UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
Current Report
Pursuant To Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) – September 10, 2004
ACE LIMITED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Cayman Islands |
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1-11778 |
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98-0091805 |
(State or other jurisdiction) |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(I.R.S. Employer of Incorporation
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ACE Global Headquarters
17 Woodbourne Avenue
Hamilton HM 08 Bermuda
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (441) 295-5200
Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions ( see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
ACE Limited has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. These agreements are in furtherance of the Company’s Articles of Association which require the Company to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law. The indemnification agreements provide for indemnification arising out of specified indemnifiable events and provide for advancement of expenses. The indemnification agreements set forth procedures relating to indemnification claims. For the complete terms of the indemnification agreements, see the form of the indemnification agreement which is attached as an exhibit hereto and which is incorporated herein by reference.
ACE is also filing the forms of restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards and option terms under the ACE Limited 2004 Long‑Term Incentive Plan. The ACE Limited 2004 Long‑Term Incentive Plan was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to ACE Limited’s Form 10‑Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
*Management Contract or Compensation Plan
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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ACE LIMITED |
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Peter Mear
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DATE: September 10, 2004
EXHIBIT INDEX
*Management Contract or Incentive Plan
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is entered into, effective as of _____________ by and between ACE Limited, a Cayman Islands company (the “Company”), and ______________ (“Indemnitee”).
WHEREAS, it is essential to the Company to retain and attract as directors and officers the most capable persons available;
WHEREAS, Indemnitee is a director and/or officer of the Company;
WHEREAS, both the Company and Indemnitee recognize the increased risk of litigation and other claims currently being asserted against directors and officers of corporations;
WHEREAS, the Articles of Association of the Company require the Company to indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, and permit the Company to advance expenses relating to the defense of indemnification matters, and the Indemnitee has been serving and continues to serve as a director and/or officer of the Company in part in reliance on the Company’s Articles of Association; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee’s need for (i) substantial protection against personal liability based on Indemnitee’s reliance on the aforesaid Articles of Association, (ii) specific contractual assurance that the protection promised by the Articles of Association will be available to Indemnitee (regardless of, among other things, any amendment to or revocation of the Articles of Association or any change in the composition of the Company’s Board of Directors or acquisition transaction relating to the Company), and (iii) an inducement to provide effective services to the Company as a director and/or officer, the Company wishes to provide in this Agreement for the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to Indemnitee to the fullest extent (whether partial or complete) permitted under law and as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent insurance is maintained, to provide for the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the Company’s directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises and of Indemnitee continuing to serve the Company directly or, at its request, with another enterprise, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:
1. Certain Definitions :
2. Agreement to Indemnify .
3. Reviewing Party . Prior to any Change in Control, the Reviewing Party shall be any appropriate person or body consisting of a member or members of the Board or any other person or body appointed by the Board who is not a party to the particular Proceeding with respect to which Indemnitee is seeking indemnification; after a Change in Control, the Independent Counsel referred to below shall become the Reviewing Party. With respect to all matters arising after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) concerning the rights of Indemnitee to indemnity payments and Expense Advances under this Agreement or any other agreement or under applicable law or the Company’s Articles of Association now or hereafter in effect relating to indemnification for Indemnifiable Events, the Company shall seek legal advice only from Independent Counsel selected by Indemnitee and approved by the Company (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld), and who has not otherwise performed services for the Company or the Indemnitee (other than in connection with indemnification matters) within the last five years. The Independent Counsel shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement. Such counsel, among other things, shall render its written opinion to the Company and Indemnitee as to whether and to what extent the Indemnitee should be permitted to be indemnified under applicable law. The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees of the Independent Counsel and to indemnify fully such counsel against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities, loss, and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the engagement of Independent Counsel pursuant hereto.
4. Indemnification Process and Appeal .
5. Indemnification for Expenses Incurred in Enforcing Rights . The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against any and all Expenses that are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action brought by Indemnitee for
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(a) indemnification or advance payment of Expenses by the Company under this Agreement or any other agreement or
under applicable law or the Company’s Articles of Association now or hereafter in effect relating to indemnification for Indemnifiable Events, and/or
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(b) recovery under directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company, but
only in the event that Indemnitee ultimately is determined to be entitled to such indemnification or insurance recovery, as the case may be. In addition, the Company shall, if so requested by Indemnitee, advance the foregoing Expenses to Indemnitee, subject to and in
accordance with Section 2(c).
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6. Notification and Defense of Proceeding .
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(a)
Notice
. Promptly after receipt by Indemnitee of notice of the commencement of any Proceeding, Indemnitee
shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company under this Agreement, notify the Company of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have to Indemnitee,
except as provided in Section 6(c).
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(b)
Defense
. With respect to any Proceeding as to which Indemnitee notifies the Company of the commencement
thereof, the Company will be entitled to participate in the Proceeding at its own expense and except as otherwise provided below, to the extent the Company so wishes, it may assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitee. After notice
from the Company to Indemnitee of its election to assume the defense of any Proceeding, the Company shall not be liable to Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise for any Expenses subsequently incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such
Proceeding other than reasonable costs of investigation or as otherwise provided below. Indemnitee shall have the right to employ legal counsel in such Proceeding, but all Expenses related thereto incurred after notice from the Company of its assumption of the
defense shall be at Indemnitee’s expense unless: (i) the employment of legal counsel by Indemnitee has been authorized by the Company, (ii) Indemnitee has reasonably determined that there may be a conflict of interest between Indemnitee and the Company in the
defense of the Proceeding, (iii) after a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control), the employment of counsel by Indemnitee has been approved
by the Independent Counsel, or (iv) the Company shall not in fact have employed counsel to assume the defense of such Proceeding, in each of which cases all Expenses of the Proceeding shall be borne by the Company. The Company shall not be entitled to assume the
defense of any Proceeding brought by or on behalf of the Company or as to which Indemnitee shall have made the determination provided for in (ii), (iii) and (iv) above.
