DEFERRED COMPENSATION LIABILITY

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

DEFERRED COMPENSATION LIABILITY [Abstract]

7.	DEFERRED COMPENSATION LIABILITY

In 2010, the Board of Directors approved an unfunded deferred compensation agreement for Turid M. Sørensen, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. The agreement provides for unfunded deferred compensation computed as a percentage of salary, and certain benefits for dependents. The deferred compensation liability for the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President is denominated in Norwegian currency. Benefits vest over a period of employment of 20.5 years up to a maximum of 66% of the salary level at the time of retirement, age of 67. Interest is imputed at 2.60% and 2.70% as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The rights under the agreement commenced in May 2008. As the agreement was effective in 2010, vested rights under the agreement were recognized in 2010.

In May 2007, the Board of Directors approved an unfunded deferred compensation agreement for Herbjørn Hansson, the Chairman, President and CEO. The agreement provides for unfunded deferred compensation computed as a percentage of salary, and certain benefits for dependents. Benefits vest over a period of employment of 14 years up to a maximum of 66% of the salary level at the time of retirement, age of 70. Interest is imputed at 2.60% and 2.70% as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The rights under the agreement commenced in October 2004. The CEO has the right to require a bank guarantee for the deferred compensation liability, and the Company has a deposit as described in Note 8. The CEO has served in his position since the inception of the Company in 1995.

The total expense related to the deferred compensation agreements for the Chairman, President and CEO and for the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, recognized in 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1.8 million, $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015 total deferred compensation liability was $14.5 million and $13.0 million, respectively.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation costs, including compensated absences accruals, compensated absences liability, deferred compensation arrangements and income statement compensation items. Deferred compensation arrangements may include a description of an arrangement with an individual employee, which is generally an employment contract between the entity and a selected officer or key employee containing a promise by the employer to pay certain amounts at designated future dates, usually including a period after retirement, upon compliance with stipulated requirements. This type of arrangement is distinguished from broader based employee benefit plans as it is usually tailored to the employee. Disclosure also typically includes the amount of related compensation expense recognized during the reporting period, the number of shares (units) issued during the period under such arrangements, and the carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the related liability.

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