EX-10.10







Exhibit 10.10




EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT




          THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, effective the 19th day of January 2009 (the
“Agreement”), is entered into by and between HEALTH CARE REIT, INC., a Delaware corporation, (the
“Corporation”), and JOHN T. THOMAS (the “Executive”).




          WHEREAS, the Corporation wishes to assure itself of the services of the Executive for the
period provided in this Agreement and the Executive is willing to serve in the employ of the
Corporation for such period upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.




          NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, the parties,
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:




     1. EMPLOYMENT



          The Corporation hereby agrees to employ the Executive as Executive Vice President-Medical
Facilities upon the terms and conditions herein contained, and the Executive hereby agrees to
accept such employment and to serve in such position. As Executive Vice President-Medical
Facilities, the Executive will (i) develop and update, in cooperation with the executive management
team of the Corporation, the strategic vision and direction of the Corporation’s medical facilities
group; (ii) implement the Corporation’s strategic goals for the medical facilities group;
(iii) provide executive management of the entire medical facilities group, including the management
services group and development services group; (iv) develop and maintain relationships with
targeted health systems and providers; (v) establish the Corporation as a leader in providing
complete solutions to health systems and providers by actively planning and participating in
industry conferences and events and by undertaking a wide range of activities that position the
Corporation as a thought leader and “first choice” capital and development partner; and
(vi) undertake such other responsibilities as may be assigned to the Executive by the Corporation’s
Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) or President from time to time. In such capacity, the
Executive shall report to the Corporation’s CEO, President and Board of Directors and shall have
such powers and responsibilities consistent with his position as may be assigned.




          Throughout the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall devote his best efforts and all of
his business time and services to the business and affairs of the Corporation.




     2. TERM OF AGREEMENT



          The current term of employment under this Agreement shall expire on January 31, 2011. Upon
the expiration of such term, the term of employment hereunder shall automatically be extended
without further action by the parties for successive two (2) year renewal terms, unless either
party shall give at least six (6) months advance written notice to the other of his or its
intention that this Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of the current term or the then
current renewal term, as the case may be.




 









 








          Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement
immediately, subject to a continuing obligation to make any payments required under Section 5
below, if the Executive (i) becomes disabled as described in Section 5(b), (ii) is terminated for
Cause, as defined in Section 5(c), or (iii) voluntarily terminates his employment before the
current term of this Agreement expires, as described in Section 5(d).




     3. SALARY AND BONUS



          The Executive shall receive a base salary during the term of this Agreement at a rate of
$290,000 per annum for 2009, and at a rate of not less than $290,000 per annum for subsequent
years, payable in substantially equal semi-monthly installments. The Compensation Committee of the
Board shall consult with the CEO and review the Executive’s base salary at annual intervals, and
may adjust the Executive’s annual base salary from time to time as the Committee deems to be
appropriate.




          The Executive shall also be eligible to receive an annual bonus from the Corporation each year
during the term of this Agreement, with the actual amount of such bonus to be determined by the
Compensation Committee of the Corporation’s Board, using such performance measures as the Committee
deems to be appropriate; provided, however, that the bonus range shall be between thirty-five
percent (35%) and one hundred five percent (105%) of the Executive’s base salary, assuming
satisfactory individual and corporate performance. Such bonus, if any, shall be paid to the
Executive no later than sixty (60) days after the end of the year to which the bonus relates. The
annual bonus for 2009 shall be prorated for the partial year.




          On the date of this Agreement, the Executive shall receive a grant of shares of the
Corporation’s common stock having a value of $195,000, based on the closing price of the
Corporation’s common stock on the date of this Agreement (the “Shares”). The Shares shall be
subject to the restrictions set forth in the restricted stock agreement between the Corporation and
the Executive and shall vest in five annual installments, on January 15, 2010 and the next four
anniversaries of such date, or at such earlier time as the restrictions may lapse pursuant to the
terms of such restricted stock agreement.




