Reynolds American Inc. Executive Severance Plan (Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2009)
This agreement outlines the Executive Severance Plan for Reynolds American Inc., as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009. It provides severance benefits to certain senior executives if their employment is terminated under specified conditions, including after a change in control of the company. The plan details eligibility, benefit calculations, conditions such as signing a release and non-competition agreement, and the process for plan termination. It also addresses tax considerations, legal remedies, and the rights of successors. The plan remains in effect until terminated with proper notice, except during certain periods following a change in control.
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Article 1. | Establishment and Term of the Plan | 1 | ||||||
1.1 | Establishment of the Plan | 1 | ||||||
1.2 | Plan Term | 1 | ||||||
1.3 | Change in Control and Plan Term | 1 | ||||||
Article 2. | Definitions | 2 | ||||||
Article 3. | Severance Eligibility/Conditions. | 8 | ||||||
3.1 | Qualifying Termination | 8 | ||||||
3.2 | Specified Employees | 9 | ||||||
3.3 | No Severance Benefits | 9 | ||||||
3.4 | General Release and Non-Competition Agreement | 9 | ||||||
3.5 | No Duplication of Severance Benefits. | 10 | ||||||
3.6 | Notice of Termination | 10 | ||||||
3.7 | Disability | 10 | ||||||
Article 4. | Pre-2010 Severance Benefits | 10 | ||||||
4.1 | Pre-2010 Change in Control Severance Benefits | 10 | ||||||
4.2 | Pre-2010 General Severance Benefits | 14 | ||||||
4.3 | Expiration of Article 4 | 17 | ||||||
Article 5. | Post-2009 Severance Benefits | 17 | ||||||
5.1 | Post-2009 Change in Control Severance Benefits | 17 | ||||||
5.2 | Post-2009 General Severance Benefits | 19 | ||||||
Article 6. | Excise Taxes | 21 | ||||||
6.1 | Applicable Provisions if Excise Tax Applies. | 21 | ||||||
Article 7. | Contractual Rights and Legal Remedies | 23 | ||||||
7.1 | Payment Obligations Absolute | 23 | ||||||
7.2 | Contractual Rights to Benefits | 23 | ||||||
7.3 | Legal Fees and Expenses | 24 | ||||||
7.4 | Return of Severance Benefits | 24 | ||||||
Article 8. | Successors | 24 | ||||||
8.1 | Successors to the Company | 24 | ||||||
8.2 | Assignment by the Executive | 25 |
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(continued)
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Article 9. | Miscellaneous | 25 | ||||||
9.1 | Employment Status | 25 | ||||||
9.2 | Entire Plan | 25 | ||||||
9.3 | Adoption Procedure for a Participating Company | 25 | ||||||
9.4 | Notices | 26 | ||||||
9.5 | Includable Compensation | 26 | ||||||
9.6 | Tax Withholding | 26 | ||||||
9.7 | Internal Revenue Code Section 409A | 26 | ||||||
9.8 | Severability | 26 | ||||||
9.9 | Modification | 26 | ||||||
9.10 | Gender and Number | 27 | ||||||
9.11 | Applicable Law | 27 |
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Executive Severance Plan
(a) | Accounting Firm means a nationally recognized accounting firm, or actuarial, benefits or compensation consulting firm (with experience in performing the calculations regarding the applicability of Section 280G of the Code and of the tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code) selected by the Company. | ||
(b) | B&W means Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation. | ||
(c) | Base Salary means, at any time, the then regular annual rate of pay which the Executive is receiving as annual salary, excluding amounts: (i) received under short-term or long-term incentive or other bonus plans, regardless of whether the amounts are deferred, or (ii) designated by the Participating Company as payment toward reimbursement of expenses. | ||
(d) | BAT means, collectively, British American Tobacco p.l.c., a public limited company incorporated under the laws of England and Wales, and its affiliates, other than the Participating Companies. | ||
(e) | BCA has the meaning set forth in Section 2(i). | ||
(f) | Beneficial Owner or Beneficial Ownership shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act. | ||
(g) | Board means the Board of Directors of the Company. | ||
(h) | Cause means the occurrence of any one or more of the following: |
(i) | The Executives criminal conduct; | ||
(ii) | The Executives deliberate and continual refusal to perform employment duties on a substantially full-time basis; | ||
(iii) | The Executives deliberate and continual refusal to act in accordance with any specific lawful instructions of an authorized officer or employee more senior than the Executive or a majority of the Board of Directors of the Participating Company; or | ||
(iv) | The Executives deliberate misconduct which could be materially damaging to the Participating Company or any of its business operations without a reasonable good faith belief by the Executive that such conduct was in the best interests of the Participating Company. |
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Tier I or Tier II Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause hereunder unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Tier I or Tier II Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two thirds of the Board then in office at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to the Tier I or Tier II Executive and an opportunity for the Tier I or Tier II Executive, together with the Tier I or Tier II Executives counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Tier I or Tier II Executive had committed an act constituting Cause as herein defined and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Nothing herein will limit the right of the Tier I or Tier II Executive or his beneficiaries to contest the validity or propriety of any such determination. | |||
(i) | Change in Control shall occur if any of the following events occur: |
(i) | An individual, corporation, partnership, group, associate or other entity or Person, other than any employee benefit plans sponsored by the Company, is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys outstanding securities ordinarily having the right to vote at elections of directors; provided, however, that the acquisition of Company securities by BAT pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of October 27, 2003, between RJR and B&W, as thereafter amended (the BCA), or as expressly permitted by the Governance Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2004, among British American Tobacco p.l.c., B&W and the Company, as thereafter amended (the Governance Agreement), shall not be considered a Change in Control for purposes of this subsection (i); | ||
(ii) | Individuals who constitute the Board (or who have been designated as directors in accordance with Section 1.09 of the BCA) on July 30, 2004 (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election, or nomination for election by the Companys shareholders, was (A) approved by a vote of at least three-quarters (3/4) of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee of the Company for director) or (B) made in accordance with Section 2.01 of the Governance Agreement, but excluding for this purpose any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of a director or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual, corporation, partnership, group, associate or other entity or Person other than the Board, shall be, for purposes of this paragraph (ii), considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board; or |
