UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14C
INFORMATION
Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
|
|
|
Check the appropriate box: |
|
|
¨ |
|
Preliminary Information Statement |
|
|
¨ |
|
Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2)) |
|
|
x |
|
Definitive Information Statement |
Union Electric Company
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
|
|
|
|
|
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): |
|
|
x |
|
No fee required |
|
|
¨ |
|
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5) |
|
Total fee paid: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
¨ |
|
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
|
¨ |
|
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amount Previously Paid:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3) |
|
Filing Party:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(4) |
|
Date Filed:
|
|
|
|
|
|
UNION ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To the Shareholders of
UNION ELECTRIC COMPANY
The Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of Union Electric Company (the Company) will be held at the Saint Louis Art Museum, Forest Park, One Fine Arts Drive, St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday, April 23, 2015, at 10:30 A.M. CDT, for the purposes
of:
|
(1) |
electing five directors for terms ending at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2016; and |
|
(2) |
acting on other proper business presented to the meeting. |
The Board of Directors of the Company presently knows of no other business to come before the meeting.
If you owned shares of the Companys capital stock at the close of business on February 25, 2015, you are entitled to vote at the meeting and at any adjournment thereof. Persons will be admitted
to the meeting upon verification of their shareholdings in the Company. If your shares are held in the name of your broker, bank or other nominee, you must bring an account statement or letter from the nominee indicating that you were the beneficial
owner of the shares on February 25, 2015, the record date for voting. Please note that cameras and other recording devices will not be allowed in the meeting.
THERE WILL BE NO SOLICITATION OF PROXIES BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY.
By
order of the Board of Directors.
|
|
|
By: |
|
/s/ Gregory L. Nelson |
|
|
GREGORY L. NELSON |
|
|
Secretary |
St. Louis, Missouri
March 12, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
INFORMATION STATEMENT OF UNION
ELECTRIC COMPANY
(First sent or given to shareholders on or about March 12, 2015)
Principal Executive Offices:
One Ameren
Plaza
1901 Chouteau Avenue
St.
Louis, MO 63103
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Statements in this information statement not based on historical facts are considered forward-looking and, accordingly,
involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. Although such forward-looking statements have been made in good faith and are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that the
expected results will be achieved. These statements include (without limitation) statements as to future expectations, beliefs, plans, strategies, objectives, events, conditions, and financial performance. In connection with the safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are providing this cautionary statement to disclose that there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated.
Reference is made to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the 2014 Form 10-K) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) for a list of such factors.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
Q. |
When and where will the annual meeting be held? |
A. |
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri (the Company, Ameren Missouri,
we, us and our), will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2015 (the Annual Meeting), and at any adjournment thereof. Our Annual Meeting will be held at the Saint Louis Art Museum, Forest Park, One Fine
Arts Drive, St. Louis, Missouri, at 10:30 A.M. CDT. |
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED
NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.
Q. |
What is our relationship with Ameren Corporation? |
A. |
The Company; Ameren Illinois Company, doing business as Ameren Illinois (Ameren Illinois); and Ameren Services Company (Ameren Services)
are the principal direct or indirect subsidiaries of Ameren Corporation (Ameren), a holding company. |
Ameren has common equity securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and holds either directly or indirectly
more than 50 percent of the voting power of each of Ameren Missouri, Ameren Illinois and Ameren Services. Ameren Missouri has no securities listed on the NYSE and is therefore exempt from all of the corporate governance rules of the NYSE
(Section 303A of the NYSEs Listed Company Manual).
Ameren Missouris Annual Meeting will be held in
conjunction with the Ameren and Ameren Illinois annual meetings.
1
Q. |
When and to whom will our Form 10-K be sent? |
A. |
Our 2014 Form 10-K is being sent, along with the Notice of Annual Meeting and this information statement, to all of our shareholders of record at the close of
business on February 25, 2015, which is the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting. Note that the 2014 Form 10-K is a combined report for Ameren, Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois, which
comprise all Ameren companies reporting under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). |
Q. |
Who is entitled to vote? |
A. |
Only shareholders of record of our common stock, $5 par value (Common Stock), and our preferred stock, without par value (Preferred
Stock) at the close of business on the record date, February 25, 2015, are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Our classes of outstanding voting securities on such date consisted of 102,123,834 shares of Common Stock, all of
which were owned by Ameren, and 807,595 shares of Preferred Stock of various series. |
Q. |
What will I be voting on? |
A. |
Five directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors have been
duly elected and qualified. |
Q. |
How many votes do I have? |
A. |
Our Common Stock and Preferred Stock vote together as a single class on the election of directors. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each share of our
stock held (whether Common Stock or Preferred Stock), on each matter submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting, except that in the election of directors, each shareholder is entitled to vote cumulatively and therefore, may cast votes equal to the
number of directors to be elected, multiplied by the number of shares held by that shareholder for only one nominee, or those votes may be distributed among any two or more nominees. |
Q. |
How many shares must be present to hold the Annual Meeting? |
A. |
As provided in our Bylaws, in order to conduct the meeting, holders of more than one-half of the outstanding shares entitled to vote must be present in person or
represented by proxy so that there is a quorum. |
In determining whether a quorum is present at the Annual
Meeting, shares represented by a proxy which directs that the shares abstain from voting or that a vote be withheld on a matter, shall be deemed to be represented at the meeting for quorum purposes. Shares as to which voting instructions are given
as to at least one of the matters to be voted on shall also be deemed to be so represented. If the proxy states how shares will be voted in the absence of instructions by the shareholder, such shares shall be deemed to be represented at the meeting.
Q. |
What are the vote requirements for each matter? |
A. |
For the election of directors, the five nominees receiving the highest number of votes of the shares entitled to vote and represented in person
or by proxy at the meeting at which a quorum is present shall be elected as directors. For all other matters, if any are properly presented at the meeting, the decision of a majority of the shares entitled to
|
2
|
vote on the subject matter and represented in person or by proxy at the meeting at which a quorum is present shall be valid as an act of the shareholders, unless a larger vote is required by law,
the Companys Bylaws or the Companys Articles of Incorporation. In tabulating the number of votes on such matters (i) shares represented by a proxy which directs that the shares abstain from voting or that a vote be withheld on a
matter shall be deemed to be represented at the meeting as to such matter, (ii) except as provided in (iii) below, shares represented by a proxy as to which voting instructions are not given as to one or more matters to be voted on shall
not be deemed to be represented at the meeting for the purpose of the vote as to such matter or matters, and (iii) a proxy which states how shares will be voted in the absence of instructions by the shareholder as to any matter shall be deemed
to give voting instructions as to such matter. Shareholder votes are certified by independent inspectors of election. |
A. |
We have been informed that Ameren intends to cast the votes of all of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock for the election of the nominees for directors
named in Item (1). Accordingly, this matter is expected to be approved. Therefore, the Board of Directors considered it unnecessary to solicit proxies for the Annual Meeting. However, if you wish to vote your shares of Preferred Stock, you may
do so by attending the Annual Meeting in person and casting your vote by a ballot which will be provided for that purpose. |
Q. |
How can I access this Information Statement and the 2014 Form 10-K online? |
A. |
This information statement and the 2014 Form 10-K, including financial statements, are available to you at
http://www.ameren.com/AmerenMissouriInfoStatement. |
Q. |
How can I obtain this Information Statement if a street name holder households the Companys Information Statements for me?
|
A. |
The Company has been notified that certain banks, brokers and other nominees may household the Companys information statements for shareholders who hold
Company shares with the bank, broker or other nominee in street name and have consented to householding. In this case, you may request individual copies of the information statement by contacting your bank, broker or other nominee.
|
Q. |
How do I review the list of shareholders? |
A. |
The names of shareholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available at the Annual Meeting and, for 10 days prior to the Annual
Meeting, at the Office of the Secretary of the Company. |
Q. |
Can I listen to the Annual Meeting online? |
A. |
The Annual Meeting will be webcast live on April 23, 2015. You are invited to visit http://www.ameren.com at 10:30 A.M. CDT on April 23, 2015, to hear
the webcast of the Annual Meeting. On the home page, you will click on Live Webcast Annual Meeting April 23, 2015, 10:30 A.M. CDT, then the appropriate audio link. The webcast will remain on Amerens website for one year. You
cannot record your vote on this webcast. |
3
Q. |
How do I contact the Company about Annual Meeting matters? |
- by mail addressed to
Office of the Secretary
Union Electric Company
P.O. Box 66149, Mail Code 1370
St. Louis, MO 63166-6149
- by calling toll free 1-800-255-2237 (or in the St. Louis area 314-554-3502).
ITEMS YOU MAY VOTE ON
ITEM (1): ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Five directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified. In the event that
any nominee for election as director should become unavailable to serve, votes will be cast for such substitute nominee or nominees as may be nominated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of Amerens Board of Directors and
approved by the Board of Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, as described below, performs its committee functions for our Board. The Board of Directors knows of no reason why any nominee will not be able to serve as
director. The five nominees for director who receive the most votes will be elected.
Our Board of Directors is currently
comprised of five directors (Daniel F. Cole, Fadi M. Diya, Martin J. Lyons, Jr., Michael L. Moehn and Gregory L. Nelson), each of whom is an executive officer of the Company or its affiliates. As discussed below, the Audit and Risk
Committee, as well as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Human Resources Committee, Nuclear Oversight and Environmental Committee and Finance Committee of Amerens Board of Directors, perform committee functions for our Board.
On March 31, 2014, Warner L. Baxter resigned from his position as Chairman and member of the Board, and President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company in connection with his appointment as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ameren.
INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The nominees for our Board of Directors are listed below, along with their age as of December 31, 2014, tenure as director, other
directorships held by such nominee during the last five years and business background for at least the last five years. Each nominees biography below also includes a description of the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills
of each director or nominee that led Amerens Board to conclude that such person should serve as a director of the Company. The fact that we do not list a particular experience, qualification, attribute or skill for a director nominee does not
mean that nominee does not possess that particular experience, qualification, attribute or skill. In addition to those specific experiences, qualifications, attributes or skills detailed below, each director or nominee has demonstrated the highest
professional and personal ethics, a broad experience in business, government, education or technology, the ability to provide insights and practical wisdom based on their experience and expertise, a commitment to enhancing shareholder value,
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and the ability to develop a good
4
working relationship with other Board members and contribute to the Boards working relationship with senior management of the Company. In assessing the composition of the Board of
Directors, Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends Board nominees so that collectively, the Board is balanced by having the necessary experience, qualifications, attributes and skills and that no nominee is recommended
because of one particular criterion. See CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Consideration of Director Nominees below for additional information regarding director nominees and the nominating process.
Each nominee has consented to being nominated for director and has agreed to serve if elected. No arrangement or
understanding exists between any nominee and the Company or, to the Companys knowledge, any other person or persons pursuant to which any nominee was or is to be selected as a director or nominee. There are no family relationships between any
director, executive officer, or person nominated or chosen by us to become a director or executive officer. All of the nominees for election to the Board were unanimously recommended by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of
Amerens Board of Directors and were unanimously nominated by our Board of Directors. We have been informed that Ameren intends to cast the votes of all of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock for the election of the nominees named below.
5
MICHAEL L. MOEHN
CHAIRMAN AND
PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY
Director since: 2012
Age: 45
EXECUTIVE
EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Moehn joined Ameren Services in 2000 as an Assistant Controller. Mr. Moehn was named Director of
Ameren Services corporate modeling and transaction support in 2001 and elected Vice President of Business Services for Ameren Energy Resources Company, LLC (Resources Company) in 2002. In 2004, Mr. Moehn was elected Vice
President of Corporate Planning of Ameren Services and relinquished his position at Resources Company. In 2008, Mr. Moehn was elected Senior Vice President, Corporate Planning and Business Risk Management of Ameren Services. On January 1,
2012, Mr. Moehn assumed the position of Senior Vice President of Customer Operations of Ameren Illinois and relinquished his position at Ameren Services. Mr. Moehn was elected Chairman and President of the Company on April 1, 2014.
Mr. Moehn was elected to Ameren Illinois Board of Directors in April 2012. In 2012, Mr. Moehn was elected to the Board of Directors and as Senior Vice President of Customer Operations of the Company, with responsibility for electric
and gas operations, technical services and customer operations in Missouri, and relinquished his directorship and position at Ameren Illinois.
Mr. Moehn served as the director of Ameren Illinois from April 2012 to June 2012.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Based primarily
upon Mr. Moehns significant executive management experience, strong strategic planning, operations and administrative skills and experience, and tenure with the Company (and its affiliates), Amerens Board concluded that
Mr. Moehn should serve as a director of the Company.
DANIEL F. COLE
CHAIRMAN AND
PRESIDENT OF AMEREN SERVICES AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY
AND AMEREN ILLINOIS
Director since: 2005
Age: 61
EXECUTIVE
EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Cole joined the Company in 1976 as an engineer. He was elected Senior Vice President of the Company
and Ameren Services in 1999, at Central Illinois Public Service Company (CIPS) in 2001, at Central Illinois Light Company (CILCO) and CILCORP Inc. (CILCORP) in 2003 and at Illinois Power Company (IP)
in 2004. In 2009, Mr. Cole assumed the positions of Chairman and President of Ameren Services and remained Senior Vice President of the Company, CIPS, CILCO, CILCORP and IP. Mr. Coles directorships and tenure as Senior Vice President
of CILCORP (following the merger of CILCORP into Ameren) and of CILCO and IP (following the merger of those entities with and into CIPS) each ended in 2010. Mr. Cole continued as a director and the Senior Vice President of Ameren Illinois
following the consummation of the CIPS, CILCO and IP merger in 2010.
Mr. Cole serves or served as the director of the following Ameren
entities (current and former):
|
|
|
CILCO, 2003 2010 |
|
CILCORP Inc., 2003 2010 |
IP, 2004 2010 |
|
AEG, 2000 2013 |
Ameren Illinois, 2003 present |
|
Ameren Services, 2003 present |
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Based primarily upon Mr. Coles significant executive management and directorship experience, strong strategic planning, engineering and
administrative skills and experience, and extensive tenure with the Company (and its current and former affiliates), Amerens Board concluded that Mr. Cole should serve as a director of the Company.
6
FADI M. DIYA
SENIOR VICE
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF NUCLEAR OFFICER OF THE COMPANY
Director since: 2015
Age: 52
EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Diya joined the Company in 2005 as superintendent of Design Engineering at Callaway Energy Center in Fulton, Mo., and was later promoted to plant director. In 2008, he was elected Vice President
of Nuclear Operations. In 2014, Mr. Diya was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Diya held the position of Manager of Engineering at the Harris Nuclear Plant for
Progress Energy.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Based primarily upon Mr. Diyas extensive executive management, generation and engineering experience, significant strategic planning and
administrative skills and experience, and extensive tenure with the Company, Amerens Board concluded that Mr. Diya should serve as a director of the Company.
MARTIN J. LYONS, JR.
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICER OF THE COMPANY, AMEREN, AMEREN ILLINOIS AND AMEREN SERVICES
Director since: 2009
Age: 48
EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Lyons joined the Company, CIPS, Ameren, and Ameren Services in 2001 as Controller. He was elected Controller of CILCORP and CILCO in 2003. Mr. Lyons was also elected Vice President of the
Company, CIPS, Ameren, CILCORP, CILCO and Ameren Services in 2003 and Vice President and Controller of IP in 2004. In 2007, his positions at the Company were changed to Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer. In 2008, Mr. Lyons was
elected Senior Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer of Ameren and its subsidiaries. In 2009, Mr. Lyons assumed the positions of Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, while remaining as the Principal Accounting Officer,
of the Company, CIPS, Ameren, CILCORP, CILCO, IP and Ameren Services. Mr. Lyons directorships and tenure as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of CILCORP (following the merger of CILCORP into Ameren) and of CILCO and IP
(following the merger of those entities with and into CIPS) each ended in 2010. Mr. Lyons continued as a director and the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ameren Illinois following the consummation of the CIPS, CILCO and IP
merger in 2010. In 2013, Mr. Lyons was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Ameren, Ameren Illinois and Ameren Services.
Mr. Lyons serves or served as the director of the following Ameren entities (current and former):
|
|
|
CILCO, 2009 2010 |
|
CILCORP Inc., 2009 2010 |
IP, 2009 2010 |
|
AEG, 2009 present |
Ameren Illinois, 2009 present |
|
Ameren Services, 2010 present |
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Based primarily upon Mr. Lyons executive management experience, strong accounting, financial and administrative skills and experience, and
tenure with the Company (and its current and former affiliates), Amerens Board concluded that Mr. Lyons should serve as a director of the Company.
7
GREGORY L. NELSON
SENIOR VICE
PRESIDENT, GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY, AMEREN, AMEREN ILLINOIS
AND AMEREN SERVICES
Director since: 2011
Age: 57
EXECUTIVE
EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Nelson joined the Company in 1995 as a manager in the Tax Department and assumed a similar position
with Ameren Services in 1998. Mr. Nelson was elected Vice President and Tax Counsel of Ameren Services in 1999, and Vice President of the Company, Ameren Illinois, CIPS, CILCO and CILCORP in 2003, and of IP in 2004. In 2010, Mr. Nelson was
elected Vice President, Tax and Deputy General Counsel of Ameren Services, while remaining Vice President of the Company, Ameren Illinois, CIPS, CILCO, IP and CILCORP. Mr. Nelson relinquished his position with each of CILCORP (following the
merger of CILCORP into Ameren) and with CILCO and IP (following the merger of those entities with and into CIPS) in 2010. In 2011, Mr. Nelson assumed the positions of Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, Ameren,
Ameren Illinois and Ameren Services, while relinquishing his positions of Vice President, Tax and Deputy General Counsel of Ameren Services and Vice President of the Company and Ameren Illinois.
Mr. Nelson serves or served as the director of the following Ameren entities (current and former):
|
|
|
AEG, 2011 2013 |
|
Ameren Illinois, 2011 present |
Ameren Services, 2011 present |
|
|
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Based primarily upon Mr. Nelsons significant management experience, extensive legal, tax, regulatory and administrative skills and experience,
and tenure with the Company (and its current and former affiliates), Amerens Board concluded that Mr. Nelson should serve as a director of the Company.
YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THESE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.
8
BOARD STRUCTURE
Board and Committee Meetings and Annual Meeting Attendance
During 2014, the Board of Directors met four times. All then-incumbent directors, except for Mr. Lyons, attended or participated in 75 percent or more of the aggregate number of meetings of the
Board and the Board Committees of which they were members.
The Company has adopted a policy under which Board members are
expected to attend each shareholders meeting. At the 2014 Annual Meeting, all of the directors nominated for election in 2014 who were then-incumbent directors were in attendance.
