2012 Amendment and Restatement of Parsons Employee Stock Ownership Plan (including all amendments to date), currently in effect
Exhibit 10.1
PARSONS EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
2012 AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT (including Amendments 1-7)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||||||
ARTICLE I GENERAL | 1 | |||||||||
1.1 | Nature of Plan | 1 | ||||||||
1.2 | Effective Date | 2 | ||||||||
1.3 | Defined Terms | 2 | ||||||||
ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS | 2 | |||||||||
2.1 | Account | 2 | ||||||||
2.2 | Affiliated Company | 2 | ||||||||
2.3 | Anniversary Date | 3 | ||||||||
2.4 | Approved Absence | 3 | ||||||||
2.5 | Beneficiary | 3 | ||||||||
2.6 | Board of Directors | 3 | ||||||||
2.7 | Break in Service | 3 | ||||||||
2.8 | Capital Accumulation | 4 | ||||||||
2.9 | Code | 4 | ||||||||
2.10 | Committee | 4 | ||||||||
2.11 | Company | 4 | ||||||||
2.12 | Company Stock | 4 | ||||||||
2.13 | Compensation | 4 | ||||||||
2.14 | Early Retirement Date or Early Retirement | 5 | ||||||||
2.15 | Eligible Employee | 5 | ||||||||
2.16 | Employee | 6 | ||||||||
2.17 | Employee Contribution Account | 6 | ||||||||
2.18 | ERISA | 6 | ||||||||
2.19 | ESOP Account | 6 | ||||||||
2.20 | ESOP Fund | 6 | ||||||||
2.21 | ESOP Suspense Subfund | 7 | ||||||||
2.22 | Exempt Loan | 7 | ||||||||
2.23 | Forfeiture | 7 | ||||||||
2.24 | Highly Compensated Employee | 7 | ||||||||
2.25 | Hour of Service | 8 | ||||||||
2.26 | Member Company | 8 | ||||||||
2.27 | Normal Retirement Date | 8 | ||||||||
2.28 | Parsons Corporation Eligible Employee | 8 | ||||||||
2.29 | Parsons E&C Eligible Employee | 9 | ||||||||
2.30 | Parsons E&C Stock | 9 | ||||||||
2.31 | Parsons Stock | 9 | ||||||||
2.32 | Participant | 9 | ||||||||
2.33 | PAYSOP Account | 9 | ||||||||
2.34 | PAYSOP Fund | 9 | ||||||||
2.35 | Plan | 9 |
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2.36 | Plan Administrator | 9 | ||||||||
2.37 | Plan Year | 9 | ||||||||
2.38 | Predecessor Plan | 9 | ||||||||
2.39 | Retirement Account | 9 | ||||||||
2.40 | Retirement Fund | 9 | ||||||||
2.41 | Sponsor | 10 | ||||||||
2.42 | Trust | 10 | ||||||||
2.43 | Trust Agreement | 10 | ||||||||
2.44 | Trustee | 10 | ||||||||
2.45 | Trust Fund | 10 | ||||||||
2.46 | Valuation Date | 10 | ||||||||
2.47 | Year of Cumulative Service | 10 | ||||||||
ARTICLE III PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN | 11 | |||||||||
3.1 | Commencement of Participation | 11 | ||||||||
3.2 | Members of the Board | 12 | ||||||||
3.3 | Re-employment as Eligible Employees | 12 | ||||||||
3.4 | Former Participants | 12 | ||||||||
ARTICLE IV COMPANY CONTRIBUTIONS | 12 | |||||||||
4.1 | Contributions to ESOP Fund | 12 | ||||||||
4.2 | Reserved | 13 | ||||||||
4.3 | Company Not Responsible for Adequacy of Trust Fund | 13 | ||||||||
4.4 | Conditions of Contributions | 13 | ||||||||
4.5 | Reserved | 13 | ||||||||
ARTICLE V TRUST FUND | 13 | |||||||||
5.1 | Plan Assets | 13 | ||||||||
5.2 | Division of Assets | 13 | ||||||||
5.3 | Investment of Trust Fund | 14 | ||||||||
5.4 | Exempt Loan | 14 | ||||||||
5.5 | Securities Law Limitation | 16 | ||||||||
5.6 | Accounting and Valuations | 16 | ||||||||
ARTICLE VI ALLOCATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ESOP FUND | 16 | |||||||||
6.1 | Allocation of Contributions | 16 | ||||||||
6.2 | Suspense Subfund | 17 | ||||||||
6.3 | Release from ESOP Suspense Subfund | 17 | ||||||||
6.4 | Allocation of Shares Released from ESOP Suspense Subfund | 18 | ||||||||
6.5 | Stock Dividends, Splits, Recapitalizations, Etc. | 18 | ||||||||
6.6 | Allocation of Amounts Transferred From Defined Benefit Plans | 19 | ||||||||
6.7 | Special Limitations for Disqualified Persons | 19 |
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ARTICLE VII RESERVED | 21 | |||||||||
ARTICLE VIII VESTING AND INTERIM WITHDRAWALS | 21 | |||||||||
8.1 | No Vested Rights Except as Herein Specified | 21 | ||||||||
8.2 | Full Vesting of Participants Accounts | 21 | ||||||||
8.3 | Partial Vesting of Participants Accounts | 22 | ||||||||
8.4 | Termination Prior to Full Vesting | 23 | ||||||||
8.5 | Treatment of Forfeitures | 23 | ||||||||
8.6 | Interim Withdrawals | 24 | ||||||||
8.7 | Diversification Rule | 24 | ||||||||
8.8 | No Title | 25 | ||||||||
ARTICLE IX RETIREMENT BENEFITS | 26 | |||||||||
9.1 | Distribution Timing | 26 | ||||||||
9.2 | Method of Distribution | 26 | ||||||||
9.3 | Change of Method of Distribution | 29 | ||||||||
9.4 | Form of Distribution of Capital Accumulation | 29 | ||||||||
9.5 | Benefit Commencement Deadline | 29 | ||||||||
9.6 | Application for Determination of Benefits | 36 | ||||||||
9.7 | Forfeiture on Failure to Locate Participant or Beneficiary | 38 | ||||||||
9.8 | Special Rule For Money Purchase Plans | 38 | ||||||||
9.9 | Direct Transfers | 40 | ||||||||
ARTICLE X DEATH BENEFITS | 41 | |||||||||
10.1 | Methods of Distribution | 41 | ||||||||
10.2 | Death After Termination of Employment | 41 | ||||||||
10.3 | Designation of Beneficiary | 42 | ||||||||
10.4 | Incapacity of Participant or Beneficiary | 42 | ||||||||
10.5 | Additional Documents | 42 | ||||||||
10.6 | Special Rule | 42 | ||||||||
10.7 | Special Rule for Money Purchase Plans | 43 | ||||||||
ARTICLE XI DISABILITY BENEFITS | 44 | |||||||||
11.1 | Method of Distribution | 44 | ||||||||
11.2 | Determination of Disability | 44 | ||||||||
11.3 | Disability After Termination of Employment | 44 | ||||||||
ARTICLE XII LIMITATION ON ALLOCATIONS | 44 | |||||||||
12.1 | General Rule | 44 | ||||||||
12.2 | Annual Additions | 46 | ||||||||
12.3 | Other Defined Contribution Plans | 46 | ||||||||
12.4 | Defined Benefit Plans | 47 | ||||||||
12.5 | Adjustments for Excess Annual Additions | 47 | ||||||||
12.6 | Adjustment for Excessive Combined Plan Fraction | 48 |
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12.7 | Affiliated Company | 48 | ||||||||
12.8 | Compensation | 48 | ||||||||
ARTICLE XIII ADMINISTRATION | 49 | |||||||||
13.1 | Named Fiduciary | 49 | ||||||||
13.2 | Reserved | 49 | ||||||||
13.3 | Policy Committee | 49 | ||||||||
13.4 | Committee Procedure | 50 | ||||||||
13.5 | Notices | 50 | ||||||||
13.6 | Reliance on Information | 50 | ||||||||
13.7 | Authority | 51 | ||||||||
13.8 | Expenses and Fees | 52 | ||||||||
13.9 | Resignation | 52 | ||||||||
13.10 | Liability of Committee | 52 | ||||||||
13.11 | Voting Rights of Company Stock | 52 | ||||||||
ARTICLE XIV AMENDMENT OR MERGER OF THE PLAN | 54 | |||||||||
14.1 | Right to Amend | 54 | ||||||||
14.2 | Merger and Consolidation | 54 | ||||||||
ARTICLE XV TERMINATION OF THE PLAN | 54 | |||||||||
15.1 | Right to Terminate Plan | 54 | ||||||||
15.2 | Termination | 55 | ||||||||
ARTICLE XVI TOP-HEAVY PROVISIONS | 55 | |||||||||
16.1 | Application of Top-Heavy Rules | 55 | ||||||||
16.2 | Minimum Contribution Requirement | 55 | ||||||||
16.3 | Minimum Vesting Requirement | 55 | ||||||||
16.4 | Reserved | 56 | ||||||||
16.5 | Impact on Maximum Allocations | 56 | ||||||||
16.6 | Definitions | 56 | ||||||||
16.7 | Special Rules | 58 | ||||||||
ARTICLE XVII MISCELLANEOUS | 59 | |||||||||
17.1 | Dividends | 59 | ||||||||
17.2 | Annual Statement | 59 | ||||||||
17.3 | No Right to Employment Hereunder | 59 | ||||||||
17.4 | Limitation on Company Liability | 59 | ||||||||
17.5 | Exclusive Benefit | 60 | ||||||||
17.6 | No Alienation | 60 | ||||||||
17.7 | PAYSOP Account Assets Not Subject To Company Withdrawal | 60 | ||||||||
17.8 | Rights Pursuant to USERRA | 60 | ||||||||
17.9 | Redetermination of Tax Credits | 61 |
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17.10 | Addresses | 61 | ||||||||
17.11 | Data | 61 | ||||||||
17.12 | Gender and Number | 62 | ||||||||
17.13 | Headings | 62 | ||||||||
17.14 | Counterpart | 62 | ||||||||
17.15 | Governing Law | 62 |
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PARSONS EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
2012 AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT
ARTICLE I
GENERAL
1.1 Nature of Plan.
(a) The Plan, formerly known as The Ralph M. Parsons Company Employee Stock Ownership and Retirement Plan, was originally effective as of December 28, 1974. It was amended several times, and on January 1, 1984 it became known as The Parsons Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Plan has been amended several times since then, including amendment and restatement in 1989, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2004 and 2006. Effective as of January 1, 2002, the Plan became known as the Parsons Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Plan is hereby again amended and republished in its entirety in this 2012 Restatement, generally effective January 1, 2012, except as otherwise provided herein, by applicable law, or by any resolution or other instrument adopting a particular provision. Neither the Plan nor any Predecessor Plan shall be deemed to have terminated as a result of the consolidation of such Predecessor Plan with this Plan. The rights of an Employee terminating employment after December 31, 2011, shall be governed by the terms of the Plan, as in effect on the date of such termination. The rights of an Employee under a Predecessor Plan which is merged with and into this Plan shall be governed by the terms of this Plan, as in effect from time to time on and after the effective date of the merger of such Predecessor Plan with and into the Plan. It is intended, however, that neither this amendment and republication nor any prior amendment and republication will enlarge the rights of Participants in the Plan or a Predecessor Plan, as the case may be, whose employment with a Company terminated prior to January 1, 2012 or the effective date of a merger of a Predecessor Plan with and into the Plan, as the case may be, except as required by applicable law or as expressly provided herein.
(b) The Plan is a combination stock bonus plan (and, for the period set forth in Section 4.1(d), a money purchase pension plan) qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and consists of two separate and distinct programs which are designed to complement each other. The first program is an employee stock ownership plan, as defined by Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code, designed to invest primarily in Company Stock. The second program is a tax credit employee stock ownership plan, as defined by Sections 41 and 409 of the Code, designed to invest primarily in Company Stock.
(c) The Plan, as amended and republished herein, is designed to enable Eligible Employees indirectly to participate in stock ownership of the Company through participation in the Plan and the Accounts maintained thereunder to the extent that the assets of the Plan and such Accounts are invested in Company Stock and to the extent that distributions with respect to such Stock, whether in Stock or cash, represent the value of such Stock.
(d) The funding policy of the Plan and Trust is as set forth in Article V hereof.
(e) All Trust assets acquired under the Plan as a result of Company and Participant contributions, income and other additions to the Trust shall be administered, distributed, forfeited and otherwise governed by the provisions of the Plan.
(f) The Plan is adopted to reflect certain provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA) in good faith compliance, and is to be construed in accordance with EGTRRA and guidance issued thereunder.
(g) Effective as of January 1, 2003, certain provisions of the Plan are revised to provide separate contribution allocations for Eligible Employees of the Sponsor and its subsidiaries and Eligible Employees of Parsons E&C Corporation and its subsidiaries.
1.2 Effective Date. The original effective date of this Plan is December 28, 1974, and the general effective date of this 2012 Amendment and Restatement is January 1, 2012 except as otherwise specifically stated.
1.3 Defined Terms. All capitalized terms used in this Plan shall have the meaning set forth in Article II, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise or such terms are not defined in Article II.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
2.1 Account. Account shall mean each of the following accounts (including any subaccounts established from time to time under each such account) maintained to record the interest of an Employee in the Plan:
(a) Employee Contribution Account
(b) ESOP Account
(c) PAYSOP Account
(d) Retirement Account
2.2 Affiliated Company. Affiliated Company shall mean (except as modified by Section 12.7 for purposes of Article XII) (a) any corporation which is included in a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code), of which a Member Company is a member, other than such Member Company, (b) any trade or business which is under common control with a Member Company (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code), other than such Member Company, (c) any member of an affiliated service group (within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code) that includes a Member Company, other than such Member Company; and (d) any other entity required to be aggregated with the Company pursuant to regulations under Section 414(o) of the Code.
The term Affiliated Company shall also mean and include RMP International, Ltd., a Cayman Islands Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates.
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2.3 Anniversary Date. Anniversary Date shall mean the last day of each Plan Year.
2.4 Approved Absence. Approved Absence shall mean a leave of absence approved for an Employee under the uniform leave of absence policy maintained by the Company employing such Employee.
2.5 Beneficiary. Beneficiary shall mean the person or estate of a deceased Participant, entitled to benefits hereunder upon the death of a Participant as designated pursuant to Section 10.3.
2.6 Board of Directors. Board of Directors shall mean the Board of Directors of the Sponsor, as such Board may be constituted from time to time.
2.7 Break in Service. Break in Service or Break shall mean with respect to an Employee whose employment with all Companies terminates, starting with the 1984 calendar year:
(a) the calendar year in which his employment terminates if such termination occurs prior to March 1 of such year and the Employee does not return to employment with a Company prior to November 1 of such year.
(b) each calendar year following the calendar year in which his employment terminates, except for a calendar year in which the Employee returns to employment with a Company prior to November 1 of such calendar year.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Employee shall have a Break in Service with respect to a calendar year if he completes more than five hundred (500) Hours of Service during such calendar year. Further, for Employees with fewer than three Years of Cumulative Service as of January 1, 1994, an Employee shall only have a Break in Service in respect of any Calendar Year beginning on or after January 1, 1994 if he completes five hundred (500) or fewer Hours of Service during such calendar year. For purposes of this Section 2.7, an Employee who leaves work on an Approved Absence and returns to work on or before the end of such Approved Absence shall not be deemed to have terminated employment; if such person does not return to work by the end of an Approved Absence, he shall be treated as having terminated employment immediately prior to leaving work on such Approved Absence.
Solely for purposes of determining whether a Break in Service for eligibility or vesting purposes has occurred in a computation period beginning after December 31, 1984, an individual who is absent from work for maternity or paternity reasons shall receive credit for the Hours of Service which would otherwise have been credited to such individual but for such absence, or in any case in which such Hours cannot be determined, eight (8) Hours of Service per day of such absence, except that the total number of Hours of Service to be credited shall not exceed five hundred one (501). For purposes of this paragraph, an absence from work for maternity or paternity reasons means an absence (1) by reason of the pregnancy of the individual, (2) by reason of a birth of a child of the individual, (3) by reason of the placement of a child with the individual in connection with the adoption of such child by such individual, or (4) for purposes of caring for such child for a period beginning immediately following such birth or placement. The Hours of Service credited under this Section shall be credited (1) in the computation period in which the absence begins if the crediting is necessary to prevent a Break in Service in that period, or (2) in all other cases, in the following computation period.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a period of absence from employment shall not be regarded as maternity or paternity leave if the Employee shall fail to comply with a request by the Company to furnish the Plan Administrator such timely information as may be reasonably required to establish that the absence from employment was for a reason set forth above and the number of days for which there was such an absence.
In addition, in the case of an individual who is absent from work during an approved leave of absence granted to an Employee on or after August 5, 1993, pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act, the twelve (12) consecutive month period beginning on the first anniversary of the first day of such absence shall not constitute a Break in Service if the Employee returns to work for the Company at the end of such leave of absence. Uniformed services Employees will not incur a Break in Service because of their military leave in accordance with the terms set forth in Section 17.8.
2.8 Capital Accumulation. Capital Accumulation shall mean the vested portion of a Participants Accounts under Article VIII hereof.
2.9 Code. Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations thereunder. Reference to a specific section of the Code shall be deemed also to refer to any applicable regulations under such section, and also shall include any comparable provisions of future legislation that amend, supplement or supersede that specific section.
2.10 Committee. Committee shall mean the Policy and Advisory Committee established under the provisions of Article XIII.
2.11 Company. Company shall mean the Sponsor or any Affiliated Company.
2.12 Company Stock. Company Stock shall mean the stock issued by the Sponsor or any Affiliated Company, provided such stock is a qualifying employer security within the meaning of Section 409(1) of the Code.
