Stock-Based Compensation Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Stock-Based Compensation Plans

22. Stock-Based Compensation Plans

As of December 31, 2023, we had the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2020 Directors Stock Plan, the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the 2014 Directors Stock Plan, the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2005 Directors Stock Plan, the Stock Incentive Plan and the Directors Stock Plan (“Stock-Based Compensation Plans”). No new grants will be made under the 2020 Directors Stock Plan, the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2014 Directors Stock Plan, the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2005 Directors Stock Plan, the Stock Incentive Plan or the Directors Stock Plan. Under the terms of the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, grants may be nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options qualifying under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, performance units or other stock-based awards. To date, we have not granted any incentive stock options, restricted stock or performance units under any plans. As part of our fair value process, we assess the impact of material nonpublic information on our share price or expected volatility, as applicable, at the time of grant. No awards in 2023 required a fair value adjustment.

As of December 31, 2023, the maximum number of new shares of common stock available for grant under the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan was 21.8 million.

For awards with graded vesting, we use an accelerated expense attribution method. The compensation cost that was charged against net income for stock-based awards granted under the Stock-Based Compensation Plans was as follows:

	For the year ended December 31,
	2023		2022		2021
	(in millions)
Compensation cost	$	97.7	$	89.9	$	95.2
Related income tax benefit		23.1		20.3		19.9
Capitalized as part of an asset		1.1		1.3		1.4

Nonqualified Stock Options

No nonqualified stock options were granted to employees during 2023 and 2022. Previously, nonqualified stock options were granted to certain employees under the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and the Stock Incentive Plan. Options outstanding were granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and expire ten years after the grant date. Total options granted were 0.0 million, 0.0 million and 0.8 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The following is a summary of the status of all of our stock option plans:

		Weighted-
		average
	Number of options	exercise price		Intrinsic value
	(in millions)			(in millions)
Options outstanding as of January 1, 2023	3.3	$	54.36
Exercised	0.5		48.71
Options outstanding as of December 31, 2023	2.8	$	55.39	$	65.4
Options vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2023	2.8	$	55.39	$	65.4
Options exercisable as of December 31, 2023	2.6	$	55.08	$	60.6

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $15.2 million, $92.0 million and $23.5 million during 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

The following is a summary of weighted-average remaining contractual lives for stock options outstanding and the range of exercise prices on the stock options as of December 31, 2023:

		Weighted-
	Number of options	average remaining
Range of exercise prices	outstanding	contractual life
	(in millions)
$27.46 - $48.11	0.2	2.1
$48.12 - $52.41	0.8	5.1
$52.42 - $55.89	0.4	5.2
$55.90 - $62.75	0.7	7.2
$62.76 - $63.98	0.7	3.9
$27.46 - $63.98	2.8

The weighted-average remaining contractual lives for stock options exercisable is approximately 5.1 years as of December 31, 2023.

The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The following is a summary of the assumptions used in this model for the stock options granted during the period:

	For the year ended December 31,
Options	2023			2022			2021
Expected volatility		—	%		—	%		34.2	%
Expected term (in years)		—			—			7.0
Risk-free interest rate		—	%		—	%		1.2	%
Expected dividend yield		—	%		—	%		3.82	%
Weighted average estimated fair value	$	—		$	—		$	15.67

We determine expected volatility based on a combination of historical volatility using daily price observations and implied volatility from traded options on our common stock. We believe that incorporating both historical and implied volatility into our expected volatility assumption calculation better reflects market expectations. The expected term represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. We determine expected term using historical exercise and employee termination data. The risk-free rate for periods within the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury risk-free interest rate in effect at the time of grant. The dividend yield is based on historical dividend distributions compared to the closing price of our common shares on the grant date.

As of December 31, 2023, we had $0.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average service period of approximately 0.2 years.

Cash received from stock options exercised under these share-based payment arrangements during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $25.0 million, $141.6 million and $42.2 million, respectively. The actual tax benefits realized for the tax deductions for options exercised under these share-based payment arrangements during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $5.5 million, $37.7 million and $9.1 million, respectively.