Board Leadership Structure
The Companys Bylaws delegate to
the Companys Board of Directors the right to exercise its discretion to either separate or combine the offices of Chairman of the Board and President. The Board annually considers the appropriate leadership structure for the Company and has
concluded that the Company and its shareholders are best served by the Board retaining discretion to determine whether the same individual should serve as both Chairman of the Board and President. This decision is based upon the Boards
determination of what is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, in light of then-current and anticipated future circumstances and taking into consideration succession planning, skills and experience of the individual(s) filling
those positions, and other relevant factors.
The Board has determined that the Board leadership structure that is most
appropriate at this time, given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Company and the skills and experience of Mr. Moehn, is a leadership structure that combines the roles of Chairman of the Board and President with
Mr. Moehn filling those roles for the following primary reasons:
|
|
|
such a Board leadership structure has served the Company and its shareholders well and the Board believes this structure will continue to serve us well
again, based primarily on Mr. Moehns background, skills and experience, as detailed in his biography above; |
|
|
|
since Ameren owns all of the Companys Common Stock, the Company receives significant independent oversight by Amerens Board of Directors
(for example, only independent directors serve on all standing Board committees, including the Audit and Risk Committee, the Human Resources Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of Amerens Board (see
Board Committees below); Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee recommends to Amerens Board, and Amerens Board subsequently nominates, director candidates for the Companys Board; and any
Company director, as a result of Amerens ownership of all the Companys Common Stock, may be removed by Amerens Board at any time, with or without cause); |
|
|
|
the combined Chairman and President/CEO position continues to be the principal board leadership structure among public companies in the United States,
including Amerens peer companies; and |
|
|
|
there is no empirical evidence that separating the roles of Chairman and President/CEO improves return for shareholders. |
9
Based on oversight by Amerens Board, as described above, Amerens ownership of
all the Companys Common Stock and the economic rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock being senior in priority to the Common Stock, and the Companys current Board composition and leadership structure, the Board has not appointed a
lead independent director. The Board recognizes that depending on the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Company, other leadership structures might also be appropriate. The Company is committed to reviewing this determination on an
annual basis.
Risk Oversight Process
Given the importance of monitoring risks, Amerens Board has determined to utilize a committee specifically focused on oversight of the risk management of Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the
Company. Amerens Board has charged its Audit and Risk Committee with oversight responsibility of Amerens and its subsidiaries overall business risk management process, which includes the identification, assessment, mitigation and
monitoring of risks for Ameren and its subsidiaries. Amerens Audit and Risk Committee meets on a regular basis to review the business risk management processes, at which time applicable members of Amerens and the Companys senior
management provide reports to the Audit and Risk Committee. While Amerens Audit and Risk Committee retains this responsibility, it coordinates this oversight with other committees of Amerens Board having primary oversight responsibility
for specific risks (see Board Committees Ameren Committee and Function below). Each of Amerens standing Board committees, in turn, receives regular reports from members of Amerens and the Companys senior
management concerning its assessment of Ameren and Company risks within the purview of such committee. Each such committee also has the authority to engage independent advisers. The risks that are not specifically assigned to an Ameren Board
committee are considered by Amerens Audit and Risk Committee through its oversight of the business risk management process of Ameren and its subsidiaries. Amerens Audit and Risk Committee then discusses with members of Amerens and
the Companys senior management methods to mitigate such risks.
Notwithstanding Amerens Board of Directors
oversight delegation to Amerens Audit and Risk Committee, the entire Board is actively involved in risk oversight. Amerens Audit and Risk Committee annually reviews for Amerens Board which committees maintain oversight
responsibilities described above and the overall effectiveness of the business risk management process. In addition, at each of its meetings, Amerens Board receives a report from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee, as well as from the
Chair of each of the other standing committees of Amerens Board identified below, each of which is currently chaired by an independent director. Amerens Board then discusses and deliberates on the risk management practices of Ameren and
its subsidiaries. Through the process outlined above, Amerens Board believes that the leadership structure of Amerens Board supports effective oversight of the risk management of Ameren and its subsidiaries.
Consideration of Risks Associated with Compensation
In evaluating the material elements of compensation available to executives and other Company employees, Amerens Human Resources Committee takes into consideration whether the compensation policies
and practices of Ameren and certain of its subsidiaries, including the Company, may incentivize excessive risk behavior. Amerens Human Resources Committee, with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant, Meridian Compensation
Partners, LLC (Meridian), and Ameren management, reviews the compensation policies and practices each year for design features that have the potential to
10
encourage excessive risk taking. The program contains multiple design features that manage or mitigate these potential risks, including:
|
|
|
an appropriate balance of fixed and variable pay opportunities; |
|
|
|
caps on incentive plan payouts; |
|
|
|
the use of multiple performance measures in the compensation program; |
|
|
|
performance measured at the corporate level; |
|
|
|
a mix between short-term and long-term incentives, with an emphasis for executives on rewarding long-term performance; |
|
|
|
Ameren Human Resources Committee discretion regarding individual executive awards; |
|
|
|
oversight by non-participants in the plans; |
|
|
|
the code of conduct, internal controls and other measures implemented by Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company;
|
|
|
|
the existence of anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies for executives; |
|
|
|
the existence of a clawback provision in the 2014 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the 2014 Plan) and 2006 Omnibus Incentive
Compensation Plan (the 2006 Plan) that applies to annual and long-term incentive plan grants in certain circumstances; and |
|
|
|
stock ownership and holding requirements applicable to members of Amerens management team (including the Named Executive Officers as defined
below) who are subject to reporting under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (collectively the Section 16 Officers) and stock ownership guidelines applicable to all other members of Amerens management team.
|
Based upon the above considerations, Amerens Human Resources Committee determined that the
Companys compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.
BOARD COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors has a standing Executive Committee, with such duties as may be delegated to it from time to time by the Board and authority to act on most matters concerning management of the
Companys business during intervals between Board meetings. The Executive Committee did not meet or act by unanimous written consent without a meeting in 2014. The present members of this committee are Messrs. Moehn, Lyons and Nelson.
In addition, as described below, the Board of Directors utilizes the Audit and Risk Committee, Human Resources Committee,
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Nuclear Oversight and Environmental Committee and Finance Committee of Amerens Board of Directors to perform such committee functions for the Companys Board. The chairs and members of those
committees are recommended by Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, appointed annually by Amerens Board and are identified below. Amerens Audit and Risk Committee, Human Resources Committee, and Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee are comprised entirely of non-management directors, each of whom Amerens Board of Directors has determined to be independent as defined by the relevant provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
the NYSE listing standards and Amerens Policy Regarding Nominations of Directors (the
11
Director Nomination Policy). In addition, Amerens Nuclear Oversight and Environmental Committee and Finance Committee are currently comprised entirely of non-management
directors, each of whom Amerens Board has also determined to be independent under the Director Nomination Policy. A more complete description of the duties of each standing Board committee is contained in each standing Board
committees charter available at http://www.ameren.com/Investors.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ameren Standing Board Committee and Function |
|
Chair and Members |
|
Meetings in 2014 |
|
Amerens Audit and Risk Committee |
|
Walter J. Galvin, Chair |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
|
Appoints and oversees the independent registered public
accountants; pre-approves all audit, audit-related services and non-audit engagements with independent registered public accountants.
Approves the annual internal audit plan, annual staffing plan and financial budget
of the internal auditors; reviews with management the design and effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting.
Reviews with management and independent registered public accountants the scope and
results of audits and financial statements, disclosures and earnings press releases.
Reviews the appointment, replacement, reassignment or dismissal of the leader of
internal audit or approves the retention of, and engagement terms for, any third-party provider of internal audit services; reviews the internal audit function.
Reviews with management the business risk management processes, which include the
identification, assessment, mitigation and monitoring of risks on an Ameren-wide basis.
Coordinates its oversight of business risk management with other Ameren Board
committees having primary oversight responsibilities for specific risks. Oversees an annual audit of Amerens political contributions; performs other actions as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the NYSE listing standards and its
Charter.
Establishes a system by which employees may communicate directly with members of
the Committee about accounting, internal controls and financial reporting deficiency.
Performs its committee functions for all Ameren subsidiaries, including the
Company, which are registered companies pursuant to the Exchange Act.
Each of Walter J. Galvin and Stephen R. Wilson qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as that term is defined by the
SEC. |
|
Catherine S. Brune Ellen M. Fitzsimmons
Stephen R. Wilson |
|
|
|
|
Amerens Human Resources Committee |
|
Patrick T. Stokes,
Chair |
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
Reviews and approves objectives relevant to the compensation of
the Chief Executive Officer of Ameren and Presidents of its subsidiaries, including the Company, as well as other executive officers.
Administers and approves awards under Amerens incentive compensation
plan. |
|
Richard J. Harshman James C. Johnson Steven H. Lipstein |
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ameren Standing Board Committee and Function |
|
Chair and Members |
|
Meetings in 2014 |
|
Administers and approves incentive compensation plans, executive
employment agreements, if any, severance agreements and change in control agreements.
Reviews with management, and prepares an annual report regarding, the Compensation
Discussion and Analysis section of Amerens Form 10-K and proxy statement and the Form 10-K and information statement of the Company and other Ameren subsidiaries which are registered companies pursuant to the Exchange Act.
Acts on
important policy matters affecting personnel; recommends to Amerens Board amendments to those pension plans sponsored by Ameren or one or more of its subsidiaries, including the Company, except as otherwise delegated.
Performs other
actions as required by the NYSE listing standards and its Charter, including the retention of outside compensation consultants and other outside advisors.
Performs its committee functions for all Ameren subsidiaries, including the
Company, which are registered companies pursuant to the Exchange Act. Reviews Amerens compensation policies and practices to determine whether they encourage excessive risk taking. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
|
Ellen M. Fitzsimmons,
Chair |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
Adopts policies and procedures for identifying and evaluating
director nominees; identifies and evaluates individuals qualified to become Board members and director candidates, including individuals recommended by shareholders.
Reviews the Boards policy for director compensation and benefits.
Establishes a
process by which shareholders and other interested persons will be able to communicate with members of the Board.
Develops and recommends to the Board corporate governance guidelines; oversees
Amerens code of business conduct (referred to as its Principles of Business Conduct), its Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers and its Policy and Procedures With Respect to Related Person Transactions (see
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE below), which are applicable to the Company as well as Ameren.
Assures that Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company, address relevant
public affairs issues from a perspective that emphasizes the interests of its key constituents (including, as appropriate, shareholders, employees, communities and customers); reviews and recommends to the Ameren Board shareholder proposals for
inclusion in proxy materials that relate to public affairs and/or corporate social responsibility issues.
Reviews semi-annually with management the performance for the immediately preceding
six months regarding constituent relationships (including, as appropriate, relationships with shareholders, employees, communities and customers). |
|
Gayle P. W. Jackson Patrick T. Stokes
Jack D. Woodard |
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ameren Standing Board Committee and Function |
|
Chair and Members |
|
Meetings in 2014 |
|
Performs other actions as required by the NYSE listing standards
and its Charter.
Performs its committee functions for all Ameren subsidiaries, including the
Company, which are registered companies pursuant to the Exchange Act. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amerens Nuclear Oversight and Environmental Committee |
|
Jack D. Woodard,
Chair |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
Provides Ameren Board-level oversight of Amerens nuclear
power facility as well as long-term plans and strategies of Amerens nuclear power program.
Assists Amerens and the Companys Boards in providing oversight of
Amerens and the Companys policies, practices and performance relating to environmental affairs of Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company. |
|
Catherine S. Brune J. Edward Coleman
Richard J. Harshman
Gayle P. W. Jackson James C.
Johnson |
|
|
|
|
Amerens Finance Committee |
|
Stephen R. Wilson,
Chair |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
Oversees overall
financial policies and objectives of Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company, including capital project review and approval of financing plans and transactions, investment policies and rating agency objectives.
Reviews and makes recommendations regarding Amerens dividend
policy. Reviews and recommends to Amerens Board the capital budget
of Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company; reviews, approves and monitors all capital projects with estimated capital expenditures of between $25 million and $50 million; recommends to Amerens Board and monitors all capital
projects with estimated capital costs in excess of $50 million. Reviews
and recommends to Amerens Board Amerens and its subsidiaries, including the Companys, debt and equity financing plans. Oversees the commodity risk assessment process, system of controls and compliance with established risk management policies and procedures for Ameren and its subsidiaries,
including the Company. |
|
Walter J. Galvin
Steven H. Lipstein |
|
|
|
|
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance Policies, Committee Charters and Codes of Conduct
Amerens Board of Directors has adopted a Director Nomination Policy, a Policy Regarding Communications to the Board of Directors, a
Policy and Procedures With Respect to Related Person Transactions, each applicable to Ameren and certain of its subsidiaries, including the Company, and written charters for its Audit and Risk Committee, Human Resources Committee, Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee, Nuclear Oversight and Environmental Committee and Finance Committee. Amerens Board of Directors also has adopted a code of business conduct (referred to as Amerens Principles of Business Conduct)
applicable to all of the directors, officers and employees of Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company, and a Code of Ethics for Principal Executive and Senior Financial Officers of all Ameren companies. These documents and other items
relating to the governance of the Company can be found in the Investors section of Amerens website at http://www.ameren.com/investors. These documents are also available
14
in print free of charge to any shareholder who requests them from the Office of the Companys Secretary.
Governance Practices of Amerens Standing Board Committees
Amerens standing Board committees focus on and have adopted many good corporate governance practices. This includes:
|
|
|
requiring several meetings to discuss important decisions; |
|
|
|
receiving meeting materials several days in advance of meetings; and |
|
|
|
conducting executive sessions with Committee members only. |
Human Resources Committee Governance Practices
The Human Resources
Committee obtains professional advice from an independent compensation consultant engaged directly by and who reports to the Committee. It is the Ameren Human Resources Committees view that its compensation consultant should be able to render
candid and expert advice independent of managements influence. In February 2014, Amerens Human Resources Committee approved the continued engagement of Meridian as its independent compensation consulting firm. In its decision to
retain Meridian as its independent compensation consultant, the Committee gave careful consideration to a broad range of attributes necessary to assist the needs of the Committee in setting compensation, including:
|
|
|
a track record in providing independent, objective advice; |
|
|
|
broad organizational knowledge; |
|
|
|
industry reputation and experience; |
|
|
|
in-depth knowledge of competitive pay levels and practices; and |
|
|
|
responsiveness and working relationship. |
Meridian representatives attended seven of the Ameren Human Resources Committee meetings during 2014. At the Human Resources Committees request, the consultant met separately with the Committee
members outside the presence of management at each meeting, and spoke separately with the Committee Chair and other Committee members between meetings, as necessary or desired.
During 2014, the Committee requested of Meridian the following items:
|
|
|
competitive market pay and market trend analyses, which assist the Committee in targeting executive compensation at the desired level versus market;
|
|
|
|
a review of the competitiveness of Amerens benefits programs that apply to executives; |
|
|
|
comparisons of short-term incentive payouts and financial performance to utility peers, which the Committee uses to evaluate prior-year short-term
incentive goals and set future short-term incentive goals; |
|
|
|
preparation of tally sheets, which the Committee uses to evaluate the cumulative impact of prior compensation decisions; |
|
|
|
review and advice on the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section included in Amerens proxy statement to ensure full and clear disclosure;
|
|
|
|
advice in connection with the Committees risk analysis of Amerens and its subsidiaries, including the Companys compensation
policies and practices, in furtherance of the Committees responsibilities pursuant to its charter; |
15
|
|
|
advice with respect to legal, regulatory and/or accounting considerations impacting Amerens compensation and benefit programs, to ensure the
Committee is aware of external views regarding the programs; |
|
|
|
advice in connection with preparation of the Ameren Corporation 2014 Plan, which was approved by Amerens shareholders at its 2014 annual meeting;
and |
|
|
|
other requests relating to executive compensation issues. |
Other than services provided to Amerens Human Resources Committee as set forth above and for Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee as described below, Meridian did not perform
any other services for Ameren or any of its subsidiaries, including the Company, in 2014.
Pursuant to its letter agreement
with the Committee, if Ameren or management of Ameren proposes that Meridian perform services for Ameren or management of Ameren other than in Meridians retained role as consultant to the Committee and Amerens Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee, any such proposal is required to be submitted to the Committee for approval before such services begin.
In December 2012, each of Amerens Human Resources Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee established
procedures for the purpose of determining whether the work of any compensation consultant raised any conflict of interest. Pursuant to such procedures, in December 2014 each such Committee considered various factors, including the six factors
mandated by SEC rules, and determined that with respect to executive compensation-related matters, no conflict of interest was raised by the work of Meridian.
Delegation of Authority
Amerens Human Resources Committee has
delegated authority to Amerens Administrative Committee, comprised of designated members of Amerens management, to approve changes, within specified parameters, to certain of Amerens and the Companys retirement plans. It has
also delegated authority to management to make pro rata equity grants in the first year of eligibility for receipt of Performance Share Unit Awards (PSUP Awards) to executives below a specified level who are newly promoted into a PSUP
Award eligible role or hired into a PSUP Award eligible role during the year.
Role of Executive Officers
The role of executive officers in compensation decisions for 2014 is described below under EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Role of Executive Officers. Mr. Moehn, as President of the Company, was not involved in determining his own compensation. See
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Timing of Compensation Decisions and Awards below.
Human Resources Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The current members of Amerens Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors, Messrs. Stokes, Harshman, Johnson and Lipstein,
were not at any time during 2014 or at any other time an officer or employee of Ameren or its subsidiaries, including the Company, and no member had any relationship with Ameren or its subsidiaries, including the Company, requiring disclosure under
applicable SEC rules.
16
No executive officer of Ameren or its subsidiaries, including the Company, has served on the
board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has or has had one or more executive officers who served as a member of the Board of Directors of Ameren or its subsidiaries, including the Company or the Human Resources
Committee during 2014.
Consideration of Director Nominees
Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director nominations from shareholders in accordance with
Amerens Director Nomination Policy, which can be found in the Investors section of Amerens website at http://www.ameren.com. Briefly, the Committee will consider as a candidate any director of the Company who has indicated to the
Committee that he or she is willing to stand for re-election as well as any other person who is recommended by shareholders of the Company who provide the required information and certifications within the time requirements, as set forth in the
Director Nomination Policy. The Committee may also undertake its own search process for candidates and may retain the services of professional search firms or other third parties to assist in identifying and evaluating potential nominees. The
Company does not normally pay any third-party search firm a fee to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential director nominees and did not do so with regard to the nominees recommended for election in this information
statement.
