Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.56

                                AMENDMENT 2000-2

                              BECKMAN COULTER, INC.
                                  SAVINGS PLAN

              WHEREAS, Beckman Coulter, Inc. (the "Company"), a Delaware
corporation, maintains the Beckman Coulter, Inc. Savings Plan (the "Plan"); and

              WHEREAS, the Company wishes to amend the Plan so that
contributions are calculated based upon Participants' Plan Compensation before
reduction for deferrals to the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
and Executive Restoration Plan; and

              WHEREAS, the Company has the right to amend the Plan;

              NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended, effective January 1,
2001, as follows:

              1. The definition of Annual Bonus contained in Section 1.2 of the
Plan is amended to read as follows:

              "ANNUAL BONUS" or "ANNUAL BONUSES" shall mean the portion of Plan
              Compensation paid under the Company's executive and management
              incentive and performance sharing programs, or such similar
              broad-based programs as maintained by the Company from
              time-to-time (not including individualized programs such as
              retention bonuses).

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              2. The definition of Plan Compensation contained in Section 1.2 of
the Plan is amended to read as follows:

              "`PLAN COMPENSATION' shall mean compensation paid during the Plan
              Year and includes the following: regular earnings, overtime, sick
              pay, shift differential, shift premium, vacation pay, Variable
              Pay, call-in pay, patent payments and holiday pay. Plan
              Compensation also includes any amounts contributed to a plan
              qualifying under Sections 401(k) or 125 of the Code as salary
              reduction contributions and any variable compensation paid
              according to a formal program or programs officially adopted by
              the Company on or after January 1, 1995. Any other form of
              compensation is excluded from Plan Compensation, including but not
              limited to the following: prizes, awards, housing allowances,
              stock option exercises, stock appreciation rights, restricted
              stock exercises, performance awards, auto allowances, loss of use
              of company car, tuition reimbursement, article payments, tax
              reimbursement, Christmas gift, special awards, non-recurring
              bonuses, move-related payments, forms of imputed income, and Share
              Value Plan payments. Plan Compensation shall not include amounts
              deferred under the Company's non-qualified deferred compensation
              programs, provided that for contributions made for Plan Years
              commencing on or after January 1, 2001 (but not for previous Plan
              Years), Plan Compensation shall include the amounts described in
              this subsection prior to deferral under the Company's Executive
              Deferred Compensation Plan and Executive Restoration Plan. Plan
              Compensation shall also not include any amounts paid to an
              Employee prior to the date on which he or she became a
              Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum

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              amount of an Employee's Plan Compensation which shall be taken
              into account under the Plan for any Plan Year (the "Maximum
              Compensation Limitation") shall be $150,000 adjusted at the same
              time and in the same manner as under Sections 401(a)(17) and
              415(d) of the Code. For any Plan Year of fewer than twelve months,
              the Maximum Compensation Limitation shall be reduced to the amount
              obtained by multiplying such limitation by a fraction having a
              numerator equal to the number of months in the Plan Year and a
              denominator equal to twelve."

              3. The following new definition of Variable Pay is hereby added to
Section 1.2 of the Plan:

              "`VARIABLE PAY' shall mean Annual Bonuses and sales and service
              incentive compensation."

              4. The references to "Annual Bonus" in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 are
amended to refer to "Variable Pay."

              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment 2000-2 is hereby adopted this
21st day of December, 2000.

                                   BECKMAN COULTER, INC.

                                   By /s/ Fidencio M. Mares
                                      ------------------------------------------

                                   Its Vice President, Human Resources
                                       -----------------------------------------<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.57

                  EXECUTIVE RETENTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM SUMMARY
                                  February 2001

The Executive Retention Incentive Program was approved by the Organization and
Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors in October 1999 and
was adopted by the Company with implementation finalized in September 2000. The
purpose of the program is to provide an incentive for executive retention and to
promote stock ownership achievement. Under the Company's Executive Retention
Incentive Program, the Company will make quarterly advance payments of interest
due on certain five-year loans obtained by certain key executives designated by
the Chairman of the Company's Board of Directors through, and fully funded by,
an outside lender. The advances apply to compensation to be earned upon
satisfying certain service and other contingencies. Interest advances are made
only during the period of employment and may be suspended during the time
certain contingencies are not met. Each executive must provide the Company with
a promissory note for the amount advanced in the event of a termination of
employment for reasons shown in the promissory note. In the event of termination
for certain other reasons, generally in the event of death, disability or
retirement, the interest advance will be forgiven on a pro-rata basis through
the termination date. Nothing in the program confers any right to continued
employment with the Company, nor does it interfere with the Company's right to
terminate employment. The Company may terminate this program at any time with
twelve months advance notice to the participants.

