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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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ý	Preliminary Proxy Statement
o	Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o	Definitive Proxy Statement
o	Definitive Additional Materials
o	Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

AbbVie Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on May 3, 2019

              The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of AbbVie Inc. will be held at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601, on Friday, May 3, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. CT for the following purposes:

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To elect three directors to hold office until the 2022 Annual Meeting or until their successors are elected (Item 1),

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To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie's independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 (Item 2),

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To vote on an advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation (Item 3),

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To vote on a management proposal to eliminate supermajority voting (Item 4), and

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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting, including consideration of three stockholder proposals, if presented at the meeting (Items 5, 6, and 7).

Your Vote Is Important

Please promptly vote your shares by telephone, using the Internet, or by signing and returning your proxy in the enclosed envelope if you received a printed version of the proxy card.

The board of directors recommends that you vote FOR Items 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the proxy card.

The board of directors recommends that you vote AGAINST Items 5, 6, and 7 on the proxy card.

              The close of business on March 8, 2019, has been fixed as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

AbbVie's 2019 Proxy Statement and 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.abbvieinvestor.com. If you are a registered stockholder, you may access your proxy card by either:

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Going to the following website: www.proxyvote.com, entering the information requested on your computer screen and following the simple instructions, or

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Calling (in the United States, U.S. territories, and Canada) toll free 1-800-690-6903 on a touch-tone telephone and following the simple instructions provided by the recorded message.

              Admission to the meeting will be by admission card only. If you plan to attend, please complete and return the reservation form in the back of these materials and an admission card will be sent to you. Due to space limitations, reservation forms must be received before April 26, 2019. Each admission card, along with photo identification, admits one person. A stockholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a stockholder.

By order of the board of directors.

Laura J. Schumacher
Secretary

March [    ], 2019

Table of Contents

Proxy Statement Summary	1
Information about the Annual Meeting	9
Who Can Vote	9
Notice and Access	9
Voting by Proxy	9
Revoking a Proxy	9
Discretionary Voting Authority	9
Quorum and Vote Required to Approve Each Item on the Proxy	10
Effect of Broker Non-Votes and Abstentions	10
Inspectors of Election	10
Cost of Soliciting Proxies	10
AbbVie Savings Plan	10
Information Concerning Director Nominees (Item 1)	11
The Board of Directors and its Committees	16
Communicating with the Board of Directors	21
Director Compensation	22
Securities Ownership	24
Executive Compensation	26
Compensation Discussion and Analysis	26
Compensation Committee Report	44
Compensation Risk Assessment	44
Summary Compensation Table	46
2018 Grants of Plan-Based Awards	49
2018 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End	51
2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested	55
Pension Benefits	55
Non-qualified Deferred Compensation	59
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control	59
Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Item 2)	63
Audit Information	64
Audit Fees and Non-Audit Fees	64
Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	64
Audit Committee Report	65
Say on Pay—Advisory Vote on the Approval of Executive Compensation (Item 3)	66
Management Proposal to Eliminate Supermajority Voting (Item 4)	67
Stockholder Proposals	68
Stockholder Proposal on Lobbying Report (Item 5)	68
Stockholder Proposal on Compensation Committee Drug Pricing Report (Item 6)	71
Stockholder Proposal on Independent Chair (Item 7)	73
Additional Information	75

              The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the board of directors for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting will be held on May 3, 2019, at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. This summary highlights selected information in the proxy statement. Please review the entire proxy statement and the AbbVie 2018 Annual Report before voting.

2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Date and Time: May 3, 2019 9:00 a.m. CT

Location: Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601

Record Date: March 8, 2019

How to Vote: Stockholders as of the record date are entitled to vote via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com; by telephone at 1-800-690-6903; by returning a completed proxy card; or in person at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Voting Items and Board Recommendations

		Board Recommendations
Item 1	Election of Directors	FOR All Nominees
Item 2	Ratification of Independent Auditor	FOR
Item 3	Say on Pay—Advisory Vote on the Approval of Executive Compensation	FOR
Item 4	Management Proposal to Eliminate Supermajority Voting	FOR
Item 5	Stockholder Proposal on Lobbying Report	AGAINST
Item 6	Stockholder Proposal on Compensation Committee Drug Pricing Report	AGAINST
Item 7	Stockholder Proposal on Independent Chair	AGAINST

Business Overview and Performance Highlights

Business Overview

              Since becoming a public company in 2013, AbbVie's mission has been to create an innovation-driven, patient-focused specialty biopharmaceutical company capable of achieving sustainable top-tier performance through outstanding execution and a consistent stream of innovative new medicines. AbbVie's adjusted revenue and adjusted earnings per share growth in 2018 ranks the company at the very top of its peer group and reflects the continued strength of its execution across business priorities. Collectively, the new medicines that AbbVie has introduced since inception—including new therapies in hematologic oncology and hepatitis C virus—represented nearly a quarter of AbbVie's total sales in 2018 and will be important contributors in 2019 and beyond. With the launch of several new products in 2019, combined with a robust mid- and late-stage pipeline, AbbVie remains well-positioned to deliver on its long-term vision for the company, including sustainable, top-tier performance along with increasing returns to stockholders.

2019 Proxy Statement   | 1

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

              AbbVie's products are focused on treating conditions such as chronic autoimmune diseases in rheumatology, gastroenterology and dermatology; oncology, including blood cancers; virology, including hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus; neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease; metabolic diseases, including thyroid disease and complications associated with cystic fibrosis; pain associated with endometriosis; as well as other serious health conditions. AbbVie's pipeline includes more than 60 compounds or indications in development across important medical specialties such as immunology, oncology and neuroscience, with additional targeted investments in cystic fibrosis and women's health.

Business Performance Highlights

AbbVie has Delivered Robust Financial Results since Inception

The measures set forth above were calculated as of December 31, 2018.

* Net revenues, diluted earnings per share and operating margin are adjusted to exclude certain specified items and are non-GAAP measures, which are reconciled in Appendix B.

              AbbVie has delivered a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since inception on adjusted net revenues and adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS), placing AbbVie in the top quartile of its Health Care Peer Group. Additionally, AbbVie is committed to a robust return of capital to stockholders with an increase of 168% in its quarterly dividend since 2013 as part of a balanced and disciplined capital allocation program. AbbVie's total stockholder return

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PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

(TSR) since inception of 235.2% also places AbbVie at the top of its Health Care Peer Group, and more than 136 percentage points above the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and more than 152 percentage points above the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index over the same time period.

AbbVie has Significantly Grown Revenue and EPS Since 2013

* Net revenues and diluted earnings per share are adjusted for specified items and are non-GAAP measures, which are reconciled in Appendix B.

AbbVie has Delivered Outstanding Results, Ranking First or Second on Nearly Each of the Below Financial Metrics

(1)

AbbVie's peer group above includes: Amgen, Inc., Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead Sciences, Inc., GlaxoSmithKline plc, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Company, Inc., Novartis AG and Pfizer Inc.

AbbVie also Delivered Strong Business Performance in 2018

              AbbVie has built a strong foundation for its business and 2018 was an exceptional year, as evidenced by a number of business highlights:

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Net Revenues:  AbbVie reported full-year net revenues of $32.8 billion on a GAAP basis and adjusted net revenues of $32.7 billion, an increase of 15.2% over 2017, excluding the impact of foreign exchange. This places AbbVie at the top of its Health Care Peer Group.

2019 Proxy Statement   | 3

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

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HUMIRA:  AbbVie delivered global HUMIRA sales of $19.9 billion, an increase of 8.2% on a reported basis, or 7.4% excluding the impact of foreign exchange. HUMIRA'S performance was driven by continued biologic penetration across therapeutic categories and geographies.

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IMBRUVICA:  Global IMBRUVICA net revenue was $3.6 billion, an increase of 39.5%, driven by market share growth in front-line chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other approved indications.

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Gross and Operating Margins:  In 2018, AbbVie reported a gross margin of 76.4% on a GAAP basis or 80.6% of net revenues on an adjusted basis. AbbVie's operating margin was 19.5% on a GAAP basis or 44.6% of net revenues on an adjusted basis.

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Earnings Per Share:  AbbVie reported full-year diluted EPS of $3.66 on a GAAP basis and adjusted diluted EPS of $7.91, up 41.3%. This reflects growth in the very top tier of AbbVie's Health Care Peer Group. For 2019, AbbVie provided a diluted EPS guidance range of $7.39 to $7.49 on a GAAP basis and $8.65 to $8.75 on an adjusted basis. The midpoint of the adjusted guidance represents growth of 10% over 2018, reflecting strong operating dynamics in the underlying business.

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Regulatory Milestones:  AbbVie also achieved a number of regulatory milestones in markets worldwide for several key products, including regulatory approvals for VENCLEXTA in combination with RITUXAN (rituximab) in relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); conditional approval for VENCLEXTA in combination with azacitidine or decitabine or low-dose cytarabine in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy; IMBRUVICA in combination with rituximab as the first chemotherapy-free combination treatment for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia; and ORILISSA for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis.

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Pipeline Development:  With more than 30 programs in mid- and late-stage development, AbbVie made significant pipeline advancements in 2018. AbbVie announced data from nearly a dozen pivotal trials, initiated a number of important phase transitions across our key development programs and made multiple regulatory submissions. AbbVie completed registrational studies and submitted regulatory applications for the company's next-generation immunology assets, upadacitinib and risankizumab, in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, respectively. In addition, the company initiated several Phase 3 programs for these assets including studies for upadacitinib in atopic dermatitis and ulcerative colitis, as well as risankizumab in Crohn's disease. AbbVie reported positive data from Phase 3 studies in other areas of the pipeline including ELAGOLIX in uterine fibroids, VENCLEXTA in front-line CLL, and results from several trials evaluating IMBRUVICA in front-line CLL.

Corporate Governance Highlights

              Our board of directors is committed to strong corporate governance tailored to meet the needs of AbbVie and its stockholders to enhance stockholder value. In connection with our ongoing, proactive engagement with stockholders (as described in greater detail on pages 34-35), AbbVie's board of directors:

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approved a management proposal to eliminate supermajority voting in this proxy statement (Item 4) to seek stockholder approval to amend the company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to provide for a simple majority of shares outstanding for all provisions previously subject to a supermajority provision, as described in Item 4 and previously submitted a declassification management proposal to a stockholder vote in 2018, 2017, and 2016;

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approved and implemented in 2016 a proxy access by-law provision to permit a stockholder, or a group of up to 20 stockholders, owning at least 3% of the company's outstanding common stock continuously for at least 3 years to nominate and include in the company's proxy materials director nominees constituting up to 25% of the board of directors, as further detailed in the company's By-Laws;

4   |2019 Proxy Statement

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

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shared our board skills matrix beginning in 2016, which contains the skills considered by the nominations and governance committee to be the most relevant to the board's oversight role with respect to AbbVie's business and affairs and to drive our culture of innovation and responsibility;

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incorporated an overview of AbbVie's corporate responsibility approach and initiatives in the proxy statement beginning in 2018; and

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reviewed detailed feedback from AbbVie's investor engagement program, which reaches out to stockholders holding approximately 45% of the company's outstanding shares.

              Highlights of our governance practices include:

Governance Practice	For more information
Independent lead director with robust responsibilities is selected by the board	p. 16
Ten of AbbVie's eleven directors are independent and regularly meet in executive session	p. 16
All members of the audit, compensation, nominations and governance and public policy committees are independent	p. 19
Adopted a proxy access By-Law provision for 3%/3 years	p. 77
Policy prohibiting hedging and pledging	p. 44
Robust stock ownership guidelines	p. 43
Disclosure of our corporate political contributions and our trade association dues and oversight process	http://www.abbvie.com/responsibility/transparency-policies/corporate-political-participation.html
Broad clawback authority to recover incentive plan awards	p. 44
For inclusion on the board, the nominations and governance committee considers diversity of ethnicity, gender, and geography	p. 19
Related person transaction policy to ensure appropriate oversight	p. 75
We do not have a stockholder rights plan or "poison pill"	Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
Our directors are elected by a majority vote of our stockholders for uncontested elections and we have a resignation policy if the director fails to receive a majority of the votes cast	p. 10
We hold an annual say-on-pay advisory vote on executive compensation	p. 66
Our governance guidelines restrict the number of boards our directors may serve on to prevent overboarding	Corporate Governance Guidelines
Annual board and committee self-assessments and annual succession planning	Corporate Governance Guidelines
We are guided by strong ethics programs and supplier guidelines	http://www.abbvie.com/responsibility/home.html

Corporate Responsibility 2018 Highlights

              At AbbVie, we strive to make a remarkable impact on patients and drive sustainable growth by discovering and delivering a consistent stream of innovative medicines that address serious health problems. Our corporate responsibility commitments guide the ways in which we advance that vision.

2019 Proxy Statement   | 5

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

Commitment: Use our expertise to improve health

              Creating real health improvement is our mission. To be a leading healthcare innovator, we must attract, retain and support a diverse workforce and invest in their collaborative efforts to develop medicines that bring value for patients. Key 2018 advancements include:

Equality, diversity and inclusion:

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We were again widely recognized for our leading diversity practices. In the United States, we were named a top 10 member of the Working Mother 100 Best Companies list and further recognized by DiversityInc and Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For. AbbVie also received a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index. Globally, we were named to over 40 Great Place to Work and top employer lists.

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We further enhanced our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion by creating a dedicated vice president role to lead our efforts. 47% of our management positions globally are held by women, and a new global Women's Leadership Program will help women in management build the skills and perspectives needed to advance even further in the company. In the United States, 31% of our workforce is made up of historically underrepresented populations.

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Each organization within AbbVie established new equality, diversity and inclusion plans to address identified areas of opportunity through talent attraction, acquisition, engagement, development and retention.

Innovative medicines that offer significant health benefit:

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In 2018, we advanced the treatment of blood cancers with approval of our chemotherapy-free, fixed-duration treatment for relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

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We also introduced the first FDA-approved oral treatment in over a decade for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis, a condition impacting an estimated one in 10 women of reproductive age.

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We provided over 80,000 U.S. patients free access to these and other AbbVie medicines through our patient assistance programs.

Addressing the health needs of the underserved:

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In 2018, over 400 AbbVie scientists gave nearly 40,000 pro bono hours to conduct preclinical and clinical research on potential treatments for diseases that disproportionately affect developing countries, including onchocerciasis (river blindness), tuberculosis, and malaria.

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We also announced a royalty-free licensing agreement with the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) for our pan-genotypic hepatitis C virus (HCV) medicine, covering more than 90 low- and middle-income countries and territories. Through this agreement, AbbVie will grant licenses to World Health Organization prequalified generic manufacturers to manufacture and supply generic versions of the medicine, while maintaining the highest quality and production standards. AbbVie has a long history of working together with the community to ensure broad and long-term access to care for our virology medicines worldwide.

6   |2019 Proxy Statement

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

Commitment: Steward our ethical and sustainable business

              To participate over the long-term in the provision of healthcare, we must earn and maintain the trust of patients, healthcare providers, regulators, policymakers and the public. Key 2018 advancements include:

Human rights and workplace safety:

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In 2018, AbbVie was the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) leader in occupational health and safety across the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Overall, the Index ranked AbbVie #2 in the biotechnology sector, and once again named the company to the DJSI World and North America indices.

Environmental sustainability:

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We made progress against our aggressive environmental targets in 2018. We expanded the proportion of our energy purchased from renewable sources and further reduced scope 1 and 2 carbon dioxide emissions.

Robust ethics and compliance program:

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Each year, all of AbbVie's employees must read and certify adherence to our extensive AbbVie Code of Business Conduct, which sets forth our core guidelines and requirements for ethical behavior.

Commitment: Support long-term community strength

              We support well-being, resilience and growth in our current markets and help lay the foundation for broader economic development using our unique resources.

              In addition to our ongoing support for education and community programs, independent medical and patient education, and employee vitality and volunteerism, in 2018 AbbVie made an additional $350 million in charitable contributions to support U.S. non-profit organizations making long-term impact on community strength.

Community resilience and economic growth:

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For example, as a committed employer in Puerto Rico for nearly 50 years, AbbVie is supporting long-term efforts that will move the community from recovery to resilience in the wake of Hurricane Maria. With AbbVie donations of $50 million each, Direct Relief will rebuild and strengthen the primary healthcare system, while Habitat for Humanity will repair and rebuild homes, making them better able to withstand future hurricanes.

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As a technology innovator, we want to help narrow the educational gap for children in underserved areas. Our gifts of $30 million to Communities In Schools, $10 million to City Year and $15 million to the University of Chicago Education Lab will grow programs focused on improving graduation rates, reducing dropout rates and increasing college and career readiness for children in kindergarten through grade 12—with an emphasis on those in high-poverty neighborhoods.

Public health and well-being:

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Sick children and their families often experience emotional and financial burdens. We are working with leading organizations that help alleviate those burdens so that families can focus on healing. Our donations totaling $155 million: $100 million to Ronald McDonald House Charities, $50 million to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and $5 million to Family Reach, will help them expand services and create physical spaces that will improve health and well-being in a holistic way.

2019 Proxy Statement   | 7

PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

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We are partners in the global movement toward the elimination of HCV and actively support a wide range of efforts to help elevate HCV elimination on the global agenda. In 2018, we launched micro-elimination pilot projects in several countries, with the goal of demonstrating the impact of elimination among targeted geographies and populations, and identifying scalable elimination strategies.

              The commitments discussed above are also aligned with global priorities as defined by the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We focus on the key aspects of these SDGs that relate most closely to our activities: Securing Good Health & Well-Being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Decent Work & Economic Growth (SDG 8), Responsible Production and Consumption (SDG 12), and Climate Action (SDG 13).

              For more information about our corporate responsibility efforts, please visit abbvie.com/responsibility.

Executive Compensation Highlights

              AbbVie's board of directors believes a well-designed compensation program should align executive interests with the drivers of stockholder returns and profitable growth, support achievement of the company's primary business goals, and attract and retain world-class executives whose talents and contributions sustain the growth in long-term stockholder value. Consequently, the compensation committee of the board has designed and implemented an executive compensation program in which a substantial majority of named executive officer (NEO) compensation at AbbVie is performance-based.

              When determining NEO compensation, the committee first considers the median of the competitive marketplace (as derived primarily from the Health Care Peer Group approved by the committee) as an initial benchmark for assessing compensation. The committee then takes into account the company's overall performance against the financial, operating and strategic objectives that were established at the start of the performance period. Finally, specific pay determinations are made for each NEO based on his or her individual performance against goals and contributions to the short- and long-term performance of the company.

              Three primary components make up AbbVie's executive pay program: base salary, short-term incentives and long-term incentives. The structure of each component is tailored to serve a specific function and purpose. The following is a summary of the key components of our compensation program.

8   |2019 Proxy Statement

Who Can Vote

              Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 8, 2019 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of March 8, 2019, AbbVie had [            ] outstanding shares of common stock, which are AbbVie's only outstanding voting securities. Each stockholder has one vote per share. Stockholders do not have the right to vote cumulatively in electing directors.

Notice and Access

              In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) e-proxy rules, AbbVie mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") to stockholders in March 2019. The Notice describes the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting and how stockholders can access the proxy materials online. It also provides instructions on how stockholders can vote their shares. If you received the Notice, you will not receive a printed version of the proxy materials unless you request one. If you would like to receive a printed version of the proxy materials, free of charge, please follow the instructions on the Notice.

Voting by Proxy

              AbbVie's stockholders may vote their shares by telephone, the Internet, or at the Annual Meeting. If you vote by telephone or the Internet, you do not need to return your proxy card. The instructions for voting can be found on the Notice, on the website listed in the Notice, and, if you received one, on your proxy card. If you requested a printed version of the proxy card, you may also vote by mail.

Revoking a Proxy

              You may revoke your proxy by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or, at any time prior to the meeting:

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by delivering a written notice to the secretary of AbbVie,

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by delivering an authorized proxy with a later date, or

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by voting by telephone or the Internet after you have given your proxy.

Discretionary Voting Authority

              Unless otherwise specified in accordance with the instructions on the proxy, the persons named in the proxy will vote the shares of AbbVie common stock covered by proxies they receive to elect the three nominees named in Item 1 on the proxy card. If a nominee becomes unavailable to serve, the shares will be voted for a substitute designated by the board of directors or for fewer than three nominees if, in the judgment of the proxy holders, such action is necessary or desirable.

              Where a stockholder has specified a choice for or against the proposals to be presented at the Annual Meeting or if the stockholder has chosen to abstain, the shares of AbbVie common stock represented by the proxy will be voted (or not voted) as specified. Where no choice has been specified, the proxy will be voted FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors, FOR the approval of executive compensation, FOR the management proposal to eliminate supermajority voting, and AGAINST each of the stockholder proposals.

2019 Proxy Statement   | 9

INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

              The board of directors is not aware of any other issue that may properly be brought before the meeting. If other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the accompanying proxy will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders.

Quorum and Vote Required to Approve Each Item on the Proxy

              A majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, represented in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum. Directors are elected by stockholders in an uncontested election if a majority of the votes cast are "for" a director's re-election at the Annual Meeting, excluding abstentions and broker non-votes. For other matters, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented, in person or by proxy, at the meeting and entitled to vote on a matter shall be the act of the stockholders with respect to that matter; except for the management proposal to eliminate supermajority voting, which requires the affirmative vote of shares representing not less than eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of AbbVie entitled to vote generally in the election of directors pursuant to Article XI of AbbVie's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Effect of Broker Non-Votes and Abstentions

              A proxy submitted by an institution such as a broker or bank that holds shares for the account of a beneficial owner may indicate that all or a portion of the shares represented by that proxy are not being voted with respect to a particular matter. This could occur, for example, when the broker or bank is not permitted to vote those shares in the absence of instructions from the beneficial owner of the stock. These "non-voted shares" will be considered shares not present and, therefore, not entitled to vote on those matters, although these shares may be considered present and entitled to vote for other purposes. Brokers and banks have discretionary authority to vote shares in the absence of instructions on matters the New York Stock Exchange considers "routine," such as the ratification of the appointment of the auditors. They do not have discretionary authority to vote shares in absence of instructions on "non-routine" matters. The election of directors, the advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation, the management proposal to eliminate supermajority voting, and the stockholder proposals are considered "non-routine" matters. Non-voted shares will not affect the determination of the outcome of the vote on any matter to be decided at the meeting. Shares represented by proxies that are present and entitled to vote on a matter but that have elected to abstain from voting on that matter, other than the election of directors, will have the effect of votes against that matter.

