s Termination of Service under circumstances that qualify as a Retirement; or

 

(c)    Change in Control. Change in Control while the Participant is employed with the Company or an Affiliate (while it is an Affiliate).

 

5.2.2    Vesting Based on Service. A Participant also will obtain a fully vested interest in his/her Company Performance Match Account as of the date that is three (3) years from the Company Performance Match Credit provided he/she has been an Employee throughout that three (3) year period.

 

5.2.3    Forfeitures. If a Participant has a Termination of Service before he/she is fully vested in his/her Company Performance Match Account, he/she will permanently forfeit the balance of such Account.

 

 

ARTICLE VI

 

WITHDRAWALS WHILE EMPLOYED

 

6.1    SCHEDULED WITHDRAWALS

 

6.1.1    Time of Distribution. A Participant may specify the year in which the balance of an Account (other than a Predecessor Plan Account) will be distributed while the Participant remains an Employee or member of the Board, provided that the year specified must be more than two (2) years after the Plan Year for which the Account is established under the Plan, or, in the case of a Company Performance Match Account, the year after the Account will become

 

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fully vested under Sec. 5.2.2 (vesting occurs three (3) years from the date the credit is added to the Account).

 

A scheduled distribution will be made (or installment distributions will commence if installments are available and elected) in January of the scheduled distribution year, or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter.

 

A Participant may defer the scheduled distribution year of an Account one time (plus a second time with the express approval of the ERISA Executive Committee, which it may grant or deny in its sole and absolute discretion), but otherwise, the election of a scheduled distribution year will be irrevocable. Any deferred distribution year must be at least two (2) years after the scheduled distribution year.

 

6.1.2    Form of Distribution. If the balance of a Participant’s Account does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) at the time of a scheduled distribution, the full balance of the Account will be paid in a single-sum. Otherwise, a distribution will be made in either of the following forms as elected by the Participant:

 

(a)    A single-sum distribution of the full balance of the Participant’s Account; or

 

(b)    A series of annual installments over a period of two (2) to five (5) years as elected by the Participant. The first annual installment will equal, one-half (1/2), one-third (1/3rd), one-fourth (1/4th) or one-fifth (1/5th), as appropriate, of the balance of the Account as of the last day of the Plan Year prior to the Plan Year in which the installment is to be paid, with the denominator of the fraction reduced by one each year. However, the installment for the final year will equal the full remaining balance of the Account.

 

A Participant can make a separate distribution election with respect to each Account maintained on his/her behalf under the Plan.

 

6.1.3    Distribution Election Procedures. A scheduled distribution date election (and an election to defer the scheduled distribution date) must be made in such manner and in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed for this purpose by the Company (including by means of a voice response or other electronic system under circumstances authorized by the Company).

 

A distribution election will be effective only if it is received in properly completed form by the Company as part of the enrollment for the Plan Year for which the Account being distributed is established, and an election to defer will be effective only if it is received in properly completed form at least twelve (12) months prior to the January of the originally scheduled distribution year.

 

6.1.4    Effect of Termination of Service. A scheduled distribution will not be made if preceded by the Participant’s Termination of Service, in which case, distributions will be determined under Article VII.

 

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6.2    FINANCIAL HARDSHIP WITHDRAWAL. A Participant may make a withdrawal from his/her Accounts in the event of a Financial Hardship. Such distribution will be paid as soon as administratively practicable after the distribution request is received and the ERISA Executive Committee, in its sole discretion, has determined that the Participant has a Financial Hardship.

 

The Elective Deferrals of the Participant will automatically stop in the event of a distribution for Financial Hardship, and the Participant will not be allowed to again enroll until the first day of the second Plan Year following the date of the distribution.

 

A “financial hardship” for this purpose means a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the Participant or his/her dependent (as defined in Code § 152(a)), property casualty loss to the Participant, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances of the Participant arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant, which is not covered by insurance and may not be relieved by the liquidation of other assets provided that such liquidation would not cause a Financial Hardship, and which is determined to qualify as a Financial Hardship by the ERISA Executive Committee. Cash needs arising from foreseeable events such as the purchase of a residence or education expenses for children will not, alone, be considered a Financial Hardship.

