**Exhibit 10.55**

EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT 

This EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (the“Agreement”) is entered into as of January 1, 2008, by and between Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (the “Company”) and Stephen S. Rasmussen (“Executive”). 

WHEREAS, the parties desire to enter into an agreement to reflect Executive’s executive capacities in the Company’s businessand to provide for Executive’s employment by the Company, upon the terms and conditions set forth herein. 

WHEREAS,Executive has agreed to certain confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation covenants contained hereunder, in consideration of the additional benefits provided to Executive under this Agreement. 

WHEREAS, certain capitalized terms shall have the meanings given those terms in Section 3 of this Agreement. 

WHEREAS, Executive and the Company are parties to an Employment Agreement dated January 1, 2002 (the “EmploymentAgreement”), and the parties have agreed that this Agreement shall supercede and replace the Employment Agreement. 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows: 

1. Employment.The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby accepts such employment and agrees to perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities, in accordance with the terms, conditions and provisions hereinafter set forth.

1.1 Employment Term. This Agreement shall be effective as of the date set forth above, and shall continue untilDecember 31, 2008, unless the Agreement is terminated sooner in accordance with Section 2 below. In addition, the term of the Agreement shall automatically renew for periods of one year unless either party gives written notice to the otherparty, at least 60 days prior to the end of the initial term or at least 60 days prior to the end of any one-year renewal period, that the Agreement shall not be further extended. The period commencing on the effective date and ending on the date onwhich the term of Executive’s employment under the Agreement shall terminate is hereinafter referred to as the “Employment Term.” The failure of the Company to renew this Agreement shall not be considered a termination ofExecutive’s employment under this Agreement and shall not give Executive grounds to terminate employment for Good Reason (as defined in Section 3) under this Agreement. 

1.2 Duties and Responsibilities. During the Employment Term, Executive shall serve as the President and Chief Operating Officer ofProperty Casualty Insurance Operations, or in such other executive positions as the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) determines. Executive shall perform all duties and accept all responsibilities incident to suchposition or as may be reasonably assigned to him by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or the Board. 

 

1.3 Extent of Service. During the Employment Term, Executive agrees to useExecutive’s full and best efforts to carry out Executive’s duties and responsibilities under Section 1.2 hereof with the highest degree of loyalty and the highest standards of care and, consistent with the other provisions of thisAgreement, Executive agrees to devote substantially all of Executive’s business time, attention and energy thereto. The foregoing shall not be construed as preventing Executive from making investments in other businesses or enterprises,provided that Executive agrees not to become engaged in any other business activity which, in the reasonable judgment of the Board, is likely to interfere with Executive’s ability to discharge Executive’s duties and responsibilities to theCompany. The Executive will not serve on the board of directors of an entity unrelated to the Company (other than a non-profit charitable organization) without the consent of the Board. 

1.4 Base Salary. During the Employment Term, for all the services rendered by Executive hereunder, the Company shall pay Executivea base salary (“Base Salary”), at the annual rate in effect on the date of this Agreement, payable in installments at such times as the Company customarily pays its other employees. Executive’s Base Salary shall be reviewedperiodically for appropriate increases by the Board (or a committee of the Board) pursuant to the Board’s normal performance review policies for senior level executives. 

1.5 Retirement, Welfare and Other Benefit Plans and Programs. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all employee retirement and welfare benefit plansand programs made available to the Company’s senior level executives as a group, as such retirement and welfare plans may be in effect from time to time and subject to the eligibility requirements of such plans. During the Employment Term,Executive shall be provided with executive fringe benefits and perquisites under the same terms as those made available to the Company’s senior level executives as a group, as such programs may be in effect from time to time. During theEmployment Term, Executive shall be entitled to vacation and sick leave in accordance with the Company’s vacation, holiday and other pay for time not worked policies. Nothing in this Agreement or otherwise shall prevent the Company fromamending or terminating any retirement, welfare or other employee benefit plans, programs, policies or perquisites from time to time as the Company deems appropriate. 

1.6 Reimbursement of Expenses. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be provided with reimbursement of reasonable expenses related to Executive’s employment by the Company on abasis no less favorable than that which may be authorized from time to time for senior level executives as a group. 

