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Non-Qualified Defined Benefit Deferred Compensation Agreement

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NON-QUALIFIED DEFINED BENEFIT DEFERRED COMPENSATION AGREEMENT

For Corporation and Employee

THIS AGREEMENT is made this day of , 20 , between , a corporation of the State of with its principal place of business at , ("Employer" or "Corporation"); and of (Employee's Name) (Employee's Address) an employee of the Corporation, ("Employee").

Employee has been employed by Corporation since . During all the time since, and particularly in his/her present capacity as , Employee has performed all duties ably and well, to the satisfaction and substantial benefit of Corporation. As a result, Corporation wishes to retain Employee's services until retirement.

In order to achieve a measure of financial security, Employee is willing to remain with Corporation until retirement if Corporation, on its part, is willing to make the commitments as to future compensation specified by this agreement.

THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and the mutual promises and obligations set forth hereafter, Employee and Corporation as Employer agree as follows:

1. During the period of Employee's employment, Corporation will pay Employee, for services rendered, cash amounts at rates and times mutually agreed upon.

2. Corporation and Employee agree that Employee will retire upon the first day of the month immediately following Employee's ( th) birthday (the "Retirement Date").

3. Subject to the conditions and limitations imposed by this agreement, upon reaching the Retirement Date while still employed by Corporation, Employee shall be entitled to receive, and Corporation agrees to pay Employee, a series of one hundred twenty (120) equal monthly payments representing installments of Annual Retirement Benefit of $ payable for a period of ten (10) years commencing upon the Retirement Date.

4. If prior to the Retirement Date Employee should become disabled to such an extent that as a result of accidental bodily injury or sickness Employee is wholly and continuously unable to perform Employee's full-time service for Corporation, such disability shall be treated similarly to a retirement on the Retirement Date. Corporation shall make payments to employee in the same manner it would have done following normal retirement except that Employee shall only be entitled to receive that percentage of the Annual Retirement Benefit which corresponds to Employee's total consecutive full years of service with Corporation at found in the following table:

Percentage (%) of Annual / Years of Service Retirement Benefit

0 - 2 0% (no benefit)

3 - 5 25%

6 - 9 50%

10 - 14 75%

Thereafter 100%

The decision of a majority of the Board of Directors of Corporation that Employee is disabled to the extent provided above shall be conclusive for the purposes of this agreement. The Board of Directors shall communicate its decision to Employee in writing within days after the decision has been made. If Employee is continuously disabled as defined above for a 6-month period commencing upon the date of the Board of Directors' communication, then Corporation shall make the payments provided herein, commencing upon the first day of the month immediately following expiration of the 6-month period.

5. In the event of Employee's death while employed by Corporation and prior to the Retirement Date (or any determination of disability under Paragraph 4) Corporation agrees that it will pay to such beneficiary or beneficiaries as Employee may have designated pursuant to Paragraph 7, or in the absence of any such designation, to Employee's surviving spouse, if any, a series of one hundred twenty (120) equal monthly payments representing installments of an annual payment of $ payable for a period of ten (10) years commencing upon the first day of the month immediately following Employee's death.

6. In the event of Employee's death while entitled to payments under either of Paragraphs 3 or 4, any amount not yet paid at Employee's death, shall be payable instead to Employee's designated beneficiary or beneficiaries, or in the absence of a designation, to Employee's surviving spouse, if any, in the same manner as if payable to Employee. Any amounts not fully paid by reason of a payee's death while receiving payments shall be immediately payable in a single sum to the payee's estate.

In the event of Employee's death leaving neither a spouse nor any designated beneficiary surviving, any unpaid amount to which Employee was entitled shall be payable in a single sum to Employee's estate upon the first day of the month immediately following Employee's death.

7. To designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any amounts due under this agreement, Employee shall file with Corporation a written notice specifying the name, address and relationship to Employee of each beneficiary. Any such designation may be changed by Employee with a new written notice.

