Document:

Exhibit 10.6

 

INSMED INCORPORATED

 

NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION INDUCEMENT AWARD AGREEMENT

 

No. of shares subject to Option:

 

THIS AGREEMENT dated this              (this “Agreement”), between INSMED INCORPORATED, a Virginia corporation (the “Company”), and              (“Participant”), is made in connection with Participant’s entry into that certain employment agreement with the Company dated as of              (as amended, the “Employment Agreement”) and is an inducement material to Participant’s entry into employment within the meaning of Rule 5635(c)(4) of the NASDAQ Listing Rules (the “Inducement Award Rule”).

 

If and to the extent that this Agreement conflicts or is inconsistent with the terms, conditions and provisions of the Employment Agreement, the Employment Agreement shall control, and this Agreement shall be deemed to be modified accordingly so long as such modification is consistent with the Inducement Award Rule.

 

1.                                      Grant of Option. The Company, on              (the “Date of Grant”), granted to Participant, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the right and option to purchase from the Company all or any part of an aggregate of              shares of common stock of the Company, par value US $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) at the option price of US $        per share, being not less than the closing price of a share of our Common Stock on the NASDAQ on the Date of Grant (the “Option”). The Option is intended to be a nonqualified stock option and not an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Option is exercisable as hereinafter provided. [Applicable foreign provisions to be inserted.]

 

2.                                      Terms and Conditions. The Option is subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

a.                                      Expiration Date. The Option shall expire ten years from the Date of Grant (the “Expiration Date”).

 

b.                                      Exercise of Option. Except as provided in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5, the Option shall be exercisable with respect to [insert as applicable: twenty-five percent (25%) of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option on the first annual anniversary of the Date of Grant (the “First Anniversary Date”) and with respect to twelve and a half percent (12.5%) of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option on the six-month anniversary of the First Anniversary Date and each six-month anniversary date thereafter through the fourth annual anniversary of the Date of Grant]. If the foregoing schedule would produce fractional shares, the number of shares for which the Option becomes exercisable shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share. Once the Option has become exercisable in accordance with this subparagraph 2(b) it shall continue to be exercisable until the termination of Participant’s rights hereunder pursuant to paragraph 3, 4 or 5 or until the Option has expired pursuant to subparagraph 2(a). A partial exercise of the Option shall not affect Participant’s right to exercise the Option with respect to the remaining shares, subject to the conditions of this Agreement.

 

 

c.                                       Method of Exercising Option and Payment for Shares. The Option shall be exercised by written notice in the form of Attachment A — “Notice of Option Exercise” or such other form as may be approved by the Company, delivered to the attention of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer at the Company’s principal place of business. The exercise date shall be (i) in the case of notice by mail, the date of postmark, or (ii) if delivered in person, the date of delivery. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment of the Option price in full, in cash or cash equivalent acceptable to the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee” and the “Board”), or such other method as determined by the Compensation Committee, including an irrevocable commitment by a broker to pay over such amount from a sale of the shares of Common Stock issuable under the Option, the delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock or withholding of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon exercise which, together with any cash or cash equivalent paid, is not less than the Option price for the number of shares for which the Option is being exercised.

 

d.                                      Nontransferability. The Option may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated by Participant except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During Participant’s lifetime, the Option may be exercised only by Participant.

 

e.                                       Agreement with Terms. Execution of this Agreement by Participant or receipt of any benefits under this Agreement by Participant shall constitute Participant’s acknowledgement of, and agreement with, all of the provisions of this Agreement, and the Company shall administer this Agreement accordingly.

 

f.                                        Shareholder Rights. Participant shall not have any rights as a shareholder with respect to shares subject to the Option until Participant exercises such Option and becomes the holder of record of such shares.

 

g.                                       Forfeiture. In the event of Participant’s termination of employment, any vested portion of the Option that is not exercised during the period specified in paragraph 3, paragraph 4 or paragraph 5, as applicable, shall be forfeited upon the expiration of such period. Any portion of the Option that is unvested as of the date of Participant’s termination of employment shall be forfeited on such date.

