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TRINITY CAPITAL CORPORATION EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST

Employee Benefits Plan Agreement

TRINITY CAPITAL CORPORATION EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST | Document Parties: Los Alamos National Bank | Title Guaranty & Insurance Co | Trinity Capital Corporation You are currently viewing:
This Employee Benefits Plan Agreement involves

Los Alamos National Bank | Title Guaranty & Insurance Co | Trinity Capital Corporation

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Title: TRINITY CAPITAL CORPORATION EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST
Date: 5/11/2009

TRINITY CAPITAL CORPORATION EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST, Parties: los alamos national bank , title guaranty & insurance co , trinity capital corporation
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Exhibit 10.1

TRINITY CAPITAL CORPORATION

EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST

(As Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2009)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

ARTICLE II

ADMINISTRATION

2.1   POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EMPLOYER

14

 

2.2   DESIGNATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY

14

 

2.3   ALLOCATION AND DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

15

 

2.4   POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR

15

 

2.5   RECORDS AND REPORTS

16

 

2.6   APPOINTMENT OF ADVISERS

16

 

2.7   PAYMENT OF EXPENSES

16

 

2.8   CLAIMS PROCEDURE

17

 

2.9   CLAIMS REVIEW PROCEDURE

17

ARTICLE III

ELIGIBILITY

3.1   CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY

18

 

3.2   EFFECTIVE DATE OF PARTICIPATION

18

 

3.3   DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY

18

 

3.4   TERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY

18

 

3.5   OMISSION OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE

19

 

3.6   INCLUSION OF INELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE

19

 

3.7   REHIRED EMPLOYEES AND BREAKS IN SERVICE

19

ARTICLE IV

CONTRIBUTION AND ALLOCATION

4.1   FORMULA FOR DETERMINING EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION

20

 

4.2   TIME OF PAYMENT OF EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION

20

 

4.3   ALLOCATION OF CONTRIBUTION, FORFEITURES AND EARNINGS

21

 

4.4   MAXIMUM ANNUAL ADDITIONS

25

 

4.5   DIVERSIFICATION

27

 

4.6   QUALIFIED MILITARY SERVICE

28

ARTICLE V

FUNDING AND INVESTMENT POLICY

5.1   INVESTMENT POLICY

28

 

5.2   APPLICATION OF CASH

29

 

5.3   TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING COMPANY STOCK

29

 

5.4   LOANS TO THE TRUST

30

ARTICLE VI

VALUATIONS

6.1   VALUATION OF THE TRUST FUND

31

 

6.2   METHOD OF VALUATION

31

ARTICLE VII

DETERMINATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

7.1   DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS UPON RETIREMENT

32

 

7.2   DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS UPON DEATH

32

 

7.3   DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS IN EVENT OF DISABILITY

33

 

7.4   DETERMINATION OF BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION

34

 

7.5   DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

36

 

7.6   HOW PLAN BENEFITS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED

38

 

7.7   REQUIRED MINIMUM DISTRIBUTIONS

39

 

7.8   DISTRIBUTION FOR MINOR OR INCOMPETENT INDIVIDUAL

43

 

7.9   LOCATION OF PARTICIPANT OR BENEFICIARY UNKNOWN

43

 

7.10 RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL

44

 

7.11 STOCK CERTIFICATE LEGEND

45

 

7.12 PUT OPTION

45

 

7.13 NONTERMINABLE PROTECTIONS AND RIGHTS

47

 

7.14 QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER DISTRIBUTION

47

 

7.15 CORRECTIVE DISTRIBUTIONS

47

ARTICLE VIII

TRUSTEE

8.1   BASIC RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEE

47

 

8.2   INVESTMENT POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE

48

 

8.3   OTHER POWERS OF THE TRUSTEE

49

 

8.4   VOTING COMPANY STOCK

52

 

8.5   DUTIES OF THE TRUSTEE REGARDING PAYMENTS

52

 

8.6   TRUSTEE'S COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES AND TAXES

52

 

8.7   ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEE

53

 

8.8   AUDIT

53

 

8.9   RESIGNATION, REMOVAL AND SUCCESSION OF TRUSTEE

54

 

8.10   TRANSFER OF INTEREST

55

 

8.11   TRUSTEE INDEMNIFICATION

55

 

8.12   DIRECT ROLLOVER

55

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENT, TERMINATION AND MERGERS

9.1   AMENDMENT

56

 

9.2   TERMINATION

57

 

9.3   MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR TRANSFER OF ASSETS

57

ARTICLE X

TOP HEAVY

10.1   TOP HEAVY PLAN REQUIREMENTS

57

 

10.2   DETERMINATION OF TOP HEAVY STATUS

57

ARTICLE XI

MISCELLANEOUS

11.1   PARTICIPANT'S RIGHTS

60

 

11.2   ALIENATION

60

 

11.3   CONSTRUCTION OF PLAN

61

 

11.4   GENDER AND NUMBER

61

 

11.5   LEGAL ACTION

61

 

11.6   PROHIBITION AGAINST DIVERSION OF FUNDS

61

 

11.7   EMPLOYER'S AND TRUSTEE'S PROTECTIVE CLAUSE

62

 

11.8   INSURER'S PROTECTIVE CLAUSE

62

 

11.9   RECEIPT AND RELEASE FOR PAYMENTS

62

 

11.10 ACTION BY THE EMPLOYER

62

 

11.11 NAMED FIDUCIARIES AND ALLOCATION OF RESPONSIBILITY

62

 

11.12 HEADINGS

63

 

11.13 ELECTRONIC MEDIA

63

 

11.14 PLAN CORRECTION

63

 

11.15 APPROVAL BY INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

63

 

11.16 UNIFORMITY

64

 

11.17 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION APPROVAL

64

ARTICLE XII

PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS

12.1   ADOPTION BY OTHER EMPLOYERS

64

 

12.2   REQUIREMENTS OF PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS

64

 

12.3   DESIGNATION OF AGENT

65

 

12.4   EMPLOYEE TRANSFERS

65

 

12.5   PARTICIPATING EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION AND FORFEITURES

65

 

12.6   AMENDMENT

65

 

12.7   DISCONTINUANCE OF PARTICIPATION

65

 

12.8   ADMINISTRATOR'S AUTHORITY

66

TRINITY CAPITAL CORPORATION

EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN AND TRUST

 

THIS AGREEMENT, hereby made and entered into this __________ day of _________________________, 2009, by and between Los Alamos National Bank (herein referred to as the "Employer") and Los Alamos National Bank Trust (herein referred to as the "Trustee").

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Employer heretofore established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan effective January 1, 1989, (hereinafter called the "Effective Date") known as Trinity Capital Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust (herein referred to as the "Plan") in recognition of the contribution made to its successful operation by its employees and for the exclusive benefit of its eligible employees; and

 

WHEREAS, under the terms of the Plan, the Employer has the ability to amend the Plan, provided the Trustee joins in such amendment if the provisions of the Plan affecting the Trustee are amended; and

 

WHEREAS, contributions to the Plan will be made by the Employer and such contributions made to the trust will be invested primarily in the capital stock of the Employer;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, effective January 1, 2009, except as otherwise provided, the Employer and the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of the Plan pertaining to amendments thereof, hereby amend the Plan in its entirety and restate the Plan to provide as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

1.1       "Act" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

1.2       "Administrator" means the Employer unless another person or entity has been designated by the Employer pursuant to Section 2.2 to administer the Plan on behalf of the Employer.

 

1.3       "Affiliated Employer" means any corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Code Section 414(b)) which includes the Employer; any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control (as defined in Code Section 414(c)) with the Employer; any organization (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of an affiliated service group (as defined in Code Section 414(m)) which includes the Employer; and any other entity required to be aggregated with the Employer pursuant to Regulations under Code Section 414(o).

 

1.4       "Aggregate Account" means, with respect to each Participant, the value of all accounts maintained on behalf of a Participant, whether attributable to Employer or Employee contributions, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2.

 

 

1.5

"Anniversary Date" means the last day of the Plan Year.

 

 

1

 

1.6       "Beneficiary" means the person (or entity) to whom the share of a deceased Participant's interest in the Plan is payable.

 

1.7       "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended or replaced from time to time.

