As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 13, 2018
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 62-1411755 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
One Caesars Palace Drive
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Caesars Entertainment Corporation Executive Supplemental Savings Plan III
Caesars Entertainment Corporation Outside Director Deferred Compensation Plan
(Full title of the plans)
Timothy R. Donovan, Esq.
Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Legal, Risk & Security Officer, and Corporate Secretary
Caesars Entertainment Corporation
One Caesars Palace Drive
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 407-6000
(Name, address, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☒ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | |||
Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
| ||||||||
Title of securities to be registered |
Amount to be registered |
Proposed maximum offering price per share |
Proposed maximum aggregate offering price (2) |
Amount of registration fee | ||||
Deferred Compensation Obligations (1) |
$22,500,000 | 100% | $22,500,000 | $2,727 | ||||
| ||||||||
|
(1) | The deferred compensation obligations being registered (the Deferred Compensation Obligations) are general unsecured obligations of Caesars Entertainment Corporation (the Company) to pay deferred compensation in the future pursuant to compensation deferral elections made by participants in accordance with the terms of the Caesars Entertainment Corporation Executive Supplemental Savings Plan III (the Executive Plan) and the Caesars Entertainment Corporation Outside Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the Director Plan and, together with the Executive Plan, the Plans). A total of $20,000,000 is reserved as Deferred Compensation Obligations under the Executive Plan and $2,500,000 is reserved as Deferred Compensation Obligations under the Director Plan. |
(2) | Estimated solely for the purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), based on the estimated amount of compensation that participates may defer under the Plans. |
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
Item 1. | Plan Information. |
The document(s) containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be sent or given to participants in the Plan as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. Such documents are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) but constitute, along with the documents incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement, a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
Item 2. | Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information. |
The Company will furnish without charge to each person to whom the prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy of any and all of the documents incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference to the information that is incorporated), and a copy of other documents required to be delivered to employees pursuant to Rule 428(b) under the Securities Act. Those documents are incorporated by reference in the Section 10(a) prospectus. Requests should be directed to Caesars Entertainment Corporation, One Caesars Palace Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada 89109, Attention: Corporate Secretary; telephone number (702) 407-6000.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. | Incorporation of Documents by Reference. |
The following documents filed with the Commission by us pursuant to the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement (in each case excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K):
(a) | The Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 (the Annual Report), filed on March 8, 2018 (except for Part I, Item I; Part II, Items 6, 7 and 8; and Schedule I of Part IV, Item 15, which have been superseded by Exhibit 99.1 included in the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2018); and |
(b) | All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year covered by the Annual Report referred to in (a) above. |
All documents filed by the Company subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents; provided, however, that documents or information deemed to have been furnished and not filed in accordance with Commission rules shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. Any statement contained herein or in a document, all or a portion of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or amended, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4. | Description of Securities. |
The securities being registered represent obligations of the Company to pay deferred compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of each Plan. The Plans are intended to be unfunded arrangements for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. The following description of the material terms of the Plans is qualified by reference to the Plans.
The Executive Plan provides certain executive officers and other key employees of the Company or certain of its affiliates the right to defer a percentage of their salary and/or bonus. The Director Plan provides non-employee directors the right to defer a percentage of their cash-based director fees and/or equity grants with respect to shares of Company common stock. The deferred equity grants will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as the related equity grant and will be payable in shares of Company common stock and cash for the value of any fractional shares.
The Company (or the applicable employer affiliate) may make a discretionary contribution on behalf of a participant in the Executive Plan. No discretionary contributions will be made on behalf of non-employee directors. The amounts deferred under the Plans represent an obligation of the Company to make payments to the participant at some time in the future, in an amount equal to: (1) compensation which the participants have elected to defer under the terms of the applicable Plan, (2) discretionary contributions in the case of the Executive Plan, to the extent vested, and (3) earnings on the foregoing amounts based on a notional investment measurement, all of which is reflected in the individual accounts maintained for each of the participants.
The amounts deferred (plus any discretionary contributions) under the Executive Plan and the amount of cash-based director fees deferred under the Director Plan will be indexed to one or more investment funds offered under the applicable plan. The investment funds selected by a participant will be used to measure the return on his or her plan accounts. The investment funds will be used only for the purpose of calculating hypothetical returns, and the amounts in participants plan accounts will not actually be invested in the selected investment funds.
All participants are immediately vested in all elective deferrals made to their accounts, but Company discretionary contributions may be subject to vesting requirements.
The Deferred Compensation Obligations incurred by the Company under the Plans are unsecured general obligations of the Company (and the applicable employer affiliate), and will rank equally with other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, from time to time outstanding, payable from the general assets of the Company. No assets will be placed in trust or otherwise segregated from the general assets of the Company for the payment of the Deferred Compensation Obligations.
The vested amounts payable to participants under the Plans are distributed in accordance with the distribution provisions of the Plans. A participant can elect to receive distributions either (1) upon a separation of service or (2) in an elected distribution year between two and twenty years after the end of the year for which compensation is being deferred (or upon separation of service, if earlier than the elected distribution year). Participants that elect to receive distribution upon separation of service may select to receive distribution in the form of a single lump sum payment or monthly installments over a period not to exceed fifteen years. Participants that elect to receive distribution in an elected distribution year will receive distribution in a single lump sum payment. Early limited distributions in a lump sum payment may also be made in connection with certain unforeseen emergencies. Amounts retained in the participants account during such payout period continue to earn hypothetical gains and are subject to hypothetical losses.
A participants rights to any amounts credited to his or her accounts may not be anticipated, alienated, sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, encumbered, charged or otherwise disposed of by the participant and may only pass upon the participants death pursuant to a beneficiary designation made by a participant in accordance with the terms of the applicable Plan. The Deferred Compensation Obligations are not convertible into any other security of the Company and there is no trading market for the obligations.
Each of the Plans is administered by a Plan Committee which must consist of at least three persons appointed by the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the board of directors of the Company. The Company has reserved the right to take action under the Plans, including modifying or amending the Plans at any time. Additionally, the Company has reserved the right to terminate the Plans at any time provided that such termination complies with the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and does not have any retroactive effect to reduce any amounts allocated to a participants account. Any such action may adversely affect the rights of a participant without his or her consent.
Item 5. | Interests of Named Experts and Counsel. |
Not applicable.
Item 6. | Indemnification of Directors and Officers. |
The Company is incorporated under the laws of Delaware.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the DGCL) permits each corporation organized thereunder the power to indemnify any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a corporation or enterprise, against expenses, including attorneys fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, by reason of being or having been in any such capacity, if he acted in good faith in a manner reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.
Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL enables a corporation in its certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto to eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders of monetary damages for violations of the directors fiduciary duty of care, except (i) for any breach of the directors duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the DGCL (providing for liability of directors for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions) or (iv) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.
The certificate of incorporation of the Company provides that the Company indemnify to the fullest extent of the law every director and officer against expenses incurred by him if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the corporation.
In addition, certain directors and executive officers of the Company have entered into separate contractual indemnity arrangements with the Company. These arrangements provide for indemnification and the advancement of expenses to these directors and executive officers in circumstances and subject to limitations substantially similar to those described above.
Item 7. | Exemption From Registration Claimed. |
Not applicable.
Item 8. | Exhibits. |
Item 9. | Undertakings. |
(a) | The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: |
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made pursuant to this Registration Statement, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: |
(i) | To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act; |
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which is registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective registration statement; |
(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(b) | The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrants annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. |
(c) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the provisions described under Item 6Indemnification of Directors and Officers, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Caesars Entertainment Corporation certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Las Vegas, State of Nevada, on the 13th day of December 2018.
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION | ||
By: | /s/ Mark P. Frissora | |
Mark P. Frissora Chief Executive Officer and President |
POWER OF ATTORNEY
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Eric Hession and Timothy R. Donovan, and each of them, acting individually and without the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place, and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments, exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them individually, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature |
Title |
Date | ||
/s/ Mark P. Frissora Mark P. Frissora |
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director (Principal Executive Officer) |
December 13, 2018 | ||
/s/ Eric Hession Eric Hession |
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
December 13, 2018 | ||
/s/ Keith A. Causey Keith A. Causey |
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
December 13, 2018 | ||
/s/ Thomas Benninger Thomas Benninger |
Director | December 13, 2018 | ||
/s/ John Boushy John Boushy |
Director | December 13, 2018 | ||
Juliana L. Chugg |
Director | |||
/s/ Denise M. Clark Denise M. Clark |
Director | December 13, 2018 | ||
/s/ John Dionne John Dionne |
Director | December 13, 2018 | ||
/s/ Matthew Ferko Matthew Ferko |
Director | December 13, 2018 |
/s/ James Hunt James Hunt |
Director and Chairman of the Board | December 13, 2018 | ||
/s/ Don Kornstein Don Kornstein |
Director | December 13, 2018 | ||
/s/ David B. Sambur David B. Sambur |
Director | December 13, 2018 | ||
/s/ Richard P. Schifter Richard P. Schifter |
Director | December 13, 2018 | ||
/s/ Christopher J. Williams Christopher J. Williams |
Director | December 13, 2018 |
Exhibit 4.1
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL SAVINGS PLAN III
Effective as of January 1, 2019
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL SAVINGS PLAN III
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||
ARTICLE ONE PREAMBLE |
1 | |||
ARTICLE TWO DEFINITIONS |
1 | |||
2.1 Account or Accounts |
1 | |||
2.2 Affiliate |
1 | |||
2.3 Beneficiary |
1 | |||
2.4 Board |
2 | |||
2.5 Bonus |
2 | |||
2.6 CMDC |
2 | |||
2.7 Change of Control |
2 | |||
2.8 Code |
3 | |||
2.9 Company |
3 | |||
2.10 Compensation |
3 | |||
2.11 Deferral Contribution |
3 | |||
2.12 Deferral Contribution Account |
4 | |||
2.13 Deferral Period |
4 | |||
2.14 Disability |
4 | |||
2.15 Discretionary Contribution |
4 | |||
2.16 Discretionary Contribution Account |
4 | |||
2.17 Distribution Year |
4 | |||
2.18 EDCP Committee |
4 | |||
2.19 Effective Date |
4 | |||
2.20 Employee |
4 | |||
2.21 Employer |
4 | |||
2.22 ERISA |
5 | |||
2.23 Investment Fund |
5 | |||
2.24 Participant |
5 | |||
2.25 Participation Agreement |
5 | |||
2.26 Plan |
5 | |||
2.27 Salary |
5 |
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CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL SAVINGS PLAN III
Page | ||||
2.28 Savings & Retirement Plan |
5 | |||
2.29 Separation from Service |
5 | |||
2.30 Service Provider |
5 | |||
2.31 Service Recipient |
5 | |||
2.32 Specified Employee |
6 | |||
2.33 Specified Employee Effective Date |
6 | |||
2.34 Specified Employee Identification Date |
6 | |||
2.35 Testing Year |
6 | |||
2.36 Valuation Date |
6 | |||
2.37 Years of Vesting Service |
6 | |||
ARTICLE THREE ELIGIBILITY |
6 | |||
3.1 Selection of Participants |
6 | |||
3.2 No Waiting Periods |
8 | |||
3.3 Participation Agreement |
8 | |||
3.4 Discontinuance of Participation |
8 | |||
3.5 Reemployment |
8 | |||
3.6 Adoption by Affiliates |
9 | |||
ARTICLE FOUR CONTRIBUTIONS |
9 | |||
4.1 Participant Contributions |
9 | |||
4.2 Discretionary Contributions |
10 | |||
ARTICLE FIVE WITHDRAWALS UPON UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY |
10 | |||
5.1 Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawals |
10 | |||
5.2 Account Adjustments |
11 | |||
5.3 Cancellation of Participation in the Event of Hardship Withdrawal |
11 | |||
ARTICLE SIX CREDITING OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND INCOME |
12 | |||
6.1 Account Allocations |
12 | |||
6.2 Subaccounts |
12 | |||
6.3 Hypothetical Investment Funds |
12 | |||
6.4 Investment Direction |
12 | |||
6.5 Rate of Return |
12 |
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CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL SAVINGS PLAN III
Page | ||||
6.6 Application to Beneficiaries |
13 | |||
ARTICLE SEVEN VESTING |
13 | |||
7.1 Vesting of Accounts |
13 | |||
7.2 Changes in Vesting Schedule |
13 | |||
ARTICLE EIGHT DISTRIBUTION ELECTIONS; PAYMENT OF BENEFITS |
13 | |||
8.1 Distribution Elections |
13 | |||
8.2 Changes of Distribution Year Election |
15 | |||
8.3 Time of Payment |
16 | |||
8.4 Form of Payments |
17 | |||
8.5 Beneficiary Designations |
18 | |||
8.6 Prohibition on Acceleration of Distributions |
19 | |||
8.7 Withholding and Payroll Taxes |
19 | |||
8.8 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code |
19 | |||
ARTICLE NINE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN |
19 | |||
9.1 Powers of the EDCP Committee |
19 | |||
9.2 Creation of Committee |
20 | |||
9.3 Appointment of Agents |
20 | |||
9.4 Majority Vote and Execution of Instruments |
20 | |||
9.5 Allocation of Responsibilities |
20 | |||
9.6 Conflict of Interest |
21 | |||
9.7 Indemnification |
21 | |||
9.8 Action Taken by Employer |
21 | |||
9.9 Discretionary Authority |
21 | |||
9.10 Participant Statements |
21 | |||
9.11 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code |
21 | |||
ARTICLE TEN CLAIMS REVIEW PROCEDURE |
21 | |||
10.1 General |
21 | |||
10.2 Benefit Determination |
22 | |||
10.3 Appeals |
22 | |||
10.4 Notice of Denials |
23 |
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CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL SAVINGS PLAN III
Page | ||||
ARTICLE ELEVEN LIMITATION ON ASSIGNMENT; PAYMENTS TO LEGALLY INCOMPETENT DISTRIBUTEE |
23 | |||
11.1 Anti-Alienation Clause |
23 | |||
11.2 Permitted Arrangements |
24 | |||
11.3 Payment to Minor or Incompetent |
24 | |||
ARTICLE TWELVE AMENDMENT, MERGER AND TERMINATION |
24 | |||
12.1 Amendment |
24 | |||
12.2 Plan Termination |
24 | |||
12.3 Merger or Consolidation of Company |
25 | |||
12.4 Continuation of Plan following a Change of Control |
25 | |||
12.5 Limitation of Companys Liability |
25 | |||
ARTICLE THIRTEEN GENERAL PROVISIONS |
25 | |||
13.1 Limitation of Rights |
25 | |||
13.2 Construction |
26 | |||
13.3 Status of Participants as Unsecured Creditors |
26 | |||
13.4 Uniform Administration |
26 | |||
13.5 Heirs and Successors |
26 | |||
13.6 Electronic Administration |
26 |
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CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE SUPPLEMENTAL SAVINGS PLAN III
ARTICLE ONE
PREAMBLE
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the Company), hereby adopts this Caesars Entertainment Corporation Executive Supplemental Savings Plan III (the Plan), effective as of January 1, 2019, in order to provide key executives and senior management employees with an opportunity and incentive to save for retirement and other purposes.
