Document:

exv10w3

 

Exhibit 10.3

ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS, INC.

EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PROGRAM

AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005

ARTICLE I

INTRODUCTION

     This document replaces the Extendicare Health Services, Inc. Executive Retirement Program as
amended and restated effective January 1, 2005 with respect to employees of Assisted Living
Concepts, Inc. No benefits shall be payable to Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. employees under the
terms of the Extendicare Health Services, Inc. Executive Retirement Program, as amended and
restated effective January 1, 2005, but, instead, the benefits previously provided by that Program
are provided for herein. This document applies only to amounts earned or first vested after
calendar year 2004. Separately, Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. has adopted a document to replace
the document which it had jointly maintained with Extendicare Health Services, Inc. with respect to
amounts earned and vested prior to 2005. That replacement document is referred to herein as the
“Frozen Plan”. No further amounts shall be earned and vested under the Frozen Plan. All amounts
credited under the Frozen Plan prior to January 1, 2005 which were not yet vested as of January 1,
2005 and all contributions to the Plan for periods on or after January 1, 2005 shall be governed by
the terms and provisions of this document. Nothing in this document shall apply to amounts earned
and vested prior to 2005 and past and future interest earnings thereon. This document is intended
to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and shall be interpreted
accordingly. If any provision or term of this document would be prohibited by or inconsistent with
the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, then such provision or term shall be deemed to be
reformed to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

     The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan:

     2.1 “Account” means the account credited from time to time with bookkeeping amounts
equal to contributions on behalf of the Participant pursuant to Section 3.2 and earnings credited
on such amounts in accordance with Article IV. The Account shall also hold those contributions
(and earnings thereon) which had been credited to the account of the Participant under the Frozen
Plan prior to 2005 which were not vested prior to 2005.

     2.2 “Administrator” means the committee designated by the Corporation’s Board of
Directors under Plan Section 7.1, which shall be responsible for administering and interpreting the
Plan.

 

 

     2.3 “Base Salary” means the base salary paid to a Participant by the Corporation in a
specified period prior to elective deferrals under any deferred compensation plan or agreement
between the Participant and the Corporation and exclusive of bonuses, fringe benefits, imputed
income, or any other form of extra compensation.

     2.4 “Beneficiary” means the person, persons, or entity designated by the Participant
to receive any benefits payable under the Plan on or after the Participant’s death. Each
Participant shall be permitted to name, change or revoke the Participant’s designation of a
Beneficiary in writing on a form and in the manner prescribed by the Corporation; provided,
however, that the designation on file with the Corporation at the time of the Participant’s death
shall be controlling. Should a Participant fail to make a valid Beneficiary designation or leave
no named Beneficiary surviving, any benefits due shall be paid to such Participant’s spouse, if
living; or if not living, then any benefits due shall be paid to such Participant’s estate.

     2.5 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including any subsequent
amendments.

     2.6 “Corporation” means Assisted Living Concepts, Inc., and each of its affiliates
which has adopted the Plan or may adopt the Plan; provided, however, that for purposes of the power
to amend or terminate the Plan or take any other action under or with respect to the Plan, except
for the payment of benefits, the term “Corporation” shall refer only to Assisted Living Concepts,
Inc.

     2.7 “Effective Date” means January 1, 2005.

     2.8 “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, including any
subsequent amendments.

     2.9 “Participant” means a key management or highly compensated employee designated as
eligible to participate in the Plan for a Plan Year under Section 3.1 (who shall be known as
“Active Participants” for such Plan Year) and any person who previously participated in the Plan
and is entitled to benefits.

     2.10 “Plan” means the Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. Executive Retirement Program, as
set forth herein, and as may be amended from time to time.

     2.11 “Plan Year” means the calendar year.

     2.12 “Separation from Service”

     (a) In General. The Participant shall have a Separation from Service with the
Corporation if the Participant dies, retires, or otherwise has a termination of employment
with the Corporation. However, for purposes of this Section 2.12, the employment
relationship is treated as continuing intact while the individual is on military leave, sick
leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six
months, or if longer, so long as the individual retains a right to reemployment with the
Corporation under an applicable statute or by contract. For purposes of this paragraph (a)
of this Section 2.12, a leave of absence constitutes a bona fide leave of absence only if
there is a reasonable expectation that the Participant will return to perform services for
the Corporation. If the period of leave exceeds six months and the individual does not
retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the employment
relationship is deemed to terminate on the first date immediately following such six-month
period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a leave of absence is due to any medically

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determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or
can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months, where such
impairment causes the Participant to be unable to perform the duties of his or her position
of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, a 29-month period of
absence may be substituted for such six-month period.

     (b) Termination of Employment. Whether a termination of employment has
occurred is determined based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the
Corporation and Participant reasonably anticipated that no further services would be
performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Participant would
perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would
permanently decrease to no more than 20 percent of the average level of bona fide services
performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately
preceding 36-month period (or, the full period of services to the Corporation if the
Participant has been providing services to the Corporation less than 36 months). Facts and
circumstances to be considered in making this determination include, but are not limited
to, whether the Participant continues to be treated as an employee for other purposes (such
as continuation of salary and participation in employee benefit programs), whether similarly
situated service providers have been treated consistently, and whether the Participant is
permitted, and realistically available, to perform services for other service recipients in
the same line of business. The Participant is presumed to have Separated from Service where
the level of bona fide services performed decreases to a level equal to 20 percent or less
of the average level of services performed by the employee during the immediately preceding
36-month period. The Participant will be presumed not to have Separated from Service where
the level of bona fide services performed continues at a level that is 50 percent or more of
the average level of service performed by the Participant during the immediately preceding
36-month period. No presumption applies to a decrease in the level of bona fide services
performed to a level that is more than 20 percent and less than 50 percent of the average
level of bona fide services performed during the immediately preceding 36-month period. The
presumption is rebuttable by demonstrating that the Corporation and the Participant
reasonably anticipated that as of a certain date the level of bona fide services would be
reduced permanently to a level less than or equal to 20 percent of the average level of bona
fide services provided during the immediately preceding 36-month period or the full period
of services to the Corporation if the Participant has been providing services to the
Corporation less than 36 months (or that the level of bona fide services would not be so
reduced). For example, the Participant may demonstrate that the Corporation and the
Participant reasonably anticipated that the Participant would cease providing services, but
that, after the original cessation of services, business circumstances such as termination
of the Participant’s replacement caused the Participant to return to employment. Although
the Participant’s return to employment may cause the Participant to be presumed to have
continued in employment because the Participant is providing services at a rate equal to the
rate at which the Participant was providing services before the termination of employment,
the facts and circumstances in this case would demonstrate that at the time the Participant
originally ceased to provide services, the Corporation reasonably anticipated that the
Participant would not provide services in the future. For purposes of this paragraph (b),
for periods during which the Participant is on a paid bona fide leave of absence (as defined
in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.12) and has not otherwise terminated employment pursuant
to paragraph (a) of this Section 2.12, the Participant is treated as providing bona fide
services at a level equal to the level of services that the Participant would have been
required to perform to receive the compensation paid with respect to such leave of absence.
Periods during which the Participant is on an unpaid bona fide leave of absence (as defined
in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.12) and has not otherwise terminated employment pursuant
to paragraph (a) of this Section

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     2.12, are disregarded for purposes of this paragraph (b) of this Section 2.12
(including for purposes of determining the applicable 36-month (or shorter) period).

     (c) Asset Purchase Transactions. Where as part of a sale or other disposition
of assets by the Corporation as seller to an unrelated service recipient (buyer), a
Participant of the Corporation would otherwise experience a Separation from Service with the
Corporation, the Corporation and the buyer may retain the discretion to specify, and may
specify, whether a Participant providing services to the Corporation immediately before the
asset purchase transaction and providing services to the buyer after and in connection with
the asset purchase transaction has experienced a Separation from Service, provided that the
asset purchase transaction results from bona fide, arm’s length negotiations, all service
providers providing services to the Corporation immediately before the asset purchase
transaction and providing services to the buyer after and in connection with the asset
purchase transaction are treated consistently (regardless of position at the Corporation)
for purposes of applying the provisions of any nonqualified deferred compensation plan, and
such treatment is specified in writing no later than the closing date of the asset purchase
transaction. For purposes of this paragraph (c), references to a sale or other disposition
of assets, or an asset purchase transaction, refer only to a transfer of substantial assets,
such as a plant or division or substantially all the assets of a trade or business.

     (d) Dual Status. If a Participant provides services both as an employee of the
Corporation and as an independent contractor of the Corporation, the Participant must
separate from service both as an employee and as an independent contractor to be treated as
having Separated from Service. If a Participant ceases providing services as an independent
contractor and begins providing services as an employee, or ceases providing services as an
employee and begins providing services as an independent contractor, the Participant will
not be considered to have a Separation from Service until the Participant has ceased
providing services in both capacities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant
provides services both as an employee of the Corporation and a member of the board of
directors of the Corporation, the services provided as a director are not taken into account
in determining whether the Participant has a Separation from Service as an employee for
purposes of this Plan unless this Plan is aggregated with any plan in which the Participant
participates as a director under IRS Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)(2)(ii).

