Exhibit 10.16

 

SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN NO. 2

EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2005
AMENDED AND RESTATED AS OF DECEMBER 4, 2008

 

PLAN HISTORY

 

The Plan was established to provide a mechanism under which qualified
participants could elect to defer a limited portion of their annual base salary
and incentive compensation in a manner intended to comply with the requirements
of Internal Revenue Code Section 409 A.

 

The Plan was first amended and restated effective as of December 31, 2008 in
order to comply with the final regulations issued by the United States Treasury
Department in 2008 implementing the requirements of Internal Revenue Code
Section 409A and requiring full compliance by year-end 2008.

 

ARTICLE I
ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN

 

1.1           PURPOSE.  THE SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC. DEFERRED
COMPENSATION PLAN NO. 2 IS INTENDED TO ENHANCE THE CORPORATION’S ABILITY TO
ATTRACT TO AND RETAIN FOR THE CORPORATION OUTSTANDING EXECUTIVE TALENT BY
PROVIDING A DEFERRED COMPENSATION BENEFIT TO SELECTED EXECUTIVES OF THE
CORPORATION AS MORE FULLY PROVIDED HEREIN.  THE BENEFITS PROVIDED UNDER THE PLAN
ARE IN ADDITION TO OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS AND PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE
CORPORATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO TAX-QUALIFIED EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.

 

1.2           EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM.  SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
ADOPTS THIS UNFUNDED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2005
TO BE KNOWN AS THE SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC. DEFERRED COMPENSATION
PLAN NO. 2, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE “PLAN.”  THE PLAN IS HEREIN AMENDED
AND RESTATED, EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2005; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT CERTAIN
PROVISIONS HEREIN HAVE A LATER EFFECTIVE DATE, AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN THOSE
PROVISIONS.

 

1.3           APPLICABILITY OF ERISA.  THIS PLAN IS AN UNFUNDED PLAN MAINTAINED
PRIMARILY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING DEFERRED COMPENSATION TO A SELECT GROUP
OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHER HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES WITHIN THE MEANING OF
ERISA. IT IS THE INTENT OF THE CORPORATION THAT THE PLAN BE EXEMPT FROM PARTS 2,
3 AND 4 OF SUBTITLE B OF TITLE I OF ERISA AS AN UNFUNDED PLAN THAT IS MAINTAINED
BY AN EMPLOYER PRIMARILY FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR
A SELECT GROUP OF MANAGEMENT OR HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES (THE “ERISA
EXEMPTION”).  NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY IN ANY OTHER PROVISION OF
THE PLAN, THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR MAY, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, EXCLUDE ANY ONE OR
MORE EMPLOYEES FROM ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE OR FROM PARTICIPATION IN THE
PLAN, AND MAY TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION THE PLAN

 

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ADMINISTRATOR CONSIDERS NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE IF THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
REASONABLY DETERMINES IN GOOD FAITH THAT SUCH EXCLUSION OR FURTHER ACTION IS
NECESSARY IN ORDER FOR THE PLAN TO QUALIFY FOR, OR TO CONTINUE TO QUALIFY FOR,
THE ERISA EXEMPTION.

 

ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS

 

As used within this document, the following words and phrases have the meanings
described in this Article II unless a different meaning is required by the
context.  Some of the words and phrases used in the Plan are not defined in this
Article II, but for convenience, are defined as they are introduced into the
text.  Words in the masculine gender shall be deemed to include the feminine
gender.  Any headings used are included for ease of reference only, and are not
to be construed so as to alter any of the terms of the Plan.

 

2.1           AIP AWARDS.  THE CASH AWARDS, IF ANY, THAT MAY BE EARNED BY
PARTICIPANTS IN THE CORPORATION’S ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN.

 

2.2           ANNUAL DEFERRAL.  THE AMOUNT OF BASE SALARY, AIP AWARDS AND/OR
LTIP AWARDS WHICH THE PARTICIPANT ELECTS TO DEFER IN EACH DEFERRAL PERIOD
PURSUANT TO SECTION 4.1 OF THE PLAN DOCUMENT.

 

2.3           BASE SALARY.  A PARTICIPANT’S BASE ANNUAL SALARY FOR THE
APPLICABLE PLAN YEAR.

 

2.4           BENEFICIARY.  AN INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY DESIGNATED BY A PARTICIPANT
IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 13.6.

 

2.5           BOARD OR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
CORPORATION.

 

2.6           CHANGE OF CONTROL.  FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PLAN, A CHANGE OF
CONTROL SHALL MEAN THE CONDITION THAT EXISTS IF AT ANY TIME ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
EVENTS SHALL HAVE OCCURRED WITH RESPECT TO THE CORPORATION:  (A) “CHANGE IN THE
OWNERSHIP” OF THE CORPORATION; (B) A “CHANGE IN THE EFFECTIVE CONTROL” OF THE
CORPORATION; OR (C) A “CHANGE OF THE OWNERSHIP OF A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE
ASSETS” OF THE CORPORATION, ALL AS DEFINED IN TREASURY REGULATIONS §
1.409A-3(I)(5).  NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION HEREIN, A CHANGE IN THE
OWNERSHIP, A CHANGE IN THE EFFECTIVE CONTROL, OR A CHANGE IN THE OWNERSHIP OF A
SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE ASSETS, OF THE CORPORATION OR ANOTHER EMPLOYER SHALL
NOT CONSTITUTE A “CHANGE IN CONTROL,” FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PLAN, UNLESS SUCH
TRANSACTION ALSO REPRESENTS A CHANGE IN THE OWNERSHIP, A CHANGE IN THE EFFECTIVE
CONTROL, OR A CHANGE IN THE OWNERSHIP OF A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE ASSETS, OF
SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

2.7           CODE.  THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986.  REFERENCE TO A SECTION
OF THE CODE SHALL INCLUDE THAT SECTION AND ANY COMPARABLE SECTION OR SECTIONS OF
ANY FUTURE LEGISLATION THAT AMENDS, SUPPLEMENTS OR SUPERSEDES SUCH SECTION.

 

2.8           COMMITTEE.  THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE CORPORATION’S BOARD
OF DIRECTORS.

 

2.9           CORPORATION.  SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

2.10         DEFERRAL ACCOUNT.  THE ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED FOR A PARTICIPANT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 5.1 OF THE PLAN DOCUMENT.

 

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2.11         DEFERRAL ELECTION.  THE ELECTION MADE BY THE PARTICIPANT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 4.1 OF THE PLAN DOCUMENT.

 

2.12         DEFERRAL PERIOD.  THE PLAN YEAR, OR IN THE CASE OF A NEWLY HIRED OR
PROMOTED EMPLOYEE WHO BECOMES AN ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE DURING A PLAN YEAR, THE
REMAINING PORTION OF THE PLAN YEAR.  IN THE CASE OF THE FIRST PLAN YEAR, THE
DEFERRAL PERIOD COMMENCES JANUARY 1, 2005 AND ENDS DECEMBER 31, 2005.

 

2.13         DISABILITY.  A PARTICIPANT SHALL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE EXPERIENCED
A “DISABILITY” OR TO BE DISABLED, FOR PURPOSES OF THIS PLAN, IF THE PARTICIPANT
(I) IS UNABLE TO ENGAGE IN ANY SUBSTANTIAL GAINFUL ACTIVITY BY REASON OF ANY
MEDICALLY DETERMINABLE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL IMPAIRMENT WHICH CAN BE EXPECTED TO
RESULT IN DEATH OR CAN BE EXPECTED TO LAST FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF NOT LESS
THAN 12 MONTHS, OR (II) IS, BY REASONS OF ANY MEDICALLY DETERMINABLE PHYSICAL OR
MENTAL IMPAIRMENT WHICH CAN BE EXPECTED TO RESULT IN DEATH OR CAN BE EXPECTED TO
LAST FOR A CONTINUOUS PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 12 MONTHS, RECEIVING INCOME
REPLACEMENT BENEFITS FOR A PERIOD OF NOT LESS THAN 3 MONTHS UNDER AN ACCIDENT
AND HEALTH PLAN COVERING EMPLOYEES OF THE CORPORATION.

 

2.14         EFFECTIVE DATE.  JANUARY 1, 2005.

 

2.15         ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE.  AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CORPORATION WHO IS
DESIGNATED BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR AS BEING ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
PLAN OR WHO IS A MEMBER OF A CLASS OF EMPLOYEES THAT THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR HAS
DESIGNATED AS BEING ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN. THE EMPLOYEE SHALL
REMAIN ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN FOR SUCH PERIOD AS IS DESIGNATED BY
THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR.

