EX-10.6 6 q2ex106fy2110-q.htm EX-10.6 Document

Exhibit 10.6
JOHNSON CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL PLC
SENIOR EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
As Amended and Restated March 11, 2021

ARTICLE 1
PURPOSE AND DURATION
Section 1.1. Purpose. The Johnson Controls International plc Senior Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) permits certain employees of the Company and its Affiliates to defer certain compensation (including shares deliverable under equity plans) or programs maintained by the Company or an Affiliate with respect to periods on and after the Effective Date.
Section 1.2. Duration. The Plan became effective on January 1, 2018 (the “Effective Date”), was most recently amended and restated effective March 11, 2021, and shall remain in effect until terminated by the Committee pursuant to Section 10.2.
ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS
Section 2.1. Definitions. Wherever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below and, where the meaning is intended, the initial letter of the word is capitalized:
(a)“Account” means the record keeping account or accounts maintained to record the interest of each Participant under the Plan. An Account is established for record keeping purposes only and not to reflect the physical segregation of assets on the Participant’s behalf, and may consist of such subaccounts or balances as the Administrator may determine to be necessary or appropriate.
(b)“Administrator” means the Corporate Benefits Department of the Company; provided that, where either applicable law or the Charter of the Committee requires action to be taken by the Committee, then the term Administrator shall refer to the Committee to the extent needed.
(c)“Affiliate” means each entity that is required to be included in the Company’s controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Code Section 414(b), or that is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Code Section 414(c); provided that for purposes of determining when a Participant has incurred a Separation from Service, the phrase “at least 50 percent” shall be used in place of the phrase “at least 80 percent” in each place that phrase appears in the regulations issued thereunder.
(d)“Annual Enrollment Period” means the period designated by the Administrator in its sole discretion during which deferral elections can be made. Notwithstanding



the foregoing, in all cases, the Annual Enrollment Period will end no later than December 31 of the year immediately preceding the calendar year for which such enrollment is effective.
(e)“Beneficiary” means the person or persons designated by the Participant to receive payments under the Plan in the event of the Participant’s death as provided in Section 12.2.
(f)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(g)“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as interpreted by regulations and rulings issued pursuant thereto, all as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference to a specific provision of the Code shall be deemed to include any rulings and regulations promulgated thereunder, and reference to any successor provision thereto.
(h)“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board. If at any time the Committee shall not be in existence, or not be composed of members of the Board who qualify as “non-employee directors,” then all determinations affecting Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall be made by the full Board, and the term Committee shall refer to the Board to the extent needed.
(i)“Company” means Johnson Controls International plc, an Irish public limited company, and its successors as provided in Section 12.11.
(j)“Deferrable Compensation” means the following types of compensation that may be deferred under the Plan:
(1) Base Salary: Up to fifty percent (50%) of a Participant’s base salary.
(2)Annual Incentive Award: Up to ninety-five percent (95%) of a Participant’s performance cash award made under a plan of the Company or an Employer, or with the consent of the Administrator, any other cash bonus awarded to a Participant.
(3)Shares: For Grandfathered Participants only, any Shares or cash that would otherwise be issued to such Participant under any equity award (other than share options or share appreciation rights) granted under any plan of the Company.
(4)Other Incentive Compensation: Any other incentive award or compensation that the Committee (with respect to those Participants who are Company officers), or the Administrator (with respect to all other Participants), designates is eligible for deferral hereunder.
All compensation amounts shall be determined before any reduction for any amounts deferred by the Participant pursuant to Section 401(k) or Section 125 of the Code, or pursuant to the Plan or any other non-qualified plan which permits the voluntary deferral of compensation.
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(k)“Deferral” means the amount credited, in accordance with a Participant’s election, to the Participant’s Account in lieu of the payment in cash thereof, or the issuance of Shares with respect thereto. Deferrals include the following:
(1)Base Salary Deferrals: A deferral of a portion of a Participant’s base salary, as described in subsection (j)(1).
(2)Annual Incentive Award Deferrals: A deferral of a portion of a Participant’s cash bonus, as described in subsection (j)(2).
(3)Share Deferrals: A deferral of Shares made by a Grandfathered Participant, as described in subsection (j)(3).
(4)Other Incentive Compensation: A deferral of any other type of Deferrable Compensation, as described in subsection (j)(4).
(l)“Disability” means a Participant’s inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of at least twelve (12) months, as determined by the Administrator. The Administrator shall make the determination of Disability and may request such evidence of disability as it reasonably determines.
(m)“Distribution Date” means each January 15 or July 15, or the first business day prior such date if such date falls on a holiday or weekend.
(n)“Employer” means the Company or the Affiliate that employs a Participant.
(o)“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as interpreted by regulations and rulings issued pursuant thereto, all as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference to a specific provision of ERISA shall be deemed to include any rulings and regulations promulgated thereunder and reference to any successor provision thereto.
(p)“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as interpreted by regulations and rules issued pursuant thereto, all as amended and in effect from time to time. Any reference to a specific provision of the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include any rulings and regulations promulgated thereunder and reference to any successor provision thereto.
(q)“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to a Share, the closing sales price on the New York Stock Exchange as of 4:00 p.m. EST on the date in question (or the immediately preceding trading day if the date in question is not a trading day), and with respect to any other property, such value as is determined by the Administrator.