8. If Corporation should terminate the employment of Employee prior to the Retirement Date (or a determination of disability under Paragraph 4) by discharging Employee for malfeasance, dishonest or such other cause as a majority of the Board of Directors of corporation in its sole discretion deems sufficient, this agreement shall automatically terminate, and Corporation shall have no obligation to make any payments whatsoever hereunder.

9. This agreement shall also terminate, and Corporation shall be immediately relieved of all obligation to make payments hereunder if Employee's employment by Corporation should terminate prior to the Retirement Date (or a determination of disability under Paragraph 4) for any reason other than discharge as described in Paragraph 8.

Nevertheless, in the sole discretion of a majority of the Board of Directors, any monies, life insurance contracts, annuities or other assets Corporation may have set aside to meet its obligation under this agreement may be transferred absolutely to any other person or firm by whom Employee may be employed or with whom Employee may enter into a contract for service.

10. Employee agrees that he/she will not hereafter, either during full-time employment or while receiving any benefits under this agreement, enter into competition with Corporation, directly or indirectly, within the City of or a mile radius thereof, through employment by or engaging in any business similar to that carried on by Corporation, or which in the exclusive opinion of Corporation's Board of Directors is in competition with Corporation. The judgment of a majority of the Board of Directors that such competition exists shall be conclusive for purposes of this agreement.

11. If Employee should violate the provisions of Paragraph 10 and continue to do so for a period of days after Corporation shall have requested Employee in writing to refrain from an action prohibited by said Paragraph 10, Employee agrees that no further payments shall be due Employee, Employee's spouse, any other designated beneficiary, or their respective estates under this agreement and that Corporation shall have no further obligation whatsoever hereunder.

12. Corporation agrees that it will not merge or consolidate with any other corporation or organization, or permit its business activities to be taken over by any other organization, unless and until the succeeding or continuing corporation or other organization shall expressly assume the rights and obligations of Corporation under this agreement. Corporation further agrees that it will not cease its business activities or terminate its existence, other than as heretofore set forth in this paragraph, without having made adequate provision for its obligations under this agreement to be fulfilled. In the event of any default by Corporation under this paragraph only, Employee (or other obligee or obligees) shall have a continuing lien for the amount required to assure performance of this agreement upon all corporate assets, including any transferred assets, until such default is corrected.

13. It is the intention of Corporation to maintain adequate reserves for the satisfaction of its obligations under this agreement. Nothing in this agreement, however, shall create an obligation on Corporation's part to set aside or earmark any monies or other assets specifically for this purpose. Should Corporation elect to purchase life insurance or annuity contracts as a means of satisfying its obligations under this agreement, in whole or in part, it reserves the absolute right in its sole discretion to terminate any such contracts, as well as any other funding program, at any time, in whole or in part.

14. At no time shall Employee, Employee's spouse, or any other beneficiary Employee may have designated under this agreement be deemed to have any right, title or interest in or to any specific fund or assets of Corporation, including, but not limited, to, any life insurance or annuity contracts which the Corporation may at any time have purchased. As to any claim for unpaid benefits under this agreement, Employee, Employee's spouse, or any other beneficiary designated hereunder, shall be an unsecured creditor of Corporation in the same manner as any other creditor having a general claim for unpaid compensation.

15. It is expressly agreed that neither Employee, Employee's spouse, nor any other beneficiary shall have any right to commute, sell, pledge, assign, transfer or otherwise convey the right to receive any payments under this agreement, which payments and the right thereto being hereby expressly made non-assignable and non-transferable. Such payments shall not be subject to legal process or levy of any kind.

16. The benefits under this agreement shall be independent of, and in addition to, benefits payable under any other employment agreement that may exist from time to time between the parties hereto, or any other compensation payable by Corporation to Employee whether as salary, or otherwise. This agreement shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between the parties, nor shall any provision hereof restrict the right of Corporation to discharge Employee, or restrict the right of Employee to terminate his/her employment.

