exv10w2



 






Exhibit 10.2




SAVINGS RESTORATION PLAN




FOR NISOURCE INC. AND AFFILIATES




As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2005




 









 





TABLE OF CONTENTS




	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Page	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE I	 	PURPOSE	 	 	1	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE II	 	DEFINITIONS	 	 	2	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	2.1	 	Affiliated Company	 	 	2	 
	 	 	2.2	 	Annual Addition	 	 	2	 
	 	 	2.3	 	Basic Plan	 	 	2	 
	 	 	2.4	 	Code	 	 	2	 
	 	 	2.5	 	Committee	 	 	3	 
	 	 	2.6	 	Company	 	 	3	 
	 	 	2.7	 	DCP	 	 	3	 
	 	 	2.8	 	Disability	 	 	3	 
	 	 	2.9	 	Employee	 	 	3	 
	 	 	2.10	 	Employer	 	 	3	 
	 	 	2.11	 	ERISA	 	 	3	 
	 	 	2.12	 	Interest	 	 	4	 
	 	 	2.13	 	Limits	 	 	4	 
	 	 	2.14	 	Participant	 	 	4	 
	 	 	2.15	 	Plan	 	 	4	 
	 	 	2.16	 	Plan Year	 	 	4	 
	 	 	2.17	 	Post-2004 Benefit	 	 	4	 
	 	 	2.18	 	Pre-2005 Benefit	 	 	4	 
	 	 	2.19	 	Supplemental Savings Account	 	 	5	 
	 	 	2.20	 	Unforeseeable Emergency	 	 	5	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE III	 	ELIGIBILITY	 	 	5	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	3.1	 	Eligibility	 	 	5	 
	 	 	3.2	 	Notice of Eligibility to Participants	 	 	6	 
	 	 	3.3	 	Method of Becoming a Participant	 	 	6	 
	 	 	3.4	 	Continuation of Participation	 	 	7	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE IV	 	SUPPLEMENTAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT	 	 	7	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	4.1	 	Supplemental Savings Account	 	 	7	 
	 	 	4.2	 	Employer Credits	 	 	8	 
	 	 	4.3	 	Special Employer Credits	 	 	8	 
	 	 	4.4	 	Participant Credits	 	 	9	 
	 	 	4.5	 	Interest Credits	 	 	9	 






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	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Page	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE V	 	IN-SERVICE WITHDRAWALS	 	 	10	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	5.1	 	Pre-2005 Benefit	 	 	10	 
	 	 	5.2	 	Post-2004 Benefit	 	 	11	 
	 	 	5.3	 	Limitations on In-Service Withdrawals	 	 	11	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE VI	 	TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION AND PAYMENT OF BENEFITS	 	 	12	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	6.1	 	Termination of Participation	 	 	12	 
	 	 	6.2	 	Benefits at Termination of Participation	 	 	12	 
	 	 	6.3	 	Method and Time of Payment	 	 	12	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE VII	 	ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN	 	 	17	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE VIII	 	COMPANY’S RIGHTS TO AMEND OR TERMINATE PLAN	 	 	17	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	ARTICLE IX	 	MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS	 	 	18	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	9.1	 	Definitions	 	 	18	 
	 	 	9.2	 	Unsecured General Creditor	 	 	18	 
	 	 	9.3	 	Income Tax Payout	 	 	18	 
	 	 	9.4	 	General Conditions	 	 	20	 
	 	 	9.5	 	No Guaranty of Benefits	 	 	20	 
	 	 	9.6	 	No Enlargement of Employee Rights	 	 	20	 
	 	 	9.7	 	Spendthrift Provision	 	 	20	 
	 	 	9.8	 	Applicable Law	 	 	21	 
	 	 	9.9	 	Incapacity of Recipient	 	 	21	 
	 	 	9.10	 	Unclaimed Benefit	 	 	21	 
	 	 	9.11	 	Limitations on Liability	 	 	22	 
	 	 	9.12	 	Claims Procedure	 	 	22	 






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SAVINGS RESTORATION PLAN

FOR NISOURCE INC. AND AFFILIATES




As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2005




ARTICLE I




PURPOSE




     Prior to January 1, 2004, Columbia Energy Group sponsored the Savings Restoration Plan for
Columbia Energy Group for eligible executives of Columbia Energy Group and certain affiliated
companies. Effective January 1, 2004, NiSource Inc., the parent company of Columbia Energy Group,
assumed sponsorship of the Savings Restoration Plan for Columbia Energy Group, renamed the Plan the
Savings Restoration Plan for NiSource Inc. and Affiliates, and broadened the Plan to include all
employees of NiSource Inc. and Affiliated Companies.



