UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):         May 18, 2012

 

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Tennessee

 

001-33637

 

62-1765329

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

2525 West End Avenue, Suite 950,

Nashville, Tennessee

 

37203

(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:         (615)255-0068

 

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

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Cumberland”) has adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement and Savings Plan (“SERP”). The SERP is an unfunded nonqualified deferred compensation plan designed to provide tax-deferred compensation for a select group of Cumberland’s employees, independent contractors, and non-employee directors chosen by the Compensation Committee of Cumberland’s Board of Directors.

The SERP is intended to provide participants with a retirement benefit that is competitive with industry practices when combined with their other employer-funded retirement benefits. The SERP gives Cumberland the discretion to make a specific annual nonqualified deferred compensation contribution to the account of each of the participants. Whether an annual deferred compensation contribution will be made to the account balance of a participant, as well as the amount of the contribution, is and shall remain discretionary on the part of Cumberland’s compensation committee. The participants are permitted to make individual contributions to their SERP accounts.

Cumberland’s contribution vests upon a participant reaching age 65 or upon the tenth anniversary of participation in the plan. All initial SERP participants must remain a Cumberland employee for at least 5 years, regardless of age, for vesting to occur. Each participant’s account balance is generally payable in either lump sum or in annual installments over a period of up to 10 years beginning at a separation of service, including for death or disability.

The preceding summary of the SERP is qualified in its entirety by reference to Exhibit 10.30 filed with this report, and such exhibit is here incorporated by reference.

 

Item 8.01

Conclusion of Option Exchange Program

The Offer to Exchange expired at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on May 21, 2012. Pursuant to the Offer to Exchange, 424,475 eligible stock options were tendered, representing 83% of the total Eligible Option Grants in the Offer to Exchange. On May 22, 2012, the Company granted an aggregate of 147,828 shares of Restricted Stock in exchange for Eligible Option Grants surrendered in the Offer to Exchange. As of May 21, 2012, the market value of each share of Restricted Stock issued in the Offer to Exchange was $6.41, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on May 21, 2012 as reported by the NASDAQ.

Patent Challenge Update

A new formulation of Acetadote (acetylcysteine) Injection was developed by Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the “Company”) as part of a Phase IV commitment by the Company in response to a request by the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to evaluate the reduction of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (“EDTA”) from the product’s formulation. The new Acetadote formulation does not contain EDTA or any other chelating or stabilization agent and is free of preservatives. The new formulation was listed in the FDA Orange Book following its FDA approval in January 2011. In April 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (the “USPTO”) issued U.S. Patent number 8,148,356 (the “Acetadote Patent”) which is assigned to the Company. The claims of the Acetadote Patent encompass the new Acetadote formulation and include composition of matter


claims. Following its issuance, the Acetadote Patent was listed in the FDA Orange Book. The Acetadote Patent is scheduled to expire in May 2026 which time period includes a 270-day patent term adjustment granted by the USPTO. The Company also has additional patent applications relating to the uses of Acetadote which are pending with the USPTO.

Following the issuance of the Acetadote Patent, the Company received separate Paragraph IV certification notices from InnoPharma, Inc., Paddock Laboratories, LLC and Mylan Institutional LLC challenging the Acetadote Patent on the basis of non-infringement and/or invalidity (the “Paragraph IV Challenges”). On May 17, 2012, the Company responded to the Paragraph IV Challenges by filing three separate lawsuits for infringement of the Acetedote Patent. The first lawsuit was filed against Mylan Institutional LLC and Mylan Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division . The second lawsuit was filed against InnoPharma, Inc. in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The third lawsuit was also filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware against Paddock Laboratories, LLC and Perrigo Company (collectively, the “Infringement Lawsuits”). On May 18, 2012 the Company received a Paragraph IV certification notice from Sagent Agila LLC challenging the Acetadote Patent. As of the date of this report, the Company has not filed a patent infringement suit against Sagent Agila LLC. The Company intends to vigorously defend and protect its Acetadote product and related intellectual property rights.

By statute, where the Paragraph IV certification is to a patent timely listed before an Abbreviated New Drug Application (“ANDA”) is filed, a company has 45 days to institute a patent infringement lawsuit, during which period the FDA may not approve another application. In addition, such a lawsuit for patent infringement filed within such 45-day period may stay, or bar, the FDA from approving another product application for two and a half years or until a district court decision that is adverse to the asserted patents, whichever is earlier. On May 18, 2012, the Company requested the aforementioned bar or stay in connection with the filing of the Infringement Lawsuits. The aforementioned bar or stay may or may not be available to the Company with respect to the Infringement Lawsuits.

On May 18, 2012, the Company also submitted a Citizen Petition (the “Citizen Petition”) to the FDA requesting that the FDA refrain from approving any applications for acetylcysteine injection that contain EDTA, based in part on the FDA’s request that Cumberland evaluate the reduction or removal of EDTA from its original Acetadote formulation.

 

Item  9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

10.30    Supplemental Executive Retirement and Savings Plan


SIGNATURES

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

 

    Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc.
May 24, 2012     By:   Rick S. Greene
      Name: Rick S. Greene
      Title: CFO

Exhibit 10.30

Adoption Agreement

Please complete the following Adoption Agreement in its entirety. Be sure to sign and date where appropriate and return it to the Nationwide Business Solutions Group Director of Operations along with all other necessary documents Any questions about the completion of this information can he directed to the contacts below.

Mail all documents to:

Nationwide Financial

Nationwide Business Solutions Group

Attn: Director of Operations

One Nationwide Plaza, 1-11-401

Columbus. OH 43215-2220

Phone 1-877-351-8808

Fax: 1-855-677-2357

Investing involves risk including possible loss of principal Federal income tax laws are complex and subject to change. This information is based on current interpretations of the laws and is not guaranteed. Nationwide and its representatives do not give legal or tax advice. You should consult an attorney or tax advisor for answers to your specific questions.

 

1


The Nationwide Corporate Incentive Program ® Adoption Agreement

By executing this Adoption Agreement, the Employer(s) named herein establish(es) the Plan as part of THE NATIONWIDE CORPORATE INCENTIVE PROGRAM’, as set forth in this Adoption Agreement and in The Nationwide Corporate Incentive Program Supplemental Executive Retirement and Savings Plan Basic Plan Document (the “Basic Plan Document”), which is hereby incorporated by reference into this Adoption Agreement (the Basic Plan Document and Adoption Agreement collectively referred to as the ‘Plan’). The terms used in this Adoption Agreement shall have the same meaning as in the Plan, unless some other meaning is expressly herein set forth.

THE FAILURE TO PROPERLY FILL OUT THIS ADOPTION AGREEMENT MAY RESULT IN ADVERSE TAX CONSEQUENCES TO PLAN PARTICIPANTS AND SIGNIFICANT LIABILITY TO THE EMPLOYER.

 

A. EMPLOYER INFORMATION

Name of Employer(s)

(If more than one Employer is specified, the first named Employer shall be the Plan Sponsor):

 

  1.    Name:    Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc.
     Address:    2525 West End Avenue, Suite 950, Nashville, TN, 37203
     Phone:    (615) 255-0068
     EIN:    62-1765329
 

2.

   Name:   

 

     Address:   

 

     Phone:   

 

     EIN:   

 

 

3.

   Name:   

 

     Address:   

 

     Phone:   

 

     EIN:   

 

 

¨ Check this box if there is an attachment named “Exhibit A” when the above lines are insufficient.

 

2


B. PLAN INFORMATION

 

1. Name of Plan (Plan Sponsor): CP Summit Supplemental Retirement Plan

 

2. This Adoption Agreement, when used with the Basic Plan Document, shall (Check one):

 

x Establish a new Plan effective as of May 1, 2012 the “Effective Date,” (Month/Day/Year)

 

¨ Constitute an amendment and restatement in its entirety of a previously established plan, which was initially effective on                     the “Original Effective Date,” This amendment and restatement is effective as of                     , the “Effective Date.”

 

NOTE: EMPLOYERS WHO WISH TO HAVE THIS ADOPTION AGREEMENT AND THE BASIC PLAN DOCUMENT GOVERN THE ASSETS MAINTAINED IN RESPECT OF A PRIOR PLAN MAY DO SO ONLY IF THIS ADOPTION AGREEMENT AND THE BASIC PLAN DOCUMENT OFFER TO PARTICIPANTS UNDER THE PRIOR PLAN DISTRIBUTION AND VESTING RIGHTS THAT ARE AT LEAST AS FAVORABLE TO THE PARTICIPANTS AS THOSE PROVIDED UNDER THE PRIOR PLAN. IF THIS ADOPTION AGREEMENT AND THE BASIC PLAN DOCUMENT DO NOT SATISFY THIS REQUIREMENT, THE EMPLOYER MUST DEVELOP WITH COUNSEL AND THE RECORDKEEPER, ITS OWN DOCUMENT TO GOVERN THE RESTATED PLAN.

 

C. ELIGIBILITY

 

NOTE: THE PLAN MAY BE MAINTAINED ONLY FOR THE BENEFIT OF (1) A SELECT GROUP OF THE EMPLOYER’S MANAGEMENT OR HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES, (2) INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS OR (3) NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS. EMPLOYERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT WITH COUNSEL REGARDING WHETHER THE NAMED INDIVIDUALS OR POSITIONS QUALIFY UNDER THE “SELECT GROUP” STANDARD.

 

x A select group of management or highly compensated Employees; (2) Independent Contractors; (3) Non- employee Board Members: as designated by the Employer in separate resolutions or agreements. (Employees/Independent Contractors/Non-employee Directors who become eligible to participate in the Plan after the Effective Date shall be those specified by the Board of the Employer in accordance with the terms of the Plan.)

