UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE
14A
Proxy
Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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the Registrant [x]
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[
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14a-6(e)(2))
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Proxy Statement
[
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[ ] Soliciting
Material under ss. 240.14a-12
Lincoln
National Corporation
(Name
of
Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
N/A
(Name
of
Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
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(2)
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PHILADELPHIA,
PENNSYLVANIA
April
5,
2007
Dear
Fellow Shareholder:
You
are
cordially invited to attend our Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for
Thursday, May 10, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at Delaware Investments,
Inc., Second Floor Auditorium, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102. Our Board of Directors and management look
forward to greeting you.
The
enclosed notice of meeting and proxy statement describe the matters to be acted
upon at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Please review these documents
carefully.
It
is
important that you vote your shares of our stock, either in person or by proxy.
To assist you in voting your shares, we offer, in addition to voting through
the
use of a proxy card, voting via telephone and over the Internet. If you are
unable to attend, please sign, date and mail the enclosed proxy card in the
postage-paid envelope provided, or vote your shares in any other manner
described in the enclosed proxy statement.
On
behalf
of the Board of Directors, thank you for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Jon
A.
Boscia
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
LINCOLN
NATIONAL CORPORATION
PHILADELPHIA,
PENNSYLVANIA
NOTICE
OF
ANNUAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
April
5,
2007
The
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Lincoln National Corporation will be held
on
Thursday, May 10, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at
Delaware
Investments, Inc., Second Floor Auditorium, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market
Street,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102.
The
items
of business are:
1.
|
to
elect five directors for three-year terms expiring at the 2010 Annual
Meeting;
|
2.
|
to
ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, as independent registered
public accounting firm for 2007;
|
3.
|
to
approve an amendment and restatement of the Lincoln National Corporation
Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation
Plan;
|
4.
|
to
approve the Lincoln National Corporation Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors; and
|
5.
|
to
consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before
the
meeting.
|
You
have
the right to receive this notice and vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
if you were a shareholder of record at the close of business on March 5, 2007.
Please remember that your shares cannot be voted unless you cast your votes
by
one of the following methods: (1) sign and return a proxy card; (2) call
the 800 toll-free number listed on the proxy card; (3) vote via the Internet
as
indicated on the proxy card; (4) vote in person at the Annual Meeting; or (5)
make other arrangements to vote your shares.
For
the
Board of Directors,
C.
Suzanne Womack
Secretary
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
LIN
CO
LN
NATIONAL CORPORATION
1500
MARKET STREET, SUITE 3900
CENTRE
SQUARE WEST
PHILADELPHIA,
PENNSYLVANIA 19102
PROXY
STATEMENT
Annual
Meeting of Shareholders
May
10, 2007
Our
Board
of Directors is soliciting proxies in connection with the proposals to be voted
on at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for May 10, 2007 (the “Annual
Meeting”). The Annual Meeting will be held at Delaware Investments, Inc., Second
Floor Auditorium, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19102, beginning at 10 a.m. local time. We are first mailing this
Proxy Statement and enclosed proxy to our shareholders on or about April 5,
2007.
Whenever
we refer in this Proxy Statement to the “Annual Meeting,” we are also referring
to any meeting that results from an adjournment of the Annual Meeting.
What
proposals are being voted on at the Annual Meeting?
At
the
Annual Meeting, shareholders are being asked to vote upon the following items
of
business:
1.
|
to
elect five directors for three-year terms expiring in 2010;
|
2.
|
to
ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, as independent registered
public accounting firm for 2007;
|
3.
|
to
approve an amendment and restatement of the Lincoln National Corporation
Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation
Plan;
|
4.
|
to
approve the Lincoln National Corporation Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors; and
|
5.
|
to
consider and act upon such other matters as may properly come before
the
meeting.
|
Who
is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?
Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 2007, the record
date for the meeting, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the
record date, we had 277,216,958 shares of common stock and 12,526 shares of
$3.00 cumulative convertible preferred stock, series A issued, outstanding,
and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. You are entitled to one vote for each
share of common stock and each share of preferred stock you own. The number
of
shares you own (and may vote) is listed on the proxy card.
What
constitutes a quorum?
A
majority of all outstanding shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
constitutes a quorum, which is the minimum number of shares that must be present
or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting in order to transact business.
Subject
to the rules regarding the votes necessary to adopt the proposals discussed
below, a
bstentions
and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining whether a
quorum is present. Generally, “broker non-votes” occur when brokerage firms
return proxies for which no voting instructions have been received from
beneficial owners and the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote
on the proposal. Once a share is represented for any purpose at the Annual
Meeting, it will be deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of
the
meeting (including any meeting resulting from an adjournment of the Annual
Meeting, unless a new record date is set).
How
do I vote?
1.
In
person.
Attend
the Annual Meeting and vote your shares, or send a personal representative
with
an appropriate proxy.
If
you
own your shares in “street name” (i.e., through a broker-dealer or other
financial institution) and you want to vote at the Annual Meeting, you will
need
to obtain a proxy card from the institution that holds your
shares.
If
you
own share equivalents through the Lincoln National Corporation Common Stock
fund
of the Lincoln National Corporation Employees’ Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan
or The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company Agents’ Savings and
Profit-Sharing Plan, all of which are 401(k) plans, you cannot vote at the
Annual Meeting. Instructions on voting these share equivalents are described
in
more detail below.
2.
By
Mail.
Mark,
date, sign and mail the proxy card in the prepaid envelope. If you return the
proxy card but do not mark your voting preference, t
he
individuals named as prox
ies
will,
to the extent permissible, vote your shares in accordance with the description
of each item in this proxy statement. With respect to any other matter that
properly comes before the Annual Meeting, the individuals named as proxies
will,
to the extent permissible, vote all proxies in the manner they perceive to
be in
our best interests.
3.
By
Telephone or Internet.
You may
submit your proxy with voting instructions by telephone if you are calling
within the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico. You may submit your proxy
through the Internet by visiting the website listed on the enclosed proxy card.
If
you
hold your shares in “street name,” please check your proxy card or contact your
broker, nominee, fiduciary or other custodian to determine if you will be able
to vote by telephone or Internet.
If
you
choose to submit your proxy with voting instructions by telephone or through
the
Internet, you will be required to provide your assigned control number noted
on
the enclosed proxy card before your proxy will be accepted. In addition to
the
instructions that appear on the enclosed proxy card and information sheet,
step-by-step instructions will be provided by recorded telephone message or
at
the designated website on the Internet.
Can
I revoke my proxy and change my vote after I return my proxy
card?
Yes.
You
may revoke your proxy at any time prior to the Annual Meeting by (i) sending
our
Corporate Secretary a written revocation, (ii) submitting a new proxy by mail,
telephone or Internet, or (iii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting your
shares in person.
How
do I vote my 401(k) and/or dividend reinvestment plan
shares?
If
you
have invested in the Lincoln National Corporation Common Stock fund of the
Lincoln National Corporation Employees’ Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan or The
Lincoln National Life Insurance Company Agents’ Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan,
the enclosed proxy/voting instruction card, when executed and returned by you,
will instruct the trustees of your plan how to vote the shares of common stock
allocated to your account. If our stock books contain identical account
information regarding common stock that you own directly and common stock that
you own through one or more of those plans, you will receive a single
proxy/voting instruction card representing all shares owned by you. If you
participate in one of these plans and do not return a proxy/voting instruction
card by 11:59 p.m. (E.D.T.) on May 7, 2007, the trustees of your plan will
vote
the shares in your account in proportion to shares held by your plan for which
voting instructions have been received.
If
you
participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, your proxy/voting instruction
card(s) will also include your shares of common stock allocated to your accounts
in that plan. To vote your shares in those plans, you must return your
proxy/voting instruction card(s) or submit your voting instructions by telephone
or over the Internet as instructed on your proxy/voting instruction
card(s).
If
you
own our shares through an employee benefit
plan
other than those plans mentioned above, you should contact the administrator
of
your plan if you have questions regarding how to vote your shares.
What
vote is required to approve each item?
A
plurality of the votes cast is required for the election of directors (Item
1),
which means that the director nominees receiving the highest number of votes
will fill the open director seats. We do not have cumulative voting for
directors. With respect to the ratification of the independent registered public
accounting firm (Item 2), the proposal will be approved if more shares are
cast
in favor of the proposal than against it. For this purpose, abstentions and,
if
applicable, broker non-votes, are not counted as votes cast.
Under
Indiana law, approval of the amendment and restatement of the Lincoln National
Corporation Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan (Item 3) and the
Lincoln National Corporation Stock Option Plan
for
Non-Employee Directors (Item 4) will be approved if more shares are cast in
favor of the proposal than against it, and abstentions and broker non-votes
are
not counted as votes cast on the proposals. However, under New York Stock
Exchange (“NYSE”) listing standards, for the shares under the Plans to be
approved for listing, at least a majority of the votes cast on each proposal
must be voted in favor of the proposal, and the total votes cast on each
proposal must represent a majority of all shares entitled to vote on the
proposal at the Annual Meeting. Under the NYSE rules, abstentions are counted
as
votes cast against the proposal, but broker non-votes are not counted as votes
cast on the proposal.
If
any
other matters are properly presented at the meeting, a particular proposal
will
be approved if the number of votes cast in favor of the proposal exceeds the
number of votes cast against the proposal.
Who
may solicit proxies?
Our
directors, officers and employees as well as Georgeson Shareholder may solicit
proxies on behalf of the Board via mail, telephone, fax, and personal contact.
Who
pays for the costs of soliciting proxies?
We
will
pay the cost of soliciting proxies. Our directors, officers and employees will
receive no additional compensation for soliciting proxies. We will reimburse
certain brokerage firms, banks, custodians and other fiduciaries for the
reasonable mailing and other expenses they incur in forwarding proxy materials
to the beneficial owners of stock that those brokerage firms, banks, custodians
and fiduciaries hold of record. As noted above, we have retained Georgeson
Shareholder to solicit proxies. We will pay Georgeson Inc. a fee of $8,500,
plus
reasonable expenses, for these services.
Security
Ownership Of More Than 5% Beneficial Owners
We
have
two classes of equity securities: common stock and preferred stock. The
following table shows the names of persons known by us to beneficially own
more
than 5% of our common stock at December 31, 2006. We know of no one who
beneficially owns more than 5% of our preferred stock.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP
OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
AS
OF DECEMBER 31, 2006
|
TITLE
OF CLASS
|
NAME
AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER
|
AMOUNT
AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
|
PERCENT
OF CLASS
|
Common
Stock
|
Neuberger
Berman Inc.
605
Third Avenue
New
York, NY 10158
|
14,214,869
shares
|
5.125%
|
The
information set forth in this table is based solely on our review of Schedules
13G filed with the SEC and as of the date set forth above. We do not have
information regarding the foregoing share position after December 31, 2006.
Information regarding the amount and nature of beneficial ownership is to the
best of our knowledge.
Security
Ownership of Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers
The
following table shows the number of shares of common stock and stock units
(
i.e.
,
non-transferable, non-voting “phantom” units, the value of which is the same as
the value of the corresponding number of shares of common stock) beneficially
owned on March 5, 2007 by each director, nominee for director, and “Named
Executive Officer,” individually, and by all directors and executive officers as
a group. As of March 5, 2007, none of the persons listed in the table owned
any
shares of our preferred stock.
Whenever
we refer in this Proxy Statement to the “Named Executive Officers,” or NEOs, we
are referring to those executive officers that we are required to identify
in
the Summary Compensation Table on page 45.
SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS, NOMINEES AND EXECUTIVE
OFFICERS
AS
OF MARCH 5, 2007
|
NAME
|
AMOUNT
OF LNC COMMON STOCK AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP
1
|
PERCENT
OF
CLASS
|
LNC
STOCK
UNITS
2
|
TOTAL
OF LNC COMMON STOCK AND STOCK UNITS
|
TOTAL
PERCENT OF CLASS
|
William
J. Avery
|
9,640
|
*
|
11,334
|
20,974
|
*
|
J.
Patrick Barrett
|
32,574
|
*
|
37,553
|
70,127
|
*
|
Jon
A. Boscia
|
1,639,647
|
*
|
53,473
|
1,693,120
|
*
|
Patrick
P. Coyne
|
1,011
|
*
|
4,857
|
5,868
|
*
|
Frederick
J. Crawford
|
50,648
|
*
|
3,531
|
54,179
|
*
|
William
H. Cunningham
|
74,950
|
*
|
12,037
|
86,987
|
*
|
Dennis
R. Glass
|
1,321,925
|
*
|
--
|
1,321,925
|
*
|
John
H. Gotta
|
--
|
*
|
8,676
|
8,676
|
*
|
George
W. Henderson, III
|
74,318
|
*
|
18,891
|
93,209
|
*
|
Eric
G. Johnson
|
17,796
|
*
|
18,672
|
36,468
|
*
|
M.
Leanne Lachman
|
21,508
|
*
|
29,644
|
51,152
|
*
|
Warren
A. May
|
61,025
|
*
|
--
|
61,025
|
*
|
Michael
F. Mee
|
8,508
|
*
|
13,054
|
21,562
|
*
|
William
P. Payne
|
84,761
|
*
|
10,252
|
95,013
|
*
|
Patrick
S. Pittard
|
86,790
|
*
|
12,030
|
98,820
|
*
|
Jill
S. Ruckelshaus
|
25,908
|
*
|
10,642
|
36,550
|
*
|
David
A. Stonecipher
|
2,424,178
|
*
|
--
|
2,424,178
|
*
|
Westley
V. Thompson
|
181,870
|
*
|
29,802
|
211,672
|
*
|
Isaiah
Tidwell
|
10,030
|
*
|
2,299
|
12,328
|
*
|
All
Directors and Executive Officers as a group -28
persons
|
6,893,920
|
2.44%
|
331,016
|
7,224,936
|
2.55%
|
_________________________________
*
Each of
these amounts represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our common
stock as of March 5, 2007.
1
The
number of shares that each person named in this table has a right to acquire
within 60 days of March 5, 2007 is as follows: Mr. Avery, 5,250 shares; Mr.
Barrett, 11,250 shares; Mr. Boscia, 1,293,140 shares; Mr. Crawford, 22,350
shares; Mr. Cunningham, 73,712 shares; Mr. Glass, 1,191,480 shares; Mr.
Henderson, 73,712 shares; Mr. Johnson, 11,250 shares; Ms. Lachman, 11,250
shares; Mr. May, 54,530 shares; Mr. Mee, 8,250 shares; Mr. Payne, 73,712 shares;
Mr. Pittard, 83,835 shares; Ms. Ruckelshaus, 11,250 shares; Mr. Stonecipher,
2,166,396 shares; Mr.
Thompson, 107,618 shares; and Mr. Tidwell, 9,940 shares. In addition, the shares
listed above include restricted stock of which the following persons have sole
voting power (and no investment power): Mr. Avery, 258 shares; Mr. Barrett,
258
shares; Mr. Crawford, 6,153; Mr. Glass, 39,749; Mr. Johnson, 258 shares; Ms.
Lachman, 328 shares; Mr. Mee, 258 shares; Ms. Ruckelshaus, 328 shares; and
Mr.
Thompson, 6,211 shares. The following individual shares voting and investment
power with his spouse to the specified number of shares: Mr. Boscia, 53,579.
In
addition, the shares listed above include certain shares owned by the
individual’s spouse: Mr. Boscia, 66,513 shares and Mr. Stonecipher, 8,247
shares. Mr. Stonecipher’s shares include 181,399 shares held in a trust.
Finally, the shares listed above include shares that are held in charitable
foundations: Mr. Boscia, 70,696 shares are held by the Boscia Family Foundation
of which Mr. Boscia is a trustee, and with respect to which, he does not have
a
pecuniary interest and Mr. Stonecipher, 24,974 shares are held by the Stoneypeak
Foundation of which Mr. Stonecipher is a trustee, and respect to which, he
does
not have a pecuniary interest.
2
LNC
Stock
Units are non-voting, non-transferable phantom stock units that track the
economic performance of our common stock.
G
OV
ERNANCE
OF THE COMPANY
As
a
result of the completion of our merger on April 3, 2006 with the Jefferson-Pilot
Corporation, or Jefferson- Pilot, we amended our bylaws to effectuate various
corporate governance changes as required by the agreement and plan of merger.
The amended bylaws expanded our Board of Directors from 12 to 15 members and
set
forth the following additional provisions relating to the composition of our
Board of Directors immediately following the merger:
·
|
the
initial Board of Directors was required to consist of eight directors
who
were members of our Board of Directors prior to the effective time
of the
merger (referred to as “former LNC directors”), and seven directors who
were members of Jefferson-Pilot’s Board of Directors prior to the
effective time of the merger (referred to as “former Jefferson-Pilot
directors”);
|
·
|
the
initial Board of Directors was required to have two former Jefferson-Pilot
directors and three former LNC directors as members of the class
having
terms expiring at the 2006 Annual Meeting; three former Jefferson-Pilot
directors and two former LNC directors as members of the class having
terms expiring at the 2007 Annual Meeting; and two former Jefferson-Pilot
directors and three former LNC directors as members of the class
having
terms expiring at the 2008 Annual
Meeting;
|
·
|
the
lead director of the initial Board of Directors was chosen by the
former
Jefferson-Pilot directors;
|
·
|
our
bylaws require each of our initial Board Committees to consist of
an equal
number of former LNC and former Jefferson-Pilot directors, with former
LNC
directors having the exclusive authority to recommend replacements
of
former LNC directors and former Jefferson-Pilot directors having
the
exclusive authority to recommend replacements of former Jefferson-Pilot
directors;
|
·
|
with
respect to any election of directors occurring prior to the 2007
annual
shareholders’ meeting
,
our bylaws require that former LNC directors on our Corporate Governance
Committee have the authority to recommend individuals to our Board
of
Directors to fill vacant former LNC directorships and to recommend
nominees to shareholders at an annual meeting to fill former LNC
directorships;
|
·
|
with
respect to any election of directors occurring prior to the 2007
annual
shareholders’ meeting, our bylaws require that former Jefferson-Pilot
directors on our Corporate Governance Committee have the authority
to
recommend individuals to our Board of Directors to fill vacant former
Jefferson-Pilot directorships and to recommend nominees to shareholders
at
an annual meeting to fill former Jefferson-Pilot directorships;
|
·
|
for
a period of 30 months from completion of the merger, our bylaws require
the approval of 70% of the directors
to:
|
1.
|
remove
Jon A. Boscia as our Chairman and
CEO
o
r
modify his duties and responsibilities
;
|
3.
|
with
respect to any election of directors occurring at or after the 2007
annual
shareholders’ meeting (a) elect any director to fill a vacancy or newly
created directorship or the nomination of any individual for election
as a
director by shareholders, unless such person has been recommended
to the
Board of Directors by the affirmative vote of a majority of the entire
membership of the Corporate Governance Committee, or (b) change the
composition or chairmanship of any committee of the Board of Directors,
unless such change has been recommended by a majority of the entire
membership of the Corporate Governance Committee;
|
4.
|
remove
the lead director or appoint any person as lead director who is not
a
former Jefferson-Pilot Director;
|
5.
|
change
the size of the Board of Directors or any committee, or the
responsibilities of, or the authority delegated to, any committee
of the
Board of Directors;
|
6.
|
engage
in any extraordinary business transactions involving LNC or any of
its
“significant subsidiaries” (as defined in the
Bylaws);
|
7.
|
alter,
amend or repeal LNC’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, except to the
extent necessary to make such guidelines consistent with the bylaws;
and
|
8.
|
alter,
amend or repeal the foregoing bylaw
provisions.
|
Our
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Subject
to the bylaw amendment discussed above, listed below are what we believe are
some, but not all, of the more significant aspects of our Corporate Governance
Guidelines. A full text of our Corporate Governance Guidelines is available
on
our website (
www.lfg.com
)
and in
print to any shareholder who requests them by contacting our Corporate
Secretary.
·
|
A
majority of our Board, including the nominees for director, must
at all
times be independent under the applicable NYSE listing standards
as
determined under the guidelines for determining the independence
of
directors. Director independence is discussed further
below.
|
·
|
The
independent directors must meet in executive session at least once
a year
and at such other times as they may desire. Director J. Patrick Barrett
will preside over the meeting(s) of independent directors. The outside
directors, including any who are not “independent,” meet (presided over by
the lead director) in connection with each regularly scheduled Board
meeting and at such other times as they may desire.
|
·
|
The
Board has, among other Committees, an Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee and Corporate Governance Committee and only independent
directors may serve on each of these committees, and all of the directors
serving on those Committees are independent under applicable NYSE
listing
standards and our Corporate Governance
Guidelines.
|
·
|
The
current lead director is David A. Stonecipher. Mr. Stonecipher was
the
former chairman and chief executive officer of Jefferson-Pilot
Corporation.
|
·
|
Outside
directors are not permitted to serve on more than five boards of
public
companies in addition to our Board and independent directors who
are chief
executive officers of publicly held companies may not serve on more
than
two boards of public companies in addition to our Board. Inside directors
are not permitted to serve on more than two boards of public companies
in
addition to our Board.
|
·
|
The
written charters of the standing Committees of the Board are reviewed
not
less than annually. The charters of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate
Governance Committees comply with the NYSE’s listing standards. The
charters are available on our website (
www.lfg.com
)
and in print to any shareholder who requests them by contacting our
Corporate Secretary.
|
·
|
We
have Corporate Governance Guidelines that likewise comply with the
NYSE’s
listing standards. The Corporate Governance Guidelines are available
on
our website (
www.lfg.com
)
and are also available in print to any shareholder who requests them
by
contacting our Corporate Secretary.
|
·
|
We
have a Code of Conduct that is available on our website (
)
and is also available in print to any shareholder who requests it
by
contacting our Corporate Secretary. The Code of Conduct comprises
our
“code of ethics” for purposes of Item 406 of Regulation S-K under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and our “code of business
conduct and ethics” for purposes of the NYSE listing standards. We intend
to disclose amendments to or waivers from a required provision of
the code
by including such information on our website (
).
|
·
|
Committee
chairs serve a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years,
unless
those limitations are shortened or extended by the Board.
|
·
|
We
have a mandatory retirement age of 72 for outside
directors.
|
·
|
The
Board conducts a review of the performance of the Board and its Committees
each year.
|
·
|
The
Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for individual director
assessments and obtains input for such assessments from all Board
members
other than the director being assessed. These assessments, including
confidential feedback to the director, will be completed at least
one year
prior to a director’s anticipated nomination for a new
term.
|
·
|
The
Board conducts an annual CEO performance evaluation. The lead director
chairs a meeting of the outside directors to discuss the evaluation
and
communicates the results to the
CEO.
|
·
|
The
Board reviews the annual succession planning report from the CEO,
including the position of CEO as well as other executive
officers.
|
·
|
The
Board, Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance
Committee and Finance Committee each have authority to retain legal
counsel or any other consultant or expert without notification to,
or
prior approval of, management.
|
·
|
Directors
are required to submit their resignation from the Board upon changing
their occupational status, and the Corporate Governance Committee
with
input from the CEO makes a recommendation to the Board regarding
acceptance of such resignation.
|
·
|
Directors
are required to achieve share ownership of three times their annual
cash
portion of the retainer within five years of election to the Board,
and
based on the March 5, 2007 closing price of our common stock, all
directors are in compliance with such
requirements.
|
·
|
We
will pay the reasonable expenses for each director to attend at least
one
continuing education program per year.
|
·
|
We
have a director orientation program for new directors, and all directors
are invited to attend orientation programs when they are
offered.
|
·
|
We
will not make any personal loans or extensions of credit to directors
or
executive officers.
|
·
|
The
Corporate Governance Committee must re-evaluate the Corporate Governance
Guidelines each year.
|
Director
Independence
Our
common stock is traded on the NYSE. NYSE listing standards and our Corporate
Governance Guidelines require that a majority of our directors meet the criteria
for independence as set forth in the NYSE listing standards. The NYSE listing
standards provide that in order to be considered independent, the Board must
determine that a director has no material relationship with us other than as
a
director. As permitted by the NYSE listing standards, the Board has adopted
categorical standards to assist it in determining whether its members have
such
a material relationship with us. These standards, which are part of our
Corporate Governance Guidelines, are discussed below and can be found on our
website (
www.lfg.com)
.
The
Corporate Governance Committee and the Board have reviewed the independence
of
each Board member, including the nominees for director at the Annual
Meeting,
considering
the standards set forth in our Corporate Governance Guidelines (which include
the NYSE standards for independence). As a result of this review, the Board
affirmatively determined that directors Avery, Barrett, Cunningham, Henderson,
Johnson, Lachman, Mee, Payne, Pittard, Ruckelshaus and Tidwell are, and former
director Tilton was, independent because they have none of the following
material relationships with us (either directly or as a partner, shareholder
or
officer of an organization that has a material relationship with
us):
·
|
is
or was an employee, or whose immediate family member is or was an
executive officer, of us or our subsidiaries during the three years
prior
to the independence determination;
|
·
|
has
received, or whose immediate family member received, from us, during
any
12-month period within the three years prior to the independence
determination, more than $100,000 in direct compensation, other than
director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred
compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not
contingent in any way on continued
service);
|
·
|
(i)
is or an immediate family member is a current partner of our external
or
internal auditor (to the extent the internal auditor is a third-party);
(ii) is a current employee of such a firm; (iii) has an immediate
family
member who is a current employee of such a firm and who participates
in
the firm’s audit,
|
|
assurance
or tax compliance (but not tax planning) practice; or (iv) was, or
who has
an immediate family member that was, within the three years prior
to the
independence determination (but is no longer) a partner or employee
of
such a firm and personally worked on our audit within that
time;
|
·
|
is
or was employed, or whose immediate family member is or was employed,
as
an executive officer of another company where any of our present
executives served at the same time on that company’s compensation
committee within the three years prior to the independence determination;
|
·
|
is
or was an executive officer or an employee, or whose immediate family
member is or was an executive officer, of a company that makes payments
to, or receives payments from, us for property or services in an
amount
which, in any single fiscal year, exceeds the greater of $1 million
or 2%
of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues within the three years
prior to the independence determination;
|
·
|
is
an executive officer of a not-for-profit organization to which we
or the
Lincoln Financial Foundation, Inc.’s annual discretionary contributions
exceed the greater of $1 million or 2% of the organization’s latest
publicly available total annual revenues;
and
|
·
|
has
any other material relationship with us (either directly or as a
partner,
shareholder, or officer of an organization that has a relationship
with
us, including any contributions we made to a charitable organization
of
which the director serves as an executive
officer).
|
The
Board
of Directors also has determined that the following relationships are not
material and do not impair a director’s independence:
·
|
A
director or a director’s immediate family member’s purchase or ownership
of an insurance, annuity, mutual fund or other product from us, or
use of
our financial services, all on terms and conditions substantially
similar
to those generally available to other similarly situated third parties
in
arm’s-length transactions and does not otherwise violate the criteria
listed above.
|
·
|
A
director’s membership in the same professional association, or the same
social, fraternal or religious organization or club, as one of our
executive officers or other
directors.
|
·
|
A
director’s current or prior attendance at the same educational institution
as one of our executive officers or other
directors.
|
·
|
A
director’s service on the board of directors of another public company on
which one of our executive officers or directors also serves, except
for
prohibited compensation committee interlocks.
|
·
|
A
director’s employment by another public company whose independent
registered public accounting firm is the same as
ours.
|
In
addition, a director who is also a member of our Audit Committee must meet
the
following additional requirements regarding independence as required by Rule
10A-3(b)(1)(ii) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
|
1.
|
A
director is not independent if he or she accepts, directly or indirectly,
any consulting, advisory, or other compensatory fee from us or any
of our
subsidiaries, other than the receipt of fixed amounts of compensation
under a retirement plan (including deferred compensation) for prior
service with us or any of our subsidiaries (provided that such
compensation is not contingent in any way on continued
service).
|
2.
|
A
director is not independent if he or she is an “affiliated person” (as
defined in Section 10A-3 of the Exchange Act) of us or any of our
subsidiaries.
|
Finally,
the Board determined that those directors who are members of the Audit,
Corporate Governance, Compensation and Finance Committees are likewise
independent of our management and us under our Corporate Governance Guidelines
and SEC and NYSE rules, as applicable.
In
conducting its independence review discussed above, the Board considered, among
other things, transactions and relationships between each outside director
or
any member of his or her immediate family and us or our subsidiaries and
affiliates. In making these determinations, the Board considered that in the
ordinary course of business, transactions occur between us and companies at
which some of our directors are or have been employees or officers. In each
case, the amount of transactions with these companies in each of the last three
years did not reach the thresholds set forth in the categorical standards.
Mr.
Cunningham is a professor at and employee of The University of Texas with which
we engage in ordinary course of business transactions. Mr. Barrett is president
of a company with which we engage in ordinary course of business transactions.
The transactions were on terms that are substantially equivalent to those
prevailing at the time for comparable transactions, and none approached the
threshold levels set forth in our categorical standards.
Under
our
categorical standards, discretionary contributions to not-for-profit
organizations to which a director serves as an executive officer of the lesser
of $1 million or 2% of the organization’s latest publicly available total annual
revenues, will not impair the director’s independence. None of the directors are
executive officers of the not-for-profit organizations to which we or the
Lincoln Financial Foundation, Inc. made contributions, and none of the reported
transactions approach the levels set forth on our categorical
standards.
Qualifications
and Director Nomination Process
The
Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, which is composed solely of
“independent directors,” is responsible for (1) assisting the Board by
identifying individuals qualified to become Board members, (2) recommending
to
the Board the director nominees for the next annual meeting of shareholders
and
(3) evaluating the competencies appropriate for the Board and identifying
missing or under-represented competencies. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines
provide that the Board itself should be responsible, in fact as well as
procedure, for selecting its own members.
The
Corporate Governance Committee does not have any specific minimum qualifications
that must be met by a nominee. However, its charter provides that “[I]n
nominating candidates, the Committee shall take into consideration such factors
as it deems appropriate. These factors may include judgment, skill, diversity,
experience, the extent to which the candidate’s experience complements the
experience of other Board members, and the extent to which the candidate would
be a desirable addition to the Board and any Committees of the Board. The
Committee may consider candidates proposed by management, but is not required
to
do so.”
The
Corporate Governance Committee identifies nominees by first evaluating the
current members of the Board willing to continue in service. The Corporate
Governance Committee begins by reviewing the individual director assessments
of
existing directors who are being considered for re-nomination. Current members
of the Board who have skills and experience that are relevant to our business,
who are willing to continue to serve and whose director assessment indicates
the
director has performed well during the most recent term are considered for
re-nomination. If any member of the Board being considered for re-nomination
does not wish to serve or if the Corporate Governance Committee decides not
to
re-nominate a given member, the Corporate Governance Committee identifies the
desired skills and experience that a potential new nominee should possess.
The
Corporate Governance Committee also considers whether it is necessary or
desirable that the nominee be considered independent under the NYSE listing
standards, and, if so, whether the individual meets the standards for
independence. The Corporate Governance Committee may, but is not required to,
retain an outside firm to assist in the identification and evaluation of
potential nominees.
The
Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing with the Board
the
appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members in the context
of the current make-up of the Board. This assessment includes integrity, issues
of diversity, age, professional accomplishments, skills such as understanding
of
marketing, finance, accounting, regulation and public policy, international
background, commitment to our shared values, etc. - all in the context of an
assessment of the perceived needs of the Board at a given point in time.
The
Board
has delegated the process of screening potential nominees who are not current
directors to the Corporate Governance Committee with input from the CEO. In
connection with the evaluation of a new nominee, the Corporate Governance
Committee determines whether it should interview the nominee, and if warranted,
one or more members of the Corporate Governance Committee interview the nominee.
Upon completing the evaluation and the interview, the Corporate Governance
Committee makes a recommendation to the Board as to whether to nominate the
director nominee.
A
lthough
the Corporate Governance Committee does not solicit shareholder recommendations
regarding director nominees to be proposed by the Board, it will consider such
recommendations if they are made in accordance with
the
procedures set forth in Article I, Section 11 of our Bylaws, which is set forth
in Exhibit 2 to this proxy statement and discussed beginning on page 69 of
this
proxy statement under the heading “Shareholder Proposals.” If the Corporate
Governance Committee determines that such a nominee should be considered as
a
director, it will recommend the nominee to the Board. The Board may accept
or
reject the proposed nominee. There are no differences in the manner in which
the
Corporate Governance Committee evaluates nominees for director based on whether
the nominee is recommended by a shareholder.
Communications
with Directors
The
Board
provides a process for interested persons to send communications to the Board
or
to the outside directors of the Board. Interested persons
with
information pertaining to any possible violation of our Code of Conduct, or
concerns or complaints pertaining to our accounting, internal accounting
controls or audit, or other concerns are invited to communicate this information
to the outside members of the Board of Directors at:
The
Outside Directors
Lincoln
National Corporation
Centre
Square, West Tower
1500
Market St, Suite 3900
Philadelphia,
PA 19102-2112
Facsimile:
215-977-2881
Attention:
Office of the Corporate Secretary
All
complaints and concerns will be received and processed by the Corporate
Secretary. Relevant and appropriate complaints and concerns will be referred
to
our Board’s lead director. You may report your concerns anonymously and/or
confidentially. If you choose to report your concerns anonymously, we will
be
unable to contact you in the event we require further information in the course
of our investigation. If you choose to report your concerns confidentially,
we
cannot guarantee absolute confidentiality. In certain circumstances, it would
be
impossible to conduct a thorough investigation without revealing your identity.
No retaliatory action will be taken against employees who raise any concern
in
good faith.
Director
Attendance at 2006 Annual Meeting
The
Board
does not have a formal policy regarding attendance by Board members at our
annual meeting of shareholders, but directors are encouraged to attend the
annual meeting of shareholders. All of our directors attended the 2006 annual
meeting of shareholders, except Jill S. Ruckelshaus.
THE
BOA
RD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Our
Board
is currently composed of 14 members. The members of the Board, including Board
nominees, their relevant term of office, and certain biographical information
are set forth below under “Item 1 - Election of Directors.” Compensation of our
directors is discussed below under “Compensation of Directors.”
During
2006, the Board met 6 times. All directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate
meetings of the Board and Board Committees held during the period that he or
she
served as a director and which he or she was eligible to attend.
The
Board
currently has five standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Compensation
Committee, the Corporate Governance Committee, the Finance Committee and the
Committee on Corporate Action. In 2006, the former Development Committee changed
its name to the Finance Committee, and the Finance Committee assumed the duties
of the Development Committee and former Securities Committee. The following
table lists the Directors who currently serve on the Committees and the number
of meetings held for each Committee during 2006. The Audit, Compensation,
Corporate Governance and Finance Committees each conduct a self-evaluation
of
their respective committee’s performance each year.
Current
Committee Membership and Meetings Held During 2006
(C=Chair
M=Member)
Name
|
Audit
|
Compensation
|
Corporate
Governance
|
Finance
|
Corporate
Action
1
|
William
J. Avery
|
M
|
|
|
|
|
J.
Patrick Barrett
|
|
|
M
|
|
|
Jon
A. Boscia
|
|
|
|
|
C
|
William
H. Cunningham
|
|
C
|
|
M
|
|
Dennis
R. Glass
|
|
|
|
|
M
|
George
W. Henderson, III
|
M
|
|
|
M
|
|
Eric
G. Johnson
|
|
|
|
C
|
|
M.
Leanne Lachman
|
C
|
|
|
|
|
Michael
F. Mee
|
|
M
|
|
M
|
|
William
P. Payne
|
|
|
C
|
|
|
Patrick
S. Pittard
|
|
M
|
|
|
|
Jill
S. Ruckelshaus
|
|
|
M
|
|
|
David
A. Stonecipher
|
|
|
|
|
|
Isaiah
Tidwell
|
M
|
|
M
|
|
|
Number
of Meetings in 2006:
|
10
|
9
|
6
|
4
|
--
|
1
The
Committee on Corporate Action normally takes action by the unanimous written
consent of the members of that Committee, and eight such actions were taken
in
2006.
The
functions and responsibilities of the key standing committees of our Board
are
described below.
Audit
Committee
The
primary function of the Audit Committee is oversight. The principal functions
of
the Audit Committee include:
·
|
assist
the Board of Directors in its oversight of (a) the integrity of our
financial statements, (b) our compliance with legal and regulatory
requirements, (c) the independent auditor’s qualifications and
independence, and (d) the performance of our general auditor and
independent auditor;
|
·
|
select,
evaluate and replace the independent auditors, and approve all engagements
of the independent auditors;
|
·
|
review
significant financial reporting issues and
practices;
|
·
|
discuss
our annual consolidated financial statements and quarterly “management
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations”
included in our SEC filings and annual report to shareholders, if
applicable;
|
·
|
inquire
about significant risks and exposures, if any, and review and assess
the
steps taken to monitor and manage such
risks;
|
·
|
establish
procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of complaints
regarding accounting, internal
|
auditing
controls, or auditing matters, and for the confidential, anonymous submission
by
our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing
matters;
·
|
consult
with management before the appointment or replacement of the internal
auditor; and
|
·
|
prepare
the report required to be prepared by the Audit Committee pursuant
to the
rules of the SEC for inclusion in our annual proxy statement.
|
The
Board
has determined that William J. Avery is an “audit committee financial expert” as
defined under Item 401 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act
of
1934, as amended. Mr. Avery is an independent director under applicable SEC
rules, NYSE listing standards and our Corporate Governance Guidelines. The
Audit
Committee has authority to obtain advice and assistance from internal or
external legal, accounting or other advisors. The Board has adopted a written
charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which is available on our website
(
www.lfg.com
).
More
information concerning the Audit Committee, including the Audit Committee
Report, is set forth below under “Ratification of the Appointment of the
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” beginning on page 18.
Compensation
Committee
The
principal functions of the Compensation Committee include:
·
|
establish,
in consultation with senior management, our general compensation
philosophy;
|
·
|
review
and confer on the selection and development of executive officers
and key
personnel;
|
·
|
review
and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation
of
the chief executive officer, evaluate the chief executive officer’s
performance in light of these goals and set the chief executive officer’s
compensation level based on this evaluation;
|
·
|
review
and recommend to the Board for approval candidates for chairman of
the
Board and chief executive officer;
|
·
|
review
and approve all compensation strategies, policies and programs that
encompass total remuneration of our executive officers and key
personnel;
|
·
|
make
recommendations to the Board regarding incentive compensation and
equity-based plans and approve all grants and awards under such plans
to
executive officers;
|
·
|
approve
employment contracts and agreements for executive officers;
and
|
·
|
approve
employee benefit and executive compensation plans and programs and
changes
to such plans and programs, if the present value cost of each plan
or
change to a plan will not exceed $20 million for the next five calendar
years after their effectiveness.
|
The
Compensation Committee has the authority to retain and terminate compensation
consultants and to approve any compensation consultant’s fees and terms of
retention and
to
obtain
advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other
advisors
.
A
copy of
the Compensation Committee Charter is available on our
website
(
www.lfg.com
).
