Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.5

January 1, 2002

                                  CONFIDENTIAL

Dear:

Unitrin, Inc. (the "Company") considers you to be a valued employee of the
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Employer (as defined below). In recognition of the value of your continued
services to the Employer, the Company's shareholders and other relevant
constituencies, the Company proposes the following agreement (the "Agreement")
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to provide you with certain severance payments and benefits if your employment
terminates following a "Change in Control" (as defined below).
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                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

1.1       Definitions

Whenever used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms shall have the
meanings set forth in this Section, certain other capitalized terms being
defined elsewhere in this Agreement:

          (a)  "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2
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               promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

          (b)  "Annualized Compensation" shall mean your rate of annual base
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               salary as in effect immediately prior to your Qualifying
               Termination, without regard to any decrease in such salary
               constituting an Enumerated Event.

          (c)  "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
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               in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.

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        (d)     "Board of Directors" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
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        Company, or any successor thereto.

        (e)     A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if
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        the event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have
        occurred:

                    (i)   any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner,
                directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not
                including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person
                any securities acquired directly from the Company or any of its
                Subsidiaries or Affiliates) representing 25% or more of the
                combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
                securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial
                Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (A)
                of paragraph (iii) below; or

                    (ii)  the following individuals cease for any reason to
                constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving:
                individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board of
                Directors and any new director (other than a director whose
                initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or
                threatened election contest relating to the election of
                directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the
                Board of Directors or nomination for election by the Company's
                shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least
                two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were
                directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or
                nomination for election was previously so approved or
                recommended; or

                    (iii) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the
                Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with
                any other corporation, other than (A) a merger or consolidation
                which results in the directors of the Company immediately prior
                to such merger or consolidation continuing to constitute at
                least a majority of the board of directors of the Company, the
                surviving entity or any parent thereof or (B) a merger or
                consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the
                Company (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or
                becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of
                securities of the Company (not including in the securities
                Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired
                directly from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
                Affiliates) representing 25% or more of the combined voting
                power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or

                    (iv)  the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of
                complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is

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               consummated an agreement for the sale or disposition by the
               Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets,
               other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all or
               substantially all of the Company's assets immediately following
               which the individuals who comprise the Board of Directors
               immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the
               board of directors of the entity to which such assets are sold or
               disposed or any parent thereof.

         (f)   "Company" shall mean Unitrin, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and
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         any successor as provided in Article IV.

         (g)   "Disability" shall mean a physical or mental condition entitling
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         you to benefits under the applicable long-term disability plan of the
         Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or if no such plan
         exists, causing you to be unable to substantially perform your duties
         with the Employer for at least 6 months in any 12-month period.

         (h)   Your "Employer" shall mean the Company or any Subsidiary or
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         Affiliate of the Company by which you are employed.

         (i)   "Enumerated Event" shall mean the occurrence after any Change in
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         Control, or prior to a Change in Control under the circumstances
         described in clause (ii) of the second and third sentences of Section
         2.1 hereof (treating all references in paragraphs (i) through (iv)
         below to a "Change in Control" as references to a "Potential Change in
         Control"), of any one or more of the following events without your
         express written consent:

                    (i)   a reduction in your base salary as in effect
               immediately prior to the Change in Control, or a material
               reduction in the compensation and benefit plans, arrangements,
               policies and procedures, taken as a whole, provided to you from
               those, taken as a whole, provided to you immediately prior to the
               Change in Control;

                    (ii)  a material reduction in your job authority and
               responsibility;

                    (iii) the Employer requires you to change the location of
               your job or office, so that you will be based at a location more
               than thirty miles from the location of your job or office
               immediately prior to the Change in Control;

                    (iv)  a successor company fails or refuses to assume the
               Company's obligations under this Agreement, as required by
               Article IV hereof (and for purposes of a termination of your

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               employment following an Enumerated Event described in this
               subsection (iv), the date on which any such succession becomes
               effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination); or

                    (v)  any purported termination of your employment which is
               not effected pursuant to the terms of Section 7.5 hereof.

         (j)   "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
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         1974, as amended.

         (k)   "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
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         amended.

         (l)   "Just Cause" shall mean, with respect to a termination of your
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         employment with the Employer, (a) fraud, misappropriation of or
         intentional material damage to the property or business of the Company
         (including its Subsidiaries and Affiliates), which in any such case is
         materially injurious to the Company (including its Subsidiaries and
         Affiliates), monetarily or otherwise, or (b) your conviction for the
         commission of a felony.

         (m)   "Person" shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the
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         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
         Subsidiaries or Affiliates, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding
         securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries or Affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding
         securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, (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, (v) any individual, entity or group whose
         ownership of securities of the Company is reported on Schedule 13G
         pursuant to Rule 13d-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act (but only for
         so long as such ownership is so reported) or (vi) Singleton Group LLC
         or any successor in interest to such entity.

         (n)   A "Potential Change in Control" shall be deemed to occur in the
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         event that (a) the Company enters into an agreement, the consummation
         of which would result in a Change in Control, (b) the Company or any
         Person publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking
         action which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control, (c)
         any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of
         securities of the Company representing 15% or more of either the then
         outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the combined
         voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities (not
         including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any
         securities acquired directly from the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries or Affiliates) or (d) the Board of Directors adopts a
         resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Plan, a Potential
         Change in Control has occurred.

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         (o)   "Qualifying Termination" shall mean a termination of employment
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         pursuant to Section 2.1 entitling you to a Severance Payment pursuant
         to the terms of this Agreement.

         (p)   "Severance Payment" shall mean the payment described in
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         Section 2.2.

         (q)   "Subsidiary" shall mean any entity more than 50% of the voting
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         securities of which are Beneficially Owned by the Company.

                                   ARTICLE II
                               SEVERANCE PAYMENTS

2.1      Right to Severance Payment

You shall be entitled to receive a Severance Payment from the Company in the
amount provided in Section 2.2 if (x) there has been a Change in Control, (y)
you are an active employee at the time of the Change in Control, and (z) within
two years from and including the date of the Change in Control, your employment
is terminated by the Employer for any reason (other than Just Cause or your
death or Disability), or you terminate your employment for any reason. In
addition, if prior to a Change in Control (i) your employment is terminated by
the Employer for any reason (other than Just Cause or your death or Disability)
or (ii) you terminate your employment following the occurrence of any Enumerated
Event, and you reasonably demonstrate that such termination or Enumerated Event,
as the case may be, (a) occurred at the request of a Person who has indicated an
intention or taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or
(b) otherwise occurred in connection with, or in anticipation of, a Change in
Control (whether or not a Change in Control actually occurs), then for all
purposes of this Agreement the termination of your employment shall be deemed to
have occurred immediately following a Change in Control. There shall be an
irrebuttable presumption that (i) if your employment is terminated by the
Employer for any reason (other than Just Cause or your death or Disability)
within ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of a Change in Control, or
(ii) if you terminate your employment following the occurrence of an Enumerated
Event which occurs within ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of a
Change in Control, you will have made (in either case (i) or (ii)) the showing
required by the preceding sentence. For purposes of subclause (y) above, you
will still be considered to be an active employee if you are on sick leave,
military leave or any other leave of absence approved by the Employer.

