Document:

Document

STATE OF GEORGIA
COUNTY OF MUSCOGEE:

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

    THIS AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 29th day of April, 2021, by and between Aflac Incorporated, a Georgia corporation, hereinafter referred to as “Corporation,” or “Aflac” and Max K. Brodén, hereinafter referred to as “Employee”;

W I T N E S S E T H    T H A T:

    WHEREAS, Corporation and Employee desire to enter into an Employment Agreement and to set forth the terms and conditions of Employee’s employment by Corporation as its Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer;

    NOW, THEREFORE, the parties, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, do contract and agree as follows, to-wit:

    1.    Purpose and employment.  The purpose of this Agreement is to define the relationship between Corporation as an employer and Employee as an employee and Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Corporation.

    2.    Duties.  Employee agrees to provide executive management services to Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Corporation on a full-time and exclusive basis; provided, however, nothing shall preclude Employee from engaging in charitable and community affairs or managing his own or his family’s personal investments.

    3.    Performance.  Employee agrees to devote all necessary time and his best efforts in the performance of his duties as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Corporation on behalf of Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

    4.    Term.  The term of employment under this Agreement shall begin May 1, 2021, and shall continue for a period of three (3) years until May 1, 2024, unless extended or sooner terminated as hereinafter provided.  On an annual basis beginning effective May 1, 2022, the scheduled term of this Agreement shall be extended for successive one (1)-year periods unless written notice of termination is given prior to such annual date by one party to the other party that the Agreement will not be extended by its terms.

    5.    Base salary.  For all the services rendered by Employee, Corporation shall pay Employee a base salary of $620,000.00 per year commencing May 1, 2021, said salary to be payable in accordance with Corporation’s normal payroll procedures.  Employee’s base salary may be increased annually during the term of this Agreement and any extensions hereof as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee of the Board”).
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    6.    Documentation of increase in base salary.  Any increase in base salary determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board under Paragraph 5 shall be documented in the Corporation’s records and communicated to Employee, as the Compensation Committee of the Board may determine in its sole discretion.

    7.    Management Incentive Plan.  In addition to the base salary paid to Employee in accordance with Paragraph 5, Corporation shall for each calendar year of Employee's employment by Corporation, beginning with the calendar year 2021, pay Employee, as performance bonus compensation, an amount determined each year under Corporation’s current Management Incentive Plan (i.e., short-term incentive program) with a target level based on at least one hundred twenty five  percent (125%) of base salary.  Nothing in this Paragraph shall preclude Employee from receiving additional discretionary bonuses approved by the Chief Executive Officer or the Compensation Committee of the Board.  Amounts payable to Employee under the Management Incentive Plan (or any successor or other executive bonus program) shall be payable in such manner, at such times and in such forms, as prescribed by the terms of the Management Incentive Plan (or successor or other program).  

    8.    Employee benefits.  Employee shall be eligible to participate with other employees of Corporation in all fringe benefit programs applicable to similarly situated employees generally which may be authorized and adopted from time to time by the Board, including without limitation:  a qualified 401(k) and profit sharing plan, Corporation’s Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (“the EDCP”) and any other nonqualified deferred compensation plan, a disability income or sick pay plan, an accident and health plan (including medical reimbursement and hospitalization and major medical benefits), and a group life insurance plan.  In addition, Corporation shall furnish to Employee such other “fringe” or employee benefits as are provided to similarly-situated key executive employees of Corporation and such additional employee benefits which the Compensation Committee of the Board or the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer shall determine to be appropriate to Employee's duties and responsibilities as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Corporation, including, without limitation, reimbursement of legal and accounting expenses incurred by Employee in connection with the preparation of his employment or other agreements with Corporation and any expenses for legal, accounting or financial services incurred by Employee in connection with his employment.  Any reimbursements made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be paid as soon as practicable but no later than ninety (90) days after Employee submits evidence of such expenses to Corporation (which payment date shall in no event be later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred).  The amount of such reimbursements during any calendar year shall not affect the benefits provided in any other calendar year, and the right to any such benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

    9.    Equity award plans.  Employee shall be eligible to be awarded stock options, restricted stock awards, and other equity awards (collectively, “Equity Awards”) to purchase Corporation's common stock under Corporation's Long-Term Incentive Plans for selected key employees and directors during the term of this Agreement.

    10.    Working facilities and expenses.  Employee shall be provided with an office, books, periodicals, stenographic and technical help, ground and air transportation, and such other facilities, 
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equipment, supplies and services suitable to his position and adequate for the performance of his duties.  Corporation shall pay Employee’s fees and dues in such social and country clubs, civic clubs and business societies and associations as shall be appropriate in facilitating Employee’s job performance and in the best interest of Corporation.  Corporation shall also pay all appropriate business liability insurance and any business licenses and fees pertaining to the services rendered by Employee hereunder.

    Employee is encouraged and is expected, from time to time, to incur reasonable expenses for promoting the business of Corporation, including expenses for social and civic club memberships and participation, entertainment, travel and other activities associated with Employee’s duties.  The cost of all such activities shall be the expenses of Corporation unless the Compensation Committee of the Board shall determine in advance that any such expense of Employee should be paid by Employee.

    Any expense reimbursements made to satisfy the terms of this Paragraph 10 shall be paid as soon as practicable but no later than ninety (90) days after Employee submits evidence of such expenses to Corporation (which payment date shall in no event be later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred).  The amount of such reimbursements during any calendar year shall not affect the benefits provided in any other calendar year, and the right to any benefits under this Paragraph shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

    11.    Vacation.  Employee shall be entitled to vacation time with pay during each calendar year in accordance with Corporation's vacation policy for senior executive employees.  In addition, Employee shall be entitled to such holidays as Corporation shall recognize for its employees generally.

    12.    Sickness and total disability.  Employee’s absence from work because of sickness or accident (not resulting in Employee becoming “totally disabled,” as that term is hereinafter defined) shall not result in any adjustment in Employee’s compensation or other benefits under this Agreement.

    Should Employee become totally disabled as a result of sickness or accident and unable to adequately perform his regular duties prescribed under this Agreement, his base salary (which shall continue to be adjusted as provided for in Paragraph 5), together with incentive bonuses under Corporation's Management Incentive Plan and his participation in Corporation's employee benefit programs and retirement plan shall continue without reduction except as hereinafter provided, during the continuance of such disability for a period not exceeding the earlier of (1) the end of the term of this Agreement or any extension hereof, or (2) a period of one and one-half (1-1/2) years (547 calendar days) for each continuous disability.  Payments pursuant to this Paragraph 12 shall be reduced by any amounts paid to Employee during any such period of disability from time to time under any disability programs, plans or policies maintained by Corporation, its subsidiaries or affiliates.  

    Should Employee’s total disability continue for a period beyond the end of the term of this Agreement or in excess of five hundred and forty-seven (547) calendar days, this Agreement shall, at 
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the end of such period which first occurs, be automatically terminated.  If, however, prior to such time, Employee’s total disability shall have ceased and he shall have resumed the adequate performance of his duties hereunder, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect and Employee shall be entitled to continue his employment hereunder and to receive his full compensation and other benefits as though he had not been disabled; provided, however, unless Employee shall adequately perform his duties hereunder for a continuous period of at least sixty (60) calendar days following a period of total disability before Employee again becomes totally disabled, he shall not be entitled to start a new five hundred and forty-seven (547)-day period under this Paragraph, but instead may only continue under the remaining portion of the original five hundred and forty-seven (547)-day period of total disability.  In the event Employee shall not adequately perform his duties hereunder for a continuous period of at least sixty (60) calendar days following a period of total disability, the running of the original five hundred and forty-seven (547)-day period shall cease during the time of Employee's adequate performance of his duties hereunder before Employee again becomes totally disabled.

    If, following Employee’s becoming totally disabled, this Agreement shall be terminated (as provided in the preceding paragraph) and Employee’s employment with Corporation terminated, Employee shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in any employer contributions under the EDCP. 

    For the purpose of this Agreement, the term “totally disabled” or “total disability” shall mean Employee’s inability to adequately perform his executive and management duties hereunder on account of accident or illness.  It is understood that Employee’s occasional sickness or other incapacity of short duration may not result in him being or becoming “totally disabled”; however, such illness or incapacity could constitute Employee’s being or becoming “totally disabled” if such illness or incapacity is prolonged or recurring.

