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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.4

                         LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
                 2005 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR EXECUTIVES

                          (EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 30, 2004)

                               ARTICLE I PURPOSE

                  The Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation
Plan (the "Plan") is established by Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., effective
December 30, 2004 to allow designated management and highly compensated
employees to defer a portion of their current salary and bonus compensation.

                  The Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code,
created by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, and shall be construed and
interpreted in accordance with such intent.

                  It is intended that the Plan will aid in attracting and
retaining employees of exceptional ability by providing these benefits. The
terms and conditions of the Plan are set forth below.

                    ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

                  Section 2.1 Definitions. Whenever the following terms are used
in this Plan they shall have the meanings specified below unless the context
clearly indicates to the contrary:

                  (a)      "Account": The bookkeeping account maintained for
         each Participant showing his or her interest under the Plan.

                  (b)      "Accounting Date": December 31 of each year and the
         last day of any calendar quarter in which a Participant's Settlement
         Date occurs.

                  (c)      "Accounting Period": The period beginning on the day
         immediately following an Accounting Date and ending on the next
         following Accounting Date.

                  (d)      "Administrator": The committee established pursuant
         to the provisions of Section 7.1.

                  (e)      "Base Salary": The base earnings earned by a
         Participant and payable to him by the Corporation with respect to a
         Plan Year without regard to any increases or decreases in base earnings
         as a result of an election to defer base earnings under this Plan, or
         an election between benefits or cash provided under a plan of the
         Corporation maintained pursuant to Section 125 or 401(k) of the Code.

                  (f)      "Beneficiary": The person or persons (natural or
         otherwise), within the meaning of Section 6.6, who are entitled to
         receive distribution of the Participant's Account balance in the event
         of the Participant's death.

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                  (g)      "Board": The Board of Directors of Holdings.

                  (h)      "Bonus": Any bonus earned by a Participant and
         payable to him by the Corporation with respect to any bonus plan year
         ending within a Plan Year without regard to any decreases as a result
         of an election to defer any portion of a bonus under this Plan, or an
         election between benefits or cash provided under a plan of the
         Corporation maintained pursuant to Section 125 or 401(k) of the Code.

                  (i)      "Code": The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
         from time to time; any reference to a provision of the Code shall also
         include any successor provision thereto.

                  (j)      "Committee": The Compensation Committee of the Board.

                  (k)      "Compensation": The amount of Base Salary plus
         Bonuses earned by a Participant and payable to him by the Corporation
         with respect to a Plan Year.

                  (l)      "Corporation": Holdings and any Participating
         Employer or any successor or successors thereto.

                  (m)      "Deferral Commitment": An agreement by a Participant
         to have a specified percentage or dollar amount of his or her
         Compensation deferred under the Plan.

                  (n)      "Deferral Period": The Plan Year for which a
         Participant has elected to defer a portion of his or her Compensation.

                  (o)      "Disability": A Participant shall be considered to
         have a Disability if the Participant (i) is unable to engage in any
         substantial activity by reason of any medically determinable physical
         or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be
         expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12)
         months, or (ii) is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or
         mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be
         expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12)
         months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less
         than three (3) months under the Corporation's plan providing benefits
         for short term disability.

                  (p)      "Effective Date": December 30, 2004.

                  (q)      "Employee": Any employee of the Corporation who is,
         as determined by the Committee, a member of a "select group of
         management or highly compensated employees" of the Corporation, within
         the meaning of Sections 201, 301 and 401 of ERISA, and who is
         designated by the Committee as an Employee eligible to participate in
         the Plan.

                  (r)      "Employee Savings Plan": The Lincoln Electric
         Holdings, Inc. Employee Savings Plan.

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                  (s)      "ERISA": The Employee Retirement Income Security Act
         of 1974, as amended from time to time; any reference to a provision of
         ERISA shall also include any successor provision thereto.

                  (t)      "Financial Hardship": A severe financial hardship to
         the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the
         Participant, the Participant's spouse, or a dependent of the
         Participant, loss of the Participant's property due to casualty, or
         other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as
         a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.

                  (u)      "Holdings": Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc., an Ohio
         corporation.

                  (v)      "Investment Funds": Has the meaning set forth in
         Section 5.3.

                  (w)      "Investment Request": An investment preference
         request filed by a Participant which (i) shall apply with respect to
         contributions credited to the Participant's Account until the timely
         filing of a subsequent Investment Request and (ii) shall determine the
         manner in which such credited contributions shall be initially
         allocated by the Participant among the various Investment Funds within
         the Plan. A subsequent Investment Request may be submitted in writing
         to the Administrator by the Participant. Such Investment Request will
         be effective on the first business day of the next calendar month
         following receipt by the Administrator of such Investment Request.

                  (x)      "Investment Re-Allocation Request": An investment
         preference request filed by a Participant which shall re-direct the
         manner in which earlier credited amounts to a Participant's Account, as
         well as any appreciation (or depreciation) to-date, are invested within
         the deemed Investment Funds available in the Plan. An Investment
         Re-Allocation Request may be submitted in writing to the Administrator
         by the Participant. Such Investment Re-Allocation Request will be
         effective on the first business day of the next calendar month with
         respect to the balance of the Participant's Account following receipt
         by the Administrator of such Investment Re-Allocation Request.

                  (y)      "Participant": An Employee participating in the Plan
         in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1 or a former Employee
         retaining benefits under the Plan that have not been fully paid.

                  (z)      "Participating Employer": The Lincoln Electric
         Company, and any other subsidiary or affiliate of Holdings that adopts
         the Plan with the consent of the Committee. Any Participating Employer
         that adopts the Plan and thereafter ceases to exist, ceases to be a
         subsidiary or affiliate or Holdings or withdraws from the Plan shall no
         longer be considered a Participating Employer unless otherwise
         determined by the Committee.

                  (aa)     "Participation Agreement": The Agreement submitted by
         a Participant to the Administrator with respect to one (1) or more
         Deferral Commitments.

                  (bb)     "Plan": The Plan set forth in this instrument as it
         may, from time to time, be amended.

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                  (cc)     "Plan Year": The twelve (12) - month period beginning
         January 1 through December 31, commencing with the Plan Year beginning
         January 1, 2005.

                  (dd)     "Retirement": Termination of employment with the
         Corporation on or after attainment of age sixty (60), or on or after
         attainment of age fifty-five (55) and completion of twenty-five (25)
         years of service (as measured under the Corporation's Retirement
         Annuity Program).

