AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON
JULY 20, 2005
REGISTRATION NO. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC
England And Wales (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) |
N.A. (I.R.S. Employer Identification No. ) |
Carel Van Bylandtlaan 30
2596 HR The Hague
The Netherlands
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including zip code)
GLOBAL EMPLOYEE SHARE PURCHASE PLAN (US)
GLOBAL EMPLOYEE SHARE PURCHASE PLAN (US SOLAR)
ROYAL DUTCH STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF SHELL SOLAR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INC.
SHELL OIL COMPANY KEY STAFF ROYAL DUTCH STOCK OPTION PLAN
SHELL OIL COMPANY SENIOR STAFF ROYAL DUTCH STOCK OPTION PLAN
ROYAL DUTCH STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF SHELL COMPANIES IN THE U.S.
SENIOR EXECUTIVE GROUP ROYAL DUTCH STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES OF SHELL
COMPANIES IN THE U.S.
SHELL PAY DEFERRAL INVESTMENT FUND
SHELL PROVIDENT FUND
SHELL PETROLEUM N.V. STOCK OPTION PLAN (1967)
THE SHELL PETROLEUM COMPANY LIMITED STOCK OPTION PLAN (1967)
SHELL PETROLEUM N.V. STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES
THE SHELL PETROLEUM COMPANY LIMITED STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (PERFORMANCE SHARE PLAN),
RESTRICTED SHARE PLAN AND DEFERRED SHARE PLAN
(Full Title of the Plans)
2
CT CORPORATION SYSTEM
111 Eighth Avenue, 13th Floor
New York, New York 10011
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
(212) 894-8400
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
Copies to:
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
CityPoint
One Ropemaker Street
London EC2Y 9HR
Attention: William P. Rogers, Jr.
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed maximum | Proposed maximum | |||||||||||||||
Title of securities | Amount to be | offering price per | aggregate offering | Amount of | ||||||||||||
to be registered (1) | registered (2) | share | price | registration fee | ||||||||||||
Class A Ordinary
Shares, nominal
value 0.07 per
share
|
114,258,000 | (3) | $ | (4 | ) | $ | 3,294,792,862 | (4) | $ | 387,797.12 | (5) | |||||
Class B Ordinary
Shares, nominal
value 0.07 per
share
|
4,104,328 | (3) | $ | (4 | ) | $ | 82,625,731 | (4) | $ | 9,725.05 | (5) |
(1) | Class A ADRs issuable upon deposit of the Class A ordinary shares registered hereby have been registered under a Registration Statement on Form F-6, File No.: 333-125035. | |
(2) | Pursuant to Rule 416 of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement shall also cover such indeterminate number of additional shares as may become issuable under the plans as a result of the antidilution provisions thereof. | |
(3) | The Royal Dutch Shell (as defined in Part II, Item 3) ordinary shares being registered hereby include: |
(a) | 7,600,000 Class A ordinary shares to be offered under the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan (US) (Plan A); | |||
(b) | 400,000 Class A ordinary shares to be offered under the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan (US Solar) (Plan B); |
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(c) | 27,040 Class A ordinary shares to be offered under the Royal Dutch Stock Option Plan for Employees of Shell Solar Employment Services Inc. (Plan C); | |||
(d) | 2,123,060 Class A ordinary shares to be offered under the Shell Oil Company Key Staff Royal Dutch Stock Option Plan (Plan D); | |||
(e) | 3,105,380 Class A ordinary shares to be offered under the Shell Oil Company Senior Staff Royal Dutch Stock Option Plan (Plan E); | |||
(f) | 31,975,900 Class A ordinary shares to be offered under the Royal Dutch Stock Option Plan for Employees of Shell Companies in the U.S. (Plan F); | |||
(g) | 8,826,620 Class A ordinary shares to be offered under the Senior Executive Group Royal Dutch Stock Option Plan for Employees of Shell Companies in the U.S. (Plan G); | |||
(h) | 32,800,000 Class A ordinary shares to be offered under the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund (Plan H); | |||
(i) | 7,200,000 Class A ordinary shares to be offered under the Shell Provident Fund (Plan I); | |||
(j) | 2,000,000 Class A ordinary shares and 1,005,665 Class B ordinary shares to be offered under the Shell Petroleum N.V. Stock Option Plan (1967) (Plan J); | |||
(k) | 180,000 Class A ordinary shares and 430,999 Class B ordinary shares to be offered under The Shell Petroleum Company Limited Stock Option Plan (1967) (Plan K); | |||
(l) | 3,000,000 Class A ordinary shares and 1,436,665 Class B ordinary shares to be offered under the Shell Petroleum N.V. Stock Option Plan for Employees (Plan L); | |||
(m) | 320,000 Class A ordinary shares and 430,999 Class B ordinary shares to be offered under The Shell Petroleum Company Limited Stock Option Plan for Employees (Plan M); | |||
(n) | 14,700,000 Class A ordinary shares and 800,000 Class B ordinary shares to be offered under the Royal Dutch Shell plc Long Term Incentive Plan (Performance Share Plan), Restricted Share Plan and Deferred Share Plan. |
In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be offered or sold pursuant to the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund and the Shell Provident Fund described herein.
(4) | Estimated pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933 solely for the purpose of computing the registration fee and based upon the total of (a) $1,314,466,658, representing the aggregate exercise price of the options to purchase 23,029,000 ordinary shares of Royal Dutch (as defined in Part II, Item 3) in New York registry form and 2,750,000 ordinary shares of Royal Dutch in Hague registry form outstanding as of July 15, 2005, and the options to purchase 11,500,000 ordinary shares of Shell Transport (as defined in Part II, Item 3) outstanding as of July 15, 2005, that will become options to purchase a total of 54,862,330 ordinary shares of Royal Dutch Shell upon consummation of the Scheme of Arrangement and (b) $2,062,951,935 with respect to the balance of the ordinary shares of Royal Dutch Shell registered hereby, based upon the average of the high and low prices of Royal Dutch ordinary shares and Shell Transport ADRs, as applicable, on July 15, 2005. The prices of Royal Dutch ordinary shares in New York registry form and Shell Transport ADRs, as applicable, have been used for these purposes because pursuant to the Offer and the Scheme of Arrangement each such ordinary share of Royal Dutch and each ADR of Shell Transport is being converted into ordinary shares or ADRs of Royal Dutch Shell, based upon the exchange ratio of 2 Royal Dutch Shell |
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Class A ordinary shares (to be represented by 1 Royal Dutch Shell Class A ADR) for each Royal Dutch ordinary share in New York registry form and 0.861999198 of a Royal Dutch Shell Class B ordinary share for each Shell Transport ADR. | ||
(5) | Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act of 1933, Royal Dutch Shell hereby offsets the registration fee required in connection with this Registration Statement by $299,151.81 previously paid by Royal Dutch and Shell Transport in connection with the registration of their ordinary shares on Form S-8 as described in the chart below. Accordingly, the filing fee paid herewith is $98,370.36. |
Set forth below is a chart showing the credits against fees otherwise payable pursuant to Rule 457(p):
Fee Credit on New | ||||||||||||||||
Shares | S-8 Pursuant to | |||||||||||||||
Plan | File No. 333- | Date of Filing | Fee Paid | Registered* | Unused Shares* | Rule 457(p) | ||||||||||
Plans A, B & C
|
102183 | 12/23/02 | $ | 15,643.60 | 4,000,000 RD | 2,191,000 RD | $ | 8,568.78 | ||||||||
Plans D, E, F & G
|
13384 | 4/18/01 | $ | 284,900.00 | 20,000,000 RD | 16,295,000 RD | $ | 232,122.28 | ||||||||
Plans H & I
|
97935 | 8/12/02 | $ | 96,565.50 | 25,000,000 RD | 15,135,000 RD | $ | 58,460.75 | ||||||||
Plans J, K, L & M
|
7590 | 6/28/01 | ** | 1,497,600 RD 9,978,200 ST |
** | ** |
* | RD represents Royal Dutch ordinary shares and ST represents Shell Transport ordinary shares. | |
** | No fee paid; fee brought forward by post-effective amendment to S-8 filed 9/12/97. Therefore, no fee credit under Rule 457(p). |
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PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. | INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE. |
The following documents filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act) by Royal Dutch Shell plc (Royal Dutch Shell), Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (N.V. Koninklijke Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij) (Royal Dutch), The Shell Transport and Trading Company, p.l.c. (Shell Transport) and by the plans specified in (6) and (7) below (the Shell Savings Plans) are incorporated in this Registration Statement by reference and shall be deemed to be a part hereof:
(1) the Annual Report on Form 20-F/A (Amendment No. 1) of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC on May 4, 2005;
(2) the Reports on Form 6-K of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport, as furnished to the SEC on May 9, 2005 (containing the First Quarter 2005 Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Reports of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport);
(3) the Reports on Form 6-K of Royal Dutch, as furnished to the SEC on May 31, 2005 (furnishing the Notice of Meeting 2005) and July 5, 2005 (furnishing the report of the 2005 Annual General Meeting);
(4) the Reports on Form 6-K of Royal Dutch Shell, as furnished to the SEC on July 20, 2005 (containing the Audited Financial Statements of Royal Dutch Shell as of and for the years ending December 31, 2002, 2003 and 2004) and July 20, 2005 (containing the description of the Royal Dutch Shell capital stock);
(5) the Registration Statement of Royal Dutch Shell on Form F-4 (Registration No. 333-125037) as filed with the SEC on May 19, 2005;
(6) the Annual Report of Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the SEC on July 5, 2005; and
(7) the Annual Report of Shell Provident Fund on Form 11-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed the SEC on July 5, 2005.
The following documents subsequently filed or furnished by Royal Dutch Shell with or to the SEC after the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold, or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
| reports filed under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; and |
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| reports furnished on Form 6-K that indicate that they are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. |
Any statement contained in this Registration Statement, in an amendment hereto or in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed amendment to this Registration Statement or in any document that also is incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
ITEM 4. | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES. | |||
Not applicable. | ||||
ITEM 5. | INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL. | |||
Not applicable. | ||||
ITEM 6. | INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. |
Article 151 of the articles of association of Royal Dutch Shell provides that, as far as the legislation allows this, we: (i) can indemnify any director of the company against any liability; and (ii) can purchase and maintain insurance against any liability for any director of the company. As our articles of association do not prohibit the indemnification of officers of the company against liability, we may purchase and maintain insurance against any liability for any of our officers.
We have entered into a deed of indemnity with each of the Royal Dutch Shell directors. The terms of each of these deeds is identical and reflects the new statutory provisions on indemnities introduced by the Companies (Audit, Investigations and Community Enterprise) Act 2004. Under the terms of each deed, Royal Dutch Shell undertakes to indemnify the relevant Royal Dutch Shell director, to the widest extent permitted by law, against any and all liability, howsoever caused (including by that directors own negligence), suffered or incurred by that director in the course of that director acting as a director or employee of Royal Dutch Shell, any member of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies or certain other entities. It is a term of each indemnity that Royal Dutch Shell and the relevant director agree to be bound by the provisions in the Royal Dutch Shell Articles relating to arbitration and exclusive jurisdiction.
The relevant provisions of the Companies Act are sections 309AC, 337A and 727.
Sections 309A C state that any provision to exempt to any extent a director from liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or trust by him in relation to the company is void. Any provision by which a company directly or indirectly provides (to any extent) an indemnity for a director of the company or an associated company against any such liability is also void unless it is a qualifying third party indemnity provision. We are still permitted to purchase insurance against any such liability for a director of the company or an associated company.
An indemnity is a qualifying third party indemnity as long as it does not provide: (i) any indemnity against any liability incurred by the director to the company or to any associated company; (ii) any indemnity against any liability incurred by the director to pay a fine imposed in criminal proceedings or a sum payable to a regulatory authority by way of a penalty in respect of non-compliance with any
7
requirement of a regulatory nature; and (iii) any indemnity against any liability incurred by the director in defending criminal proceedings in which he is convicted, civil proceedings brought by the company or an associated company in which judgment is given against him or where the court refuses to grant him relief under an application under sections 144(3) and (4) (acquisition of shares by innocent nominee) or its power under section 727 (described below). Any qualifying third party indemnity in force for the benefit of one or more directors of the company must be disclosed in the directors annual report.
Section 337A provides that a company can provide a director with funds to meet expenditures incurred or to be incurred by him in defending any criminal or civil proceedings or in connection with any application under sections 144(3) and (4) (acquisition of shares by innocent nominee) or section 727 (described below). Such financial assistance must be repaid if the director is convicted, judgment is found against him or the court refuses to grant the relief on the application.
Section 727 provides that:
(1) | If in any proceedings for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust against an officer of a company or a person employed by a company as auditor (whether he is or is not an officer of the company) it appears to the court hearing the case that that officer or person is or may be liable in respect of the negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, but that he has acted honestly and reasonably, and that having regard to all the circumstances of the case (including those connected with his appointment) he ought fairly to be excused for the negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, that court may relieve him, either wholly or partly, from his liability on such terms at it thinks fit. | |||
(2) | If any such officer or person as above-mentioned has reason to apprehend that any claim will or might be made against him in respect of any negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust, he may apply to the court for relief; and the court on the application has the same power to relieve him as under this section it would have had if it had been a court before which proceedings against that person for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust had been brought. | |||
(3) | Where a case to which subsection (1) applies is being tried by a judge with a jury, the judge, after hearing the evidence, may, if he is satisfied that the defendant or defender ought in pursuance of that subsection to be relieved either in whole or in part from the liability sought to be enforced against him, withdraw the case in whole or in part from the jury and forthwith direct judgment to be entered for the defendant or defender on such terms as to costs or otherwise as the judge may think proper. |
The following provisions would only apply in circumstances where the arbitration provisions of our articles of association would be invalid or inapplicable. While English law permits a shareholder to initiate a lawsuit on behalf of the company only in limited circumstances, the Companies Act permits a shareholder whose name is on the register of shareholders of the company to apply for a court order:
(i) | when the companys affairs are being or have been conducted in a manner unfairly prejudicial to the interests of all or some shareholders, including the shareholder making the claim; or | |||
(ii) | when any act or omission of the company is or would be so prejudicial. |
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A court has wide discretion in granting relief, and may authorize civil proceedings to be brought in the name of the company by a shareholder on terms that the court directs. Except in these limited circumstances, English law does not generally permit class action lawsuits by shareholders on behalf of the company or on behalf of other shareholders.
ITEM 7. | EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED. | |||
Not Applicable. | ||||
ITEM 8. | EXHIBITS. |
(a) | The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement: |
EXHIBIT | ||||
NUMBER | DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION | |||
4.1 | Memorandum of Association of Royal Dutch Shell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit No. 3.1 of the Registration Statement of Royal Dutch Shell on Form F-4, Registration No. 333-125037 (the Registration Statement)). | |||
4.2 | Articles of Association of Royal Dutch Shell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Registration Statement). | |||
4.3 | Deposit Agreement among Royal Dutch Shell, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and Owners and Beneficial Owners of Class A American Depositary Receipts (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 of the Report on Form 6-K of Royal Dutch Shell, as furnished to the SEC on July 20, 2005 (the Form 6-K). | |||
4.4 | Form of Class A American Depositary Receipts representing Royal Dutch Shell Class A American Depositary Shares each evidencing the right to receive two Class A Shares of Royal Dutch Shell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.3 of the Form 6-K). | |||
4.5 | Deposit Agreement among Royal Dutch Shell, The Bank of New York, and Owners and Beneficial Owners of Class B American Depositary Receipts (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 of the Form 6-K). | |||
4.6 | Form of Class B American Depositary Receipts representing Royal Dutch Shell Class B American Depositary Shares each evidencing the right to receive two Class B Shares of Royal Dutch Shell (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.5 of the Form 6-K). | |||
*4.7 | Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund Plan Instrument and Trust Agreement, as amended. | |||
*4.8 | Shell Provident Fund Regulations and Trust Agreement, as amended. |
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EXHIBIT | ||||
NUMBER | DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION | |||
*5.1 | Opinion of Slaughter and May as to the legality of the Class A Shares and Class B Shares. | |||
*5.2 | Determination Letter dated April 7, 2003, of Internal Revenue Service as to Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund. | |||
*5.3 | Determination Letter dated April 7, 2003, of Internal Revenue Service as to Shell Provident Fund. | |||
*23.1 | Consent of KPMG Accountants N.V. and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | |||
*23.2 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. | |||
*23.3 | Consent of Slaughter and May (contained in Exhibit 5.1). | |||
*24 | Powers of Attorney (included as part of the signature pages). |
(b) | The Registrant will submit any amendment to the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund and the Shell Provident Fund to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in a timely manner and will make all changes required by the IRS in order to continue the qualification of the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund and the Shell Provident Fund under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code. |
ITEM 9. | UNDERTAKINGS. |
(a) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: |
(1) | To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: |
(i) | To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; | |||
(ii) | To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering |
* | Filed herewith. |
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price set forth in the Calculation of Registration Fee table in the effective Registration Statement. | ||||
(iii) | To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement; |
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the Registration Statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement. | ||||
(2) | That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. | |||
(3) | To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. |
(b) | The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrants annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plans annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof | |||
(c) | Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in The Hague, on July 20, 2005.
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC, By |
||||
/s/ Peter Voser | ||||
Name: | Peter Voser | |||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Peter Voser, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full powers of substitution to sign on his or her behalf, individually and in any and all capacities, including the capacities stated below, any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all respective exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Aad Jacobs
Aad Jacobs |
Chairman of the Board of Directors | July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Lord Kerr of Kinlochard
Lord Kerr of Kinlochard |
Deputy Chairman of the Board | July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Jeroen van der Veer
Jeroen van der Veer |
Chief Executive | July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Peter Voser
Peter Voser |
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer; Principal Accounting Officer) |
July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Malcolm Brinded
Malcolm Brinded |
Executive Director, Exploration and Production | July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Linda Cook
Linda Cook |
Executive Director, Gas & Power | July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Rob Routs
Rob Routs |
Executive Director, Oil Products and Chemicals | July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Maarten van den Bergh
Maarten van den Bergh |
Director | July 20, 2005 | ||
Director | ||||
/s/ Mary (Nina) Henderson
Mary (Nina) Henderson |
Director | July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Sir Peter Job
Sir Peter Job |
Director | July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Wim Kok
Wim Kok |
Director | July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Jonkheer Aarnout Loudon
Jonkheer Aarnout Loudon |
Director | July 20, 2005 | ||
/s/ Christine Morin-Postel
Christine Morin-Postel |
Director | July 20, 2005 |
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Name | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Lawrence Ricciardi
Lawrence Ricciardi |
Director | July 20, 2005 |
SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REGISTRANT
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of Royal Dutch Shell plc, has signed this Registration Statement or amendment thereto in Delaware on July 20, 2005.
PUGLISI & ASSOCIATES by |
||||
/s/ Donald J. Puglisi | ||||
Name: | Donald J. Puglisi | |||
Title: | Managing Director |
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THE SHELL SAVINGS PLANS
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the trustees (or other persons who administer the Shell Savings Plans) have duly caused this registration statement to be signed on behalf of the Shell Savings Plans by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on July 20, 2005.
SHELL PAY DEFERRAL INVESTMENT FUND by |
||||
/s/ Pervis Thomas, Jr. | ||||
Name: | Pervis Thomas, Jr. | |||
Title: | Plan Administrator | |||
SHELL PROVIDENT FUND by |
||||
/s/ Pervis Thomas, Jr. | ||||
Name: | Pervis Thomas, Jr. | |||
Title: | Plan Administrator | |||
Exhibit 4.7
SHELL PAY DEFERRAL INVESTMENT FUND
PLAN INSTRUMENT
AND
TRUST AGREEMENT
Dated as of August 1, 1984
PLAN INSTRUMENT
Reflects All Amendments Adopted
Through August 1, 2005
TRUST AGREEMENT
Reflects All Amendments Adopted
Through May 17, 2005
Includes Amendments:
SPDIF 02-14
|
SPDIF 02-16 | SPDIF 03-2 | SPDIF 03-3 | |||
SPDIF 03-9
|
SPDIF 03-13 | SPDIF 03-15 | SPDIF 03-16 | |||
SPDIF 03-17
|
SPDIF 03-18 | SPDIF 03-19 | SPDIF 03-21 | |||
SPDIF 03-22
|
SPDIF 04-1 | SPDIF 04-2 | SPDIF 04-3 | |||
SPDIF 04-4
|
SPDIF 04-5 | SPDIF 04-6 | SPDIF 04-7 | |||
SPDIF 04-8
|
SPDIF 04-10 | SPDIF 04-11 | SPDIF 04-12 | |||
SPDIF 04-13
|
SPDIF 04-14 | SPDIF 04-15 | SPDIF 04-16 | |||
SPDIF 05-1
|
SPDIF 05-2 |
SHELL PAY DEFERRAL INVESTMENT FUND
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN AND ITS PURPOSE
The Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund (the Plan) was established effective August 1, 1984, as amended through August 1, 2005, by Shell Oil Company and certain Affiliated Companies for the exclusive benefit of their eligible Employees and their beneficiaries. Participation in the Plan is entirely voluntary. The Plan is designed to be an employee benefit pension plan under ERISA, and, to comply with Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code, and the Trust created under the attached Trust Agreement (which is part of the Plan Instrument) is designed to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code.
The Plan is intended to constitute a plan described in section 404(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 2550.404c-1. The fiduciaries of the Plan may be relieved of liability for any losses which are the direct and necessary result of investment instructions given by Members or their Beneficiaries.
The Contributing Companies shall have no responsibility for overseeing or monitoring the investment options under Schedule C of the Regulations. The Trustees and the Plan Administrator shall have only limited responsibility for overseeing and monitoring the LifeStyle Funds set out in Part I of Schedule C to the Regulations and shall have no responsibility for overseeing or monitoring the Tier III Funds or the Tier IV Funds regardless of whether such Tier III Funds and/or such Tier IV Funds underlie investment options under Part I and/or Part II of such Schedule C. Each participant and each beneficiary shall have the sole responsibility for deciding to buy, sell, or hold units in the investment options under Schedule C of the Regulations for his or her account and the sole responsibility for determining whether any Tier III Funds and any Tier IV Funds in said account provide acceptable risk and return characteristics and are otherwise consistent with his or her investment objectives and the investment objectives of the Optional Fund.
SECTION I
DEFINITIONS
The following terms as used in this Plan Instrument shall have the meanings set forth below:
1.1 60% Test: The 60% Test as defined in Subsection 9.1 of the Plan Instrument.
1.2 Account: The sum of assets credited to a Member or Former Member or, where the context so suggests, a Qualified Beneficiary, in optional investment funds held in Trust under the terms of the Plan.
1.3 Accredited Service: The period of service described in Subsection 3.1(b) of the Plan Instrument.
1.4 Active Employee: An active Employee of a Participating Company.
1.5 Actual Deferral Percentage: For each Plan Year, for a given Eligible Employee, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (a) the amount of Salary Deferrals paid to the Trust on behalf of the Eligible Employee for the Plan Year, to (b) the Eligible Employees Testing Compensation for such Plan Year.
1.5a ADP Limit:f living adjustment factor prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury under Section 415(d) of the Code for calendar years beginning after December 31, 1987, as applied to such items and in such manner as the Secretary shall provide.
1.7 Affiliated Company, Affiliate: a corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1563(a) of the Code, determined without regard to Sections 1563(a)(4) and (e)(3)(c) thereof) which includes the Participating Company, and any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control [as defined in Section 414(c)], with such Participating Company. However, for purposes of the preceding sentence, the phrase more than 50 percent shall be substituted for the phrase at least 80 percent in Section 1563(a)(1) of the Code, including where Section 1563(a) is incorporated in Sections 414(b) and (c) of the Code.
1.8 Alternate Payee: An alternate payee, within the meaning of section 206(d)(3)(K) of ERISA.
1.9 [ Intentionally left blank ]
1.10 Annual Additions: The Annual Additions as defined in Subsection 4.3(a) of the Plan Instrument.
1.11 Annual Benefit: The Annual Benefit as defined in Subsection 4.3(b) of the Plan Instrument.
1.12 Annual Compensation Limit: Except as provided in Subsection 12.4, the Annual Compensation Limit is $150,000, which amount shall be adjusted by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service for increases in the cost of living in accordance with Section 401(a)(17)(B) of the Code.
1.13 Applicable Percentage: The percentage set forth in Subsection 3.1(b) of the Plan Instrument.
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1.14 Average Actual Deferral Percentage: For a specified group of Eligible Employees, for each Plan Year, the average of the Actual Deferral Percentages calculated separately for each Eligible Employee in such group.
1.15 Beneficiary: The surviving spouse of a deceased Member or Former Member or, if there is no surviving spouse or the surviving spouse consents in the manner provided in Subsection 7.4(b), the person designated by the Member or Former Member, in accordance with Subsection 7.4.
1.15a Beneficiary Borrower: The Beneficiary Borrower as defined in Subsection 6.4(a) of the Plan Instrument.
1.16 Borrowers: The Borrowers as defined in Subsection 6.1 of the Plan Instrument.
1.17 Code: The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute.
1.18 Compensation: Compensation shall be understood to mean net compensation without taking into account overtime, extended work week, or premium remuneration, bonuses, or special allowances for living expenses, dwelling, medical assistance, or the like, or any transition payment made in connection with the Participating Companies 1994-1995 salary programs, but, Compensation shall include Contributions made by a Participating Company (or on its behalf by another Participating Company within the same affiliated group as defined within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code) to a Members Account pursuant to such Members Salary Deferral election under the Plan. Compensation shall not include:
(a) any amount paid under the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Change in Control Retention/Severance Plan;
(b) any amount of severance pay or payments for accrued vacation received after a Member separates from service from the Employer (and any Affiliated Company); or
(c) any amount of severance pay or payments for accrued vacation received as, or before, a Member separates from service from the Employer (and any Affiliated Company) if such amount is not paid for a period of approved absence from work;
and any such amounts shall be disregarded for all purposes under this Plan. Notwithstanding anything in this Subsection to the contrary, Compensation of a Member shall include payments made after December 31, 1994, and prior to January 1, 2003, under the incentive compensation plans as listed in Part One of Schedule B and payments made on or after January 1, 2003, under a variable pay program (sometimes also referred to as an incentive compensation program) established and maintained by a Contributing Company and not listed on Part Two of Schedule B, provided the payments were either received before termination of service from all Affiliated Companies or, in the case of payments made on or after September 30, 2003, recorded as soon as administratively feasible following such termination of service, and provided, further the payments were not deferred from a prior year. For purposes of the preceding sentence, Affiliated Company shall be as defined in Subsection 1.7, except that the phrase at least 80 percent shall be substituted for the phrase more than 50 percent. Compensation shall also include payments for hours in excess of forty hours per week, which payments are related to the 2002 plan year incentive compensation programs of Equilon Enterprises LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products US (SOPUS), including Equilon Pipeline Company LLC, and Motiva Enterprises LLC, paid in March 2003 to hourly Employees employed by SOPUS, Shell Pipeline Company LP, or Motiva Company, but only to the extent such payments are not otherwise already included as Compensation. Compensation shall also include payments for hours in excess of forty hours per week, where such hours are part of an established normal work schedule of more than forth yours per week, paid in March 2004 to hourly Employees then employed at the Port Arthur, Texas and Delaware City, Delaware refineries and related to the 2003 plan year incentive compensation
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program of Motiva Company, but only to the extent such payments are not otherwise already included as Compensation. Compensation shall also include contributions made by a Participating Company (or on its behalf by a member of the affiliated group as defined within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code) to a Members account pursuant to such Members designation, with a plan which satisfies the requirements of Section 125 of the Code or Section 132(f) of the Code. Commissions shall be considered a part of Compensation when paid in addition to a fixed basic wage or salary. Compensation shall also include payments made under a disability benefit plan of a Participating Company, except the Member shall not be required to include as part of his Salary Deferral any sums received under a Workers Compensation, or similar law, which, under the terms of any such disability benefit plan, are deducted from the benefit payments of such a plan. Compensation, for purposes of determining a Participating Companys Contributions for a Member whose hourly rate of pay is established at a specified rate solely by reason of being assigned to an established normal work schedule that includes hours in excess of eight (8) hours per workday, shall be determined by application of a factor that will result in such Members Compensation (for such purposes) being the same as if his hourly rate had not been so established.
In addition to other applicable limitations set forth in the Plan, and notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 1994, the annual Compensation of each Employee taken into account under the Plan shall not exceed the Annual Compensation Limit.
1.19 Computation Period: Each twelve (12) consecutive month period which begins on the date the employee first completes a Regular Hour of Service with a Participating Company or Affiliated Company and every anniversary thereof.
1.20 Contributions: Amounts contributed to the Trust for the Account of a Member under the terms of the Plan by, or on behalf of, his Employing Company.
1.21 Controlled Group Company: (a) a corporation, with the exception of the Participating Company, which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1563(a) of the Code, determined without regard to Sections 1563(a)(4) and (e)(3)(C) thereof) which includes the Participating Company; (b) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated), with the exception of the Participating Company, which is under common control (as defined in Section 414(c), as modified by Section 415(h), of the Code and regulations thereunder) with such Participating Company; (c) any organization (whether or not incorporated), with the exception of the Participating Company, which is a member of an affiliated service group (as defined in Section 414(m) of the Code) which includes the Participating Company; and (d) any other entity required to be aggregated with the Participating Company pursuant to regulations under Section 414(o) of the Code.
1.22 Core Funds: The core funds set out in Part I of Schedule C to the Plan Instrument.
1.22a Cure Period: The Cure Period as defined in Subsection 6.4(a) of the Plan Instrument.
1.23 Defined Benefit Plan Fraction: The Defined Benefit Fraction as defined in Subsection 4.3(e) of the Plan Instrument.
1.24 Defined Contribution Plan Fraction: The Defined Contribution Plan Fraction as defined in Subsection 4.3(f) of the Plan Instrument.
1.25 Direct Rollover: A Direct Rollover as defined in Subsection 7.10(b)(iv) of the Plan Instrument.
1.26 Distributee: A Distributee as defined in Subsection 7.10(b)(iii) of the Plan Instrument.
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1.27 Effective Date: The date set forth in Subsection 10.11 of the Plan Instrument.
1.28 Eligibility for Admission Date: The date set forth in Subsection 2.1 of the Plan Instrument.
1.29 Eligible Employee: An Employee who satisfies the eligibility requirements of Subsection 2.1, whether or not he becomes a Member.
1.30 Eligible Investment Company Funds: The LifeStyle Funds, the Fidelity Mutual Funds, the funds in the Mutual Fund Window, and the Fidelity Select Portfolios.
1.31 Eligible Retirement Plan: An Eligible Retirement Plan as defined in Subsection 7.10(b)(ii) of the Plan Instrument.
1.32 Eligible Rollover Distribution: An Eligible Rollover Distribution as defined in Subsection 7.10(b)(i) of the Plan Instrument.
1.33 Employee: Except as set forth hereinbelow, any person performing services as an employee of any of the Participating Companies who receives a regular and stated compensation (other than a retainer) directly from such Company, provided, however, that, Employees shall not include any person employed by any corporation or business entity that is not a Participating Company hereunder which is merged or liquidated into, or whose assets are acquired by any such Company, unless such Company, with the consent of Shell Oil Company, designates the employees of such corporation or other business entity, as the case may be, as Employees under the Plan pursuant to written resolutions adopted by such Company at any time prior to or after such liquidation, merger, or asset acquisition.
The term Employee shall not include: (a) a person whose compensation is paid solely in the form of commissions, or (b) a non-resident alien, or (c) a person who is temporarily employed by a Participating Company because of a transfer from a foreign Affiliated Company which is not a Participating Company, or (d) a person who is a leased employee within the meaning of Section 414(n) of the Code, or (e) a person whose contract of employment or engagement letter or contract for services explicitly states or implicitly provides that the person is not entitled to participate in this Plan, in particular, or the employee benefit plans of one or more Participating Companies, in general, or (f) a person designated by the relevant Participating Company as an independent contractor. In addition to the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a person shall not be treated as an Employee eligible to make Salary Deferrals under the Plan (even if such person is determined to be a common law employee of the Employer entitled to service credits for eligibility purposes under the Plan) before the date the Employer is required to withhold federal income taxes from the persons pay. Affiliated Company for purposes of this paragraph shall be as defined in Subsection 1.7, except that the phrase more than 25 percent shall be substituted for the phrase more than 50 percent. In addition to the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the term Employee shall not mean any person during any period or periods of time that such person does, or may, actively participate in the Shell Chemical Company Employee Savings Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees (the Pt Pleasant Plan); provided, however, that the term Employee shall include such person from the date his employing Participating Company reclassifies him as a staff employee up to and including June 1, 2000, so long as he no longer participates actively in such Pt Pleasant Plan during that time, and otherwise meets the definition of Employee.
An Employee shall cease to be such under this Plan upon termination of his service for any cause whatsoever, provided, however, that an Employee shall continue to be treated as such under this Plan during all periods of leave of absence (1) with pay (i) not exceeding one year or (ii) in excess of one year where such leave is granted in connection with the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Change in Control Retention/Severance Plan, (2) without pay due to sickness or disability, (3) due to war or national emergency,
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(4) in accordance with the military leave policy of his Employing Company, and (5) other Company authorized leaves of absence.
1.34 Employer, Employing Company: A Participating Company in its relationship of being an employer of Employees.
1.35 ERISA: The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 as it now exists or may hereafter be amended.
1.36 Excess Contributions: With respect to any Plan Year, the excess of (a) the aggregate amount of Salary Deferrals actually paid over to the Trust on behalf of Highly Compensated Employees for such Plan Year, over (b) the maximum amount of such contributions permitted under the limitations of Subsection 3.5. The total amount of Excess Contributions for the Highly Compensated Employees for a Plan Year is determined as follows: Highly Compensated Employees with the largest Actual Deferral Percentage shall be identified and a determination shall be made as to how much their Actual Deferral Percentage must be reduced so that the Plan would satisfy the ADP Limit or causes such employees Actual Deferral Percentage to equal the Actual Deferral Percentage of the Highly Compensated Employees with the next highest Actual Deferral Percentage. The procedure described in the preceding sentence shall be repeated until the Plan would satisfy the ADP Limit.
1.37 Excess Deferral Amounts: The amount of Salary Deferrals that the Member allocates to this Plan pursuant to the claim procedure set forth in Subsection 3.9(b), because they exceed the limit imposed on the Member by Section 402(g)(1) of the Code for the taxable year in which the Salary Deferrals occurred.
1.38 [ Intentionally left blank ]
1.39 Fidelity Mutual Funds: Such eligible investment company funds as from time to time shall obtain the approval of the Plan Administrator and the Trustees, as evidenced by their listing on Part II of Schedule C to the Plan Instrument.
1.39a Fidelity Select Portfolios: Such eligible investment company funds as from time to time shall constitute the Fidelity Select Portfolios®, as evidenced by their listing on Part IV of Schedule C to the Plan Instrument.
1.40 Former Member: Any former Employee who was a Member of the Plan before he terminated his employment and who is still a participant in the Plan.
1.41 Full Time Work Year: for any Computation Period: The number of Regular Hours of Service which constitute the regular or basic work-year for an employees job classification as determined by Shell Oil Company from time to time on a reasonable and consistent basis.
1.42 Highly Compensated Employee: An employee of the Employer who (1) was a five percent owner, as defined in Section 416(i)(1) of the Code, at any time during the determination year or the look-back year, or (2) had compensation from an Employer during the look-back year in excess of $80,000 (as adjusted pursuant to Section 415(d) of the Code), and if the Employer so elects, was in the top-paid group of employees for the look-back year.
The determination of who is a Highly Compensated Employee hereunder, including determinations as to the number and identity of employees in the top-paid group and the compensation considered, shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 414(q) of the Code and regulations issued thereunder. An employee is in the top-paid group of employees for any year if such employee is in the group consisting of the top 20 percent of the employees when ranked on the basis of
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compensation paid during such year. For purposes of determining the number of employees in the top-paid group, employees described in Section 414(q)(5) of the Code and Q&A 9(b) of Section 1.414(q)-1T of the Regulations are excluded. Employers aggregated under Section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) of the Code are treated as a single employer. For purposes of this definition, the following terms have the following meanings:
(a) The determination year means the Plan Year for which the determination of who is a Highly Compensated Employee is being made.
(b) The look back year means the 12-month period immediately preceding the determination year, or if the Employer so elects in the Plan, the calendar year beginning with or within such 12-month period.
(c) For purposes of this definition, the term compensation has the meaning set forth in Section 415(c)(3) of the Code.
The identification of Highly Compensated Employees is subject to further provisions of Section 414(q) of the Code and applicable Department of Treasury regulations. The term Highly Compensated Employee shall not include any employee who is a nonresident alien and who receives no earned U.S. source income from the Employer.
1.43 Investment Manager: A fiduciary, other than a Named Fiduciary as described in Subsection 5.1, who may be appointed by the Trustees:
(a) who has the power to manage, acquire, or dispose of any assets of the Plan or a portion thereof; and
(b) who (1) is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, or state law, (2) is a bank as defined in that Act, or (3) is an insurance company qualified to perform services described in Subsection (a) above under the laws of more than one state; and
(c) who has acknowledged in writing that he is a fiduciary with respect to the Plan.
1.44 Key Employee: A Key Employee as defined in Subsection 9.3 of the Plan Instrument.
1.45 LifeStyle Funds: The lifestyle funds set out in Part I of Schedule C to the Plan Instrument.
1.46 Loans: Loans as defined in Subsection 6.1 of the Plan Instrument.
1.47 Member: An Employee who has qualified as a participant in the Plan pursuant to Subsection 2.2.
1.48 Mutual Fund Window: Such eligible investment company funds as from time to time shall be available from Fidelitys FundsNetSM offerings, as evidenced by their listing on Part III of Schedule C to the Plan Instrument.
1.49 Named Fiduciary: A Named Fiduciary as defined in Subsection 5.1 of the Plan Instrument.
1.50 Nonhighly Compensated Employee: An employee of a Controlled Group Company who is not a Highly Compensated Employee.
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The identification of Nonhighly Compensated Employees is subject to further provisions of Section 414(q) of the Code and applicable Department of Treasury regulations. The term Nonhighly Compensated Employee shall not include any employee who is a nonresident alien and who receives no earned U.S. source income from the employing Controlled Group Company.
1.51 Non-Participating Company: A Non-Participating Company as defined in Subsection 2.1 of the Plan Instrument.
1.52 Nonseparated Member: A Former Member who is not yet entitled to a distribution under Section VII of this Plan, and who ceases employment with a Participating Company on or after July 1, 1988, in connection with a transaction which, taken as a whole, does not result in a separation from service.
1.53 Optional Funds: The Core Funds and the Eligible Investment Company Funds.
1.54 Original Effective Date: August 1, 1984, the date on which this Plan was originally established.
1.55 Participating Company: A company which is participating in the Plan.
1.56 Participation Service: The period of service described in Subsection 2.1 of the Plan Instrument.
1.57 Party in Interest: Any person who is described in Section 3(14) of ERISA.
1.58 Payroll Closing Date: with respect to a particular payroll period: The last business day of that payroll period on which changes that affect the amount of the Employees paycheck for that payroll period, or the credits and debits appearing on the Employees pay advice for that payroll period, can be accepted for processing.
1.59 Plan: The employee benefit plan created under this Plan Instrument formally known as the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund.
1.60 Plan Year: shall be the calendar year except for 1984 for which the Plan Year shall be August 1, 1984 through December 31, 1984.
1.61 Qualified Beneficiary: shall mean:
(a) an individual who:
(i) is named by a Member or a Former Member as his beneficiary pursuant to Subsection 7.4 and is at least 18 years of age (or will attain at least 18 years of age before said beneficiarys respective share of the Member or Former Members Account is distributed from the Plan), and is entitled to receive distribution of all or any part of the amount standing to the credit of the Member or Former Member upon the death of the Member or Former Member; or
(ii) is the surviving spouse of a deceased Member or of a deceased Former Member; or
(iii) is an alternate payee, who is the spouse or former spouse of a Member or Former Member; or,
(b) a private trust that meets all of the following requirements:
(i) is valid under state law, or would be but for the fact that there is no corpus;
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(ii) is irrevocable or will, by its terms, become irrevocable upon the death of the Member or Former Member;
(iii) the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the trust are identifiable individuals from the trust instrument;
(iv) the beneficiary designation made by the Member or Former Member is made in such form as the Plan Administrator may require and the Member or Former Member provides such additional information as the Plan Administrator may require, provided that,
(A) for any calendar year up to and including the calendar year of the Members or Former Members death, in order to establish that the Members or Former Members spouse is the sole beneficiary under the trust for purposes of Section XIV of the Plan Instrument, the Member or Former Member must: (1) provide to the Plan Administrator a list of all of the beneficiaries of the trust (including contingent and remainderman beneficiaries with a description of the conditions of their entitlement sufficient to establish that the Members or Former Members spouse is the sole beneficiary); (2) certify that, to the best of the Members or Former Members knowledge, the list of beneficiaries is correct and complete and that the requirements of Subsections 1.61(b)(i), (ii), and (iii) above are satisfied; (3) agree to provide corrected certifications to the extent that an amendment changes any information previously certified; and (4) agree to provide a copy of the trust instrument to the Plan Administrator upon demand; and
(B) for calendar years following the calendar year of the Members or Former Members death, the trustee of the trust instrument, no later than October 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year of the Members or Former Members death, must (1) provide the Plan Administrator with a final list of all of the beneficiaries of the trust (including contingent and remainderman beneficiaries with a description of the conditions on their entitlement) as of September 30 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year of the Members or Former Members death; (2) certify that, to the best of the trustees knowledge, the list of beneficiaries is correct and complete and that the requirements of Subsections 1.61(b)(i), (ii), and (iii) above are satisfied; and (3) agree to provide a copy of the trust instrument to the Plan Administrator upon demand.
When applying the requirements of Subsection 1.61(b)(iii) above, the trust instrument need not name the individuals by name so long as the individuals who are to be the beneficiaries are identifiable under the trust instrument. The members of a class of beneficiaries capable of expansion or contraction will be treated as being identifiable if it is possible to identify the class member with the shortest life expectancy.
Nothing in this provision shall be construed to mean that a Qualified Charitable Organization (as defined in Subsection 7.4(a)) can be a Qualified Beneficiary.
1.62 Qualified Charitable Organization: A Qualified Charitable Organization as defined in Subsection 7.4 of this Plan Instrument.
1.63 Regular Hours of Service: Each hour for which an employee (as distinguished from an Employee as defined herein) is paid or entitled to payment for the performance of duties with a Participating Company or an Affiliated Company (or for which back pay is awarded provided such hours have not been previously taken into account) except hours for which a premium rate is paid because such hours are in excess of the maximum work week applicable to an employee under Section 7(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, or because such hours are in excess of a bona fide standard work week or work day and also excluding hours performed as a leased employee within the meaning of Section 414(n) of the Code. In addition to the above, such hours shall include hours included in periods of absence due to
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(1) scheduled holidays with pay, (2) vacation with pay, (3) an approved leave of absence (i) with pay not exceeding one year, (ii) without pay due to sickness or disability of the employee not exceeding one year, (iii) without pay due to causes other than sickness or disability of the employee not exceeding thirty (30) calendar days, (iv) due to war or national emergency, and (v) in accordance with the military leave policy of his Employing Company, or (4) a leave of absence in existence or commencing on or after December 15, 1993, which is taken in accordance with the family and medical leave policies of the employees Employing Company and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (P. L. 103-3) (Family/Medical Leave), including certain leaves for personal illness, family illness, birth or adoption, not exceeding six months. A leave of absence shall not be a Family/Medical Leave unless the employee returns to work at the conclusion of the Family/Medical Leave period or retires. For purposes of crediting Regular Hours of Service for scheduled holidays, vacations, and leaves of absence described above, the number of Regular Hours of Service as to an employee shall be the number of such employees regularly scheduled working hours during any such vacation, leave of absence, or scheduled holiday. Further, Regular Hours of Service shall be credited in accordance with now existing 29 CFR Sections 2530.200b-2(c) and 2530.200b-7(c).
In the case of those employees whose duties are deemed to be in a maritime industry and who are compensated on the basis of certain amounts for each day worked during a given period (i.e., a daily rate of pay), days of service shall be counted rather than Regular Hours of Service. One day of service shall be equal to eight (8) Regular Hours of Service with ninety-three (93) days of service being equated with seven hundred fifty (750) Regular Hours of Service for purposes of determining Participation Service.
The following guidelines shall be used in assessing whether an employee is in the maritime industry for purposes of measurement of service. An employee whose principal duties are performed on an offshore port, offshore oil tower, or similar site shall be deemed to be in the maritime industry. Duties performed on board any vessel operating on the various listed bodies of water relating to the conduct of such vessel shall be deemed to be in the maritime industry; however, an employee whose duties require him to travel from land to an offshore port or tower, or from an offshore port or tower to offshore port or tower shall not be deemed to be a person in the maritime industry unless his principal duties are performed on such vessel, port, or tower.
1.64 Salary Deferral: Contributions made to the Trust during the Plan Year by the Employer, at the election of the Member, in lieu of cash compensation. Such contributions shall consist of amounts equal to a specified percentage of a Members Compensation which a Member directs be deducted for each payroll period.
1.65 Senior Staff: A member of the senior management of a Participating Company, as defined in the Shell Pension Plan, who has been identified by any such company employing him or her as a member of its senior staff in accordance with such companys customary practices and procedures.
1.66 Surviving Beneficiary: An individual who is a surviving beneficiary of an Active Employee or of a Former Employee.
1.66a Testing Compensation: shall mean compensation within the meaning of Section IV of this Plan which relates to the limits under Section 415 of the Code, but excluding any amount in excess of the Annual Compensation Limit.
1.66a Tier III Funds: The investment options under Part III of Schedule C to the Plan Instrument.
1.67 Tier IV Funds: The investment options under Part IV of Schedule C to the Plan Instrument.
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1.68 Timely Notice or Timely Receipt with respect to notice of deferral directions: Notice given in the prescribed manner (as determined under Subsection 10.4 of the Plan Instrument) and received on or before the Payroll Closing Date for the payroll period or such other date as may be required by the Plan Administrator.
1.69 [ Intentionally left blank ]
1.70 Trust: The trust created under the Trust Agreement which is attached to and is part of the Plan Instrument; such Trust being for the purpose of holding, investing and distributing Plan assets under the Plan and which Trust is designed to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code.
1.71 Trustee: Any person serving as a Trustee under the terms of, or pursuant to, the Plan under the Trust Agreement.
1.72 Units: Units of participation representing a Members proportionate interest in an Optional Fund.
1.73 Valuation Date: A date on which accounts under the Plan are valued. Prior to June 1, 1996, Valuation Dates will be the last business day concurrent with or preceding the 15th day and the last day of each month and such other times as may be required by the Trustees. On and after June 1, 1996, a Valuation Date shall be any day, other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, and/or such other dates as may be required by the Trustees. In the case of purchases, redemptions, and/or valuations during periods of extreme market conditions, market closures, or illiquidity, the day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading shall be deemed to be the later of: (a) the day all securities markets resume normal trading; or (b) the day sufficient liquidity returns, in the judgment of the Investment Manager.
1.74 Valuation Period: (a) Prior to June 1, 1996, the periods which shall end on the 15th and last days of each month with Members Thrift Fund Accounts to be credited or debited, as the case may be, as of such dates; and (b) on and after June 1, 1996, each calendar month with Members Thrift Fund Accounts to be credited or debited as the case may be as of the last Valuation Date of each such month or, if there is no Valuation Date during such month, the last Valuation Date in the month or months immediately prior to such month.
1.75 Withdrawals: The Withdrawals as defined in Subsection 6.1 of the Plan Instrument.
SECTION II
PARTICIPATION IN THE PLAN
2.1 Eligibility to Participate: Any Employee shall be eligible to become a Member of the Plan on the Eligibility for Admission Date specified hereinbelow under the conditions of qualification set out in Subsection 2.2 below. On and after August 1, 1984 (the Original Effective Date), but prior to January 1, 1989, the Eligibility for Admission Date shall be the first day of the first Computation Period after the Employee has been credited with at least three (3) years of Participation Service. On and after January 1, 1989, the Eligibility for Admission Date shall be the first day of the first Computation Period after the Employee has been credited with at least one (1) year of Participation Service; provided, however, that effective July 1, 1996, the Eligibility for Admission Date shall be the first day on or after July 1, 1996, on which the Employee completes his first Regular Hour of Service with a Participating Company. An Employee shall be credited with one year of Participation Service for each Computation Period in which he is credited with 750 or more Regular Hours of Service (whether or not consecutive) with the Employing
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Company or an Affiliated Company. For purposes of the preceding sentence and Subsections 1.19 and 1.63 as they relate to the preceding sentence, Affiliated Company shall be as defined in Subsection 1.7, without regard to the proviso that substitutes the phrase more than 50 percent for the phrase at least 80 percent. Service with a predecessor employer shall be credited to an Employee as follows:
(a) in any case in which the Employing Company maintains a plan of a predecessor employer, service for such predecessor employer shall be treated as service for the Employing Company.
(b) in any case in which the Employing Company maintains a plan which is not the plan maintained by a predecessor employer, service for such predecessor employer shall (to the extent provided in regulations to be issued by the Secretary of Treasury, Secretary of Labor, or their delegates) be treated as service for the Employing Company.
In addition to the service crediting rules set out above, the service crediting rules below shall apply. The lesser of one year of service, or the actual number of years (including partial years) of service with an Affiliated Company shall be credited to an Employee as Participation Service, only where an Employing Company has employed the Employee pursuant to an agreement with the Affiliated Company, and the grant of prior service as Participation Service meets the requirements of Treasury Regulation section 1.401(a)(4)-11(d). For purposes of the preceding sentence and Subsections 1.19 and 1.63 as they relate to the preceding sentence, Affiliated Company shall be as defined in Subsection 1.7, except that the phrase more than 25 percent shall be substituted for the phrase more than 50 percent.
Where an employee of a Non-Participating Company becomes an Employee of a Participating Company after December 31, 1990 as a result of an asset or stock acquisition, merger, reorganization or other similar transaction, prior service credit may be granted pursuant to an agreement between one or more Participating Companies and the Non-Participating Company, as follows:
(c) a maximum of five (5) years prior service with the Non-Participating Company shall be credited to an Employee as Participation Service only where the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) a Participating Company has employed the Employee pursuant to an agreement with the Non-Participating Company;
(ii) with respect to each separate acquisition, merger, reorganization or other similar transaction, prior service credit is uniformly granted to all individuals becoming Employees pursuant to this sentence; and
(iii) the prior service credit granted is otherwise allowed by law;
or
(d) pursuant to an amendment to this Plan adopted after 1990.
For purposes of this paragraph, Non-Participating Company shall mean any corporation, trade, or business that is not a Participating Company.
If a Participating Company acquires the stock or assets of a business entity listed on Schedule A and, in connection with that acquisition, agrees or resolves to grant past service credit hereunder to an employee of the entity who, within a period of time specified in the agreement or resolution, becomes an Employee of the Participating Company, then the lesser of one year of service, or the actual number of years of service, with the acquired entity shall be credited to the Employee as Participation Service, provided such grant of past service credit is otherwise allowed by law.
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2.2 Qualification as a Member:
(a) Any Eligible Employee of a Participating Company whose application for membership, and Salary Deferral authorization, have been received by the Plan Administrator, or his agent, may qualify as a Member of the Plan as of the first day of the first payroll period that falls on or after the Original Effective Date, for which payroll period he shall have been compensated by a Participating Company after such application for membership has been received and he has satisfied the eligibility requirements of Subsection 2.1. For purposes of this Subsection 2.2(a), an Employees application for membership and Salary Deferral authorization shall be deemed to have been received before the first day of the first payroll period for which he shall be compensated by a Participating Company if they are received no later than the Payroll Closing Date for that payroll period.
(b) An Eligible Employee who has been admitted as a Member in accordance with the provisions of the Plan shall remain a Member until termination of his status as an Employee even though he may suspend his Salary Deferrals. Upon reemployment, as an Employee, a Former Member shall be immediately eligible for admission to the Plan and shall be admitted as a Member of the Plan upon reapplication for membership.
2.3 Leased Employees: Persons who are leased employees within the meaning of Section 414(n) of the Code shall not be eligible to participate in this Plan. In the event a leased employee becomes a Member covered by the Plan, prior hours of service performed as a leased employee shall be taken into account in determining Regular Hours of Service solely for the purpose of determining eligibility to participate and only if such prior hours of service were performed for the employing Participating Company or for: (a) a corporation that is a member of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1563(a)(1) of the Code, determined without regard to Sections 1563(a)(4) and (e)(3)(C) thereof) which includes the Participating Company employing the Member; or (b) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that is under common control (as defined in Section 414(c) of the Code and regulations thereunder) with the employing Participating Company.
SECTION III
CONTRIBUTIONS, INVESTMENT OPTIONS AND ACCOUNTS
3.1 Contribution:
(a) Employer Contributions: For each Plan Year, the Employer shall contribute an amount equal to the total amount of Contributions Elections for such Plan Year under Paragraph (b) of this Subsection. Contributions made by the Employer for a given Plan Year pursuant to Contribution Elections under Paragraph (b) of this Subsection shall be deposited in the Trust consistent with Subsection 3.7.
In addition, for each Plan Year, the Employer shall contribute an amount equal to the total amount of Contribution Additions for such Plan Year under Paragraph (c) of this Subsection.
(b) Contribution Elections: Members may specify an Applicable Percentage of the Members Compensation each payroll period as a Salary Deferral. Contributions to Accounts of Members will be directed into the optional funds as specified by the Member. Subject to the terms of the Plan: with respect to payroll periods having a Payroll Closing Date prior to July 16, 1996, the Applicable Percentages shall range from one percent (1%) to eleven percent (11%), in multiples of one percent (1%); and with respect to payroll periods having a Payroll Closing Date on or after July 16, 1996, but before January 1, 2002, the Applicable Percentages shall be any percentage, in increments of 1/2%, up to the maximum applicable to the Members period of Accredited Service, in accordance with the following schedule:
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(i) From the date of admission as a Member through the ninth year of Accredited Service up to a maximum of 16%, and
(ii) During the tenth and succeeding years of Accredited Service up to a maximum of 11% with respect to payroll periods having a Payroll Closing Date on or after July 16, 1996, but before January 1, 1998, and up to a maximum of 15% with respect to payroll periods having a Payroll Closing Date on or after January 1, 1998, but before January 1, 2002.
Subject to the terms of the Plan: with respect to payroll periods having a Payroll Closing Date on or after January 1, 2002, the Applicable Percentages shall be any percentage from a minimum of 1% up to a maximum of 25%, in increments of 1/2%.
An Employee shall be credited with one year of Accredited Service for each Computation Period in which he is credited with the number of Regular Hours of Service (whether or not consecutive) at least equal to the number of Regular Hours of Service which constitute his Full Time Work Year. An Employee shall be credited with a fraction of a year of Accredited Service for each Computation Period in which he is credited with a number of such hours which is not at least equal to his Full Time Work Year. Determination of the credit for a fraction of a year of Accredited Service shall be made by Shell Oil Company in a manner which shall utilize the number of Regular Hours of Service credited within such Computation Period in computing the numerator of such fraction and the number of Regular Hours of Service in the appropriate Full Time Work Year for such Employee in computing the denominator of such fraction.
From and after June 1, 1996, and prior to January 1, 2003, Members may affirmatively elect an Applicable Percentage which shall apply to amounts received pursuant to an incentive compensation plan listed on Schedule B, and any such Applicable Percentage may be different from the Applicable Percentage which applies to all other amounts received as compensation. From and after January 1, 2003, Members may affirmatively elect an Applicable Percentage which shall apply to amounts received under a variable pay program (sometimes also referred to as an incentive compensation program) established by a Contributing Company so long as such program is not listed on Part Two of Schedule B, and any such Applicable Percentage may be different from the Applicable Percentage which applies to all other amounts received as compensation. In the absence of an affirmative election with respect to amounts received pursuant to such an incentive compensation plan or variable pay program, the Applicable Percentage therefor shall be zero for Employees who became Members on or after June 1, 1996, and for all other Employees shall be the Applicable Percentage which applied to the Members regular compensation on June 1, 1996.
Where the Members Salary Deferrals reach the limits under Subsection 3.5, the Plan Administrator may notify the plan administrator of the Shell Provident Fund and of each other defined contribution plan of Affiliates so that employee contributions thereunder may automatically begin or change in accordance with any prior election of the Member. Directions of Salary Deferrals shall be effective as of the first day of the Members payroll period which next falls after Timely Notice of such election to the Plan Administrator or his agent; provided, however, where a regulatory body closes a principal securities exchange on which securities are traded, the posting of Salary Deferrals may be delayed until normal trading resumes in all securities markets.
