Exhibit 10.2


 


DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION

EXECUTIVE SAVINGS PLAN


 


(Amended and Restated Effective as of October 1,
2020)


 


PURPOSE


 


The purpose of the Plan is to provide deferred
compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees. The Plan replaces certain plans previously maintained
by the Company and its affiliates, as described in more detail in Article V. The Plan is intended to be a nonqualified, unfunded
plan of deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees under ERISA, and shall be so interpreted.


 


ARTICLE I

TITLE AND EFFECTIVE DATE


 


1.1            This
Plan shall be known as the Duke Energy Corporation Executive Savings Plan (hereinafter referred to as the “Plan”).


 


1.2            The
Plan was first effective on January 1, 1997, has been amended from time to time thereafter, and is amended and restated as
set forth herein, effective as of October 1, 2020.


 


ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS


 


2.1            “Account”
shall mean the record of deferrals and contributions and adjustments thereto maintained with respect to each Participant pursuant
to Article VI. Each Participant’s Account shall be a bookkeeping entry only and shall be used solely as a device to
measure and determine the amounts, if any, to be paid to the Participant or his or her Beneficiary under the Plan.


 


2.2            “Affiliated
Group” shall mean the Company and all entities with whom the Company would be considered a single employer under Sections
414(b) and 414(c) of the Code, provided that in applying Section 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3) of the Code for purposes
of determining a controlled group of corporations under Section 414(b) of the Code, the term “at least 45 percent”
is used instead of “at least 80 percent” each place it appears in Section 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3) of the
Code, and in applying Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2 for purposes of determining trades or businesses (whether or
not incorporated) that are under common control for purposes of Section 414(c) of the Code, the term “at least
45 percent” is used instead of “at least 80 percent” each place it appears in that regulation. Such term shall
be interpreted in a manner consistent with the definition of “service recipient” contained in Section 409A of
the Code.


 


2.3            “Base
Pay” shall mean, for each Participant, the base salary as defined by the Company’s normal payroll practices and procedures,
payable by the Affiliated Group during a Plan Year (or which would have been paid during a Plan Year but for salary reductions
and elective deferrals under Code Sections 125 and 401(k) and Base Pay deferrals under this Plan). In no event shall Base
Pay include any compensation, whether paid or deferred, pursuant to Incentive Plans.


 






    


     


    

 


2.4            “Beneficiary”
means the person or persons designated by a Participant, or by another person entitled to receive benefits hereunder, to receive
benefits following the death of such person. If a person fails to specify a surviving Beneficiary, the person’s estate shall
be his or her Beneficiary.


 


2.5            “Board”
shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.


 


2.6            “CDP”
shall mean the Duke Power Company Compensation Deferral Plan, first effective as of July 1, 1983.


 


2.7            “CDP
Subaccounts” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.3.


 


2.8            “Change
in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred upon:


 


(a)            an
acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (A) the then outstanding shares of
common stock of Duke Energy Corporation or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of Duke
Energy Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; excluding, however, the following: (1) any acquisition
directly from Duke Energy Corporation, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the
security being so converted was itself acquired directly from Duke Energy Corporation, (2) any acquisition by Duke Energy
Corporation and (3) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by Duke Energy
Corporation or its affiliated companies;


 


(b)            during
any period of two (2) consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board (and any new
directors whose election by the Board or nomination for election by Duke Energy Corporation’s shareholders was approved by
a vote of at least 2/3 of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose
election or nomination for election was so approved) cease for any reason (except for death, disability or voluntary retirement)
to constitute a majority thereof;


 


(c)            the
consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization or similar corporate transaction which has been approved by the shareholders
of Duke Energy Corporation, whether or not Duke Energy Corporation is the surviving corporation in such transaction, other than
a merger, consolidation, or reorganization that would result in the voting securities of Duke Energy Corporation outstanding immediately
prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving
entity) at least 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of Duke Energy Corporation (or such surviving entity)
outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization;


 






    2


     


    

 


(d)            the
consummation of (A) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Duke Energy Corporation or
(B) a complete liquidation or dissolution of Duke Energy Corporation, which has been approved by the shareholders of Duke
Energy Corporation; or


 


(e)            adoption
by the Board of a resolution to the effect that any Person has acquired effective control of the business and affairs of Duke Energy
Corporation.


 


2.9            “Code”
shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.


 


2.10          “Committee”
shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board or its delegate.


 


2.11          “Company”
shall mean Duke Energy Corporation and its successors, including, without limitation, the surviving corporation resulting from
any merger or consolidation of Duke Energy Corporation with any other corporation, limited liability company, joint venture, partnership
or other entity or entities.


 


2.12          “Compensation”
means “Compensation” as defined in the Retirement Cash Balance Plan but without regard to the limitations of Section 401(a)(17)
of the Code and including Participant deferrals under Sections 4.1 and 4.2 of this Plan (and excluding deferrals of LTIP Awards
under Section 4.3 of this Plan).


 


2.13          “Company
Matching Contribution” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.5.


 


2.14          “Company
Matching Subaccount” shall mean the subaccount established and maintained pursuant to Section 6.3.


 


2.15          “CRIDP”
shall mean the Crescent Resources Incentive Deferral Plan as effective December 29, 1993.


 


2.16          “CRIDP
Subaccounts” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.3.


 


2.17          “Deferral
Election” shall mean the Participant’s election on a form approved by the Committee to defer a portion of his or her
compensation in accordance with the provisions of Article IV.


 


2.18          “Duke
Energy Common Stock Fund” shall mean the Investment Option that invests primarily in the Company’s common stock.


 


2.19          “Duke
Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount” shall mean the subaccount established and maintained pursuant to Section 6.3.


 


2.20          “Employee”
shall mean a person employed by the Affiliated Group.


 


2.21          “Employer
Retirement Contribution” shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.6.


 






    3


     


    

 


2.22            “Employer
Retirement Subaccount” shall mean the subaccount established and maintained under Section 6.3.


 


2.23            “ERISA”
shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.


 


2.24            “General
Account” shall mean that portion of a Participant’s Account that is not in a Subaccount.


 


2.25            “Incentive
Plans” shall mean the executive incentive compensation or bonus plans sponsored by the Affiliated Group which are designated
as “Incentive Plans” by the Committee from time to time.


 


2.26            “Investment
Options” shall mean the various investment options that are made available from time to time under the Plan, which options
generally shall correspond to the investment options made available from time to time under the Company’s RSP.


 


2.27            “KEDCP”
shall mean the Panhandle Eastern Corporation Key Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1,
1996.


 


2.28            “Legacy
Cinergy Plans” shall mean, collectively, the Cinergy Corp. 401(k) Excess Plan, Cinergy Corp. Nonqualified Deferred Incentive
Compensation Plan and the Cinergy Corp. Excess Profit Sharing Plan.


 


2.29            “Legacy
Cinergy Subaccounts” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.3.


 


2.29A         “Legacy
Piedmont Plan” shall mean the Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. Defined Contribution Restoration Plan.


 


2.29B          “Legacy
Piedmont Subaccounts” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.3.


 


2.30            “Legacy
Progress Plans” shall mean, collectively, the Progress Energy, Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan, the Progress
Energy, Inc. Management Incentive Compensation Plan, and the Progress Energy, Inc. Executive and Key Manager Performance
Share Sub-Plans.


 


2.31            “Legacy
Progress Subaccounts” shall have the meaning provided in Section 6.3.


 


2.32            “LTIP
Award” shall mean any award, other than a stock option or restricted stock award, granted under a long-term incentive plan
maintained by the Affiliated Group (including the Company’s 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 2010 Long-Term Incentive
Plan).


 


2.33            “Make-Whole
CB Benefit” means the benefit provided pursuant to Section 4.7 of the Plan.


 


2.34            “Make-Whole
CB Subaccount” shall mean the subaccount established and maintained under Section 6.3 of the Plan.


 






    4


     


    

 


2.35            “Participant”
shall mean any Employee for whom an Account is maintained under the Plan. However for the purposes of Article IV, the term
Participant shall mean only those Participants who remain eligible to participate in the Plan.


 


2.36            “Performance-Based
Compensation” shall mean that portion of a Participant’s compensation the amount of which, or the entitlement to which,
is contingent on the satisfaction of pre-established organizational or individual performance criteria relating to a performance
period of at least twelve (12) consecutive months, and which satisfies the requirements for “performance-based compensation”
under Section 409A of the Code, including the requirement that the performance criteria be established in writing by not later
than (i) ninety (90) days after the commencement of the period of service to which the criteria relates and (ii) the
date the outcome ceases to be substantially uncertain. Where a portion of an amount of compensation would qualify as Performance-Based
Compensation if the portion were the sole amount available under a designated incentive plan, that portion of the award will not
fail to qualify as Performance-Based Compensation if that portion is designated separately on the Deferral Election or is otherwise
separately identifiable under the terms of the designated incentive plan, and the amount of each portion is determined independently
of the other.


 


2.37            “Plan”
shall mean the Duke Energy Corporation Executive Savings Plan, as amended.


 


2.38            “Plan
Year” shall mean the calendar year.


 


2.39            “Post-2004
Deferrals” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.2(b).


 


2.40            “Pre-2005
Deferrals” shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.2(a).


 


2.41            “Retirement
Cash Balance Plan” means the Duke Energy Retirement Cash Balance Plan, as amended.


 


2.42            “RSP”
shall mean the Duke Energy Retirement Savings Plan, as amended.


 


2.43            “Separation
from Service” shall mean a termination of employment with the Affiliated Group in such a manner as to constitute a “separation
from service” as defined under Section 409A of the Code. To the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code, the
Committee retains discretion, in the event of a sale or other disposition of assets, to specify whether a Participant who provides
services to the purchaser immediately after the transaction has incurred a Separation from Service. With respect to Pre-2005 Deferrals,
the term “Separation from Service” shall mean a termination of employment within the meaning of the Plan or applicable
Prior Plan as in effect immediately prior to October 3, 2004. With respect to Post-2004 Deferrals attributable to the Legacy
Progress Plans and the Legacy Piedmont Plan, the definition of Affiliated Group as used in this Section shall be modified
by deleting the phrase “at least 45 percent” each place it appears and inserting the phrase “at least 50 percent”
in lieu thereof.