1.7Incentive Compensation. During the Employment Term, Executive shall be entitled to participate in all short-term and long-term incentive programs established by the Company for its senior level executives generally, at levels commensuratewith the benefits provided to other senior executives and Executive’s position with the Company. Executive’s incentive compensation shall be subject to the terms of the applicable plans and shall be determined based on Executive’sindividual performance and Company performance as determined by the Board (or a committee of the Board). 

2.Termination. Executive’s employment shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events: 

 

2 

2.1 Termination Without Cause. The Company (by action of the Board) may removeExecutive at any time without Cause (as defined in Section 3) from the position in which Executive is employed hereunder (in which case the Employment Term shall be deemed to have ended) upon not less than 60 days’ prior written noticepursuant to Section 15 to Executive; provided, however, that, in the event that such notice is given, Executive shall be under no obligation to render any additional services to the Company and shall be allowed to seek other employment, to theextent such other employment is consistent with Executive’s obligations under Section 6. 

2.2 Resignation forGood Reason After a Substantial Reorganization. If the Board determines for purposes of this Agreement that a substantial reorganization of the Company has occurred, the Board may establish a period of time during which Executive may elect toresign if an event constituting Good Reason (as defined in Section 3) occurs. In that event, Executive may initiate termination of employment by resigning under this Section 2.2 for Good Reason during the period specified by the Board.Executive shall give the Company not less than 60 days prior written notice pursuant to Section 15 of such resignation, which notice shall be provided to the Company within 60 days following the occurrence of the event giving rise to the GoodReason resignation. A substantial reorganization shall not be considered to have occurred unless the Board specifically determines that a substantial reorganization has occurred for purposes of this Agreement and the Board establishes a time periodduring which Executive may elect to resign if an event constituting Good Reason occurs. Nothing in this Agreement shall obligate the Board to make any such determination. 

2.3 Benefits Payable Upon Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason After a Substantial Reorganization. 

(a) Upon any removal or resignation described in Section 2.1 or 2.2 above, Executive shall be entitled to receive only the amount dueto Executive under the Company’s then current severance pay plan for employees, if any. No other payments or benefits shall be due under this Agreement to Executive, but Executive shall be entitled to any benefits accrued or earned inaccordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company. 

(b) Notwithstanding the provisionsof Section 2.3(a), in the event of a removal or resignation described in Section 2.1 or 2.2 during the Employment Term, if Executive executes and does not revoke a written release and waiver of claims upon such removal or resignation, inform and substance acceptable to the Company (the “Release”), of any and all claims against the Company and all related parties with respect to all matters arising out of Executive’s employment by the Company, or thetermination thereof (other than claims based upon any severance entitlements under the terms of this Agreement or entitlements under any plans or programs of the Company under which Executive has accrued a benefit), Executive shall be entitled toreceive the severance benefits described below, in lieu of the payment described in Section 2.3(a). 

(i) Executiveshall receive a lump sum cash payment equal to two times Executive’s annual Base Salary in effect immediately before the Termination Date 

 

3 

(including salary reduction amounts of Base Salary under the Company’s benefit plans and programs). 

(ii) Executive shall receive Executive’s annual short-term incentive bonus (PIP) for the year in which Executive’s TerminationDate occurs, at the time that annual bonuses for the year are paid to other executives, based on the Company’s actual performance for the year, but in an amount not less than Executive’s target annual bonus in effect for the year.

(iii) The Company shall pay Executive a lump sum cash payment equal to the cost that Executive would incur if Executivecontinued medical, dental and vision coverage under section 4980B of the Code (as defined in Section 3)(“COBRA”) or the Company’s retiree medical plan, if applicable, for Executive, and, where applicable, his or her spouseand dependents, for the Severance Period (as defined in Section 3). The cash payment shall include a tax gross up to cover Executive’s income and FICA taxes imposed on the payment under this subsection (iii). Executive may elect COBRAcontinuation coverage according to the terms of the Company’s applicable benefit plans, for the period permitted under such plans. 

