Document:

PNM 12.31.2014 EX 10.1.2

062014

Exhibit 10.1.2
PNM RESOURCES, INC. 
EXECUTIVE SAVINGS PLAN II

        

062014

PNM RESOURCES, INC. 
EXECUTIVE SAVINGS PLAN II
PREAMBLE
Effective as of December 15, 2004, PNM Resources, Inc. (the “Company”) established the PNM Resources, Inc. Executive Savings Plan II (the “Plan”).  The purpose of the Plan is to permit certain key employees of the Company and its Affiliates who participate in the PNM Resources, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan (the “RSP”) to defer compensation and receive credits under this Plan without reference to the limitations on contributions in the RSP or those imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).  The Plan was previously amended and restated effective January 1, 2009 to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  The 2009 restated Plan was amended on two previous occasions.
Except as noted below, this amended and restated Plan document is effective as of January 1, 2015 (the “Effective Date”).  
ARTICLE I 
DEFINITIONS
1.1    General.  When a word or phrase appears in this Plan with the initial letter capitalized, and the word or phrase does not begin a sentence, the word or phrase shall generally be a term defined in this Article I.  The following words and phrases used in the Plan with the initial letter capitalized shall have the meanings set forth in this Article I, unless a clearly different meaning is required by the context in which the word or phrase is used or the word or phrase is defined for a limited purpose elsewhere in this Plan document:
(a)    “Account” means the Discretionary Credit Account, Matching Credit Account, Standard Credit Account, Supplemental Credit Account, Supplemental Deferral Account or other account into which contributions are contributed by the Company on behalf of the Participant pursuant to this Plan.  
(b)    “Adopting Affiliate” means any Affiliate of the Company that has been authorized by the Board of Directors to adopt the Plan and which has adopted the Plan in accordance with Section 2.5 (Adoption by Affiliates).  All Affiliates that adopted the Plan prior to this amendment and restatement shall continue as Adopting Affiliates.
(c)    “Affiliate” means (1) a corporation which is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) as is the Company, and (2) any other trade or business (whether or not incorporated) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code).
(d)    “After-Tax Retirement Plan” means the PNM Resources, Inc. After-Tax Retirement Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.  The After-Tax Retirement Plan will terminate on June 30, 2015.

        

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(e)    “Benefits Department” means the organizational unit of PNMR Services Company with responsibility for administering benefit programs sponsored by PNM Resources and its Affiliates.
(f)    “Benefits Governance Committee” means the Benefits Governance Committee or its successor appointed by the Company.
(g)    “Board” or “Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company, or any authorized committee of the Board.
(h)    “Change in Control” shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Retention Plan in which the Participant participates (i.e., the Officer Retention Plan or the Employee Retention Plan).  
(i)    “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(j)    “Company” means PNM Resources, Inc., and, to the extent provided in Section 10.6 (Successors) below, any successor corporation or other entity resulting from a merger or consolidation into or with the Company or a transfer or sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company.
(k)    “Company Stock” means common stock, no par value, issued by the Company.
(l)    “Company Stock Fund” means the hypothetical Investment Fund described in Section 5.3 (Special Company Stock Fund Provisions).
(m)    “Compensation” for purposes of determining the Matching and Standard Credits, means the Participant’s base salary and other elements of compensation that are considered under the RSP (as it may be amended from time to time) for purposes of calculating the Participant’s RSP Employer and Matching Contributions, respectively.  For purposes of determining the amount of a Participant’s permissible Supplemental Deferrals, “Compensation” means the Participant’s base salary and other elements of compensation that are considered under the RSP (as it may be amended from time to time) for purposes of calculating the Participant’s RSP Before Tax Contributions.  For purposes of determining Compensation under this Plan, the limitations imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code shall not apply.
(n)    “Compensation and Human Resources Committee” means the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board or its successor.
(o)    “Corporate Investment Committee” means the Corporate Investment Committee or its successor appointed by the Company.
(p)    “Disability” or “Disabled” means that a Participant is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under the Company’s long term 

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disability plan.  Any determination of Disability pursuant to the Plan is not an admission by the Company or the Adopting Affiliate that employs the Participant that a Participant is disabled under federal or state law.  
(q)    “Discretionary Credit Account” means the account maintained under the Plan to record the amounts credited to a Participant in accordance with Section 3.5 (Discretionary Credits).
(r)    “Discretionary Credits” means the Discretionary Credits allocated to a Participant’s Discretionary Credit Account in accordance with Section 3.5 (Discretionary Credits).
(s)    “Distribution Election Form” means the election form by which a Participant elects the manner in which his Accounts shall be distributed pursuant to Section 6.2 (Form of Distribution).
(t)    “Effective Date” means January 1, 2015.
(u)    “Eligible Officer” means a Participant who (1) occupies the position of Senior Vice President or higher of the Company, (2) has completed at least three Months of Service, and (3) has been selected by the Plan Administrator with the advance consent of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee to receive a Supplemental Credit.
(v)    “Employee Retention Plan” means the PNM Resources, Inc. Employee Retention Plan, as it may be amended or replaced from time to time.
(w)    “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(x)    “ESP I” means the PNM Resources, Inc. Executive Savings Plan.
(y)    “Investment Fund” means the hypothetical investment fund or funds established by the Plan Administrator pursuant to Article V (Adjustment of Accounts).
(z)    “Matching Credit Account” means the account maintained under the Plan to record the amounts credited to a Participant in accordance with Section 3.3(a) (Matching and Standard Credits – Matching Credit).
(aa)    “Matching Credits” means the Matching Credits allocated to a Participant’s Matching Credit Account in accordance with Section 3.3(a) (Matching and Standard Credits – Matching Credit).
(bb)    “Month of Service” means a calendar month during which a Participant performs services for the Company or an Adopting Affiliate on one or more days.  If the Participant’s employment with the Company or an Adopting Affiliate includes a break in employment, then only the Months of Service in the last period of employment will be considered Months of Service.

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(cc)    “Normal Retirement Date” means the date on which a Participant attains the age of 62 years.
(dd)    “Officer Retention Plan” means the PNM Resources, Inc. Officer Retention Plan, as it may be amended or replaced from time to time.
(ee)    “Participant” means an employee of the Company or any Adopting Affiliate who has been designated or selected for participation in the Plan pursuant to Section 2.2 (Selection of Participants) and who has not received all amounts to which he is entitled pursuant to the Plan.  The Plan document occasionally distinguishes between Participants and “Active Participants.”  When this distinction is made, the term “Active Participant” refers to a Participant who is currently employed by the Company or an Adopting Affiliate.  
(ff)    “Plan” means the PNM Resources, Inc. Executive Savings Plan II, as set forth herein.
(gg)    “Plan Administrator” means the Company.  Any action to be taken by the Plan Administrator may be taken by the Company’s senior human resources officer.  In addition, the Company’s senior human resources officer may delegate such authority to the Benefits Department.
(hh)    “Plan Year” means the calendar year.  
(ii)    “Recordkeeper” means the entity selected by the Company to keep Plan records and to adjust Accounts pursuant to Section 5.1 (Adjustment of Accounts) of the Plan.
(jj)    “RSP” means the PNM Resources, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
(kk)    “RSP Before Tax Contribution” means “Before Tax Contributions,” as such term is defined in the RSP.
(ll)    “RSP Employer Contribution” means “Discretionary Contributions,” as such term is defined in the RSP.
(mm)    “RSP Matching Contribution” means “Matching Contributions,” as such term is defined in the RSP.
(nn)    “Separation from Service” means either (1) the termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company and all Affiliates due to death, retirement or other reasons, or (2) a permanent reduction in the level of bona fide services the Participant provides to the Company and all Affiliates to an amount that is 20% or less of the average level of bona fide services the Participant provided to the Company and all Affiliates in the immediately preceding 36 months, with the level of bona fide service calculated in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.409A‐1(h)(1)(ii).  
A Participant’s employment relationship is treated as continuing while the Participant is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence (if the period of 

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such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as the Participant’s right to reemployment with the Company or an Affiliate is provided either by statute or contract).  If the Participant’s period of leave exceeds six months and the Participant’s right to reemployment is not provided either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship is deemed to terminate on the first day immediately following the expiration of such six-month period.  Whether a termination of employment has occurred will be determined based on all of the facts and circumstances and in accordance with regulations issued by the United States Treasury Department pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.
(oo)    “Specified Employee” means certain officers and highly compensated employees of the Company as defined in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(i).  The identification date for determining whether any employee is a Specified Employee during any Plan Year shall be the September 1 preceding the commencement of such Plan Year.
(pp)    “Standard Credit Account” means the account maintained under the Plan to record the amounts credited to a Participant in accordance with Section 3.3(b) (Matching and Standard Credits – Standard Credit).
(qq)    “Standard Credits” means the Standard Credits allocated to a Participant’s Standard Credit Account in accordance with Section 3.3(b) (Matching and Standard Credits – Standard Credit).
(rr)    “Supplemental Credit Account” means the account maintained under the Plan to record the amounts credited to an Eligible Officer in accordance with Section 3.4 (Supplemental Credits).
(ss)    “Supplemental Credits” means the Supplemental Credits allocated to an Eligible Officer’s Supplemental Credit Account in accordance with Section 3.4 (Supplemental Credits).
(tt)    “Supplemental Deferral Account” means the account maintained under the Plan to record amounts deferred under Section 3.2 (Supplemental Deferrals) of the Plan.
(uu)    “Supplemental Deferral Agreement” means the written deferral agreement described in Section 3.1 (Supplemental Deferral Agreement) that is entered into by a Participant pursuant to this Plan.
(vv)    “Supplemental Deferrals” means the deferrals made by a Participant in accordance with Section 3.2 (Supplemental Deferrals).
(ww)    “Valuation Date” means each business day of the Plan Year.
1.2    Construction.  The masculine gender, when appearing in the Plan, shall include the feminine gender (and vice versa), and the singular shall include the plural, unless the contract clearly states to the contrary.  Headings and subheadings are for the purpose of reference only and are not to be considered in the construction of this Plan.  If any provision of this Plan is determined to be for any reason invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.  All of the provisions of this Plan shall be construed and enforced 

