Document:

Exhibit 10.26 

QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INCORPORATED

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

(As Amended and Restated Effective November
7, 2008)

QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INCORPORATED

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Page

	
 

	
 

	

	
 

	
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
1.1

	
Definitions

	
1

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
1.2

	
Rules of
 Construction

	
3

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
ARTICLE II ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

	
 

	
2.1

	
Eligibility

	
4

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
2.2

	
Participation

	
4

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
ARTICLE III RETIREMENT BENEFIT AND DEATH BENEFIT

	
 

	
3.1

	
Retirement
 Benefit

	
5

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
3.2

	
Death
 Benefit

	
6

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
ARTICLE IV FORM AND TIMING OF RETIREMENT BENEFIT

	
 

	
4.1

	
Form

	
8

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
4.2

	
Timing

	
8

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
ARTICLE V VESTING

	
 

	
5.1

	
Vesting

	
9

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
ARTICLE VI ADMINISTRATION

	
 

	
6.1

	
Committee

	
10

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
6.2

	
Claims
 Procedures

	
10

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
ARTICLE VII FUNDING

	
 

	
7.1

	
General Rule

	
11

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
ARTICLE VIII AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

	
 

	
8.1

	
General Rule

	
12

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
ARTICLE IX GENERAL PROVISIONS

	
 

	
9.1

	
Payments to Minors and Incompetents

	
13

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
9.2

	
No Contract

	
13

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
9.3

	
Non-Alienation
 of Benefits

	
13

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
9.4

	
Income Tax
 Withholding

	
13

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
9.5

	
Governing
 Law

	
13

i

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
9.6

	
Captions

	
13

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
9.7

	
Severability

	
13

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
9.8

	
Notices

	
13

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Appendix A – Actuarial Assumptions

ii

PREAMBLE

                    Effective
December 14, 2004, Quest Diagnostics Incorporated (the “Company”) established
this nonqualified defined benefit pension plan referred to as the Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) for the benefit of the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. 

                    The
Plan was amended, effective December 14, 2004, to amend certain definitions and
the benefit multiplier. 

                    The
Plan is hereby amended and restated, effective November 7, 2008, to incorporate
the foregoing amendment and to reflect amendments to comply with Section 409A
of the Code. 

                    The
Plan is an unfunded nonqualified pension plan that is intended to qualify as a
“top hat plan” for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended. Furthermore, the Plan is intended to satisfy and comply with
all requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and shall be interpreted accordingly.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

                    1.1
Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in the Plan shall
have the meanings indicated in this Article I. 

                    “Actuarial
Equivalence” or “Actuarially Equivalent” means a benefit of equal
value, determined using the actuarial assumptions set forth in Appendix A. 

                    “Annual
Bonus” means the regular annual bonus paid (or which would have been paid
but for a deferral election by the Participant) under the Company’s Management
Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time and any successor thereto). 

                    “Annuity
Forms of Benefit” means the 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity, the Five-Year
Certain Annuity, and the Single Life Annuity. All Annuity Forms of Benefit
shall be of Actuarially Equivalent value. 

                    “Base
Pay” means the monthly salary paid to the Participant by the Company (or
which would have been paid but for a deferral election by the Participant). 

                    “Beneficiary”
means (a) the Participant’s Spouse if the 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity is
elected, or (b) any individual designated in accordance with procedures
established by the Committee as the beneficiary, where the Participant has
elected the Five-Year Certain Annuity. 

                    “Benefit
Starting Date” means the first day of the calendar month following a
Termination from Service Date. 

                    “Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company. 

                    “Cause”
means “Cause” as defined in Section 10(a) of the Employment Agreement.  

                    “Chief
Executive Officer” or “Participant” means Dr. Surya N. Mohapatra.  

                    “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 

                    “Committee”
means the committee of the Board designated by the Board to administer the
Plan. Unless the Board shall determine otherwise, the Committee shall be the
Compensation Committee of the Board. 

                    “Company”
means Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, a Delaware corporation, and any entity
that acquires or succeeds to all or substantially all of the Company’s business
or assets and any successor to any such entity. 

                    “Credited
Service” means all calendar months of employment with the Company, whether
or not consecutive. Calendar months in which a Participant was employed during
the month shall be treated as a period of Credited Service. 

                    “Disability”
means “disability” as defined in Section 10(b) of the Employment Agreement. 

                    “Earliest
Retirement Date” means the first day of the calendar month following the
completion of 96 months of Credited Service. 

                    “Employment
Agreement” is the Employment Agreement Between Surya N. Mohapatra and Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated, as amended and restated effective November 7, 2008,
and as may be otherwise amended from time to time thereafter in accordance
therewith. 

                    “Employment
Term” means “Employment Term” as defined in the Employment Agreement. 

                    “ERISA”
means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the
regulations thereunder. 

                    “50%
Joint and Survivor Annuity” means a form of payment whereby the benefit is
paid in monthly installments commencing on the Benefit Starting Date and
continuing for the lifetime of the Participant, with 50% of such amount being
paid to the Spouse of such Participant for as long as the Spouse survives after
the Participant’s death. 

                    “Final
Average Pay” means an annual amount, determined in accordance with the
formula P/Y, where “P” is the sum
of the Participant’s Base Pay and Annual Bonuses for the highest three complete
consecutive calendar years of the Executive’s final five complete calendar
years prior to his Termination from Service Date and “Y” is three. For this purpose, each Annual
Bonus shall be taken into account in the fiscal year for which it is earned,
regardless of when paid. 

For purposes
of determining Final Average Pay, Base Pay and Annual Bonuses shall be
determined including amounts that may have been deferred pursuant to any
qualified or nonqualified plan of the Company. 

                    “Five-Year
Certain Annuity” means a form of payment whereby the benefit is paid in
monthly installments commencing on the Benefit Starting Date and continuing for
the longer of (a) the lifetime of the Participant or (b) 60 months. 

                    “Good
Reason” means “Good Reason” as defined in Section 10(d) of the Employment
Agreement. 

                    “Lump
Sum” means the single sum benefit that is the Actuarial Equivalent of an
immediately commencing Retirement Benefit. 

                    “Normal
Retirement Date” means the first of the month coincident with or next
following the Participant’s 62nd anniversary of birth. 

                    “Plan”
means this Quest Diagnostics Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as set
forth herein and as amended from time to time in accordance herewith. 

                    “Retirement
Benefit” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1. 

2

                    “Single
Life Annuity” means a form of payment whereby the benefit is paid in
monthly installments commencing on the Benefit Starting Date and continuing for
the lifetime of the Participant. 

                    “Spouse”
means the person to whom the Participant is legally married on the Benefit
Starting Date. 

                    “Termination
from Service Date” means the date on which the Participant’s employment
with the Company terminates; provided, however, for purposes of this Plan with
respect to any payment or benefit due upon a termination of the Participant’s
employment that represents a “deferral of compensation” within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code, “Termination from Service Date” shall mean the date
the Participant has a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Treas.
Reg. 1.409A-1(h)). 

                    “Years
of Credited Service” means (a) the number of completed calendar months of
Credited Service from the Participant’s original date of hire (taking into
account all consecutive and nonconsecutive periods of employment) times 1.13,
divided by (b) 12. However, if (a) the Company provides to the Participant a
notice of non-renewal of the Employment Agreement (pursuant to Section 2
thereof) which causes the Employment Term to end before he has attained age 60,
or (b) the Participant’s employment is otherwise terminated by the Company
other than for Cause or is terminated by the Participant for Good Reason before
he has attained age 60, then the multiplier shall be 1.29 rather than 1.13. If
the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause
or is terminated by the Participant for Good Reason on or after the date the
Participant attains age 60 and before the date he attains age 62, then for
purposes of calculating the Participant’s “Years of Credited Service” he shall
be credited with additional months of Credited Service equal to the excess, if
any, of (i) the number of months of severance benefits the Participant is
eligible to receive under Section 11(e)(i) of the Employment Agreement (that is
24 months, or 36 months in the case of a CIC Severance Event, as defined
therein) over (ii) the number of months of service the Participant has
completed from the date he attained age 60 through the Termination from Service
Date. 

                    1.2
Rules of Construction. The singular form of a word shall be deemed to
include the plural form, unless the context requires otherwise. Unless
indicated otherwise, references herein to articles and sections are to articles
and sections of the Plan. 

3

ARTICLE II

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

                  2.1
Eligibility. The Chief Executive Officer is the sole Participant in this
Plan. 

                  2.2
Participation. 

                              (a)
Commencement. The Chief Executive Officer shall commence participation
on December 14, 2004. 

                              (b)
Duration. The Participant shall continue to be a Participant as long as
he is entitled to a Retirement Benefit under the Plan. 

                              (c)
Effect of Reemployment. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                         (i)
 If the Participant incurs a Termination from Service Date for any reason he
 shall cease to accrue any benefits under this Plan and if he is subsequently
 reemployed, no Base Salary or Annual Bonus paid after such reemployment nor
 any Credited Service shall be taken into account in determining any benefit
 under this Plan. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                         (ii)
 Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, Annuity Forms of
 Benefit shall not be suspended if the Participant is subsequently reemployed
 by the Company. 

4

ARTICLE III

RETIREMENT BENEFIT AND DEATH BENEFIT

                    3.1
Retirement Benefit. 

                              (a)
Benefit Starting Date on or After Normal Retirement Date. The annual
Retirement Benefit payable to the Participant if his Benefit Starting Date
occurs on or after his Normal Retirement Date is a life annuity equal to 1.2%
times his Final Average Pay times his Years of Credited Service accrued on or
before July 31, 2006, and 2.2% times his Final Average Pay times his Years of
Credited Service accrued after July 31, 2006. 