                  (ee)     "Settlement Date": The date on which a Participant
         terminates employment with the Corporation. Leaves of absence granted
         by the Corporation will not be considered as termination of employment
         during the term of such leave. Settlement Date will also include a date
         selected by the Participant pursuant to Section 6.3.

                  (ff)     "Specified Employee": An Employee (up to a maximum of
         fifty (50) individuals) who, at any time during the Plan Year, is (i)
         an officer of the Corporation having an annual compensation greater
         than $130,000, (ii) a five percent (5%) owner of the Corporation, or
         (iii) a one percent (1%) owner of the Corporation having an annual
         compensation from the Corporation of more than $150,000.

                  Section 2.2 Construction. The masculine or feminine gender,
where appearing in the Plan, shall be deemed to include the opposite gender, and
the singular may include the plural, unless the context clearly indicates to the
contrary. The words "hereof," "herein," "hereunder," and other similar compounds
of the word "here" shall mean and refer to the entire Plan, and not to any
particular provision or Section.

                    ARTICLE III PARTICIPATION AND DEFERRALS

                  Section 3.1 Eligibility and Participation.

                  (a)      Eligibility. Eligibility to participate in the Plan
         for any Deferral Period is limited to those management and/or highly
         compensated Employees of the Corporation (i) who are designated, from
         time to time, by the Committee, and (ii) who have elected to make the
         maximum elective contributions permitted them under the terms of the
         Employee Savings Plan for such Deferral Period.

                  (b)      Participation. An eligible Employee may elect to
         participate in the Plan with respect to any Deferral Period by
         submitting a Participation Agreement to the Administrator (i) with
         respect to a Deferral Commitment of an eligible Employee's Base Salary,
         by the last business day immediately preceding the applicable Deferral
         Period, and (ii) with respect to a Deferral Commitment of an eligible
         Employee's Bonus, by a date not later than six (6) months prior to the
         end of the applicable Deferral Period in which the Bonus is paid.

                  (c)      Initial Year of Participation. Except as provided in
         Section 3.1(d), in the event that an individual first becomes eligible
         to participate during a Plan Year and wishes to elect a Deferral
         Commitment with respect to the Compensation earned by and payable to
         the individual during such Plan Year, a Participation Agreement must be

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         submitted to the Administrator no later than thirty (30) days following
         such individual's initial eligibility. Any Deferral Commitments elected
         in such Participation Agreement shall be effective only with regard to
         Compensation earned following the submission of the Participation
         Agreement to the Administrator. If an eligible Employee does not submit
         a Participation Agreement within such period of time, such individual
         will not be eligible to participate in the Plan until the first day of
         a Deferral Period subsequent to the Deferral Period in which the
         individual initially became eligible to participate.

                  (d)      Participation for 2005. In the event that an
         individual wishes to elect a Deferral Commitment with respect to the
         Compensation earned by and payable to the individual during the Plan
         Year beginning January 1, 2005, a Participation Agreement must be
         submitted to the Administrator on or before March 15, 2005. Any
         Deferral Commitments elected in such Participation Agreement shall be
         effective only with regard to Compensation that has not been paid or
         become payable at the time of election, as provided in A-21 of Notice
         2005-1, published by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue
         Service on December 20, 2004. If an Eligible Employee does not submit a
         Participation Agreement within such period of time, such individual
         will not be eligible to participate in the Plan until the first day of
         a Deferral Period subsequent to 2005.

                  (e)      Termination of Participation. Participation in the
         Plan shall continue as long as the Participant is eligible to receive
         benefits under the Plan.

                  Section 3.2 Ineligible Participant. Notwithstanding any other
provisions of this Plan to the contrary, if the Administrator determines that
any Participant may not qualify as a "management or highly compensated employee"
within the meaning of ERISA, or regulations thereunder, the Administrator may
determine, in its sole discretion, that such Participant shall cease to be
eligible to participate in this Plan. Upon such determination, the Corporation
shall make an immediate lump sum payment to the Participant equal to the amount
credited to his or her Account. Upon such payment no benefit shall thereafter be
payable under this Plan either to the Participant or any Beneficiary of the
Participant, and all of the Participant's elections as to the time and manner of
payment of his or her Account will be deemed to be cancelled.

                  Section 3.3 Amount of Deferral.

                  (a)      With respect to each Deferral Period, a Participant
         may elect to defer a specified dollar amount or percentage of his or
         her Compensation, provided the amount the Participant elects to defer
         under this Plan and the Employee Savings Plan shall not exceed the sum
         of eighty percent (80%) of his or her Base Salary plus eighty percent
         (80%) of his or her Bonus with respect to such Deferral Period. Such
         amount to be deferred shall be indicated in the Participant's
         Participation Agreement. A Participant may choose to have amounts
         deferred under this Plan deducted from his or her Base Salary, Bonus or
         a combination of both, which shall also be indicated in the
         Participant's Participation Agreement.

                  (b)      For the first Deferral Period, a Participant may
         elect to defer all or any portion of his or her Base Salary and/or
         Bonus earned or payable after the later of the

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         effective date of the Participation Agreement or the date of filing the
         Participation Agreement with the Administrator, provided the total
         deferred amount for such Deferral Period does not exceed the annual
         limitations under this Section 3.3 computed for the calendar year.

                  (c)      A Participant may change the dollar amount or
         percentage of his or her Compensation to be deferred by filing a
         written notice thereof with the Administrator. Any such change shall be
         effective as of the first day of the Deferral Period immediately
         succeeding the Deferral Period in which such notice is filed with the
         Administrator.

                  Section 3.4 Modification of Deferral Commitments. A Deferral
Commitment shall be irrevocable, except that the Administrator may, in its sole
discretion, permit a Participant to terminate prospectively any Deferral
Commitment for a Deferral Period. If a Participant terminates a Deferral
Commitment during a Deferral Period, such Participant will not be permitted to
enter into a new Deferral Commitment until the following Deferral Period.

                       ARTICLE IV PARTICIPANTS' ACCOUNTS

                  Section 4.1 Establishment of Accounts. The Corporation,
through its accounting records, shall establish an Account for each Participant.
In addition, the Corporation may establish one (1) or more sub-accounts of a
Participant's Account, if the Corporation determines that such sub-accounts are
necessary or appropriate in administering the Plan.