     The purpose of the Plan is to provide for the payment of savings restoration benefits to
employees of NiSource Inc. and Affiliated Companies, whose benefits under the Basic Plan are
subject to the Limits or affected by deferrals into the DCP, so that the total savings plan
benefits of such employees shall be determined on the same basis as is applicable to all other
employees of the Company. The Plan is adopted solely (1) for the purpose of providing benefits to
Participants in the Plan and their Beneficiaries in excess of the Limits imposed on qualified plans
by Code Section 401(a)(17) and any other Code Sections, by restoring benefits to such Plan
Participants and Beneficiaries that are no longer available under the Basic Plan as a result of the
Limits, and (2) for the purpose of restoring benefits to Plan Participants and Beneficiaries that
are no longer available under the Basic Plan as a result of the Participant’s deferrals into the
DCP. The Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2004, and amended effective January 1,
2005. The Plan is now further amended and restated effective January 1, 2005 as set forth below



 









 




to comply with Code Section 409A, and guidance and regulations thereunder, with respect to
benefits earned under the Plan from and after January 1, 2005. Benefits under the Plan earned and
vested prior to January 1, 2005 shall be administered without giving effect to Code Section 409A,
and guidance and regulations thereunder. The provisions of the Plan as set forth herein apply only
to Participants who actively participate in the Plan on or after January 1, 2005. Any Participant
who retired or otherwise terminated employment with the Company and all Affiliated Companies prior
to January 1, 2005 shall have his or her rights determined under the provision of the Plan as it
existed when his or her employment relationship terminated.




ARTICLE II




DEFINITIONS




     2.1 Affiliated Company. “Affiliated Company” means an affiliate of NiSource Inc.



     2.2 Annual Addition. “Annual Addition” for any Participant means the sum, in any Plan
Year, of:




	 	(a)	 	the Company’s, or any Affiliated Company’s, matching or profit sharing
contributions to the Basic Plan on behalf of the Participant; plus
	 
	 	(b)	 	all Participant deposits to the Basic Plan, including before-tax and after-tax
deposits.





     For purposes of the Plan, the determination of a Participant’s Annual Addition shall be made
without regard to the Limits.



     2.3 Basic Plan. “Basic Plan” means the NiSource Inc. Retirement Savings Plan, as
amended and restated effective January 1, 2002, and as further amended from time to time.



     2.4 Code. “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.



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     2.5 Committee. “Committee” means the NiSource Inc. and Affiliates Retirement Plan
Administrative and Investment Committee.



     2.6 Company. “Company” means NiSource Inc.



     2.7 DCP. “DCP” means the Columbia Energy Group Deferred Compensation Plan on or prior
to December 31, 2003, and, thereafter, the NiSource Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.



     2.8 Disability. “Disability” means a condition that (a) causes a Participant to be
unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable
physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last
for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, (b) causes a Participant, by reason of any
medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can
be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, to receive income
replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan
covering employees of the Company or an Affiliated Company or (c) causes a Participant to be
eligible to receive Social Security disability payments.



     2.9 Employee. “Employee” means any individual who is employed by an Employer on a
basis that involves payment of salary, wages or commissions.



     2.10 Employer. “Employer” means the Company or an Affiliated Company whose Employees
participate in the Plan.



     2.11 ERISA. “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.



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     2.12 Interest. “Interest” means the average of the prime rates of interest charged as
of the last business day of a month, determined under procedures established by the Committee.



     2.13 Limits. “Limits” means the limits imposed on tax qualified retirement plans by
Code Sections 415 and 401(a)(17) and any other Code Sections.



     2.14 Participant. “Participant” means any Employee who is participating in the Plan
in accordance with its provisions.



     2.15 Plan. “Plan” means the Savings Restoration Plan for NiSource Inc. and Affiliates
(formerly known as the Savings Restoration Plan for the Columbia Energy Group, and before that as
the Thrift Restoration Plan for the Columbia Energy Group), as set forth herein.



