<PAGE> 1
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
/ / Preliminary Proxy Statement / / Confidential, for Use of the Commission
Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
</TABLE>
GENERAL RE CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), or 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2)
or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 2
ART WORK
GENERAL RE CORPORATION
695 EAST MAIN STREET
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06904-2351
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MAY 24, 1996
The annual meeting of the stockholders of General Re Corporation will be
held on May 24, 1996 at 9:00 a.m. at the offices of the Corporation, 695 East
Main Street, Stamford, Connecticut for the following purposes:
(1) To elect directors;
(2) To consider and act upon a proposal to ratify the selection of
independent public accountants; and
(3) To transact any and all other business which may properly come
before the meeting.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 27, 1996 are
entitled to notice of and to vote at this meeting or any adjournment thereof.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS MEETING, PLEASE DATE AND SIGN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY/DIRECTION CARD(S) AND RETURN THE PROXY/DIRECTION CARD(S)
PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE
UNITED STATES.
CHARLES F. BARR, Secretary
Stamford, Connecticut
March 29, 1996
<PAGE> 3
GENERAL RE CORPORATION
695 EAST MAIN STREET
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06904-2351
PROXY STATEMENT
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The accompanying proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation for use at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on May 24,
1996. The proxy, when properly executed and received by the Secretary prior to
the meeting, will be voted unless revoked. Any stockholder giving a proxy has
the power to revoke it at any time prior to voting by a later dated proxy,
notice in writing or attendance at the meeting and election to vote in person.
Except to the extent that contrary instructions are given by stockholders, it is
the intention of the persons named in the proxy to vote as follows:
(1) For the election of each nominee named below under the caption
"Election of Directors";
(2) For the proposal to ratify the selection of independent public
accountants; and
(3) In the discretion of the proxies, on any other matters that may
properly come before the meeting.
This proxy statement and the accompanying proxy/direction card(s) are being
mailed on or about March 29, 1996. Only stockholders of record on the books of
the Corporation at the close of business on March 27, 1996 will be entitled to
vote at the annual meeting. On that date, there were 102,825,580 shares of
common stock, $.50 par value (the "Common Stock"), issued and outstanding and
1,724,037 shares of convertible preferred stock, no par value (the "Preferred
Stock"), outstanding. Each holder of shares of Common Stock is entitled to one
(1) vote per share. Each share of Preferred Stock is entitled to the number of
votes equal to the number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of
Preferred Stock could be converted on the record date for determining the
stockholders entitled to vote, rounded to the nearest one-tenth of a vote. As of
March 27, 1996, each beneficial owner of shares of Preferred Stock is entitled
to one (1) vote per share. The presence of the holders of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock will constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business at the annual meeting, but if a quorum is not
present, in person or by proxy, the meeting may adjourn from time to time until
a quorum is obtained.
The affirmative vote of a majority in interest of the outstanding shares of
Common Stock and Preferred Stock present in person or represented by proxy at
the meeting and entitled to vote, voting together and not as separate classes,
is required for the election of directors and the ratification of the selection
of independent public accountants. Shares represented by proxies that are marked
"ABSTAIN" or that are not voted by brokers who are prohibited from exercising
authority for beneficial owners who have not provided voting instructions with
respect to a particular matter ("broker non-votes") are counted for purposes of
determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business.
Shares represented by proxies which are marked "WITHHELD" with regard to the
election of directors will be excluded entirely from the vote and will have no
effect. Shares represented by proxies which are marked "ABSTAIN" with respect to
the ratification of the selection of independent public accountants will be
considered in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and, accordingly,
will have the effect of a negative vote because that matter requires the
affirmative vote of a majority of the votes of holders of shares present in
person or represented by proxy. In addition, any broker non-votes on such matter
will have no effect on the outcome of such matter.
The proxy/direction card(s) will serve to direct the trustees of the
Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan of General Re Corporation and its
subsidiaries (the "ESSOP") on how to vote shares of the Corporation's Common
Stock and Preferred Stock held by such plan. Printed on the proxy/direction
card(s) accompanying this proxy statement, if applicable, is the number of
shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred
<PAGE> 4
Stock allocated to a participant in such plan. The directions given by the
participants will also serve to direct the trustee on how to vote a
proportionate number of shares of Preferred Stock held by the trustee which have
not been allocated to employee accounts or for which no directions have been
received.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Corporation's By-laws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist
of not less than nine (9) nor more than twenty-one (21) members as established
from time to time by the directors or the stockholders pursuant to the
provisions of the By-laws provided that the number of directors in each of the
three (3) classes of directors is as nearly equal as possible. The Board of
Directors currently consists of eleven (11) members. The members of each class
are elected to serve for a term of three (3) years and until their successors
are elected, or until the earliest of the annual meeting of stockholders next
following a member's seventy-second (72nd) birthday, or a member's resignation,
removal or ineligibility.
Under the present schedule, regular meetings of the Board of Directors are
held eight (8) times each year and additional special meetings are called
whenever necessary. The Board met eight (8) times in 1995.
The Board of Directors has established an Executive Committee to exercise
the powers of the Board during the intervals between meetings of the Board. The
members of the Executive Committee are Ronald E. Ferguson, Chairman, William C.
Ferguson, Donald J. Kirk, Andrew W. Mathieson and David E. McKinney. The
Executive Committee did not meet in 1995.
The Board of Directors has established a Finance Committee to review and
monitor the financial affairs of the Corporation, including its investment
strategy, capital resources and expenditures, subsidiary and stockholder
dividends, foreign currency positions and commercial and investment banking
relationships. Since January 1, 1996, the Finance Committee's responsibilities
also include the review of the actuarial assumptions and annual contributions to
the Corporation's pension plans and the selection of trustees, investment
managers and independent actuaries for the Corporation's pension plans and the
ESSOP. The members of the Finance Committee are Ronald E. Ferguson, Chairman,
Walter M. Cabot, Donald J. Kirk, Edward H. Malone, Andrew W. Mathieson, David E.
McKinney and Stephen A. Ross. The Finance Committee met six (6) times in 1995.
The Board of Directors has established an Audit Committee consisting of
Donald J. Kirk, Chairman, Lucy Wilson Benson, Kay Koplovitz and Walter F.
Williams, all of whom are nonemployee directors. This Committee oversees
management's discharge of its financial reporting responsibilities and
recommends appointment of the Corporation's independent public accountants. The
Audit Committee met five (5) times in 1995.
The Board has established a Compensation and Personnel Committee consisting
of Andrew W. Mathieson, Chairman, Walter M. Cabot, William C. Ferguson, Edward
H. Malone, David E. McKinney and Walter F. Williams, all of whom are nonemployee
directors. This Committee approves and reviews with the Board all aspects of the
Corporation's human resources (including personnel policies, controls, and
compensation and benefit programs), the performance of the senior officers and
the compensation of the Chairman, President and senior officers and administers
the General Re Corporation 1995 Long-Term Compensation Plan. The Compensation
and Personnel Committee met three (3) times in 1995.