More
information concerning the Compensation Committee is set forth below
“Compensation Committee Processes and Procedures.”
Corporate
Governance Committee
The
principal functions of the Corporate Governance Committee include:
·
|
identify
individuals qualified to become Board
members;
|
·
|
subject
to our bylaws, recommend to the Board nominees for director (including
those recommended by shareholders in accordance with our Bylaws)
and for
Board Committees;
|
·
|
take
a leadership position regarding corporate governance and to
develop
and recommend to the Board a set of corporate governance
principles;
|
·
|
d
evelop
and recommend to the Board standards for determining the independence
of
directors;
|
·
|
recommend
to the Board an overall compensation program for
directors;
|
·
|
make
recommendations to the Board regarding the size of the Board and
the size,
structure and function of Board
Committees;
|
·
|
assist
in the evaluation of the Board and be responsible for the evaluation
of
individual directors; and
|
·
|
recommend
to the Board such additional actions related to corporate governance
as
the Committee deems advisable.
|
The
Corporate Governance Committee has the authority to
retain
and terminate search firms and to approve any search firm’s fees and terms of
retention and
to
obtain
advice and assistance from internal or external legal, accounting or other
advisors
.
A copy
of the Corporate Governance Committee Charter is available on our website
(
www.lfg.com)
.
Finance
Committee
The
Finance Committee replaced our prior Development and Securities Committees.
The
principal functions of the Finance Committee include:
·
|
review
our financial performance standards and our performance against such
standards;
|
·
|
review
and provide guidance to senior management with respect to our capital
structure, including reviewing and approving (within guidelines
established by the Board) issuance of securities by us or any of
our
affiliates and reviewing and recommending changes, if necessary,
to our
dividend and share repurchase
strategies;
|
·
|
review
our overall credit quality and credit ratings
strategy;
|
·
|
review
and provide recommendations regarding our strategic
initiatives;
|
·
|
within
guidelines established by the Board, review and approve proposed
mergers,
acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, other strategic investments
and significant proposed “off balance sheet” transactions
;
|
·
|
review
and approve our investment policies, strategies and
guidelines;
|
·
|
review
our hedging program and the policies and procedures governing the
use of
financial instruments including derivative instruments;
and
|
·
|
review
the adequacy of the funding of our qualified pension plans, including
significant actuarial assumptions.
|
The
Finance Committee has
authority to obtain advice and assistance from internal or external legal,
accounting or other advisors.
A
copy of
the Finance Committee Charter is available on our website
at
www.lfg.com
.
Committee
on Corporate Action
Within
limits now or hereafter specified by the Board and, in some cases, the Finance
Committee, the principal functions of the Committee on Corporate Action
include:
·
|
determine
the pricing of the securities offered from the shelf registration
statement (including the interest rate, dividend rate, distribution
rate
or contract adjustment payments, as applicable, the conversion ratio
or
settlement rate, as applicable, the price at which such securities
will be
sold to the underwriters, the underwriting discounts, commissions
and
reallowances relating thereto and the price at which such securities
will
be sold to the public);
|
·
|
approve
the final form of underwriting agreement, security and other transaction
documents relating to the offering and sale of the securities under
the
shelf registration statement; and
|
·
|
elect
certain classes of our officers as the Board may determine by
resolution.
|
IT
EM
1
- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our
Board
is currently composed of 14 members and is divided into three classes. Each
director is elected for a three-year term. We have a vacancy in the class with
a
term expiring at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders as a result of Glenn
F.
Tilton’s resignation from the Board on March 20, 2007. The Board of Directors is
authorized under our Bylaws to fill the vacancy in the class of directors or
reduce the size of the Board without seeking shareholder approval.
If
you
sign the enclosed proxy card and return it to us, your proxy will be voted
for
the Board’s nominees for terms expiring at the 2010 Annual Meeting or until
their successors are duly elected and qualified, unless you specifically
indicate on the proxy card that you are withholding authority to vote for one
or
more of those nominees. All of the nominees are current directors of LNC. All
nominees have agreed to serve on the Board if they are elected. If any nominee
is unable (or for whatever reason declines) to serve as a director at the time
of the Annual Meeting, proxies may be voted for the election of a qualified
substitute nominee selected by the Board.
Nominees
for a Term Expiring at the 2010 Annual
Meeting
|
|
William
J. Avery
Director
since 2002
Age
66
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and public and investment Company
Directorships:
Retired
Executive. Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Crown
Cork
& Seal Company, Inc.,
a
manufacturer
of packaging products for consumer goods
(1995
- 2001). Director of Rohm &
Haas.
|
|
William
H. Cunningham
Director
since 2006
Age
63
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and public and investment Company
Directorships:
Professor
at The University of Texas at Austin (2000 - Present). Director of
Hayes
Lemmerz International, Inc., Introgen Therapeutics, Inc., John Hancock
Mutual Funds, LIN Television, and Southwest Airlines Co.
|
|
William
Porter Payne
Director
since 2006
Age
59
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and public and investment Company
Directorships:
Partner,
Gleacher Partners LLC, an investment banking and asset management
firm
(2000 - Present). Director of Anheuser Busch, Inc. and Cousins Properties,
Inc.
|
|
Patrick
S. Pittard
Director
since 2006
Age
61
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and public and investment Company
Directorships:
Distinguished
Executive in Residence at the Terry Business School, University of
Georgia
(
2002
-
Present). Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Heidrick
& Struggles International, Inc., a global provider of senior level
executive search and leadership development services (1983 - 2002).
Director of Artisan Funds.
|
|
Jill
S. Ruckelshaus
Director
since 1975
Age
70
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and Public and Investment Company
Directorships:
Retired
Executive. Prior to her retirement in 1997, Ms. Ruckelshaus was a
consultant for William D. Ruckelshaus Associates,
environmental
consultants
(1989 - 1997). Director of Costco, Inc.
|
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the
nominees.
D
irec
tors
Continuing In Office
The
identity of, and certain biographical information relating to, the directors
who
will continue in office after the Annual Meeting are set forth
below.
Continuing
in Office for a Term Expiring at the 2008 Annual
Meeting
|
|
J.
Patrick Barrett
Director
since 1990
Age
70
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and Public and Investment Company
Directorships:
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of CARPAT Investments
,
a private investment company
(1987 - Present).
|
|
Dennis
R. Glass
Director
since 2006
Age
57
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and Public and Investment Company
Directorships:
President
and Chief Operating Officer of Lincoln National Corporation (April
2006 -
Present). President and Chief Executive Officer of Jefferson-Pilot
Corporation (2004- April 2006). President and Chief Operating Officer
of
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation (2001 -2004).
|
|
Michael
F. Mee
Director
since 2001
Age
64
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and Public and Investment Company
Directorships:
Retired
Executive. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
,
a pharmaceutical and related health care products company
(1994 - 2001). Director of Ferro Corporation.
|
|
David A. Stonecipher
Director since 2006
Age 66
Principal Occupation, Business Experience and Public and Investment
Company Directorships:
Retired Executive. Director, Chairman of the Board of Jefferson-Pilot
Corporation (2004 - 2006). Director, Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer of Jefferson-Pilot
Corporation (2001 - 2004).
|
Continuing
in Office for a Term Expiring at the 2009 Annual
Meeting
|
|
Jon
A. Boscia
Director
since 1998
Age
55
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and Public and Investment company
Directorships:
Chairman
of Lincoln National Corporation (2001 - Present). Chief Executive
Officer
of
Lincoln
National
Corporation
(1998 - Present) President of Lincoln National Corporation (1998
- 2001).
President, The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (1999 - 2004).
Director of The Hershey Company.
|
|
George
W. Henderson, III
Director
since 2006
Age
58
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and Public and Investment Company
Directorships:
Retired
Executive. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Burlington Industries,
Inc.,
a
manufacturer of textile products
(1995 - 2003) (Burlington filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter
11
in late 2001 to transition and modify its business model in the highly
competitive textile business). Director of Bassett Furniture Industries,
Inc. and Propex, Inc.
|
|
Eric
G. Johnson
Director
since 1998
Age
56
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and Public and Investment Company
Directorships:
President
and Chief Executive Officer of Baldwin Richardson Foods Company,
a
manufacturer of dessert products and liquid condiments for retail
and the
food service industry
(December 1997 - present).
|
|
M.
Leanne Lachman
Director
since 1985
Age
64
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and Public and Investment Company
Directorships:
President
of Lachman Associates LLC,
an
independent real estate consultant and investment advisor
(2003 - Present). Principal and Managing Director of Lend Lease Real
Estate Investments, a global investment manager (1999 - 2003). Secretary
of G.L. Realty Investors, Inc (2004 - Present). Director of Liberty
Property Trust.
|
|
Isaiah
Tidwell
Director
since 2006
Age
62
Principal
Occupation, Business Experience and Public and Investment Company
Directorships:
Retired
Executive. Executive Vice President and Georgia Wealth Management
Director, Wachovia Bank, N.A.,
a
diversified commercial banking organization
(2001 - 2005). Director of Lance, Inc. and Ruddick
Corporation.
|
ITE
M
2 - RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF
THE
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
On
February 22, 2007, our Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP, as our
independent registered public accounting firm, for the year ending December
31,
2007. We have engaged this firm and its predecessors in this capacity
continuously since 1968. Although not required, we request that you ratify
this
appointment. If you do not ratify this appointment, the Audit Committee may
reconsider its appointment. Even if you do ratify this appointment, the Audit
Committee is empowered to terminate Ernst & Young LLP and select and retain
another independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the
year.
Representatives
of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting. They will be
given the opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire, and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions relating to the audit of our
audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31,
2006.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young
LLP, as our independent registered public accounting firm for
200
7.
Independent
Regis
tere
d Public Accounting Firm
Fees
and Services
Below
are
fees that were incurred by Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered
public accounting firm, for fiscal years 2006 and 2005 for professional services
rendered as well as the related percentage of total fees that each category
comprises.
|
|
Fiscal
Year Ended -December 31, 2006
|
|
%
of Total Fees
|
|
Fiscal
Year Ended -December 31, 2005
|
|
%
of Total Fees
|
|
Audit
Fees
|
|
|
10,017,627
|
|
|
83.3
|
|
$
|
7,830,649
|
|
|
82.9
|
|
Audit-Related
Fees
|
|
|
2,006,249
|
|
|
16.7
|
|
$
|
1,553,626
|
|
|
16.5
|
|
Tax
Fees
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
$
|
57,093
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
All
Other Fees
|
|
|
13,500
|
|
|
*
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
|
TOTAL
FEES:
|
|
|
12,037,376
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
$
|
9,441,368
|
|
|
100.0
|
|
*less
than 1%
Audit
Fees
Fees
for
audit services include fees associated with the annual audit, the reviews of
our
interim financial statements included in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
accounting consultations directly associated with the audit, and services
normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.
Audit-Related
Fees
Audit-related
services principally include employee benefit plan audits, service auditor
reports on internal controls, due diligence procedures in connection with
acquisitions and dispositions, reviews of registration statements and
prospectuses and accounting consultations not directly associated with the
audit
or quarterly reviews.
Tax
Fees
Fees
for
tax services include tax compliance and advisory services.
All
Other Fees
Represents
fees for two software products used for technical research.
Audit
Com
mittee
Pre-Approval Policy
In
accordance with its charter, the Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve
services provided by Ernst & Young LLP. These pre-approval procedures are
set forth in Exhibit 3 hereto. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we
relied upon the
de
minimis
exception
to pre-approval pursuant to SEC rules for approximately 1% of all services
provided by Ernst & Young LLP.
Management
has primary responsibility for preparing Lincoln National Corporation’s
financial statements and establishing financial reporting systems and internal
controls. Management also is responsible for reporting on the effectiveness
of
the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting. The independent
registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent
audit of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and issuing a
report on these financial statements. The independent registered public
accounting firm is also responsible for issuing an attestation report on
management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal
control over financial reporting.
In
this
context, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. The
Audit Committee has also discussed with the Corporation’s independent registered
public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61, Communications with Audit Committees. Additionally,
the Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and representations
from the independent registered public accounting firm required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees,
and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the
independent registered public accounting firm’s independence.
Based
upon the review and discussions referred to in this report, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2006 be included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 for filing with the
SEC.
William
J. Avery
George
W.
Henderson, III
M.
Leanne
Lachman, Chair
Isaiah
Tidwell
(1)
|
This
Audit Committee Report, will not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or
to be “filed” with the SEC, except to the extent that we specifically
request that such information be treated as soliciting material or
specifically incorporate such information by reference into a document
filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act or under the Securities
Act of
1933, as amended.
|
APPROVAL
OF THE
LINCOLN
NATIONAL CORPORATION
AMENDED
AND RESTATED INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
On
February 23, 2007, our Board of Directors approved an amendment and restatement
of the Amended and Restated Lincoln National Corporation Incentive Compensation
Plan, which, as amended and restated, is referred to below as the ICP, or the
Plan. The Plan as last amended and restated in 2005 is referred to below as
the
Amended and Restated ICP.
The
purpose of the amendment and restatement was to increase the total number of
shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan by 5,500,000 and
to
expand the business criteria that we use to set performance targets, subject
to
shareholder approval at this Annual Meeting. We are asking shareholders to
approve the amendment and restatement so that we may continue to grant equity
awards to attract and retain key employees and to tie our key employees’
interests with those of shareholders. Also, by approving the amendment and
restatement, shareholders will be deemed to have re-approved the expanded
business criteria that we use to set performance targets for awards granted
to
satisfy the provision of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as
amended, or the Code.
Purpose
Our
Board
of Directors believes that attracting and retaining key employees is essential
to our growth and success. In addition, our Board believes that our long-term
success is enhanced by a competitive and comprehensive compensation program,
which may include tailored incentives designed to motivate and reward such
persons for outstanding service, including awards that link compensation to
applicable measures of our performance and the creation of shareholder value.
Under the Plan, we are able to grant awards that enable us to attract and retain
key employees and enable such persons to acquire and/or increase their
proprietary interest in us and thereby align their interests with the interests
of our shareholders. Accordingly, the Plan is designed to accomplish these
objectives.
The
changes to the Amended and Restated ICP are to increase the total number of
shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan by 5,500,000 shares
and to expand the business criteria that we use to set performance targets.
Under the Plan, the total number of shares of our common stock initially
reserved and available for delivery to participants in connection with Awards
(as defined below), including shares relating to awards previously granted,
was
32,226,512. As of December 31, 2006 and March 5, 2007, 5,057,411 and 3,490,150,
respectively, of these shares remained available for issuance. Note, in general,
that the shares remaining under the Plan at December 31, 2006 will fluctuate
as
new Awards are granted and as outstanding Awards expire or are cancelled or
forfeited without delivery of the shares underlying an award to a recipient.
For
a further discussion of share counting under the Plan, see “Shares Subject to
the ICP; Annual Per-Person Limitations” below. If the amendment and restatement
is not approved, the Plan will continue with the remaining shares available
for
issuance, but we believe this amount will be insufficient to allow us to attract
and retain key talent.
Our
incentive compensation programs are paid out upon the Compensation Committee’s
certification of the achievement of pre-established performance goals that
meet
the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code for “performance-based”
compensation. For further information regarding 2006 incentive compensation,
see
the “Compensation Discussion & Analysis” beginning on page 31 of this proxy
statement. We believe that, as a result of our merger with Jefferson-Pilot
Corporation and the growth of our businesses, the current list of business
criteria used to establish the pre-established performance goals is not broad
enough to allow us to develop appropriate performance goals for all of our
businesses.
We
commit
to shareholders that we will maintain a prospective three-year average burn
rate
(commencing on January 1, 2008) with respect to our equity awards under all
plans that will not exceed the greater of two percent of our shares outstanding
or the mean of its Global Industry Classification Standards Peer Group
(Insurance). The “burn rate” is calculated by dividing the number of Awards
granted each fiscal year by the basic shares of common stock outstanding at
the
end of each of the three fiscal years. For purposes of calculating the number
of
shares granted in a year, Awards, other than options and SARs with an exercise
price that is at least equal to the fair market value on the date of grant,
will
count as equivalent to (i) 1.5 option shares if our annual stock price
volatility is 53% or higher, (ii) two option shares if our annual stock price
volatility is between 25% and 52%, and (iii) four option shares if our annual
stock price volatility is less than 25%.
The
following is a brief description of the material features of the Plan. This
description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 4.
Types
of Awards.
The
terms of the Plan provide for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights
(“SARs”), restricted stock, deferred stock units, other stock-related awards,
and performance or annual incentive awards that may be settled in cash, stock,
or other property (“Awards”).
Shares
Subject to the ICP; Annual Per-Person Limitations.
As
stated above, under the Plan, the total number of shares of our common stock
reserved and available for delivery to participants in connection with Awards
is
32,226,512. However, 5,057,411 shares and 3,490,150 were available under the
ICP
as of December 31, 2006 and March 5, 2007, respectively. We are seeking to
increase the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan by
5,500,000. Shares that may be issued in payment of Awards,
other
than
Options
and SARs, are counted against the remaining shares at a ratio of 3.25-to-1.
The
total number of shares of common stock with respect to which incentive stock
options (“ISOs”), none of which are currently outstanding, may be granted shall
not exceed 2,000,000. As stated above, the remaining shares will vary at any
point in time due to new Award grants and expirations, forfeitures and
cancellations of outstanding Awards as discussed in the following paragraph.
Any
shares of common stock delivered under the Plan shall consist of authorized
and
unissued shares.
The
Plan contains rules to permit all awards to be properly counted and not counted
twice. These rules will apply to shares previously authorized under any other
plan at the time they become subject to the Plan. Forfeited, terminated or
expired awards of shares, as well as awards settled in cash without issuing
any
shares, will become available for future awards. With respect to stock settled
SARS, the full issuance of shares to settle such Awards will count against
shares available under the Plan.
In
addition, the Plan imposes individual limitations on the amount of certain
Awards in order to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code. Under these
limitations, during any fiscal year the number of options, SARs, shares of
restricted stock, units of deferred stock, shares of common stock issued as
a
bonus or in lieu of other obligations, and other stock-based Awards granted
to
any one participant shall not exceed 2,000,000 shares for each type of such
Award, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The maximum amount that
may be earned as an annual incentive award or other cash Award (payable
currently or on a deferred basis) in any fiscal year by any one participant
is
$8,000,000, and the maximum amount that may be earned as a performance award
or
other cash Award (payable currently or on a deferred basis) in respect of a
performance period by any one participant is $8,000,000.
The
Committee is authorized to adjust the number and kind of shares subject to
the
aggregate share limitations and annual limitations under the Plan and subject
to
outstanding Awards (including adjustments to exercise prices and number of
shares of options and other affected terms of Awards) in the event that a
dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, shares, or other property),
recapitalization, forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other
similar corporate transaction or event affects the common stock so that an
adjustment is appropriate. The Committee is also authorized to adjust
performance conditions and other terms of Awards in response to these kinds
of
events or in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting
principles.
Eligibility.
Our or
our subsidiaries’ executive officers and other officers and employees, agents
and brokers, including any such person who may also be one of our directors,
are
eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan. It is anticipated that
approximately 1,500 persons are eligible to receive Awards under the
Plan.
Administration.
The
Plan
will be administered by the Committee. Subject to the terms and conditions
of
the Plan, the Committee is authorized to interpret the provisions of the plan,
select participants, determine the type and number of Awards to be granted
and
the number of shares of common stock to which Awards will relate, specify times
at which Awards will be exercisable or settleable (including performance
conditions that may be required as a condition thereof), set other terms and
conditions of such Awards, prescribe forms of Award agreements, adopt, amend
and
rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and make all other
determinations that may be necessary or advisable for the administration of
the
Plan. The Committee may, in its discretion, convert any Award or the value
of
any Award under the Plan, subject to applicable laws and regulations, into
Deferred Stock Units which will be administered under the Deferred Compensation
Plan. The Plan provides that Committee members shall not be personally liable,
and shall be fully indemnified, in connection with any action, determination,
or
interpretation taken or made in good faith under the Plan.
Stock
Options and SARs.
The
Committee is authorized to grant stock options, including both ISOs that can
result in potentially favorable tax treatment to the participant and
non-qualified stock options (
i.e.
,
options
not qualifying as ISOs), and SARs entitling the participant to receive the
excess of the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of
exercise over the grant price of the SAR. The exercise price per share subject
to an option and the grant price of a SAR is determined by the Committee, but
must not be less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the
date of grant. Under the Plan, unless otherwise determined by the Committee,
the
fair market value of common stock is the average of the highest and lowest
prices of a share of common stock, as quoted on the composite transactions
tape
on the NYSE, on the last trading day prior to the date on which the
determination of fair market value is being made. However, as is discussed
further below on page 39, the Compensation Committee has adopted a policy
providing that options granted after November 2006 will use the closing price
of
our common stock on the date of grant as the exercise price. On March 22, 2007,
the closing price of our common stock was $68.23 per share.
The
maximum term of each option or SAR, the times at which each option or SAR will
be exercisable, and provisions requiring forfeiture of unexercised options
or
SARs at or following termination of employment generally are fixed by the
Committee, except no option or SAR may have a term exceeding ten years. Options
may be exercised by payment of the exercise price in cash, common stock or
outstanding Awards having a fair market value equal to the exercise price,
as
the Committee may determine from time to time. Methods of exercise and
settlement and other terms of the SARs are determined by the Committee. To
date,
we have only granted SARs settleable exclusively in cash. The Committee may
include a provision in an option permitting the grant of a new option when
payment of the exercise price of an option is made in shares of common stock.
However, as discussed below, the exercise price of an option may not be reduced
(except as a result of a change in our capitalization) without shareholder
approval. See “Other Terms of Awards; No Repricing,” below.
Restricted
Stock and Deferred Stock Units.
The
Committee is authorized to grant restricted stock and deferred stock units.
Restricted stock is a grant of common stock which may not be sold or disposed
of, and which may be forfeited in the event of certain terminations of
employment and/or failure to meet certain performance requirements, prior to
the
end of a restricted period specified by the Committee. A participant granted
restricted stock generally has all of the rights of a shareholder, including
the
right to vote the shares and to receive dividends thereon, unless otherwise
determined by the Committee. An Award of deferred stock units is credited to
a
bookkeeping reserve account under the Deferred Compensation Plan. Such an Award
confers upon a participant the right to receive shares at the end of a specified
deferral period, subject to possible forfeiture of the Award in the event of
certain terminations of employment and/or failure to meet certain performance
requirements prior to the end of a specified restricted period (which restricted
period need not extend for the entire duration of the deferral period). Prior
to
settlement, an Award of deferred stock units carries no voting or dividend
rights or other rights associated with share ownership, although dividend
equivalents may be granted, as discussed below.
Bonus
Stock and Awards in Lieu of Cash Obligations.
The
Committee is authorized to grant shares as a bonus free of restrictions, or
to
grant shares or other Awards in lieu of obligations to pay cash under other
plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as the Committee
may
specify.
Other
Stock-Based Awards.
The Plan
authorizes the Committee to grant Awards that are denominated or payable in,
valued by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to shares. Such Awards
might include convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights
convertible or exchangeable into shares, purchase rights for shares, Awards
with
value and payment contingent upon our performance or any other factors
designated by the Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value
of
shares or the value of securities of or the performance of specified
subsidiaries. The Committee determines the terms and conditions of such Awards,
including consideration to be paid to exercise Awards in the nature of purchase
rights, the period during which Awards will be outstanding, and forfeiture
conditions and restrictions on Awards.
Performance
Awards, Including Annual Incentive Awards.
The
right of a participant to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of an Award,
and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions as may
be
specified by the Committee. In addition, the Plan authorizes specific annual
incentive Awards, which represent a conditional right to receive cash, shares
or
other Awards upon achievement of pre-established performance goals during a
specified one-year period. Performance Awards and annual incentive Awards
granted to persons the Committee expects will, for the year in which a deduction
arises, be among the Named Executive Officers, will, if so intended by the
Committee, be subject to provisions that should qualify such Awards as
“performance-based compensation” not subject to the limitation on tax
deductibility by us under Code Section 162(m).
The
performance goals to be achieved as a condition of payment or settlement of
a
performance Award or annual incentive Award will consist of (i) one or more
business criteria and (ii) a targeted level or levels of performance with
respect to each such business criterion. In the case of performance awards
intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m), the business criteria
used must be one of those specified in the Plan, although for other participants
the Committee may specify any other criteria. The business criteria specified
in
the Plan that may be used are, as defined by the Committee:
(1)
earnings (total or per share); (2) revenues or growth in revenues; (3) cash
flow
or cash flow return on investment; (4) assets, return on assets, growth in
assets, return on investment, capital or return on capital, return on equity,
or
shareholder equity (total or per share); (5) economic value added or
insurance-imbedded value added; (6) operating margin; (7) net income or growth
in net income (total or per share), pretax earnings or growth in pretax earnings
(total or per share), pretax earnings before interest, depreciation and
amortization, pretax operating earnings after interest expense and before
incentives, and extraordinary or special items; (8) operating earnings or income
from operations; (9) total shareholder return; (10) profit margins; (11) sales,
deposits, net flows, premiums and fees, or growth in premiums and fees,
including service fees; (12) book value; (13) customer and producer growth
or
retention; (14) market share or change in market share; (15) stock price or
change in stock price; (16) market capitalization, change in market
capitalization, or return on market value; (17) fund, account or investment
performance; (18) cash flow or change in cash flow; (19) expense
ratios,
product
cost reduction through advanced technology,
or other
expense management measures; (20) productivity ratios or other measures of
operating efficiency or effectiveness; (21) ratio of claims or loss costs to
revenues; (22) satisfaction measures: customer, provider, or employee;
(23
)
implementation or completion of critical projects or processes;
(24)
product development,
product
release schedules, new product innovation, brand
recognition/acceptance
;
(25)
any of the above goals as compared to the performance of a published or special
index deemed applicable by the Committee including, but not limited to, the
Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index or a group of comparator companies; and
(26) any criteria comparable to those listed above, including metrics designed
to measure progress toward achieving the company’s strategic intent of becoming
the retirement income security company of choice for its clients, that shall
be
approved by the Committee.
In
granting annual incentive or performance Awards, the Committee may establish
unfunded award “pools,” the amounts of which will be based upon the achievement
of a performance goal or goals using one or more of the business criteria
described in the preceding paragraph. During the first 90 days of a fiscal
year
or performance period, the Committee will determine who will potentially receive
annual incentive or performance Awards for that fiscal year or performance
period, either out of the pool or otherwise. After the end of each fiscal year
or performance period, the Committee will determine the amount, if any, of
the
pool, the maximum amount of potential annual incentive or performance Awards
payable to each participant in the pool, and the amount of any potential annual
incentive or performance Award otherwise payable to a participant. The Committee
may, in its discretion, determine that the amount payable as an annual incentive
or performance Award will be increased or reduced from the amount of any
potential Award, but may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount
intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Code Section
162(m).
Subject
to the requirements of the Plan, the Committee will determine other performance
Award and annual incentive Award terms, including the required levels of
performance with respect to the business criteria, the corresponding amounts
payable upon achievement of such levels of performance, termination and
forfeiture provisions, and the form of settlement. Because of the discretionary
nature of the Awards that may be made under the Plan, the benefits available
under the Plan are not readily determinable. However, the Awards that may be
made under the Plan are subject to the limitations discussed above under “Shares
Subject to the ICP; Annual Per Person Limitations.”
Other
Terms of Awards; No Repricing.
In
general, Awards may be settled in the form of cash, common stock, other Awards,
or other property, in the discretion of the Committee. The Committee may require
or permit participants to defer the settlement of all or part of an Award in
accordance with such terms and conditions as the Committee may establish,
including payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents on deferred
amounts, and the crediting of earnings, gains, and losses based on deemed
investment of deferred amounts in specified investment vehicles. The Committee
is authorized to place cash, shares, or other property in trusts or make other
arrangements to provide for payment of our obligations under the Plan. The
Committee may condition any payment relating to an Award on the withholding
of
taxes and may provide that a portion of any shares or other property to be
distributed will be withheld (or previously acquired shares or other property
surrendered by the participant) to satisfy withholding and other tax
obligations. Awards granted under the Plan generally may not be pledged or
otherwise encumbered and are not transferable except by will or by the laws
of
descent and distribution, or to a designated beneficiary upon the participant’s
death, except that the Committee may, in its discretion, permit transfers for
estate planning or other purposes.
Awards
under the Plan are generally granted without a requirement that the participant
pay consideration in the form of cash or property for the grant (as
distinguished from the exercise), except to the extent required by law.
The
Committee may, however, grant Awards in exchange for other Awards under the
Plan, awards under our other plans, or other rights to payment from us, and
may
grant Awards in addition to and in tandem with such other award, or rights
as
well.
Unless
the Award agreement specifies otherwise, the Committee may cancel or rescind
Awards if the participant fails to comply with certain noncompetition,
confidentiality or intellectual property covenants. For instance, Awards may
be
canceled or rescinded if the participant engages in competitive activity while
employed by us or within a specified period following termination of employment.
We may, in our discretion, in any individual case provide for waiver in whole
or
in part of compliance with the noncompetition, confidentiality or intellectual
property covenants.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of the Plan, no option that has been granted under the
Plan
may be repriced, replaced or regranted through cancellation, or otherwise
modified without shareholder approval (except in connection with adjustments
permitted under the Plan), if the effect would be to reduce the exercise price
for the shares underlying the option.
Acceleration
of Vesting.
The
Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the exercisability, the lapsing
of
restrictions, or the expiration of deferral or vesting periods of any Award,
and
such accelerated exercisability, lapse, expiration and vesting will occur
automatically in the case of a “change of control” of us, except to the extent
otherwise determined by the Committee at the date of grant. In addition, the
Committee may provide that the performance goals relating to any
performance-based award will be deemed to have been met upon the occurrence
of
any change of control. Upon the occurrence of a change of control, except to
the
extent otherwise determined by the Committee at the date of grant, options
will
become fully vested and exercisable and restrictions on restricted stock and
deferred stock units will lapse. “Change of Control” is defined to include a
variety of events, including the acquisition by certain individuals or entities
of twenty percent or more of our outstanding common stock, significant changes
in our board of directors, certain reorganizations, mergers and consolidations
involving us, and the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our
consolidated assets.
Amendment
and Termination of the Plan.
The
Board of Directors, or the Committee acting pursuant to authority delegated
to
it by the Board, may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan
or the Committee’s authority to grant Awards without further shareholder
approval, except shareholder approval must be obtained for any amendment or
alteration if required by law or regulation or under the rules of any stock
exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares are then listed
or
quoted. Shareholder approval will not be deemed to be required under laws or
regulations, such as those relating to ISOs, that condition favorable treatment
of participants on such approval, although the Board may, in its discretion,
seek shareholder approval in any circumstance in which it deems such approval
advisable. Thus, shareholder approval will not necessarily be required for
amendments that might increase the cost of the Plan or broaden eligibility.
Unless earlier terminated by the Board, the Plan will terminate at such time
as
no shares remain available for issuance under the Plan, and we have no further
rights or obligations with respect to outstanding Awards under the
Plan.
Because
the Compensation Committee has discretion to determine the amount and types
of
awards to be granted under the Plan, all of the benefits that will be received
in the future by participants are not readily determinable.
The
table
below shows the number of shares underlying grants of all awards under the
Amended and Restated ICP at March 5, 2007 to the NEOs set forth in the Summary
Compensation Table, our executive officers, as a group and the group of current
employees who are not executive officers.
Name
& Title
|
Total
Number of Plan
Awards Outstanding
1
|
Jon
A. Boscia
Chairman
and CEO of LNC
|
2,334,870
|
Frederick
J. Crawford
Senior
Vice President & CFO of LNC
|
192,726
|
Dennis
R. Glass
President
and COO of LNC
|
282,421
|
Patrick
P. Coyne
President
of Lincoln National Investment Company, Inc.
and
Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.
|
37,041
|
Westley
V. Thompson
President
of Employer Markets
|
413,039
|
John
H. Gotta
Former
President and CEO of The Lincoln National Insurance
Company
|
8,676
|
Warren
H. May
Former
President of
Lincoln
Financial Distributors, Inc.
|
--
|
All
Executive Officers (including those above), as a
Group
|
4,424,909
|
Non-Executive
Officers Employee Group
|
6,085,894
|
1
Includes
non-qualified stock options, performance shares (at maximum), restricted stock
and deferred units.
The
table
below provides information as of December 31, 2006 regarding securities
authorized for issuance under all of our equity compensation plans.
Approximately 10.9 million shares underlying options in the table below
represent Jefferson-Pilot options converted into our options as part of the
merger.
Securities
Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
|
Number
of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options,
warrants
and rights
(a)
|
|
Weighted-
average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and
rights
(b)
|
|
Number
of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation (excluding securities reflected in column
(a))
(c)
|
Equity
compensation plans approved by shareholders
|
17,995,312
(1)
|
|
$45.13
|
|
5,936,049
(2)
|
Equity
compensation plans not approved by shareholders
|
None
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
1
|
This
amount includes the following:
|
|
•
|
12,852,368
outstanding options.
|
|
•
|
1,322,168
and 2,172,783 represent outstanding long-term incentive awards, based
on
the maximum amounts potentially payable under the awards in stock
options
and shares (including potential dividend equivalents). The long-term
incentive awards have not been earned as of December 31, 2006. The
number
of options and shares, if any, to be issued pursuant to such awards
will
be determined based upon our, and in some cases, our subsidiaries
performance, over the applicable three-year performance period. Since
the
shares that may be received in payment of the awards have no exercise
price, they are not included in weighted-average exercise price
calculation in column (b). The long-term incentive awards are all
issued
under our Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan (“ICP”).
|
|
•
|
13,870
outstanding restricted stock units.
|
|
•
|
1,634,123
outstanding deferred stock units.
|
If
we
included the units above in our weighted-average exercise price in Column (b),
such price would have been $35.86.
|
2
|
Includes
up to 5,057,411 securities available for issuance in connection with
restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock units,
deferred stock and deferred stock unit awards under the ICP. Shares
that
may be issued in payment of awards, other than options and stock
appreciation rights, reduce the number of securities remaining available
for future issuance under equity compensation plans at a ratio of
3.25-to-1.
|
Federal
Income Tax Implications of the Plan.
The
following is a brief description of the federal income tax consequences
generally arising with respect to Awards under the Plan.
The
grant
of an option or SAR will create no tax consequences for the participant or
us. A
participant will not recognize taxable income upon exercising an ISO (except
that the alternative minimum tax may apply). Upon exercising an option other
than an ISO, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal
to
the difference between the exercise price and fair market value of the freely
transferable and nonforfeitable shares acquired on the date of exercise. Upon
exercising a SAR, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income
equal
to the cash or the fair market value of the freely transferable and
nonforfeitable shares received.
Upon
a
disposition of shares acquired upon exercise of an ISO before the end of the
applicable ISO holding periods, the participant must generally recognize
ordinary income equal to the lesser of (i) the fair market value of the shares
at the date of exercise of the ISO minus the exercise price, or (ii) the amount
realized upon the disposition of the ISO shares minus the exercise price.
Otherwise, a participant’s disposition of shares acquired upon the exercise of
an option (including an ISO for which the ISO holding periods are met) or SAR
generally will result in short-term or long-term capital gain or loss measured
by the difference between the sale price and the participant’s tax basis in such
shares (the tax basis generally being the exercise price plus any amount
previously recognized as ordinary income in connection with the exercise of
the
option or SAR).
We
will
generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as
ordinary income by the participant in connection with an option or SAR. We
are
generally not entitled to a tax deduction relating to amounts that represent
a
capital gain to a participant. Accordingly, we will not be entitled to any
tax
deduction with respect to an ISO if the participant holds the shares for the
ISO
holding periods prior to disposition of the shares.
With
respect to Awards granted under the Plan that result in the payment or issuance
of cash or shares or other property that is either not restricted as to
transferability or not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the
participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the cash or the
fair market value of shares or other property received. Thus, deferral of the
time of payment or issuance will generally result in the deferral of the time
the participant will be liable for income taxes with respect to such payment
or
issuance. We will generally be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to
the
ordinary income recognized by the participant.
With
respect to Awards involving the issuance of shares or other property that is
restricted as to transferability and subject to a substantial risk of
forfeiture, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal
to
the fair market value of the shares or other property received at the first
time
the shares or other property becomes transferable or is not subject to a
substantial risk of forfeiture, whichever occurs earlier. A participant may
elect to be taxed at the time of receipt of shares or other property rather
than
upon lapse of restrictions on transferability or substantial risk of forfeiture,
but if the participant subsequently forfeits such shares or property, the
participant would not be entitled to any tax deduction, including as a capital
loss, for the value of the shares or property on which he previously paid tax.
The participant must file such election with the Internal Revenue Service within
30 days of the receipt of the shares or other property. We will generally be
entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income recognized
by
the participant.
Awards
that are granted, accelerated or enhanced upon the occurrence of a change of
control may give rise, in whole or in part, to “excess parachute payments”
within the meaning of Code Section 280G and, to such extent, will be
non-deductible by us and subject to a 20% excise tax payable by the
participant.
The
foregoing summary of the federal income tax consequences in respect of the
Plan
is for general information only. Interested parties should consult their own
advisors as to specific tax consequences, including the application and effect
of foreign, state and local tax laws.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the amendment to the Amended and
Restated Amended Compensation Plan
ITEM
4
LINCOLN
NATIONAL CORPORATION
STOCK
OPTION PLAN FOR
NON-EMPLOYEE
DIRECTORS
On
February 23, 2007, our Board of Directors approved the Lincoln National
Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, which is referred
to
below as the Plan. We are asking shareholders to approve the Plan so that we
will be able to grant stock options to our non-employee directors in order
to
tie those directors' interests with those of shareholders.
The
following is a brief description of the material features of the Plan. This
description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the
Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 5.
Purpose.
The
purpose of the Plan is to promote our long-term success by attracting,
retaining, and rewarding the services of experienced and knowledgeable
non-employee directors, and to encourage those directors to acquire or increase
their equity ownership of us in order to strengthen their focus on the creation
of long-term shareholder value. The Plan is designed to accomplish these
objectives.
Types
of Awards.
The
terms of the Plan provide only for grants of stock options. The exercise price
per share subject to an option is determined by the Board's Corporate Governance
Committee, or Committee, but must not be less than the fair market value of
a
share of common stock on the date of grant. Under the Plan, unless otherwise
determined by the Committee, the fair market value of common stock is the
closing price of a share of common stock, as quoted on the composite
transactions tape on the NYSE, on the date of grant.
The
maximum term of each option, the times at which each option will be exercisable,
and the provisions requiring forfeiture of unexercised options at or following
termination of service are generally fixed by the Committee at the time of
the
award. However, no option may have a term exceeding ten years. The Committee
may
include a provision in an option agreement permitting the grant of a new option
when payment of the exercise price of an option is made in shares of common
stock.
