Document:

Document

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

Exhibit 10.6

Amended and Restated
as of January 25, 2021

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

									
	TABLE OF CONTENTS
			Page
	ARTICLE 1	DEFINITIONS	1
	ARTICLE 2	SELECTION, ENROLLMENT, ELIGIBILITY	5
	2.1	Selection by 401(k) Administration Committee	5
	2.2	Enrollment and Eligibility Requirements; Commencement of Participation	5
	ARTICLE 3	DEFERRAL COMMITMENTS/COMPANY CONTRIBUTION AMOUNTS/ COMPANY MATCHING AMOUNTS/ VESTING/CREDITING/TAXES	6
	3.1	Annual Deferral Amount	6
	3.2	Maximum Deferral	7
	3.3	Election to Defer; Effect of Election Form	7
	3.4	Withholding and Crediting of Annual Deferral Amounts	8
	3.5	Company Matching Amount	8
	3.6	Discretionary Company Contribution Amount	8
	3.7	Crediting of Amounts after Benefit Distribution	9
	3.8	Vesting	9
	3.9	Crediting/Debiting of Account Balances	9
	3.10 		FICA and Other Taxes	10
	ARTICLE 4	SCHEDULED DISTRIBUTION; UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCIES	11
	4.1	Scheduled Distribution	11
	4.2	Postponing Scheduled Distributions	11
	4.3	Other Benefits Take Precedence Over Scheduled Distributions	12
	4.4	Scheduled Distributions and Former Scientific-Atlanta Participants	12
	4.5	Unforeseeable Emergencies	12
	ARTICLE 5	TERMINATION BENEFIT	13
	5.1	Termination Benefit	13
	5.2	Payment of Termination Benefit	13
	5.3	Payment of Termination Benefit to Former Scientific-Atlanta Participants	15
	ARTICLE 6	DISABILITY BENEFIT	15
	6.1	Disability Benefit	15
	6.2	Payment of Disability Benefit	15
	6.3	Payment of Disability Benefit to Former Scientific-Atlanta Participants	15
	ARTICLE 7	DEATH BENEFIT	16
	7.1	Death Benefit	16
	7.2	Payment of Death Benefit	16

i

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

									
	7.3	Payment of Death Benefit to Former Scientific-Atlanta Participants	16
	ARTICLE 8	BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION	16
	8.1	Beneficiary	16
	8.2	Beneficiary Designation; Change; Spousal Consent	16
	8.3	Acknowledgment	16
	8.4	No Beneficiary Designation	17
	8.5	Doubt as to Beneficiary	17
	8.6	Discharge of Obligations	17
	ARTICLE 9	LEAVE OF ABSENCE	17
	9.1	Paid Leave of Absence	17
	9.2	Unpaid Leave of Absence	17
	9.3	Leaves Resulting in Separation From Service	17
	ARTICLE 10	TERMINATION OF PLAN, AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION	18
	10.1	Termination of Plan	18
	10.2	Amendment	18
	10.3	Effect of Payment	18
	ARTICLE 11	ADMINISTRATION	18
	11.1	Duties	18
	11.2	Agents	18
	11.3	Binding Effect of Decisions	18
	11.4	Indemnity of Committee	18
	11.5	Employer Information	19
	ARTICLE 12	OTHER BENEFITS AND AGREEMENTS	19
	12.1	Coordination with Other Benefits	19
	ARTICLE 13	CLAIMS PROCEDURES	19
	13.1	Presentation of Claim	19
	13.2	Notification of Decision	19
	13.3	Review of a Denied Claim	21
	13.4	Decision on Review	21
	13.5	Legal Action	22
	ARTICLE 14	MISCELLANEOUS	22
	14.1	Status of Plan	22
	14.2	Unsecured General Creditor	23
	14.3	Employer’s Liability	23

ii

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

									
	14.4	Nonassignability	23
	14.5	Not a Contract of Employment	23
	14.6	Furnishing Information	23
	14.7	Terms	23
	14.8	Captions	23
	14.9	Governing Law	24
	14.10 		Notice	24
	14.11	Successors	24
	14.12	Spouse’s Interest	24
	14.13	Validity	24
	14.14	Incompetent	24
	14.15	Court Order	25
	14.16	Distribution in the Event of Income Inclusion under Code Section 409A	25
	14.17	Deduction Limitation on Benefit Payments	25

iii

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
2009 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Amended and Restated
as of January 25, 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this Plan is to provide specified benefits to a select group of management or highly compensated Employees who contribute materially to the continued growth, development and future business success of Cisco Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries, if any, that participate in this Plan.  This Plan shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of ERISA.  This Plan is intended to comply with all applicable law, including Code Section 409A, and shall be operated and interpreted in accordance with this intention.  Effective January 1, 2009, this Plan was amended and restated to reflect the Plan’s merger with the Scientific-Atlanta Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, effective May 15, 2002 (the “SA Grandfathered Plan”) and the Scientific-Atlanta 2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2008 (the “SA Post-2004 Plan”).  Effective January 1, 2013 this Plan was amended and restated to make certain changes to the administrative provisions of the Plan.  On October 13, 2016, the Plan was amended, effective April 1, 2017, to add Section 5.2(c) and amend Supplement A (in each case, to provide for certain subsequent deferral elections). On December 22, 2016, the Plan was amended, effective April 1, 2017, to eliminate the application of Section 5.2(d) with respect to future deferrals.  Effective as of December 18, 2018, this Plan was amended and restated to include legally required changes to the claims procedures relating to disability determinations. Supplement C was amended and restated effective as of December 10, 2020 to permit deferral by Non-Employee Directors of all other cash fees in addition to annual cash retainer fees. On December 4, 2020, the benefit commencement date provisions under Section 5.2(b) of the Plan were amended, effective as of February 1, 2021. As of January 25, 2021, the Plan was amended to reflect the Company’s reincorporation.
ARTICLE 1 
Definitions
For purposes of this Plan, unless otherwise clearly apparent from the context, the following phrases or terms shall have the following indicated meanings:
1.1“Account Balance” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, an entry on the records of the Employer equal to the sum of (i) the Deferral Account balance and (ii) the Company Contributions Account balance.  The Account Balance shall be a bookkeeping entry only and shall be utilized solely as a device for the measurement and determination of the amounts to be paid to a Participant, or his or her designated Beneficiary, pursuant to this Plan.
1.2“Annual Deferral Amount” shall mean that portion of a Participant’s Base Salary, Bonus and Commissions that a Participant defers in accordance with Article 3 for any one Plan Year.
1.3“Base Salary” shall mean the annual cash compensation relating to services performed during any calendar year, excluding distributions from nonqualified deferred compensation plans, Bonuses, Commissions, overtime, fringe benefits, stock options and other equity awards, 
1

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

relocation expenses, incentive payments, non-monetary awards, and automobile and other allowances paid to a Participant for employment services rendered (whether or not such allowances are included in the Employee’s gross income).  Base Salary shall be calculated before reduction for compensation voluntarily deferred or contributed by the Participant pursuant to all qualified or nonqualified plans of any Employer and shall be calculated to include amounts not otherwise included in the Participant’s gross income under Code Sections 125, 132, 402(e)(3), 402(h), or 403(b) pursuant to plans or arrangements established by any Employer; provided, however, that all such amounts will be included in compensation only to the extent that had there been no such plan, the amount would have been payable in cash to the Employee.  Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, “Base Salary” shall not include any amount paid pursuant to a disability plan or pursuant to a disability insurance policy.
1.4“Beneficiary” shall mean one or more persons, trusts, estates or other entities, designated in accordance with Article 8, that are entitled to receive benefits under this Plan upon the death of a Participant.
1.5“Beneficiary Designation Form” shall mean the form, which may be in electronic format, that a Participant completes to designate one or more Beneficiaries in accordance with such procedures established by the Company.
1.6“Benefit Distribution Date” shall mean the date that the distribution of all or a portion of a Participant’s vested Account Balance becomes payable under the Plan.  A Participant’s Benefit Distribution Date shall be determined based on the event giving rise to the distribution as more fully described in Articles 4 through 7.
1.7“Board” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.
1.8“Bonus” shall mean any compensation, earned and payable to a Participant under any incentive pay program other than those programs designated by the Company as ineligible for deferral under the Plan.
1.9“Claimant” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.
1.10“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time.  The definition of “Code” shall also include related guidance, rules and regulations issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service thereunder.
1.11“Commissions” shall mean pay other than Base Pay or Bonuses which is designated as commission payments under an Employer’s payroll systems.
1.12“Committee” shall mean the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board.
1.13“Company” shall mean Cisco Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor to all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or business.  With regard to the administration of the Plan, “Company” shall mean the 401(k) Plan Administration Committee (the “401(k) Administration Committee”).
2

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

1.14“Company Contributions Account” shall mean (i) the sum of all of a Participant’s Company Matching Amounts, plus (ii) the sum of all Discretionary Company Contributions, plus (iii) amounts credited or debited to the Participant’s Company Contributions Account in accordance with this Plan, less (iv) all distributions made to the Participant or his or her Beneficiary pursuant to this Plan that relate to the Participant’s Company Contributions Account.
1.15“Company Matching Amount” shall mean, for any one Plan Year, the amount determined in accordance with Section 3.5.
1.16“Death Benefit” shall mean the benefit set forth in Article 7.
1.17“Deferral Account” shall mean (i) the sum of all of a Participant’s Annual Deferral Amounts, plus (ii) amounts credited or debited to the Participant’s Deferral Account in accordance with this Plan, less (iii) all distributions made to the Participant or his or her Beneficiary pursuant to this Plan that relate to his or her Deferral Account.
1.18“Disability” or “Disabled” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.
1.19“Disability Benefit” shall mean the benefit set forth in Article 6.
1.20“Discretionary Company Contribution Amount” shall mean, for any one Plan Year, the amount determined in accordance with Section 3.6.
1.21“Election Form” shall mean the form, which may be in electronic format, that a Participant completes in accordance with such procedures established by the Company.
1.22“Employee” shall mean a person who is an employee of any Employer.
1.23“Employer(s)” shall mean the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries (now in existence or hereafter formed or acquired) that have been selected by the Committee to participate in the Plan and have adopted the Plan as a participating Employer.
1.24“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as it may be amended from time to time.  The definition of “ERISA” shall also include related guidance, rules and regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor thereunder.
1.25 “401(k) Plan” shall mean, with respect to an Employer, a plan qualified under Code Section 401(a) that contains a cash or deferral arrangement described in Code Section 401(k), adopted by the Employer, as it may be amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.
1.26“Installment Method” shall be an installment payment over the number of years selected by the Participant in accordance with this Plan.  Such amounts shall be paid in quarterly, semi-annual or annual payments (over a period not to exceed ten (10) years).  The amount of each installment shall be calculated by dividing the amount then subject to the installment payment by the number of installments then remaining to be made.  The amount subject to installment payments that has not yet been paid shall continue to be credited/debited with additional amounts in accordance 
3

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

with Section 3.9.  For purposes of this Plan, the right to receive benefit payments in installment payments shall be treated as the entitlement to a single payment.
1.27“Participant” shall mean any Employee who is on the United States payroll of an Employer and (i) who is selected to participate in the Plan, (ii) who submits an executed Plan Agreement and Election Form, and (iii) whose Plan Agreement has not terminated.
1.28“Plan” shall mean the Cisco Systems, Inc. 2009 Deferred Compensation Plan, which shall be evidenced by this instrument and by each Plan Agreement, as they may be amended from time to time.
1.29“Plan Agreement” shall mean a written agreement, as may be amended from time to time, which is entered into by and between an Employer and a Participant.  Each Plan Agreement executed by a Participant and the Participant’s Employer shall provide for the entire benefit to which such Participant is entitled under the Plan; should there be more than one Plan Agreement, the Plan Agreement bearing the latest date of acceptance by the Employer shall supersede all previous Plan Agreements in their entirety and shall govern such entitlement.  The terms of any Plan Agreement may be different for any Participant, and any Plan Agreement may provide additional benefits not set forth in the Plan or limit the benefits otherwise provided under the Plan; provided, however, that any such additional benefits or benefit limitations must be agreed to by both the Employer and the Participant.
1.30“Plan Year” shall mean a period beginning on January 1 of each calendar year and continuing through December 31 of such calendar year.
1.31“SA Grandfathered Plan” shall mean the Scientific-Atlanta Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective May 15, 2002.
1.32“SA Post-2004 Plan” shall mean the Scientific-Atlanta 2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008.
1.33“Scheduled Distribution” shall mean the distribution set forth in Section 4.1.
1.34“Supplement A” shall mean the supplement to this Plan governing the time and form of payments for participants of the SA Post-2004 Plan, with amounts deferred between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008.
1.35“Supplement B” shall mean the supplement to this Plan governing the time and form of payments for participants of the SA Grandfathered Plan, with amounts deferred before January 1, 2005.
1.36“Termination Benefit” shall mean the benefit set forth in Article 5 which shall be paid following a Participant’s Termination of Employment.
1.37“Termination of Employment” shall mean the separation from service with all Employers, voluntarily or involuntarily, for any reason other than Disability or death, as determined in accordance with Code Section 409A.  For this purpose, the definition of “service recipient” for 
4

