PLAN DOCUMENT
Gentex Corporation
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
May 1, 2019
Warner Norcross & Judd LLP
900 Fifth Third Center, 111 Lyon Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2487
616.752.2000
WNJ.com
A BETTER PARTNERSHIP®
GENTEX CORPORATION
NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
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ARTICLE 1 - ESTABLISHMENT OF PLAN
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1
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ARTICLE 2 - DEFINITIONS
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1
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2.1
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Acceleration Events
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1
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2.2
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Account
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1
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2.3
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Act of Misconduct
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1
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2.4
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Base Salary
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1
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2.5
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Beneficiary Designation
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2
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2.6
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Board
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2
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2.7
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Bonus Compensation
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2
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2.8
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Change in Control
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2
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2.9
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Claimant
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2
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2.1
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Code
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2
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2.11
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Committee
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2
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2.12
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Compensation Committee
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2
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2.13
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Company
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3
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2.14
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Corporation
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3
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2.15
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Covered Employee
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3
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2.16
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Deferral Election
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3
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2.17
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Disability
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3
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2.18
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Discretionary Company Credit
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3
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2.19
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Discretionary Company Credits Account
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3
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2.2
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Discretionary Death Benefit Credit
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3
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2.21
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Discretionary Death Benefit Credits Account
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3
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2.22
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Effective Date
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3
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2.23
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Election Notice
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3
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2.24
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Election Period
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3
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2.25
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Elective Deferral Credit
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3
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2.26
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Elective Deferrals Credits Account
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3
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2.27
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Employee
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4
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2.28
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ERISA
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4
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2.29
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FICA Amount
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4
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2.3
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Investment Option(s)
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4
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2.31
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Participant(s)
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4
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2.32
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Participation Agreement
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4
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2.33
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Payment Event
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4
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2.34
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Performance-Based Compensation
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4
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2.35
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Plan
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4
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2.36
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Plan Year
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4
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2.37
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Separation from Service
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4
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2.38
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Trust
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4
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2.39
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Trustee
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4
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2.4
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Unforeseeable Emergency
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4
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2.41
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Valuation Date
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5
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ARTICLE 3 - PARTICIPATION
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5
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3.1
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Designation as Participant
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5
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3.2
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Termination of Participation
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5
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ARTICLE 4 - CREDITS
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6
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4.1
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Deferral Election
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6
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4.2
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Company Credits
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7
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4.3
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Subsequent Deferrals
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7
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ARTICLE 5 - ACCOUNTS AND FUNDING
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8
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5.1
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Establishment of Accounts
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8
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5.2
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Investment Options
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8
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5.3
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Investment Earnings
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8
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5.4
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Nature of Accounts
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8
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5.5
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Trust
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8
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5.6
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Insurance
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9
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ARTICLE 6 - VESTING
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10
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6.1
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Vesting
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10
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6.2
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Forfeiture of Discretionary Company Credits
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10
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ARTICLE 7 - PAYMENT
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11
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7.1
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In General
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11
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7.2
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Timing of Valuation
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11
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7.3
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Forfeiture of Unvested Account Balances
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11
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7.4
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Timing of Payments
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11
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7.5
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Form and Medium of Payment
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12
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7.6
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Payment Upon Unforeseeable Emergency
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12
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7.7
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Permissible Acceleration Events
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12
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7.8
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Beneficiary Designation
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13
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7.1
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Short-Term Deferral
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14
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ARTICLE 8 - PLAN ADMINISTRATION
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14
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8.1
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Administration Responsibilities
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14
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8.2
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Withholding
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15
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8.3
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Non-Uniform Treatment
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15
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8.4
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Decisions Final
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15
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8.5
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Indemnification
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15
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8.6
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Claims Procedures
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15
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8.7
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Appeal Procedures
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16
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8.8
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Notice of Decision on Appeal
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16
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8.9
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Claims Procedures Mandatory
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17
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ARTICLE 9 - AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
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17
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ARTICLE 10 - MISCELLANEOUS
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17
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10.1
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No Employment or Other Service Rights
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17
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10.2
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Governing Law
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17
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10.3
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No Warranties
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18
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10.4
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No Assignment
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18
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10.5
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Expenses
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18
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10.6
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Severability
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18
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10.7
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Construction
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18
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10.8
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Interpretation
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18
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GENTEX CORPORATION
NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Gentex Corporation (“Corporation”), a Michigan corporation, adopts the Gentex Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“Plan”) to enhance retirement savings among a select group of management or highly compensated employees who contribute significantly to the success of the Company. The Plan is generally effective as of May 1, 2019 (“Effective Date”).
ARTICLE 1
Establishment of Plan
The Corporation establishes the Plan as an unfunded non-qualified deferred compensation plan. This Plan is intended to be a plan described in Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3), and 401(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). It is a supplemental executive retirement program that is not subject to limitations in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”), applicable to benefits provided through a qualified, tax-exempt employee benefit plan established under Code Section 401(a). This Plan is intended to comply with Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, and shall be interpreted, administered and operated consistently with those regulations and related guidance.
ARTICLE 2
Definitions
2.1 “Acceleration Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.7.
2.2 “Account” means a hypothetical bookkeeping account established in the name of each Participant and maintained by the Company to reflect the Participant’s interests under the Plan.
2.3 “Act of Misconduct” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.
2.4 “Base Salary” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a)(i).
2.5 “Beneficiary Designation” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.8.
2.6 “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
2.7 “Bonus Compensation” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a)(ii).
2.8 “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) Stock Ownership Change. One person (or more than one person acting as a group) acquires ownership of stock of the Corporation that, together with the stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of such corporation; provided that a Change in Control shall not occur if any person (or more than one person acting as a group) owns more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the Corporation’s stock and acquires additional stock;
(b) Effective Control Change/Voting Power. 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) ownership of the Corporation’s stock possessing 30% or more of the total voting power;
(c) Effective Control Change/Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the Board are replaced during any twelve (12) month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the Board before the date of appointment or election; or
(d) Asset Ownership Change. 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) assets from the Corporation that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Corporation immediately before such acquisition(s).
2.9 “Claimant” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.6.
2.10 “Code” has the meaning set forth in Article 1.
2.11 “Committee” means the Gentex Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan Committee.
2.12 “Compensation Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Gentex Corporation.
2.13 “Company” means the Corporation, or any successor thereto, and any corporation, trade or business which is treated as a single employer with the Corporation under Code Sections 414(b) or 414(c).
2.14 “Corporation” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.
2.15 “Covered Employee” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5(a)(i).
2.16 “Deferral Election” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
2.17 “Disability” means any medically determinable physical or mental impairment resulting in the inability of the Participant to perform the duties of his or her position or any substantially similar position, where such impairment can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months. The Company may require that one or more physicians (chosen or approved by the Company) certify whether or not a Disability exists. This certification shall be conclusive.
2.18 “Discretionary Company Credit” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(a).
2.19 “Discretionary Company Credits Account” has the meaning set forth in
Section 5.1.
2.20 “Discretionary Death Benefit Credit” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(b).
2.21 “Discretionary Death Benefit Credits Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
2.22 “Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.
2.23 “Election Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
2.24 “Election Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
2.25 “Elective Deferral Credit” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
2.26 “Elective Deferrals Credits Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
2.27 “Employee” means an employee of the Company who receives compensation for services performed for the Company that is subject to withholding for federal income tax purposes.
2.28 “ERISA” has the meaning set forth in Article 1.
2.29 “FICA Amount” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.7(a).
2.30 “Investment Option” means an investment fund, index or vehicle selected by the Committee and made available for the deemed investment of Participant Accounts.