Options
may be exercised by payment of the exercise price in cash, common stock or
other
property (including notes or other contractual obligations of participants
to
make payment to us on a deferred basis), as the Corporate Governance Committee
may determine from time to time. As discussed below, the exercise price of
an
option may not be reduced (except to prevent dilution resulting from certain
corporate events) without shareholder approval. See “Other Terms of options; No
Repricing,” below.
Unless
otherwise provided for in the Plan or an option agreement, all exercised options
will be settled in shares of our common stock. The settlement of an option
may
be accelerated, and cash paid in lieu of stock, in the Corporate Governance
Committee’s discretion or in certain circumstances that are described in the
option agreements.
Shares
Subject to the Plan.
Under
the Plan, the total number of shares of our common stock reserved and available
for delivery to participants in connection with options will be
500,000.
The shares or stock underlying options that are canceled, expired, forfeited,
settled in cash or otherwise terminated without shares being issued, will become
available for future options. Any shares of common stock delivered under the
Plan shall consist of authorized and unissued shares. On March 22, 2007, the
closing price of our common stock was $68.23 per share.
In
the
event that a dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, shares, or other
property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split, reorganization, merger,
consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or share exchange, or other
similar corporate transaction or event affects the common stock, the Corporate
Governance Committee shall adjust the number and kind of shares that may be
delivered in connection with the options under the Plan, the number and kind
of
shares subject to or deliverable in respect of outstanding options and the
exercise price relating to any option and/or make provisions to allow payment
of
the exercise price to be made in cash or other property.
Eligibility.
Options
may be granted under the Plan only to directors who are not our employees.
It is
anticipated that 12 persons are currently eligible to receive options under
the
Plan.
Administration.
The
Plan
will be administered by the Corporate Governance Committee. Subject to the
terms
and conditions of the Plan, the Committee is authorized to interpret the
provisions of the Plan, determine questions of eligibility, grant options,
determine the number and other terms and conditions of options, set other terms
and
conditions
of options, prescribe forms of option agreements, adopt, amend and rescind
rules
and regulations relating to the Plan, and make all other determinations that
may
be necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan. The Plan provides
that Committee members shall not be personally liable, and shall be fully
indemnified, in connection with any action, determination, or interpretation
taken or made in good faith under the Plan.
Other
Terms of Options; No Repricing.
If
required by law, the Corporate Governance Committee may condition any payment
relating to an option on the withholding of taxes and may provide that a portion
of any shares or other property to be distributed will be withheld (or
previously acquired shares or other property surrendered by the participant)
to
satisfy withholding and other tax obligations. Options granted under the Plan
generally may not be pledged or otherwise encumbered and are not transferable
except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or to a designated
beneficiary upon the participant’s death, except that the Committee may, in its
discretion, permit transfers for estate planning or other purposes. In addition,
the Committee may provide in an option agreement that the stock received upon
exercise may not be transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered
while
the director continues to serve on our Board.
Options
under the Plan are generally granted without a requirement that the participant
pay consideration in the form of cash or property for the grant (as
distinguished from the exercise), except to the extent required by law.
Notwithstanding
any other provision of the Plan, no option that has been granted under the
Plan
may be repriced, replaced or regranted through cancellation, or otherwise
modified without shareholder approval (except in connection with adjustments
permitted under the Plan), if the effect would be to reduce the exercise price
for the shares underlying the option.
Except
as
otherwise provided in the Plan or an option agreement, if a non-employee
director terminates his service on our board of directors for a reason other
than for cause, an option may only be exercised if it is vested and exercisable
on the date of termination, and any option that is not vested and exercisable
on
the date of termination will be terminated and forfeited on that date. If a
non-employee director is terminated for cause, any options (even if vested)
will
be terminated and forfeited on the date of termination.
If
a
non-employee director fails to comply with certain confidentiality and
non-disclosure covenants, his option exercises may be rescinded. We may, in
our
discretion, in any individual case, provide for a waiver in whole or in part
of
compliance with these provisions.
The
Plan
is not funded and nothing contained in the Plan is intended to provide
non-employee directors with rights that are greater than those of an unsecured
creditor with respect to payments not yet made or an obligation to deliver
shares subject to an option.
Acceleration
of Vesting.
The
Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the exercisability or the
expiration of vesting periods of any option, and such accelerated
exercisability, expiration and vesting will occur automatically in the case
of a
“change of control” of us, except to the extent otherwise determined by the
Corporate Governance Committee at the date of grant. “Change of Control” is
defined by reference to the Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan and includes a
variety of events, including the acquisition by certain individuals or entities
of twenty percent or more of our outstanding common stock, significant changes
in our board of directors, certain reorganizations, mergers and consolidations
involving us, and the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our
consolidated assets.
Amendment
and Termination of the Plan.
The
Board of Directors, or the Corporate Governance Committee acting pursuant to
authority delegated to it by the Board, may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue,
or terminate the Plan or the Committee’s authority to grant options without
further shareholder approval, except shareholder approval must be obtained
for
any amendment or alteration if required by law or regulation or under the rules
of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which the shares are
then
listed or quoted. The Board may, in its discretion, seek shareholder approval
in
any other circumstance in which it deems such approval advisable. Thus,
shareholder approval will not necessarily be required for amendments that might
increase the cost of the Plan or broaden eligibility. Unless earlier terminated
by the Board, the Plan will terminate as of the close of business on the tenth
anniversary of the effective date.
Plan
Benefits.
Because
the Committee has discretion to determine the amount of options to be granted
under the Plan, all of the benefits that will be received in the future by
participants are not readily determinable.
We
intended to pay the value of one-quarter of the outside directors’ current
annual retainer of $186,000 in options, if the Plan is approved by shareholders.
For information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our existing
equity compensation plans, see page 25 above.
Federal
Income Tax Implications of the Plan.
The
following is a brief description of the federal income tax consequences
generally arising with respect to options under the Plan.
The
grant
of an option will create no tax consequences for the participant or us. Upon
exercising an option, the participant must generally recognize ordinary income
equal to the difference between the exercise price and fair market value of
shares acquired that are transferable or are not subject to a substantial risk
of forfeiture on the date of exercise.
A
participant’s disposition of shares acquired upon the exercise of an option
generally will result in short-term or long-term capital gain or loss measured
by the difference between the sale price and the participant’s tax basis in such
shares (the tax basis generally being the exercise price plus any amount
previously recognized as ordinary income in connection with the exercise of
the
option).
We
will
generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as
ordinary income by the participant in connection with an option. We are
generally not entitled to a tax deduction relating to amounts that represent
a
capital gain to a participant.
The
foregoing summary of the federal income tax consequences in respect of the
Plan
is for general information only. Interested parties should consult their own
advisors as to specific tax consequences, including the application and effect
of foreign, state and local tax laws.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee
Directors.
SE
CTI
ON
16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
REPORTING
COMPLIANCE
Section
16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors, certain
officers and beneficial owners of greater than 10% of our equity securities
to
file reports of holdings and transactions with the SEC and the NYSE. Based
on
written representations that we have received from our officers subject to
Section 16 and directors, and a review of the reports filed with respect to
transactions that occurred during 2006, we believe that each of our directors
and officers subject to Section 16 met all applicable filing requirements,
except for Mr. Stonecipher, one late filing disclosing two transactions and
Douglas N. Miller, Chief Accounting Officer, one late filing disclosing one
transaction.
C
OMPE
NSATION
PROCESSES AND
PROCEDURES
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has primary authority for
considering and determining executive compensation, while the Corporate
Governance Committee reviews and recommends to the Board of Directors the
overall compensation program for directors. With respect to executive
compensation, the scope of the Compensation Committee’s authority
includes:
·
|
establishing,
in consultation with senior management, our general compensation
philosophy;
|
·
|
reviewing
and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation
of the chief executive officer, evaluating the chief executive officer’s
performance in light of these goals and setting the chief executive
officer’s compensation level based on this evaluation;
|
·
|
reviewing
and approving all compensation strategies, policies and programs
that
encompass total remuneration of our executive officers and key
personnel;
|
·
|
making
recommendations to the Board regarding incentive compensation and
equity-based plans and approving all grants and awards under such
plans to
executive officers;
|
·
|
approving
employment contracts and agreements for executive officers;
|
·
|
approving
employee benefit and executive compensation plans and programs and
changes
to such plans and programs, if the present value cost of each plan
or
change to a plan will not exceed $20 million for the next five calendar
years after their effectiveness;
and
|
·
|
retaining
and terminating compensation consultants and approving any compensation
consultant’s fees and terms of retention.
|
Although
there is nothing in its charter specifically preventing the Compensation
Committee from delegating its authority on executive compensation matters to
members of management, the Committee has not delegated its authority. In
addition, under the Amended and Restated ICP, as described above,” under “Item
3—Approval of the Lincoln National Corporation Amended and Restated Incentive
Compensation Plan, the Committee may not delegate its authority if such
delegation would lead to a loss of an exemption under Section 16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The
Compensation Committee has engaged Towers Perrin as its independent compensation
consultant. At the Committee’s request, Towers Perrin provides the Compensation
Committee with market data and information on trends in executive compensation,
such as the use of various forms of equity, the prevalence of performance-based
awards and the appropriate allocation of compensation among base salary and
annual and long-term incentive awards. Jon A. Boscia, our Chairman and CEO,
and
our senior vice president of Human Resources make recommendations to the
Compensation Committee with respect to the base salary, target annual incentive
awards and target long-term incentive awards for each of the executive officers,
except for Mr. Boscia. The Compensation Committee’s and management’s role in the
compensation process is discussed further in the Compensation Discussion and
Analysis beginning on page 31 below.
The
Compensation Committee normally approves the vesting of incentive awards at
its
first regularly scheduled meeting of the calendar year (usually in late February
or early March). During this meeting, the Committee reviews financial data
provided by management reporting the results for the various performance
measures previously established for the just-completed annual and long-term
performance cycles. The Committee certifies the achievement—or not—of the
performance measures and approves the vesting of awards, as appropriate.
The
Compensation Committee generally grants equity awards to our executive officers
once a year at a regularly scheduled meeting, usually in late February or March.
However, the Board may also grant equity awards at
regularly
scheduled meetings, or if circumstances require, the Compensation Committee
or
Board may grant equity awards at special meetings or by taking action through
unanimous written consent. Generally, this occurs only upon the hiring or
promotion of a new executive officer. For more information on the equity grant
procedures of the Board and Committee, see the “Compensation Discussion &
Analysis—Equity Grant Procedures” below.
Under
its
charter, the Corporate Governance Committee reviews and recommends to the Board
of Directors the overall compensation program for directors, including retainer,
meeting fees, perquisites, deferred compensation, stock option plans or other
incentive or retirement plans, and medical and life insurance coverage, but
the
Board of Directors retains the authority to approve the compensation program.
Towers Perrin provides the Corporate Governance Committee with market data
and
information on trends in directors’ compensation, which the Committee uses in
reviewing and setting director compensation.
Compensat
ion
Discussion
&
Analysis
This
Compensation Discussion & Analysis, or “CD&A,” provides our analysis of
our compensation programs primarily as they apply to those executive officers
named in the compensation tables (the “NEOs”), beginning on page 45 of this
proxy statement. You should read the CD&A in conjunction with those
compensation tables.
Overview
of Executive Compensation Philosophy
We
believe that attracting and retaining key executives is essential to our
continued growth and strong performance. Our long-term success is enhanced
by
offering competitive and comprehensive executive compensation plans, programs
and policies, which may include incentives and rewards designed to motivate
and
reward our executives for outstanding service, including awards that link
compensation to applicable measures of our performance and the creation of
shareholder value.
Our
executive compensation programs allow us to pay benefits and grant awards that
attract and retain key executives, while helping our executives to acquire
and/or increase their proprietary interest in us and thereby align their
financial interests with the interests of our shareholders. In addition, our
executive compensation programs are designed to link executive compensation
with
our financial performance, and with each executive’s personal contribution
towards our attainment of positive performance results. We strive to maintain
compensation practices that:
|
·
|
Allow
us to attract and retain the most talented individuals in the financial
services industry by offering competitive compensation packages that
reward exceptional individual and company
performance;
|
|
·
|
Create
a “pay for performance” culture with a strong nexus between levels of
executive compensation and our long-term and short-term financial
performance;
|
|
·
|
Create
incentive for our NEOs to focus on and achieve our overall business
strategy; and
|
|
·
|
Align
the financial interests of our executives with those of our
shareholders.
|
In
order
to attract and retain superior talent—the key to superior products and
services—we have designed long-term and short-term incentive programs that
reward above-average financial performance with above-average compensation.
Conversely, our incentive programs are designed to reward average financial
performance with average compensation. We structure our programs in this way
because we believe that executive compensation should be highly leveraged and
include a significant amount of at-risk compensation that will be earned only
if
performance objectives are achieved. The degree to which compensation is
leveraged is highest at the highest levels of the organization (the CEO, CFO,
President, and other NEOs), and less leveraged at lower levels.
Our
goal
is to sponsor compensation programs that are straightforward and can be easily
communicated to and understood by both our executives and shareholders. We
put a
strong emphasis on “line of sight” factors. It is important to us and to our
executives that performance be measured and compensation paid based on criteria
that executives and shareholders can reasonably identify, and, in the case
of
our executives, influence and affect.
Elements
of Compensation
Our
executives receive three primary types of compensation: base salary, annual
and
long-term incentive awards, and benefits. The fundamental building block of
executive compensation is base salary, with the target amounts for annual
incentive and long-term incentive awards expressed as percentages of base salary
for each executive. In general, we strive to pay total compensation at median
to
our executives as compared to the compensation paid by similarly sized
insurance-based organizations, with market data drawn from the following
companies included in the Diversified Insurance Survey:
·
AEGON
USA
|
·
ING
|
·
Aetna
|
·
Met
Life
|
·
AFLAC
|
·
Nationwide
|
·
AIG
|
·
Phoenix
|
·
Allianz
(Life USA)
|
·
Principal
|
·
Allstate
|
·
Prudential
|
·
AXA
(Equitable)
|
·
Sun
Life
|
·
CIGNA
|
·
UNUM
Provident
|
·
The
Hartford
|
|
However,
for Mr. Coyne, the President of Lincoln National Investment Company and Delaware
Management Holdings, Inc., the relevant source of market data used was Towers
Perrin’s 2005 Financial Services Industry Executive Compensation Database, and
McLagan Partners’ 2005 Investment Management Survey, including similarly sized
investment management entities, such as:
·
American
Century Investments
|
·
Loomis,
Sayles & Company, L.P.
|
·
AXA
Rosenberg Investment Management
|
·
Lord,
Abbett & Co. LLC
|
·
Babson
Capital Management LLC
|
·
Mellon
Capital Management Corp.
|
·
Brandes
Investment Partners, L.P.
|
·
Neuberger
Berman, LLC
|
·
Eaton
Vance Management
|
·
The
Phoenix Companies, Inc.
|
·
Harris
Associates, L.P.
|
·
Russell
Investment Group
|
·
Jennison
Associates, LLC
|
·
Western
Asset Management Co.
|
In
general, the fixed or certain elements of compensation—base salary and
retirement and health and welfare benefits—make up the smallest percentage of
total executive compensation, while the largest component of total
compensation—incentive awards—fluctuates in value and is at risk based on our
financial performance. This allocation of compensation supports our foundational
“pay for performance” philosophy.
Our
Compensation Committee may also award discretionary bonuses and/or other awards
to our executives under certain circumstances. On February 22, 2007, our
Compensation Committee approved discretionary restricted stock awards for three
of our executive officers, including two of our NEOs: Dennis R. Glass, our
President and Chief Operating Officer, and Westley V. Thompson, the President
of
our Employer Markets business. The purpose of the restricted stock award for
Mr.
Glass was to acknowledge and reward him for his strong performance in the role
of our President and COO during the prior year, and for the key role he played
in the efforts to integrate us and Jefferson-Pilot Corporation. Mr. Glass’s
restricted stock award was for 39,749 shares and will fully vest on the third
anniversary of grant date, or February 22, 2010. Mr. Thompson was also granted
a
discretionary restricted stock award to for 6,211 shares to acknowledge the
significant contributions he made to the continuing efforts to integrate
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation and us during the prior year, and to provide
additional incentive for him to stay and see us through the challenges of the
next 12 months. Mr. Thompson’s restricted stock award will fully vest on the
first anniversary of grant date, or February 22, 2008.
Note,
John H. Gotta, former President and CEO of The Lincoln National Life Insurance
Company, resigned his executive officer position as of March 31, 2006, prior
to
the April 12, 2006 Compensation Committee meeting during which base salaries
and
incentive award targets and measures were set. Accordingly, the discussion
below
regarding those elements of compensation is inapplicable to Mr. Gotta, and
“NEO”
as discussed below does not include Mr. Gotta. Mr. Gotta received compensation
pursuant to his Non-Compete and Anti-Solicitation Agreement, Waiver and General
Release of Claims, dated January 12, 2006, which is described below under
“Potential Payments Upon Termination and Change-in-Control” on page
61.
Base
Salary
We
pay
base salaries in order to draw key executive talent to the company and to retain
this talent. The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved
the
2006 annual base salary levels for each of our executives at its first meeting
subsequent to our merger, on April 12, 2006. Normally, executive base salaries
are reviewed annually and set for the next calendar year during the preceding
November’s Committee meeting. Because of our merger with Jefferson-Pilot
Corporation on April 3, 2006, however, this process was delayed so that it
could
occur at the first scheduled meeting of the new, post-merger Committee. Because
any increases in base salaries were intended to be effective for the entire
2006
calendar year—and had only been delayed due to the merger— pay increases were
approved retroactive to January 1, 2006, even for former Jefferson-Pilot
executives. In connection with the integration of the two companies, the
Committee also decreased Mr. Glass’s salary from its pre-merger level. However,
the decrease in salary was applied prospectively, not retroactively, and became
effective on April 24, 2006, the first payroll period after the Committee
meeting.
The
process for setting the 2006 annual base salary levels for each of our NEOs,
except for our CEO, began with our CEO and senior vice president of Human
Resources reviewing relevant market data (based on data from the various
companies included in the surveys mentioned above) and information about
executive compensation trends provided by the Compensation Committee’s
independent compensation consultant, Towers Perrin. The CEO and senior vice
president of Human Resources also considered each NEO’s past performance and
relevant experience, internal pay equity issues among our executives
(specifically, this was necessary to integrate our new executives from
Jefferson-Pilot into our pay structure), and the significance of each NEO’s role
to our business strategy. Based on their review, the CEO and senior vice
president of Human Resources recommended to the Compensation Committee base
salary levels for the NEOs other than for the CEO. Although generally the base
salary levels for each NEO were set at the median as compared to the relevant
market data, there were some exceptions based on these other considerations.
For
Mr.
Boscia, the senior vice president of Human Resources met with Towers Perrin
and
the members of the Compensation Committee to review the relevant market data
specific to the chief executive officer position (based on data from the
Diversified Insurance Survey companies mentioned above) and to review
information about executive compensation trends provided by Towers Perrin.
The
trends considered included, but were not limited to, the prevalence of the
use
of various forms of equity, such as options, and whether the use of options
is
increasing; the prevalence of performance-based awards; and the appropriate
allocation of total direct compensation targets among base salary and annual
and
long-term incentive awards. The Committee members considered the CEO’s strong
performance record, his years in the industry, and his tenure as a seasoned,
results-oriented CEO. Based on this information and subsequent discussion,
the
Committee approved a base salary level for the CEO for 2006.
In
general for each NEO, the Committee reviewed each executive’s current base
salary amount and approved a 2006 base salary level in the context of each
executive’s total compensation package: base salary, annual incentive and
long-term incentive award targets. It also considered the relevant marketplace
for each executive, and the executive’s experience and background. As a general
rule, unless an executive’s current base salary level was +/- 15% when compared
to the relevant market, an adjustment to base salary was not made. For the
CEO,
the Committee considered it appropriate to approve a base salary level that
was
slightly below median, but approved incentive award targets that were slightly
above median, as discussed below. Each NEO’s 2006 base salary is set forth in
the Summary Compensation Table on page 45.
Incentive
Awards
The
Compensation Committee believes that allocating the largest portion of executive
compensation to incentive compensation helps to properly balance the financial
interests of our executives with those of our shareholders by putting executive
pay at risk based on our sustained success. Generally, more than half of NEO
incentive compensation is “at risk” based upon our financial performance during
the relevant period, reinforcing our “pay for performance” philosophy. The
Amended and Restated ICP gives the Committee the authority to grant annual
incentive awards upon the achievement of pre-established financial performance
goals during a specified period—normally twelve-months. The annual incentive
program is referred to as the “AIP.” The Amended and Restated ICP also gives the
Committee the authority to grant options to purchase shares of our common stock
and to grant long-term performance awards based upon multiple-year performance
cycles. The 2006 long-term incentive compensation program, or 2006 LTI program,
consisted of a combination of stock options and long-term performance awards.
In
the recent past, during our 2003, 2004, and 2005 grant cycles, long-term
incentive compensation consisted solely of long-term performance
awards.
For
each
NEO, the 2006 AIP and LTI targets recommended to the Compensation Committee
were
expressed as a percentage of annual base salary. In the case of each NEO except
for the CEO, our CEO and senior vice president of Human Resources recommended
targets to the Committee after reviewing the relevant market data (compensation
data from the companies listed above) and information about executive
compensation trends provided by Towers Perrin (also described above). In
addition to the market data and information about relevant trends, our CEO
and
senior vice president of Human Resources considered internal pay equity issues
among the executive officers, the importance of each executive’s role to the
success of our business, his or her unique responsibilities and past
performance, and succession issues in determining appropriate recommended AIP
and LTI targets.
To
determine the appropriate AIP and LTI target recommendations for our CEO, the
senior vice president of Human Resources met with Towers Perrin and the members
of the Compensation Committee in the weeks prior to the April 12, 2006 meeting
to review the relevant market data specific to the chief executive officer
position (based on data from the Diversified Insurance Survey companies
mentioned above) and information about executive compensation provided by Towers
Perrin. Based on a review of these materials and consideration of the CEO’s
strong performance record, the Committee approved the CEO’s 2006 target AIP and
LTI award.
In
general, incentive compensation for executive positions was targeted to the
market median for comparable positions in similarly sized organizations.
However, incentive compensation for some positions was targeted to a market
premium (75% percentile) based on the individual executive’s unique skills,
experience and work performance history, and due to succession considerations.
The Committee considered all elements of total targeted direct compensation
(base salary, AIP targets, and LTI targets) when setting incentive award
targets.
For
all
of our executive officers, the percentage of total direct compensation that
is
awarded in the form of incentive compensation exceeds the amount of compensation
granted as base salary. Specifically, for our NEOs, except Mr. Gotta, the
following table shows the percentage of targeted direct compensation in the
form
of annual base salary, annual bonus awards (AIP), and long term incentive
compensation (LTI).
NEOs
|
Base
Salaries
|
“At
Risk Compensation”
2006
AIP
2006
LTI
|
Jon
A. Boscia,
Chairman
and CEO of LNC
|
$925,000
|
$2,312,500
|
$4,865,500
|
Frederick
J. Crawford,
CFO
of LNC
|
$400,000
|
$700,000
|
$700,000
|
Dennis
R. Glass,
1
President
and COO
|
$900,000
|
$1,102,500
|
$2,475,000
|
Patrick
P. Coyne,
2
President,
Lincoln National Investment Company, Inc. and Delaware Management
Holdings, Inc.
|
$450,000
|
$2,250,000
|
$675,000
|
Westley
V. Thompson,
President,
Employer Markets
|
$500,000
|
$1,018,134
|
$1,018,134
|
Warren
H. May,
1
Former
President of Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc.
|
$347,106
|
$663,750
|
$663,750
|
1
As
discussed further below, Messrs. Glass and May as former Jefferson-Pilot
executives received only one-half of their 2006 LTI target set forth above
in
2006-2008 performance awards. See “-- The 2006 LTI Option Awards” on page 37.
Mr. Glass’s salary shown in the Summary Compensation Table reflects salary paid
or earned from April 3, 2006, as opposed to his approved base salary.
2
Mr.
Coyne’s base salary was increased in July 2006, when he moved into his current
position.
Note,
although Mr. May received 2006 AIP and LTI target awards, his actual payouts
were negotiated pursuant to his Agreement, Waiver and General Release, dated
November 1, 2006, and were not based on the satisfaction of the performance
measures. Accordingly, Mr. May’s performance goals are not discussed
below.
The
2006 Annual Incentive Awards
The
2006
AIP is generally paid in cash. However, any executive who has failed to meet
the
applicable share ownership requirements (the share ownership guidelines for
our
executives are described in more detail below) would receive some or all of
their AIP award in shares of our common stock. For 2006, all of our executive
officers were on target to meet their required degree of share ownership and
received the AIP in cash. The Committee approved the performance measures for
the 2006 AIP at its first meeting subsequent to our merger, on April 13, 2006.
The
chart
below sets forth the various performance measures approved for the 2006 AIP
for
all corporate executives (including our CEO, President/COO, and CFO) as well
as
the relative weighting of each performance measure, the goals set for each
measure, and the actual performance results for each measure. Actual results
will be calculated using annualized financial performance, but adjusted to
reflect only the period beginning April 1, 2006 and ending December 31,
2006.
Performance
Measure
(Corporate
Executives, including Jon A.
Boscia,
Frederick J. Crawford, and Dennis
R.
Glass)
|
Relative
Weight
|
Goal
at
Minimum
|
Goal
at
Target
|
Goal
at
Maximum
|
Actual
Performance
Results
|
Growth
in Income from Operations
Per
Diluted Share
|
50%
|
$4.55
|
$4.70
|
$4.95
|
$5.25
(200%)
|
Growth
in Sales (Gross Deposits &
Life
Sales)
|
30%
|
5%
|
10%
|
20%
|
23.9%
(200%)
|
Merger-Related
Cost Savings (2006
Realized
Savings Expressed in Millions)
|
20%
|
$49.5
|
$55
|
$60.5
|
$76.4
(200%)
|
For
2006
incentive compensation, “income from operations” is defined as net income
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”),
excluding, as applicable, the after-tax effects of: merger and integration
expenses, realized gains (losses) on investments and derivative investments,
restructuring charges, FAS 113 reserved development on business sold through
indemnity reinsurance, gains (losses) related to reinsurance embedded
derivative/trading securities, cumulative effect of accounting changes, gains
(losses) on sale of subsidiaries, and loss on early retirement of debt. Income
from operations is an internal measure used by us in the management of our
operations. The Committee believes that this performance measure explains the
results of our ongoing operations in a manner that allows for a better
understanding of the underlying trends in our current business. Growth in sales
is measured as the increase in sales for the period ending December 31, 2005
as
compared to sales for the period ending December 31, 2006. For periods prior
to
the April 3, 2006 merger, we used combined LNC and Jefferson-Pilot data. Life
sales are defined as described on page 65 of our 2006 Annual Report on Form
10-K.
For
executive officers in each of the various business units, including Messrs.
Coyne and Thompson, the corporate performance measures represented only 25%
(in
terms of relative weight) of 2006 AIP:
·
|
15%
growth in income from operations
|
·
|
5%
growth in sales; and
|
·
|
5%
merger related cost savings.
|
The
remaining 75% of any potential annual incentive award for these executives
was
driven solely by three additional performance measures unique to their
businesses, with the goals expressed as a percentage of
achievement
of financial plans specific to each business. For Mr. Coyne, however, an
additional two performance measures (retail and institutional investment
performance) were added because of the importance of fund and managed account
investment performance to our investment management business’s ability to
attract new sales, retain existing assets and improve net flows.
The
charts below set forth the performance measures approved for the 2006 AIP for
Messrs. Coyne and Thompson, as well as the relative weighting of each
performance measure, the goals set for each measure, and the actual performance
results for each measure, based on our annualized financial performance for
the
period beginning April 1, 2006 and ending December 31, 2006.
2006
AIP: Performance Measures for
Patrick
P. Coyne
|
Relative
Weight
|
Goal
at
Minimum
|
Goal
at Target
|
Goal
at
Maximum
|
Actual
Performance
Results
|
Corporate:
Growth in Income from Operations
Per
Diluted Share
|
15%
|
$4.55
|
$4.70
|
$4.95
|
$5.25
(200%)
|
Corporate:
Growth in Sales (Gross Deposits & Life Sales)
|
5%
|
5%
|
10%
|
20%
|
23.9%
(200%)
|
Corporate:
Merger-Related Cost Savings (2006 Realized Savings in
millions)
|
5%
|
$49.5
|
$55
|
$60.5
|
$76.4
(200%)
|
Income
from Operations/Line of Business Earnings as % of Financial
Plan
|
20%
|
$34.1
|
$35.9
|
$37.7
|
$55.1
(200%)
|
Growth
in Sales for the Business Unit
|
20%
|
5%
|
10%
|
20%
|
49.4%
(200%)
|
Line
of Business Merger-Related Cost Savings as a % of Financial
Plan
|
15%
|
$4.1
|
$4.6
|
$5.1
|
$4.9
(160%)
|
Retail
Investment Performance*
|
10%
|
60%
|
65%
|
70%
|
69.2%
(184%)
|
Institutional
Investment Performance*
|
10%
|
62.5%
|
75%
|
87.5%
|
72.5%
(90%)
|
*
These
compare the performance of retail funds and the performance of institutional
composites relative to their one-year, three-year and five-year
benchmarks.
2006
AIP: Performance Measures for
Westley
V. Thompson
|
Relative
Weight
|
Goal
at
Minimum
|
Goal
at Target
|
Goal
at
Maximum
|
Actual
Performance
Results
|
Corporate:
Growth in Income from Operations
Per
Diluted Share
|
15%
|
$4.55
|
$4.70
|
$4.95
|
$5.25
(200%)
|
Corporate:
Growth in Sales (Gross Deposits & Life Sales)
|
5%
|
5%
|
10%
|
20%
|
23.9%
(200%)
|
Corporate:
Merger-Related Cost Savings
(2006
Realized Savings in millions)
|
5%
|
$49.5
|
$55
|
$60.5
|
$76.4
(200%)
|
Income
from Operations/Line of Business Earnings as % of Financial Plan
(in
millions)
|
35%
|
$301.2
|
$317
|
$332.9
|
$352
(200%)
|
Growth
in Sales for the Business Unit
|
25%
|
5%
|
10%
|
20%
|
3.7%
(0%)
|
Line
of Business Merger-Related Cost Savings as a % of Financial Plan
(in
millions)
|
15%
|
$3.2
|
$3.5
|
$3.9
|
$4.42
(200%)
|
In
setting the goals to be achieved with respect to each of the 2006 AIP
performance measures, both management and the Compensation Committee intended
the target levels to present a challenge for our NEOs, and thus, create a strong
incentive for growth. The 2006 AIP performance measures reflect our post-merger
goals for 2006. The corporate income from operations per share performance
measure was set after consideration of a number of factors, including the 2006
institutional brokers’ estimate system (IBES) estimates for us post-merger, and
our financial plan. The goal for merger savings was based upon the savings
in
2006 that would result in on-going annual savings of $90 million by the first
anniversary date of the merger. However, our 2006 financial results exceeded
expectations and resulted in above target payouts. Each NEOs AIP for 2006 is
set
forth in the Summary Compensation Table on page 45.
The
2006 Long-Term Incentive Award Program
The
2006
LTI award program for our executives consists of options to purchase shares
of
our common stock, except for Messrs. Glass, May and Coyne, as discussed below,
that vest ratably over a three-year period (not the achievement of performance
measures), and of 2006-2008 long-term incentive performance cycle awards, the
“2006-2008 performance awards.” The total LTI award is equally split between the
two types of awards. The 2006-2008 performance awards, if any, will ultimately
either vest as: (a) 100% shares of our common stock, or (b) 75% in shares of
our
common stock and 25% in cash, generally at the executive’s election. Executives
were given the opportunity to elect the form of their ultimate vested awards
(if
any) within thirty (30) days of the date the 2006-2008 performance award cycle
was established (by May 13, 2006). The change from our prior practice of
granting all long-term incentive compensation in the form of performance-based
awards was based on the following two factors:
·
|
The
executive compensation philosophy of Jefferson-Pilot Corporation
included
significant annual grants of stock options. The 2006 LTI program
was an
attempt to harmonize our executive compensation philosophy—which relied
wholly on performance-based awards—with that of Jefferson-Pilot’s program.
|
·
|
The
Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant noted a
greater use of stock options as part of executive compensation programs
in
recent years. In addition, the Committee believed that changes in
accounting rules placed options on equal footing with other kinds
of
executive compensation, and arguably, options are easier for both
shareholders and executives to understand—there is a more direct “line of
sight” between increases in intrinsic option value and our successful
financial performance—as expressed through movements in our stock price.
|
The
purposes of our long-term incentive program remain to encourage executive
behavior that yields increased shareholder returns by linking executive pay
to
the achievement of performance measures that drive shareholder return and to
provide competitive compensation that will pay out above-median only when
performance has been above average, consistent with our compensation
philosophy.
The
2006 LTI Option Awards
As
described above, our top executives, with the exception of Messrs. Glass, Coyne
and May, received one-half of their 2006 LTI target compensation in the form
of
options to purchase shares of our common stock. Our options have ten-year terms,
with the option price set at the fair market value of our stock as of the date
of grant (April 13, 2006). Fair market value was determined using the average
of
the high and low prices of our common stock on the business day immediately
preceding the date of grant. Our options vest ratably over a three-year period,
with one-third of each option vesting on each anniversary of grant date. While
the options are time-vested, not “performance vested”, the value of the 2006
option grants depends on the positive financial performance of our company,
as
expressed through the increase in share value.
Also
as
described above, Mr. Coyne received one-half of his 2006 LTI target in the
form
of a grant of options under the Delaware Investments U.S., Inc. (“DIUS”) Stock
Option Plan. Mr. Coyne’s DIUS options are exercisable for shares of common stock
of DIUS, our indirect wholly owned subsidiary, and will vest ratably over the
next four years.
As
an
asset management firm, the ability to attract and retain world-class investment
professionals is critical to the success of DIUS. The purpose of the DIUS Stock
Option Plan is to assist DIUS in attracting, retaining, and rewarding
executives, investment professionals, and other professionals who provide
investment management-related sales and client services to DIUS. This DIUS
Stock
Option Plan was established to provide such professionals with the opportunity
to participate in the increase in value of DIUS, to strengthen the alignment
of
interests between participants and our shareholders, and provide participants
such as Mr. Coyne with long-term incentives to maximize the creation of
shareholder value, which is typical in investment firms.
Unlike
options granted under the Amended and Restated ICP, DIUS options are issued
with
an exercise price based upon an independent valuation of DIUS, performed by
an
independent valuation expert using a “market transaction” approach to value
DIUS, with 40% of the value based on earnings before interest, taxes,
deprecation, and amortization, 40% based on assets under management, and 20%
based on revenues. The exercise and grant price of any DIUS option is based
upon
the most recent valuation performed. The valuations are performed at six month
intervals--December 31
st
and June
30
th
.
As of
the date of this proxy statement, the December 31, 2006 valuation had not yet
been completed.
In
addition, five former Jefferson-Pilot executives on our post-merger senior
management team, including Messrs. Glass and May, had been awarded options
to
purchase shares of Jefferson-Pilot common stock in February 2006, and such
options had been converted into options to purchase shares of our common stock
by operation of the merger on April 3, 2006. The Committee discussed whether
a
second option grant in 2006 to these former Jefferson-Pilot executives would
be
appropriate. After considering each executive’s total direct compensation target
for 2006 (annual base salary, annual incentive and long-term incentive
compensation), the Committee determined that an additional option grant would
have over-compensated these former Jefferson-Pilot executives relative to their
peers and would have resulted in setting target compensation levels above median
for these executives. The Committee ultimately awarded each of these executives
one-half of the recommended 2006 LTI target amounts in the form of 2006-2008
performance awards, but decided not to award additional stock options at that
time.
The
2006-2008 Performance Award Cycle
The
2006-2008 performance award cycle was established on April 13, 2006, based
on a
performance period beginning on January 13, 2006 and ending on December 31,
2008. The establishment of the 2006-2008 performance award cycle was delayed
until the first meeting of the new Committee subsequent to our merger. The
slightly abbreviated cycle was due to the requirement under Section 162(m)
that
financial measures for performance based compensation be set no later than
90
days after the beginning of the performance cycle. During the April 13, 2006
meeting, the Committee established the maximum award amounts payable to the
NEOs, the relevant performance measures, the relative weighting of each
performance measure, and the goals for minimum payout (50% of target), and
maximum payout (200% of target). Usually, all of these items would have been
approved during the February 2006 or March 2006 meeting of the
Committee.
The
2006-2008 performance awards may be in the form of 100% stock, or 75% stock
and
25% cash generally at the election of the NEO. Each NEO had to make his form
of
award election at the beginning of the cycle, and all of the NEOs chose an
award
in the form of 100% stock. The maximum award, 200% of target, will occur when
performance is superior, and a minimum award, 50% of target, will result when
a
threshold level of performance is met. For a performance award in shares or
cash
to ultimately vest, the threshold or minimum achievement level for at least
one
of the three performance measures must be attained.
The
2006-2008 performance awards granted the NEOs are set forth in the Grants of
Plan-Based Awards table on page 47 below
.
The
chart
below sets forth the various performance measures approved for the 2006-2008
performance award cycle for all executives, as well as the relative weighting
for each performance measure. Actual results will be calculated using annualized
financial performance, but the first year of the performance cycle, 2006, will
be adjusted to reflect only the period beginning January 13, 2006 and ending
December 31, 2006 (income from operations and growth in sales are as defined
on
page 35 above):
2006-2008
LTI
Performance
Award Measures
|
Relative
Weight
|
Growth
in Income from Operations Per Diluted Share
|
33
1/3%
|
Growth
in Sales (Gross Deposits & Life Sales)
|
33
1/3%
|
Return
on Equity Based on Income from Operations
|
33
1/3%
|
Growth
in
income from operations, return on equity, and growth in sales are all absolute
measures.
In
setting the goals to be achieved with respect to each of the 2006-2008 LTI
performance measures, both management and the Compensation Committee noted
that
the target levels set presented a challenge for management and were designed
to
create appropriate incentives for our executives to create financial growth
and
value for shareholders. As with the 2006 AIP, the 2006-2008 LTI performance
measures reflect our post-merger goals, and our lack of history as a merged
entity. Whether we meet or exceed those goals will depend upon performance
over
the entire three-year performance cycle. The corporate income from operations
per share and return on equity performance measures were set after consideration
of a number of factors, including the 2006 institutional brokers’ estimate
system (IBES) estimates for us post-merger, and our financial plan. The sales
growth component was based
upon
on
our financial plan and management’s assessment of the level of achievement
needed to maintain or grow market share in our target markets.