     2.13 “Unforeseeable Emergency” means a severe financial hardship to a Participant
resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant or the Participant’s spouse, beneficiary
or dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code without regard to Section 151 (b)(1), (b)(2)
and (d)(1)(B)), loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty (including the need to rebuild a
home following damage to a home not otherwise covered by insurance, for example, as a result of a
natural disaster), or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a
result of events beyond the control of the Participant. For example, the imminent foreclosure of
or eviction from the Participant’s primary residence may constitute an Unforeseeable Emergency. In
addition, the need to pay for medical expenses, including non-refundable deductibles, as well as
for the costs of prescription drug medication, may constitute an Unforeseeable Emergency. Finally,
the need to pay for funeral expenses of a spouse, beneficiary or a dependent (as defined in Code
section 152(a) without regard to Section 151 (b)(1), (b)(2) and (d)(1)(B)) may also constitute an
Unforeseeable Emergency. Except as otherwise provided above, the purchase of a home and the
payment of college tuition are not Unforeseeable Emergencies. Whether a Participant is faced with
an Unforeseeable Emergency is to be determined based on the relevant facts and circumstances of
each case.

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ARTICLE III

PARTICIPATION AND CONTRIBUTIONS

     3.1 Determination of Participants. Within a reasonable period of time prior to the
beginning of a Plan Year or at any time during a Plan Year, the Administrator will designate
employees who will be eligible to become Active Participants in the Plan for that Plan Year (or the
remainder of such Plan Year). An employee designated as an Active Participant for a Plan Year
shall remain an Active Participant until the employee’s Separation from Service or the
Administrator or the Board of Directors of the Corporation takes action to terminate such
employee’s participation effective on the first day of any Plan Year subsequent to the date of such
action by the Administrator or the Board.

     3.2 Amount of Contributions. For each month, beginning with the month in which falls
the Participant’s effective date of participation, the Corporation shall make a contribution to the
Account of the Participant equal to 10% of the Participant’s Base Salary for that month. The
contribution for a month shall be credited to the Participant’s Account as of the last day of the
month for which it is made. No contributions will be made for a Participant for the calendar month
in which occurs the date of his Separation from Service with the Corporation or in any subsequent
calendar month.

     3.3 Contributions Are Hypothetical. The contributions under this Plan are
hypothetical contributions only.

ARTICLE IV

ACCOUNTS; EARNINGS

     4.1 Credits to Accounts. Bookkeeping amounts equal to the amounts contributed by the
Corporation pursuant to Section 3.2 shall be credited to such Participant’s Account at the time
specified in Section 3.2.

     4.2 Valuation of Account.

     (a) The Participant’s Account shall be credited or charged with deemed earnings or
losses as if it were invested in accordance with paragraph (b) below.

     (b) (i) The investment funds available hereunder for the deemed investment of the
Account shall be such funds as the Administrator shall from time to time determine.
However, in no event shall the Corporation be required to make any investment in any such
fund and, to the extent such investments are made, such investments shall remain an asset of
the Corporation subject to the claims of its general creditors.

     (ii) On the date credited to the Participant’s Account, contributions shall be
deemed to be invested in one or more of the investment funds designated by the
Participant for such deemed investment. Once made, the Participant’s investment
designation shall continue in effect for all future contributions until changed by
the Participant. Any such change may be prospectively elected by the Participant at
the times established by the Administrator, which shall be no less frequently than
quarterly, and shall be effective only for contributions, credited from and after
its effective date.

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     (iii) A Participant may prospectively elect to reallocate his Account balance
among the investment funds at the times established by the Administrator, which
shall be no less frequently than quarterly.

     (iv) The valuation of the funds held in the Account shall be accomplished in
the same manner as though the deemed investment in such funds had actually been made
and are valued at their fair market value price on valuation dates hereunder.

     (v) A Participant’s Account shall be valued as of December 31 each year and at
such other times established by the Administrator, which shall be no less frequently
than quarterly.

     (vi) All elections and designations under this section shall be made in
accordance with procedures prescribed by the Administrator. The Administrator may
prescribe uniform percentages for such elections and designations.

     (vii) The earnings (or losses) provided for in this Section 4.2 shall continue
to accrue on the balance remaining in the Account during any period of installment
payments.

     (c) The Corporation shall provide annual reports to each Participant showing (a) the
value of the Account as of the most recent December 31st, (b) the amount of
deferral made by the Participant for the Plan Year ending on such date and (c) the amount of
any investment gain or loss and the costs of administration credited or debited to the
Participant’s Account.

     4.3 Bookkeeping Accounts Only. Each Participant’s Account shall be utilized solely as
a device for the measurement and determination of the amounts to be paid to such Participant under
the Plan. Participant Accounts shall be bookkeeping accounts only and no Participant or
Beneficiary shall have any proprietary rights in any assets held by the Corporation, whether or not
held for the purpose of funding the Corporation’s obligation under this Plan. This Plan
constitutes the mere promise of the Corporation to make benefit payments in the future and the
right of any Participant or Beneficiary to receive benefits under this Plan shall be an unsecured
claim against the general assets of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Corporation may choose to finance some or all of its obligations hereunder via a trust intended to
be a grantor trust.

ARTICLE V

VESTING

     5.1 In General. A Participant’s vested interest in his Account shall be the
percentage of his Account based on his completed years of continuous employment with the group
consisting of the Corporation and its affiliates from the date he first became employed with that
group determined as follows:

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	Completed Years Of Continuous Employment:	 	Vested Percentage:
	Less than 2 years

	 	 	0	%
	At least 2 years, but less than 3

	 	 	20	%
	At least 3 years, but less than 4

	 	 	40	%
	At least 4 years, but less than 5

	 	 	70	%
	5 or more years

	 	 	100	%

     5.2 Death or Disability. Notwithstanding Section 5.1 above, the Participant shall be
fully vested in his Account if the Participant’s Separation from Service is by reason of death or
disability. For this purpose, the Participant shall be considered to be disabled if the
Administrator finds the Participant, on the basis of a written medical opinion, furnished by a
licensed physician appointed by the Administrator, to be incapable of engaging in the Participant’s
regular occupation with the Corporation at the location where the Participant last worked, and
that, to a reasonable medical probability, such incapacity will continue to exist during the
remainder of the Participant’s life.

ARTICLE VI

MANNER AND TIMING OF DISTRIBUTION

     6.1 Payment of Benefits.

     (a) After a Participant’s Separation from Service for any reason (including retirement,
death, disability or other termination), the Participant’s vested interest in his Account
will be determined and paid to the Participant (or in the event of the Participant’s death,
to the Participant’s Beneficiary). Payment shall be made in one of the following forms as
specified in the Participant’s payment election pursuant to Section 6.2:

     (i) A single sum distribution of the vested balance of the Account on the first
day of the seventh month following the Participant’s Separation from Service; or

     (ii) The total value of the vested balance of the Account shall be paid in five
(5) annual installments with the first of such installments to be paid on the first
day of the seventh month following the Participant’s Separation from Service. The
amount of each installment shall be the Participant’s vested Account balance as
determined on the day prior to distribution multiplied by a fraction of which the
numerator is one and the denominator is the number of payments remaining to be made
to the Participant (including the payment being made currently).

     (iii) The total value of the vested balance of the Account shall be paid in ten
(10) annual installments with the first of such installments to be paid on the first
day of the seventh month following the Participant’s Separation from Service. The
amount of each installment shall be the Participant’s vested Account balance as
determined on the day prior to distribution multiplied by a fraction of which the
numerator is one and the denominator is the number of payments remaining to be made
to the Participant (including the payment being made currently).

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     (iv) The total value of the vested balance of the Account shall be paid in
twenty (20) annual installments with the first of such installments to be paid on
the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s Separation from
Service. The amount of each installment shall be the Participant’s vested Account
balance as determined on the day prior to distribution multiplied by a fraction of
which the numerator is one and the denominator is the number of payments remaining
to be made to the Participant (including the payment being made currently).

In the case of the installment payments, subsequent installments shall be made on an
anniversary of the first installment.

     (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, in the case of a Participant whose Separation
from Service was due to death or disability, payment shall commence under the applicable
payment option on the first day of the first month following the Participant’s Separation
from Service rather than on the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s
Separation from Service. For this purpose, “disability” means that the Participant:

     (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable or physical or mental impairment which can be expected to
result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than
12 months, or

     (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment
which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continued
period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a
period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering the
employees of the Corporation or one of its affiliates in which the Participant is
covered.

