Document:

Exhibit 10.1

 

NATURES’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC. TAX DEFERRED RETIREMENT PLAN

 

401 (k) Plan CL2011

 

Restated January 1, 2012

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
INTRODUCTION
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE I
    	
FORMAT   AND DEFINITIONS
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 1.01
    	
Format
    
	
Section 1.02
    	
Definitions
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE II
    	
PARTICIPATION
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 2.01
    	
Active   Participant
    
	
Section 2.02
    	
Inactive   Participant
    
	
Section 2.03
    	
Cessation   of Participation
    
	
Section 2.04
    	
Adopting   Employers - Single Plan
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE Ill
    	
CONTRIBUTIONS
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 3.01
    	
Employer   Contributions
    
	
Section 3.02
    	
Rollover   Contributions
    
	
Section 3.03
    	
Forfeitures
    
	
Section 3.04
    	
Allocation
    
	
Section 3.05
    	
Contribution   Limitation
    
	
Section 3.06
    	
Excess   Amounts
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IV
    	
INVESTMENT   OF CONTRIBUTIONS
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 4.01
    	
Investment   and Timing of Contributions
    
	
Section 4.02
    	
Investment   in Qualifying Employer Securities
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE V
    	
BENEFITS
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 5.01
    	
Retirement   Benefits
    
	
Section 5.02
    	
Death   Benefits
    
	
Section 5.03
    	
Vested   Benefits
    
	
Section 5.04
    	
When   Benefits Start
    
	
Section 5.05
    	
Withdrawal   Benefits
    
	
Section 5.06
    	
Distributions   Under Qualified Domestic Relations Orders
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VI
    	
DISTRIBUTION   OF BENEFITS
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 6.01
    	
Automatic   Forms of Distribution
    
	
Section 6.02
    	
Optional   Forms of Distribution
    
	
Section 6.03
    	
Election   Procedures
    
	
Section 6.04
    	
Notice   Requirements
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VII
    	
REQUIRED   MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 7.01
    	
Application
    
	
Section 7.02
    	
Definitions
    

 

 

	
Section 7.03
    	
Required   Minimum Distributions
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIII
    	
TERMINATION   OF THE PLAN
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IX
    	
ADMINISTRATION   OF THE PLAN
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 9.01
    	
Administration
    
	
Section 9.02
    	
Expenses
    
	
Section 9.03
    	
Records
    
	
Section 9.04
    	
Information Available
    
	
Section 9.05
    	
Claim Procedures
    
	
Section 9.06
    	
Delegation of Authority
    
	
Section 9.07
    	
Exercise of Discretionary Authority
    
	
Section 9.08
    	
Transaction Processing
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE X
    	
GENERAL PROVISIONS
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 10.01
    	
Amendments
    
	
Section 10.02
    	
Direct Rollovers
    
	
Section 10.03
    	
Mergers and Direct Transfers
    
	
Section 10.04
    	
Provisions Relating to the Insurer and Other   Parties
    
	
Section 10.05
    	
Employment Status
    
	
Section 10.06
    	
Rights to Plan Assets
    
	
Section 10.07
    	
Beneficiary
    
	
Section 10.08
    	
Nonalienation of Benefits
    
	
Section 10.09
    	
Construction
    
	
Section 10.10
    	
Legal Actions
    
	
Section 10.11
    	
Small Amounts
    
	
Section 10.12
    	
Word Usage
    
	
Section 10.13
    	
Change in Service Method
    
	
Section 10.14
    	
Military Service
    
	
Section 10.15
    	
Indemnification
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE XI
    	
TOP-HEAVY PLAN REQUIREMENTS
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Section 11.01
    	
Application
    
	
Section 11.02
    	
Definitions
    
	
Section 11.03
    	
Modification of Contributions
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
PLAN EXECUTION
    	
 
    

 

ii

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Primary Employer previously established a tax deferred retirement plan on October 31, 1986.

 

The Plan is being restated effective January 1, 2012, and is set forth in this document which is substituted in lieu of the prior document with the exception of any interim compliance amendment and any model amendment. Such amendment(s) shall continue to apply to this restated plan until such provisions are integrated into the plan or such amendment(s) are superseded by another amendment.

 

It is intended that the restated 401(k) plan qualify as a profit sharing plan under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including any later amendments to the Code. The Employer agrees to operate the plan according to the terms, provisions, and conditions set forth in this document.

 

The restated plan continues to be for the exclusive benefit of employees of the Employer. All persons covered under the plan before the effective date of this restatement shall continue to be covered under the restated plan with no loss of benefits.

 

This plan includes the statutory, regulatory, and guidance changes specified in the 2011 Cumulative List of Changes in Plan Qualification Requirements (2011 Cumulative List) contained in Internal Revenue Service Notice 2011-97 and the qualification requirements and guidance published before the issuance of such list. The provisions of this plan apply as of the effective date of the restatement unless otherwise specified.

 

 

ARTICLE I

 

FORMAT AND DEFINITIONS

 

SECTION 1.01—FORMAT.

 

Words and phrases defined in the DEFINITIONS SECTION of Article I shall have that defined meaning when used in this Plan, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. These words and phrases have initial capital letters to aid in identifying them as defined terms.

 

SECTION 1.02—DEFINITIONS.

 

Account means, for a Participant, his share of the Plan Fund. Separate accounting records are kept for those parts of his Account resulting from:

 

(a)                      Pre-tax Elective Deferral Contributions

 

(b)                      Roth Elective Deferral Contributions

 

(c)                       Matching Contributions

 

(d)                      Qualified Nonelective Contributions

 

(e)                       Rollover Contributions

 

A Participant’s Account shall be reduced by any distribution of his Vested Account and by any Forfeitures. A Participant’s Account shall participate in the earnings credited, expenses charged, and any appreciation or depreciation of the Investment Fund. His Account is subject to any minimum guarantees applicable under the Annuity Contract or other investment arrangement.

 

ACP Test means the nondiscrimination test described in Code Section 401(m)(2) as provided for in the EXCESS AMOUNTS SECTION of Article Ill.

 

Active Participant means an Eligible Employee who is actively participating in the Plan according to the provisions in the ACTIVE PARTICIPANT SECTION of Article II.

 

Adopting Employer means an employer who has adopted this Plan and who is not the Primary Employer. An Adopting Employer is a Controlled Group member and is listed in the ADOPTI NG EMPLOYERS - SINGLE PLAN SECTION of Article II.

 

ADP Test means the nondiscrimination test described in Code Section 401(k)(3) as provided for in the EXCESS AMOUNTS SECTION of Article Ill.

 

Affiliated Service Group means any group of corporations, partnerships or other organizations of which the Employer is a part and that is affiliated within the meaning of Code Section 414 (m) and the regulations thereunder. The term Controlled Group, as it is used in this Plan, shall include the term Affiliated Service Group.

 

2

 

Alternate Payee means any spouse, former spouse, child, or other dependent of a Participant who is recognized by a qualified domestic relations order as having a right to receive all, or a portion of, the benefits payable under the Plan with respect to such Participant.

 

Annual Compensation means, for a Plan Year, the Employee’s Compensation for the Compensation Year ending with or within the consecutive 12-month period ending on the last day of the Plan Year.

 

Annual Compensation shall exclude Compensation for the portion of the Compensation Year in which an Employee is not an Active Participant.

 

Annuity Contract means the annuity contract or contracts into which the Trustee or the Primary Employer enters with the Insurer for guaranteed benefits, for the investment of Contributions in separate accounts, and for the payment of benefits under this Plan.

 

Annuity Starting Date means, for a Participant, the first day of the first period for which an amount is payable as an annuity or any other form.

 

Beneficiary means the person or persons named by a Participant to receive any benefits under the Plan when the Participant dies.  See the BENEFICIARY SECTION of Article X.

 

Catch-up Contributions means Elective Deferral Contributions made to the Plan that are in excess of an otherwise applicable Plan limit and that are made by Participants who are age 50 or older by the end of the taxable year. An otherwise applicable Plan limit is a limit in the Plan that applies to Elective Deferral Contributions without regard to Catch-up Contributions, such as the limits on the Maximum Annual Additions, as defined in the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of Article Ill, the dollar limitation on Elective Deferral Contributions under Code Section 402(g) (not counting Catch-up Contributions), and the limit imposed by the ADP Test.

 

Catch-up Contributions are not subject to the limits on the Maximum Annual Additions, as defined in the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of Article 111, are not counted in the ADP Test, and are not counted in determining the minimum allocation under Code Section 416 (but Catch-up Contributions made in prior years are counted in determining whether the Plan is top-heavy).

 

Claimant means any person who makes a claim for benefits under this Plan. See the CLAIM PROCEDURES SECTION of Article IX.

 

Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Compensation means, except for purposes of the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of Article Ill and Article XI, the total earnings, except as modified in this definition, from the Employer during any specified period.

 

“Earnings” in this definition means wages within the meaning of Code Section 3401(a) for the purposes of income tax withholding at the source but determined without regard to any rules that limit the remuneration included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or the services performed (such as the exception for agricultural labor in Code Section 3401(a)(2)).

 

For any Self-employed Individual, Compensation means Earned Income.

 

Except as provided herein, Compensation for a specified period is the Compensation actually paid or made available (or if earlier, includible in gross income) during such period.

 

3

 

Compensation for a Plan Year shall also include Compensation paid by the later of 2 1/2 months after an Employee’s Severance from Employment with the Employer maintaining the Plan or the end of the Plan Year that includes the date of the Employee’s Severance from Employment with the Employer maintaining the Plan, if the payment is regular Compensation for services during the Employee’s regular working hours, or Compensation for services outside the Employee’s regular working hours (such as overtime or shift differential), commissions, bonuses, or other similar payments, and, absent a Severance from Employment, the payments would have been paid to the Employee while the Employee continued in employment with the Employer.

 

Any payments not described above shall not be considered Compensation if paid after Severance from Employment, even if they are paid by the later of 2 1/2 months after the date of Severance from Employment or the end of the Plan Year that includes the date of Severance from Employment.

 

Back pay, within the meaning of section 1.415(c)-2(g)(8) of the regulations, shall be treated as Compensation for the Plan Year to which the back pay relates to the extent the back pay represents wages and compensation that would otherwise be included in this definition.

 

Compensation paid or made available during a specified period shall include amounts that would otherwise be included in Compensation, but for an election under Code Section 125(a), 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B), 402(k), or 457(b). Compensation shall also include employee contributions “picked up” by a governmental entity and, pursuant to Code Section 414(h)(2), treated as Employer contributions.

 

For purposes of determining the allocation or amount of

 

Elective Deferral Contributions

 

Compensation shall exclude the following:

 

severance pay

 

For purposes of the EXCESS AMOUNTS SECT ION of Article Ill, the Employer may elect to use an alternative nondiscriminatory definition of Compensation in accordance with the regulations under Code Section 414(s).

 

The annual Compensation of each Participant taken into account in determining contributions and allocations for any determination period (the period over which Compensation is determined) shall not exceed $200,000, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17)(B). The cost-of-living adjustment in effect for a calendar year applies to any determination period beginning with or within such calendar year.

 

If a determination period consists of fewer than 12 months, the annual compensation limit is an amount equal to the otherwise applicable annual compensation limit multiplied by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the number of months in the short determination period, and the denominator of the fraction is 12.

 

If Compensation for any prior determination period is taken into account in determining a Participant’s contributions or allocations for the current Plan Year, the Compensation for such prior determination period is subject to the applicable annual compensation limit in effect for that determination period.

 

4

 

Compensation means, for a Leased Employee, Compensation for the services the Leased Employee performs for the Employer, determined in the same manner as the Compensation of Employees who are not Leased Employees, regardless of whether such Compensation is received directly from the Employer or from the leasing organization.

 

Compensation Year means the period used to determine Annual Compensation. The Compensation Year is the consecutive 12-month period ending on the last day of each Plan Year, including corresponding periods before the effective date of the Plan.

 

Contributions means Employer Contributions and Rollover Contributions as set out in Article 111, unless the context clearly indicates only specific contributions are meant.

 

Controlled Group means any group of corporations, trades, or businesses of which the Employer is a part that is under common control. A Controlled Group includes any group of corporations, trades, or businesses, whether or not incorporated, which is either a parent-subsidiary group, a brother-sister group, or a combined group within the meaning of Code Section 414(b), Code Section 414(c) and the regulations thereunder and, for purposes of determining contribution limitations under the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of Article Ill, as modified by Code Section 415(h). The term Controlled Group, as it is used in this Plan, shall include the term Affiliated Service Group and any other employer required to be aggregated with the Employer under Code Section 414(0) and the regulations thereunder.

 

Designated Beneficiary means the individual who is designated by the Participant (or the Participant’s surviving spouse) as the Beneficiary of the Participant’s interest under the Plan and who is the designated beneficiary under Code Section 401(a)(9) and section 1.401(a)(9)-4 of the regulations.

 

Differential Wage Payments means any payments that are made by an Employer to an individual with respect to any period during which the individual is performing Qualified Military Service while on active duty for a period of more than 30 days. Such payments shall be made in accordance with Code Section 3401(h) and represent all or a portion of the wages the individual would have received from the Employer if the individual were performing service for the Employer.

 

Direct Rollover means a payment by the Plan to the Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Distributee.

 

Distributee means an Employee or former Employee. In addition, the Employee’s (or former Employee’s) surviving spouse and the Employee’s (or former Employee’s) spouse or former spouse who is the Alternate Payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Code Section 414(p), are Distributees with regard to the interest of the spouse or former spouse. For distributions made after December 31, 2006, a Distributee includes the Employee’s (or former Employee’s) nonspouse Designated Beneficiary, in which case, the distribution can only be transferred to a traditional IRA or Roth IRA established on behalf of the nonspouse Designated Beneficiary for the purpose of receiving the distribution.

 

Earned Income means, for a Self-employed Individual, net earnings from self-employment in the trade or business for which this Plan is established if such Self-employed Individual’s personal services are a material income producing factor for that trade or business. Net earnings shall be determined without regard to items not included in gross income and the deductions properly allocable to or chargeable against such items. Net earnings shall be reduced for the employer contributions to the employer’s qualified retirement plan(s) to the extent deductible under Code Section 404.

 

5

 

Net earnings shall be determined with regard to the deduction allowed to the employer by Code Section 164(f) for taxable years beginning after December 31, 1989.

 

Elective Deferral Agreement means an agreement between an Eligible Employee and the Employer under which an Eligible Employee may make Elective Deferral Contributions. An Elective Deferral Agreement (or change thereto) must be made in such manner and in accordance with such rules as the Employer may prescribe in a nondiscriminatory manner (including by means of voice response or other electronic system under circumstances the Employer permits). Elective Deferral Agreements cannot relate to Compensation that is payable prior to the later of the adoption or effective date of the cash or deferred arrangement (CODA). Elective Deferral Agreements shall be made, changed, or terminated according to the provisions of the EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS SECTION of Article Ill. An Elective Deferral Agreement may also be terminated according to the terms of an automatic contribution arrangement.

 

Elective Deferral Contributions means Employer Contributions made in accordance with either an Elective Deferral Agreement or the terms of an automatic contribution arrangement.

 

Elective Deferral Contributions means Pre-tax Elective Deferral Contributions and Roth Elective Deferral Contributions, unless the context clearly indicates only one is meant.

 

Elective Deferral Contributions shall be 100% vested and subject to the distribution restrictions of Code Section 401(k) when made.  See the WHEN BENEFITS START SECTION of Article V.

 

Eligible Employee means any Employee of the Employer excluding the following:

 

Bargaining class. Represented for collective bargaining purposes by any collective bargaining agreement between the Employer and employee representatives, if retirement benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining and if two percent or less of the Employees who are covered pursuant to that agreement are professionals as defined in section 1.41O(b)-9 of the regulations, unless a collective bargaining agreement in effect for such Plan Year requires that the employees in a specified bargaining class be covered by this Plan. For this purpose, the term “employee representatives” does not include any organization more than half of whose members are Employees who are owners, officers, or executives of the Employer.

 

Leased Employee.

 

An Employee considered by the Employer to be an independent contractor, or the employee of an independent contractor, who is later determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be an Employee of the Employer.

 

However, to the extent an Employee becomes an Employee as a result of a Code Section 41O(b)(6)(C) transaction, that Employee shall not be an Eligible Employee during the period beginning on the date of the transaction and ending on the last day of the first Plan Year beginning after the date of the transaction. This period is called the transition period. The transition period may end earlier if there is a significant change in the coverage under the Plan or if the Employer chooses to cover all similarly situated Employees as of an earlier date. A Code Section 41O{b){6)(C) transaction is an asset or stock acquisition, merger, or similar transaction involving a change in the employer of the employees of a trade or business.

 

Eligible Retirement Plan means an eligible plan under Code Section 457(b) which is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision

 

6

 

of a state and which agrees to separately account for amounts transferred into such plan from this Plan, a tradit ional IRA, a Roth IRA, an annuity plan described in Code Section 403(a), an annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b), or a qualified plan described in Code Section 401(a), that accepts the Distributee’s Eligible Rollover Distribution. The definition of Eligible Retirement Plan shall also apply in the case of a distribution to a surviving spouse, or to a spouse or former spouse who is the Alternate Payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Code Section 414(p).

 

If any portion of an Eligible Rollover Distribution is attributable to payments or distributions from a designated Roth account, an Eligible Retirement Plan with respect to such portion shall include only (i) another designated Roth account of the individual from whose Account the payments or distributions were made or (ii) a Roth IRA of such individual.

 

Eligible Rollover Distribution means any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the Distributee, except that an Eligible Rollover Distribution does not include:  (i) any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for the life (or life expectancy) of the Distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Distributee and the Distributee’s Designated Beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more; (ii) any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under Code Section 401(a)(9); (iii) any hardship distribution; and (iv) any other distribution(s) that is reasonably expected to total less than $200 during a year. For purposes of the $200 rule, a distribution from a designated Roth account and a distribution from other accounts under the Plan shall be treated as made under separate plans.

 

Any portion of a distribution that consists of after-tax employee contributions that are not includible in gross income may be transferred only to (i) a traditional individual retirement account or annuity described in Code Section 408(a) or (b) (a “traditional IRA”); (ii) a Roth individual retirement account or annuity described in Code Section 408A (a “Roth IRA”); or (iii) a qualified plan or an annuity contract described in Code Section 401(a) and 403(b), respectively, that agrees to separately account for amounts so transferred, including separately accounting for the portion of such distribution which is includible in gross income and the portion of such distribution which is not so includible.

 

Employee means an individual who is employed by the Employer or any other employer required to be aggregated with the Employer under Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m), or (o). A Controlled Group member is required to be aggregated with the Employer.

 

The term Employee shall include any individual receiving Differentia lWage Payments.

 

The term Employee shall include any Self-employed Individual treated as an employee of any employer described in the preceding paragraphs as provided in Code Section 401(c)(1). The term Employee shall also include any Leased Employee deemed to be an employee of any employer described in the preceding paragraphs as provided in Code Section 414(n) or (o).

 

Employer means, except for purposes of the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of Article Ill, the Primary Employer. This will also include any successor corporation, trade or business which will, by written agreement, assume the obligations of this Plan or any Predecessor Employer that maintained this Plan.

 

Employer Contributions means

 

Elective Deferral Contributions

Matching Contributions

Qualified Nonelective Contributions

 

7

 

as set out in Article Ill and contributions made by the Employer in accordance with the provisions of the MODIFICATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS SECTION of Article XI, unless the context clearly indicates only specific contributions are meant.

 

Entry Date means the date an Employee first enters the Plan as an Active Participant.  See the ACTIVE PARTICIPANT SECTION of Article II.

 

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

 

Forfeiture means the part, if any, of a Participant’s Account that is forfeited. See the FORFEITURES SECTION of Article Ill.

 

Forfeiture Date means, as to a Participant, the date the Participant incurs five consecutive Vesting Breaks in Service.

 

Governing Board means the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Primary Employer.

 

Highly Compensated Employee means any Employee who:

 

(a)                     was a 5-percent owner at any time during the year or the preceding year, or

 

(b)                     for the preceding year had compensation from the Employer in excess of $80,000 and was in the top-paid group (top 20% of employees based on compensation) for the preceding year.   The $80,000 amount is adjusted at the same time and in the same manner as under Code Section 415(d), except that the base period is the calendar quarter ending September 30, 1996.

 

For this purpose the applicable year of the plan for which a determination is being made is called a determination year and the preceding 12-month period is called a look-back year.

 

In determining who is a Highly Compensated Employee, the Employer makes a top-paid group election. The effect of this election is that an Employee (who is not a 5-percent owner at any time during the determination year or the look-back year) with compensation in excess of $80,000 (as adjusted) for the look-back year is a Highly Compensated Employee only if the Employee was in the top-paid group for the look-back year. Top-paid group elections, once made, apply for all subsequent years unless changed by the Employer. Any such election(s) must be in writing and by the date prescribed in Code Section 414(q) and the regulations thereunder. Any election(s) shall remain in effect until changed by a new election and must apply consistently to all plans maintained by the Employer which reference the highly compensated employee definition in Code Section 414(a), except as provided in Internal Revenue Service Notice 97-45 (or superseding guidance).

 

The determination of who is a highly compensated former Employee is based on the rules applicable to determining Highly Compensated Employee status as in effect for that determination year, in accordance with section 1.414(q)-1T, A-4 of the temporary Income Tax Regulations and Internal Revenue Service Notice 97-45.

 

The determination of who is a Highly Compensated Employee, including the determinations of the number and identity of Employees in the top-paid group, the compensation that is considered, and the identity of the 5-percent owners, shall be made in accordance with Code Section 414(q) and the regulations thereunder.

 

8

 

Hour of Service means the following:

 

(a)                     Each hour for which an Employee is paid, or entitled to payment, for performing duties for the Employer during the applicable computation period.

 

(b)                     Each hour for which an Employee is paid, or entitled to payment, by the Employer on account of a period of time in which no duties are performed (irrespective of whether the employment relationship has terminated) due to vacation, holiday, illness, incapacity (including disability), layoff, jury duty, military duty or leave of absence. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subparagraph (b), no credit will be given to the Employee:

 

(1)                      for more than 501 Hours of Service under this subparagraph (b) on account of any single continuous period in which the Employee performs no duties (whether or not such period occurs in a single computation period); or

 

(2)                      for an Hour of Service for which the Employee is directly or indirectly paid, or entitled to payment, on account of a period in which no duties are performed if such payment is made or due under a plan maintained solely for the purpose of complying with applicable worker’s or workmen’s compensation, or unemployment compensation, or disability insurance laws; or

 

(3)                      for an Hour of Service for a payment which solely reimburses the Employee for medical or medically related expenses incurred by him.

 

For purposes of this subparagraph (b), a payment shall be deemed to be made by, or due from the Employer, regardless of whether such payment is made by, or due from the Employer, directly or indirectly through, among others, a trust fund or insurer, to which the Employer contributes or pays premiums and regardless of whether contributions made or due to the trust fund, insurer or other entity are for the benefit of particular employees or are on behalf of a group of employees in the aggregate.

 

(c)                       Each hour for which back pay, irrespective of mitigation of damages. is either awarded or agreed to by the Employer.  The same Hours of Service shall not be credited both under subparagraph (a) or subparagraph (b) above (as the case may be) and under this subparagraph (c). Crediting of Hours of Service for back pay awarded or agreed to with respect to periods described in subparagraph (b) above will be subject to the limitations set fort h in that subparagraph.

 

The crediting of Hours of Service above shall be applied under the rules of paragraphs {b) and (c) of the Department of Labor Regulation 2530.200b-2 (including any interpretations or opinions implementing such rules); which rules, by this reference, are specifically incorporated in full within this Plan. The reference to paragraph (b) applies to the special rule for determining Hours of Service for reasons other than the performance of duties such as payments calculated (or not calculated) on the basis of units of time and the rule against double credit. The reference to paragraph (c) applies to the crediting of Hours of Service to computation periods.

 

Hours of Service shall be credited for employment with any other employer required to be aggregated with the Employer under Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) and the regulations thereunder for purposes of eligibility and vesting. Hours of Service shall also be credited for any individual who is considered an employee for purposes of this Plan pursuant to Code Section 414(n) or (o) and the regulations thereunder.

 

9

 

Solely for purposes of determining whether a one-year break in service has occurred for eligibility or vesting purposes, during a Parental Absence an Employee shall be credited with the Hours of Service which would otherwise have been credited to the Employee but for such absence, or in any case in which such hours cannot be determined, eight Hours of Service per day of such absence. The Hours of Service credited under this paragraph shall be credited in the computation period in which the absence begins if the crediting is necessary to prevent a break in service in that period; or in all other cases, in the following computation period.

 

Inactive Participant means a former Active Participant who has an Account. See the INACTIVE PARTICIPANT SECTION of Article II.

 

Insurer means Principal Life Insurance Company or the insurance company or companies named by (i) the Primary Employer or (ii) the Trustee in its discretion or as directed under the Trust Agreement.

 

Investment Fund means the total of Plan assets, excluding the guaranteed benefit policy portion of any Annuity Contract. All or a portion of these assets may be held under, or invested pursuant to, the terms of a Trust Agreement.

 

The Investment Fund shall be valued at current fair market value as of the Valuation Date.  The valuation shall take into consideration investment earnings credited, expenses charged, payments made, and changes in the values of the assets held in the Investment Fund.

 

The Investment Fund shall be allocated at all times to Participants, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan. The Account of a Participant shall be credited with its share of the gains and losses of the Investment Fund. The part of a Participant’s Account invested in a funding arrangement that establishes one or more accounts or investment vehicles for such Participant thereunder shall be credited with the gain or loss from such accounts or investment vehicles. The part of a Participant’s Account invested in other funding arrangements shall be credited with a proportionate share of the gain or loss of such investments. The share shall be determined by multiplying the gain or loss of the investment by the ratio of the part of the Participant’s Account invested in such funding arrangement to the total of the Investment Fund invested in such funding arrangement.

 

Investment Manager means any fiduciary (other than a trustee or Named Fiduciary)

 

(a)                     who has the power to manage, acquire, or dispose of any assets of the Plan;

 

(b)                    who (i) is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940; (ii) is not registered as an investment adviser under such Act by reason of paragraph (1) of section 203A(a) of such Act, is registered as an investment adviser under the laws of the state (referred to in such paragraph (1)) in which it maintains its principal office and place of business, and, at the time it last filed the registration form most recently filed by it with such state in order to maintain its registration under the laws of such state, also filed a copy of such form with the Secretary of Labor; (iii) is a bank, as defined in that Act; or (iv) is an insurance company qualified to perform services described in subparagraph (a) above under the laws of more than one state; and

 

(c)                     who has acknowledged in writing being a fiduciary with respect to the Plan.

