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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 28-07 ICMA 401a Money Purchase Plan RESOLUTION NO. 28 - 07 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN ********* AMENDMENT TO THE ICMA RETIREMENT CORPORATION 401(a) GOVERNMENTAL MONEY PURCHASE PLAN AND TRUST WHEREAS, the City has employees rendering valuable services; and WHEREAS, the City has established a qualified retirement plan for such employees, which serves the interest of the City by enabling it to provide reasonable retirement security for its employees, by providing increased flexibility in its personnel management system, and by assisting in the attraction and retention of competent personnel; and WHEREAS, the City has determined that the continuance of the qualified retirement plan will serve these objectives. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Dublin does hereby amend and restate the qualified retirement plan (the "Plan") in the form of the ICMA Retirement Corporation 401 (a) Governmental Money Purchase Plan & Trust attached hereto; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the assets of the Plan shall be held in trust, with the City serving as Trustee ("Trustee"), for the exclusive benefit of Plan participants and their beneficiaries, and the assets shall not be diverted to any other purpose. The Trustee's beneficial ownership of Plan assets held in VantageTrust shall be held for the further exclusive benefit of the Plan participants and their beneficiaries; and and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Dublin agrees to serve as trustee under the Plan; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Dublin does hereby appoint the City Manager, or his or her designee, as the City's Plan Administrator ("Administrator") for the ICMA Retirement Corporation 401(a) Governmental Money Purchase Plan and Trust; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Administrator is hereby authorized to implement the Plan, execute the Plan's legal documents on behalf of the City, and maintain compliance of any relevant regulation issued or as may be issued; therefore, the Administrator is authorized to take whatever additional actions are required to administer the City's ICMA Retirement Corporation 401(a) Governmental Money Purchase Plan and Trust. PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 6th day of March, 2007, by the following vote: AYES: Councilmembers Hildenbrand, Oravetz, Sbranti and Scholz, and Mayor Lockhart NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ~ ' ( 0 '. o~ ~;x/ ayor . ATTEST: 00 ~), ~. ~~~cI~;k~" Reso No. 28-07, Adopted 3/6/07, Item 4.9 Page 1 of 1 GOVERNMENTAL MONEY PURCHASE PLAN & TRUST I. PURPOSE The Employer hereby adopts this Plan and Trust to provide funds for its Employees' retirement, and to provide funds for their Beneficiaries in the event of death. The benefits provided in this Plan shall be paid from the Trust. The Plan and the Trust forming a part hereof are adopted and shall be maintained for the exclusive benefit of eligible Employees and their Beneficiaries. Except as provided in Sections 4.10 and 14.03, no part of the corpus or income of the Trust shall revert to the Employer or be used for or diverted to purposes other than the exclusive benefit of Participants and their Beneficiaries. II. DEFINITIONS 2.01 Account. A separate record which shall be established and maintained under the Trust for each Participant, and which shall include all Participant subaccounts created pursuant to Article IV, plus any Participant Loan Account created pursuant to Section 13.03. Each subaccount created pursuant to Article IV shall include any earnings of the Trust and adjustments for withdrawals, and realized and unrealized gains and losses allocable thereto. The term "Account" may also refer to any of such separate subaccounts. 2.02 Accounting Date. Each day that the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, and such other dates as may be determined by the Plan Administrator, as provided in Section 6.06 for valuing the Trust's assets. 2.03 Adoption Agreement. The separate agreement executed by the Employer through which the Employer adopts the Plan and elects among the various alternatives provided thereunder, and which upon execution, becomes an integral part of the Plan. 2.04 Beneficiary. The person or persons (including a trust) designated by the Participant who shall receive any benefits payable hereunder in the event of the Participant's death. The designation of such Beneficiary shall be in writing to the Plan Administrator. A Participant may designate primary and contingent Beneficiaries. Where no designated Beneficiary survives the Participant or no Beneficiary is otherwise designated by the Participant, the Participant's Beneficiary shall be his/her surviving spouse or, if none, his/her estate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Beneficiary designation is subject to the requirements of Article XII unless the Employer elects otherwise in the Adoption Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement (the "QJSA Election"), the Beneficiary designation is subject to the requirements of Article XVII. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted by the Employer, a Beneficiary receiving required minimum distributions in accordance with Article X and not in a benefit form elected under Article XI or XII, may designate a Beneficiary to receive the required minimum distributions that would have otherwise been payable to the initial Beneficiary but for his or her death. 2.05 Break in Service. A Period of Severance of at least twe'lve (12) consecutive months. In the case of an individual who is absent from work for maternity or paternity reasons, the twelve (12) consecutive month period beginning on the first anniversary of the first date of such absence shall not constitute a Break in Service. For purposes of this paragraph, an absence from work for maternity or paternity reasons means an absence (1) by reason of the pregnancy of the individual, (2) by reason of the birth of a child of the individual, (3) by reason of the placement of a child with the individual in connection with the adoption of such child by such individual, or (4) for purposes of caring for such child for a period beginning immediately following such birth or placement. 2.06 Code. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. 2.07 Covered Employment Classification. The group or groups of Employees eligible to make and/or have contributions to this Plan made on their behalf, as specified by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement. 2.08 Disability. A physical or mental impairment which is of such permanence and degree that, as determined by the Employer, a Participant is unable because of such impairment to perform any substantial gainful activity for which he! she is suited by virtue of his/her experience, training, or education and that has lasted, or can be expected to last, for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, or can be expected to result in death. The permanence and degree of such impairment shall be suppqrted by medical evidence. If the Employer maintains a long-term disability plan, the definition of Disabiliry shall be the same as the definition of disabiliry in the long-term disabiliry plan. 2.09 Earnings. (a) General Rule. Earnings, which form the basis for computing Employer Contributions, are all of each Participant's W-2 earnings which are actually paid to the Participant during the Plan Year, plus any contributions made pursuant to a salary reduction agreement which are not includible in the gross income of the Employee under section 125, 402(e)(3), 402(h)(1)(B), 403(b), 414(h)(2), 457(b), or, effective January 1, 2001, 132(f)( 4) of the Code. Earnings shall include any pre-tax contributions (excluding direct employer contributions) to an integral part trust of the Employer providing retiree health care benefits. Earnings shall also include any other earnings as defined and elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement. Unless the Employer elects otherwise in the Adoption Agreement, Earnings shall exclude overtime compensation and bonuses. (b) Limitation on Earnings. For any Plan Year beginning after December 31,2001, the annual Earnings of each Participant taken into account in determining allocations shall not exceed $200,000, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases in accordance with section 401 (a) (17) (B) of the Code. Annual Earnings means Earnings during the Plan Year or such other consecutive 12-month period over which Earnings is otherwise determined under the Plan (the determination period). The cost-of-living adjustment in effect for a calendar year applies to annual Earnings for the determination period that begins with or within such calendar year. If a determination period consists of fewer than twelve (12) months, the annual Earnings limit is an amount equal to the otherwise applicable annual Earnings limit multiplied by the fraction, the numerator of which is the number of months in the short Plan Year and the denominator of which is twelve (12). If Earnings for any prior determination period are taken into account in determining a Participant's allocations for the current Plan Year, the Earnings for such prior year are subject to the applicable annual Earnings limit in effect for that prior year. (c) Limitations fir Governmental Plans. In the case of an eligible participant in a governmental plan (within the meaning of section 414(d) of the Code), the dollar limitation shall not apply to the extent the Earnings which are allowed to be taken into account under the Plan would be reduced below the amount which was allowed to be taken into account under the Plan as in effect on July 1, 1993, as adjusted for increases in the cost-of-living in accordance with section 401 (a)(17)(B) of the Code. For purposes of this Section, an eligible participant is an individual who first became a Participant in the Plan during a Plan Year beginning before the first Plan Year beginning after December 31, 1993. 2.10 Effective Date. The first day of the Plan Year during which the Employer adopts the Plan, unless the Employer elects in the Adoption Agreement an alternate date as rhe Effective Date of the Plan. 2.11 Employee. Any individual who has applied for and been hired in an employment position and who is employed by the Employer as a common law employee; provided, however, that Employee shall not include any individual who is not so recorded on the payroll records of the Employer, including any such person who is '" L. subsequently reclassified by a court oflaw or regulatory body as a common law employee of the Employer. For purposes of clarification only and not to imply that the preceding sentence would otherwise cover such person, the term Employee does not include any individual who performs services for the Employer as an independent contractor, or under any other non-employee. 2.12 Employer. The unit of state or local government or an agency or instrumentaliry of one (1) or more states or local governments that executes the Adoption Agreement. 2.13 Hour of Service. Each hour for which an Employee is paid or entitled to payment for the performance of du- ties for the Employer. 2.14 Nonforfeitable Interest. The nonforfeitable interest of the Participant or his/her Beneficiary (whichever is applicable) is that percentage of his/her Employer Contribution Account balance, which has vested pursuant to Article VII. A Participant shall, at all times, have a one hundred percent (100%) Nonforfeitable Interest in his/ her Participant Contribution, Rollover, and Voluntary Contribution Accounts. 2.15 Normal Retirement Age. The age which the Employer specifies in the Adoption Agreement. If the Employer enforces a mandatory retirement age, the Normal Retirement Age is the lesser of that mandatory age or the age specified in the Adoption Agreement. 2.16 Participant. An Employee or former Employee for whom contributions have been made under the Plan and who has not yet received all of the payments of benefits to which he/she is entitled under the Plan. A Participant is treated as benefiting under the Plan for any Plan Year during which the participant received or is deemed to receive an allocation in accordance with Treas. Reg. section 1.410(b)-3(a). 2.17 Period of Service. For purposes of determining an Employee's initial or continued eligibiliry to participate in the Plan or the Nonforfeitable Interest in the Participant's Account balance derived from Employer Contributions, an Employee will receive credit for the aggregate of all time period(s) commencing with the Employee's first day of employment or reemployment and ending on the date a Break in Service begins. The first day of employment or reemployment is the first day the Employee performs an Hour of Service. An Employee will also receive credit for any Period of Severance of less than twelve (12) consecutive months. Fractional periods of a year will be expressed in terms of days. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the Plan is an amendment and restatement of a plan that previously calculated service under the hours of service method, service shall be credited in a manner that is at least as generous as that provided under Treas. Regs. section 1.410(a)-7(g). 2.1SPeriod of Severance. A continuous period of time during which the Employee is not employed by the Employer. Such period. begins on the date the Employee retires, quits or is discharged, or if earlier, the twelve (12) month anniversary of the date on which the Employee was otherwise first absent from service. 2.19 Plan. This Plan, as established by the Employer, including any elected provisions pursuant to the Adoption Agreement. 2.20 Plan Administrator. The person(s) or entiry named to carry out certain nondiscretionary administrative functions under the Plan, as hereinafter described, which is the ICMA Retirement Corporation or any successor Plan Administrator. 2.21 Plan Year. The twelve (12) consecutive month period designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement. 2.22 Trust. The Trust created under Article VI of the Plan which shall consist of all of the assets of the Plan derived from Employer and Participant contributions under the Plan, plus any income and gains thereon, less any losses, expenses and distributions to Participants and Beneficiaries. 3 III. ELIGIBILITY 3.01 Service. Except as provided in Sections 3.02 and 3.03 of the Plan, an Employee within the Covered Employment Classification who has completed a twelve (12) month Period of Service shall be eligible to participate in the Plan at the beginning of the payroll period next commencing thereafter. The Employer may elect in the Adoption Agreement to waive or reduce the twelve (12) month Period of Service. If the Employer maintains the plan of a predecessor employer, service with such employer shall be treated as Service for the Employer. 3.02 Age. The Employer may designate a minimum age requirement, not to exceed age twenry-one (21), for participation. Such age, if any, shall be declared in the Adoption Agreement. 3.03 Return to Covered Employment Classification. In the event a Participant is no longer a member of Covered Employment Classification and becomes ineligible to make contributions and/or have contributions made on his/her behalf, such Employee will become eligible for contributions immediately upon returning to a Covered Employment Classification. If such Participant incurs a Break in Service, eligibiliry will be determined under the Break in Service rules of the Plan. In the event an Employee who is not a member ~f a Covered Employment Classification becomes a member, such Employee will be eligible to participate immediately if such Employee has satisfied the minimum age and service requirements and would have otherwise previously become a Participant. 3.04 Service Before a Break in Service. All Periods of Service with the Employer are counted toward eligibiliry, including Periods of Service before a Break in Service. Iv. CONTRIBUTIONS 4.01 Employer Contributions. For each Plan Year, the Employer will contribute to the Trust an amount as specified in the Adoption Agreement. The Employer's full contribution for any Plan Year shall be due and paid not later than thirry (30) working days after the close of the Plan Year. Each Participant will share in Employer Contributions for the period beginning on the date the Participant commences participation under the Plan and ending on the date on which such Employee severs employment with the Employer or is no longer a member of a Covered Employment Classification, and such contributions shall be accounted for separately in his/her Employer Contribution Account. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if so elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, an Employee shall be required to make contributions as provided pursuant to Section 4.03 or 4.04 in order to be eligible for Employer Contributions to be made on his/her behalf to the Plan. 4.02 Forfeitures. All amounts forfeited by terminated Participants, pursuant to Section 7.06, shall be allocated to a suspense account and used to reduce dollar for dollar Employer Contributions otherwise required under the Plan for the current Plan Year and succeeding Plan Years, if necessary. Forfeitures may first be used to pay the reasonable administrative expenses of the Plan, with any remainder being applied to reduce Employer Contributions. 4.03 Mandatory Participant Contributions. If the Employer so elects in the Adoption Agreement, each eligible Employee shall make contributions at a rate prescribed by the Employer or at any of a range of specified rates, as set forth by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, as a requirement for his/her participation in the Plan. Once an eligible Employee becomes a Participant, he/she shall not thereafter have the right to discontinue or vary the rate of such Mandatory Participant Contributions. Such contributions shall be accounted for separately in the Participant Contribution Account. Such Account shall be at all times nonforfeitable by the Participant. 4 If the Employer so elects in the Adoption Agreement, the Mandatory Participant Contributions shall be "picked up" by the Employer in accordance with Code section 414(h)(2). Any contribution picked-up under this Section shall be treated as an employer contribution in determining the tax treatment under the Code, and shall not be included as gross income of the Participant until it is distributed. 4.04 Employer Matching Contributions of Voluntary Participant Contributions. If the Employer so elects in the Adoption Agreement, Employer Matching Contributions shall be made on behalf of an eligible Employee for a Plan Year only if the Employee agrees to make Voluntary Participant Contributions for that Plan Year. The rate ~fEmployer Contributions shall, to the extent specified in the Adoption Agreement, be based upon the rate at which Voluntary Participant Contributions are made for that Plan Year. Employer Matching Contributions shall be accounted for separately in the Employer Contribution Account. 4.05 Voluntary Participant Contributions. If the Employer so elects in the Adoption Agreement, an eligible Employee may make after-tax voluntary (unmatched) contributions under the Plan for any Plan Year in any amount up to twenry five percent (25%) of his/her Earnings for such Plan Year. Matched and unmatched contributions shall be accounted for separately in the Participant's Voluntary Contribution Account. Such Account shall be at all times nonforfeitable by the Participant. 4.06 Deductible Employee Contributions. The Plan will not accept deductible employee contributions which are made for a taxable year beginning after December 31, 1986. Contributions made prior to that date will be maintained in a Deductible Employee Contribution Account. The Account will share in the gains and losses under the Plan in the same manner as described in Section 6.06 of the Plan. Such Account shall be at all times nonforfeitable by the Participant. 4.07 Military Service Contributions. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, effective December 12, 1994, contributions, benefits and service credit with respect to qualified military service will be provided in accordance with section 414(u) of the Code. Effective December 12, 1994, if the Employer has elected in the Adoption Agreement to make loans available to Participants, loan repayments will be suspended under the Plan as permitted under section 414(u)(4) of the Code. 4.08 Changes in Participant Election. A Participant may elect to change his/her rate of Voluntary Participant Contributions at any time or during an election period as designated by the Employer. A Participant may discontinue such contributions at any time or during an election period as designated by the Employer, 4.09 Portability of Benefits. (a) Unless otherwise elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, the Plan will accept Participant (which shall include, for purposes of this subsection, an Employee within the Covered Employment Classification whether or not he/she has satisfied the minimum age and service requirements of Article III,) rollover contributions and/or direct rollovers of distributions (including after-tax contributions) made after December 31, 2001 that are eligible for rollover in accordance with Section 402(c), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), 408(d)(3)(A)(ii), or 457(e)(16) of the Code, from all of the following rypes of plans: (1) A qualified plan described in Section 401 (a) or 403(a) of the Code; (2) An annuiry contract described in Section 403(b) of the Code; (3) An eligible plan under Section 457(b) of the Code which is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentaliry of a state or a political subdivision of a state; and 5 (4) An individual retirement account or annuiry described in Section 408(a) or 408(b) of the Code (including SEPs, and. SIMPLE IRAs after two years of participating in the SIMPLE IRA). (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employer may reject the rollover contribution if it determines, in its discretion, that the form and narure of the distribution from the other plan does nor satisfy the applicable requirements under the Code to make the transfer or rollover a nontaxable transaction to the Participant; (c) For indirect rollover contributions, the amount distributed from such plan must be rolled over to this Plan no later than the sixtieth (60th) day after the distribution was made from the plan, unless otherwise waived by the IRS pursuanr to Section 402(c)(3) of the Code. (d) The amount transferred shall be deposited in the Trust and shall be credited to a Rollover Accounr. Such Account shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested in the Participant. (e) The Plan will accept accumulated deductible employee contributions as defined in section 72(0)(5) of the Code that were distributed from a qualified retirement plan and transferred (rolled over) pursuant to section 402(c), 403(a)(4), 403(b)(8), or 408(d)(3) of the Code. Notwithstanding the above, this transferred (rolled over) amount shall be deposited to the Trust and shall be credited to a Deductible Employee Contributions Account. Such Account shall be one-hundred percent (100%) vested in rhe Participant. (f) A Participant may, upon approval by the Employer and the Plan Administrator, transfer his/her interest in another plan mainrained by the Employer that is qualified under section 401 (a) of the Code (Q this Plan, provided the transfer is effected through a one-time irrevocable written election made by the Parricipant. The amount transferred shall be deposited in the Trust and shall be credited to sources that maintain the same attributes as the plan from which they are transferred. Such transfer shall not reduce the accrued years or service credited to the Participanr for purposes of vesring or eligibiliry for any Plan benefits or features. 4.10 Return of Employer Contributions. Any contribution made by the Employer because of a mistake of facr must be returned to the Employer within one year of the date of contribution. V. LIMITATION ON ALLOCATIONS 5.01 Participants Only in This Plan. (a) If the Participant does not participate in, and has never participated in another qualified plan or a welfare benefit fund, as defined in section 419(e) of the Code, maintained by the Employer, or an individual medical account, as defined by section 415 (I) (2) of the Code, maintained by the Employer, which provides an Annual Addition, the amoum of Annual Additions which may be credited to the Participant's Account for any Limitation Year will not exceed the lesser of the Maximum Permissible Amount or any other limitation contained in this Pla~. If the Employer Contribution that would otherwise be contributed or allocated to the Participam's Account would cause the Annual Additions for the Limitation Year to exceed the Maximum Permissible Amount, the amount contributed or al- located will be reduced so that the Annual Additions for the Limitation Year will equal the Maximum Permissible Amount. (b) Prior to determining the Participant's actual Compensation for the Limitation Year, the Employer may determine the Maximum Permissible Amount for a Participam on the basis of a reasonable estimation of the Participant's Compensation for the Limitation Year, uniformly determined for all Participants similarly situated. 