 

¨ Persons holding the following positions within the Employer’s management, each of whom are considered to be a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

¨ Check the box if there is an attachment named “Exhibit A-2” when the above lines are insufficient.

 

3


D. CONTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS

 

1. If Employer Contribution Credits are intended to be provided by the Employer under the Plan, so indicate (Check one):

 

a.

   ¨    Employer shall not make Employer Contribution Credits.

b.

   x    The Employer may contribute each Plan Year an amount of Employer Contribution Credits on behalf of one or more Participants, at times and in amounts determined solely at the discretion of the Employer.

If Box b. above is checked, please describe the type and frequency of the Employer Contribution that will be made.

Type of Employer Contribution: SERP Contributions

Frequency of Employer Contribution:

Annual (Date of Contribution):                         

 

  ¨ Semiannual

 

  ¨ Quarterly

 

  x Other: Annually as determined by the compensation committee

 

2. Will the Plan allow Participants to defer Compensation, as Compensation Deferral Credits (Check one)?

x   Yes         ¨   No

 

3. If yes, please indicate the types of eligible Compensation to be included in the Plan and frequency of contributions (Check all that apply);

 

  x Base Salary - Frequency: Monthly

 

  x Performance-based Bonus or Profit-sharing Bonus - Frequency: Annually

 

  ¨ Executive Perquisite Allowance - Frequency:                                              

 

  ¨ Director’s Fees/Retainer - Frequency:                                                          

 

  ¨ Other (Please indicate type of Compensation):                                              

 

       Frequency:

 

4. If the Employer intends to allow the Participant to make a 401(k) Refund contribution, so indicate:

 

  x The Participant shall NOT be allowed to make a 401(k) Refund contribution.

 

4


  ¨ The Participant may make a 401(k) Refund contribution. The Participant may elect to defer an amount of regular compensation equal in amount to the 401(k) Refund paid to the Participant in that year. The Participant must make the election in the year prior to the year of deferral. Please refer to the Plan Document Section 1.1.

 

5. Please provide a sample payroll date (mm/dd/yy): 05/31/12 This date will be used to build out payroll schedule on administration system.

 

6. Will the plan allow the Employer to limit a Participant’s deferral of Compensation, as Compensation Deferral Credits, into the Participant’s Compensation Deferral Credit Account?

 

  ¨    Yes                 x    No

 

  ¨ Maximum deferral of Base Salary Income: $             or      % of salary.

 

  ¨ Maximum deferral of Bonus Income: $             or      % of bonus.

 

  ¨ Maximum deferral of Executive Perquisite Allowance Income: $             or      % of Executive Perquisite Allowance.

 

  ¨ Maximum deferral of Director’s Fees Income: $             or      % of Director’s Fees.

 

  ¨ Maximum deferral of Other income (described above): $             or      % of Other Income.

The time and form of the distribution with respect to a Participant’s Compensation Deferral Credits will be determined by the Employer or Employee pursuant to Section E of this Adoption Agreement. In addition the election with respect to time and form of distribution will be consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

NOTE: AN EMPLOYER WHO WISHES TO MAKE EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION CREDITS AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN IS PERMITTED TO UTILIZE ANY METHOD THE EMPLOYER DESIRES, PROVIDED THAT SUCH METHOD IS PERMITTED UNDER CODE SECTION 409A (E.G., A UNIFORM PERCENTAGE OF COMPENSATION, A GROSS UP FOR THE LIMITATION ON CONTRIBUTIONS CERTAIN PARTICIPANTS MIGHT INCUR UNDER THE EMPLOYER’S TAX QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN BECAUSE OF LIMITS UNDER SUCH PLAN, AN ARBITRARY DOLLAR AMOUNT, ETC.) AND MAY SELECT ANY PARTICIPANT OR PARTICIPANTS TO RECEIVE THE SAME (E.G., PARTICIPANTS WHO ARE EMPLOYED ON THE LAST DAY OF THE CALENDAR YEAR, PARTICIPANTS WHO ACCRUE A BENEFIT UNDER THE EMPLOYER’S TAX- QUALIFIED RETIREMENT PLAN, CERTAIN NAMED PARTICIPANTS WITH RESPECT TO WHOM THE EMPLOYER HAS A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION, ETC.). NO FORMULA IS REQUIRED TO BE SPECIFIED UNDER THIS ADOPTION AGREEMENT.

 

E. DISTRIBUTIONS

 

1. Form of Distributions upon Separation from Service. Upon Separation from Service, the form of distribution will be determined by the Employer, who hereby elects that all distributions upon Separation from Service will be made in (Check one or both):

 

  x Lump-sum form.

 

5


  x in annual installments over a period up to 10 years (2 - 15) years.

If the Participant is deemed a key employee of a publicly traded corporation as defined in Code Section 416(i)(1), distributions may not commence earlier than six months after the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service.

NOTE: The Annual Installment Eligibility Age shall be age             . If no age is indicated, then Annual Installment Eligibility shall be any age.

 

2. Upon a Change in Control (Check one):

 

  ¨ All vested Account balances will be automatically distributed in a lump sum.

 

  x No distribution will be made.

 

3. Special Distribution Rules (TNCIP Plus Pricing):

 

  a. Will He plan allow for Specified Period Deferrals (Check one)?

¨   Yes                     ¨   No

Please indicate the form of distribution of Specified Period Deferrals. Specified Period Deferral distributions under the Plan may be made in (If Box Yes is checked above, check all that apply):

¨ Lump-sum form.

¨ Annual installments over a period of 2 to            (maximum 15) years, as selected by the Participant.

What is the desired number of deferral years required for Specified Period Deferrals before they are eligible to be distributed (minimum 3 of years)            .

 

  b. Will the plan allow for Re-deferrals of Specified Period Deferrals, subject to 409A requirements (Only check if Specified Period Deferrals has been accepted)?

¨   Yes                      ¨   No

 

4. Will the plan allow for mandatory cashout (de minimus) distributions? This requires that if a participant’s remaining total account balance in the plan is less than the amount determined under section 402(g) (1)(B) ($16,500 in 2011), then the entire balance will be distributed in a lump sum even if annual retirement payments were elected.

¨ Yes                     x No

 

6


F. VESTING

 

1. A Participant shall become vested in his or her Employer Contribution Credit Account under the Plan in accordance with the following schedule:

 

  ¨ A Participant shall be fully vested in their Employer Contribution Credit Accounts at all times.

 

  ¨ Years of Service Vested Percentage

Under 3 Years: 0%

3 Years or More: 100%

 

  ¨ Years of Service Vested Percentage

Under 5 Years: 0%

5 Years or More: 100%

 

  ¨ Years of Service Vested Percentage

Under 1 Year: 0%

1 but not 2: 33.33%

2 but not 3: 66.66%

3 Years or More: 100%

 

  ¨ Years of Service Vested Percentage

Under 1 Year: 0%

1 but not 2:20%

2 but not 3: 40%

3 but not 4: 60%

4 but not 5: 80%

5 Years or More: 100%

 

  ¨ Years of Service Vested Percentage

1-10 years: 10% per year

 

  ¨ Years of Service Vested Percentage

1-20 years: 5% per year

 

  x Custom Vested Percentage (Additional fees/restrictions may apply)

Company defined Years of Service Vesting Schedule: 10 year cliff vesting. All initial participants must participate in the plan at least 5 years regardless of age to vest. (Management may waive vesting at its sole discretion

 

2. Participants are fully vested in Compensation Deferral Credit amounts at all times. A Participant’s Employer Contribution Credit Account becomes vested upon death, Disability, or upon reaching an age specified by the employer for purposes of superseding the vesting schedule selected in Section F-i of this Adoption Agreement.

Enter specified age of vesting for all Participants (the Employer maintains the right to waive an individual’s vesting schedule at the employer’s discretion): 65

 

7


3. In calculating a Participant’s vesting percentage in Employer Contribution Credits, the following years of service will be considered (Check one):

 

  ¨ N/A. Employer Contribution Credits, if any, are 100% vested at all times.

 

  ¨ Years of Service before and after the Plan’s original Effective Date (i.e., from date of hire) shall be considered.

 

  x Years of Service based on date of participation in the Plan shall be considered (Additional fees/restrictions may apply).

 

4. Upon a Change in Control, will all balances not vested as of the date of Change in Control be automatically vested (Check one)?

¨   Yes                  x   No

 

G. DEATH BENEFITS

Will the Plan provide to Participants’ beneficiaries a death benefit of $25,000 over and above the payment of the Participant’s Account at death?

 

  ¨ Yes . Check only If an insurance policy is held providing a death benefit of at least $25,000 each Participant’s life.

 

  x No.

BY SIGNING THIS ADOPTION AGREEMENT. THE EMPLOYER (I) CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS CONSULTED WITH ITS OWN LEGAL AND TAX COUNSEL REGARDING THE EFFECTS OF THIS PLAN, AS APPLICABLE, ON ALL PARTIES, (II) CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS AND WILL LIMIT PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN TO A SELECT GROUP OF THE EMPLOYER’S MANAGEMENT OR HIGHLY COMPENSATED EMPLOYEES, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS OR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS, AS DETERMINED BY THE EMPLOYER IN CONSULTATION WITH ITS COUNSEL, (III) CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS AND WILL LIMIT PARTICIPATION TO SATISFY THE ELEMENTS OF IRC SEC. 409A, AND ALL REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE PROMULGATED THEREUNDER. (IV) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT NATIONWIDE FINANCIAL AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE LEGAL AND TAX EFFECTS ON PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS OR PARTICIPANTS, (V) ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF THE CURRENT PROSPECTUSES FOR ALL INVESTMENT MEDIA MADE AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN, (VI) REPRESENTS THAT IT IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS, INCLUDING FEDERAL AND STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND (VII) REPRESENTS THAT EACH PARTICIPANT WITH THE RIGHT TO DIRECT DEEMED INVESTMENTS UNDER THE PLAN WILL RECEIVE A PROSPECTUS FOR EACH INVESTMENT REPRESENTING A PLAN DEEMED INVESTMENT.