 

Late Retirement Date means any day that is after a Participant’s Normal Retirement Date and on which retirement benefits begin. If a Participant continues to work for the Employer after his Normal Retirement Date, his Late Retirement Date shall be the day he has a Severance from Employment.  In

 

10

 

modification of the foregoing, a Participant may elect to begin his retirement benefits before he has a Severance from Employment.  A later Retirement Date (after a Severance from Employment) may apply if the Participant so elects.  See the WHEN BENEFITS START SECTION of Article V.

 

Leased Employee means any person (other than an employee of the recipient) who, pursuant to an agreement between the recipient and any other person (“leasing organization”), has performed services for the recipient (or for the recipient and related persons determined in accordance with Code Section 414(n)(6)) on a substantially full time basis for a period of at least one year, and such services are performed under primary direction or control by the recipient. Contributions or benefits provided by the leasing organization to a Leased Employee, which are attributable to service performed for the recipient employer, shall be treated as provided by the recipient employer.

 

A Leased Employee shall not be considered an employee of the recipient if:

 

(a)                     such employee is covered by a money purchase pension plan providing (i) a nonintegrated employer contribution rate of at least 1O percent of compensation, as defined in Code Section 415(c)(3), (ii) immediate participation, and (iii) full and immediate vesting, and

 

(b)                     Leased Employees do not constitute more than 20 percent of the recipient’s nonhighly compensated work force.

 

Mandatory Distribution means a distribution to a Participant that is made without the Participant’s consent and is made to the Participant before he attains the older of age 62 or his Normal Retirement Age.

 

Matching Contributions means Employer Contributions that are contingent on a Participant’s Elective Deferral Contributions.  See the EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS SECTION of Article Ill.

 

Named Fiduciary means the person or persons appointed by the Governing Board who have authority to control and manage the investment of the assets of the Plan. To the extent the authority has not been delegated, the Named Fiduciary shall be the Governing Board.

 

A Named Fiduciary has the authority to appoint an Investment Manager to have investment responsibility for a portion of the assets of the Plan as identified by the Named Fiduciary.

 

Net Profits means the Employer’s current or accumulated net earnings, determined according to generally accepted accounting practices, before any Contributions made by the Employer under this Plan and before any deduction for Federal or state income tax, dividends on the Employer’s stock, and capital gains or losses.

 

Nonhighly Compensated Employee means an Employee of the Employer who is not a Highly Compensated Employee.

 

Nonvested Account means the excess, if any, of a Participant’s Account over his Vested Account.

 

Normal Retirement Age means the age at which the Participant’s Account becomes nonforfeitable if he is an Employee.  A Participant’s Normal Retirement Age is 59 1/2.

 

Normal Retirement Date means the date the Participant reaches his Normal Retirement Age. Unless otherwise provided in this Plan, a Participant’s retirement benefits shall begin on his Normal Retirement Date if he has had a Severance from Employment on such date. However, retirement benefits shall not

 

11

 

begin before the older of age 62 or his Normal Retirement Age, unless the qualified election procedures of the ELECTION PROCEDURES SECTION of Article VI are met. Even if the Participant is an Employee on his Normal Retirement Date, he may choose to have his retirement benefit begin on such date.

 

Parental Absence means an Employee’s absence from work:

 

(a)                     by reason of pregnancy of the Employee,

 

(b)                     by reason of birth of a child of the Employee,

 

(c)                      by reason of the placement of a child with the Employee in connection with adoption of such child by such Employee, or

 

(d)                     for purposes of caring for such child for a period beginning immediately following such birth or placement.

 

Participant means either an Active Participant or an Inactive Participant.

 

Period of Military Duty means, for an Employee

 

(a)                     who served as a member of the armed forces of the United States, and

 

(b)                     who was reemployed by the Employer at a time when the Employee had a right to reemployment in accordance with seniority rights as protected under Chapter 43 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code,

 

the period of time from the date the Employee was first absent from active work for the Employer because of such military duty to the date the Employee was reemployed.

 

Plan means the 401(k) plan of the Employer set forth in this document, including any later amendments to it.

 

Plan Administrator means the person or persons who administer the Plan.

 

The Plan Administrator is the Governing Board. The Governing Board has the authority to delegate to other person or persons any part or all of the duties of the Plan Administrator.

 

Plan Fund means the total of the Investment Fund and the guaranteed benefit policy portion of any Annuity Contract. The Investment Fund shall be valued as stated in its definition. The guaranteed benefit policy portion of any Annuity Contract shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Annuity Contract and, to the extent that such Annuity Contract allocates contract values to Participants, allocated to Participants in accordance with its terms. The total value of all amounts held under the Plan Fund shall equal the value of the aggregate Participants’ Accounts under the Plan.

 

Plan Year means a consecutive 12-month period beginning on a Yearly Date and ending on the day before the next Yearly Date.  If the Yearly Date changes, the change will result in a short Plan Year.

 

Predecessor Employer means, except for purposes of the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of Article Ill, a firm of which the Employer was once a part (e.g., due to a spinoff or change of corporate status) or a firm absorbed by the Employer because of a merger or acquisition (stock or asset, including a division or an operation of such company).

 

12

 

Pre-tax Elective Deferral Contributions means a Participant’s Elective Deferral Contributions that are not includible in the Participant’s gross income at the time deferred.

 

Primary Beneficiary means an individual who is named as a Beneficiary under the Plan and has an unconditional right to all or a portion of the Participant’s Account balance under the Plan upon the death of the Participant.

 

Primary Employer means Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc.

 

Qualified Military Service means any service in the uniformed services (as defined in Chapter 43 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code) by any individual if such individual is entitled to reemployment rights under such chapter with respect to such service.

 

Qualified Nonelective Contributions means Employer Contributions (other than Elective Deferral Contributions) that are 100% vested when made to the Plan and that are distributable only in accordance with the distribution provisions applicable to Elective Deferral Contributions, to the extent Qualified Nonelective Contributions can be distributed under such distribution provision. See the EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS SECTION of Article Ill.

 

Qualified Reservist Distribution means any distribution to an individual if: (i) such distribution is from an individual retirement plan, or from amounts attributable to employer contributions made pursuant to elective deferrals described in Code Section 402(g)(3)(A) or (C) or Code Section 501(c)(18)(D)(iii); (ii) such individual was (by reason of being a member of a reserve component (as defined in Section 101 of Title 37 of the U.S. Code)) ordered or called to active duty after September 11, 2001 for a period in excess of 179 days or for an indefinite period; and (iii) such distribution is made during the period beginning on the date of such order or call and ending at the close of the active duty period.

 

Qualifying Employer Securities means any security which is issued by the Employer or any Controlled Group member and which meets the requirements of Code Section 409(1) and ERISA Section 407(d)(5). This shall also include any securities that satisfied the requirements of the definition when these securities were assigned to the Plan.

 

Qualifying Employer Securities Fund means that part of the assets of the Trust Fund that are designated to be held primarily or exclusively in Qualifying Employer Securities for the purpose of providing benefits for Participants.

 

Reentry Date means the date a former Active Participant reenters the Plan. See the ACT IVE PARTICIPANT SECTION of Article II.

 

Retirement Date means the date a retirement benefit will begin and is a Participant’s Normal or Late Retirement Date, as the case may be.

 

Rollover Contributions means the Rollover Contributions that are made by an Eligible Employee or an Inactive Participant according to the provisions of the ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTIONS SECTION of Article Ill.

 

Roth Elective Deferral Contributions means a Participant’s Elective Deferral Contributions that are not excludible from the Participant’s gross income at the time deferred and have been irrevocably designated as Roth Elective Deferral Contributions by the Participant in his Elective Deferral Agreement. Whether an Elective Deferral Contribution is not excludible from a Participant’s gross income will be determined in accordance with section 1.401(k)-1(f)(2) of the regulations. In the case of

 

13

 

a Self-employed Individual, an Elective Deferral Contribution is not excludible from gross income only if the individual does not claim a deduction for such amount.

 

Self-employed Individual means, with respect to any taxable year, an individual who has Earned Income for the taxable year (or who would have Earned Income but for the fact the trade or business for which this Plan is established did not have net profits for such taxable year).

 

Severance from Employment means, except for purposes of the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of Article 111, an Employee has ceased to be an Employee. An Employee does not have a severance from employment if, in connection with a change of employment, the Employee’s new employer maintains such Plan with respect to the Employee.

 

Significant Corporate Event means any corporate merger or consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, liquidation, dissolution, sale of substantially all assets of a trade or business, or such similar transaction as may be prescribed in regulations under Code Section 409(e)(3).

 

Totally and Permanently Disabled means that a Participant meets the definition of disabled under the Employer’s long-term disability plan.

 

Trust Agreement means an agreement or agreements of trust between the Primary Employer and Trustee established for the purpose of holding and distributing the Trust Fund under the provisions of the Plan. The Trust Agreement may provide for the investment of all or any portion of the Trust Fund in the Annuity Contract or any other investment arrangement.

 

Trust Fund means the total funds held under an applicable Trust Agreement. The term Trust Fund when used within a Trust Agreement shall mean only the funds held under that Trust Agreement.

 

Trustee means the party or parties named in the applicable Trust Agreement.

 

Valuation Date means the date on which the value of the assets of the Investment Fund is determined. The value of each Account that is maintained under this Plan shall be determined on the Valuation Date. In each Plan Year, the Valuation Date shall be the last day of the Plan Year. At the discretion of the Plan Administrator, Trustee, or Insurer (whichever applies) and in a nondiscriminatory manner, assets of the Investment Fund may be valued more frequently. These dates shall also be Valuation Dates.

 

Vested Account means the vested part of a Participant’s Account. The Participant’s Vested Account is equal to that part of his Account resulting from Contributions that were 100% vested when made before his Vesting Percentage is 100% and is equal to his Account when his Vesting Percentage is 100%.

 

Vesting Break in Service means a Vesting Computation Period in which an Employee is credited with 500 or fewer Hours of Service. An Employee incurs a Vesting Break in Service on the last day of a Vesting Computation Period in which he has a Vesting Break in Service.

 

Vesting Computation Period means a consecutive 12-month period ending on the last day of each Plan Year, including corresponding consecutive 12-month periods before the effective date of the Plan.

 

Vesting Percentage means the percentage used to determine the nonforfeitable portion of a Participant’s Account attributable to Employer Contributions that were not 100% vested when made.

 

14

 

A Participant’s Vesting Percentage is shown in the following schedule opposite the number of whole years of his Vesting Service.

 

	
VESTING SERVICE
    	
 
    	
VESTING
    
	
(whole years)
    	
 
    	
PERCENTAGE
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Less than 3
    	
 
    	
0
    	
 
    
	
3 or more
    	
 
    	
100
    	
 
    

 

The Vesting Percentage for a Participant who is an Employee on or after the date he reaches Normal Retirement Age shall be 100%. The Vesting Percentage for a Participant who is an Employee on the date he dies shall be 100%. The Vesting Percentage for a Participant who dies while performing Qualified Military Service shall be 100%. The Vesting Percentage for a Participant who is an Employee on the date he becomes disabled shall be 100%. The Vesting Percentage for a Participant who becomes disabled while performing Qualified Military Service shall be 100%. For purposes of this paragraph, disabled means the disability is subsequently determined to meet the definition of Totally and Permanently Disabled.

 

The schedule(s) used to determine a Participant’s Vesting Percentage shall provide a percentage of nonforfeitable rights which is not less than the percentage that would have been provided under one of the options under Code Section 411(a)(2).

 

If the schedule used to determine a Participant’s Vesting Percentage is changed, the new schedule shall not apply to a Participant unless he is credited with an Hour of Service on or after the date of the change and the Participant’s nonforfeitable percentage on the day before the date of the change is not reduced under this Plan. The amendment provisions of the AMENDMENTS SECTION of Article X regarding changes in the computation of the Vesting Percentage shall apply.

 

Vesting Service means one year of service for each Vesting Computation Period in which an Employee is credited with at least 1,000 Hours of Service.

 

However, Vesting Service is modified as follows:

 

Period of Military Duty included:

 

A Period of Military Duty shall be included as service with the Employer to the extent it has not already been credited. For purposes of crediting Hours of Service during the Period of Military Duty, an Hour of Service shall be credited (without regard to the 501 Hour of Service limitation) for each hour an Employee would normally have been scheduled to work for the Employer during such period.

 

Controlled Group service included:

 

An Employee’s service with a member firm of a Controlled Group while both that firm and the Employer were members of the Controlled Group shall be included as service with the Employer.

 

Yearly Date means October 31, 1986, and each following January 1.

 

Years of Service means an Employee’s Vesting Service disregarding any modifications that exclude service.

 

15

 

ARTICLE II

 

PARTICIPATION

 

SECTION 2.01—ACTIVE PARTICIPANT.

 

(a)                     An Employee shall first become an Active Participant (begin active participation in the Plan) on the earliest date on which he is an Eligible Employee and has met the eligibility requirement set forth below. This date is his Entry Date.

 

(1)                       He is age 18 or older.

 

If the Plan’s eligibility requirements are changed, an Employee who was an Active Participant immediately prior to the effective date of the change is deemed to satisfy the new requirements and his Entry Date shall not change.

 

Each Employee who was an Active Participant on the day before the effective date of this restatement (as determined in the INTRODUCTION SECTION of this Plan) shall continue to be an Active Participant if he is still an Eligible Employee on such restatement effective date and his Entry Date shall not change.

 

In the event an Employee who is not an Eligible Employee becomes an Eligible Employee, he shall become an Active Participant immediately if he has satisfied the eligibility requirements above and would have otherwise previously become an Active Participant had he met the definition of Eligible Employee. This date is his Entry Date.

 

(b)                     An Inactive Participant shall again become an Active Participant (resume active participation in the Plan) on the date he again performs an Hour of Service as an Eligible Employee. This date is his Reentry Date.

 

Upon again becoming an Active Participant, he shall cease to be an Inactive Participant.

 

(c)                       A former Participant shall again become an Active Participant (resume active participation in the Plan) on the date he again performs an Hour of Service as an Eligible Employee. This date is his Reentry Date.

 

There shall be no duplication of benefits for a Participant because of more than one period as an Active Participant.

 

SECTION 2.02—INACTIVE PARTICIPANT.

 

An Active Participant shall become an Inactive Participant on the earlier of the fo llowing:

 

(a)                     the date the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Employee, or

 

(b)                     the effective date of complete termination of the Plan under Article VIII.

 

An Employee or former Employee who was an Inactive Participant on the day before the effective date of this restatement (as determined in the INTRODUCTION SECTION of this Plan) shall continue to be an Inactive Participant on such restatement effective date.  Eligibility for any benefits payable to the Participant or

 

16

 

on his behalf and the amount of the benefits shall be determined according to the provisions of the prior document, unless otherwise stated in this document or any subsequent documents.

 

SECTION 2.03—CESSATION OF PARTICIPATION.

 

A Participant shall cease to be a Participant on the date he is no longer an Eligible Employee and his Account is zero.

 

SECTION 2.04—ADOPTING EMPLOYERS - SINGLE PLAN.

 

Each of the Controlled Group members listed below is an Adopting Employer. Each Adopting Employer listed below participates with the Employer in this Plan. An Adopting Employer’s agreement to participate in this Plan shall be in writing.

 

The Employer has the right to amend the Plan. An Adopting Employer does not have the right to amend the Plan.

 

If the Adopting Employer did not maintain its plan before its date of adoption specified below, its date of adoption shall be the Entry Date for any of its Employees who have met the requirements in the ACTIVE PARTICIPANT SECTION of this article as of that date. Service with and Compensation from an Adopting Employer shall be included as service with and Compensation from the Employer. Transfer of employment, without interruption, between an Adopting Employer and another Adopting Employer or the Employer shall not be considered an interruption of service.

 

Contributions made by an Adopting Employer shall be treated as Contributions made by the Employer. Forfeitures arising from those Contributions shall be used for the benefit of all Participants.

 

An employer shall not be an Adopting Employer if it ceases to be a Controlled Group member. Such an employer may continue a retirement plan for its Employees in the form of a separate document. This Plan shall be amended to delete a former Adopting Employer from the list below.

 

If (i) an employer ceases to be an Adopting Employer or the Plan is amended to delete an Adopting Employer and (ii) the Adopting Employer does not continue a retirement plan for the benefit of its Employees, partial termination may result and the provisions of Article VIII shall apply.

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
ADOPTING   EMPLOYERS
    
	
NAME
    	
 
    	
DATE OF   ADOPTION
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Synergy   Worldwide, Inc.
    	
 
    	
October 31,   2000
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Nature’s   Sunshine Products Direct, Inc.
    	
 
    	
December 31,   2002
    

 

17

 

ARTICLE Ill

 

CONTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 3.01—EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS.

 

Employer Contributions shall be made without regard to Net Profits. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan shall continue to be designed to qualify as a profit sharing plan for purposes of Code Sections 401(a), 402, 412, and 417. Such Contributions shall be equal to the Employer Contributions as described below:

 

(a)       The amount of each Elective Deferral Contribution for a Participant shall be equal to a portion of Compensation as specified in an Elective Deferral Agreement.  Such Elective Deferral Contribution shall not be made before the later of (i) the adoption or effective date of the cash or deferred arrangement (CODA) or (ii) the date the Participant signs the Elective Deferral Agreement. An Employee who is eligible to participate in the Plan for purposes of Elective Deferral Contributions may file an Elective Deferral Agreement with the Employer.  The Participant shall modify or terminate an Elective Deferral Agreement by filing a new Elective Deferral Agreement. An Elective Deferral Agreement shall remain in effect until modified or terminated by a Participant. An Elective Deferral Agreement may also be terminated according to the terms of an automatic contribution arrangement.

 

An Elective Deferral Agreement to start or modify Elective Deferral Contributions shall be effective as soon as administratively feasible on or after the Participant’s Entry Date (Reentry Date, if applicable) or any following date. An Elective Deferral Agreement must be entered into on or before the date it is effective.

 

An Elective Deferral Agreement to stop Elective Deferral Contributions may be entered into on any date. Such Elective Deferral Agreement shall be effective as soon as administratively feasible following the date on which the Elective Deferral Agreement is entered into.

 

Elective Deferral Contributions made pursuant to an Elective Deferral Agreement or the terms of an automatic contribution arrangement shall not be made earlier than the date (i) the Participant performs the services that relate to such Elective Deferral Contributions or (ii) the Compensation used to calculate such Elective Deferral Contributions would be payable to the Participant if not contributed to the Plan.

 

Elective Deferral Contributions for Highly Compensated Employees cannot be more than the limit set by the Plan Administrator for the Plan Year at the beginning of the year, expressed as a percent of Compensation. This limit shall not be less than 5% and may be adjusted prospectively during a Plan Year in the discretion of the Plan Administrator. A Participant who is eligible to make Catch-up Contributions shall not be limited to the maximum deferral percentage unless his Elective Deferral Contributions, including Catch-up Contributions, exceed this limit plus the dollar amount of Catch-up Contributions permitted.

 

A Participant who is age 50 or older by the end of the taxable year shall be eligible to make Catch-up Contributions.

 

A Participant may elect to designate all or any portion of his future Elective Deferral Contributions as Roth Elective Deferral Contributions.

 

18

 

The Plan provides for an automatic election to have Elective Deferral Contributions made. The automatic Elective Deferral Contribution shall be Pre-tax Elective Deferral Contributions and shall be 5% of Compensation. The Participant may affirmatively elect a different percentage or elect not to make Elective Deferral Contributions, and may elect to designate all or any portion of his Elective Deferral Contributions as Roth Elective Deferral Contributions.

 

Such automatic election shall apply when a Participant first becomes eligible to make Elective Deferral Contributions (or again becomes eligible after a period during which he was not an Active Participant).

 

The Participant shall be provided a notice that explains the automatic election and his right to elect a different rate of Elective Deferral Contributions or to elect not to make Elective Deferral Contributions, and his right to designate a portion of his Elective Deferral Contributions as Roth Elective Deferral Contributions. The notice shall include the procedure for exercising those rights and the timing for implementing any such elections. The Participant shall be given a reasonable period thereafter to elect a different rate of Elective Deferral Contributions or to elect not to make Elective Deferral Contributions, and to designate a portion of his Elective Deferral Contributions as Roth Elective Deferral Contributions.

 

Each Active Participant affected by the automatic election shall be provided an annual notice that explains the automatic election and his right to elect a different rate of Elective Deferral Contributions or to elect not to make Elective Deferral Contributions, and his right to designate all or any portion of his Elective Deferral Contributions as Roth Elective Deferral Contributions. The notice shall include the procedure for exercising those rights and the timing for implementing any such elections.

 

No Participant shall be permitted to have Elective Deferral Contributions, as defined in the EXCESS AMOUNTS SECTION of this article, made under this Plan, or any other plan, contract, or arrangement maintained by the Employer, during any calendar year, in excess of the dollar limitation contained in Code Section 402(g) in effect for the Participant’s taxable year beginning in such calendar year. The dollar limitation in the preceding sentence shall be increased by the dollar limit on Catch-up Contributions under Code Section 414(v)(2)(B)(i) for the taxable year for any Participant who will be age 50 or older by the end of the taxable year.

 

The dollar limitation contained in Code Section 402(g) was $15,000 for taxable years beginning in 2006. After 2006, the $15,000 limit is adjusted by the Secretary of the Treasury for cost-of-living increases under Code Section 402(g)(4).  Any such adjustments will be in multiples of $500.

 

Catch-up Contributions for a Participant for a taxable year may not exceed the dollar limit on Catch-up Contributions under Code Section 414(v)(2)(B)(i) for the taxable year. The dollar limit on Catch-up Contributions under Code Section 414(v)(2)(B)(i) was $5,000 for taxable years beginning in 2006. After 2006, the $5,000 limit is adjusted by the Secretary of the Treasury for cost-of-living increases under Code Section 414(v)(2)(C). Any such adjustments will be in multiples of $500.

 

Elective Deferral Contributions are 100% vested and nonforfeitable.

 

(b)       The Employer shall make Matching Contributions in an amount equal to 50% of Elective Deferral Contributions. Elective Deferral Contributions that are over 5% of Compensation will not be matched.

 

19

 

Matching Contributions are calculated based on Elective Deferral Contributions and Compensation for the payroll period. Matching Contributions are made for all persons who were Active Participants at any time during that payroll period.

 

Elective Deferral Contributions that are Catch-up Contributions shall be taken into account with other Elective Deferral Contributions for purposes of determining Matching Contributions (subject to the 5% of Compensation limit on Elective Deferral Contributions taken into account).

 

The Employer shall also make Matching Contributions for a Participant who dies or becomes disabled while performing Qualified Military Service. For purposes of this paragraph, disabled means the disability is subsequently determined to meet the definition of Totally and Permanently Disabled. The amount of such Matching Contribution shall be based on the Participant’s average actual Elective Deferral Contributions for the lesser of (i) the 12-month period of service with the Employer immediately prior to Qualified Military Service, or (ii) if service with the Employer is less than such 12-month period, the actual length of continuous service with the Employer, in accordance with Code Section 414(u)(9) and any subsequent guidance.

 

Matching Contributions are subject to the Vesting Percentage.

 

(c)       Qualified Nonelective Contributions may be made for each Plan Year in an amount determined by the Employer.

 

(d}      Discretionary Qualified Nonelective Contributions may be made for each Plan Year in an amount determined by the Employer to be used to reduce Excess Aggregate Contributions and Excess Contributions, as defined in the EXCESS AMOUNTS SECTION of this article. If the Plan is treated as separate plans because it is mandatorily disaggregated under the regulations of Code Section 401(k), a separate Qualified Nonelective Contribution may be determined for each separate plan. Such Contributions are in addition to any Qualified Nonelective Contributions provided above.

 

Qualified Nonelective Contributions are 100% vested when made.

 

Employer Contributions are allocated according to the provisions of the ALLOCATION SECTION of this article.

 

A portion of the Plan assets resulting from Employer Contributions (but not more than the original amount of those Contributions) may be returned if the Employer Contributions are made because of a mistake of fact or are more than the amount deductible under Code Section 404 (excluding any amount which is not deductible because the Plan is disqualified). The amount involved must be returned to the Employer within one year after the date the Employer Contributions are made by mistake of fact or the date the deduction is disallowed, whichever applies. Except as provided under this paragraph and in Article VIII, the assets of the Plan shall never be used for the benefit of the Employer and are held for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to Participants and their Beneficiaries and for defraying reasonable expenses of administering the Plan.

 

SECTION 3.02—ROLLOVER CONTRIBUTIONS.

 

A Rollover Contribution may be made by an Eligible Employee or an Inactive Participant if the following conditions are met:

 

20

 

(a)       The Contribution is a Participant Rollover Contribution or a direct rollover of an Eligible Rollover Distribution made from the types of plans and types of contributions specified below.

 

Direct Rollovers. The Plan will accept a direct rollover of an Eligible Rollover Distribution from:

 

(i)         A qualified plan described in Code Section 401(a) or 403(a), including after-tax employee contributions and including any portion of a designated Roth account.

 

(ii)        An annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b), including after-tax employee contributions and including any portion of a designated Roth account.

 

(iii)       An eligible plan under Code Section 457(b) which is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state, including any portion of a designated Roth account.

 

Participant Rollover Contributions from Other Plans. The Plan will accept a Participant contribution of an Eligible Rollover Distribution from:

 

(i)         A qualified plan described in Code Section 401(a) or 403(a), excluding after-tax employee contributions and including distributions of a designated Roth account only to the extent such amount would otherwise be includible in a Participant’s gross income.

 

(ii)        An annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b), excluding after-tax employee contributions and including distributions of a designated Roth account only to the extent such amount would otherwise be includible in a Participant’s gross income.

 

(iii)       An eligible plan under Code Section 457(b) which is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state, including distributions of a designated Roth account only to the extent such amount would otherwise be includible in a Participant’s gross income.

 

Participant Rollover Contributions from IRAs.  The Plan will accept a Participant Rollover Contribution of the portion of a distribution from an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity described in Code Section 408(a) or (b) that is eligible to be rolled over and would otherwise be includible in the Participant’s gross income.

 

(b)       The Contribution is of amounts that the Code permits to be transferred to a plan that meets the requirements of Code Section 401(a).