In
addition, as stated above, in order to harmonize our former Jefferson-Pilot
executive officers’ LTI compensation programs with our executive officers’ LTI
compensation programs, the Committee granted each of the three former
Jefferson-Pilot executives, including Mr. Glass, a pro-rated award in the
2004-2006 and 2005-2007 performance award cycles, with credit for service back
to January 1, 2006. For the 2004-2006 performance award cycle, in which the
executive was credited with one year of service out of a three year performance
period, an award was granted equal to one-third of the executive’s 2006 LTI
target award. Similarly, for the 2005-2007 performance award cycle, the
executive was granted two years of service out of a three year performance
period, and a target award equal to two-thirds of their 2006 long-term incentive
target award.
In
addition, on June 8, 2006, Compensation Committee increased the overall 2006
LTI
target amounts for four of our executives, including Mr. Thompson. For these
executives, the 2006 LTI targets approved by the Committee were inadvertently
lower than the 2005 LTI targets. In the interest of fairness to the individuals
affected, the Committee increased their targets. On June 8, the Committee
granted additional 2006-2008 performance award shares with a value equal to
the
amount by which the 2006 LTI target was increased by the Committee on that
date.
Other
2006 Equity Awards
Stock
Options
:
As
discussed above, during 2006 our stock options played a more significant role
in
executive compensation than in recent years. Formerly, stock options had been
an
elective part of our long-term incentive program, with the executive choosing
to
receive the award in one of seven combinations of stock, cash, and options.
In
addition, the stock options are also awarded when executives exercise reload
options. Reload options are options that contain a feature that provides for
the
automatic grant of a new option when an optionee uses shares that he/she already
owns to exercise the reload options. The number of “new” reload options is equal
to the number of shares used to exercise the original option with the reload
feature. More information about reload options can be found in footnote 1 to
the
Grants of Plan-Based Awards table on page 47. Reload options that are granted
as
a result of a stock exercise of a reload option also contain a reload feature.
We have not granted options with a reload feature since 2002.
Restricted
Stock
:
The
Amended and Restated ICP also gives the Compensation Committee the authority
to
grant shares of restricted stock. We use grants of restricted stock in the
process of recruiting new talent, with the dollar value of the restricted stock
based on market data compiled by our Human Resources Department, and, in the
case of new executive officers, by Towers Perrin. In 2006, restricted shares
also played a role in our annual equity grants to certain of our NEOs. Mr.
Crawford, our CFO, received a restricted stock grant in 2006 in recognition
of
his work on the merger with Jefferson-Pilot. As stated above, we also granted
Messrs. Glass and Thompson restricted stock awards. Restricted stock is
typically restricted from sale or trade for three years after the date of grant,
except in cases of the grantee’s death, disability, or a change in control.
Grantees may vote their restricted stock during the period that the shares
are
issued but restricted, and are generally paid dividends on the shares, or are
compensated for dividends that would have been paid if the shares had not been
restricted. Generally, no dividends or dividend-related compensation is paid
until restrictions have lapsed.
Forfeiture
of Equity Awards
Our
equity awards, including options, are subject to non-compete and non-disclosure
provisions. Violations of these provisions may result, at the Committee’s
discretion, in the shares or options being forfeited or cancelled—or, in the
case of an option exercised within six months of a violation—the exercise
rescinded and the amount of gain realized or payment received by the executive
returned to us.
Equity
Grant Procedures
On
November 8, 2006, the Compensation Committee formally approved equity grant
procedures, including procedures for granting stock options. For the most part,
these procedures, as outlined below, articulate long-standing corporate policy
regarding stock option grants. We have not and do not time our equity grants
in
coordination with the release of material, non-public information. For stock
options granted prior to November 8, 2006, the fair market value used to
determine exercise price as of a particular grant date was determined by using
the average of the high and low sales price of a share of our common stock
as
quoted on the composite transactions table of the New York Stock Exchange on
the
day
prior
to the
grant date. This former practice allowed the Committee to approve a number
of
options based on a specific dollar value for the target award and offered some
protection against any short-term
volatility
in the stock price. However, on November 8, 2006, we adopted the new pricing
procedure to reflect prevailing “best practices.” Under the new procedures, all
options are now granted at the closing price of our common stock, as reported
on
the composite transactions table of the NYSE, on the date of grant. Only the
Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors has the authority to make
equity grants with respect to our executive officers.
The
Compensation Committee generally grants equity awards once annually as part
of
our long-term incentive compensation program. These grants are made during
a
regularly scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee (usually in February
or early March). However, the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors
may also grant equity awards at other regularly scheduled meetings. For equity
granted at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board or Committee, the grant
date shall be the date of the meeting. However, if the equity is granted at
a
“special” meeting of the Board or Committee, and such meeting does not occur
during the period in which trading of our securities is permitted under our
Insider Trading and Confidentiality Policy, i.e. a window period, then the
grant
becomes effective on the first business day of the next window period. Window
periods generally begin the later of the second business day after our quarterly
earnings release or the first business day after our public call with investors.
In
cases
where the Compensation Committee or the Board of Directors grants equity awards
by written consent, the grant becomes effective on the first business day of
the
week following the effective date of the written consent; provided, however,
that if such business day is not during a window period, the grant becomes
effective on the first business day of the next window period.
The
2004 Long-Term Incentive Award Program
On
February 22, 2007, the Compensation Committee approved the vesting of awards
for
the 2004-2006 performance award cycle, based on its review of the various
reports and analysis provided to it by management regarding our performance
during this cycle, and after determining that the performance measures had
been
satisfied to the extent required by the Amended and Restated ICP and the
program. Vested awards for the 2004-2006 performance award cycle could range
from 0% of each executive’s individual target award amount to a maximum of 200%
of each executive’s target award amount. Overall financial performance for the
2004-2006 performance award cycle resulted in a vested amount equal to 161.33%
of target.
For
the
2004-2006 performance cycle, executive officers were provided with the option
of
choosing an award in the form of cash, stock or stock options, or a combination
thereof upon the satisfaction of the performance measures. The executives had
to
make their award elections at the beginning of the cycle.
To
the
extent that an executive chose an all cash award, the executive was granted
only
78% of his/her target amount. The discount reflects the relative value and
potential risk associated with cost as compared to stock and options. The awards
for the 2004-2006 performance period could have ranged from 0% to 200% of each
executive’s target award. Overall financial performance for the 2004-2006
performance cycle resulted in a final award equal to 161.33% of target. Options
are limited to the target award such that the above target award vests in
additional shares. The options have a ten-year term, which begins to run from
the date of the long-term incentive award to which they relate, and fully vest
upon satisfaction of the performance criteria.
The
chart
below sets forth the various performance measures approved for the 2004-2006
performance award cycle, as well as the relative weighting, the goals set,
and
the actual performance results for each performance measure, based on financial
performance for the period beginning January 1, 2004 and ending December 31,
2006:
Performance
Measure
|
Relative
Weight
|
Goal
at
Minimum
|
Goal
at
Target
|
Goal
at
Maximum
|
Actual
Performance
Results
|
Growth
in Income from Operations Per Diluted Share
|
40%
|
9%
|
12%
|
15%
|
16.1%
|
Total
Shareholder Return
|
20%
|
25
th
percentile
|
60
th
percentile
|
75
th
percentile
|
73
rd
percentile
|
Return
on Equity
|
40%
|
12%
|
14%
|
15%
|
14.1%
|
For
the
2003 and 2004 long term incentive programs, we used the same definition of
“income from operations.” Income from operations for the 2004-2006 LTIP
performance award cycle was defined as net income determined in accordance
with
GAAP, excluding, as applicable, the after-tax effects of: realized gains
(losses) on investments and derivative instruments, restructuring charges,
net
gains (losses) related to reinsurance embedded
derivatives/trading
securities, cumulative effect of accounting changes, FAS 113 reserve development
on business sold through indemnity reinsurance, gains (losses) on sale of
subsidiaries, and loss on early retirement of debt. Income from operations
is an
internal measure that we use in the management of our operations. The Committee
believes that this performance measure explains the results of our ongoing
operations in a manner that allows for a better understanding of the underlying
trends in our current business. Growth in income from operations per share
was
expressed as compound growth rate based on the point-to-point difference between
EPS for year prior to the beginning of the cycle and the EPS of the final year
of the cycle.
Growth
in
income from operations and ROE for the 2004-2006 performance award cycle are
absolute, not relative measures—a change from the previous 2003-2005 performance
award cycle. The Total Shareholder Return measure reflects our percentile rank
versus the performance of companies in the S&P 500 Index at the beginning of
the performance period. The awards were a mixture of cash, options, and shares,
as elected by each participant at the beginning of the cycle. The vested
2004-2006 performance cycle awards are provided in the Outstanding Equity Awards
at Fiscal Year-End table on page 50 below.
The
2003 Long-Term Incentive Award Program
On
March
9, 2006, the Compensation Committee approved the vesting of the 2003-2005
performance awards. The Committee reviewed the various reports and analysis
provided to it by management regarding the outcomes for the relevant performance
measures during the period beginning January 1, 2003 and ending December 31,
2005. The Committee determined that the performance measures had been satisfied
to the extent required by the ICP and the program. The 2003-2005 performance
award cycle could result in vested awards ranging from 0% of each executive’s
individual target award amount to a maximum of 200% of each executive’s target
award amount. Overall financial performance for the 2003-2005 performance cycle
resulted in a vested amount equal to 137.11% of target.
For
the
2003-2005 performance cycle, executive officers were allowed to choose to
have any award vest in cash, stock or stock options, or a combination
thereof upon the satisfaction of the performance measures. The executives had
to elect the form of their awards at the beginning of the cycle. An
NEO electing vesting in stock options was granted options equal in
value to 100% of his/her target award (or that portion of target award
elected in options). To the extent that an executive chose stock or
cash, however, the NEO was granted stock or cash equal to only 80% or
67%, respectively, of their target award amount. The discount in award
value applied with respect to stock or cash reflects the relative value and
potential risk of those types of awards as compared to options.
The
chart
below sets forth the various performance measures approved for the 2003-2005
performance cycle, as well as the relative weighting, the goals, and the actual
results for each performance measure:
Performance
Measure
|
Relative
Weight
|
Goal
at
Minimum*
|
Goal
at
Target*
|
Goal
at
Maximum*
|
Actual
Performance
Results
|
Growth
in Income from Operations
Per
Diluted Share
|
40%
|
25
th
percentile
|
60
th
percentile
|
75
th
percentile
|
77.7
th
percentile
|
Total
Shareholder Return
|
40%
|
25
th
percentile
|
60
th
percentile
|
75
th
percentile
|
33.33
rd
percentile
|
Return
on Equity
|
20%
|
25
th
percentile
|
60
th
percentile
|
75
th
percentile
|
88.8
th
percentile
|
*
represents
percentile rankings versus the peer group.
Total
Shareholder Return was weighted 20%, and represents share price change plus
total shareholder dividends paid during the performance cycle. The shareowner
return calculation was based on the average of the closing stock prices of
LNC
for each trading day in the month of December preceding the beginning of a
cycle
and the average of the closing prices for each trading day in the last December
of the cycle. Return on Equity represents the weighted average of ROE through
the performance cycle, with ROE for year one weighted 20%, year two 30% and
year
three 50%.
Each
of
the performance measures for the 2003-2005 LTIP performance cycle were relative,
not absolute, measures, with our financial results for the performance period
compared against those of our peer group of companies. Our peer companies for
this cycle included AmerUs Group Co., The Hartford Life Company, Jefferson-Pilot
Corporation, MetLife, Inc., Manulife Financial Corporation, MONY, Nationwide
Financial Services, Inc., The
Principal
Financial Group, Inc., Prudential Financial, Inc. and Sun Life Financial
Services CDA, Inc. However, because of merger activity in the industry, two
of
the companies, John Hancock Financial Services and MONY Group, were removed
from
the cycle, pursuant to the program’s operational documents. The awards were paid
in a mixture of cash, options, and shares, as elected by each participant at
the
beginning of the cycle.
The
vested 2003-2005 performance awards for an NEO, if any, are reflected in the
Option Exercise and Stock Vested table for vested shares on page 52
below.
Share
Ownership
Besides
promoting our “pay for performance” philosophy, our long-term incentive
compensation programs are vehicles for granting equity to our executives. Share
ownership is an important LNC shared value. Our share ownership guidelines
help
us to achieve our goal of matching the financial interests of our executives
with those of our shareholders. On March 9, 2006, the Compensation Committee
determined the appropriate share ownership requirements, and associated
penalties, for each of the various positions listed below:
Position
|
Expected
Level of Ownership
Multiple
of Base Salary
|
CEO
|
5
times base salary
|
President
& COO
|
4
times base salary
|
Managing
Senior Contributor (EVP or equivalent)
|
3
times base salary
|
Senior
Contributor (SVP or equivalent)
|
2
times base salary
|
VP
(or equivalent)
|
1
times base salary
|
On
February 22, 2007, the Committee approved new share ownership requirements
for
our executives. The applicable 2007 requirements are based on officer position
or category, rather than title, a departure from previous years. In part, this
change was made as a result of our merger with Jefferson-Pilot, and the
difficulty of internally harmonizing similar titles across the entire
organization.
Officer
Position
|
Expected
Level of 2007 Ownership
Multiple
of Base Salary
|
CEO
|
5
times base salary
|
President
& COO
|
4
times base salary
|
Executive
Officers (other than the CEO and COO)
|
3
times base salary
|
Corporate
Leadership Group (CLG)
|
2
times base salary
|
Amounts
invested in shares of LNC common stock through our qualified savings plan,
or in
the LNC common stock unit investment option offered under our non-qualified
deferred compensation plans, are counted for determining whether share ownership
targets have been met. Time-vested restricted shares are also counted for this
purpose. In addition, beginning in 2006, 30% of all vested stock options—to the
extent that they are “in-the-money”—were considered for meeting the applicable
share ownership requirements. Officers have five years, or in the case of
Delaware officers (including Mr. Coyne), six years, to achieve the applicable
multiple of base salary. If any officer were to fail to achieve the expected
level of share ownership, we would enforce the requirement by paying out the
annual incentive bonuses in shares of LNC common stock, rather than in
cash.
All
of
our NEOs have met or exceeded their share ownership requirements for
2006.
Benefits
Many
of
the benefits that we offer to our executive officers are the same benefits
that
are offered to our general employee population. With some exceptions, the
additional benefits enjoyed by our executives are offered through plans and
programs that promote tax efficiency and replacement of benefit opportunities
lost due to regulatory limits in the broad-based tax-qualified plans, as
explained in more detail below. In addition to providing retirement income,
our
benefits help to protect our employees and executives from the financial
catastrophes that can result from
unexpected
illness, disability, or death. Also, these types of benefits are typically
offered by the peer group of companies with whom we compete. Offering
compensation benefits helps us to attract and retain key employees.
For
2006,
we used the following peer group of companies to evaluate our non-qualified
or
“top-hat” plans:
·
Aetna
|
·
MetLife
|
·
Allstate
|
·
Nationwide
|
·
Amerus
|
·
Phoenix
Sun
|
·
CIGNA
|
·
Principal
|
·
Genworth
|
·
Prudential
|
·
The
Hartford
|
·
UNUM
Provident
|
Supplemental
Retirement and Deferred Compensation Plans
Supplemental
Retirement Plans
Our
supplemental retirement plans pay or “restore” benefits that would have been
paid under the tax-qualified retirement plans if certain limits did not exist
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“IRS
rules”). The Lincoln National Corporation Executives’ Excess Compensation
Pension Benefit Plan restores benefits limited by IRS rules under the LNC
Employees’ Retirement Plan. The Jefferson-Pilot Corporation Supplemental Benefit
Plan restores benefits limited by IRS rules under the Jefferson-Pilot Employees’
Retirement Plan. These supplemental retirement plans calculate benefits using
the same formula as the qualified retirement plan that they “restore,” but
without the imposition of IRS limits. The qualified retirement benefit payment
is deducted from, or offsets, the benefit calculated under each supplemental
retirement plan. The present value of the accumulated benefit under each
supplemental retirement plan for the NEOs is set forth and described in the
Pension Benefits table and accompanying narrative on page 53.
Enhancements
to benefits payable under the LNC Executives’ Excess Compensation Pension
Benefit Plan, or the LNC Excess Plan (but not the JP Supplemental Benefit Plan)
are provided in the case of a change-of-control, as defined in the LNC Excess
Plan. In addition, enhancements to both supplemental retirement plan benefits
are provided to executives participating in the Lincoln National Corporation
Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan and the Jefferson-Pilot Executive Change of
Control Severance Plan, in the case of a change of control, as defined under
those plans. The benefit enhancements provided in each case are discussed below
under “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control” beginning on
page 58.
Deferred
Compensation Plan
The
Lincoln National Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees
(the “LNC Deferred Compensation Plan”) allows our executives to defer salary and
receive company contributions (matching contributions) with respect to such
salary deferrals, without being affected by the tax code limits on deferrals
and
employer contributions. Amounts deferred and contributed under the LNC Deferred
Compensation Plan are credited to “notional” or bookkeeping accounts, and are
subsequently credited with earnings or losses mirroring the performance of
the
Plan’s available investment options. These are the same investment options that
are available under the LNC 401(k) Plan. The LNC Deferred Compensation Plan
is
an unfunded plan and represents an unfunded promise to pay the benefits credited
to each participant.
For
every
dollar deferred once the executive has reached $175,000 in annual compensation,
we contribute both basic and discretionary matching contributions under the
LNC
Deferred Compensation Plan. Information regarding each NEO’s salary deferrals
and our contributions to the Plan on behalf of the NEO during 2006, as well
as
each executive’s aggregate balance under that Plan as of December 31, 2006, can
be found in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan table and accompanying
narrative beginning on page 56.
Mr.
Coyne, as an employee of Delaware Investments, participates in the Delaware
Management Holdings, Inc. Retirement Plan (“DRP”), along with all other eligible
Delaware employees. The DRP is a money purchase pension retirement plan—a
defined contribution plan to which we contribute 7.5% of Mr. Coyne’s eligible
compensation annually. Any amount of our contribution that exceeds the
applicable IRS limits is credited to an account in the LNC Deferred Compensation
Plan on Mr. Coyne’s behalf. Participants do not contribute to the DRP. Amounts
credited under the DRP may be invested by Mr. Coyne in a variety of investment
options from the Delaware Investments Family of Funds that comprise the current
investment alternatives available under the DRP. The amounts contributed to
the
DRP by us on Mr. Coyne’s behalf are set forth in footnote 4 to the Summary
Compensation Table.
Change
of Control Arrangements
We
sponsor two plans where the payment of benefits is triggered by a termination
of
employment (under specific circumstances) after a change of control: the Lincoln
National Corporation Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan, or the LNC COC Plan,
and the Jefferson-Pilot Executive Change of Control Severance Plan, or the
JP
COC Plan. In addition, as referenced above, there are also separate change
of
control triggered enhancements to the LNC Excess Compensation Pension Benefit
Plan (but not the JP Supplemental Benefit Plan), to the Salary Continuation
Plan
for Executives of Lincoln National Corporation and Affiliates, and to the
Jefferson-Pilot Executive Special Supplemental Benefit Plan. These enhancements,
and the latter two plans in general, are described below in “Potential Payments
upon Termination or Change-in-Control” beginning on page 58.
The
objectives of the LNC COC Plan and the JP COC Plan are:
·
|
To
attract and retain qualified executives in the face of an actual
or
threatened change of control of Lincoln National Corporation (in
the case
of the LNC COC Plan) - we assumed any obligations under the terms
of the
JP COC Plan related to the change of control of Jefferson-Pilot as
a
result of our merger,
|
·
|
To
enable such executives to help our Board assess any proposed change
of
control of us and advise the Board as to whether such a proposal
is in our
best interests, our shareholders’ best interests, and in the best
interests of our policyholders and customers without being unduly
influenced by the possibility of employment termination,
and
|
·
|
To
demonstrate to those executives our desire to treat them fairly in
such
circumstances.
|
A
full
description of the benefits provided under the LNC COC Plan and the JP COC
Plan
is provided below under “Potential Payments upon Termination or
Change-in-Control” beginning on page 58.
Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code caps a public company’s corporate income tax
deduction at $1 million per year for each NEO. However, compensation that
qualifies as performance-based compensation is not subject to this cap. The
incentive awards that we pay are intended to qualify as performance-based
compensation under Section 162(m) and are subject to limits established under
the Amended and Restated ICP in compliance with the rules of that Section.
Under
the Amended and Restated ICP, our 2006 awards could in no event exceed, in
the
case of a cash award, $8,000,000, or, in the case of equity awards or stock
options, two million shares. The Compensation Committee further limits such
awards.
In
the
case of our performance awards, the Compensation Committee retains the
discretion to reduce or increase any executive’s individual payout, to the
extent permissible under Section 162(m), based on certain extraordinary
circumstances that may occur during the cycle. The Committee may consider
extraordinary circumstances that could impact performance results such as
changing economic and market conditions, mergers or acquisitions, sale of a
business, restructuring charges, reserve strengthening or release, and/or
extraordinary natural occurrences or man-made events (e.g. acts of war). In
making such changes, the Committee would consider investor reaction, stock
price
performance, performance of peers and the CEO’s recommendation. The guiding
principle in making adjustments and modifications would be to encourage and
reward management for consistently high financial and shareholder return
performance relative to peers, while taking into consideration creation of
shareholder value.
Compensation
C
om
mittee Report
The
members of the Committee have reviewed and discussed this Compensation
Discussion & Analysis with management. Based on that review and discussion,
the Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors of the Corporation
that
the Compensation Discussion & Analysis be included in our Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2006 and this proxy statement.
William
H. Cunningham
Michael
F. Mee
Patrick
S. Pittard
Glenn
F.
Tilton [resigned effective March 20, 2007]
Summary
Com
pensation Table
The
table
below contains information about our NEOs’ compensation earned or paid during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. The NEOs are:
·
|
our
three other most highly compensated executive officers employed on
December 31, 2006, and
|
|
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
|
NAME
AND PRINCIPAL POSITION
(a)
|
YEAR
(b)
|
SALARY
($)
(c)
|
STOCK
AWARDS
($)
1
(e)
|
OPTIONS
AWARDS
($)
1
(f)
|
NON-EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
COMPENSATION
($)
2
(g)
|
CHANGE
IN PENSION VALUE AND NON-QUALIFIED
DEFERRED
COMPENSATION EARNINGS
($)
3
(h)
|
ALL
OTHER COMPEN-SATION
($)
4
(i)
|
TOTAL
($)
(j)
|
JON
A. BOSCIA
Chairman
and CEO of LNC
|
2006
|
925,000
|
617,687
|
6,591,815
|
7,393,423
|
2,140,170
|
460,810
6
|
18,128,905
|
FREDERICK
J.
CRAWFORD
CFO
of LNC
|
2006
|
400,000
|
921,525
|
116,169
|
1,495,830
|
121,313
|
76,850
|
3,131,687
|
DENNIS
R. GLASS
5
President
and COO
of
LNC
|
2006
|
700,000
|
1,366,623
|
--
|
2,205,000
|
432,573
|
504,708
7
|
5,208,904
|
PATRICK
P. COYNE
President,
Lincoln National Investment Company, Inc. and Delaware Management
Holdings, Inc.
|
2006
|
395,000
|
22,816
|
759,210
|
4,081,500
|
--
|
231,554
|
5,490,080
|
WESTLEY
V.
THOMPSON
President,
Employer
Markets
|
2006
|
500,000
|
1,905,653
|
218,176
|
1,527,201
|
186,878
|
163,083
8
|
4,500,991
|
JOHN
H. GOTTA
Former
President and CEO of The Lincoln National Life Insurance
Company
|
2006
|
360,000
|
1,825,320
|
259,963
|
--
|
265,236
|
2,909,414
9
|
5,619,933
|
WARREN
H. MAY
Former
President of Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc.
|
2006
|
347,106
|
363,250
|
178,057
|
--
|
260,614
|
3,586,448
10
|
4,735,475
|
1.
|
Represents
the proportionate amount of the total fair value of stock and option
awards that we recognized as an expense in 2006 for financial accounting
purposes, disregarding for this purpose the estimate of forfeitures
related to service-based vesting conditions. The fair values of these
awards and the amounts expensed in 2006 were determined in accordance
with
Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123 (revised 2004)
Share-Based
Payment
(FAS 123R).
All
assumptions made in calculating the compensation cost of stock and
option
awards are set forth in Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements, included in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended
December 31, 2006. The details of the incentive cash, stock and
option awards granted in 2006 are described in more detail in the
Grants
of Plan-Based Awards table. Because Mr. Boscia will become eligible
for
retirement during the vesting periods for his stock and option awards,
the
stock and option awards are expensed during the period up to the
date he
becomes retirement eligible. For Mr. Glass, all stock and option
awards
are fully expensed during the year of grant because he is retirement
eligible. The amounts shown for Mr. Coyne in column (f) reflect the
amount
expensed for options granted to Mr. Coyne under the Delaware Investments
U.S., Inc. (“DIUS”) Stock Option Plan. These options are exercisable for
shares of common stock of DIUS, our indirect wholly owned
subsidiary.
|
As
a
result of his termination, Mr. May forfeited his LTI awards representing the
amounts in column (e) above.
|
2.
|
Represents
the annual incentive plan (AIP) award paid in cash for the 2006
performance period under the Amended and Restated ICP. Each of these
amounts was paid in February 2007. More information on the AIP, including
the applicable performance targets, is provided in the Grants of
Plan-Based Awards table below and the CD&A on page 31. Mr. May’s
received a $663,750 pro rata AIP target award paid in accordance
with his
termination agreement as described under “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control” beginning on page 58 and not upon
satisfaction of performance goals. Therefore, that amount is included
in
column (i) above.
|
Also
included is the cash portion of the long-term incentive award, or LTI award,
for
the 2004-2006 performance cycle under the Amended and Restated ICP for Messrs.
Boscia ($2,768,423) and Crawford ($95,830). Each of these amounts vested in
February 2007.
The
performance option and share awards, if any, for the 2004-2006 performance
cycle
are reflected in columns (d) and (i) of the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal
Year-End table below because the Compensation Committee did not certify that
the
performance conditions had been met until February 2007. Dividends accrue to
any
portion of a long-term incentive award elected to be vested in stock. The
dividend equivalents are payable in stock, based upon normal dividend rates,
only if the related long-term incentive award actually vests.
More
information on the LTI awards for the 2004-2006 performance cycle, including
the
applicable performance targets, are provided in the CD&A on page 40.
|
3.
|
The
total amount reflects solely the actuarial increase in the present
value
of the NEO’s benefits under all of our pension plans from the pension plan
measurement date used for financial reporting purposes for each NEO,
using
the same interest rate and mortality rate assumptions as those used
in
Note 8 of the Note to our Consolidated Financial Statements, included
in
Item 8 of the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
The
NEOs did not have any preferential non-qualified deferred compensation
earnings during 2006.
|
|
4.
|
All
Other Compensation includes amounts that we contribute for the NEOs
under
our Employees’ Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan, or 401(k) plan, and the
Deferred Compensation Plan. Our matching contributions to the 401(k)
Plan
in fiscal 2006 were as follows: Mr. Boscia, $19,200, Mr. Crawford,
$16,408, Mr. Glass, $1,320, Mr. Coyne, $16,125, Mr. Thompson, $17,512,
Mr.
May, $3,209 and Mr. Gotta, $16,875. Our matching contributions to
the
Deferred Compensation Plan for fiscal 2006 were as follows: Mr. Boscia,
$398,129, Mr. Crawford, $60,442, Mr. Coyne, $136,679, Mr. Thompson,
$135,571 and Mr. Gotta, $143,078. In addition, Mr. Coyne, as an employee
of Delaware Investments, participates in the Delaware Management
Holdings,
Inc. Retirement Plan (“DRP”). The DRP is a money purchase pension plan—a
defined contribution plan—to which the company contributes a fixed
percentage of eligible compensation. The amount contributed to the
DRP on
Mr. Coyne’s behalf for 2006 was $78,750. Because the DRP is a
tax-qualified plan, only $15,750 of the total amount could be contributed
to the DRP because of Internal Revenue Code limits, with the excess
amount
of $63,000, contributed to the Deferred Compensation Plan on Mr.
Coyne’s
behalf. The DRP is described further
under
“Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based
Awards Tables” below on page 49.
|
All
Other
Compensation also includes the perquisites and other personal benefits, the
aggregate incremental cost of which for an NEO equaled or exceeded $10,000
and
applicable tax gross ups as described in footnotes 6, 7, 8 and 10 below.
More
information regarding perquisites and personal benefits, including the manner
in
which we value personal use of the corporate aircraft is discussed under
“Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based
Awards Tables” below on page 48.
|
5.
|
Mr.
Glass’s compensation reflects the period from April 3, 2006 (the date of
closing of our merger with Jefferson-Pilot) to December 31,
2006.
|
|
6
.
|
Includes
the following perquisites
(any perquisite with an aggregate incremental cost exceeding $25,000
is
quantified): $33,481 representing the aggregate incremental cost
of
personal use of corporate aircraft and matching gifts made by Lincoln
Financial Foundation Inc. on behalf of Mr.
Boscia.
|
|
7.
|
Includes
the following perquisites
(any perquisite with an aggregate incremental cost exceeding $25,000
is
quantified)
:
|
·
|
$323,453
for relocation expenses;
|
·
|
$41,617
representing the aggregate incremental cost of personal use of corporate
aircraft;
|
·
|
the
cost of operating, maintaining and insuring a company-owned automobile;
|
·
|
annual
cost of a country club membership; and
|
·
|
matching
gifts made by Lincoln Financial Foundation Inc. on behalf of Mr.
Glass.
|
We
are
required to provide Mr. Glass with costs associated with his country club
membership and use of a company-owned automobile pursuant to his employment
agreement, which is further described under “Narrative Disclosure to the Summary
Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Tables” on page 48 below. His
amount also includes a $123,969 tax gross-up relating to his relocation
expenses.
|
8.
|
Includes
$10,000 in matching gifts made on Mr. Thompson’s behalf by Lincoln
Financial Foundation Inc.
|
|
9.
|
Mr.
Gotta retired effective July 31, 2006.
In
addition to the amounts set forth in footnote 4 above, the amount
includes
$2,758,506 paid in connection with his retirement pursuant to his
Non-compete and Anti-solicitation Agreement, Waiver and General Release
of
Claims, dated as of January 19, 2006, which is described under “Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control -- Gotta’s Non-Compete
Agreement” on page 61 below.
|
|
10.
|
Mr.
May ceased being an executive officer in August 2006. In addition
to the
amounts in footnote 4 above, the amount includes $3,370,172 paid
or
accrued pursuant
to
his termination, which is described under “Potential Payments Upon
Termination or Change-in-Control -- May’s Agreement” on page 61 below. The
amount also includes a $36,666 tax gross-up relating to his relocation
expenses. The amount also includes the following perquisites (any
perquisites with an aggregate incremental cost exceeding $25,000
is
quantified):
|
·
|
$175,163
for relocation expenses;
|
·
|
the
aggregate incremental cost of gifts given to all attendees of a sales
incentive trip; and
|
·
|
a
matching gift made by the Lincoln Financial Foundation, Inc. on Mr.
May’s
behalf.
|
Mr.
May’s
relocation expenses include the 2006 carrying cost of his house that we
purchased in 2006, including interest costs under the mortgage we have assumed,
insurance costs and interest expense in financing the purchase.
G
rant
s
of Plan-Based Awards
The
table
below provides information on grants of plan-based awards during fiscal year
2006 to the NEOs. Except for Mr. Coyne, all awards were granted under the
Amended and Restated ICP. Mr. Coyne’s options were granted under the DIUS Stock
Option Plan. Mr. Coyne’s DIUS options are exercisable for shares of common stock
of DIUS, our indirect wholly owned subsidiary.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ESTIMATED
POSSIBLE PAYOUTS
UNDER
NON-EQUITY INCENTIVE
PLAN
AWARDS
2
|
ESTIMATED
FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER
EQUITY
INCENTIVE PLAN AWARDS
|
|
|
|
|
|
NAME
(a)
|
GRANT
DATE
(b)
|
THRESH-
OLD
($)
(c)
|
TARGET
($)
(d)
|
MAXI-
MUM
($)
(e)
|
THRESHOLD
(#)
(f)
|
TARGET
(#)
(g)
|
MAXI-
MUM
(#)
(h)
|
ALL
OTHER STOCK AWARDS: NUMBER OF SHARES OF STOCK OR
UNITS
(#)
(i)
|
ALL
OTHER OPTION AWARDS: NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDER-
LYING
OPTIONS
(#)
(j)
|
EXERCISE
OR
BASE
PRICE
OF
OPTION
AWARDS
($/SH)
6
(k)
|
CLOSING
PRICE ON GRANT DATE
($/SH)
(l)
|
GRANT
DATE
FAIR
VALUE
OF
STOCK
AND
OPTION
AWARDS
($)
8
(n)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JON
A.
BOSCIA
|
1/05/2006
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
--
|
15,152
|
53.91
|
54.12
|
51,517
|
|
4/10/2006
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14,282
|
57.19
|
57.05
|
21,709
|
|
4/13/2006
|
1,156,250
|
2,312,500
|
4,625,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4/13/2006
3
|
|
|
|
21,714
|
43,427
|
85,854
|
|
|
|
|
2,432,781
|
|
4/13/2006
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
278,375
|
56.02
|
56.30
|
3,259,771
|
|
5/4/2006
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13,780
|
59.27
|
58.03
|
7,441
|
FREDERICK
J.
CRAWFORD
|
4/13/2006
|
350,000
|
700,000
|
1,400,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4/13/2006
3
|
|
|
|
3,124
|
6,248
|
12,496
|
|
|
|
|
350,013
|
|
4/13/2006
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,000
|
|
|
|
325,200
|
|
4/13/2006
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,050
|
56.02
|
56.30
|
468,986
|
DENNIS
R.
GLASS
|
4/13/2006
|
551,250
|
1,102,500
|
2,205,000
|
|
|
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
4/13/2006
3
|
|
|
|
11,046
|
22,091
|
44,182
|
|
|
|
|
1,237,538
|
|
4/13/2006
5
|
|
|
|
3,682
|
7,364
|
14,728
|
|
|
|
|
412,531
|
|
4/13/2006
5
|
|
|
|
7,364
|
14,727
|
29,454
|
|
|
|
|
825,007
|
PATRICK
P.
COYNE
|
11/8/2006
5
|
1,125,000
|
2,250,000
|
4,500,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11/8/2006
3
|
|
|
|
2,597
|
5,194
|
10,388
|
|
|
|
|
337,558
|
|
11/8/2006
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000
|
209.38
|
N/A
|
446,530
7
|
WESTLEY
V.
THOMPSON
|
4/13/2006
|
509,067
|
1,108,134
|
2,036,268
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
4/13/2006
3
|
|
|
|
4,544
|
9,088
|
18,176
|
|
|
|
|
509,110
|
|
4/13/2006
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,252
|
56.02
|
56.30
|
682,131
|
|
6/8/2006
3
|
|
|
|
756
|
1,511
|
3,022
|
|
|
|
|
86,097
|
JOHN
H.
GOTTA
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WARREN
H.
MAY
|
4/13/2006
9
|
331,875
|
663,750
|
1,327,500
|
|
|
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
4/13/2006
3,9
|
|
|
|
2,936
|
5,872
|
11,744
|
|
|
|
|
328,949
|
|
4/13/2006
5,9
|
|
|
|
1,958
|
3,915
|
7,830
|
|
|
|
|
219,318
|
|
4/13/2006
5,9
|
|
|
|
979
|
1,958
|
3,916
|
|
|
|
|
109,687
|
|
1.
|
Reflect
reload option grants in 2006 in connection with the exercise of options
for which the NEO delivered shares (equal to the number of shares
underlying the option) to pay the exercise price. Reload options
also have
reload features. The reload options have the same expiration date
as the
option to which they relate. The reload options generally vest on
the
second anniversary of the grant date, but may not be exercised unless
the
value of the reload option has appreciated by at least 25%. However,
if
the options expire within two years of grant date, they will vest
30 days
prior to expiration without any other restriction. The exercise price
of
an option is based on the average of the high and low prices of our
common
stock as quoted on the composite transactions table on the NYSE,
on the
last trading day prior to the date on which the option is granted.
As
stated in footnote 6 below, all reload grants relating to options
granted
prior to the adoption of our Equity Grant Procedures in November
2006 will
be priced using the method described in the prior sentence.
|
|
2.
|
Represents
the potential 2006 AIP awards. Actual amounts earned by the NEOs
are
reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. More information on
the 2006
AIP awards, including the applicable performance targets, is provided
in
the CD&A on page 35.
|
|
3.
|
As
described in the CD&A on page 37 above, one-half of each NEO’s LTI
target for the 2006-2008 cycle was awarded in the form of options
as
reflected in column (j) above. The options granted in connection
with the
2006-2008 performance cycle have ten year terms, with the option
price
(except for Mr. Coyne’s options) determined by using the average of the
high and low price of our common stock on the NYSE composite transactions
tape on the day before grant. See footnote 6 below. The options vest
ratably over a three-year period (or four-year period for Mr. Coyne),
with
one-third vesting on each anniversary of the grant date. These options
do
not have a reload feature.
|
The
remaining portion of the 2006-2008 LTI target was granted in the form of
long-term incentive performance awards shown in columns (f), (g) and (h). For
information on the 2006-2008 performance awards and a description of the
2006-2008 performance goals applicable to the awards, see the CD&A on page
38 .
Dividends
accrue to any portion of a long-term incentive award elected in the form of
stock. The dividend equivalents are payable in stock, based upon normal dividend
rates, only if the related long-term incentive award actually vests. For a
discussion of the grant made to Mr. Thompson on June 8, 2006 see the CD&A on
page 39.
|
4.
|
Represents
a restricted stock award for Mr. Crawford’s work on the Jefferson-Pilot
merger.
|
|
5.
|
In
addition to their normal LTI award for 2006-2008, Messrs. Glass and
May
were granted a prorated LTI for both the 2004-2006 and 2005-2007
performance cycles.
|
|
6.
|
As
stated in the CD&A beginning on page 39, we adopted Equity Grant
Procedures in November 2006, which provide that, except as noted
below,
all options granted after that date will use the closing price of
our
common stock as quoted on the composite transactions tape of the
NYSE on
the date of grant as the exercise price. However, options granted
prior to
the adoption of the policy were priced using the average of the high
and
low price of our common stock on the NYSE composite transactions
tape on
the day prior to date of grant. In addition, reload options based
on
options granted prior to the adoption of the Equity Grant Procedures
will
continue to be priced using this
method.
|
|
7.
|
DIUS
shares are valued semi-annually by the Compensation Committee of
our Board
of Directors utilizing a report prepared by an independent valuation
firm
using a market-transaction approach based on profit margin, revenues
and
assets. Therefore, the closing price is not calculated on a daily
basis.
The exercise price for this option will be based on a December 31,
2006
valuation. The December 31, 2006 valuation was not ready at the date
of
this proxy statement. Accordingly, the exercise price shown is an
estimate
of the December 31, 2006 valuation.
|
|
8.
|
Represents
the grant date fair value of the award determined in accordance with
FAS 123R.