                  Section 4.2 Elective Deferred Compensation. A Participant's
Compensation that is deferred pursuant to a Deferral Commitment shall be
credited to the Participant's Account within thirty (30) days following the date
the corresponding non-deferred portion of his or her Compensation would have
been paid to the Participant. Any withholding of taxes or other amounts with
respect to Deferred Compensation which is required by state, federal or local
laws shall be withheld from the Participant's Deferred Compensation.

                  Section 4.3 Determination of Accounts.

                  (a)      The amount credited to each Participant's Account as
of a particular date shall equal the deemed balance of such Account as of such
date. The balance in the Account shall equal the amount credited pursuant to
Section 4.2, and shall be adjusted in the manner provided in Section 4.4.

                  (b)      The Corporation, through its accounting records,
shall maintain a separate and distinct record of the amount in each Account as
adjusted to reflect income, gains, losses, withdrawals and distributions.

                  Section 4.4 Adjustments to Accounts.

                  (a)      Each Participant's Account shall be debited with the
amount of any distributions under the Plan to or on behalf of the Participant
or, in the event of his or her death, his or her Beneficiary during the
Accounting Period ending on such Accounting Date.

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                  (b)      The Participant's Account shall next be credited or
debited, as the case may be, on a daily basis with the performance of each
deemed Investment Fund based on the manner in which the balance of such
Participant's Account has been allocated among the deemed Investment Funds
provided for in Article V. The performance of each deemed Investment Fund
(either positive or negative) will be determined by the Administrator, in its
sole discretion.

                  (c)      Earnings on any amounts deemed to have been invested
in any deemed Investment Fund will be deemed to have been reinvested as the
Committee so determines.

                  Section 4.5 Statement of Accounts. As soon as practicable
after the end of each Plan Year, a statement shall be furnished to each
Participant or, in the event of his or her death, to his or her Beneficiary
showing the status of his or her Account as of the end of the Plan Year, any
changes in his or her Account since the end of the immediately preceding Plan
Year, and such other information as the Administrator shall determine.

                  Section 4.6 Vesting of Accounts. Subject to Section 5.1, each
Participant shall at all times have a nonforfeitable interest in his or her
Account balance.

                        ARTICLE V FINANCING OF BENEFITS

                  Section 5.1 Financing of Benefits. Benefits payable under the
Plan to a Participant or, in the event of his or her death, to his or her
Beneficiary shall be paid by the Corporation from its general assets. The
payment of benefits under the Plan represents an unfunded, unsecured obligation
of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the fact that the Participants' Accounts may
be adjusted by an amount that is measured by reference to the performance of any
deemed Investment Funds as provided in Section 5.3, no person entitled to
payment under the Plan shall have any claim, right, security interest or other
interest in any fund, trust, account, insurance contract, or asset of the
Corporation which may be responsible for such payment.

                  Section 5.2 Security For Benefits. Notwithstanding the
provisions of Section 5.1, nothing in this Plan shall preclude the Corporation
from setting aside amounts in trust (the "Trust") pursuant to one (1) or more
trust agreements between a trustee and the Corporation. However, no Participant
or Beneficiary shall have any secured interest or claim in any assets or
property of the Corporation or the Trust and all funds contained in the Trust
shall remain subject to the claims of the Corporation's general creditors.

                  Section 5.3 Deemed Investments. The Committee may designate
one (1) or more separate investment funds or vehicles or measures for crediting
earnings, including, without limitation, certificates of deposit, mutual funds,
money market accounts or funds, limited partnerships, or debt or equity
securities, including equity securities of the Corporation (measured by market
value, book value or any formula selected by the Committee), in which the amount
credited to a Participant's Account will be deemed to be invested (collectively,
the "Investment Funds"). An Investment Request or Investment Re-Allocation
Request will advise the Administrator as to the Participant's preference with
respect to Investment Funds for all or

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some portion of the amounts credited to a Participant's Account in specified
multiples of one percent (1%).

                  Section 5.4 Change of Investment Request Election.

                  (a)      A Participant may change his or her Investment
         Request prospectively as of the first business day of any calendar
         month by giving the Administrator prior written notice by filing an
         Investment Request, with respect to contributions subsequently credited
         to a Participant's Account.

                  (b)      A Participant may change his or her Investment
         Re-Allocation Request prospectively as of the first business day of any
         calendar month by giving the Administrator prior written notice by
         filing an Investment Re-Allocation Request, with respect to all or a
         portion of the Participant's Account.

                  (c)      The Administrator may, but is under no obligation to,
         deem the amounts credited to a Participant's Account to be invested in
         accordance with the Investment Request or Investment Re-Allocation
         Request made by the Participant, or the Committee may, instead, in its
         sole discretion, deem such Account to be invested in any deemed
         Investment Funds selected by the Committee.

                  (d)      Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the
                           contrary:

                           (i)      The Administrator, in its sole and absolute
                                    discretion (but subject to the requirements
                                    of applicable law) may temporarily suspend,
                                    in whole or in part, certain Plan
                                    transactions, including without limitation,
                                    the right to change investment preference
                                    allocation elections and/or the right to
                                    receive a distribution or withdrawal from a
                                    Participant's Account in the event of any
                                    conversion, change in recordkeepers, change
                                    in Investment Funds and/or Plan merger,
                                    spin-off or similar corporate change.

                           (ii)     In the event of a change in Investment Funds
                                    and/or a Plan merger, spin-off or similar
                                    corporate change, the Administrator, in its
                                    sole and absolute discretion may decide to
                                    map investments from a Participant's prior
                                    investment preference allocation elections
                                    to the then available Investment Funds under
                                    the Plan. In the event that investments are
                                    mapped in this manner, the Participant will
                                    be permitted to reallocate funds among the
                                    Investment Funds (in accordance with this
                                    Section 5.4) after the suspension period
                                    described in Section 5.4(d)(i), if any, has
                                    ended.

                      ARTICLE VI DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

                  Section 6.1 Settlement Date. A Participant or, in the event of
his or her death, his or her Beneficiary will be entitled to distribution of the
balance of his or her Account, as provided in this Article VI, following his or
her Settlement Date or Dates.

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                  Section 6.2 Amount to be Distributed. The amount to which a
Participant or, in the event of his or her death, his or her Beneficiary is
entitled in accordance with the following provisions of this Article shall be
based on the Participant's adjusted account balance determined as of the
Accounting Date coincident with or next following his or her Settlement Date or
Dates.