In considering a potential nominee for the Board, shareholders should note that in selecting candidates,
Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee endeavors to find individuals of high integrity who have a solid record of accomplishment in their chosen fields and who display the independence to effectively represent the best interests
of all shareholders. Candidates are selected for their ability to exercise good judgment, and to provide practical insights and diverse perspectives. Candidates also will be assessed in the context of the then-current composition of the Board, the
operating requirements of the Company and the long-term interests of all shareholders. In conducting this assessment, Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will, in connection with its assessment and recommendation of
candidates for director, consider diversity (including, but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity, age, experience and skills), director tenure, board refreshment and such other factors as it deems appropriate given the then-current and
anticipated future needs of the Board and the Company, and to maintain a balance of perspectives, qualifications, qualities and skills on the Board. Although the Committee may seek candidates that have different qualities and experiences at
different times in order to maximize the aggregate experience, qualities and strengths of the Board members, nominees for each election or appointment of directors will be evaluated using a substantially similar process and under no circumstances
will the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee evaluate nominees recommended by a shareholder of the Company pursuant to a process substantially different than that used for other nominees for the same election or appointment of directors.
Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the following qualifications at a minimum in
recommending to the Board potential new Board members, or the continued service of existing members:
|
|
|
the highest professional and personal ethics; |
|
|
|
broad experience in business, government, education or technology; |
|
|
|
ability to provide insights and practical wisdom based on their experience and expertise; |
17
|
|
|
commitment to enhancing shareholder value; |
|
|
|
sufficient time to effectively carry out their duties; their service on other boards of public companies should be limited to a reasonable number;
|
|
|
|
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and |
|
|
|
ability to develop a good working relationship with other Board members and contribute to the Boards working relationship with senior management
of the Company. |
Other than the foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees,
although Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also consider such other factors as it may deem are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. In addition, because the Company is committed to maintaining its
tradition of inclusion and diversity within the Board, each assessment and selection of director candidates will be made by Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in compliance with Amerens policy of non-discrimination
based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation or any other reason prohibited by law. Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
considers and assesses the implementation and effectiveness of its diversity policy in connection with Board nominations annually to assure that the Board contains an effective mix of individuals to best advance the Companys long-term business
interests.
Director Independence
All nominees for director of the Companys Board are executive officers of the Company or its affiliates and therefore, do not qualify as independent under the NYSE listing standards. As
previously explained, the Company has no securities listed on the NYSE and therefore, is not subject to the NYSE listing standards.
Policy and Procedures with Respect to Related Person Transactions
Amerens Board of Directors has adopted the Ameren Corporation Policy and Procedures With Respect to Related Person Transactions. The policy applies to Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the
Company, which are registered companies under the Exchange Act. This written policy provides that Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will review and approve Related Person Transactions (as defined below); provided that
Amerens Human Resources Committee will review and approve the compensation of each Company employee who is an immediate family member of a Company director or executive officer and whose annual compensation exceeds $120,000. The Chair of
Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has been delegated authority to act between Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meetings. References in this section to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the
Human Resources Committee refer to Amerens Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Amerens Human Resources Committee, respectively.
For purposes of this policy, immediate family member means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or
sister-in-law of the director, executive officer, nominee or more than five percent beneficial owner of the Company, and any person (other than domestic employees) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee or more than five
percent beneficial owner.
18
The policy defines a Related Person Transaction as a transaction (including any
financial transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships)) in which Ameren (including the Company and any of Amerens other subsidiaries) was, is or will be a participant and the
amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any Related Person (as defined below) had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than (1) competitively bid or regulated public utility services transactions;
(2) transactions involving trustee type services; (3) transactions in which the Related Persons interest arises solely from ownership of Company equity securities and all equity security holders received the same benefit on a pro
rata basis; (4) an employment relationship or transaction involving an executive officer and any related compensation solely resulting from that employment relationship or transaction if (i) the compensation arising from the relationship
or transaction is or will be reported pursuant to the SECs executive and director compensation proxy statement disclosure rules, or (ii) the executive officer is not an immediate family member of another executive officer or director and
such compensation would have been reported under the SECs executive and director compensation proxy statement disclosure rules as compensation earned for services to the Company if the executive officer was a named executive officer as that
term is defined in the SECs executive and director compensation proxy statement disclosure rules, and such compensation has been or will be approved, or recommended to Amerens Board of Directors for approval, by the Human Resources
Committee of Amerens Board of Directors; or (5) compensation of or transaction with a director, if the compensation or transaction is or will be reported pursuant to the SECs executive and director compensation proxy statement
disclosure rules.
Related Person is defined as (1) each director, director nominee and executive officer of
the Company, (2) any person who is known by the Company (or any subsidiary of the Company) to be five percent or greater beneficial owners of any class of the Companys voting securities, (3) immediate family members of the foregoing
persons and (4) any entity in which any of the foregoing persons is a general partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person and all immediate family members of such person has a ten percent or greater beneficial
interest.
The Office of the Corporate Secretary of Ameren assesses whether a proposed transaction is a Related Person
Transaction for purposes of the policy.
The policy recognizes that Related Person Transactions may, in some circumstances, be
in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
The approval procedures in the policy identify the factors the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider in evaluating whether to approve or ratify Related Person Transactions or material amendments to pre-approved Related Person Transactions. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
will consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances available to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, including (if applicable) but not limited to: the benefits to the Company; the actual or apparent conflict of interest of the
Related Person in the event of the Related Person Transaction, including, but not limited to, the impact on a directors independence; the availability and costs of other sources for comparable products or services; the terms of the
transaction; the terms available to or from unrelated third parties or to employees generally; and an analysis of the significance of the transaction to both the Company and the Related Person. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will
approve or ratify only those Related Person Transactions (a) that are in compliance with applicable SEC rules and
19
regulations, NYSE listing requirements and the Companys policies, including but not limited to the Corporate Compliance Policy and (b) that are in, or are not inconsistent with, the
best interests of the Company and its shareholders, as the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee determines in good faith. The policy provides for the pre-approval by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of certain Related
Person Transactions up to one year prior to the commencement of the transaction.
During 2014, other than employment by the
Company or its affiliates, the Company had no Related Person Transactions with directors and nominees for director and no Related Person Transactions are currently proposed.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Directors who are employees or directors of Ameren or any of its subsidiaries receive no additional compensation for their services as Company directors. All nominees for director are employees of Ameren
or its subsidiaries.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors does not know of any matter, other than the election of directors, which may be presented at the Annual Meeting.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP
SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY
As shown in the table below, all of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock are owned by Ameren. Of the 807,595 outstanding shares of our class of Preferred Stock, no shares were owned by our
directors, nominees for director and executive officers as of January 31, 2015. To our knowledge, there are no beneficial owners of five percent or more of the outstanding shares of our class of Preferred Stock as of January 31, 2015. As
discussed under QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING above, our Common Stock and Preferred Stock shareholders vote together as a single class on matters submitted to a vote at the Annual Meeting. No independent
inquiry has been made to determine whether any shareholder is the beneficial owner of shares not registered in the name of such shareholder or whether any shareholder is a member of a shareholder group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Shares of Common Stock Owned Beneficially at January 31, 2015 |
|
|
Percent of Common Stock (%) |
|
Ameren Corporation |
|
|
102,123,834 |
|
|
|
100 |
|
One Ameren Plaza |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1901 Chouteau Avenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
St. Louis, MO 63103 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SECURITIES OF AMEREN
The following table sets forth certain information known to the Company with respect to beneficial ownership of Ameren Common Stock as of
January 31, 2015 for (i) each director and nominee for director of the Company, (ii) each individual serving as the Companys Chairman and President and the Companys Chief Financial Officer during 2014,
20
and the three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (other than the individuals serving as the Chairman and President and the Chief Financial Officer during 2014) who were
serving as executive officers at the end of 2014, each as named in the Summary Compensation Table below (collectively, the Named Executive Officers), and (iii) all executive officers, directors and nominees for director as a group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Number of Shares of Ameren Common Stock Beneficially Owned(1) |
|
|
Percent Owned(2) |
|
Michael L. Moehn |
|
|
23,839 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Daniel F. Cole |
|
|
47,154 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Fadi M. Diya |
|
|
14,717 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Martin J. Lyons, Jr. |
|
|
34,900 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Charles D. Naslund |
|
|
48,591 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Gregory L. Nelson |
|
|
19,517 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Warner L. Baxter |
|
|
79,852 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All directors, nominees for director and executive officers as a group (7 persons) |
|
|
268,570 |
|
|
|
* |
|
(1) |
This column lists voting securities. None of the named individuals held shares issuable within 60 days upon the exercise of Ameren stock options. Reported shares
include those for which a director, nominee for director or executive officer has voting or investment power because of joint or fiduciary ownership of the shares or a relationship with the record owner, most commonly a spouse, even if such
director, nominee for director or executive officer does not claim beneficial ownership. |
(2) |
For each individual and group included in the table, percentage ownership is calculated by dividing the number of shares beneficially owned by such person or group as
described above by the sum of the 242,634,798 shares of Ameren Common Stock outstanding on January 31, 2015 and the number of shares of Ameren Common Stock that such person or group had the right to acquire on or within 60 days of
January 31, 2015. |
Since 2003, Ameren has had a policy which prohibits directors and executive officers
from engaging in pledges of Ameren securities or short sales, margin accounts and hedging or derivative transactions with respect to Ameren securities. In addition, since 2013, Ameren has had a policy which prohibits directors and employees of
Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company, from entering into any transaction which hedges (or offsets) any decrease in value of Ameren equity securities that are (1) granted by Ameren to the director or employee as part of
compensation or (2) held, directly or indirectly, by the director or employee.
The address of all persons listed above
is c/o Union Electric Company, 1901 Chouteau Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103.
STOCK
OWNERSHIP REQUIREMENT FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SECTION 16 OFFICERS
The stock ownership requirements applicable to the Named Executive Officers are described below under EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Common Stock Ownership Requirement.
21
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
requires the Companys directors and executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of the Companys Common Stock to file reports of their ownership in the Companys Preferred Stock, and, in some cases, of its
ultimate parents Common Stock, and of changes in that ownership with the SEC. SEC regulations also require the Company to identify in this information statement any person subject to this requirement who failed to file any such report on a
timely basis. To our knowledge, based solely on a review of the filed reports and written representations that no other reports are required, each of the Companys directors and executive officers complied with all such filing requirements
during 2014.
22
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information contained in the following Human Resources Committee Report shall not be deemed to be soliciting material
or filed or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into
a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
HUMAN
RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT
The Human Resources Committee of Ameren
Corporations Board of Directors (the Committee) discharges the Boards responsibilities relating to compensation of the Companys executive officers. The Committee approves and evaluates all compensation of executive
officers, including salaries, bonuses and compensation plans, policies and programs of the Company.
The Committee also
fulfills its duties with respect to the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and Human Resources Committee Report portions of the information statement, as described in the Committees Charter.
The Compensation Discussion and Analysis has been prepared by management of the Company and its affiliates. The Company is responsible
for the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and for the disclosure controls relating to executive compensation.
The
Committee met with management of the Company and its affiliates and the Committees independent consultant to review and discuss the Compensation Discussion and Analysis. Based on the foregoing review and discussions, the Committee recommended
to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this information statement, and the Board approved that recommendation.
Ameren Human Resources Committee:
Patrick T. Stokes, Chairman
Richard J. Harshman
James C. Johnson
Steven H. Lipstein
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
2014 In Brief
Amerens compensation philosophy and related governance features are executed by several specific policies and practices that are
designed to align Amerens executive compensation with long-term shareholder interests, including:
What we do:
|
|
|
Ameren develops pay opportunities at the size-adjusted median of those provided by similar utility companies (Market Data), with actual
payouts dependent on Amerens corporate short- and long-term performance and the individuals performance. |
|
|
|
Ameren designs its short-term incentives program so that it is entirely performance-based with the primary focus on its earnings per share
(EPS) and additional focus on safety metrics and individual performance. |
23
|
|
|
Ameren designs its long-term incentives program so that it is entirely performance-based with the primary focus on its total shareholder return versus
a utility peer group and with an additional link to its EPS. |
|
|
|
Ameren includes in its short-term and long-term incentive awards clawback provisions that are triggered if Ameren makes certain financial
restatements. In addition, beginning with short-term and long-term incentive awards granted in 2015, if the award holder engages in conduct or activity that is detrimental to Ameren or violates the confidentiality or customer or employee
non-solicitation provisions included in the award, generally, the award holder will be required to repay the award to Ameren after receiving a demand from Ameren for the repayment. |
|
|
|
Ameren maintains stock ownership requirements for its executive officers and directors. |
|
|
|
Ameren provides only limited perquisites, such as financial and tax planning. |
|
|
|
Amerens change of control cash severance and equity vesting are both fully double-trigger. |
|
|
|
Ameren eliminated excise tax gross-up payments under its Change of Control Severance Plan for all officers who first become eligible to
participate in the plan on or after October 1, 2009. |
|
|
|
Ameren retains an independent compensation consultant engaged by, and who reports directly to the Committee. |
|
|
|
Ameren intends payouts under its short-term and long-term incentives programs to meet the definition of qualified performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the IRC and be eligible for tax deduction. |
What we dont do:
|
|
|
Ameren does not have employment agreements. |
|
|
|
Ameren does not allow hedging by employees, officers or directors. |
|
|
|
Ameren does not allow pledging for executive officers or directors. |
|
|
|
Ameren does not provide tax gross-up payments on perquisites. |
|
|
|
Ameren does not grant time-vesting long-term incentive awards; Ameren only grants performance vesting subject to continued employment.
|
|
|
|
Ameren does not pay dividends or dividend equivalents on unearned incentive awards. |
|
|
|
Ameren does not re-price stock options (none of Amerens executives are awarded stock options). |
|
|
|
Ameren does not include the value of long-term incentive awards in its pension calculations. |
|
|
|
Amerens Human Resources Committee does not believe that Amerens compensation policies and practices are reasonably likely to have a
material adverse effect on the Company. |
During 2014, Amerens pay-for-performance program led to the
following actual 2014 compensation being earned:
|
|
|
2014 annual short-term incentive base awards based on EPS and safety were earned at 103.5 percent of target; this payout reflected strong
financial and |
24
|
operational performance by Ameren and its subsidiaries in 2014 that was attributed, in part, to the successful execution of Amerens strategy; and |
|
|
|
87.5 percent of the target three-year long-term incentive awards made in 2012 were earned (plus accrued dividends of approximately 14.3 percent) based
on Amerens total shareholder return relative to a utility peer group over the three-year measurement period (2012-2014). At the December 31, 2014 vesting date, the PSUs (as defined below) were worth $46.13 per share rather than the $33.13
value at which they were granted; as a result, the actual earned amounts equaled 139 percent of the original target awards. |
In addition, Named Executive Officers are required to own Amerens Common Stock through stock ownership requirements (see Common Stock Ownership Requirement below). The value of
those shares rose and fell in the same way and with the same impact that share value rose and fell for other shareholders.
Our Named Executive Officers are listed in the following table and the Summary Compensation Table on page 41.
Named Executive Officers
|
|
|
Name |
|
Title |
Michael L. Moehn |
|
Chairman and President, Ameren Missouri |
Fadi M. Diya |
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer, Ameren Missouri |
Martin J. Lyons, Jr. |
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Ameren Missouri, Ameren, Ameren Illinois and Ameren Services |
Charles D. Naslund |
|
Executive Vice President, Corporate Operations Oversight, Ameren Missouri(1) |
Gregory L. Nelson |
|
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Ameren Missouri, Ameren, Ameren Illinois and Ameren Services |
Warner L. Baxter |
|
Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ameren Missouri(2) |
(1) |
Mr. Naslund retired from Ameren and the Company on March 1, 2015. |
(2) |
Mr. Baxter was promoted to President of Ameren on February 14, 2014, to Chief Executive Officer of Ameren on April 24, 2014, and to Chairman of the
Ameren Board on July 1, 2014. |
Guiding Objectives
The compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers discussed in this information statement is for services rendered in all capacities
to Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company. Amerens objective for compensation of the Named Executive Officers is to provide a competitive total compensation program that is based on the size-adjusted median of the range of
compensation paid by similar utility companies, adjusted for Amerens short- and long-term performance and the individuals performance. The adjustment for Amerens performance aligns the long-term interests of management with that of
Amerens shareholders to maximize shareholder value.
Overview of Executive Compensation Program Components
To accomplish this objective in 2014, Amerens compensation program for the Named Executive Officers consisted of
several compensation elements, each of which is discussed in more detail below. At Ameren, although all pay components are totaled for
25
comparisons to the Market Data (the size-adjusted median of the compensation paid by similar utility industry peer companies), decisions with respect to one element of pay (e.g., long-term
incentives) tend not to impact other elements of pay (e.g., base salary). The following are the material elements of Amerens compensation program for the Named Executive Officers:
|
|
|
long-term incentives, specifically Amerens Performance Share Units Program; |
|
|
|
limited perquisites; and |
|
|
|
double-trigger change of control protection. |
Amerens Common Stock ownership requirements applicable to the Named Executive Officers are discussed in this CD&A.
Ameren also provides various welfare benefits to the Named Executive Officers on substantially the same basis as it provides to all salaried employees.
Each element is reviewed individually and considered collectively with other elements of Amerens compensation program to ensure
that it is consistent with the goals and objectives of that particular element of compensation as well as Amerens overall compensation program.
Market Data and Compensation Peer Group
In October 2013, to help
inform compensation determinations with respect to 2014, the Committees independent consultant collected and analyzed comprehensive market data, including base salary, target short-term incentives (non-equity incentive plan compensation) and
long-term incentive opportunities. The market data was obtained from a proprietary database maintained by Aon Hewitt.
The
elements of pay were benchmarked both individually and in total to the same comparator group.
To develop the Market Data,
compensation opportunities for the Named Executive Officers were compared to the compensation opportunities for comparable positions at companies similar to Ameren, defined as regulated utility industry companies in a revenue size range
approximately one-half to double Amerens size, with a few exceptions (our compensation peers). The Committees independent consultant used statistical techniques to adjust the data to be appropriate for Amerens revenue
size and produce the Market Data. Certain of Amerens compensation peers have revenues that are more than double Amerens revenue, but because of use of regression analysis, this did not necessarily impact the Market Data upward. The
compensation peers market capitalizations had no bearing on the Market Data because market capitalization is not used as a size-adjustment variable.
Ameren provides compensation opportunities at levels indicated by the Market Data, and designs its incentive plans to pay significantly more or less than the target amount when performance is above or
below target performance levels, respectively. Thus, Amerens plans are designed to result in payouts that are market-appropriate given its performance for that year or period.
