Document:

Forms of Agreement for Deferred Compensation Benefits (Officer form)

 Exhibit 10(xvii) 
 Participant Name: XXX 
 AGREEMENT FOR 
 DEFERRED COMPENSATION BENEFITS 
 American Greetings Corporation (the
“Employer”) has established the American Greetings Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (together with any amendments thereto, the “Plan”), under which the Employer and a Participant may negotiate the portion of such
Participant’s annual Compensation to be paid as Deferred Compensation Benefits under the Plan. In connection with the Plan, the Employer has also adopted a trust, which will hold and invest amounts accumulated to pay benefits under the Plan,
subject only to the claims of the Employer’s general creditors in the event of its bankruptcy or insolvency (in accordance with the terms of such trust). In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and subject to the terms of the
Plan, the Employer and the undersigned Participant hereby agree as follows: 
 Section 1 - Deferred Amount 
 An amount equal to XXX performance shares of American Greetings Stock. The restrictions placed on this stock will be removed on XXX and will
become taxable unless deferred into the Plan. 
 Section 2 - Deferral Period 
 The Participant’s Deferred Compensation Benefits shall be deferred until the earlier of separation from service or: 
  

			
	              
	 	 One (1) year from the ending date set forth in Section 1. (Note: A participant may not re-defer a one-year deferral)

		
	              
	 	 Three (3) years from the ending date set forth in Section 1.

		
	              
	 	 Five (5) years from the ending date set forth in Section 1.

		
	              
	 	 Participant’s separation from service.

 Section 3 - Form of Benefits Payment 
 Upon separation from service, the Participant’s Deferred Compensation Benefits will be paid to the Participant in either a lump sum, five annual installments, or ten annual installments.
(See Attachment 1). Please indicate below your choice of the Form of Benefits Payment upon separation from service. 
  

			
	              
	 	 Lump Sum Payment

		
	              
	 	 Payment over five (5) years, as outlined in Attachment 1.

		
	              
	 	 Payment over ten (10) years, as outlined in Attachment 1.

 At the end of the Deferral Period selected in Section 2, the Participant has the option of
either re-deferring his/her compensation (subject to regulations governing re-deferral), or receiving payment of the Deferred Amount, plus any investment earnings paid in a lump sum. 
  

 Page 1 

 Section 4 - Amendments 
 This Agreement may not be amended or modified by either party, except by a written document signed by both parties in accordance with the terms of the Plan. 
 Section 5 - Term of Agreement 
 The term of this
Agreement shall be from the last date set forth below until all amounts in the Participant’s Account have been paid out. 
 Section 6 - Rights
and Obligations 
 The Participant’s right to Deferred Compensation Benefits and the Employer’s obligations to pay such Benefits
shall be governed by the Plan to the extent not addressed in this Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall govern. Participant acknowledges that this election is being made based on
guidance currently available for determining the requirements imposed on the Plan by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”). 
  

					
	 AGREED TO BY:
	 		 	
			
	  
	 		 	  

	 XXX
	 		 	 Employer Signature

			
	  
	 		 	  

	 Date
	 		 	 Date

 Attachment 1 
  

 Page 2 

 Form of Benefits Payment Options. 
 Upon separation from service, the Participant’s Deferred Compensation Benefits will be paid as follows: 
 Option 1. Lump Sum Distribution paid within 30 days after the date six (6) months after separation from service. 
 Option 2. Five annual installments according to the following schedule. 
  

					
	 	 	 Payment Date
	 	 Payment Amount

	Payment Number 1	 	within 30 days after the date six (6) months after separation from service	 	20% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 2	 	January 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year of Payment Number 1	 	25% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 3	 	Twelve (12) months after the date of Payment Number 2	 	33% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 4	 	Twelve (12) months after the date of Payment Number 3	 	50% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 5	 	Twelve (12) months after the date of Payment Number 4	 	current balance

 Option 3. Ten annual installments according to the following schedule. 