 

8


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer (and adopting Affiliated Employers, if any) hereby cause this Plan to be executed this 30th day of April, 2012.

 

Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc.       LOGO

 

Printed Employer’s Name

     

 

Authorized Signature

     

Rick S. Greene

      Printed Name
     

Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

      Print Title

 

Printed Affiliated Employer’s Name

     

 

Authorized Signature

     

 

Printed Name

     

 

Print Title

 

Printed Affiliated Employer’s Name

     

 

Authorized Signature

     

 

Printed Name

     

 

Print Title

 

9


Nationwide ® Business Solutions Group

Basic Plan Document

The Nationwide Corporate Incentive Program ® Supplemental Executive Retirement and Savings Plan


Welcome.

Please note before you begin:

 

   

We prepared this document for your use with The Nationwide Corporate Incentive Program ® Adoption Agreement

 

   

We suggest that you use it only after you consult with your tax and legal advisors

 

   

You should also retain a copy of this document as a part of your plan


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS

  

1.1 401(k) REFUND

     5   

1.2 ACCOUNT

     5   

1.3 ADOPTION AGREEMENT

     5   

1.4 AFFILIATE OR AFFILIATES

     5   

1.5 ANNUAL INSTALLMENT ELIGIBILITY AGE

     5   

1.6 BENEFICIARY

     5   

1.7 BOARD

     5   

1.8 CHANGE IN CONTROL

     5   

1.9 CODE

     5   

1.10 COMPENSATION

     6   

1.11 COMPENSATION DEFERRAL CREDIT ACCOUNT

     6   

1.12 COMPENSATION DEFERRAL CREDITS

     6   

1.13 DESIGNATION DATE

     6   

1.14 DISABILITY

     6   

1.15 EFFECTIVE DATE

     6   

1.16 EMPLOYEE

     6   

1.17 EMPLOYER

     6   

1.18 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION CREDIT ACCOUNT

     6   

1.19 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION CREDITS

     6   

1.20 ENTRY DATE

     6   

1.21 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

     6   

1.22 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR

     6   

1.23 PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION

     7   

1.24 PARTICIPANT

     7   

1.25 PARTICIPANT ENROLLMENT AND ELECTION FORMS

     7   

1.26 PLAN

     7   

1.27 PLAN SPONSOR

     7   

1.28 PLAN YEAR

     7   

1.29 RECORDKEEPER

     7   

1.30 RE-DEFERRAL

     7   

1.31 SEPARATION FROM SERVICE

     7   

1.32 SPECIFIED PERIOD DEFERRAL

     7   

1.33 TRUST

     7   

1.34 UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY

     7   

1.35 VALUATION DATE

     7   

1.36 YEARS OF SERVICE

     7   

ARTICLE 2: ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

  

2.1 REQUIREMENTS

     7   

2.2 CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT

     8   

ARTICLE 3: CONTRIBUTIONS AND CREDITS

  

3.1 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION CREDITS

     8   

3.2 PARTICIPANT COMPENSATION DEFERRAL CREDITS

     8   

ARTICLE 4: ALLOCATION OF FUNDS

  

4.1 ALLOCATION OF DEEMED EARNINGS OR LOSSES ON ACCOUNTS

     9   

4.2 ACCOUNTING FOR DISTRIBUTIONS

     9   

4.3 DEEMED INVESTMENT DIRECTIONS OF PARTICIPANTS

     9   

4.4 EXPENSES

     10   

ARTICLE 5: ENTITLEMENT TO BENEFITS

  

5.1 SEPARATION FROM SERVICE

     10   

5.2 CHANGE IN CONTROL

     10   

5.3 SPECIFIED PERIOD DEFERRAL DISTRIBUTION

     10   

5.4 UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY

     10   


ARTICLE 6: DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

  

6.1 METHOD OF PAYMENT

     10   

6.2 DEATH BENEFITS

     10   

6.3 PROHIBITION ON ACCELERATION OF DISTRIBUTIONS

     11   

6.4 SPECIFIED PERIOD DEFERRAL DISTRIBUTION

     11   

6.5 DISTRIBUTIONS UPON UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCIES

     11   

6.6 PAYMENT OF INSTALLMENTS

     11   

6.7 DEATH BENEFITS

     11   

6.8 401(k) OFFSET

     11   

6.9 MANDATORY CASH OUT

     11   

6.10 PROHIBITION ON ACCELERATION OF DISTRIBUTIONS

     12   

ARTICLE 7: BENEFICIARIES; PARTICIPANT DATA

  

7.1 DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARIES

     12   

7.2 INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED BY PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES; INABILITY TO LOCATE PARTICIPANTS OR BENEFICIARIES

     12   

ARTICLE 8: ADMINISTRATION

  

8.1 ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY

     12   

8.2 UNIFORMITY OF DISCRETIONARY ACTS

     13   

8.3 LITIGATION

     13   

8.4 CLAIMS PROCEDURE

     13   

ARTICLE 9: AMENDMENT

  

9.1 RIGHT TO AMEND

     14   

9.2 AMENDMENTS TO ENSURE PROPER CHARACTERIZATION OF PLAN

     14   

9.3 CHANGES IN LAW AFFECTING TAXABILITY

     14   

ARTICLE 10: TERMINATION

  

10.1 DISTRIBUTION BECAUSE OF INCOME INCLUSION UNDER CODE SECTION 409A

     14   

10.2 TERMINATION AT EMPLOYER’S DISCRETION

  

10.3 TERMINATION DUE TO DISSOLUTION

     14   

10.4 TERMINATION DUE TOCHANGE IN CONTROL

     14   

10.5 SUSPENSION OF DEFERRALS

     14   

10.6 ALLOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION

     14   

10.7 SUCCESSOR TO EMPLOYER

     15   

ARTICLE 11: THE TRUST

     15   

ARTICLE 12: MISCELLANEOUS

  

12.1 LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY

     15   

12.2 CONSTRUCTION

     15   

12.3 SPENDTHRIFT PROVISION

     16   

12.4 UNSECURED CREDITOR

     16   

12.5 COURT ORDER

     16   

12.6 INSURANCE

     16   

12.7 OFFSET FOR INDEBTEDNESS

     16   

12.8 NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT

     16   

12.9 NOTICE

     16   


THE NATIONWIDE CORPORATE INCENTIVE PROGRAM ®

PROTOTYPE SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT AND SAVINGS PLAN BASIC PLAN DOCUMENT

RECITALS

 

A. By executing the attached Adoption Agreement (the “Adoption Agreement”), the Employer, as identified therein (the “Employer”), has adopted this Nationwide Corporate Incentive Program Prototype Supplemental Executive Retirement and Savings Plan (the “Plan”), effective as provided in the Adoption Agreement. The Plan is intended to be a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that complies with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code. The Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation benefits for a select group of management or highly compensated employees under Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and independent contractors.

 

B. The purpose of this Plan is to provide specified benefits and the ability to defer compensation to certain eligible Employees, Independent Contractors or Non-Employee Directors who contribute to the growth and well-being of the Employer.

ARTICLE 1: DEFINITIONS

1.1 401 (k) REFUND means an amount that is in excess of the maximum deferral allowable for the prior calendar year under the Employer’s qualified plan that is intended to comply with Section 401 (k) of the Code, and such amount is distributed to the Participant and included in the income of the Participant for the year in which it was earned.

1.2 ACCOUNT means a bookkeeping entry in the records of the Employer in which the amount credited is equal to (a) the sum of the balances credited to a Participant’s or Beneficiary’s Compensation Deferral Credit Account and Employer Contribution Credit Account and (b) adjustments for contribution credits, distributions and deemed income, gains and losses (as determined by the Recordkeeper, in its discretion) credited thereto or debited therefrom. A Participant’s or Beneficiary’s Account shall be determined as of the date of reference.

1.3 ADOPTION AGREEMENT means the Agreement by which this Plan is adopted by and applied to the Employer.

1.4 AFFILIATE or AFFILIATES shall mean a group of entities, including the Employer, which constitutes a controlled group of corporations (as defined in section 414(b) of the Code), a group of trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control (as defined in section 414(c) of the Code), and members of an affiliated service group (within the meaning of section 414(m) of the Code).

1.5 ANNUAL INSTALLMENT ELIGIBILITY AGE shall mean the age at which the Participant, upon Separation from Service, shall have the option, pursuant to the Participant Enrollment and Election Forms, to receive distributions from his or her Account in annual installments over a period of years, not to exceed 15 years. The Annual Installment Eligibility Age shall be chosen by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement.

1.6 BENEFICIARY means any person or person so designated in accordance with the provisions of Article VII.

1.7 BOARD means the board of directors (or similar governing body) of the Employer or a duly authorized committee thereof.

1.8 CHANGE IN CONTROL will be deemed to have occurred if (1) any one person or more than one person acting as a group acquires stock of the corporation that constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the corporation; (2) within a 12 month period either:

(a) Any one person or more than one person acting as a group acquires ownership of stock possessing 35% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the corporation, or

(b) A majority of members of the corporation’s board of directors is replaced by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority or the board of directors prior to the date of the appointment; or

(3) within a 12 month period any person or more than one person acting as a group acquires assets from the corporation that have a total gross fair market value equal to at least 40% of the total gross fair market of all of the corporation’s assets immediately prior to such acquisition. The gross fair market value of assets is determined without regard to liabilities associated with those assets. Transfer of assets by the corporation to related entities whom they control or are controlled by do not constitute a change in control of the assets for this purpose.