 

1.8       "Company Stock" means common stock issued by the Employer (or by a corporation which is a member of the controlled group of corporations of which the Employer is a member) which is readily tradable on an established securities market. If there is no common stock which meets the foregoing requirement, the term "Company Stock" means common stock issued by the Employer (or by a corporation which is a member of the same controlled group) having a combination of voting power and dividend rights equal to or in excess of: (A) that class of common stock of the Employer (or of any other such corporation) having the greatest voting power, and (B) that class of common stock of the Employer (or of any other such corporation) having the greatest dividend rights. Noncallable preferred stock shall be deemed to be "Company Stock" if such stock is convertible at any time into stock which constitutes "Company Stock" hereunder and if such conversion is at a conversion price which (as of the date of the acquisition by the Trust) is reasonable. For purposes of the preceding sentence, pursuant to Regulations, preferred stock shall be treated as noncallable if after the call there will be a reasonable opportunity for a conversion which meets the requirements of the preceding sentence.

 

1.9       "Company Stock Account" means the account of a Participant which is credited with the shares of Company Stock purchased and paid for by the Trust Fund or contributed to the Trust Fund.

 

1.10    "Compensation" means, with respect to any Participant and except as otherwise provided herein, such Participant's wages, salaries, fees for professional services and other amounts received (without regard to whether or not an amount is paid in cash) for personal services actually rendered in the course of employment with the Employer maintaining the Plan to the extent that the amounts are includible in gross income (including, but not limited to, commissions paid salesmen, compensation for services on the basis of a percentage of profits, commissions on insurance premiums, tips, bonuses, fringe benefits, and reimbursements or other expense allowances under a nonaccountable plan as described in Regulation 1.62-2(c)) for a Plan Year (the "determination period").

 

Compensation shall exclude (a)(1) contributions made by the Employer to a plan of deferred compensation to the extent that the contributions are not includible in the gross income of the Participant for the taxable year in which contributed, (2) Employer contributions made on behalf of an Employee to a simplified employee pension plan described in Code Section 408(k) to the extent such contributions are excludable from the Employee's gross income, (3) any distributions from a plan of deferred compensation; (b) amounts realized from the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, or when restricted stock (or property) held by an Employee either becomes freely transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; (c) amounts realized from the sale, exchange or other disposition of stock acquired under a qualified stock option; and (d) other amounts which receive special tax benefits, or contributions made by the Employer (whether or not under a salary reduction agreement) towards the purchase of any annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b) (whether or not the contributions are actually excludable from the gross income of the Employee).

 

 

2

 

For purposes of this Section, the determination of Compensation shall be made by:

 

(a)       including amounts which are contributed by the Employer pursuant to a salary reduction agreement and which are not includible in the gross income of the Participant under Code Sections 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B), 403(b) or 457(b), and Employee contributions described in Code Section 414(h)(2) that are treated as Employer contributions. For this purpose, effective January 1, 1998, amounts not includible in gross income under Code Section 125 shall be deemed to include any amounts not available to a Participant in cash in lieu of group health coverage because the Participant is unable to certify that the Participant has other health coverage, provided the Employer does not request or collect information regarding the Participant's other health coverage as part of the enrollment process for the health plan.

 

(b)       including pre-participation Compensation paid during the Plan Year while not a Participant in the component of the Plan for which Compensation is being used.

 

(c)       excluding all Compensation paid after severance of employment with the Employer.

 

Compensation in excess of $200,000 (or such other amount provided in the Code) shall be disregarded. Such amount shall be adjusted for increases in the cost of living in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17)(B), except that the dollar increase in effect on January 1 of any calendar year shall be effective for the Plan Year beginning with or within such calendar year. For any "determination period" of less than twelve (12) months, the Compensation limit shall be an amount equal to the Compensation limit for the calendar year in which the "determination period" begins multiplied by the ratio obtained by dividing the number of full months in the short "determination period" by twelve (12). A "determination period" is not less than twelve (12) months solely because a Participant's Compensation does not include Compensation paid during a determination period while the Participant was not a Participant in the Plan (or a component of the Plan).

 

If any Employees are excluded from the Plan (or from any component of the Plan), then Compensation for any such Employees who become eligible or cease to be eligible to participate in the Plan (or in the component of the Plan) during a Plan Year shall only include Compensation while such Employees are Eligible Employees of the Plan (or of such component of the Plan).

 

For purposes of this Section, if the Plan is a plan described in Code Section 413(c) or 414(f) (a plan maintained by more than one Employer), the limitation applies separately with respect to the Compensation of any Participant from each Employer maintaining the Plan.

 

If, in connection with the adoption of any amendment, the definition of Compensation has been modified, then, except as otherwise provided herein, for Plan Years prior to the Plan Year which includes the adoption date of such amendment, Compensation means compensation determined pursuant to the terms of the Plan then in effect.

 

 

3

 

1.11    "Contract" or "Policy" means any life insurance policy, retirement income policy or annuity policy (group or individual) issued pursuant to the terms of the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Plan and the terms of any contract purchased hereunder, the Plan provisions shall control.

 

1.12    "Current Obligations" means Trust obligations arising from extension of credit to the Trust and payable in cash within (1) year from the date an Employer contribution is due.

 

1.13    "Distribution Calendar Year" means a calendar year for which a minimum distribution pursuant to Section 7.7 is required. For distributions beginning before the Participant's death, the first Distribution Calendar Year is the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year which contains the Participant's required beginning date under Section 7.7. For distributions beginning after the Participant's death, the first Distribution Calendar Year is the calendar year in which distributions are required to begin under Section 7.7. The required minimum distribution for the Participant's first Distribution Calendar Year will be made on or before the Participant's required beginning date. The required minimum distribution for other Distribution Calendar Years, including the required minimum distribution for the Distribution Calendar Year in which the Participant's required beginning date occurs, will be made on or before December 31st of that Distribution Calendar Year.

 

1.14    "Early Retirement." This Plan does not provide for a retirement date prior to Normal Retirement Date.

 

1.15    "Eligible Employee" means any Employee, except as provided below. The following Employees shall not be eligible to participate in this Plan:

 

(a)       Employees of Affiliated Employers, unless such Affiliated Employers have specifically adopted this Plan in writing with the written approval of the Employer.

 

(b)       Individuals who are not reported on the payroll records of the Employer as common law employees. In particular, it is expressly intended that individuals who are not treated as common law employees by the Employer on its payroll records, or partners or other Self-Employed Individuals who are treated as independent contractors, are not Eligible Employees and are excluded from Plan participation even if a court or administrative agency determines that such individuals are common law employees and not independent contractors.

 

(c)       Employees whose employment is governed by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement between Employee representatives (within the meaning of Code Section 7701(a)(46)) and the Employer under which retirement benefits were the subject of good faith bargaining between the parties, unless such agreement expressly provides for coverage in this Plan.

 

(d)       Employees who are nonresident aliens (within the meaning of Code Section 7701(b)(1)(B)) and who receive no earned income (within the meaning of Code Section 911(d)(2)) from the Employer which constitutes income from sources within the United States (within the meaning of Code Section 861(a)(3)).

 

 

(e)

Leased Employees.

 

 

 

4

 

1.16    "Employee" means any person who is employed by the Employer or Affiliated Employer. Employee shall include Leased Employees within the meaning of Code Sections 414(n)(2) and 414(o)(2) unless such Leased Employees are covered by a plan described in Code Section 414(n)(5) and such Leased Employees do not constitute more than 20% of the recipient's non-highly compensated work force.

 

1.17    "Employer" means Los Alamos National Bank and any successor which shall maintain this Plan; and any predecessor which has maintained this Plan. The Employer is a corporation with principal offices in the State of New Mexico. For purposes of credited Hours of Service for eligibility to participate and vesting in account balances, service with Allocca and Brunett, Inc. shall be considered Hours of Service under this Plan. In addition, where appropriate, the term Employer shall include any Participating Employer (as defined in Section 12.1) which shall adopt this Plan.

 

1.18    "ESOP" means an employee stock ownership plan that meets the requirements of Code Section 4975(e)(7) and Regulation 54.4975-11.

 

1.19    "Exempt Loan" means a loan made to the Plan by a disqualified person or a loan to the Plan which is guaranteed by a disqualified person and which satisfies the requirements of Section 5.4 hereof. Any Exempt Loan must be primarily for the benefit of the Plan Participants.

 

1.20    "Fiduciary" means any person who (a) exercises any discretionary authority or discretionary control respecting management of the Plan or exercises any authority or control respecting management or disposition of its assets, (b) renders investment advice for a fee or other compensation, direct or indirect, with respect to any monies or other property of the Plan or has any authority or responsibility to do so, or (c) has any discretionary authority or discretionary responsibility in the administration of the Plan.

 

1.21    "Fiscal Year" means the Employer's accounting year of 12 months commencing on January 1 of each year and ending the following December 31.

