Exhibit 10.1

 

NONQUALIFIED SUPPLEMENTAL

 

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

 

ADOPTION AGREEMENT

 

This adoption agreement and the accompanying plan document have not been approved by the Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, Securities Exchange Commission, or any other governmental entity. Employers may not rely on this document or the accompanying plan document to ensure any particular tax consequences with respect to the Employer’s particular situation, nor do these documents constitute legal or tax advice.  Pen-Cal and its employees cannot provide legal or tax advice in connection with these documents.  Employers must determine the extent to which the Plan is subject to Federal or state securities laws.  You should have your attorney review this document and the accompanying plan document before adopting the documents.  This adoption agreement and accompanying plan document cannot be used in order to avoid penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.

 











 

NONQUALIFIED SUPPLEMENTAL 
 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN  
 ADOPTION AGREEMENT

 

ADOPTION OF PLAN — [Select one]

 

x                                  Adoption - The undersigned Main Street Capital Corporation (the “Employer”) hereby adopts as a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for the individuals identified in Item 5 herein the form of Plan known as the Nonqualified Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

o                                    Amendment of Previous Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan — With “Grandfathered” Amounts             (the “Employer”) previously has adopted a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, known as the           [enter name of previous plan], and the execution of this Adoption Agreement constitutes an amendment to that Plan, effective only for Deferrals, Contributions, earnings, gains, losses, depreciation and appreciation vested and credited thereto or debited therefrom on and after the Effective Date listed in Section 2 below, or, if otherwise determined by the Employer, on and after January 1, 2005 with respect to Plan provisions required under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder.  All other amounts in the plan shall be subject to the provisions of the previous plan document.  This option is appropriate if the previous plan contains grandfathered amounts not subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.  Grandfathered amounts were contributed to the plan prior to January 1, 2005 under the terms of the plan in effect prior to October 4, 2004, and those plan terms have not since been materially modified.  Grandfathered amounts and earnings will be administered under the terms of the prior plan document.

 

x                                  Restatement of Previous Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan — Main Street Capital Corporation (the “Employer”) previously has adopted a Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan, known as the Main Street Capital Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors [enter name of previous plan], and the execution of this Adoption Agreement constitutes a restatement of that Plan, effective as of the Effective Date listed in Section 2 below for all funds under the Plan.  This option is appropriate if the previous plan does not contain “grandfathered” amounts (see description above), or if Employer wishes to apply Section 409A rules to all amounts in the plan (even pre-2005 amounts), or if previous plan has been materially modified and thus become subject to Section 409A.  Notwithstanding anything in this Adoption Agreement or in the Plan to the contrary, with respect to account balances as of December 31, 2015 and any future earnings thereon, the distribution provisions of the Main Street Capital Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors as in effect on December 31, 2015 shall continue to apply to such amounts.

 

NAME OF PLAN

 

The name of this Plan as adopted by the Employer is the Main Street Capital Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”).

 

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INDIVIDUALIZED PLAN INFORMATION

 

With respect to the variable features contained in the Plan, the Employer hereby makes the following selections granted under the provisions of the Plan:

 

1.                                      Adopting Entity.  The Employer adopts the Plan as:

 

List type of business entity (corporation, partnership, controlled group of corporations, etc.) Corporation

 

List each Employer adopting the Plan and Employer Identification Number (EIN):

 

	
Name   of Employer:
    	
Main   Street Capital Corporation
    	
EIN:           41-2230745
    
	
Name   of Employer:
    	
 
    	
EIN:
    
	
Name   of Employer:
    	
 
    	
EIN:
    
	
Name   of Employer:
    	
 
    	
EIN:
    
	
Name   of Employer:
    	
 
    	
EIN:
    


(attach additional lists as necessary)

 

The adopting Employers and the Employer are referred to herein collectively as the “Employer.”

 

Select state of controlling law (see Section 10.7 of Plan Document):

 

o                                    State of incorporation;

x                                  State of domicile Texas

 

2.                                      Effective Date.  The “Effective Date” of the adoption of this Plan,  this Plan amendment or this Plan restatement is January 1, 2016.

 

3.                                      Plan Year.  The “Plan year” of the Plan shall be [select one]:

 

x                                  (a) the calendar year.

o                                    (b) the fiscal year or other 12-month period ending on the last day of [specify month].

o                                    a short Plan year beginning on                  ,            and ending on              ,                 ; and thereafter the Plan year shall be as indicated in (a) or (b) above.

 

4.                                      Plan Administrator.  The “Administrator” of the Plan is the Company

 

[fill in the name(s) of the individual(s) or job title(s) or entity (such as a committee) that is (are) responsible for administration of the Plan], and such other person(s) or entity as the Employer shall appoint from time to time.

 

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5.                                      Eligible Individuals.  The following shall be eligible to participate in the Plan:  [select all that apply — do not list individual names]:

 

x                                  A select group of management or highly-compensated Employees as designated by the Employer in separate resolutions or agreements;

 

o                                    Employee Board Members;

 

x                                  Non-Employee Board Members;

 

o                                    Other Service Providers (i.e., independent contractors, consultants, etc.)

 

o                                    Employees or other Service Providers above the following Compensation threshold: [enter dollar amount]  $               ;

 

o                                    Employees with the following job titles: [enter job title(s); for example, “Vice President and above”]

 

o                                    Other: [enter description]

 

6.                                      Eligibility Timing.  Eligibility timing selected below shall apply uniformly to all Participant Deferrals (including Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals), as well as Employer Matching Contributions and Other Employer Contributions, unless otherwise indicated. If the Employer wishes to provide for separate eligibility rules for different types of Compensation (for example, Salary vs. Bonus), or for types of Contributions (for example, Employer Matching Contributions vs. Participant Deferrals), mark “Other” below and attach exhibits as necessary [select one]:

 

x                                  Eligible immediately upon properly completed designation by the Plan administrator or Employer;

 

o                                    Eligible after the following period of employment, Board service, etc. [enter number of days, months or years, for example, 90 days]                                             ;

 

o                                    Other [enter description]:

 

7.                                      Types and Amounts of Participant Deferrals [select all that apply and enter minimum and maximum percentages in increments of one percent (for example, Salary minimum 0% maximum 100%).  Note that no Deferral election can reduce a Participant’s Compensation below the amount necessary to satisfy required withholding for FICA/Medicare/income taxes,  required Participant Contributions into another Employer-sponsored benefit plan such as medical insurance, 401(k) loan repayments, etc.]:

 

x                                  Salary [select one]:

 

x   percentage [enter minimum 0% and maximum 100%]

or

o   fixed dollar amount [enter minimum $                 ].

 

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x                                  Non-Performance-Based Bonus [select one]:

 

x  percentage [enter minimum 0% and maximum 100%]

or

o  fixed dollar amount [enter minimum $                  ].

 

x                                  Performance-Based Bonus [select one and enter performance period (for example, 12-month period ending each March 31 ]: performance period from January 1 to December 31.

 

x  percentage [enter minimum 0% and maximum 100%]

or

o  fixed dollar amount [enter minimum $                  ].

 

o                                    Commissions [select one]:

 

o  percentage [enter minimum           % and, maximum            %]

or

o  fixed dollar amount [enter minimum $                  ].

 

x                                  Board of Directors Fees/Retainer (note — should not include expense reimbursements):

 

x  percentage [enter minimum 0% and, maximum 100%]

or

o  fixed dollar amount [enter minimum $                  ].

 

o                                    Other Service Provider Fees or other earned income from the Employer:

 

o  percentage [enter minimum                 % and, maximum              %]

or

o  fixed dollar amount [enter minimum $                  ].

 

o                                    401(k) Refund (amount deferred from Participant’s regular Compensation equal in value to any refund paid to Participant in that year resulting from excess deferrals in Employer’s 401(k) plan — see Subsection 2.9 of Plan document for definition.)

 

x                                  Social Security Trigger (amount deferred pursuant to an election by the Participant to defer a separate percentage of Compensation only from that portion of Compensation that exceeds the Social Security Taxable Wage Base for the upcoming year).

 

x                                  Other [enter description]:     Dividends paid on shares of unvested Company stock.  Any such deferral election must be made in the year before the year in which the unvested Company stock is granted.

 

x                                  Deferral of restricted stock units.

 

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NOTE:  Special Rules for Multi-Year RSU Grants Structured To Provide For Annual Vesting of a Specified Portion of the Total Grant:

 

x  Check this box if the Employer wishes to allow for deferral of restricted stock units that are structured so that a specified portion of the RSU grant vests annually (for example, an RSU grant over a four-year period vesting 25% annually).  Under this type of grant, the election to defer may be made separately with respect to each portion of the grant that vests in a given year. However, each election for each portion of the grant must be made either: (i) within 30 days of the date of grant, and only if the RSU is structured so that vesting is contingent on the employee performing services for at least an additional 12 months subsequent to the election; or (ii) 12 months before the payment date of the RSU (vesting date is treated as the payment date for these purposes), but the election will not take effect for 12 months, and the subsequent payout date must be at least five years later than the previous payment date).

 

8.                                      Definition of Compensation for Purposes of Making Plan Contributions [select one]:

 

o                                    Same definition of Compensation as in Employer’s 401(k) or other applicable qualified retirement plan.

 

x                                  Participant’s total wages, salary, commissions, overtime, bonus, etc. for a given year which the Employer is required to report on Form W-2 or other appropriate form, (or, in the case of Board members, Board fees and retainer only, but not including expense reimbursements)(or, in the case of Other Service Providers, the Participant’s total remuneration from the Employer for a given year pursuant to the agreement to provide services to the Employer), earned while the Participant is an Eligible Individual as determined by the Employer.

 

o                                    Other [enter description]:

 

9.                                      Expiration of Participant’s Deferral Elections [select all that apply]:

 

x                                  Renewed Each Year:   Participant’s Deferral Elections must be renewed each year during the open enrollment period ending no later than December 31 prior to the effective Plan year (or, in the case of Performance-Based Bonuses, no less than 6 months prior to the end of the applicable performance period).

 

x  For all types of Compensation Deferrals.

o  For Salary Deferrals only — other types of Deferrals are “evergreen.”

o  For Performance-Based Bonus only — other types of Deferrals are “ever-green.”

o  Other: [specify]

 

o                                    Evergreen:  Participant’s Deferral Elections will be “evergreen” (i.e., will continue indefinitely until the Participant’s Termination Date unless changed by the

 

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Participant — so each year the Participant will be deemed to have the same election in place as the prior year unless actively changed by the Participant during the open enrollment period ending no later than December 31 prior to the effective Plan year or, in the case of Performance-Based Bonuses, no less than 6 months prior to the end of the applicable performance period).

 

o  For all types of Compensation Deferrals.

o  For Salary Deferrals only — other types of Deferrals are renewed each year. 

o  For Performance-Based Bonus only — other types of Deferrals are renewed each year.

o  Other: [specify]

 

10.                               Employer Contributions [select all that apply]:.

 

o                                    (a)                                 No Employer Contributions.

 

o                                    (b)                                 Matching Contributions [enter description of matching formula below and also complete Items 11 and 12]

 

                

 

x                                  (c)                                  Employer Contributions other than Matching Contributions [enter description of Employer Contribution formula below and complete Item 13 ]

 

For any Plan Year, the Employer may elect to make a Discretionary Employer Contribution for any Participant

 

11.                               Employees Eligible to Receive Employer Matching Contributions.  Matching Contributions made for each Plan Year (if applicable) shall be allocated and credited to the Accounts of the following Participants: [Select one if applicable]

 

o                                    Participants who were employed by the Employer (or, in the case of non-Employee Board Members, served on the Board) during that Plan Year, or, in the case of Other Service Providers, who provided services to the Employer during that Plan Year.

 

o                                    Participants who were employed by the Employer (or, in the case of non-Employee Board Members, served on the Board) on the last day of the Plan Year, or, in the case of Other Service Providers, who provided services to the Employer on the last day of the Plan Year.

 

o                                    Participants who were employed by the Employer (or, in the case of non-Employee Board Members, served on the Board) on the last day of the Plan Year or who retired, died or were Disabled during the Plan Year, or, in the case of Other Service Providers, who provided services to the Employer on the last day

 

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of the Plan Year or who died or were Disabled during the Plan Year.  [If this option is selected, complete Item 29 — definition of “Disability”.]

 

12.                               Vesting Schedule of Employer Matching Contributions.  If Matching Contributions are made to the Plan, select the rate at which such Contributions will vest [select one]:

 

o                                    Immediate 100% vesting for all Participants.

