EX-10.1 4 thg-ex101_9.htm EX-10.1 thg-ex101_9.htm

 

Exhibit 10.1

 

THE HANOVER INSURANCE GROUP

2022 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1.

DEFINED TERMS

Exhibit A, which is incorporated by reference, defines the terms used in the Plan and sets forth certain operational rules related to those terms.

 

2.

PURPOSE

The Plan has been established to provide for the grant to Participants of Stock-based and other incentive Awards.

 

3.

ADMINSTRATION

The Plan will be administered by the Administrator. The Administrator has discretionary authority, subject only to the express provisions of the Plan, to interpret the Plan and any Awards; determine eligibility for and grant Awards; determine the exercise price, base value from which appreciation is measured, or purchase price, if any, applicable to any Award; determine, modify, accelerate or waive the terms and conditions of any Award; determine the form of settlement of Awards (whether in cash, shares of Stock, other Awards or a combination of the foregoing); prescribe forms, rules and procedures relating to the Plan and Awards; and otherwise do all things necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the Plan or any Award.  Determinations of the Administrator made under the Plan or any Award are conclusive and will bind all persons.

 

4.

LIMITS ON AWARDS UNDER THE PLAN

(a)  Number of Shares; Fungible Share Pool.  Subject to adjustment as provided for herein, the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered in satisfaction of Awards under the Plan is:

(i)3,380,000, plus up to such number of shares of Stock (not to exceed the Prior Plan Over-Hang Limit) subject to awards outstanding under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan as of March 14, 2022 (the “Cut-Off Date”) solely to the extent such shares become available for re-issuance hereunder after the Cut-Off Date pursuant to Section 4(b), less

(ii)one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock that was subject to a stock option or stock appreciation right granted after the Cut-Off Date under the 2014 Plan, and three and eight-tenths (3.8) shares of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock that was subject to an award granted after the Cut-Off Date under the 2014 Plan other than a stock option or a stock appreciation right.  On or after the Adoption Date, no awards may be granted under the 2014 Plan.

Each share of Stock that is subject to a Stock Option or SAR granted under the Plan shall be counted against the foregoing share limit as one (1) share of Stock.  Each share of Stock that is subject to an Award other than a Stock Option or SAR granted under the Plan shall be counted against the limit as three and two-tenths (3.2) shares of Stock.  To the extent consistent with the requirements of Section 422 and regulations thereunder, and with other applicable legal requirements (including applicable stock exchange requirements), Stock issued under awards of an acquired company that are converted, replaced or adjusted in connection with the acquisition shall not reduce the number of shares available for Awards under the Plan. Up to the total number of shares available for Awards under Section 4(a)(i) may be issued in satisfaction of ISOs, but nothing in this Section 4(a) will be construed as requiring that any, or any fixed number of, ISOs be awarded under the Plan.  

(b)  Shares Available for Re-Issuance.  If, after the Cut-Off Date, an award granted under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan or an Award granted under this Plan, or any portion thereof, is forfeited, cancelled or is settled for cash or expires, then the shares of Stock subject to such Award or award under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan shall, to the extent of such forfeiture, expiration, cancellation or cash settlement, be available for issuance under the Plan. In addition, shares of Stock withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Award that is not a Stock Option or SAR or, after the Cut-Off Date, shares of Stock withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an award granted under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan that is not a stock option or a stock appreciation right, shall be available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares of Stock that become available again for issuance hereunder shall become available in the following amounts: (i) one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock that was subject to a Stock Option or SAR or an option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan; (ii) three and eight-tenths (3.8) shares of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock that was subject to an award granted under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan other than a stock option or stock appreciation right (which was the fungible award ratio in the 2014 Plan); and (iii) three and two-tenths (3.2) shares of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock that was subject to an Award other than a Stock Option or SAR granted under the Plan. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, the following shares of Stock shall not become

 


available again for issuance hereunder: (w) shares of Stock withheld by the Company in payment of the purchase price of a Stock Option or a stock option granted under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan, (x) shares of Stock withheld by the Company to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to a Stock Option or a SAR or a stock option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan, (y) shares of Stock subject to a SAR or a stock appreciation right under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan that are not issued in connection with the stock settlement of the SAR or a stock appreciation right under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan on exercise thereof, and (z) shares of Stock reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Stock Options or stock options under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan.

(c)  Type of Shares.  Stock delivered by the Company under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Stock or previously issued Stock acquired by the Company.  No fractional shares of Stock will be delivered under the Plan.  

(d)  Non-Employee Director Limits.  The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid to any Director with respect to non-employee director service during any calendar year, including Awards granted under the Plan and cash fees or other compensation paid by the Company to such Director outside of the Plan for his or her services as a Director during such calendar year, may not exceed $750,000 in the aggregate, calculating the value of any Awards based on the grant date fair value of such Awards in accordance with the Accounting Rules, assuming a maximum payout.  For the avoidance of doubt, the limitation in this Section 4(d) will not apply to any compensation granted or paid to a Director for his or her services to the Company or any of its Affiliates other than as a Director, including, without limitation, as a consultant or advisor to the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

5.