2.2      Amount of Severance Payment

         (a)   If you become entitled to a Severance Payment under this
         Agreement, the Company shall pay to you a lump sum payment equal to
         [2][3] times one year's Annualized Compensation.

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         (b)   The Severance Payment otherwise calculated under this Section 2.2
         shall be reduced (but not below zero) by the amount of cash
         severance-type benefits to which you may be entitled pursuant to any
         other severance plan, agreement, policy or program of the Company or
         any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Without limiting other payments
         which would not constitute "cash severance-type benefits" hereunder,
         any cash settlement of stock options, accelerated vesting of stock
         options and retirement, pension and other similar benefits shall not
         constitute "cash severance-type benefits" for purposes of this Section
         2.2(b).

2.3      Gross-Up for Excise Taxes

         (a)   In the event that any payment or benefit (within the meaning of

         Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
         (the "Code")), to you or for your benefit paid or payable or
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         distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
         otherwise in connection with, or arising out of, your employment with
         the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or a Change in
         Control (a "Payment" or "Payments"), would be subject to the excise tax
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         imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are
         incurred by you with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax,
         together with any such interest and penalties, collectively, the
         "Excise Tax"), then the Company shall pay to you an additional payment
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         (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by you of
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         all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to
         such taxes and the Excise Tax (other than interest and penalties
         imposed by reason of your failure to file timely a tax return or pay
         taxes shown due on your return) and after taking into account the phase
         out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to the
         Gross-Up Payment), including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up
         Payment, you retain an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the
         Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

         (b)   An initial determination as to whether a Gross-Up Payment is
         required pursuant to this Agreement and the amount of such Gross-Up
         Payment shall be made at the Company's expense by an accounting firm
         appointed by the Company prior to the Change in Control (the
         "Accounting Firm"). The Accounting Firm shall provide its determination
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         (the "Determination"), together with detailed supporting calculations
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         and documentation to the Company and you within fifteen (15) calendar
         days of the date on which your right to a Severance Payment hereunder
         was triggered (if requested at that time by the Company or you) or such
         other time as requested by the Company or by you (in either case
         provided that you believe in good faith that any of the Payments may be
         subject to the Excise Tax); provided that if the Accounting Firm
         determines that no Excise Tax is payable by you with respect to a
         Payment or Payments, it shall furnish you with an opinion reasonably
         acceptable to you that no Excise Tax will be imposed with respect to
         any such Payment or Payments. Within ten (10) calendar days of the
         delivery of the Determination to you, you shall have the right to
         dispute the Determination (the "Dispute"). The Gross-Up Payment, if
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         any, as determined

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         pursuant to this Section 2.3(b) shall be paid by the Company to you
         within five (5) calendar days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's
         Determination. The existence of any Dispute shall not in any way affect
         your right to receive the Gross-Up Payment, if any, in accordance with
         the Determination. If there is no Dispute, the Determination shall be
         binding, final and conclusive upon the Company and you, subject to the
         application of Section 2.3(d).

         (c)   For purposes of determining whether any of the Payments will be
         subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax, (i) all of
         the Payments shall be treated as "parachute payments" (within the
         meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) unless, in the opinion of
         tax counsel ("Tax Counsel") reasonably acceptable to you and selected
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         by the Accounting Firm, such payments or benefits (in whole or in part)
         do not constitute parachute payments, including by reason of section
         280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (ii) all "excess parachute payments" within
         the meaning of section 280G(b)(l) of the Code shall be treated as
         subject to the Excise Tax unless, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, such
         excess parachute payments (in whole or in part) represent reasonable
         compensation for services actually rendered (within the meaning of
         section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code) in excess of the Base Amount (as
         defined in section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) allocable to such reasonable
         compensation, or are otherwise not subject to the Excise Tax, and (iii)
         the value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit
         shall be determined by the Accounting Firm in accordance with the
         principles of sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code. For purposes of
         determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, you shall be deemed to
         pay federal income tax at the highest marginal rate of federal income
         taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be
         made and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of
         taxation in the state and locality of your residence on the Date of
         Termination (or if there is no such date, then the date on which the
         Gross-Up Payment is calculated for purposes of this Section 2.3), net
         of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be
         obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.

         (d)   As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Sections
         4999 and 280G of the Code, it is possible that a Gross-Up Payment (or a
         portion thereof) will be paid which should not have been paid (an
         "Excess Payment") or a Gross-Up Payment (or a portion thereof) which
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         should have been paid will not have been paid (an "Underpayment"). An
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         Underpayment shall be deemed to have occurred (i) upon notice (formal
         or informal) to you from any governmental taxing authority that your
         tax liability (whether in respect of your current taxable year or in
         respect of any prior taxable year) may be increased by reason of the
         imposition of the Excise Tax on a Payment or Payments with respect to
         which the Company has failed to make a sufficient Gross-Up Payment,
         (ii) upon a determination by a court, (iii) by reason of determination
         by the Company (which shall include the position taken by the Company,
         together with its consolidated group, on its federal income tax return)
         or (iv) upon the resolution of any Dispute to your satisfaction. If an
         Underpayment occurs, you shall promptly notify the Company

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         and the Company shall promptly, but in any event at least ten (10)
         calendar days prior to the date on which the applicable government
         taxing authority has requested payment, pay to you an additional
         Gross-Up Payment equal to the amount of the Underpayment plus any
         interest and penalties (other than interest and penalties imposed by
         reason of your failure to file timely a tax return or pay taxes shown
         due on your return) imposed on the Underpayment. An Excess Payment
         shall be deemed to have occurred upon a "Final Determination" (as
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         defined below) that the Excise Tax will not be imposed upon a Payment
         Payments (or portion thereof) with respect to which you had previously
         received a Gross-Up Payment. A "Final Determination" shall be deemed to
         have occurred when you have received from the applicable government
         taxing authority a refund of taxes or other reduction in your tax
         liability by reason of the Excise Payment and upon either (x) the date
         a determination is made by, or an agreement is entered into with, the
         applicable governmental taxing authority which finally and conclusively
         binds you and such taxing authority, or in the event that a claim is
         brought before a court of competent jurisdiction, the date upon which a
         final determination has been made by such court and either all appeals
         have been taken and finally resolved or the time for all appeals has
         expired or (y) the statute of limitations with respect to your
         applicable tax return has expired. If an Excess Payment is determined
         to have been made, the amount of the Excess Payment shall be treated as
         a loan by the Company to you and you shall pay to the Company on demand
         (but not less than ten (10) calendar days after the determination of
         such Excess Payment and written notice has been delivered to you) the
         amount of the Excess Payment plus interest at an annual rate equal to
         the Applicable Federal Rate provided for in Section 1274(d) of the Code
         from the date the Gross-Up Payment (to which the Excess Payment
         relates) was paid to you until the date of repayment to the Company.