 

o                                    ”Cliff” vesting (0%  up to cliff; 100% after cliff) [select one]:

 

o  1 year cliff (less than 1 year 0%; 1 or more years 100%)

o  2 year cliff (less than 2 years 0%; 2 or more years 100%)

o  Other cliff (enter number of years:   less than                years 0%;            or more years 100%)

 

o                                    ”Graded” vesting [enter vesting percentages]:

 

	
1   year               %
    	
6   years                  %
    	
11   years                  %
    
	
2   years               %
    	
7   years                  %
    	
12   years                  %
    
	
3   years               %
    	
8   years                  %
    	
13   years                  %
    
	
4   years               %
    	
9   years                  %
    	
14   years                  %
    
	
5   years               %
    	
10   years               %
    	
15   years                  %
    


 

o                                    Other vesting schedule: [describe schedule — subject to approval]

 

13.                               Vesting Schedule of Employer Contributions (Other Than Matching Contributions).  If Employer Contributions (other than Matching Contributions) are made to the Plan, select the rate at which such Contributions will vest [select one]:

 

o                                    Immediate 100% vesting for all Participants.

 

o                                    ”Cliff” vesting (0% up to cliff; 100% after cliff) [select one]:

 

o  1 year cliff (less than 1 year 0%; 1 or more years 100%)

o  2 year cliff (less than 2 years 0%; 2 or more years 100%)

o  Other cliff (enter number of years:   less than                  years 0%;                   or more years 100%)

 

o                                    ”Graded” vesting [enter vesting percentages]:

 

	
1   year               %
    	
6   years                  %
    	
11   years                  %
    
	
2   years               %
    	
7   years                  %
    	
12   years                  %
    
	
3   years               %
    	
8   years                  %
    	
13   years                  %
    
	
4   years               %
    	
9   years                  %
    	
14   years                  %
    
	
5   years               %
    	
10   years               %
    	
15   years                  %
    


 

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x                                  Other vesting schedule: [describe schedule — subject to approval] To be determined at the time of the contribution

 

14.                               Vesting Years.  A “Vesting Year” described above for purposes of determining vesting under the Plan shall be computed in accordance with:  [select one — if this is an amendment or restatement of a prior plan, definition from prior plan will override this definition.]

 

o                                    Years of service (12-consecutive-month periods) with the Employer since date of hire (or date of commencement of Board service).

 

o                                    Years of participation in the Plan (12-consecutive-month period between date Participant enters Plan and anniversary of such date) (if this is an amendment or restatement of a prior Plan, years of participation in prior plan will be included) (additional fees will apply if this item is selected).

 

o                                    Plan Years since each Plan Year’s total Contributions were made (“rolling vesting”) (additional fees will apply if this item is selected).  [If this option is selected, select either (a) or (b) below:]

 

o           (a)                                    Vesting will be credited/updated on the last day of the Plan year.

 

o           (b)                                    Vesting will be credited/updated on the anniversary of the date the Contribution is credited.

 

15.                               Full Vesting Upon Occurrence of Specific Event. [select all that apply]

 

x                                  100% vesting upon Normal Retirement [describe criteria such as age (can be partial year), years of service with the Employer (must be whole years of service), or years of participation in the Plan (must be whole years of participation)]

 

Retirement when Age plus Years of Service is equal to or greater than 70

 

o                                    100% vesting upon Early Retirement [describe criteria such as age (must be whole years), years of service with the Employer (must be whole years of service), or years of participation in the Plan (must be whole years of participation)]

 

 

 

x                                  100% vesting upon Death.

 

x                                  100% vesting upon Disability [complete Item 29 — definition of “Disability”].

 

x                                  100% vesting upon Change in Control of the Employer [complete Items 27 and 28 — definition of “Change in Control”]

 

o                                    100% vesting upon occurrence of other event: [describe event]

 

 

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16.                               Service Before Plan’s Establishment Excluded.  Years of service earned prior to establishment of the Plan shall be disregarded for purposes of determining vesting under the Plan:

 

o                                    Yes (this may be elected only if this is the establishment of a new Plan). 

x                                  No.

 

17.                               Forfeitures for Misconduct or Violation of Non-Compete.  Participants terminating employment prior to becoming 100% vested will forfeit the forfeitable percentage of their Accounts as indicated in accordance with the vesting schedule selected in Items 12 and/or 13.  Participants may also forfeit 100% of their Matching and Employer Contribution Accounts (if applicable) under the following circumstances:  [select any that apply]:

 

x                                  Misconduct (termination for Cause). [enter definition of Misconduct or Cause below]

 

Termination for “Cause” means termination by the Company of the Participant’s employment with the Company or one of its subsidiaries for the Participant’s (as determined by the Board in its sole discretion):

 

(i)                                     willful failure to substantially perform the Participant’s duties to the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

 

(ii)                                  breach of the Participant’s duty of loyalty to the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

 

(iii)                               commission of an act of dishonesty toward the Company or any of its subsidiaries, theft of corporate property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or usurpation of the corporate opportunities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;

 

(iv)                              unethical business conduct including any violation of law connected with the Participant’s employment at the Company or any of its subsidiaries; or

 

(v)                                 conviction of any felony involving dishonest or immoral conduct.

 

For purposes of this definition of Cause, an act or failure to act by the Participant shall be considered “willful” only if the Participant’s conduct was not in good faith and the Participant lacked a reasonable belief that the Participant’s act or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

 

x                                  Engaging in competition with the Employer.  [enter definition of engaging in competition below]

 

“Engaging in competition” means an employee-Participant, during his or her employment with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, per- sonally, or as an employee, officer, director, principal of or investor in, or consultant 

 

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or independent contractor with, another entity, engaging in business with, being employed by, or rendering any consultation or business advice or other services with respect to, any business in the United States which competes with the Company Business, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion; provided, however, that Participant may invest in (i) up to (but not more than) one percent (1%) of any class of securities of any enterprise (but without otherwise participating in the management or activities of such enterprise) if such securities are listed on any national or regional securities exchange or have been registered under Section 12(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or (ii) up to (but not more than) ten percent (10%) of any class of securities of any private fund (but without otherwise participating in the management or activities of such enterprise).  For purposes of this provision, the term “Company Business” means investing through equity capital or long-term debt in lower middle-market businesses, or investing through long-term debt in middle-market businesses.

 

18.                               Employer Stock as Deemed Investment Option.  If Employer stock will be a deemed investment option, indicate below how shares are to be tracked:  [select one]

 

x                                  Partial and whole shares.

 

o                                    Unitized fund.

 

NOTE:  Distributions of Employer Stock investments under the Plan shall be made in whole shares of Employer’s common stock for each whole share of Employer Stock under the Plan, and in cash for any fractional share of Employer Stock under the Plan.

 

19.                               In-Service Distributions.  If the Employer elects below, the Plan will allow distributions of Participant Deferral Contributions to be made to Participants while they are still employed (“In-Service Distributions”), if they elect a fixed distribution date during the regular election period.  [Select one]

 

o                                    No, In-Service Distributions will not be permitted.

 

x                                  Yes, In-Service Distributions will be permitted. [select one].

 

x  For All Participant Deferral Contributions

 

o  For Participant Compensation Deferral Contributions (other than Performance-Based Bonus) only.

 

o  For Participant Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Contributions.

 

o  For Employer Contributions. [if selected, employer contributions must be 100% vested, and additional fees may apply].  If Employer wishes to limit in-service withdrawals to specific types of Employer Contributions, enter details below:

 

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[Note — if “Yes” is elected above and the Plan will allow In-Service Distributions, please indicate if Participant will be permitted to make a “pushback” subsequent election to defer the original distribution date at least five years in accordance with Plan provisions (see subsection 9.1 of Plan document — note that election must be made 12 months prior to original distribution date and election will not take effect for 12 months) x Yes o No]

 

Please indicate the number of years a Participant must defer payment(s) until In-Service Distribution(s) may begin:

 

x     2 Years after the Calendar Year for which the deferral is effective

 

o                Years after the Calendar Year for which the deferral is effective

 

Please indicate if separate In-Service Distribution Dates are allowed for each Type of Participant Deferral selected in Item 7:

 

o       No (single distribution date allowed per Plan Year)

 

x     Yes (requires additional tracked sources per Plan Year)

 

20.                               In-Service Distributions — Form and Timing of Payment.  In-Service Distributions shall be made to Participants in the following form: [Select one]

 

o                                    Lump Sums Only (allows a percentage up to 100% to be elected for distribution)

 

x                                  Either 100% in Lump Sums or 100% in Installments.

 

[Note — if Installments are elected above, please indicate if Participant will be permitted to make a subsequent election to change the installments in accordance with Plan provisions (see subsection 9.2 of Plan document) x Yes o No]

 

21.                               Unforeseeable Emergency Distributions Dates.  If the Employer elects below, the Plan will allow distributions to be made to Participants while they are still employed if they meet the criteria for an unforeseeable emergency financial hardship (“Unforeseeable Emergency Distributions”).  Both Participant Deferral Contributions and Vested Employer Contributions can be distributed in the event of an eligible Unforeseeable Emergency Distribution event. [Select one]

 

o                                    No, Unforeseeable Emergency Distributions will not be permitted.

 

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x                                  Yes, Unforeseeable Emergency Distributions will be permitted.  [select one below].

 

o       For active Participants only.

 

x     For active Participants, terminated Participants and Beneficiaries.

 

22.                               Form of Distributions (at Termination of Employment or Death).  Distributions will be made to Participants upon Termination of Employment with the Employer or Death of the Participant as follows [select one]

 

o                                    Lump sum only.

 

o                                    Lump sum unless installments elected, but can only receive installments if Participant meets the following criteria [select all that apply— if item not selected below, then Participants in that category will receive lump sum only]:

 

o    Retirement [describe criteria such as age (can be partial year), years of service with the Employer (must be whole years of service), or years of participation in the Plan (must be whole years of participation)]

 

o    Early Retirement [describe criteria such as age (must be whole years), years of service with the Employer (must be whole years of service), or years of participation in the Plan (must be whole years of participation)]

 

o    Termination (other than for Misconduct, Cause or Violation of Non-Compete)

 

x                                  Lump sum unless installments elected, and Participant may receive installments regardless of reason for Termination of Employment.

 

[Note — if Installments are elected above, please complete Item 26 and indicate if Participant will be permitted to make a subsequent election to change the number of installments in accordance with Plan provisions (see subsection 9.2 of Plan document)  x Yes    o No]

 

23.                               Distribution Upon Disability.  If the Employer selects below, the Plan will allow distributions to be made to Participants upon Disability but while they are still employed if they meet the criteria for Disability in Item 29 below.  The form of distribution will be the same as for Termination of Employment, or as elected by the Participant.

 

o                                    No, distribution upon Disability will not be permitted.

 

x                                  Yes, distributions upon Disability will be permitted.  [complete Item 29 — definition of “Disability”].

 

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24.                               Expiration of Participant’s Distribution Elections [select one]:

 

x                                 Renewed Each Year:  Participant’s Distribution Election must be selected each year during the open enrollment period for the following year’s contributions — if no new election is made, that year’s contributions default to payment in the form of a lump sum.  In-Service Distribution Elections must be made by participants each year.

 

o                                    Evergreen: Participant’s Distribution Election will be “evergreen” (i.e., will continue indefinitely for each year’s contributions until the Participant’s Termination Date unless changed by the Participant — so each year the Participant will be deemed to have the same distribution election in place as the prior year unless actively changed by the Participant at open enrollment, and the change will only be applicable to future contributions). In-Service Distribution Elections may not be treated as evergreen.

 

25.                               Distributions Upon Change in Control:  If Employer elects below, distributions will be made to Participants upon Change in Control of the Employer (without a termination of employment of the Participant), as follows [select one, and complete Items 27 and 28 below (definition of “Change in Control”)]

 

x                                  No, Distributions upon Change in Control will not be permitted.

 

o                                    Yes, Distributions upon Change in Control will be permitted, in a lump sum only.

 

o                                    Yes, Distributions upon Change in Control will be permitted, in a lump sum or in installments as elected by the Participant.

 

26.                               Length of Installments (if Installment Distributions permitted in Item 20, 22 and/or Item 25 above)  [indicate length below]:

 

Annual installments over no fewer than 2 [enter minimum number of years — must be at least 2]  and no more than 20 years at Participant’s election [enter maximum number of years].

 

27.                               “Change in Control” — Dates of Distribution.  Distributions upon a Change in Control shall occur upon the date that [select all that apply — see Subsection 9.9  of the Plan document for more details]:

 

x                                  A person or group acquires more than 50% of the total fair market value or voting power of the stock of the corporation (select definition of “corporation” in Item 28 below).

 

x                                  A person or group acquires ownership of stock of the corporation with at least 30% of the total voting power of the corporation (select definition of “corporation” in Item 28 below).