 

(c)       The Contribution is made in the form of a direct rollover under Code Section 401(a)(31) or is a rollover made under Code Section 402(c) or 408(d)(3)(A) within 60 days after an Eligible Employee or Inactive Participant receives the distribution.

 

(d)       The Eligible Employee or Inactive Participant furnishes evidence satisfactory to the Plan Administrator that the proposed rollover meets conditions (a), (b), and (c) above.

 

(e)       In the case of an Inactive Participant, the Contribution must be of an amount distributed from another plan of the Employer or a plan of a Controlled Group member.

 

A Rollover Contribution shall be allowed in cash only and must be made according to procedures set up by the Plan Administrator.

 

21

 

If the Eligible Employee is not an Active Participant when the Rollover Contribution is made, he shall be deemed to be an Active Participant only for the purpose of investment and distribution of the Rollover Contribution. Employer Contributions shall not be made for or allocated to the Eligible Employee until the time he meets all of the requirements to become an Active Participant.

 

Rollover Contributions made by an Eligible Employee or Inactive Participant shall be credited to his Account. The part of the Participant’s Account resulting from Rollover Contributions is 100% vested and nonforfeitable at all times. Separate accounting records shall be maintained for those parts of his Rollover Contributions consisting of (i) voluntary contributions which were deducted from the Participant’s gross income for Federal income tax purposes; (ii) after-tax employee contributions, including the portion that would not have been includible in the Participant’s gross income if the contributions were not rolled over into this Plan; and (iii) any portion of a designated Roth account, including the portion that would not have been includible in the Participant’s gross income if the contributions were not rolled over into this Plan.

 

SECTION 3.03—FORFEITURES.

 

The Nonvested Account of a Participant shall be forfeited as of the earlier of the following:

 

(a)       the date the record keeper is notified that the Participant died (if prior to such date he has had a Severance from Employment), or

 

(b)       the Participant’s Forfeiture Date.

 

All or a portion of a Participant’s Nonvested Account shall be forfeited before such earlier date if, after he has a Severance from Employment, he receives, or is deemed to receive, a distribution of his entire Vested Account or a distribution of his Vested Account derived from Employer Contributions under the RETIREMENT BENEFITS SECTION of Article V, the VESTED BENEFITS SECTION of Article V, or the SMALL AMOUNTS SECTION of Article X. The forfeiture shall occur as of the date the Participant receives, or is deemed to receive, the distribution. If a Participant receives, or is deemed to receive, his entire Vested Account, his entire Nonvested Account shall be forfeited. If a Participant receives a distribution of his Vested Account from Employer Contributions, but less than his entire Vested Account, the amount to be forfeited shall be determined by multiplying his Nonvested Account from such Contributions by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the amount of the distribution derived from Employer Contributions and the denominator of the fraction is his entire Vested Account derived from such Contributions on the date of the distribution.

 

A Forfeiture shall also occur as provided in the EXCESS AMOUNTS SECTION of this article.

 

Forfeitures shall be determined at least once during each Plan Year. Forfeitures may first be used to pay administrative expenses.  Forfeitures of Matching Contributions that relate to excess amounts as provided in the EXCESS AMOUNTS SECTION of this article, that have not been used to pay administrative expenses, shall be applied to reduce Employer Contributions (other than Qualified Nonelective Contributions) made after the Forfeitures are determined. Any other Forfeitures that have not been used to pay administrative expenses shall be applied to reduce Employer Contributions (other than Qualified Nonelective Contributions) made after the Forfeitures are determined. Upon their application to reduce Employer Contributions, Forfeitures shall be deemed to be Employer Contributions.

 

If a Participant again becomes an Eligible Employee after receiving a distribution which caused all of his Nonvested Account to be forfeited, he shall have the right to repay to the Plan the entire amount of the distribution he received (excluding the portion of the distribution resulting from Rollover Contributions). The repayment must be made in a single sum (repayment in installments is not permitted) before the earlier of the date five years after the date he again becomes an Eligible Employee or the end of the first period of five

 

22

 

consecutive Vesting Break in Service periods which begin after the date of the distribution of his entire Vested Account.

 

If the Participant makes the repayment above, the Plan Administrator shall restore to his Account an amount equal to his Nonvested Account that was forfeited on the date of distribution, unadjusted for any investment gains or losses. If no amount is to be repaid because the Participant was deemed to have received a distribution or only received a distribution of Rollover Contributions, and he again performs an Hour of Service as an Eligible Employee within the repayment period, the Plan Administrator shall restore the Participant’s Account as if he had made a required repayment on the date he performed such Hour of Service. Restoration of the Participant’s Account shall include restoration of all Code Section 411(d)(6) protected benefits with respect to the restored Account, according to applicable Treasury regulations. Provided, however, the Plan Administrator shall not restore the Nonvested Account if (i) a Forfeiture Date has occurred after the date of the distribution and on or before the date of repayment and (ii) that Forfeiture Date would result in a complete forfeiture of the amount the Plan Administrator would otherwise restore.

 

The Plan Administrator shall restore the Participant’s Account by the close of the Plan Year following the Plan Year in which repayment is made. The permissible sources for restoration of the Participant’s Account are Forfeitures or special Employer Contributions.  Such special Employer Contributions shall be made without regard to profits. The repaid and restored amounts are not included in the Participant’s Annual Additions, as defined in the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of this article.

 

SECTION 3.04—ALLOCATION.

 

A person meets the allocation requirements of this section if he was an Active Participant on the last day of the Plan Year.

 

Elective Deferral Contributions shall be allocated to the Participants for whom such Contributions are made under the EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS SECTION of this article. Such Contributions shall be allocated when made and credited to the Participant’s Account.

 

Matching Contributions shall be allocated to the persons for whom such Contributions are made under the EMPLOYER CONTR IBUTIONS SECT ION of this article. Such Contributions shall be allocated when made and credited to the person’s Account.

 

The discretionary Qualified Nonelective Contributions to be used to reduce excess amounts, as described in the EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS SECT ION of this article, which are in addition to any Qualified Nonelective Contributions described in this section shall be allocated as of the last day of the Plan Year only to Nonhighly Compensated Employees who meet the allocation requirements of this section. Such Contributions (or separate Contributions) shall be allocated first to the eligible person under the Plan (or separate plan) with the lowest Annual Compensation for the Plan Year, then to the eligible person under the Plan (or separate plan) with the next lowest Annual Compensation, and so forth. T he amount of such Contributions shall be limited in each case to 5% of the eligible person’s Compensation used for purposes of the ADP Test.  This amount shall be credited to the person’s Account.

 

Qualified Nonelective Contributions other than the discretionary Qualified Nonelective Contributions to be used to reduce excess amounts, as described in the EMPLOYER CONTR IBUTIONS SECT ION of this article, shall be allocated as of the last day of the Plan Year to each person who meets the allocation requirements of this section. Such Qualified Nonelective Contributions shall be allocated only to Nonhighly Compensated Employees. The amount allocated to such person for the Plan Year shall be equal to such Qualified Nonelective Contributions multiplied by the ratio of such person’s Annual Compensation for the Plan

 

23

 

Year to the total Annual Compensation of all such persons.  This amount shall be credited to the person’s Account.

 

If Leased Employees are Eligible Employees, in determining the amount of Employer Contributions allocated to a person who is a Leased Employee, contributions provided by the leasing organization that are attributable to services such Leased Employee performs for the Employer shall be treated as provided by the Employer. Those contributions shall not be duplicated under this Plan.

 

SECTION 3.05—CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION.

 

Contributions to the Plan shall be limited in accordance with Code Section 415 and the regulations thereunder. The limitations of this section shall apply to Limitation Years beginning on or after July 1, 2007, except as otherwise provided herein.

 

(a)       Definitions. For the purpose of determining the contribution limitation set forth in this section, the following terms are defined.

 

Annual Additions means the sum of the following amounts credited to a Participant’s account for the Limitation Year:

 

(1)        employer contributions;

 

(2)        employee contributions; and

 

(3)        forfeitures.

 

Annual Additions to a defined contribution plan, as defined in section 1.415(c)-1(a)(2)(i) of the regulations, shall also include the following:

 

(4)        mandatory employee contributions, as defined in Code Section 411(c)(2)(C) and section 1.411(c)-1(c){4) of the regulations, to a defined benefit plan;

 

(5)        contributions allocated to any individual medical benefit account, as defined in Code Section 415(1)(2), which is part of a pension or annuity plan maintained by the Employer;

 

(6)        amounts attributable to post-retirement medical benefits, allocated to the separate account of a key employee, as defined in Code Section 419A(d)(3), under a welfare benefit fund, as defined in Code Section 419(e), maintained by the Employer; and

 

(7)       annual additions under an annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b).

 

Compensation means wages within the meaning of Code Section 3401(a) for the purposes of income tax withholding at the source but determined without regard to any rules that limit the remuneration included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or the services performed (such as the exception for agricultural labor in Code Section 3401(a)(2)).

 

For any Self-employed Individual, Compensation shall mean Earned Income.

 

Except as provided herein, Compensation for a Limitation Year is the Compensation actually paid or made available (or if earlier, includible in gross income) during such Limitation Year.

 

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Compensation for a Limitation Year shall also include Compensation paid by the later of 2 1/2 months after an employee’s Severance from Employment with the Employer maintaining the plan or the end of the Limitation Year that includes the date of the employee’s Severance from Employment with the Employer maintaining the plan, if the payment is regular Compensation for services during the employee’s regular working hours, or Compensation for services outside the employee’s regular working hours (such as overtime or shift differential), commissions, bonuses, or other similar payments, and, absent a Severance from Employment, the payments would have been paid to the employee while the employee continued in employment with the Employer.

 

Any payments not described above shall not be considered Compensation if paid after Severance from Employment, even if they are paid by the later of 2 1/2 months after the date of Severance from Employment or the end of the Limitation Year that includes the date of Severance from Employment.

 

Back pay, within the meaning of section 1.415(c)-2(g)(8) of the regulations, shall be treated as Compensation for the Limitation Year to which the back pay relates to the extent the back pay represents wages and compensation that would otherwise be included in this definition.

 

Compensation paid or made available during such Limitation Year shall include amounts that would otherwise be included in Compensation but for an election under Code Section 125(a), 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B), 402(k), or 457(b).

 

Compensation shall not include amounts paid as Compensation to a nonresident alien, as defined in Code Section 7701(b)(1)(B), who is not a Participant in the Plan to the extent the Compensation is excludible from gross income and is not effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States.

 

Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation means $40,000, automatically adjusted under Code Section 415(d), effective January 1 of each year, as published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. The new limitation shall apply to Limitation Years ending with or within the calendar year of the date of the adjustment, but a Participant’s Annual Additions for a Limitation Year cannot exceed the currently applicable dollar limitation (as in effect before the January 1 adjustment) prior to January 1. However, after a January 1 adjustment is made, Annual Additions for the entire Limitation Year are permitted to reflect the dollar limitation as adjusted on January 1.

 

Employer means the employer that adopts this Plan, and all members of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Code Section 414(b) as modified by Code Section 415(h)), all commonly controlled trades or businesses (as defined in Code Section 414(c), as modified, except in the case of a brother-sister group of trades or businesses under common control, by Code Section 415(h)), or affiliated service groups (as defined in Code Section 414(m)) of which the adopting employer is a part, and any other entity required to be aggregated with the employer pursuant to Code Section 414(0).

 

Limitation Year means the consecutive 12-month period ending on the last day of each Plan Year, including corresponding consecutive 12-month periods before the original effective date of the Plan. All qualified plans maintained by the Employer must use the same Limitation Year. If the Limitation Year is other than the calendar year, execution of this Plan (or any amendment to this Plan changing the Limitation Year) constitutes the Employer’s adoption of a written resolution electing the Limitation Year. If the Limitation Year is amended to a different consecutive 12-month period, the new Limitation Year must begin on a date within the Limitation Year in which the amendment is made.

 

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Maximum Annual Addition means, except for catch-up contributions described in Code Section 414(v), the Annual Addition that may be contributed or allocated to a Participant’s Account under the Plan for any Limitation Year. This amount shall not exceed the lesser of:

 

(1)        The Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation, or

 

(2)        100 percent of the Participant’s Compensation for the Limitation Year.

 

A Participant’s Compensation for a Limitation Year shall not include Compensation in excess of the limitation under Code Section 401(a)(17) that is in effect for the calendar year in which the Limitation Year begins.

 

The compensation limitation referred to in (2) shall not apply to an individual medical benefit account (as defined in Code Section 415(1); or a post-retirement medical benefits account for a key employee (as defined in Code Section 419A(d)(1)).

 

If a short Limitation Year is created because of an amendment changing the Limitation Year to a different consecutive 12-month period, the Maximum Annua l Addition will not exceed the Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation multiplied by the following fraction:

 

	
 
    	
Number of months (including any fractional parts of a month)
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
in the short Limitation Year
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
12
    	
 
    

 

If the Plan is terminated as of a date other than the last day of the Limitation Year, the Plan is treated as if the Plan was amended to change the Limitation Year and create a short Limitation Year ending on the date the Plan is terminated.

 

If a short Limitation Year is created, the limitation under Code Section 401(a)(17) shall be prorated in the same manner as the Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation.

 

Predecessor Employer means, with respect to a Participant, a former employer if the Employer maintains a plan that provides a benefit which the Participant accrued while performing services for the former employer. Predecessor Employer also means, with respect to a Participant, a former entity that antedates the Employer if, under the facts and circumstances, the Employer constitutes a continuation of all or a portion of the trade or business of the former entity.

 

Severance from Employment means an employee has ceased to be an employee of the Employer maintaining the plan. An employee does not have a Severance from Employment if, in connection with a change of employment, the employee’s new employer maintains the plan with respect to the employee.

 

(b)       If the Participant does not participate in another defined contribution plan, as defined in section 1.415(c)-1(a)(2)(i) of the regulations (without regard to whether the plan(s) have been terminated) maintained by the Employer, the amount of Annual Additions that may be credited to the Participant’s Account for any Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of the Maximum Annual Addition or any other limitation contained in this Plan. If the Employer Contribution that would otherwise be contributed or allocated to the Participant’s Account would cause the Annua l Additions for the Limitation Year to exceed the Maximum Annua l Addition, the amount contributed or allocated shall be reduced so that the Annual Additions for the Limitation Year will equal the Maximum Ann ual Addition.

 

26

 

(c)       If, in addition to this Plan, the Participant is covered under another defined contribution plan, as defined in section 1.415(c)-1(a)(2)(i) of the regulations, (without regard to whether the plan(s) have been terminated) maintained by the Employer that provides an Annual Addition during any Limitation Year, the Annual Additions that may be credited to a Participant’s Account under this Plan for any such Limitation Year will not exceed the Maximum Annual Addition, reduced by the Annual Additions credited to a Participant’s account under the other defined contribution plan(s) for the same Limitation Year. If the Annual Additions with respect to the Participant under the other defined contribution plan(s) maintained by the Employer are less than the Maximum Annual Addition, and the Employer Contribution that would otherwise be contributed or allocated to the Participant’s Account under this Plan would cause the Annual Additions for the Limitation Year to exceed this limitation, the amount contributed or allocated will be reduced so that the Annual Additions under all such plans and funds for the Limitation Year will equal the Maximum Annual Addition. If the Annual Additions with respect to the Participant under the other defined contribution plan(s) in the aggregate are equal to or greater than the Maximum Annual Addition, no amount will be contributed or allocated to the Participant’s Account under this Plan for the Limitation Year.

 

(d)       The limitation of this section shall be determined and applied taking into account the rules in subparagraph (e) below.

 

(e)       Other Rules

 

(1)       Aooreqating Plans. For purposes of applying the limitations of this section for a Limitation Year, all defined contribution plans (as defined in section 1.415(c)-1(a)(2)(i) of the regulations and without regard to whether the plan(s) have been terminated) ever maintained by the Employer and all defined contribution plans of a Predecessor Employer (in the Limitation Year in which such Predecessor Employer is created) under which a Participant receives Annual Additions are treated as one defined contribution plan.

 

(2)       Break-up of Affiliated Employers. The Annual Additions under a formerly affiliated plan (as defined in section 1.415(f)-1(b)(2)(ii) of the regulations) of the Employer are taken into account for purposes of applying the limitations of this section for the Limitation Year in which the cessation of affiliation took place.

 

(3)        Previously Unaggregated Plans.  The limitations of this section are not exceeded for the first Limitation Year in which two or more existing plans, which previously were not required to be aggregated pursuant to section 1.415(f) of the regulations, are aggregated, provided that no Annual Additions are credited to a Participant after the date on which the plans are required to be aggregated if the Annual Additions already credited to the Participant in the existing plans equal or exceed the Maximum Annual Addition.

 

(4)        Aggregation with Multiemployer Plan. If the Employer maintains a multiemployer plan, as defined in Code Section 414(f), and the multiemployer plan so provides, only the Annual Additions under the multiemployer plan that are provided by the Employer shall be treated as Annual Additions provided under a plan maintained by the Employer for purposes of this section.

 

SECTION 3.06—EXCESS AMOUNTS.

 

(a)      Definitions.  For purposes of this section, the following terms are defined:

 

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ACP means, for a specified group of Participants (either Highly Compensated Employees or Nonhighly Compensated Employees) for a Plan Year, the average (expressed as a percentage) of the Contribution Percentages of the Eligible Participants in the group.

 

ADP means, for a specified group of Participants (either Highly Compensated Employees or Nonhighly Compensated Employees) for a Plan Year, the average (expressed as a percentage) of the Deferral Percentages of the Eligible Participants in the group.

 

Contribution Percentage means the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of the Eligible Participant’s Contribution Percentage Amounts to the Eligible Participant’s Compensation (excluding Differential Wage Payments) for the Plan Year (whether or not the Eligible Participant was an Eligible Participant for the entire Plan Year). In modification of the foregoing, Compensation shall be determined excluding Compensation for the portion of the Plan Year in which an Employee was not an Eligible Participant. For an Eligible Participant for whom such Contribution Percentage Amounts for the Plan Year are zero, the percentage is zero.

 

Contribution Percentage Amounts means the sum of the Participant Contributions and Matching Contributions (that are not Qualified Matching Contributions taken into account for purposes of the ADP Test) made under the plan on behalf of the Eligible Participant for the plan year. Contribution Percentage Amounts shall not include Participant Contributions withheld from Differential Wage Payments and Matching Contributions based on Elective Deferral Contributions and Participant Contributions withheld from such Differential Wage Payments.  Matching Contributions cannot be taken into account for a plan year for a Nonhighly Compensated Employee to the extent they are disproportionate matching contributions as defined in section 1.401(m)-2(a)(5)(ii) of the regulations. Such Contribution Percentage Amounts shall not include Matching Contributions that are forfeited either to correct Excess Aggregate Contributions or because the contributions to which they relate are Excess Elective Deferrals, Excess Contributions, or Excess Aggregate Contributions. Under such rules as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe, in determining the Contribution Percentage the Employer may elect to include Qualified Nonelective Contributions under this Plan that were not used in computing the Deferral Percentage. Qualified Nonelective Contributions cannot be taken into account for a plan year for a Nonhighly Compensated Employee to the extent they are disproportionate contributions as defined in section 1.401(m)-2(a)(6)(v) of the regulations.  The Employer may also elect to use Elective Deferral Contributions in computing the Contribution Percentage so long as the ADP Test is met before the Elective Deferral Contributions are used in the ACP Test and continues to be met following the exclusion of those Elective Deferral Contributions that are used to meet the ACP Test.

 

Deferral Percentage means the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of Elective Deferral Contributions (other than Catch-up Contributions and Elective Deferral Contributions withheld from Differential Wage Payments) under this Plan on behalf of the Eligible Participant for the Plan Year to the Eligible Participant’s Compensation (excluding Differential Wage Payments) for the Plan Year (whether or not the Eligible Participant was an Eligible Participant for the entire Plan Year). In modification of the foregoing, Compensation shall be determined excluding Compensation for the portion of the Plan Year in which an Employee was not an Eligible Participant. The Elective Deferral Contributions used to determine the Deferral Percentage shall include Excess Elective Deferrals (other than Excess Elective Deferrals of Nonhighly Compensated Employees that arise solely from Elective Deferral Contributions made under this Plan or any other plans of the Employer or a Controlled Group member), but shall exclude Elective Deferral Contributions that are used in computing the Contribution Percentage (provided the ADP Test is satisfied both with and without exclusion of these Elective Deferral

 

28

 

Contributions). Under such rules as the Secretary of the Treasury shall prescribe, the Employer may elect to include Qualified Nonelective Contributions and Qualified Matching Contributions under this Plan in computing the Deferral Percentage. Qualified Matching Contributions cannot be taken into account for a Plan Year for a Nonhighly Compensated Employee to the extent they are disproportionate matching contributions as defined in section 1.401(m)-2(a)(5)(ii) of the regulations. Qualified Nonelective Contributions cannot be taken into account for a Plan Year for a Nonhighly Compensated Employee to the extent they are disproportionate contributions as defined in section 1.401(k)-2(a)(6)(iv) of the regulations. For an Eligible Participant for whom such contributions on his behalf for the Plan Year are zero, the percentage is zero.

 

Elective Deferral Contributions means any employer contributions made to a plan at the election of a participant in lieu of cash compensation. With respect to any taxable year, a participant’s Elective Deferral Contributions are the sum of all employer contributions made on behalf of such participant pursuant to an election to defer under any qualified cash or deferred arrangement (CODA) described in Code Section 401(k), any salary reduction simplified employee pension plan described in Code Section 408(k)(6), any SIMPLE IRA plan described in Code Section 408(p), any plan described under Code Section 501(c)(18), and any employer contributions made on behalf of a participant for the purchase of an annuity contract under Code Section 403(b) pursuant to a salary reduction agreement. Elective Deferral Contributions include Pre-tax Elective Deferral Contributions and Roth Elective Deferral Contributions. Elective Deferral Contributions shall not include any deferrals properly distributed as excess annual additions.

 

Eligible Participant means, for purposes of determining the Deferral Percentage, any Employee who is otherwise entitled to make Elective Deferral Contributions under the terms of the plan for the plan year. Eligible Participant means, for purposes of determining the Contribution Percentage, any Employee who is eligible (i) to make a Participant Contribution or an Elective Deferral Contribution (if the Employer takes such contributions into account in the calculation of the Contribution Percentage), or (ii) to receive a Matching Contribution (including forfeitures) or a Qualified Matching Contribution. If a Participant Contribution is required as a condition of participation in the plan, any Employee who would be a participant in the plan if such Employee made such a contribution shall be treated as an Eligible Participant on behalf of whom no Participant Contributions are made.

 

Excess Aggregate Contributions means, with respect to any Plan Year, the excess of:

 

(1)       The aggregate Contribution Percentage Amounts taken into account in computing the numerator of the Contribution Percentage actually made on behalf of Highly Compensated Employees for such Plan Year, over

 

(2)       The maximum Contribution Percentage Amounts permitted by the ACP Test (determined by hypothetically reducing contributions made on behalf of Highly Compensated Employees in order of their Contribution Percentages beginning with the highest of such percentages).

 

Such determination shall be made after first determining Excess Elective Deferrals and then determining Excess Contributions.

 

Excess Contributions means, with respect to any Plan Year, the excess of:

 

29

 

(1)        The aggregate amount of employer contributions actually taken into account in computing the Deferral Percentage of Highly Compensated Employees for such Plan Year, over

 

(2)        The maximum amount of such contributions permitted by the ADP Test (determined by hypothetically reducing contributions made on behalf of Highly Compensated Employees in the order of the Deferral Percentages, beginning with the highest of such percentages).

 

Such determination shall be made after first determining Excess Elective Deferrals.

 

Excess Elective Deferrals means those Elective Deferral Contributions of a Participant that either (i) are made during the Participant’s taxable year and exceed the dollar limitation under Code Section 402(g) or (ii) are made during a calendar year and exceed the dollar limitation under Code Section 402(g) for the Participant’s taxable year beginning in such calendar year, counting only Elective Deferral Contributions made under this Plan and any other plan, contract, or arrangement maintained by the Employer. The dollar limitation shall be increased by the dollar limit on Catch-up Contributions under Code Section 414(v), if applicable.

 

Excess Elective Deferrals shall be treated as Annual Additions, as defined in the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of this article, under the Plan, unless such amounts are distributed no later than the first April 15 following the close of the Participant’s taxable year.

 

Matching Contributions means employer contributions made to this or any other defined contribution plan, or to a contract described in Code Section 403(b), on behalf of a participant on account of a Participant Contribution made by such participant, or on account of a participant’s Elective Deferral Contributions, under a plan maintained by the Employer or a Controlled Group member.

 

Participant Contributions means contributions (other than Roth Elective Deferral Contributions) made to the plan by or on behalf of a participant that are included in the participant’s gross income in the year in which made and that are maintained under a separate account to which the earnings and losses are allocated.

 

Pre-tax Elective Deferral Contributions means a participant’s Elective Deferral Contributions that are not includible in the participant’s gross income at the time deferred.

 

Qualified Matching Contributions means Matching Contributions that are nonforfeitable when made to the plan and that are distributable only in accordance with the distribution provisions applicable to Elective Deferral Contributions, to the extent Qualified Matching Contributions can be distributed under such distribution provision.

 

Qualified Nonelective Contributions means any employer contributions (other than Matching Contributions) that an Employee may not elect to have paid to him in cash instead of being contributed to the plan and that are nonforfeitable when made to the plan and that are distributable only in accordance with the distribution provisions applicable to Elective Deferral Contributions, to the extent Qualified Nonelective Contributions can be distributed under such distribution provision.

 

Roth Elective Deferral Contributions means a participant’s Elective Deferral Contributions that are not excludible from the participant’s gross income at the time deferred and have been irrevocably designated as Roth Elective Deferral Contributions by the participant in his elective deferral agreement.  Whether an Elective Deferral Contribution is not excludible from a

 

30

 

participant’s gross income will be determined in accordance with section 1.401(k)-1(f)(2) of the regulations. In the case of a self-employed individual, an Elective Deferral Contribution is not excludible from gross income only if the individual does not claim a deduction for such amount.