2.31 “Participant” means an Employee who is designated as eligible to participate in the Plan and who elects to participate by agreeing to a Participation Agreement and any former Participant who continues to be entitled to a benefit under the Plan.
2.32 “Participation Agreement” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.
2.33 “Payment Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
2.34 “Performance-Based Compensation” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(a)(iii).
2.35 “Plan” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph.
2.36 “Plan Year” means the twelve (12) month period beginning on each January 1.
2.37 “Separation from Service” has the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) and Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h), including the default presumptions thereunder.
2.38 “Trust” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.
2.39 “Trustee” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.
2.40 “Unforeseeable Emergency” means a severe financial hardship of the Participant resulting from (a) an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse, the Participant’s beneficiary under this Plan or the Participant’s dependent; (b) a loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty; or (c) such other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant, all as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. The Committee or its delegate shall determine whether the Participant has suffered an Unforeseeable Emergency based on all the facts and circumstances, and that decision shall be final and binding on all parties to this Plan; provided, however, that a Participant shall not be involved with any decision involving the Participant.
2.41 “Valuation Date” means each business day of the Plan Year and any other date specified as a Valuation Date by the Company.
ARTICLE 3
Participation
3.1 Designation as Participant . Only select management and highly compensated Employees shall be eligible to become Participants. Except to the extent already designated by the Committee, the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), President, or other individual authorized in writing to act on behalf of the above-named officers shall, in that individual’s sole discretion, designate those eligible Employees who may participate, specify the effective date of participation, and designate the Participants eligible to defer compensation or receive Company credits under the Plan for each Plan Year. The Committee shall then approve the designation of an Employee as a Participant. An Employee shall become a Participant only if the Employee agrees to a Participation Agreement in the electronic or paper form designated by the Company or Committee for this purpose (“Participation Agreement”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, an individual may not take any action with respect to the individual’s participation in the Plan.
3.2 Termination of Participation . Participation shall terminate upon the earlier of the date the Participant is not an Employee and has been paid the full amount due under this Plan or the date of the Participant’s death. Though a Participant may be entitled to future benefits under the Plan, the Participant’s right to defer compensation or receive Company credits shall be determined each Plan Year as described in Section
3.1 and may be discontinued effective as of the next Plan Year in the Committee’s or the Company’s discretion.
ARTICLE 4
Credits
4.1 Deferral Election . A Participant may elect to reduce the Participant’s compensation (“Deferral Election”) by completing the form(s) designated by the Committee for making elections (“Election Notice”) and filing the form(s) with the Company or its delegate during the period established by the Company for making Deferral Elections (“Election Period”). The Company shall credit a corresponding amount (“Elective Deferral Credit”) to the Participant’s Elective Deferral Credits Account as of the date the compensation otherwise would have been paid.
(a) Compensation. A Participant may defer the following types of compensation that the Company pays to the Participant in cash for services performed:
(i) Base Salary. Base salary or wages (“Base Salary”);
(ii) Bonus Compensation. Compensation (other than Performance-Based Compensation) paid in addition to the Participant’s Base Salary (“Bonus Compensation”); and
(iii) Performance-Based Compensation. Cash compensation paid in addition to the Participant’s Base Salary that falls within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(e) (“Performance-Based Compensation”) for services performed on or after the Effective Date.
Compensation paid to a Participant after a Participant’s Separation from Service shall not be eligible for deferral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, before any Election Period, the Company may further limit the types of compensation that a Participant may defer from during the Election Period.
(b) Election Notice. The Election Notice must specify:
(i) Amount. The amount or percentage of each type of compensation to be deferred (subject to any minimum and maximum limits the Company establishes on the amount or type of compensation that may be deferred for the Plan Year);
(ii) Time and Form. The time and form of payment for the Participant’s Account;
(iii) Investment. If applicable, the percentage or amount of the Participant’s Account to be allocated to each Investment Option available under the
Plan. The Company shall not be responsible for the Participant’s selection of, or failure to select, Investment Options; and
(iv) Revocability. A Participant’s Election Notice shall become irrevocable as of the last day of the Election Period, except that a Participant or the Participant’s legal representative may, upon written notice to the Committee, revoke it with respect to any unpaid amounts if the Participant suffers a Disability or Unforeseeable Emergency and revocation is timely made.
(c) Election Period. The Committee shall establish the Election Period for each Plan Year in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 409A, as follows:
(i) General Rule. Except as provided in (ii) and (iii) below, the Election Period shall end no later than the last day of the Plan Year immediately preceding the Plan Year to which the Deferral Election relates.
(ii) Performance-Based Compensation. The Election Period for Performance-Based Compensation shall end no later than six (6) months before the end of the Plan Year during which it is earned (and in no event later than the date on which the amount becomes readily ascertainable).
(iii) Newly Eligible Employees. The Election Period for new Participants shall end thirty (30) days after a Participant first becomes eligible and shall apply only with respect to compensation earned after the date of the Deferral Election.
4.2 Company Credits.
(a) Discretionary Company Credits. For any Plan Year, the Company may, but need not, credit a Participant’s Account with an amount determined in its sole discretion (“Discretionary Company Credit”). Any Discretionary Company Credit shall be credited to the Participant’s Discretionary Company Credits Account as soon as practicable following the last day of the Plan Year to which the Discretionary Company Credit relates and no later than the March 15 immediately following the end of that Plan Year.
(b) Discretionary Death Benefit Credits. Upon the death of a Participant who did not have a Separation from Service prior to death, the Company may, but need not, credit the Participant’s Discretionary Death Benefit Credits Account with an amount determined in its sole discretion (“Discretionary Death Benefit Credit”).
4.3 Subsequent Deferrals. A Participant may not change the time or form of payment in the Election Notice except in accordance with the following requirements:
(a) Before Commencement. The subsequent deferral election is made at least twelve (12) months before the original date payment was to commence;
(b) Payment Delay. The payment date for the deferred amounts is at least five (5) years later than the original date payment was to commence;
(c) Delayed Effect. The subsequent deferral election will not take effect for at least twelve (12) months after it was made; and
(d) Limit. The Participant has not previously elected to change the time or form of payment.
For purposes of this Section 4.3, a series of installment payments shall be treated as one payment.
ARTICLE 5
Accounts and Funding
5.1 Establishment of Accounts . The Company shall establish and maintain an Account for each Participant. Within that Account, the Company shall establish subaccounts for the Participant’s Elective Deferral Credits (“Elective Deferrals Credits Account”), Discretionary Company Credits (“Discretionary Company Credits Account”) and Discretionary Death Benefit Credits (“Discretionary Death Benefit Credits Account”). The Company may establish additional subaccounts as deemed necessary for administrative purposes.
5.2 Investment Options . The Committee shall select the Investment Options to be made available to Participants for the deemed investment of their Accounts under the Plan. The Committee may change, discontinue, or add to the Investment Options made available under the Plan at any time in its sole discretion. A Participant shall select the Investment Options for the Participant’s Account in the Election Notice or through such other procedure that the Committee establishes for that purpose. A Participant may change the Investment Options for the Participant’s Account in accordance with procedures established by the Committee.
5.3 Investment Earnings . Each Account shall be credited or debited periodically (and no less frequently than quarterly) for earnings or losses based on the performance of the Investment Options the Participant selects for the Participant’s Account.
5.4 Nature of Accounts . A Participant’s Account is solely a device for the measurement and determination of the amounts to be paid to the Participant under the Plan. The Company is under no obligation to actually invest amounts set aside to pay
Plan benefits in the Investment Options selected by the Participant and, consistent with the Plan’s unfunded status, the Participant shall not have an ownership interest in any Investment Option in which the Company actually invests.