The purpose of this Plan is to provide a select group of management or highly compensated employees of the Company and certain of its affiliates with the opportunity to defer a portion of their compensation and to receive contributions from their employers. As a result, the Plan is intended to be a top hat plan, exempt from certain requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), pursuant to Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA. This Plan is not intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment pursuant to Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or any successor section or statute. This Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE TWO
DEFINITIONS
When a word or phrase appears in this Plan with the initial letter capitalized, and the word or phrase does not begin a sentence, the word or phrase shall generally be a term defined in this Article Two or in the Preamble. The following words and phrases used in the Plan with the initial letter capitalized shall have the meanings set forth in this Article Two, unless a clearly different meaning is required by the context in which the word or phrase is used:
2.1 Account or Accounts means the accounts which may be maintained by the EDCP Committee to reflect the interest of a Participant or the Beneficiary of a deceased Participant under the Plan.
2.2 Affiliate means: (a) a corporation which is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) as is the Company, (b) any other trade or business (whether or not incorporated) controlling, controlled by, or under common control (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company, and (c) any other corporation, partnership, or other organization which is a member of an affiliated service group (within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code) with the Company or which is otherwise required to be aggregated with the Company pursuant to Section 414(o) of the Code.
2.3 Beneficiary means the person or trust that a Participant, in his or her most recent written designation filed with the EDCP Committee, shall have designated to receive his or her benefit under the Plan in the event of his or her death or, if applicable, the person or entity determined in accordance with Section 8.5 (Beneficiary Designations).
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2.4 Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5 Bonus means the incentive payment or payments earned by a Participant during a Deferral Period pursuant to the Companys Annual Management Bonus Plan and the Companys Senior Executive Incentive Plan, as such plans may be amended from time to time, and those short-term cash incentive plans that are approved by the EDCP Committee or its delegate, the Executive Vice President of Human Resources of the Company.
2.6 CMDC means the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board.
2.7 Change of Control means and includes each of the following events or transactions described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d):
(a) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or group (as those terms are defined in Sections 3(a)(9), 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and the rules thereunder) of beneficial ownership (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (voting securities) of the Company that represent twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding voting securities, other than
(1) an acquisition by a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any person controlled by the Company or by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any person controlled by the Company, or
(2) an acquisition of voting securities by the Company or a corporation owned, directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the stock of the Company, or
(3) an acquisition of voting securities pursuant to a transaction described in subsection (c) below that would not be a Change of Control under subsection (c);
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither of the following events shall constitute an acquisition by any person or group for purposes of this subsection (a): an acquisition of the Companys securities by the Company which causes the Companys voting securities beneficially owned by a person or group to represent twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding voting securities; provided, however, that if a person or group shall become the beneficial owner of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding voting securities by reason of share acquisitions by the Company as described above and shall, after such share acquisitions by the Company, become the beneficial owner of any additional voting securities of the Company, then such acquisition shall constitute a Change of Control; or
(b) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a
Page 2 |
director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in subsection (a) or (c)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or
(c) the consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Companys assets, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction
(1) which results in the Companys voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Companys assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the Successor Entity)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entitys outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and
(2) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this paragraph (2) as beneficially owning twenty-five percent (25%) or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or
(d) the Companys stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
The CMDC shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change of Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, and the date of the occurrence of such Change of Control and any incidental matters relating thereto.
2.8 Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2.9 Company means Caesars Entertainment Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
2.10 Compensation means, for each Deferral Period, the total Salary and Bonus earned by the Participant.
2.11 Deferral Contribution means a contribution by a Participant pursuant to Section 4.1 (Participant Contributions) of this Plan.
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2.12 Deferral Contribution Account means the Account maintained to record the Deferral Contributions made by a Participant pursuant to Section 4.1 (Participant Contributions) as adjusted to reflect the rate of return on the hypothetical Investment Funds selected by the Participant in accordance with Section 6.4 (Investment Direction) and other credits or charges in accordance with this Plan. A Participants Deferral Contribution Account shall be divided into subaccounts as determined by the EDCP Committee.
2.13 Deferral Period means, the twelve (12) month period beginning on each January 1 and ending on the next following December 31. The initial Deferral Period shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall end on the next following December 31.
2.14 Disability means, for purposes of this Plan, that the Participant qualifies to receive long term disability payments under the Employers long-term disability insurance program, as it may be amended from time to time.
2.15 Discretionary Contribution means an Employer contribution determined in accordance with Section 4.2 (Discretionary Contributions) of this Plan.
2.16 Discretionary Contribution Account means the Account maintained to record the Discretionary Contributions calculated in accordance with Section 4.2 (Discretionary Contributions) on behalf of a Participant, as adjusted to reflect the rate of return on the hypothetical Investment Funds selected by the Participant in accordance with Section 6.4 (Investment Direction) and other credits or charges in accordance with this Plan. A Participants Discretionary Contribution Account shall be divided into subaccounts as determined by the EDCP Committee.
2.17 Distribution Year means the calendar year selected by a Participant for purposes of distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period.
2.18 EDCP Committee means the committee designated in accordance with Section 9.2 (Creation of Committee) to carry out the administrative and investment responsibilities under the Plan.
2.19 Effective Date means January 1, 2019. With respect to each Affiliate that adopts this Plan after January 1, 2019, the term Effective Date means the date designated by the adopting Affiliate.
2.20 Employee means any individual classified by an Employer as a common law employee of the Employer. For this purpose, the classification that is relevant is the classification in which such individual is placed by the Employer for purposes of this Plan and the classification of such individual for any other purpose (e.g., employment tax or withholding purposes) shall be irrelevant. If an individual is characterized as a common law employee of the Employer by a governmental agency or court but not by the Employer, such individual shall be treated as an employee who has not been designated for participation in this Plan.
2.21 Employer means the Company and any Affiliate that has adopted this Plan pursuant to Section 3.6 (Adoption by Affiliates).
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2.22 ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
2.23 Investment Fund means the hypothetical investment fund or funds established by the EDCP Committee pursuant to Section 6.4 (Investment Direction).
2.24 Participant means any Employee who has been selected for participation in the Plan.
2.25 Participation Agreement means the agreement to defer Salary and/or Bonus submitted by a Participant to the EDCP Committee in accordance with Section 3.3 (Participation Agreement). Such agreement shall be in written or electronic form, as determined by the EDCP Committee.
2.26 Plan means this Executive Supplemental Savings Plan III, as it may be amended from time to time.
2.27 Salary means the annual base salary earned by the Participant from the Employer during the Deferral Period, before reduction for amounts deferred pursuant to this Plan, the Savings & Retirement Plan, any plan maintained under Section 125 of the Code or any other plan maintained by the Company or an Employer. Salary does not include expense reimbursements, salary continuation payments except as otherwise provided by an employment agreement or separation agreement, or any form of non-cash compensation and benefits.
2.28 Savings & Retirement Plan means Caesars Entertainment Corporation Savings & Retirement Plan, as it may be amended from time to time, and such other profit-sharing plans qualified under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code that are maintained by an Employer and designated from time to time by the EDCP Committee. For purposes of the Plan, with respect to any Participant, Savings & Retirement Plan shall mean, for the Deferral Period or any portion thereof, the plan to which such Participant is eligible to make elective deferral contributions during such Deferral Period or portion thereof.
2.29 Separation from Service of a Service Provider means his or her separation from service, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), with respect to the Service Recipient.
2.30 Service Provider means a Participant or any other service provider, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(f).
2.31 Service Recipient, with respect to any Service Provider, means the service recipient, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(g), as determined from time to time. As provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(g), the service recipient shall mean the person for whom the Service Providers services are performed and with respect to whom the legally binding right to compensation arises, and all persons with whom such person would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code; provided, however, that, for purposes of Section 2.31, the service recipient shall be determined as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(3).
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2.32 Specified Employee means a Service Provider who, as of the date of the Service Providers Separation from Service, is a Key Employee of the Service Recipient any stock of which is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, a Service Provider is a Key Employee if the Service Provider meets the requirements of Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the Code (applied in accordance with the Treasury Regulations thereunder and disregarding Section 416(i)(5) of the Code) at any time during the Testing Year. If a Service Provider is a Key Employee (as defined above) as of a Specified Employee Identification Date, the Service Provider shall be treated as Key Employee for the entire 12-month period beginning on the Specified Employee Effective Date. For purposes of this Section 2.32, a Service Providers compensation for a Testing Year shall mean such Service Providers compensation, as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.415(c)-2(d)(4), from the Service Recipient for such Testing Year. The Specified Employees shall be determined in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i).
2.33 Specified Employee Effective Date means the first day of the fourth month following the Specified Employee Identification Date. The Specified Employee Effective Date may be changed by the CMDC, in its discretion, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)(4).
2.34 Specified Employee Identification Date for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)(3), means December 31. The Specified Employee Identification Date shall apply to all nonqualified deferred compensation plans (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)) of the Service Recipient and all affected Service Providers. The Specified Employee Identification Date may be changed by the CMDC, in its discretion, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)(3).
2.35 Testing Year shall mean the 12-month period ending on the Specified Employee Identification Date, as determined from time to time.
2.36 Valuation Date means the date for valuing the hypothetical Investment Funds maintained under the Plan, which shall be each business day of the Deferral Period.
2.37 Years of Vesting Service means the years of service credited to an individual for vesting purposes under the Savings & Retirement Plan, determined in accordance with all applicable provisions of the Savings & Retirement Plan.
ARTICLE THREE
ELIGIBILITY
3.1 Selection of Participants.
(a) General. For purposes of Title I of ERISA, the Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan of deferred compensation covering a select group of management or highly compensated employees of an Employer, within the meaning of Sections 201(1), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA. As a result, participation in the Plan shall be limited to Employees employed in a position classified by the Company as Management Grade 15 or above, and any other Employees employed by an Employer who are selected for participation in the Plan by the EDCP
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Committee. To further ensure compliance with the ERISA participation requirements applicable to this Plan, the Company, in the exercise of its discretion, may exclude from participation in the Plan an individual who otherwise meets the requirements of this Section 3.1(a) for any reason, or for no reason, as the Company deems to be appropriate.
(b) Eligibility Date. An Employee who, as of the Effective Date, is employed in a position classified by the Company as Management Grade 15 or above, or has been selected for participation in the Plan by the EDCP Committee, shall become eligible to participate in the Plan as of the Effective Date. Any other Employee shall become eligible to participate in the Plan as of the first day of the Deferral Period on or next following the date on which such Employee is employed in a position classified by the Company as Management Grade 15 or above (or as of such earlier or later date as is designated by the EDCP Committee), or if such Employee is selected for participation in the Plan by the EDCP Committee, the date of participation designated by the EDCP Committee. The date as of which an Employee first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan shall be referred to as such Employees Eligibility Date.
(c) Entry into Plan.
(1) Entry on Effective Date. An Employee who is eligible to participate in the Plan as of the Effective Date shall enter the Plan as of the Effective Date. If such Participants initial Participation Agreement is completed and delivered to the EDCP Committee prior to the Effective Date, the Participants Deferral Contributions shall be determined with reference to Compensation earned on or after the Effective Date.
(2) Entry after Effective Date. Except as provided in paragraph (3), if a Participant becomes eligible to participate in the Plan after the Effective Date, such Participant may elect to begin Plan participation as of the first day of any subsequent Deferral Period. Such Participant shall complete and deliver his or her Participation Agreement in accordance with the rules and procedures adopted by the EDCP Committee for such purpose before the first day of such Deferral Period, and such Participants Deferral Contributions shall be determined with reference to Compensation earned on or after the first day of such Deferral Period.
(3) Exception to Entry Requirement. If a Participant first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan after the Effective Date, such Participant may elect to begin Plan participation during a Deferral Period, if such Participant elects to begin Plan participation within thirty (30) days after his or her Eligibility Date in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(a)(7). Such Participant shall complete and deliver his or her Participation Agreement in accordance with the rules and procedures adopted by the EDCP Committee for such purpose within thirty (30) days after his or her Eligibility Date, and such Participation Agreement shall be effective as of such date following completion and delivery as is determined by the EDCP Committee. Such Participation Agreement shall apply only with respect to such Participants Salary earned on or after the first day of the first full payroll period in the Deferral Period following the effective date of such Participation Agreement. Bonus may not be deferred.
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3.2 No Waiting Periods. A Participant need not complete any particular period of service in order to be eligible to make Deferral Contributions or to receive Discretionary Contributions.
3.3 Participation Agreement.
(a) Content of Participation Agreement.
(1) Authorization of Deferral Contributions. A Participant shall complete and deliver a Participation Agreement evidencing his or her election to participate in the Plan with respect to a Deferral Period, in the manner and at such time as the EDCP Committee shall require. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(c)(3) (Selection of Participants Entry into Plan Exception to Entry Requirement), a Participant must complete and deliver his or her Participation Agreement with respect to the Deferral Period prior to such Deferral Period. In the Participation Agreement with respect to a Deferral Period, the Participant shall select the amount or rate of his or her Deferral Contributions and authorize the reduction of his or her Compensation in an amount equal to his or her Deferral Contributions. A Participants Participation Agreement shall set forth such other information as the EDCP Committee shall require. The Participants selection of the amount or rate of his or her Deferral Contributions and authorization of the reduction of Compensation with respect to a Deferral Period shall become irrevocable as provided by the EDCP Committee (and in any event not later than the last day of the next preceding Deferral Period).
(2) Distribution Elections. A Participant shall make a Separation from Service Election, or a Distribution Year Election, in his or her Participation Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1 (Distribution Elections). Except as provided in Sections 8.1 (Distribution Elections) and 8.2 (Change of Distribution Year Election), the Participants Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election, as applicable, with respect to a Deferral Period shall become irrevocable not later than the last day of the next preceding Deferral Period); provided, however, that, in the case of a Participant described in Section 3.1(c)(3), such Participants Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election, as applicable, shall be irrevocable when made.
3.4 Discontinuance of Participation. Once an Employee is designated as a Participant, he or she shall continue as such for all future Deferral Periods unless and until: (a) the Participant has a Separation from Service and receives a full distribution of his Accounts, or (b) is no longer categorized as an individual entitled to participate in the Plan pursuant to Section 3.1 (Selection of Participants) above. If a Participants participation is discontinued, the Participant shall no longer be eligible to make Deferral Contributions and shall no longer be eligible for Discretionary Contributions. The Participant shall not be entitled to receive a distribution, however, until the occurrence of one of the events listed in Article Five (Withdrawals upon Unforeseeable Emergency) or Article Eight (Distribution Elections; Payment of Benefits).
3.5 Reemployment. If a former Employee is rehired by an Employer and is eligible to participate in the Plan, he or she shall reenter the Plan on the first day of any Deferral Period commencing after the date he or she is rehired in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.1
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(Selection of Participants). Such Employees reentry into the Plan shall have no impact on any distributions that have been made or are being made in accordance with Article Eight (Distribution Elections; Payment of Benefits). Any amounts previously forfeited from the Participants Accounts pursuant to Section 7.1 (Vesting of Benefits) shall not be restored or reinstated upon the Participants subsequent reentry into the Plan.
3.6 Adoption by Affiliates. Any Affiliate of the Company may adopt this Plan with the approval of the EDCP Committee. Any Affiliate that permits an individual to make Deferral Contributions pursuant to Section 4.1 (Participant Contributions) shall be deemed to have adopted the Plan without any further action. The EDCP Committees acceptance of such Deferral Contributions shall evidence the consent of the EDCP Committee to the adoption of the Plan by the Affiliate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the request of the EDCP Committee, the Affiliate shall evidence its adoption of the Plan by an appropriate resolution of its Board of Directors or in such other manner as may be authorized by the EDCP Committee. By adopting this Plan, the Affiliate shall be deemed to have agreed to make the contributions called for by Article Four (Contributions), agreed to comply with all of the other terms and provisions of this Plan, delegated to the EDCP Committee the power and responsibility to administer this Plan with respect to the Affiliates employees, and delegated to the Company the full power to amend or terminate this Plan with respect to the Affiliates Employees.