(r)“Grandfathered Participant” means a Participant that made a deferral election under the Johnson Controls International plc Executive Deferred Compensation Plan with respect to equity awards on or before January 1, 2018.
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(s)“Measurement Funds” means the investment options offered under the Savings Plan (excluding the Company stock fund), the Share Unit Account, and any other alternatives made available by the Administrator. These Measurement Funds are used solely to calculate the earnings that are credited to a Participant’s Account in accordance with Section 6.2 below, and do not represent any beneficial interest on the part of the Participant in any asset or other property of the Company or its Affiliates. The determination of an increase or decrease in the performance of each Measurement Fund shall be made by the Administrator in its reasonable discretion. Measurement Funds may be replaced, new funds may be added, or both, from time to time in the discretion of the Administrator; provided that if the Measurement Funds hereunder correspond with funds available for investment under the Savings Plan, then, unless the Administrator determines otherwise in its discretion, any addition, removal or replacement of investment funds under the Savings Plan shall automatically result in a corresponding change to the Measurement Funds hereunder.
(t)“Participant” means, (i) an employee of the Company or any Affiliate who is paid on the United States payroll, working in the United States, and in salary grades 182-184, unless otherwise determined by the Committee or Administrator, or (ii) an employee of the Company or any Affiliate selected by the Chief Executive Officer or the Committee to be a Participant in the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee shall limit the foregoing group of eligible employees to a select group of management and highly compensated employees, as determined by the Committee in accordance with ERISA. Where the context so requires, a Participant also means a former employee or Beneficiary entitled to receive a benefit hereunder.
(u)“Savings Plan” means the Johnson Controls Savings and Investment (401(k)) Plan, a defined contribution plan, and any successor to such plan maintained by the Company or an Affiliate.
(v)“Separation from Service” means a Participant’s cessation of service from the Company and all Affiliates within the meaning of Code Section 409A, as determined by the Administrator, subject to the following rules:
(1)If a Participant takes a leave of absence from the Company or an Affiliate for purposes of military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence, the Participant’s employment will be deemed to continue for the first six (6) months of the leave of absence, or if longer, for so long as the Participant’s right to reemployment is provided by either by statute or by contract; provided that if the leave of absence is due to the Participant’s medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of six (6) months or more, and such impairment causes the Participant to be unable to perform the duties of his or her position with the Company or an Affiliate or a substantially similar position of employment, then the leave period may be extended for up to a total of twenty-nine (29) months. If the period of the leave exceeds the time periods set forth above and the Participant’s right to reemployment is not provided by either statute or contract, the Participant
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will be considered to have incurred a Separation from Service on the first day following the end of the applicable time period set forth above.
(2)A Participant will be presumed to have incurred a Separation from Service when the level of bona fide services performed by the Participant for the Company and its Affiliates permanently decreases to a level equal to twenty percent (20%) or less of the average level of services performed by the Participant for the Company or its Affiliates during the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or such lesser period of service).
(3)The Participant will be presumed not to have incurred a Separation from Service while the Participant continues to provide bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate in any capacity (whether as an employee or independent contractor) at a level that is at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the average level of services performed by the Participant for the Company or its Affiliates during the immediately preceding thirty-six (36) month period (or such lesser period of service).
(4)If a Participant ceases to provide services as an employee to the Company or an Affiliate, but immediately thereafter continues to provide services as an independent contractor to any such entity without incurring a Separation from Service as described in the subparagraphs above, then such Participant will not incur a Separation from Service until the expiration of the contract (or, if applicable, all contracts) under which services are performed for the Company and any Affiliate if the expiration is a good-faith and complete termination of the contractual relationship.
(w)“Share” means an ordinary share of the Company.
(x)“Share Unit Account” means the account described in Article 7, which is deemed invested in Shares.
(y)“Share Units” mean the hypothetical Shares that are credited to the Share Unit Account in accordance with Article 7.
(z)“Trading Day” means each day when the United States financial markets are open for business.
(aa)“Valuation Date” means the day selected by the Administrator on which to value a Participant’s Account prior to a distribution. The Valuation Date may be any Trading Day within the one week prior to Distribution Date, as determined in the Administrator’s sole discretion.
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ARTICLE 3
ADMINISTRATION
Section 3.1. Authority of the Administrator. The Administrator shall have discretionary authority and responsibility for the general operation and daily administration of the Plan, including, in addition to the authority specifically provided to the Administrator in this Plan, to (a) interpret and apply all of the Plan’s provisions, (b) prescribe forms for use with respect to the Plan, (c) reconcile inconsistencies or supply omissions in the Plan’s terms, (d) make appropriate determinations, including factual determinations, and calculations, (e) prepare all reports required by law, and (f) determine the eligibility of an employee to participate in the Plan; provided, however, that only the Committee shall have the authority and responsibilities specified in Section 3.2 below.
Section 3.2. Authority of the Committee. In addition to the authority specifically provided to the Committee in this Plan, the Committee shall have the sole authority to amend the Plan, make all determinations affecting Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and make any other determinations that applicable law or the Charter of the Committee requires to be made by the Committee. In addition, any action taken by the Committee shall be controlling over any contrary action of the Administrator.