5.5 Trust . The Company shall establish and maintain a trust that meets the requirements of this Section 5.5 (the “Trust”) to pay deferred compensation under this Plan. The Company shall set aside funds sufficient to pay all benefits due under the Plan (and, up until any Change in Control, may consider tax deductions it will receive for deferred compensation it pays under this Plan in determining how much to set aside). Within a reasonable time after amounts are credited to the Participant’s Account or otherwise required to be held in the Trust, the Company shall contribute to the Trust funds set aside to pay benefits. The Trust, and any assets (including life insurance) held in the Trust to assist the Company in meeting its obligations under this Plan, will be structured as a “rabbi trust” as provided in Revenue Procedure 92-64 and other IRS guidance regarding such trusts. The trustee of such Trust (“Trustee”) will be a bank or trust company selected by the Company in its sole discretion.
Notwithstanding the Trust, it is the intention of the Company that this Plan is unfunded for tax and ERISA purposes. In addition, notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan or the Trust document, the Company’s ability to establish and make payments to the Trust and to directly or indirectly set aside assets to informally fund any liability under this Plan (but not the Company’s obligation to make payment to a Participant when called for by this Plan) is subject to the following:
(a) Offshore Trust. Assets may not be set aside (directly or indirectly) in a trust (or other arrangement determined by the Secretary of the Treasury), or transferred to such a trust or other arrangement, outside the United States unless substantially all of the services to which the payments under this Plan relates are performed in such jurisdiction.
(b) Company’s Financial Health. Assets may not be restricted to the provision of benefits under this Plan in connection with a change in the Company’s financial health, whether or not the assets are available to satisfy claims of the Company’s general creditors.
(c) Payments to Company. The Company or Committee may direct the Trustee in writing to reimburse the Company from assets held in the Trust for Plan benefits the Company paid directly to any Participant or beneficiary or Plan expenses paid directly by the Company. The Trustee shall reimburse the Company for such payments promptly after the Company or Committee gives that direction. In addition, if at any time the amount held in the Trust exceeds more than 105% of the Plan benefits payable to all Participants and beneficiaries, the Company or Committee may direct the Trustee in writing to pay the surplus assets over 105% to the Company.
5.6 Insurance . The Company may purchase a policy of life insurance on the life of any Participant (in whom the Company has an insurable interest) to assist it in making payments under this Plan. The Company shall be the sole applicant, owner, premium payer and beneficiary of any such policy, and shall exercise all incidents of ownership, except that the Company may use a rabbi trust for any such policy. The Company intends that the value of any such policy while in force, and the death proceeds of the policy, shall be excluded from taxation under Code Sections 7702 and 101(a), respectively.
ARTICLE 6
Vesting
6.1 Vesting . Each Participant shall be fully vested in the Participant’s Elective Deferral Credits Account at all times. Subject at all times to Section 6.2, a Participant shall become vested in the Participant’s Discretionary Company Credits Account as follows:
Years of Service Vested Percentage
Less than 2 years -0-
2 to 3 years 50%
3 years or more 100%
Years of service shall be based on a Participant’s years of vesting service under the terms of the Gentex Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (or any successor to that plan). Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, including the foregoing sentences and Section 6.2, upon a Change in Control, all Accounts except for the Discretionary Death Benefit Credits Account shall immediately become 100% vested. A Participant’s Discretionary Death Benefit Credits Account shall only become 100% vested upon the Participant’s death.
6.2 Forfeiture of Discretionary Company Credits . A Participant shall forfeit the entire balance of the Participant’s Discretionary Company Credits Account and Discretionary Death Benefit Credits Account if the Participant engages in an Act of Misconduct or benefits are not payable under any insurance policy purchased pursuant to Section 5.6 due to the Participant’s misrepresentation or omission of information required to be furnished to an insurer. “Act of Misconduct” shall mean an act of embezzlement, fraud, dishonesty, nonpayment of any obligation owed to the Company, breach of fiduciary duty, or deliberate disregard of the Company rules resulting in loss, damage or injury to the Company, or if a Participant makes an unauthorized disclosure
of any Company trade secret or confidential information, solicits any employee or service provider to leave the employ or cease providing services to the Company, breaches any intellectual property or assignment of inventions covenant, engages in any conduct constituting unfair competition, breaches any non-competition agreement, induces any Company customer to breach a contract with the Company or to cease doing business with the Company, or induces any principal for whom the Company acts as agent to terminate such agency relationship.
ARTICLE 7
Payment
7.1 In General . Payment from a Participant’s vested Account shall be made (or commence in part, in the case of installments or a fixed payment date applicable to only a portion of the Participant’s vested Account) on the earliest to occur of the following events (each a “Payment Event”):
(a) Separation from Service. The Participant’s Separation from Service;
(b) Fixed Date or Event. The fixed payment date (which must be either January 1st or July 1st of a year) or event, if any, specified by the Participant on the Participant’s timely completed Election Notice, which must be a date or event that is objectively determinable and nondiscretionary and shall cease to be a Payment Event to the extent payment of the Participant’s vested Account commences earlier due to the occurrence of another Payment Event;
(c) Change in Control. A Change in Control of the Corporation; or
(d) Plan Termination. Termination of the Plan in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix).
7.2 Timing of Valuation . The value of a Participant’s Account on the payment date shall be determined as of the most recent Valuation Date preceding the payment date.
7.3 Forfeiture of Unvested Account Balances . Unless otherwise determined by the Company, and subject to the vesting and forfeiture provisions of Article 6, a Participant’s unvested Discretionary Company Credits Account and Discretionary Death Benefit Credits Account balances shall be forfeited upon the occurrence of a Payment Event.
7.4 Timing of Payments . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 7 or, in the case of the Plan’s termination, as otherwise required by Code Section 409A, payments made on account of:
(a) Separation from Service. A Separation from Service for a reason other than death of the Participant shall be made or commence on the first payroll date of the seventh month following the Separation from Service, regardless of whether the Participant is a specified employee within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i);
(b) All Other Payment Events. All other Payment Events shall be made or commence within sixty (60) days following the Payment Event; provided, however, payment upon a Separation from Service due to death shall commence as soon as administratively feasible and no later than December 31 of the year following the Participant’s death.
7.5 Form and Medium of Payment . Each Participant shall specify in each Election Notice the form of payment for the Account (or any portion of the Account). When first enrolling, a Participant may also make a one-time election on whether to accelerate payment of the Participant’s unpaid vested Account upon the Participant’s death. Distribution of the amount payable under the Plan shall be made as elected by the Participant in a lump sum or in substantially equal (except for adjustments for earnings or losses) annual installments payable over five (5) years or ten (10) years; provided, however, that if a Participant has a Separation from Service and the vested balance of the Participant’s Account is under $100,000 as of the date of a Payment Event, the Participant’s account shall be distributed in a lump sum regardless of the Participant’s election of another time or form of payment. Any payment from a Participant’s Account shall be made in cash. If a Participant fails to timely specify a form of payment, the Participant’s Account shall be distributed from the Plan in a lump sum.