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(c)
Settlement of Claims
. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee under this Agreement or
otherwise for any amounts paid in settlement of any Proceeding effected without the Company’s written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided, however, that if a Change in Control has occurred (other than a Change in Control approved by
a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control), the Company shall be liable for indemnification of Indemnitee for amounts paid in settlement if the Independent Counsel has approved the settlement. The Company
shall not settle any Proceeding in any manner that would impose any penalty or limitation on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s written consent. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify the Indemnitee under this Agreement with regard to any judicial award if
the Company was not given a reasonable and timely opportunity, at its expense, to participate in the defense of such action; the Company’s liability hereunder shall not be excused if participation in the Proceeding by the Company was barred by this
Agreement.
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7. Establishment of Trust . In the event of a Change in Control (other than a Change in Control approved by a majority of the directors on the Board who were directors immediately prior to such Change in Control) the Company shall, upon written request by Indemnitee, create a Trust for the benefit of the Indemnitee and from time to time upon written request of Indemnitee shall fund the Trust in an amount sufficient to satisfy any and all Expenses reasonably anticipated at the time of each such request to be incurred in connection with investigating, preparing for, participating in, and/or defending any Proceeding relating to an Indemnifiable Event. The amount or amounts to be deposited in the Trust pursuant to the foregoing funding obligation shall be determined by the Independent Counsel. The terms of the Trust shall provide that (i) the Trust shall not be revoked or the principal thereof invaded without the written consent of the Indemnitee, (ii) the Trustee shall advance, within ten business days of a request by the Indemnitee, any and all Expenses to the Indemnitee (and the Indemnitee hereby agrees to reimburse the Trust under the same circumstances for which the Indemnitee would be required to reimburse the Company under Section 2(c) of this Agreement), (iii) the Trust shall continue to be funded by the Company in accordance with the funding obligation set forth above, (iv) the Trustee shall promptly pay to the Indemnitee all amounts for which the Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise, and (v) all unexpended funds in the Trust shall revert to the Company upon a final determination by the Independent Counsel or a court of competent jurisdiction, as the case may be, that the Indemnitee has been fully indemnified under the terms of this Agreement. The Trustee shall be chosen by the Indemnitee. Nothing in this Section 7 shall relieve the Company of any of its obligations under this Agreement. All income earned on the assets held in the Trust shall be reported as income by the Company for federal, state, local, and foreign tax purposes. The Company shall pay all costs of establishing and maintaining the Trust and shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all expenses (including attorneys’ fees), claims, liabilities, loss, and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the establishment and maintenance of the Trust.
8. Non-Exclusivity . The rights of Indemnitee hereunder shall be in addition to any other rights Indemnitee may have under the Company’s Articles of Association, applicable law, or otherwise; provided, however, that this Agreement shall supersede any prior indemnification agreement between the Company and the Indemnitee. To the extent that a change in applicable law (whether by statute or judicial decision) permits greater indemnification than would be afforded currently under the Company’s Articles of Association, applicable law, or this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties that Indemnitee enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change.
9. Liability Insurance . To the extent the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing general and/or directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the coverage available for any Company director or officer.
10. Continuation of Contractual Indemnity or Period of Limitations . All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein shall continue for so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to, or involved in, any proceeding for which indemnification is provided pursuant to this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no legal action shall be brought and no cause of action shall be asserted by or on behalf of the Company or any Affiliate of the Company against Indemnitee, Indemnitee’s spouse, heirs, executors, or personal or legal representatives after the expiration of two years from the date of accrual of such cause of action, or such longer period as may be required by Cayman Islands law under the circumstances. Any claim or cause of action of the Company or its Affiliate shall be extinguished and deemed released unless asserted by the timely filing and notice of a legal action within such period; provided, however, that if any shorter period of limitations is otherwise applicable to any such cause of action, the shorter period shall govern.
11. Amendment of this Agreement . No supplement, modification, or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by both of the parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be binding unless in the form of a writing signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver is sought, and no such waiver shall operate as a waiver of any other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver. Except as specifically provided herein, no failure to exercise or any delay in exercising any right or remedy hereunder shall constitute a waiver thereof.
12. Subrogation . In the event of payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and shall do everything that may be necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of such documents necessary to enable the Company effectively to bring suit to enforce such rights.
13. No Duplication of Payments . The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment in connection with any claim made against Indemnitee to the extent Indemnitee has otherwise received payment (under any insurance policy, Articles of Association, or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder.
14. Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors (including any direct or indirect successor by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company), assigns, spouses, heirs, and personal and legal representatives. The Company shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all, substantially all, or a substantial part, of the business and/or assets of the Company, by written agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Indemnitee, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. The indemnification provided under this Agreement shall continue as to Indemnitee for any action taken or not taken while serving in an indemnified capacity pertaining to an Indemnifiable Event even though he may have ceased to serve in such capacity at the time of any Proceeding.
15. Severability . If any provision (or portion thereof) of this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. Furthermore, to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of this Agreement containing any provision held to be invalid, void, or otherwise unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, void, or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, void, or unenforceable.
16. Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed in such State without giving effect to its principles of conflicts of laws.
17. Notices . All notices, demands, and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered by hand, against receipt, or mailed, postage prepaid, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed to the Company at:
ACE Limited
ACE Global Headquarters
17 Woodbourne Avenue
Hamilton HM08 Bermuda
Attention: General Counsel
and to Indemnitee at:
INDEMNITEE NAME
ADDRESS 1
ADDRESS 2
Notice of change of address shall be effective only when given in accordance with this Section. All notices complying with this Section shall be deemed to have been received on the date of hand delivery or on the third business day after mailing.
18. Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed and delivered this Agreement as of the day specified above.
