Company: EQS
Filing Date: 2025-05-12
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0001712543-25-000028
Chunk: 14

Company: EQUUS TOTAL RETURN, INC.
Filing Date: 2025-05-12
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 14
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,313   
 325,746   |
| Kenneth I. Denos—           
 Secretary and CCO           | 2024 
 2023 
 2022 | $ 435,950 
 415,191   
 387,227   | $ ―        
 ―          
 ―          | $ ―          
 ―            
 ―            | $ ―                       
 ―                         
 ―                         | $ 435,950 
 415,191   
 387,227   |

| (1) | Reflects the Company’s contributions to vested and unvested defined contribution plans of the NEOs. |

The Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan

On April 28, 2016, the Board adopted the Incentive
Plan, which was also approved by our stockholders on June 13, 2016. On January 10, 2017, the SEC issued an exemptive order approving the
Incentive Plan and certain awards intended to be made thereunder. The Incentive Plan is intended to promote the interests of the Company
by encouraging officers, employees, and directors of the Company and its affiliates to acquire or increase their equity interest in the
Company and to provide a means whereby they may develop a proprietary interest in the development and financial success of the Company
and to encourage them to remain with and devote their best efforts to the business of the Company, thereby advancing the interests of
the Company and its stockholders. The Incentive Plan is also intended to enhance the ability of the Company and its affiliates to attract
and retain the services of individuals who are essential for the growth and profitability of the Company. The Incentive Plan permits the
award of restricted stock as well as common stock purchase options. The maximum number of shares of common stock that are subject to awards
granted under the Incentive Plan is 2,434,728 shares. The term of the Incentive Plan will expire on June 13, 2026.

Since the adoption of the Incentive Plan, we have chosen
to utilize shares of our restricted stock, rather than stock options or other equity-based incentive compensation, as long-term incentive
compensation. We use restricted stock awards to (i) attract and retain key officers and employees, (ii) enable our officers and employees
to participate in our long-term growth and (iii) link these persons’ compensation to the long-term interests of our stockholders.
Each restricted stock award is for a fixed number of shares as set forth in an