     4. ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS



          The Executive shall receive the following additional compensation and welfare and fringe
benefits during the term of the Agreement:





     (a) Stock Options and Other Long-Term Incentives. During the term of the
Agreement, any stock options, restricted stock or other awards granted under the 2005
Long-Term Incentive Plan shall be at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of the
Corporation’s Board.




     (b) Health Insurance. The Corporation shall provide the Executive and his
dependents with health insurance, life insurance and disability coverage on terms no less
favorable than that from time to time made available to other key employees.



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     (c) Vacation. The Executive shall be entitled to up to three (3) weeks of
vacation during each year during the term of this Agreement and any extensions thereof,
prorated for partial years.




     (d) Business Expenses. The Corporation shall reimburse the Executive for all
reasonable expenses he incurs in promoting the Corporation’s business, including expenses
for travel and similar items, upon presentation by the Executive from time to time of an
itemized account of such expenditures.




     (e) Relocation Arrangements. The Corporation shall pay normal and reasonable
expenses associated with having a third-party relocation company (“Relocation Company”)
facilitate the Executive’s move to the Toledo, Ohio area. As part of that program, the
Relocation Company will offer to acquire the Executive’s home at its appraised value and
will arrange to move the Executive’s household. If the Executive chooses not to accept the
Relocation Company’s offer, the Executive will be responsible for any expenses associated
with marketing and selling his home.




     (f) Moving Allowance. The Corporation shall pay for normal and reasonable
expenses charged by the Relocation Company to move the Executive’s household from the
Dallas, Texas area to the Toledo, Ohio area. In addition, the Corporation shall pay for one
trip to Toledo for the Executive’s spouse and children, up to a maximum of $3,000. The
Executive shall provide appropriate documentation for all expenses.




     (g) Temporary Housing Allowance. The Corporation shall pay the Executive a
housing allowance of up to $10,000 for temporary accommodations in Toledo, Ohio. The
Executive shall provide appropriate documentation for all expenses.



          In addition to the benefits provided pursuant to the preceding paragraphs of this Section 4,
the Executive shall be eligible to participate in such other executive compensation and retirement
plans of the Corporation as are applicable generally to other officers, and in such welfare benefit
plans, programs, practices and policies of the Corporation as are generally applicable to other key
employees, unless such participation would duplicate, directly or indirectly, benefits already
accorded to the Executive.




     5. PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION



          (a) Involuntary Termination. If the Executive’s employment is involuntarily
terminated by the Corporation during the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to
receive his base salary accrued through the date of termination, any accrued but unpaid vacation
pay, plus any bonuses earned but unpaid with respect to fiscal years or other periods preceding the
termination date. Such payments shall be made to the Executive within sixty (60) days following
the date of involuntary termination. The Executive shall also receive any nonforfeitable benefits
payable to him under the terms of any deferred compensation, incentive or other benefit plans
maintained by the Corporation, payable in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan.




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          If the termination is not a termination for Cause, as described in paragraph (c), a voluntary
termination by the Executive as described in paragraph (d), or a result of the Executive’s death or
disability, then the Corporation shall also be obligated to make a series of monthly severance
payments to the Executive for each month during the remaining term of this Agreement, but not less
than twelve (12) months. Each monthly payment shall be equal to one-twelfth (1/12th) of the sum of
(i) the Executive’s annual base salary, as in effect on the date of termination, and (ii) the
average of the annual bonuses paid to the Executive for the prior three fiscal years preceding the
termination date and shall be paid to the Executive beginning with the month following month in
which the termination occurs in accordance with the Corporation’s normal payroll practices. If the
Executive obtains a replacement position with any new employer (including a position as an officer,
employee, consultant, or agent, or self-employment as a partner or sole proprietor), the payments
shall be reduced by all amounts the Executive receives as compensation for services performed
during such period. The Executive shall be under no duty to mitigate the amounts owed to him under
this paragraph (a) by seeking such a replacement position.