 

 

ARTICLE VII

 

DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER TERMINATION

 

7.1    BENEFIT ON TERMINATION OF SERVICE. A Participant will be eligible to receive a distribution of the full balance of his/her Accounts following his/her Termination of Service in accordance with the terms of this Article.

 

7.2    TIME AND FORM OF DISTRIBUTION.

 

7.2.1    Time of Distribution. A distribution will be made (or installment distributions will commence if installments are available and elected) at the following time:

 

(a) Retirement or Disability. In the case of Retirement or Disability, a distribution will be made (or commence) at the following time as elected by the Participant:

 

(1) In the calendar month following the Participant’s Termination of Service, or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter; or

 

(2) In January of the year following the Participant’s Termination of Service, or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter; provided that, this election will not be available with respect to a Predecessor Plan Account, and all distributions from such Account will be made as provided in (1).

 

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(b)    Other Terminations. In the case of a Termination of Service other than Retirement or Disability, a distribution will be made (or commence) in the calendar month following Termination of Service, or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter.

 

7.2.2    Form of Distribution. A distribution will be made in the following form:

 

(a)    Retirement or Disability. In the case of Retirement or Disability, a distribution will be made in either of the following forms as elected by the Participant:

 

(1) A single-sum distribution of the full balance of the Participant’s Account; or

 

(2) A series of annual installments over a period of five (5) or ten (10) years as elected by the Participant. The first annual installment will equal one-fifth (1/5th) or one-tenth (1/10th), as appropriate, of the balance of the Account as of the last day of the Plan Year prior to the Plan Year in which the installment is to be paid, with the denominator of the fraction reduced by one each year. However, the installment for the final year will equal the full remaining balance of the Account.

 

A Participant can make a separate distribution election with respect to each Account maintained on his/her behalf under the Plan.

 

In the case of a Predecessor Plan Account, a Participant who has elected and commenced annual installments may at any time petition the ERISA Executive Committee to allow the remaining balance of the Account to be paid in the form of a lump-sum distribution, provided that the payment of the lump-sum distribution and the last annual installment is separated by at least twelve (12) months. The ERISA Executive Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to such modification of the payment method for a Predecessor Plan Account.

 

(b)    Other Terminations. In the case of a Termination of Service other than Retirement or Disability, a distribution will be in the form of a single-sum distribution of the full balance of the Participant’s Account. However, the ERISA Executive Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, elect to make a distribution in the form of annual installments over a period of up to three (3) years.

 

7.2.3    Distribution Election Procedures. A distribution election must be made in such manner and in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed for this purpose by the Company (including by means of a voice response or other electronic system under circumstances authorized by the Company).

 

A distribution election will be effective only if it is received in properly completed form by the Company as part of the enrollment for the Plan Year for which the Account being distributed is established, or thereafter at least twelve (12) months prior to Termination of

 

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Service.

 

7.2.4    Default Elections. If a Participant fails to file a timely election as to the time or form of distribution in the event of a Retirement or Disability, the distribution will be made in a series of monthly installments over a period of ten (10) years (if no election is made as to form) starting in the calendar month following Termination of Service, or as soon as administratively practicable thereafter (if no election is made as to time).

 

7.3    CASH-OUT OF SMALL ACCOUNTS. Notwithstanding any contrary provision, if the balance of a Participant’s Accounts does not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) at Termination of Service, the full balance will be paid in a single-sum distribution in full settlement of all obligations under the Plan. The payment will be made as of the date specified in Sec. 7.2.1 or 7.2.4, as applicable.

 

7.4    VALUATION OF ACCOUNTS FOLLOWING TERMINATION OF SERVICE. An Account will continue to be credited with Earnings Credits in accordance with Article IV until it is paid in full to the Participant or Beneficiary.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

DISTRIBUTIONS AFTER DEATH

 

8.1    SURVIVOR BENEFITS.

 

8.1.1    Survivor Benefits – General. If a Participant dies prior to the full distribution of his/her Accounts, his/her Beneficiary will be entitled to a survivor benefit under the Plan. The survivor benefit will consist of a single lump-sum payment in an amount equal to the total balance (or total remaining balance) in the Accounts. The survivor benefit will be paid on or as soon as administratively practicable after the Company determines that a death benefit is payable under the Plan – that is, the date the Company is provided with the documentation reasonably necessary to establish the fact of death of the Participant and the identity and entitlement of the Beneficiary.