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(iii) | The consummation of (A) a merger or consolidation of the Company other than with a wholly owned Subsidiary and other than a merger or consolidation that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (B) a sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than any such transaction where the transferee of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company is a wholly owned Subsidiary or an entity more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which is represented by voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the transaction (either remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the transferee entity). |
(j) | Change in Control Good Reason means the occurrence after a Change in Control of any one (1) or more of the following: |
(i) | A material reduction of the Tier I or Tier II Executives authorities, duties, or responsibilities as an executive and/or officer of a Participating Company from those in effect as of ninety (90) calendar days prior to the Change in Control, other than an inadvertent reduction that is remedied by the Participating Company as provided below; provided, however, that any change in reporting relationship, title or de minimis reduction in such authorities, duties or responsibilities resulting merely from the acquisition of the Participating Company and its existence as a subsidiary or division of another entity shall not be sufficient to constitute a Change in Control Good Reason; | ||
(ii) | A Participating Companys requiring a Tier I or Tier II Executive to be based at a location that exceeds the minimum distance under Section 217(c) of the Code (for purposes of a moving expense deduction), from the location of the Tier I or Tier II Executives principal job location or office immediately prior to the Change in Control, except for required travel on the Participating Companys business to an extent substantially consistent with the Tier I or Tier II Executives then present business travel obligations; | ||
(iii) | A reduction by a Participating Company in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate value of (A) a Tier I or Tier II Executives Base Salary and target annual bonus amount (both as in effect on the date of the Change in Control) and (B) the long-term incentive opportunities provided to a Tier I or Tier II Executive (as compared to the value of aggregate long-term incentive opportunities provided as of the date of the Change in |
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Control), except for across-the-board reductions generally applicable to all Tier I or Tier II Executives; | |||
(iv) | A reduction by a Participating Company in aggregate employee benefits provided to a Tier I or Tier II Executive as compared to the value of aggregate employee benefits provided as of the date of the Change in Control, except for across-the-board reductions generally applicable to all Tier I or Tier II Executives; | ||
(v) | The failure of the Company to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform the Companys obligations under this Plan, as contemplated in Article 8 herein; and | ||
(vi) | A material breach of this Plan by a Participating Company which is not remedied by the Participating Company within ten (10) business days of receipt of written notice of such breach delivered by a Tier I or Tier II Executive to the Participating Company. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) Change in Control Good Reason shall cease to exist for an event on the ninetieth (90th) day following the later of its occurrence or the Tier I or Tier II Executives knowledge thereof, unless the Tier I or Tier II Executive has given a Participating Company written notice thereof prior to such date, (B) a Participating Company shall have thirty (30) days from receipt of such written notice to remedy the facts and circumstances claimed to provide the basis for the Tier I or Tier II Executives Change in Control Good Reason and (C) the Tier I or Tier II Executive shall be deemed to have terminated employment for Change in Control Good Reason on the thirtieth (30th) day following the Participating Companys receipt of the written notice described in clause (A) if the Participating Company fails to remedy such circumstances by such thirtieth (30th) day. Unless a Tier I or Tier II Executive becomes Disabled, a Tier I or Tier II Executives right to terminate employment for a Change in Control Good Reason shall not be affected by the Tier I or Tier II Executives incapacity due to physical or mental illness. A Tier I or Tier II Executives continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting a Change in Control Good Reason herein. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, a Tier III Executive shall have no right to terminate employment for a Change in Control Good Reason. | |||
(k) | Change in Control Severance Benefits mean the severance benefits as provided in Section 4.1(b) or 5.1(b), as applicable. | ||
(l) | CIP has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b)(viii). | ||
(m) | Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated thereunder. |
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(n) | Committee means the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee of the Board, or another committee of the Board appointed by the Board to administer this Plan. | ||
(o) | Company means Reynolds American Inc., a North Carolina corporation, and any successor thereto as provided in Article 8. | ||
(p) | Disability or Disabled shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Companys governing long-term disability plan, or if no such plan exists, at the discretion of the Board. | ||
(q) | Effective Date means January 1, 2009. | ||
(r) | Effective Date of Termination means the date on which a Qualifying Termination occurs, as provided in Section 3.1, which triggers the payment of Severance Benefits, or such other date upon which the Executives employment with a Participating Company terminates for reasons other than a Qualifying Termination. | ||
(s) | Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as such law, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time. | ||
(t) | Excise Tax means, collectively, (i) the tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code by reason of being contingent on a change in ownership or control of the Company, within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, or (ii) any similar tax imposed by state or local law, or (iii) any interest or penalties with respect to any excise tax described in clause (i) or (ii). | ||
(u) | Executive means a Tier I, Tier II or Tier III Executive who is initially hired or rehired by a Participating Company on or after January 1, 2007, or who was hired before that date and is not a party to an effective agreement with a Participating Company providing for severance benefits. | ||
(v) | General Release has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4. | ||
(w) | General Severance Benefits mean the severance benefits as provided in Section 4.2(b) or 5.2(b), as applicable. | ||
(x) | General Good Reason means a reduction by a Participating Company in excess of twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate value of (i) the Executives Base Salary and target annual bonus amount (as in effect on the date of such reduction) and (ii) the long-term incentive opportunities provided to the Executive (as in effect on the date of such reduction), except for across-the-board reductions generally applicable to all Executives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) General Good Reason shall cease to exist for an event on the ninetieth (90th) day following the later of its occurrence or the Executives knowledge thereof, unless the Executive has given a Participating Company written notice thereof prior to |