The forms of the promissory note relating to this program are attached hereto as
Recourse Promissory Note "A" and Recourse Promissory Note "B."

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                          RECOURSE PROMISSORY NOTE "A"

                                    Fullerton, California _______________, 20___

1. MAKER'S PROMISE TO PAY. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, ___________________ ("MAKER"),
promises to pay to the order of BECKMAN COULTER, INC., a Delaware corporation
("HOLDER"), at 4300 North Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton, California 92834-3100 or
at such other place as Holder may from time to time designate in writing to
Maker, so much as Holder shall have advanced to Maker pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Recourse Promissory Note ("NOTE") to pay Maker's interest
only payments as due and payable on that certain Promissory Note due to Mellon
Bank, N.A., executed by Maker on ___________, 20___ (the "MELLON LOAN NOTE"). A
copy of the Mellon Loan note shall be attached hereto as Exhibit A. All amounts
advanced to Maker under the terms and conditions of this Note shall constitute
in the aggregate the "PRINCIPAL BALANCE." If not sooner accelerated pursuant to
Section 5, the Principal Balance shall be due and payable and no future advances
shall be permitted hereunder on the earlier of the date that is (a) sixty (60)
months after the date of the Mellon Loan note as set forth above, or (b) the due
date of the Mellon Loan (the "MATURITY DATE").

2. TERMINATION OF ADVANCES. If at any time before the Maturity Date, Maker does
not maintain compliance with the stock ownership guidelines as set forth in that
certain memorandum dated as of _____________, Holder shall no longer be required
to make any advances to Maker under this Note. The Chairman of the Board of
Holder in his sole and absolute discretion may make exceptions to such
termination of advances after written request by Maker.

3. PAYMENT. Any payments received by Holder pursuant to the terms hereof shall
be applied to the Principal Balance due Holder pursuant to the terms hereof.

4.  RELIEF OF PAYMENT OBLIGATION.

       (a)    Subject to the terms hereof, Maker shall be relieved of his or her
              obligation to pay the Principal Balance due and payable hereunder
              on the Maturity Date if Maker has been and continues to be a
              full-time employee of Holder, in good standing, through the term
              of this Note and as of the close of business on the Maturity Date.
              If an Event of Acceleration has occurred as a result of Maker's
              termination of employment as set forth in Section 5(a) herein, as
              of Maker's employment termination date Maker shall be relieved of
              his or her obligation to pay the Principal Balance due and payable
              hereunder and this Note shall be cancelled and deemed paid in full
              and no future advances shall be permitted hereunder if and only if
              Maker's employment with Holder terminated as a result of either
              (i) Holder's termination of Maker's employment without Cause (as
              defined below), or (ii) Maker's death or Disability.

       (b)    For purposes of this Note, the following definitions shall apply:

                     "CAUSE" shall be defined as: (i) the willful refusal of
              Maker to comply with a lawful, written order of the Board of
              Directors so long as the order is consistent with the scope and
              responsibilities of Maker's position; (ii) dishonesty by Maker

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              which results in a material financial loss to Holder or material
              injury to its public reputation; or (iii) Maker's conviction of
              any felony involving an act of moral turpitude.

                     "DISABILITY" shall mean termination from employment as a
              result of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment
              of a potentially permanent character which prevents an Maker from
              engaging in any substantial gainful employment.

       (c)    Any relief of Maker's payment obligation hereunder shall be
              treated as additional compensation income to Maker as of the date
              of such relief. Any imputed interest arising as a result of this
              Note shall also be treated as additional compensation income to
              Maker as determined in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code
              of 1986, as amended, and any applicable state law. Any such
              compensation income shall be included in Maker's Form W-2 for the
              appropriate calendar year and will be subject to any applicable
              payroll taxes and federal and state income tax withholding
              requirements. As a condition precedent for any relief of Maker's
              payment obligations hereunder, Maker shall be required to pay any
              applicable payroll taxes and federal and state income tax
              withholding amounts arising from such relief. Such amounts shall
              be due to Holder immediately prior to any relief of any obligation
              hereunder. Maker hereby authorizes Holder to offset any such
              payroll taxes and withholding obligations against any monies
              otherwise due to Maker. If such monies are not available to fully
              extinguish all of Maker's obligations hereunder, Maker shall make
              payment to Holder in immediately available funds of any such
              shortfall.

