Document:

Exhibit 10.2

 Exhibit 10.2 
 Change in Control Agreement 
 Tier IV 

 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
 Contents 
  
  

							
			
	 Article 1.
	  	Establishment, Term, and Purpose	  	 	1	  
			
	 Article 2.
	  	Definitions	  	 	2	  
			
	 Article 3.
	  	Change in Control Severance Benefits	  	 	9	  
			
	 Article 4.
	  	Notice of Termination; Resignation as Officer and Director	  	 	13	  
			
	 Article 5.
	  	Restrictive Covenants and Clawback	  	 	13	  
			
	 Article 6.
	  	Excise Tax	  	 	16	  
			
	 Article 7.
	  	Dispute Resolution and Notice	  	 	18	  
			
	 Article 8.
	  	Successors and Assignment	  	 	19	  
			
	 Article 9.
	  	Miscellaneous	  	 	19	  
			
	 Exhibit A.
	  	General Release Agreement	  	 	24	  

 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
  

 Change in Control Agreement 

THIS CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT (hereinafter referred to as this “Agreement”) is made, entered into, and
effective as of            , 20         (hereinafter referred to as the “Effective Date”), by and
between                                        
, a Michigan corporation, (hereinafter referred to as the “Employer”)
and                                        
(hereinafter referred to as the “Executive”). 
 WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of CMS Energy
Corporation, a Michigan corporation (hereinafter referred to as “CMS Energy Corporation”) has approved entering into change in control agreements with certain key executives as being necessary and advisable for the success of CMS Energy
Corporation; 
 WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed
at                                        
, by the Employer in a key management position
as                                        
; 
 WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of CMS Energy Corporation wants to provide the Executive with a measure
of financial security in the event of a change in control of CMS Energy Corporation as defined in this Agreement; and 
 WHEREAS, both the Executive and the Employer seek to have any proposal involving a change in control of CMS Energy Corporation as defined in this Agreement be considered by the Executive objectively and
with reference only to the business interests of CMS Energy Corporation and its shareholders. 
 NOW, THEREFORE,
in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual covenants and agreements of the Executive and the Employer and of other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Executive and the
Employer, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows: 
  

	Article 1.	Establishment, Term, and Purpose 

 This Agreement will commence on the Effective Date and shall continue in effect until December 31, 2012. However, at December 31, 2012, and, if extended, at the end of each additional year
thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall be extended automatically for one (1) additional year, unless the Committee (as defined in Section 2.13 herein) delivers notice six (6) months prior to the end of such term, or extended
term, to the Executive, stating that the Agreement will not be extended. In such case, the Agreement will terminate at the end of the term, or extended term, then in progress. However, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in
Section 2.10 herein) of CMS Energy Corporation, the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended to the earlier of (i) the date that is two (2) years from the date of the Change in Control if the current term of this
Agreement has less than two (2) full years 

  
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 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
  

 
remaining until its expiration or (ii) the date the Executive attains age 65. If the term of this Agreement is not extended, the Employer is not obligated to pay any severance benefits under
Section 3.2 herein for a Change in Control that happens after the expiration of the term of this Agreement. In addition, notwithstanding the above, any obligation of the Employer arising during the term of this Agreement shall survive the
termination of this Agreement until paid in full, provided that the Executive has provided or received a Notice of Termination within the applicable time limitations under Section 2.26 herein. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the obligations of
the Executive under Article 5 herein shall continue in effect and survive the expiration of the term of this Agreement. 
  

	Article 2.	Definitions 

 Whenever used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below: 
  

	 	2.1	 “Affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. 

 

	 	2.2	 “Agreement” means this agreement, including the “whereas” clauses and Exhibit A. 

 

	 	2.3	 “Base Annual Salary” means the greater of the Executive’s full annual salary, whether or not any portion thereof is paid on a
deferred basis, at: (i) the Effective Date of Termination, or (ii) at the date of the Change in Control. It does not include any incentive compensation in any form, bonuses of any type or any other form of monetary or nonmonetary
compensation other than salary. 

  

	 	2.4	 “Beneficial Owner” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act. 

 

	 	2.5	 “Beneficiary” means the persons or Entities designated by the Executive pursuant to Section 9.5 herein.

  

	 	2.6	 “Benefit plan clawback provision” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(g) herein. 

 

	 	2.7	 “Bonus-based payment” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(g) herein. 

 

	 	2.8	 “Board” means the Board of Directors of CMS Energy Corporation. 

 

	 	2.9	 “Cause” is determined solely by the Committee in the exercise of good faith and reasonable judgment, and means the occurrence of
any one or more of the following: 

  

	 	(a)	 The continued failure by the Executive to substantially perform his or her duties of employment (other than any such failure resulting from the
Executive’s Disability), after a demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive that identifies the manner in which the Committee believes that the Executive has not substantially performed his or her duties, and the Executive
has failed to remedy the situation within a reasonable period of time specified by the Committee which shall not be less than 30 days; or 

  
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	 	(b)	 The Executive’s (i) indictment for a felony or (ii) a conviction for a misdemeanor involving fraud, embezzlement, theft,
misappropriation, or failure to be truthful; or 

  

	 	(c)	 The Executive’s (i) gross negligence, (ii) failure or refusal, on request or demand by the Employer or any governmental authority, to
provide testimony to or to cooperate with any governmental regulatory authority, or any other similar non-cooperation by the Executive, (iii) willful engaging in misconduct materially or demonstrably injurious to the business or reputation (by
adverse publicity or otherwise) of CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates, monetarily or otherwise, or (iv) violation of a material provision of the Employer’s code of conduct and code of ethics, including but not limited to violations
of the Employer’s policies relating to substance abuse and discrimination; or 

  

	 	(d)	 The Executive’s breach of the terms of Article 5 herein. 

However, for purposes of clause (c), no act or failure to act on the Executive’s part shall be considered
“willful” if done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive (i) in good faith and (ii) with reasonable belief that his or her action or omission was in the best interest of CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates. 

 

	 	2.10	 “Change in Control” means a change in control of CMS Energy Corporation, and shall be deemed to have occurred upon the first to
occur of any of the following events: 

  

	 	(a)	 Any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of CMS Energy Corporation (not including in the securities
beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates) representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power for the election of directors of CMS Energy
Corporation’s then outstanding equity securities with the power under ordinary circumstances to vote for the election of directors, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause
(i) of Section 2.10 (c) below; or 

  

	 	(b)	 The following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of directors then serving: individuals who, on the Effective Date,
constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of
directors of CMS Energy Corporation) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by CMS Energy Corporation’s stockholders was 

  
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approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the Effective Date or whose appointment, election or
nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or 

  

	 	(c)	 The consummation of a merger or consolidation of CMS Energy Corporation or any direct or indirect subsidiary of CMS Energy Corporation with any
other corporation or other entity, other than: (i) any such merger or consolidation which involves either CMS Energy Corporation or any such subsidiary and would result in the voting securities of CMS Energy Corporation outstanding immediately
prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent thereof), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding
securities under an employee benefit plan of CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates, at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of CMS Energy Corporation or the surviving entity or any parent
thereof outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of CMS Energy Corporation,
the entity surviving such merger or consolidation or, if CMS Energy Corporation or the entity surviving such merger is then a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof; or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of
CMS Energy Corporation (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of CMS Energy Corporation (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities
acquired directly from CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates) representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of CMS Energy Corporation’s then outstanding securities; or 

 

	 	(d)	 Either (1) the stockholders of CMS Energy Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of CMS Energy Corporation and such
plan is consummated, or (2) there is consummated an agreement for the sale, transfer or disposition by CMS Energy Corporation of all or substantially all of CMS Energy Corporation’s assets (or any transaction having a similar effect). For
purposes of clause (d)(2), (i) the sale, transfer or disposition of a majority of the shares of common stock of Consumers Energy Company shall constitute a sale, transfer or disposition of substantially all of the assets of CMS Energy
Corporation and (ii) the sale, transfer or disposition of subsidiaries or affiliates of CMS Energy Corporation, singly or in combinations, or their assets, only qualifies as a Change in Control if it satisfies the substantiality test contained
in that clause and the Board of CMS Energy Corporation’s determination in that regard is final. In addition, for purposes of clause (d)(2), the sale, transfer or disposition of assets has to be in a transaction or series of transactions closing
within six (6) months after the 

  
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closing of the first transaction in the series, other than with an entity in which at least fifty-one (51%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities is owned by stockholders of
CMS Energy Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of CMS Energy Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or transactions and immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board immediately prior
thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the entity to which such assets are sold, transferred or disposed or, if such entity is a subsidiary, the ultimate parent thereof. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (a), (c) and (d), a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have
occurred by virtue of the consummation of any transaction or series of integrated transactions closing within six (6) months after the closing of the first transaction in the series immediately following which the record holders of the common
stock of CMS Energy Corporation immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity which owns all or substantially all of the assets of CMS Energy Corporation
immediately following such transaction or series of transactions. 
  

	 	2.11	 “Change in Control Severance Benefits” has the meaning ascribed to the same in Article 3 herein. 

 

	 	2.12	 “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any successors thereto. 

 

	 	2.13	 “Committee” means the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board or any other committee appointed by the Board to
perform the functions of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee. The Committee is responsible for the administration of this Agreement and shall interpret and apply the provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, the Committee
may obtain and rely upon advice from consultants, attorneys and advisors of its choice in making determinations concerning this Agreement. 

  

	 	2.14	 “Direct Competitor” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(a) herein. 

 

	 	2.15	 “Disability” means a determination by the insurer or third-party administrator under an individual and/or group disability policy
covering the Executive that the Executive is totally and permanently disabled as defined in the policy, or if there is no such coverage, then a disability that satisfies the requirements of total and permanent disability under Section 22(e) of
the Code. 