 

1.22    "Forfeiture" means that portion of a Participant's Account that is not Vested, and occurs on the earlier of:

 

(a)       the distribution of the entire Vested portion of the Participant's Account of a Former Participant who has severed employment with the Employer. For purposes of this provision, if the Former Participant has a Vested benefit of zero, then such Former Participant shall be deemed to have received a distribution of such Vested benefit as of the year in which the severance of employment occurs, or

 

(b)       the last day of the Plan Year in which a Former Participant who has severed employment with the Employer incurs five (5) consecutive 1-Year Breaks in Service.

 

Regardless of the preceding provisions, if a Former Participant is eligible to share in the allocation of Employer contributions or Forfeitures in the year in which the Forfeiture would otherwise occur, then the Forfeiture will not occur until the end of the first Plan Year for which the Former Participant is not eligible to share in the allocation of Employer contributions or Forfeitures. Furthermore, the term "Forfeiture" shall also include amounts deemed to be Forfeitures pursuant to any other provision of this Plan.

 

 

5

 

1.23    "Former Participant" means a person who has been a Participant, but who has ceased to be a Participant for any reason.

 

1.24    "415 Compensation" with respect to any Participant means such Participant's wages, salaries, fees for professional services and other amounts received (without regard to whether or not an amount is paid in cash) for personal services actually rendered in the course of employment with the Employer maintaining the Plan to the extent that the amounts are includible in gross income (including, but not limited to, commissions paid salesmen, compensation for services on the basis of a percentage of profits, commissions on insurance premiums, tips, bonuses, fringe benefits, and reimbursements or other expense allowances under a nonaccountable plan (as described in Regulation 1.62-2(c)) for a Plan Year.

 

"415 Compensation" shall exclude (a)(1) contributions made by the Employer to a plan of deferred compensation to the extent that, the contributions are not includible in the gross income of the Participant for the taxable year in which contributed, (2) Employer contributions made on behalf of an Employee to a simplified employee pension plan described in Code Section 408(k) to the extent such contributions are excludable from the Employee's gross income, (3) any distributions from a plan of deferred compensation; (b) amounts realized from the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, or when restricted stock (or property) held by an Employee either becomes freely transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture; (c) amounts realized from the sale, exchange or other disposition of stock acquired under a qualified stock option; and (d) other amounts which receive special tax benefits, or contributions made by the Employer (whether or not under a salary reduction agreement) towards the purchase of any annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b) (whether or not the contributions are actually excludable from the gross income of the Employee).

 

Notwithstanding the above, the determination of 415 Compensation shall be made by:

 

(a)       including any elective deferral (as defined in Code Section 402(g)(3)), and any amount which is contributed or deferred by the Employer at the election of the Participant and which is not includible in the gross income of the Participant by reason of Code Sections 125, 132(f)(4) and 457. For this purpose, effective January 1, 1998, amounts not includible in gross income under Code Section 125 shall be deemed to include any amounts not available to a Participant in cash in lieu of group health coverage because the Participant is unable to certify that the Participant has other health coverage, provided the Employer does not request or collect information regarding the Participant's other health coverage as part of the enrollment process for the health plan.

 

(b)       effective for Limitation Years beginning on and after July 1, 2007, making the following adjustments for amounts that are paid by the later of 2 1/2 months after a Participant's severance from employment with the Employer or the end of the Limitation Year that includes the date of the Participant's severance from employment with the Employer. Any other payment of compensation paid after severance of employment that is not described in the following types of compensation is not considered compensation within the meaning of Code Section 415(c)(3), even if payment is made within the time period specified above.

 

(1)       415 Compensation shall include regular pay after severance of employment if:

 

 

6

 

(i)        The payment is regular compensation for services during the Participant's regular working hours, or compensation for services outside the Participant's regular working hours (such as overtime or shift differential), commissions, bonuses, or other similar payments; and

 

(ii)        The payment would have been paid to the Participant prior to a severance from employment if the Participant had continued in employment with the Employer.

 

1.25    "Highly Compensated Employee" means an Employee described in Code Section 414(q) and the Regulations thereunder, and generally means any Employee who:

 

(a)       was a "five percent owner" as defined in Section 1.29(b) at any time during the "determination year" or the "look-back year"; or

 

(b)       for the "look-back year" had "415 Compensation" from the Employer in excess of $110,000 and were in the Top Paid Group of Employees for the Plan Year. The $110,000 amount is adjusted at the same time and in the same manner as under Code Section 415(d), except that the base period is the calendar quarter ending September 30, 1996.

 

The "determination year" means the Plan Year for which testing is being performed, and the "look back year" means the immediately preceding twelve (12) month period.

 

A highly compensated former Employee is based on the rules applicable to determining Highly Compensated Employee status as in effect for the "determination year," in accordance with Regulation 1.414(q)-1T, A-4 and IRS Notice 97-45 (or any superseding guidance).

 

In determining who is a Highly Compensated Employee, Employees who are non-resident aliens and who received no earned income (within the meaning of Code Section 911(d)(2)) from the Employer constituting United States source income within the meaning of Code Section 861(a)(3) shall not be treated as Employees. If a Nonresident Alien Employee has U.S. source income, that Employee is treated as satisfying this definition if all of such Employee's U.S. source income from the Employer is exempt from U.S. income tax under an applicable income tax treaty. Additionally, all Affiliated Employers shall be taken into account as a single employer and Leased Employees within the meaning of Code Sections 414(n)(2) and 414(o)(2) shall be considered Employees unless such Leased Employees are covered by a plan described in Code Section 414(n)(5) and are not covered in any qualified plan maintained by the Employer. The exclusion of Leased Employees for this purpose shall be applied on a uniform and consistent basis for all of the Employer's retirement plans. Highly Compensated Former Employees shall be treated as Highly Compensated Employees without regard to whether they performed services during the "determination year."

 

1.26    "Highly Compensated Participant" means any Highly Compensated Employee who is eligible to participate in the component of the Plan being tested.

 

1.27    "Hour of Service" means (1) each hour for which an Employee is directly or indirectly compensated or entitled to compensation by the Employer for the performance of duties (these hours will be credited to the Employee for the computation period in which the duties are performed); (2) each hour for which an Employee is directly or indirectly

 

 

7

 

compensated or entitled to compensation by the Employer (irrespective of whether the employment relationship has terminated) for reasons other than performance of duties (such as vacation, holidays, sickness, jury duty, disability, lay-off, military duty or leave of absence) during the applicable computation period (these hours will be calculated and credited pursuant to Department of Labor regulation 2530.200b-2 which is incorporated herein by reference); (3) each hour for which back pay is awarded or agreed to by the Employer without regard to mitigation of damages (these hours will be credited to the Employee for the computation period or periods to which the award or agreement pertains rather than the computation period in which the award, agreement or payment is made). The same Hours of Service shall not be credited both under (1) or (2), as the case may be, and under (3).

 

Notwithstanding (2) above, (i) no more than 501 Hours of Service are required to be credited to an Employee on account of any single continuous period during which the Employee performs no duties (whether or not such period occurs in a single computation period); (ii) an hour for which an Employee is directly or indirectly paid, or entitled to payment, on account of a period during which no duties are performed is not required to be credited to the Employee if such payment is made or due under a plan maintained solely for the purpose of complying with applicable worker's compensation, or unemployment compensation or disability insurance laws; and (iii) Hours of Service are not required to be credited for a payment which solely reimburses an Employee for medical or medically related expenses incurred by the Employee.

 

For purposes of (2) above, a payment shall be deemed to be made by or due from the Employer regardless of whether such payment is made by or due from the Employer directly, or indirectly through, among others, a trust fund, or insurer, to which the Employer contributes or pays premiums and regardless of whether contributions made or due to the trust fund, insurer, or other entity are for the benefit of particular Employees or are on behalf of a group of Employees in the aggregate.

 

For purposes of this Section, Hours of Service will be credited for employment with other Affiliated Employers. The provisions of Department of Labor regulations 2530.200b-2(b) and (c) are incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

1.28

"Investment Manager" means any Fiduciary described in Act Section 3(38).

 

1.29    "Key Employee" means, for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001, an Employee as defined in Code Section 416(i) and the Regulations thereunder. Generally, any Employee or former Employee (as well as each of the Employee's or former Employee's Beneficiaries) is considered a Key Employee if the Employee's or former Employee's, at any time during the Plan Year that contains the "determination date" (except for the Plan Year beginning after December 31, 2001, the prior Plan Year that contains the "determination date"), has been included in one of the following categories:

 

(a)       an officer of the Employer (as that term is defined within the meaning of the Regulations under Code Section 416) having annual "415 Compensation" greater than $160,000 (as adjusted under Code Section 416(i)(1) for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2002).