 

8.1.2    Special Rule if Death Occurs During Installment Pay-out. Notwithstanding any contrary provision, if the Participant dies while he/she is receiving installments under Sec. 7.2.2(a), such installments will continue to his/her Beneficiary over the same period such installments would have been paid to the Participant. However, the ERISA Executive Committee may, in its sole discretion, elect to pay the survivor benefit in a single lump sum payment in an amount equal to the remaining balance in the Accounts in full satisfaction of the benefit otherwise payable under the Plan.

 

8.2    BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION.

 

8.2.1    General Rule. A Participant may designate any person (natural or otherwise, including a trust)

 

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as his/her Beneficiary to receive any balance remaining in his/her Accounts when he/she dies, and may change or revoke a designation previously made without the consent of any Beneficiary.

 

8.2.2    Special Requirements for Married Participants. If a Participant has a Spouse at the time of death, such Spouse will be his/her Beneficiary unless the Spouse has consented in writing to the designation of a different Beneficiary. Consent of a Spouse will be deemed to have been obtained if it is established to the satisfaction of the Company that such consent cannot be obtained because the Spouse cannot be located. A consent by a Spouse will be effective only with respect to such Spouse, and cannot be revoked. A Beneficiary designation that has received spousal consent cannot be changed without spousal consent.

 

A Beneficiary designation will be automatically revoked upon marriage (other than common law marriage) of a Participant unless the new Spouse was designated as Beneficiary. Further, if a Spouse is designated as Beneficiary, such designation will be automatically revoked upon the divorce of the Participant and former Spouse.

 

8.2.3    Form and Method of Designation. A Beneficiary designation must be made on such form and in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed for this purpose by the Company. A Beneficiary designation will be effective (and will revoke all prior designations) if it is received by the Company (or if sent by mail, the post-mark of the mailing is) prior to the date of death of the Participant. The Company may rely on the latest Beneficiary designation on file (or if an effective designation is not on file may direct that payment be made pursuant to the default provision of the Plan) and will not be liable to any person making claim for such payment under a subsequently filed designation or for any other reason.

 

8.2.4    Default Designation. If a Beneficiary designation is not on file, or if a Beneficiary designation is revoked by divorce or otherwise and a new designation is not on file at death, or if no designated Beneficiary survives the Participant, the Beneficiary will be the following:

 

(a)    Surviving Spouse. The Participant’s Spouse (if surviving);

 

(b)    Estate. Otherwise, the Participant’s estate.

 

Predecessor Plan Accounts. Any Beneficiary designation made under a Predecessor Plan will continue in effect under this Plan with respect to all Accounts until modified by the Participant pursuant to this Sec. 8.2.

 

8.3    SUCCESSOR BENEFICIARY. If the primary Beneficiary dies prior to complete distribution of the benefits under Sec. 8.1.2, the remaining Account balance will be paid to the contingent Beneficiary elected by the Participant in the form of a lump sum payable as soon as administratively practicable after the primary Beneficiary’s death is established. If there is no surviving contingent Beneficiary, the lump sum will be paid to the estate of the primary Beneficiary.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND FUNDING

 

9.1    CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS.

 

9.1.1    Obligations of Employer. The Plan creates a contractual obligation on the part of the Company and each Participating Affiliate to provide benefits as set forth in the Plan with respect to:

 

(a)    Current Employees. Participants who are employed with the Company or that Participating Affiliate;

 

(b)    Former Employees. Participants who were employed with the Company or that Participating Affiliate prior to Termination of Service; and

 

(c)    Beneficiaries. Beneficiaries of the Participants described in (a) and (b).

 

A Participating Affiliate is not responsible for (and has no contractual obligation with respect to) benefits payable to a Participant who is or was employed with the Company or another Participating Affiliate. If a Participant is employed with two or more employers (the Company and a Participating Affiliate, or two or more Participating Affiliates, etc.), either concurrently or at different times, each will be responsible for the benefit attributable to Elective Deferral Credits, Company Make-Whole Match Credits and Company Performance Match Credits made with respect to the period while the Participant was employed with that employer, adjusted for Earnings Credits.

 

9.1.2    Guarantee by Company. The Company will guarantee and assume secondary liability for the contractual commitment of each Participating Affiliate under Sec. 9.1.1.