 


2.44            “Specified
Employee” shall mean, as of any date, a “specified employee”, as defined in Section 409A of the Code (as
determined under the Company’s policy for determining specified employees on the relevant date), of the Company or any entity
which would be considered to be a single employer with the Company under Section 414(b) or Section 414(c) of
the Code.


 






    5


     


    

 


2.45            “Subaccounts”
shall mean the Subaccounts established under Article VI.


 


2.46            “Unforeseeable
Emergency” shall mean an “unforeseeable emergency” as defined under Section 409A of the Code. With respect
to Pre-2005 Deferrals, the term “Unforeseeable Emergency” shall mean an unforeseeable emergency or financial hardship
within the meaning of the Plan or Prior Plan as in effect immediately prior to 2008.


 


2.47            “Valuation
Date” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, the first business day of the month following the month during which such
Participant’s Separation from Service occurs.


 


ARTICLE III

ELIGIBILITY


 


3.1            General
Rule. Any Employee designated by the Committee shall be eligible to participate in the Plan on the date designated by the Committee
and shall remain so eligible, while continuing to be an Employee, until designated ineligible to participate by the Committee.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, only Employees who are members of a “select group of management or highly compensated employees”
under ERISA may participate in the Plan. In lieu of expressly selecting Employees for Plan participation, the Committee may establish
eligibility criteria providing for participation of all Employees who satisfy such criteria. The Committee may at any time, in
its sole discretion, change the eligibility criteria for Employees such that all or certain Employees are not eligible for one
or more Plan Years to make an election to defer one or more types of compensation, including Base Pay, Incentive Plan payments,
LTIP Awards, dividend equivalents, and/or Company Matching Contributions.


 


3.2            Prior
Plans. Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 3.1 to the contrary, any individual with respect to whom amounts
have been assumed from Prior Plans as described in Section 5.1 shall automatically participate, and be a “Participant,”
in the Plan with respect to such amounts.


 


3.3            Termination
of Eligibility. An individual’s right to defer shall cease with respect to the Plan Year following the Plan Year in which
he or she ceases to be eligible to participate in the Plan, although such individual shall continue to be subject to all of the
terms and conditions of the Plan for as long as he or she remains a Participant. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive
a Company Matching Contribution with respect to the Plan Year in which occurs his or her Separation from Service.


 






    6


     


    

 


ARTICLE IV

PARTICIPANT DEFERRALS/COMPANY CREDITS


 


4.1            Base
Pay Deferrals. Each eligible Participant may irrevocably elect to defer in accordance with the terms of this Plan, a percentage
up to 75% (such percentage to be a multiple of 1%) of such Participant’s Base Pay for the Plan Year. Unless an earlier date
is specified by the Committee, such election must be made by the Participant not later than the beginning of such Plan Year or
within 30 days of a Participant initially becoming eligible to participate in the Plan (or any other plan required to be aggregated
with the Plan under Section 409A of the Code) under Section 3.1. In the event that a Participant first becomes eligible
to participate in the Plan other than on the first day of a Plan Year, he or she shall have no right to defer Base Pay prior to
the date that is 30 days after he or she initially becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, and his or her Deferral Election
shall apply only to Base Pay earned beginning with the first payroll period that begins immediately after the date that is 30 days
after he or she initially becomes eligible to participate in the Plan. Base Pay deferred pursuant to this Section shall be
credited to the Participant’s Account at the time such Base Pay otherwise would be paid to the Participant.


 


4.2            Incentive
Plan Deferrals. Each eligible Participant may irrevocably elect to defer in accordance with the terms of this Plan, a percentage
up to 75% (such percentage to be a multiple of 1%) of the amount payable with respect to a Plan Year to such Participant as an
award under any Incentive Plans. Such election must be made by the Participant not later than the last day (or such earlier date
as specified by the Committee) of the Plan Year immediately preceding the first day of the performance period for which such amount
would otherwise be earned. Such amounts shall be credited to the Participant’s Account as of the dates that award amounts
under the Incentive Plans otherwise would be paid to the Participant.


 


4.3            Long-Term
Incentive Plan Award Deferrals. Each eligible Participant may irrevocably elect to defer, in accordance with the terms of this
Plan, the entire amount of any nonvested LTIP Award, subject to the following conditions:


 


(a)            General
Rule. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the Deferral Election shall be made by, and shall become irrevocable as
of, December 31 (or such earlier date as specified by the Committee) of the Plan Year next preceding the Plan Year for which
such LTIP Award is granted.


 


(b)            Compensation
Subject to Vesting. To the extent permitted by the Committee, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Section to
the contrary, the Deferral Election with respect to an LTIP Award that is subject to a forfeiture condition requiring the Participant’s
continued services for a period of at least 12 months from the date that the Participant obtains a “legally binding right”
to such compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) must be made by, and shall become irrevocable as of,
the thirtieth day following the date that the Participant obtains the legally binding right to such compensation, provided that
the election is made at least twelve months in advance of the earliest date at which the forfeiture condition could lapse. For
this purpose, a condition will not be treated as failing to require the Participant to continue to provide services for a period
of at least twelve months merely because the condition immediately lapses upon the death or disability (as defined in Section 409A
of the Code) of the Participant, or upon a change in control (as defined in Section 409A of the Code), provided that if such
death, disability, or change in control occurs and the condition lapses before the end of such twelve-month period, the Deferral
Election made under this Section 4.3(b) shall not apply to such compensation.


 






    7


     


    

 


(c)            Performance-Based
Compensation. To the extent permitted by the Company, and notwithstanding anything contained in this Section to the contrary,
the Deferral Election with respect to an LTIP Award that constitutes Performance-Based Compensation must be made by, and shall
become irrevocable as of, the date that is six months before the end of the applicable performance period (or such earlier date
as specified by the Committee on the Deferral Election), provided that in no event may such Deferral Election be made after such
LTIP Award has become “readily ascertainable” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. In order to make
a Deferral Election under this Section 4.3(c), the Participant must perform services continuously from the later of the beginning
of the performance period or the date the performance criteria are established through the date a Deferral Election becomes irrevocable
under this Section 4.3(c). An election made under this Section 4.3(c) shall not apply to any portion of the Performance-Based
Compensation that is actually earned by a Participant regardless of satisfaction of the performance criteria.


 


(d)            Crediting
Date. Upon the date that an LTIP Award that the Participant has elected to defer otherwise would have been payable, the number
of shares of stock or the cash payment that would have become so payable but for the Deferral Election shall be credited to the
Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount.


 


(e)            Dividend
Equivalents. Dividend equivalents, to the extent deferred, shall also be deferred and credited to the Participant’s Duke
Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount commencing on the payment date of the first cash dividend of the Company’s
common stock that is declared after the date on which the deferred LTIP Award vests.


 


4.4            Dividend
Equivalents Deferrals. Each eligible Participant may irrevocably elect to defer, in accordance with the terms of this Plan,
100% of the amounts that would otherwise become payable as dividend equivalents, with respect to an LTIP Award with respect to
which the LTIP Award agreement specifically provides for the deferral of dividend equivalents. Such election must be made by the
Participant at the time the Participant elects to defer receipt of the related LTIP Award pursuant to the terms of Section 4.3.
Dividend equivalents that have been deferred shall be credited to the Participant’s Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals
Subaccount as of the dates such amounts would otherwise become payable pursuant to such LTIP Award.


 


4.5            Retirement
Savings Plan - Excess Matching Contribution. The Company maintains the RSP, pursuant to which Employees are permitted to make
certain contributions with respect to which the Company makes matching contributions, based on the Employee’s contribution
election. It is the Company’s intention to provide matching contribution credits under this Plan where matching contributions
cannot be provided under the RSP due to: (i) the application of Section 401(a)(17) of the Code, (ii) the application
of Section 402(g) of the Code or (iii) the application of Section 415 of the Code. Accordingly, during the
first 90 days following each Plan Year, but only with respect to Participants who are eligible for such contributions as described
below, the Participant’s Account shall receive a credit (the “Company Matching Contribution”) equal to the amount,
if any, by which the lesser of the amounts in subparagraph (a) or (b) below, exceeds the amount in subparagraph (c) below;
provided, however, that no such Company Matching Contribution shall be made if it relates to compensation attributable to services
performed prior to the date that the distribution option election (or the default payment form) for that contribution becomes irrevocable.
A Participant only shall be eligible for Company Matching Contributions for a Plan Year if (i) he or she was eligible to participate
in the Plan during such Plan Year and (ii) was employed by the Affiliated Group as of the last day of such Plan Year.


 






    8


     


    

 


(a)            The
maximum matching contribution the Participant was eligible to receive for the Plan Year under the RSP based upon the Participant’s
eligible compensation thereunder for the Plan Year, but determined without regard to the limitations of Code Section 401(a)(17)
and any Base Pay deferrals and Incentive Plan deferrals pursuant to Sections 4.1 and 4.2.


 


(b)            The
Participant’s eligible deferrals and contributions under the RSP for the Plan Year plus the Participant’s Base Pay
deferrals and Incentive Plan deferrals credited to the Participant’s Account during the Plan Year pursuant to Sections 4.1
and 4.2.


 


(c)            The
Matching Contribution credited to the Participant’s account under the RSP for the Plan Year.


 


4.6            Retirement
Savings Plan - Employer Retirement Contribution. The Company maintains the RSP, pursuant to which certain employees are eligible
to receive employer retirement contributions in the amount of 4% of eligible compensation thereunder, up to the compensation limit
under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code. It is the Company’s intention to provide employer retirement contribution credits
under this Plan where employer retirement contributions cannot be provided under the RSP due to: (i) the application of Section 401(a)(17)
of the Code or (ii) the application of Section 415 of the Code. Accordingly, on a payroll period basis, the Participant’s
Employer Retirement Subaccount shall receive a credit (the “Employer Retirement Contribution”) equal to the amount,
if any, by which the amount in subparagraph (a) below exceeds the amount in subparagraph (b) below. Each Participant's
Employer Retirement Subaccount shall be fully vested and non-forfeitable at all times.