                  Section 6.3 In Service Distribution. A Participant may elect
to receive an in service distribution of his or her deferred Compensation for
any Deferral Period in a single lump sum payment on a date which is at least one
(1) year after the date of such Deferral Period. A Participant's election of an
in service distribution shall be filed in writing with the Administrator at the
same time as is filed his or her election to participate as provided in Section
3.1. Any benefits paid to the Participant as an in service distribution shall
reduce the Participant's Account.

                  Section 6.4 Form of Distribution.

                  (a)      As soon as practicable after the end of the
         Accounting Period in which a Participant's Settlement Date occurs, but
         in no event later than thirty (30) days following the end of such
         Accounting Period, the Corporation shall commence distribution or cause
         distribution to be commenced, to the Participant or, in the event of
         his or her death, to his or her Beneficiary, of the balance of the
         Participant's Account, as determined under Section 6.2, under one (1)
         of the forms provided in this Section 6.4, as specified in the
         Participant's Participation Agreement.

                  (b)      Notwithstanding the foregoing, if elected by the
         Participant in his or her Participation Agreement, the distribution of
         the balance of the Participant's Account may commence on (i) a date
         between a Settlement Date following his or her Retirement and the date
         the Participant attains age sixty-five (65) or (ii) with respect to a
         lump sum distribution, the beginning of the second calendar year
         commencing after the Participant's Retirement. Anything in this Plan to
         the contrary notwithstanding, if a Participant terminates employment
         with the Corporation prior to his or her Retirement, the balance of his
         or her Account shall be distributed in a single lump sum payment;
         provided, however, that if the Participant is a Specified Employee,
         said lump-sum distribution may not be made before the date which is six
         (6) months after the date of the Participant's termination of
         employment.

                  (c)      Distribution of a Participant's Account following his
         or her Retirement or death shall be made in one (1) of the following
         forms as elected by the Participant in his or her Participation
         Agreement:

                           (i)      by payment in cash in five (5) annual
                                    installments; or

                           (ii)     by payment in cash in ten (10) annual
                                    installments; or

                           (iii)    by payment in cash in fifteen (15) annual
                                    installments; or

                           (iv)     by payment in cash in a single lump sum;

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         provided, however, that in the event of a Participant's death, if the
         balance in his or her Account is then less than $35,000, such balance
         shall be distributed in a single lump sum payment; provided further,
         that if the Participant is a Specified Employee, said lump-sum
         distribution may not be made before the date which is six (6) months
         after the date of the Participant's termination of employment.

                  (d)      The Participant's election of the form and date of
         distribution shall be provided for in the Participant's Participation
         Agreement. Any such election may be changed by the Participant without
         the consent of any other person by filing a later signed written
         election with the Administrator; provided, however, that any subsequent
         election that alters the payment form designated in the Participant's
         original Participation Agreement (i) may not take effect for at least
         twelve (12) months; (ii) must be made at least twelve (12) months prior
         to the due date of the first payment under the Participant's original
         Participation Agreement; and (iii) must extend payment of a
         Participant's Account at least five (5) years from the due date of the
         first payment under the Participant's original Participation Agreement.

                  (e)      The amount of each installment shall be equal to the
         quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's Account balance as of
         the date of such installment payment by the number of installment
         payments remaining to be made to or in respect of such Participant at
         the time of calculation.

                  (f)      If a Participant fails to make an election in a
         timely manner as provided in this Section 6.4 or Section 6.5,
         distribution shall be made in a single lump sum payment.

                  Section 6.5 Beneficiary Designation. As used in the Plan the
term "Beneficiary" means:

                  (a)      The last person designated as Beneficiary by the
         Participant in a written notice on a form prescribed by the
         Administrator;

                  (b)      If there is no designated Beneficiary or if the
         person so designated shall not survive the Participant, such
         Participant's spouse; or

                  (c)      If no such designated Beneficiary and no such spouse
         is living upon the death of a Participant, or if all such persons die
         prior to the full distribution of the Participant's Account balance,
         then the legal representative of the last survivor of the Participant
         and such persons, or, if the Administrator shall not receive notice of
         the appointment of any such legal representative within one (1) year
         after such death, the heirs-at-law of such survivor (in the proportions
         in which they would inherit his or her intestate personal property)
         shall be the Beneficiaries to whom the then remaining balance of the
         Participant's Account shall be distributed.

Prior to the Participant's death, any Beneficiary designation may be changed
from time to time by like notice similarly delivered. No notice given under this
Section shall be effective unless and until the Administrator actually receives
such notice.

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                  Section 6.6 Facility of Payment. Whenever and as often as any
Participant or his or her Beneficiary entitled to payments hereunder shall be
under a legal disability or, in the sole judgment of the Administrator, shall
otherwise be unable to apply such payments to his or her own best interests and
advantage, the Administrator in the exercise of its discretion may direct all or
any portion of such payments to be made in any one (1) or more of the following
ways: (i) directly to him; (ii) to his or her legal guardian or conservator; or
(iii) to his or her spouse or to any other person, to be expended for his or her
benefit; and the decision of the Administrator, shall in each case be final and
binding upon all persons in interest.

                  Section 6.7 Hardship Distributions. Upon a finding by the
Administrator that a Participant has suffered a Financial Hardship, the
Administrator may, in its sole discretion, distribute, or direct the Trustee to
distribute, to the Participant an amount which does not exceed the amount
required to meet the immediate financial needs created by the Financial
Hardship, plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result
of the distribution and are not otherwise available through reimbursement or
compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Participant's
assets (to the extent that the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause
severe financial hardship to the Participant). No distributions pursuant to this
Section 6.7 may be made in excess of the value of the Participant's Account at
the time of such distribution.

                  Section 6.8 Coordination with Other Benefits. The benefits
provided for a Participant and Participant's Beneficiary under the Plan are in
addition to any other benefits available to such Participant under any other
plan or program for employees of the Corporation. The Plan shall supplement and
shall not supersede, modify or amend any other such plan or program except as
may otherwise be expressly provided.