 

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x                                  A person or group acquires assets from the corporation having a total fair market value of at least 40% of the value of all assets of the corporation immediately prior to such acquisition.  (select definition of “corporation” in Item 28 below).

 

x                                  A majority of the corporation’s board of directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the board as constituted prior to the appointment or election (select definition of “corporation” in Item 28 below).

 

28.                               “Change in Control” — Which Corporation the Change Relates.  Distributions upon a Change in Control shall be made only if the Change in Control relates to the corporation selected below:  [select all that apply]:

 

o                                    (a)                                 The corporation for whom the Participant is performing services at the time of the Change In Control event.

 

x                                  (b)                                 The corporation liable for payments from the Plan to the Participant.

 

o                                    (c)                                  A corporation that is a majority shareholder of a corporation described in (a) or (b) above.

 

o                                    (d)                                 Any corporation in the chain of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in a corporation described in (a) or (b) above.

 

29.                               Definition of “Disability.” A Participant shall be considered “Disabled” if [select one]:

 

x                                  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 at least 12 months;

 

o                                    the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months;

 

o                                    the Participant is deemed to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration;

 

o                                    the Participant is determined to be disabled in accordance with a disability insurance program, provided that the definition of disability under such disability insurance program complies with the requirements of one of the three preceding definitions above.

 

30.                               Distributions to “Key Employees” — Investment.  In order to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, distributions to “key employees” (see subsection 9.3 of the Plan Document for definition) of publicly traded companies made due to employment termination cannot be made within 6 months of the employment termination date.  If distribution to a key employee must be delayed to comply with this 6-month rule, indicate

 

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below how Account balances of such a Participant will be invested during the period of delay [select one]:

 

o                                    Valued as of most recent Valuation Date and held at the Employer without allocation of additional gains or losses after such Valuation Date until payment can be made.

 

x                                  Remain invested as if termination date had not occurred, then valued as of most recent Valuation Date and distributed.

 

31.                               QDRO Distributions.  The Employer may elect whether distributions from a Participant’s Account shall be permitted upon receipt by the Plan Administrator of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order relating to a marital dissolution or separation that provides for payment of all or a portion of a Participant’s Accounts to an alternate payee (spouse, former spouse, children, etc.).  [Indicate below whether QDRO distributions will be permitted]:

 

o                                    No, QDRO Distributions will not be permitted.

 

x                                  Yes, QDRO Distributions will be permitted.

 

32.                               Additional Survivor Death Benefit from Life Insurance.  In the event that life insurance is utilized as a funding vehicle for the Plan, the Employer may wish to provide additional Survivor Benefit from the following options: [select one]

 

x                                  No additional Survivor Benefit offered, but rather Participant’s vested Account balance.

 

o                                    Face value of life insurance policy of Participant, if any.

 

o                                    Greater of (a) face value of life insurance policy of Participant, if any, or (b) Participant’s vested Account balance.

 

o                                    Other: [enter amount or formula]              

 

33.                               Payment of Plan Expenses.  Plan expenses may be paid as follows: [select one]

 

x                                  Directly by the Employer.

 

o                                    Deducted from the Participant accounts and Plan’s trust or other custodial account (mutual fund plans only, if applicable).

 

34.                               “De Minimis” Small Amount Cashouts.  If selected by the Employer, Participant account balances that do not exceed a certain threshold amount will be automatically cashed out upon the Participant’s Termination of Employment or Death, as provided below [select one]

 

x                                  Yes, amounts that do not exceed a threshold dollar amount will automatically be cashed out: IRS 402(g) limit

 

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o                                    No, no “de minimis” small amounts will be cashed out.

 

By signing this Adoption Agreement, the Employer certifies that it has consulted with legal counsel regarding the effects of the Plan, as applicable, on all parties.  The Employer further certifies that it has and will limit participation in the Plan to a select group of management or highly compensated Employees, Board Members or Other Service Providers, as determined by the Employer in consultation with legal counsel.  The Employer further certifies that it is the Employer’s sole responsibility to ensure that each Participant with the right to direct deemed investments under the Plan that are based on securities issued by the Employer or a member of its controlled group (as defined in Code Section 414(b) and (c)) will receive a prospectus for any such deemed investment option based on such Employer securities.

 

The Employer is solely responsible for its compliance with applicable laws, including Federal and state securities and other applicable laws.

 

Only those elections that are completed shall be considered as provisions applicable to and forming a part of the Plan.

 

This Adoption Agreement may only be used in conjunction with the Plan document.  All selections in the Adoption Agreement providing for customized or “other” plan provisions are subject to review for administrative feasibility, and may be subject to additional fees.

 

Terms used in this Adoption Agreement which are defined in the Plan document shall have the meaning given them therein.

 

The Employer hereby acknowledges that it is adopting this Nonqualified Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan.  Federal legislation or other changes in the law relating to nonqualified deferred compensation or other employee benefit plans may require that the Plan be amended.

 

*                                         *                                         *

 

The undersigned duly authorized owner, or officer of the Employer hereby executes the Plan on behalf of the Employer.

 

Dated this            day of             ,            .

 

 

	
 
    	
Main Street Capital Corporation
    
	
 
    	
Employer
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Its
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By
    	
 
    


 

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NONQUALIFIED
 SUPPLEMENTAL DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
 - PLAN DOCUMENT -

 

This document and the accompanying adoption agreement have not been approved by the Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, Securities Exchange Commission, or any other governmental entity.  Employers may not rely on this document or the accompanying adoption agreement to ensure any particular tax consequences with respect to the Employer’s particular situation, nor do these documents constitute legal or tax advice.  Pen-Cal and its employees cannot provide legal or tax advice in connection with these documents.  Employers must determine the extent to which the Plan is subject to Federal or state securities laws.  You should have your attorney review this document and the accompanying adoption agreement before adopting the documents.  This document and the accompanying adoption agreement cannot be used in order to avoid penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.

 











 

NONQUALIFIED
 SUPPLEMENTAL DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
 - PLAN DOCUMENT -

 

SECTION 1                            INTRODUCTION

 

1.1                               Adoption of Plan and Purpose

 

This Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified deferred compensation plan.  With the consent of the Employer (as defined in subsection 2.16) the plan may be adopted by executing the Adoption Agreement (as defined in subsection 2.3) in the form attached hereto.  The Plan contains certain variable features which the Employer has specified in the Adoption Agreement.  Only those variable features specified by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement will be applicable to the Employer.

 

The purpose of the Plan is to provide certain supplemental benefits under the Plan to a select group of management or highly compensated Employees of the Employer (in accordance with Sections 201, 301 and 401 of ERISA), Members of the Board(s) of the Employer, or Other Service Providers to the Employer (as defined below), and to allow such Employees, Board Members or Other Service Providers the opportunity to defer a portion of their salaries, bonuses and other compensation, subject to the terms of the Plan.  Participants (and their Beneficiaries) shall have only those rights to payments as set forth in the Plan and shall be considered general, unsecured creditors of the Employer with respect to any such rights.  The Plan is designed to comply with Code Section 409A and all guidance issued in connection with Code Section 409A.  It is intended that the Plan be interpreted according to a good faith interpretation of Code Section 409A, and consistent with published IRS guidance, including proposed and final IRS regulations under Code Section 409A. Treatment of amounts in the Plan under any transition rules provided under all IRS and other guidance in connection with Code Section 409A shall be expressly authorized hereunder in accordance with procedures developed by the Administrator.  In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the Plan and Code Section 409A (and regulations thereunder), the terms of Code Section 409A (and the regulations thereunder) shall control.  The Plan is intended to constitute an account balance plan (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)).

 

By becoming a Participant and making deferrals under this Plan, each Participant agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Plan and the determinations of the Employer and the Administrator hereunder.

 

1.2                               Adoption of the Plan

 

The Employer may adopt the Plan by completing and signing the Adoption Agreement in the form attached hereto.

 

1.3                               Plan Year

 

The Plan is administered on the basis of a Plan Year, as defined in subsection 2.27.

 

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1.4                               Plan Administration

 

The plan shall be administered by a plan administrator (the “Administrator,” as that term is defined in Section 3(16)(A) of ERISA) designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.  The Administrator has full discretionary authority to construe and interpret the provisions of the Plan and make factual determinations thereunder, including the power to determine the rights or eligibility of employees or participants and any other persons, and the amounts of their benefits under the plan, and to remedy ambiguities, inconsistencies or omissions, and such determinations shall be binding on all parties.  The Administrator from time to time may adopt such rules and regulations as may be necessary or desirable for the proper and efficient administration of the Plan and as are consistent with the terms of the Plan.  The administrator may delegate all or any part of its powers, rights, and duties under the Plan to such person or persons as it may deem advisable, and may engage agents to provide certain administrative services with respect to the Plan.  Any notice or document relating to the Plan which is to be filed with the Administrator may be delivered, or mailed by registered or certified mail, postage pre-paid, to the Administrator, or to any designated representative of the Administrator, in care of the Employer, at its principal office.

 

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SECTION 2                            DEFINITIONS

 

2.1                               Account

 

“Account” means all notional accounts and subaccounts maintained for a Participant in order to reflect his interest under the Plan, as described in Section 6.

 

2.2                               Administrator

 

“Administrator” means the individual or individuals (if any) delegated authority by the Employer to administer the Plan, as defined in subsection 1.4.

 

2.3                               Adoption Agreement

 

“Adoption Agreement” shall mean the form executed by the Employer and attached hereto, which Agreement shall constitute a part of the Plan.

 

2.4                               Beneficiary

 

“Beneficiary” means the person or persons to whom a deceased Participant’s benefits are payable under subsection 9.5.

 

2.5                               Board

 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Employer (if applicable), as from time to time constituted.

 

2.6                               Board Member

 

“Board Member” means a member of the Board.

 

2.7                               Bonus

 

“Bonus” (also referred to herein as a “Non-Performance-Based Bonus”) means an award of cash that is not a Performance-Based Bonus (as defined in subsection 2.25) that is payable to an Employee (or Board Member or Other Service Provider, as applicable) in a given year, with respect to the immediately preceding Bonus performance period, which may or may not be contingent upon the achievement of specified performance goals.

 

2.8                               Code

 

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Reference to a specific section of the Code shall include such section, any valid regulation promulgated thereunder, and any comparable provision of any future legislation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section.

 

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2.9                               Compensation

 

“Compensation” shall mean the amount of a Participant’s remuneration from the Employer designated in the Adoption Agreement for the Plan Year (or, as determined in accordance with procedures established by the Employer, for the period during which the Participant remains an Eligible Individual).   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Compensation of an Other Service Provider (as defined in subsection 2.22) shall mean his remuneration from the Employer pursuant to an agreement to provide services to the Employer.   With respect to any Participant who is a Member of the Board (if applicable), “Compensation” means all cash remuneration which, absent a deferral election under the Plan, would have otherwise been received by the Board Member in the taxable year, payable to the Board Member for service on the Board and on Board committees, including any cash payable for attendance at Board meetings and Board committee meetings, but not including any amounts constituting reimbursements of expenses to Board Members.   To the extent the Employer has designated “401(k) Refunds” in the Adoption Agreement (and to the extent elected by the Participant), an amount equal to the Participant’s “401(k) Refund” shall be deferred from the Participant’s Compensation otherwise payable to the Participant in the next subsequent Compensation pay period (or such later pay period in the same calendar year as the Administrator determines shall be administratively feasible), and shall be credited to the Participant’s Compensation Deferral Account in accordance with subsection 4.1.  For purposes of this subsection, “401(k) Refund” means any amount distributed to the applicable Participant from the Employer’s qualified retirement plan intended to comply with Section 401(k) of the Code that is in excess of the maximum deferral for the prior calendar year allowable under such qualified retirement plan.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the definition of compensation for purposes of determining key employees under subsection 9.3 of the Plan shall be determined solely in accordance with subsection 9.3.  To the extent not otherwise designated by the Employer in a separate document forming part of the Plan, Compensation payable after December 31 of a given year solely for services performed during the Employer’s final payroll period containing December 31, is treated as Compensation payable for services performed in the subsequent year in which the non-deferred portion of the payroll payment is actually made.

 

2.10                        Compensation Deferrals

 

“Compensation Deferrals” means the amounts credited to a Participant’s Compensation Deferral Account pursuant to the Participant’s election made in accordance with subsection 4.1.

 

2.11                        Deferral Election

 

“Deferral Election” means an election by a Participant to make Compensation Deferrals or Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals in accordance with Section 4.

 

2.12                        Disability

 

“Disability” for purposes of this Plan shall mean the occurrence of an event as a result of which the Participant is considered disabled, as designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.