ARTICLE FOUR
CONTRIBUTIONS
4.1 Participant Contributions.
(a) Salary Deferral Contributions. A Participant may elect to defer any whole percentage of such Participants Salary earned by him or her during the Deferral Period up to a maximum of seventy-five percent (75%), or such other maximum amount as may be prescribed by the EDCP Committee as the Salary Deferral Contribution limit for all Participants or pursuant to subsection (c).
(b) Bonus Deferral Contributions. A Participant may elect to defer any whole percentage of any Bonus earned by him or her during the Deferral Period (which may be paid during the applicable Deferral Period or after the close of the applicable Deferral Period), up to a maximum of ninety percent (90%), or such other maximum amount as may be prescribed by the EDCP Committee as the Bonus Deferral Contribution limit for all Participants or pursuant to subsection (c).
(c) Excess Deferral Contributions. The EDCP Committee may, in its discretion, permit an individual Participant to make Deferral Contributions in excess of the limitations set forth in or established in accordance with this Section 4.1, or place additional restrictions on an individual Participants Deferral Contributions, prior to the first day of the Deferral Period for which such permission or additional restriction is to be effective. All Deferral Contributions under this Plan shall be made in accordance with such rules and procedures regarding Participant deferrals as may be promulgated by the EDCP Committee from time to time. All Participant elections are subject to the timing requirements set forth in Section 3.3 (Participation Agreement).
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4.2 Discretionary Contributions. With the approval of the EDCP Committee, each Employer, in its sole discretion, may make a Discretionary Contribution on behalf of such Participants as it designates. The amount of the Discretionary Contribution shall be determined by the Employer in its sole discretion, and approved by the EDCP Committee. All Discretionary Contributions shall be credited to the Participants Discretionary Contribution Account as of the time designated by the Employer or the EDCP Committee. Discretionary Contributions may be subject to additional requirements, including vesting and withdrawal limitations (which shall be in addition to the withdrawal and distribution limitations of Articles Five (Withdrawals upon Unforeseeable Emergency) and Eight (Distribution Elections; Payment of Benefits), as established by the Company or the EDCP Committee. Any Discretionary Contributions made under this Section 4.2 shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE FIVE
WITHDRAWALS UPON UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY
5.1 Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawals.
(a) General.
(1) A Participant may elect to receive a withdrawal from his or her Accounts upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency. Such Participant may elect to receive a withdrawal by completing and delivering an election with the EDCP Committee in accordance with the uniform procedures promulgated by the EDCP Committee.
(2) The election to receive a withdrawal upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency by a Participant who is entitled to a distribution under Article Eight (Distribution Elections; Payment of Benefits) shall override the distribution election in effect for such Participant under Article Eight with respect to the amount to be withdrawn, both as to form of payment and timing of payment. If installment payments to such Participant have begun at the time an election for a withdrawal upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency is made, the election shall apply only with respect to the unpaid balance of such Participants Accounts.
(3) The amount to be distributed to a Participant who elects a withdrawal upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency shall not exceed the amounts reasonably necessary to satisfy such Unforeseeable Emergency (and shall include amounts necessary to pay federal, state, local or foreign taxes and penalties reasonably anticipated as a result of the withdrawal), after taking into account the extent to which such Unforeseeable Emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation through insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of the Participants assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship), or by cessation of Deferral Contributions, as determined by the EDCP Committee in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii)(II) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(3)(ii).
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(4) For purposes of this Section 5.1, Unforeseeable Emergency with respect to a Participant shall mean a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, or the Participants spouse, Beneficiary or dependent (as defined in Section 152 of the Code, without regard to Sections 152(b)(1), (b)(2) and (d)(1)(B) of the Code) of the Participant, loss of the Participants property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant, as determined by the EDCP Committee in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii)(I) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(3)(i).
(5) For purposes of determining the amount to be distributed to such Participant, the Participants Accounts shall be valued as of the Valuation Date immediately preceding the date the withdrawal election is approved by the EDCP Committee. The amount to be distributed to a Participant who elects a withdrawal upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency shall not exceed such Participants vested interest in his or her Accounts. The Participants vested interest in his or her Deferral Contribution Account and Discretionary Contribution Account shall be determined as of the Valuation Date immediately preceding the date the withdrawal election is approved by the EDCP Committee.
(6) The amount to be distributed to the Participant pursuant to such Participants election to receive a withdrawal upon the occurrence of Unforeseeable Emergency shall be paid in a lump sum payment within sixty (60) days following the approval of the Participants withdrawal election by the EDCP Committee.
(b) Cancellation of Deferral Contributions. If a Participant receives a withdrawal upon the occurrence of Unforeseeable Emergency, the Participants Deferral Contributions to the Plan shall be cancelled for the remainder of the Deferral Period during which the withdrawal is distributed to the Participant, to the extent required under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(3)(ii), in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(viii). Upon expiration of the cancellation period described in the preceding sentence, the Participant shall be permitted to submit a new Participation Agreement in accordance with Section 3.3 (Participation Agreement) and to begin making Deferral Contributions with respect to Compensation earned on or after the first day of the first payroll period of the next following Deferral Period.
5.2 Account Adjustments. A Participants withdrawal upon the occurrence of Unforeseeable Emergency shall be charged on a pro rata basis to the Participants vested interests in the subaccounts in such Participants Accounts.
5.3 Cancellation of Participation in the Event of Hardship Withdrawal. If a Participant receives a hardship distribution pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.401(k)-1(d)(3) under the Savings & Retirement Plan, if required under the terms of the Savings & Retirement Plan, the Participants Deferral Contributions to the Plan shall be cancelled for the remainder of the Deferral Period during which the hardship distribution is distributed to the Participant and, if required under the terms of the Savings & Retirement Plan, the next Deferral Period, to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulation
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Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(viii). Upon expiration of the cancellation period described in the preceding sentence, the Participant shall be permitted to submit a new Participation Agreement in accordance with Section 3.3 (Participation Agreement) and to begin making Deferral Contributions with respect to Compensation earned on or after the first day of the first payroll period of the next following Deferral Period.
ARTICLE SIX
CREDITING OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND INCOME
6.1 Account Allocations. All Deferral Contributions shall be credited to the Participants Deferral Contribution Account. All Discretionary Contributions shall be credited to the Participants Discretionary Contribution Account. All credits and charges to all Participants Accounts shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the EDCP Committee. All transfers to, payments from and charges against an Account shall be charged against the Account as of the Valuation Date on which the transaction occurs. The Accounts are bookkeeping accounts only, and the EDCP Committee is not in any way obligated to segregate assets for the benefit of any Participant.
6.2 Subaccounts. The EDCP Committee may divide any Account into such subaccounts as it deems necessary and desirable.
6.3 Hypothetical Investment Funds. The EDCP Committee shall establish a series of hypothetical Investment Funds for use pursuant to this Article Six.
6.4 Investment Direction. A Participant shall direct the hypothetical investment of his Deferral Contribution Account and Discretionary Contribution Account among the Investment Funds in the manner (including, but not limited to, writing, electronic, internet, intranet, voice response or telephonic) established by the EDCP Committee. The Participants Deferral Contribution Account and Discretionary Contribution Account shall not be invested in the Investment Funds, but the value of the Participants Accounts shall be measured by the performance of the Investment Funds selected. Any and all changes to a Participants Investment Fund allocation shall be made in accordance with the uniform procedures of the EDCP Committee, which shall permit changes in Investment Fund allocations on a quarterly or more frequent basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.4, the EDCP Committee may retain the overriding discretion regarding the Participants selection of Investment Funds under this Section 6.4. If a Participant fails to direct the hypothetical investment of his or her Accounts in the manner established by the EDCP Committee, the Participant shall be deemed to have selected the default hypothetical Investment Fund(s) selected by the EDCP Committee for such purpose, in the discretion of the EDCP Committee and in accordance with its uniform policies and procedures.
6.5 Rate of Return. A Participants Accounts shall be adjusted on each Valuation Date to reflect investment gains and losses as if the Accounts were invested in the hypothetical Investment Funds selected by the Participant in accordance with Section 6.4 (Investment Direction) and charged with any and all reasonable expenses related to the administration of the Plan including, but not limited to, the reasonable expenses of carrying out the hypothetical investment directions related to each Account. The earnings and losses allocated to any Account shall be allocated among the subaccounts of that Account in the same manner. The earnings and
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losses determined by the EDCP Committee in good faith and in its discretion pursuant to this Article Six shall be binding and conclusive on the Participant, the Participants Beneficiary and all parties claiming through them.
6.6 Application to Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Article Six shall also apply to the Beneficiaries of a deceased Participant.
ARTICLE SEVEN
VESTING
7.1 Vesting of Accounts.
(a) Deferral Contributions. Each Participant shall at all times have a fully vested interest in his or her Deferral Contribution Account, and a Participants rights and interests therein shall not be forfeitable for any reason.
(b) Discretionary Contributions. Each Participant shall vest in his or her Discretionary Contribution Account as provided by the Employer or EDCP Committee at the time a Discretionary Contribution is made. A Participants vested interest in his or her Discretionary Contribution Account shall be determined as of the Valuation Date immediately preceding his or her termination of employment with the Company and all Affiliates. Any portion of a Participants Discretionary Contribution Account which is not vested shall be forfeited in the first Deferral Period in which his or her termination of employment with the Company and all Affiliates occurs.
7.2 Changes in Vesting Schedule. In the event that an amendment to this Plan or the Savings & Retirement Plan directly or indirectly changes the vesting provisions of Section 7.1 (Vesting of Accounts), the vested percentage for each Participant in his or her benefit accumulated to the date when the amendment is adopted shall not be reduced as a result of the amendment.
ARTICLE EIGHT
DISTRIBUTION ELECTIONS; PAYMENT OF BENEFITS
8.1 Distribution Elections. A Participant shall make, in his or her Participation Agreement with respect to a Deferral Period, either: a Separation from Service Election under subsection (b), or a Distribution Year Election under subsection (c). Such Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election shall apply to the distribution of the subaccounts of such Participants Account to which his or her Deferral Contributions and Discretionary Contributions for such Deferral Period are credited.
(a) Subaccounts. A Participants Deferral Contributions for a Deferral Period shall be credited to the subaccount for such Deferral Period under such Participants Deferral Contribution Account. Such Participants Discretionary Contributions for a Deferral Period (if any) shall be credited to the subaccount for such Deferral Period under such Participants Discretionary Contribution Account. Such Participants Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election for such Deferral Period shall apply to distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period.
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(b) Separation from Service Election. Subject to Section 8.3 (Time of Payment), a Participants Separation from Service Election with respect to a Deferral Period shall provide for the distribution of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period upon such Participants Separation from Service.
(1) Form of Distribution. Such Participant may select the form of distribution for purposes of distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period. Such Participant may select distribution in the form of a lump sum payment, or monthly installment payments over a period of years. If such Participant selects distribution in the form of monthly installment payments, such Participant shall designate the period of years (which shall be not less than one and not more than fifteen (15)) over which such monthly installment payments shall be made. If such Participant fails to select a form of distribution for purposes of distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period, such distributions shall be made in a lump sum payment.
(2) Change of Separation from Service Election. Such Participant may change his or her Separation from Service Election form of payment with respect to a Deferral Period (as set forth in such Participants Participation Agreement in effect for such Deferral Period), following the commencement of such Deferral Period, provided, however, the change made is at least twelve (12) months prior to Separation from Service, and payment may not commence sooner than five years after Separation from Service in accordance with Section 409A(a)(4)(C)(ii) and (iii) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(1)(iii). Such Participant shall complete and deliver an election to change his or her form Election with respect to a Deferral Period in accordance with the rules and procedures adopted by the EDCP Committee for such purpose. In the event Separation from Service occurs within twelve (12) months of a change of form election, such change shall have no force or effect. As provided in Section 3.3 and subsection (d), such Participant may elect a new Separation from Service Election with respect to a future Deferral Period in accordance with this Section 8.1.
(c) Distribution Year Election. Subject to Section 8.2 (Changes of Distribution Year Election) and Section 8.3 (Time of Payment), a Participants Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period shall provide for the distribution of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period upon the earlier of: the first day of the Distribution Year (as selected by the Participant), or the Participants Separation from Service.
(1) Distribution Year. Such Participant shall select the Distribution Year for purposes of distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period. The Distribution Year shall be not earlier than the second calendar year following the Deferral Period, and shall be not later than the twentieth calendar year following the Deferral Period.
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(2) Form of Distribution. The distribution of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made in a lump sum payment.
(3) Change to Distribution Year Election. A Participant may change such Participants Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period in accordance with Section 8.2.
(d) Separate Elections. A Participant may make a separate Separation of Service Election or Distribution Year Election with respect to each Deferral Period.
8.2 Changes of Distribution Year Election.
(a) Election to Change Distribution Selections. A Participant may change a Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period (as set forth in such Participants Participation Agreement in effect for such Deferral Period), following the commencement of such Deferral Period, in accordance with this Section 8.2. Such Participant shall complete and deliver an election to change his or her Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period in accordance with the rules and procedures adopted by the EDCP Committee for such purpose. The Participants election to change a Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period under this subsection (a) shall be irrevocable when made.
(b) Change of Distribution Year.
(1) Such Participant may make a new Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period, subject to the requirements of subsection (d), for purposes of such distributions of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period by electing a new Distribution Year that is not less than five years later than the Distribution Year previously selected by such Participant under the prior Distribution Year Election with respect to such Deferral Period; provided, however, that the new Distribution Year shall not be later than the twentieth calendar year following such Deferral Period.
(2) In the event a Participant makes a new Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period, and such new Distribution Year Election becomes effective, the distribution of the subaccounts of Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made upon the earlier of: (A) the first day of the new Distribution Year, or (B) such Participants Separation from Service.
(c) Additional Changes. A Participant may make subsequent new Distribution Year Elections with respect to a Deferral Period, subject to the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) and subsection (d), and the distribution of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made upon the earlier of: (A) the first day of the new Distribution Year (selected by the Participant), or (B) such Participants Separation from Service. The Participants election to change a Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period under this subsection (c) shall be irrevocable when made.
(d) Limitations on Distribution Changes. A Participant may change his or her Distribution Year Election applicable to the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a
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Deferral Period in accordance with subsection (b) or (c), subject to this subsection (d). A Participants new Distribution Year Election shall be subject to the following limitations:
(1) The Participants election of a new Distribution Year Election applicable to the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period shall not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the new Distribution Year Election is made in accordance with Section 409A(a)(4)(C)(i) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(1)(i). If the distribution from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period is made before the new Distribution Year Election becomes effective, the new Distribution Year Election shall not thereafter become effective, and the distribution from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made in accordance with the Distribution Year Election, as in effect prior to the new Distribution Year Election.
(2) The Participants election of a new Distribution Year, in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) for the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period shall provide that each payment with respect to which such new Distribution Year Election is made be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made, as determined in accordance with Section 409A(a)(4)(C)(ii) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(1)(ii).
(3) The Participants election of a new Distribution Year Election in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) for the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period shall not be made less than twelve (12) months prior to the date of the first scheduled distribution payment under the Distribution Year Election in effect for the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period in accordance with Section 409A(a)(4)(C)(iii) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(1)(iii).
(e) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Any change to a Participants Distribution Year Election shall be made in accordance with Section 409A(a)(4)(C) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b).
8.3 Time of Payment. A Participants Accounts shall be distributed in accordance with the Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election for the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for each Deferral Period.