No benefits provided by the Employing Company or a Controlled Group Company, shall be conditioned directly or indirectly upon the Members making or not making Salary Deferrals hereunder.
(c) Contribution Additions: For each Plan Year, any Participating Company may make an additional contribution to the Plan that it may determine is appropriate to reimburse the Trust for administration expenses where the Plan Administrator, based on all relevant facts and circumstances, requests reimbursement, and the Company determines the administration expenses are not appropriate for recovery from certain Members, Former Members or Beneficiaries. Each Contribution Addition shall be with respect to the Plan Year and shall be allocated to the Accounts of the Members that are affected by the administration
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expenses for which the Trust is being reimbursed by that contribution. Consistent with the preceding sentence, the Plan Administrator shall periodically notify the Trustees of the Contribution Additions which shall be paid to the Trust no later than the time prescribed by law for filing the federal income tax return of the Participating Company, including extensions thereof. For purposes of the limitations under Subsection 4.2, each Contribution Addition shall be allocated to the Accounts of the Members that are affected by the administration expenses for which the Trust is being reimbursed by that contribution.
3.2 Coordination of Contribution Rates: For Plan Years beginning prior to January 1, 1998, if a Member is receiving company contributions under the Shell Provident Fund and any other defined contribution plans of Affiliates (collectively referred to as SPF) of ten percent (10%), then the Members elected rate of employee contributions thereunder together with the Members elected rate of Salary Deferrals hereunder shall not exceed eleven percent (11%). If a Member is receiving company contributions under the SPF of five percent (5%), then the Members elected rate of employee contributions thereunder together with the Members elected rate of Salary Deferrals hereunder shall not exceed sixteen percent (16%). If a Member is receiving Company contributions under the Coral Energy Services, LLC Savings Plan of three percent (3%), then the Members elected rate of employee contributions thereunder together with the Members elected rate of Salary Deferrals hereunder shall not exceed sixteen percent (16%). If a Member is receiving company contributions under the SPF of two and one-half percent (21/2%), then the Members elected rate of employee contributions thereunder together with the Members elected rate of Salary Deferrals hereunder shall not exceed eighteen percent (18%) for payroll periods closing prior to July 16, 1996, or eighteen and one-half percent (181/2%) for payroll periods closing on and after July 16, 1996, but before January 1, 1998. If a Member is receiving no company contributions under the SPF then, for payroll periods closing on and after July 16, 1996, but before January 1, 1998, the Members elected rate of employee contributions thereunder together with the Members elected rate of Salary Deferrals hereunder shall not exceed twenty-one percent (21%).
For Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 1998, but before January 1, 2002, if a Member is receiving company contributions under the SPF of ten percent (10%), then the Members elected rate of employee contributions thereunder together with the Members elected rate of Salary Deferrals hereunder shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%). If a Member is receiving company contributions under the SPF of five percent (5%), then the Members elected rate of employee contributions thereunder together with the Members elected rate of Salary Deferrals hereunder shall not exceed twenty percent (20%). If a Member is receiving company contributions under the Coral Energy Services, LLC Savings Plan of three percent (3%), then the Members elected rate of employee contributions thereunder together with the Members elected rate of Salary Deferrals hereunder shall not exceed twenty-two percent (22%). If a Member is receiving company contributions under the SPF of two and one-half percent (21/2%), then the Members elected rate of employee contributions thereunder together with the Members elected rate of Salary Deferrals hereunder shall not exceed twenty-two and one-half percent (221/2 %). If a Member is receiving no company contributions under the SPF, then the Members elected rate of employee contributions thereunder together with the Members elected rate of Salary Deferrals hereunder shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%).
This Subsection 3.2 shall not apply to Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2002.
3.3 Change of Election of Contribution: A Members Salary Deferral direction for Contributions shall be effective until canceled or changed by the Member notifying the Plan Administrator or his agent, which cancellation or change shall be effective as of the first day of the Members payroll period which next falls after Timely Notice to the Plan Administrator or his agent; provided, the Plan Administrator shall amend or revoke a Members Salary Deferral direction to the extent necessary to satisfy the limits specified in Subsections 3.5, 4.2 and the limits on the deductibility of Contributions specified in Section 404(a) of the Code. Where a regulatory body closes a principal securities exchange on which securities are traded, the posting of Salary Deferrals may be delayed until normal trading resumes in all securities markets.
3.4 Investment Options:
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(a) Each Member shall direct that the entire amount of Contributions made on his behalfand each Member and each Beneficiary shall direct the entire amount of any dividends or other distributions credited to the Account of the Member or Beneficiary in respect of his or her Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund Accountbe invested in one or more of the Optional Funds then offered under the Plan in multiples of one percent (1%); provided, however, where a regulatory body closes a principal securities exchange on which securities are traded, the posting of Contributions may be delayed until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Prior to June 1, 1996, directions shall be effective as of the first day of the Members payroll period which next falls after Timely Notice to the Plan Administrator. On and after June 1, 1996, an investment direction shall be effective: (1) on the day it is actually received provided it is received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or (2) on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which it is actually received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, an investment direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to purchases, an investment direction to the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund shall not become effective prior to the time that the Investment Manager reopens the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund. Where market conditions permit, the Investment Manager shall invest temporarily Contributions relating to a suspended direction in the Thrift Fund. A Member or Beneficiary shall be responsible for following up in order to ensure that his or her investment directions were acted upon and were carried out in accordance with his or her express instructions, and that, in the case of a Member, any Contributions related to a suspended direction were redirected in accordance with the Members standing investment direction once the conditions that precipitated the suspension were resolved. An investment direction directing Contributions or dividends into an Optional Fund, once given, shall remain effective until changed by subsequent direction or until, in the case of a Member, the Members termination of employment.
(b) Each Member, Nonseparated Member, Former Member, or Qualified Beneficiary may direct that any portion of his Account shall be transferred between Optional Funds by giving directions to the Plan Administrator as follows:
(1) Each direction shall state the amount or percentage to be transferred, the Optional Fund from which the transfer is to be made, and each Optional Fund to which an amount or percentage is to be transferred.
(2) Directions as to a transfer to any Optional Fund given in the prescribed manner (as determined by Subsection 10.4 of the Plan Instrument) shall be effective on the day it is actually received provided it is received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which it is actually received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. During periods of extreme market conditions, market closures, or illiquidity, a transfer direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to purchases and/or redemptions, or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loan, Withdrawal, and distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, as well as all Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund redemption requests, then any directions to redeem Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units and any directions to purchase or redeem units of other Optional Funds which purchases or redemptions are dependent in whole or in part on redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units, shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor in the aggregate all such Loan, Withdrawal, and distribution requests and all Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund redemptions received previously or simultaneously. A Member or Beneficiary shall be responsible for following
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up in order to ensure that his or her transfer directions were acted upon and were carried out in accordance with his or her express instructions.
An investment direction directing a transfer between Optional Funds, once given, shall remain effective unless canceled in a timely manner; provided, however, that
(3) in the case of a transfer direction directing an exchange among two or more Fidelity Select Portfolio funds exclusively, no transfer direction may be canceled or modified after the first hour the Fidelity Select Portfolio is valued, and no proceeds from any such exchange can be redirected prior to the close of the Valuation Date on which the exchange direction takes effect;
(4) in the case of a transfer direction directing an exchange from a Fidelity Select Portfolio to an Optional Fund other than another Fidelity Select Portfolio, no transfer direction may be canceled or modified after the first hour the Fidelity Select Portfolio is valued, and no proceeds from any such exchange can be redirected prior to the close of the Valuation Date on which the exchange direction takes effect; and
(5) in the case of any other transfer direction, no such transfer direction may be canceled or modified, and no proceeds from any such exchange can be redirected, after the close of the Valuation Date on which the exchange direction takes effect.
Dividends in the form of cash, stock dividends, and the proceeds of any other distributions received by the Investment Manager in respect of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund shall be credited to the Members or Beneficiaries Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund Accounts on the date of payment thereof if received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading or on the Valuation Date next succeeding the date on which the payment is received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; provided, however, that where a Member who is an Employee is not directing any current investments in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, amounts representing such dividends and other proceeds shall be credited in accordance with such Members investment election; provided, further, that on and after July 16, 1996, where a Member or Beneficiary has a balance in his or her Royal Dutch Stock Fund Account or Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund Account, amounts representing such dividends and other proceeds shall be credited to the Members or Beneficiarys Royal Dutch Stock Fund Account or Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund Account, as applicable, unless, in the case of a Member, the Member, whether or not a current Employee, affirmatively elects to have such amounts invested in accordance with the Members then current or most recent investment election. Where by virtue of the summary plan description or otherwise, the Member is informed or otherwise aware that the Member has a right to invest dividends or other proceeds in respect of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund in accordance with such Members then current or most recent investment election and moreover, that failure to make a valid investment direction shall be treated as a direction to invest such dividends or other proceeds in respect of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, then the Members failure to direct dividends or other proceeds in respect of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund shall be deemed an exercise of the Members control and discretion to invest the same in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund.
Salary Deferrals as to which no valid investment direction is in effect shall be returned to the Member. Where an Optional Fund terminates or withdraws from the Fund, a Member or Beneficiary who has a balance in such Optional Fund shall redirect that balance among the remaining Optional Funds. Where the Member or Beneficiary fails to make a valid investment redirection, such balance shall be placed in the Thrift Fund. Where by virtue of the summary plan description or otherwise, the Member or Beneficiary is informed or otherwise aware that he or she has a right to redirect a balance from a terminated or withdrawn Optional Fund among the remaining Optional Funds and moreover, that failure to make a valid investment redirection shall be treated as a direction to reinvest such balance in the Thrift Fund, then any failure to
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redirect the balance from a terminated or withdrawn Optional Fund shall be deemed an exercise of the Members or Beneficiarys control and discretion to invest such balance in the Thrift Fund.
(c) The assets allocated to Accounts may be invested in or transferred to one or more Optional Funds which shall include: (1) the Lifestyle Funds and the Core Funds; (2) the Fidelity Mutual Funds; (3) the Mutual Fund Window; and (4) such eligible investment company funds as from time to time shall constitute the Fidelity Select Portfolios. A fund known as the Loan Fund shall be created by the Trustee for each Borrower to whom a Loan is made pursuant to Section 6.3 of the Plan. A Loan Fund shall consist of investments in notes made by the Borrower evidencing the promised repayment of monies loaned to the Borrower from the Plan. The value of each Loan Fund shall reflect the outstanding amount of the face value of notes made by the Borrower.
Each of the Core Funds may retain cash on deposit, or purchase short-term investments in keeping with the description of the particular Core Fund, in the amount necessary for the proper administration of the Core Fund, including for purposes of the payment of expenses or other anticipated distributions or pending the purchase of longer term investments suitable for the particular Core Fund.
(d) As to each of the Optional Funds, a separate account shall be kept for each Member. In general, each Members Account shall also be divided between Salary Deferrals and qualified non-elective contributions and salary deferrals from other qualified plans (Salary Deferral Account), Catch-Up Contributions as defined in Subsection 12.8 of the Plan and catch-up contributions from other qualified plans (Catch-Up Contribution Account), company contributions, including matching contributions, transferred from other qualified plans that allow for in-service distributions of such assets before the Member attains 591/2 years of age (Prior Plan Company Contribution Account), company contributions, including matching contributions, transferred from other qualified plans that do not allow for in-service distributions of such assets before the Member attains 591/2 years of age (Company Contribution Account), employee after-tax contributions transferred from other qualified plans (Prior Plan Member After-Tax Account), rollovers transferred from the other qualified plans (Prior Plan Rollover Account), and after-tax rollovers transferred from other qualified plans (Prior Plan After-Tax Rollover Account). Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, all references to a Members Account or account shall include all of these subaccounts. The term Member as used in this Subsection 3.4(d) shall include any Member, Nonseparated Member, Former Member, Qualified Beneficiary, or any alternate payee, within the meaning of section 206(d)(3)(K) of ERISA, who has investments in one or more Optional Funds.
(e) Appropriate entries shall be made to each Members Thrift Account to reflect (1) credits for the amounts paid in or transferred to the Thrift Fund by or on behalf of the Member, including a proportionate part of the interest, gains realized and other income allocated to the Thrift Fund, (2) debits in accordance with any withdrawals, distributions, losses realized, or transfers to another Optional Fund, and (3) a proportionate part of any expenses charged against the Thrift Fund, which may be either direct debits or amounts netted in credit entries, thereby showing the amount standing to the Members credit in his Thrift Account.
(f) Except as set forth in Subsection 3.4(e) hereinabove with respect to the Thrift Account, this Subsection 3.4(f) shall govern accounting under each of the Optional Funds. Each of a Members Optional Fund Accounts shall be divided into units of participation (Units) and the proportionate interest of each Member who has accrued assets in that Account shall be evidenced by the number and fractions of Units credited to such Account. Units shall be valued, except as set forth in Subsection 3.4(g) hereinbelow, as of the close of each Valuation Date, and may be split or combined, in the discretion of the investment manager to facilitate administration. Appropriate entries shall be made to each of a Members Accounts to reflect (1) the amounts paid in or transferred to the corresponding Optional Fund by or on behalf of the Member, (2) the allocation of Units to that Account, (3) redemptions and transfers to another Optional Fund, (4) withdrawals and distributions in accordance with the Plan, and (5) a proportionate part of any expenses charged against the Optional Fund as provided by, in the case of Eligible Investment Company Funds, its prospectus and applicable law, thereby showing the number of Units standing to his credit in that Account.
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(g) Units of the Fidelity Select Portfolios shall be valued hourly throughout the Valuation Date, or as otherwise provided in the prospectus for each such Fidelity Select Portfolio.
(h) A Member or Beneficiary may lose exchange privileges under an Eligible Investment Company Fund, consistent with the prospectus thereof, for trading that the Investment Manager determines is excessive or that adversely impacts effective management of an Optional Fund in accordance with its stated investment objectives and policies or that would otherwise potentially be adverse to the interests of Members and Beneficiaries who are long-term investors.
3.5 Reduction of Contributions by Plan Administrator:
(a) Except as provided in Subsection 12.7, an Eligible Employee shall not be permitted to have Salary Deferrals made under this Plan during any taxable year of such Eligible Employee in excess of $7,000 multiplied by the Adjustment Factor.
(b) The Average Actual Deferral Percentage for Eligible Employees who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year shall not exceed the greater of:
(i) the general limitation which is the Average Actual Deferral Percentage for Eligible Employees who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year multiplied by 1.25; or
(ii) the alternative limitation which is the Average Actual Deferral Percentage for Eligible Employees who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year multiplied by two (2), provided that the Average Actual Deferral Percentage for Eligible Employees who are Highly Compensated Employees does not exceed the Average Actual Deferral Percentage for Eligible Employees who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees by more than two (2) percentage points.
Except as provided in Subsection 12.6, consistent with Department of Treasury regulation 1.401(m)-2, the prohibition against the multiple use of the alternative limitation in (b)(ii) above shall be satisfied under the Shell Provident Fund and any other defined contribution plan of Affiliates instead of this Plan.
(c) The Actual Deferral Percentage for any Eligible Employee who is a Highly Compensated Employee for the Plan Year and who is a participant under two or more qualified cash or deferred arrangements that are maintained by the Employer or a Controlled Group Company shall be determined as if all such salary deferrals were made under this Plan.
(d) [ deleted ]
(e) The determination and treatment of the Salary Deferrals and Actual Deferral Percentage of any Eligible Employee shall satisfy such other requirements as may be prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury.
(f) The Company shall monitor the amount of Salary Deferrals and shall advise the Plan Administrator to effect whatever prospective reductions to the Salary Deferrals of Eligible Employees are necessary or advisable to comply with the limits of this Subsection 3.5.
(g) If the Plan Administrator prospectively reduces the specified percentage of Salary Deferrals of Highly Compensated Employees, he shall do so in the order of their specified percentages beginning with the highest of such percentages. If the Plan Administrator determines that the reduction in effect is no longer necessary or advisable, he may increase the Salary Deferral percentages of all Highly Compensated Employees, who had their percentages reduced, in the reverse order of their specified percentages beginning
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with the lowest of such percentages and continuing until the original Salary Deferral percentages of all such Highly Compensated Employees have been restored or until the Plan Administrator determines that no further increases are advisable, whichever occurs first. All reductions or increases of Salary Deferral percentages hereunder shall be in multiples of one-half percent (1/2%). The Salary Deferral percentages of such Highly Compensated Employees may be reduced to zero.
(h) When reducing or increasing the specified Salary Deferral percentages of Highly Compensated Employees, the Plan Administrator shall treat all Highly Compensated Employees having the same specified percentages in effect in the same manner.
(i) Any action taken by the Plan Administrator under this Subsection 3.5 may be taken without the consent of, or prior notice to, the affected Members, but such Members shall be promptly informed in writing of the Plan Administrators action.
3.6 Plan Year Basis for Computations: For purposes of applying the ADP Limit, Testing Compensation shall be computed on an entire Plan Year basis and the Plan elects to compute Testing Compensation using the current Plan Year at the time the ADP Limit is applied. Reductions and increases made to satisfy such limitations shall not affect persons who are not then Eligible Employees. Where limitations are computed prior to the end of a Plan Year, the Plan Administrator may estimate or project Testing Compensation. The Plan may elect to include in a persons Testing Compensation only compensation received while such person was eligible to participate in this Plan, provided the election is applied uniformly to all employees eligible under the Plan for the Plan Year.
3.7 Time of Contributions: Contributions to the Trust to be credited to Members Accounts shall ordinarily be made by the respective Participating Companies at the end of each pay period. In no event shall Contributions be made to the Trust later than ninety (90) days after such amounts would otherwise have been payable to the Member in cash; provided, however, where a regulatory body closes a principal securities exchange or which securities are traded, the posting on contributions may be delayed until normal trading resumes in all securities markets.
3.8 Accounts Statements, Liquidation of Optional Fund Accounts:
(a) The Plan will furnish to each Member within a reasonable time after the close of each three-month period a statement regarding his Accounts which will reflect the amounts and/or Units standing to his credit as of the close of the preceding three-month period and will specify all Contributions, payments made on Loans (as to principal and interest), debits, and distributions for the period, and the balance owed on any Loan outstanding at the end of the preceding period. Such statements shall be deemed to be accepted as correct if no written objection shall have been made to the Plan Administrator within sixty (60) days after the date of rendering. Records of valuations of the Plans funds shall be prepared and preserved in such manner and within such time after each Valuation Date as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator.
(b) If a Member has credits in his Optional Fund Account upon termination of service as an Employee or upon the occurrence of any other event giving rise to a distribution to the Member, a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary of a deceased Member or Former Member (if a deferral is in effect or is timely elected by the Qualified Beneficiary), the Optional Fund Units standing to the credit of the Member or Former Member shall be redeemed at the close of the Valuation Date which falls on the date of the Plan Administrators receipt of a proper distribution request (as determined under Subsection 10.4) from the Member, the Former Member or the Qualified Beneficiary, as the case may be, if received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading or on the Valuation Date next succeeding the date on which such request is received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. In all other cases, the units standing to the credit of the Optional Fund Account of a Member or Former Member shall be redeemed as of the Valuation Date which falls on or next succeeds the termination of the Members service or the occurrence of
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any other event giving rise to a distribution from the Fund (including the death of the Member or Former Member), or the date of receipt of notice thereof by the Plan Administrator, whichever is later. Notwithstanding anything hereinabove to the contrary, this Subsection 3.8(b) is subject to the provisions of Subsection 7.1(b) concerning automatic deferrals. During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, a direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to redemptions or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loan, Withdrawal, and distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, then directions to redeem units of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund and/or directions to redeem other Optional Funds units which redemptions are dependent in whole or in part upon redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loans, Withdrawals, and distributions involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund.
3.9 Distribution of Excess Deferral Amounts:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Excess Deferral Amount made by a Member, and any income allocable thereto, shall be distributed no later than the first April 15 following the close of the Members taxable year in which the Excess Deferral Amount arose or as soon as administratively feasible after an Excess Deferral Amount is detected by any monitoring system maintained by a Participating Company, to the Member claiming such Excess Deferral Amount under this Plan.
(b) The Members claim shall be in writing, shall be submitted to the Plan Administrator no later than the first March 1 following the close of the Members taxable year in which the Excess Deferral Amount arose, shall specify the Members Excess Deferral Amount for such taxable year, and shall be accompanied by the Members written statement that if such amounts are not distributed, then such Salary Deferralstogether with amounts deferred pursuant to other qualified cash or deferred arrangements under Section 401(k) of the Code, simplified employee pension plans under Section 408(k) of the Code, and tax-sheltered annuity contracts under Section 403(b) of the Codeexceed the limit imposed on the Member by Subsection 3.5(a) for the taxable year in which the Salary Deferrals occurred.
(c) In the case of any Excess Deferral Amounts which arise under this Plan by virtue of the failure of any monitoring system maintained by a Participating Company, the Plan Administrator shall be empowered to submit a claim on behalf of, and in the name of, the Member and such claim shall be deemed to be the claim of such Member for all intents and purposes. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to assume that a Members taxable year is the calendar year unless the Member has previously advised the Plan Administrator otherwise, in writing.
(d) The Excess Deferral Amount for the taxable year which would otherwise be distributed to the participant shall be reduced, in accordance with Department of Treasury regulations, by the Excess Contributions previously distributed to the participant for the Plan Year beginning in that taxable year.
3.10 Distribution of Excess Contributions:
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan, Excess Contributions and any income allocable thereto shall be distributed after the Plan Year in which the Excess Contributions arose, but no later than March 15 of each Plan Year beginning after December 31, 1987, to participants on whose behalf such Excess Contributions were made for the preceding Plan Year. The total amount of Excess Contributions for the Highly Compensated Employees for a Plan Year shall be distributed as follows: The Salary Deferrals of the Highly Compensated Employees with the highest dollar amount shall be reduced by the amount required to cause their Salary Deferrals to equal the lesser of (i) the dollar amount of the Salary Deferrals of the Highly Compensated Employees with the next highest dollar amount of Salary Deferrals, or (ii) the
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amount, when added to the total dollar amount already distributed under this process, would equal the total amount of Excess Contributions. This amount shall be distributed to the Highly Compensated Employees for which a reduction was applied. The procedure described in the preceding sentence shall be repeated until the Plan distributes the total Excess Contributions of the Highly Compensated Employees, thereby satisfying the ADP limit.
(b) The income allocable to Excess Contributions in Subsection 3.10(b) shall be the sum of the allocable gain or loss for the Plan Year in which such Excess Contributions arose, and the allocable gain or loss for the period between the end of such Plan Year and the date of distribution, determined in accordance with Department of Treasury regulation 1.401(k)-1.
(c) The Excess Contributions for the Plan Year which would otherwise be distributed to the participant shall be reduced, in accordance with Department of Treasury regulations, by the Excess Deferral Amounts previously distributed to the participant for the taxable year ending in that Plan Year.
3.11 Mandatory Disaggregation:
(a) For purposes of Subsections 3.5(b) through (i), 3.6, and 3.10, except for the determination of Highly Compensated Employee and Nonhighly Compensated Employee, the portion of the Plan that benefits Employees who are included in a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement is treated as a separate plan from the portion of the Plan that benefits Employees who are not so covered.
(b) For Plan Years beginning before January 1, 1993, the portion of the Plan that benefits Employees who are included in a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement is treated as satisfying Subsection 3.5(b).
3.12 Allocating Redemptions: A Member or Beneficiary may allocate redemptions among his or her Optional Fund Accounts. Where by virtue of the summary plan description or otherwise, the Member or Beneficiary is informed or otherwise aware that he or she has the right to allocate redemptions to his or her Optional Fund Accounts and moreover, that the failure to make a valid allocation shall be treated as a direction to allocate the redemptions to the Optional Funds Accounts on a pro rata basis, then the Members or Beneficiarys failure to allocate redemptions properly shall be deemed an exercise of his or her control and discretion to allocate the redemption to his or her Optional Fund Accounts on a pro rata basis.
SECTION IV
CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS ON CONTRIBUTIONS
4.1 Contributions With Respect to Profits:
(a) On and after January 1, 1988, Contributions to the Trust for accounts of Members under the Plan shall be made without regard to the existence or extent of current or accumulated earnings or profits, unless an Employing Company elects otherwise with respect to its Eligible Employees. Notwithstanding the elimination of the profits requirement, this Plan is designed to be a profit-sharing plan.
(b) Prior to January 1, 1988, Contributions to the Trust for accounts of Members under the Plan shall only be made by a Participating Company out of its current or accumulated earnings or profits. If any such Company forming, together with one or more other Participating Companies, an affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code, is prevented from making Contributions which it would otherwise have made under the Plan by reason of having no current or accumulated earnings or profits or because such
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earnings or profits are less than the Contributions which it would otherwise have made, then so much of the Contributions which such Participating Company was so prevented from making, may be made for the benefit of the Members employed by such Participating Company by the other Participating Companies forming such affiliated group, to the extent of current or accumulated earnings or profits, except that such Contributions by each such other Participating Company shall be limited, where such group does not file a consolidated return, to that proportion of its total current and accumulated earnings or profits remaining after adjustment for its Contribution made (without regard to this sentence) which the total prevented Contributions bear to the total current and accumulated earnings or profits of all the Members of such group remaining after adjustment for all Contributions made (without regard to this sentence).
4.2 Limitations Under Section 415 of the Code:
(a) Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary except as provided in Subsection 12.3, the maximum Contribution permitted to be paid into the Trust on behalf of a Member and the amount of Contributions allocated or reallocated to the Account of any Member for a Plan Year, shall not exceed the lesser of:
(i) Thirty Thousand Dollars ($30,000); or
(ii) 25 percent (25%) of the compensation of the Member for the calendar year.
(b) Aggregate contributions by or on behalf of a Member to this Plan and other defined contribution plans of the Participating and Affiliated Companies shall not exceed the limitations of Subsection 4.2(a) for any Plan Year. If reduction of such aggregate contributions is necessary to meet these requirements for any Plan Year, contributions to such other defined contribution plans shall be reduced prior to reduction of Contributions under this Plan. For the 1984 calendar year, contributions to such other defined contribution plans made for periods prior to August 1, 1984 shall not be reduced in favor of Contributions to this Plan.
(c) To the extent the amount of Contributions would otherwise exceed the amounts described in Paragraph (a) of this Subsection, the amounts permitted to be credited to a Members Account shall be reduced to the extent necessary.
(d) If the limitation under this Subsection 4.2(d) is applicable as described in Subsection 4.2(l), and if a Member of this Plan also is or has been a participant in a defined benefit plan to which plan contributions have been made by the Employer or an Affiliated Company, then in addition to the limitation contained in Paragraph (a) of this Subsection, the sum of the Defined Benefit Plan Fraction and the Defined Contribution Plan Fraction for any Plan Year shall not exceed 1.0. To satisfy the limitation of this Paragraph (d), Contributions to this Plan shall be reduced only after benefit accruals under such a defined benefit plan have been reduced to zero. Where a Member has participated in a defined benefit plan of any of the Participating or Affiliated Companies, which plan satisfied the requirements of Section 415 of the Code for the last year beginning before January 1, 1987, and where the sum of the Defined Benefit Plan Fraction and the Defined Contribution Plan Fraction exceeds 1.0, then an amount shall be subtracted from the numerator of the Defined Contribution Plan Fraction (not exceeding such numerator) so that the sum of the Defined Benefit Plan Fraction and the Defined Contribution Plan Fraction does not exceed 1.0 for such year, as described under the relevant transitional rule under the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
(e) To the extent the provisions of Paragraph (d) of this Subsection would otherwise be violated, the amount allocated or reallocated to a Members Account for the Plan Year shall be further reduced to the extent necessary, as determined by the Plan Administrator, to prevent disqualification of the Plan under Section 415 of the Code.
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(f) For purposes of the limitations contained in this Subsection, all defined contribution plans (whether or not terminated) of the Employer shall be treated as one defined contribution plan. Similarly, all defined benefit plans (whether or not terminated) of the Employer shall be treated as one defined benefit plan for these purposes.
(g) If, due to a reasonable error in calculating a Members annual compensation, a reasonable error in determining the amount of elective deferrals (within the meaning of Code Section 402(g)(3)) that may be made with respect to any individual under the limits of Code Section 415, or due to such other facts and circumstances as may justify the availability of this special rule, as determined by the Internal Revenue Service, the Annual Additions to the Members Account under this Plan and under any other defined contribution plan maintained by an Employer exceed the limitations set forth in this Subsection, then the aggregate of the Annual Additions to this Plan and the Annual Additions to any other defined contribution plan referred to in Paragraph (f) of this Subsection shall be reduced, until the applicable limitation is satisfied by reducing the aggregate amount. Such reduction shall take place through a refund of any contributions made by the Member to any other defined contribution plan, which contributions would be aggregated with the Annual Additions to this Plan, together with earnings thereon, under Paragraph (f) of this Subsection.
(h) If, after the reductions provided in Paragraph (g) of this Subsection, there remains an excess of Annual Additions, such excess amounts in a Members Account shall be treated in accordance with any one of the following three methods:
(1) Such excess amounts in a Members Account shall be used to reduce employer contributions for the next Plan Year (and succeeding Plan Years, as necessary) for that Member if that Member is covered by the plan of the employer as of the end of the Plan Year. However, if that Member is not covered by the plan of the employer as of the end of the Plan Year, then the excess amounts must be held unallocated in a suspense account for the Plan Year and allocated and reallocated in the next Plan Year to all of the remaining Members Accounts in the plan. Furthermore, the excess amounts must be used to reduce employer contributions for the next Plan Year (and succeeding Plan Years, as necessary) for all of the remaining Members in the plan. Excess amounts may not be distributed to Members or Former Members.
(2) Such excess amounts in a Members Account shall be allocated and reallocated to other Members Accounts. However, if that allocation or reallocation causes the limitations of Code Section 415 to be exceeded with respect to each Member for the Plan Year, the remaining excess amounts must be held unallocated in a suspense account for the Plan Year and allocated and reallocated in the next Plan Year to all of the Members Accounts. Furthermore, the excess amounts must be used to reduce employer contributions for the next Plan Year (and succeeding Plan Years, as necessary) for all of the Members in the Plan. Excess amounts may not be distributed to Members or Former Members.
(3) Such excess amounts in a Members Account shall be held unallocated in a suspense account for the Plan Year, and allocated and reallocated in the next Plan Year (and succeeding Plan Years, as necessary) to all of the Members Accounts. The excess amounts so allocated and reallocated must be used to reduce employer contributions for the next Plan Year (and succeeding Plan Years, as necessary) for all of the Members in the Plan. Excess amounts may not be distributed to Members or Former Members.
(4) If any excess of Annual Additions still remains after methods (1), (2), or (3) above have been applied to other defined contribution plans and before any of those methods are applied to the Plan, the Plan shall distribute to the Member an amount equal to the lesser of the remaining excess of Annual Additions or the Members accumulated Salary Deferral (after reduction for the distribution of Excess Deferral and Excess Contribution amounts under Subsections 3.9 and 3.10). The Plan shall also distribute any gains attributable to the distributed Salary deferral amounts.
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(i) If such reduction of employer contributions as provided in Paragraph (h) of this Subsection is necessary for any Plan Year, reduction of employer contributions for other defined contribution plans shall take place prior to reductions with respect to this Plan.
(j) If a suspense account is in existence at any time during the Plan Year in accordance with this Subsection, investment gains and losses and other income shall not be allocated to the suspense account. If the treatment described in this Subsection 4.2 is necessary, such treatment shall be performed on the plans in the following order:
(i) plans other than those referred to in (ii) and (iii) below;
(ii) the Shell Provident Fund;
(iii) this Plan.
(k) The Plan Administrator shall notify the Member and the Participating Company if the limitation on Contributions or allocation or reallocation of Contributions to such Members Account for any Plan Year is affected by the limitations set forth in this Subsection.
(l) The limitation described in Subsection 4.2(d) shall apply to payments under the Shell Pension Plan, except that it shall not apply to payments under the Shell Pension Plan, to the extent provided in the following described circumstances:
(i) Except as provided in Subsection 4.2(l)(iii) below, in the case of any Employee or former Employee who has ever been a member of the Senior Staff, the limitation described in Subsection 4.2(d) shall not be applicable to payments under the Shell Pension Plan commencing on or after January 1, 2002; and
(ii) Except as provided in Subsection 4.2(l)(iii) below, in the case of any Employee or former Employee who has never been a member of the Senior Staff, the limitation described in Subsection 4.2(d) shall not be applicable to payments under the Shell Pension Plan commencing on or after January 1, 2000.
(iii) The limitation described in Subsection 4.2(d) shall continue to apply: (1) to any Shell Pension Plan participant whose payments under the Shell Pension Plan commenced prior to January 1, 2000; and (2) in all events to the extent any Shell Pension Plan participant has received a lump sum (or to the extent such participants election to receive a lump sum payment has been honored) under the Shell Oil Company Benefit Restoration Plan or any other non-tax qualified defined benefit plan of the employer which included or includes an amount attributable to the amount of such benefit which was not paid or payable under the Shell Pension Plan on account of the limitation under Section 415(e) of the Code as it was in effect at the time of such election.
4.3 Definitions: For purposes of Subsection 4.2, the term:
(a) Annual Additions means the sum for any Plan Year of
(i) Contributions to the Trust and employer contributions to other defined contribution plans, and
(ii) employee contributions to other defined contribution plans.
(b) Compensation is defined as follows:
(i) Compensation includes:
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(A) The Members wages, salaries, fees for professional service and other amounts received for personal services actually rendered in the course of employment with an Employer (including, but not limited to, commissions paid salesmen, compensation for services on the basis of a percentage of profits, commissions on insurance premiums, tips and bonuses).
(B) For purposes of (A) above, earned income from sources outside the United States (as defined in Sec. 911(b) of the Code), whether or not excludable from gross income under Sec. 911 of the Code or deductible under Sec. 913 of the Code.
(C) Amounts described in Sections 104(a)(3), 105(a), and 105(h) of the Code, but only to the extent that these amounts are includable in the gross income of the Member.
(D) Amounts described in Section 105(d) of the Code whether or not these amounts are excludable from the gross income of the Member under that Section.
(E) Amounts paid or reimbursed by the Employer for moving expenses incurred by a Member, but only to the extent that these amounts are not deductible by the Member under Section 217 of the Code.
(F) The value of a non-qualified stock option granted to a Member by the Employer, but only to the extent that the value of the option is includable in the gross income of the Member for the taxable year in which granted.
(G) The amount includable in the gross income of a Member upon making the election described in Section 83(b) of the Code.
(H) The amount which is not includable in an Employees gross income as a result of the application of Sections 402(g)(3) and 125 of the Code.
(I) For Plan Years beginning on and after January 1, 2001, the elective amounts that are not includible in the gross income of the Employee by reason of Section 132(f)(4) of the Code.
(ii) Compensation does not include items such as:
(A) Contributions made by an Employer to a plan of deferred compensation to the extent that, before the application of the limitations of Section 415 of the Code to that plan, the contributions are not includable in the gross income of the Member for the taxable year in which contributed. Additionally, any distributions from a plan of deferred compensation are not considered as compensation for purposes of Sec. 415 of the Code, regardless of whether such amounts are includable in the gross income of the Member when distributed. However, any amounts received by a Member pursuant to an unfunded non-qualified plan may be considered as compensation for purposes of Section 415 of the Code in the year such amounts are includable in the gross income of the Member.
(B) Amounts realized from the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, or when restricted stock (or property) held by a Member either becomes freely transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture as defined within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
(C) Amounts realized from the sale, exchange or other disposition of stock acquired under a qualified stock option.
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(D) Other amounts which receive special tax benefits, such as premiums for group term life insurance (but only to the extent that the premiums are not includable in the gross income of the Member).
(iii) Compensation (as defined in this Paragraph (b)) is measured as the compensation of a Member from the Employer for a calendar year. The compensation actually paid or made available to a Member within the calendar year is the compensation used for purposes of applying the limitations of Section 415 of the Code.
(c) Annual Benefit means the Members annual benefit payable in the form of a straight life annuity under all defined benefit plans maintained by an Employer, excluding any benefits attributable to the Members contributions or rollover contributions, if any, to the plans.
(d) Projected Annual Benefit means the Annual Benefit a Member would receive under the terms of the plan, based upon the following assumptions:
(i) The Member will continue employment until the later of: (A) the Members normal retirement age; or (B) the Members current age;
(ii) the Members compensation for the Plan Year under consideration will remain the same until the date the Member attains the age described in (i); and
(iii) all other relevant factors used to determine benefits under the plan for the Plan Year under consideration will remain constant for all future Plan Years.
(e) Defined Benefit Plan Fraction for any year is a fraction
(i) the numerator of which is the Projected Annual Benefit of the Member under the plan (determined as of the close of the year) provided that if the Member has participated in more than one defined benefit plan maintained by the Employer, the numerator is the sum of the Projected Annual Benefits under the plans, and
(ii) the denominator of which is the lesser of (A) or (B) below:
(A) The product of 1.25 multiplied by the dollar limitation under Section 415 of the Code, as adjusted in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury. In the case of a defined benefit plan which is a top-heavy plan (as defined in Section 416 of the Code), the product shall be the same as described in the preceding sentence, except that 1.0 shall be substituted for 1.25.
(B) The product of 1.4 multiplied by an amount which is 100% of the Members average compensation for the 3 consecutive years in which his compensation was the highest.
(f) Defined Contribution Plan Fraction for any year is a fraction
(i) the numerator of which is the sum of the Annual Additions to the accounts of the Member, in all defined contribution plans maintained by the Employer, as of the end of the Plan Year, and
(ii) the denominator of which is the sum of the lesser of (A) or (B) below determined for such Plan Year and for each prior year of service with the Employer.
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(A) The product of 1.25 multiplied by the dollar limitation under Section 415 of the Code as adjusted in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury. In the case of a defined contribution plan which is a top-heavy plan (as defined in Section 416 of the Code), the product shall be the same as described in the preceding sentence, except that 1.0 shall be substituted for 1.25.
(B) The product of 1.4 multiplied by an amount equal to 25% of the Members compensation for such year.
A Members Defined Contribution Plan Fraction, as otherwise defined in this Subsection 4.3(f) shall be frozen as of December 31, 1999.
4.4 Contributions in Excess of Deductible Amounts: Unless an Employer directs otherwise, an Employers Contributions to the Trust: are conditioned upon their being deductible for such Employers taxable year under Section 404 of the Code; and shall not exceed such deductible amounts.
4.5 Late Contributions: To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan Administrator shall cause the employing Participating Company to correct delayed contributions and repayments in accordance with this Subsection 4.5. For delayed Employer contributions that are corrected within two payroll periods, the Participating Company shall restore to the Members account only the principal amount. For delayed Member contributions, delayed loan repayments, other delayed investment-related payroll deductions that are not corrected as of the earliest date on which contributions can reasonably be segregated from the employers general assets, the Participating Company shall restore to the Members account the principal amount together with an amount equal to the principal amount multiplied by the greater of: (a) the actual rate of return the Member would have earned but for the delay or (b) the underpayment rate of Section 6621(a)(2) of the Code; provided, however, for the sake of administrative convenience, the Plan Administrator shall have the option of using, in lieu of the actual rate, the highest rate of return among the available investment alternatives of the Fund during the period of the delay. For delayed Employer contributions that are not corrected within two payroll periods, the Participating Company shall restore to the Members account the principal amount adjusted to reflect the actual rate of return that would have been credited to the Members account but for the error; provided, however, for the sake of administrative convenience, the Plan Administrator shall have the option of using, in lieu of the actual rate, such rate of return as shall be reasonably prudent under the circumstances.
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SECTION V
NAMED FIDUCIARIES, PLAN ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT
OF PLAN ASSETS, AND CLAIMS PROCEDURE
5.1 Named Fiduciaries for the Plan: The Named Fiduciaries of the Plan shall be the Trustees and the Plan Administrator. Solely for purposes of directing investments in their own accounts and not for purposes of the operation or administration of the Plan, Members and Former Members and Qualified Beneficiaries entitled under the Plan Instrument to direct investments in their own accounts, shall be named Fiduciaries under the Plan. The Trustees may rely upon any investment direction of such a Member, Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary, as long as any such direction is proper on its face and consistent with the Plan Instrument and the Trust Agreement. Furthermore, each Trustee may rely upon any direction, information, or action of another Trustee as being proper under this Plan Instrument or the Trust Agreement and is not required under this Plan Instrument or the Trust Agreement to inquire into the propriety of any such direction, information or action. It is intended under this Plan Instrument and the Trust Agreement that each Trustee shall be responsible for the proper exercise of his own powers, duties, responsibilities, and obligations under this Plan Instrument and the Trust Agreement and shall not be responsible for any act or failure to act of another Trustee, except in the following circumstances: (a) the Trustee knowingly participates in or knowingly attempts to conceal the act or omission of another fiduciary, and the Trustee knows the act or omission is a breach of a fiduciary responsibility by the other fiduciary; or (b) the Trustee has knowledge of a breach by the other fiduciary and does not make reasonable efforts to remedy the breach; or (c) the Trustees breach of his own fiduciary responsibility permits the other fiduciary to commit a breach. No Trustee guarantees the Plans assets in any manner against investment loss or depreciation in asset value.
The Contributing Companies shall have no responsibility for overseeing or monitoring the investment options under Schedule C of the Regulations. The Trustees and the Plan Administrator shall have only limited responsibility for overseeing and monitoring the LifeStyle Funds set out in Part I of Schedule C to the Regulations and shall have no responsibility for overseeing or monitoring the Tier III Funds or the Tier IV Funds regardless of whether such Tier III Funds and/or such Tier IV Funds underlie investment options under Part I and/or Part II of such Schedule C. Each participant and each beneficiary shall have the sole responsibility for deciding to buy, sell, or hold units in the investment options under Schedule C of the Regulations for his or her account and the sole responsibility for determining whether any Tier III Funds and any Tier IV Funds in said account provide acceptable risk and return characteristics and are otherwise consistent with his or her investment objectives and the investment objectives of the Optional Fund.
5.2 The Companys Functions and Authority under the Plan: Shell Oil Company (the Company) shall have the authority to amend the Plan, as provided in Section VIII of this Plan Instrument.
5.3 The Trustees; Their Powers and Duties: The Trustees for the Plan shall be appointed and may be removed by Shell Oil Company. Trustees shall not receive any remuneration from the Plan for their services. The Trustees shall have the overall responsibility for the operation of the Plan and shall have all powers necessary or incidental to provide for the Plans proper operation. In addition to such powers, duties and responsibilities and those set forth in the Trust Agreement, the Trustees shall have the following specific powers, duties and responsibilities:
(a) The Trustees shall appoint such person or persons or such entity or entities to serve as Plan Administrator of the Plan. The Trustees shall have the power to remove any such Plan Administrator at their discretion and they may appoint persons or groups of persons other than the Plan Administrator to perform certain administrative functions for the Plan.
(b) The Trustees shall select and enter into agreements and/or investment contracts with banks, trust institutions and Investment Managers to provide for the holding, management and distribution of Plan
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assets which banks, trust institutions and Investment Managers shall be deemed fiduciaries of the Plan. In this connection, the Trustees may enter into custodial agreements with banks and/or trust companies to hold certain funds and/or securities of the Plan which would be managed by an Investment Manager selected by the Trustees and they may direct the Plan Administrator and his staff to manage certain funds and/or securities of the Plan held by such a custodian. The Trustees may remove and replace any bank, trust institution, Investment Manager or custodian as they see fit. Any bank, trust company or custodian having custody of the Plans funds shall have capital stock and surplus of not less than Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000) and be adequately insured or bonded. It shall be the duty of the Trustees to periodically (at least annually) review the investment performances of any Investment Manager managing Plan assets. In connection with such review, they may direct the Plan Administrator to gather and present to them information which is necessary or useful to make such reviews.
(c) The Trustees may borrow money from time to time upon such terms and conditions as they may deem expedient and, for the loans thus made or in renewal thereof, they may issue their promissory note or notes as Trustees and may secure the repayment thereof by pledging any of the assets then in their control.
(d) The Trustees shall have the power to settle or compromise any claims which they may have as Trustees or which the Plan may have, or may settle or compromise any claims against the Plan or against them as Trustees and they may delegate to the Plan Administrator the power to settle any particular claim in favor of, or against, the Plan.
(e) The Trustees shall have full power and authority to determine all matters arising in the interpretation and application of the Plan including the Trust Agreement and the determination of any such matter by the Trustees shall be conclusive on all persons, provided, however, the Plan Administrator shall be empowered to interpret provisions and application of the Plan as to Withdrawals and Loans, and, as to any particular claim on which he is called upon to rule under the Plans claims procedure and his interpretation and application shall be binding as to any such claimant subject to the claimants right to have the matter reviewed by Trustees under such claims procedure.
(f) The Trustees may employ one or more persons to render advice with regard to any responsibility the Trustees have under the Plan, and may employ counsel and agents and engage such clerical, financial, and accounting services as they deem expedient. The Trustees shall not be deemed imprudent by reason of their taking or refraining from taking action in accordance with the opinion of counsel. The Trustees shall have the power to remove and replace anyone they shall have appointed or employed.
(g) The Trustees may act by a majority of their number then in office either by vote at a meeting or in writing without a meeting. The Trustees may appoint a chairman and vice-chairman from among their number and a secretary and such other officers as they may deem advisable who need not be Trustees; may appoint an executive committee consisting of three or more Trustees with full authority to exercise any of the powers of the Trustees except those under paragraphs (c), (d), (e) and (f) above; may authorize any two or more Trustees, or, one or more Trustees and the Plan Administrator to execute any agreement, contract or investment management agreement contemplated under paragraph (b) above; may appoint such other committees, whose members need not be Trustees, with such powers as they may deem expedient; may provide that any such committee may act by a majority of its number then in office (but in no event less than two) either by a vote at a meeting or in writing without a meeting; may designate alternates for any members of any such committee; may adopt by-laws governing the transaction of their business and the duties of such officers; may remove any such officers, abolish any such committees, and alter or repeal any such by-laws; and may transact their business under the name Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund.
(h) Except as otherwise provided herein, the Trustees shall have the power to invest and reinvest all funds received by them in such securities, obligations, or properties (real or personal) or participations or interests therein, the rate of return which is fixed by the instruments evidencing the investment (referred to herein collectively as securities), and insurance company group annuity investment contracts and
30
agreements, as they may deem advisable in their discretion as though they were the beneficial owners thereof, excluding securities issued or to be issued by any of the Participating or Affiliated Companies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an investment in any collective or common trust fund shall not be prohibited even though such collective or common trust fund may hold securities issued by any of the Participating or Affiliated Companies so long as such securities shall not exceed 5% of the assets of the optional fund to which the investment relates. The Trustees shall have power to sell, transfer, or exchange assets held hereunder from time to time at such prices and upon such terms and conditions and in such manner as they may deem proper. The Trustees may lend securities held hereunder consistent with the fiduciary duty and prohibited transaction rules of ERISA. The Trustees may exercise any voting powers appurtenant to any securities at the time held by them and may execute any proxies or powers of attorney (as to either discretionary or ministerial matters) and any agreements which they may deem necessary or advisable in connection with the investment, holding, or management of the assets in their custody and control, it being the intention hereof that the Trustees shall have full power, within the limitations of this Trust Agreement, to manage all assets held by them hereunder, as though the absolute owners thereof. The purchaser of any assets from the Trustees need not inquire into the application of the purchase money by the Trustees nor into the expediency or propriety of the Trustees to negotiate or make the same. Securities held by the Trustees may be registered in the name of the Plan, the Trustees or their agents or nominees, or other persons; or they may be unregistered.
(i) Notwithstanding anything in this Plan Instrument or the Trust Agreement to the contrary, the Trustees shall have the right to resolve conflicting rights and claims in such a manner as is in the best interests of all participants and beneficiaries.
5.4 Investment Managers, Insurance Companies, Custodians, Group Trust:
(a) The Trustees may manage certain assets themselves or appoint one or more Investment Managers for each fund offered by the Plan except, in the case of the Thrift Fund, they may select one or more insurance companies or other institutions offering investment contracts to manage certain assets, divide such assets between such companies and an Investment Manager, and/or direct the Plan Administrator and his staff to manage the assets. As to certain Plan assets, the Trustees may select a bank or trust institution to act as custodian for same if the Investment Manager or other fiduciary managing such assets either does not perform such services or the Trustees believe it to be advantageous to have another party act as custodian.
(b) Each Investment Manager shall individually have power to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of assets of the fund held by it from time to time at such prices and upon such terms and conditions and in such manner as it may deem proper. Each Investment Manager may exercise any voting powers appurtenant to any such assets at the time held by it and may execute any proxies or powers of attorney (as to either discretionary or ministerial matters) and any agreements which it may deem necessary or advisable in connection with its investment, holding, or management of assets, it being the intention hereof that such Investment Manager shall have full power, subject to the other provisions hereof, to manage all assets held by it as though the absolute owner thereof. The purchaser of any assets from any Investment Manager need not inquire into the application of the purchase money by such Investment Manager nor into the expediency or propriety of any sale or the authority of such Investment Manager to negotiate or make same. Securities held by each Investment Manager may be registered in the name of Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund, any Investment Manager or its agent or nominees, or other persons; or they may be unregistered. Such securities shall be kept separate and apart from all other property belonging to or in the custody of each Investment Manager, except any Investment Manager shall have the power in its discretion to cause any investment to be registered in the name of any one or more nominees of any system for the central handling of securities and such securities may thereupon be placed for deposit with such system; however, such Investment Manager shall remain accountable for such investment.
(c) Each Investment Manager may invest in any single, collective, or common trust fund for employee benefit plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code maintained by a trust company. An
31
investment in any collective or common trust fund shall not be prohibited even though such collective or common trust fund may hold securities issued by any of the Participating or Affiliated Companies so long as such securities shall not exceed 5% of the assets of the optional fund to which the investment relates. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the agreement with the bank or trust company may authorize the bank or trust company to invest and reinvest the assets transferred to it in interests in any trust fund that has been or shall be created and maintained by the bank or trust company as trustee for the collective investment of funds of trusts for employee benefit plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, and, to the extent required by Revenue Ruling 81-100 and further to the extent consistent with the Plan, the instrument creating such trust fund, together with any amendments is hereby incorporated in and made part of the Plan.
(d) In addition to any other investments proper under the Fund, the Trustees shall have the power to invest in one or more collective investment funds now existing or hereinafter established (including, without limitation, the Shell Savings Group Trust established effective January 1, 1996 between Shell Oil Company and the then Trustees) which contemplate the commingling for investment purposes of the funds therein with trust assets of other pension plans which are qualified under Section 401 of the Code. To the extent required by Revenue Ruling 81-100 and to the extent consistent with this Trust Agreement, the instrument creating any collective investment fund in which any part of the Fund is invested, as in force and effect at the time of the investment and as thereafter amended, is hereby incorporated in and made part of this Trust Agreement. Such collective investment fund shall be invested and reinvested by its trustees and/or investment managers in the classes and types of investments designated by the appropriate provisions of the Fund.
(e) The Investment Manager of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund shall have the right to close the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to purchases and redemptions whenever trading in shares of Royal Dutch Shell plc is suspended or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, substantial purchase and sales orders for such shares are pending but not executed.
5.5 Plan Administrator: The Plan Administrator shall be responsible for administration of the Plan and shall perform such specific administrative functions as may be prescribed by the Trustees. If more than one person and/or entity is appointed Plan Administrator, or, if certain persons are appointed by the Trustees for certain administrative duties, the Trustees may allocate some or all of the responsibility to each individual and/or entity appointed, and, each such individual or entity shall only be responsible for the duties allocated to such person or entity. The Plan Administrator may designate persons or entities other than the Plan Administrator to perform some or all of the responsibilities of the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall be responsible for any administrative duties not allocated to a particular person or entity and shall have the following powers and duties in addition to those stated elsewhere in the Plan Instrument or as prescribed by the Trustees unless such functions are given to other persons appointed by the Trustees:
(a) To prescribe such procedures, rules, regulations and methods of communication as necessary or proper for the efficient administration of the Plan;
(b) Except where specific powers or duties are given under the Plan to others, to determine all questions arising in the administration of the Plan, including the power to determine the rights of any Member or beneficiaries, to determine questions of eligibility, to enforce the Plan in accordance with its terms and to consider and interpret the Plan and settle and discharge disputes arising thereunder, subject to review under the claims procedure. The Plan Administrator shall consider the records of the Participating Companies and Affiliated Companies as conclusive evidence in making determinations concerning eligibility or benefits under the Plan except in unusual circumstances;
(c) To determine the fair market value of assets of the Plan on Valuation Dates and as often as required by the Trustees and other Plan provisions; to keep the books and records of the Plan and to do all the
32
clerical, bookkeeping, and accounting work in connection with the management and administration of the Plan;
(d) To prepare and distribute all reports and information concerning the Plan required by law or the Plan;
(e) To employ such agents, attorneys, accountants, and other individuals as deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;
(f) To accept service of legal process for suits against the Plan or arising under it, to bring such matters to the attention of the Trustees and to bring legal action in the name of the Plan if authorized by the Trustees;
(g) To periodically monitor the investment performance of any Investment Manager and submit reports to the Trustees covering such performances;
(h) To approve and authorize payment of expenses of administration of the Plan; and
(i) To administer the loan program.
5.6 Delegation by Plan Administrator: The Plan Administrator shall be able to delegate ministerial functions within the framework of policies, interpretations, rules, practices, and procedures set by the Plan Administrator without delegating any power to the appointee to make any decisions as to such. Following are the types of administrative functions intended to be covered by this delegation if such functions are the Plan Administrators responsibility:
(a) Application of rules determining eligibility for participation or benefits;
(b) Calculation of service for participation, compensation and allowable Contributions;
(c) Preparation of Employee communications material;
(d) Maintenance of Employees service and employment records;
(e) To employ one or more persons to render advice with regard to any responsibility the Trustees have under the Plan, and to employ such agents, attorneys, accountants, and other individuals as deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan;
(f) Orientation of new Employees and advising Employees of their rights and options under the Plan;
(g) Processing of communications required under the Plan including applications for membership, directions for Salary Deferrals, investment options, designations of beneficiaries and the like;
(h) Collection of Contributions and applications of such Contributions as provided in the Plan;
(i) Processing of claims and bringing same to the attention of the Plan Administrator;
(j) Making recommendations with respect to Plan administration; and
(k) Valuations of Accounts.
5.7 Claims Procedure: Any claim for benefits under the Plan shall be made in writing and submitted to the Plan Administrator, who shall reach a decision as soon as reasonable under the
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circumstances and notify the claimant, or his duly authorized representative, thereof promptly (and, except as provided herein, within ninety (90) days of the receipt of the claim) in writing by mail addressed to the last known address of the claimant or such representative, as the case may be, appearing on the records of the Plan Administrator. If the Plan Administrator determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, the Plan Administrator shall have up to an additional 90 days to respond provided he gives notice of the extension, the reasons therefor, and the expected date of response to the claimant prior to the end of the initial 90-day period. If the claim shall be denied, in whole or in part, the notice thereof shall be by certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall set forth, in a manner reasonably calculated to be understood:
(a) the specific reason or reasons for the denial;
(b) specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based;
(c) a description of any additional material or information to be submitted by the claimant in order to perfect his claim, and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
(d) an explanation of the Plans claim review procedure and time limits, and a statement of the claimants right to bring a civil lawsuit.
Upon denial, in whole or in part, of a claim by the Plan Administrator, the claimant, or his duly authorized representative, as the case may be, may, within the period ending ninety (90) days from the date of receipt of the denial as aforesaid:
(e) request review thereof, by filing a written application with the Trustees or a committee thereof;
(f) upon request, review pertinent documents, records, and other information and obtain copies free of charge; and
(g) submit comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the claim in writing.
Documents, records, and other information are pertinent if they were relied upon in making the determination on the claim or if they were submitted, considered, or generated in the course of making the benefit determination.
The Trustees, or a committee thereof shall constitute the review board, which shall fully review such request, review all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination, hold any hearing deemed appropriate by such review board, and notify the claimant or his duly authorized representative, as the case may be, of the decision in writing as soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the written request for review; provided, however, if a hearing is requested or if the Trustees determine that special circumstances exist, the Trustees shall have up to an additional sixty (60) days to respond provided they give notice of the extension, the reasons therefor, and the expected date of response to the claimant prior to the end of the initial 60-day period; provided further, if the Trustees have regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, their response date shall be up to five (5) days after the next regularly scheduled meeting which comes at least thirty (30) days after their receipt of the request for review. In no event, however, shall the Trustees respond later than five (5) days following the third regularly scheduled meeting after the receipt of the request for review. Such notice of the decision on appeal shall be written in a manner reasonably calculated to be understood, shall include the specific reasons for the decision, and shall set forth specific references to the Plan provisions on which the decision rests. The use of the claims procedure of this
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Subsection is mandatory in pursuing claims for benefits. Except as otherwise provided, failure to file a claim by the end of the Plan Year following the Plan Year in which the individual knew or should have known of the claim shall constitute an irrevocable waiver of the claim unless it shall be shown not to have been reasonably possible to furnish proof within the specified time period, and that proof was furnished as soon as was reasonably possible, in which case failure to furnish proof within the time provided shall not invalidate nor reduce the claim. Failure to raise issues or present evidence at any stage in the claims procedure shall preclude those issues or evidence from being presented in a judicial review of the claim. If any time limitation of the Plan with respect to furnishing proof of loss or bringing of an action at law or in equity is less than that permitted by ERISA, such limitation is hereby extended to agree with the minimum period permitted by such law.
