October 26, 2007

Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Update

SECTION 409A AMENDMENT AND TRANSITION DATES EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 31, 2008

The Internal Revenue Service had previously extended to December 31, 2008 the date for nonqualified deferred compensation plans and arrangements to be amended to comply with most of the provisions of Section 409A and guidance thereunder, although requirements dealing with form and time of payment still had to be contained in documents by December 31, 2007.

The Internal Revenue Service has now issued a new notice extending until December 31, 2008 the deadline for amending plans to comply with all aspects of Section 409A. The new notice also extends transition rules until December 31, 2008 with respect to the following issues:

1. Changes to the time and form of payment of deferred amounts,
2. Payment elections under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that are linked to elections under a qualified plan,
3. The substitution of non-discounted stock options and stock appreciation rights for discounted stock options and stock appreciation rights, and
4. The time to amend a plan to comply with certain deferral elections made on or before March 15, 2005 under a previous Internal Revenue Service transition rule.

Please contact us to discuss the impact of this new notice on the applicable plans and arrangements your company maintains.

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Schiff Hardin Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group
Lauralyn G. Bengel
312.258.5670
Edward Spacapan Jr.
312.258.5788
Glenn D. Gunnels
404.437.7012
Robert E. Lesser
404.437.7051
David H. Williams
404.437.7010
Neal A. Mancoff
312.258.5699
 
 

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© 2007 Schiff Hardin LLP

This publication is for the general information of clients and friends of our firm. It does not provide legal advice for any specific matter. Readers should consult a lawyer directly for such advice. This publication, or parts of it, may be considered advertising material under professional conduct rules applicable to lawyers.

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