FORM 8-K

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 18, 2009

 

 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in their charter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)


001-14157

(Commission File Number)


36-2669023

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

 

 

30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 4000, Chicago, Illinois

(Address of principal executive offices)


60602

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (312) 630-1900

 

 

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

¨

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

¨

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

¨

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 




 

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements for Certain Officers

This Form 8-K is being filed to provide information with respect to the amendment of the following documents with respect to officers of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS”) and its subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (“U.S. Cellular”), pursuant to paragraph (e) of Item 5.02 of Form 8-K:

1.             Guidelines for the Determination of Annual Bonus for President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS (“TDS CEO Bonus Guidelines”)

As disclosed in TDS’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 2008, TDS approved the TDS CEO Bonus Guidelines on such date.

On November 18, 2009, the TDS Compensation Committee approved amendments to such guidelines to provide that, to the extent and only to the extent that any bonus is paid for a performance year, such bonus shall be deemed to have been earned on December 31 of that performance year.

A copy of the amended and restated guidelines is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1.

2.             Guidelines for the Determination of Annual Bonus for Chairman Emeritus of TDS (“TDS Chairman Emeritus Bonus Guidelines”)

As disclosed in TDS’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 2008, TDS approved the TDS Chairman Emeritus Bonus Guidelines on such date.

On November 18, 2009, the TDS Compensation Committee approved amendments to such guidelines to provide that, to the extent and only to the extent that any bonus is paid for a performance year, such bonus shall be deemed to have been earned on December 31 of that performance year.

A copy of the amended and restated guidelines is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.2.

3.             Guidelines and Procedures for TDS Officer Bonuses (“TDS Officer Bonus Guidelines”)

On June 4, 2007, TDS established the TDS Officer Bonus Guidelines, which guidelines were filed as Exhibit 10.1 to TDS’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007.  As disclosed in TDS’ Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 19, 2008, TDS amended the TDS Officer Bonus Guidelines on such date.

On November 18, 2009, the TDS Compensation Committee and President and CEO of TDS approved amendments to such guidelines to provide that, to the extent and only to the extent that any bonus is paid for a performance year, such bonus shall be deemed to have been earned on December 31 of that performance year.  In addition, the amendments specify that, notwithstanding any other provision of the guidelines, 100% of the bonus is discretionary, and that negative discretion may be used to reduce the portion of any bonus calculated pursuant to the guidelines with respect to company performance.  The amendments also specify that no bonus shall be paid unless the officer remains employed through the actual bonus payout date unless otherwise approved in the discretion of the President and CEO of TDS.  The amendments also clarify to which officers the guidelines apply, and specify which officers’ bonuses are approved by the TDS Compensation Committee and which officers’ bonuses are approved by the President and CEO of TDS (or such other TDS officer to whom the President and CEO of TDS delegates such authority). 

A copy of the amended and restated guidelines is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.3.

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4.             Guidelines for the Determination of Annual Bonus for President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Cellular (“U.S. Cellular CEO Bonus Guidelines”)

As disclosed in U.S. Cellular’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 25, 2008, the Chairman of U.S. Cellular approved the CEO Bonus Guidelines on such date.

On November 18, 2009, the Chairman of U.S. Cellular approved amendments to such guidelines to provide that, to the extent and only to the extent that any bonus is paid for a performance year, such bonus shall be deemed to have been earned on December 31 of that performance year.

A copy of the amended and restated guidelines is incorporated herein as Exhibit 10.4.

 

The foregoing descriptions are qualified by reference to the forms of such documents which are attached hereto as Exhibits and incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d)   Exhibits:

 

In accordance with the provisions of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, any Exhibits filed or furnished herewith are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.

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SIGNATURES

 

 

                Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized .

 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

(Registrant)

 

 

Date:

November 20, 2009

 

 

By:

/s/ Douglas D. Shuma


Douglas D. Shuma

Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

The following exhibits are filed or furnished herewith as noted below.

 

Exhibit

No.