The Board has established a Committee on Directors consisting of
nonemployee directors William C. Ferguson, Chairman, Lucy Wilson Benson and
Andrew W. Mathieson to recommend board committee structure, recommend a plan of
compensation and benefits for nonemployee directors, establish criteria for
selection of directors, review directors' performance and propose nominees for
election to the Board. It met twice in 1995. The Committee on Directors will
consider nominations submitted by stockholders. Nominations submitted in writing
by stockholders must be received by the Secretary of the Corporation not less
than sixty (60) days nor more than ninety (90) days prior to an annual meeting.
This notice must include the information concerning the nominee that must be
disclosed about nominees for election as directors in proxy
2
<PAGE> 5
solicitations prepared in accordance with Regulation 14A under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The notice must be accompanied by the written
consent of each proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Corporation if so
elected.
The Board has established a Shareholder Relations and Public Affairs
Committee consisting of non-employee directors Lucy Wilson Benson, Chairman,
William C. Ferguson, Donald J. Kirk and Walter F. Williams to consider matters
of special interest to stockholders, such as stockholder proposals, and policies
and procedures concerning services to stockholders. No stockholder proposals,
were received during 1995 and the Committee met once during the year. This
Committee was formerly known as the Shareholder Relations Committee. Its name
was changed on January 1, 1996 to reflect its expanded oversight of federal and
state governmental processes including legislation and regulation affecting the
Corporation. The Committee also reviews and approves the Corporation's annual
budget for charitable contributions.
The Board had a Pension and Savings Plan Committee consisting of Walter M.
Cabot, Chairman, Donald J. Kirk, Kay Koplovitz and Edward H. Malone. The
Committee's responsibilities included the review of the actuarial assumptions
and annual contributions for the Corporation's pension plans and the selection
of trustees, investment managers and independent actuaries for the Corporation's
pension plans and the ESSOP. The Pension and Savings Plan Committee met twice in
1995. This Committee was disbanded and its responsibilities reassigned primarily
to the Finance Committee and the Compensation and Personnel Committee by action
of the Board as of January 1, 1996.
Each of the directors attended at least 75 percent (75%) of the total of
the Board and their committee meetings held during 1995.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Three (3) directors have been nominated for reelection at the annual
meeting. They are Andrew W. Mathieson, a director since 1966, David E. McKinney,
a director since 1988, and Stephen A. Ross, a director since 1993.
It is intended that the proxies received will be voted for the three (3)
nominees unless otherwise provided therein. Management knows of no reason why
any of these nominees will be unable to serve, but, in such event, the proxies
received will be voted for such substitute nominees as the Committee on
Directors may recommend, but in no event will proxies received be voted for a
greater number of persons than the number of nominees.
3
<PAGE> 6
The names, ages, terms of office, and certain other information as of March
1, 1996 with respect to the persons nominated for election as directors and
other persons serving as directors are as follows:
INFORMATION CONCERNING NOMINEES FOR TERMS EXPIRING IN 1999:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- ---------------- ANDREW W. MATHIESON, 67, a director of the Corporation since 1966, has
been Executive Vice President of Richard K. Mellon and Sons, investment
PHOTO management and philanthropy, since 1978. He serves on the boards of
- ---------------- directors of Mellon Bank Corporation and Mellon Bank, N.A.
(c)(d)(e)(f)
- ---------------- DAVID E. MCKINNEY, 61, a director of the Corporation since 1988, is
Executive Secretary of the Watson Foundation. He previously served as
PHOTO Senior Vice President (1991-1992 and 1987-1988) and Vice President
(1979-1987) of IBM Corporation and as Director General, IBM Europe
- ---------------- (1988-1991). He serves on the boards of trustees of Brown University and
(c)(e)(f) the New York Philharmonic, on the boards of directors of Organization
Research Counselors, Fraunhofer Center for Research and PAXAR
Corporation, and is an overseer of the Thomas J. Watson, Jr. Institute
of International Studies.
- ---------------- STEPHEN A. ROSS, 52, a director of the Corporation since 1993, has been
Sterling Professor of Economics and Finance at Yale University since
PHOTO 1985. He is also Co-Chairman of Roll & Ross Asset Corporation. He serves
on the board of trustees of the College Retirement Equities Fund and is
- ---------------- a trustee of CalTech.
(f)
</TABLE>
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS.
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 1997:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- ---------------- RONALD E. FERGUSON, 54, a director of the Corporation since 1983, has
been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation since 1987.
PHOTO He has been with the Corporation since 1969. He serves on the boards of
- ---------------- directors of Colgate- Palmolive Company and General Signal Corporation.
(e)(f)
</TABLE>
4
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- ---------------- DONALD J. KIRK, 63, a director of the Corporation since 1987, is an
Executive-in- Residence, Columbia University Graduate School of
PHOTO Business, where he was a professor from 1987 to 1994. He was Chairman of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board from 1978 to 1986. In 1995, he
- ---------------- became a Member of the Public Oversight Board of the American Institute
(a)(e)(f)(s) of Certified Public Accountants' SEC Practice Section. He is a trustee
of the Fidelity Group of Mutual Funds and served as a director of
Valuation Research Corporation from 1993 to 1995. He serves as Vice
Chairman and Treasurer of the board of trustees of Greenwich Hospital
and as Chairman of the board of directors of the National Arts
Stabilization Fund.
- ---------------- EDWARD H. MALONE, 71, a director of the Corporation since 1985, is
retired. He previously served as Vice President of General Electric
PHOTO Company from 1970 to 1985. He is a trustee of the Fidelity Group of
Mutual Funds and serves on the boards of directors of Allegheny Power
- ---------------- Systems, Inc., Butler Capital Corporation and Mattel, Inc. He also
(c)(f) serves as a trustee of the Naples (Florida) Philharmonic Center for the
Arts and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
- ---------------- WALTER M. CABOT, 63, a director of the Corporation since 1979, has been
Senior Advisor to and Director of Standish, Ayer & Wood, investment
PHOTO managers, since 1991. He previously served as President (1974-1990) and
Senior Advisor (1990-1991) of Harvard Management Company, Inc., an
- ---------------- endowment management company. He is a trustee of Property Capital Trust
(c)(f) and serves on the boards of directors of Gasbeau, Inc. and Rockefeller
Financial Service, Inc. He serves as a trustee and treasurer of
Wellesley College and is Chairman of the New England Medical Center.
</TABLE>
INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE IN 1998:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- ---------------- LUCY WILSON BENSON, 68, a director of the Corporation since 1990, has
been President of Benson and Associates, consultants to business and
PHOTO government, since 1981. She served as Under Secretary of State for
Security Assistance, Science and Technology from 1977 to 1980. She
- ---------------- serves on the boards of directors of COMSAT Corporation, various Dreyfus
(a)(d)(s) Mutual Funds, International Executive Service Corps and Logistics
Management Institute. She is a trustee of the Alfred P. Sloan Founda-
tion, Vice Chairman of the board of trustees of Lafayette College and
Vice Chairman of the Atlantic Council of the United States.