Performance Share Awards

We granted performance share awards to certain employees under the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2014 Stock Incentive Plan and the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan. The performance share awards are treated as an equity award and are paid in shares. Effective in 2022, we added a relative total shareholder return modifier to the performance share awards under which the number of shares ultimately granted is also impacted by our actual shareholder return relative to our S&P 500 Financial Sector Index peer group. The fair value of performance share awards is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Whether the performance shares are earned depends upon the participant’s continued employment through the performance period (except in the case of specific types of terminations) and our performance against three-year goals set at the beginning of the performance period. Performance goals based on various factors must be achieved for any of the performance shares to be earned. If the performance requirements are not met, the performance shares will be forfeited, no compensation cost will be recognized and any previously recognized compensation cost will be reversed. These awards have no maximum contractual term. Dividend equivalents are credited on performance shares outstanding as of the record date. These dividend equivalents are only paid on the shares released. Total performance share awards granted were 0.3 million, 0.3 million and 0.2 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The following is a summary of activity for the nonvested performance share awards:

	Number of	Weighted-
	performance	average grant-date
	share awards	fair value
	(in millions)
Nonvested performance share awards as of January 1, 2023	0.8	$	59.19
Granted	0.3		91.47
Vested	0.2		52.65
Canceled	0.1		65.92
Nonvested performance share awards as of December 31, 2023	0.8	$	71.66

The total intrinsic value of performance share awards vested was $11.0 million, $11.6 million and $4.7 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Performance share awards above represent initial target awards and do not reflect potential increases or decreases resulting from the final performance results to be determined at the end of the respective performance period. The actual number of common shares to be awarded at the end of each performance period will range between 0% and 180% (0% and 150% prior to 2022) of the initial target awards.

The fair value of performance share awards is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model of our common shares on the grant date. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of performance share awards granted during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $91.47, $66.62 and $58.68, respectively.

As of December 31, 2023, we had $15.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested performance share awards granted. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average service period of approximately 1.7 years.

Actual tax benefits realized for the tax deductions for performance share awards paid out under these share-based payment arrangements for 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $7.7 million, $6.4 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

We issue restricted stock units under the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, 2020 Directors Stock Plan, 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2014 Directors Stock Plan, the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2005 Directors Stock Plan, the Stock Incentive Plan, and the Directors Stock Plan. Restricted stock units are treated as an equity award and are paid in shares. These awards have no maximum contractual term. Dividend equivalents are credited on restricted stock units outstanding as of the record date. These dividend equivalents are only paid on the shares released. Restricted stock units granted were 0.9 million, 1.3 million and 1.1 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Restricted stock units were issued to certain employees and agents pursuant to the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, 2014 Stock Incentive Plan, the Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan and Stock Incentive Plan. Under these plans, awards have graded or cliff vesting over a three-year service period. When service for PFG ceases (except in the case of specific types of terminations), all vesting stops and unvested units are forfeited.

Pursuant to the 2021 Stock Incentive Plan, 2020 Directors Stock Plan, 2014 Directors Stock Plan and the 2005 Directors Stock Plan, restricted stock units are granted to each non-employee director in office immediately following each annual meeting of stockholders and, at the discretion of the Board Nominating and Governance Committee, to each person who becomes a member of the Board other than on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders. Under these plans, awards are granted on an annual basis and cliff vest after a one-year service period. When service to PFG ceases, all vesting stops and unvested units are forfeited.

The following is a summary of activity for the nonvested restricted stock units:

	Number of	Weighted-
	restricted	average grant-date
	stock units	fair value
	(in millions)
Nonvested restricted stock units as of January 1, 2023	3.2	$	60.69
Granted	0.9		87.71
Vested	1.0		51.70
Canceled	0.1		73.13
Nonvested restricted stock units as of December 31, 2023	3.0	$	71.83

The total intrinsic value of restricted stock units vested was $102.8 million, $81.1 million and $51.7 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the closing stock price of our common shares on the grant date. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of restricted stock units granted during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $87.71, $70.29 and $59.17, respectively.

As of December 31, 2023, we had $68.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock unit awards granted under these plans. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.5 years.

The actual tax benefits realized for the tax deductions for restricted stock unit payouts under these share-based payment arrangements for 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $35.9 million, $27.0 million and $17.8 million, respectively.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan, participating employees have the opportunity to purchase shares of our common stock on a quarterly basis. Employees may purchase up to $25,000 in stock value annually. Employees may purchase shares of our common stock at a price equal to 90% of the shares’ fair market value as of the end of the purchase period. Prior to 2022, employees were able to purchase shares of our common stock at a price equal to 85% of the shares’ fair market value as of the beginning or end of the purchase period, whichever was lower. Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, employees purchased 0.5 million, 0.6 million and 1.0 million shares during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

We recognize compensation expense for the fair value of the discount granted to employees participating in the employee stock purchase plan in the period of grant. Shares of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan are treated as an equity award. The weighted-average fair value of the discount on the stock purchased was $7.49, $7.31 and $15.64 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The total intrinsic value of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan shares settled was $3.6 million, $4.1 million and $15.3 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Cash received from shares issued under these share-based payment arrangements for 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $32.8 million, $37.3 million and $46.5 million, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions for the settlement of the share-based payment arrangements for 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $0.3 million, $0.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2023, a total of 3.0 million of new shares were available to be made issuable by us for this plan.