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according to the laws of the State of New Mexico and shall be administered according to the laws of such state, except as otherwise required by ERISA, the Code, or other Federal law.
ARTICLE II     
ELIGIBILITY; ADOPTION BY AFFILIATES
2.1    The Eligible Class.  The purpose of the Plan is to provide deferred compensation to a select group of management or highly compensated employees.  This group of eligible employees is sometimes referred to as the “top hat group.”
2.2    Selection of Participants.  Any employee who is classified as an “officer” of the Company shall be eligible to participate in the Plan for a particular Plan Year.  For this purpose, an “officer” is someone who occupies the position of Vice President or higher.  The Plan Administrator, in the exercise of its discretion, and with the concurrence of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee and/or the Board of Directors, also may designate any other employee of the Company or any Adopting Affiliate as eligible to participate in the Plan for a particular Plan Year if the Plan Administrator concludes that the employee is a member of the top hat group and should be allowed to participate in the Plan.  As noted in Section 2.1 (The Eligible Class), this Plan is intended to provide benefits only to members of the top hat group.  The Company has determined that all current officers are properly includible in the top hat group.
2.3    Election to Participate.  In order to make Supplemental Deferrals and Matching Credits for a particular Plan Year, an otherwise eligible employee (as determined in accordance with Section 2.2 (Selection of Participants) must affirmatively elect to participate in the Plan for that Plan Year in accordance with such procedures as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator.  The election must be made at the same time as elections are made in accordance with Section 3.2(b) (Supplemental Deferrals – Timing of Elections).
2.4    Discontinuance of Participation.  As a general rule, once an individual is a Participant, he will continue as a Participant (but not necessarily an Active Participant) for all future Plan Years until his retirement or other Separation from Service.  In addition, prior to retirement or other Separation from Service, the Plan Administrator shall discontinue an individual’s participation in the Plan effective as of the first day of the Plan Year following the Plan Year during which the Plan Administrator concludes, in the exercise of its discretion, that the individual is no longer properly included in the top hat group.  If an individual’s participation is discontinued, the individual will no longer be eligible to make deferrals or receive credits under this Plan.  In addition, the individual will no longer be considered to be a Participant in this Plan.  Rather, such individual’s rights to receive payments in the future will be deemed to be payable pursuant to a separate agreement the terms of which are identical to, but separate from, the terms of this Plan.  The individual will not be entitled to receive a distribution pursuant to the terms of the separate agreement until the occurrence of another event (e.g., Separation from Service) that entitles the Participant to receive a distribution.  The Participant’s Accounts under this separate agreement will continue to be adjusted to reflect hypothetical investment earnings or losses in accordance with Section 5.1 (Adjustment of Accounts) until the Accounts are distributed.

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2.5    Adoption by Affiliates.  An employee of an Affiliate may not become a Participant in the Plan unless the Affiliate has previously adopted the Plan.  An Affiliate of the Company may adopt this Plan only with the approval of the Board.  By adopting this Plan, the Affiliate shall be deemed to have agreed to assume the obligations and liabilities imposed upon it by this Plan, agreed to comply with all of the other terms and provisions of this Plan, delegated to the Plan Administrator, the Benefits Department, the Benefits Governance Committee, and the Compensation and Human Resources Committee the power and responsibility to administer this Plan with respect to the Affiliate’s employees, and delegated to the Company the full power to amend or terminate this Plan with respect to the Affiliate’s employees.
ARTICLE III     
DEFERRALS AND CREDITS
3.1    Supplemental Deferral Agreement.  In order to make Supplemental Deferrals for a particular Plan Year, a Participant must affirmatively elect to participate in this Plan for the applicable Plan Year in accordance with Section 2.3 (Election to Participate) and must execute a Supplemental Deferral Agreement in the form prescribed by the Benefits Department from time to time.  In the Supplemental Deferral Agreement, the Participant shall agree to reduce his Compensation in exchange for a Supplemental Deferral in the same amount.  The Supplemental Deferral Agreement shall be delivered to the Benefits Department by the time specified in Section 3.2(b) (Supplemental Deferrals – Timing of Elections).
3.2    Supplemental Deferrals.
(a)    Amount.  Any Participant who has elected to participate in this Plan for a particular Plan Year may elect to defer, pursuant to a Supplemental Deferral Agreement, the receipt of all or any portion (designated in whole percentages) of the Compensation otherwise payable to him or her by the Company or an Adopting Affiliate for the Plan Year.  The amount deferred pursuant to this paragraph (a) shall be allocated to the Supplemental Deferral Account maintained for the Participant.
(b)    Timing of Elections.  As a general rule, the Supplemental Deferral Agreement shall be signed by the Participant and delivered to the Benefits Department prior to the beginning of the Plan Year in which the Compensation to be deferred is otherwise payable to the Participant.  The Supplemental Deferral Agreement will be effective only for a single Plan Year.  A new Supplemental Deferral Agreement will be required if the Participant chooses to participate in this Plan for any later Plan Year.  For the Plan Year in which a Participant first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, the Participant may elect to participate in this Plan and to make Supplemental Deferrals of Compensation with respect to services to be performed subsequent to the date of the election by signing and delivering a Supplemental Deferral Agreement within 30 days after the date the Participant becomes eligible to participate in the Plan.  An election made by a Participant shall be irrevocable with respect to the Plan Year covered by the election.
3.3    Matching and Standard Credits.  The Recordkeeper shall allocate Matching and Standard Credits to the Participant’s Matching Credit Account and Standard Credit Account in accordance with the following provisions of this Section.  

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(a)    Matching Credit.  If a Participant elects to make Supplemental Deferrals, the Participant will be entitled to a Matching Credit if the Participant has “Excess Compensation.”  For this purpose, “Excess Compensation” is Compensation in excess of the limit imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code for the relevant Plan Year.  The Matching Credit shall be in an amount equal to 75% of the Participant’s Supplemental Deferrals, provided that the Matching Credit shall not exceed an amount equal to 75% of the first six percent of Excess Compensation.  A Participant shall be eligible to receive a Matching Credit under this Plan only if such Participant has met the service requirements necessary to receive RSP Matching Contributions for that Plan Year.
(b)    Standard Credit.  The Standard Credit shall be an amount equal to (i) the RSP Employer Contribution that would have been made on the Participant’s behalf to the RSP for the Plan Year if the contributions were not limited by the Code (including, particularly, the limitations imposed by Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code), reduced by (ii) the RSP Employer Contribution actually made to the RSP on behalf of the Participant for the Plan Year.  A Participant shall be eligible to receive a Standard Credit under this Plan only if such Participant has met the service requirements necessary to receive RSP Employer Contributions for that Plan Year.
3.4    Supplemental Credits.
(a)    General Rule.  The Plan Administrator shall instruct the Recordkeeper to allocate Supplemental Credits to an Eligible Officer’s Supplemental Credits Account as of December 1 of each Plan Year.  The Supplemental Credit shall be an amount calculated by the Plan Administrator pursuant to Section 3.4(b).  The purpose of the Supplemental Credit is to provide the Eligible Officer with retirement income approximately equal to a specified target percentage (the “Target Replacement Income Percentage”) of the Eligible Officer’s anticipated pre‐retirement income.  The relevant Target Replacement Income Percentage will be determined by the Plan Administrator, with the advance advice and consent of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee, and will be set forth in a letter or other written instrument provided by the Plan Administrator to the Eligible Officer.  The Target Replacement Income Percentage may be modified from time to time in the same manner.  In determining the Target Replacement Income Percentage for a particular Eligible Officer, the Plan Administrator, and the Compensation and Human Resources Committee, will act in their discretion and will not be bound by the Target Replacement Income Percentage determined for any other current or former Eligible Officer.  
(b)    Determination of Supplemental Credit.  The Plan Administrator’s calculation of the Supplemental Credit shall be made on the basis of advice received by an actuarial or other consultant retained by the Plan Administrator and with the advice and consent of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee.  In determining the amount of the Supplemental Credits necessary to achieve the desired Target Replacement Income Percentage, anticipated retirement income from the following sources shall be considered:  (1) amounts attributable to Company credits to this Plan (including investment earnings on such amounts); (2) amounts attributable to Company contributions to the RSP (including investment earnings on such amounts); (3) benefits provided pursuant to the PNM Resources, Inc. Employees’ Retirement Plan; (4) benefits provided pursuant to the After-Tax Retirement Plan and any supplemental employee retirement plans or agreements (“SERPs”) entered into by the Eligible 