                              (b)
Benefit Starting Date on or After Earliest Retirement Date. The annual
Retirement Benefit payable where the Participant’s Benefit Starting Date occurs
on or after his Earliest Retirement Date but before his Normal Retirement Date
shall be an immediately commencing life annuity equal to 1.2% times the
Participant’s Final Average Pay times his Years of Credited Service accrued on
or before July 31, 2006, and 2.2% times his Final Average Pay times his Years
of Credited Service accrued after July 31, 2006, reduced by 0.5% for each month
that the Benefit Starting Date precedes the Normal Retirement Date. 

                             (c)
Benefit Starting Date Before Earliest Retirement Date. If the
Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated before the Earliest
Retirement Date (i) by the Company for Cause, or (ii) by the Participant other than
for (x) Good Reason, (y) Disability or (z) death, then no benefit shall be
payable from this Plan. If the Participant’s employment with the Company is
terminated before the Earliest Retirement Date for any other reason (including
if the Company provides to the Participant a notice of non-renewal of the
Employment Agreement (pursuant to Section 2 thereof) which causes the
Employment Term to end), then the Participant’s Retirement Benefit shall be a
life annuity payable at the Earliest Retirement Date equal to 1.2% times the
Participant’s Final Average Pay (taking into account compensation paid under
the remaining term of the Employment Agreement) times the Participant’s Years
of Credited Service accrued on or before July 31, 2006, and 2.2% times his Final
Average Pay times his Years of Credited Service accrued after July 31, 2006.
For purposes of the preceding sentence, Credited Service shall be deemed to be
96 months. 

                              (d)
One-Time Benefit Election. Before January 1, 2005, the Participant may
make an irrevocable written election in accordance with procedures set forth by
the Committee to forego the employer matching credit under the Company’s
Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan for 2005 and all later years (matching
credits for years prior to 2005 are not impacted), and if such election is
made, then the benefit multiplier set forth in this Section 3.1 shall be 1.5%
instead of 1.2% in all instances for his Years of Credited Service accrued on
or before July 31, 2006. For his Years of Credited Service accrued after July
31, 2006, the benefit multiplier shall be 2.2% in all instances. 

                              (e)
Disability. In the event of a Disability, the Participant’s Credited
Service, Base Pay and Annual Bonus during the disability period will be
determined consistent with the first sentence of Section 11(a) of the
Employment Agreement and the 0.5% per month reduction for early commencement
shall not apply. 

5

                              (f)
No Reduction for Early Commencement. Notwithstanding the preceding
paragraphs, if (a) the Company provides to the Participant a notice of
non-renewal of the Employment Agreement (pursuant to Section 2 thereof) which
causes the Employment Term to end before he has attained his Normal Retirement
Date, or (b) the Participant’s employment is otherwise terminated by the
Company other than for Cause, or is terminated by the Participant for Good
Reason, before the Normal Retirement Date, then the 0.5% per month reduction
for early commencement shall not apply. 

                    3.2
Death Benefit. 

                              (a)
Before Benefit Starting Date. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                              (i)
 If the Participant dies and has not incurred a Benefit Starting Date and, as
 of the date of death, (x) is married, (y) has attained his Earliest
 Retirement Date, and (z) is employed by the Company, a Retirement Benefit
 shall be payable to the Participant’s Spouse commencing on the first day of
 the month following the Participant’s death, calculated as if the Participant
 had retired on the date of death, selected the 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity
 option, and then died. If the Participant dies and has not incurred a Benefit
 Starting Date and, as of the date of death, (x) is married, (y) has not
 attained his Earliest Retirement Date, and (z) is employed by the Company, a
 Retirement Benefit shall be payable to the Participant’s Spouse commencing on
 the Earliest Retirement Date, calculated as if the Participant had terminated
 with a benefit described in the second sentence of Section 3.1(c) on the date
 of death, selected the 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity option, and then died.
 However, in all cases, the 0.5% per month reduction for early commencement
 shall not apply to benefits payable under this Section 3.2(a)(i). 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                              (ii)
 Except as otherwise provided in clause (iii) below, if the Participant dies
 before incurring a Benefit Starting Date and is unmarried, then no death
 benefit shall be payable from the Plan. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                              (iii)
 If the Participant incurs a Termination from Service Date, and is eligible
 for a Retirement Benefit under the Plan upon his Termination from Service
 Date, but dies after the Termination from Service Date and before
 the Retirement Benefit begins to be distributed, benefits are payable as if
 the Participant died immediately after his Retirement Benefit had begun to be
 distributed. If the Retirement Benefit was to have been paid in a Lump Sum,
 such Lump Sum will be paid to the Participant’s estate. 

                              (b)
Following Benefit Starting Date. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                              (i)
 If the Participant dies after (x) incurring a Benefit Starting Date, (y)
 electing a Retirement Benefit in the form of a Five-Year Certain Annuity, and
 (z) has not received 60 monthly installment payments of the Retirement
 Benefit as of the date of death, the remaining installment payments that
 would have been payable to the Participant had the Participant survived to
 the end of the 60-month period shall be payable to such Participant’s
 Beneficiary. If a Beneficiary who is receiving installment payments from a
 Five-Year Certain Annuity dies before all remaining installments are paid,
 the remaining Retirement 

6

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Benefit shall
 be paid to the Beneficiary’s estate in the form of an Actuarial Equivalent
 lump sum. In the event the Participant’s Beneficiary predeceases the
 Participant or the Participant did not designate a Beneficiary, upon the
 Participant’s death any remaining Retirement Benefit under this form shall be
 paid to the Participant’s estate in the form of an Actuarial Equivalent lump
 sum. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                              (ii)
 If the Participant dies after (y) incurring a Benefit Starting Date and (z)
 electing a Retirement Benefit in the form of a 50% Joint and Survivor
 Annuity, payments shall be made to the surviving Spouse in accordance with
 the elected form of benefit. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                              (iii)
 If the Participant dies after incurring a Benefit Starting Date and (w) has
 received payment of his entire Retirement Benefit, (x) has elected the Single
 Life Annuity, (y) has elected the Five-Year Certain Annuity and has received
 60 or more monthly payments by the date of death, or (z) has elected the 50% Joint
 and Survivor Annuity where the Spousal Beneficiary predeceased the
 Participant, no death benefit shall be payable from the Plan. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                              (iv)
 If the Participant dies after incurring a Benefit Starting Date and has not
 elected an Annuity Form, the Retirement Benefit will be payable to the
 Participant’s estate, to the extent not previously been paid. 

7

ARTICLE IV

FORM AND TIMING OF RETIREMENT BENEFIT

                    4.1
Form. 

                              (a)
General Rule. The Retirement Benefit shall be paid as an Actuarially
Equivalent Lump Sum payment unless the Participant makes an election to receive
the Retirement Benefit in another form pursuant to Section 4.1(b) or (c). 

                              (b)
Changes from Lump Sum to Annuity. The Participant may make a written
irrevocable election to the extent permitted by the Committee to receive the
Retirement Benefit that otherwise would have been payable in a Lump Sum form in
an Annuity Form of Benefit, provided that to the extent required under section
409A of the Code (i) payment of the Retirement Benefit shall not begin until
five years after the date the payments under the Plan otherwise would have
begun, (ii) the election is made at least 12 months before the original Benefit
Starting Date otherwise would have occurred, and (iii) the election is in
effect for at least 12 months prior to the new Benefit Starting Date. Such
delayed benefit shall be the Actuarial Equivalent of the Retirement Benefit. 

                              (c)
Annuity Forms of Benefit. A Participant may change any election to
receive one Annuity Form of Benefit to another Annuity Form of Benefit before a
Benefit Starting Date, only to the extent permitted by section 409A of the Code
and procedures established by the Committee. No election to receive an Annuity
Form of Benefit may be changed to an election to receive a Lump Sum benefit. 

                    4.2 Timing.

                              (a)
General Rule. The Participant’s Retirement Benefit shall be paid on the
first day of the seventh calendar month following the month that includes his
Termination from Service Date, unless a later date is elected pursuant to
Section 4.1(b). If the Retirement Benefit is paid in an Actuarially Equivalent
Lump Sum, then the payment shall be made on the first day of the seventh
calendar month in which the Termination from Service Date occurs and shall
include interest for the period from the Benefit Starting Date to the payment
date at the rate used to determine Actuarial Equivalence. 

                              (b)
Death Benefit. A benefit paid under the Plan on account of the death of
a Participant shall commence as soon as practicable following the Participant’s
date of death, except as otherwise may be provided in Section 3.2(a)(i) and
Section 3.2(b). 

8

ARTICLE V

VESTING

                    5.1
Vesting. The Participant shall be vested in a Retirement Benefit on the
attainment of his Earliest Retirement Date and as otherwise provided in the
second sentence of Section 3.1(c). 