    13.    Termination of employment.

        A.    Termination by Corporation.  The Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer may terminate this Agreement and Employee’s employment (the date thereof being referred to as his “Actual Termination Date”), at any time, with or without “good cause” (“good cause” being hereinafter defined), (i) immediately upon giving written notice to Employee of his termination for “good cause,” and (ii) by giving at least thirty (30) days’ written notice to Employee of Corporation’s intention to terminate Employee’s employment without “good cause”; provided, however, with respect to termination without “good cause,” Corporation may, at its selection, terminate Employee’s actual employment (so that Employee no longer renders services on behalf of Corporation) at any time during said thirty (30) day period; and,

(1)    In the event such termination is for “good cause,” Corporation shall be obligated only to pay Employee his base salary earned under Paragraph 5 through his Actual Termination Date.

For purposes of this Agreement (including Paragraph 18 hereof), “good cause” shall mean: that, in the sole discretion of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, any of the following have occurred or exist: (i) the willful and deliberate failure of Employee to substantially perform his executive and 
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management duties hereunder for reasons other than Employee’s sickness, injury or disability; (ii) the willful and deliberate conduct by Employee which results in substantial injury or damage to Corporation; (iii) the conviction or plea of guilty by Employee of a felony crime; or (iv) the breach or threatened breach of any restrictive covenant obligations set forth in Paragraph 15 of this Agreement.  A termination of Employee for “good cause” based on clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence will take effect immediately, unless Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, in his sole discretion, allows Employee a right to cure, in which case such termination for “good cause” will take effect thirty (30) days (or such shorter period as determined by the Chief Executive Officer) after Employee receives from Corporation written notice of its intent to terminate Employee’s employment and Corporation’s description of the alleged cause, unless Employee, in the opinion of the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, during such permitted cure period, makes significant progress toward remedying (and as soon as practicable thereafter, substantially completes the remedy of) the events or circumstances constituting “good cause”; a termination of Employee for “good cause” based on clause (iii) or (iv) of the preceding sentence will take effect immediately.

(2)    In the event such termination is without “good cause,” as defined in subparagraph (1) of this Paragraph and, if applicable, subject to the terms of Paragraph 18, and if Employee timely signs and does not revoke a release as provided in subparagraph G of this Paragraph 13, Corporation shall be obligated to:

(a)    upon Employee’s separation from service, pay Employee his base salary as provided for in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement up to the end of the scheduled term of this Agreement.  Such amount, if any, payable under this subparagraph (a) for the period after his Actual Termination Date will be paid in accordance with the regular payroll schedule applicable to all other similarly-situated active executive employees of Corporation commencing with the next regularly scheduled payday, with any portion of such amount that is payable within the six (6)-month period beginning on the date of his separation from service being paid in a lump sum upon the day after the six (6)-month anniversary of his separation from service;

(b)    pay Employee an amount equal to a portion of his performance bonus compensation as provided for in Paragraph 7 of this Agreement prorated based on the number of days through the end of the scheduled term of this Agreement.  The amount of such bonus payable under this subparagraph (b), if any, will be paid to Employee pursuant to the terms and customary operations of the Management Incentive Program (or other applicable bonus program) except that Employee’s performance will be deemed to be at target while actual performance of Corporation will be applied; provided, if the scheduled term of this Agreement ends after the calendar year in which the notice of termination is given, (i) the bonus payment for the calendar year in which such notice is given (and any other full calendar year that ends before the scheduled term of this Agreement ends) will be paid without any proration; and (ii) the amount of the bonus payment for the calendar year in which the scheduled term of this Agreement ends will be calculated on a pro rata basis, using the number of days elapsed during such calendar year through the end of the scheduled term of this Agreement, and will be paid upon Employee’s separation from 
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service in a lump sum between January 1 and March 15, inclusive, of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the scheduled term of this Agreement ends or, if later, upon the day after the six (6)-month anniversary of his separation from service;

(c)    continue to honor all Equity Awards, subject to the terms thereof, granted to Employee prior to the termination date stated in said written notice, all of said options to be or become fully vested as of the termination date stated in said written notice; provided, any Equity Awards that vest based on performance will remain subject to the applicable performance criteria, and Employee’s performance will be deemed to be at target while actual vesting based on performance of Corporation will be applied in the manner and at the time provided in the agreements for such Equity Awards;

(d)    upon Employee’s separation from service, continue to pay or provide to Employee all of the retirement, health, life and disability benefits, as are provided for in this Agreement or under any programs, plans or policies covering Employee at the time of any such notice of termination, up to the end of the scheduled term of this Agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, after Employee’s Actual Termination Date, Employee shall not actively participate in any retirement plan qualified under Code Section 401(a), any employee stock purchase plan under Code Section 423, any fully insured benefit for which the insurer does not allow post-employment participation, or any other plan or benefit (other than Corporation’s self-insured group health plan) that Corporation or the third-party insurer of such benefit reasonably determines is not suitable or available for post-employment participation. In such event, Employee shall be entitled to the benefits described in the next succeeding paragraph, to the extent applicable, up to the end of the scheduled term of this Agreement.
(i)    After Employee’s Actual Termination Date, Employee shall no longer actively participate in the Aflac Incorporated 401(k) Savings and Profit Sharing Plan (the “401(k) Plan”). Corporation shall pay to Employee an amount equal to the dollar amount of matching contributions, if any, that would have been made to Employee’s account(s) under the 401(k) Plan if Employee had continued to actively participate in such plan for the period from Employee’s Actual Termination Date through the end of the scheduled term of this Agreement, and had made Employee deferrals at the deferral rate necessary to receive the maximum matching contribution (if any) available to him under the terms of the 401(k) Plan with such amount being calculated as if Employee’s compensation and the limits applicable under the 401(k) plan all remained at the levels in effect as of the date the notice of termination is given.  This payment shall be made to Employee in a lump sum upon the day after the six (6)-month anniversary of his separation from service.
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(ii)    Upon Employee’s separation from service, Corporation shall allow Employee to continue to participate in Corporation’s group health plan for the remainder of the stated term of this Agreement as if he remained an active employee; provided, Employee pays the full premium cost for such coverage; and provided further, Corporation shall reimburse Employee for the employer portion of the cost of such coverage (such that Employee shall pay in net terms only the active employee cost of such coverage) within sixty (60) days after the end of each calendar month in which Employee maintains such coverage.

B.    Termination by Employee.  Employee may terminate this Agreement at any time by giving at least sixty (60) days’ written notice to Corporation of his intention to terminate his employment;

(1)    in the event such termination by Employee shall be without “good reason” (as defined in Paragraph 18 hereof) and with a bona fide intent either (i) to retire or (ii) not to work in, or engage in a business or activity that would be in a Competing Business (as defined in Paragraph 15) that would violate the covenant against competition as set forth in Paragraph 15, Corporation shall be obligated to:

(a)    pay Employee his base salary due him under Paragraph 5 of this Agreement up to his Actual Termination Date;

(b)    pay Employee an amount equal to any performance bonus compensation due him under Paragraph 7 of this Agreement for the period ending on the earlier of (i) the termination date stated in such written notice, or (ii) the last day of the calendar year in which written notice of termination is provided.  The amount of said bonus, if any, will be paid to Employee pursuant to the terms and customary operations of the Management Incentive Program (or other applicable bonus program) except that Employee’s performance will be deemed at target while actual performance of Corporation will be applied, and will be calculated on a pro rata basis, using the number of days Employee was actually employed by Corporation during the calendar year in which Employee provides such written notice of termination, subject to Employee’s timely execution and non-revocation of a release as provided in subparagraph G of this Paragraph 13;

(c)    continue to honor all Equity Awards, subject to the terms thereof, which have been granted to Employee and are fully vested prior to the termination date stated in said written notice;

(d)    pay Employee retirement benefits as are provided for in the EDCP.  

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(2)    In the event such termination by Employee shall be for “good reason” (as defined in Paragraph 18 hereof), and if Employee timely signs and does not revoke a release as provided in subparagraph G of this Paragraph 13, Corporation shall be obligated to provide Employee with the payments, benefits and rights in a manner, at such times and in such forms as specified in subparagraphs A(2)(a)-(d) of this Paragraph 13.

