-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, EMmGh/79ek1vKl5wOkU8txnhSN9dgBNE1mIBdZGmSUsG1GNa01bzbPl3T6NbZqc7 noQBUst1Pu/+HoymevQ8rA== 0001157523-06-005512.txt : 20060523 0001157523-06-005512.hdr.sgml : 20060523 20060523172400 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001157523-06-005512 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060517 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20060523 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060523 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000787784 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES [8051] IRS NUMBER: 621674303 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TN FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-13031 FILM NUMBER: 06862245 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 111 WESTWOOD PLACE STREET 2: SUITE 202 CITY: BRENTWOOD STATE: TN ZIP: 37027 BUSINESS PHONE: 6152212250 8-K 1 a5155520.txt AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION 8-K UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 ---------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 23, 2006 (May 17, 2006) AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Tennessee 01-13031 62-1674303 - -------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------- (State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer of Incorporation) Identification No.) 111 Westwood Place, Suite 200, Brentwood, TN 37027 - -------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (615) 221-2250 Not Applicable - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): |_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |_| Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |_| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) Item 1.01. Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") of American Retirement Corporation (the "Company") held on May 17, 2006, the Company's shareholders approved the American Retirement Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Stock Incentive Plan"). The Stock Incentive Plan authorizes awards in respect of an aggregate of 4,000,000 shares. The Stock Incentive Plan is effective as of May 17, 2006 and replaces the Company's 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "1997 Plan"), under which plan the Board will not issue further grants. The following is a brief summary of the principal features of the Stock Incentive Plan, which is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Stock Incentive Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference. Shares Available for Awards under the Plan. Under the Stock Incentive Plan, awards may be made in common stock of the Company. Subject to adjustment as provided by the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan, the maximum number of shares of common stock with respect to which awards may be granted under the Stock Incentive Plan is 4,000,000 (which includes 1,019,857 shares under the 1997 Plan that were authorized but not granted). Except as adjusted in accordance with the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan, no more than 4,000,000 shares of common stock authorized under the Stock Incentive Plan may be awarded as incentive stock options and no more than 2,000,000 shares of common stock authorized under the Stock Incentive Plan may be awarded as awards other than options. The maximum number of shares with respect to which awards may be granted under the Stock Incentive Plan shall be increased by the number of shares with respect to which options or other awards were granted under the 1997 Plan as of the effective date of the Stock Incentive Plan, but which terminate, expire unexercised, or are settled for cash, forfeited or cancelled or withheld without delivery of the shares under the terms of the 1997 Plan after the effective date of the Stock Incentive Plan. The aggregate number of shares with respect to which awards may be granted under the Stock Incentive Plan (and the number of restricted shares which may be granted under the Stock Incentive Plan) shall, upon the consummation of certain equity issuances (such as a public offering of additional shares of common stock) increase automatically by ten percent (10%) of the number of shares issued in the equity issuance. Shares of common stock subject to an award under the Stock Incentive Plan that are cancelled, expire unexercised, forfeited, settled in cash or otherwise terminated without delivery of the shares remain available for awards under the Stock Incentive Plan. Shares of common stock issued under the Stock Incentive Plan may be either newly issued shares or shares which have been reacquired by the Company. Shares issued by the Company as substitute awards granted solely in connection with the assumption of outstanding awards previously granted by a company acquired by the Company, or with which the Company combines, ("Substitute Awards") do not reduce the number of shares available for awards under the Stock Incentive Plan. In addition, the Stock Incentive Plan imposes individual limitations on the amount of certain awards in order to comply with Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Under these limitations, no single participant may receive options or stock appreciation rights ("SARs") in any calendar year that, taken together, relate to more than 200,000 shares of common stock, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. With certain limitations, awards made under the Stock Incentive Plan may be adjusted by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Committee") in its discretion or to prevent dilution or enlargement of benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Stock Incentive Plan in the event of any stock dividend, reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, combination, merger, consolidation, change in laws, regulations or accounting principles or other relevant unusual or nonrecurring event affecting the Company. Eligibility and Administration. Current and prospective officers and employees, and directors of, and consultants to, the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates are eligible to be granted awards under the Stock Incentive Plan. The Committee will administer the Stock Incentive Plan, except with respect to awards to non-employee directors, for which the Stock Incentive Plan will be administered by the Board. The Committee will be composed of not less than two non-employee directors, each of whom will be a "Non-Employee Director" for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and Rule 16b-3 thereunder, an "outside director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) and the regulations promulgated under the Code and will be an independent director as defined by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Subject to the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan, the Committee is authorized to select participants, determine the type and number of awards to be granted, determine and later amend (subject to certain limitations) the terms and conditions of any award, interpret and specify the rules and regulations relating to the Stock Incentive Plan, and make all other determinations which may be necessary or desirable for the administration of the Stock Incentive Plan. Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee is authorized to grant stock options, including both incentive stock options, which can result in potentially favorable tax treatment to the participant, and non-qualified stock options. The Committee may specify the terms of such grants subject to the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan. The Committee is also authorized to grant SARs, either with or without a related option. The exercise price per share subject to an option is determined by the Committee, but may not be less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of the grant, except in the case of Substitute Awards. The maximum term of each option or SAR, the times at which each option or SAR will be exercisable, and the provisions requiring forfeiture of unexercised options at or following termination of employment generally are fixed by the Committee, except that no option or SAR relating to an option may have a term exceeding ten years. Incentive stock options that are granted to holders of more than ten percent of the Company's voting securities are subject to certain additional restrictions, including a five-year maximum term and a minimum exercise price of 110% of fair market value. A stock option or SAR may be exercised in whole or in part at any time, with respect to whole shares only, within the period permitted thereunder for the exercise thereof. Stock options and SARs shall be exercised by written notice of intent