 

3.                                      Exercise in the Event of Death. In the event Participant dies before the expiration of the Option pursuant to subparagraph 2(a), the Option shall be exercisable with respect to all or part of the shares of Common Stock that Participant was entitled to purchase under subparagraph 2(b) on the date of Participant’s death. In that event, the Option may be exercised, to the extent exercisable under subparagraph 2(b), by Participant’s estate or by the other person or persons to whom Participant’s rights under the Option shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Participant’s estate or such persons may exercise the Option within one year after Participant’s death or during the remainder of the period preceding the Expiration Date, whichever is shorter.

 

4.                                      Exercise in the Event of Permanent and Total Disability. In the event Participant becomes permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code (“Permanently and Totally Disabled”) before the expiration of the Option pursuant to

 

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subparagraph 2(a), the Option shall be exercisable with respect to all or part of the shares of Common Stock that Participant was entitled to purchase under subparagraph 2(b) on the date Participant ceases to be employed by the Company or, as determined by the Compensation Committee from time to time, any entity in which the Company has a substantial direct or indirect equity interest (an “Affiliate”), as a result of Participant’s becoming Permanently and Totally Disabled. In that event, Participant may exercise the Option, to the extent exercisable under subparagraph 2(b), within one year after the date Participant ceases to be employed by the Company and its Affiliates as a result of Participant’s becoming Permanently and Totally Disabled or during the period preceding the Expiration Date, whichever is shorter.

 

5.                                      Exercise After Termination of Employment. Except as provided in paragraphs 3 and 4 hereof, if Participant ceases to be employed by the Company and its Affiliates prior to the Expiration Date, the Option shall be exercisable for all or part of the number of shares that Participant was entitled to purchase under subparagraph 2(b) and, if applicable, any additional number of shares specified under the Employment Agreement on the date of Participant’s termination of employment. In that event, Participant may exercise the Option, to the extent exercisable under subparagraph 2(b) and/or under the Employment Agreement, during the remainder of the period preceding the Expiration Date or until the date that is three months (or such other period of time provided under the Employment Agreement, if any) after the date Participant ceases to be employed by the Company and its Affiliates, whichever is shorter.

 

6.                                      Notice. Any notice or other communication given pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or mailed by United States registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, to the Company at its principal place of business or to Participant at the address on the payroll records of the Company or, in either case, at such other address as one party may subsequently furnish to the other party in writing. Additionally, if such notice or communication is by the Company to Participant, the Company may provide such notice electronically (including via email). Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given (a) on the date of postmark, in the case of notice by mail, or (b) on the date of delivery, if delivered in person or electronically.

 

7.                                      Fractional Shares. Fractional shares shall not be issuable hereunder, and when any provision hereof may entitle Participant to a fractional share such fraction shall be disregarded.

 

8.                                      No Right to Continued Employment.

 

[Insert the following for US Participants:]Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, its subsidiaries and/or its Affiliates to terminate Participant’s employment at any time or for any reason in accordance with the Company’s Bylaws, governing law and the Employment Agreement, nor shall any terms of this Agreement confer upon Participant any right to continue Participant’s employment for any specified period of time. Neither this Agreement nor any benefits arising under this Agreement shall constitute an employment contract with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates.

 

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[Insert no continued right to employment provision for non-US Participants, if applicable.]

 

9.                                      Change in Capital Structure. The terms of the Option (including the number or kind of shares subject hereto and the option price) shall be equitably adjusted as the Compensation Committee determines is equitably required to reflect any reorganization, reclassification, combination of shares, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, dividend or distribution of securities, property or cash (other than regular, quarterly cash dividends), or any other event or transaction that affects the number or kind of shares of Common Stock outstanding. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued pursuant to such an adjustment.

 

10.                               Change in Control. The Compensation Committee shall have the discretion to determine the treatment of the Option upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Participant for Good Reason during the one year period following the occurrence of a Change in Control, then the Option (to the extent then outstanding) will vest in full and become immediately exercisable. [Insert as applicable: [Capitalized terms used in this paragraph 10 shall have the meanings set forth in the Employment Agreement.] [For purposes of this paragraph 10, the following definitions apply, subject to applicable [applicable jurisdiction to be inserted] laws to the extent mandatory:]