 

(b)       Excess Elective Deferrals.  A Participant may assign to this Plan any Excess Elective Deferrals made during a taxable year of the Participant by notifying the Plan Administrator in writing on or before the first following March 1 of the amount of the Excess Elective Deferrals to be assigned to the Plan. A Participant is deemed to notify the Plan Administrator of any Excess Elective Deferrals that arise by taking into account only those Elective Deferral Contributions made to this Plan and any other plan, contract, or arrangement of the Employer or a Controlled Group member. The Participant’s claim for Excess Elective Deferrals shall be accompanied by the Participant’s written statement that if such amounts are not distributed, such Excess Elective Deferrals will exceed the limit imposed on the Participant by Code Section 402(g) (including, if applicable, the dollar limitation on Catch-up Contributions under Code Section 414(v)) for the year in which the deferral occurred. The Excess Elective Deferrals assigned to this Plan cannot exceed the Elective Deferral Contributions allocated under this Plan for such taxable year.

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, Elective Deferral Contributions in an amount equal to the Excess Elective Deferrals assigned to this Plan, plus any income and minus any loss allocable thereto, shall be distributed no later than April 15 to any Participant to whose Account Excess Elective Deferrals were assigned for the preceding year and who claims Excess Elective Deferrals for such taxable year or calendar year.

 

Distribution of Excess Elective Deferral Contributions shall be made on a pro rata basis from the Participant’s Account resulting from Pre-tax Elective Deferral Contributions and Roth Elective Deferral Contributions in the same proportion that such Contributions were made for the applicable year.

 

The Excess Elective Deferrals shall be adjusted for any income or loss. The income or loss allocable to such Excess Elective Deferrals shall be equal to the income or loss allocable to the Participant’s Elective Deferral Contributions for the taxable year in which the excess occurred multiplied by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the Excess Elective Deferrals. The denominator of the fraction is the closing balance without regard to any income or loss occurring during such taxable year (as of the end of such taxable year) of the Participant’s Account resulting from Elective Deferral Contributions.

 

For purposes of determining income or loss on Excess Elective Deferrals, no adjustment shall be made for income or loss for the gap period.

 

Any Matching Contributions that were based on the Elective Deferral Contributions distributed as Excess Elective Deferrals, plus any income and minus any loss allocable thereto, shall be forfeited.

 

(c)       ADP Test. As of the end of each Plan Year after Excess Elective Deferrals have been determined, the Plan must satisfy the ADP Test. The ADP Test shall be satisfied using the prior year testing method or the current year testing method, as elected by the Employer in subparagraph (e) of this section.

 

(1)        Prior Year Testing Method.   The ADP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for each Plan Year and the prior year’s ADP for Eligible

 

31

 

Participants who were Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the prior Plan Year must satisfy one of the following tests:

 

(i)        The ADP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year shall not exceed the prior year’s ADP for Eligible Participants who were Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the prior Plan Year multiplied by 1.25; or

 

(ii)       The ADP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year:

 

A.        shall not exceed the prior year’s ADP for Eligible Participants who were Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the prior Plan Year multiplied by 2, and

 

B.        the difference between such ADPs is not more than 2.

 

If this is not a successor plan, for the first Plan Year the Plan permits any Participant to make Elective Deferral Contributions, for purposes of the foregoing tests, the prior yea r’s Nonhighly Compensated Employees’ ADP shall be 3 percent or the Plan Year’s ADP for these Eligible Participants, as elected by the Employer in subparagraph (e) of this section.

 

(2)       Current Year Testing Method. The ADP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for each Plan Year and the ADP for Eligible Participants who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year must satisfy one of the following tests:

 

(i)        The ADP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year shall not exceed the ADP for Eligible Participants who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year multiplied by 1.25; or

 

(ii)       The ADP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year:

 

A.         shall not exceed the ADP for Eligible Participants who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year multiplied by 2, and

 

8.         the difference between such ADPs is not more than 2.

 

If the Employer has elected to use the current year testing method, that election cannot be changed unless (i) the Plan has been using the current year testing method for the preceding five Plan Years, or if less, the number of Plan Years the Plan has been in existence; or (ii) if as a result of a merger or acquisition described in Code Section 41O(b)(6)(C)(i), the Employer maintains both a plan using the prior year testing method and a plan using the current year testing method and the change is made within the transition period described in Code Section 41O(b)(6)(C)(ii).

 

A Participant is a Highly Compensated Employee for a particular Plan Year if he meets the definition of a Highly Compensated Employee in effect for that Plan Year. Similarly, a Participant is a Nonhighly Compensated Employee for a particular Plan Year if he does not meet the definition of a Highly Compensated Employee in effect for that Plan Year.

 

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The Deferral Percentage for any Eligible Participant who is a Highly Compensated Employee for the Plan Year and who is eligible to have Elective Deferral Contributions (and Qualified Nonelective Contributions or Qualified Matching Contributions, or both, if treated as Elective Deferral Contributions for purposes of the ADP Test) allocated to his account under two or more arrangements described in Code Section 401(k) that are maintained by the Employer or a Controlled Group member shall be determined as if such Elective Deferral Contributions (and, if applicable, such Qualified Nonelective Contributions or Qualified Matching Contributions, or both) were made under a single arrangement. If a Highly Compensated Employee participates in two or more cash or deferred arrangements of the Employer or of a Controlled Group member that have different plan years, all Elective Deferral Contributions made during the Plan Year shall be aggregated. The foregoing notwithstanding, certain plans shall be treated as separate if mandatorily disaggregated under the regulations of Code Section 401(k).

 

In the event this Plan satisfies the requirements of Code Section 401(k), 401(a)(4), or 410(b) only if aggregated with one or more other plans, or if one or more other plans satisfy the requirements of such Code sections only if aggregated with this Plan, then this section shall be applied by determining the Deferral Percentage of Employees as if all such plans were a single plan. If more than 1O percent of the Employer’s Nonhighly Compensated Employees are involved in a plan coverage change as defined in section 1.401(k)-2(c)(4) of the regulations, then any adjustments to the Nonhighly Compensated Employee ADP for the prior year shall be made in accordance with such regulations if the Employer has elected to use the prior year testing method. Plans may be aggregated in order to satisfy Code Section 401(k) only if they have the same plan year and use the same testing method for the ADP Test.

 

For purposes of the ADP Test, Elective Deferral Contributions, Qualified Nonelective Contributions, and Qualified Matching Contributions must be made before the end of the 12-month period immediately following the Plan Year to which the contributions relate.

 

If the Plan Administrator should determine during the Plan Year that the ADP Test is not being met, the Plan Administrator may limit the amount of future Elective Deferral Contributions of the Highly Compensated Employees.

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, Excess Contributions, plus any income and minus any loss allocable thereto, shall be distributed no later than 12 months after the last day of a Plan Year to Participants to whose Accounts such Excess Contributions were allocated for such Plan Year, except to the extent such Excess Contributions are classified as Catch-up Contributions. Excess Contributions are allocated to the Highly Compensated Employees with the largest amounts of employer contributions taken into account in calculating the ADP Test for the year in which the excess arose, beginning with the Highly Compensated Employee with the largest amount of such employer contributions and continuing in descending order until all of the Excess Contributions have been allocated. If a Highly Compensated Employee participates in two or more cash or deferred arrangements of the Employer or of a Controlled Group member, the amount distributed shall not exceed the amount of the employer contributions taken into account in calculating the ADP test and made to this Plan for the year in which the excess arose. If Catch-up Contributions are allowed for the Plan Year being tested, to the extent a Highly Compensated Employee has not reached his Catch-up Contribution limit under the Plan for such year, Excess Contributions allocated to such Highly Compensated Employee are Catch-up Contributions and will not be treated as Excess Contributions. If such excess amounts (other than Catch-up Contributions) are distributed more than 2 1/2 months after the last day of the Plan Year in which such excess amounts arose, a 10 percent excise tax shall be imposed on the employer maintaining the plan with respect to such amounts.

 

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Excess Contributions shall be treated as Annual Additions, as defined in the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of this article, even if distributed.

 

The Excess Contributions shall be adjusted for any income or loss. The income or loss allocable to such Excess Contributions allocated to each Participant shall be equal to the income or loss allocable to the Participant’s Elective Deferral Contributions (and, if applicable, Qualified Nonelective Contributions or Qualified Matching Contributions, or both) for the Plan Year in which the excess occurred multiplied by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the Excess Contributions. The denominator of the fraction is the closing balance without regard to any income or loss occurring during such Plan Year (as of the end of such Plan Year) of the Participant’s Account resulting from Elective Deferral Contributions (and Qualified Nonelective Contributions or Qualified Matching Contributions, or both, if such contributions are included in the ADP Test).

 

For purposes of determining income or loss on Excess Contributions, no adjustment shall be made for income or loss for the gap period.

 

Excess Contributions allocated to a Participant shall be distributed from the Participant’s Account resulting from Elective Deferral Contributions. If such Excess Contributions exceed the amount of Excess Contributions in the Participant’s Account resulting from Elective Deferral Contributions, the balance shall be distributed from the Participant’s Account resulting from Qualified Matching Contributions (if applicable) and Qualified Nonelective Contributions, respectively.

 

Distribution of Excess Contributions shall be made on a pro rata basis from the Participant’s Account resulting from Pre-tax Elective Deferral Contributions and Roth Elective Deferral Contributions in the same proportion that such Contributions were made for the applicable year.

 

Any Matching Contributions that were based on the Elective Deferral Contributions distributed as Excess Contributions, plus any income and minus any loss allocable thereto, shall be forfeited.

 

(d)       ACP Test. As of the end of each Plan Year, the Plan must satisfy the ACP Test. The ACP Test shall be satisfied using the prior year testing method or the current year testing method, as elected by the Employer in subparagraph (e) of this section.

 

(1)       Prior Year Testing Method.   The ACP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for each Plan Year and the prior year’s ACP for Eligible Participants who were Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the prior Plan Year must satisfy one of the following tests:

 

(i)        The ACP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year shall not exceed the prior year’s ACP for Eligible Participants who were Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the prior Plan Year multiplied by 1.25; or

 

(ii)       The ACP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year:

 

A.         shall not exceed the prior year’s ACP for Eligible Participants who were Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the prior Plan Year multiplied by 2, and

 

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B.         the difference between such ACPs is not more than 2

 

If this is not a successor plan, for the first Plan Year the Plan permits any Participant to make Participant Contributions, provides for Matching Contributions, or both, for purposes of the foregoing tests, the prior year’s Nonhighly Compensated Employees’ ACP shall be 3 percent or the Plan Year’s ACP for these Eligible Participants, as elected by the Employer in subparagraph (e) of this section.

 

(2)       Current Year Testing Method. The ACP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for each Plan Year and the ACP for Eligible Participants who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year must satisfy one of the following tests:

 

(i)        The ACP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year shall not exceed the ACP for Eligible Participants who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year multiplied by 1.25; or

 

(ii)       The ACP for a Plan Year for Eligible Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year:

 

A.         shall not exceed the ACP for Eligible Participants who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year multiplied by 2, and

 

B.         the difference between such ACPs is not more than 2.

 

If the Employer has elected to use the current year testing method, that election cannot be changed unless (i) the Plan has been using the current year testing method for the preceding five Plan Years, or if fess, the number of Plan Years the Plan has been in existence; or (ii) if as a result of a merger or acquisition described in Code Section 41O(b)(6)(C)(i), the Employer maintains both a plan using the prior year testing method and a plan using the current year testing method and the change is made within the transition period described in Code Section 41O(b)(6)(C)(ii).

 

A Participant is a Highly Compensated Employee for a particular Plan Year if he meets the definition of a Highly Compensated Employee in effect for that Plan Year.  Similarly, a Participant is a Nonhighly Compensated Employee for a particular Plan Year if he does not meet the definition of a Highly Compensated Employee in effect for that Plan Year.

 

The Contribution Percentage for any Eligible Participant who is a Highly Compensated Employee for the Plan Year and who is eligible to have Contribution Percentage Amounts allocated to his account under two or more plans described in Code Section 401(a) or arrangements described in Code Section 401 (k) that are maintained by the Employer or a Controlled Group member shall be determined as if the total of such Contribution Percentage Amounts was made under each plan and arrangement. If a Highly Compensated Employee participates in two or more such plans or arrangements that have different plan years, all Contribution Percentage Amounts made during the Plan Year shall be aggregated. The foregoing notwithstanding, certain plans shall be treated as separate if mandatorily disaggregated under the regulations of Code Section 401(m).

 

In the event this Plan satisfies the requirements of Code Section 401(m), 401(a)(4), or 410(b) only if aggregated with one or more other plans, or if one or more other plans satisfy the requirements of such Code sections only if aggregated with this Plan, then this section shall be

 

35

 

applied by determining the Contribution Percentage of Employees as if all such plans were a single plan. If more than 10 percent of the Employer’s Nonhighly Compensated Employees are involved in a plan coverage change as defined in section 1.401 (m)-2(c)(4) of the regulations, then any adjustments to the Nonhighly Compensated Employee ACP for the prior year shall be made in accordance with such regulations if the Employer has elected to use the prior year testing method. Plans may be aggregated in order to satisfy Code Section 401(m) only if they have the same plan year and use the same testing method for the ACP Test.

 

For purposes of the ACP Test, Participant Contributions are considered to have been made in the Plan Year in which contributed to the Plan. Matching Contributions and Qualified Nonelective Contributions will be considered to have been made for a Plan Year if made no later than the end of the 12-month period beginning on the day after the close of the Plan Year.

 

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, Excess Aggregate Contributions, plus any income and minus any loss allocable thereto, shall be forfeited, if not vested, or distributed, if vested, no later than 12 months after the last day of a Plan Year to Participants to whose Accounts such Excess Aggregate Contributions were allocated for such Plan Year. Excess Aggregate Contributions are allocated to the Highly Compensated Employees with the largest Contribution Percentage Amounts taken into account in calculating the ACP Test for the year in which the excess arose, beginning with the Highly Compensated Employee with the largest amount of such Contribution Percentage Amounts and continuing in descending order until all of the Excess Aggregate Contributions have been allocated. If a Highly Compensated Employee participates in two or more plans or arrangements of the Employer or of a Controlled Group member that include Contribution Percentage Amounts, the amount distributed shall not exceed the Contribution Percentage Amounts taken into account in calculating the ACP Test and made to this Plan for the year in which the excess arose. If such Excess Aggregate Contributions are distributed more than 2 1/2 months after the last day of the Plan Year in which such excess amounts arose, a 10 percent excise tax shall be imposed on the employer maintaining the plan with respect to such amounts.

 

Excess Aggregate Contributions shall be treated as Annual Additions, as defined in the CONTRIBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of this article, even if distributed.

 

The Excess Aggregate Contributions shall be adjusted for any income or loss. The income or loss allocable to such Excess Aggregate Contributions allocated to each Participant shall be equal to the income or loss allocable to the Participant’s Contribution Percentage Amounts for the Plan Year in which the excess occurred multiplied by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction is the Excess Aggregate Contributions. The denominator of the fraction is the closing balance without regard to any income or loss occurring during such Plan Year (as of the end of such Plan Year) of the Participant’s Account resulting from Contribution Percentage Amounts.

 

For purposes of determining income or loss on Excess Aggregate Contributions, no adjustment shall be made for income or loss for the gap period.

 

Excess Aggregate Contributions allocated to a Participant shall be distributed from the Participant’s Account resulting from Participant Contributions that are not required as a condition of employment or participation or for obtaining additional benefits from Employer Contributions. If such Excess Aggregate Contributions exceed the balance in the Participant’s Account resulting from such Participant Contributions, the balance shall be forfeited, if not vested, or distributed, if vested, on a pro rata basis from the Participant’s Account resulting from Contribution Percentage Amounts.

 

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(e)        Employer Elections.  The Employer has made an election to use the prior year testing method.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

INVESTMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 4.01—INVESTMENT AND TIMING OF CONTRIBUTIONS.

 

The handling of Contributions and Plan assets is governed by the provisions of the Trust Agreement and any other relevant document, such as an Annuity Contract (for the purposes of this paragraph alone, the Trust Agreement and such other documents will each be referred to as a “document” or collectively as the “documents”), duly entered into by or with regard to the Plan that govern such matters.  To the extent permitted by the documents, the parties named below shall direct the Contributions for investment in any of the investment options available to the Plan under or through the documents, and may request the transfer of amounts resulting from those Contributions between such investment options.

 

A Participant may not direct the investment of all or any portion of his Account in collectibles. Collectibles mean any work of art, rug or antique, metal or gem, stamp or coin, alcoholic beverage, or other tangible personal property specified by the Secretary of the Treasury. However, for tax years beginning after December 31, 1997, certain coins and bullion as provided in Code Section 408(m)(3) shall not be considered collectibles.

 

If a Participant has provided investment direction for all or certain specific Contributions made to his Account, such Contributions shall be invested in accordance with such direction to the extent possible. If an investment option selected by the Participant in that investment direction is no longer available and a new investment option is not selected by the Participant (in lieu of the one that is no longer available) by the deadline set by a fiduciary of the Plan (or by the date the investment option is no longer available), all amounts currently held in the investment option that is no longer available and future Contributions directed to such investment option by the Participant (and made after such deadline or date) shall be invested in the appropriate default investment option, unless otherwise directed by a fiduciary of the Plan.

 

If an investment option selected by the Participant is no longer available for future Contributions only and a new investment option is not selected by the Participant (in lieu of the one that is no longer available) by the deadline set by a fiduciary of the Plan (or by the date the investment option is no longer available), all future Contributions directed to such investment option that is not available for future Contributions (and made after such deadline or date) shall be invested in the appropriate default investment option, unless otherwise directed by a fiduciary of the Plan.

 

To the extent that a Participant who has the ability to provide investment direction (either on an ongoing basis or in response to a notice from a fiduciary of the Plan) fails to give timely investment direction, the amount in the Participant’s Account for which no investment direction is received shall be invested in the appropriate default investment option, unless otherwise directed by a fiduciary of the Plan.

 

If the Named Fiduciary has investment direction, the Contributions shall be invested in accordance with such direction. The Named Fiduciary shall have investment direction for amounts that have not been allocated to Participants. To the extent an investment option is no longer available, a fiduciary of the Plan may require that amounts currently held in such investment option be reinvested in other investment options. To the extent that the Named Fiduciary has not given investment direction, and no Plan fiduciary gives

 

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direction regarding the reinvestment of such amounts, the amounts held in an investment option that is no longer available or which had been directed to be invested in an investment option that is not available for future Contributions shall be invested in the appropriate default investment option.

 

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Default investment options are defined in documents duly entered into by or with regard to the Plan that govern such matters.

 

At least annually, the Named Fiduciary shall review all pertinent Employee information and Plan data in order to establish the funding policy of the Plan and to determine appropriate methods of carrying out the Plan’s objectives. The Named Fiduciary shall inform the Trustee and any Investment Manager of the Plan’s short-term and long-term financial needs so the investment policy can be coordinated with the Plan’s financial requirements.

 

The Participant shall direct the investment of all Contributions and the transfer of amounts resulting from those Contributions.

 

However, the Named Fiduciary may delegate to the Investment Manager investment direction for Contributions and amounts that are not subject to Participant direction.

 

All Contributions are forwarded by the Employer to (i) the Trustee to be deposited in the Trust Fund or otherwise invested by the Trustee in accordance with the relevant documents; or (ii) the Insurer to be deposited under the Annuity Contract, as applicable.

 

SECTION 4.02-INVESTMENT IN QUALIFYING EMPLOYER SECURITIES.

 

(a)                      Investment in Qualifying Employer Securities.  All or some portion of the Participant’s Account may be invested in Qualifying Employer Securities; however, no new Contributions or transfers shall be allowed into the Qualifying Employer Securities Fund.

 

For purposes of determining the annual valuation of the Plan, and for reporting to Participants and regulatory authorities, the assets of the Plan shall be valued at least annually on the Valuation Date which corresponds to the last day of the Plan Year. The fair market value of Qualifying Employer Securities shall be determined on such Valuation Date. The prices of Qualifying Employer Securities as of the date of the transaction shall apply for purposes of valuing distributions and other transactions of the Plan to the extent such value is representative of the fair market value of such securities in the opinion of the Plan Administrator. The value of a Participant’s Account held in the Qualifying Employer Securities Fund may be expressed in units.

 

If the Qualifying Employer Securities are not publicly traded, or if an extremely thin market exists for such securities so that reasonable valuation may not be obtained from the market place, then such securities must be valued at least annually by an independent appraiser who is not associated with the Employer, the Plan Administrator, the Trustee, or any person related to any fiduciary under the Plan. The independent appraiser may be associated with a person who is merely a contract administrator with respect to the Plan, but who exercises no discretionary authority and is not a plan fiduciary.

 

If there is a public market for Qualifying Employer Securities of the type held by the Plan, then the Plan Administrator may use as the value of the securities the price at which such securities trade in such market. If the Qualifying Employer Securities do not trade on the relevant date, or if the market is very thin on such date, then the Plan Administrator may use for the valuation the next preceding trading day on which the trading prices are representative of the fair market value of such securities in the opinion of the Plan Administrator.

 

Cash dividends payable on the Qualifying Employer Securities shall be reinvested in additional shares of such securities.  In the event of any cash or stock dividend or any stock split, such

 

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dividend or split shall be credited to the Accounts based on the number of shares of Qualifying Employer Securities credited to each Account as of the payable date of such dividend or split.

 

All purchases of Qualifying Employer Securities shall be made at a price, or prices, which, in the judgment of the Plan Administrator, do not exceed the fair market value of such securities.

 

In the event that the Trustee acquires Qualifying Employer Securities by purchase from a “disqualified person” as defined in Code Section 4975(e)(2) or from a “party-in-interest” as defined in ERISA Section 3(14), the terms of such purchase shall contain the provision that in the event there is a final determination by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, or court of competent jurisdiction that the fair market value of such securities as of the date of purchase was fess than the purchase price paid by the Trustee, then the seller shall pay or transfer, as the case may be, to the Trustee an amount of cash or shares of Qualifying Employer Securities equal in value to the difference between the purchase price and such fair market value for all such shares. In the event that cash or shares of Qualifying Employer Securities are paid or transferred to the Trustee under this provision, such securities shall be valued at their fair market value as of the date of such purchase, and interest at a reasonable rate from the date of purchase to the date of payment or transfer shall be paid by the seller on the amount of cash paid.

 

The Plan Administrator may direct the Trustee to sell, resell, or otherwise dispose of Qualifying Employer Securities to any person, including the Employer, provided that any such sales to any disqualified person or party-in-interest, including the Employer, will be made at not less than the fair market value and no commission will be charged. Any such sale shall be made in conformance with ERISA Section 408(e).

 

The Governing Board is responsible for compliance with any applicable Federal or state securities law with respect to all aspects of the Plan. If the Qualifying Employer Securities or interest in this Plan are required to be registered in order to permit investment in the Qualifying Employer Securities Fund as provided in this section, then such investment will not be effective until the later of the effective date of the Plan or the date such registration or qualification is effective. At the direction of the Governing Board, the Employer, at its own expense, will take or cause to be taken any and all such actions as may be necessary or appropriate to effect such registration or qualification. Further, if the Trustee is directed to dispose of any Qualifying Employer Securities held under the Plan under circumstances which require registration or qualification of the securities under applicable Federal or state securities laws, then at the direction of the Governing Board, the Employer will, at its own expense, take or cause to be taken any and all such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effect such registration or qualification. The Governing Board is responsible for all compliance requirements under Section 16 of the Securities Act and any trading policy of the Employer.

 

(b)                       Diversification Requirements.  The diversification requirements below apply for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2007.

 

An applicable individual (as defined in section 1.401(a)(35)-1(b) of the regulations) is permitted to elect to direct any publicly traded qualifying employer securities (as defined in Code Section 401(a)(35)(G)(v)) held in his Account under the Plan to be reinvested in other investment options offered under the Plan with respect to the portion of his Account that is subject to Code Section 401(a)(35)(B) or (C). The Governing Board may permit diversification of amounts invested in qualifying employer securities earlier than required as long as the earlier time period is applied consistently to all applicable individuals.

 

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The Plan shall offer at least three investment options, other than Qualifying Employer Securities, to which the applicable individual may direct all or any portion of his Account invested in Qualifying Employer Securities, and each investment option must be diversified and have materially different risk and return characteristics that satisfy the requirements of section 2550.404c-1 (b)(3) of the Department of Labor regulations. The Plan may limit the time for divestment to periodic, reasonable opportunities occurring no less frequently than quarterly. The Plan may not impose any restrictions or conditions with respect to the investment of Qualifying Employer Securities that are not imposed on the investment options offered under the Plan, except for the prohibition against making any further investments in Qualifying Employer Securities or in the Qualifying Employer Securities Fund.

 

A notice must be provided to each applicable individual that describes the divestiture rights and the importance of diversifying the investment of retirement plan assets. The Plan Administrator shall provide the notice to all applicable individuals no later than 30 days before the date on which the applicable individuals are eligible to exercise their right to diversify.

 

(c)                     Voting and Tender Rights.  Voting rights with respect to Qualifying Employer Securities will be passed through to Participants.  Participants will be allowed to direct the voting rights of Qualifying Employer Securities for any matter put to the vote of shareholders.  Before each meeting of shareholders, the Governing Board shall cause to be sent to each person with power to control such voting rights a copy of any notice and any other information provided to shareholders and, if applicable, a form for instructing the Trustee how to vote at such meeting (or any adjournment thereof) the number of full and fractional shares subject to such person’s voting control. The Trustee may establish a deadline in advance of the meeting by which such forms must be received in order to be effective.

 

Each Participant shall be entitled to one vote for each share credited to his Account.

 

If some or all of the Participants have not directed or have not timely directed the Trustee on how to vote, then the Trustee shall vote such Qualifying Employer Securities in the same proportion as those shares of Qualifying Employer Securities for which the Trustee has received proper direction for such matter.

 

Tender rights or exchange offers for Qualifying Employer Securities will be passed through to Participants. As soon as practicable after the commencement of a tender or exchange offer for Qualifying Employer Securities, the Governing Board shall cause each person with power to control the response to such tender or exchange offer to be advised in writing the terms of the offer and, if applicable, to be provided with a form for instructing the Trustee, or for revoking such instruction, to tender or exchange shares of Qualifying Employer Securities, to the extent permitted under the terms of such offer. In advising such persons of the terms of the offer, the Governing Board may include statements from the board of directors setting forth its position with respect to the offer.

 

If some or all of the Participants have not directed or have not timely directed the Trustee on how to tender, then the Trustee shall tender such Qualifying Employer Securities in the same proportion as those shares of Qualifying Employer Securities for which the Trustee has received proper direction for such matter.