 


(a)            The
maximum employer retirement contribution the Participant was eligible to receive for such payroll period under the RSP based upon
the Participant’s eligible compensation thereunder for the Plan Year, but determined without regard to the limitations of
Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code.


 


(b)            The
employer retirement contribution made to the Participant’s account under the RSP for such payroll period.


 


4.7            Retirement
Cash Balance Plan Make-Whole CB Benefit. Effective as of October 1, 2020, each Employee who, immediately prior to such
date, was eligible to receive pay credits to his or her make whole account under Section 4.2 of the Duke Energy Corporation
Executive Cash Balance Plan shall be eligible to participate in the Plan and receive a Make-Whole CB Benefit under this Section 4.7.
The Committee may from time-to-time, and subject to Section 3.1 of the Plan, designate additional Employees who are eligible
to receive a Make-Whole CB Benefit under this Section 4.7.


 


(a)            For
any month that a Participant is eligible to receive a Make-Whole CB Benefit, the Participant’s Make-Whole CB Subaccount shall
receive a credit equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the pay credit that would have been provided under the Retirement Cash
Balance Plan for the month if the Retirement Cash Balance Plan used the definition of Compensation set forth herein and, to the
extent determined by the Committee from time to time, other types of excluded pay were treated as eligible compensation under such
plan; over (ii) the pay credit for the month that is actually made to the Participant’s account under the Retirement
Cash Balance Plan. In addition, the Make-Whole CB Benefit provides a credit to the Participant’s Make-Whole CB Subaccount
equal to any reduction in a benefit under the Retirement Cash Balance Plan resulting from the limitations imposed by Section 415
of the Code.


 






    9


     


    

 


(b)            A
Participant who is eligible to receive a Make-Whole CB Benefit under this Section 4.7 shall have the opportunity to make payment
elections for the amounts credited to his or her Make-Whole CB Subaccount in accordance with Section 7.2(b) of this Plan;
provided that amounts credited to the Make-Whole CB Subaccount with respect to periods between October 1, 2020 and December 31,
2020 shall be subject to the Participant’s existing payment election on file with respect to 2020 deferrals (or, if the Participant
had not filed a payment election for 2020 deferrals under the Plan, or if the Participant first became eligible to participate
in the Plan on October 1, 2020, such amounts shall be subject to the default distribution rules of Section 7.4(c) of
the Plan).


 


(c)            Each
Participant’s Make-Whole CB Subaccount shall be fully vested and non-forfeitable at all times.


 


(d)            Each
Participant’s Make-Whole CB Subaccount shall be subject to Section 6.2 regarding phantom investment options, and, for
purposes of clarity, are not eligible for interest credits within the meaning of the Duke Energy Corporation Executive Cash Balance
Plan.


 


4.8            Other
Company Contributions. The Company may, from time to time, in its sole discretion, direct that a special credit in such amount
as the Company shall determine be made to a specified Participant’s Account in order to (i) mitigate an unintended shortfall
in a Company contribution, or (ii) implement provisions of an employment agreement. A special credit may be awarded subject
to such vesting requirement as the Company shall determine (provided that upon a Change in Control, any special credit shall become
vested if the affected Participant has not previously incurred a Separation from Service) and, notwithstanding any provision of
this Plan to the contrary, to the extent any such special credit has not become vested, it shall not be paid under the Plan.


 


4.9            Elections.
Unless otherwise specified by the Committee in accordance with procedures established from time to time, an election to defer Base
Pay, Incentive Plan compensation and LTIP Awards shall apply only with respect to the compensation to which such election
specifically relates, and such Deferral Election cannot be revoked. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, cancel a Participant’s
Deferral Election due to an Unforeseeable Emergency or a hardship distribution pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.401(k)-1(d)(3).


 






    10


     


    

 


ARTICLE V

FORMER PLANS AND TRANSITION RULES


 


5.1            Prior
Plans. As described in more detail in Appendix A, the Plan governs the terms and conditions of all or a portion of the amounts
previously earned under the following plans (each a “Prior Plan”): (i) the Duke Power Company Compensation Deferral
Plan, first effective as of July 1, 1983 (“CDP”), (ii) the Panhandle Eastern Corporation Key Executive Deferred
Compensation Plan as amended and restated January 1, 1996 (“KEDCP”), (iii) the Crescent Resources Incentive
Deferral Plan (“CRIDP”), (iv) the Company's Supplementary Defined Contribution Plan, (v) the Company's Incentive
Deferral Plan, (vi) the Cinergy Corp. 401(k) Excess Plan, (vii) the Cinergy Corp. Nonqualified Deferred Incentive
Compensation Plan, (viii) the Cinergy Corp. Excess Profit Sharing Plan, (ix) the Progress Energy, Inc. Management
Deferred Compensation Plan, (x) the Progress Energy, Inc. Management Incentive Compensation Plan, (xi) the Progress
Energy, Inc. Executive and Key Manager Performance Share Sub-Plans, and (xii) the Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc.
Defined Contribution Restoration Plan (the “Legacy Piedmont Plan”). For purposes of clarity, the Plan is the successor
to the Duke Energy Corporation Executive Savings Plan I and the Duke Energy Corporation Executive Savings Plan II. Amounts that
were previously payable under the Prior Plans and that have been credited to Accounts hereunder shall remain subject to the same
vesting schedule and elections (including deferral and distribution elections) and beneficiary designations that were controlling
under the applicable Prior Plan immediately prior to the date such amounts were credited to Accounts under the Plan until a new
election is made in accordance with the terms of this Plan that by its terms supersedes the prior election. This Plan shall recognize
any amount that was properly deferred by a Participant under a Prior Plan but that had not yet been credited to his or her account
thereunder as of the date the obligations under such plan were assumed by this Plan. Each Participant’s right to receive
any benefit that has been transferred to this Plan shall be determined solely pursuant to the terms of this Plan. All of the Company’s
obligations and Participants’ rights with respect to the amounts previously payable under the Prior Plan shall automatically
be extinguished and become obligations and rights under this Plan without further action as of the applicable effective date set
forth on Exhibit A.


 


5.2            Application
of Code Section 409A to Prior Plans.


 


(a)            Pre-2005
Deferrals. Any “amounts deferred” in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2005 under the Plan or Prior Plan,
within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and any earnings thereon (“Pre-2005 Deferrals”), shall be governed
by the terms of the Plan or Prior Plan, as applicable, as in effect on October 3, 2004, and it is intended that such amounts
and any earnings thereon be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code. Nothing contained herein is intended
to materially enhance a benefit or right existing under the Plan or Prior Plan as of October 3, 2004 or add a new material
benefit or right to such Plan or Prior Plan.


 


(b)            Post-2004
Deferrals. Any “amounts deferred” in taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005 under the Plan or Prior
Plan, within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and any earnings thereon (“Post-2004 Deferrals”), shall
be governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan.


 


ARTICLE VI

ACCOUNTS


 


6.1            Maintenance
of Participant Accounts. An Account shall be established and maintained with respect to each Participant. Each Account shall
reflect the amounts credited thereto pursuant to Article IV and V, plus or minus adjustments made in accordance with the provisions
of this Article VI and reduced by distributions made in accordance with Article VII.


 






    11


     


    

 


6.2            Phantom
Investment Options. In accordance with such rules as the Committee shall approve, Investment Options shall be available
hereunder that generally correspond with each RSP investment option and such other investment options as are determined to be appropriate
by the Committee. Each Participant hereunder shall specify, in accordance with this Section and rules established by
the Committee, the “investment” of his or her Account in one or more Investment Options hereunder, and may elect to
transfer his or her Account among such Investment Options. The Participant’s Account shall thereafter be automatically adjusted
daily (or on such other basis as the Committee shall approve), upward or downward, in proportion to the total percentage return
experienced for the respective period on amounts invested in the Investment Options. Accounts under the Plan shall be bookkeeping
accounts reflecting units of phantom Investment Options hereunder which mirror the performance that would have resulted from an
actual investment in the corresponding Investment Option(s). No amounts actually shall be invested hereunder in any Investment
Option. Effective as of January 1, 2014, the portion (if any) of each Participant’s Account that was credited to the
Spectra Common Stock Fund was automatically reallocated to the U.S. Equity S&P 500 Index Fund Investment Option, and the Spectra
Common Stock Fund is no longer available as an Investment Option under the Plan.


 


6.3            Subaccounts.


 


(a)            Company
Matching Subaccount. Amounts contributed to a Participant’s Account as a Company Matching Contribution pursuant to Section 4.5
and Section 5.1 shall be held in a subaccount within such Participant’s Account (the “Company Matching Subaccount”).


 


(b)            Subaccount
for Deferrals of Stock Awards. Amounts credited to a Participant’s Account pursuant to Section 4.3 shall be held
in a subaccount within such Participant’s Account (the “Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount”).
The amounts in the Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount shall be credited and maintained as units of a share-based
phantom investment that mirrors the performance of the Company’s common stock (with cash dividends reinvested). No transfers
may be made into or out of the Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount.


 


(c)            CDP
Subaccounts. The amounts originally credited under the CDP and transferred to a Participant’s Account pursuant to Section 5.1
shall be maintained in one or two separate phantom Investment Option subaccounts (the “CDP Subaccounts”), and shall
continue to be credited with interest at one of two fixed rate(s) (i.e., 10.5% or 17.5%) formerly applicable to such accounts
under the CDP. At any time the Participant may elect to transfer any amount from such CDP Subaccounts to another Investment Option
in the Participant’s General Account, but no amount so removed from the CDP Subaccounts may be transferred back to such CDP
Subaccounts.