2.13 Compensation. Compensation means all amounts received in cash by an Employee from a Company including salary, wages, shift differential, overtime pay, vacation, holiday and sick pay, and any differential wage payments under Code Section 3401(h), if any, commissions, or jury or military duty pay. However, Compensation shall not include amounts included in the Employees gross income with respect to bonuses, the grant or exercise of stock options, grant of restricted stock, lapse of restrictions on restricted stock, dividends paid on restricted stock, dividends paid on Company Stock held by the Plan, amounts included in the Employees gross income in respect of group term life insurance exceeding $50,000, automobile allowances, moving expense allowances, tax differentials, cost of living differentials and other expense reimbursements. Compensation shall include amounts that would be received in cash and included in gross income by the Employee but for an election to defer and contribute such amounts pursuant to a flexible benefit program or other arrangement described in Section 125 of the Code or a cash or deferred arrangement under Section 402(g) of the Code and qualified transportation fringe benefits described in Code Section 132(f)(4). Severance pay is also
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Compensation if it is paid within the later of (i) 2½ months of separation from employment, or (ii) the end of the year that includes the date of severance, but only to the extent that, absent a severance, such amounts would have been paid to the Employee as an active Employee as regular compensation for services during the Employees regular working hours.
In addition to other applicable limitations set forth in the Plan, and notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the annual Compensation of each Employee taken into account under the Plan shall not exceed $220,000 ($250,000 for the 2012 Plan Year), as adjusted by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue for increases in the cost of living in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17)(B). The cost-of-living adjustment in effect for a calendar year applies to any period, not exceeding 12 months, over which Compensation is determined (determination period) beginning in such calendar year. If a determination period consists of fewer than 12 months, the OBRA 93 annual compensation limit will be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months in the determination period, and the denominator of which is 12.
2.14 Early Retirement Date or Early Retirement. Early Retirement Date or Early Retirement shall mean the date that is the later of (a) the date upon which the termination of employment with all Companies of a Participant who is 100% vested in his ESOP Account occurs and (b) the first day of the month in which the Participant attains age sixty-two (62).
2.15 Eligible Employee.
(a) Eligible Employee shall mean an Employee who is employed by a Member Company as an active employee on a full- or part-time basis (without regard to his or her treatment under the Fair Labor Standards Act or any successor provision thereto, including any such Eligible Employee who is on sick leave or vacation; provided that the Employees salary or wages are subject to employment taxes under Section 3121(b) of the Code.
(b) The term Eligible Employee shall also include (i) any citizen or resident of the United States of America who is an Employee of a corporation which is a domestic subsidiary, as defined in Section 407 of the Code, of a Company which is a domestic parent corporation within the meaning of Section 407 of the Code, and which has been specifically designated as such for purposes of the Plan by resolution of the Board of Directors, and (ii) any citizen or resident of the United States of America who is an Employee of a corporation which is a foreign subsidiary, as defined in Section 3121(1)(8) of the Code, of a Company which is a domestic corporation within the meaning of Section 406 of the Code, provided the Company has entered into an agreement under Section 3121(1) of the Code with respect to such foreign subsidiary; unless such individual would otherwise be an Employee under the Plan.
(c) The term Eligible Employee shall exclude any Employee (i) who is on an Approved Absence, (ii) who is covered by a collective bargaining agreement to which any Company is a party if there is evidence that retirement benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining between the Company and the collective bargaining representative, unless the collective bargaining agreement provides for participation in this Plan, (iii) who is employed by Parsons Infrastructure and Technology Services Division of Parsons Infrastructure & Technology Group Inc., or, prior to January 1, 2007, by the Parking Division of Parsons Facility Management Company, or (iv) a leased employee, within the meaning of Section 414(n) of the Code.
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(d) The term Eligible Employee shall also exclude an individual recorded on the books and records of a Member Company as an independent contractor, a worker provided by a temporary staffing agency, or an individual with respect to whom a written agreement governing the relationship between such person and a Member Company provides in substance that such person shall not be an Eligible Employee hereunder.
(e) The preceding provisions of this Section 2.15 shall be given effect notwithstanding any classification or reclassification of an individual as an employee or common law employee of a Member Company or as a member of any other category of individuals not excluded under the preceding provisions of this Section by reason of action taken by any tax, or other governmental authority. In the event that an individual rendering services to a Member Company in an excluded category is classified or reclassified by reason of action taken by any tax, or other governmental authority, or by a Member Company, such individual shall continue to be excluded under this Plan unless specifically included hereunder by the terms of an amendment to this Plan or by the terms of a written instrument executed by such individual and a Member Company.
2.16 Employee. Employee shall mean any individual employed by a Company.
2.17 Employee Contribution Account. Employee Contribution Account shall mean an Employees Account, including subaccounts, if any, established thereunder from time to time, in which amounts formerly held in Predecessor Plans attributable to the Employees contributions are held. The Employee Contribution Account shall also hold amounts held in any Predecessor Plan attributable to contributions made under Section 401(k) of the Code and amounts held in any Predecessor Plan as rollover contributions within the meaning of Section 402(c) of the Code. The Committee reserves the right to obtain information and satisfy itself that such amounts do qualify as contributions under Section 40 1(k) or as rollover contributions within the meaning of Section 402(c), as the case may be, or that the receipt or retention of such amounts by this Plan will not in any way jeopardize the qualified status of this Plan under Section 401 of the Code. Effective on or about March 1, 1997, all such accounts were transferred to and thereafter maintained under the Parsons Corporation Retirement Savings Plan, although such accounts (and earnings thereon) shall continue to be treated as part of a Participants Capital Accumulation to the extent provided herein.
2.18 ERISA. ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as it may be amended from time to time.
2.19 ESOP Account. ESOP Account shall mean an Employees account, including subaccounts, if any, established thereunder from time to time, representing his interest in the ESOP Fund.
2.20 ESOP Fund. ESOP Fund shall mean that portion of the Trust Fund to which are allocated assets attributable to all ESOP Accounts, contributions under Section 4.1 hereof and the Proceeds of any Exempt Loan.
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2.21 ESOP Suspense Subfund. ESOP Suspense Subfund shall mean the subfund established under Section 6.2 hereof as part of the ESOP Fund to hold Company Stock purchased with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan pending the allocation of such Stock to individual ESOP Accounts.
2.22 Exempt Loan. Exempt Loan shall mean any loan that satisfies the provisions of the term Loan as described in Treasury Regulations Section 54.4975-7(b)(1)(ii) and as defined below. Loan refers to a loan made to an ESOP by a disqualified person or a loan to an ESOP which is guaranteed by a disqualified person. It includes a direct loan of cash, a purchase-money transaction, and an assumption of the obligation of an ESOP. Guarantee includes an unsecured guarantee and the use of assets of a disqualified person as collateral for a loan, even though the use of assets may not be a guarantee under applicable state law. An amendment of a loan in order to qualify as an exempt loan is not a refinancing of the loan or the making of another loan. A Non-Exempt Loan shall mean any loan that fails to satisfy the Loan provisions described above.
2.23 Forfeiture. Forfeiture shall mean the portion of a Participants Accounts which does not become part of his Capital Accumulation.
2.24 Highly Compensated Employee.
(a) Highly Compensated Employee shall mean any Employee who
(i) was a 5% owner (as defined in Section 416(i)(1) of the Code) at any time during the Plan Year or the preceding Plan Year, or
(ii) for preceding Plan Year, received compensation (within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code) from a Company in excess of $100,000 (as adjusted in the same time and in the same manner as under Section 415(d) of the Code) during the preceding Plan Year and was in the top-paid group of Employees (as defined in regulations under Section 414(q)(3) of the Code) for such preceding year.
(b) Determination of a Highly Compensated Employee shall be in accordance with the following definitions and special rules:
(i) An Employee shall be treated as a 5% owner for any Plan Year if at any time during such Year such Employee was a 5% owner.
(ii) A former Employee shall be treated as a Highly Compensated Employee if such Employee was a Highly Compensated Employee when such Employee incurred a severance, or such Employee was a Highly Compensated Employee at any time after attaining age fifty-five (55).
(iii) Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m), and (o) shall be applied before the application of this Section.
(iv) To the extent permissible under Code Section 414(q), the Committee may determine which Employees shall be categorized as Highly Compensated Employees by applying a simplified method prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.
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2.25 Hour of Service.
(a) Hour of Service shall mean, with respect to an Employee:
(1) Each hour for which the Employee is paid, or entitled to payment for the performance of duties for a Company. These hours shall be credited to the Employee for the computation period in which the duties are performed.
(2) Each hour for which an Employee is paid, or entitled to payment, by a Company on account of a period of time during which no duties are performed (irrespective of whether the employment relationship has terminated) due to vacation, holiday, illness, incapacity (including disability), layoff, jury duty, military duty or leave of absence. No more than five hundred one (501) Hours of Service shall be credited under this paragraph for any single continuous period (whether or not such period occurs in a single computation period).
(3) Each hour for which back pay, irrespective of mitigation of damages, is either awarded or agreed to by a Company. The same Hours of Service shall not be credited both under Paragraph (1) or (2), as the case may be, and under this Paragraph (3).
(b) Hours of Service under Sections 2.25(a)(2) and (3) hereof shall be determined and credited in accordance with Paragraphs (b) and (c) of Department of Labor Regulation Section 2530.200b-2 or any successor Regulation thereto.
(c) An Hour of Service shall include service performed for an Affiliated Company prior to the date such Company becomes an Affiliated Company, as required by Code Section 414(a).
2.26 Member Company. Member Company shall mean the Sponsor or each Affiliated Company that, as a whole or only with respect to certain units or divisions thereof, has adopted the Plan or a portion thereof, with the permission of the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event may, effective April 1, 1992, Parsons International Limited, a Delaware Corporation, or, effective January 1, 1995, Parsons International, a California corporation, or effective January 1, 2005, De Leuw Cather International Limited, a Delaware corporation, be considered Member Companies under this Plan. A Member Company shall automatically terminate its status as such when it ceases to be an Affiliated Company unless the Board of Directors expressly provides otherwise.
2.27 Normal Retirement Date. Normal Retirement Date shall mean the first day of the month in which the Participant attains age sixty-five (65).
2.28 Parsons Corporation Eligible Employee. Parsons Corporation Eligible Employee shall mean an Eligible Employee who is employed by the Sponsor or a subsidiary thereof that is a Member Company.
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2.29 Parsons E&C Eligible Employee. Parsons E&C Eligible Employee shall mean an Eligible Employee who is employed by Parsons E&C Corporation or a subsidiary thereof that is a Member Company.
2.30 Parsons E&C Stock. Parsons E&C Stock shall mean the Company Stock issued by Parsons E&C Corporation.
2.31 Parsons Stock. Parsons Stock shall mean the Company Stock issued by the Sponsor.
2.32 Participant. Participant shall mean any Employee (or former Employee) who has satisfied the requirements for participation under Article III hereof or on whose behalf Accounts are maintained under this Plan.
2.33 PAYSOP Account. PAYSOP Account shall mean an Employees Account, including subaccounts, if any, established thereunder from time to time, representing his interest in the PAYSOP Fund.
2.34 PAYSOP Fund. PAYSOP Fund shall mean that portion of the Trust Fund to which are allocated assets attributable to all PAYSOP Accounts and contributions under Section 4.2 hereof.
2.35 Plan. Plan shall mean the Parsons Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and includes the Trust Agreement.
2.36 Plan Administrator. Plan Administrator shall mean the Sponsor.
2.37 Plan Year. Plan Year shall mean, starting January 1, 1985, each calendar year. Prior to January 1, 1985, Plan Year shall mean each fiscal year of the Sponsor and the period beginning on December 29, 1984 and ending on December 31, 1984.
2.38 Predecessor Plan. Predecessor Plan shall mean each retirement plan listed in Schedule A hereof, as amended from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.
2.39 Retirement Account. Retirement Account shall mean an Employees Account, including subaccounts, if any, established thereunder from time to time, in which amounts formerly held in Predecessor Plans attributable to employer contributions are held. Effective on or about March 1, 1997, all portions of such accounts invested in assets other than Company Stock were transferred to and thereafter maintained under the Parsons Corporation Retirement Savings Plan, although such transferred amounts (and earnings thereon) shall continue to be treated as part of a Participants Capital Accumulation to the extent provided herein.
2.40 Retirement Fund. Retirement Fund shall mean that portion of the Trust Fund to which are allocated assets attributable to all Employee Contribution Accounts and Retirement Accounts. Effective on or about March 1, 1997, all portions of the Retirement Fund invested in assets other than Company Stock were transferred to and thereafter maintained under the Parsons Corporation Retirement Savings Plan, although such transferred amounts (and earnings thereon) shall continue to be treated as part of a Participants Capital Accumulation to the extent provided herein.
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2.41 Sponsor. Sponsor shall mean Parsons Corporation.
2.42 Trust. Trust shall mean the Parsons Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Trust, created by the Trust Agreement entered into between the Sponsor and the Trustees.
2.43 Trust Agreement. Trust Agreement shall mean the Agreement by and between the Sponsor and the Trustees, as said Agreement may from time to time be amended.
2.44 Trustee. Trustee shall mean each person serving as Trustee under the Trust Agreement. Any person serving as Trustee may also serve as a member of the Committee, as a member of the Board of Directors, or as an officer, employee or director of a Company or in any other fiduciary or other capacity with respect to either the Plan or a Company.
2.45 Trust Fund. Trust Fund shall mean all cash and securities and all other assets deposited with or acquired by the Trustees in their capacity as such hereunder, together with accumulated income.
2.46 Valuation Date. Valuation Date shall mean the date upon which the assets of the Trust Fund are valued, as prescribed by Section 5.6 hereof. The Valuation Date of Company Stock assets shall be each December 31 (the Anniversary Date). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Plan purchases Company Stock form certain disqualified persons, as defined in Code Section 4975(e)(2), that Company Stock will be valued as of the date of the transaction as required by Treasury Regulation Section 54.4975-11(d)(5).
2.47 Year of Cumulative Service.
(a) Year of Cumulative Service shall mean, with respect to an Employee:
(1) For calendar years starting with the calendar year ending December 31, 1984:
(i) the calendar year in which such Employee is hired or rehired by a Company if the date of hire or rehire is prior to September 1 of such calendar year; or the calendar year in which the entity employing the Employee becomes a Company, so long as the entity becomes a Company prior to September 1 of such calendar year and the Employee is an employee of such entity as of such date; provided that for Employees hired or rehired after 1993 or for entities becoming a Company after December 31, 1993, the calendar year of hire or rehire or acquisition, as the case may be, shall be counted as a Year of Cumulative Service in accordance with Section 2.47(a)(1)(iii) hereof;
(ii) the calendar year in which such Employees employment with all Companies terminates if the date of termination occurs after April 30 of such calendar year; provided that, for Employees with fewer than three Years of Cumulative Service as of January 1, 1994, the calendar year of employment termination shall be counted as a Year of Cumulative Service in accordance with Section 2.47(a)(1)(iii) hereof;
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(iii) any calendar year in which the Employee completes 1,000 or more Hours of Service; provided, that, an Employee shall not receive credit for more than one Year of Cumulative Service under this Section 2.47(a)(1) with respect to any calendar year.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Employee who was a participant in the Engineering-Science Companies Employees Pension Plan prior to January 1, 1984, or the Brian Watt Associates, Inc. Employee Retirement Plan prior to February 2, 1985, shall receive credit solely for vesting purposes for services performed during such periods even though such service was not required to be credited under such Predecessor Plans because (i) such Predecessor Plans utilized the rule set forth in Section 411(a)(4)(B) of the Code (pertaining to non-recognition of service during periods for which the Employee declined to contribute); (ii) he was ineligible to contribute to such Predecessor Plan due to the imposition of a penalty for making a withdrawal of contributions made thereunder; or (iii) he failed to meet any minimum age required for eligibility for participation thereunder. An Employee shall not receive credit under this paragraph for more than one year of service with respect to any calendar year.
ARTICLE III
PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN
3.1 Commencement of Participation. Except as provided in Section 3.3 hereof, an Eligible Employee shall become a Participant in the Plan in accordance with the following rules:
(a) An Eligible Employee who was a Participant on December 31, 2001 shall be a Participant on January 1, 2002.
(b) An Eligible Employee hired in any calendar year after 2001, or employed by an entity on the date such entity becomes a Member Company in any calendar year after 2001, shall become a Participant in the Plan on the January 1 coinciding with or immediately preceding the date such Employee completes 1,000 Hours of Service in a computation period, provided he is an Eligible Employee on the last day of such computation period. For purposes of this Section 3.1(b), the initial computation period shall be the period of 12 consecutive calendar months commencing on the date the Employee first Performs an Hour of Service following or coinciding with his employment with a Company and successive computation periods shall be each calendar year starting with the calendar year in which the initial computation period ends.
(c) If an Employee, who is not an Eligible Employee, has completed the requisite Hours of Service with the Company (in (b) above) and subsequently becomes an Eligible Employee as defined in the Plan, such Eligible Employee shall become a Participant as of the January 1 coinciding with or immediately preceding the date he became an Eligible Employee.
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3.2 Members of the Board. Any Employee who was a member of the board of directors of The Ralph M. Parsons Company on January 1, 1974 shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.
3.3 Re-employment as Eligible Employees.
(a) In the case of an Employee who was not a Participant as of the date of his termination of employment, if such Employee is re-employed as an Eligible Employee in any calendar after 2001 and following the occurrence of a Break in Service, he shall become a Participant in the Plan on the January 1 coinciding with or immediately preceding the date he completes 1000 Hours of Service in a computation period, provided he is an Eligible Employee on the last day of such computation period. For purposes of this Section 3.3(a), the initial computation period shall mean the period of 12 consecutive calendar months commencing on the date such Employee completes an Hour of Service following or coinciding with his re-employment with a Company and successive computation periods shall be each calendar year starting with the calendar year in which the initial computation period ends.
(b) In the case of an Eligible Employee who was a Participant as of the date of his termination of employment, if such individual is re-employed by a Member Company as an Eligible Employee, he shall become a Participant as of his date of rehire.
3.4 Former Participants. Employees who have commenced participation in the Plan, but cease active participation because their employer, though still a Company, has ceased to be a Member Company, shall continue to accrue Years of Cumulative Service, but shall no longer be entitled to additional contributions or allocations of Forfeitures under the Plan unless hired or rehired by a Member Company.