ACE LIMITED
By: ____________________________
Its: ____________________________
INDEMNITEE
_________________________________
Typed Name:
Restricted Stock Award Terms
under
the
ACE Limited 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Participant has been granted a Restricted Stock Award by ACE Limited (the "Company") under the ACE Limited 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to the following Restricted Stock Award Terms:
1. Terms of Award . The following words and phrases used in these Restricted Stock Award Terms shall have the meanings set forth in this paragraph 1:
(a) The "Participant” is the individual recipient of the Restricted Stock Award on the specified Grant Date.
(b) The "Grant Date" is [Insert Date] .
(c) The number of "Covered Shares" shall be that number of shares of Stock awarded to the Participant on the Grant Date as reflected in the corporate records and shown in the Record-Keeping System in the Participant’s individual account records.
Other words and phrases used in these Restricted Stock Award Terms are defined pursuant to paragraph 9 or elsewhere in these Restricted Stock Award Terms.
2. Restricted Period . Subject to the limitations of These Restricted Stock Award Terms, the "Restricted Period" for each Installment of Covered Shares of the Restricted Stock Award shall begin on the Grant Date and end as described in the following schedule (but only if the Date of Termination has not occurred before end of the Restricted Period):
INSTALLMENT |
RESTRICTED
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¼ of Covered Shares |
One year anniversary of the Grant Date |
¼ of Covered Shares |
Two year anniversary of the Grant Date |
¼ of Covered Shares |
Three year anniversary of the Grant Date |
¼ of Covered Shares |
Four year anniversary of the Grant Date |
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 2, if the Change in Control occurs both (i) on or before the Date of Termination and (ii) when the Restricted Period for one or more Installments of Covered Shares has not previously occurred, the Restricted Period for such Installments shall end upon a Change in Control.
3. Transfer and Forfeiture of Shares . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Participant shall forfeit the Installments of the Covered Shares as of the Participant's Date of Termination, if such Date of Termination occurs prior to the end of the Restricted Period which applies to those Installments. If the Participant's Date of Termination has not occurred prior to the last day of the Restricted Period with respect to any Installment of the Covered Shares, then, at the end of such Restricted Period, that Installment of Covered Shares shall be transferred to the Participant free of all restrictions.
4. Withholding . All deliveries and distributions under These Restricted Stock Award Terms are subject to withholding of all applicable taxes. At the election of the Participant, and subject to such rules and limitations as may be established by the Committee from time to time, such withholding obligations may be satisfied through the surrender of shares of Stock which the Participant already owns, or to which the Participant is otherwise entitled under the Plan; provided, however, that such shares may be used to satisfy not more than the Company's minimum statutory withholding obligation (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for Federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income).
5. Transferability . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, the Restricted Stock Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledge or otherwise encumbered during the Restricted Period.
6. Dividends . The Participant shall not be prevented from receiving dividends and distributions paid on the Covered Shares of Restricted Stock merely because those shares are subject to the restrictions imposed by these Restricted Stock Award Terms and the Plan; provided, however that no dividends or distributions shall be payable to or for the benefit of the Participant with respect to record dates for such dividends or distributions for any Covered Shares occurring on or after the date, if any, on which the Participant has forfeited those shares.
7. Voting . The Participant shall not be prevented from voting the Restricted Stock Award merely because those shares are subject to the restrictions imposed by these Restricted Stock Award Terms and the Plan; provided, however, that the Participant shall not be entitled to vote Covered Shares with respect to record dates for any Covered Shares occurring on or after the date, if any, on which the Participant has forfeited those shares.
8. Deposit of Restricted Stock Award . Each certificate issued in respect of the Covered Shares awarded under these Restricted Stock Award Terms shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall be deposited in a bank designated by the Committee.
9. Definitions . For purposes of these Restricted Stock Award Terms, words and phrases shall be defined as follows:
(a) Change in Control . The term "Change in Control" shall be defined as set forth in the Plan.
(b) Date of Termination . A Participant's "Date of Termination" means, with respect to an employee, the date on which the Participant's employment with the Company and Related Companies terminates for any reason, and with respect to a Director, the date immediately following the last day on which the Participant serves as a Director; provided that a Date of Termination shall not be deemed to occur by reason of a Participant's transfer of employment between the Company and a Related Company or between two Related Companies; further provided that a Date of Termination shall not be deemed to occur by reason of a Participant's cessation of service as a Director if immediately following such cessation of service the Participant becomes or continues to be employed by the Company or a Related Company, nor by reason of a Participant's termination of employment with the Company or a Related Company if immediately following such termination of employment the Participant becomes or continues to be a Director; and further provided that a Participant's employment shall not be considered terminated while the Participant is on a leave of absence from the Company or a Related Company approved by the Participant's employer.
(c) Director . The term "Director" means a member of the Board, who may or may not be an employee of the Company or a Related Company.
(d) Plan Definitions . Except where the context clearly implies or indicates the contrary, a word, term, or phrase used in the Plan is similarly used in these Restricted Stock Terms.
10. Heirs and Successors . These Restricted Stock Terms shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns, and upon any person acquiring, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise, all or substantially all of the Company's assets and business. If any benefits deliverable to the Participant under these Restricted Stock Terms have not been delivered at the time of the Participant's death, such benefits shall be delivered to the Designated Beneficiary, in accordance with the provisions of these Restricted Stock Terms and the Plan. The "Designated Beneficiary" shall be the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the Participant in a writing filed with the Committee in such form and at such time as the Committee shall require. If a deceased Participant fails to designate a beneficiary, or if the Designated Beneficiary does not survive the Participant, any rights that would have been exercisable by the Participant and any benefits distributable to the Participant shall be distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Participant. If a deceased Participant designates a beneficiary and the Designated Beneficiary survives the Participant but dies before the complete distribution of benefits to the Designated Beneficiary under these Restricted Stock Terms, then any benefits distributable to the Designated Beneficiary shall be distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Designated Beneficiary.