             ARTICLE VII ADMINISTRATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

                  Section 7.1 Administration. The Plan shall be administered by
an Administrator consisting of one (1) or more persons who shall be appointed by
and serve at the pleasure of the Board. The Administrator shall have such powers
as may be necessary to discharge its duties hereunder, including, but not by way
of limitation, to construe and interpret the Plan and determine the amount and
time of payment of any benefits hereunder. The Administrator may, from time to
time, employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees
fit, and may from time to time consult with legal counsel who may be counsel to
the Corporation. The Administrator shall have no power to add to, subtract from
or modify any of the terms of the Plan, or to change or add to any benefits
provided under the Plan, or to waive or fail to apply any requirements of
eligibility for a benefit under the Plan. No member of the Administrator shall
act in respect of his or her own Account. All decisions and determinations by
the Administrator shall be final and binding on all parties. All decisions of
the Administrator shall be made by the vote of the majority, including actions
in writing taken without a meeting. All elections, notices and directions under
the Plan by a Participant shall be made on such forms as the Administrator shall
prescribe.

                  Section 7.2 Plan Administrator. The Corporation shall be the
"administrator" under the Plan for purposes of ERISA.

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<PAGE>

                  Section 7.3 Amendment, Termination and Withdrawal.

                  (a)      In general. The Plan may be amended from time to time
         or may be terminated at any time by the Board. Except as provided in
         Section 7.3(b), no amendment or termination of the Plan, however, may
         adversely affect the amount or timing of payment of any person's
         benefits accrued under the Plan to the date of amendment or termination
         without such person's written consent.

                  (b)      Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. The Plan is
         intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code and shall be construed
         and interpreted in accordance with such intent. The Plan may be amended
         from time to time by the Board to effect required compliance under
         Section 409A of the Code as additional guidance is issued.

                  Section 7.4 Successors. The Corporation shall require any
successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation,
reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Corporation expressly to assume and to agree to perform this Plan
in the same manner and to the same extent the Corporation would be required to
perform if no such succession had taken place. This Plan shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the Corporation and any successor of or to the
Corporation, including without limitation any persons acquiring directly or
indirectly all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the
Corporation whether by sale, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise
(and such successor shall thereafter be deemed the "Corporation" for the
purposes of this Plan), and the heirs, beneficiaries, executors and
administrators of each Participant.

                  Section 7.5 Claims Procedure.

                  (a)      Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, the
         Administrator will determine the rights of any Participant to any
         benefits hereunder. Any employee or former employee of the Company who
         believes that he has not received any benefit under the Plan to which
         he believes he is entitled, may file a claim in writing with the
         Administrator. The Administrator will, no later than ninety (90) days
         after the receipt of a claim, either allow or deny the claim by written
         notice to the claimant; provided, however, that if the Administrator
         determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for
         processing of an employee's claim, the Administrator will provide
         written notice of the extension to the employee within such ninety
         (90)-day period. In no event will the extension of time to process the
         claim exceed a period of ninety (90) days from the end of the initial
         ninety (90)-day review period. If a claimant does not receive written
         notice of the Administrator's decision on his or her claim within the
         first ninety (90)-day review period (or the one-hundred and eighty
         (180)-day review period, in the case of special circumstances as
         determined by the Administrator), the claim will be deemed to have been
         denied in full.

                  (b)      A denial of a claim by the Administrator, wholly or
         partially, will be written in a manner calculated to be understood by
         the claimant and will include:

                           (i)      the specific reason or reasons for the
                                    adverse determination;

                                       12
<PAGE>

                           (ii)     specific reference to pertinent Plan
                                    provisions on which the denial is based;

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

                           (iv)     an explanation of the claim review procedure
                                    and the time limits applicable to such
                                    procedures, including a statement of a
                                    claimant's right to bring a civil action
                                    under ERISA following an adverse benefit
                                    determination on review.

                  (c)      A claimant whose claim is denied (or his duly
         authorized representative) may, within sixty (60) days after receipt of
         denial of his or her claim, request a review of such denial by the
         Committee by filing with the Secretary of the Committee a written
         request for review of his or her claim. If the claimant does not file a
         request for review with the Committee within such sixty (60)-day
         period, the claimant will be deemed to have acquiesced in the original
         decision of the Committee on his or her claim. If a written request for
         review is so filed within such sixty (60)-day period, the Committee
         will conduct a full and fair review of such claim. During such full
         review, the claimant will be given the opportunity to, upon request and
         free of charge, obtain reasonable access to and copies of all
         documents, records and other information that are pertinent to his or
         her claim and to submit issues and comments in writing. The Committee
         will notify the claimant of its decision on review within sixty (60)
         days after receipt of a request for review; provided, however, that if
         the Committee determines that special circumstances require an
         extension of time for processing of an employee's claim, the Committee
         will provide written notice of the extension to the employee within
         such sixty (60)-day review period. In no event will the extension of
         time to process the claim exceed a period of sixty (60) days from the
         end of the initial sixty (60)-day review period. If a claimant does not
         receive written notice of the Committee's decision on his or her claim
         within the first sixty (60)-day review period (or the one-hundred and
         eighty (180)-day review period, in the case of special circumstances as
         determined by the Committee), the claim will be deemed to have been
         denied on review. Notice of the decision on review will be in writing.

                  Section 7.6 Expenses. All expenses of the Plan shall be paid
by the Corporation from funds other than those deemed Investment Funds as
provided in Section 5.3, except that brokerage commissions and other transaction
fees and expenses relating to the investment of deemed assets and investment
fees attributable to commingled investment of such assets shall be paid from or
charged to such assets or earnings thereon.

                           ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS

                  Section 8.1 No Guarantee of Employment. Nothing contained in
the Plan shall be construed as a contract of employment between the Corporation
and any Employee, or as a right of any Employee, to be continued in the
employment of the Corporation, or as a limitation of the right of the
Corporation to discharge any of its Employees, with or without cause.

                                       13
<PAGE>

                  Section 8.2 Applicable Law. All questions arising in respect
of the Plan, including those pertaining to its validity, interpretation and
administration, shall be governed, controlled and determined in accordance with
the applicable provisions of federal law and, to the extent not preempted by
federal law, the laws of the State of Ohio.

                  Section 8.3 Interests Not Transferable. No person shall have
any right to commute, encumber, pledge or dispose of any interest herein or
right to receive payments hereunder, nor shall such interests or payments be
subject to seizure, attachment or garnishment for the payments of any debts,
judgments, alimony or separate maintenance obligations or be transferable by
operation of law in the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or otherwise, all
payments and rights hereunder being expressly declared to be nonassignable and
nontransferable.

                  Section 8.4 Severability. Each section, subsection and lesser
section of this Plan constitutes a separate and distinct undertaking, covenant
and/or provision hereof. Whenever possible, each provision of this Plan shall be
interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law. In
the event that any provision of this Plan shall finally be determined to be
unlawful, such provision shall be deemed severed from this Plan, but every other
provision of this Plan shall remain in full force and effect, and in
substitution for any such provision held unlawful, there shall be substituted a
provision of similar import reflecting the original intention of the parties
hereto to the extent permissible under law.