     6.2 Payment Election. An individual who first becomes an Active Participant at the
beginning of a Plan Year shall, prior to his date of participation, complete a payment election
form specifying the form of payment applicable to such Participant’s Account under the Plan.
Absent an actual election by such Participant by the effective date of participation, the
Participant shall be deemed to have elected payment in the single sum payment form. An individual
who first becomes an Active Participant other than on the first day of a Plan Year shall, no later
than 30 days after the effective date of participation, complete a payment election form specifying
the form of payment applicable to such Participant’s Account. In the event such a Participant does
not make an actual election within such 30 day period, payment will be made in the single sum
payment form; provided, however, that if such Participant is already a Participant in any other
nonqualified plan or plans sponsored by the Corporation of the account balance type, the most
recent payment election with respect to any one of those plans shall be the payment election form
deemed elected under this Plan regardless of whether the individual elects a different payment
election form during that initial 30 day period. A Participant may change the form of payment by
completing and filing a new payment election form with the Corporation, and the payment election
form on file with the Corporation as of the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service shall
be controlling. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a payment election form changing the Participant’s
form of payment shall not be effective if the Participant has a Separation from Service within
twelve months after the date on which the election change is filed with the Corporation. Any
change in payment method must have the effect of delaying the commencement of payments to a date
which is at least five (5) years following the initially scheduled commencement date of payment
previously in effect. For purposes of compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, a
series of five year installment payments, ten year installment payments and twenty year installment
payments are each designated as a single payment rather than a right to a series of separate
payments; therefore, a Participant who has elected (or is deemed to have elected) any option under
Section 6.1 may substitute any of the other options for the

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option originally elected as long as the foregoing one-year and five year rules are satisfied.
The five year delay rule does not apply if the revised payment method applies only upon the
Participant’s death or disability. For this purpose, disability has the same meaning as in Section
6.1(b). In the event that the Participant’s new payment election would not be effective under the
foregoing rules, the payment election form previously in effect shall be controlling.

     6.3 Financial Hardship. A partial or total distribution of the Participant’s Account
shall be made prior to Separation from Service upon the Participant’s request and a demonstration
by the Participant of severe financial hardship as a result of an Unforeseeable Emergency. Such
distribution shall be made in a single sum as soon as administratively practicable following the
Administrator’s determination that the foregoing requirements have been met. In any case, a
distribution due to Unforeseeable Emergency may not be made to the extent that such emergency is or
may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation from insurance or otherwise, by liquidation
of the Participant’s assets, to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not cause severe
financial hardship, or by cessation of deferrals elected by the Participant under any other
nonqualified deferred compensation plan sponsored by the Corporation of the account balance type.
Distributions because of an Unforeseeable Emergency must be limited to the amount reasonably
necessary to satisfy the emergency need (which may include amounts necessary to pay any Federal,
state, or local income taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the distribution).
Determinations of amounts reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need must take into account
any additional compensation that is available because of cancellation of a deferral election under
any deferred compensation plan sponsored by the Corporation. The payment may be made from any
arrangement in which the Participant participates that provides for payment upon an Unforeseeable
Emergency, provided that the arrangement under which the payment was made must be designated at the
time of payment.

     6.4 Delayed Distribution.

     (a) A payment otherwise required to be made pursuant to the provisions of this Article
VI shall be delayed if the Corporation reasonably anticipates that the Corporation’s
deduction with respect to such payment would be limited or eliminated by application of Code
Section 162(m); provided, however that such payment shall be made on the earliest date on
which the Corporation anticipates that the deduction of the payment of the amount will not
be limited or eliminated by application of Code Section 162(m). In any event, such payment
shall be made no later than the last day of the calendar year in which occurs the six month
anniversary of the date on which the Participant has a Separation from Service.

     (b) A payment otherwise required under this Article VI shall be delayed if the
Corporation reasonably determines that the making of the payment will jeopardize the ability
of the Corporation to continue as a going concern; provided, however, that payments shall be
made on the earliest date on which the Corporation reasonably determines that the making of
the payment will not jeopardize the ability of the Corporation to continue as a going
concern.

     (c) A payment otherwise required under this Article VI shall be delayed if the
Corporation reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will violate federal
securities laws or other applicable law; provided, however, that payments shall nevertheless
be made on the earliest date on which the Corporation reasonably anticipates that the making
of the payment will not cause such violation. (The making of a payment that would cause
inclusion in gross income or the applicability of any penalty provision or other provision
of the Code is not treated as a violation of applicable law.)

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     (d) A payment otherwise required under this Article VI shall be delayed upon such other
events and conditions as the Internal Revenue Service may prescribe in generally applicable
guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

     6.5 Inclusion in Income Under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Article VI, in the event this Plan fails to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A and
regulations thereunder with respect to any Participant, there shall be distributed to such
Participant as promptly as possible after the Administrator becomes aware of such fact of
noncompliance such portion of the Participant’s Account balance hereunder as is included in income
as a result of the failure to comply, but no more.

     6.6 Domestic Relations Order. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VI,
payments shall be made from an account of a Participant in this Plan to such individual or
individuals (other than the Participant) and at such times as are necessary to comply with a
domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B)).

     6.7 De Minimis Amounts. Notwithstanding any other provision this Article VI, a
Participant’s entire Account balance under this Plan and all other nonqualified deferred
compensation plans of the account balance type shall automatically be distributed to the
Participant on or before the later of December 31 of the calendar year in which occurs the
Participant’s Separation from Service or the 15th day of the third month following the
Participant’s Separation from Service if the total amount in such Account balance at the time of
distribution, when aggregated with all other amounts payable to the Participant under all
arrangements benefiting the Participant described in Section 1.409A-1(c) or any successor thereto,
do not exceed the amount described in Code Section 402(g)(1)(B). The foregoing lump sum payment
shall be made automatically and any other distribution elections otherwise applicable with respect
to the individual in the absence of this provision shall not apply.

ARTICLE VII

ADMINISTRATION

     7.1 Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator, which shall
be a committee designated or created by the Corporation’s Board of Directors for this purpose. The
Administrator shall have all authority that may be appropriate for administering the Plan,
including the authority to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its affairs and for
implementing, amending and carrying out the Plan, interpreting the provisions of the Plan and
determining a Participant’s entitlement to benefits hereunder. The Administrator shall be entitled
to rely upon the Corporation’s records as to information pertinent to calculations or
determinations made pursuant to the Plan.

     The Administrator may also delegate any of its clerical or other administrative duties to one
or more officers or employees of the Corporation, who may assist the Administrator in the
performance of any of its functions hereunder. In the event of such delegation, a reference to the
Administrator shall be deemed to refer to such officer(s) or employee(s).

     7.2 Authority of Administrator. The Administrator shall have full and complete
discretionary authority to determine eligibility for benefits under the Plan, to construe the terms
of the Plan and to decide any matter presented through the claims procedure. Any final
determination by the Administrator shall be binding on all parties and afforded the maximum
deference allowed by law. If challenged in court, such determination shall not be subject to
de novo review and shall not be overturned unless proven

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to be arbitrary and capricious based upon the evidence considered by the Administrator at the
time of such determination.

     7.3 Administrator Actions. The Administrator may authorize one or more of its members
to execute on its behalf instructions or directions to any interested party, and any such
interested party may rely upon the information contained therein. The members may also act at a
meeting or by unanimous written consent. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business and shall have full power to act hereunder. All decisions shall be
made by vote of the majority present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, except for
actions in writing without a meeting, which must be unanimous.

     7.4 Conflict of Interest. Any person who is on the committee which has been
designated by the Corporation’s Board of Directors as the Administrator who is covered under the
Plan may not vote or decide upon any matter relating solely to himself or vote in any case in which
his individual right to any benefit under the Plan is particularly involved. Decisions shall be
made by remaining members. Any such person shall not become an Active Participant the Plan unless
and until designated as a member by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. Further, any such person
shall not be removed from active participation in the Plan except pursuant to action taken by the
Board of Directors.

     7.5 Minor or Incompetent Payees. If a person to whom a benefit is payable is a minor
or is otherwise incompetent by reason of a physical or mental disability, the Corporation may cause
the payments due to such person to be made to another person for the first person’s benefit without
any responsibility to see to the application of such payment. Such payments shall operate as a
complete discharge of the obligations to such person under the Plan.

     7.6 No Liability. Except as otherwise provided by law, neither the Administrator, nor
any member thereof, nor any director, officer or employee of the Corporation involved in the
administration of the Plan shall be liable for any error of judgment, action or failure to act
hereunder or for any good faith exercise of discretion, excepting only liability for gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The Corporation shall hold harmless and defend any individual in
the employment of the Corporation and any director of the Corporation against any claim, action or
liability asserted against him in connection with any action or failure to act regarding the Plan,
except as and to the extent that any such liability may be based upon the individual’s own gross
negligence or willful misconduct. This indemnification shall not duplicate but may supplement any
coverage available under any applicable insurance.

     7.7 Plan Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
administration and operation of the Plan shall be borne by the Corporation and/or any trust
established by the Corporation to assist it in meeting its obligations under the Plan.

     7.8 Claims Procedure.

     (a) If the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary (hereinafter referred to as a
“Claimant”) is denied all or a portion of an expected benefit under the Plan for any reason,
he or she may file a claim with the Administrator or its designee. The Administrator or its
designee shall notify the Claimant within 60 days of allowance or denial of the claim,
unless the Claimant receives written notice prior to the end of the sixty (60) day period
stating that special circumstances require an extension of the time for decision and
specifying the expected date of decision. The notice of the such decision shall be in
writing, sent by mail to the Claimant’s last known address, and if a denial of the claim,
must contain the following information:

     (i) the specific reasons for the denial;

-11-

 

     (ii) specific reference to pertinent provisions of the Plan on which the denial
is based; and

     (iii) if applicable, a description of any additional information or material
necessary to perfect the claim, an explanation of why such information or material
is necessary, and an explanation of the claims review procedure.