 

2.16         EMPLOYER.  THE CORPORATION AND ANY RELATED ENTITY THAT BECOMES A
PARTICIPATING EMPLOYER IN THE PLAN, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 12.2.

 

2.17         ERISA.  THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS
AMENDED.

 

2.18         IRS.  THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.

 

2.19         INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE. LIMITS MEANS ANY OF THE LIMITATIONS ON
THE AMOUNTS OF CONTRIBUTIONS TO OR BENEFITS UNDER A QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN
REQUIRED BY CODE SECTIONS 401(A)(4), 401(A)(17), 410(B), OR 415.

 

2.20         LTIP AWARDS.  THE CASH AWARDS, IF ANY, THAT MAY BE EARNED BY
PARTICIPANTS IN THE CORPORATION’S LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN.

 

2.21         PARTICIPANT.  ANY ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE WHO IS DESIGNATED BY THE PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PLAN PURSUANT TO ARTICLE III OF THE PLAN
DOCUMENT COMMENCING AS OF SUCH TIME AND FOR SUCH PERIOD AS IS DESIGNATED BY THE
PLAN ADMINISTRATOR. THE LIST OF PARTICIPANTS IS SET FORTH IN APPENDIX A HERETO,
AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.

 

2.22         PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT.  THE WRITTEN AGREEMENT, INCLUDING A DEFERRAL
AND INVESTMENT ELECTION FORM, TO DEFER BASE SALARY, AIP AWARDS AND/OR LTIP
AWARDS MADE BY THE PARTICIPANT AND INVESTMENT DIRECTIONS AS TO ANY DISCRETIONARY
CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE ON THE PARTICIPANT’S

 

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BEHALF.  SUCH WRITTEN AGREEMENT AND DEFERRAL AND INVESTMENT ELECTION FORM SHALL
BE IN THE FORMAT DESIGNATED BY THE CORPORATION, ATTACHED HERETO.

 

2.23         PLAN.  THE SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC. DEFERRED
COMPENSATION PLAN NO. 2.

 

2.24         PLAN ADMINISTRATOR.  THE CORPORATION’S HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE.

 

2.25         PLAN YEAR.  “PLAN YEAR” MEANS THE 12-MONTH PERIOD BEGINNING EACH
JANUARY 1 AND ENDING ON THE FOLLOWING DECEMBER 31.

 

2.26         RABBI TRUST.  THE RABBI TRUST, WHICH THE CORPORATION MAY, IN ITS
DISCRETION, ESTABLISH FOR THE SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC. DEFERRED
COMPENSATION PLAN NO. 2, AS AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME.

 

2.27         SPECIFIED AGE.  AGE 55 OR A LATER AGE CHOSEN BY THE PARTICIPANT ON
HIS PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND DEFERRAL ELECTION FORM AT WHICH TIME THE VESTED
CREDITS IN THE PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL ACCOUNT SHALL BE PAID OUT AS BENEFITS IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PAYMENT METHOD SELECTED BY THE PARTICIPANT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE PLAN TERMS, UNLESS THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR HAS BEGUN TO PAY-OUT BENEFITS
AT AN EARLIER DATE, AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE VII OF THIS PLAN.

 

2.28         A Specified Employee.  Shall have the meaning given to such term in
Code Section 409A.

 

2.29         UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY.  A SEVERE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP TO THE
PARTICIPANT RESULTING FROM AN ILLNESS OR ACCIDENT OF THE PARTICIPANT, THE
PARTICIPANT’S SPOUSE, OR A DEPENDENT (AS DEFINED IN CODE SECTION 152(A) WITHOUT
REGARD TO SECTION 152(B)(1), (B)(2), AND (D)(1)(B)) OF THE PARTICIPANT, LOSS OF
THE PARTICIPANT’S PROPERTY DUE TO CASUALTY, OR OTHER SIMILAR EXTRAORDINARY AND
UNFORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES ARISING AS A RESULT OF EVENTS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF
THE PARTICIPANT (E.G., THE IMMINENT FORECLOSURE OF THE MORTGAGE ON THE
PARTICIPANT’S PRIMARY RESIDENCE OR EVICTION FROM THE PARTICIPANT’S PRIMARY
RESIDENCE, THE NEED TO PAY FOR MEDICAL EXPENSES, INCLUDING NON-REFUNDABLE
DEDUCTIBLES AND THE COSTS OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG MEDICATION, AND FUNERAL EXPENSES
OF A SPOUSE, A BENEFICIARY, OR A DEPENDENT (AS DEFINED ABOVE).  A WITHDRAWAL ON
ACCOUNT OF AN UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY MAY BE PAID TO THE PARTICIPANT ONLY IF THE
AMOUNTS DISTRIBUTED WITH RESPECT TO AN EMERGENCY DO NOT EXCEED THE AMOUNTS
NECESSARY TO SATISFY SUCH EMERGENCY PLUS AMOUNTS NECESSARY TO PAY TAXES
REASONABLY ANTICIPATED AS A RESULT OF THE DISTRIBUTION, AFTER TAKING INTO
ACCOUNT THE EXTENT TO WHICH SUCH HARDSHIP IS OR MAY BE RELIEVED THROUGH
REIMBURSEMENT OR COMPENSATION BY INSURANCE OR OTHERWISE OR BY LIQUIDATION OF THE
PARTICIPANT’S ASSETS (TO THE EXTENT THE LIQUIDATION OF SUCH ASSETS WOULD NOT
ITSELF CAUSE SEVERE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP) OR (EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2008) BY
CESSATION OF DEFERRALS UNDER THIS PLAN.  THIS SECTION SHALL BE INTERPRETED IN A
MANNER CONSISTENT WITH CODE SECTION 409A AND APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE
TREASURY REGULATIONS.

 

2.30         Separation from Service.  Shall have the meaning assigned to such
term in Code Section 409 A, Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(h), as
amended, and other applicable regulatory guidance of the IRS.

 

2.31         VALUATION DATE.  EACH BUSINESS DAY OF THE PLAN YEAR.

 

2.32         YEAR OF SERVICE.  EACH CONSECUTIVE TWELVE (12) MONTH PERIOD DURING
WHICH A PARTICIPANT IS CONTINUOUSLY AND ACTIVELY EMPLOYED BY THE CORPORATION.

 

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ARTICLE III
ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

 

3.1           PARTICIPATION –ELIGIBILITY AND INITIAL PERIOD.  PARTICIPATION IN
THE PLAN IS OPEN ONLY TO ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES OF THE CORPORATION.  EACH ELIGIBLE
EMPLOYEE OF THE CORPORATION, AS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE, MAY BECOME A PARTICIPANT
FOR THE DEFERRAL PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1, 2005 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2005 (“INITIAL
PERIOD”) IF HE SUBMITS A PROPERLY COMPLETED PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND DEFERRAL
ELECTION FORM TO THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR PRIOR TO DECEMBER 31, 2004.  FOLLOWING
THE INITIAL PERIOD, A PARTICIPANT MUST SUBMIT A DEFERRAL ELECTION FORM BY
DECEMBER 15 OF THE YEAR PRECEDING THE PLAN YEAR FOR WHICH THE DEFERRAL ELECTION
WAS MADE. ANY EMPLOYEE BECOMING AN ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE,
E.G., NEW HIRES OR PROMOTED EMPLOYEES, MAY BECOME A PARTICIPANT WITH RESPECT TO
SERVICES PERFORMED SUBSEQUENT TO THE FILING OF THE DEFERRAL ELECTION FORM FOR
THE CURRENT DEFERRAL PERIOD IF HE SUBMITS A PROPERLY COMPLETED PARTICIPATION
AGREEMENT AND DEFERRAL ELECTION FORM WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER BECOMING
ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THIS CASE THE ELECTION
SHALL APPLY ONLY TO COMPENSATION (BASE SALARY, AIP AWARDS AND/OR LTIP AWARDS)
PAID FOR SERVICES TO BE PERFORMED AFTER THE ELECTION; PROVIDED, FURTHER, THAT,
WITH RESPECT TO COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES PERFORMED ON AND AFTER JANUARY 1,
2008, IN THE CASE OF COMPENSATION THAT IS BASED UPON A SPECIFIED PERFORMANCE
PERIOD (E.G., AN AIP AWARD) WHERE A DEFERRAL ELECTION IS MADE IN THE FIRST YEAR
OF ELIGIBILITY BUT AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE PERFORMANCE PERIOD, THE ELECTION
SHALL APPLY TO NO MORE THAN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO (I) TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE
COMPENSATION FOR THE PERFORMANCE PERIOD MULTIPLIED BY (II) A FRACTION THE
NUMERATOR OF WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF DAYS REMAINING IN THE PERFORMANCE PERIOD
AFTER THE ELECTION AND THE DENOMINATOR OF WHICH IS THE TOTAL NUMBER OF DAYS IN
THE PERFORMANCE PERIOD.