Inspectors of Election

              The inspectors of election and the tabulators of all proxies, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify stockholders are independent and are not AbbVie employees.

Cost of Soliciting Proxies

              AbbVie will bear the cost of making solicitations from its stockholders and will reimburse banks and brokerage firms for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation. Proxies may be solicited by mail, telephone, Internet, or in person by directors, officers, or employees of AbbVie and its subsidiaries.

              AbbVie has retained Alliance Advisors LLC to aid in the solicitation of proxies, at an estimated cost of $15,000 plus reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

AbbVie Savings Plan

              Participants in the AbbVie Savings Plan will receive voting instructions for their shares of AbbVie common stock held in the AbbVie Savings Plan Trust. The Trust is administered by both a trustee and an investment committee. The trustee is The Northern Trust Company. The members of the investment committee are William H.S. Preece, Tabetha A. Skarbek and Michael J. Thomas, employees of AbbVie. The voting power with respect to the shares is held by and shared between the investment committee and the participants. The investment committee must solicit voting instructions from the participants and follow the voting instructions it receives. The investment committee may use its own discretion with respect to those shares of AbbVie common stock for which no voting instructions are received.

10   |2019 Proxy Statement

              The board of directors consists of three classes currently comprised of three directors in Class I and four directors in Classes II and III. Directors of one class are elected each year for a term of three years. The Class I directors are presented for re-election to hold office until the expiration of their term at the 2022 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death or resignation.

              Directors are elected by stockholders if a majority of the votes cast are "for" a director's re-election at the Annual Meeting, excluding abstentions and broker non-votes. For more information on the director majority vote standard, see AbbVie's By-Laws as listed as an exhibit to AbbVie's 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K. All of the nominees are currently serving as directors.

Class I—Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2019

Committees:
Audit
Nominations &
Governance Director since: 2013
Age: 67 William H.L. Burnside Retired Senior Vice President and Director at The Boston Consulting Group
Mr. Burnside is a retired senior vice president and director at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he currently serves as an advisor. Prior to becoming managing partner of BCG's Los Angeles office in 1987, he worked in BCG's London and Chicago offices, servicing clients in telecommunications, media, defense, financial services, and manufacturing. Key Contributions to the Board: Through his experience with The Boston Consulting Group, Mr. Burnside contributes knowledge and understanding of corporate finance and capital markets matters to the board, as well as global and domestic strategic advisory experience across a broad base of industries.

Committees:
Nominations &
Governance
Public Policy Director since: 2016
Age: 49
Brett J. Hart Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, United Continental Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Hart is the executive vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (UAL) and United Airlines, Inc., a position he has held since May 2017. He served as executive vice president and general counsel between February 2012 and May 2017. Mr. Hart also served as acting chief executive officer of UAL and United Airlines, Inc. from October 2015 to March 2016. From December 2010 to February 2012, he served as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of UAL, United and Continental. From June 2009 to December 2010, Mr. Hart served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Sara Lee Corporation. Key Contributions to the Board: As an executive vice president and general counsel for two large public companies with international operations and having served as an acting CEO, Mr. Hart contributes operational and strategic acumen with expertise in risk management, legal strategic matters, government and regulatory affairs, customer and external facing matters, corporate governance, and compliance.

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INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Committees:
Audit
Public Policy Director since: 2013
Age: 61
Edward J. Rapp Retired Group President for Resource Industries of Caterpillar Inc.
Mr. Rapp served as the Caterpillar Inc. group president for resource industries from 2014 until his retirement in mid-2016. He previously served at Caterpillar as group president based in Singapore in 2013 and 2014 and as the chief financial officer from 2010 to 2013, and he was named a group president in 2007. He is currently a member of the University of Missouri College of Business Strategic Development Board. Mr. Rapp previously served as a director of FM Global. Key Contributions to the Board: As a result of his tenure as group president and chief financial officer at Caterpillar Inc., Mr. Rapp has acquired management, operational, and financial expertise with extensive global experience and provides the board with an informed perspective on financial and operational matters faced by a complex international company.

Class II—Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2020

Committees: Nominations & Governance Public Policy Director since: 2013 Age: 68

Robert J. Alpern, M.D. Ensign Professor of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Dean of Yale School of Medicine Dr. Alpern has served as the Ensign Professor of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Dean of Yale School of Medicine since June 2004. From July 1998 to June 2004, Dr. Alpern was the Dean of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Alpern also serves as a director of Abbott Laboratories, Tricida, Inc. and Yale-New Haven Hospital. Key Contributions to the Board: As the Ensign Professor of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Dean of Yale School of Medicine, Dean of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and as a director on the Board of Yale-New Haven Hospital, Dr. Alpern contributes valuable insights to the board through his medical and scientific expertise and his knowledge of the health care environment and the scientific nature of AbbVie's key research and development initiatives.

Committees: Compensation Public Policy Director since: 2013 Age: 73

Edward M. Liddy Retired Chairman & CEO, The Allstate Corporation Mr. Liddy served as a partner in the private equity investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC from January 2010 to December 2015. At the request of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Mr. Liddy served as interim chairman and chief executive officer of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), a global insurance and financial services holding company, from September 2008 to August 2009. From January 1999 to April 2008, Mr. Liddy served as chairman of the board of The Allstate Corporation (insurance). He served as chief executive officer of Allstate from January 1999 to December 2006, president from January 1995 to May 2005, and chief operating officer from August 1994 to January 1999. Mr. Liddy currently serves on the board of directors of Abbott Laboratories, 3M Company, and The Boeing Company. Key Contributions to the Board: Mr. Liddy's executive leadership at Allstate and AIG and his board service at several Fortune 100 companies enable him to provide our board with valuable insights on corporate strategy, risk management, corporate governance and other issues facing large, global enterprises. Additionally, as a former chief financial officer, audit committee chair at Goldman Sachs and 3M, and a private equity firm partner, Mr. Liddy provides our board with significant knowledge and understanding of corporate finance, capital markets, financial reporting and accounting matters.

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INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Committees: Audit Public Policy Director since: 2017 Age: 61

Melody B. Meyer President of Melody Meyer Energy, LLC Ms. Meyer is president of Melody Meyer Energy, LLC, a private consulting firm, a position she has held since June 2016. From March 2011 to April 2016, Ms. Meyer served as the president of Chevron Asia Pacific Exploration and Production Company. She previously served as president of Chevron Energy Technology Company from 2008 to 2011, in addition to various other roles over her thirty-seven year career at Chevron. Ms. Meyer is also a director at BP p.I.c. and National Oilwell Varco, Inc. Key Contributions to the Board: As a result of her tenure at Chevron, Ms. Meyer has acquired operational, management, strategic planning, and financial expertise with extensive global experience and provides an informed perspective to the board on financial and operational matters faced by a complex international company.

Committees: Audit Compensation Director since: 2013 Age: 65

Frederick H. Waddell Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern Trust Company Mr. Waddell served as chairman of the board of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern Trust Company from November 2009 until his retirement in January 2019. He previously served as chief executive officer from 2008 through 2017, as president from 2006 to 2011 and again from October to December 2016, and chief operating officer from 2006 to 2008. Mr. Waddell is also a director of International Business Machines Corporation. Key Contributions to the Board: As former chairman and chief executive officer of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern Trust Company, Mr. Waddell contributes broad financial services experience with a strong record of leadership in a highly regulated industry.

Class III—Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2021

Committees:
Audit
Compensation Director since: 2013
Age: 58 Roxanne S. Austin President, Austin Investment Advisors
Ms. Austin is president of Austin Investment Advisors, a private investment and consulting firm, and chairs the U.S. Mid-market Investment Advisory Committee of EQT Partners. Previously, Ms. Austin also served as the president and chief executive officer of Move Networks, Inc., a provider of Internet television services. Ms. Austin served as president and chief operating officer of DIRECTV, Inc. Ms. Austin also served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Hughes Electronics Corporation and as a partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Ms. Austin is also a director of Abbott Laboratories, Target Corporation, and Teledyne Technologies, Inc. Ms. Austin also served as a director of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson from 2008 to 2016. Key Contributions to the Board: Through her extensive management and operating roles, including her financial roles, Ms. Austin contributes significant oversight and leadership experience to the board, including financial expertise and knowledge of financial statements, corporate finance and accounting matters.

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INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Director since: 2013 Age: 65

Richard A. Gonzalez Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, AbbVie Inc. Mr. Gonzalez is the chairman and chief executive officer of AbbVie. He served as Abbott's executive vice president of the pharmaceutical products group from July 2010 to December 2012, and was responsible for Abbott's worldwide pharmaceutical business, including commercial operations, research and development, and manufacturing. He also served as president, Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott's medical technology investment arm, from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Gonzalez joined Abbott in 1977 and held various management positions before briefly retiring in 2007, including: Abbott's president and chief operating officer; president, chief operating officer of Abbott's Medical Products Group; senior vice president and president of Abbott's former Hospital Products Division; vice president and president of Abbott's Health Systems Division; and divisional vice president and general manager for Abbott's Diagnostics Operations in the United States and Canada. Key Contributions to the Board: As a result of his service as Abbott's executive vice president, Pharmaceutical Products Group, his previous service as Abbott's president and chief operating officer and his more than 30-year career at Abbott, Mr. Gonzalez has developed valuable business, management and leadership experience, as well as extensive knowledge of AbbVie and its global operations. Mr. Gonzalez's experience and knowledge enable him to contribute to AbbVie's board key insights into strategic, management, and operational matters.

Committees: Nominations & Governance Public Policy Director since: 2018 Age: 66

Rebecca B. Roberts Retired President of Chevron Pipe Line Company Ms. Roberts served as president of Chevron Pipe Line Company from 2006 until her retirement in 2011. She previously served as the president of Chevron Global Power Generation from 2003 to 2006, in addition to various technical and management positions during her thirty-six year career with Chevron. Ms. Roberts began her career as a chemist and research scientist. Ms. Roberts currently serves on the board of directors at Black Hills Corporation and MSA Safety Incorporated. Ms. Roberts served as a director of Enbridge, Inc. from 2015 to 2018. Key Contributions to the Board: Ms. Roberts brings management, operational, safety, and strategy development expertise with a scientific background and extensive global experience at Chevron. She provides an informed perspective to the board on regulatory and operational matters faced by a complex international company.

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INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Committees:
Compensation
Nominations &
Governance Lead Independent Director Director since: 2013
Age: 70
Glenn F. Tilton Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the UAL Corporation
Mr. Tilton was chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase & Co. from 2011 until his retirement in 2014. From October 2010 to December 2012, Mr. Tilton also served as the non-executive chairman of the board of United Continental Holdings, Inc. From September 2002 to October 2010, he served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of UAL Corporation, and chairman and chief executive officer of United Air Lines, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary. Prior to becoming the vice chairman of Chevron Texaco following the merger of Texaco Inc. and Chevron Corp., Mr. Tilton enjoyed a 30-year multi-disciplinary career with Texaco Inc., culminating in his election as chairman and chief executive officer. Mr. Tilton is also a director of Abbott Laboratories and Phillips 66. Mr. Tilton also served on the board of directors of Lincoln National Corporation from 2002 to 2007, of TXU Corporation from 2005 to 2007, of Corning Incorporated from 2010 to 2012, and of United Continental Holdings, Inc. from 2010 to 2012. Key Contributions to the Board: As chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and having previously served as non-executive chairman of the board of United Continental Holdings, Inc., and chairman, president, and chief executive officer of UAL Corporation and United Air Lines, vice chairman of Chevron Texaco and as interim chairman of Dynegy, Inc., Mr. Tilton acquired strong management experience overseeing complex multinational businesses operating in highly regulated industries, as well as expertise in finance and capital markets matters. His experience as non-executive chairman of the board of United Continental Holdings, Inc. also enhances his contributions as AbbVie's lead independent director.

2019 Proxy Statement   | 15

The Board of Directors

              The board of directors held nine meetings in 2018. All directors attended one-hundred percent of the board and committee meetings in 2018. AbbVie encourages its board members to attend the annual stockholder meeting. All of AbbVie's directors attended the 2018 annual stockholder meeting.

              The board has determined that each of the following individuals is independent in accordance with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing standards: Dr. Alpern, Ms. Austin, Mr. Burnside, Mr. Hart, Mr. Liddy, Ms. Meyer, Mr. Rapp, Ms. Roberts, Mr. Tilton, and Mr. Waddell. To determine independence, the board applied the AbbVie Inc. director independence guidelines. The board also considered whether a director has any other material relationships with AbbVie or its subsidiaries and concluded that none of these directors had a relationship that impaired the director's independence. This included consideration of the fact that some of the directors are officers or serve on boards of companies or entities to which AbbVie sold products or made contributions or from which AbbVie purchased products and services during the year. This also included consideration of the fact that some of the directors serve on the board of Abbott Laboratories (Abbott), AbbVie's former parent. In making its determination, the board relied on both information provided by the directors and information developed internally by AbbVie.

              The board has risk oversight responsibility for AbbVie and administers this responsibility both directly and with assistance from its committees. The board reviews enterprise risks and discusses them with our senior management on a regular basis. AbbVie's risk management program focuses on issues relevant to AbbVie's business, reputation, and strategy, including but not limited to pipeline advancement, healthcare industry dynamics such as pricing and patient access, manufacturing, regulatory and compliance matters, and others. For more details about committee responsibilities and oversight, please see the committee discussion on pages 19-21.

              The board also oversees AbbVie's culture, employee engagement, and overall management of human capital. This oversight ensures that AbbVie is attracting, developing, and retaining best-in-class employees dedicated to making a remarkable impact on patients' lives around the world.

              The board has determined that the current leadership structure, in which the offices of chairman of the board and chief executive officer are held by one individual with a board appointed lead independent director, ensures the appropriate level of oversight, independence, and responsibility is applied to all board decisions, including risk oversight, and is in the best interests of AbbVie and its stockholders. The lead independent director is chosen by and from the independent members of the board of directors.

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

              The lead independent director responsibilities include:

1.	facilitates communication with the board and presides over regularly conducted executive sessions of the independent directors or sessions where the chairman of the board is not present;
2.	reviews and approves matters, such as agenda items, schedule sufficiency, and, where appropriate, information provided to other board members;
3.	serves as the liaison between the chairman of the board and the independent directors;
4.	has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors;
5.	leads the board's evaluation of the CEO;
6.	leads the annual board and committee evaluation process, including discussing evaluations with each director individually;
7.	encourages effective director participation by fostering an environment of open dialogue and constructive feedback among independent directors;
8.	if requested by major stockholders, ensures that he or she is available for consultation and direct communication as needed;
9	if required, represents independent board members externally; and
10.	performs such other duties as the board may determine from time to time.

              All directors are encouraged to, and in fact do, consult with the chairman on each of the above topics, as well. The lead director, and each of the other directors, communicates regularly with the chairman of the board and chief executive officer regarding appropriate agenda topics and other board related matters.

              AbbVie directors have backgrounds that when combined provide a portfolio of experience and knowledge that serve AbbVie's governance and strategic needs. Director nominees are considered based on a range of criteria including broad-based business knowledge and relationships, prominence and excellent reputations in their primary fields of endeavor, as well as a global business perspective and commitment to good corporate citizenship, and ability to commit sufficient time and attention to the activities of the board. They must have demonstrated experience and ability that is relevant to the board's oversight role with respect to AbbVie's business and affairs. They must also be able and willing to represent the stockholders' economic interests and satisfy their fiduciary duties to stockholders without conflicts of interest. For more details on director qualifications, please see Exhibit A to AbbVie's Governance Guidelines.

              Each year, the board and its committees conduct self-evaluations to determine whether they are functioning effectively. The full board, led by the lead independent director, discusses the evaluation reports to determine what, if any, action should be undertaken to improve the board and its committees.

              Each director's biography includes the particular experience and qualifications that led the board to conclude that the director should serve on the board. The directors' biographies are in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Information Concerning Director Nominees."

              The following table highlights our directors' skills and experience. The skills identified below are considered by the nominations and governance committee to be the most relevant to the board's oversight role with respect to AbbVie's business and affairs and to drive our culture of innovation and responsibility. The specific importance of each skill also is noted.

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

              Such skills include, among others:

•

Healthcare Industry—Relevant to an industry understanding and review of our business and strategy for continued innovation.

•

Leadership—For a board that can successfully advise and oversee the company's business performance and represent stockholders' interests.

•

Global Business and Strategy—For oversight of a complex global organization like AbbVie to successfully advise and oversee the strategic development and direction of the company.

•

Corporate Governance and Public Company Board—Ensuring directors have background and knowledge to perform oversight and governance roles.

•

Finance or Accounting—Enabling our directors to analyze our financial statements, oversee our capital structure, and consider financial transactions.

•

Government Relations and Regulatory—For an understanding of the complex regulatory and governmental environment in which our business operates.

Director Skills, Knowledge and Experience Matrix
	Healthcare Industry	Leadership	Global Business and Strategy	Corporate Governance and Public Company Board	Finance or Accounting	Government Relations and Regulatory
Dr. Alpern	ü	ü	ü	ü		ü
Ms. Austin	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Mr. Gonzalez	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Mr. Burnside		ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Mr. Hart		ü	ü	ü		ü
Mr. Liddy	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Ms. Meyer		ü	ü		ü	ü
Mr. Rapp		ü	ü		ü	ü
Ms. Roberts		ü	ü	ü		ü
Mr. Tilton	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü	ü
Mr. Waddell		ü	ü	ü	ü	ü

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

Board Diversity

              AbbVie is committed to diversity in its workforce and on its board of directors. In the process of identifying nominees to serve as a member of the board of directors, the nominations and governance committee considers the board's diversity of ethnicity, gender, age, and geography and assesses the effectiveness of the process in achieving that diversity. More details about our workforce diversity are available in the "Corporate Responsibility Highlights" section of this proxy statement.

Committees of the Board of Directors

              The board of directors has five committees established in AbbVie's By-Laws: the audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and governance committee, public policy committee, and executive committee. Each of the members of the audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and governance committee, and public policy committee is independent. Mr. Tilton serves as AbbVie's lead independent director.

	Audit Committee	Compensation Committee	Nominations and Governance Committee	Public Policy Committee
R. Alpern
R. Austin
W. Burnside
B. Hart
E. Liddy
M. Meyer
E. Rapp
R. Roberts
G. Tilton
F. Waddell
Number of meetings	6	4	4	4

Lead Director
Chairperson
Member
Financial Expert

Audit Committee

              The audit committee is governed by a written charter. The charter sets forth the purposes of the audit committee, identifies qualifications required for the audit committee members, and describes the committee's authority and responsibilities. The audit committee assists the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to AbbVie's accounting and financial reporting practices and the audit process, the quality and integrity of AbbVie's financial statements, including a review of significant accounting policies, the independent auditors' qualifications, independence, and performance, the performance of AbbVie's internal audit function and internal auditors, certain areas of legal and regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management. Each of the members of the audit committee is

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

financially literate, as required of audit committee members by the NYSE, and the independence requirements set forth in Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The board of directors has determined that Ms. Austin, the committee's chairperson, is an "audit committee financial expert."

Compensation Committee

              The compensation committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board of directors in carrying out the board's responsibilities relating to the compensation of AbbVie's executive officers and directors. The compensation committee annually reviews the compensation paid to the directors and gives its recommendations to the full board regarding both the amount of director compensation that should be paid and the allocation of that compensation between equity-based awards and cash. In recommending director compensation, the compensation committee takes into account director fees paid by companies in AbbVie's Health Care Peer Group and reviews any arrangement that could be viewed as indirect director compensation. The processes and procedures used for the consideration and determination of executive compensation are described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this proxy statement. The committee also reviews, approves, and administers the incentive compensation plans in which the AbbVie executive officers participate and all of AbbVie's equity-based plans. It may delegate the responsibility to administer and make grants under these plans to management, except to the extent that such delegation would be inconsistent with applicable law or regulations or with the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The compensation committee has the sole authority, under its charter, to select, retain and/or terminate independent advisors who may assist the committee in carrying out its responsibilities. The compensation committee reviews and discusses with management and its independent compensation advisor potential risks associated with AbbVie's compensation policies and practices as discussed in the "Compensation Risk Assessment" section of this proxy statement. Each member of the committee qualifies as a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and as an "outside director" for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).

              The committee has engaged Compensation Advisory Partners (CAP) as its independent compensation consultant. The independent compensation consultant provides counsel and advice to the committee on executive and non-employee director compensation matters. CAP, and its principal, report directly to the chair of the committee. The principal meets regularly, and as needed, with the committee in executive sessions, and has direct access to the committee chair during and between meetings. The committee determines what variables it will instruct CAP to consider, including: peer groups against which performance and pay should be examined, metrics to be used in incentive plans to assess AbbVie's performance, competitive short- and long-term incentive practices in the marketplace, and compensation levels relative to market benchmarks. The committee negotiates and approves all fees paid to CAP for these services. AbbVie did not engage CAP to perform any other services during 2018.

              Based on an assessment of internally developed information and information provided by CAP, the committee has determined that its independent compensation advisor does not have a conflict of interest. A copy of the compensation committee report is included in the "Compensation Committee Report" section of this proxy statement.