17. During Employee's lifetime this agreement may be terminated or amended in any particular by the mutual written agreement of Employee and Corporation.

18. This agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto, their heirs, executors, administrators, and successors in interest.

19. Unless otherwise provided in this agreement, any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this contract, or the breach thereof, shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the Rules of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award rendered by the Arbitrator(s) may be entered in any Court having jurisdiction thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this agreement the day and year first above written.

Corporation

Attest:


Title


Witness

By:

Title


(Employee)

Enter text✕

What the Non-Qualified Defined Benefit Deferred Compensation Agreement Is

A Non-Qualified Defined Benefit Deferred Compensation Agreement is a written contract between an employer and a selected employee or executive that establishes a future retirement-style benefit not subject to qualified plan rules under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code. The agreement specifies the benefit formula, accrual method, vesting, payment timing, and any conditions for distribution. Because it is non-qualified, it is generally unsecured and remains a corporate obligation until paid; tax deferral for the participant depends on actual payment, and funding is governed by company policy and applicable tax rules.

Why Employers and Executives Use This Agreement

A Non-Qualified Defined Benefit Deferred Compensation Agreement lets employers provide targeted retirement-style benefits to key talent while preserving qualified-plan limits and allowing customized vesting and distribution terms. It supports retention and executive compensation strategies without changing the company’s qualified plan structure.

Why Employers and Executives Use This Agreement

Who Typically Prepares and Signs These Agreements

Common users include corporate HR, compensation committees, outside counsel, and executive-level employees who negotiate deferred benefit terms.

  • Chief HR officers and compensation committees who design plan parameters and approve benefit formulas for selected executives.
  • Corporate counsel and benefits attorneys who draft legal language, ensure IRS and ERISA considerations are addressed, and prepare amendment clauses.
  • Senior executives or key employees who negotiate accrual rates, vesting schedules, and election or distribution options under the agreement.

Coordination among these parties ensures the agreement reflects corporate policy, tax planning, and enforceable contractual commitments.

Core Elements You Should Expect in a Professional Agreement

A complete Non-Qualified Defined Benefit Deferred Compensation Agreement contains specific sections that define benefit calculation, eligibility, vesting, distribution, funding, and amendment/termination procedures to reduce ambiguity and legal risk.

Benefit Formula

A clear mathematical statement of how the benefit is calculated (final-average pay, years of credited service, accrual percentage) including rounding rules and compensation components considered for benefit computation.

Eligibility Criteria

Precise definitions for participant eligibility such as hire date, title or pay-grade thresholds, committee approval processes, and any required election or enrollment steps to become a plan participant.

Vesting Schedule

A detailed vesting timetable describing cliff or graded vesting, service crediting rules, treatment on termination for cause, disability, death, and special acceleration provisions tied to change in control.

Payment Terms

Distribution mechanics including form of payment (single sum, annuity installments), commencement date, optional deferral elections, survivor spousal consent rules, and integration with qualified plan benefits.

Tax Withholding & Reporting

Language specifying employer withholding responsibilities, participant election consequences, information reporting obligations, and who bears tax gross-up costs, if any.

Amendment and Termination

Procedures for unilateral or mutual amendments, effective dates for changes, funding limitations, and the company’s reservation of rights to modify or terminate benefits under defined conditions.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Agreement

Follow these sequential steps to prepare, review, and execute a compliant agreement with minimal administrative friction.

  • 01
    Gather Data: Collect participant employment history, compensation records, and corporate resolution authorizations.
  • 02
    Draft Terms: Populate benefit formula, vesting, and distribution provisions according to company policy and tax advice.
  • 03
    Legal Review: Have benefits counsel review ERISA, tax, and state law implications before finalizing language.
  • 04
    Execute & Record: Obtain required signatures, retain original agreement, and update payroll and finance systems for tracking.

How to Configure the Agreement for Online Completion

Set up a digital workflow that captures all required fields, signer authentication, and an auditable trail for later reproduction.

