Document:

Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units

 Exhibit 10.48 
 FORM OF AWARD AGREEMENT 
 FOR RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS 

FOR EMPLOYEES 
 UNDER THE RISKMETRICS GROUP, INC. 2007 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN 
 MSCI Inc.
(together with all of its Subsidiaries, the “Company”) hereby grants to you Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) as described below. The awards are being granted under the RiskMetrics Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus Incentive
Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). 
  

	 Participant: 
	[Name] 

  

	 Number of RSUs Granted: 
	[#] RSUs 

  

	 Grant Date: 
	[Date] (the “Grant Date”) 

  

	 Vesting Schedule: 
	

 Provided you continue to provide services to the Company through the applicable vesting dates, the RSUs will vest and convert as
provided above and as further described in Exhibit A. Your RSUs may be subject to forfeiture if you terminate employment with the Company before the applicable vesting dates, as set forth in the Plan and this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
(including Exhibit A hereto, the “Award Agreement”). 
 You agree that this Award Agreement is granted under and governed by
the terms and conditions of the Plan and Exhibit A. You will be able to access a prospectus and tax supplement that contains important information about this award via the MSCI website. Unless defined in this Award Agreement, capitalized terms shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan. 
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MSCI has duly executed and delivered this Award Agreement
as of the Grant Date. 
  

	
	MSCI INC.
	
	  

	Name:  
	Title:    

Attachments:        Exhibit A (Terms and Conditions of the Award) 

 TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

OF THE RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT 
 Table of Contents 
  

 
  

							
	 	  	 	  	PAGE	 
	 SECTION 1.
	  	RSUs Generally.	  	 	1	  
	 SECTION 2.
	  	Vesting and Conversion.	  	 	1	  
	 SECTION 3.
	  	Dividend Equivalent Payments.	  	 	2	  
	 SECTION 4.
	  	Termination of Employment.	  	 	2	  
	 SECTION 5.
	  	Change in Control.	  	 	3	  
	 SECTION 6.
	  	Cancellation of Awards.	  	 	3	  
	 SECTION 7.
	  	Tax and Other Withholding Obligations	  	 	3	  
	 SECTION 8.
	  	Nontransferability.	  	 	3	  
	 SECTION 9.
	  	Designation of a Beneficiary.	  	 	3	  
	 SECTION 10.
	  	Ownership and Possession.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 11.
	  	Securities Law Compliance Matters.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 12.
	  	Compliance with Laws and Regulations.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 13.
	  	No Entitlements.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 14.
	  	Consents under Local Law.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 15.
	  	Award Modification and Section 409A.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 16.
	  	Severability.	  	 	5	  
	 SECTION 17.
	  	Successors.	  	 	5	  
	 SECTION 18.
	  	Governing Law.	  	 	5	  
	 SECTION 19.
	  	Rule of Construction for Timing of Conversion.	  	 	6	  
	 SECTION 20.
	  	Defined Terms.	  	 	6	  

 SECTION 1.
RSUs Generally.  
 MSCI has awarded you RSUs as an incentive for you to continue to provide services to the Company and to
align your interests with those of the Company. As such, you will earn your RSU award only if you remain in continuous employment with the Company through the applicable vesting dates, or as otherwise set forth below. 

Each of your RSUs corresponds to one share of MSCI class A common stock (each a “Share”). Except as otherwise provided
in Section 16, a RSU constitutes a contingent and unsecured promise by MSCI to pay you one share of MSCI class A common stock on the conversion date for the RSU. You will not be a stockholder with respect to the shares of MSCI class A common
stock underlying your RSUs unless and until your RSUs convert to Shares. 
 SECTION 2. Vesting and
Conversion. 
 (a) Vesting. Your RSUs shall vest in
                                         
                    (each, a “Vesting Date”), provided that you continue to be employed by the Company on each such Vesting Date.
Vested RSUs shall convert into Shares on the Vesting Date or within 15 days thereafter. 
 (b) Other.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, your RSUs will vest and convert as set forth in Section 4 and Section 5 in the event that your employment with the Company terminates under certain circumstances or a Change in Control occurs, respectively.

  
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 SECTION 3. Dividend Equivalent Payments.  

Until your RSUs convert to Shares, if MSCI pays a regular or ordinary cash dividend on shares of its class A common stock, you will be
entitled to a dividend equivalent payment in the same amount as the dividend you would have received if you held Shares for your vested and unvested RSUs. No dividend equivalents will be paid to you with respect to any canceled or forfeited RSUs.

 MSCI will decide on the form of payment and may pay dividend equivalents in Shares, in cash or in a combination thereof. MSCI
will pay the dividend equivalent when it pays the corresponding dividend on its class A common stock. 
 Because dividend
equivalent payments are considered part of your compensation for income tax purposes, they will be subject to applicable tax and other withholding obligations. 
 SECTION 4. Termination of Employment.  
 Upon termination of employment
with the Company pursuant to this Section 4, the following special vesting and payment terms will apply to your RSUs: 
 (a) Termination of Employment due to Death. If your employment with the Company terminates due to death, your RSUs will immediately vest and convert into Shares on the date of death or within 30
days thereafter. Such Shares shall be delivered to the beneficiary you have designated pursuant to Section 10 or the legal representative of your estate, as applicable. 

(b) Termination of Employment due to Disability. If your employment with the Company terminates due to Disability,
your RSUs will vest and convert into Shares on the date of such termination or within 30 days thereafter. 
 (c)
Involuntary Termination of Employment by the Company. In the event of an involuntary termination of your employment by the Company, your RSUs will vest and convert into Shares on the date of such termination or within 60 days thereafter;
provided that such conversion is subject to your execution and non-revocation of an agreement and release satisfactory to MSCI within 55 days following termination of your employment. 

(d) Governmental Service Termination. If your employment with the Company terminates in a Governmental Service
Termination, to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code, your RSUs will vest and convert into Shares on the date of such termination or within 60 days thereafter. 

(e) Other Resignations from Employment. If you resign from your employment with the Company under circumstances
which are not in accordance with the provisions above in this Section 4 (and the related defined terms used in such provisions), your RSUs will vest and convert into Shares only if and as provided below in this paragraph: 

(i) If, prior to a Vesting Date, you resign from your employment with the Company for any reason and your last day of
employment occurs before such Vesting Date, you will forfeit any RSUs that have not vested as of your last day of employment with the Company; 
 (ii) If, prior to a Vesting Date, you give MSCI notice of your intention to resign from your employment with the Company as of a date following such Vesting Date and you do not subsequently comply with
the Notice Requirements, you will forfeit any RSUs that have not vested as of the date of your notice of resignation to MSCI (regardless of whether you continued in employment with the Company as of the Vesting Date); 

(iii) If, prior to a Vesting Date, you give MSCI notice of your intention to resign from your employment with the Company
as of a date following such Vesting Date, and you remain employed through the Vesting Date and comply with the Notice Requirements, you will be entitled to any RSUs that have vested as of your last day of employment with the Company; 

  
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 (iv) Except as described in subparagraph (ii) immediately above, if you
resign from your employment with the Company following a Vesting Date, you shall be entitled to receive (if not yet received) your RSUs that vested prior to your resignation. 
 If you are entitled to any RSUs in accordance with the provisions above in this paragraph, such RSUs shall convert into Shares on the date of your termination of employment or within 60 days thereafter;
provided that such conversion is subject to your execution and non-revocation of an agreement and release satisfactory to MSCI within 55 days following your last day of employment with the Company. 