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Officer and the Company or an Affiliate; (5) benefits provided pursuant to the Social Security Act; and (6) amounts provided pursuant to other employers’ benefit plans.  When determining the amount of the Supplemental Credits, the Plan Administrator shall use actuarial assumptions (interest and mortality), compensation assumptions, rate of return assumptions and such other assumptions as it deems appropriate.  All interest and investment earnings calculations will be based on an assumed rate set by the Plan Administrator in the exercise of its discretion.  No adjustments will be made to reflect the difference between the assumed rate set by the Plan Administrator and the actual rate of return on the Participant’s Accounts calculated pursuant to Section 5.2(f) (Investment Direction – Rate of Return).  The Plan Administrator will review all of the assumptions periodically and may change the assumptions as it deems appropriate.  The assumptions used will have a significant impact on the amount of the Supplemental Credits.  Because these assumptions (and the Target Replacement Income Percentage) may be altered at any time as described above, no Eligible Officer will have a contractual or other right to any particular level or amount of Supplemental Credit for any Plan Year until such Supplemental Credit is actually declared and allocated to the Eligible Officer’s Supplemental Credit Account.
(c)    Termination During the Plan Year.  An Eligible Officer must be employed on December 1 of the relevant Plan Year in order to receive the Supplemental Credit called for by Section 3.4 (Supplemental Credits) for that Plan Year.  Notwithstanding the prior sentence, an Eligible Officer shall receive a pro-rata Supplemental Credit if the Eligible Officer incurs a Separation from Service before December 1 of any Plan Year under any of the following circumstances:  (1) after reaching Normal Retirement Date; (2) under circumstances that entitle the Eligible Officer to receive benefits under the Officer Retention Plan; (3) due to Disability; or (4) due to the death of the Eligible Officer.  The pro-rata Supplemental Credit shall be calculated based on the time elapsed between December 1 of the prior Plan Year and the date of the Eligible Officer’s Separation from Service as compared to 365 days and shall be credited to the Eligible Officer’s Supplemental Credit Account within thirty (30) days of the Eligible Officer’s Separation from Service.  For example, if an Eligible Officer terminates employment on June 1, 2012 due to retirement, the Eligible Officer will receive 50% of the Supplemental Credits for the 2012 Plan Year and that amount will be credited to the Eligible Officer’s Supplemental Credit Account by July 1, 2012.  
3.5    Discretionary Credits.  In its sole and absolute discretion, the Compensation and Human Resources Committee may instruct the Recordkeeper to allocate Discretionary Credits to a Participant’s Discretionary Credit Account at any time during a Plan Year in any amount that the Compensation and Human Resources Committee deems appropriate and on such terms and conditions (including deferred vesting provisions) as the Compensation and Human Resources Committee deems appropriate.  
3.6    Benefits Not Contingent.  Deferrals and credits for any Participant under this Plan are not increased or decreased to the extent a Participant makes or does not make deferrals under the RSP.
3.7    Allocation Among Affiliates.  Each Adopting Affiliate shall bear the costs and expenses of providing benefits accrued by its employee-Participants during periods while they are employed by that Adopting Affiliate.  Such costs and expenses shall be allocated among the Adopting Affiliates in accordance with (a) agreements entered into between the Company and 

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any Adopting Affiliate, or (b) in the absence of such an agreement, procedures adopted by the Company.
ARTICLE IV     
VESTING
4.1    Vesting in the Supplemental Deferral Account, the Matching Credit Account and the Standard Credit Account.  Each Participant shall at all times be fully vested in all amounts credited to or allocable to his Supplemental Deferral Account, Matching Credit Account, Standard Credit Account and (except as noted below) Discretionary Credit Account and his rights and interest therein shall not be forfeitable for any reason.  Consistent with Section 3.5 (Discretionary Credits), the Compensation and Human Resources Committee, in the exercise of its discretion, may impose vesting conditions on all or part of the amounts credited to the Discretionary Credit Account.  
4.2    Vesting in the Supplemental Credit Account.  The Supplemental Credits for any Plan Year shall vest on a two-year cliff vesting schedule.  For example, if a Supplemental Credit is allocated to a Participant’s Supplemental Credit Account on December 1, 2014, that amount will fully vest on December 1, 2016 and if a Supplemental Credit is allocated to a Participant’s Supplemental Credit Account on December 1, 2015, that amount will fully vest on December 1, 2017, and so on.  
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Eligible Officer shall be fully vested in all amounts credited to his Supplemental Credit Account on and after the first to occur of the following events:
(c)    The Eligible Officer attaining age 55 with two Years of Service;
(d)    The Eligible Officer’s Normal Retirement Date;
(e)    The Eligible Officer’s Disability;
(f)    The date of death of the Eligible Officer; or
(g)    The termination (other than for “Cause”) or “Constructive Termination” of the Eligible Officer’s employment by the Company following a Change in Control.  For this purpose, the terms “Constructive Termination” and “Cause” shall have the meanings ascribed to them under the Officer Retention Plan.  
If an Eligible Officer Separates from Service before becoming vested in his Supplemental Credits, the Eligible Officer’s Supplemental Credits under this Plan will be forfeited.
4.3    Acceleration of Vesting.  In its sole and absolute discretion, the Compensation and Human Resources Committee may accelerate the vesting of any Participant’s Supplemental Credit Account.  

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ARTICLE V
ADJUSTMENT OF ACCOUNTS
5.1    Adjustment of Accounts.  Except as otherwise provided elsewhere in the Plan, as of each Valuation Date, each Participant’s Accounts will be adjusted to reflect deferrals and credits under Article III (Deferrals and Credits) and the positive or negative rate of return on the Investment Funds selected by the Participant pursuant to Section 5.2(b) (Investment Direction – Participant Directions).  The rate of return will be determined by the Recordkeeper pursuant to Section 5.2(f) (Investment Direction – Rate of Return) and will be credited or charged in accordance with written policies applied to all Participants.  While the Accounts will be adjusted as of each Valuation Date, the Recordkeeper shall only post the adjustments as of the last business day of each month.
5.2    Investment Direction.
(d)    Investment Funds.  Each Participant may direct the hypothetical investment of amounts credited to his Accounts in one or more of the Investment Funds.  The Investment Funds shall include a Company Stock Fund and such other investment funds as may be available under the RSP.  The Investment Funds may be changed from time to time by the Company’s Corporate Investment Committee, in its discretion.
(e)    Participant Directions.  Each Participant may direct that all of the amounts attributable to his Accounts be invested in a single Investment Fund or may direct that fractional (percentage) increments of his Accounts be invested in such fund or funds as he shall desire in accordance with such procedures as may be established by the Company’s Corporate Investment Committee.  Unless the Corporate Investment Committee prescribes otherwise, such procedures shall mirror the procedures established under the RSP for participant investment direction except that any limitations or caps imposed on investment in a company stock fund under the RSP shall not apply to investment in the Company Stock Fund under the Plan.  A Participant’s ability to direct investments into or out of the Company Stock Fund shall be subject to such procedures as the Company’s General Counsel (or his delegate) may prescribe from time to time to assure compliance with Rule 16b-3 promulgated under Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other applicable requirements.  Such procedures also may limit or restrict a Participant’s ability to make (or modify previously made) elections.
(f)    Changes and Intra-Fund Transfers.  Participant investment directions may be changed, and amounts may be transferred from one hypothetical Investment Fund to another, in accordance with the procedures established by the Company’s Corporate Investment Committee (or, in the case of the Company Stock Fund, the Company’s General Counsel) pursuant to Section 5.2(b) (Investment Direction – Participant Directions).  The designation will continue until changed by the timely submission of a new designation.
(g)    Default Selection.  In the absence of any designation, a Participant will be deemed to have directed the investment of his Accounts in such Investment Funds as the Company’s Corporate Investment Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine.

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(h)    Impact of Election.  The Participant’s selection of Investment Funds shall serve only as a measurement of the value of the Participant’s Accounts pursuant to Section 5.1 (Adjustment of Accounts) and this Section 5.2 and neither the Company nor the Plan Administrator are required to actually invest a Participant’s Accounts in accordance with the Participant’s selections.
(i)    Rate of Return.  Accounts shall be adjusted on each Valuation Date to reflect investment gains and losses as if the Accounts were invested in the hypothetical Investment Funds selected by the Participants in accordance with this Section 5.2 and charged with any and all reasonable expenses related to the administration of the Plan including, but not limited to, the reasonable expenses of carrying out the hypothetical investment directions related to each account.  The earnings and losses determined by the Recordkeeper in good faith and in its discretion pursuant to this Section shall be binding and conclusive on the Participant, the Participant’s beneficiary and all parties claiming through them.  
(j)    Charges.  The Plan Administrator may direct the Recordkeeper to charge each Participant’s accounts for the reasonable expenses of carrying out investment instructions directly related to such accounts.
5.3    Special Company Stock Fund Provisions.
(a)    General.  A Participant’s interest in the Company Stock Fund shall be expressed in whole and fractional hypothetical units of the Company Stock Fund.  As a general matter, the Company Stock Fund shall track an investment in Company Stock in the same manner as the RSP’s company stock fund.  Accordingly, the value of a unit in the Plan’s Company Stock Fund shall be the same as the value of a unit in the RSP’s company stock fund.
(b)    Dividends and Stock Splits.  If a cash dividend is declared on Company Stock, the hypothetical equivalent cash dividends attributable to the notional shares held in the Company Stock Fund shall be “reinvested” into the Company Stock Fund.  If a stock dividend or share split is declared with respect to Company Stock, a hypothetical equivalent stock dividend or stock split attributable to the notional shares held in the Company Stock Fund, or any hypothetical securities issued with respect to the Company Stock Fund, shall be allocated to the Company Stock Fund.  All such hypothetical dividends (cash or stock) or stock splits shall be reflected appropriately in the Participant’s Accounts.
5.4    Compliance with Securities Laws.  Any election by a Participant to hypothetically invest any amount in the Company Stock Fund, and any elections to transfer amounts from or to the Company Stock Fund to or from any other Investment Fund, shall be subject to all applicable securities law requirements, including but not limited to Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, promulgated by the Securities Exchange Commission.  To the extent that any election violates any securities law, rule or regulation, the election shall be void.