to exercise the stock option or SAR and, with respect to options, payment in full to the Company of the amount of the option price for the number of shares with respect to which the option is then being exercised. Payment of the option price must be made in cash or cash equivalents, or, at the discretion of the Committee, (i) by transfer, either actually or by attestation, to the Company of shares that have been held by the participant for at least six months (or such lesser period as may be permitted by the Committee) which have a fair market value on the date of exercise equal to the option price, together with any applicable withholding taxes, or (ii) by a combination of such cash or cash equivalents and such shares; provided, however, that a participant is not entitled to tender shares pursuant to successive, substantially simultaneous exercises of any stock option of the Company. Subject to applicable securities laws and Company policy, the Company may permit an option to be exercised by delivering a notice of exercise and simultaneously selling the shares thereby acquired, pursuant to a brokerage or similar agreement approved in advance by proper officers of the Company, using the proceeds of such sale as payment of the option price, together with any applicable withholding taxes. Until the participant has been issued the shares subject to such exercise, he or she shall possess no rights as a shareholder with respect to such shares. Restricted Shares and Restricted Share Units. The Committee is authorized to grant restricted shares of common stock and restricted share units. Restricted shares are shares of common stock subject to transfer restrictions as well as forfeiture upon certain terminations of employment prior to the end of a restricted period or other conditions specified by the Committee in the award agreement. A participant granted restricted shares of common stock generally has most of the rights of a shareholder of the Company with respect to the restricted shares, including the right to receive dividends and the right to vote such shares. None of the restricted shares may be transferred, encumbered or disposed of during the restricted period or until after fulfillment of the restrictive conditions. Each restricted share unit has a value equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. The Committee determines, in its sole discretion, the restrictions applicable to the restricted share units. A participant will be credited with dividend equivalents on any vested restricted share units at the time of any payment of dividends to shareholders on shares of common stock. Except as determined otherwise by the Committee, restricted share units may not be transferred, encumbered or disposed of, and such units shall terminate, without further obligation on the part of the Company, unless the participant remains in continuous employment of the Company for the restricted period and any other restrictive conditions relating to the restricted share units are met. Performance Awards. A performance award consists of a right that is denominated in cash or shares of common stock, valued in accordance with the achievement of certain performance goals during certain performance periods as established by the Committee, and payable at such time and in such form as the Committee shall determine. Performance awards may be paid in a lump sum or in installments following the close of a performance period or on a deferred basis, as determined by the Committee. Termination of employment prior to the end of any performance period, other than for reasons of death or total disability, will result in the forfeiture of the performance award. A participant's rights to any performance award may not be transferred, encumbered or disposed of in any manner, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Performance awards are subject to certain specific terms and conditions under the Stock Incentive Plan. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the relevant award agreement, each award granted to a Covered Officer under the Stock Incentive Plan is intended to be performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m). Performance goals for Covered Officers will be limited to one or more of the following financial performance measures relating to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, operating units, business segments or divisions: (a) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and/or rent; (b) not operating income or profit (including or excluding entry fee income); (c) operating efficiencies (including but not limited to same store sales and occupancy rates); (d) return on equity, assets, capital, capital employed or investment; (e) after tax or pre-tax operating income; (f) net income; (g) earnings or book value per share (or fully diluted share); (h) cash flow(s), operating cash flow(s), cash earnings or net resale cash flows; (i) total sales or revenues (including those from specified sources such as entry fee sales); (j) capital expenditures; (k) stock price or total shareholder return; (l) dividends; (m) debt reduction; (n) strategic business objectives, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified cost targets, business expansion goals (such as net move-ins), and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures; (o) enterprise value; or (p) any combination thereof. Each goal may be expressed on an absolute and/or relative basis, may be based on or otherwise employ comparisons based on internal targets, the past performance of the Company or any subsidiary, operating unit (such as the Company's communities), business segment or division of the Company (whether or not consolidated and whether or not created solely for performance measurement purposes) and/or the past or current performance of other companies, and in the case of earnings-based measures, may use or employ comparisons relating to capital, shareholders' equity and/or shares outstanding; or to assets or net assets. The Committee may appropriately adjust any evaluation of performance under criteria set forth in the Stock Incentive Plan to exclude any of the following events that occurs during a performance period: (i) asset write-downs, (ii) litigation or claim judgments or settlements, (iii) the effect of changes in tax law, accounting principles or other such laws or provisions affecting reported results, (iv) accruals for reorganization and restructuring programs and (v) any extraordinary non-recurring items as described in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 30 and/or in management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company's annual report to shareholders for the applicable year. To the extent necessary to comply with Section 162(m) of the Code, with respect to grants of performance awards, no later than 90 days following the commencement of each performance period (or such other time as may be required or permitted by Section 162(m)), the Committee will, in writing, (1) select the performance goal or goals applicable to the performance period, (2) establish the various targets and bonus amounts which may be earned for such performance period, and (3) specify the relationship between performance goals and targets and the amounts to be earned by each Covered Officer for such performance period. Following the completion of each performance period, the Committee will certify in writing whether the applicable performance targets have been achieved and the amounts, if any, payable to Covered Officers for such performance period. In determining the amount earned by a Covered Officer for a given performance period, subject to any applicable award agreement, the Committee shall have the right to reduce (but not increase) the amount payable at a given level of performance to take into account additional factors that the Committee may deem relevant to the assessment of individual or corporate performance for the performance period. With respect to any Covered Officer, the maximum annual number of shares in respect of which all performance awards may be granted under the Stock Incentive Plan is 300,000 and the maximum annual amount of all performance awards that are settled in cash is $3,000,000. Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is authorized to grant any other type of awards that are denominated or payable in, valued by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to shares of common stock. The Committee will determine the terms and conditions of such awards, consistent with the terms of the Stock Incentive Plan. Non-Employee Director Awards. The Board may provide that all or a portion of a non-employee director's annual retainer, meeting fees and/or other awards or compensation as determined by the Board be payable in non-qualified stock options, restricted shares, restricted share units and/or other stock-based awards, including unrestricted shares, either automatically or at the option of the non-employee directors. The Board will determine the terms and conditions of any such awards, including those that apply upon the termination of a non-employee director's service as a member of the Board. Termination of Employment. The Committee will determine the terms and conditions that apply to any award upon the termination of employment with the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, and provide such terms in the applicable award agreement or in its rules or regulations. Change in Control. Unless otherwise provided in an award agreement or other contractual agreement between the Company and an award holder, if, within 18 months following a Change in Control (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan), an award holder's employment with the Company (or its successor) is terminated because of death, disability, Good Reason (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan), or by the Company for any reason other than for Cause (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan), all outstanding awards vest, become immediately exercisable and payable and have all restrictions lifted. Amendment and Termination. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Stock Incentive Plan or any portion of the Stock Incentive Plan at any time, except that shareholder approval must be obtained for any such action if such approval is necessary to comply with any tax or regulatory requirement with which the Board deems it desirable or necessary to comply. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate any award, either prospectively or retroactively. The Committee does not have the power, however, to amend the terms of previously granted options to reduce the exercise price per share subject to such option or to cancel such options and grant substitute options with a lower exercise price per share than the cancelled options. The Committee also may not materially and adversely affect the rights of any award holder without the award holder's consent. The Committee may also make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, awards under the Stock Incentive Plan in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or its financial statements or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan. The Committee may also cancel, rescind, or other limit or restrict any unexpired, unpaid or deferred awards under the Stock Incentive Plan at any time if a participant does not comply with all applicable provisions of the award agreement and the Stock Incentive Plan, or if the participant engages in Detrimental Activity (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan). In addition, the Committee may provide in an award agreement that if during the period beginning on the grant date and continuing through a date that is five years following the later of the exercise or vesting of an award, the participant engages in any Detrimental Activity, the participant will forfeit any gain realized on the vesting or exercise of the award and must repay any gain to the Company. Other Terms of Awards. The Company may take action, including the withholding of amounts from any award made under the Stock Incentive Plan, to satisfy withholding and other tax obligations. The Committee may provide for additional cash payments to participants to defray any tax arising from the grant, vesting, exercise or payment of any award. Except as permitted by the applicable award agreement, awards granted under the Stock Incentive Plan generally may not be pledged or otherwise encumbered and are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or as permitted by the Committee in its discretion. Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences. The following is a brief description of the Federal income tax consequences generally arising with respect to awards under the Stock Incentive Plan. Tax consequences to the Company and to participants receiving awards will vary with the type of award. Generally, a participant will not recognize income, and the Company is not entitled to take a deduction, upon the grant of an incentive stock option, a nonqualified option, a SAR, or a restricted share or restricted share unit award. A participant will not have taxable income upon exercising an incentive stock option (except that the alternative minimum tax may apply). Upon exercising an option other than an incentive stock option, the participant generally must recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the exercise price and fair market value of the freely transferable and non-forfeitable shares of common stock acquired on the date of exercise. If a participant sells shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option before the end of two years from the date of grant or one year from the date of exercise, the participant generally must recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value of the shares of common stock at the date of exercise of the incentive stock option (or, if less, the amount realized upon the disposition of the shares), and (ii) the exercise price. Otherwise, a participant's disposition of shares of common stock acquired upon the exercise of an option (including an incentive stock option for which the incentive stock option holding period is met) generally will result in short-term or long-term capital gain or loss measured by the difference between the sale price and the participant's tax basis in the shares of common stock. A participant's tax basis generally will be the sum of the exercise price of the option plus any amount previously recognized as ordinary income in connection with the exercise of the option. The Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the amount recognized as ordinary income by the participant in connection with an option. The Company generally is not entitled to a tax deduction relating to amounts that represent a capital gain to a participant. Accordingly, the Company will not be entitled to any tax deduction with respect to an incentive stock option if the participant holds the shares of common stock for the incentive stock option holding period prior to disposition of the shares. Similarly, the exercise of a SAR will result in the participant recognizing ordinary income on the value of the SAR at the time of exercise. The Company will be allowed a deduction for the amount of ordinary income recognized by a participant with respect to a SAR. Upon a grant of restricted shares, the participant will recognize ordinary income on the fair market value of the common stock at the time shares of restricted stock vest unless a participant makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed at the time of grant. The participant also is subject to capital gains treatment on the subsequent sale of any common stock acquired through the exercise of a SAR or restricted share award. For this purpose, the participant's basis in the common stock is its fair market value at the time the SAR is exercised or the restricted shares become vested (or at the time of grant, if an election under Section 83(b) is made). Payments made under performance awards are taxable as ordinary income at the time an individual attains the performance goals and the payments are made available to, and are transferable by, the participant. Section 162(m) of the Code generally disallows a public company's tax deduction for compensation paid in excess of $1 million in any tax year to its five most highly compensated executives. However, compensation that qualifies as "performance-based compensation" is excluded from this $1 million deduction limit and therefore remains fully deductible by the company that pays it. The Company intends that (i) performance awards and (ii) options granted (a) with an exercise price at least equal to 100% of fair market value of the underlying shares of common stock at the date of grant and (b) to employees the Committee expects to be named executive officers at the time a deduction arises in connection with such awards, qualify as "performance-based compensation" so that these awards will not be subject to the Section 162(m) deduction limitations. The foregoing discussion is general in nature and is not intended to be a complete description of the federal income tax consequences of the Stock Incentive Plan. This discussion does not address the effects of other federal taxes or taxes imposed under state, local or foreign tax laws. Participants in the Stock Incentive Plan are urged to consult a tax advisor as to the tax consequences of participation. The Stock Incentive Plan is not intended to be a "qualified plan" under Section 401(a) of the Code. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits. Exhibits 10.1 American Retirement Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference as Appendix B to the Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 17, 2006) 10.2 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Officers and Employees) 10.3 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Directors) 10.4 Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (Officers and Employees) 10.5 Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (Directors) SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION Date: May 23, 2006 By: /s/ Bryan D. Richardson ------------------------------- Bryan D. Richardson Executive Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer EXHIBIT INDEX 10.1 American Retirement Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference as Appendix B to the Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 17, 2006) 10.2 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Officers and Employees) 10.3 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Directors) 10.4 Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (Officers and Employees) 10.5 Form of Restricted Share Award Agreement (Directors) EX-10.2 2 a5155520ex10_2.txt EXHIBIT 10.2 Exhibit 10.2 AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT THIS NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of this _____ day of _______________, 200__ (the "Grant Date"), by and between American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation (together with its Subsidiaries and Affiliates where applicable, the "Company"), and the person whose name is set forth on the attached Optionee Grant Detail Statement (the "Optionee"). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the American Retirement Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Plan, which permits the issuance of stock options for the purchase of shares of the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of American Retirement Corporation (the "Shares"); and WHEREAS, the Company desires to afford the Optionee an opportunity to purchase Shares as hereinafter provided in accordance with the provisions of the Plan; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: 1. Grant of Option. (a) The Company grants as of the date of this Agreement the right and option (the "Option") to purchase any or all of the __________ Shares (the "Option Stock") set forth on the attached Optionee Grant Detail Statement, at an exercise price also set forth on the Optionee Grant Detail Statement, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and subject to all provisions of the Plan. The Optionee, holder or beneficiary of the Option shall not have any of the rights of a shareholder with respect to the Option Stock until such person has become a holder of such Shares by the due exercise of the Option and payment of the Option Payment (as defined in Section 3 below) in accordance with this Agreement. (b) The Option shall be a non-qualified stock option. In order to provide the Company with the opportunity to claim the benefit of any income tax deduction which may be available to it upon the exercise of the Option, and in order to comply with all applicable federal or state tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to insure that, if necessary, all applicable federal, state or other taxes are withheld or collected from the Optionee. 2. Exercise of Option. Except as otherwise provided herein, your Option shall become vested and exercisable in accordance with the Optionee Grant Detail Statement attached hereto if and only if you have been continuously employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from the date of this Agreement through and including the date of exercise. Notwithstanding the above, each outstanding Option shall vest and become exercisable in full upon the event of Optionee's death or Disability. 3. Manner of Exercise. The Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time within the period permitted hereunder for the exercise of the Option, with respect to whole Shares only, by serving written notice of intent to exercise the Option delivered to the Company at its principal office (or to the Company's designated agent), stating the number of Shares to be purchased, the person or persons in whose name the Shares are to be registered and each such person's address and social security number. Such notice shall not be effective unless accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price for the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is then being exercised (the "Option Payment") and cash equal to the required withholding taxes as set forth by Internal Revenue Service and applicable State tax guidelines for the employer's minimum statutory withholding. The Option Payment shall be made in cash or cash equivalents or in whole Shares that have been held by the Optionee for at least six (6) months prior to the date of exercise valued at the Shares' Fair Market Value on the date of exercise (or next succeeding trading date if the date of exercise is not a trading date) or the actual sales price of such Shares, together with any applicable withholding taxes, or by a combination of such cash (or cash equivalents) and Shares. The Optionee shall not be entitled to tender Shares pursuant to successive, substantially simultaneous exercises of the Option or any other stock option of the Company. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Optionee may also exercise the Option by delivering a notice of exercise of the Option and by simultaneously selling the Shares of Option Stock thereby acquired pursuant to a brokerage or similar agreement approved in advance by proper officers of the Company, using the proceeds of such sale as payment of the Option Payment, together with any applicable withholding taxes. 4. Termination of Option. The Option will expire ten (10) years from the date of grant of the Option (the "Term") with respect to any then unexercised portion thereof, unless terminated earlier as set forth below: (a) Termination by Death. If the Optionee's employment by the Company terminates by reason of death, or if the Optionee dies within three (3) months after termination of such employment for any reason other than Cause, this Option may thereafter be exercised by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the Optionee under the will of the Optionee, until the expiration of the Term of the Option. (b) Termination by Reason of Disability. If the Optionee's employment by the Company terminates by reason of Disability, this Option may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee or personal representative or guardian of the Optionee, as applicable, until the expiration of the Term of the Option. (c) Termination by Normal Retirement or Early Retirement. If Optionee's employment by the Company terminates by reason of Normal Retirement or Early Retirement, this Option may thereafter be exercised by the Optionee, until the expiration of the Term of the Option. "Early Retirement" means retirement with the express consent of the Company at or before the time of such retirement, from active employment with the Company prior to age sixty (60), in accordance with any applicable early retirement policy of the Company then in effect. "Normal Retirement" means retirement from active employment with the Company on or after age sixty (60). (d) Termination for Cause. If the Optionee's employment by the Company is terminated for Cause, this Option shall terminate immediately and become void and of no effect. (e) Other Termination. If the Optionee's employment by the Company is terminated for any reason other than for Cause, death, Disability or Normal Retirement or Early Retirement, this Option may be exercised, to the extent the Option was exercisable at the time of such termination, by the Optionee for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of such termination of employment or the expiration of the Term of the Option, whichever period is the shorter. 5. No Right to Continued Employment. The grant of the Option shall not be construed as giving Optionee the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or its Subsidiaries, and the Company or its Subsidiaries may at any time dismiss Optionee from employment, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan. 2 6. Adjustment to Option Stock. The Committee shall make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, this Option in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.2 of the Plan) affecting the Company or the financial statements of the Company or of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan. 7. Amendments to Option. Subject to the restrictions contained in the Plan, the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, the Option, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would adversely affect the rights of the Optionee or any holder or beneficiary of the Option shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the Optionee, holder or beneficiary affected. 