 

					
	 	  	 Payment Date
	  	Payment Amount
	Payment No. 1	  	1st Anniversary of separation from service	  	 1/10 of Account Balance

	Payment No. 2	  	2nd Anniversary of separation from service	  	 1/9 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 3	  	3rd Anniversary of separation from service	  	 1/8 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 4	  	4th Anniversary of separation from service	  	 1/7 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 5	  	5th Anniversary of separation from service	  	 1/6 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 6	  	6th Anniversary of separation from service	  	 1/5 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 7	  	7th Anniversary of separation from service	  	 1/4 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 8	  	8th Anniversary of separation from service	  	 1/3 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 9	  	9th Anniversary of separation from service	  	 1/2 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 10	  	10th Anniversary of separation from service	  	Entire Account Balance

  

 Page 3 

 Participant Name: 
 AGREEMENT FOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION 
 BENEFITS – FY          CASH
INCENTIVE 
 American Greetings Corporation (the “Employer”) has established the American Greetings Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan (together with any amendments thereto, the “Plan”), under which the Employer and
                                        
(the “Participant”) may agree that all or a portion of such Participant’s annual Compensation (as defined under the Plan) be paid as Deferred Compensation Benefits (as defined by the Plan) pursuant to the terms of the Plan. To defer a
portion of such Compensation (as defined under the Plan) consisting of all or a portion of any incentive award the Participant qualifies to receive under the Employer’s annual performance bonus program (the “Incentive”), the
Participant and the Employer hereby enter into this Agreement for Deferred Compensation Benefits (the “Agreement”). In consideration of the mutual covenants contained within this Agreement and subject to the terms of the Plan, the Employer
and the undersigned Participant hereby agree as follows: 
 Section 1 - Deferred Amount 
 The Participant hereby elects to defer an amount equal to     % of the Incentive to which the Participant may be entitled to receive under the
Key Management Annual Incentive Plan in the form of cash for the fiscal year ending         . Any deferral made under this Agreement will be credited to an account bearing the Participant’s name
(hereinafter referred to as the “Account”), net of all required payroll deductions. 
 Section 2 - Deferral Period 
 The Participant’s Deferred Compensation Benefits may be deferred to: (a) a specific date, (b) date of termination, or (c) the earlier of a specific
date or termination. The specific date selected must be at least one-year from the year of deferral. Please select one option below: 
  

			
	              
	 	 (a) Specific date:                         

		
	              
	 	 (b) Termination

		
	              
	 	 (c) Earlier of a specific date or termination. Please specify date:
                        

 Note: Under IRS regulations, you may be required to wait a minimum of 6
months to receive a distribution. 
 Section 3 - Form of Benefits Payment 
 The Participant’s Deferred Compensation Benefits may be paid as: (a) lump sum, (b) 5-year installment, or (c) 10-year installment. Please select one option below: 
  

			
	              
	 	 (a) Lump Sum Payment

		
	              
	 	 (b) 5-year installment, as outlined in Attachment 1

		
	              
	 	 (c) 10-year installment, as outlined in Attachment 1

  

 Page 1 

 Important Note: Any re-election in the future to change the deferral period or form of payment must be made at least 12
months prior to the end of the deferral period and will result in a 5-year delay in the benefit payment. If the re-election is not in effect for 12 months, the prior election will apply. 
 Section 4 - Amendments 
 This Agreement may not be amended or modified by either party, except by a written
document signed by both parties in accordance with the terms of the Plan. 
 Section 5 - Term of Agreement 
 The term of this Agreement shall be from the last date set forth below until all amounts in the Participant’s Account have been distributed. 
 Section 6 - Rights and Obligations 
 The Participant’s right
to Deferred Compensation Benefits and the Employer’s obligations to pay such Deferred Compensation Benefits shall be governed by the Plan to the extent not addressed in this Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this
Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall govern. 
 By signing this Agreement, the Participant acknowledges that: this election is based on guidance currently
available for determining the requirements imposed on the Plan by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”), determined as of the date of the Agreement; and that the Employer expects to amend the Plan to bring the Plan into
compliance with new guidance expected to be published under the Act. Employer will operate the Plan during              based on its understanding of the Act’s rules.