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ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS
6.1    Distribution Events.  A Participant shall be entitled to a distribution of his Accounts on the earliest of the following to occur:
(k)    Separation from Service.  Following a Participant’s Separation from Service for any reason other than death, the Participant’s vested interest in the Plan will be distributed to the Participant at the time and in the manner provided in Sections 6.4(a) (Timing of Distributions – Separation from Service, Disability and Death) and 6.2(a) (Form of Distribution – Distributions on Separation from Service and Disability).  
(l)    Disability.  A Participant shall be entitled to full distribution of his vested interest in the Plan, at the time and in the manner provided in Sections 6.4(a) (Timing of Distributions – Separation from Service, Disability and Death) and 6.2(a) (Form of Distribution – Distributions on Separation from Service and Disability), if the Participant becomes Disabled.
(m)    Death.  If a Participant dies prior to receiving his entire interest in the Plan, the Participant’s Accounts will be distributed to the Participant’s beneficiary at the time and in the manner provided in Sections 6.4(a) (Timing of Distributions – Separation from Service, Disability and Death) and 6.2(b) (Form of Distribution – Distributions on Death).
(n)    Specified Date.  A Participant shall be entitled to distribution of all or a portion of his vested interest in the Plan, at the time and in the manner provided in Sections 6.4(b) (Timing of Distributions – Specified Date) and 6.2(c) (Form of Distribution – Distributions on Specified Date).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a specified date distribution will not be available for amounts credited to a Participant’s Accounts for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2015.
6.2    Form of Distribution.
(c)    Distributions on Separation from Service and Disability.  Subject to Section 6.2(e) (Form of Distribution – Distribution of Small Amounts), upon a Participant’s Separation from Service or Disability as described in Section 6.1(a) (Distribution Events – Separation from Service) and 6.1(b) (Distribution Events – Disability), the Participant’s Accounts shall be distributed to the Participant in a single lump sum payment or installments over a specified period of time.  Installment distributions shall be subject to such uniform rules and procedures as may be adopted by the Plan Administrator from time to time, which rules and procedures shall be reflected in the Distribution Election Form or other forms prescribed by the Benefits Department.  Installment distributions shall be limited to a period of five (5) years or ten (10) years for amounts credited to a Participant’s Accounts for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2015.  At all times, the right to each installment payment made pursuant to this Section 6.2(a) shall be treated as the right to a series of separate payments within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii).
The method of payment and the timing of payment shall be selected by the Participant in the initial Distribution Election Form (which may be contained in and be a part of a Supplemental Deferral Agreement) submitted by the Participant to the Benefits Department on 

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entry into the Plan.  A Participant may change his distribution election with respect to future years by filing a new Distribution Election Form with the Benefits Department prior to the first day of the first year to which the election relates.  A Participant may change elections with respect to the current or a prior year in accordance with Section 6.2(f) (Form of Distribution – Changes in Time and Form of Distribution).  If a revised Distribution Election Form is not honored because it was not timely filed, distributions shall be made pursuant to the most recent valid Distribution Election Form filed by the Participant.  If no valid Distribution Election Form exists, the Participant’s Accounts will be distributed in a single lump sum.  
(d)    Distributions on Death.  In the event of a Participant’s death prior to Separation from Service, the Participant’s Accounts shall be distributed to the Participant’s beneficiary in a single lump sum payment.  Similarly, if a Participant dies while receiving installment payments under this Plan or after Separation from Service but prior to the commencement of the Participant’s benefit payments, the balance of the Participant’s Accounts shall be paid to the Participant’s beneficiary in the form of a lump sum payment.
(e)    Distributions on Specified Date.  If a Participant elects to receive all or a portion of his Accounts on a specified date as described in Section 6.1(d) (Distribution Events – Specified Date), the Participant’s Accounts shall be distributed to the Participant in a single lump sum payment or in substantially equal installments over a period not exceeding five years.  Installment distributions shall be subject to such uniform rules and procedures as may be adopted by the Plan Administrator from time to time, which rules and procedures shall be reflected in the Distribution Election Form or other forms prescribed by the Benefits Department.  At all times, the right to each installment payment made pursuant to this Section 6.2(c) shall be treated as the right to a series of separate payments within the meaning of Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii).  If a Participant has commenced receiving all or a portion of his Accounts in installment payments pursuant to this Section 6.2(c) at the time of the Participant’s Separation from Service or Disability, the Participant will continue receiving such amounts in installment payments following the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service or Disability.  The portion, if any, of the Participant’s Accounts which is not being distributed in installment payments pursuant to an election made pursuant to Section 6.1(d) (Distribution Events – Specified Date) shall be distributed in accordance with the remaining provisions of Section 6.1 (Distribution Events).  
The method of payment and the timing of payment shall be selected by the Participant in the initial Distribution Election Form (which may be contained in and be a part of a Supplemental Deferral Agreement) submitted by the Participant to the Benefits Department on entry into the Plan.  A Participant may change his distribution election with respect to future years by filing a new Distribution Election Form with the Benefits Department prior to the first day of the first year to which the election relates.  A Participant may change elections with respect to the current or a prior year in accordance with Section 6.2(f) (Form of Distribution – Changes in Time and Form of Distribution).  If a revised Distribution Election Form is not honored because it was not timely filed, distributions shall be made pursuant to the most recent valid Distribution Election Form filed by the Participant.  If no valid Distribution Election Form exists, the Participant’s Accounts will be distributed in a single lump sum.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a specified date distribution will not be available for amounts credited to a Participant’s Accounts for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2015.

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(f)    Distributions of Company Stock Fund.  The portion of a Participant’s Accounts that is allocated to the Company Stock Fund shall be distributed in the form of distribution (e.g., lump sum or installments) elected by the Participant pursuant to Section 6.2(a) (Form of Distribution – Distributions on Separation from Service and Disability) and/or Section 6.2(c) (Form of Distribution – Distributions on Specified Date) above in cash or in whole shares of Company Stock (with fractional shares paid for in cash) as elected by the Participant.  Only amounts actually invested in the Company Stock Fund for the one-year period prior to the distribution, however, may be distributable in Company Stock.  The election to receive cash or Company Stock shall be made at the time and in the manner provided in the form prescribed by the Benefits Department from time to time for that purpose.  Any election made by a Participant pursuant to this Section with respect to a distribution from the Company Stock Fund shall be subject to all applicable securities law requirements, including, but not limited to, Rule 16b-3.  Any election that may not be implemented due to the lack of any available exemption shall be void.  The Benefits Department may then make the distribution in any fashion that will not result in a violation of any applicable securities law requirements.  The Benefits Department also may delay the distribution if necessary.  An exemption to the securities law requirements that is only available with the prior approval of the Board, the shareholders, or some other individual or individuals shall not be considered to be available unless such approval is actually granted in a timely manner.
(g)    Distribution of Small Amounts.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Plan to the contrary, in the event that the amount credited to the Participant’s Accounts as of the date his or her payments commence is less than the applicable dollar amount under Section 402(g)(1)(B) of the Code ($17,500 for 2014), the Benefits Governance Committee may elect to pay the amount credited to the Participant’s Accounts in a lump sum payment.  The Benefits Governance Committee must inform the Participant in writing on or before the date of a distribution pursuant to this Section that the Committee has elected to distribute the Participant’s Accounts pursuant to this Section.  Any payment to a Participant pursuant to this Section must represent the complete liquidation of the Participant’s interest in the Plan.  
(h)    Changes in Time and Form of Distribution.  A new Distribution Election Form that changes the time or form of payment for amounts attributable to future years may be filed with the Benefits Department prior to the first day of the first year to which the election relates.  A new Distribution Election Form that delays the time of a payment previously elected by a Participant or the form of payment previously selected by a Participant will be honored only if the following requirements are met:
(1)    The new form will not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on which the new form is filed with the Benefits Department; and
(2)    The election may not be made less than 12 months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment; and 
(3)    In the case of an election related to a payment not related to the Participant’s Disability or death, the first payment with respect to which the election is made must be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise be made.