In the event the Plan Administrator or the Trustees extend the time for response due to the claimants failure to provide information necessary to decide the claim, the period for the benefit determination shall be tolled from the date notice of the extension is sent to the claimant until the claimant responds to the request for additional information.
The Plan Administrator may implement reasonable procedures for ensuring that an individual has been authorized to act on behalf of a claimant.
SECTION VI
WITHDRAWALS AND LOANS
6.1 General Provisions Withdrawals and Loans: Hardship withdrawals (Withdrawals) will be available under the terms of the Plan for Members. Borrowers to whom loans (Loans) will be available under the terms of the Plan are:
(1) Members, Nonseparated Members, and
(2) those:
(a) Former Members and
(b) Surviving Beneficiaries that are 18 years or older
who have an Account under this Fund with which to secure the value of the Loan. However, Loans may not discriminate in favor of Highly Compensated Employees.
Applications for Withdrawals and requests for Loans must be submitted to the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator will consider such applications and requests at least once a month. Members shall pre-qualify for Withdrawals in accordance with the procedures established by the Plan Administrator. Withdrawals, when the Plan Administrator has pre-qualified the Member, and Loans will be made effective (unless denied): on the date the Withdrawal application or Loan request, as the case may be, is actually received provided it is received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which it is actually received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. Members, with respect to Withdrawals may specify an Optional Fund from which the Withdrawal is to be made. Otherwise, the Withdrawal will be funded pro rata from the Members Optional Fund Accounts. Where by virtue of the summary plan description or otherwise, the Member is informed or otherwise aware that he or she has a right to allocate Withdrawals to his or her Optional Fund Accounts and moreover, that the failure to make a valid allocation shall be treated as a direction to allocate the Withdrawal
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to the Optional Fund Accounts on a pro rata basis, then the Members failure to allocate a Withdrawal properly shall be deemed an exercise of his or her control and discretion to allocate the Withdrawal to his or her Optional Fund Accounts on a pro rata basis.
6.2 Withdrawals for Hardship: A Member may withdraw such amounts as are needed to satisfy such Members immediate and heavy financial need, in accordance with and subject to the following conditions:
(a) A distribution will be deemed to be made on account of an immediate and heavy financial need if the distribution is on account of:
(i) Payment of tuition and related educational fees as specified by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service for the next 12 months or portion thereof of post-secondary education for the Member, such Members spouse, child or children, or dependents (as defined in section 152, and, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2005, without regard to section 152(b)(1), (b)(2) and (d)(1)(B));
(ii) Purchase (excluding mortgage payments) of a principal residence of the Member;
(iii) Medical and dental expenses described in Section 213(d) of the Code previously incurred by the Member, such Members spouse, or any dependents of the Member, within the meaning of Section 152 (consistent with the definition of dependent as used in the application of Sections 105 and 106 of the Code), or necessary for these persons to obtain medical or dental care described in Section 213(d) of the Code;
(iv) The need to prevent the eviction of the Member from such Members principal residence or foreclosure on the mortgage of the Members principal residence; or
(v) Such other reason as the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service shall approve through communications of general applicability; provided such reason is expressly included by the Plan Administrator as a certifiable reason for the Hardship Withdrawal.
(b) Withdrawals shall be considered only to the extent that the amount requested is not in excess of the amount required to relieve the hardship, or to the extent that such need may not be satisfied from other resources that are reasonably available to the Member, including assets of such Members spouse and minor dependents. The amount requested may include amounts necessary to pay any federal, state, or local income taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the Withdrawal. The Member shall certify in his application for a Withdrawal:
(i) the amount needed to meet the hardship,
(ii) that the hardship is of an immediate and heavy financial nature,
(iii) the amount of funds reasonably available to him, his spouse, and minor dependents, and
(iv) that he will in fact use such funds and the Withdrawal to meet the hardship.
The Member shall also represent, and the Plan Administrator shall be entitled to reasonably rely upon the Members representation, that the need cannot be relieved:
(v) through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise;
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(vi) by reasonable liquidation of the Members assets, to the extent such liquidation would not itself cause an immediate and heavy financial need;
(vii) by cessation of Salary Deferrals; or
(viii) by (A) other distributions under this Plan and distributions under the Shell Provident Fund and any other plans maintained by the Employing Company or a Controlled Group Company, or (B) borrowing tax-free (at the time of the loan) from this Plan and any other plan maintained by the Employing Company or a Controlled Group Company, or (C) borrowing from commercial sources on reasonable commercial terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Plan Administrator shall require Members to first obtain all loans and other distributions, other than hardship distributions, under the Shell Provident Fund, all defined contribution plans of Affiliates and this Plan unless such loan or distribution would itself increase the immediate and heavy financial need.
(c) A Member may be denied a Withdrawal if he has a Loan outstanding under the Plan and the Plan Administrator determines such a Withdrawal would impair the security for such Loan, or, would violate the conditions of Subsection 6.3(a) if it were deemed to be a Loan.
(d) Withdrawals will be distributions under the Plan.
(e) Except as provided in Subsection 12.9, for a period of 24 calendar months after the Member receives the Withdrawal, the Member shall not be entitled to make any Salary Deferrals hereunder, and for a period of 12 calendar months after the Member receives the Withdrawal, the Member shall not be entitled to make any elective contributions and employee contributions to all other plans maintained by the Employer, including the Shell Provident Fund, but excluding any health or welfare benefit plan.
(f) The amount of a Members Withdrawal shall not exceed the sum of such Members Account balance, if any, as of December 31, 1988, and any Salary Deferrals made thereafter.
(g) If a Members application for a Withdrawal is denied in whole or in part, the claims procedure of Subsection 5.7 shall apply.
(h) During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, a Withdrawal direction or Loan request may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to redemptions or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loan, Withdrawal, and distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, then Withdrawal directions or Loan requests to redeem units of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund and/or Withdrawal directions or Loan requests to redeem other Optional Funds units which redemptions are dependent in whole or in part upon redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loans, Withdrawals, and distributions involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund.
6.3 Loans: The Plan Administrator shall be authorized to administer the loan program. Borrowers may apply for Loans under the Plan subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) With respect to each Account hereunder, the total amount of outstanding Loans, including loans from other qualified plans maintained by the Employing Company or a Controlled Group Company, shall not exceed the lesser of:
(i) Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) reduced by the excess (if any) of (A) the highest outstanding balance of Loans from the Plan during the one-year period ending on the day before the
37
date on which such Loan was made, over (B) the outstanding balance of Loans from the Plan on the date on which such Loan was made, or
(ii) one-half the value of the Account, determined as of the last Valuation Date preceding the Borrowers application for a Loan.
For any Loan, including loans from other qualified plans maintained by the Employing Company or a Controlled Group Company, that is deemed distributed as a result of a default that has not been repaid (such as by a plan loan offset), the unpaid amount of such Loan including accrued interest will be considered outstanding for purposes of this Subsection 6.3(a) as required under the applicable Department of Treasury regulations.
(b) Loans shall not be made for less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00).
(c) Loans shall meet the requirements of Section 4975(d)(1) of the Code.
(d) Loans shall be adequately secured by the value of the Members Account.
(e) The rate of interest for Loans shall be set by the Plan Administrator based on an annual rate equal to the prime index as quoted by Bloomberg L.P., The Wall Street Journal, or any other widely available, easily accessible source. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to select a rate which discourages arbitrage and reflects the fact that payments are made via payroll deduction. The Plan Administrator shall not be required to charge different rates for different parts of the country and need not consider the creditworthiness of the Borrower nor the usury laws of any particular jurisdiction. The Plan Administrator will periodically review the Loan rate and make adjustments when appropriate. However, the rate set for each Loan shall remain the same during the term of the Loan, except that the rate of interest may not exceed 6% per year during periods that the Borrower is on military service, within the meaning of, and as required by, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Principal and interest paid on a Loan shall be credited and allocated in accordance with the Members current Contribution allocation, the Nonseparated Members last Contribution allocation, or the Former Members last Contribution allocation.
(f) Loans, by their terms, shall be amortized in substantially level monthly or semi-monthly payments with the final payment or balance due upon the expiration of a fixed term of not more than five (5) years and of not less than six (6) months; provided, however, the Plan Administrator, to the extent permitted under applicable law and regulations, may approve a Loan for up to a ten-year term in the case of a Loan used to acquire any dwelling unit which within a reasonable period of time is to be used (determined at the time the Loan is made) as the principal residence of the Borrower based upon a certification made by the Borrower, and consistent with such certification.
(g) Loans shall be made pursuant to a loan agreement between the Borrower and the Plan, utilizing such methods and provisions as the Plan Administrator shall approve. Loan payments will be made in installments by payroll deductions, in the case of an Active Employee actively at work, and by direct payment (including payments through the use of the automatic clearing house method of debiting his account with a financial institution) in the case of any other Borrower, with minimum payments of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25) per month.
(h) Borrowers may not have more than three (3) Loans outstanding at one time under this Plan, the Shell Provident Fund, and any other qualified plan of the Company or any Affiliated Company outstanding at one time.
(i) The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to deny any Loan where he has reasonable cause to believe that the Borrower is not making a bona fide Loan as, for example, when the Borrower has no intention to repay it.
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(j) Loans shall meet such other requirements as the Plan Administrator may determine advisable or necessary to provide adequate security and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
(k) For Loans made or renewed on or after January 1, 1994, the entire unpaid principal balance and accrued interest of a Loan shall become due and payable if the Borrower does not agree, or revokes his agreement, to make Loan payments through the use of the automatic clearing house method of debiting his account with a financial institution when Loan payments cannot be made by payroll deduction. Notwithstanding the above, the preceding sentence of this Subsection 6.3(k) shall not apply to Loans made or renewed after June 1, 1996.
(l) The entire unpaid principal balance and accrued interest of a Loan shall become immediately due and payable upon the death of the Borrower. Notwithstanding the above, the preceding sentence shall not apply if a beneficiary that is 18 years or older is the sole beneficiary of the Member, Nonseperated Member or Former Members account, and such beneficiary affirmatively elects to continue to repay the Loan under its original terms, where such election is received by the Plan no later than the last day that a Borrower would have to cure a failure to pay an installment payment under Subsection 6.4 below.
(m) A Loan may be prepaid by a Borrower at any time without a penalty fee or charge. Such prepayments shall be applied towards the principal payment amounts due at the end of the term of the Loan. Such prepayments will not relieve the Borrower from making subsequent installment payments under the terms of the Loan, except to the extent that the outstanding principal balance is reduced to less than the amount of an installment payment.
(n) Installment payments required under the terms of a Loan may be suspended under this Plan as permitted under Section 414(u)(4) of the Code for a Member during periods of qualified military service, provided that such Member is not receiving Compensation or is receiving Compensation that is less than the amount of the installment payments required under the terms of the Loan.
(o) Installment payments required under the terms of a Loan may be suspended not longer than one year under this Plan as permitted under the applicable Department of Treasury regulations for a Member that is on a bona fide leave of absence, provided that such Member is not receiving Compensation or is receiving Compensation that is less than the amount of the installment payments required under the terms of the Loan. At the end of the suspension period permitted under this Subsection 6.3(o), the installment payments will resume at an increased amount required to pay the entire unpaid principal balance of the Loan, including the interest that accrued during the suspension period, and the interest that will accrue, by the end of the original term of the Loan extended by the length of the suspension period permitted under this Subsection 6.3(o). Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the amount of an installment payment due after the end of the suspension period under this Subsection 6.3(o) must not be less than the amount required under the terms of the original Loan ; and the term of the loan may not be extended beyond five years from the date the loan was issued (unless such loan was used to acquire a principal residence as permitted under Subsection 6.3(f) above).
(p) Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements of this Subsection 6.3 or of Subsection 6.4 following, if plan loans are to be transferred to the Plan and Trust for a participant or beneficiary in connection with a merger or asset transfer, then the terms and conditions of this Subsection 6.3 and Subsection 6.4 may be modified by the Plan Administrator to the extent necessary to accommodate the administration of such loans, provided such loans meet the applicable requirements of ERISA and the Code.
(q) A Loan will be funded on a pro rata basis from a Borrowers Optional Fund Accounts on the basis of the source of the amounts in the following order:
(i) Salary Deferral Account;
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(ii) Catch-Up Contribution Account;
(iii) Prior Plan Company Contribution Account;
(iv) Company Contribution Account;
(v) Prior Plan Rollover Account;
(vi) Prior Plan After-Tax Rollover Account; and
(vii) Prior Plan Member After-Tax Account.
Notwithstanding the above, a Borrower may specify an Optional Fund from which the Loan is to be made, subject to the hierarchy described above. Where by virtue of the summary plan description or otherwise, the Borrower is informed or otherwise aware that the Borrower has a right to specify an Optional Fund from which the Loan is to be made subject to the hierarchy described above and moreover, that failure to specify an Optional Fund shall result in the Loan being funded on a pro rata basis from the Members Optional Fund Accounts, then the Borrowers failure to specify properly an Optional Fund from which the Loan is to be made shall be deemed an exercise of the Borrowers control and discretion to fund the Loan on a pro rata basis, subject to the hierarchy described above.
(r) Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements of this Subsection 6.3, the installment obligations for any loan requested on or after January 1, 2004, must be paid by payroll deduction if, at the time the loan is requested, the Borrower has a previous loan (including any loan from other qualified plans of the Employing Company or any Controlled Group Company) that resulted in a deemed distribution that has not been repaid (such as by plan loan offset); moreover, if at a later time, the installment obligations of such loan cannot be made by payroll deduction (other than during the periods permitted by Subsections 6.3(n) or 6.3(o)), the amount then outstanding on the loan will be treated as a deemed distribution under Section 72(p) of the Code.
6.4 Loan Defaults:
(a) If any Loan granted to a Borrower, within the meaning of Subsection 6.3, pursuant to this Section VI is not repaid in accordance with its terms, and the failure continues for a period of at least thirty (30) days, the Plan Administrator shall notify the Borrower in writing in a timely matter that he has thirty (30) days from the date of the notice to cure the failure (the Cure Period), and if the failure is not cured within the Cure Period, the Plan Administrator shall, without further notice to the Borrower, accelerate the balance due on the Loan and treat the Loan as in default. If the Borrower is deceased, such notice may be given to the person who would be entitled to receive distribution of his Account under the terms of the Plan and who has or may elect to continue to repay the Loan under its original terms as provided in Subsection 6.3(l) above (hereinafter referred to as Beneficiary Borrower). If the failure is not cured within the Cure Period, and:
(i) if one of the distributable events of Section VII has occurred, then the Plan Administrator shall reduce the Account by the balance due on the Loan and record and report the transaction as an offset distribution;
(ii) if a distributable event under Section VII has not occurred and the Borrower is eligible for, and consents to, a Withdrawal then the Plan Administrator shall declare the balance due on any such Loan to be a Withdrawal under the Plan and so record and report the transaction as an offset distribution; or
(iii) if a distributable event under Section VII has not occurred and the Borrower is not eligible for, or does not consent to, a Withdrawal then the Plan Administrator: (A) shall record and
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report the unpaid Loan balance and any accrued but unpaid interest as a taxable deemed distribution; and (B) at the earliest time the Account can be distributed under Section VII, may reduce the Account by the balance due on the Loan, including any accrued but unpaid interest.
In any such event, the Plan will be completely discharged of all liability under the Plan for the balance of the Account up to the balance (including interest) due on any such Loan.
(b) Written notice to the Borrower (or to the Beneficiary Borrower if the Borrower is deceased) will conclusively be presumed to have been given under the terms of Subsection 6.4(a) above when mailed (postage prepaid) to the last known address for the Borrower or the Beneficiary Borrower according to the Plan Administrators records. If the Plan Administrator has no address for the Beneficiary Borrower to be notified if the Borrower is deceased, the written notice may be mailed to the Beneficiary Borrower at the Borrowers last known address and, in such event, such notice will conclusively be presumed to have been properly given to the Beneficiary Borrower.
(c) Notwithstanding the above, the Plan Administrator may extend the Cure Period provided that the following conditions are met:
(i) the Cure Period is not extended by more than 30 days;
(ii) it is demonstrated that the Borrower made a good faith effort to cure the failure by the end of the Cure Period; and
(iii) the criteria above is applied by the Plan Administrator on a consistent basis for all Borrowers similarly situated.
In no event may the Cure Period for the failure to pay an installment payment when due continue beyond the last day of the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the required installment payment was due.
6.5 Status of Member Who Receives Loan: If a Member receives a Loan under this Section, his status as a Member in the Plan and his rights with respect to his Plan benefits shall not be affected, except to the extent that the Member has used his Account as security for the Loan, pursuant to Subsection 6.3.
6.6. Notwithstanding the above, at the written request of a Borrower and upon the demonstration by such Borrower that continuation of Loan payments via payroll deductions would cause financial hardship, the Plan Administrator may cease all future Loan payments by payroll deduction and accelerate the entire unpaid principal balance due on the Loan with accrued interest. In this event, the Borrower will be treated as having defaulted on the Loan as of the day payroll deductions are terminated; in addition, such Borrower will be restricted from obtaining a new Loan under this Plan for a period extending at least through the due date of the last installment payment that would have been payable under the original terms of the Loan which was declared in default.
SECTION VII
DISTRIBUTIONS OF ACCOUNTS
7.1 Distributions Upon Termination of Employment: After termination of service as an Employee, a Members Account shall, subject to all applicable provisions of this Plan, be distributed in accordance with the following terms and conditions:
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(a) Except as provided in Subsections 7.1(b), 7.3(a) and (b), and 7.10 below, the Members Account, decreased by the amount necessary to satisfy as of the Members termination of employment the unpaid principal and accrued interest on any Loans made to the Member from the Plan (which Loans shall be deemed satisfied as a result of such reduction), shall be paid out to him in a lump sum, if living, or, if the Member is deceased and distribution has not commenced, then the Account, as adjusted, shall be payable under Subsection 7.4 below. Payment shall be made as soon as administratively feasible, but not later than the sixtieth (60th) day after the close of the Plan Year in which occurs the later of the following events: (1) the Member attains age 65; or (2) the Member terminates service with all Participating Companies. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this Subsection 7.1(a), consistent with the provisions of Treasury Regulation section 1.401(a)-14(a), and subject to the provisions of Subsection 7.6(a), a Member must file a claim for benefits before payment of benefits will commence.
(b) No distribution of any part of a Members Account shall be made, without the Members written consent, to a Member prior to age 65. An automatic deferral effected under this provision shall be a deferral under the Plan.
(c) Any deferral under the above provisions and the account during such a deferral shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in 7.3(c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) below.
(d) During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, a distribution direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to redemptions or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loan, Withdrawal, and distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, then distribution directions to redeem units of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund and/or distribution directions to redeem other Optional Funds units which redemptions are dependent in whole or in part upon redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loans, Withdrawals, and distributions involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund.
Where there has been a termination of the Plan or a termination of participation in the Plan by a Participating Company pursuant to Subsection 8.4, the Trustees, upon advice of counsel, shall for purposes of this Section treat the service of such Members as having terminated at the time of such Plan termination or termination of participation.
Except as provided in Subsection 12.10, for purposes of this Subsection 7.1, no termination of service will be treated as such unless it constitutes retirement or other separation from service within the meaning of section 401(k)(2)(B) of the Code.
7.2 Distributions Upon Age 591/2 Years: Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, any Member who attains age 591/2 even though he is still employed by a Participating Company may, by direction to the Plan Administrator, withdraw all or a portion of the amount standing to his credit. The value of the Account for distribution will be determined as of the next succeeding Valuation Date following receipt of such direction or on the receipt date of such direction if such direction is received on a Valuation Date prior to the time the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. A withdrawal direction for one hundred percent (100%) of the amount standing to the Members credit shall accelerate the payment of any outstanding Loan the Member may have at the time of such withdrawal direction.
During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, a distribution direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to redemptions or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to
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honor in the aggregate all Loan, Withdrawal, and distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, then distribution directions to redeem units of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund and/or distribution directions to redeem other Optional Funds units which redemptions are dependent in whole or in part upon redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loans, Withdrawals, and distributions involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund.
7.3 Deferred Distribution: As an optional alternative means of deferring distributions to that provided under 7.1(b) above, and subject to the minimum distribution requirements of Subsection 7.6, distributions of all or a portion of an Account may be deferred by a Member terminating service as an Employee, or, if there is no deferral in effect for the Account, by a deceased Members Qualified Beneficiary, consistent with such administrative procedures as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator and in accordance with the following terms and conditions:
(a) An election to defer distribution of an Account, subject to the minimum distribution requirements of Subsection 7.6 of this Section VII, shall be made by notifying the Plan Administrator at any time prior to the Members or Former Members attainment of age 65, if made by a Member or a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary who is an Alternate Payee, or, if made by any other Qualified Beneficiary, within three (3) calendar months after the death of the Member (provided there is no deferral in effect).
(b) If a Members termination of service occurs by reason of death and such a Member is survived by a Qualified Beneficiary, such Qualified Beneficiary shall have the right to defer distribution to a date which could have been selected by the Member had termination of service occurred by reason other than the Members death.
(c) A Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary shall be entitled to request in writing, a distribution of all or a part of his deferred Account as of the Valuation Date coincident with or next following the receipt of such request. Payments shall be made as soon as administratively feasible following the applicable Valuation Date.
Subject to the minimum distribution rules of section 401(a)(9) of the Code in the case of a non-spouse Qualified Beneficiary, on and after July 16, 1996, a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary shall be entitled to request a distribution of all or a part of his deferred Account balance: (1) in single sum form; or (2) in the form of a series of substantially equal monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments (x) for a term of years, or (y) for the life or life expectancy of the Former Member or of the Qualified Beneficiary, as the case may be, or, (z) in the case of a Former Member, for the joint lives of the Former Member and the Former Members designated beneficiary; and any such distribution shall be made or shall commence, as the case may be, on the day on which it is actually received provided it is received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which it is actually received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. In the case of a distribution in single sum form, a Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary may specify an Optional Fund from which the distribution from his Account is to be made. Otherwise, the distribution in single sum form will be funded pro rata from the Members Optional Fund Accounts. In the case of any distribution other than a distribution in single sum form, allocation of the dollar amount of such a distribution request shall be made on a pro rata basis from all the Members Optional Fund Accounts. A Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary may direct at any time a total distribution of the deferred Account as of the Valuation Date coincident with or next following the receipt of such request.
(d) Any deferral shall be subject and subordinate to any conflicting terms of a qualified domestic relations order or valid property settlement agreement, but the fact that a portion of a Members or a
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Former Members Account has been partitioned under a qualified domestic relations order or valid property settlement agreement shall not prevent a Member or a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary from exercising rights of deferral as to the Members or Former Members portion of the account.
(e) If a Former Member whose Account has been deferred is reemployed by a Participating Company, such deferral will be canceled, except as to distributions already made, and distribution of the remainder of the Account will be made under the terms of the Plan as if the Former Member had not previously terminated service.
(f) In the event distribution of the Account of a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary has been deferred under the provisions of the Plan, and the Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary dies, distribution of the Account will be accelerated and the Account distributed to the person entitled to the proceeds; provided, in the case of the death of a Former Member leaving a Qualified Beneficiary, the deferral shall remain effective, but the Qualified Beneficiary will have the same rights of acceleration which the Former Member had at the time of death.
(g) The rights and restrictions under the Plan applicable to a Member shall, during a period of deferral, be applicable to a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary except for rights under Sections II, III (not including rights to transfer assets between funds under Subsection 3.4 nor including rights to receive statements under Subsection 3.8, which shall continue during the deferral period) and VI (except for the right to apply for a Loan). Further, as an exception, a Qualified Beneficiary shall under no circumstances have the right given a Member under Subsection 7.4 to name or change a beneficiary.
7.4 Distributions on Death of Member:
(a) Subject to the applicable consent provisions of 7.4(b) below, a Member may name an individual, trust, or Qualified Charitable Organization as a beneficiary, or multiple or combination of individuals, trusts, and Qualified Charitable Organizations as beneficiaries (hereinafter referred to as beneficiary, whether one or more) to receive all or any part of the amount standing to the Members credit with the Fund in the event the Member dies before such amount is distributed. Such distribution shall be made in a lump sum as soon as administratively feasible after the Members or Former Members death, subject to any valid deferral under the Plan. Each designation of Beneficiary shall be made in the manner as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator and may be done prior to distribution of the Account. No designation or change of Beneficiary shall be effective until it is accepted by the Plan Administrator or by its duly authorized agent, but when so approved, it will be effective retroactively to the date of the designation or request for change of Beneficiary. Each designation so accepted will cancel all prior designations. If any Member or Former Member fails to designate a Beneficiary in the manner provided, his Account shall be distributed to his surviving spouse, or, if none, to the estate of the Member or Former Member.
A Qualified Charitable Organization for these purposes shall mean a charitable organization in existence at the time of the distribution that is either:
(1) an organization described in Section 170(c) of the Code and listed in the IRS Cumulative List of Organizations described in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code as published by the Internal Revenue Service (currently published as Publication 78) at the time of distribution;
(2) an organization which is a church or other church organization which qualifies as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code; or
(3) an educational organization which either qualifies as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code or which otherwise constitutes an educational organization to which charitable contributions may be deducted under section 170 of the Code.
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In order to be recognized as a Qualified Charitable Organization any organization designated hereunder must present clear and convincing evidence to the Plan Administrator that it meets the requirements described above. The Plan Administrator may rely on a listing of the designated organization in the current IRS Cumulative List of Organizations described in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code as published by the Internal Revenue Service (currently published as Publication 78) at the time of distribution in order to treat such organization as a Qualified Charitable Organization. In the event that an organization described in (2) or (3) is not listed in such publication and is otherwise unable to produce documentation to the satisfaction of the Plan Administrator that it is an organization described in Section 170(c) of the Code, or, if the Plan Administrator cannot locate such organization within a reasonable period of time, such designation will be of no force and effect and distribution of such interest which was to pass to the designated organization shall instead be paid in as provided in paragraph 3 below. Such determination shall be at the Plan Administrators discretion and any decision by the Plan Administrator shall be final and binding.
(b) A Member may designate a Beneficiary who is not the Members spouse, provided: (i) the Members spouse consents to, and acknowledges the effect of, the designation in a writing which has been notarized, in which case such designation cannot be changed to another such Beneficiary without the spouses consent, or (ii) the Member establishes to the satisfaction of the Plan Administrator that the consent may not be obtained because there is no spouse, because the spouse cannot be located, or because of such other circumstances as are consistent with regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury. Spousal consent shall be irrevocable.
(c) No person shall have the discretion to change a Members or a Former Members designation of beneficiary after his death; provided, however, any disclaimer by a surviving spouse and/or Qualified Beneficiary which is valid under applicable Federal and state laws shall be recognized by the Plan Administrator and shall not be deemed to change a Members or Former Members designation of beneficiary after his death.
7.5 Distribution Made on Valuation Dates: Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, all distributions under the Plan shall be made in lump sums and shall be made effective as of the close of business of a Valuation Date.
7.6 Required Distribution: Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, on and after January 1, 2003, a Members or Former Members Account shall be distributed consistent with Section XIV of the Plan Instrument.
7.7 Delay of Distribution: Should, at the time a distribution is scheduled to be made, a question exist as to the person entitled to any amounts, or, the amount payable cannot be ascertained, or, the payee cannot be located, the distribution may be delayed not later than sixty (60) days after the date such question is resolved, such amount is ascertained, or the payee is located; provided, however that during periods of extreme market conditions, market closures, or illiquidity, the distribution may be delayed until the later of: (a) the day all securities markets resume normal trading; or (b) the day sufficient liquidity returns, in the judgment of the Investment Manager. If the Plan Administrator cannot ascertain the whereabouts of any Member, Former Member or Beneficiary to whom a payment is due, the Plan Administrator may direct that the payment and all remaining payments otherwise due to the payee be canceled on the records of the Plan and the amount thereof applied as a forfeiture in accordance with this Subsection. If the Member, Former Member or Beneficiary later notifies the Plan Administrator of his whereabouts, a Participating Company shall make a Contribution to the Plan in an amount equal to the payment due to such payee. Forfeitures shall be used to reduce administrative expenses of the Plan and not to increase benefits.
7.8 Qualified Domestic Relations Order Distribution: Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Plan to the contrary, the Plan shall make distributions to an alternate payee (as defined by ERISA and the Code) pursuant to any final judgment, decree or order (including judicial approval of a property settlement agreement) which the Plan Administrator has determined to be a qualified domestic relations order as defined
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under ERISA and the Code. Such distributions shall be made, if authorized by the qualified domestic relations order, within a reasonable time after the Plan Administrator has made the determination that the requirements for a qualified domestic relations order have been satisfied, notwithstanding the Members continuing employment by a Participating Company. Any accrued benefit of a Member or Former Member may be apportioned between the Member or Former Member and the alternate payee either through separate accounts or by providing the alternate payee a severable portion of the Members or Former Members Account. The rights under the Plan applicable to an alternate payee with respect to a separate account shall be limited to the purpose of providing for a separate accounting and shall not include any other rights which may be applicable to an Account, such as the right to transfer assets between optional funds or to deferrals pursuant to Subsection 7.3.
7.9 Distributions on Plan Termination or Corporate Sale: Subject to all applicable provisions of this Plan, a Members Account shall be distributed upon any of the following events:
(a) termination of the Plan without establishment of a successor plan;
(b) the date of the sale by a Participating Company of substantially all of the assets used by such Participating Company in its trade or business with respect to a Member who continues employment with the corporation acquiring such assets; and
(c) the date of the sale by a corporation of such corporations interest in a Participating Company which is a subsidiary with respect to a Member who continues employment with such subsidiary.
7.10 Direct Rollovers: This Subsection 7.10 applies to distributions and withdrawals (including those certain distributions that result from the operation of Section VI) made on or after January 1, 1993, but before January 1, 2002. This Subsection 7.10 as modified by Subsection 12.5 applies to distributions and withdrawals (including those certain distributions that result from the operation of Section VI) made on or after January 1, 2002.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary that would otherwise limit a Distributees election under this Subsection, 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.
(b) Definitions.
(i) Eligible Rollover Distribution shall mean any distribution or withdrawal of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the Distributee, except that an Eligible Rollover Distribution does not include: any distribution or withdrawal that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) either made for the life (or life expectancy) of the Distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Distributee and the Distributees designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more; any distribution or withdrawal to the extent such distribution or withdrawal is required under section 401(a)(9) of the Code; and the portion of any distribution or withdrawal that is not includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes (determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities).
(ii) Eligible Retirement Plan shall mean an individual retirement account described in section 408(a) of the Code, an individual retirement annuity described in section 408(b) of the Code, an annuity plan described in section 403(a) of the Code, or a qualified trust described in section 401(a) of the Code, that accepts the Distributees Eligible Rollover Distribution. However, in the case of an Eligible Rollover Distribution to the surviving spouse, an Eligible Retirement Plan is limited to an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity.
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(iii) Distributee shall include a Member or Former Member. In addition, the Members or Former Members surviving spouse and the Members or Former Members 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.
(iv) Direct Rollover shall mean a payment by the Plan to the Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Distributee.
7.11 Distributions from Prior Plan Accounts:
(a) Distributions from Prior Plan Company Contribution Account: Any Member who has amounts credited to the Prior Plan Company Contribution Account may, by direction to the Plan Administrator, withdraw once in every twelve-month period all or a portion of the amount standing to his or her credit in his or her Prior Plan Company Contribution Account. Except as may be permitted by Subsection 7.2, this Subsection 7.11(a) shall not apply to a Member until the Member has at least five years of participation in the Plan. For purposes of this Subsection 7.11(a), participation in the Plan shall include, in addition to participation in this Plan, participation in the Alliance Savings Plan, the Star Enterprise Thrift Plan, the Star Enterprise Savings Plan, and any other plan from which a Members account was transferred in a direct trust-to-trust transfer to the Alliance Savings Plan. For purposes of this Subsection 7.11(a), participation in the Plan shall also include, in addition to participation in this Plan, participation in the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Savings and Investment Plan and the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Savings and Investment Plan for Hourly Employees.
(b) Distributions from Prior Plan Member After-Tax Account, Prior Plan Rollover Account, and Prior Plan After-Tax Rollover Account: Any Member may, by direction to the Plan Administrator, withdraw all or a portion of the amount standing to his or her credit in his or her Prior Plan Member After-Tax Account, Prior Plan Rollover Account, and Prior Plan After-Tax Rollover Account.
(c) Other Terms and Conditions: The Member may specify the Optional Fund from which distributions under this Subsection 7.11 are to be made. Otherwise the failure to make a valid allocation shall be treated as a direction by the Member to allocate the distribution pro rata from the Members Optional Fund Accounts. During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, a distribution direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to redemptions or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to honor distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, then distribution directions to redeem units of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund and/or distribution directions to redeem other Optional Funds units which redemptions are dependent in whole or in part upon redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor distributions involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund.
SECTION VIII
AMENDMENT, MERGER, TERMINATION OF PLAN,
ADDITION OF PARTICIPATING COMPANIES
8.1 Right to Amend: Shell Oil Company shall have the right to amend this Plan in whole or in part at any time and from time to time. Any amendment may be substantial and may be retroactive in effect. In making amendments to, the Trust Agreement and the Plan Instrument, Shell Oil Company shall act through its Board of Directors or such person or persons as have been directly or indirectly delegated the authority of the Board to so act on behalf of Shell Oil Company.
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8.2 Conditions of Amendment: It is expressly understood, however, that no amendment shall be made (unless required by law) which would
(a) Deprive any Beneficiary of a then deceased Member of the right to receive the benefits to which the Beneficiary may be entitled hereunder, or
(b) Decrease or otherwise deprive any Member of the benefits to which he is entitled hereunder.
(c) No amendment, except as permitted by Treasury Regulations shall eliminate an optional form of benefit, if any, with respect to benefits attributable to service before any such amendment.
8.3 Merger of Plan: Any merger or consolidation with, or transfer of assets or liabilities to another plan shall not be permitted unless each Members interest in this Plan immediately after such merger, consolidation, or transfer (if the Plan then terminated) is equal to or greater than his interest in this Plan immediately prior to the merger, consolidation, or transfer (if the Plan had then terminated).
8.4 Termination of Plan: Shell Oil Company intends to continue the Plan indefinitely but reserves the right to terminate it at any time. However the participation of any of the Participating Companies (including the obligation to make further Salary Deferral Contributions to the Trust for the account of its employees who are Members, with respect to periods subsequent to the cessation of its participation) shall terminate whenever (1) such Participating Company is dissolved or liquidated or ceases for any reason to be an Affiliated Company of Shell Oil Company or (2) upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Trustees, unless waived by the Trustees in writing, it withdraws from the Plan, or (3) upon not less than sixty (60) days prior written notice to it and to the Trustees, unless waived by it and the Trustees in writing, its participation is terminated by Shell Oil Company. For purposes of the preceding sentence, Affiliated Company shall be as defined in Subsection 1.7 of the Plan Instrument, except that the phrase at least 80 percent shall be substituted for the phrase more than 50 percent. Where termination of participation of a Participating Company has occurred pursuant to this subsection, written notice of such termination shall be sent to all employees of such Participating Company who are Members of the Plan.
In the event of a termination of participation in the Plan by any one or more of the Participating Companies, the right of Members who are in its or their employ to specify any Salary Deferral relative to such Participating Companys contribution to the Trust on his behalf with respect to periods subsequent to the cessation of the Contributing Companys or Companies participation shall cease.
8.5 Addition of Participating Companies: Additional companies may become Participating Companies in the Plan upon adoption of the Plan by such company with the consent of Shell Oil Company that any such company be permitted to join the Plan as of a specified date.
SECTION IX
TOP-HEAVY REQUIREMENTS
9.1 Determination of Top-Heavy: The requirements of this section, as modified by Subsection 12.11, shall become operative during any Plan Year the Plan should become top-heavy.
The Plan will be considered a top-heavy plan for the Plan Year if as of the last day of the preceding Plan Year (or with respect to the last day of the initial Plan Year, the last day of such year) (1) the aggregate of Accounts of Members who are Key Employees (as defined in Section 416(i) of the Code) exceeds 60% of the aggregate of Accounts of all Members (the 60% Test) or (2) the Plan is part of a required aggregation group (within the meaning of Section 416(g) of the Code) and the required aggregation
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group is top-heavy. For purposes of making the 60% Test, Members who have not been employed by a Participating Company at any time during the last five years shall be excluded. However, and notwithstanding the results of the 60% Test, the Plan shall not be considered a top-heavy plan for any Plan Year in which the Plan is a part of a permissive aggregation group (within the meaning of Section 416(g) of the Code) which is not top-heavy.
9.2 Compensation Limitation: Compensation of any Member in excess of the Annual Compensation Limit, consistent with the provisions of Subsection 1.18 of this Plan, shall not be taken into account.
9.3 Distributions to Certain Key Employees: If a Member is a five percent (5%) owner (defined in Section 416(i) of the Code as a Key Employee) with respect to the Plan Year in which he attains age 701/2, distribution of his Account shall commence not later than the first of April in the Plan Year following the Plan Year in which he attains age 701/2, whether or not his employment has terminated in such year.
9.4 Minimum Contribution: In the event that Contributions paid to the Trust during the Plan Year on behalf of a Member who is not a Key Employee are less than three percent (3%) of such Members Compensation, as defined in Subsection 4.2, the Employing Company shall contribute an amount equal to the difference between three percent (3%) of such Members Compensation and the Contributions which have been paid to the Trust on behalf of such Member for the Plan Year.
9.5 Impact on Maximum Contributions: For any Plan Year in which the Plan is a top-heavy plan, Subsection 4.2 shall be read so as to give effect to Section 416(h) of the Code.
SECTION X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.1 Nonguarantee of Employment: The adoption and maintenance of the Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract between the Employer and any Employee or to be a consideration for, or an inducement or condition of the employment of any Employee. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to give any Employee the right to be retained in the service of the Employer or to interfere with the rights of the Employer to discharge any Employee at any time.
10.2 Choice of Law: Except as governed by ERISA, the Plan shall be construed and administered according to the laws of the State of Texas and all Members, by participating in the Plan, shall be deemed to have consented to this provision and all of the other terms and provisions of the Plan.
10.3 Legal Disability: Whenever a Member (or Beneficiary) entitled to receive any payment hereunder is under a legal disability or is legally incapacitated so as to be unable to manage his financial affairs, the Plan Administrator may direct that payments be held or made to such person or to his legal representative or to a relative of such person for the benefit of the Member (or Beneficiary), or the Plan Administrator may direct that the payment be applied for the benefit of such Member (or Beneficiary) in such manner as the Plan Administrator, in the exercise of his fiduciary duty under ERISA, considers prudent. Any payment in accordance with these provisions shall be a complete discharge of any liability for the making of such payment under the provisions of the Plan.
10.4 Methods of Communications: The Plan Administrator, or his designated agent, shall prescribe the appropriate methods of communication as he may deem expedient in the administration of the Plan. No application, designation of Beneficiary, notice, direction, request or other communication by the Member, Former Member or Beneficiary provided for under the terms of the Plan shall be valid unless
49
performed in the prescribed manner. Except for such communications specifically directed to be sent to other persons or entities under the Plan, no communications concerning the Plan shall be effective for any purpose unless provided in the manner prescribed by the Plan Administrator and received by the Plan Administrator or his designated agent at the time and place he may designate. Employees seeking to become Members and Members, Former Members or their Beneficiaries seeking benefits under the Plan shall furnish the Plan Administrator whatever information may reasonably be required to determine eligibility for participation or benefits.
10.5 Indemnification of Fiduciaries: The Participating Companies shall indemnify each individual fiduciary under the Plan (whether a Named Fiduciary or a fiduciary under ERISA) who is or was an Employee (except for Members, Former Members, and Qualified Beneficiaries to the extent they direct investments in their own accounts) to the fullest extent permitted under applicable laws and under the by-laws of the employing Participating Company, against all or any portion of any liability, and/or costs and expenses reasonably incurred by such a fiduciary in connection with, arising out of, or resulting from, any claim, suit or proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of having been a fiduciary (other than Members, Former Members, and Qualified Beneficiaries who were fiduciaries by virtue of directing investments in their own accounts), while an Employee of the Employing Company or of an Affiliated Company; provided, however, the Employing Company shall not be obligated to indemnify such a fiduciary against any such liability, costs or expenses in connection with any action or omission to act in respect of which such a fiduciary shall be finally adjudged in any such action, suit or proceeding to have been guilty of fraud or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties.
10.6 Legal Effect of Invalidity of any Provisions: If any provision of this instrument shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof and this instrument shall be construed and enforced as if such provision had not been included.
10.7 Spendthrift Provisions: No portion of any Members or Former Members Account under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt so to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge the same shall be void; nor shall any such benefit be in any manner liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements, or torts of any Member, Former Member or Beneficiary, provided, however, this provision shall not apply to the use of an Account as security for a Loan under the terms of the Plan, nor, shall it apply to a qualified domestic relations order as defined in ERISA and the Code which may direct payment or distribution of any part of the Members or Former Members Account to an alternate payee or payees (as defined in ERISA and the Code).
10.8 Members Interest Non-Forfeitable: A Member shall have, at all times, a non-forfeitable interest in his Account under the Plan. This provision, however, shall not affect the use of an Account as security for a Loan under the terms of the Plan.
10.9 Gender: Terms of gender appearing in the Plan as masculine shall be deemed to include the feminine gender, and the singular may include the plural, unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.
10.10 Operation of Plan Non-Discriminatory: The Plan Administrator, the Trustees and any other fiduciary shall, in performing their duties under the Plan, act in a uniform manner in accordance with the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code, so as not to produce prohibited discrimination in favor of Highly Compensated Employees.
10.11 Effective Date of Plan: Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of this restated Plan shall be effective as of August 1, 2005.
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SECTION XI
MILITARY SERVICE
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, contributions, benefits and service credit with respect to qualified military service will be provided in accordance with Section 414(u) of the Code.
SECTION XII
EGTRRA AMENDMENTS
12.1 Adoption and Effective Date of Section XII:
(a) This Section XII of the Plan Instrument is adopted to reflect certain provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA). The provisions of Section XII are intended as good faith compliance with the requirements of EGTTRA and are to be construed in accordance with EGTRRA and guidance issued thereunder. Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of Section XII shall be effective as of the first day of the first plan year beginning after December 31, 2001.
(b) The provisions of this Section XII of the Plan Instrument shall supercede the other provisions of the Plan to the extent that those provisions are inconsistent with the provisions contained in this Section XII.
12.2 Plan Loans for Owner-Employees and Shareholder Employees: Effective for Plan Loans made after December 31, 2001, plan provisions and operations prohibiting Loans to any owner-employee or shareholder-employee shall cease to apply.
12.3 Limitations on Contributions.
(a) This Subsection 12.3 shall be effective for limitation years beginning after December 31, 2001.
(b) Except to the extent permitted under Subsection 12.8 and Section 414(v) of the Code, if applicable, the Annual Additions that may be contributed or allocated to a Members account under the Plan for any Plan year shall not exceed the lesser of:
(i) $40,000, as adjusted for increases in the cost-of-living under section 415(d) of the Code, or
(ii) 100 percent of the Members compensation, within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code, for the calendar year.
12.4 Increase in the Annual Compensation Limit: The annual compensation of each Member taken into account in determining allocations for any Plan Year beginning after December 31, 2001, shall not exceed $200,000, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases in accordance with Section 401(a)(17)(B) of the Code. Annual compensation means compensation during the Plan Year or such other consecutive 12-month period over which compensation is otherwise determined under the Plan (the determination period). The cost-of-living adjustment in effect for a calendar year applies to annual compensation for the determination period that begins with or within such calendar year.
12.5 Direct Rollovers of Plan Distributions:
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(a) This Subsection 12.5 shall apply to distributions made after December 31, 2001.
(b) For purposes of the direct rollover provisions in Subsection 7.10 of the Plan, an Eligible Retirement Plan shall also mean an annuity contract described in Section 403(b) of the Code and 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 instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state and which agrees to separately account for amounts transferred into such plan from this plan. 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 relation order, as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code.
(c) For purposes of the direct rollover provisions in Subsection 7.10 of the Plan, any amount that is distributed on account of hardship shall not be an Eligible Rollover Distribution and the distributee may not elect to have any portion of such a distribution paid directly to an Eligible Retirement Plan.
(d) For purposes of the direct rollover provisions in Subsection 7.10 of the Plan, 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 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.
12.6 Repeal of Multiple Use Test: The multiple use test described in Treasury Regulation section 1.401(m)-2 and Subsection 3.5 of the Plan shall not apply for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001.
12.7 Salary Deferrals Contribution Limitation: No Member shall be permitted to have Salary Deferrals made under this Plan, or any other qualified plan maintained by the employer during any taxable year, in excess of the dollar limitation contained in Section 402(g) of the Code in effect for such taxable year, except to the extent permitted under Subsection 12.8 of this Plan and Section 414(v) of the Code, if applicable.
12.8 Catch-Up Contributions: All employees who are eligible to make Salary Deferrals under this Plan and who have attained age 50 before the close of the Plan Year shall be eligible to make catch-up contributions in accordance with, and subject to the limitations of, Section 414(v) of the Code. Such catch-up contributions shall not be taken into account for purposes of the provisions of the Plan implementing the required limitations of Sections 402(g) and 415 of the Code. The Plan shall not be treated as failing to satisfy the provisions of the Plan implementing the requirements of Section 401(k)(3), 401(k)(11), 401(k)(12), 410(b), or 416 of the Code, as applicable, by reason of the making of such catch-up contributions.
12.9 Suspension Period Following Hardship Distribution: A Member who receives a distribution of Salary Deferrals after December 31, 2001, as a Withdrawal on account of hardship shall be prohibited from making elective deferrals and employee contributions under this and all other plans of the employer for 6 months after receipt of the distribution. A Member who receives a distribution of Salary Deferrals in calendar year 2000 or 2001 as a Withdrawal on account of hardship shall be prohibited from making elective deferrals and employee contributions under this and all other plans of the employer for the later of: (a) 6 months after receipt of the distribution, or (b) the earlier of April 1, 2002, or such other date as is administratively feasible.
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12.10 Distribution Upon Severance From Employment: For Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, a Members Salary Deferrals, and earnings attributable to these contributions, shall be distributable on account of the Members severance from employment occurring after December 31, 2001. Effective as of July 1, 2002, a Members Salary Deferrals, and earnings attributable to these contributions, shall be distributable on account of the Members severance from employment regardless of when the severance from employment occurred. However, any distribution under this Subsection 12.10 shall be subject to all other provisions of the Plan regarding distributions, including but not limited to Subsection 7.3(e) of the Plan, other than provisions that require separation from service before such amounts may be distributed. No severance from employment shall be treated as such unless it constitutes retirement or other severance from employment within the meaning of Section 401(k)(2)(B) of the Code.
12.11 Modification of Top-Heavy Rules:
(a) This Subsection 12.11 shall apply for purposes of determining whether the plan is a top-heavy plan under Section 416(g) of the Code for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001, and whether the Plan satisfies the minimum benefits requirements of Section 416(c) of the Code for such years. This Subsection 12.11 amends Section IX of the Plan.
(b) Key employee means any employee or former employee (including any deceased employee) who at any time during the Plan Year that includes the determination date was an officer of the Employer having annual compensation greater than $130,000 (as adjusted under Section 416(i)(1) of the Code for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2002), a 5-percent owner of the Employer, or a 1-percent owner of the Employer having annual compensation of more than $150,000. For this purpose, annual compensation means compensation within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code. The determination of who is a key employee will be made in accordance with Section 416(i)(1) of the Code and the applicable regulations and other guidance of general applicability issued thereunder.
(c) This Subsection 12.11(c) shall apply for purposes of determining the present values of accrued benefits and the amounts of account balances of employees as of the determination date.
(i) The present values of accrued benefits and the amounts of account balances of an employee as of the determination date shall be increased by the distributions made with respect to the employee under the Plan and any plan aggregated with the Plan under Section 416(g)(2) of the Code during the one year period ending on the determination date. The preceding sentence shall also apply to distributions under a terminated plan which, had it not been terminated, would have been aggregated with the Plan under Section 416(g)(2)(A)(i) of the Code. In the case of a distribution made for a reason other than separation from service, death, or disability, this provision shall be applied by substituting 5-year period for 1-year period.
(ii) Employees not performing services during year ending on the determination date. The accrued benefits and accounts of any individual who has not performed services for the Employer during the 1-year period ending on the determination date shall not be taken into account.
SECTION XIII
ASSETS TRANSFERRED FROM THE SIEMENS SAVINGS PLAN
13.1 For purposes of this Section XIII, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:
53
(a) Former Siemens Solar Employee shall mean any participant in the Siemens Savings Plan as of January 1, 2002, who was:
(i) an active employee of Siemens Solar Industries L.P. (SSI) as of December 31, 2001,
(ii) an employee of SSI as of the Closing Date of the Siemens Solar Transaction, including an employee on an employer authorized leave of absence or receiving short-term or long-term disability benefits, or
(iii) a retired or vested terminated employee of SSI as of the Closing Date, and
with respect to whom assets were transferred from the Siemens Savings Plan to this Plan.
(b) Siemens Savings Plan shall mean the Siemens Savings Plan as sponsored by the Siemens Corporation as of the Closing Date.
(c) Siemens Solar Transaction shall mean that transaction described in that Framework Agreement dated February 20, 2001, by and between Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Shell Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, and E.ON Energie Ag.
(d) Closing Date shall mean April 3, 2001.
13.2 In connection with the transfer of assets from the Siemens Savings Plan pursuant to the Siemens Solar Transaction, amounts attributable to salary reduction contributions made under such plan shall be credited to the respective accounts established hereunder for the benefit of Former Siemens Solar Employees. Such Former Siemens Solar Employees or their beneficiaries thereunder shall be fully vested in all amounts credited to their accounts in connection with such transfer. The Plan Administrator may establish such special transitional rules as he deems appropriate in connection with such transfer of assets.
13.3 Each Former Siemens Solar Employee shall be credited as of January 1, 2002, with Participation Service and Accredited Service equal to the amount of service credited to such Former Siemens Solar Employee for vesting purposes under the terms of the Siemens Savings Plan as of December 31, 2001.
SECTION XIV
MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
14.1 General Rules:
(a) Effective Date: The provisions of this Section XIV will apply for purposes of making required minimum distributions on and after January 1, 2003.
(b) Precedence: The requirements of this Section XIV will take precedence over any inconsistent provisions of the Plan.
(c) Requirements of Treasury Regulations Incorporated: All distributions required under this Section XIV will be determined and made in accordance with the Treasury Regulations under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code.
(d) TEFRA Section 242(b)(2) Elections: Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section XIV, 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 Responsibility Act (TEFRA) and the provisions of the Plan that relate to Section 242(b)(2) of TEFRA.
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14.2 Time and Manner of Distribution:
(a) Required Beginning Date: A Members entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, to such Member no later than the Members Required Beginning Date.
(b) Death of Member Before Distributions Begin: If the Member dies before distributions begin, the Members entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, no later than as follows:
(i) If the Members surviving spouse is the Members sole Designated Beneficiary, then, except as provided in Subsection 14.6, distributions to the surviving spouse will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Member died, or by December 31 of the calendar year in which the Member would have attained age 70 1/2, if later.
(ii) If the Members surviving spouse is not the Members sole Designated Beneficiary, then, except as provided in Subsection 14.6, distributions to the Designated Beneficiary will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Member died.
(iii) If there is no Designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Members death, the Members entire interest will be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Members death.
(iv) If the Members surviving spouse is the Members sole Designated Beneficiary and the surviving spouse dies after the Member but before distributions to the surviving spouse begin, Subsection 14.2(b), other than Subsection 14.2(b)(i), will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Member.
For purposes of this Subsection 14.2(b) and Subsection 14.4, unless Subsection 14.2(b)(iv) applies, distributions are considered to begin on the Members Required Beginning Date. If Subsection 14.2(b)(iv) applies, distributions are considered to begin on the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under Subsection 14.2(b)(i). If distributions under an annuity purchased from an insurance company irrevocably commence to the Member before the Members Required Beginning Date (or to the Members surviving spouse before the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under Subsection 14.2(b)(i)), the date distributions are considered to begin is the date distributions actually commence.
(c) Forms of Distribution: Unless the Members 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 Subsections 14.3 and 14.4. If the Members interest is distributed in the form of an annuity purchased from an insurance company, distributions thereunder will be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations.
14.3 Required Minimum Distributions During Members Lifetime:
(a) Amount of Required Minimum Distribution For Each Distribution Calendar Year: During the Members lifetime, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each Distribution Calendar Year is the lesser of:
(i) the quotient obtained by dividing the Members Account Balance by the distribution period in the Uniform Lifetime Table set forth in Section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of
55
the Treasury Regulations, using the Members age as of the Members birthday in the Distribution Calendar Year; or
(ii) if the Members sole Designated Beneficiary for the Distribution Calendar Year is the Members spouse, the quotient obtained by dividing the Members Account Balance by the number in the Joint and Last Survivor Table set forth in Section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury Regulations, using the Members and spouses attained ages as of the Members and spouses birthdays in the Distribution Calendar Year.
(b) Lifetime Required Minimum Distributions Continue Through Year of Members Death: Required minimum distributions will be determined under this Subsection 14.3 beginning with the first Distribution Calendar Year and up to and including the Distribution Calendar Year that includes the Members date of death.
14.4 Required Minimum Distributions After Members Death:
(a) Death On or After Date Distributions Begin:
(i) Member Survived by Designated Beneficiary: If the Member 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 Members death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Members Account Balance by the longer of the remaining Life Expectancy of the Member or the remaining Life Expectancy of the Members Designated Beneficiary, determined as follows:
(A) | The Members remaining Life Expectancy is calculated using the age of the Member in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year. | |||
(B) | If the Members surviving spouse is the Members sole Designated Beneficiary, the remaining Life Expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated for each Distribution Calendar Year after the year of the Members death using the surviving spouses age as of the spouses birthday in that year. For Distribution Calendar Years after the year of the surviving spouses death, the remaining Life Expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated using the age of the surviving spouse as of the spouses birthday in the calendar year of the spouses death, reduced by one for each subsequent calendar year. | |||
(C) | If the Members surviving spouse is not the Members sole Designated Beneficiary, the Designated Beneficiarys remaining Life Expectancy is calculated using the age of the beneficiary in the year following the year of the Members death, reduced by one for each subsequent year. |
(ii) No Designated Beneficiary: If the Member 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 Members death, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each Distribution Calendar Year after the year of the Members death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Members Account Balance by the Members remaining Life Expectancy calculated using the age of the Member in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year.
(b) Death Before Date Distributions Begin:
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(i) Member Survived by Designated Beneficiary: If the Member dies before 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 Members death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Members Account Balance by the remaining Life Expectancy of the Members Designated Beneficiary, determined as provided in Subsection 14.4(a).
(ii) No Designated Beneficiary: If the Member dies before the date distributions begin and there is no Designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Members death, distribution of the Members entire interest will be completed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Members death.
(iii) Death of Surviving Spouse Before Distributions to Surviving Spouse Are Required to Begin: If the Member dies before the date distributions begin, the Members surviving spouse is the Members sole Designated Beneficiary, and the surviving spouse dies before distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under Subsection 14.2(b)(1), this Subsection 14.4(b) will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Member.
14.5 Definitions:
(a) Designated Beneficiary: The individual who is designated as a Qualified Beneficiary under Subsection 7.4 and is the designated beneficiary under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code and Section 1.401(a)(9)-1, Q&A-4, of the Treasury Regulations.
(b) Distribution Calendar Year: A calendar year for which a minimum distribution is required. For distributions beginning before the Members death, the first Distribution Calendar Year is the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year which contains the Members Required Beginning Date. For distributions beginning after the Members death, the first Distribution Calendar Year is the calendar year in which distributions are required to begin under Subsection 14.2(b). The required minimum distribution for the Members first Distribution Calendar Year will be made on or before the Members Required Beginning Date. The required minimum distribution for other Distribution Calendar Years, including the required minimum distribution for the Distribution Calendar Year in which the Members Required Beginning Date occurs, will be made on or before December 31 of that Distribution Calendar Year.
(c) Life Expectancy: Life expectancy as computed by use of the Single Life Table in Section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury Regulations.