Section 3.3. Delegation. The Committee or Administrator may, in its discretion, delegate any or all of its authority and responsibility to third parties; provided that the Committee shall not delegate authority and responsibility with respect to non-ministerial functions that relate to the participation by Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act at the time any such delegated authority or responsibility is exercised. To the extent of any such delegation, any references herein to the Committee or Administrator, as applicable, shall be deemed references to such delegate.
Section 3.4. Interpretation; Decisions Binding. Interpretation of the Plan shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee or the Administrator with respect to their respective duties hereunder. If any member of, or delegate of, the Committee or the Administrator shall also be a Participant or Beneficiary, then such individual may not participate in any determinations affecting the individual’s benefits under the Plan. The Committee’s and the Administrator’s determinations shall be final and binding on all parties with an interest hereunder, unless determined to be arbitrary and capricious.
Section 3.5. Procedures for Administration. The Committee’s determinations must be made by not less than a majority of its members present at the meeting (in person or otherwise) at which a quorum is present, or by written majority consent, which sets forth the action, is signed by the members of the Committee and filed with the minutes for proceedings of the Committee. A majority of the entire Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The Administrator’s determinations shall be made in accordance with such procedures it establishes.
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ARTICLE 4
PARTICIPATION

Section 4.1. Timing. Each employee of the Company or an Affiliate who qualifies as a Participant shall automatically become a Participant on the date he or she makes (or is deemed to make) a deferral election under Article 5.
Section 4.2. Employees Acquired in Mergers and Acquisitions. In the event an individual becomes an employee of the Company or an Affiliate due to a merger or acquisition, such employee shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan until such time that participation is approved by the Company via amendment of the Plan, corporate resolution or pursuant to the terms of the applicable purchase agreement, even if such employee would otherwise be eligible to participate in the Plan.
ARTICLE 5
DEFERRALS OF COMPENSATION
Section 5.1. Deferral Elections. A Participant may elect to defer all or part of his or her Deferrable Compensation during the Annual Enrollment Period by filing a deferral election according to the procedures established by the Administrator, which may include making an election by electronic means. A Participant’s election to defer compensation shall be effective only for the calendar year to which the election relates, and shall not carry over from year to year unless otherwise allowed by the Administrator in its sole discretion. As of the end of the applicable Annual Enrollment Period, the Participant’s deferral election shall be irrevocable except as provided in Section 5.2. A Participant may make a deferral election at such other times not described above as may be permitted by the Administrator consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A.
Section 5.2. Cancellation of Deferral Elections
(a)Permitted Cancelations. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, (1) if the Administrator determines that a Participant’s deferral election(s) must be cancelled in order for the Participant to receive a hardship distribution under the Savings Plan or any other 401(k) plan maintained by the Company or an Affiliate or (2) if the Participant elects to cancel his or her deferral election(s) due to a Disability, then the Participant’s deferral election(s) shall be cancelled to the extent permitted under Code Section 409A.
(b)Effect of Cancellation. A Participant whose deferral election(s) are cancelled pursuant to this Section 5.2 may make a new deferral election under Section 5.1, and pursuant to the requirements of Code Section 409A, with respect to future compensation, unless otherwise prohibited by the Administrator.
Section 5.3. Administration of Deferral Elections. All deferral elections must be made in the form and manner and within such time periods as the Administrator prescribes in order to be effective.
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ARTICLE 6
MEASUREMENT FUNDS
Section 6.1. Investment Election.
(a)Making Elections. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, amounts credited to a Participant’s Account shall reflect the investment experience of the Measurement Funds selected by the Participant. The Participant may select Measurement Funds as follows:
(1)The Participant may make an initial investment election at the time of enrollment in the Plan in whole increments of one percent (1%).
(2)A Participant may elect to allocate any future Deferrals among the various Measurement Funds in whole increments of one percent (1%) from time to time as prescribed by the Administrator.
(3)A Participant may elect to reallocate the balance of his or her Account into various Measurement Funds from time to time as prescribed by the Administrator.
(4)Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, Share Deferrals or Other Incentive Compensation measured in relation to a Share shall be automatically invested in the Share Unit Account and may be re-allocated out of such Measurement Fund only after the Share Deferrals or Other Incentive Compensation are either vested or earned, subject to any additional restrictions on re-allocation as may be imposed by the Employer.
Investment elections shall remain in effect until changed by the Participant. All investment elections shall become effective as soon as practicable after receipt of such election by the Administrator, and must be made in the form and manner and within such time periods as the Administrator prescribes in order to be effective.
(b)Default Election. In the absence of an effective election, the Participant’s Account (to the extent the Plan does not require Deferrals to be allocated to the Share Unit Account) shall be deemed invested in the default fund specified for the Savings Plan.
Section 6.2. Crediting of Earnings (or Losses). All Deferrals will be deemed invested in a Measurement Fund as of the date on which the deferrals would have otherwise been paid to the Participant. On each Trading Day, a Participant’s Account shall be credited with all deemed earnings (or losses) generated by the Measurement Funds in which such Participant’s Account is deemed invested. Notwithstanding that the rates of return credited to a Participant’s Account are based upon the actual performance of the corresponding Measurement Fund, the Company shall not be obligated to invest an amount credited to a Participant’s Account under the Plan in such Measurement Funds or in any other investment funds.