         (e)   Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the
         contrary, in the event that, according to the Determination, an Excise
         Tax will be imposed on any Payment or Payments, the Company shall pay
         to the applicable government taxing authorities, as Excise Tax
         withholding, the amount of the Excise Tax that the Company has actually
         withheld from the Payment or Payments.

2.4      No Duty of Mitigation

The Company acknowledges that it would be very difficult and generally
impracticable to determine your ability to, or extent to which you may, mitigate
any damages or injuries you may incur by reason of the Change in Control. The
Company has taken this into account in entering into this Agreement and,
accordingly, the Company acknowledges and agrees that you shall have no duty to
mitigate any such damages and that you shall be entitled to receive your entire
Severance Payment regardless of any income which you may receive from other
sources following your termination after any Change in Control.

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2.5      Time of Severance Payment

The Severance Payment to which you are entitled shall be paid to you, in cash
and in full, not later than ten (10) calendar days after the termination of your
employment. If you should die before all amounts payable to you have been paid,
such unpaid amounts shall be paid to your beneficiary under this Agreement or,
if you have not designated such a beneficiary in writing to the Company, to the
personal representative(s) of your estate.

2.6      Life and Health Insurance Coverage

If you are entitled to receive a Severance Payment under Section 2.1, the
Company shall also provide you with the following additional benefits:

         (a) Life insurance coverage for you and your dependents having a face
         amount at least equal to the greater of (i) the amount in effect for
         you (in your case) and/or your dependents (in the case of your
         dependents) immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (ii) the
         amount in effect for you (in your case) and/or your dependents (in the
         case of your dependents) immediately prior to the Date of Termination,
         such coverage to be provided under the same plan or plans under which
         you (in your case) or your dependents (in the case of your dependents)
         were covered immediately prior to the Change in Control (or Date of
         Termination, as applicable) or substantially similar plan(s)
         established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates
         thereafter, and at no greater cost to you (in your case) or your
         dependents (in the case of your dependents) than was imposed pursuant
         to the plan(s) under which you (in your case) and/or your dependents
         (in the case of your dependents) were covered immediately prior to the
         Change in Control (or Date of Termination, as applicable). This
         coverage will continue for the period hereinafter provided.

         (b) Health insurance coverage (including any dental coverage) for you
         and your dependents under the same plan or plans under which you were
         covered immediately prior to the Change in Control (or, if more
         favorable, immediately prior to the Date of Termination) or
         substantially similar plan(s) established by the Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries or Affiliates thereafter, and at no greater cost to you
         (in your case) or your dependents (in the case of your dependents) than
         was imposed pursuant to the plan(s) under which you (in your case)
         and/or your dependents (in the case of your dependents) were covered
         immediately prior to the Change in Control (or Date of Termination, as
         applicable). This coverage will continue for the period hereinafter
         provided.

         (c) The benefits provided under this Section 2.6 shall continue for a
         period of [2][3] years following the date of your Qualifying
         Termination; provided, however, that the benefits for medical coverage
         under the provisions of Section 2.6(b) shall end as of the date you
         become covered under any group health plan maintained by a subsequent
         employer which provides benefits to you (and anyone

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         entitled to claim the benefits described in Section 2.6(b) under or
         through you) not materially less favorable than the benefits described
         in Section 2.6(b), and which does not exclude any pre-existing
         condition that you or your dependents may have at that time.

2.7      Outplacement Services

If you are entitled to receive a Severance Payment under Section 2.1, the
Company shall also provide you with a full range of outplacement services
provided for up to fifty-two (52) weeks by a reputable organization chosen by
the Company. These outplacement services will be paid for by the Company.

2.8      Withholding of Taxes

The Company or your Employer may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes required by applicable law to
be withheld.

2.9      No Setoff

The Company's obligation to make Severance Payments to you pursuant to this
Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be
affected by any circumstances, including, but not limited to, any setoff,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates may have against you or others.

2.10     Benefits Under Other Plans

The benefits that you may be entitled to receive pursuant to Sections 2.6 and
2.7 of this Agreement are not intended to be duplicative of any similar benefits
to which you may be entitled from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates under any other severance plan, agreement, policy or program
maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Accordingly,
the benefits to which you are entitled under Sections 2.6 and 2.7 shall be
reduced to take account of any other similar benefits to which you are entitled
from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates.

                                   ARTICLE III

                     OTHER RIGHTS AND BENEFITS NOT AFFECTED

3.1      Other Benefits

This Agreement does not provide a pension for you nor shall any payment
hereunder be characterized as deferred compensation. Except as set forth in
Sections 2.2(b) and 2.10, neither the provisions of this Agreement nor the
Severance Payment provided for hereunder shall reduce any amounts otherwise
payable, or in any way diminish your rights as an employee, whether existing now
or hereafter, under any benefit, incentive,

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retirement, stock option, stock bonus or stock purchase plan or any employment
agreement or other plan or arrangement not related to severance. Any such other
amounts or benefits payable shall be included, as necessary, for making any of
the calculations required under Section 2.3.

3.2      Employment Status

This Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on you any
obligation to remain in the employ of the Employer, nor does it impose on the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates any obligation to retain you in
your present or any other position, or to change the status of your employment
as an employee at will. Nothing in this Agreement shall in any way require the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates to provide you with any
severance benefits prior to a Change in Control (except that the foregoing shall
not modify the second and third sentences of Section 2.1), nor shall this
Agreement ever be construed in any way as establishing any policies or
requirements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates for the
termination of your employment or the payment of severance benefits to you if
your employment terminates prior to a Change in Control, nor shall anything in
this Agreement in any way affect the right of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates in its absolute discretion to change prior to a
Change in Control one or more benefit plans, including but not limited to
pension plans, dental plans, health care plans, savings plans, bonus plans,
vacation pay plans, disability plans, and the like.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                              SUCCESSOR TO COMPANY

The Company shall require any successor or assignee, whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all the
business or assets of the Company, expressly and unconditionally to assume and
agree to perform the Company's obligations under this Agreement, in the same
manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if
no such succession or assignment had taken place. In such event, the term
"Company," as used in this Agreement, shall mean the Company as herein before
defined and any successor or assignee to the business or assets which by reason
hereof becomes bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE V