 

Description

10.1

 

Amended and Restated Guidelines for the Determination of Annual Bonus for President and Chief Executive Officer of TDS

 

 

10.2

 

Amended and Restated Guidelines for the Determination of Annual Bonus for Chairman Emeritus of TDS

 

 

 

10.3

 

Amended and Restated Guidelines and Procedures for TDS Officer Bonuses

 

 

 

10.4

 

Amended and Restated Guidelines for the Determination of Annual Bonus for President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Cellular, is hereby incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to U.S. Cellular’s Form 8-K dated November 18, 2009

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED GUIDELINES FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ANNUAL BONUS FOR PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF TDS

 

[See Attached]


 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

 

GUIDELINES FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ANNUAL BONUS

FOR PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

(As Amended and Restated Effective for Performance Years Commencing

On or After January 1, 2009)

 

I.    PURPOSE

►      To provide incentive for the President and Chief Executive Officer (the “President”) of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) to extend his best efforts toward achieving superior results with respect to Company and business unit performance;

►      To reward the President in relation to his success in meeting and exceeding performance targets and otherwise contributing to the success of the Company and its business units; and

►      To help the Company retain the President, a talented leader in a position of critical importance to the success of the Company and its business units.

 

II.   BONUS AMOUNT

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Committee”) in its sole discretion determines whether an annual bonus will be payable to the President for a performance year and, if so, the amount of such bonus.  Factors that may be considered by the Committee in making such determination include the following:

►      the level of achievement of the Company and its business units, on a short-term and long-term basis, measured against performance objectives and compared with that of peer companies;

►      the President’s individual performance, on a short-term and long-term basis, with respect to his leadership of the Company and its business units, the development and maintenance of effective working relationships across the enterprise, his stated personal objectives and his other duties and responsibilities;

►      the total cash compensation paid to chief executive officers of publicly-held peer companies and other publicly-held companies; and

►     other factors that the Committee in the exercise of its judgment and discretion determines relevant.

No single factor shall be determinative and no factor shall be applied mechanically to calculate any portion of the President’s bonus.  The entire amount of the bonus is discretionary.  The President shall have no right or expectation with respect to any bonus and no bonus shall vest until the date the bonus is paid.  To the extent and only to the extent that any bonus is paid for a performance year, such bonus shall be deemed to have been earned on December 31 of that performance year.

 

III.  BONUS PAYMENT

Any bonus awarded with respect to a performance year shall be paid during the period commencing on the January 1 immediately following the performance year and ending on the March 15 immediately following the performance year.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that payment by such March 15th is administratively impracticable and such impracticability was unforeseeable (in each case, such that the payment continues to qualify as a “short-term deferral” within the meaning of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code), payment will be made as soon as administratively practicable after such March 15th, but in no event later than the December 31 immediately following the performance year.  Payment will be in the form of a lump sum.  

Notwithstanding any provision of these guidelines to the contrary, the President does not have a legally binding right to a bonus unless and until the bonus amount, if any, is paid.

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IV.  AMENDMENT AUTHORITY

The Committee reserves the right to amend the guidelines set forth herein at any time for any reason.

 

                APPROVED by the TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE on this __________ day of __________________, 2009.

 



 

George W. Off

 

 

Christopher D. O’Leary

 

 

Herbert S. Wander

 

                                                                                               

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Exhibit 10.2

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED GUIDELINES FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ANNUAL BONUS FOR CHAIRMAN EMERITUS OF TDS

 

 

[See Attached]


TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

 

GUIDELINES FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ANNUAL BONUS

FOR CHAIRMAN EMERITUS

(As Amended and Restated Effective for Performance Years Commencing

On or After January 1, 2009)

 

I.    PURPOSE

►      To reward the Chairman Emeritus of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) for his contributions to the success of the Company and its business units.