  

	 	2.16	 “Effective Date” means the date of this Agreement set forth in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

 

	 	2.17	 “Effective Date of Termination” means the first day of any month following the date on which a Qualifying Termination occurs, as
provided under Section 2.28 

  
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herein, which triggers the payment of Change in Control Severance Benefits hereunder. Such first day of such month shall be specified in the Notice of Termination. If Executive is otherwise
eligible for retirement, he or she may elect to retire on the Effective Date of Termination without waiving any Change in Control Severance Benefits to which he or she may be entitled pursuant to this Agreement. 

 

	 	2.18	 “Employer” means the corporation named in the first paragraph of this Agreement as the Employer. 

 

	 	2.19	 “Entity” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, sole proprietorship or firm.

  

	 	2.20	 “Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

 

	 	2.21	 “Excess Parachute Payment” and “Parachute Payment” have the meanings set forth in Section 6.1 herein.

  

	 	2.22	 “Excise Tax” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 herein. 

 

	 	2.23	 “Executive” means the individual named in the first paragraph of this Agreement. 

 

	 	2.24	 “Exempt Person” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(b) herein. 

 

	 	2.25	 “Good Reason” exists only on the date of a Change in Control or during the twenty-four (24) months which follow a Change in
Control and means, without the Executive’s express prior consent, the occurrence of any one or more of the following: 

  

	 	(a)	 The assignment to the Executive of duties materially inconsistent with the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles, and
reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as in effect on the Effective Date, or any action by the Employer which results in a material diminution of the Executive’s position, authority, duties, or responsibilities as
constituted as of the Effective Date (excluding an isolated, insubstantial, and inadvertent action which is remedied by the Employer promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive), provided, however that a Change in Control which
results in the Employer becoming controlled by another Entity, after which the Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities do not, taken as a whole, change (except in respect of the Persons or Entities to which he or she reports
or the duties he or she performs due to becoming controlled by such other Entity), shall not constitute a material change in the Executive’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities; or 

 

	 	(b)	 Materially reducing the Executive’s Base Salary; or 

  
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	 	(c)	 Materially reducing the Executive’s targeted annual incentive opportunity; or 

 

	 	(d)	 Materially reducing the Executive’s targeted long-term incentive opportunity; or 

 

	 	(e)	 A material failure to maintain the Executive’s aggregate amount of benefits under, or relative level of participation in, employee benefit or
retirement plans, policies, practices, or arrangements of a material nature available to employees of CMS Energy Corporation and its Affiliates and in which the Executive participates as of the date of a Change in Control; or

  

	 	(f)	 A material breach of this Agreement by the Employer which is not remedied by the Employer after receipt of notice of such breach delivered by the
Executive to the Committee; or 

  

	 	(g)	 Any successor company fails or refuses to assume the obligations owed to Executive under this Agreement in their entirety, as required by
Section 8.1 herein; or 

  

	 	(h)	 The Executive is required to be based at a location in excess of thirty-five (35) miles from both (i) the Executive’s primary
residence and (ii) the location of the Executive’s principal job location or office, both immediately prior to a Change in Control, except for required travel on the Employer’s or CMS Energy Corporation’s business to an extent
substantially consistent with the Executive’s prior business travel obligations. 

Notwithstanding the above, (i) no amendment of, or termination and replacement of, any annual or long term incentive
plan, or benefit or retirement plan, policy, practice or arrangement referred to in (c) (d) or (e) above, shall be deemed to constitute Good Reason so long as the opportunities or amounts referred to therein remain unchanged after
such amendment or such termination and replacement; and (ii) the Executive must provide notice to the Employer of the existence of Good Reason not more than ninety (90) days after the initial existence of the circumstance that constitutes
Good Reason as set forth above and provide a period of thirty (30) days for the Employer to remedy the circumstance giving rise to the Good Reason and thus not have to pay the Change in Control Severance Benefits as provided for under
Section 3.2 herein; provided, however, that the failure by the Executive to give such notice within such ninety (90) days shall constitute a waiver of such Good Reason by the Executive in that instance. The remedying of any circumstances
by Employer or the failure of the Executive to give such notice as aforesaid, shall not impair Executive’s right to claim Good Reason based upon a recurrence of such circumstances or the occurrence of different circumstances within the time
period (twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control) specified in the first sentence of this section. All provisions and interpretations relating to Good Reason are to be applied consistent with Section 409A of the Code and the
applicable Treasury Regulations at Section 1.409A-1(n)(2), and their successors (“Section 409A”). 

  
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	 	2.26	 “Notice of Termination” shall be provided for a Qualifying Termination and shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific
termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for a Qualifying Termination. The notice shall provide a specific date (i) on which a
Qualifying Termination has occurred and (ii) designated as the Effective Date of Termination. Such Notice of Termination when provided by the Executive for Good Reason as set forth in Section 2.25 herein (prior to the expiration of the
ninety (90) day notice and after the thirty (30) day cure period described in Section 2.25 herein) shall be consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. 

 

	 	2.27	 “Person” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act and used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) thereof, including a “group” as provided in Section 13(d). 

  

	 	2.28	 “Qualifying Termination” means: 

  

	 	(a)	 A termination of the Executive’s employment by the Employer on the date of a Change in Control or during the twenty-four (24) months which
follow a Change in Control for reasons other than death, Disability, or Cause pursuant to a Notice of Termination delivered to the Executive by the Employer; or 

 

	 	(b)	 A termination by the Executive for Good Reason on the date of a Change in Control or during the twenty-four (24) months which follow a Change
in Control pursuant to a Notice of Termination delivered to the Employer by the Executive. 

  

	 	2.29	 “Reduced Payment Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2 herein. 

 

	 	2.30	 “Release” means the signed release of claims and resignation of all positions as an officer or director of the Employer and any
company affiliated with the Employer, which shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. 

  

	 	2.31	 “Section 409A” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.25 herein. 

 

	 	2.32	 “SERP” means the retirement plan applicable to the Executive and entitled “Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for the
Employees of CMS Energy/Consumers Energy Company,” dated December 1, 2007, as amended, or under the successor or replacement of such retirement plan if it is then no longer in effect. [For the Executives covered under the defined
contribution supplemental executive retirement plan, the following definition shall be used: “means the retirement plan applicable to the Executive and entitled “Defined Contribution Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan” dated
April 11, 2011, as amended, or under the successor or replacement of such retirement plan if it is then no longer in effect.] 

  
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	 	2.33	 “Total Payments” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1 herein. 

 

	Article 3.	Change in Control Severance Benefits 

  

	 	3.1	 Right to Change in Control Severance Benefits. 

 

	 	(a)	 Change in Control Severance Benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Employer Change in Control Severance Benefits, as
described in Section 3.2 herein, if a Qualifying Termination of the Executive’s employment satisfying the definitions contained in Section 2.28(a) or (b) herein has occurred on the date of a Change in Control or within
twenty-four (24) months immediately following a Change in Control. Benefits received by the Executive under the pension plan and SERP (or any replacement or successor plans thereto) shall not be used as an offset to the level of Change in
Control Severance Benefits owed to Executive. The Effective Date of Termination will be the date the Executive experiences a separation from service with the service recipient, as those terms are defined under Section 409A.

  

	 	(b)	 No Change in Control Severance Benefits. The Executive shall not be entitled to receive Change in Control Severance Benefits under this
Agreement if the Executive’s employment with the Employer ends for reasons other than a Qualifying Termination. 

  

	 	(c)	 Waiver and Release. The Executive shall sign and return to the Employer a Release to be eligible for payment of Change in Control Severance
Benefits under Section 3.2 herein. Attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated by reference in this Agreement is the form of release Executive shall sign and return to qualify for Change in Control Severance Benefits under this Agreement. No
payment will be made until the seven (7) day right to revocation of the Release has elapsed. 

  

	 	(d)	 No Duplication of Severance Benefits. If the Executive receives Change in Control Severance Benefits, any other severance benefits received
by employees not covered by this Agreement, if any, to which the Executive is entitled shall be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis with respect to Change in Control Severance Benefits paid pursuant to this Agreement so that there is no duplication
of severance benefits. 

  
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	 	3.2	 Description of Change in Control Severance Benefits. In the event the Executive becomes entitled to receive Change in Control Severance
Benefits, as provided in Section 3.1(a) herein, the Employer (subject to Section 3.1(c)) shall provide the Executive with the following: 

  

	 	(a)	 A lump-sum amount paid within thirty (30) calendar days following the Effective Date of Termination equal to the sum of the Executive’s
unpaid salary, unreimbursed business expenses, and unreimbursed allowances owed to the Executive through and including the Effective Date of Termination. In the event the Executive is terminated following a performance year under the Officer
Incentive Compensation Plan but prior to payment of a bonus for such year, the Executive will not forfeit such bonus but shall receive any payment when the same is paid to active employees. To the extent, if any, the Executive has elected to defer
any bonus, any payments due under this provision corresponding to the amount of the deferral shall be paid or deferred in accordance with the terms elected by the Executive with respect to said plan under which the bonus is deferred.

  

	 	(b)	 A lump-sum amount, paid within thirty (30) calendar days following return of the signed Release (but not prior to the lapse of the seven
(7) day revocation period), which shall be provided not more than fifteen (15) days after delivery to the Employer or delivery to the Executive, as applicable, of a Notice of Termination, equal to [three (3)] [two (2)] times the sum of the
following: (A) the Executive’s Base Annual Salary and (B) the Executive’s annual target bonus opportunity for the plan year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs. Notwithstanding the above, to the extent that at the time of
the Qualifying Termination the Executive is age [62] [63] or older, the amount payable under this provision shall be equal to the product of (x) the sum of A and B above, multiplied by (y) a fraction the numerator of which shall be equal
to the number of full and partial months during the period commencing on the Effective Date of Termination and ending on the Executive’s 65th birthday and the denominator of which shall be [thirty-six (36)] [twenty-four (24)]. . Prior to such
reduction, the Committee shall determine that the Executive is a bona fide executive as that term is defined in the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) and that the other provisions relating to mandatory retirement of an
executive under ADEA are satisfied. 