          In addition, if the termination is not a termination for Cause as described in paragraph (c),
a voluntary termination by the Executive as described in paragraph (d), or a result of the
Executive’s death or disability, then:





     (i) Any stock options, restricted stock or other awards granted to the Executive under
the Corporation’s 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan shall become fully vested and, in the case
of stock options, exercisable in full; and




     (ii) The Executive shall be provided continued coverage at the Corporation’s expense
under any life, health and disability insurance programs maintained by the Corporation in
which the Executive participated at the time of his termination for the remaining term of
the Agreement (but not less than six (6) months and not more than the period during which
the Executive would be entitled to continuation coverage under Section 4980B of the Internal
Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”), if the Executive elected such coverage and paid the
applicable premiums), or until, if earlier, the date the Executive obtains comparable
coverage under benefit plans maintained by a new employer.



          (b) Disability. The Corporation shall be entitled to terminate the Executive’s
employment if the Board determines that the Executive has been unable to attend to his duties for
at least ninety (90) days because of a medically diagnosable physical or mental condition, and has
received a written opinion from a physician acceptable to the Board that such condition prevents
the Executive from resuming full performance of his duties and is likely to continue for an
indefinite period. Upon such involuntary termination, the Executive shall be entitled to receive
his base salary accrued through the date of termination, any accrued but unpaid vacation pay, plus
any bonuses earned but unpaid with respect to fiscal years or other periods preceding the
termination date. Such payments shall be made to the Executive within sixty (60) days following
the date of involuntary termination. In addition, the Corporation shall make a series of monthly
disability payments to Executive, each equal to one-twelfth (1/12th) of the sum of
(i) his annual base salary, as in effect at the time Executive became permanently disabled, and
(ii) the average of the annual bonuses paid to the Executive for the prior three fiscal years
preceding the date of disability. Payment of such disability benefit shall be paid in accordance
with the Corporation’s normal payroll practices, shall



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commence with the month following the month
in which
the involuntary termination occurs and continue each month for the remaining current term of this
Agreement (but not less than twelve (12) months), but shall terminate at an earlier date if the
Executive returns to active employment, either with the Corporation or otherwise. Any amounts
payable under this Section 5(b) shall be reduced by any amounts paid to the Executive under any
long-term disability plan or other disability program or insurance policies maintained or provided
by the Corporation.




          (c) Termination for Cause. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the
Corporation for Cause, the amount the Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation
shall be limited to his base salary accrued through the date of termination, any accrued but unpaid
vacation pay, plus any bonuses earned but unpaid with respect to the fiscal year of the Corporation
most recently ended, and any nonforfeitable benefits payable to the Executive under the terms of
any deferred compensation, incentive or other benefit plans maintained by the Corporation. Such
payments shall be made to the Executive within sixty (60) days following the date of termination.




          For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Cause” shall be limited to (i) action by the
Executive involving willful disloyalty to the Corporation, such as embezzlement, fraud,
misappropriation of corporate assets or a breach of the covenants set forth in Sections 9 and 10
below; or (ii) the Executive being convicted of a felony; or (iii) the Executive being convicted of
any lesser crime or offense committed in connection with the performance of his duties hereunder or
involving moral turpitude; or (iv) the intentional and willful failure by the Executive to
substantially perform his duties hereunder as directed by the Corporation’s CEO or President (other
than any such failure resulting from the Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental
disability) after a demand for substantial performance is made on the Executive by the Board of
Directors.




          (d) Voluntary Termination by the Executive. If the Executive resigns or otherwise
voluntarily terminates his employment before the end of the current term of this Agreement (other
than in connection with a Change in Corporate Control, as described in Section 6), the amount the
Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Corporation shall be limited to his base salary
accrued through the date of termination, any accrued but unpaid vacation pay, plus any bonuses
earned but unpaid with respect to any fiscal years or other periods preceding the termination date,
and any nonforfeitable benefits payable to the Executive under the terms of any deferred
compensation, incentive or other benefit plans of the Corporation. Such payment shall be made to
the Executive within sixty (60) days following the date of resignation or voluntary termination.