8. Limited Transferability. During the Optionee's lifetime this Option can be exercised only by the Optionee, except as otherwise provided in Section 4(a) above or in this Section 8. This Option may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempt to otherwise transfer this Option shall be void. No transfer of this Option by the Optionee by will or by laws of descent and distribution shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Company shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and an authenticated copy of the will and/or such other evidence as the Committee may deem necessary or appropriate to establish the validity of the transfer. 9. Reservation of Shares. At all times during the term of this Option, the Company shall use its best efforts to reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement. 10. Plan Governs. The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof. The terms of this Agreement are governed by the terms of the Plan, and in the case of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to in the Plan. 11. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is, or becomes, or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or the Award, or would disqualify the Plan or Award under any laws deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and Award shall remain in full force and effect. 12. Notices. All notices required to be given under this Option shall be deemed to be received if delivered or mailed as provided for herein to the parties at the following addresses, or to such other address as either party may provide in writing from time to time. To the Company: American Retirement Corporation 111 Westwood Place, Suite 200 Brentwood, Tennessee 37027 Attn: Corporate Secretary 3 To the Optionee: The address then maintained with respect to the Optionee in the Company's records. 13. Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles. 14. Resolution of Disputes. Any dispute or disagreement which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any way related to, the interpretation, construction or application of this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee. Any determination made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Optionee and the Company for all purposes. 15. Successors in Interest. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Optionee's legal representative and assignees. All obligations imposed upon the Optionee and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Optionee's heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assignees. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement to be duly executed effective as of the day and year first above written. AMERRICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION By: --------------------------------------- Optionee: ------------------------------------------ Please Print Optionee: ------------------------------------------ Signature 4 EX-10.3 3 a5155520ex10_3.txt EXHIBIT 10.3 Exhibit 10.3 AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT THIS NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made and entered into this _____ day of _______________, _____, by and between AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION, a Tennessee corporation (the "Company"), and ____________________ (the "Optionee"). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the American Retirement Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan"). WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Plan pursuant to which the Company is authorized to grant directors of the Company options to purchase shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"); and WHEREAS, the Company desires to afford the Optionee an opportunity to purchase Common Stock as hereinafter provided in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: 1. Grant of Option. The Company hereby grants to Optionee a Non-Qualified Stock Option (the "Option"), exercisable in whole or in part, to purchase __________ shares of the Company's Common Stock for an exercise price of $_______________ per share (which equals the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant) on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and subject to all provisions of the Plan. In order to provide the Company with the opportunity to claim the benefit of any income tax deduction which may be available to it upon the exercise of the Option, and in order to comply with all applicable federal or state tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to insure that, if necessary, all applicable federal, state or other taxes are withheld or collected from the Optionee. 2. Option Plan. The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Option is granted under the Plan and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan. In the event any of the provisions hereof conflict with or are inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall be controlling. Any capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan. 3. Timing of Exercise. The option will fully vest and become exercisable on the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on __________________, provided the Optionee has been a member of the Board until such date (whether or not the Optionee will remain a director following such date). In the event of a Change in Control, the Option, to the extent not previously exercisable and vested, will be exercisable and fully vested automatically. The Option will expire ten years from the date of grant of the Option with respect to any then unexercised portion thereof, unless terminated earlier pursuant to Section 6 below. 4. Manner of Exercise. The Option shall be exercised by the Optionee (or other party entitled to exercise the Option as otherwise provided in this Agreement) by delivering written notice to the Company stating the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased, the person or persons in whose name the shares are to be registered and each such person's address and social security number. Such notice shall not be effective unless accompanied by the full purchase price for all shares so purchased. The purchase price shall be payable in cash (payment in currency or by certified check, cashier's check, postal money order or wire transfer shall be considered payment in cash), in the form of shares of Common Stock already owned by the Optionee and held for at least six (6) months prior to the exercise date, or such other method of payment as the Board may accept. In the event of payment by shares of Common Stock, the shares used in payment of the purchase price shall be considered payment to the extent of their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of the Option. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Optionee may also exercise the Option by delivering a notice of exercise of the Option and by simultaneously selling the Shares of Option Stock thereby acquired pursuant to a brokerage or similar agreement approved in advance by proper officers of the Company, using the proceeds of such sale as payment of the Option Payment. 5. Limited Transferability. During the Optionee's lifetime this Option can be exercised only by the Optionee, except as otherwise provided in Section 6(a) or in this Section 5. This Option may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by Optionee other than (i) to a Permitted Transferee or (ii) by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempt to otherwise transfer this Option shall be void. No transfer of this Option by the Optionee by will or by laws of descent and distribution shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Company shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and an authenticated copy of the will and/or such other evidence as the Board may deem necessary or appropriate to establish the validity of the transfer. Any transfer of this Option by the Optionee to a Permitted Transferee must be for no consideration and, after the transfer, the Permitted Transferee shall have the sole responsibility for determining whether and when to exercise the Option. A Permitted Transferee may not transfer any such Option other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. For purposes of this Agreement, "Permitted Transferee" means the Optionee's Immediate Family, a Permitted Trust or a partnership of which the only partners are Permitted Trusts and members of the Optionee's Immediate Family. For purposes of this Agreement, "Immediate Family" means the Optionee's children and grandchildren, including adopted children and grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, stepparents, grandparents, spouse (including a former spouse pursuant to the terms of a court order), siblings (including half brothers and sisters), father-in-law, mother-in-law, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Permitted Trust" means a trust solely for the benefit of the Optionee or Optionee's Immediate Family. 