(3)    In the event (i) such termination by Employee shall be without “good reason” (as defined in Paragraph 18 hereof) and (ii) Corporation determines that Employee’s post-employment activities violate, or will be in violation of, the Covenants of Paragraphs 15 and/or 16, then Corporation shall not be obligated to make or provide any further payments or benefits to Employee under this Agreement except as herein provided in this subparagraph.

(a)    subject to Corporation’s rights under Paragraphs 15 and 16, Corporation shall pay Employee his base salary due him under Paragraph 5 of this Agreement up to his Actual Termination Date;

(b)    Subject to Corporation’s rights under Paragraphs 15 and 16 hereof, Corporation shall continue to honor all Equity Awards, subject to the terms thereof, which have been granted to Employee and are fully vested prior to the termination date stated in said written notice.

C.    Termination while disabled.  If Employee is totally disabled at the time any such notice of termination is given, then notwithstanding the provisions of this Paragraph 13, Corporation shall nevertheless continue to pay Employee, as his sole compensation hereunder, the compensation and other benefits for the remaining period of Employee's total disability as provided for in Paragraph 12 hereinabove.  It is understood that in no event shall such disabled Employee be entitled to compensation under this Paragraph 13 in addition to the continuation of his compensation under Paragraph 12.

D.    Cooperation After Notice of Termination.  Following any such notice of termination, Employee shall fully cooperate with Corporation in all matters relating to the winding up of his pending work on behalf of Corporation and the orderly transfer of any such pending work to other employees of Corporation as may be designated by the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer; and to that end, Corporation shall be entitled to full-time services of Employee through his Actual Termination Date and such full-time or part-time services of Employee as Corporation may reasonably require during all or any part of the sixty (60)-day period that follows his Actual Termination Date; provided, the parties acknowledge that, depending on the level of services so required, the provision of such services may delay the timing of Employee’s separation from service.

E.    Separation from Service.  The term “separation from service” when used in this Agreement shall mean that Employee separates from service with Corporation and all affiliates, as defined in Code Section 409A and guidance issued thereunder (“Section 409A”). As a general overview of Section 409A’s definition of “separation from service”, an employee separates from service if the employee dies, retires, or otherwise has a termination of employment with all affiliates, determined in accordance with the following:

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(1)    Leaves of Absence.  The employment relationship is treated as continuing intact while the employee is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six (6) months, or, if longer, so long as the employee retains a right to reemployment with an affiliate under an applicable statute or by contract.  A leave of absence constitutes a bona fide leave of absence only while there is a reasonable expectation that the employee will return to perform services for an affiliate.  If the period of leave exceeds six (6) months and the employee does not retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the employment relationship is deemed to terminate on the first date immediately following such six (6)-month period.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a leave of absence is due to 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 six (6) months, where such impairment causes the employee to be unable to perform the duties of his or his position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, a twenty-nine (29)-month period of absence shall be substituted for such six (6)-month period.

(2)    Status Change.  Generally, if an employee performs services both as an employee and an independent contractor, the employee must separate from service both as an employee and as an independent contractor pursuant to standards set forth in Treasury Regulations to be treated as having a separation from service.  However, if an employee provides services to affiliates as an employee and as a member of the Board of Directors, the services provided as a director are not taken into account in determining whether the employee has a separation from service as an employee for purposes of this Agreement.

(3)    Termination of Employment.  Whether a termination of employment has occurred is determined based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the employer and the employee reasonably anticipate that (A) no further services will be performed after a certain date, or (B) the level of bona fide services the employee will perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) will permanently decrease to less than fifty percent (50%) of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding thirty-six (36)-month period.  Facts and circumstances to be considered in making this determination include, but are not limited to, whether the employee continues to be treated as an employee for other purposes (such as continuation of salary and participation in employee benefit programs), whether similarly-situated service providers have been treated consistently, and whether the employee is permitted, and realistically available, to perform services for other service recipients in the same line of business.  For periods during which an employee is on a paid bona fide leave of absence and has not otherwise terminated employment as described in subparagraph (1) above, for purposes of this subparagraph, the employee is treated as providing bona fide services at a level equal to the level of services that the employee would have been required to perform to receive the compensation paid with respect to such leave of absence.  Periods during which an employee is on an unpaid bona fide leave of absence and has not otherwise terminated employment are disregarded for purposes of this subsection (including for purposes of determining the applicable thirty-six (36)-month period).

F.    Separate Payments.  Each payment made to Employee pursuant to this Paragraph 13 or Paragraph 18 shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A.
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    G.    Release Requirement.  As a condition to Employee receiving any pay or benefits under subparagraph A(2) or B(2) of this Paragraph 13 or under Paragraph 18 (as applicable), Employee must sign (and not revoke) a written release agreement (“Release”) containing any terms specified by Corporation for (i) Employee’s release of Corporation and its affiliates from all claims arising from Employee’s employment or termination, (ii) Employee’s non-revocation of that release during the seven (7)-day period applicable to age-based claims, and (iii) Employee’s promise to comply with specified confidentiality, noncompetition and/or non-solicitation provisions.  Corporation will terminate Employee’s eligibility for severance pay and benefits if he fails to sign, if he revokes, or if he fails to follow the terms of this Release and if it is not signed and returned to Corporation within the earlier of (i) the deadline specified by Corporation or (ii) sixty (60) days after Employee’s Actual Termination Date (or Termination Date for purposes of Paragraph 18).  Employee must sign the Release after his Actual Termination Date (or Termination Date for purposes of Paragraph 18).  In the event that any payment under subparagraph A(2) or B(2) of this Paragraph 13 or under Paragraph 18 (as applicable) is not exempt from Code Section 409A, the payment timing is based on the signing of this Release, and the period in which Employee could timely sign and return the release spans two (2) calendar years, such payment shall in all events be made in the second such calendar year.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the payment timing of any portion of payments or benefits, which rely solely on the short-term deferral rule to be exempt from Code Section 409A, would be delayed beyond the short-term deferral rule period due to Employee’s late signing of the Release, such portion shall be forfeited.
    14.    Death of Employee.  In the event of Employee’s death during the term of this agreement or any extension hereof, this Agreement shall terminate immediately, and Employee's estate shall be entitled to receive terminal pay in an amount equal to the amount of Employee's base salary and any performance bonus compensation actually paid by Corporation to Employee during the last thirty-six (36) months of his life, said terminal pay to be paid in thirty-six (36) equal monthly installments beginning on the first day of the month next following the month during which Employee’s death occurs.  If the Employee’s death occurs before he has been employed for thirty-six (36) months, the terminal pay shall be based on an amount equal to the Employee's base salary and any performance bonus actually paid by Corporation to Employee during the period of his employment plus the amount of base salary and performance bonus the Employee would have been paid had he survived for the full initial thirty-six (36)-month period.  Terminal pay as herein provided for in this Paragraph shall be in addition to amounts otherwise receivable by Employee or his estate under this or any other agreements with Corporation or under any employee benefits or retirement plans established by Corporation and in which Employee is participating at the time of his death.  Upon his death, Employee shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in any employer contributions under the EDCP.   In addition, Corporation shall honor all Equity Awards, subject to the terms thereof, granted to Employee prior to his death; and Employee or his estate shall, if not otherwise vested, become fully vested in said options as of the date of Employee's death.

15.    Covenants not to compete and not to disclose confidential information and trade secrets. 

 A.    Covenant against competition.  During employment and for a twelve (12)-month period after Employee’s Actual Termination Date (or Termination Date for purposes of 
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Paragraph 18), Employee will not, on his own behalf, or on behalf of any other person or entity, compete with Aflac and its affiliated companies (the “Aflac Companies”) by providing in the Restricted Territory (as defined in subparagraph A(3) of this Paragraph 15) to any Competing Business (as defined in subparagraph A(2) of this Paragraph 15), services the same as or similar to those Employee provided to the Aflac Companies with respect to the Aflac Business (as defined in subparagraph A(1) of this Paragraph 15), in circumstances in which Employee’s responsibilities and duties are substantially similar to those performed by him during the twenty-four (24)-month period ending on his Actual Termination Date.