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such date, (B) a Participating Company shall have thirty (30) days from receipt of such written notice to remedy the facts and circumstances claimed to provide the basis for the Executives General Good Reason and (C) the Executive shall be deemed to have terminated employment for General Good Reason on the thirtieth (30th) day following the Participating Companys receipt of the written notice described in clause (A) if the Participating Company fails to remedy such circumstances by such thirtieth (30th) day. Unless the Executive becomes Disabled, the Executives right to terminate employment for a General Good Reason shall not be affected by the Executives incapacity due to physical or mental illness. The Executives continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting a General Good Reason herein. | |||
(y) | Governance Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 2(i). | ||
(z) | Gross-Up Payment has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1. | ||
(aa) | Incumbent Board has the meaning set forth in Section 2(i). | ||
(bb) | Insurance Adjustment Payment has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(b)(vi). | ||
(cc) | Non-Competition Agreement has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4. | ||
(dd) | Notice of Termination means a written notice provided by a Participating Company or the Executive indicating that the Executives employment is being terminated. In the event the Executive provides such notice, the Notice of Termination shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Plan relied upon and, if the Executives employment is being terminated by the Executive pursuant to Section 3.1(a) or 3.1(c), the Notice of Termination shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for the Executives termination of the Executives employment under the provision so indicated. | ||
(ee) | Other Severance Arrangement has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2. | ||
(ff) | Participating Company or Participating Companies means the Company and/or any other entity that adopts this Plan in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.3. Participating Company includes any successor(s) to a Participating Company, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise. All Participating Companies are listed on Appendix A. | ||
(gg) | Payment has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1. | ||
(hh) | Payment Date means the last day of the month after the sixtieth (60th) calendar day following the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination. |
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(ii) | Person shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act. | ||
(jj) | Plan means this Reynolds American Inc. Executive Severance Plan. | ||
(kk) | Qualifying Termination means any of the events described in Section 3.1, the occurrence of which triggers the payment of Severance Benefits. | ||
(ll) | RJR means R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Holdings, Inc. | ||
(mm) | Separation from Service has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1. | ||
(nn) | Severance Benefits means the payout of Change in Control Severance Benefits or General Severance Benefits as provided in Article 4 or Article 5, as applicable. | ||
(oo) | Subsidiary means any corporation or other entity in which the Company has a significant equity or other interest as determined by the Committee. | ||
(pp) | Subsidized COBRA Period has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(b)(vi). | ||
(qq) | Tier I Executive means the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. | ||
(rr) | Tier II Executive means an individual employed by a Participating Company at job level eleven (11) through fourteen (14), inclusive (within the meaning of the Companys payroll structure). | ||
(ss) | Tier III Executive means an individual employed by a Participating Company at job level ten (10) (within the meaning of the Companys payroll structure). |
(a) | Within twenty-four (24) calendar months following a Change in Control, the Executive incurs a Separation from Service other than: |
(i) | By a Participating Company for Cause; or | ||
(ii) | By reason of death or Disability; or | ||
(iii) | By the Tier I or Tier II Executive without Change in Control Good Reason. |
(b) | Within twelve (12) calendar months prior to a Change in Control, the Executive incurs a Separation from Service by a Participating Company without Cause if such Separation from Service occurs at the request of any party involved in the |
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Change in Control transaction; in such event, the date of the Qualifying Termination shall be deemed to be the date of the Change in Control. | |||
(c) | At any time other than as described in Section 3.1(a) or 3.1(b), the Executive incurs a Separation from Service other than: |
(i) | By a Participating Company for Cause; or | ||
(ii) | By reason of death or Disability; or | ||
(iii) | By the Executive without General Good Reason. |
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(a) | If the Executive becomes entitled to Pre-2010 Change in Control Severance Benefits, the Severance Benefits provided for under Section 4.1 shall be in lieu of the benefits provided to the Executive under Section 4.2. Similarly, if the Executive becomes entitled to Pre-2010 General Severance Benefits, the Severance Benefits provided under Section 4.2 shall be in lieu of the benefits provided to the Executive under Section 4.1. | ||
(b) | If the Executive becomes entitled to Post-2009 Change in Control Severance Benefits, the Severance Benefits provided for under Section 5.1 shall be in lieu of the benefits provided to the Executive under Section 5.2. Similarly, if the Executive becomes entitled to Post-2009 General Severance Benefits, the Severance Benefits provided under Section 5.2 shall be in lieu of the benefits provided to the Executive under Section 5.1. | ||
(c) | Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.5 to the contrary, if the Executive incurs a Qualifying Termination described in Section 3.1(b), the Executive will be entitled to the Change in Control Severance Benefits provided for under Section 4.1 or 5.1, as applicable, in lieu of the General Severance Benefits provided under Section 4.2 or 5.2, as applicable. |
(a) | Subject to Section 3.4, the Participating Company shall pay the Executive Change in Control Severance Benefits, as described in Section 4.1(b), if, prior to January 1, 2010, the Executive receives or delivers a Notice of Termination of a Qualifying Termination of the Executives employment pursuant to Section 3.1(a) or 3.1(b). | ||
(b) | The Change in Control Severance Benefits to be provided to the Executive pursuant to Section 4.1(a) shall be the following: |
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(i) | An amount equal to the Executives unpaid Base Salary, unreimbursed business expenses, and all other items earned by and owed to the Executive through and including the date of the Qualifying Termination shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for these amounts owed to the Executive. | ||