(a) The distributions from the subaccounts of a Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period shall be made or commence upon the earliest of:
(1) the first day of the Distribution Year (if any) selected by such Participant (in the case of subaccounts subject to such Participants Distribution Year Election), or
(2) the Participants Separation from Service; or
(3) the Participants death;
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provided, however, that, in the case of a Participant who is a Specified Employee as of the date of such Participants Separation from Service, the distributions of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period upon such Participants Separation from Service shall be made or commence on the date which is six months after the date of such Participants Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of such Participants death) in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(2).
(b) If the subaccounts of a Participants Accounts for any Deferral Period are to be distributed in the form of monthly installment payments, and such Participant is a Specified Employee as of the date of such Participants Separation from Service, the monthly installment payments that otherwise would be made to such Participant prior to the date which is six months after the date of such Participants Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of such Participants death) shall be accumulated in the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period and paid commencing on such date in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(2), as adjusted to reflect the rate of return on the hypothetical Investment Funds selected by the Participant in accordance with Section 6.4. The subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be distributed in installment payments, commencing on the date which is six months after the date of such Participants Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of such Participants death), over the installment payment period designated under the Separation from Service Election for the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for the Deferral Period.
8.4 Form of Payments.
(a) Separation from Service Election Payments. In the event a Participant made a Separation from Service Election with respect to a Deferral Period, the distribution from the subaccounts in such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made in a lump sum payment, or in monthly installment payments in accordance with Section 8.1 (Distribution Elections).
(b) Distribution Year Election Payment. In the event a Participant made a Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period, the distribution from the subaccounts in such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made to such Participant in a lump sum payment. Such lump sum payment shall be made not later than sixty (60) days after the date determined under Section 8.3(b).
(c) Payments upon Death.
(1) In the event of a Participants death prior to such Participants Separation from Service, the distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for all Deferral Periods shall be made to his or her Beneficiary in a lump sum payment. Such lump sum payment shall be made as soon as practicable up to and including December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which death occurs. Payment valuation will be calculated based upon the vested account balance as of the last business day of the month that the death of the participant occurred.
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(2) In the event of a Participants death after his or her Separation from Service, the distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts shall be made or continue to be made to his or her Beneficiary in accordance with the Participants Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election in accordance with Sections 8.1 and 8.2, and distribution payments shall be made to the Beneficiary in the same form as such distribution payments would have been made to such Participant.
(d) Installment Payments.
(1) In the event a Participant makes a Separation from Service Election, and elects distribution in the form of installment payments, and the amount of each monthly installment in any calendar year for the distribution of the subaccounts in a Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period shall be calculated as follows. The amount of the monthly installment shall be determined before the first installment is paid and on each January 1st in all subsequent calendar years; provided, however, that in the case of installment payments that are suspended under Section 8.3(b), the amount of the monthly installment shall be determined on the date as of which the installment payments recommence under Section 8.3(b). The amount of each monthly installment for such calendar year shall be determined by dividing: (A) the number of remaining monthly installments into (B) the Participants vested balance in the subaccounts in the Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period, determined as of the last Valuation Date of the prior month. A Participants last installment payment shall be adjusted as needed to reflect investment gains or losses. If the total of the vested balance in the Participants Accounts (and the vested balances in the Participants accounts in all other agreements, methods, programs or other arrangements with respect to which deferrals of compensation are treated as having been deferred under a single nonqualified deferred compensation plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)(2)), determined as of any date that is on or after January 1, 2008 and on or after monthly installment payments commence, is not greater than the applicable dollar amount under Section 402(g)(1)(B) of the Code, such vested balance in the Participants Accounts (and the vested balances in such other agreements, methods, programs and arrangements) shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum payment not later than sixty (60) days after such date in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(v).
(2) If installment payments are made, the provisions of Sections 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 shall continue to apply to the unpaid interest in the relevant subaccounts.
8.5 Beneficiary Designations.
(a) General. In the event of the death of the Participant, the Participants vested interest in his or her Accounts shall be paid to the Participants Beneficiary as described in Section 8.4(c). Each Participant shall have the right to designate, in the manner specified by the EDCP Committee, a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries to receive his benefits hereunder in the event of the Participants death.
(b) Spousal Consent Requirements. If the Participant is married at the time the Beneficiary designation is filed, the Participant must designate his spouse as the Beneficiary
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of at least 50% of the Participants Accounts or provide the spouses consent to the designation of a Beneficiary other than the spouse. If a Participant marries or divorces after a Beneficiary designation is filed, the designation will no longer be effective.
(c) Revised Designations. Subject to the spousal consent requirements noted above, each Participant may change his Beneficiary designation from time to time in the manner described above. Upon receipt of such designation by the EDCP Committee, such designation or change of designation shall become effective as of the date of the notice, whether or not the Participant is living at the time the notice is received. There shall be no liability on the part of the Employer or the EDCP Committee with respect to any payment authorized by the EDCP Committee in accordance with the most recent Beneficiary designation of the Participant in the possession of the EDCP Committee before the EDCP Committee receives a more recent Beneficiary designation.
(d) Deemed Beneficiary Designations. If no designated Beneficiary is living when benefits become payable, or if there is no designated Beneficiary, the Beneficiary shall be the Participants spouse. If there is no living spouse, the Beneficiary shall be the Participants estate. If the designated Beneficiary dies after the payment of benefits begin, then the Beneficiary for the remainder of the benefits payable shall be the estate of the Beneficiary.
8.6 Prohibition on Acceleration of Distributions. The time or schedule of payment of any withdrawal or distribution under the Plan shall not be subject to acceleration, except as provided under Treasury Regulations promulgated in accordance with Section 409A(a)(3) of the Code.
8.7 Withholding and Payroll Taxes. The Employer shall withhold from Plan payment any taxes required to be withheld from such payments under federal, state or local law. Any withholding of taxes or other amounts required by federal, state or local law with respect to amounts credited to a Participants Accounts including, without limitation to, tax due under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, shall be withheld, to the maximum extent possible, from the portion of the Participants Salary or Bonus that is not contributed to this Plan. Any withholding amount that cannot be withheld in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be withheld from the Participants Deferral Contributions.
8.8 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. The Plan shall be interpreted, construed and administered in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE NINE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
9.1 Powers of the EDCP Committee.
(a) Plan Administrator. The EDCP Committee shall be the administrator of the Plan and shall be responsible for the administration of the Plan.
(b) General Powers of the EDCP Committee. The EDCP Committee shall have the power and discretion to perform the administrative and investment duties described in
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this Plan or required for proper administration of the Plan and shall have all powers necessary to enable it to properly carry out such duties. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the EDCP Committee shall have the power and discretion to construe and interpret this Plan, to hear and resolve claims relating to this Plan, and to decide all questions and disputes arising under this Plan. The EDCP Committee shall determine, in its discretion, the service credited to the Participants, the status and rights of a Participant, and the identity of the Beneficiary or Beneficiaries entitled to receive any benefits payable hereunder on account of the death of a Participant. The decision or action of the EDCP Committee in respect of any question arising under or in connection with the Plan and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Plan.
(c) Distributions. Except as is otherwise provided hereunder, the EDCP Committee shall determine the manner and time of payment of benefits under this Plan. All benefit disbursements by the Company and Employers shall be made upon the instructions of the EDCP Committee.
(d) Decisions Conclusive. The decision of the EDCP Committee upon all matters within the scope of its authority shall be binding and conclusive upon all persons.
(e) Reporting. The EDCP Committee shall file all reports and forms lawfully required to be filed by the EDCP Committee and shall distribute any forms, reports or statements to be distributed to Participants and others.
9.2 Creation of Committee. The EDCP Committee shall be appointed by the CMDC. The EDCP Committee must consist of at least three members. The EDCP Committee members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for all expenses by the Company. The EDCP Committee shall conduct itself in accordance with the provisions of this Article Nine. The members of the EDCP Committee may resign with thirty (30) days notice in writing to the Company and may be removed immediately at any time by written notice from the Company. The EDCP Committee may have duties with respect to other plans of the Company that are or identical to its duties under the Plan.
9.3 Appointment of Agents. The EDCP Committee may appoint such other agents, who need not be members of the EDCP Committee, as it may deem necessary for the effective performance of its duties, whether ministerial or discretionary, as the EDCP Committee may deem expedient or appropriate. The compensation of any agents who are not employees of the Company shall be fixed by the committee within any limitations set by the CMDC.
9.4 Majority Vote and Execution of Instruments. In all matters, questions and decisions, the action of the EDCP Committee shall be determined by a majority vote of its members. They may meet informally or take any ordinary action without the necessity of meeting as a group. All instruments executed by the EDCP Committee shall be executed by a majority of its members or by any member of the EDCP Committee designated to act on its behalf.
9.5 Allocation of Responsibilities. The EDCP Committee may allocate responsibilities among its members or designate other persons to act on its behalf. Any allocation
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or designation, however, must be set forth in writing and must be retained in the permanent records of the EDCP Committee.
9.6 Conflict of Interest. No member of the EDCP Committee who is a Participant shall take any part in any action in connection with his participation as an individual. Such action shall be voted or decided by the remaining members of the EDCP Committee.
9.7 Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the members of the EDCP Committee against any and all claims, loss, damage, expense or liability arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Plan on account of such members service on the EDCP Committee, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
9.8 Action Taken by Employer. Any action to be taken by an Employer shall be taken by resolution adopted by its board of directors or appropriate board committee; provided, however, that by resolution, the board of directors or appropriate board committee may delegate to any committee of the board or any officer of the Employer the authority to take any actions under this Plan, other than the power to determine the basis of Employer contributions.
9.9 Discretionary Authority. All delegations of responsibility set forth in this document regarding the determination of benefits and the interpretation of the terms of the Plan confer discretionary authority upon the person delegated such responsibility.
9.10 Participant Statements. The EDCP Committee shall make available a statement of Plan Accounts to each Participant and Beneficiary on a quarterly or more frequent basis, as determined by the EDCP Committee in its discretion. Such statement of Plan Accounts shall reflect the amounts allocated to each Account maintained for the Participant, the Participants vested interest in his Accounts, any distributions, withdrawals or expenses charged against the Participants Account, the hypothetical investment earnings and losses on the Participants Account, and any other information deemed appropriate by the EDCP Committee.
9.11 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. The Plan shall be interpreted, construed and administered in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE TEN
CLAIMS REVIEW PROCEDURE
10.1 General.
(a) A Participant or Beneficiary who believes that he or she has not received the benefits to which he or she is entitled may assert a claim for benefits under the Plan in accordance with the claims procedure of this Article Ten. The claims procedure of this Article Ten shall be applied in accordance with Section 503 of ERISA and Department of Labor Regulation Section 2560.503-1. A Participant or Beneficiary may assert a benefit claim, or appeal the denial of a benefits claim, through such Participants or Beneficiarys authorized representative, provided that such Participant or Beneficiary has submitted a written notice evidencing the authority of such representative to the EDCP Committee. A Participant or Beneficiary asserting a benefits claim shall be referred to as a Claimant under this Article Ten.
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(b) A Claimant shall submit his or her benefits claim under the Plan in writing to the EDCP Committee. The Claimant may include documents, records or other information relating to the benefits claim for review by the EDCP Committee in connection with such benefits claim.
10.2 Benefit Determination.
(a) The EDCP Committee shall review the Claimants benefits claim (including any documents, records or other information submitted with such benefits claim) and determine whether such benefits claim shall be approved or denied in accordance with the Plan.
(b) In the event that a Claimants benefits claim is wholly or partially denied, the EDCP Committee shall provide to the Claimant with written notice of the denial within a reasonable period of time, but not later than ninety (90) days after the receipt of the benefits claim by the EDCP Committee, unless the EDCP Committee determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for making a determination with respect to the benefits claim. If the EDCP Committee determines that an extension of time for making a determination with respect to the benefits claim is required, the EDCP Committee shall provide the Claimant with written notice of such extension prior to the end of the initial ninety (90) day period. The extension of time shall not exceed a period of ninety (90) days from the end of such initial period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the EDCP Committee expects to render the benefit determination.
(c) The notice of denial of the Claimants benefits claim shall set forth:
(1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial;
(2) references to specific Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
(3) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why the material or information is necessary; and
(4) a description of the Plans appeal procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the Claimants right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following a denial of the appeal of the denial of the benefits claim.
(d) The Claimant may appeal any denial of the benefits claim in writing to the EDCP Committee within sixty (60) days after receipt of the EDCP Committees notice of denial of benefits claim. The Claimants failure to appeal the denial of the benefits claim by the EDCP Committee in writing within the sixty (60) day period shall render the EDCP Committees determination final, binding, and conclusive.
10.3 Appeals.
(a) A Claimant may appeal the denial of a benefits claim to the EDCP Committee. The EDCP Committee shall review the appeal of the denial of the benefits claim and
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make a final determination as to whether the benefits claim should be approved or denied in accordance with the Plan.
(b) The Claimant shall be afforded the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the benefits claim, and the Claimant shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimants benefits claim. A document, record or other information shall be considered relevant to the benefits claim, as provided in Department of Labor Regulation Section 2560.503-1(m)(8). The review on appeal by the EDCP Committee shall take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the Claimant, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the EDCP Committees initial determination with respect to the benefits claim. The EDCP Committee shall advise the Claimant in writing of the EDCP Committees determination of the appeal within sixty (60) days of the claimants written request for review, unless special circumstances (such as a hearing) would make the rendering of a determination within the sixty (60) day period infeasible, but in no event shall the EDCP Committee render a determination regarding the denial of a claim for benefits later than one hundred twenty (120) days after its receipt of a request for review. If an extension of time for review is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the date the extension period commences.
(c) The notice of denial of the Claimants appeal of the denial of the Claimants benefit claim shall set forth:
(1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial of the appeal;
(2) reference to the specific Plan provisions on which the denial of the appeal is based;
(3) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimants benefits claim (and a document, record or other information shall be considered relevant to the benefits claim, as provided in Department of Labor Regulation Section 2560.503-1(m)(8)); and
(4) a statement describing Claimants right to bring an action under ERISA Section 502(a).
10.4 Notice of Denials. The EDCP Committees notice of denial of a benefits claim shall identify the address to which the Claimant may forward his appeal.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
LIMITATION ON ASSIGNMENT;
PAYMENTS TO LEGALLY INCOMPETENT DISTRIBUTEE
11.1 Anti-Alienation Clause. No benefit which shall be payable under the Plan to any person shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, charge or otherwise dispose of the same shall be void. No benefit shall in any manner
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be subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against any person, except to the extent as may be required by law. The benefits provided by this Plan are not subject to the qualified domestic relations order provisions of ERISA or the Code.
11.2 Permitted Arrangements. Section 11.1 (Anti-Alienation Clause) shall not preclude arrangements for the withholding of taxes from benefit payments, arrangements for the recovery of benefit overpayments, arrangements for the transfer of benefit rights to another plan, or arrangements for direct deposit of benefit payments to an account in a bank, savings and loan association or credit union (provided that such arrangement is not part of an arrangement constituting an assignment or alienation).
11.3 Payment to Minor or Incompetent. Whenever any benefit which shall be payable under the Plan is to be paid to or for the benefit of any person who is then a minor or determined by the EDCP Committee to be incompetent, the EDCP Committee need not require the appointment of a guardian or custodian, but shall be authorized to cause the same to be paid over to the person having custody of the minor or incompetent, or to cause the same to be paid to the minor or incompetent without the intervention of a guardian or custodian, or to cause the same to be paid to a legal guardian or custodian of the minor or incompetent if one has been appointed or to cause the same to be used for the benefit of the minor or incompetent.