ARTICLE IV
COMPANY CONTRIBUTIONS
4.1 Contributions to ESOP Fund.
(a) Subject to Article XII hereof, the Member Companies shall contribute in cash or Company Stock to the ESOP Fund for each Plan Year such sum as the Board of Directors (and, with respect to Parsons E&C Eligible Employees, the board of directors of Parsons E&C Corporation) may, in its sole discretion, determine. In any Plan Year, the contribution on behalf of the Eligible Employees of a Member Company, when expressed as a percentage of the aggregate Compensation of such Eligible Employees, will be in the same proportion as the contribution on behalf of Eligible Employees of another Member Company. The contribution under this Section 4.1 for any given Plan Year shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors and shall be paid to the Trustees not later than the due date (including any extensions thereof) for filing the federal income tax return of the Member Companies for their fiscal year ending with or within the Plan Year.
(b) Some or all of a contribution under Section 4.1(a) hereof made in cash or property other than Company Stock may be applied to repay any outstanding Exempt Loan. The Committee may, subject to any pledge or similar agreement, direct or determine the proportions by which contributions are applied to repay each of the one or more Exempt Loans.
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(c) Some or all of a contribution under Section 4.1(a) hereof made in cash or property other than Company Stock may be applied to purchase the shares of Company Stock including shares allocated to the Accounts of any Participant (or Beneficiary) in order to make a distribution under Articles VIII, IX, X, or XI hereof to such Participant (or Beneficiary).
(d) For calendar quarters ending prior to July 1, 2004, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.1, the Board of Directors shall authorize each calendar quarter a contribution on behalf of each Eligible employee entitled to an allocation under Article VI hereof equal to not less than 10 percent of such Employees Compensation for such calendar quarter.
4.2 Reserved
4.3 Company Not Responsible for Adequacy of Trust Fund. Except as required by applicable law, neither the Board of Directors, any Company, any member of the Committee nor any Trustee shall be responsible for the adequacy of the Trust Fund to meet and discharge any or all payments and liabilities hereunder.
4.4 Conditions of Contributions. All contributions by a Company to the ESOP Fund are conditioned on the qualification of the Plan under Section 401 of the Code and their deductibility under Section 404 of the Code.
4.5 Reserved
ARTICLE V
TRUST FUND
5.1 Plan Assets. The Sponsor has entered into the Trust Agreement providing for the establishment of a single Trust to hold the assets of the Plan. All Company contributions shall be paid over to the Trustees and held pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and the Trust Agreement, which, as amended from time to time, shall constitute a part of the Plan. The Board of Directors may at any time, in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement, remove an incumbent Trustee and designate a successor Trustee.
5.2 Division of Assets. Assets of the Trust Fund shall be held in separate funds which initially shall consist of the ESOP Fund, PAYSOP Fund and Retirement Fund and thereafter shall consist of such funds as the Committee may establish from time to time. Individual Participant interests in the Trust Fund shall be reflected in the Accounts maintained for each Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust Fund shall be treated as a single trust for purposes of investment and administration, and nothing contained herein shall require a physical segregation of assets for any fund or for any Account maintained under the Plan.
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5.3 Investment of Trust Fund.
(a) The ESOP Fund shall be invested primarily in Company Stock except for cash or cash equivalent investments for the limited purposes of making Plan distributions to participants or paying Plan administrative expenses, or pending the investment of contributions or other cash receipts in Company Stock. Neither any Company nor the Committee nor any Trustee shall have any responsibility or duty to time any transaction involving Company Stock, in order to anticipate market conditions or changes in stock value, nor shall any such person have any responsibility or duty to sell Company Stock held in the ESOP Fund (or otherwise to provide investment management for Company Stock held in the ESOP Fund) in order to maximize return or minimize loss. The Committee may direct the Trustees to have the ESOP enter into one or more Exempt Loans to finance the acquisition of Company Stock. Company contributions in cash, and other cash received by the Trustees, may be used to acquire shares of Company Stock from Company shareholders or directly from the Company.
(b) The PAYSOP Fund shall be invested primarily in Company Stock except for cash or cash equivalent investments for the limited purpose of making Plan distributions to Participants or paying Plan administrative expenses, or pending the investment of contributions or other cash receipts in Company Stock. Neither any Company nor the Committee nor any Trustee shall have any responsibility or duty to time any transaction involving Company Stock, in order to anticipate market conditions or changes in stock value, nor shall any such person have any responsibility or duty to sell Company Stock held in the PAYSOP Fund (or otherwise to provide investment management for Company Stock held in the PAYSOP Fund) in order to maximize return or minimize loss.
(c) In the case of the De Leuw, Cather Current Service Retirement Plan, amounts invested in ordinary life insurance policies as of September 11, 1984 shall remain so invested in accordance with Article XII of that plan as in effect immediately prior to that date; provided that no application for investment in such policies under said Article XII may be accepted on or after September 11, 1984.
5.4 Exempt Loan. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, proceeds of an Exempt Loan shall be used, within a reasonable time after receipt by the Trust, only for the following purposes:
(a) to acquire Company Stock;
(b) to repay the same Exempt Loan; or
(c) to repay any previous Exempt Loan.
An Exempt Loan shall be repaid only from amounts loaned to the Trust and the proceeds of such loans, from Member Company contributions in cash and earnings attributable thereto, from any collateral given for the loan, and from dividends paid on shares of unallocated Company Stock acquired with proceeds of the loan.
No Company Stock acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan may be subject to a put, call, or other option, or buy-sell or similar arrangement while held by the Plan and when distributed by the Plan whether or not the Plan is then an employee stock ownership plan within the meaning of Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code.
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In addition, and in accordance with Treasury Regulations Sections 54.4975-7 and 54.4975-11, the following provisions shall apply to an Exempt Loan under the Plan:
(i) An Exempt Loan must be for a specific term, and must not be payable at the demand of any person.
(ii) An Exempt Loan must be primarily for the benefit of the Plan participants and their beneficiaries.
(iii) The Plan must not obligate itself to acquire securities from a particular security holder as an indefinite time determined upon the happening of an event, such as the death of the holder.
(iv) The only assets of the Plan that may be given as collateral on an Exempt Loan are qualifying employer securities acquired with the proceeds of the loan and those securities that were used as collateral on a prior Exempt Loan repaid with the proceeds of the current Exempt Loan.
(v) The interest rate of an Exempt Loan must not be in excess of a reasonable rate of interest and should consider the following factors: the amount and duration of the loan, the security and guarantee involved (if any), the credit standing of the Plan and the guarantor (if any), and the interest rate prevailing for comparable loans.
(vi) At the time an Exempt Loan is made, the interest rate for the loan and the price of securities to be acquired with the loan proceeds should not be such that the Plan assets might be drained off.
(vii) No person entitled to payment under an Exempt Loan shall have any rights to assets of the Plan other than collateral given for the loan, contributions (other than contributions of employer securities) made to repay such Exempt Loan, and the earnings attributable to such collateral and the investment of such contributions.
(viii) The payments made with respect to an Exempt Loan by the Plan during a Plan Year must not exceed and amount equal to the sum of such contributions and earnings received during or prior to the year less such payments in prior years. Such contributions and earnings must be accounted for separately in the books of account of the Plan until the loan is repaid.
(ix) In the event of default upon an Exempt Loan, the value of Plan assets transferred in satisfaction of the loan must not exceed the amount of default. If the lender is a Disqualified Person, a loan must provide for a transfer of Plan assets upon default only upon and to the extent of the failure of the Plan to meet the payment schedule of the loan.
(x) In the event that the Plan holds different classes of stock and securities acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan available for distribution consist or more than one class, a distributee must receive substantially the same proportion of each such class of stock.
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(xi) If a portion of a Participants Account is forfeited, qualifying employer securities will be forfeited only after other assets. If interests in more than one class of qualifying employer securities have been allocated to the Participants Account, the Participant must be treated as forfeiting the same proportion of each such class of stock.
5.5 Securities Law Limitation. The Committee shall not be required to engage in any transaction, including without limitation, directing the purchase or sale of Company Stock, which it determines in its sole discretion might tend to subject itself, its members, the Plan, any Company, or any Participant to a liability under federal or state securities laws. Further, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the absence of an effective registration statement and prospectus or an available exemption from registration, no amount attributable to Employee contributions shall be allocated to the purchase of securities (other than interests or participations in the Trust or Plan) issued by a Company or any company directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.
5.6 Accounting and Valuations.
(a) The fair value of the assets of the Trust Fund shall be determined as of each Valuation Date, in accordance with generally accepted commercial methods and practices. Valuations of employer securities which are not readily tradable on an established market, will be made by an independent appraiser who meets the requirements similar to the requirements prescribed under Code Section 170(a)(1).
(b) As of each Valuation Date each Participants Accounts shall be credited (debited) with the allocable share of the net income (loss) of the portion of the Trust Fund valued as of such Valuation Date. For this purpose the net income (loss) of the Trust Fund shall include any income with respect to securities in the ESOP Suspense Subfund acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan. In determining net income, interest paid under any installment contract for the acquisition of Company Stock by the Trust or on any Exempt Loan shall not be taken into account.
(c) The Committee shall establish accounting procedures for the purpose of making the allocations, valuations and adjustments to Participants Accounts provided for in Articles V through XI hereof. From time to time, the Committee may modify its accounting procedures for the purpose of achieving equitable and non-discriminatory allocations among the Accounts of Participants in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.
ARTICLE VI
ALLOCATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ESOP FUND
6.1 Allocation of Contributions.
(a) In addition to net income or loss allocated in accordance with Article V and Forfeitures allocated in accordance with Article VIII, the ESOP Account maintained for each Participant will be credited as of each Anniversary Date with his allocable share of (a) Company Stock contributed in kind to the ESOP Fund by Member Companies and (b) contributions under
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Section 4.1 hereof in other than Company Stock. The allocation of contributions of each Member Company shall be made to the ESOP accounts of those Participants who were Eligible Employees of a Member Company during the Plan Year, and such allocation shall be made in the same proportion that the Compensation for the Plan Year of such Participant while an Eligible Employee of such member Company bears to the total Compensation for the Plan Year of all Participants while Eligible Employees of such Member Company entitled to an allocation under this Section 6.1 for that Plan Year. Each ESOP Account will be debited for its share of cash payments for the acquisition of Company Stock or for repayment of exempt Loans or other debt, including principal and interest, incurred for the acquisition of Company Stock, as Company Stock is allocated to such Account in accordance with Section 6.3 hereof. Allocations of Company Stock shall be expressed in terms of number of whole and fractional interests in shares. A subaccount under each Participants ESOP Account shall be maintained to reflect his non-forfeitable interest in any Trust assets (including Company Stock) attributable to dividends on Company Stock allocated to his ESOP Account (other than dividends distributed under the provisions of Section 17.1 hereof). One or more other subaccounts may be established under each Employees ESOP Account to differentiate between contributions and earnings thereon and for such other purposes as the Committee deems appropriate.
6.2 Suspense Subfund.
(a) Company Stock acquired by the ESOP Fund through an Exempt Loan shall be added to and maintained in the ESOP Suspense Subfund and shall thereafter be released from the ESOP Suspense Subfund and allocated to ESOP Accounts of Participants as provided in Sections 6.3 and 6.4. The Company Stock acquired with each Exempt Loan shall be accounted for and allocated separately in accordance with the provisions of this Article VI.
6.3 Release from ESOP Suspense Subfund. Company Stock acquired for the ESOP Fund through an Exempt Loan shall be released from the ESOP Suspense Subfund as the Exempt Loan is repaid, in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.3.
(a) For each Plan Year until the Exempt Loan is fully repaid, the number of shares of Company Stock released from the ESOP Suspense Subfund shall equal the number of unreleased shares immediately before such release for the current Plan Year multiplied by the Release Fraction. As used herein, the Release Fraction shall be a fraction the numerator of which is the amount of principal and interest paid on the Exempt Loan for such current Plan Year and the denominator of which is the sum of the numerator plus the principal and interest to be paid on such Exempt Loan for all future years during the duration of the term of such Loan (determined without reference to any possible extensions or renewals thereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event such Loan shall be repaid with the proceeds of a subsequent Exempt Loan (the Substitute Loan), such repayment shall not operate to release all such Company Stock in the ESOP Suspense Subfund, but, rather, such release shall be effected pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.3 on the basis of payments of principal and interest on such Substitute Loan.
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(b) If required by any pledge or similar agreement, then in lieu of applying the provisions of Section 6.3(a) hereof with respect to such loan or Substitute Loan, shares shall be released from the ESOP Suspense Subfund as the principal amount of an Exempt Loan is repaid (and without regard to interest payments), provided the following three conditions are satisfied:
(1) The Exempt Loan must provide for annual payments of principal and interest at a cumulative rate that is not less rapid at any time than level annual payments of such amounts for ten years.
(2) The interest portion of any payment is disregarded only to the extent it would be treated as interest under standard loan amortization tables.
(3) If the Exempt Loan is renewed, extended or refinanced, the sum of the expired duration of the Exempt Loan and the renewal, extension or new Exempt Loan period must not exceed ten years.
(c) If at any time there is more than one Exempt Loan outstanding, then separate accounts may be established under the ESOP Suspense Subfund for each such Loan. Each Exempt Loan for which a separate account is maintained may be treated separately for purposes of the provisions governing the release of shares from the ESOP Suspense Subfund under this Section 6.3 and for purposes of the provisions governing the application of Member Company contributions to repay an Exempt Loan under Section 4.1 hereof.
(d) It is intended that the provisions of this Section 6.3 shall be applied and construed in a manner consistent with the requirements and provisions of Treasury Regulation § 54.4975-7(b)(8), and any successor Regulation thereto. All Company Stock released from the ESOP Suspense Subfund during any Plan Year shall be allocated among Participants as prescribed by Section 6.4 hereof.
6.4 Allocation of Shares Released from ESOP Suspense Subfund.
(a) Shares of Company Stock released from the ESOP Suspense Subfund for a Plan Year in accordance with Section 6.3 hereof shall be held in the ESOP Fund on an unallocated basis until allocated by the Committee as of the Anniversary Date for that Plan Year. The allocation of such shares among the ESOP Accounts of Participants shall be made among the ESOP Accounts of those Participants who were Eligible Employees at any time during the Plan Year and the number of shares allocable to such Participants ESOP Account shall be made in the proportion that the Compensation for such Plan Year of each such Participant while an Eligible Employee bears to the total Compensation for the Plan Year of all such Participants while Eligible Employees. All Company Stock in the ESOP Fund, other than Company Stock held in the ESOP Suspense Subfund as of an Anniversary Date, must be allocated to ESOP Accounts as of such Date.
6.5 Stock Dividends, Splits, Recapitalizations, Etc. Any Company Stock received by the Trustees as a result of a stock split, dividend, or as a result of a reorganization or other recapitalization of a Company shall be allocated as of the day on which the Company Stock is received by the Trustees in the same manner as the Company Stock to which it is attributable is then allocated.
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6.6 Allocation of Amounts Transferred From Defined Benefit Plans. This Section 6.6 shall be effective for periods beginning on and after July 1, 1985. In the case of any amounts contributed under Section 4.1(a) representing amounts transferred from terminated defined benefit pension plans, such amounts shall be either allocated in their entirety in respect of the plan year in which such amounts were transferred to this Plan, subject to the limitations of Article XII hereof, or they shall be allocated to a special suspense fund and allocated from such fund among accounts of participants no less rapidly than ratably over a period not to exceed seven years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the year of transfer, the amount allocated shall not be less than the lesser of the maximum allowable under Article XII hereof or one-eighth of the amount attributable to the shares of Company Stock acquired with the transferred amount.
6.7 Special Limitations for Disqualified Persons.
(a) General. No Company Stock, and no portion of the Trust that is allocable in lieu of Company Stock, shall be allocated to the Accounts of any Disqualified Person for a Non-allocation Year.
(b) Non-allocation Year. For purposes of this Section 6.7, the term Non-allocation Year means any Fiscal Year for which an S corporation election by the Company under Section 1362(a) of the Code is in effect if, at any time during that Fiscal Year, Disqualified Persons own or are deemed to own at least 50 percent of the outstanding shares of the Companys stock.
(c) Disqualified Person. For purposes of this Section 6.7, the term Disqualified Person means any person if
(i) he or she is deemed to own ten percent or more of the Deemed-Owned Shares of Company Stock;
(ii) the number of shares of Company Stock deemed to be owned by the person, together with the shares of Company Stock deemed to be owned members of his or her family, is at least 20 percent of the total Deemed-Owned Shares of Company Stock; or
(iii) the person is a member of the family of a Disqualified Person described in subparagraph (c)(ii) above (if not otherwise treated as a Disqualified Person under subparagraph (c)(i) or (c)(ii) above).
(d) Deemed-Owned Shares. For purposes of this Section 6.7, the term Deemed-Owned Shares means, with respect to any Participant
(i) shares of Company Stock allocated to his or her Company Stock Account;
(ii) that number of the shares of Company Stock allocated to the Suspense Account that would be allocated to his or her Company Stock Account if all of the shares of Company Stock that are allocated to the Suspense Account were allocated among the Company Stock Accounts of the Participants pursuant to the formula set forth in Section 6.3 as of the most recent Valuation Date; and
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(iii) the shares of Company Stock on which any Synthetic Equity held by that Participant is based, if this treatment of the Participants Synthetic Equity results either in the treatment of any Participant as a Disqualified Person or the treatment of any Fiscal Year as a Non-allocation Year.
(e) Synthetic Equity. For purposes of this Section 6.7, the term Synthetic Equity means any stock option, warrant, restricted stock, deferred issuance stock right, or similar interest or right that gives the holder the right to acquire or receive stock of the Company in the future. Except to the extent provided in regulations issued by the Treasury Department, the term Synthetic Equity also includes stock appreciation rights, phantom stock units, and similar rights to future cash payments based on the value of Company Stock or on the appreciation in the value of the Company Stock.
(f) Member of Family. For purposes of this Section 6.7, the term member of the family means, with respect to any individual
(i) his or her husband or wife,
(ii) any ancestor or lineal descendant of the individual or of the individuals husband or wife,
(iii) a brother or sister of the individual or of the individuals husband or wife and any lineal descendant, and
(iv) the husband or wife of any individual described in clauses (ii) or (iii) above.
(g) Attribution of Ownership. For purposes of this Section 6.7, the attribution-of-ownership rules of Section 318(a) of the Code, as modified by Section 409(p) of the Code, shall apply for purposes of determining ownership of shares of the Companys Stock.