(ii) | An amount equal to the unpaid, accrued vacation pay owed to the Executive through and including the date of the Qualifying Termination shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum with the last payment described in Section 4.1(b)(iv). Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for this amount owed to the Executive and in no event shall the Executive accrue additional vacation time after the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination. | ||
(iii) | Any amount payable to the Executive under the annual bonus plan then in effect in respect of the most recently completed fiscal year, to the extent not theretofore paid, shall be made in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the applicable time provided in the annual bonus plan then in effect. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for this amount owed to the Executive. | ||
(iv) | An amount equal to: (A) three (3) for Tier I Executives, (B) two (2) for Tier II Executives or (C) one and one-half (11/2) for Tier III Executives times the sum of: (1) the Executives annual rate of Base Salary in effect upon the date of the Qualifying Termination or, if greater, the Executives annual rate of Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control plus (2) the Executives then current target bonus opportunity established under the annual bonus plan in effect for the bonus plan year in which the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination occurs or, if greater, the Executives target bonus opportunity in effect prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control. Such amount shall be paid in cash in equal monthly installments (or more frequent installments as determined by the Company) over a period of: (x) thirty-six (36) months for Tier I Executives, (y) twenty-four (24) months for Tier II Executives or (z) eighteen (18) months for Tier III Executives, commencing on the Payment Date; provided, however, that if the Qualifying Termination of Executives employment occurs after December 31, 2009, the Participating Company shall pay such amount in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. | ||
(v) | An amount equal to the annual bonus the Executive would have earned under the annual bonus plan for the plan year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, determined based on the actual performance achieved under such annual bonus plan for such plan year and adjusted on a pro rata basis based on the number of months the Executive was actually employed during such plan year (full credit is given for partial months of |
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employment), shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the applicable time provided in the annual bonus plan then in effect. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for this amount owed to the Executive. | |||
(vi) | Subject to the following paragraph, the Company shall provide, at the same cost structure as applicable to active employees, continuation of the coverage of the Executive (and the Executives eligible dependents) under the Companys medical, life, dental and vision insurance benefit plans for: (A) thirty-six (36) months for Tier I Executives, (B) twenty-four (24) months for Tier II Executives or (C) eighteen (18) months for Tier III Executives, from the date of the Qualifying Termination; provided, however, that following the date of the Qualifying Termination the Executive will be covered by the fully insured medical, dental and vision plans maintained by the Company. The Executives required payments, if any, towards the cost for such continuation coverage shall be made on an after-tax basis. The applicable COBRA medical insurance benefit continuation period shall begin at the end of the period of continued medical insurance coverage described in this paragraph. | ||
If the Executive becomes covered under the medical, dental and/or vision insurance coverage of a subsequent employer that does not contain any exclusion or limitation with respect to any preexisting condition of the Executive or the Executives eligible dependents, the medical, dental and/or vision insurance benefit coverage by the Company under this Section 4.1(b)(vi) shall be discontinued prior to the end of the applicable benefit continuation period. | |||
In the event that any medical, life, dental and/or vision insurance benefit plan coverage provided under this Section 4.1(b)(vi) is subject to federal, state, or local income or employment taxes, the Company shall provide the Executive with an additional payment (the Insurance Adjustment Payment) in the amount necessary such that after payment by the Executive of all such taxes (calculated assuming the Executive pays such taxes for the year in which the payment or benefit occurs at the highest marginal tax rate applicable), including the taxes imposed on the additional payments, the Executive effectively received coverage on a tax-free basis. Such Insurance Adjustment Payment shall be made no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the Executive incurs the tax. | |||
(vii) | If the Executive is eligible to participate in a Participating Companys defined benefit pension plan as of the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination, the Participating Company shall provide the Executive with an additional pension benefit determined as if the Executives employment with the Participating Company had continued for an additional: (A) three (3) years for Tier I Executives, (B) two (2) years for Tier II Executives or |
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(C) one and one-half (11/2) years for Tier III Executives, and calculated as if the Executives relevant Base Salary and target bonus for such additional period is at the same level as on the date of the Qualifying Termination, which benefit shall be provided under and paid pursuant to the Participating Companys qualified retirement plans to the extent permitted thereunder or under a nonqualified plan established and maintained by the Participating Company or an affiliated company. | |||
(viii) | An amount equal to the matching contributions and/or retirement enhancement contributions, if any, that would be contributed by the Participating Company on the Executives behalf under the Participating Companys qualified defined contribution plan (the CIP) and nonqualified defined contribution benefit plans assuming that (A) the Executive had continued to be employed as an active participant in the CIP for an additional: (1) three (3) years for Tier I Executives, (2) two (2) years for Tier II Executives or (3) one and one-half (11/2) years for Tier III Executives following the date of the Qualifying Termination, (B) the Executives Base Salary was equal to the amount determined in Section 4.1(b)(iv) above and (C) the Executive contributed in an amount that would have provided for the maximum matching contributions during such additional period (without regard to any amendment to the CIP made subsequent to the date of the Qualifying Termination which modifies the matching contributions and/or retirement enhancement contributions thereunder). Such amount shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. | ||
(ix) | If the Executive is eligible for retiree health and life insurance coverage on the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination, a Participating Company shall provide the Executive with additional age and service credit towards eligibility for retiree health and life insurance coverage determined as if the Executives employment with the Participating Company had continued for an additional: (A) three (3) years for Tier I Executives, (B) two (2) years for Tier II Executives or (C) one and one-half (11/2) years for Tier III Executives following the date of the Qualifying Termination. | ||
