Stock-based Compensation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-based Compensation [Table Text Block]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Non-qualified Employee Stock Award Plan

The United Fire Group, Inc. 2008 Stock Plan (the “2008 Stock Plan”) authorizes the issuance of restricted and unrestricted stock awards, stock appreciation rights, incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options for up to 1,900,000 shares of United Fire common stock to employees, with 564,716 authorized shares available for future issuance at June 30, 2012. The 2008 Stock Plan is administered by the Board of Directors, which determines those employees who will receive awards, when awards will be granted, and the terms and conditions of the awards. The Board of Directors may also take any action it deems necessary and appropriate for the administration of the 2008 Stock Plan. Pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan, the Board of Directors may, at its sole discretion, grant awards to our employees who are in positions of substantial responsibility with United Fire.

Options granted pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan are granted to buy shares of United Fire's common stock at the market value of the stock on the date of grant. All outstanding option awards vest and are exercisable in installments of 20.0 percent of the number of shares covered by the option award each year from the grant date, unless the Board of Directors authorizes the acceleration of vesting. To the extent not exercised, vested option awards accumulate and are exercisable by the awardee, in whole or in part, in any subsequent year included in the option period, but not later than 10 years from the grant date. Restricted and unrestricted stock awards granted pursuant to the 2008 Stock Plan are granted at the market value of our stock on the date of the grant. Restricted stock awards fully vest after 5 years from the date of issuance, unless accelerated upon the approval of the Board of Directors, at which time United Fire common stock will be issued to the awardee. All awards are generally granted free of charge to the eligible employees of United Fire as designated by the Board of Directors.

The activity in the 2008 Stock Plan is displayed in the following table:

Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Six Months Ended June 30, 2012		Inception to Date
Beginning balance	653,511		1,900,000
Number of awards granted	(97,895	)	(1,443,584	)
Number of awards forfeited or expired	9,100		108,300
Ending balance	564,716		564,716
Number of option awards exercised	20,025		198,042
Number of unrestricted stock awards granted	895		3,380
Number of restricted stock awards vested	—		—

Non-qualified Non-employee Director Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan

The United Fire Group, Inc. 2005 Non-qualified Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Restricted Stock Plan (the "Director Plan") authorizes the issuance of restricted and unrestricted stock awards and non-qualified stock options to purchase shares of United Fire’s common stock to non-employee directors. At June 30, 2012, we had 130,012 authorized shares available for future issuance.

The Board of Directors has the authority to determine which non-employee directors receive awards, when options and restricted and unrestricted stock shall be granted, the option price, the option expiration date, the date of grant, the vesting schedule of options or whether the options shall be immediately vested, the terms and conditions of options and restricted stock (other than those terms and conditions set forth in the plan) and the number of shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to an option agreement or restricted stock agreement. The Board of Directors may also take any action it deems necessary and appropriate for the administration of the Director Plan.

The activity in the Director Plan is displayed in the following table:

Authorized Shares Available for Future Award Grants	Six Months Ended June 30, 2012		Inception to Date
Beginning balance	160,009		300,000
Number of awards granted	(29,997	)	(175,991	)
Number of awards forfeited or expired	—		6,003
Ending balance	130,012		130,012
Number of option awards exercised	—		—

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

For the three-month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, we recognized stock-based compensation expense of $0.9 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

As of June 30, 2012, we had $3.7 million in stock-based compensation expense that has yet to be recognized through our results of operations. We expect this compensation to be recognized over the remainder of 2012 and subsequent years according to the following table, except with respect to awards that are accelerated by the Board of Directors, in which case we will recognize any remaining compensation expense in the period in which the awards are accelerated.

(In Thousands)
2012	$	800
2013	1,139
2014	863
2015	646
2016	191
2017	23
Total	$	3,662