(h) Impermissible Allocation. For purposes of this Section 6.7, and as provided by Treasury Regulation 1.409(p)-1T(b)(2)(iii), the term Impermissible Allocation means any contribution or other annual addition (e.g. forfeiture allocation) in the ESOP or other qualified plan (including a release and allocation from an ESOP Suspense Account) that would have otherwise been added to the Disqualified Persons Account and invested in employer securities consisting of S corporation stock.
(i) Impermissible Accrual. For purposes of this Section 6.7, and as provided by Treasury Regulation 1.409(p)-1T(b)(2)(ii), the term Impermissible Accrual means all S corporation shares that are employer securities and other ESOP assets attributable to such shares (including IRC Section 1368 distributions, sale proceeds and earnings on either the distribution or the proceeds) held for a Disqualified Persons Account, whether attributable to current or prior year contributions.
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ARTICLE VII
RESERVED
ARTICLE VIII
VESTING AND INTERIM WITHDRAWALS
8.1 No Vested Rights Except as Herein Specified. No Employee shall have any vested right or interest, or any right to payment, of any assets of the Trust Fund, except as herein provided. Neither the making of any allocation nor the credit to any Account of a Participant in the Trust Fund shall vest in any Participant any right, title or interest in or to any assets of the Trust Fund.
8.2 Full Vesting of Participants Accounts. An Employee shall at all times be fully vested, within the meaning of Section 411 of the Code and Section 203 of ERISA, in his PAYSOP Account, his Employee Contribution Account, and the subaccount of his ESOP or Retirement Account attributable to cash dividends received by the Trust on Company Stock allocated to such Account. He shall be fully vested, within the meaning of Section 411 of the Code and Section 203 of ERISA, in the balance of his Accounts upon the earliest to occur of:
(a) the day he becomes fully vested under the vesting schedules included in Section 8.3;
(b) the first day of the month in which he becomes sixty-five (65) years of age, provided that such Participant is then employed by a Company or the Participant is on an Approved Absence;
(c) his death while:
(i) employed by a Company;
(ii) on qualified military service (as defined in Code Section 414(u)); or
(iii) on an Approved Absence;
(d) the date of his termination of employment with all Companies under circumstances entitling him to receive a benefit under Section 11.1 on account of permanent disability; or
(e) the date on which he is required to be fully vested under the applicable provisions of the Code on account of the termination, partial termination or the complete discontinuance of contributions to the Plan.
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8.3 Partial Vesting of Participants Accounts.
(a) Except as provided in Section 8.2, effective for all Plan Years beginning on and after January 1, 1989:
(1) The percentage of an Employees Capital Accumulation which is vested, within the meaning of Section 411 of the Code and Section 203 of ERISA, shall be based upon his number of Years of Cumulative Service in the Plan in accordance with the following schedule, provided such Employee performs at least one (1) Hour of Service in any Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 1989:
Years of Cumulative | Vested Percentage of Employees | |
Less than 3 years | 0 | |
3 years but less than 4 | 30 | |
4 years but less than 5 | 40 | |
5 years but less than 6 | 60 | |
6 years but less than 7 | 80 | |
7 or more years | 100 |
(2) In the case of an Employee who does not perform at least one (1) Hour of Service in any Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 1989, such Employees non-forfeitable percentage for purposes of this Section 8.3 shall be determined under the vesting schedule in effect under the Plan as of the date of such Employees termination of employment.
(b) Except as provided in Section 8.2, effective for all Plan Years beginning on and after January 1, 2007:
(1) The percentage of an Employees Capital Accumulation which is vested, within the meaning of Section 411 of the Code and Section 203 of ERISA, shall be based upon his number of Years of Cumulative Service in the Plan in accordance with the following schedule, provided such Employee performs at least one (1) Hour of Service in any Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 2007:
Years of Cumulative | Vested Percentage of Employees | |
Less than 2 years | 0 | |
2 years but less than 3 | 20 | |
3 years but less than 4 | 40 | |
4 years but less than 5 | 60 | |
5 years but less than 6 | 80 | |
6 or more years | 100 |
(2) In the case of an Employee who does not perform at least one (1) Hour of Service in any Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 2007, such Employees non-forfeitable percentage for purposes of this Section 8.3 shall be determined under the vesting schedule in effect under the Plan as of the date of such Employees termination of employment.
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(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, in the case of an Employee who was a Participant in the Plan or a Predecessor Plan prior to January 1, 1984, his non-forfeitable percentage for purposes of this Section 8.3 will at no time be less than the vested percentage determined under the schedule set forth in the Plan or the applicable Predecessor Plan as of December 31, 1983, if such schedule continued to apply.
8.4 Termination Prior to Full Vesting.
(a) If a Participants employment with all Companies terminates prior to the date on which his interest in his Accounts becomes fully vested in accordance with Section 8.2 hereof, the unvested portion of the amount in said Participants Accounts shall be forfeited as of the last day of the calendar year in which the Participant sustains five (5) consecutive Breaks in Service and shall be treated as provided in Section 8.5. The vested portion of such a Participants Accounts shall be distributed as provided in Section 9.2 hereof.
(b) In the case of a Participant described in Section 9.2(b) or 9.2(c) who receives a distribution on account of a disability described in Section 11.3 or hardship, respectively, before incurring five (5) consecutive Breaks in Service and also resumes employment with a Company before five (5) such consecutive Breaks in Service occur, the undistributed forfeitable portion shall be placed in a subaccount of the Account from which the amount was distributed and the vested portion of such subaccount at a subsequent date shall be determined by the formula:
X | = | P(AB + (R x D)) - (R x D), where: | ||
X | = | the vested portion of the subaccount at the subsequent date | ||
P | = | non-forfeitable percentage under Section 8.3 hereof at the subsequent date | ||
AB | = | the subaccount balance at the subsequent date | ||
D | = | the amount of the previous distribution | ||
R | = | the ratio of the subaccount balance at the subsequent date to the original subaccount balance |
(c) If a portion of a Participants ESOP Account or Retirement Account is forfeited, shares of Company Stock allocated to his ESOP Account from the ESOP Suspense Subfund shall be forfeited only after other assets are forfeited from each such Account.
8.5 Treatment of Forfeitures. Any Forfeitures occurring pursuant to Section 8.4 attributable to amounts in the Participants ESOP and Retirement Accounts shall be allocated among all other ESOP Accounts, but only among such ESOP Accounts of Participants who were Eligible Employees during the Plan Year, and each such allocation shall be made in the proportion that the Compensation for such Plan Year of each such Participant while an Eligible Employee bears to the total Compensation for the Plan Year of all such Participants while Eligible Employees. Any forfeiture attributable to a Retirement Account may, but need not, be applied to the acquisition of Company Stock.
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8.6 Interim Withdrawals. The following provisions shall govern the right of a Participant to make withdrawals from the Trust Fund prior to the termination of employment with all Companies:
(a) A Participant may, at any time, but in no event more than once in any Plan Year, elect to withdraw, without penalty, all or any part of the principal amount of his contributions under Predecessor Plans (exclusive of any gains or earnings thereon, and less any previous withdrawals) allocated to his Employee Contribution Account; provided, that, in no event may all withdrawals under this Section 8.6(a) exceed the aggregate amount of such contributions less the total of net investment losses, if any, attributable to such contributions.
(b) Any Participant who elects to withdraw the maximum amount pursuant to Section 8.6(a) hereof then subject to withdrawal may further elect simultaneously (or at any time subsequent to a withdrawal of the maximum amount pursuant to Section 8.6(a) hereof) to withdraw all (but not less than all) net gains and earnings reflected in his Employee Contribution Account.
(c) Reserved
(d) Requests for withdrawal pursuant to this Section 8.6 shall be made in such form and manner as the Committee may prescribe. For purposes of this Section 8.6, the date on which a request for withdrawal is filed shall be considered the date of withdrawal. Payments may be made as set forth in Section 9.4 hereof, as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 180 days from the filing of the request for withdrawal.
8.7 Diversification Rule.
(a) For the purpose of this Section 8.7 only, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Qualified Participant shall mean a Participant who has attained age 55 and who has completed at least 10 years of participation in the Plan.
(2) Qualified Election Period shall mean the six Plan Year period beginning with the Plan Year in which the Participant first becomes a Qualified Participant.
(b) Each Qualified Participant shall be permitted to direct the Plan as to the diversification of twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the vested portion of the Participants ESOP Account (or any subaccounts under such Account) in respect of Company Stock which was acquired by the Plan after December 31, 1986, in the manner provided under Section 8.7(d) below, during an annual election period (the Annual Election Period) specified by the Plan Administrator, which shall commence on the first day each Plan Year during the Participants Qualified Election Period and shall generally end 30 days after the Parsons Stock price and eligible diversification amounts have been communicated to Qualified Participants, but shall in no case end before the 90th day of each such Plan Year. Within the Annual Election Period of the last Plan Year in the Participants Qualified Election Period, a Qualified Participant may direct the Plan as to the diversification of 50 percent of the value of the vested portion of such ESOP Account.
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(c) The Participants direction shall be provided to the Committee in writing and shall specify which, if any, of the available options set forth in Section 8.7(d) the Participant selects.
(d) (1) At the election of the Qualified Participant, the Plan shall distribute, in one lump sum distribution (notwithstanding Section 409(d) of the Code), the portion of the Participants ESOP Account that is covered by the election within ninety (90) days after the Annual Election Period. Distributions shall be made in the form provided for under Section 9.4 hereof. This Section 8.7(d) shall apply notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan. However, those provisions that require the consent of the Participant, the Participants spouse, or both, to distribute a present value benefit in excess of $5,000 still apply. If the Participant and/or the Participants spouse do not consent, the Plan will retain the amount in question.
(2) In lieu of distribution under Section 8.7(d)(1), the Qualified Participant who has the right to receive a distribution under Section 8.7(d)(1) may so elect that the Plan transfer the portion of the Participants ESOP Account that is distributable and that is covered by such election to another qualified plan of the Company which accepts such transfers, provided that such plan permits employee-directed investment and does not invest in Company Stock to a substantial degree. Such transfer shall be in the form provided for under Section 9.4 hereof and shall be made no later than ninety (90) days after the Annual Election Period.
(3) The Committee may establish at least three investment options under this Plan, to be selected at its discretion, for the purpose of diversification under this Section 8.7. If the Committee establishes such investment options, in lieu of distribution or transfer under Section 8.7(d)(1) or (2) above, the Qualified Participant who has a right to receive a distribution under Section 8.7(d)(1) may so elect that the Plan invest the portion of the Participants ESOP Account that is distributable and that is covered by such election in any of the investment options established by the Committee. Such investment shall be made no later than ninety (90) days after the Annual Election Period.
8.8 No Title
Notwithstanding the foregoing and solely for purposes of vesting in Plan Accounts as set forth in this Article VIII, a Participant shall be treated as employed by the Company and shall continue to accrue Hours of Service and Years of Cumulative Service under the Plan for any period of time that the Participant is employed by Saudi Arabian Parsons Limited or Parsons International Corporation LLC. In addition, solely for purposes of vesting in Plan Accounts as set forth in this Article VIII, Participants shall receive Years of Cumulative Service for past service performed for Saudi Arabian Parsons Limited or Parsons International Corporation LLC.
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ARTICLE IX
RETIREMENT BENEFITS
9.1 Distribution Timing.
Following the termination of employment of a Participant with all Companies, the Participants vested Account shall be distributed to him or her in the manner provided in this Article. The Participants vested Account balance shall be based on its value on the Valuation Date coincident with or immediately preceding the date of distribution. A Participant remaining in the employ of a Company after reaching his or her Early or Normal Retirement Date shall not be entitled to a distribution of his or her Accounts prior to his or her termination of employment with all Companies except as provided in subsections 9.2(b), (c), or (d).
9.2 Method of Distribution. The Participants vested Account shall be distributed to him or her in accordance with this Section, provided that no Participant shall receive any distribution of any part of his or her Accounts hereunder prior to his or her Normal Retirement Date without his or her written consent if the present value of such vested Account exceeds $5,000.
(a) Early and Normal Retirement.
(1) Timing. Payment of the Participants vested Account shall be made following his or her termination of employment as soon as practicable after his or her Normal Retirement Date or Early Retirement Date, but in no event later than the sixtieth (60th) day after the last day of the Plan Year in which the Participant (if he or she were then an Employee) attains his or her Normal Retirement Date, or, if earlier, his or her Early Retirement Date.
(2) Form. The available forms shall depend on the value of the Participants vested Account balance.
(i) Vested Account Balance of $20,000 or Less. If the value of the Participants vested Account balance is $20,000 or less, then it will be paid as soon as practicable, as the Participant elects, in either
(A) one lump sum payment; or
(B) a direct rollover.
(ii) Vested Account Balance Exceeds $20,000. If the value of the Participants vested Account balance exceeds $20,000, then it will be paid as soon as practicable in installments as described in subsection (e).
(b) Permanent Disability.
(1) Timing. A Participant who has suffered a permanent disability while an Employee (even if on an Approved Absence) or after termination of employment, but prior to the distribution of his or her entire vested Account, may be entitled to receive a distribution as soon as practicable after the Committees receives proof of such disability.
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(2) Form. The available forms shall depend on the value of the Participants vested Account balance.
(i) Vested Account Balance of $20,000 or Less. If the value of the Participants vested Account balance is $20,000 or less, then it will be paid as soon as practicable, as the Participant elects, in either:
(A) one lump sum payment; or
(B) a direct rollover.
(ii) Vested Account Balance Exceeds $20,000. If the value of the Participants vested Account balance exceeds $20,000, then it will be paid as soon as practicable in installments as described in subsection (e).
(3) Determination of Disability. A permanent disability, for purposes of this Plan, shall mean the Participant has been determined by the Social Security Administration as eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
(c) Financial Hardship.
(1) Timing. A Participant who has a financial hardship prior to the distribution of his or her entire vested Account may be entitled to receive a distribution as soon as practicable after the Committees determination of such hardship. Distribution will be made to a Participant prior to what would otherwise be the Participants Normal Retirement Date, or, if applicable, Early Retirement Date, in accordance with this subsection (c).
(2) Form. The available forms shall depend on the value of the Participants vested Account balance.
(i) Vested Account Balance of $20,000 or Less. If the value of the Participants vested Account balance is $20,000 or less, then it will be paid as soon as practicable, as the Participant elects, in one lump sum payment.
(ii) Vested Account Balance Exceeds $20,000. If the value of the Participants vested Account balance exceeds $20,000, then it will be paid as soon as practicable in installments as described in subsection (e).
(3) Determination of Financial Hardship. The Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether a genuine financial hardship exists, but in so doing shall not find a genuine financial hardship to exist unless there exists probative evidence of severe want or deprivation which cannot reasonably be expected to be relieved by other resources reasonably available to the Participant. The Committee shall prescribe such rules as it deems appropriate in making determinations as to the existence of a hardship. In no event, however, shall the Committee find that sources reasonably available to relieve a hardship include a Participants
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primary residence. Further, the Committee shall in every case find that sources reasonably available to a Participant for the relief of a hardship include business ventures and other investments or property (other than a primary residence), if any, that are reasonably liquid and susceptible to reasonably rapid sale.
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (c)(2), a Participant receiving installment distributions may halt such distributions by written notice given to the Trustee at least 30 days in advance of the first scheduled payment as of which distributions should cease. A Participant may, by a showing of hardship, resume such distributions subject to subsection (c)(3).
(d) Conflicts of Interest. If a Participant who has terminated employment with all Companies but has not received his or her complete distribution from the Plan becomes subject to a conflict of interest by reason of his or her beneficial interest in Company Stock held hereunder, his or her Account consisting of Company Stock shall, upon satisfactory proof to the Committee of such conflict, be converted into cash and shall be distributed in accordance with the terms of this Plan governing distribution of ESOP Accounts as described in subsection (a)(2).
(e) Installments. Installment distributions shall be made subject to the following rules:
(1) Installment payments can only be made if the Participants vested Account balance is at least $20,001.
(A) If the Participants vested Account balance is from $20,001 to $40,000, then it will be paid in a series of installments over two years or, if shorter, the life expectancy of the Participant and his or her Spouse, if any.
(B) If the Participants vested Account balance exceeds $40,000, then it will be paid in a series of installments over either three or five years, as the Participant elects, but in no case shall the number of yearly installments exceed the life expectancy of the Participant and his or her Spouse, if any.
(2) The first installment in a series shall be determined by multiplying the vested value of the Participants Account by a fraction the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the number of scheduled installments in the series. The next installment is the remaining Account balance for the year multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the denominator for the previous year reduced by one. Except if subsection (c)(2)(4) is applicable, successive installments in a series, if any, are determined the same way.
(3) Any remaining undistributed balance of the Participants Account shall be non-forfeitable, held in the Participants Account and will continue to share in the net income of the Trust including any appreciation or depreciation in the value of Company Stock.
(f) Small Account Balances. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Plan to the contrary, a Participant who has a termination of employment (regardless of whether such termination is prior to the Participants Normal or Early Retirement Date) shall automatically receive an immediate distribution without his or her consent if the value of his or her vested Account balance is $5,000 or less.
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(1) Vested Account Balance of $1,000 or Less. If the Participants vested Account balance is $1,000 or less, distribution will be made as soon as administratively feasible in one lump sum payment unless it is at least $200 and the Participant timely elects to directly roll it over to an eligible retirement plan.
(2) Vested Account Value of $1,001 to $5,000. If the Participants vested Account balance exceeds $1,000 but does not exceed $5,000 and the Participant does not timely elect a lump sum distribution or a direct rollover, then it will be directly rolled over to an individual retirement account designated by the Committee.
9.3 Change of Method of Distribution. If any amount is being paid to a Participant in installments pursuant to Section 9.2 hereof, the Committee may, at the election of the Participant or Beneficiary, upon the occurrence of such Participants Early or Normal Retirement Date, permanent disability or death, pay the balance then credited to the Participant or Beneficiary in a lump sum in accordance with the provisions hereof providing for the payment of the balance of an amount in a lump sum.