9

ARTICLE VI

ADMINISTRATION

                    6.1
Committee. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                    (a)
 Responsibilities. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee,
 which shall be responsible for the interpretation of the Plan and
 establishment of the rules and regulations governing the administration
 thereof. The Committee shall have full discretion to interpret and administer
 the Plan. The Committee’s decision in any matter involving the interpretation
 and application of this Plan shall be final and binding on all parties.
 Neither the Committee nor any member thereof nor the Company shall be liable
 for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan
 or the rights of any person under the Plan. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                    (b)
 Authority of Members. The members of the Committee may authorize one
 or more of their number to execute or deliver any instrument, make any
 payment or perform any other act that the Plan authorizes or requires the
 Committee to do, including, without limitation, the retention of counsel and
 other agents as it may require in carrying out the provisions of the Plan. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                    (c)
 Authority to Delegate. Any responsibility or authority assigned to the
 Committee under the Plan may be delegated to any other person or persons, by
 name or in the case of a delegation to an employee of the Company by title or
 position with the Company, consistent with the by-laws or other procedures of
 the Committee; provided that
 such delegation is revocable by the Committee at any time, in its discretion.
 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                    (d)
 Records and Expenses. The Committee or its designees shall keep such
 records as may be necessary for the administration of the Plan and shall
 furnish such periodic information to Participants as may be necessary or
 desirable, in the sole discretion of the Committee. All expenses of
 administering the Plan shall be paid by the Company and shall not affect a
 Participant’s right to, or the amount of, benefits. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
                    (e)
 Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the
 Plan to the contrary and to the extent applicable, it is intended that the
 Plan be interpreted, construed and administered in accordance with the
 applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code. 

                    6.2
Claims Procedures. All claims for benefits under the Plan shall be made in
writing to the Committee or its designee. The claims procedures hereunder shall
be consistent with those established under the Quest Diagnostics Supplemental
Deferred Compensation Plan; however, the Committee shall provide adequate
written notice to any individual whose claim for benefits under the Plan has
been denied, setting forth specific reasons for such denial, written in a
manner calculated to be understood by such individual.  

10

ARTICLE VII

FUNDING

                    7.1
General Rule. The Plan is an unfunded arrangement. No portion of any
funds of the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall be required to be set apart
for a Participant or Beneficiary. The rights of a Participant or Beneficiary to
the payment of the Retirement Benefit shall be limited to those of a general,
unsecured creditor of the Company who has a claim equal to the value of the
Participant’s Retirement Benefit. Retirement Benefits shall be payable from the
general assets of the Company, or from a permissible funding vehicle consistent
with the tax deferral objective of this Plan, or both. 

11

ARTICLE VIII

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

                    8.1
General Rule. The Committee shall have the right to amend or terminate
the Plan for any reason, at any time and from time to time. However, no
amendment or termination of the Plan shall cause, without the Participant’s
written consent, a reduction in the Retirement Benefit or other benefits to
which the Participant or his beneficiary would have been entitled to under the
terms of this Plan absent such amendment or termination, whether such benefits
are attributable to periods of employment prior to, on or after the effective
date of the Plan amendment or termination; provided,
however, that the Company shall not be required to increase or
otherwise adjust benefits payable to the Participant or his beneficiary on
account of future changes in law. Furthermore, no amendment may result in an
acceleration of benefit payment (except as may be permitted by Section 409A of
the Code) or an adverse Federal income tax consequence to the Participant. Any
action by the Committee to amend or terminate the Plan shall be undertaken by a
resolution duly adopted at a meeting of the Committee, or by written consent of
the Committee, in lieu of a meeting, as the case may be. 

12

ARTICLE IX

GENERAL PROVISIONS

                    9.1
Payments to Minors and Incompetents. If the Participant or any
Beneficiary entitled to receive any benefits hereunder is a minor or is deemed
by the Committee or is adjudged to be legally incapable of giving valid receipt
and discharge for such benefits, they will be paid to such person or institution
as the Committee may designate or to a duly appointed guardian. Such payment
shall, to the extent made, be deemed a complete discharge of any such payment
under the Plan. 

                    9.2
No Contract. This Plan shall not be deemed a contract of employment with
the Participant, and no provision hereof shall affect the right of the Company
to terminate the Participant’s employment. 

                    9.3
Non-Alienation of Benefits. No amount payable to, or held under the Plan
for the account of, the Participant or any Beneficiary shall be subject, in any
manner, to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to so anticipate, alienate, sell,
transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge the same shall be void. No amount
payable to, or held under the Plan for the account of, the Participant shall be
subject to any legal process of levy or attachment. 

                    9.4
Income Tax Withholding. The Company may withhold from any payments
hereunder such amount as it may be required to withhold under applicable
federal, state or other income tax law, and transmit such withheld amounts to
the appropriate taxing authority. In lieu thereof, the Company shall have the
right, to the extent permitted by law, to withhold the amount of such taxes
from any other sums due from the Company to the Participant upon such terms and
conditions as the Committee may prescribe. 

                    9.5
Governing Law. The provisions of the Plan shall be interpreted,
construed and administered under the laws of the State of New Jersey applicable
to contracts entered into and performed in such state, without regard to the
choice of law provisions thereof and to the extent that ERISA and other federal
laws do not apply. 

                    9.6
Captions. The captions contained in the Plan are inserted only as a
matter of convenience and for reference and in no way define, limit, enlarge or
describe the scope or intent of the Plan or in any way affect the construction
of any provision of the Plan. 

                    9.7
Severability. If any provision of the Plan is held invalid or
unenforceable, its invalidity or unenforceability will not affect any other
provision of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if such
provision had not been included. 

                    9.8
Notices. The Participant shall be responsible for furnishing the
Committee with the current and proper address for the mailing of notices and
delivery of agreements and payments. Any notice required or permitted to be
given shall be deemed given if directed to the person to whom addressed at such
address and mailed by regular United States first class mail, postage prepaid.
If any item mailed to such address is returned as undeliverable to the
addressee, mailing shall be suspended until the Participant furnishes the
proper address. 

                    9.9
Binding Nature; Assignability. This Plan shall be binding upon the
successors and assigns of the Company. No rights or obligations of the Company
under this 

13

Plan may be
assigned or transferred by the Company without the Participant’s prior written
consent, except that such rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred
pursuant to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the
continuing entity, or a sale, liquidation or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, provided that the assignee or
transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company and assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company
under this Plan, either contractually or as a matter of law. 

14

                    IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed by its
duly authorized officer as of the 7th day of November, 2008. 

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
Quest
 Diagnostics Incorporated

	
 

	
 

	
 

	
By: /s/ David W. Norgard                   

	
 

	
      David W. Norgard

APPENDIX A

ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS

                    Actuarial
Equivalence shall be determined by the following assumptions: 

                    (a)
Mortality: the GAR 1994 Table. 

                    (b)
Interest: For determinations made during the period January 1 through June 30
of a given year, the average of the Moody’s Aa High Quality Corporate Bond
Yield Average as of each day of the months of September, October and November
of the previous year. For determinations made during the period July 1 through
December 31 of a given year, the average of the Moody’s Aa High Quality
Corporate Bond Yield Average as of each day of the months of March, April and
May of the current year.Exhibit 10.28

AMENDED
AND RESTATED QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INCORPORATED 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER SEVERANCE PLAN

                    1.
Purpose. The
purpose of the Quest Diagnostics Incorporated Executive Officer Severance Plan
(together with the attached schedules, appendices and exhibits, the “Plan”) is to secure the continued
services of the executive officers of the Company and provide these executives
with certain termination benefits in the event of a Qualifying Termination (as
defined in Section 2) and to ensure their continued dedication to their
duties in the event of any threat or occurrence of a Change in Control of the
Company (as defined in Section 2).

                    2.
Definitions. As
used in this Plan, the following terms shall have the respective meanings set
forth below:

                    (a)
“Annual Performance Bonus”
means the annual cash bonus awarded under the Company’s applicable incentive
plans, as in effect from time to time (as of the date of adoption of this Plan
the “Bonus” within the meaning of Section 5(a) of the Company’s Senior
Management Incentive Plan, effective as of May 13,
2003 and under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan such plans referred to
herein as the “Company Incentive Plan”).

                    (b)
“Base Salary” means
the Participant’s annual rate of base salary as in effect on the Date of
Termination, provided, however,
that Base Salary for the Termination Period shall mean the Participant’s
highest annual rate of base salary during the twelve-month period immediately
prior to the Participant’s Date of Termination.

                    (c)
“Board” means the
Board of Directors of the Company and, after a Change in Control, the “board of
directors” of the surviving corporation. References herein to the Board include
any committee or person to whom the Board has designated its authority.

                    (d)
“Bonus Amount” means
the Participant’s target Annual Performance Bonus for the fiscal year in which
the Participant’s Date of Termination occurs, provided, however,
that if the Participant’s Qualifying Termination is on account of Good Reason
pursuant to a reduction in a Participant’s compensation or compensation
opportunity under Section 2(k)(ii), “Bonus Amount” shall be the
Participant’s target Annual Performance Bonus for the prior fiscal year if
higher.

                    (e)
“Cause” means
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Participant to perform
substantially his duties with the Company (other than any such failure
resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness
or any such failure subsequent to the Participant being delivered a notice of
termination without Cause by the Company or delivering a notice of termination
for Good Reason to the Company) after a written demand for substantial
performance is delivered to the Participant by or on behalf of the Board which
specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the
Participant has not substantially performed his duties, (ii) the 

willful engaging by the Participant in illegal conduct
or gross misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the
Company or its affiliates, (iii) the engaging by the Participant in
conduct or misconduct that materially harms the reputation or financial position
of the Company, (iv) the Participant (x) obstructs or impedes,
(y) endeavors to influence, obstruct or impede or (z) fails to
materially cooperate with, an Investigation, (v) the commission of a
felony by the Participant or (vi) the Participant is found liable in any
Securities and Exchange Commission or other civil or criminal securities law
action.

                    For
purposes of this paragraph (e), no act or failure to act by the
Participant shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by
the Participant in bad faith and without reasonable belief that the
Participant’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company or
its affiliates. Any act, or failure to act, in accordance with authority duly
given by the Board, based upon the advice of counsel for the Company (including
counsel employed by the Company) shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or
omitted to be done, by the Participant in good faith and in the best interests
of the Company.

