Exhibit 10.1




 










 


 


Employment Agreement


 


between


 


 







 


PartnerRe Ltd.


Wellesley House South, 5th floor


90 Pitts Bay Road


Pembroke HM08


Bermuda







(the “Company”)







and







Laurie Desmet


At the address maintained in the Company’s employment records







(the “Executive”)







This Employment Agreement shall be subject to the competent authorities issuing permits required for the Executive under Bermuda law.


 


 









 


WITNESSETH:


 


 


WHEREAS, the Company desires to memorialize the terms of employment of the Executive as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Group of the Company; and


 


WHEREAS, the Executive is willing to serve the Company on the terms and conditions herein provided.


 


 


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:


 


 


 1.           EMPLOYMENT


 


The Company agrees to employ the Executive and the Executive agrees to serve the Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein.


 




  





  











  






 


 


 2.           EFFECTIVE DATE


 


This Agreement shall be effective, and the Executive’s employment as contemplated hereunder shall commence, as of April 1, 2013 (the “Effective Date”).


 


 3.           POSITION AND DUTIES


 



	
  

	
(a)

	
The Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Group of the Company and shall report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company (the “CEO”).  The Executive shall perform such duties and exercise such supervision and powers over and with regard to the business of the Company as are consistent with such positions, as well as such other reasonable duties and services consistent with such positions with a multi-national reinsurance company and as may be prescribed from time to time by the CEO. The Executive’s performance of any duties and responsibilities shall be conducted in a manner consistent with all Company policies and any other reasonable guidelines provided to the Executive by the CEO.







 



	
  

	
(b)

	
Subject to (a) above, the Executive also agrees to serve as an officer and/or director of any subsidiary of the Company without additional compensation.







 



	
  

	
(c)

	
Except during customary vacation periods and periods of illness, the Executive shall, during her employment hereunder, devote substantially her full business time and attention to the performance of services for the Company. The Company hereby acknowledges that the Executive shall be permitted to devote a reasonable amount of her business time, consistent with her duties to the Company and with the prior consent of the CEO, to (a) the management of personal and family investments, (b) serving on the board of directors and/or acting as an officer of any not-for-profit entities that are not engaged in businesses similar to the Company or (c) serving on the board of directors of any private or public companies that are not engaged in businesses similar to the Company; provided that such activities do not materially affect the duties of the Executive owed to the Company.







 


 4.           PLACE OF PERFORMANCE


 


The Executive shall generally perform her duties in Greenwich, Connecticut, USA, except for reasonably necessary travel on business and in connection with the performance of her duties hereunder and with the understanding that she may perform her duties hereunder at such other places as are mutually agreed upon with the CEO.


 


 5.           COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS


 



	
  

	
(a)

	

Base Salary.During the term of the Executive’s employment hereunder, the Company shall pay to the Executive a base salary at an aggregate initial rate as further detailed in the attached Schedule, which shall be approved by the Compensation Committee of PartnerRe Ltd.’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) (which salary, as adjusted from time to time, is referred to herein as “Base Salary”). The Base Salary shall be paid in equal installments in accordance with normal payroll practices of the Company but not










 




  





  











  









 



	
  

	
 

	

less frequently than monthly. Base Salary may be increased (but not decreased) annually at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. Base Salary payments (including any increased Base Salary payments) hereunder shall not in any way limit or reduce any other obligation of the Company hereunder, and no other compensation, benefit or payment hereunder shall in any way limit or reduce the obligation of the Company to pay the Executive’s Base Salary hereunder.









 





	
  

	
 (b)

	
Annual Incentive. During the term of the Executive’s employment hereunder, the Executive will be eligible to receive annual incentive compensation in an amount based upon PartnerRe’s then applicable fiscal year determined in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee in accordance with PartnerRe’s Annual Incentive Guidelines (the “Annual Incentive”). The Executive’s target Annual Incentive as a percentage of her Base Salary is set forth on the attached Schedule (the “Target Annual Incentive”).  In no event shall the Annual Incentive be paid later than March of the year following the year with respect to which such Annual Incentive is payable.







 



	
  

	
(c)

	
Equity. The Executive will be eligible to participate in the equity plans of the Company (the “Plans”). The Executive shall receive equity awards at the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee and in accordance with, and subject to, the terms of the Plans and any agreement executed by the Executive in connection therewith (any such agreement, an “Equity Award Agreement”).