7.6 Payment Upon Unforeseeable Emergency . If a Participant suffers an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Participant may submit a written request to the Committee for payment of all or a portion of the vested balance of the Participant’s Account. The Committee will evaluate the Participant’s request for payment due to an Unforeseeable Emergency taking into account the Participant’s circumstances and the requirements of Code Section 409A. Payment shall not be made to the extent that the Participant’s emergency can be relieved: (a) through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise; (b) by liquidation of the Participant’s assets, to the extent that liquidation of the Participant’s assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship; or (c) by cancellation of Deferral Elections. The amount of any payment made on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency shall not exceed the amount reasonably necessary to satisfy the Participant’s financial need, including amounts necessary to pay any federal, state or local income taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the
payment, as determined by the Committee. Payments shall be made from a Participant’s Account as soon as practicable and in any event within thirty (30) days following the Committee’s determination that an Unforeseeable Emergency has occurred and authorization of payment from the Participant’s Account. If a Participant receives payment on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Participant’s Deferral Election for the remainder of the Plan Year shall be cancelled.
7.7 Permissible Acceleration Events . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Company (or the Committee acting for the Company), in its sole discretion, may accelerate payment of all or a portion of a Participant’s vested Account upon the occurrence of any event (“Acceleration Event”) in this Section 7.7. The Company’s determination of whether payment may be accelerated in accordance with this Section 7.7 shall be made in accordance with Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(j)(4).
(a) Payment of Taxes. The Company may accelerate payment of all or a portion of a Participant’s vested Account (i) to pay the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax imposed under Code Sections 3010, 3121(a) and 3121(v)(2) (the “FICA Amount”), or (ii) to pay the income tax at the source on wages imposed under Code Section 3401 or the corresponding withholding provisions of applicable state, local or foreign tax laws as a result of the payment of the FICA Amount and the additional income tax at the source on wages attributable to the pyramiding Section 3401 wages and taxes; provided, however, that the total payment under this Section 7.7(a) shall not exceed the FICA Amount and the income tax withholding related to the FICA Amount.
(b) Bona Fide Disputes as to Right to Payment. The Company may accelerate payment of all or a portion of a Participant’s vested Account where the payment is part of a settlement between the Company and the Participant of an arm’s length, bona fide dispute as to the Participant’s right to the deferred amount.
(c) Payment Upon Income Inclusion. The Company may accelerate payment of all or a portion of a Participant’s vested Account to the extent that the Plan fails to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A; provided that, the amount accelerated shall not exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of the failure to comply with Code Section 409A.
(d) Certain Offsets. The Company may accelerate payment of all or a portion of the Participant’s vested Account to satisfy a debt of the Participant to the Company incurred in the ordinary course of the service relationship between the Company and the Participant; provided, however, the amount accelerated shall not exceed $5,000 and the payment shall be made at the same time and in the same amount as the debt otherwise would have been due and collected from the Participant.
(e) Limited Cashout. The Company may accelerate payment of a Participant's Account if (i) the Participant's Account is not greater than the applicable dollar amount
under Code Section 402(g)(1)(B) (which is $19,000 for the 2019 calendar year and is subject to adjustment in future years), (ii) the payment results in the termination of the Participant's entire interest in the Plan and any plans aggregated with the Plan pursuant to Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(c)(2), and (iii) the Company's decision to cash out the Participant's Account is evidenced in writing no later than the date of such payment.
7.8 Beneficiary Designation . A Participant may designate or change a beneficiary by filing a signed designation with the Committee or its delegate in a form designated by the Committee or otherwise approved by the Committee or its delegate (“Beneficiary Designation”). The Participant’s Will is not effective for this purpose. If a designation has not been properly completed and filed or is ineffective for any other reason, the beneficiary shall be the Participant’s surviving spouse. If there is no effective designation and the Participant does not have (or no longer has) a surviving spouse, the beneficiary shall be the Participant’s estate.
7.9 Short-Term Deferral . Any payment under this Plan that may be excluded from Code Section 409A as a short-term deferral shall be excluded from Code Section 409A to the maximum extent possible.
ARTICLE 8
Plan Administration
8.1 Administration Responsibilities . The Plan shall be administered by the Company, except to the extent the Plan provides otherwise or the Company delegates its authority under the Plan to the Committee or another party.
(a) Company. The Company shall be responsible for:
(i) Execution. Authorizing any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;
(ii) Deferral Election Limits. Determining minimum or maximum amounts that a Participant may elect to defer under the Plan;
(iii) Company Credits/Amounts. Determining whether any Company Credits will be made to the Plan on behalf of any Participants with respect to any Plan Year and the amount of any such credits; and
(iv) Process Deferral Elections. Processing Participant Deferral Elections.
(b) Committee. Unless carried out by the Company or the Company’s delegate, the Committee shall be authorized to:
(i) Plan Interpretation. In its discretion, interpret and administer the Plan and any related instrument, including an Election Notice, Participation Agreement or Beneficiary Designation;
(ii) Rules. Promulgate, amend and rescind rules relating to the administration of the Plan;
(iii) Investment Options. Select the Investment Options that will be available for the deemed investment of Accounts under the Plan and establish procedures for permitting Participants to change their selected Investment Options;
(iv) Unforeseeable Emergency. Evaluate whether a Participant who has requested payment on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency has experienced an Unforeseeable Emergency and the amount of any payment necessary to satisfy the Participant’s emergency need; and
(v) Earnings and Losses. Calculate deemed investment earnings and losses.
8.2 Withholding . The Company may withhold from all payments due to a Participant (or beneficiary) hereunder all taxes which, by applicable federal, state, local or other law, the Company may be required to withhold. In addition, the Company may limit deferrals to the extent reasonably necessary to pay any of the taxes described in Section 7.7(a).
8.3 Non-Uniform Treatment . The Committee’s determinations under the Plan need not be uniform and any such determinations may be made selectively among Participants. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled, among other things, to make non-uniform and selective determinations with regard to: (a) the terms or conditions of any Elective Deferral; (b) the amount, terms or conditions of any Discretionary Contribution; or (c) the availability of Investment Options.
8.4 Decisions Final . Subject to the claims and appeal procedures set forth in Article 8, all decisions made by the Committee or its delegate pursuant to the provisions of the Plan shall be final and binding on the Company, Committee and the Participants, unless such decisions are determined by a court having jurisdiction to be arbitrary and capricious.
8.5 Indemnification . No Employee or member of the Committee shall be liable for any action, failure to act, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan except for any liability arising from the individual’s willful malfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the individual’s duties.
8.6 Claims Procedures .
(a) Filing a Claim. Any Participant or other person claiming an interest in the Plan (the “Claimant”) may file a claim in writing with the Committee. The Committee shall review the claim itself or appoint an individual or entity to review the claim.
(b) Claim Decision. The Claimant shall be notified within ninety (90) days after the claim is filed whether the claim is approved or denied, unless the Committee determines that special circumstances beyond the control of the Plan require an extension of time, in which case the Committee may have up to an additional ninety (90) days to process the claim. If the Committee determines that an extension of time for processing is required, the Committee shall furnish written or electronic notice of the extension to the Claimant before the end of the initial ninety (90) day period. Any notice of extension shall describe the special circumstances necessitating the additional time and the date by which the Committee expects to render its decision.
(c) Notice of Denial. If the Committee denies the claim, it must provide to the Claimant, in writing or by electronic communication, a notice that includes:
(i) Reason(s). The specific reason(s) for the denial;
(ii) Reference. Specific reference to the pertinent Plan provisions on which such denial is based;
(iii) Information Needed. A description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary;
(iv) Appeal Procedures/Time Limits. A description of the Plan’s appeal procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following a denial of the claim on appeal; and
(v) Internal Rule. If an internal rule was relied on to make the decision, either a copy of the internal rule or a statement that this information is available at no charge upon request.