 

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2.13                        Effective Date

 

“Effective Date” means the Effective Date of the Plan, as indicated in the Adoption Agreement.

 

2.14                        Eligible Individual

 

“Eligible Individual” means each Board Member, Other Service Provider, or Employee of an Employer who satisfies the eligibility requirements set forth in the Adoption Agreement, for the period during which he is determined by the Employer to satisfy such requirements.

 

2.15                        Employee

 

“Employee” means a person who is employed by an Employer and is treated and/or classified by the Employer as a common law employee for purposes of wage withholding for Federal income taxes.  If a person is not considered to be an Employee of the Employer in accordance with the preceding sentence, a subsequent determination by the Employer, any governmental agency, or a court that the person is a common law employee of the Employer, even if such determination is applicable to prior years, will not have a retroactive effect for purposes of eligibility to participate in the Plan.

 

2.16                        Employer

 

“Employer” means the business entity designated in the Adoption Agreement, and its successors and assigns unless otherwise herein provided, or any other corporation or business organization which, with the consent of the Employer, or its successors or assigns, assumes the Employer’s obligations hereunder, and any affiliate or subsidiary of the Employer or other corporation or business organization in the Employer’s “controlled group” (as defined in Subsections 414(b) and (c) of the Code and Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations),  that has adopted the Plan on behalf of its Eligible Individuals with the consent of the Employer.

 

2.17                        Employer Contributions

 

“Employer Contributions” means the amounts other than Matching Contributions that are credited to a Participant’s Employer Contributions Account under the Plan by the Employer in accordance with subsection 4.4.

 

2.18                        ERISA

 

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.  Reference to a specific section of ERISA shall include such section, any valid regulation promulgated thereunder, and any comparable provision of any future legislation amending, supplementing, or superseding such section.

 

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2.19                        Fiscal Year Compensation

 

“Fiscal Year Compensation” means Compensation relating to a period of service coextensive with one or more consecutive non-calendar-year fiscal years of the Employer, where no amount of such Compensation is paid or payable during the service period.  For example, a Bonus based upon a service period of two consecutive fiscal years payable after the completion of the second fiscal year would be “Fiscal Year Compensation,” but periodic salary payments or Bonuses based on service periods other than the Employer’s fiscal year would not be Fiscal Year Compensation.

 

2.20                        Investment Funds

 

“Investment Funds” means the notional funds or other investment vehicles designated pursuant to subsection 5.1.

 

2.21                        Matching Contributions

 

“Matching Contributions” means the amounts credited to a Participant’s Employer Contribution Account under the Plan by the Employer that are based on the amount of Participant Deferrals made by the Participant under the Plan, or that are based upon such other formula as designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, in accordance with subsection 4.3.

 

2.22                        Other Service Providers

 

“Other Service Providers” shall mean independent contractors, consultants, or other similar providers of services to the Employer, other than Employees and Board Members.  To the extent that an Other Service Provider is unrelated to the Employer and satisfies the other requirements of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(f)(2)(i) as described therein and in Code Section 409A and other applicable regulations, guidance, etc. thereunder, the provisions of such guidance shall not apply.  To the extent that an Other Service Provider uses an accrual method of accounting for a given taxable year, amounts deferred under the Plan in such taxable year shall not be subject to Code Section 409A and other applicable guidance thereunder, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary.

 

2.23                        Participant

 

“Participant” means an Eligible Individual who meets the requirements of Section 3 and elects to make Compensation Deferrals pursuant to Section 4, or who receives Employer Contributions or Matching Contributions pursuant to subsection 4.3 or 4.4.  A Participant shall cease being a Participant in accordance with subsection 3.2 herein.

 

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2.24                        Participant Deferrals

 

“Participant Deferrals” means all amounts deferred by a Participant under this Plan, including Participant Compensation Deferrals and Participant Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals.

 

2.25                        Performance-Based Bonus

 

“Performance-Based Bonus” generally means Compensation where the amount of, or entitlement to, the compensation is contingent on the satisfaction of previously established organizational or individual performance criteria relating to a performance period of at least 12 consecutive months in which the Eligible Individual performs services, pursuant to rules described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(e).

 

2.26                        Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals

 

“Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals” means the amounts credited to a Participant’s Compensation Deferral Account from the Participant’s Performance-Based Bonus pursuant to the Participant’s election made in accordance with subsection 4.2.

 

2.27                        Plan Year

 

“Plan Year” means each 12-month period specified in the Adoption Agreement, on the basis of which the Plan is administered.

 

2.28                        Retirement

 

“Retirement” for purposes of this Plan means the Participant’s Termination Date, as defined in subsection 2.30, after attaining any age and/or service minimums with respect to Retirement or Early Retirement as designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.

 

2.29                        Spouse

 

“Spouse” means the person to whom a Participant is legally married under applicable state law at the earlier of the date of the Participant’s death or the date payment of the Participant’s benefits commenced and who is living on the date of the Participant’s death.

 

2.30                        Termination Date

 

“Termination Date” means (i) with respect to an Employee Participant, the Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations, notices and other guidance thereunder, including death or Disability) with the Employer, and any subsidiary or affiliate of the Employer as defined in Sections 414(b) and (c) of the Code and Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations; (ii) with respect to a Board Member Participant, the Participant’s resignation or removal from the Board (for any reason, including death or 

 

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following Disability); and (iii) with respect to any Other Service Provider, the expiration of all agreements to provide services to the Employer (for any reason, including death or following Disability).  The date that an Employee’s, Board Member’s, or Other Service Provider’s performance of services for all the Employers is reduced to a level less than 20% of the average level of services performed in the preceding 36-month period, shall be considered a Termination Date, and the performance of services at a level of 50% or more of the average level of services performed in the preceding 36-month period shall not be considered a Termination Date, based on the parties’ reasonable expectations as of the applicable date. A Participant’s Termination Date shall not be deemed to have occurred if the Employee’s, Board Member’s or Other Service Provider’s average level of service performed in the preceding 36-month period drops below 50% but not less than 20%, unless the Employer: (i) has designated in a writing forming part of the Plan that a level between 20% and 50% will be deemed to trigger a Termination Date, and (ii) such writing was in place at or prior to the date required under Code Section 409A and the regulations and other guidance thereunder.  If such designation is subsequently changed, the change must comply with the rules regarding subsequent deferrals and the acceleration of payments described in Code Section 409A and the regulations, notices, rulings and other guidance thereunder.  If a Participant is both a Board Member Participant and an Employee Participant, “Termination Date” means the date the Participant satisfies both criteria (i) and (ii) above.

 

2.31                        Valuation Date

 

“Valuation Date” means the last day of each Plan Year and any other date that the Employer, in its sole discretion, designates as a Valuation Date, as of which the value of an Investment Fund is adjusted for notional deferrals, contributions, distributions, gains, losses, or expenses.

 

2.32                        Other Definitions

 

Other defined terms used in the Plan shall have the meanings given such terms elsewhere in the Plan.

 

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SECTION 3                            ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

 

3.1                               Eligibility

 

Each Eligible Individual on the Effective Date of the Plan shall be eligible to become a Participant by properly making a Deferral Election on a timely basis as described in Section 4, or, if applicable and eligible as designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, by receiving a Matching Contribution or other Employer Contribution under the Plan.  Each other Eligible Individual may become a Participant by making a Deferral Election on a timely basis as described in Section 4 or, if applicable and eligible as designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, by receiving a Matching Contribution or other Employer Contribution under the Plan.  Each Eligible Individual’s decision to become a Participant by making a Deferral Election shall be entirely voluntary.  The Employer may require the Participant to complete any necessary forms or other information as it deems necessary or advisable prior to permitting the Eligible Individual to commence participation in the Plan.

 

3.2                               Cessation of Participation

 

If a Termination Date occurs with respect to a Participant, or if a Participant otherwise ceases to be an Eligible Individual, no further Compensation Deferrals, Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals, Matching Contributions or other Employer Contributions shall be credited to the Participant’s Accounts after the Participant’s Termination Date or date the Participant ceases to be eligible (or as soon as administratively feasible after the date the Participant ceases to be eligible or, if applicable, the end of the then-current Plan Year or performance period with respect to Performance-Based Bonuses), unless he is again determined to be an Eligible Individual, but the balance credited to his Accounts shall continue to be adjusted for notional investment gains and losses under the terms of the Plan and shall be distributed to him at the time and manner set forth in Section 9.  An Employee, Board Member or Other Service Provider shall cease to be a Participant after his Termination Date or other loss of eligibility as soon as his entire Account balance has been distributed.

 

3.3                               Eligibility for Matching or Employer Contributions

 

An Employee Participant who has satisfied the requirements necessary to become an Eligible Individual with respect to Matching Contributions as specified in the Adoption Agreement, and who has made a Compensation Deferral election pursuant to subsection 4.1 herein or who has satisfied such other criteria as specified in the Adoption Agreement, shall be eligible to receive Matching Contributions described in subsection 4.3.  An Employee Participant who has satisfied the requirements necessary to become an Eligible Individual with respect to Employer Contributions other than Matching Contributions as specified in the Adoption Agreement, shall be eligible to receive Employer Contributions described in subsection 4.4.

 

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SECTION 4    DEFERRALS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

 

4.1                               Compensation Deferrals Other Than Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals

 

Each Plan Year, an Eligible Individual may elect to defer receipt of no less than the minimum and no greater than the maximum percentage or amount selected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement with respect to each type of Compensation (other than Performance-Based Bonuses) earned with respect to pay periods beginning on and after the effective date of the election; provided, however, that Compensation earned prior to the date the Participant satisfies the eligibility requirements of Section 3 shall not be eligible for deferral under this Plan. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a Participant’s Deferral Election for a Plan Year under this subsection must be made not later than December 31 of the preceding Plan Year (or such earlier date as determined by the Administrator) with respect to Compensation (other than Performance-Based Bonuses) earned in pay periods beginning on or after the following January 1 in accordance with rules established by the Administrator.  An election to defer restricted stock units (RSUs) into the Plan must be made by one of the following deadlines: (i) the end of the calendar year prior to the date of grant of the RSU; (ii) 12 months before the payment date of the RSU (vesting date is treated as the payment date for these purposes), but the election will not take effect for 12 months, and the subsequent payout date must be at least five years later than the original payment date); (iii) within 30 days of the date of grant (but only if the RSU is structured so that vesting is contingent on the Participant performing services for at least an additional 12 months); or (iv) within 6 months of the payment (vesting) date, but only if the RSU is performance-based under Code Section 409A, and only if the performance period must be at least 12 months long and either: (a) the amount of the compensation cannot be reasonably ascertained at the time of the election, or (b) the performance requirement is still not substantially certain to be met at the time of the election.  If the Employer allows for deferral of RSUs structured so that a specified portion of the RSU grant vests periodically (for example, an RSU grant over a four-year period vesting 25% annually), then the election to defer may be made separately with respect to each portion of the grant that vests in a given year, if permitted by the Employer.  However, each election for each portion of the grant must be made either: (i) within thirty days of the date of grant or each anniversary thereof, and only if the RSU is structured so that vesting is contingent on the employee performing services for at least an additional 12 months subsequent to the election; or (ii) 12 months before the payment date of the RSU (vesting date is treated as the payment date for these purposes), but the election will not take effect for 12 months, and the subsequent payout date must be at least five years later than the previous payment date.

 

An Employee, Board Member or Other Service Provider who first becomes an Eligible Individual during a Plan Year (by virtue of a promotion, Compensation increase, commencement of employment with the Employer, commencement of Board service, execution of an agreement to provide services to an Employer, or any other reason) shall be provided enrollment documents (including Deferral Election forms) as soon as administratively feasible following such initial notification of eligibility.  Such Eligible Individual must make his Deferral Elections within 30 days after first becoming an Eligible Individual, with respect to his Compensation (other than Performance-Based Bonuses) earned on or after the effective date of the Deferral Election 

 

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(provided, however, that if such Eligible Individual is participating in any other account balance plan maintained by the Employer or any member of the Employer’s “controlled group” (as defined in subsections 414(b) and (c) of the Code), such Eligible Individual must make his Compensation Deferral Election no later than December 31 of the preceding Plan Year (or such earlier date as determined by the Administrator), or he may not elect to make Compensation Deferrals for that initial Plan Year).  If an Eligible Individual does not elect to make Compensation Deferrals during that initial 30-day period, he may not later elect to make Compensation Deferrals for that year under this subsection.  In the event that an Eligible Individual first becomes eligible during a Plan Year with respect to which Fiscal Year Compensation is payable, such Eligible Individual must make his Fiscal Year Compensation Deferral Election on or before the end of the fiscal year of the Employer immediately preceding the first fiscal year in which any services are performed for which the Fiscal Year Compensation is payable.