 



	
  

	
(d)

	
Expenses.  During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement from the Company of all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in promoting the business of  the Company and in performing services hereunder, including all expenses of travel and entertainment and living expenses while away from home on business or at the request of, or in the service of the Company; provided that such expenses are incurred and accounted for in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Company, as applicable, from time to time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive must submit reimbursement requests within one year after incurring the underlying expense, provided that no reimbursements shall occur more than twelve months after the expense is submitted for reimbursement.







 



	
  

	
(e)

	
Benefit Plans.  During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in all of the applicable benefit plans and perquisite programs of  the Company that are available to other executives of  the Company, as applicable, on the same terms as such other executives (“Benefit Plans”).  The Company may at any time or from time to time amend, modify, suspend or terminate any employee benefit plan, program or arrangement so long as such amendment, modification, suspension or termination affects all executives similarly. A list of the current Benefit Plans, in which the Executive is eligible to participate, is set forth on the attached Schedule.







 




  





  











  









 


 6.           TERMINATION


 


The Executive’s employment hereunder may be terminated under the following circumstances, subject to the effective Date of Termination described in Section 6(e) hereof:


 



	
  

	
(a)

	
Death, Disability or Retirement








	
  

	
(i)

	
The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon her death.







 



	
  

	
(ii)

	
If the Executive shall have qualified for long-term disability benefits under any Company long-term disability insurance arrangement in which she is participating, then the Company may at any time after the date of such qualification, give to the Executive a Notice of Termination (as defined in Section 6(d) hereof) and the Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate on the Date of Termination described in Section 6(e) hereof.







 



	
  

	
(iii)

	
The Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate upon her retirement. Retirement shall be defined by the policy in place in the Executive’s country of employment in the year of her retirement.







 



	
  

	
(b)

	
Termination by the Company.  The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder (i) for Cause at any time or (ii) without Cause by providing twelve months’ prior written notice to the Executive. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall have “Cause” to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder upon (A) the engaging by the Executive in serious negligence or willful misconduct which is demonstrably injurious to  its subsidiaries; provided that the Board of Directors of PartnerRe Ltd. (the “Board”) has provided the Executive with written notice identifying the act or acts or failure or failures to act said to constitute Cause and an opportunity for the Executive to cure the deficiency within 30 days after receipt of such notice, or (B) willful and intentional failure to comply in all material respects with the direction of the CEO or the Board, after written notice and the opportunity to correct, or (C) the willful and intentional material breach of this Agreement, or (D) the conviction, a plea of guilty or a plea of no contest of the Executive for a serious criminal act. For purposes of this paragraph, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive’s part shall be considered “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by her not in good faith and without reasonable belief that her action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.







 



	
  

	
(c)

	
Termination by the Executive.  The Executive may terminate her employment hereunder (i) with Good Reason at any time or (ii) without Good Reason by providing twelve months’ prior written notice to the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean (A) a failure by the Company to comply with any material provision of this Agreement, (B) the assignment to the Executive by  the Company of duties inconsistent in a material adverse respect with the Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities with  the Company, as applicable, as in effect immediately after the date of execution of this Agreement including, but not limited to, any reduction whatsoever in such position, authority, duties, responsibilities or status, or a change in the Executive’s








 




  





  











  









 



	
  

	
 

	
titles as then in effect, except in connection with the termination of her employment on account of her death, disability, or for Cause, (C) without the Executive’s prior written consent, any reduction in Base Salary and annual benefits in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 or (D) change in the condition of employment or (E) any purported termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company which is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination satisfying the requirements of Section 6(d) hereof; provided that the Executive has provided the Board with written notice identifying the act or acts or failure or failures to act said to constitute Good Reason within 90 days of the occurrence of such act(s) and the opportunity for the Company to cure the deficiency within 30 days after receipt of such notice.







 





	
  

	
(d)

	
Notice of Termination.  Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company or by the Executive (other than for death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and the Date of Termination and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances, if any, claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated.







 



	
  

	
(e)

	
Date of Termination.  “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by her death, the date of her death, (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by her disability pursuant to Section 6(a)(ii) hereof, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, which shall be not less than twelve months after such Notice is delivered, or (iv) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or if the Executive voluntarily terminates her employment with Good Reason, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, which can be immediate.