SECTION 5. Change in Control. 
 In the event of a Change in Control your RSUs will vest and convert into Shares effective on the date of such Change in Control. 
 SECTION 6. Cancellation of Awards.  
 (a)
Cancellation Events. Notwithstanding any other terms of this Award Agreement, your RSUs will be canceled prior to conversion in the event of any Cancellation Event. 

(b) Certificate. You may be required to provide MSCI with a written certification or other evidence that it deems
appropriate, in its sole discretion, to confirm that no Cancellation Event has occurred. If you fail to submit a timely certification or evidence, MSCI will cancel your award. 

(c) Cancellation of Unvested Awards. Except as explicitly provided in Section 4, upon a termination of your
employment by you or by the Company for any reason, any of your RSUs that have not vested pursuant to Section 2 as of the date of your termination of employment with the Company will be canceled and forfeited in full as of such date.

 SECTION 7. Tax and Other Withholding Obligations 

Pursuant to rules and procedures that MSCI establishes, tax or other withholding obligations arising upon vesting and conversion (as
applicable) of your RSUs will be satisfied by having MSCI withhold Shares or by tendering Shares, in each case in an amount sufficient to satisfy the tax or other withholding obligations, unless MSCI, in its sole discretion, provides for a cash
withholding option which would permit MSCI to withhold cash in the same amount. Shares withheld or tendered will be valued using the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date your RSUs convert. 

In order to comply with applicable accounting standards or the Company’s policies in effect from time to time, MSCI may limit the
amount of Shares that you may have withheld or that you may tender. 
 SECTION 8. Nontransferability. 

You may not sell, pledge, hypothecate, assign or otherwise transfer your RSUs, other than as provided in Section 10 or by will or the
laws of descent and distribution or otherwise as provided for by the Committee. 
 SECTION 9. Designation of a
Beneficiary.  
 You may make a written designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive all or part of the shares to
be paid under this Award Agreement in the event of your death. To make a beneficiary designation, you must complete and file the form attached hereto as Appendix A with MSCI’s Human Resources Department. 

Any shares that become payable upon your death, and as to which a designation of beneficiary is not in effect, will be distributed to
your estate. 
 You may replace or revoke your beneficiary designation at any time. If there is any question as to the legal
right of any beneficiary to receive shares under this award, MSCI may determine in its sole discretion to deliver the shares in question to your estate. MSCI’s determination shall be binding and conclusive on all persons and it will have no
further liability to anyone with respect to such shares. 

  
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 SECTION 10. Ownership and Possession.  

Generally, you will not have any rights as a stockholder in the shares of MSCI class A common stock corresponding to your RSUs prior to
conversion of your RSUs. 
 SECTION 11. Securities Law Compliance Matters.  

MSCI may, if it determines it is appropriate, affix any legend to the stock certificates representing shares of MSCI class A common stock
issued upon conversion of your RSUs and any stock certificates that may subsequently be issued in substitution for the original certificates. MSCI may advise the transfer agent to place a stop order against such shares if it determines that such an
order is necessary or advisable. 
 SECTION 12. Compliance with Laws and Regulations.  

Any sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, mortgage, encumbrance or other disposition of shares issued upon conversion of your RSUs (whether
directly or indirectly, whether or not for value, and whether or not voluntary) must be made in compliance with any applicable constitution, rule, regulation, or policy of any of the exchanges or associations or other institutions with which MSCI
has membership or other privileges, and any applicable law, or applicable rule or regulation of any governmental agency, self-regulatory organization or state or federal regulatory body. 

SECTION 13. No Entitlements.  
 (a) No Right to Continued Employment. This RSU award is not an employment agreement, and nothing in this Award Agreement or the Plan shall alter your status as an “at-will” employee of
the Company. 
 (b) No Right to Future Awards. This award, and all other awards of RSUs and other
equity-based awards, are discretionary. This award does not confer on you any right or entitlement to receive another award of RSUs or any other equity-based award at any time in the future or in respect of any future period. 

(c) No Effect on Future Employment Compensation. MSCI has made this award to you in its sole discretion. This award
does not confer on you any right or entitlement to receive compensation in any specific amount. In addition, this award is not part of your base salary or wages and will not be taken into account in determining any other employment-related rights
you may have, such as rights to pension or severance pay. 
 SECTION 14. Consents under Local Law.  

Your award is conditioned upon the making of all filings and the receipt of all consents or authorizations required to comply with, or
required to be obtained under, applicable local law. 
 SECTION 15. Award Modification and Section 409A. 

 (a) Modification. MSCI reserves the right to modify or amend unilaterally the terms and conditions of
your RSUs, without first asking your consent, or to waive any terms and conditions that operate in favor of MSCI. MSCI may not modify your RSUs in a manner that would materially impair your rights in your RSUs without your consent; provided,
however, that MSCI may, without your consent, amend or modify your RSUs in any manner that MSCI considers necessary or advisable to comply with law or to ensure that your RSUs are not subject to tax prior to payment. MSCI will notify you of any
amendment of your RSUs that affects your rights. Any amendment or waiver of a provision of this Award Agreement (other than any amendment or waiver applicable to all recipients generally), which amendment or waiver operates in your favor or confers
a benefit on you, must be in writing and signed by the Global Head of Human Resources, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel (or if such positions no longer exist, by the holders of equivalent
positions) to be effective. 

  
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 (b) Section 409A.  

(i) You understand and agree that all payments made pursuant to this Award Agreement will comply with Section 409A of
the Code and any regulations and guidelines issued thereunder to the extent subject thereto, and shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent. 
 (ii) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Award Agreement, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, if MSCI considers you to be one of its “specified
employees” at the time of your “separation from service” (as such terms are defined in the Code) from the Company, no conversion specified hereunder shall occur prior to the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of
your separation from service from the Company (such period, the “Delay Period”). Any conversion of RSUs into Shares that would have occurred during the Delay Period but for the fact that you are deemed to be a specified employee
shall be satisfied either by (i) conversion of such RSUs into Shares on the first business day following the Delay Period or (ii) a cash payment on the first business day following the Delay Period equal to the value of such RSUs on the
scheduled conversion date (based on the value of a Share on such date) plus accrued interest as determined by MSCI; provided, that to the extent this Section 16(b)(ii) is applicable, in the event that after the date of your separation
from service from the Company you (X) die or (Y) accept employment at a Governmental Employer and provide MSCI with satisfactory evidence demonstrating that as a result of such new employment the divestiture of your continued interest in
MSCI equity awards or continued ownership of Shares is reasonably necessary to avoid the violation of U.S. federal, state or local or foreign ethics law or conflicts of interest law applicable to you at such Governmental Employer, any conversion or
payment delayed pursuant to this Section 16(b)(ii) shall occur or be made immediately. For the avoidance of doubt, any determination as to form of payment (as provided in this Section 16(b)(ii)) will be in the sole discretion of MSCI.