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

purposes of determining whether a separation from service has occurred for purposes of Code Section 409A shall be determined by utilizing the twenty percent (20%) tests described in section 1.409A-1(h) of the Code Section 409A regulations to the extent permitted under such regulations.
1.38“Unforeseeable Emergency” shall mean a severe financial hardship of the Participant or his or her Beneficiary resulting from (i) an illness or accident of the Participant or Beneficiary, the Participant’s or Beneficiary’s spouse, or the Participant’s or Beneficiary’s dependent (as defined in Code Section 152(a)), (ii) a loss of the Participant’s or Beneficiary’s property due to casualty, or (iii) such other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary. 
ARTICLE 2 
Selection, Enrollment, Eligibility
2.1Selection by 401(k) Administration Committee.  Participation in the Plan shall be limited to a select group of management or highly compensated Employees.  From that group, the 401(k) Administration Committee shall select, in its sole discretion, those individuals who may actually participate in this Plan.    
2.2Enrollment and Eligibility Requirements; Commencement of Participation.  As a condition to participation, each selected Employee who is eligible to participate in the Plan effective as of the first day of a Plan Year shall complete a Plan Agreement and an Election Form, prior to the first day of such Plan Year, or such other earlier deadline as may be established by the Company in its sole discretion.  In addition, the Company shall establish from time to time such other enrollment requirements as it determines, in its sole discretion, are necessary.  
(a)Each selected Employee who is eligible to participate in the Plan shall commence participation in the Plan on the date that the Employee has met all enrollment requirements set forth in this Plan and required by the Company, including completing all required documents within the specified time period(s).
(b)A newly hired Employee who is selected to participate in the Plan who first becomes a Participant after the beginning of a Plan Year must complete a Plan Agreement and an Election Form within thirty (30) days after he or she first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, or within such other earlier deadline as may be established by the Company, in its sole discretion, in order to participate for that Plan Year.  In such event, such person’s participation in this Plan shall not commence earlier than the date determined by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2(a) and such person shall not be permitted to defer under this Plan any portion of his or her Base Salary or Commissions that are paid with respect to services performed prior to his or her participation commencement date, except to the extent permissible under Code Section 409A.  Except as otherwise permitted by the Company (and in accordance with Code Section 409A), a Participant described in this Section 2.2(b) shall not be permitted to make a deferral election with respect to Bonuses for the first Plan Year in which he or she is eligible to participate.  Subject to the 
5

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

requirements of Section 409A of the Code, a newly hired Employee who is in a classification of Employees otherwise eligible to participate in the Plan shall be eligible to participate in the Plan as of the first business day of the month following the month which contains the Employee’s date of hire.
(c)A newly eligible Employee who is selected to participate in the Plan as a result of a promotion, or other change in employment status resulting in the individual first being eligible to participate in the Plan after the beginning of a Plan Year, must complete a Plan Agreement and an Election Form within thirty (30) days after he or she first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, or within such other earlier deadline as may be established by the Company, in its sole discretion, in order to participate for that Plan Year.  In such event, such person’s participation in this Plan shall not commence earlier than the date determined by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2(a) and such person shall not be permitted to defer under this Plan any portion of his or her Base Salary or Commissions that are paid with respect to services performed prior to his or her participation commencement date, except to the extent permissible under Code Section 409A.  Except as otherwise permitted by the Company (and in accordance with Code Section 409A), a Participant described in this Section 2.2(c) shall not be permitted to make a deferral election with respect to Bonuses for the first Plan Year in which he or she is eligible to participate.  Subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, Employees described in this Section 2.2(c) shall first become eligible to participate in the Plan as of the first business day of the month following the month in which the later of (i) the corporate action occurs which results in the Employee first becoming eligible to participate in the Plan; and (ii) the effective date of the Employee’s promotion or other change in employment status.
(d)If an Employee fails to meet all requirements contained in this Section 2.2 within the period(s) required, that Employee shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan during such Plan Year.

ARTICLE 3 
Deferral Commitments/Company Contribution Amounts/ 
Company Matching Amounts/ Vesting/Crediting/Taxes
3.1Annual Deferral Amount.  For each Plan Year, a Participant may elect to defer as his or her Annual Deferral Amount, Base Salary, Bonus and/or Commissions pursuant to such rules as may be established by the Company in accordance with Code Section 409A.  For the avoidance of doubt, a Participant may not defer his or her severance payments (if any) under the Plan.  Such Annual Deferral Amount may be subject to a minimum deferral amount established by the Company.
6

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

3.2Maximum Deferral.
(a)Annual Deferral Amount.  For each Plan Year, a Participant may elect to defer, as his or her Annual Deferral Amount, Base Salary, Bonus and/or Commissions, pursuant to such rules as may be established by the Company, up to the following maximum percentages for each deferral elected: 
						
	Deferral
	Maximum Percentage

	Base Salary
	75%
	Bonus
	100%
	Commissions
	100%

(b)Short Plan Year.  Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) above, if a Participant first becomes a Participant after the first day of a Plan Year, the maximum Annual Deferral Amount shall be limited to the amount of compensation not yet earned by the Participant as of the date the Participant submits a Plan Agreement and Election Form, except to the extent permissible under Code Section 409A.  Solely to the extent required under Code Section 409A, with respect to compensation that is earned based upon a specified performance period, the Participant’s deferral election will apply to the portion of such compensation that is equal to (i) the total amount of compensation for the performance period, multiplied by (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days remaining in the performance period after the Participant’s deferral election is made, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the performance period.
3.3Election to Defer; Effect of Election Form.
(a)Initial Plan Year.  In connection with a Participant’s commencement of participation in the Plan, the Participant shall make an irrevocable deferral election for the Plan Year in which the Participant commences participation in the Plan, along with such other elections as the Company deems necessary or desirable under the Plan.  For these elections to be valid, the Election Form must be completed by the Participant, in accordance with Section 2.2 above.
(b)General Timing Rule for Deferral Elections in Subsequent Plan Years.  For each succeeding Plan Year, a Participant may elect to defer Base Salary, Bonus and Commissions, and make such other elections as the Company deems necessary or desirable under the Plan by timely completing a new Election Form, in accordance with the Company’s rules and procedures, before December 31st preceding the Plan Year in which such compensation is earned, or before such other deadline established in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A.
Any deferral election(s) made in accordance with this Section 3.3(b) shall be irrevocable; provided, however, that if the Company permits Participants to make deferral elections for “Performance-Based Compensation” (as defined in paragraph (c) below) by the deadline(s) described above, it may, in its sole discretion, and in accordance with Code 
7

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

Section 409A, permit a Participant to subsequently change his or her deferral election for such compensation by submitting an Election Form no later than the deadline established by the Company pursuant to Section 3.3(c) below.
(c)Performance-Based Compensation.  Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) and (b) above, with respect to Bonus compensation that also qualifies as “Performance-Based Compensation,” the Company may, in its sole discretion, permit an irrevocable deferral election pertaining to such Performance-Based Compensation to be made by timely delivering an Election Form to the Company, in accordance with its rules and procedures, no later than six (6) months before the end of the performance service period and in accordance with Code Section 409A.  For this purpose, “Performance-Based Compensation” shall be compensation, the payment or amount of which is contingent on pre-established organizational or individual performance criteria, which satisfies the requirements of Code Section 409A.
(d)Compensation Subject to Risk of Forfeiture.  With respect to compensation (i) to which a Participant has a legally binding right to payment in a subsequent year, and (ii) that is subject to a forfeiture condition requiring the Participant’s continued services for a period of at least twelve (12) months from the date the Participant obtains the legally binding right, the Company may, in its sole discretion, permit an irrevocable deferral election to be made with respect to such compensation by timely completing an Election Form in accordance with such rules and procedures as the Company may establish no later than the thirtieth (30th) day after the Participant obtains the legally binding right to the compensation, provided that the election is made at least twelve (12) months in advance of the earliest date at which the forfeiture condition could lapse.
3.4Withholding and Crediting of Annual Deferral Amounts.  For each Plan Year, the Base Salary portion of the Annual Deferral Amount shall be withheld from each regularly scheduled Base Salary payroll in equal amounts, as adjusted from time to time for increases and decreases in Base Salary.  The Bonus and Commissions portion of the Annual Deferral Amount shall be withheld at the time the Bonus and Commissions would be paid to the Participant, whether or not this occurs during the Plan Year itself.  Annual Deferral Amounts shall be credited to a Participant’s Deferral Account.
3.5Company Matching Amount.  A Participant’s Company Matching Amount (if any) for any Plan Year shall be an amount determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, based on the amount of deferrals to this Plan and credited to a Participant.  The amount (if any) credited to a Participant under this Plan for any Plan Year may be smaller or larger than the amount credited to any other Participant.
3.6Discretionary Company Contribution Amount.  A Participant’s Discretionary Company Contribution Amount (if any) for any Plan Year shall be an amount determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion and credited to a Participant.  The amount (if any) credited to a Participant under this Plan for any Plan Year may be smaller or larger than the amount credited to any other Participant.
8

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

3.7Crediting of Amounts after Benefit Distribution.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the contrary, should the complete distribution of a Participant’s vested Account Balance occur prior to the date on which any portion of (i) the Annual Deferral Amount that a Participant has elected to defer in accordance with Section 3.3, (ii) the Company Matching Amount (if any) or (iii) the Discretionary Company Contribution Amount (if any), would otherwise be credited to the Participant’s Account Balance, such amounts shall not be credited to the Participant’s Account Balance, but shall be paid to the Participant.
3.8Vesting.  A Participant shall at all times be one hundred percent (100%) vested in his or her Account Balance unless otherwise specified in the Participant’s Plan Agreement, employment agreement or any other agreement entered into between the Participant and his or her Employer, or specified at the time the Committee determines to make a Company Matching Amount or a Discretionary Company Contribution Amount pursuant to Sections 3.5 and 3.6.
3.9Crediting/Debiting of Account Balances.  In accordance with, and subject to, the rules and procedures that are established from time to time by the Company, amounts shall be credited or debited to a Participant’s Account Balance in accordance with the following rules:
(a)Measurement Funds.  The Participant may elect one or more of the measurement funds selected by the Company, (the “Measurement Funds”) for the purpose of crediting or debiting additional amounts to his or her Account Balance.  As necessary, the Company may, in its sole discretion, discontinue, substitute or add a Measurement Fund.
(b)Election of Measurement Funds.  A Participant, in connection with his or her initial deferral election in accordance with Section 3.3(a) above, shall elect, on the Election Form, one or more Measurement Fund(s) (as described in Section 3.9(a) above) to be used to determine the amounts to be credited or debited to his or her Account Balance.  If a Participant does not elect any of the Measurement Funds as described in the previous sentence, the Participant’s Account Balance shall be allocated into the Measurement Fund(s), as determined by the Company, in its sole discretion.  The Participant may (but is not required to) elect, by completing an Election Form in accordance with such rules and procedures established by the Company, to add or delete one or more Measurement Fund(s) to be used to determine the amounts to be credited or debited to his or her Account Balance, or to change the portion of his or her Account Balance allocated to each previously or newly elected Measurement Fund.  If an election is made in accordance with the previous sentence, it shall apply as of the first business day deemed reasonably practicable by the Company, in its sole discretion, and shall continue thereafter for each subsequent day in which the Participant participates in the Plan, unless changed in accordance with the previous sentence.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company, in its sole discretion, may impose limitations on the frequency with which one or more of the Measurement Funds elected in accordance with this Section may be added or deleted by such Participant; furthermore, the Company, in its sole discretion, may impose limitations on the frequency with which the Participant may change the portion of his or her Account Balance allocated to each previously or newly elected Measurement Fund.
9

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

(c)Proportionate Allocation.  In making any election described in Section 3.9(b) above, the Participant shall specify on the Election Form, in increments of one percent (1%), the percentage of his or her Account Balance or Measurement Fund, as applicable, to be allocated/reallocated.
(d)Crediting or Debiting Method.  The performance of each Measurement Fund (either positive or negative) will be determined on a daily basis based on the manner in which such Participant’s Account Balance has been hypothetically allocated among the Measurement Funds by the Participant.
(e)No Actual Investment.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan that may be interpreted to the contrary, the Measurement Funds are to be used for measurement purposes only, and a Participant’s election of any such Measurement Fund, the allocation of his or her Account Balance thereto, the calculation of additional amounts and the crediting or debiting of such amounts to a Participant’s Account Balance shall not be considered or construed in any manner as an actual investment of his or her Account Balance in any such Measurement Fund.  In the event that the Company in its own discretion decides to invest funds in any or all of the investments on which the Measurement Funds are based, no Participant shall have any rights in or to such investments themselves.  Without limiting the foregoing, a Participant’s Account Balance shall at all times be a bookkeeping entry only and shall not represent any investment made on his or her behalf by the Company; the Participant shall at all times remain an unsecured creditor of the Company. 
(f)Trailing Dividends.  In the event that notional dividends are credited after an account has otherwise been fully distributed, if such dividends are attributable to periods on or prior to the valuation date(s) for such distribution (as determined by the Company, in its sole discretion) but are not included in the Participant’s distribution(s), the Participant shall be entitled to receive such dividends and they shall be paid in accordance with the procedures established by the Company no later than the time permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(d); provided, however, that Participants shall not be entitled to any amounts that cannot be paid in accordance with such procedures by such deadline.
3.10FICA and Other Taxes.
(a)Annual Deferrals, Company Matching Amounts and Discretionary Company Contribution Amounts.  For each Plan Year in which an Annual Deferral Amount is being withheld from a Participant or the amount of any Company Matching Amount or Company Discretionary Contribution Amount credited to a Participant’s Company Contributions Account becomes vested, the Participant’s Employer(s) shall withhold from that portion of the Participant’s Base Salary, Bonus and/or Commissions, that is not being deferred, in a manner determined by the Employer(s), the Participant’s share of FICA and other employment taxes on such Annual Deferral Amount, Company Matching Amount and Discretionary Company Contribution Amount.  If necessary, the Participant’s Annual Deferral Amount or the Participant’s Company Contributions 
10