 

(b)       a "five percent owner" of the Employer. "Five percent owner" means any person who owns (or is considered as owning within the meaning of Code Section 318) more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding stock of the Employer or stock possessing more than five percent (5%) of the total combined voting power of all stock of the Employer or, in the case of an unincorporated

 

 

8

 

business, any person who owns more than five percent (5%) of the capital or profits interest in the Employer. In determining percentage ownership hereunder, employers that would otherwise be aggregated under Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) shall be treated as separate employers.

 

(c)       a "one percent owner" of the Employer having an annual "415 Compensation" from the Employer of more than $150,000. "One percent owner" means any person who owns (or is considered as owning within the meaning of Code Section 318) more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding stock of the Employer or stock possessing more than one percent (1%) of the total combined voting power of all stock of the Employer or, in the case of an unincorporated business, any person who owns more than one percent (1%) of the capital or profits interest in the Employer. In determining percentage ownership hereunder, employers that would otherwise be aggregated under Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) shall be treated as separate employers. However, in determining whether an individual has "415 Compensation" of more than $150,000, "415 Compensation" from each employer required to be aggregated under Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) shall be taken into account.

 

For purposes of this Section, the determination of "415 Compensation" shall be made by including amounts which are contributed by the Employer pursuant to a salary reduction agreement and which are not includible in the gross income of the Participant under Code Sections 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B), 403(b) or 457(b), and Employee contributions described in Code Section 414(h)(2) that are treated as Employer contributions.

 

In determining percentage ownership hereunder, employers that would otherwise be aggregated under Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) shall be treated as separate employers. In determining whether an individual has 415 Compensation of more than $150,000, 415 Compensation from each employer required to be aggregated under Code Sections 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) shall be taken into account.

 

1.30    "Late Retirement Date" means the first day of the month coinciding with or next following a Participant's actual Retirement Date after having reached Normal Retirement Date.

 

1.31    "Leased Employee" means any person (other than an Employee of the recipient Employer) who pursuant to an agreement between the recipient Employer and any other person or entity ("leasing organization") has performed services for the recipient (or for the recipient and related persons determined in accordance with Code Section 414(n)(6)) on a substantially full time basis for a period of at least one year, and such services are performed under primary direction or control by the recipient Employer. Contributions or benefits provided a Leased Employee by the leasing organization which are attributable to services performed for the recipient Employer shall be treated as provided by the recipient Employer. Furthermore, Compensation for a Leased Employee shall only include Compensation from the leasing organization that is attributable to services performed for the recipient Employer. A Leased Employee shall not be considered an Employee of the recipient Employer:

 

(a)       if such employee is covered by a money purchase pension plan providing:

 

(1)       a nonintegrated employer contribution rate of at least 10% of compensation, as defined in Code Section 415(c)(3);

 

 

(2)

immediate participation;

 

 

9

 

 

 

(3)

full and immediate vesting; and

 

(b)       if Leased Employees do not constitute more than 20% of the recipient Employer's nonhighly compensated work force.

 

1.32    "Non-Highly Compensated Participant" means any Participant who is not a Highly Compensated Employee.

 

A Participant is a Non-Highly Compensated Participant for a particular Plan Year if such Participant does not meet the definition of a Highly Compensated Employee in effect for that Plan Year.

 

1.33    "Non-Key Employee" means, for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001, any Employee or former Employee (and such Employee's or former Employee's Beneficiaries) who is not a Key Employee.

 

1.34    "Normal Retirement Age" means the Participant's 65th birthday. A Participant shall become fully Vested in the Participant's Account upon attaining Normal Retirement Age.

 

1.35    "Normal Retirement Date" means the first day of the month coinciding with or next following the Participant's Normal Retirement Age.

 

1.36    "1-Year Break in Service" means the applicable computation period during which an Employee has not completed more than 500 Hours of Service with the Employer. Further, solely for the purpose of determining whether a Participant has incurred a 1-Year Break in Service, Hours of Service shall be recognized for "authorized leaves of absence" and "maternity and paternity leaves of absence." Years of Service and 1-Year Breaks in Service shall be measured on the same computation period.

 

"Authorized leave of absence" means an unpaid, temporary cessation from active employment with the Employer pursuant to an established nondiscriminatory policy, whether occasioned by illness, military service, or any other reason.

 

A "maternity or paternity leave of absence" means an absence from work for any period by reason of the Employee's pregnancy, birth of the Employee's child, placement of a child with the Employee in connection with the adoption of such child, or any absence for the purpose of caring for such child for a period immediately following such birth or placement. For this purpose, Hours of Service shall be credited for the computation period in which the absence from work begins, only if credit therefore is necessary to prevent the Employee from incurring a 1-Year Break in Service, or, in any other case, in the immediately following computation period. The Hours of Service credited for a "maternity or paternity leave of absence" shall be those which would normally have been credited but for such absence, or, in any case in which the Administrator is unable to determine such hours normally credited, eight (8) Hours of Service per day. The total Hours of Service required to be credited for a "maternity or paternity leave of absence" shall not exceed the number of Hours of Service needed to prevent the Employee from incurring a 1-Year Break in Service.

 

1.37    "Other Investments Account" means the account of a Participant which is credited with such Participant's share of the net gain (or loss) of the Plan, Forfeitures and Employer contributions in other than Company Stock and which is debited with payments made to pay for Company Stock.

 

 

10

 

1.38    "Participant" means any Eligible Employee who participates in the Plan and has not for any reason become ineligible to participate further in the Plan.

 

1.39    "Participant Direction Procedures" means such instructions, guidelines or policies, the terms of which are incorporated herein, as shall be established pursuant to Section 4.5 and observed by the Administrator and applied to Participants who have Participant Directed Accounts.

 

1.40    "Participant's Account" means the account established and maintained by the Administrator for each Participant with respect to such Participant's total interest in the Plan and Trust resulting from the Employer contributions.

 

1.41    "Participant's Account Balance" means the account balance as of the last Valuation Date in the calendar year immediately preceding the Distribution Calendar Year (valuation calendar year) increased by the amount of any contributions made and allocated or Forfeitures allocated to the account balance as of dates in the valuation calendar year after the Valuation Date and decreased by distributions made in the valuation calendar year after the Valuation Date. The account balance for the valuation calendar year includes any amounts rolled over or transferred to the Plan either in the valuation calendar year or in the Distribution Calendar Year if distributed or transferred in the valuation calendar year.

 

1.42    "Participant's Directed Account" means that portion of a Participant's interest in the Plan with respect to which the Participant has directed the investment in accordance with the Participant Direction Procedure.

 

 

1.43

"Plan" means this instrument, including all amendments thereto.

 

1.44    "Plan Year" means the Plan's accounting year of twelve (12) months commencing on January 1 of each year and ending the following December 31.

 

1.45    "Post-Severance Compensation" means payments made within 2 1/2 months after severance from employment (within the meaning of Code Section 401(k)(2)(B)(i)(I)) if they are payments that, absent a severance from employment, would have been paid to the Employee while the Employee continued in employment with the Employer and are regular compensation for services during the Employee's regular working hours, compensation for services outside the Employee's regular working hours (such as overtime or shift differential), commissions, bonuses, or other similar compensation, and payments for accrued bona fide sick, vacation or other leave, but only if the Employee would have been able to use the leave if employment had continued. Any payments not described above are not considered compensation if paid after severance from employment, even if they are paid within 2 1/2 months following severance from employment, except for payments to an individual who does not currently perform services for the Employer by reason of qualified military service (within the meaning of Code Section 414(u)(1)) to the extent these payments do not exceed the amounts the individual would have received if the individual had continued to perform services for the Employer rather than entering qualified military service.

 

1.46    "Regulation" means the Income Tax Regulations as promulgated by the Secretary of the Treasury or a delegate of the Secretary of the Treasury, and as amended from time to time.

 

1.47    "Retired Participant" means a person who has been a Participant, but who has become entitled to retirement benefits under the Plan.

 

 

11

 

1.48    "Retirement Date" means the date as of which a Participant retires for reasons other than Total and Permanent Disability, whether such retirement occurs on a Participant's Normal Retirement Date or Late Retirement Date (see Section 7.1).

 

1.49    "Terminated Participant" means a person who has been a Participant, but whose employment has been terminated other than by death, Total and Permanent Disability or retirement.

 

1.50    "Top Heavy Plan" means, for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001, a plan described in Section 10.2(a).

 

1.51    "Top Heavy Plan Year" means, for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001, a Plan Year during which the Plan is a Top Heavy Plan.