                  Section 8.5 Withholding of Taxes; Withholding Indemnification
Agreement. The Corporation may withhold or cause to be withheld from any amounts
payable under this Plan all federal, state, local and other taxes as shall be
legally required; provided, however, that the Corporation, in its sole
discretion may determine not to withhold or cause to be withheld such taxes from
any amounts payable under this Plan to a Participant who is a non-resident of
the State of Ohio, provided, that such Participant submits a tax withholding
indemnification agreement (in the form set forth by the Corporation) to the
Administrator no later than thirty (30) days prior to a Participant's Settlement
Date.

                  Section 8.6 Top-Hat Plan. The Plan is intended to be a plan
which is unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred
compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees
within the meaning of Sections 201, 301 and 401 of ERISA, and therefore to be
exempt from the provisions of Parts 2, 3 and 4 of Title I of ERISA.

                                       14
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. has caused
this Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for
Executives to be executed in its name as of December 30, 2004.

                                        LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

                                        By:
                                           ------------------------------------
                                        Its: Chairman, Chief Executive Officer

Date: December __, 2004

                                       15
<PAGE>

                         LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

                 2005 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR EXECUTIVES

                          (EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 30, 2004)

<PAGE>

                         LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
                 2005 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN FOR EXECUTIVES
                          (EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 30, 2004)

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            PAGE
<S>                <C>                                                                                      <C>
ARTICLE I          PURPOSE....................................................................................1

ARTICLE II         DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION...............................................................1

    Section 2.1    Definitions................................................................................1

    Section 2.2    Construction...............................................................................4

ARTICLE III        PARTICIPATION AND DEFERRALS................................................................4

    Section 3.1    Eligibility and Participation..............................................................4

    Section 3.2    Ineligible Participant.....................................................................5

    Section 3.3    Amount of Deferral.........................................................................5

    Section 3.4    Modification of Deferral Commitments.......................................................6

ARTICLE IV         PARTICIPANTS' ACCOUNTS.....................................................................6

    Section 4.1    Establishment of Accounts..................................................................6

    Section 4.2    Elective Deferred Compensation.............................................................6

    Section 4.3    Determination of Accounts..................................................................6

    Section 4.4    Adjustments to Accounts....................................................................6

    Section 4.5    Statement of Accounts......................................................................7

    Section 4.6    Vesting of Accounts........................................................................7

ARTICLE V          FINANCING OF BENEFITS......................................................................7

    Section 5.1    Financing of Benefits......................................................................7

    Section 5.2    Security For Benefits......................................................................7

    Section 5.3    Deemed Investments.........................................................................7

    Section 5.4    Change of Investment Request Election......................................................8

ARTICLE VI         DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS...................................................................8

    Section 6.1    Settlement Date............................................................................8

    Section 6.2    Amount to be Distributed...................................................................9

    Section 6.3    In Service Distribution....................................................................9

    Section 6.4    Form of Distribution.......................................................................9

    Section 6.5    Beneficiary Designation...................................................................10
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            PAGE
<S>                <C>                                                                                      <C>
    Section 6.6    Facility of Payment.......................................................................11

    Section 6.7    Hardship Distributions....................................................................11

    Section 6.8    Coordination with Other Benefits..........................................................11

ARTICLE VII        ADMINISTRATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.................................................11

    Section 7.1    Administration............................................................................11

    Section 7.2    Plan Administrator........................................................................11

    Section 7.3    Amendment, Termination and Withdrawal.....................................................12

    Section 7.4    Successors................................................................................12

    Section 7.5    Claims Procedure..........................................................................12

    Section 7.6    Expenses..................................................................................13

ARTICLE VIII       MISCELLANEOUS.............................................................................13

    Section 8.1    No Guarantee of Employment................................................................13

    Section 8.2    Applicable Law............................................................................14

    Section 8.3    Interests Not Transferable................................................................14

    Section 8.4    Severability..............................................................................14

    Section 8.5    Withholding of Taxes; Withholding Indemnification Agreement...............................14

    Section 8.6    Top-Hat Plan..............................................................................14
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-<PAGE>

Exhibit No. 10(A)

                           THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
                              2005 GAINSHARING PLAN

1.    The Progressive Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively
      "Progressive" or the "Company") have adopted The Progressive Corporation
      2005 Gainsharing Plan (the "Plan") as part of their overall compensation
      program. The Plan is performance-based and is administered under the
      direction of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of The
      Progressive Corporation (the "Committee").

2.    Plan participants for each Plan year shall be selected by the Committee
      from those officers and regular employees of Progressive who are assigned
      primarily to the Core Business (as defined below), another operating
      business unit or a corporate support function. The gainsharing
      opportunity, if any, for those executive officers who participate in The
      Progressive Corporation 2004 Executive Bonus Plan ("Executive Plan") will
      be provided by and be a component of that plan, although participants in
      the Executive Plan may also participate in this Plan if and to the extent
      determined by the Committee. Plan years will coincide with Progressive's
      fiscal years.

3.    Annual Gainsharing Payments under the Plan will be determined by
      application of the following formula:

            Annual Gainsharing Payment = Paid Earnings x Target Percentage x
            Performance Factor

4.    Paid Earnings for any Plan year shall mean and include: (a) regular, used
      Earned Time Benefit, sick, holiday, funeral and overtime pay received by
      the participant during the Plan year for work or services performed during
      the Plan year as an officer or employee of Progressive, and (b)
      retroactive payments of any of the foregoing items relating to the same
      Plan year.

      For purposes of the Plan, Paid Earnings shall not include any short-term
      or long-term disability payments made to the participant, the earnings
      replacement component of any worker's compensation award, any lump sum
      merit award, payments from the merit cash pool or any other bonus or
      incentive compensation awards and unused Earned Time Benefit.

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the sum of the regular, used Earned Time
      Benefit, sick, holiday and funeral pay received by a participant for a
      Plan year exceeds his/her salary range maximum for the Plan year
      (determined on an individual pay period basis as of the end of the 24th
      pay period), then his/her Paid Earnings for that Plan year shall equal
      his/her salary range maximum, plus any of the following items received by
      such participant for that Plan year: (a) overtime pay, and (b) retroactive
      payments of regular,
                                       1
<PAGE>

      used Earned Time Benefit, sick, holiday, overtime and funeral pay relating
      to that Plan year.