ARTICLE TWELVE
AMENDMENT, MERGER AND TERMINATION
12.1 Amendment. The Company shall have the right at any time, by an instrument in writing duly executed, acknowledged and delivered to the EDCP Committee, to modify, alter or amend this Plan, in whole or in part, prospectively or retroactively (including, without limitation, to modify, alter or amend this Plan to comply with Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and applicable guidance thereunder). Additionally, the EDCP Committee shall also have the right to modify, alter or amend the Plan by written instrument provided that such amendment does not have a material adverse financial effect on the Company or the Plan. No amendment shall substantially increase the duties and liabilities of the EDCP Committee without its written consent. No amendment shall reduce any Participants vested interest in the Plan, calculated as of the date on which the amendment is adopted.
(a) Any Affiliate or other entity adopting this Plan hereby delegates the authority to amend the Plan to the Company and the EDCP Committee. If the Plan is amended after it is adopted by an Affiliate, unless otherwise expressly provided, it shall be treated as so amended by such Affiliate without the necessity of any action on the part of the Affiliate. An Affiliate or other entity that has adopted this Plan may terminate its future participation in the Plan at any time.
12.2 Plan Termination. The Company further reserves the right to terminate the Plan in whole or in part, in the following manner, except that no such termination shall have any retroactive effect to reduce any amounts allocated to a Participants Accounts, and provided that such termination complies with Codes § 409A and related regulations thereunder:
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(a) The Company, in its sole discretion, may terminate the Plan and distribute all vested Participants Accounts no earlier than twelve (12) calendar months from the date of the Plan termination and no later than twenty-four (24) calendar months from the date of the plan termination, provided however that all other similar arrangements are also terminated by the Company and no other similar arrangements are adopted by the Company within a three-year period from the date of termination; or
(b) The Company may decide, in its sole discretion, to terminate the Plan in the event of a corporate dissolution taxed under Code Section 331, or with the approval of a bankruptcy court, provided that the Participants vested Account balances are included in the Participants gross income in the latest of: (1) the calendar year in which the termination occurs; (ii) the calendar year in which the amounts deferred are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (iii) the first calendar year in which payment is administratively practicable.
12.3 Merger or Consolidation of Company. The Plan shall not be automatically terminated by the Companys acquisition by or merger into any other employer, but the Plan shall be continued after such acquisition or merger if the successor employer elects and agrees to continue the Plan. Except as provided in Section 12.4 (Continuation of Plan following Change of Control), all rights to amend, modify, suspend, or terminate the Plan shall be transferred to the successor employer, effective as of the date of the merger.
12.4 Continuation of Plan following a Change of Control. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if a Change of Control occurs following the Effective Date of this Plan, a successor employer shall have the power to (a) terminate this Plan or (b) amend any provision of the Plan that affects a Participants entitlement to a distribution from the Plan, only if 80% of the individuals who are Participants in the Plan, both as of the date of the Change of Control and as of the date of the adoption of such amendment or termination, consent to such an amendment or termination and such amendment or termination complies with Code §409A and related regulations thereunder. The provisions of this Section 12.4 shall not limit a successor employers authority to take other actions with respect to the Plan, including the authority to discontinue contributions to the Plan.
12.5 Limitation of Companys Liability. The adoption of this Plan is strictly a voluntary undertaking on the part of the Company and shall not be deemed to constitute a contract between the Company and any employee or Participant or to be consideration for, an inducement to, or a condition of the employment of any employee. A Participant, employee, or Beneficiary shall not have any right to retirement or other benefits except to the extent provided herein.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1 Limitation of Rights. Neither this Plan nor membership in the Plan shall give any employee or other person any right except to the extent that the right is specifically fixed under the terms of the Plan. The establishment of the Plan shall not be construed to give any individual a right to be continued in the service of an Employer or as interfering with the right of an Employer to terminate the service of any individual at any time.
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13.2 Construction. The masculine gender, where appearing in the Plan, shall include the feminine gender (and vice versa), and the singular shall include the plural, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. Headings and subheadings are for the purpose of reference only and are not to be considered in the construction of this Plan. If any provision of this Plan is determined to be for any reason invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. All of the provisions of this Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with ERISA and, to the extent applicable, the laws of the State of Nevada.
13.3 Status of Participants as Unsecured Creditors. All benefits under the Plan shall be the unsecured obligations of the Company and the applicable Employer, and no assets will be placed in trust or otherwise segregated from the general assets of the Company or Employers, for the payment of obligations hereunder. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company and the applicable Employer.
13.4 Uniform Administration. Whenever in the administration of the Plan any action is required by the EDCP Committee, such action shall be uniform in nature as applied to all persons similarly situated, except as otherwise provided to the contrary in this Plan document.
13.5 Heirs and Successors. All of the provisions of this Plan shall be binding upon all persons who shall be entitled to any benefits hereunder, and their heirs and legal representatives.
13.6 Electronic Administration. The EDCP Committee shall have the authority to employ alternative means (including, but not limited to, electronic, internet, intranet, voice response or telephonic) by which Participants may submit participation elections, directions, and forms required for participation in, and the administration of, this Plan. If the EDCP Committee chooses to use these alternative means, any elections, directions or forms submitted in accordance with the rules and procedures promulgated by the EDCP Committee will be deemed to satisfy any provision of this Plan calling for the submission of a written election, direction or form.
* * * * *
To signify its adoption of this Caesars Entertainment Corporation Executive Supplemental Savings Plan III, the Company has caused this Plan document to be executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company as of January 1, 2019.
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION |
By: |
Name: |
Title: |
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Exhibit 4.2
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Effective as of January 1, 2019
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE ONE PREAMBLE | 1 | |||||
ARTICLE TWO DEFINITIONS | 1 | |||||
2.1 |
Account or Accounts | 1 | ||||
2.2 |
Affiliate | 1 | ||||
2.3 |
Beneficiary | 1 | ||||
2.4 |
Board | 1 | ||||
2.5 |
CMDC | 1 | ||||
2.6 |
Change of Control | 2 | ||||
2.7 |
Code | 3 | ||||
2.8 |
Common Stock | 3 | ||||
2.9 |
Company | 3 | ||||
2.10 |
Compensation | 3 | ||||
2.11 |
Deferral Contribution | 3 | ||||
2.12 |
Deferral Contribution Account | 3 | ||||
2.13 |
Deferral Period | 4 | ||||
2.14 |
Director Fee | 4 | ||||
2.15 |
Director Stock | 4 | ||||
2.16 |
Distribution Year | 4 | ||||
2.17 |
EDCP Committee | 4 | ||||
2.18 |
Effective Date | 4 | ||||
2.19 |
ERISA | 4 | ||||
2.20 |
Investment Fund | 4 | ||||
2.21 |
Outside Director | 4 | ||||
2.22 |
Participant | 4 | ||||
2.23 |
Participation Agreement | 4 | ||||
2.24 |
Plan | 4 | ||||
2.25 |
Separation from Service | 5 | ||||
2.26 |
Service Provider | 5 | ||||
2.27 |
Service Recipient | 5 |
Page i |
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Page | ||||||
2.28 |
Specified Employee |
5 | ||||
2.29 |
Specified Employee Effective Date |
5 | ||||
2.30 |
Specified Employee Identification Date |
5 | ||||
2.31 |
Testing Year |
5 | ||||
2.32 |
Units |
6 | ||||
2.33 |
Unit Fund |
6 | ||||
2.34 |
Valuation Date |
6 | ||||
ARTICLE THREE ELIGIBILITY |
6 | |||||
3.1 |
Selection of Participants |
6 | ||||
3.2 |
No Waiting Periods |
7 | ||||
3.3 |
Participation Agreement |
7 | ||||
3.4 |
Discontinuance of Participation |
7 | ||||
ARTICLE FOUR CONTRIBUTIONS |
8 | |||||
4.1 |
Participant Contributions |
8 | ||||
ARTICLE FIVE WITHDRAWALS UPON UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY |
8 | |||||
5.1 |
Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawals |
8 | ||||
5.2 |
Account Adjustments |
10 | ||||
ARTICLE SIX CREDITING OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND INCOME |
10 | |||||
6.1 |
Account Allocations |
10 | ||||
6.2 |
Subaccounts |
10 | ||||
6.3 |
Hypothetical Investment Funds |
10 | ||||
6.4 |
Investment Direction |
10 | ||||
6.5 |
Rate of Return |
10 | ||||
6.6 |
Application to Beneficiaries |
11 | ||||
6.7 |
Director Stock |
11 | ||||
ARTICLE SEVEN VESTING |
12 | |||||
7.1 |
Vesting of Accounts |
12 | ||||
ARTICLE EIGHT DISTRIBUTION ELECTIONS; PAYMENT OF BENEFITS |
12 | |||||
8.1 |
Distribution Elections |
12 | ||||
8.2 |
Changes of Distribution Year Election |
14 |
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CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Page | ||||||
8.3 |
Time of Payment |
15 | ||||
8.4 |
Form of Payments |
16 | ||||
8.5 |
Beneficiary Designations |
17 | ||||
8.6 |
Prohibition on Acceleration of Distributions |
18 | ||||
8.7 |
Withholding and Payroll Taxes |
18 | ||||
8.8 |
Compliance with Section 409A of the Code |
18 | ||||
ARTICLE NINE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN |
18 | |||||
9.1 |
Powers of the EDCP Committee |
18 | ||||
9.2 |
Creation of Committee |
19 | ||||
9.3 |
Appointment of Agents |
19 | ||||
9.4 |
Majority Vote and Execution of Instruments |
19 | ||||
9.5 |
Allocation of Responsibilities |
19 | ||||
9.6 |
Conflict of Interest |
19 | ||||
9.7 |
Indemnification |
20 | ||||
9.8 |
Action Taken by Company |
20 | ||||
9.9 |
Discretionary Authority |
20 | ||||
9.10 |
Participant Statements |
20 | ||||
9.11 |
Compliance with Section 409A of the Code |
20 | ||||
ARTICLE TEN CLAIMS REVIEW PROCEDURE |
20 | |||||
10.1 |
General |
20 | ||||
10.2 |
Benefit Determination |
21 | ||||
10.3 |
Appeals |
21 | ||||
10.4 |
Notice of Denials |
22 | ||||
ARTICLE ELEVEN LIMITATION ON ASSIGNMENT; PAYMENTS TO LEGALLY INCOMPETENT DISTRIBUTEE |
22 | |||||
11.1 |
Anti-Alienation Clause |
22 | ||||
11.2 |
Permitted Arrangements |
22 | ||||
11.3 |
Payment to Minor or Incompetent |
23 | ||||
ARTICLE TWELVE AMENDMENT, MERGER AND TERMINATION |
23 | |||||
12.1 |
Amendment |
23 | ||||
12.2 |
Plan Termination |
23 |
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CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
Page | ||||||
12.3 |
Merger or Consolidation of Company |
23 | ||||
12.4 |
Continuation of Plan following a Change of Control |
24 | ||||
12.5 |
Limitation of Companys Liability |
24 | ||||
ARTICLE THIRTEEN GENERAL PROVISIONS |
24 | |||||
13.1 |
Limitation of Rights |
24 | ||||
13.2 |
Construction |
24 | ||||
13.3 |
Status of Participants as Unsecured Creditors |
24 | ||||
13.4 |
Uniform Administration |
25 | ||||
13.5 |
Heirs and Successors |
25 | ||||
13.6 |
Electronic Administration |
25 |
Page iv |
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION
OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
ARTICLE ONE
PREAMBLE
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the Company), hereby adopts this Caesars Entertainment Corporation Outside Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan), effective as of January 1, 2019, in order to provide non-employee directors with an opportunity and incentive to save for retirement and other purposes.
The Plan is intended to be exempt from the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA). This Plan is not intended to qualify for favorable tax treatment pursuant to Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), or any successor section or statute. This Plan is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE TWO
DEFINITIONS
When a word or phrase appears in this Plan with the initial letter capitalized, and the word or phrase does not begin a sentence, the word or phrase shall generally be a term defined in this Article Two or in the Preamble. The following words and phrases used in the Plan with the initial letter capitalized shall have the meanings set forth in this Article Two, unless a clearly different meaning is required by the context in which the word or phrase is used:
2.1 Account or Accounts means the accounts which may be maintained by the EDCP Committee to reflect the interest of a Participant or the Beneficiary of a deceased Participant under the Plan.
2.2 Affiliate means: (a) a corporation which is a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) as is the Company, (b) any other trade or business (whether or not incorporated) controlling, controlled by, or under common control (within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company, and (c) any other corporation, partnership, or other organization which is a member of an affiliated service group (within the meaning of Section 414(m) of the Code) with the Company or which is otherwise required to be aggregated with the Company pursuant to Section 414(o) of the Code.
2.3 Beneficiary means the person or trust that a Participant, in his or her most recent written designation filed with the EDCP Committee, shall have designated to receive his or her benefit under the Plan in the event of his or her death or, if applicable, the person or entity determined in accordance with Section 8.5 (Beneficiary Designations).
2.4 Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5 CMDC means the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board.
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2.6 Change of Control means and includes each of the following events or transactions described in subsection (a), (b), (c) or (d):
(a) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or group (as those terms are defined in Sections 3(a)(9), 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act) and the rules thereunder) of beneficial ownership (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (voting securities) of the Company that represent twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding voting securities, other than
(1) an acquisition by a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any person controlled by the Company or by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any person controlled by the Company, or
(2) an acquisition of voting securities by the Company or a corporation owned, directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the stock of the Company, or
(3) an acquisition of voting securities pursuant to a transaction described in subsection (c) below that would not be a Change of Control under subsection (c);
Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither of the following events shall constitute an acquisition by any person or group for purposes of this subsection (a): an acquisition of the Companys securities by the Company which causes the Companys voting securities beneficially owned by a person or group to represent twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding voting securities; provided, however, that if a person or group shall become the beneficial owner of twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Companys then outstanding voting securities by reason of share acquisitions by the Company as described above and shall, after such share acquisitions by the Company, become the beneficial owner of any additional voting securities of the Company, then such acquisition shall constitute a Change of Control; or
(b) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the beginning of such period, constitute the Board together with any new director(s) (other than a director designated by a person who shall have entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in subsection (a) or (c)) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Companys stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the two year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; or
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(c) the consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination, or a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Companys assets, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction
(1) which results in the Companys voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Company or the person that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Companys assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company (the Company or such person, the Successor Entity)) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entitys outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction, and
(2) after which no person or group beneficially owns voting securities representing twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity; provided, however, that no person or group shall be treated for purposes of this paragraph (2) as beneficially owning twenty-five percent (25%) or more of combined voting power of the Successor Entity solely as a result of the voting power held in the Company prior to the consummation of the transaction; or
(d) the Companys stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
The CMDC shall have full and final authority, which shall be exercised in its discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change of Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, and the date of the occurrence of such Change of Control and any incidental matters relating thereto.
2.7 Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
2.8 Common Stock means the common stock of the Company.
2.9 Company means Caesars Entertainment Corporation, a Delaware corporation.
2.10 Compensation means, for each Deferral Period, the total Director Fee and Director Stock earned by the Participant.
2.11 Deferral Contribution means a contribution by a Participant pursuant to Section 4.1 (Participant Contributions) of this Plan.
2.12 Deferral Contribution Account means the Account maintained to record the Deferral Contributions made by a Participant pursuant to Section 4.1 (Participant Contributions) as adjusted to reflect the rate of return on the hypothetical Investment Funds selected by the Participant in accordance with Section 6.4 (Investment Direction) and other credits or charges in accordance with this Plan. A Participants Deferral Contribution Account shall be divided into subaccounts as determined by the EDCP Committee.