2 6. Termination of Service as a Director. Upon termination of the Optionee's service as a director of the Company, (i) this Option, to the extent then vested and exercisable, will remain vested and exercisable through the expiration date and (ii) any portion of this Option that would have vested and become exercisable within a period of less than twelve months following the date of the termination of Optionee's service as a director shall become vested and exercisable through the expiration date. Any unvested Options held by the Optionee on the date of termination of service will be forfeited to the extent such shares would not have become vested and exercisable until at least twelve months from the date of termination of service. 7. Restrictions on Purchase and Sale of Shares. The Company shall be obligated to sell or issue shares pursuant to the exercise of the Option only in the event that the shares are at that time effectively registered or otherwise exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). In the event that the shares are not registered under the 1933 Act, the Optionee hereby agrees that, as a further condition to the exercise of the Option, the Optionee (or his successor under Section 6 hereof), if the Company so requests, will execute an agreement in form satisfactory to the Company in which the Optionee represents that he or she is purchasing the shares for investment purposes, and not with a view to resale or distribution. The Optionee further agrees that if the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon the exercise of the Option are not subject to an effective registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, such shares shall bear an appropriate restrictive legend. 8. Adjustment. Subject to the restrictions contained in Sections 4.2 and 14 of the Plan, the Board may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, the Option, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would adversely affect the rights of the Optionee or any holder or beneficiary of the Option shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the Optionee, holder or beneficiary affected. 9. No Rights Until Exercise. The Optionee shall have no rights hereunder as a shareholder with respect to any shares subject to the Option until the date of the issuance of a stock certificate to him or her for such shares upon due exercise of the Option. Nothing contained herein shall create an obligation on the part of the Company to repurchase any shares of Common Stock purchased hereunder. 10. Amendment. The Board may amend the terms of the Option, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to Section 8 above, no such amendment shall impair the rights of the Optionee hereunder without the Optionee' s consent. 11. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is, or becomes, or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or the Award, or would disqualify the Plan or Award under any laws deemed applicable by the Board, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Board, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and Award shall remain in full force and effect. 3 12. Notices. Any notice or communication having to do with this Agreement must be given by personal delivery or by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed, if to the Company, to the principal office of the Company, and, if to the Grantee, to the Grantee's last known address provided by the Grantee to the Company. 13. Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles. 14. Resolution of Disputes. Any dispute or disagreement which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any way related to, the interpretation, construction or application of this Agreement shall be determined by the Board. Any determination made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Optionee and the Company for all purposes. 15. Successors in Interest. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Optionee's legal representative and assignees. All obligations imposed upon the Optionee and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Optionee's heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assignees. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Stock Option Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written. AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION By: ------------------------------------- Title: OPTIONEE: ---------------------------------------- --------------------------------- 4 EX-10.4 4 a5155520ex10_4.txt EXHIBIT 10.4 Exhibit 10.4 AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT (Officer and Employee) THIS RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of the _____ day of _______________, 200__ (the "Grant Date"), between American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation, (together with its Subsidiaries, the "Company"), and ________________________________ (the "Grantee"). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the American Retirement Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Plan, which permits the issuance of restricted shares of the common stock of American Retirement Corporation, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"); and WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, the Committee responsible for administering the Plan has granted an award of restricted shares to the Grantee as provided herein; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: 1. Grant of Restricted Shares. (a) The Company hereby grants to the Grantee an award (the "Award") of _______________ shares of Common Stock (the "Shares" or the "Restricted Shares") on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and as otherwise provided in the Plan. (b) The Grantee's rights with respect to the Award shall remain forfeitable at all times prior to the dates on which the restrictions shall lapse in accordance with Sections 2 and 3 hereof. 2. Terms and Rights as a Stockholder. (a) Except as provided herein and subject to such other exceptions as may be determined by the Committee in its discretion, the "Restricted Period" for ____________ (___%) of the Restricted Shares granted herein shall expire on the each of the succeeding _______ (___) anniversaries of the date hereof. (b) The Grantee shall have all rights of a stockholder with respect to the Restricted Shares, including the right to receive dividends and the right to vote such Shares, subject to the following restrictions: (i) the Grantee shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate for any Shares until the expiration of the Restricted Period as to such Shares; (ii) none of the Restricted Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period as to such Shares; and (iii) except as otherwise determined by the Committee at or after the grant of the Award hereunder, any Restricted Shares as to which the applicable "Restricted Period" has not expired shall be forfeited, and all rights of the Grantee to such Shares shall terminate, without further obligation on the part of the Company, unless the Grantee remains in the continuous employment of the Company or its Subsidiaries for the entire Restricted Period. (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Restricted Period shall automatically terminate as to all Restricted Shares awarded hereunder (as to which such Restricted Period has not previously terminated) upon the occurrence of termination of the Grantee's employment from the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliate which results from Grantee's death or Disability (to be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee). Any Shares, any other securities of the Company and any other property (except for cash dividends) distributed with respect to the Restricted Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions, terms and conditions as such Restricted Shares. 