All
assumptions made in calculating the aggregate fair value are set
forth in
Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included
in
Item 8 of the Form 8-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
|
|
9.
|
As
part of his agreement described under “Potential Payments Upon Termination
or Change-in-Control—May’s Agreement” on page 61 below, Mr. May received a
prorated portion of his AIP target award for 2006, plus interest
of
$33,188 and will receive $428,557 in 2007 as settlement of all of
the
outstanding LTI cycles.
|
Narrative
Disclosure to the Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards
Tables
In
general, the fixed or certain elements of compensation—base salary and
retirement and health and welfare benefits—make up the smallest percentage of
total executive compensation, while the largest component of total compensation,
incentive awards, fluctuates and is at risk based on our financial
performance.
Mr.
Glass’s Employment Agreement
As
discussed in the CD&A, Mr. Glass entered into an employment agreement with
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation on December 6, 2003 which is effective through
March
1, 2008. We assumed the obligations under this agreement in the merger. The
agreement provided for base salary, annual bonus, stock options, LTIP payouts
and certain additional benefits, including severance benefits. Under the
agreement, Mr. Glass’s base salary was set at $925,000. On April 12, 2006, the
Compensation Committee approved a change to Mr. Glass’s 2006 base salary level
to $900,000, effective on the first payroll period subsequent to the April
13
th
meeting
(April 24, 2006), reflecting his new position as President and Chief Operating
Officer. Mr. Glass also agreed to an amendment to his employment agreement
to
clarify that annual bonuses and long-term incentive compensation will be paid
under our existing programs. In addition, Mr. Glass’s employment agreement
contains various severance provisions, as described under “Potential Payments
Upon Termination or Change-in-Control—Glass’s Employment Agreement” on
page
60
below.
Perquisites
and Personal Benefits
The
following discusses the primary perquisites and personal benefits offered to
the
NEOs in 2006 not all of which were used by the NEOs. Under the financial
planning and tax preparation program, all officers with a title of executive
vice president or above, which includes each NEO, were eligible for
reimbursement of the costs of utilizing a Lincoln Financial Network financial
planner to provide financial planning services. The reimbursement was equal
to
100% of the first $1,800 of costs, plus 50% of costs above that amount up to
a
maximum of $6,000. In addition, the same officer group was eligible to receive
up to $2,700 for reimbursement of tax preparation services provided by any
fee-for-service, tax preparer, who was a certified public accountant, excluding
Ernst & Young, LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm. If
the officer does not use the entire tax preparation reimbursement in a year,
any
remaining amount may be applied to the financial planning reimbursement, but
not
vice versa.
In
2005,
the Committee adopted a policy advising our CEO to use the corporate aircraft
for personal travel as well as business, when practical. In 2006, this policy
was extended to the President and COO. The policy was adopted due to security
concerns and to allow for more efficient travel time so that the CEO and
President can devote more time to our business. We do not have a specific policy
with respect to other executive officers personal use of the corporate aircraft.
However, to the extent any executive and guest of an executive uses corporate
aircraft for personal purposes, the usage was treated as a perquisite for proxy
statement reporting purposes. For purposes of determining the value of such
services, the personal use is calculated based on the aggregate incremental
cost
to us. For personal flights on corporate aircraft, aggregate incremental cost
is
calculated based on a cost-per-flight-hour charge that reflects the operating
costs of the aircraft, including parts, labor, overhauls (but not engine
overhauls of the type incurred every 5-10 years), fuel, landing and parking
fees/taxes and crew travel expenses. We also include, as an aggregate
incremental cost, any empty aircraft flights necessary to reposition the
corporate aircraft (i.e., dead head flights) resulting from a personal flight.
As
a
result of assuming Mr. Glass’s employment agreement in the merger with
Jefferson-Pilot, we are required to provide Mr. Glass with costs associated
with
his obtaining and maintaining membership in business and social clubs reasonably
acceptable to us. In addition, under Mr. Glass’s employment agreement, we must
provide him with a company-owned automobile and must pay the cost of operating,
maintaining and insuring the automobile.
We
also
have a matching charitable gift program. Under the program, in 2006, all NEOs
were eligible to apply for matching contributions of up to $10,000, except
that
as a former Jefferson-Pilot executive Mr. Glass had a $15,000 limit. Our
full-time employees are eligible to apply for up to $2,500 in matching
contributions.
Other
Considerations
In
addition to the material terms of grants described in the footnotes to the
Grants of Plan-Based Awards table above, we wish to point out the following:
·
|
The
exercise price and tax withholding obligations related to the exercise
of
all options may be paid by delivery of shares or by offset of the
underlying shares, subject to certain conditions.
|
·
|
With
respect to stock awards, we automatically withhold a sufficient number
of
shares to satisfy the NEO’s tax withholding obligations.
|
·
|
Options
and stock awards are not transferable except by will or pursuant
to the
laws of descent and distribution, unless the Compensation Committee
permits such a transfer. The Committee has not permitted (nor historically
permitted) a transfer with respect to any of the awards shown in
the
Grants of Plan-Based Awards table above.
|
·
|
In
cases where an executive participating in the 2006 LTI program dies,
is
disabled, voluntarily leaves the company after attaining age 55
with 5 years of service, or is involuntarily terminated for any
reason other than for cause and signs a general release of claims
against
us, the executive's 2006 options will immediately vest, and the
executive (or the executive's beneficiary) will receive a pro-rated
performance award based on the number of days of service out of the
total
number of days in the three-year performance cycle.
|
·
|
The
2006 options also vest upon a change of control, as defined in the
LNC
Executive Severance Benefit Plan.
|
Any
vested 2006 options may be exercised by the executive, or his/her
beneficiary (as applicable), until the earliest to occur of:
·
|
the
expiration of the term of the option,
|
·
|
the
first anniversary of the date the executive died or was disabled,
|
·
|
the
fifth anniversary of the date the executive voluntarily left the
company
after attaining age 55, or
|
·
|
three
months from the date the executive was involuntarily terminated for
any
reason other than for cause.
|
Finally,
Mr. Coyne, as an employee of Delaware Investments, participates in the DRP.
The
DRP is a money purchase pension retirement plan—a defined contribution plan—to
which we contribute 7.5% of Mr. Coyne’s eligible compensation annually. For any
plan year, eligible compensation is defined as 100% of Mr. Coyne’s base salary,
plus bonus. The amount of bonus is capped such that only 50% of any bonus amount
over $100,000 is considered eligible compensation. Eligible compensation is
also
subject to the IRS limits described above. Amounts credited under the DRP may
be
invested by Mr. Coyne in a variety of investment options from the Delaware
Investments Family of Funds that comprise the current investment alternatives
available under the DRP. Our contributions to the DRP on Mr. Coyne’s behalf for
2006 are set forth in footnote 4 to the Summary Compensation Table.
Out
standi
ng
Equity Awards at Fiscal
Year-End
The
table
below provides information with respect to unexercised options to purchase
shares of our common stock, unvested stock awards and unvested equity incentive
plan awards for each NEO as of December 31, 2006 on an award-by-award basis.
However, Mr. Coyne’s unexercised options are options granted pursuant to the
DIUS Stock Option Plan. Mr. Coyne’s DIUS options are exercisable for shares of
common stock of DIUS, our indirect wholly owned subsidiary.
|
OUTSTANDING
EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
|
OPTION
AWARDS
|
STOCK
AWARDS
|
NAME
(a)
|
NUMBER
OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLY-
ING
UNEXER-
CISED
OPTIONS
(#)
EXERCIS-
ABLE
1
(b)
|
NUMBER
OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLY-
ING
UNEXER-
CISED
OPTIONS
(#)
UNEXER-
CISABLE
1
(c)
|
EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
AWARDS:
NUMBER
OF
SECURITIES
UNDERLY-
ING
UNEXER-
CISED
UNEARNED
OPTIONS
(#)
(d)
|
OPTION
EXERCISE
PRICE
($)
(e)
|
OPTION
EXPIRATION
DATE
(f)
|
NUMBER
OF
SHARES
OR
UNITS
OF
STOCK
THAT
HAVE
NOT
VESTED
(#)
(g)
|
MARKET
VALUE
OF
SHARES
OR
UNITS
OF
STOCK
THAT
HAVE
NOT
VESTED
6
($)
(h)
|
EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
AWARDS:
NUMBER
OF
UNEARNED
SHARES,
UNITS
OR
OTHER
RIGHTS
THAT
HAVE
NOT
VESTED
(#)
(i)
|
EQUITY
INCENTIVE
PLAN
AWARDS:
MARKET
OR
PAYOUT
VALUE
OF
UNEARNED
SHARES,
UNITS
OR
OTHER
RIGHTS
THAT
HAVE
NOT
VESTED
6
($)
(j)
|
JON
A.
BOSCIA
|
52,000
|
|
|
29.47
|
05/14/07
|
--
|
--
|
48,980
3
|
3,252,272
|
|
220,000
|
|
|
44.93
|
05/13/08
|
|
|
78,255
4
|
5,196,132
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
50.83
|
05/12/09
|
|
|
88,532
5
|
5,878,525
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
24.72
|
03/09/10
|
|
|
|
|
|
184,000
|
|
|
43.48
|
03/08/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
200,000
|
|
|
52.10
|
03/14/12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
272,827
3
|
47.58
|
03/11/14
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
301,385
4
|
46.77
|
03/10/15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
278,375
5
|
|
56.02
|
04/13/16
|
|
|
|
|
FREDERICK
J.
CRAWFORD
|
4,000
|
|
--
|
43.48
|
03/08/11
|
6,116
7
|
406,100
|
16,802
3
|
1,115,653
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
52.10
|
03/14/12
|
|
|
33,692
4
|
2,237,149
|
|
|
40,050
5
|
|
56.02
|
04/13/16
|
|
|
12,738
5
|
845,803
|
|
49,077
|
|
--
|
42.33
|
02/07/09
|
--
|
--
|
12,181
3
|
808,818
|
|
81,795
|
|
|
32.97
|
02/13/10
|
|
|
30,024
4
|
1,993,594
|
|
155,510
|
|
|
42.68
|
02/11/11
|
|
|
45,036
5
|
2,990,390
|
|
109,060
|
|
|
43.82
|
02/10/12
|
|
|
|
|
|
109,060
|
|
|
34.58
|
02/09/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
109,060
|
|
|
44.26
|
11/24/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
109,060
|
|
|
48.58
|
02/08/14
|
|
|
|
|
|
272,650
|
|
|
45.73
|
02/13/15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
278,103
|
|
53.60
|
02/12/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,500
|
|
--
|
139.62
|
03/14/12
|
--
|
--
|
10,388
5
|
689,763
|
|
4,283
|
4,282
|
|
130.47
|
03/13/13
|
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
15,000
|
|
154.22
|
05/13/14
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,000
|
15,000
|
|
60.55
|
04/15/15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,000
|
|
209.38
2
|
11/08/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,000
|
|
--
|
38.66
|
01/01/08
|
--
|
--
|
48,824
3
|
3,241,914
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
44.93
|
05/13/08
|
|
|
67,384
4
|
4,474,298
|
|
7,200
|
|
|
45.52
|
08/12/08
|
|
|
21,588
5
|
1,433,443
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
50.83
|
05/12/09
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,000
|
|
|
43.48
|
03/08/11
|
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
52.10
|
03/14/12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,163
|
|
51.77
|
03/09/10
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58,252
|
|
56.02
|
04/13/16
|
|
|
|
|
|
23,800
|
--
|
|
50.83
|
05/12/09
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
55,000
|
|
|
52.10
|
03/14/12
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,147
|
|
|
49.80
|
03/09/10
|
|
|
|
|
|
54,530
|
|
|
53.60
|
12/30/11
|
|
|
11,970
8
|
794,808
|
|
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
--
|
--
|
7,981
8
|
529,938
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,219
8
|
213,742
|
|
1.
|
All
of Mr. Glass’s options shown in column (b) of the table were former
options to purchase common stock of Jefferson-Pilot that were converted
into options to purchase our common stock on April 3, 2006 and vested
on
that date. The Jefferson-Pilot options were converted into our options
by
multiplying the number of shares underlying the options by merger
stock
conversion rate of 1.0906 (rounded down to the nearest whole share
of our
common stock) and dividing the exercise price by 1.0906 (rounded
up to the
sixth decimal place).
|
The
following tables present the vesting dates of the remaining options in columns
(b) and (c) based on expiration dates.
Options
vesting in four equal annual installments
Expiration
Dates
|
Vesting
Begins
|
5/14/07
|
5/14/98
|
1/1/08
|
1/1/99
|
5/13/08
|
5/13/99
|
5/12/09
|
5/12/00
|
3/9/10
|
3/9/01
|
8/12/08
|
8/12/99
|
3/8/11
|
3/8/02
|
3/14/12
|
3/14/03
|
3/13/13
|
3/13/04
|
5/13/14
|
5/13/05
|
4/15/15
|
4/15/06
|
11/08/16
|
11/08/07
|
Options
vesting in three equal annual installments
Expiration
Dates
|
Vesting
Begins
|
2/12/16
|
2/13/07
|
4/13/16
|
4/13/07
|
Mr.
Thompson’s option expiring 3/9/10 vests on 12/8/07. Mr. May’s option expiring
12/30/11 vested 12/30/06.
|
2.
|
DIUS
shares are valued semi-annually by the Compensation Committee of
our Board
of Directors utilizing a report prepared by an independent valuation
firm
using a market-transaction approach based on profit margin, revenues
and
assets. Therefore, the exercise price is not calculated on a daily
basis.
The exercise price for this option will be based on a December 31,
2006
valuation. The December 31, 2006 valuation was not ready at the date
of
this proxy statement. Accordingly, the exercise price shown is an
estimate
of the December 31, 2006 valuation.
|
|
3.
|
Represent
performance options and performance stock awards granted in connection
with the 2004-2006 performance cycle. These options and shares were
unvested as of December 31, 2006. Because the Compensation Committee
met
on February 22, 2007 to certify the attainment of the performance
measures
for the cycle, the amount of options and stock shown in the above
table
reflect the actual vested options and vested stock for the 2004-2006
performance cycle. The amount also reflects accrued but unpaid dividend
equivalents in shares of common stock. The vesting occurred on February
22, 2007.
|
|
4.
|
Represent
performance options and performance stock awards granted in connection
with the 2005-2007 performance cycle. Based on the fact that our
2006
performance exceeded the target performance measures, these awards
are
shown at maximum, plus accrued but unpaid dividend equivalents in
shares
of common stock. However, the amount, if any, of these awards that
will
vest will depend upon the actual performance over the full performance
period, and also will depend upon the Compensation Committee’s
certification of the performance measures, which generally occurs
during
the first quarter of the year immediately following the end of the
performance cycle. Accordingly, if any of these awards vest, it should
occur in the first quarter of 2008.
|
|
5.
|
Represent
LTI options (time-vested options) and performance stock awards granted
in
connection with the 2006-2008 performance cycle. Based on the fact
that
our 2006 performance exceeded the target performance measures, performance
stock awards are shown at maximum, plus accrued but unpaid dividend
equivalents in shares of common stock. However, the amount, if any,
of
those awards that will vest depends upon the actual performance over
the
full performance period and also upon the Compensation Committee’s
certification of the performance measures, which generally occurs
during
the first quarter of the year immediately following the end of the
performance cycle. Accordingly, if any of the performance stock awards
vest, it should occur in the first quarter of
2009.
|
|
6.
|
Determined
by multiplying column (g) or (i), as applicable by $66.40--the closing
price of our common stock
as
reported on the composite tape of the NYSE on December 29, 2006,
which was
the last trading day of 2006.
|
|
7.
|
Vests
in equal annual installments over a three-year period.
|
|
8.
|
Represent
performance stock units awarded under the 2004-2006, 2005-2007 and
2006-2008 performance cycles for which Mr. May will receive a lump
sum
cash payment of $428,557 during 2007 pursuant to his Agreement, Waiver
and
General Release. See “Potential Payments Upon Termination or
Change-in-Control—May’s Agreement” on page
61.
|
The
table
below provides information regarding the option exercises and stock awards
that
have vested for each of the NEOs during the 2006 fiscal year.
OPTION
EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
|
|
OPTION
AWARDS
|
STOCK
AWARDS
|
NAME
(a)
|
NUMBER
OF SHARES
ACQUIRED
ON EXERCISE
(#)
(b)
|
VALUE
REALIZED
ON
EXERCISE
($)
1
(c)
|
NUMBER
OF
SHARES
ACQUIRED
ON
VESTING
(#)
(d)
|
VALUE
REALIZED
ON
VESTING
($)
(e)
|
JON
A. BOSCIA
|
65,434
|
1,203,074
|
125,222
2
|
6,779,519
4
|
FREDERICK
J. CRAWFORD
|
--
|
--
|
7,466
2
|
404,209
4
|
DENNIS
R. GLASS
|
92,018
|
3,242,273
|
--
|
--
|
PATRICK
P. COYNE
|
15,484
|
74,975
|
--
|
--
|
WESTLEY
V. THOMPSON
|
46,075
|
1,463,816
|
17,016
2,3
|
921,246
4
|
JOHN
H. GOTTA
|
92,130
|
1,438,185
|
63,724
5
|
3,611,876
5
|
WARREN
H. MAY
|
152,684
|
2,544,762
|
--
|
--
|
1.
Reflects
the difference between the exercise price and the market price (used for tax
purposes) of our common stock on the date of exercise.
2.
Reflects
performance shares acquired upon vesting on March 9, 2006 with respect to the
2003-2005 performance cycle. The shares vested include dividends paid in shares
that accrued on the awards at normal dividend rates and vest upon vesting of
the
award.
3.
Mr.
Thompson deferred 10,172 shares pursuant to the Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan for Employees. For more information, see footnote 3 to the Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation table below.
4.
Calculated
by multiplying column (d) by $54.14—the closing price of our common stock as
reported on the composite tape of the NYSE on March 9, 2006, which was the
vesting date.
5.
Reflects
shares acquired upon vesting with respect to various LTI cycles. See “Potential
Payments Upon Termination or Change-in-Control—Gotta’s Non-Compete Agreement” on
page 61 for more details. The shares vested include dividends paid in shares
that accrued on the awards at normal dividend rates and vest upon vesting of
the
award. Calculated by multiplying column (d) by $56.68—the closing price of our
common stock as reported on the composite tape of the NYSE on July 31, 2006,
the
effective date of Mr. Gotta’s retirement.
The
table
below provides information on the tax-qualified and non-tax-qualified pension
benefits for each of the NEOs by plan for 2006.
|
PENSION
BENEFITS
|
NAME
(a)
|
PLAN
NAME
1
(b)
|
NUMBER
OF YEARS CREDITED SERVICE
(#)
(c)
|
PRESENT
VALUE OF ACCUMULATED BENEFIT
($)
(d)
|
PAYMENTS
DURING LAST FISCAL YEAR
($)
(e)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JON
A. BOSCIA
|
LNC
Retirement Plan
|
23
|
524,973
|
--
|
|
Excess
Compensation Pension
Benefit
Plan
|
23
|
2,372,238
|
|
|
Salary
Continuation Plan
|
5
|
5,059,110
|
|
FREDERICK
J. CRAWFORD
|
LNC
Retirement Plan
|
N/A
2
|
73,143
|
--
|
|
Excess
Compensation Pension
Benefit
Plan
|
N/A
2
|
120,104
|
|
|
Salary
Continuation Plan
|
5
|
71,539
|
|
DENNIS
R. GLASS
|
Jefferson-Pilot
Retirement Plan
|
12
|
258,237
|
--
|
|
Employment
Agreement
|
13
|
236,174
|
|
|
Jefferson-Pilot
ESSB
|
13
|
2,075,599
|
|
|
Jefferson-Pilot
Supplemental Pension
Benefit
Plan
|
12
|
860,818
|
|
PATRICK
P. COYNE
3
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WESTLEY
V. THOMPSON
|
LNC
Retirement Plan
|
13
|
167,676
|
--
|
|
Excess
Compensation Pension
Benefit
Plan
|
13
|
453,120
|
|
|
Salary
Continuation Plan
|
5
|
114,022
|
|
JOHN
H. GOTTA
4
|
LNC
Retirement Plan
|
12.8
|
|
216,403
|
|
Excess
Compensation Pension
Benefit
Plan
|
12.8
|
645,744
|
--
|
|
Salary
Continuation Plan
|
5
|
113,668
|
--
|
WARREN
H. MAY
5
|
Jefferson-Pilot
ESSB
|
4
|
533,387
|
--
|
|
1.
|
Amounts
shown for the LNC Employees’ Retirement Plan and the Excess Compensation
Pension Benefit Plan, together the LNC pension plans, reflect the
present
value of the accumulated benefit of the NEO under the final average
pension pay formula or cash balance formula, as applicable, depending
upon
which was greater at December 31, 2006. Benefits under the final
average
pay formula of the LNC Employees’ Retirement Plan and each other plan in
the table are calculated based on retirement at the earliest age
at which
unreduced benefits may be paid under the plan. Mr. Crawford is the
only
NEO whose benefit is calculated under the cash balance formula. For
the
Salary Continuation Plan, the amount reflects the present value of
the
accrued benefit of the NEO at December 31, 2006. The maximum number
of
years of credited service under the Salary Continuation Plan is five.
Years of credited service under the LNC pension plans or Jefferson-Pilot
plans are not capped. All amounts were determined using the same
interest
rate and mortality assumptions as those used for financial reporting
purposes. Those assumptions are incorporated herein by reference
to Note 8
of the Note to our Consolidated Financial Statements, included in
Item 8
of the Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. Benefits
may
include amounts to which an NEO may not currently be entitled to
receive
because such amounts are not
vested.
|
|
2.
|
Mr.
Crawford’s benefit is calculated under the cash balance formula under the
LNC Retirement Plan, which does not include credited service as a
component of the benefit calculation
formula.
|
|
3.
|
Mr.
Coyne, as an employee of Delaware Investments, participates in the
DRP- a
defined contribution plan. See “Narrative Disclosure to the Summary
Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Tables - Other
Considerations” on page 49.
|
|
4.
|
Mr.
Gotta retired effective July 31, 2006. He received his LNC Employees’
Retirement Plan benefits as a lump sum payment on August 1, 2006.
His
accumulated benefits under the Excess Compensation Pension Benefit
Plan
cannot be distributed until September 1, 2007. His monthly benefit
under
the Salary Continuation Plan commenced on February 1,
2007.
|
|
5.
|
Mr.
May’s termination date was December 31, 2006. He will be eligible to
receive his Jefferson-Pilot ESSB as a lump sum on September 1,
2014.
|
Retirement
Plans
Effective
January 1, 2002, we changed the benefit plan calculation under the LNC
Employees’ Retirement Plan, our funded tax-qualified pension plan, from a final
average pay pension formula to an account-based pension formula, converting
the
retirement plan to what is commonly referred to as a “cash balance” plan. Prior
to the conversion, the LNC Employees’ Retirement Plan provided benefits under a
formula providing an annual benefit accrual equal to 1.3% of final average
salary for each year of service (up to 35 years); plus 0.4% of the amount by
which final average salary exceeds 1/12 of the compensation covered by Social
Security for each year of service (up to 35 years); plus 0.5% of final average
salary for each year of service over 35 years. For purposes of this formula,
final average salary is defined as participant’s average monthly base salary
over the highest 60 consecutive full months of participation during the final
120 months of participation in the Plan, with base salary capped by IRS
statutory limits, and exclusive of any annual incentive compensation (or any
other type of incentive compensation).
Normal
retirement age under the LNC Employees’ Retirement Plan (as well as the Excess
Compensation Pension Benefit described below) is 65, the age at which a
participant may receive an unreduced benefit. Early retirement factors apply
beginning at age 55, and depend upon the participant’s years of vesting service
at the time of retirement. Benefits paid to participants who retire prior to
age
55 are determined using actuarial equivalency factors.
In
connection with the conversion to a cash balance plan, certain transition rules
apply. Through December 31, 2011, employees who participated in the LNC
Employees’ Retirement Plan before January 1, 2002 (“Grandfathered Participants”)
will accrue benefits under the transitional rules, and will receive the greater
of (a) the benefit generated under the final average pay formula (the
“Grandfathered Benefit”), or (b) the benefit determined under the cash balance
formula. On January 1, 2012, Grandfathered Participants will have their
Grandfathered Benefit calculated, and, if that benefit is greater than the
benefit determined under the cash balance formula, the difference between their
Grandfathered Benefit and their benefit under the cash balance formula will
be
added to their cash balance account. Thereafter, all benefits will be determined
solely under the cash balance formula.
Effective
January 1,
2005,
we
amended the provisions relating to the cash balance portion of LNC Employees’
Retirement Plan to include 100% of eligible annual incentive awards as
compensation for purposes of accruing benefits. Previously, only 50% of eligible
annual incentive awards over $100,000 were considered as compensation for
accruing benefits under the cash balance formula (annual incentive awards are
not considered under the final average pay formula).
Benefits
determined under the cash balance formula portion of the LNC Employees’
Retirement Plan are equal to the sum of a participant’s accumulated (1) “Annual
Benefit Credits” and (2) “Interest Credits”:
·
|
Annual
Benefit Credits are accumulated based on years of service and base
salary
plus annual incentive awards (eligible earnings). Participants with
less
than five years of vesting service are credited with 6% of their
eligible
earnings on a biweekly basis. This rate increases to 7% for years
of
vesting service between five and fourteen, to 8% for years of vesting
service between fifteen and twenty-four, and to 9% for years of vesting
service over twenty-four. As mentioned above, effective January 1,
2005,
we now include 100% of annual incentive awards in eligible earnings
for
purposes of calculating Annual Benefit Credits under the cash balance
formula of the retirement plan.
|
·
|
Daily
Interest Credits are based on the U.S. Treasury bond rates currently
in
effect. For participants hired prior to January 1, 2002, an opening
account balance was actuarially determined based on the value of
their
benefit accrued as of December 31, 2001 under the final average pay
formula.
|
As
of the
merger, we become the sponsor of the Jefferson-Pilot Employees’ Retirement Plan,
also a funded and tax-qualified retirement program. The JP Employees’ Retirement
Plan benefit formula is similar to that of the pre-cash balance LNC Employees’
Retirement Plan. For most employees, including the executives, it provided
an
annual benefit accrual equal to the sum of (a) each participant’s “retirement
income” accrued prior to January 1, 1989 (as defined under the terms of the
previous plan), multiplied by a fraction, the denominator of which is the
participant’s “final average salary” (as defined under the terms of the previous
plan) and the numerator, which is the participant’s “average compensation” as of
the participant’s retirement or severance from service date, but in no event
less than one, plus (b) 1.3% of the participant’s average compensation divided
by 12 times the participant’s years of participation in the Plan beginning on
1/1/89 to retirement or severance from service, plus 0.5% of the participant’s
average compensation in excess of “covered compensation” divided by 12 times the
participant’s years of participation beginning on 1/1/89 to retirement or
severance from service.
“Average
compensation” under the Jefferson-Pilot Employees’ Retirement Plan is the
average annual compensation of a member during the 60 consecutive full months
of
employment out of the last 120 months of employment immediately preceding the
participant’s severance from service date. “Covered compensation” is the average
of the taxable wage bases in effect under Section 230 of the Social Security
Act
for each calendar year during the 35-year period ending with the last day of
the
calendar year in which the participant attains (or will attain) social security
retirement age.
Supplemental
Retirement Plans
Our
supplemental retirement plans pay or “restore” benefits that would have been
paid under the tax-qualified retirement plans if certain limits did not exist
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“IRS
rules”). The Lincoln National Corporation Executives’ Excess Compensation
Pension Benefit Plan, or Excess Compensation Pension Benefits Plan, restores
benefits limited by IRS rules under the LNC Employees’ Retirement Plan. The
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation Supplemental Benefit Plan restores benefits limited
by IRS rules under the Jefferson-Pilot Retirement Plan. These supplemental
retirement plans calculate benefits using the same formula (final average pay
or
cash balance, as applicable) as the qualified retirement plan that they
“restore,” but without the imposition of IRS limits. The qualified retirement
benefit payment is deducted from, or offsets, the benefit calculated under
the
supplemental retirement plan.
Jefferson-Pilot
ESSB
The
Jefferson-Pilot Executive Special Supplemental Benefit Plan, or ESSB Plan,
provides enhanced or additional pension benefits to executives who were employed
by the former Jefferson-Pilot Corporation. The ESSB Plan is designed to provide
these former JP executives with replacement income of 50% of final average
pay
at age 65 if they retire with at least 20 years of service. The benefit is
calculated as 2.5% of final average pay times years of service (with a maximum
of 20 years of service considered). The ESSB Plan pays benefits for retirement
beginning on or after age 60. No benefits are paid to former JP executives
who
retire prior to age 60. Benefits paid prior to age 65 will be reduced 3% each
year (and by a proportionate amount for any partial year based on a 365-day
year).
Salary
Continuation Plan
The
Salary
Continuation Plan for Executives of Lincoln National Corporation and Affiliates,
or SCP, provides enhanced or additional pension benefits to some of our
executives. The SCP was frozen to new participants on December 31, 2004.
Participants in the SCP will accrue benefits until the earlier of (a) the
date
on which the executive is no longer eligible to participate in the SCP, or
(b)
the date on which the executive terminates employment. As a condition for
receiving benefits in cases of involuntary termination, we may require the
participating executive to enter into an exclusive consulting arrangement
with
us. Unless waived by our CEO, this exclusive consulting arrangement is effective
until the executive reaches age 65.
Under
the
SCP, each participating executive is entitled to receive a monthly benefit
upon
retirement equal to 2% of his or her final monthly salary (“FMS”), multiplied by
his or her years of participation in the SCP (maximum of five years of service
credit). The monthly benefit is capped at 10% of FMS for all of participating
executives, except for Mr. Boscia. Pursuant to the Compensation Committee’s
November 10, 2005 amendment to the SCP, for Mr. Boscia only, the cap on the
amount of monthly benefit payable under the SCP will increase from 10% of FMS
to
17% of FMS over a five-year period, as follows: his monthly benefit shall be
capped at 11.4% of FMS as of January 1, 2005, at 12.8% of FMS as of January
1,
2006, at 14.2% of FMS as of January 1, 2007, at 15.6% of FMS as of January
1,
2008, and at 17.0% of FMS as of January 1, 2009. The decision to raise the
cap
for Mr. Boscia was based on the conclusion by the Committee’s consultant, Towers
Perrin, that Mr. Boscia’s retirement benefits were not appropriately
competitive. Generally, FMS is equal to the executive’s monthly base salary at
termination; however, if the participating executive terminates employment
after
age 65 (normal retirement age under the SCP), then monthly base salary at age
65
is used. FMS is capped at the greater of $16,667.00 or the monthly base salary
in effect for the participating executive as of December 31, 1991. However,
for
Mr. Boscia, FMS is calculated as follows, and without operation of the cap
mentioned above: 1/12
th
of 100%
of base annual salary (in effect at termination of employment), plus (b)
1/12
th
of 100%
of the average of the best three consecutive annual incentive bonuses paid
in
the 60 months immediately preceding the his termination or retirement.
Benefits
under the SCP are paid in the form of a 120-month certain and life annuity,
and
reduced for commencement prior to age 65. Normal retirement age under the SCP
is
65, the age at which a participant may receive an
unreduced
benefit. Early retirement factors apply beginning at age 55, with the amount
of
the reduction depending upon the participant’s years of vesting service at the
time of retirement. No benefits are payable if the participating executive
voluntarily terminates his or her employment prior to age 55, absent a change
of
control, as defined in the Lincoln National Corporation Executives’ Severance
Benefit Plan (discussed below in the “Potential Payments Upon Termination or
Change-in-Control” below on page 58). In addition to the enhancements to the SCP
benefit provided under the LNC COC Plan in the case of a COC, a participating
executive who voluntarily or involuntarily terminates service with us within
two
years of a COC would be treated as retiring at age 65 under the SCP. The SCP
also provides for certain benefits to be paid to an executive’s beneficiary in
the event of the executive’s death.
Glass
Employment Agreement
Under
his
employment agreement, Mr. Glass is eligible for a
monthly
retirement benefit computed by multiplying (i) 2.5% for each year of
service (with years of service limited to 20, and thus the percentage derived
therefrom limited to 50%) by (ii) Glass’s final average monthly earnings
for the five-year period ending with Glass’s retirement date. For this purpose,
final average monthly earnings means salary and annual incentive awards. Final
average monthly earnings does not include long-term incentive compensation
or
the value of any stock grants, stock options or other extraordinary forms of
compensation. The amount of retirement benefit computed according to the above
formula would be reduced by the amount of retirement benefits paid to Mr. Glass
under our applicable tax-qualified and supplemental pension plans. We assumed
this agreement as part of the merger.
No
nqual
ified
Deferred Compensation
To
compensate for tax code limitations on compensation that can be deferred under
our tax-qualified Employees’ Savings and Profit-Sharing Plan, our 401(k) Plan,
NEOs, as well as other officers, are permitted to defer additional amounts,
without limit, of salary and annual incentive compensation under our Executive
Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees. Officer deferrals are unlimited.
Plan
participants may select from a menu of “phantom" investment options (identical
to those offered under the 401(k) Plan and subject to change by us at any time)
used as investment measures for calculating the investment return notionally
credited to their deferrals including an LNC stock unit fund. NEOs can change
their investments choices at any time with the exception of amounts already
credited to the LNC Stock Unit fund. Such amounts may not be reallocated and
must be distributed in the form of LNC Common Stock. Under the terms of the
Deferred Compensation Plan, we agree to payout amounts based upon the aggregate
performance of the investment measures selected by the participant.
Participant investments in the Plan, or interests in the Plan, represent an
unsecured obligation of us to pay the benefits credited
to participant accounts.
Participants
who defer specified amounts of current compensation under the Deferred
Compensation Plan receive the basic company matching contribution similar
to that made in the 401(k) plan on combined base salary and bonus deferred.
For
2006, the basic match is made every payroll period, in the amount of $.50 for
each dollar deferred up to 6% of eligible compensation actually deferred before
IRS limits are reached under the qualified 401(k) Plan. Once IRS limits are
reached, the match is applied in the amount of $.50 for each dollar deferred
up
to 6% of eligible compensation on a gross basis. Beginning in 2007, the match
under the Deferred Compensation Plan starts only after a participant’s combined
base salary and annual incentive award exceeds $175,000. All participants may
also receive a discretionary match. The basic matching contributions
are invested in the same investment options as elected for salary and incentive
compensation deferrals, where they are credited with notional earnings or
losses. Prior to 2007, any discretionary matching contributions
were invested in “phantom” or notional stock units based on the value of
LNC Stock. Actual shares of common stock will be issued in settlement of these
stock units when amounts credited to the stock unit account are distributed
to
the participants. Before settlement, no voting rights or other rights of any
kind associated with ownership of LNC Stock inure to the participants. Beginning
in 2007, any discretionary match will be made in cash and
invested in the various plan investment options in accordance
with each participant’s investment elections for their salary and incentive
compensation deferrals.
Participants must
specify a distribution date for all amounts deferred under the plan at the
time of their deferral elections. The plan allows up to three different
distribution elections--any combination of a retirement/termination account,
and
specific "distribution year" accounts (a designated year at least 12 full months
in the future that ends with a "0" or a "5"--e.g., 2010, or 2015). If a
participant elects to defer amounts to a retirement/termination account, such
amounts will be valued on the first business day of the month that is 13 full
months after the participant's termination date and distributed as soon as
practicable thereafter. Amounts credited to a distribution year account are
valued on February 5th of the distribution year, with the distribution being
made as soon
as
practicable thereafter. For retirement/termination accounts, participants have
the opportunity to irrevocably elect to defer amounts credited prior to the
expiration of the 30-day period following their retirement/termination date.
The
re-deferral election must delay the distribution of their account a minimum
of
five years beyond the original distribution date. Participants may also further
defer amounts credited to distribution year accounts. These elections must
be
made at least 12 months prior to the original distribution date and must delay
the distribution at least five years.
The
table
below provides information regarding our nonqualified deferred compensation
plan
with respect to each NEO for 2006.
NONQUALIFIED
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
|
NAME
(a)
|
EXECUTIVE
CONTRIBUTIONS IN LAST FY
1
($)
(b)
|
REGISTRANT
CONTRIBUTIONS
IN LAST FY
2
($)
(c)
|
AGGREGATE
EARNINGS
IN LAST
FY
($)
(d)
|
AGGREGATE
WITHDRAWALS/
DISTRIBUTIONS
($)
(e)
|
AGGREGATE
BALANCE
AT LAST
FYE
3
($)
(f)
|
JON
A. BOSCIA
|
332,481
|
398,129
|
554,538
|
--
|
5,452,840
|
FREDERICK
J. CRAWFORD
|
350,784
|
60,442
|
42,359
|
--
|
636,814
|
DENNIS
R. GLASS
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
PATRICK
P. COYNE
|
198,828
|
199,679
|
154,178
|
--
|
1,998,559
|
WESTLEY
V. THOMPSON
|
1,054,650
4
|
135,571
|
340,657
|
--
|
2,708,207
|
JOHN
H. GOTTA
|
45,000
|
143,078
|
57,347
|
--
|
1,726,953
|
WARREN
H. MAY
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
1.
Reflects
deferral of 2006 salary shown in column (c) of the Summary Compensation Table
and deferral of the AIP bonus paid in 2006 relating to 2005 performance, which
is not included in the Summary Compensation Table. The NEO’s deferred AIP
bonuses paid in 2007 for 2006 performance, which will be included in next year’s
Non-qualified Deferred Compensation table, were: Mr. Boscia, $462,500, Mr.
Glass, $132,300, Mr. Coyne, $244,890, and Mr. Thompson, $763,600.
2.
Reflect
LNC matching contributions and the discretionary match into this Plan and
included in column (i) of the Summary Compensation Table.
3.
In
addition to the amounts set forth in footnote 1 above, amounts disclosed in
this
column other than earnings (losses) on deferred compensation were previously
reported in prior year Summary Compensation Tables to the extent the NEO was
our
NEO at such prior time.
4
.
In
addition to the amounts in footnote 1, amounts disclosed in this column include
the cash value of the deferral of 10,172 shares, (valued based on the stock
price on the date of deferral) which vested pursuant to Mr. Thompson’s 2003-2005
LTI award. The deferred units will be paid out in shares of our common stock
in
accordance with his election of a lump sum payment upon his employment
termination. Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, he will have the option,
within 30 days of his termination, to change his payout election to installments
or to move his lump sum election to a later date.
Potential
P
aym
ents Upon Termination or
Change-in-Control
The
narrative below describes the various termination and change of control
arrangements applicable to our NEOs at December 31, 2006 that are not available
to all employees on a non-discriminatory basis. The narrative is followed by
tables showing potential payments each NEO would receive in the event of their
termination (voluntary or involuntary, depending on the circumstances) or a
change of control occurring on December 31, 2006.