(x) | If the Executive is eligible to participate in the Companys MedSave Plan on the date of the Qualifying Termination, an amount equal to the contributions that would have been credited as Company contributions to the Executives notional account under the MedSave Plan assuming that (A) the Executive had continued to be employed as an active participant in the MedSave Plan for an additional: (1) three (3) years for Tier I Executives, (2) two (2) years for Tier II Executives or (3) one and one-half (11/2) years for Tier III Executives following the date of the Qualifying Termination and (B) the Company had credited the Executives notional account thereunder with the maximum amount of matching contributions |
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each year during such additional period. Such amount shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. | |||
(xi) | If the Executive actively participates in any of the Companys voluntary, employee pay-all plans or programs on the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination, the Executive may continue to participate in such plan or program, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth therein, for an additional: (A) three (3) years for Tier I Executives, (B) two (2) years for Tier II Executives or (C) one and one-half (11/2) years for Tier III Executives following the date of the Qualifying Termination. |
(c) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Qualifying Termination giving rise to the payment of Change in Control Severance Benefits under this Section 4.1 is due to a Change in Control Good Reason as defined in Section 2(j)(iii), then the Executives Base Salary and target bonus opportunity in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control Good Reason shall be used for purposes of calculating any amounts to be paid based thereupon under Section 4.1(b). |
(a) | Subject to Section 3.4, the Participating Company shall pay the Executive General Severance Benefits, as described in Section 4.2(b), if, prior to January 1, 2010, the Executive receives or delivers a Notice of Termination of a Qualifying Termination of the Executives employment pursuant to Section 3.1(c). | ||
(b) | The General Severance Benefits to be provided to the Executive pursuant to Section 4.2(a) shall be the following: |
(i) | An amount equal to the Executives unpaid Base Salary, unreimbursed business expenses, and all other items earned by and owed to the Executive through and including the date of the Qualifying Termination shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for these amounts owed to the Executive. | ||
(ii) | An amount equal to the unpaid, accrued vacation pay owed to the Executive through and including the date of the Qualifying Termination shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum with the last payment described in Section 4.2(b)(iv). Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for this amount owed to the Executive and in no event shall the Executive accrue additional vacation time after the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination. | ||
(iii) | Any amount payable to the Executive under the annual bonus plan then in effect in respect of the most recently completed fiscal year, to the extent not theretofore paid shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the applicable time provided in the annual bonus plan then in |
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effect. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for this amount owed to the Executive. | |||
(iv) | An amount equal to: (A) two and one-half (21/2) for Tier I Executives, or (B) one and one-half (11/2) for Tier II and III Executives, times the sum of: (1) the Executives annual rate of Base Salary in effect upon the date of the Qualifying Termination plus (2) the Executives then current target bonus opportunity established under the annual bonus plan in effect for the bonus plan year in which the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination occurs. Such amount shall be paid in cash in equal monthly installments (or more frequent installments as determined by the Company) over a period of: (x) thirty (30) months for Tier I Executives or (y) eighteen (18) months for Tier II or Tier III Executives, commencing on the Payment Date; provided, however, that if the Qualifying Termination of Executives employment occurs after December 31, 2009, the Participating Company shall pay such amount in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. | ||
(v) | An amount equal to the annual bonus the Executive would have earned under the annual bonus plan for the plan year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, determined based on the actual performance achieved under such annual bonus plan for such plan year and adjusted on a pro rata basis based on the number of months the Executive was actually employed during such plan year (full credit is given for partial months of employment), shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the applicable time provided in the annual bonus plan then in effect. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for this amount owed to the Executive. | ||
(vi) | Subject to the following paragraph, the Company shall provide, at the same cost structure as applicable to active employees, continuation of the coverage of the Executive (and the Executives eligible dependents) under the Companys medical, life, dental and vision insurance benefit plans for: (A) thirty (30) months for Tier I Executives, or (B) eighteen (18) months for Tier II and III Executives, from the date of the Qualifying Termination; provided, however, that following the date of the Qualifying Termination the Executive will be covered by the fully insured medical, dental and vision plans maintained by the Company. The Executives required payments, if any, towards the cost for such continuation coverage shall be made on an after-tax basis. The applicable COBRA medical insurance benefit continuation period shall begin at the end of the period of continued medical insurance coverage described in this paragraph. | ||
If the Executive becomes covered under the medical, dental and/or vision insurance coverage of a subsequent employer that does not contain any exclusion or limitation with respect to any preexisting condition of the Executive or the Executives eligible dependents, the medical, dental |
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and/or vision insurance benefit coverage by the Company under this Section 4.2(b)(vi) shall be discontinued prior to the end of the applicable benefit continuation period. | |||
In the event that any medical, life, dental and/or vision insurance benefit plan coverage provided under this Section 4.2(b)(vi) is subject to federal, state, or local income or employment taxes, the Company shall provide the Executive with an Insurance Adjustment Payment in the amount necessary such that after payment by the Executive of all such taxes (calculated assuming the Executive pays such taxes for the year in which the payment or benefit occurs at the highest marginal tax rate applicable), including the taxes imposed on the additional payments, the Executive effectively received coverage on a tax-free basis. Such Insurance Adjustment Payment shall be made no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the Executive incurs the tax. | |||