     2.16 Plan Year. “Plan Year” means the 12-month period commencing each January 1 and
ending the following December 31.



     2.17 Post-2004 Benefit. “Post-2004 Benefit” means the portion of a Participant’s
Supplemental Savings Account equal to the excess of (1) the balance of the Participant’s
Supplemental Savings Account determined as of a Participant’s date of separation from service with
the Company and all Affiliated Companies after December 31, 2004 over (2) the Pre-2005 Benefit, to
which the Participant would be entitled under the Plan if he voluntarily separated from service
without cause as of such date and received a full payment of benefits from the Plan on the earliest
possible date allowed under the Plan following his separation from service.



     2.18 Pre-2005 Benefit. “Pre-2005 Benefit” means the portion of a Participant’s
Savings Account determined as of December 31, 2004, adjusted to reflect Interest credited to such
balance from and after such date.



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     2.19 Supplemental Savings Account. “Supplemental Savings Account” means the sum of
credits accrued under Article IV on behalf of a Participant, adjusted to reflect Interest credited
to the Account, and reduced by any withdrawals under Article V.



     2.20 Unforeseeable Emergency. “Unforeseeable Emergency” means a severe financial
hardship to a Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the
Participant’s spouse or a dependent (as defined in Code Section 152(a)), of the Participant, loss
of the Participant’s property due to casualty or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable
circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant. The amount
distributed with respect to an Unforeseeable Emergency shall not exceed the amount necessary to
satisfy the Emergency, plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of
the distribution, after taking into account the extent to which such hardship is or may be relieved
through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, or by liquidation of the
Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe
financial hardship).



ARTICLE III




ELIGIBILITY




     3.1 Eligibility. Any Employee who is not a Participant in the Plan on December 31,
2004, who is participating in the Basic Plan and (i) whose Compensation in a Plan Year will exceed
the Limits, or (ii) who has deferrals in the DCP excluded for purposes of benefit allocations in
the Basic Plan, shall be eligible to become a Participant in the Plan as of January 1 of such Plan
Year. Any Participant in the Plan on December 31, 2004 shall continue as a Participant after that
date. If an Employee who was not expected to be eligible to become a Participant in a given Plan
Year subsequently qualifies because his or her Compensation exceeds



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the Limits for that Plan Year, or because he or she becomes eligible for, or begins to
participate in, the DCP, such Employee shall be eligible to participate in the Plan as soon as
practicable after this determination has been made or deferrals begin.




     3.2 Notice of Eligibility to Participants. The Committee shall inform each Employee
of his or her eligibility to participate in the Plan as soon as practicable but before the earliest
date such Employee’s participation could become effective.



     3.3 Method of Becoming a Participant. In order to become a Participant, each eligible
Employee must sign a written agreement with his or her Employer providing for a reduction of his or
her Compensation and a corresponding direction of Employer contributions or Participant Pre-tax
Contributions that would normally be made to the Basic Plan, except for the Limits or deferrals
into the DCP, to be credited to his or her Supplemental Savings Account under the Plan, to the
extent necessary to satisfy the Limits with respect to the Basic Plan or deferrals into the DCP.



     A Participant in the Plan as of December 31, 2004 who remains a Participant in the Plan as of
January 1, 2005 shall deliver to the Committee the written agreement referenced in the preceding
paragraph with respect to his or her Compensation earned from and after January 1, 2006 no later
than December 31, 2005. An Employee who becomes a Participant on or after January 1, 2005 shall
deliver the aforementioned written agreement to the Committee within 30 days after the date the
Participant first becomes eligible to participate, and such agreement shall be effective with
respect to Compensation related to services to be performed subsequent to the election; provided
that such a Participant shall not be considered first eligible if, on the date he or she becomes a
Participant, he or she participates in any other nonqualified account balance



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plan that is subject to Code Section 409A, maintained by the Company or an Affiliated Company.
If an Employee referred to in the preceding sentence does not deliver the aforementioned written
agreement to the Committee within such 30-day period, he or she shall be entitled to deliver to the
Committee a written agreement of the type referenced in the preceding paragraph with respect to his
or her Compensation earned from and after the first day of the Plan Year next following the Plan
Year in which the written agreement is delivered. Any election made pursuant to a written
agreement, delivered pursuant to the preceding sentences of this paragraph, shall continue in
effect until revoked by a Participant by notice delivered to the Committee no later than the last
day of the Plan Year immediately preceding the first day of the Plan Year in which such election is
to become effective.




     3.4 Continuation of Participation. A Participant shall remain a Participant so long
as his or her Supplemental Savings Account has not been fully distributed to him or her.