 

1.52    "Top-Paid Group" means the top-paid group as determined pursuant to Code Section 414(q) and the Regulations thereunder and generally means the top twenty percent (20%) of Employees who performed services for the Employer during the applicable year, ranked according to the amount of "415 Compensation" received from the Employer during such year. All Affiliated Employers shall be taken into account as a single employer, and Leased Employees shall be treated as Employees if required pursuant to Code Section 414(n) or (o). Employees who are non-resident aliens who received no earned income (within the meaning of Code Section 911(d)(2)) from the Employer constituting United States source income within the meaning of Code Section 861(a)(3) shall not be treated as Employees. Furthermore, for the purpose of determining the number of Employees in any year, the following additional Employees shall also be excluded, however, such Employees may still be considered for the purpose of identifying the particular Employees in the Top-Paid Group:

 

 

(a)

Employees with less than six (6) months of service;

 

(b)       Employees who normally work less than 17 1/2 hours per week;

 

(c)       Employees who normally work less than six (6) months during a year; and

 

 

(d)

Employees who have not yet attained age twenty-one (21).

 

In addition, if 90 percent or more of the Employees of the Employer are covered under agreements the Secretary of Labor finds to be collective bargaining agreements between Employee representatives and the Employer, and the Plan covers only Employees who are not covered under such agreements, then Employees covered by such agreements shall be excluded from both the total number of active Employees as well as from the identification of particular Employees in the Top-Paid Group.

 

The foregoing exclusions set forth in this Section shall be applied on a uniform and consistent basis for all purposes for which the Code Section 414(q) definition is applicable. Furthermore, in applying such exclusions, the Employer may substitute any lesser service, hours or age.

 

1.53    "Total and Permanent Disability" means a physical or mental condition of a Participant resulting from bodily injury, disease, or mental disorder which renders such Participant incapable of continuing usual and customary employment with the Employer. The disability of a Participant shall be determined by a licensed physician chosen by the Administrator. The determination shall be applied uniformly to all Participants.

 

 

12

 

 

1.54    "Trustee" means the person or entity named as trustee herein or in any separate trust forming a part of this Plan, and any successors.

 

1.55    "Trust Fund" means the assets of the Plan and Trust as the same shall exist from time to time.

 

1.56    "Unallocated Company Stock Suspense Account" means an account containing Company Stock acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan and which has not been released from such account and allocated to the Participants' Company Stock Accounts.

 

1.57    "Valuation Date" means the Anniversary Date and may include any other date or dates deemed necessary or appropriate by the Administrator for the valuation of the Participant's accounts during the Plan Year, which may include any day that the Trustee, any transfer agent appointed by the Trustee or the Employer or any stock exchange used by such agent, are open for business.

 

1.58    "Vested" means the nonforfeitable portion of any account maintained on behalf of a Participant.

 

1.59    "Year of Service" means the computation period of twelve (12) consecutive months, herein set forth, during which an Employee has at least 1000 Hours of Service.

 

For purposes of eligibility for participation, the initial computation period shall begin with the date on which the Employee first performs an Hour of Service. The participation computation period beginning after a 1-Year Break in Service shall be measured from the date on which an Employee again performs an Hour of Service. The participation computation period shall shift to the Plan Year which includes the anniversary of the date on which the Employee first performed an Hour of Service. If there is a shift to the Plan Year, then an Employee who is credited with the required Hours of Service in both the initial computation period (or the computation period beginning after a 1-Year Break in Service) and the Plan Year which includes the anniversary of the date on which the Employee first performed an Hour of Service, shall be credited with two (2) Years of Service for purposes of eligibility to participate.

 

For vesting purposes, the computation periods shall be the Plan Year, including periods prior to the Effective Date of the Plan.

 

The computation period shall be the Plan Year if not otherwise set forth herein.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any short Plan Year, the determination of whether an Employee has completed a Year of Service shall be made in accordance with Department of Labor regulation 2530.203-2(c). However, in determining whether an Employee has completed a Year of Service for benefit accrual purposes in the short Plan Year, the number of the Hours of Service required shall be proportionately reduced based on the number of full months in the short Plan Year.

 

Years of Service with any Affiliated Employer shall be recognized.

 

 

 

13

 

ARTICLE II

ADMINISTRATION

 

2.1   POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EMPLOYER

 

(a)       In addition to the general powers and responsibilities otherwise provided for in this Plan, the Employer shall be empowered to appoint and remove the Trustee and the Administrator from time to time as it deems necessary for the proper administration of the Plan to ensure that the Plan is being operated for the exclusive benefit of the Participants and their Beneficiaries in accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Code, and the Act. The Employer may appoint counsel, specialists, advisers, agents (including any nonfiduciary agent) and other persons as the Employer deems necessary or desirable in connection with the exercise of its fiduciary duties under this Plan. The Employer may compensate such agents or advisers from the assets of the Plan as fiduciary expenses (but not including any business (settlor) expenses of the Employer), to the extent not paid by the Employer.

 

(b)       The Employer may, by written agreement or designation, appoint at its option an Investment Manager (qualified under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended), investment adviser, or other agent to provide direction to the Trustee with respect to any or all of the Plan assets. Such appointment shall be given by the Employer in writing in a form acceptable to the Trustee and shall specifically identify the Plan assets with respect to which the Investment Manager or other agent shall have authority to direct the investment.

 

(c)       The Employer shall establish a "funding policy and method," i.e., it shall determine whether the Plan has a short run need for liquidity (e.g., to pay benefits) or whether liquidity is a long run goal and investment growth (and stability of same) is a more current need, or shall appoint a qualified person to do so. The Employer or its delegate shall communicate such needs and goals to the Trustee, who shall coordinate such Plan needs with its investment policy. The communication of such a "funding policy and method" shall not, however, constitute a directive to the Trustee as to the investment of the Trust Funds. Such "funding policy and method" shall be consistent with the objectives of this Plan and with the requirements of Title I of the Act.

 

(d)       The Employer shall periodically review the performance of any Fiduciary or other person to whom duties have been delegated or allocated by it under the provisions of this Plan or pursuant to procedures established hereunder. This requirement may be satisfied by formal periodic review by the Employer or by a qualified person specifically designated by the Employer, through day-to-day conduct and evaluation, or through other appropriate ways.

 

(e)       The Employer will furnish Plan Fiduciaries and Participants with notices and information statements when voting rights must be exercised pursuant to Section 8.4.

 

2.2   DESIGNATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY

 

The Employer shall be the Administrator. The Employer may appoint any person, including, but not limited to, the Employees of the Employer, to perform the duties of the Administrator. Any person so appointed shall signify acceptance by filing written acceptance

 

 

14

 

with the Employer. Upon the resignation or removal of any individual performing the duties of the Administrator, the Employer may designate a successor.

 

2.3   ALLOCATION AND DELEGATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

 

If more than one person is appointed as Administrator, the responsibilities of each Administrator may be specified by the Employer and accepted in writing by each Administrator. In the event that no such delegation is made by the Employer, the Administrators may allocate the responsibilities among themselves, in which event the Administrators shall notify the Employer and the Trustee in writing of such action and specify the responsibilities of each Administrator. The Trustee thereafter shall accept and rely upon any documents executed by the appropriate Administrator until such time as the Employer or the Administrators file with the Trustee a written revocation of such designation.

 

2.4   POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR

 

The primary responsibility of the Administrator is to administer the Plan for the exclusive benefit of the Participants and their Beneficiaries, subject to the specific terms of the Plan. The Administrator shall administer the Plan in accordance with its terms and shall have the power and discretion to construe the terms of the Plan and to determine all questions arising in connection with the administration, interpretation, and application of the Plan. Any such determination by the Administrator shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons. The Administrator may establish procedures, correct any defect, supply any information, or reconcile any inconsistency in such manner and to such extent as shall be deemed necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of the Plan; provided, however, that any procedure, discretionary act, interpretation or construction shall be done in a nondiscriminatory manner based upon uniform principles consistently applied and shall be consistent with the intent that the Plan shall continue to be deemed a qualified plan under the terms of Code Section 401(a), and shall comply with the terms of the Act and all regulations issued pursuant thereto. The Administrator shall have all powers necessary or appropriate to accomplish the Administrator's duties under the Plan.