 

a.                                      [“Cause” means: (i) Participant’s conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a felony involving moral turpitude; (ii) willful misconduct or gross negligence by Participant resulting, in either case, in material economic harm to the Company or any Affiliates; (iii) a willful failure by Participant to carry out the reasonable and lawful directions of the Board and failure by Participant to remedy the failure within thirty (30) days after receipt of written notice of the same from the Board; (iv) fraud, embezzlement, theft or dishonesty of a material nature by Participant against the Company or any Affiliate, or a willful material violation by Participant of a policy or procedure of the Company or any Affiliate, resulting, in any case, in material economic harm to the Company or any Affiliate; or (v) a willful material breach by Participant of this Agreement and failure by Participant to remedy the material breach within 30 days after receipt of written notice of the same, from the Board.]

 

b.                                      [“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any one of the following:

 

i.                                          any Person becomes the beneficial owner (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of at least 50% of either (A) the value of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (B) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”) (the foregoing beneficial ownership hereinafter being referred to as a “Controlling Interest”); provided, however, that for purposes of this definition, the following acquisitions shall not constitute or result in a Change

 

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in Control: (v) any acquisition directly from the Company; (w) any acquisition by the Company; (x) any acquisition by any person that as of the Date of Grant has beneficial ownership of a Controlling Interest; (y) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Affiliate; or (z) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with subparagraphs 10(b)(iii)(A), (B) and (C) below; or

 

ii.                                       during any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the Date of Grant) individuals who constitute the Board on the Date of Grant (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Date of Grant whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

 

iii.                                    consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the Persons who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (such resulting or acquiring corporation is referred to herein as the “Acquiring Corporation”) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination of the

 

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Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B) no Person (excluding the Acquiring Corporation or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such Acquiring Corporation) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or

 

iv.                                   the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of additional taxes and/or penalties pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, no event or transaction will constitute a Change in Control hereunder unless it also constitutes a “change in control event” under Section 409A of the Code.]

 

c.                                       [“Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) a material diminution in Participant’s base compensation; (ii) a material diminution in Participant’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; (iii) a material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom Participant is required to report; (iv) the Company’s or Affiliate’s requiring Participant to be based at any office or location outside of 50 miles from the location of employment or service as of the effective date of the Employment Agreement, except for travel reasonably required in the performance of Participant’s responsibilities; or (v) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the Employment Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist unless Participant’s termination of employment for Good Reason occurs within six months following the initial existence of one of the conditions specified in clauses (i) through (v) above, Participant provides the Company with written notice of the existence of such condition within 90 days after the initial existence of the condition, and the Company fails to remedy the condition within 30 days after its receipt of such notice.]

 

d.                                      [“Person” has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its Affiliates, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.]

 

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11.                               Tax Withholding.

 

[Insert the following for US Participants:] To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, the Company may and/or Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise with respect to the Option, or the issuance or sale of any shares of Common Stock. The Company shall not be required to recognize any Participant rights under the Option, to issue shares of Common Stock or to recognize the disposition of such shares of Common Stock until such obligations are satisfied. To the extent permitted or required by the Company, these obligations may or shall be satisfied by the Company withholding cash from any compensation otherwise payable to or for the benefit of Participant in accordance with applicable law, the Company withholding a portion of the shares of Common Stock that otherwise would be issued to a Participant under the Option or any other award held by Participant or by Participant tendering to the Company cash or, if allowed by the Company, shares of Common Stock. Nothing in this Agreement shall be interpreted or construed to transfer any liability for any tax (including, without limitation, a tax or penalty due as a result of a failure to comply with Section 409A of the Code) due by Participant to the Company, any subsidiary thereof or any Affiliate, or to any other individual or entity, and the Company shall have no liability to Participant, or any other party, with respect thereto. Participant acknowledges that the Company and its subsidiaries and Affiliates: (a) make no representations or undertakings regarding the tax treatment in connection with any aspect of the Option and (b) do not commit to structure the terms of the grant or any other aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate Participant’s tax liabilities.

 

[Insert tax withholding provisions for non-US Participants, if applicable.]

 

12.                               Administration. Any question concerning the interpretation of this Agreement or the Option, any adjustments required to be made to the Option hereunder, and any controversy that may arise with respect to the Option will be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. All decisions by the Compensation Committee shall be final and binding on Participant and Participant’s beneficiaries, heirs and assigns.