- ---------------- WILLIAM C. FERGUSON, 65, a director of the Corporation since 1987. He
previously served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NYNEX
PHOTO Corporation (1989-1995). He also serves on the board of directors of CPC
International, Inc.
- ----------------
(c)(d)(e)(s)
</TABLE>
5
<PAGE> 8
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
- ---------------- KAY KOPLOVITZ, 50, a director of the Corporation since 1990, is the
founder and has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of USA
PHOTO Networks, an international cable television programming company, since
1980. She serves on the boards of directors of Liz Claiborne, Inc.,
- ---------------- Nabisco Holdings Corp., the Museum of Television and Radio and the
(a) National Cable Television Association, and on the board of trustees of
the Stern School of New York University.
- ---------------- WALTER F. WILLIAMS, 67, a director of the Corporation since 1989, is
retired. He previously served as Chairman, President and Chief Executive
PHOTO Officer of Bethlehem Steel Corporation from 1986 to 1992. He serves on
the board of trustees of Moravian College, is a director of Wilmington
- ---------------- Trust Company of Florida and is a member of The Business Council.
(a)(c)(s)
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Member Audit Committee
(c) Member Compensation and Personnel Committee
(d) Member Committee on Directors
(e) Member Executive Committee
(f) Member Finance Committee
(s) Member Shareholder Relations and Public Affairs Committee
6
<PAGE> 9
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
At December 31, 1995, the only person known by management to be a
beneficial holder, directly or indirectly, of more than five percent (5.0%) of
the Common Stock is FMR Corp. FMR reported in a Schedule 13G dated February 14,
1996 that it, and certain related persons, beneficially owned 5,194,335 (5.1% as
of March 27, 1996) of the shares of Common Stock of the Corporation with respect
to which it had sole voting power over 365,551 shares and sole dispositive power
over 5,194,335 shares. All of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock are held
by the ESSOP.
The following table shows the number of shares of the Corporation's Common
Stock beneficially owned as of March 1, 1996 by each director and nominee for
director and by the executive officers and former executive officer named in the
Compensation Table included in this Proxy Statement (including the beneficial
ownership of Preferred Stock held by the ESSOP, which is reported as shares of
Common Stock because the Preferred Stock is convertible into and votes with the
Common Stock as a class). Except as otherwise indicated, each person has sole
voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER
NUMBER OF
OF SHARES
SHARES UNDERLYING
OF SHARE
COMMON UNITS
STOCK IN
BENEFICIALLY DEFERRED TOTAL SHARES
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNED(1) COMPENSATION(2) AND SHARE UNITS
------------------------------- ------ ----- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Lucy Wilson Benson............. 430 -- 430
Walter M. Cabot................ 457 7,554 8,011
John C. Etling(3).............. 26,799(4) 865 27,664
Ronald E. Ferguson............. 72,546(4)(5) 4,794 77,340
William C. Ferguson............ 1,130 754 1,884
James E. Gustafson............. 29,353(4)(5) 2,687 32,040
Tom N. Kellogg................. 31,025(4)(5) 1,689 32,714
Donald J. Kirk................. 630 3,170 3,800
Kay Koplovitz.................. 1,130 1,557 2,687
Peter Lutke-Bornefeld.......... -- 5,069(6) 5,069
Edward H. Malone............... 830 3,200 4,030
Andrew W. Mathieson............ 3,618 6,552 10,170
David E. McKinney.............. 2,893 1,889 4,782
Stephen A. Ross................ 1,130 1,211 2,341
Walter F. Williams............. 1,130 654 1,784
All directors and executive
officers as of March 1, 1996
as a group (23 persons)...... 196,109(4)(5) 46,947 243,056
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes shares of Common Stock held in the names of spouses and children,
as to which beneficial ownership is disclaimed. Fractional shares are
rounded to the nearest whole share. No person named above owns beneficially
more than one percent (1%) of the outstanding stock. Does not include the
following shares underlying stock options exercisable within sixty (60)
days: John C. Etling -- 70,071 shares; Ronald E. Ferguson -- 57,190 shares;
James E. Gustafson -- 35,178 shares; Tom N. Kellogg -- 32,841 shares; Peter
Lutke-Bornefeld -- 1,000 shares; and all executive officers as of March 1,
1996 as a group -- 296,532 shares.
(2) Nonemployee directors may elect to defer all or part of their compensation
to be held in deferral accounts either in cash or as units equivalent to
shares of Common Stock ("share units"). Executive officers also may receive
a portion of their bonuses in share units and may receive, in appropriate
circumstances, share units subject to certain restrictions ("restricted
share units"). Share units and restricted share units carry no voting
rights. Fractional shares are rounded to the nearest whole share.
(Footnotes continued on following page)
7
<PAGE> 10
(Footnotes continued from preceding page)
(3) John C. Etling retired from the Corporation as of January 1, 1996.
(4) Shares of Preferred Stock are allocated to the accounts of participants in
the ESSOP pursuant to the terms of the ESSOP. Distributions under the ESSOP
are made in cash or shares of Common Stock into which the Preferred Stock is
convertible. The participants in the ESSOP have the right to instruct the
trustee with respect to the vote of the shares allocated to their accounts
and a portion of the Preferred Stock that has not been allocated to any
participant's account or for which no instructions are timely received by
the trustee, whether or not allocated to the account of any participant. The
number of shares of Common Stock disclosed above includes the shares of
Preferred Stock allocated to each participant's account but excludes any
unallocated shares because of the trustee's fiduciary duty relating to the
voting of unallocated shares under the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974. The number of shares allocated to the accounts of the persons
named above, if any, and the minimum number of unallocated shares as to
which they may give voting instructions are as follows: John C. Etling: 620
allocated shares, 2,469 unallocated shares; Ronald E. Ferguson: 668
allocated shares, 2,621 unallocated shares; James E. Gustafson: 634
allocated shares, 2,483 unallocated shares; Tom N. Kellogg: 996 allocated
shares, 4,000 unallocated shares; and all executive officers as of March 1,
1996 as a group: 344,758 allocated shares and 1,379,278 unallocated shares.
(5) Includes stock that is subject to restrictions on resale. Ronald E. Ferguson
holds 22,500 shares (3,750 restricted until March 1996; 3,750 restricted
until June 1997; 15,000 restricted until January 2002); James E. Gustafson
holds 20,000 shares (2,500 restricted until March 1996; 2,500 restricted
until June 1997; 2,500 restricted until September 1999; 2,500 restricted
until November 2001; 10,000 restricted until October 2006); and Tom N.
Kellogg holds 20,000 shares (15,000 restricted until March 1996; 5,000
restricted until February 2000); and all executive officers as of March 1,
1996 as a group hold 91,700 restricted shares.
(6) Peter Lutke-Bornefeld holds 5,069 restricted share units that will convert
to unrestricted shares of Common Stock on January 3, 2000.
