Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.2

MERCK & CO., INC.

DEFERRAL PROGRAM
Including the Base Salary Deferral Plan

(Amended and Restated effective December 1, 2019)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

        

Article I     Administration      1

Article II     Eligibility      1

Article III     Contributions to a Deferred Compensation Account      2

Article IV     Valuation of Deferred Compensation Accounts      5

Article V     Redesignation within a Deferred Compensation Account       7
     
Article VI     Distribution of Deferred Compensation Accounts      9

Article VII     Tax Withholding      11

Article VIII     Beneficiary Designations     11

Article IX    Amendments     11

Article X    No Assignment, Alienation     11

Article XI    Claims and Appeal Procedures     12

Article XII    Domestic Relations Orders     13

Article XIII    Effective Date     13

Schedule I     Deferral Program Investment Alternatives     15

Schedule II    Special Provisions Applicable to Medco Health Employees     16

    

MERCK & CO. INC. 
DEFERRAL PROGRAM

The Deferral Program (the “Program”) is an unfunded arrangement intended to permit a select group of management employees of Merck & Co., Inc. (“Merck”) or its  affiliate to defer income that would otherwise be immediately payable to them as annual base salary or under various incentive plans of Merck or its affiliates.  

The Program is a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A (“Section 409A”) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  

Anything in the Program to the contrary notwithstanding, the Program shall be interpreted and operated in compliance with the requirements, if any, of Section 409A of the Code (or any successor thereto) as in effect from time to time, including but not limited to applicable regulations of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or Internal Revenue Service and Treas. Reg. Secs. 1.409A-1 through 1.409A-6 or any successor thereto.  Any payment called for under the Program as of a designated date shall be made no later than a date within the same tax year of a participant, or by March 15 of the following year, if later (or such other dates as specified in Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A 3(d) or any successor thereto); provided further, that the participant is not permitted to change the taxable year of payment except in accordance with Article VI, Section F and Section 409A of the Code.  Where the Program’s obligation to pay is unclear Merck, including a dispute about who is the proper beneficiary of a participant who dies, payment shall be made as soon as administratively feasible after the Program’s obligation becomes clear and at a time permitted by Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(g)(4) or any successor thereto.

I.  ADMINISTRATION

The Program is administered by the Compensation and Benefits Committee (“Committee”) of the Merck Board of Directors.  The Committee is composed of non‐employee directors only.  The Committee shall have responsibility for determining which investments will be available under the Program, and those investments shall be listed on Schedule I hereto.  The Committee shall make all decisions affecting the timing, price or amount of any and all of the Deferred Compensation of Section 16 Officers, as defined below, other than rules of general application to all participants, but may otherwise delegate any of its authority under this Program.

II.  ELIGIBILITY

A.    Eligible Employees
1.    Eligible Employees in General.  An employee of Merck or its controlled group (the “Company Group”) is eligible to participate in the Program (an “Eligible Employee”) for a deferral of awards under the Annual Incentive Plan, Executive Incentive Plan or Sales Incentive Plan or similar plans as approved from time to time by the Committee if (a) his or her annual base compensation is at least $200,000 according to the Company payroll system applicable to him or her on November 1 of the year in which the election is made (or, for a newly hired employee only, his or her annualized base compensation is at least $200,000 when employment begins) (b) he or she is a regular full- or part-time employee  of the Company or an affiliate who is eligible to make contributions to the Merck U.S. Savings Plan and (c) he or she is based in the U.S. and subject to U.S. income taxes.  

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2.    Base Salary Deferral.  Eligible Employees who are Merck officers (“Section 16 Officers”) as defined in Rule 16(a)-1(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”) are also eligible to defer under the Base Salary Deferral Plan.  The Base Salary Deferred Plan as described below is a component of the Deferral Program contained entirely herein and is intended to permit eligible Section 16 Officers to defer a portion of their base salaries. 

3.    Company Contribution Eligible Employees.  An employee of the Company Group is eligible for Company Contribution Credits as described in Section D of Article III if (a) he or she is a regular full- or part-time employee of the Company or an affiliate who is eligible to make contributions to the Merck U.S. Savings Plan (b) he or she is based in the U.S. and subject to U.S. income taxes and (c) the employee’s base and Annual Incentive Plan, Executive Incentive Plan or Sales Incentive Plan compensation exceeds the applicable Code Section 401(a)(17) limit for that year (a “Company Contribution Eligible Employee”). 

4.    Sign-On Bonus Employees.  Effective after December 1, 2015, but before December 1, 2019, an employee newly hired into the Company Group in Band 700 or 800 was permitted within 30 days of the date employment commences, to elect to defer a sign-on bonus for compensation paid for services performed after such election.  

5.    Discretion Reserved.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may permit, or refuse to permit, any member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees to participate in this Program other than excluded individuals described in Section B below.  

B.    Excluded Individuals. Anything in the Program to the contrary notwithstanding, the following are not eligible to make an election or receive a Company Contribution Credit (as described below):  any person who (1) is an independent contractor for the Company Group; (2) agrees or has agreed that he or she is an independent contractor for the Company Group; (3) has an agreement or understanding with any member of the Company Group that such person is not an employee, even if that person previously has been an employee; or (4) is employed by a temporary or other employment agency, regardless of the amount of control, supervision or training provided by the Company Group.  The foregoing exclusion applies even if a court, agency or other authority rules that the person happens to be a common law employee of the Company Group.  Also excluded are individuals who are included in a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement between employee representatives and one or more employers; provided, however, that such an employee may be an eligible employee during the period he or she is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement and during which he or she otherwise is eligible to participate according to Article II, Section A.