  
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	 	(c)	 A lump-sum amount, paid within thirty (30) calendar days following return of the signed Release (but not prior to the lapse of the seven
(7) day revocation period), which shall be provided not more than fifteen (15) days after delivery to the Employer (but not earlier than the expiration of the thirty (30) day cure period, if applicable) or delivery to the Executive,
as the case may be, of a Notice of Termination, equal to the Executive’s annual target bonus opportunity for the plan year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs adjusted on a pro rata basis for the number of days that have elapsed to the
Effective Date of Termination during such plan year (as compared to the total plan year, 365 days.) To the extent, if any, the Executive has elected to defer any bonus under the applicable bonus plan, any payments due under this provision
corresponding to the amount of the deferral shall be paid in accordance with the payment terms elected by the Executive with respect to the plan under which the bonus is deferred. 

 

	 	(d)	 The Executive and the Employer agree that a portion of the lump-sum amount, payable under (b) above, shall be as consideration for the
Executive entering into the noncompete and other restrictive covenants as described in Article 5 herein. The value of the consideration for the noncompete and other restrictive covenants will be determined by an independent valuation consultant
selected by the Committee for the sole purpose of determining what portion of the total consideration (which total shall not change as a result of such computation) should, on the basis of value, be allocated to the noncompete and other restrictive
covenants as described in Article 5 herein. 

  

	 	(e)	 The Employer shall provide the Executive continued health coverage or, at Employer’s option, payments to defray the cost of continued health
coverage for [twenty-four (24)] [thirty-six (36] months following the Effective Date of Termination, generally in accordance with rules and provisions under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, provided that (i) the
Employer shall pay 100% of the monthly cost of such continued health coverage during such [twenty-four (24)] [thirty-six (36)] – month period and (ii) such continued health coverage shall terminate when the Executive becomes eligible for
comparable health coverage under a new employer. 

  

	 	(f)	 Immediate extension (as allowable by Section 6.10 of Article VI of the plan entitled “CMS Energy Corporation Performance Incentive Stock
Plan,” dated August 1, 2010, as amended) by one (1) year after the Effective Date of Termination of the period for the Executive to exercise any outstanding stock options or stock appreciation rights granted by the Committee to
Executive pursuant to said Article VI, subject to earlier termination of such option or stock appreciation right in accordance with the terms of such plan. 

 

	 	(g)	 Immediate vesting and distribution to the Executive (as allowable by the second sentence of Section 7.2(h) of Article VII of the plan entitled
“CMS Energy Corporation Performance Incentive Stock Plan (PISP))” dated August 

  
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1, 2010, as amended) within forty-five (45) days after delivery of the Notice of Termination of all outstanding shares of restricted stock previously awarded to Executive pursuant to said
Article VII. Any portion of an award of restricted stock subject to future performance goals based on absolute total shareholder return, will vest as if the target performance had been achieved. The portion of any award based on relative shareholder
return will vest pro rata based upon the number of days into the performance period up to the Change in Control date, using the target number of shares as the basis for the pro ration. For any award of restricted stock that is tenure based, the
number of shares distributed to the Executive shall assume that all requirements with respect to tenure are satisfied by the Executive. Otherwise, the terms of said plan shall govern and be applied. 

 

	 	(h)	 If the Executive is a participant in the SERP, the Executive’s retirement benefits under the SERP will become fully vested as of the Effective
Date of Termination and shall not be subject to further vesting requirements or to any forfeiture provisions. In addition the Executive shall be provided the following: (i) an additional thirty-six (36) [24] months of Preference Service
(as defined in the SERP) for purposes of the SERP in accordance with Section III of the SERP, subject, however, to the total of Preference Service plus Accredited Service being limited to a maximum of thirty-five (35) years under the SERP, and
(ii) one third [half] of the amount paid to the Executive pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 3.2 shall be considered a year of Earnings plus Incentive Compensation (as the terms are defined in the SERP) for each of three [two]
(3)[(2)] plan years and shall be included when determining the highest five years for purposes of computing Final Executive Pay under the SERP (as defined in the SERP). [Note: For persons with 2 years of benefits under section 3.2(b), use bracketed
substitute items in prior sentence] [For an executive in the defined contribution supplemental executive retirement plan the following replaces the above: “If the Executive is a participant in the SERP, the Executive’s account balance
under the SERP will become fully vested as of the Effective Date of Termination and shall not be subject to further vesting requirements or to any forfeiture provisions. The Executive shall have added to his or her account balance under the SERP,
within fifteen (15) days of delivery of the Notice of Termination, an amount equal to fifteen percent (15%) [10% in the case of those Executives in salary grades E-3 through E-5] of the amount paid to the Executive under clauses
(b) and (c) of this Section 3.2. “] 

  

	 	(i)	 For purposes of (1) the Executive’s retirement, (2) the SERP and (3) benefits not expressly discussed in clauses
(a) through (h) of this Section 3.2, but which are available to the general employee population or available only to officers and implemented with contracts with third parties, the benefit plan descriptions covering all employees and
the retirement plan and the SERP plan descriptions and contracts with third parties covering officers in place at the time of the Effective Date of Termination control the Executive’s treatment under those

  
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plans and contracts. All rights of the Executive to indemnification as an officer or an employee will be determined under any applicable indemnification policy in effect at the time the matter
giving rise to the need for indemnification is alleged to have occurred, or at the time immediately before the Change in Control, at the election of the Executive. For any other benefits only available to officers, if those benefits are not
expressly discussed in clauses (a) through (h) of this Section 3.2, those benefits are terminated for the Executive as of the Effective Date of Termination. 

 

	Article 4.	Notice of Termination; Resignation As Officer and Director 

  

	 	4.1	 Any Qualifying Termination of the Executive’s employment shall be communicated by a Notice of Termination which shall indicate the
specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for a Qualifying Termination. The Notice of Termination shall also provide a specific date
(i) on which a Qualifying Termination has occurred and (ii) that is designated as the Effective Date of Termination. 

  

	 	4.2	 On or before the Effective Date of Termination, the Executive shall submit to the Employer his or her written resignation as (i) an
officer of the Employer and of all Affiliates and (ii) a member of the board of directors of the Employer and of all Affiliates. 

  

	Article 5.	Restrictive Covenants and Clawback 

  

	 	5.1	 The following shall apply after any termination (including, without limitation, due to retirement, disability or resignation for any reason)
of the Executive’s employment, whether prior to or following a Change in Control: 

  

	 	(a)	 Noncompetition. During the term of employment and for a period of twenty-four (24) months after the date of the termination of the
Executive’s employment, the Executive shall not: (i) directly or indirectly, separately or acting or conspiring with any Person or Entity whether or not employed by CMS Energy Corporation or any of its Affiliates, engage in or prepare to
engage in or have a financial or other interest in any business which is a Direct Competitor (as defined below); or (ii) serve as an employee, agent, partner, member, shareholder, director, or consultant, or in any other capacity whatsoever
participate, engage, or have a financial or other interest in, any business which is a Direct Competitor; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Executive may own up to two percent
(2%) of the outstanding shares of the capital stock of an Entity whose shares are registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act. 

 A “Direct Competitor” means an Entity engaged in the business of (1)(a) selling electric power or natural gas at retail or wholesale within the State of Michigan

  
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or (b) selling electric power at wholesale within the market area in which an electric generating plant owned by an Affiliate of CMS Enterprises Company is located or (c) storing
natural gas within the State of Michigan or (d) generating, transmitting or distributing electricity or natural gas within the State of Michigan, or (2) developing an electric generating plant within the State of Michigan or a market area
in which an electric generating plant owned by an Affiliate of CMS Enterprises Company is located. A “Direct Competitor” also means any Entity that the Committee designates as a Direct Competitor, prior to the termination date specified in
a Notice of Termination, that it believes, in good faith, is a competitor to CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates. 
  

	 	(b)	 Confidentiality. The Employer has advised the Executive and the Executive acknowledges that it is the policy of CMS Energy Corporation and
its Affiliates to maintain as secret and confidential all Protected Information (as defined below), and that Protected Information has been and will be developed at substantial cost and effort to CMS Energy Corporation and its Affiliates. The
Executive shall not at any time, directly or indirectly, divulge, furnish, or make accessible to any person or Entity (other than as may be required in the regular course of the Executive’s employment), nor use in any manner, either during the
term of employment or after termination, for any reason, any Protected Information, or cause any such information of CMS Energy Corporation and its Affiliates to enter the public domain. 

“Protected Information” means trade secrets, confidential and proprietary business information of CMS Energy
Corporation and its Affiliates and any other information of CMS Energy Corporation and its Affiliates, including, but not limited to, customer lists (including potential customers), sources of supply, processes, plans, materials, pricing
information, internal memoranda, marketing plans, internal policies, and products and services which may be developed from time to time by CMS Energy Corporation and its Affiliates and their agents or employees, including the Executive; provided,
however, that information that is in the public domain (other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement), approved for release by CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates or lawfully obtained from third parties who are not bound by a
confidentiality agreement with CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates, is not Protected Information. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this subsection is to be construed as prohibiting the Executive from providing information to a state or
federal agency, legislative body or one of its committees or a court with jurisdiction when the Executive is legally required to do so, provided that promptly after being notified of such requirement the Executive notifies the Employer, or from
disclosing Protected Information to the Executive’s spouse, attorney and/or his or her personal tax and financial advisors as reasonably necessary or appropriate to advance the Executive’s tax, financial and other personal planning (each
an “Exempt Person”), provided, however, that any disclosure or use (beyond the specific purpose for which it was released to such Exempt Person) of Protected Information by an Exempt Person shall be deemed to be a breach of this
Section 5.1(b) by the Executive. 

  
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	 	(c)	 Nonsolicitation. During the term of employment and for a period of twelve (12) months after the date of the termination of the
Executive’s employment, the Executive shall not: (i) employ or retain or solicit for employment or arrange to have any other person or Entity employ or retain or solicit for employment or otherwise participate in the employment or
retention of any person who (x) is an employee or consultant of CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates or (y) was an employee or consultant of CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates at any time during the twelve (12) month period
immediately preceding the date of the occurrence of the activity described in clause (i); or (ii) solicit suppliers or customers of CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates or induce any such person to terminate their relationship with them.