(iv) Executive shall receive a lump sum payment equal to two times the amount of Executive’s NVA Target Award Opportunity and/or Business Unit Target Award Opportunity, as applicable, under the NationwideProperty and Casualty Long-Term Performance Plan, as amended, the Third Amended and Restated Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. 1996 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan, or any successor plan in effect for the year in which Executive’sTermination Date occurs. The amount determined under this subsection (iv) shall be paid at the time that NVA or Business Unit awards for the year are paid to other executives, but not later than March 15 after the end of the year in whichthe Termination Date occurs. The payment under this subsection (iv) shall be paid in lieu of any NVA or Business Unit award under the applicable plan for the year in which Executive’s Termination Date occurs. 

(v) Executive’s outstanding stock options and restricted stock with respect to stock of Nationwide Financial Services, Inc. or anyAffiliate of the Company shall become vested and exercisable on the Termination Date to the extent that such options and restricted stock would have become vested and exercisable on the next vesting date had Executive remained an employee of theCompany. All other unvested stock options and restricted stock shall be forfeited, except to the extent that the applicable grant agreement requires otherwise. No additional grants shall be made to Executive after Executive’s termination ofemployment. 

(vi) Executive shall receive supplemental benefits under this Agreement equal to: 

(A) the benefits that Executive would have received under the Nationwide Retirement Plan, Nationwide SupplementalRetirement Plan, Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan, Nationwide Savings Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan and Nationwide Individual Deferred Compensation Plan, as in effect at Executive’s Termination Date, had Executive’sbenefits under those Plans been fully vested as of Executive’s Termination Date, reduced by 

 

4 

(B) the benefits that Executive actually receives under the NationwideRetirement Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan, Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan, Nationwide Savings Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan and Nationwide Individual Deferred Compensation Plan. 

The benefits under this subsection (vi) shall be paid as described in Section 8. The benefits payable under this subsection (vi) andsubsection (vii) below shall not result in any duplication of benefits. 

(vii) If Executive’s Termination Dateoccurs within three years of the date on which Executive would have been first eligible to retire under the Nationwide Retirement Plan, Executive shall receive a supplemental benefit under this Agreement equal to: 

(A) the benefits that Executive would have received under the Nationwide Retirement Plan, Nationwide SupplementalRetirement Plan and Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan as in effect at Executive’s Termination Date, had Executive earned service and age credit for the period ending on the first to occur of (i) three years after the Termination Date or(ii) the earliest date on which Executive would have been eligible to retire under the Nationwide Retirement Plan, and had Executive been fully vested in Executive’s benefit under such Plans, reduced by 

(B) the benefits that Executive actually receives under the Nationwide Retirement Plan, Nationwide Supplemental RetirementPlan and Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan, and the benefits payable under subsection (vi) above with respect to the Nationwide Retirement Plan, Nationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan and Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan. 

The benefits under this subsection (vii) shall be paid as described in Section 8. The benefits payable under this subsection (vii) andsubsection (vi) above shall not result in any duplication of benefits. 

(viii) The Company shall pay Executive a lumpsum cash payment equal to the matching contributions that the Company would have made for Executive under the Nationwide Savings Plan and the Nationwide Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan, as in effect at Executive’s Termination Date, as ifExecutive continued in employment for the Severance Period, receiving compensation at a rate equal to Executive’s covered compensation amount for the calendar year prior to the year in which the Termination Date occurs and as if Executivecontinued the same rate of contributions to the applicable plans as in effect immediately before Executive’s Termination Date. 

(ix) The Company shall cause Executive to receive service and age credit for purposes of eligibility under the Company’s retiree medical plan (but not for Company contributions towards the cost of retireemedical) until the end of the Severance Period, as if Executive had continued in employment during the Severance Period. 

(x) During the Severance Period, the Company shall pay or reimburse Executive for the cost of reasonable outplacement assistance services (not to exceed a total of $11,000) provided by any outplacement agency selected by Executive.

 

5 

(xi) The Company shall pay Executive a lump sum cash payment equal to the annual valueof the financial counseling services provided by the Company to Executive immediately before Executive’s Termination Date. 

(xii) Executive shall have the right to retain the computer, printer, fax machine and office furniture that was provided by the Company for use by Executive at Executive’s residence at the Termination Date. 

(xiii) Executive shall receive any other amounts earned, accrued or owing but not yet paid under Section 1 above and any otherbenefits in accordance with the terms of any applicable plans and programs of the Company. 