9.4 Form of Distribution of Capital Accumulation. Distribution of a Participants Capital Accumulation shall be made in cash; provided, however, the Company may require that distributions of that portion of such Participants Capital Accumulation invested in Company Stock be made in kind. Any distributions made in Company Stock shall be subject to an immediate automatic repurchase right in favor of the Company. The amount payable to a Participant pursuant to the automatic repurchase right set forth in the preceding sentence shall be paid by the Company either (a) in a single lump sum within 30 days following the date of the distribution made in Company Stock or (b) in substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) over a period beginning not later than 30 days following the date of the distribution made in Company Stock and not exceeding 5 years; provided, that the Company provides adequate security and pays reasonable interest on any unpaid amounts following the commencement of such payments. In addition, at the election of the Participant, any life insurance policies held in the Plan may be distributed as an in-kind distribution. In accordance with Code Sections 79, 83, and 401 and regulations promulgated thereunder, effective February 13, 2004, any transfer of a life insurance contract from an employer to an employee must be taxed at its full fair market value. Such fair market value will be determined at the time contract (sic) is distributed and using the formula(s) defined in code Section 402.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no distribution may be made in Company Stock to any Participant who is a nonresident alien or whose spouse is a nonresident alien for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
9.5 Benefit Commencement Deadline. Notwithstanding the provisions of Articles IX, X and XI of the Plan regarding distributions of Participants Capital Accumulations, the following additional rules shall apply to all such distributions.
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(a) In no event shall any benefits under this Plan, including benefits upon retirement, termination of employment, or permanent disability (as determined under Section 11.2), be paid to a Participant prior to the Consent Date (as defined herein) unless the Participant consents in writing to the payment of such benefits prior to said Consent Date. As used herein, the term Consent Date shall mean the Participants 65th birthday. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply (1) following the Participants death, or (2) with respect to a lump-sum distribution of a Participants Capital Accumulation if the total amount of the Capital Accumulation does not exceed $5,000.
Effective as of March 28, 2005, in the event of a mandatory distribution greater than $1,000 in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.5(a), if the Participant does not elect to have such distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement plan specified by the Participant in a direct rollover or to receive the distribution directly in accordance with Section 9.2 and 9.4 hereof, then the Plan Administrator will pay the distribution in a direct rollover to an individual retirement plan designated by the Plan Administrator.
(b) Unless the Participant elects otherwise pursuant to Paragraph (a) above, distributions of the vested portion a Participants Capital Accumulation shall commence no later than the 60th day after the close of the Plan Year in which the latest of the following events occurs: (1) the Participants Normal Retirement Age; (2) the tenth anniversary of the year in which the Participant commenced participation in the Plan; or 3) the Participants termination of employment with the Company.
(c) (1) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to distributions under the Plan made on or after December 31, 2001 for calendar years beginning on or after January 1, 2001, the Plan will apply the minimum distribution requirements of Code Section 401(a)(9) in accordance with the regulations under Section 401(a)(9) that were proposed on January 17, 2001 (the 2001 Proposed Regulations). If the total amount of required minimum distributions made to a participant for 2001 prior to December 31, 2001 are equal to or greater than the amount of required minimum distributions determined under the 2001 Proposed Regulations, then no additional distributions are required for such participant for 2001 on or after such date. If the total amount of required minimum distributions made to a participant for 2001 prior to December 31, 2001 are less than the amount determined under the 2001 Proposed Regulations, then the amount of required minimum distributions for 2001 on or after such date will be determined so that the total amount of required minimum distributions for 2001 is the amount determined under the 2001 Proposed Regulations. This paragraph shall continue in effect until the last calendar year beginning before the effective date of the final regulations under Code Section 401(a)(9) or such other date as may be published by the Internal Revenue Service.
(2) Notwithstanding Section 9.5(c)(1) or any other provision of the Plan to the contrary but subject to Section 9.5(d), below, the following provisions shall apply with respect to determining minimum distributions for calendar years beginning with the 2003 calendar year:
(i) The Participants entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, to the Participant no later than the Participants required beginning date.
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(ii) If the Participant dies before distributions begin, the Participants entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, no later than as follows:
(A) If the Participants surviving spouse is the participants sole designated beneficiary, distributions to the surviving spouse will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant died, or by December 31 of the calendar year in which the Participant would have attained age 70 1/2, if later.
(B) If the Participants surviving spouse is not the Participants sole designated beneficiary, distributions to the designated beneficiary will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant died.
(C) If there is no designated beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Participants death, the Participants entire interest will be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participants death.
(D) If the Participants surviving spouse is the Participants sole designated beneficiary and the surviving spouse dies after the Participant but before distributions to the surviving spouse begin, this provision shall apply as if the surviving spouse were the Participant.
For purposes of this Section 9.5(c)(2), distributions are considered to begin on the Participants required beginning date (or, if Section 9.5(c)(2)(ii)(D) applies, the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse). If annuity payments irrevocably commence to the Participant before the Participants required beginning date (or to the Participants surviving spouse before the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under Section 9.5(c)(2)(ii)(D)), the date distributions are considered to begin is the date distributions actually commence.
(iii) Unless the Participants interest is distributed in the form of an annuity purchased from an insurance company or in a single sum on or before the required beginning date, as of the first distribution calendar year distributions will be made in accordance herewith. If the Participants interest is distributed in the form of an annuity purchased from an insurance company, distributions thereunder will be made in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 401(a)(9) and the Treasury regulations.
(iv) If the Participants interest is paid in the form of annuity distributions under the Plan, payments under the annuity will satisfy the following requirements:
(A) The annuity distributions will be paid in periodic payments made at intervals not longer than one year;
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(B) The distribution period will be over a life (or lives) or over a period certain not longer than the period described in Section 9.5(c)(2)(ii);
(C) Once payments have begun over a period certain, the period certain will not be changed even if the period certain is shorter than the maximum permitted;
(D) Payments will either be non-increasing or increase only as follows:
(1) By an annual percentage increase that does not exceed the annual percentage increase in a cost-of-living index that is based on prices of all items and issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics;
(2) To the extent of the reduction in the amount of the Participants payments to provide for a survivor benefit upon death, but only if the beneficiary whose life was being used to determine the distribution period described above dies or is no longer the Participants beneficiary pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order within the meaning of Code Section 414(p);
(3) To provide cash refunds of employee contributions upon the participants death; or
(4) To pay increased benefits that result from a plan amendment.
(v) The amount that must be distributed on or before the Participants required beginning date (or, if the Participant dies before distributions begin, the date distributions are required to begin above) is the payment that is required for one payment interval. The second payment need not be made until the end of the next payment interval even if that payment interval ends in the next calendar year. Payment intervals are the periods for which payments are received. All of the Participants benefit accruals as of the last day of the first distribution calendar year will be included in the calculation of the amount of the annuity payments for payment intervals ending on or after the Participants required beginning date.
(vi) Any additional benefits accruing to the Participant in a calendar year after the first distribution calendar year will be distributed beginning with the first payment interval ending in the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which such amount accrues.
(vii) If the Participants interest is being distributed in the form of a joint and survivor annuity for the joint lives of the Participant and a non-spouse beneficiary, annuity payments to be made on or after the Participants required beginning date to the designated beneficiary after the Participants death must not at any time exceed the applicable percentage of the annuity payment for such period that would have
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been payable to the participant using the table set forth in Q&A-2 of section 1.401(a)(9)-6T of the Treasury regulations. If the form of distribution combines a joint and survivor annuity for the joint lives of the Participant and a non-spouse beneficiary and a period certain annuity, the requirement in the preceding sentence will apply to annuity payments to be made to the designated beneficiary after the expiration of the period certain.
(viii) Unless the Participants spouse is the sole designated beneficiary and the form of distribution is a period certain and no life annuity, the period certain for an annuity distribution commencing during the Participants lifetime may not exceed the applicable distribution period for the participant under the Uniform Lifetime Table set forth in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury regulations for the calendar year that contains the Annuity Starting Date. If the Annuity Starting Date precedes the year in which the Participant reaches age 70, the applicable distribution period for the Participant is the distribution period for age 70 under the Uniform Lifetime Table set forth in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury regulations plus the excess of 70 over the age of the Participant as of the Participants birthday in the year that contains the Annuity Starting Date. If the Participants spouse is the Participants sole designated beneficiary and the form of distribution is a period certain and no life annuity, the period certain may not exceed the longer of the Participants applicable distribution period, as determined under this Section, or the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the Participant and the Participants spouse as determined under the Joint and Last Survivor Table set forth in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury regulations, using the Participants and spouses attained ages as of the Participants and spouses birthdays in the calendar year that contains the Annuity Starting Date.
(ix) If the Participant dies before the date distribution of his or her interest begins and there is a designated beneficiary, the Participants entire interest will be distributed, beginning no later than the time described herein, over the life of the designated beneficiary or over a period certain not exceeding:
(A) Unless the annuity starting date is before the first distribution calendar year, the life expectancy of the designated beneficiary determined using the beneficiarys age as of the beneficiarys birthday in the calendar year immediately following the calendar year of the Participants death; or
(B) If the annuity starting date is before the first distribution calendar year, the life expectancy of the designated beneficiary determined using the beneficiarys age as of the beneficiarys birthday in the calendar year that contains the annuity starting date.
(x) If the Participant dies before the date distributions begin and there is no designated beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Participants death, distribution of the Participants entire interest will be completed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participants death.
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(xi) If the Participant dies before the date distribution of his or her interest begins, the Participants surviving spouse is the participants sole designated beneficiary, and the surviving spouse dies before distributions to the surviving spouse begin, this Section 9.5(c)(2) will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Participant, except that the time by which distributions must begin will be determined without regard to Section 9.5(c)(2)(ii)(D).
(xii) For purposes of this Section 9.5(c)(2), the following terms have the following meanings:
(A) Designated beneficiary means the individual who is designated as the beneficiary under the Plan and is the designated beneficiary under Code Section 401(a)(9) and section 1.401(a)(9)-1, Q&A-4, of the Treasury regulations.
(B) Distribution calendar year means a calendar year for which a minimum distribution is required. For distributions beginning before the Participants death, the first distribution calendar year is the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year which contains the Participants required beginning date. For distributions beginning after the Participants death, the first distribution calendar year is the calendar year in which distributions are required to begin pursuant to this Section 9.5(c)(2).
(C) Life expectancy means life expectancy as computed by use of the Single Life Table in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury Regulations.
(D) Required beginning date means April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Participant (i) attains age 701⁄2 or (ii) retires, whichever is later; except that, in the case of a Participant who is a five percent owner (as defined in Code Section 416) of the Company with respect to the calendar year in which he attains age 701⁄2, required beginning date means April 1 following the calendar year in which the Participant attains age 701⁄2.
(d) With respect to the portion of a Participants Capital Accumulation consisting of Company Stock allocated to his ESOP account, where such stock was acquired by the Plan after December 31, 1986 (Post-1986 Amounts), the following rules shall apply:
(1) If the Participant so elects, Post-1986 Amounts shall commence to be distributed to the Participant not later than 1 year after the close of the Plan Year-
(i) in which the Participant terminates employment with the Company by reason of attainment of Normal Retirement age, permanent disability (as determined under Section 11.2), or death, or
(ii) which is the 5th Plan Year following the Plan Year in which the Participant otherwise separates from service, except that this clause shall not apply if the Participant is reemployed by the Company before distribution is required to begin under this clause.
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(2) For the purposes of this paragraph (d), the Post-1986 Amounts allocated to a Participants ESOP Account shall not include any Company Stock acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan until the close of the Plan Year in which such loan is repaid in full.
(3) Unless the Participant elects a less rapid distribution period, the distribution upon a Participants Post-1986 Amounts shall be in substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) over a period not longer than the greater of:
(i) 5 years, or
(ii) in the case of a Participant with Post-1986 Amounts in excess of $500,000, 5 years plus 1 additional year (but not more than 5 additional years) for each $100,000 or fraction thereof by which such amount exceeds $500,000.
(4) The dollar amounts specified in subparagraph (3) above shall be adjusted at the same time and in the same manner by the Secretary of the Treasury as under Code Section 415(d).
(5) This paragraph (d) is intended to accelerate the date of distribution of Post-1986 Amounts pursuant to Code Section 409(o). Therefore, if such amounts should be distributed sooner under any other provision of this Plan, such provision overrides this paragraph (d).
(e) If it is not administratively practical to calculate and commence payments by the latest date specified in the rules of Paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) above because the amount of the Participants benefit cannot be calculated, or because the Committee is unable to locate the Participant after making reasonable efforts to do so, the payment shall be made as soon as is administratively possible (but not more than 60 days) after the Participant can be located and the amount of the distributable benefit can be ascertained.
(f) If any payee under the Plan is a minor or if the Committee reasonably believes that any payee is legally incapable of giving a valid receipt and discharge for any payment due him, the Committee may have such payment, or any part thereof, made to the person (or persons or institution) whom it reasonably believes is caring for or supporting such payee, or, if applicable, to any duly appointed guardian or committee or other authorized representative of such payee. Any such payment shall be a payment for the account of such payee and shall, to the extent thereof, be a complete discharge of any liability under the Plan to such payee.
(g) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.5 to the contrary, unless the Participant subject to the required minimum distribution rules of this Section 9.5 elects to receive such distributions, effective as of January 1, 2009, the Code Section 401(a)(9) requirements of Section 9.5 will not apply for the 2009 calendar year, and furthermore, the five-year period described in Code Section 401(a)(9)(B)(ii) will be determined without regard to calendar year 2009.
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9.6 Application for Determination of Benefits.
(a) The Committee may require any person claiming benefits under the Plan or any authorized representative of such a person, to submit an application therefor, together with such documents and information as the Committee or its delegate may require.
(b) Within 90 days following receipt of a properly completed application, the Committee or its delegate reviewing the claim shall furnish the claimant with written notice of the decision rendered with respect to the application. If the Committee or its delegate determines that an extension of up to an additional 90 days for processing the application is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination of the initial 90-day period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Committee or its delegate expects to render a determination. In the case of a denial of the claimants application, the written notice shall set forth:
(1) The specific reasons for the denial, with reference to the Plan provisions upon which the denial is based;
(2) A description of any additional information or material necessary for perfection of the application (together with an explanation why the material or information is necessary); and
(3) An explanation of the Plans claim review procedure and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimants right to bring a civil action under section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review. A claimant who does not agree with the decision rendered under Section 9.6(b) hereof with respect to his application may appeal the decision to the Committee. The appeal shall be made in writing within 65 days after the date of notice of the decision with respect to the application. If the application has neither been approved nor denied within the 90-day period provided in Section 9.6(b) hereof, then the appeal shall be made within 65 days after the expiration of the 90-day period. In making his appeal, the claimant may request that his application be given full and fair review by the Committee. The claimant may review, upon request and free of charge, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimants claim for benefits, and may submit issues , documents, records and comments in writing and all such information will be taken into account by the Committee. The decision of the Committee shall be made promptly, and not later than 60 days after the Committees receipt of a request for review, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case a decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than 120 days after receipt of a request for review and written notice of the extension shall be provided to the claimant prior to expiration of the initial 60-day period indicating the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Committee expects to render the determination on review. The decision on review shall be in writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant with specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision is based, and a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimants claim for benefits.
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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with regard to a claim that involves a determination of a permanent disability, the Committee or its delegate reviewing the claim shall furnish the claimant with written notice of the decision rendered with respect to the application within 45 days following receipt of an application. If the Committee or its delegate determines that an extension of up to an additional 30 days for processing such an application is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination of the initial 45-day period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Committee or its delegate expects to render a determination. If prior to the end of a the first 30-day extension period, the Committee or its delegate determines that a decision cannot be rendered within that extension period, the period for making the determination may be extended for up to an additional 30 days, provide that the Committee or its delegate notifies the claimant prior to the expiration of the first 30-day extension period that indicates the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Committee or its delegate expects to render a determination. Any notice of extension shall specifically explain the standards on which entitlement to a benefit is based, the unresolved issues that prevent a decision on the claim, and the additional information needed to resolve those issues, and the claimant shall be afforded at least 45 days within which to provide the specified information. With regard to a claim that involves a determination of a permanent disability, any written notice of denial shall contain the following, in addition to the items set forth in Section 9.6(c):
(1) A discussion of the decision, including an explanation of the basis for disagreeing with or not following: (A) the views presented by the claimant to the Plan of health care professionals treating the claimant and vocational professionals who evaluated the claimant; (B) the views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained on behalf of the Plan in connection with a claimant s adverse benefit determination, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in making the benefit determination; and (C) a disability determination regarding the claimant presented by the claimant to the Plan made by the Social Security Administration;
(2) If the adverse benefit determination is based on a medical necessity or experimental treatment or similar exclusion or limit, either an explanation of the scientific or clinical judgment for the determination, applying the terms of the plan to the claimants medical circumstances, or a statement that such explanation will be provided free of charge upon request;
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(3) Either the specific internal rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Plan relied upon in making the adverse determination or, alternatively, a statement that such rules, guidelines, protocols, standards or other similar criteria of the Plan do not exist; and
(4) A statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimants claim for benefits.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, with regard to an appeal of a benefit determination that involves a determination of a permanent disability, before the Committee can issue an adverse benefit determination on review, the Committee shall also provide the claimant, free of charge, with (1) any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon, or generated by Committee in connection with the claim; and (2) any new or additional rationale on which an adverse benefit determination is to be made. In addition, the Committees decision shall be made within a reasonable period of time, but not later than 45 days (rather than 60 days) after the Committees receipt of a request for review. In addition to the information set forth in Section 9.6(c), any notice of adverse determination on review of a claim involves a determination of a permanent disability shall also include the information set forth in Section 9.6(d)(l) through 9.6(d)(3).
9.7 Forfeiture on Failure to Locate Participant or Beneficiary. In the event that a Participant or Beneficiary or other recipient of benefits cannot be located with reasonable efforts within five (5) years of the date when benefits are first eligible to be paid under the Plan, the amount representing the benefits which such person would otherwise have been entitled to receive shall be forfeited and re-allocated to the Plan Accounts of all remaining Participants in the manner provided in Section 8.5. Notwithstanding the foregoing or anything to the contrary in this Plan, if any Participant, Beneficiary or other recipient of benefits shall make an appropriate claim for benefits subsequent to the forfeiture referred to in the preceding sentence, then such person shall he entitled to payment of such amount which was forfeited.