Nominations and Governance Committee

              The nominations and governance committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board of directors in identifying individuals qualified to become board members and recommends to the board the nominees for election as directors at the next annual meeting of stockholders, recommends to the board the persons to be elected as executive officers of AbbVie, recommends to the board the corporate governance guidelines applicable to AbbVie, oversees the evaluation of the board and management, and serves in an advisory capacity to the board and the chairman of the board on matters of organization, management succession plans, major changes in the organizational structure of AbbVie, and the conduct of board activities. The process used by this committee to identify a nominee to serve as a member of the board of directors depends on the qualities being sought, as described on pages 16-17. From time to time, AbbVie engages an executive search firm to assist the committee in identifying individuals qualified to be board members.

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

Public Policy Committee

              The public policy committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to AbbVie's public policy, certain areas of legal and regulatory compliance, governmental affairs, healthcare compliance, and social responsibility and environmental matters that affect or could affect AbbVie. Other topics within the committee's purview include but are not limited to ethics and compliance matters, government and regulatory trends relevant to AbbVie's business, political contributions, and corporate philanthropy.

Executive Committee

              The executive committee members are Mr. Gonzalez, chair, Ms. Austin, Mr. Liddy, Mr. Rapp, and Mr. Tilton. This committee may exercise all of the authority of the board in the management of AbbVie, except for matters expressly reserved by law for board action.

Communicating with the Board of Directors

              Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the board of directors by writing a letter to the chairman of the board, to the lead director, or to the independent directors c/o AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, AP34, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, Attention: corporate secretary. The corporate secretary regularly forwards to the addressee all letters other than mass mailings, advertisements, and other materials not relevant to AbbVie's business. In addition, directors regularly receive a log of all correspondence received by the company that is addressed to a member of the board and may request any correspondence on that log.

2019 Proxy Statement   | 21

              AbbVie employees are not compensated for serving on the board or board committees. AbbVie's non-employee directors are compensated for their service under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan and the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program. As described in "Committees of the Board of Directors—Compensation Committee," director compensation is reviewed annually by the compensation committee with the independent compensation consultant, including a review of director compensation against AbbVie's Health Care Peer Group, and a recommendation is then provided to the full board.

              The following table sets forth the non-employee directors' 2018 compensation.

Name	Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1)		Restricted Stock Unit Awards ($)(2)		Option Awards ($)(3)		Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)(4)		All Other Compensation ($)(5)	Total ($)
R. Alpern		$107,917		$189,947		$0		$27,741	$25,000		$350,605
R. Austin		132,917		189,947		0		0	5,565		328,429
W. Burnside		113,917		189,947		0		0	25,000		328,864
B. Hart		107,917		189,947		0		0	25,000		322,864
E. Liddy		127,917		189,947		0		0	0		317,864
M. Meyer		113,917		189,947		0		0	25,000		328,864
E. Rapp		133,917		189,947		0		0	25,000		348,864
R. Roberts		64,167		189,947		0		0	25,000		279,114
G. Tilton		152,917		189,947		0		0	26,463		369,327
F. Waddell		113,917		189,947		0		0	25,000		328,864

(1)

Under the Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan as in effect until the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, non-employee directors earned $105,000 per year for service as a director and $20,000 per year for service as a chair of a board committee, other than the chair of the audit committee. The chair of the audit committee received $25,000 per year for service as chair of that committee and the other members of the audit committee received $500 for each month of service as a committee member. The lead director received $25,000 per year for service in that role. The Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan was amended, effective as of the 2018 annual meeting of stockholders, to change the annual non-employee director fee to $110,000 based on the recommendation of the compensation committee's independent compensation consultant following review of AbbVie's Health Care Peer Group market practices and trends. The non-employee director and committee fees are earned monthly for each calendar month or portion thereof that the director holds the position, excluding the month in which the director is first elected to the position.

Fees earned under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan are, at the director's election, paid in cash, delivered in the form of vested non-qualified stock options (based on an independent appraisal of their fair value), deferred until retirement (as an unfunded AbbVie obligation), or paid currently into an individual grantor trust established by an eligible director. The distribution of deferred fees and amounts held in a director's grantor trust

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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

generally commences at the later of when the director reaches age 65 or upon retirement from the board of directors. Fees deposited in a trust may be credited to a stock equivalent account that earns the same return as if the fees were invested in AbbVie stock or to a guaranteed interest account. If necessary, AbbVie contributes funds to a director's trust so that as of year-end the stock equivalent account balance (net of taxes) is not less than seventy-five percent of the market value of the related AbbVie common stock at year end.

(2)

The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock unit awards granted during 2018, determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. AbbVie determines the grant date fair value of the awards by multiplying the number of units granted by the average of the high and low market prices of one share of AbbVie common stock on the award grant date.

In addition to the fees described in footnote (1), each non-employee director elected to or serving on the board of directors at the 2018 annual stockholder meeting received under the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program vested restricted stock units with a target grant date value of $190,000. In 2018, this equated to 1,899 restricted stock units (after rounding the award down to the nearest whole unit), with a reportable value of $189,947. The non-employee directors receive cash payments equal to the dividends paid on the shares covered by the units at the same rate as other stockholders, but do not otherwise have access to the restricted stock units during their board service. Upon termination or retirement from the board, death, or a change in control of the company, a non-employee director will receive one common share for each restricted stock unit outstanding under the Incentive Stock Program.

The following AbbVie restricted stock units were outstanding as of December 31, 2018: R. Alpern, 23,688; R. Austin, 31,351; W. Burnside, 15,129; B. Hart, 7,643; E. Liddy, 19,115; M. Meyer, 4,669; E. Rapp, 15,129; R. Roberts, 1,899; G. Tilton, 27,335; and F. Waddell, 15,129. These numbers include, where applicable, AbbVie restricted stock units issued with respect to Abbott Laboratories restricted stock units outstanding when AbbVie separated from Abbott on January 1, 2013.

(3)

No AbbVie stock options were outstanding as of December 31, 2018.

(4)

The totals in this column include reportable interest credited under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan during 2018.

(5)

Charitable contributions made by AbbVie's non-employee directors are eligible for a matching contribution (up to $25,000 annually). For 2018 contributions, the AbbVie Foundation made charitable matching contributions on behalf of the following AbbVie directors: R. Alpern, $25,000; W. Burnside, $25,000; B. Hart, $25,000; M. Meyer, $25,000; E. Rapp, $25,000; R. Roberts, $25,000; G. Tilton, $25,000; and F. Waddell, $25,000. This column also includes reimbursement for certain taxes.

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Securities Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors

              The table below reflects the number of shares of AbbVie common stock beneficially owned as of January 31, 2019, by each director and director nominee, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, and the three other most highly paid executive officers (NEOs), and by all directors, director nominees and executive officers of AbbVie as a group. It also reflects the number of stock equivalent units and restricted stock units held by non-employee directors under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan.

Name	Shares Beneficially Owned(1)(2)(3)	Stock Options Exercisable within 60 days of January 31, 2019	Stock Equivalent Units
R. Gonzalez	290,854	580,904	0
R. Alpern	23,688	0	6,222
R. Austin	38,195	0	0
W. Burnside	15,129	0	0
B. Hart	7,643	0	0
E. Liddy	20,250	0	21,768
M. Meyer	4,669	0	0
E. Rapp	20,743	0	14,296
R. Roberts	1,899	0	0
G. Tilton	40,085	0	30,293
F. Waddell	17,129	0	0
W. Chase	105,364	516,353	0
R. Michael	6,876	20,430	0
L. Schumacher	134,322	263,683	0
C. Alban	137,994	457,803	0
M. Severino	82,281	352,952	0
All directors and executive officers as a group(4)	1,116,294	2,908,161	72,579

(1)

The table includes shares held in the executive officers' accounts in the AbbVie Savings Plan as follows: all executive officers as a group, 3,942. Each executive officer has shared voting power and sole investment power with respect to the shares held in his or her account.

(2)

The table includes restricted stock units held by the non-employee directors. The directors' units are payable in stock as described in footnote (2) to the Director Compensation table.

(3)

The table includes shared voting and/or investment power over shares as follows: R. Gonzalez, 7,615; G. Tilton, 350; W. Chase, 501; C. Alban, 40,442; and all directors and executive officers as a group, 53,034.

(4)

The directors and executive officers as a group own less than one percent of the outstanding shares of AbbVie.

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SECURITIES OWNERSHIP

Securities Ownership of Principal Stockholders

              The table below reports the number of shares of AbbVie common stock beneficially owned as of December 31, 2018 by Capital Research Global Investors, BlackRock, Inc. and The Vanguard Group (directly or through subsidiaries), respectively, the only persons known to AbbVie to own beneficially more than 5% of AbbVie's outstanding common stock. It is based on information contained in Schedules 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Capital Research Global Investors and The Vanguard Group on February 14, 2019 and by BlackRock, Inc. on February 4, 2019. Capital Research Global Investors reported that it had sole voting power with respect to 173,568,243 shares, shared voting power with respect to 0 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 173,568,243 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 0 shares. The Vanguard Group reported that it had sole voting power with respect to 1,864,360 shares, shared voting power with respect to 346,076 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 118,412,949 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 2,170,476 shares. BlackRock, Inc. reported that it had sole voting power with respect to 82,367,981 shares, shared voting power with respect to 0 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 95,788,899 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 0 shares.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner	Shares Beneficially Owned	Percent of Class
Capital Research Global Investors 333 South Hope Street Los Angeles, CA 90071	173,568,243	11.5%
The Vanguard Group 100 Vanguard Boulevard Malvern, PA 19355	120,583,425	8.0%
BlackRock, Inc. 55 East 52nd Street New York, NY 10055	95,788,899	6.4%

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

              This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) describes the pay philosophy established for AbbVie's named executive officers (NEOs), the design of our compensation programs, the process used to examine performance in the context of executive pay decisions, and the performance goals and results for each NEO:

Richard A. Gonzalez	Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
William J. Chase	Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration
Robert A. Michael	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Laura J. Schumacher	Vice Chairman, External Affairs and Chief Legal Officer
Carlos Alban	Vice Chairman, Chief Commercial Officer
Michael E. Severino	Vice Chairman and President

              Although we describe our programs in the context of the NEOs, it is important to note that our programs generally have broad eligibility and therefore in most cases apply to employee populations outside the NEO group as well.

CD&A Table of Contents

              The CD&A is organized as follows:

I. Executive Summary	27
Compensation Philosophy	27
Business Overview	27
Business Performance Highlights	28
Components of our Compensation Program	33
2018 Performance Results	33
Stockholder Engagement	34
Compensation Program Governance Summary	35
II. Executive Compensation Process	35
Commitment to Performance-Based Awards	35
Committee Process for Setting Total Compensation	36
Compensation Benchmarking	36
Role of the Compensation Consultant	36
Compensation Risk Oversight	36
III. Compensation Plan Elements	37
Base Salary	37
Short-Term Incentives	37
Long-Term Incentives	40
Benefits	42
Employment Agreements	43
Excise Tax Gross-Ups	43
Change in Control Agreements	43
IV. Other Matters	43
Stock Ownership Guidelines	43
Clawback Policy	44
Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies	44

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

I.    Executive Summary

Compensation Philosophy

              At AbbVie, the board of directors and management believe a well-designed compensation program should align executive interests with the drivers of stockholder returns and profitable growth, support achievement of the company's primary business goals to have a remarkable impact on patients' lives, and attract and retain world-class executives whose talents and contributions sustain the growth in long-term stockholder value. The board believes it has implemented a compensation program that appropriately balances short- and long-term strategic objectives and directly links compensation to stockholder value with more than three-fourths of the total direct compensation paid to NEOs tied to performance.

Business Overview

              AbbVie's products are focused on treating conditions such as chronic autoimmune diseases in rheumatology, gastroenterology and dermatology; oncology, including blood cancers; virology, including hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus; neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease; metabolic diseases, including thyroid disease and complications associated with cystic fibrosis; pain associated with endometriosis; as well as other serious health conditions. AbbVie's pipeline includes more than 60 compounds or indications in development across important medical specialties such as immunology, oncology and neuroscience, with additional targeted investment in cystic fibrosis and women's health.

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Business Performance Highlights

AbbVie has Delivered Robust Financial Results since Inception

The measures set forth above were calculated as of December 31, 2018.

* Net revenues, diluted earnings per share and operating margin are adjusted to exclude certain specified items and are non-GAAP measures, which are reconciled in Appendix B.

              AbbVie has delivered a strong compound annual growth rate (CAGR) since inception on adjusted net revenues and adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS), placing AbbVie in the top quartile of its Health Care Peer Group. Additionally, AbbVie is committed to a robust return of capital to stockholders with an increase of 168% in its quarterly dividend since 2013 as part of a balanced and disciplined capital allocation program. AbbVie's total stockholder return (TSR) since inception of 235.2% also places AbbVie at the top of its Health Care Peer Group, and more than 136 percentage points above the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and more than 152 percentage points above the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index over the same time period.

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AbbVie also Delivered Strong Business Performance in 2018

              AbbVie has built a strong foundation for its business and 2018 was an exceptional year, as evidenced by a number of business highlights:

•

Net Revenues:  AbbVie reported full-year net revenues of $32.8 billion on a GAAP basis and adjusted net revenues of $32.7 billion, an increase of 15.2% over 2017, excluding the impact of foreign exchange. This places AbbVie at the top of its Health Care Peer Group.

•

HUMIRA:  AbbVie delivered global HUMIRA sales of $19.9 billion, an increase of 8.2% on a reported basis, or 7.4% excluding the impact of foreign exchange. HUMIRA'S performance was driven by continued market penetration across therapeutic categories and geographies.

•

IMBRUVICA:  Global IMBRUVICA net revenue was $3.6 billion, an increase of 39.5%, driven by market share growth in front-line chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and other approved indications.

•

Gross and Operating Margins:  In 2018, AbbVie reported a gross margin of 76.4% on a GAAP basis or 80.6% of net revenues on an adjusted basis. AbbVie's operating margin was 19.5% on a GAAP basis or 44.6% of net revenues on an adjusted basis.

•

Earnings Per Share:  AbbVie reported full-year diluted EPS of $3.66 on a GAAP basis and adjusted diluted EPS of $7.91, up 41.3%. This reflects growth in the very top tier of AbbVie's Health Care Peer Group. For 2019, AbbVie provided a diluted EPS guidance range of $7.39 to $7.49 on a GAAP basis and $8.65 to $8.75 on an adjusted basis. The midpoint of the adjusted guidance represents growth of 10% over 2018, reflecting strong operating dynamics in the underlying business.

•

Regulatory Milestones:  AbbVie also achieved a number of regulatory milestones in markets worldwide for several key products, including regulatory approvals for VENCLEXTA in combination with RITUXAN (rituximab) in relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); conditional approval for VENCLEXTA in combination with azacitidine or decitabine or low-dose cytarabine in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia patients ineligible for intensive chemotherapy; IMBRUVICA in combination with rituximab as the first chemotherapy-free combination treatment for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia; and ORILISSA for the management of moderate to severe pain associated with endometriosis.

•

Pipeline Development:  With more than 30 programs in mid- and late-stage development, AbbVie made significant pipeline advancements in 2018. AbbVie announced data from nearly a dozen pivotal trials, initiated a number of important phase transitions across our key development programs and made multiple regulatory submissions. AbbVie completed registrational studies and submitted regulatory applications for the company's next-generation immunology assets, upadacitinib and risankizumab, in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, respectively. In addition, the company initiated several Phase 3 programs for these assets including studies for upadacitinib in atopic dermatitis and ulcerative colitis, as well as risankizumab in Crohn's disease. AbbVie reported positive data from Phase 3 studies in other areas of the pipeline including ELAGOLIX in uterine fibroids, VENCLEXTA in front-line CLL, and results from several trials evaluating IMBRUVICA in front-line CLL.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

              The graphs below illustrate AbbVie's growth of net revenue and diluted EPS in 2018 versus 2017.

* Net revenues and diluted earnings per share are adjusted for specified items and are non-GAAP measures, which are reconciled in Appendix B.

Performance Relative to Peer Group

              AbbVie is in the top tier of its peers on several financial measures. The chart below outlines AbbVie's performance relative to its Health Care Peer Group in 2018.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

              In addition, AbbVie has delivered industry-leading performance over the longer term, as demonstrated in the chart below reflecting the company's five-year performance relative to its Health Care Peer Group.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Total Stockholder Return (TSR) Performance

              Since becoming a public company in 2013, AbbVie has delivered a total stockholder return of 235.2%, which places AbbVie at the top of its Health Care Peers and surpasses the cumulative total returns of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index, as shown in the graph below. The graph covers the period from January 2, 2013 (the first day AbbVie's common stock began "regular-way" trading on the NYSE) through December 31, 2018. The graph assumes $100 was invested in AbbVie common stock and each index on January 2, 2013 and also assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The stock price performance in the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

Comparison of Cumulative Total Return since AbbVie's Launch

              AbbVie's TSR for calendar year 2018 was –1.0%, which did not reflect the company's top tier operational and financial performance. As the chart above indicates, despite this 1-year result AbbVie's returns since launch significantly exceed industry comparisons.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Components of our Compensation Program

              The compensation committee of the board oversees our executive compensation program, which includes several compensation elements that have each been tailored to incentivize and reward specific aspects of company performance the board believes are central to delivering long-term stockholder value. Key components of our compensation program are listed below.

              The committee is dedicated to ensuring that a substantial portion of executive compensation is "at-risk" and variable. Generally, more than three-fourths of our NEOs' total direct compensation is variable and directly affected by both the company's and the NEO's performance.

2018 Performance Results

              The performance targets established under our annual and long-term incentive plans are rigorous and calibrated to a range of potential outcomes, with above target payouts for strong performance and below target payouts (including no payout) for below target performance. Targets are based on expected business, market and regulatory conditions, including expectations for our pipeline. The financial goals shown in the following table were carried by all of the NEOs as part of their 2018 performance goals. The specific weightings for each NEO are established at the start of each performance year based on the NEO's role and anticipated contributions to the company's annual objectives. Financial goals are set rigorously; achievement of these targets has resulted in top-tier industry performance.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Financial Goals

Goal and Expected Result(1)		2017 Actual		2018 Target	2018 Target vs. 2017 Actual	2018 Actual	2018 Actual vs. 2018 Target
A.	Non-GAAP Net Revenues	A.	$28.1BN(2)	$31.5BN	112%	$32.3BN(2)	103%
B.	Non-GAAP Income Before Taxes	B.	$11.2BN(2)	$13.0BN	116%	$13.3BN(2)	102%
C.	Adjusted Return on Assets	C.	17.0%	20.9%	123%	23.9%	114%
D.	Non-GAAP Operating Margin	D.	$12.1BN(2)	$14.0BN	116%	$14.4BN(2)	103%
E.	HUMIRA Sales	E.	$18.3BN(2)	$20.1BN	110%	$19.7BN(2)	98%

(1)

Results achieved reflect certain specified items, which are reconciled in Appendix B.

(2)

Evaluated on a constant currency basis.

              In addition to the financial goals set forth above, each of our NEOs also has individual performance goals that the committee reviews and ensures are appropriately rigorous and in line with the long-term success of the company. Each NEO achieved or exceeded his or her 2018 goals, which are listed below:

•

Richard A. Gonzalez:  Drive top-tier business performance; execute key strategic initiatives to drive sustainable long-term business performance; deliver value to our stockholders, building investor confidence and credibility; successfully advance mid- and late-stage pipeline assets; continue to drive employee engagement and motivation around AbbVie's mission and future prospects; and advance our transformation to a biopharmaceutical culture.

•

William J. Chase:  Achieve proprietary pharmaceutical pipeline enhancement objectives; and provide support on corporate strategic initiatives and build shareholder value through investor activities.

•

Robert A. Michael:  Implement key financing and cash flow improvement initiatives; achieve financial planning and month end close optimization and standardization; develop and assess future state Finance Services operating models (goals reflect Vice President, Controller position).

•

Laura J. Schumacher:  Successfully continue to develop and implement strategies to effectively resolve key litigation matters; achieve proprietary pharmaceutical pipeline enhancement objectives; execute biologics strategic development initiatives; and support research and development initiatives per company strategy.

•

Carlos Alban:  Achieve key product milestones; and successfully adapt and execute market strategies relative to external considerations.

•

Michael E. Severino:  Achieve key research and development milestones per company strategy; and achieve proprietary pipeline enhancement objectives.

Stockholder Engagement

2018 Say on Pay Results

              At our 2018 Annual Meeting, the say on pay proposal received support from 95% of our stockholders. The board and compensation committee are encouraged by the continued, consistent stockholder support for our executive compensation program.

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              AbbVie is committed to regular, ongoing engagement with stockholders to ensure that we continue to understand stockholder feedback about our compensation program and incorporate that feedback into the compensation decision-making process. To that end, in 2018 AbbVie approached and engaged stockholders holding approximately 45% of the company's outstanding shares. In these discussions, the aggregate feedback acknowledged the alignment of our executives' pay with AbbVie's performance and expressed support of our compensation program, consistent with the level of stockholder support for our say on pay proposals since inception. The feedback informs the compensation committee's continuous assessment of the program design and ongoing discussions with stockholders, which contribute to the evolution of the program.