(d) Member: For purposes of this Section XIV of the Plan Instrument, Member shall include a Former Member as defined in Subsection 1.40.
(e) Members Account Balance: The account balance as of the last valuation date in the calendar year immediately preceding the Distribution Calendar Year (valuation calendar year) increased by the amount of any contributions made and allocated or forfeitures allocated to the account balance as of dates in the valuation calendar year after the valuation date and decreased by distributions made in the valuation calendar year after the valuation date. The account balance for the valuation calendar year includes any amounts rolled over or transferred to the Plan either in the valuation calendar year or in the Distribution Calendar Year if distributed or transferred in the valuation calendar year.
(f) Required Beginning Date: For any Member, the Required Beginning Date is April 1 of the calendar year following the later of (i) the calendar year in which the Member attains age 70-1/2, or (ii) the calendar year in which the Member retires provided that the Member is not a 5 percent owner with respect to the Plan Year ending in the calendar year in which the Member attains age 70-1/2.
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14.6 Election to Allow Designated Beneficiaries to Elect 5-Year Rule: Designated Beneficiaries may elect on an individual basis whether the 5-year rule or the life expectancy rule in Subsections 14.2(b) and 14.4(b) applies to distributions after the death of a Member who has a Designated Beneficiary. The election must be made no later than September 30 of the calendar year in which distribution would be required to begin under Subsection 14.2(b). If the Designated Beneficiary does not make an election under this Subsection 14.6, distributions will be made in accordance with Subsections 14.2(b) and 14.4(b).
14.7 Election to Allow Designated Beneficiary Receiving Distributions Under the 5-Year Rule to Elect Life Expectancy Distributions: A Designated Beneficiary may make a new election to receive payments under the life expectancy rule until November 1, 2003, provided that all amounts that would have been required to be distributed under the life expectancy rule for all Distribution Calendar Years before 2004 are distributed by December 31, 2003.
SECTION XV
MERGER OF CRI GROUP SAVINGS PLAN
15.1 For purposes of this Section XV, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:
(a) CRI Savings Account shall mean, for a given CRI Savings Participant, the amount, if any, accrued as of December 31, 2002, in his pre-tax account in the CRI Group Savings Plan.
(b) CRI Savings Participant shall mean a person participating as of December 31, 2002, in the CRI Group Savings Plan.
15.2 A CRI Savings Participant shall have his CRI Savings Accounts transferred to the Plan as of January 1, 2003, by virtue of the merger of the accounts of all CRI Savings Participants into the Plan as of January 1, 2003.
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SECTION XVI
TRANSFERRED ASSETS
16.1 Right to Transfer Assets to this Plan: In the event of a transfer of assets from, or a merger or consolidation of, another plan that is qualified under section 401(a) of the Code based on the opinion of tax counsel (Qualified Plan) into this Plan, the Trustees may direct the Plan Administrator to accept the Transferred Assets on behalf of a Member. For purposes of this Plan, Transferred Assets shall mean those assets which are transferred from a Qualified Plan directly to the Plan by the trustee(s) of the Qualified Plan on behalf of the Member, provided that the Qualified Plan from which the assets are transferred provides benefits protected under Section 411(d)(6) of the Code which are also protected by this Plan, or the transfer satisfies one of the exceptions set forth in the Treasury Regulations under Section 411(d)(6) of the Code.
16.2 Transferred Asset Accounts: Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, assets transferred from a Qualified Plan to this Plan shall be accounted for as follows: salary deferrals (i.e. pre-tax elective contributions) and qualified non-elective contributions (and earnings thereon) shall be credited to the Salary Deferral Account; catch-up contributions (and earnings thereon) shall be credited to the Catch-Up Contribution Account; company contributions, including matching contributions, (and earnings thereon) from qualified plans that allow for in-service distributions of such assets before the Member attains 591/2 years of age shall be credited to the Prior Plan Company Contribution Account; company contributions, including matching contributions, (and earnings thereon) from qualified plans that do not allow for in-service distributions of such assets before the Member attains 591/2 years of age shall be credited to the Company Contribution Account; employee post-tax contributions (and earnings thereon) shall be credited to the Prior Plan Member After-Tax Account; rollover contributions (and earnings thereon) shall be credited to the Prior Plan Rollover Account; and after-tax rollover contributions (and earnings thereon) shall be credited to the Prior Plan After-Tax Rollover Account.
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SECTION XVII
ASSETS TRANSFERRED FROM THE PENNZOIL-QUAKER STATE COMPANY
SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN AND THE PENNZOIL-QUAKER STATE
COMPANY SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN FOR HOURLY EMPLOYEES
17.1 In connection with the transfer of assets from the Relevant Plans on or about December 23, 2004, amounts attributable to salary deferrals (i.e. pre-tax elective contributions) including catch-up contributions made under the Relevant Plans and all assets in the form of a loan that is at least partially sourced from salary deferrals or catch-up contributions shall be credited to the respective accounts established hereunder for the benefit of Former PQS Participants. The Plan Administrator may establish such special transitional rules as he deems appropriate in connection with such transfer of assets.
17.2 For purposes of this Article,
(a) Former PQS Participant shall mean any individual who met each of the following characteristics:
(i) transferred employment directly from a company participating in one of the Relevant Plans to a Participating Company during the period October 1, 2002 to November 1, 2004 or was an employee of Pennzoil-Quaker State Company on and immediately before January 1, 2004, the day in which such company became a Participating Company, and
(ii) as of November 2, 2004, was not employed by Jiffy Lube International, Inc., Q Lube, Inc., or Pennzoil-Quaker State International Corporation.
(b) Relevant Plans means the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Savings and Investment Plan and the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Savings and Investment Plan for Hourly Employees.
17.3 Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred in the form of a loan from the Relevant Plans, that was separately accounted for in sources designated as either the Company Match Account or the Company Match Vested Account in the PQS Administrative Manual as of November 2004, shall be credited to the Prior Plan Company Contribution Account established in this Plan.
17.4 Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred in the form of a loan from the Relevant Plans, which was separately accounted for as the source designated as either Prior Employer Match Account, Prior Plan Match Account, Prior Plan P/S Account, or Prior Plan ESOP Account in the PQS Administrative Manual as of November 2004 shall be credited to the Prior Plan Rollover Account established in this Plan.
17.5 Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred in the form of a loan from the Relevant Plans, which was separately accounted for as the source designated as either Safe harbor Match Account or Prior Company Match Account in the PQS Administrative Manual as of November 2004, shall be credited to the Company Contribution Account established in this Plan.
17.6 Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred in the form of a loan from the Relevant Plans, which was separately accounted for as the source designated as QNEC Account in the PQS Administrative Manual as of November 2004, shall be credited to the Salary Deferral Account established in this Plan.
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SECTION XVIII
MERGER OF SHELL TRADING SAVINGS PLAN
18.1 In connection with the transfer of assets from the Shell Trading Savings Plan on or about December 29, 2004, account balances of amounts attributable to salary deferrals (i.e. pre-tax elective contributions) including catch-up contributions and all assets in the form of a loan that is at least partially sourced from salary deferrals or catch-up contributions shall be credited to the respective accounts established herein. The Plan Administrator may establish such special transition rules as he deems appropriate in connection with such transfer of assets.
18.2 Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred in the form of a loan from the Shell Trading Savings Plan that were credited to the Matching Account in such plan shall be credited to the Company Contribution Account established in this Plan.
18.3 Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred in the form of a loan from the Shell Trading Savings Plan that were credited to the LEDCO Account in such plan shall be credited to the Company Contribution Account established in this Plan.
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SCHEDULE A
Business Entity | Date of Acquisition | |
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
|
December 18, 1992 | |
Hi-Tek Polymers, Inc.
|
April 1, 1993 | |
Schering Berlin Polymers, Inc.
|
April 2, 1993 |
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SCHEDULE B
Part One
Incentive Compensation Plans
Incentive Compensation Plan (as adopted by Shell Oil Company and certain of its subsidiaries with effect from 1/1/94)
Shell Polypropylene Company 1995 Incentive Compensation Plan
Success Shares CalResources Incentive Compensation Plan
Coral Energy Resources Services Company Bonus Plan
Part Two
(Intentionally left blank)
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SCHEDULE C
Part I of Schedule C
Tier I
LifeStyle Funds
Fidelity Freedom Income Fund®
Fidelity Freedom 2010 Fund®
Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund®
Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund®
Fidelity Freedom 2040 Fund®
Core Funds
1-3 Year Government Bond Index Fund
A fund using a stratified sampling approach to aim to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers
1-3 Year Government Bond Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of U.S.
government-issued bonds with maturities greater than one year but less than three years.
20+ Treasury Bond Index Fund
A fixed-income index fund designed to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers 20+ Treasury
Index and consisting exclusively of U.S. Treasury issues with maturities greater than 20 years
which are guaranteed timely interest and principal payments by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. government and certain short-term investments.
Government/Credit Bond Index Fund
A fund using a stratified sampling approach to aim to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers
Government/Credit Bond Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of U.S. government
and high-quality corporate bonds with maturities of at least one year.
Intermediate Government Bond Index Fund
A fixed-income index fund designed to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers Intermediate
Government Bond Index and consisting exclusively of U.S. government issued bonds which are
guaranteed timely interest and principal payments by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government and certain short-term investments.
Mid-Cap Equity Index Fund
A broadly diversified equity index fund designed to match the performance of the S&P MidCap 400
Index and consisting primarily of the equities of mid-sized U.S. companies.
Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund
A non-diversified, unmanaged, unitized fund consisting primarily of RDS Class A American depositary
receipts representing Class A ordinary shares of Royal Dutch Shell plc and short-term instruments.
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Russell 1000 Value Index Fund
A diversified large-capitalization equity index fund that aims to match the performance of the
Russell 1000® Value Index.
Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund
A diversified large-capitalization equity index fund that aims to match the performance of the
Russell 1000® Growth Index.
Russell 2000® Equity Index Fund
A small capitalization equity index fund designed to match the performance of the Russell 2000®
Index and consisting primarily of small capitalization securities.
Russell 2000 Value Index Fund
A small-capitalization equity index fund that aims to match the performance of the Russell
2000® Value Index.
Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund
A small-capitalization equity index fund that aims to match the performance of the Russell
2000® Growth Index.
Thrift Fund
A fund consisting of such fixed-income investments as the Trustees shall from time to time
determine in accordance with the Trust Agreement. Investments may include, but shall not be
limited to, investment contracts of insurance companies or financial institutions and high quality,
short-term, U.S. dollar-denominated money market securities issuers.
U. S. Debt Index Fund
A broad fixed-income index fund designed to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers Aggregate
Bond Index and consisting primarily of investment-grade bonds with maturities of at least one year
including U.S. government, corporate, mortgage-backed, and asset-backed bonds.
U. S. Equity Index Fund
An equity index fund designed to approximate the composition and total return of the Standard &
Poors Composite Index of 500 Stocks (S&P 500®) and consisting primarily of the common
stocks that make up the S&P 500®. Except as provided in Section VI of the Trust
Agreement, assets of the U. S. Equity Index Fund shall not be invested in securities of any of the
Contributing or Affiliated Companies.
U. S. Equity Market Fund
A total market equity index fund designed to match the performance of the Barclays U.S. Equity
Market Index and consisting primarily of the publicly available universe of equity shares.
U. S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Index Fund
A fund using a full-replication approach to aim to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers
U.S. Treasury Inflation Protection Securities Index, an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Part II of Schedule C
Tier II
Fidelity Mutual Funds
Fidelity Blue Chip Growth Fund
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Fidelity Diversified International Fund
Fidelity Dividend Growth Fund
Fidelity Equity-Income Fund
Fidelity Equity-Income II Fund
Fidelity Fund
Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio
Fidelity Mid Cap Stock Fund
Fidelity Overseas Fund
Fidelity Puritan® Fund
Fidelity Small Cap Independence Fund
Fidelity Small Cap Stock Fund
Fidelity Value Fund
Part III of Schedule C
Tier III
Mutual Fund Window such of the following mutual funds as are from time to time
available through Fidelitys
FundsNetSM program and all Fidelity mutual funds not
offered in Tier II:
AIM Balanced Fund Class A
AIM Basic Value Fund Class A
AIM Blue Chip Fund Class A
AIM Constellation Fund Class A
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund Class A
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund Class A
AIM Premier Equity Fund
AIM Weingarten Fund Class A
Alger Capital Appreciation Fund Institutional Class
Alger Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional Class
Alger Small Cap Fund Institutional Class
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American AAdvantage Balanced Fund
American AAdvantage International Equity Fund
American AAdvantage Large Cap Value Fund
American AAdvantage Short-Term Bond Fund
American Century Large Company Value Fund Investor Class
American Century Small Company Fund Investor Class
American Century Ultra Fund Investor Class
Ariel Appreciation Fund
Ariel Fund
Ariel Premier Bond Fund Investor Class
Artisan International Fund
Artisan Mid Cap Fund
Baron Asset Fund
Baron Growth Fund
Calvert Capital Accumulation Fund
Calvert New Vision Small Cap Fund
Calvert Social Investment Balanced Fund
Calvert Social Investment Fund Equity A
Calvert World Values Fund, Inc. International Equity Fund
Columbia Acorn Select Fund Z
Columbia High Yield Fund Z
Credit Suisse Capital Appreciation Fund
Credit Suisse Global Fixed Income Fund
Credit Suisse International Focus Fund
Credit Suisse Large Cap Value Fund Class A
Credit Suisse Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Credit Suisse Small Cap Value Fund
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CRM Mid Cap Value Fund Investor Class
Domini Social Equity Fund
Dreyfus Founders Balanced Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Discovery Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Growth & Income Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Growth Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Mid-Cap Growth Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Passport Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Worldwide Growth Fund F
Fidelity Aggressive Growth Fund
Fidelity Aggressive International Fund
Fidelity Asset ManagerSM
Fidelity Asset Manager: AggressiveSM
Fidelity Asset Manager: GrowthSM
Fidelity Asset Manager: IncomeSM
Fidelity Balanced Fund
Fidelity Blue Chip Value Fund
Fidelity Canada Fund
Fidelity Capital & Income Fund
Fidelity Capital Appreciation Fund
Fidelity Cash Reserves
Fidelity China Region Fund
Fidelity Contrafund
Fidelity Convertible Securities Fund
Fidelity Disciplined Equity Fund
Fidelity Discovery Fund
Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund
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Fidelity Europe Capital Appreciation Fund
Fidelity Europe Fund
Fidelity Export and Multinational Fund
Fidelity Fifty Fund
Fidelity Floating Rate High Income Fund
Fidelity Focused Stock Fund
Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund
Fidelity Freedom 2000 Fund
Fidelity Freedom 2005 Fund
Fidelity Freedom 2015 Fund
Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund
Fidelity Freedom 2035 Fund
Fidelity Ginnie Mae Fund
Fidelity Global Balanced Fund
Fidelity Government Income Fund
Fidelity Growth & Income II Portfolio
Fidelity Growth Company Fund
Fidelity High Income Fund
Fidelity Independence Fund
Fidelity Inflation-Protected Bond Fund
Fidelity Institutional Short-Intermediate Government Fund
Fidelity Intermediate Bond Fund
Fidelity Intermediate Government Income Fund
Fidelity International Growth & Income Fund
Fidelity International Small Cap Fund
Fidelity Investment Grade Bond Fund
Fidelity Japan Fund
69
Fidelity Japan Smaller Companies Fund
Fidelity Large Cap Stock Fund
Fidelity Latin America Fund
Fidelity Leveraged Company Stock Fund
Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund
Fidelity Magellan® Fund
Fidelity Mortgage Securities Fund Initial Class
Fidelity Nasdaq Composite® Index Fund
Fidelity New Markets Income Fund
Fidelity Nordic Fund
Fidelity OTC Portfolio
Fidelity Pacific Basin Fund
Fidelity Real Estate Income Fund
Fidelity Real Estate Investment Portfolio
Fidelity Retirement Government Money Market Portfolio
Fidelity Retirement Money Market Portfolio
Fidelity Short-Term Bond Fund
Fidelity Small Cap Retirement Fund
Fidelity Southeast Asia Fund
Fidelity Stock Selector
Fidelity Strategic Dividend & Income Fund
Fidelity Strategic Income Fund
Fidelity Structured Large Cap Growth
Fidelity Structured Large Cap Value
Fidelity Structured Mid Cap Growth
Fidelity Structured Mid Cap Value
Fidelity Total Bond Fund
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Fidelity Trend Fund
Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund
Fidelity U.S. Government Reserves
Fidelity Ultra-Short Bond Fund
Fidelity Utilities Fund
Fidelity Value Discovery Fund
Fidelity Value Strategies Fund
Fidelity Worldwide Fund
FMA Small Company Portfolio
Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund A
INVESCO Core Equity Fund
INVESCO Dynamics Fund
INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund
INVESCO Total Return Fund
Janus Balanced Fund
Janus Enterprise Fund
Janus Flexible Income Fund
Janus Fund
Janus Mercury Fund
Janus Twenty Fund
Janus Worldwide Fund
Legg Mason Value Trust
Lord Abbett Mid Cap Value Fund Class A
Lord Abbett Mid Cap Value Fund Class P
Managers Bond Fund
Managers Capital Appreciation Fund
Managers Special Equity Fund
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Managers Value Fund
MS Institutional Fund Active International Allocation Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund Emerging Markets Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund Equity Growth Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund Global Value Equity Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund International Equity Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund International Magnum Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund Small Company Growth Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund Trust Balanced Portfolio
MS Institutional Fund Trust Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio
MS Institutional Fund Trust High Yield Portfolio
MS Institutional Fund Trust Mid Cap Growth Portfolio
MS Institutional Fund Trust Value Portfolio
MS Institutional Fund Value Equity Portfolio Class B
Mutual Discovery Fund A
Mutual Shares Fund A
Neuberger Berman Focus Trust
Neuberger Berman Genesis Trust
Neuberger Berman Guardian Trust
Neuberger Berman Manhattan Trust
Neuberger Berman Partners Trust
Neuberger Berman Socially Responsive Trust
Oakmark Equity and Income Fund
Oakmark Fund
Oakmark Select Fund
PBHG Emerging Growth Fund
PBHG Growth Fund
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PBHG Large Cap Fund
PBHG Mid Cap Fund
PBHG Strategic Small Company Fund
PIMCO CCM Capital Appreciation Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO CCM Mid Cap Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO Global Bond Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO High Yield Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO Long-Term U.S. Government Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO Low Duration Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO NFJ Small Cap Value Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO Total Return Fund Administrative Class
Robertson Stephens Emerging Growth Fund
Robertson Stephens Smaller Company Growth Fund
Royce Low-Priced Stock Fund
Scudder 21st Century Growth Fund
Scudder Dreman High Return Equity A
Scudder Global Discover Fund
Scudder Growth & Income Fund
Scudder International Fund
Spartan 500 Index Fund
Spartan Extended Market Index Fund
Spartan Government Income Fund
Spartan International Index Fund
Spartan Investment Grade Bond Fund
Spartan Total Market Index Fund
Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund
Strong Advisor Common Stock Fund Class Z
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Strong Advisor Small Cap Value Fund
Strong Discovery Fund
Strong Government Securities Fund
Strong Growth Fund
Strong Large Cap Growth Fund
Strong Opportunity Fund
Strong Short-Term Bond Fund
Strong Ultra Short-Term Income Fund
TCW Galileo Aggressive Growth Equities Fund Class N
TCW Galileo Select Equities Fund Class N
TCW Galileo Small Cap Growth Fund Class N
Templeton Developing Markets Trust A
Templeton Foreign Fund A
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund A
Templeton Global Bond Fund A
Templeton Growth Fund A
Templeton World Fund A
UAM: FPA Crescent Portfolio
UAM: Rice, Hall, James Small Cap Portfolio
USAA Cornerstone Strategy Fund
USAA Emerging Markets Fund
USAA GNMA Trust
USAA Growth Fund
USAA Income Fund
USAA Income Stock Fund
USAA International Fund
Van Kampen Growth & Income Fund A
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Villanova Capital: Gartmore Millennium Growth Fund
Villanova Capital: Gartmore Value Opportunity Fund
Western Asset Core Portfolio FI Class
Part IV of Schedule C
Tier IV
Fidelity Select Portfolios such of the following mutual funds as are from time to time
available through Fidelity:
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Air Transportation Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Automotive Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Banking Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Biotechnology Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Brokerage and Investment Management Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Business Services and Outsourcing Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Chemicals Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Computers Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Construction and Housing Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Consumer Industries Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Cyclical Industries Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Defense and Aerospace Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Developing Communications Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Electronics Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Energy Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Energy Service Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Environmental Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Financial Services Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Food and Agriculture Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Gold Portfolio
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Fidelity Select Portfolios: Health Care Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Home Finance Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Industrial Equipment Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Industrial Materials Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Insurance Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Leisure Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Medical Delivery Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Medical Equipment and Systems Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Money Market Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Multimedia Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Natural Gas Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Natural Resources Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Networking and Infrastructure Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Paper and Forest Products Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Pharmaceuticals Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Retailing Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Software and Computer Services Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Technology Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Telecommunications Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Transportation Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Utilities Growth Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Wireless Portfolio
76
TRUST AGREEMENT
SHELL PAY DEFERRAL INVESTMENT FUND
This Trust Agreement is made by and between SHELL OIL COMPANY, CORAL ENERGY SERVICES, LLC, CRI U.S. LP, EQUILON ENTERPRISES LLC d/b/a SHELL OIL PRODUCTS US, MOTIVA COMPANY, PECTEN CHEMICALS INC., PECTEN MIDDLE EAST SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED, PECTEN OVERSEAS SERVICES COMPANY, PECTEN PRODUCING COMPANY, PECTEN SERVICES COMPANY, PENNZOIL-QUAKER STATE COMPANY d/b/a SOPUS PRODUCTS, SHELL AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL COMPANY, SHELL CAPITAL, INC., SHELL CHEMICAL LP, SHELL CHEMICAL RISK MANAGEMENT COMPANY, SHELL ENERGY RESOURCES COMPANY, SHELL ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, L.L.C., SHELL EXPATRIATE EMPLOYMENT US INC., SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY, SHELL GLOBAL SOLUTIONS (US) INC., SHELL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INC., SHELL INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INC., SHELL MARINE PRODUCTS (US) COMPANY, SHELL NORTH AMERICA GAS & POWER SERVICES COMPANY, SHELL OFFSHORE INC., SHELL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY LLC, SHELL OIL PRODUCTS LAN LLC, SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP, SHELL SOLAR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INC., SHELL TECHNOLOGY VENTURES INC., SHELL TRADING GAS AND POWER COMPANY, SHELL TRADING GP OVERSEAS SERVICES COMPANY, SHELL US GAS & POWER, LLC, SHELL TRADING NORTH AMERICA COMPANY, SHELL TRADING (US) COMPANY, SWEPI LP, SHELL WINDENERGY SERVICES INC., SIEP OVERSEAS SERVICES, INC., SPLC SERVICES COMPANY LLC, and such other companies as may become parties hereto from time to time as hereinafter provided (the affiliated companies which at any given time are participating in the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund being hereinafter referred to as the Participating Companies), and T. T. Coles, J. M. Esquivel, F. A. Glaviano, S. Hodge, and J. D. Hofmeister, as Trustees, and such other persons who may become Trustees hereunder from time to time as hereinafter provided (the persons who at any given time are acting as Trustees hereunder being hereinafter called the Trustees).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Participating Companies are establishing the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund (hereinafter referred to as the Plan) for the benefit of their Employees who are eligible and elect to participate as Members;
WHEREAS, the Plan will be an employee benefit plan under ERISA and is designed to comply with Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Code and will be evidenced by a Plan Instrument to be effective as of the date set forth in Subsection 10.11 of the Plan, to which this Trust Agreement will be attached and made a part;
WHEREAS, in order to implement and carry out the provisions of the Plan, the Participating Companies desire to establish a trust which will be part of the Plan and which is designed to be exempt from federal income tax under the Code;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the provisions and mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:
77
ARTICLE I
ADOPTION OF THE PLAN, CREATION OF THE TRUST
AND DESIGNATION OF TRUSTEES
1.1 The Participating Companies hereby adopt the Plan as set forth in the Plan Instrument of which this Trust Agreement is made a part, for the exclusive benefit of their Employees who become Members of the Plan and their Beneficiaries, and hereby join in the creation of the trust to which Contributions under the Plan are to be made (the Trust); the Trust being for the purpose of holding and distributing Plan assets under the terms of the Plan.
1.2 The Trustees named above are hereby designated Trustees for the Plan and shall so serve until they are removed under the terms of the Plan, resign or become unable to serve.
1.3 The signature of any Participating Company to any counterpart or copy of this Trust Agreement or of any ratification or adoption instrument approved by counsel to the Plan shall be sufficient evidence of its adoption of the Plan, ratification of the Trust and approval and designation of the Trustees then serving at the time of execution of any such instrument.
ARTICLE II
ACCEPTANCE OF THE TRUST; DISCHARGE OF DUTIES BY TRUSTEES
2.1 The Trustees hereby accept appointment as Trustees and agree to hold, administer and disburse all of the principal and earnings of the funds contributed to or accumulated in the Trust in accordance with all of the terms and conditions of the Plan as set forth in the Plan Instrument of which this Trust Agreement is a part. The signature of any person named or appointed as a Trustee to any counterpart of this Trust Agreement shall be sufficient evidence of his acceptance of such appointment and his agreement to serve as Trustee.
2.2 The Trustees shall discharge their duties set forth in the Plan Instrument including the Trust Agreement:
(a) solely in the interest of the Members and their Beneficiaries;
(b) for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to Members and their Beneficiaries;
(c) with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent man acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of the enterprise of a like character and with like aims;
(d) by diversifying the investments of the Trust so as to minimize the risk of large losses, unless under the circumstances it is clearly prudent not to do so, or unless the Members, Former Members, or Qualified Beneficiaries entitled under the terms of the Plan Instrument to direct investments in their own accounts, have otherwise directed; and
(e) in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Plan insofar as such documents and instruments are consistent with ERISA.
ARTICLE III
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RELIANCE BY TRUSTEE ON OTHER TRUSTEES AND FIDUCIARIES;
DELEGATION OF DUTIES
3.1 The Trustees may rely upon any investment direction of a Member, or a Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary entitled under the terms of the Regulations to direct investments in their own accounts, as long as any such direction is proper on its face and consistent with the Plan Instrument and this Trust Agreement. Each Trustee may rely upon any direction, information or action of another Trustee as being proper under the Plan or the Trust and is not required to inquire into the propriety of any such direction, information or action. It is intended that each Trustee shall be responsible for the proper exercise of his own powers, duties, responsibilities, and obligations under the Plan and the Trust and shall not be responsible for any act or failure to act of another fiduciary (including another Trustee), except in the following circumstances: (a) the Trustee knowingly participates in or knowingly attempts to conceal the act or omission of another fiduciary, and the Trustee knows the act or omission is a breach of a fiduciary responsibility by the other fiduciary; or (b) the Trustee has knowledge of a breach by the other fiduciary and does not make reasonable efforts to remedy the breach; or (c) the Trustees breach of his own fiduciary responsibility permits the other fiduciary to commit a breach. No Trustee guarantees the Plan assets in any manner against investment loss or depreciation in asset value.
3.2 The Trustees shall jointly manage and control the assets of the Plan unless there is a specific allocation or delegation of specific responsibilities, obligations, and duties among the Trustees or other fiduciaries. There may be an allocation and delegation of fiduciary responsibilities to other fiduciaries as provided under the Plan. If such an allocation or delegation shall be made, the specified Trustee or fiduciary shall then be responsible for the duties allocated or delegated, and the other Trustees or fiduciaries shall not be liable for any breach of fiduciary responsibility for the duties allocated or delegated except as set forth above.
3.3 The Contributing Companies shall have no responsibility for overseeing or monitoring the investment options under Schedule C of the Regulations. The Trustees and the Plan Administrator shall have only limited responsibility for overseeing and monitoring the LifeStyle Funds set out in Part I of Schedule C to the Regulations and shall have no responsibility for overseeing or monitoring the Tier III Funds or the Tier IV Funds regardless of whether such Tier III Funds and/or such Tier IV Funds underlie investment options under Part I and/or Part II of such Schedule C. Each participant and each beneficiary shall have the sole responsibility for deciding to buy, sell, or hold units in the investment options under Schedule C of the Regulations for his or her account and the sole responsibility for determining whether any Tier III Funds and any Tier IV Funds in said account provide acceptable risk and return characteristics and are otherwise consistent with his or her investment objectives and the investment objectives of the Optional Fund.
ARTICLE IV
CONTRIBUTIONS TO TRUST;
INVESTMENT AND DISPOSITION OF FUNDS
4.1 Contributions to the Trust by the Participating Companies shall be made in accordance with the Plan as set forth in the Plan Instrument of which this Trust Agreement is made a part. Funds paid in as Contributions under the Plan will be allocated and directed to the respective insurance companies, banks, trust institutions, custodians and Investment Managers charged with the duty of holding, managing, investing and disbursing the respective funds offered by the Plan under written agreements executed by and between
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the Trustees and such parties; such allocations between such funds to be in accordance with the directions of Members and credited to their respective Accounts under the Plan.
4.2 All funds paid into the Trust as Contributions shall be held, managed, deposited, invested, reinvested, disbursed and distributed to or for the benefit of Members in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan. No Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions of any insurance company, Investment Manager, bank or trust company charged with the duty of holding, managing, investing or disbursing Plan assets, or, be under an obligation to invest or otherwise manage any asset of the Plan subject to the management of any such party. However, the Trustees will have the responsibility to periodically review the performance of all Investment Managers of the Plan and to remove and replace any if it appears advisable to do so.
4.3 All Contributions made pursuant to the Plan shall be held by the Trustees in accordance with the terms of the Trust Agreement for the exclusive benefit of the Members and their Beneficiaries, and shall be applied to provide benefits under the Plan and to pay expenses of administration of the Plan and the Trust, to the extent that such expenses are not otherwise paid. At no time prior to the satisfaction of all liabilities with respect to such Members and their Beneficiaries shall any part of the corpus or income of the Trust (other than such part as may be required to pay administration expenses and taxes), be used for, or diverted to, purposes other than for the exclusive benefit of such Members and their Beneficiaries. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, however, Contributions to the Plan are subject to the following conditions:
(a) that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) and if the Plan does not so qualify, the Trustee shall, upon written request of a Participating Company, return to such Participating Company the amount of such Contribution and any increment thereon within one year after the date that initial qualification is denied;
(b) that the Contributions are deductible under Section 404 of the Code and to the extent the deduction is disallowed, the Trustee shall upon written request of a Participating Company, return the Contribution (to the extent disallowed) and any increment thereon to such Participating Company within one year after the date the deduction is disallowed; and
(c) If a Contribution is made by a Participating Company by a mistake of fact, the Trustee shall, upon written request of a Participating Company, return the Contribution and any increment thereon to such Participating Company within one year after the date of payment to the Trustee.
ARTICLE V
RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES;
SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES; NUMBER OF TRUSTEES
5.1 Shell Oil Company may remove and replace any Trustee as it sees fit. Any Trustee may resign by giving written notice to the Plan Administrator and the remaining Trustees. The number of Trustees shall not be less than three (3) and Shell Oil Company will appoint Trustees to keep the required number.
5.2 A Trustee shall not be liable or responsible for any acts or omissions in the administration of the Trust prior to the date he became a Trustee or after the date he shall cease to be a Trustee. A successor Trustee shall not have a duty to review the actions of any prior Trustee.
5.3 The signature of any successor Trustee (or Trustee added to the original number of Trustees) to any counterpart or copy of the Trust Agreement shall be sufficient evidence of his acceptance of the Trust.
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5.4 A Certificate executed by any Trustee or in accordance with the by-laws adopted by the Trustees, certifying who are or were Trustees at any given time shall be sufficient evidence thereof.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT
6.1 The Trust Agreement may be amended in accordance with the provisions of Section VIII of the Plan Instrument.
ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATING COMPANIES
7.1 Any company may, with the consent of Shell Oil Company, become a Participating Company in the Plan provided it ratifies and adopts the Plan including this Trust Agreement. Shell Oil Company under its consent shall specify the effective date of participation.
ARTICLE VIII
NON-ALIENATION OF RIGHTS
8.1 Except as provided under the loan provisions set forth in the Plan Instrument, no assets standing to the credit of any Member under the Plan shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance of charges by a Participating Company, a Member or a Beneficiary of a Member, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge any such assets shall be void. Further, any such assets shall in no manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contracts or liabilities of any Member or a Beneficiary of any Member. This provision shall not be applicable to a qualified domestic relations order as defined in Section 206(d) of ERISA and Section 414(p) of the Code which may direct payment or distribution of all or part of such sums, shares or securities to an Alternate Payee. Any accrued benefit of a Member or Former Member may be apportioned between the Member or Former Member and the Alternate Payee either through separate accounts or by providing the Alternate Payee a severable portion of the Members or Former Members Account.
ARTICLE IX
COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES
9.1 The Trustees shall not receive any remuneration from the Plan for their services. The following costs and expenses incurred by or in the operation or administration of the Plan or the Trust, if appropriate, shall be borne by the Plan and paid out of the funds held by the Trustees:
(1) Compensation of independent accountants, counsel, agent or agents, custodians, and Investment Managers, including investment contract consultants and independent counsel assisting in determining the qualified status of domestic relations orders, as the Trustees or the Plan Administrator may appoint or employ; |
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(2) Premiums for insurance against loss of plan assets due to breach of any fiduciary duty; | ||||
(3) Premiums for insurance on behalf of any fiduciary of the Plan to cover liability for his own account; | ||||
(4) Bonding expenses required under the Plan or Trust; | ||||
(5) User fees for requests to the Internal Revenue Service for rulings, determination letters, and similar requests; | ||||
(6) All taxes of any kind that may be levied or assessed under existing or future laws in respect of the Plan or Trust on the income or gains thereof or therefrom; | ||||
(7) Brokerage commissions, transfer taxes, and other charges and expenses that can be specifically identified in connection with the purchase and sale of securities or otherwise carrying out the investment purposes of the funds; and | ||||
(8) Reasonable direct expenses (supported by surrounding facts and circumstances) for services provided by a Participating Company for the administration of the Plan or Trust. |
Said costs and expenses shall be paid out of the fund to which they relate or allocated between the funds on such basis as the Trustees shall determine. Brokerage commissions, transfer taxes or other charges and expenses that can be specifically identified in connection with the purchase and sale of securities shall be added to the cost thereof, or deducted from the proceeds thereof, as the case may be.
The Participating Companies shall pay all remaining expenses, which shall be shared ratably by them as they may agree, and failing such agreement, as determined by the Trustees.
ARTICLE X
EXECUTION, DELIVERY AND INVALIDITY
10.1 The Trust Agreement and the Plan Instrument shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas, to the extent not preempted by ERISA.
10.2 If any provision of this Trust Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision hereof, and this Trust Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the respective Participating Companies have executed this Trust Agreement by and through their respective duly authorized officers and the Trustees have executed such instrument evidencing their acceptance to serve in such capacity.
PARTICIPATING COMPANIES: |
||
SHELL OIL COMPANY |
||
CORAL ENERGY SERVICES, LLC |
||
CRI U.S. LP |
||
EQUILON ENTERPRISES LLC d/b/a SHELL OIL PRODUCTS US |
||
MOTIVA COMPANY |
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PECTEN CHEMICALS INC. |
||
PECTEN MIDDLE EAST SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED |
||
PECTEN OVERSEAS SERVICES COMPANY |
||
PECTEN PRODUCING COMPANY |
||
PECTEN SERVICES COMPANY |
||
PENNZOIL-QUAKER STATE COMPANY d/b/a SOPUS PRODUCTS |
||
SHELL AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL COMPANY |
||
SHELL CAPITAL INC. |
||
SHELL CHEMICAL LP |
||
SHELL CHEMICAL RISK MANAGEMENT COMPANY |
||
SHELL ENERGY RESOURCES COMPANY |
||
SHELL ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, L.L.C. |
||
SHELL EXPATRIATE EMPLOYMENT US INC. |
||
SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY |
||
SHELL GLOBAL SOLUTIONS (US) INC. |
||
SHELL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INC. |
||
SHELL INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INC. |
||
SHELL MARINE PRODUCTS (US) COMPANY |
||
SHELL NORTH AMERICA GAS & POWER SERVICES COMPANY |
||
SHELL OFFSHORE INC. |
||
SHELL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY LLC |
||
SHELL OIL PRODUCTS LAN LLC |
||
SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP |
||
SHELL SOLAR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INC. |
||
SHELL TECHNOLOGY VENTURES INC. |
||
SHELL TRADING GAS AND POWER COMPANY |
||
SHELL TRADING GP OVERSEAS SERVICES COMPANY |
||
SHELL US GAS & POWER, LLC |
||
SHELL TRADING NORTH AMERICA COMPANY |
||
SHELL TRADING (US) COMPANY |
||
SWEPI LP |
||
SHELL WINDENERGY SERVICES INC. |
||
SIEP OVERSEAS SERVICES, INC. |
||
SPLC SERVICES COMPANY LLC |
||
TRUSTEES: |
||
T. T. Coles J. M. Esquivel |
||
F. A. Glaviano S. Hodge |
||
J. D. Hofmeister |
83
I, , DO HEREBY CERTIFY that I am Secretary of the Trustees acting under the foregoing Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund Plan Instrument and Trust Agreement dated as of August 1, 1984, and that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of said Plan Instrument and Trust Agreement as amended to this date and that the same is now in full force and effect.
WITNESS, my hand this day of , 20 .
Secretary
Each of the undersigned successor or additional Trustees has hereunto set his hand and seal to witness his acceptance of the Trust as of the date set forth opposite his name.
(L.S.) | ||
Date |
||
(L.S.) | ||
Date |
||
(L.S.) | ||
Date |
||
(L.S.) | ||
Date |
||
(L.S.) | ||
Date |
||
(L.S.) | ||
Date |
84
Exhibit 4.8
SHELL PROVIDENT FUND
REGULATIONS
AND
TRUST AGREEMENT
Dated as of September 1, 1939
REGULATIONS
Reflects All Amendments Adopted
Through August 1, 2005
TRUST AGREEMENT
Reflects All Amendments Adopted
Through May 17, 2005
Includes Amendments:
PROV 02-14
|
PROV 02-15 | PROV 02-16 | PROV 02-19 | |||
PROV 02-20
|
PROV 03-2 | PROV 03-3 | PROV 03-4 | |||
PROV 03-9
|
PROV 03-16 | PROV 03-17 | PROV 03-18 | |||
PROV 03-19
|
PROV 03-20 | PROV 03-21 | PROV 03-22 | |||
PROV 03-23
|
PROV 03-24 | PROV 03-25 | PROV 03-26 | |||
PROV 03-27
|
PROV 03-28 | PROV 03-30 | PROV 03-31 | |||
PROV 04-1
|
PROV 04-2 | PROV 04-3 | PROV 04-4 | |||
PROV 04-5
|
PROV 04-6 | PROV 04-7 | PROV 04-8 | |||
PROV 04-10
|
PROV 04-11 | PROV 04-12 | PROV 04-13 | |||
PROV 04-14
|
PROV 04-15 | PROV 04-16 | PROV 05-1 |
i
SHELL PROVIDENT FUND
The Shell Provident Fund (the Fund) was established by a Trust Agreement dated as of September 1, 1939, and as amended through August 1, 2005, between Shell Oil Company, Coral Energy Services, LLC, CRI U.S. LP, Equilon Enterprises LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products US, Motiva Company, Pecten Chemicals Inc., Pecten Middle East Services Company Limited, Pecten Overseas Services Company, Pecten Producing Company, Pecten Services Company, Pennzoil-Quaker State Company d/b/a SOPUS Products, Shell Agricultural Chemical Company, Shell Capital Inc., Shell Chemical LP, Shell Chemical Risk Management Company, Shell Energy Resources Company, Shell Energy Services Company, L.L.C., Shell Expatriate Employment US Inc., Shell Exploration & Production Company, Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc., Shell Information Technology International Inc., Shell International Exploration and Production Inc., Shell Marine Products (US) Company, Shell North America Gas & Power Services Company, Shell Offshore Inc., Shell Oil Products Company LLC, Shell Oil Products LAN LLC, Shell Pipeline Company LP, Shell Solar Employment Services Inc., Shell Technology Ventures Inc., Shell Trading Gas and Power Company, Shell Trading GP Overseas Services Company, Shell US Gas & Power, LLC, Shell Trading North America Company, Shell Trading (US) Company, Shell WindEnergy Services Inc., SIEP Overseas Services, Inc., SPLC Services Company LLC, and SWEPI LP, and the Trustees designated therein.
1
REGULATIONS
ARTICLE 1
NAME OF FUND
The Fund bears the name SHELL PROVIDENT FUND.
ARTICLE 2
OBJECT OF FUND
The object of the Fund is to accumulate for the benefit of the Employees who become Members, as hereinafter provided, certain sums primarily as a provision for themselves after retirement from service.
The Fund is intended to constitute a plan described in section 404(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations Section 2550.404c-1. The fiduciaries of the Fund may be relieved of liability for any losses which are the direct and necessary result of investment instructions given by Members or their beneficiaries.
The Contributing Companies shall have no responsibility for overseeing or monitoring the investment options under Schedule C of the Regulations. The Trustees and the Plan Administrator shall have only limited responsibility for overseeing and monitoring the LifeStyle Funds set out in Part I of Schedule C to the Regulations and shall have no responsibility for overseeing or monitoring the investment options under Part III of Schedule C of the Regulations (the Tier III Funds) or Part IV of Schedule C hereof (the Tier IV Funds) regardless of whether such Tier III Funds and/or such Tier IV Funds underlie investment options under Part I and/or Part II of such Schedule C. Each participant and each beneficiary shall have the sole responsibility for deciding to buy, sell, or hold units in the investment options under Schedule C of the Regulations for his or her account and the sole responsibility for determining whether any Tier III Funds and any Tier IV Funds in said account provide acceptable risk and return characteristics and are otherwise consistent with his or her investment objectives and the investment objectives of the Optional Fund.
ARTICLE 3
ADMINISTRATION
The Fund is a Trust administered by Trustees designated by Shell Oil Company, and the Plan Administrator designated by the Trustees of the Fund, but the Trustees or the Plan Administrator may act through an Investment Manager when action by an Investment Manager is permitted or specified by these regulations (the Regulations) or by the Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE 4
REMUNERATION FOR TRUSTEES & PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
The Trustees and the Plan Administrator shall not receive any remuneration from the Fund.
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ARTICLE 5
DERIVATION OF ASSETS OF FUND
The assets of the Fund shall be derived from:
(a) | The contributions of the Companies and the payments of the Members (including rollovers and trust-to-trust transfers) in accordance with the Regulations. | |||
(b) | Interest, dividends, and other income. |
ARTICLE 6
MEMBERSHIP PROVISIONS DEFINITIONS
1. | The Companies named above have joined the Fund in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement and these Regulations (which Trust Agreement and Regulations are sometimes hereinafter called the Plan or the Fund). |
2. | Subject to the approval of the Trustees, other Affiliated Companies may join the Fund. All Companies participating in the Fund are called Companies or Contributing Companies. |
3. | (a) | Except for those Employees referred to in Paragraph 4 of this Article 6, any Employee of a Contributing Company is eligible for admission as a Member on the Eligibility for Admission Date specified hereinbelow, and upon communicating his desire in a manner specified by the Plan Administrator, he shall be so admitted, subject to the further provisions of this Paragraph 3(a). From and after January 1, 1969, the Eligibility for Admission Date for Plan Years beginning before January 1, 1989, shall be the first day of the first Computation Period after the Employee has accumulated three years of Participation Service with a Contributing Company or with any Affiliated Company in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations as they existed at his completion of three years of Accredited Service. For Plan Years beginning on and after January 1, 1989, the Eligibility for Admission Date shall be the first day of the first Computation Period after the Employee has accumulated two years of Participation Service with a Contributing Company or with any Affiliated Company in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations as they exist at his completion of two years of Accredited Service; provided, however, that effective July 1, 1996, for all purposes, except for purposes of determining the right to receive Company contributions, the Eligibility for Admission Date shall be the first day on or after July 1, 1996, on which the Employee completes his first Regular Hour of Service with a Contributing Company. |
(1) | The foregoing provisions on eligibility for admission shall not include, or extend to, a person whose compensation from the Company is paid solely in the form of commissions, nor may contributions to the Fund be made by, or on behalf of, any such person. |
(2) | Except as provided in Article 33, an Employee shall be credited with one year of Participation Service for each Computation Period in which he is credited with 750 or more Regular Hours of Service (whether or not consecutive) with a Contributing Company or Affiliated Company. |
(3) | Solely for the purposes of determining an Employees right to receive Company contributions, an Employee whose application for membership has been received, |
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shall be admitted as a Member of the Fund on the first day of the first full pay period for which he shall be compensated by a Contributing Company after his application has been received and he has satisfied the applicable requirements set forth in this Article. For all other purposes, an Employee whose application for membership has been received, shall be admitted as a Member of the Fund on the first day of the first pay period for which he shall be compensated by a Contributing Company after his application has been received and he has satisfied the applicable requirements set forth in this Article. For purposes of this subparagraph 3(a)(3), an Employees application for membership shall be deemed to have been received before the first day of the first pay period (or the first day of the first full pay period, as the case may be) for which he shall be compensated by a Contributing Company if it is received no later than the Payroll Closing Date for that pay period, which Payroll Closing Date shall be the last business day of that pay period on which changes that affect the amount of the Employees paycheck for that pay period, or the credits and debits appearing on the Employees pay advice for that pay period, can be accepted for processing. An Employee whose application for membership has not been received by his Eligibility for Admission Date, but who is otherwise eligible for membership, shall become a Member of the Fund in accordance with the other provisions of this paragraph, unless and until he informs the Plan Administrator, in writing, that he does not wish to be a Member, in which case he shall not become or no longer be a Member of the Fund. |
(b) | An Employee who has been admitted as a Member in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations shall, except as otherwise provided, remain a Member until termination of employment. Upon reemployment, as an Employee, a former Member shall be immediately eligible for admission to the Fund. Such former Member shall be admitted as a Member of the Fund upon reapplication for membership, or as provided in subparagraph 3(a)(3) above. |
(c) | In case of an Employee who is an Employee of a Contributing Company after December 31, 1975, service (whether Accredited or Participation) shall be determined under the rules herein from available Affiliated Company or Contributing Company records. To the extent that such records are insufficient to make a determination of Regular Hours of Service creditable for periods beginning before January 1, 1976, with respect to an Employee, the Company shall make a reasonable estimate of such Regular Hours of Service. However, in no event shall any Employee receive credit for service for periods prior to January 1, 1976, less than the service credited to such employee as Accredited Service (as defined in the Fund as in effect from time to time prior to January 1, 1976) for such periods. |
(d) | Service with an Affiliated Company shall be accredited to an Employee as Participation Service. For purposes of the preceding sentence and paragraphs 8 and 15 of this Article 6 as they relate to the preceding sentence, Affiliated Company shall be as defined in paragraph 7 of this Article, without regard to the proviso that substitutes the phrase more than 50 percent for the phrase at least 80 percent. In any case in which a Contributing Company maintains a plan of a predecessor employer, service for such predecessor shall be treated as service for the Contributing Company. In any case in which the Contributing Company maintains a plan which is not the plan maintained by a predecessor employer, service for such predecessor shall, to the extent required by regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of Labor, or their delegates, be treated as service for the Contributing Company. |
(e) | In addition to the service crediting rules set out above, the service crediting rules of this paragraph 3(e) shall apply. |
(1) | If an Employee is not a Preceding Employee, prior service with a 25% Affiliated Company shall be credited to an Employee as Participation Service and Accredited Service, provided that a Contributing Company has employed |
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the Employee pursuant to an agreement with the Affiliated Company, and such grant of prior service as Participation Service and as Accredited Service meets the requirements of Treasury Regulation section 1.401(a)(4)-11(d). |
(2) | If an Employee is a Preceding Employee, prior service with a 1% Affiliated Company shall be credited to an Employee as Participation Service and Accredited Service, provided that a Contributing Company has employed the Employee pursuant to an agreement with the Affiliated Company, and such grant of prior service as Participation Service and as Accredited Service meets the requirements of Treasury Regulation section 1.401(a)(4)-11(d). |
(3) | For purposes of this paragraph 3(e), |
(i) | Preceding Employee shall mean an Employee whose most recent prior employer during the Qualifying Period is a 25% Affiliated Company at the time he becomes an Employee of a Participating Company, |
(ii) | Qualifying Period shall mean the period of time before the Employee became an Employee of a Participating Company when the Employee was an employee of a 1% Affiliated Company, |
(iii) | 1% Affiliated Company shall mean the same as Affiliated Company in paragraph 7 of this Article 6, except that the phrase more than 1 percent shall be substituted for the phrase more than 50 percent, and |
(iv) | unless otherwise provided, the ownership level to determine a 25% Affiliated Company and 1% Affiliated Company is based on the time services are provided. |
(4) | For purposes of this paragraph 3(e) and paragraphs 8 and 15 of this Article 6 as they relate to this paragraph 3(e), 25% Affiliated Company shall mean the same as Affiliated Company in paragraph 7 of this Article 6, except that the phrase more than 25 percent shall be substituted for the phrase more than 50 percent. |
(5) | This paragraph 3(e) shall not apply to service performed as a leased employee (within the meaning of Section 414(n) of the Code). |
(f) | Where an employee of a Non-Contributing Company becomes an Employee of a Contributing Company after December 31, 1990 as a result of an asset or stock acquisition, merger, reorganization or other similar transaction, prior service credit may be granted pursuant to an agreement between one or more Contributing Companies and the Non-Contributing Company, as follows: |
(1) | a maximum of five (5) years prior service with the Non-Contributing Company shall be credited to an Employee as Participation Service and Accredited Service only where the following conditions are satisfied: |
(i) | a Contributing Company has employed the Employee pursuant to an agreement with the Non-Contributing Company; |
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(ii) | with respect to each separate acquisition, merger, reorganization or other similar transaction, prior service credit is uniformly granted to all individuals becoming Employees pursuant to this sentence; and |
(iii) | the prior service credit granted is otherwise allowed by law; or |
(2) | pursuant to an amendment to this Plan adopted after 1990. |
For purposes of this paragraph, Non-Contributing Company shall mean any corporation, trade, or business that is not a Contributing Company. |
(g) | If a business entity listed on Part One of Schedule A becomes a Contributing Company in connection with a stock or asset divestiture, then each person who is an employee of the business entity on the day as of which it adopts this Plan, shall be granted |
(1) | the lesser of two years of service, or the actual number of years of service, with the business entity as Participation Service, and |
(2) | the lesser of five years of service, or the actual number of years of service, with the business entity as Accredited Service, |
provided such grant of past service credit is otherwise allowed by law. |
(h) | If a Contributing Company acquires the stock or assets of a business entity listed on Part Two of Schedule A and, in connection with that acquisition, agrees or resolves to grant past service credit hereunder to an employee of the entity who, within a period of time specified in the agreement or resolution, becomes an Employee of the Contributing Company, then the lesser of two years of service, or the actual number of years of service, with the acquired entity shall be credited to the Employee as Participation Service and as Accredited Service, provided such grant of past service credit is otherwise allowed by law. |
4. An Employee whose Accredited Service included regular full-time service prior to January 1, 1969, with a Contributing Company, or any affiliated company was eligible for admission as a Member after one year of Accredited Service in accordance with the remaining provisions of the Regulations as they existed at his completion of one year of Accredited Service.
Such Members may pay into the Fund a percentage of compensation as provided in Article 7. The Contributing Company for any such Member shall pay into the Fund a percentage of each such Members compensation in accordance with the following schedule:
a. | From date of admission as a Member through the third year of Accredited Service 21/2%. |
b. | During the fourth, fifth, and sixth years of Accredited Service 5%. |
c. | During the seventh and succeeding years of Accredited Service 10%. |
5. The adoption and maintenance of the Fund shall not be deemed to constitute a contract between any of the Companies and any Member or to be a consideration for, or an inducement or condition of, the employment of any Member. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to give any Member the right to be retained in the Service of any of the Companies or to interfere with the rights of any employing company to discharge any Member at any time.
6. Except as provided in Article 33, an Employee shall be credited with one year of Accredited Service for each Computation Period in which he is credited with the number of Regular Hours of Service (whether or not consecutive) at least equal to his Full Time Work Year. An Employee shall be credited with a fraction of a year of Accredited Service for each Computation Period in which he is credited with a number of such hours which is not at
6
least equal to his Full Time Work Year. Determination of the credit for a fraction of a year of Accredited Service shall be made by Shell Oil Company in a manner which shall utilize the number of Regular Hours of Service credited within such Computation Period in computing the numerator of such fraction and the number of Regular Hours of Service in the appropriate Full Time Work Year for such Employee in computing the denominator of such fraction.
Except as specifically provided herein, a Member shall not be credited with a year of Accredited Service (or fractions thereof) for service prior to his becoming an employee of a Contributing Company.
7. Affiliated Company shall mean (i) a corporation which is a member of a controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of Section 1563(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute, (hereinafter sometimes referred to as Code), determined without regard to Sections 1563(a)(4) and (e)(3)(C) thereof) which includes the Contributing Company, and (ii) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is under common control (as defined in Section 414(c)) with such Contributing Company. However, for purposes of (i) and (ii) in the preceding sentence, the phrase more than 50 percent shall be substituted for the phrase at least 80 percent in Section 1563(a)(1) of the Code, including where Section 1563(a) is incorporated in Sections 414(b) and (c) of the Code.
7A. Annuity Starting Date, for purposes of Article 13, shall mean the first day of the first period for which period an amount is to be received as an annuity or, in the case of a benefit not payable in the form of an annuity, the date on which such benefit is to be paid.
8. Computation Period shall mean each 12-consecutive-month period which begins on the date the Employee first completes a Regular Hour of Service with a Contributing Company or Affiliated Company and every anniversary thereof.
9. Eligible Spouse, for purposes of Article 13, shall mean a spouse who has been married to the same Member for the entire one-year period ending on the earlier of the Members Annuity Starting Date or the date of the Members death; provided that a spouse shall be treated as having been married to the same Member throughout such period if the spouse and Member marry within the one-year period prior to the Annuity Starting Date and have been married for at least a one-year period ending on or before the date of the Members death.
10. Except as set forth hereinbelow, Employee shall mean any person in the service of any of the Companies who receives a regular and stated compensation (other than a retainer) directly from such Company, provided, however, that, Employees shall not include any person employed by any corporation or business entity that is not a Company hereunder which is merged or liquidated into, or whose assets are acquired by any Company, unless the Company, with the consent of Shell Oil Company, designates the employees of such corporation or other business entity, as the case may be, as Employees under the Plan pursuant to written resolutions adopted by such Company at any time prior to or after such liquidation, merger, or asset acquisition.
The term Employee shall not include: (a) a person whose compensation is paid solely in the form of commissions, or (b) a non-resident alien, or (c) a person who is temporarily employed by a Contributing Company because of a transfer from a foreign Affiliated Company which is not a Contributing Company, or (d) a person who is a leased employee within the meaning of Section 414(n) of the Code, or (e) a person whose contract of employment or engagement letter or contract for services explicitly states or implicitly provides that the person is not entitled to participate in this Plan, in particular, or the employee benefit plans of one or more Contributing Companies, in general, or (f) a person designated by the relevant Contributing Company as an independent contractor. In addition to the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a person shall not be treated as an Employee eligible to, among other things, make Member contributions and receive Company contributions under the Plan (even if such person is determined to be a common law employee of the Company entitled to service credits for eligibility purposes under the Plan) before the date the Company is required to withhold federal income taxes from the persons pay. Affiliated Company for purposes of this Paragraph 10 shall be defined as in Paragraph 7 of Article 6, except that the phrase more than 25 percent shall be substituted for the phrase more than 50 percent. In addition to the foregoing, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the term Employee shall not mean any person during any period or periods of time that such person does, or may, actively participate in the Shell Chemical Company Employee Savings Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees (the Pt Pleasant Plan); provided, however, that the term Employee shall include such person from the date his employing Contributing Company reclassifies him as a staff employee up to and including
7
June 1, 2000, so long as he no longer participates actively in such Pt Pleasant Plan during that time, and otherwise meets the definition of Employee.
An Employee shall cease to be such under this Fund upon termination of his service for any cause whatsoever, provided, however, that an Employee shall continue to be treated as such under this Fund during all periods of leave of absence (1) with pay (i) not exceeding one year or (ii) in excess of one year where such leave is granted in connection with the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Change in Control Retention/Severance Plan, (2) without pay due to sickness or disability, (3) due to war or national emergency, (4) in accordance with the military leave policy of his employing Company, and (5) other Company authorized leaves of absence.
11. ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
11A. Former Member means a former Employee who was a Member of the Plan before he terminated his employment and who is still a participant in the Plan.
12. Full Time Work Year shall mean for any Computation Period the number of Regular Hours of Service which constitute the regular or basic work-year for an employees job classification as determined by Shell Oil Company from time to time on a reasonable and consistent basis.