C.    Participation Continues.  An eligible person who has made an election into the Program pursuant to Section A above or who is eligible for Company Contribution Credits pursuant to Section D of Article III shall be a participant for so long as he or she has an account balance.  No such person can make an election to defer unless he or she is then eligible pursuant to Article II, Section A.  If a person has made an election to defer but thereafter becomes ineligible to defer (for example, employment transfers to a position that is ineligible to participate in the Merck U.S. Savings Plan), the election nonetheless will be given effect.

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III.  CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEFERRED COMPENSATION ACCOUNTS

Amounts contributed or deferred pursuant to this Article III are known as “Deferred Compensation” and will be credited to the participant's “Deferred Compensation Account.”  Deferred Compensation shall be accounted for in one account regardless of the plan (e.g., Base Salary Deferral or incentive plan) under which it was deferred, but a separate election to defer applies for each year for base salary, annual incentive, or grant of RSUs or PSUs, and records shall show each separate election.  Further, for purposes of modifications to a distribution schedule, each separate election is eligible for such a modification.  Only amounts described above may be deferred; stock option gains may not be deferred.  

A.    Initial Election to Defer

To make an election to defer Base Salary, Annual Incentive Plans or Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) and Performance Share Units (“PSUs”), an Eligible Employee must irrevocably elect to defer under the Program by the earlier of the time specified in Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-2 or any successor thereto or:  

1.     Base Salary Deferral Plan, prior to the end of the year preceding the year during which annual base salary exclusive of any bonus or any other compensation or allowance paid by the Company Group (“Annual Base Salary”) will be earned. The amount that may be deferred is

(a)  Not less than 5 percent of Annual Base Salary and 

(b)  Not more than the lesser of 

(1)    50 percent of Annual Base Salary or 

(2)    The portion of the participant’s Annual Base Salary that exceeds the amount determined under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code

provided, however, that amounts may be expressed in relation to amounts that may be deducted by the Company Group under Section 162(m) of the Code. 

2.    Annual Incentive Plans (such as the Annual Incentive Plan and the Executive Incentive Plan), prior to the commencement of the calendar year coincident with the performance year during which the bonus monies to be deferred will be earned (the “Applicable Performance Year”) or, effective December 1, 2019, prior to June 30 of the Applicable Performance Year (if the Applicable Performance Year is not the calendar year, the election must be made prior to the time required by Section 409A or such earlier time determined by the Company’s Executive Compensation department), provided:  the minimum that may be deferred in any year under this Section IV.A.2. is $3,000; provided, however, this minimum does not apply for elections made during or after 2010.  

3.    Annual Grants of RSUs and PSUs may be deferred prior to the commencement of the last year of the award period during which they will be earned.  Other RSUs and PSUs may not be deferred.  After 2008, RSUs and PSUs for which the deferral election is made after 

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grant must be deferred in compliance with the rules applicable to re-deferral (as opposed to initial elections) under Section 409A as described in Article VI, Section F.  Deferrals of RSUs and PSUs must be made initially into the Merck Common Stock fund and may not thereafter be reallocated into any other investment alternative provided pursuant to Schedule I (a “Mutual Fund”).  Effective November 1, 2010, no further elections of RSUs or PSUs will be permitted, but elections made prior to that date will be given effect.

4.    Sign-on Bonus amounts for Sign-on Bonus Employees, no later than the 30th day from the participant’s first day of employment, with respect to services performed after such election. Effective December 1, 2019, no further sign-on bonuses will be permitted to be deferred.

If a participant terminates employment or transfers to a class of employees that is ineligible to make a deferral election after having made a deferral election, the election will nevertheless be effected.  If the Company Group pays an amount that it reasonably believes is or may be held to be a “substitute payment,” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(b)(9), for an amount that would have been deferred pursuant to the foregoing, that substitute payment also will be deferred according to the participant’s election.

B.    Initial Election of Distribution Schedule 

1.    Timing of Election

The Eligible Employee must elect an initial distribution schedule when making the initial election pursuant to III.A., above.

2.    Distribution Schedule

An Eligible Employee may elect to have payments begin (a) in a particular year (whether or not employment has then ended); provided, however, this provision does not apply to Company Contributions or (b) in the year following the participant's “Separation from Service” as defined below, or (c) up to 15 years subsequent to the participant’s Separation from Service.  Separation from Service means Separation from Service as defined in Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-1(h) or any successor thereto and includes but is not limited to: retirement; separation due to lack of work; voluntary resignation; or involuntary termination of employment.  It does not include termination of service due to death, transfer to another member of the Company Group or commencement of employment with a joint venture (as described below).  A participant may elect a lump sum or a schedule of annual installments, up to a maximum of 15 annual installments.  

3.    Manner of Elections

All elections under the Program shall be made with the Program’s designated record keeper (the “Record Keeper”) in the manner and in accordance with the process approved by the Company’s head of Human Resources Department from time to time. 

4.    Default Designation

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Where a participant’s initial election of a distribution schedule is for any reason unclear to the Company (including but not limited to where a participant failed to elect when amounts will be distributed), the participant shall be deemed to have elected to receive distribution in a lump sum in the year following the year in which his or her Separation from Service occurs.

C.    Election of Investment Alternatives 

The participant shall designate, in accordance with procedures established by the Company for such designation, the portion (in multiples of 1 percent) of the Deferred Compensation to be allocated to any investment alternative available under this Program.  

D.    Company Contribution Credits.  

With respect to each Plan Year after 2012, for a Company Contribution Eligible Employee the Company shall make contribution credits (“Company Contribution Credits”) to an account (the “Company Contribution Account”).  The amount of the Company Contribution Credits shall be equal to 4.5 percent of such Eligible Employee’s Compensation for the Plan Year that exceeds the limit set forth in Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for that year; provided, however, that for a Company Contribution Eligible Employee who is eligible for the Transition Provisions of the Retirement Program as described in the Merck U.S. Savings Plan Summary Plan Description and apply to certain legacy Schering Plough employees, the Company Contribution Credit shall be 5.0 percent for the period during which that Company Contribution Eligible Employee is subject to the Transition Provisions (generally, the earlier of through 2019 or until employment terminates).  Company Contribution Credits shall be credited to the participant’s Account on the same date on which the related employer contributions are made to the tax-qualified savings plan in which the Company Contribution Eligible Employee participates or such other date as the Committee shall determine.