Compensation Program Governance Summary

              In addition to strong alignment of pay with the performance of the company and our NEOs, we maintain and are committed to good governance practices, including the following:

ü

Long-term incentive design emphasizing multiple, relative performance metrics and multi-year performance periods

—

Uses a multi-factor model for performance metrics

—

Incorporates relative total stockholder return

—

Dividends on outstanding equity awards are paid only at vesting and only on earned shares

ü

Majority of NEO compensation tied to long-term performance

ü

Short- and long-term incentive programs closely align pay with performance

ü

Annual incentive payout matrix used to define and cap the range for the committee's determinations (at or below the plan maximum of 200% of target)

ü

Robust stock ownership guidelines of 6x salary for CEO and 3x salary for NEOs

ü

Robust stock ownership guideline of 5x annual fees for non-employee directors

ü

NEOs must hold and not sell equity until the minimum stock ownership requirement is satisfied

ü

Double-trigger requirements for equity acceleration and other benefits in the event of a change in control

ü

No tax gross-ups in executive compensation program

ü

No duplication of performance metrics in short-and long-term incentives

ü

No repricing of stock options without express stockholder approval

ü

No employment contracts

ü

No guaranteed short-term incentives or equity awards

ü

Equitable pay across genders and ethnicities

ü

Anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies

ü

Independent compensation consultant that performs no other work for the company

ü

Committee has broad discretion to claw back incentive awards in the unlikely event of a restatement of earnings or material breach of the AbbVie Code of Business Conduct

ü

Proactive stockholder engagement process

II.    Executive Compensation Process

Commitment to Performance-Based Awards

              The majority of AbbVie's NEO pay is performance-based. Specific goals and targets are the foundation of our pay-for-performance process, and this section describes how they apply to each pay component. Though quantitative metrics such as financial and operational results are a central part of our performance assessment, some goals such as leadership and progress against strategic and long-term objectives are difficult to measure using numeric or formulaic criteria. As such, the compensation committee also conducts a qualitative assessment of individual performance to ensure the overall assessment of performance and pay decisions are aligned with the company's true performance over a period of time. The elimination of the performance-based compensation deduction under Code Section 162(m) has not altered the commitment of the company and the compensation committee to performance-based compensation principles. A discussion of the decision-making criteria for each pay component follows.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Committee Process for Setting Total Compensation

              Each February, the committee, with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant and AbbVie's management team, determines pay levels for NEOs. The process starts with a consideration of compensation levels and the mix of compensation for comparable executives at companies in AbbVie's Health Care Peer Group, which are listed below in the section captioned "Compensation Benchmarking." After this benchmark review, the committee establishes NEO compensation—base salary adjustments, annual incentive awards, and long-term incentive awards—relative to the peer median in each instance. Awards can be differentiated from the peer compensation levels based on each NEO's individual performance, leadership, and contributions to AbbVie's business and strategic performance.

Compensation Benchmarking

              To provide the appropriate context for executive pay decisions, the committee, in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, assesses the compensation practices and pay levels of AbbVie's Health Care Peer Group. The committee chooses to focus on the Health Care Peer Group because its constituents share important characteristics with AbbVie, particularly the global emphasis on research-based pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceutical therapies and the regulatory environment within which they operate. Members of the Health Care Peer Group are AbbVie's primary competitors for executive talent and are companies the committee believes chiefly represent our competitive market:

Health Care Peer Group

Amgen, Inc.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

Eli Lilly and Company

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Johnson & Johnson

Merck & Company, Inc.

Novartis AG

Pfizer Inc.

Role of the Compensation Consultant

              The compensation committee has engaged Compensation Advisory Partners as its independent compensation consultant. The committee's independent consultant reports directly to the chair of the committee. The consultant meets regularly, and as needed, with the committee in executive sessions, has direct access to the chair during and between meetings, and performs no other services for AbbVie or its senior executives. The committee determines what variables it will instruct its consultant to consider, which include: peer groups against which performance and pay should be examined, metrics to be used to assess AbbVie's performance, competitive incentive practices in the marketplace, and compensation levels relative to market benchmarks.

Compensation Risk Oversight

              The company has established, and the compensation committee endorses, several controls to address and mitigate compensation-related risk, such as employing a diverse set of performance metrics, maintaining robust stock ownership guidelines for its executives and non-employee directors, and retaining broad discretion to recover incentive awards in the unlikely event that incentive plan award decisions are based on earnings that are subsequently restated. The committee, in collaboration with its independent compensation consultant, identified no material risks in AbbVie's compensation programs in 2018.

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III.    Compensation Plan Elements

              Three primary components make up AbbVie's executive pay program: (1) base salary, (2) short-term incentives and (3) long-term incentives. The structure of each component is tailored to serve a specific function and purpose.

CEO Pay Mix	All Other NEO Average Pay Mix

Base Salary

              The compensation committee sets appropriate levels of base salary to ensure that AbbVie can attract and retain a leadership team that will continue to meet our commitments to customers and patients and sustain long-term profitable growth for our stockholders. Generally, the committee considers the median of the Health Care Peer Group as an initial benchmark, but also references additional information as needed. Specific pay rates are then established for each NEO relative to his or her market benchmark based on the NEO's performance, experience, unique skills, internal equity with others at AbbVie, and the company's operating budget.

Short-Term Incentives

Performance Incentive Plan

              Annual cash incentives are paid to NEOs through AbbVie's Performance Incentive Plan (PIP), which rewards executives for achieving key financial and non-financial goals measured at the company and individual levels. AbbVie's PIP structure is designed to align NEOs' interests directly with AbbVie's annual operating strategies to advance our mission, financial goals, and leadership behaviors. In doing so, it provides a direct link between the NEOs' short-term incentives and the company's and the NEOs' annual performance results through measurable financial and operational performance followed by qualitative assessments of clearly defined strategic progress and leadership behaviors.

              NEO target incentive amounts are set as a percentage of base salary. Mr. Gonzalez's target is 150% of base salary. For the 2018 performance year, the target for the other NEOs (besides Mr. Michael) was 110% of base salary, based on the positions they held at the time their performance goals were established. Mr. Michael's target was set at 100% when he was appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer. The maximum potential payout under the PIP is capped at 200% of target for all participants.

              Determining actual incentive amounts is a multi-step process. First, an initial performance score is calculated for each NEO based on performance against weighted financial and strategic/leadership goals. This performance score results in a preliminary award amount of up to 100% of target only. Final awards are determined by the compensation committee based on a qualitative assessment of holistic performance. A formal payout matrix based on net revenues and

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

operating margin guides the committee by capping the range of final awards at or below the plan maximum of 200% of target. This process is more fully described below:

Illustration of 2018 Incentive Calculation

Initial Performance Score

              Initial performance scores are calculated for each NEO based on performance against weighted financial and strategic/leadership goals. The goals and their respective weightings are summarized in the chart below. The specific goals and weightings for each NEO (including the CEO) are established at the start of each performance year based on the NEO's role and anticipated contributions to the company's annual objectives.

	Income Before Taxes	Net Revenues, Operating Margin, HUMIRA Sales and Return on Assets	R&D/ Innovation	Business Development	Other
Richard A. Gonzalez	20%	60%	20%
William J. Chase	20%	60%		10%	10%
Robert A. Michael	40%	20%			40%
Laura J. Schumacher	20%	20%	30%	10%	20%
Carlos Alban	20%	50%			30%
Michael E. Severino	20%	20%	50%	10%

              Assessments of performance against financial results consider the effect of specified adjustments and/or unusual or unpredictable events, and the appropriateness of these adjustments is reviewed annually by the committee. In 2018, specified adjustments consisted of intangible asset amortization, milestones and other research and development expenses, acquired in process research and development, acquisition-related impairment, charitable contributions, change in fair value of contingent consideration, litigation reserves, tax-related items, and other items, as described in Exhibit 99.1 to AbbVie's Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2019.

Annual Incentive Payout Matrix and Final Committee Decisions

              The annual incentive payout matrix establishes a potential range of final incentive outcomes based on net revenues and operating margin performance. For 2018, actual net revenue performance was 103% compared to target,

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while actual income before taxes was 102% compared to target. As a result of this performance, the annual incentive payout matrix capped the annual incentives at 175% of target, below the plan maximum of 200% of target.

Annual Incentive Payout Matrix	2017 Actual	2018 Target	2018 Target vs. 2017 Actual	2018 Actual	2018 Actual vs. 2018 Target
Net Revenues	$28.1BN	$31.5BN	112%	$32.3BN	103%
Income Before Taxes	$11.2BN	$13.0BN	116%	$13.3BN	102%
		2018 Payout Matrix Result		Capped at 175% of target (below 200% plan maximum)

              Final awards are determined by the compensation committee based on a qualitative assessment of holistic performance. While the committee relies heavily on objective, quantitative metrics to determine PIP awards, this qualitative element ensures the review is comprehensive and includes all individual, strategic, and leadership goals for which assessment is not dictated solely by numeric or formulaic applications. Moreover, while each participant has predetermined goals, the committee also considers relative achievements and/or developments in the company, the marketplace, and the global economy that could not have been foreseen when individual goals were established.

	Target Award		Actual Award Paid	Actual Award as a % of Target
Richard A. Gonzalez	$	2,475,000	$3,898,125	158%
William J. Chase		1,150,380	1,954,549	170%
Robert A. Michael		850,000	950,000	112%
Laura J. Schumacher		1,150,380	1,954,549	170%
Carlos Alban		1,130,800	1,836,219	162%
Michael E. Severino		1,226,500	1,818,200	148%

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Long-Term Incentives

              The LTI program design aligns AbbVie's long-term incentive compensation with key operational and financial initiatives, including sustained EPS growth and generation of superior investment returns relative to peers. In 2018, NEOs received annual grant LTI awards with the following characteristics:

Long-Term Incentive Program

Award Type	Metric	Performance Period
40% Performance Shares	EPS 3-Year Relative TSR Modifier	3 Years
40% Performance-Vested Restricted Stock	Relative Return on Equity	3 Years
20% Non-Qualified Stock Options	Stock Price Appreciation	10-year term

•

Performance Shares (40% of total LTI award)—These awards have the potential to vest at 0% to 250% of target after a three-year performance period and are earned based on company performance in earnings per share (EPS) and relative total stockholder return (TSR). TSR performance is measured relative to a group made up of companies that are constituents in either the S&P Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Index or the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index. Dividends on performance shares accrue during the performance period and are paid at vesting only to the extent that shares are earned.

•

Performance-Vested Restricted Stock (40% of total LTI award)—These awards have the potential to vest at 0% to 150% of target in one-third increments during a three-year performance period based on AbbVie's return on equity articulated as pre-set goals and measured relative to a group made up of companies that are constituents in either the S&P Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Index or the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index. Dividends accrue during the performance period and are paid at vesting only to the extent that shares are earned.

•

Non-Qualified Stock Options (20% of total LTI award)—These awards have the potential to vest in one-third increments on each of the first three annual anniversaries of the grant date, subject to continued employment with the company. The option exercise price is set at or above fair market value on the grant date. To the extent that the options vest, the award expires ten years after the grant date.

Performance Share and Performance-Vested Restricted Stock Performance Targets and Results

              Performance targets and results associated with the 2018 annual grant awards of performance shares and performance-vested restricted stock are shown below. Total shareholder return results are in progress; these results and their impact on final payout will be disclosed following the completion of the three-year performance period.

Performance Objective	Threshold	Target	Maximum	Result	Impact on Payout
Adjusted Diluted EPS	$7.33	$7.38	$7.53	$7.91	200%
Relative TSR	Relative TSR is measured over a 3-year performance period and used as a modifier
Relative ROE	50th - 75th percentile	75th - 90th percentile	>90th percentile	>90th percentile	150%

              AbbVie's policy with respect to its annual equity award for all eligible employees, including the NEOs, is to grant the award and set the grant price at the compensation committee's regularly scheduled February meeting each year. These meeting dates generally are the third Thursday of February and are scheduled two years in advance. The grant price is the average of the highest and lowest trading prices of a common share on the date of the grant (rounded up to the next even penny). The grant price for the 2018 annual grant was $114.36. The high, low and closing prices of an

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AbbVie common share on the grant date (February 15, 2018) were $116.33, $112.38, and $114.90 respectively. All LTI awards are subject to a minimum vesting period of 12 months.

              AbbVie granted performance shares in 2016 that were subject to a 3-year performance cycle that ended December 31, 2018. The table below describes the performance objectives, outcomes, and shares earned.

Performance Objective	Threshold	Target	Maximum	Actual	Performance Modifier
Relative TSR	15 pts below index	Equal to index performance	15 pts above index	60.3 pts above index	125%

              See the 2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested table for the shares earned as a result of the performance described above.

2019 Compensation Decisions

              The compensation committee's typical practice is to make decisions related to NEO pay at its February meeting, including adjustments to base salary, an annual incentive payment for the prior year's performance, and establishment of a long-term incentive award value. In making its decisions, the committee considers the performance achieved compared to previously established goals as well as changes in industry practice reflected in compensation benchmarking data. The committee made the following decisions about the compensation for Mr. Gonzalez in February 2019: (i) his base salary is unchanged compared to 2018; (ii) his annual incentive payment for 2018 performance was $3,898,125; and (iii) his 2019 long-term incentive award grant value was $11,500,000. The resulting changes in total direct compensation from 2018 to 2019 are shown in the following chart:

*

The annual incentives shown in the table above are included in the year such awards were paid for the prior year's performance.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Benefits

              Benefits are an important part of retention and capital preservation for all employees, helping to protect against the impact of unexpected catastrophic loss of health and/or earnings potential, as well as providing a means to save and accumulate for retirement or other post-employment needs.

              Each of the benefits described below supports the company's objective of providing a market competitive total rewards program. Individual benefits do not directly affect decisions regarding other benefits or pay components, except to the extent that all benefits and pay components must, in aggregate, be competitive, as previously discussed.

Retirement Benefits

              All eligible U.S. employees, including NEOs, participate in the AbbVie Pension Plan, the company's principal qualified defined benefit plan. NEOs and certain other employees also participate in the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan. These plans are described in greater detail in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Pension Benefits."

              The Supplemental Pension Plan is a non-qualified defined benefit plan that cannot be secured in a manner similar to a qualified plan, for which assets are held in trust, so eligible NEOs receive an annual cash payment equal to the increase in the present value of their Supplemental Pension Plan benefit. Eligible NEOs have the option of depositing the annual payment into an individually established grantor trust, net of tax withholdings. Deposited amounts may be credited with the difference between the NEO's actual annual trust earnings and the rate used to calculate trust funding (currently 8 percent). Amounts deposited in the individual trusts are not tax-deferred and the NEOs personally pay the taxes on those amounts without gross-ups.

              The manner in which the grantor trust assets are to be distributed to an NEO upon retirement from the company generally follows the distribution method elected by the NEO under the AbbVie Pension Plan. If an NEO (or the NEO's surviving spouse, depending on the pension distribution method elected by the NEO under the AbbVie Pension Plan) lives beyond the actuarial life expectancy age used to determine the Supplemental Pension Plan benefit, and therefore exhausts the trust balance, the Supplemental Pension Plan benefit will be paid to the NEO (or his or her surviving spouse) by AbbVie.

Savings Plans

              All U.S. employees, including NEOs, are eligible to defer a portion of their annual base salary under the AbbVie Savings Plan, the company's principal qualified defined contribution plan, up to the IRS contribution limits. Eligible NEOs also may defer up to 18 percent of their base salary, less contributions to the AbbVie Savings Plan, to the AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan, which is a non-qualified defined contribution plan. Eligible NEOs may defer these amounts to unfunded book accounts or choose to have the amounts paid in cash on a current basis and deposited into individually established grantor trusts, net of tax withholdings. These amounts are credited annually with earnings. Amounts deposited in the individual trusts are not tax-deferred and the NEOs personally pay the taxes on those amounts without gross-ups.

              NEOs elect the manner in which the assets held in their grantor trusts will be distributed to them upon retirement or other separation from the company. These arrangements are described in greater detail in this proxy statement beginning with the section captioned "Summary Compensation Table."

Financial Planning

              NEOs are paid an annual stipend of $10,000 for estate planning advice, tax preparation and general financial planning fees. The stipend is income to the NEO, who is responsible for payment of all resulting taxes without gross-ups.

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Company-Provided Transportation

              NEOs are eligible for transportation perquisites that are designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their work, including the use of a company-leased vehicle and access to company-provided air travel, as appropriate. In some circumstances, these benefits may be used for personal travel, which would then be considered part of the NEO's total compensation and treated as taxable income to them under applicable tax laws. The NEOs pay the taxes on such income without gross-ups.

Disability Benefits

              In addition to AbbVie's standard disability benefits, NEOs are eligible for a monthly long-term disability benefit, which is described on page 60 of this proxy statement.

Employment Agreements

              AbbVie does not have employment agreements with any of its NEOs.

Excise Tax Gross-ups

              AbbVie does not provide excise tax gross-ups on NEO compensation.

Change in Control Agreements

              AbbVie has entered into change in control agreements with its NEOs to aid in retention and recruitment, encourage continued attention and dedication to assigned duties during periods involving a possible change in control of the company, and to protect the earned benefits of the NEOs against potential adverse changes resulting from a change in control.

              The change in control agreements contain a double-trigger feature, meaning that if the NEO's employment is terminated other than for cause or permanent disability, or if the NEO elects to terminate employment for good reason, within two years following a change in control, he or she is entitled to receive certain pay and benefits as described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control."

IV.    Other Matters

Stock Ownership Guidelines

              AbbVie's stock ownership guidelines are designed to further promote sustained stockholder return and to ensure the company's senior executives remain focused on both short- and long-term objectives. Each senior executive has five years from the date of election or appointment to his or her position to achieve the ownership level associated with his or her position. NEOs are not allowed to sell stock, except for tax withholding at vesting or exercise, if they do not satisfy the minimum stock ownership requirement. The minimum stock ownership guidelines for the CEO and other NEOs are as follows:

Executive	Stock Ownership Requirement	Requirement Met?
Richard A. Gonzalez	6x Base Salary	Yes
William J. Chase	3x Base Salary	Yes
Robert A. Michael	3x Base Salary	Yes
Laura J. Schumacher	3x Base Salary	Yes
Carlos Alban	3x Base Salary	Yes
Michael E. Severino	3x Base Salary	Yes

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

              In addition, AbbVie's non-employee directors are required to own AbbVie stock valued at five times (5x) the annual fee for service as a director under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan within five years of joining the board or as soon as practicable thereafter.

Clawback Policy

              The committee does not anticipate there would ever be circumstances where a restatement of earnings upon which any incentive plan award decisions were based would occur or circumstances where an executive officer engages in misconduct that would constitute a material breach of the AbbVie Code of Business Conduct. Nevertheless, the committee, in evaluating such circumstances, has broad discretion to take all actions necessary to protect the interests of stockholders, up to and including actions to recover incentive awards. Further, the company is committed to disclosing in its annual proxy statement the occurrence of any recoupment regarding an executive officer when the underlying violation has already been publicly disclosed in company filings with the SEC. For more details, AbbVie's Code of Business Conduct is available in the corporate governance section of AbbVie's investor relations website at www.abbvieinvestor.com.

Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies

              AbbVie has a formal policy that prohibits directors and officers subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, including all of the NEOs, from entering into or engaging in the purchase or sale of financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of AbbVie equity securities they hold. AbbVie also has a formal policy that prohibits directors and officers subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, including all of the NEOs, from pledging AbbVie common stock as collateral for a loan.

              In addition, the AbbVie Incentive Stock Program provides that no long-term incentive award may be assigned, alienated, sold or transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as permitted by the compensation committee for estate planning purposes, and no award and no right under any award may be pledged, alienated, attached or otherwise encumbered. All members of senior management, including the company's NEOs and certain other employees, are required to clear any transaction involving company stock with the Legal department prior to entering into such transaction.

Compensation Committee Report

              The compensation committee of the board of directors is primarily responsible for reviewing, approving and overseeing AbbVie's compensation plans and practices, and works with management and the committee's independent compensation consultant to establish AbbVie's executive compensation philosophy and programs. The committee reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

Compensation Committee

              E. Liddy, Chairman, R. Austin, G. Tilton, and F. Waddell

Compensation Risk Assessment

              During 2018, in collaboration with the compensation committee's independent compensation consultant, AbbVie conducted an in-depth risk assessment of its compensation policies and practices, including those related to executive compensation programs for NEOs. The risk assessment included a quantitative and qualitative analysis of AbbVie's executive compensation programs and broader employee incentive compensation plans. AbbVie also considered how these programs compare, from a design perspective, to programs maintained by other companies. Based on this assessment, it was determined that AbbVie's executive compensation programs are balanced and appropriately incent

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employees, and any risks arising from the compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on AbbVie. The following factors were among those considered in making this determination:

•

In 2018, AbbVie completed a review that found salaries to be equitable across genders and ethnicities among U.S. employees.

•

AbbVie's compensation structure contributes to a corporate culture that encourages our NEOs to regard AbbVie as a long-term employer. For example, equity awards vest over multi-year periods, which encourages NEOs to consider the long-term impact of their decisions and align their interests with those of AbbVie's stockholders.

•

AbbVie's annual incentive program is based on multiple performance measures, balancing earnings achievement with other factors. Since earnings are a key component of stock price performance, this aspect of AbbVie's compensation plan also promotes alignment with stockholder interests.

•

AbbVie does not include certain pay design features that may have the potential to encourage excessive risk-taking, such as: over-weighting toward annual incentives, highly leveraged payout curves, unreasonable thresholds or dramatic changes in payout opportunity at certain performance levels that may encourage inappropriate short-term business decisions to meet payout thresholds. In addition, a limit of 200% of target applies to any awards made under the NEO short-term incentive plan.

•

AbbVie's long-term incentive program focuses NEOs on longer-term operating performance and aligns NEOs with stockholder interests through the use of multi-year performance periods and multiple performance measures, including relative total stockholder return. In 2018, AbbVie's NEOs received roughly two-thirds of their total direct compensation in the form of long-term incentives (20% of which are stock options that may vest over a three-year period and 80% of which are performance-based awards that may vest over a three-year performance period).

•

AbbVie makes equity awards and sets grant prices at the same time each year, at the compensation committee's regularly scheduled meeting in February. In addition, AbbVie does not award discounted stock options or immediately vesting equity awards.

•

AbbVie has robust stock ownership guidelines for its senior executives, which promotes alignment with stockholder interests, and other good governance equity practices such as anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies.

•

AbbVie's compensation committee has the ability to exercise downward discretion in determining annual incentive plan payouts.

•

AbbVie's compensation committee has broad discretion to claw back incentive compensation that was awarded based on financials that were later restated or based on a material breach of the AbbVie Code of Business Conduct.

•

AbbVie requires mandatory training on its code of conduct and policies and procedures to educate its employees on appropriate behaviors and the consequences of taking inappropriate actions.