          For purposes of this paragraph, a resignation by the Executive shall not be deemed to be
voluntary if, without the Executive’s prior consent, the Executive is (1) assigned to a position
other than the Executive Vice President-Medical Facilities of the Corporation (other than for Cause
or by reason of permanent disability) or assigned duties materially inconsistent with such position
if either such change in assignment constitutes a material diminution in the Executive’s authority,
duties or responsibilities, or (2) directed to report to anyone other than the Corporation’s CEO,
President or Board of Directors if such change in reporting duties constitutes a material
diminution in the authority, duties or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the Executive is
required to report; provided that the Executive has notified the Corporation within the first
ninety (90) days following the initial date of such change in assignment or reporting duties that
the Executive regards such change in assignment or reporting duties as grounds justifying
resignation under



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this paragraph and the Corporation has failed to cure such change in assignment
or reporting duties within ninety (90)
days following its receipt of such notice from the Executive; and provided further that the
Executive resigns under this paragraph within one (1) year following the initial existence of a
change in assignment or reporting duties described herein.




     6. EFFECT OF CHANGE IN CORPORATE CONTROL



          (a) Accelerated Vesting of Awards. In the event of a Change in Corporate Control, the
vesting of any stock options, restricted stock or other awards granted to the Executive under the
terms of the Corporation’s 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan shall be accelerated (to the extent
permitted by the terms of such plans) and such awards shall become immediately vested in full and,
in the case of stock options, exercisable in full.




          (b) Severance Payment. If, at any time during the period of twelve (12) consecutive
months following the occurrence of a Change in Corporate Control, and during the term of this
Agreement, the Executive is involuntarily terminated (other than for Cause), the Executive shall be
entitled to receive a lump sum severance payment equal to the present value of a series of monthly
payments for twenty-four (24) months, each in an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12th) of the sum of
(i) the Executive’s annual base salary, as in effect at the time of the Change in Corporate
Control, and (ii) the average of the annual bonuses paid to the Executive for the prior three
fiscal years of the Corporation ending prior to the Change in Corporate Control. Such present
value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the interest rate on 90-day Treasury
bills, as reported in the Wall Street Journal (or similar publication) on the date of the
Change in Corporate Control. Such lump sum payment shall be made to the Executive within sixty
(60) days following the date of such involuntary termination.




          In addition, if the Executive is involuntarily terminated (other than for Cause) within twelve
(12) months after a Change in Corporate Control, he shall be entitled to continued coverage at the
Corporation’s expense under any life, health and disability insurance programs maintained by the
Corporation in which the Executive participated at the time of his termination, which coverage
shall be continued until the expiration of the current term of the Agreement (but not less than six
(6) months and not more than the period during which the Executive would be entitled to
continuation coverage under Section 4980B of the Code if the Executive elected such coverage and
paid the applicable premiums) or until, if earlier, the date the Executive obtains comparable
coverage under benefit plans maintained by a new employer.




          (c) Definition of Change in Corporate Control. For purposes of this Agreement, a
“Change in Corporate Control” shall include any of the following events:





     (i) The acquisition in one or more transactions of more than twenty percent (20%) of
the Corporation’s outstanding Common Stock (or the equivalent in voting power of any class
or classes of securities of the Corporation entitled to vote in elections of directors) by
any corporation, or other person or group (within the meaning of Section 14(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended);



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     (ii) Any transfer or sale of substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, or any
merger or consolidation of the Corporation into or with another corporation in which the
Corporation is not the surviving entity; or




     (iii) Any election of persons to the Board of Directors which causes a majority of the
Board of Directors to consist of persons other than “Continuing Directors”. For this
purpose, those persons who were members of the Board of Directors on May 1, 2008, shall be
“Continuing Directors”. Any person who is nominated for election as a member of the Board
after May 1, 2008, shall also be considered a “Continuing Director” for this purpose if, and
only if, his or her nomination for election to the Board of Directors is approved or
recommended by a majority of the members of the Board (or of the relevant Nominating
Committee) and at least five (5) members of the Board are themselves Continuing Directors at
the time of such nomination.