 

If the tender or exchange offer is limited so that all of the shares that the Trustee has been directed to tender or exchange cannot be sold or exchanged, the shares that each Participant directed to be tendered or exchanged shall be deemed to have been sold or exchanged in the

 

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same ratio that the number of shares actually sold or exchanged bears to the total number of shares that the Trustee was directed to tender or exchange.

 

The Trustee shall hold the Participant’s individual directions with respect to voting rights or tender decisions in confidence and, except as required by law, shall not divulge or release such individual directions to anyone associated with the Employer. The Governing Board may require verification of the Trustee’s compliance with the directions received from Participants by any independent auditor selected by the Governing Board, provided that such auditor agrees to maintain the confidentiality of such individual directions.

 

The Governing Board may develop procedures to facilitate the exercise of votes or tender rights, such as the use of facsimile transmissions for the Participants located in physically remote areas.

 

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ARTICLE V

 

BENEFITS

 

SECTION 5.01—RETIREMENT BENEFITS.

 

On a Participant’s Retirement Date, his Vested Account shall be distributed to him according to the distribution of benefits provisions of Article VI and the provisions of the SMALL AMOUNTS SECTION of Article X.

 

SECTION 5.02—DEATH BENEFITS.

 

If a Participant dies before his Annuity Starting Date, his Vested Account shall be distributed according to the distribution of benefits provisions of Article VI and the provisions of the SMALL AMOUNTS SECTION of Article X.

 

SECTION 5.03—VESTED BENEFITS.

 

If an Inactive Participant’s Vested Account is not payable under the SMALL AMOUNTS SECTION of Article X, he may elect, but is not required, to receive a distribution of any part of his Vested Account after he has a Severance from Employment. A distribution under this paragraph shall be a retirement benefit and shall be distributed to the Participant according to the distribution of benefits provisions of Article VI.

 

A Participant may not elect to receive a distribution under the provisions of this section after he again becomes an Employee until he subsequently has a Severance from Employment and meets the requirements of this section.

 

A Participant who has been performing Qualified Military Service for a period of more than 30 days is deemed to have had a severance from employment (as described in Code Section 414(u)(12)(B)(i)) for purposes of requesting a distribution of his Vested Account resulting from Elective Deferral Contributions. The Plan will suspend Elective Deferral Contributions for six months after receipt of the distribution. If the Participant is also eligible to receive a Qualified Reservist Distribution and the distribution could be either type of distribution, the distribution will be treated as a Qualified Reservist Distribution.

 

If an Inactive Participant does not receive an earlier distribution, upon his Retirement Date or death, his Vested Account shall be distributed according to the provisions of the RETIREMENT BENEFITS SECTION or the DEATH BENEFITS SECTION of this article.

 

The Nonvested Account of an Inactive Participant who has had a Severance from Employment shall remain a part of his Account until it becomes a Forfeiture. However, if he again becomes an Employee so that his Vesting Percentage can increase, the Nonvested Account may become a part of his Vested Account.

 

SECTION 5.04—WHEN BENEFITS START.

 

(a)                      Unless otherwise elected, benefits shall begin no later than the 60th day following the close of the Plan Year in which the latest date below occurs:

 

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(1)                      The date the Participant attains age 65 (or Normal Retirement Age, if earlier).

 

(2)                      The 1Oth anniversary of the Participant’s Entry Date.

 

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(3)                       The date the Participant terminates service with the Employer.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the failure of a Participant to consent to a distribution while a benefit is immediately distributable, within the meaning of the ELECTION PROCEDURES SECTION of Article VI, shall be deemed to be an election to defer the start of benefits sufficient to satisfy this section.

 

The Participant may elect to have benefits begin after the latest date for beginning benefits described above, subject to the following provisions of this section. The Participant shall make the election in writing. Such election must be made before his Normal Retirement Date or the date he has a Severance from Employment, if later. The Participant shall not elect a date for beginning benefits or a form of distribution that would result in a benefit payable when he dies which would be more than incidental within the meaning of governmental regulations.

 

Benefits shall begin on an earlier date if otherwise provided in the Plan. For example, the Participant’s Retirement Date or Required Beginning Date, as defined in the DEFINITIONS SECTION of Article VII.

 

(b)                      The Participant’s Vested Account resulting from the following Contributions: 

 

Elective Deferral Contributions

Qualified Nonelective Contributions

 

may not be distributed earlier than Severance from Employment, death, or disability. Such amount may also be distributed upon:

 

(1)                    Termination of the Plan, as permitted in Article VIII.

 

(2)                     The attainment of age 59 1/2 as permitted in the WITHDRAWAL BENEFITS SECTION of this article or in the definition of Normal Retirement Date in the DEFINITIONS SECTION of Article I.

 

(3)                     A federally declared disaster, where resulting legislation authorizes such a distribution.

 

The Participant’s Vested Account resulting from Elective Deferral Contributions may also be distributed:

 

(4)                        As a hardship withdrawal, as permitted in the WITHDRAWAL BENEFITS SECT ION of this article.

 

(5)                       As a Qualified Reservist Distribution, as permitted in the WITHDRAWAL BENEFITS SECTION of this article.

 

(6)                        Upon a Participant’s deemed severance from employment as described in Code Section 414(u)(12)(B)(i)  and as permitted in the VESTED BENEFITS SECTION of this article.

 

All distributions that may be made pursuant to one or more of the foregoing distributable events will be a retirement benefit and shall be distributed to the Participant according to the distribution of benefits provisions of Article VI. In addition, distributions that are triggered by the termination of the Plan must be made in a lump sum. A lump sum shall include a distribution of an annuity contract.

 

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SECTION 5.05—WITHDRAWAL BENEFITS.

 

A request for withdrawal shall be made in such manner and in accordance with such rules as the Plan Administrator shall prescribe for this purpose (including by means of voice response or other electronic means under circumstances the Employer permits). Withdrawals shall be a retirement benefit and shall be distributed to the Participant according to the distribution of benefits provisions of Article VI. A forfeiture shall not occur solely as a result of a withdrawal.

 

A Participant may withdraw any part of his Vested Account resulting from Rollover Contributions. A Participant may make such a withdrawal at any time.

 

A Participant who has attained age 59 1/2 may withdraw any part of his Vested Account resulting from the following Contributions:

 

Elective Deferral Contributions

Matching Contributions

Qualified Nonelective Contributions

 

A Participant may make such a withdrawal at any time.

 

A Participant may withdraw any part of his Vested Account resulting from the following Contributions:

 

Elective Deferral Contributions

Matching Contributions

 

in the event of hardship due to an immediate and heavy financial need. Withdrawals from the Participant’s Account resulting from Elective Deferral Contributions shall be limited to the amount of the Participant’s Elective Deferral Contributions plus income allocable thereto credited to his Account as of December 31, 1988.

 

Immediate and heavy financial need shall be limited to: (i) expenses incurred or necessary for medical care that would be deductible under Code Section 213(a) (determined without regard to whether the expenses exceed the stated limit on adjusted gross income); (ii) the purchase (excluding mortgage payments) of a principal residence for the Participant; (iii) payment of tuition, related educational fees, and room and board expenses, for up to the next 12 months of post-secondary education for the Participant, his spouse, children, or dependents (as defined in Code Section 152 without regard to Code Sections 152(b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B)); (iv) payments necessary to prevent the eviction of the Participant from, or foreclosure on the mortgage of, the Participant’s principal residence; (v) payments for funeral or burial expenses for the Participant’s deceased parent, spouse, child, or dependent (as defined in Code Section 152 without regard to Code Section 152(d)( 1)(B)); (vi) expenses to repair damage to the Participant’s principal residence that would qualify for a casualty loss deduction under Code Section 165 (determined without regard to whether the loss exceeds 10% of adjusted gross income); or (vii) any other distribution which is deemed by the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to be made on account of immediate and heavy financial need as provided in Treasury regulations. Immediate and heavy financial need shall also include expenses described in (i), (iii), and (v) (relating to medical, tuition, and funeral expenses, respectively) of a Primary Beneficiary.

 

No withdrawal shall be allowed which is not necessary to satisfy such immediate and heavy financial need. Such withdrawal shall be deemed necessary only if all of the following requirements are met: (i) the distribution is not in excess of the amount of the immediate and heavy financial need (including amounts necessary to pay any Federal, state, or local income taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the distribution); (ii) the Participant has obtained all distributions, other than hardship distributions, and all

 

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nontaxable loans currently available under all plans maintained by the Employer; and (iii) the Plan, and all other plans maintained by the Employer, provide that the Participant’s elective contributions and participant contributions will be suspended for at least six months after receipt of the hardship distribution. The Plan will suspend elective contributions and participant contributions for six months as provided in the preceding sentence. A Participant shall not cease to be an Eligible Participant, as defined in the EXCESS AMOUNTS SECTION of Article Ill, merely because his elective contributions or participant contributions are suspended.

 

A Participant may withdraw any part of his Vested Account resulting from Elective Deferral Contributions if such distribution meets the requirements to be a Qualified Reservist Distribution.

 

SECTION 5.06—DISTRIBUTIONS UNDER QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDERS.

 

The Plan specifically permits distributions to an Alternate Payee under a qualified domestic relations order as defined in Code Section 414(p), at any time, irrespective of whether the Participant has attained his earliest retirement age, as defined in Code Section 414(p), under the Plan. A distribution to an Alternate Payee before the Participant has attained his earliest retirement age is available only if the order specifies that distribution shall be made prior to the earliest retirement age or allows the Alternate Payee to elect a distribution prior to the earliest retirement age.

 

Nothing in this section shall permit a Participant to receive a distribution at a time otherwise not permitted under the Plan nor shall it permit the Alternate Payee to receive a form of payment not permitted under the Plan.

 

The benefit payable to an Alternate Payee shall be subject to the provisions of the SMALL AMOUNTS SECTION of Article X, as they apply to the Participant.

 

The Plan Administrator shall establish reasonable procedures to determine the qualified status of a domestic relations order. Upon receiving a domestic relations order, the Plan Administrator shall promptly notify the Participant and each Alternate Payee named in the order, in writing, of the receipt of the order and the Plan’s procedures for determining the qualified status of the order. Within a reasonable period of time after receiving the domestic relations order, the Plan Administrator shall determine the qualified status of the order and shall notify the Participant and each Alternate Payee, in writing, of its determination. The Plan Administrator shall provide notice under this paragraph by mailing to the individual’s address specified in the domestic relations order, or in a manner consistent with Department of Labor regulations. The Plan Administrator may treat as qualified any domestic relations order entered before January 1, 1985, irrespective of whether it satisfies all the requirements described in Code Section 414(p).

 

If any portion of the Participant’s Vested Account is payable during the period the Plan Administrator is making its determination of the qualified status of the domestic relations order, a separate accounting shall be made of the amount payable. If the Plan Administrator determines the order is a qualified domestic relations order within 18 months of the date amounts are first payable following receipt of the order, the payable amounts shall be distributed in accordance with the order. If the Plan Administrator does not make its determination of the qualified status of the order within the 18-month determination period, the payable amounts shall be distributed in the manner the Plan would distribute if the order did not exist and the order shall apply prospectively if the Plan Administrator later determines the order is a qualified domestic relations order.

 

The Plan shall make payments or distributions required under this section by separate benefit checks or other separate distribution to the Alternate Payee(s).

 

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ARTICLE VI

 

DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

 

SECTION 6.01—AUTOMATIC FORMS OF DISTRIBUTION.

 

Unless an optional form of benefit is selected pursuant to a qualified election within the election period (see the ELECTION PROCEDURES SECTION of this article), the automatic form of benefit payable to or on behalf of a Participant is determined as follows:

 

(a)                      Retirement Benefits. The automatic form of retirement benefit for a Participant who does not die before his Annuity Starting Date shall be a single sum payment.

 

(b)                      Death Benefits. The automatic form of death benefit for a Participant who dies before his Annuity Starting Date shall be a single sum payment to the Participant’s Beneficiary.

 

SECTION 6.02—0PTIONAL FORMS OF DISTRIBUTION.

 

(a)                     Retirement Benefits. The optional forms of retirement benefit shall be the following: a fixed period installment option, a fixed payment installment option, and a single sum payment. The portion of a Participant’s Account held in the Qualifying Employer Securities Fund may be distributed in kind.

 

The fixed period installment option is an optional form of benefit under which the Participant elects to receive substantially equal annual payments over a fixed period of whole years. The annual payment may be paid in annual, semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly installments as elected by the Participant. The Participant may elect to receive additional payments.

 

The fixed payment installment option is an optional form of benefit under which the Participant elects to receive a specified dollar amount each year. The annual payment may be paid in annual, semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly installments as elected by the Participant. The Participant may elect to receive additional payments.

 

Under the installment options the amount payable in the Participant’s first Distribution Calendar Year, as defined in the DEFINITIONS SECTION of Article VII, must satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of Artic le VII for such year. Distributions for later Distribution Calendar Years must satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of Article VII for such years. If the Participant’s Annuity Starting Date does not occur until his second Distribution Calendar Year, the amount payable for such year must satisfy the minimum distribution requirements of Article VII for both the first and second Distribution Calendar Years.

 

Election of an optional form is subject to the qualified election provisions of the ELECTION PROCEDURES SECTION of this article and the distribution requirements of Article VII.

 

(b)                       Death Benefits.  The optional form of death benefit is a single sum payment.

 

Election of an optional form is subject to the qualified election provisions of the ELECTION PROCEDURES SECTION of this article and the distribution requirements of Article VII.

 

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SECTION 6.03—ELECTION PROCEDURES.

 

The Participant or Beneficiary shall make any election under this section in writing. The Plan Administrator may require such individual to complete and sign any necessary documents as to the provisions to be made. Any election permitted under (a) and (b) below shall be subject to the qualified election provisions of (c) below.

 

(a)                     Retirement Benefits. A Participant may elect his Beneficiary and may elect to have retirement benefits distributed under any of the optional forms of retirement benefit available in the OPTIONAL FORMS OF DISTRIBUTION SECTION of this article.

 

(b)                     Death Benefits. A Participant may elect his Beneficiary and may elect to have death benefits distributed under any of the optional forms of death benefit available in the OPTIONAL FORMS OF DISTRIBUTION SECTION of this article.

 

If the Participant has not elected an optional form of distribution for the death benefit payable to his Beneficiary, the Beneficiary may, for his own benefit, elect the form of distribution, in like manner as a Participant.

 

(c)                      Qualified Election. The Participant or Beneficiary may make an election at any time during the election period. The Participant or Beneficiary may revoke the election made (or make a new election) at any time and any number of times during the election period. An election is effective only if it meets the consent requirements below.

 

(1)                       Election Period for Retirement Benefits. The Participant may make an election as to retirement benefits at any time before the Annuity Starting Date.

 

(2)                       Election Period for Death Benefits. A Participant may make an election as to death benefits at any time before he dies. The Beneficiary’s election period begins on the date the Participant dies and ends on the date benefits begin.

 

(3)                       Consent to Election. If the Participant’s Vested Account (disregarding the portion, if any, of his Account resulting from Rollover Contributions) exceeds $5,000, any benefit that is immediately distributable requires the consent of the Participant.

 

The consent of the Participant to a benefit that is immediately distributable must not be made before the date the Participant is provided with the notice of the ability to defer the distribution. Such consent shall be in writing.

 

The consent shall not be made more than 180 days before the Annuity Starting Date. The consent of the Participant shall not be required to the extent that a distribution is required to satisfy Code Section 401 (a)(9) or 415.

 

In addition, upon termination of this Plan, if the Plan does not offer an annuity option (purchased from a commercial provider), and if the Employer (or any entity within the same Controlled Group) does not maintain another defined contribution plan (other than an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)), the Participant’s Account balance will, without the Participant’s consent, be distributed to the Participant. However, if any entity within the same Controlled Group maintains another defined contribution plan (other than an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Code Section

 

49

 

4975(e)(7)) the Participant’s Account will be transferred, without the Participant’s consent, to the other plan if the Participant does not consent to an immediate distribution.

 

A benefit is immediately distributable if any part of the benefit could be distributed to the Participant before the Participant attains the older of Normal Retirement Age or age 62.

 

Spousal consent is needed to name a Beneficiary other than the Participant’s spouse. If the Participant names a Beneficiary other than his spouse, the spouse has the right to limit consent only to a specific Beneficiary. The spouse can relinquish such right.  Such consent shall be in writing. The spouse’s consent shall be witnessed by a plan representative or notary public. The spouse’s consent must acknowledge the effect of the election, including that the spouse had the right to limit consent only to a specific Beneficiary and that the relinquishment of such right was voluntary. Unless the consent of the spouse expressly permits designations by the Participant without a requirement of further consent by the spouse, the spouse’s consent must be limited to the Beneficiary, class of Beneficiaries, or contingent Beneficiary named in the election.

 

Spousal consent is not required, however, if the Participant establishes to the satisfaction of the plan representative that the consent of the spouse cannot be obtained because there is no spouse or the spouse cannot be located. A spouse’s consent under this paragraph shall not be valid with respect to any other spouse. A Participant may revoke a prior election without the consent of the spouse. Any new election will require a new spousal consent, unless the consent of the spouse expressly permits such election by the Participant without further consent by the spouse. A spouse’s consent may be revoked at any time within the Participant’s election period.

 

SECTION 6.04—NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.

 

Optional Forms of Retirement Benefit and Right to Defer. The Plan Administrator shall furnish to the Participant a written explanation of the right of the Participant to defer distribution until such time it is no longer immediately distributable. Such notice shall include a written explanation of the optional forms of retirement benefit in the OPTIONAL FORMS OF DISTRIBUTION SECTION of this article, including a general description of the material features of these options.

 

The Plan Administrator shall furnish the written explanation by a method reasonably calculated to reach the attention of the Participant no less than 30 days, and no more than 180 days, before the Annuity Starting Date.

 

However, distribution may begin less than 30 days after the notice described in this subparagraph is given, provided the Plan Administrator clearly informs the Participant that he has a right to a period of at least 30 days after receiving the notice to consider the decision of whether or not to elect a distribution (and if applicable, a particular distribution option), and the Participant, after receiving the notice, affirmatively elects a distribution.

 

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ARTICLE VII

 

REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS

 

SECTION 7.01—APPLICATION.

 

The optional forms of distribution are only those provided in Article VI. An optional form of distribution shall not be permitted unless it meets the requirements of this article. The timing of any distribution must meet the requirements of this article.

 

SECTION 7.02—DEFINITIONS.

 

For purposes of this article, the following terms are defined:

 

Distribution Calendar Year means a calendar year for which a minimum distribution is required. For distributions beginning before the Participant’s death, the first Distribution Calendar Year is the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year that contains the Participant’s Required Beginning Date. For distributions beginning after the Participant’s death, the first Distribution Calendar Year is the calendar year in which distribut io ns are required to begin under (b)(2) of the REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS SECTION of this article. The required minimum distribution for the Participant’s first Distribution Calendar Year will be made on or before the Participant’s Required Beginning Date. The required minimum distribution for other Distribution Calendar Years, including the required minimum distribution for the Distribution Calendar Year inwhich the Participant’s Required Beginning Date occurs, will be made on or before December 31 of that Distribution Calendar Year.

 

5-percent Owner means a Participant who is treated as a 5-percent Owner for purposes of this article. A Participant is treated as a 5-percent Owner for purposes of this article if such Participant is a 5- percent owner as defined in Code Section 416 at any time during the Plan Year ending with or within the calendar year in which such owner attains age 70 1/2.

 

Once distributions have begun to a 5-percent Owner under this article, they must continue to be distributed, even if the Participant ceases to be a 5-percent Owner in a subsequent year.

 

Life Expectancy means life expectancy as computed by use of the Single Life Table in Q&A-1 in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the regulations.

 

Participant’s Account Balance means the Account balance as of the last Valuation Date in the calendar year immediately preceding the Distribution Calendar Year (valuation calendar year) increased by the amount of any contributions made and allocated or forfeitures allocated to the Account as of dates in the valuation calendar year after the Valuation Date and decreased by distributions made in the valuation calendar year after the Valuation Date. The Account balance for the valuation calendar year includes any amounts rolled over or transferred to the Plan either in the valuation calendar year or in the Distribution Calendar Year if distributed or transferred in the valuation calendar year.

 

Required Beginning Date means, for a Participant who is a 5-percent Owner, April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which he attains age 70 1/2.

 

Required Beginning Date means, for any Participant who is not a 5-percent Owner, April 1 of the calendar year following the later of the calendar year in which he attains age 70 1/2 or the calendar year in which he retires.

 

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The preretirement age 70 1/2 distribution option is only eliminated with respect to Participants who reach age 70 1/2 in or after a calendar year that begins after the later of December 31, 1998, or the adoption date of the amendment which eliminated such option. The preretirement age 70 1/2 distribution option is an optional form of benefit under which benefits payable in a particular distribution form (including any modifications that may be elected after benefits begin) begin at a time during the period that begins on or after January 1 of the calendar year in which the Participant attains age 70 1/2 and ends April 1 of the immediately following calendar year.

 

The options available for Participants who are not 5-percent Owners and attained age 70 1/2 in calendar years before the calendar year that begins after the later of December 31, 1998, or the adoption date of the amendment which eliminated the preretirement age 70 1/2 distribution option shall be the following. Any such Participant attaining age 70 1/2 in years after 1995 may elect by April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which he attained age 70 1/2 (or by December 31, 1997 in the case of a Participant attaining age 70 1/2 in 1996) to defer distributions until April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which he retires. If no such election is made, the Participant shall begin receiving distributions by April 1 of the calendar year following the year in which he attained age 70 1/2 (or by December 31, 1997 in the case of a Participant attaining age 70 1/2 in 1996). Any such Participant attaining age 70 1/2 in years prior to 1997 may elect to stop distributions that are not purchased annuities and recommence by April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which he retires. There shall be a new Annuity Starting Date upon recommencement.

 

SECTION 7.03—REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS.

 

(a)                      General Rules.

 

(1)                       The requirements of this article shall apply to any distribution of a Participant’s interest and will take precedence over any inconsistent provisions of this Plan. Unless otherwise specified, the provisions of this article apply to calendar years beginning after December 31, 2002.

 

(2)                       All distributions required under this article shall be determined and made in accordance with the regulations under Code Section 401(a)(9), including the incidental death benefit requirement in Code Section 401(a)(9)(G), and the regulations thereunder.

 

(b)                     Time and Manner of Distribution.

 

(1)                       Required Beginning Date.  The Participant’s entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, to the Participant no later than the Participant’s Required Beginning Date.

 

(2)                      Death of Participant Before Distributions Begin. If the Participant dies before distributions begin, the Participant’s entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, no later than as follows:

 

(i)                         If the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole Designated Beneficiary, distributions to the surviving spouse will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant died, or by December 31 of the calendar year in which the Participant would have attained age 70 1/2, if later, except to the extent that an election is made to receive distributions in accordance with the 5-year rule under (e) below. Under the 5-year rule, the Participant’s entire interest will be distributed to the Designated Beneficiary by

 

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December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant’s death.

 

(ii)                      If the Participant’s surviving spouse is not the Participant’s sole Designated Beneficiary, distributions to the Designated Beneficiary will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant died, except to the extent that an election is made to receive distributions in accordance with the 5-year rule under (e)  below. Under the 5-year rule, the Participant’s entire interest will be distributed to the Designated Beneficiary by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant’s death.

 

(iii)                   If there is no Designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s entire interest will be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant’s death.

 

(iv)                  If the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole Designated Beneficiary and the surviving spouse dies after the Participant but before distributions to the surviving spouse are required to begin, this (b)(2), other than (b)(2)(i), will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Participant.

 

For purposes of this (b)(2) and (d) below, unless (b)(2)(iv) above applies, distributions are considered to begin on the Participant’s Required Beginning Date. If (b)(2)(iv) above applies, distributions are considered to begin on the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under (b)(2)(i) above. If distributions under an annuity purchased from an insurance company irrevocably commence to the Participant before the Participant’s Required Beginning Date (or to the Participant’s surviving spouse before the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under (b)(2)(i) above), the date distributions are considered to begin is the date distributions actually commence.

 

(3)                      Forms of Distribution. Unless the Participant’s interest is distributed in the form of an annuity purchased from an insurance company or in a single sum on or before the Required Beginning Date, as of the first Distribution Calendar Year distributions will be made in accordance with (c) and (d) below. If the Participant’s interest is distributed in the form of an annuity purchased from an insurance company, distributions thereunder will be made in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 401(a)(9) and the regulations thereunder.

 

(c)                       Required Minimum Distributions During Participant’s Lifetime.

 

(1)                      Amount of Required Minimum Distribution For Each Distribution Calendar Year. During the Participant’s lifetime, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each Distribution Calendar Year is the lesser of:

 

(i)                         the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s Account Balance by the distribution period in the Uniform Lifetime Table set forth in Q&A-2 in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the regulations, using the Participant’s age as of the Participant’s birthday in the Distribution Calendar Year; or

 

53

 

(ii)                      if the Participant’s sole Designated Beneficiary for the Distribution Calendar Year is the Participant’s spouse, the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s Account Balance by the number in the Joint and Last Survivor Table set forth in Q&A-3 in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the regulations, using the Participant’s and spouse’s attained ages as of the Participant’s and spouse’s birthdays in the Distribution Calendar Year.

 

(2)                      Lifetime Required Minimum Distributions Continue Through Year of Participant’s Death. Required minimum distributions will be determined under this (c)  beginning with the first Distribution Calendar Year and continuing up to, and including, the Distribution Calendar Year that includes the Participant’s date of death.

 

(d)                      Required Minimum Distributions After Participant’s Death.

 

(1)                        Death On or After Date Distributions Begin.

 

(i)                         Participant Survived by Designated Beneficiarv. If the Participant dies on or after the date distributions begin and there is a Designated Beneficiary, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each Distribution Calendar Year after the year of the Participant’s death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s Account Balance by the longer of the remaining Life Expectancy of the Participant or the remaining Life Expectancy of the Participant’s Designated Beneficiary, determined as follows:

 

A.         The Participant’s remaining Life Expectancy is calculated using the age of the Participant in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year.

 

B.                        If the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole Designated Beneficiary, the remaining Life Expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated for each Distribution Calendar Year after the year of the Participant’s death using the surviving spouse’s age as of the spouse’s birthday in that year. For Distribution Calendar Years after the year of the surviving spouse’s death, the remaining Life Expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated using the age of the surviving spouse as of the spouse ‘s birthday in the calendar year of the spouse’s death, reduced by one for each subsequent calendar year.