IV.  VALUATION OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION ACCOUNTS

The Deferral Program shall offer as investment alternatives (a) a fund of Merck Common Stock and (b) Mutual Funds.  

A.    Merck Common Stock 

1.     Initial Crediting 

The amount allocated to Merck Common Stock shall be used to determine the number of full and partial shares of Merck Common Stock which such amount would purchase at the closing price of Merck Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on the date cash payments of base salary, for amounts deferred under the Base Salary Deferral Plan, or incentive awards, for amounts deferred under the various incentive plans, would otherwise be paid to the participant (the “Deferral Date”).  The Company shall credit the participant's Deferred Compensation Account with the number of full and partial shares of Merck Common Stock so determined.  However, at no time prior to the delivery of such shares shall any actual shares be purchased or earmarked for such Account and the participant shall not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to shares credited to his/her Deferred Compensation Account.

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2.     Dividends

The Company shall credit the participant's Deferred Compensation Account with the number of full and partial shares of Merck Common Stock purchasable at the closing price of Merck Common Stock on the NYSE as of the date each dividend is paid on the Common Stock, with the dividends that would have been paid on the number of shares credited to such Account (including pro rata dividends on any partial share) had the shares so credited then been issued and outstanding.  

3.     Redesignations

The value of Merck Common Stock for purposes of redesignation shall be the closing price of Merck Common Stock on the NYSE on the first day the NYSE is open after the request is received by the Record Keeper.  

4.    Distributions

Distributions of Merck Common Stock will be valued at the closing price of Merck Common Stock on the NYSE on the Distribution Date. 

5.    Source of Shares

Shares of Merck Common Stock to be delivered under the provisions of this Program may be delivered by the Company from its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or from Common Stock held in the treasury.  The Company also may, in its sole and nonreviewable discretion, purchase shares on public markets in order to make distributions under the Program.  

6.    Adjustments

In the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company, the number and kind of shares of Merck Common Stock available under this Program or credited to participants’ Deferred Compensation Accounts shall be adjusted accordingly. 

7.    Fair Market Value of Merck Common Stock

For purposes of valuation of Merck Common Stock, if Merck Common Stock is no longer traded on the NYSE, but is publicly traded on any other exchange, references to NYSE shall mean such other exchange.  If Merck Common Stock is not publicly traded and if the Committee determines that a measurement of Merck Common Stock on any applicable date would not constitute fair market value, then the Committee shall decide on the date and method to determine fair market value, which shall be in accord with any requirements set forth under Section 409A or any successor thereto.  

8.    Limits on Amount of Merck Common Stock

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Beginning January 1, 2013, participants cannot rebalance their account balance so that after the account rebalance, more than 20% of the value of their account is in the Merck Common Stock Fund. In addition, participants cannot elect an exchange into the Merck Common Stock Fund that will cause the balance in the Merck Common Stock Fund to exceed 20% of the total Account Balance.  Participants will not be required to exchange out of the Merck Company Stock Fund if the fund balance exceeds 20% of their Account Balance, either through prior investment elections or relative fund performance.

B.    Mutual Funds 

1.     Initial Crediting 

The amount allocated to each Mutual Fund shall be used to determine the number of full and partial Mutual Fund shares that such amount would purchase at the closing net asset value of the Mutual Fund shares on the Deferral Date.  The Company shall credit the participant’s Deferred Compensation Account with the number of full and partial Mutual Fund shares so determined.  However, no actual Mutual Fund shares shall be purchased or earmarked for such Account, nor shall the participant have the rights of a shareholder with respect to such Mutual Fund shares.

2.    Dividends

The Company shall credit the participant’s Deferred Compensation Account with the number of full and partial Mutual Fund shares purchasable, at the closing net asset value of the Mutual Fund shares as of the date each dividend is paid on the Mutual Fund shares, with the dividends that would have been paid on the number of shares credited to such Account (including pro rata dividends on any partial share) had the shares then been owned by the participant for purposes of the above computation.

3.     Redesignations

The value of Mutual Fund shares for purposes of redesignation shall be the net asset value of such Mutual Fund at the close of business on the first day the NYSE is open after the request is received by the Record Keeper.   

4.    Distributions

Mutual Fund distributions will be valued based on the closing net asset value of the Mutual Fund shares on the Distribution Date (as defined below).

5.    Adjustments

In the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of a Mutual Fund, the number and kind of shares of that Mutual Fund credited to participants’ Deferred Compensation Accounts shall be adjusted accordingly. 

6.     Default Designation

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Where a participant’s designation of investment alternatives is for any reason not clear (including but not limited to where a participant failed to make such an election), the participant shall be deemed to have designated deferrals into the life cycle, target or similar Mutual Fund with a target date closest to the date the participant attains age 65.

V.  REDESIGNATION WITHIN A DEFERRED COMPENSATION ACCOUNT

A.    Basic Redesignation Rules 

A participant, or the beneficiary or legal representative of a deceased participant, may redesignate amounts credited to a Deferred Compensation Account among the investments available under this Program in accordance with the following rules:

1.    Eligible Participants – All participants and beneficiaries may redesignate. 

2.    Frequency and Timing – Redesignation shall be effective as of 4:00 p.m. E.T. on the first day the NYSE is open after the request is received by the Recordkeeper.  