  

	 	(d)	 Cooperation. The Executive shall fully and unconditionally cooperate with CMS Energy Corporation and its Affiliates and their attorneys in
connection with any and all lawsuits, claims, investigations, or similar proceedings that have been or could be asserted at any time arising out of or related in any way to the Executive’s employment or activities on behalf of CMS Energy
Corporation and its Affiliates. 

  

	 	(e)	 Nondisparagement. The provisions of this Section 5.1(e) apply at all times following the termination of the Executive’s employment
for any reason: The Executive shall not disparage CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates or their officers and/or directors, or otherwise make comments harmful to their reputations. The Executive further shall not testify or act in any capacity as
a paid or unpaid expert witness, advisor or consultant or otherwise on behalf of any person or Entity that has or may have any claim, demand, action, suit, cause of action, or judgment against CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates, or in any
regulatory agency proceeding in a manner adverse to their interests. The executive officers and directors of CMS Energy Corporation and its Affiliates shall not disparage the Executive or otherwise make comments harmful to the Executive’s
reputation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 5.1(e) prohibits the Executive or representatives of CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliates from testifying truthfully under oath in any judicial, administrative or
legislative proceedings or in any arbitration, mediation or other similar proceedings where his or her testimony has been legally compelled or pursuant to Section 7.1 herein. 

 

	 	(f)	 Return of the Employer Property. The Executive agrees that upon termination of employment he or she shall return all property of the Employer
or any Affiliate now in his or her possession. 

  

	 	(g)	 Clawback Relating to Illegal Acts or Restatement of Corporation’s Financial Statements. If, due to a restatement of CMS Energy
Corporation’s or an Affiliate’s publicly disclosed financial statements or otherwise, the Executive is subject to an obligation to make a repayment to CMS Energy 

  
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Corporation or an Affiliate pursuant to a clawback provision contained in a SERP Plan, the PISP, a bonus plan or other benefit plan (a “benefit plan clawback provision”) of CMS Energy
Corporation or its Affiliate, it shall be a precondition to the obligation of Employer to make any payment under this Agreement, that the Executive fully repay to CMS Energy Corporation or its Affiliate any amounts owing under such benefit plan
clawback provision. The payments under this Agreement are further subject to any provision of law which may require the Executive to forfeit or repay any benefits provided hereunder that are based upon a bonus or incentive compensation, or
equity compensation, in the event of a restatement of CMS Energy Corporation’s or an Affiliate’s publicly disclosed accounting statements or other illegal act, whether required by Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, federal
securities law (including any rule or regulation promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission), any state law, or any rule or regulation promulgated by the applicable listing exchange or system on which CMS Energy Corporation or an
Affiliate lists its traded shares. To the degree any benefits hereunder are not otherwise forfeitable pursuant to the preceding sentences of this Section 5.1(g), the Board or Committee may require the Executive to repay to Employer any amounts
paid under this Agreement that are computed on the basis of a target bonus or actual bonus under a bonus plan applicable to the Executive (a “bonus-based payment”), if the Board or Committee determines, on the basis of the clawback
provisions in the bonus plan under which such bonus-based payments are computed, that the Executive would have been required to make a repayment of such bonus-based payments had they been paid to the Executive directly under such bonus plan rather
than under this Agreement. The rights set forth in this Agreement concerning the right of CMS Energy Corporation, an Affiliate and/or Employer to a clawback are in addition to any other rights to recovery or damages available at law or equity and
are not a limitation of such rights. 

  

	 	(h)	 Enforcement. The parties to this Agreement acknowledge that the services of the Executive are unique and extraordinary and that a breach of
any provision of this Section 5.1 will cause irreparable harm to the Employer. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7.1 herein, the Employer has the right to seek to enforce the noncompete and
other restrictive covenants contained in this Section 5.1 in a court of law or equity and the Executive hereby consents to the imposition of an injunction or a temporary restraining order or such other equitable relief as necessary to protect
the rights of the Employer under this Agreement. 

 Article 6. Excise Tax 

 

	 	6.1	 Excise Tax. In the event that the Executive becomes entitled to Change in Control Severance Benefits or any other payment or benefit under
this Agreement, or under any other agreement, plan or arrangement for which Executive is eligible with (1) the Employer, (2) any Person or Entity whose actions result in a Change in Control, or

  
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(3) CMS Energy Corporation or any of its Affiliates (all of such payments and benefits collectively referred to as the “Total Payments”), and if all or any part of the Total Payments
will be subject to the tax (the “Excise Tax”) imposed by Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code (or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed), then the payments and benefits to be paid or provided under this Plan may be reduced (or repaid
to the Employer, if previously paid or provided) as provided below. In no event shall the Executive be entitled to receive a tax gross-up payment or Excise Tax reimbursement. For purposes of this Article 6 the terms “Excess Parachute
Payment” and “Parachute Payment” will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 280G of the Code. 

 For purposes of making all determinations required to be made under this Article 6 the Committee shall select in its sole discretion an accounting or other consulting firm (other than the Employer’s
and CMS Energy Corporation’s auditors) to perform such calculations. All fees and expenses of the firm for its services in connection with the calculations under this Article 6 shall be paid by the Employer. The firm shall make an initial
determination at the time of a Change in Control. In addition, the Committee shall direct the firm to submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to both the Employer and the Executive within 15 calendar days after the date of
the Executive’s Qualifying Termination, if applicable, and any other such time or times as may be requested by the Employer or the Executive. 
  

	 	6.2	 The firm shall calculate the amount of any Parachute Payment and Excess Parachute Payment due to the Executive and the related Excise Tax.
The firm also shall calculate an alternative amount referred to as the “Reduced Payment Amount” by reducing the Executive’s payments and benefits under this Plan (which could require repayment of amounts previously paid or provided to
the Executive) to the minimum extent necessary so that no portion of any payment, as so reduced or repaid, constitutes an Excess Parachute Payment. If the firm determines that any Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, then the Executive shall
receive either (i) all Payments otherwise due to him or her or (ii) the Reduced Payment Amount described in the preceding sentence, whichever will provide him or her with the greater after-tax economic benefit taking into account for these
purposes any applicable Excise Tax. If the firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall, at the same time as it makes such determination, furnish the Executive with an opinion that he/she has substantial authority not to
report any Excise Tax on his/her federal, state, local income or other tax return. 

  

	 	6.3	 The Employer and the Executive shall each provide the firm access to and copies of any books, records and documents in the possession of the
Employer or the Executive, as the case may be, reasonably requested by the firm, and otherwise cooperate with the firm in connection with the preparation and issuance of the determination contemplated herein. Any reasonable determination by the firm
as to the amount of the Excise Tax, Parachute Payment, Excess Parachute Payment or Reduced Payment Amount (and supported by the calculations done by the firm) shall be binding upon the Employer and the Executive. 

  
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 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
  

 The federal, state and local income or other tax returns filed by the Executive shall be
prepared and filed on a consistent basis with the determination of the firm with respect to the Excise Tax, if any, payable by the Executive. The Executive shall make proper payment of the amount of any Excise Tax, and at the request of the
Employer, provide to the Employer true and correct copies (with any amendments) of his/her federal income tax return as filed with the Internal Revenue Service and corresponding state and local tax returns, if relevant, as filed with the applicable
taxing authority, and such other documents reasonably requested by the Employer, evidencing such payment. 
  

	 	6.4	 Any appropriate adjustments to the amounts payable to the Executive or previously paid to the Executive or to amounts not yet paid but due
under this Article 6 may be made to properly reflect any changes in the calculations performed or any adjustments under Article 5. If an amount is required to be reduced or repaid in under this Section 6, such reductions will be made to amounts
under Section 3.2 (b), 3.2(c) (except such amounts as may be deferred under the applicable plan), and 3.2(h). 

Article 7. Dispute Resolution and Notice 
  

	 	7.1	 Dispute Resolution. Any dispute or controversy between the Executive and the Employer arising under or in connection with this Agreement
(other than Article 5 of this Agreement) shall first be submitted in writing to the Committee for attempted resolution. If such submission does not result in mutually agreeable resolution within sixty (60) days thereof, such dispute or
controversy shall be settled by final and binding arbitration. Such arbitration shall be conducted before a single arbitrator selected by the parties to be conducted in Jackson, Michigan. The arbitration will be conducted in accordance with the
rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect and be finished within ninety (90) days after the selection of the arbitrator, and if the Executive and the Employer are unable to agree within thirty (30) days on such a single
arbitrator, such Association shall select such arbitrator. The arbitrator shall not have authority to fashion a remedy that includes consequential, exemplary or punitive damages of any type whatsoever, and the arbitrator is hereby prohibited from
awarding injunctive relief of any kind, whether mandatory or prohibitory. Judgment may be entered on the award of the arbitrator in any court having competent jurisdiction. The Executive and the Employer shall share equally the cost of the
arbitrator and of conducting the arbitration proceeding, but each party shall bear the cost of its own legal counsel and experts and other out-of-pocket expenditures. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive and the Employer acknowledge that the
enforcement of the Employer’s rights under Article 5 herein are unique and agree that the Employer is not limited to the remedy of arbitration but may elect the remedy of its

  
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choice including filing suit in a court of law or equity and the Executive agrees that the Employer has the right to obtain an injunction and/or a temporary restraining order to protect its
rights. 

  

	 	7.2	 Notice. Any notices, requests, demands, or other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and sent by registered or
certified mail to the Executive at the address set forth beneath his or her signature on the last page of this Agreement or, to the Employer, at One Energy Plaza, Jackson, Michigan 49201, Attention: Corporate Secretary. Notices, requests, demands or
other communications may also be delivered by messenger, courier service or other electronic means and are sufficient if actually received by the party for whom it is intended. 