(vii) | If the Executive is eligible to participate in a Participating Companys defined benefit pension plan as of the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination, the Participating Company shall provide the Executive with an additional pension benefit determined as if the Executives employment with the Participating Company had continued for an additional: (A) thirty (30) months for Tier I Executives, or (B) eighteen (18) months for Tier II and III Executives, and calculated as if the Executives relevant Base Salary and target bonus for such additional period is at the same level as on the date of the Qualifying Termination, which benefit shall be provided under and paid pursuant to the Participating Companys qualified retirement plans to the extent permitted thereunder or under a nonqualified plan established and maintained by the Participating Company or an affiliated company. | ||
(viii) | An amount equal to the matching contributions and/or retirement enhancement contributions, if any, that would be contributed by the Participating Company on the Executives behalf under the CIP and the Participating Companys nonqualified defined contribution benefit plans assuming that (A) the Executive had continued to be employed as an active participant in the CIP for an additional: (1) thirty (30) months for Tier I Executives or (2) eighteen (18) months for Tier II and III Executives following the date of the Qualifying Termination, (B) the Executives Base Salary was equal to the amount determined in Section 4.2(b)(iv) above and (C) the Executive contributed in an amount that would have provided for the maximum matching contributions during such additional period (without regard to any amendment to the CIP made subsequent to the date of the Qualifying Termination which modifies the matching contributions and/or retirement enhancement contributions thereunder). Such amount shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. |
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(ix) | If the Executive is eligible for retiree health and life insurance coverage on the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination, a Participating Company shall provide the Executive with additional age and service credit towards eligibility for retiree health and life insurance coverage determined as if the Executives employment with the Participating Company had continued for an additional: (A) thirty (30) months for Tier I Executives or (B) eighteen (18) months for Tier II and III Executives, following the date of the Qualifying Termination. | ||
(x) | If the Executive is eligible to participate in the Companys MedSave Plan on the date of the Qualifying Termination, an amount equal to the contributions that would have been credited as Company contributions to the Executives notional account under the MedSave Plan assuming that (A) the Executive had continued to be employed as an active participant in the MedSave Plan for an additional: (1) thirty (30) months for Tier I Executives or (2) eighteen (18) months for Tier II and III Executives following the date of the Qualifying Termination and (B) the Company had credited the Executives notional account thereunder with the maximum amount of matching contributions each year during such additional period. Such amount shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. | ||
(xi) | If the Executive actively participates in any of the Companys voluntary, employee pay-all plans or programs on the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination, the Executive may continue to participate in such plan or program pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth therein, for an additional: (A) thirty (30) months for Tier I Executives or (B) eighteen (18) months for Tier II and III Executives following the date of the Qualifying Termination. |
(c) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Qualifying Termination giving rise to the payment of General Severance Benefits under this Section 4.2 is due to a General Good Reason as defined in Section 2(x), then the Executives Base Salary and target bonus opportunity in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of such General Reason shall be used for purposes of calculating any amounts to be paid based thereupon under Section 4.2(b). |
(a) | Subject to Section 3.4, the Participating Company shall pay the Executive Change in Control Severance Benefits, as described in Section 5.1(b), if, after |
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December 31, 2009, the Executive receives or delivers a Notice of Termination of a Qualifying Termination of the Executives employment pursuant to Section 3.1(a) or 3.1(b). | |||
(b) | The Change in Control Severance Benefits to be provided to the Executive pursuant to Section 5.1(a) shall be the following: |
(i) | An amount equal to the Executives unpaid Base Salary, unreimbursed business expenses, and all other items earned by and owed to the Executive through and including the date of the Qualifying Termination shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for these amounts owed to the Executive. | ||
(ii) | An amount equal to the unpaid, accrued vacation pay owed to the Executive through and including the date of the Qualifying Termination shall be made in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for these amounts owed to the Executive and in no event shall the Executive accrue additional vacation time after the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination. | ||
(iii) | Any amount payable to the Executive under the annual bonus plan then in effect in respect of the most recently completed fiscal year, to the extent not theretofore paid, shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the applicable time provided in the annual bonus plan then in effect. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for this amount owed to the Executive. | ||
(iv) | An amount equal to: (A) three (3) for Tier I Executives, (B) two (2) for Tier II Executives or (C) one and one-half (11/2) for Tier III Executives times the sum of: (1) the Executives annual rate of Base Salary in effect upon the date of the Qualifying Termination or, if greater, by the Executives annual rate of Base Salary in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control plus (2) the Executives then current target bonus opportunity established under the annual bonus plan in effect for the bonus plan year in which the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination occurs or, if greater, the Executives target bonus opportunity in effect prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control. The Participating Company shall pay such amount in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. | ||
(v) | An amount equal to the annual bonus the Executive would have earned under the annual bonus plan for the plan year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, determined based on the actual performance achieved under such annual bonus plan for such plan year and adjusted on a pro rata basis based on the number of months the Executive was actually employed |
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during such plan year (full credit is given for partial months of employment), shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the applicable time provided in the annual bonus plan then in effect. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for this amount owed to the Executive. | |||