3.    Amount and Extent of Redesignation – Redesignation must be in 1% multiples of the investment from which redesignation is being made.

4.    Beneficiaries or Legal Representatives – The beneficiary or legal representative of a deceased participant may redesignate subject to the same rules as participants.  

B.    Special Rules for Redesignation Into or Out of Merck Common Stock 

1.    Frequency and Timing

For Section 16 Officers, redesignations may only be made into or out of Merck Common Stock during any window period established by the Company from time-to-time.  Redesignation out of Merck Common Stock is restricted to amounts held in Merck Common Stock for longer than six months.  Redesignation shall not be permitted to the extent the Company is aware of a transaction that the Company reasonably believes may cause a violation under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

2.    Material, Nonpublic Information

The Committee, in its sole discretion and with advice of counsel, at any time may rescind a redesignation into or out of Merck Common Stock if such redesignation was made by a participant who, (a) at the time of the redesignation was in the possession of material, nonpublic information with respect to the Company; and (b) in the Committee's estimation benefited from such information in the timing of his/her redesignation. The Committee's determination shall be final and binding.  In the event of such rescission, the participant's Deferred Compensation Account shall be returned to a status as though such redesignation had not occurred.  Notwithstanding the above, the Committee shall not rescind a redesignation if the facts were reviewed by the participant with the General Counsel of the Company or a designee prior to the redesignation and if the General 

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Counsel or designee had concluded that such participant was not in possession of adverse material, nonpublic information.

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C.    Conversion of Common Stock Accounts

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, convert all of the shares of Merck Common Stock allocated to a participant's Deferred Compensation Account in the manner provided below where a position which a participant has taken or wishes to take is, in the opinion of the Committee, such as would make uncertain the propriety of the participant's having a continued interest in Merck Common Stock.  The date of conversion shall be the date of commencement of such other employment or the date of the Committee's action, whichever is later.

Conversion shall be from an expression of value in shares of Merck Common Stock in the participant's Deferred Compensation Account to an expression of value in United States dollars in another available investment.  The value of the Merck Common Stock shall be based upon its closing price on the NYSE on the date of conversion or if no trading took place on such day, the next business day on which trading took place.  Any conversion under this Section shall be irrevocable and absolute.

VI.  DISTRIBUTION OF DEFERRED COMPENSATION ACCOUNTS

Distribution of Deferred Compensation Accounts shall be made in accordance with the participant's distribution schedule pro rata by investment.  Distributions from Merck Common Stock will be made in shares, with cash payable for any partial share, subject to the limitations set forth in Article IV, Section A.5.  For Section 16 Officers, distribution of amounts in Merck Common Stock is also restricted to amounts held in Merck Common Stock for longer than six months. Distributions from Mutual Funds will be in cash.  Distributions will be valued on the Distribution Date (i.e, the 15th day of the distribution month or, if such day is not a business day,  prior business day) and paid as soon thereafter as practicable.  Distribution months shall mean only in January, March, June, September and December. .

A.    Separation from Service 

1.    Distribution Commences

Upon a participant's Separation from Service, Deferred Compensation Accounts will commence in accordance with the participant's previously elected schedule.  If a participant incurs a Separation from Service and thereafter is rehired by the Company Group, such rehire shall be ignored and distributions shall commence notwithstanding such rehire; provided, however, that if the participant is eligible and elects to make additional deferrals, those additional deferrals may be payable in relation to the subsequent Separation from Service.  

2.    Specified Employee

Anything in the Program to the contrary notwithstanding, to the extent required by Section 409A, distributions on account of a Separation from Service to a “Specified Employee,” as such term is defined in Section 409A, may not be made before the date which is 6 months after the date of Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the employee).  Where a payment would have been made to a Specified 

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Employee within such 6‐month period and such payment is one of a series of annual payments, the first payment shall be delayed as necessary and the remaining payments shall be made according to their elected schedule notwithstanding such delay, such that two otherwise annual payments may be made in a single year.  

B.    Death

In the event of a participant's death, whether or not distributions have commenced pursuant to a Participant’s election, Deferred Compensation Accounts under this Program will be distributed to the participant’s beneficiary or estate in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible and in any event by March 15 of the year following death (except as otherwise permitted by Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(g)(4) or any successor thereto). 

C.    Automatic Distribution

Except as provided in Schedule II, if a participant incurs a Separation from Service and has a Deferred Compensation Account valued at less than $125,000 on the first Distribution Date thereafter, the Deferred Compensation Account shall be distributed in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible following such termination and in any event by March 15 of the year following such termination (except as otherwise permitted by Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(g)(4) or any successor thereto).

D.    Joint Venture Service

A participant’s termination of employment in order to take a position with a joint venture or other business entity in which the Company shall directly or indirectly own 50 percent or more of the outstanding voting or other ownership interest shall not be considered a Separation from Service.

E.    Hardship Distributions

The Committee shall distribute a participant's Deferred Compensation Account, if and to the extent a participant applies to receive a distribution due to an Unforeseeable Emergency as defined in Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(i).  A participant wishing a hardship distribution must provide the Committee or its delegate with sufficient evidence to prove compliance with Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(i). 

F.    Modifications to Distribution Schedule

After making an initial election, a participant may elect to change his or her distribution schedule from time to time, provided, however, such changes shall not be permitted if it might reasonably be expected to cause a “plan failure” as such term is used in Section 409A of the Code.  For example, except as otherwise permitted by Section 409A, no election may permit an acceleration of a distribution, or may become effective earlier than one year from the date it is made, or may permit an additional deferral after the initial election unless it results in a deferral of at least five additional years from the previously schedule distribution date.  For purposes of this provision, where a participant has elected to receive a distribution as a series of payments, such series shall be considered a single distribution for purposes of Section 409A. Any such elections 

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shall be made with the Record Keeper in the manner and in accordance with the process approved by the Company’s’ head of Human Resources Department from time to time.  