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The provisions of this paragraph are intended to comply with Section 409A(a)(4)(C) of the Code and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements of such section and any regulations, rulings or other guidance issued pursuant thereto.  As provided in Section 6.8 (Ban on Acceleration of Benefits), distributions may not be accelerated.  
6.3    Amount of Distribution.  The amount distributed to a Participant shall equal the sum of the vested amounts credited to the Participant’s Accounts as of the quarterly Valuation Date preceding the date of the distribution.  For purposes of this Plan, a “quarterly Valuation Date” is a Valuation Date that coincides with the last business day of a calendar quarter.  If distributions are to be made in installments, the Participant’s Accounts will continue to be adjusted in accordance with Article V (Adjustment of Accounts) until the full Account balance has been distributed.  Amounts invested in the Company Stock Fund that are distributed in cash shall be valued at the fair market value of the Company Stock on the relevant Valuation Date.  Similarly, amounts that are distributed in the form of Company Stock shall be valued at the fair market value of the Company Stock on the relevant Valuation Date.
6.4    Timing of Distributions.  Distributions will be made on the earliest of the following to occur:  
(a)    Separation from Service, Disability and Death.  As a general rule, funds will be distributed within ninety (90) days following (a) the Participant’s Separation from Service for any reason (including death) or Disability, or (b) in the case of a Participant who is a Specified Employee, the date which is six months after the Participant’s Separation from Service.  The Participant may not elect the taxable year of the distribution.  The six-month delay for a Specified Employee does not apply if the Specified Employee dies or becomes Disabled.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant may elect to defer the distribution of funds in accordance with Section 6.2 (Form of Distribution).
(b)    Specified Date.  A Participant shall be entitled to a distribution of all or a portion of his vested interest in the Plan on the specified date chosen in the Supplemental Deferral Agreement filed with the Plan Administrator in accordance with Section 3.1 (Supplemental Deferral Agreement) or in an election form filed with the Plan Administrator pursuant to Section 6.2(f) (Form of Distribution – Changes in Time and Form of Distribution), as the case may be.  For amounts credited to a Participant’s Accounts on or after January 1, 2009, the specified date distribution chosen by a Participant may not be prior to the date that all amounts credited for the relevant Plan Year, including Supplemental Credits, if any, are fully vested.  
Payment to a Participant who has chosen to receive a distribution on a specified date pursuant to Section 6.1(d) (Distribution Events – Specified Date) shall be made within ten (10) business days following the specified date chosen by the Participant.  Any amounts which are credited to the Participant’s Accounts or become vested after the specified date chosen by the Participant will be distributed to the Participant upon the Participant’s Separation from Service as described in Section 6.1(a) (Distribution Events – Separation from Service), Disability as described in Section 6.1(b) (Distribution Events – Disability) or death as described in Section 6.1(c) (Distribution Events – Death).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, a specified date 

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distribution will not be available for amounts credited to a Participant’s Accounts for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2015.  
6.5    Beneficiary Designation.  If a Participant should die before receiving a full distribution of his or her Accounts, distribution shall be made to the beneficiary designated by the Participant.  If a Participant has not designated a beneficiary, or if no designated beneficiary is living on the date of distribution, such amounts shall be distributed to those persons entitled to receive distributions of the Participant’s Accounts under the RSP.  The distributions made under this Plan shall be made in a lump sum.
6.6    Withholding.  All distributions will be subject to all applicable tax and withholding requirements.
6.7    Deductibility.  All amounts distributed from the Plan are intended to be deductible by the Company or the appropriate Adopting Affiliate.  If all or any portion of a distribution will not be deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code, the payment will be delayed until the first year in which it is deductible.  
6.8    Ban on Acceleration of Benefits.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, neither the time nor the schedule of any payment under the Plan may be accelerated or subject to a further deferral except as provided in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(j)(4).
6.9    Distributions Treated as Made Upon a Designated Event.  If the Company or any Adopting Affiliate fails to make any distribution, either intentionally or unintentionally, within the time period specified in the Plan, but the payment is made within the same calendar year, such distribution will be treated as made within the time period specified in the Plan pursuant to Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(d).  In addition, if a distribution is not made due to a dispute with respect to such distribution, the distribution may be delayed in accordance with Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-3(g).  
ARTICLE VII
TRANSFERS FROM ESP I
7.1    Combination with ESP I.  As of December 17, 2008, the ESP I was combined with the Plan, with the Plan being the surviving plan.  As of December 17, 2008, all ESP I liabilities shall be transferred to and assumed by the Plan.  All liabilities transferred from the ESP I shall be credited to the accounts established pursuant to this Plan in accordance with Section 7.2 (Accounting) of this Plan.  As of December 17, 2008, any right, claim or other entitlement that an individual had pursuant to the ESP I shall be a right, claim or entitlement under this Plan and shall be paid in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Plan.  As of December 17, 2008, no individual shall have any right, claim or other entitlement pursuant to the ESP I.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any distribution elections made pursuant to the ESP I shall remain in effect unless changed by the Participant pursuant to the terms of the Plan.
7.2    Accounting.  Following the combination of ESP I with and into the Plan, the account balances transferred to this Plan from the ESP I were allocated to the appropriate Participants’ accounts in accordance with the following rules: 

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(a)    Participant supplemental deferrals made on behalf of a participant pursuant to ESP I were allocated to the Participant’s Supplemental Deferral Account under this Plan;
(b)    Any matching credits made on behalf of a participant pursuant to ESP I were allocated to the Participant’s Matching Credit Account under this Plan; 
(c)    Any standard credits made on behalf of a participant pursuant to ESP I were allocated to the Participant’s Standard Credit Account under this Plan; and
(d)    Any discretionary credits made on behalf of a participant in the ESP I were allocated to the Participant’s Discretionary Credit Account under this Plan.
ARTICLE VIII 
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
8.1    General Powers and Duties.
(e)    General.  The Plan Administrator shall perform the duties and exercise the powers and discretion given to it in this Plan document and its decisions and actions shall be final and conclusive as to all persons affected thereby.  The Company and the Adopting Affiliates shall furnish the Plan Administrator with all data and information that the Plan Administrator may reasonably require in order to perform its functions.  The Plan Administrator may rely without question upon any such data or information.
(f)    Disputes.  Any and all disputes that may arise involving Participants or beneficiaries shall be referred to the Plan Administrator and its decision shall be final.  Furthermore, if any question arises as to the meaning, interpretation or application of any provisions of this Plan, the decision of the Plan Administrator shall be final.
(g)    Agents.  The Plan Administrator may engage agents, including actuaries, to assist it and may engage legal counsel who may be counsel for the Company.  The Plan Administrator shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken on the advice of such counsel, including written opinions or certificates of any agent, counsel or actuary.
(h)    Insurance.  At the Plan Administrator’s request, the Company shall purchase liability insurance to cover the Plan Administrator in its activities as the Plan Administrator.
(i)    Allocations.  The Plan Administrator is given specific authority to allocate responsibilities to the Benefits Department and to revoke such allocations.  When the Plan Administrator has allocated authority pursuant to this paragraph, the Plan Administrator is not to be liable for the acts or omissions of the party to whom such responsibility has been allocated.
(j)    Records.  The Benefits Department shall supervise the establishment and maintenance of records by the Recordkeeper, the Company and each Adopting Affiliate containing all relevant data pertaining to any person affected hereby and his or her rights under this Plan.  In addition, the Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, establish a system for 

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complete or partial electronic administration of the Plan and may replace any written documents described in this Plan with electronic counterparts as it deems appropriate.
(k)    Interpretations.  The Plan Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall interpret and construe the provisions of the Plan (and any underlying documents or policies).
(l)    Accounts.  The Plan Administrator (or Recordkeeper, as appropriate) shall combine the various Accounts of a Participant if it deems such action appropriate.  Furthermore, the Plan Administrator (or Recordkeeper, as appropriate) shall divide a Participant’s Accounts into sub-accounts if it deems such action appropriate.
The foregoing list of powers and duties is not intended to be exhaustive, and the Plan Administrator shall, in addition, exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as it may deem advisable in the administration of the Plan, unless such powers or duties are assigned to another pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
8.2    Claims.
(a)    Initial Claim.  A claim for benefits by a Participant, beneficiary or any other person (all of whom are referred to in this Section as a “Claimant”) under this Plan must be submitted to the Benefits Department.  The Benefits Department will notify the Claimant of the disposition of the claim within 90 days after the request is filed with the Benefits Department.  The Benefits Department may have an additional period of up to 90 days to decide the claim if the Benefits Department determines that special circumstances require an extension of time to decide the claim and the Benefits Department advises the Claimant in writing of the need for an extension (including an explanation of the special circumstances requiring the extension) and the date on which it expects to decide the claim.  If, following the review, the claim is denied, in whole or in part, the notice of disposition shall set forth:
(1)    the specific reason(s) for denial of the claim;
(2)    reference to the specific Plan provisions upon which the determination is based;
(3)    a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
(4)    an explanation of the Plan’s appeal procedures, and an explanation of the time limits applicable to the Plan’s appeal procedures, including a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.
(b)    Appeal of Adverse Benefit Determination.
(1)    Within 60 days after receiving the written notice of the disposition of the claim described in paragraph (a), the Claimant, or the Claimant’s authorized representative, may appeal such denied claim.  The Claimant may submit a written statement of his claim (including any written comments, documents, records and other information relating to 