 

C.                         If the Participant’s surviving spouse is not the Participant’s sole Designated Beneficiary, the Designated Beneficiary’s remaining Life Expectancy is calculated using the age of the Beneficiary in the year following the year of the Participant’s death, reduced by one for each subsequent year.

 

(ii)                      No Designated Beneficiary. If the Participant dies on or after the date distributions begin and there is no Designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year after the year of the Participant’s death, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each Distribution Calendar Year after the year of the Participant’s death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s Account Balance by the Participant’s remaining Life Expectancy calculated using the age of the Participant in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year.

 

(2)                        Death Before Date Distributions Begin.

 

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(i)                        Participant Survived by Designated Beneficiary. If the Participant dies before the date distributions begin and there is a Designated Beneficiary, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each Distribution Calendar Year after the year of the Participant’s death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s Account Balance by the remaining Life Expectancy of the Participant’s Designated Beneficiary, determined as provided in (d)( 1) above, except to the extent that an election is made to receive distributions in accordance with the 5-year rule under (e) below. Under the 5-year rule, the Participant’s entire interest will be distributed to the Designated Beneficiary by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant’s death.

 

(ii)                      No Designated Beneficiary. If the Participant dies before the date distributions begin and there is no Designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Participant’s death. distribution of the Participant’s entire interest will be completed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant’s death.

 

(iii)                   Death of Surviving Spouse Before Distributions to Surviving Spouse Are Required to Begin. If the Participant dies before the date distributions begin, the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole Designated Beneficiary, and the surviving spouse dies before distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under (b)(2)(i) above, this (d)(2) will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Participant.

 

(e)                     Election of 5-year Rule. Participants or Beneficiaries may elect on an individual basis whether the 5-year rule in (b)(2) and (d)(2) above applies to distributions after the death of a Participant who has a Designated Beneficiary. The election must be made no later than the earlier of September 30 of the calendar year in which the distribution would be required to begin under (b)(2) above if no such election is made, or by September 30 of the calendar year which contains the fifth anniversary of the Participant’s (or, if applicable, surviving spouse’s) death.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

 

TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

 

The Employer expects to continue the Plan indefinitely but reserves the right to terminate the Plan in whole or in part at any time upon giving written notice to all parties concerned.

 

The Account of each Participant shall be 100% vested and nonforfeitable as of the effective date of the complete termination of the Plan. The Account of each Participant shall also be 100% vested and nonforfeitable upon complete discontinuance of Contributions as of the effective date of the amendment to cease Contributions or the date determined by the Internal Revenue Service. Further, the Account of each Participant who is included in the group of Participants deemed to be affected by a partial termination of the Plan (as determined by the Plan Administrator or a governmental entity authorized to make such determination) shall be 100% vested and nonforfeitable as of the effective date of such event. The Participant’s Vested Account shall continue to participate in the earnings credited, expenses charged, and any appreciation or depreciation of the Investment Fund until his Vested Account is distributed.

 

A Participant’s Vested Account that does not result from the Contributions listed below may be distributed to the Participant after the effective date of the complete termination of the Plan:

 

Elective Deferral Contributions

Qualified Nonelective Contributions

 

A Participant’s Vested Account resulting from such Contributions may be distributed upon complete termination of the Plan, but only if neither the Employer nor any Controlled Group member maintain another defined contribution plan (other than an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7) or 409(a), a simplified employee pension plan as defined in Code Section 408(k), a SIMPLE IRA plan as defined in Code Section 408(p), a plan or contract that satisfies the requirements of Code Section 403(b), or a plan described in Code Section 457(b) or (f)) at any time during the period beginning on the date of complete termination of the Plan and ending 12 months after all assets have been distributed from the Plan. Such distribution is made in a lump sum. A distribution under this article shall be a retirement benefit and shall be distributed to the Participant according to the provisions of Article VI.

 

However, the fixed period and fixed payment installment options shall not be available. If a Participant or Beneficiary is receiving payments under the fixed period or fixed payment installment option, the Vested Account shall be paid to such person in a single sum.

 

The Participant’s entire Vested Account shall be paid in a single sum to the Participant as of the effective date of complete termination of the Plan if (i) the requirements for distribution of Elective Deferral Contributions in the above paragraph are met and (ii) consent of the Participant is not required in the ELECTION PROCEDURES SECTION of Article VI to distribute a benefit that is immediately distributable. This is a small amounts payment. The small amounts payment is in full settlement of all benefits otherwise payable.

 

Upon complete termination of the Plan, no more Employees shall become Participants and no more Contributions shall be made.

 

The assets of this Plan shall not be paid to the Employer at any time, except that, after the satisfaction of all liabilities under the Plan, any assets remaining may be paid to the Employer. The payment may not be made if it would contravene any provision of law.

 

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ARTICLE IX

 

ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

 

SECTION 9.01—ADMINISTRATION.

 

Subject to the provisions of this article, the Plan Administrator has complete control of the administration of the Plan. The Plan Administrator has all the powers necessary for it to properly carry out its administrative duties. Not in limitation, but in amplification of the foregoing, the Plan Administrator has complete discretion to construe or interpret the provisions of the Plan, including ambiguous provisions, if any, and to determine all questions that may arise under the Plan, including all questions relating to the eligibility of Employees to participate in the Plan and the amount of benefit to which any Participant or Beneficiary may become entitled. The Plan Administrator’s decisions upon all matters within the scope of its authority shall be final.

 

Unless otherwise set out in the Plan or Annuity Contract, the Plan Administrator may delegate recordkeeping and other duties which are necessary to assist it with the administration of the Plan to any person or firm which agrees to accept such duties. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to rely upon all tables, valuations, certificates and reports furnished by the consultant or actuary appointed by the Plan Administrator and upon all opinions given by any counsel selected or approved by the Plan Administrator.

 

The Plan Administrator shall receive all claims for benefits by Participants, former Participants and Beneficiaries. The Plan Administrator shall determine all facts necessary to establish the right of any Claimant to benefits and the amount of those benefits under the provisions of the Plan. The Plan Administrator may establish rules and procedures to be followed by Claimants in filing claims for benefits, in furnishing and verifying proofs necessary to determine age, and in any other matters required to administer the Plan.

 

SECTION 9.02—EXPENSES.

 

Expenses of the Plan, to the extent that the Employer does not pay such expenses, may be paid out of the assets of the Plan provided that such payment is consistent with ERISA. Expenses of the Plan will be paid in accordance with the most recent service and expense agreement or such other documents duly entered into by or with regard to the Plan that govern such matters. Such expenses include, but are not limited to, expenses for bonding required by ERISA; expenses for recordkeeping and other administrative services; fees and expenses of the Trustee or Annuity Contract; expenses for investment education service; and direct costs that the Employer incurs with respect to the Plan. Expenses that relate solely to a specific Participant or Alternate Payee may be assessed against such Participant or Alternate Payee as provided in the service and expense agreement or such other documents duly entered into by or with regard to the Plan that govern such matters.

 

SECTION 9.03—RECORDS.

 

All acts and determinations of the Plan Administrator shall be duly recorded. All these records, together with other documents necessary for the administration of the Plan, shall be preserved in the Plan Administrator’s custody.

 

Writing (handwriting, typing, printing), photostating, photographing, microfilming, magnetic impulse, mechanical or electrical recording, or other forms of data compilation shall be acceptable means of keeping records.

 

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SECTION 9.04—INFORMATION AVAILABLE.

 

Any Participant in the Plan or any Beneficiary may examine copies of the Plan description, latest annual report, any bargaining agreement, this Plan, the Annuity Contract, or any other instrument under which the Plan was established or is operated. The Plan Administrator shall maintain all of the items listed in this section in its office, or in such other place or places as it may designate in order to comply with governmental regulations. These items may be examined during reasonable business hours. Upon the written request of a Participant or Beneficiary receiving benefits under the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall furnish him with a copy of any of these items. The Plan Administrator may make a reasonable charge to the requesting person for the copy.

 

SECTION 9.05—CLAIM PROCEDURES.

 

A Claimant must submit any necessary forms and needed information when making a claim for benefits under the Plan.

 

If a claim for benefits under the Plan is wholly or partially denied, the Plan Administrator shall provide adequate written notice to the Claimant whose claim for benefits under the Plan has been denied. The notice must be furnished within 90 days of the date that the claim is received by the Plan without regard to whether all of the information necessary to make a benefit determination is received. The Claimant shall be notified in writing within this initial 90-day period if special circumstances require an extension of the time needed to process the claim. The notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan Administrator’s decision is expected to be rendered. In no event shall such extension exceed a period of 90 days from the end of the initial 90-day period.

 

The Plan Administrator’s notice to the Claimant shall: (i) specify the reason or reasons for the denial; (ii) reference the specific Plan provisions on which the denial is based; (iii) describe any additional material and information needed for the Claimant to perfect his claim for benefits; (iv) explain why the material and information is needed; and (v) inform the Claimant of the Plan’s appeal procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERlSA section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on appeal.

 

Any appeal made by a Claimant must be made in writing to the Plan Administrator within 60 days after receipt of the Plan Administrator’s notice of denial of benefits. If the Claimant appeals to the Plan Administrator, the Claimant may submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the claim for benefits. The Claimant shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents,  records, and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits. The Plan Administrator shall review the claim taking into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.

 

The Plan Administrator shall provide adequate written notice to the Claimant of the Plan’s benefit determination on review. The notice must be furnished within 60 days of the date that the request for review is received by the Plan without regard to whether all of the information necessary to make a benefit determination on review is received. The Claimant shall be notified in writing within this initial 60-day period if special circumstances require an extension of the time needed to process the claim. The notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan Administrator expects to render the determination on review. In no event shall such extension exceed a period of 60 days from the end of the initial 60-day period.

 

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In the event the benefit determination is being made by a committee or board of trustees that hold regularly scheduled meetings at least quarterly, the above paragraph shall not apply. The benefit determination must be made by the date of the meeting of the committee or board that immediately follows the Plan’s receipt of a request for review, unless the request for review is filed within 30 days preceding the date of such meeting. In such case, the benefit determination must be made by the date of the second meeting following the Plan’s receipt of the request for review. The date of the receipt of the request for review shall be determined without regard to whether all of the information necessary to make a benefit determination on review is received. The Claimant shall be notified in writing within this initial period if special circumstances require an extension of the time needed to process the claim. The notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the committee or board expects to render the determination on review. In no event shall such benefit determination be made later than the third meeting of the committee or board following the Plan’s receipt of the request for review. The Plan Administrator shall provide adequate written notice to the Claimant of the Plan’s benefit determination on review as soon as possible, but not later than five days after the benefit determination is made.

 

If the claim for benefits is wholly or partially denied on review, the Plan Administrator’s notice to the Claimant shall: (i) specify the reason or reasons for the denial; (ii) reference the specific Plan provisions on which the denial is based; (iii) include a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits; and (iv) include a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA section 502(a).

 

A Claimant may authorize a representative to act on the Claimant’s behalf with respect to a benefit claim or appeal of an adverse benefit determination. Such authorization shall be made by completion of a form furnished for that purpose. In the absence of any contrary direction from the Claimant, all information and notifications to which the Claimant is entitled shall be directed to the authorized representative.

 

The Plan Administrator shall perform periodic examinations, reviews, or audits of benefit claims to determine whether claims determinations are made in accordance with the governing Plan documents and, where appropriate,  Plan provisions have been consistently applied with respect to similarly situated Claimants.

 

SECTION 9.06—DELEGAT ION OF AUTHORITY.

 

All or any part of the administrative duties and responsibilities under this article may be delegated by the Plan Administrator to a retirement committee. The duties and responsibilities of the retirement committee shall be set out in a separate written agreement.

 

SECTION 9.07—EXERCISE OF DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY.

 

The Employer, Plan Administrator, and any other person or entity who has authority with respect to the management, administration, or investment of the Plan may exercise that authority in its/his full discretion, subject only to the duties imposed under ERISA. This discretionary authority includes, but is not limited to, the authority to make any and all factual determinations and interpret all terms and provisions of the Plan documents relevant to the issue under consideration. The exercise of authority will be binding upon all persons.

 

SECTION 9.08—TRANSACTION PROCESSING.

 

Transactions (including, but not limited to, investment directions, trades, loans, and distributions) shall be processed as soon as administratively practicable after proper directions are received from the Participant or other parties.  No guarantee is made by the Plan, Plan Administrator, Trustee, Insurer, or Employer that

 

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such transactions will be processed on a daily or other basis, and no guarantee is made in any respect regarding the processing time of such transactions.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Employer, the Plan Administrator, or the Trustee reserves the right to not value an investment option on any given Valuation Date for any reason deemed appropriate by the Employer, the Plan Administrator, or the Trustee.

 

Administrative practicality will be determined by legitimate business factors (including, but not limited to, failure of systems or computer programs, failure of the means of the transmission of data, force majeure, the failure of a service provider to timely receive values or prices, and correction for errors or omissions or the errors or omissions of any service provider) and in no event will be deemed to be less than 14 days. The processing date of a transaction shall be binding for all purposes of the Plan and considered the applicable Valuation Date for any transaction.

 

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ARTICLE X

 

GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

SECTION 10.01—AMENDMENTS.

 

The Employer may amend this Plan at any time, including any remedial retroactive changes (within the time specified by Internal Revenue Service regulations), to comply with any law or regulation issued by any governmental agency to which the Plan is subject. The Governing Board shall also have the authority to amend this Plan at any time as long as such amendment does not materially increase the cost of the Plan to the Employer.

 

An amendment may not allow reversion or diversion of Plan assets to the Employer at any time, except as may be required to comply with any law or regulation issued by any governmental agency to which the Plan is subject.

 

An amendment may not eliminate or reduce a section 411(d)(6) protected benefit, as defined in Q&A-1 in section 1.411(d)-4 of the regulations, that has already accrued, except as provided in section 1.411(d)-3 or 1.411(d)-4 of the regulations. This is generally the case even if such elimination or reduction is contingent upon the Employee’s consent. However, the Plan may be amended to eliminate or reduce section 411(d)(6) protected benefits with respect to benefits not yet accrued as of the later of the amendment’s adoption date or effective date without violating Code Section 411 (d)(6).

 

No amendment to the Plan shall be effective to eliminate or restrict an optional form of benefit. The preceding sentence shall not apply to a Plan amendment that eliminates or restricts the ability of a Participant to receive payment of his Account balance under a particular optional form of benefit if the amendment provides a single sum distribution form that is otherwise identical to the optional form of benefit being eliminated or restricted. For this purpose, a single sum distribution form is otherwise identical only if the single sum distribution form is identical in all respects to the eliminated or restricted optional form of benefit (or would be identical except that it provides greater rights to the Participant) except with respect to the timing of payments after commencement.

 

If, as a result of an amendment, an Employer Contribution is removed that is not 100% immediately vested when made, the applicable vesting schedule in effect as of the last day such Contributions were permitted shall remain in effect with respect to that part of the Participant’s Account resulting from such Contributions. The Participant shall not become immediately 100% vested in such Contributions as a result of the elimination of such Contribution except as otherwise specifically provided in the Plan.

 

An amendment shall not decrease a Participant’s vested interest in the Plan. If an amendment to the Plan changes the computation of the percentage used to determine that portion of a Participant’s Account attributable to Employer Contributions which is nonforfeitable (whether directly or indirectly), in the case of an Employee who is a Participant as of the later of the date such amendment or change is adopted or the date it becomes effective, the nonforfeitable percentage (determined as of such date) of such Employee’s right to his Account attributable to Employer Contributions shall not be less than the percentage computed under the Plan without regard to such amendm ent or change.  Furthermore, each Participant or former Participant

 

(a)                     who has completed at least three Years of Service on the date the election period described below ends (five Yea rs of Service if the Participant does not have at least one Hour of Service in a Plan Year beginning after December 31, 1988) and

 

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(b)                     whose nonforfeitable percentage will be determined on any date after the date of the change

 

may elect, during the election period, to have the nonforfeitable percentage of his Account resulting from Employer Contributions determined without regard to the amendment. This election may not be revoked. If after the Plan is changed, the Participant’s nonforfeitable percentage will at all times be as great as it would have been if the change had not been made, no election needs to be provided. The election period shall begin no later than the date the Plan amendment is adopted and end no earlier than the 60th day after the latest of the date the amendment is adopted or becomes effective, or the date the Participant is issued written notice of the amendment by the Employer or the Plan Administrator.

 

With respect to a Participant’s Account attributable to Employer Contributions accrued as of the later of the adoption or effective date of the amendment and earnings, the vested percentage of each Participant will be the greater of the vested percentage under the old vesting schedule or the vested percentage under the new vesting schedule.

 

SECTION 10.02—DIRECT ROLLOVERS.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary that would otherwise limit a Distributee’s election under this section, a Distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Plan Administrator, to have any portion of an Eligible Rollover Distribution paid directly to an Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Distributee in a Direct Rollover.

 

In the event of a Mandatory Distribution of an Eligible Rollover Distribution greater than $1,000 in accordance with the SMA LL AMOUNTS SECTION of this article (or which is a small amounts payment under Article VIII at complete termination of the Plan), if the Participant does not elect to have such distribution paid directly to an Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Participant in a Direct Rollover or to receive the distribution directly, the Plan Administrator will pay the distribution in a Direct Rollover to an individual retirement plan designated by the Plan Administrator.

 

For purposes of determining whether a Mandatory Distribution is greater than $1,000, a designated Roth account and all other accounts under the Plan shall be treated as accounts held under two separate plans and shall not be combined, and Rollover Contributions shall be disregarded.

 

In the event of any other Eligible Rollover Distribut ion to a Distributee in accordance with the SMALL AMOUNTS SECTION of this article (or which is a small amounts payment under Article VIII at complete terminat ion of the Plan), if the Distributee does not elect to have such distribution paid directly to an Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Distributee in a Direct Rollover or to receive the distribution directly, the Plan Administrator will pay the distribution to the Distributee.

 

SECTION 10.03—MERGERS AND DIRECT TRANSFERS.

 

The Plan may not be merged or consolidated with, nor have its assets or liabilities transferred to, any other retirement plan, unless each Participant in this Plan would (if that plan then terminated) receive a benefit immediately after the merger, consolidation, or transfer that is equal to or greater than the benefit the Participant would have been entitled to receive immediately before the merger, consolidation, or transfer (if this Plan had then terminated). The Employer may enter into merger agreements or direct transfer of assets agreements with the employers under other retirement plans which are qualifiable under Code Section 401(a), including an elective transfer, and may accept the direct transfer of plan assets, or may transfer plan assets, as a party to any such agreement. The Employer shall not consent to, or be a party to a merger, consolidation, or transfer of assets with a defined benefit plan if such action would result in a defined benefit feature being maintained under this Plan. The Employer will not transfer any amounts attributable to elective

 

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deferral contributions, qualified matching contributions, qualified nonelective contributions, and contributions used to satisfy Code Section 401(k)(13) safe harbors unless the transferee plan provides that the limitations of section 1.401(k)-1(d) of the regulations shall apply to such amounts (including post-transfer earnings thereon), unless the amounts could have been distributed at the time of the transfer (other than for hardships as described in the WITHDRAWAL BENEFITS SECTION of Article V or deemed severance from employment, as described in the VESTED BENEFITS SECTION of Article V), and the transfer is an elective transfer described in Q&A-3(b)(1) in section 1.411(d)-4 of the regulations.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, to the extent any optional form of benefit under the Plan permits a distribution prior to the Employee’s retirement, death, disability, or Severance from Employment, and prior to plan termination, the optional form of benefit is not available with respect to benefits attributable to assets (including the post-transfer earnings thereon)  and liabilities that are transferred, within the meaning of Code Section 414(1), to this Plan from a money purchase pension plan qualified under Code Section 401 (a) (other than any portion of those assets and liabilities attributable to voluntary employee contributions). The limitations of section 1.401(k)-1(d) of the regulations applicable to elective deferral contributions, qualified matching contributions, qualified nonelective contributions, and contributions used to satisfy Code Section 401 (k)(13) safe harbors shall continue to apply to any amounts attributable to such contributions (including post-transfer earnings thereon) transferred to this Plan, unless the amounts could have been distributed at the time of the transfer (other than for hardships as described in the WITHDRAWAL BENEFITS SECTION of Article V or deemed severance from employment, as described in the VESTED BENEFITS SECTION of Article V), and the transfer is an elective transfer described in Q&A-3(b)(1) in section 1.411{d)-4 of the regulations.

 

The Plan may accept a direct transfer of plan assets on behalf of an Eligible Employee. If the Eligible Employee is not an Active Participant when the transfer is made, the Eligible Employee shall be deemed to be an Active Participant only for the purpose of investment and distribution of the transferred assets. Employer Contributions shall not be made for or allocated to the Eligible Employee, until the time he meets all of the requirements to become an Active Participant.

 

The Plan shall hold, administer, and distribute the transferred assets as a part of the Plan. The Plan shall maintain a separate account for the benefit of the Employee on whose behalf the Plan accepted the transfer in order to reflect the value of the transferred assets.

 

A Participant’s section 411(d)(6) protected benefits, as defined in Q&A-1 in section 1.411{d)-4 of the regulations, may not be eliminated by reason of transfer or any transaction amending or having the effect of amending a plan or plans to transfer benefits except as provided below.

 

A Participant’s section 411 (d)(6) protected benefits may be eliminated or reduced upon transfer between qualified defined contribution plans if the conditions in Q&A-3{b)(1) in section 1.411(d)-4 of the regulations are met. The transfer must meet all of the other applicable qualification requirements.

 

A Participant’s section 411(d)(6) protected benefits may be eliminated or reduced if a transfer is an elective transfer of certain distributable benefits between qualified plans (both defined benefit and defined contribution) and the conditions in Q&A-3(c)(1) in section 1.411(d)-4 of the regulations are met. The rules applicable to distributions under the plan would apply to the transfer, but the transfer would not be treated as a distribution for purposes of the minimum distribution requirements of Code Section 401(a)(9). If the Participant is eligible to receive an immediate distribution of his entire Vested Account in a single sum distribution that would consist entirely of an eligible rollover distribution under Code Section 401(a)(31), such transfer will be accomplished as a direct rollover under Code Section 401 (a)(31).

 

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SECTION 10.04—PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE INSURER AND OTHER PARTIES.

 

The obligations of an Insurer shall be governed solely by the provisions of the Annuity Contract. The Insurer shall not be required to perform any act not provided in or contrary to the provisions of the Annuity Contract. Each Annuity Contract when purchased shall comply with the Plan. See the CONSTRUCTION SECTION of this article.

 

Any issuer or distributor of investment contracts or securities is governed solely by the terms of its policies, written investment contract, prospectuses, security instruments, and any other written agreements entered into with the Trustee with regard to such investment contracts or securities.

 

Such Insurer, issuer or distributor is not a party to the Plan, nor bound in any way by the Plan provisions. Such parties shall not be required to look to the terms of this Plan, nor to determine whether the Employer, the Plan Administrator, the Trustee, or the Named Fiduciary have the authority to act in any particular manner or to make any contract or agreement.

 

Until notice of any amendment or termination of this Plan or a change in Trustee has been received by the Insurer at its home office or an issuer or distributor at their principal address, they are and shall be fully protected in assuming that the Plan has not been amended or terminated and in dealing with any party acting as Trustee according to the latest information which they have received at their home office or principal address.

 

SECTION 10.05—EMPLOYMENT STATUS.

 

Nothing contained in this Plan gives an Employee the right to be retained in the Employer’s employ or to interfere with the Employer’s right to discharge any Employee.

 

SECTION 10.06—RIGHTS TO PLAN ASSETS.

 

An Employee shall not have any right to or interest in any assets of the Plan upon termination of employment or otherwise except as specifically provided under this Plan, and then only to the extent of the benefits payable to such Employee according to the Plan provisions.

 

Any final payment or distribution to a Participant or his legal representative or to any Beneficiaries of such Participant under the Plan provisions shall be in full satisfaction of all claims against the Plan, the Named Fiduciary, the Plan Adm inistrator, the Insurer, the Trustee, and the Employer arising under or by virtue of the Plan.

 

SECTION  10.07—BENEFICIARY .

 

Each Participant may name a Beneficiary to receive any death benefit that may arise out of his participation in the Plan. The Participant may change his Beneficiary from time to time. Unless a qualified election has been made, for purposes of distributing any death benefits before the Participant’s Retirement Date, the Beneficiary of a Participant who has a spouse shall be the Participant’s spouse. The Participant’s Beneficiary designation and any change of Beneficiary shall be subject to the provisions of the ELECTION PROCEDURES SECTION of Article VI.

 

It is the responsibility of the Participant to give written notice to the Plan Administrator of the name of the Beneficiary on a form furnished for that purpose. The Plan Administrator shall maintain records of Beneficiary designations for Participants before their Retirement Dates. However, the Plan Administrator may delegate to another party the responsibility of maintaining records of Beneficiary designations.  In that event,

 

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the written designations made by Participants shall be filed with such other party. If a party other than the Insurer maintains the records of Beneficiary designations and a Participant dies before his Retirement Date, such other party shall certify to the Insurer the Beneficiary designation on its records for the Participant.

 

If there is no Beneficiary named or surviving when a Participant dies, the Participant’s Beneficiary shall be the Participant’s surviving spouse, or where there is no surviving spouse, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate.

 

Except to the extent otherwise provided in a qualified domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section 414(p)):

 

(i)                           Any actual designation of a spouse as a Participant’s Beneficiary on a form by the Plan Administrator hereunder shall continue to be valid and will not be revoked notwithstanding a later divorce of the spouse from the Participant, until and unless the Participant changes his designated Beneficiary in accordance with the procedures established by the Plan Administrator.

 

(ii)                         If the Participant’s spouse is deemed to be the Participant’s Beneficiary at any time on account of any other valid Beneficiary designation and the Participant and spouse divorce, the Participant’s former spouse shall not be treated as a Beneficiary hereunder until and unless the Participant specifically designates such person as his Beneficiary in accordance with the procedures established by the Plan Administrator.

 

(iii)                     If a Participant remarries after a divorce, the new spouse will automatically be treated as the sole designated Beneficiary hereunder until and unless a waiver and designation of an alternate Beneficiary are thereafter delivered in accordance with the procedures established by the Plan Administrator.

 

SECTION 10.08—NONALIENATION OF BENEFITS.