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2.13 Deferral Period means, the twelve (12) month period beginning on each January 1 and ending on the next following December 31. The initial Deferral Period shall commence as of the Effective Date and shall end on the next following December 31.
2.14 Director Fee means, for purposes of this Plan, the amount paid by the Company during the Deferral Period which is earned by a Participant. Such Director Fee includes all forms of Board compensation other than expense reimbursements or any form of non-cash compensation and benefits, if any.
2.15 Director Stock means, for purposes of the Plan, equity grants with respect to the Companys Common Stock made by the Company during the Deferral Period which is earned by a Participant. Such Director Stock includes all forms of Board equity awards with respect to the Companys Common Stock other than stock options or stock appreciation rights.
2.16 Distribution Year means the calendar year selected by a Participant for purposes of distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period.
2.17 EDCP Committee means the committee designated in accordance with Section 9.2 (Creation of Committee) to carry out the administrative and investment responsibilities under the Plan.
2.18 Effective Date means January 1, 2019.
2.19 ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
2.20 Investment Fund means the hypothetical investment fund or funds established by the EDCP Committee pursuant to Section 6.4 (Investment Direction).
2.21 Outside Director means any member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any Affiliate.
2.22 Participant means any Outside Director.
2.23 Participation Agreement means the agreement to defer Director Fee and/or Director Stock submitted by a Participant to the EDCP Committee in accordance with Section 3.3 (Participation Agreement). Such agreement shall be in written or electronic form, as determined by the EDCP Committee.
2.24 Plan means this Outside Director Deferred Compensation Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
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2.25 Separation from Service of a Service Provider means his or her separation from service, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), with respect to the Service Recipient.
2.26 Service Provider means a Participant or any other service provider, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(f). Service Provider includes a Participant.
2.27 Service Recipient, with respect to any Service Provider, means the service recipient, as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(g), as determined from time to time. As provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(g), the service recipient shall mean the person for whom the Service Providers services are performed and with respect to whom the legally binding right to compensation arises, and all persons with whom such person would be considered a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code; provided, however, that, for purposes of Section 2.27, the service recipient shall be determined as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(3).
2.28 Specified Employee means a Service Provider who, as of the date of the Service Providers Separation from Service, is a Key Employee of the Service Recipient any stock of which is publicly traded on an established securities market or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, a Service Provider is a Key Employee if the Service Provider meets the requirements of Section 416(i)(1)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the Code (applied in accordance with the Treasury Regulations thereunder and disregarding Section 416(i)(5) of the Code) at any time during the Testing Year. If a Service Provider is a Key Employee (as defined above) as of a Specified Employee Identification Date, the Service Provider shall be treated as Key Employee for the entire 12-month period beginning on the Specified Employee Effective Date. For purposes of this Section 2.28, a Service Providers compensation for a Testing Year shall mean such Service Providers compensation, as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.415(c)-2(d)(4), from the Service Recipient for such Testing Year. The Specified Employees shall be determined in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i).
2.29 Specified Employee Effective Date means the first day of the fourth month following the Specified Employee Identification Date. The Specified Employee Effective Date may be changed by the CMDC, in its discretion, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)(4).
2.30 Specified Employee Identification Date for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)(3), means December 31. The Specified Employee Identification Date shall apply to all nonqualified deferred compensation plans (as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(a)) of the Service Recipient and all affected Service Providers. The Specified Employee Identification Date may be changed by the CMDC, in its discretion, in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)(3).
2.31 Testing Year shall mean the 12-month period ending on the Specified Employee Identification Date, as determined from time to time.
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2.32 Units means the units credited under the Unit Fund with respect to Director Stock Deferral Contributions as described in Section 6.7 (Director Stock).
2.33 Unit Fund means the Unit Fund established by the EDCP Committee pursuant to Section 6.7.
2.34 Valuation Date means the date for valuing the hypothetical Investment Funds and Unit Fund maintained under the Plan, which shall be each business day of the Deferral Period.
ARTICLE THREE
ELIGIBILITY
3.1 Selection of Participants.
(a) General. Participation in the Plan shall be limited to Outside Directors.
(b) Eligibility Date. An Outside Director shall become eligible to participate in the Plan as of the Effective Date. Any other Outside Director shall become eligible to participate in the Plan as of the first day of the Deferral Period on or next following the date on which such Outside Director becomes an Outside Director (or as of such earlier or later date as is designated by the EDCP Committee). The date as of which an Outside Director first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan shall be referred to as such Outside Directors Eligibility Date.
(c) Entry into Plan.
(1) Entry on Effective Date. An Outside Director who is eligible to participate in the Plan as of the Effective Date shall enter the Plan as of the Effective Date. If such Participants initial Participation Agreement is completed and delivered to the EDCP Committee prior to the Effective Date, the Participants Deferral Contributions shall be determined with reference to Compensation earned on or after the Effective Date.
(2) Entry after Effective Date. Except as provided in paragraph (3), if a Participant becomes eligible to participate in the Plan after the Effective Date, such Participant may elect to begin Plan participation as of the first day of any subsequent Deferral Period. Such Participant shall complete and deliver his or her Participation Agreement in accordance with the rules and procedures adopted by the EDCP Committee for such purpose before the first day of such Deferral Period, and such Participants Deferral Contributions shall be determined with reference to Compensation earned on or after the first day of such Deferral Period.
(3) Exception to Entry Requirement. If a Participant first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan after the Effective Date, such Participant may elect to begin Plan participation during a Deferral Period, if such Participant elects to begin Plan participation within thirty (30) days after his or her Eligibility Date in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(a)(7). Such Participant shall complete and deliver his or her Participation Agreement in accordance with the rules and procedures adopted
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by the EDCP Committee for such purpose within thirty (30) days after his or her Eligibility Date, and such Participation Agreement shall be effective as of such date following completion and delivery as is determined by the EDCP Committee. Such Participation Agreement shall apply only with respect to such Participants Director Fee earned on or after the first day of the first full payroll period in the Deferral Period following the effective date of such Participation Agreement. Director Stock may not be deferred.
3.2 No Waiting Periods. A Participant need not complete any particular period of service in order to be eligible to make Deferral Contributions.
3.3 Participation Agreement.
(a) Content of Participation Agreement.
(1) Authorization of Deferral Contributions. A Participant shall complete and deliver a Participation Agreement evidencing his or her election to participate in the Plan with respect to a Deferral Period, in the manner and at such time as the EDCP Committee shall require. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.1(c)(3) (Selection of Participants Entry into Plan Exception to Entry Requirement), a Participant must complete and deliver his or her Participation Agreement with respect to the Deferral Period prior to such Deferral Period. In the Participation Agreement with respect to a Deferral Period, the Participant shall select the amount or rate of his or her Deferral Contributions and authorize the reduction of his or her Compensation in an amount equal to his or her Deferral Contributions. A Participants Participation Agreement shall set forth such other information as the EDCP Committee shall require. The Participants selection of the amount or rate of his or her Deferral Contributions and authorization of the reduction of Compensation with respect to a Deferral Period shall become irrevocable as provided by the EDCP Committee (and in any event not later than the last day of the next preceding Deferral Period).
(2) Distribution Elections. A Participant shall make a Separation from Service Election, or a Distribution Year Election, in his or her Participation Agreement in accordance with Section 8.1 (Distribution Elections). Except as provided in Sections 8.1 (Distribution Elections) and 8.2 (Change of Distribution Year Election), the Participants Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election, as applicable, with respect to a Deferral Period shall become irrevocable not later than the last day of the next preceding Deferral Period); provided, however, that, in the case of a Participant described in Section 3.1(c)(3), such Participants Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election, as applicable, shall be irrevocable when made.
3.4 Discontinuance of Participation. Once an Outside Director is designated as a Participant, he or she shall continue as such for all future Deferral Periods unless and until: (a) the Participant has a Separation from Service and receives a full distribution of his Accounts, or (b) is no longer categorized as an individual entitled to participate in the Plan pursuant to Section 3.1 (Selection of Participants) above. If a Participants participation is discontinued, the Participant shall no longer be eligible to make Deferral Contributions. The Participant shall not be entitled to receive a distribution, however, until the occurrence of one of the events listed in Article Five (Withdrawals upon Unforeseeable Emergency) or Article Eight (Distribution Elections; Payment of Benefits).
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ARTICLE FOUR
CONTRIBUTIONS
4.1 Participant Contributions.
(a) Director Fee Deferral Contributions. A Participant may elect to defer any whole percentage of such cash-based Director Fee earned by him or her during the Deferral Period up to a maximum of one-hundred percent (100%).
(b) Director Stock Deferral Contributions. A Participant may elect to defer any whole percentage of such equity-based Director Stock earned by him or her during the Deferral Period up to a maximum of one-hundred percent (100%) but fractional shares will not be deferred.
(c) Excess Deferral Contributions. The EDCP Committee may, in its discretion, permit an individual Participant to make Deferral Contributions in excess of the limitations set forth in or established in accordance with this Section 4.1, or place additional restrictions on an individual Participants Deferral Contributions, prior to the first day of the Deferral Period for which such permission or additional restriction is to be effective. All Deferral Contributions under this Plan shall be made in accordance with such rules and procedures regarding Participant deferrals as may be promulgated by the EDCP Committee from time to time. All Participant elections are subject to the timing requirements set forth in Section 3.3 (Participation Agreement).
ARTICLE FIVE
WITHDRAWALS UPON UNFORESEEABLE EMERGENCY
5.1 Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawals.
(a) General.
(1) A Participant may elect to receive a withdrawal from his or her Accounts upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency. Such Participant may elect to receive a withdrawal by completing and delivering an election with the EDCP Committee in accordance with the uniform procedures promulgated by the EDCP Committee.
(2) The election to receive a withdrawal upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency by a Participant who is entitled to a distribution under Article Eight (Distribution Elections; Payment of Benefits) shall override the distribution election in effect for such Participant under Article Eight with respect to the amount to be withdrawn, both as to form of payment and timing of payment. If installment payments to such Participant have begun at the time an election for a withdrawal upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency is made, the election shall apply only with respect to the unpaid balance of such Participants Accounts.
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(3) The amount to be distributed to a Participant who elects a withdrawal upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency shall not exceed the amounts reasonably necessary to satisfy such Unforeseeable Emergency (and shall include amounts necessary to pay federal, state, local or foreign taxes and penalties reasonably anticipated as a result of the withdrawal), after taking into account the extent to which such Unforeseeable Emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation through insurance or otherwise, by liquidation of the Participants assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship), or by cessation of Deferral Contributions, as determined by the EDCP Committee in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii)(II) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(3)(ii).
(4) For purposes of this Section 5.1, Unforeseeable Emergency with respect to a Participant shall mean a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, or the Participants spouse, Beneficiary or dependent (as defined in Section 152 of the Code, without regard to Sections 152(b)(1), (b)(2) and (d)(1)(B) of the Code) of the Participant, loss of the Participants property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant, as determined by the EDCP Committee in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii)(I) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(3)(i).
(5) For purposes of determining the amount to be distributed to such Participant, the Participants Accounts shall be valued as of the Valuation Date immediately preceding the date the withdrawal election is approved by the EDCP Committee. The amount to be distributed to a Participant who elects a withdrawal upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency shall not exceed such Participants vested interest in his or her Accounts. The Participants vested interest in his or her Deferral Contribution Account shall be determined as of the Valuation Date immediately preceding the date the withdrawal election is approved by the EDCP Committee.
(6) The amount to be distributed to the Participant pursuant to such Participants election to receive a withdrawal upon the occurrence of Unforeseeable Emergency shall be paid in a lump sum payment within sixty (60) days following the approval of the Participants withdrawal election by the EDCP Committee.
(b) Cancellation of Deferral Contributions. If a Participant receives a withdrawal upon the occurrence of Unforeseeable Emergency, the Participants Deferral Contributions to the Plan shall be cancelled for the remainder of the Deferral Period during which the withdrawal is distributed to the Participant, to the extent required under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(ii) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(3)(ii), in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(viii). Upon expiration of the cancellation period described in the preceding sentence, the Participant shall be permitted to submit a new Participation Agreement in accordance with Section 3.3 (Participation Agreement) and to begin making Deferral Contributions with respect to Compensation earned on or after the first day of the first payroll period of the next following Deferral Period.
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5.2 Account Adjustments. A Participants withdrawal upon the occurrence of Unforeseeable Emergency shall be charged on a pro rata basis to the Participants vested interests in the subaccounts in such Participants Accounts.
ARTICLE SIX
CREDITING OF CONTRIBUTIONS AND INCOME
6.1 Account Allocations. All Deferral Contributions shall be credited to the Participants Deferral Contribution Account. All credits and charges to all Participants Accounts shall be done in accordance with the policies and procedures of the EDCP Committee. All transfers to, payments from and charges against an Account shall be charged against the Account as of the Valuation Date on which the transaction occurs. The Accounts are bookkeeping accounts only, and the EDCP Committee is not in any way obligated to segregate assets for the benefit of any Participant.
6.2 Subaccounts. The EDCP Committee may divide any Account into such subaccounts as it deems necessary and desirable.
6.3 Hypothetical Investment Funds. The EDCP Committee shall establish a series of hypothetical Investment Funds for use pursuant to this Article Six.
6.4 Investment Direction. A Participant shall direct the hypothetical investment of his Deferral Contribution Account (excluding Director Stock Deferral Contributions) among the Investment Funds in the manner (including, but not limited to, writing, electronic, internet, intranet, voice response or telephonic) established by the EDCP Committee. The Participants Deferral Contribution Account (excluding Director Stock Deferral Contributions) shall not be invested in the Investment Funds, but the value of the Participants Accounts shall be measured by the performance of the Investment Funds selected. Any and all changes to a Participants Investment Fund allocation shall be made in accordance with the uniform procedures of the EDCP Committee, which shall permit changes in Investment Fund allocations on a quarterly or more frequent basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.4, the EDCP Committee may retain the overriding discretion regarding the Participants selection of Investment Funds under this Section 6.4. If a Participant fails to direct the hypothetical investment of his or her Accounts in the manner established by the EDCP Committee, the Participant shall be deemed to have selected the default hypothetical Investment Fund(s) selected by the EDCP Committee for such purpose, in the discretion of the EDCP Committee and in accordance with its uniform policies and procedures. Director Stock Deferral Contributions shall not be subject to hypothetical investment among the Investment Funds.
6.5 Rate of Return. A Participants Accounts shall be adjusted on each Valuation Date to reflect investment gains and losses as if the Accounts were invested in the hypothetical Investment Funds selected by the Participant in accordance with Section 6.4 (Investment Direction) and charged with any and all reasonable expenses related to the administration of the Plan including, but not limited to, the reasonable expenses of carrying out the hypothetical
Page 10 |
investment directions related to each Account. The earnings and losses allocated to any Account shall be allocated among the subaccounts of that Account in the same manner. The earnings and losses determined by the EDCP Committee in good faith and in its discretion pursuant to this Article Six shall be binding and conclusive on the Participant, the Participants Beneficiary and all parties claiming through them.
6.6 Application to Beneficiaries. The provisions of this Article Six shall also apply to the Beneficiaries of a deceased Participant.
6.7 Director Stock. If a Participant elects to defer Director Stock, the Participant will be automatically and irrevocably credited with a corresponding number of units under the Unit Fund under the Plan. Units allocated to the Unit Fund on behalf of any Participant shall only be distributed to the Participant in actual shares of the Companys Common Stock equal in number to the number of the Participants vested Units.
(a) The Units remain subject to vesting and forfeiture provisions set forth in the applicable award or other applicable agreement. Any fractional share of Common Stock shall be distributed in cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of the fractional share of Common Stock.