Article 8. Successors and Assignment 
  

	 	8.1	 Successors. Any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, reorganization, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock,
liquidation, or otherwise) to the business of CMS Energy Corporation or purchaser of all or substantially all of the assets of CMS Energy Corporation shall be required to expressly assume and agree to perform under this Agreement in the same manner
and to the same extent that the Employer would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement shall be binding upon any successor in accordance with the operation of law. 

 

	 	8.2	 Assignment by the Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees. If the Executive dies while any amount would still be payable to him or her hereunder had he or she continued to live, all such amounts, unless
otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the Executive’s Beneficiary. If the Executive has not named a Beneficiary, then such amounts shall be paid to the Executive’s devisee, legatee, or
other designee, or if there is no such designee, to the Executive’s estate. 

 Article 9. Miscellaneous

  

	 	9.1	 Employment Status. The employment of the Executive by the Employer is “at will” and, subject to the Executive’s rights
pursuant to this Agreement or any separate written separation agreement entered into by the Executive and CMS Energy Corporation, may be terminated by either the Executive or the Employer at any time, subject to applicable law. Further, the
Executive has no right to be an officer of CMS Energy Corporation or any of its Affiliates and serves as an officer entirely at the discretion of the Board. 

 

	 	9.2	 Entire Agreement. This Agreement supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto, with respect
to the subject 

  
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matter hereof, and this Agreement (including the “whereas” clauses and Exhibit A) constitutes the entire agreement of the parties with respect thereto. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing sentence, this Agreement completely supersedes, cancels, voids and renders of no further force and effect any and all other change in control agreements, and other similar agreements, communications, representations, promises,
covenants and arrangements, whether oral or written, between the Employer and the Executive and between the Executive and CMS Energy Corporation or any of its Affiliates that may have taken place or been executed prior to the Effective Date and
which may address the subject matters contained herein. Notwithstanding the above, this Agreement is supplemental to and does not replace any written separation agreement entered into between the parties that is not contingent on a Change in
Control, provided however that in no event will the Executive be entitled to payments under this Agreement that would be duplicative of any payment and/or benefits due under such other written separation agreement. 

 

	 	9.3	 Severability. In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason,
the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect, and the parties shall negotiate in good faith to accomplish the purposes and amend this Agreement so as, to the extent possible under
the law, to carry out the original intent of the provision or portion determined to be invalid or unenforceable. 

  

	 	9.4	 Tax. The Employer may withhold from any benefits payable under this Agreement any authorized deductions and all federal, state, city, or
other taxes as may be required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive is a “specified employee” (determined in accordance with
Section 409A and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(2)) as of the Effective Date of Termination, and if any payment, benefit or entitlement provided for in this Agreement or otherwise both (i) constitutes a “deferral of
compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A and (ii) cannot be paid or provided in a manner otherwise provided herein or otherwise without subjecting the Executive to additional tax, interest and/or penalties under
Section 409A, then any such payment, benefit or entitlement that is payable during the first 6 months following the Effective Date of Termination shall be paid or provided to the Executive in a lump sum cash payment to be made on the earlier of
(x) the Executive’s death or (y) the first day that is more than six (6) months immediately following the Effective Date of Termination (or, if different, the date that qualifies as a “separation from service” (as such
term is used under Section 409A)). Each payment to be made under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, the Employer shall
have the unilateral right to amend this Agreement at any time for the sole purpose of complying with Section 409A. 

  

	 	9.5	 Beneficiaries. The Executive may designate one (1) or more persons or Entities as the primary and/or contingent beneficiaries of any
amounts to be received under this Agreement. Such designation must be in the form of a signed writing on a form provided by the Employer. The Executive may make or change such designation at any time. 

  
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 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
  

	 	9.6	 Payment Obligation Absolute. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement and as provided in the last sentence of this paragraph, the
Employer’s and CMS Energy Corporation’s obligations to make the payments and provide the benefits to the Executive specified herein shall be absolute and unconditional, and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any offset, counterclaim, defense, or other right which the Employer, CMS Energy Corporation or any of its Affiliates may have against the Executive or anyone else. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all amounts payable by
the Employer hereunder shall be paid without notice or demand. Each and every payment made hereunder by the Employer shall be final, but subject to the provisions of the next sentence. If the Executive should seek to litigate this Agreement or the
subject matters addressed herein in a state or federal court, subject to the requirements of Section 409A, to the extent applicable, (i) the Executive at least ten (10) days prior to filing in court shall tender back to the Employer
all cash consideration paid to the Executive under this Agreement prior thereto and (ii) any payments then or thereafter due to the Executive under this Agreement shall be withheld until said litigation is finally resolved.

 The Executive shall not be obligated to seek other employment in mitigation of the amounts
payable or arrangements made under any provision of this Agreement, and the obtaining of any such other employment, provided such other employment is not a violation of the provisions of Article 5 herein, shall in no event effect any reduction of
the Employer’s obligations to make the payments and arrangements required to be made under this Agreement. 
  

	 	9.7	 Contractual Rights to Benefits. Subject to approval and ratification by the Committee, this Agreement establishes and vests in the Executive
a contractual right to the benefits to which he or she is entitled hereunder. However, nothing herein contained shall require or be deemed to require, or prohibit or be deemed to prohibit, the Employer to segregate, earmark, or otherwise set aside
any funds or other assets, in trust or otherwise, to provide for any payments to be made or required hereunder. 

  

	 	9.8	 Modification. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be varied, altered, modified, canceled, changed, or in
any way amended except by mutual agreement of the parties in a written instrument executed by the parties hereto or their legal representatives. 

  

	 	9.9	 Counterparts and Headings. This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement. Signatures transmitted via facsimile shall be regarded by the parties as original signatures. The headings of the various sections and subsections of this Agreement
shall not limit or affect the terms and provisions of this Agreement. 

  
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 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
  

	 	9.10	 Representation. Each of the Executive and the Employer represents and warrants that this Agreement is a legal, valid and binding agreement,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, and does not conflict with any other agreement to which he, she or it is a party. The Executive acknowledges that he or she has had an opportunity to consult with his or her legal and financial advisors
before executing and delivering this Agreement, and has read and understands this Agreement. 

  

	 	9.11	 Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to its
conflicts of laws principles. 

 REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of this
     day of             , 20    . 
  

											
	 [CMS ENERGY CORPORATION or EMPLOYER]
	 		 	 EXECUTIVE:

					
	 By:
	 	  
	 		 	 Signature:
	 	  

	 Its:
	 	  
	 		 	 Printed Name:
	 	  

					
		 		 		 	 Address:
	 	  

					
		 		 		 		 	  

  
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 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
  

 EXHIBIT A 
 GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT 
 This General Release Agreement
(“Agreement”), made as of the      day of             , 20    , pursuant to Michigan law, among
                                        
(the “Executive”), an individual, and                             , a Michigan corporation
(the “Employer”) is a general release of claims against the Employer, CMS Energy Corporation and all of their subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively the “CMS Companies”). 

WHEREAS, the Executive’s employment with the Employer [will end] [has ended] on
            , 20     and [he] [she] is eligible for the receipt of severance benefits under a Change in Control Agreement. dated as of
            , 20     between the Executive and the Employer (the “CIC Agreement”) provided that the Executive first executes and delivers to the
Employer a prescribed form of general release attached as Exhibit A to the CIC Agreement; 
 WHEREAS, terms used in this
Agreement that are also used and defined in the CIC Agreement shall have the same definition in this Agreement if not separately and differently defined herein, such terms being recognizable by initial caps; and 

WHEREAS, this General Release Agreement satisfies the condition for receipt of Change in Control Severance Benefits under Article
3 of the CIC Agreement. 
 NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants undertaken and the releases contained in this
Agreement, the Executive and the Employer agree as follows: 
  

	1.	 MONETARY AND OTHER CONSIDERATION 

 In consideration for the releases and the other covenants in this Agreement, the Executive agrees and reaffirms that the only monetary and other consideration to which [he] [she] is entitled due to the
termination of employment is that provided to the Executive pursuant to the CIC Severance Agreement, as set forth on Attachment A attached to this Agreement. 
  

	2.	 RETURN OF COMPANY PROPERTY 

 By signing this Agreement, the Executive represents and warrants that [he] [she] has returned to the Employer all of its property and all the property of any of the CMS Companies which the Executive had
in [his] [her] possession. 
  

	3.	 GENERAL RELEASE AND DISCHARGE BY EXECUTIVE 

 In consideration of the payments and commitments made by the Employer to the Executive (described in Section 1 above), the Executive on [his] [her] own behalf, and [his] [her] descendants, ancestors,
dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, and successors, 

  
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 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
  

 
and each of them, hereby covenants not to sue and fully releases and discharges the Employer, CMS Energy Corporation, and all of their subsidiaries and affiliates, past and present, and each of
them as well as its and their trustees, directors, officers, agents, attorneys, insurers, employees, stockholders, representatives, assigns, and successors, past and present, and each of them, hereinafter together and collectively referred to as
“Releasees,” with respect to and from any and all claims, wages, demands, rights, liens, agreements, contracts, covenants, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, debts, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, judgments,
orders and liabilities of whatever kind or nature in law, equity or otherwise, whether now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, and whether or not concealed or hidden, which the Executive now owns or holds or has at any time on or prior to
the Effective Date of Termination owned or held as against said Releasees, arising out of or in any way connected with the Executive’s employment relationship with the Employer or the Releasees, or the Executive’s termination of employment
or any other transactions, occurrences, acts or omissions or any loss, damage or injury whatsoever, known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, resulting from any act or omission by or on the part of said Releasees, or any of them, committed or
omitted prior to the date of this Agreement, including but not limited to, claims based on any express or implied contract of employment which may have been alleged to exist between the Employer, the Releasees and the Executive, or under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), 29 U.S.C. §621, et seq, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000e, et seq, as amended, the
Civil Rights Act of 1991, P. L. 102-1 66, the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, MCLA §37.2101, et seq, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. §701, et seq, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C.
§12206, et seq, as amended, or the Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, MCLA §37.1101, et seq, as amended, or any other federal, state or local law, rule, regulation or ordinance, and claims for severance pay, sick leave, holiday
pay, and any other fringe benefit provided to the Executive by the Employer or Releasees except for those rights preserved by Section 3.2(i) of the CIC Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to, nor do the Executive and the Employer,
waive the right to enforce the CIC Agreement. 
  