The Change in Control event must relate to a) the corporation for whom the Participant is performing services, b) the corporation that is liable for the payment of the deferred compensation, or c) a corporation that is the majority shareholder of one of those foregoing corporations, or is in a chain of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending with one of the foregoing corporations.

1.9 CODE means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 

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1.10 COMPENSATION means compensation for services performed, including (i) base salary payable during a Plan Year and (ii) bonuses payable during a Plan Year. Compensation also includes all fees payable to Independent Contractors and Non-Employee Directors, including the retainer for service as a member of the Board or any committees thereof and meeting fees. If designated in the adoption agreement and pursuant to an election by the Participant that satisfies the Employer’s elections rules and made in accordance with section 3.2, an amount equal to the Participant’s “401(k) Refund” shall be deferred from the Participant’s current year Compensation that is payable in the current or subsequent pay period in the same calendar year, and credited to the Participant’s Compensation Deferral Credit Account as a Compensation Deferral Credit. In no event shall any of the following items be treated as Compensation hereunder: (i) payments from this Plan or any other Employer nonqualified deferred compensation plan; (ii) any form of non-cash compensation or benefits, including short and long term disability payments, group life insurance premiums, income from the exercise of non-qualified stock options, from the disqualifying disposition of incentive stock options, or realized upon vesting of restricted stock or the delivery of shares in respect of restricted stock units (or other similar items of income related to equity compensation grants or exercises); (iii) expense reimbursements; (iv) severance payments, or (v) any other payments or benefits other than normal Compensation as determined by the plan administrator in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, Compensation shall include amounts deferred on a pre-tax basis under this Plan, any tax-qualified retirement plan, any Code Section 125 plan, and any other nonqualified deferred compensation plan of the Employer.

1.11 COMPENSATION DEFERRAL CREDIT ACCOUNT is defined in Section 3.2.

1.12 COMPENSATION DEFERRAL CREDITS is defined in Section 3.2.

1.13 DESIGNATION DATE means every trading day in which a designation of deemed investments is directed by a Participant pursuant to Section 4.3. The Employer and/or Recordkeeper may limit said Designation Date as deemed necessary.

1.14 DISABILITY means, with respect to a Participant, that:

(a) such Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months; or

(b) such Participant is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than three (3) months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Participant’s employer.

1.15 EFFECTIVE DATE means the effective date of the Plan as set forth in the Adoption Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any amounts have been credited to the Account of a Participant pursuant to the terms of a prior plan of the Employer and are subject to Code Section 409A, such amounts shall be governed by the terms of this Plan to the extent permitted in the Adoption Agreement.

1.16 EMPLOYEE means, for any Plan Year (or applicable portion thereof), a person who is a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees and who is employed by the Employer.

1.17 EMPLOYER means the for-profit entity and any for-profit affiliate employers named in the Adoption Agreement and their successors and assigns unless otherwise herein provided, or any other for profit entity which, with the consent of the Employer, or its successors or assigns, assumes the Employer’s obligations hereunder, or any other for profit entity which agrees, with the consent of the Employer, to become a party to the Plan.

1.18 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION CREDIT ACCOUNT is defined Section 3.1.

1.19 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION CREDITS is defined in Section 3.1.

1.20 ENTRY DATE means the first day of the pay period following the date on which the Employee, Independent Contractor and Non-Employee Director first becomes a Participant.

1.21 INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR means an individual in the service of the Employer if the relationship between the individual and the Employer is not the legal relationship of employer and employee. An individual shall cease to be an Independent Contractor upon his or her Separation from Service with the Employer. An Independent Contractor shall include a director of the Employer who is not an Employee.

1.22 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR means a member of the Board who is not employed by the Employer.

 

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1.23 PARTICIPANT means any Employee, Independent Contractor, or Non-Employee Director designated in accordance with the provisions of Article II who is or may become (or whose Beneficiaries may become) eligible to receive a benefit under the Plan.

1.24 PARTICIPANT ENROLLMENT AND ELECTION FORMS shall include any form or manner acceptable to the Recordkeeper, whether electronic via website access or through submission of enrollment forms, in which a Participant elects to defer Compensation hereunder and to which the Participant makes certain other elections and designations as required thereof.

1.25 PERFORMANCE BASED COMPENSATION means Compensation where the amount of, or entitlement to, the Compensation is contingent on the satisfaction of pre established organizational or individual performance criteria relating to a performance period of at least twelve months in which the Participant performs services. Organizational or individual performance criteria are considered pre-established if established in writing at least 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the criteria relates, provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at the time the criteria are established. A Participant’s Compensation will be considered Performance-Based Compensation only if the Participant performs services continuously from a date no later than the date upon which the performance criteria for such compensation are established through the date upon which the Participant makes a deferral election for such compensation. Performance-Based Compensation may include payments based upon subjective performance criteria in accordance as provided in regulations and administrative guidance promulgated under Code Section 409A.

1.26 PLAN means the nonqualified deferred compensation plan, as amended from time to time, and as evidenced by both this Basic Plan Document and the Adoption Agreement.

1.27 PLAN SPONSOR means the first named Employer in the Adoption Agreement who has the right and responsibility to (a) amend the Plan, (b) administer the Plan and interpret its terms and (c) consent to the adoption of the Plan by new adopting Employers.

1.28 PLAN YEAR means the calendar year.

1.29 RECORDKEEPER means the organization with which the Employer contracts to perform record keeping services hereunder, and its successor and/or assigns.

1.30 RE-DEFERRAL means the extension of the time of distribution and/or a change in the form of the payment for that particular deferral, after a Specified Period Deferral is elected by the Participant. The election to extend and/or change may be made no later than 12 months prior to the originally scheduled distribution. The minimum time period for a re deferral must be at least five (5) years from the date the payment would have been made. Re-deferrals will not become effective until the date that is 12 months after the date that the re-deferral election is made.

1.31 SEPARATION FROM SERVICE for any Participant means the Participant’s termination and separation from service with each Employer and its Affiliates for any reason, as determined in accordance with Code Section 409A and any guidance promulgated thereunder. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship between an Employee and the Employer is treated as continuing intact while the Employee is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as the Employee’s right to reemployment is provided either by statue or contract. If the Participant is an Independent Contractor or Non-Employee Director, the contractual relationship is treated as continuing intact if the Participant anticipates a renewal of the contract or becomes an Employee.

1.32 SPECIFIED PERIOD DEFERRAL means, if permitted in the Adoption Agreement, a deferral of Compensation to a specified date pursuant to Section 5.3.

1.33 TRUST means the trust (if any) established pursuant to the agreement by and between the Employer and a qualified trustee pursuant to Article 11.

1.34 UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY is a severe financial hardship (as defined in Code Section 409A) to the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant’s spouse or a dependent (as defined in Code Section 152(a)) of the Participant, loss of the Participant’s property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of the events beyond the control of the Participant. Distributions arising out of an unforeseeable emergency are limited to an amount needed to satisfy the emergency plus any taxes reasonably anticipated because of the distribution.

1.35 VALUATION DATE means the last day of each Plan Year and any other date or dates that the Recordkeeper, in its sole discretion, reasonably chooses to treat as a Valuation Date.

1.36 YEARS OF SERVICE means the number of consecutive 12 month periods, either before or after the Effective Date if so elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, during which a Participant is employed or serves as an Employee, Independent Contractor or Non-Employee Director of the Employer.

ARTICLE 2 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

2.1 REQUIREMENTS. The Employer may, in its discretion, determine which Employees, Independent Contractors, and Non-Employee Directors, shall become Participants in the Plan.

Participation in the Participant Compensation Deferral Credit feature of the Plan is voluntary. In order to participate in the Participant Compensation Deferral Credit feature of the Plan, an Employee must make written application in such manner as may be required by Section 3.2 and by the Employer, and must agree to make Compensation Deferral Credits as provided in Article III. A Participant who fails to satisfy these requirements shall not be eligible to participate in the Participant Compensation Deferral Credit program for such Plan Year.In the event that a Participant whose employment has been terminated is subsequently re employed by the Employer, he or she shall become a Participant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.1. In the event that a Participant whose services as an Independent Contractor or Non-Employee Director has been terminated is subsequently contracted by the Employer for further services, he or she shall become a Participant in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2.1.

 

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2.2 CHANGE OF EMPLOYMENT. During any period in which a Participant remains in the employ of, or continues to maintain an independent contractor relationship with or continues to serve on the Board of, the Employer, but either (a) ceases to be a member of a select group of management or highly compensated employees or (b) fails to be eligible to participate in this Plan, he or she shall not be eligible to make Compensation Deferral Credits hereunder or to receive Employer Contribution Credits hereunder with respect to Compensation earned after the last day of the Plan Year (or such earlier time as may be required unless prohibited by Code Section 409A) unless and until the Employer determines that the Employee, Independent Contractor, or Non-Employee Director is eligible to participate again in the Plan.

ARTICLE 3: CONTRIBUTIONS AND CREDITS

3.1 EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION CREDITS. If the Employer elects in the Adoption Agreement to make Employer Contribution Credits under the Plan, there shall be established and maintained a separate Employer Contribution Credit Account in the name of each Participant who is selected by the Employer to receive Employer Contribution Credits. The election in the Adoption Agreement to make Employer Contribution Credits permits, but does not require, the Employer to credit any amount it desires to any Participant’s Employer Contribution Credit Account for any Plan Year. The amount to be credited or debited, as applicable, to an Employer Contribution Credit Account shall include a) amounts equal to the Employer’s Contribution Credits and b) any deemed earnings, gains or losses allocated to the account.