8
<PAGE> 11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary Compensation Table
The aggregate of all plan and non-plan compensation awarded to, earned by,
or paid to the Corporation's Chief Executive Officer and the four (4) most
highly compensated executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer,
including a former executive officer (collectively the "named executives"), for
services during the three (3) fiscal years ended December 31, 1995 by the
Corporation and its subsidiaries to or for the benefit of the named executives
for services during those years in all capacities to the Corporation and its
subsidiaries is shown in the following table:
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
---------------------------------
AWARDS
---------------------- PAYOUTS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION RESTRICTED ---------
---------------------- STOCK OPTIONS LTIP ALL OTHER
NAME AND SALARY BONUS AWARD(S) SARS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
PRINCIPAL POSITION(1) YEAR ($) ($)(2) ($)(3) (#)(4) ($)(5) ($)(6)
- ------------------------------- ----- -------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald E. Ferguson............. 1995 $852,083 $ 682,500 $ 193,333 41,982 $ 192,378 $50,076
Director, Chairman 1994 810,417 647,500 270,928 176,528 306,884 49,067
and Chief Executive 1993 768,750 610,000 1,046,096 28,942 134,335 46,610
Officer
John C. Etling................. 1995 565,000 565,000 0 0 149,092 36,117
Former Director and 1994 541,250 475,000 0 13,000 273,277 32,917
Vice Chairman(7) 1993 520,417 365,000 0 10,898 93,380 31,710
James E. Gustafson............. 1995 533,333 412,500 122,222 30,636 93,824 32,000
President and Chief
Operating Officer
Tom N. Kellogg................. 1995 511,667 381,500 733,041 20,008 104,514 30,700
Executive Vice President
Peter Lutke-Bornefeld.......... 1995 528,105(8) 279,432 617,500 19,000 0 0
Executive Vice President
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Identified positions are as of March 1, 1996.
(2) Includes, except as noted below, cash amounts paid as an annual bonus (the
"Annual Incentive Bonus") under certain provisions of the General Re
Corporation 1995 Long-Term Compensation Plan (the "Compensation Plan") or
the 1989 Long-Term Compensation Plan (the "Prior Plan") for services
rendered during the specified calendar year. Dr. Lutke-Bornefeld's bonus was
paid by the Corporation's subsidiary, Kolnische
Ruckversicherungs-Gesellschaft AG and its subsidiaries ("Cologne Re").
(3) Includes restricted stock, restricted share units and share units that were
granted under the Compensation Plan or the Prior Plan. Share units were
granted in lieu of cash bonuses awarded (a) under the Annual Incentive Bonus
provisions of the Compensation Plan or the Prior Plan or (b) under the
provisions of the Prior Plan providing for bonus payments subject to the
performance of the Corporation over a five (5) year period (the "Performance
Bonus"). At December 31, 1995, Ronald E. Ferguson held 22,500 restricted
shares and share units for 4,603 shares worth $4,201,012; John C. Etling
held share units for 864 shares worth $134,008; James E. Gustafson held
20,000 restricted shares and share units for 2,503 shares worth $3,488,010;
Tom N. Kellogg held 20,000 restricted shares and share units for 1,597
shares worth $3,347,657; and Peter Lutke-Bornefeld held restricted share
units for 5,069 shares worth $785,695. Dividends are paid on restricted
stock and dividend equivalents are accrued on restricted share units and
share units and convert to Common Stock at the same time as the units
convert.
(Footnotes continued on following page)
9
<PAGE> 12
(Footnotes continued from preceding page)
(4) Includes regular grants of non-qualified stock options ("NQSOs"), grants of
replacement options (see footnote(2) to the Option Grants Table) and
restricted stock options granted under the Compensation Plan or the Prior
Plan. Restricted stock options were granted in lieu of cash bonuses awarded
under the Annual Incentive Bonus and Performance Bonus provisions of the
Compensation Plan or the Prior Plan.
(5) Includes amounts paid in cash and shares of Common Stock awarded under the
Performance Bonus provisions of the Prior Plan.
(6) Includes corporate allocations under the ESSOP and the unfunded book account
under the Supplemental Benefit Equalization Plan (the "SBEP") for 1995, as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME ESSOP SBEP
---------------------------------------------------------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
Ronald E. Ferguson........................................ $7,451 $42,625
John C. Etling............................................ 9,000 27,117
James E. Gustafson........................................ 9,000 23,000
Tom N. Kellogg............................................ 9,000 21,700
</TABLE>
(7) Mr. Etling retired as of January 1, 1996.
(8) Includes $108,757 paid as directors' fees by Cologne Re.
Option Grants Table
The options granted or awarded in 1995 to the named executives are shown in
the following table (no stock appreciation rights were granted in 1995, and none
have been granted since 1987):
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
NUMBER VALUE AT ASSUMED
OF ANNUAL RATES OF
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL STOCK PRICE
UNDERLYING OPTIONS APPRECIATION FOR
OPTIONS GRANTED TO EXERCISE OR OPTION TERM (1)
GRANTED EMPLOYEES IN BASE PRICE EXPIRATION --------------------
NAME (#) FISCAL YEAR (S/SH) GRANT DATE DATE 0% 5%
- ---------------------- ------- ------------ ------------ ------------ ---------- --- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald E. Ferguson.... 2,366 (2) .2515% $ 131.3750 02/09/95 12/12/99 $0 $ 82,761
2,276 (2) .2419 131.3750 02/09/95 12/12/00 0 98,597
7,022 (2) .7463 131.3750 02/09/95 12/11/01 0 365,187
23,000 (3) 2.2445 151.3125 11/08/95 11/08/05 0 2,188,671
2,459 (2) .2614 155.6875 12/11/95 12/11/01 0 130,200
2,438 (2) .2591 153.8750 12/12/95 12/12/00 0 103,646
319 (4) .0339 151.2500 02/01/96 02/01/06 0 30,343
2,102 (4) .2234 153.3125 03/07/96 03/07/06 0 202,669
------- ------ ------------ --- --------------
41,982 4.4621% $ 146.2779 $0 $ 3,202,076
James E. Gustafson.... 15,000 (3) 1.5943% $ 131.8125 04/03/95 04/03/05 $0 $ 1,243,442
14,000 (3) 1.4880 151.3125 11/08/95 11/08/05 0 1,332,234
307 (4) .0326 151.2500 02/01/96 02/01/06 0 29,201
1,329 (4) .1413 153.3125 03/07/96 03/07/06 0 128,138
------- ------ ------------ --- --------------
30,636 3.2562% $ 141.8510 $0 $ 2,733,017
Tom N. Kellogg........ 10,000 (3) 1.0629% $ 131.8125 04/03/95 04/03/05 $0 $ 828,961
9,000 (3) .9566 151.3125 11/08/95 11/08/05 0 856,436
152 (4) .0162 151.2500 02/01/96 02/01/06 0 14,458
856 (4) .0910 153.3125 03/07/96 03/07/06 0 82,533
------- ------ ------------ --- --------------
20,008 2.1266% $ 141.6515 $0 $ 1,782,389
Peter
Lutke-Bornefeld..... 10,000 (3) 1.0629% $ 131.8125 04/03/95 04/03/05 $0 $ 828,961
9,000 (3) .9566 151.3125 11/08/95 11/08/05 0 856,436
------- ------ ------------ --- --------------
19,000 2.0194% $ 141.0493 $0 $ 1,685,398
All Stockholders...... N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $0 $7,612,474,737
All Optionees......... 845,929(3) 100% $ 147.4126 Various 10 Years $0 $ 78,423,162
Options Gain as % of
all Stockholder
Gain................ N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 1.0%
<CAPTION>
NAME 10%
- ---------------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
Ronald E. Ferguson.... $ 182,113
222,741
847,259
5,546,522
295,380
229,031
76,896
513,604
---------------
$ 7,913,550
James E. Gustafson.... $ 3,151,127
3,376,144
74,003
324,728
---------------
$ 6,926,004
Tom N. Kellogg........ $ 2,100,751
2,170,378
36,640
209,155
---------------
$ 4,516,925
Peter
Lutke-Bornefeld..... 2,100,751
2,170,378
---------------
$ 4,271,130
All Stockholders...... $19,291,505,590
All Optionees......... $ 198,739,691
Options Gain as % of
all Stockholder
Gain................ 1.0%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The dollar amounts under these columns are the results of calculations at
assumed annual rates of stock price appreciation of zero percent (0%), five
percent (5%) and ten percent (10%). These assumed rates of
(Footnotes continued on following page)
10
<PAGE> 13
(Footnotes continued from preceding page)
growth were selected by the Securities and Exchange Commission for
illustration purposes only. They are not intended to forecast possible
future appreciation, if any, of the Corporation's stock price. No gain to
the optionees is possible without an increase in stock prices, which will
benefit all stockholders. A zero percent (0%) gain in stock price will
result in a zero percent (0%) benefit to optionees.