 

13.                               Compliance with Laws and Regulations.  Participant hereby acknowledges, represents and warrants to the Company that, unless a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), with respect to the shares of Common Stock to be received upon the exercise of the Option is effective and current at the time of exercise of the Option, (i) the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of the Option will be unregistered and acquired by Participant for Participant’s own account, for investment only and not with a view to the resale or distribution thereof and (ii) the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of the Option may not be sold or transferred unless a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to the resale of such shares is effective and current or such registration is determined by the Company to be unnecessary. Nothing herein shall be construed as requiring the Company to register the shares subject to the Option for sale or resale under the Securities Act. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the Company shall determine, in its sole discretion, that the listing or qualification of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option on any securities exchange or under any applicable law, or the consent or approval of any governmental agency or regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition to, or in connection with, the issuance of shares of Common Stock hereunder, the Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such

 

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listing, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.

 

14.                               Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to any rule or principle of conflicts of laws that otherwise would result in the application of the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. Any reference in this Agreement to a provision of law or to a rule or regulation shall be deemed to include any successor law, rule or regulation of similar effect or applicability.

 

15.                               Section 409A. It is intended that the provisions of this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”), and all provisions of the Option shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.

 

[Insert the following for non-US Participants:]

 

16.                               [Applicable foreign provisions regarding data privacy.]

 

17.                               [Applicable foreign provisions regarding country-specific terms.]

 

18.                               [Additional foreign provisions, as applicable.]

 

19.                               Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to Participant or the Option, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Compensation Committee materially altering the intent of this Agreement, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Participant, or the Option, and the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

20.                               Unfunded Agreement. This Agreement is intended to be an unfunded arrangement. Participant is and shall at all times be a general creditor of the Company with respect to the Option. If the Company chooses to set aside funds in a trust or otherwise for the payment of the Option, such funds shall at all times be subject to the claims of the creditors of the Company in the event of its bankruptcy or insolvency.

 

21.                               Successors. All obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

 

22.                               Binding Effect. Subject to the limitations stated above, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the legatees, distributees, and personal representatives of Participant and the successors of the Company.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be signed by a duly authorized officer, and Participant has affixed Participant’s signature hereto.

 

	
 
    	
INSMED   INCORPORATED
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
By:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
Name:
    	
[NAME]
    
	
 
    	
Title:
    	
[TITLE]
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
PARTICIPANT
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
[PARTICIPANT   NAME]
    

 

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Attachment A

 

Chief Financial Officer

Insmed Incorporated

10 Finderne Avenue

Building 10

Bridgewater, NJ 08807

 

Notice Of Option Exercise

 

This letter is notice of my decision to exercise the Option that was granted to me on               .  Terms used but not defined in this notice have the meanings given to them in the Nonqualified Stock Option Inducement Award Agreement between the Company and myself on                .  The exercise will be effective on              . I am exercising the Option for                shares of Common Stock. I have chosen the following form of payment to cover the aggregate Option price for the number of shares for which I am exercising the Option (check one):

 

o                                    1.                                      Cash

o                                    2.                                      Certified or bank check payable to Insmed Incorporated

o                                    3.                                      Other (please describe):

 

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Sincerely,
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Name:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
Address:
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Accepted   by:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date:
    	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    

 

Note: The date of exercise cannot be earlier than the date of delivery of this notice or the postmark, if the notice is mailed.

 

10Exhibit

PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION
2017 ANNUAL INCENTIVE PLAN