For purposes of this Section 3.1, the Employer Contribution Credits with respect to a Participant for a particular Plan Year shall be an amount equal to the amount specified by the Employer to the Recordkeeper for the Plan Year. The amount credited to a Participant’s Employer Contribution Credit Account in a Plan Year may (a) differ from the amount credited to another Participant’s Employer Contribution Credit Account for that Plan Year, (b) differ from the amount credited to the Participant’s Employer Contribution Credit Account in any prior Plan Year, and (c) be equal to zero.

For each Plan Year, the Participant’s Employer Contribution Credit Account shall be credited or debited, as applicable, as of each Valuation Date. The amount of deemed earnings, gains or losses to be credited or debited shall be as determined under Article IV. The Recordkeeper shall have the discretion to allocate such deemed income, gains and losses among Employer Contribution Credit Accounts pursuant to such allocation rules as the Recordkeeper deems to be reasonable and administratively practicable.

3.2 PARTICIPANT COMPENSATION DEFERRAL CREDITS. In accordance with rules established by the Employer, including the Participant Enrollment and Election Form, a Participant may elect to defer Compensation (including any Non-Employee Director retainers) that is due to be earned and would otherwise be paid to the Participant. The Participant may express the amount to be deferred as a lump sum or a fixed periodic dollar amount(s) or percentage(s) of Compensation; provided, however, that any Participant electing to defer Compensation hereunder for a given Plan Year must elect to defer at least one percent (1%) of his or her Compensation or five thousand dollars ($5,000), whichever is greater, for the Plan Year. Amounts so deferred will be considered a Participant’s “Compensation Deferral Credits.”

To participate in the Compensation Deferral Credit program for a Plan Year, a Participant must satisfy the Employer’s election rules, including the execution of the Participant Enrollment and Election Forms, by December 31 of the calendar year preceding such Plan Year, or by any earlier deadline that the Employer may establish. Subsequent elections, or initial elections that do not meet the requirements below, regarding Compensation Deferral Credits or modifications to the amount of Compensation Deferral Credits must be made by December 31 of the calendar year before the Plan Year in which the subsequent election or modification is to be effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Employee, Independent Contractor, or Non-Employee Director first becomes a Participant during a Plan Year, the Participant may participate in the Compensation Deferral Credit program only if the Participant satisfies the Employer’s election rules, including the execution of the Participant Enrollment and Election Forms, no later than 30 days after the date of becoming a Participant. In such a case, the Participant’s election to defer Compensation as part of the Compensation Deferral Credit program will be effective only with respect to Compensation for services performed after the election and deferred in a manner consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A. Subsequent elections to modify the amount of a Compensation Deferral Credit must be made by December 31 of the calendar year before the Plan Year in which the modified Compensation Deferral Credit is to be effective.

In the case of a deferral of Performance-Based Compensation, the election must be made no later than 6 months prior to the end of the performance period.

If the Employer has a fiscal year other than the calendar year, Compensation relating to service in the fiscal year of the Employer (such as a bonus based on the fiscal year of the Employer), of which no amount is paid or payable during the fiscal year, may be deferred at the Participant’s election only if the election to defer is made not later than the close of the Employer’s fiscal year next preceding the first fiscal year in which the Participant performs any services for which such Compensation is payable.

 

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There shall be established and maintained by the Recordkeeper a separate Compensation Deferral Credit Account in the name of each Participant who has elected to participate in the Compensation Deferral Credit feature of the Plan, to which shall be credited or debited: a) amounts equal to the Participant’s Compensation Deferral Credits and b) amounts equal to any deemed income, gains and losses (to the extent realizable, based upon deemed fair market value of the Account’s deemed assets, as determined by the Recordkeeper, in its discretion) attributable or allocable thereto.

The Board may in its discretion establish policies rules and procedures consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A to govern the manner in which Participant Compensation Deferral Credits may be made.

ARTICLE 4: ALLOCATION OF FUNDS

4.1 ALLOCATION OF DEEMED EARNINGS OR LOSSES ON ACCOUNTS. Subject to such limitations as may from time to time be required by law, imposed by the Employer or Recordkeeper or contained elsewhere in the Plan, and subject to such operating rules and procedures as may be imposed from time to time by the Plan Sponsor or Recordkeeper, prior to the date on which a direction will become effective for each Designation Date, the Participant shall have the right to direct the Employer as to how amounts in his or her Account and held by the Employer, an agent of the Employer, or trustee under the Trust, whichever applies, shall be measured for account gains and losses. The Employer may, but is not required to, direct an agent of the Employer or trustee of the Trust to invest any assets held under the Trust or by the Plan Sponsor on behalf of the Participant pursuant to the performance measurement directions the Employer properly has received from the Participant. The value of the Participant’s Account shall be equal to the value of the performance measurements specified by the Participant as if the Employer had so invested the Account. As of each Valuation Date of the assets held under the Plan, the Participant’s Account will be credited or debited by the performance measurements to reflect the Participant’s Plan Account. The Participant’s Plan Account will be credited or debited with the increase or decrease in the performance measurements, as follows. As of each Valuation Date, an amount equal to the net increase or decrease in performance measurements (as determined by the Employer or Recordkeeper) within the Account since the preceding Valuation Date shall be allocated among all Participants’ Accounts deemed to be invested performance measurement in accordance with the ratio which the portion of the Account of each Participant which is deemed to be invested within that performance measurement, determined as provided herein, bears to the aggregate of all amounts deemed to be invested within that performance measurement.

4.2 ACCOUNTING FOR DISTRIBUTIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision, as of the date of any distribution hereunder, the distribution made hereunder to the Participant or his/her Beneficiary or Beneficiaries shall be charged to such Participant’s Account. Such amounts shall be charged on a pro rata basis against the investments of the Plan in which the Participant’s Account is deemed to be invested.

4.3 DEEMED INVESTMENT DIRECTIONS OF PARTICIPANTS. Subject to such limitations as may from time to time be required by law, imposed by the Employer or Recordkeeper or contained elsewhere in the Plan, and subject to such operating rules and procedures as may be imposed from time to time by the Employer or Recordkeeper, prior to the date on which a direction will become effective investment direction for each Designation Date, each Participant may communicate to the Employer a direction as to how his or her Plan Accounts should be measured for performance among such categories of performance measurements as may be made available by the Employer hereunder. Such direction shall designate the percentage (in any whole percentage multiples) of each portion of the Participant’s Plan Accounts which is requested to be invested in such categories of performance measurements, and shall be subject to the following rules:

(a) Any initial or subsequent performance measurement direction shall be in or on a form acceptable to the Employer and Recordkeeper and shall be effective as of the next Designation Date which shall be the next available market trading day. The Participant may, if permitted by the Employer and the Recordkeeper, make a performance measurement direction for his or her existing Account balance as of the Designation Date and a separate performance measurement direction for contribution credits occurring after the Designation Date.

(b) All amounts credited to the Participant’s Account shall be measured for gains and losses in accordance with the then effective performance measurement direction and shall continue indefinitely as provided in the Participant’s most recent Participant Enrollment and Election Form, or other form specified by the Employer. As of the effective date of any new performance measurement direction, all or a portion of the Participant’s Account at that date shall be reallocated among the designated performance measurements according to the percentages specified in the new performance measurement direction. The new performance measurement direction will remain effective until a subsequent performance measurement direction is filed and becomes effective.

(c) If the Employer or Recordkeeper receives an initial or revised performance measurement direction which it deems to be incomplete, unclear or improper, the Participant’s performance measurement direction then in effect shall remain in effect until the next Designation Date, unless the Employer and Recordkeeper provide for, and permits the application of, corrective action prior thereto. In the case of a deficiency in an initial performance measurement direction, or if the Participant has not made an initial performance measurement direction, the Participant’s Account shall be allocated to the lowest risk investment option for measuring Account gains and losses, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion.

(d) If the Recordkeeper possesses at any time directions as to the performance measurement of less than all of a Participant’s Account, the Participant shall be deemed to have directed that the undesignated portion of the Account be deemed to be measured in a money market, fixed income or similar fund made available under the Plan, as determined by the Recordkeeper in its discretion.

(e) Each Participant hereunder, as a condition to his or her participation hereunder, agrees to hold harmless the Employer and the Recordkeeper and their agents and representatives from any losses or damages of any kind relating to the performance measurement of the Participant’s Account hereunder.

(f) Each reference in this Section to a Participant shall be deemed to include, where applicable, a reference to a Beneficiary.

 

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4.4 EXPENSES. Expenses, including taxes and administrative fees, allocable to the administration or operation of an Account maintained under the Plan (as determined by the Employer in its discretion) shall be paid by the Employer.

ARTICLE 5: DISTRIBUTION EVENTS AND CONDITIONS

5.1 SEPARATION FROM SERVICE. If the Participant has a Separation from Service for any reason including death and Disability, the Participant’s Compensation Deferral Credit Account at the date of such separation shall be valued based on the last Valuation Date and shall be payable according to the provisions of Article 6. In addition, if the Participant’s Separation from Service is because of death or Disability, the Participant’s Employer Contribution Credit Account at the date of such separation shall be fully vested, valued based on the last Valuation Date and payable according to the provisions of Article 6. If the Participant’s Separation from Service is for any reason other than death or Disability, and the Employer selects in the Adoption Agreement to have Employer Contribution Credit Accounts subject to a vesting schedule, the Participant’s Employer Contribution Credit Account at the date of such separation shall be vested based on applying the vesting schedule chosen in the Adoption Agreement. Any unvested portion shall be forfeited to the Employer.

1 CHANGE IN CONTROL. The Employer may choose, per the Adoption Agreement, to (a) have Participants become fully vested in their Account balances upon a Change in Control and (b) allow Participants to receive a distribution of their vested Account balances upon a Change in Control. The Participant’s Account shall be valued based on the last Valuation Date before the Change in Control. If the Employer makes a payment designation, each Participant’s Account shall be paid in the manner provided in Article 2.