9.8 Special Rule For Money Purchase Plans. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, if the Capital Accumulation in a Participants Retirement Account and Employee Contribution Account has an aggregate value in excess of $5,000 and is attributable to a Predecessor Plan that, prior to its consolidation with the Plan, was a money purchase pension plan, such Capital Accumulation shall be distributable in accordance with this Section 9.8.
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(a) Unless a form of benefit prescribed by Section 9.2 hereof is selected pursuant to a Qualified Election within the 180-day period ending on the Participants Benefit Commencement Date, a Participants Capital Accumulation subject to this Section 9.8 will be paid in the form of a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity.
(b) For purposes of this Section 9.8, Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity shall mean an annuity for the life of the Participant with a survivor annuity for the life of the Spouse which is not less than 50 percent and not more than 100 percent of the amount of the annuity which is payable during the joint lives of the Participant and the Spouse and which is the amount of benefit which can be purchased with the participants Capital Accumulation subject to this Section 9.8.
(c) For purposes of this Section 9.8, Qualified Election shall mean a waiver of a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity. The waiver must be in writing, must designate that benefits will be paid in an optional form or designate a beneficiary in addition to or other than the Participants Spouse which may not be changed without spousal consent (unless the original consent (i) acknowledges the right to limit consent to a specific Beneficiary, and (ii) expressly permits designations by the Participant without the requirement of any further consent by the Spouse, and must be consented to by the Participants Spouse. The Spouses consent to a waiver must be witnessed by a Plan representative or notary public. Notwithstanding this consent requirement, if the Participant establishes to the satisfaction of a Plan representative that such written consent may not be obtained because there is no Spouse or the Spouse cannot be located, a waiver will be deemed a Qualified Election. Any consent necessary under this provision will be valid only with respect to the Spouse who signs the consent, or in the event of a deemed Qualified Election, the designated Spouse. Additionally, a revocation of a prior waiver may be made by a Participant without the consent of the Spouse at any time before the commencement of benefits. The number of revocations shall not be limited.
(d) For purpose of this Section 9.8, Spouse or Surviving Spouse shall mean the spouse or surviving spouse of the Participant, provided that a former spouse will be treated as the Spouse or Surviving Spouse to the extent provided under a qualified domestic relations order as described in Section 4l4(p) of the Code.
(e) The Committee shall provide each Participant within 30 days of such Participants Benefit Commencement Date, a written explanation of: (i) the terms and conditions of a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity; (ii) the Participants right to make and the effect of an election to waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity form of benefit; (iii) the rights of a Participants Spouse; (iv) the right to make and the effect of a revocation of a previous election to waive the Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity; provided, however, that a Participant may waive (with applicable spousal consent) the requirement that the written explanation be provided within 30 days of the Participants Benefit Commencement Date, if the Participants distribution commences more than 7 days after such explanation is provided.
(f) For the purpose of this Section 9.8, Benefit Commencement Date shall mean (i) the first day of the first period for which an amount is payable as an annuity, however, the first day of the first period for which a benefit is to be received by reason of a disability shall be treated as the Benefit Commencement Date only if such benefit is not an auxiliary benefit within the meaning of Code Section 417(f)(2)(B); or (ii) in the case of a benefit not payable in the form of an annuity, the first day on which all events have occurred which entitle the Participant to such benefit.
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9.9 Direct Transfers
(a) This Section applies to distributions made on or after January 1, 1993. Notwithstanding any provisions of the Plan to the contrary that would otherwise limit a distributees election under this Section, a distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Plan Administrator, to have any portion of an eligible rollover distribution paid directly to an eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee in a direct rollover.
(b) Definitions.
(1) Eligible Rollover Distributions. An eligible rollover distribution is any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the distributee, except that an eligible rollover distribution does not include:
(i) any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for the life (or life expectancy) of the distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the distributee and the distributees designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more;
(ii) any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under Code Section 401(a)(9); and
(iii) and the portion of any distribution that is not includable in gross income (determined without regard to the exclusion for net realized appreciation with respect to employer securities and any amount that is distributed on account of hardship).
If all or any portion of a Plan distribution during the 2009 calendar year would have been treated as a required minimum distribution under Code Section 401(a)(9), but for the application of Plan Section 9.5(g), then such distribution shall not be treated as an eligible rollover distribution for purposes of this Section 9.9.
(2) Eligible Retirement Plan: An eligible retirement plan must accept the distributees eligible rollover distribution and must be an individual retirement account described in Code Section 408(a), an individual retirement annuity described in Code Section 408(b), an annuity plan described in Code Section 403(a), an annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b), an eligible plan under Code Section 457(b) that is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state and which agrees to separately account for amounts transferred into such plan from this Plan, a qualified trust described in Code Section 401(a) or a Roth IRA described in Section 408A(b) of the Code. However, in the case of an eligible rollover distribution to either the surviving spouse or a non-spouse beneficiary, an eligible retirement plan is an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity.
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(3) Distributee: A distributee includes an employee or former employee. In addition, the employees or former employees Surviving Spouse, non-spouse beneficiary, and the employees or former employees Spouse or former Spouse who is the alternate payee under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order, as defined in Code Section 414(p), are distributees with regard to interests of the Spouse or former Spouse.
(4) Direct Rollover: A direct rollover is a payment by the Plan to the eligible retirement plan specified by the distributee.
(c) For purposes of the direct rollover provisions in this Section 9.9 of the Plan, a portion of a distribution shall not fail to be an eligible rollover distribution merely because the portion consists of after-tax employee contributions which are not included in gross income. However, such portion may be transferred only to an individual retirement account or annuity described in Section 408(a) or 408(b) of the Code, or to a qualified defined contribution plan described in section 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code that agrees to separately account for amounts so transferred, including separately accounting for the portion of such distribution which is includible in gross income and the portion of such distribution which is not so includible.
ARTICLE X
DEATH BENEFITS
10.1 Methods of Distribution. Upon the death of a Participant prior to his termination of employment with all Companies, the entire interest of the decedent in the Trust Fund shall be distributed as soon as practicable after the decedents death, but in no event later than five years after the date of such death. The amount distributed shall be based on the value of the decedents interest on the valuation date coinciding with or immediately preceding the date of distribution. If the beneficiary is a spouse and such spouse dies before payments begin, subsequent distributions shall be made as if the spouse had been the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.1, a Surviving Spouse (as defined in Section 10.7) shall be entitled to receive the death benefit to which that spouse is entitled pursuant to a survivor annuity described in Section 10.7 hereof or pursuant to a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity described in Section 9.8 hereof. Such survivor annuity shall commence as soon as possible following the Participants death but not later than one year after the Participants death, or the date on which the Participant would have attained age 70-1/2, whichever is later.
10.2 Death After Termination of Employment. Upon the death of a Participant after retirement, permanent disability retirement or other severance, but prior to the distribution of his entire Capital Accumulation, the Committee shall direct the Trustees to make distribution of any vested balance remaining in the decedents Accounts as soon as practicable after the decedents death but in no event later than 5 years after the date of such death. The amount distributed shall be based on the value of the decedents interest on the Valuation Date coinciding with or immediately preceding the date of distribution. If distribution has commenced prior to the date of the Participants death, the remaining balance of the Participants Capital Accumulation shall be distributed at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution in effect as of the date of the Participants death. If the Beneficiary is a Spouse and such Spouse dies before payments begin,
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subsequent distribution shall be made as if the Spouse had been the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.2, a Surviving Spouse (as defined in Section 10.7 hereof) shall be entitled to receive the death benefit to which that Spouse is entitled pursuant to the survivor annuity described in Section 10.7 hereof or pursuant to a qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity described in Section 9.8 hereof. Such Survivor Annuity shall commence as soon as possible following the Participants death but not later than 1 year after the Participants death, or the date on which the Participant would have attained age 70-1/2, whichever is later.
10.3 Designation of Beneficiary. At any time, and from time to time, each Participant shall have the unrestricted right to designate the Beneficiary or Beneficiaries to receive the portion of his death benefit or to revoke any such designation. Each such designation shall be evidenced by a written instrument filed with the Committee, signed by the Participant. If the deceased Participant shall have failed to designate a Beneficiary, or if the Committee shall be unable to locate the designated Beneficiary after reasonable efforts have been made, or if such Beneficiary shall be deceased, distribution shall be made by payment of the deceased Participants entire interest in the Trust Fund to his personal representative in a lump sum within one (1) year after his death. In the event the deceased Participant is not a resident of California at the date of his death, the Committee, in its discretion, may require the establishment of ancillary administration in California. If the Committee cannot locate a qualified personal representative of the deceased Participant, or if administration of the deceased Participants estate is not otherwise required, the Committee, in its discretion, may pay the deceased Participants interest in the Trust Fund to his heirs at law (determined in accordance with the laws of the State of California as they existed at the date of the Participants death).
10.4 Incapacity of Participant or Beneficiary. If any payee under the Plan is a minor, or if the Committee reasonably believes that any payee is legally incapable of giving a valid receipt and discharge for any payment due him, the Committee may have such payment, or any part thereof, made to the person (or persons or institution) whom it reasonably believes is caring for or supporting such payee, unless it has received due notice of claim therefor from a duly appointed guardian or committee of such payee. Any such payment shall be a payment for the account of such payee and shall, to the extent thereof, be a complete discharge of any liability under the Plan to such payee.
10.5 Additional Documents. The Committee or Trustees, or both, may require the execution and delivery of such documents, papers and receipts as the Committee or Trustees may determine necessary or appropriate in order to establish the fact of death of the deceased Participant and of the right and identity of any Beneficiary or other person or persons claiming any benefits under this Plan.
10.6 Special Rule. With respect to Participants who performed one or more Hours of Service on or after August 23, 1984 and die after such date, any designation of a Beneficiary other than the surviving spouse at the date of the Participants death for payment of the Participants death benefit under the Plan shall not be valid unless such surviving spouse has consented to the payment of such death benefit to such Beneficiary in form and manner satisfactory to the Plan Administrator and in compliance with the requirements of Section 417 of the Code.
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10.7 Special Rule for Money Purchase Plans. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, in the event of a Participants death prior to his Benefit Commencement Date (as defined in Section 9.8(f)) with respect to his Capital Accumulation in his Retirement Account and Employee Contribution Account the aggregate value of which exceeds $5,000 and is attributable to a Predecessor Plan that, prior to its consolidation with this Plan, was a money purchase pension plan, such Capital Accumulation Account shall be distributable in accordance with this Section 10.7.
(a) The Participants Capital Accumulation shall be paid to the Participants Surviving Spouse in the form of an annuity for the life of the Surviving Spouse (QPSA), unless the Surviving Spouse selects a payment form prescribed in Section 9.2 hereof or the Participant within the Election Period waives the QPSA and designates another Beneficiary, pursuant to a Qualified Election, to receive his Capital Accumulation subject to this Section 10.7, as provided in Section 10.1 hereof. The Surviving Spouse shall be entitled to direct the commencement of payments under the QPSA within a reasonable time after the Participants death but shall not be required to commence such payments prior to the date the Participant would have attained Normal Retirement Date.
(b) For purposes of this Section 10.7, Election Period shall mean the period which begins on the first day of the Plan Year in which the Participant attains age 35 and ends on the date of the Participant s death. If a Participant separates from service prior to the first day of the Plan Year in which age 35 is attained, the election period shall begin on the date of separation.
(c) For purposes of this Section 10.7, Qualified Election shall mean the Participants waiver of the QPSA and the designation of a Beneficiary other than a Spouse (including any class of Beneficiaries or contingent Beneficiaries). The designation must be in writing, must designate a Beneficiary other than the Participants Spouse which may not be changed (unless back to the QPSA) without Spousal consent (unless the original consent of the Spouse (i) acknowledges the right to limit consent to a specific Beneficiary and (ii) expressly permits designations by the Participant without the requirement of any further consent by the Spouse), and must be consented to by the Spouse. The Spouses consent must acknowledge the effect of the election and be witnessed by a Plan representative or notary public. A Qualified Election shall be valid only if made after the Participant has received a written explanation of the QPSA during the applicable period in accordance with Section 417(a)(3) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Notwithstanding this consent requirement, if the Participant establishes to the satisfaction of a Plan representative that such written consent may not be obtained because there is no Spouse or the Spouse cannot be located, a selection shall be deemed a Qualified Election. Any consent necessary under this Section 10.7 will be valid only with respect to the Spouse who signs the consent, or in the event of a deemed Qualified Election, the designated Spouse. Additionally, a revocation of a prior waiver of the QPSA may be made by a Participant without the consent of the Spouse at any time before the Participants death. The number of revocations shall not be limited.
(d) For purposes of this Section 10.7, Spouse or Surviving Spouse shall mean the spouse or surviving spouse of the Participant, provided that a former spouse will be treated as the Spouse or Surviving Spouse to the extent provided under a Qualified Domestic Relations Order described in Section 414(p) of the Code.
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ARTICLE XI
DISABILITY BENEFITS
11.1 Method of Distribution. In the event a Member Company shall determine that a Participant has suffered a permanent disability while an Employee or on an Approved Absence, the Committee shall direct the Trustee to make a distribution of such Participants Capital Accumulation as soon as practicable after the Committees determination of such disability in the manner prescribed in Section 9.2 as though such Participant had attained his Normal or Early Retirement Date. The amount distributed shall be based on the value of the Participants Accounts on the Valuation Date coinciding with or immediately preceding the date of distribution.
11.2 Determination of Disability. A permanent disability, for purposes of this Plan, shall mean the Participant has been determined by the Social Security Administration as eligible for Social Security disability benefits.
11.3 Disability After Termination of Employment. In the event that a Member Company shall determine that a Participant has suffered a permanent disability after termination of employment, but prior to the distribution of his entire Capital Accumulation, the Committee shall direct the Trustees to make distribution of his Capital Accumulation as though the Participant had attained his Normal or Early Retirement Date as provided in Section 9.2; except that the Participants vested interest in his accounts shall not increase by reason of such disability. The amount distributed shall be based on the value of the Participants accounts on the Valuation Date coinciding with or immediately preceding the date of distribution. The provisions of Section 9.8 shall apply to any distribution made pursuant to this Section 11.3.
ARTICLE XII
LIMITATION ON ALLOCATIONS
12.1 General Rule.
(a) The provisions of this Section 12.1(a) shall be effective for periods prior to January 1, 1990.
(1) Subject to Sections 12.1(a)(2) and 12.3 through 12.6 hereof, the total Annual Additions under this Plan to a Participants Accounts for any Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of:
(A) Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000), or if greater, one-fourth of the defined benefit dollar limitation set forth in Section 4l5(b)(1) of the Code) as in effect for the Limitation Year; or
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(B) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Participants Compensation, as defined in Section 12.8, from the Companies for the Limitation Year. For purposes of this Article XII, the Limitation Year shall mean the Plan Year and Compensation shall mean Compensation as defined in Section 12.8.
(2) (A) Subject to Sections 12.3 through 12.6 hereof, in the event that no more than one-third of the Member Company contributions to the ESOP and PAYSOP Funds for a Limitation Year are allocated to the group of Highly Compensated Employees then the amount of Annual Additions under this Plan to a Participants Accounts for any Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of either the amount determined under Section 12.1(a)(1) hereof or the amount determined under Section 12.1(a)(1)(B).
(B) The amount determined under this Section 12.1(a)(1)(B) is the sum of:
(1) The amount specified in Section 12.1(a)(1)(A) hereof, plus
(2) The lesser of:
(i) The amount specified in Section 12.1(a)(1)(A) hereof, or
(ii) The amount of Company Stock contributed, or purchased with cash contributed, to the ESOP and PAYSOP Funds on behalf of such Participant including Company Stock released from the ESOP Suspense Subfund.
(b) The provisions of this Section 12.1(b) are effective for periods beginning on and after January 1, 1995. Subject to Sections 12.3 through 12.6 hereof, the total Annual Additions under this Plan to a Participants Accounts for any Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of:
(1) Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000), as that amount may be adjusted for cost of living increases in accordance with Code Section 415(d); or
(2) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Participants Compensation, from the Companies for the Limitation Year. For purposes of this Article XII, the Limitation Year shall mean the Plan Year and Compensation shall mean Compensation as defined in Section 12.8.
(c) The provisions of this Section 12.1(c) are effective for Limitation Years beginning after December 31, 2001. Subject to Sections 12.3 through 12.6 hereof and Section 414(v) of the Code, if applicable, the total Annual Additions that may be contributed or allocated to a Participants accounts under this Plan for any Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of:
(1) Forty Thousand Dollars ($40,000), as that amount may be adjusted for cost of living increases in accordance with Code Section 415(d); or
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(2) One hundred percent (100%) of the Participants Compensation, within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code, for the Limitation Year. For purposes of this Section 12.1(c)(2), the Participants Compensation limit shall not apply to any contribution for medical benefits after separation from service (within the meaning of Code Section 401(h) or Code Section 419A(f)(2)) which is otherwise treated as an Annual Addition.
12.2 Annual Additions. For purposes of Section 12.1, the term Annual Additions shall mean with respect to a Participant, for any Limitation Year with respect to this Plan and each other defined contribution plan, within the meaning of Code Section 415(k), maintained by a Company (Defined Contribution Plan), the sum of the amounts determined under Sections 12.2(a), (b), (c) and (d) hereof:
(a) All amounts contributed or deemed contributed by a Member Company, except that the Annual Addition shall exclude the portion of the Member Company contribution (attributable to the Member Company employing such Participant) representing interest on an Exempt Loan (provided that no more than one-third of the Member Company contributions to the ESOP Fund deductible under Section 404(a)(9) of the Code for a Limitation Year are allocated to Highly Compensated Employees). Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan, in the case of shares of Company Stock released from the ESOP Suspense Subfund and allocated to the ESOP Account of a Participant for a particular Plan Year, the Company shall determine for such year that an Annual Addition will be calculated on the basis of the fair market value of shares of Company Stock so released and allocated if the Annual Addition as so calculated is lower than the Annual Addition calculated on the basis of Member Company contributions.
(b) All amounts contributed by the Participant.
(c) Forfeitures allocated to such Participant. For purposes of this Section 12.2, forfeitures shall not include Forfeitures of Company Stock acquired through the ESOP Fund with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan, provided that no more than one-third of the Member Company contributions to the ESOP Fund deductible under Section 404(a)(9) of the Code for a Limitation Year are allocated to Highly Compensated Employees (as that term is defined in Section 414(q) of the Code).