11. Administration . The authority to manage and control the operation and administration of these Restricted Stock Award Terms shall be vested in the Committee, and the Committee shall have all powers with respect to these Restricted Stock Award Terms as it has with respect to the Plan. Any interpretation of these Restricted Stock Award Terms by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to these Restricted Stock Award Terms are final and binding on all persons.
12. Plan and Corporate Records Govern . Notwithstanding anything in these Restricted Stock Award Terms to the contrary, these Restricted Stock Award Terms shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, a copy of which may be obtained by the Participant from the office of the Secretary of the Company; and these Restricted Stock Award Terms are subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations promulgated by the Committee from time to time pursuant to the Plan. Notwithstanding anything in the Restricted Stock Terms to the contrary, in the event of any discrepancies between the corporate records regarding this award and the Record-Keeping System, the corporate records shall control.
13. Not An Employment Contract . The Restricted Stock Award will not confer on the Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Related Company, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Related Company would otherwise have to terminate or modify the terms of such Participant's employment or other service at any time.
14. Notices . Any written notices provided for in these Restricted Stock Award Terms or the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given if either hand delivered or if sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail. Notices sent by mail shall be deemed received three business days after mailing but in no event later than the date of actual receipt. Notices shall be directed, if to the Participant, at the Participant's address indicated by the Company's records, or if to the Company, at the Company's principal executive office.
15. Fractional Shares . In lieu of issuing a fraction of a share, resulting from an adjustment of the Restricted Stock Award pursuant to paragraph 5.2(f) of the Plan or otherwise, the Company will be entitled to pay to the Participant an amount equal to the fair market value of such fractional share.
16. Amendment . These Restricted Stock Award Terms may be amended in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, and may otherwise be amended by written agreement of the Participant and the Company without the consent of any other person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the Grant Date.
ACE LIMITED
By: ______________________________________________________
Its: ______________________________________________________
Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms
under the
ACE Limited 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Participant has been granted a Restricted Stock Unit Award by ACE Limited (the "Company") under the ACE Limited 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Restricted Stock Unit Award shall be subject to the following Restricted Stock Unit A ward Terms:
1. Terms of Award . Subject to the following Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms, the Participant has been granted the right to receive shares of Stock of the Company (“Units”) as of the Delivery Date. Each “Unit” represents the right to receive one share of Stock. The following words and phrases used in these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms shall have the meanings set forth in this paragraph 1:
(a) The "Participant" is the individual recipient of the Unit Award on the specified Grant Date.
(b) The "Grant Date" is [Insert the date] .
(c) The number of "Units" shall be that number of Units awarded to the Participant on the Grant Date as reflected in the corporate records and shown in the Record-Keeping System in the Participant’s individual account records.
(d) The “Delivery Date” shall be end of the Restricted Period, with respect to the applicable Units.
(e) Other words and phrases used in these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms are defined pursuant to paragraph 9 or elsewhere in these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms.
2. Restricted Period . Subject to the limitations of these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms, the "Restricted Period" for each Installment of Units shall begin on the Grant Date and end as described in the following schedule (but only if the Date of Termination has not occurred before end of the Restricted Period):
INSTALLMENT |
RESTRICTED
|
¼ of Restricted Stock Units |
One year anniversary of the Grant Date |
¼ of Restricted Stock Units |
Two year anniversary of the Grant Date |
¼ of Restricted Stock Units |
Three year anniversary of the Grant Date |
¼ of Restricted Stock Units |
Four year anniversary of the Grant Date |
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 2, if a Change in Control occurs both (i) on or before the Date of Termination and (ii) when the end of the Restricted Period for one or more Installments of Units has not previously occurred, the Restricted Period for such Installments shall end upon such Change in Control.
3. Transfer and Forfeiture of Shares . Except as otherwise determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Participant shall forfeit the Units as of the Participant's Date of Termination, if such Date of Termination occurs prior to the end of the Restricted Period which applies to those Installments. If the Participant's Date of Termination has not occurred prior to the last day of the Restricted Period with respect to any Installment of the Units, then, as soon as administratively practicable following the end of such Restricted Period, that Installment of Units shall be delivered to the Participant in the form of Stock free of all restrictions.
4. Withholding . All deliveries and distributions under these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms are subject to withholding of all applicable taxes. At the election of the Participant, and subject to such rules and limitations as may be established by the Committee from time to time, such withholding obligations may be satisfied through the surrender of shares of Stock which the Participant already owns, or to which the Participant is otherwise entitled under the Plan.
5. Transferability . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, the Restricted Stock Unit Award may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledge or otherwise encumbered during the Restricted Period.
6. Dividends . The Participant shall be permitted to receive cash payments equal to the dividends and distributions paid on shares of Stock to the same extent as if each Unit was a Share of Stock, and those shares were not subject to the restrictions imposed by this Agreement and the Plan; provided, however, that no dividends or distributions shall be payable to or for the benefit of the Participant with respect to record dates for such dividends or distributions occurring on or after the date, if any, on which the Participant has forfeited the Units.
7. Voting . The Participant shall not be a shareholder of record with respect to the Units and shall have no voting rights with respect to the Units during the Restricted Period.
8. Participant’s Rights to Shares . Prior to the delivery of shares of Stock which are to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement,(a) the Participant shall not be treated as owner of the shares, shall not have any rights as a shareholder as to those shares, and shall have only a contractual right to receive them, unsecured by any assets of the Company or its subsidiaries; and (b) the Participant’s right to receive such shares will be subject to the adjustment provisions relating to mergers, reorganizations, and similar events set forth in the Plan.
9. Definitions . For purposes of these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms, words and phrases shall be defined as follows:
(a) Change in Control . The term "Change in Control" shall be defined as set forth in the Plan.