              The risk assessment results were presented to the compensation committee by its independent compensation consultant.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

              This section contains compensation information for AbbVie's NEOs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. The following table summarizes compensation awarded to, earned by and/or paid to AbbVie's NEOs in connection with their service to AbbVie during 2018, 2017 and 2016, as applicable. Mr. Michael was not an NEO before 2018. The section of this proxy statement captioned "Compensation Plan Elements" describes in greater detail the information reported in this table.

Name and Principal Position	Year	Salary ($)	Bonus ($)		Stock Awards ($)(1)	Option Awards ($)(2)	Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(3)	Change in Pension Value and Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings ($)(4)(5)	All Other Compensation ($)(6)	Total ($)
Richard A. Gonzalez	2018	$1,650,000	$0		$11,509,090	$2,760,764	$3,898,125	$463,205	$990,685	$21,271,869
Chairman of the Board and	2017	1,638,462		0	9,606,360	2,559,270	4,331,250	3,496,704	993,197	22,625,243
Chief Executive Officer	2016	1,600,000		0	9,318,854	2,360,323	3,600,000	3,232,531	859,216	20,970,924
William J. Chase	2018	1,038,773		0	4,134,594	991,720	1,954,549	309,063	296,087	8,724,786
Executive Vice President,	2017	1,008,526		0	3,681,906	980,980	1,954,549	4,223,300	195,332	12,044,593
Finance and Administration(7)	2016	979,369		0	3,483,919	882,450	1,626,000	1,697,232	162,406	8,831,376
Robert A. Michael	2018	553,654		0	724,041	173,724	950,000	679,532	37,937	3,118,888
Senior Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer(7)
Laura J. Schumacher	2018	1,043,582		0	4,134,594	991,720	1,954,549	2,739,969	518,745	11,383,159
Vice Chairman, External Affairs	2017	1,008,526		0	7,681,631	980,980	1,954,549	2,957,506	396,164	14,979,356
and Chief Legal Officer	2016	979,369		0	2,864,483	725,663	1,626,000	1,627,686	394,498	8,217,699
Carlos Alban	2018	1,016,526		0	4,005,388	961,216	1,836,219	821,930	341,800	8,983,079
Vice Chairman, Chief Commercial	2017	947,469		0	3,522,250	938,350	1,836,219	4,832,949	257,751	12,334,988
Officer	2016	920,077		0	2,916,922	738,798	1,510,000	1,884,312	246,809	8,216,918
Michael E. Severino	2018	1,100,605		0	4,176,037	1,002,105	1,818,200	359,057	151,355	8,607,359
Vice Chairman and President	2017	1,004,460		0	3,681,906	980,980	1,955,069	653,582	119,279	8,395,276
	2016	960,969		0	3,359,376	850,908	1,596,000	375,080	101,530	7,243,863

(1)

In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, the amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. AbbVie generally determines the grant date fair value of stock awards by multiplying the number of shares granted by the average of the high and low market prices of one share of AbbVie common stock on the award grant date. The grant date fair value of performance shares with a TSR market condition are determined using the Monte Carlo simulation model.

(2)

In accordance with SEC rules, the amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. These amounts were determined as of the option grant date using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model. These amounts are being reported solely for the purpose of comparative disclosure in accordance with the SEC rules. There is no certainty that the amount determined using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model would be the value at which employee stock options would be traded for cash. The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the grant date fair value of options granted in 2018, along with the weighted-average grant date fair value, are shown below:

Assumption
Risk-free interest rate	2.67%
Average life of options (years)	5.4
Volatility	27.79%
Dividend yield	3.74%
Fair value per stock option	$21.63

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(3)

The compensation reported in this column for 2018 was earned as a performance-based incentive award pursuant to the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan. Additional information regarding the plan can be found in the Compensation Plan Elements section of this proxy statement.

(4)

The plan amounts shown below are reported in this column, except as described in this paragraph. The amounts shown beside each NEO's name are for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, as applicable. Negative amounts under the AbbVie Pension Plan and the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan are excluded from this column in accordance with SEC rules.

AbbVie Pension Plan

R. Gonzalez: $(111,651) / $(38,501) / $(70,521); W. Chase: $(48,439) / $234,110 / $74,428; R. Michael: $(46,048); L. Schumacher: $72,009 / $170,782 / $86,510; C. Alban: $(33,817) / $296,728 / $98,476; and M. Severino: $11,833 / $37,394 / $22,663.

AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan

R. Gonzalez: $(1,790,327) / $3,157,627 / $3,016,444; W. Chase: $(65,476) / $3,759,943 / $1,463,791; R. Michael: $725,580; L. Schumacher: $2,027,233 / $2,244,142 / $1,093,415; C. Alban: $432,490 / $4,195,321 / $1,520,208; and M. Severino: $210,855 / $535,907 / $306,868.

The changes in pension value result primarily from the following factors: (i) the effect of changes in the actuarial assumptions AbbVie uses to calculate plan liability for financial reporting purposes; (ii) additional pension benefit accrual under the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan; and (iii) the impact of the time value of money on the pension value.

Non-Qualified Defined Contribution Plan Earnings

The totals in this column include reportable interest credited under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan and the AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan.

R. Gonzalez: $463,205 / $377,578 / $286,608; W. Chase: $309,063 / $229,247 / $159,013; L. Schumacher: $640,727 / $542,582 / $447,761; C. Alban: $423,257 / $340,900 / $265,628; and M. Severino: $136,369 / $80,281 / $45,549.

(5)

The amounts shown in this column include the change in pension value during the applicable year, which is attributable to changes in actuarial assumptions (primarily discount rate and mortality tables) and other factors based on plan design (primarily pay, service and age).

The present value of a pension benefit is determined, in part, by the discount rate used for accounting purposes. The discount rate is determined by reference to the prevailing market rate of interest. In 2018, interest rates increased and the discount rates used for the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan were increased to reflect that change. An increase in the discount rate decreases the present value of participants' pension benefits while actual payments to be made to participants are not changed. The discount rate used for 2018 was 4.62% for the Pension Plan and 4.58% for the Supplemental Pension Plan. The discount rate used for 2017 was 3.91% for the Pension Plan and 3.87% for the Supplemental Pension Plan, while the discount rate used for 2016 was 4.67% for the Pension Plan and 4.59% for the Supplemental Pension Plan. The mortality assumptions that apply for actuarial purposes also affect pension values.

In addition to the effect of the changes in actuarial assumptions, other factors built into the plans contributed to the change in pension value. The change in pension value numbers reflect the application of the benefit formulas under the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan, which are described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Pension Benefits." As participants' pay changes, the formulas yield revised pension values. Furthermore, as a participant ages and service credit accumulates year over year (before the participant is eligible for unreduced pension benefits), the present value of his or her pension benefits increases, even without changes in pay or actuarial assumptions.

(6)

The amounts shown below are reported in this column for 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively, as applicable.

Earnings for Non-Qualified Defined Benefit and Non-Qualified Defined Contribution Plans

R. Gonzalez: $246,041 / $159,056 / $149,512; W. Chase: $180,182 / $109,261 / $84,680; L. Schumacher: $420,337 / $304,784 / $310,138; C. Alban: $266,141 / $182,139 / $173,948; and M. Severino: $66,157 / $34,853 / $20,104.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Each of the NEOs' awards under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan is paid in cash to the NEO on a current basis and, for eligible NEOs, may be deposited into a grantor trust established by the NEO, net of maximum tax withholdings. Each of the eligible NEOs has also established grantor trusts in connection with the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan and the AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan. These amounts include earnings net of the reportable interest included in footnote (4).

Employer Contributions to Defined Contribution Plans

R. Gonzalez: $82,500 / $81,923 / $80,000; W. Chase: $51,939 / $50,426 / $48,968; R. Michael: $13,750; L. Schumacher: $52,179 / $50,426 / $48,968; C. Alban: $50,826 / $47,373 / $46,004; and M. Severino: $55,030 / $50,223 / $48,048.

These amounts include AbbVie contributions to the AbbVie Savings Plan and the AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan, as applicable. The Supplemental Savings Plan permits eligible NEOs to contribute amounts in excess of the annual limit set by the Internal Revenue Code for employee contributions to 401(k) plans up to the excess of (i) 18 percent of their base salary over (ii) the amount contributed to AbbVie's tax-qualified 401(k) plan. AbbVie matches participant contributions at the rate of 250 percent of the first 2 percent of compensation contributed to the plan. The eligible NEOs have these amounts paid to them in cash on a current basis and deposited into a grantor trust established by the NEO, net of maximum tax withholdings.

Other 2018 Compensation

The totals shown in the table include the cost of providing a corporate automobile less the amount reimbursed by the NEO: R. Gonzalez: $21,030; W. Chase: $22,022; R. Michael: $17,687; L. Schumacher: $19,803; C. Alban: $14,833; and M. Severino: $20,167. AbbVie imputes income to the NEO, if required, and the NEO pays taxes in accordance with tax regulations without gross-ups.

The totals shown in the table include a $10,000 financial planning services allowance for each NEO other than Mr. Michael, whose 2018 allowance was $6,500. AbbVie imputes income to the NEO, if required, and the NEO pays taxes in accordance with tax regulations without gross-ups.

The totals shown in the table include the following costs for non-business-related air travel: R. Gonzalez: $598,447; W. Chase: $31,945; and L. Schumacher: $16,426. AbbVie determines the incremental cost for flights based on the direct cost to AbbVie, including fuel costs, parking, handling and landing fees, catering, travel fees, and other miscellaneous direct costs. AbbVie imputes income to the NEO, if required, and the NEO pays taxes in accordance with tax regulations without gross-ups.

For Mr. Gonzalez, the total includes $32,666 for costs associated with security, determined based on AbbVie's actual costs for such services. The security was provided on the recommendation of an independent security study and in accordance with the AbbVie security program. AbbVie imputes income to Mr. Gonzalez, if required, and he pays taxes in accordance with tax regulations without gross-ups.

The NEOs also are eligible to participate in an executive disability benefit, which is described on page 60 of this proxy statement.

(7)

Mr. Chase was appointed Executive Vice President, Finance and Administration, and Mr. Michael was appointed Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, effective October 19, 2018. Mr. Chase served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer before assuming his current role. Mr. Michael served as Vice President, Controller before assuming his current role.

Required Pay Ratio Disclosure

              As required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship of the annual total compensation of our employees and the annual total compensation of our CEO, Richard Gonzalez. The pay ratio included in this information is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Regulation S-K Item 402(u). The ratio of Mr. Gonzalez's annual total compensation for 2018, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table in this proxy statement, to the median employee annual total compensation determined on the same basis was 143:1. For 2018, the annual total compensation of our median employee (other than Mr. Gonzalez) was $148,823. To identify the median employee, we prepared a list of all active AbbVie employees throughout the world as of December 28, 2018. The consistently applied compensation measure used to identify the median employee was annual base pay and target

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bonus, using hours worked during 2018 for hourly employees and base salary for the remaining employees. This process resulted in a median group consisting of several employees and a representative employee was selected in accordance with SEC guidance, taking into account demographic characteristics that best represent a typical AbbVie employee, including tenure, location, employment status and applicable compensation and benefit programs.

2018 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

              The following table summarizes the equity awards granted under the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program to the NEOs during 2018.

		Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(1)
				Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards Target (#)		All Other Option Awards: Numbers of Securities Underlying Options (#)
								Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)
										Closing Market Price on Grant Date		Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards
Name	Grant Date	Target ($)	Maximum ($)
R. Gonzalez	2/15/2018			47,210	(2)							$6,110,390	(4)
	2/15/2018			47,210	(3)							5,398,700	(4)
	2/15/2018					127,610	(5)		$114.36		$114.90	2,760,764	(6)
W. Chase	2/15/2018			16,960	(2)							2,195,133	(4)
	2/15/2018			16,960	(3)							1,939,461	(4)
	2/15/2018					45,840	(5)		114.36		114.90	991,720	(6)
R. Michael	2/15/2018			2,970	(2)							384,407	(4)
	2/15/2018			2,970	(3)							339,634	(4)
	2/15/2018					8,030	(5)		114.36		114.90	173,724	(6)
L. Schumacher	2/15/2018			16,960	(2)							2,195,133	(4)
	2/15/2018			16,960	(3)							1,939,461	(4)
	2/15/2018					45,840	(5)		114.36		114.90	991,720	(6)
C. Alban	2/15/2018			16,430	(2)							2,126,535	(4)
	2/15/2018			16,430	(3)							1,878,853	(4)
	2/15/2018					44,430	(5)		114.36		114.90	961,216	(6)
M. Severino	2/15/2018			17,130	(2)							2,217,136	(4)
	2/15/2018			17,130	(3)							1,958,901	(4)
	2/15/2018					46,320	(5)		114.36		114.90	1,002,105	(6)

(1)

During 2018, each of the NEOs participated in the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan. The annual cash incentive award earned by the NEO in 2018 under the plan is shown in the Summary Compensation Table in the column captioned "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation." No future pay-outs will be made with respect to the 2018 awards under the plan. The plan is described in greater detail in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Plan Elements—Short-Term Incentives."

(2)

This is a performance share award that has the potential to vest at 0% to 250% of target during a three-year performance period based on company performance in earnings per share (EPS) and relative total stockholder return (TSR). TSR performance is measured relative to a group made up of companies that are constituents in either the S&P Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Index or the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index. Dividends accrue during the performance period and are paid in cash at vesting only to the extent that shares are earned. In 2018, AbbVie's EPS performance resulted in the banking of the award on February 28, 2019 at 200% of target, with vesting to be determined based on the company's relative TSR performance following the three-year performance period that ends December 31, 2020. The performance metrics are described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Plan Elements—Long-Term Incentives."

(3)

This is a performance-vested restricted stock unit award that has the potential to vest at 0% to 150% of target, in one-third increments, during a three-year performance period based on AbbVie's return on equity (ROE) articulated

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as pre-set goals and measured relative to a group made up of companies that are constituents in either the S&P Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Index or the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index. Dividends accrue during the performance period and are paid in cash at vesting only to the extent that shares are earned. In 2018, AbbVie's relative ROE performance resulted in the vesting on February 28, 2019 of one-third of the award at 150% of target. The performance metrics are described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Plan Elements—Long-Term Incentives."

(4)

The grant date fair value of stock awards is generally determined by multiplying the number of shares or units granted by the average of the high and low market prices of one share of AbbVie common stock on the award grant date. The grant date fair value of performance shares with a TSR market condition is determined using the Monte Carlo simulation model. In the event of a grantee's death or disability, these awards will be deemed earned either based on actual performance through the date of death or disability or at target, depending on the timing of the death or disability, as set forth in the award agreement. Upon a change in control, the treatment of these awards is determined as described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control—Equity Awards."

(5)

One-third of the shares of common stock covered by these options are exercisable after one year, two-thirds after two years, and all after three years, subject to satisfaction of the service requirements set forth in the award agreements. The options vest in the event of the grantee's death or disability. Upon a change in control, the treatment of these awards is determined as described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control—Equity Awards." Under the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program, these options have an exercise price equal to the average of the high and low market prices (rounded up to the next even penny) of one share of AbbVie common stock on the date of grant. These options do not contain a replacement option feature.

(6)

The grant date fair value of option awards is determined as of the option grant date using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model. The assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value are described in footnote (2) to the Summary Compensation Table.

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2018 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

              The following table summarizes the outstanding AbbVie equity awards held by the NEOs at year end.

	Option Awards(1)(2)									Stock Awards
Name	Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable			Option Exercise Price ($)		Option Expiration Date		Number of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)	Market Value of Shares of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)	Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)			Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
R. Gonzalez		109,097		—			$58.8800		2/18/2025				75,830	(3)		$6,990,768
		170,113		85,057	(3)		54.8600		2/17/2026				142,515	(3)		13,138,458
		87,050		174,100	(3)		61.3600		2/15/2027				94,420	(3)		8,704,580
		—		127,610	(3)		114.3600		2/14/2028
W. Chase		19,600		—			29.2265		2/16/2022				28,350	(3)		2,613,587
		115,830		—			35.8800		2/13/2023				54,621	(3)		5,035,510
		92,740		—			51.4200		2/19/2024				33,920	(3)		3,127,085
		110,770		—			58.8800		2/18/2025
		63,600		31,800	(3)		54.8600		2/17/2026
		33,367		66,733	(3)		61.3600		2/15/2027
		—		45,840	(3)		114.3600		2/14/2028
R. Michael		6,760		3,380	(3)		54.8600		2/17/2026				3,013	(3)		277,768
		3,807		7,613	(3)		61.3600		2/15/2027				6,231	(3)		574,436
		—		8,030	(3)		114.3600		2/14/2028				5,940	(3)		547,609
L. Schumacher		103,220		—			58.8800		2/18/2025				23,309	(3)		2,148,857
		52,300		26,150	(3)		54.8600		2/17/2026				54,621	(3)		5,035,510
		33,367		66,733	(3)		61.3600		2/15/2027				33,920	(3)		3,127,085
		—		45,840	(3)		114.3600		2/14/2028
C. Alban		115,830		—			35.8800		2/13/2023				23,736	(3)		2,188,222
		81,500		—			51.4200		2/19/2024				52,254	(3)		4,817,296
		101,960		—			58.8800		2/18/2025				32,860	(3)		3,029,363
		53,247		26,623	(3)		54.8600		2/17/2026
		31,917		63,833	(3)		61.3600		2/15/2027
		—		44,430	(3)		114.3600		2/14/2028
M. Severino		74,309		—			54.4400		6/1/2024				27,336	(3)		2,520,106
		104,480		—			58.8800		2/18/2025				54,621	(3)		5,035,510
		61,327		30,663	(3)		54.8600		2/17/2026				34,260	(3)		3,158,429
		33,367		66,733	(3)		61.3600		2/15/2027
		—		46,320	(3)		114.3600		2/14/2028

(1)

Five of AbbVie's NEOs were employed by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) prior to AbbVie's separation from Abbott on January 1, 2013 (the "Separation"). When AbbVie separated from Abbott, outstanding Abbott equity awards generally converted into adjusted awards based on Abbott common shares and AbbVie common stock (except to the extent prohibited by local law or with respect to certain awards described below). Such awards are subject to substantially the same terms, vesting conditions and other restrictions that applied to the original Abbott awards immediately before the Separation.

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Each Abbott stock option was converted into an adjusted Abbott stock option and an AbbVie stock option, with adjustments to the stock option exercise prices that were intended to preserve the value of the original Abbott award as measured immediately before and immediately after the Separation. Each such adjusted Abbott stock option and AbbVie stock option is subject to substantially the same terms, vesting conditions, post-termination exercise rules and other restrictions that applied to the original Abbott stock option immediately before the Separation.

As a result of the Separation, one NEO held the following Abbott equity awards as of December 31, 2018:

•

C. Alban: Vested options to purchase 16,033 Abbott common shares with an exercise price of $27.03 per share.

(2)

Except as noted, the stock options are fully vested.

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(3)

The vesting dates of AbbVie unexercisable stock options and unvested performance share and restricted stock/unit awards outstanding at December 31, 2018 are as follows:

	Option Awards								Stock or Unit Awards
Name	Number of Unexercised Shares Remaining from Original Grant		Number of Option Shares Vesting— Date Vested 2019		Number of Option Shares Vesting— Date Vested 2020		Number of Option Shares Vesting— Date Vested 2021		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock or Units		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock or Units Vesting— Date Vested 2019		Number of Shares of Restricted Stock or Units Vesting— Date Vested 2020	Number of Shares of Restricted Stock or Units Vesting— Date Vested 2021
R. Gonzalez		85,057		85,057—2/18						47,397		(a)
		174,100		87,050—2/16		87,050—2/16				28,433		(b)
		127,610		42,537—2/15		42,536—2/15		42,537—2/15		90,369		(c)
										52,146		(d)
										47,210		(e)
										47,210		(f)
W. Chase		31,800		31,800—2/18						17,720		(a)
		66,733		33,366—2/16		33,367—2/16				10,630		(b)
		45,840		15,280—2/15		15,280—2/15		15,280—2/15		34,635		(c)
										19,986		(d)
										16,960		(e)
										16,960		(f)
R. Michael		3,380		3,380—2/18						1,883		(a)
		7,613		3,806—2/16		3,807—2/16				1,130		(b)
		8,030		2,677—2/15		2,676—2/15		2,677—2/15		3,951		(c)
										2,280		(d)
										2,970		(e)
										2,970		(f)
L. Schumacher		26,150		26,150—2/18						14,569		(a)
		66,733		33,366—2/16		33,367—2/16				8,740		(b)
		45,840		15,280—2/15		15,280—2/15		15,280—2/15		34,635		(c)
										19,986		(d)
										16,960		(e)
										16,960		(f)
C. Alban		26,623		26,623—2/18						14,836		(a)
		63,833		31,916—2/16		31,917—2/16				8,900		(b)
		44,430		14,810—2/15		14,810—2/15		14,810—2/15		33,134		(c)
										19,120		(d)
										16,430		(e)
										16,430		(f)
M. Severino		30,663		30,663—2/18						17,086		(a)
		66,733		33,366—2/16		33,367—2/16				10,250		(b)
		46,320		15,440—2/15		15,440—2/15		15,440—2/15		34,635		(c)
										19,986		(d)
										17,130		(e)
										17,130		(f)

(a)

These are performance shares that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2018 from an award made on February 18, 2016. The award had the potential to vest at 0% to 250% of target during a 3-year performance period and is earned based on company performance in earnings per share (EPS) and relative total stockholder return (TSR). TSR performance is measured relative to a group made up of companies that are constituents in either the S&P Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Index or the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index. Dividends accrue during the performance period and are paid at vesting only to the extent that shares are earned. In 2016, in connection with the phase-in of the redesigned long-term incentive program, AbbVie's EPS performance resulted in the vesting on February 28, 2017 of two-thirds of the award at 166.7% of target. The remaining one-third of the EPS adjusted award vested on February 28, 2019 after a 125% adjustment based on the company's relative TSR performance during the 3-year performance period that

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ended December 31, 2018. In aggregate, this award vested at 180.6% of target (out of a maximum of 250% of target) based on the application of all performance adjustments.