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the claim) and the reasons for granting the claim to the Benefits Governance Committee.  The Benefits Governance Committee shall have the right to request of and receive from the Claimant such additional information, documents or other evidence as the Benefits Governance Committee may reasonably require.  If the Claimant does not request an appeal of the denied claim within 60 days after receiving written notice of the disposition of the claim as described in paragraph (a), the Claimant shall be deemed to have accepted the disposition of the claim and such written disposition will be final and binding on the Claimant and anyone claiming benefits through the Claimant, unless the Claimant shall have been physically or mentally incapacitated so as to be unable to request review within the 60-day period.  The appeal shall take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such documents, records or other information were submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination or the initial review.
(2)    A decision on appeal to the Benefits Governance Committee shall be rendered in writing by the Benefits Governance Committee ordinarily not later than 60 days after the Claimant requests review.  A written copy of the decision shall be delivered to the Claimant.  If special circumstances require an extension of the ordinary period, the Benefits Governance Committee shall so notify the Claimant of the extension with such notice containing an explanation of the special circumstances requiring the extension and the date by which the Benefits Governance Committee expects to render a decision.  Any such extension shall not extend beyond 60 days after the ordinary period.  The period of time within which a benefit determination on review is required to be made shall begin at the time an appeal is filed in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b)(1) above, without regard to whether all the information necessary to make a decision on appeal accompanies the filing.
If the appeal to the Benefits Governance Committee is denied, in whole or in part, the decision on appeal referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph (2) shall set forth:
(i)    the specific reason(s) for denial of the claim;
(ii)    reference to the specific Plan provisions upon which the denial is based;
(iii)    a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits; and
(iv)    a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.
(c)    Right to Examine Plan Documents and to Submit Materials.  In connection with the determination of a claim, or in connection with review of a denied claim or appeal pursuant to this Section 8.2, the Claimant may examine this Plan and any other pertinent documents generally available to Participants relating to the claim and may submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim for benefits.  The Claimant also will be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies 

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of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim for benefits with such relevance to be determined in accordance with Section 8.2(d) (Claims – Relevance).
(d)    Relevance.  For purpose of this Section 8.2, documents, records, or other information shall be considered “relevant” to a Claimant’s claim for benefits if such documents, records or other information:
(1)    were relied upon in making the benefit determination;
(2)    were submitted, considered, or generated in the course of making the benefit determination, without regard to whether such documents, records or other information were relied upon in making the benefit determination; or
(3)    demonstrate compliance with the administrative processes and safeguards required pursuant to this Section 8.2 regarding the making of the benefit determination.
(e)    Decisions Final; Procedures Mandatory.  To the extent permitted by law, a decision on review or appeal shall be binding and conclusive upon all persons whomsoever.  To the extent permitted by law, completion of the claims procedures described in this Section 8.2 shall be a mandatory precondition that must be complied with prior to commencement of a legal or equitable action in connection with the Plan by a person claiming rights under the Plan or by another person claiming rights through such a person.  The Benefits Governance Committee may, in its sole discretion, waive these procedures as a mandatory precondition to such an action.
(f)    Time For Filing Legal Or Equitable Action.  Any legal or equitable action filed in connection with the Plan by a person claiming rights under the Plan or by another person claiming rights through such a person must be commenced not later than the earlier of:  (1) the expiration of the shortest applicable statute of limitations provided by law; or (2) two years from the date the written copy of the Benefits Governance Committee’s decision on review is delivered to the Claimant in accordance with Section 8.2(b) (Claims – Appeal of Adverse Benefit Determination).
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT
9.1    Amendment.  The Company reserves the right to amend the Plan when, in the sole discretion of the Company, such amendment is advisable.  Any such amendment shall be made pursuant to a resolution of the Board (or its delegate) and shall be effective as of the date of such resolution.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, no amendment may be made if it will result in a violation of Section 409A of the Code and any such amendment shall at no time have any legal validity.  Although this Plan has been designed to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Company specifically does not warrant such compliance.

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9.2    Effect of Amendment.  Any amendment of this Plan shall apply prospectively only and shall not directly or indirectly reduce the balance of any Plan account as of the effective date of such amendment.
9.3    Termination.  It is the expectation of the Company that this Plan will be continued indefinitely.  However, continuance of the Plan is not assumed as a contractual obligation of the Company and the right is reserved at any time to terminate this Plan.  Except as otherwise determined by the Company in compliance with Section 409A, the termination of the Plan shall not result in an immediate payment to Plan Participants.  Rather, payments shall only be made in accordance with the provisions of Article VI (Distributions).
ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
10.1    Participant’s Rights Unsecured.  The Plan at all times shall be entirely unfunded and no provision shall at any time be made with respect to segregating any assets of the Company for payment of any distributions hereunder.  The right of a Participant or his or her designated beneficiary to receive a distribution hereunder shall be an unsecured claim against the general assets of the Company, and neither the Participant nor a designated beneficiary shall have any rights in or against any specific assets of the Company.  All amounts credited to a Participant’s Accounts shall constitute general assets of the Company and may be disposed of by the Company at such time and for such purposes as it may deem appropriate.  Nothing in this Section shall preclude the Company from establishing a “Rabbi Trust,” but the assets in the Rabbi Trust must be available to pay the claims of the Company’s general creditors in the event of the Company’s insolvency.
10.2    No Guaranty of Benefits.  Nothing contained in the Plan shall constitute a guaranty by the Company or any other person or entity that the assets of the Company will be sufficient to pay any benefit hereunder.
10.3    No Enlargement of Employee Rights.  No Participant shall have any right to receive a distribution from the Plan except in accordance with the terms of the Plan.  Establishment of the Plan shall not be construed to give any Participant the right to be retained in the service of the Company.
10.4    Spendthrift Provision.  No interest of any person or entity in, or right to receive a distribution under, the Plan shall be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, attachment, garnishment, or other alienation or encumbrance of any kind; nor shall any such interest or right to receive a distribution be taken, either voluntarily or involuntarily, for the satisfaction of the debts of, or other obligations or claims against, such person or entity, including claims in bankruptcy proceedings.  This Section shall not preclude arrangements for the withholding of taxes from deferrals, credits, or benefit payments, arrangements for the recovery of benefit overpayments, arrangements for the transfer of benefit rights to another plan, or arrangements for direct deposit of benefit payments to an account in a bank, savings and loan association or credit union (provided that such arrangement is not part of an arrangement constituting an assignment or alienation).

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10.5    Incapacity of Participant.  If the Benefits Department is served with a court order holding that a Participant is incapable of personally receiving and giving a valid receipt for such distribution, the Benefits Department shall postpone payment until such time as a claim therefore shall have been made by a duly appointed guardian or other legal representative of such person.  The Benefits Department is under no obligation to inquire or investigate as to the competency of any Participant.  Any payment to an appointed guardian or other legal representative under this Section shall be a payment for the account of the incapacitated person and a complete discharge of any liability of the Company and the Plan therefore.
10.6    Successors.  This Plan shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Company and upon the heirs, beneficiaries and personal representatives of the individuals who become Participants hereunder.
10.7    Unclaimed Benefit.  Each Participant shall keep the Benefits Department informed of his or her current address and the current address of his or her designated beneficiary.  The Benefits Department shall not be obligated to search for the whereabouts of any person.  If the location of a Participant is not made known to the Benefits Department within three years after the date on which payment of the Participant’s Supplemental Deferral and Supplemental Employer Accounts may first be made, payment may be made as though the Participant had died at the end of the three-year period.  If, within one additional year after such three-year period has elapsed, or, within three years after the actual death of a Participant, the designated beneficiary of the Participant has not been located, then there shall be no further obligation to pay any benefit hereunder to such Participant or designated beneficiary and such benefit shall be irrevocably forfeited.
10.8    Limitations on Liability.  Notwithstanding any of the preceding provisions of the Plan, neither the Plan Administrator, the Benefits Department, the Benefits Governance Committee, the Corporate Investment Committee, or the Compensation and Human Resources Committee, nor any individual acting as the Plan Administrator’s, the Benefits Department’s, the Benefits Governance Committee’s, the Corporate Investment Committee’s, the Compensation and Human Resources Committee’s, or the Company’s employee, agent, or representative shall be liable to any Participant, former Participant or other person for any claim, loss, liability or expense incurred in connection with the Plan.
10.9    Conflicts.  If any person holds a position under this Plan through which he or she is charged with making a decision about his or her own (or any immediate family member’s) Plan participation, including, without limitation, eligibility, account valuation, or investments, then such person shall be recused and the decision shall be made by the Plan Administrator.  If a decision is required regarding the senior human resources officer’s Plan participation, including without limitation, eligibility, account valuation or investments, such decision shall be made by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
10.10    Compliance with Section 409A.  This Plan is intended to be administered in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and each provision of the Plan shall be interpreted, to the extent possible, to comply with Section 409A of the Code.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Plan to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the _29th_ day of _December____________, 2014.
PNM RESOURCES, INC.
By:    /s/ Patrick V. Apodaca
Senior Vice President and General Counsel

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

                                                                  ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
		
	1.1
	General                                    1

		
	1.2
	Construction                                    5

ARTICLE II
ELIGIBILITY; ADOPTION BY AFFILIATES
		
	2.1
	The Eligible Class                                6

		
	2.2
	Selection of Participants                            6

		
	2.3
	Election to Participate                                6

		
	2.4
	Discontinuance of Participation                        6

		
	2.5
	Adoption by Affiliates                                7

ARTICLE III
DEFERRALS AND CREDITS
		
	3.1
	Supplemental Deferral Agreement                        7

		
	3.2
	Supplemental Deferrals                            7

		
	3.3
	Matching and Standard Credits                        7

		
	3.4
	Supplemental Credits                                8

		
	3.5
	Discretionary Credits                                9

		
	3.6
	Benefits Not Contingent                            9

		
	3.7
	Allocation Among Affiliates                            9

ARTICLE IV
VESTING
		
	4.1
	Vesting in the Supplemental Deferral Account, the Matching Credit Account and the Standard Credit Account                            10