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Section 6.3. Pro-rata Distribution. Any distribution made to or on behalf of a Participant from his or her Account in an amount which is less than the entire balance of his or her Account shall be made pro rata from each of the Measurement Funds to which such Account is then allocated.
Section 6.4. Securities Law Restrictions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, all elections under this Article 6 or 7 by a Participant who is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act are subject to review by the Administrator prior to implementation. In accordance with Article 3, the Administrator may restrict additional transactions, rescind transactions, or impose other rules and procedures, to the extent deemed desirable by the Administrator in order to comply with the Exchange Act, including, without limitation, application of the review and approval provisions of this Section 6.4 to Participants who are not subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
ARTICLE 7
RULES WITH RESPECT TO SHARE UNITS
Section 7.1. Valuation of Share Unit Account. When any amounts are to be allocated to a Share Unit Account, such amount shall be converted to whole and fractional Share Units, by dividing the amount to be allocated by the Fair Market Value of a Share on the effective date of such allocation. If any dividends or other distributions are paid on Shares while a Participant has Share Units credited to his or her Account, such Participant’s Account shall be credited with a dividend award equal to the amount of the cash dividend paid or Fair Market Value of other property distributed on one Share, multiplied by the number of Share Units credited to his or her Share Unit Account on the date the dividend is declared. The dividend award shall be converted into additional Share Units as provided above using the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date the dividend is paid or distributed. Any other provision of this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, if a dividend is declared on Shares in the form of a right or rights to purchase shares of the Company or any entity acquiring the Company, then no additional Share Units shall be credited to the Participant’s Share Unit Account with respect to such dividend, but each Share Unit credited to a Participant’s Share Unit Account at the time such dividend is paid, and each Share Unit thereafter credited to the Participant’s Share Unit Account at a time when such rights are attached to Shares, shall thereafter be valued as of any point in time on the basis of the aggregate of the then Fair Market Value of one Share plus the then Fair Market Value of such right or rights then attached to one Share.
Section 7.2. Transactions Affecting Shares. In the event of any merger, share exchange, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, share dividend, share split or other change in corporate structure of the Company affecting Shares, the Administrator may make appropriate equitable adjustments with respect to the Share Units credited to the Share Unit Account of each Participant, including without limitation, adjusting the date as of which such units are valued and/or distributed, as the Administrator determines is necessary or desirable to prevent the dilution or enlargement of the benefits intended to be provided under the Plan.
Section 7.3. No Shareholder Rights With Respect to Share Units. Participants shall have no rights as a shareholder pertaining to Share Units credited to their Account.
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ARTICLE 8
DISTRIBUTION OF ACCOUNTS
Section 8.1. Distribution Event. Except as otherwise provided in this Article 8, a Participant’s Account shall be distributed, according to his or her distribution election made pursuant to Section 8.2, upon the Participant’s Separation from Service.
Section 8.2. Annual Election. During the Annual Enrollment Period preceding each calendar year, a Participant may elect the form of distribution with respect to each of the following sub-accounts established for such calendar year:
(a)Base Salary Deferrals, including interest, earnings or losses thereon.
(b)Annual Incentive Deferrals, including interest, earnings or losses thereon.
(c)For Grandfathered Participants, Share Deferrals, as adjusted for gains or losses thereon.
(d)Other Incentive Compensation Deferrals, including interest, earnings or losses thereon.
Such election shall be made in such form and manner as the Administrator may prescribe, which may include electronic means. The election shall specify whether distributions shall be made in a single lump sum or from two (2) to ten (10) annual installments. In the absence of a valid distribution election for any given year with respect to a particular subaccount, payment shall be made in a single lump sum. Once the form of distribution is elected with respect to a particular year, such election shall be irrevocable.
Section 8.3. Manner of Distribution. The Participant’s Account shall be paid in cash in the following manner:
(a)Lump Sum. With respect to each sub-account for which a Participant has elected to receive a lump sum, the balance of such sub-account (as of the Valuation Date) shall be paid on the first Distribution Date following the six-month anniversary of the Participant’s Separation from Service.
(b)Installments. With respect to each sub-account for which a Participant has elected to receive annual installments, the first annual payment shall be paid on the first Distribution Date following the six-month anniversary of the Participant’ Separation from Service. All subsequent installments shall be made on the anniversary of such first Distribution Date. The amount of the first annual payment shall equal the value of 1/10th (or 1/9th, 1/8th, 1/7th, etc. depending on the number of installments elected) of the balance of the sub-account as of the Valuation Date. All subsequent annual payments shall be in an amount equal to the value of 1/9th (or 1/8th, 1/7th, 1/6th, etc. depending on the number of installments elected, and the number of installments remaining) of the balance of the sub-account as of the Valuation Date, except that the
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final annual installment payment shall equal the then remaining balance of such sub-account as of the Valuation Date.
Section 8.4. Distribution of Remaining Account Following Participant’s Death.
(a)Payment Upon Death. In the event of the Participant’s death prior to receiving all payments due under this Article 8, the balance of the Participant’s Account shall be paid to the Participant’s Beneficiary in a lump sum. If the Participant’s death occurs between January 1 and June 30, payment will be made to the Participant’s Beneficiary between July 1 and September 30 of the same year. If the Participant’s death occurs between July 1 and December 31, payment will be made to the Participant’s Beneficiary between January 1 and March 31 of the following year.