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

Account, as applicable, may be reduced to pay such taxes (and associated income tax withholdings) in accordance with Code Section 409A.
(b)Distributions.  The Participant’s Employer(s) shall withhold from any payments made to a Participant under this Plan (including payments, if any, made pursuant to Section 14.16) all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld by the Employer(s) in connection with such payments, in amounts and in a manner to be determined in the sole discretion of the Employer(s).
(c)Income Inclusion Under Code Section 409A.  In the event that any portion of a Participant’s Account is required to be included in income by the Participant prior to receipt of any distribution under this Plan resulting from a violation of the requirements of Code Section 409A, the Participant’s Employer shall withhold from such Participant all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld by the Employer in connection with such income inclusion in amounts and in a manner determined in the sole discretion of the Employer.
ARTICLE 4 
Scheduled Distribution; Unforeseeable Emergencies
4.1Scheduled Distribution.  At the same time that a Participant makes each election to defer an Annual Deferral Amount, the Participant may elect to receive a Scheduled Distribution, in the form of a lump sum payment, from the Plan with respect to all or a portion of the Annual Deferral Amount.  The Scheduled Distribution shall be a lump sum payment in an amount that is equal to the portion of the Annual Deferral Amount the Participant elected to have distributed as a Scheduled Distribution, plus amounts credited or debited in the manner provided in Section 3.9 above on that amount, calculated as of the date on or around January 1 of the calendar year in which the Scheduled Distribution becomes payable in accordance with the procedures established by the Company.  Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Plan, the Benefit Distribution Date for each Scheduled Distribution elected shall be the date in January of the Plan Year designated by the Participant determined in accordance with the procedures established by the Company.  The Plan Year designated by the Participant must be at least two (2) Plan Years after the end of the Plan Year to which the Participant’s deferral election described in Section 3.3 relates, unless otherwise provided on an Election Form approved by the Company in its sole discretion.  By way of example, if a Scheduled Distribution is elected for Annual Deferral Amounts that are earned in the Plan Year commencing January 1, 2013, the earliest Scheduled Distribution Date that may be designated by a Participant would be in January 2012.  In connection with any Company Matching Amount or Discretionary Company Contribution made with respect to any Plan Year, any election made by a Participant pursuant to this Section should also apply to these amounts.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Company may establish other procedures, consistent with Code Section 409A, for distribution elections pertaining to Company Matching Amounts and Discretionary Company Contribution Amounts.
4.2Postponing Scheduled Distributions.  A Participant may elect to postpone a Scheduled Distribution described in Section 4.1 above, and have such amount paid out on an allowable 
11

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

alternative distribution date designated by the Participant in accordance with this Section 4.2.  In order to make this election, the Participant must complete a new Scheduled Distribution Election Form in accordance with such rules and procedures as the Company may establish and in accordance with the following criteria:
(a)Such Scheduled Distribution Election Form must be completed at least twelve (12) months prior to the Participant’s previously designated Scheduled Distribution Date;
(b)The new Scheduled Distribution Date selected by the Participant must be at least five years after the previously designated Scheduled Distribution Date; and
(c)The election of the new Scheduled Distribution Date shall have no effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made.
4.3Other Benefits Take Precedence Over Scheduled Distributions.  Should a Benefit Distribution Date occur that triggers a benefit under Articles 5, 6 or 7, any amount that is subject to a Scheduled Distribution election under Section 4.1 shall not be paid in accordance with Section 4.1, but shall be paid in accordance with the other applicable Article.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Section 4.3 shall be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with Code Section 409A.
4.4Scheduled Distributions and Former Scientific-Atlanta Participants.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the time and form of payment of a scheduled distribution to a Participant in the SA Post-2004 Plan and/or SA Grandfathered Plan shall be determined in accordance with Supplements A and B, respectively.
4.5Unforeseeable Emergencies.
(a)If the Participant experiences an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Participant may petition the Company to receive a partial or full payout from the Plan, subject to the provisions set forth below.
(b)The payout, if any, from the Plan shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the Participant’s vested Account Balance, calculated as of the close of business on or around the date on which the amount becomes payable, or (ii) the amount necessary to satisfy the Unforeseeable Emergency, plus amounts necessary to pay Federal, state, or local income taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may not receive a payout from the Plan to the extent that the Unforeseeable Emergency would not be consistent with Code Section 409A.
(c)If a Participant’s petition for payout from the Plan is approved, the Participant’s Benefit Distribution Date shall occur within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the calendar quarter following the date of such approval (or at such later time permitted under Code Section 409A) and the Participant’s deferrals under the Plan shall be terminated as of the date of such approval.
12

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

(d)In addition, a Participant’s deferral elections under this Plan shall be terminated to the extent the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that termination of such Participant’s deferral elections is required pursuant to Treas. Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3) for the Participant to obtain a hardship distribution from an Employer’s 401(k) Plan.  If the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that a termination of the Participant’s deferrals is required in accordance with the preceding sentence, the Participant’s deferrals shall be terminated following the date on which such determination is made.
ARTICLE 5 
Termination Benefit
5.1Termination Benefit.  A Participant who incurs a Termination of Employment shall receive, as a Termination Benefit of his or her entire vested Account Balance calculated as of the close of business on or around the Participant’s Benefit Distribution Date(s), in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 5.2.
5.2Payment of Termination Benefit.
(a)At the same time that a Participant makes each election to defer an Annual Deferral Amount, the Participant may elect to receive the Termination Benefit in a lump sum or pursuant to an Installment Method of up to ten (10) years.  Participant shall elect a Benefit Distribution Date consistent with Section 5.2(b).  In connection with any Company Matching Amount or Discretionary Company Contribution made with respect to any Plan Year, any election made by a Participant pursuant to this Section 5.2 shall also apply to these amounts.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Company may establish other procedures, consistent with Code Section 409A, for distribution elections pertaining to Company Matching Amounts and Discretionary Company Contribution Amounts.  If a Participant does not make any election with respect to the payment of the Termination Benefit, then such Participant shall be deemed to have elected to receive the Termination Benefit in a lump sum on the Benefit Distribution Date described in Section 5.2(b)(i). 
(b)Effective as of February 1, 2021, the following Benefit Distribution Dates may be selected by a Participant at the time he or she makes the Participant’s election described in Section 5.2(a):
(i)Within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the first calendar quarter that is at least six (6) months after the Participant’s Termination of Employment;
(ii)Within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the first calendar year that is at least six (6) months after the Participant’s Termination of Employment;
(iii)Within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the first calendar quarter next following the first, second, third, fourth or fifth anniversary of the Participant’s Termination of Employment, as elected by the Participant; or
13

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

(iv)Within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the first calendar year next following the first, second, third, fourth or fifth anniversary of the Participant’s Termination of Employment, as elected by the Participant.
(c)Effective April 1, 2017, a Participant may elect to change the time and form of distribution elected pursuant to Sections 5.2(a) and/or Section 5.2(b), and have the Termination Benefit paid out on an allowable alternative time and form of distribution designated by the Participant in accordance with this Section 5.2(c).  In order to make this election, the Participant must complete a new Termination Benefit Election Form in accordance with such rules and procedures as the Company may establish and in accordance with the following criteria:
(i)To the extent required to comply with Code Section 409A, such Termination Benefit Election Form must be completed at least twelve (12) months prior to the date the Termination Benefit is scheduled to be paid (or commence to be paid);
(ii)The new election must provide for the Termination Benefit to be paid (or commence to be paid) be at least five years after the date the Termination Benefit is scheduled to be paid (or commence to be paid); and
(iii)The new election shall have no effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made.
(d)Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, with respect to deferral elections made prior to April 1, 2017, if the Participant has not attained age forty (40) with five (5) years of service on the date of his or her Termination of Employment, the Termination Benefit subject to the annual election shall be paid in a single sum on the Benefit Distribution Date elected for such purposes; provided, however, that the Participant may not elect the Benefit Distribution Date described in Section 5.2(b)(iii) for this purpose.  For purposes of this Section 5.2(c), “years of service” shall be determined in the same manner as "vesting service" is determined under the Cisco Systems, Inc. 401(k) Plan.
(e)Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.2 to the contrary, if the Participant’s vested Account Balance on the date of his or her Termination of Employment is less than $100,000, then the distribution elections described in Sections 5.2(a) through 5.2(d) above shall be disregarded and the Participant’s entire vested Account Balance shall be paid in a lump sum distribution on the Benefit Distribution Date described in Section 5.2(b)(i), above.
14

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

5.3    Payment of Termination Benefit to Former Scientific-Atlanta Participants.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the time and form of payment of the termination benefit to a Participant in the SA Post-2004 Plan and/or SA Grandfathered Plan shall be determined in accordance with Supplements A and B, respectively.
ARTICLE 6 
Disability Benefit
6.1Disability Benefit.  Upon a Participant’s Disability, the Participant shall receive a Disability Benefit which shall be equal to the Participant’s entire vested Account Balance, calculated as of the Participant’s Benefit Distribution Date.
6.2Payment of Disability Benefit.
(a)A Participant, in connection with his or her commencement of participation in the Plan (or more frequently as the Company may prescribe), shall elect on an Election Form to receive the Disability Benefit in a lump sum or pursuant to an Installment Method of up to ten (10) years in accordance with such rules and procedures as the Company may establish.  If a Participant does not make any election with respect to the payment of the Disability Benefit, then such Participant shall be deemed to have elected to receive the Disability Benefit in a lump sum.  For this purpose, a Participant’s Benefit Distribution Date shall be within thirty (30) days, after the beginning of the calendar quarter following the Participant’s Disability.
(b)A Participant may change the form of payment of the Disability Benefit by completing an Election Form in accordance with such rules and procedures established by the Company provided that the election to modify the Disability Benefit shall have no effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made.
All provisions relating to changing the Disability Benefit election under this Section 6.2 shall be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with Code Section 409A.
(c)The lump sum payment shall be made, or installment payments shall commence on the Participant’s Benefit Distribution Date (or such later time permitted under Code Section 409A).
(d)Notwithstanding anything in this Article to the contrary, if a Participant's vested Account Balance is less than $100,000 on the date the Participant is determined to be Disabled, then the Participant shall receive payment of his or her entire vested Account Balance  within thirty (30) days after the beginning of the calendar quarter following the Participant’s Disability.
6.3    Payment of Disability Benefit to Former Scientific-Atlanta Participants.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the time and form of payment of the disability benefit to a Participant in the SA Post-2004 Plan and/or SA Grandfathered Plan shall be determined in accordance with Supplements A and B, respectively.
15

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

ARTICLE 7 
Death Benefit
7.1Death Benefit.  The Participant’s Beneficiary(ies) shall receive a Death Benefit upon the Participant’s death which will be equal to the Participant’s entire vested Account Balance, calculated as of the close of business as of the Participant’s Benefit Distribution Date, which, for this purpose, shall be within thirty (30) days following the beginning of the second calendar quarter following the Participant’s death.
7.2Payment of Death Benefit.  The Death Benefit shall be paid to the Participant’s Beneficiary(ies) in a lump sum payment on the Participant’s Benefit Distribution Date (or such later time permitted under Code Section 409A).
7.3Payment of Death Benefit to Former Scientific-Atlanta Participants.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the time and form of payment of the death benefit to a Participant in the SA Post-2004 Plan and/or SA Grandfathered Plan shall be determined in accordance with Supplements A and B, respectively.
ARTICLE 8 
Beneficiary Designation
8.1Beneficiary.  Each Participant shall have the right, at any time, to designate his or her Beneficiary(ies) (both primary as well as contingent) to receive any benefits payable under the Plan to a beneficiary upon the death of a Participant under such rules as shall be established by the Company.  The Beneficiary designated under this Plan may be the same as or different from the Beneficiary designation under any other plan of an Employer in which the Participant participates.
8.2Beneficiary Designation; Change; Spousal Consent.  A Participant shall designate his or her Beneficiary by completing the Beneficiary Designation Form, and returning it to the Company or its designated agent in accordance with such rules and procedures established by the Company.  A Participant shall have the right to change a Beneficiary by completing and otherwise complying with the terms of the Beneficiary Designation Form and the Company’s rules and procedures, as in effect from time to time.  If the Participant names someone other than his or her spouse as a Beneficiary, the Company may, in its sole discretion, determine that spousal consent is required to be provided in a form designated by the Company, executed by such Participant’s spouse and returned to the Company or its designated agent.  Upon the proper completion of a new Beneficiary Designation Form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be canceled and the Company shall be entitled to rely on the last Beneficiary Designation Form completed by the Participant in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures adopted with respect to the filing of such forms prior to his or her death.
8.3Acknowledgment.  No designation or change in designation of a Beneficiary shall be effective until completed and submitted in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the Company for this purpose.
16

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

8.4No Beneficiary Designation.  If a Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary as provided in Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 above or, if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Participant or die prior to complete distribution of the Participant’s benefits, then the Participant’s designated Beneficiary shall be deemed to be his or her surviving spouse.  If the Participant has no surviving spouse, the benefits remaining under the Plan to be paid to a Beneficiary shall be payable to the executor or personal representative of the Participant’s estate.
8.5Doubt as to Beneficiary.  If there is any doubt as to the proper Beneficiary to receive payments pursuant to this Plan, the Committee shall have the right, exercisable in its discretion, to cause the Participant’s Employer to withhold such payments until this matter is resolved to the Committee’s satisfaction.
8.6Discharge of Obligations.  The payment of benefits under the Plan to a Beneficiary shall fully and completely discharge all Employers and the Company from all further obligations under this Plan with respect to the Participant, and that Participant’s Plan Agreement shall terminate upon such full payment of benefits.
ARTICLE 9 
Leave of Absence
9.1Paid Leave of Absence.  If a Participant is authorized by the Participant’s Employer to take a paid leave of absence from the employment of the Employer, and such leave of absence does not constitute a separation from service in accordance with Code Section 409A, (i) the Participant shall continue to be considered eligible for the benefits provided in Articles 4, 5, 6 or 7 in accordance with the provisions of those Articles, and (ii) the Annual Deferral Amount shall continue to be withheld from his or her Base Salary, Bonuses and Commissions during such paid leave of absence in accordance with Section 3.3.
9.2Unpaid Leave of Absence.  If a Participant is authorized by the Participant’s Employer to take an unpaid leave of absence from the employment of the Employer for any reason, and such leave of absence does not constitute a separation from service in accordance with Code Section 409A, such Participant shall continue to be eligible for the benefits provided in Articles 4, 5, 6 or 7 in accordance with the provisions of those Articles.  The Participant shall continue his or her deferrals with respect to amounts earned prior to the commencement of the unpaid leave of absence.  When the Participant returns to employment, the Participant’s deferrals with respect to amounts earned after his or her return to active employment shall continue in accordance with the applicable election(s) submitted for that Plan Year.  In addition, Participants who are on an unpaid leave may elect to defer an Annual Deferral Amount for the Plan Year following his or her return to employment and for every Plan Year thereafter while a Participant in the Plan, provided such deferral elections are otherwise allowed and an Election Form is completed in accordance with the rules and procedures established for each such election in accordance with Article 3 above.
9.3Leaves Resulting in Separation From Service.  In the event that a Participant’s leave of absence from his or her Employer constitutes a separation from service in accordance with Code 
17