13. Gender where appearing in the Regulations as masculine shall be deemed to include the feminine gender, and the singular may include the plural, and the plural include the singular unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary.
14. Plan Year shall be the calendar year.
14A. [ deleted ]
14B. Qualified Beneficiary shall mean:
(a) | an individual who: |
(i) | is named by a Member or a Former Member as his beneficiary pursuant to Article 13 and is at least 18 years of age (or will attain at least 18 years of age before said beneficiarys respective share of the Member or Former Members account is distributed from the Fund), and is entitled to receive distribution of all or any part of the amount standing to the credit of the Member or Former Member upon the death of the Member or Former Member; or |
(ii) | is the surviving spouse of a deceased Member or of a deceased Former Member; or |
(iii) | is an alternate payee, within the meaning of section 206(d)(3)(K) of ERISA, who is the spouse or former spouse of a Member or Former Member; or |
(b) | a private trust that meets all of the following requirements: |
(i) | is valid under state law, or would be but for the fact that there is no corpus; |
(ii) | is irrevocable or will, by its terms, become irrevocable upon the death of the Member or Former Member; |
(iii) | the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the trust are identifiable individuals from the trust instrument; and |
(iv) | the beneficiary designation made by the Member or Former Member is made in such form as the Plan Administrator may require and the Member or Former |
8
Member provides such additional information as the Plan Administrator may require, provided that, |
(A) | for any calendar year up to and including the calendar year of the Members or Former Members death, in order to establish that the Member or Former Members spouse is the sole beneficiary under the trust for purposes of Article 27, the Member or Former Member must: (1) provide to the Plan Administrator a list of all of the beneficiaries of the trust (including contingent and remainderman beneficiaries with a description of the conditions of their entitlement) sufficient to establish that the Members or Former Members spouse is the sole beneficiary); (2) certify that, to the best of the Members or Former Members knowledge, the list of beneficiaries is correct and complete and that the requirements of subparagraphs (b)(i), (ii) and (iii) above are satisfied; (3) agree to provide corrected certifications to the extent that an amendment changes any information previously certified; and (4) agree to provide a copy of the trust instrument to the Plan Administrator upon demand; |
(B) | for calendar years following the calendar year of the Members or Former Members death, the trustee of the trust instrument, no later than October 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year of the Members or Former Members death, must (1) provide the Plan Administrator with a final list of all of the beneficiaries of the trust (including contingent and remainderman beneficiaries with a description of the conditions on their entitlement) as of September 30 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year of the Members or Former Members death; (2) certify that, to the best of the trustees knowledge, the list of beneficiaries is correct and complete and that the requirements of subparagraphs (b)(i), (ii), and (iii) above are satisfied and (3) agree to provide a copy of the trust instrument to the Plan Administrator upon demand. |
When applying the requirements of subparagraph (b)(iii) above, the trust instrument need not name the individuals by name so long as the individuals who are to be the beneficiaries are identifiable under the trust instrument. The members of a class of beneficiaries capable of expansion or contraction will be treated as being identifiable if it is possible to identify the class member with the shortest life expectancy.
Nothing in this provision shall be construed to mean that a Qualified Charitable Organization (as defined in paragraph 1 of Article 13) can be a Qualified Beneficiary.
15. Regular Hour of Service shall mean each hour for which an employee (as distinguished from an Employee as defined herein) is paid or entitled to payment for the performance of duties with a Contributing Company or an Affiliated Company (or for which back pay is awarded provided such hours have not been previously taken into account) except hours for which a premium rate is paid because such hours are in excess of the maximum work week applicable to an employee under Section 7(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, or because such hours are in excess of a bona fide standard work week or work day. In addition to the above, such hours shall include hours included in periods of absence due to (1) scheduled holidays with pay, (2) vacation with pay, (3) an approved leave of absence (i) with pay not exceeding one year, (ii) without pay due to sickness or disability of the employee not exceeding one year, (iii) without pay due to causes other than sickness or disability of the employee not exceeding thirty (30) calendar days, (iv) due to war or national emergency, and (v) in accordance with the military leave policy of his employing Company, or (4) a leave of absence in existence or commencing on or after December 15, 1993, which is taken in accordance with the family and medical leave policies of the employees employing Company and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-3) (Family/Medical Leave), including certain leaves for personal illness, family illness, birth or adoption, not exceeding six months. A leave of absence shall not be a Family/Medical Leave unless the employee returns to work at the conclusion of the Family/Medical Leave period or retires. For purposes of
9
crediting Regular Hours of Service for scheduled holidays, vacations, and leaves of absence described above, the number of Regular Hours of Service as to an employee shall be the number of such employees regularly scheduled working hours during any such vacation, leave of absence, or scheduled holiday. Further, Regular Hours of Service shall be credited in accordance with now existing 29 CFR Sections 2530.200b-2(c) and 2530.200b-7(c).
In the case of those employees whose duties are deemed to be in a maritime industry and who are compensated on the basis of certain amounts for each day worked during a given period (i.e., a daily rate of pay), days of service shall be counted rather than Regular Hours of Service. One day of service shall be equal to eight (8) Regular Hours of Service with ninety-three (93) days of service being equated with seven hundred fifty (750) Regular Hours of Service for purposes of determining Participation Service.
The following guidelines shall be used in assessing whether an employee is in the maritime industry for purposes of measurement of service. An employee whose principal duties are performed on an offshore port, offshore oil tower, or similar site shall be deemed to be in the maritime industry. Duties performed on board any vessel operating on the various listed bodies of water relating to the conduct of such vessel shall be deemed to be in the maritime industry; however, an employee whose duties require him to travel from land to an offshore port or tower, or from an offshore port or tower to offshore port or tower shall not be deemed to be a person in the maritime industry unless his principal duties are performed on such vessel, port, or tower.
Except as provided in paragraph 17 of this Article, the term Regular Hour of Service shall not include hours performed as a leased employee within the meaning of Section 414(n) of the Code.
15A. Valuation Date shall mean a date on which accounts under the Plan are valued. Prior to June 1, 1996, Valuation Dates were the last business day concurrent with or preceding the 15th day and the last day of each month and such other times as may have been required by the Trustees. On and after June 1, 1996, a Valuation Date shall be any day, other than a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday, on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading, and/or such other dates as may be required by the Trustees. In the case of purchases, redemptions, and/or valuations during periods of extreme market conditions, market closures, or illiquidity, the Valuation Date may be delayed until the later of the day all securities markets resume normal trading or the day sufficient liquidity returns, in the judgment of the Investment Manager.
16. Except as otherwise noted, the effective date of the Fund is the date recited in the Preamble, that being the date on which the provisions of this amended Fund are effective. The provisions of the amended Fund shall apply to any Employee in the service of a Contributing Company on or after such effective date.
17. Notwithstanding anything in this Article to the contrary, in the event an individual performs hours of service as a leased employee (within the meaning of Section 414(n) of the Code) for the Employer, and such individual becomes an Employee under the terms of the Plan,
(a) | For purposes of Participation Service, Regular Hour of Service shall take into account such hours of service as a leased employee for the Employer, and |
(b) | Such individual shall be eligible for admission as a Member in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 3 of this Article. |
For purposes of this paragraph, the term Employer shall mean the group of companies comprising the Company and each company which would be an Affiliated Company if the phrase more than 50 percent were not substituted for the phrase at least 80 percent in the Plans definition thereof.
18. The Plan Administrator, the Trustees and any other fiduciary shall, in performing their duties under the Plan, act in accordance with the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Code, so as not to produce prohibited discrimination in favor of Highly Compensated Employees.
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ARTICLE 7
MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS
1. Each Member may elect to contribute to the Fund in the manner and mode prescribed by the Plan Administrator any Applicable Percentage of the compensation he earns as a Member in the employ of a Contributing Company. From and after June 1, 1996, and prior to January 1, 2003, Members may affirmatively elect an Applicable Percentage which shall apply to amounts received pursuant to an incentive compensation plan listed on Part One of Schedule B, and any such Applicable Percentage may be different from the Applicable Percentage which applies to all other amounts received as compensation. From and after January 1, 2003, Members may affirmatively elect an Applicable Percentage which shall apply to amounts received under a variable pay program (sometimes also referred to as an incentive compensation program) established by a Contributing Company so long as such program is not listed on Part Two of Schedule B, and any such Applicable Percentage may be different from the Applicable Percentage which applies to all other amounts received as compensation. In the absence of an affirmative election with respect to amounts received pursuant to such an incentive compensation plan or variable pay program, the Applicable Percentage therefore shall be zero for Employees who became Members on or after June 1, 1996, and for all other Employees shall be the Applicable Percentage which applied to the Members regular compensation on June 1, 1996. With respect to payroll periods having a Payroll Closing Date prior to July 16, 1996, the Applicable Percentages shall be 21/2%, 5%, or 10%. With respect to payroll periods having a Payroll Closing Date on or after July 16, 1996, but before January 1, 1998, the Applicable Percentages shall be any percentage, in increments of 1/2%, from 1% up to the maximum applicable to the Members period of Accredited Service, in accordance with the following schedule:
(a) | From the date of admission as a Member through the second year of Accredited Service up to a maximum of 21%, provided, however, in the case of a leased employee who becomes an Employee consistent with Paragraph 17 of Article 6, who receives Contributing Company contributions during any part of the first two years of Accredited Service, upon commencement of Contributing Company contributions up to a maximum of 181/2%, |
(b) | During the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth years of Accredited Service up to a maximum of 181/2%, |
(c) | During the seventh, eighth and ninth years of Accredited Service up to a maximum of 16%, and |
(d) | During the tenth and succeeding years of Accredited Service up to a maximum of 11%. |
With respect to payroll periods having a Payroll Closing Date on or after January 1, 1998, but before January 1, 2002, the Applicable Percentages shall be any percentage, in increments of 1/2%, from 1% up to the maximum applicable to the Members period of Accredited Service, in accordance with the following schedule:
(e) | From the date of admission as a Member through the second year of Accredited Service up to a maximum of 21%, |
(f) | During the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth years of Accredited Service up to a maximum of 21%, |
(g) | During the seventh, eighth and ninth years of Accredited Service up to a maximum of 20%, and |
(h) | During the tenth and succeeding years of Accredited Service up to a maximum of 15%. |
With respect to payroll periods having a Payroll Closing Date on or after January 1, 2002, the Applicable Percentages shall be any percentage, in increments of 1/2%, from 1% up to a maximum of 25%.
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The Members contributions shall be paid into the Fund as of the first Valuation Date on or after the date the compensation is due him; provided, however, where a regulatory body closes a principal securities exchange on which securities are traded, the posting of contributions may be delayed until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Any Member may elect to cease making payments into the Fund and may thereafter elect to resume making such payments. Any election shall be effective until the Members termination of employment or until changed by the Members giving notice of such change to the Plan Administrator. Any election or change thereto shall become effective as of the first day of the payroll period next occurring after Timely Receipt of notice. For purposes of contribution directions, Timely Receipt shall mean receipt on or before the Payroll Closing Date for the payroll period or such other date as may be required by the Plan Administrator.
2. Irrespective of any provisions to the contrary in this Article 7, contributions to the Fund made by a Member are subject to the limitations and provisions of Articles 8A and 25.
3. Except as provided in Paragraph 8 of Article 27, if a Member of this Plan receives a hardship withdrawal from the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund, such Member shall not be entitled to make (i) any Member contributions under this Plan for a period of 12 calendar months after receipt of the hardship withdrawal, and (ii) any elective contributions under the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund for a period of 24 calendar months after receipt of the hardship withdrawal.
4. Where the Members salary deferrals under the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund reach the limits thereunder, the plan administrator of the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund may notify the Plan Administrator of the Shell Provident Fund so that Member Contributions hereunder may automatically begin or change in accordance with any prior election of the Member. In the pay period in which the limits of the Members salary deferrals under the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund are reached, a Members contributions to the Fund may exceed the maximum Applicable Percentage described in Paragraph 1 of this Article 7.
5. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan Administrator shall cause the employing Contributing Company to correct delayed contributions and repayments in accordance with this Paragraph 5 and Paragraph 7 of Article 8. For delayed Member contributions, delayed loan repayments, other delayed investment-related payroll deductions that are not corrected as of the earliest date on which contributions can reasonably be segregated from the employers general assets, the Contributing Company shall restore to the Members account the principal amount together with an amount equal to the principal amount multiplied by the greater of: (a) the actual rate of return the Member would have earned but for the delay or (b) the underpayment rate of Section 6621(a)(2) of the Code; provided, however, for the sake of administrative convenience, the Plan Administrator shall have the option of using, in lieu of the actual rate, the highest rate of return among the available investment alternatives of the Fund during the period of the delay.
ARTICLE 8
CONTRIBUTING COMPANY CONTRIBUTIONS
1. Except as otherwise provided, each Contributing Company shall pay into the Fund, out of its current or accumulated earnings or profits, the percentage of each Members compensation earned in the employ of a Contributing Company determined in accordance with the following schedule:
(a) | (1) Prior to July 1, 1996, from the date of admission as a Member through the sixth year of Accredited Service 21/2%, or |
(2) | (A) On and after July 1, 1996, but prior to January 1, 2003, during the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth years of Accredited Service 21/2%, or |
(B) On and after January 1, 2003, during the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth years of Accredited Service 21/2%, |
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provided, however, in the case of a leased employee who becomes an Employee consistent with Paragraph 17 of Article 6, from the date such Employee completes two years of Participation Service between July 1, 1996, and December 31, 2002, or one year of Participation Service on or after January 1, 2003, through such Employees sixth year of Accredited Service 21/2%; and provided further, the employing Contributing Company shall make contributions of 3% of such Members Compensation during the remaining period of such Members second, third, fourth, fifth, and six years of Accredited Service if such Member was eligible to participate in the Alliance Savings Plan on December 31, 2002, and on that date was eligible to receive company contributions of 3% thereunder; and |
(b) | During the seventh, eighth and ninth years of Accredited Service 5%, and |
(c) | During the tenth and succeeding years of Accredited Service 10%, |
as of the first Valuation Date after such compensation is due the Member; provided, however, where a regulatory body closes a principal securities exchange on which securities are traded, the posting of contributions may be delayed until normal trading resumes in all securities markets.
If any Contributing Company forming, together with one or more other Contributing Companies, an affiliated group within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code is prevented from making a contribution which it would otherwise have made under this Article by reason of having no current or accumulated earnings or profits or because such earnings or profits are less than the contributions which it would otherwise have made, then so much of the contribution which such Contributing Company was so prevented from making may be made, for the benefit of the employees of such Contributing Company, by the other Contributing Companies forming such affiliated group, to the extent of current or accumulated earnings or profits, except that such contribution by each such other Contributing Company shall be limited, where such group does not file a consolidated return, to that proportion of its total current and accumulated earnings or profits remaining after adjustment for its contribution made without regard to this sentence which the total prevented contribution bears to the total current and accumulated earnings or profits of all the Members of such group remaining after adjustment for all contributions made without regard to this sentence.
2. In addition, any Contributing Company may make a Contribution Addition to the Fund for a Plan Year that it may determine is appropriate to reimburse the Trust for administration expenses where the Plan Administrator, based on all relevant facts and circumstances, requests reimbursement, and the Company determines the administration expenses are not appropriate for recovery from certain Members, Former Members or beneficiaries. Each Contribution Addition shall be with respect to the Plan Year and shall be allocated to the Accounts of Members that are affected by the administration expenses for which the Trust is being reimbursed by the contribution. Consistent with the preceding sentence, the Plan Administrator shall periodically notify the Trustees of the Contribution Additions which shall be paid to the Trust no later than the time prescribed by law for filing the federal income tax return of the Contribution Company, including extensions thereof. For purposes of the limitations under Article 8A, each Contribution Addition shall be allocated to the Accounts of Members that are affected by the administration expenses for which the Trust is being reimbursed by the contribution.
3. On and after January 1, 1988, payment into the Fund by each Contributing Company shall be made without regard to current or accumulated earnings or profits, unless a Contributing Company elects otherwise with respect to its Members. Notwithstanding the elimination of the profits requirement, this Plan is designed to be a profit-sharing plan.
4. Unless a Contributing Company directs otherwise, a Contributing Companys contributions to the Trust: are conditioned upon their being deductible for such Contributing Companys taxable year under Section 404 of the Code; and shall not exceed such deductible amounts.
5. Forfeitures resulting from subparagraph 3(a)(3) of Article 6 and Article 19 shall be used to reduce Contributing Company contributions and not to increase benefits.
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6. Where it has been determined by Shell Oil Company that Contributions, as defined hereinbelow, do not satisfy the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 401(a)(4) of the Code and regulations issued thereunder for a Tested Plan Year, as defined hereinbelow, additional Contributions may be made until Contributions satisfy such requirements. Where additional Contributions are credited to a Members account pursuant to this Paragraph 6, earnings shall be credited at the greater of zero percent or the actual positive rate of return on the Members account for each of the Tested Plan Year and any subsequent Plan Year or any portion thereof in which the additional Contribution is made. Any such additional Contributions, and any earnings thereon, shall be provided only for individuals who:
(a) | are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for such Tested Plan Year, | |||
(b) | are Employees at the time such additional Contributions are made, | |||
(c) | are in a Relevant Rate Group, as defined hereinbelow, | |||
(d) | have the highest equivalent accrual rates of Nonhighly Compensated Employees, as determined by Shell Oil Company when testing the Plan for such Tested Plan Year under Treasury Regulations Section 1.401(a)(4)-8, in the order of such rates beginning with the highest, and | |||
(e) | also have the highest performance code in such Relevant Rate Group at the time such additional Contributions are made, in order of such performance codes beginning with the highest, effective for a Tested Plan Year commencing on or after January 1, 2001, where the conditions set forth in subparagraphs (a) through (d) hereinabove result in an over-inclusion of employees eligible for any additional Contributions. |
For purposes of this Paragraph 6, the following definitions shall have the following meanings. Contributions means contributions of any Contributing Company on behalf of a Member to the Fund. Relevant Rate Group means an applicable rate group under Treasury Regulations Section 1.401(a)(4)-8 with the closest rate lower than the rate group for which an adjustment is needed under such regulations. Tested Plan Year means the Plan Year for which the requirements of Code Section 401(a)(4) are being tested.
7. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan Administrator shall cause the employing Contributing Company to correct delayed contributions and repayments in accordance with this Paragraph 7 and Paragraph 5 of Article 7. For delayed Company contributions that are corrected within two payroll periods, the Contributing Company shall restore to the Members account only the principal amount. For delayed Company contributions that are not corrected within two payroll periods, the Contributing Company shall restore to the Members account the principal amount adjusted to reflect the actual rate of return that would have been credited to the Members account but for the error; provided, however, for the sake of administrative convenience, the Plan Administrator shall have the option of using, in lieu of the actual rate, such rate of return as shall be reasonably prudent under the circumstances.
ARTICLE 8A
LIMITATION ON CONTRIBUTIONS
1. For purposes of this Article, the following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) | Annual Additions shall mean the sum of the following: |
(1) | The employer contributions credited during the calendar year to a Members account under this Plan and any other defined contribution plan of the Contributing and Affiliated Companies; and |
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(2) | The Member contributions made during the calendar year by the Member under this Plan and any other defined contribution plan of the Contributing and Affiliated Companies. |
(b) | Compensation shall be defined as follows: |
(1) | Compensation shall include: |
(A) | The Employees wages, salaries, fees for professional service and other amounts received for personal services actually rendered in the course of employment with a Company or Affiliated Company (including, but not limited to, commissions paid to salesmen, compensation for services on the basis of a percentage of profits, commissions on insurance premiums, tips, and bonuses); | |||
(B) | For purposes of (A) above, earned income from sources outside the United States (as defined in Section 911(b) of the Code), whether or not excludable from gross income under Section 911 of the Code or deductible under Section 913 of the Code; | |||
(C) | Amounts described in Sections 104(a)(3), 105(a), and 105(h) of the Code, but only to the extent that these amounts are includable in the gross income of the Employee; | |||
(D) | Amounts described in Section 105(d) of the Code whether or not these amounts are excludable from the gross income of the Employee under that Section; | |||
(E) | Amounts paid or reimbursed by a Company or Affiliated Company for moving expenses incurred by an Employee, but only to the extent that these amounts are not deductible by the Employee under Section 217 of the Code; | |||
(F) | The value of a non-qualified stock option granted to an Employee by the Company or Affiliated Company, but only to the extent that the value of the option is includable in the gross income of the Employee for the taxable year in which granted; | |||
(G) | The amount includable in the gross income of an Employee upon making the election described in Section 83(b) of the Code; and | |||
(H) | The amount which is not includable in an Employees gross income as a result of the application of Sections 402(g)(3) and 125 of the Code. | |||
(I) | For Plan Years beginning on and after January 1, 2001, the elective amounts that are not includible in the gross income of the Employee by reason of Section 132(f)(4) of the Code. |
(2) | Compensation shall not include items such as: |
(A) | Contributions made by a Company or Affiliated Company to a plan of deferred compensation to the extent that, before the application of the limitations of Section 415 of the Code to that plan, the contributions are not includable in the gross income of the Employee for the taxable year in which contributed; |
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(B) | Any distributions from a plan of deferred compensation, regardless of whether such amounts are includable in the gross income of the Employee when distributed, with the exception of any amounts received by an Employee pursuant to an unfunded non-qualified plan, which amounts may be considered as compensation in the year such amounts are includable in the gross income of the Employee; | |||
(C) | Amounts realized from the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, or when restricted stock (or property) held by an Employee either becomes freely transferable or is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture as defined within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code and the regulations thereunder; | |||
(D) | Amounts realized from the sale, exchange or other disposition of stock acquired under a qualified stock option; and | |||
(E) | Other amounts which receive special tax benefits, such as premiums for group term life insurance (but only to the extent that the premiums are not includable in the gross income of the Employee). |
(c) | Defined Benefit Plan Fraction for any calendar year is a fraction |
(1) | The numerator of which is the Projected Annual Benefit of the Member (determined as of the close of the calendar year) under all defined benefit plans maintained by the Contributing and Affiliated Companies, and | |||
(2) | The denominator of which is the lesser of (A) or (B) below: |
(A) | The product of 1.25, multiplied by the defined benefit plan dollar limitation under Section 415(b)(1)(A) of the Code in effect for such calendar year, as adjusted for cost of living in accordance with Section 415(d) of the Code. | |||
(B) | The product of 1.4, multiplied by an amount which is 100% of the Members average Compensation for the 3 consecutive years in which his Compensation was the highest. |
(d) | Defined Contribution Plan Fraction for any calendar year is a fraction |
(1) | The numerator of which is the sum of the Annual Additions to the accounts of the Member for such calendar year and for all prior calendar years under all defined contribution plans maintained by the Contributing and Affiliated Companies; provided, however, that the Annual Additions for any calendar year beginning before January 1, 1987, shall not be recomputed to treat all Member contributions as Annual Additions. | |||
(2) | The denominator of which is the sum of the lesser of (A) or (B) below determined for such calendar year and for each prior year of service with the Contributing and Affiliated Companies. |
(A) | The product of 1.25, multiplied by the defined contribution plan dollar limitation under Section 415(c)(1)(A) of the Code in effect for such calendar year, as adjusted for cost of living in accordance with Section 415(d) of the Code. |
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(B) | The product of 1.4 multiplied by an amount equal to 25% of the Members Compensation for such year. |
A Members Defined Contribution Plan Fraction, as otherwise defined in this Paragraph 1(d) of Article 8A, shall be frozen as of December 31, 1999. |
(e) | Projected Annual Benefit shall mean the benefit payable annually in the form of a straight life annuity to which the Member would be entitled under a defined benefit plan of the Contributing and Affiliated Companies, based on the following assumptions: |
(1) | The Member will continue employment until the later of: (A) the Members normal retirement age under the plan; or (B) the Members current age; | |||
(2) | The Members compensation for the calendar year under consideration will remain the same until the date the Member attains the age described in (1); and | |||
(3) | All other relevant factors used to determine benefits under the plan for the calendar year under consideration will remain constant for all future calendar years. |
2. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary except as provided in Paragraph 3 of Article 27, the maximum amount permitted to be paid by a Member or Contributing Company on behalf of any Member into the Fund and the amount of Annual Additions allocated or reallocated to the account of any Member for a calendar year commencing after December 31, 1982, shall not exceed the lesser of:
(a) | $30,000; or | |||
(b) | 25 percent (25%) of the compensation of the Member for the calendar year. |
3. For plan years beginning before January 1, 2002, to the extent the Annual Additions with respect to the Fund, the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund, and other defined contribution plans (other plans) of the Contributing and Affiliated Companies would otherwise exceed the limitations of Paragraph 2 of this Article, amounts permitted to be credited to a Members account shall be reduced in the following order:
(a) | Contributions by or on behalf of a Member to plans other than those referred to in (b), (c), (d) and (e) below; | |||
(b) | Contributions by a Member to the Fund; | |||
(c) | Contributions of any Contributing Company on behalf of a Member to the Fund; | |||
(d) | Contributions by or on behalf of a Member under the Shell Chemical Company Employee Savings Plan for Bargaining Unit Employees Pt Pleasant Plant; and | |||
(e) | Contributions on behalf of a Member to the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund. |
For plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, to the extent the Annual Additions with respect to the Fund, the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund, and other plans, as defined here above, of the Contributing and Affiliated Companies would otherwise exceed the limitations of Paragraph 2 of this Article, amounts permitted to be credited to a Members account shall be reduced in the following order:
(f) | Contributions by or on behalf of a Member to plans other than those referred to in (g), (h), and (i) below; | |||
(g) | Contributions of any Contributing Company on behalf of a Member to the Fund; |
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(h) | Contributions by a Member to the Fund; and | |||
(i) | Contributions on behalf of a Member to the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund. |
In the event that this paragraph is inconsistent with the provisions of other plans, contributions by or on behalf of a Member to the Fund shall be further reduced as determined by the Plan Administrator to prevent disqualification of this Plan under Section 415 of the Code.
4. If the limitation under this Paragraph 4 of Article 8A is applicable as described in Paragraph 12 of this Article, and if a Member has at any time participated in both a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan maintained by the Contributing and Affiliated Companies, the sum of the Members Defined Benefit Plan Fraction and Defined Contribution Plan Fraction for any calendar year shall not exceed 1.0. To satisfy the limitation of this paragraph 4, contributions to this Plan shall be reduced only after benefit accruals under such a defined benefit plan have been reduced to zero.
5. In calculating the limitation described in paragraph 4 of this Article, if (a) a Member has participated in a defined benefit plan of the Contributing and Affiliated Companies, which satisfied the requirements of Section 415 of the Code for the last year beginning before January 1, 1983, and (b) the sum of the Defined Benefit Plan Fraction and Defined Contribution Plan Fraction exceeds 1.0, then an amount shall be subtracted from the numerator of the Defined Contribution Plan Fraction (not exceeding such numerator) so that the sum of the Defined Benefit Plan Fraction and Defined Contribution Plan Fraction does not exceed 1.0 for such year, as described under the relevant transitional rule under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982.
6. To the extent the provisions of paragraph 4 of this Article would otherwise be violated, the amount allocated or reallocated to a Members account for the Plan Year shall be further reduced to the extent necessary, as determined by the Plan Administrator, to prevent disqualification of the Plan under Section 415 of the Code.
7. If and to the extent it is determined that any contribution of any Contributing Company is in excess of the limitations imposed by paragraphs 1 through 6 of this Article, and provided that such contribution was made by a good faith mistake of fact, then such excess shall be returned to the Contributing Company within one year after payment of the contribution.
8. For purposes of this Article, all defined contribution plans (whether or not terminated) of the Contributing and Affiliated Companies shall be treated as one defined contribution plan. Similarly, all defined benefit plans of the Contributing and Affiliated Companies shall be treated as one defined benefit plan for these purposes.
9. If, due to a reasonable error in estimating a Members annual Compensation, a reasonable error in determining the amount of elective deferrals (within the meaning of Code Section 402(g)(3)) that may be made with respect to any individual under the limits of Code Section 415, or due to such other facts and circumstances as may justify the availability of this special rule, the Annual Additions to the Members account under this Plan, the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund, and under any other defined contribution plans of the Contributing and Affiliated Companies (other plans) exceed the limitations set forth in this Article, then the excess amounts shall be treated in the order described below until the applicable limitation is satisfied:
(a) | To the extent of Company contributions made during the Plan Year, the excess Annual Additions, in a Members account, if any, shall be treated in accordance with any one of the following three methods: |
(1) | Such excess amounts in a Members account shall be used to reduce employer contributions for the next calendar year (and succeeding calendar years, as necessary) for that Member, if that Member is covered by the plan as of the end of the calendar year. However, if that Member is not covered by the plan as of the end of the calendar year, then the excess amount must be held unallocated in a suspense account for the calendar year and allocated and reallocated in the next calendar year to all of the remaining Members accounts in the plan. Furthermore, the excess |
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amounts must be used to reduce employer contributions for the next calendar year (and succeeding calendar years, as necessary) for all of the remaining Members of the plan. Excess amounts may not be distributed to Members or former Members. |
(2) | Such excess amounts in a Members account shall be allocated and reallocated to other Members accounts. However, if that allocation or reallocation causes the limitations of Code Section 415 to be exceeded with respect to each Member for the calendar year, the remaining excess amounts must be held unallocated in a suspense account for the calendar year and allocated and reallocated in the next calendar year to all of the Members accounts. Furthermore, the excess amounts must be used to reduce employer contributions for the next calendar year (and succeeding calendar years, as necessary) for all of the Members in the plan. Excess amounts may not be distributed to Members or Former Members. |
(3) | Such excess amounts in a Members account shall be held unallocated in a suspense account for the calendar year, and allocated and reallocated in the next calendar year (and succeeding calendar years, as necessary) to all of the Members accounts. The excess amounts so allocated and reallocated must be used to reduce employer contributions for the next calendar year (and succeeding calendar years, as necessary) for all of the Members in the plan. Excess amounts may not be distributed to Members or Former Members. |
(b) | To the extent of any remaining excess Annual Additions, return employee contributions to the Member in the same order as that specified in Paragraph 3 of this Article for reducing credited amounts to Member accounts. | |||
(c) | If a suspense account is in existence at any time during the calendar year, investment gains and losses and other income shall not be allocated to the suspense account. If the treatment described in this paragraph 9 is necessary, such treatment shall be performed on the plans in the following order: |
(1) | plans other than those referred to in (2) and (3) below; | |||
(2) | this Plan; | |||
(3) | the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund. |
10. The Company shall notify a Member and the Plan Administrator if the limitation on contributions or allocation or reallocation of contributions to his account for any calendar year is affected by the limitations set forth in this Article.
11. In calculating the limitation described in paragraph 4 of this Article, if (a) a Member has participated in a defined benefit plan of the Contributing and Affiliated Companies, which satisfied the requirements of Section 415 of the Code for the last year beginning before January 1, 1987, and (b) the sum of the Defined Benefit Plan Fraction and Defined Contribution Plan Fraction exceeds 1.0, then an amount shall be subtracted from the numerator of the Defined Contribution Plan Fraction (not exceeding such numerator) so that the sum of the Defined Benefit Plan Fraction and Defined Contribution Plan Fraction does not exceed 1.0 for such year, as described under the relevant transitional rule under the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
12. The limitation described in Paragraph 4 of this Article 8A shall apply to payments under the Shell Pension Plan, except that it shall not apply to payments under the Shell Pension Plan, to the extent provided in the following described circumstances:
(a) | Except as provided in Paragraph (c) below, in the case of any Employee or former Employee who has ever been a member of the Senior Staff, the limitation described in |
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Paragraph 4 of this Article 8A shall not be applicable to payments under the Shell Pension Plan commencing on or after January 1, 2002; and |
(b) | Except as provided in Paragraph (c) below, in the case of any Employee or former Employee who has never been a member of the Senior Staff, the limitation described in Paragraph 4 of this Article 8A shall not be applicable to payments under the Shell Pension Plan commencing on or after January 1, 2000. | |||
(c) | The limitation described in Paragraph 4 of this Article 8A shall continue to apply: (1) to any Shell Pension Plan participant whose payments under the Shell Pension Plan commenced prior to January 1, 2000; and (2) in all events to the extent any Shell Pension Plan participant has received a lump sum (or to the extent such participants election to receive a lump sum payment has been honored) under the Shell Oil Company Benefit Restoration Plan or any other non-tax qualified defined benefit plan of the employer which included or includes an amount attributable to the amount of such benefit which was not paid or payable under the Shell Pension Plan on account of the limitation under Section 415(e) of the Code as it was in effect at the time of such election. | |||
(d) | The term Senior Staff as used herein shall mean those members of the senior management of a Participating Company, as defined in the Shell Pension Plan, who have been identified by the Company as members of the Senior Staff in accordance with its customary practices and procedures. |
ARTICLE 9
COMPENSATION DEFINED
For purposes of paragraph 4 of Article 6 and Articles 7 and 8, the Compensation of a Member shall be understood to mean his net compensation without taking into account overtime, extended work week, or premium remuneration, bonuses, or special allowances for living expenses, dwelling, medical assistance, or the like, or any transition payment made in connection with the Contributing Companies 1994-1995 salary programs but, compensation shall include contributions made by a Contributing Company (or on its behalf by an affiliated corporation as defined within the meaning of Section 1504 of the Code), to a Members account pursuant to such Members designation or salary deferral election, with a plan which satisfies the requirements of Section 125, Section 132(f), or Section 401(k) of the Code which plan the Contributing Company may adopt, to the extent such amounts, if not so designated or elected by the Member, would be included in his compensation. Compensation shall not include:
(a) | any amount paid under the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Change in Control Retention/Severance Plan; | |||
(b) | any amount of severance pay or payments for accrued vacation received after a Member separates from service from the Employer (and any Affiliated Company); or | |||
(c) | any amount of severance pay or payments for accrued vacation received as, or before, a Member separates from service from the Employer (and any Affiliated Company) if such amount is not paid for a period of approved absence from work; |
and any such amounts shall be disregarded for all purposes under this Plan. Notwithstanding anything in this Article to the contrary, Compensation of a Member shall include payments made after December 31, 1994, and prior to January 1, 2003, under the incentive compensation plans as listed in Part One of Schedule B and payments made on or after January 1, 2003, under a variable pay program (sometimes also referred to as an incentive compensation program) established and maintained by a Contributing Company and not listed on Part Two of Schedule B, provided the
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payments were either received before termination of service from all Affiliated Companies or, in the case of payments made on or after September 30, 2003, recorded as soon as administratively feasible following such termination of service, and provided, further the payments were not deferred from a prior year. For purposes of the preceding sentence, Affiliated Company shall be as defined in paragraph 7 of Article 6, except that the phrase at least 80 percent shall be substituted for the phrase more than 50 percent. Compensation shall also include payments for hours in excess of forty hours per week, which payments are related to the 2002 plan year incentive compensation programs of Equilon Enterprises LLC d/b/a Shell Oil Products US (SOPUS), including Equilon Pipeline Company LLC, and Motiva Enterprises LLC, paid in March 2003 to hourly Employees employed by SOPUS, Shell Pipeline Company LP, or Motiva Company, but only to the extent such payments are not otherwise already included as Compensation. Compensation shall also include payments for hours in excess of forty hours per week where such hours are part of an established normal work schedule of more than forty hours per week, paid in March 2004 to hourly Employees then employed at the Port Arthur, Texas and Delaware City, Delaware refineries and related to the 2003 plan year incentive compensation program of Motiva Company, but only to the extent such payments are not otherwise already included in Compensation. Commissions shall be considered a part of a Members compensation when paid in addition to a fixed basic wage or salary. The compensation of a Member shall also include payments made to him under a disability benefit plan of a Contributing Company, except that the Member shall not be required to pay into the Fund any percentage of sums received under a Workers Compensation, or similar law, which, under the terms of any such disability benefit plan, are deducted from the benefit payments under such plan. The Contributing Companys contributions, however, shall be based on an amount equivalent to the Disability Benefit Payments the Member would have received had there been no such reduction. With the exception of Members affected by the previous sentence, compensation shall not exceed the following: the sum of Compensation within the meaning of Article 8A and any amount which is contributed by the Contributing Company pursuant to a salary reduction agreement and which is not includable in a Members gross income by reason of the application of Section 125 of the Code relating to cafeteria plans, Section 132(f)(4) of the Code relating to qualified transportation fringe benefits, or Section 402(e)(3) of the Code relating to cash or deferred arrangements. Compensation, for purposes of determining contributions by or on behalf of a Member whose hourly rate of pay is established at a specified rate solely by reason of being assigned to an established normal work schedule that includes hours in excess of eight (8) hours per workday, shall be determined by application of a factor that will result in such Members compensation (for such purposes) being the same as if his hourly rate had not been so established. In addition to other applicable limitations set forth in the Plan, and notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 1994, the annual compensation of each Employee taken into account under the Plan shall not exceed the Annual Compensation Limit. For Plan Years beginning before January 1, 2002, the Annual Compensation Limit is $150,000, which amount shall be adjusted by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service for increases in the cost of living in accordance with Section 401(a)(17)(B) of the Code. For Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001, for purposes of determining Contributing Company contributions, the Annual Compensation Limit is $170,000. For Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001, for all other purposes, the Annual Compensation Limit is $200,000, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases in accordance with Section 401(a)(17)(B) of the Code.
ARTICLE 10
INVESTMENT FUNDS
1. Investment Funds
The assets of the Fund shall be invested in one or more optional funds (each of which is sometimes hereinafter referred to as an Optional Fund), which shall include: (1) the lifestyle funds set out in Part I of Schedule C to the Regulations (the LifeStyle Funds) and the core funds set out in Part I of Schedule C to the Regulations (the Core Funds); (2) such additional eligible investment company funds as from time to time shall obtain the approval of the Plan Administrator and the Trustees, as evidenced by their listing on Part II of Schedule C to the Regulations (the Fidelity Mutual Funds); (3) such eligible investment company funds as from time to time shall be available from Fidelitys FundsNetSM offerings, as evidenced by their listing on Part III of Schedule C to the Regulations (the Mutual Fund Window); and (4) such eligible investment company funds as from time to time shall constitute the Fidelity Select Portfolios®, as evidenced by their listing on Part IV of Schedule C of the Regulations (the Fidelity Select Portfolios). The LifeStyle Funds, the Fidelity Mutual Funds, the funds in the Mutual Fund Window, and the Fidelity Select Portfolios shall be sometimes referred to herein as Eligible Investment Company Funds.
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Each of the Core Funds may retain cash on deposit, or purchase short-term investments in keeping with the description of the particular Core Fund, in the amount necessary for the proper administration of the Core Fund, including for purposes of the payment of expenses or other anticipated distributions or pending the purchase of longer term investments suitable for the particular Core Fund.
2. Separate Account
As to each of the Optional Funds, a separate account (herein sometimes bearing the name of its corresponding Optional Fund, or sometimes individually or collectively referred to as Account) shall be kept for each Member. In general, each Members Account shall also be divided between Member Contributions (Member Account), Contributing Company Contributions and company contributions transferred from other qualified plans that do not allow for in-service distributions of such assets before the Member attains 591/2 years of age (Company Contribution Account), company contributions transferred from other qualified plans that allow for in-service distributions of such assets before the Member attains 591/2 years of age (Prior Plan Company Contribution Account), employer matching contributions subject to a vesting schedule that are transferred from other qualified plans (Company Match Account), employer matching contributions not subject to a vesting schedule that are transferred from other qualified plans (Prior Plan Match Account), after-tax rollover contributions (After-Tax Rollover Account), and all other rollover contributions (Rollover Account); and, in each case, together with earnings thereon. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, all references to a Members Account or account shall include all of these subaccounts. The term Member as used in this Article shall include any Member, Nonseparated Employee, Former Member, Qualified Beneficiary, or any alternate payee, within the meaning of section 206(d)(3)(K) of ERISA, who has investments in one or more Optional Funds.
(a) Appropriate entries shall be made to each Members Thrift Account to reflect (1) credits for the amounts paid in or transferred to the Thrift Fund by or on behalf of the Member, including a proportionate part of the interest, gains realized and other income allocated to the Thrift Fund, (2) debits in accordance with any withdrawals, distributions, losses realized, or transfers to another Optional Fund, and (3) a proportionate part of any expenses charged against the Thrift Fund, as provided by this Article and Section IX of the Trust Agreement, which may be either direct debits or amounts netted in credit entries, thereby showing the amount standing to the Members credit in his Thrift Account.
(b) Except as set forth in Subparagraph 2(a) hereinabove with respect to the Thrift Account, this Subparagraph 2(b) shall govern accounting under each of the Optional Funds. Each of a Members Optional Fund Accounts shall be divided into units of participation (Units) and the proportionate interest of each Member who has accrued assets in that Account shall be evidenced by the number and fractions of Units credited to such Account. Units shall be valued, except as set forth in Subparagraph 2(c) hereinbelow, as of the close of each Valuation Date, and may be split or combined, in the discretion of the investment manager to facilitate administration. Appropriate entries shall be made to each of a Members Accounts to reflect (1) the amounts paid in or transferred to the corresponding Optional Fund by or on behalf of the Member, (2) the allocation of Units to that Account, (3) redemptions and transfers to another Optional Fund, (4) withdrawals and distributions in accordance with the Plan, and (5) a proportionate part of any expenses charged against the Optional Fund as provided by this Article, Section IX of the Trust Agreement, and in the case of Eligible Investment Company Funds its prospectus and applicable law, thereby showing the number of Units standing to his credit in that Account.
(c) Units of the Fidelity Select Portfolios set out in Part IV of Schedule C of the Regulations shall be valued hourly throughout the Valuation Date, or as otherwise provided in the prospectus for each such Fidelity Select Portfolio.
3. Valuation
To the extent the Shell Provident Fund shall invest its assets with the Shell Savings Group Trust, the Trust Agreement of the Shell Savings Group Trust, rather than these Regulations, shall determine the valuation of the investment options offered thereunder.
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Each Investment Manager shall value the portion of the assets of the Optional Fund invested by it. The value of the assets of each Optional Fund, including net income or net loss, or the value of Units of participation, as appropriate, of each Optional Fund, shall be determined separately. Such determination shall be made in good faith in accordance with the best available information, accepted accounting practices, and applicable laws and regulations so as to provide uniform and consistent methods of valuation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the assets of an Eligible Investment Company Fund shall be valued in accordance with its prospectus and applicable law.
Brokerage commissions, transfer taxes, or other charges and expenses that can be specifically identified in connection with the purchase and sale of securities, Royal Dutch Shell Class A American depositary receipts (RDS ADRs), or SOC Shares shall be charged to the appropriate Optional Fund. Other taxes, charges, and expenses attributable to an Optional Fund shall be added to the cost of such shares or charged to the Optional Fund, or otherwise dealt with as the Trustees shall determine in accordance with Section IX of the Trust Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, charges and expenses of an Eligible Investment Company Fund shall be charged to the same in accordance with its prospectus and applicable law.
(a) Thrift Fund: All interest, dividends, and other income accrued during each Valuation Period and any profits realized during each Valuation Period by the Thrift Fund shall be credited to an income account for the Thrift Fund, and certain expenses incurred (in accordance with Section IX of the Trust Agreement) and any losses realized by the Thrift Fund during each Valuation Period shall be debited to that account for the Thrift Fund. As of the end of each Valuation Period, the balance of the account shall be allocated among the Members Thrift Accounts, in proportion to their balances in their Thrift Accounts during the Valuation Period. If the income account shows a net deficit for the Valuation Period, such deficiency shall be provided for to the extent necessary from the Members Thrift Accounts, debits to the Accounts shall be in proportion to their balances during the Valuation Period. For purposes of this paragraph: (1) prior to June 1, 1996, the term Valuation Period shall mean the periods which shall end on the 15th and last days of each month with Members Thrift Accounts to be credited or debited, as the case may be, as of such dates; and (2) on and after June 1, 1996, the term Valuation Period shall mean each calendar month with Members Thrift Accounts to be credited or debited, as the case may be, as of the last Valuation Date of each such month or, if there is no Valuation Date during such month, the last Valuation Date in the month or months immediately prior to such month.
(b) Other Core Funds: Except as set forth in Subparagraph 3(a) hereinabove with respect to the Thrift Fund and Subparagraph 3(d) hereinbelow with respect to activity involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, Core Funds shall be valued in accordance with this Subparagraph 3(b). Prior to June 1, 1996, the number of Units and fractions of Units to be allocated to a Members Accounts shall be calculated by dividing the sum to be invested in the Core Fund for such Member by the value of a Unit for that Core Fund as of the last Valuation Date preceding the date on which the Core Fund receives such sum, and the number of existing Units shall be increased accordingly. On and after June 1, 1996, the number of Units and fractions of Units to be allocated to a Members Accounts shall be calculated by dividing the sum to be invested in the Core Fund for such Member by the value of a Unit for that Core Fund as of the Valuation Date on which the Core Fund receives such sum, and the number of existing Units shall be increased accordingly. For purposes of this Subparagraph 3(b), a Core Fund shall be deemed to have received a sum for investment: (1) on the day it is actually received provided it is received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or (2) on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which it is actually received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading.
Units shall be redeemed on the Valuation Date on which the Plan Administrator receives a distribution or transfer request from the Member, if such a request is actually received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which it is actually received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. In all other cases, the Units standing to the credit of the Member shall be redeemed on the Valuation Date on which an event giving rise to a distribution from the Fund occurs, if such an event occurs on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which such event occurs, if it did not occur on a Valuation Date or if it occurs on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange
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closes for trading. The proceeds from such redemptions shall be transferred in accordance with a Members transfer request or distributed in accordance with Article 13 by the Trustees. Upon redemption of Units, such Units shall be extinguished and the number of existing Units decreased accordingly.
The value per Unit as of a Valuation Date shall be determined by valuing the investments held in the Core Fund as provided above, and by adding to the respective value thereof all cash on hand and income accrued on the investments of the respective Core Fund on the Valuation Date. There shall be deducted from the total of the foregoing any expenses pursuant to Section IX of the Trust Agreement and liabilities due or accrued and properly chargeable thereto. The net value, as thus determined, shall be divided by the total number of existing Units in the respective Core Fund to compute the value per Unit. In making such valuations, each Investment Manager shall include the value of any options, rights, warrants, or dividends (whether payable in stock or cash) which may have been declared but not received by the Investment Manager as of the Valuation Date when the investment has been valued ex-options, ex-rights, ex-warrants or ex-dividends.
(c) Eligible Investment Company Funds: The assets of the Eligible Investment Company Funds shall be valued and allocated to Members Accounts in accordance with its prospectus and applicable law.
(d) Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund: During periods of extreme market conditions, market closures, or illiquidity, the processing of redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund or purchases or redemptions of other Optional Fund units dependent in whole or in part upon redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, may be delayed until such day as all securities markets resume normal trading or sufficient liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund returns, in the judgment of the Investment Manager. In such event, the Valuation Date shall be likewise delayed.
4. Investment Manager
To the extent the Shell Provident Fund shall invest its assets with the Shell Savings Group Trust, the Trust Agreement of the Shell Savings Group Trust, rather than these Regulations, shall determine the rights, powers, duties, and responsibilities of the investment managers thereof.
The Core Funds may be under the management and control of one or more investment managers appointed by the Trustees. For purposes of this Plan, the term Investment Manager shall mean a fiduciary (a) who has the power to manage, acquire, or dispose of any assets of the Plan or a portion thereof; (b) who (1) is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or under state law, (2) is a bank as defined in that Act, or (3) is an insurance company qualified to perform services described in (a) above under the laws of more than one state; and (c) who acknowledges in writing that he is a fiduciary with respect to this Plan. An Investment Manager shall qualify as such by delivering a written acceptance to the Trustees, and shall be subject to the further conditions of Section VII of the Trust Agreement.
Each Investment Manager in its discretion shall individually invest and reinvest the principal and the income of the portion of the Core Fund held by it, and keep the assets invested, without distinction between principal and income, in such manner as determined by the Investment Manager in accordance with the Regulations and Trust Agreement.
In case an investment of a Core Fund held by an Investment Manager shall cease to be eligible as an original investment of the Core Fund, or shall be received in exchange for an original investment and shall not be eligible as an original investment, such Investment Manager shall, within a reasonable time thereafter as determined by the Investment Manager, sell or otherwise dispose of such investment.
Each Investment Manager shall individually have the power to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the assets of the Core Fund held by it from time to time at such prices and upon such terms and conditions and in such manner as it may deem proper. Each Investment Manager may exercise any voting powers appurtenant to any such assets at the time held by it and may execute any proxies or powers of attorney (as to either discretionary or ministerial matters) and any agreements which it may deem necessary or advisable in connection with its investment, holding, or
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management of the assets of the Core Fund, it being the intention hereof that such Investment Manager shall have full power, subject to the other provisions hereof, to manage all assets of the Core Fund held by it as though the absolute owner thereof. The purchaser of any assets of the Core Fund from any Investment Manager need not inquire into the application of the purchase money by such Investment Manager nor into the expediency or propriety of any sale or the authority of such Investment Manager to negotiate or make same. Except as provided in subparagraph 5(c) of this Article, securities of the Core Fund held by each Investment Manager may be registered in the name of Shell Provident Fund, any Investment Manager or its agent or nominees, or other persons; or they may be unregistered. Such securities shall be kept separate and apart from all other property belonging to or in the custody of each Investment Manager, except any Investment Manager shall have the power in its discretion to cause any investment to be registered in the name of any one or more nominees of any system for the central handling of securities and such securities may thereupon be placed for deposit with such system; however, such Investment Manager shall remain accountable for such investment.
The Eligible Investment Company Funds shall be under the management and control of one or more investment advisers. Each investment adviser thereof shall have the rights, powers, duties, and responsibilities set out in the governing documents of the respective Eligible Investment Company Fund, subject to the terms of applicable law.
5. Investments of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund
(a) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, the following provisions of this paragraph 5 shall apply with respect to the investments of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund by investment managers of the Shell Provident Fund.
(b) The Investment Manager may, in its discretion, retain in cash, including investment in any short-term collective or common trust funds as provided in Section VI of the Trust Agreement, such part of the assets of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund as it shall deem necessary or desirable for the proper administration thereof.
(c) All certificates for RDS ADRs or other securities acquired by the Investment Manager for the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund shall, until disposed of pursuant to these Regulations, be held in the possession of the Investment Manager and may be in bearer form or registered in the name of Shell Provident Fund, the Investment Manager, or its agents or nominees. RDS ADRs may from time to time be deposited or registered in a manner solely to enable the Investment Manager to vote such RDS ADRs as provided in paragraph (d) of this Article.
(d) The Investment Manager shall have any and all voting rights appurtenant to RDS ADRs or other securities held for the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund. To the extent and in the time and manner provided by applicable law and the governing documents of Royal Dutch Shell plc, the Investment Manager may, in its discretion and in the best interests of Members, exercise any such voting rights itself or by such proxy as it may select, in accordance with its independent judgment.
(e) In addition to its ordinary meaning, the term voting rights as used in this paragraph 5 of Article 10 shall mean and include, without limitation, the power to consent to, join in or oppose any plan of reorganization, and the power to give or withhold any other consent with respect to RDS ADRs or other securities held pursuant to the provisions of this Article.
(f) Dividends in the form of cash, RDS ADR or RDS Class A ordinary share dividends, and the proceeds of any other distributions received by the Investment Manager in respect of RDS ADRs shall be credited to such Accounts on the date of payment thereof if received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading or on the Valuation Date next succeeding the date on which the payment is received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; provided, however, that where a Member who is an Employee is not directing any current investments in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, amounts representing such dividends and other proceeds shall be credited in accordance with such Members investment election; provided, further, that on and after July 16, 1996, where a Member or Beneficiary has a balance in his or her Royal Dutch Stock Fund Account or Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund Account, amounts representing such dividends and other
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proceeds shall be credited to his or her Royal Dutch Stock Fund Account or Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund Account, as applicable, unless, in the case of a Member, the Member, whether or not a current Employee, affirmatively elects to have such amounts invested in accordance with the Members then current or most recent investment election.
(g) The Investment Manager shall sell, transfer, or exchange, within a reasonable time as determined by it, and upon such terms and conditions and in such manner as it may deem proper any securities received as a dividend or other distribution or pursuant to a reorganization; provided, however, that any RDS ADRs thus received shall not be sold, transferred or exchanged except to the extent required by other provisions of the Regulations.
(h) The Investment Manager may, in its discretion, exercise, sell, transfer, or exchange any options, rights or warrants which shall be granted or issued with respect to RDS ADRs (or the RDS Class A ordinary shares represented by the RDS ADRs); all other options, rights or warrants granted or issued with respect to securities held by the Investment Manager pursuant to this Article shall be sold, transferred, or exchanged within a reasonable time as determined by the Investment Manager.
(i) Any disposition of securities (including, without limitation, options, rights or warrants) pursuant to subparagraphs 5(g) and 5(h) of this Article may be deferred for such time as in the Investment Managers judgment is in the best interest of Members. Pending such dispositions, the Investment Manager may exercise any voting powers appurtenant to any such securities at the time held by it, and may exercise any proxies or power of attorney (as to either discretionary or ministerial matters) and any agreements which it may deem necessary or advisable in connection with the investment, holding, or management of such securities, it being the intention hereof that the Investment Manager shall have full power, subject to the other provisions hereof, to manage all such securities (in the interim pending disposition) as though the absolute owner thereof. The purchaser of any such securities from the Investment Manager need not inquire into the application of the purchase money by the Investment Manager nor into the expediency or propriety of any sale or the authority of the Investment Manager to negotiate or make the same. Pending such sale or disposition, such securities shall be held in the possession of the Investment Manager and may be registered in the name of Shell Provident Fund, the Investment Manager or its agents or nominees, or other persons; or they may be unregistered.
(j) When a Members Account is paid out pursuant to paragraphs 3, 4, and 6 of Article 13 upon his termination of service or pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 12 upon his age 591/2 withdrawal:
(1) Prior to June 1, 1996: whole RDP Shares standing to his credit in his Account shall be distributed in kind unless the Plan Administrator deems a distribution in kind to be impractical, in which event there shall be sold the number of such Shares directed by the Trustees; and fractional RDP Shares standing to his credit in his Royal Dutch Stock Fund Account (including fractional shares resulting from any division of his Accounts among beneficiaries) and any securities other than RDP Shares shall be sold and the proceeds distributed along with any other cash standing to his credit in his Account.
(2) On and after June 1, 1996 and prior to the commencement of trading of RDS ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange, the value of a Members Royal Dutch Stock Fund Account shall be distributed in cash, unless the Member shall affirmatively elect to take a distribution in the form of whole RDP Shares and residual cash.
(3) After the commencement of trading of RDS ADRs on the New York Stock Exchange, the value of a Members Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund Account shall be distributed in cash, unless the Member shall affirmatively elect to take a distribution in the form of whole RDS ADRs and residual cash.
(k) The Investment Manager shall have the right to close the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to purchases and redemptions whenever trading in RDS ADRs is suspended or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, substantial purchase and sales orders for RDS ADRs are pending but not executed.
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6. Investments of Shell Stock Fund
(a) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article, the following provisions of this paragraph 6 shall apply with respect to the investments of Shell Stock Fund prior to June 7, 1985. From and after that date, the Shell Stock Fund shall cease to be an active investment option hereunder. The provisions of this paragraph 6 shall continue in effect only to the extent necessary to govern the handling of any class action settlements or other distributions received on or after June 7, 1985, in respect of the common stock of Shell Oil Company.
(b) Purchases of SOC Shares may be made in the open market or from other sources, including the purchase of treasury stock or the purchase of authorized but unissued stock available for such purpose. In the event purchases are made from sources other than the open market, including the purchase of treasury stock or the purchase of authorized but unissued stock from Shell Oil Company if it shall have made such stock available for such purpose, the purchase price shall be not more than the mean of the high and low prices on the New York Stock Exchange or its successor Exchange on the day of purchase. In the event there are no sales on the New York Stock Exchange or its successor Exchange on the day of purchase, the mean of the high and low prices on the preceding business day of the New York Stock Exchange or its successor Exchange shall be utilized for this purpose. In the event there shall have been no sales on the New York Stock Exchange or its successor Exchange on the preceding day, the Investment Manager and Shell Oil Company shall negotiate a reasonable price for purchases during the period in question. Sales of stock may be made in the open market or otherwise, provided that any sales other than on the open market shall be at a price not less than the mean of the high and low prices on the New York Stock Exchange or its successor Exchange on the day of sale. The purchaser of such stock from the Investment Manager need not inquire into the application of the purchase money by the Investment Manager nor into the expediency or propriety any sale or the authority of the Investment Manager to negotiate or make same.