(d) All amounts described in Sections 415(1) and 419A(d)(2) of the Code.
(e) The provisions of this Section 12.2(e) shall be effective for periods beginning on and after July 1, 1985. Amounts contributed under Section 4.1(a) representing amounts transferred from terminated defined benefit plans and allocated under Section 6.6 hereof in any year; provided that the annual addition attributable to each such allocation based on allocations from the suspense fund established under Section 6.6 hereof shall not exceed the value of such shares of Company Stock as of the time such shares were credited to such suspense fund.
12.3 Other Defined Contribution Plans. If any Company maintains any other Defined Contribution Plan then each Participants Annual Additions under this Plan shall be aggregated with the Participants Annual Additions under this Plan for the purposes of applying the limitations of Section 12.1.
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12.4 Defined Benefit Plans. For Plan Years commencing prior to January 1, 2000, if a Participant in this Plan has also been a participant in a defined benefit plan (as defined in Section 415(k) of the Code) maintained by any Company (Defined Benefit Plan), then in addition to the limitation contained in Section 2.1 hereof, the sum of the Defined Benefit Fraction, as defined in Section 12.4(a) hereof, and the Defined Contribution Fraction, as defined in Section 12.4(b) hereof, for any Limitation Year shall not exceed 1.0.
(a) Defined Benefit Fraction shall mean a fraction, the numerator of which is the total projected benefit of a Participant under all Defined Benefit Plans expressed as either an annual straight life annuity or a qualified joint and survivor annuity providing the maximum permissible survivor benefit (determined as of the close of the Limitation Year), and the denominator of which is the lesser of (1) the maximum dollar amount otherwise allowable for such Limitation Year under Section 415(b)(1)(A) of the Code times 1.25 or (2) the percentage of compensation limit under Section 415(b)(1)(B) of the Code for such Limitation Year times 1.4.
(b) Defined Contribution Fraction shall mean a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the Participants Annual Additions to this Plan and all other Defined Contribution Plans as of the end of a Limitation Year, and the denominator of which is the sum, determined for such Limitation Year and each prior Limitation Year of the Participants service with a Company of the lesser of (1) the maximum dollar Annual Addition under Section 415(c)(1)(A) (determined without regard to Section 415(c)(6) of the Code) of the Code which could have been made for the Limitation Year times 1.25 or (2) the amount determined under the percentage of compensation limit for such Limitation Year under Section 415(c)(1)(B) of the Code times 1.4. In computing the Defined Contribution Fraction under this Section 12.4(b) with respect to any Limitation Year ending after December 31, 1982, the special transition rule provided in Section 415(e)(6) of the Code shall be applicable.
12.5 Adjustments for Excess Annual Additions. To the extent that the Annual Additions on behalf of any Participant in a Limitation Year to this Plan and all other Defined Contribution Plans exceed the limitations set forth in Sections 12.1 through 12.3 hereof, then excess Annual Additions shall be eliminated in the following sequence:
(a) The Participants voluntary contributions, if any, to this Plan, and all other Defined Contribution Plans, including any earnings thereon, shall be returned to the Participant to the extent of any excess Annual Additions.
(b) If excess Annual Additions remain after the application of Section 12.5(a) hereof, then there shall be reduced, to the extent of such remaining excess Annual Additions, Company Contributions allocated to the Participants Accounts under Article VI hereof, including any earnings thereon.
(c) If excess Annual Additions remain after the application of Section 12.5(b) hereof, the amounts allocated to a Participants PAYSOP Account under Section 7.2 shall be reduced to the extent of such remaining excess Annual Additions. If after the application of this Section 12.5(c), Company Stock remains unallocated for a Plan Year, such Company Stock must be held in a special suspense account under the PAYSOP Fund. Such Company Stock shall be allocated to PAYSOP Accounts in subsequent Plan Years in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations.
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(d) The amount by which an allocation is reduced under Section 12.5(b) shall be treated as a Forfeiture under Section 8.5 hereof and reallocated proportionately to the appropriate Accounts of other Participants receiving allocations for the Limitation Year up to the limits set forth in Sections 12.1 through 12.3 hereof on Annual Additions to such other Participants Accounts. To the extent a contribution cannot be allocated to other Participants Accounts, it may not be made.
12.6 Adjustment for Excessive Combined Plan Fraction. For Plan Years commencing prior to January 1, 2000, if the Annual Additions on behalf of a Participant in a Limitation Year to the Plan and all other Defined Contribution Plans would cause the sum of the Defined Contribution Fraction and Defined Benefit Fraction to exceed 1.0 as determined under Section 12.4 hereof, then, Section 12.5 hereof shall be applied to reduce Annual Additions. If application of Section 12.5 is insufficient to reduce the Fraction to 1.0, then each Participants benefit accruals under the Defined Benefit Plans during the Limitation Year shall, if possible, be reduced to the extent necessary to reduce the sum of the Fractions to 1.0.
12.7 Affiliated Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, for purposes of Article XII the status of a Company as an Affiliated Company shall be determined in accordance with the special rules set forth in Section 415(h) of the Code.
12.8 Compensation. For the limited purpose of applying the provisions of this Article XII, Compensation means all wages, salaries, and fees for professional services and other amounts received for personal services actually rendered in the course of employment with the Company or an Affiliated Company (including, but not limited to commissions paid salesmen, compensation for services on the basis of a percentage of profits, commissions on insurance premiums, tips and bonuses). Effective for Plan Years commencing on and after January 1, 1998, Compensation for purposes of this Article XII shall include any elective deferral (as defined in Code Section 402(g)(3)) and any amount which is contributed or deferred by the Member Company at the election of the Employee and which is not includible in the gross income of the Employee by reason of Sections 125 or 457 of the Code or is a qualified transportation fringe benefit described in Code Section 132(f)(4), but shall exclude the following:
(a) Contributions to a plan of deferred compensation which are not includible in the Employees gross income for the taxable year in which contributed, or contributions under a simplified employee pension plan to the extent such contributions are deductible by the Employee, or any distributions from a plan of deferred compensation;
(b) Amounts realized from the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, or when restricted stock (or property) held by the Employee either becomes freely transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture;
(c) Amounts realized from the sale, exchange or other disposition of stock acquired under a qualified stock option;
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(d) Other amounts which received special tax benefits, or contributions made by an Affiliate (whether or not under a salary reduction agreement) towards the purchase of an annuity described in Code Section 403(b) (whether or not the amounts are actually excludable from the gross income of the Employee);
(e) Any contribution for medical benefits (within the meaning of Section 419(f)(2) of the Code) after termination of employment which is otherwise treated as an Annual Addition; and
(f) Any amount otherwise treated as an Annual Addition under Section 415(1) of the Code.
ARTICLE XIII
ADMINISTRATION
13.1 Named Fiduciary. For purposes of Section 402(a) of ERISA, the Named Fiduciaries of this Plan shall be the members of the Policy Committee.
13.2 Reserved.
13.3 Policy Committee.
(a) This Plan shall be administered by a Policy Committee (the Committee) consisting of four (4) or more individuals who shall be appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Sponsor. In appointing Members of the Committee, the Chief Executive Officer of the Sponsor shall give due consideration to the appointees knowledge and experience in matters materially bearing on the administration of the Plan in such fields as finance, human relations or employee benefits. Members of the Committee shall be subject only to such residual supervision and control as may be required by law to be exercised by the Board of Directors, and shall have full discretionary authority to control and manage the operation and administration of the Plan pursuant to its terms, including, without limitation, any discretionary authority more specifically set forth hereafter. Each Committee member shall continue as such until he resigns in the manner hereafter provided or is removed by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer of the Sponsor. Any one or all of the members of the Committee may also serve as a Trustee of the Plan.
(b) The members of the Committee may select at least two of its members who shall serve as an Executive Subcommittee of the Committee to act when the Committee is not in session and upon recommendations received from the Operating Committees relating to claims.
(c) When they deem such action appropriate to the most efficient administration of the Plan, the Committee members, upon their unanimous vote duly reflected in the minutes of the Committee and noticed to the Board of Directors within five (5) business days thereafter, may allocate their fiduciary responsibilities (other than trustee responsibilities and those delegated to the Executive Subcommittee) between or among themselves and may designate other persons to carry out such aspects of the administration of the Plan (not involving trustee responsibilities) as they may specify. As used herein the term trustee responsibilities shall have the meaning set forth in Section 405(c)(3) of ERISA.
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(d) The Committee shall consult with the Board of Directors and the management of each Member Company to ensure that all payments into the Plan are made strictly in accordance with the terms of the Plan, all applicable resolutions of the Board of Directors related to the funding of the Plan, and any minimum funding requirements imposed by law, and not less frequently than once with respect to each taxable year, but, in any event, not later than the date in which the Company files its federal income tax return for such taxable year.
(e) No provisions elsewhere in this Plan shall be deemed to restrict, otherwise than as expressly contemplated by this Section 13.3, the discretionary authority of the Committee to control and manage the operation and administration of the Plan or to carry out its duties as herein set forth.
13.4 Committee Procedure. The Board of Directors shall designate a Chairman of the Committee from among its members, and, if such designation has not been made, the members of the Committee shall elect such Chairman from among their number. The members of the Committee may also appoint a Secretary who need not be a member of the Committee. The Committee shall hold meetings upon such notice, at such time and at such place as it may determine. Notice of meeting shall not be required if waived in writing. A majority of the members of the Committee at the time in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. All resolutions or other actions taken by the Committee shall be by vote of a majority of those present at a meeting, or in writing by all of the members at the time in office, if they act without a meeting.
13.5 Notices. All notices to be served upon the Committee pursuant to this Plan shall be deemed to have been served upon the Committee when delivered in writing to a member of the Committee in person or at the office of a Company or at such other place as may be designated by the Committee.
13.6 Reliance on Information. Subsection (a) shall apply before September 17, 1985 and subsection (b) shall apply after September 16, 1985:
(a) The Committee, the Trustees, the Member Companies and their respective officers, directors, Employees and delegates shall be free of any liability, except as expressly imposed by law, for the directions, actions or omissions of any agent, legal or other counsel, accountant or any other expert retained in connection with the administration of the Plan. The Committee, the Trustees, the Member Companies and their respective officers, directors, Employees and delegates shall be entitled to rely upon all certificates, reports and opinions furnished by such experts and shall be fully protected with respect to any action taken or suffered by them in good faith reliance upon any such certificates, reports and opinions; and all actions so taken or suffered shall be conclusive upon all persons having or claiming any interest in or under the Plan.
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(b) The Committee, the Operating Committees, the Trustees, the Member Companies and their respective officers, directors, Employees, subcommittees and delegates shall be free of any liability, except as expressly imposed by law, for the directions, actions or omissions any agent, legal or other counsel, accountant or any other expert retained in connection with the administration of the Plan. The Committee, the Operating Committees, the Trustees, the Member Companies and their respective officers, directors, Employees and delegates shall be entitled to rely upon all certificates, reports and opinions furnished by such experts and shall be fully protected with respect to any action taken or suffered by them in good faith reliance upon any such certificates, reports and opinions; and all actions so taken or suffered shall be conclusive upon all persons having or claiming any interest in or under the Plan.
13.7 Authority. The Committee shall have all discretionary authority necessary or appropriate to the administration or operation of the Plan, including, but not by way of limitation, the discretionary authority:
(a) to interpret the provisions of the Plan and to determine any questions arising under the Plan or in connection with the administration or operation hereof;
(b) to determine all questions affecting the eligibility of any person to be or become a Participant in the Plan;
(c) to determine the Years of Cumulative Service of any Participant, or the vested percentage of any Participant, to determine the Compensation of any Employee, and to compute the value of any Participants Account or any other sum payable under the Plan to any person;
(d) to establish rules and policies for the administration of the Plan, including rules and policies for determining the date of birth, Years of Cumulative Service and other matters concerning Participants and Beneficiaries;
(e) to authorize and direct all disbursements of sums under and in accordance with the provisions of the Plan;
(f) to make or cause to be made valuations and appraisals of Plan assets and to engage appropriate experts for such purpose;
(g) to perform any other duties contemplated by the Trust Agreement to be performed by the Committee;
(h) to direct the Trustees respecting investment of Plan assets; and
(i) to appoint one or more investment managers (within the meaning of Section 3(38) of ERISA) to manage all or any part of the Plan assets other than Company Stock, and to retain the services of such other advisers, including legal counsel, as the Committee may deem appropriate.
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13.8 Expenses and Fees.
(a) All costs and expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan, including the Trustees, Operating Committees and Committees expenses, shall be borne by the Plan unless the Member Companies shall determine to pay such costs and expenses. Brokerage fees, commissions, stock transfer taxes and other similar charges and expenses incurred in connection with transactions relating to the acquisition or disposition of Plan assets or distributions from the Plan shall be borne by the Plan. Subject to Sections 13.7(b) and (c) hereof, the Committee shall allocate all costs and expenses on a fair and equitable basis among the Retirement, ESOP and PAYSOP Funds and any other funds forming part of the Trust Fund.
(b) As reimbursement for the expenses of administering the PAYSOP Fund, the Member Companies may withhold from amounts due the PAYSOP Fund under Section 4.2 hereof (or the Plan may pay) so much of the amounts paid or incurred by such Companies during their fiscal year as expenses of administering the PAYSOP Fund as does not exceed the lesser of:
(1) The sum of 10% of the first $100,000 of dividends paid to the Plan with respect to the Company Stock in the PAYSOP Fund during the Plan Year ending with or within the Member Companies fiscal year plus 5 % of the amount of dividends in excess of $100,000; or
(2) $100,000.
13.9 Resignation. Any member of the Committee or an Operating Committee may resign at any time by giving written notice to the President of the Sponsor. No bond or other security shall be required of any member of the Committee or an Operating Committee except as provided by law. No compensation shall be paid by the Plan to any member of the Committee or an Operating Committee for serving as such.
13.10 Liability of Committee. The members of the Committee, and the Operating Committees and each of them, shall be free from all liability, joint or several, for their acts, omissions and conduct, and for the acts, omissions and conduct of their duly constituted counsel and agents, excepting, in each case, willful misconduct in the administration of this Trust and Plan, and the Sponsor shall indemnify and save them, and each of them, harmless from the effects and consequences of their acts, omissions, and conduct in their official capacity, except to the extent that such effects and consequences shall result from their willful misconduct. In no event may any legal or equitable action for benefits under the Plan be brought in a court of law or equity with respect to any claim for benefits more than one (1) year after the final denial (or deemed denial) of the claim.
13.11 Voting Rights of Company Stock. All voting rights of Company Stock held by the Trust fund, shall be exercised by the Trustees as directed by the Committee in accordance with the following provisions of this Section 13.11:
(a) All Company Stock held in the ESOP Suspense Subfund and any other Company Stock not yet allocated to Participants respective Accounts, shall be voted as the Committee directs in its absolute discretion.
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(b) (1) With respect to any corporate matter which involves the voting of Company Stock regarding the approval or disapproval of any corporate merger or consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, liquidation, dissolution, sale of substantially all assets of a trade or business, or such similar transaction as the Secretary of Treasury may prescribe in regulations, Company Stock allocated and credited to the respective Accounts of Participants shall be voted in accordance with the respective written directions of Participants as given to the Trustees pursuant to such reasonable rules and procedures as the Trustees may prescribe.
(2) With respect to the matters described below in this Section 13.11(b)(2) that are promptly submitted for a stockholder vote at an annual or special meeting duly convened and held in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of the Sponsor, Company Stock that is Parsons Stock allocated and credited to the respective Accounts of Participants shall be voted in accordance with the respective written directions of Participants as given to the Trustees pursuant to such reasonable rules and procedures as the Trustees may prescribe. The matters described in this Section 13.11(b)(2) shall include only the election of directors of the Sponsor, and matters referenced in Articles Sixth (dealing with the alteration of bylaws by stockholders), Eighth (dealing with the classified board), Twelfth (dealing with the cumulative voting), Fourteenth (dealing with the 66-2/3 % vote of stockholders required for certain mergers), and Fifteenth (dealing with appraisal rights of stockholders) of the Sponsors Certificate of Incorporation.
(3) With respect to election of directors that are promptly submitted for stockholder vote at an annual or special meeting duly convened and held in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of Parsons E&C Corporation, Company Stock that is Parsons E&C Stock allocated and credited to the respective Accounts of Participants shall be voted in accordance with the respective written directions of Participants as given to the Trustees pursuant to such reasonable rules as the Trustees may prescribe.
(4) The foregoing provisions of this Section 13.11(b) shall apply with the same force and effect to fractional shares (or fractional interests in shares) of Company Stock now or hereafter allocated to Participants respective Accounts as to whole shares of Company Stock so allocated, provided, however, that the Trustees may, to the extent practicable, aggregate voting directions received from individual Participants with respect to fractional shares (or fractional interests in shares) of Company Stock allocated to their respective Accounts and treat them as a single combined voting instruction reflecting such aggregate voting directions.
(c) All Participants entitled to direct the voting under Section 13.11(b) hereof shall be notified by the Trustees or the Sponsor of each occasion for the exercise of such voting rights within a reasonable time before such rights are to be exercised. Such notification shall include all information that must be distributed to stockholders by the Sponsor regarding the exercise of such rights. To the extent that a Participant shall fail to direct the Trustees as to the exercise of voting rights arising under any Company Stock credited to his Accounts, such voting rights shall be exercised as directed by the Trustees in their discretion; except that, with respect to matters described in Section 13.11(b)(1) hereof, in the case of shares allocated after December 31, 1979 with respect to which a Participant is entitled to, but fails to, provide the Trustees with voting directions, such failure shall be treated by the Trustees as a direction to abstain from voting as to such shares.
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(d) With respect to Accounts of deceased Participants, Beneficiaries of such Participants shall be entitled to direct the voting of Company Stock allocated and credited to the accounts of such Participants under the rules provided in Section 13.11(b) and the provisions of Section 13.11(c) relating to notification of voting rights and failure to vote such rights shall apply to such Beneficiaries.
ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENT OR MERGER OF THE PLAN
14.1 Right to Amend. The Sponsor by resolution of its Board of Directors shall have the right to amend the Plan and the Trust Agreement at any time and from time to time and in such manner and to such extent as it may deem advisable, subject to the following provisions:
(a) No amendment shall have the effect of reducing any Participants vested interest in the Trust Fund.