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

The Administrator will select Participants from among Employees and directors of, consultants and advisors to, the Company and its Affiliates; provided, that, subject to the express exceptions, if any, as the Administrator may establish, eligibility for participation in the Plan shall be further limited to those persons as to whom the use of a Form S-8 Registration Statement (or a similar successor form) is permissible.  Eligibility for ISOs is limited to individuals described in the first sentence of this Section 5 who are employees of the Company or of a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company as those terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code.  Eligibility for Stock Options, other than ISOs, and SARs is limited to individuals described in the first sentence of this Section 5 who are providing direct services on the date of grant of the Award to the Company or to a subsidiary of the Company that would be described in the first sentence of Treas. Regs. §1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E).

 

6.

RULES APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

(a)  All Awards.  

(1)  Award Provisions.  The Administrator will determine the terms of all Awards, subject to the limitations provided herein.  No term of an Award shall provide for automatic “reload” grants of additional Awards upon exercise of an Option or SAR or otherwise as a term of an Award.  By accepting (or, under such rules as the Administrator may prescribe, being deemed to have accepted) an Award, the Participant will be deemed to have agreed to the terms of the Award and the Plan.  Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, awards of an acquired company that are converted, replaced or adjusted in connection with the acquisition may contain terms and conditions that are inconsistent with the terms and conditions specified herein, as determined by the Administrator.

(2)  Term of Plan.  No Awards may be made after ten years from the Adoption Date, but previously granted Awards may continue beyond that date in accordance with their terms.

(3)  Transferability.  Neither ISOs nor, except as the Administrator otherwise expressly provides in accordance with the third sentence of this Section 6(a)(3), other Awards, may be transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  During a Participant’s lifetime, ISOs (and, except as the Administrator otherwise expressly provides in accordance with the third sentence of this Section 6(a)(3), SARs and NSOs) may be exercised only by the Participant.  The Administrator may permit the gratuitous transfer (i.e., transfer not for value) of Awards other than ISOs to any transferee eligible to be covered by the provisions of Form S-8 (under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), subject to such limitations as the Administrator may impose.

(4)  Vesting, etc.  The Administrator will determine the time or times at which an Award will vest or become exercisable and the terms on which a Stock Option or SAR will remain exercisable.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, Awards granted under the Plan (other than Cash Awards) shall vest no earlier than the first anniversary of the date on which the Award is granted; provided, that the following Awards shall not be subject to the foregoing minimum vesting requirement: any (i) substitute awards granted in connection with a business acquisition, (ii) shares delivered in lieu of fully vested cash obligations, (iii) Awards to Directors that vest on the earlier of the one-year anniversary of the date of grant and the next annual meeting of stockholders which is at least 50 weeks after the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting, and (iv) any additional Awards the Committee may grant, up to a maximum of five percent

 


(5%) of the available share reserve authorized for issuance under the Plan; and, provided, further, that the foregoing restriction does not apply to the Committee’s discretion to provide for accelerated exercisability or vesting of any Award, including in cases of retirement, death, disability or a Change in Control, in the terms of the Award agreement or otherwise. Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, the following rules will apply if a Participant’s Employment ceases:

(A)  Immediately upon the cessation of the Participant’s Employment and except as provided in (B) and (C) below, each Stock Option and SAR (or portion thereof) that is then held by the Participant or by the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, will cease to be exercisable and will terminate and all other Awards that are then held by the Participant or by the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, to the extent not then vested, will be forfeited.

(B)  Subject to (C) and (D) below, each vested and unexercised Stock Option and SAR (or portion thereof) held by the Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment, to the extent then exercisable, will remain exercisable for the lesser of (i) a period of three months following such cessation of Employment, or (ii) the period ending on the latest date on which such Stock Option or SAR could have been exercised without regard to this Section 6(a)(4), and will thereupon immediately terminate.

(C)  Each vested and unexercised Stock Option and SAR (or portion thereof) held by a Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment due to his or her death, to the extent then exercisable, will remain exercisable for the lesser of (i) the one-year period ending on the first anniversary of such cessation of Employment, or (ii) the period ending on the latest date on which such Stock Option or SAR could have been exercised without regard to this Section 6(a)(4), and will thereupon immediately terminate.

(D)  All Awards (whether or not vested or exercisable) held by a Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment will immediately terminate upon such cessation of Employment if the Administrator determines that the termination is for Cause or occurs in circumstances that in the sole determination of the Administrator would have constituted grounds for the Participant’s Employment to be terminated for Cause.

