Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. Under this guidance, the Company recognizes share-based compensation ratably using the straight-line attribution method over the requisite service period, which is generally three years. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant.

Stock Award Plans

The Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Incentive Plan”) allows for the granting of various types of stock awards, not to exceed a total of 7.0 million shares, to eligible individuals. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers the Incentive Plan and determines the terms of all stock awards made under the Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 2021, there were 1.2 million shares of common stock available for issuance under the Incentive Plan.

Stock-based compensation cost recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $5.3 million, which included $0.9 million of expense for retirement savings plan contributions. The associated current and future income tax benefit recognized was $1.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Stock-based compensation cost recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $4.6 million, which included $0.8 million of expense for retirement savings plan contributions. The associated current and future income tax benefit recognized was $1.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, there was $32.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based awards with a weighted-average remaining life of two years.

Restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was as follows (shares in thousands):


	Shares	Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value
Restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2020	905	$	35.34
Awards granted	192	55.70
Awards vested	(236)	29.83
Awards forfeited	(18)	35.87
Restricted stock awards outstanding at March 31, 2021	843	$	41.50