                    A
Participant who is designated on Schedule A (and, after a Change in
Control, a Participant who is designated on Schedule B) shall not be
considered to have been terminated for Cause unless and until the Company has
delivered to the Participant a copy of a resolution duly adopted by
three-quarters (3/4) of the entire Board (excluding the Participant from both
the numerator and denominator if the Participant is a Board member) at a
meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice
to the Participant and an opportunity for the Participant, together with
counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that in the good faith opinion
of the Board an event set forth in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), or
(vi) has occurred and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

                    Anything
herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if, following a termination of the
Participant’s employment by the Company for Cause based upon the conviction of
the Participant for a felony, such conviction is overturned in a final
determination on appeal, the Participant shall be entitled to the payments and
the economic equivalent of the benefits the Participant would have received if
his employment had been terminated by the Company without Cause.

                    (f)
“Change in Control”
means the occurrence of any one of the following events:

	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (i)
 any person is or becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in
 Rule 13d 3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
 securities of the Company representing more than 40% of the total voting
 power of the Company’s 

 

-2-

	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 then outstanding securities generally eligible to
 vote for the election of directors (the “Company
 Voting Securities”), provided,
 however, that any of the following
 acquisitions shall not be deemed to be a Change in Control: (1) by the
 Company or any subsidiary or affiliate, (2) by any employee benefit plan
 (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any subsidiary
 or affiliate, (3) by any underwriter temporarily holding securities
 pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (4) pursuant to a
 Non-Qualifying Transaction (as defined in paragraph (ii));

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (ii)
 the consummation of a merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange
 or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its
 subsidiaries or affiliates that requires the approval of the Company’s
 stockholders whether for such transaction or the issuance of securities in
 the transaction (a “Business Combination”),
 unless immediately following such Business Combination:

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
           (A)
 more than 50% of the total voting power of (x) the corporation
 resulting from such Business Combination (the “Surviving Corporation”), or (y) if applicable, the
 ultimate parent corporation that directly or indirectly has beneficial
 ownership of 95% of the voting securities eligible to elect directors of the
 Surviving Corporation (the “Parent
 Corporation”), is represented by Company Voting Securities
 that were outstanding immediately prior to such Business Combination (or, if
 applicable, is represented by shares into which such Company Voting
 Securities were converted pursuant to such Business Combination), and such
 voting power among the holders thereof is in substantially the same
 proportion as the voting power of such Company Voting Securities among the
 holders thereof immediately prior to the Business Combination,

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
           (B)
 no person (other than any employee benefit plan (or any related trust)
 sponsored or maintained by the Surviving Corporation or the Parent
 Corporation), is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
 securities of the Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation,
 the Surviving Corporation) representing 40% of the total voting power of the
 securities then outstanding generally eligible to vote for the election of
 directors of the Parent Corporation (or the Surviving Corporation), and

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
           (C)
 at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the
 Parent Corporation (or, if there is no Parent Corporation, the Surviving
 Corporation) following the consummation of the Business Combination were
 Incumbent Directors at the time of the Board’s 

 

-3-

	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 approval of the execution of the initial agreement
 providing for such Business Combination;

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
 (Any Business Combination which satisfies all of the
 criteria specified in (A), (B) and (C) above shall be deemed to be a “Non-Qualifying
Transaction”);

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (iii)
 individuals who, on the effective date of this Plan, constitute the
 Board (the “Incumbent Directors”)
 cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided
 that any person becoming a director subsequent to the effective date of this
 Plan, whose election or nomination for election was approved by a vote of at
 least a majority of the Incumbent Directors then on the Board (either by a
 specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which
 such person is named as a nominee for director, without written objection to
 such nomination) shall be an Incumbent director; provided, however,
 that no individual initially elected or nominated as a director of the
 Company as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect
 to directors or as a result of any other actual or threatened solicitation of
 proxies or consents by or on behalf of any person other than the Board shall
 be deemed to be an Incumbent Director; or

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (iv)
 the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation
 or dissolution of the Company or the consummation of a sale of all or
 substantially all of the Company’s assets to an entity that is not an
 affiliate of the Company (other than pursuant to a Non-Qualifying
 Transaction).

 

                    Notwithstanding
the foregoing, a Change in Control of the Company shall not be deemed to occur
solely because any person acquires beneficial ownership of more than 40% of
Company Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Company Voting
Securities by the Company which reduces the number of Company Voting Securities
outstanding; provided, that if after such acquisition by the Company such
person becomes the beneficial owner of additional Company Voting Securities
that increases the percentage of outstanding Company Voting Securities
beneficially owned by such person, a Change in Control of the Company shall
then occur.

                    (g)
“Company” means
Quest Diagnostics Incorporated, a Delaware corporation.

                    (h)
“Date of Termination”
means (i) the effective date on which the Participant’s employment by the
Company terminates as specified in a prior written notice by the Company or the
Participant, as the case may be, to the other, delivered 

-4-

pursuant to Section 12 or (ii) if the
Participant’s employment by the Company terminates by reason of death, the date
of death of the Participant.

                    (i)
“Disability” shall
have the same meaning ascribed to that term in Section 22(e)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                    (j)
“Equity Incentive Compensation”
means all equity-based compensation (including stock options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance shares) awarded under the
Company’s incentive plan(s), as in effect from time to time (as of the date of
adoption of this Plan the Amended and Restated Employee Long-Term Incentive
Plan).

                    (k)
“Good Reason” means
the occurrence of one or more of the following circumstances, without the
Participant’s express written consent, and which circumstance(s) are not
remedied by the Company within thirty (30) days of receipt of a written notice
from the Participant describing in reasonable detail the Good Reason event that
has occurred (which notice must be provided within ninety (90) days of the
Participant’s obtaining knowledge of the event):

	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (i)
 (A) any material change in the duties, responsibilities or status
 (including reporting responsibilities) of the Participant that is
 inconsistent in any material and adverse respect with the Participant’s
 position(s), duties, responsibilities or authority with the Company
 immediately prior to such Change in Control (including any material and
 adverse diminution of such duties or responsibilities); provided, however,
 that Good Reason shall not be deemed to occur upon a change in duties,
 responsibilities (other than reporting responsibilities) or status that is
 solely and directly a result of the Company no longer being a publicly traded
 entity and does not involve any other event set forth in this
 Section 2(k) or (B) a material and adverse change in the
 Participant’s titles or offices (including, if applicable, membership on the
 Board) with the Company as in effect immediately prior to such Change in Control;

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (ii)
 a material reduction by the Company in the Participant’s aggregate
 rate of annual base salary, Annual Performance Bonus opportunity and Equity
 Incentive Compensation target opportunity (including any material and adverse
 change in the formula for such targets) as in effect immediately prior to
 such Change in Control;

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (iii)
 the Company’s requiring the Participant to be based at any office or
 location more than fifty (50) miles from the office where the Participant is located
 at the time of the Change in Control and as a result causing the

 

-5-

	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 Participant’s commute from his residence at the
 time of the Change in Control to the new location to increase by more than
 fifty (50) miles;

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (iv)
 the failure of the Company to continue in effect any employee benefit
 plan, compensation plan, welfare benefit plan or fringe benefit plan in which
 the Participant is participating immediately prior to such Change in Control
 or the taking of any action by the Company, in each case which would
 materially adversely affect the Participant, unless the Participant is
 permitted to participate in other plans providing the Participant with
 materially equivalent benefits in the aggregate (at materially equivalent or
 lower cost with respect to welfare benefit plans); or

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (v)
 the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of the Company’s
 obligations hereunder from any successor as contemplated in
 Section 11(b).

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action taken in good faith and which is remedied
by the Company within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice thereof given by
the Participant shall not constitute Good Reason. The Participant’s right to
terminate employment for Good Reason shall not be affected by the Participant’s
incapacities due to mental or physical illness and the Participant’s continued
employment shall not constitute consent to, or a waiver of rights with respect
to, any event or condition constituting Good Reason. The Participant may
terminate his employment for a “Good Reason” event that is not reasonably
remedied by the Company provided
that the Participant shall have delivered a notice of termination within ninety
(90) days after delivery of the notice describing the Good Reason event giving
rise to such termination.

                    (l)
“Investigation”
means an investigation authorized by the Board, a self-regulatory organization
empowered with self-regulatory responsibilities under federal or state laws or a
governmental department or agency.

                    (m)
“Participant” means
an executive officer of the Company selected, from time to time, by the Board
for participation in this Plan and who is designated on Schedule A
or B at the applicable time but only if such executive has completed at least
one year of continuous employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries at the
applicable time (unless such one year employment requirement has been waived in
writing by the Board).

                    (n)
“Potential Change in Control”
means the execution or entering into of any agreement by the Company the
consummation of which can be expected to be a Change in Control.

-6-

                    (o)
“Qualifying Termination”
means a termination of the Participant’s employment with the Company that
occurs on or after January 1, 2008 (i) prior to a Change in Control,
by the Company other than for Cause and (ii) after a Change in Control, by
the Company other than for Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason. Termination
of the Participant’s employment on account of death, Disability or Retirement
shall not be treated as a Qualifying Termination. Notwithstanding the preceding
sentence, the death of the Participant after notice of termination for Good
Reason or without Cause has been validly provided shall be deemed to be a
Qualifying Termination.

                    (p)
“Retirement” means
the Participant’s voluntary termination of employment on or after he or she
attains age 60 with five (5) years of service.