  

					
	 AGREED TO BY:
	 		 	
			
	  
	 		 	  

		 		 	 Employer Signature

			
	  
	 		 	  

	 Date
	 		 	 Date

  

 Page 2 

 Attachment 1 
 Form of Benefits Payment Options. 
 Upon Separation from Service, the Participant’s Deferred Compensation Benefits will
be paid as follows: 
 Option 1. Lump Sum Distribution paid within 30 days after the date that occurs six (6) months after
Separation from Service. 
 Option 2. Five annual installments according to the following schedule. 
  

					
	 	 	 Payment Date
	 	 Payment Amount

	Payment Number 1	 	within 30 days after the date that occurs six (6) months after Separation from Service	 	20% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 2	 	January 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year of Payment Number 1	 	25% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 3	 	Twelve (12) months after the date of Payment Number 2	 	33% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 4	 	Twelve (12) months after the date of Payment Number 3	 	50% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 5	 	Twelve (12) months after the date of Payment Number 4	 	current balance

 Option 3. Ten annual installments according to the following schedule. 

 

					
	 	  	 Payment Date
	  	Payment Amount
	Payment No. 1	  	1st Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/10 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 2	  	2nd Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/9 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 3	  	3rd Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/8 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 4	  	4th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/7 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 5	  	5th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/6 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 6	  	6th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/5 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 7	  	7th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/4 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 8	  	8th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/3 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 9	  	9th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/2 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 10	  	10th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	Entire Account Balance

  

 Page 3 

 Participant Name: 
 AGREEMENT FOR 
 DEFERRED COMPENSATION BENEFITS 
 American Greetings Corporation (the “Employer”) has established the American Greetings Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (together with any amendments thereto, the
“Plan”), under which the Employer and a Participant may negotiate the portion of such Participant’s annual Compensation (as defined under the Plan) to be paid as Deferred Compensation Benefits (as defined by the Plan) pursuant to the
terms of the Plan. To defer a portion of such Compensation (as defined under the Plan) consisting of all or a portion of base compensation and/or 401(k) maximizer benefit, the Participant and the Employer hereby enter into this Agreement for
Deferred Compensation Benefits (the “Agreement”). In consideration of the mutual covenants contained within this Agreement and subject to the terms of the Plan, the Employer and the undersigned Participant hereby agree as follows:

 Section 1 - Deferred Amount 
 The
Participant hereby elects to defer an amount equal to: 
  

	 	A.	          % or $             of annual base
Compensation for the period from 1/1/         through 12/31/         

  

	 	B.	 Calendar          401(k) Maximizer
      Yes          No 

 Any
deferral made under this Agreement will be credited to an account bearing the Participant’s name (hereinafter referred to as the “Account”), net of all required payroll deductions. 
 Section 2 - Deferral Period 
 The
Participant’s Deferred Compensation Benefits shall be deferred until: 
 A. Base Compensation: 
  

			
	              
	 	 One (1) year from the ending date set forth in Section 1.*

		
	              
	 	 Three (3) years from the ending date set forth in Section 1.

		
	              
	 	 Five (5) years from the ending date set forth in Section 1.

		
	              
	 	 Participant’s Separation from Service (as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and related regulations).

  

	*	 Note: A Participant may not re-defer a one-year deferral. 

 B. 401(k) Maximizer: 
  

			
	              
	 	 One (1) year from last day of applicable calendar year set forth in Section 1.*

		
	              
	 	 Three (3) years from last day of applicable calendar year set forth in Section 1.

		
	              
	 	 Five (5) years from last day of applicable calendar year set forth in Section 1.

		
	              
	 	 Participant’s Separation from Service (as defined by Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and related regulations).

  

	*	 Note: A Participant may not re-defer a one-year deferral. 

 Section 3 - Form of Benefits Payment 
  

 Page 1 

 Upon Separation from Service, the Participant’s Deferred Compensation Benefits will be paid to the
Participant in either a lump sum payment, five annual installments, or ten annual installments. (See Attachment 1). Please indicate below your choice of the Form of Benefits Payment upon Separation from Service. 
  

			
	              
	 	 Lump Sum Payment.