Change
of Control Arrangements
All
of
our senior executives, including our NEOs, are eligible to participate in the
LNC COC Plan. Under the LNC COC Plan, on or before April 3, 2008 (the second
anniversary of the change of control of Jefferson-Pilot Corporation under the
terms of the JP COC Plan, as a result of the merger), any former Jefferson-Pilot
executive, such as Mr. Glass and Mr. May, who becomes eligible for benefits,
and
who is also eligible for benefits under the JP COC Plan, would receive the
greater of the cash payment calculated under either the LNC COC Plan or the
JP
COC Plan, but not both. Such executive would receive the additional benefits
and
enhancements to benefits provided under the JP COC Plan, but not those provided
under the LNC COC Plan. The benefits that Mr. May received under the JP COC
Plan
is described below under “—May’s Agreement.” A description of the cash payments
and benefit enhancements provided under both plans is provided below. For any
change of control on or after April 4, 2008, there is no distinction in the
treatment of executives covered by LNC COC Plan.
Each
NEO
becomes eligible for benefits under the LNC COC Plan (as defined below), if,
in
anticipation of or within three years after our change of control: (i) we,
or a
successor entity, terminate the executive’s employment for any reason other than
“cause” (defined as conviction of a felony, or the willful and continued failure
of the executive to perform his or her duties, despite warning notices), death
or disability, or (ii) the executive terminates employment for good reason.
“Good Reason” is defined as a “material and adverse” change in the executive’s
responsibilities or a reduction in salary or target annual incentive bonus
opportunity. “Good Reason” would also include our failure to provide
compensation and benefits materially similar to those offered in the past -
with
the exception of broad-based changes to our benefit plans that affect a
significant portion of our employees. Executives, such as Mr. Glass and Mr.
May,
who are covered by the JP COC Plan, are eligible for benefits under that plan,
if, upon or within two years after the executive’s employment is terminated
other than for “cause” or disability, or is terminated by the executive for good
reason. “Good Reason” under the JP COC Plan is defined as any reduction in the
aggregate amount of the executive’s base salary and benefits (excluding annual
and long-term incentive plan awards) or any significant reduction in annual
and
long-term incentive plan awards, unless the reduction is due to financial or
individual performance.
If
the
conditions for payment under the LNC COC Plan are satisfied, a cash payment
is
paid to the executive based on a multiple of “annual base salary” and “target
bonus.” For purposes of the LNC COC Plan, “annual base salary” means the highest
annual rate of salary during the 12-month period immediately preceding the
date
of termination of employment, and “target bonus” means the higher of the target
set for annual incentive bonus under the Amended and Restated ICP during the
calendar year in which the participating executive was terminated, or the target
set in the year in which the change in control occurred. The amount of cash
payment payable under the LNC COC Plan is determined as follows:
Chief
Executive Officer and President/COO
|
3
times the annual base salary
|
Plus
|
3
times the target bonus
|
All
Other
Participating
Executives (including our other NEOs)
|
2
times the annual base salary
|
Plus
|
2
times the target bonus
|
If
the
conditions for payment under JP COC Plan are satisfied (as described above)
a
cash payment may be paid to Mr. Glass, such cash payment calculated as “covered
pay” and multiplied by the executive’s applicable “tier.” Mr. Glass’s tier would
equal three times the applicable “covered pay.” Mr. May’s tier was equal to 2
times the applicable “Covered Pay.” “Covered pay” is calculated by taking the
higher of: (a) the participant’s annual base salary in effect on the date of the
participant’s termination of employment, or (b) the participant’s annual base
salary as established at the beginning of the year in which the change of
control occurred, plus the higher of (x) the participant’s average annual
incentive compensation accrued during the three full plan years immediately
preceding the year in which the termination of employment occurred, or (y)
the
average annual target incentive compensation amount awarded to the participant
during the three full plan years immediately preceding the year in
which
the
termination of employment occurred, plus the higher of (i) the participant’s
average annual long-term incentive compensation accrued in the three full plan
years immediately preceding the year in which the termination of employment
occurred, or (ii) the participant’s average target long-term incentive
compensation amount awarded to him/her during the three full plan years
immediately preceding the year in which the termination of employment occurred.
In
addition to the cash payment described above, certain additional benefits and
benefit enhancements would be paid to our NEOs under the LNC COC
Plan:
·
|
Reimbursement
of COBRA premiums paid by the NEO for the continuation of coverage
under
our welfare benefit plans;
|
·
|
For
retiree medical and dental coverage, additional credited service
equal to
the period that severance pay would be payable to the NEO under our
broad-based employees’ severance
plan;
|
·
|
100%
vesting of all excess benefit plans and supplemental retirement plans,
with additional years of service credited for benefit accrual purposes
under a final average pay formula, or additional pay and interest
credits
under the cash balance formula—three years for the CEO and President, two
years for all other NEOs;
|
·
|
Vesting
of annual and long-term incentive plan awards for each completed
performance period, with vesting for open performance periods paid
at
target but pro-rated to reflect the date termination occurred during
the
performance period in progress;
|
·
|
Immediate
and 100% vesting of restricted stock and stock options;
and
|
·
|
Reimbursement
of the cost of outplacement services, up to a maximum of 15% of the
participating executive’s highest rate of annual base salary during the
12-month period immediately preceding the date of termination of
employment.
|
In
addition to the cash payment provided under the JP COC Plan described above,
certain additional benefits and benefit enhancements would be paid to eligible
executives, including but not limited to, Mr. Glass, under that plan if
conditions were met:
|
·
|
Continued
coverage for the executive and the executive’s eligible dependents under
all benefit plans (as defined in the Plan) for a period of time equal
to
the executive’s designated tier following termination of employment. In
addition, participants in the Jefferson-Pilot Executive Special
Supplemental Benefit Plan (ESSB) become entitled to benefits under
that
Plan, regardless of whether or not the executive had attained age
60 or
was credited with five years of service;
and
|
|
·
|
Payment
of all compensation of every kind accrued through the date of termination,
including annual and long-term incentive plan awards, with each payment
pro-rated to reflect the date termination occurred during the performance
period in progress.
|
NEOs
receiving benefits under either the LNC COC Plan or the JP COC Plan may also
be
entitled to an after-tax payment, or “gross-up,” to cover any excise tax on
amounts deemed to be “excess parachute payments” under Section 280G of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 280G”). The gross-up would
be a lump sum payment in an amount sufficient, after the payment of all taxes
on
the lump-sum payment itself, to pay the excise tax (and related assessments,
if
any) applicable to the executive. For executives receiving cash payments under
the LNC COC Plan only, the amount of the cash payment will be automatically
reduced to the Section 280G limit if they exceed that limit by no more than
10%.
For purposes of the excise taxes and gross-ups in the tables below, we have
assumed an NEO’s income is taxed at the highest federal and applicable state
marginal income tax rates and all options are deemed exercised upon the trigger
event.
Executives
participating in the LNC COC Plan or the JP COC Plan may be eligible to receive
payments under the Lincoln National Corporation Severance Pay Plan or the
Jefferson-Pilot Financial Separation Pay Plan (as described below). However,
any
payments made to executives under those plans shall reduce, on a
dollar-per-dollar basis, the amount of any cash payment due to such executive
under the LNC COC Plan or the JP COC Plan.
Mr.
May’s
payment under the JP COC Plan are discussed below under “—May’s
Agreement.”
Change
of Control Features of Other Plans of Programs
In
addition to the benefits provided under the LNC COC Plan, options to purchase
shares of our common stock, restricted stock, and SARs all vest and become
either immediately exercisable or non-forfeitable upon our change of control.
In
addition, the Compensation Committee has the discretion to determine whether
outstanding LTI awards (performance shares and performance options) will be
paid
in shares immediately upon a change of control, including the discretion as
to
whether to pay at target or maximum.
Regardless
of whether an executive is entitled to payment of benefits under the LNC COC
Plan, any participant in a supplemental retirement plan, who is (a) vested
in
his or her qualified retirement plan benefit, and (b) terminates employment
within two years of a change in control, will be deemed to have retired under
the retirement plan and will not have his/her benefit reduced for early
retirement. In addition, if an executive’s employment terminates within two
years of a change in control, an executive who participates in the SCP will
be
treated as having continued employment with us or one of our affiliates until
age 65—and therefore, entitled to receive benefits without reduction.
We
also
maintain the Lincoln National Corporation Severance Pay Plan, which is a
broad-based severance plan available to all employees on an equal basis, with
eligibility for benefits triggered by job elimination or job restructuring
and
the Jefferson-Pilot Financial Separation Pay Plan, which provides benefits
to
former Jefferson-Pilot executives who are terminated without cause or are job
eliminated, or who quit with “good reason” (as defined in the Plan) within two
years of a change of control of Jefferson-Pilot. Under the Jefferson-Pilot
Separation Pay Plan, senior vice presidents are eligible to receive one year
of
pay, vice presidents receive nine (9) months of pay, and assistant vice
presidents receive six (6) months of pay. Any benefits received by an executive
under this Plan reduce, on a dollar per dollar basis, any benefit otherwise
payable to the executive under the JP COC Plan.
We
also
pay on a discretionary basis, or have agreed to pay, certain executives who
are
vice presidents and above and who are job eliminated, continued salary for
a
period of one year beyond termination. Any amounts payable to such executives
under the Lincoln National Corporation Severance Pay Plan would offset, on
a
dollar-per-dollar basis, any amounts that would otherwise be payable under
this
discretionary program, or under the Jefferson-Pilot Financial Separation Pay
Plan.
Glass’s
Employment Agreement
Under
Mr.
Glass’s employment agreement, if Mr. Glass’s employment is terminated without
good cause or if he resigns for during its effective period as a result of
a
“change of control” (as defined below), our material breach of the agreement, or
if we failed to obtain the assumption of the agreement by any successor company,
he is eligible for certain payouts. Specifically, he would receive a lump sum
payment equal to his current annual base salary and 50% of the maximum bonus
and
long-term incentive payments that he would have received if his employment
had
continued until March 1, 2008, and he would be eligible for immediate retirement
with benefits computed as if his employment had continued until March 1, 2008.
“Change of control” is deemed to occur if:
·
|
any
person or entity is or becomes the beneficial owner of 25% or more
of the
combined voting power of the
company;
|
·
|
the
sale of substantially all of the assets of the company or Jefferson-Pilot
Life Insurance Company in a transaction opposed by Mr.
Glass;
|
·
|
the
consolidation or merger of the company that was opposed by Glass;
or
|
·
|
the
shareholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the
company.
|
Mr.
Glass
is also covered under the JP COC Plan. However, Mr. Glass would not be entitled
to duplicative payments under his agreement and the JP COC Plan, and if payment
is required to be provided under both his employment agreement and the JP COC
Plan, he would receive the payment more favorable to him.
Gotta’s
Non-Compete Agreement
In
connection with his retirement, Mr. Gotta executed a Non-Compete and
Anti-Solicitation Agreement, Waiver and Release of Claims. Pursuant to his
agreement, we paid him:
·
|
a
lump sum cash payment equal to $2,392,756, representing cash severance
and
accrued vacation;
|
·
|
his
full 2004-2006 LTI award at target equal to 47,254 shares as shown
in
column (d) of the Option Exercises and Stock Vested table on page
52
above; and
|
·
|
a
pro-rated amount of his 2005-2007 LTI award at target based on 19
months
of service out of a 36-month cycle pursuant to his election to receive
67%
in shares, or 16,469 (including accrued dividends) shares, and 33%
in
cash, or $365,750.
|
Pursuant
to the agreement, Mr. Gotta agreed to not disclose any of our confidential
information and/or trade secrets. He has also agreed that for twelve months
following his termination date, he will not act, hire, or recruit our financial
planners, agents, salespeople, financial advisors, or employees with whom Mr.
Gotta became familiar as a result of his employment with us and who are involved
in selling or distributing, or providing services with respect to the sale
or
distribution of our annuity products. Mr. Gotta may request a waiver of any
of
these obligations by written request made to our chief executive officer for
each potential engagement contemplated by Mr. Gotta. The request for a waiver
may be granted or not granted, in the sole and unfettered discretion of our
chief executive officer.
In
addition, in consideration of the payments that he is receiving under the
agreement, Mr. Gotta executed a general release of claims releasing us and
our
affiliates and subsidiaries from any and all claims arising from his employment
or termination of employment.
May’s
Agreement
In
connection with the termination of his employment, Mr. May executed an
Agreement, Waiver and General Release, dated November 1, 2006. His agreement
sets forth the payments due to him under the JP COC Plan and Jefferson-Pilot
Separation Pay Plan, the payments that Mr. May was eligible to receive under
our
various incentive programs and certain additional payments, all as
follows:
·
|
a
lump-sum cash payment of $420,000 paid within five days of December
31,
2006, which represents the amount due him under the Jefferson Pilot
Financial Separation Pay Plan;
|
·
|
a
lump-sum cash payment equal to $1,223,015 on the next regular pay
day
following July 6, 2007, which is the amount due under the JP COC
Plan,
minus the amount payable under the Jefferson Pilot Financial Separation
Pay Plan, plus interest paid on the delayed amount (calculated at
the rate
of ten percent (10%) per annum for six (6)
months);
|
·
|
$663,750,
plus interest calculated at the rate of 10% per annum for six months
totaling $33,188, representing his target 2006 AIP bonus to be paid
on the
next regular pay day following July 6, 2007, which represents amounts
accrued under an “Annual Incentive Plan” referenced in the JP COC
Plan;
|
·
|
a
lump-sum payment in equal to $428,557, in lieu of his outstanding
LTI
awards payout, plus interest calculated at the rate of 10% per annum
for
six months, on the next regular pay day following July 6,
2007;
|
·
|
up
to a maximum value of $30,000 in outplacement services, but, at Mr.
May’s
option, we will reimburse him up to $1,000 per month for 12 months
for
rental office space, which shall offset dollar for dollar the value
of any
outplacement benefits he receives;
and
|
·
|
a
lump-sum payment in equal to $34,615 in accrued
vacation.
|
Pursuant
to the agreement, Mr. May agreed to not disclose any of our confidential
information and/or trade secrets. In addition, in consideration of the payments
that he is receiving under the agreement, Mr. May executed a general release
of
claims releasing us and our affiliates and subsidiaries from any and all claims
arising from his employment or termination of employment.
Potential
Payment Tables
The
tables below reflect potential payments to each NEO, except Messrs. Gotta and
May, in the event of termination of the NEO’s employment as a result of
voluntary termination, retirement (early and normal), involuntary not-for-cause
termination, for cause termination, and termination following a
change-in-control and in the event of death or disability. The amounts for
Messrs. Gotta and May show the amounts to which they are actually entitled
as a
result of their terminations. At December 31, 2006, only Mr. Glass was eligible
for early retirement. Mr. Gotta was eligible for early retirement and retired
at
July 31, 2006. Accordingly, a termination of the other NEOs on December 31,
2006
would be treated as a voluntary termination. Information regarding Deferred
Compensation is shown in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table above.
Furthermore, the NEOs would be eligible to receive benefits, such as, accrued
vacation pay, distributions from our 401(k) plan and life insurance benefits
equal to one times salary (except for Mr. Glass), that all employees would
be
eligible to receive on the same basis and are therefore not included in the
tables below. The amounts shown below assume that such termination was effective
as of December 31, 2006, and are, therefore, estimates of the amounts that
would
be paid out to the NEOs upon their termination. The amounts actually paid upon
termination will differ from these estimates.
In
tables
below, for all NEOs, except for Mr. Gotta, long-term incentive compensation,
as
applicable, reflects:
·
|
Stock
Options—the aggregate dollar value of the difference between the exercise
price of the options and the closing price of our common stock on
December
31, 2006.
|
·
|
Equity
Incentive Plan awards—the aggregate value of the LTI awards for which the
NEO has elected shares (assuming vesting at maximum) multiplied by
the
closing price of our stock on December 31, 2006 pro-rated based on
the
days in the three-year performance cycle that have
lapsed.
|
·
|
Non-equity
Incentive Plan awards— the aggregate value of the LTI awards for which the
NEO has elected cash (assuming vesting at maximum) pro-rated based
on the
days in the three-year performance cycle that have
lapsed.
|
For
Mr.
Gotta, we used the closing price of our stock on July 31, 2006, the effective
date of his retirement.
For
more
information about the acceleration of vesting, see “Narrative Disclosure to the
Summary Compensation and Grants of Plan-Based Awards” table on page 48.
Jon
A. Boscia
The
following table shows the potential payments upon termination or our
change-in-control for Jon A. Boscia, our Chairman and CEO.
|
|
|
TRIGGER
EVENTS
|
Benefits
and Payments
|
Voluntary
Termination
|
Involuntary
Not
for
Cause
Termination
|
For
Cause
Termination
|
Involuntary
Termination
After
Change-in-
Control
|
Disability
|
Death
|
Annual
Incentive
Compensation (AIP)
|
$
|
4,625,000
|
$
|
4,625,000
|
$
|
4
,625,000
|
$
|
4,625,000
|
$
|
4,625,000
|
$
|
4,625,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term
Incentive Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
32,972,415
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
32,972,415
|
$
|
32,972,415
|
$
|
32,972,415
|
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
8,410,888
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
*
|
$
|
8,410,888
|
$
|
8,410,888
|
Non-equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
5,056,422
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
*
|
$
|
5,056,422
|
$
|
5,056,422
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits &
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement Plan
|
$
|
454,131
|
$
|
483,748
|
$
|
454,131
|
$
|
483,748
|
$
|
604,562
|
$
|
431,539
|
Excess Retirement Plan
|
$
|
2,349,646
|
$
|
2,349,646
|
$
|
2,349,646
|
$
|
3,689,529
|
$
|
5,147,320
|
$
|
2,372,238
|
Salary Continuation Plan
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
3,092,629
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
12,004,979
|
$
|
5,147,096
|
$
|
11,269,095
|
Health and Welfare
Benefits
|
$
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
$
|
21,421
|
$
|
165,955
|
$
|
0
|
Excise Tax & Gross-Up
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
Cash Severance
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
925,000
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
9,414,191
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
*
If change-in-control occurs, the Compensation Committee will
make
determination, considering the nature of change-in-control,
whether to pay
awards for an LTI award
cycle.
|
Frederick
J. Crawford
The
following table shows the potential payments upon termination or our
change-in-control for Frederick J. Crawford, our Senior Vice President and
CFO.
|
|
|
TRIGGER
EVENTS
|
Benefits
and Payments
|
|
Voluntary
Termination
|
|
Involuntary
Not
for
Cause
Termination
|
|
For
Cause
Termination
|
|
Involuntary
Termination
After
Change-in-
Control
|
|
Disability
|
|
Death
|
Annual
Incentive
Compensation
(AIP)
|
$
|
1,400,000
|
$
|
1,400,000
|
$
|
1,400,000
|
$
|
1,400,000
|
$
|
1,400,000
|
$
|
1,400,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term
Incentive Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
578,899
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
578,899
|
$
|
578,899
|
$
|
578,899
|
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
2,799,557
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
*
|
$
|
2,799,557
|
$
|
2,799,557
|
Non-equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
95,830
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
*
|
$
|
95,830
|
$
|
95,830
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits &
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
398,998
|
$
|
398,998
|
$
|
398,998
|
Retirement Plan
|
$
|
73,143
|
$
|
76,104
|
$
|
73,143
|
$
|
79,658
|
$
|
234,005
|
$
|
73,143
|
Excess Retirement Plan
|
$
|
120,104
|
$
|
117,143
|
$
|
120,104
|
$
|
311,339
|
$
|
1,032,528
|
$
|
120,104
|
Salary Continuation Plan
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
44,995
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
294,745
|
$
|
56,259
|
$
|
26,879
|
Health and Welfare
Benefits
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
3,430
|
$
|
348,162
|
$
|
0
|
Excise Tax & Gross-Up
1
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
1,421,756
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
Cash Severance
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
400,000
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
2,200,000
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
*
If change-in-control occurs, the Compensation Committee will make
determination, considering the nature of change-in-control, whether
to pay
awards for an LTI award cycle.
|
1
Calculated in accordance with the provisions of Section 280G based
on
currently available information, and we have assumed income is
taxed at
the highest federal and applicable state marginal income tax rates
and all
options are deemed exercised upon the trigger
event.
|
Dennis
R. Glass
The
following table shows the potential payments upon termination or our
change-in-control for Dennis R. Glass, our President and COO.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TRIGGER
EVENTS
|
Benefits
and Payments
|
|
Voluntary
Termination
|
|
Early
Retirement
|
|
Involuntary
Not
for
Cause
Termination
|
|
For
Cause
Termination
|
|
Involuntary
Termination
After
Change-in-
Control
|
|
Disability
|
|
Death
|
Annual
Incentive
Compensation
(AIP)
|
$
|
2,205,000
|
$
|
2,205,000
|
$
|
2,205,000
|
$
|
2,205,000
|
$
|
2,205,000
|
$
|
2,205,000
|
$
|
2,205,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term
Incentive Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options
|
$
|
30,136,907
|
$
|
30,136,907
|
$
|
30,136,907
|
$
|
30,136,907
|
$
|
30,136,907
|
$
|
30,136,907
|
$
|
30,136,907
|
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
3,064,227
|
$
|
3,064,227
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
*
|
$
|
3,064,227
|
$
|
3,064,227
|
Non-equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits &
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement Plan
|
$
|
300,789
|
$
|
300,789
|
$
|
300,789
|
$
|
300,789
|
$
|
312,358
|
$
|
886,442
|
$
|
154,312
|
Supplemental Retirement Plan
|
$
|
988,053
|
$
|
988,053
|
$
|
988,053
|
$
|
988,053
|
$
|
1,794,034
|
$
|
2,800,738
|
$
|
508,342
|
ESSB
|
$
|
4,498,308
|
$
|
4,498,308
|
$
|
4,498,308
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
4,722,613
|
$
|
4,498,308
|
$
|
1,812,868
|
Health and Welfare
Benefits
1
|
$
|
132,235
|
$
|
132,235
|
$
|
132,235
|
$
|
132,235
|
$
|
132,235
|
$
|
132,235
|
$
|
0
|
Disability Income
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
1,351,424
|
$
|
0
|
Life Insurance
Premiums/Proceeds
1,2
|
$
|
187,590
|
$
|
187,590
|
$
|
187,590
|
$
|
187,590
|
$
|
187,590
|
$
|
187,590
|
$
|
1,350,000
|
Excise Tax & Gross-Up
3
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
3,953,605
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
Cash Severance
|
$
|
4,884,875
|
$
|
4,884,475
|
$
|
4,884,875
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
6,007,500
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
*
If change-in-control occurs, the Compensation Committee will make
determination, considering the nature of change-in-control, whether
to pay
awards for an LTI award cycle.
|
1.
Under his employment agreement, Mr. Glass would receive enhanced
health
and welfare and life insurance benefits as compared to all other
employees.
|
2.
Reflects the estimated lump-sum present value of premiums for Mr.
Glass's
life insurance coverage, except that the amount reflected under
the
heading "Death" reflects the estimated present value of the proceeds
payable to Mr. Glass's beneficiaries upon his death.
|
3
Calculated in accordance with the provisions of Section 280G based
on
currently available information, and we have assumed income is
taxed at
the highest federal and applicable state marginal income tax rates
and all
options are deemed exercised upon the trigger
event.
|
Patrick
P. Coyne
The
following table shows the potential payments upon termination or our
change-in-control for Patrick P. Coyne, President of Lincoln National Investment
Company, Inc. and Delaware Management Holdings, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TRIGGER
EVENTS
|
Benefits
and Payments
|
|
Voluntary
Termination
|
|
Involuntary
Not
for
Cause
Termination
|
|
For
Cause
Termination
|
|
Involuntary
Termination
After
Change-in-
Control
|
|
Disability
|
|
Death
|
Annual
Incentive
Compensation (AIP)
|
$
|
4,081,500
|
$
|
4,081,500
|
$
|
4,081,500
|
$
|
4,081,500
|
$
|
4,081,500
|
$
|
4,081,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term
Incentive Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
4,946,624
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
4,946,624
|
$
|
4,946,624
|
$
|
4,946,624
|
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
224,830
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
*
|
$
|
224,830
|
$
|
0
|
Non-equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits &
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement Plan
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
Excess Retirement Plan
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
Salary Continuation Plan
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
DRP
|
$
|
689,115
|
$
|
689,115
|
$
|
689,115
|
$
|
689,115
|
$
|
689,115
|
$
|
689,115
|
Health and Welfare
Benefits
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
13,824
|
$
|
330,192
|
$
|
0
|
Excise Tax & Gross-Up
1
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
2,091,974
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
Cash Severance
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
395,000
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
5,400,000
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
*
If change-in-control occurs, the Compensation Committee will make
determination, considerng the nature of change-in-control, whether
to pay
awards for an LTI award cycle.
|
1
Calculated in accordance with the provisions of Section 280G based
on
currently available information, and we have assumed income is
taxed at
the highest federal and applicable state marginal income tax rates
and all
options are deemed exercised upon the trigger
event.
|
Westley
V. Thompson
The
following table shows the potential payments upon termination or our
change-in-control for Westley V. Thompson, President of Employer
Markets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TRIGGER
EVENTS
|
Benefits
and Payments
|
|
Voluntary
Termination
|
|
Involuntary
Not
for
Cause
Termination
|
|
For
Cause
Termination
|
|
Involuntary
Termination
After
Change-in-
Control
|
|
Disability
|
|
Death
|
Annual
Incentive
Compensation
(AIP)
|
$
|
1,527,201
|
$
|
1,527,201
|
$
|
1,527,201
|
$
|
1,527,201
|
$
|
1,527,201
|
$
|
1,527,201
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term
Incentive Compensation:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock Options
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
2,421,016
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
2,421,016
|
$
|
2,421,016
|
$
|
2,421,016
|
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
6,521,742
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
*
|
$
|
6,521,742
|
$
|
6,521,742
|
Non-equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits &
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement Plan
|
$
|
160,570
|
$
|
165,726
|
$
|
160,570
|
$
|
169,592
|
$
|
291,147
|
$
|
154,433
|
Excess Retirement Plan
|
$
|
446,983
|
$
|
441,828
|
$
|
446,983
|
$
|
744,211
|
$
|
1,517,877
|
$
|
453,120
|
Salary Continuation Plan
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
75,333
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
270,858
|
$
|
94,402
|
$
|
44,231
|
Health and Welfare
Benefits
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
10,322
|
$
|
244,779
|
$
|
0
|
Excise Tax & Gross-Up
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
Cash Severance
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
500,000
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
3,000,000
|
$
|
0
|
$
|
0
|
*
If change-in-control occurs, the Compensation Committee will make
determination, considering the nature of change-in-control, whether
to pay
awards for an LTI award
cycle.
|
John
H. Gotta
The
following table shows the payments upon early retirement for John H. Gotta,
former President and CEO of The Lincoln National Life Insurance
Company.
|
|
|
TRIGGER
EVENT
|
Benefits
and Payments
|
|
Early
Retirement
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term
Incentive Compensation:
|
|
|
|
Stock Options
|
$
|
1,567,772
|
1
|
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
|
$
|
3,611,817
|
1
|
Non-equity Incentive Plan Awards
|
$
|
365,750
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits &
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
Retirement Plan
|
$
|
216,403
|
|
Excess Retirement Plan
|
$
|
645,744
|
|
Salary Continuation Plan
|
$
|
113,668
|
|
Health and Welfare Benefits
|
$
|
62,868
|
|
Cash Severance
|
$
|
2,392,756
|
|
|
1
Value is based on the $56.68 closing price of our common stock
on
7/31/2006, his retirement
date.
|
Warren
H. May
The
following table shows the payments upon involuntary termination after a
change-in-control for Warren H. May, former President of Lincoln Financial
Distributors, Inc.
|
|
|
|
TRIGGER
EVENT
|
|
Benefits
and Payments
|
|
Involuntary
Termination AfterChange-in-Control
|
|
Annual
Incentive Compensation,
plus accrued interest (AIP)
|
$
|
696,938
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term
Incentive Compensation:
|
|
|
|
Stock Options
|
$
|
697,792
|
|
Performance Shares (LTI)
|
$
|
0
|
|
Cash
|
$
|
428,557
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefits &
Perquisites:
|
|
|
|
Stock Awards
|
$
|
0
|
|
ESSB
|
$
|
533,387
|
|
Life Insurance Premiums
1
|
$
|
2,212
|
|
Excise Tax Gross-Up
2
|
$
|
1,588,750
|
|
Cash Severance
|
$
|
1,677,630
|
|
Relocation
|
$
|
175,163
|
|
Outplacement Allowance
|
$
|
30,000
|
|
1
Pursuant
to the JP COC, Mr. May would receive enhanced health and welfare and life
insurance benefits as compared to all other employees. Amount reflects
estimated lump-sum present value of premiums for his life insurance
coverage.
2
Calculated
in accordance with the provisions of Section 280G based on currently available
information, and we have assumed income is taxed at the highest federal
and
applicable state marginal income tax rates and all options are deemed
exercised
upon the trigger event.
COM
PEN
SATION
OF DIRECTORS
The
Board
of Directors adheres to the following guidelines in establishing outside
director compensation:
·
|
A
substantial portion of each outside director’s compensation is to be paid
in shares of our common stock or stock units based on our common
stock;
|
·
|
In
order to avoid the appearance of employee-like tenure or compromised
independence, our outside directors are generally not eligible for
defined
benefit pensions; and
|
·
|
Outside
directors are expected to own shares of our common stock, or stock
units
based on our common stock, at least equal in value to three times
the cash
portion of their annual retainer (3 x $86,000) within five years
of first
being elected (33% of vested options are counted toward this
requirement).
|
Effective
January 1, 2007, our outside directors will receive an annual retainer of
$172,000, excluding any fees received for holding the position of a committee
chair or lead director. Current total compensation consists of an annual
retainer of $86,000 in cash and $86,000 in deferred stock units. If shareholders
approve the Stock Option Plan For Non-Employee Directors, the annual retainer
will be paid $86,000 in cash, $43,000 in deferred stock units and $43,000 in
stock options. Directors may also elect to defer the cash component of their
annual retainer into various “phantom” investment options, including the Lincoln
National Corporation stock unit account option, available under the Lincoln
National Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
The
investment options are the same as those offered under our 401(k) plan for
employees. Amounts notionally invested into “phantom” investment options are
credited with earnings or losses as if the deferred amounts had been actually
invested in either our common stock (payable only in stock), or in any of the
available investment options. All amounts deferred under the Directors’ Deferred
Compensation Plan are payable only upon the Non-Employee Director's retirement
or resignation from the Board.
In
addition, effective January 1, 2007, committee chairs receive an annual retainer
of $10,000, except the chair of the Audit Committee. The chair of the Audit
Committee receives an annual retainer of $20,000, and each other Audit Committee
member receives an annual retainer fee of $5,000. The lead director receives
an
annual retainer of $25,000. No Board or Committee meeting fees are paid for
regularly scheduled meetings.
For
2006,
our outside directors received an annual retainer of $160,000, excluding any
fees received for holding the position of a committee chair or lead director,
of
which $80,000 was paid in cash and $80,000 was paid in deferred stock units,
which were credited to each outside director's account under the Directors’
Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors. As discussed above,
directors could also elect to defer the cash component of their annual retainer
into various “phantom” investment options, including the Lincoln National
Corporation stock unit account option, available under the Directors’ Deferred
Compensation Plan.
In
2006,
committee chairs received an annual retainer of $5,000 and the lead director
received an annual retainer of $25,000. No Board or Committee meeting fees
were
paid.
For
both
2006 and 2007, Mr. Stonecipher decided to forego the receipt of all non-employee
director compensation. In lieu thereof, we provide Mr. Stonecipher with the
use
of an office as well as secretary support, and access to the corporate aircraft
for business purposes, plus up to 25 hours per year of flight time for personal
use (with imputation of taxable income for any such use). The arrangement is
subject to change or termination at any time by the Corporate Governance
Committee.
Mr.
Stonecipher continues to receive non-qualified retirement payments in the form
of a monthly life annuity of $72,705 with a 10-year guaranteed period and life
insurance coverage of $850,000 under his prior employment agreement with
Jefferson-Pilot, which was filed as Exhibit 10(i) to the Jefferson-Pilot Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.
The
Corporate Governance Committee has discretion to recommend to the Board
additional compensation ($1,100 per meeting) for meetings in addition to the
regularly scheduled Board or Committee meetings. Finally, non-employee Directors
who are directors of Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, or LLANY,
receive an annual retainer of $15,000 and $1,100 for each Board and Committee
meeting that they attend. For 2006, those non-employee directors of LLANY were
Mr. Barrett, Mr. Henderson, Ms. Lachman and Ms. Ruckelshaus.
We
also
provide financial planning services to non-employee Directors with a value
not
to exceed $20,000 for an initial financial plan, and $10,000 for annual updates.
A Lincoln Financial Network financial planner must provide the financial
planning services to be eligible for reimbursement. We also allow non-employee
directors to participate in certain of our health and welfare benefits including
our self-insured medical and dental plans as well as life insurance and
accidental death and dismemberment coverages. The participating non-employee
director is
responsible
for all of the premiums for the coverage. Finally, directors are eligible to
participate in the Lincoln Financial Foundation Inc. matching gift program,
which matches up to a maximum annual contribution of $10,000 to colleges and
universities.
The
table
below contains information about the compensation paid to outside directors
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.
COMPENSATION
OF DIRECTORS
|
Name*
(a)
|
Fees
Earned or Paid in
Cash
1
($)
(b)
|
Stock
Awards
2,3
($)
(c)
|
Change
in
Pension
Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensa-
tion
Earnings
(d)
|
All
Other
Compensation
($)
(e)
|
Total
($)
(f)
|
Marcia
J. Avedon
4
|
20,660
|
20,660
|
--
|
--
|
41,320
|
William
J. Avery
|
80,000
|
80,000
|
--
|
15,317
5,7
|
175,317
|
J.
Patrick Barrett
|
113,512
|
80,000
|
--
|
--
|
193,512
|
Jenne
K. Britell
4
|
20,660
|
20,660
|
--
|
--
|
41,320
|
William
H. Cunningham
6
|
63,750
|
60,000
|
--
|
10,000
7
|
133,750
|
George
W. Henderson, III
6
|
71,760
|
60,000
|
--
|
--
|
131,760
|
Eric
G. Johnson
|
85,000
|
80,000
|
--
|
--
|
165,000
|
M.
Leanne Lachman
|
104,400
|
80,000
|
--
|
10,000
7
|
194,400
|
Michael
F. Mee
|
80,000
|
80,000
|
--
|
--
|
160,000
|
William
Porter Payne
6
|
63,750
|
60,000
|
--
|
--
|
123,750
|
Patrick
S. Pittard
6
|
60,000
|
60,000
|
--
|
--
|
120,000
|
Ron
J. Ponder
4
|
25,660
|
20,660
|
--
|
--
|
46,320
|
Jill
S. Ruckelshaus
|
99,400
|
80,000
|
--8
|
10,000
7
|
189,400
|
David
A. Stonecipher
6
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
137,986
9
|
137,986
|
Isaiah
Tidwell
6
|
60,000
|
60,000
|
--
|
9,500
7
|
129,500
|
Glenn
F. Tilton
10
|
80,000
|
80,000
|
--
|
10,124
5
|
170,124
|
*
Our
employee-directors, Messrs. Boscia and Glass, do not receive any director
compensation.
1
As
described above, one-half of the annual retainer of $160,000 in 2006 was paid
in
deferred stock units under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee
Directors, which are reported in column (c). In addition, the outside directors
could elect to defer additional retainer and fees in the Deferred Compensation
Plan. In 2006, directors Avedon, Avery, Barrett, Johnson, Mee, Ponder,
Ruckelshaus, and Tilton elected to defer 100% of the fees shown in this column.
In 2006, Mr. Tidwell elected to defer 80% of the amounts shown in this column.
The fees shown also include any fees that an outside director was paid or earned
for service on the Board of Lincoln Life & Annuity Company of New York, our
wholly owned subsidiary.
2
No
options were granted to the outside directors in 2006. All director options
currently outstanding vested prior to 2006 so there is no dollar value
recognized for financial statement reporting purpose in 2006 in accordance
with
FAS 123R. However, at December 31, 2006, the outside directors had options
for
the following number of shares of our common stock outstanding: Mr. Avery,
6,000; Mr. Barrett, 12,000; Mr. Cunningham 73,712; Mr. Henderson, 73,712; Mr.
Johnson, 12,000; Ms. Lachman, 12,000; Mr. Mee 9,000; Mr. Payne, 73,712; Mr.
Pittard, 83,835; Ms. Ruckelshaus, 12,000; Mr. Stonecipher, 2,525,619; Mr.
Tidwell, 9,940; and Mr. Tilton, 9,000. The options held by Messrs. Cunningham,
Henderson, Payne, Pittard, Stonecipher and Tidwell were formerly options for
Jefferson-Pilot Corporation. Prior to the merger with Jefferson-Pilot, Mr.
Stonecipher had gifted options covering 27,265 shares each to two of his
children, which were outstanding at December 31, 2006. At December 31, 2006,
the
outside directors had the following number of restricted stock awards
outstanding: Mr. Avery, 294; Mr. Barrett, 328; Mr. Johnson, 310; Ms. Lachman,
414; Mr. Mee, 296; Ms. Ruckelshaus, 414; and Mr. Tilton, 294. Stock awards
consist of the deferred stock units reported in column (c) above, unvested
restricted stock and phantom units awarded under the Directors’ Value Sharing
Plan, which was terminated as of July 1, 2004 and include accrued dividend
equivalents, which are automatically deemed reinvested in additional phantom
units of our common stock. At December 31, 2006, stock awards beneficially
owned
by the directors were: Mr. Avery, 11,230; Mr., Barrett, 37,265; Ms. Britell,
13,293; Mr. Cunningham, 11,967; Mr. Henderson, 18,556; Mr. Johnson, 18,511;
Ms.
Lachman, 29,384; Mr. Mee, 12,939; Mr. Payne, 10,075; Mr. Pittard, 11,821; Ms.
Ruckelshaus, 10,130; Mr. Stonecipher, 0; Mr. Tidwell, 4,636; and Mr. Tilton,
11,337.
3
Because
these deferred units are fully vested, the full value is expensed
immediately.
4
Resigned
from the Board effective April 3, 2006 in connection with the
merger.
5
Amount
includes the aggregate cost to us of financial planning services with a Lincoln
Financial Network advisor with an aggregate incremental cost of $10,000, as
well
as spouse social activities and gift baskets in connection with the annual
board
retreat.
6
Joined
the Board effective April 3, 2006 in connection with the merger.
7
Directors
are eligible to participate in the Lincoln Financial Foundation Inc. matching
gift program, which matches up to a maximum annual contribution of $10,000
to
various non-profit entities. These amounts reflect matching
contributions.
8
Before
1996, directors were permitted to participate in a tax-qualified retirement
plan
for directors. Ms. Ruckelshaus is the only director who continues to participate
in the retirement plan. The change in her pension value from December 31, 2005
to December 31, 2006 was $(12,704) using the same interest rate and mortality
assumptions as those used in our financial statements. Those assumptions are
incorporated herein by reference to Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated
Financial Statements, included in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2006.