(xiv) Payment of the lump sumbenefits described above (other than as described in subsections (ii) and (iv) above) shall be made within 30 days after Executive’s Termination Date (as defined in Section 3), subject to Executive’s execution of aneffective Release. 

2.4 Retirement or Other Voluntary Termination. Executive may voluntarily terminate employmentfor any reason, including voluntary retirement, upon 60 days’ prior written notice pursuant to Section 15. In such event, after the effective date of such termination, except as provided in Section 2.2 (with respect to a resignationfor Good Reason), no further payments shall be due under this Agreement. However, Executive shall be entitled to any benefits due in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company. 

2.5 Disability. The Company (by action of the Board) may terminate Executive’s employment if Executive has been unable toperform the essential functions of Executive’s position with the Company, with or without reasonable accommodation, by reason of physical or mental incapacity for a period of six consecutive months (“Disability”); provided, however,that the Company shall continue to pay Executive’s Base Salary until the Company acts to terminate Executive’s employment. Executive agrees, in the event of a dispute under this Section 2.5 relating to Executive’s Disability, tosubmit to a physical examination by a licensed physician selected by the Board. Executive acknowledges that the provisions of this Section 2.5 supersede the employment termination provisions otherwise applied to disabled employees. IfExecutive’s employment terminates on account of Disability, no further payments shall be due under this Agreement. However, Executive shall be entitled to (i) any benefits due in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plansand programs of the Company and (ii) a pro rated bonus for the year in which Executive’s Disability occurs, which bonus shall be calculated (on a prorated basis) and paid according to Section 2.3(b)(ii) above. 

2.6 Death. If Executive dies while employed by the Company, the Company shall pay to Executive’s executor, legalrepresentative, administrator or designated beneficiary, as applicable, (i) any amounts earned, accrued or owing but not yet paid under Section 1 above and any benefits accrued or earned under the Company’s benefit plans and programsaccording to the terms of such plans and (ii) a pro rated bonus for the year in which Executive’s death occurs, which bonus shall be calculated (on a prorated basis) and paid according to Section 2.3(b)(ii) above. Otherwise, theCompany shall have no further liability or obligation under this Agreement to Executive’s executors, legal representatives, administrators, heirs or assigns. 

 

6 

2.7 Cause. The Company (by action of the Board) may terminate Executive’semployment at any time for Cause upon written notice to Executive, in which event all payments under this Agreement shall cease, except for Base Salary to the extent already accrued. Executive shall be entitled to any benefits accrued or earnedbefore Executive’s termination in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company; provided that Executive shall not be entitled to receive any unpaid short-term or long-term cash incentive payments orunvested options. 

3. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meaningsspecified in this Section 3: 

(a) “Affiliate” shall mean any subsidiary of the Company, NationwideFinancial Services, Inc. and any of its subsidiaries, and any other entity that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, as determined by the Board.

(b) “Cause” shall mean any of the following grounds for termination of Executive’s employment:

(i) Executive shall have been convicted of a felony; 

(ii) Executive neglects, refuses or fails to perform his or her material duties to the Company (other than a failure resulting fromExecutive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness), which failure has continued for a period of at least 30 days after a written notice of demand for substantial performance, signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company, has beendelivered to Executive specifying the manner in which Executive has failed substantially to perform; 

(iii) Executiveengages in misconduct in the performance of Executive’s duties; 

(iv) Executive engages in public conduct that isharmful to the reputation of the Company; 

(v) Executive breaches any written non-competition, non-disclosure ornon-solicitation agreement in effect with the Company, including without limitation the provisions of Section 5 or 6 of this Agreement; or 

(vi) Executive breaches the Company’s written code of business conduct and ethics. 

(c) “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

(d)“Employer” shall mean the Company, its Affiliates and their successors. 