(b)Requirements for Payment. The timing of the payment(s) under Section 8.4(a) is dependent upon the Administrator receiving all information needed to authorize such payment (such as a copy of the Participant’s death certificate). To the extent the Administrator cannot make a payment because it has not received such information, then the Administrator shall make such payment(s) to the Beneficiary as soon as practicable in accordance with Section 8.4(a) after it has received all information necessary to make such payment, provided that such payment(s) due from the date of death through December 31 of the year following the year of the Participant’s death must be completed by such December 31 in order to avoid additional taxes under Code Section 409A.
Section 8.5. Tax Withholding. The Employer that is liable to make a payment hereunder shall have the right to deduct from any deferral or payment made hereunder, or from any other amount due a Participant, the amount of cash and/or Fair Market Value of Shares sufficient to satisfy the Employer’s foreign, federal, state or local income tax withholding obligations with respect to any amount deferred hereunder, whether at the time of deferral, vesting or payment thereof. In addition, if prior to the date of distribution of any amount hereunder, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax imposed under Code Sections 3101, 3121(a) and 3121(v)(2), where applicable, becomes due, then the Employer may distribute from the Participant’s Account balance the amount needed to pay the Participant’s portion of such tax, plus an amount equal to the withholding taxes due under federal, state or local law resulting from the payment of such FICA tax, and an additional amount to pay the additional income tax at source on wages attributable to the pyramiding of the Code Section 3401 wages and taxes, but no greater than the aggregate of the FICA tax amount and the income tax withholding related to such FICA tax amount. Each Participant shall be responsible for the payment of all individual tax liabilities relating to any benefits under the Plan.
Section 8.6. Additional Payment Provisions.
(a)Acceleration of Payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(1)If an amount deferred under this Plan is required to be included in a Participant’s income under Code Section 409A prior to the date such amount is scheduled to be distributed, such Participant shall receive a distribution, in
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a lump sum within ninety (90) days after the Plan fails to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A, of the amount required to be included in the Participant’s income as a result of such failure.
(2)If an amount under the Plan is required to be immediately distributed in a lump sum under a domestic relations order in accordance with Section 12.7, then such amount shall be distributed according to the terms of such order.
(b)Delay in Payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(1)If a distribution required under the terms of this Plan would jeopardize the ability of the Company or an Affiliate to continue as a going concern, the Company or the Affiliate shall not be required to make such distribution. Rather, the distribution shall be delayed until the first date that making the distribution does not jeopardize the ability of the Company or of an Affiliate to continue as a going concern. Any distribution delayed under this provision shall be treated as made on the date specified under the terms of this Plan.
(2)If the distribution will violate the terms of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or other Federal securities laws, or any other applicable law, then the distribution shall be delayed until the earliest date on which making the distribution will not violate such law.
Section 8.7. Effect of Payment. The full payment of the applicable benefit under this Article 8 shall completely discharge all obligations on the part of the Employer to the Participant (and each Beneficiary) with respect to the operation of the Plan, and the Participant’s (and Beneficiary’s) rights under the Plan shall terminate.
ARTICLE 9
SPECIAL RULES APPLICABLE IN THE EVENT OF A
CHANGE OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY
Section 9.1. Effect of a Change of Control. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, upon a Change of Control (as defined below in Section 9.2), the Committee may, but shall not be required to, terminate the Plan and distribute to each Participant or Beneficiary his or her Account balance in a lump sum payment as soon as practicable (but not more than ninety (90) days) following the Change of Control.
Section 9.2. Definition of a Change of Control. A Change of Control shall have the meaning given in the Company’s equity plan as in effect at the time immediately prior to the Change of Control, provided that such event would also constitute a change in control event within the meaning of Code Section 409A.
Section 9.3. Maximum Payment Limitation.