(vi) | The Company shall provide, at the same cost structure as applicable to active employees, COBRA continuation coverage for the Executive (and the Executives eligible dependents) under the Companys medical benefit plan for a period of up to six (6) months from the date of the Qualifying Termination (the Subsidized COBRA Period). The Subsidized COBRA Period will be included in the Executives COBRA continuation coverage period. If the Executive chooses to continue COBRA continuation coverage after the Subsidized COBRA Period, the Executive will be responsible for the entire premium payment for the remainder of the Executives COBRA continuation coverage period (in most cases an additional twelve (12) months). | ||
(vii) | If the Executive actively participates in any of the Companys voluntary, employee pay-all plans or programs on the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination, the Executive may continue to participate in such plan or program after the date of the Qualifying Termination if such continued participation is permitted by the third-party provider pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth therein. |
(c) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Qualifying Termination giving rise to the payment of Change in Control Severance Benefits under this Section 5.1 is due to a Change in Control Good Reason as defined in Section 2(j)(iii), then the Executives Base Salary and target bonus opportunity in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control Good Reason shall be used for purposes of calculating any amounts to be paid based thereupon under Section 5.1(b). |
(a) | Subject to Section 3.4, the Participating Company shall pay the Executive General Severance Benefits, as described in Section 5.2(b), if, after December 31, 2009, the Executive receives or delivers a Notice of Termination of a Qualifying Termination of the Executives employment pursuant to Section 3.1(c). | ||
(b) | The General Severance Benefits to be provided to the Executive pursuant to Section 5.2(a) shall be the following: |
(i) | An amount equal to the Executives unpaid Base Salary, unreimbursed business expenses, and all other items earned by and owed to the Executive through and including the date of the Qualifying Termination shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment |
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Date. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for these amounts owed to the Executive. | |||
(ii) | An amount equal to the unpaid, accrued vacation pay owed to the Executive through and including the date of the Qualifying Termination shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for these amounts owed to the Executive and in no event shall the Executive accrue additional vacation time after the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination. | ||
(iii) | Any amount payable to the Executive under the annual bonus plan then in effect in respect of the most recently completed fiscal year, to the extent not theretofore paid shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the applicable time provided in the annual bonus plan then in effect. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for this amount owed to the Executive. | ||
(iv) | An amount equal to: (A) two and one-half (21/2) for Tier I Executives or (B) one and one-half (11/2) for Tier II and III Executives, times the sum of: (1) the Executives annual rate of Base Salary in effect upon the date of the Qualifying Termination plus (2) the Executives then current target bonus opportunity established under the annual bonus plan in effect for the bonus plan year in which the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination occurs. The Participating Company shall pay such amount in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum on the Payment Date | ||
(v) | An amount equal to the annual bonus the Executive would have earned under the annual bonus plan for the plan year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, determined based on the actual performance achieved under such annual bonus plan for such plan year and adjusted on a pro rata basis based on the number of months the Executive was actually employed during such plan year (full credit is given for partial months of employment), shall be paid in cash to the Executive in a single lump sum at the applicable time provided in the annual bonus plan then in effect. Such payment shall constitute full satisfaction for this amount owed to the Executive. | ||
(vi) | The Company shall provide, at the same cost structure as applicable to active employees, COBRA continuation coverage for the Executive (and the Executives eligible dependents) under the Companys medical benefit plan during the Subsidized COBRA Period. The Subsidized COBRA Period will be included in the Executives COBRA continuation coverage period. If the Executive chooses to continue COBRA continuation coverage after the Subsidized COBRA Period, the Executive will be responsible for the entire premium payment for the remainder of the |
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Executives COBRA continuation coverage period (in most cases an additional twelve (12) months). | |||
(vii) | If the Executive actively participates in any of the Companys voluntary, employee pay-all plans or programs on the date of the Executives Qualifying Termination, the Executive may continue to participate in such plan or program after the date of the Qualifying Termination if such continued participation is permitted by the third-party provider pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth therein. |
(c) | Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Qualifying Termination giving rise to the payment of General Severance Benefits under this Section 5.2 is due to a General Good Reason as defined in Section 2(x), then the Executives Base Salary and target bonus opportunity in effect immediately prior to the occurrence of such General Good Reason shall be used for purposes of calculating any amounts to be paid based thereupon under Section 5.2(b). |
(a) | Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, if it is determined (as hereafter provided) that any payment or distribution by or on behalf of a Participating Company to or for the benefit of a Tier I or Tier II Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of the Plan or otherwise pursuant to or by reason of any other agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangement, including without limitation any stock option, stock appreciation right or similar right, or the lapse or termination of any restriction on or the vesting or exercisability of any of the foregoing (in the aggregate, the Payment), would be subject to the Excise Tax, the Participating Company shall pay an additional amount (the Gross-Up Payment) such that, after payment by the Tier I or Tier II Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Tier I or Tier II Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payment; provided, however, that the Participating Company shall only be required to pay the Gross-Up Payment if the Tier I or Tier II Executive receives total Parachute Payments within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code (without consideration of the Gross-Up Payment) that exceed one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the amount that the Tier I and Tier II Executive would be entitled to receive without being subject to the Excise Tax. Subject to Section 3.2, such Gross-Up Payment shall be made no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the Tier I or Tier II Executive incurs the Excise Tax. Subject to Section 3.2, any expenses, including interest and penalties assessed on the Excise Tax described in this Section 6.1 resulting from the Companys actions, incurred by a Tier I or Tier II Executive shall be reimbursed promptly after the Tier I or Tier II Executive submits evidence of the incurrence of such expenses, which |