5.    Target Percentages vary by position. Target Percentages for Plan
      participants typically are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         POSITION                                  TARGET %
--------------------------------------------------------          ----------
<S>                                                               <C>
Senior Executives, Executive Level Managers and Business           60 - 135%
Leaders

Directors of Large Functional Areas                                   35-60%

Senior Managers                                                       20-35%

Middle Managers                                                       15-20%

Senior Professionals and Entry Level Managers                        9 - 15%

Administrative Support and Entry Level Professionals                  0 - 8%
</TABLE>

      Target Percentages will be established within the above ranges by, and may
      be changed with the approval of, the following officers of The Progressive
      Corporation (collectively, the "Designated Executives"): (a) the Chief
      Executive Officer, and (b) either the Chief Human Resource Officer or the
      Chief Financial Officer. Target Percentages also may be changed from year
      to year by the Designated Executives.

6.    The Performance Factor

      A.    General

            The Performance Factor shall consist of one or more Profitability
            and Growth Components, as described below ("Performance
            Components"). The Performance Components may be weighted to reflect
            the nature of the individual participant's assigned
            responsibilities. The weighting factors may differ among
            participants and will be determined, and may be changed from year to
            year, by or under the direction of the Committee.

      B.    Profitability and Growth Components

            The Profitability and Growth Components measure the overall
            operating performance of Progressive's Core Business (including the
            Agency Business

                                       2
<PAGE>

            Segment, the Direct Business Segment and the Commercial Auto
            Business Segment, but excluding Midland Financial Group, Inc.), or a
            designated Business Segment, for the Plan year for which an Annual
            Gainsharing Payment is to be made. For purposes of computing a
            Performance Score for these Components, operating performance
            results are measured by one or more Performance Matrices, as
            established by or under the direction of the Committee for the Plan
            year, which assign a Performance Score to various combinations of
            profitability and growth outcomes. Except as provided below, under
            the Performance Matrices, profitability is measured by the GAAP
            Combined Ratio and growth is based on the year-to-year change in Net
            Earned Premiums.

            For 2005, and for each Plan year thereafter until otherwise
            determined by the Committee, separate Performance Scores will be
            determined, and separate Gainsharing Matrices will be used, for the
            Agency Business Segment, the Direct Business Segment and the
            Commercial Auto Business Segment. For purposes hereof, the Agency
            Business Segment includes Agency Auto (including Strategic Alliances
            Agency Auto) and Agency Special Lines. The Direct Business Segment
            includes Auto and Special Lines business produced by phone or over
            the Internet. For purposes of this Plan, the Midland Financial
            Group, Inc.'s results are excluded from the Agency, Direct and
            Commercial Auto Business Segments and, thus, from Core Business
            results. Net operating gains/losses from other Core products, if
            any, will be apportioned among the Agency, Direct and Commercial
            Auto Business Segments in accordance with the respective amount(s)
            of Net Earned Premiums generated by such products in each such
            Business Segment and the apportioned gains/losses will be included
            in the calculation of the Combined Ratio.

            The GAAP Combined Ratio will be separately determined for each of
            the Agency Business Segment, the Direct Business Segment and the
            Commercial Auto Business Segment. The GAAP Combined Ratio of each
            such Business Segment will then be matched with growth in Net Earned
            Premiums for such Business Segment using the applicable Gainsharing
            Matrix, to determine a Performance Score ("Standard Performance
            Computation").

            For 2005 and for each Plan year thereafter until otherwise
            determined by the Committee, a portion of the Annual Gainsharing
            Payment earned by members of the Direct Business Leadership Group
            (as defined below) will be determined by measuring operating results
            achieved by the Direct Business Segment in terms of certain modified
            profitability and growth criteria (as described below) and by
            comparing the results against pre-established targets that are set
            forth in a performance matrix approved by or under the direction of
            the Committee ("Modified Performance Computation"). The Modified
            Performance Computation will apply only to members of the Direct
            Business Leadership Group and only as and to the extent set forth
            below.

                                       3
<PAGE>

            The Direct Business Leadership Group includes the Direct Business
            Leader, the IT Director for the Direct Business Segment and all
            other employees assigned primarily to the Direct Business Segment
            who are eligible to participate in the Company's equity incentive
            plans and have been designated by the Direct Business Leader.

            For purposes of the Modified Performance Computation:

            (i)   Profitability is measured by the variance between (i) the GAAP
                  Combined Ratio for premium earned during the Plan year with
                  respect to new Auto and Special Lines policies written by the
                  Direct Business Segment, and (ii) a target Combined Ratio,
                  which is adjusted quarterly to reflect the then current
                  pricing targets established and business mix (i.e., the
                  percentage of business earned in each business line and risk
                  tier). The Combined Ratio and pricing targets are subject to
                  approval by or under direction of the Committee.

            (ii)  Growth is measured by the year-to-year change in Lifetime
                  Earned Premium (as defined below) for business written by the
                  Direct business Segment. Lifetime Earned Premium is the amount
                  of earned premium that the Company is projected to generate
                  over time with respect to new policies written by the Direct
                  Business Segment during a given Plan Year (including any
                  subsequent renewals thereof), which is determined by a
                  formula, as approved by or under the direction of the
                  Committee, that utilizes a combination of historical
                  experience data and statistical analysis.

      C.    Component Weighting

            For most participants, the Performance Factor will be determined
            solely by the performance results for the Core Business, consisting
            of the Agency, Direct and Commercial Auto Business Segments. The
            Performance Score for each such Business Segment will be separately
            determined, as described above, by application of the Standard
            Performance Computation and the appropriate Gainsharing Matrix. The
            resulting Performance Scores for each of the Agency, Direct and
            Commercial Auto Business Segments will then be multiplied by a
            weighting factor (based on the percentage of Net Earned Premiums
            generated by each such Business Segment during the Plan year), the
            weighted Performance Scores will be combined and the sum of the
            weighted Performance Scores will be the Performance Score for the
            Core Business.

            As noted above, for most participants, the Performance Factor will
            be the Performance Score for the Core Business. For certain
            employees designated by or under the direction of the Committee,
            however, the Performance Factor will be based on the Performance
            Scores for both the Core Business, as a whole, and their assigned
            Business Segment. Generally, for these employees,

                                       4
<PAGE>

            the Performance Factor will be based 50% on the Core Business
            Performance Score and 50% on their assigned Business Segment's
            Performance Score.