1.Purpose.
The purpose of the Plan is to enable the Company and its Subsidiaries to attract, retain, motivate and reward qualified officers and key employees by providing them with the opportunity to earn competitive compensation directly linked to the Company's performance.
2.Definitions.
Unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms as used in the Plan shall have the meanings ascribed to each below.
"Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Committee" shall mean the Compensation and Management Succession Committee of the Board (or such other committee of the Board as the Board may designate from time to time) or any subcommittee thereof.
"Company" shall mean Protective Life Corporation.
"Participant" shall mean each officer or key employee of the Company or a Subsidiary whom the Committee designates as a participant in the Plan.
"Plan" shall mean the 2017 Protective Life Corporation Annual Incentive Plan, as set forth herein and as may be amended from time to time.
"Subsidiary" shall mean (a) any corporation of which the Company possesses directly or indirectly fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of such corporation and (b) any other business organization, regardless of form, in which the Company possesses directly or indirectly fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined equity interests in such organization.
3.Administration.
The Committee shall administer and interpret the Plan. Any determination made by the Committee under the Plan shall be final and conclusive. The Committee shall establish performance objectives in accordance with Section 4 and shall certify whether such performance objectives have been achieved, subject to the Board's approval. The Committee may employ such legal counsel, consultants and agents (including counsel or agents who are employees of the Company or a Subsidiary) as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely upon any opinion received from any such counsel, consultant or agent and any computation received from any such consultant or agent. All expenses incurred in the administration of the Plan, including (without limitation) expenses for the engagement of any counsel, consultant or agent, shall be paid by the Company. No member or former member of the Board or the Committee, or any other person involved in the administration of the Plan, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in connection with the Plan other than as a result of such individual's willful misconduct.
4.    Incentive Payments.
(a)Establishing the Performance Criteria. On or before April 1 of each calendar year during which the Plan is in effect, the Committee shall recommend for approval by the Board the performance objective or objectives that must be satisfied in order for Participants to receive an incentive payment for that year. The Committee may establish different performance objectives for different Participants. The performance objective(s) shall state, in terms of an objective formula or standard, the method for computing the amount of the incentive payment eligible for payment to the Participants if the objective(s) are achieved. 

    

With respect to any Participant, the Committee may establish multiple performance objectives. If it establishes multiple performance objectives, the Committee shall make clear  whether (i) a specified percentage of the annual incentive opportunity will be eligible for payment based on the achievement (in whole or in part) of a specified objective, (ii) payment of any amount is contingent upon achievement (in whole or in part) of more than one such criteria or (iii) the amount payable upon the achievement of one objective may be reduced or increased based on the level of achievement of a different objective.
(b)Available Performance Criteria. Any performance objectives established under Section 4(a) shall be related to one of the following criteria, which may be determined solely by reference to the performance of the Company or a Subsidiary or a division or business unit or based on comparative performance relative to other companies: net income; operating income; book value; embedded value or economic value added; return on equity, assets or invested capital; assets, sales or revenues or growth in assets, sales or revenues; efficiency or expense management; capital adequacy (including risk-based capital); investment returns or asset quality; completion of acquisitions, financings, or similar transactions; customer service metrics; the value of new business or sales; or such other reasonable criteria as the Committee may recommend and the Board may approve. 
(c)Amount Payable. The Committee shall establish a target amount for each Participant that would be eligible for  payment if each of the applicable performance objectives are one hundred percent (100%) achieved. Except as provided in Section 4(e), the amount actually payable in respect of any performance objective shall be determined based on the extent to which such objective (or such objective and any other linked performance objective) is met or exceeded, or the extent to which such objective(s) are only partially achieved. The Committee may provide that amounts below or in excess of target will be payable for performance in excess of, or at stated levels below, targeted performance. The Committee may establish a threshold level of achievement for any performance objective below which no amount shall be payable in respect of such performance objective.
(d)Effect of Termination of Employment. Except as provided in the following sentence, unless the Committee shall determine to authorize a payment, no amount shall be payable to a Participant as an annual incentive award unless the Participant is still an employee of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries on the date payment is made or such earlier date as the Committee may specify. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine to pay the Participant a greater amount, if a Participant's employment terminates due to death, disability (as determined in accordance with generally applicable Company policies) or normal or early retirement under the terms of any retirement plan maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary, such Participant shall receive an annual incentive payment equal to the amount the Participant would have received if the Participant had remained employed through the end of the year, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that elapsed during the year in which the termination occurs before and including the date of the Participant's termination of employment and the denominator of which is 365.
(e)Discretion. Any other provision in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) the Committee shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to pay to any Participant an annual incentive payment for such year in an amount based on individual performance or any other criteria or the occurrence of any such event that the Committee shall deem appropriate, and (ii) the Committee may provide for a minimum incentive payment to any or all, or any class of, Participants in respect of any calendar year, regardless of whether any applicable performance objectives are attained.
5.    Payment.
Payment of any incentive payment determined under Section 4 shall be made to each Participant (subject to any valid deferral election made by the Participant) as soon as practicable after the Committee certifies that the applicable performance objectives have been achieved (or, in the case of any incentive payment payable under the provisions of Section 4(e), after the Committee determines the amount of any such payment or that any condition to such payment has been satisfied), but in no event later than the March 15 immediately following the calendar year during which such incentive payment was earned. The provisions of this Section 5 shall be administered so that the Plan is not a plan of deferred compensation as provided in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