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VII.  TAX WITHHOLDING

A.    Deferrals.  

Effective December 1, 2019, the Company shall withhold Social Security and the related income tax amount on deferrals as of the time such deferrals are credited to the Deferred Compensation Account. Such withholding shall be first satisfied, to the extent possible, from any income in the same pay period that is not deferred and to the extent additional withholding is required, by reducing the amount deferred.

B.    Distributions.

The Company will deduct from each distribution amounts required to be withheld for income, Social Security and other tax purposes.  Such withholding will be done on a pro rata basis per investment.  The Company may also deduct any amounts the participant owes the Company Group for any reason.  

VIII.  BENEFICIARY DESIGNATIONS

A participant may designate a beneficiary to receive his/her Deferred Compensation Account upon the participant's death.  If the beneficiary predeceases the participant or if the participant does not name a beneficiary, the participant's Deferred Compensation Account will be distributed to the participant's estate.  Such designation shall be in the form designated by the Company’s head of Human Resources Department from time to time, and it must be received by the Company’s Human Resources Department prior to such participant’s death to be valid.

IX.  AMENDMENTS

The Committee may amend or terminate this Program at any time; provided, however, that the Executive Oversight Committee or Oversight Committee by resolution or consent shall have the right to alter or amend this Program in whole or in part to the extent that such alteration or amendment affects participants and beneficiaries in general and does not make special provision for Section 16 Officers; provided further, however, such amendment or termination may not retroactively reduce a participant’s Deferred Compensation Account.  

For two years following a change in control of the Company (as such term is defined in the Change in Control Separation Benefits Plan) the material terms of the Program (including terms relating to eligibility, benefit calculation, benefit accrual, cost to participants, subsidies and rates of employee contributions) may not be modified in a manner that is materially adverse to individuals who participated immediately before the change in control.  The Company will pay the legal fees and expenses of any participant that prevails on his or her claim for relief in an action regarding an impermissible amendment to the Program (other than ordinary claims for benefits) or, if applicable, in an action regarding restrictive covenants applicable to the participant.

X. NO ASSIGNMENT, ALIENATION

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Except as provided in Article XII, no benefit payable under this Program shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or charge, and any attempt to so anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge the same shall be void, except as specifically provided in this Plan.  No such benefit shall be in any manner liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, encroachments or torts of any participant or  beneficiary.

XI.  CLAIMS AND APPEALS PROCEDURE

A.     Determination of Claim

An Employee or his/her authorized representative may present a claim for benefits to the Executive Director, Compensation and Benefit Administration or the successor thereto (the “Director”) or such other person as the Committee may determine to handle claims and appeals from the Program. The Director will make all determinations as to the Employee's claim for benefits under the Program. If the Director grants a claim, benefits payable under the Program will be paid to the Employee as soon as feasible thereafter. If the Director denies in whole or part any claim for a benefit under the Program, he/she will furnish the claimant with notice of the decision not later than 90 days after receipt of the claim. If special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, the Director will provide a written notice of the extension during the initial 90-day period, in which case a decision will be rendered not more than 180 days after receipt of the claim. The written notice which the Director will provide to every claimant who is denied a claim for benefits will set forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant:

1.    the specific reason or reasons for the denial;

2.    specific reference to pertinent Program provisions on which the denial is based;

3.    a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and 

4.    appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the claimant wishes to submit his/her claim for review.

B.     Appeal of Denied Claim

A claimant or his/her authorized representative may request a review of the denied claim by the Committee. Such request will be made in writing and will be presented to the Committee not more than 60 days after receipt by the claimant of written notification of the denial of the claim. The Committee will render its decision on review not later than 60 days after receipt of the claimant's request for review, unless special circumstances require an extension of time, in which case a decision will be rendered as soon as possible but not later than 120 days after receipt of the request for review. The decision on review will be in writing and will include specific reasons for the decision.

C.    ERISA Section 503

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It is intended that the claims procedure of the Program be administered in accordance with regulations of the Department of Labor issued under ERISA Section 503.

D.    Limitation of Action

No action at law or in equity (an “Action”) shall be maintained by a participant, Beneficiary or other individual, entity or party (including but not limited to a person determined to be other than a participant or Beneficiary) (a “Claimant”) against the Program, the Company Group, their affiliates, agents, fiduciaries, officers, directors, employees, successors, assigns or plans (collectively, the “Program Group”) unless (a) the Claimant has presented every basis or argument in support of the Action (a “Claim”) in strict accordance with both Sections A and B of this Article X which Claim is denied in whole or in part and (b) unless the Action is commenced no later than one year after the date the Company Group provides notice of the adverse decision pursuant to Section B.  Where the Company Group puts the Claimant on notice of the Company Group’s or Program’s intention with respect to the basis or argument in support of the Action, the Claimant must commence the process described in Section A of this Article X within one year of such notice.  A “Claim” includes but is not limited to a claim for benefits or for a purported or actual fiduciary breach by any member of the Program Group.  The Limitation of Action pursuant to this Article may only be tolled by a writing executed by the Director.

