similar to which the executive and his spouse and dependents were participating for a period of months (36 for Mr. Helmick and 24 for Messrs. Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Mr. Wenick; and (v) a payment of $20,000 for outplacement services.
Each of the Change in Control Agreements provide for a “cut-back” in the event of any excise tax under Section 280G of the Code, such that the benefits payable to the executive would be reduced to $1.00 less than the amount that causes the payments to be treated as parachute payments under Section 280G of the Code; provided, however, that no reduction will occur if, on an after-tax basis in each case and taking into account all federal, state and local taxes (including any excise tax), the executive would receive a greater amount if no reduction had occurred, thus providing the “best net effect” to the executive.
In order to receive the benefits described above, the executive would be required to execute a general release in favor of Farmers and must also (i) comply with covenants prohibiting the solicitation of customers and employees (for a period of 36 months for Mr. Helmick and 24 months for Messrs. Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Mr. Wenick); (ii) maintain the confidentiality of Farmers’ proprietary and confidential information and (iii) comply with non-disparagement provisions.
Executive Separation Policy
Farmers has adopted an Executive Separation Policy which applies to our Chief Executive Officer and President, and each of our other named executive officers.
In the event that a Covered Executive’s employment is terminated by Farmers for Cause or by the Covered Executive without Good Reason (each as defined in the Executive Separation Policy), then the Covered Executive would be entitled to receive (i) all earned but unpaid compensation for time worked through the date of termination; and (ii) any rights and benefits, if any, as may be provided under other plans and programs of Farmers, determined in accordance with the applicable terms and provisions of such plans and programs, including, without limitation, earned but unused vacation (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”).
If the Covered Executives employment is terminated by Farmers without Cause or by the Covered Executive with Good Reason, then, in addition to the Accrued Obligations, the Covered Executive would be eligible to receive, upon execution of a release and acceptance of additional restrictive covenants, the following: (i) a lump sum equal to 36-months’ salary for Mr. Helmick or 18-months’ salary for Messrs. Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Mr. Wenick; (ii) a pro rata incentive bonus in a lump sum equal to the bonus the Covered Executive would have earned (assuming performance at the “target” level); (iii) a lump sum amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium payable by the Covered Executive to continue to receive health benefits at a level similar to which the Covered Executive and his or her spouse and dependents were receiving multiplied by 36 (for Mr. Helmick) or 18 (for Messrs. Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Mr. Wenick; and (iv) a lump sum payment in an amount not to exceed $10,000 (for Mr. Helmick) or $7,500 (for Messrs. Adair, Carney, Gasior, and Mr. Wenick) for reasonable outplacement services for up to one year by a firm selected by Farmers.
The Executive Separation Policy defines “Good Reason” to include any of the following: (a) a reduction in a Covered Executive’s annual base salary rate, unless such reduction generally applies to other Covered Executives regardless of the reason(s) therefor; (b) a substantial diminution in a Covered Executive’s duties, authorities or responsibilities; or (c) the relocation of a Covered Executive’s principal place of employment with the Company that meets certain conditions in the Executive Separation Policy.
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