(5)  Additional Restrictions.  The Administrator may cancel, rescind, withhold or otherwise limit or restrict any Award (in whole or in part) at any time if the Participant is not in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Award agreement and the Plan, or if the Participant breaches any agreement with the Company or its Affiliates, including with respect to the Code of Conduct or other policies of the Company, non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality or other similar provisions.  Each Award will be subject to any policy of the Company or any of its Affiliates that relates to trading on non-public information and permitted transactions with respect to shares of Stock, including limitations on hedging and pledging.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator may recover Awards made under the Plan and payments under or gain in respect of any Award to the extent required to comply with Section 10D of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any stock exchange or similar rule adopted under said Section.  In addition, rights, payments and benefits under any Award shall be subject to repayment to, or recoupment by, the Company in accordance with any clawback or recoupment policies and procedures that the Company may adopt from time to time.  Each Participant, by accepting or being deemed to have accepted an Award under the Plan, agrees (or will be deemed to have agreed) to the terms of this Section 6(a)(5) and to cooperate fully with the Administrator, and to cause any and all permitted transferees of the Participant to cooperate fully with the Administrator, to effectuate any forfeiture or disgorgement described in this Section 6(a)(5). Neither the Administrator nor the Company nor any other person, other than the Participant and his or her permitted transferees, if any, will be responsible for any adverse tax or other consequences to a Participant or his or her permitted transferees, if any, that may arise in connection with this Section 6(a)(5).

(6)  Taxes.  The issuance, delivery, vesting and retention of Stock, cash or other property under an Award are conditioned upon the full satisfaction by the Participant of all tax and other withholding requirements with respect to the Award.  The Administrator will prescribe such rules for the withholding of taxes and other amounts with respect to an Award as it deems necessary or appropriate.  Without limitation to the foregoing, the Company or any of its Affiliates will have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold (by any means set forth herein or in an Award agreement), or require a Participant to remit to the Company or any of its Affiliates, an amount sufficient to satisfy all U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state and local income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to participation in the Plan and any Award hereunder and legally applicable to the Participant and required by law to be withheld (including, any amount deemed by the Company, in its discretion, to be an appropriate charge to the Participant even if legally applicable to the Company or any of its Affiliates).  The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may, but need not, hold back shares of Stock from an Award or permit a Participant to tender previously owned shares of Stock in satisfaction of tax or other withholding requirements (but not in excess of the maximum withholding amount consistent with the Award being subject to equity accounting treatment under the Accounting Rules).  Any amounts withheld pursuant to this Section

 


6(a)(6) will be treated as though such amounts had been paid directly to the applicable Participant.  In addition, the Company and its Affiliates may, to the extent permitted by law, deduct any such tax and other withholding amounts from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant from the Company or any of its Affiliates.

(7)  Dividend Equivalents, Etc.  The Administrator may provide for the payment of amounts (on terms and subject to conditions established by the Administrator) in lieu of cash dividends or other cash distributions with respect to Stock subject to an Award (other than an Option or a SAR, except as contemplated by Section 7 of the Plan) whether or not the holder of such Award is otherwise entitled to share in the actual dividend or distribution in respect of such Award; provided, however, that dividends or dividend equivalents relating to an Award that, at the dividend payment date, remains subject to a risk of forfeiture (whether service-based or performance-based) shall be subject to the same risk of forfeiture as applies to the underlying Award and in no event shall such dividends or dividend equivalents be paid unless and until such Award vests and becomes payable. Any entitlement to dividend equivalents or similar entitlements are intended to be established and administered either consistent with an exemption from, or in compliance with, the requirements of Section 409A, and shall be construed accordingly. Dividend equivalent amounts payable in respect of Awards that are subject to restrictions may be subject to such additional limits or restrictions as the Administrator may impose.

(8)  Rights Limited.  Nothing in the Plan or any Award will be construed as giving any person the right to continued employment or service with the Company or its Affiliates, or any rights as a stockholder except as to shares of Stock actually issued under the Plan.  The loss of existing or potential profit in Awards will not constitute an element of damages in the event of termination of Employment for any reason, even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or any Affiliate to the Participant.

(9)  Coordination with Other Plans.  Awards under the Plan may be granted in tandem with, or in satisfaction of or substitution for, other Awards under the Plan or awards made under other compensatory plans or programs of the Company or its Affiliates.  For example, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, awards under other compensatory plans or programs of the Company or its Affiliates may be settled in Stock (including, without limitation, Unrestricted Stock) if the Administrator so determines, in which case the shares delivered will be treated as awarded under the Plan (and will reduce the number of shares thereafter available under the Plan in accordance with the rules set forth in Section 4).

(10)  Section 409A.  

(A)  Without limiting the generality of Section 11(b) hereof, each Award will contain such terms as the Administrator determines and will be construed and administered, such that the Award either qualifies for an exemption from the requirements of Section 409A or satisfies such requirements.

(B)  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award agreement, the Administrator may unilaterally amend, modify or terminate the Plan or any outstanding Award, including, without limitation, changing the form of the Award, if the Administrator determines that such amendment, modification or termination is necessary or desirable to avoid the imposition of an additional tax, interest or penalty under Section 409A.