 

Benefits payable under the Plan are not subject to the claims of any creditor of any Participant or Beneficiary. A Participant or Beneficiary does not have any rights to alienate, anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber, or assign such benefits. The preceding sentences shall also apply to the creation, assignment, or recognition of a right to any benefit payable with respect to a Participant according to a domestic relations order, unless such order is determined by the Plan Administrator to be a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Code Section 414(p), or any domestic relations order entered before January 1, 1985. The preceding sentences shall not apply to any offset of a Participant’s benefits provided under the Plan against an amount the Participant is required to pay the Plan with respect to a judgment, order, or decree issued, or a settlement entered into, on or after August 5, 1997, which meets the requirements of Code Sections 401 (a)(13)(C) or (D).

 

SECTION   10.09—CONSTRUCTION.

 

The validity of the Plan or any of its provisions is determined under and construed according to Federal law and, to the extent permissible, according to the laws of the state in which the Employer has its principal office. In case any provision of this Plan is held illegal or invalid for any reason, such determination shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had never been included.

 

In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan and the terms of any Annuity Contract issued hereunder, the provisions of the Plan control.

 

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SECTION 10.10—LEGAL ACTIONS.

 

No person employed by the Employer; no Participant, former Participant, or their Beneficiaries; nor any other person having or claiming to have an interest in the Plan is entitled to any notice of process. A final judgment entered in any such action or proceeding shall be binding and conclusive on all persons having or claiming to have an interest in the Plan.

 

SECTION  10.11—SMALL AMOUNTS.

 

If the value of the Participant’s Vested Account (disregarding the portion, if any, of his Account resulting from Rollover Contributions) does not exceed $5,,,,000, the Participant’s entire Vested Account shall be distributed as of the earliest of his Retirement Date, the date he dies, or the date he has a Severance from Employment for any other reason (the date the Employer provides notice to the record keeper of the Plan of such event, if later). For purposes of this section, if the Participant’s Vested Account is zero, the Participant shall be deemed to have received a distribution of such Vested Account. This is a small amounts payment.

 

In the event a Participant does not elect to have a small amounts payment paid directly to an Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Participant in a Direct Rollover or to receive the distribution directly and his Vested Account is greater than $1,000, a Mandatory Distribution will be made in accordance with the DIRECT ROLLOVERS SECTION of this article. If his Vested Account is $1,000 or less, the Participant’s entire Vested Account shall be paid directly to him.

 

If a small amounts payment is made on or after the date the Participant dies, the small amounts payment shall be made to the Participant’s Beneficiary. If a small amounts payment is made while the Participant is living, the small amounts payment shall be made to the Participant.

 

The small amounts payment is in full settlement of all benefits otherwise payable.  No other small amounts payment shall be made.

 

SECTION 10.12—WORD USAGE.

 

The masculine gender, where used in this Plan, shall include the feminine gender and the singular words, where used in this Plan, shall include the plural, unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

The words “in writing” and “written,” where used in this Plan, shall include any other forms, such as voice response or other electronic system, as permitted by any governmental agency to which the Plan is subject.

 

SECTION  10.13—CHANGE IN SERVICE METHOD.

 

(a)                     Change of Service Method Under This Plan.  If this Plan is amended to change the method of crediting service from the elapsed time method to the hours method for any purpose under this Plan, the Employee’s service shall be equal to the sum of (1), (2), and (3) below:

 

(1)                    The number of whole years of service credited to the Employee under the Plan as of the date the change is effective.

 

(2)                    One year of service for the computation period in which the change is effective if he is credited with the required number of Hours of Service. For that portion of the computation period ending on the date of the change (for the first day of the computation period if the change is made on the first day of the computation period), the Employee will be credited

 

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with the greater of (i) his actual Hours of Service or (ii) the number of Hours of Service that is equivalent to the fractional part of a year of elapsed time service credited as of the date of the change, if any. In determining the equivalent Hours of Service, the Employee shall be credited with 190 Hours of Service for each month and any fractional part of a month in such fractional part of a year. The number of months and any fractional part of a month shall be determined by multiplying the fractional part of a year, expressed as a decimal, by 12. For the remaining portion of the computation period (the period beginning on the second day of the computation period and ending on the last day of the computation period if the change is made on the first day of the computation period), the Employee will be credited with his actual Hours of Service.

 

(3)                      The Employee’s service determined under this Plan using the hours method after the end of the computation period in which the change in service method was effective.

 

If this Plan is amended to change the method of crediting service from the hours method to the elapsed time method for any purpose under this Plan, the Employee’s service shall be equal to the sum of (4), (5), and (6) below:

 

(4)                      The number of whole years of service credited to the Employee under the Plan as of the beginning of the computation period in which the change in service method is effective.

 

(5)                      The greater of (i) the service that would be credited to the Employee for that entire computation period using the elapsed time method or (ii) the service credited to him under the Plan as of the date the change is effective.

 

(6)                      The Employee’s service determined under this Plan using the elapsed time method after the end of the applicable computation period in which the change in service method was effective.

 

(b)                       Transfers Between Plans with Different Service Methods. If an Employee has been a participant in another plan of the Employer that credited service under the elapsed time method for any purpose that under this Plan is determined using the hours method, then the Employee’s service shall be equal to the sum of (1), (2), and (3) below:

 

(1)                      The number of whole years of service credited to the Employee under the other plan as of the date he became an Eligible Employee under this Plan.

 

(2)                      One year of service for the applicable computation period in which he became an Eligible Employee if he is credited with the required number of Hours of Service.  For that portion of such computation period ending on the date he became an Eligible Employee (for the first day of such computation period if he became an Eligible Employee on the first day of such computation period), the Employee will be credited with the greater of (i) his actual Hours of Service or (ii) the number of Hours of Service that is equivalent to the fractional part of a year of elapsed time service credited as of the date he became an Eligible Employee, if any. In determining the equivalent Hours of Service, the Employee shall be credited with 190 Hours of Service for each month and any fractional part of a month in such fractional part of a year. The number of months and any fractional part of a month shall be determined by multiplying the fractional part of a year, expressed as a decimal, by 12. For the remaining portion of such computation period (the period beginning on the second day of such computation period and ending on the last day of such computation

 

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period if he became an Eligible Employee on the first day of such computation period), the Employee will be credited with his actual Hours of Service.

 

(3)       The Employee’s service determined under this Plan using the hours method after the end of the computation period in which he became an Eligible Employee.

 

If an Employee has been a participant in another plan of the Employer that credited service under the hours method for any purpose that under this Plan is determined using the elapsed time method, then the Employee’s service shall be equal to the sum of (4), (5), and (6) below:

 

(4)       The number of whole years of service credited to the Employee under the other plan as of the beginning of the computation period under that plan in which he became an Eligible Employee under this Plan.

 

(5)       The greater of (i) the service that would be credited to the Employee for that entire computation period using the elapsed time method or (ii) the service credited to him under the other plan as of the date he became an Eligible Employee under this Plan.

 

(6)       The Employee’s service determined under this Plan using the elapsed time method after the end of the applicable computation period under the other plan in which he became an Eligible Employee.

 

If an Employee has been a participant in a Controlled Group member’s plan that credited service under a different method than is used in this Plan, in order to determine entry and vesting, the provisions in (b) above shall apply as though the Controlled Group member’s plan was a plan of the Employer.

 

Any modification of service contained in this Plan shall be applicable to the service determined pursuant to this section.

 

SECTION 10.14—MILITARY SERVICE.

 

Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Plan shall provide contributions, benefits, and service credit with respect to Qualified Military Service in accordance with Code Section 414(u).

 

A Participant who dies on or after January 1, 2007 while performing Qualified Military Service is treated as having resumed and then terminated employment on account of death, in accordance with Code Section 401 (a)(37) and any subsequent guidance. The survivors of such Participant are entitled to any additional benefits provided under the Plan on account of death of the Participant.

 

SECTION 10.15—INDEMNIFICATION.

 

To the extent not prohibited by state or federal law, the Employer agrees to, and shall indemnify and hold harmless, as the case may be, each Employee, officer or director of the Employer, or of any affiliate, who has responsibilities with respect to the operation or administration of the Plan, or the management of investment of any of the assets of the Plan, from all claims from liability, loss, damage or expense (including payment of reasonable expenses in connection with the defense against such claim) which result from any exercise or failure to exercise any of the indemnified person’s responsibilities with respect to the Plan, other than by reason of gross negligence.

 

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ARTICLE XI

 

TOP-HEAVY PLAN REQUIREMENTS

 

SECTION 11.01—APPLICATION.

 

The provisions of this article shall supersede all other provisions in the Plan to the contrary.

 

For the purpose of applying the Top-heavy Plan requirements of this article, all members of the Controlled Group shall be treated as one Employer. The term Employer, as used in this article, shall be deemed to include all members of the Controlled Group, unless the term as used clearly indicates only the Employer is meant.

 

The accrued benefit or account of a participant resulting from deductible employee contributions shall not be included for any purpose under this article.

 

The minimum contribution provisions of the MODIFICATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS SECTION of this article shall not apply to any Employee who is included in a group of Employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement that the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective bargaining agreement between employee representatives and one or more employers, including the Employer, if there is evidence that retirement benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining between such representatives. For this purpose, the term “employee representatives” does not include any organization more than half of whose members are employees who are owners, officers, or executives.

 

SECTION  11.02—DEFINITIONS.

 

For purposes of this article the following terms are defined:

 

Aggregation Group means:

 

(a)        each of the Employer’s qualified plans in which a Key Employee is a participant during the Plan Year containing the Determination Date or any of the four preceding Plan Years (regardless of whether the plans have terminated),

 

(b)        each of the Employer’s other qualified plans which allows the plan(s) described in (a) above to meet the nondiscrimination requirement of Code Section 401(a)(4) or the minimum coverage requirement of Code Section 410, and

 

(c)        any of the Employer’s other qualified plans not included in (a) or (b) above which the Employer desires to include as part of the Aggregation Group.  Such a qualified plan shall be included only if the Aggregation Group would continue to satisfy the requirements of Code Sections 401(a)(4) and 410.

 

The plans in (a) and (b) above constitute the “required” Aggregation Group.  The plans in (a), (b), and (c) above constitute the “permissive” Aggregation Group.

 

Compensation means compensation as defined in the CONTR IBUTION LIMITATION SECTION of Article Ill.

 

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Determination Date means as to any plan, for any plan year subsequent to the first plan year, the last day of the preceding plan year. For the first plan year of the plan, the Determination Date is the last day of that year.

 

Key Employee means any Employee or former Employee (including any deceased Employee) who at any time during the Plan Year that includes the Determination Date is:

 

(a)        an officer of the Employer having Compensation for the Plan Year greater than $130,000 (as adjusted under Code Section 416(i)(1) for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2002),

 

(b)        a 5-percent owner of the Employer, or

 

(c)        a 1-percent owner of the Employer having Compensation for the Plan Year of more than $150,000.

 

The determination of who is a Key Employee shall be made according to Code Section 416(i)(1) and the applicable regulations and other guidance of general applicability issued thereunder.

 

Nonkey Employee means any Employee who is not a Key Employee.

 

Top-heavy Plan means a plan that is top-heavy for any plan year. This Plan shall be top-heavy if any of the following conditions exist:

 

(a)       The Top-heavy Ratio for this Plan exceeds 60 percent and this Plan is not part of any required Aggregation Group or permissive Aggregation Group.

 

(b)       This Plan is a part of a required Aggregation Group, but not part of a permissive Aggregation Group, and the Top-heavy Ratio for the required Aggregation Group exceeds 60 percent.

 

(c)       This Plan is a part of a required Aggregation Group and part of a permissive Aggregation Group and the Top-heavy Ratio for the permissive Aggregation Group exceeds 60 percent.

 

Top-heavy Ratio means:

 

(a)       If the Employer maintains one or more defined contribution plans (including any simplified employee pension plan) and the Employer has not maintained any defined benefit plan which during the five-year period ending on the Determination Date(s) has or has had accrued benefits, the Top-heavy Ratio for this Plan alone or for the required or permissive Aggregation Group, as appropriate, is a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the account balances of all Key Employees as of the Determination Date(s) (including any part of any account balance distributed in the one-year period ending on the Determination Date(s) and distributions under a terminated plan which if it had not been terminated would have been required to be included in the Aggregation Group), and the denominator of which is the sum of all account balances (including any part of any account balance distributed in the one-year period ending on the Determination Date(s) and distributions under a terminated plan which if it had not been terminated would have been required to be included in the Aggregation Group), both computed in accordance with Code Section 416 and the regulations thereunder. In the case of a distribution made for a reason other than Severance from Employment, death, or disability, this provision shall be applied by substituting “five-year period” for “one-year period.” Both the numerator and denominator of the Top-heavy Ratio are increased to reflect any contribution not actually made as of the

 

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Determination Date, but which is required to be taken into account on that date under Code Section 416 and the regulations thereunder.

 

(b)        If the Employer maintains one or more defined contribution plans (including any simplified employee pension plan) and the Employer maintains or has maintained one or more defined benefit plans which during the five-year period ending on the Determination Date(s) has or has had accrued benefits, the Top-heavy Ratio for any required or permissive Aggregation Group, as appropriate, is a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the account balances under the aggregated defined contribution plan or plans of all Key Employees, determined in accordance with (a) above, and the present value of accrued benefits under the aggregated defined benefit plan or plans for all Key Employees as of the Determination Date(s), and the denominator of which is the sum of the account balances under the aggregated defined contribution plan or plans for all participants, determined in accordance with (a) above, and the present value of accrued benefits under the defined benefit plan or plans for all participants as of the Determination Date(s), all determined in accordance with Code Section 416 and the regulations thereunder. The accrued benefits under a defined benefit plan in both the numerator and denominator of the Top-heavy Ratio are increased for any distribution of an accrued benefit made in the one-year period ending on the Determination Date (and distributions under a terminated plan which if it had not been terminated would have been required to be included in the Aggregation Group). In the case of a distribution made for a reason other than Severance from Employment. death, or disability, this provision shall be applied by substituting “five-year period” for “one-year period.”

 

(c)        For purposes of (a) and (b) above, the value of account balances and the present value of accrued benefits will be determined as of the most recent Valuation Date that falls within or ends with the 12-month period ending on the Determination Date, except as provided in Code Section 416 and the regulations thereunder for the first and second plan years of a defined benefit plan. The account balances and accrued benefits of a participant (i) who is not a Key Employee but who was a Key Employee in a prior year or (ii) who has not been credited with at least one hour of service with any employer maintaining the plan at any time during the one-year period ending on the Determination Date will be disregarded. The calculation of the Top-heavy Ratio and the extent to which distributions, rollovers, and transfers are taken into account will be made in accordance with Code Section 416 and the regulations thereunder. Deductible employee contributions will not be taken into account for purposes of computing the Top-heavy Ratio. When aggregating plans, the value of account balances and accrued benefits will be calculated with reference to the Determination Dates that fall within the same calendar year.

 

The accrued benefit of a participant other than a Key Employee shall be determined under (i) the method, if any, that uniformly applies for accrual purposes under all defined benefit plans maintained by the Employer, or (ii) if there is no such method, as if such benefit accrued not more rapidly than the slowest accrual rate permitted under the fractional rule of Code Section 411(b)(1 )(C).

 

SECTION 11.03—MODIFICATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS.

 

During any Plan Year in which this Plan is a Top-heavy Plan, the Employer shall make a minimum contribution as of the last day of the Plan Year for each Nonkey Employee who is an Employee on the last day of the Plan Year and who was an Active Participant at any time during the Plan Year. A Nonkey Employee is not required to have a minimum number of Hours of Service or minimum amount of Compensation in order to be entitled to this minimum. A Nonkey Employee who fails to be an Active Participant merely because his Compensation is less than a stated amount or merely because of a failure to make mandatory participant contributions or, in the case of a cash or deferred arrangement, elective contributions shall be treated as if he were an Active Participant.  The minimum is the lesser of (a) or (b) below:

 

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(a)        3 percent of such person’s Compensation for such Plan Year.

 

(b)        The “highest percentage” of Compensation for such Plan Year at which the Employer’s Contributions are made for or allocated to any Key Employee. The highest percentage shall be determined by dividing the Employer Contributions made for or allocated to each Key Employee during the Plan Year by the amount of his Compensation for such Plan Year, and selecting the greatest quotient (expressed as a percentage). To determine the highest percentage, all of the Employer’s defined contribution plans within the Aggregation Group shall be treated as one plan. The minimum shall be the amount in (a) above if this Plan and a defined benefit plan of the Employer are required to be included in the Aggregation Group and this Plan enables the defined benefit plan to meet the requirements of Code Section 401(a)(4) or 410.

 

For purposes of (a) and (b) above, Compensation shall be limited by Code Section 401(a)(17).

 

If the Employer’s contributions and allocations otherwise required under the defined contribution plan(s) are at least equal to the minimum above, no additional contribution shall be required. If the Employer’s total contributions and allocations are less than the minimum above, the Employer shall contribute the difference for the Plan Year.

 

The minimum contribution applies to all of the Employer’s defined contribution plans in the aggregate which are Top-heavy Plans. A minimum contribution under a profit sharing plan shall be made without regard to whether or not the Employer has profits.

 

If a person who is otherwise entitled to a minimum contribution above is also covered under another defined contribution plan of the Employer’s which is a Top-heavy Plan during that same Plan Year, any additional contribution required to meet the minimum above shall be provided in this Plan.

 

If a person who is otherwise entitled to a minimum contribution above is also covered under a defined benefit plan of the Employer’s that is within the Aggregation Group and this Plan is a Top-heavy Plan during that same Plan Year, the minimum benefits for him shall not be duplicated. The defined benefit plan shall provide an annual benefit for him on, or adjusted to, a straight life basis equal to the lesser of:

 

(c)        2 percent of his average compensation multiplied by his years of service, or

 

(d)        20 percent of his average compensation.

 

Average compensation and years of service shall have the meaning set forth in such defined benefit plan for this purpose.

 

For purposes of this section, any employer contribution made according to a salary reduction or similar arrangement shall not apply in determining if the minimum contribution requirement has been met, but shall apply in determining the minimum contribution required. Matching contributions, as defined in Code Section 401(m), shall be taken into account for purposes of satisfying the minimum contribution requirements of Code Section 416(c)(2) and the Plan. Matching contributions that are used to satisfy the minimum contribution requirements shall be treated as matching contributions for purposes of the actual contribution percentage test and other requirements of Code Section 401(m).

 

The requirements of this section shall be met without regard to any Social Security contribution.

 

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By executing this Plan, the Primary Employer acknowledges having counseled to the extent necessary with selected legal and tax advisors regarding the Plan’s legal and tax implications.

 

Executed this 31 day of OCTOBER, 2012

 

	
 
    	
NATURE’S SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Stephen M. Bunker
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Stephen   M. Bunker, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ACKNOWLEDGED   as NAMED FIDUCIARY this 31 day of OCTOBER, 2012.
    
	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Stephen M. Bunker
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Stephen   M. Bunker, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ACKNOWLEDGED   as NAMED FIDUCIARY this 5 day of NOVEMBER, 2012.
    
	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Michael Dean
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Michael   Dean, Chief Executive Officer
    

 

73Exhibit 10.33

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”), is effective as of the 13th day of October, 2014 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc., a Utah corporation, having its principal place of business at 2500 West Executive Parkway, Lehi, Utah 84043 (the “Company” or “NSP”) and Paul Noack, the undersigned individual having a residence at 2816 Sandhurst Avenue, Thousand Oaks, CA 91362 (“Executive”).

 

The Company desires to engage Executive to provide services for NSP and Executive desires to provide such services on the terms and conditions below.

 

1.                                      Employment

 

1.1                               Positions and Duties. Beginning on or before October 13, 2014 (the “Date of Employment”), Executive will serve as President, China and New Markets, reporting directly to the Chairman and CEO of the Company.  In addition, without additional compensation, if requested by the Company, Executive will serve in other officer positions of the Company and its subsidiaries.  Executive shall devote his best efforts and substantially all of his business time and services to the Company to perform such duties as may be customarily incident to such position of an enterprise of the size and nature of the Company and as may reasonably be assigned from time to time by the Chairman and CEO of the Company or the Company, as the case may be.  Executive will render his services hereunder to the Company, shall use his best efforts, judgment and energy in the performance of the duties assigned to him, shall abide by the Company’s Code of Conduct and any other applicable Company policies, and shall comply with any and all applicable laws, including but not limited to insider trading/reporting requirements and the policies and procedures as may be set forth in the employee handbook, manuals and other materials provided by the Company.

 

1.2                               Place of Performance. Executive shall perform his services hereunder at the Company’s offices in Los Angeles, California; provided, however, that Executive will be required to travel from time to time as reasonably required for business purposes.

 

2.                                      Compensation and Benefits

 

2.1                               Base Salary. Executive shall receive an annual salary of $350,000 paid in accordance with the Company’s payroll practices, as in effect from time to time.  Base salary shall be subject to review on at least an annual basis by the Chairman and CEO. Executive understands that no further compensation will be given for his name being used as an officer or shareholder of any corporation, subsidiary or branch.

 

2.2                               Discretionary Bonus.  Executive shall also be eligible to participate in the executive bonus program (as modified from time to time) or any successor program (the “EBP”).  The EBP, as currently constituted, provides for additional compensation commensurate with Executive’s responsibilities based upon company and individual performance measures, with a target of 75% of Executive’s base salary and a maximum bonus potential payout of 175% of target.  Payment of any bonus under the EBP is in NSP’s sole discretion and such payments will be made in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the terms of the EBP.

 

 

2.3                               Employee Benefits.  Executive will be eligible to participate in retirement/savings, health insurance, term life insurance, long term disability insurance and other employee benefit plans, policies or arrangements maintained by the Company for its employees generally and, at the discretion of the Board, in incentive plans, stock option plans and change in control severance plans maintained by the Company for its executives, if any, subject to the terms and conditions of such plans, policies or arrangements.  The benefits in which Executive shall be eligible to participate as of the Effective Date are set forth in Exhibit B hereto.

 

2.4                               Stock Options.  Contingent upon receiving shareholder approval of the Company’s new stock incentive plan (the “New Plan”), the Company will recommend that the Board of Directors grant Executive an option (the “Option”) to purchase 100,000 shares of NSP common stock under the New Plan.  The Option will have an exercise price per share equal to the closing price of NSP common stock on the date the New Plan is approved by the shareholders.  The Option will become exercisable in four (4) equal annual installments upon Executive’s completion of each year of employment over the four (4) year period measured from the Date of Employment.  The remaining terms of the Option shall be as set forth in the New Plan and such stock option agreement.  The Company may from time to time grant to Executive additional options to purchase shares of NSP common stock pursuant to the price, terms and conditions set forth in the then applicable stock incentive plan, as amended from time to time, or as otherwise set forth in a stock option agreement.

 

3.                                      Indemnification; D&O Insurance.  The Company will indemnify, defend and hold Executive harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, obligations, losses, costs, damages or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs of defense) arising out of any claim or legal proceeding levied or brought against Executive, relating in any way to services performed by Executive for the Company, or Executive’s status as an officer, employee or representative of the Company.  This indemnification provision is intended to be broadly interpreted and to provide for indemnification to the full extent permitted by law.  The Company will maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in amounts and on terms reasonable and customary for similarly situated companies.

 

4.                                      Expenses

 

4.1                               Reimbursement of Business Expenses.  In accordance with the Company’s normal policies for expense reimbursement, the Company shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable travel, entertainment and other expenses incurred or paid by Executive in connection with, or related to, the performance of Executive’s duties, responsibilities or services under this Agreement, upon presentation of documentation, including expense statements, vouchers and/or such other supporting information as the Company may request.

 

4.2                               Conditions to Reimbursement.  Executive must submit proper documentation for each relocation and reimbursable expense eligible for reimbursement under this Section 4 within sixty (60) days after the later of (i) Executive’s incurrence of such expense or (ii) Executive’s receipt of the invoice for such expense.  If such expense qualifies hereunder for reimbursement, then the Company will reimburse Executive for that expense within ten (10) business days thereafter.  Each reimbursement must be made no later than the end of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred. The amount of

 

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reimbursements in any calendar year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement in the same or any other calendar year.  Executive’s right to reimbursement may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit.

 

5.                                      Termination.  Upon cessation of his employment with the Company, Executive will be entitled only to such compensation and benefits as described in this Section 5.

 

5.1.                            Termination without Cause.  The Company may terminate Executive’s employment at any time without Cause (as defined below).  If Executive’s employment by the Company is terminated by the Company without Cause, Executive will be entitled to:

 

5.1.1.                  payment of all accrued and unpaid base salary through the date of such termination;

 

5.1.2.                  provided the Release under Section 5.2 has been executed and become effective and enforceable in accordance with its terms following expiration of the applicable revocation period and Executive complies with the Restrictive Covenants (as set forth in Section 6), monthly severance payments equal to one-twelfth of Executive’s base salary as of the date of such termination for a period equal to twelve (12) months (the “Severance Period”).  The first such payment will be made on the sixtieth (60th) day following Executive’s “separation from service” (as such term is defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A (“Code Section 409A”) and the Treasury Regulations thereunder and the remaining payments will be made in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll schedule for salaried employees; and

 

5.1.3.                  provided the Release under Section 5.2 has been executed and become effective and enforceable in accordance with its terms following expiration of the applicable revocation period and Executive complies with the Restrictive Covenants (as set forth in Section 6), the Company will reimburse Executive for the cost he incurs for continuation of Executive’s health insurance coverage under COBRA (and for his family members if Executive provided for their coverage during his or her employment) during the Severance Period and in accord with the NSP plan applicable to NSP employees currently in effect.  Executive shall, within thirty (30) days after each monthly COBRA payment during the Severance Period for which he is entitled to reimbursement in accordance with the foregoing, submit appropriate evidence of such payment to the Company, and the Company shall reimburse Executive, within ten business days following receipt of such submission.  During the period such health care coverage remains in effect hereunder, the following provisions shall govern the arrangement:  (i) the amount of the COBRA costs eligible for reimbursement in any one (1) calendar year of coverage will not affect the amount of such costs eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year for which such reimbursement is to be provided hereunder; (ii) no COBRA costs will be reimbursed after the close of the calendar year following the calendar year in which those costs were incurred; and (iii) Executive’s right to the reimbursement of such costs cannot be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit.  In the event the Company’s reimbursement of the reimbursable portion of any COBRA payment hereunder results in Executive’s recognition of taxable income (whether for federal, state or local income tax purposes), the Company will report such taxable income as taxable W-2 wages and collect the applicable withholding taxes, and Executive will be responsible for the payment of any additional income tax liability resulting from such coverage.