5.3. SPECIFIED PERIOD DEFERRALS. If the Employer designates in the Adoption Agreement that a Participant may make Specified Period Deferral elections, a Participant may designate in the Participant Enrollment and Election Forms to have his or her Compensation Deferral Credit Account for the specific Plan Year distributed as the Participant’s Specified Period Deferral distribution. Distributions of the amount of the Specified Period Deferral shall be made in the form provided in Article 6.

5.4 UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY. In the event of an unforeseeable emergency of the Participant, as defined in Section 1.33, the Participant may apply to the Employer for the distribution of all or any part of his or her then vested Account. The Employer shall consider the circumstances of each such case, and the best interests of the Participant and his or her family, and shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to direct a distribution of all or part of the amount requested, or to refuse to allow any distribution. Any payment that a Participant is entitled to because of an Unforeseeable Emergency shall be governed by Article 6.

ARTICLE 6: DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

6.1 MEDIUM OF PAYMENT. All payment under the Plan shall be made in cash, subject to any federal, state, or local income tax or other withholding that may be required.

6.2 SEPARATION FROM SERVICE ACCOUNT DISTRIBUTIONS. If the Participant has a Separation from Service, the Participant’s Employer will pay the amount equal to the Participant’s Account, as valued under Section 5.1, in either a lump sum or, if provided in the Adoption Agreement, annual installments ranging from two to fifteen years. The form of payment shall be determined by both the Employer’s elections in the Adoption Agreement and the Employee’s deferral elections pursuant to the Participant Enrollment and Election Forms. If a Participant is permitted to elect a form of payment and fails to designate properly the form of payment, such payment will be made in a lump sum. Regardless of the timing and form of payment chosen, the first such payment shall be made on, or as close to as administratively feasible, the date of Separation from Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant’s Separation from Service occurs prior to obtaining the Annual Installment Eligibility Age designated in the Adoption Agreement, the Participant’s Compensation Deferral Credit Account, and any vested amounts of the Participant’s Employer Contribution Credit Account as provided in Section 5.1 and 6.7 as applicable, shall be paid in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible. Also notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is deemed a key employee of a publicly traded corporation as defined in Internal Revenue Code Section 416(i)(1), no payment may be made earlier than six months after the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service.

 

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6.3 CHANGE IN CONTROL ACCOUNT DISTRIBUTIONS. If the Employer has chosen, per the Adoption Agreement, to distribute the Participant’s Account balance at the date of any event that is defined as a Change in Control under the Plan, the Participant’s vested Account balance at the date of such Change in Control shall be payable in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the Change in Control.

6.4 SPECIFIED PERIOD DEFERRAL DISTRIBUTION. The Employer shall pay a Participant who is entitled to a Specified Period Deferral distribution the amount of such Specified Period Deferral in either a lump sum or, if provided for in the Adoption Agreement in annual installments ranging from two to fifteen years. In no event may a Specified Period Deferral distribution be made prior to two years following the Plan Year in the deferral of the Participant. The form of payment shall be specified in the Participant’s Enrollment and Election Forms, but if no such election is made the amount shall be distributed in a lump sum. Distributions of Specified Period Deferrals shall commence at the later of the date specified by the Participant or the date specified in the Adoption Agreement. If the Participant elects to receive Specified Period Deferral distributions in annual installment payments, the payment of each annual installment shall be made on the anniversary of the date of the first installment payment, and the amount of the annual installment shall be adjusted on such anniversary for credits or debits to the Participant’s Account pursuant to Article 4. Such adjustment shall be made by dividing the balance in the Plan Year account on such date by the number of annual installments remaining to be paid hereunder; provided that the last annual installment due under the Plan shall be the entire amount credited to the Plan Year account on the date of payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant Separates from Service prior to the date on which the entire balance in the Plan Year account has been distributed, the balance in the Plan Year account on such date shall be distributed to the Participant in the same manner and at the same time as the balance in the Account is distributed under Section 6.2.

6.5 DISTRIBUTIONS UPON UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCIES. Upon the Employer’s determination to grant a Participant’s request to receive a distribution due to an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Employer shall make the appropriate distribution to the Participant from amounts held by the Employer in respect of the Participant’s Account. Once the Employer grants a Participant’s request for a distribution due to an Unforeseeable Emergency, the election to defer compensation pursuant to section 3.2 will be terminated. After such termination, the participant may later elect to defer compensation according to section 3.2. In no event shall the aggregate amount of the distribution exceed the lesser of a) the full value of the Participant’s vested Account or b) the amount determined by the Employer to be necessary to alleviate the Participant’s unforeseeable emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution, after taking into account the extent to which such an unforeseeable emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance, liquidation of the Participant’s assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would itself cause a severe financial hardship, or otherwise), and cancellation of compensation deferral credits upon payment due to an unforeseeable emergency.

6.6 PAYMENT OF INSTALLMENTS. If the whole or any part of a payment to be made under this Article 6 by the Employer is to be in installments, any unpaid installment amounts shall continue to be deemed to be invested pursuant to Article 4 under such procedures as the Employer may establish. Any deemed income, gain or loss attributable thereto (as determined by the Recordkeeper, in its discretion) shall be reflected in the installment payments, in such manner as the Recordkeeper shall determine.

6.7 DEATH AND DISABILITY BENEFITS AND VESTING CONDITIONS. If a Participant’s Separation from Service is due to death or Disability, he or she shall become fully vested in his or her Account. If a Participant dies prior to the full payment of his or her Account, the remaining value of the Participant’s Account shall be paid in a lump sum to the person or persons designated in accordance with Section 7.1.

In addition, if the Employer has elected in the Adoption Agreement to provide Participants with an additional twenty-five thousand dollar ($25,000) supplemental benefit and the Participant had fulfilled any additional requirements imposed by the Employer in its discretion for the receipt of the same, upon a Participant’s death prior to the full payment of his or her Account, the person or persons designated in accordance with Section 7.1 shall receive an additional payment of twenty five thousand dollars ($25,000) over and above the payment of the Account. Said supplemental benefit shall be paid to the named beneficiary in a lump sum, as soon as administratively feasible.

6.8 401(k) OFFSET. If the employer has chosen, per the adoption agreement, to include a 401(k) offset feature in the plan, then the Participant may elect to have amounts deferred under this Plan contributed to the Employer’s qualified profit sharing plan as described in Code Section 401(k) (the 401(k) plan). The Employer for each plan year, but no later than March 15 of the next calendar year, shall, with respect to the 401(k) plan, calculate the maximum amount of elective salary deferrals that may be contributed to the Participant’s 401(k) account for the Plan year. The smaller of the amount calculated or the Participant’s compensation deferral for the plan year will be transferred from this Plan to the 401(k) plan as an elective deferral consistent with the Participant’s election. Such transfer will be made no later than March 15 of the year in which the maximum amount of elective salary deferral is calculated. The Participant’s election to have this amount contributed to the 401(k) plan shall satisfy the Employer’s election rules for compensation deferral credits as outlined in section 3.2 of this Plan document.

6.9 MANDATORY CASHOUT. If the employer has chosen, per the adoption agreement, to require the termination of the Participant’s entire interest in their Account through a mandatory cashout, then the Participant’s Account shall be payable in a lump sum. The payment must result in the complete termination of the Participant’s entire vested account balance under the plan, and such lump sum payment cannot be greater than the applicable dollar amount under section 402(g)(1)(B).

 

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6.10 PROHIBITION ON ACCELERATION OF DISTRIBUTIONS. The time or schedule for payment of any distribution under the Plan may not be accelerated, except as set forth in this Plan and permitted under Code Section 409A and any guidance promulgated thereunder.

ARTICLE 7: BENEFICIARIES; PARTICIPANT DATA

7.1 DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARIES. Each Participant from time to time may designate via the Recordkeeper’s website, any person or persons (who may be named contingently or successively) to receive such benefits as may be payable under the Plan upon the Participant’s death, and such designation may be changed from time to time by the Participant by filing a new designation through the Participant’s online Account. Each designation will revoke all prior designations by the same Participant, and will be effective only when filed electronically with the Recordkeeper during the Participant’s lifetime.

In the absence of a valid Beneficiary designation, or if, at the time any benefit payment is due to a Beneficiary, there is no living Beneficiary validly named by the Participant, the Employer shall pay any such benefit payment to the Participant’s estate. In determining the existence or identity of anyone entitled to a benefit payment, the Employer may rely conclusively upon information supplied by the Participant’s personal representative, executor or administrator. If a question arises as to the existence or identity of anyone entitled to receive a benefit payment as aforesaid, or if a dispute arises with respect to any such payment, then, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employer, in its sole discretion, may distribute such payment to the Participant’s estate without liability for any tax or other consequences which might flow therefrom, or may take such other action as the Employer deems to be appropriate.

7.2 INFORMATION TO BE FURNISHED BY PARTICIPANTS AND BENEFICIARIES; INABILITY TO LOCATE PARTICIPANTS OR BENEFICIARIES. Any communication, statement or notice addressed to a Participant or to a Beneficiary at his or her last post office address as shown on the Employer’s records shall be binding on the Participant or Beneficiary for all purposes of the Plan. The Employer shall not be obliged to search for any Participant or Beneficiary beyond the sending of a registered letter to such last known address. If the Employer notifies any Participant or Beneficiary that he or she is entitled to an amount under the Plan and the Participant or Beneficiary fails to claim such amount or make his or her location known to the Employer within three (3) years thereafter, except as otherwise required by law, if the Participant’s spouse or surviving spouse is then living, the Employer shall direct distribution of such amount to the Participant’s spouse or surviving spouse, and, if the Participant has died and then has no surviving spouse, the Employer shall direct distribution of such amount to the Participant’s estate and, if the Participant has not died, the entirety of the Participant’s Account not then paid shall be forfeited to the Employer, and such distribution or forfeiture shall discharge the Employer’s obligations to any such unlocated Participant or Beneficiary. If a benefit payable to an unlocated Participant or Beneficiary is reasonably determined by the Employer to be subject to escheat pursuant to applicable state law, the Employer shall not be liable to any person for any payment made in accordance with such law.