(2) Replacement options granted following the tender of a like number of shares
to satisfy the option price upon exercise of the underlying stock option.
Replacement options have the same expiration date as the original option and
an exercise price equal to the market price at the date of the new grant.
They are first exercisable one (1) year from the grant date provided the
employee still owns the shares acquired as a result of the original option
exercise, less the number of shares withheld to pay income tax due as a
result of exercising the original option.
(3) The Corporation makes annual grants of NQSOs to its executive officers.
These NQSOs have a ten-year term and become exercisable in twenty percent
(20%) increments each year over a five-year period. These options have the
replacement option feature described in (2) above.
(4) Restricted stock options were granted under the Compensation Plan during the
first quarter of 1996 in lieu of a portion of cash bonuses awarded under the
Annual Incentive Bonus provisions of the Compensation Plan and the 1991 to
1995 Performance Bonus provisions of the Prior Plan. These options are
exercisable immediately, but shares acquired are restricted from being sold
for five (5) years from the grant date and are forfeitable for termination
due to cause or the unauthorized use of proprietary information. These
options have the replacement option feature described in (2) above.
Aggregated Option Exercises and Fiscal Year-end Option Values Table
The realized value of aggregated option exercises during 1995 and the value
of unexercised in-the-money options at December 31, 1995 held by the named
executives are shown in the following table:
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION
VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF VALUE OF
SHARES UNEXERCISED UNEXERCISED
ACQUIRED OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY
ON VALUE FY-END (#) FY-END ($)
EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME (#) ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- ------------------------- ------ ---------- -------------- ---------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald E. Ferguson....... 36,342 $1,630,811 55,407/214,361 $2,012,382/$1,968,730
John C. Etling........... 5,617 221,225 51,071/21,000 3,101,765/836,381
James E. Gustafson....... 9,508 500,117 34,871/45,900 1,843,635/1,067,669
Tom N. Kellogg........... 3,708 197,219 32,689/34,300 1,855,174/878,794
Peter Lutke-Bornefeld.... 0 0 1,000/23,000 30,813/388,313
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE> 14
Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") Awards Table
The awards made during 1995 under the Compensation Plan to the named
executives are shown in the following table:
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANS -- AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS
PERFORMANCE UNDER NON-STOCK
NUMBER OF OR OTHER PRICE-BASED PLANS
SHARES, UNITS PERIOD UNTIL -------------------------------
OR OTHER MATURITIES OR THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
NAME RIGHTS (#) PAYOUT ($ OR #) ($ OR #) ($ OR #)
- ------------------------------------ ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ronald E. Ferguson.................. (1) 1995-1999 $ 0 $ 383,437 $ 766,874
John C. Etling...................... (1) 1995-1999 0 254,250 508,500
James E. Gustafson.................. (1) 1995-1999 0 240,000 480,000
Tom N. Kellogg...................... (1) 1995-1999 0 204,667 409,334
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Executive officers, other than Peter Lutke-Bornefeld, have the right to
receive awards under the Performance Bonus provisions of the Prior Plan
until 1998 and under the Performance Bonus provisions of the Compensation
Plan thereafter. Performance Bonus distributions under the Prior Plan and
the Compensation Plan are made during the first quarter of each year with
respect to the five-year period ending in the preceding calendar year and
are included in the Summary Compensation Table. The amount distributable, if
any, is determined by the Compensation Committee at the end of the
performance period on the basis of results. Awards may be paid in the
discretion of the Compensation Committee in cash, in shares of Common Stock,
in a combination of cash and shares, in share units, in restricted NQSOs, or
in a combination of such units and restricted NQSOs.
Compensation of Directors
The directors, except for those who are also employees of the Corporation,
receive an annual retainer of $27,500 and $1,000 for each Board or committee
meeting attended. In addition, nonemployee chairmen of Board committees are paid
an annual retainer of $2,500.
Under the nonemployee directors' stock option provisions of the
Compensation Plan (the "Directors' Program"), each nonemployee director is
granted an NQSO on the first business day of each calendar year of Board service
to purchase five hundred (500) shares of Common Stock. The directors' stock
options are exercisable six (6) months after the date of grant at an exercise
price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant
and have a term of ten (10) years. The exercise price of any option may be paid
in cash or previously owned shares of Common Stock having a fair market value
equal to the exercise price or in a combination of cash and shares. When
previously owned shares of Common Stock are used to exercise a nonemployee
director stock option, a replacement option is issued to the director.
In addition, under the Compensation Plan, each nonemployee director
receives an automatic grant of sixty-five (65) shares of restricted stock on the
first business day of each calendar year in which the individual is a member of
the Board of Directors. The restrictions on such shares lapse upon the later of
five (5) years from the date of grant or retirement from the Board of Directors.
Nonemployee directors are permitted to defer all or part of their
compensation to be held in a deferral account either as cash, to which interest
at a market rate is credited quarterly, or as units equivalent to shares of
Common Stock, to which amounts equivalent to dividends paid on such shares are
credited quarterly.
Any director who has completed five (5) or more years of service as a
nonemployee director, upon his or her retirement from the Corporation's Board of
Directors, will receive an annual amount equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of
the final retainer, to be paid for the greater of five (5) years or the complete
number of years of service following the 1987 annual meeting of stockholders.