ARTICLE IV




SUPPLEMENTAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT




     4.1 Supplemental Savings Account. A Supplemental Savings Account shall be established
for each Participant. The amounts to be credited to a Participant’s Supplemental Savings Account
shall be determined under procedures established by the Committee and shall consist of:




	 	(a)	 	Employer credits, as described in Sections 4.2 and 4.3; plus
	 
	 	(b)	 	Participant credits, as described in Section 4.4; plus
	 
	 	(c)	 	Interest credits under Section 4.5.





     A Participant’s Supplemental Savings Account shall be reduced by any withdrawals made under
Article V.



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     4.2 Employer Credits. The amount of Employer credits for a Participant shall equal
(a) minus (b) below:




	 	(a)	 	The total amount of Matching Contributions that would otherwise have been
contributed to the Basic Plan for the Participant without regard to the Limits or
deferrals into the DCP;
	 
	 	(b)	 	The actual amount of Matching Contributions contributed to the Basic Plan for
the Participant.





     4.3 Special Employer Credits. Any Participant who (1) during the 2003 and/or 2004
Plan Years had a Matching Contribution allocated to his Matching Contribution Account under the
Basic Plan that was less than the maximum Matching Contribution available under the Basic Plan, (2)
authorized After-tax Contributions and/or Pre-tax Contributions under the Basic Plan equal to at
least 6% of his Compensation for such Plan Year(s), (3) commenced employment with an Employer prior
to January 1, 2002 and was still employed by an Employer on
January 1, 2005 and (4) participated in the Account Balance Option of the NiSource Inc. and
Northern Indiana Public Service Company Pension Plan Provisions
Pertaining to Salaried and Non Exempt Employees, the NiSource Inc. Subsidiary Pension Plan or
the Bay State Gas Company Pension Plan, as applicable, shall be eligible for an additional Employer
credit hereunder. The additional Employer credit shall be calculated as the difference between (i)
the Matching Contributions that would have been allocated to the Participant’s Matching
Contribution Account under the Basic Plan during the 2003 and/or 2004 Plan Year(s) if his or her
total After-tax Contributions, if any, and Pre-tax Contributions under the Basic Plan for such Plan
Year(s) had been contributed evenly over each pay period throughout the Plan Year(s) and (ii) the
Matching Contribution



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actually allocated to the Participant’s Matching Contribution Account under the Basic Plan for
such Plan Year(s).




     The additional Employer credit, plus interest (calculated using a rate equal to 4.5% from
January 1, 2005 to the date the additional Employer credit is credited to his or her Supplemental
Savings Account as provided herein) shall be credited to the Participant’s Supplemental Savings
Account in accordance with Section 4.1. The additional Employer credit shall be credited to his or
her Supplemental Savings Account as soon as administratively practicable after September 1, 2005,
but in any event no later than December 31, 2005.



     Except where inconsistent with this Section 4.3, the additional Employer credit shall be
subject to all provisions of the Plan applicable to Employer credits.



     4.4 Participant Credits. The amount of Participant credits for a Participant shall
equal (a) minus (b) below:




	 	(a)	 	The total amount of Pre-tax Contributions that would otherwise have been
contributed to the Basic Plan for the Participant without regard to the Limits or
deferrals into the DCP;
	 
	 	(b)	 	The actual amount of Pre-tax Contributions contributed to the Basic Plan for
the Participant.





     4.5 Interest Credits.




	 	(a)	 	Interest credits to a Participant’s Supplemental Savings Account, if
applicable, shall be considered made on a monthly basis.
	 
	 	(b)	 	All credits shall accrue Interest starting with the first full calendar month
in which they are deemed to be a part of the applicable Supplemental Savings Account
and





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	 	 	 	ending with the last full calendar month in which credits are still deemed to be
part of the Supplemental Savings Account.
	 
	 	(c)	 	Interest shall be based on the balance of the value of the Participant’s
Supplemental Savings Account as of the first working day of the calendar month and
credited as of the last working day of the calendar month.
	 
	 	(d)	 	In the event there is a withdrawal by a Participant from his or her
Supplemental Savings Account, the value of such Supplemental Savings Account, prior to
the withdrawal, shall be credited with Interest to the end of the calendar month in
which the withdrawal is actually made. The amount of the withdrawal shall then be
subtracted from the balance so determined.
	 
	 	(e)	 	Interest shall be earned only on monies held under reserve by an Employer. If
the Committee has invested any portion of a Participant’s Supplemental Savings Account,
Interest shall not be earned on such portion, but such Account shall be adjusted for
actual earnings, gains, and losses on such investment.