ARTICLE 8: ADMINISTRATION

8.1 ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, the Plan Sponsor (itself or through the Recordkeeper as the Plan Sponsor’s agent) shall have the sole responsibility for and the sole control of the operation and administration of the Plan, and shall have the power and authority to take all action and to make all decisions and interpretations which may be necessary or appropriate in order to administer and operate the Plan, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power, duty and responsibility to:

(a) Resolve and determine all disputes or questions arising under the Plan, including the power to determine the rights of Eligible Employees, Participants and Beneficiaries, and their respective benefits, and to remedy any ambiguities, inconsistencies or omissions in the Plan.

(b) Adopt such rules of procedure and regulations as in its opinion may be necessary for the proper and efficient administration of the Plan and as are consistent with the Plan.

(c) Implement the Plan in accordance with its terms and the rules and regulations adopted as above.

(d) Make determinations with respect to the eligibility of any Eligible Employee as a Participant and make determinations concerning the crediting and distribution of Plan Accounts.

(e) Appoint any persons or firms, or otherwise act to secure specialized advice or assistance, as it deems necessary or desirable in connection with the administration and operation of the Plan, and the Plan Sponsor shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon, and shall be fully protected in any action or omission taken by it in good faith reliance upon, the advice or opinion of such firms or persons. The Plan Sponsor shall have the power and authority to delegate from time to time by written instrument all or any part of its duties, powers or responsibilities under the Plan, both ministerial and discretionary, as it deems appropriate, to any person or committee, and in the same manner to revoke any such delegation of duties, powers or responsibilities, including the power to delegate any administrative and/or recordkeeping functions as are required to be performed under the Plan to the Recordkeeper, subject to the Recordkeeper’s acceptance of such responsibility. Any action of such person or committee in the exercise of such delegated duties, powers or responsibilities shall have the same force and effect for all purposes hereunder as if such action had been taken by the Plan Sponsor. Further, the Plan Sponsor may authorize one or more persons, including the Recordkeeper, to execute any certificate or document on behalf of the Plan Sponsor, in which event any person notified by the Plan Sponsor of such authorization shall be entitled to accept and conclusively rely upon any such certificate or document executed by such person as representing action by the Plan Sponsor until such third person shall have been notified of the revocation of such authority.

 

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If the Recordkeeper is delegated any administrative or recordkeeping authority by the Plan Sponsor hereunder, the Recordkeeper shall use ordinary care and diligence in the performance of its duties pertaining to the Plan, but, except to the extent required by law, the Recordkeeper shall not incur any liability: (i) by virtue of any contract, agreement, bond or other instrument made or executed by it or on its behalf as delegatee of the Plan Sponsor; (ii) for any act or failure to act, or any mistake or judgment made, by it with respect to the business of the Plan, unless resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct; or (iii) for the neglect, omission or wrong doing of any other person or firm employed or retained by the Plan Sponsor.

The Plan Sponsor and each Employer shall employ its own legal and tax advisors.

The Plan Sponsor and each Employer shall indemnify and hold harmless the Recordkeeper and Nationwide ® Financial Services and their officers, directors, employees and other representatives, and the successors and assigns of the foregoing (any one of which hereinafter is referred to as an “Indemnified Person”) from the effects and consequences of the Indemnified Person’s acts, omissions and conduct in its official capacity with respect to the Plan, except to the extent that such effects and consequences shall result from the Indemnified Person’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence. This indemnification will protect an Indemnified Person from all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses incurred by an Indemnified Person (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) which (i) are related to or arise out of a) actions taken or omitted to be taken (including any untrue statements made or any statements omitted to be made) by the Plan Sponsor or b) actions taken or omitted to be taken by an Indemnified Person with the Plan Sponsor’s consent or in conformity with the Plan Sponsor’s actions or omissions; (ii) arise out of changes in investments initiated by the Employer, such as losses incurred while Plan assets are being transferred; or (iii) are otherwise related to or arise out of the Indemnified Person’s activities on behalf of the Employer. The Employer will reimburse an Indemnified Person within 30 days for all expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) as they are incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating, preparing or defending any such action or claim, whether or not in connection with pending or threatened litigation.

In addition, if an Indemnified Person’s services are required, including deposition, expert testimony, related meetings, conferences and preparation time for such events, whether by agreement or subpoena by any party in litigation in which an Indemnified Person’s services may be relevant, Employer shall pay the Indemnified Person’s then current hourly rate for the Indemnified Person(s) involved. If an Indemnified Person is engaged by the Employer in one or more additional capacities, and the terms of this Plan or any additional agreement may be embodied in one or more separate written agreements, this indemnification shall apply to the original Plan and any such additional agreement shall remain in full force and effect following the completion or termination of this Plan.

8.2 UNIFORMITY OF DISCRETIONARY ACTS. Whenever in the administration or operation of the Plan discretionary actions by the Plan Sponsor are required or permitted, such actions shall be consistently and uniformly applied to all persons similarly situated, and no such action shall be taken which shall discriminate in favor of any particular person or group of persons.

8.3 LITIGATION. Except as may be otherwise required by law, in any action or judicial proceeding affecting the Plan, no Participant or Beneficiary shall be entitled to any notice or service of process, and any final judgment entered in such action shall be binding on all persons interested in, or claiming under, the Plan.

8.4 CLAIMS PROCEDURE. Any person claiming a benefit under the Plan (a “Claimant”) shall present the claim, in writing, to the Plan Sponsor, and the Plan Sponsor shall respond in writing. If the claim is denied, the written notice of denial shall state, in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant:

(a) The specific reason or reasons for the denial, with specific references to the Plan provisions on which the denial is based;

(b) A description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect his or her claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and

(c) An explanation of the Plan’s claims review procedure and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review and exhaustion of all administrative remedies under the Plan.

The written notice denying or granting the Claimant’s claim shall be provided to the Claimant within 60 days after the Employer’s receipt of the claim, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. If such an extension is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished by the Plan Sponsor to the Claimant within the initial 60 day period and in no event shall such an extension exceed a period of 60 days from the end of the initial 60 day period. Any extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension and the date on which the Employer expects to render a decision on the claim.

Any Claimant (or such Claimant’s authorized representative) whose claim is denied may, within 60 days after the Claimant’s receipt of notice of the denial request a review of the denial by notice given, in writing, to the Employer. Upon such a request for review, the claim shall be reviewed by the Plan Sponsor (or its designated representative) which may, but shall not be required to, grant the Claimant a hearing. In connection with the review, the Claimant may have representation, may examine pertinent documents, and may submit in writing comments, documents, records and other information relating to the claim. A Claimant shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to his or her claim.

 

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The decision on review normally shall be made within 30 days of the Employer’s receipt of the request for review. If an extension of time is required due to special circumstances, the Claimant shall be notified, in writing, by the Plan Sponsor, within the initial 30 day period, and the time limit for the decision on review shall be extended to 90 days. Any extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Employer expects to render the decision on review. The decision on review shall be in writing and shall state, in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, the specific reasons for the decision and shall include references to the relevant Plan provisions on which the decision is based. The written decision on review shall also state that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant’s claim, and shall include a statement of the Claimant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA. The written decision on review shall be given to the Claimant within the 30 day (or, if applicable, the 90 day) time limit discussed above. All decisions on review shall be final and binding with respect to all concerned parties.

ARTICLE 9: AMENDMENT

9.1 RIGHT TO AMEND. The Plan Sponsor, by written instrument executed by the Plan Sponsor, shall have the right to amend the Plan by making changes to previous elections in the Adoption Agreement, at any time and with respect to any provisions thereof, and all parties hereto or claiming any interest hereunder shall be bound by such amendment; provided, however, that no such amendment shall cause a Participant or a Beneficiary to receive a reduction in his or her vested Account balance prior to the date of the amendment.

9.2 AMENDMENTS TO ENSURE PROPER CHARACTERIZATION OF PLAN. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.1, the Plan may be amended by the Plan Sponsor specified as having the power to amend the Plan in the Adoption Agreement at any time, retroactively if required, if found necessary, in the opinion of the Plan Sponsor, in order to ensure that the Plan (a) is characterized as a “top hat” plan of deferred compensation maintained for a select group of management or highly compensated employees as described under ERISA sections 201(2), 301(a)(3), and 401(a)(1), (b) complies with Code Section 409A and (c) conforms with the provisions and requirements of any applicable law (including ERISA and the Code). No such amendment shall be considered prejudicial to any interest of a Participant or a Beneficiary hereunder.

9.3 CHANGES IN LAW AFFECTING TAXABILITY. In the event of any change in any law, including the issuance of additional guidance under Code Section 409A, after the Effective Date that is contrary to any Plan provision (“Change in Law”), the Plan Sponsor, as of the effective date of the Change in Law, will operate the Plan in conformance therewith and will disregard any inconsistent Plan provision. To the extent that compliance therewith is required to maintain the Plan’s compliance with Code Section 409A or any other applicable law, such Change in Law is deemed to be incorporated by reference into the Plan and to supersede any contrary provision during any period in which the Plan is permitted to comply operationally with the Change in Law and before a formal Plan amendment is required.