 

The Administrator shall be charged with the duties of the general administration of the Plan as set forth under the terms of the Plan, including, but not limited to, the following:

 

(a)       the discretion to determine all questions relating to the eligibility of Employees to participate or remain a Participant hereunder and to receive benefits under the Plan;

 

(b)       to compute, certify, and direct the Trustee with respect to the amount and the kind of benefits to which any Participant shall be entitled hereunder;

 

(c)       to authorize and direct the Trustee with respect to all nondiscretionary or otherwise directed disbursements from the Trust;

 

(d)       to maintain all necessary records for the administration of the Plan;

 

(e)       to interpret the provisions of the Plan and to make and publish such rules for regulation of the Plan as are consistent with the terms hereof;

 

 

(f)

to determine the size and type of any Contract to be purchased

 

 

15

 

from any insurer, and to designate the insurer from which such Contract shall be purchased;

 

(g)       to compute and certify to the Employer and to the Trustee from time to time the sums of money necessary or desirable to be contributed to the Plan;

 

(h)       to consult with the Employer and the Trustee regarding the short and long-term liquidity needs of the Plan in order that the Trustee can exercise any investment discretion in a manner designed to accomplish specific objectives;

 

(i)        to establish and communicate to Participants a procedure, which includes at least three (3) investment options pursuant to Regulations, for allowing each Participant to direct the Trustee as to the investment of such Participant's Company Stock Account pursuant to Section 4.5;

 

(j)        to establish and communicate to Participants a procedure and method to insure that each Participant will vote Company Stock allocated to such Participant's Company Stock Account pursuant to Section 8.4;

 

(k)       to determine the validity of, and take appropriate action with respect to, any qualified domestic relations order received by it; and

 

(l)        to assist any Participant regarding the Participant's rights, benefits, or elections available under the Plan.

 

2.5   RECORDS AND REPORTS

 

The Administrator shall keep a record of all actions taken and shall keep all other books of account, records, policies, and other data that may be necessary for proper administration of the Plan and shall be responsible for supplying all information and reports to the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, Participants, Beneficiaries and others as required by law.

 

2.6   APPOINTMENT OF ADVISERS

 

The Administrator, or the Trustee with the consent of the Administrator, may appoint counsel, specialists, advisers, agents (including nonfiduciary agents) and other persons as the Administrator or the Trustee deems necessary or desirable in connection with the administration of this Plan, including but not limited to agents and advisers to assist with the administration and management of the Plan, and thereby to provide, among such other duties as the Administrator may appoint, assistance with maintaining Plan records and the providing of investment information to the Plan's investment fiduciaries and to Plan Participants.

 

2.7   PAYMENT OF EXPENSES

 

All expenses of administration may be paid out of the Trust Fund unless paid by the Employer. Such expenses shall include any expenses incident to the functioning of the Administrator, or any person or persons retained or appointed by any Named Fiduciary incident to the exercise of their duties under the Plan, including, but not limited to, fees of accountants, counsel, Investment Managers, agents (including nonfiduciary agents) appointed for the purpose of assisting the Administrator or the Trustee in carrying out the instructions of Participants as to the

 

 

16

 

directed investment of their accounts and other specialists and their agents, the costs of any bonds required pursuant to Act Section 412, and other costs of administering the Plan. Until paid, the expenses shall constitute a liability of the Trust Fund.

 

2.8   CLAIMS PROCEDURE

 

Claims for benefits under the Plan may be filed in writing with the Administrator. Written or electronic notice of the disposition of a claim shall be furnished to the claimant within 90 days (45 days if the claim involves disability benefits) after the application is filed, or such period as is required by applicable law or Department of Labor regulation. In the event the claim is denied, the reasons for the denial shall be specifically set forth in the notice in language calculated to be understood by the claimant, pertinent provisions of the Plan shall be cited, and, where appropriate, an explanation as to how the claimant can perfect the claim will be provided. In addition, the claimant shall be furnished with an explanation of the Plan's claims review procedure.

 

2.9   CLAIMS REVIEW PROCEDURE

 

Any Employee, former Employee, or Beneficiary of either, who has been denied a benefit by a decision of the Administrator pursuant to Section 2.8 shall be entitled to request the Administrator to give further consideration to a claim by filing with the Administrator a written request for a hearing. Such request, together with a written statement of the reasons why the claimant believes the claim should be allowed, shall be filed with the Administrator no later than 60 days (180 days if the denied benefit involves disability benefits) after receipt of the written or electronic notification provided for in Section 2.8. The Administrator shall then conduct a hearing within the next 60 days (45 days if the claim involves disability benefits), at which the claimant may be represented by an attorney or any other representative of such claimant's choosing and expense and at which the claimant shall have an opportunity to submit written and oral evidence and arguments in support of the claim. At the hearing the claimant or the claimant's representative shall have an opportunity to review all documents in the possession of the Administrator which are pertinent to the claim at issue and its disallowance. Either the claimant or the Administrator may cause a court reporter to attend the hearing and record the proceedings. In such event, a complete written transcript of the proceedings shall be furnished to both parties by the court reporter. The full expense of any such court reporter and such transcripts shall be borne by the party causing the court reporter to attend the hearing. A final decision as to the allowance of the claim shall be made by the Administrator within 60 days (45 days if the claim involves disability benefits) of receipt of the appeal (unless there has been an extension of 60 days (45 days if the claim involves disability benefits) due to special circumstances, provided the delay and the special circumstances occasioning it are communicated to the claimant within the 60 day period (45 day period if the claim involves disability benefits). Such communication shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant and shall include specific reasons for the decision and specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the decision is based.

 

 

17

 

ARTICLE III

ELIGIBILITY

 

3.1   CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY

 

Any Eligible Employee who has completed one (1) Year of Service and has attained age eighteen (18) shall be eligible to participate hereunder as of the date such Employee has satisfied such requirements. However, any Employee who was a Participant in the Plan prior to the effective date of this amendment and restatement shall continue to participate in the Plan.

 

3.2   EFFECTIVE DATE OF PARTICIPATION

 

An Eligible Employee shall become a Participant effective as of the earlier of the first day of the Plan Year or the first day of the seventh month of such Plan Year coinciding with or next following the date such Employee met the eligibility requirements of Section 3.1, provided said Employee was still employed as of such date (or if not employed on such date, as of the date of rehire if a 1-Year Break in Service has not occurred or, if later, the date that the Employee would have otherwise entered the Plan had the Employee not terminated employment).

 

If an Employee who has satisfied the Plan's eligibility requirements and would otherwise have become a Participant, shall go from a classification of a noneligible Employee to an Eligible Employee, such Employee shall become a Participant on the date such Employee becomes an Eligible Employee or, if later, the date that the Employee would have otherwise entered the Plan had the Employee always been an Eligible Employee.

 

If an Employee who has satisfied the Plan's eligibility requirements and would otherwise become a Participant, shall go from a classification of an Eligible Employee to a noneligible class of Employees, such Employee shall become a Participant in the Plan on the date such Employee again becomes an Eligible Employee, or, if later, the date that the Employee would have otherwise entered the Plan had the Employee always been an Eligible Employee. However, if such Employee incurs a 1-Year Break in Service, eligibility will be determined under the Break in Service rules set forth in Section 3.7.

 

3.3   DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY

 

The Administrator shall determine the eligibility of each Employee for participation in the Plan based upon information furnished by the Employer. Such determination shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons, as long as the same is made pursuant to the Plan and the Act. Such determination shall be subject to review pursuant to Section 2.9.

 

3.4   TERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY

 

In the event a Participant shall go from a classification of an Eligible Employee to an ineligible Employee, such Former Participant shall continue to vest in the Plan for each Year of Service completed while a noneligible Employee, until such time as the Participant's Account shall be forfeited or distributed pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Additionally, the Former Participant's interest in the Plan shall continue to share in the earnings of the Trust Fund.

 

 

18

 

3.5   OMISSION OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE

 

If, in any Plan Year, any Employee who should be included as a Participant in the Plan is erroneously omitted and discovery of such omission is not made until after a contribution by the Employer for the year has been made and allocated, then the Employer shall make a subsequent contribution, if necessary after the application of Section 4.3(f), so that the omitted Employee receives a total amount which the Employee would have received (including both Employer contributions and earnings thereon) had the Employee not been omitted. Such contribution shall be made regardless of whether it is deductible in whole or in part in any taxable year under applicable provisions of the Code.

 

3.6   INCLUSION OF INELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE

 

If, in any Plan Year, any person who should not have been included as a Participant in the Plan is erroneously included and discovery of such inclusion is not made until after a contribution for the year has been made and allocated, the Employer shall be entitled to recover the contribution made with respect to the ineligible person provided the error is discovered within twelve (12) months of the date on which it was made. Otherwise, the amount contributed with respect to the ineligible person shall constitute a Forfeiture for the Plan Year in which the discovery is made.

 

3.7   REHIRED EMPLOYEES AND BREAKS IN SERVICE

 

(a)       If any Participant becomes a Former Participant due to severance from employment with the Employer and is reemployed by the Employer before a 1-Year Break in Service occurs, the Former Participant shall become a Participant as of the reemployment date.