                    (q)
“Subsidiary” means
any corporation or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect
ownership interest of 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the
then outstanding securities or interests of such corporation or other entity
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or members of any
similar governing body) or in which the Company has the right to receive 50% or
more of the distribution of profits or 50% of the assets or liquidation or
dissolution.

                    (r)
“Termination Period”
means the period of time beginning with a Change in Control and ending two (2)
years following such Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan
to the contrary, if (i) the Participant’s employment is terminated prior
to a Change in Control for reasons that would have constituted a Qualifying
Termination if they had occurred following a Change in Control; (ii) the
Participant reasonably demonstrates that such termination (or Good Reason event)
was at the request of a third party who had indicated an intention or taken
steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control; and (iii) a
Change in Control involving such third party (or a party competing with such
third party to effectuate a Change in Control) does occur within six (6) months
from the date of such termination, then for purposes of this Plan, the date
immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment or event
constituting Good Reason shall be treated as a Change in Control. For purposes
of determining the timing of payments and benefits to the Participant
under Section 5, the date of the actual Change in Control shall be treated
as the Participant’s Date of Termination under Section 2(h), and for
purposes of determining the amount of payments and benefits owed to the
Participant under Section 5, the date the Participant’s employment is
actually terminated shall be treated as the Participant’s Date of Termination
under Section 2(h).

                    3.
Eligibility.
(a) The Board shall determine in its sole discretion which executives of the
Company shall be Participants in this Plan and whether a Participant shall be
designated on Schedule A or B.

-7-

                    (b)
The Board may, in its sole discretion, remove any executive from
Schedule A and add such executive to Schedule B but may not remove
any executive from participation in this Plan entirely; provided, that a Participant who is designated on Schedule A as of
immediately prior to a Change in Control may not be removed from such Schedule
without his or her prior written consent within the two year period following a
Change in Control.

                    (c)
The Board may delegate its authority to determine which senior
executives of the Company shall be Participants in this Plan, to designate the
Participants on Schedule A or B and to remove a Participant from
Schedule A to the Compensation Committee (or any successor committee) of
the Board.

                    4.
Payments Upon Termination of
Employment Prior to a Change in Control. If the
employment of the Participant is terminated pursuant to a Qualifying
Termination, then, subject to the Participant’s execution of a Separation
Agreement and Release in the form attached to this Plan as Exhibit A (the
“Separation Agreement and Release”)
which shall be provided to the Participant no later than two (2) days after the
Date of Termination and must be executed by the Participant, become effective
and not be revoked by the Participant by the fifty-fifth (55th) day following
the Date of Termination, the Company shall provide to the Participant:

	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (a)
 A cash payment equal to the Participant’s Base Salary multiplied by
 either (i) 2.00 for a Participant designated on Schedule A or
 (ii) 1.00 for a Participant designated on Schedule B;

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (b)
 A cash payment equal to the Bonus Amount times (i) 2.00 for a
 Participant designated on Schedule A or (ii) 1.00 for a Participant
 designated on Schedule B;

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (c)
 For eighteen (18) months for a Participant designated on
 Schedule A or (ii) twelve (12) months for a Participant designated
 on Schedule B, following the Date of Termination, group medical and life
 insurance coverage to the Participant (and his eligible dependents), under the
 terms prevailing at the time immediately preceding the Date of Termination;
 the Company shall continue to provide such coverage on the same terms as
 provided by the Company to similarly situated executives; provided, that the Company shall cease to provide such coverage if
the
 Participant obtains alternate employment and is eligible for substantially
 comparable group medical or life insurance coverage with such employer; provided further, that
 the Participant shall notify the Company within 10 days of securing such
 alternate employment; provided further,
 that in the event of the disability of the Participant, group medical
 coverage shall continue for a longer period consistent with the Consolidated
 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation 

 

-8-

	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 Act of 1986 (“COBRA”)
 and, provided, further,
 to the extent that any plan does not permit continuation of the Participant’s
 or his eligible dependents’ participation throughout such period, the Company
 shall pay the Participant an amount, on an after-tax basis, equal to the
 Company’s cost of providing such benefits;

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (d)
 For one (1) year following the Date of Termination, the Participant
 will be entitled to receive executive outplacement assistance from Lee Hecht
 Harrison or an equivalent career placement firm at the Company’s expense and
 in accordance with the Company’s policies for similarly situated executives;
 and

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (e)
 A cash payment equal to any matching contributions made by the Company
 on behalf of the Participant to the Company’s 401(k) plan and the Company’s
 Supplemental Deferred Compensation Plan during the year preceding the Date of
 Termination.

 

                    The
cash payments specified in paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) of this
Section 4 shall be paid no later than the sixtieth (60th) day
(or the next following business day if the sixtieth day is not a business day)
following the Date of Termination, but may be made earlier provided that the
Separation Agreement has been executed by the Participant and the revocation
period thereunder has lapsed. Each such cash payment shall be deemed to be a
separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

                    5.
Payments Upon Termination of
Employment After a Change in Control. If during the Termination
Period the employment of the Participant is terminated pursuant to a Qualifying
Termination, then, subject to the Participant’s execution of a Separation
Agreement and Release which shall be provided to the Participant no later than
two (2) days after the Date of Termination and must be executed by the
Participant, become effective and not be revoked by the Participant by the
fifty-fifth (55th) day following the Date of Termination, the
Company shall provide to the Participant:

	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (a)
 A cash payment equal to the result of multiplying the sum of the
 Participant’s Base Salary plus
 the Participant’s Bonus Amount by (i) either 3.00 for a Participant
 designated on Schedule A or (ii) 2.00 for a Participant designated
 on Schedule B; and

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (b)
 A cash payment equal to the Participant’s target Annual Performance
 Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Participant’s Date of Termination
 occurs, multiplied by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the number
 of days the Participant was employed by the Company during the fiscal 

 

-9-

	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 year in which the Date of Termination occurred and
 the denominator of which is 365;

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (c)
 The benefits and payments specified in paragraphs (c), (d) and (e) of
 Section 4.

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (d)
 To the extent provided in Appendix A, if the Participant is
 subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal
 Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Excise
 Tax”), a gross-up payment in accordance with the provisions of
 Appendix A.

 

                    The
cash payments specified in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 5
shall be paid no later than the sixtieth (60th) day (or the next
following business day if the sixtieth day is not a business day) following the
Date of Termination, but may be made earlier provided that the Separation
Agreement has been executed by the Participant and the revocation period
thereunder has lapsed. Each such cash payment shall be deemed to be a separate
payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

                    6.
Key Employees. It is the intent of the Company
that no payments or benefits provided under this Plan shall be considered
“non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A
of the Code and the Plan shall be interpreted accordingly. If and to the extent
that any payment or benefit is determined by the Company (a) to constitute
“non-qualified deferred compensation” subject to Section 409A of the Code,
(b) such payment or benefit is provided to a Participant who is a
“specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and
as determined pursuant to procedures established by the Company) and
(c) such payment or benefit must be delayed for six months from the
Participant’s Date of Termination (or an earlier date) in order to comply with
Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and not cause the Participant to
incur any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, then the Company
will delay making any such payment or providing such benefit until the
expiration of such six month period. The Company shall set aside those payments
that would have been made but for payment delay required by the preceding
sentence in a trust that is in compliance with Rev. Proc. 92-64 which may, but
need not be, the trust established under the Company’s Supplemental Deferred
Compensation Plan; provided, however, that no payment will be made to the Rabbi
Trust if it would be contrary to law or cause the Participant to incur
additional tax under Section 409A.

                    7.
Participant’s Obligations.
The Participant agrees that:

	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (a)
 Without the consent of the Company, the Participant will not terminate
 employment with the Company without giving 30 days prior notice to the
 Company, and during such 30-day period the Participant will assist the 

 

-10-

	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 Company, as and to the extent reasonably requested
 by the Company, to effect an orderly transition of the Participant’s duties
 and responsibilities with the Company.

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
           (b)
 In the event that the Participant has received any benefits from the
 Company under Section 4 of this Agreement, then, during the period of
 36 months following the Date of Termination, the Participant, upon
 request by the Company:

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
           (i)
 Will consult with one or more of the executive officers concerning the
 business and affairs of the Company for not to exceed four hours in any month
 at times and places selected by the Participant as being convenient to him or
 her, all without compensation other than what is provided for in
 Section 4 of this Agreement; and

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
           (ii)
 Will testify as a witness on behalf of the Company in any legal
 proceedings involving the Company which arise out of events or circumstances
 that occurred or existed prior to the Date of Termination (except for any
 such proceedings relating to this Plan), without compensation other than what
 is provided for in Section 4 of this Agreement; provided, that all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Participant
 in connection with serving as a witness shall be paid by the Company.

 

                    The
Participant shall not be required to perform the Participant’s obligations
under this Section 7 if and so long as the Company is in default with
respect to performance of any of its obligations under this Agreement.

                    8.
Withholding Taxes.
The Company may withhold from all payments due to the Participant (or his
beneficiary or estate) hereunder all taxes which, by applicable federal,
state, local or other law, the Company is required to withhold therefrom.

                    9.
Reimbursement of Expenses.
Following a Change in Control, if any contest or dispute shall arise under this
Plan involving termination of a Participant’s employment with the Company or
involving the failure or refusal of the Company to perform fully in accordance
with the terms hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Participant on a current
basis for all reasonable legal fees and related expenses, if any, incurred by
the Participant in connection with such contest or dispute (regardless of the
result thereof), together with interest in an amount equal to the prime rate as
reported in The Wall Street Journal,
but in no event higher than the maximum legal rate permissible under applicable
law, such interest to accrue thirty (30) days from the date the Company 

-11-

receives the Participant’s statement for such fees and
expenses through the date of payment thereof, regardless of whether or not the
Participant’s claim is upheld by a court of competent jurisdiction or an
arbitration panel; provided, however, that the Participant shall be
required to repay immediately any such amounts to the Company to the extent
that a court or an arbitration panel issues a final and non-appealable order
setting forth the determination that the position taken by the Participant was
frivolous or advanced by the Participant in bad faith.