ARTICLE V




IN-SERVICE WITHDRAWALS




     5.1 Pre-2005 Benefit. This section applies only to a Pre-2005 Benefit.




	 	(a)	 	In-Service Withdrawals. Subject to the limitations of Section 5.3, a
Participant, by filing a written request with the Committee, may, while employed by an
Employer or an Affiliated Company, elect to withdraw 33%, 67% or 100% of his or her
Pre-2005 Benefit.





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	 	(b)	 	Limitation on In-Service Withdrawals. Any In-Service withdrawal under
paragraph (a) of this Section 5.1 shall be subject to a 10% early distribution penalty.
	 
	 	(c)	 	Unforeseeable Emergency. At the written request of a Participant, and
in the written discretion of the Committee, up to 100% of the balance of a
Participant’s Pre-2005 Benefit, determined as of the last day of the calendar month
prior to the date of distribution may be distributed to a Participant in a lump sum in
the case of an Unforeseeable Emergency.





     5.2 Post-2004 Benefit. A Participant shall be entitled to withdraw all or any portion
of his or her Post-2004 Benefit, as he or she may request in a direction delivered to the
Committee, in the case of an Unforeseeable Emergency.



     5.3 Limitations on In-Service Withdrawals. Any In-Service Withdrawal under this
Article V shall be subject to the following provisions:




	 	(a)	 	Only one In-Service Withdrawal shall be permitted in any 12-month period.
	 
	 	(b)	 	In-Service Withdrawals under this Article V shall require suspension of
Employer credits and Participant credits (but not Interest credits) under the Plan for
a period of time varying with the percentage of the value of the Participant’s
Supplemental Savings Account which is withdrawn, according to the following schedule:





	 	 	 	 	 
	Percentage	 	Suspension
	 
	 	 	 	 
	Up to 33%
	 	2 months
	34 - 67%
	 	4 months
	68 - 100%
	 	6 months






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     This suspension shall not affect a Participant’s participation in the Basic Plan nor the basis
for determining the Employer contributions or Participant Pre-tax Contributions under the Basic
Plan.



ARTICLE VI




TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION

AND PAYMENT OF BENEFITS




     6.1 Termination of Participation. A Participant’s participation in the Plan shall
terminate at separation from service with the Company and all Affiliated Companies for any reason,
including Disability or death.



     6.2 Benefits at Termination of Participation. Upon his or her separation from
service, a Participant, his or her spouse, or his or her Beneficiary or legal representative shall
be entitled to 100% of the Participant’s Supplemental Savings Account credited with Interest, if
applicable, through the calendar month preceding the date payment is made to the Participant (or to
his or her spouse, legal representative or Beneficiary in the case of his or her incapacity or
death).



     6.3 Method and Time of Payment.





	 	(a)	 	Pre-2005 Benefit.






	 	(i)	 	The Pre-2005 Benefit payable under the Plan to a Participant or
his or her spouse, Beneficiary, or legal representative shall be paid in the
same form under which the Basic Plan benefit is payable to the Participant or
his or her spouse, Beneficiary, or legal representative. The Participant’s
election under the Basic Plan of any optional form of payment of his or her
Basic Plan benefit (with the valid consent of his or her surviving spouse where





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	 	 	 	required under the Basic Plan) shall also be applicable to the payment of
his or her Pre-2005 Benefit under the Plan.
	 
	 	(ii)	 	Payment of the Pre-2005 Benefit under the Plan to a Participant
or his or her spouse, Beneficiary, or legal representative under the Plan shall
commence on the same date as payment of the benefit to the Participant or his
or her spouse, Beneficiary, or legal representative under the Basic Plan
commences. Any election under the Basic Plan made by the Participant with
respect to the commencement of payment of his or her benefit under the Basic
Plan shall also be applicable with respect to the commencement of payment of
his or her Pre-2005 Benefit under the Plan.
	 
	 	(iii)	 	Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (i) and (ii)
above, an election made by the Participant under the Basic Plan with respect to
the form of payment of his or her Pre-2005 Benefit thereunder (with the valid
consent of his or her surviving spouse where required under the Basic Plan), or
the date for commencement of payment thereof, shall not be effective with
respect to the form of payment or date for commencement of payment of his or
her Pre-2005 Benefit under the Plan unless such election is expressly approved
in writing by the Committee. If the Committee shall not approve such election
in writing, then the form of payment or date for commencement of payment of the
Participant’s Pre-2005 Benefit under the Plan shall be selected by the
Committee at its sole discretion.