 

3.2           PARTICIPATION –SUBSEQUENT ENTRY INTO PLAN.  AN ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE
WHO DOES NOT ELECT TO PARTICIPATE AT THE TIME OF INITIAL ELIGIBILITY AS SET
FORTH IN SECTION 3.1 SHALL REMAIN ELIGIBLE TO BECOME A PARTICIPANT IN SUBSEQUENT
PLAN YEARS AS LONG AS HE CONTINUES HIS STATUS AS AN ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE.  IN SUCH
EVENT, THE ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE MAY BECOME A PARTICIPANT BY SUBMITTING A PROPERLY
EXECUTED PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND DEFERRAL ELECTION FORM ON OR PRIOR TO
DECEMBER 15 OF THE YEAR PRECEDING THE PLAN YEAR FOR WHICH IT IS TO BE EFFECTIVE.

 

3.3           DETERMINATION OF NON-ELIGIBILITY TO PARTICIPATE.  IF, AT ANY TIME,
AN ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE OR PARTICIPANT IS DETERMINED OR REASONABLY BELIEVED, BASED
ON A JUDICIAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATION OR OPINION OF COUNSEL, OR BASED
(EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2008) ON A DETERMINATION BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR,
NOT TO QUALIFY AS “MANAGEMENT” OR A “HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEE” UNDER ERISA
SECTIONS 201(2), 301 (A) (3), AND 401 (A) (1), THE EMPLOYEE SHALL CEASE ACTIVE
PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN AS OF THE LAST DAY OF THE PLAN YEAR IN WHICH SUCH
DETERMINATION IS MADE.

 

ARTICLE IV
CONTRIBUTIONS

 

4.1           DEFERRAL ELECTION.  ON OR BEFORE THE 15TH DAY OF
DECEMBER PRECEDING THE FIRST DAY OF EACH PLAN YEAR, A PARTICIPANT MAY FILE WITH
THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, A PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND DEFERRAL ELECTION
FORM INDICATING THE AMOUNT OF BASE SALARY, AIP AWARD AND/OR LTIP AWARD TO BE
DEFERRED FOR THAT PLAN YEAR.  A PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT BE OBLIGATED TO MAKE A
DEFERRAL ELECTION IN

 

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EACH PLAN YEAR TO REMAIN A PARTICIPANT IN THE PLAN.  AFTER A PLAN YEAR
COMMENCES, SUCH DEFERRAL ELECTION SHALL CONTINUE FOR THE ENTIRE PLAN YEAR.

 

4.2           MAXIMUM DEFERRAL ELECTION.  A PARTICIPANT MAY ELECT TO DEFER UP TO
25% OF BASE SALARY AND/OR UP TO 50% OF AIP AWARDS AND/OR LTIP AWARDS EARNED
DURING THE CORRESPONDING DEFERRAL PERIOD.  THE AMOUNT OF DEFERRAL MAY BE STATED
AS A FLAT DOLLAR AMOUNT OR AS A PERCENT. A DEFERRAL ELECTION MAY BE
AUTOMATICALLY REDUCED IF THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR DETERMINES THAT SUCH ACTION IS
NECESSARY TO MEET FEDERAL OR STATE TAX WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.

 

4.3           MINIMUM DEFERRAL ELECTION.  A PARTICIPANT WHO WISHES TO DEFER A
PORTION OF HIS QUALIFYING COMPENSATION MUST ELECT TO DEFER AT LEAST $1,200
DURING THE DEFERRAL PERIOD FROM BASE SALARY, AIP AWARDS, LTIP AWARDS OR A
COMBINATION OF BASE SALARY, AIP AWARDS AND LTIP AWARDS.  THE PARTICIPANT MAY
ALSO ELECT NOT TO MAKE ANY DEFERRAL FOR A PLAN YEAR.

 

4.4           EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS.  THE CORPORATION, WITH THE COMMITTEE’S
PRIOR APPROVAL, MAY, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO ANY ONE OR
MORE OF THE PARTICIPANTS’ DEFERRAL ACCOUNTS.  EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS MAY ALSO BE
MANDATED BY THE TERMS OF THE AIP AND/OR LTIP IF A PARTICIPANT IN ONE OR MORE OF
THOSE PLANS IS ALSO A “COVERED EMPLOYEE,” AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN CODE
SECTION 162(M) AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF NON-EXEMPT COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO SUCH
PARTICIPANT IN ANY TAX YEAR EXCEEDS THE CODE SECTION 162(M) LIMITS.  ALSO, THE
AMOUNT BY WHICH ANY CASH BALANCE BENEFIT FORMULA AMOUNT UNDER THE
SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC. RETIREMENT PLAN EXCEEDS APPLICABLE
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE LIMITS (HEREINAFTER AN “EXCESS RETIREMENT BENEFIT”)
SHALL BE MADE AS AN EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR
THE ACCOUNT OF SUCH PARTICIPANT.

 

4.5           INSURANCE.  THE CORPORATION MAY INSURE THE LIVES OF PARTICIPANTS. 
A PARTICIPANT WHOSE DEFERRAL IS APPROVED SHALL, AS A CONDITION OF HIS DEFERRAL,
COOPERATE IN PROVIDING ANY INFORMATION OR SUBMITTING TO ANY NECESSARY
EXAMINATIONS THAT MAY BE REQUESTED BY THE CORPORATION IN CONNECTION WITH ITS
APPLICATION FOR SUCH INSURANCE POLICIES.  THE CORPORATION SHALL BE THE
APPLICANT, OWNER AND BENEFICIARY OF SUCH POLICIES.  THE PARTICIPANT SHALL HAVE
NO INTEREST IN ANY POLICIES NOR WILL THE PARTICIPANT BE ABLE TO LOOK TO AN
INSURANCE CARRIER FOR BENEFITS UNDER ANY SUCH POLICIES.

 

ARTICLE V
ACCOUNTS

 

5.1           DEFERRAL ACCOUNTS.  SOLELY FOR RECORDKEEPING PURPOSES, THE PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR SHALL ESTABLISH A DEFERRAL ACCOUNT FOR EACH PARTICIPANT.  A
PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL ACCOUNT SHALL BE CREDITED WITH THE CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY
HIM OR ON HIS BEHALF BY THE CORPORATION UNDER SECTION 4.4 AND SHALL BE CREDITED
(OR CHARGED, AS THE CASE MAY BE) WITH THE HYPOTHETICAL OR DEEMED INVESTMENT
EARNINGS AND LOSSES DETERMINED PURSUANT TO SECTION 5.3, AND CHARGED WITH
DISTRIBUTIONS MADE TO OR WITH RESPECT TO HIM ON DEFERRALS OF BASE SALARY, AIP
AWARD AND/OR LTIP AWARD, DIVIDENDS ON STOCK UNITS, AND CORPORATE CONTRIBUTIONS.

 

5.2           CREDITING OF DEFERRAL ACCOUNTS.  SALARY CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER
SECTION 4.1 SHALL BE CREDITED TO A PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL ACCOUNT AS OF THE DATE
ON WHICH SUCH CONTRIBUTIONS WERE WITHHELD FROM HIS BASE ANNUAL SALARY.  AIP
AWARD AND LTIP AWARD CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER SECTION 4.1 SHALL BE CREDITED TO A
PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL ACCOUNT AS OF THE DATE ON WHICH THE CONTRIBUTION WOULD
HAVE

 

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OTHERWISE BEEN PAID IN CASH.  CONTRIBUTIONS UNDER SECTION 4.4 SHALL BE CREDITED
TO THE PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL ACCOUNT AS OF THE DATE DECLARED BY THE CORPORATION
OR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AIP AWARD AND/OR LTIP AWARD PROVISIONS HEREINABOVE, IF
APPLICABLE.  DIVIDENDS DEEMED TO BE EARNED ON THE STOCK UNITS SHALL BE CREDITED
AS OF THE DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE ON THE CORPORATION’S COMMON STOCK.  EXCESS
RETIREMENT BENEFIT CONTRIBUTIONS SHALL BE CREDITED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
CREDITING PROVISIONS OF THE RETIREMENT PLAN.  ANY DISTRIBUTION WITH RESPECT TO A
DEFERRAL ACCOUNT SHALL BE CHARGED TO THAT ACCOUNT AS OF THE DATE THE CORPORATION
OR THE TRUSTEE OF ANY RABBI TRUST ESTABLISHED FOR THE PLAN MAKES SUCH PAYMENT.