(1)“Aflac Business” means the Aflac Companies’ insurance company business, third party administration business and limited health service business, which the Aflac Companies operate throughout the United States (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam) and throughout Japan, and which includes but is not limited to (i) the business of developing, underwriting, marketing, selling, issuing, reinsuring, administering and distributing individual and group voluntary insurance products, including accident, cancer and other specified diseases, dental, hospital confinement indemnity, hospital confinement sickness indemnity, hospital intensive care, life, annuities, lump sum cancer, lump sum cancer critical illness, specified health event, short term disability and vision; (ii) the business of developing, underwriting, marketing, selling, issuing, reinsuring, administering and distributing group term life, group accidental death and dismemberment, group short-term disability, and group long-term disability policies, and providing (a) administrative services only with respect to group life or disability income coverage and (b) absence management and leave administration services; (iii) the business of non risk-bearing and risk-bearing business provided to managed care entities and government sponsored plans including but not limited to Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and Health Management Organizations including claims management, customer care, customer service, network development, utilization management, grievances and appeals handling, credentialing and HEDIS services provided to managed care entities and other associations; (iv) the offering of un-reimbursed medical, dependent care, and transportation flexible spending accounts; and (v) operating a private medical and insurance product exchange and similar enrollment services.  “Aflac Business” will also include any additional insurance and reimbursement account products and services, which become part of the business conducted by the Aflac Companies, whether through acquisition and/or development, and in which or to which Employee has had direct exposure in his position with the Aflac Companies.  Similarly, “Aflac Business” will not include any business operation, which formerly was part of the business conducted by the Aflac Companies and which ceased being a part thereof due to divestiture or discontinuation of that part of the business.

(2)“Competing Business” means any person, concern or entity, which is engaged in, or conducts a business substantially the same as or similar to, the Aflac Business or any part thereof.

(3)“Restricted Territory” means the area within the United States (including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Northern Ireland) and Japan.

B.    Nondisclosure of Confidential Information.  Employee acknowledges that, in Employee’s position with Aflac, Employee obtained confidential business and proprietary 
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information regarding Aflac and otherwise.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” means any and all data and information, whether disclosed orally, in writing, by observation, or otherwise, relating to Aflac’s Business of which Employee became aware as a consequence of, during, or through Employee’s employment with Aflac which is not generally known to Aflac’s competitors or the public and is subject to reasonable efforts to maintain its secrecy.  Confidential Information covered by this Agreement does not have to be marked “Confidential” to be treated as such.  Confidential Information may include, without limitation, information relating to Aflac’s designs; programs; methods; techniques; Information Technology operational plans, Information Technology system architecture; Information Technology security protocols; research and development; finances; actual or potential policyholder, payroll account and agent information and lists; pricing practices; marketing strategies; existing and future products and services; business plans and operations, whether written or otherwise, which is not common knowledge in Aflac’s industry or to the public.  Confidential Information shall not include any data or information that has been voluntarily disclosed to the public or its competitors by Aflac (except where such public disclosure has been made by Employee or another without authorization) or that has been independently developed and disclosed by others, or that otherwise enters the public domain through lawful means. Employee agrees that all Confidential Information and all physical embodiments thereof are confidential to Aflac, and will remain Aflac’s sole and exclusive property.  Employee warrants and agrees that following Employee’s last day of employment and for as long as the Confidential Information remains confidential (or would have remained confidential but for Employee’s violation of this provision), Employee will not directly or indirectly reproduce, use, distribute, disclose, publish, misappropriate or otherwise disseminate any Confidential Information and will not take any action causing any Confidential Information to lose its character as Confidential Information.
C.    Nondisclosure of Trade Secrets.   For purposes of this Agreement, Trade Secrets means any Confidential Information described above without regard to form which: (i) is not commonly known by or available to the public; (ii) derives economic value, actual or potential, from not being generally known to, and not being readily ascertainable by proper means by other persons who can obtain economic value from its disclosure or use; and (iii) is the subject of efforts that are reasonable under the circumstances to maintain its secrecy.  Employee agrees that all Trade Secrets and all physical embodiments thereof are confidential to Aflac and will remain Aflac’s sole and exclusive property. Employee warrants and agrees that until and unless such Trade Secrets lose their status as Trade Secrets through no fault, either directly or indirectly, of Employee, Employee will not reproduce, use, distribute, disclose, publish, misappropriate or otherwise disseminate any Trade Secrets and will not take any action causing, or fail to take any action to prevent, any Trade Secret to lose its character as a Trade Secret.  The  Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 provides immunity from state and federal civil or criminal liability for Employee if Employee discloses a trade secret: (a) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, but in either case only if the disclosure is solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) in a complaint or other document filed with a court in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if the filing of that document is made under seal, and any other disclosure of the trade secret Employee makes is only as allowed by the court.
D.    Work Made for Hire.  Employee expressly acknowledges and agrees that all discoveries, inventions, processes, designs, plans, writings, creations, programs, product  
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improvements, materials, Confidential Information, and Trade Secrets, whether of a technical nature or not, made or developed by Employee alone or in conjunction with any other person or entity during the course of Employee’s employment with Aflac, which relate to or affect the business of Aflac (“Work Made for Hire”), shall be the sole and exclusive property of Aflac.  Employee expressly agrees to disclose and release all such Work Made for Hire and all information regarding the same to Aflac.  Employee shall assign all rights, title, and interest in any such Work Made for Hire to Aflac.  Employee agrees that Employee will not use or disclose Aflac’s Work Made for Hire to benefit a person or business that competes with Aflac, a client of Aflac, an individual or other entity, without the express, written permission of Aflac. Employee hereby irrevocably assigns all such Work Made for Hire to Aflac and agrees to execute and deliver promptly to Aflac such assignments and other written instruments, and to do such other acts as may be required to patent, copyright or otherwise protect such Work Made for Hire and to invest the entire right, title and interest in such Work Made for Hire in Aflac.  
E.    Non-Solicitation of Customers and Distributors.  Employee agrees that, during employment and for a twenty-four (24)-month period after Employee’s Actual Termination Date, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, on behalf of any person or business, solicit, contact, or call upon any policyholder, customer, customer prospect, or distributor of Aflac, or any representative of the same, with a view toward the sale of or providing any service or product competitive with any service or product sold or provided by Aflac during Employee’s employment with Aflac.  Provided, however, the restrictions set forth in this Section shall apply only to policyholders, customers, prospects, or distributors of Aflac, or representatives of the same, with which Employee had Material Contact during the last twenty-four (24) months of Employee’s employment with Aflac.  For purposes of this provision, “Material Contact” means contact between Employee and a policyholder, customer, customer prospect or distributor: (1) with whom or which Employee dealt on behalf of Aflac; (2) whose dealings with Aflac were coordinated or supervised by Employee; (3) about whom Employee obtained Confidential Information in the ordinary course of business as a result of Employee’s employment with Aflac; or (4) who receives products or services authorized by Aflac, the sale or provision of which results or resulted in compensation, commissions, or earnings for Aflac within two (2) years prior to the Termination Date.
F.    Non-Solicitation of Employees and Associates.  Employee agrees that, during employment and for a twenty-four (24)-month period after Employee’s Actual Termination Date, Employee shall not, directly or indirectly solicit, recruit, or induce any employee, agent, or independent contractor of Aflac to terminate his or her engagement with Aflac so as to work for any Competing Business; provided however, that the restrictions set forth in this Section shall only apply to employees, agents, or independent contractors with whom Employee had contact during the last twenty-four (24) months of Employee’s employment with Aflac.
G.    Non-disparagement.  Employee agrees that Employee  will not make any statements to policyholders, customers, and suppliers of Aflac or to other members of the public that are in any way disparaging or negative toward Aflac, its shareholders, directors, employees, agents, or Aflac’s products and services.  This is not intended to preclude Employee from testifying truthfully in any case in a court of law or before an administrative agency, although Employee agrees that Employee will testify in such cases only if subpoenaed

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16.    Enforcement of restrictive covenants.

A.Blue Penciling.  The parties agree that if any court finds that any provision in Paragraph 15 or this Paragraph 16 is overly broad such that it is unenforceable under applicable state law, the court may reform that provision to narrow its scope to the extent necessary to render it enforceable.

B.Severability.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 15 of this Agreement are reasonable and valid and do not impose limitations greater than those that are necessary to protect the business interests and confidential information of the Aflac Companies.  The parties agree that the invalidity or unenforceability of any one or more of such covenants, other provisions, or parts thereof (collectively the “Covenants”) will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other Covenants, all of which are inserted conditionally on their being valid in law.  In the event one or more Covenants contained herein are ruled invalid (after application of subparagraph A of this Paragraph), this Agreement will be construed as if such invalid Covenant had not been inserted.  The parties hereto agree that the Covenants contained in this Agreement are severable and divisible; that none of such Covenants depends on any other Covenant for its enforceability; that such Covenants constitute enforceable obligations between the parties; that each such Covenant will be construed as an agreement independent of any other Covenant of this Agreement; and that the existence of any claim or cause of action by one party to this Agreement against the other party to this Agreement, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, will not constitute a defense to the enforcement by any party to this Agreement of any such Covenant.