 (iii) For purposes of any provision of this Award Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts of
nonqualified deferred compensation upon or following a termination of employment from the Company, references to your “termination of employment” (and corollary terms) shall be construed to refer to your “separation from service”
from the Company. 
 (iv) MSCI reserves the right to modify the terms of this Award Agreement, including, without
limitation, the payment provisions applicable to your RSUs, to the extent necessary or advisable to comply with Section 409A of the Code and reserves the right to make any changes to your RSU award so that it does not become subject to
Section 409A or become subject to a Delay Period. 
 SECTION 16. Severability.  

In the event MSCI determines that any provision of this Award Agreement would cause you to be in constructive receipt for United States
federal or state income tax purposes of any portion of your award, then such provision will be considered null and void and this Award Agreement will be construed and enforced as if the provision had not been included in this Award Agreement as of
the date such provision was determined to cause you to be in constructive receipt of any portion of your award. 

SECTION 17. Successors.  
 This Award Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or successors of the Company and any person or persons who shall, upon your death, acquire any rights hereunder in
accordance with this Award Agreement or the Plan. 
 SECTION 18. Governing Law.  

This Award Agreement and the related legal relations between you and the Company will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York, without regard to any conflicts or choice of law, rule or principle that might otherwise refer the interpretation of the award to the substantive law of another jurisdiction. 

  
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 SECTION 19. Rule of Construction for Timing of Conversion.  

With respect to each provision of this Award Agreement that provides for your RSUs to convert to Shares on a specified event or date, such
conversion will be considered to have been timely made, and neither you nor any of your beneficiaries or your estate shall have any claim against the Company for damages based on a delay in payment, and the Company shall have no liability to you (or
to any of your beneficiaries or your estate) in respect of any such delay, as long as payment is made by December 31 of the year in which the applicable vesting date or such other specified event or date occurs, or if later, by the fifteenth
day of the third calendar month following such specified event or date. 
 SECTION 20. Defined Terms.  

For purposes of this Award Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below: 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of MSCI. 
 A “Cancellation Event” will be deemed to have occurred under the following circumstances: 
 (a) misuse of Proprietary Information or failure to comply with your obligations under MSCI’s Code of Conduct or otherwise with respect to Proprietary Information; 

(b) resignation of employment with the Company without giving MSCI prior written notice of at least: 

(i) 180 days if you are a member of the MSCI Executive Committee (or a successor or equivalent committee) at the time of
notice of resignation; 
 (ii) 90 days if you are a Managing Director of the Company (or equivalent title) at the
time of notice of resignation; 
 (iii) 60 days if you are an Executive Director of the Company (or equivalent
title) at the time of notice of resignation; 
 (iv) 30 days if you are a Vice President of the Company (or
equivalent title) at the time of notice of resignation; or 
 (v) 14 days for all other employees of the Company;

 (c) termination from the Company for Cause (or a later determination that you could have been terminated for
Cause, provided that such determination is made within six months of termination); 
 (d) your commission
of a fraudulent act or participation in misconduct which leads to a material restatement of the Company’s financial statements; 
 or if, without the consent of MSCI: 
 (e) while employed by
the Company, including during any notice period applicable to you in connection with your termination of employment with the Company, you directly or indirectly in any capacity (including through any person, corporation, partnership or other
business entity of any kind) hire or solicit, recruit, induce, entice, influence or encourage any Company employee to leave the Company or become hired or engaged by another company; or 

(f) while employed by the Company, including during any notice period applicable to you in connection with your
termination of employment with the Company, you directly or indirectly in any capacity (including through any person, corporation, partnership or other business entity of any kind) solicit or entice away or in any manner attempt to persuade any
client or customer, or prospective client or customer, of the Company (i) to discontinue or diminish his, her or its relationship or prospective relationship with the Company or (ii) to otherwise provide his, her or its business to any
person, corporation, partnership or other business entity which engages in any line of business in which the Company is engaged (other than the Company). 

  
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 “Cause” means: 

(a) any act or omission which constitutes a material willful breach of your obligations to the Company or your continued
and willful refusal to substantially perform satisfactorily any duties reasonably required of you, which results in material injury to the interest or business reputation of the Company and which breach, failure or refusal (if susceptible to cure)
is not corrected (other than failure to correct by reason of your incapacity due to physical or mental illness) within thirty (30) business days after written notification thereof to you by the Company; provided that no act or failure to
act on your part shall be deemed willful unless done or omitted to be done by you not in good faith and without reasonable belief that your action or omission was in the best interest of the Company; 

(b) your commission of any dishonest or fraudulent act, or any other act or omission with respect to the Company, which
has caused or may reasonably be expected to cause a material injury to the interest or business reputation of the Company and which act or omission is not refuted by you within thirty (30) business days after written notification thereof to you
by the Company; 
 (c) your plea of guilty or nolo contendere to or conviction of a felony under the laws
of the United States or any state thereof or any other jurisdiction in which the Company conducts business; or 

(d) your commission of a fraudulent act or participation in misconduct which leads to a material restatement of the
Company’s financial statements. 
 A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the
following conditions shall have been satisfied: 
 (a) any one person or more than one person acting as a group
(as determined under Section 409A), other than (A) any employee plan established by MSCI or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) MSCI or any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act), (C) an
underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (D) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of MSCI in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of MSCI, is or becomes,
during any twelve-month period, the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of MSCI (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such person(s) any securities acquired directly from MSCI or its affiliates other than in
connection with the acquisition by MSCI or its affiliates of a business) representing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of MSCI, provided that the provisions of this subsection (a) are not intended to apply to or include
as a Change in Control any transaction that is specifically excepted from the definition of Change in Control under subsection (c) below; 
 (b) a change in the composition of the Board such that, during any 12-month period, the individuals who, as of the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the “Existing Board”)
cease for any reason to constitute at least 50% of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a member of the Board subsequent to the beginning of such period whose election, or nomination for election by MSCI’s
stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors immediately prior to the date of such appointment or election shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Existing Board; and provided, further,
however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 or Regulation 14A promulgated under the
Exchange Act or successor statutes or rules containing analogous concepts) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual, corporation, partnership, group, associate or other entity or
“person” other than the Board, shall in any event be considered to be a member of the Existing Board; 