26
The companies identified as the compensation peers used to develop 2014
compensation opportunities from the above-described data are listed below. The list is subject to change each year depending on mergers and acquisitions activity, the availability of the companies data through Aon Hewitts database and
the continued appropriateness of the companies in terms of size and industry in relationship to Ameren.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AGL Resources |
|
Duke Energy |
|
PPL Corporation |
Alliant Energy Corporation |
|
FirstEnergy Corp. |
|
PSEG, Inc. |
American Electric Power Co. |
|
Integrys Energy Group, Inc. |
|
SCANA Corporation |
CenterPoint Energy |
|
NiSource Inc. |
|
Sempra Energy |
CMS Energy |
|
OGE Energy |
|
WGL Holdings |
Dominion Resources, Inc. |
|
PG&E Corporation |
|
Xcel Energy, Inc. |
DTE Energy Company |
|
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.
|
|
|
Mix of Pay
Ameren believes that both cash compensation and noncash compensation are appropriate elements of a total rewards program. Cash compensation is short-term compensation (i.e., base salary and annual
incentive awards), while noncash compensation is generally long-term compensation (i.e., equity-based incentive compensation).
A significant percentage of total compensation is allocated to short-term and long-term incentives as a result of the philosophy
mentioned above. During 2014, there was no pre-established policy or target for the allocation between either cash and noncash or short-term and long-term compensation. Rather, the Committee reviewed the Market Data provided by its consultant to
determine the appropriate level and mix of incentive compensation. The allocation between current and long-term compensation was based primarily on competitive market practices relative to base salaries, annual incentive awards and long-term
incentive award values. By following this process, the impact to Executive compensation was to increase the proportion of pay that is at risk as an individuals responsibility within the Company increases, and to create long-term incentive
opportunities that exceed short-term opportunities for Named Executive Officers.
2014 FIXED
VERSUS PERFORMANCE-BASED COMPENSATION
The following table shows
the allocation of each Named Executive Officers base salary and short-term and long-term incentive compensation opportunities between fixed and performance-based compensation at the target levels. In the case of Messrs. Moehn, Diya and Baxter,
these allocations reflect the target levels in effect following these individuals respective promotions. These allocations do not include Mr. Moehns grant of 5,856 PSUs on April 1, 2014 (valued at $238,700),
Mr. Diyas performance stock bonus award granted on March 1, 2014 (valued at $400,000 at target) or Mr. Baxters grant of 32,703 PSUs on April 24, 2014 (valued at $1,344,746), which are discussed in more detail below.
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Fixed Compensation |
|
Performance-Based Compensation |
Moehn |
|
31% |
|
69% |
Diya |
|
34% |
|
66% |
Lyons |
|
29% |
|
71% |
Naslund |
|
32% |
|
68% |
Nelson |
|
31% |
|
69% |
Baxter |
|
19% |
|
81% |
27
2014 SHORT-TERM VERSUS
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table shows the
allocation between each Named Executive Officers target short-term and long-term incentive compensation opportunities as a percentage of each Named Executive Officers base salary (each at the target level). In the case of Messrs. Moehn,
Diya and Baxter, these percentages reflect the target levels in effect following these individuals respective promotions. Such award opportunities were determined primarily considering the Market Data mentioned above, and secondarily
considering internal pay equity, i.e., the relationship of target award opportunities of the Named Executive Officers with those of other officers at the same level at Ameren. These percentages do not include Mr. Moehns grant of 5,856
PSUs on April 1, 2014 (valued at $238,700), Mr. Diyas performance stock bonus award granted on March 1, 2014 (valued at $400,000 at target) or Mr. Baxters grant of 32,703 PSUs on April 24, 2014 (valued at
$1,344,746), which are discussed in more detail below.
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Short-Term Incentive Opportunity |
|
Long-Term Incentive Opportunity |
Moehn |
|
65% |
|
155% |
Diya |
|
60% |
|
135% |
Lyons |
|
70% |
|
175% |
Naslund |
|
60% |
|
150% |
Nelson |
|
65% |
|
160% |
Baxter |
|
100% |
|
325% |
Base Salary
Base salary is designed to reward competence and sustained performance in the executive role. Ameren chooses base salary as a standard pay element. Amerens base salary program is designed to provide
the Named Executive Officers with market competitive salaries based upon role, experience, competence and performance.
Ameren
determines the amount for base salary by referencing the Market Data discussed above. Based on this data and the scope of each Named Executive Officers role, a base salary range was established for each position at +/- 20 percent of the
established market rate for the position. The base salary of each Named Executive Officer is typically managed within this pay range.
In 2013, Mr. Thomas R. Voss (Retired Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ameren) recommended a 2014 base salary increase for each of the other Named Executive Officers considering
their then-current salary in relation to the Market Data, experience and sustained individual performance and results. These recommendations, which took into account the Market Data provided by the Committees compensation consultant, were
presented to the Committee for discussion and approval at the December 2013 Committee meeting. Increases were approved based on the Market Data and base salary range, as well as internal pay equity, experience, individual performance and the need to
retain an experienced team. Performance takes into account competence, initiative and contribution to achievement of our goals and leadership.
Short-Term Incentive Compensation: Executive Incentive Plan
2014 Ameren Executive Incentive Plan
Amerens short-term incentive
compensation program element is entitled the Ameren Executive Incentive Plan (EIP). The EIP is designed to reward the achievement of Ameren
28
EPS targets, safety performance as measured by lost workday away (LWA) and individual performance. Ameren chooses to pay it to encourage higher annual corporate and individual
performance.
How the EIP Works
For 2014, the EIP (the 2014 EIP) was comprised of the following components in rewarding Named Executive Officers for annual achievement:
|
|
|
Ameren EPS targets, weighted at 90%; |
|
|
|
Safety LWA performance, weighted at 10%; and |
|
|
|
an individual performance modifier. |
2014 EPS and Safety Goals and Weightings
The Committee established three levels of Ameren EPS and safety LWA achievement under the 2014 EIP. Payouts for Ameren EPS and safety LWA
results falling between the established levels were interpolated on a straight-line basis. The three levels are defined as follows:
|
|
|
Threshold: the minimum level of Ameren EPS and safety LWA achievement necessary for short-term incentive payment to Named Executive Officers.
The 2014 Ameren EPS Threshold was set at 90% of Target. The 2014 LWAs Threshold reflects 24% more LWAs than Target. |
|
|
|
Target: the targeted level of Ameren EPS and safety LWA achievement. The 2014 Ameren EPS Target was tied to the 2014 budget approved by the
Board of Directors. The 2014 LWA Target was one LWA less than Amerens best performance ever in that metric (i.e., represents a level never before achieved by Ameren). |
|
|
|
Maximum: the maximum level of Ameren EPS and safety LWA achievement established to award Named Executive Officers with short-term incentive
payment. The 2014 Ameren EPS Maximum was set at 110% of Target. The 2014 LWAs Maximum represents 24% fewer LWAs than Target (i.e., considerably fewer LWAs than ever before achieved). |
The ranges of Ameren EPS and safety LWA achievement levels for the 2014 EIP, as established by the Committee in February 2014, are shown
below. Ameren EPS was calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and could be adjusted
29
to include or exclude specified items of an unusual or non-recurring nature as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and as permitted by the 2006 Plan and 2014 Plan, as applicable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level of Performance |
|
Ameren EPS |
|
|
Safety LWA |
|
|
Payout as a Percent of Target
|
Maximum |
|
|
$2.59 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
150% |
Target |
|
|
$2.35 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
100% |
Threshold |
|
|
$2.11 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
50% |
Below threshold |
|
|
Less than $2.11 |
|
|
|
More than 26 |
|
|
0% |
Individual Performance Modifier
The 2014 EIP base award for each Named Executive Officer was subject to upward or downward adjustment for individual performance on key
performance variables. These included leadership, business results, customer satisfaction, reliability, plant availability and/or other performance metrics, as applicable and as determined by the Committee.
Historically, the Individual Performance Modifier has been used to differentiate performance that is considerably above or below that
expected. Such differentiations do not lend themselves to formulas and are applied at the Committees discretion.
Individual Performance Modifier reductions could be up to -50 percent, with the ability to pay zero for poor or non-performance.
Increases could be up to +50 percent, with a potential maximum total award at 200 percent of each Named Executive Officers target opportunity. With respect to each Named Executive Officer, adjustments to the base award are in all cases subject
to the maximum permitted amount pre-established by the Committee (See Section 162(m) of the IRC below).
2014 Performance
Base Award, Earned through Ameren EPS and Safety LWA Achievement
At the February
2015 Committee meeting, the 2014 EIP EPS, actual safety LWA achievement levels, and recommended EIP payouts for the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Baxter) were presented by Mr. Baxter to the Committee for review. Consistent with
its actions in prior years and as permitted under the terms of the relevant underlying plans, the Committee may make adjustments. The Committee put forth an adjustment to EPS for 2014 for a mark-to-market variance.
This adjustment resulted in a reduction of $0.01 to Amerens EPS under GAAP of $2.40, for an adjusted EPS of $2.39 and payout for
the EPS metric of 108.3% of Target. Actual safety LWA cases were 25 in 2014, for a payout for the safety metric of 60% of Target. The weighted and combined EPS and LWA metrics resulted in a combined payout of 103.5% of Target. The resulting Ameren
EPS and safety LWA for the 2014 EIP, as approved by the Committee in February 2015, are shown below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Performance Metric |
|
% Weight |
|
|
Threshold Performance (50% Payout as a % of Target) |
|
|
Target Performance (100% Payout as a % of Target) |
|
|
Maximum Performance (150% Payout as a % of Target) |
|
|
Payout for Each Metric |
|
|
Weighted: Base Award % of Target |
|
Ameren EPS |
|
|
90 |
% |
|
$ |
2.11 |
|
|
$ |
2.35 |
|
|
$ |
2.59 |
|
|
|
108.3 |
% |
|
|
97.5 |
% |
Ameren LWA |
|
|
10 |
% |
|
|
26 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
60.0 |
% |
|
|
6.0 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
103.5 |
% |
30
Earned through Individual Performance Modifier
As discussed above, the 2014 EIP base awards were subject to upward or downward adjustment by up to 50 percent based upon a Named
Executive Officers individual contributions and performance during the year. For 2014, the Committee, after consultation with Mr. Baxter, modified the 2014 EIP base award for Mr. Moehn by plus five percent of the 2014 base award, and
the Committee modified the 2014 EIP base award for Mr. Baxter by plus one percent, as a result of their performance on the variables described above.
Resulting 2014 EIP Payouts
Actual 2014 EIP payouts are shown below as a percent
of target. Payouts were made in February 2015 and are set forth under column (g) entitled Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation in the Summary Compensation Table.
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Final Payout as Percent of Target |
|
Moehn |
|
|
108.7 |
% |
Diya |
|
|
103.5 |
% |
Lyons |
|
|
103.5 |
% |
Naslund |
|
|
103.5 |
% |
Nelson |
|
|
103.5 |
% |
Baxter |
|
|
104.5 |
% |
Calculation of Mr. Moehns 2014 EIP
In connection with his promotion to the role of Chairman and President, Ameren Missouri, effective April 1, 2014,
Mr. Moehns short-term incentive target opportunity (as a percentage of base salary) under the 2014 EIP was increased from 50% to 65%. The payout under Mr. Moehns 2014 EIP was prorated such that, from January 1, 2014 to
March 31, 2014, such payout was calculated based on his base salary and target opportunity prior to his promotion, and from April 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014, such payout was calculated based on his increased base salary and target
opportunity.
Calculation of Mr. Diyas 2014 EIP
In connection with his promotion to the role of Senior Vice President and Chief Nuclear Officer of Ameren, effective January 16,
2014, Mr. Diyas short-term incentive target opportunity (as a percentage of base salary) under the 2014 EIP was increased from 45% to 60%. The payout under Mr. Diyas 2014 EIP was prorated such that, from January 1, 2014 to
January 15, 2014, such payout was calculated based on his base salary and target opportunity prior to his promotion, and from January 16, 2014 to December 31, 2014, such payout was calculated based on his increased base salary and
target opportunity.
Calculation of Mr. Baxters 2014 EIP
In connection with his promotion to the role of Chief Executive Officer of Ameren, effective April 24, 2014, Mr. Baxters
short-term incentive target opportunity (as a percentage of base salary) under the 2014 EIP was increased from 70% to 100%. The payout under Mr. Baxters 2014 EIP was prorated such that, from January 1, 2014 to April 23, 2014,
such payout was calculated based on his base salary and target opportunity prior to his promotion, and from April 24, 2014 to December 31, 2014, such payout was calculated based on his increased base salary and target opportunity.
31
Section 162(m) of the IRC
In order to help ensure that amounts intended to be deductible for tax purposes satisfy the requirement for tax deduction, the Committee
set a limitation on 2014 short-term incentive payouts for each Named Executive Officer of 0.5 percent of our 2014 net income. The Committee then used negative discretion as provided under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the IRC), to arrive at actual, lower 2014 payouts based on our performance for the year, which are shown in column (g) of the Summary Compensation Table. By setting the limitation on payouts, the Committee intended
such payouts to meet the definition of qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the IRC and be eligible for tax deduction.
2015 Ameren Executive Incentive Plan
In December of 2014, the Committee
decided that for purposes of the EIP that relates to the 2015 performance year (the 2015 EIP), in addition to determining annual performance based on Ameren EPS targets, safety performance measured by LWA and individual performance, the
Committee would also consider customer measures relating to reliability and affordability. Accordingly, for 2015, the EIP will be comprised of the following components in rewarding Named Executive Officers for annual achievement:
|
|
|
Ameren EPS targets, weighted at 80%; |
|
|
|
Safety LWA performance, weighted at 10%; |
|
|
|
Customer measures relating to reliability and affordability, weighted at 10%; and |
|
|
|
an individual performance modifier. |
Long-Term Incentives: Performance Share Unit Program (PSUP)
In General
A performance share unit (PSU or share
unit) is the right to receive a share of Ameren Common Stock if certain long-term performance criteria are achieved and the Named Executive Officer remains, or retires as, an Ameren employee.
Role of the PSUP
The 2014 PSU grants, which are governed by the Ameren shareholder-approved 2006 Plan, were designed to serve the following role in the compensation program:
|
|
|
provide compensation dependent on Amerens three-year total shareholder return (TSR) (calculated as described below under
2014 Grants) versus a utility peer group (a PSUP Peer Group), as identified below; |
|
|
|
provide some payout (below target) if three-year TSR is below the 30th percentile but the three-year average Ameren EPS reaches or exceeds the
average of the EIP EPS threshold levels in, 2014, 2015 and 2016; |
|
|
|
accrue dividends during the performance period on shares ultimately earned in order to further align executives interests with those of
shareholders; |
|
|
|
promote retention of executives during a three-year performance period; and |
|
|
|
share Ameren Common Stock price increases and decreases over a three-year period. |
32
PSUP Design
Ameren chooses to award PSUP grants to accomplish the following:
|
|
|
align executives interests with shareholder interests: awards are denominated in Ameren Common Stock units and paid out in Ameren Common
Stock. Payouts are dependent on Amerens Common Stock performance, and are limited to target if TSR is negative; |
|
|
|
be competitive with market practice: the majority of regulated utility companies use plans similar to this program, and with this performance
measure; |
|
|
|
promote Ameren Common Stock ownership: payout of earned awards is made 100 percent in Ameren Common Stock, with dividends on Ameren Common
Stock, as declared and paid, reinvested into additional share units throughout the performance period; |
|
|
|
allow executives to share in the returns created for shareholders: returns for shareholders include dividends as declared and paid and this is
reflected in the plan performance measure and rewards; and |
|
|
|
be retentive: annual competitive grants with a three-year performance period provide incentive for executives to stay with Ameren and manage
Ameren in the long-term interests of Ameren and its shareholders. |
Accounting treatment was taken into
account in designing the PSUP. PSUs are also intended to be eligible for the qualified performance-based compensation exception from the $1 million limit on deductibility of executive compensation imposed by Section 162(m) of
the IRC.
2014 Grants
For 2014, a target number of PSUs was granted to each Named Executive Officer pursuant to the 2006 Plan and 2014 Plan, as applicable, as reflected in column (g) of the Grants of Plan-Based Awards
Table.
Grant sizes were calculated primarily considering the Market Data mentioned above, and secondarily considering
internal pay equity, in other words, the relative differences in grant sizes of the Named Executive Officers and other officers at the same level in the Company. The specific number of PSUs granted to each Named Executive Officer was equal to the
target award for such Named Executive Officer determined by the Committee, based upon a specified percentage of such Named Executive Officers base salary and expressed as a dollar amount, and divided by the average closing price of
Amerens Common Stock for each trading day in December 2013.
The actual number of 2014 PSUs earned will vary from
0 percent to 200 percent of the target number of PSUs granted to each Named Executive Officer, based primarily on Amerens 2014-2016 TSR relative to a PSUP Peer Group and contingent on continued employment during the same period. The
threshold and maximum amounts of 2014 PSU awards are reflected in columns (f) and (h) of the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table. The Named Executive Officers cannot vote share unit awards granted under the PSUP or transfer them until they
are paid out. In addition, as described below under PSUP Performance/Payout Relationship, if relative TSR for the performance period is below the 30th percentile, in order to receive a 30 percent payout, the average annual Ameren
EPS for such three-year period must be greater than or equal to the average of the Ameren EPS thresholds under each EIP during such period.
33
The following graphic illustrates how the 2014 PSUP works. The 2014 PSUP performance measure
is TSR. For purposes of calculating PSUP award payouts, TSR is calculated as the change in the 30-day trading average of the stock price prior to the beginning of the award period and the 30-day trading average of the stock price prior to the
end of the award period, plus dividends paid (and assuming quarterly reinvestment), divided by such beginning average stock price.