     (d) Gross-Up Payment and Excise Taxes.




     (i) If any payment, accelerated vesting or other benefit provided by the Corporation to
the Executive in connection with a Change in Corporate Control, whether paid or payable
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Parachute Payment”) is determined
to be a parachute payment subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code
(such excise tax, together with any interest and penalties incurred by the Executive with
respect to such excise tax, are referred to as the “Excise Tax”), the Corporation shall make
an additional payment (the “Gross-Up Payment”) to the Executive in an amount such that the
net amount of the Gross-Up Payment the Executive retains, after payment by the Executive of
all taxes imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, including, without limitation, the Excise Tax
and any federal, state or local income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with
respect thereto) on the Gross-Up Payment, will be equal to the Excise Tax liability imposed
upon the Executive with respect to all Parachute Payments (other than the Gross-Up Payment).
The Gross-Up Payment shall be paid to the Executive no later than the date the Executive is
required to pay the Excise Tax.




     (ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) any payments otherwise due to or on behalf
of the Executive (determined without regard to paragraph 6(d)(i)) are subject to Excise Tax,
and (2) a reduction in such payments otherwise subject to Excise Tax to an amount that is
not less than ninety percent (90%) of the value of the payments otherwise subject to the
Excise Tax would result in no Excise Tax being imposed with respect to any payments, then
the payments to which the Executive is or will become entitled under this Agreement or
otherwise shall be reduced to the extent required to avoid incurring the Excise Tax and no
payments shall be made to the Executive under paragraph 6(d)(i). If any payments pursuant
to this Agreement are required to be reduced pursuant to this Section 6(d)(ii) in order to
avoid an Excise Tax under Section 4999 of the Code, there shall be no discretion in the
ordering of the payments that are reduced, and instead such reductions shall be made in a
manner so as to get the best economic benefit for the Executive, and to the extent
economically equivalent, payments under this Agreement shall be reduced on a pro rata basis.



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     7. DEATH



          If the Executive dies during the term of this Agreement, the Corporation shall pay to the
Executive’s estate a lump sum payment equal to the sum of the Executive’s base salary accrued
through the date of death, any accrued but unpaid vacation pay, plus any bonuses earned but unpaid
with respect to fiscal years or other periods preceding the date of death. In addition, the
Corporation shall pay to the Executive’s surviving spouse (or such other beneficiary as the
Executive may designate in writing) a lump sum payment equal to the present value of a series of
monthly payments for each month during the remaining term of the Agreement (but not less than
twelve (12) months), each in an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12th) of the sum of
(i) the Executive’s annual base salary, as in effect on the date of death, and (ii) the average of
the annual bonuses paid to the Executive for the prior three fiscal years preceding the date of
death. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the interest rate on
90-day Treasury bills, as reported in the Wall Street Journal (or similar publication) for
the date of death. Both the lump sum payment to the Executive’s estate and the lump sum payment to
the Executive’s surviving spouse (or other designated beneficiary) shall be paid within sixty (60)
days following the date of the Executive’s death. In addition, the death benefits payable by
reason of the Executive’s death under any retirement, deferred compensation, life insurance or
other employee benefit plan maintained by the Corporation shall be paid to the beneficiary
designated by the Executive, and the stock options, restricted stock or other awards held by the
Executive under the Corporation’s stock plans shall become fully vested, and, in the case of stock
options, exercisable in full, in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or plans.




     8. WITHHOLDING



          The Corporation shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to withhold and deduct
from any payment hereunder any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be
withheld with respect to any such payment.