XII.  DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDERS

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Program to the contrary, the creation, assignment or recognition of a right to any benefit payable with respect to a participant pursuant to a “domestic relations order” (as hereinafter defined) is not prohibited.  In the event a right to a benefit hereunder is established pursuant to a domestic relations order, any benefit otherwise payable to the participant or his/her beneficiary hereunder shall be appropriately reduced to reflect the effect of the qualified domestic relations order.  For purposes of the Program, “Alternate Payee” means a person who would be an alternate payee under Section 414(p)(8) of the Code if the Program were subject to Section 401(a) of the Code.  A “domestic relations order” means any judgment, decree or order within the meaning of Section 414(p), including the approval of a property settlement agreement, provided that:

1.  the order relates to the provision of child support, alimony or marital property rights and is made pursuant to state domestic relations or community property laws;

2.  the order creates or recognizes the existence of an Alternate Payee's right to receive all or a portion of the participant's Account Balance;

3.  the order specifies the name and last known mailing address of the participant and each Alternate Payee covered by the order;

4.  the order precisely and unambiguously specifies the amount or percentage of the participant's Account Balance to be paid to each Alternate Payee or the manner in which the amount or percentage is to be determined;

5.  the order clearly specifies that it applies to this Program; 

15

6.  the order does not require this Program to provide any type of benefits or form of benefits not otherwise provided under this Program; and

7.  the order provides that the Alternate Payee shall receive his or her interest in the Program in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible following determination by the Company’s legal department (or its delegate) that the order satisfies the requirements of this Article.

XIII.  EFFECTIVE DATE

This amendment and restatement of this Program shall be effective as of  December 1, 2019.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Merck Oversight Committee has caused this instrument to be executed by Counsel, Global Benefits & Executive Compensation, as of the 22nd  day of November 2019.

	
			
	 
	MERCK & CO., INC.
	 

	 
	

	 

	 
	By   /s/ Bruce Ellis       
	 

	 
	Bruce W. Ellis
	 

	 
	Counsel
	 

	 
	Global Benefits & Executive Compensation
	 

16

SCHEDULE I

DEFERRAL PROGRAM INVESTMENT ALTERNATIVES

“Mutual Funds” shall mean all of the same investment alternatives offered under the Merck U.S. Savings Plan as in effect from time to time, excluding participant loans and Merck Common Stock.  

The Merck Common Stock fund offered under the Deferral Program shall be measured as if it were invested 100% in Merck Common Stock with dividends reinvested in additional shares of Merck Common Stock.

17

SCHEDULE II

SPECIAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO
MEDCO HEALTH EMPLOYEES
(Approved July 23, 2002)

DEFINITIONS

Medco Health – Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

Medco Health Employee – A participant who is (i) employed by Medco Health prior to the Spin-Off or (ii) employed by Merck prior to the Spin-Off and expected to be employed by Medco Health prior to or as of the Spin-Off.
 
Separated Medco Health Employee – A participant in the Deferral Program who is employed by Medco Health as of the date of the Spin-Off and is considered to have terminated employment with the Company as a result of the Spin-Off.

Spin-Off – The distribution by Merck to its shareholders of the equity securities of Medco Health.  The Spin-Off will be a divestiture for purposes of the Deferral Program.

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article VI, Section C of the Deferral Program, the Deferred Compensation Account of each Separated Medco Health Employee shall be paid out in accordance with Article VI, Section D, without regard to the $125,000 threshold set forth in Section C.

18Exhibit

Exhibit 10.18

MERCK & CO., INC.

PLAN FOR DEFERRED PAYMENT OF

DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION

(Effective as Amended and Restated January 1, 2020)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Article I     Purpose      1

Article II     Election of Deferral, Investment Alternatives and Distribution Schedule      1

Article III     Valuation of Deferred Amounts      3

Article IV     Redesignation Within a Deferral Account      5

Article V     Payment of Deferred Amounts      6

Article VI     Designation of Beneficiary      6

Article VII     Plan Amendment or Termination      7

Article VIII    Section 409A Compliance      7

Article IX    Effective Date      7

MERCK & CO., INC.
PLAN FOR DEFERRED PAYMENT OF
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION

I.    PURPOSE

The Merck & Co., Inc. Plan for Deferred Payment of Directors’ Compensation (“Plan”) provides an unfunded arrangement for directors of Merck & Co., Inc., formerly known as Schering‐Plough Corporation (“Merck” or the “Company”) prior to the closing date (“Closing Date”) of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of March 8, 2009, as amended, by and among Merck & Co., Inc., Schering-Plough Corporation, SP Merger Subsidiary One, Inc. and SP Merger Subsidiary Two, Inc. (the “Transactions”), other than directors that are current employees of the Company or its subsidiaries, to value, account for and ultimately distribute amounts deferred (i) voluntarily in case of annual retainers and Board and committee meeting fees, if any, and (ii) mandatorily in certain other cases as described herein.  Prior to the Closing Date, the predecessor to this Plan provided identical benefits to directors of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (formerly Merck & Co, Inc. prior to the Closing Date) (“MSD”).

		
	II.
	ELECTION OF DEFERRAL, INVESTMENT ALTERNATIVES AND DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE

		
	A.
	Election of Voluntary Deferral Amount

		
	1.
	Prior to December 31 of each year, each director may irrevocably elect (an “Initial Election”) to defer, until termination of service as a director or later, 50% or 100% of each of the following (together, the “Voluntary Deferral Amount”) with respect to the 12 months beginning April 1 of the next calendar year after such Initial Election: 

(a) Board retainer 
(b) Lead Director retainer 
(c) Committee Chairperson retainer 
(d) Audit Committee member retainer, and 
(e) Board and committee meeting fees, if any. 

		
	2.
	Prior to commencement of duties as a director or within the first 30 days following commencement of services, a director newly elected or appointed to the Board during a calendar year may make an Initial Election for the portion of the Voluntary Deferral Amount applicable to such director's first year of service (or part thereof). 

		
	3.
	The Voluntary Deferral Amount shall be credited as follows:  (1) Board and committee meeting fees, if any, that are deferred are credited as of the last business day of each calendar quarter; (2) if the Board retainer, Lead Director retainer, Committee Chairperson retainer and/or Audit Committee member retainer are deferred, a pro-rata share of the deferred retainer is credited as of the last business day of each calendar quarter.  The dates as of which the Voluntary Deferral Amount, or parts thereof, are credited to the director's deferred account are hereinafter referred to as the Voluntary Deferral Dates.