 



	
  

	
(f)

	
Payment in lieu of notice.  In lieu of providing Notice of Termination of employment in accordance with Sections 6(d) and 6(e)(iii) hereof and remaining employed by the Company for any notice period specified within such Notice of Termination, the Company may, in its discretion, terminate the Executive’s employment immediately or upon such date as it determines appropriate (the “Section 6(f) Termination Date”) provided that the Company must then pay to the Executive, within a reasonable time period determined by the Board the sum of: (x) her Annual Base Salary and annual benefits as described in Schedule I ; and (y) an amount equal to the average of the Annual Incentive received by the Executive for the three fiscal years prior to the year of the Section 6(f) Termination Date  or the target annual incentive for the current year, whichever is the greater, (the “Average Incentive Amount”) prorated based on the number of days elapsed in the current fiscal year as of the Section 6(f) Termination Date.







 



	
  

	
 (g)

	
Removal from Boards and Positions.  If the Executive’s employment is terminated for any reason under this Agreement, she shall be deemed to resign (i) if a director, from the Board or Board of Directors of any subsidiary or affiliate of Company,








 




  





  











  









 



	
  

	
 

	
(ii) from any position with Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of Company, including, but not limited to, as an officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.







 




 7.           COMPENSATION UPON RETIREMENT


 


In the event that the Executive’s employment terminates by reason of retirement, the provisions of this Section 7 shall determine the Executive’s entitlement to compensation and benefits in connection with and subsequent to such termination.


 


If the Executive’s employment terminates as a result of her retirement on or after attaining retirement age, as defined by the policy in place in the Executive’s country of employment in the year of her retirement, the Company shall pay to the Executive, within 30 days after the date on which her employment terminates as a result of this retirement (the “Retirement Date”): (i) all accrued Base Salary and benefits through the Retirement Date (the “Accrued Benefits”), and (ii) the Average Incentive Amount, prorated based on the number of days elapsed in the current fiscal year as of the Retirement Date, and (iii) any other payments or benefits that may be approved by the Board in its sole discretion; provided that, if at the time of such termination, any payments required under this Section 7 are determined, in whole or in part, to constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 409A”), and the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A, such payments shall be paid to the Executive on the first business day of the seventh month after the Retirement Date. All equity awards will be treated in accordance with the terms set forth in the Plans and Equity Award Agreements.


 


 8.           COMPENSATION UPON TERMINATION


 


In the event that the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason other than pursuant to section 7, the provisions of this Section 8 shall determine the Executive’s entitlement to compensation and benefits in connection with and subsequent to such termination.


 



	
  

	
(a)

	
If (i) the Company terminates the employment of the Executive for Cause or (ii) the Executive terminates her employment without Good Reason, the Company shall pay to the Executive, within 30 days after the Date of Termination, all accrued Base Salary and benefits through the Date of Termination (the “Accrued Benefits”) and within a reasonable period as determined by the Compensation Committee and/or as is administratively practical any Annual Incentive earned in respect of the previous completed fiscal year but not paid as of the Date of Termination. The Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive after the Date of Termination.







 



	
  

	
(b)

	
If the Executive’s employment terminates due to her death or disability, the Company shall pay to the Executive, or her legal representative or estate, as the case may be, within 30 days after the Date of Termination the following:







 




  





  











  









 


 (i) Upon her death, the Company shall either pay the spouse (as defined in the State of Connecticut, the Executive’s State of permanent residence), or her dependent children or other dependents, in aggregate, provide for or take such actions necessary to ensure the following:


 


(v) 6 months Base Salary (reduced, in the case of termination by reason of disability, by any amounts paid pursuant to section 8 (b) (ii) hereof);


 


(w) a bonus equal to 50% of the annual target rate of bonus in the year of the Date of Termination;


 


(x) take actions necessary such that all Options or Shares granted to the Employee under the Plans which remain unvested shall immediately vest;


 


(y) a pro rata bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs based on the Average Incentive amount and the number of days elapsed in the current fiscal year as of the Date of Termination.


 


(ii) If the Company terminates the employment of the Employee by reason of disability, the Company shall:


 


(v) pay to the Employee, not less frequently than monthly, the amount of any difference between the level of long-term disability benefits required to be maintained under the Benefit Plans (the “Maximum Monthly Benefit” as defined in the US Benefit Plans), and the amount actually paid in satisfaction of such benefits by insurance, for so long as the Employee remains disabled and therefore entitled to such benefits;


 


(w) take actions necessary such that all Options or Shares granted to the Employee under the Plans which remain unvested shall immediately vest;


 


(x) pay a pro rata bonus for the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, based on the Average Incentive amount and the number of days elapsed in the current fiscal year as of the Date of Termination; and


 


(y) following the Date of Termination pursuant to this Section 8(b) (ii), ensure that the Employee's Health Coverage under the Benefit Plans as described in Schedule I shall continue to be provided at the Company’s expense.