3. Termination of Restrictions. Following the termination of the Restricted Period, all restrictions set forth in this Agreement or in the Plan relating to such portion or all, as applicable, of the Restricted Shares shall lapse as to such portion or all, as applicable, of the Restricted Shares, and a stock certificate for the appropriate number of Shares, free of the restrictions and restrictive stock legend (but subject to any legend appropriate under securities laws), shall, upon request, be delivered to the Grantee pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. 4. Delivery of Shares. (a) As of the date hereof, certificates representing the Restricted Shares shall be registered in the name of the Grantee and held by the Company or transferred to a custodian appointed by the Company for the account of the Grantee subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and shall remain in the custody of the Company or such custodian until their delivery to the Grantee as set forth in Section 4(b) hereof or their forfeiture or reversion to the Company as set forth in Section 2(b) hereof. (b) Certificates representing Restricted Shares in respect of which the applicable Restricted Period has lapsed pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered to the Grantee upon request following the date on which the restrictions on such Restricted Shares lapse. (c) Each certificate representing Restricted Shares shall bear a legend in substantially the following form or substance: 2 THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS (INCLUDING FORFEITURE AND RESTRICTIONS AGAINST TRANSFER) CONTAINED IN THE AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (THE "PLAN") AND THE RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT (THE "AGREEMENT") BETWEEN THE OWNER OF THE RESTRICTED SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY AND AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION (THE "COMPANY"). THE RELEASE OF SUCH SHARES FROM SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS SHALL BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN AND THE AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER APPLICABLE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMPANY, COPIES OF WHICH ARE ON FILE AT THE COMPANY. 5. Effect of Lapse of Restrictions. To the extent that the Restricted Period applicable to any Restricted Shares shall have lapsed, the Grantee may receive, hold, sell or otherwise dispose of such Shares free and clear of the restrictions imposed under the Plan and this Agreement. 6. No Right to Continued Employment. This Agreement shall not be construed as giving Grantee the right to be retained in the employ of the Company of its Subsidiaries, and the Company or its Subsidiaries may at any time dismiss Grantee from employment, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan but subject to the terms of the Grantee's Employment Agreement, if any. 7. Adjustments. The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, this Award in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.2 of the Plan) affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan. 8. Amendment to Award. Subject to the restrictions contained in the Plan, the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate the Award, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would adversely affect the rights of the Grantee or any holder or beneficiary of the Award shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the Grantee, holder or beneficiary affected. 9. Withholding of Taxes. If the Grantee makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the Award, the Award made pursuant to this Agreement shall be conditioned upon the prompt payment to the Company of any applicable withholding obligations or withholding taxes by the Grantee ("Withholding Taxes"). Failure by the Grantee to pay such Withholding Taxes will render this Agreement and the Award granted hereunder null and void ab initio and the Restricted Shares granted hereunder will be immediately cancelled. If 3 the Grantee does not make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the Award, upon the lapse of the Restricted Period with respect to any portion of Restricted Shares (or property distributed with respect thereto), the Company shall satisfy the required Withholding Taxes as set forth by Internal Revenue Service guidelines for the employer's minimum statutory withholding with respect to Grantee and issue vested shares to the Grantee without Restriction. The Company shall satisfy the required Withholding Taxes by withholding from the Shares included in the Award that number of whole shares necessary to satisfy such taxes as of the date the restrictions lapse with respect to such Shares based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares. 10. Plan Governs. The Grantee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof. The terms of this Agreement are governed by the terms of the Plan, and in the case of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern. 11. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is, or becomes, or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or the Award, or would disqualify the Plan or Award under any laws deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and Award shall remain in full force and effect. 12. Notices. All notices required to be given under this Grant shall be deemed to be received if delivered or mailed as provided for herein, to the parties at the following addresses, or to such other address as either party may provide in writing from time to time. To the Company: American Retirement Corporation 111 Westwood Place, Suite 200 Brentwood, Tennessee Attn: Corporate Secretary To the Grantee: The address then maintained with respect to the Grantee in the Company's records. 13. Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles. 14. Successors in Interest. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Grantee's legal representatives. All obligations imposed upon the Grantee and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Grantee's heirs, executors, administrators and successors. 4 15. Resolution of Disputes. Any dispute or disagreement which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any way related to, the interpretation, construction or application of this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee. Any determination made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Grantee and the Company for all purposes. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Restricted Share Award Agreement to be duly executed effective as of the day and year first above written. AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION By: -------------------------------------- GRANTEE: ------------------------------------------ Please Print GRANTEE: ------------------------------------------ Signature 5 EX-10.5 5 a5155520ex10_5.txt EXHIBIT 10.5 Exhibit 10.5 AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT (Directors) THIS RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered into as of the _____ day of _______________, 2006 (the "Grant Date"), between American Retirement Corporation, a Tennessee corporation (the "Company"), and ________________________, the "Grantee"). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the American Retirement Corporation 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the Plan, which permits the issuance of restricted shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"); and WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, the Committee responsible for administering the Plan has granted an award of restricted shares to the Grantee as provided herein; NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree as follows: 1. Grant of Restricted Shares. (a) The Company hereby grants to the Grantee an award (the "Award") of _______________ shares of Common Stock of the Company (the "Shares" or the "Restricted Shares") on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and as otherwise provided in the Plan. (b) The Grantee's rights with respect to the Award shall remain forfeitable at all times prior to the dates on which the restrictions shall lapse in accordance with Section 3 hereof. 