PSUP Peer Group
The analysis to determine the 2014 PSUP Peer Group was made as of December 2013 using the criteria below measured as of November 30, 2013 unless otherwise noted.
|
|
|
Classified as a NYSE Investor Owned Utility, within SNL Financial LCs Data Set for Energy, excluding companies classified as only gas
or those with greater than 10% unregulated business. |
|
|
|
Market capitalization greater than $2 billion (as of September 30, 2013). |
|
|
|
Minimum S&P credit rating of BBB- (investment grade). |
|
|
|
Dividends flat or growing over the last twelve-month period (as of September 30, 2013). |
|
|
|
Not an announced acquisition target. |
|
|
|
Not undergoing a major restructuring including, but not limited to, a major spin-off or sale of a significant asset. |
The 20 companies included in the 2014 PSUP Peer Group are listed below. These PSUP Peer Group companies are not entirely the same as the
compensation peers used for market pay comparisons, however, because inclusion in this group was not dependent on a companys revenues relative to Ameren or its participation in an executive pay database. In order to be counted in the final
calculations, a company must still be in existence and have a ticker symbol at the end of the performance period. The Committee retains discretion to
34
make exceptions for inclusion or exclusion of companies in the PSUP Peer Group during the performance period, based upon the criteria established above, in order to ensure the most appropriate
and relevant peer group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alliant Energy Corporation |
|
Integrys Energy Group, Inc. |
|
SCANA Corporation |
Cleco Corporation |
|
NiSource, Inc. |
|
Southern Company |
CMS Energy |
|
Northeast Utilities |
|
UIL Holdings Corporation |
Consolidated Edison, Inc. |
|
Pacific Gas and Electric Company |
|
Westar Energy, Inc. |
DTE Energy Company |
|
Pepco Holdings, Inc. |
|
Wisconsin Energy |
Edison International |
|
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation |
|
Xcel Energy, Inc. |
Great Plains Energy Inc. |
|
Portland General Electric
|
|
|
PSUP Performance/Payout Relationship
Once Amerens 2014-2016 TSR is calculated and compared to the utility peer group, the scale below determines the percent of a target
PSU award that is paid. Payout for performance between points is interpolated on a straight-line basis.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TSR Performance, as applicable, EPS |
|
Payout (% of Share Units
Granted) |
|
|
|
|
90th percentile + |
|
200%
) |
|
|
|
If TSR is negative over the three-year
period, the plan is capped at 100% of |
70th percentile |
|
150%
) |
|
ï |
|
50th percentile |
|
100%
) |
|
|
|
target regardless of performance vs. |
30th percentile |
|
50%
|
|
|
|
the PSUP Peer Group |
Below 30th percentile but three-year average Ameren EPS reaches or exceeds the average of the EIP EPS threshold levels in 2014, 2015 and 2016 |
|
30%
|
|
|
|
|
Below 30th percentile and three-year average Ameren EPS does not reach the
average of the EIP EPS threshold levels in 2014, 2015 and 2016 |
|
0% (No payout) |
|
|
|
|
In order to maximize the tax deductibility of their amounts, the Committee set a limitation on payouts of
2014 PSUP for each Named Executive Officer of 1.2 percent of Amerens cumulative 2014, 2015 and 2016 GAAP net income, as adjusted for specified items. The Committee may use negative discretion as provided under Section 162(m) of the IRC to
arrive at actual lower payouts based on Amerens performance for the period. By setting the limitation on payouts, the Committee intended for such payouts to meet the definition of qualified performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m) of the IRC and be eligible for tax deduction.
2012 PSU Awards Vesting
The PSUP performance period for the 2012 grants ended December 31, 2014. Amerens 2012-2014 TSR performance
was determined to be at the 45th percentile of
Amerens 2012 PSUP Peer Group. The following table shows the 2012 PSU awards, their original value at grant, the number earned (which equals the target number plus accrued dividends times 87.5 percent), and their value at the vesting date
(December 31, 2014). The resulting earned amounts were 139 percent of the original target value of the awards, which
35
reflects both TSR performance against the utility peer group and the actual TSR generated during the three-year period. At the Committees December 2014 meeting, the Committee approved the
removal of Integrys Energy Group, Inc., which was publicly announced as an acquisition target, from the 2012 PSUP Peer Group.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Target 2012 PSU Awards |
|
|
Target Value at Stock Price on Date of Grant(1) |
|
|
2012 PSU Awards
Earned(2) |
|
|
Value
at Year-End Stock Price(3) |
|
|
Earned Value as Percent of Original Target Value(3) |
|
Moehn |
|
|
11,829 |
|
|
$ |
391,895 |
|
|
|
11,827 |
|
|
$ |
545,580 |
|
|
|
139 |
% |
Diya |
|
|
8,330 |
|
|
$ |
275,973 |
|
|
|
8,328 |
|
|
$ |
384,171 |
|
|
|
139 |
% |
Lyons |
|
|
27,535 |
|
|
$ |
912,235 |
|
|
|
27,530 |
|
|
$ |
1,269,959 |
|
|
|
139 |
% |
Naslund |
|
|
20,825 |
|
|
$ |
689,932 |
|
|
|
20,821 |
|
|
$ |
960,473 |
|
|
|
139 |
% |
Nelson |
|
|
20,535 |
|
|
$ |
680,325 |
|
|
|
20,531 |
|
|
$ |
947,095 |
|
|
|
139 |
% |
Baxter |
|
|
32,772 |
|
|
$ |
1,085,736 |
|
|
|
32,766 |
|
|
$ |
1,511,496 |
|
|
|
139 |
% |
(1) |
Valuations are based on the closing price of $33.13 per share of Amerens Common Stock on the NYSE on January 1, 2012, the date the 2012 PSU awards were
granted. |
(2) |
The number of 2012 PSU awards vested includes dividend equivalents which accrued and were reinvested throughout the three-year performance period. See the Option
Exercises and Stock Vested Table below for additional details regarding PSUs vested in 2014. |
(3) |
Valuations are based on the closing price of $46.13 per share of Amerens Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2014, the date the 2012 PSU awards vested.
|
2013 and 2014 PSU Awards
The PSUP performance periods for the 2013 and 2014 grants will not end until December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The figures in column (e) of the Summary Compensation
Table of this information statement for the years 2013 and 2014 represent the aggregate grant date fair values for the PSUP performance grants, computed as described in footnote (3) to the Summary Compensation Table. There is no guarantee that
such amounts will ultimately be earned by participants.
On April 23, 2013, the Committee approved a retention award for
Mr. Diya with a performance period of March 1, 2014 through February 28, 2017. The award provides Mr. Diya with a target award opportunity equal to one times his base salary as in effect on March 1, 2014, payable in Ameren
Common Stock. The Committee has discretion to adjust the payout level from 0% to 150% of the original target value based on the performance of the Callaway Energy Center. If, on March 1, 2017, there are major events in progress that have the
potential to impact the Committees assessment of the Callaway Energy Centers performance, final decisions regarding performance and payout level may be deferred, but to no later than June 30, 2017.
Perquisites
Ameren provides limited perquisites to provide competitive value and promote retention of the Named Executive Officers and others.
Retirement Benefits
The objective of retirement benefits is to provide post-employment security to employees of Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company. Such benefits are
36
designed to reward continued service. Ameren chooses to provide these benefits as an essential part of a total compensation package to remain competitive with those packages offered by other
companies, particularly utilities.
There are three primary retirement benefit programs applicable to the Named Executive
Officers:
|
|
|
employee benefit plans that are available to all employees of Ameren and its subsidiaries, including 401(k) savings and tax-qualified retirement plans;
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Retirement Plans (together, the SRP) that provide the Named Executive Officers a benefit equal to the difference between the
benefit that would have been paid if IRC limitations were not in effect and the reduced benefit payable as a result of such IRC limitations; and |
|
|
|
a deferred compensation plan that provides the opportunity to defer part of base salary and all or a portion of non-equity incentive compensation as
well as earnings thereon. Beginning with plan years commencing on and after January 1, 2010, this includes deferrals of cash compensation above IRC limitations, together with Ameren matching credits on these deferrals.
|
A more detailed explanation of retirement benefits applicable to the Named Executive Officers is provided
in this information statement under the captions PENSION BENEFITS and NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION below.
Severance
All
salaried full-time employees, including our Named Executive Officers, participate in the Ameren Corporation Severance Plan for Ameren Employees, which provides for severance based on years of service and weeks of pay in the event of a qualifying
termination. The plan provides market-level payments in the event of an involuntary termination.
Change of Control
Amerens Second Amended and Restated Change of Control Severance Plan, as amended, is designed to reward Named Executive Officers for
remaining employed with us when their prospects for continued employment following a transaction may be uncertain. The objectives of this plan are to maintain a stable executive team during the process and to assist us in attracting highly qualified
executives into the Company.
Change of Control protections provide severance pay and, in some situations, vesting or payment
of long-term incentive awards, upon a Change of Control of Ameren. The arrangements provide market-level payments in the event of an involuntary termination not for Cause or a voluntary termination for Good Reason.
Definitions of Change of Control, Cause and Good Reason, as well as more complete descriptions of Change of Control protections, are found below under the caption OTHER
POTENTIAL POST-EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS Change of Control In General Change of Control Severance Plan.
The applicable triggers are structured so that payment and vesting occur only upon the occurrence of both a change of control and a
qualifying termination of employment.
Ameren considers it likely that it will take more time for higher-level employees to
find new employment than for other employees, and therefore senior management, including the Named Executive Officers, generally are paid severance upon a termination for a longer
37
period following a Change of Control. The Committee considered this as well as the factors described in the preceding paragraph in structuring the cash payments described under
OTHER POTENTIAL POST-EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS Change of Control below, which a Named Executive Officer would receive if terminated within two years
following a Change of Control.
Common Stock Ownership Requirement
Ameren has a stock ownership requirement for Section 16 Officers (which includes the Named Executive Officers) in accordance with the
positions listed below, that fosters long-term Ameren Common Stock ownership and aligns the interests of the Named Executive Officers and shareholders. The stock ownership requirement applicable to the Named Executive Officers is included in
Amerens Corporate Governance Guidelines. The requirement provides that each Named Executive Officer is required to own shares of Amerens Common Stock valued as a percentage of base salary as follows:
|
|
|
Chief Financial Officer of Ameren and President of each Ameren business segment: 2 times base salary; and |
|
|
|
Other Section 16 Officers: 1 times base salary. |
If at any time a Section 16 Officer does not satisfy the applicable stock ownership requirement, such Section 16 Officer must retain at least 75 percent of the after-tax shares acquired upon the
vesting and settlement of (i) the Section 16 Officers awards that are then outstanding under Amerens equity compensation programs and (ii) any future awards granted to the Section 16 Officer under the Companys
equity compensation programs, until the applicable stock ownership requirement is satisfied.
Ameren Anti-Pledging and Anti-Hedging
Policy
Ameren maintains policies that prohibit executive officers and directors from engaging in pledges of Ameren
securities or short sales, margin accounts and hedging or derivative transactions with respect to Ameren securities. In addition, Amerens policies prohibit Company directors and employees from entering any transaction which hedges (or offsets)
any decrease in the value of Ameren equity securities, as discussed under SECURITY OWNERSHIP SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT
above.
Clawback
Awards granted under the 2006 Plan and 2014 Plan, including EIP and PSU awards, are subject to a clawback in certain circumstances. If Ameren is required to prepare an accounting restatement
due to the material noncompliance of Ameren, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, if an award holder knowingly or with gross negligence engaged in or failed to prevent the misconduct, or if
the award holder is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the award holder will be required to reimburse Ameren the amount of any payment in settlement of an award earned or
accrued during the 12-month period following the first public issuance or filing of the financial document embodying the financial reporting requirement.
In addition, beginning with the 2015 EIP awards and PSU awards granted in 2015, if the award holder engages in conduct or activity that is detrimental to Ameren or violates the non-confidentiality or
customer or employee non-solicitation provisions included in the award, generally, the award holder will be required to repay the award to Ameren after receiving a demand from Ameren for the repayment.
38
Timing of Compensation Decisions and Awards
Amerens Board and the Committee establish meeting schedules annually, well in advance of each meeting, to ensure a thorough and
thoughtful decision process. Incentive compensation awards are made at regularly scheduled meetings.
Following is a
discussion of the timing of certain compensation decisions for 2014 at Ameren:
|
|
|
the Named Executive Officers base salaries for 2014 were reviewed and a 2014 base salary increase for each of the Named Executive Officers was
approved at the December 2013 Committee meeting, as discussed under Base Salary above; a base salary change in connection with Mr. Moehns promotion was approved at a special March 5, 2014 meeting, a base salary
change in connection with Mr. Diyas promotion was approved at a special January 14, 2014 meeting and a base salary change in connection with Mr. Baxters promotion was approved at the February 13, 2014 meeting;
|
|
|
|
2014 EIP target opportunities (as a percentage of base salary) were established for the Named Executive Officers and the range of 2014 EIP EPS and
safety LWA goals for 2014 was set at the December 2013 and February 2014 Committee meetings, respectively. An EIP target opportunity in connection with Mr. Moehns promotion was approved at a special March 5, 2015 meeting, an EIP
target opportunity in connection with Mr. Diyas promotion was approved at a special January 14, 2015 meeting and an EIP target opportunity in connection with Mr. Baxters promotion was approved at the February 13, 2014
meeting; |
|
|
|
2014 PSU grants to the Named Executive Officers were approved at the December 2013 Committee meeting, and in connection with Mr. Moehns
promotion, a grant to Mr. Moehn was approved at a special March 5, 2014 meeting, and in connection with Mr. Baxters promotion, a grant to Mr. Baxter was approved at the February 13, 2014 meeting; and
|
|
|
|
the final determination of the 2014 EIP and 2012 PSU payouts were made at the February 2015 Committee meeting. |
Decisions relating to material elements of compensation are fully deliberated by the Committee at each Committee meeting and, when
appropriate, over the course of several Committee meetings. This allows for any follow-up to questions from Committee members in advance of the final decision. The Committee makes long-term incentive grants at its December meeting of the year prior
to the year the grants are made. The Committee expects to continue to establish base salaries at its December meeting each year, with such base salaries to be effective in the following January.
Impact of Prior Compensation
Amounts realizable from prior compensation did not serve to increase or decrease 2014 compensation amounts. The Committees primary focus was on achieving market-level compensation opportunities.
Other Considerations for Changes in Compensation Opportunities
Market Data, retention needs, general economic conditions and internal pay equity have been the primary factors considered in decisions to
increase or decrease compensation opportunities materially. Corporate and individual performance are the primary factors in determining the ultimate value of those compensation opportunities.
39
Role of Executive Officers
For 2014, Amerens Chief Executive Officer at the time, Mr. Voss, with the assistance of the Vice President and Chief Human
Resources Officer of Ameren Services, Mark C. Lindgren, recommended to the Committee compensation amounts for the other Named Executive Officers. Amerens Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Committee with respect to the
compensation of the Named Executive Officers and other senior executives. Amerens Chief Executive Officer possesses insight regarding individual performance levels, degree of experience and future promotion potential. In all cases,
Amerens Chief Executive Officers recommendations are presented to the Committee for review based on the Market Data provided by the Committees independent consultant. The Committee independently determines each Named Executive
Officers compensation, as discussed in this CD&A. No Executive makes recommendations for setting his own compensation.
Amerens Chief Executive Officer, the other Named Executive Officers, and other senior executives play a role in the early stages of design and evaluation of our compensation programs and policies.
Because of their extensive familiarity with our business and corporate culture, these executives are in the best position to suggest programs and policies to the Committee and the independent consultant that will engage employees and provide
effective incentives to produce outstanding financial and operating results for Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company, and their shareholders.
Other Compensation Matters
Neither Ameren nor the Company has any
written or unwritten employment agreements with any of the Named Executive Officers. Each Named Executive Officer is an employee at the will of Ameren or the Company. Mr. Naslund retired from Ameren and the Company effective March 1, 2015.
40
COMPENSATION TABLES AND
NARRATIVE DISCLOSURES
The following table sets forth compensation information for our Named
Executive Officers for services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its affiliates, including Ameren, in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012. You should refer to the section entitled Compensation Discussion and Analysis above for
an explanation of the elements used in setting the compensation for our Named Executive Officers.
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name and Principal
Position(1) (a) |
|
Year (b) |
|
|
Salary(2) ($) (c)
|
|
|
Bonus(2) ($) (d) |
|
Stock Awards(3) ($) (e)
|
|
|
Option Awards(4) ($) (f) |
|
Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Compensation(2)(5) ($) (g) |
|
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Def. Comp. Earnings(6) ($) (h) |
|
All Other Compensation(7) ($) (i) |
|
Total ($) (j) |
|
Michael L. Moehn Chairman and President, Ameren Missouri |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
|
458,370 |
|
|
|
|
|
775,767 |
|
|
|
|
308,630 |
|
144,946 |
|
45,160 |
|
|
1,732,873 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fadi M. Diya
Senior Vice President, Chief Nuclear Officer, Ameren Missouri |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
|
397,358 |
|
|
|
|
|
986,729 |
|
|
|
|
244,620 |
|
101,363 |
|
27,999 |
|
|
1,758,069 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Martin J. Lyons, Jr. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Ameren Missouri, Ameren, Ameren Illinois and Ameren Services |
|
|
2014 2013 2012 |
|
|
|
566,500 540,000 510,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
1,077,141 978,025 982,449 |
|
|
|
|
410,430 514,920 389,612 |
|
210,304 92,115 140,048 |
|
52,627 45,210 43,746 |
|
|
2,317,002 2,170,270 2,065,855 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles D. Naslund Executive Vice President, Corporate Oversight, Ameren Missouri |
|
|
2014 2013 2012 |
|
|
|
476,000 462,000 450,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
775,783 717,214 743,036 |
|
|
|
|
295,600 310,180 289,737 |
|
339,175 161,375 268,563 |
|
47,239 44,345 43,526 |
|
|
1,933,797 1,695,114 1,794,862 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gregory L. Nelson Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, Ameren Missouri, Ameren, Ameren Illinois and Ameren Services |
|
|
2014 2013 2012 |
|
|
|
453,500 440,000 416,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
788,386 728,598 732,689 |
|
|
|
|
305,090 389,600 303,984 |
|
217,766 105,305 149,322 |
|
18,652 17,562 37,146 |
|
|
1,783,394 1,681,065 1,639,141 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Warner L. Baxter Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ameren Missouri |
|
|
2014 2013 2012 |
|
|
|
854,647 624,000 607,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
2,857,179 1,130,170 1,169,305 |
|
|
|
|
831,200 425,010 423,392 |
|
336,978 139,454 243,690 |
|
78,393 67,038 64,671 |
|
|
4,958,397 2,385,672 2,508,058 |
|
(1) |
Includes compensation received as an officer of Ameren and/or its subsidiaries (including Ameren Missouri). |
(2) |
Cash compensation received by each Named Executive Officer for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 is found in the Salary or Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column
of this table. Because Mr. Diya and Mr. Moehn were not Named Executive Officers prior to fiscal year 2014, only their compensation with respect to 2014 is shown. The amounts that would generally be considered bonus awards are
found under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation in column (g). |
(3) |
The amounts in column (e) represent the aggregate grant date fair value computed in accordance with authoritative accounting guidance of PSU
awards under the 2006 Plan or 2014 Plan, as applicable, without regard to estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions. For the January 1, 2014 PSU grants to each Executive, the calculations reflect an accounting value of
107.6 percent of the target value; for 2013 grants, 101.5 percent of the target value; and for 2012 grants, 107.7 percent of the target value. For the April 24, 2014 PSU grant to Mr. Baxter, the calculations reflect an accounting value of
121.7 percent of the target value. Assumptions used in the calculation of the amounts in column (e) are described in Note 12 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 included in our 2014
|
41
|
Form 10-K. The maximum value of the 2014 PSU awards, excluding dividends, is as follows: Mr. Moehn $1,657,543; Mr. Diya $1,391,558, Mr. Lyons $2,554,679;
Mr. Naslund $1,839,941, Mr. Nelson $1,869,833 and Mr. Baxter $5,912,390. This value is based on the closing price of $46.13 per share of Amerens Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2014.
|
In addition, for Mr. Diya, the amount in column (e) includes the aggregate grant date fair value,
computed in accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, of the March 2014 retention award granted under the 2006 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan, without regard to estimated forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions.