6 (c) As soon as is administrativ;ly feasible after the end of the Limitation Year, the Maximum Permissible Amount for the Limitation Year will be determined on the basis of the Participant's actual Compensa- tion for the Limitation Year. (d) If, as a result of an inadvertent reasonable error in estimating the Maximum Permissible Amount for a Participant in accordance with Subsection (b) or pursuant to Subsection (c) or as a result of the allocation of forfeitures, there is an Excess Amount, the excess will be disposed of as follows: (1) Any Mandatory Participant Contributions that are not "picked up" by the Employer or Voluntary Participant Contributions, to the extent they would reduce the Excess Amount, will be returned to the Participant; (2) If after the application of paragraph (1) an Excess Amount still exists, and the Participant is covered by the Plan at the end of the Limitation Year, the Excess Amount in the Partici- pant's Account will be used to reduce Employer Contributions (including any allocation of forfeitures) for such Participant in the next Limitation Year, and each succeeding Limitation Year if necessary; (3) If after the application of paragraph (1) an Excess Amount still exists, and the Participant is not covered by the Plan at the end of the Limitation Year, the Excess Amount will be held unallocated in a suspense account. The suspense account will be applied to reduce future Employer Contributions (including allocation of any forfeitures) for all remaining Participants in the next Limitation Year, and each succeeding Limitation Year if necessary; (4) If a suspense account is in existence at any time during a particular Limitation Year, all amounts in the suspense account must be allocated and reallocated to Participants' accounts before any Employer or any Employee contributions may be made to the Plan for that Limita- tion Year. Excess Amounts in a suspense account may not be distributed to Participants or former Participants. 5.02 Participants in Another Defined Contribution Plan. (a) Unless the Employer provides other limitations in the Adoption Agreement, this Section applies if, in addition to this Plan, the Participant is covered under another qualified defined contribution plan maintained by the Employer, or a welfare benefit fund, as defined in section 419(e) of the Code, maintained by the Employer, or an individual medical account, as defined by section 415(1)(2) of the Code, maintained by the Employer, which provides an Annual Addition, during any Limitation Year. The Annual Additions which may be credited to a Participant's Account under this Plan for any such Limitation Year will not exceed the Maximum Permissible Amount reduced by the Annual Additions credited to a Participant's Account under the other plans and welfare benefit funds for the same Limitation Year. If the Annual Additions with respect to the Participant under other defined contribution plans and welfare benefit funds maintained by the Employer are less than the Maximum Permissible Amount and the Employer contribution that would otherwise be contributed or allocated to the Participant's Account under this Plan would cause the Annual Additions for the Limitation Year to exceed this limitation, the amount contributed or allocated will be reduced so that the Annual Additions under all such plans and funds for the Limitation Year will equal the Maximum Permissible Amount. If the Annual Additions with respect to the Participant under such other defined contribu- tion plans and welfare benefit funds in the aggregate are equal to or greater than the Maximum Per- missible Amount, no amount will be contributed or allocated to the Participant's Account under this Plan for the Limitation Year. (b) Prior to determining the Participant's actual Compensation for the Limitation Year, the Employer may determine the Maximum Permissible Amount for a Participant in the manner described in Section 5.01(b). 7 (c) As soon as is administratively feasible after the end of the Limitation Year, the Maximum Permissible Amount for the Limitation Year will be determined on the basis of the Participant's actual Compensa- tion for the Limitation Year. (d) If, pursuant to Subsection (c) or as a result of the allocation of forfeitures, a Participant's Annual Additions under this Plan and such other plans would result in an Excess Amount for a Limitation Year, the Excess Amount will be deemed to consist of the Annual Additions last allocated, except that Annual Additions attributable to a welfare benefit fund or individual medical account will be deemed to have been allocated first regardless of the actual allocation date. (e) If an Excess Amount was allocated to a Participant on an allocation date of this Plan which coincides with an allocation date of another plan, the Excess Amount attributed to this Plan will be the product of, (1) The total Excess Amount allocated as of such date, multiplied by the ratio of: (i) the Annual Additions allocated to the Participant for the Limitation Year as of such date under this Plan to (ii) the total Annual Additions allocated to the Participant for the Limitation Year as of such date under this and all the other protorype qualified defined contribution plans. (f) Any Excess Amount attributed to this Plan will be disposed in the manner described in Section 5.01 (d). 5.03 Definitions. For the purposes of this Article, the following definitions shall apply: (a) AnnualAdditions: The sum of the following amounts credited to a Participant's account for the Limita- tion Year: (1) Employer Contributions; (2) Forfeitures; (3) Employee contributions; and (4) Allocations under a simplified employee pension. Amounts allocated, after March 31, 1984, to an individual medical account, as defined in section 415 (I) (2) of the Code, which is part of a pension or annuiry plan maintained by the Employer, are treated as Annual Additions to a defined contribution plan. For this purpose, any Excess Amount applied under Sections 5.01 (d) or 5.02(f) in the Limitation Year to reduce Employer Contributions will be considered Annual Additions for such Limitation Year. (b) Compensation: A Participant's wages, salaries, and fees for professional services and other amounts received (without regard to whether 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, bonuses, fringe benefits, and reimbursements or other expense allowances under a nonaccountable plan (as described in Treas. Reg. section 1.62-2(c))), and excluding the following: (1) Employer Contributions to a plan of deferred compensation which are not includible in the Employee's gross income for the taxable year in which contributed, or Employer Contributions 8 under a simplified employee pension plan to the extent such contributions are deductible by the Employee, or any distributions from a plan of deferred compensation; and (2) Other amounts which received special tax benefits, or contributions made by the Employer (whether or not under a salary reduction agreement) towards the purchase of an annuiry contract described in section 403(b) of the Code (whether or not the amounts are actually excludable from the gross income of the Employee). (3) Notwithstanding the above, Compensation shall include: (i) any elective deferrals (as defined in section 402(g)(3) of the Code), and (ii) any amount which is contributed or deferred by the Employer at the election of the Employee and which is not includible in the gross income of the Employee by reason of sections 125, 132(f)(4) or 457 of the Code. For purposes of applying the limitations of this Article, Compensation for a Limitation Year is the Compensation actually paid or made available during such year. (c) Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation: $40,000, as adjusted for increases in the cost-of-living in accordance with section 415(d) of the Code. (d) Employer: The Employer that adopts this Plan. (e) Excess Amount: The excess of the Participant's Annual Additions for the Limitation Year over the Maximum Permissible Amount. Any Excess Amount shall include allocable income. The income allocable to an Excess Amount is equal to the sum of allocable gain or loss for the Plan Year and the allocable gain or loss for the period between the end of the Plan Year and the date of distribution (the gap period). The Plan may use any reasonable method for computing the income allocable to an Excess Amount, provided that the method is used consistently for all Participants and for all corrective distributions under the Plan for the Plan Year, and is used by the Plan for allocating income to Participants' Accounts. (f) Limitation Year: A calendar year, or the twelve (12) consecutive month period elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement. All qualified plans maintained by the Employer must use the same Limitation Year. If the Limitation Year is amended to a different twelve (12) consecutive month period, the new Limitation Year must begin on a date within the Limitation Year in which the amend- ment is made. (g) Maximum Permissible Amount: The maximum Annual Addition that may be contributed or allocated to a Participant's Account under the Plan for any Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of: (1) The Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation, or (2) One hundred percent (100%) (25% for Limitation Years before January 1, 2002) of the Participant's Compensation for the Limitation Year. The compensation limit referred to in (2) shall not apply to any contribution for medical benefits after separation from service (within the meaning of section 401 (h) or section 419A(f)(2) of the Code) which is otherwise treated as an annual addition. 9 If a short Limitation Year is created because of an amendment changing the Limitation Year to a differ- ent twelve (12) consecutive month period, the Maximum Permissible Amount will not exceed the Defined Contribution Dollar Limitation multiplied by the following fraction: Number of months in the short Limitation Year /12 VI. TRUST AND INVESTMENT OF ACCOUNTS 6.01 Trust. A Trust is hereby created to hold all of the assets of the Plan for the exclusive benefit of Participants and Beneficiaries, except that expenses and taxes may be paid from the Trust as provided in Section 6.03. The trustee shall be the Employer or such other person which agrees to act in that capaciry hereunder. 6.02 Investment Powers. The trustee or the Plan Administrator, acting as agent for the trustee, shall have the powers listed in this Section with respect to investment of Trust assets, except to the extent that the investment of Trust assets is controlled by Participants, pursuant to Section 13.03. (a) To invest and reinvest the Trust without distinction between principal and income in common or preferred stocks, shares of regulated investment companies and other mutual funds, bonds, notes, debentures, mortgages, certificates of deposit, contracts with insurance companies including but not limited to insurance, individual or group annuiry, deposit administration, guaranteed interest contracts, and deposits at reasonable rates of interest at banking institutions including but not limited to savings accounts and certificates of deposit. Assets of the Trust may be invested in securities that involve a higher degree of risk than investments that have demonstrated their investment performance over an extended period of time. (b) To invest and reinvest all or any part of the assets of the Trust in any common, collective or com- mingled trust fund that is maintained by a bank or other institution and that is available to Employee plans qualified under section 401 of the Code, or any successor provisions thereto, and during the period of time that an investment through any such medium shall exist, to the extent of participation of the Plan, the declaration of trust of such common, collective, or commingled trust fund shall constitute a part of this Plan. (c) To invest and reinvest all or any part of the assets of the Trust in any group annuiry, deposit administration or guaranteed interest contract issued by an insurance company or other financial institution on a commingled or collective basis with the assets of any other plan or trust qualified under section 401 (a) of the Code or any other plan described in section 401 (a) (24) of the Code, and such contract may be held or issued in the name of the Plan Administrator, or such custodian as the Plan Administrator may appoint, as agent and nominee for the Employer. During the period that an investment through any such contract shall exist, to the extent of participation of the Plan, the terms and conditions of such contract shall constitute a part of the Plan. (d) To hold cash awaiting investment and to keep such portion of the Trust in cash or cash balances, without liabiliry for interest, in such amounts as may from time to time be deemed to be reasonable and necessary to meet obligations under the Plan or otherwise to be in the best interests of the Plan. (e) To hold, to authorize the holding of, and to register any investment to the Trust in the name of the Plan, the Employer, or any nominee or agent of any of the foregoing, including the Plan Administrator, or in bearer form, to deposit or arrange for the deposit of securities in a qualified central depository even though, when so deposited, such securities may be merged ~nd held in bulk in the name of the nominee of such depository with other securities deposited therein by any other person, and to organize corporations or trusts under the laws of any jurisdiction for the purpose of acquiring or holding title to any pro perry for the Trust, all with or without the addition of words or other action to indicate that property is held in a fiduciary or representative capacity but the books and records of the Plan shall at all times show that all such investments are part of the Trust. 