12
<PAGE> 15
Employment Contracts and Termination of Employment and Change in Control of
Management
The Corporation's subsidiary, Cologne Re, entered into an employment
agreement dated December 31, 1994 (the "Agreement") with Peter Lutke-Bornefeld.
The Agreement provides for Dr. Lutke-Bornefeld's employment as Chief Executive
Officer of Cologne Re until December 31, 1999. Dr. Lutke-Bornefeld is entitled
to an annual salary of DM 600,000, which can be increased at the discretion of
the Board of Directors of Cologne Re, and an annual incentive payment determined
under a formula based upon dividends paid by Cologne Re to its stockholders.
Awards under the Compensation Plan and the Prior Plan may accelerate upon a
"change in control" of the Company as defined in both Plans. Upon a change in
control: (i) all stock options become immediately exercisable; (ii) all
Performance Bonuses become immediately payable at the higher of the amount
determined assuming the performance objectives have been met or the amount
payable based on actual performance achieved and then are prorated for the term
of the award period; (iii) all Annual Incentive Bonuses become payable at the
amount determined assuming the performance objectives have been met and then are
prorated over the portion of the year that has elapsed; (iv) all restrictions on
restricted stock options will lapse and share units attributable to bonuses will
become fully payable; and (v) restrictions on restricted stock and all other
share units will lapse if the grantee's employment is terminated within two (2)
years after the change in control, provided that the Committee may determine, in
its discretion, to vest all or some percentage of the grantee's restricted stock
and/or share units at the time of the change in control. If such an event were
to have occurred on December 31, 1995, the cash value of outstanding stock
options, restricted stock, Annual Incentive Bonuses and Performance Bonuses
affected by such event, without regard to the actual performance by the
Corporation, payable to the named executives would be as follows: Ronald E.
Ferguson, $6,673,105; John C. Etling, $1,627,381; James E. Gustafson,
$4,874,669; Tom N. Kellogg, $4,662,270 and Peter Lutke-Bornefeld, $388,313.
Under the Corporation's Supplemental Benefit Equalization Plan ("SBEP"),
the plan that resulted from the consolidation of the Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan ("SERP") and the Benefit Equalization Plan ("BEP"), previously
accrued benefits become immediately vested in the event of a change in control.
If a participant in the SBEP is terminated other than for cause within two (2)
years following a change in control, the participant is entitled to a lump sum
payment of the accrued benefits.
Under the Corporation's Severance Pay Plan, employees, including the
executive officers, are entitled to receive certain severance payments upon
their termination of employment within two (2) years following a change in
control. The benefits payable are salary payments for between six (6) and twelve
(12) months depending upon the number of years the person has been an employee.
The aggregate amount payable will be increased by the amount of any excise tax
imposed on the executive officer and by the amount of the tax thereon.
13
<PAGE> 16
Maximum Retirement Benefits Payable
The following table shows the maximum annual retirement benefits payable at
the normal retirement age of sixty-five (65) for specified remunerations and
years of credited service under the Employee Retirement Plan of General Re
Corporation and its Affiliates and the SBEP. The benefits shown in the table are
subject to a reduction of up to fifty percent (50%) of primary Social Security
benefits.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS OF CREDITED SERVICE
--------------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION(1) 15 20 25 30 35
---------------------------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$ 800,000.................. $240,000 $320,000 $400,000 $440,000 $480,000
900,000.................. 270,000 360,000 450,000 495,000 540,000
1,000,000.................. 300,000 400,000 500,000 550,000 600,000
1,100,000.................. 330,000 440,000 550,000 605,000 660,000
1,200,000.................. 360,000 480,000 600,000 660,000 720,000
1,300,000.................. 390,000 520,000 650,000 715,000 780,000
1,400,000.................. 420,000 560,000 700,000 770,000 840,000
1,500,000.................. 450,000 600,000 750,000 825,000 900,000
1,600,000.................. 480,000 640,000 800,000 880,000 960,000
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Benefits for eligible employees are computed under a formula based upon
years of service and average annual earnings (salary plus Annual Incentive
Bonus) during the three (3) consecutive years of highest earnings during the
employee's service with the Corporation.
As of December 31, 1995, Mr. Ferguson had twenty-six (26) years of credited
service, Mr. Etling had thirty-four (34) years, Mr. Gustafson had twenty-six
(26) years and Mr. Kellogg had twenty-seven (27) years.
Dr. Lutke-Bornefeld is entitled to receive a retirement benefit under the
Cologne Re retirement plan in an amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of his then
current salary (not including directors' fees) at his retirement age of 65.
Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee reports as follows:
INTRODUCTION. The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the
Corporation's Board of Directors is responsible for approving and reviewing with
the Board of Directors the compensation of the Corporation's executive officers,
including compensation awarded in the form of bonuses and equity-based awards.
In this role, the Committee administers the 1995 Long-Term Compensation Plan
(the "Compensation Plan") under which equity-based and cash bonus awards are
made. The Committee's six (6) members, who have never been employees of the
Corporation, meet in executive session to evaluate the performance of and
compensation paid to the Corporation's executive officers.
COMPENSATION PROGRAM. The Corporation's compensation program is designed
to attract, retain and reward executive officers in a manner that is in the best
interests of stockholders by providing for competitive salaries, bonuses based
upon the achievement of the Corporation's business strategy and operating
objectives and equity-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock
awards, that align the interests of executive officers to those of the
stockholders.
The Corporation's total compensation program enables executive officers to
earn premier pay for premier performance and to be rewarded as value is created
for stockholders. Special emphasis is placed on fostering employee ownership of
common stock through programs which encourage executive officers to acquire
stock and receive compensation, otherwise paid in cash, in the form of share
units and restricted non-qualified stock options ("NQSOs").
14
<PAGE> 17
The components of the total compensation program include base salary,
annual incentives, long-term performance bonus awards, NQSOs, share units and
restricted stock awards. These components of compensation play specific roles in
attracting, rewarding and retaining executive officers and in balancing the
Corporation's short- and long-term interests. As an individual's level of
responsibility increases, a greater portion of the total compensation is "at
risk," or variable, and performance driven and the mix of total compensation
shifts for executive officers toward stock and stock option awards to more
closely align the long-term interests of executive officers and stockholders.
The Compensation Committee annually evaluates the Corporation's
performance, executive compensation and executive share ownership compared with
other property/casualty insurance and reinsurance companies and leading
financial services companies reflected in compensation surveys obtained from
compensation consultants and compares stockholder returns to the Standard &
Poor's 500 and the stockholder returns of the property/casualty and multiline
insurance companies that are subsets of the Standard & Poor's 500 and other
leading insurance and reinsurance companies. Generally, the Compensation
Committee's objective has been to award amounts of total compensation equivalent
to the amounts reflected in the top of the third quartile (that is, the 75th
percentile) of the range of compensation paid by the companies surveyed. (The
salary compensation paid to Mr. Ferguson and most of the other executive
officers in 1995 was in the third quartile of the range of compensation paid by
the companies surveyed.)