(e) “GoodReason” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events, without Executive’s consent, except in connection with the termination of Executive’s 

 

7 

employment for Disability, Cause, as a result of death or by Executive other than for Good Reason and except as provided in the last sentence of thissubsection (e): 

(i) A material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities, as reasonablydetermined by the Board; 

(ii) A material change in the geographic location at which Executive must perform services underthis Agreement (which, for purposes of this Agreement, means relocation of the offices of the Company at which Executive is principally employed to a location more than 50 miles from the location of such offices immediately prior to the relocation);

(iii) A material diminution in Executive’s Base Salary; provided, however, that a change in Base Salary for allsenior executives of the Company, in which Executive is treated similarly as all other executives of a comparable responsibility level, shall not constitute Good Reason under this Agreement; or 

(iv) Any action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement, including the failure of the Company toobtain from its successors the express assumption and agreement required under Section 16 hereof. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing,Executive shall not have Good Reason for termination if, within 60 days after the date on which Executive gives notice of his or her termination, as provided in Section 2.2 the Company corrects the action or failure to act that constitutes thegrounds for termination for Good Reason as set forth in Executive’s notice of termination. If the Company does not correct the action or failure to act, Executive must terminate his or her employment for Good Reason within 30 days after the endof the cure period, in order for the termination to be considered a Good Reason termination. 

(f) “SeverancePeriod” shall mean the period beginning on Executive’s Termination Date and ending two years after the Termination Date. 

(g) “Termination Date” shall mean the effective date of the termination of Executive’s employment relationship with the Company pursuant to this Agreement. 

4. Notice of Termination. Any termination of Executive’s employment shall be communicated by a written notice of terminationto the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 15. The notice of termination shall (i) indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) briefly summarize the facts and circumstances deemed toprovide a basis for a termination of employment and the applicable provision hereof, and (iii) specify the Termination Date in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement. 

5. Confidential Information. Executive recognizes and acknowledges that, by reason of Executive’s employment by and serviceto the Employer (as defined in Section 3) during and, if applicable, after the Employment Term, Executive will continue to have access to certain confidential and proprietary information relating to the business of the Employer, which mayinclude, but is not limited to, trade secrets, trade “know-how”, customer information, supplier information, cost and pricing information, marketing and sales techniques, strategies and 

 

8 

programs, computer programs and software and financial information (collectively referred to as “Confidential Information”). Executive acknowledgesthat such Confidential Information is a valuable and unique asset of the Employer and Executive covenants that Executive will not, unless expressly authorized in writing by the Board, at any time during the course of Executive’s employment, useany Confidential Information or divulge or disclose any Confidential Information to any person, firm or corporation except in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties for the Employer and in a manner consistent with theEmployer’s policies regarding Confidential Information. Executive also covenants that at any time after the termination of such employment, directly or indirectly, Executive will not use any Confidential Information or divulge or disclose anyConfidential Information to any person, firm or corporation, unless such information is in the public domain through no fault of Executive or except when required to do so by law or legal process, in which case Executive will inform the Employer inwriting promptly of such required disclosure, but in any event at least two business days prior to disclosure. All written Confidential Information (including, without limitation, in any computer or other electronic format) which comes intoExecutive’s possession during the course of Executive’s employment shall remain the property of the Employer. Except as required in the performance of Executive’s duties for the Employer, or unless expressly authorized in writing bythe Board, Executive shall not remove any written Confidential Information from the Employer’s premises, except in connection with the performance of Executive’s duties for the Employer and in a manner consistent with the Employer’spolicies regarding Confidential Information. Upon termination of Executive’s employment, Executive agrees immediately to return to the Employer all written Confidential Information in Executive’s possession. 

6. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation. 

(a) During Executive’s employment by the Employer and for a period of one year after Executive’s termination of employment for any reason, Executive will not, except with the priorwritten consent of the Board, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, join, control, finance or participate in the ownership, management, operation, control or financing of, or be connected as an officer, director, employee, partner,principal, agent, representative, consultant or otherwise with, or use or permit Executive’s name to be used in connection with, any business or enterprise which is engaged in any financial services, insurance or other business that iscompetitive with any business or enterprise in which the Employer is engaged, anywhere in the world, during Executive’s employment or (with respect to the application of this covenant after Executive’s termination of employment) during thetwo year period preceding Executive’s termination of employment. The parties acknowledge that the Employer engages in its business on a worldwide basis, and Executive acknowledges that his or her responsibilities extend to the Employer’sworldwide operations. 