Assumptions used in the calculation of the amounts in column (e) are described in Note 12 to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 included in our 2014 Form 10-K.
The amounts reported for PSU award grants in column (e) do not reflect actual compensation realized by the Named Executive Officers
and are not a guarantee of the amount that the Named Executive Officer will actually receive from the grant of the respective PSU awards. The actual compensation realized by the Named Executive Officers will be based upon the share price of
Amerens Common Stock at payout. The PSUP performance periods for the 2013 and 2014 grants will not end until December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, respectively, and, as such, the actual value, if any, of the PSU awards will
generally depend on the Companys achievement of certain market performance measures during these periods. Mr. Diyas retention agreement performance period will not end until February 28, 2017, and, as such, the actual value, if
any, of the retention award will generally depend on the overall performance level of the Companys nuclear energy center during the three-year performance period. For information regarding the terms of the awards, the description of vesting
conditions, and the criteria for determining the amounts payable, including 2012 PSU awards granted for each Named Executive Officer, see COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS.
(4) |
None of the Named Executive Officers received any option awards in 2014, 2013 or 2012. |
(5) |
Represents payouts for performance under the applicable years EIP. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis for a discussion of how
amounts were determined for 2014. |
(6) |
Amounts shown in column (h) are the sum of (1) the increase in the actuarial present value of each Named Executive Officers accumulated
benefit under all defined benefit and actuarial pension plans (including the SRP) from December 31 of the prior fiscal year to December 31 of the applicable fiscal year and (2) the above-market portion of interest determined in
accordance with SEC disclosure rules as the difference between the interest credited at the rate in Amerens deferred compensation plan and interest that would be credited at 120 percent of the applicable federal long-term rate (the
AFR) published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and calculated as of January 1, 2015 for the year ended December 31, 2014, as of January 1, 2014 for the year ended December 31, 2013 and as of
January 1, 2013 for the year ended December 31, 2012. The table below shows the allocation of these amounts for each Named Executive Officer. For 2014, the applicable interest rate for the deferred compensation plan was 6.23 percent for
amounts deferred prior to January 1, 2010 and 3.99 percent for amounts deferred on or after January 1, 2010. The above-market earnings are calculated using those applicable interest rates minus 120 percent of the AFR of 3.21 percent
published by the IRS and calculated as of January 2015. For 2013, the applicable interest rate for the deferred compensation plan |
42
|
was 5.55 percent for amounts deferred prior to January 1, 2010 and 2.89 percent for amounts deferred on or after January 1, 2010. The above-market earnings are calculated using those
applicable interest rates minus 120 percent of the AFR of 4.19 percent published by the IRS and calculated as of January 2014. For 2012, the applicable interest rate for the deferred compensation plan was 7.10 percent for amounts deferred prior to
January 1, 2010 and 3.37 percent for amounts deferred on or after January 1, 2010. The above-market earnings are calculated using those applicable interest rates minus 120 percent of the AFR of 2.78 percent published by the IRS and
calculated as of January 2013. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Year |
|
|
Pension
Plan Increase ($) |
|
|
Deferred Compensation Plan Above-Market Interest ($) |
Moehn |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
|
135,905 |
|
|
9,041 |
Diya |
|
|
2014 |
|
|
|
97,749 |
|
|
3,614 |
Lyons |
|
|
2014 2013 2012 |
|
|
|
210,304 92,115 140,048 |
|
|
|
Naslund |
|
|
2014 2013 2012 |
|
|
|
271,180 132,367 182,519 |
|
|
67,995 29,008 86,044 |
Nelson |
|
|
2014 2013 2012 |
|
|
|
208,758 101,462 137,923 |
|
|
9,008 3,843 11,399 |
Baxter |
|
|
2014 2013 2012 |
|
|
|
301,646 124,381 198,980 |
|
|
35,331 15,073 44,710 |
For assumptions and methodology regarding the determination of pension values, please refer to the
footnotes under the Pension Benefits Table.
(7) |
The amounts in column (i) reflect for each Named Executive Officer matching contributions allocated by Ameren to each Named Executive Officer pursuant to
Amerens 401(k) savings plan, which is available to all salaried employees, and the cost of insurance premiums paid by Ameren with respect to term life insurance, which amount each Named Executive Officer is responsible for paying income tax.
In 2014, Amerens 401(k) matching contributions, including the 401(k) Restoration Benefit as described in NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
Participation below, for each of the Named Executive Officers were as follows: Mr. Moehn $28,601; Mr. Diya $24,283; Mr. Lyons $48,664; Mr. Naslund $35,378 and Mr. Nelson $11,700 and
Mr. Baxter $57,524. In 2014, the Companys cost of insurance premiums for Mr. Naslund was $11,861. In 2014, the amount in column (i) for Mr. Moehn also includes the costs for tax and financial planning services and
entertainment expenses during 2014. In 2014, the amount in column (i) for Mr. Baxter also includes the cost of tax and financial planning services, Company matching charitable contributions, and entertainment expenses during 2014.
|
43
The following table provides additional information with respect to stock-based awards
granted in 2014, the value of which was provided in the Stock Awards column of the Summary Compensation Table with respect to 2014 grants, and the potential range of payouts associated with the 2014 EIP.
GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (a) |
|
Grant
Date(1) (b) |
|
Committee Approval
Date(1) |
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards(2) |
|
|
Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards(3) |
|
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (i) |
|
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options(4) (#) (j) |
|
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards(4) ($/Sh) (k) |
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards(5) ($) (l) |
|
|
|
|
Threshold ($) (c) |
|
|
Target ($) (d) |
|
|
Maximum ($) (e) |
|
|
Threshold (#) (f) |
|
|
Target (#) (g) |
|
|
Maximum (#) (h) |
|
|
|
|
Moehn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
141,997 |
|
|
|
283,993 |
|
|
|
567,986 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/1/14 |
|
12/12/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,633 |
|
|
|
12,110 |
|
|
24,220 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
471,079 |
|
|
|
4/1/14 |
|
2/14/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,757 |
|
|
|
5,856 |
|
|
11,712 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
304,688 |
|
Diya |
|
|
|
|
|
|
118,173 |
|
|
|
236,345 |
|
|
|
472,690 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/1/14 |
|
12/12/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,525 |
|
|
|
15,083 |
|
|
30,166 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
586,729 |
|
|
|
3/1/14 |
|
4/23/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
8,671 |
|
|
13,007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
Lyons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
198,275 |
|
|
|
396,550 |
|
|
|
793,100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/1/14 |
|
12/12/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,307 |
|
|
|
27,690 |
|
|
55,380 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,077,141 |
|
Naslund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
142,800 |
|
|
|
285,600 |
|
|
|
571,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/1/14 |
|
12/12/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,983 |
|
|
|
19,943 |
|
|
39,886 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
775,783 |
|
Nelson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
147,388 |
|
|
|
294,775 |
|
|
|
589,550 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/1/14 |
|
12/12/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,080 |
|
|
|
20,267 |
|
|
40,534 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
788,386 |
|
Baxter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
397,550 |
|
|
|
795,100 |
|
|
|
1,590,200 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/1/14 |
|
12/12/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,414 |
|
|
|
31,381 |
|
|
62,762 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,220,721 |
|
|
|
4/24/14 |
|
2/14/14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,811 |
|
|
|
32,703 |
|
|
65,406 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,636,458 |
|
(1) |
The 2014 PSU target awards were approved by the Committee on December 12, 2013 and, in accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, granted on
January 1, 2014. Mr. Diyas retention award was approved by the Committee on April 23, 2013, and, in accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, granted on March 1, 2014. In connection with their respective
promotions, Mr. Moehn received an additional grant on April 1, 2014 and Mr. Baxter received an additional grant on April 24, 2014. See COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS for a discussion of the timing of various pay decisions. |
(2) |
The amounts shown in column (c) reflect the threshold payment level under the 2014 EIP which is 50 percent of the target amount shown in column (d). The
amount shown in column (e) is 200 percent of such target amount. See COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS for information regarding the description of
performance-based conditions. |
(3) |
For each Named Executive Officer, the amounts shown (denominated in shares of Ameren Common Stock) in column (f) reflect the threshold 2014 PSU award grant which
is 30 percent of the target amount shown in column (g). The amount shown in column (h) is 200 percent of such target amount. In addition, for Mr. Diya, a separate amount shown (denominated in shares of Amerens Common Stock
based on the closing price of $46.13 per share of Amerens Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2014) in column (f) reflects the threshold retention award grant which is 0 percent of the corresponding target amount shown in column
(g). The corresponding amount shown in column (h) is 150 percent of such target amount. See COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS for information regarding the
terms of the awards, the description of performance-based vesting conditions and the criteria for determining the amounts payable. |
44
(4) |
None of the Named Executive Officers received any option awards in 2014. |
(5) |
For each Named Executive Officer, represents the grant date fair value of the 2014 PSU awards determined in accordance with authoritative accounting guidance (including
FASB ASC Topic 718), excluding the effect of estimated forfeiture. For Mr. Diya, additionally represents the grant date fair value of his March 2014 retention award determined in accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, excluding the
effect of estimated forfeiture. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are referenced in footnote (3) to the Summary Compensation Table. There is no guarantee that, if and when the 2014 PSU awards or the retention award vest, they
will have this value. |
NARRATIVE DISCLOSURE TO
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE AND GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
See COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS for further
information relating to each Named Executive Officer regarding the terms of awards reported in the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table and for discussions regarding officer stock ownership requirements, dividends
paid on equity awards, and allocations between short-term and long-term compensation.
The following table provides
information regarding the outstanding equity awards held by each of the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2014.
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL
YEAR-END TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards(1) |
|
Stock Awards |
Name
(a) |
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#) (b) |
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#) (c) |
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#) (d) |
|
Option Exercise Price ($) (e) |
|
Option Expiration Date (f) |
|
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have
Not Vested (#) (g) |
|
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not
Vested ($) (h) |
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units,
or Other Rights That Have Not Vested(2)(4) (#) (i) |
|
|
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned
Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested(2)(3)(4) ($) (j) |
Moehn |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,908 |
|
|
2,256,126 |
Diya |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49,794 |
|
|
2,296,984 |
Lyons |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
96,983 |
|
|
4,473,826 |
Naslund |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
70,743 |
|
|
3,263,375 |
Nelson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71,874 |
|
|
3,315,548 |
Baxter |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
145,089 |
|
|
6,692,956 |
(1) |
None of the Named Executive Officers hold any options to purchase shares of Amerens Common Stock. |
(2) |
For each Named Executive Officer, represents 2013 and 2014 PSU award grants at maximum and target performance, respectively. The 2013 and 2014 PSU awards for such Named
Executive Officers vest, subject to Ameren achieving the required performance threshold and continued employment of the Named Executive Officer, as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, respectively, for such Named Executive
Officers. See COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Long-Term Incentives: Performance Share Unit Program (PSUP). In addition, for Mr. Diya, the
amount includes the March 2014 retention award grant at maximum performance. The retention award will vest, subject to achieving the required performance threshold and to Mr. Diyas continued employment, as of February 28, 2017.
|
45
(3) |
The dollar value of the payment of the 2013 and 2014 PSU awards is based on achieving the maximum and target performance goals for such awards, respectively. The dollar
value of the payment of Mr. Diyas retention award is based on achieving the maximum performance goal for such award. Valuations for the 2013 and 2014 PSU awards reflected in column (i) are based on the closing price of $46.13 per
share of Amerens Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2014. There is no guarantee that, if and when the 2013 and 2014 PSU awards or Mr. Diyas retention award vest, they will have this value. |
The following table provides the amounts received upon exercise of options or similar instruments or the vesting of stock or similar
instruments during the most recent fiscal year.
OPTION EXERCISES AND
STOCK VESTED TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Option Awards(1) |
|
Stock Awards |
|
Name (a) |
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) (b) |
|
Value Realized on Exercise ($) (c) |
|
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting(2) (#) (d) |
|
Value Realized
on Vesting(3) ($) (e) |
|
Moehn |
|
|
|
|
|
11,827 |
|
|
545,580 |
|
Diya |
|
|
|
|
|
15,689 |
|
|
681,281 |
|
Lyons |
|
|
|
|
|
27,530 |
|
|
1,269,959 |
|
Naslund |
|
|
|
|
|
20,821 |
|
|
960,473 |
|
Nelson |
|
|
|
|
|
20,531 |
|
|
947,095 |
|
Baxter |
|
|
|
|
|
32,766 |
|
|
1,511,496 |
|
(1) |
None of the Named Executive Officers hold any options to purchase shares of Amerens Common Stock. |
(2) |
For each Named Executive Officer, represents 2012 PSU award grants earned as of December 31, 2014. In addition, for Mr. Diya, represents 7,361 shares received
with respect to a retention award whose three-year performance period ended in March 2014. During the performance period for the 2012 PSU awards ending December 31, 2014, such Named Executive Officers were credited with dividend equivalents on
2012 PSU award grants, which represented the right to receive shares of Ameren Common Stock measured by the dividend payable with respect to the corresponding number of 2012 PSU awards. Dividend equivalents on 2012 PSU awards accrued at target
levels and were reinvested into additional 2012 PSU awards throughout the three-year performance period. For each Named Executive Officer, the actual dividend equivalents paid out on PSU awards varies from 0 percent to 200 percent of the target
number of PSUs granted to each Named Executive Officer and is based on the performance of Ameren during each respective PSU award performance period. Dividend equivalents are only earned to the extent that the underlying PSU award is earned. The
number of 2012 PSUs ultimately earned by each Named Executive Officer through dividend reinvestment, at 14.3 percent of the original target levels accrued, was as follows: Mr. Moehn 1,477 units; Mr. Diya 1,039 units; Mr. Lyons
3,437 units; Mr. Naslund 2,599 units; Mr. Nelson 2,563 units and Mr. Baxter 4,091 units. |
(3) |
The value of the vested 2012 PSUs is based on the closing price of $46.13 per share of Amerens Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2014.
|
46
PENSION BENEFITS
The table below provides the actuarial present value of the Named Executive Officers accumulated benefits under Amerens
retirement plans and the number of years of service credited to each Named Executive Officer under these plans.
PENSION BENEFITS TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name (a) |
|
Plan Name (b) |
|
Number of Years
Credited Service(1) (#) (c) |
|
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit(2)(3) ($) (d) |
|
|
Payments During Last
Fiscal Year(4) ($) (e) |
Moehn |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
14 |
|
|
360,633 |
|
|
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
14 |
|
|
288,979 |
|
|
|
Diya |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
9 |
|
|
254,453 |
|
|
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
9 |
|
|
141,870 |
|
|
|
Lyons |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
13 |
|
|
364,651 |
|
|
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
13 |
|
|
575,665 |
|
|
|
Naslund |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
40 |
|
|
1,345,003 |
|
|
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
40 |
|
|
786,581 |
|
|
|
Nelson |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
19 |
|
|
649,870 |
|
|
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
19 |
|
|
548,295 |
|
|
|
Baxter |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
19 |
|
|
433,579 |
|
|
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
19 |
|
|
1,205,726 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Years of credited service are not used for purposes of calculating the Named Executive Officers balances under these plans. |
(2) |
Represents the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefits relating to the Named Executive Officers under the Retirement Plan (defined below) and the SRP as of
December 31, 2014. See Note 11 to our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in our 2014 Form 10-K for an explanation of the valuation method and all material assumptions applied in
quantifying the present value of the accumulated benefit. The calculations were based on retirement at the plan normal retirement age of 65, included no pre-retirement decrements in determining the present value, used an 80 percent lump
sum/20 percent annuity payment form assumption, and used the plan valuation mortality assumptions after age 65 in the 1994 Group Annuity Reserving Table. Cash balance accounts were projected to age 65 using the 2014 plan interest
crediting rate of 5 percent. |
47
(3) |
The following table provides the Cash Balance Account Lump Sum Value for accumulated benefits relating to the Named Executive Officers under the cash balance account
under the Retirement Plan and the SRP at December 31, 2014 as an alternative to the presentation of the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefits relating to the Named Executive Officers under the Retirement Plan and the SRP as of
December 31, 2014. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Plan Name |
|
Cash Balance Account Lump Sum Value ($) |
|
Moehn |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
|
267,137 |
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
|
214,060 |
|
Diya |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
|
200,600 |
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
|
111,844 |
|
Lyons |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
|
276,520 |
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
|
436,535 |
|
Naslund |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
|
1,176,084 |
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
|
687,795 |
|
Nelson |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
|
542,871 |
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
|
458,020 |
|
Baxter |
|
1) Retirement Plan |
|
|
347,785 |
|
|
|
2) SRP |
|
|
967,145 |
|
(4) |
All Named Executive Officers were active and not eligible for payments prior to December 31, 2014. |
Ameren Retirement Plan
Retirement benefits for the Named Executive Officers fall under the Benefits for Salaried Employees (the Cash Balance Account). Most salaried employees of Ameren and its subsidiaries,
including the Named Executive Officers, earn benefits in the Cash Balance Account under the Ameren Retirement Plan (the Retirement Plan) immediately upon employment. Benefits become vested after three years of service.
On an annual basis a bookkeeping account in a participants name is credited with an amount equal to a percentage of the
participants pensionable earnings for the year. Pensionable earnings include base salary and annual EIP compensation, which are equivalent to amounts shown in columns (c) and (g) in the Summary Compensation Table. The applicable
percentage is based on the participants age as of December 31 of that year.
|
|
|
Participants Age
on December 31 |
|
Regular Credit for Pensionable Earnings* |
Less than 30 |
|
3% |
30 to 34 |
|
4% |
35 to 39 |
|
4% |
40 to 44 |
|
5% |
45 to 49 |
|
6% |
50 to 54 |
|
7% |
55 and over |
|
8% |
|
* |
An additional regular credit of three percent is received for pensionable earnings above the Social Security wage base. |
|
These accounts also receive interest credits based on the average yield
for one-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity for the previous October, plus one percent. The minimum interest credit is five percent.