(c) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, or the
issuance of voting securities in connection with a merger or consolidation of the Company (or any direct or indirect subsidiary of MSCI) pursuant to applicable stock exchange requirements; provided that immediately following such merger or
consolidation the voting securities of MSCI outstanding immediately prior thereto do not continue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being 

  
 7 

 
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation or parent entity thereof) 50% or more of the total voting power of MSCI’s stock (or if the Company is
not the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation, 50% or more of the total voting power of the stock of such surviving entity or parent entity thereof); and provided, further, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a
recapitalization of MSCI (or similar transaction) in which no person (as determined under Section 409A) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of MSCI (not including in the securities beneficially owned by
such person any securities acquired directly from MSCI or its affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition by MSCI or its affiliates of a business) representing 50% or more of either the then outstanding shares of MSCI’s common
stock or the combined voting power of MSCI’s then-outstanding voting securities shall not be considered a Change in Control; or 
 (d) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in which any one person or more than one person acting as a group (as determined under
Section 409A) acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to more than 50% of the
total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if there is consummated any transaction or
series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of MSCI’s common stock immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity
which owns substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions and (2) no event or circumstances described in any of clauses (a) through (d) above shall constitute a Change in
Control unless such event or circumstances also constitute a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, as defined in Section 409A and the regulations
and guidance thereunder. In addition, no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred upon the acquisition of additional control of the Company by any one person or more than one person acting as a group that is considered to effectively
control the Company. In no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred if you are part of a “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act that effects a Change in Control. 

Terms used in the definition of a Change in Control shall be as defined or interpreted pursuant to Section 409A. 

“Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules, regulations and guidance
thereunder. 
 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board, any successor committee thereto or
any other committee of the Board appointed by the Board with the powers of the Committee under the Plan, or any subcommittee appointed by such Committee. 
 “Disability” means any (A) you are unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to
result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months or (B) you, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to
last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, are receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Company. 

“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to a Share, the closing price of a share of MSCI’s class A common stock as
reported by the NYSE on the trading day prior to the relevant determination date. 
 “Governmental Employer”
means a governmental department or agency, self-regulatory agency or other public service employer. 

  
 8 

 “Governmental Service Termination” means the termination of your employment
with the Company as a result of accepting employment at a Governmental Employer and you provide MSCI with satisfactory evidence demonstrating that as a result of such new employment, the divestiture of your continued interest in MSCI equity awards
or continued ownership in MSCI class A common stock is reasonably necessary to avoid the violation of U.S. federal, state or local or foreign ethics law or conflicts of interest law applicable to you at such Governmental Employer. 

“MSCI” means MSCI Inc., a Delaware corporation. 

“Notice Requirements” means prior written notice to MSCI of at least: 

(i) 180 days if you are a member of the MSCI Executive Committee (or a successor or equivalent committee) at the time of
notice of resignation; 
 (ii) 90 days if you are a Managing Director of the Company (or equivalent title) at the
time of notice of resignation; 
 (iii) 60 days if you are an Executive Director of the Company (or equivalent
title) at the time of notice of resignation; 
 (iv) 30 days if you are a Vice President of the Company (or
equivalent title) at the time of notice of resignation; or 
 (v) 14 days for all other employees of the Company.

 “Proprietary Information” means any information that may have intrinsic value to the Company, the
Company’s clients or other parties with which the Company has a relationship, or that may provide the Company with a competitive advantage, including, without limitation, any trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable); formulas; flow
charts; computer programs, access codes or other systems of information; algorithms, technology and business processes; business, product, or marketing plans; sales and other forecasts; financial information; client lists or other intellectual
property; information relating to compensation and benefits; and public information that becomes proprietary as a result of the Company’s compilation of that information for use in its business; provided that such Proprietary Information
does not include any information which is available for use by the general public or is generally available for use within the relevant business or industry other than as a result of your action. Proprietary Information may be in any medium or form
including, without limitation, physical documents, computer files or discs, videotapes, audiotapes, and oral communications. 

“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the related regulations. 

“Settlement Date” means each date your RSUs are converted into Shares pursuant to Section 2, Section 4 or
Section 5. 
 “Subsidiary” means (i) a corporation or other entity with respect to which MSCI,
directly or indirectly, has the power, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, to elect at least a majority of the members of such corporation’s board of directors or analogous governing body, or
(ii) any other corporation or other entity in which MSCI, directly or indirectly, has an equity or similar interest and which the Committee designates as a Subsidiary for purposes of the Plan. 

  
 9 

 APPENDIX A 
 Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Under 
 RiskMetrics Group, Inc. 2007
Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan 
 This Designation of Beneficiary shall remain in effect with respect to all awards issued to me under
any MSCI equity compensation plan, including any awards that may be issued to me after the date hereof, unless and until I modify or revoke it by submitting a later dated beneficiary designation. This Designation of Beneficiary supersedes all my
prior beneficiary designations with respect to all my equity awards. 
 I hereby designate the following beneficiary(ies) to receive any
survivor benefits with respect to all my equity awards: 
  

							
	 	  	Beneficiary(ies) Name(s)	  	Relationship	  	Percentage
	 (1)
	  		  		  	
	 (2)
	  		  		  	
	 (3)
	  		  		  	
	 (4)
	  		  		  	

 Address(es) of Beneficiary(ies): 
  

									
	 (1)
	  				  			
	 (2)
	  				  			
	 (3)
	  				  			
	 (4)
	  				  			

 Contingent Beneficiary 
 Please also indicate any contingent beneficiary and to which beneficiary above such interest relates. 
  

							
	 	 	Beneficiary(ies) Name(s)	  	Relationship	  	 Nature of
 Contingency

		 		  		  	
		 		  		  	

 Address(es) of Contingent Beneficiary(ies): 

 

			
	 Name: (please print)
	  	Date:

 Signature 

Please sign and return this form to MSCI’s Human Resources Department.Form of Award Agreement for Restricted Stock Units

 Exhibit 10.49 
 FORM OF AWARD AGREEMENT 
 FOR RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS 

FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 
 UNDER THE RISKMETRICS GROUP, INC. 2007 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN 
 MSCI Inc.
(together with all of its Subsidiaries, the “Company”) hereby grants to you Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) as described below. The awards are being granted under the RiskMetrics Group, Inc. 2007 Omnibus Incentive
Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). 
  