9
Represents
the aggregate cost for an office and secretary for 2006.
10
Mr.
Tilton resigned from our Board effective March 20, 2007.
No
member
of the Compensation Committee had an “interlock” reportable under Section
407(e)(4) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and
no
member was an employee, officer or former officer of us or our
subsidiaries.
RE
LAT
ED
PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The
Corporate Governance Committee of our Board of Directors adopted a written
policy for the review, approval or ratification of transactions with related
parties. The policy
applies
to any transaction or proposed transaction that we determine would be required
to be publicly disclosed as a transaction or proposed transaction with a
“related person” pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and requires that
the Corporate Governance Committee (or the full Board) pre-approve or ratify
such transactions. In approving or ratifying any transaction or proposed
transaction, the Committee must determine that the transaction is fair and
reasonable to us and otherwise complies with our policy on conflicts of
interests. The Corporate Governance Committee shall not be required by this
policy to obtain a fairness opinion or other third party support regarding
the
fairness of the transaction, but may determine to do so in its discretion.
If a
transaction is subject to ratification by the Corporate Governance Committee
and
the Committee does not ratify the transaction, we and/or the related person
must
make all reasonable efforts to terminate the transaction.
The
policy does not apply to transactions involving insurance, annuity, mutual
fund
or other products, or financial services provided by us, our subsidiaries or
affiliated planners, all on terms and conditions substantially similar to those
available to similarly situated third parties in arm’s-length transactions. This
also applies to such products and services provided to an entity of which a
related person is an executive officer or employee, provided that, the related
person receives the same benefits generally available to other employees of
such
entity of an equivalent title.
During
2006, in the ordinary course of our business, The Lincoln National Insurance
Company, our subsidiary, had a fund participation agreement with Neuberger
Berman, Inc., a five percent beneficial owner of our common stock. Under the
agreement, in consideration for various administrative services in connection
with the inclusion of five Neuberger Berman variable insurance trust fund in
certain of our variable annuity products, Neuberger Berman paid The Lincoln
National Insurance Company $1.5 million in 2006. As this was an ordinary course
of business, our related party transaction policy was not applicable. We expect
to continue this ordinary course of business relationship in 2007.
On
February 13, 2007, Christopher and Stephen Stonecipher, Director Stonecipher’s
sons, each exercised an option covering 27,265 shares of stock with an exercise
price of $42.33. As described in footnote 2 to the Compensation of Directors
table, Mr. Stonecipher had transferred these options prior to our merger with
Jefferson-Pilot, and therefore, the transfer was not approved under our policy
described above.
Our
Compensation Committee approves the compensation of executive officers. The
2006
compensation of two current executive officers, Heather Dzielak, Senior Vice
President of Retirement Income Security Ventures and Terrence Mullen, President
of Lincoln Financial Distributors, prior to them becoming executive officers,
was therefore not approved by our Compensation Committee. For 2006, the amount
of compensation not approved by the Compensation Committee for Ms. Dzielak
was
$176,500 and for Mr. Mullen was $875,000.
On
May
31, 2006, we entered into a letter agreement with former executive officer,
Theresa M. Stone, regarding her retirement. Under the letter agreement, in
lieu
of any benefits under the Jefferson-Pilot Supplemental Benefit Plan or ESSB
Plan, and any payments otherwise due her under our annual incentive program
for
2006, or under the following long-term incentive program cycles: 2006-2008,
2005-2007, and 2004-2006, Ms. Stone received a pension benefit with a present
value of $2,671,026. In consideration of the payments under the letter
agreement, Ms. Stone agreed to a general release of claims releasing us and
our
affiliates and subsidiaries, and each of our and their directors and employees
from any claims arising from her employment or termination of employment. Ms.
Stone’s transaction was entered into prior to the adoption of our related-party
transaction policy.
Shareholder
Proposals
To
Be Included in Our Proxy Materials
Any
shareholder proposals intended to be considered for inclusion in the proxy
materials for our 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by us
no
later than December 7, 2008. All such proposals should be sent to our Corporate
Secretary.
To
Be Presented In-Person at Shareholder Meetings
Shareholders
wishing to propose matters for consideration at a meeting of shareholders or
to
propose nominees for election as directors must follow the procedures contained
in our Bylaws. Such procedures include giving notice to the Corporate Secretary
at least 90 and not more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date
of
the annual meeting for the preceding year. However, if and only if the annual
meeting is not scheduled to be held within a period that commences thirty (30)
days before such anniversary date and end thirty (30) days after such
anniversary date (an annual meeting date outside such period being referred
to
herein as an “Other Annual Meeting Date”), such shareholder notice shall be
given by the close of business on the later of (i) the date 90 days prior to
such Other Annual Meeting Date or (ii) the tenth day following the date such
Other Annual Meeting Date is first publicly announced or disclosed. Based on
the
Annual Meeting Date of May 10, 2007, such notice to be considered timely
received for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received on or
after January 11, 2008 and on or before February 10, 2008. That notice must
include:
·
|
the
name and address of the proposing shareholder (as it appears in our
stock
records);
|
·
|
a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before the
meeting;
|
·
|
the
class and number of our shares that are beneficially owned by the
proposing shareholder; and
|
·
|
a
description of any interest of such proposing shareholder in the
business
proposed.
|
There
are
additional requirements, which may be applicable. The applicable bylaw
requirements are set forth in Exhibit 1.
In
the
case of a shareholder-proposed nominee for director, the required notice, in
addition to meeting the above notice requirements, must also contain as to
each
such person:
·
|
the
name, age, business address and residence address of such
person;
|
·
|
the
principal occupation or employment of such
person;
|
·
|
the
class and number of our shares which are beneficially owned by such
person;
|
·
|
any
other information relating to such person that is required to be
disclosed
in solicitation of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise
required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange
Act
(including without limitation such person’s written consent to being named
in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director
if
elected); and
|
·
|
the
qualifications of the nominee to serve as one of our
directors.
|
The
applicable Bylaw requirements regarding shareholder proposed nominees are set
forth in Exhibit 2.
In
the
event any such matter is brought before the meeting in accordance with our
Bylaws, the individuals identified on the proxy card may, if the matter will
be
voted on, vote the shares represented by proxies in their discretion in the
manner they believe to be in our best interests. However, the person presiding
at a meeting of shareholders (the chairman) is authorized by the Bylaws, if
the
facts warrant, to determine that the proposed business was not properly brought
before the meeting, or was not lawful or appropriate for consideration at the
meeting or that a nomination for director was not properly made. Upon a
declaration of such determination by the chairman, the proposed business shall
not be transacted or the defective nomination shall be disregarded, as the
case
may be. There are additional requirements that may be applicable.
200
7
Shareholder Pr
op
osals
No
shareholder proposals were received for the 2007 Annual Meeting. To the extent
permissible, your proxy will be voted in the discretion of the proxy holders
with respect to each matter properly brought before the meeting that has not
been enumerated in this Proxy Statement or for which no specific direction
was
given on the proxy card.
Our
Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year 2006 (which includes a copy
of
our Form 10-K for 2006) is being mailed simultaneously with this proxy statement
(in the same envelope) to shareholders of record at the relevant addresses
appearing on our stock books.
In
addition, a printed copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K will be provided
on
written request and without charge to any shareholder requesting it in writing
addressed to Corporate Secretary, Lincoln National Corporation, 1500 Market
Street, Suite 3900, Centre Square West Tower, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
19102-2112.
In
addition, you can access that report and other reports on the SEC’s website at
www.sec.gov
and on
our website at
www.lfg.com
.
For
the
Board of Directors,
C.
Suzanne Womack, Secretary
April
5,
2007
Section
10. Notice of Shareholder Business.
At any
meeting of the shareholders, only such business may be conducted as shall
have
been properly brought before the meeting, and as shall have been determined
to
be lawful and appropriate for consideration by shareholders at the meeting.
To
be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (a) specified
in
the notice of meeting given in accordance with Section 4 of this Article
I, (b)
otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction
of the
Board of Directors or the chief executive officer, or (c) otherwise properly
brought before the meeting by a shareholder. For business to be properly
brought
before an annual meeting by a shareholder pursuant to clause (c) above,
the
shareholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the secretary
of
the corporation. To be timely, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to or
mailed and received at the principal office of the corporation, not less
than
ninety days nor more than one hundred twenty days prior to the first
anniversary
date of the annual meeting for the preceding year; provided, however,
if and
only if the annual meeting is not scheduled to be held within a period
that
commences thirty days before such anniversary date and ends thirty days
after
such anniversary date (an annual meeting date outside such period being
referred
to herein as an “Other Annual Meeting Date”), such shareholder notice shall be
given in the manner provided herein by the close of business on the later
of (i)
the date ninety days prior to such Other Annual Meeting Date or (ii)
the tenth
day following the date such Other Annual Meeting Date is first publicly
announced or disclosed. A shareholder’s notice to the secretary shall set forth
as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the meeting
(a) a
brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting,
including the text of any proposal to be presented, (b) the name and
address, as
they appear on the corporation’s stock records, of the shareholder proposing
such business, (c) the class and number of shares of the corporation
which are
beneficially owned by the shareholder, and (d) any interest of the shareholder
in such business. Only such business shall be brought before a special
meeting
of shareholders as shall have been specified in the notice of meeting
given in
accordance with Section 4 of this Article I. In no event shall the adjournment
of an annual meeting or special meeting, or any announcement thereof,
commence a
new period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as provided in this Section
10. Notwithstanding anything in these bylaws to the contrary, no business
shall
be conducted at a meeting except in accordance with the procedures set
forth in
this Section 10. The person presiding at the meeting shall, if the facts
warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly
brought before the meeting in accordance with the bylaws, or that business
was
not lawful or appropriate for consideration by shareholders at the meeting,
and
if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any
such
business shall not be transacted.
Section
11. Notice of Shareholder Nominees
.
Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the
corporation
may be made at any annual meeting of shareholders by or at the direction
of the
Board of Directors or by any shareholder of the corporation entitled
to vote for
the election of directors at the meeting. Such shareholder nominations
shall be
made pursuant to timely notice given in writing to the secretary of the
corporation in accordance with Section 10 of this Article I. [Note: Section
10
is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit 1.] Such shareholder’s notice
shall set forth, in addition to the information required by Section 10,
as to
each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or
re-election as a director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence
address of such person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of
such
person, (iii) the class and number of shares of the corporation which
are
beneficially owned by such person, (iv) any other information relating
to such
person that is required to be disclosed in solicitation of proxies for
election
of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation
14A
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including without
limitation such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement
as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected), and (v) the
qualifications of the nominee to serve as a director of the corporation.
In the
event the Board of Directors calls a special meeting of shareholders
for the
purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors,
any
shareholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for
election
to such position(s) as specified in the notice of meeting, if the shareholder’s
notice of such nomination contains the information specified in this
Section 11
and shall be delivered to the secretary of the corporation not later
than the
close of business on the tenth day following the day on which the date
of the
special meeting and either the names of the nominees proposed by the
Board of
Directors to be elected at such meeting or the number of directors to
be elected
are publicly announced or disclosed. In no event shall the adjournment
of an
annual meeting or special meeting, or any announcement thereof, commence
a new
period for the giving of a shareholder’s notice as provided in this Section 11.
No shareholder nomination shall be effective unless made in accordance
with the
procedures set forth in this Section 11. The person presiding at the
meeting
shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that
a
shareholder nomination was not made in accordance with the bylaws, and
if he
should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective
nomination shall be disregarded.
Policy
Regarding Approval of Services of Independent Auditor
I.
Statement of Principles
Under
the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Act”), the Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight
of the
work of the independent auditor. As part of this responsibility, the
Audit
Committee is required to approve in advance all services performed
by the
independent auditor in order to assure that they do not impair the
auditor’s
independence from the Corporation. To implement these provisions of
the Act, the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has issued rules governing the
audit committee’s engagement of the independent auditor, as well as rules
setting forth the types of services that an independent auditor may
not provide
to its audit client.
The
SEC’s
rules provide two methods for approving in advance (referred to as
“pre-approving”) the proposed services of the independent auditor. Services may
be pre-approved as part of a specific engagement approved by the Audit
Committee, or may be pre-approved if they have been generally authorized
by the
Audit Committee pursuant to a policy complying with SEC rules. Accordingly,
and
intending to comply with SEC rules, the Audit Committee has adopted
this policy
regarding the pre-approval of services of the independent auditor.
In
pre-approving services, the Audit Committee will consider whether the
provision
of any service might impair the independence of the independent auditor.
As part
of that analysis, the Audit Committee shall consider whether the provision
of
the service, alone or in combination with other such services, would
violate any
of three basic principles recognized by the SEC: (i) the auditor cannot
audit
his or her own work, (ii) the auditor cannot function as a part of
management,
and (iii) the auditor cannot serve in an advocacy role for the
client.
II.
Specific Pre-approval
The
annual audit services engagement terms and fees and any amendments
thereto will
be subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. Audit
services
include the annual financial statement audit (including required quarterly
reviews), subsidiary audits, equity investment audits and other procedures
required to be performed by the independent auditor to be able to form
an
opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
1
These
other procedures include information systems and procedural reviews
and testing
performed in order to understand and place reliance on the systems
of internal
control. Audit services also include the attestation engagement for
the
independent auditor’s report on management’s report on internal controls for
financial reporting.
In
addition, any services that are not the subject of a general pre-approval
under
this policy shall require the Audit Committee’s specific
pre-approval.
III.
General Pre-approval
The
Audit
Committee shall periodically and not less than annually pre-approve
the
performance by the independent auditor of such audit, audit-related,
tax and
other services as it deems appropriate from time to time. Such pre-approval
will
require that the Audit Committee first receive and evaluate detailed
back-up
documentation regarding each service being pre-approved. Also, the
Audit
Committee will specify a maximum fee for each service being pre-approved,
beyond
which further approval of the Audit Committee will be required.
In
between meetings of the Audit Committee, the Chair of the Audit Committee
may
pre-approve the performance by the independent auditor of such audit,
audit-related, tax and other services as the Chair deems appropriate
from time
to time. During the period between meetings (“interim period”), the pre-approval
authority of the Chair shall be limited to pre-approving fees for such
services
not to exceed (i) $25,000 per interim period with no right to carryover
any
pre-approval authority remaining in an interim period to a subsequent
interim
period, and (ii) $100,000 for any calendar year. Also, the Chair will
specify a
maximum fee for each service being pre-approved, beyond which further
approval
of the Chair (subject to the pre-approval fee limit) or the Audit Committee
will
be required. The Chair must disclose to the Audit Committee any pre-approvals
made pursuant to this delegation of authority at the meeting of the
Audit
Committee next following such pre-approval.
1
The
use
of the term “audit services” herein is not intended to correspond to the
grouping of services associated with the disclosure of “audit fees” in the proxy
statement.
The
period of time covered by any pre-approval shall be as specified in
the terms of
the pre-approval. However, it is anticipated that the Audit Committee
will
consider pre-approvals concurrently with its consideration of the annual
audit
services engagement, and that the term of each pre-approval will be
twelve
months.
IV.
Excluded Services
The
Audit
Committee will not approve the provision of any non-audit services
by the
independent auditor which are prohibited by the SEC. A list of the
SEC’s
prohibited non-audit services is included at
Appendix
A
.
The
SEC’s rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the
precise
definitions of these services and the applicability of exceptions to
certain of
the prohibitions.
The
Audit
Committee will not permit the retention of the independent auditor
in connection
with a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor
the primary
business purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment
of which
may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related
regulations.
V.
Procedures
Proposed
services of the independent auditor that are not the subject of a specific
pre-approval pursuant to Section II above will be evaluated by the
General
Auditor. The General Auditor will determine whether such services are
included
within the list of services that have received the general pre-approval
of the
Audit Committee and whether the fees for such services are within approved
fee
levels. If these conditions are satisfied, then the provision of services
can
commence and the General Auditor shall inform the Audit Committee at
its next
meeting of the services provided. Proposed services that do not satisfy
these
conditions require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee and
may be
submitted to the Audit Committee by either the independent auditor
or the
General Auditor. The General Auditor will immediately report to the
Audit
Committee any breach of this policy that comes to his attention.
Appendix
A
SEC
PROHIBITED SERVICES
·
|
Bookkeeping
or other services related to the accounting records or financial
statements of the audit client
2
|
·
|
Financial
information systems design and implementation
1
|
·
|
Appraisal
or valuation services, fairness opinions, or contribution-in-kind
reports
1
|
·
|
Internal
audit outsourcing services
1
|
·
|
Broker-dealer,
investment adviser, or investment banking
services
|
·
|
Expert
services unrelated to the
audit
|
_______________________
1
Unless
it
is reasonable to conclude that the results of these services will not
be subject
to audit procedures during an audit of the audit client’s financial
statements.
LINCOLN
NATIONAL CORPORATION
AMENDED
AND RESTATED
INCENTIVE
COMPENSATION PLAN
1.
Purpose
.
The
purpose of this Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan (the
“Plan”) is
to assist Lincoln National Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the
“Corporation”), and its subsidiaries in attracting, retaining, and rewarding
high-quality executives, employees, and other persons who provide services
to
the Corporation and/or its subsidiaries, enabling such persons to acquire
or
increase a proprietary interest in the Corporation in order to strengthen
the
mutuality of interests between such persons and the Corporation’s shareholders,
and providing such persons with annual and long-term performance incentives
to
expend their maximum efforts in the creation of shareholder value. The
Plan is
also intended to qualify certain compensation awarded under the Plan
for tax
deductibility under Code Section 162(m) (as hereafter defined) to the
extent deemed appropriate by the Committee (or any successor committee)
of the
Board of Directors of the Corporation.
2.
Definitions
.
For
purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth
below,
in addition to such terms defined in Section 1 hereof:
(a)
“Annual
Incentive Award” means a conditional right granted to a Participant under
Section 8(c) hereof to receive a cash payment, Stock or other Award,
unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, after the end of a specified fiscal
year.
(b)
“Award”
means any Option, SAR (including Limited SAR), Restricted Stock, Deferred
Stock
Units, Stock granted as a bonus or in lieu of another award, Other Stock-Based
Award, Performance Award or Annual Incentive Award, together with any
other
right or interest granted to a Participant under the Plan.
(c)
“Beneficiary”
means the person, persons, trust or trusts which have been designated
by a
Participant in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation
filed with
the Committee to receive the benefits specified under the Plan upon such
Participant’s death or to which Awards or other rights are transferred if and to
the extent permitted under Section 10(b) hereof. If, upon a Participant’s death,
there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary,
then the
term Beneficiary means the person, persons, trust or trusts entitled
by will or
the laws of descent and distribution to receive such benefits.
(d)
“Board”
means the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
(e)
“Change
of Control” shall have the same meaning ascribed to such term in the
Lincoln
National
Corporation Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan (the “Severance Benefit Plan”) on
the date immediately preceding the Change of Control.
(f)
“Change
of Control Price” means an amount in cash equal to the higher of (i) the
amount of cash and Fair Market Value of property that is the highest
price per
share paid (including extraordinary dividends) in any transaction triggering
the
Change of Control or any liquidation of shares following a sale of substantially
all assets of the Corporation, or (ii) the highest Fair Market Value per
share at any time during the 60-day period preceding and 60-day period
following
the Change of Control.
(g)
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time,
including
regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations
thereto.
(h)
“Committee”
means at any date each of those members of the Compensation Committee
of the
Board who shall be (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule
16b-3 under the Exchange Act, unless administration of the Plan by “non-employee
directors” is not then required in order for exemptions under Rule 16b-3 to
apply to transactions under the Plan, and (ii) an “outside director” as defined
under Code Section 162(m), unless the action taken pursuant to the Plan
is not
required to be taken by “outside directors” in order to qualify for tax
deductibility under Code Section 162(m). Unless otherwise designated
by the
Board, the Committee shall include not fewer than three members. In the
event
that fewer than three members of the Compensation Committee are eligible
to
serve on the Committee, the Board may appoint one or more of its other
members
who is otherwise eligible to serve on the Committee until such time as
three
members of the Compensation Committee are eligible to serve.
(i)
“Covered
Employee” means an Eligible Person who is a Covered Employee as specified in
Section 8(e) of the Plan.
(j)
“Deferred
Stock Unit” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(e) hereof,
to receive Stock, cash or a combination thereof at the end of a specified
deferral period.
(k)
“Effective
Date” of the Plan means January 1, 1997.
(l)
“Eligible
Person” means each Executive Officer and other officers and employees of the
Corporation or of any subsidiary, including employees, agents and
brokers
who
may
also be directors of the Corporation. An employee on leave of absence
may be
considered as still in the employ of the Corporation or a subsidiary
for
purposes of eligibility for participation in the Plan.
(m)
“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time,
including rules thereunder and successor provisions and rules
thereto.
(n)
“Executive
Officer” means an executive officer of the Corporation as defined under the
Exchange Act.
(o)
“Fair
Market Value” means the Fair Market Value of Stock, Awards or other property as
determined by the Committee or under procedures established by the Committee.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee the Fair Market Value of
Stock
shall be the average of the highest and lowest prices of a share of Stock,
as
quoted on the composite transactions table on the New York Stock Exchange,
on
the last trading day prior to the date on which the determination of
Fair Market
Value is being made.
(p)
“Incentive
Stock Option” or “ISO” means any Option intended to be and designated as an
incentive stock option within the meaning of Code Section 422 or any
successor
provision thereto.
(q)
“Limited
SAR” means a right granted to a Participant under Section 6(c)
hereof.
(r)
“Option”
means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 6(b) hereof, to
purchase
Stock or other Awards at a specified price during specified time
periods.
(s)
“Other
Stock-Based Awards” means Awards granted to a Participant under
Section 6(g) hereof.
(t)
“Participant”
means a person who has been granted an Award under the Plan which remains
outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible
Person.
(u)
“Performance
Award” means a right, granted to a Participant under Section 8 hereof, to
receive Awards based upon performance criteria specified by the
Committee.
(v)
“Preexisting
Plans” mean the Lincoln National Corporation 1986 Stock Option Incentive Plan
(the “Stock Option Plan”) and the 1994 Amended and Restated Lincoln National
Corporation Executive Value Sharing Plan (the “EVSP”).
(w)
“Restricted
Stock” means Stock granted to a Participant under Section 6(d) hereof, that
is
subject to certain restrictions and to a risk of forfeiture.
(x)
“Rule
16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect and applicable to the
Plan and Participants, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or any similar law or regulation
that may
be a successor thereto.
(y)
“Stock”
means the Corporation’s Common Stock, and such other securities as may be
substituted (or resubstituted) for Stock pursuant to Section 10(c)
hereof.
(z)
“Stock
Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right granted to a Participant under
Section 6(c) hereof.
3.
Administration.
(a)
Authority
of the Committee.
The Plan
shall be administered by the Committee
.
The
Committee shall have full and final authority, in each case subject to
and
consistent with the provisions of the Plan, to interpret the provisions
of the
Plan, select Eligible Persons to become Participants, grant Awards, determine
the type, number and other terms and conditions of, and all other matters
relating to, Awards, prescribe Award agreements (which need not be identical
for
each Participant), adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations for
the
administration of the Plan, construe and interpret the Plan and Award
agreements
and correct defects, supply omissions or reconcile inconsistencies therein,
ensure that awards continue to qualify under Rule 16b-3, and make all
other
decisions and determinations as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable
for the administration of the Plan.
(b)
Manner
of Exercise of Committee.
Any
action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all
persons,
including the Corporation, its subsidiaries, Participants, Beneficiaries,
transferees under Section 10(b) hereof or other persons claiming rights
from or through a Participant, and shareholders. The Committee shall
exercise
its authority only by a majority vote of its members at a meeting or
without a
meeting by a writing signed by a majority of its members. The express
grant of
any specific power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by
the
Committee, shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority
of the
Committee. The Committee may delegate to officers or managers of the
Corporation
or any subsidiary, or committees thereof, the authority, subject to such
terms
as the Committee shall determine, (i) to perform administrative functions,
(ii)
with respect to Participants not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act,
to perform such other functions as the Committee may determine, and (iii)
with
respect to Participants subject to Section 16, to perform such other
functions
of the Committee as the Committee may determine to the extent performance
of
such functions will not result in the loss of an exemption under Rule 16b-3
otherwise available for transactions by such persons, in each case to
the extent
permitted under applicable law and subject to the requirements and restrictions
set forth in Section 8(e). The Committee may appoint agents to assist
it in
administering the Plan.
(c)
Limitation
of Liability
.
The
Committee and each member thereof shall be entitled, in good faith, to
rely or
act upon any report or other information furnished to it, him or her
by any
executive officer, other officer or employee of the Corporation or a
subsidiary,
the Corporation’s independent auditors, consultants or any other agents
assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee
and any
officer or employee of the Corporation or a subsidiary acting at the
direction
or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any
action or
determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and
shall,
to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by
the
Corporation with respect to any such action or determination.
4.
Stock
Subject to Plan.
(a) Overall
Number of Shares Available for Delivery. Subject to adjustment as provided
in
Section 10(c) hereof, the total number of shares of Stock reserved and
available for delivery in connection with Awards under the Plan shall
be
37,726,512 of which 28,736,362 shares were either issued or reserved
for
issuance under outstanding Awards at March 5, 2007; provided, however,
that the
total number of shares of Stock with respect to which ISOs may be granted
shall
not exceed 2,000,000. Any shares of Stock that may be issued in payment
of
Awards, other than Options and SARs, granted on or after May 12, 2005
shall be
counted against the limit described above as 3.25 shares for every
share of
Stock issued in connection with such Award. Shares of Stock issued in
connection with Awards granted prior to the amendment and restatement
of the
Plan approved by shareholders of the Corporation on May 12, 2005 shall
be
counted against the limit on a share-per-share basis.
(b)
Application
of Limitation to Grants of Awards.
No Award
may be granted if the number of shares of Stock to be delivered in connection
with such Award or, in the case of an Award measured solely by the increase
in
value of shares of Stock but settleable only in cash (such as cash-only
SARs),
the number of shares to which such Award relates, exceeds the number
of shares
of Stock remaining available under the Plan minus the number of shares
of Stock
issuable in settlement of or relating to then-outstanding Awards. The
Committee
may adopt reasonable counting procedures to ensure appropriate counting,
avoid
double counting (as, for example, in the case of tandem or substitute
awards)
and make adjustments if the number of shares of Stock actually delivered
differs
from the number of shares previously counted in connection with an
Award.
(c)
Availability
of Shares Not Delivered Under Awards.
Shares
of Stock subject to an Award under the Plan, or an award under a Preexisting
Plan, that is canceled, expired, forfeited, settled in cash or otherwise
terminated without a delivery of shares to the Participant will again
be
available for Awards under the Plan; except that if any such shares
could not
again be available for Awards to a particular Participant under any
applicable
law or regulation, such shares shall be available exclusively for Awards
to
Participants who are not subject to such limitation. With respect to stock
settled SARS, the full issuance of shares to settle such Awards will
count
against shares available under the Plan.
5.
Eligibility;
Per-Person Award Limitations
.
Awards
may be granted under the Plan only to Eligible Persons. In each fiscal
year
during any part of which the Plan is in effect, an Eligible Person may
not be
granted Awards relating to more than 2,000,000 shares of Stock, subject
to
adjustment as provided in Section 10(c), under each of the following
separate provisions:
Sections 6(b),
6(c), 6(d), 6(e), 6(f), 6(g), 8(b) and 8(c). In addition, the maximum
cash
amount that may be earned under Section 8(c) of the Plan as an Annual
Incentive
Award or other cash annual Award payable in cash (currently or on a deferred
basis) in respect of any fiscal year by any one Participant shall be
$8,000,000,
and the maximum cash amount that may be earned under Section 8(b) of
the Plan as
a Performance Award or other cash Award payable in cash (currently or
on a
deferred basis) in respect of any individual performance period by any
one
Participant shall be $8,000,000.
6.
Specific
Terms of Awards.
(a)
General.
Awards
may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this
Section 6
,
provided,
however, that no Award shall be made under this Section 6 prior to the
date on
which shareholders of the Corporation approve the adoption of the Plan.
In
addition, the Committee may impose on any Award or the exercise thereof,
at the
date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 10(e)), such additional
terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan,
as the
Committee shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Awards
in the
event of termination of employment by the Participant and terms permitting
a
Participant to make elections relating to his or her Award. The Committee
shall
retain full power and discretion to accelerate, waive or modify, at any
time,
any term or condition of an Award that is not mandatory under the Plan.
Except
in cases in which the Committee is authorized to require other forms
of
consideration under the Plan, or to the extent other forms of consideration
must
be paid to satisfy the requirements of Indiana law, no consideration
other than
services may be required for the grant (but not the exercise) of any
Award. Any
Award or the value of any Award that is made under this Plan may, subject
to any
requirements of applicable law or regulation, in the Committee or its
designee’s
sole discretion, be converted into Deferred Stock Units and treated as
provided
in Section 6(e) below.
(b)
Options.
The
Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following
terms
and conditions:
(i)
Exercise
Price.
The
exercise price per share of Stock purchasable under an Option shall be
determined by the Committee, provided that such exercise price shall
be not less
than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of
such
Option.
(ii)
Time
and Method of Exercise.
The
Committee shall determine, at the date of grant or thereafter, the time
or times
at which or the circumstances under which an Option may be exercised
in whole or
in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future
service requirements), the methods by which such exercise price may be
paid or
deemed to be paid, the form of such payment, including, without limitation,
cash, Stock, other Awards or awards granted under other plans of the
Corporation
or any subsidiary, and the methods by or forms in which Stock will be
delivered
or deemed to be delivered to Participants.
(iii)
ISOs.
The
terms of any ISO granted under the Plan shall comply in all respects
with the
provisions of Code Section 422. Anything in the Plan to the contrary
notwithstanding, no term of the Plan relating to ISOs (including any
SAR in
tandem therewith) shall be interpreted, amended or altered, nor shall
any
discretion or authority granted under the Plan be exercised, so as to
disqualify
either the Plan or any ISO under Code Section 422, unless the Participant
has
first requested the change that will result in such
disqualification.
(c)
Stock
Appreciation Rights.
The
Committee is authorized to grant SARs to Participants on the following
terms and
conditions:
(i)
Right
to Payment.
A SAR
shall confer on the Participant to whom it is granted a right to receive,
upon
exercise thereof, the excess of (A) the Fair Market Value of one share
of Stock
on the date of exercise (or, in the case of a “Limited SAR,” the Fair Market
Value determined by reference to the Change of Control Price) over (B)
the grant
price of the SAR as determined by the Committee
.
(ii)
Other
Terms.
The
Committee shall determine, at the date of grant or thereafter, the time
or times
at which and the circumstances under which a SAR may be exercised in
whole or in
part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future
service
requirements), the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of
consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which any
Stock
payable will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants,
whether or
not a SAR shall be in tandem or in combination with any other Award, and any
other terms and conditions of any SAR. Limited SARs that may only be
exercised
in connection with a Change of Control or other events as specified by
the
Committee may be granted on such terms, not inconsistent with this Section
6(c),
as the Committee may determine. SARs and Limited SARs may be either freestanding
or in tandem with other Awards.
(d)
Restricted
Stock.
The
Committee is authorized to grant Restricted Stock to Participants on
the
following terms and conditions:
(i)
Grant
and Restrictions.
Restricted Stock shall be subject to such restrictions on transferability,
risk
of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Committee may impose,
which
restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under
such
circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or
future
service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee
may
determine at the date of grant or thereafter. Except to the extent restricted
under any Award agreement relating to the Restricted Stock, a Participant
granted Restricted Stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder,
including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and the right to receive
dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement
imposed by the Committee). During the restricted period applicable to
the
Restricted Stock, subject to Section 10(b) below, the Restricted Stock may
not be sold, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, margined or otherwise
encumbered by the Participant.
(ii)
Forfeiture.
Except
as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon termination of employment
during
the applicable restriction period, Restricted Stock that is at that time
subject
to restrictions shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Corporation;
provided
that the Committee may, in its discretion, in any individual case provide
for
waiver in whole or in part of restrictions or forfeiture conditions relating
to
Restricted Stock
.
(iii)
Certificates
for Stock.
Restricted Stock granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner
as the
Committee shall determine. If certificates representing Restricted Stock
are
registered in the name of the Participant, the Committee may require
that such
certificates bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions
and
restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock, that the Corporation
retain
physical possession of the certificates, and that the Participant deliver
a
stock power to the Corporation, endorsed in blank, relating to the Restricted
Stock.
(iv)
Dividends
and Splits.
As a
condition to the grant of an Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee
may
require that any cash dividends paid on a share of Restricted Stock be
automatically reinvested in additional shares of Restricted Stock or
applied to
the purchase of additional Awards under the Plan. Unless otherwise determined
by
the Committee, Stock distributed in connection with a Stock split or
Stock
dividend, and other property distributed as a dividend, shall be subject
to
restrictions and a risk of forfeiture to the same extent as the Restricted
Stock
with respect to which such Stock or other property has been
distributed.
(e)
Deferred
Stock Units.
The
Committee is authorized to grant to Participants Deferred Stock Units,
which are
rights to receive Stock, cash, or a combination thereof at the end of
a
specified deferral period
.
Unless
otherwise specified by the Committee, Deferred Stock Units shall be credited
as
of the date of award to a bookkeeping reserve account maintained by the
Employer
under the Lincoln National Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan for
Employees or its successor (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) in units which are
equivalent in value to shares of Common Stock (“Deferred Stock Units”). Once
credited to such account, Deferred Stock Units shall be governed by the
terms of
the Deferred Compensation Plan.
(f)
Bonus
Stock and Awards in Lieu of Obligations.
The
Committee is authorized to grant Stock as a bonus, or to grant Stock
or other
Awards in lieu of obligations to pay cash or deliver other property under
the
Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, provided that,
in the
case of Participants subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the amount
of such grants remains within the discretion of the Committee to the
extent
necessary to ensure that acquisitions of Stock or other Awards do not
impair a
participant’s exemption from liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act. Stock or Awards granted hereunder shall be subject to such other
terms as
shall be determined by the Committee.
(g)
Other
Stock-Based Awards.
The
Committee is authorized, subject to limitations under applicable law,
to grant
to Participants such other Awards that may be denominated or payable
in, valued
in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related
to,
Stock, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes
of the
Plan, including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable debt
securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Stock, purchase
rights
for Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon performance
of the
Corporation or any other factors designated by the Committee, and Awards
valued
by reference to the book value of Stock or the value of securities of
or the
performance of specified subsidiaries. The Committee shall determine
the terms
and conditions of such Awards. Stock delivered pursuant to an Award in
the
nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 6(g) shall be purchased
for such consideration, paid for at such times, by such methods, and
in such
forms, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other
property, as the Committee shall determine. Cash awards, as an element
of or
supplement to any other Award under the Plan, may also be granted pursuant
to
this Section 6(g).
7.
Certain
Provisions Applicable to Awards.
(a)
Stand-Alone,
Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards; No Repricing.
Awards
granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted
either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or
exchange
for, any other Award or any award granted under another plan of the Corporation,
any subsidiary, or any business entity to be acquired by the Corporation
or a
subsidiary, or any other right of a Participant to receive payment from
the
Corporation or any subsidiary. Such additional, tandem, and substitute
or
exchange Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in
substitution or exchange for another Award or award, the Committee shall
require
the surrender of such other Award or award in consideration for the grant
of the
new Award. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, no Option
that has
been granted by the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof shall be thereafter
repriced, replaced or regranted through cancellation, or otherwise modified
without shareholder approval (except in connection with a change in the
Corporation’s capitalization), if the effect would be to reduce the exercise
price for the shares underlying such Option.
(b)
Term
of Awards.
The term
of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee;
provided that in no event shall the term of any Option or SAR exceed
a period of
ten years (or such shorter term as may be required in respect of an ISO
under Code Section 422).
(c)
Form
and Timing of Payment Under Awards; Deferrals.
Subject
to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award agreement, payments
to be made
by the Corporation or a subsidiary upon the exercise of an Option or
other Award
or settlement of an Award may be made in such forms as the Committee
shall
determine, including, without limitation, cash, Stock, other Awards or
other
property, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments,
or
on a deferred basis. The settlement of any Award may be accelerated,
and cash
paid in lieu of Stock in connection with such settlement, in the discretion
of
the Committee or upon occurrence of one or more specified events (in
addition to
a Change of Control). Installment or deferred payments may be required
by the
Committee (subject to Section 10(e) of the Plan, including the consent
provisions thereof) in the case of any deferral of an outstanding Award
not
provided for in the original Award agreement, except that this provision
shall
not prevent the Committee or its designee from converting an Award to
Deferred
Stock Units as provided under Section 6(a) above or permitted at the
election of
the Participant on terms and conditions established by the Committee.
Payments
may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting
of
reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant
or
crediting of dividend equivalents or other amounts in respect of installment
or
deferred payments denominated in Stock.
(d)
Exemptions
from Section 16(b) Liability.
It is
the intent of the Corporation that the grant of any Awards to or other
transaction by a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange
Act shall be exempt under Rule 16b-3 (except for transactions acknowledged
in
writing to be non-exempt by such Participant). Accordingly, if any provision
of
this Plan or any Award agreement does not comply with the requirements
of
Rule 16b-3 as then applicable to any such transaction, unless the
Participant shall have acknowledged in writing that a transaction pursuant
to
such provision is to be non-exempt, such provision shall be construed
or deemed
amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements
of
Rule 16b-3 so that such Participant shall avoid liability under Section
16(b) of
the Exchange Act.
(e)
Cancellation
and Rescission of Awards
.
Unless
the Award agreement specifies otherwise, the Committee may cancel any
unexpired,
unpaid, or deferred Awards at any time, and the Corporation shall have
the
additional rights set forth in Section 7(e)(iv) below, if the Participant
is not
in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Award agreement and
the Plan
including the following conditions:
(i)
A
Participant shall not render services for any organization or engage
directly or
indirectly in any business which, in the judgment of the Chief Executive
Officer
of the Corporation or other senior officer designated by the Committee,
is or
becomes competitive with the Corporation. For Participants whose employment
has
terminated, the judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or other senior
officer
designated by the Committee shall be based on the Participant’s position and
responsibilities while employed by the Corporation, the Participant’s
post-employment responsibilities and position with the other organization
or
business, the extent of past, current and potential competition or conflict
between the Corporation and the other organization or business, the effect
on
the Corporation’s shareholders, customers, suppliers and competitors of the
Participant assuming the post-employment position and such other considerations
as are deemed relevant given the applicable facts and circumstances.
A
Participant who has terminated employment shall be free, however, to
purchase as
an investment or otherwise, stock or other securities of such organization
or
business so long as they are listed upon a recognized securities exchange
or
traded over-the-counter, and such investment does not represent a greater
than
five percent equity interest in the organization or business.