C.Injunctive Relief.  If Employee breaches any of the Covenants, Employee agrees that: (a) Aflac would suffer irreparable harm; (b) it would be difficult to determine damages, and money damages alone would be an inadequate remedy for the injuries suffered by Aflac; and (c) if Aflac seeks injunctive relief to enforce this Agreement, Employee shall waive and shall not (i) assert any defense that Aflac has an adequate remedy at law with respect to the breach, (ii) require that Aflac submit proof of the economic value of any Trade Secret or Confidential Information, or (iii) require Aflac to post a bond or any other security. Accordingly, in the event of a breach or a threatened breach by Employee of this Agreement, Aflac shall be entitled to an injunction in a court of law restraining Employee from such breach or threatened breach, as well as recovery of its costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting Aflac from pursuing any other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach including the recovery of damages from Employee as set forth in this Agreement.

D.Claim for Damages.  Employee acknowledges that, in addition to seeking injunctive relief, any of the Aflac Companies may bring a cause of action against him for any and all losses, liabilities, damages, deficiencies, costs (including, without limitation, court costs), and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees), incurred by the Aflac Companies and arising out of or due to my breach of any Covenant or agreement contained in Paragraph 15.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the breach of any Covenant will cause Employee to forfeit any and all payments otherwise due under Paragraph 13, and Employee agrees to repay to the Aflac Companies any amount already paid under such applicable subparagraph.
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E.Survival.  Paragraph 15 and this Paragraph 16, to the extent applicable, will survive the termination of this Agreement and Employee’s employment.  In addition, neither the termination of this Agreement nor Employee’s employment will terminate any other obligations or rights that, by the specific terms of this Agreement, extend beyond such termination.
    17.    Right to acquire insurance.  If Employee shall terminate his employment hereunder for any reason other than death, he may, at his election, acquire any insurance policies upon his life owned by the Corporation by giving written notice of his election to Corporation within ninety (90) days after his termination of employment.  Such policies shall be transferred to the Employee upon his payment to Corporation of the then interpolated terminal reserve value of said insurance.  In the event any policies transferred to Employee as herein provided shall not have an interpolated terminal reserve value, then the amount to be paid by Employee shall be its then fair market value.

    18.    Change in control.

A.    In general.  In the event there is a Change in Control (as defined in this Paragraph) of Corporation, this Agreement shall, in order to help eliminate the uncertainties and concerns which may arise at such time, be automatically extended upon all of the same terms and provisions contained herein, for an additional period of three (3) years, beginning on the first day of the month during which such Change in Control shall occur.

B.    Notwithstanding the term of subparagraph A(2) and (B)(2) of Paragraph 13, and in lieu of the obligations of the Corporation under such paragraph, if, after a Change in Control Employee's employment is terminated by Corporation without “good cause” (as defined in Paragraph 13), or is terminated by Employee for “good reason” (as defined in Paragraph 18), any such termination by Corporation to be made only in accordance with the requirements specified by Paragraph 13.A, Employee shall be entitled to the following if Employee timely signs and does not revoke a release as provided in subparagraph G of Paragraph 13:

(1)    In a manner, at such times and in such forms as provided in Paragraph 13.A(1) Corporation shall pay Employee’s full base salary to Employee through the date of termination stated in Corporation’s written notice required pursuant to Paragraph 13.A hereof (hereinafter in this Paragraph the “Termination Date”) at the rate in effect on the date such notice is given and, additionally, shall pay Employee all compensation and benefits payable to Employee under the terms of any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement maintained by Corporation during such period through the Termination Date.

(2)    The Corporation shall pay Employee all compensation and benefits due Employee under Corporation’s retirement, insurance and other compensation or benefit plans, programs of arrangements as such payments become due.  The amount of such compensation and benefits shall be determined under, and paid in accordance with, Corporation’s retirement, insurance and other compensation or benefit plans, programs and arrangements.

(3)    In lieu of any further salary payments to Employee for periods subsequent to the Termination Date, the Corporation shall pay to Employee, immediately after the 
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Termination Date, a lump sum payment, in cash, equal to three (3) times the sum of (i) Employee’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control and (ii) the higher of the amount paid to Employee pursuant to the Corporation’s Management Incentive Plan (or any successor plan thereto) for the year preceding the year in which the Termination Date occurs or paid in the year preceding the year in which the Change in Control occurs; provided, if Employee’s separation from service occurs more than twenty-four (24) months after the Change in Control, only the portion of such lump-sum severance payment in excess of the total amount that would have been payable under Paragraphs 13.A(2)(a) and (b) shall be paid pursuant to the terms hereinabove, and the remainder shall be paid pursuant to the terms of Paragraphs 13.A(2)(a) and (b) as if no Change in Control had occurred; and, provided further, such amount will be paid upon the day after the six (6)-month anniversary of Employee’s separation from service; provided further, if upon his Termination Date Employee has attained his Maximum Retirement Benefit Date, no amount shall be payable under this subparagraph 3.

(4)    The Corporation shall pay to Employee, immediately after the Termination Date, a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to a pro rata portion (based on the number of days Employee is an employee during the year in which the Termination Date occurs) of the aggregate value of the maximum annual amount of all contingent incentive compensation awards to Employee for all uncompleted periods under the Corporation's Management Incentive Plan (or successor plan thereto); provided, to the extent any amount of such lump sum payable after the Termination Date is not exempt from Section 409A, such amount will be paid upon the day after the six (6)-month anniversary of Employee’s separation from service.

(5)    For a thirty-six (36)-month period after Employee’s separation from service,  Corporation shall provide Employee with life, disability, accident and health insurance benefits substantially similar to and equal or greater in economic value than such benefits which Employee is receiving immediately prior to the Termination Date (without giving effect to any reduction in such benefits subsequent to a Change in Control which reduction in benefits would constitute “good reason” as defined in this Paragraph).  Benefits required to be provided to Employee pursuant to this subparagraph B(5) shall be reduced to the extent comparable benefits are actually received by or made available to Employee without cost during such thirty-six (36)-month period and any such benefit actually received by Employee shall be reported to Corporation by Employee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any of such life and/or disability benefits that are fully insured, in lieu of providing such benefits for such period, Corporation shall pay Employee a lump-sum amount equal to the cost of such benefits on a post-employment basis for such thirty-six (36)-month period; provided, any such cash payment shall be made as soon as practicable after Employee’s separation from service, with any amount that is not exempt from Section 409A and that is otherwise payable within the six (6)-month period beginning on the date of his separation from service being paid upon the day after the six (6)-month anniversary of his separation from service.

C.    In addition to the payments provided for in subparagraph B of this Paragraph 18, in the event that after a Change in Control Employee's employment by the Corporation is terminated by the Corporation without “good cause” or by Employee for “good reason,” the 
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Corporation shall continue to honor all Equity Awards granted to Employee (subject to the terms of such awards) prior to the Termination Date, and all Equity Awards granted to Employee prior to his Actual Termination Date shall become fully vested and exercisable (and to the extent applicable (e.g., with respect to any restricted stock units or similar awards) payable, as of the Termination Date; provided, any Equity Awards that vest based on performance will vest as if the maximum performance under the performance criteria had been satisfied. 