10 (f) Upon such terms as may be deemed advisable by the Employer or the Plan Administrator, as the case may be, for the protection of the interests of the Plan or for the preservation of the value of an invest- ment, to exercise and enforce by suit for legal or equitable remedies or by other action, or to waive any right or claim on behalf of the Plan or any default in any obligation owing to the Plan, to renew, extend the time for payment of, agree to a reduction in the rate of interest on, or agree to any other modification or change in the terms of any obligation owing to the Plan, to settle, compromise, adjust, or submit to arbitration any claim or right in favor of or against the Plan, to exercise and enforce any and all rights of foreclosure, bid for properry in foreclosure, and take a deed in lieu of foreclosure with or without paying consideration therefor, to commence or defend suits or other legal proceedings whenever any interest of the Plan requires it, and to represent the Plan in all suits or legal proceedings in any court oflaw or equiry or before any body or tribunal. (g) To employ suitable consultants, depositories, agents, and legal counsel on behalf of the Plan. (h) To open and maintain any bank account or accounts in the name of the Plan, the Employer, or any nominee or agent of the foregoing, including the Plan Administrator, in any bank or banks. (i) To do any and all other acts that may be deemed necessary to carry out any of the powers set forth herein. 6.03 Taxes and Expenses. All taxes of any and all kinds whatsoever that may be levied or assessed under existing or future laws upon, or in respect to the Trust, or the income thereof, and all commissions or acquisitions or dispositions of securities and similar expenses of investment and reinvestment of the Trust, shall be paid from the Trust. Such reasonable compensation of the Plan Administrator, as may be agreed upon from time to time by the Employer and the Plan Administrator, and reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred by the Plan Administrator in performance of its duties hereunder (including but not limited to fees for legal, accounting, investment and custodial services) shall also be paid from the Trust. However, no person who is a fiduciary within the meaning of section 3(21) (A) of ERISA and regulations promulgated thereunder, and who receives full-time pay from the Employer may receive compensation from the Trust, except for expenses properly and actually incurred. 6.04 Payment of Benefits. The payment of benefits from the Trust in accordance with the terms of the Plan may be made by the Plan Administrator, or by any custodian or other person so authorized by the Employer to make such disbursement. Benefits under this Plan shall be paid only if the Plan Administrator, custodian or other person decides in his/her discretion that the applicant is entitled to them. The Plan Administrator, custodian or other person shall not be liable with respect to any distribution of Trust assets made at the direction of the Employer. 6.05 Investment Funds. In accordance with uniform and nondiscriminatory rules established by the Employer and the Plan Administrator; the Participant may direct his/her Accounts to be invested in one (1) or more investment funds available under the Plan; provided, however, that the Participant's investment directions shall not violate any investment restrictions established by the Employer and shall not include any investment in collectibles, as defined in section 408(m) of the Code. 6.06 Valuation of Accounts. As of each Accounting Date, the Plan assets held in each investment fund offered shall be valued at fair market value and the investment income and gains or losses for each fund shall be determined. Such investment income and gains or losses shall be allocated proportionately among all Account balances on a fund-by-fund basis. The allocation shall be in the proportion that each such Account balance as of the immediately preceding Accounting Date bears to the total of all such Account balances as of that Accounting Date. For purposes of this Article, all Account balances include the Account balances of all Participants and Beneficiaries. 6.07 Participant Loan Accounts. Participant Loan Accounts shall be invested in accordance with Section 13.03 of the Plan. Such Accounts shall not share in any investment income and gains or losses of the investment funds described in Section 6.05. 11 VII. VESTIN G 7.01 Vesting Schedule. The portion of a Participant's Account attributable to Mandatory Participant Contribu- tions and Voluntary Participant Contributions, and the earnings thereon, shall be at all times nonforfeitable by the Participant. A Participant shall have a Nonforfeitable Interest in the percentage of his/her Employer Contribution Account established under Section 4.01 and 4.04 determined pursuant to the schedule elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement. 7.02 Crediting Periods of Service. Except as provided in Section 7.03, all of an Employee's Periods of Service . with the Employer are counted to determine the nonforfeitable percentage in the Employee's Account balance derived from Employer Contributions. If the Employer maintains the plan of a predecessor employer, service with such employer will be treated as service for the Employer. For purposes of determining years of service and Breaks in Service for the purposes of computing a Participant's nonforfeitable right to the Account balance derived from Employer Contributions, the twelve (12) consecutive month period will commence on the date the Employee first performs an hour of service and each subsequent twelve (12) consecutive month period will commence on the anniversary of such date. 7.03 Service After Break in Service. In the case of a Participant who has a Break in Service of at least five (5) years, all Periods of Service after such Breaks in Service will be disregarded for the purpose of determining the nonforfeitable percentage of the Employer-derived Account balance that accrued before such Break, but both pre-Break and post-Break service will count for the purposes of vesting the Employer-derived Account balance that accrues after such Break. Both Accounts will share in the earnings and losses of the fund. In the case of a Participant who does not have a Break in Service of at least five (5) years, both the pre-Break and post-Break service will count in vesting both the pre-Break and post-Break Employer-derived Account balance. In the case of a Participant who does not have any nonforfeitable right to the Account balance derived from Employer Contributions, years of service before a period of consecutive one (1) year Breaks in Service will not be taken into account in computing eligibility service if the number of consecutive one (1) year Breaks in Service in such period equals or exceeds the greater of five (5) or the aggregate number of 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 Breaks in Service. If a Participant's years of service are disregarded pursuant to the preceding paragraph, such Participant will be treated as a new Employee for eligibility purposes. If a Participant's years of service may not be disregarded pursuant to the preceding paragraph, such Participant shall continue to participate in the Plan, or, if terminated, shall participate immediately upon reemployment. 7.04 Vesting Upon Normal Retirement Age. Notwithstanding Section 7.01 of the Plan, a Participant shall have a Nonforfeitable Interest in his/her entire Employer Contribution Account, to the extent that the balance of such Account has not previously been forfeited pursuant to Section 7.06 of the Plan, if he/she lis employed on or after his/her Normal Retirement Age. 7.05 Vesting Upon Death or Disability. Notwithstanding Section 7.01 of the Plan, in the event of Disabiliry or death, a Participant or his/her Beneficiary shall have a Nonforfeitable Interest in his/her entire Employer Contribution Account, to the extent that the balance of such Account has not previously been forfeited pursuant to Section 7.06 of the Plan. 7.06 Forfeitures. Except as provided in Sections 7.04 and 7.05 of the Plan or as otherwise provided in this Section 7.06, a Participant who separates from service prior to obtaining full vesting shall forfeit that percentage of his/her Employer Contribution Account balance which has not vested as of the date such Participant incurs a Break in Service of five (5) consecutive years or, if earlier, the date such Participant receives, or is deemed under 12 the provisions of Section 9.04 to have received, distribution of the entire Nonforfeitable Interest in his/her Employer Contribution Account. No forfeiture will occur solely as a result of a Participant's withdrawal of Employee Contributions. Forfeitures shall be allocated in the manner described in Section 4.02. 7.07 Reinstatement of Forfeitures. If the Participant returns to the employment of the Employer before incurring a Break in Service of five (5) consecutive years, any amounts forfeited pursuant to Section 7.06 shall be reinstated to the Participant's Employer Contribution Account on the date of repayment by the Participant of the amount distributed to such Participant from his/her Employer Contribution Account; provided, however, that if such Participant forfeited his/her Account balance by reason of a deemed distribution, pursuant to Section 9.04, such amounts shall be automatically restored upon the reemployment of such Participant. 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 date the Participant incurs a Break in Service of five (5) consecutive years. VIII. BENEFITS CLAIM 8.01 Claim of Benefits. A Participant or Beneficiary shall notify the Plan Administrator in writing of a claim of benefits under the Plan. The Plan Administrator shall take such steps as may be necessary to facilitate the payment of such benefits to the Participant or Beneficiary. 8.02 Appeal Procedure. If any claim for benefits is initially denied by the Plan Administrator, the claimant shall file the appeal with the Employer, whose decision shall be final, to the extent provided by Section 15.07. IX. COMMENCEMENT OF BENEFITS 9.01 Normal and Elective Commencement of Benefits. A Participant who retires, becomes Disabled or incurs a severance from employment (separation from service for Plan Years beginning before 2002) for any other reason may elect by written notice to the Plan Administrator to have his or her vested Account balance benefits commence on any date, provided that such distribution complies with Section 9.02. Such election must be made in writing during the ninety (90) day period ending on the date as of which benefit payments are to commence. A Participant's election shall be revocable and maybe amended by the Participant. The failure of a Participant to consent to a distribution while a benefit is immediately distributable, within the meaning of section 9.02 of the Plan, shall be deemed to be an election to defer commencement of payment of any benefit. 9.02 Restrictions on Immediate Distributions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.01 of the Plan, if the value of a Participant's vested Account balance is at least $1,000, and the Account balance is immediately distriburable, the Participant must consent to any distribution of such Account balance. The Participant's consent shall be obtained in writing during the ninery (90) day period ending on the date as of which benefit payments are to commence. No consent shall be required, however, to the extent that a distribution is required to satisfy section 401 (a) (9) or 415 of the Code. The Plan Administrator shall notify the Participant of the right to defer any distribution until the Participant's Account balance is no longer immediately distributable. Such notification shall include a general description of the material features, and an explanation of the relative values of, the optional forms of benefit available under the Plan in a manner that would satisfy section 417 (a) (3) of the Code, and shall be provided no less than thirry (30) and no more than ninery (90) days before the date as of which benefit payments are to commence. However, distribution may commence less than thirty (30) days after the notice described in the preceding sentence is given, provided (i) the distribution is one to which sections 401 (a) (11) and 417 of the Code do not apply or, if the QJSA Election is made by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, the waiver requirements 'of Section 17.04(a) are met; (ji) the Plan Administrator clearly informs the Participant that the Participant 13 has a right to a period of at least thirry (30) days after receiving the notice to consider the decision of whether or not to elect a distribution (and, if applicable, a particular distribution option); and (iii) the Participant, after receiving the notice, affirmatively elects a distribution. In addition, upon termination of this Plan if the Plan does not offer an annuiry option (purchased from a commercial provider) and if the Employer does not