Field Configuration
Participant Data Fields Required, read-only verification from HR system; auto-populate where possible.
Conditional Vesting Field Show only when graded vesting selected; require service dates.
Distribution Options Radio buttons for single sum or installments; require election date input.
Audit Trail Settings Enable timestamps, IP capture, and certificate of completion for each signer.

Digital Signing and Submission Requirements

Choose a secure e-signature workflow that supports document retention, signer authentication, and an auditable history.

  • File Formats: PDF and DOCX accepted
  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, or advanced methods
  • Integrations: Connectors for HR and ERP systems

Confirm the chosen platform supports ESIGN/UETA compliance, preserves a tamper-evident copy, and archives the signed agreement for the required retention period.

Where to Send and How Signatures Flow

Route the agreement through the approved signing order and set recipient authentication to match legal and corporate policy.

  • Upload Document: Start with the final reviewed agreement uploaded to the signing platform.
  • Place Fields: Add signature, initials, date, and optional checkbox fields for elections.
  • Assign Signers: Specify the signing order: participant, plan admin, corporate officer.
  • Record Completion: Capture certificate of completion and distribute executed copies to parties.

Key Timing Considerations and Deadlines

Certain dates affect tax treatment, amendment effectiveness, and reporting obligations—track these carefully.

Election Deadline:

Participant must file deferral election by employer-specified date.

Amendment Effective Date:

Amendments specify an effective date and may affect accruals prospectively.

Payment Commencement:

Payment start date governs tax recognition for the participant.

Reporting Deadline:

Employer must satisfy information reporting timing per tax rules.

Plan Review:

Annual review recommended to ensure compliance and funding alignment.

Milestones from Agreement Draft to First Payment

Track these numbered stages to ensure a smooth lifecycle from negotiation through distribution.

01

Drafting Complete

Agreement language finalized and approved by counsel and committee.

02

Execution Date

All parties sign; effective date recorded and retained.

03

Recordkeeping Setup

Payroll and finance systems updated to track accruals and liabilities.

04

Distribution Event

First scheduled payment made and tax reporting obligations initiated.

Common Preparation Errors to Avoid

  • Unclear benefit formulas that omit compensation components or rounding rules lead to disputes and late corrections.
  • Missing or inconsistent participant identification (name, SSN/TIN) can trigger backup withholding and reporting failures.
  • Failing to document amendment authority or effective dates creates ambiguity on vested entitlements and tax consequences.
  • Neglecting to capture spousal consent or beneficiary designations may invalidate survivor benefit claims in certain jurisdictions.

Legal and Tax Risks of Errors or Noncompliance

Tax Treatment: Taxable at distribution
Withholding: Backup withholding possible
Civil Liability: Breach of contract exposure
ERISA Risk: Possible fiduciary claims
Reporting Penalties: Late reporting fines
Plan Valuation: Misstated liabilities risk

Required Information and Document Data Elements

Participant ID: SSN or TIN
Employer ID: EIN and legal name
Benefit Details: Formula and accrual rate
Vesting: Schedule and effective date
Payment Terms: Form and timing
Beneficiary: Name and contact

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Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Representative Use Cases from Practice

Real-world examples show how these agreements operate across companies and circumstances.

Executive Retention Program

A mid-size firm drafted agreements to retain three senior executives with graduated vesting

  • Agreement tied distributions to five-year service milestones
  • The firm documented terms, obtained counsel review, and executed digitally to ensure consistent recordkeeping and timely tax reporting.

Change-in-Control Payouts

A real estate company included acceleration clauses triggered by asset sale

  • The language specified single-sum treatment and withholding mechanics
  • Counsel modeled tax impacts and the company preserved governance approvals to support enforceability during the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting

Answers to common questions about enforceability, tax reporting, amendments, and e-signature validity for Non-Qualified Defined Benefit Deferred Compensation Agreements.


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