(C)  If a Participant is determined on the date of the Participant’s termination of Employment to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, then, with regard to any payment that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A, to the extent applicable, payable on account of a “separation from service”, such payment will be made or provided on the date that is the earlier of (i) the first business day following the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” and (ii) the date of the Participant’s death (the “Delay Period”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments delayed pursuant to this Section 6(a)(10)(C) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single lump sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) will be paid, without interest, on the first business day following the expiration of the Delay Period in a lump sum and any remaining payments due under the Award will be paid in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them in the applicable Award agreement.

(D)  For purposes of Section 409A, each payment made under the Plan or any Award will be treated as a separate payment.

(E)  With regard to any payment considered to be nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A, to the extent applicable, that is payable upon a change in control of the Company or other similar event, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of an additional tax, interest or penalty under Section 409A, no amount will be payable unless such change in control constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Treas. Regs. §1.409A-3(i)(5).

(b)  Stock Options and SARs.  

 


(1)  Time and Manner of Exercise.  Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, no Stock Option or SAR will be deemed to have been exercised until the Administrator receives a notice of exercise (in a form acceptable to the Administrator), which may be an electronic notice, accompanied by any payment required under the Award or other provision with respect to payment.  A Stock Option or SAR exercised by any person other than the Participant will not be deemed to have been exercised until the Administrator has received such evidence as it may require that the person exercising the Award has the right to do so.

(2)  Exercise Price.  The exercise price (or the base value from which appreciation is to be measured) per share of each Award requiring exercise must be no less than 100% (or in the case of an ISO granted to a ten-percent shareholder within the meaning of subsection (b)(6) of Section 422, 110%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock, determined as of the date of grant, or such higher amount as the Administrator may determine in connection with the grant.  Except as contemplated by Section 7 of the Plan, the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval, (i) amend the terms of outstanding Stock Options or SARs to reduce the exercise price or base value of such Stock Options or SARs, (ii) cancel outstanding Stock Options or SARs in exchange for Stock Options or SARs that have an exercise price or base value that is less than the exercise price or base value of the original Stock Options or SARs, or (iii) cancel outstanding Stock Options or SARs that have an exercise price or base value greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of such cancellation in exchange for cash or other consideration.

(3)  Payment Of Exercise Price.  Where the exercise of an Award is to be accompanied by payment, payment of the exercise price will be by cash or check acceptable to the Administrator or by such other legally permissible means, if any, as may be acceptable to the Administrator.

(4)  Maximum Term.  Stock Options and SARs will have a maximum term not to exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant (or five (5) years from the date of grant in the case of an ISO granted to a ten-percent shareholder described in Section 6(b)(2) above).

 

7.

EFFECT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

(a)  Mergers, etc.  Except as otherwise provided in an Award agreement, in the event of a Covered Transaction or a Change in Control, whether or not such Change in Control constitutes a Covered Transaction, the Administrator may take one or more of the following actions:

(1)  Assumption or Substitution.  If the Covered Transaction or Change in Control is one in which there is an acquiring or surviving entity, the Administrator may (but, for the avoidance of doubt, need not) provide (i) for the assumption or continuation of some or all outstanding Awards or any portion thereof, or (ii) for the grant of new awards in substitution therefor by the acquiror or survivor or an affiliate of the acquiror or survivor.

(2)  Cash-Out of Awards.  Subject to Section 7(a)(5) below the Administrator may (but, for the avoidance of doubt, need not) provide for payment (a “cash-out”), with respect to some or all Awards or any portion thereof, equal in the case of each affected Award or portion thereof to the excess, if any, of (i) the fair market value of one share of Stock (as determined by the Administrator) times the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award or such portion, over (ii) the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, under the Award or such portion (in the case of an SAR, the aggregate base value above which appreciation is measured), in each case on such payment terms (which need not be the same as the terms of payment to holders of Stock) and other terms, and subject to such conditions, as the Administrator determines.  For the avoidance of doubt, in the event that the fair market value of a share of Stock (as determined pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)) is equal to or less than the exercise price or base value of an Award, as applicable, the Award may be cancelled with no payment due in respect of it.

(3)  Acceleration of Certain Awards.  Subject to Section 7(a)(5) below, the Administrator may (but, for the avoidance of doubt, need not) provide that (i) any Award requiring exercise will become exercisable, in full or in part, (ii) the delivery of any shares of Stock remaining deliverable under any outstanding Award of Stock Units (including Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards to the extent consisting of Stock Units) will be accelerated in full or in part, and/or (iii) the forfeiture or vesting conditions with respect to any Restricted Stock will lapse or be satisfied, as applicable, in full or in part, in each case on a basis that gives the holder of the Award a reasonable opportunity, as determined by the Administrator, following exercise of the Award or the delivery of the shares or the lapse of the forfeiture or vesting conditions, as the case may be, to participate as a stockholder in the Covered Transaction and/or Change in Control.

(4)  Termination of Awards Upon Consummation of Covered Transaction and/or Change in Control.  Except as the Administrator may otherwise determine in any case, each Award will automatically terminate (and in the case of outstanding shares of Restricted Stock, will automatically be forfeited) upon consummation of the Covered Transaction and/or Change in Control, other than Awards assumed pursuant to Section 7(a)(1) above.

(5)  Additional Limitations.  Any award, share of Stock and any cash or other property delivered pursuant to Section 7(a)(1), Section 7(a)(2) or Section 7(a)(3) above with respect to an Award may, in the discretion of the

 


Administrator, contain such restrictions, if any, as the Administrator deems appropriate to reflect any performance or other vesting conditions to which the Award was subject and that did not lapse (and were not satisfied) in connection with the Covered Transaction and/or Change in Control. For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, a cash-out under Section 7(a)(2) above or acceleration under Section 7(a)(3) above will not, in and of itself, be treated as the lapsing (or satisfaction) of a performance or other vesting condition.  In the case of Restricted Stock that does not vest and is not forfeited in connection with the Covered Transaction and/or Change in Control, the Administrator may require that any amounts delivered, exchanged or otherwise paid in respect of such Stock in connection with the Covered Transaction and/or Change in Control be placed in escrow or otherwise made subject to such restrictions as the Administrator deems appropriate to carry out the intent of the Plan.

(b)  Changes in and Distributions with Respect to Stock.  

(1)  Basic Adjustment Provisions.  In the event of a stock dividend, extraordinary cash dividend, stock split or combination of shares (including a reverse stock split), recapitalization or other change in the Company’s capital structure that constitutes an equity restructuring within the meaning of the Accounting Rules, the Administrator will make appropriate adjustments to the maximum number of shares specified in Section 4(a) that may be delivered under the Plan, and will also make appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of shares of stock or securities subject to Awards then outstanding or subsequently granted, any exercise or purchase prices (or base values) relating to Awards and any other provision of Awards affected by such change.

(2)  Certain Other Adjustments.  The Administrator may also make adjustments of the type described in Section 7(b)(1) above to take into account distributions to stockholders other than those provided for in Sections 7(a) and 7(b)(1), or any other event, if the Administrator determines that adjustments are appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan or any Award.

(3)  Continuing Application of Plan Terms.  References in the Plan to shares of Stock will be construed to include any stock or securities resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 7.

 

8.

LEGAL CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK

The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove any restriction from shares of Stock previously delivered under the Plan until: (i) the Company is satisfied that all legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been addressed and resolved; (ii) if the outstanding Stock is at the time of delivery listed on any stock exchange or national market system, the shares to be delivered have been listed or authorized to be listed on such exchange or system upon official notice of issuance; and (iii) all conditions of the Award have been satisfied or waived.  The Company may require, as a condition to exercise of the Award, such representations or agreements as counsel for the Company may consider appropriate to avoid violation of the Securities Act or any applicable state or non-U.S. securities law.  Any Stock required to be issued to Participants under the Plan will be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator may deem appropriate, including book-entry registration or delivery of stock certificates.  In the event that the Administrator determines that Stock certificates will be issued to Participants under the Plan, the Administrator may require that certificates evidencing Stock issued under the Plan bear an appropriate legend reflecting any restriction on transfer applicable to such Stock, and the Company may hold the certificates pending lapse of the applicable restrictions.

 

9.

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

The Administrator may at any time or times amend the Plan or any outstanding Award for any purpose which may at the time be permitted by applicable law, and may at any time terminate the Plan as to any future grants of Awards; provided, that except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or the applicable Award, the Administrator may not, without the Participant’s consent, alter the terms of an Award so as to affect materially and adversely the Participant’s rights under the Award, unless the Administrator expressly reserved the right to do so in the Plan or at the time the applicable Award was granted.  Any amendments to the Plan will be conditioned upon stockholder approval only to the extent, if any, such approval is required by applicable law (including the Code) or stock exchange requirements, as determined by the Administrator.  For the avoidance of doubt, except as contemplated by Section 7 of the Plan, the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval, amend the Plan to permit any of the actions described in the second sentence of Section 6(b)(2).

 

10.

OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

The existence of the Plan or the grant of any Award will not in any way affect the Company’s right to award a person bonuses or other compensation in addition to Awards under the Plan.

 

11.

MISCELLANEOUS

(a)  Waiver of Jury Trial.  By accepting or being deemed to have accepted an Award under the Plan, each Participant waives (or will be deemed to have waived), to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, any right to a trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim concerning any rights under (i) the Plan, (ii) the 2006 Plan, (iii) the 2014 Plan,

 


(iv) any Award, (v) any award under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan, or (vi) any amendment, waiver, consent, instrument, document or other agreement delivered or which in the future may be delivered in connection with any of the foregoing, and agrees (or will be deemed to have agreed) that any such action, proceedings or counterclaim will be tried before a court and not before a jury.  By accepting (or being deemed to have accepted) an Award under the Plan, each Participant certifies that no officer, representative, or attorney of the Company has represented, expressly or otherwise, that the Company would not, in the event of any action, proceeding or counterclaim, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, nothing herein is to be construed as limiting the ability of the Company and a Participant to agree to submit any dispute arising under the terms of the Plan or any Award made hereunder to binding arbitration or as limiting the ability of the Company to require any eligible individual to agree to submit such disputes to binding arbitration as a condition of receiving an Award hereunder.

(b)  Limitation of Liability.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award, neither the Company, nor any Affiliate, nor the Administrator, nor any person acting on behalf of the Company, any Affiliate, or the Administrator, will be liable to any Participant or to the estate or beneficiary of any Participant or to any other person by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax (including any interest and penalties), asserted by reason of the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 or Section 409A or by reason of Section 4999 of the Code, or otherwise asserted with respect to any Award.

(c)  Unfunded Plan.  The Company’s obligations under the Plan are unfunded, and no Participant will have any right to specific assets of the Company in respect of any Award.  Participants will be general unsecured creditors of the Company with respect to any amounts due or payable under the Plan.  

 

12.

ESTABLISHMENT OF SUB-PLANS

The Administrator may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable blue sky, securities or tax laws of various jurisdictions.  The Administrator will establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the Plan setting forth (i) such limitations on the Administrator’s discretion under the Plan as it deems necessary or desirable and (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as it deems necessary or desirable.  All supplements so established will be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement will apply only to Participants within the affected jurisdiction (as determined by the Administrator).

 

13.

GOVERNING LAW

(a)  Certain Requirements of Corporate Law.  Awards will be granted and administered consistent with the requirements of applicable Delaware law relating to the issuance of stock and the consideration to be received therefor, and with the applicable requirements of the stock exchanges or other trading systems on which the Stock is listed or entered for trading, in each case as determined by the Administrator.

(b)  Choice of Law.  Except as otherwise provided by the express terms of an Award agreement, under a sub-plan described in Section 12 or as provided in Section 13(a) above, the provisions of the Plan and of Awards under the Plan and all claims or disputes arising out of or based upon the Plan or any Award under the Plan or relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof will be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

(c)  Jurisdiction.  By accepting (or being deemed to have accepted) an Award, each Participant will be deemed to (i) have submitted irrevocably and unconditionally to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located within the geographic boundaries of  the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon the Plan or any Award; (ii) agree not to commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon the Plan or an Award, except in the federal and state courts located within the geographic boundaries of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts; and (iii) waive, and agree not to assert, by way of motion as a defense or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that the Participant is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that the Participant’s property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that the Plan or an Award or the subject matter thereof may not be enforced in or by such court.

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EXHIBIT A

Definition of Terms

The following terms, when used in the Plan, have the meanings and are subject to the provisions set forth below:

“2006 Plan”:  The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as in effect prior to May 20, 2014.

“2014 Plan”: The Hanover Insurance Group 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as in effect prior to the Adoption Date.

“Accounting Rules”: Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor provision.

“Administrator”: The Compensation Committee, except that the Compensation Committee may delegate (i) to one or more of its members such of its duties, powers and responsibilities as it may determine; (ii) to one or more officers of the Company the power to grant rights or options to the extent permitted by Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law; (iii) to one or more executive officers of the Company the authority to grant Awards among such persons (other than executive officers of the Company) eligible to receive Awards under the Plan as such delegated officer or officers determine consistent with such delegation; provided, that with respect to any delegation described in this clause (iii), the Compensation Committee (or a properly delegated member or members of such Committee) shall have established procedures and requirements for such delegation in its discretion and shall have authorized the issuance of a specified maximum number of shares of Stock under such Awards; (iv) to the extent permitted by applicable law, to one or more employee members of the Board the power to grant Awards to persons (other than executive officers of the Company) eligible to receive Awards under the Plan under such procedures as the Compensation Committee (or a properly delegated member or members of such Committee) shall have established in its discretion; and (v) to such Employees or other persons as it determines such ministerial tasks as it deems appropriate. The Committee of Independent Directors of the Board shall also serve as the Administrator herein with respect to those responsibilities and duties that have been delegated to it by the Board pursuant to its charter.  Except as expressly provided in the preceding sentences or as otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee, any person to whom the authority to grant or allocate Awards has been delegated pursuant to the preceding sentences shall also be deemed to possess the other administrative duties, powers and responsibilities or otherwise described in Section 3 with respect to such Awards. In the event of any delegation described in the preceding sentences, the term “Administrator” shall include the person or persons so delegated to the extent of such delegation.

“Adoption Date”: May 10, 2022, subject to receiving shareholder approval at the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of shareholders.

“Affiliate”:  Any corporation or other entity that stands in a relationship to the Company that would result in the Company and such corporation or other entity being treated as one employer under Section 414(b) and Section 414(c) of the Code.

“Award”:  Any or a combination of the following issued under the Plan:  

(i) Stock Options.

(ii) SARs.  

(iii) Restricted Stock.

(iv) Unrestricted Stock.

(v)  Stock Units, including Restricted Stock Units.

(vi) Performance Awards.

(vii) Cash Awards.

(viii) Awards (other than Awards described in (i) through (vii) above) that are convertible into or otherwise based on Stock.

“Board”:  The Board of Directors of the Company.

“Cash Award”: An Award denominated in cash, but only if the Award specifies in writing that it is issued pursuant to this Plan.

“Cause”:  In the case of any Participant, any of the following: (i) the continued willful failure of the Participant to perform substantially his or her duties with the Company or any of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from the Participant’s incapacity due to disability within the meaning of the Company’s short-term disability plan as in effect at the time such determination is made) after ten (10) days prior written notice from the Administrator; (ii) the Participant’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a misdemeanor involving theft or embezzlement, or a felony (whether or not related to the business of the Company); (iii) the willful engaging by the Participant in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company or any of its affiliates; (iv) the breach by the Participant of the Code of Conduct or other policy of the Company, in each case as in effect from time to time, or any non-competition, non-disclosure, non-solicitation or similar agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates; or (v) such other act, failure to act, condition or event, if any, as may be determined by the Administrator at or prior to the time of grant of an Award.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant is party to an employment or severance agreement with the Company or any of its affiliates that contains a definition of “Cause,” and specifically references such definition with respect to Awards under the Plan, then such definition shall apply for so long as such agreement is in effect (in the case of such Participant) in

 


lieu of the definition set forth in the preceding sentence. A failure to make a determination as to Cause by the Administrator shall have no bearing whatsoever on any other proceedings.

“Change in Control”: Any of the following: (i) the members of the Board at the beginning of any consecutive twenty-four (24) calendar month period (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease at any time during such period for any reason other than due to death, Disability or Retirement (in the event of a member’s death, Disability or Retirement, such member shall be deemed to continue as an Incumbent Director until such member’s seat on the Board is filled) to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board, provided that any director whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of such Incumbent Directors shall be treated as an Incumbent Director; (ii) any “person” including a “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), but excluding the Company, its affiliates, any employee benefit plan of the Company or any affiliate, and an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities) is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13(d)(3) under the 1934 Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities, except this provision shall not be applicable if the Company, in connection with raising capital or making an acquisition (including through the issuance of debt or other securities which are convertible into securities with voting power), voluntarily agrees to issue to a “person” or a “group” (as defined above) in such a transaction, securities aggregating (when combined with securities owned by such person or group immediately prior to such transaction) 35% or more, but less than a majority, of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities (but this exception shall not apply to any subsequent transfer, except to the extent agreed to by the Company, in writing, at the time such securities are issued); (iii) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, share exchange or similar form of corporate transaction involving the Company or any affiliate that requires the approval of the Company’s stockholders (excluding a corporate transaction involving solely the Company and its affiliates) (a “Business Combination”), unless the stockholders immediately prior to such Business Combination own more than 50% of the total voting power of the successor corporation resulting from such Business Combination or a majority of the board of directors of the successor corporation were Incumbent Directors immediately prior to such Business Combination; (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets and such sale is consummated; or (v) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

“Code”:  The U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to time amended and in effect, or any successor statute as from time to time in effect.

“Company”:  The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.

“Compensation Committee”:  The Compensation and Human Capital Committee of the Board.

“Covered Transaction”:  Any of (i) a consolidation, merger, or similar transaction or series of related transactions, including a sale or other disposition of stock, in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or which results in the acquisition of all or substantially all of the Company’s then outstanding common stock by a single person or entity or by a group of persons and/or entities acting in concert, (ii) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets, or (iii) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company.  Where a Covered Transaction involves a tender offer that is reasonably expected to be followed by a merger described in clause (i) (as determined by the Administrator), the Covered Transaction will be deemed to have occurred upon consummation of the tender offer.

“Director”:  A member of the Board who is not an Employee.

“Disability”: With respect to a member of the Board, the inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months.

“Employee”:  Any person who is employed by the Company or an Affiliate.

“Employment”:  A Participant’s employment or other service relationship with the Company and its Affiliates.  Employment will be deemed to continue, unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, so long as the Participant is employed by, or otherwise is providing services in a capacity described in Section 5 to the Company or an Affiliate.  If a Participant’s employment or other service relationship is with an Affiliate and that entity ceases to be an Affiliate, the Participant’s Employment will be deemed to have terminated when the entity ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Participant transfers Employment to the Company or its remaining Affiliates.  Notwithstanding the foregoing and the definition of “Affiliate” above, in construing the provisions of any Award relating to the payment of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (subject to Section 409A) upon a termination or cessation of Employment, references to termination or cessation of employment, separation from service, retirement or similar or correlative terms will be construed to require a “separation from service” (as that term is defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations, after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein) from the Company and from all other corporations and trades or businesses, if any, that would be treated as a single “service recipient” with the Company under Section 1.409A-1(h)(3) of the Treasury Regulations.  The Company may, but need not, elect in writing, subject to the applicable limitations under Section 409A, any of the special elective rules prescribed in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations for purposes of determining whether a “separation from service” has occurred.  Any such written election will be deemed a part of the Plan.

“Fair Market Value”:  Except as otherwise determined by the Administrator in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A, as of a particular date, (i) the closing price for a share of Stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange (or any other

 


national securities exchange on which the Stock is then listed) for that date or, if no closing price is reported for that date, the closing price on the immediately preceding date on which a closing price was reported or (ii) in the event that the Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange, the fair market value of a share of Stock determined by the Administrator consistent with the rules of Section 422 and Section 409A to the extent applicable.

“ISO”:  A Stock Option intended to be an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422.  Each Stock Option granted pursuant to the Plan will be treated as providing by its terms that it is to be an NSO unless, as of the date of grant, it is expressly designated as an ISO.

“NSO”:  A Stock Option that is not intended to be an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422.  

“Participant”:  A person who is granted an Award under the Plan.

“Performance Award”:  An Award subject to performance vesting conditions, which may include Performance Criteria.  

“Performance Criteria”: Specified criteria, other than the mere continuation of Employment or the mere passage of time, the satisfaction of which is a condition for the grant, exercisability, vesting or full enjoyment of an Award, and may include, without limitation, performance relating to any or any combination of the following (which may be determined on an absolute, relative, or other basis): sales; revenues; assets; expenses; book value; risk management; earnings before or after deduction for all or any portion of interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, or capital gains or losses, determined on the basis of operations, continuing operations or otherwise and on an aggregate or per share basis; written or earned premium growth, direct or net; written or earned premium, direct or net; new business premium, direct or net; policy retention; premium retention; policies in force; pricing; underwriting income; investment income or yield; segment income; operating income; return on equity, investment, capital or assets; one or more operating ratios (including, without limitation, loss and loss adjustment expense ratio, catastrophe loss ratio, combined ratio, expense ratio, accident or calendar year); borrowing levels, leverage ratios or credit rating; financial strength rating; market share; productivity improvements; capital expenditures; cash flow; stock price; stockholder return; economic value added; surplus levels or growth; product development; sales of particular products or services; development of business goals; customer acquisition, satisfaction or retention; service levels or standards; leadership effectiveness; human capital management; environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics; business development; or the occurrence of, or participation in the negotiation or effectuation of, any of: acquisitions and divestitures (in whole or in part), joint ventures and strategic alliances, spin-offs, split-ups and the like, reorganizations, or recapitalizations, restructurings, financings (issuance of debt or equity) or refinancings.  A Performance Criterion and any targets with respect thereto need not be based upon an increase, a positive or improved result or avoidance of loss and may be applied to a Participant individually, or to a business unit or division of the Company or to the Company as a whole.  A Performance Criterion may also be based on individual performance and/or subjective performance criteria (or any combination of any of the criteria described in this definition).  The Administrator may provide that one or more of the Performance Criteria applicable to such Award will be adjusted in a manner to reflect events (for example, but without limitation, acquisitions or dispositions) occurring during the performance period that affect the applicable Performance Criterion or Criteria.

“Plan”:  The Hanover Insurance Group 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as from time to time amended and in effect.

“Prior Plan Over-Hang Limit”: 3,582,089 shares of Stock, which was determined as follows: one share for each outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right; and 3.8 shares for each other outstanding award (which was the fungible share ratio under the 2014 Plan), in each case issued under the 2006 Plan or the 2014 Plan and outstanding as of the Cut-Off Date.

“Restricted Stock”:  Stock subject to restrictions requiring that it be forfeited, redelivered or offered for sale to the Company if specified performance or other vesting conditions are not satisfied.

“Restricted Stock Unit”:  A Stock Unit that is, or as to which the delivery of Stock is, subject to the satisfaction of specified performance or other vesting conditions.

“Retirement”: With respect to a member of the Board, retirement pursuant to a retirement policy then in effect for members of the Board.

“SAR”:  A right entitling the holder upon exercise to receive an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock subject to the right over the base value from which appreciation under the SAR is to be measured.

“Section 409A”:  Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

“Section 422”:  Section 422 of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

“Stock”:  Common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

“Stock Option”:  An option entitling the holder to acquire shares of Stock upon payment of the exercise price.

“Stock Unit”:  An unfunded and unsecured promise, denominated in shares of Stock, to deliver Stock in the future.

“Unrestricted Stock”:  Stock not subject to any restrictions under the terms of the Award.