                    10.
No Guarantee of Employment.
Nothing in this Plan shall be deemed to entitle the Participant to continued
employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries.

                    11.
Successors;
Binding Agreement. (a) This Plan shall not be terminated by any
Business Combination. In the event of any Business Combination, the provisions
of this Plan shall be binding upon the Surviving Corporation, and such
Surviving Corporation shall be treated as the Company hereunder.

                    (b)
The Company agrees that in connection with any Business Combination, it
will cause any successor entity to the Company unconditionally to assume all of
the obligations of the Company hereunder. Failure of the Company to obtain such
assumption prior to the effectiveness of any such Business Combination that
constitutes a Change in Control, shall be a breach of this Plan and shall
constitute Good Reason hereunder and shall entitle the Participant to
compensation and other benefits from the Company in the same amount and on the
same terms as the Participant would be entitled hereunder if the Participant’s
employment were terminated following a Change in Control by reason of a
Qualifying Termination. For purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on
which any such Business Combination becomes effective shall be deemed the date
Good Reason occurs, and shall be the Date of Termination if requested by a
Participant.

                    (c)
The benefits provided under this Plan shall inure to the benefit of and
be enforceable by the Participant’s personal or legal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and
legatees. If the Participant shall die while any amounts would be payable to
the Participant hereunder had the Participant continued to live, all such
amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the
terms of this Plan to such person or persons appointed in writing by the
Participant to receive such amounts or, if no person is so appointed, to the
Participant’s estate.

                    12.
Notice. (a) For
purposes of this Plan, all notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed 

-12-

to have been duly given when delivered or five (5)
days after deposit in the United States mail, certified and return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

                    If
to the Participant: the address listed as the Participant’s address in the
Company’s personnel files.

	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 If to the Company: 

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 Quest Diagnostics Incorporated 

 
	
  

 	
 3 Giralda Farms

 
	
  

 	
 Madison, NJ 07071 

 
	
  

 	
 Attention: General Counsel

 

or to such other address as either party may have
furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices
of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

                    (b)
A written notice of the Participant’s Date of Termination by the Company
or the Participant, as the case may be, to the other, shall (i) indicate
the specific termination provision in this Plan relied upon, (ii) to the
extent applicable, set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Participant’s employment
under the provision so indicated and (iii) specify the date of
termination, which date shall be not less than fifteen (15) nor more than sixty
(60) days after the giving of such notice; provided, however,
that the Company may in its sole discretion accelerate such date to an earlier
date or, alternatively, place the Participant on paid leave during such period.
The failure by the Participant or the Company to set forth in such notice any fact
or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall
not waive any right of the Participant or the Company hereunder or preclude the
Participant or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in
enforcing the Participant’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

                    13.
Full
Settlement; Resolution of Disputes and Costs. (a) The Company’s
obligation to make any payments provided for in this Plan and otherwise to
perform its obligations hereunder shall be in lieu and in full settlement of
all other severance payments to the Participant under any other severance or
employment agreement between the Participant and the Company, and any severance
plan of the Company. In no event shall the Participant be obligated to seek
other employment or take other action by way of mitigation of the amounts
payable to the Participant under any of the provisions of this Plan and, except
as provided in the Separation Agreement and Release, such amounts shall not be
reduced whether or not the Participant obtains other employment.

-13-

                    (b)
Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with this Plan
shall be settled exclusively by arbitration in New Jersey by three arbitrators
in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration
Association (“AAA”) then in
effect. One arbitrator shall be selected by the Company, the other by the
Participant and the third jointly by these arbitrators (or if they are unable
to agree within thirty (30) days of the commencement of arbitration the third
arbitrator will be appointed by the AAA). Judgment may be entered on the
arbitrators’ award in any court having jurisdiction. In the event of any such
dispute or controversy arising during a Termination Period, the Company shall
bear all costs and expenses arising in connection with any arbitration
proceeding on the same terms as set forth in Section 9 of this Plan.

                    14.
Employment with Subsidiaries.
Employment with the Company for purposes of this Plan shall include employment
with any Subsidiary.

                    15.
Survival. The
respective obligations and benefits afforded to the Company and the Participant
as provided in Sections 4 (to the extent that payments or benefits are owed as
a result of a termination of employment that occurs during the term of this
Plan) 5, 6, 8(c) and 10 shall survive the termination of this Plan.

                    16.
GOVERNING LAW; VALIDITY.
THE INTERPRETATION, CONSTRUCTION AND PERFORMANCE OF THIS PLAN SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE
OF NEW JERSEY, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLE OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS, AND
APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAWS. THE INVALIDITY OR UNENFORCEABILITY OF ANY PROVISION OF
THIS PLAN SHALL NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY OTHER
PROVISION OF THIS PLAN, WHICH OTHER PROVISIONS SHALL REMAIN IN FULL FORCE AND
EFFECT.

                    17.
Amendment and Termination.
The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time; provided, however,
that (i) Sections 3(b), 4(a) and 4(b) may not be amended in a manner which
is materially adverse to any Participant then listed on Schedule A or B
without such Participant’s written consent, (ii) during the period
commencing on a Change in Control and ending on the second anniversary of the
Change in Control, the Plan (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any
Schedules, Appendices and Exhibits) may not be amended or terminated by the
Board in any manner which is materially adverse to any Participant then listed
on Schedule A or B without such Participant’s written consent and
(iii) any termination or amendments to the Plan (including, for the
avoidance of doubt, any Schedules, Appendices and Exhibits) that are materially
adverse to the interests of any Participant then listed on Schedule A or
B, and that occur during the period of time beginning on a date three (3)
months prior to a Potential Change in Control and ending on the termination of
the agreement that 

-14-

constituted the Potential Change in Control, shall be
void unless consented to in writing by the affected Participant.

                    18.
Interpretation and Administration.
The Plan shall be administered by the Board. The Board may delegate any of its
powers under the Plan to the Compensation Committee of the Board (or any
successor committee). With respect to those Participants who are not subject to
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Committee may
delegate any of its powers under the Plan to the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company. The Board, the Compensation Committee (or any successor committee) and
the Chief Executive Officer (to the extent of the powers delegated to him)
shall have the authority in its sole and absolute discretion to:
(i) exercise all of the powers granted to it under this Plan;
(ii) construe, interpret and implement this Plan; (iii) prescribe,
amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to this Plan, including rules
and regulations governing its own operations; (iv) make all determinations
necessary or advisable in administering this Plan; (v) correct any defect,
supply any omission and reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan; and
(vi) amend this Plan to reflect changes in or interpretations of
applicable law, rules or regulations. The determination of the Board on all
matters relating to the Plan and any amounts payable thereunder shall be final,
binding and conclusive on all parties; provided, however,
that following a Change in Control, notwithstanding anything in this
Plan to the contrary, any court, tribunal or arbitration panel that adjudicates
any dispute, controversy or claim arising between a Participant and the
Company, or any of their delegates or successors, in respect of a Participant’s
Qualifying Termination, will apply a de novo standard of review
to any determinations made by such person and such de novo
standard shall apply notwithstanding the grant of full discretion hereunder to
any such person or characterization of any such decision by such person as
final, binding or conclusive on any party.

                    19.
Claims and Appeals.
Participants may submit claims for benefits by giving notice to the Company
pursuant to Section 12 of this Plan. If a Participant believes that he or
she has not received coverage or benefits to which he or she is entitled under
the Plan, the Participant may notify the Board in writing of a claim for
coverage or benefits. If the claim for coverage or benefits is denied in whole
or in part, the Board shall notify the applicant in writing of such denial
within thirty (30) days (which may be extended to sixty (60) days under special
circumstances), with such notice setting forth: (i) the specific reasons
for the denial; (ii) the Plan provisions upon which the denial is based;
(iii) any additional material or information necessary for the applicant
to perfect his or her claim; and (iv) the procedures for requesting a
review of the denial. Upon a denial of a claim by the Board, the Participant
may: (i) request a review of the denial by the Board or, where review
authority has been so delegated, by such other person or entity as may be
designated by the Board for this purpose; (ii) review any Policy documents
relevant to his or her claim; and (iii) submit issues and comments to the
Board 

-15-

or its delegate that are relevant to the review. Any
request for review must be made in writing and received by the Board or its
delegate within sixty (60) days of the date the applicant received notice of
the initial denial, unless special circumstances require an extension of time
for processing. The Board or its delegate will make a written ruling on the
applicant’s request for review setting forth the reasons for the decision and
the Plan provisions upon which the denial, if appropriate, is based. This
written ruling shall be made within thirty (30) days of the date the Board or
its delegate receives the applicant’s request for review unless special
circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case a
decision will be rendered as soon as possible, but not later than sixty (60)
days after receipt of the request for review. All extensions of time permitted
by this Section 16 will be permitted at the sole discretion of the Board
or its delegate. If the Board does not provide the Participant with written
notice of the denial of his or her appeal, the Participant’s claim shall be
deemed denied.

                    20.
Type of Policy.
This Plan is intended to be, and shall be interpreted as an unfunded employee
welfare plan under Section 3(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”)
and Section 2520.104-24 of the Department of Labor Regulations, maintained
primarily for the purpose of providing employee welfare benefits, to the extent
that it provides welfare benefits, and under Sections 201, 301 and 401 of
ERISA, as a plan that is unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of
providing deferred compensation, to the extent that it provides such compensation,
in each case for a select group of management or highly compensated employees.