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

Section 409A, the Participant’s vested Account Balance shall be distributed to the Participant in accordance with Article 5 or 6 of this Plan, as applicable.
ARTICLE 10 
Termination of Plan, Amendment or Modification
10.1Termination of Plan.  Although each Employer anticipates that it will continue the Plan for an indefinite period of time, there is no guarantee that any Employer will continue the Plan or will not terminate its participation in the Plan at any time in the future.  Accordingly, each Employer reserves the right to terminate its participation in the Plan.  In addition, the Committee retains the right to terminate the Plan at any time.  In the event of the termination of an Employer’s participation in the Plan (or the Committee’s termination of the Plan as a whole), the termination shall occur in a manner consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A.
10.2Amendment.  The Committee may, at any time, amend or modify the Plan in whole or in part.
10.3Effect of Payment.  The full payment of the Participant’s vested Account Balance under the Plan shall fully and completely discharge all Employers and the Company from all further obligations under this Plan with respect to the Participant and his or her Beneficiaries, and that Participant’s Plan Agreement shall terminate upon such full payment of benefits.
ARTICLE 11 
Administration
11.1Duties.  The 401(k) Administration Committee shall have the discretion and authority to (i) make, amend, interpret, and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Plan, and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions, including benefit entitlement determinations (including but not limited to the 401(k) Administrative Committee’s authority to determine whether a Participant qualifies for a distribution on account of Disability or an Unforeseeable Emergency) and interpretations of this Plan, as may arise in connection with the Plan.  When making a determination or calculation, the 401(k) Administration Committee shall be entitled to rely on information furnished by a Participant or the Company.  The 401(k) Administration Committee may delegate some or all of its powers and authority under this Plan.
11.2Agents.  In the administration of this Plan, the 401(k) Administration Committee may, from time to time, employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees fit (including acting through a duly appointed representative) and may from time to time consult with counsel.
11.3Binding Effect of Decisions.  The decision or action of the 401(k) Administration Committee with respect to any question arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in the Plan.
11.4Indemnity of Committee.  To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, each member of the 401(k) Administration Committee, the Committee, and the Board, shall be indemnified 
18

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

and held harmless by the Company against and from (i) any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan, and (ii) from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf.  The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or under any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.
11.5Employer Information.  To enable the 401(k) Administration Committee to perform its functions, the Company and each Employer shall supply full and timely information on all matters relating to the Plan, the Participants and their Beneficiaries, the Account Balances of the Participants, the compensation of its Participants, the date and circumstances of the Disability, death or Termination of Employment of its Participants, and such other pertinent information as may be reasonably required.
ARTICLE 12 
Other Benefits and Agreements
12.1Coordination with Other Benefits.  The benefits provided for a Participant and Participant’s Beneficiary under the Plan are in addition to any other benefits available to such Participant under any other plan or program for employees of the Participant’s Employer.  The Plan shall supplement and shall not supersede, modify or amend any other such plan or program except as may otherwise be expressly provided.
ARTICLE 13 
Claims Procedures
13.1Presentation of Claim.  Any Participant or Beneficiary of a deceased Participant (such Participant or Beneficiary being referred to below as a “Claimant”) may deliver to the Company a written claim for a determination with respect to the amounts distributable to such Claimant from the Plan.  All other claims must be made within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date on which the event that caused the claim to arise occurred.  The claim must state with particularity the determination desired by the Claimant.
13.2Notification of Decision.  The Company shall consider a Claimant’s claim within a reasonable time, but no later than ninety (90) days (forty-five (45) days in the case of a Disability  determination) after receiving the claim.  If the Company determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the termination of the initial ninety (90) or forty-five (45) day 
19

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

period, as applicable.  In no event shall an extension for claims (other than Disability claims) exceed a period of ninety (90) days from the end of the initial period.  For Disability claims, the Company may extend the initial period to consider the claim by up to two extensions of thirty (30) days.  The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Company expects to render the benefit determination.  The Company shall notify the Claimant in writing:
(a)that the Claimant’s requested determination has been made, and that the claim has been allowed in full; or
(b)that the Company has reached a conclusion contrary, in whole or in part, to the Claimant’s requested determination, and such notice must set forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant (for Disability claims in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner):
(i)    the specific reason(s) for the denial of the claim, or any part of it;
(ii)    specific reference(s) to pertinent provisions of the Plan upon which such denial was based;
(iii)    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;
(iv)    an explanation of the claim review procedure set forth in Section 13.3 below;
(v)    a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review; and
(vi)    for Disability claims only:
a)a copy of any internal rules, guidelines, protocols or other similar criteria relied on in making the adverse determination and a statement that such criteria will be provided without charge upon request;
b)an explanation of the Company’s basis for agreeing or disagreeing with the following, if applicable:
(1)The views of the physician or medical practitioner treating the Participant and vocational professionals who evaluated the Participant;
(2)The views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained by the Company, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in deciding the claim; or 
20

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

(3)A disability determination made by the Social Security Administration regarding the Participant.
13.3Review of a Denied Claim.  On or before sixty (60) days (or one hundred eighty (180) days for a Disability claim) after receiving a notice from the Company that a claim has been denied, in whole or in part, a Claimant (or the Claimant’s duly authorized representative) may file with the 401(k) Administration Committee a written request for a review of the denial of the claim.  The Claimant (or the Claimant’s duly authorized representative):
(a)may, upon request and free of charge, have reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the claim for benefits;
(b)may submit written comments or other documents; and/or
(c)may request a hearing, which the Company, in its sole discretion, may grant.
13.4Decision on Review.  The 401(k) Administration Committee shall render its decision on review promptly, and no later than sixty (60) days (forty-five (45) days in the case of a Disability determination) after the Company receives the Claimant’s written request for a review of the denial of the claim.  If the Company determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the termination of the initial sixty (60) or forty-five (45) day period, as applicable.  In no event shall such extension (other than extensions of Disability determinations) exceed a period of sixty (60) days from the end of the initial period.  For appeals relating to Disability determinations, the Company may extend the initial period to process the appeal by an additional forty-five (45) days.  All extensions shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the 401(k) Administration Committee expects to render the benefit determination.  In rendering its decision, the the 401(k) Administration Committee shall take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.  
If a Disability claim was denied based on medical judgment, the Company must consult with a health care professional with an appropriate level of training and expertise in the field of medicine involved, and such professional may not be the same professional who was consulted with respect to the claim denial.
For Disability claims only, the Claimant will receive, free of charge, any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon or generated by the Company in connection with the review of an appeal, and any new or additional rationale the 401(k) Administration Committee intends to rely upon in deciding the appeal, sufficiently in advance of the final decision on the appeal to allow the Claimant an opportunity to respond prior to the 401(k) Administration Committee’s decision.
21

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

The decision must be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant (for Disability claims in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner), and it must contain:
(a)specific reasons for the decision;
(b)specific reference(s) to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision was based;
(c)a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant (as defined in applicable ERISA regulations) to the Claimant’s claim for benefits;
(d)a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a);
(e)for Disability claims only:
(i)    a copy of any internal rules, guidelines, protocols or other similar criteria relied on in making the adverse determination and a statement that such criteria will be provided without charge upon request;

(ii)    an explanation of the 401(k) Administration Committee’s basis for agreeing or disagreeing with the following, if applicable:

a)    The views of the physician or medical practitioner treating the Participant and vocational professionals who evaluated the Participant; 

b)    The views of medical or vocational experts whose advice was obtained by the Company, without regard to whether the advice was relied upon in deciding the claim; or 

c)    A disability determination made by the Social Security Administration regarding the Participant.

13.5Legal Action.  A Claimant’s compliance with the foregoing provisions of this Article 13 is a mandatory prerequisite to a Claimant’s right to commence any legal action with respect to any claim for benefits under this Plan.
ARTICLE 14 
Miscellaneous
14.1Status of Plan.  The Plan is intended to be a plan that is not qualified within the meaning of Code Section 401(a) and that “is unfunded and is maintained by an employer primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees” within the meaning of ERISA Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1).  The Plan shall be administered and interpreted (i) in a manner consistent with that intent, and (ii) in accordance with Code Section 409A.
22

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

14.2Unsecured General Creditor.  Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, interests or claims in any property or assets of an Employer.  For purposes of the payment of benefits under this Plan, any and all of an Employer’s assets shall be, and remain, the general, unpledged unrestricted assets of the Employer.  An Employer’s obligation under the Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future.
14.3Employer’s Liability.  An Employer’s liability for the payment of benefits shall be defined only by the Plan and the Plan Agreement, as entered into between the Employer and a Participant.  An Employer shall have no obligation to a Participant under the Plan except as expressly provided in the Plan and his or her Plan Agreement.
14.4Nonassignability.  Neither a Participant nor any other person shall have any right to commute, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, anticipate, mortgage or otherwise encumber, transfer, hypothecate, alienate or convey in advance of actual receipt, the amounts, if any, payable hereunder, or any part thereof, which are, and all rights to which are expressly declared to be, unassignable and non-transferable.  No part of the amounts payable shall, prior to actual payment, be subject to seizure, attachment, garnishment or sequestration for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or separate maintenance owed by a Participant or any other person, be transferable by operation of law in the event of a Participant’s or any other person’s bankruptcy or insolvency or be transferable to a spouse as a result of a property settlement or otherwise.  Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, the Company may establish procedures for the payment of all or a portion of a Participant’s Account balance pursuant to a domestic relations order which would otherwise qualify a “qualified domestic relations order” under Code Section 414(p) if this Plan were qualified under Code Section 401(a).
14.5Not a Contract of Employment.  The terms and conditions of this Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between any Employer and the Participant.  Such employment is hereby acknowledged to be “at-will”, meaning that it is not for any specified period of time and can be terminated by the Participant or his or her Employer at any time, with or without advance notice, and for any or no particular reason or cause.  Nothing in this Plan shall be deemed to give a Participant the right to be retained in the service of any Employer or to interfere with the right of any Employer to discipline or discharge the Participant at any time.
14.6Furnishing Information.  A Participant or his or her Beneficiary will cooperate with the Company, Employer and/or the 401(k) Administration Committee (as applicable) by furnishing any and all information requested, and take such other actions as may be requested, in order to facilitate the administration of the Plan and the payments of benefits hereunder.
14.7Terms.  Whenever any words are used herein in the masculine, they shall be construed as though they were in the feminine in all cases where they would so apply; and whenever any words are used herein in the singular or in the plural, they shall be construed as though they were used in the plural or the singular, as the case may be, in all cases where they would so apply.
14.8Captions.  The captions of the articles, sections and paragraphs of this Plan are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of its provisions.
23

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

14.9Governing Law.  Subject to ERISA, the provisions of this Plan shall be construed and interpreted according to the internal laws of the State of California without regard to its conflicts of laws principles.
14.10Notice.  Any notice or filing required or permitted under this Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered, or sent by registered or certified mail or overnight delivery service, to the address below: 
Cisco Systems, Inc.
Attn:    Cisco Systems, Inc. 2009 Deferred Compensation 
     Plan Administrator
170 West Tasman Drive
San Jose, CA 95134
Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, or overnight delivery service as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification.
Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to a Participant under this Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered, or sent by mail or overnight delivery service, to the last known address of the Participant.
14.11Successors.  The provisions of this Plan shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Participant’s Employer and its successors and assigns and the Participant and the Participant’s designated Beneficiaries.
14.12Spouse’s Interest.  The interest in the benefits hereunder of a spouse of a Participant who has predeceased the Participant shall automatically pass to the Participant and shall not be transferable by such spouse in any manner, including but not limited to such spouse’s will, nor shall such interest pass under the laws of intestate succession.
14.13Validity.  In case any provision of this Plan shall be illegal or invalid for any reason, said illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts hereof, but this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal or invalid provision had never been inserted herein.
14.14Incompetent.  If the Company determines in its discretion that a benefit under this Plan is to be paid to a minor, a person declared incompetent or to a person incapable of handling the disposition of that person’s property, the 401(k) Administration Committee may direct payment of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care and custody of such minor, incompetent or incapable person.  The Company may require proof of minority, incompetence, incapacity or guardianship, as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit.  Any payment of a benefit shall be a payment for the account of the Participant and the Participant’s Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall be a complete discharge of any liability under the Plan for such payment amount.
24

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan

14.15.Court Order.  The Company is authorized to comply with any court order in any action in which the Plan or the Company has been named as a party, including any action involving a determination of the rights or interests in a Participant’s benefits under the Plan as set forth in such procedures as the Company may establish pursuant to Section 14.4.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall interpret this provision in a manner that is consistent with Code Section 409A and other applicable tax law.
14.16.Distribution in the Event of Income Inclusion under Code Section 409A.  If any portion of a Participant’s Account Balance under this Plan is required to be included in income by the Participant prior to receipt due to a violation of the requirements of Code Section 409A, the Participant may petition the Company, as applicable, for a distribution of that portion of his or her Account Balance that is required to be included in his or her income.  Upon the grant of such a petition, which grant shall not be unreasonably withheld, the Participant’s Employer shall distribute to the Participant immediately available funds in an amount equal to the portion of his or her Account Balance required to be included in income as a result of the failure of the Plan to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A, which amount shall not exceed the Participant’s unpaid vested Account Balance under the Plan.  Such a distribution shall affect and reduce the Participant’s benefits to be paid under this Plan.
14.17.Deduction Limitation on Benefit Payments.  If an Employer reasonably anticipates that the Employer’s deduction with respect to any distribution from this Plan would be limited or eliminated by application of Code Section 162(m), then to the extent deemed necessary by the Employer to ensure that the entire amount of any distribution from this Plan is deductible, the Employer may delay payment of any amount that would otherwise be distributed from this Plan.  Any amounts for which distribution is delayed pursuant to this Section 14.17 shall continue to be credited/debited with additional amounts in accordance with Section 3.9 above.  The delayed amounts (and any amounts credited thereon) shall be distributed to the Participant (or his or her Beneficiary in the event of the Participant’s death) at the earliest date the Employer reasonably anticipates that the deduction of the payment of the amount will not be limited or eliminated by application of Code Section 162(m).
25

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement A

SUPPLEMENT A TO
CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
2009 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

Special provisions applicable to participants of the Scientific-Atlanta 2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2008 (the “SA Post-2004 Plan”), with amounts deferred between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008.
1

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement A

SUPPLEMENT A TO CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
2009 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Amended and Restated
on October 13, 2016

Purpose

    The SA Post-2004 Plan merged with the Cisco Systems, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2009 (collectively the “Plan”).  Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Supplement A, the rights and obligations of participants of the SA Post-2004 Plan, with amounts deferred between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2008 (the “SA Post-2004 Plan Participants”), will be determined in accordance with the Plan.  This Supplement A is a part of the Plan and shall be administered in accordance with the provisions thereof. 