     9. PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION



          The Executive agrees that he will keep all confidential and proprietary information of the
Corporation or relating to its business confidential, and that he will not (except with the
Corporation’s prior written consent), while in the employ of the Corporation or thereafter,
disclose any such confidential information to any person, firm, corporation, association or other
entity, other than in furtherance of his duties hereunder, and then only to those with a “need to
know.” The Executive shall not make use of any such confidential information for his own purposes
or for the benefit of any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity (except the
Corporation) under any circumstances during or after the term of his employment. The foregoing
shall not apply to any information which is already in the public domain, or is generally disclosed
by the Corporation or is otherwise in the public domain at the time of disclosure.




          The Executive recognizes that because his work for the Corporation may bring him into contact
with confidential and proprietary information of the Corporation, the restrictions of this Section
9 are required for the reasonable protection of the Corporation and its investments and for the
Corporation’s reliance on and confidence in the Executive.




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     10. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE



          The Executive hereby agrees that he will not, either during the employment term or during the
period of one (1) year from the time the Executive’s employment under this Agreement ceases (for
whatever reason), engage in any business activities on behalf of any enterprise which competes with
the Corporation in the business of (i) ownership or operation of Health Care Facilities (defined
below); ( ii) investment in or lending to health care related enterprises (including, without
limitation, owners or developers of Health Care Facilities); (iii) management of Health Care
Facilities; or (iv) provision of any planning or development services for Health Care Facilities.
“Health Care Facilities” means any senior housing facilities or facilities used or intended
primarily for the delivery of health care services, including, without limitation, any active adult
communities, independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities,
inpatient rehabilitation facilities, ambulatory surgery centers, medical office buildings,
hospitals of any kind, or any similar types of facilities or projects. The Executive will be
deemed to be engaged in such competitive business activities if he participates in such a business
enterprise as an employee, officer, director, consultant, agent, partner, proprietor, or other
participant; provided that the ownership of no more than two percent (2%) of the stock of a
publicly traded corporation engaged in a competitive business shall not be deemed to be engaging in
competitive business activities.




          The Executive agrees that he shall not, for a period of one year from the time his employment
under this Agreement ceases (for whatever reason), or, if later, during any period in which he is
receiving monthly severance payments under Section 5 of this Agreement, solicit any employee or
full-time consultant of the Corporation for the purposes of hiring or retaining such employee or
consultant. For this purpose, the Executive shall be considered to be receiving monthly severance
payments under Section 5 of this Agreement during any period for which he would have received such
severance payments had such payments not been offset by compensation received from a successor
employer.




     11. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF



          The Executive acknowledges and agrees that it would be difficult to fully compensate the
Corporation for damages resulting from the breach or threatened breach of the covenants set forth
in Sections 9 and 10 of this Agreement and accordingly agrees that the Corporation shall be
entitled to temporary and injunctive relief, including temporary restraining orders, preliminary
injunctions and permanent injunctions, to enforce such provisions in any action or proceeding
instituted in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio or in any court in
the State of Ohio having subject matter jurisdiction. This provision with respect to injunctive
relief shall not, however, diminish the Corporation’s right to claim and recover damages.




          It is expressly understood and agreed that although the parties consider the restrictions
contained in this Agreement to be reasonable, if a court determines that the time or territory or
any other restriction contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction on the activities
of the Executive, no such provision of this Agreement shall be rendered void but shall be deemed
amended to apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such extent as such court may
judicially determine or indicate to be reasonable.




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     12. NOTICES



     All notices or communications hereunder shall be in writing and sent certified or registered
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows (or to such other address as
such party may designate in writing from time to time):



     If to the Corporation:




Health Care REIT, Inc.