 



	
  

	
(c)

	
If the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason other than the reasons described in Section 7 or subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 8, the Executive shall be entitled to the following payments and benefits: (i) the Accrued Benefits, paid within 30 days after the Date of Termination, (ii) the target Annual Incentive Amount, prorated based on the number of days elapsed in the current fiscal year as of the Date of Termination, paid on the first business day of the seventh month after the Date of Termination, (iii) an amount equal to 12 months’ Base Salary at the rate in effect on the Date of Termination, paid in part as a lump sum equal to 6 months’ Base Salary on the first business day of the seventh month after the Date of Termination and the remainder in equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices, commencing with the first payroll after the sixth month following the Date of Termination, (iv) an amount equal to the target Annual Incentive Amount, paid in part as a lump sum equal to 6/12ths of such target Annual Incentive Amount on the first business day of the seventh month








 




  





  











  









 



	
  

	
 

	
after the Date of Termination and the remainder in 6 monthly installments, commencing after the sixth month following the Date of Termination, and (v) the Executive and her dependents, as applicable, shall continue to be eligible to participate in the Company’s health plans on the same basis as an active employee of the Company for a period of 12 months following the Date of Termination (the “Severance Period”) or, if shorter, until the Executive becomes entitled to participate in or receive coverage under health plans of a subsequent employer.  For the avoidance of doubt, if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this subsection (c) of this Section 8, the Executive shall receive any payments to which she is entitled under subsection (f) of Section 6 (to the extent that subsection (f) of Section 6 is applicable) in addition to any payments and benefits to which she is entitled under this subsection (c) of this Section 8.







 





	
  

	
(d)

	
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive’s employment terminates for any reason other than those reasons described in Section 7 or subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 8 in connection with a Change in Control as defined in Section 22 hereof, the provisions of Section 22 shall govern.







 



	
  

	
(e)

	
In the event of the Executive’s termination of employment other than by the Company for Cause or due to the Executive’s death, the Executive agrees to execute a general release in a form acceptable to the Company.  The payments and provision of benefits to the Executive required by Section 7 or subsections (b) and (c) of this Section 8 (other than the Accrued Benefits) shall be conditioned on the Executive’s delivery (and non-revocation prior to the expiration of the revocation period contained in the release) of such release.







 


9.           INDEMNIFICATION


 


The Company shall indemnify the Executive (and her legal representatives or other successors and heirs) to the fullest extent permitted (including payment of expenses in advance of final disposition of the proceeding provided approved by the Board) by the laws of Bermuda, as in effect at the time of the subject act or omission; and the Executive shall be entitled to the protection of any insurance policies the Company may elect to maintain generally for the benefit of its directors and officers, against all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever incurred or sustained by her or her legal representatives in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which she (or her legal representatives or other successors and heirs) may be made a party by reason of her being or having been a director, officer or Executive of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; provided, however, that no indemnification shall be made to the Executive for losses relating to any disgorgement remedy contemplated by Section 16 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. If any action, suit or proceeding is brought or threatened against the Executive in respect of which indemnity may be sought against the Company pursuant to the foregoing, the Executive shall notify the Company promptly in writing of the institution of such action, suit or proceeding and the Company shall assume the defense thereof and the employment of counsel and payment of all fees and expenses, provided, however, that if a conflict of interest exists between the Company and the Executive such that it is not legally practicable for the Company to assume the Executive’s defense, the Executive


 




  





  











  









 


shall be entitled to retain separate counsel reasonably acceptable to the Company at the Company’s expense.


 


 10.           TAXES


 


The Company shall deduct all taxes required by law from all amounts payable under this Agreement.


 


11.           CONFIDENTIALITY


 


Unless otherwise required by law or judicial process, the Executive shall retain in confidence during and after termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company all confidential information known to the Executive concerning the Company and its business.  This clause shall remain in effect in perpetuity or until such confidential information is publicly disclosed by the Company or otherwise becomes publicly disclosed other than through the Executive’s actions. Violation by the Executive of this Section 11 will give the Company the right to immediately terminate all future severance payments including any post termination exercise periods.