ARTICLE 10: TERMINATION

10.1 DISTRIBUTION BECAUSE OF INCOME INCLUSION UNDER CODE SECTION 409A. If any portion of a Participant’s Account under this Plan is required to be included in income by the Participant prior to receipt due to a failure of this Plan to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and related Treasury guidance, the Participant may petition the Board for a distribution of that portion of his or her Account that is required to be included in his or her income. Upon the grant of such a petition, which grant shall not be unreasonably withheld, the Participant’s Employer shall distribute to the Participant immediately available funds in an amount equal to the portion of his or her Account required to be included in income as a result of the failure of the Plan to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and related Treasury guidance, which amount shall not exceed the Participant’s unpaid vested Account balance under the Plan. If the petition is granted, such distribution shall be made within 90 days of the date when the Participant’s petition is granted. Such a distribution shall affect and reduce the Participant’s benefits to be paid under this Plan.

10.2 TERMINATION AT PLAN SPONSOR’S DISCRETION. Any accelerated distribution required due to the Plan Sponsor’s exercise of its right to terminate the plan under this section will be respected if the Plan Sponsor 1) terminates all plans of the same type with respect to all employees; 2) make no payments within 12 months of plan termination other than those otherwise payable under the terms of the plan absent a termination; 3) distribute all amounts payable under the plan within 24 months of plan termination; and 4) not adopt a new plan or arrangement for a period of five years following the date of plan termination.

10.3 TERMINATION DUE TO DISSOLUTION. Any accelerated distribution required due to the plan termination as a result of dissolution of the employer will be included in the employee’s income in the latest of: calendar year of plan termination; calendar year in which an amount is no longer subject to substantial risk of forfeiture; or calendar year in which the payment is administratively practicable.

10.4 TERMINATION DUE TO CHANGE IN CONTROL. Any accelerated distribution required due to plan termination as a result of change in control pursuant will be respected only if all substantially similar plans of the Employer are terminated and all participants in the plan and all substantially similar plans are required to receive all amounts of deferred compensation within 12 months of the date of the terminated plans. Notwithstanding anything in the plan to the contrary any termination and accelerated distribution required due to termination will be consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A and related Treasury guidance.

10.5 SUSPENSION OF DEFERRALS. In the event of a suspension of the Plan, the Employer shall continue all aspects of the Plan, other than Compensation Deferral Credits or Employer Contribution Credits, during the period of the suspension, in which event payments hereunder will continue to be made during the period of the suspension in accordance with Articles V and VI.12

 

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10.6 ALLOCATION AND DISTRIBUTION. This Section shall become operative on a complete termination of the Plan. The provisions of this Section also shall become operative in the event of a partial termination of the Plan, as determined by a terminating Employer, but only with respect to that portion of the Plan attributable to the Participants to whom the partial termination is applicable. Upon the effective date of any such event, notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no persons who were not theretofore Participants shall be eligible to become Participants, the value of the interest of all Participants and Beneficiaries shall be determined and, after deduction of estimated expenses in liquidating and, if applicable, paying Plan benefits, paid to them as soon as is practicable after such termination.

10.7 SUCCESSOR TO EMPLOYER. Any for profit entity which is a successor to the Employer by reason of a dissolution of the Employer, change in control (according to Section 10.3), merger into or consolidation, or purchase of substantially all of the assets of the Employer shall have the right to become a party to the Plan by adopting the same by resolution of the entity’s board of directors or other appropriate governing body. If, within 90 days from the effective date of such dissolution of the Employer, change in control (according to Section 10.3), merger into or consolidation, or purchase of substantially all of the assets of the Employer, such new entity does not become a party hereto, as above provided, the Plan automatically shall be terminated, and the provisions of Sections 10.3 or 10.4 shall become operative.

ARTICLE 11. THE TRUST

The Employer may establish a Trust with a Corporate Trustee pursuant to such terms and conditions as are set forth in a Trust agreement to be entered into between the Employer and such trustee. The Employer shall make contributions to such Trust that correspond to credits to Participants’ Accounts and shall have the discretion to invest Trust assets in a manner that corresponds to Participants’ selected deemed investments in order to provide a source of funds with which the Employer shall pay Plan benefits as they become due.

Any amounts held in a Trust established under this Section shall be the sole property of the Employer and will not be held as collateral security for fulfillment of the Employer’s obligation under the Plan. Any such funds will be subject to the claims of all bankruptcy or insolvency creditors of the Employer as provided in the Trust agreement, and no Participant or Beneficiary will have any vested interest or secured or preferred position with respect to such funds or have any claims against the Employer hereunder except as a general creditor.

The Employer’s obligations under the Plan may be satisfied with Trust assets distributed pursuant to the terms of the Trust, and any such distribution shall reduce the their obligations under this Plan.

ARTICLE 12: MISCELLANEOUS

12.1 LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY. Neither the establishment of the Plan nor any modification thereof, nor the creation of any account under the Plan, nor the payment of any benefits under the Plan shall be construed as giving to any Participant or other person any legal or equitable right against the Employer, or any officer or employee thereof except as provided by law or by any Plan provision. Neither Nationwide Financial Services, the Recordkeeper nor the Employer in any way guarantees any Participant’s Account from loss or depreciation, whether caused by poor investment performance of a deemed investment or the inability to realize upon an investment due to an insolvency affecting an investment vehicle or any other reason. In no event shall the Employer, the Recordkeeper or Nationwide Financial Services, or any successor, employee, officer, director or stockholder of the Employer, the Recordkeeper or Nationwide Financial Services, be liable to any person on account of any claim arising by reason of the provisions of the Plan or of any instrument or instruments implementing its provisions, or for the failure of any Participant, Beneficiary or other person to be entitled to any particular tax consequences with respect to the Plan, or any credit or distribution hereunder.

12.2 CONSTRUCTION. If any provision of the Plan is held to be illegal or void, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Plan, but shall be fully severable, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if said illegal or invalid provision had never been inserted herein. For all purposes of the Plan, where the context admits, the singular shall include the plural, and the plural shall include the singular. Headings of Articles and Sections herein are inserted only for convenience of reference and are not to be considered in the construction of the Plan. The laws of the state of the Employer’s incorporation shall govern, control and determine all questions of law arising with respect to the Plan and the interpretation and validity of its respective provisions, except where those laws are preempted by the laws of the United States. Participation under the Plan will not give any Participant the right to be retained in the service of the Employer nor any right or claim to any benefit under the Plan unless such right or claim has specifically accrued hereunder.

The Plan is intended to be and at all times shall be interpreted and administered so as to qualify as an unfunded deferred compensation plan, and no provision of the Plan shall be interpreted so as to give any individual any right in any assets of the Employer which right is greater than the rights of a general unsecured creditor of the Employer.

 

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12.3 SPENDTHRIFT PROVISION. No amount payable to a Participant or a Beneficiary under the Plan will be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, attachment, garnishment, sale, transfer, assignment (either at law or in equity), levy, execution, pledge, encumbrance, charge or any other legal or equitable process, and any attempt to do so will be void; nor will any benefit be in any manner liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of the person entitled thereto. Further, (i) the withholding of taxes from Plan benefit payments, (ii) the recovery under the Plan of overpayments of benefits previously made to a Participant or Beneficiary, (iii) if applicable, the transfer of benefit rights from the Plan to another plan, or (iv) the direct deposit of benefit payments to an account in a banking institution (if not actually part of an arrangement constituting an assignment or alienation) shall not be construed as an assignment or alienation.

12.4 UNSECURED CREDITOR. Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, interests or claims in any property or assets of the Employer. For purposes of the payment of benefits under this Plan, any and all of the Employer’s assets shall be, and remain, the general, unpledged unrestricted assets of the Employer. The Employer’s obligation under the Plan shall be merely that of an unfunded and unsecured promise to pay money in the future. In the event that any Participant’s or Beneficiary’s benefits hereunder are claimed by more than one party, the Employer may bring an action or a declaratory judgment in a court of competent jurisdiction to determine the proper recipient of the benefits to be paid under the Plan.

12.5 COURT ORDER. The Board is authorized to comply with any court order in any action in which the Plan or the Board has been named as a party, including any action involving a determination of the rights or interests in a Participant’s benefits under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall interpret this provision in a manner that is consistent with Code Section 409A and other applicable tax law. In addition, if necessary to comply with a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Code Section 414(p)(10(B), pursuant to which a court has determined that a spouse or former spouse of a Participant has an interest in the Participant’s benefits under the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, shall have the right to immediately distribute the spouse’s or former spouse’s interest in the Participant’s benefits under the Plan to such spouse or former spouse.

12.6 INSURANCE. The Employer, on its own behalf or on behalf of the trustee of the Trust, and, in its sole discretion, may apply for and procure insurance on the life of the Participant, in such amounts and in such forms as the Employer or Trust may choose. The Employer or the trustee of the Trust, as the case maybe, shall be the sole owner and beneficiary of any such insurance. The Participant shall have no interest whatsoever in any such policy or policies, and at the request of the Employer shall submit to medical examinations and supply such information and execute such documents as may be required by the insurance company or companies to whom the Employer has applied for insurance.

12.7 OFFSET FOR INDEBTEDNESS. The total amount to be paid hereunder to the Employee or his beneficiary, as the case may be, shall be reduced in an amount equal to the indebtedness of such Employee to the Employer, or claims of the Employer, if any, existing at the time of the payment. Said indebtedness or claims shall be considered fully discharged to the extent of any such reduction in the amount paid.

12.8 NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to be a contract of employment for any term of years, nor as conferring upon the Employee the right to continue to be employed by the Employer in his or her present capacity or in any capacity. It is expressly understood that this Plan relates to the payment of deferred compensation for the Employee’s services, payable after termination of his or her employment with the Employer, and it is not intended to be an employment contract.

12.9 NOTICE. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to the Employer under this Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered, or sent by registered or certified mail, to the address in the Adoption Agreement or the last known address on the books of the Employer.

Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification.

Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given to a Participant under this Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand-delivered, or sent by mail, to the last known address of the Participant.

 

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