 

9.2    FUNDING. The ERISA Executive Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, may direct that a “rabbi” trust be established to fund benefits payable under the Plan. However, even if such a trust is established, neither the Company nor any Participating Affiliate will have any obligation to fund such trust; and, if so provided by the trust instrument, such trust may be revocable at any time prior to a Change in Control. The establishment and funding of a rabbi trust will not affect the obligations of the Company and Participating Affiliates under Sec. 9.1, except that such obligations will be offset to the extent that payments actually are made from the trust to the Participant or Beneficiary. The trust will be invested in the manner directed by the Investment Committee of the Company.

 

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ARTICLE X

 

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN

 

10.1    RIGHT TO AMEND OR TERMINATE. The Company may amend or terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason by action of the following:

 

(a)    Board of Directors. By action of the Board or its Compensation Committee.

 

(b)    ERISA Executive Committee or Chief Executive Officer. By action of the ERISA Executive Committee or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, provided the amendment does not have a material cost impact to the Company and its Participating Affiliates. Whether an amendment will have a material cost impact will be determined by the ERISA Executive Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, using such standard for materiality and such measurement method for cost as it deems appropriate.

 

However, during the twenty-four (24) months immediately following a Change in Control, the amendment or termination of the Plan will require the written consent of a majority of the Participants who would be affected by such amendment or termination of the Plan.

 

10.2    EFFECT OF TERMINATION.

 

10.2.1    No Negative Effect an Balances or Vesting. An amendment or termination of the Plan may not have the effect of reducing the balance of the Account or the vested percentage of any Participant or Beneficiary.

 

10.2.2    Other Effects of Termination. After termination of the Plan, no additional credits will be added to the Account of any Participant attributable to periods after the date of termination.

 

All Accounts will be fully vested as of the termination date of the Plan.

 

Distribution following termination of the Plan will be made at the same time and in the same form as if the termination had not occurred, and a Participant will continue to have the same options available to him/her to defer distribution as otherwise provided under the Plan. However, if so elected by a majority of the Participants who have Accounts at termination of the Plan (including Participants or Beneficiaries who are receiving installments), the termination of the Plan will be treated as a Termination of Service and each Participant or Beneficiary will receive a single sum payment of the full balance of his/her Account in full satisfaction of all obligations under the Plan and without regard to any distribution elections in place with respect to such Participant or Beneficiary.

 

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ARTICLE XI

 

ADMINISTRATION

 

11.1    ADMINISTRATION.

 

11.1.1    Company. The Company is the administrator of the Plan with authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the Plan and make all decisions and determinations incident thereto. Action on behalf of the Company as administrator may be taken by any of the following:

 

(a)    ERISA Executive Committee. The ERISA Executive Committee of the Company will be responsible for selecting the Employees who are eligible to participate in the Plan, and make all determination expressly specified in the Plan.

 

(b)    Policy and Oversight Committee. The Policy and Oversight Committee of the Company is responsible for all matters relating to the overall and day-to-day administration of the Plan, and the selection and monitoring of non-investment service providers (including the selection of recordkeeper) with respect to the Plan.

 

(c)    Investment Committee. The Investment Committee of the Company is responsible for all investment matters relating to the Plan, including the selection of the funds available for hypothetical investments by Participants and Beneficiaries, and the actual investment of assets that may (but are not required to be) set aside to hedge liabilities resulting from the Plan, and actual investment of any rabbi trust assets if such a trust is established and funded, including the selection and monitoring investment providers (including the Trustee) with respect to the Plan.

 

Day-to-day non-discretionary administration of the Plan may be performed by the Human Resources Department.

 

11.1.2    Third-Party Service Providers. The Company may from time to time contract with or appoint a recordkeeper or other third-party service provider for the Plan. Any such recordkeeper or other third-party service provider will serve in a non-discretionary capacity and will act in accordance with directions given and/or procedures established by the Company.

 

11.1.3    Rules of Procedure. The Company may establish, adopt or revise such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

 

11.2    CORRECTION OF ERRORS AND DUTY TO REVIEW INFORMATION.

 

11.2.1    Correction of Errors. Errors may occur in the operation and administration of the Plan. The Company reserves the right to cause such equitable adjustments to be made to correct for such errors as it considers appropriate (including adjustments to Participant or Beneficiary Accounts), which will be final and binding on the Participant or Beneficiary.