 

5.3           EARNING CREDITS OR LOSSES.  AMOUNTS CREDITED TO A DEFERRAL ACCOUNT
SHALL BE CREDITED WITH DEEMED NET INCOME, GAIN AND LOSS ON DEFERRED BASE SALARY,
AIP AWARDS, LTIP AWARDS AND DEEMED DIVIDENDS ON STOCK UNITS, INCLUDING THE
DEEMED NET UNREALIZED GAIN AND LOSS BASED ON HYPOTHETICAL INVESTMENT DIRECTIONS
MADE BY THE PARTICIPANT WITH RESPECT TO THIS DEFERRAL ACCOUNT ON A FORM
DESIGNATED BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, IN ACCORDANCE WITH INVESTMENT OPTIONS AND
PROCEDURES ADOPTED BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, FROM TIME
TO TIME.  EXCESS RETIREMENT BENEFIT CONTRIBUTIONS SHALL BE CREDITED WITH DEEMED
NET INCOME, GAIN AND LOSS ON SUCH AMOUNTS AS THOUGH INVESTED IN THIRTY-YEAR
TREASURY SECURITIES (TRACKING INSTRUMENT SUBSTITUTED FOR THE THIRTY-YEAR
T-BILL).  SUCH EARNINGS WILL CONTINUE TO ACCRUE DURING ANY PERIOD IN WHICH
INSTALLMENTS OF VESTED BENEFITS ARE PAID TO A PARTICIPANT OR HIS BENEFICIARY
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE VII.  EARNINGS OR LOSSES IN THE MARKET VALUE OF STOCK UNITS
SHALL HAVE NO EFFECT ON THE NUMBER OF STOCK UNITS THAT ARE REFLECTED IN THE
PARTICIPANT’S ACCOUNT.  THE NUMBER OF STOCK UNITS HELD IN THE DEFERRED
COMPENSATION PLAN FOR A PARTICIPANT SHALL BE TRACKED AND THE PARTICIPANT SHALL
RECOGNIZE THE BARGAIN ELEMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE NUMBER OF STOCK UNITS HELD IN
HIS ACCOUNT AS ORDINARY INCOME OR LOSS WHEN THE STOCK UNITS ARE CONVERTED INTO
SHARES OF THE CORPORATION’S COMMON STOCK AND ISSUED IN THE FORM OF CLEAN STOCK
CERTIFICATES OUT OF THE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN AS PERMITTED FOR A MANDATORY
DEFERRAL.

 

5.4           HYPOTHETICAL NATURE OF ACCOUNTS.  THE PLAN CONSTITUTES A MERE
PROMISE BY THE CORPORATION TO MAKE THE BENEFIT PAYMENTS IN THE FUTURE.  ANY
DEFERRAL ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED FOR A PARTICIPANT UNDER THIS ARTICLE V SHALL BE
HYPOTHETICAL IN NATURE AND SHALL BE MAINTAINED FOR THE CORPORATION’S
RECORDKEEPING PURPOSES ONLY, SO THAT ANY CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE CREDITED AND SO
THAT DEEMED INVESTMENT EARNINGS AND LOSSES ON SUCH AMOUNTS CAN BE CREDITED (OR
CHARGED, AS THE CASE MAY BE).  NEITHER THE PLAN NOR ANY OF THE ACCOUNTS (OR
SUBACCOUNTS) SHALL HOLD ANY ACTUAL FUNDS OR ASSETS.  THE RIGHT OF ANY INDIVIDUAL
OR ENTITY TO RECEIVE ONE OR MORE PAYMENTS UNDER THE PLAN SHALL BE AN UNSECURED
CLAIM AGAINST THE GENERAL ASSETS OF THE CORPORATION.  ANY LIABILITY OF THE
CORPORATION TO ANY PARTICIPANT, FORMER PARTICIPANT, OR BENEFICIARY WITH RESPECT
TO A RIGHT TO PAYMENT SHALL BE BASED SOLELY UPON CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS CREATED
BY THE PLAN.  THE CORPORATION, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE COMMITTEE, THE PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR AND ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY SHALL NOT BE DEEMED TO BE A TRUSTEE
OF ANY AMOUNTS TO BE PAID UNDER THE PLAN.  NOTHING CONTAINED IN THE PLAN, AND NO
ACTION TAKEN PURSUANT TO ITS PROVISIONS, SHALL CREATE OR BE CONSTRUED TO CREATE
A TRUST OF ANY KIND, OR A FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP, BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND A
PARTICIPANT, FORMER PARTICIPANT, BENEFICIARY, OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL OR
ENTITY.  THE CORPORATION MAY, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, ESTABLISH A RABBI TRUST AS
A VEHICLE IN WHICH TO PLACE FUNDS WITH RESPECT TO THIS PLAN.  THE CORPORATION
DOES NOT IN ANY WAY GUARANTEE ANY PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL ACCOUNT AGAINST LOSS OR
DEPRECIATION, WHETHER CAUSED BY POOR INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE, INSOLVENCY OF A
DEEMED INVESTMENT OR BY ANY OTHER EVENT OR OCCURRENCE.  IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
EMPLOYEE, OFFICER, DIRECTOR, OR STOCKHOLDER OF THE CORPORATION BE LIABLE TO ANY
INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY ON ACCOUNT OF ANY CLAIM ARISING BY REASON OF THE PLAN
PROVISIONS OR

 

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ANY INSTRUMENT OR INSTRUMENTS IMPLEMENTING ITS PROVISIONS, OR FOR THE FAILURE OF
ANY PARTICIPANT, BENEFICIARY OR OTHER INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY TO BE ENTITLED TO ANY
PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES WITH RESPECT TO THE PLAN OR ANY CREDIT OR PAYMENT
THEREUNDER.

 

5.5           STATEMENT OF DEFERRAL ACCOUNTS.  THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR SHALL
PROVIDE TO EACH PARTICIPANT QUARTERLY STATEMENTS SETTING FORTH THE VALUE OF THE
DEFERRAL ACCOUNT MAINTAINED FOR SUCH PARTICIPANT.

 

ARTICLE VI
VESTING

 

6.1           VESTING OF CORPORATE ELECTIVE AND MANDATED CONTRIBUTIONS.  THE
CORPORATION’S CONTRIBUTIONS (EXCLUDING AIP AWARDS, LTIP AWARDS AND EXCESS
RETIREMENT BENEFIT CONTRIBUTIONS), IF ANY, CREDITED TO A PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL
ACCOUNT UNDER PLAN SECTION 4.4 AND ANY DEEMED INVESTMENT EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE
TO THESE CONTRIBUTIONS SHALL BE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%) VESTED AND
NONFORFEITABLE WHEN THE PARTICIPANT HAS SATISFIED ANY VESTING RESTRICTIONS
CONTAINED IN THE BOARD OR COMPENSATION COMMITTEE APPROVAL OF THE AWARD,
IRRESPECTIVE OF WHEN THE CORPORATION’S CONTRIBUTION IS CREDITED TO THE
PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL ACCOUNT.   A PARTICIPANT SHALL BE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT
(100%) VESTED IN THE CORPORATION’S CONTRIBUTIONS, INCLUDING ANY DEEMED
INVESTMENT EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THESE CONTRIBUTIONS, UPON HIS DEATH OR
DISABILITY WHILE HE IS ACTIVELY EMPLOYED BY THE CORPORATION OR IN THE EVENT OF A
CHANGE OF CONTROL.    THE VESTING OF MANDATED LTIP AWARDS AND AIP AWARDS AND
EXCESS RETIREMENT BENEFIT CONTRIBUTIONS SHALL OCCUR AS SET FORTH IN THE
RESPECTIVE PLANS GOVERNING THOSE AWARDS AND PAYMENTS.  ALL OTHER AMOUNTS
CREDITED TO A PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL ACCOUNT SHALL BE ONE HUNDRED PERCENT (100%)
VESTED AT ALL TIMES.