(b) The foregoing restrictions shall not be construed to prohibit the ownership by Executive of lessthan five percent of any class of securities of any corporation which is engaged in any of the foregoing businesses having a class of securities registered pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provided that such ownershiprepresents a passive investment and that neither Executive nor any group of persons including Executive in any way, either directly or indirectly, manages or exercises control of any such corporation, guarantees 

 

9 

any of its financial obligations, otherwise takes any part in its business, other than exercising Executive’s rights as a shareholder, or seeks to doany of the foregoing. 

(c) Executive further covenants and agrees that during Executive’s employment by the Employerand for a period of one year thereafter, Executive will not, except with the prior written consent of the Board, directly or indirectly, solicit or hire, or encourage the solicitation or hiring of, any person who was a managerial or higher levelemployee of the Employer at any time during the term of Executive’s employment by the Employer by any employer other than the Employer for any position as an employee, independent contractor, consultant or otherwise. The foregoing covenant ofExecutive shall not apply to any person after 12 months have elapsed after the date on which such person’s employment by the Employer has terminated. 

(d) The covenants described in this Section 6 shall continue to apply during the period specified herein after Executive’s termination of employment for any reason, without regard to whether Executiveexecutes a Release or receives any severance benefits as a result of such termination. If Executive breaches any of the covenants described in this Section 6, the applicable period during which the covenant applies shall be tolled during theperiod of the breach. Without limiting the foregoing, the severance benefits provided under this Agreement are specifically designated as additional consideration for the covenants described in Section 5 and this Section 6. 

7. Equitable Relief. 

(a) Executive acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions contained in Sections 5 and 6 are reasonable and necessary to protect and preserve the legitimate interests, properties, goodwill and business of theEmployer, that the Employer would not have entered into this Agreement in the absence of such restrictions and that irreparable injury will be suffered by the Employer should Executive breach any of the provisions of those Sections. Executiverepresents and acknowledges that (i) Executive has been advised by the Employer to consult Executive’s own legal counsel in respect of this Agreement, and (ii) Executive has had full opportunity, prior to execution of this Agreement,to review thoroughly this Agreement with Executive’s counsel. 

(b) Executive further acknowledges and agrees that abreach of any of the restrictions in Sections 5 and 6 cannot be adequately compensated by monetary damages. Executive agrees that the Employer shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving actualdamages, as well as an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising from any violation of Section 5 or 6 hereof, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which the Employermay be entitled. In the event that any of the provisions of Section 5 or 6 hereof should ever be adjudicated to exceed the time, geographic, service, or other limitations permitted by applicable law in any jurisdiction, it is the intention ofthe parties that the provision shall be amended to the extent of the maximum time, geographic, service, or other limitations permitted by applicable law, that such amendment shall apply only within the jurisdiction of the court that made suchadjudication and that the provision otherwise be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law. 

 

10 

(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive breaches anyof Executive’s obligations under Section 5 or 6 hereof, the Company shall thereafter be obligated only for the compensation and other benefits provided in any Company benefit plans, policies or practices then applicable to Executive inaccordance with the terms thereof, and all payments under Section 2 of this Agreement shall cease. 

(d) Executiveirrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees that any suit, action or other legal proceeding arising out of Section 5 or 6 hereof, including without limitation, any action commenced by the Employer for preliminary and permanent injunctiverelief and other equitable relief, may be brought in a United States District Court for Ohio, or if such court does not have jurisdiction or will not accept jurisdiction, in any court of general jurisdiction in Columbus, Ohio, (ii) consents tothe non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding, and (iii) waives any objection which Executive may have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court. Executive alsoirrevocably and unconditionally consents to the service of any process, pleadings, notices or other papers in a manner permitted by the notice provisions of Section 15 hereof. 

(e) Executive agrees that for a period of three years following the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executivewill provide, and at all times after the date hereof the Employer may similarly provide, a copy of Sections 5 and 6 hereof to any business or enterprise (i) which Executive may directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, finance, join, controlor in which Executive may participate in the ownership, management, operation, financing, or control, or (ii) with which Executive may be connected as an officer, director, employee, partner, principal, agent, representative, consultant orotherwise, or in connection with which Executive may use or permit to be used Executive’s name; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply in respect of Section 6 after expiration of the time periods set forth therein.