	4.	 REVOCATION OF RELEASE BY EXECUTIVE 

 The Executive specifically acknowledges for purposes of this Agreement that: (1) the Executive has been advised by the Employer to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement;
(2) the Executive has been given [21] [45] days to consider the release; and (3) the Executive may revoke this Agreement within 7 days of signing this Agreement. In the event of such a revocation, the Executive will repay to Employer all
funds already received under the CIC Agreement and waive [his] [her] rights to receive any additional funds under the CIC Agreement. Such a revocation, to be effective, must be in writing and either (i) postmarked within 7 days of execution of
this Agreement and addressed to the attention of                     , CMS Energy Corporation, at One Energy Plaza, Jackson, Michigan 49201,
or (ii) hand delivered to                      within 7 days of execution of this Agreement. The Executive understands that if revocation
is made by mail, mailing by certified mail, return receipt requested, is recommended to show proof of mailing. IF THE EXECUTIVE SIGNS THIS AGREEMENT PRIOR TO THE END OF THE [21] [45] DAY PERIOD, THE EXECUTIVE CERTIFIES

  
 25 

 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
  

 
THAT THE EXECUTIVE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY DECIDED TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT AFTER CONSIDERING IT LESS THAN [21] [45] DAYS AND [HIS] [HER] DECISION TO DO SO WAS NOT INDUCED BY THE EMPLOYER THROUGH
FRAUD, MISREPRESENTATION OR A THREAT TO WITHDRAW OR ALTER THE OFFER THE SEVERANCE BENEFITS PAYABLE UNDER THE CIC AGREEMENT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE [21] [45] DAY TIME PERIOD. 

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RELEASE CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE AND ENFORCEABLE ONLY AFTER THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS
PASSED. 
  

	5.	 GOVERNING LAW AND SEVERABILITY OF INVALID PROVISIONS 

This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to its conflicts of
law principles. In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and
effect, and the parties shall negotiate in good faith to accomplish the purposes and amend this Agreement so as, to the extent possible under the law, to carry out the original intent of the provision or portion determined to be invalid or
unenforceable. 
  

	6.	 FULL UNDERSTANDING AND VOLUNTARY ACCEPTANCE 

 In entering this Agreement, the Employer and the Executive represent that they have had the opportunity to consult with attorneys of their own choice, that the Employer and the Executive have read the
terms of this Agreement and that those terms are fully understood and voluntarily accepted by them. 
  

	7.	 DISPUTE RESOLUTION 

 The provisions of Article 7, Dispute Resolution and Notice, of the CIC Agreement, shall apply to and govern any dispute arising under this Agreement. 

 

	8.	 MODIFICATION 

 Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be varied, altered, modified, canceled, changed, or in any way amended except by mutual agreement of the parties in a written
instrument executed by the parties hereto or their legal representatives. 
  

	9.	 COUNTERPARTS AND HEADINGS 

 This Agreement may be executed in one (1) or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same Agreement. Signatures
transmitted via facsimile shall be regarded by the parties as original signatures. The headings of the various sections and subsections of this Agreement shall not limit or affect the terms and provisions of this Agreement. 

  
 26 

 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
  

 Signed this      day of
            , 20    . 
  

			
	  

	
	 [EXECUTIVE’S NAME]

	
	  

	
	 [EMPLOYER’S NAME]

		
	 By:
	 	  

		
	 Its:
	 	  

  
 27 

 Tier IV Change in Control as of March 2012 
  

 ATTACHMENT A 

  
 28Exhibit 10.3

 Exhibit 10.3 
 CMS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN 
 FOR CMS ENERGY 

AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 

 CMS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN FOR CMS ENERGY 

AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES 
  

	I.	 GENERAL PROVISIONS 

  

	 	1.1	 Purpose. The purpose of the CMS Incentive Compensation Plan (“CMSICP Plan” or “Plan”) is to:

  

	 	(a)	 Provide an equitable and competitive level of compensation that will permit CMS Energy (“Company”) and its subsidiaries to attract, retain
and motivate officers and employees. 

  

	 	(b)	 No payments to Officers or Employees in the form of incentive compensation shall be made unless pursuant to a plan approved by the Committee on
Compensation and Human Resources of the Board of Directors of CMS Energy and after express approval of the Committee. This plan shall be administered by the President and CEO of CMS Energy and the Benefit Administration Committee.

  

	 	1.2	 Effective Date. The initial effective date of the Plan is January 1, 2004. The Plan, as described herein, is amended and restated
effective as of March 16, 2012. 

  

	 	1.3	 Definitions. As used in this CMSICP Plan, the following terms have the meaning described below: 

 

	 	(a)	 “Annual Award” means an annual incentive award granted under the CMSICP Plan. 

 

	 	(b)	 “Base Salary” means the base salary on January 1 of a Performance Year, except as impacted by a Change in Status as defined in
Article V. For purposes of the Plan, an Officer’s Base Salary must be subject to annual review and annual approval by the Committee. 

  

	 	(c)	 “CMS Energy” means CMS Energy Corporation. 

 

	 	(d)	 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

 

	 	(e)	 “Code Section 162(m) Employee” means an employee whose compensation is subject to the “Million Dollar Cap” under Code
Section 162(m). Generally, this is the CEO and the three highest paid executive officers of the Company (other than the CEO and the CFO). 

  

	 	(f)	 “Committee” means the Committee on Compensation and Human Resources of the Board of Directors of CMS Energy Corporation.

  

	 	(g)	 “Company” means CMS Energy. 

  
 1 

	 	(h)	 “Deferred Annual Award” means the amount deferred pursuant to Section 4.2. 

 

	 	(i)	 “Disability” means that a participant has terminated employment with the Company or a Subsidiary and is disabled, as that term is defined
under Code Section 409A and any applicable regulations. 

  

	 	(j)	 “Leave of Absence” for purposes of this CMSICP Plan means a leave of absence that has been approved by the Company.

  

	 	(k)	 “Officer” means an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary in Salary Grade “E-3” or higher. 

 

	 	(l)	 “Payment Event” means the time at which a Deferred Annual Award may be paid pursuant to Section 4.2. 

 

	 	(m)	 “Payment Term” means the length of time for payment of a Deferred Annual Award under Section 4.2. 

 

	 	(n)	 “Pension Plan” means the Pension Plan for Employees of Consumers Energy and Other CMS Energy Companies. 

 

	 	(o)	 “Performance Year” means the calendar year prior to the year in which an Annual Award is made by the Committee.

  

	 	(p)	 “Plan Administrator” for Officer participants means the President and Chief Executive Officer of CMS Energy, under the general direction
of the Committee. For all other participants and for purposes of administering Deferred Amounts under Section 4.2, the Plan Administrator is the Benefits Administration Committee appointed by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial
Officer as authorized by the Board of Directors. 

  

	 	(q)	 “Retirement” means that a Plan participant is no longer an active employee and qualifies for a retirement benefit other than a deferred
vested retirement benefit under the Pension Plan. For a participant ineligible for coverage under the Pension Plan and covered instead under the Defined Company Contribution Plan, retirement occurs when there is a Separation from Service on or after
age 55 with 5 or more years of service. 

  

	 	(r)	 “Separation from Service” means an Employee retires or otherwise has a separation from service from the Company as defined under Code
Section 409A and any applicable regulations. The Plan Administrator will determine, consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A and any applicable regulations, to what extent a person on a leave of absence,

  
 2 

	 	 
including on paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy, has incurred a Separation from Service. Notwithstanding the above, a Separation from Service will occur consistent with the Regulation
1.409A-1(h) when it is reasonably anticipated that the level of service provided by the Employee will be no more than 45% of the average level of bona fide service performed by the Employee over the immediately preceding 36 month period.

  

	 	(s)	 “Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company. 

 

	 	1.4	 Eligibility. Officers of CMS Energy and/or Consumers Energy and U.S. Employees who do not participate in a broad based incentive plan
contingent upon objectives and performance unique to the employees’ subsidiary, affiliate, site and/or business unit, are eligible for participation in the CMSICP Plan (“Employee”). An individual listed on the Company payroll records
as a contract employee is not eligible for this Plan. 

  

	 	1.5	 Administration of the Plan. 

  

	 	(a)	 The Plan is administered by the President and Chief Executive Officer of CMS Energy under the general direction of the Committee.

  

	 	(b)	 The Committee will normally approve performance goals in January of the Performance Year, but no later than March 30th of the Performance Year. 

 

	 	(c)	 The Committee, no later than March 1st of the calendar year following the Performance Year, will review for approval proposed Annual Awards for
the total of all CMSICP Officer participants, as recommended by the President and CEO of CMS Energy. All proposed Annual Awards are subject to approval of the Committee. Before the payment of any Annual Awards, the Company’s outside auditors
and the Committee will certify in writing that the performance goals were in fact satisfied in accordance with Code Section 162(m). 

  

	 	(d)	 The Committee reserves the right to modify the performance goals with respect to unforeseeable circumstances or otherwise exercise discretion with
respect to proposed Annual Awards as it deems necessary to maintain the spirit and intent of the CMSICP Plan, provided that such discretion will be to decrease or eliminate, not increase, Annual Awards in the case of any Code Section 162(m)
Employees. The Committee also reserves the right in its discretion to not pay Annual Awards for a Performance Year. All decisions of the Committee are final. 

  
 3 

	II.	 CORPORATE PERFORMANCE GOALS 

  

	 	2.1	 In General. Corporate performance goals are established in two areas: (1) the adjusted net income per outstanding CMS Energy
share (EPS); and (2) the Cash Flow of CMS Energy (OCF). 