Based upon its analysis of the compensation surveys and stockholder
returns, the Compensation Committee determines target percentages of total
compensation to be paid in the form of salaries, annual bonuses, long-term
performance bonuses and stock-based awards.
SALARY. Salary level targets are established so that the Corporation can
attract and retain the most qualified employees. The Compensation Committee
approves the individual salaries of executive officers. In determining an
executive officer's salary, the Compensation Committee considers, but does not
assign specific weights to, the following factors: individual performance,
corporate performance, industry salary trends and competitive salary levels.
Based on its discretion in evaluating these factors, the Committee determines
appropriate salary levels. The Compensation Committee has lengthened the time
between salary increases beyond twelve (12) months for certain executive
officers in order to place more emphasis on variable compensation.
ANNUAL INCENTIVE BONUS. Executive officers of the Corporation may be
awarded an annual incentive bonus for individual and collective efforts
resulting in the achievement of (or progress toward) an underwriting profit,
superior investment returns or achievement of other corporate and division
objectives. Prior to the beginning of a fiscal year, the Compensation Committee
determines, in writing, the performance objectives applicable to a grantee or a
group of grantees and the percentage of the annual incentive bonus to be awarded
if a performance objective is not fully achieved or is exceeded. The amount of
the annual incentive bonus is based upon a percentage of the officer's salary in
effect at the end of the fiscal year. The Committee has the discretion to award
a bonus in an amount equal to less than the amount otherwise payable. In this
manner, the Committee can ensure that the amounts of any annual incentive awards
are commensurate with performance. Under the Compensation Plan, the aggregate
dollar amount available for annual incentive bonuses for executive officers who
are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, in any fiscal year may not exceed one percent (1%) of the
consolidated net income of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. No executive
officer may receive an annual incentive award in excess of $1,500,000. The award
may be paid out in cash, shares of Common Stock, share units or restricted
NQSOs.
PERFORMANCE BONUS. Performance bonus awards may be made to executive
officers. Award payouts are based on the relationship between the Corporation's
total return to stockholders over the prior five-year period ("Total Return")
and the weighted average return (the "Actual Return") of the Standard & Poor's
500 Index and a peer group of property/casualty and multiline insurance
companies selected by the Committee prior to the beginning of the five-year
performance period (the "Comparison Group"). The amount of the award paid to an
executive officer is the product of a percentage (which ranges from zero percent
(0%) to two hundred percent (200%) depending upon the relationship between the
Corporation's Total Return and the Actual
15
<PAGE> 18
Return of the Comparison Group) and the target award determined for each
executive officer at the beginning of the five-year period (which is a
percentage of the salary paid to such person during the last year of the award
cycle). In no event may any executive officer receive a performance bonus award
having a value in excess of $1,500,000. The award may be paid out in cash,
shares of common stock, share units or restricted NQSOs. For the recently
completed 1991 to 1995 performance period, the Corporation paid performance
bonuses having values equal to 58.64% of the target awards.
DEFERRAL OF ANNUAL INCENTIVE AND PERFORMANCE BONUS AWARDS. Executive
officers generally have been entitled to defer up to twenty-five percent (25%)
of their annual incentive and performance bonus awards prior to the year in
which such awards will be earned. Beginning with annual incentive awards paid
for 1996 and performance bonus awards paid in 1997, executive officers will be
entitled to elect to defer up to one hundred percent (100%) of such awards. Such
deferral awards are awarded as share units and restricted stock options pursuant
to a formula adopted by the Compensation Committee in 1992. The Committee has
the authority to establish a mandatory deferral amount for certain executive
officers. Mr. Ferguson was required to defer a portion of his 1995 annual
incentive award and performance bonus for the 1991 to 1995 performance period.
STOCK-BASED AWARDS. The Corporation normally makes annual grants of NQSOs
exercisable at the market price on the grant date to executive officers of the
Corporation. The Compensation Committee determines a target size of option
awards based on a percentage of salary for each participant but may vary the
size of the grants in its discretion. In determining the percentage for each
executive officer, the Committee reviews total compensation and stock option
grant practices for the companies included in the reviewed compensation surveys.
Each stock option grant typically becomes exercisable in twenty percent (20%)
increments over a five-year period. In 1995, the Compensation Committee granted
stock options, not including replacement options, certain performance-based
NQSOs and NQSOs granted in lieu of annual incentive and performance bonus
awards, for a total of 89,500 shares (about .01% of the total shares
outstanding) to the Corporation's thirteen (13) executive officers.
The Corporation grants replacement options automatically when an executive
officer tenders a like number of shares to satisfy the option price upon
exercise of a stock option. Replacement options have the same expiration date as
the original options and an exercise price equal to the market price at the new
grant date. They are issued to encourage executive officers to exercise options
early and to retain the profit in shares. Replacement options are exercisable
one (1) year from the date of grant provided the executive officer still owns
the shares acquired as a result of the original option exercise less the number
of shares withheld to pay income tax due as a result of exercising the original
NQSO. Replacement options for a total of 52,381 shares were granted in 1995.
The Compensation Committee also has the ability to grant restricted stock
options in lieu of cash annual incentive and performance bonus awards as
described above. Restricted stock options are exercisable immediately, but
shares acquired are restricted from transfer, sale, exchange or other
disposition for five (5) years from the date of grant. Restricted stock options
for a total of 7,928 shares were granted to eleven (11) executive officers in
the first quarter of 1996 in lieu of part of their 1995 annual incentive awards
or 1991 to 1995 performance bonus awards.
Restricted stock awards and various types of other awards, such as
restricted share units, can be made in appropriate circumstances (generally
limited) to retain key executive officers of the Corporation at the discretion
of the Committee. In 1995, 3,500 shares of restricted stock and restricted share
units for 5,000 shares were awarded to four (4) executive officers.
TAX CONSIDERATIONS. Effective January 1, 1994, Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") generally denies a tax deduction to
any publicly held corporation for compensation that exceeds $1 million paid to
certain senior executives in a taxable year, subject to an exception for
"performance-based compensation" as defined in the Code and subject to certain
transition provisions.
16
<PAGE> 19
The Committee intends, to the extent possible, that incentive and stock
compensation paid to executive officers be deductible for federal tax purposes.
Annual incentive, performance bonus and stock option awards granted under the
Compensation Plan are deductible in accordance with Code Section 162(m).
Performance bonuses and restricted stock grants awarded under the Corporation's
1989 Long-Term Compensation Plan should be deductible under the transition rules
with the exception of restricted stock grants made after February 17, 1993.
CEO'S COMPENSATION. The Corporation's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
in 1995, Ronald E. Ferguson, received an annualized increase in base salary of
5.1% in response to industry salary trends and in recognition of his ongoing
contribution to the Corporation's strong performance during the fourteen (14)
months since his last salary increase. The Compensation Committee reviewed the
salary levels and total compensation for chief executive officers of the
companies reflected in the compensation surveys.