maintain another 401 (a) defined contribution plan, the Participant's Account balance will, without the Participant's consent, be distributed to the Participant in a lump sum. However, if the Employer maintains another 401 (a) defined contribution plan, the Participant's Account balance will be transferred, without the Participant's consent, to the other plan if the Participant does not consent to an immediate distribution. An Account balance is immediately distributable if any part of the Account balance could be distributed to the Participant (or surviving spouse) before the Participant attains or would have attained (if not deceased) the later of Normal Retirement Age or age sixry-two (62). For purposes of determining the applicability of the foregoing consent requirements to distributions made before the first day of the first plan year beginning after December 31, 1988, the Participant's vested Account balance shall not include amounts attributable to accumulated deductible employee contributions within the meaning of section 72(0)(5) (B) of the Code. 9.03 Transfer to Another Plan. (a) If a Participant becomes eligible to participate in another plan maintained by the Employer that is qualified under section 401 (a) of the Code, the Plan Administrator shall, at the written election of such Participant, transfer all or part of such Participant's Account to such plan, provided the plan administrator for such plan certifies to the Plan Administrator that its plan provides for the acceptance of such a transfer. Such transfers shall include those transfers of the nonforfeitable interest of a Participant's Account made for the purchase of service credit in defined benefit plans maintained by the Employer. For purposes of this Plan, any such transfer shall not be considered a distribution to the Participant subject to spousal consent as described in Section 9.10. (b) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary that would otherwise limit a Distributee's election under this Section, a Distributee may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Plan Administrator, to have any portion of an Eligible Rollover Distribution paid directly to an Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Distributee in a Direct Rollover. (c) Definitions. For the purposes of Subsection (b), the following definitions shall apply: (1) Eligible Rollover Distribution. Any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the Distributee, except that an Eligible Rollover Distribution does not include: (i) any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for the life (or life expectancy) of the Distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Distributee and the Distributee's designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more; (ii) any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under section 40 1 (a) (9) of the Code; and (iii) the portion of any other distribution(s) that is not includible in gross income. A portion of a distribution shall not fail to be an eligible rollover distribution merely because the portion consists of after-tax employee contributions which are not includible in gross income. However, such portion may be transferred only to an individual retirement account or annuity described in section 408(a) or (b) of the Code, or to a i4 qualified defined contribution plan described in section 401 (a) or 403(a) of the Code that agrees to separately account for amounts so transferred, including separately accounting for the portion of such distribution which is includible in gross income and the portion of such distribution which is not so includible. (2) Eligible Retirement Plan. (i) an individual retirement account described in section 408(a) of the Code or an individual retirement annuiry described in section 408(b) of the Code (collectively, an "IRA"); (ii) an annuity plan described in section 403(a) of the Code; (iii) an annuiry contract described in section 403(b) of the Code, (iv) an eligible plan under section 457(b) of the Code which is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentaliry of a state or political subdivision of a state and which agrees to separately account for amounts transferred into such plan from this Plan; or (v) a qualified plan described in section 401 (a) of the Code, that accepts the Distributee's Eligible Rollover Distribution. The definition of Eligible Retirement Plan shall also apply in the case of a distribution to a surviving spouse, or to a spouse or former spouse who is the alternate payee, under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in section 414(p) of the Code. (3) Distributee. Participant; in addition, the Participant's surviving spouse and the spouse or former spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in section 414(p) of the Code, are Distributees with regard to the interest of the spouse or former spouse. (4) Direct Rollover. A payment by the Plan to the Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Distributee. 9.04 De Minimis Accounts. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, prior to january 1,2002, if a Participant terminates service, and the value of his/her Nonforfeitable Interest in his/her Account is not greater than the dollar limit under section 411 (a) (11) (A) of the Code, the Participant's benefi t shall be paid (to the extent it constitutes an Eligible Rollover Distribution) in the form of a direct rollover to the Plan Administrator's designated IRA, unless he/she affirmatively elects to receive a cash payment or a Direct Rollover in accordance with procedures established by the Plan Administrator. On or after january 1, 2002, if a Participant terminates service, and the value of his/her Nonforfeitable Interest in his/her Account is less than $1,000, the Participant's benefit shall be paid as soon as practicable to the Participant in a single lump sum distribution. If the value of the Participant's Account is at least $1,000 but not more than the dollar limit under section 411 (a)(ll ) (A) of the Code, the Participant may elect to receive his/her Nonforfeitable Interest in his/her Account. Such distribution shall be made as soon as practicable following the request, in a lump sum. For purposes of this Section, if a Participant's Nonforfeitable Interest in his/her Account is zero, the Participant shall be deemed to have received a distribution of such Nonforfeitable Interest in his/her Account. 9.05 Withdrawal of Voluntary Contributions. A Participant may upon written request withdraw a part of or the full amount of his/her Voluntary Contribution Account. Such withdrawals may be made at any time, provided that no more than two (2) such withdrawals may be made during any calendar year. No forfeiture will occur solely as the result of any such withdrawal. 15 9.06 Withdrawal of DeauctibIe Employee Contributions. A Participant may upon written request withdraw a part of or the full amount of his/her Deductible Employee Contribution Account. Such withdrawals may be made at any time, provided that no more than two (2) such withdrawals may be made during any calendar year. No forfeiture will occur solely as the result of any such withdrawal. 9.07 In-Service Distribution from Rollover Account. Where elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant that has a separate account attributable to rollover contributions to the Plan, may at any time elect to receive a distribution of all or any portion of the amount held in the Rollover Account. 9.08 In-Service Distributions. Unless otherwise elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant who has reached age 70-1/2 regardless of his Nonforfeitable Interest in his/her entire Employer Contribution Account, shall, upon written request, receive a distribution of a part of or the full amount of the balance in any or all of his vested Accounts. Such distributions may be requested at any time, provided that no more than two (2) such distributions may be made during any calendar year. 9:09 Latest Commencement of Benefits. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article, benefits shall begin no later than the Participant's Required Beginning Date, as defined under Section 10.05, or as otherwise provided in Section 10.04. 9.10 Spousal Consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Employer elected the Q]SA Election in the Adoption Agreement, a married Participant must first obtain his or her spouse's notarized consent to request a distribution (other than a Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuiry), withdrawal, or rollover under this Article IX. X. DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS 10.01 General Rules. (a) Subject to the provisions of Article XII or XVII if so elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, the requirements of this Article shall apply to any distribution of a Participant's interest and will take precedence over any inconsistent provisions of this Plan. Unless otherwise specified, the provisions of this Article X apply to calendar years beginning after December 31, 2002. With respect to distributions under the Plan made in or for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1,2002 and prior to January 1,2003, the Plan will apply the minimum distribution requirements of section 401 (a) (9) of the Code in accordance with the regulations under section 401 (a)(9) that were proposed on January 17,2001, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary. (b) All distributions required under this Article shall be determined and made in accordance with the regulations under section 401 (a) (9) of the Code, and the minimum distribution incidental benefit requirement of section 401 (a)(9) (G) of the Code. (c) Limits on Distribution Periods. As of the first Distribution Calendar Year, distributions to a Participant, if not made in a single-sum, may only be made over one of the following periods: (1) The life of the Participant; or (2) The joint lives of the Participant and a designated Beneficiary; or (3) A period certain not extending beyond the life expectancy of the Participant; or (4) A period certain not extending beyond the joint and last survivor expectancy of the Participant and a designated Beneficiary. 16 (d) TEFRA Section 242(b)(2) Elections. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article XVII, distributions may be made under a designation made before January 1, 1984, in accordance with Section 242(b)(2) of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibiliry Act (TEFRA) and the provisions of the Plan that relate to Section 242(b)(2) ofTEFRA. 10.02 Time and Manner of Distribution (a) Required Beginning Date. The Participant's entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, to the Participant no later than the Participant's required beginning date. (b) Death of Participant BefOre Distributions Begin. If the Participant dies before distributions begin, the Participant's entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, no later than as follows: (1) If the Participant's surviving spouse is the Participant's sole designated Beneficiary, then, distributions to the surviving spouse will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant died, orpy December 31 of the calendar year in which the Participant would have attained age 70 1/2, if later. (2) If the Participant's surviving spouse is not the Participant's sole designated Beneficiary, then distributions to the designated Beneficiary will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant died. (3) If there is no designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Participant's death, the Participant's entire interest will be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant's death. (4) If the Participant's surviving spouse is the Participant's sole designated Beneficiary and the surviving sp.ouse dies after the Participant but before distributions to the surviving spouse begin, this Section 10.02(b), other than Section 1 0.02(b)(l), will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Participant. For purposes of this Section 1 0.02(b) and Section 10.04, unless Section 1O.02(b)(4) applies, distributions are considered to begin on the Participant's required beginning date. If Section 1O.02(b)(4) applies, distributions are considered to begin on the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under Section 1O.02(b)(l). If distributions under an annuity purchased from an insurance company irrevocably commence to the Participant before the Participant's required beginning date (or to the Participant's surviving spouse before the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under Section 1O.02(b)(1)), the date distributions are considered to begin is the date distributions actually commence. (c) Forms of Distribution. Unless the Participant's interest is distributed in the form of an annuity purchased from an insurance company or in a single sum on or before the required beginning date, as of the first distribution calendar year distributions will be made in accordance with Sections 10.03 and 10.04. If the Participant's interest is distributed in rhe form of an annuity purchased from an insurance company, distributions thereunder will be made in accordance with the requirements of Code Section 401 (a)(9) and the Treasury Regulations. 