 


(d)            Legacy
Cinergy Subaccounts. The amounts originally credited under the Legacy Cinergy Plans and transferred to a Participant’s
Account pursuant to Section 5.1 shall be maintained in separate subaccounts hereunder (the “Legacy Cinergy Subaccounts”).
Amounts credited to the Cinergy Corp. 401(k) Excess Plan that are required to remain invested in an Investment Option that
mirrors the performance of the Company’s common stock shall be transferred to the Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals
Subaccount.


 






    12


     


    

 


(e)            CRIDP
Subaccount. The amounts originally credited under the CRIDP and transferred to a Participant’s Account shall be maintained
in separate subaccounts hereunder (the “CRIDP Subaccounts”).


 


(f)            Legacy
Progress Subaccounts. The amounts originally credited under the Legacy Progress Plans and transferred to a Participant’s
Account pursuant to Section 5.1 shall be maintained in separate subaccounts hereunder (the “Legacy Progress Subaccounts”).
Amounts credited to the Legacy Progress Plans that are required to remain invested in an Investment Option that mirrors the performance
of the Company’s common stock shall be transferred to the Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount.


 


(g)            Employer
Retirement Subaccount. Amounts contributed to a Participant’s Account as an Employer Retirement Contribution pursuant
to Section 4.6 shall be held in a subaccount within such Participant’s Account (the “Employer Retirement Subaccount”).


 


(h)            Legacy
Piedmont Subaccounts. The amounts originally credited under the Legacy Piedmont Plan and transferred to a Participant's Account
pursuant to Section 5.1 shall be maintained in a separate subaccount hereunder (the “Legacy Piedmont Subaccount”).
Other than adjustments pursuant to Section 6.2, no additional amounts shall be credited to any Legacy Piedmont Subaccount
after December 31, 2017.


 


(i)            Make-Whole
CB Subaccount. Amounts contributed to a Participant’s Account as a Make-Whole CB Benefit pursuant to Section 4.7
shall be held in a subaccount within such Participant’s Account (the “Make-Whole CB Subaccount”).


 


6.4            Adjustments
to Stock Funds. If there shall occur any merger, consolidation, liquidation, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities,
recapitalization, reclassification, stock dividend, spin-off, split-off, stock split, reverse stock split or other distribution
with respect to the shares of the Company, or any similar corporate transaction or event in respect of such shares, then the Committee
shall, in the manner and to the extent that it deems appropriate and equitable to the Participants and consistent with the terms
of this Plan, cause a proportionate adjustment to be made in number and kind of shares deemed held under the Plan. Moreover, in
the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for any or all outstanding
shares under the Plan such alternative consideration as it, in good faith, may determine to be equitable under the circumstances.


 


ARTICLE VII

BENEFITS


 


7.1            Separation
from Service.


 


(a)            General
Rule. Upon the Participant’s Separation from Service, for any reason, the amount in the Participant’s Account shall
be paid to the Participant (or to the Beneficiary designated pursuant to Section 8.1) in accordance with the terms of the
distribution option elected by the Participant under Section 5.1 or this Article, except as otherwise provided in this Article.


 






    13


     


    

 


(b)            Participants
Who Are Not Retirement Eligible - Pre-2005 Deferrals. Notwithstanding the above, if a Participant (i) has a Separation
from Service for any reason, except death, layoff or disability, prior to becoming eligible for early or normal retirement under
the Duke Energy Retirement Cash Balance Plan as in effect on October 3, 2004, without giving effect to amendments adopted
thereafter, and (ii) has elected term payments of 10 years or 15 years, then the portion of that Participant’s Account
that is comprised of Pre-2005 Deferrals shall be paid instead for a 3-year term in accordance with Section 7.3(b).


 


7.2            Election
of Distribution Option.


 


(a)            Pre-2005
Deferrals. With respect to Pre-2005 Deferrals, each Participant has been provided the opportunity to elect from among the distribution
options specified in Section 7.3, the manner in which such Participant’s Account shall be paid following Separation
from Service. A Participant may change his or her distribution option to a distribution option permitted under Section 7.3
by completing a new election form and delivering it to the Committee. A Participant’s election to change the form of benefit
payment shall become effective one year from the date on which the election form was submitted to the Committee, but only if the
Participant has remained an Employee throughout such one year period. A Participant may not elect to change the distribution form
or commencement date applicable to his or her CRIDP Subaccount or the portion of the Legacy Progress Subaccount attributable to
deferrals under the Progress Energy, Inc. Executive and Key Manager Performance Share Sub-Plans. Notwithstanding the foregoing:


 


(i)            Progress
Energy, Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan. With respect to the portion of the Legacy Progress Subaccount attributable
to Pre-2005 Deferrals under the Progress Energy, Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan, a Participant may elect at least
one year prior to the applicable payment commencement date (which was originally elected on a class-year basis), and on a form
provided by the Company, a new payment commencement date that either is five years from the then current payment commencement date
or otherwise is permitted under Section 7.3(e)(i)(A)(II) or (III). Only one such new election will be permitted with
respect to the Participant’s Pre-2005 Deferrals relating to a particular class year. In addition, the Participant may elect,
on a form provided by the Committee, to change the form of distribution to any of the forms permitted under Section 7.3(e)(i)(B) with
respect to such Pre-2005 Deferrals at least one year prior to the applicable payment commencement date for such accounts.


 


(b)            Post-2004
Deferrals. With respect to each amount deferred under the Plan after 2007, each Participant shall, in accordance with procedures
established from time to time by the Committee and no later than the last day for filing the Deferral Election to which such deferrals
relate, be entitled to make a separate class-year election from among the distribution options specified in Section 7.4. With
respect to all amounts deferred under the Plan after 2004 and before 2008, each Participant has been provided, in accordance with
procedures established from time to time by the Committee consistent with Section 7.10, the opportunity to make a single election
(which may be separate for LTIP Award deferrals and all other amounts) from among the distribution options specified in Section 7.4.
A Participant may not elect to change such elections. With respect to Post-2004 Deferrals, each Participant under the Legacy Progress
Plans has been provided the opportunity to make a separate class-year election from among the payment commencement date and form
of payment options specified in Section 7.4(e). A Participant may not elect to change such elections. Notwithstanding the
foregoing or any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, no Participant under the Legacy Piedmont Plan has been or will be
provided an opportunity to make any election with respect to the time or form of distribution of his or her Legacy Piedmont Account.


 






    14


     


    

 


7.3            Distribution
Options for Pre-2005 Deferrals. Subject to the foregoing, the following distribution options are available with respect to
Pre-2005 Deferrals:


 


(a)            Lump
Sum. Payment of the full amount of the Participant’s Account on the first business day of the month following the month
in which Separation from Service occurs.


 


(b)            Term
Payments. Payments on a monthly basis over a term of years, which shall be either 3 years, 10 years, or 15 years, as follows:
The Company shall determine the amount of the Participant’s Account on the Valuation Date, and as of the first business day
of each month thereafter. The Participant shall receive on the first business day of each month during the term, beginning with
the first business day of the month following the Valuation Date, an amount determined pursuant to the following formula:


 


		amount	=	V

N



 


where


 


		N	represents the number of months remaining in the term (including the month for which the payment is being calculated) and



 


		V	represents the amount of the Participant’s Account as of the date the payment is being calculated.



 


Any remaining balance in the Participant’s Account shall
be paid to the Participant on the first business day of the last month of the term. Distributions from the Participant’s
Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount shall be on an annual, rather than a monthly basis, and the formula set forth
above shall be reformed accordingly. Term payments from the Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount shall be made
on the first business day of the month immediately following each anniversary of the Valuation Date.


 


(c)            Legacy
Cinergy Plans. Notwithstanding Section 7.3(a) and (b), Pre-2005 Deferrals attributable to the Legacy Cinergy Plans
shall be payable only in a lump sum payment or in substantially equal annual installments over a specified number of whole years
from 2 to 10 years. Distribution of the Participant’s Account shall commence no later than 30 days after Separation from
Service. Subsequent installments shall be payable on or as soon as administratively practicable following each anniversary of the
payment commencement date. If a Participant failed to make an election under the terms of the applicable Legacy Cinergy Plan and
this Plan, the portion of his or her Account attributable to Pre-2005 Deferrals under such applicable Legacy Cinergy Plan shall
be distributed in five substantially equal annual installments commencing no later than 30 days after Separation from Service.


 






    15


     


    

 


(d)            CRIDP.
Notwithstanding Section 7.3(a) and (b), all amounts in the CRIDP Subaccounts shall be payable only in accordance with
a Participant’s original distribution election, in annual installments commencing as soon as practicable following the date
on which the Participant has a Separation from Service and ending no later than the fifteenth anniversary of such date.


 


(e)            Legacy
Progress Plans. Notwithstanding Section 7.1(b) and Section 7.3(a) and (b), Pre-2005 Deferrals attributable
to the Legacy Progress Plans shall be payable as follows:


 


(i)            Progress
Energy, Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan. With respect to the portion of the Legacy Progress Subaccounts attributable
to deferrals under the Progress Energy, Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan, Participants had the opportunity to elect
with respect to each Plan Year to (A) defer the payment until (I) the April 1 following the date that is five years
from the last day of such Plan Year, (II) the April 1 following the Participant’s Retirement, or (III) the
April 1 following the first anniversary of the Participant’s Retirement; and (B) provide for the payment of such
Plan Year deferrals in the form of a lump sum or approximately equal annual installments over a period extending from two years
to ten years (by paying a fraction of the account balance each year during such period), as elected by the Participant. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event of the Separation from Service of a Participant for any reason, prior to Retirement or death, such
amounts shall be paid following Separation from Service in a lump sum. In all cases, payment shall commence no later than 30 days
after the payment commencement date. For this purpose, “Retirement” shall mean a Participant’s Separation from
Service on or after attaining either age 65 with 5 years of service, age 55 with 15 years of service, 35 years of service, or eligibility
for retirement under the Supplemental Senior Executive Retirement Plan of Progress Energy, Inc. if covered under such plan.


