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Finance & AccountingEquity & Stock Options

Phantom Stock Plan

This Phantom Stock Plan template outlines a deferred compensation scheme where employees receive bonuses tied to the company's stock value without owning actual shares. It is used to incentivize key employees and align their interests with the company's performance.

Updated 15d ago
phantom stockemployee incentivecompensation planequitydeferred compensationemployee benefitsSMESouthern Africa

Company Letterhead

{{company_name}}

{{company_address}}

Phone: {{phone}}

Email: {{email}}

Website: {{website}}

Phantom Stock Plan Agreement

This Phantom Stock Plan Agreement (the 'Agreement') is made and entered into effective as of {{effective_date}} (the 'Effective Date'), by and between {{company_name}} (the 'Company'), a company incorporated under the laws of {{jurisdiction}}, and {{employee_name}} (the 'Participant'), residing at {{employee_address}}.

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Plan is to provide an incentive for selected employees of the Company to increase their efforts for the financial success of the Company by providing them with a financial stake in the Company’s growth and success without granting actual ownership of shares.

The Company believes that this Plan will help to align the interests of the Participants with those of the shareholders and will serve as a valuable tool for retaining and attracting key personnel.

2. Definitions

2.1. 'Phantom Stock Unit' or 'PSU' means a notional unit that tracks the value of one (1) ordinary share of the Company.

2.2. 'Fair Market Value' means the value of an ordinary share of the Company as determined by the Board of Directors, or an independent valuation firm appointed by the Board, at the relevant valuation date, considering all relevant factors.

2.3. 'Vesting Schedule' means the timeline specified in Schedule A for a Participant’s PSUs to become exercisable or payable.

2.4. 'Change of Control' means (i) a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity, (ii) the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, or (iii) the acquisition by any person or group of persons of beneficial ownership of more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding voting shares of the Company.

3. Grant of Phantom Stock Units

3.1. The Company hereby grants to the Participant {{number_of_psus}} Phantom Stock Units (PSUs), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

3.2. The grant date for these PSUs is {{grant_date}}.

3.3. The initial value of each PSU at the grant date is {{initial_psu_value}}.

4. Vesting

4.1. The PSUs granted hereunder shall vest in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in Schedule A, attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

4.2. Upon termination of the Participant's employment with the Company for any reason prior to full vesting, any unvested PSUs shall be immediately forfeited without compensation, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors or as specified in a separate employment agreement.

4.3. In the event of a Change of Control, all unvested PSUs shall immediately vest in full, unless otherwise provided in an amendment or a separate agreement.

5. Payment of Vested PSUs

5.1. Upon vesting, the Participant shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of the vested PSUs, less any applicable withholdings and deductions.

5.2. Payment shall be made within {{payment_days}} days of the vesting date or other specified payment event (e.g., Change of Control, termination of employment after vesting).

5.3. The Company shall have the right to withhold from any payment made hereunder any federal, provincial, local, or foreign income, employment, social insurance, or other taxes or social security contributions required to be withheld by law.

6. Rights as a Shareholder

6.1. The Participant shall not have any rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to the PSUs, including, but not limited to, voting rights, dividend rights, or any other rights of ownership of actual shares.

6.2. The PSUs represent an unfunded and unsecured promise by the Company to pay compensation and are not actual shares of the Company.

7. Non-Transferability

The PSUs and any rights and interests relating to them may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, or encumbered by the Participant, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

8. Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of {{jurisdiction}}.

9. Entire Agreement

This Agreement, together with Schedule A, constitutes the entire agreement between the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, and arrangements, whether oral or written, between them.

Signatures

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date first written above.

_____________________________

{{company_name}}

By: {{authorized_signatory_company}}

Title: {{signatory_title_company}}

Date: {{signature_date_company}}

_____________________________

{{employee_name}}

Date: {{signature_date_employee}}

**Schedule A: Vesting Schedule**

{{vesting_schedule_details}}

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