 

II.   BONUS AMOUNT

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Committee”) in its sole discretion determines whether an annual bonus will be payable to the Chairman Emeritus for a performance year and, if so, the amount of such bonus.  Factors that may be considered by the Committee in making such determination include the following:

 

►      the historical and current responsibilities and activities of the Chairman Emeritus (including the fact that the Chairman Emeritus was the founder of the Company);

►      the insights, value, experience, inspiration, mentoring and motivational effects that the Chairman Emeritus contributes to the Company, its business units and its employees; and

►      other factors that the Committee in the exercise of its judgment and discretion determines relevant.

No single factor shall be determinative and no factor shall be applied mechanically to calculate any portion of the bonus of the Chairman Emeritus.  The entire amount of the bonus is discretionary.  The Chairman Emeritus shall have no right or expectation with respect to any bonus and no bonus shall vest until the date the bonus is paid.  To the extent and only to the extent that any bonus is paid for a performance year, such bonus shall be deemed to have been earned on December 31 of that performance year.

 

III.  BONUS PAYMENT

Any bonus awarded with respect to a performance year shall be paid during the period commencing on the January 1 immediately following the performance year and ending on the March 15 immediately following the performance year.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that payment by such March 15th is administratively impracticable and such impracticability was unforeseeable (in each case, such that the payment continues to qualify as a “short-term deferral” within the meaning of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code), payment will be made as soon as administratively practicable after such March 15 th , but in no event later than the December 31 immediately following the performance year.  Payment will be in the form of a lump sum.  

Notwithstanding any provision of these guidelines to the contrary, the Chairman Emeritus does not have a legally binding right to a bonus unless and until the bonus amount, if any, is paid.

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IV.  AMENDMENT AUTHORITY

The Committee reserves the right to amend the guidelines set forth herein at any time for any reason.

 

                APPROVED by the TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE on this __________ day of ______________________, 2009.


 

 

George W. Off

 

 

Christopher D. O’Leary

 

 

Herbert S. Wander

 

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Exhibit 10.3

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR

TDS OFFICER BONUSES

 

[See Attached]

 


 

TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC.

 

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR

TDS OFFICER BONUSES

(As Amended and Restated Effective for Performance Years Commencing

On or After January 1, 2009) 1

 

 

INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE BONUS (60% OF THE TARGET VALUE):

·          Decision Making Components:

The TDS Compensation Committee or supervising officer will take into consideration the following factors:

·          The officer’s overall performance for the year, to include:

·                      His/her assessed performance in carrying out his/her ongoing duties and responsibilities, and all major initiatives for the year, including those that arose during the performance year.

·                      Interrelated with the above, the performance feedback received from the officer’s direct reports/key associates.

·                      Such additional factors as may be pertinent with respect to any particular officer’s performance during the year. They could include such things as new and substantive responsibilities assumed during the year; the caliber of the executive’s leadership and development of his/her team, and overall supervisory performance; and the development and maintenance of effective working relationships with key associates, as well as across the enterprise and at all organizational levels.

·          As applicable, the executive’s level of pay in comparison with those holding similar positions in companies of comparable size across American industry will be taken into consideration in determining his/her total compensation for the year (salary and bonus).

·          Rating Procedure:

An officer’s bonus for individual performance will be determined in accordance with the following rating system:

 

Performance
Category

Bonus as a % of
Target Bonus

Far exceeds reasonable performance standards.

140% - 170%

Significantly exceeds reasonable performance standards.

110% - 140%

Meets/Almost meets reasonable performance standards.

80% - 110%

Significantly below reasonable performance standards.

0% - 80%



1 These guidelines apply to officers ( “Subject Officers”) of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (“TDS” or the “Company”), other than the President/CEO and Chairman Emeritus of TDS.   Such guidelines and procedures also do not apply to the President/CEO of United States Cellular Corporation (“USCC”) or TDS Telecommunications Corporation (“TDS Telecom”), notwithstanding that such persons may be deemed to be “executive officers” of TDS under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The bonus of Subject Officers who are or will be identified in TDS’s annual proxy statement as “executive officers” of TDS shall be approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of TDS.  The bonus of other Subject Officers shall be approved by the President and CEO of TDS or such other TDS officer to whom such authority is delegated by the President and CEO of TDS.