 

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5.2.                            Release and Restrictive Covenants.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the payments and benefits described in this Section 5 are conditioned on Executive’s execution and delivery to the Company of a release substantially identical to that attached hereto as Exhibit A in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, if applicable, and any applicable state law (the “Release”).  In addition, the continuation of the payments and benefits described above is conditioned on Executive’s compliance with the Restrictive Covenants set forth in Section 6 of this Agreement.  A breach of these Restrictive Covenants by the Executive shall constitute a breach of this Agreement, which shall relieve the Company of any further obligation under this Agreement.

 

5.3.                            Termination for Cause.  The Company may terminate Executive’s employment immediately for Cause.  If Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company for Cause then the Company’s obligation to Executive will be limited solely to the payment of accrued and unpaid base salary through the date of such termination.  To terminate Executive’s employment for Cause, the CEO, in consultation with the Board, must determine in good faith that Cause has occurred.

 

“Cause” means:

 

a)                                     conviction of, or the entry of a plea of guilty or no contest to, a felony or any crime that may materially adversely affect the business, standing or reputation of the Company;

 

b)                                     dishonesty, fraud, embezzlement or other misappropriation of funds;

 

c)                                      material breach of this Agreement; or

 

d)                                     willful refusal to perform the lawful and reasonable directives of the CEO or the Board.

 

5.4                               Resignation by Executive.  Executive may resign his employment by giving the Company four weeks’ notice of said resignation; NSP may elect to pay Employee’s base salary in lieu of notice.  If Executive resigns, then the Company’s obligation to Executive will be limited solely to the payment of accrued and unpaid base salary through the date of such termination.

 

5.5                               Termination upon Death or Incapacity of Executive.  Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate upon the death or incapacity of Executive.  In the event of termination of Executive’s employment by reason of Executive’s death or incapacity, the provisions governing termination without Cause, above, shall apply.  “Incapacity” shall mean that the Executive is unable to perform the functions consistent with the position in the Company to which he was appointed pursuant to this Agreement by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or that the Executive has been determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration.

 

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5.6.                            Foreign Entities.  Without regard to the circumstances of Executive’s termination from employment, Executive hereby also covenants that upon termination, if he is listed as an officer, director, partner, secretary or shareholder on any corporation, subsidiary or branch on behalf of Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. or any related entity, he will sign over any and all rights to stock (except Company stock and stock rights that Executive holds personally) and/or resign as an officer or director prior to departure from the Company as required by the law applicable to the entity or by that entity’s procedural requirements.

 

6.                                      Restrictive Covenants.  In recognition of the compensation and other benefits provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, Executive agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section (the “Restrictive Covenants”). These Restrictive Covenants will apply without regard to whether any termination or cessation of Executive’s employment is initiated by the Company or Executive, and without regard to the reason for that termination or cessation.

 

6.1.                            Covenant Not To Compete.  Executive covenants that, during his employment by the Company, Executive will not do any of the following, directly or indirectly:

 

6.1.1.                  engage, be employed by, participate in, plan for or organize any Competing Business of the Company or any subsidiary or joint venture of the Company; “Competing Business” means any business enterprise that distributes through a multilevel marketing program or that engages in any activity that competes anywhere in the world with any activity in which the Company is then engaged, including sales or distribution of  herbs, vitamins or nutritional supplements or any product, which the Company sells or distributes at the time of Executive’s termination; however, it is understood Executive would not be excluded from working in non-competing businesses such as those engaged in ingredient, food, beverage or pharmaceutical research, development, or sales.

 

6.1.2.                  become interested in (as owner, stockholder, lender, partner, co-venturer, director, officer, employee, agent or consultant) any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity engaged in a Competing Business. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may hold up to 2% of the outstanding securities of any class of any publicly-traded securities of any company;

 

6.1.3.                  influence or attempt to influence any employee, sales leader, manager, coordinator, consultant, supplier, licensor, licensee, contractor, agent, strategic partner, distributor, customer or other person to terminate his or her employment with the Company or modify any written or oral agreement, relationship, arrangement or course of dealing the Company; or

 

6.1.4.                  solicit for employment (or arrange to have any other person or entity solicit for employment) any person who has been employed or retained by any member of the Company within the preceding twelve (12) months. For this purpose, advertisements for employment placed in newspapers of general circulation will not be considered solicitation.

 

6.2.                            Confidentiality.  Executive recognizes and acknowledges that the Proprietary Information (as defined below) is a valuable, special and unique asset of the business

 

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of the Company.  As a result, both during the Term and thereafter, Executive will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, for any reason divulge to any third-party or use for his/her own benefit, or for any purpose other than the exclusive benefit of the Company, any Proprietary Information.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive is compelled to disclose Proprietary Information by court order or other legal process, to the extent permitted by applicable law, he shall promptly so notify the Company so that it may seek a protective order or other assurance that confidential treatment of such Proprietary Information shall be afforded, and Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company in connection therewith.  If Executive is so obligated by court order or other legal process to disclose Proprietary Information, Executive will disclose only the minimum amount of such Proprietary Information as is necessary for Executive to comply with such court order or other legal process.

 

6.3.                            Property of the Company.

 

6.3.1.                  Proprietary Information.  All right, title and interest in and to Proprietary Information will be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company.  Executive will not remove from the Company’s offices or premises any documents, records, notebooks, files, correspondence, reports, memoranda or similar materials of or containing Proprietary Information, or other materials or property of any kind belonging to the Company unless necessary or appropriate in the performance of his duties to the Company.  If Executive removes such materials or property in the performance of his duties, he will return such materials or property promptly after the removal has served its purpose.  Executive will not make, retain, remove and/or distribute any copies of any such materials or property, or divulge to any third person the nature of and/or contents of such materials or property, except to the extent necessary to perform his duties on behalf of the Company.  Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, he will leave with the Company or promptly return to the Company all originals and copies of such materials or property then in his possession.

 

6.3.1.1.  “Proprietary Information” means any and all proprietary information developed or acquired by the Company that has not been specifically authorized to be disclosed.  Such Proprietary Information shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following items and information relating to the following items: (a) all trade secrets (including research and development, know-how, formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, methodologies, technical data, designs, drawings and specifications) as well as all inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice) and all improvements thereto, (b) computer codes and instructions, processing systems and techniques, inputs, and outputs (regardless of the media on which stored or located) and hardware and software configurations, designs, architecture and interfaces, (c) business research, studies, procedures and costs, (d) financial data, (e) distributor network information, the identities of actual and prospective distributors and distribution methods, (f) marketing data, methods, plans and efforts, (g) the identities of actual and prospective suppliers, (h) the terms of contracts and agreements with, the needs and requirements of and the Company’s course of dealing with, actual or prospective suppliers, (i) personnel information, (j) customer and vendor credit information, and (k) information received from third parties subject to obligations of nondisclosure or non-use.  Failure by the Company to mark any of the Proprietary Information as confidential or proprietary shall not affect its status as Proprietary Information.

 

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6.3.2.                  Intellectual Property.  Executive agrees that all the Intellectual Property (as defined below) will be considered “works made for hire” as that term is defined in Section 101 of the Copyright Act (17 U.S.C. § 101) and that all right, title and interest in such Intellectual Property will be the sole and exclusive property of the Company.  To the extent that any of the Intellectual Property may not by law be considered a work made for hire, or to the extent that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive retains any interest in the Intellectual Property, Executive hereby irrevocably assigns and transfers to the Company any and all right, title, or interest that Executive may now or in the future have in the Intellectual Property under patent, copyright, trade secret, trademark or other law, in perpetuity or for the longest period otherwise permitted by law, without the necessity of further consideration.  The Company will be entitled to obtain and hold in its own name all copyrights, patents, trade secrets, trademarks and other similar registrations with respect to such Intellectual Property.  Executive further agrees to execute any and all documents and provide any further cooperation or assistance reasonably required by the Company to perfect, maintain or otherwise protect its rights in the Intellectual Property, at no cost to Executive.  If the Company is unable after reasonable efforts to secure Executive’s signature, cooperation or assistance in accordance with the preceding sentence, whether because of Executive’s incapacity or any other reason whatsoever, Executive hereby designates and appoints the Company or its designee as Executive’s agent and attorney-in-fact to act on his behalf solely for the purpose of executing and filing documents and doing all other lawfully permitted acts necessary or desirable to perfect, maintain or otherwise protect the Company’s rights in the Intellectual Property. Executive acknowledges and agrees that such appointment is coupled with an interest and is therefore irrevocable.

 

6.3.2.1.  “Intellectual Property” means (a) all inventions (whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to practice), all improvements thereto, and all patents and patent applications claiming such inventions, (b) all trademarks, service marks, trade dress, logos, trade names, fictitious names, brand names, brand marks and corporate names, together with all translations, adaptations, derivations, and combinations thereof and including all goodwill associated therewith, and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, (c) all copyrightable works, all copyrights, and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, (d) all mask works and all applications, registrations, and renewals in connection therewith, (e) all trade secrets (including research and development, know-how, formulas, compositions, manufacturing and production processes and techniques, methodologies, technical data, designs, drawings and specifications), (I) all computer software (including data, source and object codes and related documentation), (g) all other proprietary rights or (h) all copies and tangible embodiments thereof (in whatever form or medium) which, in the case of any or all of the foregoing, have been or are developed or created in whole or in part by Executive at any time and at any place while Executive is employed by the Company and have been or are created for the purpose of performing Executive’s duties on behalf of the Company.

 

6.4.                            Acknowledgements.  Executive acknowledges that the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company, that the duration and geographic scope of the Restrictive Covenants are reasonable given the nature of this Agreement and the position Executive holds within the Company, and that the Company would not enter into this Agreement or otherwise employ or continue to employ Executive unless Executive agrees to be bound by the Restrictive Covenants set forth in this Section 6.

 

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6.5.                            Remedies and Enforcement upon Breach.

 

6.5.1.                  Intention.  It is the intention of the parties that the foregoing restrictive covenant be enforced as written, and, in any other event, enforced to the greatest extent (but to no greater extent) in time, territory and degree of participation as permitted by applicable law. Accordingly, in the event that any court to which a dispute over these restrictions may be referred shall find any of these restrictions overly broad or unreasonable in any way, that court must enforce the restrictions to the greatest extent deemed reasonable.

 

6.5.2.                  Specific Enforcement.  Executive acknowledges that any breach by him, willfully or otherwise, of the Restrictive Covenants will cause continuing and irreparable injury to the Company for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy.  In the event of any such breach or threatened breach by Executive of any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company shall be entitled to injunctive or other similar equitable relief in any court, without any requirement that a bond or other security be posted, and this Agreement shall not in any way limit remedies of law or in equity otherwise available to the Company.

 

6.5.3.                  Enforceability.  If any court holds the Restrictive Covenants unenforceable by reason of their breadth or scope or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such determination not bar or in any way affect the right of the Company to the relief provided above in the courts of any other jurisdiction within the geographic scope of such Restrictive Covenants.

 

6.5.4.                  Disclosure of Restrictive Covenants.  Executive agrees to disclose the existence and terms of the Restrictive Covenants to any employer that Executive may work for during the Restricted Period.

 

6.5.5.                  Extension of Restricted Period.  If the Executive breaches Section 6.1 in any respect, the restrictions contained in that section will be extended for a period equal to the period that the Executive was in breach.

 

7.                                      Miscellaneous.

 

7.1.                            Other Agreements.  Executive represents and warrants to the Company that there are no restrictions, agreements or understandings whatsoever to which Executive is a party that would prevent or make unlawful his execution of this Agreement, that would be inconsistent or in conflict with this Agreement or Executive’s obligations hereunder, or that would otherwise prevent, limit or impair the performance of Executive’s duties under this Agreement.

 

7.2.                            Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, and the Company shall require any such successor to expressly assume and agree in writing to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place, or, in the event the Company remains in existence, the Company shall continue to employ Executive under the terms hereof.   As used in this Agreement, the

 

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“Company” shall mean the Company and any successor to its business and/or assets, which assumes or is obligated to perform this Agreement by contract, operation of law or otherwise.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive and his personal or legal representatives, executors, estate, trustee, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.  The duties of Executive hereunder are personal to Executive and may not be assigned by him.  If Executive dies and any amounts become payable under this Agreement, the Company will pay those amounts to his estate.

 

7.3.                            Governing Law and Enforcement; Disputes.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without regard to the principles of conflicts of laws.  Any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement will be instituted in a state or federal court in the State of Utah, and Executive and the Company hereby consent to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of such court(s) and hereby waive any objection(s) that they may have to personal jurisdiction, the laying of venue of any such proceeding and any claim or defense of inconvenient forum.

 

7.4.                            Waivers.  The waiver by either party of any right hereunder or of any breach by the other party will not be deemed a waiver of any other right hereunder or of any other breach by the other party.  No waiver will be deemed to have occurred unless set forth in writing. No waiver will constitute a continuing waiver unless specifically stated, and any waiver will operate only as to the specific term or condition waived.

 

7.5.                            Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law.  However, if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision, and this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced as though the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been herein contained.

 

7.6.                            Survival. Section 6 of this Agreement will survive termination of this Agreement and/or the cessation of Executive’s employment by the Company.

 

7.7.                            Notices.  Any notice or communication required or permitted under this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be sufficient if personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail and addressed, if to Employee, to Employee’s address set forth in NSP’s records, or if to NSP, to its principal office, to the attention of the CEO.  Such notice shall be deemed given when delivered if delivered personally, or, if sent by registered or certified mail, at the earlier of actual receipt or three days after mailing in United States mail, addressed as aforesaid with postage prepaid.

 

7.8.                            Entire Agreement; Amendments.  This Agreement, the attached exhibits, the Plan, and the Award Agreement contain the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof; and merge and supersede all prior and contemporaneous discussions, agreements and understandings of every nature relating to Executive’s employment or engagement with, or compensation by, the Company and any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or any of their predecessors, including, without limitation, the Existing

 

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Agreement.  This Agreement may not be changed or modified, except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

 

7.9.                            Withholding.  All payments to Executive will be subject to tax withholding in accordance with applicable law.

 

7.10.                     Section Headings.  The headings of sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

 

7.11.                     Counterparts; Facsimile.  This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including by facsimile signature), each of which will be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

 

7.12.                     Third Party Beneficiaries.  Subject to Section 7.2, this Agreement will be binding on, inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.  This Agreement does not confer any rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities to any entity or person other than Executive and the Company and Executive’s and the Company’s permitted successors and assigns, although this Agreement will inure to the benefit of the Company.

 

8.                                      Section 409A.

 

8.1.                            Section 409A Compliance.  The parties intend that this Agreement comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A.  To the extent there is any ambiguity as to whether any provision of the Agreement would otherwise contravene one or more requirements or limitations of Code Section 409A, such provision shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that does not result in a violation of the applicable requirements or limitations of Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.  To the extent any continuing compensation, bonus, severance, reimbursements or in-kind benefits due or payable to Executive under this Agreement constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, any such compensation, bonus, severance, reimbursements or in-kind benefits shall constitute and be treated as a series of separate payments under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii) with each such payment made under this Agreement being so designated as a “separate payment” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.  In no event shall Executive have the right to designate, directly or indirectly, the calendar year of any payment subject to Code Section 409A.

 

8.2.                            Delayed Commencement Date.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits the right to which provides for a “deferral of compensation” with the meaning of Section 409A of the Code (taking into account all applicable exemption or exceptions), and whose payment or provision is triggered by Executive’s termination of employment with the Company (whether such payments or benefits are provided to Executive under this Agreement or under any plan or program or arrangement of the Company), including as a result of Executive’s Incapacity (other than Executive being “disabled” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), until the earlier of (i) the date which is the first business day following the six month anniversary of Executive’s “separation

 

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from service” as defined in Section 409A of the Code for any reason other than death, or (ii) Executive’s date of death, and such payments or benefits that, if not for the six month delay described herein, would be due and payable prior to such date shall be made or provided to Executive on such date.  The Company shall make the determination as to whether Executive is a “specified employee” in good faith in accordance with its general procedures adopted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and, at the time of Executive’s “separation from service” will notify Executive of whether or not Executive is a “specified employee.”

 

8.3                               Savings Clause.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement, with respect to any right to a payment or benefit hereunder (or any portion thereof) that does not otherwise provided for a “deferral of compensation” as defined in Section 409A of the Code, it is the intent of the parties that such payment or benefit will not so provide.  Furthermore, if either party notifies the other in writing that, based upon the advice of legal counsel, one or more of the provisions of this Agreement contravenes any regulation or Treasury guidance promulgated under Section 409A of the Code or causes any amount to be subject to interest or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, the parties shall promptly and reasonably consult with each other (and their legal counsel (and shall use their reasonable best efforts to reform the provisions hereof to (a) maintain to the maximum extent practicable the original intent of the applicable provisions without violating the provisions of Section 409A of the Code or increasing the costs to the Company of providing the applicable benefit or payment and (b) to the extent practicable, to avoid the imposition of any tax, interest or other penalties under Section 409A of the Code upon Executive or the Company.

 

8.4                               280G.  Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that it shall be determined that any payment, distribution, or other action by the Company to or for Executive’s benefit (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of the Agreement or otherwise (“Parachute Payment”), would result in an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(i) of the Code, and the value determined in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code of the Parachute Payments, net of all taxes imposed on Executive (the “Net After-Tax Amount”) that Executive would receive would be increased if the Parachute Payments were reduced, then the Parachute Payments shall be reduced by an amount (the “Reduction Amount”) so that the Net After-Tax Amount after such reduction is greatest.  For purposes of determining the Net After-Tax Amount, Executive shall be deemed to (i) pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal rates of federal income taxation for the calendar year in which the Parachute Payment is to be made, and (ii) pay applicable state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation for the calendar year in which the Parachute Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.  Subject to the provisions of this Section 9.4, all determinations required to be made under this Section 9.4, including the Net After-Tax Amount, the Reduction Amount and the Parachute Payments that are to be reduced pursuant to this Section 9.4 and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determinations, shall be made by independent public accounting firm selected by Executive (the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive within fifteen (15) business days of the receipt of notice from Executive that there has been a Parachute Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by Executive.  The Accounting Firm’s decision as to which Parachute Payments are to be reduced shall be made (a) only from Parachute Payments that the Accounting Firm determines reasonably may be characterized as

 

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“parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Code; (b) only from Parachute Payments that are required to be made in cash; (c) only with respect to any amounts that are not payable pursuant to a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” subject to Section 409A of the Code, until those payments have been reduced to zero; and (d) in reverse chronological order, to the extent that any Parachute Payments subject to reduction are made over time (e.g., in installments).  In no event, however, shall any Parachute Payments be reduced if and to the extent such reduction would cause a violation of Section 409A of the Code or other applicable law.  All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.  Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Executive.

 

[This space left blank intentionally; signature page follows]

 

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NATURE’S   SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
/s/   Patrick O’Hara
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
Vice President, Human Resources
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PAUL NOACK
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
/s/   Paul Noack
    
	
 
    	
Executive
    

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

THIS RELEASE AGREEMENT (this “Release”) is made as of the            day of                   ,                      by and between Paul Noack (the “Executive”) and Nature Sunshine Products, Inc. (the “Company”).

 

WHEREAS, Executive’s employment as an executive of the Company has terminated; and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5 of the Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Executive dated                                            (the “Agreement”), the Company has agreed to pay Executive certain amounts and to provide him with certain rights and benefits, subject to the execution of this Release.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the mutual promises contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.                                      Consideration. Executive acknowledges that: (i) the payments, rights and benefits set forth in Section 5 of the Agreement constitute full settlement of all his/her rights under the Agreement, and (ii) except as otherwise provided specifically in this Release, the Company does not and will not have any other liability or obligation to Executive under the Agreement. Executive further acknowledges that, in the absence of his execution of this Release, the benefits and payments specified in the Agreement (other than those specified) would not otherwise be due to him/her.

 

2.                                      Release and Covenant Not to Sue.

 

2.1.                            Executive and the Company each hereby fully and forever releases and discharges the other, and all of their respective predecessors and successors, assigns, stockholders, subsidiaries, parents, affiliates, officers, directors, trustees, employees, agents and attorneys, past and present and in their respective capacities as such (the Company and Executive and each such respective person or entity is each referred to as a “Released Person”) from any and all claims, demands, liens, agreements, contracts, covenants, actions, suits, causes of action, obligations, controversies, debts, costs, expenses, damages, judgments, orders and liabilities, of whatever kind or nature, direct or indirect, in law, equity or otherwise, whether known or unknown, arising through the date of this Release, including those arising out of Executive’s employment by the Company or the termination thereof, including, but not limited to, any claims for relief or causes of action under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et seq., the California Family Rights Act (Cal. Govt. Code § 12945.2 et seq.), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Cal. Govt. Code § 12900 et seq.), Cal. Labor Code § 132a, California Unruh Civil Rights Act, or any other federal, state or local statute, ordinance or tort, or any other federal, state or local statute, ordinance or regulation regarding discrimination in employment and any claims, demands or actions based upon alleged wrongful or retaliatory discharge or breach of contract under any state or federal law, common law claims of any kind,

 

 

or claims for misclassification or related statutory labor code violations, including failure to pay wages.

 

2.2.                            Executive and the Company expressly represent that they have not filed a lawsuit or initiated any other administrative proceeding against a Released Person and that neither has assigned any claim against a Released Person. Executive and the Company each further promise not to initiate a lawsuit or to bring any other claim against the other or any Released Person arising out of or in any way related to Executive’s employment by the Company or the termination of that employment.  This Release will not prevent Executive from filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (or similar state agency) or participating in any investigation conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (or similar state agency); provided, however, that any claims by Executive for personal relief in connection with such a charge or investigation (such as reinstatement or monetary damages) would be barred.  This Release shall not affect Executive’s rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act or the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act to have a judicial determination of the validity of this release and waiver.

 

2.3.    Executive expressly waives any and all rights and benefits conferred upon him by Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which states as follows:

 

A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.

 

Accordingly, Executive knowingly, voluntarily and expressly waives any rights and benefits arising under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code and any other statute or principle of similar effect.

 

3.                                      Restrictive Covenants.  Executive acknowledges that the restrictive covenants contained in Section 6 of the Agreement will survive the termination of his employment. Executive affirms that those restrictive covenants are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company, that he received adequate consideration in exchange for agreeing to those restrictions and that he will abide by those restrictions.

 

4.                                      Non-Disparagement.  Neither Executive nor the Company will disparage the other or any of their respective Released Persons or otherwise take any action which could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the personal or professional reputation of the other or their respective Released Persons.

 

5.                                      Cooperation.  Executive further agrees that, subject to reimbursement of his reasonable expenses, he will cooperate fully with the Company and its counsel with respect to any matter (including litigation, investigations, or governmental proceedings) in which Executive was in anyway involved during his employment with the Company. Executive shall render such cooperation in a timely manner on reasonable notice from the Company.

 

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6.                                      Rescission Right.  Executive expressly acknowledges and recites that (a) he has read and understands the terms of this Release in its entirety, (b) he has entered into this Release knowingly and voluntarily, without any duress or coercion; (c) he has been advised orally and is hereby advised in writing to consult with an attorney with respect to this Release before signing it; (d) he was provided twenty-one (21) calendar days after receipt of the Release to consider its terms before signing it; (e) should he nevertheless elect to execute this Agreement sooner than 21 days after he has received it, he specifically and voluntarily waives the right to claim or allege that he has not been allowed by the Company or by any circumstances beyond his control to consider this Agreement for a full 21 days; and (f) he is provided seven (7) calendar days from the date of signing to terminate and revoke this Release, in which case this Release shall be unenforceable, null and void. Executive may revoke this Release during those seven (7) days by providing written notice of revocation to the Company at the address specified in Section 7.7 of the Agreement.

 

7.                                      Challenge.  If Executive violates or challenges the enforceability of any provisions of the Restrictive Covenants or this Release, no further payments, rights or benefits under Section 5 of the Agreement will be due to Executive (except where such provision would be prohibited by applicable law, rule or regulation).

 

8.                                      Miscellaneous.

 

8.1.                            No Admission of Liability.  This Release is not to be construed as an admission of any violation of any federal, state or local statute, ordinance or regulation or of any duty owed by the Company to Executive or by Executive to the Company.  Each of the Company and Executive specifically denies any such violations.

 

8.2.                            No Reinstatement.  Executive agrees that he will not without the consent of the Company apply for reinstatement with the Company or seek in any way to be reinstated, re-employed or hired by the Company in the future,

 

8.3.                            Successors and Assigns.  This Release shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and Executive and their respective successors, permitted assigns, executors, administrators and heirs. Executive shall not may make any assignment of this Release or any interest herein, by operation of law or otherwise. The Company may assign this Release to any successor to all or substantially all of its assets and business by means of liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets, or otherwise.

 

8.4.                            Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Release will be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. However, if any provision of this Release is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision, and this Release will be reformed, construed and enforced as though the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been herein contained.

 

8.5.                            Entire Agreement; Amendments.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this Release contains the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof, and merges and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous discussions,

 

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agreements and understandings of every nature relating to the subject matter hereof This Release may not be changed or modified, except by an agreement in writing signed by each of the parties hereto.

 

8.6.                            Governing Law.  This Release shall be governed by, and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California, without regard to the application of the principles of conflicts of laws.

 

8.7.                            Counterparts and Facsimiles.  This Release may be executed, including execution by facsimile signature, in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

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NATURE’S   SUNSHINE PRODUCTS, INC.
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PAUL   NOACK
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Executive
    

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

Eligible Benefits

 

·                  Paid Time Off (PTO) at 3 days upon start and accrues to 25 days during the first year

 

·                  Ten paid holidays each year

 

·                  Medical/dental plan coverage for Executive and eligible dependents

 

·                  Life insurance at two times annual salary

 

·                  Wellness Benefits

 

·                  Eye care plan

 

·                  Employee Assistance Program

 

·                  Sixty percent match on contributions to the 401(k) retirement plan up to five percent of Executive’s income (automatic enrollment upon first day of employment)

 

·                  Opportunity to participate in NSP’s Supplemental Elective Deferral Plan

 

·                  $750 spending account on company products

 

·                  Tuition reimbursement (maximum $3,000 per year)

 

·                  Short-term and long-term disability programs

 

·                  The Company will also pay Executive a $100,000 signing bonus, subject to tax and other deductions in the usual way, within sixty (60) days of the Date of Employment.

 

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