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reimbursement in no event will be later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the Tier I or Tier II Executive incurs the expense, provided that in no event will the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one year affect the amount of expenses to be reimbursed, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year. | |||
(b) | In the event that the Tier I and Tier II Executive is not entitled to receive a Gross-Up Payment, the Tier I and Tier II Executive shall be entitled to receive the Payment to which the Tier I and Tier II Executive is otherwise entitled to, unless reducing such Payment would result in an increase in the after-tax benefit to the Tier I and Tier II Executive (taking into account any Excise Tax, and any applicable federal, state and local income taxes). If reducing such Payment would result in an increase in the after-tax benefit to the Tier I and Tier II Executive, then the Payment shall be reduced to the minimum extent necessary so that no portion of any such Payment is subject to the Excise Tax. The fact that a Tier I or Tier II Executives right to a Payment may be reduced by reason of the limitations contained in this Section 6.1 shall not of itself limit or otherwise affect any other rights of the Tier I or Tier II Executive other than under the Plan. In the event that a Payment intended to be provided under the Plan is required to be reduced pursuant to this Section 6.1, the payment required by Section 4.1(b)(iv) or 5.1(b)(iv), as applicable, will be so reduced. | ||
(c) | All determinations required to be made under this Section 6.1, including whether an Excise Tax is payable by a Tier I or Tier II Executive and the amount of such Excise Tax, shall be made by the Accounting Firm. The Participating Company shall direct the Accounting Firm to submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to the relevant Participating Company and the Tier I or Tier II Executive within fifteen (15) calendar days after the date of the Tier I or Tier II Executives termination, if applicable, and any other such time or times as may be requested by such Participating Company or the Tier I or Tier II Executive. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Tier I or Tier II Executive, it shall, at the same time as it makes such determination, furnish the Tier I or Tier II Executive with an opinion that the Tier I or Tier II Executive has substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on the Tier I or Tier II Executives federal, state, local income or other tax return. | ||
(d) | The Participating Company and the Tier I or Tier II Executive shall each provide the Accounting Firm access to and copies of any books, records and documents in the possession of the Participating Company or the Tier I or Tier II Executive, as the case may be, reasonably requested by the Accounting Firm, and otherwise cooperate with the Accounting Firm in connection with the preparation and issuance of the determination contemplated by Section 6.1(c). Any reasonable determination by the Accounting Firm of the type contemplated by Section 6.1(c) (and supported by the calculations done by the Accounting Firm) shall be binding upon such Participating Company and the Tier I or Tier II Executive, subject to final determination by the Internal Revenue Service. |
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(e) | The federal, state and local income or other tax returns filed by the Tier I or Tier II Executive shall be prepared and filed on a consistent basis with the determination of the Accounting Firm with respect to the Excise Tax, if any, payable by the Tier I or Tier II Executive. The Tier I or Tier II Executive shall make proper payment of the amount of any Excise Tax, and upon request, provide to the Participating Company true and correct copies (with any amendments) of the Tier I or Tier II Executives federal income tax return as filed with the Internal Revenue Service and corresponding state and local tax returns, if relevant, as filed with the applicable taxing authority, and such other documents reasonably requested by the Participating Company, evidencing such filing and payment. | ||
(f) | The Participating Company will pay the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm for its services in connection with the determinations and calculations contemplated by Section 6.1(c) and Section 6.1(e). If such fees and expenses are initially paid by the Tier I or Tier II Executive, the Participating Company shall reimburse the Tier I or Tier II Executive the full amount of such fees and expenses within ten (10) business days after receipt from the Tier I or Tier II Executive of reasonable evidence of payment; provided, however, that any such reimbursements shall be made no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which the Tier I or Tier II Executive incurs the fees and expenses. In no event will the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one year affect the amount of expenses to be reimbursed, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year. |
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(a) | Any Subsidiary of the Company may become a Participating Company under the Plan provided that by appropriate resolutions of the board of directors or other governing body of such Subsidiary, such Subsidiary agrees to become a Participating Company under the Plan and also agrees to be bound by any other terms and conditions which may be required by the Board or the Committee, provided that such terms and conditions are not inconsistent with the purposes of the Plan. | ||
(b) | A Participating Company may withdraw from participation in the Plan, subject to approval by the Committee, by providing written notice to the Committee that withdrawal has been approved by the board of directors or other governing body of the Participating Company. The Committee may at any time remove a Participating Company from participation in the Plan by providing written notice |
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to the Participating Company that it has approved removal. The Committee will act in accordance with this Section 9.3 pursuant to unanimous written consent or by majority vote at a meeting. |
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ATTEST: | ||
REYNOLDS AMERICAN INC. | ||
/s/ Lisa J. Caldwell | ||
By: | Lisa Caldwell Executive Vice President Human Resources |
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R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
R. J. Reynolds Global Products, Inc.
R. J. Reynolds Tobacco (CI), Co.
RAI International, Inc.
Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company, Inc.*
Lane, Limited*
Conwood Company, LLC*
Reynolds Innovation Inc.
Reynolds Service Co.
employed within that Executive Department will be considered to be employed by the
Participating Company for purposes of this Plan.