 

ARTICLE VII
BENEFITS

 

7.1           ATTAINMENT OF SPECIFIED AGE.  UNLESS BENEFITS HAVE ALREADY
COMMENCED PURSUANT TO ANOTHER SECTION IN THIS ARTICLE VII, A PARTICIPANT SHALL
BE ENTITLED TO BEGIN RECEIPT OF THE VESTED AMOUNT CREDITED TO HIS DEFERRAL
ACCOUNT AS OF THE VALUATION DATE COINCIDING WITH THE SPECIFIED AGE OR DATE
CHOSEN BY THE PARTICIPANT IN HIS OR HER PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND DEFERRAL
ELECTION FORM.  A PARTICIPANT MAY MAKE A SEPARATE CHOICE WITH RESPECT TO THE
TIMING OF THE COMMENCEMENT OF DISTRIBUTION OF THE AMOUNTS CREDITED TO THE
DEFERRAL ACCOUNT WITH RESPECT TO EACH DEFERRAL PERIOD.  IN ADDITION, A
PARTICIPANT MAY ELECT, WITH RESPECT TO A PARTICULAR DEFERRAL ELECTION, TO
(I) RECEIVE PAYMENT ON A SPECIFIED DATE OF A FLAT DOLLAR AMOUNT OR A PERCENTAGE
OF THE AMOUNT DEFERRED FOR THE DEFERRAL PERIOD AND (II) TO HAVE THE REMAINDER OF
THE AMOUNT DEFERRED FOR THAT DEFERRAL PERIOD PAID AT A SPECIFIED AGE; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT THE SPECIFIED DATE SHALL NOT BE EARLIER THAN JANUARY 1 OF THE
FIFTH PLAN YEAR FOLLOWING THE PLAN YEAR WITH RESPECT TO WHICH THE AMOUNT WAS
DEFERRED.  PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL COMMENCE WITHIN THIRTY
(30) DAYS AFTER THE PARTICIPANT’S SPECIFIED AGE OR DATE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PAYMENT METHOD ELECTED BY THE PARTICIPANT ON HIS PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND
DEFERRAL ELECTION FORM.  PAYMENTS SHALL COMMENCE ON OR AFTER THAT AGE EVEN IF
THE PARTICIPANT IS STILL THEN EMPLOYED.

 

7.2           DISABILITY.  IF A PARTICIPANT SUFFERS A DISABILITY WHILE EMPLOYED
WITH THE CORPORATION AND BEFORE HE IS ENTITLED TO BENEFITS UNDER THIS ARTICLE,
HE SHALL RECEIVE THE AMOUNT CREDITED TO HIS DEFERRAL ACCOUNT AS OF THE VALUATION
DATE COINCIDING WITH THE DATE ON WHICH THE PARTICIPANT IS

 

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DETERMINED TO HAVE SUFFERED A DISABILITY.  PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT UNDER THIS
SECTION SHALL COMMENCE WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE
COMMITTEE DETERMINES THE EXISTENCE OF THE PARTICIPANT’S DISABILITY AND IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PAYMENT METHOD ELECTED BY THE PARTICIPANT ON HIS
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND DEFERRAL ELECTION FORM; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN
ALL CASES THE PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DESIGNATE THE YEAR OF
PAYMENT.

 

7.3           DEATH PRE- BENEFIT COMMENCEMENT.  IF A PARTICIPANT DIES BEFORE
BECOMING ENTITLED TO BENEFITS UNDER THIS ARTICLE, THE BENEFICIARY OR
BENEFICIARIES DESIGNATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 13.6, SHALL RECEIVE THE VESTED
AMOUNT CREDITED TO THE PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL ACCOUNT AS OF THE VALUATION DATE
COINCIDING WITH THE DATE OF THE PARTICIPANT’S DEATH.  PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT
UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE MADE WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE PARTICIPANT’S
DEATH, OR IF LATER, WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR RECEIVES NOTIFICATION OF OR OTHERWISE CONFIRMS THE PARTICIPANT’S
DEATH; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN ALL CASES THE BENEFICIARY OR BENEFICIARIES
SHALL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DESIGNATE THE YEAR OF PAYMENT.

 

7.4           DEATH POST- BENEFIT COMMENCEMENT.  IF A PARTICIPANT DIES AFTER
BENEFITS HAVE COMMENCED, BUT PRIOR TO RECEIVING COMPLETE PAYMENT OF BENEFITS
UNDER THIS ARTICLE, THE BENEFICIARY OR BENEFICIARIES DESIGNATED UNDER
SECTION 13.6, SHALL RECEIVE IN A SINGLE LUMP SUM THE VESTED AMOUNT CREDITED TO
THE PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRAL ACCOUNT AS OF THE VALUATION DATE COINCIDING WITH THE
DATE OF THE PARTICIPANT’S DEATH.  PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL
BE MADE WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE PARTICIPANT’S DEATH, OR IF LATER,
WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR RECEIVES
NOTIFICATION OF OR OTHERWISE CONFIRMS THE PARTICIPANT’S DEATH; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT IN ALL CASES THE BENEFICIARY OR BENEFICIARIES SHALL NOT HAVE THE
RIGHT TO DESIGNATE THE YEAR OF PAYMENT.

 

7.5           TERMINATION.  IF A PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCES A “SEPARATION FROM
SERVICE” WITH THE CORPORATION (DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARDS OF
CODE SECTION 409A)  THE PARTICIPANT’S BENEFITS SHALL BE PAID OUT IN ACCORDANCE
WITH HIS DEFERRAL ELECTION. IF THE PARTICIPANT FAILED TO MAKE A DEFERRAL
ELECTION WITH RESPECT TO ANY DEFERRED AMOUNT, THE PARTICIPANT SHALL RECEIVE IN A
SINGLE LUMP SUM THE VESTED AMOUNT CREDITED TO HIS DEFERRAL ACCOUNT FOR WHICH NO
DEFERRAL ELECTION WAS MADE AS OF THE VALUATION DATE COINCIDING WITH THE DATE ON
WHICH THE PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCES THE SEPARATION FROM SERVICE.   PAYMENT OF THE
FIRST ANNUAL INSTALLMENT OR ANY LUMP SUM AMOUNT UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL BE MADE
WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE PARTICIPANT SEPARATES FROM
SERVICE WITH THE CORPORATION; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IN THE CASE OF A
PARTICIPANT WHO IS A “SPECIFIED EMPLOYEE” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF CODE SECTION
409A AND THE TREASURY REGULATIONS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THAT SECTION), SUCH PAYMENT
SHALL BE MADE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH AFTER THE MONTH IN WHICH
OCCURS THE PARTICIPANT’S SEPARATION FROM SERVICE WITH THE CORPORATION; PROVIDED
FURTHER THAT IN ALL CASES THE PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DESIGNATE
THE YEAR OF PAYMENT. THE CORPORATION SHALL BE ENTITLED TO DISTRIBUTE IN A SINGLE
LUMP SUM AMOUNT ANY ACCOUNT BALANCE THAT IS $15,000 OR LESS NOTWITHSTANDING ANY
PAYMENT ELECTION TO THE CONTRARY SPECIFIED BY THE PARTICIPANT.

 

7.6           CHANGE OF CONTROL.  IF A CHANGE OF CONTROL OCCURS BEFORE A
PARTICIPANT BECOMES ENTITLED TO RECEIVE BENEFITS BY REASON OF ANY OF THE ABOVE
SECTIONS OR BEFORE THE PARTICIPANT HAS RECEIVED COMPLETE PAYMENT OF HIS BENEFITS
UNDER THIS ARTICLE, HE SHALL RECEIVE A LUMP SUM PAYMENT OF THE AMOUNT CREDITED
TO HIS ACCOUNT AS OF THE VALUATION DATE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING THE DATE ON WHICH
THE CHANGE OF CONTROL OCCURS.  PAYMENT OF ANY AMOUNT UNDER THIS SECTION SHALL
COMMENCE WITHIN

 

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THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH THE CHANGE OF CONTROL OCCURS; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, THAT IN ALL CASES THE PARTICIPANT SHALL NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DESIGNATE
THE YEAR OF PAYMENT.