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	 	(b)	 	Post-2004 Benefit.






	 	(i)	 	Payment of a Post-2004 Benefit in accordance with this Section
6.3 shall commence within 45 days after the Participant’s date of separation
from service with the Company and all Affiliated Companies, or, if later,
within such timeframe permitted under Code Section 409A, and guidance and
regulations thereunder.
	 
	 	(ii)	 	The Post-2004 Benefit shall be payable in a form elected by a
Participant no later than December 31, 2005. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, in the case of an Employee who becomes a Participant on or after
January 1, 2005, the aforementioned election with respect to the form of
payment of a Post-2004 Benefit shall be made within 30 days after the date the
Participant first becomes eligible to participate, and such election shall be
effective with respect to Compensation related to services to be performed
subsequent to the election; provided that such a Participant shall not be
considered first eligible if on the date he becomes a Participant he
participates in any other nonqualified account balance plan that is subject to
Code Section 409A, maintained by the Company or an Affiliated Company. The
form of payment shall be elected by the Participant at the time he makes the
election described in the first or second sentence of this paragraph (iii) from
among those forms of payment available at that time under the Basic Plan. If a
timely payment










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	 	 	 	election is not made by a Participant, payment shall be made in a lump sum.
	 
	 	(iii)	 	A Participant cannot change the time or form of payment of a
Post-2004 Benefit under this Section 6.3(b) unless (A) such election does not
take effect until at least 12 months after the date the election is made, (B)
in the case of an election related to a payment not related to the
Participant’s Disability or death, the first payment with respect to which such
new election is effective is deferred for a period of not less than five years
from the date such payment would otherwise have been made, and (C) any election
related to a payment based upon a specific time or pursuant to a fixed schedule
may not be made less than 12 months prior to the date of the first scheduled
payment.
	 
	 	(iv)	 	Notwithstanding any preceding provision of this Section 6.3(b),
a Participant may change an election with respect to the time and form of
payment of a Post-2004 Benefit, without regard to the restrictions imposed
under paragraph (iii) next above, on or before December 31, 2006; provided that
such election (A) applies only to amounts that would not otherwise be payable
in calendar year 2006, and (B) shall not cause an amount to be paid in calendar
year 2006 that would not otherwise be payable in such year.





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	 	(v)	 	Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, in no event
can a payment of a Post-2004 Benefit to a Participant who is a Specified
Employee of the Company or an Affiliated Company, at a time during which the
Company’s capital stock or capital stock of an Affiliated Company is publicly
traded on an established securities market, in the calendar year of his or her
separation from service be made before the date that is six months after the
date of the Participant’s separation from service with the Company and all
Affiliated Companies, unless such separation is due to death or Disability.






     A Participant shall be deemed to be a Specified Employee for purposes
of this subparagraph (iv) if he or she is in job category C2 or above with
respect to the Company or the Affiliated Company that employs him or her;
provided that if at any time the total number of Employees in job category
C2 and above is less than 50, a Specified Employee shall include any person
who meets the definition of a Key Employee set forth in Code Section 416(i)
without reference to paragraph (5). A Participant shall be deemed to be a
Specified Employee with respect to a calendar year if he is a Specified
Employee on September 30th of the preceding calendar year. If a Specified
Employee will receive payments hereunder in the form of installments or an
annuity, the first payment made as of the date six months after the date of
the Participant’s separation from service with the Company and all
Affiliated Companies



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shall be a lump sum, paid as soon as practicable after the end of such
six-month period, that includes all payments that would otherwise have been
made during such six-month period. From and after the end of such six month
period, any such installment or annuity payments shall be made pursuant to
the terms of the applicable installment or annuity form of payment.



ARTICLE VII




ADMINISTRATION OF PLAN




     The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.



ARTICLE VIII




COMPANY’S RIGHTS TO AMEND OR TERMINATE PLAN 




     While the Company intends to maintain the Plan in conjunction with the Basic Plan, the
Company, or the Officer Nomination and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company, reserves the right to amend the Plan at any time and from time to time, or to terminate it
at any time for any reason; provided, however, that no amendment or termination of the Plan shall
impair or alter such right to a benefit that would have arisen under the Plan as it read before the
effective date of such amendment or termination to or with respect to any Employee who has become a
Participant in the Plan before the effective date of such amendment or termination or with respect
to his or her Beneficiary. Upon termination of the Plan, distribution of Plan benefits shall be
made to Participants, surviving spouses and beneficiaries in the manner and at the time described
in Article VI of the Plan. No additional benefits shall be earned after termination of the Plan
other than the crediting of Interest until the date of distribution of a Participant’s Supplemental
Savings Account.