(c) The Investment Manager shall purchase SOC Shares as soon as reasonably practicable with the funds available to it for that purpose. The Investment Manager may, however, in its discretion refrain from making purchases of SOC Shares to the extent that such action is deemed by it to be in the best interests of the purchasing Members. The Investment Manager may, in its discretion, retain in cash, or invest in debt securities having maturities at the time of issuance not exceeding one year, such part of the assets of the Shell Stock Fund as it shall deem necessary or desirable for the proper administration thereof.
(d) An investment direction of a Member pursuant to Article 11 shall be complied with as soon as reasonably practicable after receipt by the Trustees thereof. In no event, however, shall the Trustees or the Investment Manager be required to comply with a direction to sell as of a specific date.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Investment Manager may match purchases and sales being made at the direction of Members at prices determined by the Investment Manager to be as near as practicable to the prices that would have been obtained on the New York Stock Exchange.
(f) All certificates for SOC Shares acquired by the Investment Manager shall, until disposed of pursuant to these Regulations, be held in the possession of the Investment Manager and may be registered in the name of Shell Provident Fund, the Investment Manager, or its agents or nominees.
(g) Before each annual or special meeting of the stockholders of Shell Oil Company, each Member for whose Account the Investment Manager holds SOC Shares, shall be provided a copy of the proxy solicitation material or other solicitation material together with a form requesting confidential instructions to the Investment Manager on how voting rights appurtenant to the full shares of stock allocated to the Members are to be exercised. Upon receipt of such instructions from the Members, the Investment Manager shall exercise the voting rights appurtenant to the respective stock as instructed. The instructions received by the Investment Manager from the Members shall be held by the Investment Manager in strictest confidence and shall not be divulged or released to any person including the Trustees, or officers or employees of any Contributing Company.
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(h) The Investment Manager shall have the voting rights with respect to all SOC Shares held pursuant to this Article for which instructions for a particular stockholders meeting shall not have been received, and may, in its discretion, in the best interests of the Members exercise such voting rights itself, or by such proxy as it may select, and in accordance with its independent judgment.
(i) In addition to its ordinary meaning, the term voting rights as used in this paragraph 6 of Article 10 shall mean and include, without limitation, the power to consent to, join in or oppose any plan of reorganization, and the power to give or withhold any other consent with respect to SOC Shares held pursuant to the provisions of this Article. A Member may in connection with any corporate transaction affording appraisal rights to dissenting stockholders under law, direct in writing to the Investment Manager the exercise of such rights with respect to all or any part of the SOC Shares standing to his credit in his Shell Stock Account; provided, however, that a Member who directs the exercise of such rights shall be required to make provision, as required by the Investment Manager, for the costs and expenses incurred for, or expected to be incurred by, the Investment Manager in exercising such rights, and any such costs and expenses not otherwise provided shall be charged against the Accounts of Members who so direct the exercise of such rights.
(j) As of the end of each accounting period designated by the Trustees, but not less frequently than monthly, the SOC Shares purchased by the Investment Manager during such period shall be allocated and charged, at the average cost thereof, to the Shell Stock Account of each Member on the basis of the cash then standing to his credit in such Account.
(k) Brokerage commissions, transfer taxes, and other charges and expenses in connection with the purchase and sale of SOC Shares, and the sale of other securities, if any, shall be added to the cost thereof or deducted from the proceeds thereof, as the case may be. Other taxes, charges, and expenses attributable to the Shell Stock Fund shall be added to the cost of such shares or charged to Members Accounts, or otherwise dealt with as the Trustees shall determine in accordance with Section IX of the Trust Agreement.
(l) SOC Shares purchased by the Investment Manager but not allocated to the Accounts of the Members by the end of any accounting period shall be deemed to have been purchased by the Investment Manager during the next accounting period at the average price at which such Shares were purchased during the preceding accounting period.
(m) Cash dividends, stock dividends, and the proceeds of any other distributions received by the Investment Manager in respect of SOC Shares allocated to the Accounts of Members on the record date shall be credited to such Accounts as of the date of payment thereof.
(n) Cash dividends, stock dividends, and the proceeds of any other distributions received by the Investment Manager in respect of purchased SOC Shares not allocated to the Accounts of Members on the record date shall be applied to reduce the cost of such unallocated Shares.
(o)(1) The Investment Manager shall sell, transfer, or exchange, within a reasonable time as determined by it, and upon such terms and conditions and in such manner it may deem proper any securities received as a dividend or other distribution or pursuant to a reorganization; provided, however, that any SOC Shares thus received shall not be sold except to the extent required by other provisions of the Regulations.
(o)(2) The Investment Manager may, in its discretion, exercise, sell, transfer, or exchange any options, rights or warrants which shall be granted or issued with respect to SOC Shares; all other options, rights or warrants granted or issued with respect to securities held by the Investment Manager pursuant to this Article shall be sold, transferred, or exchanged within a reasonable time as determined by the Investment Manager.
(p) Any disposition of securities (including, without limitation, options, rights or warrants) pursuant to subparagraph 6(o) of this Article may be deferred for such time as in the Investment Managers judgment is in the best interest of Members. Pending such dispositions, the Investment Manager may exercise any voting powers appurtenant to any such securities at the time held by it, and may exercise any proxies or power of attorney (as to either discretionary or ministerial matters) and any agreements which it may deem
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necessary or advisable in connection with the investment, holding, or management of such securities, it being the intention hereof that the Investment Manager shall have full power, subject to the other provisions hereof, to manage all such securities (in the interim pending disposition) as though the absolute owner thereof. The purchaser of any such securities from the Investment Manager need not inquire into the application of the purchase money by the Investment Manager nor into the expediency or propriety of any sale or the authority of the Investment Manager to negotiate or make the same. Pending such sale or disposition, such securities shall be held in the possession of the Investment Manager and may be registered in the name of Shell Provident Fund, the Investment Manager or its agents or nominees, or other persons; or they may be unregistered.
(q) When a Members Account is paid out pursuant to paragraphs 3, 4, and 6 of Article 13 upon his termination of service or pursuant to paragraph 3 of Article 12 upon his age 591/2 withdrawal:
(1) Whole SOC Shares standing to his credit in his Account shall be distributed in kind unless the Plan Administrator deems a distribution in kind to be impractical, in which event there shall be sold the number of such Shares directed by the Trustees.
(2) Fractional SOC Shares standing to his credit in his Shell Stock Account (including fractional shares resulting from any division of his Account among beneficiaries) shall be sold and the proceeds distributed along with any other cash standing to his credit in his Account.
ARTICLE 11
MEMBER DIRECTIONS
1. Each Member shall direct that the entire amount of contributions made by or on behalf of the Memberand each Member shall direct the entire amount of any dividends or other distributions credited to the Account of the Member in respect of the Members Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund Accountbe invested in one or more of the Optional Funds offered under the Plan in multiples of one percent (1%) as follows:
(a) | Prior to June 1, 1996, directions shall be effective as of the first day of the Members payroll period which next falls after Timely Receipt of notice by the Plan Administrator. On and after June 1, 1996, a direction shall be effective: (1) on the day it is actually received provided it is received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or (2) on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which it is actually received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, an investment direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to purchases, an investment direction to the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund shall not become effective prior to the time that the Investment Manager reopens the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund. Where market conditions permit, the Investment Manager shall invest temporarily contributions relating to a suspended direction in the Thrift Fund. An investment direction, once given, shall remain effective until changed by a subsequent direction. | |||
(b) | Member contributions made pursuant to Article 7 may not be invested in the Royal Dutch Stock Fund prior to November 24, 1997, or the Shell Stock Fund. | |||
(c) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Shell Oil Company in its discretion may, at any time, fix a uniform upper percent limitation on the part of Company contributions which Members may direct be invested in the Shell Stock Fund or the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund. While any such limitation is effective, all directions, whether made prior or subsequent thereto, shall be effective only to the extent permissible under the |
29
limitation. (d) Company contributions, rollover amounts, and Member contributions as to which no valid investment direction is in effect shall be placed in the Thrift Fund. Where by virtue of the summary plan description or otherwise, the Member is informed or otherwise aware that the Member has a right to direct contributions or rollovers to the Optional Funds and moreover, that failure to make a valid investment direction or redirection shall be treated as a direction to invest those contributions or rollovers in the Thrift Fund, then the Members failure to direct such contributions or rollovers shall be deemed an exercise of the Members control and discretion to invest in the Thrift Fund. Where a Member attempts to allocate to the Optional Funds more than 100 percent of the amount the Member rolls over into the Fund, the entire rollover amount shall be returned to the Member. |
2. Each Member may direct that any portion of his Account shall be transferred between Optional Funds by giving directions to the Plan Administrator as follows:
(a) | Each direction shall indicate the amount or percentage to be transferred, the Optional Fund from which the transfer is to be made, and each Optional Fund to which the amount or percentage is to be transferred. | |||
(b) | Member contributions made pursuant to Article 7 may not be transferred to the Royal Dutch Stock Fund prior to November 24, 1997, or the Shell Stock Fund. | |||
(c) | The provisions of this Subparagraph 2(c) shall govern transfer directions prior to January 1, 1996. Directions as to a transfer to the Treasury Fund from any other Optional Fund shall be effective as of the last Valuation Date in January or July which next falls after timely receipt of notice by the Plan Administrator. A pro rata reduction of the designated amount of each transfer direction from the Thrift Fund to the Treasury Fund may be made as determined by the Trustees in conjunction with the Companies if the liquid assets necessary to carry out such transfer direction are not available on satisfactory terms as of the effective Valuation Date. | |||
(d) | Except as otherwise expressly provided in Subparagraph 2(c), directions as to a transfer to any Optional Fund shall be effective on the first Valuation Date on or after July 12, 1996, on which the Plan Administrator receives such direction. For purposes of this Subparagraph 2(d), the Plan Administrator shall be deemed to have received a transfer direction: (1) on the day it is actually received provided it is received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or (2) on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which it is actually received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, a transfer direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to purchases and/or redemptions, or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loan, withdrawal, and distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, as well as all Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund redemption requests, any directions to redeem Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units and any directions to purchase or redeem units of other Optional Funds which purchases or redemptions are dependent in whole or in part on redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor in the aggregate all such Loans, withdrawals, and distributions and all Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund redemptions received previously or simultaneously. A transfer direction, once given, shall remain effective unless canceled in a timely manner; provided, however, that |
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(1) | in the case of a transfer direction directing an exchange among two or more Fidelity Select Portfolio funds exclusively, no transfer direction may be canceled or modified after the first hour the Fidelity Select Portfolio is valued, and no proceeds from any such exchange can be redirected prior to the close of the Valuation Date on which the exchange direction takes effect; | |||
(2) | in the case of a transfer direction directing an exchange from a Fidelity Select Portfolio to an Optional Fund other than another Fidelity Select Portfolio, no transfer direction may be canceled or modified after the first hour the Fidelity Select Portfolio is valued, and no proceeds from any such exchange can be redirected prior to the close of the Valuation Date on which the exchange direction takes effect; and | |||
(3) | in the case of any other transfer direction, no such transfer direction may be canceled or modified, and no proceeds from any such exchange can be redirected, after the close of the Valuation Date on which the exchange direction takes effect. |
(e) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Shell Oil Company in its discretion may, at any time, fix a uniform upper percent limitation on the part of Company contributions which Members may direct be transferred to the Shell Stock Fund or the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund. While any such limitation is effective, all directions, whether made prior or subsequent thereto, shall be effective only to the extent permissible under the limitation. | |||
(f) | A Member or Beneficiary may lose exchange privileges under an Eligible Investment Company Fund, consistent with the prospectus thereof, for trading that the Investment Manager determines is excessive or that adversely impacts effective management of an Optional Fund in accordance with its stated investment objectives and policies or that would otherwise potentially be adverse to the interests of Members and Beneficiaries who are long-term investors. | |||
(g) | Where an Optional Fund terminates or withdraws from the Fund, a Member or Beneficiary who has a balance in such Optional Fund shall redirect that balance among the remaining Optional Funds. Where the Member or Beneficiary fails to make a valid investment redirection, such balance shall be placed in the Thrift Fund. Where by virtue of the summary plan description or otherwise, the Member or Beneficiary is informed or otherwise aware that the Member or Beneficiary has a right to redirect a balance from a terminated or withdrawn Optional Fund among the remaining Optional Funds and moreover, that failure to make a valid investment redirection shall be treated as a direction to reinvest such balance in the Thrift Fund, then any failure to redirect the balance from a terminated or withdrawn Optional Fund shall be deemed an exercise of the Members or Beneficiarys control and discretion to invest such balance in the Thrift Fund. |
3. (a) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if a cash tender offer or exchange offer for shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company is made, all or any part of the shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company standing to the credit of each Member in his Shell Stock Account shall be tendered or exchanged by the Investment Manager pursuant to such cash tender offer or exchange offer only in accordance with the written instructions and directions of such Member to the Investment Manager to so tender or exchange. If a cash tender offer or exchange offer for shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company is made, the Investment Manager shall use its best efforts to take actions reasonably necessary to furnish information to, and allow decision by, each Member with respect to such cash tender offer or exchange offer and the shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company standing to the credit of such Members Shell Stock Account in substantially the same manner as would be available to holders of common stock of Shell Oil Company generally, and, in that connection, the Investment Manager shall: |
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(1) | Transmit to each Member as soon as practicable such written information, explanation and other materials relative to such cash tender offer or exchange offer as are made available by the Company or by the persons or entities making such cash tender offer or exchange offer to the holders of shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company generally; | |||
(2) | Request written instructions and directions from each Member with respect to the tender or exchange of the shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company standing to the credit of such Members Account Shell Stock Account; and | |||
(3) | Use its reasonable efforts to effect the tender or exchange of common stock of Shell Oil Company held in the Shell Stock Fund with respect to such cash tender offer or exchange offer in accordance with written instructions and directions received from Members. |
If written instructions or directions are not properly or timely received from a Member, the shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company standing to the credit of his Shell Stock Account shall not be tendered or exchanged pursuant to such cash tender offer or exchange offer. | ||||
For purposes herein, the term cash tender offer shall include a tender offer for, or request or invitation for tenders of, shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company in exchange for cash, as made to the Shell Stock Fund or to holders of shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company generally; the term exchange offer shall include a tender offer for, or request or invitation for tenders of, any shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company in exchange for any consideration other than for all cash, as made to the Shell Stock Fund or to holders of shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company generally. |
(b) | If any shares of common stock of Shell Oil Company held in a Members Shell Stock Account are tendered or exchanged pursuant to a cash tender offer or exchange offer in accordance with subparagraph 3(a) above, any cash proceeds received in connection therewith shall be transferred to the Thrift Fund and credited to such Members Thrift Account. Any other property received pursuant to an exchange offer shall be sold as soon as reasonably practicable and the proceeds thereof transferred to the Thrift Fund and credited to such Members Thrift Account. |
4. For purposes of paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article and for purposes of the restrictions contained in paragraph 1 of this Article, the term Member shall include, in addition to any Member, any Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary. For purposes of the right under paragraph 1 to direct investment of amounts received as dividends with respect to Royal Dutch Shell Units, the term Member shall include, in addition to any Member, any Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary with a Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund Account.
5. Member directions shall be made subject to the conditions of Article 16.
6. A Member or Beneficiary shall be responsible for following up in order to ensure that his or her investment directions were acted upon and were carried out in accordance with his or her express instructions, and that, in the case of a Member, any contributions related to a suspended direction were redirected in accordance with the Members standing investment direction once the conditions that precipitated the suspension were resolved.
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ARTICLE 12
MEMBER WITHDRAWALS
1. As long as a Member is in the service of a Contributing Company, he shall have no right to receive the amounts standing to his credit, or any part thereof, except as may be permitted by paragraphs 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this Article, by Article 12A, by paragraph 4 of Article 13, by paragraph 3 of Article 13A, or by Articles 17 or 18.
2. (a) | Any Member may by written direction to the Fund withdraw up to one hundred percent (100%) of the value of his Member contributions (within the meaning of Article 7). The right to make such a withdrawal is personal to such Member and cannot be transferred or pledged, whether by voluntary act or by operation of law, and any such attempted transfer or pledge shall be void. The Member may specify an Optional Fund Account from which the withdrawal shall be made. If the Member does not specify an Account or if further allocation of the amount of the withdrawal is necessary, the amount or remaining amount, as the case may be, shall be distributed from the Members Optional Fund Accounts on a pro rata basis. Where by virtue of the summary plan description or otherwise, the Member is informed or otherwise aware that a Member has a right to allocate withdrawals to the Members Optional Fund Accounts and moreover, that the failure to make a valid allocation shall be treated as a direction to allocate the withdrawals to the Optional Funds Accounts on a pro rata basis, then the Members failure to allocate withdrawals properly shall be deemed an exercise of the Members control and discretion to allocate the withdrawal to the Members Optional Fund Accounts on a pro rata basis. | |||
Whenever a Member shall direct a withdrawal from any of his Accounts other than his Thrift Fund Account, there shall be redeemed (as of the next succeeding Valuation Date following receipt of such direction by the Fund or on the receipt date of such direction if such direction is received on a Valuation Date prior to the time the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading) so many of such Members Units of participation (or fractions thereof) as may be necessary to provide the cash to be withdrawn. |
(b) | Notwithstanding the foregoing provision, however, no withdrawal shall be permitted from a Members Account in excess of the value (as of the next succeeding Valuation Date following receipt of such direction by the Fund or on the receipt date of such direction if such direction is received on a Valuation Date prior to the time the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading) of all Units of participation standing to his credit in his Accounts (other than his Thrift Account) which were purchased out of funds paid in by him. During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, a withdrawal direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to redemptions or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loan, withdrawal, and distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, then withdrawal directions to redeem units of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund and/or withdrawal directions to redeem other Optional Funds units which redemptions are dependent in whole or in part upon redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loans, withdrawals, and distributions involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund. |
(c) | Notwithstanding any other provision of this paragraph 2, a Member shall not be permitted to withdraw any amount subject to a qualified domestic relations order as defined under ERISA and the Code. |
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3. Notwithstanding anything in these Regulations to the contrary, any Member who attains age 591/2 even though he has not terminated service and is still in the service of a Contributing Company may, by direction to the Plan Administrator, withdraw all or a portion of the amount standing to his credit. Such Member may direct that the Trustees purchase an annuity or other form of contract of the type and subject to the terms and conditions described in paragraph 5 of Article 13. The value of the Account will be determined as of the next succeeding Valuation Date following receipt of such direction by the Fund or on the receipt date of such direction if such direction is received on a Valuation Date prior to the time the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, a withdrawal direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to redemptions or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loan, withdrawal, and distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, then withdrawal directions to redeem units of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund and/or withdrawal directions to redeem other Optional Funds units which redemptions are dependent in whole or in part upon redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loans, withdrawals, and distributions involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund.
4. Any Member who has amounts credited to a Prior Plan Match Account may, by direction to the Plan Administrator, withdraw all or a portion of the amount standing to his credit in such Prior Plan Match Account; provided, however, if (a) such Member has less than five (5) years of Participation Service, and (b) such withdrawal includes employer contributions made under the Siemens Savings Plan within two years of the last day of the month in which the withdrawal is to be made, Contributing Company contributions on behalf of any such Member who has not terminated service and/or is still in the service of a Contributing Company, shall be suspended for a three-month period following the end of the month after the withdrawal is made. Such Member may direct that the Trustees purchase an annuity or other form of contract of the type, and subject to the terms and conditions, described in Paragraph 5 of Article 13. The value of the Prior Plan Match Account will be determined as of the next succeeding Valuation Date following receipt of such direction by the Fund or on the receipt date of such direction if such direction is received on a Valuation Date prior to the time the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading.
5. Any Member who has amounts credited to the Prior Plan Company Contribution Account may, by direction to the Plan Administrator, withdraw once in every twelve-month period all or a portion of the amount standing to his or her credit in his or her Prior Plan Company Contribution Account. Except as may be permitted by paragraph 3 of Article 12, this paragraph shall not apply to a Member until the Member has at least five years of participation in the Plan. For purposes of this paragraph, participation in the Plan shall include, in addition to participation in this Plan, participation in the Alliance Savings Plan, the Star Enterprise Thrift Plan, the Star Enterprise Savings Plan, and any other plan from which a Members account was transferred in a direct trust-to-trust transfer to the Alliance Savings Plan. For purposes of this paragraph, participation in the Plan shall also include, in addition to participation in this Plan, participation in the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Savings and Investment Plan and the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Savings and Investment Plan for Hourly Employees.
ARTICLE 12A
LOANS
1. Any of the following who has an Account under this Fund (each, a Borrower) shall be eligible to make a loan under the terms of this Plan:
(a) | an active employee of a Contributing Company (an Active Employee), | |||
(b) | a person who was formerly an Active Employee (Former Employee) or is a surviving beneficiary of an Active or Former Employee (a Surviving Beneficiary), and |
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(c) | an Active Employee who ceased employment with a Contributing Company on or after July 1, 1988, in connection with a transaction which, taken as a whole, does not result in a separation of service (a Nonseparated Employee); |
provided, however, that Loans to parties in interest may not discriminate in favor of Highly Compensated Employees.
2. Requests for Loans must be submitted to the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator will consider such requests at least once a month. Unless denied, a Loan will be made effective on the date the Loan request is actually received provided it is received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which it is actually received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, a Loan request may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to redemptions or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loan, withdrawal, and distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, then Loan requests to redeem units of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund and/or Loan requests to redeem other Optional Funds units which redemptions are dependent in whole or in part upon redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loans, withdrawals, and distributions involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund.
3. The Plan Administrator shall be authorized to administer the loan program. Borrowers may apply for Loans under the Plan subject to the following terms and conditions:
(a) | With respect to each Account hereunder, the total amount of outstanding Loans, including loans from other qualified plans of the Contributing Company or any Affiliated Company, shall not exceed the lesser of: |
(i) | Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) reduced by the excess, if any, of (A) the highest outstanding balance of Loans from the Plan (and all other qualified plans maintained by an employing Company or an Affiliated Company) during the one-year period ending on the day before the date on which such Loan was made, over (B) the outstanding balance of Loans from the Plan on the date on which such Loan was made, or | |||
(ii) | one-half the value of the Account, determined as of the last Valuation Date preceding the Borrowers request for a Loan. | |||
For any Loan, including loans from other qualified plans of the Contributing Company or any Affiliated Company, that is deemed distributed as a result of a default that has not been repaid (such as by a plan loan offset), the unpaid amount of such Loan including accrued interest will be considered outstanding for purposes of Subparagraph 3(a) of this Article 12A. |
(b) | Loans shall not be made for less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). | |||
(c) | Loans shall meet the requirements of Section 4975(d)(1) of the Code. | |||
(d) | Loans shall be adequately secured by the value of the Members Account. | |||
(e) | The rate of interest for Loans shall be set by the Plan Administrator based on an annual rate equal to the prime index as quoted by Bloomberg L.P., The Wall Street Journal, or any other widely available, easily accessible source. The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to select a rate which discourages arbitrage and reflects the fact that payments generally are |
35
made via payroll deduction. The Plan Administrator shall not be required to charge different rates for different parts of the country and need not consider the creditworthiness of the Borrower nor the usury laws of any particular jurisdiction. The Plan Administrator will periodically review the Loan rate and make adjustments when appropriate. However, the rate set for each Loan shall remain the same during the term of the Loan, except that the rate of interest may not exceed 6% per year during periods that the Borrower is on military service, within the meaning of, and as required under, the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Principal and interest paid on a Loan shall be credited and allocated in accordance with the current Contribution allocation, in the case of an Active Employee, or in accordance with the last Contribution allocation in the case of a Former Employee, Surviving Beneficiary, or Nonseparated Employee. |
(f) | Loans, by their terms, shall be amortized in substantially level monthly or semi-monthly payments with the final payment or balance due upon the expiration of a fixed term of not more than five (5) years and of not less than six (6) months; provided, however, the Plan Administrator, to the extent permitted under applicable law and regulations, may approve a Loan for up to a ten-year term in the case of a Loan used to acquire any dwelling unit which within a reasonable period of time is to be used (determined at the time the Loan is made) as the principal residence of the Borrower based upon a certification made by the Borrower, and consistent with such certification. | |||
(g) | Loans shall be made pursuant to a loan agreement between the Borrower and the Plan, utilizing such methods and provisions as the Plan Administrator shall approve. Loan payments will be made in installments by payroll deductions, in the case of an Active Employee actively at work, and by direct payment (including payments through the use of the automatic clearing house method of debiting his account with a financial institution) in the case of any other Borrower, with minimum payments of Twenty-Five Dollars ($25) per month. | |||
(h) | A Borrower may not have more than three (3) Loans under this Plan, the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund, and any other qualified plan of the Company or any Affiliated Company outstanding at one time. | |||
(i) | The Plan Administrator shall be entitled to deny any Loan where he has reasonable cause to believe that the Borrower is not making a bona fide Loan as, for example, when the Borrower has no intention to repay it. | |||
(j) | Loans shall meet such other requirements as the Plan Administrator may determine advisable or necessary to provide adequate security and to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. | |||
(k) | A Loan will be funded on a pro rata basis from a Borrowers Optional Fund Accounts on the basis of the source of the amounts in the following order: |
(i) | Company Contribution Account; | |||
(ii) | Prior Plan Company Contribution Account; | |||
(iii) | Company Match Account; | |||
(iv) | Prior Plan Match Account; | |||
(v) | Rollover Account; | |||
(vi) | After-tax Rollover Account; and |
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(vii) | Member Account. | |||
Notwithstanding the above, a Borrower may specify an Optional Fund from which the Loan is to be made, subject to the hierarchy described above. Where by virtue of the summary plan description or otherwise, the Borrower is informed or otherwise aware that the Borrower has a right to specify an Optional Fund from which the Loan is to be made subject to the hierarchy described above and moreover, that failure to specify an Optional Fund shall result in the Loan being funded on a pro rata basis from the Members Optional Fund Accounts, then the Borrowers failure to specify properly an Optional Fund from which the Loan is to be made shall be deemed an exercise of the Borrowers control and discretion to fund the Loan on a pro rata basis, subject to the hierarchy described above. |
(l) | The entire unpaid principal balance and accrued interest of a Loan shall become immediately due and payable upon the death of the Borrower. Notwithstanding the above, the preceding sentence shall not apply if a beneficiary that is 18 years or older is the sole beneficiary of a deceased Employee, Nonseparated Employee, or Former Employees Account, and such beneficiary affirmatively elects to continue to repay the Loan under its original terms, where such election is received by the Plan no later than the last day that a Borrower would have to cure a failure to pay an installment payment under Subparagraph 4(a) below. | |||
(m) | A Loan may be prepaid by a Borrower at any time without a penalty fee or charge. Such prepayments shall be applied towards the principal payment amounts due at the end of the term of the Loan. Such prepayments will not relieve the Borrower from making subsequent installment payments under the terms of the Loan, except to the extent that the outstanding principal balance is reduced to less than the amount of an installment payment. | |||
(n) | Installment payments required under the terms of a Loan may be suspended under this Plan as permitted under Section 414(u)(4) of the Code for an Active Employee during periods of qualified military service, provided that such Active Employee is not receiving Compensation or is receiving Compensation that is less than the amount of the installment payments required under the terms of the Loan. | |||
(o) | Installment payments required under the terms of a Loan may be suspended not longer than one year under this Plan as permitted under the applicable Department of Treasury regulations for an Active Employee that is on a bona fide leave of absence, provided that such Member is not receiving Compensation or is receiving Compensation that is less than the amount of the installment payments required under the terms of the Loan. At the end of the suspension period permitted under this Subparagraph, the installment payments will resume at an increased amount required to pay the entire unpaid principal balance of the Loan, including the interest that accrued during the suspension period, and the interest that will accrue, by the end of the original term of the Loan extended by the length of the suspension period permitted under this Subparagraph. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the amount of an installment payment due after the end of the suspension period under this Subparagraph must not be less than the amount required under the terms of the original Loan; and the term of the loan may not be extended beyond five years from the date the loan was issued (unless such loan was used to acquire a principal residence as permitted under Subparagraph 3(f) above). | |||
(p) | Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements of this Paragraph 3 or of Paragraph 4 following, if plan loans are to be transferred to the Plan and Trust for a participant or beneficiary in connection with a merger or asset transfer, then the terms and conditions of this Paragraph 3 and Paragraph 4 may be modified by the Plan Administrator to the extent necessary to accommodate the administration of such loans, provided such loans meet the applicable requirements of ERISA and the Code. |
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(q) | Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements of this Paragraph 3, the installment obligations for any loan requested on or after January 1, 2004, must be paid by payroll deduction if, at the time the loan is requested, the Borrower has a previous loan (including any loan from other qualified plans of the Contributing Company or any Affiliated Company) that resulted in a deemed distribution that has not been repaid (such as by plan loan offset); moreover, if at a later time, the installment obligations of such loan cannot be made by payroll deduction (other than during the periods permitted by Subparagraphs 3(n) or 3(o)), the amount then outstanding on the loan will be treated as a deemed distribution under Section 72(p) of the Code. |
4. This Paragraph 4 shall govern in the event of late or missed payments.
(a) | If a Borrower fails to repay any Loan granted to him pursuant to this Article 12A in accordance with its terms and such failure continues for a period of at least thirty (30) days, the Plan Administrator shall notify the Borrower in writing in a timely manner that he has thirty (30) days from the date of the notice to cure the failure (the Cure Period), and that if the failure is not cured within the Cure Period, the Plan Administrator shall, without further notice to the Borrower, accelerate the balance due on the Loan and treat the Loan as in default. If the Borrower is deceased, such notice may be given to the person who would be entitled to receive distribution of his Account under the terms of the Plan and who has elected to continue to repay the Loan under its original terms as provided for in Subparagraph 3(l) above (hereinafter in this Article 12A, referred to as Beneficiary Borrower"). If the failure is not cured within the Cure Period the Plan Administrator shall reduce the Account by the balance due on the Loan and record and report the transaction as an offset distribution. The Plan will be completely discharged of all liability under the Plan for the balance of the Account (including interest) up to the amount of such offset distribution. | |||
(b) | Written notice to the Borrower (or to the Beneficiary Borrower if the Borrower is deceased) will conclusively be presumed to have been given under the terms of Subparagraph 4(a) above when mailed (postage prepaid) to the last known address for the Borrower or the Beneficiary Borrower according to the Plan Administrators records. If the Plan Administrator has no address for the Beneficiary Borrower to be notified if the Borrower is deceased, the written notice may be mailed to the Beneficiary Borrower at the Borrowers last known address and, in such event, such notice will conclusively be presumed to have been properly given to the Beneficiary Borrower. | |||
(c) | Notwithstanding the above, the Plan Administrator may extend the Cure Period provided that the following conditions are met: |
(i) | the Cure Period is not extended by more than 30 days; | |||
(ii) | it is demonstrated that the Borrower made a good faith effort to cure the failure by the end of the Cure Period; and | |||
(iii) | the criteria above is applied by the Plan Administrator on a consistent basis for all Borrowers similarly situated. | |||
In no event may the Cure Period for the failure to pay an installment payment when due continue beyond the last day of the calendar quarter following the calendar quarter in which the required installment payment was due. |
5. If a Member receives a Loan under this Article 12A, his status as a Member in the Plan and his rights with respect to his Plan benefits shall not be affected, except to the extent that the Member has used his Account as security for the Loan, pursuant to this Article 12A.
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6. Notwithstanding the above, at the written request of a Borrower and upon the demonstration by such Borrower that continuation of Loan payments via payroll deductions would cause undue financial hardship, the Plan Administrator may cease all future Loan payments by payroll deduction and accelerate the entire unpaid principal balance due on the Loan with accrued interest. In this event, the Borrower will be treated as having defaulted on the Loan as of the day payroll deductions are terminated; in addition, such Borrower will be restricted from obtaining a new Loan under this Plan for a period extending at least through the due date of the last installment payment that would have been payable under the original terms of the Loan which was declared in default.
ARTICLE 13
DISTRIBUTIONS AND DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY
1. Subject to the provisions pertaining to certain married Members set out below, a Member may name an individual, trust, or Qualified Charitable Organization as a beneficiary, or multiple or combination of individuals, trusts, and Qualified Charitable Organizations as beneficiaries (hereinafter referred to as beneficiary, whether one or more) to receive all or any part of the amount standing to the Members credit with the Fund in the event the Member dies before such amount is distributed. A Qualified Charitable Organization for these purposes shall mean a charitable organization in existence at the time of the distribution that is either:
(1) | an organization described in Section 170(c) of the Code and listed in the IRS Cumulative List of Organizations described in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code as published by the Internal Revenue Service (currently published as Publication 78) at the time of distribution; | |||
(2) | an organization which is a church or other church organization which qualifies as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code; or | |||
(3) | an educational organization which either qualifies as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Code or which otherwise constitutes an educational organization to which charitable contributions may be deducted under section 170 of the Code. |
In order to be recognized as a Qualified Charitable Organization any organization designated hereunder must present clear and convincing evidence to the Plan Administrator that it meets the requirements described above. The Plan Administrator may rely on a listing of the designated organization in the current IRS Cumulative List of Organizations described in Section 170(c) of the Internal Revenue Code as published by the Internal Revenue Service (currently published as Publication 78) at the time of distribution in order to treat such organization as a Qualified Charitable Organization. In the event that an organization described in (2) or (3) is not listed in such publication and is otherwise unable to produce documentation to the satisfaction of the Plan Administrator that it is an organization described in Section 170(c) of the Code, or, if the Plan Administrator cannot locate such organization within a reasonable period of time, such designation will be of no force and effect and distribution of such interest which was to pass to the designated organization shall instead be paid in as provided in paragraph 3 below. Such determination shall be at the Plan Administrators discretion and any decision by the Plan Administrator shall be final and binding.
2. No designation or change of beneficiary shall be effective until it is accepted by the Plan Administrator or by its duly authorized agent, but when so approved it shall be effective retroactively to the date of the instrument making the designation or change. A Member may from time to time cancel the designation of a beneficiary, but no such cancellation shall be effective until it is filed with the Trustees; provided, that if a Member dies after forwarding a cancellation to the Trustees, and if it is actually received by the Trustees prior to the time that the amount standing to the Members credit in the Fund is paid out, it shall be effective retroactively to the date of the instrument making the cancellation.
3. After termination of service, amounts standing to the credit of a Member shall be payable to the Member, if he is living. Should any Member or Former Member die prior to the distribution of his Account or any
39
portion thereof, the balance of his Account shall be payable to his surviving spouse unless he has a designation of beneficiary in effect which names a non-spouse beneficiary and such surviving spouse has properly consented to such designation. Consent is proper if the designation is in writing and may not be changed without spousal consent and if the spouse acknowledges the effect of the designation in a notarized writing. Such spousal consent shall be irrevocable. Spousal consent shall not be required if it is established to the satisfaction of the Plan Administrator that there is no spouse, that the spouse cannot be located, or that other circumstances exist as set forth in regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury. Consent by a spouse shall be effective only with respect to such spouse. No person shall have the discretion to change a Members or a Former Members designation of beneficiary after his death; provided, however, any disclaimer by a surviving spouse and/or Qualified Beneficiary which is valid under applicable Federal and state laws shall be recognized by the Plan Administrator and shall not be deemed to change a Members or Former Members designation of beneficiary after his death. Should any Member or Former Member die prior to the distribution of his Account or any portion thereof without a valid designation of beneficiary in effect, the balance of his Account shall be payable to his surviving spouse or, if none, to the estate of the Member or Former Member.
4. After a Members termination of service, his Account shall be distributed subject to the following conditions:
(a) | Except as provided in subparagraphs 4(b) and 6 below, Accounts shall be distributed to the proper person or persons under the provisions of this Plan as soon as administratively feasible after the Member terminates service, but not later than the sixtieth (60th) day after the close of the Plan Year in which occurs the latest of the following events: (i) the date the Member attains age 65, or (ii) the date the Member terminates service with all Contributing Companies or (iii) the date beyond age 65 specified in a valid deferral election. Where a Member does not make a valid deferral election, the date under clause (iii) above shall be the date the Member attains age 65. Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this subparagraph 4(a), consistent with the provisions of Treasury Regulation section 1.401(a)-14(a), and subject to the provisions of subparagraph 4(e) below, a Member must file a claim for benefits before payment of benefits will commence. | |||
(b) | No distribution of any part of a Members Account shall be made, without the Members written consent, to a Member prior to age 65. An automatic deferral effected under this provision shall be a deferral under the Plan. | |||
(c) | Any deferral under the above provisions and the Account during such a deferral shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in subsections 6(c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) below. | |||
(d) | If (i) a question should exist as to the person or persons entitled to any amounts, (ii) the amount payable cannot be ascertained by the date distribution is scheduled to be made pursuant to the Regulations, or (iii) the payee cannot be located by such date, distribution may be delayed not later than sixty (60) days after the earliest date such question is resolved, such amount is ascertained, or the payee is located. | |||
(e) | Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, on and after January 1, 2003, a Members Account shall be distributed consistent with Article 29. |
5. The normal form of benefit shall be a single sum. In lieu of receiving the amount standing to his credit in the normal form upon termination of service, a Member or Former Member who receives a distribution after December 31, 1987, may direct the Trustees to use all or a portion of such amount to purchase a life annuity contract or other form of contract which provides life annuity benefits, provided the Members or Former Members Eligible Spouse consents to the distribution of less than all of the Account in single sum form as an alternative form of benefit. If a Member or Former Member for whom a deferral is in effect dies, any individual beneficiary of the Member or such Former Member who is: (1) of majority age or (2) a surviving spouse shall have the same right as the Member or Former Member had to direct the Trustees to purchase such an annuity or other form of contract prior to distribution of that beneficiarys portion of the Members or Former Members Account. Annuity contracts shall be purchased from any insurance company which has a contract with the Trustees and shall require distributions thereunder to commence
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not later than the first of April in the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Member or Former Member attains, or would have attained, age 701/2. Such contracts shall, at least, comply with the following survivor annuity requirements:
(a) | The normal form of benefit for a Member who so elects a life annuity and who is married at his Annuity Starting Date shall be a Qualified 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity, in the case of a Member who survives to his Annuity Starting Date. But, if the Members spouse fails to satisfy the one-year marriage rule set forth in the definition of Eligible Spouse, such spouse shall have no right to the Qualified 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity. Where a Member does not so survive, the normal form of benefit is the Preretirement 50% Spouses Annuity. |
(i) | The Qualified 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity is an annuity payable to the Member for the life of the Member, reduced by the costs of the survivorship benefit, with a survivor annuity payable to the Eligible Spouse for the life of such Eligible Spouse, which survivor annuity shall be equal to fifty percent (50%) of the reduced annuity payable to the Member. The Qualified 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity shall be actuarially equivalent to a single life annuity for the life of the Member. | |||
(ii) | The Preretirement 50% Spouses Annuity is an annuity payable to the Members surviving Eligible Spouse for the life of such Eligible Spouse, which annuity shall be actuarially equivalent to at least fifty percent (50%) of the Members Account balance at the time of his death reduced by the costs of the survivorship benefit. |
(b) | The normal form of benefit for a Member who so elects a life annuity and who is not married on his Annuity Starting Date shall be a single life annuity. | |||
(c) | The alternative form of postretirement benefit for a Member whose spouse consents may be a single life annuity or any other form of benefit which is actuarially equivalent to a single life annuity. Such spousal consent shall be irrevocable. | |||
(d) | Within the applicable period, each Member who elects a life annuity shall be provided with a written explanation of: (i) the terms and conditions of the Qualified 50% Joint and Survivor Annuity and the Preretirement 50% Spouses Annuity; (ii) the Members right to make, and the effect of, an election to waive said annuities as to any part of the Members Account; (iii) the right of the Members spouse to consent to a distribution of any portion of the electing Members Account in a form other than annuity form; (iv) the Members right to make prior to the Annuity Starting Date, and the effect of, a revocation of the election to take less than all of the Members Account in life annuity form. | |||
(e) | Spousal consent to the distribution of a portion of the Members Account in single sum form must be in writing, must acknowledge the effect of the Members election, and must be notarized. Such spousal consent shall be irrevocable. Spousal consent shall not be required if it is established to the satisfaction of the Committee that there is no spouse, that the spouse cannot be located, or that other circumstances exist as set forth in regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury. Consent by a spouse shall be effective only with respect to such spouse. |
6. Deferrals and VPOs. As an optional alternative means of deferring distributions to that provided under 4(b) above, and subject to the minimum distribution requirements of subsection 4(e) of this Article, distributions of all or a portion of an Account may be deferred by a Member who is terminating service, or, if there is no deferral in effect for the Account, by a deceased Members Qualified Beneficiary, consistent with such administrative procedures as may be prescribed by the Plan Administrator and in accordance with the following terms and conditions:
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(a) An election to defer distribution of an Account, subject to the minimum distribution requirements of subparagraph 4(e) of this Article, shall be made by giving notice to the Plan Administrator: (i) at any time prior to the Members or Former Members attainment of age 65, if made by a Member or a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary who is an alternate payee, within the meaning of section 206(d)(3)(K) of ERISA, or, (ii) within three (3) calendar months after the death of the Member (provided there is no deferral in effect), if made by any other Qualified Beneficiary.
(b) If a Members termination of service occurs by reason of death and such a Member is survived by a Qualified Beneficiary, such Qualified Beneficiary shall have the right to defer distribution to a date which could have been selected by the Member had termination of service occurred by reason other than the Members death.
(c) After December 31, 1990, a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary shall be entitled to request in writing a distribution of all or a part of his deferred Account balance as of the Valuation Date coincident with or next following the receipt of such request. Payments shall be made as soon as administratively feasible following the applicable Valuation Date.
Subject to the minimum distribution rules of section 401(a)(9) of the Code in the case of a non-spouse Qualified Beneficiary, on and after July 16, 1996, a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary shall be entitled to request a distribution of all or a part of his deferred Account balance: (1) in single sum form; or (2) in the form of a series of substantially equal monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual payments (x) for a term of years, or (y) for the life or life expectancy of the Former Member or of the Qualified Beneficiary, as the case may be, or, (z) in the case of a Former Member, for the joint lives of the Former Member and the Former Members designated beneficiary; and any such distribution shall be made or shall commence, as the case may be, on the day on which it is actually received provided it is received on a Valuation Date before the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading; or on the Valuation Date next succeeding the day on which it is actually received, if it is not received on a Valuation Date or if it is received on a Valuation Date after the New York Stock Exchange closes for trading. During periods of extreme market conditions or market closures, a withdrawal direction may not become effective until normal trading resumes in all securities markets. Similarly whenever the Investment Manager closes the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund to redemptions or whenever, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is insufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loan, withdrawal, and distribution requests involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund, then withdrawal directions to redeem units of the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund and/or withdrawal directions to redeem other Optional Funds units which redemptions are dependent in whole or in part upon redemptions of Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund units shall not become effective until the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund reopens and/or, in the judgment of the Investment Manager, liquidity in the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund is sufficient to honor in the aggregate all Loans, withdrawals, and distributions involving redemptions from the Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund. In the case of a distribution in single sum form, a Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary may specify an Optional Fund Account from which the distribution is to be made. If the Member, Former Member, or Qualified Beneficiary does not specify an Account or if a further allocation of the dollar amount of a distribution request is necessary, the amount or remaining amount, as the case may be, shall be distributed from the Optional Fund Accounts on a pro rata basis. In the case of any distribution other than a distribution in single sum form, allocation of the dollar amount of such a distribution request shall be made on a pro rata basis from all the Optional Fund Accounts. Where by virtue of the summary plan description or otherwise, the Member, Former Member, or Qualified Beneficiary is informed or otherwise aware that he or she has a right to specify an Optional Fund from which the withdrawal is to be made and moreover, that failure to specify an Optional Fund shall result in the withdrawal being funded on a pro rata basis from all Optional Fund Accounts, then the Members, Former Members, or Qualified Beneficiarys failure to specify properly an Optional Fund from which the withdrawal is to be made shall be deemed an exercise of the Members, Former Members, or Qualified Beneficiarys control and discretion to fund the withdrawal on a pro rata basis from all Optional Fund Accounts. A Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary may direct at any time a total distribution of the deferred Account balance as of the Valuation Date coincident with or next following the receipt of such request.
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(d) Any deferral shall be subject and subordinate to any conflicting terms of a qualified domestic relations order or valid property settlement agreement, but the fact that a portion of a Members or a Former Members Account has been partitioned under a qualified domestic relations order or valid property settlement agreement shall not prevent a Member or a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary from exercising rights of deferral as to the Members or Former Members portion of the Account.
(e) If a Former Member whose Account has been deferred is reemployed by a Contributing Company, such deferral will be canceled, except as to distributions already made, and distribution of the remainder of the Account will be made under the terms of the Plan as if the Former Member had not previously terminated service.
(f) In the event distribution of the Account of a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary has been deferred under the provisions of the Plan, and the Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary dies, distribution of the Account will be accelerated and the Account distributed to the person(s) entitled to the proceeds; provided, in the case of the death of a Former Member leaving a Qualified Beneficiary, the deferral shall remain effective, but the Qualified Beneficiary will have the same rights of acceleration which the Former Member had at the time of death.
(g) If distribution of an Account has been deferred under the Plans provisions, the Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary may direct, prior to the expiration of the deferral period, that the Trustees purchase an annuity or other form of contract of the type and subject to the terms and conditions described in paragraph 5 of this Article.
(h) The rights and restrictions under the Plan applicable to a Member shall, during a period of deferral, be applicable to a Former Member or a Qualified Beneficiary except for rights under Articles 7, 8 and 8A. Further, as an exception, a Qualified Beneficiary shall under no circumstances have the right given a Member under Article 13 to name or change a beneficiary.
7. Notwithstanding any other provisions in the Plan to the contrary, the Fund shall make distributions to an alternate payee (as defined by ERISA and the Code) pursuant to any final judgment, decree or order (including judicial approval of a property settlement agreement) which the Plan Administrator has determined to be a qualified domestic relations order as defined under ERISA and the Code. Such distributions shall be made, if authorized by the qualified domestic relations order, within a reasonable time after the Plan Administrator has made the determination that the requirements for a qualified domestic relations order have been satisfied, notwithstanding the Members continuing employment by a Contributing Company.
ARTICLE 13A
DIRECT ROLLOVERS
1. This Article shall apply to distributions and withdrawals made from the Fund on or after January 1, 1993, but before January 1, 2002; and to distributions and withdrawals directed into the Fund on or after July 16, 1996, but before January 1, 2002. This Article, as modified by Paragraphs 5 and 6 of Article 27 of the Regulations, shall apply to distributions and withdrawals made from the Fund on or after January 1, 2002; and to distributions and withdrawals directed into the Fund on or after January 1, 2002. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary that would otherwise limit an election under this Article:
(a) | 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; |
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(b) | a Member who is an Employee may elect to have a Valid Rollover Contribution from the Members Qualified Retirement Plan contributed directly to the Fund in a direct rollover from said Qualified Retirement Plan; and | |||
(c) | on or after January 1, 2000, a Former Member may elect to have a Valid Rollover Contribution from the Former Members Qualified Retirement Plan contributed directly to the Fund in a direct rollover from said Qualified Retirement Plan. For purposes of this section only, Qualified Retirement Plan shall mean any of the following that permit direct rollovers in accordance with section 401(a)(31) of the Code: (i) a Conduit IRA; (ii) the Shell Pension Plan; and (iii) the Alliance Pension Plan. |
2. The following definitions are to be applied for purposes of interpreting Article 13A unless indicated otherwise:
(a) | Eligible Rollover Distribution shall mean any distribution or withdrawal of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the Distributee, except that an Eligible Rollover Distribution does not include: any distribution or withdrawal that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) either made for the life (or life expectancy) of the Distributee or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Distributee and the Distributees designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more; any distribution or withdrawal to the extent such distribution or withdrawal is required under section 401(a)(9) of the Code; and the portion of any distribution or withdrawal that is not includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes (determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities). | |||
(b) | Eligible Retirement Plan shall mean an individual retirement account described in section 408(a) of the Code, an individual retirement annuity described in section 408(b) of the Code, an annuity plan described in section 403(a) of the Code, or a qualified trust described in section 401(a) of the Code, that accepts the Distributees Eligible Rollover Distribution. However, in the case of an Eligible Rollover Distribution to the surviving spouse, an Eligible Retirement Plan is limited to an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity. | |||
(c) | Distributee shall include a Member or Former Member. In addition, the Members or Former Members surviving spouse and the Members or Former Members 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. | |||
(d) | Direct Rollover shall mean a payment by the Plan to the Eligible Retirement Plan specified by the Distributee. | |||
(e) | Qualified Plan Distribution shall mean any distribution or withdrawal of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the Member or Former Member in a Qualified Retirement Plan, except that a Qualified Plan Distribution shall not include: (i) any distribution or withdrawal that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) either made for the life (or life expectancy) of the Member or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the Member and the Members designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more; (ii) any distribution or withdrawal to the extent such distribution or withdrawal is required under section 401(a)(9) of the Code; and (iii) the portion of any distribution or withdrawal that is not includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes (determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities). |
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(f) | Qualified Retirement Plan shall mean any of the following that permit direct rollovers in accordance with section 401(a)(31) of the Code: (i) an individual retirement account described in section 408(a) of the Code; (ii) an individual retirement annuity described in section 408(b) of the Code; (iii) an annuity plan described in section 403(a) of the Code; or (iv) a qualified trust described in section 401(a) of the Code. | |||
(g) | Valid Rollover Contribution shall mean a contribution to the Fund of a Qualified Plan Distribution from a Qualified Retirement Plan within the meaning of Treasury Regulation section 1.402(c)-2, or of a rollover contribution within the meaning of section 408(d)(3)(A)(ii) of the Code, that satisfies the requirements of section 401(a)(31), 402(c), or 408(d)(3) of the Code for treatment as a rollover or a rollover contribution. | |||
(h) | Conduit IRA shall mean an individual retirement account described in section 408(a) of the Code, provided that all amounts in said individual retirement account (including earnings) are attributable to rollover contributions received from the Fund or another qualified plan sponsored by an employer that also sponsored the Fund or the Coral Energy Services, LLC Savings Plan at the time the rollover contributions were received by the individual retirement account. | |||
(i) | Former Member shall mean a former Employee who was a Member of the Plan before he terminated his employment and who is still a participant in the Plan, or a former Employee who becomes a participant in the Plan by electing to have a Valid Rollover Contribution contributed directly to the Fund. |
3. Qualified Plan Distributions contributed directly to the Fund in a direct rollover shall never be treated as a Company contribution hereunder, and shall be treated as Member contributions for all purposes hereunder, except for purposes of the limitations set forth in Articles 7, 8A, and 25; provided, however, that Members may withdraw such Qualified Plan Distributions so contributed and any interest and earnings thereon at any time notwithstanding the restrictions on Member withdrawals set forth in Article 12.
4. If the Plan Administrator determines at any time that a rollover contribution to the Fund was not a Valid Rollover Contribution at the time it was made, the Plan Administrator shall distribute to the Member as soon as practicable, the amount of the contribution, together with interest and earnings attributable thereto.
ARTICLE 14
MEMBER RIGHT TO COMPANY CONTRIBUTIONS
Upon termination of service for any reason and regardless of the length of service, a Member shall have the right to receive all Company contributions made for such Members Account in accordance with paragraph 4 of Article 6 and Articles 8 and 8A and all income applicable to such contributions.
ARTICLE 15
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
1. Each Member shall receive a statement periodically, but not less frequently than annually, showing (1) the amount standing to his credit in his Thrift Account as of the end of the preceding period after income credits and debits as provided in Article 10, (2) in the case of a Member with a Shell Stock Account, the number of shares, the amount of any cash and of any other securities standing to his credit in his Shell Stock Account as of the end of the
45
preceding period, and (3) in the case of a Member with any other Optional Fund Accounts, the number and value of the Units standing to his credit in each such Account as of the end of the preceding period. Such statements shall be deemed to be accepted as correct if no written objection shall have been made to the Trustees within sixty (60) days after the date of rendering.
2. Whenever reference is herein made to the amounts standing to the credit of a Member, or to the amounts standing to his credit in the Fund, each such reference shall, unless otherwise specified, be deemed to include (1) the amount standing to his credit in his Thrift Account, (2) the number of shares, the amount of cash and of any other securities standing to his credit in his Shell Stock Account, and (3) the value as of the appropriate Valuation Date of all Units standing to his credit in his other Optional Fund Accounts.
ARTICLE 16
COMMUNICATIONS
The Plan Administrator, or his designated agent, shall prescribe the appropriate methods of communication as he may deem expedient in the administration of the Shell Provident Fund. No application, designation of beneficiary, notice, direction, request or other communication by the Member, Former Member or beneficiary that is provided for under the terms of the Plan shall be valid unless performed in the prescribed manner. Except for such communications specifically directed to be sent to other persons or entities under the Plan, no communications concerning the Shell Provident Fund shall be effective for any purpose unless provided in the manner prescribed by the Plan Administrator and received by the Plan Administrator or his designated agent at the time and place he may designate.
ARTICLE 17
CESSATION OF MEMBER COMPANY PARTICIPATION
1. Any Company which has joined the Fund may cease to be a participant in the Fund as provided in the Trust Agreement and thereupon its right and obligation to make further contributions to the Fund with respect to periods subsequent to the cessation of its participation shall terminate.
2. In such case, each Member then in the employ of such Company shall be relieved of the right and the obligation to make further payments to the Fund; but the amount standing to the credit of such Member shall be paid to him, his beneficiary, or estate after the termination of service as provided in these Regulations, or earlier, as determined by the Trustees in accordance with the Trust Agreement.
ARTICLE 18
AMENDMENTS TO TRUST AGREEMENT AND REGULATIONS
1. Subject to limitations therein, the Trust Agreement and these Regulations may be amended by Shell Oil Company upon notification in writing to the Trustees. Such an amendment may be substantial and may be retroactive in effect but shall not reduce the amount then standing to the credit of any Member nor, except as permitted by Treasury Regulations, shall any such amendment eliminate an optional form of benefit with respect to benefits attributable to service before any such amendment. In amending the Trust Agreement and the Regulations, Shell Oil Company shall act through its Board of Directors or such person or persons as have been directly or indirectly delegated the authority of the Board to so act on behalf of Shell Oil Company. Notice to the chairman of the Trustees or the secretary shall constitute notification to all of the Trustees.
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2. Written notice of any material amendment shall be provided to all Members.
ARTICLE 19
MEMBERS NONFORFEITABLE INTEREST
Except as set forth in Article 37, a Member shall have, at all times, a nonforfeitable interest in the amount standing to his credit in the Fund. No Member or beneficiary shall have any right to receipt of the amount standing to his credit in the Fund, except according to the provisions of the Trust Agreement and these Regulations.
If the Plan Administrator cannot ascertain the whereabouts of any Member, Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary to whom a payment is due, the Plan Administrator may direct that the payment and all remaining payments otherwise due to the payee be canceled on the records of the Plan and the amount thereof applied as a forfeiture in accordance with Article 8 of the Plan. If the Member, Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary later notifies the Plan Administrator of his whereabouts, a Contributing Company shall contribute to the Plan an amount equal to the payment to be paid to the payee as soon as administratively feasible.
ARTICLE 20
CLAIMS PROCEDURE
Any claim for benefits under the Fund shall be made in writing and submitted to the Plan Administrator, who shall reach a decision as soon as reasonable under the circumstances and notify the claimant, or his duly authorized representative, thereof promptly (and, except as provided herein, within 90 days of the receipt of the claim) in writing by mail addressed to the last known address of the claimant or such representative, as the case may be, appearing on the records of the Plan Administrator. If the Plan Administrator determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, the Plan Administrator shall have up to an additional 90 days to respond provided he gives notice of the extension, the reasons therefor, and the expected date of response to the claimant prior to the end of the initial 90-day period. If the claim shall be denied, in whole or part, the notice thereof shall be by certified mail, return receipt requested, and shall set forth, in a manner reasonably calculated to be understood,
(1) | the specific reason or reasons for the denial; | |||
(2) | specific reference to pertinent Fund provisions on which the denial is based; | |||
(3) | a description of any additional material or information to be submitted by the claimant in order to perfect his claim, and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and | |||
(4) | an explanation of the Funds claim review procedure and time limits, and a statement of the claimants right to bring a civil lawsuit. |
Upon denial, in whole or in part, of a claim by the Plan Administrator, the claimant, or his duly authorized representative, as the case may be, may, within the period ending ninety (90) days from the date of receipt of the denial as aforesaid,
(5) | request review thereof, by filing a written application with the Trustees or a committee thereof; | |||
(6) | upon request, review pertinent documents, records, and other information and obtain copies free of charge; and |
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(7) | submit comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the claim in writing. |
Documents, records, and other information are pertinent if they were relied upon in making the determination on the claim or if they were submitted, considered, or generated in the course of making the benefit determination.