Mr. Ferguson's 1995 annual incentive award was made in recognition of the
Corporation's positive underwriting performance, significant progress on the
integration with Cologne Re, and strong financial performance evidenced by the
increase in the Corporation's operating income by 27.5% over its operating
income in 1994. For 1995, the statutory combined ratio of the Corporation's
property/casualty operation in the United States was 99.0%, compared to 113.7%
for the companies reporting to the Reinsurance Association of America (excluding
the Corporation and its subsidiaries). For 1995, Mr. Ferguson received an annual
incentive award in cash in the amount of $647,500, restricted NQSOs for 2,334
shares and share units for 1,400 shares. Mr. Ferguson also received a bonus
under the five-year performance bonus program for the 1991 to 1995 performance
period, which was awarded in cash in the amount of $192,378, restricted NQSOs
for 319 shares and share units for 190.82 shares.
In 1995, Mr. Ferguson also received NQSOs for 23,000 shares in accordance
with the Corporation's practice of granting NQSOs on an annual basis. This grant
was determined based on an analysis of total compensation and stock option grant
practices for CEOs of the companies reflected in the compensation surveys and in
recognition of the Corporation's strong performance and the continued emphasis
on creating stockholder value.
CONCLUSION. The Committee believes that it is in the best interests of
stockholders for the Corporation to compensate the executive officers well when
their performance meets or exceeds the high expectations of the Committee. The
Committee believes the Corporation's current compensation program meets its
objectives of appropriately aligning the interests of executive officers and
stockholders.
By the Compensation Committee: Andrew W. Mathieson, Chairman, William C.
Ferguson, Walter M. Cabot, Edward H. Malone,
David E. McKinney, Walter F. Williams
17
<PAGE> 20
Performance Graph
The following line graph compares the yearly percentage change, over five
(5) years, in the Corporation's total stockholder return on Common Stock with
the cumulative total return on the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the
cumulative total return of a peer group index:
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG GENERAL RE
CORPORATION, S&P 500 INDEX AND PEER GROUP INDEX(1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MEASUREMENT PERIOD
(FISCAL YEAR COVERED) GENERAL RE S&P 500 PEERS
<S> <C> <C> <C>
DEC. 31, 1990 100 100 100
1991 111.48 130.47 129.36
1992 129.00 140.41 149.50
1993 121.21 154.56 160.25
1994 142.64 156.60 160.31
DEC. 29, 1995 181.12 215.45 240.68
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Assuming the investment of $100 in the Corporation's Common Stock, the
Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the peer group index on December 30, 1990
and the reinvestment of all dividends. The peer group index combines the
Standard & Poor's Multiline and Property/Casualty Indexes, except for the
Corporation, and consists of the following companies: Aetna Life & Casualty
Company, Allstate Corporation, American International Group, Chubb
Corporation, CIGNA Corporation, ITT Hartford Group, Loews Corporation (CNA),
Safeco Corporation, The St. Paul Companies, and United States Fidelity &
Guaranty Corporation. One corporation, Continental Corporation included in
the Standard & Poor's Multiline and Property/Casualty Indexes in 1994, is no
longer included in the indexes and three corporations, Allstate Corporation,
ITT Hartford Group, and Loews Corporation (CNA) are now included in the
indexes.
18
<PAGE> 21
RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has recommended to the Board
that Coopers & Lybrand LLP be selected as the Corporation's principal
independent public accountants. The Board selected Coopers & Lybrand LLP to
audit the financial statements of the Corporation and its domestic subsidiaries
for fiscal year 1996. This selection is being presented to the stockholders for
their ratification at this annual meeting. The firm of Coopers & Lybrand LLP has
audited the Corporation's financial statements for more than twenty (20) years.
It is expected that representatives of Coopers & Lybrand LLP will attend
the meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and
will be available to respond to appropriate stockholder questions.
Ratification of the selection of Coopers & Lybrand LLP as independent
public accountants will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
present in person or represented by proxy at the annual meeting. The Board of
Directors and management recommend a vote FOR ratification and, unless a
stockholder signifies otherwise, the persons named in the proxy will so vote.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors and management of the Corporation do not know of any
other matters to be presented for action at the meeting. Should any other
matters come before the meeting, however, the persons named in the enclosed
proxy will have discretionary authority to vote all proxies with respect to such
matters in accordance with their judgment.
The expense of proxy solicitation will be borne by the Corporation. Proxies
will be solicited on behalf of the directors by Georgeson & Co. Inc. for a fee
which will not exceed $13,000. Expenses incurred by Georgeson & Co. Inc. will be
reimbursed by the Corporation. Proxies may also be solicited in person or by
telephone or telegraph by officers or regular employees of the Corporation and
its subsidiaries.
In order for stockholder proposals for the 1997 annual meeting of
stockholders to be eligible for inclusion in the Corporation's proxy statement,
they must be received by the Corporation at its principal office in Stamford,
Connecticut, prior to November 30, 1996.
CHARLES F. BARR
Secretary
March 29, 1996
19
<PAGE> 22
PROXY/DIRECTION CARD
GENERAL RE CORPORATION
695 EAST MAIN STREET
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT 06904-2351
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Revoking any such prior appointment, the undersigned hereby appoints Ronald
E. Ferguson, James E. Gustafson, Charles F. Barr, Elizabeth A. Monrad and
Robert D. Graham, and each of them, attorneys and agents, with full power of
substitution to vote as Proxy for the undersigned, as herein stated, at the
annual meeting of stockholders of General Re Corporation to be held at the
offices of the Corporation, 695 East Main Street, Stamford, Connecticut, on
Friday, May 24, 1996, at 9:00 A.M., and at any adjournment thereof, with
respect to the number of shares the undersigned would be entitled to vote if
personally present.
This Proxy/Direction Card will be voted as directed. In addition, the named
attorneys and agents will vote in their discretion on such other items as may
properly come before the meeting. If this Proxy/Direction Card is signed and
returned but no direction is made, it will be voted "FOR" all items set forth
hereon. This Proxy/Direction Card also serves to instruct the trustees of the
Employee Savings and Stock Ownership Plan of the Corporation on how to vote
shares held by that plan.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote "FOR" Items 1 and 2.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Proxy Statement
relating to such annual meeting.
PLEASE DATE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS PROXY CARD IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE.
NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.
(continued on other side)
/X/ PLEASE MARK YOUR
VOTES AS IN THIS
EXAMPLE.
FOR WITHHELD
1. Election of / / / / NOMINEES: Andrew W. Mathieson
Directors David E. McKinney
Stephen A. Ross
FOR, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s).
__________________________________________________________
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
2. Approval of proposal to ratify the selection of / / / / / /
independent public accountants.
SIGNATURE(S)_______________________________________ Dated _______________, 1996
NOTE: PLEASE SIGN EXACTLY AS YOUR NAME(S) APPEAR HEREON. EXECUTORS,
ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, GUARDIANS OR ATTORNEYS SHOULD SO INDICATE WHEN
SIGNING. IF SIGNING FOR A CORPORATION, PLEASE INDICATE YOUR TITLE.