(b)

These are performance-vested restricted stock units that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2018, from an award made on February 18, 2016. The award has the potential to vest at 0% to 150% of target, in one-third increments, during a 3-year performance period based on AbbVie's return on equity (ROE) articulated as pre-set goals and measured relative to a group made up of companies that are constituents in either the S&P Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Index or the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index. Dividends accrue during the performance period and are paid at vesting only to the extent that shares are earned. In 2018, AbbVie's relative ROE performance resulted in the vesting on February 28, 2019 of one-third of the award at 150% of target.



(c)

These are performance shares that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2018 from an award made on February 16, 2017. The award has the potential to vest at 0% to 250% of target during a 3-year performance period based on company performance in earnings per share (EPS) and relative total stockholder return (TSR). TSR performance is measured relative to a group made up of companies that are constituents in either the S&P Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Index or the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index. Dividends accrue during the performance period and are paid at vesting only to the extent that shares are earned. In 2017, in connection with the phase-in of the redesigned long-term incentive program, AbbVie's EPS performance resulted in the vesting on February 28, 2018 of one-third of the award at 173.3% of target, and the remainder of the award has been banked for vesting to be determined based on the company's relative TSR performance during the 3-year performance period that ends December 31, 2019.



(d)

These are performance-vested restricted stock units that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2018, from an award made on February 16, 2017. The award has the potential to vest at 0% to 150% of target, in one-third increments, during a 3-year performance period based on AbbVie's return on equity (ROE) articulated as pre-set goals and measured relative to a group made up of companies that are constituents in either the S&P Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Index or the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index. Dividends accrue during the performance period and are paid at vesting only to the extent that shares are earned. In 2018, AbbVie's relative ROE performance resulted in the vesting on February 28, 2019 of one-third of the award at 150% of target.



(e)

These are performance shares that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2018 from an award made on February 15, 2018. The award has the potential to vest at 0% to 250% of target during a 3-year performance period based on company performance in earnings per share (EPS) and relative total stockholder return (TSR). TSR performance is measured relative to a group made up of companies that are constituents in either the S&P Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Index or the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index. Dividends accrue during the performance period and are paid at vesting only to the extent that shares are earned. In 2018, AbbVie's EPS performance resulted in the banking of the award at 200% of target, with vesting to be determined based on the company's relative TSR performance during the 3-year performance period that ends December 31, 2020.



(f)

These are performance-vested restricted stock units that remained outstanding and unvested on December 31, 2018, from an award made on February 15, 2018. The award has the potential to vest at 0% to 150% of target, in one-third increments, during a 3-year performance period based on AbbVie's return on equity (ROE) articulated as pre-set goals and measured relative to a group made up of companies that are constituents in either the S&P Pharmaceutical, Biotech, and Life Science Index or the NYSE Arca Pharmaceutical Index. Dividends accrue during the performance period and are paid at vesting only to the extent that shares are earned. In 2018, AbbVie's relative ROE performance resulted in the vesting on February 28, 2019 of one-third of the award at 150% of target.

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2018 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

              The following table summarizes for each NEO the number of shares acquired on the exercise of AbbVie stock options and the number of shares acquired on the vesting of AbbVie stock awards in 2018:

	Option Awards				Stock Awards
Name	Number of Shares Acquired On Exercise (#)		Value Realized On Exercise ($)		Number of Shares Acquired On Vesting (#)		Value Realized On Vesting ($)
R. Gonzalez		—		$—		182,143		$21,540,231
W. Chase		32,400		2,870,347		66,935		7,915,733
R. Michael		—		—		9,040		853,277
L. Schumacher		94,140		3,968,873		175,357		17,400,079
C. Alban		48,100		4,088,134		61,450		7,267,077
M. Severino		—		—		65,305		7,722,969

Pension Benefits

              During 2018, the NEOs participated in two AbbVie-sponsored defined benefit pension plans: the AbbVie Pension Plan, a tax-qualified pension plan; and the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan, a non-qualified supplemental pension plan. The Supplemental Pension Plan also includes a benefit feature AbbVie uses to attract senior executives who are mid-career hires, which provides an additional benefit to such participants that is less valuable to participants who have spent most of their career at the company. Except as provided in AbbVie's change in control agreements, AbbVie does not have a policy granting extra years of credited service under the plans. The change in control agreements are described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control."

              The compensation considered in determining the pensions payable to the NEOs is the compensation shown in the "Salary" and "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" columns of the Summary Compensation Table.

Pension Plan

              The Pension Plan is a broad-based plan that covers most AbbVie employees in the United States, age 21 or older, and provides participants with a life annuity benefit at normal retirement equal to A plus the greater of B or C below.

A.

1.10% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service after 2003.



B.

1.65% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service prior to 2004 (up to 20); plus 1.50% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service prior to 2004 in excess of 20 (but no more than 15 additional years); less 0.50% of the lesser of 3-year final average earnings (but not more than the social security wage base in any year) or the social security covered compensation level multiplied by years of benefit service.



C.

1.10% of 5-year final average earnings multiplied by years of benefit service prior to 2004.

              The benefit for service prior to 2004 (B or C above) is reduced for the cost of preretirement surviving spouse benefit protection. The reduction is calculated using formulas based on age and employment status during the period in which coverage was in effect.

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              Final average earnings are the average of the employee's 60 highest-paid consecutive calendar months of compensation (salary and non-equity incentive plan compensation). The Pension Plan covers earnings up to the limit imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17) and provides for a maximum of 35 years of benefit service.

              Participants become fully vested in their pension benefit upon the completion of five years of service. The benefit is payable on an unreduced basis at age 65. Employees hired after 2003 who terminate employment prior to age 55 with at least 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 55. Employees hired before 2004 who terminate employment prior to age 50 with at least 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 50. Employees hired before 2004 who terminate employment prior to age 50 with fewer than 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 55.

              The Pension Plan offers several optional forms of payment, including certain and life annuities, joint and survivor annuities, and level income annuities. The benefit paid under any of these options is actuarially equivalent to the life annuity benefit produced by the formula described above.

              Employees who retire from AbbVie prior to their normal retirement age may receive subsidized early retirement benefits. Employees hired after 2003 are eligible for early retirement at age 55 with 10 years of service. Employees hired before 2004 are eligible for early retirement at age 50 with 10 years of service or age 55 if the employee's age plus years of benefit service total 70 or more. Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Chase, Ms. Schumacher and Mr. Alban are eligible for early retirement benefits under the plan.

              The subsidized early retirement reductions applied to the benefit payable for service after 2003 (A above) depend upon the participant's age at retirement. If the participant retires after reaching age 55, the benefit is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62. If the participant retires after reaching age 50 but prior to reaching age 55, the benefit is actuarially reduced from age 65.

              The early retirement reductions applied to the benefit payable for service prior to 2004 (B and C above) depend upon age and service at retirement:

•

In general, the 5-year final average earnings portions of the benefit are reduced 3 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62 and the 3-year final average earnings portion of the benefit is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62.

•

Employees who participated in the plan before age 36 may elect "Special Retirement" on the last day of any month after reaching age 55 with age plus Seniority Service points of at least 94 or "Early Special Retirement" on the last day of any month after reaching age 55, provided their age plus Seniority Service points would reach at least 94 before age 65. Seniority Service includes periods of employment prior to attaining the minimum age required to participate in the plan. If Special Retirement or Early Special Retirement applies, Seniority Service is used in place of benefit service in the formulas. The 5-year final average earnings portions of the benefit in B above are reduced 1²/3 percent for each year between ages 59 and 62 plus 2¹/2 percent for each year between ages 55 and 59. The 3-year final average earnings portion of the benefit is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62. Benefit C is payable on an unreduced basis at Special Retirement and is reduced 3 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62, if Early Special Retirement applies.

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Supplemental Pension Plan

              The provisions of the Supplemental Pension Plan (which covers AbbVie employees in the United States whose compensation exceeds certain limits under the Internal Revenue Code) are substantially the same as those of the Pension Plan, with the following exceptions:

•

Participants' 5-year final average earnings are calculated using the average of the 5 highest years of base earnings and the 5 highest years of payments under AbbVie's non-equity incentive plans.

•

The Pension Plan does not include amounts deferred or payments received under the AbbVie Deferred Compensation Plan in its calculation of a participant's final average earnings. To preserve the pension benefits of Deferred Compensation Plan participants, the Supplemental Pension Plan includes amounts deferred by a participant under the Deferred Compensation Plan in its calculation of final average earnings.

•

In addition to the benefits outlined above for the Pension Plan, the NEOs are eligible for an additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefit equal to 0.6% of 5-year final average earnings for each year of service for each of the first 20 years of service occurring after the participant attains age 35. The benefit is further limited by the maximum percentage allowed under the Pension Plan under that plan's benefit formulas (A, B and C above). The portion of this additional benefit attributable to service before 2004 is reduced 3 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 60. The portion attributable to service after 2003 is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 60 if the participant is at least age 55 at early retirement. If the participant is under age 55 at retirement, the portion attributable to service after 2003 is actuarially reduced from age 65.

•

The Supplemental Pension Plan provides early retirement benefits similar to those provided under the Pension Plan. The benefits provided to NEOs under the Supplemental Pension Plan are not, however, reduced for the period between age 60 and age 62, unless the benefit is being actuarially reduced from age 65. Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Chase, Ms. Schumacher and Mr. Alban are eligible for early retirement benefits under the plan.

•

Vested benefits accrued under the Supplemental Pension Plan may be funded through a grantor trust established by an eligible NEO. Consistent with the distribution requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and its regulations, an eligible NEO who became an officer prior to 2009 may have the entire amount of his or her vested plan benefits funded through a grantor trust. An eligible NEO who became an officer after 2008 may have only the vested benefits that accrue following the calendar year in which he or she is first elected as an officer funded through a grantor trust.

              Benefits payable under the Supplemental Pension Plan are offset by the benefits payable from the Pension Plan, calculated as if benefits under the plans commenced at the same time. The amounts paid to an eligible NEO's Supplemental Pension Plan grantor trust to fund plan benefits are actuarially determined. The plan is designed to result in AbbVie paying the eligible NEO's Supplemental Pension Plan benefits to the extent assets held in his or her trust are insufficient.

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Pension Benefits Table

Name	Plan Name	Number of Years Credited Service (#)		Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($)(1)		Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($)
R. Gonzalez	AbbVie Pension Plan		35		$280,981		$0
	AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan		35		17,049,866		1,469,580	(2)
W. Chase	AbbVie Pension Plan		30		712,679		0
	AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan		30		8,629,366		3,722,402	(2)
R. Michael	AbbVie Pension Plan		26		493,154		0
	AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan		26		1,678,316		0
L. Schumacher	AbbVie Pension Plan		28		957,305		0
	AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan		28		12,955,752		822,706	(2)
C. Alban	AbbVie Pension Plan		32		1,089,415		0
	AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan		32		12,166,774		2,332,873	(2)
M. Severino	AbbVie Pension Plan		5		106,372		0
	AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan		5		1,419,828		0

(1)

AbbVie calculated these present values using: (i) a discount rate of 4.62% for the Pension Plan and a discount rate of 4.58% for the Supplemental Pension Plan, the same discount rates it uses for Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 715 calculations for financial reporting purposes; and (ii) each plan's unreduced retirement age, which is age 62 under the AbbVie Pension Plan and age 60 under the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan for those participants who are eligible for early retirement benefits and age 65 under both plans for other participants. The present values shown in the table reflect postretirement mortality, based on the FASB ASC Topic 715 assumption (the RP2006 Healthy Annuitant table projected fully generationally with MP2018 mortality improvement scale), but do not include a factor for preretirement termination, mortality, or disability.

(2)

During 2018, the amounts shown, less applicable tax withholdings, were distributed and deposited into the individual grantor trusts established by the eligible NEOs and included in the NEOs' income, as applicable. Consistent with the distribution requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and its regulations, vested Supplemental Pension Plan benefits, to the extent not previously funded, are distributed to the eligible participants' individual grantor trusts and included in their income. Amounts held in an eligible NEO's individual trust are expected to offset AbbVie's obligations to him or her under the plan. Grantor trusts are described in greater detail in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Compensation Plan Elements—Benefits—Retirement Benefits."

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Non-qualified Deferred Compensation

              The following table summarizes Mr. Chase's and Ms. Schumacher's non-qualified deferred compensation under the AbbVie Deferred Compensation Plan. No additional contributions have been made to their accounts under the plan since such time as Mr. Chase and Ms. Schumacher, respectively, became officers and ceased to be eligible to contribute to the plan. None of the other NEOs has any non-qualified deferred compensation under the plan.

Name	Plan Name(1)(2)	Executive contributions in last FY ($)		Registrant contributions in last FY ($)		Aggregate earnings in last FY ($)(3)			Aggregate withdrawals/ distributions ($)		Aggregate balance at last FYE ($)(4)
W. Chase	Deferred Compensation Plan		$0		$0		$(3,575	)		$0		$87,090
L. Schumacher	Deferred Compensation Plan		0		0		(30,960	)		0		473,817

(1)

Mr. Chase's and Ms. Schumacher's contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan ceased in 2007 and 2002, respectively.

(2)

The plan permits participants to defer up to 75% of their base salary and up to 75% of their annual cash incentives and credits a participant's account with an amount equal to the employer matching contributions that otherwise would have been made for the participant under AbbVie's tax-qualified defined contribution plan. Participants may direct the investment of their deferral accounts into one or more of several funds chosen by the administrator, and the deferral account is credited with investment returns based on the performance of the fund(s) selected. During 2018, the weighted average rate of return credited to the accounts was (3.9)% for Mr. Chase and (6.1)% for Ms. Schumacher.

The plan provides for cash distributions in either a lump sum or installments after separation from service and permits in-service withdrawals in accordance with specific procedures. Participants make distribution elections each year that apply to the deferrals to be made in the following calendar year, in accordance with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Participants may request withdrawals due to financial hardship; if a hardship withdrawal is approved, it is limited to the amount needed to address the hardship.

(3)

The amounts reported in this column are not included in the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement.

(4)

The amounts reported in this column have not been previously reported as compensation in AbbVie's Summary Compensation Tables because they relate to contributions made before the applicable individual became an NEO.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

Potential Payments upon Termination—Generally

              AbbVie does not have employment agreements with its NEOs.

              The following summarizes the payments that the NEOs would have received if their employment had terminated on December 31, 2018. Earnings would have continued to be paid for the NEO's Performance Incentive Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan grantor trusts, as applicable, until the trust assets were fully distributed. The amount of these payments would depend on the trust earnings and fees and the period over which the trust assets were distributed. Based on current earnings rates, if the trust assets were distributed over a 10-year period, the NEOs would receive the following average annual earnings payments over such 10-year period: Mr. Gonzalez, $755,093; Mr. Chase, $547,998; Ms. Schumacher, $1,040,072; Mr. Alban, $712,236; and Dr. Severino, $286,411. In addition, the following one-time deposits would have been made under the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan for each of the following NEOs, respectively: Mr. Gonzalez, $0; Mr. Chase, $1,072,191; Ms. Schumacher, $2,903,787; and Mr. Alban, $1,612,223. As of December 31, 2018, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Chase, Ms. Schumacher and Mr. Alban were eligible to retire, and therefore were eligible to receive the pension benefits previously described.

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              If the termination of employment had been due to disability, then the respective NEO also would have received, in addition to AbbVie's standard disability benefits, a monthly long-term disability benefit in the following amount: Mr. Gonzalez: $194,906; Mr. Chase: $97,727; Mr. Michael, $47,500; Ms. Schumacher: $97,727; Mr. Alban: $91,811; and Dr. Severino: $90,910. This long-term disability benefit would continue for up to 24 months following termination of employment. It ends if the NEO retires, recovers, dies or ceases to meet eligibility criteria.

              If the NEO's employment had terminated due to death or disability, his or her unvested stock options, restricted stock or unit awards and performance shares would have vested on December 31, 2018 with values as set forth below in the subsection of this proxy statement captioned "Equity Awards."

Potential Payments upon Change in Control

              AbbVie has entered into change in control agreements with its NEOs. Each change in control agreement continues in effect until December 31, 2020, and can be renewed for successive two-year terms upon notice prior to the expiration date. If notice of non-renewal is given, the agreement will expire on the later of the scheduled expiration date and the one-year anniversary of the date of such notice. If no notice is given, the agreement will expire on the one-year anniversary of the scheduled expiration date. Each agreement also automatically extends for two years following any change in control (see below) that occurs while the agreement is in effect.

              The agreements provide that if the employee is terminated other than for cause or permanent disability or if the employee elects to terminate employment for good reason (see below) within two years following a change in control, he or she is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three times his or her annual salary and annual incentive ("bonus") award (assuming for this purpose that all target performance goals have been achieved or, if higher, based on the average bonus for the last three years), plus any unpaid bonus owing for any completed performance period and the pro rata bonus for any current bonus period (based on the highest of the bonus assuming achievement of target performance, the average bonus for the past three years or, in the case of the unpaid bonus for any completed performance period, the actual bonus earned). If the employee is terminated other than for cause or permanent disability or if the employee elects to terminate employment for good reason during a potential change in control (see below), he or she is entitled to receive a lump sum payment of the annual salary and bonus payments described above, except that the amount of the bonus to which the employee is entitled will be based on the actual achievement of the applicable performance goals. If the potential change in control becomes a "change in control event" (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A), the employee will be entitled to receive the difference between the bonus amounts the officer received upon termination during the potential change in control and the bonus amounts that would have been received had such amounts instead been based on the higher of the employee's target bonus or the average bonus paid to the employee in the preceding three years.

              Bonus payments include payments made under the Performance Incentive Plan. The employee also will receive up to two years of additional employee benefits (including welfare benefits, outplacement services and tax and financial counseling) and the value of three more years of pension accruals. If change in control-related payments and benefits become subject to the excise tax imposed under Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, payments under the agreement will be reduced to prevent application of the excise tax if such a reduction would leave the employee in a better after-tax position than if the payments were not reduced and the tax applied. The agreements also limit the conduct for which awards under AbbVie's incentive stock programs can be terminated and generally permit options to remain exercisable for the remainder of their term.

              For purposes of the agreements, the term "change in control" includes the following events: any person becoming the beneficial owner of AbbVie securities representing 20 percent or more of the outstanding voting power (not including an acquisition directly from AbbVie and its affiliates); a change in the majority of the members of the board of directors whose appointment was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the incumbent directors; and the consummation of certain mergers or similar corporate transactions involving AbbVie. A "potential change in control" under the agreements includes, among other things, AbbVie's entry into an agreement that would result in a change in control. Finally, the term "good reason" includes: a significant adverse change in the employee's position, duties, or authority; the company's failure to pay the employee's compensation or a reduction in the employee's base pay or

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benefits; or the relocation of the company's principal executive offices to a location that is more than 35 miles from the location of the offices at the time of the change in control.

              If a change in control had occurred on December 31, 2018, immediately followed by one of the covered circumstances described above, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Chase, Mr. Michael, Ms. Schumacher, Mr. Alban, and Dr. Severino would have been entitled to receive the following payments and benefits under the change in control agreements:

•

Mr. Gonzalez: cash termination payments—$15,857,250; additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefits—$1,770,732; welfare and fringe benefits—$78,140.

•

Mr. Chase: cash termination payments—$4,761,486; additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefits—$1,364,162; welfare and fringe benefits—$79,890.

•

Mr. Michael: cash termination payments—$4,210,962; additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefits—$763,429; welfare and fringe benefits—$79,136.

•

Ms. Schumacher: cash termination payments—$8,069,547; additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefits—$3,278,470; welfare and fringe benefits—$65,446.

•

Mr. Alban: cash termination payments—$7,595,778; additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefits—$3,171,654; welfare and fringe benefits—$61,231.

•

Dr. Severino: cash termination payments—$8,176,814; additional Supplemental Pension Plan benefits—$1,316,087; welfare and fringe benefits—$80,794.

              The amounts shown for Mr. Chase's cash termination payments and additional supplemental pension plan benefits reflect reductions of $3,293,633 and $943,623, respectively, which would have applied under cutback provisions in the agreements as described above.

Equity Awards

              The AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program was approved by AbbVie's stockholders and covers approximately 9,000 participants, including a broad group of management and professional staff.

              The AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program provides that any unvested equity awards granted in or after January 2013 may be assumed, converted or replaced on an equivalent basis by the surviving company upon a change in control. If the surviving company does not do so, the vesting of the awards is accelerated. If the surviving company does assume, convert or replace the awards on an equivalent basis, then accelerated vesting of the awards is limited to circumstances in which, during the period from six months before through two years after a change in control, the grantee's employment is terminated without cause or the grantee resigns for good reason. The terms "cause" and "good reason" have the same definitions as in the change in control agreements.

              If a change in control had occurred on December 31, 2018 and the surviving company did not assume, convert or replace any of the awards granted in or after January 2013, or the NEO's employment had terminated without cause or he or she had resigned for good reason, as described above, then the unvested equity awards of the NEOs would have vested as follows:

•

Mr. Gonzalez would have vested in (i) 386,767 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $8,542,682, (ii) 162,911 AbbVie restricted stock units with a value of $15,018,719, and (iii) 252,468 AbbVie performance shares with a value of $23,274,997.

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•

Mr. Chase would have vested in (i) 144,373 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $3,244,473, (ii) 60,715 AbbVie restricted stock units with a value of $5,597,270, and (iii) 94,279 AbbVie performance shares with a value of $8,691,590.

•

Mr. Michael would have vested in (i) 19,023 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $360,884, (ii) 8,010 AbbVie restricted stock units with a value of $738,442, and (iii) 12,343 AbbVie performance shares with a value of $1,137,872.

•

Ms. Schumacher would have vested in (i) 138,723 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $3,033,559, (ii) 57,880 AbbVie restricted stock units with a value of $5,335,911, and (iii) 90,341 AbbVie performance shares with a value of $8,328,520.