     (iv) a description of the Plan’s claims review procedure, including a statement
of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502 of ERISA if the
Claimant’s claim is denied upon review.

     (b) A Claimant is entitled to request a review of any denial of his claim. The request
for review must be submitted in writing to the Administrator within 60 days after receipt of
the notice of the denial. The timely filing of such a request is necessary to preserve any
legal recourse which may be available to the Claimant and, absent the submission of request
for review within the 60-day period, the claim will be deemed to be conclusively denied.
Upon submission of a written request for review, the Claimant or his representative shall be
entitled to review all pertinent documents, and to submit issues and comments in writing for
consideration by the Administrator.

The Administrator shall fully and fairly review the matter and shall consider all
information submitted in the review request, without regard to whether or not such
information was submitted or considered in the initial claim determination. The
Administrator shall promptly respond to the Claimant, in writing, of its decision within 60
days after receipt of the review request. However, due to special circumstances, if no
response has been provided within the first 60 days, and notice of the need for additional
time has been furnished within such period, the review and response may be made within the
following 60 days. The Administrator’s decision shall include specific reasons for the
decision, including references to the particular Plan provisions upon which the decision is
based, notification that the Claimant can receive or review copies of all documents, records
and information relevant to the claim, and information as to the Claimant’s right to file
suit under Section 502(a) of ERISA.

     (c) If a determination of disability for purposes of Section 5.2, 6.1(b) or 6.2 becomes
necessary and if such determination is considered to be with respect to a claim for benefits
based on disability for purposes of 29 CFR Section 2560.503-1, then the Administrator shall
adopt and administer a special procedure for considering such disability claims meeting the
requirements of 29 CFR Section 2560.503-1 for disability benefit claims.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

     8.1 Amendment or Termination. The Corporation (through its Board of Directors or
authorized officers or employees) reserves the right to alter or amend the Plan, or any part
thereof, in such manner as it may determine, at any time and for any reason. Further, the Board of
Directors of the Corporation reserves the right to terminate the Plan, at any time and for any
reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any amendment or termination deprive any
Participant or Beneficiary of any amounts credited to him under this Plan as of the date of such
amendment or termination; provided, however, that the Corporation may prospectively change the
deemed investment funds available hereunder or discontinue the crediting of earnings and losses
and, further, the Corporation may make any

-12-

 

amendment it deems necessary or desirable for purposes of compliance with the requirements of
Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder.

     If the Plan is amended to freeze benefit accruals, no additional contributions shall be
credited to any Participant Account hereunder. Following such a freeze of benefit accruals,
Participants’ Accounts shall be paid at such time and in such form as provided under Article VI of
the Plan. If the Corporation terminates the Plan and if the termination is of the type described
in regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to Code Section 409A, then the
Corporation shall distribute the then existing Account balances of Participants and beneficiaries
in a lump sum within the time period specified in such regulations and, following such
distribution, there shall be no further obligation to any Participant or beneficiary under this
Plan. However, if the termination is not of the type described in such regulations, then following
Plan termination Participants’ Accounts shall be paid at such time and in such form as provided
under Article VI of the plan.

     8.2 Applicable Law. This Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Wisconsin, except to the extent preempted by the provisions of ERISA or other applicable federal
law.

     8.3 Relationship to Other Programs. Participation in the Plan shall not affect a
Participant’s rights to participate in and receive benefits under any other plans of the
Corporation, nor shall it affect the Participant’s rights under any other agreement entered into
with the Corporation, unless expressly provided otherwise by such plan or agreement. Any amount
credited under or paid pursuant to this Plan shall not be treated as wages, salary or any other
type of compensation or otherwise taken into account in the determination of the Participant’s
benefits under any other plans of the Corporation, unless expressly provided otherwise by such
plan.

     8.4 Non-Assignability. No Participant or Beneficiary shall have any right to commute,
sell, assign, pledge, convey, or otherwise transfer any rights or claims to receive benefits
hereunder, nor shall such rights or claims be subject to garnishment, attachment, execution or levy
of any kind except to the extent otherwise required by law.

     8.5 Status of Plan Under ERISA. The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan
maintained by the Corporation primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a
select group of management or highly compensated employees, as described in Section 201(2), Section
301(a)(3), Section 401(a)(1) and Section 4021(b)(6) of ERISA.

     8.6 Withholding. The Corporation shall comply with all applicable tax and
governmental withholding requirements. To the extent required by law, the Corporation shall
withhold any taxes required to be withheld by the federal or any state or local government from
payments made hereunder or from any other amounts paid to a Participant by the Corporation. If
FICA taxes must be withheld in connection with amounts credited hereunder before payments are
otherwise due hereunder and if there are no other wages from which to withhold them, the
Corporation shall pay such FICA taxes generated by such payment (and taxes under Code Section 3401
triggered thereby and additional taxes under Section 3401 attributable to pyramiding of Section
3401 wages and taxes) but no more and the Participant’s Account hereunder shall be reduced by an
amount equal to the payments made by the Corporation.

     8.7 Limited Liability. In no event will the Corporation’s liability to pay benefits
to a Participant or his Beneficiary under Article VI ever exceed the Participant’s vested interest
in his Account under the Plan.

     8.8 No Right to Continued Employment. Neither participation in this Plan, nor the
payment of any benefit hereunder, shall be construed as giving to a Participant any right to be
retained in the

-13-

 

service of the Corporation, or limiting in any way the right of the Corporation to terminate
the Participant’s service at any time. Nor does participation in this Plan guarantee the
Participant the right to be continued in service in any particular position or at any particular
rate of compensation.

     8.9 Special Distribution Election Rules for 2005-2008. Notwithstanding the usual
rules regarding distribution elections, on or before December 31, 2008, a Participant may make an
election as to distribution of his Account from among the choices described at Section 6.1 hereof
without complying with the rules described in Section 6.2 hereof as long as the effect of the
election made in any year is not to accelerate payments into that year or to defer payments which
would otherwise have been made in that year to a subsequent year. In order to subsequently change
any such special election after December 31, 2008, the requirements of Section 6.2 hereof must be
satisfied. (This election will not apply to distribution of the Participant’s accounts holding
amounts earned and vested prior to January 1, 2005, if any, (and earnings credited thereon) since
such accounts are not governed by this document but are governed by the Frozen Plan.)

     8.10 Cessation of Affiliation. Each Corporation sponsors the Plan as to its own
employees and not with respect to the employees of any other Corporation which sponsors the Plan.
If a Corporation which sponsors the Plan ceases to be affiliated with the other Corporations which
sponsor the Plan, then that Corporation shall continue to maintain the Plan with respect to its own
employees, shall adopt replacement documents which are substantively identical to this document by
which to continue its obligations which had been created hereunder and, thereafter, its obligations
to its employees shall be governed by such successor document and this document shall cease to
apply to that Corporation and its employees.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused its duly authorized officer to execute this
Plan document on its behalf this ___day of _________, 2008, to be effective as of January 1,
2005.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS, INC.
	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 

	 	 
	 

	 	Title:	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 

	 	 

-14-exv10w4

 

Exhibit 10.4

ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS, INC.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005

ARTICLE I

INTRODUCTION

     This document governs the terms and provisions of the Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. Deferred
Compensation Plan following the merger of the Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. Deferred Salary Plan
into the Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan. This document shall govern the
operation of those prior separate plans from and after January 1, 2005, which plans had in turn
replaced the prior separate Extendicare Health Services, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan as amended
and restated effective January 1, 2005 as applicable to employees of Assisted Living Concepts, Inc.
and the prior Extendicare Health Services, Inc. Deferred Salary Plan as amended and restated
effective January 1, 2005 with respect to employees of Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. No benefits
shall be payable to Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. employees under the terms of the Extendicare
Health Services, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan or Extendicare Health Services, Inc. Deferred
Salary Plan, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2005, but, instead, the benefits
previously provided by those plans are provided for herein. This document applies only to amounts
earned or first vested after calendar year 2004. For periods prior to calendar year 2005,
Extendicare Health Services, Inc. and its participating affiliates have maintained the Extendicare
Health Services, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan and Extendicare Health Services, Inc. Deferred
Salary Plan by means of a series of individual deferred compensation agreements with covered
executives. Amounts earned and vested prior to January 1, 2005, including past and future interest
credited thereon, shall remain subject to the terms of those individual agreements as previously in
effect (the “Frozen Agreements”) but no further amounts shall be earned and vested under the Frozen
Agreements which have been assigned by Extendicare Health Services, Inc. to, and assumed by,
Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. All amounts credited under the Frozen Agreements prior to January
1, 2005 which were not yet vested as of January 1, 2005 and all deferrals to the Deferred
Compensation Plan and Deferred Salary Plan for periods on or after January 1, 2005 (whether at the
election of participants or otherwise) shall be governed by the terms and provisions of this
document. Nothing in this document shall apply to amounts earned and vested prior to 2005 and past
and future interest credited thereon. This document is intended to comply with the provisions of
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and shall be interpreted accordingly. If any provision
or term of this document would be prohibited by or inconsistent with the requirements of Section
409A of the Code, then such provision or term shall be deemed to be reformed to comply with Section
409A of the Code.