8.7 Appeal Procedures . A request for appeal of a denied claim must be made in writing to the Committee within sixty (60) days after receiving notice of denial. The decision on appeal will be made within sixty (60) days after the Committee’s receipt of a request for appeal, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing, in which case a decision will be rendered not later than one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of a request for appeal. A notice of such an extension must be provided to the Claimant within the initial sixty (60) day period and must explain the special circumstances and provide an expected date of decision. The reviewer shall
afford the Claimant an opportunity to review and receive, without charge, all relevant documents, information and records and to submit issues and comments in writing to the Committee. The reviewer shall take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the Claimant relating to the claim regardless of whether the information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.
8.8 Notice of Decision on Appeal . If the Committee denies the appeal, it must provide to the Claimant, in writing or by electronic communication, a notice which includes:
(a) Reason(s). The specific reason(s) for the denial;
(b) Reference. Specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which such denial is based;
(c) Records. A statement that the Claimant may receive on request all relevant records at no charge;
(d) Procedures/Deadlines. A description of the Plan’s voluntary procedures and deadlines, if any;
(e) Claimant’s Right. A statement of the Claimant’s right to sue under ERISA Section 502(a); and
(f) Internal Rule. If an internal rule was relied on to make the decision, either a copy of the internal rule or a statement that this information is available at no charge upon request.
8.9 Claims Procedures Mandatory . The internal claims procedures set forth in this Article 8 are mandatory. If a Claimant fails to follow these claims procedures, or to timely file a request for appeal in accordance with this Article 8, the denial of the claim shall become final and binding on all persons for all purposes.
ARTICLE 9
Amendment and Termination
The Company may, at any time, and in its discretion, alter, amend, modify, suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof; provided, however, that no such amendment, modification, suspension or termination shall, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect such Participant’s rights with respect to amounts credited to the Participant’s Account and provided, further, that no payment of benefits shall occur upon termination of the Plan unless the requirements of Code Section 409A have been
met. An action required to be taken by the Company shall be taken by its Board, the Compensation Committee or by an officer authorized to act on behalf of the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Company may alter, amend, modify, suspend, or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof only upon the approval of a majority of the Participants; provided, however, such approval shall not be required for the Company to eliminate any non-vested right a Participant may have to a Discretionary Death Benefit Credit.
ARTICLE 10
Miscellaneous
10.1 No Employment or Other Service Rights . Nothing in the Plan or any instrument executed pursuant thereto shall confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or interfere in any way with the right of the Company to terminate the Participant’s employment or service at any time with or without notice and with or without cause.
10.2 Governing Law . This Plan shall be interpreted, construed, enforced, and performed in accordance with applicable federal law (including all applicable provisions of Code Section 409A) and, to the extent not preempted by federal law, in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan. Though the Company intends that the Plan comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder, the Company makes no representation that the Plan complies with Code Section 409A and shall have no liability to any Participant for any failure to comply with Code Section 409A. This Plan shall constitute an “account balance plan” as defined in Treas. Reg. Section 31.3121(v)(2)-1(c)(1)(ii)(A). For purposes of Code Section 409A, all amounts deferred under this Plan shall be aggregated with amounts deferred under other account balance plans.
10.3 No Warranties . Neither the Company nor the Committee warrants or represents that the value of any Participant’s Account will increase. Each Participant assumes the risk in connection with the deemed investment of the Participant’s Account.
10.4 No Assignment . Neither a Participant nor any other person shall have any right to sell, assign, transfer, pledge, anticipate or otherwise encumber, transfer, hypothecate or convey any amounts payable hereunder prior to the date that such amounts are paid (except as otherwise provided in Section 7.7 or for the designation of a beneficiary pursuant to Section 7.9).
10.5 Expenses . The costs of administering the Plan generally shall be paid by the Company, except that a Participant's account may be directly charged for any reasonable expenses directly attributable to the Participant’s account.
10.6 Severability . If any provision of the Plan is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, whether in whole or in part, such provision shall be deemed modified to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability and the remaining provisions shall not be affected.
10.7 Construction. Headings and subheadings in this Plan are for convenience only and are not to be considered in the construction of the provisions hereof. The singular includes the plural, and the plural includes the singular, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary.
10.8 Interpretation. If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any provision of the Plan or related Participation Agreement, or any portion of such a provision, is void or unenforceable, only such provision or portion will be rendered void or unenforceable. The remainder of this Plan and/or related Participation Agreement will remain in full force and effect. If any court of proper jurisdiction determines that any covenant of the Employee in any related Participation Agreement is overbroad as to duration, coverage, or geographic scope, it is the intent of the parties that such covenant will be limited in such jurisdiction to the extent necessary to allow its enforcement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Gentex Corporation has adopted this Plan as of the Effective Date.
GENTEX CORPORATION
Name:
Title:
TRUST UNDER THE GENTEX CORPORATION
NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
This Agreement made this 1st day of May, 2019, by and between Gentex Corporation (“Company”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Trustee”).
WHEREAS, Company has adopted the Gentex Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“Plan”) that provides benefits to certain management or highly compensated employees of Company;
WHEREAS, Company has incurred or expects to incur liability to such employees under the terms of the Plan;
WHEREAS, Company wishes to establish this trust named the Trust Under the Gentex Corporation Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“Trust”) and to contribute to the Trust assets that shall be held therein, subject to the claims of Company’s creditors in the event the Company is Insolvent, until paid to Plan participants and their beneficiaries in such manner and at such times as specified in the Plan;
WHEREAS, it is the intention of the parties that this Trust shall constitute an unfunded arrangement and shall not affect the status of the Plan as an unfunded plan maintained for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; and
WHEREAS, it is the intention of Company to make contributions to the Trust to provide itself with a source of funds to assist it in the meeting of its liabilities under the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties do hereby establish the Trust and agree that the Trust shall be comprised, held, and disposed of as follows:
Section 1
Establishment of Trust
1.1 The Company hereby deposits with the Trustee in the Trust one thousand dollars and zero cents ($1,000.00) which shall become the principal of the Trust. The Company, in its sole discretion, shall make additional deposits of cash or other property acceptable to the Trustee to augment the principal to be held, administered and disposed of by Trustee as provided in this Trust Agreement.
1.2 The Trust hereby established is revocable by Company; it shall become irrevocable upon a Change in Control.
1.3 The Trust is intended to be a grantor trust, of which Company is the grantor, within the meaning of subpart E, part I, subchapter J, chapter 1, subtitle A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and shall be construed accordingly.
1.4 The principal of the Trust and any earnings thereon shall be held separate and apart from other funds of Company and shall be used exclusively for the uses and purposes of Plan participants and general creditors as herein set forth. Plan participants and their beneficiaries shall have no preferred claim on, or any beneficial ownership interest in, any assets of the Trust. Any rights created under the Plan and this Trust Agreement shall be mere unsecured contractual rights of Plan participants and their beneficiaries against Company. Any assets held by the Trust will be subject to the claims of Company’s general creditors under federal and state law in the event of the Company is Insolvent.
1.5 Upon a Change of Control, Company shall as soon as possible but in no event longer than 30 days following the Change in Control make an irrevocable contribution to the Trust in an amount that is sufficient to pay each Plan participant or beneficiary the benefits to which Plan participants or their beneficiaries would be entitled pursuant to the terms of the Plan as of the date on which the Change in Control occurred.
Section 2
Payments to Plan Participants and Their Beneficiaries
2.1 Company shall provide instructions (the “Payment Instructions”) acceptable to Trustee for determining: the amounts payable to Plan participants and beneficiaries, the form in which such amounts are to be paid (as provided for or available under the Plans), and the time of commencement for payment of such amounts. The Payment Instructions shall include state and federal tax withholding guidelines.