                    21.
No Duplication of Benefits. Except as otherwise expressly
provided pursuant to this Plan, this Plan shall be construed and administered
in a manner which avoids duplication of compensation and benefits which may be
provided under any other plan, program, policy, or other arrangement. In the
event a Participant is covered by any other plan, program, policy, individually
negotiated agreement or other arrangement, in effect as of his or her Date of
Termination, that may duplicate the payments provided in Sections 4 or 5, as
applicable, the Company is specifically empowered to reduce or eliminate the
duplicative benefits provided for under the Plan. In taking such action, the
Company will be guided by the principles that (1) such a Participant will
otherwise be treated, for the purpose of the Sections specified above, no more
or no less favorably than are other Participants who are not covered by such
other plan, program, policy, individually negotiated agreement or other
arrangement and (2) the provisions of such other plan, program, policy,
individually negotiated agreement or other arrangement (including, but not
limited to, a special individual pension, a special deferral account and/or a
special equity based grant) which are not duplicative of the payments provided
in Sections 4 or 5, as applicable, will not be considered in determining
elimination and/or reductions in Plan benefits.

-16-

                    22.
Nonassignability.
Benefits under the Plan may not be assigned by the Participant. The terms and
conditions of the Plan shall be binding on the successors and assigns of the
Company.

                    23.
Effective Date. The
Plan shall be effective as of May 3, 2006.

-17-

Schedule A 

	
  

 	
  

 
	
 Robert A. Hagemann

 	
 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
 Joan E. Miller, Ph.D.

 	
 Senior Vice President for Pathology and Hospital
 Services

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
 Michael E. Prevoznik

 	
 Senior Vice President and General Counsel

 
	
  

 	
  

 
	
 Wayne R. Simmons

 	
 Vice President, Operations

 

Schedule B 

None 

Appendix A 

Additional Reimbursement Payments by the Company –

Schedule A Participants ONLY  

                    (a)
Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it
shall be determined that any payment, award, benefit or distribution (or any
acceleration of any payment, award, benefit or distribution) by the Company (or
any of its affiliated entities) or any entity which effectuates a Change in
Control (or any of its affiliated entities) to or for the benefit of the
Participant (whether pursuant to the terms of this Plan or otherwise, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this
Appendix A) (the “Payments”)
would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”),
or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Participant with respect to
such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties,
are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Company shall pay to the
Participant an additional payment (a “Reimbursement
Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Participant of
all taxes (including any Excise Tax) imposed upon the Reimbursement Payment,
the Participant retains an amount of the Reimbursement Payment equal to the
Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments. For purposes of determining the amount of
the Reimbursement Payment, the Participant shall be deemed to (i) pay
federal income taxes at the highest marginal rates of federal income taxation
for the calendar year in which the Reimbursement Payment is to be made and
(ii) pay applicable state and local income taxes at the highest marginal
rate of taxation for the calendar year in which the Reimbursement Payment is to
be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be
obtained from deduction of such state and local taxes.

                    Notwithstanding
the foregoing provisions of this Appendix A, if it shall be determined
that the Participant is entitled to a Reimbursement Payment, but that the
Payments would not be subject to the Excise Tax if the Payments were reduced by
an amount that is no more than 5% of the portion of the Payments that would be
treated as “parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Code, then the
cash payments payable to the Participant under this Plan shall be reduced (but
not below zero) to the maximum amount that could be paid to the Participant
without giving rise to the Excise Tax (the “Safe Harbor Cap”), and no Reimbursement Payment shall be
made to the Participant. The reduction of the cash payments payable hereunder,
if applicable, shall be made by reducing the cash payments in the order in
which they are written under Section 4 or 5, as applicable. For purposes
of reducing the Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap, only the cash payments payable
under this Plan (and no other Payments) shall be reduced. If the reduction of
the cash payments payable hereunder would not result in a reduction of the
Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap, no cash payments payable under this Plan shall
be reduced pursuant to this provision.

                    (b)
Subject to the provisions of Paragraph (a), all determinations
required to be made under this Appendix A, including whether and when a 

App. A-1

Reimbursement Payment is required, the amount of such
Reimbursement Payment, the amount of any Option Redetermination (as defined
below), the reduction of the Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap and the
assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determinations, shall be made by
a public accounting firm that is retained by the Company as of the date
immediately prior to the Change in Control (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting
calculations both to the Company and the Participant within fifteen (15)
business days of the receipt of notice from the Company or the Participant that
there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company (collectively,
the “Determination”). For
the avoidance of doubt, the Accounting Firm may use the Option Redetermination
amount in determining the reduction of the Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event (i) the Board shall determine
prior to the Change in Control that the Accounting Firm is precluded from
performing such services under applicable auditor independence rules or
(ii) the Audit Committee of the Board determines that it does not want the
Accounting Firm to perform such services because of auditor independence
concerns or (iii) the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor
for the person(s) effecting the Change in Control, the Board shall appoint
another nationally recognized public accounting firm to make the determinations
required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the
Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall
be borne solely by the Company, and the Company shall enter into any agreement reasonably
requested by the Accounting Firm in connection with the performance of the
services hereunder. The Reimbursement Payment under this Appendix A with
respect to any Payments shall be made no later than thirty (30) days following
such Payment. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable
by a Participant, it shall furnish the Participant with a written opinion to
such effect, and to the effect that failure to report the Excise Tax, if any,
on the Participant’s applicable federal income tax return will not result in
the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. In the event the Accounting
Firm determines that the Payments shall be reduced to the Safe Harbor Cap, it
shall furnish the Participant with a written opinion to such effect. The
Determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Participant.

                    As
a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code
at the time of the Determination, it is possible that Reimbursement Payments
which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”) or Reimbursement
Payments are made by the Company which should not have been made (“Overpayment”), consistent with the
calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event the amount of the
Reimbursement Payment is less than the amount necessary to reimburse the
Participant for the Excise Tax,
the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has
occurred and any such Underpayment (together with interest at the rate provided
in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) shall be promptly paid by the
Company to or for the benefit of the Participant (but in any event no later
than by the end of the Participant’s taxable year next following the
Participant’s taxable year in which the Underpayment of Excise Tax is
remitted). In the event the amount of the 

App. A-2

Reimbursement Payment exceeds the amount necessary to
reimburse the Participant for the Excise
Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Overpayment that has
been made and any such Overpayment (together with interest at the rate provided
in Section 1274(b)(2) of the Code) shall be promptly paid by the
Participant (to the extent the Participant has received a refund if the
applicable Excise Tax has been paid to the Internal Revenue Service) to or for
the benefit of the Company. The Participant shall cooperate, to the extent his
or her expenses are reimbursed by
the Company, with any reasonable requests by the Company in connection with any
contests or disputes with the Internal Revenue Service in connection with the
Excise Tax. In the event that the Company makes a Reimbursement Payment to the
Participant and subsequently the Company determines that the value of any accelerated
vesting of stock options held by the Participant shall be redetermined within
the context of Treasury Regulation §1.280G -1 Q/A 33 (the “Option Redetermination”), the
Participant shall (i) file with the Internal Revenue Service an amended
federal income tax return that claims a refund of the overpayment of the Excise
Tax attributable to such Option Redetermination and (ii) promptly pay the
refunded Excise Tax to the
Company; provided that the
Company shall pay on a current basis all reasonable professional fees incurred
in the preparation of the Participant’s amended federal income tax return. If
the Option Redetermination occurs in the same year that the Reimbursement
Payment is included in the Participant’s taxable income, then in addition to returning
the refund to the Company, the Participant will also promptly return to the
Company any tax benefit realized by the return of such refund and the return of
the additional tax benefit payment (all determinations pursuant to this
sentence shall be made by the Accounting Firm). In the event that the cash
payments payable to the Participant under this Plan were reduced pursuant to
the second paragraph of Paragraph (a) and subsequently the Participant
determines there has been an Option Redetermination that reduces the value of
the Payments attributable to such options, the Company shall pay to the
Participant (on the first business day of the calendar year following the year
the Option Redetermination is made) any cash payments payable under this Plan that
were not previously paid solely as a result of the second paragraph of
Paragraph (a) up to the Safe Harbor Cap plus interest, from the date the
Participant files the amended return as provided above, at the 3 month
Treasury Bill rate.

App. A-3

Exhibit A

FORM
OF SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND RELEASE

(HEREIN “AGREEMENT”)

                    Quest
Diagnostics Incorporated (the “Company”) and _______________ (“Executive”)
agree as follows:

                    1.
Executive’s employment with the Company will terminate effective [Date].

                    2.
Executive agrees to make himself reasonably available to the Company to respond
to requests by the Company for information concerning litigation, regulatory
inquiry or investigation, involving facts or events relating to the Company
that may be within his knowledge. Executive will cooperate fully with the
Company in connection with any and all future litigation or regulatory
proceedings brought by or against the Company to the extent the Company
reasonably deems Executive’s cooperation necessary. Executive will be entitled
to reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (not including counsel
fees) incurred in connection with fulfilling his obligations under this
Section 2.

                    3.
In consideration of Executive’s undertakings herein, the Company will pay an
amount equal to $____________ in accordance with Section 4 of the
Company’s Executive Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”), less required
deductions (including, but not limited to, federal, state and local tax
withholdings) as separation/severance pay (the “Severance Payment”). The
Severance Payment will be paid in accordance with the Severance Plan. Payment
of the Severance Payment is contingent upon the execution of this Agreement by Executive
and Executive’s compliance with all terms and conditions of this Agreement and
the Severance Plan. Executive agrees that if this Agreement does not become
effective, the Company shall not be required to make any further payments to
Executive pursuant to this Agreement or the Severance Plan and shall be
entitled to recover all payments already made by it (including interest
thereon).