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(a)Limit on Payments. Except as provided in subsection (b) below, if any portion of the payments or benefits described in this Plan or under any other agreement with or plan of the Company or an Affiliate (in the aggregate, “Total Payments”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment”, then the Total Payments to be made to the Participant shall be reduced such that the value of the aggregate Total Payments that the Participant is entitled to receive shall be one dollar ($1) less than the maximum amount which the Participant may receive without becoming subject to the tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or which the Company or an Affiliate may pay without loss of deduction under Section 280G(a) of the Code. The terms “excess parachute payment” and “parachute payment” shall have the meanings assigned to them in Section 280G of the Code, and such “parachute payments” shall be valued as provided therein. Present value shall be calculated in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code. Within forty (40) days following delivery of notice by the Employer to the Participant of its belief that there is a payment or benefit due the Participant which will result in an excess parachute payment, the Participant and the Employer, at the Employer’s expense, shall obtain the opinion (which need not be unqualified) of nationally recognized tax counsel selected by the Company’s independent auditors and acceptable to the Participant in his or her sole discretion (which may be regular outside counsel to the Company or an Affiliate), which opinion sets forth (1) the amount of the Base Period Income, (2) the amount and present value of Total Payments and (3) the amount and present value of any excess parachute payments determined without regard to the limitations of this Section. As used in this Section, the term “Base Period Income” means an amount equal to the Participant’s “annualized includible compensation for the base period” as defined in Section 280G(d)(1) of the Code. For purposes of such opinion, the value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Company’s independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code, which determination shall be evidenced in a certificate of such auditors addressed to the Employer and the Participant. Such opinion shall be addressed to the Employer and the Participant and shall be binding upon the Employer and the Participant. If such opinion determines that there would be an excess parachute payment, the payments hereunder that are includible in Total Payments or any other payment or benefit determined by such counsel to be includible in Total Payments shall be reduced or eliminated so that there will be no excess parachute payment by applying the following principles, in order: (1) the payment or benefit with the higher ratio of the parachute payment value to present economic value (determined using reasonable actuarial assumptions) shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with a lower ratio; (2) the payment or benefit with the later possible payment date shall be reduced or eliminated before a payment or benefit with an earlier payment date; and (3) cash payments shall be reduced prior to non-cash benefits; provided that if the foregoing order of reduction or elimination would violate Section 409A of the Code, then the reduction shall be made pro rata among the payment or benefits (on the basis of the relative present value of the parachute payments). If such legal counsel so requests in connection with the opinion required by this Section, the Participant and the Employer shall obtain, at the Employer’s expense, and the legal counsel may rely on in providing the opinion, the advice of a firm of recognized executive compensation consultants as to the reasonableness of any item of compensation to be received by the Participant. If the provisions of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code are repealed without succession, then this Section shall be of no further force or effect.
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(b)Employment Contract Governs. The provisions of subsection (a) above shall not apply to a Participant whose employment is governed by an employment contract that provides for Total Payments in excess of the limitation described in subsection (a) above.
ARTICLE 10
AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION
Section 10.1. Amendment. The Committee may at any time amend the Plan, including but not limited to modifying the terms and conditions applicable to (or otherwise eliminating) deferrals to be made on or after the Effective Date to the extent not prohibited by Code Section 409A; provided, however, that no amendment may reduce or eliminate any vested Account balance as of the date of such amendment (except as such Account balance may be reduced as a result of investment losses allocable to such Account) without a Participant’s consent except as otherwise specifically provided herein; and provided further that any amendment that is required to be approved by the Board or Company shareholders pursuant to any applicable law or applicable listing requirement of the national securities exchange upon which the Company’s ordinary shares are then traded shall be subject to the Board’s or shareholders’ approval. In addition, the Administrator may at any time amend the Plan to make administrative changes and changes necessary to comply with applicable law.
Section 10.2. Termination. The Committee may terminate the Plan in accordance with the following provisions. Upon termination of the Plan, any deferral elections then in effect shall be cancelled to the extent permitted by Code Section 409A. Upon termination of the Plan, the Committee may authorize the payment of all amounts accrued under the Plan in a single lump sum payment without regard to any distribution election then in effect, only in the following circumstances:
(a)The Plan is terminated pursuant to Article 9.
(b)The Plan is terminated within twelve (12) months of a corporate dissolution taxed under Code Section 331, or with the approval of a bankruptcy court pursuant to 11 U.S.C. §503(b)(1)(A). In such event, the single lump sum payment must be distributed by the latest of: (1) the last day of the calendar year in which the Plan termination occurs, (2) the first calendar year in which the amount is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, or (3) the first calendar year in which payment is administratively practicable.
(c)The Plan is terminated at any other time, provided that such termination does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health of the Company or an Affiliate, and all other plans required to be aggregated with this Plan under Code Section 409A are also terminated and liquidated. In such event, the single lump sum payment shall be paid no earlier than twelve (12) months (and no later than twenty-four (24) months) after the date of the Plan’s termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment that would otherwise be paid during the twelve (12)-month period beginning on the Plan termination date pursuant to the terms of the Plan shall be paid in accordance with such terms. In addition, the Company or any Affiliate shall be prohibited from adopting a similar arrangement within three (3) years following the date of the Plan’s termination.
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ARTICLE 11
CLAIMS PROCEDURE
Section 11.1. Claim. A Participant or Beneficiary (referred to as a “claimant” in this Article 11) who believes that he or she is being denied a benefit to which he or she is entitled under the Plan may file a written request for such benefit with the Administrator, setting forth his or her claim for benefits. Any such claim must be made within one year after the claimant knew, or exercising reasonable care should have known, of the circumstances giving rise to such claim. If the claimant does not file a claim within such one year period, the claimant shall be barred and estopped from raising the claim. A claimant’s claim may also be filed by his or her duly authorized representative.
Section 11.2. Claim Decision. The Administrator shall reply to any claim that is timely filed under Section 11.1 within ninety (90) days of receipt, unless it determines to extend such reply period for an additional ninety (90) days for reasonable cause. If an extension of time is required for a hearing or other special circumstances, the claimant shall be notified prior to the end of the initial ninety (90) day period. If the claim is denied in whole or in part, such reply shall include a written explanation, using language calculated to be understood by the claimant, setting forth:
(a)the specific reason or reasons for such denial;
(b)the specific reference to relevant provisions of the Plan on which such denial is based;
(c)a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect his or her claim and an explanation why such material or such information is necessary;
(d)appropriate information as to the steps to be taken if the claimant wishes to submit the claim for review;
(e)the time limits for requesting a review under Section 11.3;
(f)the claimant’s right to initiate arbitration under Section 11.6, if the claim is denied upon review; and
(g)any other information required by ERISA.