(b) No amendment, except to the extent and under the circumstances permitted from time to time by the law governing the requirements applicable to qualified plans within the meaning of Section 401 of the Code (or any successor statute), shall have the effect of diverting any part of the Plan assets for any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of Participants or their Beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the Plan.
(c) No amendment shall have the effect of substantially increasing the duties, responsibilities or liabilities of the Trustees unless the Trustees written consent thereto shall first have been obtained.
(d) No amendment to this Plan shall decrease a Participants Accounts or eliminate an optional form of distribution except to the extent otherwise permitted by applicable statutes, regulations, or administrative pronouncements.
14.2 Merger and Consolidation. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, the Plan shall not in whole or in part merge or consolidate with, or transfer its assets or liabilities to any other Plan unless each affected Participant in the Plan would (if the Plan then terminated) receive a benefit immediately after the merger, consolidation, or transfer which is equal to or greater than the benefit he would have been entitled to receive immediately before the merger, consolidation, or transfer (if the Plan had then terminated). When the Plan transfers assets and liabilities of a Participant it may, but need not, transfer all of a Participants Account.
ARTICLE XV
TERMINATION OF THE PLAN
15.1 Right to Terminate Plan. Each Member Company has established or adopted this Plan with the intention and expectation that it will be continued indefinitely and that such Company will continue to make its contributions as herein provided. However, continuance of the Plan is not assumed as a contractual obligation, and each such Company reserves the right to suspend or discontinue contributions to the Plan or to terminate its participation in the Plan at any time.
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15.2 Termination. To the extent required by the applicable provisions of the Code, upon termination or partial termination of the Plan, or upon the complete discontinuance of contributions to the Plan by all Companies, the interest of each affected Participant in his Accounts, to the extent then funded, shall be fully vested.
ARTICLE XVI
TOP-HEAVY PROVISIONS
16.1 Application of Top-Heavy Rules. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, if the Plan is classified as a Top-Heavy Plan under Section 416(g) of the Code for any Plan Year beginning after December 31, 1983, then the Plan shall meet the following requirements of this Article XVI.
16.2 Minimum Contribution Requirement.
(a) The Plan shall provide a minimum contribution allocation for each Employee who is not classified as a Key Employee and who is an Employee on the last day of the Plan Year without regard to the amount of service performed by the Employee during such Plan Year. Such minimum contribution allocation for such Plan Year for each Employee who is not a Key Employee shall be an amount equal to at least three percent (3%) of such Employees Compensation for such Plan Year (excluding amounts deferred under a cash or deferred arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Code and any employer contributions taken into account under Section 401(k)(3) or 401(m) of the Code). The Employees minimum contribution allocation under this Section 16.2 shall be calculated without regard to any Social Security benefits payable to the Employee.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the contribution allocation for each Employee who is a Key Employee for the Plan Year is less than three percent (3%) of Compensation (including amounts deferred under a cash or deferred arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Code and any employer contributions taken into account under Section 401(k)(3) or 401(m) of the Code), the maximum contribution allocation for each Employee who is not a Key Employee shall be limited to not more than the highest contribution allocation for any Employee who is a Key Employee. The foregoing contribution allocation shall be determined by dividing the highest amount contributed for an Employee who is a Key Employee by his Compensation, not in excess of the dollar limitation in effect for the year under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code.
16.3 Minimum Vesting Requirement. An Employee shall be fully vested in his Accounts, within the meaning of Section 411 of the Code and Section 203 of ERISA, upon his completion of three Years of Cumulative Service. In the event the Plan is a top-heavy plan for any Plan Year, then for subsequent Plan Years in which the Plan is not a top-heavy plan the preceding sentence shall not apply and the vesting schedule under Section 8.3 shall apply. The non-forfeitable percentage of any Employee as of the effective date of a change in vesting
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schedule, however, may not be less than the non-forfeitable percentage of such Employee immediately prior to such date and any Employee with three or more Years of Cumulative Service must be permitted to elect to have his non-forfeitable percentage computed under the vesting schedule in effect prior to such change. The election may be made during a period which begins no later than the effective date of the change and ends no earlier than 60 days after the later of the changes effective date or the date Employees are issued written notice of the change. No opportunity to make an election need be afforded to any Employee whose non-forfeitable percentage, under the vesting schedule as changed, cannot at any time be less than such non-forfeitable percentage without regard to such change.
16.4 Reserved.
16.5 Impact on Maximum Allocations. For any Plan Year in which the Plan is a Top-Heavy Plan, Section 12.4 shall be applied by substituting the number 1.0 for the number 1.25 wherever it appears therein, unless the requirements of both Sections 16.5(a) and 16.5(b) are satisfied.
(a) The requirements of this Section 16.5(a) are satisfied if the Plan would not be a Top-Heavy Plan when Sections 16.6(a)(1) and 16.6(d) are applied by substituting ninety percent (90%) for sixty percent (60%) each place such term appears therein.
(b) The requirements of this Section 16.5(b) are satisfied when Section 16.2 is applied by substituting four percent (4%) for three percent (3%) each place such term appears therein.
16.6 Definitions.
(a) Top-Heavy Plan. The Plan shall be a Top-Heavy Plan for a Plan Year if, as of the Valuation Date last preceding or coinciding with the Determination Date:
(1) Except as provided in Section 16.6(a)(2), the aggregate value of the Account balances under the Plan for all Employees who are Key Employees exceeds sixty percent (60%) of the aggregate value of the Account balances under the Plan for all Employees; or
(2) The Plan is part of an Aggregation Group and such group is a Top-Heavy Group. If the Plan is part of an Aggregation Group and such group is not a Top-Heavy Group then the Group shall not be considered top-heavy. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan shall not be considered top-heavy if it would not be considered top-heavy under Section 416 of the Code.
(3) For purposes of this Paragraph (a), the following definitions shall apply. The term Determination Date shall mean, with respect to any Plan Year, the last day of the preceding Plan Year, or in the case of the first Plan Year, the first day of such year. The term Valuation Date shall mean the date on which assets are valued for the purpose of determining Account balances.
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(b) Key Employee. A Key Employee is any Employee (including a beneficiary of such Employee) who, subject to Section 416(i) of the Code or the Regulations thereunder, at any time during the Plan Year or any of the four preceding Plan Years is:
(1) An officer of a Company earning more than 50 percent times the dollar limitation in effect under Section 4l5(b)(1)(A) of the Code (but in no event shall more than 50 Employees or, if less, the greater of three or ten Percent of all Employees be taken into account under this Section 16.6(b)(1) as Key Employees);
(2) One of the ten (10) Employees earning more than the dollar limitation in effect under Section 415(c)(1)(A) of the Code and owning (or considered as owning within the meaning of Section 318 of the Code) the largest interests in a Member Company; provided, that, if two employees have the same interest in a Member Company, the Employee having greater Compensation will be deemed to have the greater interest;
(3) A person owning (or considered as owning within the meaning of Section 318 of the Code) more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of a Member Company or stock possessing more than five percent (5%) of the total combined voting power of all stock of a Member Company; or
(4) A person who has an annual compensation from a Company of more than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) and who would be described in Section 16.6(b)(3) hereof if one percent (1%) were substituted for five percent (5%).
(5) Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001, a Key Employee means any Employee or former Employee (including any deceased Employee) who at any time during the Plan Year that includes the determination date was an officer of the employer having annual Compensation greater than $130,000 (as adjusted under section 416(i)(1) of the Code for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2002), a five percent (5%) owner of the Company, or a one percent (1%) owner of the Company having annual Compensation of more than $150,000. For this purpose, annual Compensation means Compensation within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code. The determination of who is a Key Employee will be made in accordance with Section 416(i)(1) of the Code and the applicable regulations and other guidance of general applicability issued thereunder.
(c) Aggregation Group. Aggregation Group means a group of plans maintained by one or more Companies determined according to the following rules:
(1) The Aggregation Group shall include all such plans which are required to be included in the Aggregation Group as follows:
(i) Each plan of a Company in which a Key Employee is a Participant; and
(ii) Each other plan of a Company which enables any Plan described in (i), above, to meet the requirements of Section 401(a)(4) or 410 of the Code.
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(2) If the Committee or its delegate elects, the Aggregation Group may include any other plan maintained by one or more Companies, provided the Aggregation Group satisfies the requirements of Sections 401(a)(4) and 410 of the Code.
(d) Top-Heavy Group. The Aggregation Group shall be a Top-Heavy Group for a Plan Year if, as of the last day of the preceding Plan Year, the sum of (1) the present value of the cumulative accrued benefits for Key Employees under any defined benefits plans included in the Aggregation Group, and (2) the Account balances of Key Employees under any defined contribution plans included in the Aggregation Group exceeds sixty percent (60%) of the sum of the total cumulative accrued benefits and Account balances for all participants under all the plans in the Aggregation Group. If the Aggregation Group is a Top-Heavy Group, each plan required to be included in the Aggregation Group is a Top-Heavy Plan. However, no plan included in the Aggregation Group at the election of the Committee shall be subject to the top-heavy rules of this Article XVI solely on account of such election.
(e) Compensation. For purposes of this Article XVI, the term Compensation has the meaning given such term by Code Section 415(c)(3).
(f) Non-Key Employee. A Non-Key Employee is any Employee (including a former Employee) who is not a Key Employee.
16.7 Special Rules.
(a) For purposes of determining the present value of the cumulative accrued benefit of any Employee, or the amount of the Account balance of any Employee, such present value or amount shall be increased for distributions made to the Participant during the one (1) year period ending on the Determination Date. However, if a distribution is made for a reason other than severance from service, death or disability, a five (5) year look back period shall be exchanged for the one (1) year period in the preceding sentence. The rules above shall also apply to distributions under a terminated plan that, if it had not been terminated, would have been required to be included in a Aggregation Group. Also, any rollover contribution or similar transfer initiated by the Employee and made after December 31, 1983 to a plan shall be taken into account with respect to the transferee plan for purposes of determining whether such plan is a Top-Heavy Plan (or whether any Aggregation Group which includes such plan is a Top-Heavy Group) in accordance with Code Section 416(g)(4)(A).
(b) If any individual is a Non-Key Employee with respect to any plan for any plan year, but the individual was a Key Employee with respect to the plan for any prior plan year, any accrued benefit for the individual (and the Account balance of the individual) shall not be taken into account for purposes of this Article XVI.
(c) If any individual has not performed services for the Company or an Affiliated Company (other than benefits under the Plan) at any time during the one (1) year period ending on the Determination Date, any accrued benefit for such individual (and the account balance of the individual) shall not be taken into account for purposes of this Article XVI.
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(d) In applying the foregoing provision of this Section, the accrued benefit of a Non-Key Employee shall be determined (i) under the method, if any, which is used for accrual purposes under all plans of the Company and any Affiliated Company, or (ii) if there is no such uniform method, as if such benefit accrued not more rapidly than the slowest accrual rate permitted under Code Section 414(b)(1)(C).
ARTICLE XVII
MISCELLANEOUS
17.1 Dividends. Cash dividends on shares of Company Stock allocated to Participants Accounts may be paid currently to Participants, as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. Such dividends shall be paid in cash directly by a Company, or may be distributed by the Trustees after receipt from the Company within 180 days after the end of the Plan Year of receipt by the Trustees. Dividends on shares of unallocated stock, including shares of stock acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan and held in the ESOP Suspense Fund shall either be applied to payment of the Exempt Loan or held in the ESOP Suspense Fund.
17.2 Annual Statement. As soon as possible after each Anniversary Date each Participant will receive a written statement showing:
(a) the balance in each of his Accounts as of the preceding Anniversary Date;
(b) the amount of Company contributions (and Forfeitures) allocated to his Accounts for that Plan Year;
(c) the adjustments to his Accounts to reflect his share of dividends and the net income (or loss) of the Trust for that Plan Year; and
(d) the new balances in each of his Accounts, including the number of shares of Company Stock, as of that Anniversary Date.
17.3 No Right to Employment Hereunder. The adoption and maintenance of this Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment or otherwise between any Company and any Employee or Participant, or to be consideration for, or an inducement or condition of, any such employment. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to give to any person the right to be retained in the service of any Member Company or to interfere with the right of the Member Company to discharge, with or without cause, any Employee or Participant at any time.
17.4 Limitation on Company Liability. Any benefits payable under this Plan shall be paid or provided for solely from the Trust fund and no Company assumes any liability or responsibility therefor. The Companies obligations hereunder are limited solely to the making of contributions to the Trust Fund as provided for in this Plan. No Company shall be responsible for any decision, act or omission of the Trustees or the Committee or an Operating Committee, or shall be responsible for the application of any monies or other property paid or delivered to the Trustees.
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17.5 Exclusive Benefit. Except to the extent and under the circumstances permitted from time to time by the law governing the requirements applicable to qualified plans within the meaning of Section 401 of the Code (or any successor provision), none of the assets held by the Trustees under this Plan shall ever revert to any Company or otherwise be diverted to purposes other than the exclusive benefit of the Plan Participants or their Beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(a) Any contribution made by a Company by a mistake of fact may be returned to such Company within one year after such contribution is made.
(b) If a contribution by a Company is conditioned on qualification of the Plan under Section 401 of the Code, and the Plan does not qualify, then such contributions may be returned to such Company within one year after the denial of qualification.
(c) If a contribution by a Company is conditioned upon its deductibility under Section 404 of the Code, then, to the extent the deduction is disallowed, such contribution may be returned to such Company within one year after the disallowance of the deduction.
17.6 No Alienation. Subject to the exceptions set forth pursuant to Code Section 401(a)(13), no economic interest, expectancy, benefit, payment, claim or right of any Participant or Beneficiary hereunder shall be subject to any claims of any creditor of any Participant or Beneficiary nor to attachment, garnishment or other legal process initiated by, or to the lien of any bankruptcy trustee or receiver appointed for the estate of any such Participant or Beneficiary, nor shall any such Participant or Beneficiary have any right to alienate, commute, pledge, encumber or assign any such economic interest, expectancy, benefit, payment, claim or right, contingent or otherwise. In the event any person attempts to take any action contrary to this Section 17.6, such action shall be null and void and of no effect, and each Company, the Committee, the Operating Committee, and the Trustees shall disregard such action and shall not in any manner be bound thereby and shall suffer no liability on account of their disregard thereof.
The preceding provisions of this Section 17.6 shall also apply to the creation, assignment, or recognition of a right to any benefit payable with respect to a Participant pursuant to a domestic relations order, unless such order is determined to be a domestic relations order, as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code, or any domestic relations order entered before January 1, 1986 if payments pursuant to such order commenced as of such date.
17.7 PAYSOP Account Assets Not Subject To Company Withdrawal. If any amount of the employee stock ownership credit allowed under Section 41 of the Code resulting from Company contributions to this Plan is redetermined in accordance with the provisions of the Code, the amounts transferred to the PAYSOP Fund shall remain in such Fund or in PAYSOP Accounts, as the case may be, and shall continue to be allocated and held in accordance with the Plan.
17.8 Rights Pursuant to USERRA. To the extent required by applicable federal law, including the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, if a uniformed services Employee returns to employment after cumulative military service of up to 5
60
years and qualifies for reemployment under such applicable federal law, then the returning Employee (to the extent he would otherwise qualify for participation hereunder) shall have the right to receive Company Contributions, set forth in Article IV, that the Employee would have otherwise received absent this military service. The Company must make these Company Contributions within the later of either:
(i) 90 days of the Employees return to employment, or
(ii) when such contributions are normally made for the Plan Year in which the Employee performs the military service.
Contributions will be based on the Compensation the Employee would have earned if he or she had not entered the military, or, if that determination is not reasonably certain, the Compensation earned during the 12-month period prior to entering the military. Upon re-employment, the Plan will credit a uniformed services Employee with the Hours of Service he or she missed while on that leave (for up to five years, as set forth above). The Employee may not share in any forfeiture allocations occurring during his or her period of military service.
17.9 Redetermination of Tax Credits. If the amount of any employee stock ownership credit claimed by the Member Companies under Code Section 41 for a prior fiscal year is reduced because of a determination that becomes final during the current fiscal year, and such Companies transferred amounts to the Trust Fund that were taken into account for purposes of the employee stock ownership credit under Code Section 41 for that prior fiscal year, then the Member Companies may at their election do either of the following:
(a) Reduce the amount they are required to transfer to the PAYSOP Fund for the current fiscal year or any succeeding fiscal year by an amount equal to such reduction in the credit or increase in tax which is attributable to Company contributions to the Plan; or
(b) Deduct such portion subject to the limitations of Code Section 404(i)(2) of the Code.
17.10 Addresses. Each Participant not actively employed by a Company and each Beneficiary entitled to receive benefits under the Plan must file with the Committee, in writing, his current post office address. Any communication, statement or notice addressed to such a person at his latest post office address as filed with the Committee will, on deposit in United States mail with postage prepaid, be binding upon such person for all purposes, and neither the trustees nor the Committee nor any Operating Committee nor any Company shall be obliged to search for or ascertain the whereabouts of any such person.
17.11 Data. Each person entitled to benefits under the Plan must furnish to the Committee or any Operating Committee such documents, evidence, or information as it considers necessary or desirable for the purpose of administering the Plan, or to protect the Companies or the trustees; and it shall be a condition of the Plan that each person must furnish such information promptly and sign such documents before any benefits become payable under the Plan.
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17.12 Gender and Number. Masculine gender shall include the feminine, and the singular shall include the plural unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
17.13 Headings. Article and Section headings are for convenient reference only and shall not be a part of the substance of this instrument or in any way enlarge or limit the contents of any Article.
17.14 Counterpart. For purposes of the parties hereto, this document may be executed in any number of identical counterparts, each of which shall be a complete original in itself and may be introduced in evidence or used for any other purpose without the production of any other counterparts.
17.15 Governing Law. This Plan and Trust shall be construed, administered and governed in all respects under applicable federal law and, to the extent that federal law is inapplicable, in accordance with the laws of the State of California. All contributions made hereunder shall be deemed to have been made in that State.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parsons Corporation has caused this instrument to be executed on this day of , 2012 by the undersigned officer duly authorized thereunto.
PARSONS CORPORATION | ||
By: | ||
Title: |
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