 


(ii)            Progress
Energy, Inc. Management Incentive Compensation Plan. With respect to the portion of the Legacy Progress Subaccounts attributable
to deferral of awards under the Progress Energy, Inc. Management Incentive Compensation Plan, Participants had the opportunity
to elect with respect to each Plan Year to (A) defer the payment of an award until (I) any date that is at least five
years subsequent to the date the award would otherwise be payable, but not later than the second anniversary of the Participant’s
Retirement, or (II) any date that is within two years following the Participant’s Retirement; and (B) provide for
the payment of such deferred awards in the form of a lump sum or approximately equal annual installments over a period extending
from two years to ten years (with the amount of the annual payment determined by dividing the balance in the Participant’s
Subaccount by the total remaining number of annual payments to be received by the Participant). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in the event of the Separation from Service of a Participant for any reason, prior to the Retirement or death of the Participant,
such amounts shall be paid in a lump sum following the Separation from Service. With respect to the portion of the Legacy Progress
Subaccounts attributable to “incentive performance units” (as defined in the Progress Energy, Inc. Management
Incentive Compensation Plan), the following rules shall apply: the incentive performance units shall be forfeited by the Participant
if he or she terminates employment either voluntarily or involuntarily other than for death or Retirement prior to five years from
March 15 of the year in which payment would have been made if the award had not been deferred; provided, however, that if
before such date the employment of the Participant is terminated by the Company without Cause, the incentive performance units
shall not be forfeited but shall be payable to the Participant in a single lump sum following separation. In all cases, payment
shall commence no later than 30 days after the payment commencement date. For this purpose, “Retirement” shall mean
a Participant’s Separation from Service on or after attaining either age 65 with 5 years of service, age 55 with 15 years
of service, or 35 years of service.


 






    16


     


    

 


(iii)            Progress
Energy, Inc. Executive and Key Manager Performance Share Sub-Plans. With respect to the portion of the Legacy Progress
Subaccounts attributable to deferrals under the Progress Energy, Inc. Executive and Key Manager Performance Share Sub-Plans,
Participants had the opportunity to elect with respect to each Plan Year to (A) defer the payment until (I) the April 1
following the date that is at least five years from the last day of such Plan Year (provided that if the Participant Retires prior
to the scheduled payment date, the payment shall instead be made no later than April 1 following the first anniversary of
the Participant’s Retirement), (II) the April 1 following the Participant’s Retirement, or (III) the
April 1 following the first anniversary of the Participant’s Retirement; and (B) provide for the payment of such
Plan Year deferrals in the form of a lump sum or approximately equal annual installments over a period extending from two years
to five years (by paying a fraction of the account balance each year during such period), as elected by the Participant. In the
event of the Separation from Service of a Participant for any reason other than the death, Disability or Retirement of the Participant,
the vested amounts shall be paid following separation in a lump sum. In all cases, payment shall commence no later than 30 days
after the payment commencement date. For purposes of this Section 7.3(e)(iii), “Retirement” shall mean (x) for
performance shares granted prior to 1999, a Participant’s Separation from Service on or after attaining either age 65, age
55 with 15 years of service, or 35 years of service, and (y) for performance shares granted during and after 1999 but prior
to 2005, a Participant’s Separation from Service on or after attaining either age 65 with 5 years of service, age 55 with
15 years of service, or 35 years of service. For purposes of this Section 7.3(e)(iii), “Disability” shall mean
the mental or physical disability, either occupational or non-occupational in origin, of the Participant defined as “total
disability” in the Long-term Disability Plan of Progress Energy, Inc. as in effect on October 3, 2004; or a determination
by the Committee of total disability based on medical evidence that precludes the Participant from engaging in any occupation or
employment for wage or profit for at least twelve months and appears to be permanent.


 


7.4            Distribution
Options for Post-2004 Deferrals. Subject to the foregoing, the following distribution options are available with respect to
Post-2004 Deferrals:


 


(a)            Lump
Sum. Payment of the full amount of the Participant’s Account on the first business day of the month following the month
in which Separation from Service occurs.


 


(b)            Term
Payments. Payments on a monthly basis over a term of years, which shall be any number of whole years from 2 to 10 years, or
15 years, as follows: The Company shall determine the amount of the Participant’s Account on the Valuation Date, and as of
the first business day of each month thereafter. The Participant shall receive on the first business day of each month during the
term, beginning with the first business day of the month following the Valuation Date, an amount determined pursuant to the following
formula:


 






    17


     


    

 


		amount	=	V

N



 


where


 


		N	represents the number of months remaining in the term (including the month for which the payment is being calculated) and



 


		V	represents the amount of the Participant’s Account as of the date the payment is being calculated.



 


Any remaining balance in the Participant’s Account shall
be paid to the Participant on the first business day of the last month of the term. Distributions from the Participant’s
Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount shall be on an annual, rather than a monthly basis, and the formula set forth
above shall be reformed accordingly. Term payments from the Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals Subaccount shall be made
on the first business day of the month immediately following each anniversary of the Valuation Date.


 


(c)            Default
Distribution Option. To the extent that a Participant does not designate the form of payment of an amount deferred or contributed
to his or her Account, such amount (adjusted for earnings and losses) shall be distributed in a single lump sum on the first business
day of the month following the month in which Separation from Service occurs.


 


(d)            Employer
Retirement Subaccount. Notwithstanding Section 7.4(a), (b) and (c), amounts contributed to a Participant’s
Employer Retirement Subaccount shall be paid to the Participant or his or her Beneficiary in a single lump sum on the first business
day of the month following the month in which Separation from Service occurs.


 


(e)            Legacy
Progress Plans. Notwithstanding Section 7.4(a), (b) and (c), Post-2004 Deferrals attributable to the Legacy Progress
Plans shall be payable as follows:


 


(i)            Progress
Energy, Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan. With respect to the portion of the Legacy Progress Subaccounts attributable
to deferrals under the Progress Energy, Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan, Participants had the opportunity to elect
with respect to each Plan Year to (A) defer the payment until (I) the April 1 following the date that is five years
from the last day of such Plan Year (provided that if the Participant Retires prior to the scheduled payment date, the payment
shall instead be made no later than April 1 following the first anniversary of the Participant’s Retirement), (II) the
April 1 following the Participant’s Retirement, or (III) the April 1 following the first anniversary of the
Participant’s Retirement; and (B) provide for the payment of such Plan Year deferrals in the form of a lump sum or approximately
equal annual installments over a period extending from two years to ten years (by paying a fraction of the account balance each
year during such period), as elected by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Separation from Service
of a Participant for any reason prior to Retirement or death, the vested amounts shall be paid following separation in a single
lump sum. In the event of the Separation from Service of a Participant who was a member of the “Senior Management Committee”
of Progress Energy, Inc. for whom no deferral election was made for a Plan Year, any matching allocation and deemed investment
return shall be distributed to the Participant following separation in a lump sum. In all cases, payment shall commence no later
than 60 days after the payment commencement date. For this purpose, “Retirement” shall mean a Participant’s Separation
from Service on or after attaining either age 65 with 5 years of service, age 55 with 15 years of service, 35 years of service,
or eligibility for retirement under the Supplemental Senior Executive Retirement Plan of Progress Energy, Inc. if covered
under such plan.


 






    18


     


    

 


(ii)            Progress
Energy, Inc. Management Incentive Compensation Plan. With respect to the portion of the Legacy Progress Subaccounts attributable
to deferrals of awards under the Progress Energy, Inc. Management Incentive Compensation Plan, Participants had the opportunity
to elect with respect to each Plan Year to (A) defer the payment of an award until (I) any date that is at least five
years subsequent to the date the award would otherwise be payable, but not later than the second anniversary of the Participant’s
Retirement, or (II) any date that is within two years following the Participant’s Date of Retirement; and (B) provide
for the payment of such deferred awards in the form of a lump sum or approximately equal annual installments over a period extending
from two years to ten years (with the amount of the annual payment determined by dividing the balance in the Participant’s
Subaccount by the total remaining number of annual payments to be received by the Participant). Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in the event of the Separation from Service of a Participant for any reason, prior to the Retirement of the Participant, the amounts
shall be paid in a lump sum following Separation from Service. With respect to the portion of the Legacy Progress Subaccounts attributable
to “incentive performance units” (as defined in the Progress Energy, Inc. Management Incentive Compensation Plan),
the following rules shall apply: the incentive performance units shall be forfeited by the Participant if he or she terminates
employment either voluntarily or involuntarily other than for death or Retirement prior to five years from March 15 of the
year in which payment would have been made if the award had not been deferred; provided, however, that if before such date the
employment of the Participant is terminated by the Company without Cause, the incentive performance units shall not be forfeited
but shall be payable to the Participant in a single lump sum following separation. In all cases, payment shall commence no later
than 60 days after the payment commencement date. For this purpose, “Retirement” shall mean a Participant’s Separation
from Service on or after attaining either age 65 with 5 years of service, age 55 with 15 years of service, or 35 years of service.


 


(iii)            Progress
Energy, Inc. Executive and Key Manager Performance Share Sub-Plans. With respect to the portion of the Legacy Progress
Subaccounts attributable to deferrals under the Progress Energy, Inc. Executive and Key Manager Performance Share Sub-Plans,
Participants had the opportunity to elect with respect to each Plan Year to (A) defer the payment until (I) the April 1
following the date that is at least five years from the last day of such Plan Year (provided that, if the Participant Retires prior
to the scheduled payment date, the payment shall instead be made no later than April 1 following the first anniversary of
the Participant’s Retirement, for performance shares granted prior to 2005, and on the later of the April 1 following
the first anniversary of Retirement or the April 1 of the year following the end of the applicable performance period, for
performance shares granted during and after 2005), (II) the April 1 following the Participant’s Retirement, or
(III) the April 1 following the first anniversary of the Participant’s Retirement; and (B) provide for the
payment of such Plan Year deferrals in the form of a lump sum or approximately equal annual installments over a period extending
from two years to five years (by paying a fraction of the account balance each year during such period), as elected by the Participant.
In the event of the Separation from Service of a Participant for any reason other than death, “Disability” (as defined
in Section 7.3(e)(iii) of the Plan) or Retirement, the vested amounts attributable to performance shares granted prior
to 2005 shall be paid following separation in a lump sum, and in the event of the Separation from Service of a Participant for
any reason other than Retirement, the vested amounts attributable to performance shares granted during and after 2005 shall be
paid following separation in a lump sum. In all cases, payment shall commence no later than 60 days after the payment commencement
date. For purposes of this Section 7.4(e)(iii), “Retirement” shall mean (x) for performance shares granted
after 2004 but prior to 2008, a Participant’s Separation from Service on or after attaining age 65 with 5 years of service,
age 55 with 15 years of service, or 35 years of service, and (y) for performance shares granted after 2007, a Participant’s
Separation from Service on or after attaining age 65 or age 55 with 10 years of service.