D.    Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by Employee in connection with a Change in Control or the termination of Employee’s employment (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with the Corporation, any person whose actions result in a Change in Control or any person affiliated with the Corporation or such person) (all such payments and benefits being hereinafter called “Total Payments”) would not be deductible (in whole or in part) by the Corporation, an affiliate or person making such payment or providing such benefit as a result of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) then, to the extent necessary to make such portion of the Total Payments deductible (and after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement), adjustments in such payments shall be made as follows:  (i) the cash payments provided pursuant to subparagraph B(3) and B(4) of this Paragraph 18 that are exempt from Section 409A shall first be reduced (if necessary, to zero);  (ii) then, if further reductions are necessary, benefits provided under subparagraph B(5) of this Paragraph 18 that are exempt from Section 409A shall be reduced (if necessary, to zero); (iii) then, if still further reductions are necessary, the cash payments provided pursuant to subparagraph B(3) and B(4) of this Paragraph 18 that are not exempt from Section 409A shall be reduced (if necessary, to zero); and (iv) finally, if still further reductions are necessary, all of the benefits provided under subparagraph B(5) of this Paragraph 18 that are not exempt from Section 409A shall  be forfeited.  For purposes of this limitation (i) no portion of the Total Payments, the receipt or enjoyment of which Employee shall have effectively waived in writing prior to the date of termination of employment shall be taken into account (provided that, in no event will any such waiver impermissibly affect any portion of the Total Payments that is subject to Section 409A), (ii) no portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which in the opinion of the tax counsel selected by the Corporation’s independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to Employee does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code, (iii) except as provided in clause (iv) above, the payments and benefits be reduced only to the extent necessary so that the Total Payments (other than those referred to in clauses (i) or (ii)) in their entirety constitute reasonable compensation for services actually rendered within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code or are otherwise not subject to disallowance as deductions, in the opinion of the tax counsel referred to in clause (ii); and (iv) the value of any non-cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Corporation’s independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.  In no event shall the Corporation’s obligation to continue to honor all Equity Awards granted to Employee prior to the Termination Date nor the vesting of Equity Awards in accordance with Paragraph 18.C hereof be affected by this Paragraph 18.D.

E.    Definitions.

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(1)    “Change in Control” means a change in ownership or effective control of Corporation or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of Corporation, all within the meaning of Section 409A.  As a general overview, Section 409A’s definition of these terms, and the dates as of which they occur, are as follows:

(a)    The date any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of Corporation that, together with stock held by such person or group constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of Corporation.  However, if any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of Corporation, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the ownership of Corporation or to cause a change in the effective control of Corporation.

(b)    The date any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12)-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of Corporation possessing thirty percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of Corporation.

(c)    The date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12)-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from Corporation that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty percent (40%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of Corporation immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. 

(d)    The date a majority Corporation’s board of directors is replaced during any twelve (12)-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of Corporation’s board of directors before the date of the appointment or election.

(2)    “Good reason” shall mean the termination of employment by Employee upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events to the extent that there is, or would be if not corrected, a material negative change in Employee’s employment relationship with Corporation:

(a)    A material breach by Corporation of the terms and conditions of this Agreement affecting Employee’s salary and bonus compensation, any employee benefit, Equity Awards or the loss of any of Employee’s titles or positions with Corporation;

(b)    A significant diminution of Employee’s duties and responsibilities;

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(c)    The assignment to Employee of duties significantly inconsistent with or different from his duties and responsibilities existing at the time of a Change in Control;

(d)    A purported termination of Employee’s employment by Corporation other than as permitted by this Agreement;

(e)    The relocation of Corporation’s principal office or of Employee’s own office to any place beyond twenty-five (25) miles from the current principal office of Corporation in Columbus, Georgia; and

(f)    The failure of any successor to Corporation to expressly assume and agree to discharge Corporation’s obligations to Employee under this Agreement as extended under this Paragraph, in form and substance satisfactory to Employee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall have good reason under this Agreement only if (i) Employee provides Corporation, within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of the event giving rise to the notice, a written notice indicating the specific good reason provision(s) in this Agreement relied upon, setting forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for good reason, and indicating a date of termination of employment (not less than thirty (30) nor more than sixty (60) days after the date such notice is given); and (ii) such facts and circumstances are not substantially corrected by Corporation prior to the date of termination specified by Employee in such notice.  Any failure by Employee to set forth in a notice of good reason any facts or circumstances which contribute to the showing of good reason shall not waive any right of Employee hereunder or preclude Employee from asserting such fact or circumstances in enforcing his rights hereunder.

    19.    No requirement to seek employment and no offset.  Corporation agrees that, if Employee’s employment is terminated by Corporation during the term of this Agreement or by Employee for “good reason” during the term of this Agreement, Employee is not required to seek other employment or attempt in any way to reduce the amounts payable to Employee by Corporation pursuant to the applicable terms of this Agreement; it being understood and agreed that the amount of any payment or benefit to Employee provided for hereunder shall not be reduced by any compensation or other benefits earned by Employee as a result of his employment by another employer or, after a Change in Control, by Corporation’s attempt to offset any amount claimed to be owed by Employee to Corporation or otherwise.

    20.    Waiver of breach or violation not deemed continuing.  The waiver by either party of a breach or violation of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach hereof.

    21.    Notices.  Any and all notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement will be sufficient if furnished in writing, sent by registered or certified mail to his last known residence in the case of Employee or to its principal office in Columbus, Georgia, in the case of the Corporation.
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    22.    Authority.  The provisions of this Agreement required to be approved by the Board of Directors of Corporation or the Compensation Committee of the Board have been so approved and authorized.

    23.    Arbitration.  From time-to-time, Employee agrees to sign and become a party to any arbitration agreement with such terms as Corporation may provide, and the terms of such arbitration agreement shall be incorporated herein by this reference and shall apply to all claims under this Agreement; provided, notwithstanding the foregoing, any claims or actions, whether for damages, injunctive relief or other relief, for any violation or breach of the Covenants set forth in Paragraphs 15 and 16, including but not limited to the actions described in subparagraphs C and D of Paragraph 16, (i) shall be excluded from the arbitration agreement and its applicability, and (ii) shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the applicable court as set forth in Paragraph 24.

									
	/s/ DPA		/s/ MKB
	Initials for Corporation		Initials of Employee

    24.    Governing Law and Forum.  This Agreement shall be interpreted, construed and governed according to the laws of the State of Georgia.  For any legal action brought in regard to this Agreement, which is not subject to arbitration as provided in Paragraph 23 or is brought to enforce the finding of the arbitrator, Employee hereby (i) submits to personal jurisdiction in the State of Georgia for any action arising out of or in connection with this Agreement; (ii) waives any and all personal rights under the laws of any state to object to jurisdiction within the State of Georgia; and (iii) agrees that for any cause of action, venue is solely proper in any state or federal court within Muscogee County, Georgia.

    25.    Paragraph Headings.  The paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall in no manner be construed as part of this Agreement.

    26.    Two originals.  This Agreement is executed in two (2) originals, each of which shall be deemed an original and together shall constitute one and the same Agreement, with one original being delivered to each party hereto.

    27.    Code Section 409A.  This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and shall be construed accordingly.  Any payments or distributions to be made to Employee under this Agreement upon a “separation from service” (as defined above) of amounts classified as “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, payable due to a separation from service and not exempt from Section 409A, shall in no event be made or commence until six (6) months after such separation from service.  Each payment of nonqualified deferred compensation under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Corporation shall not be liable to Employee or any other person if the Internal Revenue Service or any court determines for any reason that any payments under this Agreement are subject to taxes or penalties under Section 409A.

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    28.    Tax Withholding.  Corporation shall withhold all applicable taxes from any amounts payable under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any federal, foreign, state and local taxes; and all such amounts described in this Agreement shall be paid net of such taxes.

    29.    Amendments and Waivers.  Except as otherwise specified herein, this Agreement may be amended, and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of Corporation and Employee.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Corporation has hereunto caused its name to be signed and its seal to be affixed by its duly authorized officers, and Employee has hereunto set his hand and seal, all being done in duplicate originals, with one original being delivered to each party as of the 29th day of April, 2021.

																		
					AFLAC INCORPORATED
						
	/s/ Max K. Brodén		BY:	/s/ Daniel P. Amos
	Max K. Brodén				DANIEL P. AMOS
	Employee				Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
						
						
	/s/ Robin L. Blackmon		ATTEST:	/s/ J. Matthew Loudermilk
	Witness			J. MATTHEW LOUDERMILK
					VP, Corporate Secretary

(Seal)

21Document

Exhibit 10.1

2015 STOCK COMPENSATION PLAN FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
(as amended and restated March 31, 2021)

SECTION 1.    Purpose; Definitions.