ARTICLE II

DEFINITIONS

     The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan:

 

 

     2.1 “Account” means the combination of the Participant’s Deferral Account and Matching
Account.

     2.2 “Administrator” means the committee designated by the Corporation’s Board of
Directors under Plan Section 7.1, which shall be responsible for administering and interpreting the
Plan.

     2.3 “Beneficiary” means the person, persons, or entity designated by the Participant
to receive any benefits payable under the Plan on or after the Participant’s death. Each
Participant shall be permitted to name, change or revoke the Participant’s designation of a
Beneficiary in writing on a form and in the manner prescribed by the Corporation; provided,
however, that the designation on file with the Corporation at the time of the Participant’s death
shall be controlling. Should a Participant fail to make a valid Beneficiary designation or leave
no named Beneficiary surviving, any benefits due shall be paid to such Participant’s spouse, if
living; or if not living, then any benefits due shall be paid to such Participant’s estate.

     2.4 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including any subsequent
amendments.

     2.5 “Corporation” means Assisted Living Concepts, Inc., and each of its affiliates
which has adopted the Plan or may adopt the Plan; provided, however, that for purposes of the power
to amend or terminate the Plan or take any other action under or with respect to the Plan, except
for the payment of benefits, the term “Corporation” shall refer only to Assisted Living Concepts,
Inc.

     2.6 “Deferral Account” means the account credited from time to time with bookkeeping
amounts equal to the portions of a Participant’s compensation deferred pursuant to Section 3.2 and
interest credited on such amounts in accordance with Article IV.

     2.7 “Effective Date” means January 1, 2005.

     2.8 “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, including any
subsequent amendments.

     2.9 “Matching Account” means the account credited from time to time with bookkeeping
amounts equal to matching contributions on behalf of the Participant pursuant to Section 3.6 and
interest credited on such amounts in accordance with Article IV. The Matching Account shall also
hold those matching contributions (and interest credited thereon) which had been credited to the
account of the Participant under a Frozen Agreement prior to 2005 which were not vested prior to
2005.

     2.10 “Participant” means a key management or highly compensated employee designated as
eligible to participate in the Plan for a Plan Year under Section 3.1 (who shall be known as
“Active Participants” for such Plan Year) and any person who previously participated in the Plan
and is entitled to benefits.

     2.11 “Plan” means the Assisted Living Concepts, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as
set forth herein, and as may be amended from time to time.

     2.12 “Plan Year” means the calendar year.

     2.13 “Separation from Service”

-2-

 

     (a) In General. The Participant shall have a Separation from Service with the
Corporation if the Participant dies, retires, or otherwise has a termination of employment
with the Corporation. However, for purposes of this Section 2.13, the employment
relationship is treated as continuing intact while the individual is on military leave, sick
leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six
months, or if longer, so long as the individual retains a right to reemployment with the
Corporation under an applicable statute or by contract. For purposes of this paragraph (a)
of this Section 2.13, a leave of absence constitutes a bona fide leave of absence only if
there is a reasonable expectation that the Participant will return to perform services for
the Corporation. If the period of leave exceeds six months and the individual does not
retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the employment
relationship is deemed to terminate on the first date immediately following such six-month
period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a leave of absence is due to any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be
expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months, where such impairment
causes the Participant to be unable to perform the duties of his or her position of
employment or any substantially similar position of employment, a 29-month period of absence
may be substituted for such six-month period.

     (b) Termination of Employment. Whether a termination of employment has
occurred is determined based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the
Corporation and Participant reasonably anticipated that no further services would be
performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services the Participant would
perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would
permanently decrease to no more than 20 percent of the average level of bona fide services
performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately
preceding 36-month period (or, the full period of services to the Corporation if the
Participant has been providing services to the Corporation less than 36 months). Facts and
circumstances to be considered in making this determination include, but are not limited
to, whether the Participant continues to be treated as an employee for other purposes (such
as continuation of salary and participation in employee benefit programs), whether similarly
situated service providers have been treated consistently, and whether the Participant is
permitted, and realistically available, to perform services for other service recipients in
the same line of business. The Participant is presumed to have Separated from Service where
the level of bona fide services performed decreases to a level equal to 20 percent or less
of the average level of services performed by the employee during the immediately preceding
36-month period. The Participant will be presumed not to have Separated from Service where
the level of bona fide services performed continues at a level that is 50 percent or more of
the average level of service performed by the Participant during the immediately preceding
36-month period. No presumption applies to a decrease in the level of bona fide services
performed to a level that is more than 20 percent and less than 50 percent of the average
level of bona fide services performed during the immediately preceding 36-month period. The
presumption is rebuttable by demonstrating that the Corporation and the Participant
reasonably anticipated that as of a certain date the level of bona fide services would be
reduced permanently to a level less than or equal to 20 percent of the average level of bona
fide services provided during the immediately preceding 36-month period or the full period
of services to the Corporation if the Participant has been providing services to the
Corporation less than 36 months (or that the level of bona fide services would not be so
reduced). For example, the Participant may demonstrate that the Corporation and the
Participant reasonably anticipated that the Participant would cease providing services, but
that, after the original cessation of services, business circumstances such as termination
of the Participant’s replacement caused the Participant to return to employment. Although
the Participant’s return to employment may cause the Participant to be presumed to have
continued in employment because the Participant is providing

-3-

 

services at a rate equal to the rate at which the Participant was providing services
before the termination of employment, the facts and circumstances in this case would
demonstrate that at the time the Participant originally ceased to provide services, the
Corporation reasonably anticipated that the Participant would not provide services in the
future. For purposes of this paragraph (b), for periods during which the Participant is on
a paid bona fide leave of absence (as defined in paragraph (a) of this Section 2.13) and has
not otherwise terminated employment pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 2.13, the
Participant is treated as providing bona fide services at a level equal to the level of
services that the Participant would have been required to perform to receive the
compensation paid with respect to such leave of absence. Periods during which the
Participant is on an unpaid bona fide leave of absence (as defined in paragraph (a) of this
Section 2.13) and has not otherwise terminated employment pursuant to paragraph (a) of this
Section 2.13, are disregarded for purposes of this paragraph (b) of this Section 2.13
(including for purposes of determining the applicable 36-month (or shorter) period).

     (c) Asset Purchase Transactions. Where as part of a sale or other disposition
of assets by the Corporation as seller to an unrelated service recipient (buyer), a
Participant of the Corporation would otherwise experience a Separation from Service with the
Corporation, the Corporation and the buyer may retain the discretion to specify, and may
specify, whether a Participant providing services to the Corporation immediately before the
asset purchase transaction and providing services to the buyer after and in connection with
the asset purchase transaction has experienced a Separation from Service, provided that the
asset purchase transaction results from bona fide, arm’s length negotiations, all service
providers providing services to the Corporation immediately before the asset purchase
transaction and providing services to the buyer after and in connection with the asset
purchase transaction are treated consistently (regardless of position at the Corporation)
for purposes of applying the provisions of any nonqualified deferred compensation plan, and
such treatment is specified in writing no later than the closing date of the asset purchase
transaction. For purposes of this paragraph (c), references to a sale or other disposition
of assets, or an asset purchase transaction, refer only to a transfer of substantial assets,
such as a plant or division or substantially all the assets of a trade or business.

     (d) Dual Status. If a Participant provides services both as an employee of the
Corporation and as an independent contractor of the Corporation, the Participant must
separate from service both as an employee and as an independent contractor to be treated as
having Separated from Service. If a Participant ceases providing services as an independent
contractor and begins providing services as an employee, or ceases providing services as an
employee and begins providing services as an independent contractor, the Participant will
not be considered to have a Separation from Service until the Participant has ceased
providing services in both capacities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant
provides services both as an employee of the Corporation and a member of the board of
directors of the Corporation, the services provided as a director are not taken into account
in determining whether the Participant has a Separation from Service as an employee for
purposes of this Plan unless this Plan is aggregated with any plan in which the Participant
participates as a director under IRS Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)(2)(ii).

     2.14 “Unforeseeable Emergency” means a severe financial hardship to a Participant
resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant or the Participant’s spouse, beneficiary
or dependent (as defined in Section 152(a) of the Code, without regard to Section 151 (b)(1),
(b)(2) and (d)(1)(B)), loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty (including the need to
rebuild a home following damage to a home not otherwise covered by insurance, for example, as a
result of a natural disaster), or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances
arising as a result of events beyond the control of the

-4-

 

Participant. For example, the imminent foreclosure of or eviction from the Participant’s
primary residence may constitute an Unforeseeable Emergency. In addition, the need to pay for
medical expenses, including non-refundable deductibles, as well as for the costs of prescription
drug medication, may constitute an Unforeseeable Emergency. Finally, the need to pay for funeral
expenses of a spouse, beneficiary or a dependent (as defined in Code section 152(a), without regard
to Section 151 (b)(1), (b)(2) and (d)(1)(B)), may also constitute an Unforeseeable Emergency.
Except as otherwise provided above, the purchase of a home and the payment of college tuition are
not Unforeseeable Emergencies. Whether a Participant is faced with an Unforeseeable Emergency is
to be determined based on the relevant facts and circumstances of each case.