		
	4.2
	Vesting in the Supplemental Credit Account                    10

		
	4.3
	Acceleration of Vesting                            10

ARTICLE V
ADJUSTMENT OF ACCOUNTS
		
	5.1
	Adjustment of Accounts                            11

		
	5.2
	Investment Direction                                11

		
	5.3
	Special Company Stock Fund Provisions                    12

		
	5.4
	Compliance with Securities Laws                        12

i    

062014

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page

ARTICLE VI
DISTRIBUTIONS
		
	6.1
	Distribution Events                                13

		
	6.2
	Form of Distribution                                13

		
	6.3
	Amount of Distribution                            16

		
	6.4
	Timing of Distributions                            16

		
	6.5
	Beneficiary Designation                            17

		
	6.6
	Withholding                                    17

		
	6.7
	Deductibility                                    17

		
	6.8
	Ban on Acceleration of Benefits                        17

		
	6.9
	Distributions Treated as Made Upon a Designated Event            17

ARTICLE VII
TRANSFERS FROM ESP I
		
	7.1
	Combination with ESP I                            17

		
	7.2
	Accounting                                    17

ARTICLE VIII
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
		
	8.1
	General Powers and Duties                            18

		
	8.2
	Claims                                        19

ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENT
		
	9.1
	Amendment                                    21

		
	9.2
	Effect of Amendment                                22

		
	9.3
	Termination                                    22

ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS
		
	10.1
	Participant’s Rights Unsecured                        22

		
	10.2
	No Guaranty of Benefits                            22

		
	10.3
	No Enlargement of Employee Rights                        22

		
	10.4
	Spendthrift Provision                                22

		
	10.5
	Incapacity of Participant                            23

ii    

062014

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
Page

		
	10.6
	Successors                                    23

		
	10.7
	Unclaimed Benefit                                23

		
	10.8
	Limitations on Liability                            23

		
	10.9
	Conflicts                                    23

		
	10.10
	Compliance with Section 409A                        23

iiiPNM 12.31.2014 EXh 10.2

Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYEE RETENTION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into by and between PNM Resources, Inc. (“PNMR”) and Charles N. Eldred (the “Employee”) (collectively, the “Parties”).
RECITALS:
To incentivize Employee to continue employment through December 31, 2017 and meet certain performance measures, PNMR is offering Employee the Retention Bonuses and the Restricted Stock Rights Awards as specified in this Agreement.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
1.Effective Date of Agreement.
This Agreement shall be effective on January 1, 2015 (the “Effective Date”).
2.    Scope of Agreement; At Will Employment.
All terms and conditions of Employee’s employment with PNMR Services Company (the “Company”) are unchanged and are determined pursuant to Company’s employment policies and practices unless otherwise specifically modified by this Agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt, Employee remains eligible to participate in benefit plans and programs sponsored by PNMR and its affiliates that are generally available to officers of PNMR including but not limited to, the Officer Annual Incentive Plan, the Long-Term Incentive Plan and the Officer Retention Plan, subject to the terms and conditions of those plans.  This Agreement is intended to supplement and not replace the benefit plans and programs sponsored by PNMR and its affiliates.  
Employee acknowledges that Employee’s employment by Company remains “at-will” and that Employee or Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason.  If the employment relationship ends during the term of this Agreement, this Agreement will only govern the terms of the payment of the Retention Bonuses and the Restricted Stock Rights Awards.
3.    Retention Bonus and Restricted Stock Rights Award.  
Employee shall be entitled to the Retention Bonuses and the Restricted Stock Rights Awards set forth below if: (1) Employee remains employed by Company through the applicable Retention Dates; (2) Employee continues to devote substantially all of Employee’s undivided working time, attention, knowledge, and skills to Employee’s job assignment as determined by the Chief Executive Officer in her discretion; (3) Employee completes or satisfies the Performance Deliverables listed on Appendix A prior to the applicable Retention Dates; and (4) Employee executes and does not revoke the release in accordance with Section 9 (Release).
If Employee satisfies the Performance Deliverables, Employee shall receive the Retention Bonus and the Restricted Stock Rights in the amounts specified in the tables below.  Shortly after each Retention Date, the Chief Executive Officer will assess and certify to the PNMR Compensation and Human Resources Committee (the “Committee”) whether Employee has satisfied the Performance Deliverables.  Within 60 days of each Retention Date, the 

Committee will consider the Chief Executive Officer’s certification and make the final determination of the satisfaction of the Performance Deliverables. 
If Employee does not satisfy the Performance Deliverables for Retention Bonus 1 and Restricted Stock Rights Award 1, but satisfies the Performance Deliverables for Retention Bonus 2 and Restricted Stock Rights Award 2, Employee shall be entitled to receive Retention Bonuses 1 and 2 and Restricted Stock Rights Awards 1 and 2 at the time Retention Bonus 2 and Restricted Stock Rights 2 would otherwise be paid (less any amounts Employee has already received pursuant to this Agreement). 
If Employee does not satisfy the Performance Deliverables, the Committee, in its discretion, may award Employee a Retention Bonus and/or a Restricted Stock Rights Award in such amount as it deems appropriate.  In no event is Employee entitled to either a Retention Bonus or a Restricted Stock Rights Award if Employee does not satisfy the Performance Deliverables.
	
			
	 
	Retention Date
	Amount

	Retention Bonus 1
	December 31, 2016
	$175,000

	Retention Bonus 2
	December 31, 2017
	$200,000

The Retention Bonus shall be “paid” by allocating Discretionary Credits to Employee under the PNM Resources, Inc. Executive Savings Plan II (the “ESP II”).  The Discretionary Credits will be credited under the ESP II in accordance with Section 7 (Discretionary Credits Allocated to ESP II) below.  Employee does not have the right to receive cash in lieu of a Discretionary Credit.
	
			
	 
	Retention Date
	Restricted Stock Rights

	Restricted Stock Rights Award 1
	December 31, 2016
	Restricted Stock Rights equal to $100,000/the Fair Market Value of one share of PNMR Stock as of the Grant Date.

	Restricted Stock Rights Award 2
	December 31, 2017
	Restricted Stock Rights equal to $275,000/the Fair Market Value of one share of PNMR Stock as of the Grant Date.

The Restricted Stock Rights Awards are granted pursuant to the 2014 Performance Equity Plan (the “PEP”).  The terms of the PEP are hereby incorporated by reference.  Capitalized terms used in this Agreement not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings given to such terms in the PEP.

2

The Grant Date for Restricted Stock Rights Awards shall be the date on which the Committee makes a final determination of the Performance Deliverables, which generally will be at the Committee’s first regularly scheduled meeting in 2017 and 2018.  If the Committee makes a determination of the satisfaction of the Performance Deliverables during a blackout period, the Grant Date will be the first trading day after expiration of the blackout period, as determined in accordance with PNMR’s Equity Compensation Policy.
Restricted Stock Rights Award 1 shall be paid in the form of Stock of PNMR during the period beginning on January 1, 2017 and ending on March 15, 2017, provided Employee has executed and not revoked the release required by Section 9 (Release).  Restricted Stock Rights Award 2 shall be paid in the form of Stock of PNMR during the period beginning on January 1, 2018 and ending on March 15, 2018, provided Employee has executed and not revoked the release required by Section 9 (Release).  
4.    Termination of Employment.
(a)    Termination by Company without Cause.  Company may terminate Employee’s employment without “Cause” prior to the Retention Date (including following a Change in Control).  If Company terminates Employee’s employment without Cause pursuant to this Section, Employee will receive a Pro Rata Retention Bonus (as defined below).  Employee also shall be eligible for a Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award (as defined below).  In order to receive the Pro Rata Retention Bonus and the Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award, Employee must execute and not revoke the release required by Section 9 (Release) at the time specified in Section 9 (Release).  In such instance, Employee also may be entitled to receive severance or retention benefits pursuant to the PNM Resources, Inc. Non-Union Severance Pay Plan or the PNM Resources, Inc. Officer Retention Plan if the requirements of the plans are met.
(b)    Termination by Company for Cause.  If Company terminates Employee’s employment for “Cause” prior to a Retention Date, Employee will not be entitled to receive any Retention Bonus or any Restricted Stock Rights Award for any Retention Date after the date of Employee’s termination.  
(c)    Termination by Employee.  If Employee terminates employment for any reason prior to a Retention Date, Employee will not be entitled to receive any Retention Bonus or any Restricted Stock Rights Award for any Retention Date after the date of Employee’s termination.
5.    Disability.
If Employee becomes Disabled prior to the Retention Date, Employee will receive a Pro Rata Retention Bonus and a Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award.  As a condition to receiving the Pro Rata Retention Bonus and the Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award, Employee must execute and not revoke the release required by Section 9 (Release) at the time specified in Section 9 (Release).  
6.    Death.
If Employee dies prior to a Retention Date, Employee will receive a Pro Rata Retention Bonus and a Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award.  