10.03 Required Minimum Distributions During Participant's Lifetime (a) Amount of Required Minimum Distribution For EaclJ Distribution Calendar Year. During the Participant's lifetime, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribmion calendar year is the lesser of: (1) The quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's Account Balance by the distribution 17 period set forth in the Uniform Lifetime Table found in Section 1.401 (a)(9)-9, Q&A-2, of the Final Income Tax Regulations using the Participant's age as of the Participant's birthday in the distribution calendar year; or (2) If the Participant's sole designated Beneficiary for the distribution calendar year is the Participant's spouse, the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's Account Balance by the number in the joint and Last Survivor Table set forth in Section 1.401 (a)(9)-9, Q&A-3, of the regulations using the Participant's and spouse's attained ages as of the Participant's and spouse's birthdays in the distribution calendar year. (b) Lifetime Required Minimum Distributions Continue Through Year ofParticipant's Death. Required minimum distributions will be determined under this Section 10.03 beginning with the first distribution calendar year and continuing up to, and including, the distribution calendar year that includes the Participant's date of death. 10.04 Required Minimum Distributions After Participant's Death (a) Death On or After Date Distributions Begin. (1) Participant Survived by Designated Beneficiary.-If the Participant dies on or after the date distributions begin and there is a designated Beneficiary, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant's death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's Account Balance by the longer of the remaining life expectancy of the Participant or the remaining life expectancy of the Participant's designated Beneficiary, determined as follows: (i) The Participant's remaining life expectancy is calculated using the age of the Participant in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year. (ii) If the Participant's surviving spouse is the Participant's sole designated Beneficiary, the remaining life expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant's death using the surviving spouse's age as of the spouse's birthday in that year. For distribution calendar years after the year of the surviving spouse's death, the remaining life expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated using the age of the surviving spouse as of the spouse's birthday in the calendar year of the spouse's death, reduced by one for each subsequent calendar year. (iii) If the Participant's surviving spouse is not the Participant's sole designated Beneficiary, the designated Beneficiary's remaining life expectancy is calculated using the age of the Beneficiary in the year following the year of the Participant's death, reduced by one for each subsequent year. (2) No Designated Beneficiary. If the Participant dies on or after the date distributions begin and there is no designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year after the year of the Participant's death, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant's death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's Account Balance by the Participant's remaining life expectancy calculated using the age of the Participant in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year. (b) Death Before Date Required Distributions Begin. (1) Participant Survived by Designated Ben~ficiary. If the Participant dies before the date required distributions begin and there is a designated Beneficiary, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant's death is ]8 the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's Account Balance by the remaining life expectancy of the Participant's designated Beneficiary, determined as provided in Section 10.04(a). (2) No Designated Beneficiary. If the Participant dies before the date distributions begin and there is no designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Participant's death, distribution of the Participant's entire interest wiJl be completed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant's death. (3) Death of Surviving Spouse Beftre Distributions to Surviving Spouse Arc Required to Begin. If the Participant dies before the date distributions begin, the Participant's surviving spouse is the Participant's sole designated Beneficiary, and the surviving spouse dies before distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under Section 10.02(b)(l), this Section 10.04(b) will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Participant. 10.05 Definitions (a) Designated Beneficiary. The individual who is designated by the Participant (or the Participant's surviving spouse) as the Beneficiary of the Participant's interest under the Plan and who is the designated Beneficiary under Code Section 401 (a)(9) and Section 1.401 (a) (9)-4 of the regulations. (b) Distribution Calendar Year. A calendar year for which a minimum distribution 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. 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 10.02(b). The required minimum distribution for the Participant's first distribution calendar year wiJl be made on or before rhe Participant's required beginning date. The required minimum distribution for other distribution calendar years, including the required minimum distribution for the distribution cal~ndar year in which the Participant's required beginning date occurs, will be made on or before December 31 of that distribution calendar year. (c) Lift Expectancy. Life expectancy as computed by use of the Single Life Table in Section 1.401 (a)(9)- 9, Q&A-1, of the regulations. (d) Participants Account Balance. The Account Balance as of the last Accounting 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 Accounting Date and decreased by distributions made in the valuation calendar year after the Accounting 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. (e) Required Beginning Date. The Required Beginning Date of a Participant is April 1 of the calendar year following -the later of the calendar year in which the Participant attains age seventy and one-half (70-1/2), or the calendar year in which the Participant retires. XI. MODES OF DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS 11.01 Normal Mode of Distribution. Unless an elective mode of distribution is elected as provided in Section 11.02, benefits shall be paid to the Participant in the form of a lump sum payment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where the Employer made the "QJSA Election" in the Adoption Agreement, unless an elective mode of distribution is elected in accordance with Article XVII, benefits shall be paid to the Participant in the form provided for in Article XVII. 19 11.02 Elective Mode of Distribution. Subject to the requirements of Articles X, XII and XVII, a Participant may revocably elect to have his/her Account distributed in anyone (1) of the following modes in lieu of the mode described in Section 11.01: (a) Equal Payments. Equal monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments in an amount chosen by the Participant continuing until the Account is exhausted. (b) Period Certain. Approximately equal monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments, calculated to continue for a period certain chosen by the ParticipanL (c) Other. Any other sequence of payments requested by the Participant. (d) Lump Sum. Where the Employer did make the QJSA Election in the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may also elect a lump sum payment. 11.03 Election of Mode. A Participant's election of a payment option must be made in writing between thirry (30) and ninety (90) days before the payment of benefits is to commence. 11.04 Death Benefits. Subject to Article X (and Article XII or XVII if so elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement), (a) In the case of a Participant who dies before he/she has begun receiving benefit payments, the Participant's entire Nonforfeitable Interest shall then be payable to his/her Beneficiary within ninety (90) days of the Participant's death. A Beneficiary who is entitled to receive benefits under this Sec- tion may elect to have benefits commence at a later date, subject to the provisions of Article X. The Beneficiary may elect to receive the death benefit in any of the forms available to the Participant under Sections 11.01 and 11.02. If the Beneficiary is the Participant's surviving spouse, and such surviving spouse dies before payment commences, then this Section shall apply to the beneficiary of the surviving spouse as though such surviving spouse were the Participant. (b) Should the Participant die after he/she has begun receiving benefit payments, the Beneficiary shall receive the remaining benefits, if any, that are payable, under the payment schedule elected by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Beneficiary may elect to accelerate payments of the remaining balances, including but not limited to, a lump sum distribution. XII. SPOUSAL DEATH BENEFIT REQUIREMENTS 12.01 Application. Unless otherwise elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, on or after January 1, 2006, the provisions of this Article shall take precedence over any conflicting provision in this Plan. The provisions of this Article, known as the "Beneficiary Spousal Consent Election," shall apply to any Participant who is credited with any Period of Service with the Employer on or after August 23, 1984, and such other Participants as provided ill Section 12.04. 12.02 Spousal Death Benefit. (a) On the death of a Participant, the Participant's Vested Account Balance will be paid to the Participant's Surviving Spouse. If there is no Surviving Spouse, or if the Participant has waived the spousal death benefit, as provided in Section 12.03, such Vested Account Balance will be paid to the Participant's designated Beneficiary. (b) The Surviving Spouse may elect to have distribution of the Vested Account Balance commence within the ninety (90) day period following the date of the Participant's death, or as otherwise provided under Section 11.04. The Account balance shall be adjusted for gains or losses occurring after the Participant's death in accordance with the provisions of the Plan governing the adjustment of Account balances for other rypes of distributions. 20 12.03 Waiver of Spousal Death Benefit. The Participant may waive the spousal death benefit described in Section 12.02 at any time; provided that no such waiver shall be effective unless: (a) the Participant's Spouse consents in writing to the election; (b) the election designates a specinc Beneficiary, including any class of Beneficiaries or any contingent Beneficiaries, which may nor be changed without spousal consent (or the Spouse expressly permits designations by the Participant without any further spousal consent); (c) the Spouse's consent acknowledges the effect of the election; and (d) the Spouse's consent is witnessed by a Plan representative or notary public. If it is established to the satisfaction of a Plan representative that there is no Spouse or that the Spouse cannot be located, a waiver will be deemed to meet the requirements of this Section. Any consent by a Spouse obtained under this provision (or establishment that the consent of a Spouse may not be obtained) shall be effective only with respect to such Spouse. A consent that permits designations by the Participant without any requirement of further consent by such Spouse must acknowledge that the Spouse has the right to limit consent to a specific Beneficiary, and a specific form of benefit where applicable, and that the Spouse voluntarily elects to relinquish either or both of such rights. A revocation of a prior waiver may be made by a Participant without the consent of the Spouse at any time before the commencement of benefits. The number of revocations shall not be limited. 12.04 Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply: (a) Spouse (Surl'illing Spouse): The Spouse or Surviving Spouse of the Participant, provided that a former Spouse will be treated as the Spouse or Surviving Spouse and a current Spouse will not be treated as the Spouse or Surviving Spouse to the extent provided under a qualified domestic relations order as described in section 414(p) of the Code; and . (b) VestedAccount Balance: The aggregate value of the Participant's vested Account balances derived from Employer and Employee contributions (including rollovers), whether vested before or upon death, including the proceeds of insurance contracts, if any, on the Participant's life. The provisions of this Article shall apply to a Participant who is vested in amounts attriburable to Employer Contributions, Employee contributions (or both) at the time of death or distribution. XIII. LOANS TO PARTICIPANTS 13.01 Availability of Loans to Participants. (a) If the Employer has elected in the Adoption Agreement to make loans available to Participants, a Participant may apply for a loan from the Plan subject to the limitations and other provisions of this Article. (b) The Employer shall establish written guidelines governing the granting ofloans, provided that such guidelines are approved by the Plan Administrator and are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article, and that loans are made available to all Participants on a reasonably equivalent basis. 