5. ACCELERATION. An occurrence of either of the following shall be deemed to be
an "EVENT of ACCELERATION" under this Note:

       (c)    the termination of Maker's employment by Holder,

       (d)    the failure of Maker to comply with any other covenant or
              obligation under this Note.

6. REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Acceleration hereunder, Holder
may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without demand or notice to Maker,
(a) declare the entire Principal Balance immediately due and payable, (b) cease
making any advances hereunder, and (c) exercise any and all rights and powers
and pursue any and all remedies now or hereafter available under applicable law.
No delay or omission on the part of Holder in exercising any right or remedy
under this Note shall operate as a waiver of such right or remedy.

7. WAIVERS. Maker hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand,
notice of protest, demand, dishonor and nonpayment of this Note, and notice of
intention to accelerate the maturity of this Note, and expressly agrees that,
without in any way affecting the liability of Maker hereunder, Holder may extend
any date or time for payment hereunder, accept security or release any party
liable hereunder and release any security now or hereafter securing this Note.
Maker further waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the right to plead
any and all statutes of limitations as a defense to demand on this Note, or on
any deed of trust, security agreement, lease assignment,

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guaranty or other agreement now or hereafter securing this Note. Maker hereby
waives all rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to this Note,
including rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to this Note which may
arise from claims heretofore unknown to Maker.

8. AT WILL EMPLOYMENT. Maker agrees that nothing in this Note shall alter the
"at will" nature of Maker's employment with Holder nor shall this Note be
construed as a guarantee of employment for any specific time period. Maker
understands and agrees that this Note is not an employment contract, and nothing
in this Note creates any right to Maker's continuous employment by Holder, or to
Maker's employment for any particular term. Nothing in this Note shall affect in
any manner whatsoever the right or power of Holder to terminate Maker's
employment, for any reason, with or without cause.

9. NOTICES. Any notice, request, demand, instruction or other communication to
be given to any party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, as follows:

               If to Maker:
                                    ------------------------
                                    ------------------------
                                    ------------------------

               If to Holder:        Beckman Coulter, Inc.
                                    4300 North Harbor Boulevard
                                    Fullerton, California 92834-3100
                                    Attn:  Vice President Human Resources

                                    Copy to: Vice President, General Counsel &
                                    Secretary

The addressees for the purpose of this Note may be changed by giving written
notice of such change in the manner provided for giving such notice. However,
unless and until such written notice of change is actually received, the last
address and addressees as stated by written notice, or provided herein if no
notice of change has been received, shall be deemed to continue in effect for
all purposes hereunder.

10. ATTORNEYS' FEES. If Holder seeks legal advice following a default by Maker
hereunder or refers this Note to collection or to reclaim, protect, preserve or
enforce this Note, then Maker shall pay all fees, expenses and any other costs
associated with such default (including, without limitation, all attorneys'
fees, expenses and costs).

11. SEVERABILITY. Every provision of this Note is intended to be severable. In
the event any term or provision hereof is declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality
or invalidity shall not affect the balance of the terms and provisions, which
shall remain binding and enforceable.

12. NUMBER AND GENDER. In this Note the singular shall include the plural and
the masculine shall include the feminine and vice versa, if the context so
requires.

13. ASSIGNMENT.  This Note may be assigned, transferred, hypothecated or

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otherwise conveyed, in whole or in part, by Holder without the prior written
consent of Maker. Maker may not assign, transfer, hypothecate or otherwise
convey his or her rights, duties or obligations under this Note.