 

7.7           PAYMENT METHODS.  UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE VII, A
PARTICIPANT MAY ELECT TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF THE VESTED AMOUNT CREDITED TO HIS
DEFERRAL ACCOUNT BASED ON A PARTICIPANT DEFERRAL IN A SINGLE LUMP SUM OR IN
THREE (3), FIVE (5), OR TEN (10) ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS.  THIS ELECTION MUST BE
MADE IN THE PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND DEFERRAL ELECTION FORM FOR THE
CORRESPONDING PLAN YEAR (AT THE TIME WHEN THE PARTICIPANT MAKES HIS OR HER
INITIAL ELECTION TO DEFER COMPENSATION).  ANY INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS SHALL BE PAID
ANNUALLY NO LATER THAN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER THE DISTRIBUTIONS ARE SCHEDULED TO
COMMENCE AND ON EACH FOLLOWING ANNIVERSARY OF THAT DATE UNTIL THE TOTAL NUMBER
OF INSTALLMENTS HAS BEEN PAID; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THAT IN THE CASE OF A
PARTICIPANT WHO IS A “SPECIFIED EMPLOYEE” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF CODE SECTION
409A AND THE TREASURY REGULATIONS ISSUED PURSUANT TO THAT SECTION), THE FIRST
SUCH PAYMENT SHALL BE MADE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SEVENTH MONTH AFTER THE MONTH
IN WHICH OCCURS THE PARTICIPANT’S SEPARATION FROM SERVICE WITH THE CORPORATION. 
EACH INSTALLMENT PAYMENT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY MULTIPLYING THE DEFERRAL ACCOUNT
BALANCE BY A FRACTION, THE NUMERATOR OF WHICH IS ONE AND THE DENOMINATOR OF
WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF REMAINING INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS.  THE CORPORATION SHALL BE
ENTITLED TO DISTRIBUTE IN A SINGLE LUMP SUM AMOUNT ANY ACCOUNT BALANCE THAT IS
$15,000 (OR SUCH HIGHER AMOUNT AS MAY BE IN EFFECT FOR SUCH PLAN YEAR UNDER CODE
SECTION 402(G)(1)(B) AND TREASURY REGULATIONS SECTION 1.409A-3(J)(4)(V)) OR LESS
NOTWITHSTANDING ANY PAYMENT ELECTION TO THE CONTRARY SPECIFIED BY THE
PARTICIPANT.

 

7.8           THE SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS PURSUANT TO A DEFERRAL ELECTION MAY BE
AMENDED PROVIDED THAT ALL OF THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS ARE MET:

 

(I)                                     THE AMENDMENT OF THE DEFERRAL ELECTION
SHALL NOT TAKE EFFECT UNTIL AT LEAST 12 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE ON WHICH SUCH
AMENDMENT IS MADE;

 

(II)                                  IN THE CASE OF AN AMENDMENT OF A DEFERRAL
ELECTION RELATED TO A PAYMENT NOT MADE ON ACCOUNT OF THE PARTICIPANT’S DEATH OR
DISABILITY OR AN UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY, THE FIRST PAYMENT WITH RESPECT TO
WHICH THE AMENDMENT IS MADE SHALL IN ALL CASES BE DEFERRED FOR A PERIOD OF NOT
LESS THEN 5 YEARS FROM THE DATE ON WHICH SUCH PAYMENT OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE BEEN
MADE;

 

(III)                               IN THE CASE OF AN AMENDMENT OF AN ELECTION
RELATED TO A PAYMENT THAT IS TO BE MADE AT A SPECIFIED TIME OR PURSUANT TO A
FIXED SCHEDULE, SUCH AN AMENDMENT OF THE ELECTION MUST BE MADE AT LEAST 12
MONTHS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE FIRST SCHEDULED PAYMENT.

 

7.9           Special Distribution Election Change Opportunity.  With respect to
Plan Years 2005 through 2008 only, the Plan Administrator is authorized to
prescribe rules and procedures under which eligible Participants may amend
elections as to the time and form of distribution in accordance with Internal
Revenue Service Notice 2005-1; Section XI of the Preamble to the Proposed
Regulations under IRC Section 409A, , 70 Fed. Reg. 57930; Internal Revenue
Service Notice 2006-79; and Internal Revenue Service Notice 2007-86.

 

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ARTICLE VIII
UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY WITHDRAWALS

 

8.1           UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY WITHDRAWALS.  IF A PARTICIPANT INCURS AN
UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY, THE PARTICIPANT MAY MAKE A WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR FOR A WITHDRAWAL FROM HIS ACCOUNT.  IN THE EVENT OF A WITHDRAWAL
ON ACCOUNT OF AN UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY, THE PARTICIPANT’S DEFERRALS FOR THE
REMAINDER OF THE PLAN YEAR SHALL BE SUSPENDED.  DEFERRALS MAY COMMENCE WITH THE
NEXT FOLLOWING PLAN YEAR PROVIDED THE PARTICIPANT COMPLETES THE APPROPRIATE
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND DEFERRAL ELECTION FORM PRIOR TO JANUARY 1 OF THE
CORRESPONDING PLAN YEAR.

 

ARTICLE IX
ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST

 

9.1           ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST.  THE CORPORATION MAY ESTABLISH A RABBI
TRUST (“TRUST”) FOR THE PLAN.  IF ESTABLISHED, ALL BENEFITS PAYABLE UNDER THIS
PLAN TO A PARTICIPANT SHALL BE PAID DIRECTLY BY THE CORPORATION FROM THE TRUST. 
TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH BENEFITS ARE NOT PAID FROM THE TRUST, THE BENEFITS SHALL
BE PAID FROM THE GENERAL ASSETS OF THE CORPORATION AND SHALL BE REIMBURSED TO
THE CORPORATION BY THE TRUST AT THE CORPORATION’S REQUEST UPON PRESENTATION OF
REASONABLE PROOF THAT THE CORPORATION MADE SUCH PAYMENT.  ANY TRUST SHALL BE AN
IRREVOCABLE GRANTOR TRUST WHICH CONFORMS TO THE TERMS OF THE MODEL TRUST AS
DESCRIBED IN IRS REVENUE PROCEDURE 92-64, I.R.B. 1992-33.  THE ASSETS OF THE
TRUST ARE SUBJECT TO THE CLAIMS OF THE CORPORATION’S CREDITORS IN THE EVENT OF
ITS INSOLVENCY.  EXCEPT AS TO ANY AMOUNTS PAID OR PAYABLE TO A TRUST, THE
CORPORATION SHALL NOT BE OBLIGATED TO SET ASIDE, EARMARK OR PLACE IN ESCROW ANY
FUNDS OR OTHER ASSETS TO SATISFY ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS PLAN, AND THE
PARTICIPANT AND/OR HIS DESIGNATED BENEFICIARIES SHALL NOT HAVE ANY PROPERTY
INTEREST IN ANY SPECIFIC ASSETS OF THE CORPORATION OTHER THAN THE UNSECURED
RIGHT TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS FROM THE CORPORATION, AS PROVIDED IN THIS PLAN.

 

9.2           PAYMENT FROM THE TRUST.  IN THE EVENT A TRUST IS ESTABLISHED AND
PAYMENTS ARE NOT MADE BY THE CORPORATION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE
PLAN, A PARTICIPANT MAY PETITION THE TRUSTEE OF THE TRUST DIRECTLY FOR PAYMENT
AND THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH PAYMENT DIRECTLY TO THE PARTICIPANT UPON THE
TRUSTEE’S GOOD FAITH DETERMINATION THAT THE PAYMENT WAS IN FACT OWED, WAS NOT
TIMELY PAID BY THE CORPORATION AND THAT THERE ARE SUFFICIENT ASSETS IN THE TRUST
TO MAKE THE PAYMENT.