                             LEGAL FEES AND EXPENSES

The Company shall pay as they become due all legal fees, costs of litigation and
other expenses incurred in good faith by you as a result of the Company's
refusal or failure to make the Severance Payment to which you become entitled
under this Agreement, as a result of the Company's contesting the validity,
enforceability or interpretation of this Agreement or of your right to benefits
hereunder, or with regard to any Dispute (as

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defined in Section 2.3(b)). You shall be conclusively presumed to have acted in
good faith unless a court makes a final determination not otherwise subject to
appeal to the contrary.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                   ARBITRATION

Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.3, you shall have the right and option
(but not the obligation) to elect (in lieu of litigation) to have any dispute or
controversy arising under or in connection with this Agreement not otherwise
resolved through the claims procedure set forth in Section 7.12, including any
dispute under Section 2.3, settled by arbitration, conducted before a panel of
three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by you within fifty (50) miles
from the location of your job with the Employer immediately prior to the Change
in Control (determined without regard to any relocation thereof which
constitutes an Enumerated Event), in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the award of
the arbitrator in any court having jurisdiction. All expenses of such
arbitration, including the fees and expenses of your counsel, shall be borne,
and paid as incurred, by the Company; provided that the Company shall only be
required to pay your fees and expenses if they are incurred in good faith. You
shall be conclusively presumed to have acted in good faith unless and until the
arbitrator makes a final determination to the contrary. Notwithstanding any
provision of this Agreement to the contrary, you shall be entitled to seek
specific performance of your right to be paid until the Date of Termination
during the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection
with this Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

7.1      Applicable Law

To the extent not preempted by the laws of the United States and in the interest
of interpreting this Agreement in a uniform manner with other similar agreements
being entered into by the Company with other of its and its Subsidiaries' and
Affiliates' employees regardless of the jurisdiction in which you are employed
or any other factor, the laws of the State of Illinois shall be the controlling
law in all matters relating to this Agreement, regardless of the choice-of-law
rules of the State of Illinois or any other jurisdiction.

7.2      Construction

No term or provision of this Agreement shall be construed so as to require the
commission of any act contrary to law, and wherever there is any conflict
between any provision of this Agreement and any present or future statute, law,
ordinance, or

                                       12

<PAGE>

regulation contrary to which the parties have no legal right to contract, the
latter shall prevail, but in such event the affected provision of this Agreement
affected shall be curtailed and limited only to the extent necessary to bring
such provision within the requirements of the law.

7.3      Severability

If a provision of this Agreement shall be held illegal or invalid, the
illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining parts of this Agreement
and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid
provision had not been included.

7.4      Headings

The Section headings in this Agreement are inserted only as a matter of
convenience, and in no way define, limit, or extend or interpret the scope of
this Agreement or of any particular Section.

7.5      Termination Procedures and Compensation During Dispute

         (a)    Notice of Termination.  After a Change in Control and during the
                ---------------------
         Term, any purported termination of your employment (other than by
         reason of death) shall be communicated by a written Notice of
         Termination from the Employer to you or by you to the Employer in
         accordance with Section 7.10 hereof. For purposes of this Agreement, a
         "Notice of Termination" shall mean a notice which shall indicate the
          ---------------------
         specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon and shall
         set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
         provide a basis for termination of your employment under the provision
         so indicated. Further, a Notice of Termination for Just Cause is
         required to include a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
         affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters (3/4) of the entire
         membership of the board of directors of the Employer at a meeting of
         such board of directors which was called and held for the purpose of
         considering such termination (after reasonable notice to you and an
         opportunity for you, together with your counsel, to be heard before
         such board of directors) finding that, in the good faith opinion of
         such board of directors, you were guilty of conduct set forth in
         clause (a) or (b) of the definition of Just Cause herein, and
         specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

         (b)    Date of Termination. "Date of Termination," with respect to any
                -------------------   -------------------
         purported termination of your employment after a Change in Control and
         during the Term, shall mean (i) if your employment is terminated for
         Disability, thirty (30) days after Notice of Termination is given
         (provided that you shall not have returned to the full-time performance
         of your duties during such thirty (30) day period), and (ii) if your
         employment is terminated for any other reason, the date specified in
         the Notice of Termination (which, in the case of a termination by the
         Company, shall not be less than thirty (30) days (except in the case of
         a

                                       13

<PAGE>

         termination for Just Cause) and, in the case of a termination by you,
         shall not be less than fifteen (15) days nor more than sixty (60) days,
         respectively, from the date such Notice of Termination is given).

         (c)    Dispute Concerning Termination.  If within fifteen (15) days
                ------------------------------
         after any Notice of Termination is given, or, if later, prior to the
         Date of Termination (as determined without regard to this Section
         7.5(c)), the party receiving such Notice of Termination notifies the
         other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, the Date
         of Termination shall be extended until the earlier of (i) the date on
         which the Term ends or (ii) the date on which the dispute is finally
         resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the parties or by a
         final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of
         competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to
         which the time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been
         perfected); provided, however, that the Date of Termination shall be
         extended by a notice of dispute given by you only if such notice is
         given in good faith and you pursue the resolution of such dispute with
         reasonable diligence.

         (d)    Compensation During Dispute. If a purported termination occurs
                ---------------------------
         following a Change in Control and during the Term and the Date of
         Termination is extended in accordance with Section 7.5(c) hereof, the
         Company shall continue to pay you the full compensation in effect when
         the notice giving rise to the dispute was given (including, but not
         limited to, salary) and continue you as a participant in all
         compensation, benefit and insurance plans in which you were
         participating when the notice giving rise to the dispute was given,
         until the Date of Termination, as determined in accordance with Section
         7.5(c) hereof. Amounts paid under this Section 7.5(d) are in addition
         to all other amounts due under this Agreement and shall not be offset
         against or reduce any other amounts due under this Agreement.

7.6      Assignability

Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest therein shall be assignable or
transferable (whether by pledge, grant of a security interest, or otherwise) by
you, your beneficiaries or legal representatives, except by will or by the laws
of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall
inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and you and
shall be enforceable by them and your legal personal representatives.

7.7      Entire Agreement

This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and you
regarding the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, if any,
understandings and arrangements, written or oral, between the Company and you
with respect to the subject matter hereof.

                                       14

<PAGE>

7.8      Term

The term of this Agreement (the "Term") shall commence on the date hereof and
shall continue in effect through December 31, 2003; provided, however, that
commencing on January 1, 2003 and each January 1 thereafter, the Term shall
automatically be extended for one additional year unless, not later than
September 30 of the preceding year, the Company or you shall have given notice
not to extend the Term; and further provided, however, that if a Change in
Control shall have occurred during the Term, the Term shall expire no earlier
than twenty-four (24) months beyond the month in which such Change in Control
occurred. If you become entitled to Severance Payments hereunder, this Agreement
shall continue and be effective until you (or the person(s) specified in Section
2.5) shall have received in full all Severance Payments and other benefits to
which you are entitled under this Agreement, at which time this Agreement shall
terminate for all purposes.