ARTICLE-1
Definitions

    For purposes of this Supplement A, the following special definitions shall apply.  Section numbers shall refer exclusively to this Supplement A absent a specific statement to the contrary:

1.1    “Deferral Account” shall mean an account maintained by the Employer for each deferral election made by a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant under the SA Post-2004 Plan.

1.2    “Deferred Benefit Commencement Date” shall mean the date designated by a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant with respect to each deferral election as the date on which the payment of the Deferred Benefits that accumulate as a result of such election are to begin.

1.3    “Deferred Benefits” shall mean the amounts payable pursuant to the SA Post-2004 Plan to a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant, or to his or her Beneficiary or estate, following the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Separation from Service, the Deferred Benefit Commencement Date, Disability, or death.

1.4    “Employer” shall mean Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. or any of its majority owned subsidiaries and their successors.

2

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement A

1.5    “Separation from Service” shall have the meaning provided under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”).
3

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement A

ARTICLE-2
Deferred Benefit Commencement Date

2.1    Deferred Benefit Commencement Date.  Except as otherwise provided in this Article and in Article 3 hereof, payment of the Deferred Benefits shall commence on one of the following permissible Deferred Benefit Commencement Dates, as elected by the SA  Post-2004 Plan Participant pursuant to the terms of the SA Post-2004 Plan: (i) a set date which is no earlier than July 1 following the end of the Plan Year in which the election amount is deferred; (ii) the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Separation from Service date, or (iii) a date which is either the fifth (5th) or tenth (10th) anniversary of the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Separation from Service.  The term “Retirement” used as a designation on any Election Form for a Deferred Benefit Commencement Date shall mean the SA  Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Separation from Service date.

2.2    Method of Payment.  Except as otherwise provided in Article 3 hereof, payment of the Deferred Benefits shall be in the form of cash, pursuant to one of the following methods, as elected by the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant:

(a)    A single lump sum payment of the entire balance of the respective Deferral Account, determined as of the Deferred Benefit Commencement Date and payable within sixty (60) days; or

(b)    Annual, semi-annual or quarterly installments payable over a five (5), ten (10) or fifteen (15) year period, and commencing on the respective Deferred Benefit Commencement Date.  

If the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant has elected to receive such Deferred Benefits in installments, the amount payable in the first year of such installments shall be an amount that will fully amortize the balance in the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Deferral Account determined as of the Deferred Benefit Commencement Date over the five (5), ten (10), or fifteen (15) year period.  Thereafter, the amount payable in each succeeding year shall be adjusted to an amount that will fully amortize the remaining balance in such Deferral Account over the remaining years in the aforesaid five (5), ten (10), or fifteen (15) year installment period.

2.3    Postponing Set Date Distribution.  If the Deferred Benefit Commencement Date selected by the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant is a set date which is no earlier than July 1 following the end of the Plan Year in which the Election Amount is deferred, then the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant may elect to postpone such distribution and have such amount paid out on an allowable alternative Deferred Benefit Commencement Date designated by the SA  Post-2004 Plan Participant in accordance with this Section 2.3.  In order to make this election, the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant must complete a new 
4

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement A

Election Form in accordance with such rules and procedures as the Company may establish and in accordance with the following criteria:

(a)    Such Election Form must be completed at least twelve (12) months prior to the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s previously designated Deferred Benefit Commencement Date;

(b)    The new Deferred Benefit Commencement Date selected by the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant must be at least five (5) years after the previously designated Deferred Benefit Commencement Date; and

(c)    The election of the new Deferred Benefit Commencement Date shall have no effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made.

2.4    Postponing Separation from Service Distribution.  Effective April 1, 2017, an SA Post-2004 Plan Participant may elect to change the time and form of a Separation from Service distribution elected pursuant to Sections 2.1(ii), 2.1(iii) and/or 2.2 and have such amount paid out on an allowable alternative time and form of distribution designated by the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant in accordance with this Section 2.4.  In order to make this election, the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant must complete a new Election Form in accordance with such rules and procedures as the Company may establish and in accordance with the following criteria:

(a)    To the extent required to comply with Code Section 409A, such election must be completed at least twelve (12) months prior to the date the benefit is scheduled to be paid (or, in the case of installment payments treated as a single payment, twelve (12) months from the date the first installment was scheduled to be paid);

(b)    The new election must provide that the payment with respect to which such election is made be deferred for a period of not less than five (5) years from the date such payment would have otherwise been paid (or, in the case of installment payments treated as a single payment, five (5) years from the date the first installment was scheduled to be paid); and

(c)    The election shall have no effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made.

5

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement A

ARTICLE-3
Payment of Deferred Benefits

3.1    Separation from Service.  Deferred Benefits shall be paid to a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant upon his or her Separation from Service, as follows:

(a)    Without exception, if a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant incurs a Separation from Service prior to attaining age fifty-five (55), then the balance of his or her Deferral Account shall be determined on a date that is six (6) months after his or her Separation from Service and paid in a lump sum within thirty (30) days of such date.

(b)    If a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant incurs a Separation from Service after attaining age fifty-five (55) or older, then the balance of his or her Deferral Account shall be determined on the applicable Deferred Benefit Commencement Date elected by the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant (except that benefits paid in accordance with Section 2.1(ii) shall be determined on a date that is six (6) months after the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant's Separation from Service).  Such benefits shall paid or commence to be paid, as applicable, within thirty (30) days of such date, in accordance with the instructions regarding the form of payment in the applicable Election Form.

3.2    Disability.

(a)    Upon the determination of a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Disability, no further deferrals will be made to the Deferral Account and the Company shall pay the SA  Post-2004 Plan Participant the balance in each of the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Deferral Accounts in the manner specified by the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant in his or her Election Form to apply in the event of his or her Disability, or if no such specification is made, on the Deferred Benefit Commencement Date that applies to such Deferral Account pursuant to the method requested by the SA  Post-2004 Plan Participant in his or her Election Form.  

(b)    A SA Post-2004 Plan Participant may change the form of payment of the Disability benefit by completing an Election Form in accordance with such rules and procedures established by the Company provided that the election to modify the Disability benefit shall have no effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which the election is made.

(c)    Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of Article 6 of the Plan will not govern a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Disability benefits.

6

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement A

3.3    Death.  Deferred Benefits shall be paid upon the death of a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant, as follows:

(a)    Upon the death of a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant, the Company shall pay the amounts in each of the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Deferral Accounts to the Beneficiary designated by the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant with respect to each Compensation Deferral Election in each of his or her respective Election Forms, or, if the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant fails to so designate a Beneficiary, to his or her surviving spouse.  If the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant has no surviving spouse, then the benefits shall be payable to the executor or personal representative of the SA Post-2005 Plan Participant’s estate.

(b)    If the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Separation from Service is due to death, the Company shall pay to each respective Beneficiary or to the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s estate, as the case may be, the amounts in each of the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s respective Deferral Accounts, in the same manner as for a SA Post-2004 Plan Participant who has incurred a Separation from Service, as set forth in Section 3.1(a).

(c)    If the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant dies following his or her Separation from Service date but prior to his or her receiving the full payment of all Deferred Benefits payable to him or her, the respective Beneficiaries or the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s estate, as the case may be, shall receive a distribution of the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant’s Deferred Benefits in the same manner as it otherwise would have paid to the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant as if the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant had not died, unless the SA Post-2004 Plan Participant has specified in his or her Election Form a different manner of payment to a Beneficiary.

(d)    If a Beneficiary who is receiving Deferred Benefits pursuant to the  SA Post-2004 Plan dies, the remainder of the Deferred Benefits to which such Beneficiary was entitled at the time of his or her death shall continue to be payable to the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by such Beneficiary in writing to the Company (or to the Beneficiary’s estate or heirs if he or she fails to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries).

7

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement B

SUPPLEMENT B TO
CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
2009 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

Special provisions applicable to participants of the Scientific-Atlanta Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective May 15, 2002 (the “SA Grandfathered Plan”), with amounts deferred prior to January 1, 2005.

1

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement B

SUPPLEMENT B TO CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
2009 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Amended and Restated
Effective January 1, 2013

Purpose

    The SA Grandfathered Plan merged with the Cisco Systems, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 2009.  Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Supplement B, the rights and obligations of participants of the SA Grandfathered Plan, with amounts deferred prior to January 1, 2005 (the “SA Grandfathered Plan Participants”), will be determined in accordance with the Plan.  This Supplement B is a part of the Plan and shall be administered in accordance with the provisions thereof. 

ARTICLE-1
Definitions

    For purposes of this Supplement B, the following special definitions shall apply.  Section numbers shall refer exclusively to this Supplement B absent a specific statement to the contrary:

1.1    “Deferral Account” shall mean an account maintained by the Employer for each deferral election made by a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant under the SA Grandfathered Plan.

1.2    “Deferred Benefit Commencement Date” shall mean the date irrevocably designated by a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant with respect to each deferral election as the date on which the payment of the Deferred Benefits that accumulate as a result of such election are to begin.

1.3    “Deferred Benefits” shall mean the amounts payable pursuant to the SA Grandfathered Plan to a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant, or to his or her Beneficiary or estate, following the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s termination of employment, the Deferred Benefit Commencement Date, Total Disability, or death.

1.4    “Employer” shall mean Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. or any of its majority owned subsidiaries and their successors.

1.5    “Total Disability” shall mean a physical or mental condition which is expected to be totally and permanently disabling as determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of the long-term disability insurance plan currently or most recently 
2

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement B

maintained by the Employer for the benefit of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant claiming to be totally disabled.

ARTICLE-2
Deferred Benefit Commencement Date

2.1    Deferred Benefit Commencement Date.  Except as otherwise provided in this Article and in Article 3 hereof, payment of the Deferred Benefits (except for amounts held in the Insurance Fund, defined below) shall commence on one of the following permissible Deferred Benefit Commencement Dates, as elected by the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant pursuant to the terms of the SA Grandfathered Plan: (i) a set date which is no earlier than July 1 following the end of the Plan Year in which the election amount is deferred; (ii) the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s termination of employment date, or (iii) a date which is either the fifth (5th) or tenth (10th) anniversary of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s termination of employment.  The term “Retirement” used as a designation on any Election Form for a Deferred Benefit Commencement Date shall mean the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s termination of employment date.

2.2    Method of Payment.  Except as otherwise provided in Article 3 hereof, payment of the Deferred Benefits (other than benefits held in the Insurance Fund, defined below) shall be in the form of cash, pursuant to one of the following methods, as elected by the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant:

(a)    A single lump sum payment of the entire balance of the respective Deferral Account, determined as of the Deferred Benefit Commencement Date and payable as soon as administratively practicable thereafter; or

(b)    Annual, semi-annual or quarterly installments payable over a five (5), ten (10) or fifteen (15) year period, and commencing on the respective Deferred Benefit Commencement Date.  

If the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant has elected to receive such Deferred Benefits in installments, the amount payable in the first year of such installments shall be an amount that will fully amortize the balance in the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s Deferral Account determined as of the Deferred Benefit Commencement Date over the five (5), ten (10), or fifteen (15) year period.  Thereafter, the amount payable in each succeeding year shall be adjusted to an amount that will fully amortize the remaining balance in such Deferral Account over the remaining years in the aforesaid five (5), ten (10), or fifteen (15) year installment period.

2.3    Postponing Distribution.  A SA Grandfathered Plan Participant may revise or change any election or instruction relating to the Deferred Benefits contained in any Election Form, other than the election amount, by submitting to the Company a revised 
3

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement B

Election Form at least ninety (90) days prior to the effective date of such revision or change; provided, however, that the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant cannot change the deferral or payment period with respect to a particular election if payouts have commenced under such election.  

2.4    Insurance Fund Payments.  Proceeds of life insurance purchased with amounts credited to an Insurance Fund shall be payable as provided in the respective policy or policies and the applicable insurance proceeds payment agreement.  The Insurance Fund is the fund available to eligible SA Grandfathered Plan Participants for use in purchasing life insurance.  Amounts credited to an Insurance Fund shall be used to pay premiums on life insurance insuring the life of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant, or, at the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s election, the lives of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant and his or her spouse on a joint and survivor basis, pursuant to such policies of insurance, and with such insurers, as the Company may determine from time to time.  The Company shall be the owner of such insurance policy or policies.