 

(b)       If any Employee becomes a former Employee due to severance from employment with the Employer and is reemployed after a 1-Year Break in Service has occurred, Years of Service shall include Years of Service prior to the 1-Year Break in Service subject to the following rules:

 

(1)       In the case of a former Employee who under the Plan does not have a nonforfeitable right to any interest in the Plan resulting from Employer contributions, Years of Service before a period of 1-Year Break in Service will not be taken into account if the number of consecutive 1-Year Breaks in Service equal or exceed the greater of (A) five (5) or (B) the aggregate number of pre-break Years of Service. Such aggregate number of Years of Service will not include any Years of Service disregarded under the preceding sentence by reason of prior 1-Year Breaks in Service.

 

(2)       A former Employee who has not had Years of Service before a 1-Year Break in Service disregarded pursuant to (1) above, shall participate in the Plan as of the date of reemployment.

 

(c)       After a Former Participant who has severed employment with the Employer incurs five (5) consecutive 1-Year Breaks in Service, the Vested portion of said Former Participant's Account attributable to pre-break service shall not be increased as a result of post-break service. In such case, separate accounts will be maintained as follows:

 

 

19

 

(1)       one account for nonforfeitable benefits attributable to pre-break service; and

 

(2)       one account representing the Participant's Employer derived account balance in the Plan attributable to post-break service.

 

(d)       If any Participant becomes a Former Participant due to severance of employment with the Employer and is reemployed by the Employer before five (5) consecutive 1-Year Breaks in Service, and such Former Participant had received a distribution of the entire Vested interest prior to reemployment, then the forfeited account shall be reinstated only if the Former Participant repays the full amount which had been distributed. Such repayment must be made before the earlier of five (5) years after the first date on which the Participant is subsequently reemployed by the Employer or the close of the first period of five (5) consecutive 1-Year Breaks in Service commencing after the distribution. If a distribution occurs for any reason other than a severance of employment, the time for repayment may not end earlier than five (5) years after the date of distribution. In the event the Former Participant does repay the full amount distributed, the undistributed forfeited portion of the Participant's Account must be restored in full, unadjusted by any gains or losses occurring subsequent to the Valuation Date preceding the distribution. The source for such reinstatement may be Forfeitures occurring during the Plan Year. If such source is insufficient, then the Employer will contribute an amount which is sufficient to restore any such forfeited Accounts provided, however, that if a discretionary contribution is made for such year, such contribution shall first be applied to restore any such Accounts and the remainder shall be allocated in accordance with Section 4.3.

 

If a non-Vested Former Participant was deemed to have received a distribution and such Former Participant is reemployed by the Employer before five (5) consecutive 1-Year Breaks in Service, then such Participant will be deemed to have repaid the deemed distribution as of the date of reemployment.

 

ARTICLE IV

CONTRIBUTION AND ALLOCATION

 

4.1   FORMULA FOR DETERMINING EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION

 

(a)       For each Plan Year, the Employer shall contribute to the Plan such amount as shall be determined by the Employer.

 

(b)       The Employer contribution shall not be limited to years in which the Employer has current or accumulated net profit. Additionally, to the extent necessary, the Employer shall contribute to the Plan the amount necessary to provide the top heavy minimum contribution. All contributions by the Employer shall be made in cash or in such property as is acceptable to the Trustee.

 

4.2   TIME OF PAYMENT OF EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION

 

The Employer may make its contribution to the Plan for a particular Plan Year at such time as the Employer, in its sole discretion, determines. If the Employer makes a contribution for a particular Plan Year after the close of that Plan Year, the Employer will designate to the Trustee the Plan Year for which the Employer is making its contribution.

 

 

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4.3   ALLOCATION OF CONTRIBUTION, FORFEITURES AND EARNINGS

 

(a)       The Administrator shall establish and maintain an account in the name of each Participant to which the Administrator shall credit, as of each Anniversary Date or other Valuation Date, all amounts allocated to each such Participant as set forth herein.

 

(b)       The Employer shall provide the Administrator with all information required by the Administrator to make a proper allocation of the Employer contribution for each Plan Year. Within a reasonable period of time after the date of receipt by the Administrator of such information, the Administrator shall allocate such contribution to each Participant's Account in the same proportion that each such Participant's Compensation for the year bears to the total Compensation of all Participants for such year.

 

Only Participants who have completed a Year of Service during the Plan Year and are actively employed on the last day of the Plan Year shall be eligible to share in the discretionary contribution for the year.

 

(c)       The Company Stock Account of each Participant shall be credited as of each Anniversary Date with Forfeitures of Company Stock and the Participant's allocable share of Company Stock (including fractional shares) purchased and paid for by the Plan or contributed in kind by the Employer. Stock dividends on Company Stock held in the Participant's Company Stock Account shall be credited to the Participant's Company Stock Account when paid to the Plan. Cash dividends on Company Stock held in the Participant's Company Stock Account shall, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, either be credited to the Participant's Other Investments Account when paid to the Plan or be used to repay an Exempt Loan; provided, however, that when cash dividends are used to repay an Exempt Loan, Company Stock shall be released from the Unallocated Company Stock Suspense Account and allocated to the Participant's Company Stock Account pursuant to Section 4.3(e) and, provided further, that Company Stock allocated to the Participant's Company Stock Account shall have a fair market value not less than the amount of cash dividends which would have been allocated to such Participant's Other Investments Account for the year.

 

Company Stock acquired by the Plan with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan shall only be allocated to each Participant's Company Stock Account upon release from the Unallocated Company Stock Suspense Account as provided in Section 4.3(e) herein. Company Stock acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan shall be an asset of the Trust Fund and maintained in the Unallocated Company Stock Suspense Account.

 

(d)       Except as provided above with respect to stock dividends on Company Stock, as of each Valuation Date, before the current valuation period allocation of Employer contributions and Forfeitures, any earnings or losses (net appreciation or net depreciation) of the Trust Fund shall be allocated in the same proportion that each Participant's and Former Participant's nonsegregated accounts (other than each Participant's Company Stock Account) bear to the total of all Participants' and Former Participants' nonsegregated accounts (other than each Participant's Company Stock Account) as of such date.

 

 

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Earnings or losses do not include the interest paid under any installment contract for the purchase of Company Stock by the Trust Fund or on any loan used by the Trust Fund to purchase Company Stock, nor income received by the Trust Fund with respect to Company Stock acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan; all income received by the Trust Fund from Company Stock acquired with the proceeds of an Exempt Loan may, at the discretion of the Administrator, be used to repay such loan.

 

(e)       The number of shares of Company Stock to be released from the Unallocated Company Stock Suspense Account for allocation to Participants' Company Stock Accounts for each Plan Year shall be determined by the Company (as of each Allocation Date) as follows:

 

(1)        Principal/Interest Method - The Company may elect (as to each Exempt Loan) or the provisions of the Exempt Loan may provide for the release of Company Stock held in the Unallocated Company Stock Suspense Account immediately before the release for the current Plan Year based on multiplication by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction shall be the amount of principal and/or interest paid on the Exempt Loan for that Plan Year. The denominator of the fraction shall be the sum of the numerator plus the total payments of principal and interest on that Exempt Loan projected to be paid for all future Plan Years. For this purpose, the interest to be paid in future years is to be computed by using the interest rate in effect as of the current Allocation Date.

 

(2)        Principal Only Method - The Company may elect (as to each Exempt Loan) or the provisions of the Exempt Loan may provide for the release of Company Stock from the Unallocated Company Stock Suspense Account based solely on the ratio that the payments of principal for each Plan Year bear to the total principal amount of the Exempt Loan. This method may be used only to the extent that: (A) the Exempt Loan provides for annual payments of principal and interest at a cumulative rate that is not less rapid at any time than level annual payments of such amounts for ten years; (B) interest included in any payment on the Exempt Loan is disregarded only to the extent that it would be determined to be interest under standard loan amortization tables; and (C) the entire duration of the Exempt Loan repayment period does not exceed ten years, even in the event of a renewal, extension or refinancing of the Exempt Loan.

 

In each Plan Year in which Trust Assets are applied to make payments on an Exempt Loan, the Company Stock released from the Unallocated Company Stock Suspense Account in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.3(e) shall be allocated among the Company Stock Accounts of Participants in the manner determined by the Company based upon the source of funds (Employer Contributions, earnings attributable to such Employer Contributions and cash dividends on Company Stock) used to make the payments on the Exempt Loan. If cash dividends on Company Stock allocated to a Participant's Company Stock Account are used to make payments on an Exempt Loan, Company Stock (whose Fair Market Value is at least equal to the amount of such dividends) released from the Unallocated Company Stock Suspense Account shall be allocated to that Participant's Company Stock

 

 

22

 

Account.