8. Payment of Supplemental Benefits. The supplemental benefits under Sections 2.3(b)(vi) and (vii) (the“Enhanced Benefits”) shall be paid as follows: 

(a) The Enhanced Benefits that are calculated with respect to theNationwide Retirement Plan and Nationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan shall be paid in the same form and the same time as Executive’s benefits under the Nationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan are paid (or under the default provisions of theNationwide Supplemental Retirement Plan if Executive is not otherwise entitled to receive a benefit under that Plan). 

(b)The Enhanced Benefits that are calculated with respect to the Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan shall be paid in the same form and at the same time as Executive’s benefits under the Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan are paid (or under the defaultprovisions of the Nationwide Excess Benefit Plan if Executive is not otherwise entitled to receive a benefit under that Plan). 

(c) The Enhanced Benefits that are calculated with respect to the Nationwide Savings Plan and Nationwide Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan shall be paid in the same form and at the same time as Executive’s benefits under theNationwide Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan are paid. 

 

11 

(d) The Enhanced Benefits that are calculated with respect to the Nationwide IndividualDeferred Compensation Retirement Plan shall be paid in the same form and the same time as Executive’s benefits under the Nationwide Individual Deferred Compensation Plan are paid. 

9. Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Executive with respect to Executive’s actions in the performance ofExecutive’s duties as set forth in Section 1.2 to the fullest extent permitted by the Company’s Amended and Restated Code of Bylaws as in effect from time to time. 

10. Non-Exclusivity of Rights; Resignation from Boards. 

(a) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Executive’s continuing or future participation in or rights under any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided by theCompany and for which Executive may qualify; provided, however, that if Executive becomes entitled to and receives the payments described in Section 2.3(b) of this Agreement, Executive hereby waives Executive’s right to receive paymentsunder any severance plan or similar program applicable to all employees of the Company. 

(b) If Executive’s employmentwith the Company terminates for any reason, Executive shall immediately resign from all boards of directors of the Company, any Affiliates and any other entities for which Executive serves as a representative of the Company. 

11. Survivorship. The respective rights and obligations of the parties under this Agreement (including without limitation Sections5, 6 and 7) shall survive any termination of Executive’s employment to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations. 

12. Mitigation. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, and there shall beno offset against amounts due Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment that Executive may obtain. 

13. Benefit Plans; Outstanding Awards. All references in this Agreement to specific retirement or other benefit plans of the Company shall be deemed to include any successor retirement orother benefit plans. The terms of Executive’s outstanding stock options, restricted stock and long-term incentive awards are hereby amended to provide that, without adversely affecting any rights that Executive has under such award agreements,the award agreements are amended to provide for the accelerated vesting and payments upon termination of employment as provided in Section 2.3(b) of this Agreement, to the extent consistent with the applicable plans. In all respects notamended, the provisions of such outstanding awards shall remain in effect according to their terms. 

14. Arbitration;Expenses. In the event of any dispute under the provisions of this Agreement, other than a dispute in which the primary relief sought is an equitable remedy such as an injunction, the parties shall be required to have the dispute, controversy orclaim settled by arbitration in Columbus, Ohio in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association, before a panel of 

 

12 

three arbitrators, one of whom shall be selected by the Company, one of whom shall be selected by Executive, and the third of whom shall be selected by thearbitrators selected by the Company and Executive. Any award entered by the arbitrators shall be final, binding and nonappealable and judgment may be entered thereon by either party in accordance with applicable law in any court of competentjurisdiction. This arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable. The arbitrators shall have no authority to modify any provision of this Agreement or to award a remedy for a dispute involving this Agreement other than a benefitspecifically provided under or by virtue of the Agreement. In the event of a dispute, each party shall be responsible for its own expenses (including attorneys’ fees) relating to the conduct of the arbitration, and the parties shall shareequally the fees of the American Arbitration Association. Each party shall give the other party written notice as described in Section 16 of its intent to submit a claim under this Agreement to arbitration and a description of the basis of suchclaim, within six months after the event giving rise to the claim occurs. 