ARTICLE III

PARTICIPATION AND DEFERRALS

     3.1 Determination of Participants. Within a reasonable period of time prior to the
beginning of a Plan Year or at any time during a Plan Year, the Administrator will designate
employees who will be eligible to become Active Participants in the Plan for that Plan Year (or the
remainder of such Plan Year). The Plan Administrator shall also designate whether an individual is
a Group A Participant or Group B Participant. An employee designated as an Active Participant for
a Plan Year shall remain an Active Participant until the employee’s Separation from Service or the
Administrator or the Board of Directors of the Corporation takes action to terminate such
employee’s participation effective on the first day of any Plan Year subsequent to the date of such
action by the Administrator or the Board. Participation in deferral elections may be terminated,
participation in matching contributions may be terminated or both may be terminated by such action.

     3.2 Deferral Elections.

     An Active Participant may elect to defer up to 10% of his or her base salary during a Plan
Year by completing and filing such forms as required by the Corporation prior to the first day of
the Plan Year for which the base salary is earned. Compensation deferred shall be retained by the
Corporation credited to the Participant’s Deferral Account pursuant to Section 4.1 and paid in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan. An employee who is not already eligible to
participant in any other deferred compensation plan of the account balance type who becomes an
Active Participant for the first time during a Plan Year (for example, an employee designated by
the Administrator upon hire or promotion) may make an election to defer base salary for services to
be performed subsequent to the election within 30 days after the effective date of participation.
The Participant’s base salary shall be determined before reduction by any elective deferrals to
this Plan or to a plan described in Code Sections 402(g)(3), 125 and 132(f)(4). A Participant’s
deferral election may provide for a specified level of deferral to be taken from each of his base
salary payments during the year or, instead, may specify that the amount of deferrals shall be
taken out disproportionately in accordance with specific directions provided by the Participant at
the time of the deferral election; provided, however, that the amounts taken out pursuant to a
disproportionate deferral election shall never in the aggregate exceed 10% of the Participant’s
“assumed annual base salary”. A Participant’s “assumed annual base salary” shall be the annual
base salary which would be payable to him during the Plan Year if his base salary in effect on the
first day of the Plan Year remained in effect throughout the Plan Year.

     3.3 Annual Elections.

-5-

 

     An Active Participant’s deferral election under Section 3.2 shall be irrevocable for the
entirety of a Plan Year. An Active Participant must make a separate deferral election for each
Plan Year in accordance with the procedures described in Section 3.2 above.

     3.4 Unforeseeable Emergency. In the event that a Participant makes application for a
hardship distribution under Section 6.3 and the Administrator determines that an Unforeseeable
Emergency exists, all deferral elections otherwise in effect under this Article III and any other
nonqualified deferred compensation plan of the account balance type shall immediately terminate
upon such determination. To resume deferrals thereafter, a Participant must make an election
satisfying the provisions of Section 3.2 as those provisions apply to someone who is already an
Active Participant in the Plan.

     3.5 401(k) Hardship. Any deferral elections in effect under this Article III shall be
cancelled as required due to a hardship distribution described in IRS Regulation Section
1.401(k)-1(d)(3) or any successor thereto. To resume deferrals after the required suspension
period, a Participant must make an election satisfying the provisions of Section 3.2 as those
provisions apply to someone who is already an Active Participant in the Plan.

     3.6 Matching Contributions. At the same time the Corporation credits elective
deferral contributions made pursuant to Section 3.2 to the Deferral Account of a Group A
Participant, the Corporation shall credit Matching Contributions in an amount equal to 50% of those
elective deferral contributions to the Participant’s Matching Account.

ARTICLE IV

ACCOUNTS; INTEREST

     4.1 Credits to Accounts. Bookkeeping amounts equal to the amounts deferred by a
Participant pursuant to Section 3.2 shall be credited to such Participant’s Deferral Account as
soon as practicable after the deferred compensation would otherwise have been paid to such
Participant in the absence of deferral. Bookkeeping amounts equal to the matching contributions
described in Section 3.6 shall be credited to the Participant’s Matching Account at the same time
as the deferrals to which they relate.

     4.2 Interest on Accounts. All funds credited to the Participant’s Account shall be
increased by interest monthly on the last day of each month by applying the “interest rate” to the
average of the Participant’s Account balances on each day of the month. The “interest rate” shall
be one-twelfth (1/12) of the average of the annual prime rate of U.S. Bank (or its successor) as in
effect on each day of the month.

     4.3 Bookkeeping Accounts Only. Each Participant’s Account shall be utilized solely as
a device for the measurement and determination of the amounts to be paid to such Participant under
the Plan. Participant Accounts shall be bookkeeping accounts only and no Participant or
Beneficiary shall have any proprietary rights in any assets held by the Corporation, whether or not
held for the purpose of funding the Corporation’s obligation under this Plan. This Plan
constitutes the mere promise of the Corporation to make benefit payments in the future and the
right of any Participant or Beneficiary to receive benefits under this Plan shall be an unsecured
claim against the general assets of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Corporation may choose to finance some or all of its obligations hereunder via a trust intended to
be a grantor trust.

-6-

 

ARTICLE V

VESTING

     5.1 Deferral Account. The Participant shall at all time have a fully vested interest
in his Deferral Account.

     5.2 Matching Account. A Participant’s vested interest in his Matching Account shall
be the percentage of his Matching Account based on his completed years of continuous employment
with the group consisting of the Corporation and its affiliates from the date he first became
employed with that group determined as follows:

	 	 	 	 	 
	Completed Years Of Continuous Employment:	 	Vested Percentage:
	Less than 2 years
	 	 	0	%
	At least 2 years, but less than 3
	 	 	20	%
	At least 3 years, but less than 4
	 	 	40	%
	At least 4 years, but less than 5
	 	 	70	%
	5 or more years
	 	 	100	%

     5.3 Death or Disability. Notwithstanding Section 5.2 above, the Participant shall be
fully vested in his Matching Account if the Participant’s Separation from Service is by reason of
death or disability. For this purpose, the Participant shall be considered to be disabled if the
Administrator finds the Participant, on the basis of a written medical opinion, furnished by a
licensed physician appointed by the Administrator, to be incapable of engaging in the Participant’s
regular occupation with the Corporation at the location where the Participant last worked, and
that, to a reasonable medical probability, such incapacity will continue to exist during the
remainder of the Participant’s life.

     5.4 Special Vesting Calculation. For purposes of determining the vested percentage in
the Matching Account of a Participant whose Matching Account includes amounts originally credited
prior to 2005 under a Frozen Agreement but which were not vested prior to 2005, the Participant’s
vested interest in his Matching Account shall equal P(AB+O)-O. For purposes of applying this
formula: P is the vested percentage at the relevant time determined under Section 5.2; AB is the
Matching Account balance at the relevant time and O is the Participant’s vested account balance in
the Frozen Agreement on December 31, 2004. (The Frozen Agreements continue to govern all amounts
earned and vested by the Participant under the Frozen Agreements prior to January 1, 2005 (and
interested credited on such amounts).)

ARTICLE VI

MANNER AND TIMING OF DISTRIBUTION

     6.1 Payment of Benefits.

     (a) After a Participant’s Separation from Service for any reason (including retirement,
death, disability or other termination), the Participant’s vested interest in his Account
will be determined and paid to the Participant (or in the event of the Participant’s death,
to the Participant’s Beneficiary). Payment shall be made in one of the following forms as
specified in the Participant’s payment election pursuant to Section 6.2:

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     (i) A single sum distribution of the vested balance of the Account on the first
day of the seventh month following the Participant’s Separation from Service; or

     (ii) The total value of the vested balance of the Account shall be paid in five
(5) annual installments with the first of such installments to be paid on the first
day of the seventh month following the Participant’s Separation from Service. The
amount of each installment shall be the Participant’s vested Account balance as
determined on the day prior to distribution multiplied by a fraction of which the
numerator is one and the denominator is the number of payments remaining to be made
to the Participant (including the payment being made currently). The interest
provided for in Section 4.2 shall continue to accrue on the vested balance remaining
in the Account; or

     (iii) The total value of the vested balance of the Account shall be paid in ten
(10) annual installments with the first of such installments to be paid on the first
day of the seventh month following the Participant’s Separation from Service. The
amount of each installment shall be the Participant’s vested Account balance as
determined on the day prior to installment multiplied by a fraction of which the
numerator is one and the denominator is the number of payments remaining to be made
to the Participant (including the payment being made currently). The interest
provided for in Section 4.2 shall continue to accrue on the vested balance remaining
in the Account; or

     (iv) The total value of the vested balance of the Account shall be paid in
twenty (20) annual installments with the first of such installments to be paid on
the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s Separation from
Service. The amount of each installment shall be the Participant’s vested Account
balance as determined on the day prior to distribution multiplied by a fraction of
which the numerator is one and the denominator is the number of payments remaining
to be made to the Participant (including the payment being made currently). The
interest factor provided for in Section 4.2 shall continue to accrue on the vested
balance remaining in the Account.