The Trustees or a committee thereof shall constitute the review board, which shall fully review such request, review all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination, hold any hearing deemed appropriate by such review board, and notify the claimant or his duly authorized representative, as the case may be, of the decision in writing as soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) days after receipt of the written request for review; provided, however, if a hearing is requested or if the Trustees determine that special circumstances exist, the Trustees shall have up to an additional sixty (60) days to respond provided they give notice of the extension, the reasons therefor, and the expected date of response to the claimant prior to the end of the initial 60-day period; provided further, if the Trustees have regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, their response date shall be up to five (5) days after the next regularly scheduled meeting which comes at least thirty (30) days after their receipt of the request for review. In no event, however, shall the Trustees respond later than five (5) days following the third regularly scheduled meeting after the receipt of the request for review. Such notice of the decision on appeal shall be written in a manner reasonably calculated to be understood, shall include the specific reasons for the decision, and shall set forth specific references to the Fund provisions on which the decision rests.
The use of the claims procedure of this Article is mandatory in pursuing claims for benefits. Except as otherwise provided, failure to file a claim by the end of the Plan Year following the Plan Year in which the individual knew or should have known of the claim shall constitute an irrevocable waiver of the claim unless it shall be shown not to have been reasonably possible to furnish proof within the specified time period, and that proof was furnished as soon as was reasonably possible, in which case failure to furnish proof within the time provided shall not invalidate nor reduce the claim. Failure to raise issues or present evidence at any stage in the claims procedure shall preclude those issues or evidence from being presented in a judicial review of the claim. If any time limitation of the Plan with respect to furnishing proof of loss or bringing of an action at law or in equity is less than that permitted by ERISA, such limitation is hereby extended to agree with the minimum period permitted by such law.
In the event the Plan Administrator or the Trustees extend the time for response due to the claimants failure to provide information necessary to decide the claim, the period for the benefit determination shall be tolled from the date notice of the extension is sent to the claimant until the claimant responds to the request for additional information.
ARTICLE 21
PLAN ADMINISTRATOR APPOINTMENT & DUTIES
The Fund shall be administered by the Trustees and a Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may be such entity or entities or person or persons as may be appointed by the Trustees. The Plan Administrator may or may not be the Company, or a Member, or an Employee of the Company and may or may not be a member of a group of individuals serving as Trustees under the Fund. The Trustees may at any time remove or replace the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall serve without compensation from the Fund or Trust. However, the expenses of the Plan Administrator, including attorneys fees and other costs incurred by it in the prosecution or defense of any legal action or proceeding regarding the Fund or the administration thereof to which the Plan Administrator may be a party in interest, shall be paid from the Fund unless the Plan Administrator shall be finally adjudged in such action, suit, or proceeding to have been guilty of fraud or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Company shall be responsible for the aforementioned expenses where the Company has entered into a contractual obligation prior to the incursion of those expenses.
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If more than one individual or entity is appointed Plan Administrator, the Trustees may allocate some or all of the responsibilities of the Plan Administrator to each individual or entity so appointed, and each such individual or entity shall be responsible only for the duties allocated to it and any duties of the Plan Administrator which are not allocated. If more than one individual or entity is appointed Plan Administrator and the Trustees do not allocate Plan Administrator responsibilities to the individuals or entities so appointed, the individuals or entities appointed Plan Administrator may, by executing a written instrument, allocate some or all of the responsibilities of the Plan Administrator among themselves as indicated in such written instrument and each individual or entity shall be responsible only for the duties allocated to it and any duties which are not allocated. To the extent the responsibilities of the Plan Administrator are not allocated pursuant to this subsection to the individuals or entities appointed as Plan Administrator, the action of the Plan Administrator shall be taken by majority vote, or if less than three individuals or entities are appointed Plan Administrator, by unanimous consent. The Plan Administrator may designate persons or entities other than the Plan Administrator to perform some or all of the responsibilities of the Plan Administrator.
The Plan Administrator shall have the following powers and duties in addition to those stated elsewhere in the Regulations:
(a) | To prescribe such procedures, rules, and regulations as it shall deem necessary or proper for the efficient administration of the Fund; | |||
(b) | To determine all questions arising in its administration of the Fund, including the power to determine the rights of any Members or beneficiaries and to determine, without limitation, all questions of eligibility pursuant to the claims procedure stated herein; | |||
(c) | To enforce the Fund in accordance with its terms and with the rules, regulations, and procedures prescribed by the Plan Administrator, and to consider and interpret the Fund and settle and discharge disputes arising thereunder; | |||
(d) | To determine the fair market value of assets of the Fund as often as required by these Regulations and at least annually; to keep the books and records of the Fund and to do all the clerical, bookkeeping, and accounting work in connection with the management and administration of the Fund, and to furnish to each Member within a reasonable time after the close of each Fund Year a statement of the amount standing to his credit in the Fund; | |||
(e) | To prepare and distribute all reports required by law or the Fund; | |||
(f) | To prepare and distribute, as required by law and in such manner as the Plan Administrator may determine to be appropriate, information concerning the Fund; and | |||
(g) | To employ such agents, attorneys, accountants, and other individuals as deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Fund. The Plan Administrator shall consider the records of the Contributing Companies and Affiliated Companies as conclusive evidence in making determinations concerning eligibility or benefits under the Fund except in unusual circumstances. |
No bond or other security shall be required of the Plan Administrator for the faithful performance of its duties hereunder, except as may be required by ERISA and the Code or by any other state or federal law or regulations.
Further, it is the intent of these Regulations that the Plan Administrator be able to delegate certain ministerial functions within the frame work of policies, interpretations, rules, practices, and procedures set by such Plan Administrator without delegating any power to the appointee to make any decisions as to such. Following are the types of administrative functions intended to be covered by this delegation:
(a) | Application of rules determining eligibility for participation or benefits; |
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(b) | Calculation of service for participation and compensation for benefits; | |||
(c) | Preparation of Employee communications material; | |||
(d) | Maintenance of Employees service and employment records; | |||
(e) | Preparation of reports required by government agencies; | |||
(f) | Calculation of benefits; | |||
(g) | Orientation of new Employees and advising Employees of their rights and options under the Fund; | |||
(h) | Collection of Member and Company contributions and applications of such contributions as provided in the Fund (if any); | |||
(i) | Preparation of reports concerning Employees benefits; | |||
(j) | Processing of claims; and | |||
(k) | Making recommendations to others for decisions with respect to Plan Administration. |
The Company shall have the authority and responsibility for: (1) amending the Fund in accordance with Article 18 hereof; (2) designating the Trustees; and (3) the exercise of all non-delegable, non-allocable, fiduciary functions provided in the Fund or Trust Agreement required by law and necessary to the operation of the Fund.
For a statement of the powers and responsibilities of the Trustees, reference is made to the Trust Agreement. In case of any conflict or inconsistency between the Trust Agreement and these Regulations, the former shall govern as to everything except as to ministerial functions set forth above.
ARTICLE 22
TOP-HEAVY RULES
1. The requirements of this Article shall become operative only during a Plan Year beginning after December 31, 1983, for which the Plan should become Top-Heavy.
2. The Plan is Top-Heavy with respect to any Plan Year if, as of the Determination Date applicable to such year, (a) the ratio of the aggregate of Accounts of Members who are Key Employees to the aggregate of Accounts of all Members exceeds 60%, or (b) the Plan is part of a Required Aggregation Group which is Top-Heavy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, the Plan shall not be considered Top-Heavy for any Plan Year in which the Plan is a part of a Permissive Aggregation Group which is not Top-Heavy.
For purposes of testing for Top-Heavy status, (a) the Accounts and the present value of cumulative accrued benefits shall be determined as of the Valuation Date applicable to the Determination Date; (b) individuals who have not been employed by a Company at any time within the last five (5) years shall not be included; and (c) the provisions of Section 416 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder shall be applied.
3. For purposes of this Article, the following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) | Determination Date shall mean with respect to any Plan Year, the last day of the preceding Plan Year. |
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(b) | Employer shall mean the group of companies comprising the Company and each company which would be an Affiliated Company if the phrase more than 50 percent were not substituted for the phrase at least 80 percent in the Plans definition thereof. | |||
(c) | Key Employee shall mean an employee or former employee (and the beneficiaries of that employee) who at any time during the Plan Year or the preceding four (4) Plan Years was a bona fide officer of a Company of the Employer and who earned compensation (as defined in Section 414(q)(7) of the Code for purposes of determining highly compensated employees) for the Plan Year in excess of 50 percent of the dollar limit for defined contribution plans under Section 415(b)(1)(A) of the Code for the calendar year. The maximum number of such officers shall be the lesser of: |
(1) | 50 employees or, | |||
(2) | the greater of three (3) employees or 10% of all employees. |
(d) | Non-Key Employee shall mean an Employee who is not a Key Employee. | |||
(e) | Permissive Aggregation Group shall mean the Required Aggregation Group of plans plus any other qualified plan or plans of the Employer which, when considered as a group with the Required Aggregation Group, would continue to satisfy the requirements of Sections 401(a) and 410 of the Code. | |||
(f) | Required Aggregation Group shall mean (1) each qualified plan of the Employer in which at least one Key Employee participates, and (2) any other qualified plan of the Employer which enables a plan described in (f)(1) to meet the requirements of Sections 401(a)(4) or 410 of the Code. | |||
(g) | Valuation Date shall mean the most recent Valuation Date occurring within a 12-month period ending on the applicable Determination Date. |
4. Compensation of any Member in excess of the Annual Compensation Limit, consistent with the provisions of Article 9 of this Plan, shall not be taken into account.
5. In the event that contributions by a Contributing Company to the Trust during the Plan Year on behalf of a Member who is a Non-Key Employee are less than three percent (3%) of such Members compensation (as defined in Article 8A), and provided that such Member has not separated from the service of the employing Company on the last day of such Plan Year, the employing Company shall contribute an amount equal to the difference between three percent (3%) of such Members compensation (as defined in Article 8A), and the contributions by a Contributing Company which have been paid to the Trust on behalf of such Member for the Plan Year.
6. For any Plan Year in which the Plan is a Top-Heavy Plan, Articles 8A(1)(c)(2) and 8A(1)(d)(2) shall be read by substituting the number 1.00 for the number 1.25 wherever it appears therein.
ARTICLE 23
TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM SESOP
1. In connection with the termination of the Shell Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the SESOP), the undistributed accounts thereunder of Members and former Members shall be transferred directly to the Fund, consistent with Article 11.9 of the SESOP regulations, including the six-month provision of such Article 11.9.
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2. Cash and ordinary shares of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company attributable to contributing company contributions under the SESOP shall be initially transferred to the Royal Dutch Stock Fund hereunder and shall thereafter be subject to transfer to the other Optional Funds in accordance with the terms of the Regulations. Ordinary shares of Royal Dutch Petroleum Company attributable to member contributions under the SESOP shall be converted to cash and, together with all other amounts attributable to member contributions thereunder, shall be initially transferred to the Thrift Fund, and shall thereafter be subject to transfer to the other Optional Funds (with the exception of the Royal Dutch Stock Fund) in accordance with the terms of the Regulations.
3. For purposes of paragraph 2 of Article 12 concerning the right to withdraw Member contributions, SESOP member contributions which are transferred to this Fund shall be treated as amounts paid into this Fund by the Member.
4. Amounts transferred to this Fund from the SESOP shall be governed by the terms of the Regulations and Trust Agreement and shall not be subject to the requirements of Sections 409 and 401(a)(28) of the Code or of the SESOP regulations and trust agreement.
ARTICLE 24
ROLLOVER OF DISTRIBUTED FUNDS FROM KERNRIDGE SAVINGS PLAN
1. The Fund may receive on behalf of participants in the Savings Plan for Covered Former Employees of Kernridge Oil Company (the Kernridge Savings Plan) the entire amount of the December 31, 1990 distribution (excluding participant contributions) to such participants from such plan. This amount initially shall be deposited to the Thrift Fund and thereafter shall be available for transfer to the other Optional Funds (with the exception of the Royal Dutch Stock Fund prior to November 24, 1997) in accordance with the terms of the Regulations.
2. Prior to November 24, 1997, each such participant can transfer to his Royal Dutch Stock Account from any other Optional Fund Accounts only when the combined value of the company contributions to his other Optional Fund Accounts plus the earnings thereon is at least equal to the value of such participants rolled-over amount plus all earnings thereon as calculated in accordance with this paragraph. Prior to November 24, 1997, only that amount in the participants other Optional Fund Accounts which is in excess of the value of the rolled-over amount plus earnings thereon (as calculated in accordance with this paragraph) may be transferred to the Royal Dutch Stock Fund. For the purpose of determining the amount which cannot be transferred by such a participant from his other Optional Funds, earnings on the rolled-over amount shall be calculated prospectively, at least annually, as if the rolled-over amount were invested in the Thrift Fund.
3. The restriction on transfer described in paragraph 2 of this Article is to be used only to determine the amounts which may be transferred from a participants other Optional Fund Accounts to his Royal Dutch Stock Account and is not intended to require the participant to maintain a minimum balance in his other Optional Fund Accounts.
4. Amounts rolled over to this Fund from the Kernridge Savings Plan shall be governed by the applicable terms of the Regulations and Trust Agreement for the Fund.
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ARTICLE 25
NONDISCRIMINATION TEST FOR MEMBER CONTRIBUTIONS
1. Definitions: For purposes of this Article, the following terms shall have the meaning stated below:
(a) ACP Limit: The Average Contribution Percentage limitation under paragraph 2(a) of this Article.
(b) [ deleted ]
(c) Average Contribution Percentage: For a specified group of Eligible Employees, for each Plan Year, the average of the Contribution Percentages calculated separately for each Eligible Employee in such group.
(d) Contribution Percentage: For each Plan Year, for a given Eligible Employee, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (1) the amount of Member Contributions by the Eligible Employee for the Plan Year, to (2) the Eligible Employees Testing Compensation for such Plan Year.
(e) Eligible Employee: An Employee who satisfies the eligibility requirements of Article 6 for admission as a Member.
(f) Employer: The group of companies comprising the Company and each company which would be an Affiliated Company if the phrase more than 50 percent were not substituted for the phrase at least 80 percent in the Plans definition thereof in Article 6(7).
(g) Excess Aggregate Contributions: With respect to any Plan Year, the excess of (1) the aggregate amount of Member Contributions actually made by Highly Compensated Employees for such Plan Year, over (2) the maximum amount of such contributions permitted under the ACP Limit.
(h) [ deleted ]
(i) Highly Compensated Employee: An employee of the Employer who was a five percent owner, as defined in Section 416(i)(1) of the Code, at any time during the determination year or the look back year, or had compensation from an Employer during the look back year in excess of $80,000 (subject to adjustment annually at the same time and in the same manner as under Section 415(d) of the Code, except that the base period is the calendar quarter ending September 30, 1996), and if the Employer so elects, was in the top paid group of employees for the look back year.
The determination of who is a Highly Compensated Employee hereunder, including determinations as to the number and identity of employees in the top paid group and the compensation considered, shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 414(q) of the Code and regulations issued thereunder. An employee is in the top-paid group of employees for any year if such employee is in the group consisting of the top 20 percent of the employees when ranked on the basis of compensation paid during such year. For purposes of determining the number of employees in the top-paid group, employees described in Section 414(q)(5) of the Code and Q&A 9(b) of Section 1.414(q)-1T of the Regulations are excluded. Employers aggregated under Section 414(b), (c), (m), or (o) are treated as a single employer. For purposes of this definition, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) The determination year means the Plan Year for which the determination of who is a highly compensated employee is being made.
(2) The look back year means the 12-month period immediately preceding the determination year, or if the Employer so elects in the Plan, the calendar year beginning with or within such 12-month period.
(3) Compensation means compensation within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code.
The identification of Highly Compensated Employees is subject to further provisions of Section 414(q) of the Code and applicable Department of Treasury regulations. The term Highly Compensated Employee shall not include any employee who is a nonresident alien and who receives no earned U.S. source income from the employing Employer.
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(j) Member Contributions: Contributions to the Fund made by a Member.
(k) Nonhighly Compensated Employee: An employee of the Employer who is not a Highly Compensated Employee. The term Nonhighly Compensated Employee shall not include any employee who is a nonresident alien and who receives no earned U.S. source income from the employing Employer.
(l) [ deleted ]
(m) Testing Compensation shall mean Compensation within the meaning of Article 8A of the Plan which relates to the limits under Section 415 of the Code, but excluding any amount in excess of the Annual Compensation Limit as defined in Article 9.
2. Limitation on Member Contributions:
(a) Under the ACP Limit, the Average Contribution Percentage for Eligible Employees who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year shall not exceed the greater of:
(1) the general limitation, which is the Average Contribution Percentage for Eligible Employees who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year multiplied by 1.25; or
(2) the alternative limitation, which is the lesser of: (A) the Average Contribution Percentage for Eligible Employees who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year multiplied by 2.00; or (B) the Average Contribution Percentage for Eligible Employees who are Nonhighly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year plus 2 percentage points.
(b) The Contribution Percentage for any Eligible Employee who is a Highly Compensated Employee for the Plan Year and who is eligible to participate in two or more plans of the Employer to which matching employer contributions, employee contributions, or both, are made, shall be determined by aggregating all such contributions on behalf of such Highly Compensated Employee. If two or more plans of the Employer are permissively aggregated for purposes of Section 401(m) of the Code, the aggregated plans must also satisfy Section 401(a)(4) and 410(b) of the Code as though they were a single Plan. If one or more plans of an Employer are aggregated with the Plan for purposes of satisfying the requirements of Section 401(a)(4) or 410(b) of the Code, the Contribution Percentages under the Plan shall be calculated as if the Plan and such one or more other plans were a single plan.
(c) For purposes of applying the ACP Limit, Testing Compensation shall be computed on an entire Plan Year basis and the Plan elects to compute Testing Compensation using the current Plan Year at the time the ACP Limit is applied. Reductions and increases made to satisfy such limitations shall not affect persons who are not then Eligible Employees. Where limitations are computed prior to the end of a Plan Year, the Plan Administrator may estimate or project Testing Compensation. The Plan may elect to include in a persons Testing Compensation only compensation received while such person was eligible to participate under Article 6, provided the election is applied uniformly to all employees eligible under the Plan for the Plan Year.
(d) [ deleted ]
(e) Except as provided in Paragraph 7 of Article 27, consistent with Department of Treasury Regulation Section 1.401(m)-2, the prohibition against the multiple use of the alternative limitation in clause 2 of paragraph 2(a) of this Article shall be satisfied under this Plan instead of the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund.
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3. Reduction of Member Contributions by Plan Administrator:
(a) The Plan Administrator shall monitor the amount of Member Contributions and shall effect whatever prospective reductions to the Contribution Percentages of the Highly Compensated Employees are necessary or advisable to comply with the ACP Limit.
(b) If the Plan Administrator prospectively reduces the Contribution Percentages of Highly Compensated Employees, he shall do so in the order of their Contribution Percentages beginning with the highest of such percentages. If the Plan Administrator determines that the reduction in effect is no longer necessary or advisable, he may increase the Contribution Percentages of all Highly Compensated Employees who had their Contribution Percentages reduced, in the reverse order of their Contribution Percentages beginning with the lowest of such percentages and continuing until the original Contribution Percentages of all such Highly Compensated Employees have been restored or until he determines that no further increases are advisable, whichever occurs first. All reductions or increases of Contribution Percentages hereunder shall be in multiples of one percent (1%). Member Contributions of such Highly Compensated Employees may be reduced to zero.
(c) When reducing or increasing the Contribution Percentages of Highly Compensated Employees, the Plan Administrator shall treat all Highly Compensated Employees having the same Contribution Percentages in effect in the same manner.
(d) Any action taken by the Plan Administrator under this paragraph 3 may be taken without the consent of, or prior notice to, the affected Members, but such Members shall be promptly informed in writing of the Plan Administrators action.
4. Distribution of Excess Aggregate Contributions:
(a) The determination of whether or not Excess Aggregate contributions exist shall be made after reductions, if any, under paragraph 3 of this Article.
(b) Excess Aggregate Contributions, and any income allocable thereto, shall be distributed after the Plan Year in which the Excess Aggregate Contributions arose and no later than March 15 of the following Plan Year to Highly Compensated Employees to whose Accounts Excess Aggregate Contributions were made.
(c) A distribution of Excess Aggregate Contributions and income shall be made without the consent of the Member or the spouse of the Member.
(d) The total amount of Excess Aggregate Contributions for the Highly Compensated Employees for a Plan Year is determined as follows: Highly Compensated Employees with the largest contribution percentage shall be identified and a determination shall be made as to how much their contribution percentage must be reduced so that the Plan would satisfy the ACP Limit or causes such employees contribution percentage to equal the contribution percentage of the Highly Compensated Employees with the next highest contribution percentage. The procedure described in the preceding sentence shall be repeated until the Plan would satisfy the ACP Limit.
The total amount of Excess Aggregate Contributions for the Highly Compensated Employees for a Plan Year shall be distributed as follows: The Member Contributions of the Highly Compensated Employees with the highest dollar amount shall be reduced by the amount required to cause their Member Contributions to equal the lesser of (A) the dollar amount of the Member Contributions of the Highly Compensated Employees with the next highest dollar amount of Member Contributions, or (B) the amount, when added to the total dollar amount already distributed under this process, would equal the total amount of Excess Aggregate Contributions. This amount shall be distributed to the Highly Compensated Employees for which a reduction was applied. The procedure described in the preceding sentence shall be
55
repeated until the Plan distributes the total Excess Aggregate Contributions of the Highly Compensated Employees, thereby satisfying the ACP limit.
(e) the income allocable to Excess Aggregate Contributions for the Plan Year in which such Excess Aggregate Contributions arose and for the period between the end of such Plan Year and the date of distribution, shall be determined in accordance with Department of Treasury Regulation Section 1.401(m)-1.
5. Mandatory Disaggregation:
(a) For purposes of Article 25, except for the definition of Highly Compensated Employee and Nonhighly Compensated Employee, the portion of the Plan that benefits Employees who are included in a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement is treated as a separate plan from the portion of the Plan that benefits Employees who are not so covered.
(b) The portion of the Plan that benefits Employees who are included in a unit of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement is treated as satisfying the ACP limit.
ARTICLE 26
MILITARY SERVICE
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, contributions, benefits and service credit with respect to qualified military service will be provided in accordance with Section 414(u) of the Code.
ARTICLE 27
EGTRRA AMENDMENTS
1. Adoption and Effective Date of Article 27:
(a) This Article 27 of the Regulations is adopted to reflect certain provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (EGTRRA). The provisions of Article 27 are intended as good faith compliance with the requirements of EGTTRA and are to be construed in accordance with EGTRRA and guidance issued thereunder. Except as otherwise provided, the provisions of Article 27 shall be effective as of the first day of the first plan year beginning after December 31, 2001.
(b) The provisions of this Article 27 of the Regulations shall supercede the other provisions of the Plan to the extent that those provisions are inconsistent with the provisions contained in this Article 27.
2. Plan Loans for Owner-Employees and Shareholder Employees: Effective for Plan Loans made after December 31, 2001, plan provisions prohibiting Loans to any owner-employee or shareholder-employee shall cease to apply.
3. Limitations on Contributions:
(a) This Paragraph 3 of this Article 27 shall be effective for limitation years beginning after December 31, 2001.
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(b) Except to the extent permitted under Section 414(v) of the Code, if applicable, the Annual Additions that may be contributed or allocated to a Members account under the Plan for any limitation year shall not exceed the lesser of:
(1) | $40,000, as adjusted for increases in the cost-of-living under section 415(d) of the Code, or | |||
(2) | 100 percent of the Members compensation, within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code, for the limitation year. |
4. Increase in the Annual Compensation Limit: Except as provided in Article 9 for purposes of determining Contributing Company contributions, the annual compensation of each Member taken into account in determining allocations for any Plan Year beginning after December 31, 2001, shall not exceed $200,000, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases in accordance with Section 401(a)(17)(B) of the Code. Annual compensation means compensation during the Plan Year or such other consecutive 12-month period over which compensation is otherwise determined under the Plan (the determination period). The cost-of-living adjustment in effect for a calendar year applies to annual compensation for the determination period that begins with or within such calendar year.
5. Direct Rollovers of Plan Distributions:
(a) This Paragraph 5 of Article 27 shall apply to distributions made after December 31, 2001.
(b) For purposes of the direct rollover provisions in Article 13A of the Regulations, an Eligible Retirement Plan shall also mean an annuity contract described in Section 403(b) of the Code and 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 instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state and which agrees to separately account for amounts transferred into such plan from this plan. 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 relation order, as defined in Section 414(p) of the Code.
(c) For purposes of the direct rollover provisions in Article 13A of the Regulations, 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 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.
6. Rollovers from other Plans:
(a) As provided in this Paragraph 6 of Article 27, the Plan will accept participant rollover contributions and/or direct rollovers of distributions made after December 31, 2001, from the following:
(1) | The Plan will accept a direct rollover of an Eligible Rollover Distribution from: |
(i) | a qualified plan described in Section 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code, including after-tax employee contributions; | |||
(ii) | an annuity contract described in Section 403(b) of the Code, excluding after-tax employee contributions; and |
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(iii) | 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 instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state; |
(2) | The Plan will accept a participant contribution of an Eligible Rollover Distribution from: |
(i) | a qualified plan described in Section 401(a) or 403(a) of the Code; | |||
(ii) | an annuity contract described in Section 403(b) of the Code; and | |||
(iii) | 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 instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state; and |
(3) | The Plan will accept a participant rollover contribution of the portion of a distribution from an individual retirement account or annuity described in Section 408(a) or 408(b) of the Code that is eligible to be rolled over and would otherwise be includible in gross income. |
7. Repeal of Multiple Use Test: The multiple use test described in Treasury Regulation section 1.401(m)-2 and Paragraph 2(e) of Article 25 of the Regulations shall not apply for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001.
8. Suspension Period Following Hardship Distribution: A Member who receives a distribution of elective deferrals after December 31, 2001, on account of hardship shall be prohibited from making elective deferrals and employee contributions under this and all other plans of the employer for 6 months after receipt of the distribution. A Member who receives a distribution of elective deferrals in calendar year 2000 or 2001 on account of hardship shall be prohibited from making elective deferrals and employee contributions under this and all other plans of the employer for the later of: (a) 6 months after receipt of the distribution, or (b) the earlier of April 1, 2002, or such date that is administratively feasible.
9. Modification of Top-Heavy Rules:
(a) Paragraph 9 of Article 27 shall apply for purposes of determining whether the plan is a top-heavy plan under Section 416(g) of the Code for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001, and whether the Plan satisfies the minimum benefits requirements of Section 416(c) of the Code for such years. Paragraph 9 of Article 27 amends Article 22 of the Regulations.
(b) Key employee means any employee or former employee (including any deceased employee) who at any time during the Plan Year that includes the determination date was an officer of the Employer having annual compensation greater than $130,000 (as adjusted under Section 416(i)(1) of the Code for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2002), a 5-percent owner of the Employer, or a 1-percent owner of the Employer having annual compensation of more than $150,000. For this purpose, annual compensation means compensation within the meaning of Section 415(c)(3) of the Code. The determination of who is a key employee will be made in accordance with Section 416(i)(1) of the Code and the applicable regulations and other guidance of general applicability issued thereunder.
(c) This Subparagraph 9(c) of Article 27 of the Regulations shall apply for purposes of determining the present values of accrued benefits and the amounts of account balances of employees as of the determination date.
(i) | The present values of accrued benefits and the amounts of account balances of an employee as of the determination date shall be increased by the distributions |
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made with respect to the employee under the Plan and any plan aggregated with the Plan under Section 416(g)(2) of the Code during the one year period ending on the determination date. The preceding sentence shall also apply to distributions under a terminated plan which, had it not been terminated, would have been aggregated with the Plan under Section 416(g)(2)(A)(i) of the Code. In the case of a distribution made for a reason other than separation from service, death, or disability, this provision shall be applied by substituting 5-year period for 1-year period. | |||
(ii) | Employees not performing services during year ending on the determination date. The accrued benefits and accounts of any individual who has not performed services for the Employer during the 1-year period ending on the determination date shall not be taken into account. |
ARTICLE 28
ASSETS TRANSFERRED FROM THE SIEMENS SAVINGS PLAN
1. For purposes of this Article 28, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:
(a) Former Siemens Solar Employee shall mean any participant in the Siemens Savings Plan as of January 1, 2002, who was:
(i) an active employee of Siemens Solar Industries L.P. (SSI) as of December 31, 2001,
(ii) an employee of SSI as of the Closing Date of the Siemens Solar Transaction, including an employee on an employer authorized leave of absence or receiving short-term or long-term disability benefits, or
(iii) a retired or vested terminated employee of SSI as of the Closing Date, and
with respect to whom assets were transferred from the Siemens Savings Plan to this Plan.
(b) Siemens Savings Plan shall mean the Siemens Savings Plan as sponsored by the Siemens Corporation as of the Closing Date.
(c) Siemens Solar Transaction shall mean that transaction described in that Framework Agreement dated February 20, 2001, by and between Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Shell Erneuerbare Energien GmbH, and E.ON Energie Ag.
(d) Closing Date shall mean April 3, 2001.
2. Account balances transferred from the Siemens Savings Plan pursuant to the Siemens Solar Transaction, other than amounts attributable to salary reduction contributions made under such plan, shall be credited to the respective accounts established hereunder for the benefit of Former Siemens Solar Employees. Such Former Siemens Solar Employees or their beneficiaries thereunder shall be fully vested in all amounts credited to their accounts in connection with such transfer. The Plan Administrator may establish such special transitional rules as he deems appropriate in connection with such transfer of assets.
3. Each Former Siemens Solar Employee shall be credited as of January 1, 2002, with Participation Service and Accredited Service equal to the amount of service credited to such Former Siemens Solar Employee for vesting purposes under the terms of the Siemens Savings Plan as of December 31, 2001.
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4. That portion of a Former Siemens Solar Employees account balance under the Siemens Savings Plan as of December 31, 2001, attributable to employer matching contributions under the Siemens Savings Plan shall be credited to a separate account hereunder on behalf of such Former Siemens Solar Employee (sometimes referred to herein as Prior Plan Match Account). A Former Siemens Solar Employees investment directions for his employer contributions account shall also be applicable to such special account.
ARTICLE 29
MINIMUM DISTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS
1. General Rules.
(a) Effective Date. The provisions of this Article 29 will apply for purposes of making required minimum distributions on and after January 1, 2003.
(b) Precedence. The requirements of this Article 29 will take precedence over any inconsistent provisions of the Plan.
(c) Requirements of Treasury Regulations Incorporated. All distributions required under this Article 29 will be determined and made in accordance with the Treasury Regulations under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code.
(d) TEFRA Section 242(b)(2) Elections. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article 29, 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 Responsibility Act (TEFRA) and the provisions of the Plan that relate to Section 242(b)(2) of TEFRA.
2. Time and Manner of Distribution.
(a) Required Beginning Date. A Members entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, to such Member no later than the Members Required Beginning Date.
(b) Death of Member Before Distributions Begin. If the Member dies before distributions begin, the Members entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, no later than as follows:
(1) | If the Members surviving spouse is the Members sole Designated Beneficiary, then, except as provided in subparagraph 6 of this Article 29, distributions to the surviving spouse will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Member died, or by December 31 of the calendar year in which the Member would have attained age 70 1/2, if later. | |||
(2) | If the Members surviving spouse is not the Members sole Designated Beneficiary, then, except as provided in subparagraph 6 of this Article 29, distributions to the Designated Beneficiary will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Member died. | |||
(3) | If there is no Designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Members death, the Members entire interest will be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Members death. |
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(4) | If the Members surviving spouse is the Members sole Designated Beneficiary and the surviving spouse dies after the Member but before distributions to the surviving spouse begin, subparagraph 2(b) of this Article 29, other than subparagraph 2(b)(1), will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Member. |
For purposes of this subparagraph 2(b) and paragraph 4 of this Article 29, unless subparagraph 2(b)(4) of this Article 29 applies, distributions are considered to begin on the Members Required Beginning Date. If subparagraph 2(b)(4) of this Article 29 applies, distributions are considered to begin on the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under subparagraph 2(b)(1) of this Article 29. If distributions under an annuity purchased from an insurance company irrevocably commence to the Member before the Members Required Beginning Date (or to the Members surviving spouse before the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under subparagraph 2(b)(1)), the date distributions are considered to begin is the date distributions actually commence.
(c) Forms of Distribution. Unless the Members 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 paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article 29. If the Members interest is distributed in the form of an annuity purchased from an insurance company, distributions thereunder will be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 401(a)(9) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations.
3. Required Minimum Distributions During Members Lifetime.
(a) Amount of Required Minimum Distribution for Each Distribution Calendar Year. During the Members lifetime, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each Distribution Calendar Year is the lesser of:
(1) | the quotient obtained by dividing the Members Account Balance by the distribution period in the Uniform Lifetime Table set forth in Section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury Regulations, using the Members age as of the Members birthday in the Distribution Calendar Year; or | |||
(2) | if the Members sole Designated Beneficiary for the Distribution Calendar Year is the Members spouse, the quotient obtained by dividing the Members Account Balance by the number in the Joint and Last Survivor Table set forth in Section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury Regulations, using the Members and spouses attained ages as of the Members and spouses birthdays in the Distribution Calendar Year. |
(b) Lifetime Required Minimum Distributions Continue Through Year of Members Death. Required minimum distributions will be determined under this paragraph 3 beginning with the first Distribution Calendar Year and up to and including the Distribution Calendar Year that includes the Members date of death.
4. Required Minimum Distributions After Members Death.
(a) Death On or After Date Distributions Begin.
(1) | Member Survived by Designated Beneficiary. If the Member 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 Members death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Members Account Balance by the longer of the remaining Life Expectancy of the Member |
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or the remaining Life Expectancy of the Members Designated Beneficiary, determined as follows: |
(i) | The Members remaining Life Expectancy is calculated using the age of the Member in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year. | |||
(ii) | If the Members surviving spouse is the Members sole Designated Beneficiary, the remaining Life Expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated for each Distribution Calendar Year after the year of the Members death using the surviving spouses age as of the spouses birthday in that year. For Distribution Calendar Years after the year of the surviving spouses death, the remaining Life Expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated using the age of the surviving spouse as of the spouses birthday in the calendar year of the spouses death, reduced by one for each subsequent calendar year. | |||
(iii) | If the Members surviving spouse is not the Members sole Designated Beneficiary, the Designated Beneficiarys remaining Life Expectancy is calculated using the age of the beneficiary in the year following the year of the Members death, reduced by one for each subsequent year. |
(2) | No Designated Beneficiary. If the Member 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 Members death, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each Distribution Calendar Year after the year of the Members death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Members Account Balance by the Members remaining Life Expectancy calculated using the age of the Member in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year. |
(b) Death Before Date Distributions Begin.
(1) | Member Survived by Designated Beneficiary. If the Member dies before 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 Members death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Members Account Balance by the remaining Life Expectancy of the Members Designated Beneficiary, determined as provided in subparagraph 4(a) of this Article 29. | |||
(2) | No Designated Beneficiary. If the Member dies before the date distributions begin and there is no Designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Members death, distribution of the Members entire interest will be completed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Members death. | |||
(3) | Death of Surviving Spouse Before Distributions to Surviving Spouse Are Required to Begin. If the Member dies before the date distributions begin, the Members surviving spouse is the Members sole Designated Beneficiary, and the surviving spouse dies before distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under subparagraph 2(b)(1) of this Article 29, this subparagraph 4(b) of this Article 29 will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Member. |
5. Definitions.
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(a) Designated Beneficiary. The individual who is designated as a Qualified Beneficiary under Article 13 of the Plan and is the designated beneficiary under Section 401(a)(9) of the Code and Section 1.401(a)(9)-1, Q&A-4, of the Treasury Regulations.
(b) Distribution Calendar Year. A calendar year for which a minimum distribution is required. For distributions beginning before the Members death, the first Distribution Calendar Year is the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year which contains the Members required beginning date. For distributions beginning after the Members death, the first Distribution Calendar Year is the calendar year in which distributions are required to begin under subparagraph 2(b) of this Article 29. The required minimum distribution for the Members first Distribution Calendar Year will be made on or before the Members Required Beginning Date. The required minimum distribution for other Distribution Calendar Years, including the required minimum distribution for the Distribution Calendar Year in which the Members required beginning date occurs, will be made on or before December 31 of that Distribution Calendar Year.
(c) Life Expectancy. Life expectancy as computed by use of the Single Life Table in Section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury Regulations.
(d) Member. For purposes of this Article 29, Member shall include a Former Member as defined in Paragraph 11A of Article 6.
(e) Members Account Balance. The account balance as of the last valuation date in the calendar year immediately preceding the Distribution Calendar Year (valuation calendar year) increased by the amount of any contributions made and allocated or forfeitures allocated to the account balance as of dates in the valuation calendar year after the valuation date and decreased by distributions made in the valuation calendar year after the valuation date. The account balance for the valuation calendar year includes any amounts rolled over or transferred to the Plan either in the valuation calendar year or in the Distribution Calendar Year if distributed or transferred in the valuation calendar year.
(f) Required Beginning Date. For any Member, the Required Beginning Date is April 1 of the calendar year following the later of (i) the calendar year in which the Member attains age 70-1/2, or (ii) the calendar year in which the Member retires provided that the Member is not a 5 percent owner with respect to the Plan Year ending in the calendar year in which the Member attains age 70-1/2.
6. Election to Allow Designated Beneficiaries to Elect 5-Year Rule. Designated Beneficiaries may elect on an individual basis whether the 5-year rule or the life expectancy rule in subparagraphs 2(b) and 4(b) of this Article 29 applies to distributions after the death of a Member who has a Designated Beneficiary. The election must be made no later than September 30 of the calendar year in which distribution would be required to begin under subparagraph 2(b) of this Article 29. If the Designated Beneficiary does not make an election under this subparagraph 6, distributions will be made in accordance with subparagraphs 2(b) and 4(b) of this Article 29.
7. Election to Allow Designated Beneficiary Receiving Distributions Under the 5-Year Rule to Elect Life Expectancy Distributions. A Designated Beneficiary may make a new election to receive payments under the life expectancy rule until November 1, 2003, provided that all amounts that would have been required to be distributed under the life expectancy rule for all Distribution Calendar Years before 2004 are distributed by December 31, 2003.
ARTICLE 30
MERGER OF CRI GROUP SAVINGS PLAN
1. For purposes of this Article 30, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:
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(a) CRI Savings Accounts shall mean, for a given CRI Savings Participant, the amount, if any, accrued as of December 31, 2002, in his matching, rollover, and post-tax accounts in the CRI Group Savings Plan.
(b) CRI Savings Participant shall mean a person participating in the CRI Group Savings Plan as of December 31, 2002.
2. A CRI Savings Participant shall have his CRI Savings Accounts transferred to the Fund as of January 1, 2003, by virtue of the merger of the accounts of all CRI Savings Participants into the Fund as of January 1, 2003.
3. A CRI Savings Participant shall be fully vested in all amounts credited to the matching account of the CRI Savings Accounts as of December 31, 2002, in connection with the plan merger.
ARTICLE 31
MERGER OF CRI GROUP PROFIT SHARING PLAN
1. For purposes of this Article 31, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:
(a) CRI Profit Sharing Account shall mean, for a given CRI Profit Sharing Participant, the amount, if any, accrued as of July 31, 2003, in his account in the CRI Group Profit Sharing Plan.
(b) CRI Profit Sharing Participant shall mean a person participating in the CRI Group Profit Sharing Plan as of July 31, 2003.
2. A CRI Profit Sharing Participant shall have his CRI Profit Sharing Account transferred to the Fund as of August 1, 2003, by virtue of the merger of the accounts of all CRI Profit Sharing Participants into the Fund as of August 1, 2003.
ARTICLE 32
GRANT OF PAST SERVICE CREDIT TO WILLOW ISLAND EMPLOYEES
1. For purposes of this Article 32, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:
(a) Cytec Savings Plan shall mean the Cytec Employees Savings and Profit Sharing Plan established and maintained by Cytec Industries Inc. for, among others, employees of its Willow Island Plant.
(b) Option shall mean the option granted to CRI International, Inc. to acquire the Willow Island Plant from Cytec Industries Inc.
(c) Willow Island Employee shall mean a person formerly employed by Cytec Industries Inc. at its Willow Island Plant who became an employee of a Contributing Company in connection with the exercise of the Option.
(d) Willow Island Plant shall mean the manufacturing facility at Willow Island, West Virginia.
2. As of September 1, 2003, each Willow Island Employee shall be credited with Participation Service and Accredited Service equal to the amount of service credited to such employee for purposes of vesting and eligibility to participate under the Cytec Savings Plan.
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ARTICLE 33
SERVICE CREDITING
1. For individuals accruing a benefit in the Plan on or after January 1, 2003, Service after December 31, 2002, subject to the transition rules described in Paragraph 3(d) of Article 33, will be credited under Article 33 for all Purposes except as otherwise expressly provided. Unless otherwise stated, this Article 33 does not negate or alter the time or service required for eligibility or benefit accrual but merely changes the way to credit or measure that time or service. Moreover, other Plan rules involving service, although not stated in this Article 33, continue to apply, as modified by the change to the method of crediting service stated in this Article 33.
2. For purposes of this Article 33, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) Employment Commencement Date: The date an individual first performs an Hour of Service for one of the Companies.
(b) Hour of Service: An hour for which an individual is paid or entitled to payment by the Companies for the performance of duties (or for which back pay is awarded) provided such hour has not previously been taken into account, except an hour for which a premium rate is paid because such hour is in excess of the maximum workweek applicable to an employee under Section 7(a) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, or because such hour is in excess of a bona fide standard workweek or workday. An Hour of Service is performed on the day an Employee Terminates, but not on the first day of a leave of absence.
(c) Period of Service: Each period of an individuals Service commencing on his Employment Commencement Date or a Reemployment Commencement Date, if any, and ending on a Severance from Service Date. For the sole purpose of Participation Service, the Period of Severance shall be treated as a Period of Service if the Service Spanning Rules apply. A Period of Service shall also include any period required to be credited as a Period of Service by federal law, but only under the conditions and to the extent so required by such federal law. Moreover, for purposes of determining the Period of Service, the following applies:
(i) | Except as provided in Paragraph 2(c)(ii) of this Article 33, an individual shall be credited with one month of Service for each calendar month in which he is credited with one or more Hours of Service. | |||
(ii) | The crediting method described in Paragraph 2(c)(i) of this Article 33, shall not apply in determining whether or not the Service Spanning Rules apply, and it shall not apply in determining Participation Service. |
(d) Period of Severance: Each period of time commencing on an individuals Severance from Service Date and ending on a Reemployment Commencement Date.
(e) Purposes: Participation Service and Accredited Service
(f) Reemployment Commencement Date: The first date an individual performs an Hour of Service following a Severance from Service Date.
(g) Service: The period of an individuals employment as an Employee with a Company.
(h) Service Spanning Rules: For the sole purpose of Participation Service, the Period of Severance shall be treated as a Period of Service if either the First Service Spanning Rule or the Second Service Spanning Rule applies.
(i) | The First Service Spanning Rule applies if |
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(A) | an individual Terminates his Service (at a time other than during an absence for any reason other than Termination) and then returns to Service, and | |||
(B) | his Reemployment Commencement Date is within 12 months of his Severance from Service Date. |
(ii) | The Second Service Spanning Rule applies if |
(A) | an individual is absent from Service for 12 months or less for any reason other than Termination, and | |||
(B) | during the absence referred to in Paragraph 2(h)(ii)(A) above the individual Terminates, and | |||
(C) | the individual subsequently returns to Service, and | |||
(D) | his Reemployment Commencement Date is within 12 months from the day he was first absent from Service for such reason other than Termination, referred to in Paragraph 2(h)(ii)(A) above. |
(i) Severance from Service Date: The earliest of the following dates:
(i) | The first date an individual Terminates his Service following his Employment Commencement Date or following his most recent Reemployment Commencement Date, if any. | |||
(ii) | The 31st day of a number of days (whether or not consecutive) of one or more Labor Dispute Periods during which Period or Periods an individual, who has not incurred a Termination, is absent from service from the Companies (with or without pay) due to his participation in such labor dispute or disputes. For purposes of this Paragraph, a Labor Dispute Period is a number of consecutive days beginning on the first day, as determined by Shell Oil Company, of a strike, a lockout, or any other similar labor dispute, and ending on the date that the strike, lockout, or any other similar labor dispute is resolved as determined by Shell Oil Company. | |||
(iii) | The last day of the first 12 months of a Period of Absence during which period an individual, who has not incurred a Termination, remains absent from service from the Companies (with or without pay). For purposes of this Paragraph, a Period of Absence is a number of consecutive days beginning on the first day of an absence from service from the Companies (with or without pay) for any reason other than Termination or disability, such as leave of absence (other than disability), vacation, or holiday. | |||
(iv) | The last day of the first 12 months of Disability Leave during which Leave an individual who has not incurred a Termination, remains absent from service from the Companies without pay. For purposes of this Paragraph, a Disability Leave is a number of consecutive days beginning on the first day of an employer-authorized unpaid leave of absence by reason of disability, as defined by Shell Oil Company. |
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(j) Termination; Terminates": Resignation, retirement, or discharge from all Companies, or death.
3. For purposes of this Article 33, the following rules shall apply:
(a) An individual shall be credited for all Purposes in an amount equal to his aggregate Periods of Service whether or not such Periods of Service are completed consecutively.
(b) If a fractional year within a Period of Service occurs, credit for such fractional year is based as follows:
(i) | for Accredited Service, on the number of months of Service in such fractional year, taking into account Paragraph 2(c)(i), unless such method would result in duplication of service credit or the absence of otherwise-allowable service credit, in which case such fractional year is based on the number of full calendar months and any additional days of Service in such fractional year; | |||
(ii) | for Participation Service, only on the number of full calendar months and any additional days of Service in such fractional year, | |||
(iii) | for purposes of this Paragraph 3(b), additional days totaling 30 or more shall constitute a full calendar month. |
(c) There is credit for a one-year Period of Service for each 12-month segment of Period of Service, which begins on the Employment Commencement Date or the most recent Reemployment Commencement Date, if any, and a one-year Period of Service shall have the same effect as one year of service with respect to applicable benefits.
(d) In applicable cases with respect to transition to the method described in this Article 33 from other methods with respect to service, credit for Purposes will be determined under Treasury Reg. Sections 1.410(a)-7(f), consistent with administrative practice.
ARTICLE 34
GRANT OF PAST SERVICE CREDIT TO ALLIANCE COMPANY EMPLOYEES
1. For purposes of this Article 34, the following terms shall have the meanings given below:
(a) Alliance Companies shall mean Equilon Enterprises LLC, Motiva Enterprises LLC, Equiva Services LLC, Equiva Trading Company, or Shell Pipeline Company LP (formerly doing business as Equilon Pipeline Company LLC).
(b) Alliance Savings Plan shall mean that certain defined contribution pension plan sponsored by the Alliance Companies for their employees from April 1, 1999, to July 11, 2003.
(c) Alliance Company Employee means an employee of an Alliance Company for all or any part of the period between April 1, 1999, and December 31, 2002, (i) who was an employee of Equilon Enterprises LLC or Shell Pipeline Company LP on and immediately before January 1, 2003, the date on which each such company became a Contributing Company; or (ii) who became an Employee of a Contributing Company immediately following such employees termination of employment with an Alliance Company and on or before January 1, 2003.
2. As of January 1, 2003, each Alliance Company Employee shall be credited with Participation Service and Accredited Service equal to the benefit service credited to such employee under the Alliance Savings
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Plan, but only to the extent such benefit service has not already been credited for such purposes under the Regulations of this Plan.
ARTICLE 35
TRANSFERRED ASSETS
1. Right to Transfer Assets to this Plan. In the event of, a transfer of assets from, or a merger or consolidation of, another plan that is qualified under section 401(a) of the Code based on the opinion of tax counsel (Qualified Plan) into this Plan, the Trustees may direct the Plan Administrator to accept Transferred Assets on behalf of a Member. For purposes of this Plan, Transferred Assets shall mean those assets which are transferred from a Qualified Plan directly to the Fund by the trustee(s) of the Qualified Plan on behalf of the Member, provided that the Qualified Plan from which the assets are transferred provides benefits protected under Section 411(d)(6) of the Code which are also protected by this Plan, or the transfer satisfies one of the exceptions set forth in the Treasury Regulations under Section 411(d)(6) of the Code.
2. Transferred Asset Accounts. Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, assets transferred from a Qualified Plan to this Plan shall be accounted for as follows: employee post-tax contributions (and earnings thereon) shall be credited to the Member Account; company contributions (and earnings thereon) that are not eligible for in-service distributions before the Member attains 59 1/2 years of age shall be credited to the Company Contribution Account; company contributions (and earnings thereon) that are eligible for in-service distributions before the Member attains 59 1/2 years of age shall be credited to the Prior Plan Company Contribution Account; matching contributions (and earnings thereon) that are subject to a vesting schedule shall be credited to the Company Match Account; matching contributions (and earnings thereon) that are not subject to a vesting schedule shall be credited to the Prior Plan Match Account; after-tax rollover contributions (and earnings thereon) shall be credited to the After-tax Rollover Account; and all other rollover contributions (and earnings thereon) shall be credited to the Rollover Account.
ARTICLE 36
ASSETS TRANSFERRED FROM THE PENNZOIL-QUAKER STATE COMPANY SAVINGS AND
INVESTMENT PLAN AND THE PENNZOIL-QUAKER STATE COMPANY SAVINGS AND
INVESTMENT PLAN FOR HOURLY EMPLOYEES
1. In connection with the transfer of assets from the Relevant Plans on or about December 23, 2004, account balances, other than amounts attributable to salary reduction contributions including catch up contributions made under the Relevant Plans and other than assets in the form of loans transferred to the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund, shall be credited to the respective accounts established herein for the benefit of Former PQS Participants. The Plan Administrator may establish such special transitional rules as he deems appropriate in connection with such transfer of assets.
2. For purposes of this Article,
(a) Former PQS Participant shall mean any individual who met each of the following characteristics:
(i) transferred employment directly from a company participating in one of the Relevant Plans to a Contributing Company during the period October 1, 2002 to November 1, 2004 or was an employee of Pennzoil-Quaker State Company on and immediately before January 1, 2004, the day in which such company became a Contributing Company, and
(ii) as of November 2, 2004, was not employed by Jiffy Lube International, Inc., Q Lube, Inc., or Pennzoil-Quaker State International Corporation.
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(b) Relevant Plans means the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Savings and Investment Plan and the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company Savings and Investment Plan for Hourly Employees.
3. Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred from the Relevant Plans, that were separately accounted for in sources designated as either the Company Match Account or the Company Match Vested Account in the PQS Administrative Manual as of November 2004, shall be credited to the Prior Plan Company Contribution Account established in this Plan.
4. Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred from the Relevant Plans, that were separately accounted for in sources designated as the Prior Employer Match Account, the Prior Plan Match Account, the Prior Plan P/S Account, or the Prior Plan ESOP Account in the PQS Administrative Manual as of November 2004, shall be credited to the Rollover Account established in this Plan.
5. Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred from the Relevant Plans, that were separately accounted for in sources designated as either the Safe Harbor Match Account or the Prior Company Match Account in the PQS Administrative Manual as of November 2004, shall be credited to the Company Contribution Account established in this Plan.
ARTICLE 37
MERGER OF SHELL TRADING SAVINGS PLAN
1. In connection with the merger and transfer of assets from the Shell Trading Savings Plan into the Fund on or about December 29, 2004, account balances, other than amounts attributable to salary reduction contributions including catch up contributions made under the Shell Trading Savings Plan and other than assets in the form of loans transferred to the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund, shall be credited to the respective accounts established herein. The Plan Administrator may establish such special transitional rules as he deems appropriate in connection with such transfer of assets.
2. Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred from the Shell Trading Savings Plan that were credited to the Alliance Company Contribution Account in such plan shall be credited to the Prior Plan Company Contribution Account established in this Plan.
3. Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred from the Shell Trading Savings Plan that were credited to the Matching Account in such plan shall be credited to the Company Match Account and shall be subject to the vesting schedule as described in Schedule D.
4. Notwithstanding the above, assets transferred from the Shell Trading Savings Plan that were credited to the LEDCO Account in such plan shall be credited to the Company Contribution Account established in this Plan.
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SCHEDULE A
Part One
Business Entity | Date of Adoption | |
Billiton Metals Inc.
|
January 1, 1993 |
Part Two
Business Entity | Date of Acquisition | |
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
|
December 18, 1992 | |
Hi-Tek Polymers, Inc.
|
April 1, 1993 | |
Schering Berlin Polymers, Inc.
|
April 2, 1993 |
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SCHEDULE B
Part One
Incentive Compensation Plans
Incentive Compensation Plan (as adopted by Shell Oil Company and certain of its subsidiaries with effect from 1/1/94)
Shell Polypropylene Company 1995 Incentive Compensation Plan
Success Shares CalResources Incentive Compensation Plan
Part Two
(Intentionally left blank)
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SCHEDULE C
Part I of Schedule C
Tier I
LifeStyle Funds
Fidelity Freedom Income Fund®
Fidelity Freedom 2010 Fund®
Fidelity Freedom 2020 Fund®
Fidelity Freedom 2030 Fund®
Fidelity Freedom 2040 Fund®
Core Funds
1-3 Year Government Bond Index Fund
A fund using a stratified sampling approach to aim to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers
1-3 Year Government Bond Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of U.S.
government-issued bonds with maturities greater than one year but less than three years.
20+ Treasury Bond Index Fund
A fixed-income index fund designed to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers 20+ Treasury
Index and consisting exclusively of U.S. Treasury issues with maturities greater than 20 years
which are guaranteed timely interest and principal payments by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. government and certain short-term investments.
Government/Credit Bond Index Fund
A fund using a stratified sampling approach to aim to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers
Government/Credit Bond Index, an unmanaged index that measures the performance of U.S. government
and high-quality corporate bonds with maturities of at least one year.
Intermediate Government Bond Index Fund
A fixed-income index fund designed to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers Intermediate
Government Bond Index and consisting exclusively of U.S. government issued bonds which are
guaranteed timely interest and principal payments by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
government and certain short-term investments.
Mid-Cap Equity Index Fund
A broadly diversified equity index fund designed to match the performance of the S&P MidCap 400
Index and consisting primarily of the equities of mid-sized U.S. companies.
Royal Dutch Shell Stock Fund
A non-diversified, unmanaged, unitized fund consisting primarily of RDS Class A American depositary
receipts representing Class A ordinary shares of Royal Dutch Shell plc and short-term instruments.
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Russell 1000 Value Index Fund
A diversified large-capitalization equity index fund that aims to match the performance of the
Russell 1000® Value Index.
Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund
A diversified large-capitalization equity index fund that aims to match the performance of the
Russell 1000® Growth Index.
Russell 2000® Equity Index Fund
A small capitalization equity index fund designed to match the performance of the Russell 2000®
Index and consisting primarily of small capitalization securities.
Russell 2000 Value Index Fund
A small-capitalization equity index fund that aims to match the performance of the Russell
2000® Value Index.
Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund
A small-capitalization equity index fund that aims to match the performance of the Russell
2000® Growth Index.
Thrift Fund
A fund consisting of such fixed-income investments as the Trustees shall from time to time
determine in accordance with the Trust Agreement. Investments may include, but shall not be
limited to, investment contracts of insurance companies or financial institutions and high quality,
short-term, U.S. dollar-denominated money market securities issuers.
U. S. Debt Index Fund
A broad fixed-income index fund designed to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers Aggregate
Bond Index and consisting primarily of investment-grade bonds with maturities of at least one year
including U.S. government, corporate, mortgage-backed, and asset-backed bonds.
U. S. Equity Index Fund
An equity index fund designed to approximate the composition and total return of the Standard &
Poors Composite Index of 500 Stocks (S&P 500®) and consisting primarily of the common
stocks that make up the S&P 500®. Except as provided in Section VI of the Trust
Agreement, assets of the U. S. Equity Index Fund shall not be invested in securities of any of the
Contributing or Affiliated Companies.
U. S. Equity Market Fund
A total market equity index fund designed to match the performance of the Barclays U.S. Equity
Market Index and consisting primarily of the publicly available universe of equity shares.
U. S. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities Index Fund
A fund using a full-replication approach to aim to match the performance of the Lehman Brothers
U.S. Treasury Inflation Protection Securities Index, an unmanaged index that measures the
performance of inflation-indexed bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury.