 


 12.         COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE OR INTERFERE


 


In consideration of the benefits and entitlements provided by this Agreement, the Executive agrees that, during her employment hereunder and for the duration of the Severance Period (the period between the date of “Notice of Termination” and “Date of Termination”) she will not, other than on behalf of the Company, directly or indirectly, as a sole proprietor, agent, broker or intermediary, member of a partnership, or stockholder, investor, officer or director of a corporation, or as an employee, agent, associate or consultant of any person, firm or corporation:


 



	
  

	
(a)

	
Solicit, encourage, induce or accept business (i) from any clients of the Company or its affiliates, (ii) from any prospective clients whose business the Company or any of its affiliates is in the process of soliciting at the time of the Executive's termination, or (iii) from any former clients which had been doing business with the Company or its affiliates within one year prior to the Executive’s termination;







 



	
  

	
(b)

	
Solicit or hire any employee of the Company or its affiliates to terminate such employee's employment with the Company; provided







 



	
  

	
(c)

	
Nothing contained in this Section 12 shall prohibit the Executive from making investments in or from serving as an officer or employee of a firm or corporation which is not directly or indirectly engaged in the same type of business as the Company.







 


The parties acknowledge and agree that the Executive’s breach or threatened breach of any of the restrictions set forth in Sections 11 and 12 will result in irreparable and continuing damage to the Company for which there may be no adequate remedy at law and that the Company shall be entitled to equitable relief, including specific performance and injunctive relief as remedies for any breach or threatened or attempted breach. The


 




  





  











  









 


Executive hereby consents to the grant of an injunction (temporary or otherwise) against the Executive or the entry of any other court order against the Executive prohibiting and enjoining her from violating, or directing her to comply with any provision of Sections 11 and 12. The Executive also agrees that such remedies shall be in addition to any and all remedies, including damages, available to the Company against her for such breaches or threatened or attempted breaches. The Executive acknowledges that she has received good and valuable consideration for the obligations contained in Sections 11 and 12. Violation by the Executive of any of the restrictions contained in Sections 11 and 12 will give the Company the right to immediately terminate all future severance payments including any post termination exercise periods.


 


13.           PROPERTY.


 


The Executive acknowledges that all originals and copies of materials, records and documents generated by her or coming into her possession during the term of her employment hereunder are the sole property of the Company (“Company Property”). During the term of her employment, and at all times thereafter, the Executive shall not remove, or cause to be removed, from the premises of  the Company, copies of any record, file, memorandum, document, computer related information or equipment, or any other item relating to the business of  the Company, except in furtherance of her duties under the Agreement. When the Executive’s employment terminates, or upon request of the Company at any time, the Executive shall promptly deliver to the Company all copies of Company Property in her possession or control.


 


14.           SUCCESSORS; BINDING AGREEMENT


 



	
  

	
(a)

	
This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal representatives or heirs.







 



	
  

	
(b)

	
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.







 


 15.           NOTICE


 


For the purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when hand delivered or (unless otherwise specified) when mailed by courier or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:


 


 


If to the Executive:


 


At the address maintained in the Company’s employment records.


 


If to the Company:


PartnerRe Ltd.:


Attn:  Chief Executive Officer


 




  





  











  









 


Wellesley House


90 Pitts Bay Road


Pembroke HM08


Bermuda







or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.


 


16.           GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION


 


This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of Bermuda, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws.  Each party agrees to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the ordinary courts of the country of Bermuda.


 


17.           SURVIVORSHIP


 


The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder, including, without limitation, the rights and obligations set forth in Sections 5 through 15, 16 and 18 of this Agreement, shall survive any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.


 


 


18.           ARBITRATION


 


The Company and the Executive agree to arbitrate any controversy or claim arising out of this Agreement or otherwise relating to the Executive’s employment by the Company or the termination of such employment to the extent required (including, but not limited to, any claims of breach of contract, wrongful termination or age, sex, race or other discrimination); provided that the Company shall have the right to, and be permitted to, seek and obtain injunctive relief from a court of competent jurisdiction pursuant to Section 12. Any such arbitration shall be fully and finally resolved in binding arbitration which shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators rules. The seat of arbitration shall be Hamilton, Bermuda. The arbitration shall take place before a single arbitrator appointed by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Bermuda Branch). The arbitrator shall not have the authority to modify or change any of the terms of this Agreement, except as provided in Section 12 hereof. The arbitrator’s award shall be final and binding upon the parties, each party shall bear her or its own costs incurred by any such arbitration. The arbitrator may require the losing party thereto, as determined by the arbitrator, to bear the costs and fees incurred in any such arbitration, including legal fees and expenses. Except as necessary in court proceedings to enforce this arbitration provision or an award rendered hereunder, or to obtain interim relief, neither a party nor an arbitrator may disclose the existence, content or results of any arbitration hereunder without the prior written consent of the Company and the Executive.