48
Effective January 1, 2001, an enhancement account was added that provides a $500
additional credit at the end of each year.
The normal retirement age under the Cash Balance Account structure and the SRP is
65. Neither the Cash Balance Account structure nor the SRP contains provisions for crediting extra years of service or for early retirement. When a participant terminates employment (including as a result of retirement), the amount credited to the
participants account is converted to an annuity or paid to the participant in a lump sum. The participant can also choose to defer distribution, in which case the account balance is credited with interest at the applicable rate until the
future date of distribution.
Ameren Supplemental Retirement Plan
In certain cases, pension benefits under the Retirement Plan are reduced to comply with maximum limitations imposed by the IRC. The SRP is
maintained by Ameren to provide for a supplemental benefit equal to the difference between the benefit that would have been paid if such IRC limitations were not in effect and the reduced benefit payable as a result of such IRC limitations. Any
Named Executive Officer whose pension benefits under the Retirement Plan would exceed IRC limitations or who participates in the deferred compensation plan described below is eligible to participate in the SRP. The SRP is unfunded and is not a
qualified plan under the IRC.
There is no offset under either the Retirement Plan or the SRP for Social Security benefits or
other offset amounts.
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The following table discloses contributions, earnings and balances under the nonqualified deferred compensation plan for
each Named Executive Officer.
NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
(a) |
|
Executive Contributions in
2014(1) ($) (b) |
|
Company Contributions in
2014(2) ($) (c) |
|
Aggregate Earnings in
2014(3) ($) (d) |
|
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($) (e) |
|
Aggregate Balance at
12/31/2014(4) ($) (f) |
Moehn |
|
48,377 |
|
16,901 |
|
30,699 |
|
|
|
595,423 |
Diya |
|
158,353 |
|
12,583 |
|
27,361 |
|
|
|
690,015 |
Lyons |
|
49,285 |
|
36,964 |
|
16,388 |
|
|
|
401,716 |
Naslund |
|
362,100 |
|
23,678 |
|
205,808 |
|
|
|
4,095,059 |
Nelson |
|
|
|
|
|
23,267 |
|
|
|
433,184 |
Baxter |
|
61,099 |
|
45,824 |
|
82,052 |
|
|
|
1,886,260 |
(1) |
A portion of these amounts is also included in amounts reported for 2014 as Salary in column (c) of the Summary Compensation Table. These amounts also
include a portion of amounts reported as Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation in our 2014 information statement, representing compensation paid in 2014 for performance during 2013. |
(2) |
All of the Company matching contributions reported for each Named Executive Officer are included in the amounts reported in column (i) of the Summary Compensation
Table. |
49
(3) |
The dollar amount of aggregate interest earnings accrued during 2014. The above-market interest component of these amounts earned on deferrals made prior to
January 1, 2010 with respect to plan years beginning on or prior to January 1, 2010 and for deferrals made prior to January 1, 2010 with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2011 is included in amounts reported
in column (h) of the Summary Compensation Table. See footnote (6) to the Summary Compensation Table for the amounts of above-market interest. There are no above-market or preferential earnings on compensation deferred with respect to plan
years beginning on or after January 1, 2010 for deferrals made on and after January 1, 2010. |
(4) |
The dollar amount of the total balance of the Named Executive Officers account as of December 31, 2014 consists of the following elements:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Executive Contributions ($) |
|
|
Company Matching Contributions ($) |
|
Interest Earnings ($) |
|
Total ($) |
|
|
Amount Previously Reported
as Compensation in Prior Years(1) ($) |
|
Moehn |
|
|
321,710 |
|
|
65,419 |
|
208,294 |
|
|
595,423 |
|
|
|
|
|
Diya |
|
|
556,953 |
|
|
42,745 |
|
90,316 |
|
|
690,015 |
|
|
|
|
|
Lyons |
|
|
190,677 |
|
|
143,008 |
|
68,031 |
|
|
401,716 |
|
|
|
247,436 |
|
Naslund |
|
|
2,639,006 |
|
|
112,319 |
|
1,343,733 |
|
|
4,095,059 |
|
|
|
2,454,566 |
|
Nelson |
|
|
187,259 |
|
|
45,213 |
|
200,712 |
|
|
433,184 |
|
|
|
109,831 |
|
Baxter |
|
|
954,032 |
|
|
183,213 |
|
749,015 |
|
|
1,886,260 |
|
|
|
1,118,888 |
|
(1) |
Represents amounts previously reported as compensation to the Named Executive Officer in the Companys Summary Compensation Table in previous years.
|
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Participation
Pursuant to an optional deferred compensation plan available to members of Amerens management, Named Executive Officers may annually
choose to defer up to 50 percent (in one percent increments) of their salary and up to 100 percent (in one percent increments or amounts in excess of a threshold) of cash incentive awards. There are no minimum dollar thresholds for
deferrals. At the request of a participant, Ameren may, in its discretion, waive the 50 percent limitation.
The Ameren
Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, effective January 1, 2010 (the Ameren Deferred Compensation Plan), changed the interest crediting rates for deferrals made with respect to plan years commencing on and after
January 1, 2010 and added a 401(k) restoration benefit for eligible officers of Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Named Executive Officers, whose total salary and short-term incentive award exceeds the limit on compensation in effect
under the IRC. In October 2010, Ameren adopted an amendment to the Ameren Deferred Compensation Plan for plan years beginning on and after January 1, 2011 to, among other things, change the measurement period for the applicable interest rates
to amounts deferred under such plan prior to January 1, 2010 and clarify that matching contributions made under the plan are based upon all of a participants deferrals under the plan during a plan year. Pursuant to the Ameren Deferred
Compensation Plan, amounts deferred (and interest attributable thereto), other than the 401(k) Restoration Benefit (as defined below), accrue interest at the rate to be applied to the participants account balance depending on (1) the plan
year for which the rate is being calculated and (2) the year in which the deferral was made, as follows:
50
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation for Plan Year |
|
Deferral Date |
|
Rate |
Plan Years beginning on or prior to January 1, 2010 |
|
Deferrals prior to January 1, 2010 |
|
150 percent of the average of the monthly Mergents Seasoned AAA Corporate Bond Yield Index rate (the Officers Deferred Plan Index Rate) for the calendar year
immediately preceding such plan year for 2014 such interest crediting rate was 6.23 percent |
|
|
|
Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2010 |
|
Deferrals on and after January 1, 2010 |
|
120 percent of the AFR for the December immediately preceding such plan year (the Officers Deferred Plan Interest Rate) for 2014 such interest crediting rate was
3.99 percent |
Under the Ameren Deferred Compensation Plan, upon a participants termination of employment with
Ameren and/or its subsidiaries, including the Company, prior to age 55 and after the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined under Other Potential Post-Employment Payments Change of Control In General Change
of Control Severance Plan below) the balance in such participants deferral account, with interest as described in the table above, shall be distributed in a lump sum within 30 days after the date the participant terminates employment.
The 401(k) Restoration Benefit allows eligible officers of Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Named Executive
Officers, to also defer a percentage of salary and/or EIP awards in excess of the limit on compensation then in effect under the IRC (currently $265,000), in one percent increments, up to a maximum of six percent of total salary and EIP
awards (a 401(k) Restoration Deferral, together with Amerens 401(k) matching credit described below, the 401(k) Restoration Benefit). Under the Ameren Deferred Compensation Plan, Ameren credits each participating
officers deferral account with a matching credit equal to 100 percent of the first three percent of salary and EIP awards and 50 percent of the remaining salary and EIP awards deferred by the participant, including a 401(k)
Restoration Deferral. In general, eligible participants, including the Named Executive Officers, may direct the deemed investment of the 401(k) Restoration Benefit in accordance with the investment options that are generally available under
Amerens 401(k) savings investment plan, except for the Ameren stock fund.
As a result of the changes described in
this section, no preferential or above-market earnings are paid pursuant to the Ameren Deferred Compensation Plan with respect to plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2010 for deferrals made on and after January 1, 2010. The
investment returns for the funds available to Named Executive Officers under the Ameren Deferred Compensation Plan in 2014 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Fund |
|
Percentage Rate of Return |
|
Target 2020 Fund |
|
|
5.42 |
% |
Target 2025 Fund |
|
|
5.64 |
% |
Target 2030 Fund |
|
|
5.81 |
% |
Target 2035 Fund |
|
|
5.97 |
% |
Target 2040 Fund |
|
|
6.14 |
% |
51
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Fund |
|
Percentage Rate of Return |
|
Target 2045 Fund |
|
|
6.25 |
% |
Target 2050 Fund |
|
|
6.40 |
% |
Target 2055 Fund |
|
|
6.46 |
% |
Target Retirement Fund |
|
|
5.09 |
% |
Large Cap Equity Index |
|
|
13.67 |
% |
Large Cap Growth Equity |
|
|
9.95 |
% |
Large Cap Value Equity |
|
|
10.50 |
% |
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index |
|
|
6.94 |
% |
Small/Mid Cap Equity |
|
|
3.89 |
% |
International Equity Index |
|
|
-4.43 |
% |
International Equity |
|
|
-2.30 |
% |
Bond Fund |
|
|
4.70 |
% |
Bond Index Fund |
|
|
6.02 |
% |
TIPS Bond Index Fund |
|
|
3.42 |
% |
Stable Interest Income |
|
|
0.78 |
% |
After the participant retires, the deferred amounts (and interest attributable thereto), other than the
401(k) Restoration Benefit, accrue interest as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Calculation for Plan Year |
|
Deferral Date |
|
Rate |
Plan Years beginning on or prior to January 1, 2010 |
|
Deferrals prior to January 1, 2010 |
|
Average monthly Mergents Seasoned AAA Corporate Bond Yield Index rate (the Officers Deferred Plan Base Index Rate) for the calendar year immediately preceding such
plan year for 2014 such interest crediting rate was 4.15 percent |
|
|
|
Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 2010 |
|
Deferrals on and after January 1, 2010 |
|
Officers Deferred Plan Interest Rate for 2014 such interest crediting rate was 3.99 percent |
The plan compounds interest annually and the rate is calculated as of the first day of the plan year.
Distributions from the Ameren Deferred Compensation Plan will be paid in cash. A participant may choose to receive the
deferred amounts at retirement in a single lump sum payment or in substantially equal installments over a period of 5, 10 or 15 years. In the event a participant terminates employment with Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company,
prior to age 55, the balance in such participants deferral account is distributable in a lump sum to the participant within 30 days of the date the participant terminates employment.
Participants are 100 percent vested at all times in the value of their contributions, investment earnings and any Ameren 401(k) matching
credits. A participants benefit will be comprised of separate bookkeeping accounts evidencing his or her interest in each of the investment funds in which contributions and applicable matching contributions have been deemed invested. While no
actual contributions are made to the funds, earnings or losses are calculated using the valuation methodology employed by the record keeper for each of the
52
corresponding funds. Participants may generally transfer investments among various investment alternatives on a daily basis, subject to the provisions of the Ameren Deferred Compensation Plan.
OTHER POTENTIAL POST-EMPLOYMENT
PAYMENTS
Employment Agreements
Neither Ameren nor the Company has employment agreements with the Named Executive Officers.
General Severance Plan
Ameren maintains the Ameren Corporation Severance Plan for Ameren Employees which provides for severance based on years of service and weeks of pay for all salaried full-time employees on the active
payroll. The Named Executive Officers are covered under this plan in the event of a qualified termination (defined under the plan) and are eligible for severance on the same basis as other full-time salaried employees.
Change of Control
In General
Change of Control Severance Plan. Severance and PSUP provisions pursuant to a Change of Control (as defined below) were redesigned
or designed by the Committee in 2006 and subsequent changes to the Change of Control Plan have been made in response to various changes in tax laws. In 2008, Amerens Board of Directors adopted the Ameren Second Amended and Restated Change of
Control Severance Plan, as amended (the Change of Control Plan). Other Ameren plans also carry change of control provisions. The Change of Control Plan was amended in 2009 to eliminate reimbursement and gross-up payments in connection
with any excise taxes that may be imposed on benefits received by any officers who first become designated as entitled to receive benefits under the Change of Control Plan on or after October 1, 2009.
Under the Change of Control Plan, designated officers of Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Named Executive Officers, are
entitled to receive severance benefits if their employment is terminated without Cause (as defined below) or by the Named Executive Officer for Good Reason (as defined below) within two years after a Change of Control.
Definitions of Change of Control, Cause and Good Reason
A change of control (Change of Control) occurs under the Change of Control Plan, in general, upon:
|
(i) |
the acquisition of 20 percent or more of the outstanding Common Stock of Ameren or of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of Ameren;
|
|
(ii) |
a majority change in composition of the board of directors; |
|
(iii) |
a reorganization, merger or consolidation, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Ameren, unless current shareholders continue to own
60 percent or more of the surviving entity immediately following the transaction; or |
53
|
(iv) |
approval by Ameren shareholders of a complete liquidation or dissolution of Ameren. |
Cause is defined as follows:
|
(i) |
the participants willful failure to substantially perform his or her duties with Ameren (other than any such failure resulting from the participants
disability), after notice and opportunity to remedy; |
|
(ii) |
gross negligence in the performance of the participants duties which results in material financial harm to Ameren; |
|
(iii) |
the participants conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or any other crime involving the personal enrichment of the participant at the
expense of Ameren or shareholders of Ameren; or |
|
(iv) |
the participants willful engagement in conduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to Ameren, monetarily or otherwise. |
Good Reason is defined as follows:
|
(i) |
a net reduction of the participants authorities, duties, or responsibilities as an executive and/or officer of Ameren; |
|
(ii) |
required relocation of more than 50 miles; |
|
(iii) |
any material reduction of the participants base salary or target bonus opportunity; |
|
(iv) |
reduction in grant-date value of long-term incentive opportunity; |
|
(v) |
failure to provide the same aggregate value of employee benefit or retirement plans in effect prior to a Change of Control; |
|
(vi) |
failure of a successor to assume the Change of Control Plan agreements; or |
|
(vii) |
a material breach of the Change of Control Plan which is not remedied by the Company within ten business days of receipt of written notice of such breach.
|
If a Named Executive Officers employment is terminated without Cause or by the Named Executive Officer
for Good Reason within two years after a Change of Control, the Named Executive Officer will receive a cash lump sum equal to the following:
|
(i) |
unpaid salary and vacation pay through the date of termination; |
|
(ii) |
pro rata EIP compensation for the year of termination; |
|
(iii) |
three years worth of each of base salary and target EIP compensation; |
|
(iv) |
additional pension credit in the case of Messrs. Lyons, Nelson, and Baxter; and |
|
(v) |
solely with respect to officers who first became designated as entitled to receive benefits under the Change of Control Plan before October 1, 2009, reimbursement
and gross-up for any excise tax imposed on benefits received by the Named Executive Officer from Ameren, assuming such payments (as defined by the IRS) are at least 110 percent of the imposed cap under the IRC. |
54
In addition to the cash lump sum payment, any such Named Executive Officer shall
(i) continue to be eligible for health and welfare benefits during the three-year severance period, provided that if the Named Executive Officer becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive such health and welfare
benefits under such other employers plan, the Companys health and welfare benefits will be secondary to those provided under such other plan during the severance period and (ii) receive, as incurred, up to $30,000 for the cost of
outplacement services (not available for a Good Reason termination).
Following are details of how the above items are
calculated.
|
|
|
Retirement Plan Benefit Assumptions. Amount equal to the difference between (a) the account balance under the Retirement Plan and SRP which
the participant would receive if his or her employment continued during the three-year period upon which severance is received (assuming the participants compensation during such period would have been equal to his or her compensation as in
effect immediately prior to termination), and (b) the actual account balance (paid or payable) under such plans as of the date of termination. |
|
|
|
Health and Welfare Benefit Payment Assumptions. Continued coverage for the Named Executive Officers family with medical, dental, life
insurance and executive life insurance benefits as if employment had not been terminated during the three-year period upon which severance is received. The calculation and the corresponding amounts set forth in the Estimated Potential
Post-Employment Payments tables below assume full cost of benefits over the three-year period. In addition, the Named Executive Officers family receives additional retiree medical benefits (if applicable) as if employment had not been
terminated during the three-year period upon which severance is received. All retiree medical benefits are payable only in their normal form as monthly premium payments. The actuarial present value of the additional retiree medical benefits is
included, calculated based on retirement at the end of the three-year severance period a graded discount rate assumption of 0.41 percent for payment duration of three years or less, 2.06 percent for payment duration of over three but not more than
nine years and 3.29 percent for payment duration over nine years, and post-retirement mortality (but not pre-retirement mortality) according to the RP-2014 (generational) table. |
Ability to Amend or Terminate Change of Control Plan
Amerens Board may amend or terminate the Change of Control Plan at any time, including designating any other event as a Change of Control, provided that the Change of Control Plan may not be amended
or terminated (i) following a Change of Control, (ii) at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (iii) otherwise in connection with or in anticipation of a Change of
Control in any manner that could adversely affect the rights of any officer covered by the Change of Control Plan.