7.9      Amendment

No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such
waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by you and
the Company. No waiver by the Company or you at any time of any breach by the
other party of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement
to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or
dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or any prior or subsequent time.
No agreement or representations, written or oral, express or implied, with
respect to the subject matter hereof, have been made by either party which are
not expressly set forth in this Agreement.

7.10     Notices

For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided
for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when
personally delivered or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses last given by each party
to the other, provided that all notices to the Company or the Employer shall be
directed to the attention of the Board of Directors with a copy to the General
Counsel of the Company. All notices and communications shall be deemed to have
been received on the date of delivery thereof or on the third business day after
the mailing thereof, except that notice of change of address shall be effective
only upon actual receipt. No objection to the method of delivery may be made if
the written notice or other communication is actually received.

7.11     Administration

The Company has entered into agreements similar to this Agreement herein with
other employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates. These
agreements, taken together, constitute a welfare benefit plan within the meaning
of Section 3(1) of ERISA. The Administrator of such plan, within the meaning of
Section 3(16) of ERISA, and the Named Fiduciary thereof, within the meaning of
Section 402 of ERISA, is the Company.

                                       15

<PAGE>

7.12     Claims

If you believe you are entitled to a benefit under this Agreement, you may make
a claim for such benefit by filing with the Company a written statement setting
forth the amount and type of payment so claimed. The statement shall also set
forth the facts supporting the claim. The claim may be filed by mailing or
delivering it to the Secretary of the Company. Within 90 calendar days after
receipt of such a claim, the Company shall notify you in writing of its action
on such claim and if such claim is not allowed in full, shall state the
following in a manner calculated to be understood by you:

         (a)    The specific reason or reasons for the denial;

         (b)    Specific reference to pertinent provisions of this Agreement on
         which the denial is based;

         (c)     A description of any additional material or information
         necessary for you to be entitled to the benefits that have been denied
         and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary;
         and

         (d)     An explanation of this Agreement's claim review procedure.

If you disagree with the action taken by the Company, you or your duly
authorized representative may apply to the Company for a review of such action.
Such application shall be made within 60 calendar days after receipt by you of
the notice of the Company's action on your claim. The application for review
shall be filed in the same manner as the claim for benefits. In connection with
such review, you may inspect any documents or records pertinent to the matter
and may submit issues and comments in writing to the Company. A decision by the
Company shall be communicated to you within 60 calendar days after receipt of
the application (unless special circumstances require an extension of time, but
in no event more than 120 days after such receipt). The decision on review shall
be in writing and shall include specific reasons for the decision, written in a
manner calculated to be understood by you, and specific references to the
pertinent provisions of this Agreement on which the decision is based.

7.13     Individual Severance Agreement

This Agreement constitutes an individual severance agreement for purposes of the
Company's Severance Plan (the "Severance Plan"). Accordingly, you will not be
                               --------------
eligible to receive any severance payments or other benefits under the Severance
Plan.

                                       16

<PAGE>

If this Agreement is acceptable to you, please sign the enclosed copy of this
Agreement in the space provided below and return it to me.

Sincerely,

Richard C. Vie
Chairman of the Board, President and CEO

ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

By:________________________________

                                       17<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.6

                                  UNITRIN, INC.

                                 SEVERANCE PLAN

             Unitrin, Inc. (the "Company") hereby adopts, effective January 1,
                                 -------
2002, the Unitrin, Inc. Severance Plan (the "Plan") for the benefit of certain
                                             ----
employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, on the terms and
conditions hereinafter stated.

             The Plan, as set forth herein, is intended to help retain qualified
employees, maintain a stable work environment and provide economic security to
certain employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates in the
event of a Qualifying Termination following a Change in Control. The Plan, as a
"severance pay arrangement" within the meaning of Section 3(2)(B)(i) of ERISA,
is intended to be excepted from the definitions of "employee pension benefit
plan" and "pension plan" set forth under Section 3(2) of ERISA, and is intended
to meet the descriptive requirements of a plan constituting a "severance pay
plan" within the meaning of regulations published by the Secretary of Labor at
Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, (S) 2510.3-2(b).

Section 1.   DEFINITIONS.  As hereinafter used:
             -----------

             1.1 "Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2
                  ---------
promulgated under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

             1.2 "Annual Compensation" shall mean:
                  -------------------

                 (a) with respect to a Severed Employee who was a salaried
          employee immediately prior to his or her Qualifying Termination, such
          Severed Employee's rate of annual base salary as in effect immediately
          prior to such Severed Employee's Qualifying Termination, without
          regard to any decrease in such salary constituting Good Reason;

                 (b) with respect to a Severed Employee who was compensated
          primarily based on commissions immediately prior to his or her
          Qualifying Termination, the total commissions earned by such Severed
          Employee with respect to the 12 full calendar month period ending
          immediately prior to such Severed Employee's Qualifying Termination,
          without regard to any decrease in the rate of such commissions
          constituting Good Reason;

                 (c) with respect to a Severed Employee who was compensated
          based on an hourly rate of pay immediately prior to his or her
          Qualifying Termination, the total hourly wages earned by such Severed
          Employee with respect to the 12 full calendar month period ending
          immediately prior to such Severed Employee's Qualifying Termination,
          without regard to any decrease in the Severed Employee's hourly rate
          of pay constituting Good Reason;

<PAGE>

           1.3 "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3
                ----------------
under the Exchange Act.

           1.4 "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, or any
                -----
successor thereto.

           1.5 "Cause" shall mean, with respect to a termination of the
                -----
Employee's employment with the Employer, (a) fraud, misappropriation of or
intentional material damage to the property or business of the Company
(including its Subsidiaries and Affiliates), which in any such case is
materially injurious to the Company (including its Subsidiaries and Affiliates),
monetarily or otherwise, or (b) the conviction of the Employee for the
commission of a felony.

           1.6 A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if the
                  -----------------
event set forth in any one of the following paragraphs shall have occurred:

                 (a) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or
      indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities
      beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from
      the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates) representing 25% or
      more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
      securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in
      connection with a transaction described in clause (i) of paragraph (c)
      below; or

                 (b) the following individuals cease for any reason to
      constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals
      who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board and any new director (other
      than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with
      an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election of
      directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or
      nomination for election by the Company's shareholders was approved or
      recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still
      in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose
      appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so
      approved or recommended; or

                 (c) there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the
      Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other
      corporation, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which results in the
      directors of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation
      continuing to constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of
      the Company, the surviving entity or any parent thereof or (ii) a merger
      or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company
      (or similar transaction) in which no Person is or becomes the Beneficial
      Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including
      in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities
      acquired directly from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
      Affiliates) representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the
      Company's then outstanding securities; or

                                        2

<PAGE>

                 (d) the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
      liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an
      agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
      substantially all of the Company's assets, other than a sale or
      disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's
      assets immediately following which the individuals who comprise the Board
      immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of the board of
      directors of the entity to which such assets are sold or disposed or any
      parent thereof.