	 Participant: 
	[Name] 

  

	 Number of RSUs Granted: 
	[#] RSUs 

  

	 Grant Date: 
	[Date], subject to Section 8 (the “Grant Date”) 

 Vesting Schedule: 
 Provided you continue to provide services to the Company through the
applicable vesting dates, the RSUs will vest and convert as provided above and as further described in Exhibit A. Your RSUs may be subject to forfeiture if you terminate employment with the Company before the applicable vesting dates, as set forth
in the Plan and this Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (including Exhibit A hereto, the “Award Agreement”). 
 You agree
that this Award Agreement is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the 162(m) Plan (as defined in Section 8) and Exhibit A. You will be able to access a prospectus and tax supplement that contains important
information about this award via the MSCI website. Unless defined in this Award Agreement, capitalized terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan. 
 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, MSCI has duly executed and delivered this Award Agreement as of the Grant Date. 
  

			
	MSCI INC.
	
	  

	 Name:
	 	
	 Title:
	 	

 Attachments:         Exhibit A (Terms and Conditions of the Award)

 EXHIBIT A 
 TERMS AND CONDITIONS 
 OF THE RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

 Table of Contents 
  

 
  

							
	 	  	 	  	PAGE	 
	 SECTION 1.
	  	RSUs Generally.	  	 	1	  
	 SECTION 2.
	  	Vesting and Conversion	  	 	1	  
	 SECTION 3.
	  	Dividend Equivalent Payments.	  	 	2	  
	 SECTION 4.
	  	Termination of Employment.	  	 	2	  
	 SECTION 5.
	  	Change in Control.	  	 	3	  
	 SECTION 6.
	  	Cancellation of Awards.	  	 	3	  
	 SECTION 7.
	  	Tax and Other Withholding Obligations.	  	 	3	  
	 SECTION 8.
	  	Section 162(m).	  	 	3	  
	 SECTION 9.
	  	Nontransferability.	  	 	3	  
	 SECTION 10.
	  	Designation of a Beneficiary.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 11.
	  	Ownership and Possession.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 12.
	  	Securities Law Compliance Matters.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 13.
	  	Compliance with Laws and Regulations.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 14.
	  	No Entitlements.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 15.
	  	Consents under Local Law.	  	 	4	  
	 SECTION 16.
	  	Award Modification and Section 409A.	  	 	5	  
	 SECTION 17.
	  	Severability.	  	 	5	  
	 SECTION 18.
	  	Successors.	  	 	6	  
	 SECTION 19.
	  	Governing Law.	  	 	6	  
	 SECTION 20.
	  	Rule of Construction for Timing of Conversion.	  	 	6	  
	 SECTION 21.
	  	Defined Terms.	  	 	6	  

 SECTION 1.
RSUs Generally.  
 MSCI has awarded you RSUs as an incentive for you to continue to provide services to the Company and to
align your interests with those of the Company. As such, you will earn your RSU award only if you remain in continuous employment with the Company through the applicable vesting dates, or as otherwise set forth below. 

Each of your RSUs corresponds to one share of MSCI class A common stock (each a “Share”). Except as otherwise provided
in Section 16, a RSU constitutes a contingent and unsecured promise by MSCI to pay you one share of MSCI class A common stock on the conversion date for the RSU. You will not be a stockholder with respect to the shares of MSCI class A common
stock underlying your RSUs unless and until your RSUs convert to Shares. 
 SECTION 2. Vesting and
Conversion. 
 (a) Vesting. Your RSUs shall vest
                                        
                                        
(each, a “Vesting Date”), provided that you continue to be employed by the Company on each such Vesting Date. Vested RSUs shall convert into Shares on the Vesting Date or within 15 days thereafter. 

(b) Other. Notwithstanding the foregoing, your RSUs will vest and convert as set forth in Section 4 and
Section 5 in the event that your employment with the Company terminates under certain circumstances or a Change in Control occurs, respectively. 

  
 1 

 SECTION 3. Dividend Equivalent Payments.  

Until your RSUs convert to Shares, if MSCI pays a regular or ordinary cash dividend on shares of its class A common stock, you will be
entitled to a dividend equivalent payment in the same amount as the dividend you would have received if you held Shares for your vested and unvested RSUs. No dividend equivalents will be paid to you with respect to any canceled or forfeited RSUs.

 MSCI will decide on the form of payment and may pay dividend equivalents in Shares, in cash or in a combination thereof. MSCI
will pay the dividend equivalent when it pays the corresponding dividend on its class A common stock. 
 Because dividend
equivalent payments are considered part of your compensation for income tax purposes, they will be subject to applicable tax and other withholding obligations. 
 SECTION 4. Termination of Employment.  
 Upon termination of
employment with the Company pursuant to this Section 4, the following special vesting and payment terms will apply to your RSUs: 
 (a) Termination of Employment due to Death. If your employment with the Company terminates due to death, your RSUs will immediately vest and convert into Shares on the date of death or within 30
days thereafter. Such Shares shall be delivered to the beneficiary you have designated pursuant to Section 10 or the legal representative of your estate, as applicable. 

(b) Termination of Employment due to Disability. If your employment with the Company terminates due to Disability,
your RSUs will vest and convert into Shares on the date of such termination or within 30 days thereafter. 
 (c)
Involuntary Termination of Employment by the Company. In the event of an involuntary termination of your employment by the Company, your RSUs will vest and convert into Shares on the date of such termination or within 60 days thereafter;
provided that such conversion is subject to your execution and non-revocation of an agreement and release satisfactory to MSCI within 55 days following termination of your employment. 

(d) Governmental Service Termination. If your employment with the Company terminates in a Governmental Service
Termination, to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code, your RSUs will vest and convert into Shares on the date of such termination or within 60 days thereafter. 

(e) Other Resignations from Employment. If you resign from your employment with the Company under circumstances
which are not in accordance with the provisions above in this Section 4 (and the related defined terms used in such provisions), your RSUs will vest and convert into Shares only if and as provided below in this paragraph: 

(i) If, prior to a Vesting Date, you resign from your employment with the Company for any reason and your last day of
employment occurs before such Vesting Date, you will forfeit any RSUs that have not vested as of your last day of employment with the Company; 
 (ii) If, prior to a Vesting Date, you give MSCI notice of your intention to resign from your employment with the Company as of a date following such Vesting Date and you do not subsequently comply with
the Notice Requirements, you will forfeit any RSUs that have not vested as of the date of your notice of resignation to MSCI (regardless of whether you continued in employment with the Company as of the Vesting Date); 

(iii) If, prior to a Vesting Date, you give MSCI notice of your intention to resign from your employment with the Company
as of a date following such Vesting Date, and you remain employed through the Vesting Date and comply with the Notice Requirements, you will be entitled to any RSUs that have vested as of your last day of employment with the Company; 

  
 2 

 (iv) Except as described in subparagraph (ii) immediately above, if you
resign from your employment with the Company following a Vesting Date, you shall be entitled to receive (if not yet received) your RSUs that vested prior to your resignation. 
 If you are entitled to any RSUs in accordance with the provisions above in this paragraph, such RSUs shall convert into Shares on the date of your termination of employment or within 60 days thereafter;
provided that such conversion is subject to your execution and non-revocation of an agreement and release satisfactory to MSCI within 55 days following your last day of employment with the Company. 