3

7.    Discretionary Credits Allocated to ESP II.
If Employee satisfies the requirements of Section 3 (Retention Bonus and Restricted Stock Rights Award), Section 4(a) (Termination of Employment – Termination by Company without Cause), Section 5 (Disability) or Section 6 (Death), the Committee shall allocate Discretionary Credits equal to the applicable Retention Bonus or Pro Rata Retention Bonus to Employee’s Discretionary Credit Account in the ESP II as of the date set forth in Section 9 (Release).  The Discretionary Credits shall be paid in the form of annual installments over five (5) years in accordance with the terms of the ESP II.  If Employee dies before the expiration of the installment period, the remaining installment distributions will be paid in a single lump sum payment to Employee’s designated beneficiary.  Distribution of the Discretionary Credits will begin on the earliest of Employee’s Separation from Service (as defined in ESP II), death or Disability (as defined in ESP II).  If Employee is a Specified Employee (as defined in ESP II), distributions due to Separation from Service will begin on the date which is six months after Employee’s Separation from Service.  Employee hereby agrees to the terms and provisions of the ESP II.  Employee does not have the right to select the time and form of payment of the Discretionary Credits.  If Employee does not execute the release as described in Section 9 (Release), such Discretionary Credits shall be forfeited.  
8.    Definitions.
The following words and phrases shall have the meanings set forth in this Section 8, unless a clearly different meaning is required by the context in which the word or phrase is used in this Agreement:  
(a)    “Cause.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in the PNM Resources, Inc. Officer Retention Plan. 
(b)    “Change in Control.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall have the meaning set forth in the PNM Resources, Inc. Officer Retention Plan.
(c)    “Disability.”  For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” or “Disabled” shall have the meaning set forth in the ESP II.  
(d)    “Pro Rata Retention Bonus.”  Employee shall be entitled to receive a Pro Rata Retention Bonus if Employee is terminated without Cause or Employee dies or becomes Disabled.  The amount of the “Pro Rata Retention Bonus” will equal $375,000 less any portion of Retention Bonus 1 previously paid to Employee multiplied by the following fraction: 
The numerator of the fraction is the number of days that elapse between January 1, 2015 and the date on which Employee is terminated by Company without Cause, dies or becomes Disabled.  The denominator of the fraction is 1,095.
The Pro Rata Retention Bonus shall be allocated to the ESP II as a Discretionary Credit in accordance with Section 7 (Discretionary Credits Allocated to ESP II).  The Pro Rata Retention Bonus will be credited to the ESP II as of the date of Employee’s termination without Cause, death or Disability.  Employee does not have the right to receive cash in lieu of the Pro Rata Retention Bonus.  

4

(e)    “Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award.”  Employee shall be entitled to receive a Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award if Employee is terminated without Cause or Employee dies or becomes Disabled.  The Grant Date for the Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award will be the date of Employee’s termination without Cause, death or Disability.  The amount of the “Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award” will equal Restricted Stock Rights Awards 1 and 2 less any portion of Restricted Stock Rights Award 1 previously paid to Employee multiplied by the following fraction:  
The numerator of the fraction is number of days that elapse between January 1, 2015 and the date on which Employee is terminated by Company without Cause, dies or becomes Disabled.  The denominator of the fraction is 1,095.
The Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award shall be paid to Employee within sixty (60) days following the date of his termination of employment, death or Disability provided Employee has executed the release as required by Section 9 (Release).  Payments of the Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Awards will be made in the form of Stock of PNMR.
9.    Release.  
The Retention Bonus or Pro Rata Retention Bonus shall be allocated as Discretionary Credits to the ESP II as of the earliest of (1) the applicable Retention Date, (2) Employee’s termination by Company without Cause (including death), or (3) Employee’s Disability (the “Crediting Date”).  As a condition to receiving the Retention Bonus or Pro Rata Retention Bonus and the Restricted Stock Rights Award or the Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award, Employee must execute and not revoke a full and general release, releasing all claims that Employee may have against Company and any Affiliate of Company arising out of and related to Employee’s employment or termination of employment with Company or its Affiliates.  Such release shall be prepared by Company.  Employee shall receive the Release within five (5) days of the Crediting Date.  Employee shall have until the later of (1) 21 days or (2) the date on which the Employee is informed of the level of satisfaction of the Performance Deliverables to review the Release and sign it and return it to Company.  In no event may Employee return the Release after March 7 of the calendar year following the Retention Date.  Employee shall have seven (7) days to revoke the Release.  If Employee does not sign the Release within the required time period or if Employee revokes the Release, the Discretionary Credits credited to Employee’s ESP II Account shall be forfeited and Employee will not receive the Restricted Stock Rights or the Pro Rata Restricted Stock Rights Award.  For the avoidance of doubt, a Release will not be required in the event of Employee’s death.
10.    Clawback.
The Retention Bonus and the Restricted Stock Rights Awards are subject to potential forfeiture or “clawback” to the fullest extent called for by applicable federal or state law or PNMR policy.  Employee hereby agrees to return the full amount required by applicable law or PNMR policy.

5

11.    Binding Nature of Agreement.
This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Employee and PNMR, but neither this Agreement nor any rights arising hereunder may be assigned or pledged by Employee.
12.    Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement as applied to either party or to any circumstance is adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable for any reason, the same will in no way affect any other provision of this Agreement or the validity or enforceability of this Agreement.
13.    Amendment or Waiver.
No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in a writing signed by Employee and an authorized officer of PNMR.  No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party will be deemed a waiver of any other condition or provision at any time.
14.    Governing Law.
This Agreement will be governed in all respects, whether as to validity, construction, capacity, performance, or otherwise, by the laws of the State of New Mexico.
15.    Entire Agreement.
This Agreement embodies the entire agreement of the Parties respecting the payment of a Retention Bonus and Restricted Stock Rights Award to Employee.
16.    Further Assurances.
Each party agrees to cooperate fully with the other party and to execute such further instruments, documents and agreements, and to give such further written assurances, as may be reasonably requested by the other party to evidence and reflect the transactions described herein and contemplated hereby and to carry into effect the intent and purposes of this Agreement.
17.    Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
18.    Dispute Resolution.
Any dispute over this Agreement must first be submitted in writing to the Vice President, Human Resources of PNMR, within ten (10) days of Employee becoming aware of the dispute.  The President and Chief Executive Officer will issue a written decision on the dispute within ten (10) days of receipt.  If Employee disagrees with the decision, Employee may appeal to the 

6

Committee within ten (10) days of receipt of the decision.  The Committee will issue its decision on the appeal within ten (10) business days of receipt of the appeal.  The decision of the Committee shall be final and binding on all Parties to this Agreement.
19.    Section 409A Compliance.
(a)    Ban on Acceleration or Deferral.  Under no circumstances may the time or schedule of any payment made or benefit provided pursuant to this Agreement be accelerated or subject to a further deferral except as otherwise permitted or required pursuant to regulations and other guidance issued pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.
(b)    No Elections.  Employee does not have any right to make any election regarding the time or form of any payment due under this Agreement other than the elections made in Section 7 (Discretionary Credits Allocated to ESP II), which elections are irrevocable.
(c)    Compliant Operation and Interpretation.  This Agreement shall be administered in accordance with Section 409A or an exception thereto, and each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted, to the extent possible, to comply with Section 409A or to qualify for an exception thereto.  Although this Agreement has been designed to comply with Section 409A or to fit within an exception to the requirements of Section 409A, PNMR specifically does not warrant such compliance.  Employee remains solely responsible for any adverse tax consequences imposed upon him by Section 409A.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, PNMR and Employee have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date set forth below.
PNM RESOURCES, INC
By:   /s/ Patrick V. Apodaca    
      Its:  SVP and General Counsel 
December 9, 2014    
Date
Charles N. Eldred    
Employee’s Name (printed)
/s/ Charles N. Eldred    
Employee’s Signature
December 9, 2014    
Date

7

Appendix A
	
	
	Performance Deliverables for December 31, 2016 Retention Date

	Achieve a six percent (6%) rate of earnings growth between 1/1/15 to 12/31/2016.  The rate of earnings growth is the number, expressed as a percentage, determined by dividing the Incentive Earnings Per Share for calendar year 2016 by the Incentive Earnings Per Share for calendar year 2014 and then subtracting 1 from the quotient.   

The following is an example of the calculation:
•    The Incentive Earnings Per Share in calendar year 2014 is 1.10.
•    The Incentive Earnings Per Share in calendar year 2016 is 1.17.
•    Divide 1.17 by 1.10 and subtract the result by 1.
•    The result is 6%.

Incentive Earnings Per Share shall be as defined in the Officer Annual Incentive Plan for the applicable year.

	
	
	Performance Deliverables for December 31, 2017 Retention Date

	Achieve a nine percent (9%) rate of earnings growth between 1/1/15 to 12/31/2017.  The rate of earnings growth is the number, expressed as a percentage, determined by dividing the Incentive Earnings Per Share for calendar year 2017 by the Incentive Earnings Per Share for calendar year 2014 and then subtracting 1 from the quotient.

The following is an example of the calculation:
•    The Incentive Earnings Per Share in calendar year 2014 is 1.10.
•    The Incentive Earnings Per Share in calendar year 2017 is 1.20.
•    Divide 1.20 by 1.10 and subtract the result by 1.
•    The result is 9%.

Incentive Earnings Per Share shall be as defined in the Officer Annual Incentive Plan for the applicable year.

A-1

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