 

ARTICLE X
PLAN ADMINISTRATION

 

10.1         PLAN ADMINISTRATION.  THE PLAN SHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE
COMMITTEE, AND SUCH COMMITTEE MAY DESIGNATE AN AGENT TO PERFORM THE
RECORDKEEPING DUTIES AND DELEGATE TO THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR ANY OF THE
COMMITTEE’S FUNCTIONS SPECIFIED IN THIS ARTICLE X.  THE COMMITTEE SHALL CONSTRUE
AND INTERPRET THE PLAN, INCLUDING DISPUTED AND DOUBTFUL TERMS AND PROVISIONS
AND, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, DECIDE ALL QUESTIONS OF ELIGIBILITY AND DETERMINE
THE AMOUNT, MANNER AND TIME OF PAYMENT OF BENEFITS UNDER THE PLAN.  THE
DETERMINATIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE SHALL BE CONSISTENTLY AND
UNIFORMLY APPLIED TO ALL SIMILARLY SITUATED PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INTERPRETATIONS AND DETERMINATIONS OF AMOUNTS DUE
UNDER THIS PLAN, AND SHALL BE FINAL AND BINDING ON ALL PARTIES.  THE PLAN AT ALL
TIMES SHALL BE INTERPRETED AND ADMINISTERED AS AN UNFUNDED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
PLAN, AND NO PROVISION OF THE PLAN SHALL BE INTERPRETED SO AS

 

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TO GIVE ANY PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY ANY RIGHT IN ANY ASSET OF THE CORPORATION
WHICH IS A RIGHT GREATER THAN THE RIGHT OF A GENERAL UNSECURED CREDITOR OF THE
CORPORATION.

 

ARTICLE XI
NONALIENATION OF BENEFITS

 

11.1         NONALIENATION OF BENEFITS.  THE INTERESTS OF PARTICIPANTS AND THEIR
BENEFICIARIES UNDER THIS PLAN ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE CLAIMS OF THEIR CREDITORS
AND MAY NOT BE VOLUNTARILY OR INVOLUNTARILY SOLD, TRANSFERRED, ALIENATED,
ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, ANTICIPATED, ENCUMBERED, ATTACHED OR GARNISHED.  ANY ATTEMPT
BY A PARTICIPANT, HIS BENEFICIARY, OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY TO SELL,
TRANSFER, ALIENATE, ASSIGN, PLEDGE, ANTICIPATE, ENCUMBER, ATTACH, GARNISH,
CHARGE OR OTHERWISE DISPOSE OF ANY RIGHT TO BENEFITS PAYABLE SHALL BE VOID.  THE
CORPORATION MAY CANCEL AND REFUSE TO PAY ANY PORTION OF A BENEFIT WHICH IS SOLD,
TRANSFERRED, ALIENATED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED, ANTICIPATED, ENCUMBERED, ATTACHED OR
GARNISHED.  THE BENEFITS WHICH A PARTICIPANT MAY ACCRUE UNDER THIS PLAN ARE NOT
SUBJECT TO THE TERMS OF ANY QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER (AS THAT TERM IS
DEFINED IN SECTION 414(P) OF THE CODE) WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICIPANT, AND THE
PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEE AND CORPORATION SHALL NOT BE
REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF SUCH ORDER IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PLAN. 
THE WITHHOLDING OF TAXES FROM PLAN PAYMENTS, THE RECOVERY OF PLAN OVERPAYMENTS
OF BENEFITS MADE TO A PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY, THE TRANSFER OF PLAN BENEFIT
RIGHTS FROM THE PLAN TO ANOTHER PLAN, OR THE DIRECT DEPOSIT OF PLAN PAYMENTS TO
AN ACCOUNT IN A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION (IF NOT ACTUALLY A PART OF AN ARRANGEMENT
CONSTITUTING AN ASSIGNMENT OR ALIENATION) SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS ASSIGNMENT
OR ALIENATION UNDER THIS ARTICLE XI.

 

ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION; ADOPTION BY RELATED EMPLOYERS

 

12.1         AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.  THE CORPORATION RESERVES THE RIGHT TO
AMEND THIS PLAN AT ANY TIME.  SUCH ACTION MAY BE TAKEN IN WRITING BY THE PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR.  HOWEVER, NO SUCH AMENDMENT SHALL DEPRIVE ANY PARTICIPANT OR
BENEFICIARY OF ANY PORTION OF ANY BENEFIT WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN PAYABLE HAD THE
PARTICIPANT’S EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CORPORATION TERMINATED ON THE EFFECTIVE DATE
OF SUCH AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION.  NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
ARTICLE XII TO THE CONTRARY, THE CORPORATION MAY AMEND THE PLAN AT ANY TIME, IN
ANY MANNER, IF THE CORPORATION DETERMINES ANY SUCH AMENDMENT IS REQUIRED TO
ENSURE THAT THE PLAN IS CHARACTERIZED AS PROVIDING DEFERRED COMPENSATION FOR A
SELECT GROUP OF MANAGEMENT OR HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES AND AS DESCRIBED IN
ERISA SECTIONS 201(2), 301(A)(3) AND 401(A)(1) OR TO OTHERWISE CONFORM THE PLAN
TO THE PROVISIONS OF ANY APPLICABLE LAW INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ERISA AND
THE CODE (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 409A OF THE CODE).

 

12.2         ADOPTION BY OTHER EMPLOYERS.  EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1, 2008, ANY
BUSINESS ENTITY THAT IS A MEMBER OF THE SAME GROUP OF RELATED BUSINESS ENTITIES
AS THE CORPORATION (DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STANDARDS OF CODE SECTIONS
414(B), (C) AND (M)) MAY ADOPT THIS PLAN AND BECOME AN EMPLOYER, WITH THE
WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR OR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE
CORPORATION, BY EXECUTING A WRITTEN INSTRUMENT EVIDENCING ITS ADOPTION OF THE
PLAN AND FILING THE INSTRUMENT WITH THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR.  SUCH ADOPTION SHALL
BE SUBJECT TO SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS AS THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR REQUIRES.

 

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ARTICLE XIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

13.1         GOOD FAITH PAYMENT.  ANY PAYMENT MADE IN GOOD FAITH IN ACCORDANCE
WITH PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN SHALL BE A COMPLETE DISCHARGE OF ANY LIABILITY FOR
THE MAKING OF SUCH PAYMENT UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PLAN.

 

13.2         NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT.  THIS PLAN DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT
OF EMPLOYMENT, AND PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN SHALL NOT GIVE ANY PARTICIPANT THE
RIGHT TO BE RETAINED IN THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE CORPORATION.

 

13.3         BINDING EFFECT.  THE PROVISIONS OF THIS PLAN SHALL BE BINDING UPON
THE CORPORATION AND ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS AND UPON EVERY PARTICIPANT AND
HIS HEIRS, BENEFICIARIES, ESTATES AND LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES.

 

13.4         PARTICIPANT CHANGE OF ADDRESS.  EACH PARTICIPANT ENTITLED TO
BENEFITS SHALL FILE WITH THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, IN WRITING, ANY CHANGE OF POST
OFFICE ADDRESS.  ANY CHECK REPRESENTING PAYMENT AND ANY COMMUNICATION ADDRESSED
TO A PARTICIPANT OR A FORMER PARTICIPANT AT THIS LAST ADDRESS FILED WITH THE
PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, OR IF NO SUCH ADDRESS HAS BEEN FILED, THEN AT HIS LAST
ADDRESS AS INDICATED ON THE CORPORATION’S RECORDS, SHALL BE BINDING ON SUCH
PARTICIPANT FOR ALL PURPOSES OF THE PLAN, AND NEITHER THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR,
THE CORPORATION NOR ANY OTHER PAYER SHALL BE OBLIGED TO SEARCH FOR OR ASCERTAIN
THE LOCATION OF ANY SUCH PARTICIPANT.  IF THE CORPORATION AND THE PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE A PARTICIPANT OR ANOTHER PERSON OR ENTITY TO
WHOM PAYMENT IS DUE UNDER THIS PLAN, IN ORDER TO MAKE A DISTRIBUTION TO SUCH
PERSON OR ENTITY, THE AMOUNT OF THE PARTICIPANT’S BENEFITS UNDER THE PLAN THAT
WOULD OTHERWISE BE CONSIDERED AS NONFORFEITABLE SHALL BE FORFEITED EFFECTIVE
FOUR (4) YEARS AFTER (I) THE LAST DATE A PAYMENT OF SAID BENEFIT WAS MADE, IF AT
LEAST ONE SUCH PAYMENT WAS MADE, OR (II) THE FIRST DATE A PAYMENT OF SAID
BENEFIT WAS DIRECTED TO BE MADE BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR PURSUANT TO THE TERMS
OF THE PLAN, IF NO PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE.  IF SUCH PERSON IS LOCATED AFTER THE
DATE OF SUCH FORFEITURE, THE BENEFITS FOR SUCH PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY SHALL
NOT BE REINSTATED HEREUNDER.