 






    19


     


    

 


(f)            Legacy
Piedmont Plan. Notwithstanding Section 7.4(a), (b), (c) and (d), a Participant’s Legacy Piedmont Subaccount
shall be payable in cash as follows:


 


(i)            Except
to the extent otherwise provided in Sections 7.4(f)(ii) and 7.11, following the Participant’s Separation from Service,
the Participant shall receive payment of the balance of the Participant’s Legacy Piedmont Subaccount (as adjusted under Sections
6.2 and 6.3(h) through the date of distribution) in five installments. The first installment shall be paid to the Participant
within 90 days after the Participant’s Separation from Service. Subsequent installments shall be paid to the Participant
in each succeeding January. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant’s Legacy Piedmont Subaccount balance does not
exceed $25,000 as of the date the installment payments would otherwise commence, then the entire amount of the Participant’s
Legacy Piedmont Subaccount balance shall be paid to the Participant in a single lump sum payment. The dollar amount in the immediately
preceding sentence shall be increased (or decreased) as of January 1, 2010 and each January 1 thereafter by the increase
(or decrease) in the U.S. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) since the immediately preceding January 1.


 


(ii)            Notwithstanding
Section 7.4(f)(i), in the event of a Participant’s Separation from Service between October 3, 2016 and October 2,
2018, the Participant’s Legacy Piedmont Subaccount shall be distributed in a lump-sum payment.


 


7.5            Payments
After Death. If a Participant (or a Beneficiary previously designated by a deceased Participant) dies before receiving all
amounts payable hereunder, then the remaining amounts payable shall be paid to the specified Beneficiary of such deceased person
in accordance with the distribution option in effect, but subject to Section 7.6; provided, however, that with respect to
the portion of the Legacy Progress Subaccounts attributable to deferrals under the Progress Energy, Inc. Management Deferred
Compensation Plan, and Post-2004 Deferrals under the Progress Energy, Inc. Management Incentive Compensation Plan, the remaining
amounts shall be paid to the specified Beneficiary in a single lump sum within 60 days after death. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
with respect to Pre-2005 Deferrals (other than those attributable to the Legacy Cinergy Plans and the Progress Legacy Plans), if
a person receiving payments over a term of years dies and an estate is such person’s Beneficiary, then such term payments
shall cease and the remaining amount credited to the Account shall be paid to such estate in a single lump sum within 60 days after
the date of death. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, if a Participant dies before
the Participant’s Legacy Piedmont Subaccount has been fully paid to the Participant, such Participant’s remaining Legacy
Piedmont Subaccount shall be paid to the Participant’s Beneficiary in a single lump sum within 90 days after the Participant’s
death.


 






    20


     


    

 


7.6            Small
Payments. If the portion of a Participant’s Account balance attributable to Pre-2005 Deferrals, other than amounts in
the Legacy Cinergy Subaccounts and the Legacy Progress Subaccounts, and amounts transferred from the CRIDP on January 1, 2008,
at Separation from Service is less than $25,000, the Participant’s Account shall automatically be paid in a lump sum as soon
as practicable following Separation from Service.


 


7.7            Form of
Payment. All amounts due under the Plan shall be paid in cash, except that units in the Duke Energy Common Stock - Stock Deferrals
Subaccount shall be converted to whole shares of the Company’s common stock and cash for any fractional share. To the extent
that the delivery of any shares of the Company’s common stock to a Participant under this Plan otherwise would cause all
or any portion of the Plan to be considered an “equity compensation plan” as such term is defined in Section 303A(8) of
the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual or any successor rule (“Listed Company Manual”), then such shares
shall be paid from, and shall count against the share reserve of, a Company-sponsored “equity compensation plan” designated
by the Committee that complies with the shareholder approval requirements contained in the Listed Company Manual.


 


7.8            Acceleration
of Payment in the Event of Unforeseeable Emergency. A Participant shall have the right to request, on a form provided by the
Committee, an accelerated payment of all or a portion of his or her Account in a lump sum if he or she experiences an Unforeseeable
Emergency. The Committee shall have the sole discretion to determine, in accordance with the standards and to the extent it would
not result in a material modification of Pre-2005 Deferrals under Section 409A of the Code, whether to grant such a request
and the amount to be paid pursuant to such request. Whether a Participant is faced with an Unforeseeable Emergency permitting a
payment under this Section is to be determined based on the relevant facts and circumstances of each case, but, in any case,
a payment on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency may not be made to the extent that such emergency is or may be relieved through
reimbursement or compensation from insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of the Participant’s assets, to the extent the
liquidation of such assets would not cause severe financial hardship, or by cessation of deferrals under the Plan. Payments because
of an Unforeseeable Emergency must be limited to the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need (which may include
amounts necessary to pay any Federal, state, local, or foreign income taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated to result from
the payment). Payment shall be made within thirty days following the determination by the Committee that a withdrawal shall be
permitted under this Section, or such later date as may be required under Section 7.11. No amounts attributable to the Cinergy
Corp. Excess Profit Sharing Plan or the Progress Energy, Inc. Key Manager Performance Share Sub-Plans may be distributed pursuant
to this Section.


 


7.9            In-Service
Distribution - Certain Pre-2005 Deferrals. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VII, but only with respect
to the portion of a Participant’s Account balance attributable to Pre-2005 Deferrals, other than amounts in the Legacy Cinergy
Subaccounts and the Legacy Progress Subaccounts, a distribution shall be made to any Participant who, prior to Separation from
Service, files a written request for an immediate lump sum distribution in an amount not less than $25,000 (the entire account
balance in the case of Accounts that are valued at less than $25,000), and who simultaneously agrees in writing to a permanent
forfeiture equal to 10% of the amount requested as a distribution. Such distribution, less the 10% forfeiture, shall be made within
30 days following receipt by the Company of the signed request for distribution and forfeiture agreement. Distributions under this
Section shall be removed from a Participant’s Accounts on a prorated basis.


 






    21


     


    

 


7.10            Transition
Relief for Payment Elections – Post-2004 Deferrals. With respect to Post-2004 Deferrals, Participants designated by the
Committee were provided the opportunity no later than December 31, 2008 or such other date as permitted under Section 409A
of the Code) to elect on a form provided by the Committee to (a) change the date of payment of his or her Subaccounts to a
date otherwise permitted for that Subaccount under the Plan; (b) change the form of payment of his or her Subaccounts to a
form of payment otherwise permitted for that Subaccount under the Plan; or (c) receive payment of all or a designated portion
of one or more of his or her Subaccounts in a single lump sum on a date in 2009 designated by the Committee. The Committee may
also take any action that it deems necessary, in its sole discretion, to amend prior Deferral Elections or payment elections of
a Participant, without the Participant’s consent, to conform such elections to the terms of this Plan. This Section is
intended to comply with Notice 2007-86, any subsequent notice or guidance, and the applicable proposed and final Treasury Regulations
issued under Section 409A of the Code and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent.


 


7.11            Mandatory
Six-Month Delay – Post-2004 Deferrals. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.12, with respect to any Participant
who is a Specified Employee as of his or her Separation from Service, the payment of Post-2004 Deferrals that are otherwise payable
pursuant to the Participant’s Separation from Service shall commence within 60 days after the first business day of the seventh
month following such Separation from Service (or if earlier, upon the Participant’s death).


 


7.12            Discretionary
Acceleration of Payment. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time or schedule of a payment of Post-2004
Deferrals under the Plan to a time or form otherwise permitted under Section 409A of the Code in accordance with the requirements,
restrictions and limitations of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j) (e.g., relating to domestic relations orders,
employment taxes, conflict of interests, income inclusion under Section 409A, state, local or foreign taxes, offsets, bona
fide disputes and small accounts); provided that in no event may a payment be accelerated following a Specified Employee’s
Separation from Service to a date that is prior to the first business day of the seventh month following that Participant's Separation
from Service (or if earlier, upon the Participant's death) unless specifically permitted under Section 409A of the Code (e.g.,
relating to domestic relations orders, employment taxes and conflict of interests). Except as otherwise specifically provided in
this Plan, the Committee may not accelerate the time or schedule of any payment or amount scheduled to be paid under the Plan within
the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.


 


7.13            Discretionary
Delay of Payments. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, delay the time or form of payment of Post-2004 Deferrals under
the Plan to a time or form otherwise permitted under Section 409A of the Code in accordance with the requirements, restrictions
and limitations of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(7) (e.g., relating to compliance with Section 162(m) of
the Code, federal securities laws or other applicable laws); provided that the Committee treats all payments to similarly situated
Participants on a reasonably consistent basis.


 






    22


     


    

 


7.14            Actual
Date of Payment. If calculation of the amount of the payment is not administratively practicable due to events beyond the control
of the Participant (or Beneficiary), the payment will be treated as made upon the date specified under the Plan if the payment
is made during the first calendar year in which the calculation of the amount of the payment is administratively practicable. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, payment must be made no later than the latest possible date permitted under Section 409A of the Code. Moreover,
notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary except Section 7.11, and to the extent permitted by Section 409A
of the Code, a payment will be treated as made upon the date specified under the Plan if the payment is made as close as administratively
practicable to the relevant payment date specified herein, and in any event within the same calendar year.