 

(f)        On or before each Anniversary Date any amounts which became Forfeitures since the last Anniversary Date may be made available to reinstate previously forfeited account balances of Former Participants, if any, in accordance with Section 3.7(d), be used to satisfy any contribution that may be required pursuant to Section 3.5 and/or 7.9, or used to pay any administrative expenses of the Plan. The remaining Forfeitures, if any, shall be allocated each year among the Participants' Accounts of Participants otherwise eligible to share in the allocation of discretionary contributions in the same proportion that each such Participant's Compensation for the year bears to the total Compensation of all such Participants for the year.

 

Provided, however, that in the event the allocation of Forfeitures provided herein shall cause the "annual addition" (as defined in Section 4.4) to any Participant's Account to exceed the amount allowable by the Code, the excess shall be reallocated to other Participants.

 

(g)       For any Top Heavy Plan Year, Non-Key Employees not otherwise eligible to share in the allocation of contributions and Forfeitures as provided above, shall receive the minimum allocation provided for in Section 4.3(i) if eligible pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.3(k).

 

(h)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, Participants who are not actively employed on the last day of the Plan Year due to Retirement (Normal or Late), Total and Permanent Disability or death shall not share in the allocation of contributions and Forfeitures for that Plan Year.

 

(i)        Minimum Allocations Required for Top Heavy Plan Years: Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any Top Heavy Plan Year, the sum of the Employer contributions and Forfeitures allocated to the Participant's Account of each Non-Key Employee shall be equal to at least three percent (3%) of such Non-Key Employee's "415 Compensation" (reduced by contributions and forfeitures, if any, allocated to each Non-Key Employee in any defined contribution plan included with this Plan in a Required Aggregation Group). However, if (1) the sum of the Employer contributions and Forfeitures allocated to the Participant's Account of each Key Employee for such Top Heavy Plan Year is less than three percent (3%) of each Key Employee's "415 Compensation" and (2) this Plan is not required to be included in an Aggregation Group to enable a defined benefit plan to meet the requirements of Code Section 401(a)(4) or 410, then the sum of the Employer contributions and Forfeitures allocated to the Participant's Account of each Non-Key Employee shall be equal to the largest percentage allocated to the Participant's Account of any Key Employee.

 

However, no such minimum allocation shall be required in this Plan for any Non-Key Employee who participates in another defined contribution plan subject to Code Section 412 included with this Plan in a Required Aggregation Group where the other plan provides the minimum allocation.

 

(j)        For purposes of the minimum allocations set forth above, the percentage allocated to the Participant's Account of any Key Employee shall be equal to the ratio of the sum of the Employer contributions and Forfeitures allocated on behalf of such Key Employee divided by the "415 Compensation" for

 

 

23

 

such Key Employee.

 

(k)       For any Top Heavy Plan Year, the minimum allocations set forth above shall be allocated to the Participant's Account of all Non-Key Employees who are Participants and who are employed by the Employer on the last day of the Plan Year, including Non-Key Employees who have (1) failed to complete a Year of Service; and (2) declined to make mandatory contributions (if required) to the Plan.

 

(l)        For the purposes of this Section, "415 Compensation" in excess of $150,000 (or such other amount provided in the Code) shall be disregarded. Such amount shall be adjusted for increases in the cost of living in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17)(B), except that the dollar increase in effect on January 1 of any calendar year shall be effective for the Plan Year beginning with or within such calendar year. If "415 Compensation" for any prior determination period is taken into account in determining a Participant's minimum benefit for the current Plan Year, the "415 Compensation" for such determination period is subject to the applicable annual "415 Compensation" limit in effect for that prior period. For this purpose, in determining the minimum benefit in Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 1989, the annual "415 Compensation" limit in effect for determination periods beginning before that date is $200,000 (or such other amount as adjusted for increases in the cost of living in accordance with Code Section 415(d) for determination periods beginning on or after January 1, 1989, and in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17)(B) for determination periods beginning on or after January 1, 1994). For determination periods beginning prior to January 1, 1989, the $200,000 limit shall apply only for Top Heavy Plan Years and shall not be adjusted. For any short Plan Year the "415 Compensation" limit shall be an amount equal to the "415 Compensation" limit for the calendar year in which the Plan Year begins multiplied by the ratio obtained by dividing the number of full months in the short Plan Year by twelve (12).

 

(m)      Notwithstanding anything in this Section to the contrary, all information necessary to properly reflect a given transaction may not be available until after the date specified herein for processing such transaction, in which case the transaction will be reflected when such information is received and processed. Subject to express limits that may be imposed under the Code, the processing of any contribution, distribution or other transaction may be delayed for any legitimate business reason (including, but not limited to, failure of systems or computer programs, failure of the means of the transmission of data, force majeure, the failure of a service provider to timely receive values or prices, and the correction for errors or omissions or the errors or omissions of any service provider). The processing date of a transaction will be binding for all purposes of the Plan.

 

(n)       Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if this is a Plan that would otherwise fail to meet the requirements of Code Section 410(b)(1)(B) and the Regulations thereunder because Employer contributions would not be allocated to a sufficient number or percentage of Participants for a Plan Year, then the following rules shall apply:

 

(1)       The group of Participants eligible to share in the Employer's contribution and Forfeitures for the Plan Year shall be expanded to

 

 

24

 

include the minimum number of Participants who would not otherwise be eligible as are necessary to satisfy the applicable test specified above. The specific Participants who shall become eligible under the terms of this paragraph shall be those who have not separated from service prior to the last day of the Plan Year and have completed the greatest number of Hours of Service in the Plan Year.

 

(2)       If after application of paragraph (1) above, the applicable test is still not satisfied, then the group of Participants eligible to share in the Employer's contribution and Forfeitures for the Plan Year shall be further expanded to include the minimum number of Participants who have separated from service prior to the last day of the Plan Year as are necessary to satisfy the applicable test. The specific Participants who shall become eligible to share shall be those Participants who have completed the greatest number of Hours of Service in the Plan Year before terminating employment.

 

(3)       Nothing in this Section shall permit the reduction of a Participant's accrued benefit. Therefore any amounts that have previously been allocated to Participants may not be reallocated to satisfy these requirements. In such event, the Employer shall make an additional contribution equal to the amount such affected Participants would have received had they been included in the allocations, even if it exceeds the amount which would be deductible under Code Section 404. Any adjustment to the allocations pursuant to this paragraph shall be considered a retroactive amendment adopted by the last day of the Plan Year.

 

(4)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the portion of the Plan which is not a Code Section 401(k) plan would fail to satisfy Code Section 410(b) if the coverage tests were applied by treating those Participants whose only allocation would otherwise be provided under the top heavy formula as if they were not currently benefiting under the Plan, then, for purposes of this Section 4.3(n), such Participants shall be treated as not benefiting and shall therefore be eligible to be included in the expanded class of Participants who will share in the allocation provided under the Plan's non top heavy formula.

 

4.4   MAXIMUM ANNUAL ADDITIONS

 

(a)       Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any "limitation year", the maximum "annual additions" credited to a Participant's accounts for any "limitation year" shall equal the lesser of: (1) $49,000 adjusted annually as provided in Code Section 415(d) pursuant to the Regulations, or (2) one-hundred percent (100%) of the Participant's "415 Compensation" for such "limitation year." If the Employer contribution that would otherwise be contributed or allocated to the Participant's accounts would cause the "annual additions" for the "limitation year" to exceed the maximum "annual additions," the amount contributed or allocated will be reduced so that the "annual additions" for the "limitation year" will equal the maximum "annual additions," and any amount in excess of the maximum "annual additions," which would have been allocated to such Participant may be allocated to other Participants. For any short "limitation year," the dollar limitation in (1) above shall be reduced by a fraction, the numerator of

 

 

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which is the number of full months in the short "limitation year" and the denominator of which is twelve (12).

 

(b)       For purposes of applying the limitations of Code Section 415, "annual additions" means the sum credited to a Participant's accounts for any "limitation year" of (1) Employer contributions, (2) Employee contributions, (3) forfeitures, (4) amounts allocated, after March 31, 1984, to an individual medical account, as defined in Code Section 415(l)(2) which is part of a pension or annuity plan maintained by the Employer, (5) amounts derived from contributions paid or accrued after December 31, 1985, in taxable years ending after such date, which are attributable to post-retirement medical benefits allocated to the separate account of a key employee (as defined in Code Section 419A(d)(3)) under a welfare benefit plan (as defined in Code Section 419(e)) maintained by the Employer and (6) al


 
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