 

13.5         NOTICES.  EACH PARTICIPANT SHALL FURNISH TO THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
ANY INFORMATION THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR DEEMS NECESSARY FOR PURPOSES OF
ADMINISTERING THE PLAN, AND THE PAYMENT PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN ARE CONDITIONAL
UPON THE PARTICIPANT FURNISHING PROMPTLY SUCH TRUE AND COMPLETE INFORMATION AS
THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR MAY REQUEST.  EACH PARTICIPANT SHALL SUBMIT PROOF OF HIS
AGE WHEN REQUIRED BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR.  THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR SHALL, IF
SUCH PROOF OF AGE IS NOT SUBMITTED AS REQUIRED, USE SUCH INFORMATION AS IS
DEEMED BY IT TO BE RELIABLE, REGARDLESS OF THE LACK OF PROOF, OR THE
MISSTATEMENT OF THE AGE OF INDIVIDUALS ENTITLED TO BENEFITS.  ANY NOTICE OR
INFORMATION WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THE PLAN OR REQUIREMENTS OF THE
PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, MUST BE FILED WITH THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, SHALL BE DEEMED
SO FILED IF ADDRESSED AND EITHER DELIVERED IN PERSON OR MAILED TO AND RECEIVED
BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, IN CARE OF THE CORPORATION AT:

 

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

100 North Point Center East

 

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Suite 600

Alpharetta, Georgia 30022

Attention: Human Resources Committee

 

13.6         DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY.  EACH PARTICIPANT SHALL DESIGNATE, BY
NAME, ON BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION FORMS PROVIDED BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, THE
BENEFICIARY(IES) WHO SHALL RECEIVE ANY BENEFITS WHICH MIGHT BE PAYABLE AFTER
SUCH PARTICIPANT’S DEATH.  A BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION MAY BE CHANGED OR REVOKED
WITHOUT SUCH BENEFICIARY’S CONSENT AT ANY TIME OR FROM TIME TO TIME IN THE
MANNER AS PROVIDED BY THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, AND THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR SHALL
HAVE NO DUTY TO NOTIFY ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY DESIGNATED AS A BENEFICIARY OF
ANY CHANGE IN SUCH DESIGNATION WHICH MIGHT AFFECT SUCH INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY’S
PRESENT OR FUTURE RIGHTS.  IF THE DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY DOES NOT SURVIVE THE
PARTICIPANT, ALL AMOUNTS THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN PAID TO SUCH DECEASED BENEFICIARY
SHALL BE PAID TO THE PARTICIPANT OR TO HIS ESTATE.

 

13.6.1    No Participant shall designate more than five (5) simultaneous
Beneficiaries, and if more than one (1) Beneficiary is named, Participant shall
designate the share to be received by each Beneficiary.  Despite the limitation
on five (5) Beneficiaries, a Participant may designate more than five
(5) Beneficiaries provided such beneficiaries are the surviving spouse and
children of the Participant.  If a Participant designates alternative,
successor, or contingent Beneficiaries, such Participant shall specify the
shares, terms and conditions upon which amounts shall be paid to such multiple,
alternative, successor or contingent beneficiaries.  Any payment made under this
Plan after the death of a Participant shall be made only to the Beneficiary or
Beneficiaries designated pursuant to this Section.

 

13.7         CLAIMS.  ANY CLAIM FOR BENEFITS MUST INITIALLY BE SUBMITTED IN
WRITING TO THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR.  IF SUCH CLAIM IS DENIED (IN WHOLE OR IN
PART), THE CLAIMANT SHALL RECEIVE NOTICE FROM THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, IN
WRITING, SETTING FORTH THE SPECIFIC REASONS FOR DENIAL, WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE
TO APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THIS PLAN.  SUCH NOTICE SHALL BE PROVIDED WITHIN
NINETY (90) DAYS AFTER THE DATE THE CLAIM FOR BENEFITS IS RECEIVED BY THE PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR, UNLESS SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE AN EXTENSION OF TIME FOR
PROCESSING THE CLAIM, IN WHICH EVENT NOTIFICATION OF THE EXTENSION SHALL BE
PROVIDED TO THE CLAIMANT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE INITIAL 90-DAY PERIOD. 
THE EXTENSION NOTIFICATION SHALL INDICATE THE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRING
THE EXTENSION OF TIME AND THE DATE BY WHICH THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR EXPECTS TO
RENDER ITS DECISION.  ANY SUCH EXTENSION SHALL NOT EXCEED 90 DAYS.  ANY
DISAGREEMENTS ABOUT SUCH INTERPRETATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION MAY BE APPEALED IN
WRITING BY THE CLAIMANT TO THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR, WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER THE
CLAIMANT RECEIVES THE NOTICE FROM THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR OF THE INITIAL DENIAL
OF THE CLAIM.  THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR SHALL RESPOND TO SUCH APPEAL OF THE
INITIAL DENIAL OF A CLAIM WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS, WITH A NOTICE IN WRITING FULLY
DISCLOSING ITS DECISION AND ITS REASONS, UNLESS SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE AN
EXTENSION OF TIME FOR REVIEWING THE CLAIM, IN WHICH EVENT NOTIFICATION OF THE
EXTENSION SHALL BE PROVIDED TO THE CLAIMANT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE
INITIAL SIXTY (60) DAY PERIOD.  NOTICE OF ANY SUCH EXTENSION SHALL BE PROVIDED
TO THE CLAIMANT PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE EXTENSION.  ANY SUCH EXTENSION
SHALL NOT EXCEED 60 DAYS.  NO MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, OR ANY COMMITTEE
THEREOF, AND NO OFFICER, EMPLOYEE OR AGENTS OF THE CORPORATION SHALL BE LIABLE
TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN HEREUNDER, EXCEPT THOSE ACTIONS
UNDERTAKEN WITH LACK OF GOOD FAITH.  PROVIDED THAT THE CORPORATION HAS
ESTABLISHED A TRUST FOR THE PLAN PURSUANT TO WHICH THE TRUSTEE HAS AGREED TO ACT
IN A CAPACITY OTHER THAN AS A DIRECTED TRUSTEE IN THE EVENT OF A CHANGE OF

 

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CONTROL, THE TRUSTEE OF THE TRUST SHALL PERFORM THE DUTIES OF THE PLAN
ADMINISTRATOR UNDER THIS SECTION 13.7 FOLLOWING A CHANGE OF CONTROL.

 

13.8         ACTION BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.  ANY ACTION REQUIRED TO BE TAKEN BY
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CORPORATION PURSUANT TO THE PLAN PROVISIONS MAY BE
PERFORMED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD.

 

13.9         GOVERNING LAW.  TO THE EXTENT NOT SUPERSEDED BY THE LAWS OF THE
UNITED STATES, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA SHALL BE CONTROLLING IN ALL
MATTERS RELATING TO THIS PLAN.

 

13.10       SEVERABILITY.  IN THE EVENT ANY PROVISION OF THIS PLAN SHALL BE HELD
ILLEGAL OR INVALID FOR ANY REASON, SUCH ILLEGALITY OR INVALIDITY SHALL NOT
AFFECT THE REMAINING PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN, AND THE PLAN SHALL BE INTERPRETED
AND ENFORCED AS IF SUCH ILLEGAL AND INVALID PROVISIONS HAD NEVER BEEN SET FORTH.

 

13.11       CODE SECTION 409A.  IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE CORPORATION THAT THIS
PLAN SHALL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 409A OF THE CODE AND APPLICABLE
TREASURY REGULATIONS THAT MUST BE MET IN ORDER FOR AMOUNTS OF COMPENSATION
DEFERRED UNDER THIS PLAN TO BE TAXABLE, FOR PURPOSES OF FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION,
IN THE YEAR OF ACTUAL RECEIPT BY THE PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY.  IF ANY
PROVISION OF THIS PLAN IS SUSCEPTIBLE OF TWO INTERPRETATIONS, ONE OF WHICH
RESULTS IN THE COMPLIANCE OF THE PLAN WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE AND THE
APPLICABLE TREASURY REGULATIONS, AND ONE OF WHICH DOES NOT, THEN THE PROVISION
SHALL BE GIVEN THE INTERPRETATION THAT RESULTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A
AND THE APPLICABLE TREASURY REGULATIONS.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. has adopted the
foregoing instrument effective as of December 4, 2008.

 

 

SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

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APPENDIX A

 

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

 

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