•

Mr. Alban would have vested in (i) 134,886 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $2,961,808, (ii) 56,419 AbbVie restricted stock units with a value of $5,201,222, and (iii) 87,895 AbbVie performance shares with a value of $8,103,047.

•

Dr. Severino would have vested in (i) 143,716 unvested AbbVie stock options with a value of $3,202,029, (ii) 60,343 AbbVie restricted stock units with a value of $5,562,975, and (iii) 93,776 AbbVie performance shares with a value of $8,645,235.

              The value of stock options shown is based on the excess of the closing price of one share of common stock on December 31, 2018 over the exercise price of such options, multiplied by the number of unvested stock options held by the NEO. The value of restricted stock units and performance shares shown is determined by multiplying the number of units or shares that would vest as of December 31, 2018 in accordance with the applicable equity award agreement terms and the closing price of one share of common stock on December 31, 2018.

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              The audit committee of the board of directors is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm retained to audit the company's financial statements. On October 11, 2018, the audit committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP (the independent auditor) to perform independent audit services for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent auditor since 2013. In conjunction with the periodic mandated rotation of the audit firm's lead engagement partner, the chair of the audit committee would be involved in the selection of a new lead engagement partner. Further, the audit committee will periodically consider whether there should be a regular rotation of the independent auditor.

              Although the audit committee has sole authority to appoint the independent auditor, it would like to know the opinion of the stockholders regarding its appointment of Ernst & Young LLP for 2019. For this reason, stockholders are being asked to ratify this appointment. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP for 2019, the audit committee will take that fact into consideration, but may, nevertheless, continue to retain Ernst & Young LLP. The audit committee and the board believe that the continued retention of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the company's independent auditor is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders.

              Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.

The board of directors recommends that you vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie's independent registered public accounting firm for 2019.

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Audit Fees and Non-Audit Fees

              The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered to AbbVie by Ernst & Young LLP for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and fees for other services rendered to AbbVie by Ernst & Young LLP for those periods.

	2018 (millions)	2017 (millions)
Audit fees:(1)	$10.3	$11.0
Audit related fees:(2)	0.7	0.3
Tax fees:(3)	2.3	2.0
All other fees:(4)	—	0.6
Total	$13.3	$13.9

(1)

Ernst & Young LLP billed or will bill AbbVie for professional services rendered for the audit of AbbVie's annual financial statements, the review of AbbVie's financial statements included in AbbVie's quarterly reports, the audits of AbbVie's internal control over financial reporting, statutory and subsidiary audits, the review of documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, comfort letters, consents and certain accounting consultations in connection with the audits.

(2)

Audit related fees include audits of certain employee benefit plan financial statements and other agreed upon procedures.

(3)

Tax fees consist principally of professional services for corporate tax compliance and tax advisory services.

(4)

Other fees in 2017 represent Independent Review Organization services.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

              The audit committee has established policies and procedures to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm (the independent auditor) and its related affiliates.

              Prior to engagement of the independent auditor for the next year's audit, management will submit a schedule of all proposed permissible services expected to be rendered during that year for each of four categories of services to the audit committee for approval.

              Prior to engagement, the audit committee pre-approves these services by category of service. The fees are budgeted and the audit committee requires the independent auditor and management to report actual fees versus the budget periodically by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent auditor for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the audit committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging the independent auditor.

              The audit committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report any pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.

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Audit Committee Report

              The audit committee is comprised of five non-employee members of the board of directors. Each audit committee member meets the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act. The committee operates under a written charter adopted by the board of directors. Consistent with the responsibilities set forth in its charter, the audit committee assists the board of directors in its oversight of AbbVie's accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices.

              The audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements contained in the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K with AbbVie's management and its independent registered public accounting firm (the independent auditor). Management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of AbbVie's consolidated financial statements. The independent auditor is responsible for performing an audit of the consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The audit committee reviews these processes on behalf of the board of directors. Periodically, during the year, the audit committee reviewed and discussed with AbbVie's management, internal auditors, and independent auditor the effectiveness of AbbVie's internal control over financial reporting and the overall quality of AbbVie's financial reporting.

              The audit committee has discussed with the independent auditor the matters required to be discussed pursuant to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Auditing Standard No. 1301, Communication with Audit Committees. In addition, the audit committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent auditor regarding its independence required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, and has discussed with the independent auditor the firm's independence. The audit committee has also considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent auditor and concluded the independent auditor's independence has not been impaired.

              Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in AbbVie's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Audit Committee

              R. Austin, Chair, W. Burnside, M. Meyer, E. Rapp, and F. Waddell

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              Stockholders are being asked to approve the compensation of AbbVie's named executive officers, as disclosed under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related material included in this proxy statement.

              The independent compensation committee of the board of directors, with the counsel of its independent compensation consultant, has thoroughly examined AbbVie's programs, the company's performance related to our industry and peer group, and market factors. The committee has determined that the specific pay decisions for the named executive officers are appropriate given the company's performance, the executives' contributions, and our stockholders' interests.

              While this vote is advisory and non-binding, the board of directors and the compensation committee value the opinion of the stockholders and will review the voting results and take them into account when future compensation decisions are made.

Accordingly, the board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the approval of the named executive officers' compensation.

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              Currently, AbbVie's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") provides that certain amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation or AbbVie's Amended and Restated By-Laws (the "By-Laws") require the affirmative vote of shares representing no less than 80 percent of AbbVie's outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. We refer to these provisions listed below as the "Supermajority Voting Requirement."

              Specifically, Article VIII of the Certificate of Incorporation provides that any stockholder-approved alteration, amendment, or repeal of any of the By-Law provisions listed below, or the adoption of any stockholder-approved By-Law provision inconsistent with those By-Law provisions, must be approved pursuant to the Supermajority Voting Requirement. The By-Law provisions covered by the Supermajority Voting Requirement are in regards to:

•

special meetings of stockholders and written consents by stockholders (Article II, Sections 2.2 and 2.12, respectively);

•

board size and tenure, classes of directors, board vacancies, and director removal (Article III, Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.10 and 3.11, respectively);

•

indemnification of directors and officers (Article VII); and

•

amendments to the By-Laws (Article X).

              Article XI of the Certificate of Incorporation provides that any alteration, amendment, or repeal of any of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation listed below, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with those provisions, must be approved pursuant to the Supermajority Voting Requirement. The provisions covered by the Supermajority Voting Requirement are in regards to:

•

board size, classes of directors, board vacancies, and director removal (Article VI, Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively); and

•

written consents by stockholders and special meetings of stockholders (Article VII, Sections 1 and 2, respectively).

              After reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of the Supermajority Voting Requirement at this time, the board approved, and recommends that stockholders approve, the amendment and restatement of Articles VIII and XI of the Certificate of Incorporation to remove the Supermajority Voting Requirement contained therein. If approved, future stockholder-approved amendments to the By-Law and Certificate of Incorporation provisions listed above will not be subject to the Supermajority Voting Requirement and will instead require the affirmative vote of a majority of AbbVie's outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

              The proposed Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A, which the company would file promptly following the 2019 Annual Meeting if our stockholders approve the amendment. The affirmative vote of the holders of 80 percent of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors on the Record Date is required to approve this proposal pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation. The board has approved certain conforming changes to the company's By-Laws, contingent on the effectiveness of the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation.

The board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the management proposal to amend and restate the Certificate of Incorporation to eliminate supermajority voting.

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              Three stockholder proposals will be voted upon at the Annual Meeting if properly presented by or on behalf of the proponent. The address of each of the proponents is available upon request. The proposed resolutions and the statements made in support thereof, as well as the board of directors' statements in opposition to these proposals, are presented on the following pages. The proposal may contain assertions about AbbVie or other statements that we believe are incorrect.

The board of directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposals for the reasons set forth following the proposals.

Stockholder Proposal on Lobbying Report (Item 5 on Proxy Card)

              Zevin Asset Management, on behalf of William Creighton, and co-filers Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes, First Affirmative Financial Network, LLC, Friends Fiduciary Corporation, and Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary have notified AbbVie that it intends to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting and that they collectively own at least 19,269 AbbVie shares.

Whereas, we believe in full disclosure of AbbVie's direct and indirect lobbying activities and expenditures to assess whether AbbVie' s lobbying is consistent with its expressed goals and in the best interests of stockholders.

Resolved, the stockholders of AbbVie request the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing:

1.

Company policy and procedures governing lobbying, both direct and indirect, and grassroots lobbying communications.

2.

Payments by AbbVie used for (a) direct or indirect lobbying or (b) grassroots lobbying communications, in each case including the amount of the payment and the recipient.

3.

AbbVie's membership in and payments to any tax-exempt organization that writes and endorses model legislation.

4.

Description of management's decision making process and the Board's oversight for making payments described in section 2 above.

              For purposes of this proposal, a "grassroots lobbying communication" is a communication directed to the general public that (a) refers to specific legislation or regulation, (b) reflects a view on the legislation or regulation and (c) encourages the recipient of the communication to take action with respect to the legislation or regulation. "Indirect lobbying" is lobbying engaged in by a trade association or other organization of which AbbVie is a member.

              Both "direct and indirect lobbying" and "grassroots lobbying communications" include efforts at the local, state and federal levels.

              The report shall be presented to the Public Policy Committee and posted on AbbVie' s website.

Supporting Statement

              Investors urge transparency and accountability in the use of corporate funds to influence legislation and regulation, both directly and indirectly. AbbVie spent $26.23 million from 2013 - 2017 on federal lobbying (opensecrets.org). This figure does not include lobbying expenditures to influence legislation in states, where AbbVie also lobbies but disclosure is uneven or absent. For example, AbbVie had at least 79 lobbyists in 19 states in 2017

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(followthemoney.org) and spent $1,935,362 on lobbying in California from 2013 - 2017. AbbVie's lobbying on Humira has attracted media scrutiny ("Humira Deaths Put AbbVie on FDA's Radar," Drugwatch, May 10, 2018). Investors are concerned that AbbVie does not publish total state and federal lobbying expenditures.

              AbbVie is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, which has spent over $1.4 billion on lobbying since 1998, and sits on the board of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), which spends millions lobbying against drug pricing measures ("PhRMA Spends Record Amount on Lobbying Amid Drug Pricing Fights," The Hill, April 20, 2018). AbbVie does not disclose the portions of its payments to trade associations that are used for lobbying.

              AbbVie's membership in PhRMA and the Chamber could present significant reputational risk when the groups' lobbying activities contradict AbbVie's public positions. For example, AbbVie believes patients need access to affordable medicines, yet it helps fund PhRMA's opposition to lower drug price initiatives. And AbbVie supports smoking cessation, yet the Chamber has worked to block global antismoking laws. As shareholders, we believe that companies should ensure alignment between their own positions and their lobbying, including through trade associations.

Board of Directors Statement in Opposition to the Stockholder Proposal on Lobbying Report (Item 5 on Proxy Card)

              The board of directors recommends that stockholders vote AGAINST this proposal. This proposal is unnecessary, because AbbVie already makes extensive disclosures regarding our lobbying and political activities as required by law and we voluntarily disclose additional related information on our website, as outlined below. AbbVie has already demonstrated transparency with respect to lobbying activities and strong risk mitigation procedures governing such activities. The preparation and maintenance of an additional report, as proposed, is neither a good use of resources, nor would it increase stockholder value.

The board, through its public policy committee, exercises oversight of AbbVie's political and lobbying activities.

•

The board of directors public policy committee exercises oversight of AbbVie's political expenditures and lobbying activities, as specifically enumerated in the committee's charter, and which are further governed by the Committee's approved policy on political contributions. The public policy committee and AbbVie's senior management review these activities and expenditures on a regular basis.

•

Our Vice Chairman, External Affairs and Chief Legal Officer, who reports directly to the CEO, and our Vice President, Government Affairs, each review and approve AbbVie's lobbying strategy and all plans for corporate political contributions at the recommendation of AbbVie's Government Affairs function to ensure that these activities are consistent with the company's guidelines and comply with applicable laws.

•

We believe this approach, as explained on our website, minimizes risk and reflects our guiding commitment to transparency, stewardship of corporate and stockholder funds, sound corporate practice, and high standards of ethical conduct.

AbbVie already makes extensive disclosures regarding lobbying and political activities and has been recognized as a leader in this area.

•

Since our launch as a new public company in 2013, AbbVie has provided robust transparency through the disclosures described below. AbbVie's website describes our oversight process and our guiding principles for lobbying and political activities. We pursue activities that shape policies to benefit patients, with a focus on improving patient access to new medical advances.

•

In part due to the extensive disclosures described below, AbbVie has been recognized as a leader in providing the highest level of political transparency and accountability. In 2018, AbbVie was recognized as a "trendsetter" in this area by the CPA-Zicklin Index, the highest ranking a company can receive. This index,

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which is produced by the non-profit Center for Political Accountability in conjunction with the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, benchmarks the political disclosure and accountability policies and practices of leading U.S. public companies. AbbVie was also ranked in the top tier of companies in 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

•

AbbVie files quarterly reports that include (i) total federal lobbying expenditures, (ii) the name of the legislation or subject matter covered, (iii) individuals who lobbied on behalf of AbbVie, and (iv) identification of the legislative body or executive branch that was contacted, in compliance with the Lobbying Disclosure Act. These reports include expenses associated with lobbying the federal government and the portion of trade association dues associated with federal lobbying. AbbVie provides links to these reports on our website at http://www.abbvie.com/responsibility/transparency-policies/home.html#cpc. We file similar publicly-available lobbying reports with state and local agencies as required by law.

•

In 2016, we enhanced our website with a comprehensive list of our state lobbying reports with direct links to our state filings or the relevant database.

•

AbbVie also provides a listing of corporate contributions to political candidates, political parties, political committees, ballot measure committees, and organizations operating under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code. These reports are updated every six months and are archived for reference on our website identified above.

•

AbbVie does not currently make direct expenditures toward U.S. federal or state grassroots lobbying communications to the general public and does not currently contribute funds intended for use in elections to tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, as disclosed on our website. If such a contribution were made, it would be enumerated in AbbVie's reports on other corporate political contributions.

•

AbbVie discloses trade associations to which AbbVie provides $50,000 or more in annual membership, which are reviewed by the Public Policy Committee. This threshold was lowered in 2016 from $100,000. AbbVie also posts a list of global trade associations in which an AbbVie employee serves on the organization's board of directors. Both of these lists are available on our website. AbbVie chooses to participate as a member of various associations based on our commitment to voice our concerns as appropriate through our colleagues who serve on the boards and committees of these groups. Such participation does not imply that we always agree with the positions of the larger organization and/or other members.

•

AbbVie also provides a link to the Federal Election Commission reports of the AbbVie Political Action Committee ("PAC"), which detail the PAC's political contributions and expenditures.

•

Attempting to quantify indirect lobbying would be difficult to estimate and potentially misleading to stockholders as AbbVie is not directing the lobbying activities of trade, civic or patient groups. Further, it would be difficult for us to determine which third parties may endorse model legislation and whether such activities fall within the proposal's request.

              In summary, our robust oversight mechanisms and extensive disclosures address the concerns underlying the proposal, but without the unnecessary business risks and additional resources the proposal would introduce if implemented.

The board of directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposal.

70   |2019 Proxy Statement

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Stockholder Proposal on Compensation Committee Drug Pricing Report (Item 6 on Proxy Card)

              United Church Funds, and co-filers, including Bon Secours Mercy Health, Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth, Sisters of Providence, Mother Joseph Province, and Trinity Health have notified AbbVie that they intend to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting and that they collectively own 86,219 AbbVie shares.

RESOLVED, that shareholders of AbbVie Inc. ("AbbVie") urge the Compensation Committee (the "Committee") to report annually to shareholders on the extent to which risks related to public concern over drug pricing strategies are integrated into AbbVie's incentive compensation policies, plans and programs (together, "arrangements") for senior executives. The report should include, but need not be limited to, discussion of whether (i) incentive compensation arrangements reward, or not penalize, senior executives for adopting pricing strategies, or making and honoring commitments about pricing, that incorporate public concern regarding the level or rate of increase in prescription drug prices; and (ii) such concern is considered when setting financial targets for incentive compensation arrangements.

              Supporting Statement:    As long-term investors, we believe that senior executive incentive compensation arrangements should reward the creation of sustainable long-term value. To that end, it is important that those arrangements align with company strategy and encourage responsible risk management.

              A key risk facing pharmaceutical companies is potential backlash against high drug prices. Societal anger over exorbitant prices and pressure over limited patients' access due to unaffordability may force price rollbacks and harm corporate reputation.

              We applaud AbbVie for committing not to increase prices by more than 10% for 2018, yet we are unaware of a like commitment for 2019 or beyond. Moreover, we are concerned that the incentive compensation arrangements applicable to AbbVie's senior executives may undermine any such commitment.

              AbbVie uses net revenue, income before taxes and Humira sales as metrics for the annual bonus and earnings per share (EPS) as a metric for certain long-term incentive awards to senior executives. (2018 Proxy Statement, at 31) A 2017 Credit Suisse analyst report stated that "US drug price rises contributed 100% of industry EPS growth in 2016" and characterized that fact as "the most important issue for a Pharma investor today." The report identified AbbVie as a company where price increases accounted for at least 100% of EPS growth in 2016. (Global Pharma and Biotech Sector Review: Exploring Future US Pricing Pressure, Apr. 18, 2017, at 1.) It has been noted that the company's 2018 9.7% price increase for Humira could add $1.2 billion to the U.S. healthcare system (https://www.fiercepharma.com/pharma/drug-price-hikes-a-few-bad-actors-or-widespread-pharma?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiWWpZeFltRTBOM1ZoTkRJNSIsInQiOiJhckk2U0NgNXBx
N0x2UCtvdVdIdzZVZXRIUHlrS0xZOVRBNXdTVlF0eVNBSDMxb3NWUGJsRWtNcFROZmlPYmM5d2hXd3VuV0kldG1CelBTYmk2).

              In our view, excessive dependence on drug price increases is a risky and unsustainable strategy, especially when price hikes drive large senior executive payouts. We believe that the company's strategy to use "nursing support," which the California Department of Insurance claims in its suit against the company to be largely a kickback scheme to boost Humira sales, may have been better managed by leadership if Humira sales were not an explicit part of the payment incentive plan (https://www.law360.com/articles/1084008).

              The disclosure we request would allow shareholders to better assess the extent to which compensation arrangements encourage senior executives to responsibly manage risks relating to drug pricing and contribute to long-term value creation. We urge shareholders to vote for this Proposal.

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Board of Directors Statement in Opposition to the Stockholder Proposal on Compensation Committee Drug Pricing Report (Item 6 on Proxy Card)

              The board of directors recommends that stockholders vote AGAINST this proposal. AbbVie has demonstrated a commitment to both balanced, appropriate executive compensation programs and to responsible drug pricing. The preparation and maintenance of the proposed report would not provide meaningful information to stockholders, would not be a good use of AbbVie's resources, and is unnecessary.

AbbVie's compensation programs effectively account for responsible risk management.

              In collaboration with the compensation committee's independent compensation consultant, AbbVie conducts an annual in-depth compensation risk assessment with respect to its compensation policies and practices. The results of this assessment, including the major factors used to arrive at the results, are already published in this proxy statement. This comprehensive risk assessment appropriately evaluates AbbVie's compensation risk exposure and its potential impact on compensation outcomes, resulting in compensation decisions that are aligned with creating stockholder value and improving company performance without undue risk-taking. A report specifically focused only on drug pricing risk would be redundant to, and much less meaningful than, the broader compensation risk assessment already conducted by AbbVie.

              Executive officers are evaluated based on quantitative financial metrics and qualitative factors, such as individual, strategic and leadership achievements, as well as relative accomplishments and/or developments in the company and the marketplace. The use of both quantitative and qualitative metrics effectively mitigates the impact of a single risk, such as dependence on drug pricing, on overall compensation. In addition, AbbVie's compensation programs use both short-term and long-term metrics, which mitigates the potential risks of over-reliance on short-term actions, such as excessive increases in prices, and encourages strategies that result in long-term value creation.

              Further, AbbVie's current compensation policies and practices provide the compensation committee, comprised entirely of independent directors, with the authority to exercise discretion to substantially adjust incentive payments, if needed.

AbbVie is committed to responsible drug pricing.

              AbbVie evaluates specific pricing decisions on an annual basis with careful consideration of a variety of factors. In 2019, as in 2017 and 2018, AbbVie has publicly committed to taking no more than one, single-digit price increase, as part of our ongoing commitment to acting responsibly with regard to drug pricing. Indeed, the proponents acknowledge and "applaud" AbbVie's commitment. This commitment is factored into our long-range plan and executive performance metrics are set in advance. Therefore, AbbVie already limits the risk of extreme price increases being used to inappropriately meet performance goals.

              AbbVie's strategy is to address some of the world's toughest health challenges by developing innovative therapies that have a meaningful impact on patients' lives. Our strategy does not rely on price increases. Since the company's inception, AbbVie has launched more than 15 new products or indications across key therapeutic areas, including in indications for which there was previously substantial unmet medical need. AbbVie has also developed one of the strongest late-stage pipelines in the industry with several programs positioned for market leadership.

              In summary, given our responsible compensation program design, existing compensation risk assessment, responsible drug pricing and other practices, the proposal would not provide meaningful information to stockholders, would not be a good use of AbbVie resources, and is unnecessary.

The board of directors recommends that you vote AGAINST this proposal.

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STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

Stockholder Proposal on Independent Chair (Item 7 on Proxy Card)

              The Employees' Retirement System of Rhode Island and co-filer Vermont Pension Investment Committee have notified AbbVie that they intend to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting and that they collectively own 125,458 AbbVie shares.

              RESOLVED:    Shareholders request the Board of Directors adopt as policy, and amend the bylaws as necessary, to require henceforth that the Chair of the Board of Directors, whenever possible, be an independent member of the Board. This independence policy shall apply prospectively so as not to violate any contractual obligations. If the Board determines that a Chair who was independent when selected is no longer independent, the Board shall select a new Chair who satisfies the requirements of the policy within a reasonable amount of time. Compliance with this policy is waived if no independent director is available and willing to serve as Chair.