14. CHOICE OF LAW. This Note shall be governed and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of California.

                                        MAKER

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------

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                                    EXHIBIT A

                             MELLON PROMISSORY NOTE

<PAGE>   7

                          RECOURSE PROMISSORY NOTE "B"

                                    Fullerton, California _______________, 20___

1. MAKER'S PROMISE TO PAY. FOR VALUE RECEIVED, _____________________ ("MAKER"),
promises to pay to the order of BECKMAN COULTER, INC., a Delaware corporation
("HOLDER"), at 4300 North Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton, California 92834-3100 or
at such other place as Holder may from time to time designate in writing to
Maker, so much as Holder shall have advanced to Maker pursuant to the terms and
conditions of this Recourse Promissory Note ("NOTE") to pay Maker's interest
only payments as due and payable on that certain Promissory Note due to Mellon
Bank, N.A., executed by Maker on ___________, 20___ (the "MELLON LOAN NOTE"). A
copy of the Mellon Loan note shall be attached hereto as Exhibit A. All amounts
advanced to Maker under the terms and conditions of this Note shall constitute
in the aggregate the "PRINCIPAL BALANCE." If not sooner accelerated pursuant to
Section 5, the Principal Balance shall be due and payable, and no future
advances shall be permitted hereunder, on the earlier of the date that is (a)
sixty (60) months after the date of the Mellon Loan note as set forth above, or
(b) the due date of the Mellon Loan (the "MATURITY DATE").

2. TERMINATION OF ADVANCES. If at any time before the Maturity Date, Maker
terminates employment with Holder or Maker does not maintain compliance with the
stock ownership guidelines as set forth in that certain memorandum dated as of
_______________ or if Holder terminates the program after twelve (12) months
advance notice, Holder shall no longer be required to make any advances to Maker
under this Note. The Chairman of the Board of Holder in his sole and absolute
discretion may make exceptions to termination of advances due to non-compliance
with stock ownership guidelines after written request by Maker.

3. PAYMENT. Any payments received by Holder pursuant to the terms hereof shall
be applied to the Principal Balance due Holder pursuant to the terms hereof.

4.  RELIEF OF PAYMENT OBLIGATION.

       (a)    Maker shall be relieved of his or her obligation to pay the
              Principal Balance due and payable hereunder on the Maturity Date
              if Maker has been and continues to be a full-time employee of
              Holder, in good standing, through the term of this Note and as of
              the close of business on the Maturity Date. If an Event of
              Acceleration has occurred as a result of Maker's termination of
              employment as set forth in Section 5(a) herein, as of Maker's
              employment termination date Maker shall be relieved of his or her
              obligation to pay the Principal Balance due and payable hereunder
              and this Note shall be cancelled and deemed paid in full and no
              future advances shall be permitted hereunder if and only if (i)
              Holder terminates Maker's employment without Cause (as defined
              below), or (ii) Maker's termination of employment is due to death,
              Disability, or Retirement.

       (b)    For purposes of this Note, the following definitions shall apply:

<PAGE>   8

                     "CAUSE" shall mean: (i) the willful refusal of Maker to
              comply with a lawful, written order of the Board of Directors so
              long as the order is consistent with the scope and
              responsibilities of Maker's position; (ii) dishonesty by Maker
              which results in a material financial loss to Holder or material
              injury to its public reputation; or (iii) Maker's conviction of
              any felony involving an act of moral turpitude.

                     "DISABILITY" shall mean Maker has a medically determinable
              physical or mental impairment of a potentially permanent character
              which prevents Maker from engaging in any substantial gainful
              employment.

                     "RETIREMENT" shall mean that Maker's age as of his or her
              most recent birthday plus Maker's vesting years of service under
              the Beckman Coulter, Inc. Pension Plan or under Retirement Plus in
              the Beckman Coulter, Inc. Savings Plan, whichever is applicable to
              Maker at time of termination, equals 65, or if Maker is age 65 or
              older on his or her most recent birthday, he or she has completed
              one vesting year of service under the applicable plan referenced
              herein.

       (c)         Any relief of Maker's payment obligation hereunder shall be
              treated as additional compensation income to Maker as of the
              earlier of (i) the date of such relief, or (ii) the date Maker is
              Retirement eligible. Any imputed interest arising as a result of
              this Note shall also be treated as additional compensation income
              to Maker as determined in accordance with the Internal Revenue
              Code of 1986, as amended, and any applicable state law. Any such
              compensation income shall be included in Maker's Form W-2 for the
              appropriate calendar year and will be subject to any applicable
              payroll taxes and federal and state income tax withholding
              requirements. As a condition precedent for any relief of Maker's
              payment obligations hereunder, Maker shall be required to pay any
              applicable payroll taxes and federal and state income tax
              withholding amounts arising from such relief. Such amounts shall
              be due to Holder immediately prior to any relief of any obligation
              hereunder. Maker hereby authorizes Holder to offset any such
              payroll taxes and withholding obligations against any monies
              otherwise due to Maker. If such monies are not available to fully
              extinguish all of Maker's obligations hereunder, Maker shall make
              payment to Holder in immediately available funds of any such
              shortfall.