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ARTICLE IX




MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS




     9.1 Definitions. The terms used in the Plan that are defined in the Basic Plan shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Basic Plan unless otherwise defined in the Plan.



     9.2 Unsecured General Creditor. Participants and Beneficiaries shall be unsecured
general creditors, with no secured or preferential right to any assets of the Company, any other
Employer, or any other party for payment of benefits under the Plan. Obligations of the Company
and each other Employer under the Plan shall be an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in
the future.



     9.3 Income Tax Payout.




	 	(a)	 	Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (1) in the event
that the Internal Revenue Service prevails in its claim that any amount of a Pre-2005
Benefit, payable pursuant to the Plan and held in the general assets of the Company or
any other Employer, constitutes taxable income to a Participant or his or her
Beneficiary for a taxable year prior to the taxable year in which such amount is
distributed to him or her, or (2) in the event that legal counsel satisfactory to the
Company, and the applicable Participant or his or her Beneficiary, renders an opinion
that the Internal Revenue Service would likely prevail in such a claim, the amount of
such Benefit held in the general assets of the Company or any other Employer, to the
extent constituting taxable income, shall be immediately distributed to the Participant
or his or her Beneficiary. For purposes of this Section, the Internal Revenue Service
shall be deemed to have prevailed in a claim if such claim is upheld by a court of
final jurisdiction, or if





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	 	 	 	the Participant or Beneficiary, based upon an opinion of legal counsel satisfactory
to the Company and the Participant or his or her Beneficiary, fails to appeal a
decision of the Internal Revenue Service, or a court of applicable jurisdiction,
with respect to such claim, to an appropriate Internal Revenue Service appeals
authority or to a court of higher jurisdiction within the appropriate time period.
	 
	 	(b)	 	Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (1) in the event
that the Internal Revenue Service prevails in its claim that any amount of a Post-2004
Benefit, payable pursuant to the Plan and held in the general assets of the Company or
any other Employer, constitutes taxable income under Code Section 409A, and guidance
and regulations thereunder, to a Participant or his or her Beneficiary for a taxable
year prior to the taxable year in which such amount is distributed to him or her, or
(2) in the event that legal counsel satisfactory to the Company, and the applicable
Participant or his or her Beneficiary, renders an opinion that the Internal Revenue
Service would likely prevail in such a claim, the amount of such Benefit held in the
general assets of the Company or any other Employer, to the extent constituting such
taxable income, shall be immediately distributed to the Participant or his or her
Beneficiary. For purposes of this Section, the Internal Revenue Service shall be
deemed to have prevailed in a claim if such claim is upheld by a court of final
jurisdiction, or if the Participant or Beneficiary, based upon an opinion of legal
counsel satisfactory to the Company and the Participant or his or her Beneficiary,
fails to appeal a decision of the Internal Revenue Service, or a court of applicable
jurisdiction, with respect





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	 	 	 	to such claim, to an appropriate Internal Revenue Service appeals authority or to a
court of higher jurisdiction within the appropriate time period.





     9.4 General Conditions. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms and
conditions of the Basic Plan applicable to a Basic Plan benefit shall also be applicable to a
benefit payable hereunder. Any Basic Plan benefit shall be paid solely in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the Basic Plan and nothing in the Plan shall operate or be construed in any
way to modify, amend or affect the terms and provisions of the Basic Plan.



     9.5 No Guaranty of Benefits. Nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a
guaranty by the Company or any other Employer or any other entity or person that the assets of the
Company or any other Employer shall be sufficient to pay any benefit hereunder.



     9.6 No Enlargement of Employee Rights. No Participant or Beneficiary shall have any
right to a benefit under the Plan except in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Establishment
of the Plan shall not be construed to give any Participant or Beneficiary the right to be retained
in the service of the Company or any other Employer.