ARTICLE-3
Payment of Deferred Benefits

3.1    Termination of Employment.  Except as provided in Article 2, and for amounts deferred into an Insurance Fund, Deferred Benefits shall be paid to a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant upon his or her termination of employment, as follows:

(a)    Upon the involuntary termination of a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s employment, the amount in each Deferral Account shall be payable to the SA  Grandfathered Plan Participant either (i) in the manner specified by the SA  Grandfathered Plan Participant in his or her Election Form to apply in the event of his or her involuntary termination of employment; or (ii) if no such specification is made, on the Deferred Benefit Commencement Date that applies to such Deferral Account, pursuant to the method requested by the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant in his or her Election Form.

(b)    Without exception, upon the voluntary termination of a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s employment prior to attaining fifty-five (55) years of age:

(i)    the amounts in each of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s Deferral Accounts shall cease to earn interest and the balance of each Deferral Account shall be determined as of the nearest pay date following the SA  Grandfathered Plan Participant’s termination of employment date; and

(ii)    the Company shall pay the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant the balance of each such Deferral Account not according to the SA 
4

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement B

Grandfathered Plan Participant’s elections as specified in his or her Election Forms but in a lump sum, to be paid within sixty (60) days of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s voluntary termination of employment.

(c)    Upon the voluntary termination of a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s employment after attaining age fifty-five (55) or older, the Company will pay out to such SA Grandfathered Plan Participant all amounts in his or her Deferral Account in accordance with the instructions in the applicable Election Form.    

3.2    Total Disability.

(a)    Upon the determination of a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s Total Disability, the Company shall pay the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant the balance in each of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s Deferral Accounts (except for amounts deferred into an Insurance Fund) as if the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant had been terminated involuntarily, as set forth in Section 3.1(a), unless the SA  Grandfathered Plan Participant has specified in his or her Election Form a different manner of payment.

(b)    A SA Grandfathered Plan Participant may change the form of payment of the Total Disability benefit by completing an Election Form in accordance with Section 2.3, above.

(c)    Sections 6.1 and 6.2 of Article 6 of the Plan will not govern a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s Total Disability benefits.

3.3    Death.  Deferred Benefits shall be paid upon the death of a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant (expect for amounts deferred into an Insurance Fund), as follows:

(a)    Upon the death of a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant, the Company shall pay the amounts in each of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s Deferral Accounts to the Beneficiary designated by the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant with respect to each deferral election in each of his or her respective Election Forms, or, if the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant fails to so designate a Beneficiary, to his or her surviving spouse.  If the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant has no surviving spouse, then the benefits shall be payable to the executor or personal representative of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s estate.

(b)    If the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant dies prior to his or her termination of employment date, the Company shall pay to each respective Beneficiary, or to the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s estate, as the case may be, the amounts in each of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s respective Deferral 
5

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement B

Accounts, in the same manner as for the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant who has been terminated involuntarily, as set forth in Section 3.1(a).

(c)    If the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant dies following his or her termination of employment date but prior to his or her receiving the full payment of all Deferred Benefits payable to him or her, the Company shall pay to each of the respective Beneficiaries or to the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s estate, as the case may be, the same Deferred Benefit in the same manner as it otherwise would have paid to the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant as if the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant had not died, unless the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant has specified in his or her Election Form a different manner of payment to a Beneficiary.

(d)    Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, a Beneficiary may request a different payment schedule than what has been elected by the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant, if such change does not further defer the scheduled payout, by submitting a request in writing to the Company.  The granting of any such request shall be within the discretion of the Company.

(e)    If a Beneficiary who is receiving Deferred Benefits pursuant to the SA Grandfathered Plan dies, the remainder of the Deferred Benefits to which such Beneficiary was entitled at the time of his or her death shall continue to be payable to the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by such Beneficiary in writing to the Company (or to the Beneficiary’s estate or heirs if he or she fails to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries).

ARTICLE-4
Investment Options

4.1    Investment Options.

(a)    Effective January 1, 2009, a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant may select one or more investment options made available by the Company from time to time for his or her Deferral Account. Any investment option selection must specify the percentage of the amount specified in the deferral election to be invested in each investment option in one percent (1%) increments. 

(b)    Any investment option selection made by a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant for the investment of his Account shall be made in accordance with this section.  The SA Grandfathered Plan Participant shall make the initial investment option selection on a form provided by the Company.  Thereafter the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant may modify his or her initial investment option selections for past amounts deferred and/or for future deferrals in the manner established by the Company.  A SA Grandfathered Plan Participant 
6

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement B

may modify his or her investment option selections in accordance with procedures established from time to time by the Company.  Any modifications made in accordance with such procedures shall be implemented as soon as administratively practicable following the completion of the applicable procedures.  An investment option selection for a deferral election shall remain in effect until superseded by a subsequent investment option selection modification, or until the complete distribution of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s Deferred Benefits related to that deferral election.

(c)    If a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant fails to submit an investment option selection for a deferral Election, or if a SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s investment option selection does not equal one hundred percent (100%), the portion of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s deferral Election that is not subject to an investment option selection shall be invested in the Measurement Fund selected by the Company for this purpose.

ARTICLE-5
Hardship Withdrawals

5.1    Hardship Withdrawals.  A SA Grandfathered Plan Participant may request a Hardship Withdrawal of all or a portion of his or her Deferred Benefits (excluding amounts deferred into a Insurance Fund) before the Deferred Benefit Commencement Date, as follows:

(a)    The request for withdrawal must be to meet an “unforeseeable emergency.”

(b)    For purposes of this Article V, an unforeseeable emergency is a severe financial hardship to the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant resulting from a sudden and unexpected illness or accident of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant or a dependent of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant, loss of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant's property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant.  The circumstances that will constitute an unforeseeable emergency will depend upon the facts of each case, but, in any case, a hardship withdrawal may not be made to the extent that such hardship is or may be relieved:

(i)    Through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, or

7

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.        
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement B

(ii)    By liquidation of the SA Grandfathered Plan Participant’s assets, to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship.

(c)    The request for a Hardship Withdrawal must be made in writing to the Company and shall state the amount requested, the unforeseeable emergency to which the amount will be applied and shall also affirm that no other assets are reasonably available to meet the emergency.

(d)    The Company shall consider applicable regulatory standards in assessing whether to grant a request for a Hardship Withdrawal.
8

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement C

SUPPLEMENT C TO
CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
2009 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Purpose
The purpose of this Supplement C to the Cisco Systems, Inc. 2009 Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) is to enable Non-Employee Directors of the Company to elect to defer receipt of their Director Fees. Supplement C to the Plan originally became effective on November 20, 2014, and this Supplement C, as amended and restated, shall become effective as of December 10, 2020. Except as modified by this Supplement C, all the provisions of the Plan shall be incorporated into this Supplement C. This Supplement C is a part of the Plan and shall be administered in accordance with the provisions thereof.
ARTICLE 1
Definitions
The terms used in this Supplement C shall have the meanings defined in the Plan, except for the following special definitions. Section numbers shall refer exclusively to this Supplement C absent a specific statement to the contrary:
1.1    “Annual Deferral Amount” shall mean that portion of the Director Fees that a Non-Employee Director defers in accordance with the Plan and Article 2 below for any one Plan Year.
1.2    “Director Fees” shall mean the annual cash retainer fees earned by a Participant in his or her capacity as a Non-Employee Director, any additional cash retainer fees earned by a Participant in connection with his or her service on any committee of the Board, or other cash fees earned by a Participant in his or her capacity as a Non-Employee Director.
1.3    “Non-Employee Director” shall mean a member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. For purposes of this Supplement C, a Non-Employee Director shall be deemed to be a “Participant” for purposes of the terms of the Plan.
ARTICLE 2
Deferral of Fees
2.1    Deferral of Fees.  For each Plan Year, a Non-Employee Director may elect to defer his or her Annual Deferral Amount pursuant to the terms of the Plan, this Supplement C and the election form for this purpose.
2.2    Election to Defer.
(a)    Current Non-Employee Directors.  A Non-Employee Director who is serving on the Board on the date this Supplement C, as amended and restated, becomes effective 
9

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement C

may elect to become a Participant in the Plan by electing, on or prior to December 31, 2020, to defer his or her Director Fees. A Non-Employee Director who was serving on the Board prior to the date this Supplement C, as amended and restated, becomes effective may have elected to become a Participant in the Plan prior to the date this Supplement C, as amended and restated, becomes effective and such election shall continue in effect unless changed pursuant to the provision in Article 2.2(c) below.
(b)    New Non-Employee Directors.  Each individual who first becomes a Non-Employee Director after the date this Supplement C, as amended and restated, becomes effective may elect to become a participant in the Plan by electing to make deferrals under the Plan no later than the deadline set forth in the election form with respect to the Director Fees in connection with such appointment or election.
(c)    Effect of Election.  An election under this Article 2 shall be effective only with respect to Director Fees earned after the effective date of the election. A Non-Employee Director may elect to become a Participant in the Plan for any subsequent plan year by electing, no later than December 31 of the immediately preceding Plan Year, to make deferrals under the Plan. Once a Non-Employee Director has elected to defer any portion of his or her Director Fees, the election may not be revoked and shall continue in effect for the remainder of the Non-Employee Director’s service as a member of the Board; provided, however, that a Non-Employee Director may change his or her deferral election in accordance with such rules and procedures as the Company may establish and to the extent required by Code Section 409A, in accordance with the criteria consistent with Section 4.2 of the Plan.
2.3    Investment of Deferred Director Fees.  The Company shall establish a separate deferred compensation account on its books in the name of each Non-Employee Director who has elected to participate in the Plan. A cash amount shall be credited to each such Non-Employee Director’s account as of each date on which amounts deferred under the Plan would otherwise have been paid to such Non-Employee Director. In accordance with, and subject to, the rules and procedures that are established from time to time by the Company, amounts shall be credited or debited to a Non-Employee Director’s Account Balance in accordance with Section 3.9 of the Plan. The Non-Employee Director’s Account Balance shall become payable as set forth in Article 3 below.
ARTICLE 3
Payment of Account Balance
3.1    Distribution.  Payment of a Non-Employee Director’s Account Balance shall only be made upon termination of the Non-Employee Director’s service as a member of the Board, his or her Disability or death.
(a)    Each Non-Employee Director shall have the election to receive his or her entire vested Account Balance upon a termination of the Non-Employee Director’s service or Disability as selected by the Non-Employee Director which shall be either (i) within thirty (30) days after the termination of the Non-Employee Director’s service or Disability or (ii) within thirty (30) days after the first day of the calendar year 
10

			
	Cisco Systems, Inc.
2009 Deferred Compensation Plan
Supplement C

following the termination of the Non-Employee Director’s service or Disability. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Non-Employee Director is a “specified employee” (as defined in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(i)) at the time of such termination of service or Disability, payment of the entire vested Account Balance will not be made to the Non-Employee Director until the earlier of the first day of the 7th month after the termination of the Non-Employee Director’s service or Disability, or the date of the Non-Employee Director’s death.
(b)    Upon a Non-Employee Director’s death, the Non-Employee Director shall receive his or her entire vested Account Balance in accordance with Article 7 of the Plan.
11Document

Exhibit 10.7

CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(As Amended and Restated Effective as of January 25, 2021)

I.PURPOSE
The Cisco Systems, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan is intended to provide eligible employees of the Company and one or more of its Corporate Affiliates with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company through participation in offerings (each, a “Section 423 Offering”) under a plan designed to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code (although the Company makes no undertaking or representation to maintain such qualification). In addition, the Plan authorizes the grant of purchase rights which do not qualify under Code Section 423 pursuant to any rules, procedures, agreements, appendices, or sub-plans adopted by the Plan Administrator for such purpose for eligible employees of the Company’s Designated Affiliates in particular locations outside the United States (each, a “Non-423 Offering”). 
II.DEFINITIONS
For purposes of administration of the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Affiliate means either a Corporate Affiliate or a Designated Affiliate.
Applicable Law means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under state corporate laws, United States federal and state securities laws, the Code, the rules of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Stock is listed or quoted, and the applicable laws of any non-U.S. jurisdiction where purchase rights are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and interpretations promulgated thereunder.
Company means Cisco Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any corporate successor to all or substantially all of the assets or voting stock of Cisco Systems, Inc. which shall by appropriate action adopt the Plan.
Corporate Affiliate means any company which is either the parent corporation or a subsidiary corporation of the Company (as determined in accordance with Code Section 424), including any parent or subsidiary corporation which becomes such after the Effective Date.
Designated Affiliate means any parent or subsidiary of the Company and any other entities other than the Company in an unbroken chain of entities beginning with the Company if, at the time of the granting of the option, each of the entities, other than the last entity in the unbroken chain, owns or controls 50 percent or more of the total ownership interest in one of the other entities in the chain, which shall be designated by the Plan Administrator in its sole discretion as participating in a Non-423 Offering under the Plan. 
Effective Date means the date shareholders of the Company approve this amendment and restatement.
Eligible Earnings shall be determined by the Plan Administrator, or its designee, in its discretion on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis for any offering period provided that such amount is paid to an Employee directly by any Participating Company, consistent with the requirements of Code Section 423 for any Offering qualified under Code Section 423. In addition, the Plan Administrator or its designee has the authority to make decisions about how Eligible Earnings should be interpreted for Employees outside the United States.
Employee means any person employed by the Company or any other Participating Company within the meaning of Code Section 3401(c).
1