In the case of the installment payments, subsequent installments shall be made on an
anniversary of the first installment.

     (b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) above, in the case of a Participant whose Separation
from Service was due to death or disability, payment shall commence under the applicable
payment option on the first day of the first month following the Participant’s Separation
from Service rather than on the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s
Separation from Service. For this purpose, “disability” means that the Participant:

     (i) is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any
medically determinable or physical or mental impairment which can be expected to
result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than
12 months, or

     (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment
which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continued
period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a
period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering the
employees of the Corporation or one of its affiliates in which the Participant is
covered.

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     6.2 Payment Election. An individual who first becomes an Active Participant at the
beginning of a Plan Year shall, prior to his date of participation, complete a payment election
form specifying the form of payment applicable to such Participant’s Account under the Plan.
Absent an actual election by such Participant by the effective date of participation, the
Participant shall be deemed to have elected payment in the single sum payment form. An individual
who first becomes an Active Participant other than on the first day of a Plan Year shall, no later
than 30 days after the effective date of participation, complete a payment election form specifying
the form of payment applicable to such Participant’s Account. In the event such a Participant does
not make an actual election within such 30 day period, payment will be made in the single sum
payment form; provided, however, that if such Participant is already a Participant in any other
nonqualified plan or plans sponsored by the Corporation of the account balance type, the most
recent payment election with respect to any one of those plans shall be the payment election form
deemed elected under this Plan regardless of whether the individual elects a different payment
election form during that initial 30 day period. A Participant may change the form of payment by
completing and filing a new payment election form with the Corporation, and the payment election
form on file with the Corporation as of the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service shall
be controlling. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a payment election form changing the Participant’s
form of payment shall not be effective if the Participant has a Separation from Service within
twelve months after the date on which the election change is filed with the Corporation. Any
change in payment method must have the effect of delaying the commencement of payments to a date
which is at least five (5) years following the initially scheduled commencement date of payment
previously in effect. For purposes of compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, a
series of five year installment payments, ten year installment payments and twenty year installment
payments are each designated as a single payment rather than a right to a series of separate
payments; therefore, a Participant who has elected (or is deemed to have elected) any option under
Section 6.1 may substitute any of the other options for the option originally elected as long as
the foregoing one-year and five year rules are satisfied. The five year delay rule does not apply
if the revised payment method applies only upon the Participant’s death or disability. For this
purpose, disability has the same meaning as in Section 6.1(b). In the event that the Participant’s
new payment election would not be effective under the foregoing rules, the payment election form
previously in effect shall be controlling.

     6.3 Financial Hardship. A partial or total distribution of the Participant’s Account
shall be made prior to Separation from Service upon the Participant’s request and a demonstration
by the Participant of severe financial hardship as a result of an Unforeseeable Emergency. Such
distribution shall be made in a single sum as soon as administratively practicable following the
Administrator’s determination that the foregoing requirements have been met. In any case, a
distribution due to Unforeseeable Emergency may not be made to the extent that such emergency is or
may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation from insurance or otherwise, by liquidation
of the Participant’s assets, to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not cause severe
financial hardship, or by cessation of deferrals as provided in Section 3.4. Distributions because
of an Unforeseeable Emergency must be limited to the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy the
emergency need (which may include amounts necessary to pay any Federal, state, or local income
taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the distribution). Determinations of
amounts reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need must take into account any additional
compensation that is available because of cancellation of a deferral election as provided in
Section 3.4 upon a payment due to an Unforeseeable Emergency. The payment may be made from any
arrangement in which the Participant participates that provides for payment upon an Unforeseeable
Emergency, provided that the arrangement under which the payment was made must be designated at the
time of payment.

-9-

 

     6.4 Delayed Distribution.

     (a) A payment otherwise required to be made pursuant to the provisions of this Article
VI shall be delayed if the Corporation reasonably anticipates that the Corporation’s
deduction with respect to such payment would be limited or eliminated by application of Code
Section 162(m); provided, however that such payment shall be made on the earliest date on
which the Corporation anticipates that the deduction of the payment of the amount will not
be limited or eliminated by application of Code Section 162(m). In any event, such payment
shall be made no later than the last day of the calendar year in which occurs the six month
anniversary of the date on which the Participant has a Separation from Service.

     (b) A payment otherwise required under this Article VI shall be delayed if the
Corporation reasonably determines that the making of the payment will jeopardize the ability
of the Corporation to continue as a going concern; provided, however, that payments shall be
made on the earliest date on which the Corporation reasonably determines that the making of
the payment will not jeopardize the ability of the Corporation to continue as a going
concern

     (c) A payment otherwise required under this Article VI shall be delayed if the
Corporation reasonably anticipates that the making of the payment will violate federal
securities laws or other applicable law; provided, however, that payments shall nevertheless
be made on the earliest date on which the Corporation reasonably anticipates that the making
of the payment will not cause such violation. (The making of a payment that would cause
inclusion in gross income or the applicability of any penalty provision or other provision
of the Code is not treated as a violation of applicable law.)

     (d) A payment otherwise required under this Article VI shall be delayed upon such other
events and conditions as the Internal Revenue Service may prescribe in generally applicable
guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

     6.5 Inclusion in Income Under Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Article VI, in the event this Plan fails to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A and
regulations thereunder with respect to any Participant, there shall be distributed to such
Participant as promptly as possible after the Administrator becomes aware of such fact of
noncompliance such portion of the Participant’s Account balance hereunder as is included in income
as a result of the failure to comply, but no more.

     6.6 Domestic Relations Order. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article VI,
payments shall be made from an account of a Participant in this Plan to such individual or
individuals (other than the Participant) and at such times as are necessary to comply with a
domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B)).

     6.7 De Minimis Amounts. Notwithstanding any other provision this Article VI, a
Participant’s Account entire balance under this Plan and all other nonqualified deferred
compensation plans of the account balance type shall automatically be distributed to the
Participant on or before the later of December 31 of the calendar year in which occurs the
Participant’s Separation from Service or the 15th day of the third month following the
Participant’s Separation from Service if the total amount in such Account balance at the time of
distribution, when aggregated with all other amounts payable to the Participant under all
arrangements benefiting the Participant described in Section 1.409A-1(c) or any successor thereto,
do not exceed the amount described in Code Section 402(g)(1)(B). The foregoing lump sum payment
shall be made automatically and any other distribution elections otherwise applicable with respect
to the individual in the absence of this provision shall not apply.

-10-

 

ARTICLE VII

ADMINISTRATION

     7.1 Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator, which shall
be a committee designated or created by the Corporation’s Board of Directors for this purpose. The
Administrator shall have all authority that may be appropriate for administering the Plan,
including the authority to adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of its affairs and for
implementing, amending and carrying out the Plan, interpreting the provisions of the Plan and
determining a Participant’s entitlement to benefits hereunder. The Administrator shall be entitled
to rely upon the Corporation’s records as to information pertinent to calculations or
determinations made pursuant to the Plan.

     The Administrator may also delegate any of its clerical or other administrative duties to one
or more officers or employees of the Corporation, who may assist the Administrator in the
performance of any of its functions hereunder. In the event of such delegation, a reference to the
Administrator shall be deemed to refer to such officer(s) or employee(s).

     7.2 Authority of Administrator. The Administrator shall have full and complete
discretionary authority to determine eligibility for benefits under the Plan, to construe the terms
of the Plan and to decide any matter presented through the claims procedure. Any final
determination by the Administrator shall be binding on all parties and afforded the maximum
deference allowed by law. If challenged in court, such determination shall not be subject to
de novo review and shall not be overturned unless proven to be arbitrary and capricious
based upon the evidence considered by the Administrator at the time of such determination.

     7.3 Administrator Actions. The Administrator may authorize one or more of its members
to execute on its behalf instructions or directions to any interested party, and any such
interested party may rely upon the information contained therein. The members may also act at a
meeting or by unanimous written consent. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business and shall have full power to act hereunder. All decisions shall be
made by vote of the majority present at any meeting at which a quorum is present, except for
actions in writing without a meeting, which must be unanimous.

     7.4 Conflict of Interest. Any person who is on the committee which has been
designated by the Corporation’s Board of Directors as the Administrator who is covered under the
Plan may not vote or decide upon any matter relating solely to himself or vote in any case in which
his individual right to any benefit under the Plan is particularly involved. Decisions shall be
made by remaining members. Any such person shall not become an Active Participant the Plan unless
and until designated as a member by the Corporation’s Board of Directors. Further, any such person
shall not be removed from active participation in the Plan except pursuant to action taken by the
Board of Directors.

     7.5 Minor or Incompetent Payees. If a person to whom a benefit is payable is a minor
or is otherwise incompetent by reason of a physical or mental disability, the Corporation may cause
the payments due to such person to be made to another person for the first person’s benefit without
any responsibility to see to the application of such payment. Such payments shall operate as a
complete discharge of the obligations to such person under the Plan.