2. Terms and Rights as a Stockholder. (a) Except as provided herein and subject to such other exceptions as may be determined by the Committee in its discretion, the "Restricted Period" for Restricted Shares granted herein shall expire on the first anniversary of the date hereof. (b) The Grantee shall have all rights of a stockholder with respect to the Restricted Shares, including the right to receive dividends and the right to vote such Shares, subject to the following restrictions: (i) the Grantee shall not be entitled to delivery of the stock certificate for any Shares until the expiration of the Restricted Period as to such Shares; (ii) none of the Restricted Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period as to such Shares; and (iii) except as otherwise determined by the Committee at or after the grant of the Award hereunder, all of the Restricted Shares shall be forfeited, and all rights of the Grantee to such Shares shall terminate, without further obligation on the part of the Company, unless the Grantee continues his/her service as a director of the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliate for the entire Restricted Period. (iv) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Restricted Period shall automatically terminate as to all Restricted Shares awarded hereunder (as to which such Restricted Period has not previously terminated) upon the termination of the Grantee's service as a director of the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliate which results from the Grantee's death or Disability. Any Shares, any other securities of the Company and any other property (except for cash dividends) distributed with respect to the Restricted Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions, terms and conditions as such Restricted Shares. 3. Termination of Restrictions. Following the termination of the Restricted Period, all restrictions set forth in this Agreement or in the Plan relating to the Restricted Shares shall lapse and a stock certificate for the appropriate number of Shares, free of the restrictions and restrictive stock legend, shall, upon request, be delivered to the Grantee or the Grantee's beneficiary or estate, as the case may be, pursuant to the terms of this Agreement. 4. Delivery of Shares. (a) As of the date hereof, certificates representing the Restricted Shares shall be registered in the name of the Grantee and held by the Company or transferred to a custodian appointed by the Company for the account of the Grantee subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and shall remain in the custody of the Company or such custodian until their delivery to the Grantee or Grantee's beneficiary or estate as set forth in Sections 4(b) and (c) hereof or their reversion to the Company as set forth in Section 2(b) hereof. (b) Certificates representing Restricted Shares in respect of which the Restricted Period has lapsed pursuant to this Agreement shall be delivered to the Grantee upon request following the date on which the restrictions on such Restricted Shares lapse. (c) Certificates representing Restricted Shares in respect of which the Restricted Period lapsed upon the Grantee's death shall be delivered to the executors or administrators of the Grantee's estate as soon as practicable following the receipt of proof of the Grantee's death satisfactory to the Company. (d) Each certificate representing Restricted Shares shall bear a legend in substantially the following form or substance: 2 THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE SHARES OF STOCK REPRESENTED HEREBY ARE SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS (INCLUDING FORFEITURE AND RESTRICTIONS AGAINST TRANSFER) CONTAINED IN THE AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (THE "PLAN") AND THE RESTRICTED SHARE AWARD AGREEMENT (THE "AGREEMENT") BETWEEN THE OWNER OF THE RESTRICTED SHARES REPRESENTED HEREBY AND AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION (THE "COMPANY"). THE RELEASE OF SUCH SHARES FROM SUCH TERMS AND CONDITIONS SHALL BE MADE ONLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE PLAN AND THE AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER APPLICABLE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF THE COMPANY, COPIES OF WHICH ARE ON FILE AT THE COMPANY. 5. Effect of Lapse of Restrictions. To the extent that the Restricted Period applicable to any Restricted Shares shall have lapsed, the Grantee may receive, hold, sell or otherwise dispose of such Shares free and clear of the restrictions imposed under the Plan and this Agreement. 6. No Right to Continued Service. This Agreement shall not be construed as giving Grantee the right to continue to service as a director of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, and the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate may at any time dismiss Grantee from service as a director, free from any liability or any claim under the Plan. 7. Adjustments. The Committee may make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, this Award in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, the events described in Section 4.2 of the Plan) affecting the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or the financial statements of the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan. 8. Amendment to Award. Subject to the restrictions contained in the Plan, the Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or alter, suspend, discontinue, cancel or terminate, the Award, prospectively or retroactively; provided that any such waiver, amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuance, cancellation or termination that would adversely affect the rights of the Grantee or any holder or beneficiary of the Award shall not to that extent be effective without the consent of the Grantee, holder or beneficiary affected. 9. Withholding of Taxes. If the Grantee makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the Award, the Award made pursuant to this Agreement shall be conditioned upon the prompt payment to the Company of any applicable withholding obligations or withholding taxes by the Grantee ("Withholding Taxes"). Failure by the Grantee to pay such Withholding Taxes will 3 render this Agreement and the Award granted hereunder null and void ab initio and the Restricted Shares granted hereunder will be immediately cancelled. If the Grantee does not make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the Award, upon the lapse of the Restricted Period with respect to any portion of Restricted Shares (or property distributed with respect thereto), the Company shall satisfy the required Withholding Taxes as set forth by Internal Revenue Service guidelines for the employer's minimum statutory withholding with respect to Grantee and issue vested shares to the Grantee without restriction. The Company shall satisfy the required Withholding Taxes by withholding from the Shares included in the Award that number of whole shares necessary to satisfy such taxes as of the date the restrictions lapse with respect to such Shares based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares. 10. Plan Governs. The Grantee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof. The terms of this Agreement are governed by the terms of the Plan, and in the case of any inconsistency between the terms of this Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall govern. 11. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is, or becomes, or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any Person or the Award, or would disqualify the Plan or Award under any laws deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the applicable laws, or if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and Award shall remain in full force and effect. 12. Notices. All notices required to be given under this Grant shall be deemed to be received if delivered or mailed as provided for herein, to the parties at the following addresses, or to such other address as either party may provide in writing from time to time. To the Company: American Retirement Corporation 111 Westwood Place, Suite 200 Brentwood, Tennessee 37027 Attn: Corporate Secretary To the Grantee: The address then maintained with respect to the Grantee in the Company's records. 13. Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles. 14. Successors in Interest. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor to the Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the Grantee's legal representatives. All obligations imposed upon the Grantee and all rights granted to the Company under this Agreement shall be binding upon the Grantee's heirs, executors, administrators and successors. 4 15. Resolution of Disputes. Any dispute or disagreement which may arise under, or as a result of, or in any way related to, the interpretation, construction or application of this Agreement shall be determined by the Committee. Any determination made hereunder shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Grantee and the Company for all purposes. (remainder of page left blank intentionally) 5 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Restricted Share Award Agreement to be duly executed effective as of the day and year first above written. AMERICAN RETIREMENT CORPORATION By: -------------------------------------- GRANTEE: ------------------------------------------ Please Print GRANTEE: ------------------------------------------ Signature 6 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----