Offering means a Section 423 Offering or a Non-423 Offering of a right to purchase shares under the Plan during an offering period as further described in Article IV. Unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator, each Offering under the Plan in which eligible Employees of the Company or a designated Corporate Affiliate may participate will be deemed a “separate offering” for purposes of Code Section 423 of the Code, even if the dates of the applicable offering periods of each such Offering are identical, and the provisions of the Plan will separately apply to each Offering. With respect to Section 423 Offerings, the terms of separate Offerings need not be identical provided that all Employees granted purchase rights in a particular Offering will have the same rights and privileges, except as otherwise may be permitted by Code Section 423; a Non-423 Offering need not satisfy such requirements.
Participant means any Employee of a Participating Company who is actively participating in the Plan.
Participating Company means the Company and such Affiliates as may be designated from time to time by the Plan Administrator.
Plan means the Cisco Systems, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as may be amended from time to time.
Stock means shares of the common stock of the Company. 
III.ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered by the Board or by a committee (the “Committee”) comprised of at least two or more Board members appointed from time to time by the Board (the “Plan Administrator”). The Plan Administrator (whether the Board or the Committee) shall have full authority to administer the Plan, including authority, without limitation, to (a) interpret and construe any provision of the Plan; (b) adopt rules and regulations for administering the Plan, including such rules as it may deem necessary to comply with the requirements of Code Section 423; (c) determine eligibility, including whether Affiliates will participate in a Section 423 Offering or a Non-423 Offering of the Plan; (d) determine the terms and conditions of any purchase right under the Plan; (e) amend an outstanding purchase right, provided that the amended right otherwise conforms to the terms of the Plan; and (f) adopt rules, procedures, agreements, appendices, or sub-plans as it deems necessary or appropriate to permit the participation in the Plan by eligible Employees who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States, as further set forth in Article X below.
Decisions of the Plan Administrator (or its designate) shall be final and binding on all parties who have an interest in the Plan. 
IV.OFFERING PERIODS AND PURCHASE PERIODS
(a) Stock shall be offered for purchase under the Plan through a series of successive and/or overlapping offering periods until such time as (i) the maximum number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall have been purchased or (ii) the Plan shall have been sooner terminated in accordance with Article IX or shall terminate in accordance with Section XII(a).
(b) Under no circumstances shall any purchase rights granted under the Plan be exercised, nor shall any shares of Stock be issued hereunder, until such time as (i) the Plan shall have been approved by the Company’s shareholders and (ii) the Company shall have complied with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended), all applicable listing requirements of any securities exchange on which the Stock is listed, and all other applicable requirements established by law or regulation.
(c) Unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator, the Plan shall be implemented in a series of overlapping offering periods, each to be of such duration (not to exceed twenty-four (24) months per offering period) as determined by the Plan Administrator prior to the commencement date of the offering period. Offering periods may commence at any time as determined by the Plan Administrator, including at quarterly or semi-annual intervals over the term of the Plan, and may consist of one or more purchase periods during which payroll deductions are collected from Participants and accumulated under the Plan. The Plan Administrator will announce the date each offering period will commence and the duration of that offering period and its applicable purchase period(s) in advance of the first day of such offering period.
(d) The Participant shall be granted a separate purchase right for each offering period in which he/she participates. The purchase right shall be granted on the first day of the offering period and shall be automatically 
2

exercised on the last U.S. business day of the applicable purchase period within that offering period or any earlier day the purchase right is to be exercised hereunder.
(e) An Employee may participate in only one offering period at a time. Accordingly, an Employee who wishes to join a new offering period must withdraw from the current offering period in which he/she is participating prior to the last day of the current offering period in which the Employee participates and must also enroll in the new offering period prior to the start date of that new offering period at such time and in such manner as the Plan Administrator, in its discretion, requires. The Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may require an Employee who withdraws from one offering period to wait one full offering period or purchase period before re-enrolling in a new offering period under the Plan. 
V.ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
(a) Each individual who is an Employee of a Participating Company on the commencement date of any offering period under the Plan shall be eligible to participate in the Plan for that offering period. The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, limit the Employees who are eligible to participate in the Plan to those Employees who are regularly scheduled to work more than twenty (20) hours per week or more than five (5) months per calendar year, unless prohibited by Applicable Law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of a Non-423 Offering, any Employee (or group of Employees) may be excluded from participation in the Plan or an Offering thereunder if the Plan Administrator has determined, in its sole discretion, that participation of such Employee(s) is not advisable or practicable for any reason.
(b) In order to participate in the Plan for a particular offering period, the Employee must complete the enrollment forms prescribed by the Plan Administrator (including a purchase agreement and a payroll deduction authorization) and file such forms with the Plan Administrator (or its designate) no later than the day designated by the Plan Administrator in its discretion.
(c) Only Eligible Earnings may be used to participate and acquire Stock under the Plan.
(d) The payroll deduction authorized by a Participant for purposes of acquiring Stock under the Plan may be any multiple of 1% of the Eligible Earnings of the Participant during the applicable purchase period, up to a maximum equal to the lesser of (i) 10% of the Participant’s Eligible Earnings per purchase period and (ii) 100% of the Participant’s Eligible Earnings that remain after subtracting all other amounts that are to be deducted or withheld from such Eligible Earnings per purchase period. The deduction rate so authorized shall continue in effect for the entire period the purchase right remains outstanding, unless the Participant shall, prior to the end of the offering period for which the purchase right will remain in effect, reduce such rate (but not below 1%) by filing the appropriate form with the Plan Administrator (or its designate). The reduced rate shall become effective as soon as practicable following the filing of such form. Payroll deductions, however, will automatically cease upon the termination of the Participant’s purchase right in accordance with Sections VII(e) or (f) below. The Plan Administrator, in its discretion, may adopt rules limiting the number of payroll deduction rate changes a Participant may make in a single offering period or purchase period. 
VI.STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN
(a) The Stock purchasable by Participants under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued Stock. The total number of shares which may be issued under the Plan, in the aggregate, shall not exceed 721,400,000 shares (subject to adjustment under subparagraph (b) below). Such share reserve includes the 100,000,000 share increase approved by the Board on October 3, 2018 and subject to the approval of the shareholders at the 2018 Annual Meeting. For  avoidance of doubt, up to the maximum number of shares reserved under this subparagraph (a) may be used to satisfy purchases of shares under Section 423 Offerings and any remaining portion of such maximum number of shares may be used to satisfy purchases of shares under Non-423 Offerings.
(b) In the event any change is made to the Stock purchasable under the Plan by reason of (I) any merger, consolidation or reorganization or (II) any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, combination of shares or other change affecting the outstanding Stock as a class without the Company’s receipt of consideration, then unless such change occurs in connection with a Section VII(l) transaction, appropriate adjustments shall be made by the Plan Administrator to (i) the class and maximum number of shares issuable in the aggregate over the term of the Plan, (ii) the class and maximum number of shares purchasable per Participant on any one purchase date, and (iii) 
3

the class and number of shares and the price per share of the Stock subject to each purchase right at the time outstanding under the Plan. 
VII. PURCHASE RIGHTS
An Employee who participates in the Plan for a particular offering period shall have the right to purchase Stock with Eligible Earnings upon the terms and conditions set forth below and shall execute a purchase agreement embodying such terms and conditions and such other provisions (not inconsistent with the Plan) as the Plan Administrator may deem advisable.
(a) Purchase Price. The U.S. Dollar purchase price per share shall be at least equal to the lesser of (i) 85% of the fair market value per share of Stock on the date on which the purchase right is granted or (ii) 85% of the fair market value per share of Stock on the date the purchase right is exercised. For purposes of determining such fair market value (and for all other valuation purposes under the Plan), the fair market value per share of Stock on any relevant date shall be the closing selling price per share on such date, as officially quoted on the principal exchange on which the Stock is at the time traded or, if not traded on any such exchange, the closing selling price per share of the Stock on such date, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market. If there are no sales of Stock on such day, then the closing selling price for the Stock on the next preceding day for which there does exist such quotation shall be determinative of fair market value.
(b) Number of Purchasable Shares. The number of shares purchasable by a Participant upon the exercise of an outstanding purchase right shall be the number of whole shares obtained by dividing the amount collected from the Participant through payroll deductions during each purchase period the purchase right remains outstanding by the purchase price in effect for each such purchase period. Any remaining amount in the Participant’s account shall be automatically refunded to the Participant. However, the maximum number of shares purchasable by any Participant on any one purchase date shall not exceed 22,500 shares (subject to adjustment under Section VI(b)), and any amount not applied to the purchase of Stock on behalf of a Participant by reason of such limitation shall be refunded to that Participant.
Under no circumstances shall purchase rights be granted under the Plan to any Employee if such Employee would, immediately after the grant, own (within the meaning of Code Section 424(d)), or hold outstanding options or other rights to purchase, stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any of its Corporate Affiliates. 
In addition, the accrual limitations of Article VIII shall apply to all purchase rights.
(c) Payment. Unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator, Payment for Stock purchased under the Plan shall be effected by means of the Participant’s authorized payroll deductions of Eligible Earnings. Such deductions shall begin on the first pay day coincident with or immediately following the commencement date of the relevant purchase period and, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Sections VII(e) or (f) below, shall terminate with the pay day ending with or immediately prior to the last day of the purchase period. The amounts so collected shall be credited to the book account maintained by the Company on the Participant’s behalf under the Plan, but no interest shall be paid on the balance from time to time outstanding in such book account. The amounts collected from a Participant may be commingled with the general assets of the Company and may be used for general corporate purposes.
(d) Conversion into U.S. Dollars. For purposes of determining the number of shares purchasable on any purchase date under the Plan by a Participant whose Eligible Earnings are paid in a currency other than U.S. Dollars, the payroll deductions credited to such Participant’s book account during each purchase period shall be converted into U.S. Dollars on the purchase date for that purchase period on the basis of the exchange rate in effect on such date. The Plan Administrator shall have the absolute discretion to determine the applicable exchange rate to be in effect for each purchase date by any reasonable method (including, without limitation, the exchange rate actually used by the Company for its intra-Company financial transactions for the month of such transfer). Any changes or fluctuations in the exchange rate at which the payroll deductions collected on the Participant’s behalf are converted into U.S. Dollars on each purchase date shall be borne solely by the Participant.
(e) Withdrawal from Offering Period.
4

(i) A Participant may withdraw from an offering period by filing the prescribed notification form with the Plan Administrator (or its designate) on or prior to the date required by the Plan Administrator in its discretion. No further payroll deductions shall be collected from the Participant with respect to that offering period, and the Participant shall have the following election with respect to any payroll deductions for the applicable purchase period collected prior to the withdrawal date: (A) have the Company refund, in the currency originally collected, the payroll deductions which the Participant made under the Plan during that purchase period or (B) have such payroll deductions held for the purchase of shares at the end of such purchase period. If no such election is made, then such payroll deductions shall automatically be refunded at the end of such purchase period, in the currency originally collected.
(ii) The Participant’s withdrawal from a particular offering period shall be irrevocable and shall also require the Participant to re-enroll in the Plan (by making a timely filing of a new purchase agreement and payroll deduction authorization) if the Participant wishes to resume participation in a subsequent offering period. 
(f) Termination of Employment/Leave of Absence. Except as provided in Section VII(m) below, if a Participant ceases to remain an Employee while his/her purchase right remains outstanding, then such purchase right shall immediately terminate and all sums previously collected from the Participant during the purchase period in which such termination occurs shall be promptly refunded to the Participant. However, should the Participant die or become permanently disabled while in Employee status or should the Participant cease active service by reason of a leave of absence, then the Participant (or the person or persons to whom the rights of the deceased Participant under the Plan are transferred by will or by the laws of descent and distribution) shall have the election, exercisable up until the end of the purchase period in which the Participant dies or becomes permanently disabled or in which the leave of absence commences, to (i) withdraw all the funds in the Participant’s payroll account at the time of his/her cessation of Employee status or the commencement of such leave or (ii) have such funds held for the purchase of shares at the end of such purchase period. If no such election is made, then such funds shall automatically be held for the purchase of shares at the end of such purchase period. In no event, however, shall any further payroll deductions be added to the Participant’s account for amounts paid following his/her cessation of Employee status or the commencement of such leave unless such amounts were earned prior to the commencement of such leave. Should the Participant return to active service (x) within three (3) months following the commencement of his/her leave of absence or (y) prior to the expiration of any longer period for which such Participant’s right to reemployment with the Company is guaranteed by statute or contract, then his/her payroll deductions under the Plan shall automatically resume upon his/her return at the rate in effect at the time the leave began, and if a new purchase period begins during the period of the leave, then the Participant will automatically be enrolled in that purchase period at the rate of payroll deduction in effect for him/her at the time the leave commenced, but payroll deductions for that purchase period shall not actually begin until the Participant returns to active service. However, an individual who returns to active employment following a leave of absence that exceeds in duration the applicable (x) or (y) time period will be treated as a new Employee for purposes of subsequent participation in the Plan and must accordingly re-enroll in the Plan (by making a timely filing of the prescribed enrollment forms) on or before the start date of any subsequent offering period in which he or she wishes to participate.
For purposes of the Plan: (a) a Participant shall be considered to be an Employee for so long as such Participant remains in the active employ of the Company or any other Participating Company under the Plan, and (b) a Participant shall be deemed to be permanently disabled if he/she is unable, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to result in death or to be of continuous duration of at least twelve (12) months, to engage in any substantial gainful employment.
(g) Stock Purchase. The Stock subject to the purchase right of each Participant (other than Participants whose purchase rights have previously terminated in accordance with Sections VII(e) or (f) above) shall be automatically purchased on the Participant’s behalf on the last U.S. business day of the purchase period for which such purchase right remains outstanding. The purchase shall be effected by applying the amount credited to each Participant’s book account, as converted into U.S. Dollars if necessary, on the last U.S. business date of the purchase period to the purchase of whole shares of Stock (subject to the limitations on the maximum number of purchasable shares set forth in Section VII(b)) at the purchase price in effect for such purchase period. 
(h) Proration of Purchase Rights. Should the total number of shares of Stock to be purchased pursuant to outstanding purchase rights on any particular purchase date exceed the number of shares then available for issuance 
5