Section 11.3. Request for Review. Within sixty (60) days after the receipt by the claimant of the written explanation described above, the claimant (or his or her duly authorized representative) may request in writing that the Administrator review its determination. The claimant (or his or her duly authorized representative) may, but need not, review the relevant documents and submit issues and comment in writing for consideration by the Administrator. If the claimant does not request a review of the initial determination within such 60-day period, the claimant shall be barred and estopped from challenging the determination.
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Section 11.4. Review of Decision. After considering all materials presented by the claimant, the Administrator will render a written decision, setting forth the specific reasons for the decision and containing specific references to the relevant provisions of the Plan on which the decision is based, and any other information required by ERISA. The decision on review shall normally be made within sixty (60) days after the Administrator’s receipt of the claimant’s request. If an extension of time is required for a hearing or other special circumstances, the Administrator shall notify the claimant and the time limit shall be 120 days. If the claimant does not receive a written decision within the time period(s) described above, the appeal shall be deemed denied on the last day of such period(s).
Section 11.5. Limitation on Actions. Any arbitration proceeding with respect to the Plan may be brought only after the claims procedures of this Article 11 are exhausted and only within the period ending on the earlier of (a) one year after the date claimant receives notice or deemed notice of a denial upon review under Section 11.4 or (b) the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations period under applicable federal law.
Section 11.6. Arbitration. Any disputes related to this Plan shall be subject to the Company’s arbitration policy, as in effect from time to time. By participating in this Plan, each Participant agrees to be bound by the Company’s arbitration policy, as it may be in effect from time to time.
ARTICLE 12
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.1. Protective Provisions. Each Participant and Beneficiary shall cooperate with the Administrator by furnishing any and all information requested by the Administrator in order to facilitate the payment of benefits hereunder. If a Participant or Beneficiary refuses to cooperate with the Administrator, the Company and each Employer shall have no further obligation to the Participant or Beneficiary under the Plan, other than payment of the then-current balance of the Participant’s Account in accordance with prior elections and subject to Section 12.9.
Section 12.2. Designation of Beneficiary. Each Participant may designate in writing a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries (which Beneficiary may be an entity other than a natural person if approved by the Administrator in its sole discretion) to receive any payments which may be made under the Plan following the Participant’s death. A Beneficiary designation under the Plan may be separate from all other retirement-type plans sponsored by the Company. Such designation may be changed or canceled by the Participant at any time without the consent of any such Beneficiary. Any such designation, change or cancellation must be made in a form approved by the Administrator and shall not be effective until received by the Administrator or its designee prior to the date of the Participant’s death. If no Beneficiary has been named, or the designated Beneficiary or Beneficiaries shall have predeceased the Participant, then the Beneficiary shall be the Participant’s estate. If a Participant designates more than one Beneficiary, the interests of such Beneficiaries shall be paid in equal shares, unless the Participant has specifically designated otherwise. If the Beneficiary survives the Participant, but dies before receipt of payment hereunder, the Beneficiary’s estate shall be entitled to the Beneficiary’s share of the payment.
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Section 12.3. Inability to Locate Participant or Beneficiary. In the event that the Administrator is unable to locate a Participant or Beneficiary within two years following the date the Participant or Beneficiary was to commence receiving payment, the entire amount allocated to the Participant’s Account shall be forfeited. If, after such forfeiture, the Participant or Beneficiary later claims such benefit, such benefit shall be reinstated without interest or earnings from the date payment was to commence pursuant to Article 6, and the Participant or Beneficiary shall be responsible for all taxes and penalties under Code Section 409A.
Section 12.4. No Contract of Employment. Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any modification thereof, nor the creation of any fund, trust or account, nor the payment of any benefits shall be construed as giving any Participant or any person whosoever, the right to be retained in the service of the Company or any Affiliate, and all Participants and other employees shall remain subject to discharge to the same extent as if the Plan had never been adopted.
Section 12.5. Obligations to Company. If a Participant becomes entitled to payment of benefits under the Plan, and if at such time the Participant has any outstanding debt, obligation, or other liability representing an amount owing to the Company or any Employer, then the Company or the Employer may offset such amount owed to it against the amount of benefits otherwise distributed; provided, however, that such deductions cannot exceed $5,000 in the aggregate to the extent needed to comply with Code Section 409A.
Section 12.6. No Liability; Indemnification. Neither the Company or any of its Affiliates, nor any director, officer or employee of the Company or its Affiliates shall be responsible or liable in any manner to any Participant, Beneficiary or any person claiming through them for any benefit or action taken or omitted in connection with the granting of benefits, the continuation of benefits, or the interpretation and administration of Plan. Service on the Committee or as an Administrator shall constitute service as a director or officer of the Company so that the Committee and Administrator members shall be entitled to indemnification, limitation of liability and reimbursement of expenses with respect to their Committee or Administrator services to the same extent that they are entitled under the Company’s charter documents and applicable law for their services as directors or officers of the Company.