SECTION 5. Change in Control. 
 In the event of a Change in Control your RSUs will vest and convert into Shares effective on the date of such Change in Control. 
 SECTION 6. Cancellation of Awards.  
 (a)
Cancellation Events. Notwithstanding any other terms of this Award Agreement, your RSUs will be canceled prior to conversion in the event of any Cancellation Event. 

(b) Certificate. You may be required to provide MSCI with a written certification or other evidence that it deems
appropriate, in its sole discretion, to confirm that no Cancellation Event has occurred. If you fail to submit a timely certification or evidence, MSCI will cancel your award. 

(c) Cancellation of Unvested Awards. Except as explicitly provided in Section 4, upon a termination of your
employment by you or by the Company for any reason, any of your RSUs that have not vested pursuant to Section 2 as of the date of your termination of employment with the Company will be canceled and forfeited in full as of such date.

 SECTION 7. Tax and Other Withholding Obligations 

Pursuant to rules and procedures that MSCI establishes, tax or other withholding obligations arising upon vesting and conversion (as
applicable) of your RSUs will be satisfied by having MSCI withhold Shares or by tendering Shares, in each case in an amount sufficient to satisfy the tax or other withholding obligations, unless MSCI, in its sole discretion, provides for a cash
withholding option which would permit MSCI to withhold cash in the same amount. Shares withheld or tendered will be valued using the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date your RSUs convert. 

In order to comply with applicable accounting standards or the Company’s policies in effect from time to time, MSCI may limit the
amount of Shares that you may have withheld or that you may tender. 
 SECTION 8. Section 162(m). 

The grant of RSUs pursuant to this Award Agreement is intended to be in compliance with MSCI’s Performance Formula and Incentive
Plan (the “162(m) Plan”), which is intended to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code. As such, the grant of RSUs pursuant to this Award Agreement is contingent upon the determination as to whether the grant is eligible to be
made pursuant to the 162(m) Plan and is within the limits for fiscal year          of your Maximum Annual Incentive Award as defined in the 162(m) Plan. Such determination shall be made following the
end of the          fiscal year by the Committee following its certification of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the 162(m) Plan) for fiscal year         .
For the avoidance of doubt, this Award (or designated portion thereof) will be null and void if it is determined that the grant of the Award (or designated portion thereof) is not eligible to be made pursuant to the 162(m) Plan. 

SECTION 9. Nontransferability.  
 You may not sell, pledge, hypothecate, assign or otherwise transfer your RSUs, other than as provided in Section 10 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution or otherwise as provided for by
the Committee. 

  
 3 

 SECTION 10. Designation of a Beneficiary.  

You may make a written designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive all or part of the shares to be paid under this Award
Agreement in the event of your death. To make a beneficiary designation, you must complete and file the form attached hereto as Appendix A with MSCI’s Human Resources Department. 

Any shares that become payable upon your death, and as to which a designation of beneficiary is not in effect, will be distributed to
your estate. 
 You may replace or revoke your beneficiary designation at any time. If there is any question as to the legal
right of any beneficiary to receive shares under this award, MSCI may determine in its sole discretion to deliver the shares in question to your estate. MSCI’s determination shall be binding and conclusive on all persons and it will have no
further liability to anyone with respect to such shares. 
 SECTION 11. Ownership and Possession.  

Generally, you will not have any rights as a stockholder in the shares of MSCI class A common stock corresponding to your RSUs prior to
conversion of your RSUs. 
 SECTION 12. Securities Law Compliance Matters.  

MSCI may, if it determines it is appropriate, affix any legend to the stock certificates representing shares of MSCI class A common stock
issued upon conversion of your RSUs and any stock certificates that may subsequently be issued in substitution for the original certificates. MSCI may advise the transfer agent to place a stop order against such shares if it determines that such an
order is necessary or advisable. 
 SECTION 13. Compliance with Laws and Regulations.  

Any sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, mortgage, encumbrance or other disposition of shares issued upon conversion of your RSUs (whether
directly or indirectly, whether or not for value, and whether or not voluntary) must be made in compliance with any applicable constitution, rule, regulation, or policy of any of the exchanges or associations or other institutions with which MSCI
has membership or other privileges, and any applicable law, or applicable rule or regulation of any governmental agency, self-regulatory organization or state or federal regulatory body. 

SECTION 14. No Entitlements.  
 (a) No Right to Continued Employment. This RSU award is not an employment agreement, and nothing in this Award Agreement or the Plan shall alter your status as an “at-will” employee of
the Company. 
 (b) No Right to Future Awards. This award, and all other awards of RSUs and other
equity-based awards, are discretionary. This award does not confer on you any right or entitlement to receive another award of RSUs or any other equity-based award at any time in the future or in respect of any future period. 

(c) No Effect on Future Employment Compensation. MSCI has made this award to you in its sole discretion. This award
does not confer on you any right or entitlement to receive compensation in any specific amount. In addition, this award is not part of your base salary or wages and will not be taken into account in determining any other employment-related rights
you may have, such as rights to pension or severance pay. 
 SECTION 15. Consents under Local Law.  

Your award is conditioned upon the making of all filings and the receipt of all consents or authorizations required to comply with, or
required to be obtained under, applicable local law. 

  
 4 

 SECTION 16. Award Modification and Section 409A.  

(a) Modification. MSCI reserves the right to modify or amend unilaterally the terms and conditions of your RSUs,
without first asking your consent, or to waive any terms and conditions that operate in favor of MSCI. MSCI may not modify your RSUs in a manner that would materially impair your rights in your RSUs without your consent; provided, however,
that MSCI may, without your consent, amend or modify your RSUs in any manner that MSCI considers necessary or advisable to comply with law or to ensure that your RSUs are not subject to tax prior to payment. MSCI will notify you of any amendment of
your RSUs that affects your rights. Any amendment or waiver of a provision of this Award Agreement (other than any amendment or waiver applicable to all recipients generally), which amendment or waiver operates in your favor or confers a benefit on
you, must be in writing and signed by the Global Head of Human Resources, the Chief Administrative Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or the General Counsel (or if such positions no longer exist, by the holders of equivalent positions) to be
effective. 
 (b) Section 409A.  