The purposes of the Plan are (i) to assist the Company in promoting the identity of interest between the Company’s Non-Employee Directors and the Company’s shareholders; and (ii) to assist the Company in attracting and retaining Non-Employee Directors by affording them an opportunity to share in the future successes of the Company.
For purposes of the Plan, the following terms are defined as set forth below:
(a)    “Award” means the grant under the Plan (or, to the extent relevant, under any Prior Directors Plan) of Common Stock, Stock Options, or Other Stock-Based Awards.
(b)    “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(c)    “Committee” means the Nominating, Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof, any successor thereto or such other committee or subcommittee as may be designated by the Board to administer the Plan.
(d)    “Common Stock” or “Stock” means the Common Stock of the Company.
(e)    “Company” means Altria Group, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, or any successor thereto.
(f)    “Deferred Stock” means an unfunded obligation of the Company, represented by an entry on the books and records of the Company, to issue one share of Common Stock on the date of distribution with respect to each participant who elects to participate in the Deferred Stock Program.
(g)    “Deferred Stock Account” means the unfunded deferred compensation account established by the Company with respect to each participant who elects to participate in the Deferred Stock Program.
(h)    “Deferred Stock Program” means the provisions of Section 7 of the Plan that permit participants to defer all or part of any Award of Common Stock granted pursuant to Section 5(a) of the Plan.
(i)    “Fair Market Value” means, as of any given date, the mean between the highest and lowest reported sales prices of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange-Composite Transactions.  If no such sale of Common Stock is reported on such date, the fair market value of the Stock shall be determined by the Committee in good faith; provided, however, that the Committee may in its discretion designate the actual sales price as Fair Market Value in the case of dispositions of Common Stock under the Plan.  In the case of Stock Options or similar Other Stock-Based Awards, for purposes of Section 5(a), Fair Market Value means, as of any given date, the Black-Scholes or similar value determined based on the assumptions used for purposes of the Company’s most recent financial reporting.
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(j)    “Non-Employee Director” means each member of the Board who is not a full-time employee of the Company or of any corporation in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, stock possessing at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote in the election of directors in such corporation.
(k)    “Other Stock-Based Award” means an Award, other than a Stock Option, that is denominated in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Common Stock.  Neither an Award of fully-vested Common Stock nor any Deferred Stock relating to such Award pursuant to Section 7 shall be an Other Stock-Based Award.
(l)    “Plan” means this 2015 Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended from time to time.
(m)    “Plan Year” means the period commencing at the opening of business on the day on which the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders is held and ending on the day immediately preceding the day on which the Company’s next annual meeting of shareholders is held.
(n)    “Prior Directors Plans” means the Company’s 1992 Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors; the 2000 Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors; the 2005 Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors; the Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended and restated effective August 31, 2007; the Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended and restated effective February 24, 2010; the Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended and restated effective February 29, 2012; the Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended and restated effective October 1, 2012; the Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended and restated effective January 29, 2014; the 2015 Stock Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors, effective May 21, 2015 (the pre-amendment version of this Plan); and any subplans thereof.
(o)    “Stock Option” means a right granted to a Non-Employee Director to purchase a share of Stock at a price equal to the Fair Market Value on the date of grant.  Any Stock Options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be non-qualified stock options.

SECTION 2.    Administration.

The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall have the power to interpret the Plan and to adopt such rules and guidelines for carrying out the Plan and appoint such delegates as it may deem appropriate.  Any determination made by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Plan with respect to any Award shall be made in the sole discretion of the Committee, and all decisions made by the Committee pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on all persons, including the Company and Plan participants.

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SECTION 3.    Eligibility.

Only Non-Employee Directors shall be granted Awards under the Plan.

SECTION 4.    Common Stock Subject to the Plan.

(a)Common Stock Available.  The total number of shares of Common Stock reserved and available for distribution pursuant to the Plan shall be 1,000,000.  To the extent any Award under this Plan is exercised or cashed out or terminates or expires or is forfeited without a payment being made to the participant in the form of Common Stock, the shares subject to such Award that were not so paid, if any, shall not again be available for distribution in connection with Awards under the Plan.  Upon the exercise of an Other Stock-Based Award that is a stock appreciation right or similar Award that is based on the difference between the price of Common Stock at grant and at exercise, the total number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which such Award is granted (rather than only the net number of Shares issued) will be deemed delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of Shares available for delivery under the Plan.  Any shares of Common Stock that are used as full or partial payment of withholding or other taxes or as payment for the exercise or conversion price of an Award under the Plan shall not again be available for distribution in connection with Awards under the Plan. 
(b)Adjustments for Certain Corporate Transactions.  In the event of any merger, share exchange, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, reclassification, distribution, stock dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, split-up, spin-off, issuance of rights or warrants or other similar transaction or event affecting the Common Stock or any other securities by reference to which any portion of an Award or the Deferred Stock Account is measured, the Committee is authorized to and shall make such adjustments or substitutions with respect to the Plan and any Prior Directors Plan and to Awards granted thereunder as it deems appropriate to reflect the occurrence of such event, including, but not limited to, adjustments (A) to the aggregate number and kind of securities reserved for issuance under the Plan, (B) to the Award amounts set forth in Section 5(a), and (C) to the number and kind of securities subject to outstanding Awards and, if applicable, to the grant or exercise price of outstanding Awards. In connection with any such event, the Committee is also authorized to provide for the payment of any outstanding Awards in cash, including, but not limited to, payment of cash in lieu of any fractional Awards.  In the event of any conflict between this Section 4(b) and other provisions of the Plan or the Prior Directors Plans, the provisions of this section shall control.
In connection with the spin-off from the Company of Kraft Foods Inc. and Philip Morris International Inc., each participant holding Deferred Stock at the time of such spin-offs had shares of those respective companies credited to the participant’s Deferred Stock Account in the same manner as if the participant were a Company shareholder.  In connection with the spin-off from Kraft Foods Inc. (renamed Mondelēz International, 
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Inc.) of Kraft Foods Group, Inc., each participant holding shares of Kraft Foods Inc. (renamed Mondelēz International, Inc.) in the participant’s Deferred Stock Account at the time of such spin-off had shares of Kraft Foods Group, Inc. credited to the participant’s Deferred Stock Account in the same manner as if the participant were a Kraft Foods Inc. (renamed Mondelēz International, Inc.) shareholder.  In connection with the merger of Kraft Foods Group, Inc. with H.J. Heinz Holding Company to form The Kraft Heinz Company, each participant holding shares of Kraft Foods Group, Inc. in the participant’s Deferred Stock Account at the time of such merger had shares of The Kraft Heinz Company credited to the participant’s Deferred Stock Account in the same manner as if the participant were a Kraft Foods Group, Inc. shareholder.

SECTION 5.    Awards

(a)    Annual Awards.  On the first day of each Plan Year, (i) each Non-Employee Director serving as such immediately after the annual meeting held on such day shall receive an Award having a Fair Market Value equal to $175,000 (with any fractional share being rounded up to the next whole share) or such greater amount as the Board or Committee determines in its discretion, and (ii) each Non-Employee Director serving as Chairman immediately after the annual meeting held on such day shall receive an additional Award having a Fair Market Value equal to $150,000 (with any fractional share being rounded up to the next whole share) or such greater amount as the Board or Committee determines in its discretion.  Such Awards shall be made in the form of Common Stock, Stock Options, Other Stock-Based Awards, or a combination of the foregoing as the Committee determines in its discretion.
(b)    Terms of Awards.
(i)    Awards pursuant to Section 5(a) that are denominated in Common Stock are eligible for participation in the Deferred Stock Program described in Section 7.
(ii)    The term of each Stock Option or similar Other Stock-Based Award shall be ten years.  Each Stock Option or Other Stock-Based Award shall vest in not less than twelve months (or such longer period set forth in the Award agreement) and shall be forfeited if the participant does not continue to be a Non-Employee Director for the duration of the vesting period, unless the participant ceases to be a Non-Employee Director by reason of the participant’s death or disability.  For the avoidance of doubt, an Award of fully-vested Common Stock and any Deferred Stock relating to such Award pursuant to Section 7 are not subject to the minimum twelve -month vesting requirement.  Subject to the applicable Award agreement, Stock Options or similar Other Stock-Based Awards may be exercised, in whole or in part, by giving written notice of exercise specifying the number of shares to be purchased.  Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price by certified or bank check or such other instrument as the Company may accept (including, to the extent the Committee determines such a procedure to be acceptable, a copy of instructions to a broker or bank acceptable to the Company to deliver promptly to the Company an amount of sale or loan 
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proceeds sufficient to pay the purchase price).  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, payment in full or in part may also be made in the form of Common Stock already owned by the participant valued at Fair Market Value.