Section 12.7. Nonalienation of Benefits; Domestic Relations Orders. Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, all amounts payable hereunder shall be paid only to the person or persons designated by the Plan and not to any other person or corporation. No part of a Participant’s Account shall be liable for the debts, contracts, or engagements of any Participant, his or her Beneficiary, or successors in interest, nor shall such accounts of a Participant be subject to execution by levy, attachment, or garnishment or by any other legal or equitable proceeding, nor shall any such person have any right to alienate, anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber, or assign any benefits or payments hereunder in any manner whatsoever. If any Participant, Beneficiary or successor in interest is adjudicated bankrupt or purports to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge any payment from the Plan, voluntarily or involuntarily, the Administrator, in its discretion, may cancel such payment (or any part thereof) to or for the benefit of such Participant, Beneficiary or successor in interest in such manner as the Administrator shall direct. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all or a portion of a Participant’s Account may be awarded
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to an “alternate payee” (within the meaning of Section 206(d)(3)(K) of ERISA) if and to the extent so provided in a judgment, decree or order that, in the Administrator’s sole discretion, would meet the applicable requirements for qualification as a “qualified domestic relations order” (within the meaning of Section 206(d)(3)(B)(i) of ERISA) if the Plan were subject to the provisions of Section 206(d) of ERISA. Such amounts shall be payable to the alternate payee in the form of a lump sum distribution and shall be paid within ninety (90) days following the Administrator’s determination that the order satisfies the requirements to be a “qualified domestic relations order.”
Section 12.8. Liability for Benefit Payments. The obligation to pay or provide for payment of a benefit hereunder to any Participant or his or her Beneficiary shall be the sole and exclusive liability and responsibility of the Employer which employed the Participant during the period allocations were made to the participant’s Account. No other Company or parent, affiliated, subsidiary or associated company shall be liable or responsible for such payment, and nothing in the Plan shall be construed as creating or imposing any joint or shared liability for any such payment. The fact that a Company or a parent, affiliated, subsidiary or associated company other than the Employer actually makes one or more payments to a Participant or his or her Beneficiary shall not be deemed a waiver of this provision; rather, any such payment shall be deemed to have been made on behalf of and for the account of the Employer.
Section 12.9. Unfunded Status of Plan. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” deferred compensation plan for Participants, with all benefits payable hereunder constituting an unfunded contractual payment obligation of the Employer and the Company. Nothing contained in the Plan, and no action taken pursuant to the Plan, shall create or be construed to create a trust of any kind. The Company or Employer shall reflect on its books the Participants’ interests hereunder, but no Participant or any other person shall under any circumstances acquire any property interest in any specific assets of the Company or Employer. Nothing contained in the Plan and no action taken pursuant hereto shall create or be construed to create a fiduciary relationship between the Company, an Employer, and any Participant or other person. A Participant’s right to receive payments under the Plan shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured general creditor of the Company or Employer. Except to the extent that the Company or Employer determines that a “rabbi” trust may be established in connection with the Plan, all payments shall be made from the general funds of the Company or Employer, and no special or separate fund shall be established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment. The Company’s or Employer’s obligations under the Plan are not assignable or transferable except to (a) any corporation or partnership which acquires all or substantially all of the Company’s or Employer’s assets or (b) any corporation or partnership into which the Company or Employer may be merged or consolidated. The provisions of the Plan shall inure to the benefit of each Participant and the Participant’s Beneficiaries, heirs, executors, administrators or successors in interest.
Section 12.10. Governing Law. The Plan shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin to the extent not superseded by federal law, without reference to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
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Section 12.11. Successors. All obligations of the Employer and the Company under the Plan shall be binding on any successor thereto, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company or the Employer.
Section 12.12. Severability of Provisions. If any provision of the Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.
Section 12.13. Headings and Captions. The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.
Section 12.14. Gender; Singular and Plural. All pronouns and any variations thereof shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine, or neuter, as the identity of the person or persons may require. As the context may require, the singular may read as the plural and the plural as the singular.
Section 12.15. Notice. Any notice or filing required or permitted to be given under the Plan shall be sufficient if in writing and hand delivered, or sent by registered or certified mail, to (a) except as provided in Section 8.5, the Company’s headquarters, with attention to the Secretary of the Company, if the notice or filing is to be made to the Administrator, Committee, Company, or Employer or (b) the Participant’s or Beneficiary’s address on file with the Employer, if the notice or filing is to be made to such individual. Such notice shall be deemed given as of the date of delivery, or, if delivery is made by mail, as of the date shown on the postmark on the receipt for registration or certification.
Section 12.16. Administrative Error Correction. The Administrator may permit an Administrative Error (as defined below) to be corrected by allowing a Participant’s deferral election to be processed as soon as practicable after December 31 (and any related payroll discrepancy to be corrected) to the extent permitted under Code Section 409A. “Administrative Error” shall mean (a) an error by a Participant to file a deferral election with the Administrator, following a good faith attempt, or (b) the failure of the Administrator to properly process a Participant’s deferral election.
Section 12.17. Delay of Payment for Specified Employees. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the case of any Participant who is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Code Section 409A as of the date of such Participant’s Separation from Service, no distribution under the Plan may be made, or may commence, before the date which is six months after the date of such Participant’s Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death).
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