Change
of Control Provisions Relating to PSU Awards
Below is a summary of protections provided upon a Change of Control with
respect to the PSU awards under the 2006 Plan (or if applicable, the 2014 Plan). In brief, the goal of these protections is to avoid acceleration of PSU vesting and payment in situations where a Change of Control occurs but Ameren continues to exist
and the Named Executive Officer retains his or her position. In the table below, the term qualifying termination means the participant (i) has an involuntary termination without Cause, (ii) for Change of Control
55
Severance Plan participants, has a voluntary termination of employment for Good Reason (as defined in the Change of Control Severance Plan) or (iii) has an involuntary termination that
qualifies for severance under the Ameren Corporation Severance Plan for Ameren Employees (as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control). Other definitions of capitalized terms may be found in the 2006 Plan (or if applicable, the 2014
Plan) or applicable award agreement.
|
|
|
|
|
Change of Control Event |
|
Termination Event |
|
Unvested
PSU Awards |
|
|
|
Change of Control which occurs on or before the
end of the applicable performance period after which Ameren continues in existence and remains a publicly traded company on the NYSE or NASDAQ |
|
No qualifying termination |
|
Payable upon the earliest to occur of the
following: after the performance period has ended; or
the participants death.
|
|
Qualifying termination within two years after the Change of Control and during
the three-year performance period |
|
The PSUs the
participant would have earned if such participant remained employed for the entire performance period, at actual performance, will vest on the last day of the performance period and be paid in shares of the Companys Common Stock immediately
following the performance period; provided that such distribution shall be deferred until the date which is six months following the participants termination of employment to the extent required by IRC Section 409A.
|
|
|
|
Change of Control which occurs on or before the end of the applicable performance
period in which Ameren ceases to exist or is no longer publicly traded on the NYSE or NASDAQ |
|
Automatic upon Change of Control |
|
The target number of PSU awards granted,
together with dividends accrued thereon, will be converted to nonqualified deferred compensation. Interest on the nonqualified deferred compensation will accrue based on the prime rate, computed as provided in the award agreement.
|
|
Continued employment until the end of the three-year performance
period |
|
Lump sum payout
of the nonqualified deferred compensation plus interest immediately following the performance period. |
|
Retirement or termination due to disability prior to the Change of
Control |
|
Immediate lump
sum payment of the nonqualified deferred compensation plus interest upon the Change of Control. |
|
Continued employment until death
or disability which occurs after the Change of Control and before the end of the three-year performance period |
|
Immediate lump sum payout of the nonqualified deferred
compensation, plus interest upon such death or disability. |
|
Qualifying termination during the three-year performance period |
|
Immediate lump
sum payout of the nonqualified deferred compensation plus interest upon termination; provided that such distribution shall be deferred until the date which is six months following the participants termination of employment to the extent
required by IRC Section 409A. |
|
|
|
|
|
Other termination of employment before the end of the three-year performance period |
|
Forfeiture of the nonqualified deferred compensation, plus interest. |
56
Termination Other Than for Change of Control
The following table summarizes the impact of certain employment events outside the context of a Change of Control that may result in the
payment of unvested PSU awards.
|
|
|
|
|
Type of Termination |
|
Additional Termination Details |
|
Unvested PSU
Awards |
Death |
|
N/A |
|
All awards pay
out at target (plus accrual of dividends), pro rata for the number of days worked in each performance period. |
Disability |
|
N/A |
|
All outstanding
awards are earned at the same time and to the same extent that they are earned by other participants, and are paid immediately following the performance period.
|
Retirement (Termination at or after age 55) During Performance Period |
|
Prior to age 62 |
|
Only if the
participant has at least five years of service, a prorated award is earned at the end of the three-year performance period (based on actual performance) and paid immediately following the performance period.
|
|
Age 62+ |
|
Only if the
participant has at least ten years of service (or five years of service in the case of the 2011 PSU awards), a full award is earned at the end of the three-year performance period (based on actual performance) and paid immediately following the
performance period. |
Termination for any reason other than death, disability, and retirement as provided
above |
|
N/A |
|
Forfeited |
Estimated Potential Post-Employment Payments
The tables below reflect the payments and benefits payable to each of the Named Executive Officers in the event of a termination of the
Named Executive Officers employment under several different circumstances. For all Named Executive Officers, the amounts shown assume that termination was effective as of December 31, 2014, at the Named Executive Officers
compensation and service levels as of that date, and are estimates of the amounts that would be payable to the Named Executive Officer in each scenario. To the extent applicable, excise tax and gross-up payments are estimated using a stock price of
$46.13 per share (the closing price of Amerens Common Stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2014). In addition, the amounts shown do not include benefits paid by insurance providers under life and disability policies or payments and benefits
provided on a
57
non-discriminatory basis to employees upon a termination of employment, including severance payments under the Ameren Corporation Severance Plan for Ameren Employees. The actual amounts to be
paid out can only be determined at the time of the Named Executive Officers actual separation from Ameren. Factors that could affect the nature and amount of the payments on termination of employment, among others, include the timing of event,
compensation level, the market price of Amerens Common Stock and the Named Executive Officers age.
MOEHN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Component of Pay |
|
Death ($) |
|
|
Disability ($) |
|
|
Retirement at Age at 12/31/14(1) ($) |
|
Involuntary Termination not
for Cause ($) |
|
Change of Control(2) ($) |
|
Cash Severance (Three years Base Salary and Target EIP, Plus Prorata EIP) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,716,000 |
|
PSU Vesting, Assuming Termination of Employment |
|
|
1,297,620 |
|
|
|
2,454,216 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,102,957 |
|
Three Years Pension Credit |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
246,690 |
|
Three Years Health and Welfare Benefits(3) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,609 |
|
Outplacement at Maximum |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Excise Tax and Gross-up |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,665,595 |
|
Total |
|
|
1,297,620 |
|
|
|
2,454,216 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,801,851 |
|
DIYA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Component of Pay |
|
Death ($) |
|
|
Disability ($) |
|
|
Retirement at Age at 12/31/14(1) ($) |
|
Involuntary Termination not for Cause ($) |
|
|
Change of Control(2) ($) |
|
Cash Severance (Three years Base Salary and Target EIP, Plus Prorata EIP) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
2,160,000 |
|
PSU Vesting, Assuming Termination of Employment |
|
|
949,836 |
|
|
|
1,781,208 |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
1,594,235 |
|
Three Years Pension Credit |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
209,879 |
|
Three Years Health and Welfare Benefits(3) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
75,457 |
|
Outplacement at Maximum |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Excise Tax and Gross-up |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
2,142,686 |
|
March 2014 Retention Award(6) |
|
|
167,518 |
|
|
|
167,518 |
|
|
|
|
|
167,518 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
Total |
|
|
1,117,354 |
|
|
|
1,948,726 |
|
|
|
|
|
167,518 |
|
|
|
6,612,257 |
|
58
LYONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Component of Pay |
|
Death ($) |
|
|
Disability ($) |
|
|
Retirement at Age at 12/31/14(1) ($) |
|
Involuntary Termination not
for Cause ($) |
|
Change of Control(2) ($) |
|
Cash Severance (Three years Base Salary and Target EIP, Plus Prorata EIP) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,285,700 |
|
PSU Vesting, Assuming Termination of Employment |
|
|
2,761,227 |
|
|
|
5,241,999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,170,639 |
|
Three Years Pension Credit |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
431,901 |
|
Three Years Health and Welfare Benefits(3) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,040 |
|
Outplacement at Maximum |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Excise Tax and Gross-up |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,132,223 |
|
Total |
|
|
2,761,227 |
|
|
|
5,241,999 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12,110,503 |
|
NASLUND
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Component of Pay |
|
Death ($) |
|
|
Disability ($) |
|
|
Retirement at Age at 12/31/14(5) ($) |
|
|
Involuntary Termination not
for Cause ($) |
|
Change of Control(2) ($) |
|
Cash Severance (Three years Base Salary and Target EIP, Plus Prorata EIP) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
2,570,400 |
|
PSU Vesting, Assuming Termination of Employment |
|
|
2,048,264 |
|
|
|
3,863,947 |
|
|
|
3,863,947 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
3,070,228 |
|
Three Years Pension Credit |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
556,932 |
|
Three Years Health and Welfare Benefits(3) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
71,715 |
|
Outplacement at Maximum |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Excise Tax and Gross-up |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
3,149,247 |
|
Total |
|
|
2,048,264 |
|
|
|
3,863,947 |
|
|
|
3,863,947 |
|
|
|
|
|
9,448,522 |
|
59
NELSON
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Component of Pay |
|
Death ($) |
|
|
Disability ($) |
|
|
Retirement at Age at 12/31/14 ($) |
|
|
Involuntary Termination not
for Cause ($) |
|
Change of Control(2) ($) |
|
Cash Severance (Three years Base Salary and Target EIP, Plus Prorata EIP) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
2,539,600 |
|
PSU Vesting, Assuming Termination of Employment |
|
|
2,052,272 |
|
|
|
3,896,848 |
|
|
|
2,671,614 |
(4) |
|
|
|
|
3,090,695 |
|
Three Years Pension Credit |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
440,642 |
|
Three Years Health and Welfare Benefits(3) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
73,816 |
|
Outplacement at Maximum |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Excise Tax and Gross-up |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
3,111,664 |
|
Total |
|
|
2,052,272 |
|
|
|
3,896,848 |
|
|
|
2,671,614 |
|
|
|
|
|
9,286,417 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BAXTER |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Component of Pay |
|
Death ($) |
|
|
Disability ($) |
|
|
Retirement at Age at 12/31/14(1) ($) |
|
|
Involuntary Termination not
for Cause ($) |
|
Change of Control(2) ($) |
|
Cash Severance (Three years Base Salary and Target EIP, Plus Prorata EIP) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,650,000 |
|
PSU Vesting, Assuming Termination of Employment |
|
|
3,742,471 |
|
|
|
6,918,919 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,386,574 |
|
Three Years Pension Credit |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
626,971 |
|
Three Years Health and Welfare Benefits(3) |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105,936 |
|
Outplacement at Maximum |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
Excise Tax and Gross-up |
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7,386,212 |
|
Total |
|
|
3,742,471 |
|
|
|
6,918,919 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,185,693 |
|
(1) |
Messrs. Moehn, Diya, Lyons and Baxter are not retirement-eligible. Therefore, no PSU vesting is shown upon retirement for them. |
(2) |
Indicates Change of Control amounts payable to Named Executive Officers pursuant to the Change of Control Plan, assuming that Ameren ceases to exist or is no longer
publicly traded on the NYSE or NASDAQ after the Change of Control. |
(3) |
Health and welfare benefits figures reflect the estimated lump-sum present value of all future premiums which will be paid on behalf of or to the Named Executive
Officers under our welfare benefit plans. These amounts, however, would not actually be paid as a cash lump sum upon a Change of Control and termination of employment. |
(4) |
The estimated number of PSUs that would be payable upon retirement at December 31, 2014 for Mssrs. Naslund and Nelson is calculated according to the schedule
following Termination Other Than for Change of Control above, depending on their respective ages at December 31, 2014. Where performance was estimated, it was estimated at 200 percent payout for the 2013 PSU award and 50
percent payout for the 2014 PSU award. |
60
(5) |
Mr. Naslund retired from Ameren on March 1, 2015. In connection with his retirement, Mr. Naslund will be entitled to approximately 81,256 PSUs calculated
in accordance with the schedule following Termination Other Than for Change of Control above, based on his age on March 1, 2015 and an estimated performance at 200 percent payout for the 2013 PSU award, 50 percent payout for
the 2014 PSU award and 100 percent payout for the 2015 award. |
(6) |
In accordance with the terms of the March 1, 2014 retention award, (i) the amounts in the Death, Disability and Involuntary
Termination not for Cause columns represent an estimated payment equal to the maximum award, pro-rated based on an assumed date of death, disability or involuntary termination of December 31, 2014, and (ii) the amount in the
Change of Control column represents a payment equal to 100% of the target award. |
The information
contained in the following Audit and Risk Committee Report shall not be deemed to be soliciting material or filed or incorporated by reference in future filings with the SEC, or subject to the liabilities of
Section 18 of the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into a document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.
AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit and Risk Committee of Ameren Corporation reviews Union Electric Companys financial reporting process on behalf of Union
Electric Companys Board of Directors. In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Audit and Risk Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of Union Electric Company included in the 2014 Form 10-K with Union Electric
Companys management and the independent registered public accounting firm. Management is responsible for the financial statements and the reporting process, as well as maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and
assessing such effectiveness. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Union Electric Company is a non-accelerated filer with respect to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and therefore, is not required to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002 and related SEC regulations as to the auditors attestation report on internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit and Risk Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm, the matters required to be discussed
by the rules of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), including Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees.
In addition, the Audit and Risk Committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm, such accounting firms independence with respect to Union Electric Company and its
management, including the matters in the written disclosures and the letter required by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent registered public accounting firms communications with the Audit and Risk Committee
concerning independence, received from the independent registered public accounting firm.
To ensure the independence of the
independent registered public accounting firm, Ameren Corporation has instituted monitoring processes at both the management level and
61
the Audit and Risk Committee level. At the management level, the chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer is required to review and pre-approve all engagements of the independent
registered public accounting firm for any category of services, subject to the pre-approval of the Audit and Risk Committee described below. In addition, the chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer is required to provide to the Audit
and Risk Committee at each of its meetings (except meetings held exclusively to review earnings press releases and quarterly reports on SEC Form 10-Q) a written description of all services to be performed by the independent registered public
accounting firm and the corresponding estimated fees. The monitoring process at the Audit and Risk Committee level includes a requirement that the Committee pre-approve the performance of any services by the independent registered public accounting
firm, except the pre-approvals of non-audit services may be delegated to a single member of the Committee. At each Audit and Risk Committee meeting (except meetings held exclusively to review earnings press releases and quarterly reports on SEC
Form 10-Q), the Committee receives a joint report from the independent registered public accounting firm and the chief financial officer or the chief accounting officer concerning audit fees and fees paid to the independent registered public
accounting firm for all other services rendered, with a description of the services performed. The Audit and Risk Committee has considered whether the independent registered public accounting firms provision of the services covered under the
captions INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FEES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2014 AND 2013 Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and
All Other Fees in this information statement is compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firms independence and has concluded that the independent registered public accounting firms
independence has not been impaired by its engagement to perform these services.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions
referred to above, the Audit and Risk Committee recommended to the Boards of Directors of Ameren Corporation and Union Electric Company that Union Electric Companys audited financial statements be included in Union Electric Companys 2014
Form 10-K, for filing with the SEC.
Ameren Audit and Risk Committee:
Walter J. Galvin, Chairman
Catherine S. Brune
Ellen M. Fitzsimmons
Stephen R. Wilson
62
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
FISCAL YEAR 2014
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) served as the independent registered public accounting firm for Ameren and its subsidiaries in 2014. PwC is an independent registered public accounting firm
with the PCAOB. Representatives of the firm are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.
FEES FOR FISCAL YEARS 2014 AND 2013
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees for professional services rendered by PwC for (i) the audits of the consolidated annual financial statements of Ameren included in the combined 2014 Form 10-K of Ameren and its registered subsidiaries and the consolidated annual financial statements of Ameren included in the combined 2014 Form 10-K of Ameren and its registered subsidiaries; (ii) the audit of
Amerens internal control over financial reporting; (iii) the reviews of the quarterly financial statements included in the combined Forms 10-Q of Ameren and its subsidiaries for the 2014 fiscal year; (iv) services provided in
connection with debt and equity offerings; (v) controls assessment over new system implementations; (vi) certain accounting and reporting consultations; (vii) ratemaking-related audits; (viii) certain regulatory procedures for
the 2014 fiscal year; and (ix) certain services relating to Amerens ongoing discontinued operations, were $3,637,225.
Fees billed by PwC for audit services rendered to Ameren and its subsidiaries during the 2013 fiscal year totaled $5,325,075.
Audit-Related Fees
The aggregate fees for audit-related services
rendered by PwC to Ameren and its subsidiaries during the 2014 fiscal year totaled $167,565. Such services consisted of: (i) employee benefit plan audits; (ii) income tax accounting consultations; and (iii) stock transfer/registrar
review.
Fees billed by PwC for audit-related services rendered to Ameren and its subsidiaries during the 2013 fiscal year
totaled $797,235.
Tax Fees
PwC did not render any tax services to Ameren and its subsidiaries during the 2014 fiscal year.
Fees billed by PwC for tax services rendered to Ameren and its subsidiaries during the 2013 fiscal year totaled $165,000.
All Other Fees
The aggregate fees billed to Ameren by PwC during
the 2014 fiscal year for all other services rendered to Ameren and its subsidiaries totaled $6,500 for accounting and reporting reference software.
Fees billed by PwC for all other services rendered to Ameren and its subsidiaries during the 2013 fiscal year totaled $5,400.
63
FISCAL YEAR 2015
Amerens Audit and Risk Committee has appointed PwC as independent registered public accounting firm for Ameren and its subsidiaries,
including Ameren Missouri, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. Ameren is asking its shareholders to ratify this appointment at its 2015 annual meeting of shareholders.
POLICY REGARDING THE PRE-APPROVAL OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM PROVISION OF AUDIT, AUDIT-RELATED AND
NON-AUDIT SERVICES
Amerens Audit and Risk Committees charter
provides that the Committee is required to pre-approve all audit, audit-related and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to Ameren and its subsidiaries, including the Company, except that pre-approvals of
non-audit services may be delegated to a single member of the Audit and Risk Committee. The Audit and Risk Committee pre-approved 100 percent of the fees for services provided by PwC covered under the above captions Audit
Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees for fiscal years 2014 and 2013.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Under the rules of the
SEC, any shareholder proposal intended for inclusion in the information statement material for our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders must be received by the Secretary of the Company on or before November 13, 2015. We expect that the 2016
annual meeting of shareholders will be held on April 28, 2016.
In addition, under our Bylaws, shareholders who intend to
submit a proposal in person at an annual meeting, or who intend to nominate a director at the 2016 annual meeting, must provide advance written notice along with other prescribed information. In general, such notice must be received by the Secretary
of the Company at our principal executive offices not later than 60 days or earlier than 90 days prior to the anniversary of the previous years annual meeting (i.e., not later than Tuesday, February 23, 2016 or earlier than Sunday,
January 24, 2016). The specific procedures to be used by shareholders to recommend nominees for director are set forth in Amerens Policy Regarding Nominations of Directors, which can be found on Amerens website at
http://www.ameren.com. The specific procedures to be used by shareholders to submit a proposal in person at an annual meeting are set forth in the Companys Bylaws. The chairman of the meeting may refuse to allow the transaction of any
business, or to acknowledge the nomination of any person, not made in compliance with the procedures set forth in the Companys Bylaws and, in the case of nominations, Amerens Director Nomination Policy. Copies of the Companys
Bylaws and Director Nomination Policy may be obtained upon written request to the Secretary of the Company.
64
FORM 10-K
A copy of our 2014 Form 10-K, including the Companys financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, is being
furnished with this information statement. The 2014 Form 10-K is also available on Amerens website at http://www.ameren.com. If requested, we will provide you copies of any exhibits to the 2014 Form 10-K upon the payment of a fee
covering our reasonable expenses in furnishing the exhibits. You can request exhibits to the 2014 Form 10-K by writing to the Office of the Secretary, Union Electric Company, P.O. Box 66149, St. Louis, Missouri 63166-6149.
FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY, INCLUDING THE COMPANYS
ANNUAL, QUARTERLY AND CURRENT REPORTS ON SEC FORMS 10-K, 10-Q AND 8-K, RESPECTIVELY, PLEASE
VISIT THE INVESTORS SECTION OF AMERENS WEBSITE AT
HTTP://WWW.AMEREN.COM. INFORMATION CONTAINED ON AMERENS WEBSITE IS
NOT INCORPORATED INTO THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT OR OTHER SECURITIES FILINGS.
65
Union Electric (PK) (USOTC:UEPEP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Aug 2024 to Sep 2024
Union Electric (PK) (USOTC:UEPEP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Sep 2023 to Sep 2024