Except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustee shall, at the direction of Company: (1) make payments to the Plan’s participants and beneficiaries as they become due (in accordance with the Plan and applicable law); or (2) reimburse the Company for payments of Plan benefits made by Company directly to Plan participants or beneficiaries upon receipt by the Trustee of satisfactory evidence that the Company has made the direct payments. If Company directs that the Trustee pay benefits directly to Plan participants and/or beneficiaries, the Trustee shall make such payments in accordance with the applicable Payment Instructions.
If the Trustee is making a benefit payment, the Trustee shall make provision for the reporting and withholding of any federal, state, or local taxes that may be required to be withheld with respect to the payment pursuant to the terms of the Plan and shall pay amounts withheld to the appropriate taxing authorities or determine that such amounts have been reported, withheld, and paid by Company.
2.2 The entitlement of a Plan participant or his or her beneficiaries to benefits under the Plan shall be determined by Company or its designee, and any claim for such benefits shall be considered and reviewed under the procedures set out in the Plan.
2.3 If Company decides to make a benefit payment, Company shall notify Trustee of its decision to make the payment directly prior to the time that the amount is payable. In addition, if the principal of the Trust, and any earnings thereon, are not sufficient to make payments of benefits in accordance with the terms of the Plan, Company shall make the balance of each such payment as it falls due. Trustee shall notify Company where principal and earnings are not sufficient.
Section 3
Trustee Responsibility Regarding Payments
to Trust Beneficiary When Company Is Insolvent
3.1 Trustee shall cease payment of benefits to Plan participants and their beneficiaries if the Company is Insolvent. Company shall be considered “Insolvent” for purposes of this Trust Agreement if (i) Company is unable to pay its debts as they become due; or (ii) Company is subject to a pending proceeding as a debtor under the United States Bankruptcy Code.
3.2 At all times during the continuance of this Trust, as provided in Section 1.4, the principal and income of the Trust shall be subject to claims of general creditors of Company under federal and state laws as set forth below.
(a) The Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer of Company shall have the duty to inform Trustee in writing of Company’s Insolvency. If a person claiming to be a creditor of Company alleges in writing to Trustee that Company has become Insolvent, Trustee shall determine whether Company is Insolvent and, pending such determination, Trustee shall discontinue payment of benefits to Plan participants or their beneficiaries.
(b) Unless Trustee has actual knowledge Company is Insolvent, or has received notice from Company or a person claiming to be a creditor alleging that Company is Insolvent, Trustee shall have no duty to inquire whether Company is Insolvent. Trustee may in all events rely on such evidence concerning Company’s solvency as may be furnished to Trustee and that provides Trustee with a reasonable basis for making a determination concerning Company’s solvency.
(c) If at any time Trustee has determined that Company is Insolvent, Trustee shall discontinue payments to Plan participants or their beneficiaries and shall hold the assets of the Trust for the benefit of Company’s general creditors. Nothing in this Trust Agreement shall in any way diminish any rights of Plan participants or their beneficiaries to pursue their rights as general creditors of Company with respect to benefits due under the Plan or otherwise.
(d) Trustee shall resume the payment of benefits to Plan participants or their beneficiaries only after Trustee has determined that Company is not Insolvent (or is no longer Insolvent).
(e) Provided that there are sufficient assets, if Trustee discontinues the payment of benefits from the Trust pursuant to Section 3.1 and subsequently resumes such payments, the first payment following such discontinuance shall include the aggregate amount of all payments due to Plan participants
or their beneficiaries under the terms of the Plan for the period of such discontinuance, less the aggregate amount of any payments made to Plan participants or their beneficiaries by Company in lieu of the payments provided for hereunder during any such period of discontinuance.
Section 4
Payments to Company
4.1 At any time prior to a Change in Control, the Company shall have the right to direct the Trustee to pay to the Company any assets held in the Trust. Except as provided in Sections 2 and 3, after the Trust has become irrevocable, Company shall have no right or power to direct Trustee to return to Company or to divert to others any of the Trust assets before all payment of benefits have been made to Plan participants and their beneficiaries pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and all expenses of the Trust currently due and owing have been paid.
Section 5
Investment Authority
5.1 Company shall direct Trustee and Trustee will invest the Trust assets and dispose of the Trust assets only as directed in writing by Company or the designated investment manager or managers, as applicable. No Plan participant shall have any right to direct Trustee as to the investment of the Trust assets, except as authorized in the Plan. Company shall have the right at any time, and from time to time in its sole discretion, to substitute assets of equal fair market value for any asset held by the Trust. This right is exercisable by Company in a nonfiduciary capacity without the approval or consent of any person in a fiduciary capacity.
(a) The Company shall, subject to this Section, direct the Trustee with respect to investments.
(1) The Company may direct the Trustee to segregate all or a portion of the funds of the Trust in a separate investment account or accounts and may appoint one or more investment managers and/or an investment committee established by the Company to direct the investment and reinvestment of each such investment account or accounts. In such event, the Company shall notify the Trustee of the appointment of each such investment manager and/or investment committee.
(2) Thereafter the Trustee shall make every sale or investment with respect to such investment account as directed in writing by the investment manager or investment committee. It shall be the duty of the Trustee to act strictly in accordance with each direction.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee, without obtaining prior approval or direction from an investment manager or investment committee, shall invest cash balances held by it from time to time in short term cash equivalents including, but not limited to, through the medium of any short term fund established and maintained by the Trustee subject to the instrument establishing such trust fund, U.S. Treasury Bills, commercial paper (including such forms of commercial paper as may be available through the Trustee’s Trust Department), certificates of deposit (including certificates issued by the Trustee in its separate corporate capacity), and similar type securities, with a maturity not to exceed one year; and, furthermore, sell such short term investments as may be necessary to carry out the instructions of an investment manager or investment committee regarding more permanent type investment and directed distributions. In general, investments shall remain in such short-term funds no longer than seven (7) days.