     9.7 Spendthrift Provision. No interest of any person or entity in, or right to
receive a benefit under, the Plan shall be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, assignment,
pledge, attachment, garnishment, or other alienation or encumbrance of any kind; nor may such
interest or right to receive a benefit be taken, either voluntarily or involuntarily, for the
satisfaction of the debts of, or other obligations or claims against, such person or entity,
including claims for alimony, support, separate maintenance, and claims in bankruptcy proceedings.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Supplemental Savings Account of any Participant shall
be subject to and payable in the amount determined in accordance with any qualified domestic
relations order,



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as that term is defined in Section 206(d)(3) of ERISA. The Committee shall provide for
payment of such portion of a Supplemental Savings Account to an alternate payee (as defined in
Section 206(d)(3) of ERISA) as soon as administratively possible following receipt of such order.
Any federal, state or local income tax associated with such payment shall be the responsibility of
the alternate payee. The balance of any Supplemental Savings Account that is subject to any
qualified domestic relations order shall be reduced by the amount of any payment made pursuant to
such order.




     9.8 Applicable Law. The Plan shall be construed and administered under the laws of
the State of Indiana, except to the extent preempted by applicable federal law.



     9.9 Incapacity of Recipient. If any person entitled to a benefit payment under the
Plan is deemed by the Committee to be incapable of personally receiving and giving a valid receipt
for such payment, then, unless and until claim therefor shall have been made by a duly appointed
guardian or other legal representative of such person, the Committee may provide for such payment
or any part thereof to be made to any other person or institution then contributing toward or
providing for the care and maintenance of such person. Any such payment shall be a payment for the
account of such person and a complete discharge of any liability of the Company, any other
Employer, the Committee and the Plan therefor.



     9.10 Unclaimed Benefit. Each Participant shall keep the Committee informed of his or
her current address and the current address of his or her Beneficiaries. The Committee shall not
be obligated to search for the whereabouts of any person. If the location of a Participant is not
made known to the Committee within three years after the date on which payment of the Participant’s
benefit may first be made, payment may be made as though the Participant had died



21









 




at the end of the three-year period. If, within one additional year after such three-year
period has elapsed or within three years after the actual death of a Participant, the Committee is
unable to locate any Beneficiary of the Participant, then the Committee shall have no further
obligation to pay any benefit hereunder to such Participant, Beneficiary, or any other person and
such benefit shall be irrevocably forfeited.




     9.11 Limitations on Liability. Notwithstanding any of the preceding provisions of the
Plan, none of the Company, any other Employer, or any individual acting as an employee, or agent at
the direction of the Company or any other Employer, or any member of the Committee, shall be liable
to any Participant, former Participant, Beneficiary, or any other person for any claim, loss,
liability or expense incurred in connection with the Plan.



     9.12 Claims Procedure. Claims for benefits under the Plan shall be made in writing to
the Committee. If the Committee wholly or partially denies a claim for benefits, the Committee
shall, within a reasonable period of time, but no later than 90 days after receiving the claim,
notify the claimant in writing of the denial of the claim. If the Committee fails to notify the
claimant in writing of the denial of the claim within 90 days after the Committee receives it, the
claim shall be deemed denied. A notice of denial shall be written in a manner calculated to be
understood by the claimant, and shall contain:




	 	(a)	 	the specific reason or reasons for denial of the claim;
	 
	 	(b)	 	a specific reference to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the denial is
based;





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	 	(c)	 	a description of any additional material or information necessary for the
claimant to perfect the claim, together with an explanation of why such material or
information is necessary; and
	 
	 	(d)	 	an explanation of the Plan’s review procedure.





     Within 60 days of the receipt by the claimant of the written notice of denial of the claim, or
within 60 days after the claim is deemed denied as set forth above, if applicable, the claimant may
file a written request with the Committee that it conduct a full and fair review of the denial of
the claimant’s claim for benefits, including the conducting of a hearing, if the Committee deems
one necessary. In connection with the claimant’s appeal of the denial of his or her benefit, the
claimant may review pertinent documents and may submit issues and comments in writing. The
Committee shall render a decision on the claim appeal promptly, but not later than 60 days after
receiving the claimant’s request for review, unless, in the discretion of the Committee, special
circumstances (such as the need to hold a hearing) require an extension of time for processing, in
which case the 60-day period may be extended to 120 days. The Committee shall notify the claimant
in writing of any such extension. The decision upon review shall (1) include specific reasons for
the decision, (2) be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, and (3)
contain specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision is based.



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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, NiSource Inc. has caused this amended and restated Plan to be executed in
its name, by its duly authorized officer, on this 2nd day
of
December, 2005, effective as
of January 1, 2005.



	 	 	 	 	 
	 	NISOURCE INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/
Michael W. O’Donnell	 
	 	 	Michael W. O’Donnell	 
	 	 	 	 
	 




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