HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC/DE
10-Q, EX-10, 2000-11-13
INSURANCE AGENTS, BROKERS & SERVICE
Previous: HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC/DE, 10-Q, 2000-11-13
Next: HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP INC/DE, 10-Q, EX-27, 2000-11-13



                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------

     EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of July 1, 2000, by and between The Hartford
Financial  Services Group,  Inc. ("The  Hartford" or the "Company"),  a Delaware
corporation, and Thomas M. Marra ("Executive").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -

              WHEREAS,  the Company wishes to recognize the substantial services
that Executive has provided to the Company; and

              WHEREAS,  the Company  desires that Executive  continue to perform
such  services  and to  enter  into an  agreement  embodying  the  terms of such
employment (the "Agreement"); and

              WHEREAS,  Executive  desires to continue such employment and enter
into such Agreement;

              NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the mutual covenants herein
contained, the Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:


1.   EMPLOYMENT.
     ----------

     (a)   AGREEMENT TO EMPLOY.  Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of
           -------------------
           this  Agreement,  the  Company  hereby  agrees to  continue to employ
           Executive and Executive  hereby agrees to continue his  employment by
           the Company.

     (b)   TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.  Except as otherwise  provided below, the Company
           ------------------
           shall employ Executive for the period commencing on July 1, 2000 (the
           "Commencement  Date")  and  ending  on the third  anniversary  of the
           Commencement  Date.  At the  expiration  of the original  term or any
           extended  term  (each  a  "Renewal  Date"),   Executive's  employment
           hereunder  shall be extended  automatically,  upon the same terms and
           conditions,  for  successive  one-year  periods,  unless either party
           shall give written  notice to the other of its intention not to renew
           such  employment at least fifteen  months prior to such Renewal Date.
           Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the occurrence
           of a Change of Control (as defined below), the term of this Agreement
           shall be extended  automatically  without any action by either  party
           until   the   third   anniversary   of  such   Change   of   Control.
           Notwithstanding the foregoing,  if not previously terminated pursuant
           to Sections  1(b),  5(a) or 6(a),  the term of this  Agreement  shall
           terminate on the last day of the month in which Executive attains age
           65, and such a termination  upon  Executive  reaching age 65 shall be
           deemed to be a  Termination  Due to  Retirement  for purposes of this
           Agreement.  The period during which Executive is employed pursuant to
           this  Agreement,  including any extension  thereof in accordance with
           this Section 1(b), shall be referred to as the "Employment Period."


<PAGE>

2.   POSITION AND DUTIES.
     -------------------

During the Employment Period,  Executive shall serve as Executive Vice President
of The Hartford and Chief  Operating  Officer of Hartford Life,  Inc.  and/or in
such other position or positions with the Company or its affiliates commensurate
with his position and  experience  as the Board of Directors of the Company (the
"Board") or the Chairman of the Company (the "Chairman") shall from time to time
specify.  During  the  Employment  Period,  Executive  shall  have  the  duties,
responsibilities and obligations  customarily assigned to individuals serving in
the position or positions in which  Executive  serves  hereunder  and such other
duties, responsibilities and obligations as the Board or the Chairman shall from
time to time  specify.  Executive  shall  devote  his full time to the  services
required of him hereunder,  except for vacation time and  reasonable  periods of
absence due to sickness,  personal injury or other disability, and shall use his
best efforts,  judgement,  skill and energy to perform such services in a manner
consonant  with the  duties of his  position  and to  improve  and  advance  the
business and interests of the Company and its affiliates.  During the Employment
Period,  Executive shall comply with the Code of Conduct of the Company.  Unless
and to the extent inconsistent with the terms of any published Company policy or
code of  conduct  as in  effect on the date  hereof  and as  hereafter  amended,
nothing contained herein shall preclude  Executive from (a) serving on the board
of directors of any  business  corporation  with the consent of the Board or the
Chairman,  (b)  serving  on the board of, or  working  for,  any  charitable  or
community  organization,  or (c)  pursuing  his  personal  financial  and  legal
affairs, so long as the foregoing activities,  individually or collectively,  do
not interfere with the  performance of Executive's  duties  hereunder or violate
any of the provisions of Section 9 hereof.


3.   COMPENSATION.
     ------------

     (a)   BASE SALARY.  During the  Employment  Period,  the Company  shall pay
           -----------
           Executive  a base  salary at the annual rate as in effect on the date
           hereof.  The annual base salary payable under this paragraph shall be
           reduced,  however,  to the extent that Executive elects to defer such
           salary under the terms of any deferred  compensation  or savings plan
           or  arrangement  maintained  or  established  by the  Company  or its
           affiliates.  The Board or the appropriate  committee of the Board may
           in its  discretion  periodically  review  Executive's  base salary in
           light  of  competitive  practices,  the base  salaries  paid to other
           executive  officers of the Company and the  performance  of Executive
           and the  Company  and its  applicable  affiliates,  and  may,  in its
           discretion,  increase  such base salary by an amount it determines to
           be appropriate. Any such increase shall not reduce or limit any other
           obligation of the Company hereunder.  Executive's base salary (as set
           forth  above or as may be  increased  from time to time) shall not be
           reduced following any Change of Control,  but may be reduced prior to
           a  Change  of  Control  solely  pursuant  to a  cost-saving  plan  or
           structural  realignment of total compensation  elements that includes
           all senior  executives  and only to the extent that such reduction is
           proportionate   to  the   reductions   applicable   to  other  senior
           executives.  Executive's annual base salary payable hereunder,  as it
           may be increased or reduced from time to time as provided  herein and
           without reduction for any amounts deferred as described above,  shall
           be  referred  to  herein  as "Base  Salary."  The  Company  shall pay
           Executive  the  portion  of his Base  Salary  not  deferred  not less
           frequently than in equal monthly installments.


                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>
     (b)   ANNUAL BONUS.  For each  calendar  year ending during the  Employment
           ------------
           Period,  Executive  shall have the opportunity to earn and receive an
           annual  bonus,   based  on  the   achievement  of  target  levels  of
           performance,  equal  to the  percentage  of his Base  Salary  used to
           calculate such annual bonus as of the date hereof. Executive's annual
           bonus opportunity may be increased above such percentage from time to
           time by the Board or the appropriate  committee thereof.  Executive's
           annual bonus opportunity shall not be reduced following any Change of
           Control,  but may be  reduced  prior to a Change  of  Control  solely
           pursuant to a  cost-saving  plan or structural  realignment  of total
           compensation elements that includes all senior executives and only to
           the extent that such  reduction is  proportionate  to the  reductions
           applicable  to other  senior  executives.  Executive's  annual  bonus
           opportunity,  as it may be  increased or reduced from time to time as
           provided  herein,  shall be referred to herein as "Target Bonus." The
           actual bonus,  if any,  payable for any such year shall be determined
           in accordance with the terms of the Company's  Annual Executive Bonus
           Program or any successor  annual  incentive  plan (the "Annual Plan")
           based upon the  performance  of the  Company  and/or  its  applicable
           affiliates  and/or Executive  against target  objectives  established
           under such Annual Plan. Subject to Executive's  election to defer all
           or a portion of any annual bonus  payable  hereunder  pursuant to the
           terms of any deferred  compensation  or savings  plan or  arrangement
           maintained  or  established  by the  Company or its  affiliates,  any
           annual  bonus  payable  under  this  Section  3(b)  shall  be paid to
           Executive in accordance with the terms of the Annual Plan.


     (c)   LONG-TERM  INCENTIVE  COMPENSATION.  During  the  Employment  Period,
           ----------------------------------
           Executive  shall  participate  in all of the  Company's  existing and
           future long-term incentive  compensation  programs for key executives
           at a level  commensurate  with  his  position  with the  Company  and
           consistent with the Company's then current policies and practices, as
           determined in good faith by the Board or the appropriate committee of
           the Board.


4.   BENEFITS, PERQUISITES AND EXPENSES.
     ----------------------------------

     (a)   BENEFITS. During the Employment Period, Executive (and, to the extent
           --------
           applicable, his dependents) shall be eligible to participate in or be
           covered under (i) each welfare benefit plan or program  maintained or
           as hereafter  amended or established by the Company or its applicable
           affiliates,   including,   without   limitation,   each  group  life,
           hospitalization,  medical,  dental,  health,  accident or  disability
           insurance  or  similar  plan or  program  of  thereof,  and (ii) each
           pension, retirement,  savings, deferred compensation,  stock purchase
           or other similar plan or program  maintained or as hereafter  amended
           or established by the Company or its applicable  affiliates,  in each
           case to the extent that  Executive is eligible to  participate in any
           such  plan or  program  under  the  generally  applicable  provisions
           thereof. Nothing in this Section 4(a) shall limit the Company's right
           to amend or terminate any such plan or program in accordance with the
           procedures set forth therein or as permitted by applicable law.

     (b)   PERQUISITES.  For each  calendar year during the  Employment  Period,
           -----------
           Executive  shall be entitled to at least the number of paid  vacation
           days per year that  Executive  is entitled to as of the date  hereof,
           and shall also be entitled to receive such other  perquisites  as are
           generally  provided  to him as of the date  hereof  or are  hereafter
           provided to other similarly situated senior executives of the Company
           in  accordance  with the then current  policies and  practices of the
           Company.

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>
     (c)   BUSINESS  EXPENSES.  During the Employment  Period, the Company shall
           ------------------
           pay or  reimburse  Executive  for all  reasonable  business  expenses
           incurred  or paid by  Executive  in the  performance  of  Executive's
           duties hereunder, upon presentation of expense statements or vouchers
           and  such  other  information  as  the  Company  may  require  and in
           accordance with the generally  applicable  policies and procedures of
           the Company.

     (d)   OFFICE AND SUPPORT  STAFF.  During the Employment  Period,  Executive
           -------------------------
           shall be entitled to an office with  furnishings  and other  material
           appointments,  and to secretarial  and other  assistance,  at a level
           that is at least  commensurate with the foregoing  provided to him as
           of the date  hereof  or is  hereafter  provided  to  other  similarly
           situated senior executives of the Company.

     (e)   INDEMNIFICATION.  The  Company  shall  indemnify  Executive  and hold
           ---------------
           Executive  harmless  from and  against  any  claim,  loss or cause of
           action,  regardless  whether  asserted during or after the Employment
           Period, arising from or out of Executive's performance as an officer,
           director or employee  of the Company or any of its  affiliates  or in
           any  other  capacity,  including  any  fiduciary  capacity  in  which
           Executive serves at the request of the Company, to the maximum extent
           permitted   by   applicable   law  and  under  the   Certificate   of
           Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company, as may be amended from time
           to time (the "Governing Documents"),  provided that in no event shall
           the protection afforded to Executive be less than that afforded under
           the Governing Documents as in effect on the Commencement Date.


5.   TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
     -------------------------

The provisions of this Section 5 shall apply prior to the occurrence of a Change
of Control  and, if  Executive  is still in the  Company's  employ,  shall again
become applicable upon the third anniversary of such Change of Control.

     (a)   EARLY TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.  Notwithstanding  Section
           -------------------------------------------
           1(b)  hereof,  the  Employment  Period shall end upon the earliest to
           occur of (i) a  Termination  For Cause,  (ii) a  Termination  Without
           Cause,  (iii) a  Voluntary  Termination,  (iv) a  Termination  Due to
           Retirement,   (v)  a  Termination  Due  to  Disability,   or  (vi)  a
           Termination Due to Death.

     (b)   NOTICE  OF  TERMINATION.  Communication  of  termination  under  this
           -----------------------
           Section 5 shall be made to the other  party by Notice of  Termination
           in the  case  of (i) a  Termination  For  Cause,  (ii) a  Termination
           Without Cause, or (iii) a Voluntary Termination.

     (c)   BENEFITS PAYABLE UPON TERMINATION;  RULES FOR DETERMINING  REASON FOR
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------
           TERMINATION.
           -----------

           (i)    BENEFITS  PAYABLE UPON  TERMINATION.  Following the end of the
                  -----------------------------------
                  Employment Period pursuant to Section 5(a),  Executive (or, in
                  the event of his death,  his surviving  spouse,  if any, or if
                  none,  his  estate)  shall  be  paid  the  type  or  types  of
                  compensation  determined to be payable in accordance  with the
                  following table, such payment to be made in the form specified
                  in such table and at the time established  pursuant to Section
                  7 hereof.  Capitalized terms used in such table shall have the
                  meanings set forth in Section 5(d) hereof.

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>
           (ii)   RULES FOR DETERMINING REASON FOR TERMINATION.
                  --------------------------------------------

                  (A)   If  a  Voluntary  Termination  occurs  on  a  date  that
                        Executive is eligible for  Retirement  as defined in The
                        Hartford  Investment and Savings Plan, as may be amended
                        from time to time,  or any  successor  plan thereof (the
                        "Savings  Plan"),   such  Voluntary   Termination  shall
                        instead be treated as a  Termination  Due to  Retirement
                        solely for purposes of this Section 5.

                  (B)   No  Termination  Without  Cause  shall be  treated  as a
                        Termination  Due to Retirement  or a Termination  Due to
                        Disability  for  purposes of any Pro Rata Target  Bonus,
                        Severance  Payment,  Equity  Awards or  Vested  Benefits
                        Enhancement  under this Section 5,  notwithstanding  the
                        fact  that,  either  on,  before  or  after  the date of
                        termination  of  the  Employment   Period  with  respect
                        thereto,  (I) Executive  was eligible for  Retirement as
                        defined in the Savings Plan, (II) Executive requested to
                        be treated as a retiree for purposes of the Savings Plan
                        or any  other  plan or  program  of the  Company  or its
                        affiliates, or (III) Executive or the Company could have
                        terminated  Executive's  employment in a Termination Due
                        to Disability hereunder.


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

=======================================================================================================
                 BENEFITS PAYABLE : NON-CHANGE OF CONTROL

=======================================================================================================
BENEFIT:       Accrued Salary Pro Rata Target Bonus    Severance      Equity Awards
                                                       Payment

=======================================================================================================
<S>            <C>            <C>                      <C>            <C>
FORM OF        Lump Sum       Lump Sum                 Lump Sum       Determined Under the Applicable
PAYMENT:                                                              Plan

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination    Payable        Not Payable              Not Payable    Not Payable
For Cause
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination    Payable        Payable                  Payable        Options / Restricted Stock:
                                                                      --------------------------
Without Cause                                                         Payable

                                                                      Other Equity Awards:  Determined
                                                                      --------------------
                                                                      Under the Applicable Plan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voluntary      Payable        Determined Under the     Not            Determined Under the Applicable
Termination                   Applicable Plan          Payable        Plan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination    Payable        Determined Under the     Not Payable    Determined Under the Applicable
Due to                        Applicable Plan                         Plan
Retirement
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination    Payable        Payable                  Not Payable    Determined Under the Applicable
Due to                                                                Plan
Disability
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination    Payable        Payable                  Not Payable    Determined Under the Applicable
Due to Death                                                          Plan
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
==============================================================================================
                      BENEFITS PAYABLE : NON-CHANGE OF CONTROL
                                      (Continued)

==============================================================================================
BENEFIT:        Vested Benefits             Vested Benefits        Welfare
                                            Enhancement            Benefits Continuation

==============================================================================================
<S>             <C>                         <C>                    <C>
FORM OF         Determined Under the        Lump Sum               Determined Under the
PAYMENT:        Applicable Plan                                    Applicable Plan

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination      Determined Under the       Not Payable            Not
For Cause       Applicable Plan                                    Available
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination     Determined Under the        Payable                Available

Without Cause   Applicable Plan



----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voluntary       Determined Under the        Not Payable            Not Available
Termination     Applicable Plan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination     Determined Under the        Not Payable            Available
Due to          Applicable Plan
Retirement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination     Determined Under the        Not Payable            Available
Due to          Applicable Plan
Disability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination     Determined Under the        Not Payable            Not Available
Due to Death    Applicable Plan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>
     (d)   DEFINITIONS.
           -----------

           "ACCRUED  SALARY"  means any Base  Salary  earned,  but  unpaid,  for
           services rendered to the Company on or prior to the date on which the
           Employment  Period  ends  pursuant  to Section  5(a) (other than Base
           Salary deferred pursuant to Executive's  election, as contemplated by
           Section 3(a)  hereof),  plus any vacation pay accrued by Executive as
           of such date.

           "AVAILABLE" means that the particular benefit shall be made available
           to Executive to the extent  specifically  provided herein or required
           by applicable law.

           "DETERMINED  UNDER THE APPLICABLE PLAN" means that the  determination
           of  whether  a  particular  benefit,  shall or  shall  not be paid to
           Executive,  and, where specifically  required by this Agreement,  the
           timing  or form of any  benefit  payment,  shall  be made  solely  by
           application  of the  terms  of the  plan or  program  providing  such
           benefit,  except to the extent that the terms of such plan or program
           are expressly superseded or modified by this Agreement.

           "EQUITY AWARDS" means the outstanding stock option, restricted stock,
           performance   share  and  other   equity   or   long-term   incentive
           compensation  awards, if any, held by Executive as of the date of his
           termination.

           "ERPs" means any excess  retirement  plans maintained or as hereafter
           amended or established by the Company or its applicable affiliates.

           "ESPs" means any excess investment and savings plans maintained or as
           hereafter  amended or  established  by the Company or its  applicable
           affiliates.

           "LUMP SUM" means a single lump sum cash payment.

           "NOT AVAILABLE"  means that the particular  benefit shall not be made
           available to Executive,  except to the extent  required by applicable
           law.

           "NOT  PAYABLE"  means (i) with respect to benefits  other than Equity
           Awards,  such  benefits  shall not be paid or  otherwise  provided to
           Executive,  and (ii) with  respect  to  Equity  Awards,  such  Equity
           Awards,  to  the  extent  unvested,   unexercisable,  or  subject  to
           restrictions  that have not yet  lapsed,  shall be  forfeited  and/or
           canceled  as of the date of  termination  of the  Employment  Period,
           unless otherwise  determined by the relevant Board or the appropriate
           committee of the Board in its discretion.

           "NOTICE OF  TERMINATION"  means (i) in the case of a Termination  For
           Cause, a written  notice given by the Company to Executive  within 30
           calendar days of the Company's  having actual knowledge of the events
           giving  rise to such  Termination  For  Cause,  (ii) in the case of a
           Termination  Without  Cause, a written notice given by the Company to
           Executive at least 30 calendar days before the effective date of such
           Termination  Without  Cause,  and  (iii) in the  case of a  Voluntary
           Termination,  a written  notice  given by  Executive  to the  Company
           indicating  the  effective  date of  Executive's  termination  of the
           Employment Period in such Voluntary Termination,  such effective date
           to be no  earlier  than 30 days  following  the date  such  notice is
           received by the Company from Executive.

                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>
           "PAYABLE"  means  (i) with  respect  to  benefits  other  than  those
           described in clause (ii) of this  paragraph,  such benefits  shall be
           paid  to  Executive  in the  amount,  at the  time,  and in the  form
           specified herein, and (ii) with respect to benefits described in this
           clause  (ii),  the  following  shall  apply  solely in the event of a
           Termination Without Cause, notwithstanding anything in the applicable
           plan or program to the contrary:  (A) with respect to any outstanding
           stock  options not yet expired as of the date of  termination  of the
           Employment  Period,  Executive shall be treated as though he remained
           in the employ of the Company for the two year period  following  such
           date,  and except to the extent that any such  options  first  expire
           during such period under the applicable plan or program, (I) any such
           options  that  would have  become  vested  over such two year  period
           solely by reason of Executive  remaining in the employ of the Company
           during   such   period   shall   become    immediately   vested   and
           nonforfeitable,  (II) with respect to any options that by their terms
           would vest if the stock of the Company or an affiliate  were to reach
           a specified  market  price,  such  options  shall  become  vested and
           nonforfeitable  if and when such stock reaches such price during such
           two year period,  and (III)  Executive  shall have an additional  two
           years to  exercise  any vested  options  (beyond the time to exercise
           such options permitted under the applicable plan or program), and (B)
           with respect to any  restricted  stock subject to  restrictions  that
           have not yet lapsed as of the date of  termination  of the Employment
           Period,  such  restrictions  shall be deemed to have  lapsed and such
           restricted stock shall become  immediately  vested and nonforfeitable
           as of such date.

           "PRO-RATA  TARGET BONUS" means an amount equal to the product of: (i)
           an  amount  equal to the  Target  Bonus  Executive  would  have  been
           entitled to receive under Section 3(b) for the calendar year in which
           the Employment Period  terminates,  and (ii) a fraction (the "Service
           Fraction"),  the numerator of which is equal to the number of rounded
           months in such  calendar  year which  have  elapsed as of the date of
           such termination,  and the denominator of which is 12; provided that,
           if the  Employment  Period  terminates  in the  last  quarter  of any
           calendar  year,  the  Pro-Rata  Target  Bonus  shall  be  the  amount
           determined  under the above  formula or, if greater,  the product of:
           (A) the bonus that would have been paid to Executive  based on actual
           performance for such calendar year, and (B) the Service Fraction.

           "SEVERANCE  PAYMENT"  means an amount  equal to two times the sum of:
           (i)  Executive's  Base Salary at the rate in effect as of the date of
           termination of the Employment  Period,  and (ii)  Executive's  Target
           Bonus amount under Section 3(b) hereof for the calendar year in which
           the Employment Period terminates.

           "TERMINATION  DUE  TO  DEATH"  means  a  termination  of  Executive's
           employment due to the death of Executive.

           "TERMINATION   DUE  TO   DISABILITY"   means  (i)  a  termination  of
           Executive's  employment by the Company as a result of a determination
           by the Board or the appropriate  committee thereof that Executive has
           been incapable of  substantially  fulfilling  the positions,  duties,
           responsibilities  and  obligations  set  forth in this  Agreement  on
           account of physical,  mental or emotional  incapacity  resulting from
           injury,  sickness  or  disease  for a  period  of (A) at  least  four
           consecutive  months,  or (B) more than six months in any twelve month
           period,  or (ii) Executive's  termination of employment on account of
           Disability as defined in The Hartford Investment and Savings Plan, as
           may be amended from time to time.

                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>
           "TERMINATION  DUE TO  RETIREMENT"  means  Executive's  termination of
           employment  on account of  Executive's  Retirement  as defined in The
           Hartford  Investment and Savings Plan, as may be amended from time to
           time.

           "TERMINATION FOR CAUSE" means a termination of Executive's employment
           by the Company for any of the  following  reasons:  (i)  Executive is
           convicted  of or  enters a plea of  guilty  or nolo  contendere  to a
                                                          ----  ----------
           felony,  a crime of moral turpitude,  dishonesty,  breach of trust or
           unethical  business  conduct,  or any crime involving the business of
           the Company or its affiliates;  (ii) in the performance of his duties
           hereunder  or  otherwise  to  the  detriment  of the  Company  or its
           affiliates,  Executive engages in (A) willful misconduct, (B) willful
           or gross neglect, (C) fraud, (D) misappropriation,  (E) embezzlement,
           or (F)  theft;  (iii)  Executive  willfully  fails to  adhere  to the
           policies and practices of the Company or devote  substantially all of
           his business time and effort to the affairs thereof,  or disobeys the
           directions of the Board to do either of the foregoing; (iv) Executive
           breaches  this  Agreement in any material  respect;  (v) Executive is
           adjudicated in any civil suit to have  committed,  or acknowledges in
           writing or in any agreement or  stipulation  his  commission,  of any
           theft,  embezzlement,  fraud or other  intentional  act of dishonesty
           involving any other person;  or (vi)  Executive  violates the Code of
           Conduct of the Company.

           "TERMINATION  WITHOUT  CAUSE" means any  involuntary  termination  of
           Executive's  employment by the Company  other than a Termination  For
           Cause, a Termination Due to Disability or a Termination Due to Death.

           "VESTED  BENEFITS" means amounts that are vested or that Executive is
           otherwise  entitled to receive,  without the performance by Executive
           of further  services or the  resolution of a  contingency,  under the
           terms of or in  accordance  with any  investment  and savings plan or
           retirement  plan  (including  any  plan  providing   retiree  medical
           benefits)  of the  Company  or its  affiliates,  and any ERPs or ESPs
           related  thereto,  and any deferred  compensation  or employee  stock
           purchase  plan or  similar  plan or  program  of the  Company  or its
           affiliates.

           "VESTED  BENEFITS  ENHANCEMENT"  means (i) a cash amount equal to the
           present  value,  calculated  using a discount  rate equal to the then
           prevailing  applicable  Federal  rate  as  determined  under  Section
           1274(d)  of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of  1986,  as  amended  (the
           "Code"),  of the additional  retirement benefits that would have been
           payable or available to  Executive  under any ERPs,  based on (A) the
           age and  service  Executive  would have  attained  or  completed  had
           Executive   continued  in  the  Company's  employ  until  the  second
           anniversary of the date of termination of the Employment  Period, and
           (B)  where   compensation  is  a  relevant  factor,  his  pensionable
           compensation  as of such date, such  compensation to include,  on the
           same terms as apply to other  executives,  any Severance Payment made
           to  Executive,  and (ii) solely for purposes  vesting in any benefits
           under any ESPs, Executive shall be treated as having continued in the
           Company's  employ  until  the  second  anniversary  of  the  date  of
           termination of the Employment Period.

           "VOLUNTARY   TERMINATION"   means  any   voluntary   termination   of
           Executive's Employment by Executive pursuant to this Section 5, other
           than  a  Termination  Due  to  Retirement  or a  Termination  Due  to
           Disability by Executive.

                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>
           "WELFARE   BENEFITS   CONTINUATION"   means  that  until  the  second
           anniversary  of the date of  termination  of the  Employment  Period,
           Executive  and, if applicable,  his  dependents  shall be entitled to
           continue participation in the life and health insurance benefit plans
           of the  Company or its  affiliates  in which  Executive  and/or  such
           dependents  were  participating  as of the date of termination of the
           Employment  Period,  and such other welfare  benefit plans thereof in
           which the Company is required by law to permit the  participation  of
           Executive and/or his dependents,  (collectively, the "Welfare Benefit
           Plans"). Such participation shall be on the same terms and conditions
           (including the requirement that Executive pay any premiums  generally
           paid by an employee)  as would apply if  Executive  were still in the
           employ of the Company;  provided that the continued  participation of
           Executive  and/or his dependents in such Welfare  Benefit Plans shall
           cease on such  earlier  date as  Executive  may become  eligible  for
           comparable welfare benefits provided by a subsequent employer. To the
           extent that Welfare  Benefits  Continuation  cannot be provided under
           the terms of the  applicable  plan,  policy or  program,  the Company
           shall  provide a comparable  benefit  under  another plan or from the
           Company's general assets.


6.   TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE OF CONTROL OR POTENTIAL CHANGE OF CONTROL.
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Section 6 shall apply  (instead of Section 5) during the period  commencing
upon a Change of Control and  continuing  until the third  anniversary  thereof;
provided  that,  in the event that  Executive's  employment is terminated by the
Company in a  Termination  Without  Cause  after the  occurrence  of a Potential
Change of Control and a Change of Control  occurs within one year  following the
date of such termination, then solely for purposes of this Agreement,  Executive
shall be deemed to have remained in the Company's employ until the occurrence of
the Change of Control and thereafter to have then been terminated by the Company
in a Termination  Without  Cause.  As a result,  Executive  shall be entitled to
receive  the excess of (i) the  benefits  payable in the event of a  Termination
Without Cause under this Section 6, over (ii) the amount of any benefits payable
to Executive under Section 5.

     (a)   EARLY TERMINATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.  Notwithstanding  Section
           ------------------------------------------
           1(b)  hereof,  the  Employment  Period shall end upon the earliest to
           occur of (i) a  Termination  For Cause,  (ii) a  Termination  Without
           Cause,  (iii)  a  Voluntary  Termination  Within  180  Days,  (iv)  a
           Voluntary  Termination  After 180 Days,  (v) a  Termination  For Good
           Reason, (vi) a Termination Due to Retirement, (vii) a Termination Due
           to Disability, or (viii) a Termination Due to Death.

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>
     (b)   NOTICE  OF  TERMINATION.  Communication  of  termination  under  this
           -----------------------
           Section 6 shall be made to the other  party by Notice of  Termination
           in the  case  of (i) a  Termination  For  Cause,  (ii) a  Termination
           Without Cause, (iii) a Voluntary  Termination Within 180 Days, (iv) a
           Voluntary  Termination  After 180 Days, or (v) a Termination For Good
           Reason.

     (c)   BENEFITS PAYABLE UPON TERMINATION;  RULES FOR DETERMINING  REASON FOR
           ---------------------------------------------------------------------
           TERMINATION.
           -----------

           (i)    BENEFITS  PAYABLE UPON  TERMINATION.  Following the end of the
                  -----------------------------------
                  Employment  Period,  Executive (or, in the event of his death,
                  his surviving spouse, if any, or if none, his estate) shall be
                  paid  the  type or  types  of  compensation  determined  to be
                  payable in accordance with the following  table,  such payment
                  to be made in the form specified in such table and at the time
                  established  pursuant to Section 7 hereof.  Capitalized  terms
                  used in such table (and  otherwise in this Section 6) that are
                  defined in Section 5, and not specifically  defined in Section
                  6(d) hereof,  shall have the meanings  ascribed  thereto under
                  Section 5. Where such a capitalized  term is defined solely in
                  Section 6(d), or in both Section 5 and Section 6(d), such term
                  shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 6(d).

           (ii)   RULES FOR DETERMINING REASON FOR TERMINATION.
                  --------------------------------------------

                  (A)   No  Termination  Without  Cause,  Voluntary  Termination
                        Within 180 Days or Termination  For Good Reason shall be
                        treated  as  a  Termination   Due  to  Retirement  or  a
                        Termination  Due to  Disability  for purposes of any Pro
                        Rata Target Bonus,  Severance Payment,  Equity Awards or
                        Vested  Benefits   Enhancement  under  this  Section  6,
                        notwithstanding  the fact  that,  either  on,  before or
                        after the Date of Termination with respect thereto,  (I)
                        Executive was eligible for  Retirement as defined in the
                        Savings Plan, (II) Executive  requested to be treated as
                        a retiree for  purposes of the Savings Plan or any other
                        plan or program of the  Company  or its  affiliates,  or
                        (III)  Executive  or the Company  could have  terminated
                        Executive's   employment   in  a   Termination   Due  to
                        Disability hereunder.

                  (B)   No Termination  Due to Retirement  shall be treated as a
                        Voluntary  Termination  After 180 Days for  purposes  of
                        this Section 6,  notwithstanding  the fact that the Date
                        of Termination  for such  Termination  Due to Retirement
                        may occur within 180 days following a Change of Control.

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================

   BENEFITS PAYABLE:
   CHANGE OF CONTROL


====================================================================================================
BENEFIT                 Accrued Salary Pro Rata Target      Severance      Equity Awards
                                       Bonus                Payment
====================================================================================================
<S>                     <C>            <C>                  <C>            <C>
FORM OF PAYMENT         Lump Sum       Lump Sum             Lump Sum       Determined Under the
                                                                           Applicable Plan
====================================================================================================
Termination For Cause   Payable        Not Payable          Not Payable    Determined Under the
                                                                           Applicable Plan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination Without     Payable        Payable              Payable        Determined Under the
Cause                                                                      Applicable Plan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voluntary Termination   Payable        Payable              Payable        Determined Under the
Within                                                                     Applicable Plan
180 Days
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voluntary               Payable        Not Payable          Not Payable    Determined Under the
Termination                                                                Applicable Plan
After
180 Days
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination For Good    Payable        Payable              Payable        Determined Under the
Reason                                                                     Applicable Plan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination Due to      Payable        Determined Under     Not Payable    Determined Under the
Retirement                             the Applicable Plan                 Applicable Plan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination Due to      Payable        Payable              Not Payable    Determined Under the
Disability                                                                 Applicable Plan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination Due to      Payable        Payable              Not Payable    Determined Under the
Death                                                                      Applicable Plan
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
========================================================================================================

   BENEFITS PAYABLE:
   CHANGE OF CONTROL
     (Continued)

========================================================================================================
BENEFIT                   Vested Benefits          Vested Benefits Enhancement  Welfare
                                                                                Benefits Continuation
========================================================================================================
<S>                       <C>                      <C>                          <C>
FORM OF PAYMENT           Determined Under the     Lump Sum                     Determined Under the
                          Applicable Plan                                       Applicable Plan
========================================================================================================
Termination For Cause     Determined Under the     Not Payable                  Not Available
                          Applicable Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination Without       Determined Under the     Payable                      Available
Cause                     Applicable Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voluntary Termination     Determined Under the     Payable                      Available
Within                    Applicable Plan
180 Days
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voluntary                 Determined Under the     Not Payable                  Not Available
Termination               Applicable Plan
After
180 Days
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination For Good      Determined Under the     Payable                      Available
Reason                    Applicable Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination Due to        Determined Under the     Not Payable                  Available
Retirement                Applicable Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination Due to        Determined Under the     Not Payable                  Available
Disability                Applicable Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Termination Due to        Determined Under the     Not Payable                  Not Available
Death                     Applicable Plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>
     (d)   DEFINITIONS.
           -----------

           "BENEFICIAL OWNER" means any Person who, directly or indirectly,  has
           the right to vote or dispose of or has "beneficial ownership" (within
           the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the  Securities  and  Exchange Act of
           1934,  as  amended  (the  "Act"))  of any  securities  of a  company,
           including any such right  pursuant to any  agreement,  arrangement or
           understanding  (whether  or not in  writing),  provided  that:  (i) a
                                                          --------------
           Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial  Owner of any security as a
           result of an agreement,  arrangement  or  understanding  to vote such
           security (A) arising  solely from a revocable  proxy or consent given
           in response to a public proxy or consent  solicitation  made pursuant
           to, and in accordance with, the Exchange Act and the applicable rules
           and  regulations  thereunder,  or (B) made in connection  with, or to
           otherwise participate in, a proxy or consent solicitation made, or to
           be  made,  pursuant  to,  and  in  accordance  with,  the  applicable
           provisions  of  the  Exchange  Act  and  the  applicable   rules  and
           regulations thereunder, in either case described in clause (A) or (B)
           above, whether or not such agreement, arrangement or understanding is
           also  then  reportable  by such  Person  on  Schedule  13D  under the
           Exchange  Act (or any  comparable  or successor  report);  and (ii) a
           Person engaged in business as an underwriter of securities  shall not
           be deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of any security acquired through
           such  Person's  participation  in  good  faith  in a firm  commitment
           underwriting  until the  expiration  of forty  days after the date of
           such acquisition.

           "CHANGE OF CONTROL" means:

           (i)    a report on  Schedule  13D shall be filed with the  Securities
                  and Exchange  Commission  pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Act
                  disclosing  that any  Person,  other  than The  Hartford  or a
                  subsidiary  of The  Hartford  or  any  employee  benefit  plan
                  sponsored by The  Hartford or a  subsidiary  of the Company is
                  the  Beneficial  Owner  of  twenty  percent  or  more  of  the
                  outstanding  stock  of the  Company  entitled  to  vote in the
                  election of directors of the Company;

           (ii)   any Person,  other than The  Hartford or a  subsidiary  of The
                  Hartford  or  any  employee  benefit  plan  sponsored  by  The
                  Hartford or a subsidiary of The Hartford shall purchase shares
                  pursuant to a tender  offer or  exchange  offer to acquire any
                  stock of the Company (or  securities  convertible  into stock)
                  entitled to vote in the  election of  directors of the Company
                  for cash, securities or any other consideration, provided that
                  after consummation of the offer, the Person in question is the
                  Beneficial Owner of fifteen percent or more of the outstanding
                  stock  of the  Company  entitled  to vote in the  election  of
                  directors of the Company  (calculated as provided in paragraph
                  (d) of Rule  13d-3  under  the Act in the  case of  rights  to
                  acquire stock);

           (iii)  the   stockholders  of  the  Company  shall  approve  (A)  any
                  consolidation  or merger of The Hartford in which The Hartford
                  is not the continuing or surviving  corporation or pursuant to
                  which shares of stock of The Hartford  entitled to vote in the
                  election of directors of the Company  would be converted  into
                  cash, securities or other property, other than a consolidation
                  or merger of The  Hartford  in which  holders  of stock of The
                  Hartford  entitled to vote in the election of directors of The
                  Hartford immediately prior to the consolidation or merger have
                  the  same  proportionate  ownership  of  common  stock  of the

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>
                  surviving  corporation  entitled  to vote in the  election  of
                  directors  immediately  after the  consolidation  or merger as
                  immediately before, or (B) any sale, lease,  exchange or other
                  transfer   (in  one   transaction   or  a  series  of  related
                  transactions)  of all or  substantially  all the assets of The
                  Hartford; or

           (iv)   within any 12 month period,  the persons who were directors of
                  The Hartford  immediately  before the beginning of such period
                  (the "Incumbent  Directors") shall cease (for any reason other
                  than death) to  constitute at least a majority of the Board of
                  The Hartford or the board of directors of any successor to The
                  Hartford, provided that any director who was not a director at
                  the  beginning  of  such  period  shall  be  deemed  to  be an
                  Incumbent  Director  if such  director  (A) was elected to the
                  Board by, or on the recommendation of or with the approval of,
                  at least  two-thirds of the  directors  who then  qualified as
                  Incumbent  Directors  either actually or by prior operation of
                  this clause (iv),  and (B) was not  designated by a person who
                  has entered  into an  agreement  with The Hartford to effect a
                  transaction  described  in the  immediately  preceding  clause
                  (iii).

           "DATE OF  TERMINATION"  means (i) in the case of a termination of the
           Employment Period for which a Notice of Termination is required,  the
           date of receipt of such Notice of Termination or, if later,  the date
           specified  therein,  as the case may be, or (ii) in all other  cases,
           the actual date on which Executive's employment terminates during the
           Employment Period.

           "NOT  PAYABLE"  means that a particular  benefit shall not be paid or
           otherwise provided to Executive.

           "NOTICE OF  TERMINATION"  means (i) in the case of a Termination  For
           Cause, a written notice given by the Company to Executive,  within 30
           calendar days of the Company's  having actual knowledge of the events
           giving rise to such  termination,  (ii) in the case of a  Termination
           Without  Cause, a written notice given by the Company to Executive at
           least 30 calendar days before the effective date of such  Termination
           Without Cause,  (iii) in the case of a Voluntary  Termination  Within
           180 Days or a Voluntary  Termination After 180 Days, a written notice
           given by  Executive  to the Company at least 30 calendar  days before
           the  effective  date of such  termination,  and (iv) in the case of a
           Termination  For Good Reason,  a written notice given by Executive to
           the Company within 180 days of Executive's having actual knowledge of
           the events giving rise to such Termination For Good Reason, and which
           (A) indicates the specific  termination  provision in this  Agreement
           relied  upon,  (B) sets  forth in  reasonable  detail  the  facts and
           circumstances  claimed  to  provide  a basis for  termination  of the
           Executive's  employment under the provision so indicated,  and (C) if
           the  termination  date is  other  than the  date of  receipt  of such
           notice,  specifies the termination date of this Agreement (which date
           shall be not more than 15 days after the giving of such notice).  The
           failure by Executive to set forth in such Notice of  Termination  any
           fact or  circumstance  that  contributes  to a showing of Good Reason
           shall  not  waive  any  right  of  Executive  hereunder  or  preclude
           Executive from asserting such fact or  circumstance  in enforcing his
           rights hereunder.

           "PAYABLE" means that a particular  benefit shall be paid to Executive
           in the amount, at the time, and in the form specified herein.

                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>
           "PERSON" has the meaning  ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9) of
           the Act, as  supplemented by Section  13(d)(3) of the Act;  provided,
           however,   that  Person  shall  not  include  (i)  the  Company,  any
           subsidiary  of the  Company  or any other  Person  controlled  by the
           Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under
           any employee  benefit plan of the Company or of any subsidiary of the
           Company, or (iii) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
           stockholders of the Company in substantially  the same proportions as
           their ownership of securities of the Company.

           "POTENTIAL CHANGE OF CONTROL" means:

           (i)    a Person shall commence a tender offer,  which if successfully
                  consummated,  would result in such Person being the Beneficial
                  Owner  of at  least  15%  of  the  voting  securities  of  The
                  Hartford;

           (ii)   The Hartford shall enter into an agreement the consummation of
                  which shall constitute a Change of Control;

           (iii)  proxies for the election of directors of The Hartford shall be
                  solicited by anyone other than The Hartford; or

           (iv)   any other  event shall occur which is deemed to be a Potential
                  Change of  Control by the Board or the  appropriate  Committee
                  thereof.

           "SEVERANCE  PAYMENT" means a cash amount equal to three times the sum
           of (i)  Executive's  Base Salary at the rate in effect as of the date
           on which  the  Employment  Period  terminates,  and (ii)  Executive's
           Target Bonus for such year.

           "TERMINATION   FOR  CAUSE"  means  the   Company's   termination   of
           Executive's employment due to (i) Executive's conviction of a felony;
           (ii) an act or acts of  extreme  dishonesty  or gross  misconduct  on
           Executive's  part which  result or are intended to result in material
           damage to the Company's  business or  reputation;  or (iii)  repeated
           material  violations by Executive of his obligations  under Section 2
           of this  Agreement,  which  violations are  demonstrably  willful and
           deliberate on Executive's part and which result in material damage to
           the Company's business or reputation.

           "TERMINATION  FOR GOOD  REASON"  means the  occurrence  of any of the
           following after the occurrence of a Potential  Change of Control or a
           Change of Control:

           (i)    (A) the assignment to Executive of any duties  inconsistent in
                  any  material  adverse  respect  with  Executive's   position,
                  duties,  authority  or  responsibilities  as  contemplated  by
                  Section 2 of this Agreement, or (B) any other material adverse
                  change  in  such  position,  including  titles,  authority  or
                  responsibilities;

           (ii)   any  failure  by  the  Company  to  comply  with  any  of  the
                  provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement at a level at
                  least equal to that in effect immediately preceding the Change
                  of Control or a  Potential  Change of  Control,  other than an
                  insubstantial  or inadvertent

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>
                  failure  remedied by the  Company  promptly  after  receipt of
                  notice thereof given by Executive;

           (iii)  the Company's requiring Executive to be based at any office or
                  location  more  than 25 miles  from the  location  at which he
                  performed  his  services  specified  under  Section  2  hereof
                  immediately  prior to the  Change of  Control  or a  Potential
                  Change of Control,  except for travel  reasonably  required in
                  the performance of Executive's responsibilities;

           (iv)   any  failure  by the  Company  to obtain  the  assumption  and
                  agreement  to  perform  this   Agreement  by  a  successor  as
                  contemplated by Section 10(d) hereof; or

           (v)    any  attempt  by the  Company  to  terminate  the  Executive's
                  employment in a Termination  For Cause that is determined in a
                  proceeding  pursuant  to Section 9 or Section 10 hereof not to
                  constitute a Termination For Cause.

           Notwithstanding   the   foregoing,   a  termination   of  Executive's
           employment  shall not be treated as a Termination For Good Reason (I)
           if Executive shall have consented in writing to the occurrence of the
           event giving rise to the claim of  Termination  For Good  Reason,  or
           (II) if Executive shall have delivered a Notice of Termination to the
           Company,  and  the  facts  and  circumstances  specified  therein  as
           providing a basis for such  Termination  For Good Reason are cured by
           the  Company  within  10  days  of its  receipt  of  such  Notice  of
           Termination.

           "VESTED  BENEFITS  ENHANCEMENT"  means (i) a cash amount equal to the
           present  value,  calculated  using a discount  rate equal to the then
           prevailing  applicable  Federal  rate  as  determined  under  Section
           1274(d)  of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of  1986,  as  amended  (the
           "Code"),  of the additional  retirement benefits that would have been
           payable or available to  Executive  under any ERPs,  based on (A) the
           age and  service  Executive  would have  attained  or  completed  had
           Executive   continued  in  the  Company's   employ  until  the  third
           anniversary of the occurrence of the Change of Control, and (B) where
           compensation is a relevant factor, his pensionable compensation as of
           the Date of Termination,  such  compensation to include,  on the same
           terms as apply to other  executives,  any  Severance  Payment made to
           Executive,  and(ii)  solely for  purposes of vesting in any  benefits
           under any ESPs, Executive shall be treated as having continued in the
           Company's  employ until the third  anniversary  of the  occurrence of
           such Change of Control.

           "VOLUNTARY  TERMINATION  WITHIN  180  DAYS"  means a  termination  of
           employment  by  Executive  for any  reason  within the first 180 days
           following a Change of Control,  and "VOLUNTARY  TERMINATION AFTER 180
           DAYS" means a termination  of  employment  by Executive  other than a
           Termination  For Good Reason,  a  Termination  Due to  Disability  by
           Executive, or a Termination Due to Death within the remaining 2 years
           and 6 months following a Change of Control.

           "WELFARE BENEFITS  CONTINUATION"  shall have the same meaning as that
           described  in  Section  5  hereof,  except  that the  entitlement  of
           Executive  and/or his  dependents  to  participation  in the  Welfare
           Benefit Plans shall continue until the third  anniversary of the Date
           of Termination.

                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>
     (e)   OUT-PLACEMENT  SERVICES.  If the Employment Period terminates because
           -----------------------
           of a  Termination  Without  Cause or a  Termination  For Good Reason,
           Executive shall be entitled to  out-placement  services,  provided by
           the Company or its designee at the Company's  expense,  for 12 months
           following  the Date of  Termination,  or such  lesser  period  as the
           Executive may require such services.

     (f)   CERTAIN FURTHER PAYMENTS BY COMPANY.
           -----------------------------------

           (i)    TAX  REIMBURSEMENT  PAYMENT.  In the event  that any amount or
                  ---------------------------
                  benefit  paid or  distributed  to  Executive  pursuant to this
                  Agreement,   taken  together  with  any  amounts  or  benefits
                  otherwise  paid or  distributed to Executive by the Company or
                  any affiliate (collectively,  the "Covered Payments"),  are or
                  become  subject to the tax (the "Excise  Tax")  imposed  under
                  Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
                  or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed,  the Company
                  shall  pay to the  Executive  at the  time  specified  in this
                  Section an additional amount (the "Tax Reimbursement Payment")
                  such  that  the net  amount  retained  by the  Executive  with
                  respect  to such  Covered  Payments,  after  deduction  of any
                  Excise Tax on the Covered Payments and any Federal,  state and
                  local  income  tax  and  other  tax on the  Tax  Reimbursement
                  Payment provided for by this Section, but before deduction for
                  any  Federal,   state  or  local  income  or  employment   tax
                  withholding  on such Covered  Payments,  shall be equal to the
                  amount of the Covered Payments.

           (ii)   APPLICABLE  RULES. For purposes of determining  whether any of
                  -----------------
                  the Covered Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the
                  amount of such Excise Tax,

                  (A)   such  Covered  Payments  will be treated  as  "parachute
                        payments"  within the  meaning  of  Section  280G of the
                        Code,  and all  "parachute  payments"  in  excess of the
                        "base amount" (as defined  under  Section  280G(b)(3) of
                        the Code) shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax,
                        unless, and except to the extent that, in the good faith
                        judgment of the Company's  independent  certified public
                        accountants appointed prior to the Effective Date or tax
                        counsel    selected    by    such    accountants    (the
                        "Accountants"),  the Company has a  reasonable  basis to
                        conclude  that  such  Covered  Payments  (in whole or in
                        part) either do not constitute  "parachute  payments" or
                        represent reasonable  compensation for personal services
                        actually   rendered   (within  the  meaning  of  Section
                        280G(b)(4)(B)  of the  Code)  in  excess  of  the  "base
                        amount," or such "parachute  payments" are otherwise not
                        subject to such Excise Tax, and

                  (B)   the  value  of any  non-cash  benefits  or any  deferred
                        payment  or   benefit   shall  be   determined   by  the
                        Accountants in accordance with the principles of Section
                        280G of the Code.

           (iii)  ADDITIONAL  RULES.  For purposes of determining  the amount of
                  -----------------
                  the Tax Reimbursement  Payment,  the Executive shall be deemed
                  to pay:  (A) Federal  income  taxes at the highest  applicable
                  marginal rate of Federal income taxation for the calendar year
                  in which the Tax Reimbursement  Payment is to be made, and (B)
                  any  applicable  state and local income and other taxes at the
                  highest applicable  marginal rate of taxation for the calendar
                  year in which the Tax Reimbursement Payment is to be made, net
                  of the maximum

                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>
                  reduction  in Federal  incomes  taxes  which could be obtained
                  from the  deduction  of such  state or local  taxes if paid in
                  such year.

           (iv)   REPAYMENT OR ADDITIONAL PAYMENT IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.
                  --------------------------------------------------------

                  (A)   REPAYMENT.   In  the  event   that  the  Excise  Tax  is
                        ---------
                        subsequently  determined by the  Accountants or pursuant
                        to any  proceeding  or  negotiations  with the  Internal
                        Revenue  Service to be less than the  amount  taken into
                        account  hereunder in calculating the Tax  Reimbursement
                        Payment made,  Executive shall repay to the Company,  at
                        the time that the amount of such reduction in the Excise
                        Tax is finally determined, the portion of such prior Tax
                        Reimbursement  Payment  that would not have been paid if
                        such  lesser  Excise Tax had been  applied in  initially
                        calculating  such  Tax   Reimbursement   Payment,   plus
                        interest  on the  amount of such  repayment  at the rate
                        provided   in   Section   1274(b)(2)(B)   of  the  Code.
                        Notwithstanding the foregoing,  in the event any portion
                        of the Tax  Reimbursement  Payment  to be  repaid to the
                        Company has been paid to any Federal, state or local tax
                        authority, repayment thereof shall not be required until
                        actual refund or credit of such portion has been made to
                        Executive by the applicable tax authority,  and interest
                        payable  to  the  Company  shall  not  exceed   interest
                        received  or  credited  to the  Executive  by  such  tax
                        authority for the period it held such portion. Executive
                        and the Company shall  mutually agree upon the course of
                        action to be pursued (and the method of  allocating  the
                        expenses  thereof) if  Executive's  good faith claim for
                        refund or credit is denied.

                  (B)   ADDITIONAL TAX REIMBURSEMENT  PAYMENT. In the event that
                        -------------------------------------
                        the Excise Tax is later determined by the Accountants or
                        pursuant  to any  proceeding  or  negotiations  with the
                        Internal Revenue Service to exceed the amount taken into
                        account  hereunder  at the  time  the Tax  Reimbursement
                        Payment  is made  (including,  but not  limited  to,  by
                        reason of any payment the  existence  or amount of which
                        cannot   be   determined   at  the   time   of  the  Tax
                        Reimbursement   Payment),  the  Company  shall  make  an
                        additional Tax Reimbursement  Payment in respect of such
                        excess  (plus  any  interest  or  penalty  payable  with
                        respect  to such  excess) at the time that the amount of
                        such excess is finally determined.

           (v)    TIMING FOR TAX  REIMBURSEMENT  PAYMENT.  The Tax Reimbursement
                  --------------------------------------
                  Payment (or portion  thereof)  provided  for in this Section 6
                  shall be paid to  Executive  not later than 10  business  days
                  following  the  payment  of the  Covered  Payments;  provided,
                  however,  that if the amount of such Tax Reimbursement Payment
                  (or portion thereof) cannot be finally determined on or before
                  the date on which  payment is due,  the  Company  shall pay to
                  Executive  by such date an amount  estimated  in good faith by
                  the   Accountants  to  be  the  minimum  amount  of  such  Tax
                  Reimbursement  Payment and shall pay the remainder of such Tax
                  Reimbursement  Payment  (together  with  interest  at the rate
                  provided in Section  1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code) as soon as the
                  amount thereof can be  determined,  but in no event later than
                  45 calendar days after payment of the related Covered Payment.
                  In  the  event   that  the   amount  of  the   estimated   Tax
                  Reimbursement   Payment   exceeds   the  amount   subsequently
                  determined  to have been due,  such excess shall  constitute a
                  loan  by the  Company  to  Executive,  payable  on  the  fifth
                  business day after  written  demand by the

                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>
                  Company  for  payment  (together  with  interest  at the  rate
                  provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code).

7.   TIMING OF PAYMENTS.
     ------------------

Accrued Salary,  Severance  Payments and Vested Benefits  Enhancements  shall be
paid no later than 10 days following the  termination of the Employment  Period.
Pro Rata  Target  Bonus  shall be paid no later  than the same  time as  similar
awards are paid to other executives participating in the plans or programs under
which the awards are paid.  Vested  Benefits and Equity  Awards shall be paid no
later than the time for payment  Determined  Under the Applicable Plan except as
otherwise expressly superseded or modified by this Agreement.  Tax Reimbursement
Payments   shall  be  paid  at  the  time   specified   in   Section  6  hereof.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  solely for purposes of amounts payable pursuant
to Section 5 hereof,  if any amount  payable to Executive  pursuant to Section 5
would be  nondeductible  by the Company under Section 162(m) of the Code if paid
in the year of  Executive's  termination,  the Company  shall have the option of
paying such  nondeductible  amount,  with interest at the one-year treasury bill
rate as in effect on the date of such termination as reported in the Wall Street
Journal,  on the first day of the second calendar  quarter in the year following
such termination.


8.   FULL DISCHARGE OF COMPANY OBLIGATIONS.
     --------------------------------------

Except as expressly provided in the last sentence of this Section 8, the amounts
payable  to  Executive  pursuant  to  either  Section 5 or  Section 6  following
termination of his employment  (including amounts payable with respect to Vested
Benefits) shall be in full and complete satisfaction of Executive's rights under
Section 5 of this  Agreement  and any other claims he may have in respect of his
employment  by  the  Company  or  any  of its  affiliates.  Such  amounts  shall
constitute liquidated damages with respect to any and all such rights and claims
and, upon Executive's receipt of such amounts, the Company shall be released and
discharged  from any and all liability to Executive in connection with Section 5
of this Agreement or otherwise in connection  with  Executive's  employment with
the Company and its affiliates.  Nothing in this Section 8 shall be construed to
release the Company from its  obligation  to indemnify  Executive as provided in
Section 4(e) hereof.


9.   NONCOMPETITION, CONFIDENTIALITY AND OTHER COVENANTS.
     ---------------------------------------------------

By and in  consideration  of the compensation and benefits to be provided by the
Company  hereunder,  including  the  severance  arrangements  set forth  herein,
Executive agrees to the following:

     (a)    NONCOMPETITION. During the Employment Period and during the one year
            --------------
            period  (the   "Restriction   Period")   following   any   Voluntary
            Termination  of the  Employment  Period  by  Executive  pursuant  to
            Section 5 hereof,  Executive  shall not become  associated  with any
            entity,   whether  as  a  principal,   partner,   employee,   agent,
            consultant,  shareholder  (other than as a holder,  or a member of a
            group which is a holder,  of not in excess of 1% of the  outstanding
            voting  shares  of any  publicly  traded  company)  or in any  other
            relationship or capacity,  paid or unpaid,  that is actively engaged
            in any geographic area in any business which is in competition  with
            the  business  of the  Company.  The  Company  shall,  in  its  sole
            discretion,  have the  right to

                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>
            enforce or waive the terms of this provision in connection  with the
            Restriction  Period.  If the Company  exercises its right to enforce
            this provision for the Restriction  Period, the Company will provide
            Executive with written notice of its intent to enforce and agrees to
            pay Executive one year of  Executive's  then current Base Salary and
            one year of Executive's  then current  Target Bonus as  compensation
            for the Restriction  Period.  Executive agrees that the terms of the
            Restriction  Period are  reasonable  and that this  compensation  is
            above and beyond any amounts  necessary  to support the terms of the
            Restriction Period as set forth herein.

     (b)    CONFIDENTIALITY.  Without the prior written  consent of the Company,
            ---------------
            except  to  the  extent  required  by an  order  of a  court  having
            competent   jurisdiction  or  under  subpoena  from  an  appropriate
            government agency, Executive shall not disclose to any third person,
            or permit  the use of for the  benefit  of any  person or any entity
            other  than  the  Company  or its  affiliates,  any  trade  secrets,
            customer lists, information regarding product development, marketing
            plans, sales plans, management  organization  information (including
            data and other  information  relating  to  members  of the Board and
            management),   operating   policies  or  manuals,   business  plans,
            financial records, or other financial,  organizational,  commercial,
            business,   sales,   marketing,   technical,   product  or  employee
            information relating to the Company or its affiliates or information
            designated as confidential,  proprietary,  and/or a trade secret, or
            any other information relating to the Company or its affiliates that
            Executive  knows  from the  circumstances,  in good  faith  and good
            conscience,  should be treated as  confidential,  or any information
            that  the  Company  or  its  affiliates  may  receive  belonging  to
            customers,  agents or others who do business with the Company or its
            affiliates,   except  to  the  extent  that  any  such   information
            previously  has been disclosed to the public by the Company or is in
            the public domain (other than by reason of Executive's  violation of
            this Section 9(b)).

     (c)    NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES.  During the Employment Period and the
            -----------------------------
            two year period  following any termination of the Employment  Period
            pursuant  to  Section 5 hereof,  Executive  shall  not  directly  or
            indirectly solicit,  encourage or induce any employee of the Company
            or its  affiliates  to terminate  employment  with such entity,  and
            shall not directly or indirectly,  either  individually or as owner,
            agent, employee, consultant or otherwise, employ or offer employment
            to any person who is or was  employed by the Company or an affiliate
            thereof  unless such person shall have ceased to be employed by such
            entity for a period of at least six months.

     (d)    COMPANY  PROPERTY.  Except as expressly  provided  herein,  promptly
            -----------------
            following any termination of the Employment Period,  Executive shall
            return to the Company all  property of the  Company,  and all copies
            thereof in Executive's possession or under his control.

