Company: STAA
Filing Date: 2025-08-29
Form Type: PREM14A
Source: 0001193125-25-192889
Chunk: 106

Company: STAAR SURGICAL CO
Filing Date: 2025-08-29
Form: PREM14A
Chunk 106
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 agreement would be subject to Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code, such payments would be reduced to
avoid imposition of the excise tax to the extent the executive would be better off after taxes. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, STAAR and Alcon have agreed that STAAR may implement strategies to mitigate the effects, if any, of Section 280G
and 4999 of the Code, including accelerating income into 2025 (if STAAR determines that it is likely that the closing will occur in 2026) and entering into gross-up agreements with individuals reasonably
expected to be adversely affected by the excise tax (subject to an aggregate cap of $15 million). STAAR anticipates entering into a gross-up agreement with each named executive officer who is expected to be
subject to the excise tax, with the amount of potential gross-ups under all such agreements subject to an aggregate cap of $15 million.

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For an estimate of the value of the severance payments and benefits described above that
would be payable to STAAR’s executive officers assuming that the Effective Time occurs on August 27, 2025 and that the executive experiences a termination without cause on that date, see “—Quantification of Payments and
Benefits to STAAR’s Named Executive Officers” below.

2026 Annual Bonus

Under the Merger Agreement, STAAR will make payments under fiscal year 2026 bonus or other incentive plans immediately prior to the Effective
Time at the target level and prorated based on the portion of the performance period that has elapsed through the Effective Time (with any entitlements to prorated bonus pursuant to change in control agreements reduced accordingly by such amounts
paid).

Indemnification Insurance

STAAR’s directors and executive officers will be entitled to certain ongoing indemnification and coverage for a period of not less than
six years following the Effective Time under directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies from the Surviving Company. This indemnification and insurance coverage is further described in the section entitled “The Merger
Agreement—Indemnification and Insurance.”

New Compensation Arrangements

Any executive officers and directors who become officers, directors or employees or who otherwise are retained to provide services to the
Surviving Company may enter into new individualized compensation arrangements and may participate in cash or equity incentive or other benefit plans maintained by Alcon, any of its affiliates or the Surviving Company. As of the date of this proxy
statement, no compensation arrangements between such persons