 


ARTICLE VIII

BENEFICIARY


 


8.1            Designation
of Beneficiary. A Participant shall designate a Beneficiary to receive benefits under the Plan by submitting to the Committee
a Designation of Beneficiary in the form required by the Committee. If more than one Beneficiary is named, the share and precedence
of each Beneficiary shall be indicated. A Participant shall have the right to change the Beneficiary by submitting to the Committee
a Change of Beneficiary in the form provided, but no change of Beneficiary shall be effective until acknowledged in writing by
the Company. If a deceased Participant has failed to specify a surviving Beneficiary then the Participant’s estate shall
be considered to be the Beneficiary


 


8.2            Designation
by Beneficiary. A Beneficiary who has become entitled to receive benefits shall designate a Beneficiary.


 


8.3            Discharge
of Obligations. Any payment made by the Company, in good faith and in accordance with this Plan, shall fully discharge the
Company from all further obligations with respect to that payment. If the Company has any doubt as to the proper Beneficiary to
receive payments hereunder, the Company shall have the right to withhold such payments until the matter is finally adjudicated.


 


8.4            Payment
to Minors and Incapacitated Persons. In the event that any amount is payable to a minor or to any person who, in the judgment
of the Committee, is incapable of making proper disposition thereof, such payment shall be made to the legal guardian of the property
of such minor or such person. The Company shall make such payments as directed by the Committee without the necessary intervention
of any guardian or like fiduciary, and without any obligation to require bond or to see to the further application of such payment.
Any payment so made shall be in complete discharge of the Plan’s obligation to the Participant and his or her Beneficiaries.


 






    23


     


    

 


ARTICLE IX

NATURE OF COMPANY’S OBLIGATION


 


9.1            Unsecured
Promise. The Company’s obligation to the Participant under this Plan shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay.
The rights of a Participant or Beneficiary under this Plan shall be solely those of an unsecured general creditor of the Company.
The Company shall not be obligated under any circumstances to set aside or hold assets to fund its financial obligations under
this Plan. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, in the case of a Change in Control, the Company shall irrevocably
set aside funds in an irrevocable “rabbi trust” in an amount that is sufficient to pay each Participant the value of
the Participant’s Legacy Progress Subaccounts, if any, as of the date on which the Change in Control occurs; provided, however,
that the trust shall not be funded if the funding thereof would result in taxable income to the Participant by reason of Section 409A(b) of
the Code; and provided, further, in no event shall any trust assets at any time be located or transferred outside of the United
States, within the meaning of Section 409A(b) of the Code.


 


9.2            No
Right to Specific Assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may, in its sole discretion establish such accounts, trusts,
insurance policies or arrangements, or any other mechanisms it deems necessary or appropriate to account for or fund its obligations
under the Plan. Any assets which the Company may set aside, acquire or hold to help cover its financial liabilities under this
Plan are and remain general assets of the Company subject to the claims of its creditors. The Company does not give, and the Plan
does not give, any beneficial ownership interest in any assets of the Company to a Participant or Beneficiary. All rights of ownership
in any assets are and remain in the Company. Any general asset used or acquired by the Company in connection with the liabilities
it has assumed under this Plan shall not be deemed to be held under any trust for the benefit of the Participant or any Beneficiary,
and no general asset shall be considered security for the performance of the obligations of the Company. Any asset shall remain
a general, unpledged, and unrestricted asset of the Company.


 


9.3            Plan
Provisions. The Company’s liability for payment of benefits shall be determined only under the provisions of this Plan,
as it may be amended from time to time.


 


ARTICLE X

TERMINATION, AMENDMENT, MODIFICATION OR

SUPPLEMENTATION OF PLAN


 


10.1            Right
to Terminate and Amend. The Committee retains the sole and unilateral right to terminate, amend, modify or supplement this
Plan, in whole or in part, at any time. The Committee may delegate the right to amend the Plan, subject to any limitations it may
impose, to an officer of the Company. No such action shall adversely affect a Participant’s right to receive amounts then
credited to a Participant’s Account with respect to events occurring prior to the date of such amendment. With respect to
Post-2004 Deferrals, subject to Section 7.11 hereof, the Committee may, in its sole discretion to the extent permitted in
Section 409A of the Code, provide for the acceleration of the time or schedule of a payment under the Plan upon the termination
of the Plan. With respect to Pre-2005 Deferrals attributable to the Legacy Cinergy Plans, the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
provide for the acceleration of the time or schedule of a payment under the Plan provided such payments commence no later than
the earlier of a Participant’s death or Separation from Service.


 






    24


     


    

 


10.2            Change
in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, the Plan shall become irrevocable and may not be amended or terminated without
the written consent of each Plan Participant who may be affected in any way by such amendment or termination, either at the time
of such action or at any time thereafter. This restriction in the event of a Change in Control shall be determined by reference
to the date any amendment or resolution terminating the Plan is actually signed by an authorized party rather than the date such
action purports to be effective.


 


ARTICLE XI

RESTRICTIONS ON ALIENATION OF BENEFITS


 


11.1            No
Assignment. Except as permitted by the Plan, no right or benefit under the Plan shall be subject to anticipation, alienation,
sale, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge. Any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber or charge
these benefits shall be void. No right or benefit under this Plan shall in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts,
liabilities, or torts of the person entitled to the benefit. If any Participant or Beneficiary under the Plan should become bankrupt
or attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber or charge any right to a benefit hereunder, then the right or
benefit, in the discretion of the Committee, shall cease. In these circumstances, the Committee may hold or apply the benefit payment
or payments, or any part of it, for the benefit of the Participant or his or her Beneficiary, the Participant’s spouse, children,
or other dependents, or any of them, in any manner and in any portion that the Committee may deem proper. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
to the extent permitted by Section 409A of the Code and subject to Section 7.12, the Committee shall honor a judgment,
order or decree from a state domestic relations court which requires the payment of part or all of a Participant’s or Beneficiary’s
interest under this Plan to an “alternate payee” as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code.


 


ARTICLE XII

ADMINISTRATION


 


12.1            Top
Hat Plan. The Company intends for the Plan to be “top-hat” plan for a select group of management or highly compensated
employees which is exempt from substantially all of the requirements of Title I of ERISA pursuant to Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3),
and 401(a)(1) of ERISA. The Company is the Plan sponsor under Section 3(16)(B) of ERISA.


 


12.2            Plan
Administrator. The Committee is the administrator of the Plan within the meaning of Section 3(16)(A) of ERISA. As
administrator, the Committee has the authority (without limitation as to other authority) to delegate its duties to agents and
to make rules and regulations that it believes are necessary or appropriate to carry out the Plan. The Committee has the discretion
as a Plan fiduciary (i) to interpret and construe the terms and provisions of the Plan (including any rules or regulations
adopted under the Plan), (ii) to determine questions of eligibility to participate in the Plan and (iii) to make factual
determinations in connection with any of the foregoing. A decision of the Committee with respect to any matter pertaining to the
Plan including without limitation the Employees determined to be Participants, the benefits payable, and the construction or interpretation
of any provision thereof, shall be conclusive and binding upon all interested persons.


 






    25


     


    

 


ARTICLE XIII

CLAIMS PROCEDURE


 


13.1            Claim.
If a Participant has any grievance, complaint, or claim concerning any aspect of the operation or administration of the Plan, including
but not limited to claims for benefits and complaints concerning the performance or administration of the phantom investment funds
(collectively referred to herein as “claim” or “claims”), the Participant shall submit the claim to the
Committee, which shall have the initial responsibility for deciding the claim.


 


13.2            Written
Claim. A claim for benefits shall be considered as having been made when submitted in writing by the claimant to the Committee.
No particular form is required for the claim, but the claim must identify the name of the claimant and describe generally the benefit
to which the claimant believes he or she is entitled. The claim may be delivered personally during normal business hours or mailed
to the Committee. All such claims shall be submitted in writing and shall set forth the relief requested and the reasons the relief
should be granted. All such claims must be submitted with the “applicable limitations period.” The “applicable
limitations period” shall be two years beginning on: (i) in the case of any lump-sum payment, the date on which the
payment was made, (ii) in the case of an installment payment, the date of the first in the series of payments, or (iii) for
all other claims, the date on which the action complained or grieved of occurred.


 


13.3            Committee
Determination. The Committee shall determine whether, or to what extent, the claim may be allowed or denied under the terms
of the Plan. If the claim is wholly or partially denied, the claimant shall be so informed by written notice within 90 days after
the day the claim is submitted unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. If such an extension
of time for processing is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination
of the initial 90-day period. Such extension may not exceed an additional 90 days from the end of the initial 90-day period. The
extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan expects
to render the final decision. If notice of denial of a claim (in whole or in part) is not furnished within the initial 90-day period
after the claim is submitted (or, if applicable, the extended 90-day period), the claimant shall consider that his or her claim
has been denied just as if he or she had received actual notice of denial.


 


13.4            Notice
of Determination. The notice informing the claimant that his or her claim has been wholly or partially denied shall be written
in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant and shall include:


 


(a)            The
specific reason(s) for the denial.


 


(b)            Specific
reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based.


 


(c)            A
description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why
such material or information is necessary.


 






    26


     


    

 


(d)            Appropriate
information as to the steps to be taken if the Participant or Beneficiary wishes to submit his or her claim for review.


 


13.5            Appeal.
If the claim is wholly or partially denied, the claimant (or his or her authorized representative) may file an appeal of the denied
claim with the Committee requesting that the claim be reviewed. The Committee shall conduct a full and fair review of each appealed
claim and its denial. Unless the Committee notifies the claimant that due to the nature of the benefit and other attendant circumstances
he or she is entitled to a greater period of time within which to submit his or her request for review of a denied claim, the claimant
shall have 60 days after he or she (or his or her authorized representative) receives written notice of denial of his or her claim
within which such request must be submitted to the Committee.