13.02 Terms and Conditions of Loans to Participants. Any loan by the Plan to a Participant under Section 13.01 of the Plan shall satisfy the following requirements: (a) Availability. Loans shall be made available to all Participants on a reasonably equivalent basis. 21 (b) Nondiscrimination. Loans shall not be made to highly compensated Employees in an amount greater than the amount made available to other Employees. (c) Interest Rate. Loans muse be adequately secured and bear a reasonable interest rate. (d) Loan Limit. No Participant loan shall exceed the present value of the Participant's Nonforfeitable Interest in his/her Account. (e) Foreclosure. In the event of default, foreclosure on the note and attachment of security will not occur until a distributable event occurs in the Plan. (f) Reduction of Account. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the portion of the Participant's vested Account balance used as a security interest held by the Plan by reason of a loan outstanding to the Participant shall be taken into account for purposes of determining the amount of the Account balance payable at the time of death or distribution, but only if the reduction is used as repayment of the loan. If less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Participant's nonforfeitable Account balance (determined without regard to the preceding sentence) is payable to the surviving spouse, then the Account balance shall be adjusted by first reducing the nonforfeitable Account bal- ance by the amount of the securiry used as repayment of the loan, and then determining the benent payable to the surviving spouse. (g) Amount of Loan. At the time the loan is made, the principal amount of the loan plus the outstanding balance (principal plus accrued interest) due on any other outstanding loans to the Participant or Beneficiary from the Plan and from all other plans of the Employer that are qualified employer plans under section 72(p) (4) of the Code shall noe exceed the lesser of: (1) $50,000, reduced by the excess (if any) of (i) The highesc outstanding balance ofloans from the Plan during the one (1) year period ending on the day before the date on which the loan is made, over (ii) The outstanding balance of loans from the Plan on the date on which such loan is made; or (2) One-half (1/2) of the value of the Participant's Nonforfeitable Interest in all of his/her Accounts under this Plan (or $10,000, if greater, for loans prior to january 1, 2006). For the purpose of the above limication, all loans from all qualified employer plans, including 457(b) plans, under Code section 72(p)(4) of the Code are aggregated. (h) Application fir Loan. The Participant must give the Employer adequate written notice, as determined by the Employer, of the amount and desired time for rcceiving a loan. No more than one (1) loan may be made by the Plan to a Participant in any calendar year. No loan shall be approved if an existing loan from the Plan to the Participant is in default to any extent. (i) Length of Loan. The terms of any Joan issued or renegotiated after December 31, 1993, shall require the Participant to repay the loan in substantially equal installments of principal and interesr, at least quarterly (except as otherwise provided in Treasury Regulation section 1.72(p)-I, Q&A-9 for certain leave of absence and military leave), over a period that does not exceed five (5) years from the date of the loan; provided, however, that if the proceeds of the loan are applied by the Participant to acquire any dwelling unit that is to be used within a reasonable time after the loan is made as the princi- pal residence of the Participant, the five (5) year limit shall not apply. In this event, the period of repayment shall not exceed a reasonable period determined by the Employer. Principal installments 22 and interest payments otherwise due may be suspended during an authorized leave of absence, if [he promissory note so provides, but not beyond the original term permitted under this SubsecTion (i), with a revised payment schedule (within such term) instituted at the end of such period of suspension. If the Participant fails to make any installment payment, the Plan Administrator may, according to Treasury Regulation 1.72(p)-1, allow a cure period, which cure period cannot continue beyond the last day of the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the required installment payment was due. (j) Prepayment. The Participant shall be permitted to repay the loan in whole or in part at any time prior to maturity, without penalry. (k) Note. The loan shall be evidenced by a promissory note executed by the Participant and delivered to the Employer, and shall bear interest at a reasonable rate determined by the Employer. Unless waived by a Participant, any plan loan that is outstanding on the date that active dury military service begins will accrue interest at a rate of no more than 6% during the period of military service in accordance with the provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SeRA), 50 USC App. ~ 526 and subject to the notice requirements contained therein. This limitation applies even if loan payments are suspended during the period of military service as permitted under the Plan and Treasury regulations. (I) Security. The loan shall be secured by an assignment of that portion the Participant's right, title and interest in and to his/her Employer Contribution Account (to the extent vested), Participant Contribution Account, and Rollover Account that is equal to fifty percent (50%) of the Participant's Account (to the extent vested). (m) Assignment or Pledge. For the purposes of paragraphs (h) and (i), assignment or pledge of any portion of the Participant's interest in the Plan and a loan, pledge, or assignment with respect to any insurance contract purchased under the Plan, will be treated as a loan. (n) Spousal Consent. If the Employer elected the Q]SA Election in the Adoption Agreement, the Participant must first obtain his or her spouse's notarized consent to the loan. (0) Other Terms and Conditions. The Employer shall fix such other terms and conditions of the loan as it deems necessary to comply with legal requirements, to maintain the qualification of the Plan and Trust under section 401 (a) of the Code, or to prevent the treatment of the loan for tax purposes as a distribution to the Participant. The Employer, in its discretion for any reason, may fix other terms and conditions of the loan, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article. 13.03 Participant Loan Accounts. (a) Upon approval of a loan to a Participant by the Employer, an amount not in excess of the loan shall be transferred from the Participant's other investment fund(s), described in Section 6.05 of the Plan, to the Participant's Loan Account as of the Accounting Date immediately preceding the agreed upon date on which the loan is to be made. (b) The assets of a Participant's Loan Account may be invested and reinves[ed only in promissory notes received by the Plan from the Participant as consideration for a loan permitted by Section 13.01 of the Plan or in cash. Uninvested cash balances in a Participant's Loan Account shall not bear interest. No person who is otherwise a fiduciary of the Plan shall be liable for any loss, or by reason of any breach, that results from the Participant's exercise of such control. (c) Repayment of principal and payment of interest shall be made by payroll deduction or, where repay- ment cannot be made by payroll deduction, by check, and shall be invested in one (1) or more other 23 investment funds, in accordance with Section 6.05 of the Plan, as of the next Accounting Date after payment thereof to the Trust. The amount so invested shall be deducted from the Participant's Loan Account. (d) The Employer shall have the authoriry to establish other reasonable rules, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, governing the establishment and maintenance of Participant Loan Accounts. XIv. PLAN AMENDMENT, TERMINATION AND OPTIONAL PROVISIONS 14.01 Amendment by Employer. The Employer reserves the right, subject to Section 14.02 of the Plan, to amend the Plan from time to time by either: (a) Filing an amended Adoption Agreement to change, delete, or add any optional provision; or (b) Continuing the Plan in the form of an amended and restated Plan and Trust. No amendment to the Plan shall be effective to the extent that it has the effect of decreasing a Participant's accrued benefit. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, a Participant's Account balance may be reduced to the extent permitted under section 412(c)(8) of the Code. For purposes of this paragraph, a Plan amendment which has the effect of decreasing a Participant's Account balance or eliminating an optional form of benefit, with respect to benefits attributable to service before the amendment shall be treated as reducing an accrued benefit. Furthermore, if the vesting schedule of the Plan is amended, in the case of an Employee who is a Participant as of the later of the date such amendment is adopted or the date it becomes effective, the nonforfeitable percentage (determined as of such date) of such Employee's right to his/her Employer-derived accrued benefit will not be less than his percentage computed under the plan without regard to such amendment. No amendment to the Plan shall be effective to eliminate or restrict an optional form of benefit. The preceding sentence shall not apply to a Plan amendment that eliminates or resrricts the ability of a Participant to receive payment of his or her Account balance under a particular optional form of benefit if the amendment provides a single-sum distribution form that is otherwise identical to the optional form of benefit being eliminated or restricted. For this purpose, a single-sum distribution form is otherwise identical only if the single-sum distribution form is identical in all respects to the eliminated or restricted optional form of benefit (or would be identical except that it provides greater rights to the Participant) except with respect to the timing of payments after commencement. The Employer may (1) change the choice of options in the Adoption Agreement, (2) add overriding language in the Adoption Agreement when such language is necessary to satisfy sections 415 or 416 of the Code because of the required aggregation of multiple plans, (3) amend administrative provisions of the trust or custodial document in the case of a nonstandardized plan and make more limited amendments in the case of a standardized plan such as the name of the plan, employer, trustee or custodian, plan administrator and other fiduciaries, the trust year, and the name of any pooled trust in which the Plan's trust wi]] participate, (4) add certain sample or model amendments published by the lnternal Revenue Service or other required good faith amendments which specifically provide that their adoption will not cause the plan to be treated as individually designeJ, and (5) add or change provisions permitted under the Plan and/or specify or change the effective date of a provision as permitted under the Plan and correcr obvious and unambiguous rypographical errors and/or cross-references that merely correct a reference but that do not in any way change the original intended meaning of the provisions. 14.02 Amendment of Vesting Schedule. If the Plan's vesting schedule is amended, or the Plan is amended in any way that directly or indirectly affects the computation of rhe Participant's nonforfeitable percentage, each Participant may elect, within a reasonable period after the adoption of the amendment or change, to have the nonforfeitable percentage computed under the Plan without regard to such amendment or change. 24 The period during which the election may be made shall commence with the date the amendment is adopted or deemed to be made and shall end on the latest of: (a) Sixty (60) days after the amendment is adopted; (b) Sixty (60) days after the amendment becomes effective; or (c) Sixry (60) days after the Participant is issued written notice of the amendment by the Employer or Plan Administrator. 