     7.6 No Liability. Except as otherwise provided by law, neither the Administrator, nor
any member thereof, nor any director, officer or employee of the Corporation involved in the
administration of the Plan shall be liable for any error of judgment, action or failure to act
hereunder or for any good faith exercise of discretion, excepting only liability for gross
negligence or willful misconduct. The

-11-

 

Corporation shall hold harmless and defend any individual in the employment of the Corporation
and any director of the Corporation against any claim, action or liability asserted against him in
connection with any action or failure to act regarding the Plan, except as and to the extent that
any such liability may be based upon the individual’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct.
This indemnification shall not duplicate but may supplement any coverage available under any
applicable insurance.

     7.7 Plan Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
administration and operation of the Plan shall be borne by the Corporation and/or any trust
established by the Corporation to assist it in meeting its obligations under the Plan.

     7.8 Claims Procedure.

     (a) If the Participant or the Participant’s Beneficiary (hereinafter referred to as a
“Claimant”) is denied all or a portion of an expected benefit under the Plan for any reason,
he or she may file a claim with the Administrator or its designee. The Administrator or its
designee shall notify the Claimant within 60 days of allowance or denial of the claim,
unless the Claimant receives written notice prior to the end of the sixty (60) day period
stating that special circumstances require an extension of the time for decision and
specifying the expected date of decision. The notice of the such decision shall be in
writing, sent by mail to the Claimant’s last known address, and if a denial of the claim,
must contain the following information:

     (i) the specific reasons for the denial;

     (ii) specific reference to pertinent provisions of the Plan on which the denial
is based; and

     (iii) if applicable, a description of any additional information or material
necessary to perfect the claim, an explanation of why such information or material
is necessary, and an explanation of the claims review procedure.

     (iv) a description of the Plan’s claims review procedure, including a statement
of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502 of ERISA if the
Claimant’s claim is denied upon review.

     (b) A Claimant is entitled to request a review of any denial of his claim. The request
for review must be submitted in writing to the Administrator within 60 days after receipt of
the notice of the denial. The timely filing of such a request is necessary to preserve any
legal recourse which may be available to the Claimant and, absent the submission of request
for review within the 60-day period, the claim will be deemed to be conclusively denied.
Upon submission of a written request for review, the Claimant or his representative shall be
entitled to review all pertinent documents, and to submit issues and comments in writing for
consideration by the Administrator.

The Administrator shall fully and fairly review the matter and shall consider all
information submitted in the review request, without regard to whether or not such
information was submitted or considered in the initial claim determination. The
Administrator shall promptly respond to the Claimant, in writing, of its decision within 60
days after receipt of the review request. However, due to special circumstances, if no
response has been provided within the first 60 days, and notice of the need for additional
time has been furnished within such period, the review and response may be made within the
following 60 days. The Administrator’s decision shall include specific reasons for the
decision, including references to the particular Plan provisions upon which the

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decision is based, notification that the Claimant can receive or review copies of all
documents, records and information relevant to the claim, and information as to the
Claimant’s right to file suit under Section 502(a) of ERISA.

     (c) If a determination of disability for purposes of Section 5.2, 6.1(b) or 6.2 becomes
necessary and if such determination is considered to be with respect to a claim for benefits
based on disability for purposes of 29 CFR Section 2560.503-1, then the Administrator shall
adopt and administer a special procedure for considering such disability claims meeting the
requirements of 29 CFR Section 2560.503-1 for disability benefit claims.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

     8.1 Amendment or Termination. The Corporation (through its Board of Directors or
authorized officers or employees) reserves the right to alter or amend the Plan, or any part
thereof, in such manner as it may determine, at any time and for any reason. Further, the Board of
Directors of the Corporation reserves the right to terminate the Plan, at any time and for any
reason. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall any amendment or termination deprive any
Participant or Beneficiary of any amounts credited to him under this Plan as of the date of such
amendment or termination; provided, however, that the Corporation may prospectively change the rate
at which interest is credited or discontinue the crediting of interest and, further, the
Corporation may make any amendment it deems necessary or desirable for purposes of compliance with
the requirements of Code Section 409A and regulations thereunder.

     If the Plan is amended to freeze benefit accruals, no additional deferrals or contributions
shall be credited to any Participant Account hereunder. Following such a freeze of benefit
accruals, Participants’ Accounts shall be paid at such time and in such form as provided under
Article VI of the Plan. If the Corporation terminates the Plan and if the termination is of the
type described in regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to Code Section 409A,
then the Corporation shall distribute the then existing Account balances of Participants and
beneficiaries in a lump sum within the time period specified in such regulations and, following
such distribution, there shall be no further obligation to any Participant or beneficiary under
this Plan. However, if the termination is not of the type described in such regulations, then
following Plan termination Participants’ Accounts shall be paid at such time and in such form as
provided under Article VI of the plan.

     8.2 Applicable Law. This Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Wisconsin, except to the extent preempted by the provisions of ERISA or other applicable federal
law.

     8.3 Relationship to Other Programs. Participation in the Plan shall not affect a
Participant’s rights to participate in and receive benefits under any other plans of the
Corporation, nor shall it affect the Participant’s rights under any other agreement entered into
with the Corporation, unless expressly provided otherwise by such plan or agreement. Any amount
credited under or paid pursuant to this Plan shall not be treated as wages, salary or any other
type of compensation or otherwise taken into account in the determination of the Participant’s
benefits under any other plans of the Corporation, unless expressly provided otherwise by such
plan.

     8.4 Non-Assignability. No Participant or Beneficiary shall have any right to commute,
sell, assign, pledge, convey, or otherwise transfer any rights or claims to receive benefits
hereunder, nor shall

-13-

 

such rights or claims be subject to garnishment, attachment, execution or levy of any kind
except to the extent otherwise required by law.

     8.5 Status of Plan Under ERISA. The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan
maintained by the Corporation primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a
select group of management or highly compensated employees, as described in Section 201(2), Section
301(a)(3), Section 401(a)(1) and Section 4021(b)(6) of ERISA.

     8.6 Withholding. The Corporation shall comply with all applicable tax and
governmental withholding requirements. To the extent required by law, the Corporation shall
withhold any taxes required to be withheld by the federal or any state or local government from
payments made hereunder or from any other amounts paid to a Participant by the Corporation. If
FICA taxes must be withheld in connection with amounts credited hereunder before payments are
otherwise due hereunder and if there are no other wages from which to withhold them, the
Corporation shall pay such FICA taxes generated by such payment (and taxes under Code Section 3401
triggered thereby and additional taxes under Section 3401 attributable to pyramiding of Section
3401 wages and taxes) but no more and the Participant’s Account hereunder shall be reduced by an
amount equal to the payments made by the Corporation.

     8.7 Limited Liability. In no event will the Corporation’s liability to pay benefits
to a Participant or his Beneficiary under Article VI ever exceed the Participant’s vested interest
in his Account under the Plan.

     8.8 No Right to Continued Employment. Neither participation in this Plan, nor the
payment of any benefit hereunder, shall be construed as giving to a Participant any right to be
retained in the service of the Corporation, or limiting in any way the right of the Corporation to
terminate the Participant’s service at any time. Nor does participation in this Plan guarantee the
Participant the right to be continued in service in any particular position or at any particular
rate of compensation.

     8.9 Special Rules for 2005-2008. Notwithstanding the usual rules required regarding
the deferral elections and distribution elections:

     (a) A Participant who has previously made an election for deferral of base salary, may
on or before March 15, 2005 modify that election as it would apply to base salary payments
made with respect to services rendered after the date the Participant makes such election.

     (b) On or before December 31, 2008, a Participant may make an election as to
distribution of his Account from among the choices described at Section 6.1 hereof without
complying with the rules described in Section 6.2 hereof as long as the effect of the
election made in any year is not to accelerate payments into that year or to defer payments
which would otherwise have been made in that year to a subsequent year. In order to
subsequently change any such special election after December 31, 2008, the requirements of
Section 6.2 hereof must be satisfied. (This election will not apply to distribution of the
Participant’s accounts holding amounts earned and vested prior to January 1, 2005, if any,
(and interest credited thereon) since such accounts are not governed by this document but
are governed by the Frozen Agreements.)

     8.10 Cessation of Affiliation. Each Corporation sponsors the Plan as to its own
employees and not with respect to the employees of any other Corporation which sponsors the Plan.
If a Corporation which sponsors the Plan ceases to be affiliated with the other Corporations which
sponsor the Plan, then that Corporation shall continue to maintain the Plan with respect to its own
employees, shall adopt replacement documents which are substantively identical to this document by
which to continue its obligations which had been created hereunder and, thereafter, its obligations
to its employees shall be

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governed by such successor document and this document shall cease to apply to that Corporation
and its employees.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused its duly authorized officer to execute this
Plan document on its behalf this            day of                     , 2008, to be effective as of January 1,
2005.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	ASSISTED LIVING CONCEPTS, INC.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	Title:	 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 

-15-

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