(b) Date of Termination . A Participant's "Date of Termination" means, with respect to an employee, the date on which the Participant's employment with the Company and Related Companies terminates for any reason, and with respect to a Director, the date immediately following the last day on which the Participant serves as a Director; provided that a Date of Termination shall not be deemed to occur by reason of a Participant's transfer of employment between the Company and a Related Company or between two Related Companies; further provided that a Date of Termination shall not be deemed to occur by reason of a Participant's cessation of service as a Director if immediately following such cessation of service the Participant becomes or continues to be employed by the Company or a Related Company, nor by reason of a Participant's termination of employment with the Company or a Related Company if immediately following such termination of employment the Participant becomes or continues to be a Director; and further provided that a Participant's employment shall not be considered terminated while the Participant is on a leave of absence from the Company or a Related Company approved by the Participant's employer.
(c) Director . The term "Director" means a member of the Board, who may or may not be an employee of the Company or a Related Company.
(d) Record-Keeping System . The term “Record-Keeping System” means the record-keeping system developed and maintained by third parties contracted by the Company to keep records and facilitate Participant interfaces with respect to the Plan and awards granted thereunder.
10. Plan Definitions . Except where the context clearly implies or indicates the contrary, a word, term, or phrase used in the Plan is similarly used in these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms.
11. Heirs and Successors . The Restricted Stock Award Terms shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns, and upon any person acquiring, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise, all or substantially all of the Company's assets and business. If any benefits deliverable to the Participant under these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms have not been delivered at the time of the Participant's death, such benefits shall be delivered to the Designated Beneficiary, in accordance with the provisions of these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms and the Plan. The "Designated Beneficiary" shall be the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the Participant in a writing filed with the Committee in such form and at such time as the Committee shall require. If a deceased Participant fails to designate a beneficiary, or if the Designated Beneficiary does not survive the Participant, any rights that would have been exercisable by the Participant and any benefits distributable to the Participant shall be distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Participant. If a deceased Participant designates a beneficiary and the Designated Beneficiary survives the Participant but dies before the complete distribution of benefits to the Designated Beneficiary under these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms, then any benefits distributable to the Designated Beneficiary shall be distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Designated Beneficiary.
12. Administration . The authority to manage and control the operation and administration of these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms shall be vested in the Committee, and the Committee shall have all powers with respect to these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms as it has with respect to the Plan. Any interpretation of these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms are final and binding on all persons.
13. Plan and Corporate Records Govern . Notwithstanding anything in these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms to the contrary, these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, a copy of which may be obtained by the Participant from the office of the Secretary of the Company; and these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms are subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations promulgated by the Committee from time to time pursuant to the Plan. Notwithstanding anything in the Restricted Stock Unit Terms to the contrary, in the event of any discrepancies between the corporate records regarding this award and the Record-Keeping System, the corporate records shall control.
14. Not An Employment Contract . The Restricted Stock Unit Award will not confer on the Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Related Company, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Related Company would otherwise have to terminate or modify the terms of such Participant's employment or other service at any time.
15. Notices . Any written notices provided for in these Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms or the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given if either hand delivered or if sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail. Notices sent by mail shall be deemed received three business days after mailing but in no event later than the date of actual receipt. Notices shall be directed, if to the Participant, at the Participant's address indicated by the Company's records, or if to the Company, at the Company's principal executive office.
16. Fractional Shares . In lieu of issuing a fraction of a share, resulting from an adjustment of the Restricted Stock Unit Award pursuant to paragraph 5.2(f) of the Plan or otherwise, the Company will be entitled to pay to the Participant an amount equal to the fair market value of such fractional share.
17. Amendment . The Restricted Stock Unit Award Terms may be amended in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, and may otherwise be amended by written agreement of the Participant and the Company without the consent of any other person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the Grant Date.
ACE LIMITED
By: _________________________________
Its: _________________________________
Incentive Stock Option Terms
under the
ACE Limited 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Participant has been granted an Option by ACE Limited (the "Company") under the ACE Limited 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Option shall be subject to the following Incentive Stock Option Terms (sometimes referred to as the "Option Terms"):
1. Terms of Award . The following words and phrases used in these Option Terms shall have the meanings set forth in this paragraph 1:
(a) The "Participant" is the individual recipient of the Restricted Stock Award on the specified Grant Date.
(b) The "Grant Date" is [Insert Date].
(c) The number of "Covered Shares" shall be that number of shares of Stock awarded to the Participant on the Grant Date as reflected in the corporate records and shown in the Record-Keeping System in the Participant’s individual account records.
(d) The "Exercise Price" is $ [Insert Price] per share.
Other words and phrases used in these Option Terms are defined pursuant to paragraph 8 or elsewhere in these Option Terms.
2. Incentive Stock Option . The Option is intended to constitute an "incentive stock option" as that term is used in Code section 422. To the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time of grant) of Shares with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year under all plans of the Company and its Subsidiaries exceeds $100,000, the options or portions thereof which exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) shall be treated as nonstatutory stock options. It should be understood that there is no assurance that the Option will, in fact, be treated as an incentive stock option.
3. Date of Exercise . Subject to the limitations of these Option Terms, each Installment of Covered Shares of the Option shall be exercisable on and after the Vesting Date for such Installment as described in the following schedule (but only if the Date of Termination has not occurred before the Vesting Date):
INSTALLMENT |
VESTING
DATE
|
1/3 of Covered Shares |
One year anniversary of the Grant Date |
1/3 of Covered Shares |
Two year anniversary of the Grant Date |
1/3 of Covered Shares |
Three year anniversary of the Grant Date |
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable as follows:
(a) The Option shall become fully exercisable upon the Date of Termination, if the Date of Termination occurs by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability.
(b) The Option shall become fully exercisable upon a Change in Control that occurs on or before the Date of Termination.
The Option may be exercised on or after the Date of Termination only as to that portion of the Covered Shares for which it was exercisable (or became exercisable) immediately prior to the Date of Termination.