Part II of Schedule C
Tier II
Fidelity Mutual Funds
Fidelity Blue Chip Growth Fund
Fidelity Diversified International Fund
Fidelity Dividend Growth Fund
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Fidelity Equity-Income Fund
Fidelity Equity-Income II Fund
Fidelity Fund
Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio
Fidelity Mid Cap Stock Fund
Fidelity Overseas Fund
Fidelity Puritan® Fund
Fidelity Small Cap Independence Fund
Fidelity Small Cap Stock Fund
Fidelity Value Fund
Part III of Schedule C
Tier III
Mutual Fund Window such of the following mutual funds as are from time to time
available through Fidelitys
FundsNetSM program and all Fidelity mutual funds not
offered in Tier II:
AIM Balanced Fund Class A
AIM Basic Value Fund Class A
AIM Blue Chip Fund Class A
AIM Constellation Fund Class A
AIM Global Aggressive Growth Fund Class A
AIM Mid Cap Core Equity Fund Class A
AIM Premier Equity Fund
AIM Weingarten Fund Class A
Alger Capital Appreciation Fund Institutional Class
Alger Mid Cap Growth Fund Institutional Class
Alger Small Cap Fund Institutional Class
American AAdvantage Balanced Fund
American AAdvantage International Equity Fund
American AAdvantage Large Cap Value Fund
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American AAdvantage Short-Term Bond Fund
American Century Large Company Value Fund Investor Class
American Century Small Company Fund Investor Class
American Century Ultra Fund Investor Class
Ariel Appreciation Fund
Ariel Fund
Ariel Premier Bond Fund Investor Class
Artisan International Fund
Artisan Mid Cap Fund
Baron Asset Fund
Baron Growth Fund
Calvert Capital Accumulation Fund
Calvert New Vision Small Cap Fund
Calvert Social Investment Balanced Fund
Calvert Social Investment Fund Equity A
Calvert World Values Fund, Inc. International Equity Fund
Columbia Acorn Select Fund Z
Columbia High Yield Fund Z
Credit Suisse Capital Appreciation Fund
Credit Suisse Global Fixed Income Fund
Credit Suisse International Focus Fund
Credit Suisse Large Cap Value Fund Class A
Credit Suisse Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Credit Suisse Small Cap Value Fund
CRM Mid Cap Value Fund Investor Class
Domini Social Equity Fund
Dreyfus Founders Balanced Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Discovery Fund F
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Dreyfus Founders Growth & Income Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Growth Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Mid-Cap Growth Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Passport Fund F
Dreyfus Founders Worldwide Growth Fund F
Fidelity Aggressive Growth Fund
Fidelity Aggressive International Fund
Fidelity Asset ManagerSM
Fidelity Asset Manager: AggressiveSM
Fidelity Asset Manager: GrowthSM
Fidelity Asset Manager: IncomeSM
Fidelity Balanced Fund
Fidelity Blue Chip Value Fund
Fidelity Canada Fund
Fidelity Capital & Income Fund
Fidelity Capital Appreciation Fund
Fidelity Cash Reserves
Fidelity China Region Fund
Fidelity Contrafund
Fidelity Convertible Securities Fund
Fidelity Disciplined Equity Fund
Fidelity Discovery Fund
Fidelity Emerging Markets Fund
Fidelity Europe Capital Appreciation Fund
Fidelity Europe Fund
Fidelity Export and Multinational Fund
Fidelity Fifty Fund
Fidelity Floating Rate High Income Fund
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Fidelity Focused Stock Fund
Fidelity Four-in-One Index Fund
Fidelity Freedom 2000 Fund
Fidelity Freedom 2005 Fund
Fidelity Freedom 2015 Fund
Fidelity Freedom 2025 Fund
Fidelity Freedom 2035 Fund
Fidelity Ginnie Mae Fund
Fidelity Global Balanced Fund
Fidelity Government Income Fund
Fidelity Growth & Income II Portfolio
Fidelity Growth Company Fund
Fidelity High Income Fund
Fidelity Independence Fund
Fidelity Inflation-Protected Bond Fund
Fidelity Institutional Short-Intermediate Government Fund
Fidelity Intermediate Bond Fund
Fidelity Intermediate Government Income Fund
Fidelity International Growth & Income Fund
Fidelity International Small Cap Fund
Fidelity Investment Grade Bond Fund
Fidelity Japan Fund
Fidelity Japan Smaller Companies Fund
Fidelity Large Cap Stock Fund
Fidelity Latin America Fund
Fidelity Leveraged Company Stock Fund
Fidelity Low-Priced Stock Fund
Fidelity Magellan® Fund
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Fidelity Mortgage Securities Fund Initial Class
Fidelity Nasdaq Composite® Index Fund
Fidelity New Markets Income Fund
Fidelity Nordic Fund
Fidelity OTC Portfolio
Fidelity Pacific Basin Fund
Fidelity Real Estate Income Fund
Fidelity Real Estate Investment Portfolio
Fidelity Retirement Government Money Market Portfolio
Fidelity Retirement Money Market Portfolio
Fidelity Short-Term Bond Fund
Fidelity Small Cap Retirement Fund
Fidelity Southeast Asia Fund
Fidelity Stock Selector
Fidelity Strategic Dividend & Income Fund
Fidelity Strategic Income Fund
Fidelity Structured Large Cap Growth
Fidelity Structured Large Cap Value
Fidelity Structured Mid Cap Growth
Fidelity Structured Mid Cap Value
Fidelity Total Bond Fund
Fidelity Trend Fund
Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund
Fidelity U.S. Government Reserves
Fidelity Ultra-Short Bond Fund
Fidelity Utilities Fund
Fidelity Value Discovery Fund
Fidelity Value Strategies Fund
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Fidelity Worldwide Fund
FMA Small Company Portfolio
Franklin Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund A
INVESCO Core Equity Fund
INVESCO Dynamics Fund
INVESCO Small Company Growth Fund
INVESCO Total Return Fund
Janus Balanced Fund
Janus Enterprise Fund
Janus Flexible Income Fund
Janus Fund
Janus Mercury Fund
Janus Twenty Fund
Janus Worldwide Fund
Legg Mason Value Trust
Lord Abbett Mid Cap Value Fund Class A
Lord Abbett Mid Cap Value Fund Class P
Managers Bond Fund
Managers Capital Appreciation Fund
Managers Special Equity Fund
Managers Value Fund
MS Institutional Fund Active International Allocation Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund Emerging Markets Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund Equity Growth Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund Global Value Equity Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund International Equity Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund International Magnum Portfolio Class B
MS Institutional Fund Small Company Growth Portfolio Class B
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MS Institutional Fund Trust Balanced Portfolio
MS Institutional Fund Trust Core Plus Fixed Income Portfolio
MS Institutional Fund Trust High Yield Portfolio
MS Institutional Fund Trust Mid Cap Growth Portfolio
MS Institutional Fund Trust Value Portfolio
MS Institutional Fund Value Equity Portfolio Class B
Mutual Discovery Fund A
Mutual Shares Fund A
Neuberger Berman Focus Trust
Neuberger Berman Genesis Trust
Neuberger Berman Guardian Trust
Neuberger Berman Manhattan Trust
Neuberger Berman Partners Trust
Neuberger Berman Socially Responsive Trust
Oakmark Equity and Income Fund
Oakmark Fund
Oakmark Select Fund
PBHG Emerging Growth Fund
PBHG Growth Fund
PBHG Large Cap Fund
PBHG Mid Cap Fund
PBHG Strategic Small Company Fund
PIMCO CCM Capital Appreciation Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO CCM Mid Cap Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO Global Bond Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO High Yield Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO Long-Term U.S. Government Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO Low Duration Fund Administrative Class
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PIMCO NFJ Small Cap Value Fund Administrative Class
PIMCO Total Return Fund Administrative Class
Robertson Stephens Emerging Growth Fund
Robertson Stephens Smaller Company Growth Fund
Royce Low-Priced Stock Fund
Scudder 21st Century Growth Fund
Scudder Dreman High Return Equity A
Scudder Global Discover Fund
Scudder Growth & Income Fund
Scudder International Fund
Spartan 500 Index Fund
Spartan Extended Market Index Fund
Spartan Government Income Fund
Spartan International Index Fund
Spartan Investment Grade Bond Fund
Spartan Total Market Index Fund
Spartan U.S. Equity Index Fund
Strong Advisor Common Stock Fund Class Z
Strong Advisor Small Cap Value Fund
Strong Discovery Fund
Strong Government Securities Fund
Strong Growth Fund
Strong Large Cap Growth Fund
Strong Opportunity Fund
Strong Short-Term Bond Fund
Strong Ultra Short-Term Income Fund
TCW Galileo Aggressive Growth Equities Fund Class N
TCW Galileo Select Equities Fund Class N
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TCW Galileo Small Cap Growth Fund Class N
Templeton Developing Markets Trust A
Templeton Foreign Fund A
Templeton Foreign Smaller Companies Fund A
Templeton Global Bond Fund A
Templeton Growth Fund A
Templeton World Fund A
UAM: FPA Crescent Portfolio
UAM: Rice, Hall, James Small Cap Portfolio
USAA Cornerstone Strategy Fund
USAA Emerging Markets Fund
USAA GNMA Trust
USAA Growth Fund
USAA Income Fund
USAA Income Stock Fund
USAA International Fund
Van Kampen Growth & Income Fund A
Villanova Capital: Gartmore Millennium Growth Fund
Villanova Capital: Gartmore Value Opportunity Fund
Western Asset Core Portfolio FI Class
Part IV of Schedule C
Tier IV
Fidelity Select Portfolios such of the following mutual funds as are from time to time
available through Fidelity:
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Air Transportation Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Automotive Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Banking Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Biotechnology Portfolio
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Fidelity Select Portfolios: Brokerage and Investment Management Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Business Services and Outsourcing Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Chemicals Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Computers Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Construction and Housing Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Consumer Industries Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Cyclical Industries Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Defense and Aerospace Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Developing Communications Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Electronics Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Energy Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Energy Service Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Environmental Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Financial Services Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Food and Agriculture Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Gold Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Health Care Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Home Finance Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Industrial Equipment Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Industrial Materials Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Insurance Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Leisure Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Medical Delivery Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Medical Equipment and Systems Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Money Market Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Multimedia Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Natural Gas Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Natural Resources Portfolio
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Fidelity Select Portfolios: Networking and Infrastructure Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Paper and Forest Products Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Pharmaceuticals Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Retailing Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Software and Computer Services Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Technology Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Telecommunications Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Transportation Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Utilities Growth Portfolio
Fidelity Select Portfolios: Wireless Portfolio
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SCHEDULE D
VESTING
1. Vesting in Company Match Account. A Member shall have a nonforfeitable right to his Company Match Account in accordance with the vesting schedule below, except that a Member who dies or who terminates his employment after attaining age 65 or qualifying for a disability pension under the Shell Pension Plan (but disregarding the condition that an employee have at least 15 years of accredited service) shall be 100% vested on such event:
Completed Years | ||||
of | Nonforfeitable | |||
Participation Service | Percentage | |||
Less than 1 year |
0 | % | ||
1 year |
20 | % | ||
2 years |
40 | % | ||
3 years |
60 | % | ||
4 years |
80 | % | ||
5 years |
100 | % |
A Member who terminates employment prior to attaining a 100% nonforfeitable percentage shall forfeit the non-vested portion of his Company Match Account. The amount forfeited shall be allocated as a forfeiture in accordance with Paragraph 2 below.
If a Members account is restored as provided in Paragraph 3 below, and if such Member had received a distribution of his vested Company Match Account, and if such Member subsequently terminates employment prior to attaining a 100% nonforfeitable percentage in his Company Match Account, the vested portion of the Members Account shall be determined in the following manner:
At any relevant time the Members vested portion is not less than an amount (X) determined by the formula:
X = P(AB + D) D
where P is the nonforfeitable percentage at the relevant time; AB is the account balance at the relevant time; and D is the amount of the nonforfeitable percentage.
2. Allocation of Forfeitures. Any amounts forfeited by a Member from his Company Match Account shall be applied in the following order:
(a) | to restore forfeited amounts to individuals reemployed as an Employee; | |||
(b) | to restore unclaimed benefits pursuant to Article 19; and | |||
(c) | to reduce the Contributing Company Contribution under Article 8 to the extent of such contributions. |
3. Restoration of Forfeitures Upon Reemployment. If a Former Member, within the meaning of the Shell Trading Savings Plan, who has forfeited an amount under Paragraph 1 above is re-employed, a Contributing Company contribution of the amount forfeited shall be made and credited to the Members Company Match Account on behalf of such Member.
4. Special Vesting Provisions. Notwithstanding Paragraph 1 above, the following special vesting provisions shall apply:
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(a) | Each Member who is an Enterprise Transferred Employee shall be fully vested, effective as of September 17, 1999, in his Company Match Account balance attributable to matching contributions made prior to his transfer to Enterprise Products Company. For purposes of this sub-paragraph, an Enterprise Transferred Employee means an individual who is employed by Enterprise Products Company under the terms of that Contribution Agreement, dated effective September 17, 1999, between Tejas Energy, LLC and others, including Enterprise Products Company, and who was an employee of a participating company under the Shell Trading Savings Plan immediately preceding his employment with Enterprise Products Company. | |||
(b) | Each Member who is employed by InterGen Services, Inc. on January 1, 2001, in connection with the formation of InterGen North America, LP, a joint venture by and between Shell Power GP Holding and Bechtel Enterprises Holdings, Inc., and who was an employee of a participating company under the Shell Trading Savings Plan immediately preceding his employment with InterGen Services, Inc., shall be fully vested, effective as of January 1, 2001, in his Company Match Account balance attributable to matching contributions made prior to January 1, 2001. | |||
(c) | Each Member who is employed by Enterprise Products Operating L.P. on April 1, 2001, in connection with that Purchase and Sale Agreement between Coral Energy, LLC and Enterprises Products Operating L.P. for the sale of Coral Energy, LLCs membership interests in Acadian Gas, LLC to Enterprise Products Operating L.P., and who is an employee of a participating company under the Shell Trading Savings Plan immediately preceding his employment with Enterprise Products Operating L.P. shall be fully vested in his Company Match Account balance attributable to matching contributions made prior to April 1, 2001. | |||
(d) | Special vesting rules in connection with the sale by InterGen (North America) Inc. of its equity interests in Tejas Gas, LLC and its subsidiaries to Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. as of February 28, 2002: |
(i) | An individual who on February 28, 2002, is either an employee under the Shell Trading Savings Plan or an employee of a 25% Affiliated Entity, within the meaning of the Shell Trading Savings Plan, who has an application for employment offer accepted by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. and who performs services with Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. as an employee of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. on March 1, 2002, shall be vested as of February 28, 2002 in his accrued benefit under the Shell Trading Savings Plan earned through February 28, 2002. | |||
(ii) | An individual who on March 14, 2002, is either an employee under the Shell Trading Savings Plan or an employee of a 25% Affiliated Entity, within the meaning of the Shell Trading Savings Plan, who has an application for employment offer accepted by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., and who performs services with Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. as an employee of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. on March 15, 2002, shall be vested as of March 14, 2002, in his accrued benefit under the Shell Trading Savings Plan earned through March 14, 2002. |
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SHELL PROVIDENT FUND
TRUST AGREEMENT
TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of the 1st day of September 1939, and as amended through May 17, 2005, between SHELL OIL COMPANY, CORAL ENERGY SERVICES, LLC, CRI U.S. LP, EQUILON ENTERPRISES LLC d/b/a SHELL OIL PRODUCTS US, MOTIVA COMPANY, PECTEN CHEMICALS INC., PECTEN MIDDLE EAST SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED, PECTEN OVERSEAS SERVICES COMPANY, PECTEN PRODUCING COMPANY, PECTEN SERVICES COMPANY, PENNZOIL-QUAKER STATE COMPANY d/b/a SOPUS PRODUCTS, SHELL AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL COMPANY, SHELL CAPITAL INC., SHELL CHEMICAL LP, SHELL CHEMICAL RISK MANAGEMENT COMPANY, SHELL ENERGY RESOURCES COMPANY, SHELL ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, L.L.C., SHELL EXPATRIATE EMPLOYMENT US INC., SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY, SHELL GLOBAL SOLUTIONS (US) INC., SHELL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INC., SHELL INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INC., SHELL MARINE PRODUCTS (US) COMPANY, SHELL NORTH AMERICA GAS & POWER SERVICES COMPANY, SHELL OFFSHORE INC., SHELL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY LLC, SHELL OIL PRODUCTS LAN LLC, SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP, SHELL SOLAR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INC., SHELL TECHNOLOGY VENTURES INC., SHELL TRADING GAS AND POWER COMPANY, SHEL TRADING GP OVERSEAS SERVICES COMPANY, SHELL US GAS & POWER, LLC, SHELL TRADING NORTH AMERICA COMPANY, SHELL TRADING (US) COMPANY, SHELL WINDENERGY SERVICES INC., SIEP OVERSEAS SERVICES, INC., SPLC SERVICES COMPANY LLC, SWEPI LP, and such other affiliated companies as may become parties hereto from time to time, as hereinafter provided, (the Companies which at any given time are participating in the plan as hereinafter provided being sometimes hereinafter referred to as the Contributing Companies), and T. T. Coles, J. M. Esquivel, F. A. Glaviano, S. Hodge, and J. D. Hofmeister, as trustees, and such other persons as may become trustees hereunder from time to time as hereinafter provided (the persons who at any given time are acting as trustees hereunder being hereinafter called the Trustees).
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, each of the Companies named above desired to adopt, for the exclusive benefit of its employees and their beneficiaries who become beneficiaries of the Fund hereinafter described, a contributory plan to provide for such employees upon their retirement from employment and as part of the plan to join in the creation of a trust of personal property to be known as Shell Provident Fund (hereinafter sometimes called the Fund) to which contributions are to be made by said Company and payments are to be made by said employees for the purpose of distributing to said employees the principal and earnings of the funds to be accumulated in the trust arising from said contributions and payments in accordance with the provisions of the plan;
WHEREAS, the plan, and the trust to be created (the Trust), are to be administered by Trustees as hereinafter and in the Regulations provided, and
WHEREAS, by the execution of this instrument (hereinafter sometimes called the Trust Agreement) each of the Companies named above desires to evidence its adoption of the plan and its joining in the creation of such Trust, and the Trustees desire to evidence their acceptance of the Trust;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants hereinafter set forth, the Companies which are or become parties hereto (hereinafter called the Companies) and the Trustees hereby agree each with the other as follows:
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SECTION I
ADOPTION OF THE PLAN, CREATION OF THE TRUST, AND
DESIGNATION OF THE TRUSTEES
Each of the Companies hereby adopts the plan as set forth herein and in the Regulations for the exclusive benefit of its employees and their beneficiaries who become beneficiaries of the Fund (hereinafter called Member) and as part of the plan, hereby joins in the creation of the Fund as a Trust of personal property, to which contributions are to be made by said Company and payments are to be made by Members for the purpose of distributing to the Members the principal and earnings of the funds to be accumulated in the Trust arising from the contributions of said Company and the payment of Members in accordance with the provisions of the plan, and hereby designates the Trustees named above as the Trustees of the Fund. The Regulations hereto annexed are incorporated herein and made a part of the Trust Agreement (which together hereinafter are sometimes called the Plan or the Fund).
The signature of any of the Companies to any counterpart or copy of the Trust Agreement shall be sufficient evidence of its adoption of the plan and of its joining in the creation of the Fund and of its designation of the Trustees named above.
SECTION II
ACCEPTANCE OF THE TRUST
The Trustees hereby accept the Trust and agree to hold, administer, and disburse all of the principal and earnings of the funds to be accumulated in the Fund in accordance with all the terms and provisions of the Trust Agreement including the Regulations. The signature of any Trustee to any counterpart or copy of the Trust Agreement shall be sufficient evidence of his acceptance and agreement as aforesaid.
SECTION III
ADMINISTRATION
The Trustees may act by a majority of their number then in office either by vote at a meeting or in writing without a meeting.
The Trustees may appoint a chairman and vice-chairman from among their number and a secretary and such other officers as they may deem advisable who need not be Trustees; may appoint an executive committee consisting of three or more Trustees with full authority to exercise any of the powers of the Trustees; may appoint such other committees, whose members need not be Trustees, with such powers as they may deem expedient; may provide that any such committee may act by a majority of its number then in office (but in no event less than two) either by a vote at a meeting or in writing without a meeting; may designate alternates for any members of any such committee; may adopt by-laws governing the transaction of their business and the duties of such officers; may remove any such officers, abolish any such committees, and alter or repeal any such by-laws; and may transact their business under the name Shell Provident Fund.
Any act of the Trustees or any such committee shall be sufficiently evidenced if certified by the secretary appointed by the Trustees or any Trustee or in accordance with the by-laws.
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SECTION IV
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FUND
Contributions to the Fund by each of the Contributing Companies and payments by the Members shall be made in accordance with the Regulations.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, upon the Employers request, a contribution which was made by a mistake of fact or conditioned upon the initial qualification of the Fund or upon the deductibility of any contribution to the Fund shall be returned to the contributor within one year after payment of the contribution, the denial of the initial qualification or the disallowance of the deduction (to the extent disallowed), whichever is applicable.
SECTION V
DISPOSITION OF FUNDS
All funds received by the Trustees hereunder shall be held, managed, deposited, invested, reinvested, disbursed, and distributed to or for the benefit of the Members in accordance with the provisions hereof and of the Regulations.
Subject to such qualifications, terms, and conditions as the Trustees shall determine, the Trustees may enter into any contract or contracts with any insurance company or companies for the purposes of purchasing annuities or other forms of contracts with respect to Members or their beneficiaries and may disburse funds for this purpose in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of Article 13 of the Regulations.
SECTION VI
INVESTMENT OF FUNDS
(a) All funds received by the Trustees which, pursuant to the provisions of Article 11 of the Regulations, are subject to a direction to be invested in any of the Core Funds, other than the Thrift Fund, shall be invested and reinvested by the Trustees and/or one or more Investment Managers in the classes and types of investments designated by the appropriate provisions of Part I of Schedule C to the Regulations, and subsection (b) of this Section VI shall not apply to the classes and types of investments in which such funds may be invested. All funds received by the Trustees which, pursuant to the provisions of Article 11 of the Regulations, are subject to a direction to be invested in an Eligible Investment Company Fund shall be invested and reinvested by an investment adviser in the classes and types of investments designated by the appropriate provisions of the prospectus therefor, and subsection (b) of this Section VI shall not apply to the classes and types of investments in which such funds may be invested.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this Section, the Trustees shall have the power to invest and reinvest all funds received by them in such securities, obligations, or properties (real or personal) or participations or interests therein, the rate of return which is fixed by the instruments evidencing the investment (referred to herein collectively as securities), and insurance company group annuity investment contracts and agreements, as they may deem advisable in their discretion as though they were the beneficial owners thereof, excluding securities issued or to be issued by any of the Contributing or Affiliated Companies. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this subsection, an investment in any collective or common trust fund shall not be prohibited even though such collective or common trust fund may hold securities issued by any of the Contributing or Affiliated Companies so long as such securities shall not exceed 5% of the assets of the Optional Fund to which the investment relates. The Trustees shall have power to sell, transfer, or exchange assets held hereunder from time to time at such prices and upon such terms and conditions and in such manner as they may deem proper. The Trustees may lend securities held hereunder consistent with the fiduciary duty and prohibited transaction requirements of ERISA. The Trustees may exercise any voting powers appurtenant to
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any securities at the time held by them and may execute any proxies or powers of attorney (as to either discretionary or ministerial matters) and any agreements which they may deem necessary or advisable in connection with the investment, holding, or management of the assets in their custody and control, it being the intention hereof that the Trustees shall have full power, within the limitations of this Trust Agreement, to manage all assets held by them hereunder, as though the absolute owners thereof. The purchaser of any assets from the Trustees need not inquire into the application of the purchase money by the Trustees nor into the expediency or propriety of the Trustees to negotiate or make the same. Securities held by the Trustees may be registered in the name of the Fund, the Trustees or their agents or nominees, or other persons; or they may be unregistered.
(c) Each Investment Manager may invest in any single, collective, or common trust fund for employee benefit plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute, maintained by a trust company. An investment in any collective or common trust fund shall not be prohibited even though such collective or common trust fund may hold securities issued by any of the Contributing or Affiliated Companies so long as such securities shall not exceed 5% of the assets of the Optional Fund to which the investment relates. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the agreement with the bank or trust company may authorize the bank or trust company to invest and reinvest the assets transferred to it in interests in any trust fund that has been or shall be created and maintained by the bank or trust company as trustee for the collective investment of funds of trusts for employee benefit plans qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute, as amended, and to the extent required by Revenue Ruling 81-100 and further to the extent consistent with this Trust Agreement the instrument creating such trust fund, together with any amendments is hereby incorporated in and made part of this Trust Agreement.
(d) In addition to any other investments proper under the Fund, the Trustees shall have the power to invest in one or more collective investment funds now existing or hereinafter established (including, without limitation, the Shell Savings Group Trust established effective January 1, 1996 between Shell Oil Company and the then Trustees) which contemplate the commingling for investment purposes of the funds therein with trust assets of other pension plans which are qualified under Section 401 of the Code. To the extent required by Revenue Ruling 81-100 and to the extent consistent with this Trust Agreement, the instrument creating any collective investment fund in which any part of the Fund is invested, as in force and effect at the time of the investment and as thereafter amended, is hereby incorporated in and made part of this Trust Agreement. Such collective investment fund shall be invested and reinvested by its trustees and/or investment managers in the classes and types of investments designated by the appropriate provisions of the Fund.
SECTION VII
DELEGATION OF POWERS
The Trustees may appoint one or more Investment Managers for the Core Funds (other than the Thrift Fund) and may delegate to one or more Investment Managers for the Thrift Fund, all or any of the authority, powers, or duties conferred upon them by subsection (b) of Section VI hereof. In accordance with the directions of the Members or their beneficiaries, the Trustees shall delegate to the investment advisors of the Eligible Investment Company Funds, all or any of the authority, powers or duties conferred upon them by subsection (b) of Section VI hereof. In the case of the Thrift Fund, the Trustees may direct the Plan Administrator and his staff to manage certain assets held by a custodian. The Trustees may deliver to such Investment Manager or Investment Managers any funds or securities held by the Trustees hereunder. Each Investment Manager shall be a bank, trust company, insurance company, investment company, investment advisor, or investment banker, satisfying the requirements of section 3(38) of ERISA. The bank or trust company or custodian of the Trusts funds and securities shall have a capital stock and surplus of not less than Fifty Million Dollars ($50,000,000) and be adequately insured or bonded. Each Investment Manager shall exercise all the authority, powers, and duties of an Investment Manager as provided in this Trust Agreement and in the Regulations. As to certain Plan assets, the Trustees may select a bank or trust company to act as custodian for same if the Investment Manager or other fiduciary managing such assets either does not perform such services or the Trustees believe it to be advantageous to have another party act as custodian. Subject to the provisions of the Regulations and this Trust Agreement, the appointment of an Investment Manager shall be upon such terms as the Trustees shall determine. The Trustees may remove an Investment Manager at any time, with or without cause, or an Investment Manager may resign
90
at any time in such manner as the Trustees shall determine. In the event of such removal or in the event that an Investment Manager shall resign or cease to act, the Trustees may exercise the authority, powers, and duties previously exercised by such Investment Manager, pending delegation of such powers to another Investment Manager.
No Trustee shall be liable for the acts or omissions of such Investment Manager or Managers or be under an obligation to invest or otherwise manage any asset of the Fund which is subject to the management of the Investment Manager.
An Investment Manager shall keep such books of account and shall submit to such audits as the Trustees shall prescribe.
SECTION VIII
BORROWING MONEY
The Trustees may borrow money from time to time upon such terms and conditions as they may deem expedient, and for the loans thus made or in renewal thereof they may issue their promissory note or notes as Trustees and may secure the repayment thereof by pledging any of the assets then in their control.
SECTION IX
COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES
The Trustees shall not receive any remuneration from the Fund for their services. The following costs and expenses incurred by or in the administration of the Fund or of the Trust, if appropriate, shall be paid out of the funds held by the Trustees:
(1) | Compensation of independent accountants, counsel, agent or agents, custodians, and Investment Managers, including investment contract consultants and independent counsel assisting in determining the qualified status of domestic relations orders, as the Trustees or the Plan Administrator may appoint or employ; | |||
(2) | Premiums for insurance against loss of plan assets due to breach of any named Fiduciary duty; | |||
(3) | Premiums for insurance on behalf of any Fiduciary to cover liability for his own account; | |||
(4) | Bonding expenses required under the Fund or Trust; | |||
(5) | User fees for requests to the Internal Revenue Service for rulings, determination letters, and similar requests; | |||
(6) | All taxes of any kind that may be levied or assessed under existing or future laws in respect of the Fund or Trust on the income or gains thereof or therefrom; | |||
(7) | Brokerage commissions, transfer taxes, and other charges and expenses that can be specifically identified in connection with the purchase and sale of securities or otherwise carrying out the investment purposes of the Optional Funds; and | |||
(8) | Reasonable direct expenses (supported by surrounding facts and circumstances) for services provided by a Contributing Company for the administration of the Fund or Trust. |
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Said costs and expenses shall be paid out of the Optional Fund to which they relate or allocated among the Optional Funds on such basis as the Trustees shall determine. Brokerage commissions, transfer taxes or other charges and expenses that can be specifically identified in connection with the purchase and sale of securities shall be added to the cost thereof, or deducted from the proceeds thereof, as the case may be.
The Companies shall pay all remaining expenses, which shall be shared ratably by them as they may agree, and failing such agreement, as determined by the Trustees.
SECTION X
DISCHARGE OF DUTIES BY TRUSTEES
The Trustees shall be the named Fiduciary under the Fund and the Trust. The Trustees shall appoint a Plan Administrator who shall also be a named Fiduciary under the Fund. Solely for purposes of directing investments in their own accounts and not for purposes of the operation or administration of the Fund or the Trust, Members and Former Members and Qualified Beneficiaries entitled under the terms of the Regulations to direct investments in their own accounts, shall be named Fiduciaries under the Fund and the Trust. The Trustees or the Plan Administrator may employ one or more persons to render advice with regard to any responsibility the Trustees have under the Plan, and may employ counsel and agents and engage such clerical, financial, and accounting services as they or he deems expedient. The Trustees shall not be deemed imprudent by reason of their taking or refraining from taking action in accordance with the opinion of counsel. The Trustees or the Plan Administrator, as the case may be, shall have the power to remove and replace anyone they or he shall have appointed or employed. The Trustees shall discharge their respective duties set forth in the Fund and Trust:
(a) | solely in the interest of the Members and their Beneficiaries; | |||
(b) | for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to Members and their Beneficiaries (and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the Fund); | |||
(c) | with the care, skill, prudence, and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent man acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of a like character and with like aims; | |||
(d) | by diversifying the investments of the Trust so as to minimize the risk of large losses, unless under the circumstances it is clearly prudent not to do so, or unless the Members, Former Members, or Qualified Beneficiaries entitled under the terms of the Regulations to direct investments in their own accounts, have otherwise directed; and | |||
(e) | in accordance with the documents and instruments governing the Fund insofar as such documents and instruments are consistent with ERISA. |
The Trustees may rely upon any investment direction of a Member, or a Former Member or Qualified Beneficiary entitled under the terms of the Regulations to direct investments in their own accounts, as long as any such direction is proper on its face and consistent with the Regulations and this Trust Agreement. Furthermore, each Trustee may rely upon any direction, information, or action of another Trustee as being proper under this Fund or the Trust and is not required under this Fund or the Trust to inquire into the propriety of any such direction, information or action. It is intended under this Fund and the Trust that each Trustee shall be responsible for the proper exercise of his own powers, duties, responsibilities, and obligations under this Fund and the Trust and shall not be responsible for any act or failure to act of another Trustee, except in the following circumstances: (a) the Trustee knowingly participates in or knowingly attempts to conceal the act or omission of another Fiduciary, and the Trustee knows the act or omission is a breach of a Fiduciary responsibility by the other Fiduciary; or (b) the Trustee has knowledge of a breach by the other Fiduciary and does not make reasonable efforts to remedy the breach; or (c) the Trustees breach of his own Fiduciary responsibility
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permits the other Fiduciary to commit a breach. No Trustee guarantees the Trust Fund in any manner against investment loss or depreciation in asset value.
The Trustees shall jointly manage and control the assets of the Fund unless there is a specific allocation or delegation of specific responsibilities, obligations, and duties among the Trustees or the other Fiduciaries. There may be an allocation and delegation of Fiduciary responsibilities other than Trustees responsibilities to other Fiduciaries. If such an allocation or delegation shall be made, the specified Trustee or Fiduciary shall then be responsible for the duties allocated or delegated, and the other Trustees or Fiduciaries shall not be liable for any breach of Fiduciary responsibility for the duties allocated or delegated except as set forth above.
The Contributing Companies shall have no responsibility for overseeing or monitoring the investment options under Schedule C of the Regulations. The Trustees and the Plan Administrator shall have only limited responsibility for overseeing and monitoring the LifeStyle Funds set out in Part I of Schedule C to the Regulations and shall have no responsibility for overseeing or monitoring the investment options under Part III of Schedule C of the Regulations (the Tier III Funds) or Part IV of Schedule C hereof (the Tier IV Funds) regardless of whether such Tier III Funds and/or such Tier IV Funds underlie investment options under Part I and/or Part II of such Schedule C. Each participant and each beneficiary shall have the sole responsibility for deciding to buy, sell, or hold units in the investment options under Schedule C of the Regulations for his or her account and the sole responsibility for determining whether any Tier III Funds and any Tier IV Funds in said account provide acceptable risk and return characteristics and are otherwise consistent with his or her investment objectives and the investment objectives of the Optional Fund.
Notwithstanding anything in the Regulations or this Trust Agreement to the contrary, the Trustees shall have the right to resolve conflicting rights and claims in such a manner as is in the best interests of all participants and beneficiaries.
The companies, jointly and severally, shall indemnify each Trustee, the Plan Administrator, and other Employees (except for Members, Former Members, and Qualified Beneficiaries to the extent they direct investments in their own accounts) deemed to be Fiduciaries as to this Fund (hereinafter collectively referred to as Fiduciaries) against all or any portion of any liability or costs and expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with, arising out of, or resulting from any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he may be involved by reason of his having been a Fiduciary, provided, however, that the Companies shall not be obligated to indemnify a Fiduciary against any such liability, costs, or expenses in connection with any action or omission to act in respect of which such Fiduciary shall be finally adjudged in any such action, suit, or proceeding to have been guilty of fraud or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties.
SECTION XI
COMPROMISE OF CLAIMS
The Trustees shall have power to settle or compromise any claims which they may have as Trustees or which may be made against them as Trustees.
SECTION XII
INTERPRETATION OF PROVISIONS: DETERMINATION OF CONTROVERSIES
Except in those cases in which the power of determination is expressly reserved to Shell Oil Company, the Trustees shall have full power and authority to determine all matters arising in the interpretation and application of the Fund or the interpretation and application of the Trust Agreement and the Regulations, and the determination of any such matter by the Trustees shall be conclusive on all persons. Whenever under the Regulations or
93
the provisions of this Trust Agreement discretion is granted to the Trustees, which shall affect the benefits, rights, and privileges of an Employee or former Employee, such discretion shall be exercised uniformly so that all individuals similarly situated shall be similarly treated.
SECTION XIII
ADDITIONAL COMPANIES
Any Affiliated Company may, subject to the approval of the Trustees, become a party hereto at any time with like effect from such time as if it were one of the Companies hereinbefore named.
The signature of any such company to any counterpart or copy of the Trust Agreement shall be sufficient evidence of its election to become a party hereto.
SECTION XIV
RESIGNATION OR REMOVAL OF TRUSTEES
Successor Trustees: Increase or Decrease in the Number of Trustees. Any Trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice to the other Trustees or in accordance with the by-laws adopted by the Trustees.
Any Trustee may be removed and the number of Trustees may be increased or decreased at any time by an instrument executed by Shell Oil Company.
In case there shall be any vacancy among the Trustees, whether on account of an increase in the number thereof, resignation, removal, death, or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by Shell Oil Company. If by reason of the discontinuance of the Plan or otherwise Shell Oil Company shall cease to be a Contributing Company, then vacancies shall be filled by appointment by a majority of the Trustees then in office.
A Trustee shall not be liable or responsible in any way for any acts or omissions in the administration of the Trust or Fund prior to the date he became a Trustee or after the date he shall cease to be a Trustee. A Successor Trustee shall not have any duty to review the actions or accounts of any prior Trustee.
The signature of any successor or additional Trustee on any counterpart or copy of the Trust Agreement shall be sufficient evidence of his acceptance of the Trust.
A certificate, executed by any Trustee or in accordance with the by-laws adopted by the Trustees, certifying who are or were Trustees hereunder or the number thereof at any given time shall be sufficient evidence thereof.
SECTION XV
TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION IN THE FUND
The participation of any of the Contributing Companies in the Fund (including the obligation to make further contributions to the Fund for the account of its employees who are Members, with respect to periods subsequent to the cessation of its participation) shall terminate whenever (1) such Company is dissolved or liquidated or ceases for any reason to be an Affiliated Company of Shell Oil Company or (2) upon not less than 60 days prior written notice to the Trustees, unless waived by the Trustees in writing, it withdraws from the Fund, or (3) upon not less than 60 days
94
prior written notice to it and to the Trustees, unless waived by it and the Trustees in writing, its participation is terminated by Shell Oil Company. For purposes of the preceding sentence, Affiliated Company shall be as defined in Paragraph 7 of Article 6 of the Regulations, except that the phrase at least 80 percent shall be substituted for the phrase more than 50 percent. The Contributing Company shall provide written notice of its cessation of participation to all of its Employees who are Members of the Fund.
In the event of termination of participation in the Fund by any one or more of the Contributing Companies, the right and obligation of Members who are then in its or their employ to make further contributions to the Fund, with respect to periods subsequent to the cessation of the Contributing Companys or Companies participation, shall cease. In such event, the Trustees, upon advice of counsel, shall for the purposes of Articles 13 and 14 of the Regulations, treat the service of such Members as having terminated at the time of such termination of participation.
If, after the termination of participation in the Plan by all Contributing Companies and after the payment to the Members or their beneficiaries or estate of amounts standing to their credit as provided in the Regulations, any assets then remaining in the Fund, such assets shall be distributed by the Trustees to or for the exclusive benefit of such Members or Former Members or their beneficiaries or estates or any of them in such equitable and nondiscriminatory manner as the Trustees may determine in the exercise of their fiduciary duty. In no event shall the Contributing Companies receive any amounts from the Fund.
SECTION XVI
DISPOSITION OF CORPUS OR INCOME: DURATION
No part of the corpus or income of the Fund shall, prior to the satisfaction of all liabilities with respect to Members under the Plan, be used for or diverted to purposes other than the exclusive benefit of Members or their beneficiaries (including the expenses of the administration of the Fund), and the Fund shall continue for such time as may be necessary to accomplish the purpose for which it is created.
SECTION XVII
AMENDMENT OF TRUST AGREEMENT AND REGULATIONS
Subject to the provisions of Section XVI, the Trust Agreement and the Regulations may be amended in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations.
SECTION XVIII
NON-ALIENATION OF RIGHTS
No sums or shares or any other securities standing to the credit of any Member under the provisions of the Plan shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, or charge; and any attempt so to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, or charge the same shall be void; nor shall any such sums, shares or securities be in any manner liable for or subject to the debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements, or torts of any Member. This provision shall not be applicable to a qualified domestic relations order as defined in Section 206(d) of ERISA and Section 414(p) of the Code which may direct payment or distribution of all or part of such sums, shares or securities to an alternate payee. Any accrued benefit of a Member or Former Member may be apportioned between the Member or Former Member and the alternate payee either through separate accounts or by providing the alternate payee a severable portion of the Members or Former Members Account.
95
SECTION XIX
MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION OF FUND
In the event of the dissolution, merger, consolidation, or reorganization of a Contributing Company, provision may be made by which the Fund and Trust will be continued by the successor; and, in that event, such successor shall be substituted for such Contributing Company under the Fund. The substitution of the successor shall constitute an assumption of liabilities to the Fund by the successor and the successor shall have all the powers, duties, and responsibilities of such Contributing Company under the Fund.
In the event of any merger or consolidation of the Fund, or transfer in whole or in part of the assets and liabilities of the Trust Fund to another trust fund, or to any other plan of deferred compensation maintained or to be established by an employer for the exclusive benefit of all or some of its employees, the assets of the Trust Fund applicable to such Members shall be transferred to the other trust fund or plan only if:
(a) | each Member would (if either this Fund or the other plan then terminated) receive a benefit immediately after the merger, consolidation, or transfer which is equal to or greater than the benefit he would have been entitled to receive immediately before the merger, consolidation or transfer (if this Fund had then terminated); | |||
(b) | the Trustees shall authorize such transfer of assets and, in the case of the new or successor employer of the affected Members, its resolutions shall include an assumption of liabilities with respect to such Members inclusion in the new employers plan; and | |||
(c) | such other plan and trust are qualified under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute. |
SECTION XX
EXECUTION, DELIVERY, AND INVALIDITY
To the extent not preempted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, the Trust Agreement (including the Regulations) shall be governed by the laws of the state of Texas.
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.
96
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the respective Companies have caused their names to be signed and their corporate seals to be affixed by their proper officers, thereunto duly authorized, and the Trustees have hereunto set their respective hands and seals.
SHELL OIL COMPANY
CORAL ENERGY SERVICES, LLC
CRI U.S. LP
EQUILON ENTERPRISES LLC d/b/a SHEL OIL PRODUCTS US
MOTIVA COMPANY
PECTEN CHEMICALS INC.
PECTEN MIDDLE EAST SERVICES COMPANY LIMITED
PECTEN OVERSEAS SERVICES COMPANY
PECTEN PRODUCING COMPANY
PECTEN SERVICES COMPANY
PENNZOIL-QUAKER STATE COMPANY d/b/a SOPUS PRODUCTS
SHELL AGRICULTURAL CHEMICAL COMPANY
SHELL CAPITAL INC.
SHELL CHEMICAL LP
SHELL CHEMICAL RISK MANAGEMENT COMPANY
SHELL ENERGY RESOURCES COMPANY
SHELL ENERGY SERVICES COMPANY, L.L.C.
SHELL EXPATRIATE EMPLOYMENT US INC.
SHELL EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY
SHELL GLOBAL SOLUTIONS (US) INC.
SHELL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INC.
SHELL INTERNATIONAL EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION INC.
SHELL MARINE PRODUCTS (US) COMPANY
SHELL NORTH AMERICA GAS & POWER SERVICES COMPANY
SHELL OFFSHORE INC.
SHELL OIL PRODUCTS COMPANY LLC
SHELL OIL PRODUCTS LAN LLC
SHELL PIPELINE COMPANY LP
SHELL SOLAR EMPLOYMENT SERVICES INC.
SHELL TECHNOLOGY VENTURES INC.
SHELL TRADING GAS AND POWER COMPANY
SHELL TRADING GP OVERSEAS SERVICES COMPANY
SHELL US GAS & POWER, LLC
SHELL TRADING NORTH AMERICA COMPANY
SHELL TRADING (US) COMPANY
SHELL WINDENERGY SERVICES INC.
SIEP OVERSEAS SERVICES INC.
SPLC SERVICES COMPANY LLC
SWEPI LP
T. T. Coles
|
J. M. Esquivel | |
F. A. Glaviano
|
S. Hodge | |
J. D. Hofmeister |
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I, ____________, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that I am Secretary of the Trustees acting under the foregoing Shell Provident Fund Trust Agreement dated as of September 1, 1939, and that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of said Trust Agreement and Regulations as amended to this date and that the same are now in full force and effect.
WITNESS, my hand this day of , 20 .
Secretary
Each of the undersigned successor or additional Trustees has hereunto set his hand and seal to witness his acceptance of the Trust as of the date set forth opposite his name.
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The Directors
Royal Dutch Shell plc
Shell Centre
London SE1 7NA
Exhibit 5.1
20 July 2005
Your reference
Our reference
Dear Sirs,
Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Royal Dutch Shell plc dated 20 July 2005
Introduction
1. | This opinion as to English law is addressed to you in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Form S-8) of Royal Dutch Shell plc (the Company) to be filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under the United States Securities Act of 1933, in relation to the Companys employee share plans and retirement plans, as detailed in the Form S-8 (the Plans) and listed in the Schedule hereto. | |||
2. | This opinion relates to those of the Plans listed in Part A of the Schedule to this letter, which you have told us are, by their terms, capable of involving a new issue of shares (the New Issue Plans) and to those of the Plans listed in Part B, which you have told us are, by their terms, capable of involving a new issue of shares for a cash subscription price not less than the nominal value of those shares (the Retirement Plans). For the avoidance of doubt, this opinion does not relate to those of the Plans listed in Part C of the Schedule to this letter, which you have told us are not, by their terms, capable of involving a new issue of shares. | |||
3. | For the purposes of this opinion, we have examined copies of the following documents: |
(a) | The memorandum and articles of association of the Company, certified as true, complete and up to date by the secretary of the Company; | |||
(b) | The certificate of incorporation of the Company and the certificate of incorporation on change of name and re-registration as a public company of the Company; | |||
(c) | The rules of each New Issue Plan and Retirement Plan (the Rules); |
(d) | Certified copy of a board resolution of Shell Solar Employment Services Inc. dated 29 June 2005; | |||
(e) | Certified copy of a board resolution of Shell Oil Company dated 30 June 2005; | |||
(f) | Certified copy of a board resolution of Shell Petroleum N.V. dated 13 May 2005; | |||
(g) | Certified copy of a board resolution of Shell Petroleum Company Limited dated 13 May 2005; | |||
(h) | Certified copy of an amendment to the Regulations of the Shell Provident Fund dated 12 July 2005; and | |||
(i) | Certified copy of an amendment to the Plan Instrument of the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund dated 12 July 2005 |
4. | This letter sets out our opinion on certain matters of English law as at todays date. We have not made any investigation of, and do not express any opinion on, any other law. This letter is to be governed by and construed in accordance with English law. |
Assumptions
5. | For the purposes of this letter, we have assumed each of the following: |
(a) | All signatures are genuine; | |||
(b) | The conformity to original documents of all copy documents examined by us; | |||
(c) | Each New Issue Plan constitutes an employees share scheme within the meaning of section 743 of the Companies Act 1985; | |||
(d) | At the time Shares (as hereinafter defined) are issued under a New Issue Plan or a Retirement Plan, such issue is a valid, proper and lawful means of satisfying options, awards or other benefits under the terms of that New Issue Plan or Retirement Plan (as applicable); | |||
(e) | Any Shares issued under a Retirement Plan are issued for cash and for a subscription price not less than the aggregate nominal value of those Shares; | |||
(f) | The Amendments referred to in paragraphs 3(h) and 3(i) above were duly executed and delivered and have not been amended in any way since the date of their signature and delivery; |
(g) | The board resolutions referred to in paragraphs 3(d), 3(e), 3(f) and 3(g) above have not been amended, modified, revoked or superseded and are in full force and effect; | |||
(h) | The Rules have been validly adopted by the Company or a subsidiary of the Company (as applicable); and | |||
(i) | The opinion expressed below would not be affected by the laws (including public policy) of any jurisdiction outside England. |
Opinion in relation to the New Issue Plans
6. | Based on and subject to the foregoing, and subject to any matters not disclosed to us and to the reservations mentioned below, we are of the opinion that any Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares (the Shares) in the capital of the Company which are issued in accordance with the Rules of a New Issue Plan, pursuant to the valid exercise of any option or the vesting of any award, will, when issued, be duly issued and fully paid and no further contribution in respect thereof will be required to be made to the Company by the holders thereof, by reason solely of their being such holders provided that: |
(a) | such Shares are validly allotted by the directors of the Company (or a duly authorised committee thereof); | |||
(b) | (where relevant) the option exercise or subscription price is paid in full; and | |||
(c) | the name of the relevant allottee and Shares allotted are entered in the register of members of the Company. |
Opinion in relation to the Retirement Plans
7. | Based on and subject to the foregoing, and subject to any matters not disclosed to us and to the reservations mentioned below, we are of the opinion that any Shares which are issued in accordance with the Rules of a Retirement Plan, will, when issued, be duly issued and fully paid and no further contribution in respect thereof will be required to be made to the Company by the holders thereof, by reason solely of their being such holders provided that: |
(a) | such Shares are validly allotted by the directors of the Company (or a duly authorised committee thereof); | |||
(b) | the subscription price is paid in full in cash; and |
(c) | the name of the relevant allottee and Shares allotted are entered in the register of members of the Company. |
Reservations
8. | Our reservations are as follows: |
(a) | we express no opinion as to any law other than English law. In particular, we express no opinion on European Community law as it may affect any jurisdiction other than England and Wales; | |||
(b) | the obligations of the Company will be subject to any laws from time to time having effect in relation to the Company concerning bankruptcy or liquidation or any other laws or other legal procedures affecting generally the enforcement of creditors rights; and | |||
(c) | we express no opinion as to whether specific performance or injunctive relief, being equitable remedies, would necessarily be available in respect of any obligations of the Company. |
9. | We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Form S-8 and to the references to this opinion therein. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules or regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder. This opinion is being provided to the Company in connection with the Form S-8 and may not be reproduced, quoted, summarised or relied upon by any other person or for any other purpose without our express written consent. |
Yours faithfully
/s/ Slaughter and May
SCHEDULE
Part A
1. | the Royal Dutch Stock Option Plan for Employees of Shell Solar Employment Services Inc.; | |||
2. | the Shell Oil Company Key Staff Royal Dutch Stock Option Plan; | |||
3. | the Shell Oil Company Senior Staff Royal Dutch Stock Option Plan; | |||
4. | the Royal Dutch Stock Option Plan for Employees of Shell Companies in the U.S.; | |||
5. | the Senior Executive Group Royal Dutch Stock Option Plan for Employees of Shell Companies in the U.S.; | |||
6. | the Royal Dutch Shell plc Long Term Incentive Plan (Performance Share Plan), Restricted Share Plan and Deferred Share Plan; | |||
7. | the Shell Petroleum N.V. Stock Option Plan (1967); | |||
8. | the Shell Petroleum Company Limited Stock Option Plan (1967); | |||
9. | the Shell Petroleum N.V. Stock Option Plan for Employees; | |||
10. | the Shell Petroleum Company Limited Stock Option Plan for Employees. |
Part B
11. | the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund; | |||
12. | the Shell Provident Fund; |
Part C
13. | the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan (US); | |||
14. | the Global Employee Share Purchase Plan (US Solar); |
Exhibit 5.2
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE | DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY |
P.O. BOX 2508 CINCINNATI, OH 45201 Date: April 7, 2003 SHELL OIL COMPANY C/O JOSE VALCARCE SHELL OIL COMPANY 910 LOUISIANA RM 4378 HOUSTON, TX 77002-0000 |
Employer Identification Number: 13-1299890 DLN: 17007060217042 Person to Contact: JOHN E. HARRIS ID# 52048 Contact Telephone Number: (877) 829-5500 Plan Name: SHELL PAY DEFERRAL INVESTMENT FUND Plan Number: 006 |
Dear Applicant:
We have made a favorable determination on the plan identified above based on the information you have supplied. Please keep this letter, the application forms submitted to request this letter and all correspondence with the Internal Revenue Service regarding your application for a determination letter in your permanent records. You must retain this information to preserve your reliance on this letter.
Continued qualification of the plan under its present form will depend on its effect in operation. See section 1.401-1(b)(3) of the Income Tax Regulations. We will review the status of the plan in operation periodically.
The enclosed Publication 794 explains the significance and the scope of this favorable determination letter based on the determination requests selected on your application forms. Publication 794 describes the information that must be retained to have reliance on this favorable determination letter. The publication also provide examples of the effect of a plans operation on its qualified status and discusses the reporting requirements for qualified plans. Please read Publication 794.
This letter relates only to the status of your plan under the Internal Revenue Code. It is not a determination regarding the effect of other federal or local statutes.
This determination is subject to your adoption of the proposed amendments submitted in your letter dated March 26, 2003. The proposed amendments should be adopted on or before the date prescribed by the regulations under Code section 401(b).
This letter considers the changes in qualification requirements made by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Pub. L. 103-465, the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-188, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-353, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105-34, the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105-206, and the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, Pub. L. 106-554.
SHELL OIL COMPANY
This letter may not be relied on with respect to whether the plan satisfies the requirements of section 401(a) of the Code, as amended by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-16.
The requirement for employee benefits plans to file summary plan descriptions (SPD) with the U.S. Department of Labor was eliminated effective August 5, 1997. For more details, call 1-800-998-7542 for a free copy of the SPD card.
The information on the enclosed addendum is an integral part of this determination. Please be sure to read and keep it with this letter.
We have sent a copy of this letter to your representative as indicated in the power of attorney.
If you have questions concerning this matter, please contact the person whose name and telephone number are shown above.
Sincerely yours, |
||||
/s/ Paul T. Shultz | ||||
Paul T. Shultz | ||||
Director, Employee Plans Rulings & Agreements |
Enclosures:
Publication 794
Addendum
SHELL OIL COMPANY
This determination is conditioned upon your adoption of the proposed restated plan as submitted with your or your representatives letter dated February 26, 2002. The proposed plan should be adopted on or before the date prescribed by the regulations under Code section 401(b).
This determination letter acknowledges receipt of your amendment(s) intended to satisfy the requirements of section 401(a) of the Code, as amended by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-16.
This determination also applies to the amendments adopted on January 25, 1999; October 20, 2000; April 6, 2001; December 19, 2001; December 20, 2001 and January 28, 2002.
Exhibit 5.3
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE | DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY |
P.O. BOX 2508 CINCINNATI, OH 45201 Date: April 7, 2003 SHELL OIL COMPANY C/O JOSE VALCARCE SHELL OIL COMPANY 910 LOUISIANA RM 4378 HOUSTON, TX 77002-0000 |
Employer Identification Number: 13-1299890 DLN: 17007060217022 Person to Contact: JOHN E. HARRIS ID# 52048 Contact Telephone Number: (877) 829-5500 Plan Name: SHELL PROVIDENT FUND Plan Number: 002 |
Dear Applicant:
We have made a favorable determination on the plan identified above based on the information you have supplied. Please keep this letter, the application forms submitted to request this letter and all correspondence with the Internal Revenue Service regarding your application for a determination letter in your permanent records. You must retain this information to preserve your reliance on this letter.
Continued qualification of the plan under its present form will depend on its effect in operation. See section 1.401-1(b)(3) of the Income Tax Regulations. We will review the status of the plan in operation periodically.
The enclosed Publication 794 explains the significance and the scope of this favorable determination letter based on the determination requests selected on your application forms. Publication 794 describes the information that must be retained to have reliance on this favorable determination letter. The publication also provide examples of the effect of a plans operation on its qualified status and discusses the reporting requirements for qualified plans. Please read Publication 794.
This letter relates only to the status of your plan under the Internal Revenue Code. It is not a determination regarding the effect of other federal or local statutes.
This determination is subject to your adoption of the proposed amendments submitted in your letter dated March 26, 2003. The proposed amendments should be adopted on or before the date prescribed by the regulations under Code section 401(b).
This letter considers the changes in qualification requirements made by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Pub. L. 103-465, the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, Pub. L. 104-188, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103-353, the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, Pub. L. 105-34, the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998, Pub. L. 105-206, and the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, Pub. L. 106-554.
SHELL OIL COMPANY
This letter may not be relied on with respect to whether the plan satisfies the requirements of section 401(a) of the Code, as amended by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-16.
The requirement for employee benefits plans to file summary plan descriptions (SPD) with the U.S. Department of Labor was eliminated effective August 5, 1997. For more details, call 1-800-998-7542 for a free copy of the SPD card.
The information on the enclosed addendum is an integral part of this determination. Please be sure to read and keep it with this letter.
We have sent a copy of this letter to your representative as indicated in the power of attorney.
If you have questions concerning this matter, please contact the person whose name and telephone number are shown above.
Sincerely yours, |
||||
/s/ Paul T. Shultz | ||||
Paul T. Shultz | ||||
Director, Employee Plans Rulings & Agreements |
Enclosures:
Publication 794
Addendum
SHELL OIL COMPANY
This determination is conditioned upon your adoption of the proposed restated plan as submitted with your or your representatives letter dated February 26, 2002. The proposed plan should be adopted on or before the date prescribed by the regulations under Code section 401(b).
This determination letter acknowledges receipt of your amendment(s) intended for satisfy the requirements of section 401(a) of the Code, as amended by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, Pub. L. 107-16.
This determination also applies to the amendments adopted on January 25, 1999; October 26, 1999; April 06, 2001; October 15, 2001; November 14, 2001; December 03, 2001; December 20, 2001 and January 28, 2002.
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Royal Dutch Shell plc of the report dated March 29, 2005, except for Note 1 which is as of July 20, 2005, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Royal Dutch Shell plc, which appears in a Report on Form 6-K of Royal Dutch Shell plc dated July 20, 2005.
/s/ KPMG Accountants N.V.
The Hague The Netherlands
July 20, 2005
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
London United Kingdom
July 20, 2005
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Royal Dutch Shell plc of the reports dated June 23, 2005 relating to the financial statements of each of the Shell Pay Deferral Investment Fund and the Shell Provident Fund, which appear in the Form 11-K for each such Fund for the year ended December 31, 2004.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Houston, Texas USA
July 20, 2005