 




  





  











  









 


19.           MISCELLANEOUS


 



	
  

	
(a)

	
The parties agree that the provisions of this Agreement may not be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by the parties hereto. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.







 



	
  

	
(b)

	
The form and timing of all payments under this Agreement shall be made in a manner which complies with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.







 



	
  

	
(c)

	
Except as set forth in the Plans, Equity Award Agreements or Benefit Plans, no agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this Agreement.







 



	
  

	
(d)

	
Except as otherwise set forth in Section 9 or Section 14 hereof, nothing expressed or referred to in this Agreement will be construed to give any Person other than the Company and the Executive any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or with respect to this Agreement or any provision of this Agreement.







 


20.           SEVERABILITY AND JUDICIAL MODIFICATION


 


If any provision of this Agreement is held by a court or arbitration panel of competent jurisdiction to be enforceable only if modified, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon the parties hereto with any such modification to become a part hereof and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement. The parties further agree that any such court or arbitration panel is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement in lieu of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement, or by making such other modifications as it deems warranted to carry out the intent and agreement of the parties as embodied herein to the maximum extent permitted by law. The parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court or arbitration panel shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. In any event, should one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions had never been set forth herein.


 




  





  











  









 


21.           COUNTERPARTS


 


This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.


 


22.           CHANGE OF CONTROL


 


The terms of the Change in Control Policy (the “CIC Policy”) as approved by the Compensation Committee and any amendment thereto, shall apply to the Executive. The CIC Policy shall be incorporated in this Agreement and shall be binding on the Executive as if such CIC Policy were contained herein verbatim.


 


23.           SECTION 409A







It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement comply with Section 409A and the Treasury regulations relating thereto so as not to subject the Executive to the payment of interest and tax penalty which may be imposed under Section 409A. In furtherance of this objective, to the extent that any regulations or other guidance issued under Section 409A would result in the Executive being subject to payment of “additional tax” under Section 409A, the parties agree to use their best efforts to amend this Agreement in order to avoid the imposition of any such “additional tax” under Section 409A, which such amendment shall be designed to minimize the adverse economic effect on the Executive without increasing the cost to the Company (other than transactions costs), all as reasonably determined in good faith by the Company and the Executive to maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provisions. This Section 23 does not guarantee that payments under this Agreement will not be subject to "additional tax" under Section 409A.


 


Signature page follows.


 




  





  











  









 


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused its name to be ascribed to this Agreement by its duly authorized representative, and the Executive has executed this Agreement effective as of the date set forth in Section 2 hereof.


 







 


 


___/s/ Costas Miranthis _________________


 


Name: Costas Miranthis


 


Title: President and CEO, PartnerRe Ltd.


 


Date: March 27, 2013







 







 


___/s/ Laurie Desmet _________________


 


Name: Laurie Desmet


 


Date: March 27, 2013


 




  





  











  











 


Schedule


 


Laurie Desmet, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Group, PartnerRe Ltd.


 



	
1. Annual Base Salary:

	 	
US$530,000


	 	 	 
	
2. Annual Incentive

	 	
Target 100% of Annual Base Salary For 2013, AI payout will be prorated based on time as an EC member, PartnerRe Ltd.


	 	 	 
	
3. Promotion Equity Award

	 	
3,000 RSUs on promotion to Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Group as an Executive Committee member, PartnerRe Ltd.


	 	 	 
	
4. US Benefit Plans:


 


Full details of the PartnerRe US Benefit Plans are contained in the official Plan documents, which are available at the office of the Plan Administrator. PartnerRe US reserves the right to modify, discontinue or terminate any benefit or benefit plan and to implement any changes at any time, and for any reason, at its sole discretion

	 	
You will be eligible for all the US Benefit Plans as set-up and administered for all US Company employees, as may be changed from time to time.  These currently include:


 


Health Coverage – Major Medical, Dental and Hospitalization


Group Term Life Insurance


 


Short and Long Term Disability


 


Accidental Death and Dismemberment


 


401k Plan


 


Restoration and Salary Deferral Plan


 


5 weeks vacation per calendar year


 


Personal/Floating Days: 5 per calendar year


 


Paid Holidays: 10 per calendar year


 


Free Parking


	 	 	 
	
5. Tax Advice

	 	
Entitled to reimbursement of reasonable tax advice and preparation costs.


	 	 	 
	
6. Continuous Service:

	 	
Your original employment start date with PartnerRe Ltd. of December 4, 2004 will be maintained for the calculation of service related benefits.