(i) You understand and agree that all payments made pursuant to this Award Agreement will comply with Section 409A of
the Code and any regulations and guidelines issued thereunder to the extent subject thereto, and shall be interpreted on a basis consistent with such intent. 
 (ii) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Award Agreement, to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, if MSCI considers you to be one of its “specified
employees” at the time of your “separation from service” (as such terms are defined in the Code) from the Company, no conversion specified hereunder shall occur prior to the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of
your separation from service from the Company (such period, the “Delay Period”). Any conversion of RSUs into Shares that would have occurred during the Delay Period but for the fact that you are deemed to be a specified employee
shall be satisfied either by (i) conversion of such RSUs into Shares on the first business day following the Delay Period or (ii) a cash payment on the first business day following the Delay Period equal to the value of such RSUs on the
scheduled conversion date (based on the value of a Share on such date) plus accrued interest as determined by MSCI; provided, that to the extent this Section 16(b)(ii) is applicable, in the event that after the date of your separation
from service from the Company you (X) die or (Y) accept employment at a Governmental Employer and provide MSCI with satisfactory evidence demonstrating that as a result of such new employment the divestiture of your continued interest in
MSCI equity awards or continued ownership of Shares is reasonably necessary to avoid the violation of U.S. federal, state or local or foreign ethics law or conflicts of interest law applicable to you at such Governmental Employer, any conversion or
payment delayed pursuant to this Section 16(b)(ii) shall occur or be made immediately. For the avoidance of doubt, any determination as to form of payment (as provided in this Section 16(b)(ii)) will be in the sole discretion of MSCI.

 (iii) For purposes of any provision of this Award Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts of
nonqualified deferred compensation upon or following a termination of employment from the Company, references to your “termination of employment” (and corollary terms) shall be construed to refer to your “separation from service”
from the Company. 
 (iv) MSCI reserves the right to modify the terms of this Award Agreement, including, without
limitation, the payment provisions applicable to your RSUs, to the extent necessary or advisable to comply with Section 409A of the Code and reserves the right to make any changes to your RSU award so that it does not become subject to
Section 409A or become subject to a Delay Period. 
 SECTION 17. Severability.  

In the event MSCI determines that any provision of this Award Agreement would cause you to be in constructive receipt for United States
federal or state income tax purposes of any portion of your award, then such provision will be considered null and void and this Award Agreement will be construed and enforced as if 

  
 5 

 
the provision had not been included in this Award Agreement as of the date such provision was determined to cause you to be in constructive receipt of any portion of your award. 

SECTION 18. Successors.  
 This Award Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor or successors of the Company and any person or persons who shall, upon your death, acquire any rights hereunder in
accordance with this Award Agreement or the Plan. 
 SECTION 19. Governing Law.  

This Award Agreement and the related legal relations between you and the Company will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of New York, without regard to any conflicts or choice of law, rule or principle that might otherwise refer the interpretation of the award to the substantive law of another jurisdiction. 

SECTION 20. Rule of Construction for Timing of Conversion.  

With respect to each provision of this Award Agreement that provides for your RSUs to convert to Shares on a specified event or date,
such conversion will be considered to have been timely made, and neither you nor any of your beneficiaries or your estate shall have any claim against the Company for damages based on a delay in payment, and the Company shall have no liability to
you (or to any of your beneficiaries or your estate) in respect of any such delay, as long as payment is made by December 31 of the year in which the applicable vesting date or such other specified event or date occurs, or if later, by the
fifteenth day of the third calendar month following such specified event or date. 
 SECTION 21. Defined Terms. 

 For purposes of this Award Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below: 

“Board” means the Board of Directors of MSCI. 
 A “Cancellation Event” will be deemed to have occurred under the following circumstances: 
 (a) misuse of Proprietary Information or failure to comply with your obligations under MSCI’s Code of Conduct or otherwise with respect to Proprietary Information; 

(b) resignation of employment with the Company without giving MSCI prior written notice of at least: 

(i) 180 days if you are a member of the MSCI Executive Committee (or a successor or equivalent committee) at the time of
notice of resignation; 
 (ii) 90 days if you are a Managing Director of the Company (or equivalent title) at the
time of notice of resignation; 
 (iii) 60 days if you are an Executive Director of the Company (or equivalent
title) at the time of notice of resignation; 
 (iv) 30 days if you are a Vice President of the Company (or
equivalent title) at the time of notice of resignation; or 
 (v) 14 days for all other employees of the Company;

 (c) termination from the Company for Cause (or a later determination that you could have been terminated for
Cause, provided that such determination is made within six months of termination); 

  
 6 

 (d) your commission of a fraudulent act or participation in misconduct which
leads to a material restatement of the Company’s financial statements; 
 or if, without the consent of MSCI:

 (e) while employed by the Company, including during any notice period applicable to you in connection with
your termination of employment with the Company, you directly or indirectly in any capacity (including through any person, corporation, partnership or other business entity of any kind) hire or solicit, recruit, induce, entice, influence or
encourage any Company employee to leave the Company or become hired or engaged by another company; or 
 (f)
while employed by the Company, including during any notice period applicable to you in connection with your termination of employment with the Company, you directly or indirectly in any capacity (including through any person, corporation,
partnership or other business entity of any kind) solicit or entice away or in any manner attempt to persuade any client or customer, or prospective client or customer, of the Company (i) to discontinue or diminish his, her or its relationship
or prospective relationship with the Company or (ii) to otherwise provide his, her or its business to any person, corporation, partnership or other business entity which engages in any line of business in which the Company is engaged (other
than the Company). 
 “Cause” means: 

(a) any act or omission which constitutes a material willful breach of your obligations to the Company or your continued
and willful refusal to substantially perform satisfactorily any duties reasonably required of you, which results in material injury to the interest or business reputation of the Company and which breach, failure or refusal (if susceptible to cure)
is not corrected (other than failure to correct by reason of your incapacity due to physical or mental illness) within thirty (30) business days after written notification thereof to you by the Company; provided that no act or failure to
act on your part shall be deemed willful unless done or omitted to be done by you not in good faith and without reasonable belief that your action or omission was in the best interest of the Company; 

(b) your commission of any dishonest or fraudulent act, or any other act or omission with respect to the Company, which
has caused or may reasonably be expected to cause a material injury to the interest or business reputation of the Company and which act or omission is not refuted by you within thirty (30) business days after written notification thereof to you
by the Company; 
 (c) your plea of guilty or nolo contendere to or conviction of a felony under the laws
of the United States or any state thereof or any other jurisdiction in which the Company conducts business; or 

(d) your commission of a fraudulent act or participation in misconduct which leads to a material restatement of the
Company’s financial statements. 
 A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if any of the
following conditions shall have been satisfied: 
 (a) any one person or more than one person acting as a group
(as determined under Section 409A), other than (A) any employee plan established by MSCI or any of its Subsidiaries, (B) MSCI or any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act), (C) an
underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (D) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by stockholders of MSCI in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of MSCI, is or becomes,
during any twelve-month period, the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of MSCI (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such person(s) any securities acquired directly from MSCI or its affiliates other than in
connection with the acquisition by MSCI or its affiliates of a business) representing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of MSCI, provided that the provisions of this subsection (a) are not intended to apply to or include
as a Change in Control any transaction that is specifically excepted from the definition of Change in Control under subsection (c) below; 