		
	              
	 	 Payment over five (5) years, as outlined in Attachment 1.

		
	              
	 	 Payment over ten (10) years, as outlined in Attachment 1.

 Except as provided for under Section 1 above, the Participant has the option of either
re-deferring his/her compensation (subject to the federal and state laws and regulations governing re-deferral), or receiving payment of the Deferred Amount, plus any investment earnings paid in a lump sum at the end of the Deferral Period selected
in Section 2. 
 Section 4 - Amendments 
 This Agreement may not be amended or modified by either party, except by a written document signed by both parties in accordance with the terms of the Plan. 
 Section 5 - Term of Agreement 
 The term of this Agreement shall be from the date the participant
signs and delivers this Agreement until all amounts in the Participant’s Account have been distributed. 
 Section 6 - Rights and Obligations

 The Participant’s right to Deferred Compensation Benefits and the Employer’s obligations to pay such Deferred Compensation
Benefits shall be governed by the Plan to the extent not addressed in this Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall govern. 
  

					
	 AGREED TO BY:
	 		 	
			
	  
	 		 	  

		 		 	 Employer Signature

			
	  
	 		 	  

	 Date
	 		 	 Date

  

 Page 2 

 Attachment 1 
 Form of Benefits Payment Options. 
 Upon Separation from Service, the Participant’s Deferred Compensation Benefits will
be paid as follows: 
 Option 1. Lump Sum Distribution paid within 30 days after the date that occurs six (6) months after
Separation from Service. 
 Option 2. Five annual installments according to the following schedule. 
  

					
	 	  	 Payment Date
	  	Payment Amount
	Payment Number 1	  	within 30 days after the date that occurs six (6) months after Separation from Service	  	20% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 2	  	January 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year of Payment Number 1	  	25% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 3	  	Twelve (12) months after the date of Payment Number 2	  	33% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 4	  	Twelve (12) months after the date of Payment Number 3	  	50% of the then current balance
			
	Payment Number 5	  	Twelve (12) months after the date of Payment Number 4	  	current balance

 Option 3. Ten annual installments according to the following schedule. 
  

					
	 	  	 Payment Date
	  	Payment Amount
	Payment No. 1	  	1st Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/10 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 2	  	2nd Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/9 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 3	  	3rd Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/8 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 4	  	4th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/7 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 5	  	5th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/6 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 6	  	6th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/5 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 7	  	7th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/4 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 8	  	8th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/3 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 9	  	9th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	 1/2 of Account Balance
	Payment No. 10	  	10th Anniversary of Separation from Service	  	Entire Account Balance

  

 Page 3Form of Deferral Agreement under Outside Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan

 Exhibit 10(xx) 
 [Date] 
 Catherine M. Kilbane, Sr. Vice President 
 General Counsel and Secretary 
 American Greetings Corporation 
 One American Road 
 Cleveland, OH 44144 
 Re: (1) Election to Receive Director Compensation in Cash or Common Shares under the American Greetings Corporation 2007 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Stock Plan”) and (2) Agreement for Deferred
Compensation Benefits Under The American Greetings Corporation Outside Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) 
 Dear Cathy: 
 This will serve as my instructions on the form of payment of the fees I receive as compensation for serving on
the Board of Directors (“Compensation”) during the fiscal year beginning March 1,          and ending February     ,
         (“Fiscal         ”). In addition, if I elect below to defer any portion of the Compensation I receive during the calendar year beginning
January 1,          and ending December 31,          (“Calendar         ”), this will
serve as my deferral agreement with respect to such deferral under the Deferred Compensation Plan. 

 Form of Compensation 
 I hereby elect to receive my Fiscal              Compensation as follows 
  

	1.	 Cash or Stock  (Check only one of Options A, B, or C.) 

 A. Cash 
              I elect that all of my Compensation shall be paid in cash. 
 OR 
 B. Stock in lieu of Cash 

             In lieu of cash, I elect that all of my Compensation shall be in the
form of American Greetings Class A or 
              Class B Common shares
issued under the Stock Plan. Fractional shares will be paid in cash. 
  