                    4.
Executive understands and agrees that any amounts that Executive owes the
Company, including any salary or other overpayments related to Executive’s
employment with the Company, will be offset and deducted from Executive’s final
paycheck from the Company. Executive specifically authorizes the Company to
offset and deduct any such amounts from his final paycheck. Executive agrees
and acknowledges that, to the extent the amount of Executive’s final paycheck
is not sufficient to repay the full amount that Executive owes to the Company,
if any, the full remaining amount owed to the Company, if any, will be offset
and deducted from the amount of the Severance Payment. Executive specifically
authorizes the Company to offset and deduct any such amounts from his Severance
Payment.

Exh. A-1

                    5.
Executive agrees that, after payment of Executive’s final paycheck on [Date] and the Severance Payment, Executive
will have received all compensation and benefits that are due and owing to
Executive by the Company, including but not limited to salary, vacation pay,
bonus, commissions and incentive/override compensation but excluding any
benefits or services provided pursuant to Sections 4(e) and 4(f) of the
Severance Plan.

                    6.
Executive represents that he has returned to the Company all property or
information, including, without limitation, all reports, files, memos, plans,
lists, or other records (whether electronically stored or not) belonging to the
Company or its affiliates, including copies, extracts or other documents
derived from such property or information. Executive will immediately forfeit
all rights and benefits under this Agreement and the Severance Plan, including,
without limitation, the right to receive any Severance Payment if Executive,
directly or indirectly, at any time (i) discloses to any third party or entity
any trade secrets or other proprietary or confidential information pertaining
to the Company or any of its affiliates or uses such secrets or information
without the prior written consent of the General Counsel of the Company or
(ii) takes any actions or makes or publishes any statements, written or
oral, or instigates, assists or participates in the making or publication of
any such statements which libel, slander or disparage the Company or any of its
past or present directors, officers or employees. Nothing in this Agreement
shall prevent or prohibit Executive or the Company from responding to an order,
subpoena, other legal process or regulatory inquiry directed to them or from
providing information to or making a filing with a governmental or regulatory body.
Executive agrees that upon learning of any order, subpoena or other legal
process seeking information that would otherwise be prohibited from disclosure
under this Agreement, he will promptly notify the Company, in writing, directed
to the Company’s General Counsel. In the event disclosure is so required,
Executive agrees not to oppose any action by the Company to seek or obtain a
protective order or other appropriate remedy.

                    7.
Executive agrees that Executive’s Employment and Confidentiality Agreement (the
“Employment and Confidentiality Agreement”) shall continue to be in full force
and effect, including but not limited to all non-competition and
non-solicitation provisions contained therein.

                    8.
Executive hereby represents that he has not filed any action, complaint,
charge, grievance or arbitration against the Company or any of its affiliates
in connection with any matters relating, directly or indirectly, to his
employment, and covenants and agrees not to file any such action, complaint or
arbitration or commence any other judicial or arbitral proceedings against the
Company or any of its affiliates with respect to events occurring prior to the
termination of his employment with the Company or any affiliates thereof.

                    9.
Effective on [Date], the Company
will cease all health benefit coverage and other benefit coverage for
Executive.

Exh. A-2

                    10.
GENERAL RELEASE – Effective as of the Effective Date, and in return for
the consideration set forth above, Executive agrees not to sue or file any
action, claim, or lawsuit against the Company, agrees not to pursue, seek to
recover or recover any alleged damages, seek to obtain or obtain any other form
of relief or remedy with respect to, and cause the dismissal or withdrawal of,
any lawsuit, action, claim, or charge against the Company, and Executive agrees
to waive all claims and release and forever discharge the Company, its
officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, parents, attorneys, shareholders
and employees from any claims, demands, actions, causes of action or
liabilities for compensatory damages or any other relief or remedy, and
obligations of any kind or nature whatsoever, based on any matter, cause or
thing, relating in any way, directly or indirectly, to his employment, from the
beginning of time through the Effective Date of this Agreement, whether known
or unknown, fixed or contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether
arising from tort, statute, or contract, including, but not limited to, any
claims arising under or pursuant to the California Fair Employment and Housing
Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of
1871, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the
Rehabilitation Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Occupational
Safety & Health Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Worker Adjustment and
Retraining Notification Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), New York State Labor Law,
New York State Human Rights Law, New York Human Rights Law, and any other
state, federal, city, county or local statute, rule, regulation, ordinance or
order, or the national or local law of any foreign country, any claim for
future consideration for employment with the Company, any claims for attorneys’
fees and costs and any employment rights or entitlement law, and any claims for
wrongful discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation,
libel or slander, payment of wages, outrageous behavior, breach of contract or
any duty allegedly owed to Executive, discrimination based upon race, color,
ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation,
or another unlawful criterion or circumstance, and any other theory of
recovery. It is the intention of the parties to make this release as broad and
as general as the law permits.

                    [Executive
acknowledges that he is aware of, has read, has had explained to him by his
attorneys, understands and expressly waives any and all rights he has or may
have under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which provides as
follows:

	
  

 
	
 “A general release does not extend to claims which
 the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the
 time of executing the release, which if known by him must have materially
 affected his or her settlement with the debtor.”]1

 

	
  

 	
  

 
	
 

 
	
 1

 	
 Include bracketed language for California employees.

 

Exh. A-3

                    11.
Executive acknowledges that he may later discover facts different from or in
addition to those which he knows or believes to be true now, and he agrees
that, in such event, this Agreement shall nevertheless remain effective in all
respects, notwithstanding such different or additional facts or the discovery
of those facts.

                    12.
This Agreement may not be introduced in any legal or administrative proceeding,
or other similar forum, except one concerning a breach of this Agreement or the
Severance Plan.

                    13.
Executive acknowledges that Executive has made an independent investigation of
the facts, and does not rely on any statement or representation of the Company
in entering into this Agreement, other than those set forth herein.

                    14.
Executive agrees that, without limiting the Company’s remedies, should he
commence, continue, join in, or in any other manner attempt to assert any claim
released in connection herewith, or otherwise violate in a material fashion any
of the terms of this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to make any
further payments to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement or the Severance Plan
and shall be entitled to recover all payments already made by it (including
interest thereon), in addition to all damages, attorneys’ fees and costs the
Company incurs in connection with Executive’s breach of this Agreement.
Executive further agrees that the Company shall be entitled to the repayments
and recovery of damages described above without waiver of or prejudice to the
release granted by him in connection with this Agreement, and that his
violation or breach of any provision of this Agreement shall forever release
and discharge the Company from the performance of its obligations arising from
the Agreement.

                    15.
Executive has been advised and acknowledges that he has been given forty-five
(45) days to sign this Agreement, he has seven (7) days following his signing
of this Agreement to revoke and cancel the terms and conditions contained
herein, and the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall not become
effective or enforceable until the revocation period has expired (the “Effective
Date”).

                    16.
Executive acknowledges that Executive has been advised hereby to consult with,
and has consulted with, an attorney of his choice prior to signing this
Agreement.

                    17.
Executive acknowledges that Executive has fully read this Agreement,
understands the contents of this Agreement, and agrees to its terms and
conditions of his own free will, knowingly and voluntarily, and without any
duress or coercion.

                    18.
Executive understands that this Agreement includes a final general release, and
that Executive can make no further claims against the Company or the persons
listed in Section 10 of this Agreement relating in any way, directly or
indirectly, to his employment. Executive also understands that this Agreement
precludes Executive 

Exh. A-4

from recovering any damages or other relief as a
result of any lawsuit, grievance, charge or claim brought on Executive’s behalf
against the Company or the persons listed in Section 10 of this Agreement.

                    19.
Executive acknowledges that Executive is receiving adequate consideration (that
is in addition to what Executive is otherwise entitled to) for signing this
Agreement.

                    20.
This Agreement and the Severance Plan constitute the complete understanding
between Executive and the Company regarding the subject matter hereof and
thereof. No other promises or agreements regarding the subject matter hereof
and thereof will be binding unless signed by Executive and the Company.

                    21.
Executive and the Company agree that all notices or other communications
required or permitted to be given under the terms of this Agreement shall be
given in accordance with Section 9 of the Severance Plan.

                    22.
Executive and the Company agree that any disputes relating to any matters
covered under the terms of this Agreement shall be resolved in accordance with
Section 10 of the Severance Plan.

                    23.
By entering into this Agreement, the Company does not admit and specifically
denies any liability, wrongdoing or violation of any law, statute, regulation
or policy, and it is expressly understood and agreed that this Agreement is
being entered into solely for the purpose of amicably resolving all matters of
any kind whatsoever between Executive and the Company.

                    24.
In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be
determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, the remaining
provisions or portions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall
remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

                    25.
The respective rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall survive
any termination of this Agreement to the extent necessary for the intended
preservation of such rights and obligations.

                    26.
Unless expressly specified elsewhere in this Agreement, this Agreement shall be
governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the
State of New York without reference to the principles of conflict of law.

Exh. A-5

                    27.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts.

	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 Company

 	
  

 	
 Executive

 
	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 	
  

 
	
 By: 

 	
  

 	
  

 	
 By: 

 	
  

 
	
  

 	
 

 	
  

 	
  

 	
 

 
	
  

 
	
 Date:

 	
  

 	
 Date:

 

Exh. A-6

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