(ii)
A
Participant shall not, without prior written authorization from the Corporation,
disclose to anyone outside the Corporation, or use in other than the
Corporation’s business, any confidential information or material relating to the
business of the Corporation that is acquired by the Participant either
during or
after employment with the Corporation.
(iii)
A
Participant shall disclose promptly and assign to the Corporation all
right,
title, and interest in any invention or idea, patentable or not, made
or
conceived by the Participant during employment by the Corporation, relating
in
any manner to the actual or anticipated business, research or development
work
of the Corporation and shall do anything reasonably necessary to enable
the
Corporation to secure a patent where appropriate in the United States
and in
foreign countries.
(iv)
Upon
exercise, settlement, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award, the Participant
shall certify on a form acceptable to the Committee that he or she is
in
compliance with the terms and conditions of the Plan. Failure to comply
with the
provisions of this Section 7(e) prior to, or during the six months after,
any
exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award shall cause such exercise,
payment or delivery to be rescinded. The Corporation shall notify the
Participant in writing of any such rescission within two years after
such
exercise, payment or delivery; provided, however, that the Corporation
may, in
its discretion, in any individual case provide for waiver in whole or
in part of
compliance with the provisions of this Section 7(e). Within ten days
after
receiving such a notice from the Corporation, the Participant shall pay
to the
Corporation the amount of any gain realized or payment received as a
result of
the rescinded exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award. Such
payment
shall be made either in cash or by returning to the Corporation the number
of
shares of Stock that the Participant received in connection with the
rescinded
exercise, payment or delivery. In the case of any Participant whose employment
is terminated by the Corporation and its subsidiaries without “cause” (as
defined in the Award agreement), however, a failure of the Participant
to comply
with the provisions of Section 7(e)(i) after such termination of employment
shall not in itself cause rescission or require repayment with respect
to any
Award exercised, paid or delivered before such termination.
8.
Performance
and Annual Incentive Awards.
(a)
Performance
Conditions.
The
right of a Participant to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of
any
Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such performance conditions
as
may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business
criteria
and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing
any
performance conditions, and may exercise its discretion to reduce or
increase
the amounts payable under any Award subject to performance conditions,
except as
limited under Sections 8(b) and 8(c) hereof in the case of a Performance
Award
or Annual Incentive Award intended to qualify under Code Section
162(m).
(b)
Performance
Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees.
If the
Committee determines that a Performance Award to be granted to an Eligible
Person who is or may become a Covered Employee should qualify as
“performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the grant,
exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Award shall be contingent
upon
achievement of preestablished performance goals and other terms set forth
in
this Section 8(b).
(i)
Performance
Goals Generally.
The
performance goals for such Performance Awards shall consist of one or
more
business criteria and a targeted level or levels of performance and associated
maximum Award payments with respect to each of such criteria, as specified
by
the Committee consistent with this Section 8(b). Performance goals shall
be
objective and shall otherwise meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m)
and
regulations thereunder (including Regulation 1.162-27 and successor regulations
thereto), including the requirement that the level or levels of performance
targeted by the Committee result in the achievement of performance goals
being
“substantially uncertain.” The Committee may determine that such Performance
Awards shall be granted, exercised and/or settled upon achievement of
any
performance goal or that more than one performance goal must be achieved
as a
condition to grant, exercise and/or settlement of such Performance Awards.
Performance goals may differ for Performance Awards granted to any one
Participant or to different Participants.
(ii)
Business
Criteria.
One or
more of the following business criteria for the Corporation, as defined
by the
Committee,
on
a
consolidated basis, and/or for specified subsidiaries or business units of
the
Corporation (except with respect to the total shareholder return and
earnings
per share criteria), shall be used by the Committee in establishing performance
goals for such Performance Awards: (1) earnings (total or per share);
(2)
revenues or growth in revenues; (3) cash flow or cash flow return on
investment;
(4) assets, return on assets, growth in assets, return on investment,
capital or
return on capital, return on equity, or shareholder equity (total or
per share);
(5) economic value added or insurance-imbedded value added; (6) operating
margin; (7) net income or growth in net income (total or per share),
pretax
earnings or growth in pretax earnings (total or per share), pretax earnings
before interest, depreciation and amortization, pretax operating earnings
after
interest expense and before incentives, and extraordinary or special
items; (8)
operating earnings or income from operations; (9) total shareholder return;
(10)
profit margins; (11) sales, deposits, net flows, premiums and fees, or
growth in
premiums and fees, including service fees; (12) book value; (13) customer
and
producer growth or retention; (14) market share or change in market share;
(15)
stock price or change in stock price; (16) market capitalization, change
in
market capitalization, or return on market value; (17) fund, account
or
investment performance; (18) cash flow or change in cash flow; (19) expense
ratios,
product
cost reduction through advanced technology,
or other
expense management measures; (20) productivity ratios or other measures
of
operating efficiency or effectiveness; (21) ratio of claims or loss costs
to
revenues; (22) satisfaction measures: customer, provider, or employee;
(23
)
implementation or completion of critical projects or processes;
(24)
product development,
product
release schedules, new product innovation, brand
recognition/acceptance
;
(25)
any of the above goals as compared to the performance of a published
or special
index deemed applicable by the Committee including, but not limited to,
the
Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index or a group of comparator companies; and
(26) any criteria comparable to those listed above, including metrics
designed
to measure progress toward achieving the company’s strategic intent of becoming
the retirement income security company of choice for its clients, that
shall be
approved by the Committee. One or more of the foregoing business criteria
shall
be exclusively used in establishing performance goals for Annual Incentive
Awards granted to a Covered Employee under Section 8(c) hereof.
(iii)
Performance
Period; Timing for Establishing Performance Goals.
Achievement of performance goals in respect of such Performance Awards
shall be
measured over a performance period, which may overlap with another performance
period or periods, of up to ten years, as specified by the Committee.
Performance goals shall be established not later than 90 days after the
beginning of any performance period applicable to such Performance Awards,
or at
such other date as may be required or permitted for “performance-based
compensation” under Code Section 162(m).
(iv)
Performance
Award Pool.
The
Committee may establish a Performance Award pool, which shall be an unfunded
pool, for purposes of measuring performance of the Corporation in connection
with Performance Awards. The amount of such Performance Award pool shall
be
based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals based on one
or more
of the business criteria set forth in Section 8(b)(ii) hereof during the
given performance period, as specified by the Committee in accordance
with
Section 8(b)(iii) hereof. The Committee may specify the amount of the
Performance Award pool as a percentage of any of such business criteria,
a
percentage thereof in excess of a threshold amount, or as another amount
which
need not bear a strictly mathematical relationship to such business
criteria.
(v)
Settlement
of Performance Awards; Other Terms.
Settlement of such Performance Awards shall be in cash, Stock, other
Awards or
other property, including deferred payments in any such forms, in the
discretion
of the Committee. The Committee may, in its discretion, reduce the amount
of a
settlement otherwise to be made in connection with such Performance Awards,
but
may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount payable to a
Covered
Employee in respect of a Performance Award subject to this Section 8(b).
The
Committee shall specify the circumstances in which such Performance Awards
shall
be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment by the
Participant prior to the end of a performance period or settlement of
Performance Awards.
(c)
Annual
Incentive Awards Granted to Designated Covered Employees.
If the
Committee determines that an Annual Incentive Award to be granted to
an Eligible
Person who is or may become a Covered Employee should qualify as
“performance-based compensation” for purposes of Code Section 162(m), the grant,
exercise and/or settlement of such Annual Incentive Award shall be contingent
upon achievement of preestablished performance goals and other terms
set forth
in this Section 8(c).
(i)
Annual
Incentive Award Pool.
The
Committee may establish an Annual Incentive Award pool, which shall be
an
unfunded pool, for purposes of measuring performance of the Corporation
in
connection with Annual Incentive Awards. The amount of such Annual Incentive
Award pool shall be based upon the achievement of a performance goal
or goals
based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section
8(b)(ii) hereof during the given performance period, as specified by the
Committee in accordance with Section 8(b)(iii) hereof. The Committee
may specify the amount of the Annual Incentive Award pool as a percentage
of any
of such business criteria, a percentage thereof in excess of a threshold
amount,
or as another amount which need not bear a strictly mathematical relationship
to
such business criteria.
(ii)
Potential
Annual Incentive Awards.
Not
later than the end of the 90th day
after
the
beginning of each fiscal year, or at such other date as may be required
or
permitted in the case of Awards intended to be “performance-based compensation”
under Code Section 162(m), the Committee shall determine the Eligible
Persons
who will potentially receive Annual Incentive Awards, and the amounts
potentially payable thereunder, for that fiscal year, either out of an
Annual
Incentive Award pool established by such date under Section 8(c)(i) hereof
or as individual Annual Incentive Awards. In the case of individual Annual
Incentive Awards intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m), the amount
potentially payable shall be based upon the achievement of a performance
goal or
goals based on one or more of the business criteria set forth in Section
8(b)(ii) hereof in the given performance year, as specified by the
Committee; in other cases, such amount shall be based on such criteria
as shall
be established by the Committee. In all cases, the maximum Annual Incentive
Award of any Participant shall be subject to the limitation set forth
in Section
5 hereof.
(iii)
Payout
of Annual Incentive Awards.
After
the end of each fiscal year, the Committee shall determine the amount,
if any,
of (A) the Annual Incentive Award pool, and the maximum amount of potential
Annual Incentive Award payable to each Participant in the Annual Incentive
Award
pool, or (B) the amount of potential Annual Incentive Award otherwise
payable to each Participant. The Committee may, in its discretion, determine
that the amount payable to any Participant as a final Annual Incentive
Award
shall be increased or reduced from the amount of his or her potential
Annual
Incentive Award, including a determination to make no final Award whatsoever,
but may not exercise discretion to increase any such amount in the case
of an
Annual Incentive Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m).
The
Committee shall specify the circumstances in which an Annual Incentive
Award
shall be paid or forfeited in the event of termination of employment
by the
Participant prior to the end of a fiscal year or settlement of such Annual
Incentive Award.
(d)
Written
Determinations.
All
determinations by the Committee as to the establishment of performance
goals,
the amount of any Performance Award pool or potential individual Performance
Awards and as to the achievement of performance goals relating to Performance
Awards under Section 8(b), and the amount of any Annual Incentive Award
pool or
potential individual Annual Incentive Awards and the amount of final
Annual
Incentive Awards under Section 8(c), shall be made in writing in the
case of any
Award intended to qualify under Code Section 162(m). The Committee may not
delegate any responsibility relating to such Performance Awards or Annual
Incentive Awards.
(e)
Status
of Section 8(b) and Section 8(c) Awards Under Code
Section 162(m).
It is
the intent of the Corporation that Performance Awards and Annual Incentive
Awards under Sections 8(b) and 8(c) hereof granted to persons who are
designated by the Committee as likely to be Covered Employees within
the meaning
of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder (including
Regulation 1.162-27 and successor regulations thereto) shall, if so
designated by the Committee, constitute “performance-based compensation” within
the meaning of Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder. Accordingly,
the terms of Sections 8(b), (c), (d) and (e), including the definitions of
Covered Employee and other terms used therein, shall be interpreted in
a manner
consistent with Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder.
If
any
provision of the Plan as in effect on the date of adoption or any agreements
relating to Performance Awards or Annual Incentive Awards that are designated
as
intended to comply with Code Section 162(m) does not comply or is inconsistent
with the requirements of Code Section 162(m) or regulations thereunder,
such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to the extent necessary
to
conform to such requirements.
9.
Change
of Control.
In the
event of a “Change of Control,” the following provisions shall apply unless
otherwise provided in the Award agreement:
(a)
Options
and SARs
.
Any
Option or SAR carrying a right to exercise that was not previously exercisable
and vested shall become fully exercisable and vested as of the time of
the
Change of Control and shall remain exercisable and vested for the balance
of the
stated term of such Option or SAR without regard to any termination of
employment by the Participant, subject only to applicable restrictions
set forth
in Section 10(a) hereof;
(b)
Restricted
Stock and Deferred Stock Units
.
The
restrictions, deferral of settlement, and forfeiture conditions applicable
to
any Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Unit granted under the Plan shall
lapse
and such Awards shall be deemed fully vested as of the time of the Change
of
Control, except to the extent of any waiver by the Participant and subject
to
applicable restrictions set forth in Section 10(a) hereof; and
(c)
Other
Awards
.
The
rights and obligations respecting, and the payment of, all other Awards
under
the Plan shall be governed solely by the provisions of the Severance
Benefit
Plan.
10.
General
Provisions.
(a)
Compliance
with Legal and Other Requirements.
The
Corporation may, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee,
postpone the issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of other benefits
under
any Award until completion of such registration or qualification of such
Stock
or other required action under any federal or state law, rule or regulation,
listing or other required action with respect to any stock exchange or
automated
quotation system upon which the Stock or other securities of the Corporation
are
listed or quoted, or compliance with any other obligation of the Corporation,
as
the Committee may consider appropriate, and may require any Participant
to make
such representations, furnish such information and comply with or be
subject to
such other conditions as it may consider appropriate in connection with
the
issuance or delivery of Stock or payment of other benefits in compliance
with
applicable laws, rules, and regulations, listing requirements, or other
obligations. The foregoing notwithstanding, in connection with a Change
of
Control, the Corporation shall take or cause to be taken no action, and
shall
undertake or permit to arise no legal or contractual obligation, that
results or
would result in any postponement of the issuance or delivery of Stock
or payment
of benefits under any Award or the imposition of any other conditions
on such
issuance, delivery or payment, to the extent that such postponement or
other
condition would represent a greater burden on a Participant than existed
on the
90th day preceding the Change of Control.
(b)
Limits
on Transferability; Beneficiaries.
No Award
or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan shall be pledged,
hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or subject to any lien, obligation
or
liability of such Participant to any party (other than the Corporation
or a
subsidiary), or assigned or transferred by such Participant otherwise
than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution or to a Beneficiary upon
the death
of a Participant, and such Awards or rights that may be exercisable shall
be
exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant
or his
or her guardian or legal representative, except that Awards and other
rights
(other than ISOs and SARs in tandem therewith) may be transferred to
one or more
Beneficiaries or other transferees during the lifetime of the Participant,
and
may be exercised by such transferees in accordance with the terms of
such Award,
but only if and to the extent such transfers are permitted by the Committee
pursuant to the express terms of an Award agreement (subject to any terms
and
conditions which the Committee may impose thereon). A Beneficiary, transferee,
or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any
Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan
and any
Award agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined
by the Committee, and to any additional terms and conditions deemed necessary
or
appropriate by the Committee.
(c)
Adjustments.
In the
event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of
cash,
Stock, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase,
share
exchange, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate transaction
or
event affects the Stock such that an adjustment is determined by the
Committee
to be appropriate under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner
as it
may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and kind of shares
of Stock which may be delivered in connection with Awards granted thereafter,
(ii) the number and kind of shares of Stock by which annual per-person
Award limitations are measured under Section 5 hereof, (iii) the
number and kind of shares of Stock subject to or deliverable in respect
of
outstanding Awards and (iv) the exercise price, grant price or purchase
price relating to any Award and/or make provision for payment of cash
or other
property in respect of any outstanding Award. In addition, the Committee
is
authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the
criteria
included in, Awards (including Performance Awards and performance goals,
and
Annual Incentive Awards and any Annual Incentive Award pool or performance
goals
relating thereto) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including,
without limitation, events described in the preceding sentence, as well
as
acquisitions and dispositions of businesses and assets) affecting the
Corporation, any subsidiary or any business unit, or the financial statements
of
the Corporation or any subsidiary, or in response to changes in applicable
laws,
regulations, accounting principles, tax rates and regulations or business
conditions or in view of the Committee’s assessment of the business strategy of
the Corporation, any subsidiary or business unit thereof, performance
of
comparable organizations, economic and business conditions, personal
performance
of a Participant, and any other circumstances deemed relevant; provided
that no
such adjustment shall be authorized or made if and to the extent that
such
authority or the making of such adjustment would cause Options, SARs,
Performance Awards granted under Section 8(b) hereof or Annual Incentive
Awards granted under Section 8(c) hereof to Participants designated by the
Committee as Covered Employees and intended to qualify as “performance-based
compensation” under Code Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder to otherwise
fail to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Code
Section 162(m) and regulations thereunder.
(d)
Taxes.
The
Corporation and any subsidiary is authorized to withhold from any Award
granted,
any payment relating to an Award under the Plan, including from a distribution
of Stock, or any payroll or other payment to a Participant, amounts of
withholding and other taxes due or potentially payable in connection
with any
transaction involving an Award, and to take such other action as the
Committee
may deem advisable to enable the Corporation and Participants to satisfy
obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax obligations
relating to any Award. This authority shall include authority to withhold
or
receive Stock or other property and to make cash payments in respect
thereof in
satisfaction of a Participant’s tax obligations, either on a mandatory or
elective basis in the discretion of the Committee. However, this authority
shall
not include withholding of taxes above the statutorily required withholding
amounts where such excess withholding would result in an earnings charge
to the
Corporation under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
(e)
Changes
to the Plan and Awards.
The
Board, or the Committee acting pursuant to such authority as may be delegated
to
it by the Board, may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate
the Plan or
the Committee’s authority to grant Awards under the Plan without the consent of
shareholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration
to the
Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Corporation’s shareholders not
later than the annual meeting next following such Board action if such
shareholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation or
the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which
the Stock
may then be listed or quoted, and the Board may otherwise, in its discretion,
determine to submit other such changes to the Plan to shareholders for
approval;
provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such
Board
action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant
under
any previously granted and outstanding Award. The Committee may waive
any
conditions or rights under, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or
terminate
any Award theretofore granted and any Award agreement relating thereto,
except
as otherwise provided in the Plan; provided that, without the consent
of an
affected Participant, no such Committee action may materially and adversely
affect the rights of such Participant under such Award. Notwithstanding
anything
in the Plan to the contrary, if any right under this Plan would cause
a
transaction to be ineligible for pooling of interest accounting that
would, but
for the right hereunder, be eligible for such accounting treatment, the
Committee may modify or adjust the right so that pooling of interest
accounting
shall be available, including the substitution of Stock having a Fair
Market
Value equal to the cash otherwise payable hereunder for the right which
caused
the transaction to be ineligible for pooling of interest
accounting.
(f)
Limitation
on Rights Conferred Under Plan.
Neither
the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving
any Eligible Person or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible
Person
or Participant or in the employ or service of the Corporation or a subsidiary,
(ii) interfering in any way with the right of the Corporation or a
subsidiary to terminate any Eligible Person’s or Participant’s employment or
service at any time, (iii) giving an Eligible Person or Participant any
claim to be granted any Award under the Plan or to be treated uniformly
with
other Participants and employees, or (iv) conferring on a Participant any
of the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation unless and until the
Participant is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance
with the
terms of an Award.
(g)
Unfunded
Status of Awards; Creation of Trusts.
The Plan
is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for incentive and deferred
compensation. With respect to any payments not yet made to a Participant
or
obligation to deliver Stock pursuant to an Award, nothing contained in
the Plan
or any Award shall give any such Participant any rights that are greater
than
those of a general creditor of the Corporation; provided that the Committee
may
authorize the creation of trusts and deposit therein cash, Stock, other
Awards
or other property, or make other arrangements to meet the Corporation’s
obligations under the Plan. Such trusts or other arrangements shall be
consistent with the “unfunded” status of the Plan unless the Committee otherwise
determines with the consent of each affected Participant. The trustee
of such
trusts may be authorized to dispose of trust assets and reinvest the
proceeds in
alternative investments, subject to such terms and conditions as the
Committee
may specify and in accordance with applicable law.
(h)
Nonexclusivity
of the Plan.
Neither
the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the shareholders
of
the Corporation for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations
on
the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other compensation
and incentive arrangements for employees, agents and brokers of the Corporation
and its subsidiaries as it may deem desirable.
(i)
Payments
in the Event of Forfeitures; Fractional Shares.
Unless
otherwise determined by the Committee, in the event of a forfeiture of
an Award
with respect to which a Participant paid cash or other consideration,
the
Participant shall be repaid the amount of such cash or other consideration.
No
fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the
Plan or
any Award. The Committee shall determine whether cash, other Awards or
other
property shall be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or
whether
such fractional shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise
eliminated.
(j)
Governing
Law.
The
validity, construction and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations
under
the Plan, and any Award agreement shall be determined in accordance with
Indiana
law, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws, and applicable
federal law.
(k)
Awards
Under Preexisting Plans
.
No
further awards shall be granted under the Preexisting Plans, after the
Effective
Date with respect to the EVSP and after
Midnight,
May 15, 1997 with respect to the Stock Option Plan. The Committee may
waive any
conditions or rights under or amend or alter any awards granted under
the
Preexisting Plans to the extent provided in either (i) the Preexisting
Plan
under which the award was made or (ii) Section 10(e) hereof.
(l)
Plan
Effective Date and Shareholder Approval.
The Plan
was originally adopted by the Board as of the Effective Date, subject
to
approval by the shareholders of the Corporation on May 15, 1997, was
amended and
restated by the Board on March 8, 2001, subject to approval by the
shareholders
of the Corporation on April 10, 2001, was again amended and restated
by the
Board on March 25, 2005, subject to approval by the shareholders of
the
Corporation on May 12, 2005, and was again amended and restated by
the Board on
February 22, 2007, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Corporation
on
May 10, 2007.
LINCOLN
NATIONAL CORPORATION
STOCK
OPTION PLAN
FOR
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
1.
Purpose
.
The
purpose of this Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors (the “Plan”) is to
assist Lincoln National Corporation, an Indiana corporation (the “Corporation”)
in attracting, retaining, and rewarding the services of experienced and
knowledgeable non-employee directors, and to encourage non-employee directors
of
the Corporation to acquire or increase a proprietary interest in the
Corporation
in order to strengthen the mutuality of interests between such persons
and the
Corporation’s shareholders.
2.
Definitions
.
For
purposes of the Plan, the following terms shall be defined as set forth
below,
in addition to such terms defined in Section 1 hereof:
(a)
“Beneficiary”
means the person, persons, trust or trusts which have been designated
by a
Participant in his or her most recent written beneficiary designation
filed with
the Committee to receive the benefits specified under the Plan upon such
Participant’s death or to which Options or other rights are transferred if and
to the extent permitted under Section 8(b) hereof. If, upon a Participant’s
death, there is no designated Beneficiary or surviving designated Beneficiary,
then the term Beneficiary means the person, persons, trust or trusts
entitled by
will or the laws of descent and distribution to receive such
benefits.
(b)
“Board”
means the Corporation’s Board of Directors.
(c)
“Cause”
means (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) the Participant’s
(i) dishonesty, (ii) refusal to perform his or her duties for the Corporation,
(iii) engaging in conduct that could be materially damaging to the Corporation
without a reasonable good faith belief that such conduct is in the best
interests of the Corporation, or (iv) any other reason that the Committee
determines in its sole discretion constitutes Cause.
(d)
“Change
of Control” has the same meaning as set forth in the Lincoln National
Corporation Executives’ Severance Benefit Plan.
(e)
“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time,
including
regulations thereunder and successor provisions and regulations
thereto.
(f)
“Committee”
means, at any date, each of those members of the Corporate Governance
Committee
of the Board of Directors of the Corporation
who
shall
be: (i) a “non-employee director” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act, unless administration of the Plan by “non-employee directors” is
not then required in order for exemptions under Rule 16b-3 to apply to
transactions under the Plan, and (ii) an “outside director” as defined under
Code Section 162(m), unless the action taken pursuant to the Plan is
not
required to be taken by “outside directors” in order to qualify for tax
deductibility under Code Section 162(m). Unless otherwise designated
by the
Board, the Committee shall include not fewer than three members. In the
event
that fewer than three members of the Committee are eligible to serve
on the
Committee, the Board may appoint one or more of its other members who
is
otherwise eligible to serve on the Committee until such time as three
members of
the Committee are eligible to serve.
(g)
“Director”
means a member of the Board
.
(h)
“Effective
Date” means May 10, 2007, the date on which the Plan was approved by the
shareholders of the Corporation at the 2007 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders.
(i)
“Eligible
Director” means each Director who is not an employee of the Corporation or any
subsidiary of the Corporation.
(j)
“Exchange
Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time,
including rules thereunder and successor provisions and rules
thereto.
(k)
“Fair
Market Value” means the Fair Market Value of Stock or other property as
determined by the Committee or under procedures established by the Committee.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of
Stock
shall be the closing price of a share of Stock as quoted on the composite
transactions table on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of
grant.
(l)
“Option”
means a non-qualified stock option, granted to a Participant under Section
6(b)
hereof, to purchase Stock at a specified price during specified time
periods.
(m)
“Participant”
means an Eligible Director who has been granted an Option under the Plan
which
remains outstanding, including a person who is no longer an Eligible
Director.
(n)
“Rule
16b-3” means Rule 16b-3, as from time to time in effect and applicable to the
Plan and Participants, promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
under Section 16 of the Exchange Act or any similar law or regulation
that may
be a successor thereto.
(o)
“Stock”
means the Corporation’s Common Stock, and such other securities as may be
substituted (or re-substituted) for Stock pursuant to Section 8(c)
hereof.
3.
Administration
.
(a)
Authority
of the Committee.
The Plan
shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee shall have full
and final
authority, in each case subject to and consistent with the provisions
of the
Plan, to interpret the provisions of the Plan, determine questions of
eligibility, grant Options, determine the number and other terms and
conditions
of, and all other matters relating to, Options, prescribe Option agreements
(which need not be identical for each Participant), adopt, amend and
rescind
rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, construe and
interpret
the Plan and Option agreements and correct defects, supply omissions
or
reconcile inconsistencies therein, ensure that awards continue to qualify
under
Rule 16b-3, and make all other decisions and determinations as the Committee
may
deem necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
(b)
Manner
of Exercise of Committee.
Any
action of the Committee shall be final, conclusive and binding on all
persons,
including the Corporation, Participants, Beneficiaries, transferees under
Section 8(b) hereof or other persons claiming rights from or through
a
Participant, and shareholders. The Committee shall exercise its authority
only
by a majority vote of its members at a meeting, or in lieu of a meeting
by a
writing signed by a majority of its members. The express grant of any
specific
power to the Committee, and the taking of any action by the Committee,
shall not
be construed as limiting any power or authority of the Committee. The
Committee
may delegate to officers or managers of the Corporation or any subsidiary,
or
committees thereof, the authority, subject to such terms as the Committee
shall
determine, (i) to perform administrative functions, and (ii) to perform
such
other functions of the Committee as the Committee may determine to the
extent
performance of such functions will not result in the loss of an exemption
under
Rule 16b-3 otherwise available for transactions by such persons, in each
case to the extent permitted under applicable law. The Committee may
appoint
agents to assist it in administering the Plan.
(c)
Limitation
of Liability
.
The
Committee and each member thereof shall be entitled, in good faith, to
rely or
act upon any report or other information furnished to it, him or her
by any
executive officer, other officer or employee of the Corporation or a
subsidiary,
the Corporation’s independent auditors, consultants or any other agents
assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Committee
and any
officer or employee of the Corporation or a subsidiary acting at the
direction
or on behalf of the Committee shall not be personally liable for any
action or
determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and
shall,
to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by
the
Corporation with respect to any such action or determination.
4.
Stock
Subject to Plan
.
(a)
Overall
Number of Shares Available for Delivery.
Subject
to adjustment as provided in Section 8(c) hereof, the total number of
shares of
Stock reserved and available for delivery in connection with Options
under the
Plan shall be 500,000, as approved by the Corporation’s Shareholders at the May
10, 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
(b)
Application
of Limitation to Grants of Options.
No
Option may be granted if the number of shares of Stock to be delivered
in
connection with such Option exceeds the number of shares of Stock remaining
available under the Plan minus the number of shares of Stock issuable
in
settlement of then-outstanding Options (whether or not then vested and
exercisable). The Committee may adopt reasonable counting procedures
to ensure
appropriate counting, and make adjustments if the number of shares of
Stock
actually delivered differs from the number of shares previously counted
in
connection with an Option.
(c)
Availability
of Shares Not Delivered Under Options
.
Shares
of Stock subject to an Option under the Plan
that is
canceled, expired, forfeited, settled in cash or otherwise terminated
without a
delivery of shares to the Participant will again be available to grant
as
Options under the Plan
;
except
that if any such shares could not again be available to grant as Options
to a
particular Participant under any applicable law or regulation, such shares
shall
be available exclusively for Options to Participants who are not subject
to such
limitation.
5.
Eligibility
.
Options
may be granted under the Plan only to Eligible Directors.
6.
Specific
Terms of Options
.
(a)
General.
Options
may be granted on the terms and conditions set forth in this Section
6. In
addition, the Committee may impose on any Option or the exercise thereof,
at the
date of grant or thereafter (subject to Section 8(e)), such additional
terms and
conditions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the
Committee
shall determine, including terms requiring forfeiture of Options in the
event of
the Participant’s termination of service as a Director. The Committee shall
retain full power and discretion to accelerate, waive or modify, at any
time,
any term or condition of an Option that is not mandatory under the
Plan.
(b)
Options.
The
Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants on the following
terms
and conditions:
(i)
Exercise
Price.
The
exercise price per share of Stock purchasable under an Option shall be
determined by the Committee, provided that such exercise price shall
be not less
than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of
such
Option.
(ii)
Time
and Method of Exercise.
The
Committee shall determine, at the date of grant or thereafter, the time
or times
at which or the circumstances under which an Option may be exercised
in whole or
in part, the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed
to be
paid, the form of such payment, including, without limitation, cash,
Stock or
other property (including notes or other contractual obligations of Participants
to make payment on a deferred basis), and the methods by or forms in
which Stock
will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Participants.
(iii)
Effect
of Termination of Service.
Except
as otherwise provided in the Plan and the applicable Option agreement,
in the
event that a Participant terminates his or her service as a Director
other than
for Cause, (i) an Option may be exercised only to the extent vested and
exercisable on the date of termination, and (ii) any Option (or portion
thereof)
which is not vested and exercisable on the date of termination shall
terminate
and be forfeited on such date. If the services of a Participant are terminated
for Cause, his or her Option (whether vested or unvested) shall terminate
and be
forfeited as of the date of termination.
(c)
Change
of Control.
Unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Option agreement, in the event of
a “Change
of Control,” any Option that was not previously exercisable and vested shall
become fully exercisable and vested as of the time of the Change of Control
and
shall remain exercisable and vested for the balance of the stated term
of such
Option without regard to any termination of the Participant’s service as a
Director, subject only to applicable restrictions set forth in Section
8(a)
hereof.
7.
Certain
Other Provisions.
(a)
No
Repricing.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, no Option that has
been
granted by the Corporation shall be thereafter repriced, replaced or
regranted
through cancellation, or otherwise modified without shareholder approval
(except
in connection with a change in the Corporation’s capitalization in accordance
with Section 8(c) hereof), if the effect would be to reduce the exercise
price
for the shares underlying such Option.
(b)
Term
of Options.
The term
of each Option shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee;
provided that in no event shall the term of any Option exceed a period
of ten
(10) years.
(c)
Settlement
of Options.
Subject
to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Option agreement, payments
to be
made by the Corporation upon the exercise of an Option shall be made
in Stock.
The settlement of any Option may be accelerated, and cash paid in lieu
of Stock
in connection with such settlement, in the discretion of the Committee
or upon
occurrence of one or more events specified in the Option agreement.
(d)
Exemptions
from Section 16(b) Liability.
It is
the intent of the Corporation that the grant of any Options to or other
transaction by a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange
Act shall be exempt under Rule 16b-3 (except for transactions acknowledged
in
writing to be non-exempt by such Participant). Accordingly, if any provision
of
this Plan or any Option agreement does not comply with the requirements
of
Rule 16b-3 as then applicable to any such transaction, unless the
Participant shall have acknowledged in writing that a transaction pursuant
to
such provision is to be non-exempt, such provision shall be construed
or deemed
amended to the extent necessary to conform to the applicable requirements
of
Rule 16b-3 so that such Participant shall avoid liability under Section
16(b) of
the Exchange Act.
(e)
Rescission.
(i)
A
Participant shall not, without the prior written authorization of the
Corporation, disclose to anyone outside the Corporation, or use in other
than
the Corporation’s business, any material confidential information relating to
the business of the Corporation that is acquired by the Participant either
during or after his or her service as a Director.
(ii)
Failure
to comply with the requirements of subparagraph (i) above prior to, or
during
the six months after, any exercise, payment or delivery of Stock pursuant
to an
Option shall cause such exercise, payment or delivery to be rescinded.
The
Corporation shall notify the Participant in writing of any such rescission
within two years after such exercise, payment or delivery; provided,
however,
that the Corporation may, in its discretion, in any individual case provide
for
waiver in whole or in part of compliance with subparagraph (i). Within
ten days
after receiving such a notice from the Corporation, the Participant shall
pay to
the Corporation the amount of any gain realized or payment received as
a result
of the rescinded exercise, payment or delivery. Such payment shall either
be
made in cash or by returning to the Corporation the number of shares
of Stock
that the Participant received in connection with the rescinded exercise,
payment
or delivery.
8.
General
Provisions
.
(a)
Compliance
with Legal and Other Requirements.
The
Corporation may, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee,
postpone the issuance or delivery of Stock under any Option until completion
of
such registration or qualification of such Stock or other required action
under
any federal or state law, rule or regulation, listing or other required
action
with respect to any stock exchange or automated quotation system upon
which the
Stock or other securities of the Corporation are listed or quoted, or
compliance
with any other obligation of the Corporation, as the Committee may consider
appropriate, and may require any Participant to make such representations,
furnish such information and comply with or be subject to such other
conditions
as it may consider appropriate in connection with the issuance or delivery
of
Stock in compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, listing
requirements, or other obligations.
(b)
Limits
on Transferability; Beneficiaries.
No
Option or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan shall
be
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or subject to any lien,
obligation
or liability of such Participant to any party (other than the Corporation),
or
assigned or transferred by such Participant otherwise than by will or
the laws
of descent and distribution or to a Beneficiary upon the death of a Participant,
and such Options or rights that may be exercisable shall be exercised
during the
lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian
or
legal representative, except that Options may be transferred to one or
more
Beneficiaries or other transferees during the lifetime of the Participant,
and
may be exercised by such transferees in accordance with the terms of
such
Option, but only if and to the extent such transfers are permitted by
the
Committee pursuant to the express terms of an Option agreement (subject
to any
terms and conditions which the Committee may impose thereon). A Beneficiary,
transferee, or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or
through
any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan
and any
Option agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise
determined
by the Committee, and to any additional terms and conditions deemed necessary
or
appropriate by the Committee.
(c)
Adjustments.
In the
event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of
cash,
Stock, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase,
share
exchange, liquidation, dissolution or other similar corporate transaction
or
event affects the Stock, then the Committee shall adjust any or all of
(i) the
number and kind of shares of Stock which may be delivered in connection
with
Options granted thereafter, (ii) the number and kind of shares of Stock
subject
to or deliverable in respect of outstanding Options and (iii) the exercise
price
relating to any Option and/or make provision for payment of cash or other
property in respect of any outstanding Option. Any such adjustment shall
be made
in an equitable manner which reflects the effect of such transaction
or
event.
(d)
Taxes.
If and
to the extent required by applicable law, the Corporation is authorized
to
withhold all required local, state, federal, foreign or other taxes and
any
other amount required to be withheld by any governmental authority or
law from
any amount payable with respect to an Option, and to take such other
action as
the Committee may deem advisable to enable the Corporation and Participants
to
satisfy obligations for the payment of withholding taxes and other tax
obligations relating to any Option. This authority shall include authority
to
withhold or receive Stock or other property and to make cash payments
in respect
thereof in satisfaction of a Participant’s tax obligations, either on a
mandatory or elective basis in the discretion of the Committee. However,
this
authority shall not include withholding of taxes above the statutorily
required
withholding amounts where such excess withholding would result in an
earnings
charge to the Corporation under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles.
(e)
Changes
to the Plan and Options.
The
Board, or the Committee acting pursuant to such authority as may be delegated
to
it by the Board, may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate
the Plan or
the Committee’s authority to grant Options under the Plan without the consent of
shareholders or Participants, except that any amendment or alteration
to the
Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Corporation’s shareholders not
later than the annual meeting next following such Board action if such
shareholder approval is required by any federal or state law or regulation
or
the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on which
the Stock
may then be listed or quoted, and the Board may otherwise, in its discretion,
determine to submit other such changes to the Plan to shareholders for
approval;
provided that, without the consent of an affected Participant, no such
Board
action may materially and adversely affect the rights of such Participant
under
any previously granted and outstanding Option. The Committee may waive
any
conditions or rights under, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or
terminate
any Option theretofore granted and any Option agreement relating thereto,
except
as otherwise provided in the Plan; provided that, without the consent
of an
affected Participant, no such Committee action may materially and adversely
affect the rights of such Participant under such Option.
(f)
Limitation
on Rights Conferred Under Plan.
Neither
the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as (i) giving
any
Eligible Director or Participant the right to continue as an Eligible
Director
or Participant or serve as a Director for any period of time or to continue
his
present or any other rate of compensation, (ii) giving an Eligible Director
or
Participant any claim to be granted any Option under the Plan or to be
treated
uniformly with other Participants, or (iii) conferring on a Participant
any of
the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation unless and until the Participant
is duly issued or transferred shares of Stock in accordance with the
terms of an
Option.
(g)
Unfunded
Status of Plan.
The Plan
is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan. With respect to any payments not
yet made to a Participant or obligation to deliver Stock pursuant to
an Option,
nothing contained in the Plan or any Option agreement shall give any
such
Participant any rights that are greater than those of an unsecured creditor
of
the Corporation.
(h)
Non-exclusive
Nature of the Plan.
Neither
the adoption of the Plan by the Board nor its submission to the shareholders
of
the Corporation for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations
on
the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other compensation
and incentive arrangements for Eligible Directors of the Corporation
as it may
deem desirable.
(i)
Fractional
Shares.
No
fractional shares of Stock shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the
Plan or
any Option. The Committee shall determine whether cash or other property
shall
be issued or paid in lieu of such fractional shares or whether such fractional
shares or any rights thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise
eliminated.
(j)
Governing
Law.
The
validity, construction and effect of the Plan, any rules and regulations
under
the Plan, and any Option agreement shall be determined in accordance
with
Indiana law, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws,
and
applicable federal law.
(k)
Effective
Date and Term of Plan.
The Plan
shall become effective on the Effective Date; provided that the Plan
is approved
by the shareholders of the Corporation at the annual meeting of shareholders
on
that date. No Option shall become exercisable or otherwise realizable
prior to
such annual meeting. The Plan shall terminate as of the close of business
on the
tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, unless sooner terminated by
action of
the Board. No Option may be granted after termination of the Plan, but
such
termination shall not affect the validity of any Option then
outstanding.
E
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