5. ACCELERATION. An occurrence of either of the following shall be deemed to be
an "EVENT of ACCELERATION" under this Note:

       (e)    the termination of Maker's employment by Holder,

       (b)    the failure of Maker to comply with any other covenant or
              obligation under this Note.

6. REMEDIES. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Acceleration hereunder, Holder
may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without demand or notice to Maker,
(a) declare the entire Principal Balance immediately due and payable, (b) cease
making any advances hereunder, and (c) exercise any and

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all rights and powers and pursue any and all remedies now or hereafter available
under applicable law. No delay or omission on the part of Holder in exercising
any right or remedy under this Note shall operate as a waiver of such right or
remedy.

7. WAIVERS. Maker hereby waives diligence, presentment, protest and demand,
notice of protest, demand, dishonor and nonpayment of this Note, and notice of
intention to accelerate the maturity of this Note, and expressly agrees that,
without in any way affecting the liability of Maker hereunder, Holder may extend
any date or time for payment hereunder, accept security or release any party
liable hereunder and release any security now or hereafter securing this Note.
Maker further waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the right to plead
any and all statutes of limitations as a defense to demand on this Note, or on
any deed of trust, security agreement, lease assignment, guaranty or other
agreement now or hereafter securing this Note. Maker hereby waives all rights of
setoff and counterclaim with respect to this Note, including rights of setoff
and counterclaim with respect to this Note which may arise from claims
heretofore unknown to Maker.

8. AT WILL EMPLOYMENT. Maker agrees that nothing in this Note shall alter the
"at will" nature of Maker's employment with Holder nor shall this Note be
construed as a guarantee of employment for any specific time period. Maker
understands and agrees that this Note is not an employment contract, and nothing
in this Note creates any right to Maker's continuous employment by Holder, or to
Maker's employment for any particular term. Nothing in this Note shall affect in
any manner whatsoever the right or power of Holder to terminate Maker's
employment, for any reason, with or without cause.

9. NOTICES. Any notice, request, demand, instruction or other communication to
be given to any party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given if personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, as follows:

          If to Maker:
                           ---------------------------------
                           ---------------------------------
                           ---------------------------------

          If to Holder:    Beckman Coulter, Inc.
                           4300 North Harbor Boulevard
                           Fullerton, California 92834-3100
                           Attn:  Vice President Human Resources
                           And copy to: Vice President, General Counsel
                           & Secretary

The addressees for the purpose of this Note may be changed by giving written
notice of such change in the manner provided for giving such notice. However,
unless and until such written notice of change is actually received, the last
address and addressees as stated by written notice, or provided herein if no
notice of change has been received, shall be deemed to continue in effect for
all purposes hereunder.

10. ATTORNEYS' FEES. If Holder seeks legal advice following a default by Maker
hereunder or refers this Note to collection or to reclaim, protect, preserve or
enforce this Note, then Maker shall pay all fees, expenses and any other costs
associated with such default (including, without limitation,

<PAGE>   10

all attorneys' fees, expenses and costs).

11. SEVERABILITY. Every provision of this Note is intended to be severable. In
the event any term or provision hereof is declared by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be illegal or invalid for any reason whatsoever, such illegality
or invalidity shall not affect the balance of the terms and provisions, which
shall remain binding and enforceable.

12. NUMBER AND GENDER. In this Note the singular shall include the plural and
the masculine shall include the feminine and vice versa, if the context so
requires.

13. ASSIGNMENT. This Note may be assigned, transferred, hypothecated or
otherwise conveyed, in whole or in part, by Holder without the prior written
consent of Maker. Maker may not assign, transfer, hypothecate or otherwise
convey his or her rights, duties or obligations under this Note.

14. CHOICE OF LAW. This Note shall be governed and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of California.

                                        MAKER

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------

<PAGE>   11

                                    EXHIBIT A

                             MELLON PROMISSORY NOTE

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