 

In the case of an Employee, Board Member or Other Service Provider who is rehired (or who recommences Board Service or recommences providing services to an Employer as an Other Service Provider) after having previously been an Eligible Individual, the phrase “first becomes an Eligible Individual” in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph shall be interpreted to apply only where the Eligible Individual either (i) previously received payment of his total Account balances under the Plan, or (ii) did not previously receive payment of his total Account balances under the Plan, but is rehired (or recommences Board Service or recommences providing services to an Employer as an Other Service Provider) at least 24 months after his last day as a previously Eligible Individual prior to again becoming such an Eligible Individual.  In all other cases such rehired Employee, Board Member or Other Service Provider may not elect to make Compensation Deferrals until the next date determined by the Administrator with respect to Compensation earned after the following January 1.  Similarly, in the case of an Employee who recommences status as an Eligible Individual for any other reason after having previously lost his status as an Eligible Individual (due to Compensation fluctuations, transfer from an ineligible location or job classification, or otherwise), the phrase “first becomes an Eligible Individual” shall be interpreted to apply only where the Eligible Individual either: (i) previously received payment of his total Account balances under the Plan, or (ii) did not previously receive payment of his total Account balances under the Plan, but regains his status as an Eligible Individual at least 24 months after his last day as a previously Eligible Individual prior to again becoming such an Eligible Individual.  In all other cases such Re-Eligible Participant may not elect to make Compensation Deferrals until the next date determined by the Administrator with respect to Compensation earned after the following January 1.

 

An election to make Compensation Deferrals under this subsection 4.1 shall remain in effect through the last pay period commencing in the calendar year to which the election applies (except as provided in subsections 2.9 or 4.5), shall apply with respect to the applicable type of Compensation (other than Performance-Based Bonuses) to which the Deferral Election relates earned for pay periods commencing in the applicable calendar year to which the election applies, and shall be irrevocable (provided, however, that a Participant making a Deferral Election under this subsection may change his election at any time prior to December 31 of the year preceding the year for which the Deferral Election is applicable, subject to rules established by the 

 

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Administrator).  If a Participant fails to make a Compensation Deferral election for a given Plan Year, such Participant’s Compensation Deferral Election for that Plan Year shall be deemed to be zero; provided, however, that if the Employer has elected in the Adoption Agreement that a Participant’s Compensation Deferral Election shall be “evergreen”, then such Participant’s Compensation Deferral Election shall be deemed to be identical to the most recent applicable Deferral Election on file with the Administrator with respect to the applicable type of Compensation; provided, however, that no In-Service Distribution shall be applicable to any amounts deferred in a year in which the Participant fails to make an affirmative election, and payment of such amounts for such year shall be made in accordance with his most recent election on file with the Administrator (if no election is on file, then such amounts shall be paid to him in a single lump sum).

 

Compensation Deferrals shall be credited to the Participant’s Compensation Deferral Account as soon as administratively feasible after such amounts would have been payable to the Participant.

 

4.2                               Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals

 

Each Plan Year, an Eligible Individual may elect to defer receipt of no less than the minimum and no greater than the maximum percentage or amount selected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement with respect to Performance-Based Bonuses earned with respect to the performance period for which the Performance-Based Bonus is earned; provided, however, that the Eligible Individual performed services continuously from a date no later than the date upon which the performance criteria are established through a date no earlier than the date upon which the Eligible Individual makes a Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Election; and further provided that in no event may an election to defer Performance-Based Bonuses be made after such Bonuses have become readily ascertainable.  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a Participant’s Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Election under this subsection must be made not later than six months (or such earlier date as determined by the Administrator) prior to the end of the performance period.

 

An Employee, Board Member or Other Service Provider who first becomes an Eligible Individual during a Plan Year (by virtue of a promotion, Compensation increase, commencement of employment with the Employer, commencement of Board service, execution of an agreement to provide services to an Employer, or any other reason) shall be provided enrollment documents (including Deferral Election forms) as soon as administratively feasible following such initial notification of eligibility.  Such Eligible Individual must make his Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Election within 30 days after first becoming an Eligible Individual (provided, however, that if such Eligible Individual is participating in any other account balance plan maintained by the Employer or any member of the Employer’s “controlled group” (as defined in subsections 414(b) and (c) of the Code), such Eligible Individual must perform services continuously from a date no later than the date the performance criteria are established, and must make his Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Election no later than six months (or such earlier date as determined by the Administrator) prior to the end of the performance period, and at a time when the Performance-Based Bonus is not readily ascertainable, or he may not elect to make 

 

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Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals for such initial Plan Year.  In the case of a Deferral Election in the first year of eligibility that is made after the beginning of the Performance-Based Bonus performance period, the Deferral Election will apply to the portion of the Performance-Based Bonus equal to the total amount of the Performance-Based Bonus for the performance period multiplied by the ratio of the number of days remaining in the performance period after the effective date of the Deferral Election over the total number of days in the Performance Period.  If an Eligible Individual does not elect to make a Performance-Based Bonus Deferral during that initial 30-day period, he may not later elect to make a Performance-Based Bonus Deferral for that performance period under this subsection.  Rules relating to the timing of elections to make a Performance-Based Bonus Deferral with respect to an Employee, Board Member or Other Service Provider who becomes an Eligible Individual (due to rehire or other similar event) after having previously been an Eligible Individual shall be applied in a manner similar to rules described applicable to rehired and other Re-Eligible Participants in subsection 4.1 above.

 

An election to make Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals under this subsection 4.2 shall remain in effect through the end of the performance period to which the election applies (except as provided in subsection 4.5), and shall be irrevocable (provided, however, that a Participant making a Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Election under this subsection with respect to a Performance-Based Bonus that is not yet readily ascertainable, may change his election at any time prior to the first day of the six-month period ending on the last day of the performance period for which the Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Election is applicable, subject to rules established by the Administrator).  If a Participant fails to make a Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Election for a given performance period, such Participant’s Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Election for that performance period shall be deemed to be zero; provided, however, that if the Employer has elected in the Adoption Agreement that a Participant’s Performance-Based Deferral Election shall be “evergreen”, then such Participant’s Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Election shall be deemed to be identical to the most recent applicable Performance-Based Bonus Deferral Election on file with the Administrator; provided, however, that no In-Service Distribution shall be applicable to any amounts deferred in a year in which the Participant fails to make an affirmative election, and payment of such amounts for such year shall be made in accordance with his most recent election on file with the Administrator (if no election is on file, then such amounts shall be paid to him in a single lump sum).

 

Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals shall be credited to the Participant’s Compensation Deferral Account as soon as administratively feasible after such amounts would have been payable to the Participant.

 

4.3                               Matching Contributions

 

Matching Contributions shall be determined in accordance with the formula specified in the Adoption Agreement, and shall be credited to the Employer Contribution Accounts of Participants who have satisfied the eligibility requirements for Matching Contributions specified in the Adoption Agreement.  Matching Contributions under this Plan shall be credited to such Participants’ Employer Contribution Accounts as soon as administratively feasible after the 

 

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Applicable Period selected in the Adoption Agreement, but only with respect to Participants eligible to receive such Matching Contributions as described in the Adoption Agreement.

 

4.4                               Other Employer Contributions

 

Employer Contributions other than Matching Contributions shall be discretionary from year to year, and shall be credited to the Employer Contribution Accounts of Participants who have satisfied the eligibility requirements for Employer Contributions, all as determined by the Employer and documented in writing, and such writings will form part of the Plan, as specified in the Adoption Agreement.  Employer Contributions under this Plan shall be credited to such Participants’ Employer Contributions Accounts as soon as administratively feasible.

 

4.5                               No Election Changes During Plan Year

 

A Participant shall not be permitted to change or revoke his Deferral Elections (except as otherwise described in subsections 4.1 and 4.2), except that, if a Participant’s status changes such that he becomes ineligible for the Plan, the Participant’s Deferrals under the Plan shall cease as described in subsection 3.2.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Employer maintains a qualified plan designed to comply with the requirements of Code Section 401(k) that requires the cessation of all deferrals in the event of a hardship withdrawal under such plan, the Participant’s Deferrals under this Plan shall cease as soon as administratively feasible upon notification to the Administrator that the participant has taken such a hardship withdrawal.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Employer has elected in the Adoption Agreement to permit Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawals pursuant to subsection 9.8, the Participant’s Deferrals under this Plan shall cease as soon as administratively feasible upon approval by the Administrator of a Participant’s properly submitted request for an Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawal under subsection 9.8.

 

4.6                               Crediting of Deferrals

 

The amount of deferrals pursuant to subsections 4.1 and 4.2 shall be credited to the Participant’s Accounts as of a date determined to be administratively feasible by the Administrator.

 

4.7                               Reduction of Deferrals or Contributions

 

Any Participant Deferrals or Employer Contributions to be credited to a Participant’s Account under this Section may be reduced by an amount equal to the Federal or state, local or foreign income, payroll, or other taxes required to be withheld on such deferrals or contributions or to satisfy any necessary contributions under an employee welfare benefit plan described under Section 125 of the Code.  A Participant shall be entitled only to the net amount of such deferral or contribution (as adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms of the Plan).  The Administrator may notify a Participant of limitations on his Deferral Election if, as a result of any election, a Participant’s Compensation from the Employer would be insufficient to cover taxes, withholding, and other required deductions applicable to the Participant.

 

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SECTION 5    NOTIONAL INVESTMENTS

 

5.1                               Investment Funds

 

The Employer may designate, in its discretion, one or more Investment Funds for the notional investment of Participants’ Accounts.  The Employer, in its discretion, may from time to time establish new Investment Funds or eliminate existing Investment Funds.  The Investment Funds are for recordkeeping purposes only and do not allow Participants to direct any Employer assets (including, if applicable, the assets of any trust related to the Plan).  Each Participant’s Accounts shall be adjusted pursuant to the Participant’s notional investment elections made in accordance with this Section 5, except as otherwise determined by the Employer or Administrator in their sole discretion.

 

5.2                               Investment Fund Elections

 

The Employer shall have full discretion in the direction of notional investments of Participants’ Accounts under the Plan; provided, however, that if the Employer so elects in the Adoption Agreement, each Participant may elect from among the Investment Funds for the notional investment of such of his Accounts as are permitted under the Adoption Agreement from time to time in accordance with procedures established by the Employer.  The Administrator, in its discretion, may adopt (and may modify from time to time) such rules and procedures as it deems necessary or appropriate to implement the notional investment of the Participant’s Accounts.  Such procedures may differ among Participants or classes of Participants, as determined by the Employer or the Administrator in its discretion.  The Employer or Administrator may limit, delay or restrict the notional investment of certain Participants’ Accounts, or restrict allocation or reallocation into specified notional investment options, in accordance with rules established in order to comply with Employer policy and applicable law,  to minimize regulated filings and disclosures, or under any other circumstances in the discretion of the Employer.  Any deferred amounts subject to a Participant’s investment election that must be so limited, delayed or restricted under such circumstances may be notionally invested in an Investment Fund designated by the Administrator, or may be credited with earnings at a rate determined by the Administrator, which rate may be zero.  A Participant’s notional investment election shall remain in effect until later changed in accordance with the rules of the Administrator.  If a Participant does not make a notional investment election, all deferrals by the Participant and contributions on his behalf will be deemed to be notionally invested in the Investment Fund designated by the Employer for such purpose, or, at the Employer’s election, may remain uninvested until such time as the Administrator receives proper direction, or may be credited with earnings at a rate determined by the Administrator or Employer, which rate may be zero.

 

5.3                               Investment Fund Transfers

 

A Participant may elect that all or a part of his notional interest in an Investment Fund shall be transferred to one or more of the other Investment Funds.  A Participant may make such notional Investment Fund transfers in accordance with rules established from time to time by the Employer or the Administrator, and in accordance with subsection 5.2.

 

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SECTION 6    ACCOUNTING

 

6.1                               Individual Accounts

 

Bookkeeping Accounts shall be maintained under the Plan in the name of each Participant, as applicable, along with any subaccounts under such Accounts deemed necessary or advisable from time to time, including a subaccount for each Plan Year that a Participant’s Deferral Election is in effect.  Each such subaccount shall reflect (i) the amount of the Participant’s Deferral during that year, any Matching Contributions or Employer Contributions credited during that year, and the notional gains, losses, expenses, appreciation and depreciation attributable thereto.

 

Rules and procedures may be established relating to the maintenance, adjustment, and liquidation of Participants’ Accounts, the crediting of deferrals and contributions and the notional gains, losses, expenses, appreciation, and depreciation attributable thereto, as are considered necessary or advisable.