              This policy would be phased in for the next CEO transition.

Supporting Statement

              We believe:

•

The role of the CEO and management is to run the company.

•

The role of the Board of Directors is to provide independent oversight of management and the CEO.

•

There is a potential conflict of interest for a CEO to have an inside director act as Chair.

              In our view, shareholders are best served by an independent Board Chair who can provide a balance of power between the CEO and the Board.

              We believe that AbbVie's Board should adopt best practice governance policies, including having an independent board chair. Taking this step is in the long-term interests of shareholders and will promote effective oversight of management.

              As of October 2018, 50% of the S&P 500 have separated the role of Chair and CEO. Furthermore, 31% of S&P 500 firms have an independent chair.

              In order to ensure that our Board can provide rigorous oversight for our Company with greater independence and accountability, we urge a vote FOR this resolution.

Board of Directors Statement in Opposition to the Stockholder Proposal on Independent Chair (Item 7 on Proxy Card)

              The board of directors recommends that stockholders vote AGAINST this proposal.

Our board of directors believes that our stockholders are best served by preserving the flexibility to determine the appropriate leadership structure for the company in light of the circumstances at the time.

              We believe the proposal would unnecessarily restrict the board's ability to exercise its fiduciary duty to determine the board leadership structure most appropriate for the company given the specific circumstances and leadership needs at any particular point in time. The company's robust governance framework ensures that board leadership is balanced with independent participation given the extensive involvement of the lead director and his oversight. Therefore, adopting a proposal that would limit the board's ability to exercise decision making on the appropriate leadership is not in stockholders' best interests.

2019 Proxy Statement   | 73

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

AbbVie's existing leadership structure and corporate governance practices provide strong independent oversight.

              Since its inception in 2013, AbbVie has had a robust lead independent director role. The lead independent director has significant authority and responsibilities and works directly with the Chairman and CEO, as well as the independent directors, to ensure meaningful oversight of the board. Among other duties, our lead independent director:

•

facilitates communication with the board and presides over regularly conducted executive sessions of the independent directors or sessions where the chairman of the board is not present;

•

reviews and approves matters, such as agenda items, schedule sufficiency, and, where appropriate, information provided to other board members;

•

serves as the liaison between the chairman of the board and the independent directors;

•

has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors;

•

leads the board's evaluation of the CEO;

•

leads the annual board and committee evaluation process, including discussing evaluations with each director individually;

•

encourages effective director participation by fostering an environment of open dialogue and constructive feedback among independent directors;

•

if requested by major stockholders, ensures that he or she is available for consultation and direct communication as needed;

•

if required, represents independent board members externally; and

•

performs such other duties as the board may determine from time to time.

              All directors, other than the CEO, are independent. All key committees and committee chairs are comprised completely of independent directors. Our independent directors meet regularly in executive session, which is presided over by the lead director. Our directors are also subject to majority voting as set forth in our By-Laws.

The board periodically considers AbbVie's leadership structure and has determined that its needs are best met through the existing structure.

              In light of the lead independent director authority and responsibilities and other corporate governance practices, which are highlighted in our Governance Guidelines (available at www.abbvieinvestor.com), the board has determined that its current leadership structure, in which the offices of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer are held by one individual, along with a strong and independent Lead Director, ensures the appropriate level of oversight, independence, and responsibility is applied to all board decisions and is in the best interests of AbbVie and its stockholders.

The board of directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposal.

74   |2019 Proxy Statement

Corporate Governance Materials

              AbbVie's corporate governance guidelines with the outline of directorship qualifications; director independence guidelines; code of business conduct; and audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and governance committee, and public policy committee charters are all available in the corporate governance section of AbbVie's investor relations website at www.abbvieinvestor.com.

Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions

              It is AbbVie's policy that the nominations and governance committee review, approve, ratify or disapprove of all transactions in which AbbVie participates and in which any related person has a direct or indirect material interest if such transaction involves or is expected to involve payments of $120,000 or more in the aggregate per fiscal year. Related person transactions requiring review by the nominations and governance committee pursuant to this policy are identified in:

•

questionnaires annually distributed to AbbVie's directors and executive officers;

•

certifications submitted annually by AbbVie executive officers related to their compliance with AbbVie's Code of Business Conduct; or

•

communications made directly by the related person to the chief financial officer or general counsel.

              In determining whether to approve or ratify a related person transaction, the nominations and governance committee will consider the following items, among others:

•

the related person's relationship to AbbVie and interest in the transaction;

•

the material facts of the transaction, including the aggregate value of such transaction or, in the case of indebtedness, the amount of principal involved;

•

the benefits to AbbVie of the transaction;

•

if applicable, the availability of other sources of comparable products or services;

•

an assessment of whether the transaction is on terms that are comparable to the terms available to an unrelated third party or to employees generally;

•

whether a transaction has the potential to impair director independence; and

•

whether the transaction constitutes a conflict of interest.

              This process is included in the nominations and governance committee's written charter, which is available on the corporate governance section of AbbVie's investor relations website at www.abbvieinvestor.com.

2019 Proxy Statement   | 75

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

              AbbVie believes that during 2018 its executive officers and directors timely complied with all filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Performance-Based Compensation Arrangements

              The Performance Incentive Plan and the Incentive Stock Program are intended to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) to permit deductibility of performance-based compensation with respect to awards granted before November 2017. In connection with such awards, the compensation committee expects to take appropriate steps to preserve deductibility, but has the flexibility to take actions that may be based on considerations in addition to tax deductibility. The committee believes that stockholder interests are best served by not restricting the committee's discretion and flexibility in crafting compensation programs, even if such programs may result in certain non-deductible compensation expenses. Accordingly, the committee may approve components of compensation for certain executive officers that are not deductible.

              As described in other sections of this proxy statement, the company's compensation programs are designed to align executive officer pay with the performance of the company and the executive officers. The elimination of the performance-based compensation deduction under Code Section 162(m) has not altered the commitment of the company and the compensation committee to performance-based compensation principles.

              While the compensation committee does not anticipate there would ever be circumstances where a restatement of earnings upon which any incentive plan award decisions were based would occur, the committee, in evaluating such circumstances, has discretion to take all actions necessary to protect the interests of stockholders up to and including actions to recover such incentive awards.

Exclusive Forum

              AbbVie is incorporated in the state of Delaware and Delaware law governs the relationship among its directors, officers, and stockholders (also known as the internal affairs doctrine). To provide for the orderly, efficient and cost-effective resolution of Delaware-law issues affecting AbbVie, the company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless the board of directors otherwise determines, Delaware courts are the exclusive forum for cases involving the internal affairs doctrine, derivative actions brought on behalf of the company, claims for breach of fiduciary duty, and other matters concerning Delaware statutory and common law. The provision does not apply to any other cases brought against AbbVie.

Other Matters

              The board of directors knows of no other business to be transacted at the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, but if any other matters do come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote or act with respect to them in accordance with their best judgment.

Date for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals for the 2020 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement

              Stockholder proposals for presentation at the 2020 Annual Meeting must be received by AbbVie no later than November 19, 2019 and must otherwise comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and proxy for the 2020 meeting.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Procedure for Recommendation and Nomination of Directors and Transaction of Business at Annual Meeting

              A stockholder may recommend persons as potential nominees for director by submitting the names of such persons in writing to the secretary of AbbVie. Recommendations must be accompanied by certain information about both the nominee and the stockholder making the nomination, as set forth in AbbVie's Amended and Restated By-Laws. A nominee who is recommended by a stockholder following these procedures will receive the same consideration as other comparably qualified nominees.

              A stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors at an Annual Meeting and who is a stockholder of record on:

•

the record date for that Annual Meeting,

•

the date of this proxy statement, and

•

the date of the Annual Meeting

may nominate persons for director, or make proposals of other business to be brought before the Annual Meeting, by providing proper timely written notice to the secretary of AbbVie. That notice must include certain information required by Article II of AbbVie's Amended and Restated By-Laws, including information about the stockholder, any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is being made, their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them, and any proposed director nominee.

              For each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting, the notice must also include a brief description of the business to be discussed, the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting, any material interest of the stockholder in such business and certain other information specified in the By-Laws. In addition, in the case of a director nomination, the notice must include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement of the nominee addressing matters specified in the By-Laws.

              To be timely, written notice either to directly nominate persons for director or to bring business properly before the Annual Meeting must be received at AbbVie's principal executive offices not less than ninety days and not more than one hundred twenty days prior to the anniversary date of the preceding Annual Meeting. If the Annual Meeting is called for a date that is more than thirty days before or sixty days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be received not less than ninety days and not more than one hundred twenty days prior to the date of such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of ninety days prior to the date of such Annual Meeting, or, if the first public announcement of the date of such Annual Meeting is less than one hundred days prior to the date of such Annual Meeting, the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by AbbVie. To be timely for the 2020 Annual Meeting, this written notice must be received by AbbVie no later than February 3, 2020.

              In addition, the notice must be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided is true and correct as of the record date for the Annual Meeting and as of the date that is ten business days prior to the meeting. Any such update or supplement must be delivered to the secretary of AbbVie at AbbVie's principal executive offices not more than five business days after the record date for the Annual Meeting, and not less than eight business days before the date of the Annual Meeting in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of ten business days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Procedure for Stockholder Nominations to be Included in AbbVie's Proxy Materials

              AbbVie recently adopted a proxy access By-Law provision to permit a stockholder, or a group of up to 20 stockholders, continuously owning shares of our company for at least 3 years and representing an aggregate of at least 3% of the outstanding shares of common stock, to nominate and include in our proxy materials director nominee(s)

2019 Proxy Statement   | 77

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

constituting up to 25% of the total number of the directors in office, provided that the stockholder(s) and the nominee(s) satisfy the requirements in our By-Laws. Notice must include certain information required by Article II of AbbVie's Amended and Restated By-Laws. To be timely, written notice must be received at AbbVie's principal executive offices not earlier than 150 days and not later than 120 days before the anniversary of the date that the company mailed its proxy statement for the prior year's annual meeting of stockholders. To be timely for the 2020 Annual Meeting, this written notice must be received by AbbVie no later than November 19, 2019 and must include the specific information required by, and otherwise comply with the requirements of, our By-Laws.

Householding of Proxy Materials

              The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as brokers or banks) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more security holders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice or proxy statement addressed to those security holders. This process, which is commonly referred to as "householding," potentially provides extra convenience for security holders and cost savings for companies.

              Several brokers and banks with accountholders who are AbbVie stockholders will be "householding" our proxy materials. As indicated in the notice provided by these brokers to AbbVie stockholders, a single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from an affected stockholder. Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be "householding" communications to your address, "householding" will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in "householding" and you prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, please notify your broker, or contact Broadridge Financial Solutions at 1-866-540-7095, or write to us at Investor Relations, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request "householding" of their communications should contact their broker or bank.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

              This proxy statement contains certain forward-looking statements regarding business strategies, market potential, future financial performance and other matters. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of AbbVie management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include the matters described in AbbVie's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." AbbVie does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements included in this proxy statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, unless AbbVie is required by applicable securities law to do so.

General

              It is important that proxies be returned promptly. Stockholders are urged to vote, regardless of the number of shares of AbbVie common stock owned. Stockholders may vote by telephone, by Internet, or by mail if a printed version of the proxy card was received or requested. Stockholders who vote by telephone or the Internet do not need to return a proxy card.

78   |2019 Proxy Statement

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

              The Annual Meeting will be held at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. Admission to the meeting will be by admission card only. A stockholder planning to attend the meeting should promptly complete and return the reservation form. Reservation forms must be received before April 26, 2019. An admission card admits only one person. A stockholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a stockholder.

By order of the board of directors.
LAURA J. SCHUMACHER
SECRETARY

2019 Proxy Statement   | 79

Appendix A

Proposed Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AbbVie Inc.

              The text of the proposed amendment is marked to reflect the proposed changes.

              AbbVie Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), does hereby certify:

1.    Articles VIII and XI of AbbVie's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation are amended to read as follows:

ARTICLE VIII
AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS

              In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, the By-laws of the Corporation (the "By-laws") may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, and new By-laws may be adopted, (i) by the affirmative vote of shares representing a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided, however, that any proposed alteration, amendment or repeal of, or the adoption of any By-law inconsistent with, Sections 2.2, 2.12, 3.2, 3.3, 3.10 or 3.11, Article VII or Article X of the By-laws (in each case, as in effect on the date hereof), or the alteration, amendment or repeal of, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with this sentence, may only be made by the affirmative vote of shares representing not less than eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; and provided further, however, that in the case of any such stockholder action at a meeting of stockholders, notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of the new By-law or By-laws must be contained in the notice of such meeting, or (ii) by action of the Board of Directors of the Corporation; provided, however, that the case of any such action at a meeting of the Board of Directors, notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of the new By-law or By-laws must be given not less than two days prior to the meeting.

* * *

ARTICLE XI
AMENDMENTS

              The Corporation reserves the right to amend, alter or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders herein are subject to this reservation. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware as they presently exist or may hereafter be amended, subject to any limitations contained elsewhere in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Corporation may from time to time adopt, amend or repeal any provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, that any proposed alteration, amendment or repeal of, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with, Article VI and Article VII of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (in each case, as in effect on the date hereof), or the alteration, amendment or repeal of, or the adoption of any provision inconsistent with this sentence, may only be made by the affirmative vote of shares representing not less than eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

2.    The foregoing amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by the undersigned officer, duly authorized, as of the                day of                        2019.

AbbVie Inc.

By:

Name:

Title:

2019 Proxy Statement   | A-1

Appendix B

AbbVie Inc.
Reconciliation of GAAP Reported to Non-GAAP Adjusted Information
Year Ended December 31, 2018
(Unaudited) (In millions, except per share data)

Non-GAAP Financial Results

Financial results are presented on both a reported and a non-GAAP basis. Reported results were prepared in accordance with GAAP and include all revenues and expenses recognized during the period. Non-GAAP results adjust for certain non-cash items and for factors that are unusual or unpredictable, and exclude those costs, expenses, and other specified items. AbbVie's management believes non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors regarding AbbVie's results of operations and assist management, analysts, and investors in evaluating the performance of the business. Non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Business Performance Highlights Reconciliations

1.

Net Revenues since 2013 Inception and Compound Annual Growth Rate

	2018			2017		2016			2015			2014			2013		2018-2013 CAGR
As reported (GAAP)		$32,753			$28,216		$25,638			$22,859			$19,960			$18,790		11.7%
Adjusted for specified items:		(20	)		—		(78	)		(40	)		(81	)		—
As adjusted (non-GAAP)		$32,733			$28,216		$25,560			$22,819			$19,879			$18,790		11.7%

The 2018 specified revenue item represents a milestone payment received under a previously announced collaboration. The 2016 specified revenue items included milestone revenue under previously announced collaborations and prior period royalty revenue related to a patent lawsuit settlement. The 2015 net revenue specified item represents a milestone payment received under a previously announced collaboration. The 2014 net revenue specified item reflects royalty income from prior periods recognized in the fourth quarter of 2014 as a result of the settlement of a licensing arrangement.

2.

Diluted Earnings Per Share Compound Annual Growth Rate and Operating Margin Expansion since 2013 Inception

	Earnings Per Share						Operating Margin Expansion
	2018		2013		2018-2013 CAGR		2018		2013		2018-2013 Expansion
As reported (GAAP)		$3.66		$2.56		7.4%		19.5%		30.1%	(1,060) bps
Adjusted for specified items:		4.25		0.58				25.1%		6.2%	1,890 bps
As adjusted (non-GAAP)		$7.91		$3.14		20.3%		44.6%		36.3%	830 bps

3.

Net Revenues Increase and HUMIRA Sales Growth over 2017

	Net Revenues		HUMIRA Sales
As reported (GAAP)		16.1%		8.2%
Adjusted for specified and other items:		(0.1)%		—%
Adjusted for foreign exchange:		(0.8)%		(0.8)%
As adjusted (non-GAAP)		15.2%		7.4%

2019 Proxy Statement   | B-1

Appendix B

4.

Diluted Earnings Per Share since 2013 Inception

	2018			2017		2016		2015		2014		2013
As reported (GAAP)		$3.66			$3.30		$3.63		$3.13		$1.10		$2.56
Adjusted for specified items:
Intangible asset amortization		0.69			0.51		0.38		0.20		0.18		0.23
Separation costs		—			—		—		0.13		0.24		0.10
Milestones and other R&D expenses		0.09			0.09		0.05		0.26		0.48		—
Acquired IPR&D		0.27			0.20		0.12		0.09		0.15		0.21
Calico collaboration		0.32			—		—		—		—		—
Stemcentrx-related impairment		2.66			—		—		—		—		—
Charitable contribution		0.18			—		—		—		—		—
Acquisition related costs		—			0.03		0.16		0.25		—		—
Shire transaction and termination costs		—			—		—		0.10		1.12		—
Change in fair value of contingent consideration		0.31			0.39		0.14		—		—		—
Litigation reserves		0.18			0.18		—		0.08		—		—
Intangible asset impairment		—			0.15		—		—		—		—
Venezuela devaluation loss		—			—		0.18		—		—		—
Revaluation due to Section 987 tax law change		—			—		0.12		—		—		—
Impacts related to tax law changes		(0.49	)		0.71		—		—		—		—
Other		0.04			0.04		0.04		0.05		0.05		0.04
As adjusted (non-GAAP)		$7.91			$5.60		$4.82		$4.29		$3.32		$3.14

2018 Performance Results for Financial Goals Reconciliations

	Net Revenues			Income Before Taxes			Operating Margin			HUMIRA Sales
As reported (GAAP)		$32,753			$5,197			$6,383			$19,936
Adjusted for specified items:		(20	)		8,260			8,210			—
Adjusted for foreign exchange:		(444	)		(156	)		(150	)		(265	)
As adjusted (non-GAAP)		$32,289			$13,301			$14,443			$19,671

The calculation of Adjusted Return on Assets reflects Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Net Assets.

B-2   |2019 Proxy Statement

AbbVie Inc.
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60064 U.S.A.

Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders
and Proxy Statement

Meeting Date
May 3, 2019

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Please sign and promptly return your proxy
in the enclosed envelope or vote your
shares by telephone or using the Internet.

Reservation Form for Annual Meeting

I am a stockholder of AbbVie Inc. and I plan to attend the Annual Meeting to be held at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601 at 9:00 a.m. CT on May 3, 2019.

Please send me an admission card for each of the following persons.

Name	Name
Address	Address
City	City
State	State
Zip Code	Zip Code
Phone Number (        )	Phone Number (        )

If you plan to attend the meeting, please complete the Reservation Form and send it to AbbVie Inc., Annual Meeting Ticket Requests, AP34, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064. Due to space limitations, Reservation Forms must be received before April 26, 2019. An admission card, along with a form of photo identification, admits one person. A stockholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a stockholder.

To prevent a delay in the receipt of your admission card, do not return this form with your proxy card or mail it in the enclosed business envelope.

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 2, 2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ABBVIE INC. 1 NORTH WAUKEGAN ROAD NORTH CHICAGO, IL 60064 ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 2, 2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: E55893-P17394 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. To vote against any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. ABBVIE INC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: For Against AllAll For All Except ! ! ! 1. Election of Class I Directors Nominees: 01) 02) 03) William H.L. Burnside Brett J. Hart Edward J. Rapp The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: For Against Abstain The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the stockholder proposals: For Against Abstain ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 2. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie's independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 Say on Pay – An advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation Ap prova l of a m ana gem en t p rop osa l reg ard in g amendment of the certificate of incorporation for a simple majority vote 5. Stockholder Proposal – to Issue an Annual Report on Lobbying Stockholder Proposal – to Issue a Compensation Committee Report on Drug Pricing Stockholder Proposal – to Adopt a Policy to Require Independent Chairman 3. 6. 4. 7. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com. E55894-P17394 ABBVIE INC. Annual Meeting of Stockholders May 3, 2019 9:00 AM CT This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Richard A. Gonzalez and Laura J. Schumacher, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his/her substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of AbbVie Inc. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 9:00 AM CT on Friday, May 3, 2019, at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. (If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.) Continued and to be signed on reverse side Address Changes/Comments:

VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ABBVIE INC. 1 NORTH WAUKEGAN ROAD NORTH CHICAGO, IL 60064 ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 30, 2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: E55895-P17394 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. To vote against any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. ABBVIE INC. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: For All Against All For All Except ! ! ! 1. Election of Class I Directors Nominees: 01) 02) 03) William H.L. Burnside Brett J. Hart Edward J. Rapp The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: For Against Abstain The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the stockholder proposals: For Against Abstain ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 2. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie's independent registered public accounting firm for 2019 Say on Pay – An advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation Ap prova l of a m ana gem en t p rop osa l reg ard in g amendment of the certificate of incorporation for a simple majority vote 5. Stockholder Proposal – to Issue an Annual Report on Lobbying Stockholder Proposal – to Issue a Compensation Committee Report on Drug Pricing Stockholder Proposal – to Adopt a Policy to Require Independent Chairman 3. 6. 4. 7. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com. E55896-P17394 ABBVIE INC. ABBVIE SAVINGS PLAN Annual Meeting of Stockholders May 3, 2019 9:00 AM CT This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors Participants in the AbbVie Savings Plan will receive a voting instruction card for their shares of AbbVie Inc. common stock held in the AbbVie Savings Plan Trust. The Trust is administered by both a trustee and an investment committee. The trustee is The Northern Trust Company. The members of the investment committee are William H.S. Preece, Tabetha A. Skarbek, and Michael J. Thomas, employees of AbbVie. The voting power with respect to the shares is held by and shared between the investment committee and the participants. The investment committee must solicit voting instructions from the participants and follow the voting instructions it receives. The investment committee may use its own discretion with respect to those shares of AbbVie common stock for which no voting instructions are received. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations. (If you noted any Address Changes/Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.) Continued and to be signed on reverse side Address Changes/Comments: