<PAGE> 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
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>
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] CONFIDENTIAL, FOR USE OF THE COMMISSION
ONLY (AS PERMITTED BY RULE 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
</TABLE>
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(NAME OF PERSON(S) FILING PROXY STATEMENT, IF OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) 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
PROGRESSIVE LOGO
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD APRIL 23, 1999
Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The
Progressive Corporation will be held at 6671 Beta Drive, Mayfield Village, Ohio,
on Friday, April 23, 1999, at 10:00 a.m., Cleveland time, for the following
purposes:
1. To fix the number of directors at twelve;
2. To elect five directors;
3. To approve The Progressive Corporation 1999 Executive Bonus Plan;
and
4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on February 26, 1999,
will be entitled to notice of and to vote at said meeting or any adjournment
thereof.
By Order of the Board of Directors.
DAVID M. SCHNEIDER, Secretary
March , 1999
SHAREHOLDERS WHO DO NOT EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING IN PERSON ARE URGED TO
DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PAID
ENVELOPE.
<PAGE> 3
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
PROXY STATEMENT
This statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies
for use at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of The Progressive Corporation, an
Ohio corporation ("Company"), to be held at 10:00 a.m., Cleveland time, on
Friday, April 23, 1999, at 6671 Beta Drive, Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143, and at
any adjournment thereof. This statement and the accompanying proxy, together
with the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1998, will first be sent to shareholders on or about March 22,
1999.
The close of business on February 26, 1999, has been fixed as the record
date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at
the meeting. At that date, the Company had outstanding 72,819,870 Common Shares,
each of which will be entitled to one vote.
ITEM 1: PROPOSAL TO FIX THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS AT TWELVE
The Company's Code of Regulations provides that the number of directors
shall be fixed by the shareholders at no fewer than five or more than twelve.
The number of directors has been fixed at ten and there are currently ten
directors on the Board. The terms of six members of the Board will continue
after the meeting and the remaining four members are nominated herein for
election to the Board. The Board of Directors is proposing that the number of
directors be increased to twelve. The Board believes that Charles B. Chokel, who
was recently appointed the Company's Chief Executive Officer-Investments and
Capital Management, could make a significant contribution as a member of the
Board and, therefore, has nominated him as an additional director. If elected,
Mr. Chokel would be the eleventh director. The Board believes that it would be
desirable to fix the number of directors at twelve in order to have a vacancy
available which could be filled by the directors, without the time and expense
involved in holding a special meeting of shareholders, should another person who
could make a valuable contribution as a director of the Company become available
during the year. Vacancies in the Board may be filled for the remainder of the
unexpired term of the class of directors to which the new director is assigned.
Assignments will be made so that the directors are distributed among the several
classes as nearly equally as possible. No decision has been made to fill the
vacancy, nor have any candidates been considered and approved by the Board of
Directors.
VOTE REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL
Under the Company's Code of Regulations, the affirmative vote of a majority
of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company is required for
approval.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THIS
PROPOSAL.
1
<PAGE> 4
ITEM 2: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
If Proposal 1 is adopted, the number of directors will be fixed at twelve.
The Code of Regulations provides that the directors are to be divided into three
classes as nearly equal in number as possible and that the classes are to be
elected for staggered terms of three years each. Directors of one class are
elected annually. At the meeting, the shares represented by the proxies obtained
hereby, unless otherwise specified, will be voted for the election of Milton N.
Allen, James E. Bennett III, Charles A. Davis and Paul B. Sigler as directors,
each to serve for a three-year term expiring at the 2002 Annual Meeting and, if
Proposal 1 is adopted, for the election of Mr. Chokel as a director to serve a
one-year term expiring at the 2000 Annual Meeting, and until their respective
successors are duly elected and qualified. If Proposal 1 is adopted, and the
five nominees named herein are elected as directors, one vacancy will remain on
the Board. If, by reason of death or other unexpected occurrence, any one or
more of the nominees herein named should not be available for election, the
proxies will be voted for such substitute nominee(s), if any, as the Board of
Directors may propose. Proxies cannot be voted at the Annual Meeting for a
greater number of persons than the five nominees named in this proxy statement.
No shareholder nominations for the election of directors have been received
within the time period required by Section 13 of Article II of the Code of
Regulations.
If notice in writing is given by any shareholder to the President or
Secretary not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for holding the Annual
Meeting that he desires that the voting for election of directors shall be
cumulative, and if an announcement of the giving of such notice is made upon the
convening of such meeting by the Chairman or Secretary or by or on behalf of the
shareholder giving such notice, each shareholder shall have the right to
cumulate such voting power as he possesses at such election and to give one
nominee a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected
multiplied by the number of shares he holds, or to distribute such number of
votes among two or more nominees, as he sees fit. If the enclosed proxy is
executed and returned and voting for the election of directors is cumulative,
the persons named in the enclosed proxy will have the authority to cumulate
votes and to vote the shares represented by such proxy, and by other proxies
held by them, so as to elect as many of the five nominees named below as
possible.
The following information is set forth with respect to each person
nominated for election as a director and for those directors whose terms will
continue after the Annual Meeting. Unless otherwise indicated, each such nominee
or director has held the principal occupation indicated for more than the last
five years. The election of Mr. Chokel is contingent upon Proposal 1 being
approved. All other nominees are currently directors of the Company.
2
<PAGE> 5
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND DIRECTOR TERM
NAME AGE LAST FIVE YEARS' BUSINESS EXPERIENCE SINCE EXPIRES
---- --- ------------------------------------ -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Charles B. Chokel (1) 45 Chief Executive Officer - Investments -- 2000
and Capital Management of the Company
since January 1999; Treasurer of the
Company from December 1994 to December
1998; Chief Financial Officer of the
Company prior to January 1999
Milton N. Allen (2) 71 Director of various companies 1978 2002
James E. Bennett III 55 Senior Executive Vice President, 1998 2002
KeyCorp, Cleveland, Ohio (banking)
since May 1998; Director and Senior
Partner, McKinsey & Company, Inc.,
Cleveland, Ohio (management consulting)
prior to May 1998
Charles A. Davis (3) 50 President and Chief Executive Officer, 1996 2002
Marsh & McLennan Risk Capital, Inc.,
New York, New York (global private
equity firm) since April 1998; Limited
Partner, Goldman Sachs Group L.P., New
York, New York (investment banking)
from December 1994 to April 1998;
General Partner, Goldman Sachs & Co.
prior to December 1994
Paul B. Sigler 65 Henry Ford II Professor, Yale 1981 2002
University and Investigator in the
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
</TABLE>
3
<PAGE> 6
DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS WILL CONTINUE AFTER THE ANNUAL MEETING
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION AND DIRECTOR TERM
NAME AGE LAST FIVE YEARS' BUSINESS EXPERIENCE SINCE EXPIRES
---- --- ------------------------------------ -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Stephen R. Hardis (4) 63 Chairman of the Board, Eaton 1988 2000
Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio
(manufacturing) since January 1996;
Vice Chairman, Eaton Corporation prior
to January 1996; Chief Executive
Officer, Eaton Corporation since
September 1995; Chief Financial and
Administrative Officer, Eaton
Corporation prior to September 1995
Janet Hill (5) 51 President, Staubach Alexander Hill, 1995 2000
LLC, Washington, D.C. (commercial real
estate consulting) since January 1995
and Vice President, Alexander &
Associates, Inc., Washington, D.C.
(management consulting)
Norman S. Matthews (6) 66 Consultant, New York, New York 1981 2000
B. Charles Ames (7) 73 Partner, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, 1983 2001
Inc., New York, New York (investment
banking)
Peter B. Lewis (8) 65 President and Chairman of the Board; 1965 2001
Chief Executive Officer - Insurance
Operations of the Company since January
1999; Chief Executive Officer of the
Company prior to January 1999;
President, Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer of Progressive
Casualty Insurance Company
Donald B. Shackelford (9) 66 Chairman of the Board, Fifth Third Bank 1976 2001
of Central Ohio, Columbus, Ohio
(commercial bank), successor to State
Savings Bank
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Mr. Chokel is also a director of The Plymouth Rock Company, a privately held
company in which the Company holds a 12.5% equity interest.
(2) Mr. Allen is also a director of ARD Inc. and Del Rio Investment Corporation,
which are privately held.
(3) Mr. Davis is also a director of Heilig-Meyers Company, Lechters, Inc. and
Media General, Inc., which are publicly held, and Merchants Bancshares, Inc.
and Seneca Insurance Company, Inc., which are privately held.
(4) Mr. Hardis is also a director of Nordson Corporation, Lexmark International,
Inc., KeyCorp and Marsh & McLennan Companies, all of which, as well as Eaton
Corporation, are publicly held.
(5) Ms. Hill is also a director of Wendy's International, Inc., Dean Foods
Company and the First Union Bank of Virginia, Maryland and the District of
Columbia, which are publicly held.
4
<PAGE> 7
(6) Mr. Matthews is also a director of Lechters, Inc., Toys "R" Us, Loehmann's,
Inc. and Finlay Fine Jewelry, Inc., which are publicly held.
(7) Mr. Ames is also a director of M.A. Hanna Company, Riverwood International,
Inc. and Lexmark International, Inc., which are publicly held, and Remington
Arms Co., which is privately held.
(8) Mr. Peter B. Lewis is also an officer and director of other subsidiaries of
the Company. Mr. Daniel R. Lewis, an executive officer of the Company, is
the brother of Mr. Peter Lewis.
(9) Mr. Shackelford is also a director of The Limited, Inc., Worthington Foods,
Inc., Intimate Brands, Inc. and Fifth Third Bancorp of Cincinnati, which are
publicly held.
During 1998, seven meetings of the Board of Directors were held and the
Board adopted resolutions by written action pursuant to Ohio corporation law on
one occasion. During 1998, Mr. James E. Bennett III, who is standing for
election, attended less than 75 percent of the meetings of the Board of
Directors held while he was a member.
The Board has named an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee and an
Executive Compensation Committee, as described below. The Board has not
designated a nominating committee.
Messrs. Allen, Hardis and Lewis are the current members of the Board's
Executive Committee, which exercises all powers of the Board between Board
meetings, except the power to fill vacancies on the Board or its committees.
During 1998, the Executive Committee adopted resolutions by written action
pursuant to Ohio corporation law on seven occasions.
Messrs. Allen, Ames, Bennett, Davis and Hardis are the current members of
the Board's Audit Committee, which assures that organization, policies, controls
and systems are in place to monitor performance; provides an independent channel
to receive appropriate communications from employees, auditors, legal counsel,
bankers and consultants; and monitors the public release of financial
information. The Audit Committee met six times during 1998.
Ms. Hill and Messrs. Matthews, Shackelford and Sigler are the current
members of the Board's Executive Compensation Committee. This committee monitors
and directs the administration of the Company's executive compensation program,
including the various cash and stock incentive programs in which officers and
employees of the Company participate. During 1998, the Executive Compensation
Committee met four times and adopted resolutions by written action pursuant to
Ohio corporation law on four occasions.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Between December 1997 and February 1998, prior to becoming a director,
James E. Bennett, as a Senior Partner with McKinsey & Co., Inc., carried out for
the Board a consulting assignment on succession planning. The Company paid
McKinsey & Co., Inc. $138,000 for these professional services.
The Company is engaged in discussions with Peter B. Lewis regarding the
possible sale to Mr. Lewis of the Company's corporate airplane, a Canadair
Challenger 601-1A. In the proposed transac-
5
<PAGE> 8
tion, the airplane would be sold to Mr. Lewis at a price equal to the fair
market value thereof, as determined by an independent appraisal. Jet
Perspectives, Inc., an independent aircraft appraiser, has been selected to
determine the fair market value of the airplane. The net book value of the
airplane was $6.8 million as of February 15, 1999; the fair market value of the
airplane, as determined by Jet Perspectives, Inc., was $12.4 million on that
date. Operation of the airplane is supported by two pilots and a mechanic, who
will remain employees of a subsidiary of the Company if the sale occurs. Mr.
Lewis would reimburse the Company for the salaries and all other payroll costs
of such employees and would pay directly or reimburse the Company for all
operating and other costs that the Company incurs in connection with the
storage, maintenance, use and operation of the airplane. Following any such
sale, the Company would reimburse Mr. Lewis at the air charter rate for
comparable aircraft (currently estimated to be $3,567 per hour, based on the
average of the quotes obtained from three air charter companies selected by Jet
Perspectives, Inc.) for his use of the airplane on Company-related business or
as a member of the Board of Directors. The transaction is subject to approval of
the Company's Board of Directors (with Mr. Lewis abstaining from such vote).
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Ms. Hill and Messrs. Matthews, Shackelford and Sigler are the members of
the Company's Executive Compensation Committee. There are no Compensation
Committee interlocks.
6
<PAGE> 9
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners. The following information
is set forth with respect to persons known to management to be the beneficial
owners, as of January 31, 1999, of more than 5% of the Company's Common Shares:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AND ADDRESS AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENT
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1) OF CLASS
------------------- ----------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Peter B. Lewis...................................... 9,532,525(2) 13.0%
6300 Wilson Mills Road
Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143
Ruane, Cunniff & Co., Inc........................... 9,417,931(3) 13.0%
767 Fifth Avenue
Suite 4701
New York, New York 10153-4798
FMR Corp............................................ 4,254,114(4) 5.9%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02109
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Except as otherwise indicated, the persons listed as beneficial owners of
the Common Shares have sole voting and investment power with respect to
those shares. Certain of the information contained in this table, including
related footnotes, is based on the Schedule 13G filings made by the
beneficial owners identified herein.
(2) Includes 14,436 Common Shares held for Mr. Lewis by a trustee under the
Company's Retirement Security Program, 476,900 Common Shares subject to
currently exercisable stock options, 1,808,372 Common Shares held by Mr.
Lewis as trustee of two trusts established for the benefit of his brother,
532,354 shares held by a charitable corporation of which Mr. Lewis serves as
a trustee and an officer, and 529,200 Common Shares held by two limited
partnerships in which Mr. Lewis is a general partner. The amount does not
include 716,215 Common Shares held of record by National City Bank as
trustee of a trust established by Mr. Lewis for the benefit of his adult
children, as to which shares he disclaims any beneficial interest.
(3) The Common Shares are held in investment accounts maintained with Ruane,
Cunniff & Co., Inc. as of December 31, 1998, and it disclaims any beneficial
interest in such shares. Ruane, Cunniff & Co., Inc. has advised that it has
sole voting power as to 6,334,467 of these shares, no voting power as to the
balance of these shares, sole investment power as to 5,065,431 of these
shares and shared investment power as to 4,352,500 of these shares.
(4) The Common Shares are held in investment accounts maintained with FMR Corp.
or affiliates as of December 31, 1998. FMR Corp. has advised that it has
sole voting power as to 226,364 of these
7
<PAGE> 10
shares, no voting power as to the balance of these shares and sole
investment power as to all of these shares.
Security Ownership of Management. The following information is set forth
with respect to the Company's Common Shares beneficially owned as of January 31,
1999, by all directors and nominees for election as directors of the Company,
each of the named executive officers and by all directors and executive officers
of the Company as a group as of December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND NATURE OF PERCENT
NAME BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP(1) OF CLASS
---- ----------------------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Milton N. Allen..................................... 35,891(2) *
B. Charles Ames..................................... 54,342(3) *
Alan R. Bauer....................................... 57,729(4) *
James E. Bennett III................................ 500 *
Charles B. Chokel................................... 104,097(5) *
Charles A. Davis.................................... 3,337(6) *
W. Thomas Forrester................................. 48,689(7) *
William H. Graves................................... 76,762(8) *
Stephen R. Hardis................................... 29,145(9) *
Janet Hill.......................................... 7,837(10) *
Daniel R. Lewis..................................... 198,261(11) *
Peter B. Lewis...................................... 9,532,525(12) 13.0%
Norman S. Matthews.................................. 33,538(13) *
Robert J. McMillan.................................. 107,464(14) *
Glenn M. Renwick.................................... 67,179(15) *
Donald B. Shackelford............................... 92,839(16) *
Paul B. Sigler...................................... 12,343(17) *
All 22 Executive Officers and Directors as a
Group............................................. 10,840,754(18) 14.7%
</TABLE>
- ---------------
* Less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Company.
(1) Includes Common Shares held for executive officers under The Progressive
Retirement Security Program and currently exercisable stock options held by
directors and executive officers under various incentive plans maintained
by the Company. Unless otherwise indicated below, beneficial ownership of
the Common Shares reported in the table is comprised of both sole voting
power and sole investment power, or voting power and investment power that
is shared with the spouse and/or minor children of the director or
executive officer.
8
<PAGE> 11
(2) Includes 2,400 Common Shares owned by Mr. Allen's wife, as to which shares
he disclaims any beneficial interest, and 17,377 Common Shares subject to
currently exercisable stock options.
(3) Includes 29,337 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
(4) Includes 27,000 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options and 853 Common Shares held under The Progressive Corporation
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as to which shares Mr. Bauer has sole
investment power but no voting power.
(5) Includes 59,700 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options and 40,122 Common Shares held by Mr. Chokel as trustee of a family
trust.
(6) Consists of 3,337 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
(7) Includes 27,600 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
(8) Includes 49,100 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
(9) Includes 23,337 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
(10) Includes 7,337 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
(11) Includes 107,275 Common Shares owned by Mr. Daniel R. Lewis's wife, as to
which shares he disclaims any beneficial interest, and 63,500 Common Shares
subject to currently exercisable stock options.
(12) See footnote 2 on page 7.
(13) Includes 17,337 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
(14) Includes 74,500 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
(15) Includes 42,600 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options and 1,911 Common Shares held under The Progressive Corporation
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as to which shares Mr. Renwick has
sole investment power but no voting power.
(16) Includes 29,337 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options and 6,831 Common Shares held by Mr. Shackelford as trustee of a
trust established for the benefit of his daughter.
(17) Includes 11,337 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
(18) Includes 1,123,196 Common Shares subject to currently exercisable stock
options.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance. A Form 4 reporting
the writing of 150 covered call option contracts by Robert J. McMillan during
April 1998 was filed 26 days late. The September 29, 1997 purchase of 409 shares
in the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan by Daniel R. Lewis was reported in a
Form 4 filed in January 1999. The December 18, 1997 purchase of 839 shares in
the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan by Moira A. Lardakis was reported in a
Form 4 filed in January 1999. The January 1, 1997 distribution of 8,376 shares
from the Directors Deferral Plan to Donald B. Shackelford was reported in a Form
4 filed in January 1999.
9
<PAGE> 12
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following information is set forth with respect to the Company's Chief
Executive Officer and the other seven most highly compensated executive
officers, each of whom was serving as an executive officer at December 31, 1998
(the "named executive officers"). The titles set forth below reflect positions
held at December 31, 1998.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
------------------------------------ ------------
OTHER SECURITIES
ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND SALARY BONUS(1) COMPENSATION OPTIONS COMPENSATION(3)
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) (#) ($)
------------------ ---- -------- ---------- ------------ ------------ ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Peter B. Lewis 1998 $800,000 $1,657,800 $243,405(2) 41,000 $ 8,220
Chairman, President 1997 830,769 1,949,234 141,976(2) 73,600 7,770
and Chief Executive Officer 1996 800,000 1,320,840 151,234(2) 108,200 7,635
Charles B. Chokel 1998 375,000 654,375 -- 17,500 7,888(4)
Treasurer and 1997 383,654 833,967 -- 28,200 16,378
Chief Financial Officer 1996 321,889 496,844 -- 36,000 15,949
William H. Graves 1998 333,077 604,535 -- 9,400 6,736
Claims Process 1997 325,385 581,161 -- 15,800 15,612
Leader 1996 294,231 414,159 -- 22,100 5,631
Glenn M. Renwick 1998 333,077 604,535 -- 9,400 6,852
Technology 1997 325,385 581,161 -- 15,800 15,462
Process Leader 1996 295,207 396,151 -- 22,100 12,818
Alan R. Bauer 1998 333,077 604,535 -- 9,400 7,536
International/ 1997 325,385 565,519 -- 15,800 35,136
Internet Officer 1996 294,231 384,736 -- 22,100 7,008
W. Thomas Forrester 1998 333,077 604,535 -- 9,400 5,860
Ownership 1997 325,385 565,519 -- 15,800 5,545
Process Leader 1996 294,240 394,558 -- 22,100 13,243
Robert J. McMillan 1998 333,077 604,535 -- 9,400 26,177(5)
Consumer Marketing 1997 325,385 565,519 -- 15,800 32,966
Process Leader 1996 298,149 389,860 -- 22,100 7,008
Daniel R. Lewis 1998 333,077 604,535 -- 9,400 6,847
Independent Agent 1997 317,575 551,945 -- 14,300 6,558
Process Leader 1996 235,655 191,116 -- 11,700 7,008
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes bonus amounts, if any, deferred under The Progressive Corporation
Executive Deferred Compensation Plan.
(2) Other Annual Compensation includes $191,420, $108,124 and $117,001, in the
form of personal use of corporate aircraft in 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
(3) Except as otherwise disclosed, the reported amounts represent employer
contributions made during 1998 under the Company's Retirement Security
Program.
10
<PAGE> 13
(4) In addition to contributions made under the Company's Retirement Security
program, the reported amount includes a $337 anniversary award for 20 years
of employment with the Company.
(5) In addition to contributions made under the Company's Retirement Security
Program, the reported amount includes a $17,968 relocation bonus and a $305
anniversary award for 20 years of employment with the Company.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ VALUE AT ASSUMED
NUMBER OF ANNUAL RATES OF STOCK
SECURITIES % OF TOTAL PRICE APPRECIATION
UNDERLYING OPTIONS FOR OPTION TERM
OPTIONS GRANTED TO EXERCISE -----------------------
GRANTED(1) EMPLOYEES PRICE EXPIRATION 5% 10%
NAME (#) IN 1998 ($/SHARE) DATE ($) ($)
---- ------------- ---------- --------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Peter B. Lewis 41,000 9.3% $124.00 12/31/07 $3,197,300 $8,102,587
Charles B. Chokel 17,500 4.0 124.00 12/31/07 1,364,701 3,458,421
William H. Graves 9,400 2.1 124.00 12/31/07 733,040 1,857,666
Glenn M. Renwick 9,400 2.1 124.00 12/31/07 733,040 1,857,666
Alan R. Bauer 9,400 2.1 124.00 12/31/07 733,040 1,857,666
W. Thomas Forrester 9,400 2.1 124.00 12/31/07 733,040 1,857,666
Robert J. McMillan 9,400 2.1 124.00 12/31/07 733,040 1,857,666
Daniel R. Lewis 9,400 2.1 124.00 12/31/07 733,040 1,857,666
</TABLE>
---------------------
(1) Options become exercisable January 1, 2003, subject to accelerated
vesting and a "cash-out" provision upon the occurrence of any "change
in control" of the Company or certain similar events described in both
the Company's 1989 Incentive Plan and the 1995 Incentive Plan.
11
<PAGE> 14
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES
UNDERLYING VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNEXERCISED OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY
SHARES AT 12/31/98 OPTIONS AT 12/31/98
ACQUIRED VALUE (#) ($)
ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/
NAME (#) ($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- ----------- ---------------------- --------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Peter B. Lewis -- -- Exercisable 354,500 Exercisable $53,694,271
Unexercisable 438,400 Unexercisable 51,689,150
Charles B. Chokel -- -- Exercisable 28,000 Exercisable 4,146,756
Unexercisable 139,400 Unexercisable 15,841,000
William H. Graves 29,900 $3,380,437 Exercisable 32,000 Exercisable 4,776,931
Unexercisable 77,500 Unexercisable 8,808,513
Glenn M. Renwick -- -- Exercisable 25,100 Exercisable 3,720,230
Unexercisable 77,900 Unexercisable 8,863,863
Alan R. Bauer 63,000 6,289,756 Exercisable 9,700 Exercisable 1,355,575
Unexercisable 77,700 Unexercisable 8,836,188
W. Thomas Forrester -- -- Exercisable 10,100 Exercisable 1,411,475
Unexercisable 77,900 Unexercisable 8,863,863
Robert J. McMillan -- -- Exercisable 57,000 Exercisable 8,588,276
Unexercisable 82,900 Unexercisable 9,388,863
Daniel R. Lewis -- -- Exercisable 48,100 Exercisable 7,277,622
Unexercisable 62,300 Unexercisable 6,941,476
</TABLE>
12
<PAGE> 15
PENSION PLANS
Each of the named executive officers, as well as substantially all other
full-time employees of the Company and its subsidiaries who were hired before
January 1, 1989 and satisfy certain other requirements, are eligible to
participate in The Progressive Pension Plan ("Pension Plan"). The Pension Plan
is a defined benefit plan within the meaning of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), is a qualified plan under Section
401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Code") and is subject
to the minimum funding standards of Section 412 of the Code.
Benefits payable under the Pension Plan are determined pursuant to a
formula based upon a participant's years of service with the Company and its
subsidiaries, the participant's average annual compensation not in excess of the
Social Security taxable wage base during such years of service ("Average
Earnings") and Social Security benefits. For purposes of determining Average
Earnings, the Pension Plan recognizes base salary, overtime earnings, cash
bonuses and commissions. The benefit formula is: 2% of Average Earnings times
years of service minus 50% of primary Social Security benefit for years of
service through December 31, 1988, plus 1.3% of Average Earnings times years of
service from January 1, 1989 through December 31, 1993.
Under the Pension Plan formula, participants accrue benefits over their
years of service with the Company and its subsidiaries, and become fully vested
in their accrued benefits under the Pension Plan upon (i) completion of five
years of service (subject to certain break-in-service rules); (ii) attainment of
age 65; or (iii) retirement on account of permanent and total disability.
The estimated net annual pensions (expressed as a life and 120-month
certain annuity) payable upon retirement at normal retirement age (65) under the
Pension Plan for each of the eight named executive officers are as follows: Mr.
Peter B. Lewis, $10,188; Mr. Chokel, $9,042; Mr. Graves, $8,020; Mr. Renwick,
$5,412; Mr. Bauer, $8,905; Mr. Forrester, $6,263; Mr. McMillan, $9,220; and Mr.
Daniel R. Lewis $4,945.
As of December 31, 1993, all benefit accruals under the Pension Plan were
frozen. The Company now has a two-tiered Retirement Security Program ("RSP").
The RSP is a defined contribution pension plan within the meaning of ERISA and a
qualified plan under the Code and covers all employees who meet requirements as
to age and length of service. The first tier of the RSP provides employer
contributions of 1% to 5% of annual eligible compensation up to the Social
Security wage base, based on years of eligible service. The second tier is a
long-term savings plan under which the Company matches, into a company stock
account, amounts contributed to the Plan by each employee up to a maximum of 3%
of the employee's eligible compensation. All named executive officers are
eligible to participate in the RSP, and contributions made by the Company on
their behalf are included in "All Other Compensation" in the Summary
Compensation Table on page 10.
SEPARATION PLANS
The named executive officers, as well as substantially all other regular,
non-temporary employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, are eligible to
participate in The Progressive Corporation Separa-
13
<PAGE> 16
tion Allowance Plan ("Separation Plan"). The Separation Plan provides payments
to eligible employees whose employment is involuntarily terminated as a result
of a reduction in force or a reorganization, as defined in the Separation Plan.
Payments are based on compensation in effect immediately prior to termination
and years of service and cannot exceed an aggregate of two years of
compensation. The Separation Plan is a welfare benefit plan within the meaning
of ERISA. All payments under the Separation Plan are made from the general
assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. Individual employment or separation
arrangements may supplement or supersede the Separation Plan in whole or in
part.
DIRECTORS' FEES AND PLANS
Each member of the Board of Directors who is not an employee of the Company
currently receives an annual director's fee of $8,000 ("Retainer Fee"). In
addition, each such director receives fees for attendance at meetings of the
Board and those committees of the Board of which he is a member ("Meeting Fee").
Directors currently receive $3,000 for attendance at each regular meeting of the
Board and $1,000 for attendance at each special meeting, unless attendance is by
telephone, in which case the fee is $500. Each member of a Board committee
receives $750 for attendance at each meeting of the committee, except that the
committee chairman receives $1,000 for attendance at each such meeting, unless
attendance is by telephone, in which case the fee is $500. Directors are also
compensated for attendance at certain meetings of the Company's senior managers,
which are typically attended by one or two directors, at rates equal to the fee
received for attendance at regular Board meetings.
Each director of the Company who is not an employee of the Company
participates in The Progressive Corporation Directors Deferral Plan, as amended
("Directors Deferral Plan"). Each participant in the Directors Deferral Plan may
elect, annually, to defer receipt of all or a portion of his Meeting Fees for
the following year until the date designated by the director in accordance with
the plan. A participating director may elect to have such deferred fees credited
to or allocated between (a) a cash account which will earn interest at a rate
equal to the rate of interest on new 3-month certificates of deposit, and (b) a
stock account under which the deferred fees are converted into units equivalent
in value and dividend rights to the Company's Common Shares. Account balances
may not be transferred from one account to another. All such accounts will be
distributed in cash, in a lump sum or installments, when and as designated by
the participating director at the time of election or, if earlier, upon the
death of the director. All director's Retainer Fees are deferred, credited to a
stock account and distributed in cash on a date designated by the participating
director in accordance with the terms of the plan. All account balances of a
director will be distributed to his beneficiary, upon his death. However, if any
director ceases to serve as such for any reason other than death, disability or
removal without cause prior to the expiration of his current term, all Retainer
Fees credited to his stock account during such term are forfeited.
Each director who is not an employee of the Company is eligible to receive
awards under The Progressive Corporation 1998 Directors' Stock Option Plan
("Directors' Stock Plan"). The Directors' Stock Plan authorizes the issuance of
up to 200,000 Common Shares, subject to adjustment for stock
14
<PAGE> 17
splits and similar events. The option exercise price per Common Share equals the
fair market value of the Common Shares on the date of grant. The term of each
such stock option is ten years commencing on the date of grant. Options become
exercisable six months and one day following the date of grant and are not
transferable. Upon the death of a participating director, his stock options may
be exercised by his estate at any time during the one year period immediately
following the date of his death, to the extent then exercisable. During 1998,
the Company granted stock options under this plan of 1,337 shares each to eight
directors.
15
<PAGE> 18
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION POLICY
The Company's executive compensation program is administered under the
direction of the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Committee"). The Committee is comprised of four independent, non-employee
directors. The executive compensation program is designed to promote the
following objectives:
- Attract, retain and motivate executives who can significantly contribute
to the success of the Company.
- Reward the achievement of business objectives that have been approved by
the Board.
- Provide a rational, consistent and competitive executive compensation
system that is well understood by those to whom it applies.
- Tie a significant portion of executive compensation to the long-term
performance of the Company's Common Shares.
The Committee believes that if these objectives are consistently achieved,
shareholder value will be enhanced over time.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM
For 1998, the Company's executive compensation program was designed to base
compensation on corporate, business unit and/or individual performance.
Performance objectives and related measurements, as well as the compensation
awards that would result from various levels of performance, were clearly
defined in advance.
The executive compensation program consists of three components: salary,
annual bonus and long-term incentives through equity-based awards. Variable
compensation (consisting of annual bonus and equity-based awards) is a larger
part of total compensation at more senior levels in the organization. For each
executive officer, a target amount is established for each component of variable
compensation. Target amounts are determined primarily by reference to data
contained in national compensation surveys. These surveys include compensation
data for a broad range of public companies in a variety of industries. Since the
Company competes for executive level personnel on a nationwide basis with
companies in a variety of industries, the compensation data utilized are not
limited to companies included in the P/C Group referred to on page 21. The
Company's objective is to pay its executives competitive salaries (i.e. at or
near the midpoint of the survey range of salaries for their respective
positions) and to provide variable compensation that can take total direct
compensation to or above the high end of the survey range for total direct
compensation when the Company and, if applicable, the executive's assigned
business unit meet or exceed challenging performance goals.
16
<PAGE> 19
In addition to the executive compensation program, executive officers
participate in the Company's health and retirement plans which are available on
the same basis to all regular employees of the Company who satisfy minimum
eligibility requirements.
Salary Component
Executive officers receive a salary based on their responsibilities and
potential at market levels indicated by compensation survey data. The Company's
objective is to set executive salaries at or near the midpoint of the survey
range of salaries for similar positions at other companies judged to be
comparable. Salaries are reviewed annually and adjusted upward or downward for
changes in those factors and the individual's performance. Better performance
generally results in an increased salary, subject to the limits of the salary
range established by the Company. For executives who exceed expectations, some
part of the increase will be paid in a single lump sum, as a merit cash award,
rather than becoming a part of the future salary base.
Annual Bonus Component
In 1998, Messrs. Peter B. Lewis and Chokel participated in the 1997
Executive Bonus Plan ("Executive Bonus Plan"). This Plan has been designed to
reward participants appropriately for current corporate and/or business unit
performance. Under the Executive Bonus Plan, a target annual bonus amount, which
varied by position, was established for each participant. In 1998, Mr. Lewis's
target annual bonus amount equaled 135% of salary; for Mr. Chokel, the target
was 125% of salary.
Awards under the Executive Bonus Plan were determined by reference to two
quantitative components: a Core Business Gainsharing Component and an Investment
Component.
The Core Business Gainsharing Component was based on a performance matrix
("Gainsharing Matrix") which assigned a performance score to various
combinations of profitability and growth outcomes for the Company's Personal
Lines segment (excluding Midland Financial Group, Inc.) and the commercial
vehicle business unit (collectively, the "Core Business"). Under the Gainsharing
Matrix, profitability was measured by comparing the combined ratio ("CR")
achieved by the Core Business, determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles ("GAAP"), against a target combined ratio, while growth
was measured in terms of the year-to-year change in net written premiums,
subject to a weighting factor to provide additional incentives to encourage
growth in specified product lines. The Investment Component compared the
performance of individual segments of the Company's investment portfolio against
the range of performance results achieved by selected groups of comparable
investment funds.
The weighting of the two components differed for the participating
executives, depending on the nature and scope of their assigned
responsibilities. A bonus award equal to the target annual bonus resulted if
designated goals were met. Actual awards could range from 0% to 200% of the
target annual bonus amount, depending on the extent to which performance fell
short of or exceeded the designated goals.
17
<PAGE> 20
In 1998, all other officers and qualified employees (approximately 15,150)
of the Company, including Alan R. Bauer, W. Thomas Forrester, William H. Graves,
Daniel R. Lewis, Robert J. McMillan and Glenn M. Renwick, participated in the
Company's 1997 Gainsharing Plan ("Gainsharing Plan"). The Gainsharing Plan is
substantially similar to the Executive Bonus Plan, but does not include an
Investment Component. Under the Gainsharing Plan, awards were based on
performance in achieving profitability and growth targets, as measured by the
Gainsharing Matrix, for both the Core Business and the individual participant's
business unit or product.
Long-Term Incentive Component
In 1998, the executive compensation program included long-term incentives
through the grant of non-qualified stock options. This component is designed to
encourage the long-term retention of key executives and to align executive
compensation directly with the long-term enhancement of shareholder value. Stock
option grants are intended to focus the executive on managing the Company from
the perspective of an owner. The named executive officers and approximately 400
other management employees of the Company currently participate in the long-term
incentive program.
The stock options have an exercise price which is equal to the market price
of the Company's Common Shares on the date of grant, contain provisions which
defer vesting of the options for up to five years and may be exercised at any
time during the five years following vesting. The value of a stock option
depends directly on the future performance of the Company's Common Shares, since
it has value to the recipient only if and to the extent that the price of the
Company's Common Shares increases above the option exercise price.
Stock option awards are normally made annually. A target award value, which
varies by position, is established for each executive officer in order to bring
total targeted compensation to the top of the survey range. In 1998, for the
Company's executive officers, these target award values ranged from 100-275% of
salary, depending on job classification. The target award value is then divided
by a value per share developed through a modified Black-Scholes pricing model,
to determine the number of option shares to be awarded. In 1998, the pricing
model valued the stock options awarded to executive officers at $53.618 per
share, which is 43.24% of the per share exercise price of $124.00. The following
assumptions were used to derive the ratio: 10-year option term, .2587 annualized
volatility rate, 5.7% risk free rate of return and .21% dividend yield, and an
assumed annual attrition factor of 3% for each of the 5 years prior to vesting.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Peter B. Lewis, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, received cash
compensation in the amount of $2,457,800 for 1998, consisting of an annual
salary of $800,000 and an annual bonus award of $1,657,800, in addition to the
non-cash compensation disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table and related
footnotes on page 10. Mr. Lewis's salary has been reduced from a high of
$1,198,077 in 1991, because the Committee desires to place more emphasis on the
variable components of executive pay.
18
<PAGE> 21
Mr. Lewis's annual bonus target for 1998 was $1,080,000, an amount equal to
135% of his salary. For Mr. Lewis, 80% of his bonus target was based on the Core
Business Gainsharing Component and 20% was based on the Investment Component.
For 1998, the Core Business Gainsharing Component was determined by a
Gainsharing Matrix which measures profitability and growth in net written
premiums for the Company's Core Business. In 1998, the Company's Core Business
achieved a CR of 91.4, with 32% adjusted growth in net written premiums
(calculated by applying certain pre-established multipliers to encourage growth
in selected product categories), resulting in a performance score of 1.815 for
the Core Business Gainsharing Component. In addition, the Investment Component
score was .417 compared to a target of 1.0. Applying the weighting factors to
the performance scores for each of the components, and then combining the
results, produced a Performance Factor of 1.535. Mr. Lewis therefore earned
153.5% of target, or $1,657,800, as his annual bonus.
For the long-term incentive component of his compensation, on March 18,
1998, Mr. Lewis was awarded stock options to purchase 41,000 of the Company's
Common Shares at an exercise price of $124.00 per share. This award vests on
January 1, 2003, and was determined in accordance with the stock option formula
described above.
OMNIBUS BUDGET RECONCILIATION ACT OF 1993
In 1993, the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 was amended by the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 ("Budget Reconciliation Act"), which limits to
$1 million per year the deduction allowed for Federal income tax purposes for
compensation paid to the chief executive officer and the four other most highly
compensated executive officers of a public company ("Deduction Limit"). This
Deduction Limit, which became effective in 1994, does not apply to compensation
paid under a plan that meets certain requirements for "performance-based
compensation." To qualify for this exception, (a) the compensation must be
payable solely on account of the attainment of one or more pre-established
objective performance goals; (b) the performance goals must be established by a
compensation committee of the board of directors that is comprised solely of two
or more "outside directors"; (c) the material terms of the performance goals
must be disclosed to and approved by shareholders before payment; and (d) the
compensation committee must certify in writing prior to payment that the
performance goals and any other material terms have been satisfied.
Compensation attributable to a stock option award is deemed to satisfy the
requirements for "performance-based compensation" if the award is made by a
compensation committee comprised solely of two or more "outside directors," the
plan under which the award has been granted is approved by shareholders and
states the maximum number of shares with respect to which options may be granted
during a specified period to any employee and, under the terms of the option,
the amount of compensation the employee could receive is based solely on an
increase in the value of the stock after the date of the award. Generally, the
Deduction Limit does not apply to any compensation payable under a written
contract that was in effect on February 17, 1993, or pursuant to a plan or
arrangement approved by shareholders prior to December 20, 1993, provided
certain requirements are met.
19
<PAGE> 22
It is the Company's policy to structure its incentive compensation programs
to satisfy the requirements for the "performance-based compensation" exception
to the Deduction Limit and, thus, to preserve the full deductibility of all
compensation paid thereunder, to the extent practicable. The Company's stock
incentive plans, as well as the Executive Bonus Plan, have been submitted to and
approved by the Company's shareholders. Compensation awards under these Plans
are designed to satisfy the requirements of the "performance-based compensation"
exception to the Deduction Limit. Salaries and any perquisites are subject to
approval of the Committee, but will not be submitted to a vote of shareholders,
and thus will not be deductible if and to the extent that such compensation
exceeds $1 million per year for any such executive.
SUMMARY
The Committee believes that executive compensation should be linked to the
creation of shareholder value. The Company's executive compensation program thus
includes significant long-term incentives, through equity-based awards, which
are tied to the long-term performance of the Company's Common Shares. The
Committee recognizes, however, that while stock prices may reflect corporate
performance over the long term, other factors, such as general economic
conditions and varying investors' attitudes toward the stock market in general,
and specific industries in particular, may significantly affect stock prices at
any point in time. Accordingly, the annual cash components of the program,
consisting of salary and annual bonus, emphasize individual performance and the
realization of defined business objectives, which are independent of short-range
fluctuations in the stock price.
The executive compensation program thus has been designed to align
executive compensation with both the Company's business goals and long-term
shareholder interests. The Committee believes that the program, as implemented,
is balanced and consistent with these objectives. The Committee will continue to
monitor the operation of the program and cause the program to be adjusted and
refined, as necessary, to ensure that it continues to support both corporate and
shareholder goals.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
Donald B. Shackelford, Chairman
Janet Hill
Norman S. Matthews
Paul B. Sigler
20
<PAGE> 23
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following performance graph compares the performance of the Company's
Common Shares ("PGR") to the Standard & Poor's 500 Index ("S & P Index") and the
Value Line Property/Casualty Industry Group ("P/C Group") for the last five
years.
CUMULATIVE FIVE-YEAR TOTAL RETURN*
PGR, S&P INDEX, P/C GROUP
(PERFORMANCE RESULTS THROUGH 12/31/98)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PGR S&P INDEX P/C GROUP
--- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
'1993' 100.00 100.00 100.00
'1994' 87.00 102.00 99.00
'1995' 122.00 140.00 139.00
'1996' 169.00 172.00 178.00
'1997' 302.00 230.00 274.00
'1998' 427.00 295.00 278.00
</TABLE>
*Assumes reinvestment of dividends.
Source: Value Line, Inc.
21
<PAGE> 24
ITEM 3: PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
1999 EXECUTIVE BONUS PLAN
GENERAL
The Executive Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
"Committee") approved and adopted The Progressive Corporation 1999 Executive
Bonus Plan (the "1999 Plan") on February 18, 1999, subject to approval by the
Company's shareholders. The description herein is a summary of the 1999 Plan.
The complete text of the 1999 Plan is filed as an exhibit to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the calendar year ended December 31, 1998.
If approved by shareholders, the 1999 Plan will supersede and replace The
Progressive Corporation 1997 Executive Bonus Plan for 1999 and subsequent years.
The Company has designed an executive compensation program consisting of
the following three components: salary, annual bonus and equity-based incentives
in the form of stock options. The program is structured to reflect the market
for executive compensation and to promote both the achievement of corporate
goals and performance that is in the long-term interest of shareholders. While
stock options or other equity-based awards reflect the long-term value created
for shareholders, the annual bonus component focuses on current operating and
investment results. If approved by shareholders, the 1999 Plan will provide the
annual bonus component of total compensation for participants in that plan.
SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENT
The 1999 Plan is being submitted to the Company's shareholders for approval
pursuant to the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as
amended (the "Code"). Section 162(m) limits to $1 million per year the deduction
allowed for Federal income tax purposes for compensation paid to a "covered
employee" of a public company ("Deduction Limit"). Under Section 162(m), the
term "covered employee" includes the chief executive officer and the four other
most highly compensated executive officers of the Company. The Deduction Limit
applies to compensation that does not qualify for any of the limited number of
exceptions provided for in Section 162(m).
Under Section 162(m), the Deduction Limit does not apply to compensation
paid under a plan that meets certain requirements for "performance-based
compensation." To qualify for this exception, the following requirements must be
met: (a) the compensation must be payable on account of the attainment of one or
more pre-established objective performance goals; (b) the performance goals must
be established by a compensation committee of the board of directors that is
comprised solely of two or more "outside directors;" (c) the material terms
under which the compensation will be paid must be disclosed to and approved by
shareholders before payment; and (d) the compensation committee must certify in
writing that the performance goals have been satisfied prior to payment.
It is the Company's policy to structure its incentive compensation programs
to satisfy the requirements for the "performance-based compensation" exception
to the Deduction Limit and, thus, to
22
<PAGE> 25
preserve the full deductibility of all compensation paid thereunder, to the
extent practicable. As a consequence, the Committee has directed that the 1999
Plan be submitted to the Company's shareholders for approval in accordance with
the requirements for the "performance-based compensation" exception to the
Deduction Limit. If approved by shareholders, the 1999 Plan will become
effective as of calendar year 1999 and compensation paid to "covered employees"
under the 1999 Plan will not be subject to the Deduction Limit. If the
shareholders fail to approve the 1999 Plan, it will not become effective.
However, if the shareholders fail to approve the 1999 Plan, the Committee may
consider adopting an alternative bonus program without shareholder approval,
even though some or all of the payments made thereunder may be subject to the
Deduction Limit, in order to maintain the competitiveness of the Company's
executive compensation program.
ADMINISTRATION
The 1999 Plan will be administered by the Committee, which consists of four
Board members, all of whom are "outside directors," as defined under Section
162(m). The Committee has full authority to determine the manner in which the
1999 Plan will operate, to interpret the provisions of the 1999 Plan and to make
all determinations thereunder. In addition, the Committee has authority to
adopt, amend and repeal such rules, guidelines, procedures and practices
governing the 1999 Plan as it shall, from time to time, deem advisable.
ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION
Participation in the 1999 Plan is limited to executive officers of the
Company. The Committee has authority to select those executive officers who will
participate in the 1999 Plan. There are currently 13 executive officers of the
Company. Seven executive officers, Peter B. Lewis, Charles B. Chokel, W. Thomas
Forrester, Daniel R. Lewis, Robert J. McMillan, Glenn M. Renwick and Alan R.
Bauer have been selected to participate in the 1999 Plan for calendar year 1999.
The Committee may change the number and identity of Plan participants from year
to year.
PLAN OPERATION
The 1999 Plan has been designed to link a significant portion of a
participant's pay directly to the Company's operating or investment performance.
Annual bonuses paid under the Plan ("Annual Bonuses") will be determined by
application of the following formula:
Annual Bonus = Salary Paid X Target Percentage X Performance Factor
Salaries are established by the Committee no later than 90 days after
commencement of the Plan year and are determined by market analysis, based on
data reported in published national compensation surveys.
For each participant, a Target Percentage is assigned based on market data
and is intended to bring cash compensation to the high end of the market range
for comparable positions when specified
23
<PAGE> 26
performance goals are met. Total cash compensation can exceed the market range
if the specified performance goals are exceeded. For 1999, the Target
Percentages for the participants in the 1999 Plan are: 125% for Mr. Chokel, 135%
for Mr. Peter B. Lewis, 100% for Messrs. Bauer, Forrester, Daniel R. Lewis and
McMillan and 90% for Mr. Renwick. The Target Percentages are determined and may
be changed from year to year by the Committee, subject to the provisions of
Section 162(m) and the regulations promulgated thereunder, but may not exceed
150% for any participant.
Under the 1999 Plan, the performance of each participant during a given
Plan year will be measured by one or more of the following performance criteria:
a Core Business Growth and Profitability Component, a Business Segment
Performance Component, a Cost Structure Improvement Component and an Investment
Performance Component ("Bonus Components"). For each participant, an appropriate
combination of Bonus Components is selected based on the nature and scope of the
participant's assigned responsibilities.
The selected Bonus Components are assigned various weights by the
Committee, which may vary among participants and may be changed from year to
year by the Committee. The sum of the weighted performance scores for each of
the Bonus Components assigned to a given participant equals the Performance
Factor for that participant. The Performance Factor will equal 1.0 if specified
performance goals are met, and can vary from 0 to 2.0 based on actual
performance versus the pre-established objectives.
The Core Business Growth and Profitability Component measures overall
operating performance of the Company's Personal Lines segment (excluding Midland
Financial Group, Inc.) and the commercial vehicle business unit (collectively,
the "Core Business") for the Plan year. For purposes of this Bonus Component,
operating performance is measured by a Gainsharing Matrix, as established by the
Committee for the Plan year, which assigns a performance score to various
combinations of profitability and growth outcomes. Under the Gainsharing Matrix,
profitability is measured by the Gainsharing Combined Ratio and growth is
measured by the year-to-year change in net written premium.
The Gainsharing Combined Ratio is calculated using a formula under which
target combined ratios are established for each product within the Company's
Core Business ("Target CR's"). The Target CR's are then weighted based on the
net earned premium generated by each such product and combined to produce a
weighted Target CR. The actual combined ratio achieved by the Company's Core
Business for the Plan year is then compared to the weighted Target CR and the
result is used to compute the Gainsharing Combined Ratio. The Gainsharing
Combined Ratio is then plotted against the change in net written premium on the
Gainsharing Matrix to yield a performance score for the Core Business
Profitability and Growth Component. The Gainsharing Matrix, as well as the
profitability and growth targets, may be changed from year to year by the
Committee.
The Business Segment Performance Component measures the performance of a
designated Business Segment in terms of any one or more of the following
criteria selected by the Committee: profitability (measured by the combined
ratio, weighted combined ratio, return on equity or return on revenue), growth
(measured by net written premium, earned premium or revenues) or operating
24
<PAGE> 27
effectiveness (measured by systems availability or timeliness of response). A
Business Segment may consist of a distribution channel, business unit, product,
function, process or other business category, such as new or renewal business.
The Committee may designate one or more Business Segment Performance Components
for an individual participant for any Plan year and, for each such Component,
will select the applicable criteria by which performance will be measured, the
goals or range of goals to be achieved and the performance scores that will
result from various levels of performance. The applicable performance criteria,
related goals and resulting performance scores may be set forth in a Business
Segment Performance Matrix or other format approved by the Committee. Business
Segment Performance Components, performance criteria, goals and resulting
performance scores may vary among participants and may be changed from year to
year by the Committee.
The Cost Structure Improvement Component measures success in achieving cost
structure improvement for the Core Business, as a whole, or for an assigned
Business Segment, if applicable. Results are reflected in a Cost Structure
Improvement Score. For purposes of computing the Cost Structure Improvement
Score, cost structure improvement is measured by comparing the sum of the GAAP
Underwriting Expense Ratio ("Underwriting Expense Ratio") and Loss Adjustment
Expense Ratio ("LAE Ratio") achieved for the Plan year (collectively, "Actual
Expense Ratio") against defined expense objectives for that year, as established
by or under the direction of the Committee ("Target Expense Ratio"). The Target
Expense Ratio, including its individual components, may vary by Business Segment
and/or for the Core Business as a whole, and may be changed from year to year by
or under the direction of the Committee.
The Investment Performance Component measures overall performance of the
Company's investment activities. Initially, investment results for the
individual segments of the Company's investment portfolio are compared against
pre-established benchmarks. The resulting performance scores for the various
segments are weighted by the amounts invested from time to time in each of the
respective segments and the weighted performance scores are combined to produce
an Investment Performance Score that reflects the overall investment performance
of the portfolio. Segment classifications and benchmarks may be changed from
year to year by the Committee.
The Annual Bonus payable to any participant under the 1999 Plan for any
Plan year may not exceed $3,000,000.
25
<PAGE> 28
For 1999, the maximum amount of benefits that may be paid under the 1999
Plan to the named executive officers who have been selected to participate in
the Plan, and to all participating executive officers as a group, are as
follows:
NEW PLAN BENEFITS
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION 1999 EXECUTIVE BONUS PLAN
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MAXIMUM BENEFIT
NAME AND POSITION FOR 1999 ($)
----------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
Peter B. Lewis
Chairman, President and CEO - Insurance Operations........ $2,160,000
Charles B. Chokel
CEO - Investments and Capital Management.................. 1,000,000
W. Thomas Forrester
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer..................... 750,000
Daniel R. Lewis
Agent Business Leader..................................... 750,000
Robert J. McMillan
Direct Business Leader.................................... 750,000
Glenn M. Renwick
Chief Information Officer................................. 720,000
Alan R. Bauer
Internet Business Leader.................................. 700,000
Executive Group,
consisting of seven participants.......................... $6,830,000
</TABLE>
AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION
The Committee, in its sole discretion, may terminate, amend or revise the
1999 Plan, in whole or in part, at any time; provided that any amendment or
revision to the Plan which requires shareholder approval pursuant to Section
162(m) of the Code shall be subject to approval by the Company's shareholders.
The Committee, without shareholder approval, may modify or change the Target
Percentages and the selection, mix and relative weighting of Bonus Components
for any participant, and the performance targets, benchmarks or other
measurements and resulting scores for any Bonus Component, and may select the
executive officers who will participate in the Plan from year to year.
26
<PAGE> 29
OTHER MATERIAL PROVISIONS
Actual performance results achieved for any Plan year, as used to calculate
the performance score achieved for each of the applicable Bonus Components, must
be certified by the Committee prior to payment of the Annual Bonus. The Annual
Bonus for any Plan year will be paid to participants as soon as practicable
after the Committee has certified performance results for the Plan year, but no
later than the March 15 immediately following the end of the Plan year.
Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in order to be entitled to
receive an Annual Bonus for any Plan year, the participant must be employed by
the Company on the date designated for the payment thereof. Annual Bonus
payments will be net of any legally required deductions for federal, state and
local taxes and other items.
Any participant in the 1999 Plan who is then eligible to participate in The
Progressive Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Deferred
Plan") may elect to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her Annual Bonus
under the 1999 Plan under and in accordance with the provisions of the Deferral
Plan.
The right to an Annual Bonus may not be transferred, assigned or encumbered
by any participant.
The 1999 Plan has been adopted, and will be effective, as of January 1,
1999, subject to shareholder approval. If approved by shareholders, the 1999
Plan will be effective for 1999 and for each calendar year thereafter unless and
until otherwise determined by the Committee.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE 1999 PLAN
The Company is not entitled to deduct annual compensation in excess of $1
million paid to any "covered employee" for Federal income tax purposes unless
such compensation meets the requirements for "performance-based compensation,"
as specified in Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated
thereunder. To meet such requirements, the compensation must be payable because
of the attainment of objective performance goals established by a compensation
committee of the board of directors that is comprised solely of two or more
"outside directors" and approval by the shareholders after disclosure to them of
the material terms of the performance goals under which compensation is payable
under the plan. Further, before payment, the compensation committee must certify
in writing that the performance goals have been satisfied.
The 1999 Plan was established by the Committee, which is comprised solely
of four "outside directors," and is being submitted to shareholders for
approval. If the shareholders approve the 1999 Plan and the Committee
subsequently certifies the attainment of the performance goals applicable to any
Plan participant who is a "covered employee," the Company's deduction of
payments made to such participant under the Plan will not be subject to the
Deduction Limit.
27
<PAGE> 30
VOTE REQUIRED FOR APPROVAL
The affirmative vote of a majority of the Company's Common Shares voting on
this proposal (including abstentions), provided the total number of votes cast
represents a majority of the outstanding Common Shares, is required for
approval. Broker non-votes are not counted as voting.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE FOR THIS
PROPOSAL.
28
<PAGE> 31
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
At the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company held on February
19, 1999, the Board selected PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to serve as the
independent accountants for the Company and its subsidiaries for 1999.
Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are expected to be present at the
Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement about the Company's
financial condition, if they desire to do so, and to respond to appropriate
questions.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Any shareholder who intends to present a proposal at the 2000 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy
relating to that meeting may do so in accordance with Securities and Exchange
Commission Rule 14a-8 and is advised that the proposal must be received by the
Secretary at the Company's principal executive offices located at 6300 Wilson
Mills Road, Mayfield Village, Ohio 44143, not later than November 22, 1999. For
those shareholder proposals which are not submitted in accordance with Rule
14a-8, the proxies designated by the Board may exercise their discretionary
voting authority, without any discussion of the proposal in the Company's proxy
materials, with respect to any proposal which is received by the Company after
February 5, 2000.
SHAREHOLDER VOTE TABULATION
Votes will be tabulated by or under the direction of Inspectors of
Election, who may be regular employees of the Company. The Inspectors of
Election will certify the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting.
The proposal to fix the number of directors at twelve will be adopted if
approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Company's outstanding
Common Shares. Abstentions and broker non-votes, which are included in the
number of shares outstanding, but not as affirmative votes, will have the same
effect as a vote against this proposal.
The director nominees who receive the greatest number of affirmative votes
will be elected directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes thus will not affect
the results of the election.
The proposal to approve The Progressive Corporation 1999 Executive Bonus
Plan will be adopted if approved by the affirmative vote of the majority of the
Common Shares voting on the proposal (treating as voting all ballots marked as
abstentions), provided a majority of the outstanding Common Shares are voted on
the proposal. Broker non-votes are not counted as voting.
OTHER MATTERS
The solicitation of proxies is made by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors. The cost of the solicitation, including the reasonable expenses of
brokerage firms or other nominees for forwarding proxy materials to beneficial
owners, will be borne by the Company. In addition to solicitation by mail,
29
<PAGE> 32
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE ANNUAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The undersigned hereby appoints W. Thomas Forrester, David M.
Schneider and Dane A. Shrallow, and each of them, with full power of
substitution, as proxies for the undersigned to attend the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders of The Progressive Corporation, to be held at
6671 Beta Drive, Mayfield Village, Ohio, at 10:00 a.m., Cleveland
time, on April 23, 1999, and thereat, and at any adjournment thereof,
to vote and act with respect to all Common Shares of the Company which
the undersigned would be entitled to vote, with all power the
undersigned would possess if present in person, as follows:
1. Proposal to fix the number of directors at twelve.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
2. [ ] WITH or [ ] WITHOUT authority to vote (except as marked to the
contrary below) for the election as directors of all five
nominees listed below.
Milton N. Allen, James E. Bennett III, Charles B. Chokel, Charles A.
Davis and Paul B. Sigler
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual
nominee, print that nominee's name on the space
provided below.)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Proposal to approve The Progressive Corporation 1999 Executive
Bonus Plan.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
(Continued, and to be dated and signed, on the other side)
(Continued from the other side)
4. In their discretion, to vote upon such other business as may
properly come before the meeting.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED BY
THE SHAREHOLDER. IF NO SPECIFICATIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE
VOTED TO ELECT THE NOMINEES IDENTIFIED IN ITEM 2 ABOVE AND TO APPROVE
THE PROPOSALS DESCRIBED IN ITEMS 1 AND 3 ABOVE.
Receipt of Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and the related
Proxy Statement dated March , 1999, is hereby acknowledged.
Date: , 1999
----------------------
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
Signature of Shareholder(s)
PLEASE SIGN AS YOUR NAME OR NAMES
APPEAR HEREON. IF SHARES ARE HELD
JOINTLY, ALL HOLDERS MUST SIGN.
WHEN SIGNING AS ATTORNEY,
EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRUSTEE
OR GUARDIAN, PLEASE GIVE YOUR FULL
TITLE. IF A CORPORATION, PLEASE
SIGN IN FULL CORPORATE NAME BY
PRESIDENT OR OTHER AUTHORIZED
OFFICER. IF A PARTNERSHIP, PLEASE
SIGN IN PARTNERSHIP NAME BY
AUTHORIZED PERSON.
Proxy Card
<PAGE> 33
THE PROGRESSIVE CORPORATION
1999 EXECUTIVE BONUS PLAN
1. The Progressive Corporation and its subsidiaries ("Progressive") have
designed an executive compensation program consisting of three components:
salary, annual bonus and equity-based incentives in the form of
non-qualified stock options. These components have been structured to
reflect the market for executive compensation and to promote both the
achievement of corporate goals and performance that is in the long-term
interest of shareholders. The annual bonus component of this program is
performance-based and focuses on current results.
2. The 1999 Executive Bonus Plan (the "Plan") provides the annual bonus
component of Progressive's executive compensation program for Plan
participants. The Plan shall be administered by or under the direction of
the Executive Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of
Directors. Executive officers of Progressive may be selected by the
Committee to participate in the Plan for one or more Plan years. Plan years
shall coincide with Progressive's fiscal years.
3. Subject to the following sentence, the amount of the annual bonus earned by
any participant under the Plan for any Plan year ("Annual Bonus") will be
determined by application of the following formula:
Annual Bonus = Paid Salary x Target Percentage x Performance Factor
The Annual Bonus payable to any participant with respect to any Plan year
shall not exceed $3,000,000.
4. The salary rate of each Plan participant for any Plan year shall be
established by the Committee no later than ninety (90) days after
commencement of such Plan year. For purposes of the Plan, "salary" and
"Paid Salary" shall include regular, vacation, sick, holiday and funeral
pay received by the participant during the Plan year for work or services
performed by the participant as an officer or employee of Progressive, but
shall not include any (a) short-term or long-term disability payments, (b)
lump sum merit adjustments, (c) discretionary or other bonus or incentive
payments or (d) the earnings replacement component of any worker's
compensation award.
5. The Target Percentages for the participants in the Plan shall be determined
by the Committee, but will not exceed 150% for any participant. Target
Percentages may vary among Plan participants and may be changed from year
to year by the Committee.
6. The Performance Factor
----------------------
A. General
-------
The Performance Factor shall consist of one or more of the following
components: a Core Business Profitability and Growth Component, a
Business Segment Performance Component, a Cost Structure Improvement
Component and an Investment Performance Component (the "Bonus
Components"). An appropriate
1
<PAGE> 34
combination of Bonus Components will be designated for each
participant, and the designated Bonus Components will be weighted,
based on such participant's assigned responsibilities, as determined
by the Committee.
The relative weighting of the Bonus Components may vary among Plan
participants and may be changed from year to year by the Committee.
For purposes of computing the amount of the Annual Bonus for any Plan
year, the performance score achieved for each of the designated Bonus
Components will be multiplied by the applicable weighting factor to
produce a Weighted Performance Score. The sum of the Weighted
Performance Scores will equal the Performance Factor. The Performance
Factor will equal 1.0 if specified performance goals are met, and can
vary from 0 to 2.0, based on actual performance versus the
pre-established objectives.
Actual performance results achieved for any Plan year, as used to
calculate the performance score achieved for each of the applicable
Bonus Components, must be certified by the Committee prior to payment
of the Annual Bonus.
B. Core Business Profitability and Growth Component
------------------------------------------------
The Core Business Profitability and Growth Component measures overall
operating performance of Progressive's Personal Lines segment
(excluding Midland Financial Group, Inc.) and the commercial vehicle
business unit (collectively, the "Core Business") for the Plan year
for which an Annual Bonus payment is to be made. For purposes of
computing a Performance Score for this Component, operating
performance results are measured by a Gainsharing Matrix, as
established by or under the direction of the Committee for the Plan
year, which assigns a Profitability and Growth Performance Score to
various combinations of profitability (as measured by the Gainsharing
Combined Ratio) and growth (based on year-to-year change in Net
Written Premium) outcomes.
The Gainsharing Combined Ratio is determined for the Core Business as
follows:
1. Each year, a target combined ratio is established by or under the
direction of the Committee for all products within the Core
Business, determined to yield an average policy life target
combined ratio of 96.
2. A weighted target combined ratio is calculated based on the
various target combined ratios for the constituent product
categories, which are weighted on the basis of the Net Earned
Premium generated by each such product category for the Plan
year.
3. The actual GAAP combined ratio achieved for the Plan year is
subtracted from the weighted target combined ratio to determine
the extent to which performance is over or under target. This
result, whether positive or negative, is subtracted from the
average policy life combined ratio target of 96 to determine the
Gainsharing Combined Ratio.
2
<PAGE> 35
The Gainsharing Combined Ratio is then matched with growth in Net Written
Premium using the Gainsharing Matrix to determine a Core Business
Profitability and Growth Performance Score.
C. Business Segment Performance Component
--------------------------------------
The Business Segment Performance Component measures the performance of a
designated Business Segment (as defined below) in terms of any one or more
of the following criteria selected by the Committee: profitability
(measured by the combined ratio, weighted combined ratio, return on equity
or return on revenue), growth (measured by net written premium, earned
premium or revenues) or operating effectiveness (measured by systems
availability or timeliness of response). A Business Segment may consist of
a distribution channel, business unit, product, function, process or other
business category, such as new or renewal business. The Committee may
designate one or more Business Segment Performance Components for an
individual Plan participant for any Plan year and, for each such Component,
will determine the applicable criteria upon which performance will be
measured, the goals to be achieved and the performance scores that will
result from various levels of performance. The applicable criteria, related
goals and resulting performance scores may be set forth in a Business
Segment Performance Matrix or other format approved by the Committee.
Business Segment Performance Components, performance criteria, goals and
resulting performance scores may vary among participants and may be changed
from year to year by the Committee.
D. Cost Structure Improvement Component
------------------------------------
The Cost Structure Improvement Component measures success in achieving cost
structure improvement for the Core Business, as a whole, or for an assigned
Business Segment, if applicable. Results are reflected in a Cost Structure
Improvement Score. For purposes of computing the Cost Structure Improvement
Score, cost structure improvement is measured by comparing the sum of the
GAAP Underwriting Expense Ratio ("Underwriting Expense Ratio") and Loss
Adjustment Expense Ratio ("LAE Ratio") achieved for the Plan year
(collectively, "Actual Expense Ratio") against defined expense objectives
for that year, as established by or under the direction of the Committee
("Target Expense Ratio"). The Target Expense Ratio, including its
individual components, may vary by Business Segment and/or for the Core
Business as a whole, and may be changed from year to year by or under the
direction of the Committee.
The Cost Structure Improvement Score will be computed in accordance with
the following formula:
Cost Structure
Improvement = 1 + [Target Expense Ratio-Actual Expense Ratio]
Score ------------------------------------------
3
3
<PAGE> 36
E. Investment Performance Component
--------------------------------
The Investment Performance Component compares the investment performance of
the individual segments of Progressive's investment portfolio ("Portfolio
Segments") against the performance of selected groups of comparable
investment funds ("Investment Benchmarks") over such period or periods as
shall be determined by the Committee. Investment results are marked to
market in order to calculate total return, which is then compared against
the designated Investment Benchmarks to produce a Performance Score for
each Portfolio Segment.
The applicable Portfolio Segments will be identified, and the related
Investment Benchmarks and funds which comprise the Investment Benchmarks
will be determined, by the Committee and may be changed from year to year
by the Committee.
At the conclusion of a Plan year, the investment funds which comprise an
Investment Benchmark are ranked according to their respective levels of
performance for the Plan year. The investment performance achieved by each
Portfolio Segment for the Plan year is then compared against the
performance of the several investment funds which comprise the applicable
Investment Benchmark to determine the decile in which such Portfolio
Segment's performance falls ("Decile Ranking"). The Performance Score for
each Portfolio Segment is determined by its Decile Ranking for the Plan
year, as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------------------------------
DECILE PERFORMANCE
RANKING SCORE
----------------------------------
<S> <C>
1st 2.00
----------------------------------
2nd 1.78
----------------------------------
3rd 1.56
----------------------------------
4th 1.33
----------------------------------
5th 1.11
----------------------------------
6th .89
----------------------------------
7th .67
----------------------------------
8th .44
----------------------------------
9th .22
----------------------------------
10th 0
----------------------------------
</TABLE>
The Performance Scores for the several Portfolio Segments are weighted,
based on the average amounts invested in each such Segment during the Plan
year, and the weighted Performance Scores for the Portfolio Segments are
then combined to produce the Investment Performance Score. Investment
expense is not included in determining investment performance vs.
benchmark.
4
<PAGE> 37
8. The Annual Bonus for any Plan year will be paid to participants as soon as
practicable after the Committee has certified performance results for the
Plan year, but no later than March 15 of the immediately following year.
The provisions of this Paragraph shall be subject to Paragraph 9 hereof.
Any Plan participant who is eligible to participate in The Progressive
Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan ("Deferral Plan") may
elect to defer all or a portion of the Annual Bonus otherwise payable under
this Plan, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Deferral
Plan.
9. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, in order to be entitled to
receive an Annual Bonus for any Plan year, the participant must be employed
by Progressive on the date designated for payment thereof. Annual Bonus
payments made to participants will be net of any legally required
deductions for federal, state and local taxes and other items.
10. The right to any of the Annual Bonuses hereunder may not be transferred,
assigned or encumbered by any participant. Nothing herein shall prevent any
participant's interest hereunder from being subject to involuntary
attachment, levy or other legal process.
11. The Plan will be administered by or under the direction of the Committee.
The Committee will have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such
rules, guidelines, procedures and practices governing the Plan as it, from
time to time, in its sole discretion deems advisable.
The Committee will have full authority to determine the manner in which the
Plan will operate, to interpret the provisions of the Plan and to make all
determinations thereunder. All such interpretations and determinations will
be final and binding on Progressive, all Plan participants and all other
parties. No such interpretation or determination may be relied on as a
precedent for any similar action or decision.
The Plan will be administered by the Committee in accordance with the
requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the "Code").
12. The Plan will be subject to approval by the holders of Progressive's Common
Shares, $1.00 par value ("shareholders") in accordance with the
requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and no Annual Bonus will be paid
hereunder unless the Plan has been so approved.
13. The Plan may be terminated, amended or revised, in whole or in part, at any
time and from time to time by the Committee, in its sole discretion;
provided that the Committee may not increase the amount of compensation
payable hereunder to any participant above the amount that would otherwise
be payable upon attainment of the applicable performance goals, or
accelerate the payment of any portion of the Annual Bonus due to any
participant under the Plan without discounting the amount of such payment
in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code, and further provided that
any amendment or revision of the Plan required to be approved by
shareholders pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code will not be effective
until approved by Progressive's shareholders in accordance with the
requirements of Section 162(m).
5
<PAGE> 38
14. The Plan will be unfunded and all payments due under the Plan will be made
from Progressive's general assets.
15. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed as conferring upon any person the
right to remain a participant in the Plan or to remain employed by
Progressive, nor shall the Plan limit Progressive's right to discipline or
discharge any of its officers or employees or change any of their job
titles, duties or compensation.
16. Progressive shall have the unrestricted right to set off against or recover
out of any bonuses or other sums owed to any participant under the Plan any
amounts owed by such participant to Progressive.
17. This Plan supersedes all prior plans, agreements, understandings and
arrangements regarding bonuses or other cash incentive compensation payable
or due to any participant from Progressive. Without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, this Plan supersedes and replaces The Progressive
Corporation 1997 Executive Bonus Plan, as heretofore in effect (the "Prior
Plan"), which is and shall be deemed to be terminated as of December 31,
1998 (the "Termination Date"); provided, that any bonuses or other sums
earned under the Prior Plan with respect to any period ended on or prior to
the Termination Date shall be unaffected by such termination and shall be
paid to the appropriate participants when and as provided thereunder.
18. This Plan is adopted and, subject to the provisions of Paragraph 12 hereof,
is to be effective, as of January 1, 1999. Subject to the provisions of
Paragraph 12, this Plan shall be effective for 1999 and for each year
thereafter unless and until terminated by the Committee.
19. This Plan shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of
the State of Ohio.
6