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6.    General Provisions.
(a)Effectiveness of the Plan. The Plan shall be effective with respect to the calendar year beginning January 1, 2017, and may continue in effect for subsequent calendar years to the extent that the Committee recommends to the Board, and the Board approves, that the Plan be so continued.
(b)Amendment and Termination. Notwithstanding Section 6(a), the Board or the Committee may at any time amend, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan; provided that no such amendment, suspension, discontinuance or termination shall adversely affect the rights of any Participant with respect to any calendar year that has already commenced.
(c)Designation of Beneficiary. Each Participant may designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries (which beneficiary may be an entity other than a natural person) to receive any payments that may be made after the Participant's death. Such designation may be changed or canceled at any time without the consent of any such beneficiary. Any such designation, change or cancellation must be made on a form or in a manner approved by or acceptable to the Committee and shall not be effective until received by the Committee. If no beneficiary has been named, or the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries shall have predeceased the Participant, the beneficiary shall be the Participant's spouse or, if no spouse survives the Participant, the Participant's estate. If a Participant designates more than one beneficiary, the payment shall be made to such beneficiaries in equal shares, unless the Participant has designated otherwise.
(d)Delegation. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary, the Committee may delegate authority for establishing performance objectives and any or all of its other duties and responsibilities under the Plan in respect of all Participants other than the Chief Executive Officer and all members of the Company's Performance and Accountability Committee to a committee of officers comprised of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; the President and Chief Operating Officer; the Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary; the Executive Vice President, General Counsel; the Executive Vice President, Finance and Risk; Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer; and the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Controller. In the event that at any time any of the aforementioned offices shall be vacant (or the title associated with such position shall be changed), the person performing the substantial portion of the duties of such position shall serve as a member of such officer's committee.
(e)No Right of Continued Employment. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed as conferring upon any Participant any right to continue in the employment of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
(f)No Limitation to Corporate Action. Nothing in the Plan shall preclude the Company from authorizing the payment to the eligible employees of other compensation, including (without limitation) base salaries, awards under any other plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries, any other incentive payments or bonuses (whether or not based on the attainment of performance objectives) and retention or other special payments.
(g)Nonalienation of Benefits. Except as expressly provided herein, no Participant or beneficiary shall have the power or right to transfer, anticipate, or otherwise encumber the Participant's interest under the Plan. The Company's obligations under the Plan are not assignable or transferable except to (i) a corporation which acquires all or substantially all of the Company's assets, or (ii) any corporation into which the Company may be merged or consolidated. The provisions of the Plan shall inure to the benefit of each Participant and the Participant's beneficiaries, heirs, executors, administrators or successors in interest.
(h)Withholding. Any amount payable to a Participant or a beneficiary under the Plan shall be subject to any applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes and any other amounts that the Company or a Subsidiary is required by law to deduct and withhold from such payment.
(i)Severability. If any provision of the Plan is held unenforceable, the remainder of the Plan shall continue in full force and effect without regard to such unenforceable provision and shall be applied as though the unenforceable provision were not contained in the Plan.

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(j)Governing Law. The Plan shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to the principles of conflict of laws.
(k)Headings. Headings are inserted in the Plan for convenience of reference only and are to be ignored in the construction of the provisions of the Plan.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Protective Life Corporation has executed this document as of February ___, 2017.
PROTECTIVE LIFE CORPORATION

                    
John D. Johns
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

                    
Richard J. Bielen    
President and Chief Operating Officer

                    
Deborah J. Long
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary

                    
Mark L. Drew
Executive Vice President, 
General Counsel

                    
Michael G. Temple    
Executive Vice President, Finance and Risk 

                    
D. Scott Adams
Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

                    
Steven G. Walker 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Controller

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