  
 7 

 (b) a change in the composition of the Board such that, during any 12-month
period, the individuals who, as of the beginning of such period, constitute the Board (the “Existing Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least 50% of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a
member of the Board subsequent to the beginning of such period whose election, or nomination for election by MSCI’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors immediately prior to the date of such appointment
or election shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Existing Board; and provided, further, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either
an actual or threatened election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 or Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act or successor statutes or rules containing analogous concepts) or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies
or consents by or on behalf of an individual, corporation, partnership, group, associate or other entity or “person” other than the Board, shall in any event be considered to be a member of the Existing Board; 

(c) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, or the
issuance of voting securities in connection with a merger or consolidation of the Company (or any direct or indirect subsidiary of MSCI) pursuant to applicable stock exchange requirements; provided that immediately following such merger or
consolidation the voting securities of MSCI outstanding immediately prior thereto do not continue to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation or
parent entity thereof) 50% or more of the total voting power of MSCI’s stock (or if the Company is not the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation, 50% or more of the total voting power of the stock of such surviving entity or parent
entity thereof); and provided, further, that a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of MSCI (or similar transaction) in which no person (as determined under Section 409A) is or becomes the beneficial owner,
directly or indirectly, of securities of MSCI (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such person any securities acquired directly from MSCI or its affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition by MSCI or its affiliates of
a business) representing 50% or more of either the then outstanding shares of MSCI’s common stock or the combined voting power of MSCI’s then-outstanding voting securities shall not be considered a Change in Control; or 

(d) the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in which any one
person or more than one person acting as a group (as determined under Section 409A) acquires (or has acquired during the twelve-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company
that have a total gross fair market value equal to more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if there is consummated any transaction or
series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of MSCI’s common stock immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity
which owns substantially all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions and (2) no event or circumstances described in any of clauses (a) through (d) above shall constitute a Change in
Control unless such event or circumstances also constitute a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, as defined in Section 409A and the regulations
and guidance thereunder. In addition, no Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred upon the acquisition of additional control of the Company by any one person or more than one person acting as a group that is considered to effectively
control the Company. In no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred if you are part of a “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act that effects a Change in Control. 

Terms used in the definition of a Change in Control shall be as defined or interpreted pursuant to Section 409A. 

  
 8 

 “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and the rules, regulations and guidance thereunder. 
 “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the
Board, any successor committee thereto or any other committee of the Board appointed by the Board with the powers of the Committee under the Plan, or any subcommittee appointed by such Committee. 

“Disability” means any (A) you are unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically
determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months or (B) you, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental
impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve months, are receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health
plan covering employees of the Company. 
 “Fair Market Value” means, with respect to a Share, the closing
price of a share of MSCI’s class A common stock as reported by the NYSE on the trading day prior to the relevant determination date. 
 “Governmental Employer” means a governmental department or agency, self-regulatory agency or other public service employer. 

“Governmental Service Termination” means the termination of your employment with the Company as a result of accepting
employment at a Governmental Employer and you provide MSCI with satisfactory evidence demonstrating that as a result of such new employment, the divestiture of your continued interest in MSCI equity awards or continued ownership in MSCI class A
common stock is reasonably necessary to avoid the violation of U.S. federal, state or local or foreign ethics law or conflicts of interest law applicable to you at such Governmental Employer. 

“MSCI” means MSCI Inc., a Delaware corporation. 

“Notice Requirements” means prior written notice to MSCI of at least: 

(i) 180 days if you are a member of the MSCI Executive Committee (or a successor or equivalent committee) at the time of
notice of resignation; 
 (ii) 90 days if you are a Managing Director of the Company (or equivalent title) at the
time of notice of resignation; 
 (iii) 60 days if you are an Executive Director of the Company (or equivalent
title) at the time of notice of resignation; 
 (iv) 30 days if you are a Vice President of the Company (or
equivalent title) at the time of notice of resignation; or 
 (v) 14 days for all other employees of the Company.

 “Proprietary Information” means any information that may have intrinsic value to the Company, the
Company’s clients or other parties with which the Company has a relationship, or that may provide the Company with a competitive advantage, including, without limitation, any trade secrets, inventions (whether or not patentable); formulas; flow
charts; computer programs, access codes or other systems of information; algorithms, technology and business processes; business, product, or marketing plans; sales and other forecasts; financial information; client lists or other intellectual
property; information relating to compensation and benefits; and public information that becomes proprietary as a result of the Company’s compilation of that information for use in its business; provided that such Proprietary Information
does not include any information which is available for use by the general public or is generally available for use within the relevant business or industry other than as a result of your action. Proprietary Information may be in any medium or form
including, without limitation, physical documents, computer files or discs, videotapes, audiotapes, and oral communications. 

  
 9 

 “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the related
regulations 
 “Section 162(m)” means Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) and
the related regulations. 
 “Settlement Date” means each date your RSUs are converted into Shares pursuant to
Section 2, Section 4 or Section 5. 
 “Subsidiary” means (i) a corporation or other entity
with respect to which MSCI, directly or indirectly, has the power, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, to elect at least a majority of the members of such corporation’s board of directors or analogous
governing body, or (ii) any other corporation or other entity in which MSCI, directly or indirectly, has an equity or similar interest and which the Committee designates as a Subsidiary for purposes of the Plan. 

  
 10 

 APPENDIX A 
 Designation of Beneficiary(ies) Under 
 RiskMetrics Group, Inc. 2007
Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan 
 This Designation of Beneficiary shall remain in effect with respect to all awards issued to me under
any MSCI equity compensation plan, including any awards that may be issued to me after the date hereof, unless and until I modify or revoke it by submitting a later dated beneficiary designation. This Designation of Beneficiary supersedes all my
prior beneficiary designations with respect to all my equity awards. 
 I hereby designate the following beneficiary(ies) to
receive any survivor benefits with respect to all my equity awards: 
  

							
	 	  	Beneficiary(ies) Name(s)	  	Relationship	  	Percentage
	 (1)
	  		  		  	
	 (2)
	  		  		  	
	 (3)
	  		  		  	
	 (4)
	  		  		  	

 Address(es) of Beneficiary(ies): 
  

									
	 (1)
	  				  			
	 (2)
	  				  			
	 (3)
	  				  			
	 (4)
	  				  			

 Contingent Beneficiary 
 Please also indicate any contingent beneficiary and to which beneficiary above such interest relates. 
  

							
	 	 	Beneficiary(ies) Name(s)	  	Relationship	  	 Nature of
 Contingency

 Address(es) of Contingent Beneficiary(ies): 

 

			
	 Name: (please print)
	  	Date:

 Signature 

Please sign and return this form to MSCI’s Human Resources Department.

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