4. Expiration . The Option shall not be exercisable after the Company’s close of business on the last business day that occurs prior to the Expiration Date. The "Expiration Date" shall be the earliest to occur of:
(a) the ten‑year anniversary of the Grant Date;
(b) if the Participant's Date of Termination occurs by reason of death or Disability, the one-year anniversary of such Date of Termination;
(c) if the Participant's Date of Termination occurs by reason of Retirement, the date on which the Expiration Date would occur if the Participant's Date of Termination occurred on the ten-year anniversary of the Grant Date, or if earlier, the date of the Participant's death; or
(d) if the Participant's Date of Termination occurs for any reason other than those listed in subparagraph (b) or (c) of this paragraph 4, the three-month anniversary of such Date of Termination.
5.
Method of Option Exercise
. Subject to these Option Terms and the Plan, the Option may be exercised in whole or in part by
filing a written notice (or by such other method as may be provided by the Committee, including but not limited to processes provided in electronic record-keeping systems utilized for management of the Plan) with the Secretary of the Company at its corporate
headquarters prior to the Company’s close of business on the last business day that occurs prior to the Expiration Date. Such notice shall specify the number of shares of Stock which the Participant elects to purchase, and shall be accompanied by payment
of the Exercise Price for such shares of Stock indicated by the Participant’s election. Payment shall be by cash or by check payable to the Company. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee before the Option is exercised: (i) all or a portion
of the Exercise Price may be paid by the Participant by delivery of shares of Stock owned by the Participant and acceptable to the Committee having an aggregate Fair Market Value (valued as of the date of exercise) that is equal to the amount of cash that would
otherwise be required; and (ii) the Participant may pay the Exercise Price by authorizing a third party to sell shares of Stock (or a sufficient portion of the shares) acquired upon exercise of the Option and remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale
proceeds to pay the entire Exercise Price and any tax withholding resulting from such exercise. The Option shall not be exercisable if and to the extent the Company determines that such exercise would violate applicable state or Federal securities laws or the
rules and regulations of any securities
exchange on which the Stock is traded. If the Company makes such a determination, it shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain compliance with such laws, rules and regulations. In making any determination
hereunder, the Company may rely on the opinion of counsel for the Company.
6. Withholding . All deliveries and distributions under these Option Terms are subject to withholding of all applicable taxes. At the election of the Participant, and subject to such rules and limitations as may be established by the Committee from time to time, such withholding obligations may be satisfied through the surrender of shares of Stock which the Participant already owns, or to which the Participant is otherwise entitled under the Plan; provided, however, that such shares may be used to satisfy not more than the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligation (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for Federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income).
7. Transferability . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, the Option is not transferable other than as designated by the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during the Participant’s life, may be exercised only by the Participant.
8. Definitions . For purposes of these Option Terms, words and phrases shall be defined as follows:
(a) Change in Control . The term "Change in Control" shall be defined as set forth in the Plan.
(b) Date of Termination . A Participant's "Date of Termination" means, with respect to an employee, the date on which the Participant's employment with the Company and Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, and with respect to a Director, the date immediately following the last day on which the Participant serves as a Director; provided that a Date of Termination shall not be deemed to occur by reason of a Participant's transfer of employment between the Company and a Subsidiary or between two Subsidiaries; further provided that a Date of Termination shall not be deemed to occur by reason of a Participant's cessation of service as a Director if immediately following such cessation of service the Participant becomes or continues to be employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, nor by reason of a Participant's termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary if immediately following such termination of employment the Participant becomes or continues to be a Director; and further provided that a Participant's employment shall not be considered terminated while the Participant is on a leave of absence from the Company or a Subsidiary approved by the Participant's employer.
(c) Director . The term "Director" means a member of the Board, who may or may not be an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary.
(d) Disability . The Participant shall be considered to have a "Disability" during the period in which the Participant is unable, by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, to engage in any substantial gainful activity, which condition, in the opinion of a physician selected by the Committee, is expected to have a duration of not less than 120 days.
(e) Retirement . "Retirement" of a Participant shall mean with respect to an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, the occurrence of a Participant's Date of Termination with the consent of the Participant's employer after the Participant is eligible for early retirement or normal retirement under the ACE Limited Employee Retirement Plan (or any other retirement plan maintained by the Company or the Subsidiaries) and with respect to a Director, the Participant's Date of Termination with the consent of the Company after the Participant would be eligible for retirement under any retirement plan maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary if the Director were an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Committee may impose such additional or alternative conditions or restrictions on Retirement as it determines to be appropriate.
(f) Plan Definitions . Except where the context clearly implies or indicates the contrary, a word, term, or phrase used in the Plan is similarly used in these Option Terms.
9. Heirs and Successors . The Option Terms shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns, and upon any person acquiring, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and business. If any rights exercisable by the Participant or benefits deliverable to the Participant under these Option Terms have not been exercised or delivered, respectively, at the time of the Participant’s death, such rights shall be exercisable by the Designated Beneficiary, and such benefits shall be delivered to the Designated Beneficiary, in accordance with the provisions of these Option Terms and the Plan. The "Designated Beneficiary" shall be the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the Participant in a writing filed with the Committee in such form and at such time as the Committee shall require. If a deceased Participant fails to designate a beneficiary, or if the Designated Beneficiary does not survive the Participant, any rights that would have been exercisable by the Participant and any benefits distributable to the Participant shall be exercised by or distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Participant. If a deceased Participant designates a beneficiary and the Designated Beneficiary survives the Participant but dies before the Designated Beneficiary’s exercise of all rights under these Option Terms or before the complete distribution of benefits to the Designated Beneficiary under these Option Terms, then any rights that would have been exercisable by the Designated Beneficiary shall be exercised by the legal representative of the estate of the Designated Beneficiary, and any benefits distributable to the Designated Beneficiary shall be distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Designated Beneficiary.