                 1.7  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it
                       ----
may be amended from time to time.

                 1.8  "Disability" shall mean a physical or mental condition
                       ----------
entitling the Employee to benefits under the applicable long-term disability
plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or if no such plan
exists, causing the Employee to be unable to substantially perform his or her
duties with the Employer for at least 6 months in any 12-month period.

                 1.9  "Employee" shall mean any person who is employed by the
                       --------
Employer on a full-time basis and whose compensation is reported on a Form W-2.
For purposes of this Plan, an Employee shall be considered to continue to be
employed by the Employer on a full-time basis during sick leave, military leave
or any other leave of absence approved by the Employer.

                 1.10 The "Employer" of an Employee shall mean the Company or
                           --------
any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company by which such Employee is employed.

                 1.11 "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security
                       -----
Act of 1974, as it may be amended from time to time.

                 1.12 "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
                       ------------
1934, as amended.

                 1.13 "Good Reason" shall mean the occurrence of any one or more
                       -----------
of the following events without the Employee's express written consent:

                 (a) a reduction in the Employee's base salary, commission rate
      or hourly rate of pay, as applicable, as in effect immediately prior to
      the Change in Control, or a material reduction in the compensation and
      benefit plans, arrangements, policies and procedures, taken as a whole,
      provided to the Employee from those, taken as a whole, provided to the
      Employee immediately prior to the Change in Control;

                 (b) a material reduction in the Employee's job authority and
      responsibility;

                 (c) the Employer requires the Employee to change the location
      of his or her job or office, so that he or she will be based at a location
      more than

                                        3

<PAGE>

      thirty miles from the location of his or her job or office immediately
      prior to the Change in Control; or

                 (d) a successor company fails or refuses to assume the
      Company's obligations under this Plan, as required by Section 5.4 hereof
      (and for purposes of a termination of an Employee's employment for Good
      Reason as described in this subsection (d), the date on which any such
      succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Employee's Severance
      Date).

                 1.14 "Level I Employee" shall mean any Employee who is
                       ----------------
primarily compensated by commissions with at least three continuous years of
service with the Employer as of the date of such Employee's Qualifying
Termination.

                 1.15 "Level II Employee" shall mean any Employee who is not
                       -----------------
primarily compensated by commissions and whose Annual Compensation is greater
than $150,000.

                 1.16 "Level III Employee" shall mean any Employee who is not
                       ------------------
primarily compensated by commissions and whose Annual Compensation is at least
$100,000 and not more than $150,000.

                 1.17 "Level IV Employee" shall mean any Employee who is not
                       -----------------
primarily compensated by commissions and whose Annual Compensation is at least
$50,000 and less than $100,000.

                 1.18 "Level V Employee" shall mean any Employee who is not
                       ----------------
primarily compensated by commissions and whose Annual Compensation is less than
$50,000.

                 1.19 "Person" shall have 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 (a) the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates, (b) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities
under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates, (c) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an
offering of such securities, (d) 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, (e) any individual, entity or group whose
ownership of securities of the Company is reported on Schedule 13G pursuant to
Rule 13d-1 promulgated under the Exchange Act (but only for so long as such
ownership is so reported) or (f) Singleton Group LLC or any successor in
interest to such entity.

                 1.20 "Plan Administrator" shall mean the committee appointed to
                       ------------------
administer the Plan. Such committee shall be selected by the Board. Following a
Change in Control, a person may be appointed to such committee only by a
two-thirds majority of the individuals who were members of the Board immediately
prior to such Change in Control.

                 1.21 A "Potential Change in Control" shall be deemed to occur
                         ---------------------------
in the event that (a) the Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of
which would result in a Change in Control, (b) the Company or any Person
publicly announces an

                                        4

<PAGE>

intention to take or to consider taking action which, if consummated would
constitute a Change in Control, (c) any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner,
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 15% or more of
either the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities (not
including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities
acquired directly from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates) or
(d) the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Plan,
a Potential Change in Control has occurred.

                 1.22 "Qualifying Termination" shall mean a termination of an
                       ----------------------
Employee's employment during the 2-year period immediately following a Change in
Control, either (a) by the Employer without Cause or (b) by the Employee for
Good Reason. A termination of employment will not be deemed to have occurred
upon (i) the transfer of the Employee to employment with a Subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Company or (ii) the divestiture of a business with which the
Employee is primarily associated if the Employee is offered comparable
employment by the successor company.

                 1.23 "Severance Benefits" shall mean the payments and benefits
                       ------------------
provided to Severed Employees pursuant to Sections 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 hereof.

                 1.24 "Severance Date" shall mean the date on which an Employee
                       --------------
incurs a Qualifying Termination.

                 1.25 "Severance Weeks" means, for each Employee, one week for
                       ---------------
(a) each full year such Employee has been continuously employed by the Employer,
plus (without duplication), if there has been a break in such Employee's
employment with the Employer, (b) each full year of employment for which such
Employee has received credit under any retirement plan or program maintained by
the Employer for employment prior to such break, but in no event less than four
(4) weeks or more than twenty six (26) weeks (thirteen (13) weeks in the case of
a Level I Employee). For purposes of calculating an Employee's full years of
employment, (x) any partial year of employment of at least thirty five (35)
weeks shall count as a full year of employment and (y) employment at one
Employer shall count (without duplication) toward the number of years of
employment at another Employer, provided that (i) there is no break (other than
as the result of vacation or sick leave, military leave or other approved leave
of absence) in the employment between the two Employers or (ii) such Employee
has received credit under any retirement plan or program maintained by the
Employer for such years of employment prior to such break.

                 1.26 "Severed Employee" shall mean an Employee who has incurred
                       ----------------
a Qualifying Termination.

                 1.27 "Subsidiary" shall mean any entity more than 50% of the
                       ----------
voting securities of which are Beneficially Owned by the Company.

                 Additional definitions are set forth within the Plan and shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

                                        5

<PAGE>

Section 2. BENEFITS.
           --------

           2.1 The Company shall pay (or shall cause the Severed Employee's
Employer to pay) to each Severed Employee a severance payment (the "Severance
                                                                    ---------
Payment") equal to:
-------

               (a) in the case of a Level I Employee, the product of (i)
     one-fifty-second (1/52) of his or her Annual Compensation and (ii) his or
     her Severance Weeks.

               (b) in the case of a Level II Employee, one year's Annual
     Compensation plus the product of (i) one-fifty-second (1/52) of his or her
     Annual Compensation and (ii) his or her Severance Weeks.

               (c) in the case of a Level III Employee, thirty-five-fifty
     seconds (35/52) of his or her Annual Compensation plus the product of (i)
     one-fifty-second (1/52) of his or her Annual Compensation and (ii) his or
     her Severance Weeks.