					
	 Choose Only One
	 	

	  	              in American Greetings Class B Common Shares;
  
 OR
  
              in American Greetings Class A Common Shares.

 C. Part Cash, Part Stock 
              I elect that my Compensation be paid partly in cash and partly in
American Greetings Class A OR Class B 
              Common
Shares issued under the Stock Plan as follows: 
  

									
	 Total Should Equal 100%
	 	

	  	              % in cash:
  
 And
  
              % in American Greetings Class A Common Shares in lieu of cash.
                  Fractional Shares will be paid in cash;
  
 OR
  
              % in American Greetings Class B Common Shares in lieu of cash.
                  Fractional Shares will be paid in cash.
	 	

	  	 Choose Only One

  

 2 

 Deferral Elections 
 The following is my election as to the Compensation I receive during Calendar         : 
  

	2.	 Election to Defer (Check only one of Option A or B. If you elect Option A, do 

 not complete Parts 3 and 4, simply sign and return.) 
  

					
	 A.
	 	              
	  	 I elect not to defer any portion of my Compensation. I elect to receive all Compensation currently in cash and/or stock as indicated in Part 1 above.

			
	 B.
	 	              
	  	 I elect to defer that portion of my Compensation into the Deferred Compensation Plan, as set forth below:

  

					
	 
	 (a) Cash Compensation:

	 		 
	 	 	              
	  	 % of the cash Compensation designated in paragraphs 1(A) or 1(C) above to be deferred.

	 		 
	 	 	              
	  	 % of the cash Compensation designated in paragraphs 1(A) or 1(C) above to be paid currently and not deferred.

	 
	 (b) Stock Compensation:

	 		 
	 	 	              
	  	% of the stock compensation designated in paragraphs 1(B) or 1(C) above to be deferred.
	 		 
	 	 	              
  
	  	 % of the stock compensation designated in
paragraphs 1(B) or 1(C) to be issued currently and not deferred.
  

  

 3 

 Deferral Period.  (Check only one of the options 3(a), (b), or (c) below if you elected to defer
any portion of your Compensation into the Deferred Compensation Plan under Part 2 above.) 
 Defer receipt of Compensation
until:** 
  

					
	 	 	 
	 (a)
	 	              
	  	 the date that is three (3) years from the last day of the calendar year in which the payment was
deferred.

	 		 
	 (b)
	 	              
	  	 the date that is five (5) years from the last day of the calendar year in which the payment was
deferred.

	 		 
	 (c)
  
	 	  
	  	 the date that I separate from service as a
Director.
  

	**	Note: In the event that you separate from service as a director with American Greetings Corporation on account of your disability or death, your benefit payment may be made earlier
than the distribution date chosen by you in 3(a), (b), or (c) above. 

 3. Form of Benefit Payment. (Check only
one of the options 4(a), (b), or (c) if you elected to defer any portion of your Compensation into the Deferred Compensation Plan under Part 2 above.) 
 Pay my Deferred Compensation Plan benefit relating to the Compensation deferred hereby in: 
  

					
	 	 	 
	 (a)
	 	              
	  	 one (1) lump sum payment.

	 		 
	 (b)
	 	              
	  	 five (5) equal installments, payable over a period of five (5) years.

	 		 
	 (c)
  
	 	  
	  	 ten (10) equal installments, payable
over a period of ten years.
  

 I understand that, by signing this election form, my election as to the form of Compensation and as to whether to defer
Compensation is irrevocable for the period to which it applies. I further understand that with respect to my deferral election, if any, I may not extend the date or form of my distribution election unless such change is made at least twelve
(12) months prior to my initial distribution date and I will not thereafter be eligible for a distribution until at least five (5) years from the date of my initial distribution date. 
 I further understand that if I elect to receive my Compensation in American Greetings Class A or Class B common shares, and I choose to defer such shares into the
Deferred Compensation Plan, any distribution of amounts credited to my account in the Deferred Compensation Plan with respect to such shares (including shares credited as a result of any dividend reinvestments) will be in the form of shares of the
same class that I deferred. 
  

	
	  

	 Signature

	
	 XXXXX

	 Printed Name

  

 5

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