under the Plan and the Sub-Plan, the Plan Administrator shall make a pro-rata allocation of the available shares on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis, and any amounts credited to the accounts of Participants shall, to the extent not applied to the purchase of Stock, be refunded to the Participants, in the currency originally collected.
(i) Shareholder Rights. A Participant shall have no rights as a shareholder with respect to shares covered by the purchase rights granted to the Participant under the Plan until the shares are actually purchased on the Participant’s behalf in accordance with Section VII(g). No adjustments shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to the purchase date.
(j) ESPP Broker Account. The shares purchased on behalf of each Participant shall be deposited directly into a brokerage account which the Company shall establish for the Participant at a Company-designated brokerage firm. The account will be known as the ESPP Broker Account. The Plan Administrator may adopt such policies and procedures for the Plan as it determines is appropriate, including for Participants in a Section 423 Offering, policies and procedures regarding the transfer of shares from a Participant’s ESPP Broker Account before those shares have been held for the requisite period necessary to avoid a disqualifying disposition of such shares under the U.S. Federal tax laws. The Company may require a Participant to retain the shares purchased on his or her behalf in the Participant’s ESPP Broker Account until the sale of such shares.
(k) Assignability. No purchase rights granted under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during the Participant’s lifetime the purchase rights shall be exercisable only by the Participant.
(l) Merger or Liquidation of Company. In the event the Company or its shareholders enter into an agreement to dispose of all or substantially all of the assets or outstanding capital stock of the Company by means of a sale, merger or reorganization in which the Company will not be the surviving corporation (other than a reorganization effected primarily to change the State in which the Company is incorporated, a merger or consolidation with a wholly-owned subsidiary, or any other transaction in which there is no substantial change in the shareholders of the Company or their relative stock holdings, regardless of whether the Company is the surviving corporation) or in the event the Company is liquidated, then all outstanding purchase rights under the Plan shall automatically be exercised immediately prior to the consummation of such sale, merger, reorganization or liquidation by applying all sums previously collected from Participants during the purchase period of such transaction to the purchase of whole shares of Stock, subject, however, to the applicable limitations of Section VII(b).
(m) Acquisitions and Dispositions. The Plan Administrator may, in its sole and absolute discretion and in accordance with principles under Code Section 423, create special offering periods for individuals who become Employees solely in connection with the acquisition of another company or business by merger, reorganization or purchase of assets and may provide for special purchase dates for Participants who will cease to be Employees solely in connection with the disposition of all or a portion of any Participating Company or a portion of the Company, which offering periods and purchase rights granted pursuant thereto shall, notwithstanding anything stated herein, be subject to such terms and conditions as the Plan Administrator considers appropriate in the circumstances.
(n) Tax, Withholding and Other Required Deductions. At the time a Participant’s purchase right or the shares of Stock acquired pursuant to such purchase right is subject to tax or any other mandatory deduction, the Participant shall make adequate provision for all applicable tax obligations, withholding obligations or other mandatory deductions, if any, of the Participant and/or the applicable Participating Company. The applicable Participating Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the Participant’s compensation or any other payments due the Participant the amount necessary to meet such tax obligations, withholding obligations or mandatory deductions or withhold from the proceeds of the sale of shares of Stock or any other method of withholding the Company and/or the applicable Participating Company deems appropriate. The Company and/or the applicable Participating Company shall have the right to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or the applicable Participating Company to satisfy such tax obligations, withholding obligations or mandatory deductions.
(o) Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, unless there is an available exemption from any registration, qualification or other legal requirement applicable to the shares, the Company will not be required to deliver any shares of Stock issuable upon exercise of a purchase right under the 
6

Plan prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of the shares under any Applicable Law, or prior to obtaining any approval or other clearance from any local, state, federal or foreign governmental agency, which registration, qualification or approval the Plan Administrator will, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable. The Company is under no obligation to register or qualify the shares with any state or foreign securities commission, or to seek approval or clearance from any governmental authority for the issuance or sale of the Shares. If, pursuant to this Section VII(o), the Plan Administrator determines that the shares will not be issued to any Participant, any payroll deductions credited to such Participant’s account will be promptly refunded, without interest, to the Participant, without any liability to the Company or any Affiliate.
(p) Transfer of Employment. Unless otherwise determined by the Plan Administrator, a Participant whose employment transfers or whose employment terminates with an immediate rehire (with no break in service) by or between the Company and a Participating Company will not be treated as having ceased to be an Employee for purposes of participating in the Plan or an Offering thereunder; however, if a Participant transfers from a Section 423 Offering to a Non-423 Offering, the exercise of the Participant’s purchase right will be qualified under the Section 423 Offering only to the extent that such exercise complies with Section 423 of the Code. If a Participant transfers from a Non-423 Offering to a Section 423 Offering, the exercise of the Participant’s purchase right will remain non-qualified under the Non-423 Offering. 

VIII.ACCRUAL LIMITATIONS
(a) No Participant shall be entitled to accrue rights to acquire Stock pursuant to any purchase right outstanding under this Plan if and to the extent such accrual, when aggregated with (I) Stock rights accrued under other purchase rights outstanding under this Plan and (II) similar rights accrued under other employee stock purchase plans (within the meaning of Code Section 423) of the Company or any Corporate Affiliate, would otherwise permit such Participant to purchase more than Twenty-Five Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$25,000) worth of stock of the Company or any Corporate Affiliate (determined on the basis of the fair market value of such stock on the date or dates such rights are granted to the Participant) for each calendar year such rights are at any time outstanding.
(b) For purposes of applying the accrual limitations of Section VIII(a), the right to acquire Stock pursuant to each purchase right outstanding under the Plan shall accrue as follows:
(i) The right to acquire Stock under each such purchase right shall accrue as and when the purchase right first becomes exercisable on the last U.S. business day of each purchase period the right remains outstanding.
(ii) No right to acquire Stock under any outstanding purchase right shall accrue to the extent the Participant has already accrued in the same calendar year the right to acquire Twenty-Five Thousand U.S. Dollars (US$25,000) worth of Stock (determined on the basis of the fair market value on the date or dates of grant) pursuant to one or more purchase rights held by the Participant during such calendar year.
(iii) If by reason of the Section VIII(a) limitations, one or more purchase rights of a Participant do not accrue for a particular purchase period, then the payroll deductions which the Participant made during that purchase period with respect to such purchase rights shall be promptly refunded in the currency originally collected.
(c) In the event there is any conflict between the provisions of this Article VIII and one or more provisions of the Plan or any instrument issued thereunder, the provisions of this Article VIII shall be controlling. 
IX.AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
(a) The Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board may from time to time alter, amend, suspend or discontinue the Plan; provided, however, that no such action shall adversely affect purchase rights or rights under Article XII below, at the time outstanding under the Plan, unless necessary or desirable to comply with any Applicable Law and provided, further, that no such action of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board may, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, increase the number of shares issuable under the Plan (other than adjustments pursuant to Sections VI(b) and VII(b)), alter the purchase price formula so as to reduce the purchase price specified in the Plan, or materially modify the requirements for eligibility to participate in the Plan.
7

(b) Without shareholder approval and without regard to whether any Participant rights may be considered to have been “adversely affected,” the Plan Administrator shall be entitled to, in addition to, and without limitation with respect to, what is permitted pursuant to Section IX(a), cancel or change the purchase periods, limit the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during a purchase period, permit payroll withholding in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company’s processing of properly completed enrollment forms, establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Stock for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the Participant’s Eligible Earnings, and establish such other limitations or procedures as the Plan Administrator determines in its sole discretion advisable which are consistent with the Plan.
X.NON-U.S. OFFERINGS
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Plan, the Plan Administrator may adopt such rules, procedures, agreements, appendices, or sub-plans (collectively, “Sub-Plans”) relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate local laws, customs and procedures for jurisdictions outside of the United States, the terms of which Sub-Plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Article VI and Section XIII(a) hereof, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such Sub-Plan, the provisions of this Plan will govern the operation of such Sub-Plan. To the extent inconsistent with the requirements of Code Section 423, any such Sub-Plan will be considered part of a Non-423 Offering, and purchase rights granted thereunder will not be required by the terms of the Plan to comply with Code Section 423. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Plan Administrator is authorized to adopt Sub-Plans for particular non-U.S. jurisdictions that modify the terms of the Plan to meet applicable local requirements, customs or procedures regarding, without limitation, (i) eligibility to participate, (ii) the definition of Eligible Earnings, (iii) the dates and duration of offering periods and purchase periods, (iv) any minimum or maximum amount of payroll deductions, a Participant may make in an offering period or other specified period under the applicable Sub-Plan, (v) the method of contribution to the Plan, including by means of check, wire transfer, electronic fund transfer or such other contribution method other than payroll deductions, (vi) the establishment of bank, building society or trust accounts to hold payroll deductions or other contributions to the Plan, (vii) the payment of interest, (viii) conversion of local currency, (ix) obligations to pay payroll tax, (x) withholding procedures and (xi) handling of share issuances. 
XI.CODE SECTION 409A
Rights to purchase Stock granted under the Section 423 Offering are intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code and rights to purchase Stock granted under the Non-423 Offering are intended either to be exempt from, or in compliance with, Section 409A of the Code. In furtherance of the foregoing and notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, if the Plan Administrator determines that a right granted under the Plan may be subject to Section 409A of the Code or that any provision in the Plan would cause a right under the Plan to be subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Plan Administrator may, but shall not be required to, amend the terms of the Plan and/or of an outstanding right granted under the Plan, or take such other action the Plan Administrator determines is necessary or appropriate, in each case, without the Participant’s consent, to exempt any outstanding right or future right that may be granted under the Plan from or to allow any such rights to comply with Section 409A of the Code or to mitigate any adverse tax consequences arising under Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representation that the right to purchase Stock under the Plan is exempt from, or compliant with, Section 409A of the Code and shall have no liability to a Participant or any other party if the right to purchase Stock under the Plan that is intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Plan Administrator with respect thereto. 
XII. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
(a) Agreement to Arbitrate. Effective on January 2, 2019, an Employee or other individual (collectively “Covered Person”) manifests his or her agreement to arbitrate, without need for signature on the Covered Person’s part, by (i) enrolling in or remaining enrolled in the Plan, (ii) asserting a claim for Stock the Covered Person could purchase or other participation rights under the terms of the Plan (“Claim for Stock”), or (iii) asserting a claim for damages measured in whole or part by the value of Stock or participation rights the Covered Person could purchase or claim under the terms of the Plan had the Covered Person been enrolled in or otherwise been entitled to Stock or 
8

participation rights under the Plan and made required payroll deductions (“Claim for Damages”). The Company manifests its agreement to arbitrate, without need for signature on its part, by sponsoring the Plan. This agreement to arbitrate will govern any claims under the Plan and takes precedence over any other agreement to arbitrate with the Company outside of the Plan.
(b) Arbitrable Claims. The Company and a Covered Person mutually consent to the resolution by arbitration of all claims or controversies (“Claims”), past, present or future. Claims include, but are not limited to, those (i) arising out of or relating to the Plan or any related documents, or seeking their enforcement or interpretation, (ii) alleging a breach, default, or misrepresentation related to any of the above, or (iii) alleging a Claim for Stock or a Claim for Damages. Claims shall be resolved under the Employment Arbitration Rules of JAMS, which are available at www.jamsadr.com (“JAMS Rules”) or from the Company at the request of any Covered Person; provided, however, that notwithstanding any provision of the JAMS Rules, a court of competent jurisdiction (and not an arbitrator) shall resolve any dispute about the formation, validity, or enforceability of any provision of this arbitration agreement. All parties waive any right to a court or jury trial on any Claim. Nothing in this arbitration agreement prevents a Covered Person from filing or recovering pursuant to a complaint, charge, or other communication with any federal, state, or local governmental or law enforcement agency.
(c) Persons Entitled to Arbitrate. This arbitration agreement applies to and may be invoked by any Covered Person, and the Company, its affiliated companies, the shareholders, owners, directors, employees or agents of any such company, and all successors and assigns of any of them.
(d) Individualized Dispute Resolution. Notwithstanding any provision of the JAMS Rules, arbitration shall occur on an individual basis only. To the maximum extent permitted by law (after application of Federal Arbitration Act preemption principles), a Covered Person and all other parties waive the right to initiate, participate in, or recover through, any class or collective action.
(e) Costs and Fees. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the arbitrator shall award the prevailing party its costs and reasonable attorney’s fees; provided, however, that the arbitrator at all times shall apply the law for the shifting of costs and fees that a court would apply to the claim(s) asserted. 
(f) Applicable Law. Notwithstanding Section XIII(d) below, the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”) shall govern this arbitration agreement. If for any reason the FAA does not apply, then the applicable arbitration law shall be that of the state in which a Covered Person renders or last rendered services to the Company.
(g) Severability. If any provision of this Article XII is found to be void or unenforceable, that provision shall be severed while leaving the balance of this Article XII intact. 
XIII.GENERAL PROVISIONS
(a) The Plan shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) January 3, 2030 or (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan and any Sub-Plan shall have been sold pursuant to purchase rights exercised under the Plan and any Sub-Plan, except for the dispute resolution provisions in Article XII above, which shall survive and continue after the termination of the Plan.
(b) All costs and expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan shall be paid by the Company.
(c) Neither the action of the Company in establishing the Plan, nor any action taken under the Plan by the Board or the Plan Administrator, nor any provision of the Plan itself shall be construed so as to grant any person the right to remain in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate for any period of specific duration, and such person’s employment may be terminated at any time, with or without cause.
(d) Except as provided by Section XII(f) above, the provisions of the Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, without resort to that State’s conflicts-of-laws rules. 

9

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00321-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00321-of-00352.parquet"}]]