1

		
	4.
	Once an Initial Election is made, including, effective December’s 2008, elections made by directors of MSD prior to the Transactions, it shall continue to apply in successive years on the same terms and conditions until the director makes a new Initial Election.  

		
	5.
	Certain directors (the “Schering Directors”) who were directors of Schering‐Plough Corporation on the Closing Date of the Transactions continued service following the Closing Date.  Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the Schering Directors were first eligible to elect Voluntary Deferrals by December 31 of the year that includes the Closing Date.  That initial election may not apply earlier than January 1 of the following year and shall continue through April 1 of the second year following the Closing Date. 

		
	B.
	Mandatory Deferral Amount

		
	1.
	As of the Friday following the Company’s Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Mandatory Deferral Date”), each director will be credited with an amount equivalent to the annual cash retainer for the 12 month period beginning on the April 1 preceding the Annual Meeting; provided, however, that effective for the 12-month period beginning April 1, 2020 and thereafter, such credit shall instead equal $200,000 (the “Mandatory Deferral Amount”).  The Mandatory Deferral Amount will be measured by the Merck Common Stock account.

		
	2.
	A director newly elected or appointed to the Board after the Mandatory Deferral Date will be credited with a pro rata portion of the Mandatory Deferral Amount applicable to such director's first year of service (or part thereof).  Such pro rata portion shall be credited to the director's account as of the first day of such director's service.

		
	3.
	For purposes of the Mandatory Deferral Amount, the Schering Directors shall be treated as if newly elected or appointed to the Board as of the Closing Date.

		
	C.
	Automatic Deferral of Executive Committee Fees

Between June 2005, and April 2007, directors of MSD who served as either Chairperson or member of the Board’s Executive Committee, in lieu of any cash payment for such service, were credited with an amount provided by way of retainer or meeting fees (the “Automatic Deferral Amount”).  The Automatic Deferral Amount is measured by the Merck Common Stock account.

		
	D.
	Election of Investment Alternatives

Each Initial Election shall include an election as to the investment alternatives by which the value of amounts deferred will be measured in accordance with Article III, below.  Investment alternatives available under this Plan shall be the same as the investment alternatives available from time to time under the Merck & Co., Inc. Deferral Program (the “Executive Deferral Program”); provided, however, that at all times there shall be a Merck Common Stock fund.  All investment alternatives 

2

other than Merck Common Stock are referred to herein as “Other Investment Alternatives.”

E.     Initial Election of Distribution Schedule

An Initial Election shall include an election of the year during which the Distribution Date (as defined below) shall occur and shall apply to all Voluntary Deferral Amounts, Mandatory Deferral Amounts and Automatic Deferral Amounts credited during the same period.  The Distribution Date shall be the 15th day of the month (or, if such day is not a business day, the next business day) of a calendar quarter following the Director’s termination of service as a director or such number of years thereafter as would be permitted for distributions elected under the Executive Deferral Program. 

		
	F.
	Changes to Distribution Schedule 

If and to the extent that participants in the Executive Deferral Program are permitted to make re-deferral elections from time to time, participants in this Plan may elect to defer their Distribution Dates subject to the same restrictions applicable under the Executive Deferral Program; provided, however, that no re-deferral election may have the effect of accelerating a distribution prior to a director’s termination of service or death.

		
	G.
	Unforeseeable Emergency

The Committee shall distribute a participant's deferred amounts if and to the extent a participant applies to receive a distribution due to an Unforeseeable Emergency as defined in Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(i) or successor thereto.  A participant wishing a hardship distribution must provide the Committee or its delegate with sufficient evidence to prove compliance with Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(i).  Such a participant’s entire account balance may be distributed to satisfy such Unforeseeable Emergency without regard to whether it is invested wholly or partially in Merck Common Stock.

III.    VALUATION OF DEFERRED AMOUNTS

		
	A.
	Merck Common Stock

		
	1.
	Initial Crediting.  The annual Mandatory Deferral Amount shall be used to determine the number of full and partial shares of Merck Common Stock that such amount would purchase at the closing price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on the Mandatory Deferral Date.

The Automatic Deferral Amount is used to determine the number of full and partial shares of Merck Common Stock that such amount would have purchased at the closing price of the Common Stock on the NYSE.

3

That portion of the Voluntary Deferral Amount allocated to Merck Common Stock shall be used to determine the number of full and partial shares of Merck Common Stock that such amount would purchase at the closing price of the Common Stock on the NYSE on the applicable Voluntary Deferral Date. 

This Plan is unfunded:  at no time will any shares of Merck Common Stock be purchased or earmarked for such deferred amounts nor will any rights of a shareholder exist with respect to such amounts.  

		
	2.
	Dividends.  Each director's account will be credited with the additional number of full and partial shares of Merck Common Stock that would have been purchasable with the dividends on shares previously credited to the account at the closing price of the Common Stock on the NYSE on the date each dividend was paid. 

		
	3.
	Distributions.  Distributions from the Merck Common Stock account will be valued at the closing price of Merck Common Stock on the NYSE as of the Distribution Date.

		
	4.
	For purposes of valuation of Merck Common Stock, if Merck Common Stock is no longer traded on the NYSE, but is publicly traded on any other exchange, references to NYSE shall mean such other exchange.  If Merck Common Stock is not publicly traded and if the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors (formerly known as the Committee on Corporate Governance) determines that a measurement of Merck Common Stock on any Mandatory or Voluntary Deferral Date or Distribution Date would not constitute fair market value, then the Committee shall decide on the date and method to determine fair market value, which shall be in accord with any requirements set forth under Section 409A or any successor thereto.  