 

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11.2.2    Participant Duty to Review Information. Each Participant and Beneficiary has the duty to promptly review any information that is provided or made available to the Participant or Beneficiary and that relates in any way to the operation and administration of the Plan or his/her elections under the Plan (for example, to review payroll stubs to make sure a contribution election is being implemented appropriately, to review benefit statements to make sure investment elections are being implemented appropriately, to review summary plan descriptions and prospectuses, etc.) and to notify the Company of any error made in the operation or administration of the Plan that affects the Participant or Beneficiary within thirty (30) days of the date such information is provided or made available to the Participant or Beneficiary (for example, the date the information is sent by mail or the date the information is provided or made available electronically). If the Participant or Beneficiary fails to review any information or fails to notify the Company of any error within such period of time, he/she will not be able to bring any claim seeking relief or damages based on the error.

 

If the Company is notified of an alleged error within the thirty (30) day time period, the Company will investigate and either correct the error or notify the Participant or Beneficiary that it believes that no error occurred. If the Participant or Beneficiary is not satisfied with the correction (or the decision that no correction is necessary), he/she will have sixty (60) days from the date of notification of the correction (or notification of the decision that no correction is necessary), to file a formal claim under the claims procedures under Sec. 11.3

 

11.3    CLAIMS PROCEDURE.

 

11.3.1    Claims Procedure. If a Participant or Beneficiary does not feel as if he/she has received full payment of the benefit due such person under the Plan, the Participant or Beneficiary may file a written claim with the Company setting forth the nature of the benefit claimed, the amount thereof, and the basis for claiming entitlement to such benefit. The ERISA Executive Committee will determine the validity of the claim and communicate a decision to the claimant promptly and, in any event, not later than ninety (90) days after the date of the claim. The claim may be deemed by the claimant to have been denied for purposes of further review described below in the event a decision is not furnished to the claimant within such ninety (90) day period. If additional information is necessary to make a determination on a claim, the claimant will be advised of the need for such additional information within forty-five (45) days after the date of the claim. The claimant will have up to one hundred and eighty (180) days to supplement the claim information, and the claimant will be advised of the decision on the claim within forty-five (45) days after the earlier of the date the supplemental information is supplied or the end of the one hundred and eighty (180) day period.

 

A claim for benefits which is denied will be denied by written notice setting forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant:

 

(a)    Reason for Denial. The specific reason or reasons for the denial, including a specific reference to any provisions of the Plan (including any internal rules, guidelines, protocols, criteria, etc.) on which the denial is based;

 

 

24


 

(c)    Information Necessary to Process. A description of any additional material or information that is necessary to process the claim; and

 

(d)    Explanation of Review Procedures. An explanation of the procedure for further reviewing the denial of the claim.

 

11.3.2    Review Procedures. Within sixty (60) days after the receipt of a denial on a claim, a claimant or his/her authorized representative may file a written request for review of such denial. Such review will be undertaken by the ERISA Executive Committee and will be a full and fair review. The claimant will have the right to review all pertinent documents. The ERISA Executive Committee will issue a decision not later than sixty (60) days after receipt of a request for review from a claimant unless special circumstances, such as the need to hold a hearing, require a longer period of time, in which case a decision will be rendered as soon as possible but not later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after receipt of the claimant’s request for review. The decision on review will be in writing and will include specific reasons for the decision written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant with specific reference to any provisions of the Plan on which the decision is based.

 

11.3.3    Arbitration. If a Participant or Beneficiary follows the claims procedure but his/her final appeal is denied, he/she will have one year to file an arbitration action with respect to that claim, and failure to meet the one-year deadline will extinguish his/her right to file an arbitration action with respect to that claim.

 

Any claim, dispute or other matter in question of any kind relating to this Plan which is not resolved by the claims procedures will be settled by arbitration in accordance with the employment dispute resolution rules of the American Arbitration Association. Notice of demand for arbitration will be made in writing to the opposing party and to the American Arbitration Association within one year after the claim, dispute or other matter in question has arisen. In no event will a demand for arbitration be made after the date when the applicable statute of limitations would bar the institution of a legal or equitable proceeding based on such claim, dispute or other matter in question. The decision of the arbitrator(s) will be final and may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.