 

6.2                               Adjustment of Accounts

 

Pursuant to rules established by the Employer,  Participants’ Accounts will be adjusted on each Valuation Date, except as provided in Section 9, to reflect the notional value of the various Investment Funds as of such date, including adjustments to reflect any deferrals and contributions, notional transfers between Investment Funds, and notional gains, losses, expenses, appreciation, or depreciation with respect to such Accounts since the previous Valuation Date.  The “value” of an Investment Fund at any Valuation Date may be based on the fair market value of the Investment Fund, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

6.3                               Accounting Methods

 

The accounting methods or formulae to be used under the Plan for purposes of monitoring Participants’ Accounts, including the calculation and crediting of notional gains, losses, expenses, appreciation, or depreciation, shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.  The accounting methods or formulae selected by the Administrator may be revised from time to time.

 

6.4                               Statement of Account

 

At such times and in such manner as determined by the Administrator, but at least annually, each Participant will be furnished with a statement reflecting the condition of his Accounts.

 

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SECTION 7    VESTING

 

A Participant shall be fully vested at all times in his Compensation Deferral Account (if applicable).  A Participant shall be vested in his Matching Contributions and/or Employer Contributions (if applicable), in accordance with the vesting schedule elected by the Employer under the Adoption Agreement.  Vesting Years of Service shall be determined in accordance with the election made by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.  Amounts in a Participant’s Accounts that are not vested upon the Participant’s Termination Date (“forfeitures”) may be used to reinstate amounts previously forfeited by other Participants who are subsequently rehired, or may be returned to the Employer, in the discretion of the Employer or the Administrator.

 

If a Participant has a Termination Date with the Employer as a result of the Participant’s Misconduct (as defined by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement), or if the Participant engages in Competition with the Employer (as defined by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement), and the Employer has so elected in the Adoption Agreement, the Participant shall forfeit all amounts allocated to his or her Matching Contribution Account and/or Employer Contribution Accounts (if applicable).  Such forfeitures shall be returned to the Employer.

 

Neither the Administrator nor the Employer in any way guarantee the Participant’s Account balance from loss or depreciation.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Participant’s Account balance is subject to Section 8.

 

Vesting Years of Service in the event of the rehire of a Participant shall be reinstated, and amounts previously forfeited by such Participants may be reinstated from forfeitures made by other Participants, or may be reinstated by the Employer.

 

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SECTION 8    FUNDING

 

No Participant or other person shall acquire by reason of the Plan any right in or title to any assets, funds, or property of the Employer whatsoever, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any specific funds, assets, or other property of the Employer.  Benefits under the Plan are unfunded and unsecured.  A Participant shall have only an unfunded, unsecured right to the amounts, if any, payable hereunder to that Participant.  The Employer’s obligations under this Plan are not secured or funded in any manner, even if the Employer elects to establish a trust with respect to the Plan.  Even though benefits provided under the Plan are not funded, the Employer may establish a trust to assist in the payment of benefits.  All investments under this Plan are notional and do not obligate the Employer (or its delegates) to invest the assets of the Employer or of any such trust in a similar manner.

 

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SECTION 9    DISTRIBUTION OF ACCOUNTS

 

9.1                               Distribution of Accounts

 

With respect to any Participant who has a Termination Date that precedes his Retirement date, an amount equal to the Participant’s vested Account balances shall be distributed to the Participant (or, in the case of the Participant’s death, to the Participant’s Beneficiary), in the form of a single lump sum payment, or, if subsection 9.2 applies, in the form of installment payments as designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.  Subject to subsection 9.3 hereof, distribution of a Participant’s Accounts shall be made or begin within the 90-day period following the Participant’s Termination Date (provided, however, that if calculation of the amount of the payment is not administratively practicable due to events beyond the control of the Participant, the payment will be made as soon as administratively practicable for the Administrator to make such payment).  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, for purposes of this subsection, a Participant’s Accounts shall be valued as of a Valuation Date as soon as administratively feasible preceding the date such distribution is made, in accordance with rules established by the Administrator.  A Participant’s Accounts may be offset by any amounts owed by the Participant to the Employer, but such offset shall not occur in excess of or prior to the date distribution of the amount would otherwise be made to the Participant.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may elect, in accordance with this subsection, a distribution date for his Compensation Deferral Accounts and/or his Employer Contributions and Matching Contributions Accounts that is prior to his Termination Date (an “In-Service Distribution”).  A Participant’s election of an In-Service Distribution date must: (i) be made at the time of his Deferral Election for a Plan Year; and (ii) apply only to amounts deferred pursuant to that election, and any earnings, gains, losses, appreciation, and depreciation credited thereto or debited therefrom with respect to such amounts.  To the extent permitted by the Employer, a Participant may elect an In-Service Distribution date with respect to Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals that is separate from an In-Service Distribution date with respect to Compensation Deferrals other than Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals for the same year, provided that the applicable In-Service Distribution date may not be earlier than the number of years designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement following the year in which the applicable Compensation would have been paid absent the deferral, or as further determined or limited in accordance with rules established by the Administrator.  Payments made pursuant to an In-Service Distribution election shall be made in a lump sum (or, if elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, any applicable other form of payment to the extent permitted by the Employer and elected by the Participant in accordance with the terms of the Plan).  Each such payment shall be made as soon as administratively feasible following January 1 of the calendar year in which the payment was elected to be made, but in no event later than the end of the calendar year in which the payment was elected to be made (provided, however, that if calculation of the amount of the payment is not administratively practicable due to events beyond the control of the Participant, the payment will be made as soon as administratively practicable for the Administrator to make such payment).  For purposes of such payment, the value of the

 

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Participant’s Accounts for the applicable Plan Year shall be determined as of a Valuation Date preceding the date that such distribution is made, in accordance with rules established by the Administrator.  In the event a Participant’s Termination Date occurs (or, if elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, in the event a Change in Control of the Employer occurs) prior to the date the Participant had previously elected to have an In-Service Distribution payment made to him, such amount shall be paid to the Participant under the rules applicable for payment on Termination of Employment in accordance with this subsection 9.1 and subsection 9.2.  Participants must make an affirmative election with respect to payment of their In-Service Distributions, and no default or evergreen election shall be allowed with respect to In-Service Distributions.

 

To the extent elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, Participants whose Termination Date has not yet occurred may elect to defer payment of any In-Service Distribution, provided that such election is made in accordance with procedures established by the Administrator, and further provided that any such election must be made no later than 12 calendar months prior to the previously elected In-Service Distribution Date (which for these purposes shall be January 1 of the calendar year in which the payment was elected to be made).  Participants may elect any deferred payment date, but such date must be no fewer than five years from the previously elected In-Service Distribution Date (which for these purposes shall be January 1 of the calendar year in which the payment was elected to be made).

 

9.2                               Installment Distributions

 

To the extent elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may elect to receive payments from his Accounts in the form of a single lump sum, as described in Section 9.1, or in annual installments over a period elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.  To the extent a Participant fails to make an election, the Participant shall be deemed to have elected to receive his distribution for that Plan Year in the form of a single lump sum.  To the extent elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may make a separate election with respect to his Performance-Based Bonus Deferrals for each year (as adjusted for gains and losses thereon) that provides for a different method of distribution from the method of distribution he elects with respect to his Compensation Deferrals (as adjusted for gains and losses thereon) for that year.  The Participant’s Employer Contributions Account attributable to such year, if any (as adjusted for gains and losses thereon), shall be distributed in the same manner as his Compensation Deferral Account for such year (or in a lump sum upon his Termination Date if no election has been made).

 

(a)                                 Installment Elections.  A Participant will be required to make his distribution election prior to the commencement of each calendar year (or, in the event of an election with respect to Performance-Based Bonuses, prior to six months before the end of the applicable performance period), or such earlier date as determined by the Administrator.

 

(b)                                 Installment Payments.  The first installment payment shall generally be within the 90-day period following the Participant’s Termination Date (provided, however, that if calculation of the amount of the payment is not administratively practicable 

 

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due to events beyond the control of the Participant, the payment will be made as soon as administratively practicable for the Administrator to make such payment). Succeeding payments shall generally be made by January 1 of each succeeding calendar year, but in no event later than the end of each succeeding calendar year (provided, however, that if calculation of the amount of the payment is not administratively practicable due to events beyond the control of the Participant, the payment will be made as soon as administratively practicable for the Administrator to make such payment). The amount to be distributed in each installment payment shall be determined by dividing the value of the Participant’s Accounts being paid in installments as of a Valuation Date preceding the date of each distribution by the number of installment payments remaining to be made, in accordance with rules established by the Administrator.  In the event of the death of the Participant prior to the full payment of his Accounts being paid in installments, payments will continue to be made to his Beneficiary in the same manner and at the same time as would have been payable to the Participant.

 

To the extent elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, Participants who have elected payment in installments may make a subsequent election to elect payment of that amount in the form of a lump sum, if payment of installments with respect to that year’s deferrals has not yet commenced.  Such election must be made in accordance with procedures established by the Administrator, and any such election must be made no later than 12 calendar months prior to the originally elected payment date of the first installment.  The new payment date for the installment with respect to which such election is made must be deferred to the later of:  (i) five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made, or (ii) the last payment date of the last installment with respect to that year’s deferrals.  To the extent elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, Participants who have elected payment in installments may make a subsequent election to change the number of such installment payments so long as no acceleration of distribution payments occurs (but no fewer than the minimum number, and not to exceed the maximum number of installments elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement), if payment of installments with respect to that year’s Deferral Elections has not yet commenced.  Such election must be made in accordance with procedures established by the Administrator, and any such election must be made no later than 12 calendar months prior to the originally elected payment date of the first installment.  The new payment date for any installment with respect to which such election is made must be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made.  In the event payment has been elected by the Participant in the form of installments (to the extent elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement), each installment payment shall be considered a separately identifiable payment.  In the event payment has been elected by the Participant in the form of a lump sum (or in the event payment shall be made to the Participant in the form of a lump sum under the terms of the Plan in the absence of or in lieu of the Participant’s election), then the lump sum form shall be deemed to be a separately identifiable form of payment, and the Participant may make a subsequent deferral election to elect payment of that amount in the form of installments (to the extent elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement) in accordance with the procedures described above for changing installment payment elections.  Participants will be permitted to make such a change only once with respect to any year’s Deferral Elections.

 

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9.3                               Key Employees

 

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, and subject to Code Section 409A, except in the case of the Participant’s death, payment under the Plan shall not be made or commence as a result of the Participant’s Termination Date to any Participant who is a key employee (defined below) before the date that is not less than six months after the Participant’s Termination Date.  For this purpose, a key employee includes a “specified employee” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)) during the entire 12-month period determined by the Administrator ending with the annual date upon which key employees are identified by the Administrator, and also including any Employee identified by the Administrator in good faith with respect to any distribution as belonging to the group of identified key employees, to a maximum of 200 such key employees, regardless of whether such Employee is subsequently determined by the Employer, any governmental agency, or a court not to be a key employee.  In the event amounts are payable to a key employee in installments in accordance with subsection 9.2, any installment to be paid in the first six months shall be delayed by six months, with all other installment payments payable as originally scheduled.  To the extent not otherwise designated by the Employer in a separate document forming a part of the Plan applicable to all its nonqualified deferred compensation plans, the identification date for determining the Employer’s key employees is each December 31 (and the new key employee list is updated and effective each subsequent April 1).  To the extent not otherwise designated by the Employer in a separate document forming a part of the Plan, the definition of compensation used to determine key employee status shall be determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.415(c)-2(a).  This subsection 9.3 is applicable only with respect to Employers whose stock is publicly traded on an “established securities market” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(k)), and is not applicable to privately held Employers unless and until such Employers become publicly traded as defined in the Treasury regulations.

 

9.4                               Mandatory Cash-Outs of Small Amounts

 

If the value of a Participant’s total Accounts at his Termination Date (or his death or other applicable distribution date), or at any time thereafter, together with the value of the Participant’s accounts under any other account balance plan maintained by the Employer or any member of the Employer’s controlled group (as defined in subsections 414(b) and (c) of the Code) is equal to or less than such amount as stated in the Adoption Agreement (which amount shall not exceed the limit described in Section 402(g) of the Code from time to time), the Accounts will be paid to the Participant (or, in the event of his death, his Beneficiary) in a single lump sum, notwithstanding any election by the Participant otherwise.  Payments made under this subsection 9.4 on account of the Participant’s Termination Date shall be made within the 90-day period following the Participant’s Termination Date (provided, however, that if calculation of the amount of the payment is not administratively practicable due to events beyond the control of the Participant, the payment will be made as soon as administratively practicable for the Administrator to make such payment).