10. Administration . The authority to manage and control the operation and administration of these Option Terms shall be vested in the Committee, and the Committee shall have all powers with respect to these Option Terms as it has with respect to the Plan. Any interpretation of the Agreement by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to the Agreement is final and binding on all persons.
11. Plan and Corporate Records Govern . Notwithstanding anything in these Option Terms to the contrary, these Option Terms shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, a copy of which may be obtained by the Participant from the office of the Secretary of the Company; and these Option Terms are subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations promulgated by the Committee from time to time pursuant to the Plan. Notwithstanding anything in the Option Terms to the contrary, in the event of any discrepancies between the corporate records regarding this award and the Record-Keeping System, the corporate records shall control.
12. Not An Employment Contract . The Option will not confer on the Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate or modify the terms of such Participant’s employment or other service at any time.
13. Notices . Any written notices provided for in these Option Terms or the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given if either hand delivered or if sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail. Notices sent by mail shall be deemed received three business days after mailing but in no event later than the date of actual receipt. Notices shall be directed, if to the Participant, at the Participant’s address indicated by the Company’s records, or if to the Company, at the Company’s principal executive office.
14. Fractional Shares . In lieu of issuing a fraction of a share upon any exercise of the Option, resulting from an adjustment of the Option pursuant to paragraph 5.2(f) of the Plan or otherwise, the Company will be entitled to pay to the Participant an amount equal to the fair market value of such fractional share.
15. No Rights As Shareholder . The Participant shall not have any rights of a shareholder with respect to the shares subject to the Option, until a stock certificate has been duly issued following exercise of the Option as provided herein.
16. Amendment . The Option Terms may be amended in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, and may otherwise be amended by written agreement of the Participant and the Company without the consent of any other person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the Grant Date.
ACE LIMITED
By: ______________________________________________________
Its: ______________________________________________________
Non-Qualified Stock Option Terms
under the
ACE Limited 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan
The Participant has been granted an Option by ACE Limited (the "Company") under the ACE Limited 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The Option shall be subject to the following Non-Qualified Stock Option Terms (sometimes referred to as the "Option Terms"):
1. Terms of Award . The following words and phrases used in these Option Terms shall have the meanings set forth in this paragraph 1:
(a) The "Participant" is the individual recipient of the Restricted Stock Award on the specified Grant Date.
(b) The "Grant Date" is [Insert Date].
(c) The number of "Covered Shares" shall be that number of shares of Stock awarded to the Participant on the Grant Date as reflected in the corporate records and shown in the Record-Keeping System in the Participant’s individual account records.
(d) The "Exercise Price" is $ [Insert Price] per share.
Other words and phrases used in these Option Terms are defined pursuant to paragraph 8 or elsewhere in these Option Terms.
2. Non‑Qualified Stock Option . The Option is not intended to constitute an "incentive stock option" as that term is used in Code section 422.
3. Date of Exercise . Subject to the limitations of these Option Terms, each Installment of Covered Shares of the Option shall be exercisable on and after the Vesting Date for such Installment as described in the following schedule (but only if the Date of Termination has not occurred before the Vesting Date):
INSTALLMENT |
VESTING DATE
|
1/3 of Covered Shares |
One year anniversary of the Grant Date |
1/3 of Covered Shares |
Two year anniversary of the Grant Date |
1/3 of Covered Shares |
Three year anniversary of the Grant Date |
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3, the Option shall become fully vested and exercisable as follows:
(a) The Option shall become fully exercisable upon the Date of Termination, if the Date of Termination occurs by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability.
(b) The Option shall become fully exercisable upon a Change in Control that occurs on or before the Date of Termination.
The Option may be exercised on or after the Date of Termination only as to that portion of the Covered Shares for which it was exercisable (or became exercisable) immediately prior to the Date of Termination.
4. Expiration . The Option shall not be exercisable after the Company’s close of business on the last business day that occurs prior to the Expiration Date. The "Expiration Date" shall be the earliest to occur of:
(a) the ten‑year anniversary of the Grant Date;
(b) if the Participant's Date of Termination occurs by reason of death or Disability, the one-year anniversary of such Date of Termination;
(c) if the Participant's Date of Termination occurs by reason of Retirement, the date on which the Expiration Date would occur if the Participant's Date of Termination occurred on the ten-year anniversary of the Grant Date, or if earlier, the date of the Participant's death; or
(d) if the Participant's Date of Termination occurs for any reason other than those listed in subparagraph (b) or (c) of this paragraph 4, the three-month anniversary of such Date of Termination.
5. Method of Option Exercise . Subject to these Option Terms and the Plan, the Option may be exercised in whole or in part by filing a written notice (or by such other method as may be provided by the Committee, including but not limited to processes provided in electronic record-keeping systems utilized for management of the Plan) with the Secretary of the Company at its corporate headquarters prior to the Company’s close of business on the last business day that occurs prior to the Expiration Date. Such notice shall specify the number of shares of Stock which the Participant elects to purchase, and shall be accompanied by payment of the Exercise Price for such shares of Stock indicated by the Participant’s election. Payment shall be by cash or by check payable to the Company. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee before the Option is exercised: (i) all or a portion of the Exercise Price may be paid by the Participant by delivery of shares of Stock owned by the Participant and acceptable to the Committee having an aggregate Fair Market Value (valued as of the date of exercise) that is equal to the amount of cash that would otherwise be required; and (ii) the Participant may pay the Exercise Price by authorizing a third party to sell shares of Stock (or a sufficient portion of the shares) acquired upon exercise of the Option and remit to the Company a sufficient portion of the sale proceeds to pay the entire Exercise Price and any tax withholding resulting from such exercise. The Option shall not be exercisable if and to the extent the Company determines that such exercise would violate applicable state or Federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of any securities exchange on which the Stock is traded. If the Company makes such a determination, it shall use all reasonable efforts to obtain compliance with such laws, rules and regulations. In making any determination hereunder, the Company may rely on the opinion of counsel for the Company.