(b) Any stock dividends, cash dividends or other non-cash dividends that would have been payable on the Common Stock underlying the deferred award shall be credited to the Participants Deferral Contribution Account in the form of additional Units under the Plan until such Units are forfeited or distributed to the Participant. The number of Units credited to the Participant for a particular Common Stock dividend shall be equal to (1) the number of Units credited to the Participants Deferral Contribution Account as of the dividend record date, multiplied by (2) the number of additional or fractional shares of Common Stock actually paid as a dividend in respect of each share of Common Stock. The number of Units credited to the Participant for a particular cash dividend or non-cash dividend other than a Common Stock dividend shall be equal to (1) the number of Units credited to the Participants Deferral Contribution Account as of the dividend record date, multiplied by (2) the fair market value of the dividend, divided by (3) the fair market value of the Common Stock on the dividend payment date. Any additional Units credited pursuant to this Section 6.7(b) shall be credited effective the day following the date the dividend was paid, and shall have the same status, and shall be subject to the same terms and conditions (including without limitation the vesting and forfeiture provisions) applicable to the Units to which they relate.
(c) The number of Units credited to the Participants Deferral Contribution Account shall be adjusted by the EDCP Committee, in its sole discretion, to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants rights with respect to the portion of his or her Deferral Contribution Account allocated to the Unit Fund in the event of any reorganization, reclassification, stock split, or other unusual corporate transaction or event which affects the value of the stock.
(d) For purposes of this Section 6.7, the fair market value of the Common Stock shall mean, the last price (in regular trading) for a share of the Companys Common Stock as furnished by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the NASD) through the NASDAQ Global Market Reporting System (the Global Market) for the date in question or, if
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no sales of Common Stock were reported by the NASD on the Global Market on that date, the last price (in regular trading) for a share of Common Stock as furnished by the NASD through the Global Market for the next preceding day on which sales of Common Stock were reported by the NASD. If the Common Stock is no longer listed or is no longer actively traded on the Global Market as of the applicable date, the fair market value of the Common Stock shall be the value as reasonably determined by the EDCP Committee in its sole discretion.
ARTICLE SEVEN
VESTING
7.1 Vesting of Accounts. Each Participant shall at all times have a fully vested interest in his or her Deferral Contribution Account (excluding the portion, if any, attributable to Director Stock Deferral Contributions and any credits or charges thereto in accordance with this Plan), and a Participants rights and interests therein shall not be forfeitable for any reason. Each Participant shall vest in his or her Director Stock Deferral Contributions and any credits or charges thereto in accordance with this Plan as provided in Section 6.7(a). Any portion of a Participants Director Stock Deferral Contributions and any credits or charges thereto in accordance with this Plan which are not vested shall be forfeited as provided in Section 6.7(a).
ARTICLE EIGHT
DISTRIBUTION ELECTIONS; PAYMENT OF BENEFITS
8.1 Distribution Elections. A Participant shall make, in his or her Participation Agreement with respect to a Deferral Period, either: a Separation from Service Election under subsection (b), or a Distribution Year Election under subsection (c). Such Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election shall apply to the distribution of the subaccounts of such Participants Account to which his or her Deferral Contributions for such Deferral Period are credited.
(a) Subaccounts. A Participants Deferral Contributions for a Deferral Period shall be credited to the subaccount for such Deferral Period under such Participants Deferral Contribution Account. Such Participants Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election for such Deferral Period shall apply to distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period.
(b) Separation from Service Election. Subject to Section 8.3 (Time of Payment), a Participants Separation from Service Election with respect to a Deferral Period shall provide for the distribution of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period upon such Participants Separation from Service.
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(1) Form of Distribution. Such Participant may select the form of distribution for purposes of distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period. Such Participant may select distribution in the form of a lump sum payment, or monthly installment payments over a period of years. If such Participant selects distribution in the form of monthly installment payments, such Participant shall designate the period of years (which shall be not less than one and not more than fifteen (15)) over which such monthly installment payments shall be made. If such Participant fails to select a form of distribution for purposes of distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period, such distributions shall be made in a lump sum payment.
(2) Change of Separation from Service Election. Such Participant may change his or her Separation from Service Election form of payment with respect to a Deferral Period (as set forth in such Participants Participation Agreement in effect for such Deferral Period), following the commencement of such Deferral Period, provided, however, the change made is at least twelve (12) months prior to Separation from Service, and payment may not commence sooner than five years after Separation from Service in accordance with Section 409A(a)(4)(C)(ii) and (iii) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(1)(iii). Such Participant shall complete and deliver an election to change his or her form Election with respect to a Deferral Period in accordance with the rules and procedures adopted by the EDCP Committee for such purpose. In the event Separation from Service occurs within twelve (12) months of a change of form election, such change shall have no force or effect. As provided in Section 3.3 and subsection (d), such Participant may elect a new Separation from Service Election with respect to a future Deferral Period in accordance with this Section 8.1.
(c) Distribution Year Election. Subject to Section 8.2 (Changes of Distribution Year Election) and Section 8.3 (Time of Payment), a Participants Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period shall provide for the distribution of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period upon the earlier of: the first day of the Distribution Year (as selected by the Participant), or the Participants Separation from Service.
(1) Distribution Year. Such Participant shall select the Distribution Year for purposes of distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period. The Distribution Year shall be not earlier than the second calendar year following the Deferral Period, and shall be not later than the twentieth calendar year following the Deferral Period.
(2) Form of Distribution. The distribution of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made in a lump sum payment.
(3) Change to Distribution Year Election. A Participant may change such Participants Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period in accordance with Section 8.2.
(d) Separate Elections. A Participant may make a separate Separation of Service Election or Distribution Year Election with respect to each Deferral Period.
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8.2 Changes of Distribution Year Election.
(a) Election to Change Distribution Selections. A Participant may change a Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period (as set forth in such Participants Participation Agreement in effect for such Deferral Period), following the commencement of such Deferral Period, in accordance with this Section 8.2. Such Participant shall complete and deliver an election to change his or her Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period in accordance with the rules and procedures adopted by the EDCP Committee for such purpose. The Participants election to change a Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period under this subsection (a) shall be irrevocable when made.
(b) Change of Distribution Year.
(1) Such Participant may make a new Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period, subject to the requirements of subsection (d), for purposes of such distributions of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period by electing a new Distribution Year that is not less than five years later than the Distribution Year previously selected by such Participant under the prior Distribution Year Election with respect to such Deferral Period; provided, however, that the new Distribution Year shall not be later than the twentieth calendar year following such Deferral Period.
(2) In the event a Participant makes a new Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period, and such new Distribution Year Election becomes effective, the distribution of the subaccounts of Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made upon the earlier of: (A) the first day of the new Distribution Year, or (B) such Participants Separation from Service.
(c) Additional Changes. A Participant may make subsequent new Distribution Year Elections with respect to a Deferral Period, subject to the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) and subsection (d), and the distribution of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made upon the earlier of: (A) the first day of the new Distribution Year (selected by the Participant), or (B) such Participants Separation from Service. The Participants election to change a Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period under this subsection (c) shall be irrevocable when made.
(d) Limitations on Distribution Changes. A Participant may change his or her Distribution Year Election applicable to the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period in accordance with subsection (b) or (c), subject to this subsection (d). A Participants new Distribution Year Election shall be subject to the following limitations:
(1) The Participants election of a new Distribution Year Election applicable to the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period shall not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the new Distribution Year Election is made in accordance with Section 409A(a)(4)(C)(i) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(1)(i). If the distribution from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period is made before the new Distribution Year
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Election becomes effective, the new Distribution Year Election shall not thereafter become effective, and the distribution from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made in accordance with the Distribution Year Election, as in effect prior to the new Distribution Year Election.
(2) The Participants election of a new Distribution Year, in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) for the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period shall provide that each payment with respect to which such new Distribution Year Election is made be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made, as determined in accordance with Section 409A(a)(4)(C)(ii) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(1)(ii).
(3) The Participants election of a new Distribution Year Election in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) for the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period shall not be made less than twelve (12) months prior to the date of the first scheduled distribution payment under the Distribution Year Election in effect for the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period in accordance with Section 409A(a)(4)(C)(iii) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(1)(iii).
(e) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Any change to a Participants Distribution Year Election shall be made in accordance with Section 409A(a)(4)(C) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b).
8.3 Time of Payment. A Participants Accounts shall be distributed in accordance with the Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election for the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for each Deferral Period.
(a) The distributions from the subaccounts of a Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period shall be made or commence upon the earliest of:
(1) the first day of the Distribution Year (if any) selected by such Participant (in the case of subaccounts subject to such Participants Distribution Year Election), or
(2) the Participants Separation from Service; or
(3) the Participants death;
provided, however, that, in the case of a Participant who is a Specified Employee as of the date of such Participants Separation from Service, the distributions of the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period upon such Participants Separation from Service shall be made or commence on the date which is six months after the date of such Participants Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of such Participants death) in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and the Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(2).
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(b) If the subaccounts of a Participants Accounts for any Deferral Period are to be distributed in the form of monthly installment payments, and such Participant is a Specified Employee as of the date of such Participants Separation from Service, the monthly installment payments that otherwise would be made to such Participant prior to the date which is six months after the date of such Participants Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of such Participants death) shall be accumulated in the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period and paid commencing on such date in accordance with Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(2), as adjusted to reflect the rate of return on the hypothetical Investment Funds selected by the Participant in accordance with Section 6.4. The subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be distributed in installment payments, commencing on the date which is six months after the date of such Participants Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of such Participants death), over the installment payment period designated under the Separation from Service Election for the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for the Deferral Period.
8.4 Form of Payments.
(a) Separation from Service Election Payments. In the event a Participant made a Separation from Service Election with respect to a Deferral Period, the distribution from the subaccounts in such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made in a lump sum payment, or in monthly installment payments in accordance with Section 8.1 (Distribution Elections).
(b) Distribution Year Election Payment. In the event a Participant made a Distribution Year Election with respect to a Deferral Period, the distribution from the subaccounts in such Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period shall be made to such Participant in a lump sum payment. Such lump sum payment shall be made not later than sixty (60) days after the date determined under Section 8.3(b).
(c) Payments upon Death.
(1) In the event of a Participants death prior to such Participants Separation from Service, the distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts for all Deferral Periods shall be made to his or her Beneficiary in a lump sum payment. Such lump sum payment shall be made as soon as practicable up to and including December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which death occurs. Payment valuation will be calculated based upon the vested account balance as of the last business day of the month that the death of the participant occurred.
(2) In the event of a Participants death after his or her Separation from Service, the distributions from the subaccounts of such Participants Accounts shall be made or continue to be made to his or her Beneficiary in accordance with the Participants Separation from Service Election or Distribution Year Election in accordance with Sections 8.1 and 8.2, and distribution payments shall be made to the Beneficiary in the same form as such distribution payments would have been made to such Participant.
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(d) Installment Payments.
(1) In the event a Participant makes a Separation from Service Election, and elects distribution in the form of installment payments, and the amount of each monthly installment in any calendar year for the distribution of the subaccounts in a Participants Accounts for a Deferral Period shall be calculated as follows. The amount of the monthly installment shall be determined before the first installment is paid and on each January 1st in all subsequent calendar years; provided, however, that in the case of installment payments that are suspended under Section 8.3(b), the amount of the monthly installment shall be determined on the date as of which the installment payments recommence under Section 8.3(b). The amount of each monthly installment for such calendar year shall be determined by dividing: (A) the number of remaining monthly installments into (B) the Participants vested balance in the subaccounts in the Participants Accounts for such Deferral Period, determined as of the last Valuation Date of the prior month. Any fractional share of Common Stock will not be distributed until the last installment payment at which time such fractional share shall be distributed in cash in an amount equal to the fair market value of the fractional share of stock. A Participants last installment payment shall be adjusted as needed to reflect investment gains or losses. If the total of the vested balance in the Participants Accounts (and the vested balances in the Participants accounts in all other agreements, methods, programs or other arrangements with respect to which deferrals of compensation are treated as having been deferred under a single nonqualified deferred compensation plan under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(c)(2)), determined as of any date that is on or after January 1, 2008 and on or after monthly installment payments commence, is not greater than the applicable dollar amount under Section 402(g)(1)(B) of the Code, such vested balance in the Participants Accounts (and the vested balances in such other agreements, methods, programs and arrangements) shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum payment not later than sixty (60) days after such date in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(v).
(2) If installment payments are made, the provisions of Sections 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 shall continue to apply to the unpaid interest in the relevant subaccounts.
8.5 Beneficiary Designations.
(a) General. In the event of the death of the Participant, the Participants vested interest in his or her Accounts shall be paid to the Participants Beneficiary as described in Section 8.4(c). Each Participant shall have the right to designate, in the manner specified by the EDCP Committee, a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries to receive his benefits hereunder in the event of the Participants death.
(b) Spousal Consent Requirements. If the Participant is married at the time the Beneficiary designation is filed, the Participant must designate his spouse as the Beneficiary of at least 50% of the Participants Accounts or provide the spouses consent to the designation of a Beneficiary other than the spouse. If a Participant marries or divorces after a Beneficiary designation is filed, the designation will no longer be effective.
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(c) Revised Designations. Subject to the spousal consent requirements noted above, each Participant may change his Beneficiary designation from time to time in the manner described above. Upon receipt of such designation by the EDCP Committee, such designation or change of designation shall become effective as of the date of the notice, whether or not the Participant is living at the time the notice is received. There shall be no liability on the part of the Company or the EDCP Committee with respect to any payment authorized by the EDCP Committee in accordance with the most recent Beneficiary designation of the Participant in the possession of the EDCP Committee before the EDCP Committee receives a more recent Beneficiary designation.
(d) Deemed Beneficiary Designations. If no designated Beneficiary is living when benefits become payable, or if there is no designated Beneficiary, the Beneficiary shall be the Participants spouse. If there is no living spouse, the Beneficiary shall be the Participants estate. If the designated Beneficiary dies after the payment of benefits begin, then the Beneficiary for the remainder of the benefits payable shall be the estate of the Beneficiary.
8.6 Prohibition on Acceleration of Distributions. The time or schedule of payment of any withdrawal or distribution under the Plan shall not be subject to acceleration, except as provided under Treasury Regulations promulgated in accordance with Section 409A(a)(3) of the Code.
8.7 Withholding and Payroll Taxes. The Company shall withhold from Plan payment any taxes required to be withheld from such payments under federal, state or local law. Any withholding of taxes or other amounts required by federal, state or local law with respect to amounts credited to a Participants Accounts including, without limitation to, tax due under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, shall be withheld, to the maximum extent possible, from the portion of the Participants Salary or Bonus that is not contributed to this Plan. Any withholding amount that cannot be withheld in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be withheld from the Participants Deferral Contributions.
8.8 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. The Plan shall be interpreted, construed and administered in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE NINE
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
9.1 Powers of the EDCP Committee.
(a) Plan Administrator. The EDCP Committee shall be the administrator of the Plan and shall be responsible for the administration of the Plan.
(b) General Powers of the EDCP Committee. The EDCP Committee shall have the power and discretion to perform the administrative and investment duties described in this Plan or required for proper administration of the Plan and shall have all powers necessary to enable it to properly carry out such duties. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the EDCP Committee shall have the power and discretion to construe and interpret this Plan, to hear and resolve claims relating to this Plan, and to decide all questions and disputes arising under
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this Plan. The EDCP Committee shall determine, in its discretion, the service credited to the Participants, the status and rights of a Participant, and the identity of the Beneficiary or Beneficiaries entitled to receive any benefits payable hereunder on account of the death of a Participant. The decision or action of the EDCP Committee in respect of any question arising under or in connection with the Plan and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having an interest in the Plan.