 

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9.5                               Designation of Beneficiary

 

Each Participant from time to time may designate any individual, trust, charity or other person or persons to whom the value of the Participant’s Accounts (plus any applicable Survivor Benefit, if elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement) will be paid in the event the Participant dies before receiving the value of all of his Accounts.  A Beneficiary designation must be made in the manner required by the Administrator for this purpose.  Primary and secondary Beneficiaries are permitted. A married participant designating a Beneficiary other than his Spouse must obtain the consent of his Spouse to such designation (in accordance with rules determined by the Administrator). Payments to the Participant’s Beneficiary(ies) shall be made in accordance with subsection 9.1, 9.2  or 9.4, as applicable, after the Administrator has received proper notification of the Participant’s death.

 

A Beneficiary designation will be effective only when the Beneficiary designation is filed with the Administrator while the Participant is alive, and a subsequent Beneficiary designation will cancel all of the Participant’s Beneficiary designations previously filed with the Administrator.  Any designation or revocation of a Beneficiary shall be effective as only if it is received by the Administrator.  Once received, such designation shall be effective as of the date the designation was executed, but without prejudice to the Administrator on account of any payment made before the change is recorded by the Administrator.  If a Beneficiary dies before payment of the Participant’s Accounts have been made, the Participant’s Accounts shall be distributed in accordance with the Participant’s Beneficiary designation and pursuant to rules established by the Administrator.  If a deceased Participant failed to designate a Beneficiary, or if the designated Beneficiary predeceases the Participant, the value of the Participant’s Accounts shall be payable to the Participant’s Spouse or, if there is none, to the Participant’s estate, or in accordance with such other equitable procedures as determined by the Administrator.

 

9.6                               Reemployment

 

If a former Participant is rehired by an Employer, or any affiliate or subsidiary of the Employer described in Section 414(b) and (c) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), regardless of whether he is rehired as an Eligible Individual (with respect to an Employee Participant), or a former Participant returns to service as a Board member, any payments being made to such Participant hereunder by virtue of his previous Termination Date shall continue to be made to him without regard to such rehire.  If a former Participant is rehired by the Employer (with respect to an Employee Participant) or returns to service as a Board member, and in either case any payments to be made to the Participant by virtue of his previous Termination Date have not been made or commenced, any payments being made to such Participant hereunder by virtue of his previous Termination Date shall continue to be made to him without regard to such rehire or return to service.  See subsections 4.1 and 4.2 of the Plan for special rules applicable to deferral elections for rehired or Re-Eligible Participants.

 

9.7                               Special Distribution Rules

 

Except as otherwise provided herein and in Section 12, Account balances of Participants in this Plan shall not be distributed earlier than the applicable date or dates described in this 

 

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Section 9.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of payments:  (i) the deduction for which would be limited or eliminated by the application of Section 162(m) of the Code; (ii) that would violate securities or other applicable laws; or (iii) that would jeopardize the ability of the Employer to continue as a going concern in accordance with Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder, deferral of such payments on a reasonably consistent basis for similarly situated Participants may be made by the Employer at the Employer’s discretion. In the case of a payment described in (i) above, the payment must be deferred either to a date in the first year in which the Employer or Administrator reasonably anticipates that a payment of such amount would not result in a limitation of a deduction with respect to the payment of such amount under Section 162(m), or the year in which the Participant’s Termination Date occurs.  In the case of a payment described in (ii) or (iii) above, payment will be made at the earliest date in the first taxable year of the Employer in which the Employer or Administrator reasonably anticipates that the payment would not jeopardize the ability of the Employer to continue as a going concern in accordance with Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder, or the payment would not result in a violation of securities or other applicable laws.  Payments intended to pay employment taxes or payments made as a result of income inclusion of an amount in a Participant’s Accounts as a result of a failure to satisfy Section 409A of the Code shall be permitted at the Employer or Administrator’s discretion at any time and to the extent provided in Treasury Regulations under Section 409A of the Code and IRS Notice 2005-1, Q&A-15, and any applicable subsequent guidance.  “Employment taxes” shall include Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax imposed under Sections 3101, 3121(a) and 3121(v)(2) of the Code on compensation deferred under the Plan (the “FICA Amount”), the income tax imposed under Section 3401 of the Code or corresponding provisions of applicable state, local or foreign tax laws on the FICA Amount, and to pay the additional income tax under Section 3401 of the Code or corresponding provisions of applicable state, local or foreign tax laws attributable to the pyramiding Section 3401 wages and taxes.  A distribution may be accelerated as may be necessary to comply with certain conflict of interest rules in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(iii).  With respect to a subchapter S corporation, a distribution may be accelerated to avoid a nonallocation year under Code Section 409(p) in the discretion of the Employer or Administrator, provided that the amount distributed does not exceed 125 percent of the minimum amount of distribution necessary to avoid the occurrence of a nonallocation year, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(x).

 

9.8                               Distribution on Account of Unforeseeable Emergency

 

If elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, if a Participant or Beneficiary incurs a severe financial hardship of the type described below, he may request an Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawal, provided that the withdrawal is necessary in light of severe financial needs of the Participant.  To the extent elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, the ability to apply for an Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawal may be restricted to Participants whose Termination Date has not yet occurred.  Such a withdrawal shall not exceed the amount required (including anticipated taxes on the withdrawal) to meet the severe financial need and not reasonably available from other resources of the Participant (including reimbursement or compensation by insurance, cessation of deferrals under this Plan for the remainder of the Plan Year, and liquidation of the Participant’s assets, to the extent liquidation itself would not cause 

 

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severe financial hardship; provided, however, that the Participant is not required to take into account for these purposes any available distribution or loan from a qualified plan or another nonqualified deferred compensation plan).  Each such withdrawal election shall be made at such time and in such manner as the Administrator shall determine, and shall be effective in accordance with such rules as the Administrator shall establish and publish from time to time.  Severe financial needs are limited to amounts necessary for:

 

(a)                                 A sudden unexpected illness or accident incurred by the Participant, his Spouse, Beneficiary under the Plan, or dependents (as defined in Code Section 152(a)).

 

(b)                                 Uninsured casualty loss pertaining to property owned by the Participant.

 

(c)                                  Other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances involving an uninsured loss arising from an event outside the control of the Participant.

 

Withdrawals of amounts under this subsection shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible following receipt of the appropriate forms and information required by and acceptable to the Administrator.

 

9.9                               Distribution Upon Change in Control

 

In the event of the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Employer or a member of the Employer’s controlled group (as designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement) to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder, distributions shall be made to Participants to the extent elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, in the form elected by the Participants as if a Termination Date had occurred with respect to each Participant, or as otherwise specified by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.  The Change in Control shall relate to:  (i)  the corporation for whom the Participant is performing services at the time of the Change in Control event; (ii) the corporation that is liable for the payment from the Plan to the Participant (or all corporations so liable if more than one corporation is liable); (iii) a corporation that is a majority shareholder of a corporation described in (i) or (ii) above; or (iv) any corporation in a chain of corporations in which each such corporation is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in a corporation described in (i) or (ii) above, as elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.  A “majority shareholder” for these purposes is a shareholder owning more than 50% of the total fair market value and total voting power of such corporation.  Attribution rules described in section 318(a) of the Code apply to determine stock ownership.  Stock underlying a vested option is considered owned by the individual who holds the vested option.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a vested option is exercisable for stock that is not substantially vested (as defined in section 1.83-3(b) and (j) of the Code), the stock underlying the option is not treated as owned by the individual who holds the option.  If plan payments are made on account of a Change in Control and are calculated by reference to the value of the Employer’s stock, such payments shall be completed not later than 5 years after the Change in Control event.  To the extent designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, the Change in Control shall occur upon the date that: (v) a person or “Group” (as defined in Treasury Regulation Sections 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B) and (vi)(D)) acquires more than 50% of the total fair market value or voting power 

 

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of stock of the corporation designated in (i) through (iv) above; (vi) a person or Group acquires ownership (“effective control”) of stock of the corporation with at least 30% of the total voting power of the corporation designated in (i) through (iv) above and as further limited by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(vi)); (vii) a majority of the board of directors of any corporation designated in (i) through (iv) above in which no other corporation is a majority shareholder is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the board as constituted prior to the appointment or election; or (viii) a person or Group acquires assets from the corporation designated in (i) through (iv) above having a total fair market value of at least 40% of the value of all assets of the corporation immediately prior to such acquisition; as designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.  For purposes of (vi) above, if any one person, or more than one person acting as a Group, is considered to own more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of a corporation, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the ownership of the corporation (or to cause a change in the effective control of the corporation under (vi) above).  An increase in the percentage of stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a Group, as a result of a transaction in which the corporation acquires its stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this subsection.  For purposes of (v) through (viii) above, a Change in Control shall be further limited in accordance with Treasury Regulation Sections 1.409A-3(i)(5)(v), (vi) and (vii).  Distributions under this subsection shall be made as soon as administratively feasible following such Change in Control.

 

9.10                        Supplemental Survivor Death Benefit

 

A supplemental survivor death benefit shall be paid to the Beneficiary of an eligible Participant who has satisfied the following criteria prior to his death:

 

(a)                                 The Participant is eligible to participate in the Plan and, at the time of his death, had a current Account balance (regardless of whether or not the Participant actually was making Compensation Deferrals at the time of his death);

 

(b)                                 The Participant was an active Employee with the Employer at the time of his death;

 

(c)                                  The Participant completed and submitted an insurance application to the Administrator; and

 

(d)                                 The Employer subsequently purchased an insurance policy on the life of the Participant, with a death benefit payable,  which policy is in effect at the time of the Participant’s death.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan or any other document to the contrary, the supplemental survivor death benefit payable pursuant to this Subsection 9.10 shall be paid only if an insurance policy has been issued on the Participant’s life and such policy is in force at the time of the Participant’s death and the Employer shall have no obligation with respect to the payment of the supplemental survivor death benefit, or to maintain an insurance policy for any Participants.

 

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SECTION 10    GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

10.1                        Interests Not Transferable

 

The interests of persons entitled to benefits under the Plan are not subject to their debts or other obligations and, except as may be required by the tax withholding provisions of the Code or any state’s income tax act, may not be voluntarily or involuntarily sold, transferred, alienated, assigned, or encumbered; provided, however, that a Participant’s interest in the Plan may be transferable pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code to the extent designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.

 

10.2                        Employment Rights

 

The Plan does not constitute a contract of employment, and participation in the Plan shall not give any Employee the right to be retained in the employ of an Employer, nor any right or claim to any benefit under the Plan, unless such right or claim has specifically accrued under the terms of the Plan.  The Employer expressly reserves the right to discharge any Employee at any time.

 

10.3                        Litigation by Participants or Other Persons

 

If a legal action begun against the Administrator (or any member or former member thereof), an Employer, or any person or persons to whom an Employer or the Administrator has delegated all or part of its duties hereunder, by or on behalf of any person results adversely to that person, or if a legal action arises because of conflicting claims to a Participant’s or other person’s benefits, the cost to the Administrator (or any member or former member thereof), the Employer or any person or persons to whom the Employer or the Administrator has delegated all or part of its duties hereunder of defending the action may be charged to the extent permitted by law to the sums, if any, which were involved in the action or were payable to the Participant or other person concerned.

 

10.4                        Indemnification

 

To the extent permitted by law, the Employer shall indemnify each member of the Administrator committee, and any other employee or member of the Board with duties under the Plan, against losses and expenses (including any amount paid in settlement) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any claims against such person by reason of such person’s conduct in the performance of duties under the Plan, except in relation to matters as to which such person has acted fraudulently or in bad faith in the performance of duties.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employer shall not indemnify any person for any expense incurred through any settlement or compromise of any action unless the Employer consents in writing to the settlement or compromise.

 

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10.5                        Evidence

 

Evidence required of anyone under the Plan may be by certificate, affidavit, document, or other information which the person acting on it considers pertinent and reliable, and signed, made, or presented by the proper party or parties.

 

10.6                        Waiver of Notice

 

Any notice required under the Plan may be waived by the person entitled to such notice.

 

10.7                        Controlling Law

 

Except to the extent superseded by laws of the United States, the laws of the state indicated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement shall be controlling in all matters relating to the Plan.

 

10.8                        Statutory References

 

Any reference in the Plan to a Code section or a section of ERISA, or to a section of any other Federal law, shall include any comparable section or sections of any future legislation that amends, supplements, or supersedes that section.

 

10.9                        Severability

 

In case any provision of the 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 construed and enforced as if such illegal and invalid provision had never been set forth in the Plan.