 


13.6            Request
for Review. The request for review of a denied claim must be made in writing in connection with making such request, the claimant
or his or her authorized representative may:


 


(a)            Review
pertinent documents.


 


(b)            Submit
issues and comments in writing.


 


13.7            Determination
of Appeal. The decision of the Committee regarding the appeal shall be promptly given to the claimant in writing and shall
normally be given no later than 60 days following the receipt of the request for review. However, if special circumstances (for
example, if the Committee decides to hold a hearing on the appeal) require a further extension of time for processing, the decision
shall be rendered as soon as possible, but no later than 120 days after receipt of the request for review. However, if the Committee
holds regularly scheduled meetings at least quarterly, a decision on review shall be made by no later than the date of the meeting
which immediately follows the Plan’s receipt of a request for review, unless the request is filed within 30 days preceding
the date of such meeting. In such case, a decision may be made by no later than the date of the second meeting following the Plan’s
receipt of the request for review. If special circumstances (for example, if the Committee decides to hold a hearing on the appeal)
require a further extension of time for processing, the decision shall be rendered as soon as possible, but no later than the third
meeting following the Plan’s receipt of the request for review. If special circumstances require that the decision shall
be made beyond the initial time for furnishing the decision, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant
(or his or her authorized representative) prior to the commencement of the extension. The decision on review shall be in writing
and shall be furnished to the claimant or to his or her authorized representative within the appropriate time for the decision.
If a decision on review is not furnished within the appropriate time, the claim shall be deemed to have been denied on appeal.


 


13.8            Hearing.
The Committee may, in its sole discretion, decide to hold a hearing if it determines that a hearing is necessary or appropriate
in order to make a full and fair review of the appealed claim.


 


13.9            Decision.
The decision on review shall include specific reasons for the decision, written in a manner calculated to be understood by the
claimant, as well as specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based.


 






    27


     


    

 


13.10            Exhaustion
of Appeals. A Participant must exhaust his or her rights to file a claim and to request a review of the denial of his or her
claim before bringing any civil action to recover benefits due to him or her under the terms of the Plan, to enforce his or her
rights under the terms of the Plan, or to clarify his or her rights to future benefits under the terms of the Plan. No action at
law or in equity to recover under this Plan shall be commenced later than one year from the date of the decision on review (or
deemed denial if no decision is issued).


 


13.11            Committee’s
Authority. The Committee shall exercise its responsibility and authority under this claims procedure as a fiduciary and, in
such capacity, shall have the discretionary authority and responsibility (a) to interpret and construe the Plan and any rules or
regulations under the Plan, (b) to determine the eligibility of Employees to participate in the Plan, and the rights of Participants
to receive benefits under the Plan, and (c) to make factual determinations in connection with any of the foregoing.


 


ARTICLE XIV

GENERAL PROVISIONS


 


14.1            No
Right to Employment. Nothing in this Plan shall be deemed to give any person the right to remain in the employ of the Affiliated
Group or its affiliates or affect the right of the Affiliated group or its affiliates to terminate any Participant’s employment
with or without cause.


 


14.2            Withholding.
Any amount required to be withheld under applicable Federal, state, local or other tax laws (including any amounts required to
be withheld under Section 3121(v) of the Code) shall be withheld in such manner as the Committee shall determine and
any payment under the Plan shall be reduced by the amount so withheld, as well as by any other lawful withholding.


 


14.3            Governing
Law. This Plan shall be construed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of North Carolina to the extent
that such laws are not preempted by Federal law.


 


14.4            Transfer
of Accounts. The Account of each Spectra Energy Participant maintained under the Plan immediately prior to the Distribution
Date was transferred to the Spectra Energy Corp Executive Savings Plan and assumed by Spectra Energy Corp as of the Distribution
Date (the “Assumed Amounts”). For purposes of this Plan, the term “Assumed Amounts” shall include any amounts
of Base Pay or Incentive Plan awards of a Spectra Energy Participant that are earned but not yet paid as of the Distribution Date
or equity awards granted to a Spectra Energy Participant under the Duke Energy Corporation 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, that
were properly deferred by the Spectra Energy Participant under the Plan but that had not yet been credited to his or her Account
under the Plan as of the Distribution Date. Each such Spectra Energy Participant shall have no further rights under the Plan immediately
after his or her Account is transferred to the Spectra Energy Corp Executive Savings Plan and assumed by Spectra Energy Corp in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Employee Matters Agreement by and between Duke Energy Corporation and Spectra Energy
Corp (the “Employee Matters Agreement”). Capitalized terms used in this Section 14.5 that are not defined in this
Plan shall have the meaning set forth in the Employee Matters Agreement.


 






    28


     


    

 


14.5            Compliance
with Section 409A of the Code. It is intended that the Plan comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code,
so as to prevent the inclusion in gross income of any amounts deferred hereunder in a taxable year that is prior to the taxable
year or years in which such amounts would otherwise actually be paid or made available to Participants or Beneficiaries. This Plan
shall be construed, administered, and governed in a manner that effects such intent, and the Committee shall not take any action
that would be inconsistent with such intent. Although the Committee shall use its best efforts to avoid the imposition of taxation,
interest and penalties under Section 409A of the Code, the tax treatment of deferrals under this Plan is not warranted or
guaranteed. Neither the Company, the other members of the Affiliated Group, their respective directors, officers, employees and
advisors, the Board, nor the Committee (nor its designee) shall be held liable for any taxes, interest, penalties or other monetary
amounts owed by any Participant, Beneficiary or other taxpayer as a result of the Plan. Any reference in this Plan to Section 409A
of the Code will also include any proposed, temporary or final regulations, or any other guidance, promulgated with respect to
such Section 409A of the Code by the U.S. Department of Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service. For purposes of the Plan,
the phrase “permitted by Section 409A of the Code,” or words or phrases of similar import, shall mean that the
event or circumstance shall only be permitted to the extent it would not cause an amount deferred or payable under the Plan to
be includible in the gross income of a Participant or Beneficiary under Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code.


 


14.6            Electronic
or Other Media. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, including any provision that requires the
use of a written instrument, the Committee may establish procedures for the use of electronic or other media in communications
and transactions between the Plan or the Committee and Participants and Beneficiaries. Electronic or other media may include, but
are not limited to, e-mail, the Internet, intranet systems and automated telephonic response systems.


 


This amendment and restatement of the Plan
has been executed on behalf of the Company this 23rd day of September, 2020.


 


 


	 	DUKE ENERGY CORPORATION
	 	 
	 	 
	 	By:	/s/ Ronald
R. Reising
	 	 	Ronald R. Reising
	 	 	Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer



 


	 	Date:	September 23, 2020



 


 


	 	By:	 /s/ Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe
	 	 	Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe
	 	 	Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate
Secretary



 


	 	Date:	September 24, 2020



 






    29


     


    

 


Appendix A

Prior Plans


 


A-1     Duke
Power Company Compensation Deferral Plan (“CDP”). As of January 1, 1997, each Participant’s Account
was credited with the amount, if any, that the Participant had deferred into the CDP as of December 31, 1996, plus interest
compounded at the “Benefit Rate” applicable to such deferred amounts.


 


A-2     Key
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“KEDCP”). As of January 1, 1999, each Participant’s Account was
credited with the amount, if any, that the Participant had deferred into the KEDCP as of December 31, 1998, plus all income
credited thereon provided such Participant had made an irrevocable election in a form acceptable to the Company to be bound by
the terms of the Plan and, specifically Section 7.2, with respect to all such amounts deferred by the Participant under the
KEDCP. Any Employee or former employee of PanEnergy Corporation or its affiliated companies or its predecessors who was not designated
a Participant by the Company in connection with the transfer of such individual’s account to the Plan shall have such accounts
maintained under the Plan but subject to all of the terms and conditions of the KEDCP as in effect on December 31, 1998.


 


A-3     Crescent
Resources Incentive Deferral Plan (“CRIDP”). As of January 1, 2003, the Account of each individual who was
then eligible to participate in the Plan was credited with (i) an amount under the Duke Energy Common Stock Fund equal to
the value, if any, of any “Phantom Shares” credited to the Participant’s account in the CRIDP immediately prior
to such date and (ii) an amount equal to the balance of the Participant’s interest bearing account in the CRIDP immediately
prior to such date and such amount was credited as units in such phantom Investment Option(s) as the Participant elected,
and in the absence of such an election was credited to the phantom Investment Option that corresponded to the RSP’s Money
Market Fund. As of January 1, 2008, the account of any remaining participant in the CRIDP was transferred to an Account under
the Plan.


 


A-4     Supplementary
Defined Contribution Plan. As of January 1, 1997, each Participant’s Account was credited with an amount equal to
the balance, if any, of the Participant’s account under the Company’s Supplementary Defined Contribution Plan.


 


A-5     Incentive
Deferral Plan. As of January 1, 1997, each Participant’s Account was credited with an amount equal to the balance,
if any, of the Participant’s account under the Company’s Incentive Deferral Plan.


 


A-6     Legacy
Cinergy Plans. As of January 1, 2008, each Participant’s Account was credited with an amount equal to the balance,
if any, of the Participant’s accounts under the Legacy Cinergy Plans immediately prior to such date. LTIP Awards and certain
nonelective contributions deferred under the Cinergy Corp. 401(k) Excess Plan shall be credited as of January 1, 2008
to the Duke Energy Common Stock — Stock Deferrals Subaccount.


 


A-7     Legacy
Progress Plans. As of January 1, 2014, each Participant’s Account was credited with an amount equal to the balance,
if any, of the Participant’s accounts under the Legacy Progress Plans immediately prior to such date. Amounts deferred under
the Progress Energy, Inc. Executive and Key Manager Performance Share Sub-Plans shall be credited as of January 1, 2014
to the Duke Energy Common Stock — Stock Deferrals Subaccount.


 


A-8     Legacy
Piedmont Plan. Effective as of January 1, 2018, each Participant's Account was credited with an amount equal to the balance,
if any, of the Participant's account under the Legacy Piedmont Plan immediately prior to such date.