14.03 Termination by Employer. The Employer reserves the right to terminate this Plan. However, in the event of such termination no part of the Trust shall be used or diverted to any purpose other than for the exclusive benefit of the Participants or their Beneficiaries, except as provided in this Section. Upon Plan termination or partial termination, all Account balances shall be valued at their fair market value and the Participant's right to his/her Employer Contribution Account shall be one hundred percent (100%) vested and nonforfeitable. Such amount and any other amounts held in the Participant's other Accounts shall be maintained for the Participant until paid pursuant to the terms of the Plan. Any amounts held in a suspense account, after all liabilities of the Plan to Participants and Beneficiaries have been satisfied or provided for, shall be paid to the Employer in accordance with the Code and regulations thereunder. In the event that the Commissioner ofInternal Revenue determines that the Plan is not initially qualified under the Internal Revenue Code, any contribution made by the Employer incident to that initial qualification must be returned to the Employer within one year after the date the initial qualification is denied, but only if the application for the qualification is made by the time prescribed by law for filing the Employer's return for the year in which the Plan is adopted, or such later date as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe. 14.04 Discontinuance of Contributions. A permanent discontinuance of contributions to the Plan by the Employer, unless an amended and restated Plan is established, shall constitute a Plan termination. In the event of a complete discontinuance of contributions under the Plan, the Account balance of each affected Participant shall be nonforfeitable. 14.05 Amendment by Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may amend this Plan upon thirty (30) days written notification to the Employer; provided, however, that any such amendment must be for the express purpose of maintaining compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. Such amendment shall become effective unless, within such 30-day period, the Employer notifies the Administrator, in writing, that it disapproves such amendment, in which case such amendment shall not become effective. In the evei1t of such disapproval, the Administrator shall be under no obligation to continue acting as Administrator hereunder. 14.06 Optional Provisions. Any provision which is optional under this Plan shall become effective if and only if elected by the Employer and agreed to by the Plan Administrator. :xv. ADMINISTRATION 15.01 Powers of the Employer. The Employer shall have the following powers and duties: (a) To appoint and remove, with or without cause, the Plan Administrator; (b) To amend or terminate the Plan pursuant to the provisions of Article XIV; (c) To appoint a committee to facilitate administration of the Plan and communications to Participants; 25 (d) To decide all questions of eligibiliry (1) for Plan participation, and (2) upon appeal by any Participant, Employee or Beneficiary, for the payment of benefits; (e) To engage an independent qualified public accountant, when required to do so by law, to prepare an- nually the audited financial statements of the Plan's operation; (f) To take all actions and to communicate to the Plan Administrator in writing all necessary information to carry out the terms of the Plan and Trust; and (g) To notifY the Plan Administrator in writing of the termination of the Plan. 15.02 Duties of the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall have the following powers and duties: (a) To construe and interpret the provisions of the Plan; (b) To maintain and provide such returns, reports, schedules, descriptions, and individual Account statements, as are required by law within the times prescribed by law; and to furnish to the Employer, upon request, copies of any or all such materials, and further, to make copies of such instruments, reports, descriptions, and statements as are required by law available for examination by Participants and such of their Beneficiaries who are or may be entitled to benefits under the Plan in such places and in such manner as required by law; (c) To obtain from the Employer such information as shall be necessary for the proper administration of the Plan; (d) To determine the amount, manner, and time of payment of benefits hereunder; (e) To appoint and retain such agents, counsel, and accountants for the purpose of properly administer- ing the Plan; (f) To distribute assets of the 1t-llst to each Participant and Beneficiary in accordance with Article X of the Plan; (g) To pay expenses from the Trust pursuant to Section 6.03 of the Plan; and (h) To do such other acts reasonably required to administer the Plan in accordance with its provisions or as may be provided for or required by law. 15.03 Protection of the Employer. The Employer shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of the Plan Administrator, but only to the exrent that sllch acts or omissions do not result from the Employer's failure to provide accurate or timely information as required or necessary for proper administration of the Plan. 15.04 Protection of the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may rely upon any certificate, notice or direction purporting to have been signed on behalf of the Employer which the Plan Administrator believes to have been signed by a duly designated official of the Employer. 15.05 Resignation or Removal of Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may resign at any time effective upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Employer. The Plan Administrator may be removed by the Employer at any time upon sixry (60) days prior written notice to the Plan Adrninisrraror. Upon the 26 resignation or removal of the Plan Administrator, the Employer may appoint a successor Plan Administrator; failing such appointment, rhe Employer shall assume the powers and duties of Plan Adminisrrator. Upon the resignation or removal of the Plan Administrator, any Trust assets invested by or held in the name of the Plan Administrator shall be transferred to the trustee in cash or properry, at fair market value, except that the return of Trust assets invested in a contract issued by an insurance company shall be governed by the terms of that contract. 15.06 No Termination Penalty. The Plan Administrator shall have no authoriry or discretion to impose any termination penalty upon its removal. 15.07 Decisions of the Plan Administrator. All constructions, determinations, and interpretations made by the Plan Administrator pursuant to Section 15.02(a) or (d) or by the Employer pursuant to Section 15.01 (d) shall be final and binding on all persons participating in the Plan, given deference in all courts of law to the greatest extent allowed by applicable law, and shall not be overturned or set aside by any court of law unless found to be arbitrary or capricious, or made in bad faith. XVI. MISCELLANEOUS 16.01 Nonguarantee of Employment. Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed as a contract of employment between the Employer and any Employee, or as a right of an Employee to be continued in the employment of the Employer, as a limitation of the right of the Employer to discharge any of its Employees, with or without cause. 16.02 Rights to Trust Assets. No Employee or Beneficiary shall have any right to, or interest in, any assets of the Trust upon termination of his/her employment or otherwise, except as provided from time to time under this Plan, and then only to the extent of the benefits payable under the Plan to such Employee or Beneficiary out of the assets of the Trust. All payments of benefits as provided for in this Plan shall be made solely out of the assets of the Trust and none of the fiduciaries shall be liable therefor in any manner. 16.03 Nonalienation of Benefits. Except as provided in Section 16.04 ofthe Plan, benefits payable under this Plan shall not be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, charge, garnishment, execution, or levy of any kind, either voluntary or involuntary, prior to actually being received by the person entitled to the benefit under the terms of the Plan; and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, charge or otherwise dispose of any right to benefits payable hereunder, shall be void. The Trust shall not in any manner be liable for, or subject to, the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts of any person entitled to benefits hereunder. 16.04 Qualified Domestic Relations Order. Notwithstanding Section 16.03 of the Plan, amounts may be paid with respect to a Participant pursuant to a domestic relations order, but if and only if the order is determined to be a qualified domestic relations order within the meaning of section 414 (p) of the Code or any domestic relations order entered before january 1, 1985. 16.05 Nonforfeitability of Benefits. Subject only to the specific provisions of this Plan, nothing shall be deemed to deprive a Participant of his/her right to the Nonforfeitable Interest to which he/she becomes entitled in accord- ance with the provisions of the Plan. 16.06 Incompetency of Payee. In the event any benefit is payable to a minor or incompetent, to a person otherwise under legal disability, or to a person who, in the sole judgment of the Employer, is by reason of advanced age, illness, or other physical or mental incapaciry incapable of handling the disposition of his/her properry, the Employer may apply the whole or any part of such benefit directly to the care, comfort, maintenance, sup- port, education, or use of such person or payor distribute the whole or any part of such benefit to: (a) The parent of such person; 27 (b) The guardian, committee, or other legal representative, wherever appointed, of such person; (c) The person with whom such person resides; (d) Any person having the care and control of such person; or (e) Such person personally. The receipt of the person to whom any such payment or distribution is so made shall be full and complete dis- charge therefor. 16.07 Inability to Locate Payee. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, if the Employer is unable, after reasonable effort, [0 locate any Participant or Beneficiary to whom an amount is payable hereunder, such amount shall be forfeited and held in the Trust for application against the next succeeding Employer Contribution or contributions required to be made hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, such amount shall be reinstated, by means of an additional Employer contribucion, if and when a claim for the forfeiced amounr is subsequently made by the Participant or Beneficiary or if the Employer receives proof of death of such person, satisfactory to the Employer. To the extent not inconsistent with applicable law, any benefits lost by reason of escheat under applicable state law shall be considered forfeited and shall not be reinstated. 16.08 Mergers, Consolidations, and Transfer of Assets. The Plan shall not be merged into or consolidated with any other plan, nor shall any of its assets or liabilities be transferred into any such other plan, unless each Par- ticipant in the Plan would (if the Plan then terminated) receive a benefit immediately after the merger, con- solidation, or transfer that is equal ro or greater than the benefit he/she would have been entitled to receive immediately before the merger, consolidation, or transfer (if the Plan had then terminated). 16.09 Employer Records. Records of the Employer as to an Employee's or Participant's Period of Service, termina- tion of service and the reason therefor, leaves of absence, reemployment, Earnings, and Compensation will be conclusive on all persons, unless determined to be incorrect. 16.10 Gender and Number. The masculine pronoun, whenever used herein, shall include the feminine pronoun, and the singular shall include the plural, except where the context requires otherwise. 16.11 Applicable Law. The Plan shall be construed under the laws of the State where the Employer is located, except (0 the extent superseded by federal law. The Plan is established with the intent that it meets the requirements under the Code. The provisions of this Plan shall be interpreted in conformiry with these reqUlrements. In the event of any conflict between the Plan and a policy or contract issued hereunder, the Plan provisions shall control; provided, however, no Plan amendment shall supersede ;m existing policy or contract unless such amendment is required to maintain qualification under section 40J (a) and 4] 4(d) of the Code. XVII. SPOUSAL BENEFIT REQUIREMENTS 17.01 Application. Effective as of]anuary 1, 2006, where elected by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement (the "Q]SA Election"), the provisions of this Article shall take precedence over any conflicting provision in this Plan. If elected, the provisions of this Article shall apply to any Participant who is credited with any Period of Service with the Employer on or after August 23, 1984, and such other Participants as provided in Section 17.05. 17.02 Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity. Unless an optional form of benefit is selected pursuant to a Qualified Election within the ninety (90) day period ending on the Annuity Starting Date, a married Participant's Vested Account Balance will be paid in the form of a Qualified joint and Survivor Annuiry and an unmarried 28