               (d) in the case of a Level IV Employee, seventeen-fifty seconds
     (17/52) of his or her Annual Compensation plus the product of (i)
     one-fifty-second (1/52) of his or her Annual Compensation and (ii) his or
     her Severance Weeks.

               (e) in the case of a Level V Employee, the product of (i)
     one-fifty-second (1/52) of his or her Annual Compensation and (ii) his or
     her Severance Weeks.

The Severance Payment shall be paid to such Severed Employee in a lump sum as
soon as practicable following the Severed Employee's Qualifying Termination. The
Severance Payment that a Severed Employee receives under this Plan shall not be
taken into account for purposes of determining benefits under any other
qualified or nonqualified plans of the Employer.

           2.2 For a period equal to a number of weeks (not to exceed fifty-two
(52) in total) equal to the sum of (i) the Severed Employee's Severance Weeks
and (ii) in the case of (a) Level I Employees, eight (8) weeks, (b) Level II and
III Employees, fifty-two (52) weeks, (c) Level IV Employees, thirty-five (35)
weeks, and (d) Level V Employees, seventeen (17) weeks (the "Welfare Benefit
                                                             ---------------
Continuation Period"), the Company shall provide (or shall cause the Severed
-------------------
Employee's Employer to provide) the Severed Employee and anyone entitled to
claim under or through such Severed Employee with all Employer-provided benefits
under any group health plan (including any dental coverage) and life insurance
plan of the Employer (as in effect immediately prior to such Severed Employee's
Severance Date or, if more favorable to the Severed Employee, immediately prior
to the Change in Control) for which employees of the Employer are eligible, to
the same extent as if such Severed Employee had continued to be an employee of
the Employer during the Welfare Benefit Continuation Period, at no greater cost
to the Severed Employee than the cost to the Severed Employee immediately prior
to such date.

                                        6

<PAGE>

To the extent that the Severed Employee's participation in Employer benefit
plans is not practicable, the Company shall arrange to provide, at the Company's
sole expense, the Severed Employee and anyone entitled to claim under or through
such Severed Employee with equivalent health and life insurance benefits under
an alternative arrangement during the Welfare Benefit Continuation Period. The
coverage period for purposes of the group health continuation requirements of
Section 4980B of the Code shall commence at the expiration of the Welfare
Benefit Continuation Period. The benefits described in this Section 2.2 shall
end as of the date the Severed Employee becomes covered under any group health
plan maintained by a subsequent employer which provides benefits to the Severed
Employee (and anyone entitled to claim the benefits described in this Section
2.2 under or through such Severed Employee) not materially less favorable than
the benefits described in this Section 2.2, and which does not exclude any
pre-existing condition that the Severed Employee or his or her dependents may
have at that time.

           2.3 Outplacement.
               ------------

               (a) Each Level II and III Employee who is entitled to receive a
     Severance Payment under Section 2.1 shall also be entitled to receive
     outplacement services consisting of counseling, networking, spousal
     programs and the use of a private office. Such outplacement services will
     be provided for a maximum of thirty-nine (39) weeks by a reputable
     organization selected by the Company. These outplacement services will be
     paid for by the Company.

               (b) Each Level IV Employee who is entitled to receive a Severance
     Payment under Section 2.1 shall also be entitled to receive outplacement
     services consisting of counseling, group workshops and the use of a
     semi-private office. Such outplacement services will be provided for a
     maximum of twenty-six (26) weeks by a reputable organization selected by
     the Company. These outplacement services will be paid for by the Company.

               (c) Each other Employee who is entitled to receive a Severance
     Payment under Section 2.1 shall also be entitled to receive outplacement
     services consisting of group workshops, resume writing assistance and
     help-line support. Such outplacement services will be provided for a
     maximum of eight (8) weeks by a reputable organization selected by the
     Company. These outplacement services will be paid for by the Company.

           2.4 In the event of a claim by an Employee as to the amount or timing
of any payment or benefit under the Plan, such Employee shall present the reason
for his or her claim in writing to the Plan Administrator. The Plan
Administrator shall, within 90 days after receipt of such written claim, send a
written notification to the Employee as to its disposition. In the event the
claim is wholly or partially denied, such written notification shall (a) state
the specific reason or reasons for the denial, (b) make specific reference to
pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, (c) provide a
description of any additional material or information necessary for the Employee
to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is
necessary, and (d) set forth the procedure by which the Employee may appeal the
denial of his or her

                                        7

<PAGE>

claim. In the event an Employee wishes to appeal the denial of his or her claim,
he or she may request a review of such denial by making application in writing
to the Plan Administrator within 60 days after receipt of such denial. Such
Employee (or his or her duly authorized legal representative) may, upon written
request to the Plan Administrator, review any documents pertinent to his or her
claim, and submit in writing issues and comments in support of his or her
position. Within 60 days after receipt of a written appeal (unless special
circumstances require an extension of time, but in no event more than 120 days
after such receipt), the Plan Administrator shall notify the Employee of the
final decision. The final decision shall be in writing and shall include
specific reasons for the decision, written in a manner calculated to be
understood by the claimant, and specific references to the pertinent Plan
provisions on which the decision is based.

           2.5 Any further dispute or controversy arising under or in connection
with this Plan with respect to an Employee shall be settled exclusively by
arbitration at a location within fifty miles from the location of such
Employee's job with an Employer immediately prior to the Change in Control
(determined without regard to any relocation thereof which constitutes Good
Reason) in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association
then in effect; provided, however, that the evidentiary standards set forth in
                --------  -------
this Agreement shall apply. Judgment may be entered on the award of the
arbitrator in any court having jurisdiction. Each party shall bear its own
expenses of such arbitration.

           2.6 Cap.
               ---

               (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, in the
     event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by the
     Employee in connection with a Change in Control or the termination of the
     Employee's employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
     any other plan, arrangement or agreement with the Company, any Person whose
     actions result in a Change in Control or any Person Affiliated with the
     Company or such Person) (all such payments and benefits, including the
     Severance Benefits, being hereinafter called "Total Payments") would not be
                                                   --------------
     deductible (in whole or part), by the Company, Affiliate or Person making
     such payment or providing such benefit as a result of Section 280G of the
     Code, then, to the extent necessary to make such portion of the Total
     Payments deductible (and after taking into account any reduction in the
     Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other
     plan, arrangement or agreement), the cash Severance Payments shall first be
     reduced (if necessary, to zero), and all other Severance Payments shall
     thereafter be reduced (if necessary, to zero); provided, however, that the
                                                    --------  -------
     Employee may elect to have the noncash Severance Payments reduced (or
     eliminated) prior to any reduction of the cash Severance Payments.