(b) The Company shall have, in its sole discretion, the authority and the power to direct the Trustee in investing and reinvesting the funds of the Trust:
(1) To invest and reinvest in any readily marketable common and preferred stocks, bonds, notes, debentures (including convertible stocks and securities but not including any stock or security of the Trustee other than a de minimus amount held in a mutual fund), certificates of deposit or demand or time deposits (including any such deposits with the Trustee), and mutual funds, without being limited to the classes or property in which the Trustee is authorized to invest by any law or any rule of court of any state and without regard to the proportion any such property may bear to the entire amount of the funds of the Trust. Without limitation, the Trustee may invest the Trust in any investment company (including any investment company or companies for which Wells Fargo Bank, National Association or an affiliated company acts as the investment advisor) or, any insurance contract or contracts issued by an insurance company or companies, including life insurance contracts on the life of one or more Plan participants, in each case as the Trustee may determine provided that the Trustee may in its sole discretion keep such portion of the Trust in cash or cash balances for such reasonable periods as may from time to time be deemed advisable pending investment or in order to meet contemplated payments of benefits;
(2) To invest and reinvest all or any portion of the funds of the Trust collectively through the medium of any proprietary mutual fund that may be established and maintained by the Trustee;
(3) To commingle for investment purposes all or any portion of the funds of the Trust with assets of any other similar trust or trusts established by the Company with the Trustee for the purpose of safeguarding deferred compensation or retirement income benefits of its employees and/or directors;
(4) To retain any property at any time received by the Trustee;
(5) To sell or exchange any property held by it at public or private sale, for cash or on credit, to grant and exercise options for the purchase or exchange thereof, to exercise all conversion or subscription rights pertaining to any such property and to enter into any covenant or agreement to purchase any property in the future;
(6) To participate in any plan of reorganization, consolidation, merger, combination, liquidation or other similar plan relating to property held by it and to consent to or oppose
any such plan or any action thereunder or any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase, sale or other action by any person;
(7) To deposit any property held by it with any protective, reorganization or similar committee, to delegate discretionary power thereto, and to pay part of the expenses and compensation thereof for any assessments levied with respect to any such property to be deposited;
(8) To hold uninvested any moneys received by it, without liability for interest thereon, but only for a reasonable period of time in anticipation of payments due for investments, reinvestments, expenses or disbursements;
(9) To exercise any and all voting rights associated with Trust assets, give proxies, participate in any voting trusts, mergers, consolidations or liquidations, tender shares and exercise stock subscription or conversion rights;
(10) To employ, upon separate written agreement with the Company, suitable contractors and counsel, who may be counsel to the Company or to the Trustee, and to pay their reasonable expenses and compensation from the Fund to the extent not paid by the Company;
(11) To register investments in its own name or in the name of a nominee; and to combine certificates representing securities with certificates of the same issue held by it in other fiduciary capacities or to deposit or to arrange for the deposit of such securities with any depository, even though, when so deposited, such securities may be held in the name of the nominee of such depository with other securities deposited therewith by other persons, or to deposit or to arrange for the deposit of any securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government, or any agency or instrumentality thereof, including securities evidenced by book entries rather than by certificates, with the United States Department of the Treasury or a Federal Reserve Bank, even though, when so deposited, such securities may not be held separate from securities deposited therein by other persons; provided, however, that no securities held in the funds of the Trust shall be deposited with the United States Department of the Treasury or a Federal Reserve Bank or other depository in the same account as any individual property of the Trustee, and provided, further, that the books and records of the Trustee shall at all times show that all such securities are part of the Trust funds of the Trust;
(12) To settle, compromise or submit to arbitration any claims, debts or damages due or owing to or from the Trust, respectively, to commence or defend suits or legal proceedings to protect any interest of the Trust, and to represent the Trust in all suits or legal proceedings in any court or before any other body or tribunal; provided, however, that the Trustee shall not be required to take any such action unless it shall have been indemnified by the Company to its reasonable satisfaction against liability or expenses it might incur therefrom;
(13) To hold any other class of assets which may be contributed by the Company and that is deemed reasonable by the Trustee, unless expressly prohibited herein;
(14) To loan any securities at any time held by it to brokers or dealers upon such security as may be deemed advisable, and during the terms of any such loan to permit the loaned securities to be transferred into the name of and voted by the borrower or others; and
(15) Generally, to do all acts, whether or not expressly authorized, that the Trustee may deem necessary or desirable for the protection of the funds of the Trust.
(c) The Company shall have the right at any time, and from time to time in its sole discretion, to substitute assets (other than securities issued by the Trustee or the Company) of equal fair market value for any asset held by the Trust. This right is exercisable by the Company in a nonfiduciary capacity without the approval or consent of any person in a fiduciary capacity.
(d) The Trustee shall neither be liable nor responsible for any loss resulting to the funds of the Trust by reason of any sale or purchase of an investment directed by the Company, an investment manager or investment committee nor by reason of the failure to take any action with respect to any investment which was acquired pursuant to any such direction in the absence of further directions of the Company, such investment manager or investment committee.
(e) All rights associated with any investment held by the Trust, including but not limited to, exercising or voting of proxies, in person or by general or limited proxy, shall be in accordance with and as directed in writing by the Company or its authorized representative.
Section 6
Disposition of Income
6.1 During the term of this Trust, all of the income received by the Trust, net of expenses and taxes, shall be added to the principal of the Trust and reinvested.
Section 7
Accounting by Trustee
7.1 Trustee shall keep accurate and detailed records of all investments, receipts, disbursements, and all other transactions required to be made, including such specific records as shall be agreed upon in writing between Company and Trustee. Within 60 days following the close of each calendar year and within 30 days after the removal or resignation of Trustee, Trustee shall deliver to Company a written account of its administration of the Trust during such year or during the period from the close of the last preceding year to the date of such removal or resignation, setting forth all investments, receipts, disbursements, and other transactions effected by it, including a description of all securities and investments purchased and sold with the cost or net proceeds of such purchases or sales (accrued interest paid or receivable being shown separately), and showing all cash, securities, and other property held in the Trust at the end of such year or as of the date of such removal or resignation, as the case may be. If the fair market value of an asset in the funds of the Trust is not available when necessary for accounting or reporting purposes, the fair value of the asset shall be determined in good faith by the Company, assuming an orderly liquidation at the time of such determination. If there is a disagreement between the Trustee and anyone as to any act or transaction reported in an accounting, the Trustee shall have the right to have its account settled by a court of competent jurisdiction. At the direction of the Company, the Trustee shall be entitled to hold and to
commingle the assets of the Trust in one funds of the Trust for investment purposes and may create one or more sub-accounts.
(b) Upon the expiration of 180 days from the date of filing such annual or other account, the Trustee shall be forever released and discharged from any liability or accountability to anyone with respect to the propriety of its acts or transactions shown in such account except with respect to any acts or transactions as to which the Company shall within such 180 day period file with the Trustee a written statement claiming negligence, willful misconduct or lack of good faith on the part of the Trustee.
(c) The Trustee shall retain its records relating to the Trust as long as necessary for the proper administration thereof and at least for any period required by applicable law or six (6) years, whichever is longer.
Section 8
Responsibility of Trustee
8.1 Trustee shall act with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims; provided, however, that Trustee shall incur no liability to any person for any action taken pursuant to a direction, request, or approval given by Company that is contemplated by, and in conformity with, the terms of the Plan or this Trust and is given in writing by Company.
8.2 The Company hereby indemnifies the Trustee against losses, liabilities, claims, costs and expenses in connection with the administration of the Trust, unless resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Trustee, or a breach of trust committed in bad faith or with reckless indifference to the purpose of the trust or the interest of the participants or beneficiaries. The Trustee shall be indemnified and saved harmless by the Company from and against any and all personal liability to which the Trustee may be subjected by carrying out any directions of the Company, an investment manager or investment committee issued pursuant hereto or for failure to act in the absence of directions of the Company, investment manager or investment committee; provided, however, the Trustee shall not be so indemnified if it participates knowingly in, or knowingly undertakes to conceal, an act or omission of the Company, an investment manager or investment committee. The Trustee may rely upon any order, certificate, notice, direction or other documentary confirmation purporting to have been issued by the Company, investment manager or investment committee which the Trustee believes to be genuine and to have been issued by the Company, investment manager or investment committee. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the termination of the appointment of any investment manager or investment committee until it receives written notice thereof from the Company. Upon separate written consent of the Company, the Trustee may undertake or defend any litigation arising in connection with this Trust or to protect a Participant’s or Beneficiary’s rights under the Plan. In such case, and only upon separate written consent of the Company, the Company agrees to indemnify the Trustee against the Trustee's costs, reasonable expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and expenses) relating thereto and to
be primarily liable for such payments. This indemnification and any other hold harmless provisions in this Trust Agreement shall survive the termination of this Trust Agreement.
8.3 Trustee may consult with legal counsel (who may also be counsel for Company generally) with respect to any of its duties or obligations hereunder.
8.4 Trustee may hire agents, accountants, actuaries, investment advisors, financial consultants, or other professionals to assist it in performing any of its duties or obligations hereunder.
8.5 Trustee shall have, without exclusion, all powers conferred on Trustees by applicable law, unless expressly provided otherwise herein; provided, however, that if an insurance policy is held as an asset of the Trust, Trustee shall have no power to name a beneficiary of the policy other than the Trust, to assign the policy (as distinct from conversion of the policy to a different form) other than to a successor Trustee, or to loan to any person the proceeds of any borrowing against such policy.