One SeaGate, Suite 1500

Toledo, OH 43604

Attention: Senior Vice President-Administration and Corporate Secretary



     If to the Executive:




John T. Thomas

3100 Roberts Drive

Richardson, Texas 75082


The actual date of receipt, as shown by the receipt therefor, shall determine the time at which
notice was given.




     13. SEPARABILITY



          If any provision of this Agreement shall be declared to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole
or in part, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions hereof
which shall remain in full force and effect.




     14. ASSIGNMENT



          This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the heirs and representatives
of the Executive and the assigns and successors of the Corporation, but neither this Agreement nor
any rights hereunder shall be assignable or otherwise subject to hypothecation by the Executive.




     15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT



          This Agreement represents the entire agreement of the parties and shall supersede any and all
previous contracts, arrangements or understandings between the Corporation and the Executive. The
Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual written agreement of the parties hereto.




     16. SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE



          This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and
shall be interpreted and construed consistently with such intent. The payments to



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the Executive pursuant to this Agreement are also intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the
Code to the maximum extent possible, under either the separation pay exemption pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) or as short-term deferrals pursuant to Treasury Regulation
Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). Each payment and benefit hereunder shall constitute a “separately
identified” amount within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). In the event
the terms of this Agreement would subject the Executive to taxes or penalties under Section 409A of
the Code (“409A Penalties”), the Corporation and the Executive shall cooperate diligently to amend
the terms of the Agreement to avoid such 409A Penalties, to the extent possible. To the extent any
amounts under this Agreement are payable by reference to Executive’s “termination,” “termination of
employment,” or similar phrases, such term shall be deemed to refer to the Executive’s “separation
from service” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (without regard to any
permissible alternative definition thereunder) with the Corporation and all entities treated as a
single employer with the Corporation under Sections 414(b) and (c) of the Code but substituting a
50% ownership level for the 80% ownership level set forth therein). Notwithstanding any other
provision in this Agreement, if the Executive is a “Specified Employee” (as defined Treasury
Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) on December 31st of the prior calendar year), as of the
date of the Executive’s separation from service, then to the extent any amount payable under this
Agreement (i) constitutes the payment of nonqualified deferred compensation, within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code, (ii) is payable upon the Executive’s separation from service and (iii)
under the terms of this Agreement would be payable prior to the six-month anniversary of the
Executive’s separation from service, such payment shall be delayed and paid to the Executive,
together with interest at an annual rate equal to the interest rate specified by KeyBank for a
six-month certificate of deposit, on the first day of the first calendar month beginning at least
six months following the date of termination, or, if earlier, within ninety (90) days following the
Executive’s death to the Executive’s surviving spouse (or such other beneficiary as the Executive
may designate in writing). Any reimbursement or advancement payable to the Executive pursuant to
this Agreement shall be conditioned on the submission by the Executive of all expense reports
reasonably required by the Corporation under any applicable expense reimbursement policy, and shall
be paid to the Executive within thirty (30) days following receipt of such expense reports, but in
no event later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the
Executive incurred the reimbursable expense. Any amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or
in-kind benefit provided, during a calendar year shall not affect the amount of expenses eligible
for reimbursement, or in-kind benefit to be provided, during any other calendar year. The right to
any reimbursement or in-kind benefit pursuant to this Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation
or exchange for any other benefit.




     17. GOVERNING LAW



          This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted, and governed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Ohio, other than the conflict of laws provisions of such laws.




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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Agreement to be duly executed, and the
Executive has hereunto set his hand, as of the day and year first above written.




	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Attest:	 	 	 	HEALTH CARE REIT, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Erin C. Ibele

	 	 	 	By:
	 	 /s/ Jeffrey H. Miller
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Erin C. Ibele, Senior Vice President-
Administration and Corporate Secretary

	 	 	 	 	 	Jeffrey H. Miller, Executive Vice
President and General Counsel
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Witness:	 	 	 	EXECUTIVE:
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	/s/ Erin C. Ibele	 	 	 	/s/ John T. Thomas
	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	John T. Thomas






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