(c) Distributions. Except as is otherwise provided hereunder, the EDCP Committee shall determine the manner and time of payment of benefits under this Plan.
(d) Decisions Conclusive. The decision of the EDCP Committee upon all matters within the scope of its authority shall be binding and conclusive upon all persons.
(e) Reporting. The EDCP Committee shall file all reports and forms lawfully required to be filed by the EDCP Committee and shall distribute any forms, reports or statements to be distributed to Participants and others.
9.2 Creation of Committee. The EDCP Committee shall be appointed by the CMDC. The EDCP Committee must consist of at least three members. The EDCP Committee members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for all expenses by the Company. The EDCP Committee shall conduct itself in accordance with the provisions of this Article Nine. The members of the EDCP Committee may resign with thirty (30) days notice in writing to the Company and may be removed immediately at any time by written notice from the Company. The EDCP Committee may have duties with respect to other plans of the Company that are or identical to its duties under the Plan.
9.3 Appointment of Agents. The EDCP Committee may appoint such other agents, who need not be members of the EDCP Committee, as it may deem necessary for the effective performance of its duties, whether ministerial or discretionary, as the EDCP Committee may deem expedient or appropriate. The compensation of any agents who are not employees of the Company shall be fixed by the committee within any limitations set by the CMDC.
9.4 Majority Vote and Execution of Instruments. In all matters, questions and decisions, the action of the EDCP Committee shall be determined by a majority vote of its members. They may meet informally or take any ordinary action without the necessity of meeting as a group. All instruments executed by the EDCP Committee shall be executed by a majority of its members or by any member of the EDCP Committee designated to act on its behalf.
9.5 Allocation of Responsibilities. The EDCP Committee may allocate responsibilities among its members or designate other persons to act on its behalf. Any allocation or designation, however, must be set forth in writing and must be retained in the permanent records of the EDCP Committee.
9.6 Conflict of Interest. No member of the EDCP Committee who is a Participant shall take any part in any action in connection with his participation as an individual. Such action shall be voted or decided by the remaining members of the EDCP Committee.
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9.7 Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless the members of the EDCP Committee against any and all claims, loss, damage, expense or liability arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Plan on account of such members service on the EDCP Committee, except in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct.
9.8 Action Taken by Company. Any action to be taken by the Company shall be taken by resolution adopted by its board of directors or appropriate board committee; provided, however, that by resolution, the board of directors or appropriate board committee may delegate to any committee of the board or any officer of the Company the authority to take any actions under this Plan.
9.9 Discretionary Authority. All delegations of responsibility set forth in this document regarding the determination of benefits and the interpretation of the terms of the Plan confer discretionary authority upon the person delegated such responsibility.
9.10 Participant Statements. The EDCP Committee shall make available a statement of Plan Accounts to each Participant and Beneficiary on a quarterly or more frequent basis, as determined by the EDCP Committee in its discretion. Such statement of Plan Accounts shall reflect the amounts allocated to each Account maintained for the Participant, the Participants vested interest in his Accounts, any distributions, withdrawals or expenses charged against the Participants Account, the hypothetical investment earnings and losses on the Participants Account, and any other information deemed appropriate by the EDCP Committee.
9.11 Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. The Plan shall be interpreted, construed and administered in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder.
ARTICLE TEN
CLAIMS REVIEW PROCEDURE
10.1 General.
(a) A Participant or Beneficiary who believes that he or she has not received the benefits to which he or she is entitled may assert a claim for benefits under the Plan in accordance with the claims procedure of this Article Ten. A Participant or Beneficiary may assert a benefit claim, or appeal the denial of a benefits claim, through such Participants or Beneficiarys authorized representative, provided that such Participant or Beneficiary has submitted a written notice evidencing the authority of such representative to the EDCP Committee. A Participant or Beneficiary asserting a benefits claim shall be referred to as a Claimant under this Article Ten.
(b) A Claimant shall submit his or her benefits claim under the Plan in writing to the EDCP Committee. The Claimant may include documents, records or other information relating to the benefits claim for review by the EDCP Committee in connection with such benefits claim.
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10.2 Benefit Determination.
(a) The EDCP Committee shall review the Claimants benefits claim (including any documents, records or other information submitted with such benefits claim) and determine whether such benefits claim shall be approved or denied in accordance with the Plan.
(b) In the event that a Claimants benefits claim is wholly or partially denied, the EDCP Committee shall provide to the Claimant with written notice of the denial within a reasonable period of time, but not later than ninety (90) days after the receipt of the benefits claim by the EDCP Committee, unless the EDCP Committee determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for making a determination with respect to the benefits claim. If the EDCP Committee determines that an extension of time for making a determination with respect to the benefits claim is required, the EDCP Committee shall provide the Claimant with written notice of such extension prior to the end of the initial ninety (90) day period. The extension of time shall not exceed a period of ninety (90) days from the end of such initial period. The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the EDCP Committee expects to render the benefit determination.
(c) The notice of denial of the Claimants benefits claim shall set forth:
(1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial;
(2) references to specific Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
(3) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why the material or information is necessary; and
(4) a description of the Plans appeal procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures.
(d) The Claimant may appeal any denial of the benefits claim in writing to the EDCP Committee within sixty (60) days after receipt of the EDCP Committees notice of denial of benefits claim. The Claimants failure to appeal the denial of the benefits claim by the EDCP Committee in writing within the sixty (60) day period shall render the EDCP Committees determination final, binding, and conclusive.
10.3 Appeals.
(a) A Claimant may appeal the denial of a benefits claim to the EDCP Committee. The EDCP Committee shall review the appeal of the denial of the benefits claim and make a final determination as to whether the benefits claim should be approved or denied in accordance with the Plan.
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(b) The Claimant shall be afforded the opportunity to submit written comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the benefits claim, and the Claimant shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimants benefits claim. The review on appeal by the EDCP Committee shall take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the Claimant, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the EDCP Committees initial determination with respect to the benefits claim. The EDCP Committee shall advise the Claimant in writing of the EDCP Committees determination of the appeal within sixty (60) days of the claimants written request for review, unless special circumstances (such as a hearing) would make the rendering of a determination within the sixty (60) day period infeasible, but in no event shall the EDCP Committee render a determination regarding the denial of a claim for benefits later than one hundred twenty (120) days after its receipt of a request for review. If an extension of time for review is required because of special circumstances, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the Claimant prior to the date the extension period commences.
(c) The notice of denial of the Claimants appeal of the denial of the Claimants benefit claim shall set forth:
(1) the specific reason or reasons for the denial of the appeal;
(2) reference to the specific Plan provisions on which the denial of the appeal is based; and
(3) a statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimants benefits claim.
10.4 Notice of Denials. The EDCP Committees notice of denial of a benefits claim shall identify the address to which the Claimant may forward his appeal.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
LIMITATION ON ASSIGNMENT;
PAYMENTS TO LEGALLY INCOMPETENT DISTRIBUTEE
11.1 Anti-Alienation Clause. No benefit which shall be payable under the Plan to any person shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, charge or otherwise dispose of the same shall be void. No benefit shall in any manner be subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person, nor shall it be subject to attachment or legal process for or against any person, except to the extent as may be required by law. The benefits provided by this Plan are not subject to the qualified domestic relations order provisions of ERISA or the Code.
11.2 Permitted Arrangements. Section 11.1 (Anti-Alienation Clause) shall not preclude arrangements for the withholding of taxes from benefit payments, arrangements for the recovery of benefit overpayments, arrangements for the transfer of benefit rights to another plan, or arrangements for direct deposit of benefit payments to an account in a bank, savings and loan association or credit union (provided that such arrangement is not part of an arrangement constituting an assignment or alienation).
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11.3 Payment to Minor or Incompetent. Whenever any benefit which shall be payable under the Plan is to be paid to or for the benefit of any person who is then a minor or determined by the EDCP Committee to be incompetent, the EDCP Committee need not require the appointment of a guardian or custodian, but shall be authorized to cause the same to be paid over to the person having custody of the minor or incompetent, or to cause the same to be paid to the minor or incompetent without the intervention of a guardian or custodian, or to cause the same to be paid to a legal guardian or custodian of the minor or incompetent if one has been appointed or to cause the same to be used for the benefit of the minor or incompetent.
ARTICLE TWELVE
AMENDMENT, MERGER AND TERMINATION
12.1 Amendment. The Company shall have the right at any time, by an instrument in writing duly executed, acknowledged and delivered to the EDCP Committee, to modify, alter or amend this Plan, in whole or in part, prospectively or retroactively (including, without limitation, to modify, alter or amend this Plan to comply with Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and applicable guidance thereunder). Additionally, the EDCP Committee shall also have the right to modify, alter or amend the Plan by written instrument provided that such amendment does not have a material adverse financial effect on the Company or the Plan. No amendment shall substantially increase the duties and liabilities of the EDCP Committee without its written consent. No amendment shall reduce any Participants vested interest in the Plan, calculated as of the date on which the amendment is adopted.
12.2 Plan Termination. The Company further reserves the right to terminate the Plan in whole or in part, in the following manner, except that no such termination shall have any retroactive effect to reduce any amounts allocated to a Participants Accounts, and provided that such termination complies with Codes § 409A and related regulations thereunder:
(a) The Company, in its sole discretion, may terminate the Plan and distribute all vested Participants Accounts no earlier than twelve (12) calendar months from the date of the Plan termination and no later than twenty-four (24) calendar months from the date of the plan termination, provided however that all other similar arrangements are also terminated by the Company and no other similar arrangements are adopted by the Company within a three-year period from the date of termination; or
(b) The Company may decide, in its sole discretion, to terminate the Plan in the event of a corporate dissolution taxed under Code Section 331, or with the approval of a bankruptcy court, provided that the Participants vested Account balances are included in the Participants gross income in the latest of: (1) the calendar year in which the termination occurs; (2) the calendar year in which the amounts deferred are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; or (3) the first calendar year in which payment is administratively practicable.
12.3 Merger or Consolidation of Company. The Plan shall not be automatically terminated by the Companys acquisition by or merger into any other employer, but the Plan shall be continued after such acquisition or merger if the successor employer elects and agrees to continue the Plan. Except as provided in Section 12.4 (Continuation of Plan following Change of Control), all rights to amend, modify, suspend, or terminate the Plan shall be transferred to the successor employer, effective as of the date of the merger.
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12.4 Continuation of Plan following a Change of Control. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, if a Change of Control occurs following the Effective Date of this Plan, a successor employer shall have the power to (a) terminate this Plan, (b) amend Section 13.5 (Funding upon a Change of Control) of the Plan, or (c) amend any provision of the Plan that affects a Participants entitlement to a distribution from the Plan, only if 80% of the individuals who are Participants in the Plan, both as of the date of the Change of Control and as of the date of the adoption of such amendment or termination, consent to such an amendment or termination and such amendment or termination complies with Code §409A and related regulations thereunder. The provisions of this Section 12.4 shall not limit a successor employers authority to take other actions with respect to the Plan, including the authority to discontinue contributions to the Plan.
12.5 Limitation of Companys Liability. The adoption of this Plan is strictly a voluntary undertaking on the part of the Company and shall not be deemed to constitute a contract between the Company and any employee or Participant or to be consideration for, an inducement to, or a condition of the employment of any employee. A Participant, employee, or Beneficiary shall not have any right to retirement or other benefits except to the extent provided herein.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
GENERAL PROVISIONS
13.1 Limitation of Rights. Neither this Plan nor membership in the Plan shall give any Participant or other person any right except to the extent that the right is specifically fixed under the terms of the Plan. The establishment of the Plan shall not be construed to give any individual a right to be continued in the service of the Company or as interfering with the right of the Company to terminate the service of any individual at any time.
13.2 Construction. The masculine gender, where appearing in the Plan, shall include the feminine gender (and vice versa), and the singular shall include the plural, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary. Headings and subheadings are for the purpose of reference only and are not to be considered in the construction of this Plan. If any provision of this Plan is determined to be for any reason invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. All of the provisions of this Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada.
13.3 Status of Participants as Unsecured Creditors. All benefits under the Plan shall be the unsecured obligations of the Company and no assets will be placed in trust or otherwise segregated from the general assets of the Company for the payment of obligations hereunder. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.
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13.4 Uniform Administration. Whenever in the administration of the Plan any action is required by the EDCP Committee, such action shall be uniform in nature as applied to all persons similarly situated, except as otherwise provided to the contrary in this Plan document.
13.5 Heirs and Successors. All of the provisions of this Plan shall be binding upon all persons who shall be entitled to any benefits hereunder, and their heirs and legal representatives.
13.6 Electronic Administration. The EDCP Committee shall have the authority to employ alternative means (including, but not limited to, electronic, internet, intranet, voice response or telephonic) by which Participants may submit participation elections, directions, and forms required for participation in, and the administration of, this Plan. If the EDCP Committee chooses to use these alternative means, any elections, directions or forms submitted in accordance with the rules and procedures promulgated by the EDCP Committee will be deemed to satisfy any provision of this Plan calling for the submission of a written election, direction or form.
* * * * *
To signify its adoption of this Caesars Entertainment Corporation Outside Director Deferred Compensation Plan, the Company has caused this Plan document to be executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company as of January 1, 2019.
CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT CORPORATION |
By: | ||
Name: | ||
Title: |
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Exhibit 5.1
Mayer Brown LLP 71 South Wacker Drive | ||
December 13, 2018 | ||
Main Tel +1
312-782-0600 www.mayerbrown.com | ||
Caesars Entertainment Corporation
One Caesars Palace Drive
Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This opinion is furnished in connection with the registration statement on Form S-8 (the Registration Statement) of Caesars Entertainment Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the Company), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), relating to the issuance from time to time by the Company of up to (i) $20,000,000 of deferred compensation obligations (the Executive Obligations) under the Caesars Entertainment Corporation Executive Supplemental Savings Plan III (the Executive Plan), and (ii) $2,500,000 of deferred compensation obligations (the Director Obligations, and, together with the Executive Obligations, the Obligations) of the Company under the Caesars Entertainment Corporation Outside Director Deferred Compensation Plan (the Director Plan, and, together with the Executive Plan, the Plans).
We have reviewed such documents and made such examination of law as we have deemed appropriate to give the opinions expressed below. We have relied, without independent verification, on certificates of public officials and, as to matters of fact material to the opinion set forth below, on certificates of officers of the Company.
In our examination of the documents referred to above, we have assumed, without independent investigation, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all individuals who have executed any of the documents reviewed by us, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to the authentic original documents of all documents submitted to us as copies and that the statements regarding matters of fact in the certificates, agreements and documents that we have examined are accurate and complete.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Obligations have been duly authorized for issuance and, when issued in accordance with the terms of the respective Plans, will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms and the terms of the respective Plans, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar laws affecting creditors rights generally or by general principles of equity (whether in an action at law or a proceeding in equity).
The opinion expressed above is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and we express no opinion with respect to any other laws.
We hereby consent to the inclusion of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. In giving our consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Very truly yours, |
/s/ Mayer Brown LLP |
Mayer Brown LLP |
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of (1) our report dated March 7, 2018 (May 31, 2018 as it relates to the adoption of ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers) relating to the consolidated financial statements of Caesars Entertainment Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph for the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and an emphasis-of-matter paragraph relating to Caesars Acquisition Company merger with and into the Company on October 6, 2017) appearing in the Companys Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2018, and (2) our report dated March 7, 2018 relating to the effectiveness of the Companys internal control over financial reporting appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Caesars Entertainment Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed on March 8, 2018.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Las Vegas, Nevada
December 13, 2018