     (e)    INJUNCTIVE  RELIEF AND OTHER  REMEDIES  WITH  RESPECT TO  COVENANTS.
            -------------------------------------------------------------------
            Executive acknowledges and agrees that the covenants and obligations
            of  Executive  with  respect  to  noncompetition,   confidentiality,
            nonsolicitation,  and Company property relate to special, unique and
            extraordinary  matters and that a  violation  of any of the terms of
            such covenants and  obligations  will cause the Company  irreparable
            injury  for  which  adequate  remedies  are  not  available  at law.
            Therefore,  Executive  agrees that the Company (i) shall be entitled
            to an injunction,  restraining  order or such other equitable relief
            (without the  requirement to post bond)  restraining  Executive from
            committing any violation of the covenants and obligations  contained
            in this Section 9, and (ii) shall have no further obligation to make
            any payments to

                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>
            Executive   hereunder   following  any  material  violation  of  the
            covenants  and  obligations  contained  in  this  Section  9.  These
            remedies are  cumulative and are in addition to any other rights and
            remedies  the  Company may have at law or in equity.  In  connection
            with  the  foregoing   provisions  of  this  Section  9,   Executive
            represents that his economic means and  circumstances  are such that
            such  provisions will not prevent him from providing for himself and
            his  family  on a basis  satisfactory  to him.  Notwithstanding  the
            foregoing, in no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions
            of this Section  constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any
            amounts  otherwise  payable to the  Executive  under this  Agreement
            following a Change of Control.


10.  MISCELLANEOUS.
     -------------

     (a)   SURVIVAL.   All  of  the   provisions  of  Sections  5  (relating  to
           --------
           termination of the Employment Period prior to a Change of Control), 6
           (relating to termination of the Employment  Period following a Change
           of  Control  or a  Potential  Change  of  Control),  9  (relating  to
           noncompetition,   confidentiality,    nonsolicitation   and   Company
           property), 10(b) (relating to arbitration),  10(c) (relating to legal
           fees) and 10(n)  (relating to governing law) of this Agreement  shall
           survive the termination of this Agreement.

     (b)   ARBITRATION.  Except  as  provided  in  Section  9,  any  dispute  or
           -----------
           controversy  arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall
           be resolved by binding arbitration. Such arbitration shall be held in
           the  city  of  Hartford,   Connecticut   and  except  to  the  extent
           inconsistent  with this  Agreement,  shall be conducted in accordance
           with the  Commercial  Arbitration  Rules of the American  Arbitration
           Association in effect at the time of the  arbitration,  and otherwise
           in accordance with the principles that would be applied by a court of
           law or equity. The arbitrator shall be acceptable to both the Company
           and  Executive.   If  the  parties  cannot  agree  on  an  acceptable
           arbitrator,  the dispute or controversy  shall be heard by a panel of
           three arbitrators; one appointed by each of the parties and the third
           appointed  by the other two  arbitrators.  The Company and  Executive
           further agree that they will abide by and perform any award or awards
           rendered by the arbitrators and that a judgment may be entered on any
           award or  awards  rendered  by any  state  or  federal  court  having
           jurisdiction over the Company or Executive or any of their respective
           property.

     (c)   LEGAL  FEES  AND  EXPENSES.  In any  contest  (whether  initiated  by
           --------------------------
           Executive or by the Company) as to the  validity,  enforceability  or
           interpretation of any provision of this Agreement,  the Company shall
           pay  Executive's  legal  expenses (or cause such expenses to be paid)
           including,  without limitation,  his reasonable attorney's fees, on a
           quarterly  basis,  upon  presentation  of proof of such expenses in a
           form  acceptable  to  the  Company,  provided  that  Executive  shall
                                                --------------
           reimburse the Company for such amounts,  plus simple interest thereon
           at the 90-day United States Treasury Bill rate as in effect from time
           to time,  compounded  annually,  if Executive  shall not prevail,  in
           whole  or in  part,  as to any  material  issue  as to the  validity,
           enforceability or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

     (d)   SUCCESSORS; BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
           --------------------------
           of and be binding  upon the Company and its  successors.  The Company
           shall  require  any  successor  to  all or  substantially  all of the
           business and/or assets of the Company, whether direct or indirect, by


                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>
           purchase, merger, consolidation,  acquisition of stock, or otherwise,
           by an  agreement in form and  substance  satisfactory  to  Executive,
           expressly to assume and agree to perform  this  Agreement in the same
           manner and to the same  extent as the  Company  would be  required to
           perform the  Agreement if no such  succession  had taken place.  This
           Agreement is personal to the Executive and, without the prior written
           consent  of  the  Company,  shall  not  be  assignable  by  Executive
           otherwise than by will or the law of descent and  distribution.  This
           Agreement  shall  inure  to the  benefit  of and  be  enforceable  by
           Executive's legal representatives.

     (e)   ASSIGNMENT.  Except  as  provided  in  Section  10(d),  neither  this
           ----------
           Agreement  nor any of the rights or  obligations  hereunder  shall be
           assigned or delegated by any party hereto  without the prior  written
           consent of the other party.

     (f)   ENTIRE  AGREEMENT.  This Agreement  constitutes the entire  agreement
           -----------------
           between the parties  hereto with  respect to the matters  referred to
           herein.  This Agreement  supersedes and replaces any prior employment
           or  severance  agreement  or  arrangement  between  the  Company  and
           Executive.  No other  agreement  relating to the terms of Executive's
           employment  by the  Company,  oral or  otherwise,  shall  be  binding
           between the  parties  unless it is in writing and signed by the party
           against  whom   enforcement   is  sought.   There  are  no  promises,
           representations,  inducements or statements between the parties other
           than   those  that  are   expressly   contained   herein.   Executive
           acknowledges  that he is entering into this Agreement of his own free
           will and  accord,  and  with no  duress,  and  that he has read  this
           Agreement and that he understands it and its legal consequences.

     (g)   SEVERABILITY;  REFORMATION.  In the  event  that  one or  more of the
           --------------------------
           provisions  of  this  Agreement  shall  become  invalid,  illegal  or
           unenforceable   in  any   respect,   the   validity,   legality   and
           enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not
           be affected thereby.  In the event of a determination that any of the
           provisions  of Section  9(a),  Section  9(b) or Section  9(c) are not
           enforceable in accordance with their terms, Executive and the Company
           agree  that such  Section  shall be  reformed  to make  such  Section
           enforceable  in a manner that provides the Company the maximum rights
           permitted at law.

     (h)   WAIVER.  Waiver by any party  hereto of any  breach or default by the
           ------
           other party of any of the terms of this  Agreement  shall not operate
           as a waiver of any other  breach or  default,  whether  similar to or
           different  from the  breach  or  default  waived.  No  waiver  of any
           provision  of this  Agreement  shall be  implied  from any  course of
           dealing  between  the  parties  hereto or from any  failure by either
           party hereto to assert its or his rights hereunder on any occasion or
           series of occasions.

     (i)   NOTICES.  Any notice  required or desired to be delivered  under this
           -------
           Agreement shall be in writing and shall be delivered  personally,  by
           courier service, by registered mail, return receipt requested,  or by
           telecopy and shall be effective  upon actual  receipt by the party to
           which  such  notice  shall be  directed,  and shall be  addressed  as
           follows  (or to such other  address as the party  entitled  to notice
           shall hereafter designate in accordance with the terms hereof):

                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>
           If to the Company:        The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
                                     Law Department, HO-1-09
                                     Hartford Plaza
                                     Hartford, CT  06115
                                     Attention:  Corporate Secretary

              With a copy to:        Debevoise & Plimpton
                                     875 Third Avenue
                                     New York, NY 10022
                                     Attn:  Lawrence K. Cagney, Esq.

              If to Executive:       The home address of Executive
                                     shown on the records of the Company

     (j)   AMENDMENTS.  This  Agreement may not be altered,  modified or amended
           ----------
           except by a written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.

     (k)   HEADINGS.  Headings  to  provisions  of  this  Agreement  are for the
           --------
           convenience of the parties only and are not intended to be part of or
           to affect the meaning or interpretation hereof.

     (l)   COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of
           ------------
           which shall be deemed an  original  but all of which  together  shall
           constitute one and the same instrument.

     (m)   WITHHOLDING. Any payments provided for herein shall be reduced by any
           -----------
           amounts  required to be  withheld  by the  Company  from time to time
           under  applicable  Federal,  State or local income or employment  tax
           laws or similar statutes or other provisions of law then in effect.

     (n)   GOVERNING  LAW. This  Agreement  shall be governed by the laws of the
           --------------
           State of Connecticut, without reference to principles of conflicts or
           choice of law under  which  the law of any other  jurisdiction  would
           apply.


                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>
              IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Company has caused this  Agreement to be
executed by its duly  authorized  officer,  and  Executive  has hereunto set his
hand, as of the day and year first above written.

                                     THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.

WITNESSED:
                                     /s/ Ramani Ayer
                                     -------------------
                                     By:  Ramani Ayer
                                     Title: Chairman
----------------------------







                                     EXECUTIVE:

WITNESSED:
                                     /s/ Thomas M.Marra
                                     -------------------
                                     Thomas M. Marra

----------------------------



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission