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11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
12 Months Ended
May 31, 2019
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

11. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS:

 

EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN:

 

    The Company has a non-contributory, trusteed employee stock ownership plan for full-time employees who have completed three consecutive months of service and for part-time employees who have completed one year of service and have attained an age of 21. The Company can contribute either shares of the Company’s stock or cash to the plan. The contribution is determined annually by the Company and cannot exceed 15% of the annual aggregate salaries of those employees eligible for participation in the plan. On May 31, 2007, the Company converted the Aehr Test Systems Employee Stock Bonus Plan into the Aehr Test Systems Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”). The stock bonus plan was converted to an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) to enable the Plan to better comply with changes in the law regarding Company stock. Individuals’ account balances vest at a rate of 20% per year commencing upon completion of two years of service. Non-vested balances, which are forfeited following termination of employment, are allocated to the remaining employees in the Plan. Under the Plan provisions, each employee who reaches age fifty-five (55) and has been a participant in the Plan for ten years will be offered an election each year to direct the transfer of up to 25% of his/her ESOP account to the employee self-directed account in the Savings and Retirement Plan. For anyone who met the above prerequisites, the first election to diversify holdings was offered after May 31, 2008. In the sixth year, employees will be able to diversify up to 50% of their ESOP accounts. Contributions of $60,000 per year were authorized for the plan during fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017. The contribution amounts are recorded as compensation expense, in the period authorized and included in accrued expenses, in the period authorized. Contributions of 23,000 shares were made to the ESOP during fiscal 2019 for fiscal 2018. Contributions of 13,000 shares were made to the ESOP during fiscal 2018 for fiscal 2017. Contributions of 59,000 shares were made to the ESOP during fiscal 2017 for fiscal 2016. The contribution for fiscal 2019 will be made in fiscal 2020. Shares held in the ESOP are included in the EPS calculation.

 

401(K) PLAN:    

 

The Company maintains a defined contribution savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”) to provide retirement income to all qualified employees of the Company. The 401(k) Plan is intended to be qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The 401(k) Plan is funded by voluntary pre-tax contributions from employees. Contributions are invested, as directed by the participant, in investment funds available under the 401(k) Plan. The Company is not required to make, and did not make, any contributions to the 401(k) Plan during fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017.