SECTION 6.    Award Agreements.

Each Award of a Stock Option or Other Stock-Based Award under the Plan shall be evidenced by a written agreement (which need not be signed by the Award recipient unless otherwise specified by the Committee) that sets forth the terms, conditions and limitations for each such Award.  For the avoidance of doubt, an Award of fully-vested Common Stock and any Deferred Stock relating to such Award pursuant to Section 7 need not be evidenced by a written agreement.

SECTION 7.    Payments and Payment Deferrals.

(a)    Each participant may elect to participate in the Deferred Stock Program with respect to Awards of Common Stock granted under Section 5(a).  The Deferred Stock Program shall be administered in accordance with the terms of this Section 7, provided that the Committee may modify the terms of the Deferred Stock Program or may require deferral of the payment of Awards under such rules and procedures as it may establish.  Any deferral election shall be made at a time and for such period as shall satisfy the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A(a)(4).
(b)    Any election to have the Company establish a Deferred Stock Account shall be made in terms of integral multiples of 25% of the number of shares of Common Stock that the participant otherwise would have been granted on each date of grant, shall be made no later than the last day of the calendar year preceding the calendar year in which services are performed for which the compensation is paid (or in the case of a participant who is first becoming eligible for this Plan and any other Plan required to be aggregated with this Plan under Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and other guidance thereunder, no later than 30 days after the participant first becomes eligible and before services are performed for which the compensation is paid), and shall specify the time and form of distribution of the participant’s Deferred Stock Account in a manner complying with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A(a)(2) and (3). Any such election (including an existing election to participate in the Deferred Stock Program under the Prior Directors Plans) shall remain in effect for purposes of the Plan until the participant executes (i) a new election applicable to any grants denominated in Common Stock to be made in years after the year in which the new election is made or (ii) an election not to participate in the Deferred Stock Program for Common Stock grants in such future years.  New elections pursuant to clause (i) of the preceding sentence may be made only to the extent permitted under rules and procedures established by the Committee taking into account administrative feasibility and other constraints.  
(c)    The Deferred Stock Account of a participant who elects to participate in the Deferred Stock Program shall be unfunded, but shall be credited with shares of Deferred Stock 
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equal to the number of shares of Common Stock that the participant elected to receive as Deferred Stock.  The Deferred Stock Account shall thereafter be credited with amounts equal to the cash dividends that would have been paid had the participant held a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of shares of Deferred Stock in the participant’s Deferred Stock Account, and any such amounts shall be treated as invested in additional shares of Deferred Stock.  As of the effective date of this Plan, a participant’s Deferred Stock Account shall include any Deferred Stock held in the participant’s Deferred Stock Account under a Prior Directors Plan immediately before such effective date.
(d)    If as a result of adjustments or substitutions in connection with an event described in Section 4(b) of this Plan, a participant has received or receives with respect to the participant’s Deferred Stock Account rights or amounts measured by reference to stock other than Common Stock (including, without limitation, amounts measured by reference to Mondelēz International, Inc., Philip Morris International Inc., or The Kraft Heinz Company), (i) such rights or amounts shall be treated as subject to elections made, crediting of the participant’s account, and any other matters relating to this Plan in a manner parallel to the treatment of Deferred Stock under the Plan, provided that any crediting of amounts to reflect dividends with respect to such other stock shall be treated as invested in additional Deferred Stock rather than such other stock, and (ii) the participant shall be offered the opportunity to convert the portion of his or her account measured by reference to such other stock to Deferred Stock with the same Fair Market Value (rounded as necessary to reflect fractional shares) as of the date of such conversion, provided that such conversion may only be made to the extent that such conversion would not result in a violation of Section 10(b) or Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any other applicable securities law.  
(e)    Amounts under the Deferred Stock Program shall be paid in the form of Common Stock (and cash for any fractional shares) upon distribution; provided, however, that any amounts in the participant’s Deferred Stock Account that are measured by reference to stock other than Common Stock shall be paid in cash upon distribution.
(f)    The Deferred Stock Program shall be administered under such rules and procedures as the Committee or its delegate may from time to time establish, including rules with respect to elections to defer, beneficiary designations and distributions under the Deferred Stock Program.
(g)    This Plan and the Deferred Stock Program are intended to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and the regulations and other guidance thereunder, and the Plan and Deferred Stock Program shall be administered and interpreted in accordance with such intent.  The election forms under the Deferred Stock Program shall be deemed to be part of the Plan for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.  All references to separation from service or similar terms in the Plan and election forms thereunder shall refer to a “separation from service” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.

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SECTION 8.    Plan Amendment and Termination.

(a)    Amendment and Termination Authority.  At any time without shareholder approval, the Board may amend or terminate the Plan and the Committee may amend any Award hereunder or adopt any modifications, procedures, or subplans as may be necessary or desirable to comply with the laws, regulations, or accounting practices of a foreign country applicable to participants subject to the laws of such foreign country; provided, however, that no such amendment or adoption shall be made without shareholder approval if such approval is required under applicable law, regulation, or stock exchange rule.
(b)    Prohibition on Repricing and Other Actions.  Notwithstanding Section 8(a), neither the Plan nor any Award hereunder may be amended without shareholder approval in a manner that would: (i) reprice an outstanding Award in any manner that reduces the grant price of an outstanding Stock Option or similar Other Stock-Based Award; (ii) cancel, exchange, substitute, buy out or surrender outstanding Stock Options or similar Other Stock-Based Awards that have a grant price that is higher than Fair Market Value on the date of such transaction in exchange for cash, other Awards, or Stock Options or similar Other Stock-Based Awards with a lower grant price, except as may be necessary to comply with a change in the laws, regulations, or accounting principles of a foreign country applicable to participants subject to the laws of such foreign country; or (iii) increase the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be distributed under the Plan.
(c)    Limitation on Amendment and Termination.  Notwithstanding Section 8(a), except as set forth in any Award agreement or as necessary to comply with applicable law or avoid adverse tax consequences to some or all Award recipients, no amendment or termination of the Plan may materially and adversely affect any outstanding Award under the Plan without the Award recipient’s consent.

SECTION 9.    Transferability.

Except as provided in the applicable Award agreement or otherwise required by law, Awards shall not be transferable or assignable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

SECTION 10.    Unfunded Status of Plan.

It is presently intended that the Plan constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred compensation.  The Committee may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the obligations created under the Plan to deliver Common Stock or make payments; provided, however, that, unless the Committee otherwise determines, the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan.

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SECTION 11.    General Provisions.

(a)    The Committee may require each participant acquiring shares of Common Stock pursuant to an Award to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such participant is acquiring the shares without a view to the distribution thereof.  The certificates for such shares, if any, may include any legend that the Committee deems appropriate to reflect any restrictions on transfer.
Shares of Common Stock or other securities delivered under the Plan shall be subject to such stock transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor agency), any stock exchange upon which the Common Stock is then listed, and any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law.  Further, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any certificates for shares of Common Stock or other securities to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.
(b)    Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements for Non-Employee Directors.
(c)    Nothing in the Plan or in any Award agreement shall confer upon any grantee the right to continued service as a member of the Board.
(d)    No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includable in the gross income of the participant for income tax purposes with respect to any Award under the Plan, the participant shall pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, local or foreign taxes of any kind that are required by law or applicable regulation to be withheld with respect to such amount.  Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, withholding obligations arising from an Award may be settled with Common Stock, including Common Stock that is part of, or is received upon exercise of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement, subject to any restrictions imposed by securities laws, other applicable laws, or accounting principles.  The obligations of the Company under the Plan shall be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company, shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment otherwise due to the participant.  The Committee may establish such procedures as it deems appropriate, including the making of irrevocable elections, for the settling of withholding obligations with Common Stock.
(e)    The Plan and all Awards made and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.  Unless otherwise provided in an Award, recipients of an Award under the Plan are deemed to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the federal or state courts of Virginia, to resolve any and all issues that may arise out of or relate to the Plan or any related Award. 
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(f)    If any provision of the Plan is held invalid or unenforceable, the invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan shall be enforced and construed as if such provision had not been included.
(g)    The terms of the Plan and any Awards hereunder shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, and any permitted successors or assigns of a participant.
(h)    The Plan became effective on the day following the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  Except as otherwise provided by the Board, no Awards shall be made after the Awards made immediately following the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, provided that any Awards granted prior to that date may extend beyond it.
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