 

10.10                 Action By the Employer or the Administrator

 

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Employer under the Plan shall be by resolution of its Board of Directors (which term shall include any similar governing body for any Employer that is not a corporation), by resolution or other action of a duly authorized committee of its Board of Directors, or by action of a person or persons authorized by resolution of its Board of Directors or such committee.  Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Administrator under the Plan shall be by resolution or other action of the Administrator or by a person or persons duly authorized by the Administrator.

 

10.11                 Headings and Captions

 

The headings and captions contained in this Plan are inserted only as a matter of convenience and for reference, and in no way define, limit, enlarge, or describe the scope or intent of the Plan, nor in any way shall affect the construction of any provision of the Plan.

 

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10.12                 Gender and Number

 

Where the context permits, words in the masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter genders, the singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular.

 

10.13                 Examination of Documents

 

Copies of the Plan and any amendments thereto are on file at the office of the Employer where they may be examined by any Participant or other person entitled to benefits under the Plan during normal business hours.

 

10.14                 Elections

 

Each election or request required or permitted to be made by a Participant (or a Participant’s Spouse or Beneficiary) shall be made in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the Employer or Administrator and shall be effective as determined by the Administrator.  The Administrator’s rules and procedures may address, among other things, the method and timing of any elections or requests required or permitted to be made by a Participant (or a Participant’s Spouse or Beneficiary).  All elections under the Plan shall comply with the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended (“USERRA”).

 

10.15                 Manner of Delivery

 

Each notice or statement provided to a Participant shall be delivered in any manner established by the Administrator and in accordance with applicable law, including, but not limited to, electronic delivery.

 

10.16                 Facility of Payment

 

When a person entitled to benefits under the Plan is a minor, under legal disability, or is in any way incapacitated so as to be unable to manage his financial affairs, the Administrator may cause the benefits to be paid to such person’s guardian or legal representative.  If no guardian or legal representative has been appointed, or if the Administrator so determines in its sole discretion, payment may be made to any person as custodian for such individual under any applicable state law, or to the legal representative of such person for such person’s benefit, or the Administrator may direct the application of such benefits for the benefit of such person.  Any payment made in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be a full and complete discharge of any liability for such payment under the Plan.

 

10.17                 Missing Persons

 

The Employer and the Administrator shall not be required to search for or locate a Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary.  Each Participant, Spouse, and Beneficiary must file with the Administrator, from time to time, in writing the Participant’s, Spouse’s, or Beneficiary’s post office address and each change of post office address.  Any communication, statement, or notice 

 

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addressed to a Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary at the last post office address filed with the Administrator, or if no address is filed with the Administrator, then in the case of a Participant, at the Participant’s last post office address as shown on the Employer’s records, shall be considered a notification for purposes of the Plan and shall be binding on the Participant and the Participant’s Spouse and Beneficiary for all purposes of the Plan.

 

If the Administrator is unable to locate the Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary to whom a Participant’s Accounts are payable, the Participant’s Accounts shall be frozen as of the date on which distribution would have been completed under the terms of the Plan, and no further notional investment returns shall be credited thereto.

 

If a Participant whose Accounts were frozen (or his Beneficiary) files a claim for distribution of the Accounts within 7 years after the date the Accounts are frozen, and if the Administrator or Employer determines that such claim is valid, then the frozen balance that has become payable shall be paid by the Employer to the Participant or Beneficiary in a lump sum cash payment as soon as practicable thereafter.  If the Administrator notifies a Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary of the provisions of this Subsection, and the Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary fails to claim the Participant’s, Spouse’s, or Beneficiary’s benefits or make such person’s whereabouts known to the Administrator within 7 years after the date the Accounts are frozen, the benefits of the Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary may be disposed of, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by one or more of the following methods:

 

(a)                                 By retaining such benefits in the Plan.

 

(b)                                 By paying such benefits to a court of competent jurisdiction for judicial determination of the right thereto.

 

(c)                                  By forfeiting such benefits in accordance with procedures established by the Administrator.  If a Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary is subsequently located, such benefits may be restored (without adjustment) to the Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary under the Plan.

 

(d)                                 By any equitable manner permitted by law under rules adopted by the Administrator.

 

10.18                 Recovery of Benefits

 

In the event a Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary receives a benefit payment from the Plan that is in excess of the benefit payment that should have been made to such Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary, or in the event a person other than a Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary receives an erroneous payment from the Plan, the Administrator or Employer shall have the right, on behalf of the Plan, to recover the amount of the excess or erroneous payment from the recipient.  To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Administrator or Employer may, at its option, deduct the amount of such excess or erroneous payment from any future benefits payable to the applicable Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary.

 

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10.19                 Effect on Other Benefits

 

Except as otherwise specifically provided under the terms of any other employee benefit plan of the Employer, a Participant’s participation in this Plan shall not affect the benefits provided under such other employee benefit plan.

 

10.20                 Tax and Legal Effects

 

The Employer, the Administrator, and their representatives and delegates do not in any way guarantee the tax treatment of benefits for any Participant, Spouse, or Beneficiary, and the Employer, the Administrator, and their representatives and delegates do not in any way guarantee or assume any responsibility or liability for the legal, tax, or other implications or effects of the Plan.  In the event of any legal, tax, or other change that may affect the Plan, the Employer may, in its sole discretion, take any actions it deems necessary or desirable as a result of such change.

 

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SECTION 11    THE ADMINISTRATOR

 

11.1                        Information Required by Administrator

 

Each person entitled to benefits under the Plan must file with the Administrator from time to time in writing such person’s mailing address and each change of mailing address.  Any communication, statement, or notice addressed to any person at the last address filed with the Administrator will be binding upon such person for all purposes of the Plan.  Each person entitled to benefits under the Plan also shall furnish the Administrator with such documents, evidence, data, or information as the Administrator considers necessary or desirable for the purposes of administering the Plan.  The Employer shall furnish the Administrator with such data and information as the Administrator may deem necessary or desirable in order to administer the Plan.  The records of the Employer as to an Employee’s or Participant’s period of employment or membership on the Board, termination of employment or membership and the reason therefor, leave of absence, reemployment, and Compensation will be conclusive on all persons unless determined to the Administrator’s or Employer’s satisfaction to be incorrect.

 

11.2                        Uniform Application of Rules

 

The Administrator shall administer the Plan on a reasonable basis.  Any rules, procedures, or regulations established by the Administrator shall be applied uniformly to all persons similarly situated.

 

11.3                        Review of Benefit Determinations

 

Benefits will be paid to Participants and their beneficiaries without the necessity of formal claims.  Participants or their beneficiaries, however, may make a written request to the Administrator for any Plan benefits to which they may be entitled.  Participants’ written request for Plan benefits will be considered a claim for Plan benefits, and will be subject to a full and fair review.  If the claim is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator will furnish the claimant with a written notice of this denial.  This written notice will be provided to the claimant within 90 days after the receipt of the claim by the Administrator.  If notice of the denial of a claim is not furnished to the claimant in accordance with the above within 90 days, the claim will be deemed denied.  The claimant will then be permitted to proceed to the review stage described in the following paragraphs.



 

Upon the denial of the claim for benefits, the claimant may file a claim for review, in writing, with the Administrator.  The claim for review must be filed no later than 60 days after the claimant has received written notification of the denial of the claim for benefits or, if no written denial of the claim was provided, no later than 60 days after the deemed denial of the claim.  The claimant may review all pertinent documents relating to the denial of the claim and submit any issues and comments, in writing, to the Administrator.  If the claim is denied, the Administrator must provide the claimant with written notice of this denial within 60 days after the Administrator’s receipt of the claimant’s written claim for review.  The Administrator’s decision on the claim for review will be communicated to the claimant in writing and will include specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision was based.  If 

 

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the Administrator’s decision on review is not furnished to the claimant within the time limitations described above, the claim will be deemed denied on review.  If the claim for Plan benefits is finally denied by the Administrator (or deemed denied), then the claimant may bring suit in federal court.  The claimant may not commence a suit in a court of law or equity for benefits under the Plan until the Plan’s claim process and appeal rights have been exhausted and the Plan benefits requested in that appeal have been denied in whole or in part.  However, the claimant may only bring a suit in court if it is filed within 90 days after the date of the final denial of the claim by the Administrator.

 

With respect to claims for benefits payable as a result of a Participant being determined to be disabled, the Administrator will provide the claimant with notice of the status of his claim for disability benefits under the Plan within a reasonable period of time after a complete claim has been filed, but no later than 45 days after receipt of the claim for benefits.  The Administrator may request an additional 30-day extension if special circumstances warrant by notifying the claimant of the extension before the expiration of the initial 45-day period.  If a decision still cannot be made within this 30-day extension period due to circumstances outside the Plan’s control, the time period may be extended for an additional 30 days, in which case the claimant will be notified before the expiration of the original 30-day extension.

 

If the claimant has not submitted sufficient information to the Administrator to process his disability benefit claim, he will be notified of the incomplete claim and given 45 days to submit additional information.  This will extend the time in which the Administrator has to respond to the claim from the date the notice of insufficient information is sent to the claimant until the date the claimant responds to the request.  If the claimant does not submit the requested missing information to the Administrator within 45 days of the date of the request, the claim will be denied.

 

If a disability benefit claim is denied, the claimant will receive a notice which will include: (i) the specific reasons for the denial, (ii) reference to the specific Plan provisions upon which the decision is based, (iii) a description of any additional information the claimant might be required to provide with an explanation of why it is needed, and (iv) an explanation of the Plan’s claims review and appeal procedures, and (v) a statement regarding the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following a denial on appeal.

 

The claimant may appeal a denial of a disability benefit claim by filing a written request with the Administrator within 180 days of the claimant’s receipt of the initial denial notice.  In connection with the appeal, the claimant may request that the Plan provide him, free of charge, copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the claim.  The claimant may also submit written comments, records, documents and other information relevant to his appeal, whether or not such documents were submitted in connection with the initial claim. The Administrator may consult with medical or vocational experts in connection with deciding the claimant’s claim for benefits.

 

The Administrator will conduct a full and fair review of the documents and evidence submitted and will ordinarily render a decision on the disability benefit claim no later than 45 

 

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days after receipt of the request for review on appeal.  If there are special circumstances, the decision will be made as soon as possible, but not later than 90 days after receipt of the request for review on appeal.  If such an extension of time is needed, the claimant will be notified in writing prior to the end of the first 45-day period.  The Administrator’s final written decision will set forth: (i) the specific reasons for the decision, (ii) references to the specific Plan provisions on which the decision is based, (iii) a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, access to and copies of all documents, records and other information relevant to the benefit claim, and (iv) a statement regarding the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following a denial on appeal.  The Administrator’s decision made in good faith will be final and binding.

 

11.4                        Administrator’s Decision Final

 

Benefits under the Plan will be paid only if the Administrator decides in its sole discretion that a Participant or Beneficiary (or other claimant) is entitled to them.  Subject to applicable law, any interpretation of the provisions of the Plan and any decisions on any matter within the discretion of the Administrator made by the Administrator or its delegate in good faith shall be binding on all persons.  A misstatement or other mistake of fact shall be corrected when it becomes known and the Administrator shall make such adjustment on account thereof as it considers equitable and practicable.

 

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SECTION 12    AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

While the Employer expects and intends to continue the Plan, the Employer and the Administrator each reserve the right to amend the Plan at any time and for any reason, including the right to amend this Section 12 and the Plan termination rules herein; provided, however, that each Participant will be entitled to the amount credited to his Accounts immediately prior to such amendment.  The power to amend the Plan includes (without limitation) the power to change the Plan provisions regarding eligibility, contributions, notional investments, vesting, and distribution forms, and timing of payments, including changes applicable to benefits accrued prior to the effective date of any such amendment; provided, however, that amendments to the Plan (other than amendments relating to Plan termination) shall not cause the Plan to provide for acceleration of distributions in violation of Section 409A of the Code and applicable regulations thereunder.

 

The Employer reserves the right to terminate the Plan at any time and for any reason; provided, however, that each Participant will be entitled to the amount credited to his Accounts immediately prior to such termination (as adjusted for notional income, losses, expenses, appreciation and depreciation occurring from the date of such termination until the date of distribution).

 

In the event that the Plan is terminated pursuant to this Section 12, the balances in affected Participants’ Accounts shall be distributed at the time and in the manner set forth in Section 9.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employer and the Administrator reserve the right to make all such distributions within the second twelve-month period commencing with the date of termination of the Plan; provided, however, that no such distribution will be made during the first twelve-month period following such date of Plan termination other than those that would otherwise be payable under Section 9 absent the termination of the Plan.  In the event of a Plan termination due to a Change in Control of the Employer, distributions shall be made within 12 months of the date of the termination of the Plan.

 

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