15. Notices. All notices and othercommunications required or permitted under this Agreement or necessary or convenient in connection herewith shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when hand delivered or mailed by registered or certified mail, as follows(provided that notice of change of address shall be deemed given only when received): 

 

If to the Company, to:

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company

One Nationwide Plaza, 1-35-03

Columbus, OH 43215

Attention:  Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

                  Executive Vice President and ChiefLegal and Governance

                  Officer

With a required copy to:

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

1701 Market Street

Philadelphia, PA 19103-2921

Attention: Mims Maynard Zabriskie

If to Executive, to:

Stephen S. Rasmussen

One Miranova Place Suite 2425

Columbus, OH 43215

or to such other names or addresses as the Company or Executive, as the case may be, shalldesignate by notice to each other person entitled to receive notices in the manner specified in this Section. 

 

13 

16. Contents of Agreement; Amendment and Assignment. 

(a) This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and cannot bechanged, modified, extended or terminated except upon written amendment approved by the Board and executed on its behalf by a duly authorized officer of the Company and by Executive. This Agreement supercedes and replaces the Employment Agreement inits entirety. 

(b) All of the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of andbe enforceable by the respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties hereto, except that the duties and responsibilities of Executive under this Agreement are of a personal nature and shallnot be assignable or delegatable in whole or in part by Executive. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business orassets of the Company, within 15 days of such succession, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

17. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or application thereof to anyone or under any circumstances isadjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision or application of this Agreement which can be given effect without the invalid or unenforceable provision orapplication and shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision or application in any other jurisdiction. If any provision is held void, invalid or unenforceable with respect to particular circumstances, it shall nevertheless remain infull force and effect in all other circumstances. 

18. Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver. No remedy conferred upon aparty by this Agreement is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy, and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to any other remedy given under this Agreement or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity. Nodelay or omission by a party in exercising any right, remedy or power under this Agreement or existing at law or in equity shall be construed as a waiver thereof, and any such right, remedy or power may be exercised by such party from time to timeand as often as may be deemed expedient or necessary by such party in its sole discretion. 

19.Beneficiaries/References. Executive shall be entitled, to the extent permitted under any applicable law, to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit payable under this Agreement followingExecutive’s death by giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event of Executive’s death or a judicial determination of Executive’s incompetence, reference in this Agreement to Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, torefer to Executive’s beneficiary, estate or other legal representative. 

20. Miscellaneous. All sectionheadings used in this Agreement are for convenience only. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which is an original. It shall not 

 

14 

be necessary in making proof of this Agreement or any counterpart hereof to produce or account for any of the other counterparts. 

21. Withholding Taxes. All payments under this Agreement shall be made subject to applicable tax withholding, and the Companyshall withhold from any payments under this Agreement all federal, state and local taxes as the Company is required to withhold pursuant to any law or governmental rule or regulation. Except as specifically provided otherwise in this Agreement,Executive shall be responsible for all taxes applicable to amounts payable under this Agreement and payments under this Agreement shall not be grossed up for taxes. 

22. Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement is intended to comply with section 409A of the Code and its corresponding regulations, or an exemption, to the extent applicable.Severance benefits under the Agreement are intended to be exempt from section 409A under the “short term deferral” exemption. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if required by section 409A, if Executive isconsidered a “specified executive” for purposes of section 409A and if payment of any amounts under this Agreement is required to be delayed for a period of six months after separation from service pursuant to section 409A, payment of suchamounts shall be delayed as required by section 409A, and the accumulated amounts shall be paid in a lump sum payment within five days after the end of the six-month period. If Executive dies during the postponement period prior to the payment ofbenefits, the amounts withheld on account of section 409A shall be paid to the personal representative of Executive’s estate within sixty days after the date of Executive’s death. Payments may only be made under this Agreement upon anevent and in a manner permitted by section 409A, to the extent applicable. As used in the Agreement, the term “termination of employment” shall mean Executive’s separation from service with the Company within the meaning of section409A. In no event may Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of a payment. For purposes of section 409A, the right to a series of payments under the Agreement shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments. Allreimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under the Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of section 409A. 

23. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Ohio without giving effect to any conflict of laws provisions. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound, have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

NATIONWIDE MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

By:
 
/s/ W.G. Jurgensen

Name:
 
W.G. Jurgensen

Title:
 
Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Stephen S. Rasmussen

Executive

 

15