            With respect to each of the IT Business Leaders selected by the
            Designated Executives, the Performance Factor will be based on both
            the Core Business Performance Score and the Business Segment
            Performance Score of his or her assigned Business Segment, in such
            ratio or otherwise weighted as shall be determined by or under the
            direction of the Committee.

            Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, for members of the
            Direct Business Leadership Group, the Performance Factor will be
            based 50% on the Core Business Performance Score, 25% on the Direct
            Business Performance Score (Standard Performance Computation) and
            25% on the Direct Business Performance Score (Modified Performance
            Computation).

            The Performance Score for each Performance Component will be
            multiplied by the assigned weighting factor to produce a Weighted
            Performance Score. The sum of the Weighted Performance Scores equals
            the Performance Factor. The final Performance Factor can vary from 0
            to 2.0, based on actual performance versus the pre-established
            objectives. The Performance Factor cannot exceed 2.0, regardless of
            results.

7.    Subject to Paragraph 9 below, no later than December 31 of each Plan year,
      each participant will receive an initial payment in respect of his or her
      Annual Gainsharing Payment for that Plan year equal to 75% of an amount
      calculated on the basis of Paid Earnings for the first 24 pay periods of
      the Plan year, estimated earnings for the remainder of the Plan year,
      performance data through the first 11 months of the Plan year (estimated,
      if necessary) and forecasted operating results for the remainder of the
      Plan year. No later than February 15 of the following year, each
      participant will receive the balance of his or her Annual Gainsharing
      Payment, if any, for such Plan year, based on his or her Paid Earnings and
      performance data for the entire Plan year.

      Any Plan participant who is then eligible to participate in The
      Progressive Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan ("Deferral
      Plan") may elect to defer all or a portion of the Annual Gainsharing
      Payment otherwise payable to him/her under this Plan, subject to and in
      accordance with the terms of the Deferral Plan.

8.    If, for any Plan year, an employee has been selected to participate in
      both the Plan and another incentive plan offered by the Company, then with
      respect to such employee, the Gainsharing formula set forth in Paragraph 3
      hereof shall be appropriately adjusted by applying a weighting factor to
      reflect the proportion of the employee's total annual incentive
      opportunity that is being provided by the Plan. The Committee shall have
      full authority to determine the incentive plan or plans in which any
      employee shall participate during any plan year and, if an employee is
      selected to participate in more than one plan, the weighting factor that
      will apply to each such plan.

                                       5
<PAGE>

9.    Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, and except as expressly
      provided herein, in order to be entitled to receive an Annual Gainsharing
      Payment for any Plan year, the participant must be assigned to the Core
      Business or a participating business unit or support function, and be an
      active employee of the Company, on November 30 of the Plan year
      ("Qualification Date"). Individuals who are hired on or after December 1
      of any Plan year are not entitled to an Annual Gainsharing Payment for
      that Plan year.

      Any participant who is on a leave of absence covered by the Family and
      Medical Leave Act of 1993, personal leave of absence with the approval of
      the Company, military leave or short or long-term disability on the
      Qualification Date with respect to any Plan year will be entitled to
      receive an Annual Gainsharing Payment for such Plan year, calculated as
      provided in Paragraphs 3 through 6 above and based on the amount of Paid
      Earnings received by such participant during the Plan year.

      Annual Gainsharing will be net of any legally required deductions for
      federal, state and local taxes and other items.

10.   The right to any Annual Gainsharing Payment hereunder may not be sold,
      transferred, assigned or encumbered by any participant. Nothing herein
      shall prevent any participant's interest hereunder from being subject to
      involuntary attachment, levy or other legal process.

11.   The Plan shall be administered by or under the direction of the Committee.
      The Committee shall have the authority to adopt, amend, revise and repeal
      such rules, guidelines, procedures and practices governing the Plan as it
      shall, from time to time, in its sole discretion, deem advisable.

      The Committee shall have full authority to determine the manner in which
      the Plan will operate, to interpret the provisions of the Plan and to make
      all determinations hereunder. All such interpretations and determinations
      shall be final and binding on Progressive, all Plan participants and all
      other parties. No such interpretation or determination shall be relied on
      as a precedent for any similar action or decision.

      Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, all of the authority of the
      Committee hereunder (including, without limitation, the authority to
      administer the Plan, select the persons entitled to participate herein,
      interpret the provisions thereof, waive any of the requirements specified
      herein and make determinations hereunder and to select, approve,
      establish, change or modify Performance Components and their respective
      formulae, weighting factors, performance targets and Target Percentages)
      may be exercised by the Designated Executives. In the event of a dispute
      or conflict, the determination of the Committee will govern.

12.   The Plan may be terminated, amended or revised, in whole or in part, at
      any time and from time to time by the Committee, in its sole discretion.

                                       6
<PAGE>

13.   The Plan will be unfunded and all payments due under the Plan shall be
      made from Progressive's general assets.

14.   Nothing in the Plan shall be construed as conferring upon any person the
      right to remain a participant in the Plan or to remain employed by
      Progressive, nor shall the Plan limit Progressive's right to discipline or
      discharge any of its officers or employees or change any of their job
      titles, duties or compensation.

15.   Progressive shall have the unrestricted right to set off against or
      recover out of any Annual Gainsharing Payment or other sums owed to any
      participant under the Plan any amounts owed by such participant to
      Progressive.

16.   This Plan supersedes all prior plans, agreements, understandings and
      arrangements regarding bonuses or other cash incentive compensation
      payable to participants by or due from Progressive. Without limiting the
      generality of the foregoing, this Plan supersedes and replaces The
      Progressive Corporation 2004 Gainsharing Plan (the "Prior Plan"), which is
      and shall be deemed to be terminated as of January 1, 2005 (the
      "Termination Date"); provided, that any bonuses or other sums earned and
      payable under the Prior Plan with respect to any Plan year ended on or
      prior to the Termination Date shall be unaffected by such termination and
      shall be paid to the appropriate participants when and as provided
      thereunder.

17.   This Plan is adopted, and is to be effective, as of January 2, 2005, which
      is the commencement of Progressive's 2005 fiscal year. This Plan shall be
      effective for the 2005 Plan year (which coincides with Progressive's 2005
      fiscal year) and for each Plan year thereafter unless and until terminated
      by the Committee.

18.   This Plan shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws
      of the State of Ohio.

                                       7

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