 

The arbitrator(s) may award reasonable fees and expenses to the prevailing party in any dispute hereunder and will award reasonable fees and expenses in the event that the arbitrator(s) find that the losing party acted in bad faith or with intent to harass, hinder or delay the prevailing party in the exercise of its rights in connection with the matter under dispute.

 

11.4    INDEMNIFICATION. The Company and the Participating Affiliates jointly and severally agree to indemnify and hold harmless, to the extent permitted by law, each director, officer, and employee against any and all liabilities, losses, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) of whatsoever kind and nature that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against such person at any time by reason of such person’s services in the administration of the Plan, but only if such person did not act dishonestly, or in bad faith, or in willful violation of the law or

 

25


regulations under which such liability, loss, cost, or expense arises.

 

11.5    EXERCISE OF AUTHORITY. The Company, the Board, the Compensation Committee of the Board, the ERISA Executive Committee, the Policy and Oversight Committee, the Investment Committee and any person who has authority with respect to the management, administration or investment of the Plan may exercise that authority in its/his/her full discretion. This discretionary authority includes, but is not limited to, the authority to make any and all factual determinations and interpret all terms and provisions of this document (or any other document established for use in the administration of the Plan) relevant to the issue under consideration. The exercise of authority will be binding upon all persons; and it is intended that the exercise of authority be given deference in all courts of law to the greatest extent allowed under law, and that it not be overturned or set aside by any court of law unless found to be arbitrary and capricious.

 

11.6    TELEPHONIC OR ELECTRONIC NOTICES AND TRANSACTIONS. Any notice that is required to be given under the Plan to a Participant or Beneficiary, and any action that can be taken under the Plan by a Participant or Beneficiary (including enrollments, changes in deferral percentages, loans, withdrawals, distributions, investment changes, consents, etc.), may be by means of voice response or other electronic system to the extent so authorized by the Company.

 

 

ARTICLE XII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

12.1    NONASSIGNABILITY. Neither the rights of, nor benefits payable to, a Participant or Beneficiary under the Plan may be alienated, assigned, transferred, pledged or hypothecated by any person, at any time, or to any person whatsoever. Such interest and benefits will be exempt from the claims of creditors or other claimants of the Participant or Beneficiary and from all orders, decrees, levies, garnishments or executions to the fullest extent allowed by law.

 

12.2    WITHHOLDING. A Participant must make appropriate arrangements with the Company or Participating Affiliate for satisfaction of any federal, state or local income tax withholding requirements and Social Security or other employee tax requirements applicable to the payment of benefits under the Plan. If no other arrangements are made, the Company or Participating Affiliate may provide, at its discretion, for such withholding and tax payments as may be required, including, without limitation, by the reduction of other amounts payable to the Participant.

 

12.3    SUCCESSORS OF THE COMPANY. The rights and obligations of the Company under the Plan will inure to the benefit of, and will be binding upon, the successors and assigns of the Company.

 

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12.4      MPLOYMENT NOT GUARANTEED. Nothing contained in the Plan nor any action taken hereunder will be construed as a contract of employment or as giving any Participant any right to continued employment with the Company.

 

12.5    GENDER, SINGULAR AND PLURAL. All pronouns and any variations thereof will be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, as the identity of the person or persons may require. As the context may require, the singular may be read as the plural and the plural as the singular.

 

12.6    CAPTIONS. The captions of the articles, paragraphs and sections of this document are for convenience only and will not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of its provisions.

 

12.7    VALIDITY. In the event any provision of the Plan is held invalid, void or unenforceable, the same will not affect, in any respect whatsoever, the validity of any other provisions of the Plan.

 

12.8    WAIVER OF BREACH. The waiver by the Company of any breach of any provision of the Plan will not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by that Participant or any other Participant.

 

12.9    NOTICE. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Company or the Participant under this Agreement will be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered, or sent by registered or certified mail, in the case of the Company, to the principal office of the Company, directed to the attention of the Company, and in the case of the Participant, to the last known address of the Participant indicated on the employment records of the Company. Such notice will be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification. Notices to the Company may be permitted by electronic communication according to specifications established by the Company.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Plan to be executed this 20th day of December, 2002.

 

 

   

Maytag Corporation,

a Delaware Corporation

   

By:

 

/s/    MARK KRIVORUCHKA


   

Title:

 

 

Senior Vice President, Human Relations

 

 

 

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