6. Withholding . All deliveries and distributions under these Option Terms are subject to withholding of all applicable taxes. At the election of the Participant, and subject to such rules and limitations as may be established by the Committee from time to time, such withholding obligations may be satisfied through the surrender of shares of Stock which the Participant already owns, or to which the Participant is otherwise entitled under the Plan; provided, however,
7. Transferability . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, the Option is not transferable other than as designated by the Participant by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during the Participant’s life, may be exercised only by the Participant.
8. Definitions . For purposes of these Option Terms, words and phrases shall be defined as follows:
(a) Change in Control . The term "Change in Control" shall be defined as set forth in the Plan.
(b) Date of Termination . A Participant's "Date of Termination" means, with respect to an employee, the date on which the Participant's employment with the Company and Subsidiaries terminates for any reason, and with respect to a Director, the date immediately following the last day on which the Participant serves as a Director; provided that a Date of Termination shall not be deemed to occur by reason of a Participant's transfer of employment between the Company and a Subsidiary or between two Subsidiaries; further provided that a Date of Termination shall not be deemed to occur by reason of a Participant's cessation of service as a Director if immediately following such cessation of service the Participant becomes or continues to be employed by the Company or a Subsidiary, nor by reason of a Participant's termination of employment with the Company or a Subsidiary if immediately following such termination of employment the Participant becomes or continues to be a Director; and further provided that a Participant's employment shall not be considered terminated while the Participant is on a leave of absence from the Company or a Subsidiary approved by the Participant's employer.
(c) Director . The term "Director" means a member of the Board, who may or may not be an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary.
(d) Disability . The Participant shall be considered to have a "Disability" during the period in which the Participant is unable, by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment, to engage in any substantial gainful activity, which condition, in the opinion of a physician selected by the Committee, is expected to have a duration of not less than 120 days.
(e) Retirement . "Retirement" of a Participant shall mean with respect to an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary, the occurrence of a Participant's Date of Termination with the consent of the Participant's employer after the Participant is eligible for early retirement or normal retirement under the ACE Limited Employee Retirement Plan (or any other retirement plan maintained by the Company or the Subsidiaries) and with respect to a Director, the Participant's Date of Termination with the consent of the Company after the Participant would be eligible for retirement under any retirement plan maintained by the Company or a Subsidiary if the Director were an employee of the Company or a Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Committee may impose such additional or alternative conditions or restrictions on Retirement as it determines to be appropriate.
(f) Plan Definitions . Except where the context clearly implies or indicates the contrary, a word, term, or phrase used in the Plan is similarly used in these Option Terms.
9. Heirs and Successors . The Option Terms shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Company and its successors and assigns, and upon any person acquiring, whether by merger, consolidation, purchase of assets or otherwise, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and business. If any rights exercisable by the Participant or benefits deliverable to the Participant under these Option Terms have not been exercised or delivered, respectively, at the time of the Participant’s death, such rights shall be exercisable by the Designated Beneficiary, and such benefits shall be delivered to the Designated Beneficiary, in accordance with the provisions of these Option Terms and the Plan. The "Designated Beneficiary" shall be the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the Participant in a writing filed with the Committee in such form and at such time as the Committee shall require. If a deceased Participant fails to designate a beneficiary, or if the Designated Beneficiary does not survive the Participant, any rights that would have been exercisable by the Participant and any benefits distributable to the Participant shall be exercised by or distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Participant. If a deceased Participant designates a beneficiary and the Designated Beneficiary survives the Participant but dies before the Designated Beneficiary’s exercise of all rights under these Option Terms or before the complete distribution of benefits to the Designated Beneficiary under these Option Terms, then any rights that would have been exercisable by the Designated Beneficiary shall be exercised by the legal representative of the estate of the Designated Beneficiary, and any benefits distributable to the Designated Beneficiary shall be distributed to the legal representative of the estate of the Designated Beneficiary.
10. Administration . The authority to manage and control the operation and administration of these Option Terms shall be vested in the Committee, and the Committee shall have all powers with respect to these Option Terms as it has with respect to the Plan. Any interpretation of the Agreement by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to the Agreement is final and binding on all persons.
11. Plan Governs . Notwithstanding anything in these Option Terms to the contrary, these Option Terms shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, a copy of which may be obtained by the Participant from the office of the Secretary of the Company; and these Option Terms are subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations promulgated by the Committee from time to time pursuant to the Plan. Notwithstanding anything in the Option Terms to the contrary, in the event of any discrepancies between the corporate records regarding this award and the Record-Keeping System, the corporate records shall control.
12. Not An Employment Contract . The Option will not confer on the Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate or modify the terms of such Participant’s employment or other service at any time.
13. Notices . Any written notices provided for in these Option Terms or the Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed sufficiently given if either hand delivered or if sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail. Notices sent by mail shall be deemed received three business days after mailing but in no event later than the date of actual receipt. Notices shall be directed, if to the Participant, at the Participant’s address indicated by the Company’s records, or if to the Company, at the Company’s principal executive office.
14. Fractional Shares . In lieu of issuing a fraction of a share upon any exercise of the Option, resulting from an adjustment of the Option pursuant to paragraph 5.2(f) of the Plan or otherwise, the Company will be entitled to pay to the Participant an amount equal to the fair market value of such fractional share.
15. No Rights As Shareholder . The Participant shall not have any rights of a shareholder with respect to the shares subject to the Option, until a stock certificate has been duly issued following exercise of the Option as provided herein.
16. Amendment . The Option Terms may be amended in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, and may otherwise be amended by written agreement of the Participant and the Company without the consent of any other person.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the Grant Date.
ACE LIMITED
By: ______________________________________________________
Its: ______________________________________________________