               (b) For purposes of this limitation, (i) no portion of the Total
     Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which the Employee shall have waived
     at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a "payment" within the
     meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code shall be taken into account, (ii) no
     portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the
     opinion of tax counsel

                                       8

<PAGE>

     ("Tax Counsel") reasonably acceptable to the Employee and selected by the
       -----------
     accounting firm which was, immediately prior to the Change in Control, the
     Company's independent auditor (the "Auditor"), does not constitute a
                                         -------
     "parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code,
     including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (iii) the
     Severance Benefits shall be reduced only to the extent necessary so that
     the Total Payments (other than those referred to in clauses (i) or (ii)) in
     their entirety constitute reasonable compensation for services actually
     rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code or are
     otherwise not subject to disallowance as deductions by reason of Section
     280G of the Code, in the opinion of Tax Counsel, and (iv) the value of any
     noncash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total
     Payments shall be determined by the Auditor in accordance with the
     principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.

               (c) If it is established pursuant to a final determination of a
     court or an Internal Revenue Service proceeding that, notwithstanding the
     good faith of the Employee and the Company in applying the terms of this
     Section 2.6, the Total Payments paid to or for the Employee's benefit are
     in an amount that would result in any portion of such Total Payments being
     subject to the Excise Tax, then, if such repayment would result in (i) no
     portion of the remaining Total Payments being subject to the Excise Tax and
     (ii) a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the Employee's taxable income and
     wages for purposes of federal, state and local income and employment taxes,
     the Employee shall have an obligation to pay the Company upon demand an
     amount equal to the sum of (i) the excess of the Total Payments paid to or
     for the Employee's benefit over the Total Payments that could have been
     paid to or for the Employee's benefit without any portion of such Total
     Payments being subject to the Excise Tax; and (ii) interest on the amount
     set forth in clause (i) of this sentence at the rate provided in Section
     1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code from the date of the Employee's receipt of such
     excess until the date of such payment.

Section 3. PLAN ADMINISTRATION.
           -------------------

           3.1 The Plan shall be interpreted, administered and operated by the
Plan Administrator, which shall have complete authority, in its sole discretion
subject to the express provisions of the Plan, to determine who shall be
eligible for Severance Benefits, to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend and
rescind rules and regulations relating to it, and to make all other
determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

           3.2 All questions of any character whatsoever arising in connection
with the interpretation of the Plan or its administration or operation shall be
submitted to and settled and determined by the Plan Administrator in an
equitable and fair manner in accordance with the procedure for claims and
appeals described in Section 2.4 hereof.

           3.3 The Plan Administrator may delegate any of its duties hereunder
to such person or persons from time to time as it may designate.

                                        9

<PAGE>

           3.4 The Plan Administrator is empowered, on behalf of the Plan, to
engage accountants, legal counsel and such other personnel as it deems necessary
or advisable to assist it in the performance of its duties under the Plan. The
functions of any such persons engaged by the Plan Administrator shall be limited
to the specified services and duties for which they are engaged, and such
persons shall have no other duties, obligations or responsibilities under the
Plan. Such persons shall exercise no discretionary authority or discretionary
control respecting the management of the Plan. All reasonable expenses thereof
shall be borne by the Company.

Section 4. PLAN MODIFICATION OR TERMINATION.
           --------------------------------

           The Plan may be amended by the Plan Administrator or terminated by
the Board at any time; provided, however, that (a) no termination or amendment
                       --------  -------
of the Plan may reduce the Severance Benefits to be paid or provided under the
Plan to an Employee if the Employee's termination of employment with the
Employer has occurred prior to such termination of the Plan or amendment of its
provisions and (b) during the pendency of a Potential Change in Control and
during the two-year period following a Change in Control, the Plan may not be
terminated or amended, if such amendment would be adverse to the interests of
any Employee or his or her beneficiary, without the consent of such Employee or
beneficiary.

Section 5. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
           ------------------

           5.1 Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, none of the
payments, benefits or rights of any Employee shall be subject to any claim of
any creditor, and, in particular, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all
such payments, benefits and rights shall be free from attachment, garnishment,
trustee's process, or any other legal or equitable process available to any
creditor of such Employee. No Employee shall have the right to alienate,
anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber or assign any of the benefits or payments
which he or she may expect to receive, contingently or otherwise, under this
Plan.

           5.2 Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any modification
thereof, nor the creation of any fund, trust or account, nor the payment of any
benefits shall be construed as giving any Employee, or any person whomsoever,
the right to be retained in the service of the Employer, and all Employees shall
remain subject to discharge to the same extent as if the Plan had never been
adopted.

           5.3 If any provision of this Plan shall be held invalid or
unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other
provisions hereof, and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such
provisions had not been included.

           5.4 The Company shall require any successor or assignee, whether
direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or
substantially all the business or assets of the Company, expressly and
unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Company's obligations under
this Plan, in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be
required to perform if no such succession or

                                       10

<PAGE>

assignment had taken place. In such event, the term "Company," as used in this
Plan, shall mean the Company as herein before defined and any successor or
assignee to the business or assets which by reason hereof becomes bound by the
terms and provisions of this plan.

           5.5  The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and
convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and shall not be
employed in the construction of the Plan.

           5.6  The Plan shall not be funded. No Employee shall have any right
to, or interest in, any assets of the Company which may be applied by the
Company to the payment of benefits or other rights under this Plan.

           5.7  Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an
incompetent person or other person incapable of giving a receipt therefor shall
be deemed paid when paid to such person's guardian or to the party providing or
reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such person, and such payment
shall fully discharge the Company, the Plan Administrator and all other parties
with respect thereto. If a Severed Employee dies prior to the payment of all
benefits due such Severed Employee, such unpaid amounts shall be paid to the
executor, personal representative or estate of such Employee.

           5.8  The Severance Benefits that a Severed Employee may be entitled
to receive pursuant to this Plan are not intended to be duplicative of any
similar benefits to which a Severed Employee may be entitled from the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates under any other severance plan, agreement,
policy or program maintained by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
Affiliates or to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates is a
party. Accordingly, the Company shall reduce the benefits to which a Severed
Employee may be entitled under this Plan to take account of any other similar
benefits to which the Severed Employee is entitled from the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; provided, however, that if the amount of
benefits to which such Severed Employee is entitled under such other severance
plan, agreement, policy or program is greater than the benefits to which the
Severed Employee is entitled under this Plan, the Severed Employee will be
entitled to receive the full amount of the benefits to which such Employee is
entitled under such other plan, agreement, policy or program.

           5.9  Any notice or other communication required or permitted pursuant
to the terms hereof shall have been duly given when delivered or mailed by
United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, addressed to the intended
recipient at his, her or its last known address.

           5.10 This Plan shall be construed and enforced according to the laws
of the State of Illinois, without giving effect to its principles of conflicts
of law, to the extent not preempted by federal law, which shall otherwise
control.

                                       11

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