		
	B.
	Other Investment Alternatives

1.    Initial Crediting.  The amount allocated to each Other Investment Alternative shall be used to determine the full and partial Other Investment Alternative shares that such amount would purchase at the closing net asset value of the Other Investment Alternative shares on the Mandatory or Voluntary Deferral Date, whichever is applicable.  The director’s account will be credited with the number of full and partial Other Investment Alternative shares so determined.

At no time will any Other Investment Alternative shares be purchased or earmarked for such deferred amounts nor will any rights of a shareholder exist with respect to such amounts.

		
	2.
	Dividends.  Each director’s account will be credited with the additional number of full and partial Other Investment Alternative shares that would have been purchasable, at the closing net asset value of the Other Investment Alternative shares as of the date each dividend is paid on the Other Investment Alternative shares, with the dividends that would have been paid on the number of shares previously credited to such account (including pro rata dividends on any partial shares).

4

		
	3.
	Distributions.  Other Investment Alternative distributions will be valued based on the closing net asset value of the Other Investment Alternative shares as of the Distribution Date.

		
	C.
	Adjustments

In the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock dividend, combination of shares, merger, consolidation, rights offering or any other change in the corporate structure or shares of the Company or an Other Investment Alternative, the number and kind of shares or units shall be adjusted accordingly.

		
	IV.
	REDESIGNATION WITHIN A DEFERRAL ACCOUNT

A.    General

A director may redesignate how his or her account is invested among the Other Investment Alternatives (a “Redesignation”).  A Redesignation affects only the Investment Alternatives; it does not affect the timing of distributions from the Plan. Except as provided in Section G. of Article II, amounts deferred using the Merck Common Stock method and any earnings attributable to such deferrals may not be redesignated prior to the first anniversary of the termination of the director’s service.  The change will be effective at the closing price as of (i) the day when the redesignation request is received pursuant to administrative guidelines established by the Human Resources Financial Services area provided the request is received prior to the close of the NYSE on such day or (ii) the next following business day if the request is received when the NYSE is closed. 

B.    When Redesignation May Occur

		
	1.
	During Active Service. There is no limit on the number of times a director may Redesignate the portion of his/her deferred account permitted to be Redesignated. Each such request shall be irrevocable and can be Redesignated in whole percentages or as a dollar amount.

		
	2.
	After Death.  Following the death of a director, the legal representative or beneficiary of such director may Redesignate subject to the same rules as for active directors set forth in Article IV, Section B.1.

C.    Valuation of Amounts to be Redesignated 

The portion of the director's account to be Redesignated will be valued at its cash equivalent and such cash equivalent will be converted into shares or units of the Other Investment Alternatives.  For purposes of such Redesignations, the cash equivalent of the value of the Other Investment Alternative shares shall be the closing net asset value of such Other Investment Alternative as of (i) the day when the Redesignation request is received pursuant to administrative guidelines established by the Human Resources Financial Services area of the Treasury department, 

5

provided the request is received prior to the close of the NYSE on such day or (ii) the next following business day if the request is received when the NYSE is closed.

		
	V.
	PAYMENT OF DEFERRED AMOUNTS

		
	A.
	Payment

All payments to directors of amounts deferred will be in cash as of the Distribution Date.  Distributions shall be pro rata by investment alternative.  Distributions shall be paid as soon as administratively feasible after the Distribution Date.

		
	B.
	Forfeitures

A director's deferred amount attributable to the Mandatory Deferral Amount and earnings thereon shall be forfeited upon his or her removal as a director or upon a determination by the Governance Committee, in its sole discretion that, a director has:

		
	(i)
	joined the Board of, managed, operated, participated in a material way in, entered employment with, performed consulting (or any other) services for, or otherwise been connected in any material manner with a company, corporation, enterprise, firm, limited partnership, partnership, person, sole proprietorship or any other business entity determined by the Governance Committee in its sole discretion to be competitive with the business of the Company, its subsidiaries or its affiliates (a "Competitor");

		
	(ii)
	directly or indirectly acquired an equity interest of 5 percent or greater in a Competitor; or

		
	(iii)
	disclosed any material trade secrets or other material confidential information, including customer lists, relating to the Company or to the business of the Company to others, including a Competitor.

VI.    DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY

In the event of the death of a director: 

A.    The deferred amount at the date of death shall be paid to the last named beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the director, or, if no beneficiary has been designated, to the legal representative of the director's estate.

B.    A lump sum distribution of any remaining account balance will be made to the director’s beneficiary or estate’s legal representative as soon as administratively feasible following such death, whether or not the director was in service at the time of death or has commenced to receive payments of his or her account balance.  The Distribution Date of such a distribution shall be the 15th day of the month (or, if such day is not a business day, 

6

the next business day) of the calendar quarter following the date the Company learns of such death.

VII.    PLAN AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION

The Governance Committee shall have the right to amend or terminate this Plan at any time for any reason.

VIII.    SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE 

Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, the Plan shall comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any successor thereto) (the “Code”) and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith.  Any payment called for under the Plan as of or as soon as administratively feasible on or after a designated date shall be made no later than a date within the same tax year of a director, or by March 15 of the following year, if later (or such other time as permitted in Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A‐3(d) or any successor thereto); provided further, that the director is not permitted to change the taxable year of payment, except in accordance with Article II, Section F and Section 409A of the Code.  Where the Plan’s obligation to pay is unclear, including a dispute about who is the proper beneficiary of a director who dies, payment shall be made as soon as administratively feasible after the Program’s obligation becomes clear and at a time permitted by Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.409A-3(g)(4) or any successor thereto.

IX.    EFFECTIVE DATE.

This amendment and restatement of this plan shall be effective as of January 1, 2020.

7

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