8.6 Notwithstanding any powers granted to Trustee pursuant to this Trust Agreement or to applicable law, Trustee shall not have any power that could give this Trust the objective of carrying on a business and dividing the gains therefrom, within the meaning of section 301.7701-2 of the Procedure and Administrative Regulations promulgated pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.
8.7 The Trustee is not a party to, and has no duties or responsibilities under, the Plan other than those that may be expressly contained in this Trust Agreement.
8.8 The Trustee shall have no duties, responsibilities or liability with respect to the acts or omissions of any prior or successor Trustee.
Section 9
Compensation and Expenses of Trustee
9.1 Company shall pay all administrative and Trustee’s fees and expenses, except for administrative expenses charged to an individual participant’s account (e.g., distribution fee). Absent dispute, if not so paid by the Company within 45 days of the Company’s receipt of the invoice, the fees and expenses shall be paid from the Trust.
Section 10
Resignation and Removal of Trustee
10.1 Trustee may resign at any time by written notice to Company, which shall be effective 60 days after receipt of such notice unless Company and Trustee agree otherwise.
10.2 Trustee may be removed by Company on 30-days’ notice or upon shorter notice accepted by Trustee.
10.3 Upon a Change in Control, Company may remove Trustee only with the consent of 75% or more of all participants and the primary beneficiary of any deceased participant.
10.4 Upon resignation or removal of Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee, all assets shall subsequently be transferred to the successor Trustee. The transfer shall be completed within 30 days after receipt of notice of resignation, removal, or transfer, unless Company extends the time limit.
10.5 If Trustee resigns or is removed, a successor shall be appointed, in accordance with Section 11, by the effective date of resignation or removal under Section 10.1 or 10.2. If no such appointment has been made, Trustee may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for appointment of a successor or for instructions. All expenses of Trustee in connection with the proceeding shall be allowed as administrative expenses of the Trust.
Section 11
Appointment of Successor
11.1 If Trustee resigns or is removed, Company may appoint any third party, such as a bank trust department or other party that may be granted corporate trustee powers under state law, as a successor to replace Trustee upon resignation or removal. The appointment shall be effective when accepted in writing by the new Trustee, who shall have all of the rights and powers of the former Trustee, including ownership rights in the Trust assets, unless provided otherwise in the agreement with the successor Trustee. The former Trustee shall execute any instrument necessary or reasonably requested by Company or the successor Trustee to evidence the transfer.
11.2 The successor Trustee need not examine the records and acts of any prior Trustee and may retain or dispose of existing Trust assets, subject to Sections 7 and 8. The successor Trustee shall not be responsible
for and Company shall indemnify and defend the successor Trustee from any claim or liability resulting from any action or inaction of any prior Trustee or from any other past event.
Section 12
Amendment or Termination
12.1 This Trust may be amended by a written instrument executed by Trustee and Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such amendment shall conflict with the terms of the Plan or shall make the Trust revocable after it has become irrevocable in accordance with Section 1.2. Actions on behalf of Company shall be taken by the Board of Directors of Gentex Corporation, or any committee delegated such authority by the Company (“Committee”). Further, the Company (or Committee to the extent delegated) shall have the authority to take any action that the Company (or Committee) is authorized to take under the terms of the Trust.
12.2 The Trust shall not terminate until the date on which Plan participants and their beneficiaries are no longer entitled to benefits pursuant to the terms of the Plan, unless sooner revoked in accordance with Section 1.2. Upon termination of the Trust, any assets remaining in the Trust shall be returned to Company.
12.3 Upon written approval of par-ticipants or beneficiaries entitled to payment of benefits pursuant to the terms of the Plan, Company may terminate this Trust prior to the time all benefit payments under the Plan have been made. All assets in the Trust at termination shall be returned to Company.
Section 13
Miscellaneous
13.1 Any provision of this Trust Agreement prohibited by law shall be ineffective to the extent of any such prohibition, without invalidating the remaining provisions.
13.2 Benefits payable to Plan participants and their beneficiaries under this Trust Agreement may not be anticipated, assigned (either at law or in equity), alienated, pledged, encumbered, or subjected to attachment, garnishment, levy, execution, or other legal or equitable process.
13.3 This Trust Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Michigan.
13.4 For purposes of this Trust, a “Change in Control” has the definition set forth in the Plan.
13.5 If a provision of this Trust Agreement requires that a communication or document be provided to the Trustee in writing or written form, that requirement may also be satisfied by a facsimile transmission, electronic mail or other electronic transmission of text (including electronic records attached thereto), if the Trustee reasonably believes such communication or document has been signed, sent or presented (as applicable) by any person or entity authorized to act on behalf of the Company. Any electronic mail or other electronic transmission of text will be deemed signed by the sender if the sender’s name or electronic address appears as part of, or is transmitted with, the electronic record. The Trustee will not incur any liability to anyone resulting from actions reasonably taken in good faith reliance on such communication or document. Nor shall the Trustee incur any liability in executing instructions from any person or entity authorized to act on behalf of the Company prior to receipt by it of notice of the revocation of the written authority of such person or entity.
Section 14
Effective Date
14.1 The effective date of this Trust Agreement shall be May 1, 2019.
SECTION 15
Confidentiality
15.1 This Trust Agreement and certain information relating to the Trust is "Confidential Information" pursuant to applicable federal and state law, and as such it shall be maintained in confidence and not disclosed, used or duplicated, except as described in this Section. If it is necessary for the Trustee to disclose Confidential Information to a third party in order to perform the Trustee's duties hereunder and the Company has authorized the Trustee to do so, the Trustee shall disclose only such Confidential Information as is necessary for such third party to perform its obligations to the Trustee and shall, before such disclosure is made, ensure that said third party understands and agrees to the confidentiality obligations set forth herein. The Trustee and the Company shall maintain appropriate information security programs and adequate administrative and physical safeguards to prevent the unauthorized disclosure, misuse, alteration or destruction of Confidential Information, and shall inform the other party as soon as possible of any security breach or other incident involving possible unauthorized disclosure of or access to Confidential Information. Confidential Information shall be returned to the disclosing party upon request. Confidential Information does not include information that is generally known or available to the public, provided, however, that this exception shall not apply to any publicly available information to the extent
that the disclosure or sharing of the information by one or both parties is subject to any limitation, restriction, consent, or notification requirement under any applicable federal or state information privacy law or regulation. If the receiving party is required by law to disclose Confidential Information, the receiving party may do so without breaching this Section, but shall first provide the disclosing party with prompt written notice of such pending disclosure so that the disclosing party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy or waive compliance with the provisions of this Section, unless such notice is prohibited by law.
SECTION 16
Force Majeure
16.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any losses to the Funds of the Trust resulting from any event beyond the reasonable control of the Trustee, including but not limited to nationalization, expropriation, seizure, eminent domain or similar action by any governmental authority; or enactment, promulgation, imposition or enforcement by any such governmental authority of currency restrictions, exchange controls, levies or other charges affecting the Trust’s property; or the breakdown, failure or malfunction of any utility, telecommunication, or computer systems that is not owned or controlled by the Trustee; or any order or regulation of any banking or securities industry including changes in market rules and market conditions affecting the execution or settlement of transactions; or poor or incomplete data provided by the Company; or acts of war, terrorism, insurrection or revolution; or acts of God; or any other similar event.
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Signatures appear on the following page.
Gentex Corporation Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
By:_________________________________ By:_________________________________
Its:_________________________________ Its:_________________________________