  

	 	2.2	 Plan Performance Factor. The plan performance factor used to calculate an Annual Award is based on the results of the corporate
performance goals and is capped at two times the standard award amount. The Plan Performance Factor is established in a table relating specific performance results in the areas of EPS and OCF to specific performance goals. This table shall be
created by the Committee for each Performance Year. 

  

	III.	 ANNUAL AWARD FORMULA 

  

	 	3.1	 Officers’ Annual Awards. Annual Awards for each eligible Officer will be based upon a percentage of the Officer’s Base
Salary for the Performance Year times the Plan performance factor for the year as determined under 2.2 above. The standard award percentage for each eligible Officer will be approved annually by the Committee for each Performance Year. The maximum
amount that can be awarded under this Plan for any Code Section 162(m) Employee will not exceed $2.5 Million in any one Performance Year. The total amount of a CMSICP participant Officer’s Annual Award shall be computed according to the
annual award formula set forth in Section 3.2. 

  

	 	3.2	 Calculation of Award. Annual Awards for Officer, CMSICP participants will be calculated and made as follows:

 Annual Award = Base Salary times 

Standard Award Percentage times Plan Performance Factor 

In addition, each Annual Award for Officers of Consumers Energy Company may be modified based on the results achieved for
the Consumers Energy Annual Employee Incentive Compensation Plan. If the Consumers Energy Annual Employee Incentive Compensation Plan does not pay out an operational award for the same Performance Year, then the Annual Award, if any, earned under
this Plan will be reduced by 10%. If the Consumers Energy Annual Employee Incentive Compensation Plan pays out an operational award for the same Performance Year based on achievement of some of the established objectives, but not at the maximum
award percentage, then there is no modification of awards under this Plan. If however, the Consumers Energy Annual Employee Incentive Compensation Plan pays out an operational award at the maximum award percentage for the same Performance Year based
on achievement of the established objectives, then the Annual Award, if any, earned under this Plan will 

  
 4 

 
be increased by up to 10%, provided, however, that no such increase will cause the Annual Award to exceed the maximum of two times the standard award amount, or exceed the maximum payout for a
Code Section 162 (m) Employee. 
  

	 	3.3	 Employees’ Annual Awards. Annual Awards for eligible Employee, CMSICP participants will be based upon a standard award as set
forth in the table below. The total amount of an Employee Annual Award shall be computed according to the annual award formula set forth in Section 3.4. 

 

									
	 Salary Grade
	  	Standard Award Amount	 
	  	Full time	 	  	Part time	 
	 25
	  	$	37,000	  	  			
	 24
	  	$	36,500	  	  			
	 23
	  	$	22,500	  	  			
	 22
	  	$	22,000	  	  			
	 21
	  	$	13,500	  	  			
	 20
	  	$	13,000	  	  			
	 19
	  	$	12,500	  	  			
	 18
	  	$	2,000	  	  	$	1,000	  
	 17
	  	$	1,750	  	  	$	875	  
	 16
	  	$	1,500	  	  	$	750	  
	 15
	  	$	1,350	  	  	$	675	  
	 14
	  	$	1,200	  	  	$	600	  
	 13
	  	$	1,150	  	  	$	575	  
	 12
	  	$	1,100	  	  	$	550	  
	 11
	  	$	1,050	  	  	$	525	  
	 10
	  	$	1,000	  	  	$	500	  
	 9
	  	$	950	  	  	$	475	  
	 8
	  	$	900	  	  	$	450	  
	 7
	  	$	850	  	  	$	425	  
	 6
	  	$	800	  	  	$	400	  
	 5
	  	$	750	  	  	$	375	  
	 4
	  	$	700	  	  	$	350	  
	 3
	  	$	650	  	  	$	325	  
	 2
	  	$	600	  	  	$	300	  
	 1
	  	$	550	  	  	$	275	  

  

	 	3.4	 Calculation of Award. Annual Awards for CMSICP participants will be calculated and made as follows: 

Annual Award = Standard Award Amount times Plan Performance Factor 

 

	IV.	 PAYMENT OF ANNUAL AWARDS 

  

	 	4.1	 Cash Annual Award. All Annual Awards for a Performance Year will be paid in cash after certification by the outside auditors of the
Company and the 

  
 5 

	 	 
Committee that the performance goals have been satisfied, but not later than March 15th of the calendar year following the Performance Year provided that the Annual Award for a particular Performance Year
has not been deferred voluntarily pursuant to Section 4.2. The amounts required by law to be withheld for income and employment taxes will be deducted from the Annual Award payments. All Annual Awards become the obligation of the company on
whose payroll the Officer/Employee is enrolled at the time the Committee makes the Annual Award. 

  

	 	4.2	 Deferred Annual Awards. 

  

	 	(a)	 The payment of all or any portion (rounded to an even multiple of 10%) of a cash Annual Award may be deferred voluntarily at the election of an
individual Plan participant in salary grades 19-25 and E-3 – E-9. Any such deferral will be net of any applicable FICA or FUTA taxes. A separate irrevocable election must be made prior to the Performance Year. Any Annual Award made by the
Committee after termination of employment of a participant or retirement of a participant will be paid in accordance with any deferral election made within the enrollment period. 

 

	 	(b)	 At the time the participant makes a deferral election he or she must select the payment options (including the Payment Event as set forth at
(c) below and the Payment Term as set forth at (d) below) applicable to the Deferred Annual Award for the Performance Year, as well as any earnings or income attributable to such amounts. The payment options elected will apply only to that
year’s Deferred Annual Award and will not apply to any previous Deferred Annual Award or to any subsequent Deferred Annual Award. Any participant who elects to defer all or a portion of an Annual Award and who fails to select a Payment Event or
a Payment Term will be presumed to have elected a Payment Event of Separation from Service in accordance with paragraph (c)(i) below and/or a Payment Term of a single sum. 

 

	 	(c)	 The Payment Event elected can be either: 

  

	 	(i)	 Separation from Service for any reason other than death. Payment will be made, or begin, in the later of: (1) January of the year following the
year of the Separation from Service; or (2) the seventh month after the month of the Separation from Service. Later installments, if any, will be paid in January of the succeeding years; 

 

	 	(ii)	 Payment upon attainment of a date certain that is more than 1 year after the last day of the applicable Performance Year. Later installments, if
any, will be paid in January of the succeeding years; or 

  
 6 

	 	(iii)	 The earlier of (i) or (ii) above. 

  

	 	(d)	 Payment Term. At the time of electing to defer an Annual Award, the participant must also elect how he or she wishes to receive any such payment
from among the following options (the participant may elect a separate Payment Term for each Payment Event elected): 

  

	 	(i)	 Payment in a single sum upon occurrence of the Payment Event. 

 

	 	(ii)	 Payment of a series of annual installment payments over a period from two (2) years to fifteen (15) years following the Payment Event.
Each installment payment shall be equal to a fractional amount of the balance in the account the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is the number of installment payments remaining. Although initially such installment payments
will be identical, actual payments may vary based upon investment performance. For example, a series of 5 installment payments will result in a payout of 1/5 of the account balance in the first installment, 1/4 of the account balance (including
investment gains or losses since the first installment date) in the second installment, etc. 

  

	 	(e)	 Changes to Payment Options. Once a payment option has been elected, subsequent changes which would accelerate the receipt of benefits from the Plan
are not permitted, except that the Plan Administrator may at its discretion accelerate payments to the extent permitted by Code Section 409A and applicable regulations. A subsequent election to change the payment options related to a Payment
Event, in order to delay a payment or to change the form of a payment, can only be made when all of the following conditions are satisfied: 

  

	 	(i)	 such election may not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on which the election is made; 

 

	 	(ii)	 the payment(s) with respect to which such election is made is deferred for a period of not less than 5 years from the date such payment would
otherwise have been made (or, in the case of installment payments under Section 4.2(d)(ii), 5 years from the date the first installment was scheduled to be paid); and 

 

	 	(iii)	 such election must be made not less than 12 months before the date the payment was previously scheduled to be made (or, in the case of installment
payments under Section 4.2(d)(ii), 12 months before the first installment was scheduled to be paid), if the participant’s previous commencement date was a specified date. 

  
 7 

	 	(f)	 Investments. At the time of electing to voluntarily defer payment, the participant must elect how the Deferred Annual Award will be treated by the
Company or Subsidiary. To the extent that any amounts deferred are placed in a rabbi trust with an independent record keeper, a participant who has previously deferred amounts under this Plan will automatically have his or her existing investment
profile apply to this deferral also. All determinations of the available investment options by the Plan Administrator are final and binding upon participants. A participant may change the investment elections at any time prior to the payment of the
benefit, subject to any restrictions imposed by the Plan Administrator, the plan record keeper or by any applicable laws and regulations. A participant not making an election will have amounts deferred treated as if in a Lifestyle Fund under the
Savings Plan for Employees of Consumers Energy and other CMS Energy Companies (the “Savings Plan”) applicable to the participant’s age 65, rounded up, or such other investment as determined by the Benefit Administration Committee. All
gains and losses will be based upon the performance of the investments selected by the participant from the date the deferral is first credited to the nominal account. If the Company elects to fund its obligation as discussed below, then investment
performance will be based on the balance as determined by the record keeper. 

  

	 	(g)	 The amount of any Deferred Annual Award is to be satisfied from the general corporate funds of the company on whose payroll the Plan participant was
enrolled prior to the payout beginning and are subject to the claims of general creditors. This is an unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plan. To the extent the Company or Subsidiary, as applicable, elects to place funds with a trustee to
pay its future obligations under this Plan, such amounts are placed for the convenience of the Company or Subsidiary, remain the property of the Company or Subsidiary and the participant shall have no right to such funds until properly paid in
accordance with the provisions of this Plan. For administrative ease and convenience, such amounts may be referred to as participant accounts, but as such are a notional account only and are not the property of the participant. Such amounts remain
subject to the claims of the creditors of the Company or Subsidiary. 

  

	 	(h)	 Payment in the Event of an Unforeseeable Emergency. The participant may request that payments commence immediately upon the occurrence of an
unforeseeable emergency as that term is defined in Code Section 409A and any applicable regulations. Generally, an unforeseeable emergency is a severe financial hardship resulting from an illness or accident of the participant or the
participant’s spouse or dependent, loss of the participant’s property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the

  
 8 

	 	 
control of the participant. A distribution on account of 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 (without causing severe financial hardship), or by cessation of deferrals under this arrangement, the Savings Plan or other arrangements. Distributions because of an
unforeseeable emergency shall not exceed the amount permitted under Section 409A and accordingly are limited to the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy the emergency need (after use of insurance proceeds, liquidation of assets, etc.) plus an
amount to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution. In the event any payment is made due to an unforeseeable emergency, all deferral elections for the current Performance Year will cease and the participant will not be
eligible to make any deferral elections under this Plan for the following Performance Year. For any participant receiving a hardship withdrawal under the Savings Plan, all deferral elections under this Plan for the current Performance Year will
cease and the participant will not be eligible to make any deferral elections under this Plan for the following Performance Year. 

  

	 	4.3	 Payment in the Event of Death. 

  

	 	(a)	 A participant may name the beneficiary of his or her choice on a beneficiary form provided by the Company or record keeper, and the beneficiary
shall receive, within 90 days of the participant’s death, in a single sum, all payments credited to the participant in the event that the participant dies prior to receipt of Deferred Annual Awards. If a beneficiary is not named or does not
survive the participant, the payment will be made to the participant’s estate. In no event may any recipient designate a year of payment for an amount payable upon the death of the participant. 

 

	 	(b)	 A participant may change beneficiaries at any time, and the change will be effective as of the date the plan record keeper or Company accepts the
form as complete. Neither the Company nor the applicable Subsidiary will be liable for any payments made before receipt and acceptance of a written beneficiary request. 

 

	V.	 CHANGE OF STATUS 

 Payments in the event of a change in status will not be made if no Annual Awards are made for the Performance Year. 
  

	 	5.1	 Pro-Rata Annual Awards. A new Officer/Employee participant, whether hired or promoted to the position, or an Officer/employee promoted
to a higher salary grade during the Performance Year will receive a pro rata Annual Award based 

  
 9 

	 	 
on the percentage of the Performance Year in which the employee is in a particular salary grade. An Officer/Employee participant whose salary grade has been lowered, but whose employment is not
terminated during the Performance Year will receive a pro rata Annual Award based on the percentage of the Performance Year in which the employee is in a particular salary grade. 

 

	 	5.2	 Termination. An Officer/Employee participant whose employment is terminated pursuant to a violation of the Company code of conduct or
other corporate policies will not be considered for or receive an Annual Award. 

  

	 	5.3	 Resignation. An Officer/Employee participant who resigns prior to payment (during or after a Performance Year) will not be eligible
for an Annual Award. If the resignation is due to reasons such as a downsizing or reorganization, or the ill health of the employee or ill health in the immediate family, the employee may petition the Plan Administrator and may be considered, in the
discretion of the Plan Administrator, for a pro rata Annual Award. The Plan Administrator’s decision to approve or deny the request for a pro rata Annual Award shall be final. 

 

	 	5.4	 Death, Disability, Retirement, Leave of Absence. An Officer/Employee participant whose status as an active employee is changed during
the Performance Year due to death, Disability, Retirement, or Leave of Absence will receive a pro rata Annual Award. An Officer/Employee participant whose employment is terminated following the Performance Year but prior to payment due to death,
Disability or Retirement will continue to be eligible for an Annual Award for the Performance Year. Any such payment or Annual Award payable due to the death of the Officer/Employee participant will be made to the named beneficiary, or if no
beneficiary is named or if the beneficiary doesn’t survive the Officer/Employee participant, then to the Officer/Employee participant’s estate no later than March 15 following the applicable Performance Year. Notwithstanding the
above, an Officer/Employee participant who retires, is on disability or Leave of Absence and who becomes employed by a competitor of CMS Energy or Consumers Energy or their subsidiaries or affiliates prior to award payout will forfeit all rights to
an Annual Award, unless prior approval of such employment has been granted by the Committee. A “competitor” shall mean an entity engaged in the business of (1) selling (a) electric power or natural gas at retail or wholesale
within the State of Michigan or (b) electric power at wholesale within the market area in which an electric generating plant owned by a subsidiary or affiliate of CMS Energy is located or (2) developing an electric generating plant within
the State of Michigan or a market area in which an electric generating plant owned by a subsidiary or affiliate of CMS Energy is located. 

  

	 	5.5	 Clawback. 

  

	 	(a)	 If, due to a restatement of CMS Energy’s or an Affiliate’s publicly disclosed financial statements or otherwise, an Officer or Employee is
subject to an obligation to make a repayment or return of benefits to CMS 

  
 10 

	 	 
Energy or an Affiliate pursuant to a clawback provision contained in this Plan, a supplemental executive retirement plan, the Performance Incentive Stock Plan, or any other benefit plan (a
“benefit plan clawback provision”) of the Company, it shall be a precondition to the payment of any award under this Plan, that the Officer or Employee fully repay or return to the Company any amounts owing under such benefit plan clawback
provision. Any and all awards under this Plan are further subject to any provision of law which may require the Officer or Employee to forfeit or return any benefits provided hereunder, in the event of a restatement of the Company’s
publicly disclosed accounting statements or other illegal act, whether required by Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, federal securities law (including any rule or regulation promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission),
any state law, or any rule or regulation promulgated by the applicable listing exchange or system on which the Company lists its traded shares. 

  

	 	(b)	 To the degree any benefits hereunder are not otherwise forfeitable pursuant to the preceding sentences of this Section 5.5, the Board or a
Committee delegated authority by the Board (“delegated Committee”), may require the Officer or Employee to return to the Company or forfeit any amounts granted under this Plan, if: 

 

	 	1.	 the grant of such compensation was predicated upon achieving certain financial results which were subsequently the subject of a substantial
accounting restatement of the Company’s financial statements filed under the securities laws (a “financial restatement”), 

  

	 	2.	 a lower payout or Annual Award (“reduced financial results”), would have occurred based upon the financial restatement, and

  

	 	3.	 in the reasonable opinion of the Board or the delegated Committee, the circumstances of the financial restatement justify such a modification of the
Annual Award. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, whether the financial restatement was caused by misconduct, whether the financial restatement affected more than one period and the reduced financial results in one period were
offset by increased financial results in another period, the timing of the financial restatement or any required repayment, and other relevant factors. 

Unless otherwise required by law, the provisions of this Subsection (b) relating to the return of previously paid
Plan benefits shall not apply unless a claim is made therefore by the Company within three years of the payment of such benefits. 

  
 11 

	 	(c)	 The Board or delegated Committee shall also have the discretion to require a clawback in the event of a mistake or accounting error in the
calculation of a benefit or an award that results in a benefit to an eligible individual to which he/she was not otherwise entitled. The rights set forth in this Plan concerning the right of the Company to a clawback are in addition to any other
rights to recovery or damages available at law or equity and are not a limitation of such rights. 

  

	VI.	 MISCELLANEOUS 

  

	 	6.1	 Impact on Benefit Plans. Payments made under the Plan will be considered as earnings for the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans
but not for purposes of the Employees’ Savings Plan, Pension Plan, or other employee benefit programs. 

  

	 	6.2	 Impact on Employment. Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the granting of any Annual Award under the Plan will be deemed to create
any right in any individual to be retained or continued in the employment of the Company or any corporation within the Company’s control group. 

  

	 	6.3	 Termination or Amendment of the Plan. The Board of Directors of the CMS Energy Corporation may amend or terminate the Plan at any
time. Upon termination, any Deferred Annual Award accrued under the Plan will remain in the Plan and be paid out in accordance with the payment options previously selected. The Plan Administrator is authorized to make any amendments that are deemed
necessary or desirable to comply with any applicable laws, regulations or orders or as may be advised by counsel or to clarify the terms and operation of the Plan. The Company may terminate the Plan and accelerate payment of any deferred benefits
under the Plan if it acts consistent in all respects with the requirements of Code Section 409A and any applicable regulations with respect to when a terminated plan may accelerate payment to a participant. 

 

	 	6.4	 Governing Law. The Plan will be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan.

  

	 	6.5	 Dispute Resolution. Any disputes related to the Plan must be brought to the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator is granted full
discretionary authority to apply the terms of the Plan, make administrative rulings, interpret the Plan and make any other determinations with respect to the Plan. If the Plan Administrator makes an adverse determination and the participant
disagrees with or wishes to appeal the determination, the participant must appeal the decision to the Plan Administrator, in writing and not later than 60 days from when the determination was mailed to the participant. If the participant does not
timely appeal the original determination, the participant has no further rights under the Plan with respect to the matter presented in the claim. If the participant appeals the original determination and that appeal does not result in a mutually
agreeable resolution, then the dispute shall be subject to final and binding arbitration before a single 

  
 12 

	 	 
arbitrator selected by the parties to be conducted in Jackson, Michigan, provided the participant makes such request for arbitration in writing within 30 days of the final decision by the Plan
Administrator. The arbitration will be conducted and finished within 90 days of the selection of the arbitrator. The parties shall share equally the cost of the arbitrator and of conducting the arbitration proceeding, but each party shall bear the
cost of its own legal counsel and experts and other out-of-pocket expenditures. The arbitrator must use an arbitrary and capricious standard of review when considering any determinations and findings by the Plan Administrator.

  

	VII.	 AMENDMENT TO REFLECT CODE SECTION 409A 

 

	 	7.1	 Code Section 409A. This Plan has been amended, effective as of January 1, 2005, to comply with the requirements of
Section 409A of the Code. To the extent counsel determines additional amendments may be reasonable or desirable in order to comply with Code Section 409A, and any other applicable rules, laws and regulations, such changes shall be
authorized with the approval of the Plan Administrator. 

  
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