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COMPANY PERFORMANCE BONUS (40% OF THE TARGET VALUE):

 

·          Methodology:

     This bonus will be determined as follows:

 

Company

Bonus Program Results
as a % of Target Results

Weighting

Bonus %
Earned

USCC

_______%

75%

_______%

TDS Telecom

_______%

25%

_______%

Total Bonus Earned

100%

 

EXAMPLE OF HOW AN OFFICER’S BONUS WOULD BE CALCULATED:

·          Compensation and Individual Performance Assumptions:

·          Salary: $300,000

·          Target Bonus Percentage: 30%

·          Individual Performance rating: 120%

·          Target Bonus Calculations Given Above Assumptions and TDS Officer Bonus Ground Rules:

·          For Individual and Company Performance: $90,000 ($300,000 x .3 = $90,000).

·          For Individual Performance: $54,000 ($90,000 x .6 = $54,000).

·          For Company Performance: $36,000 ($90,000 x .4 = $36,000).

·          For USCC Bonus Program Performance: $27,000 ($36,000 x .75 = $27,000).

·          For TDS Telecom Bonus Program Performance: $9,000 ($36,000 x .25 = $9,000).

·          Bonus Program Results Assumptions:

·          USCC bonus program results, as a percent of targeted results: 90%

·          TDS Telecom bonus program results, as a percent of targeted results: 105%

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·          Bonus Earned Given Above Assumptions:

·          For Individual Performance: $64,800 ($54,000 x 1.2).

·          For Company Performance:

·                      Bonus percentage earned:

 

 

Company

Bonus Program
Results as a % of
Target Results

Weighting

Bonus %
Earned

 

USCC

90%

75%

67.5%

 

TDS Telecom

105%

25%

26.3%

 

 

 

100%

93.8%

 

·                      Dollar bonus earned: $33,800 ($36,000 x .938).

 

·          For Individual and Company Performance Total Bonus earned:

·                      For Individual Performance:               $              64,800

·                      For Company Performance:                $              33,800
                                                                $              98,600

In sum, with the above discussed method of determining TDS officer bonuses, TDS formally recognizes the important relationship between Company performance and the amount of TDS officers’ bonuses. However, 60% of TDS officers’ annual bonuses will be determined by a thorough assessment of his/her performance. Thus, an officer’s accomplishments and contributions, and those of the teams an officer leads, will continue to be the primary determinant of an officers annual bonus award.

Any bonus amount awarded with respect to a performance year will be paid during the period commencing on the January 1 immediately following the performance year and ending on the March 15 immediately following the performance year.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that payment by such March 15th is administratively impracticable and such impracticability was unforeseeable (in each case, such that payment continues to qualify as a “short-term deferral” within the meaning of section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code), payment will be made as soon as administratively practicable after such March 15th, but in no event later than the December 31 immediately following the performance year.  Payment will be made in the form of a lump sum.

The preceding simply are guidelines.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, 100% of the bonus is discretionary, and an officer shall have no right or expectation with respect to any bonus and no bonus shall vest until the bonus is paid.  The officer does not have a legally binding right to the bonus, unless and until the bonus amount, if any, is paid, and no bonus shall be paid unless the officer remains employed through the actual bonus payout date unless otherwise approved in the discretion of the President and CEO of TDS.  Not in limitation of the foregoing, negative discretion may be used to reduce the portion of any bonus calculated pursuant to the preceding guidelines with respect to company performance.  To the extent and only to the extent that any bonus is paid for a performance year, such bonus shall be deemed to have been earned on December 31 of that performance year.

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APPROVED by the PRESIDENT AND CEO of TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC. and the TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE on this __________ day of __________________, 2009.

 

President and CEO of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.:

 

 

LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr.

 

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. Compensation Committee:

 

 

George W. Off

 

 

Christopher D. O’Leary

 

 

Herbert S. Wander

 

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