The Hartford Retirement Plan For U.S. Employees Summary .

Transcription

The Hartford Retirement Plan for U.S. EmployeesSummary Plan DescriptionApplicable to individuals who are employees on or after January 1, 2004,or who are receiving long term disability benefits on or after January 1, 2004. Benefitsapplicable to individuals who terminated employment prior to 2004 are described inearlier booklets.Rev. January 1, 20113620017 2

IntroductionThis booklet explains your benefits under The Hartford Retirement Plan for U.S. Employees (the“Plan”), which is one Plan with two distinct benefit formulas: a final average pay formula and acash balance formula. Depending on your original date of hire and the length of your career withThe Hartford, you may be covered by: (a) the final average pay formula only; (b) the cashbalance formula only; or (c) both the final average pay and cash balance formulas.In general, you are covered by the final average pay formula (described in Section 1 of thisbooklet) if you were originally hired before January 1, 2001. All employees originally coveredby the final average pay formula ceased accruing final average pay formula benefits effectiveDecember 31, 2008 and began to earn cash balance formula benefits on January 1, 2009. So,if you are an employee with an original hire date before January 1, 2001 who works for TheHartford beyond December 31, 2008, you are covered by both the final average pay and cashbalance formulas.If you were originally hired on or after January 1, 2001, you are covered by the cash balanceformula (described in Section 2 of this booklet).This booklet describes the benefits under each formula in separate sections, so be careful tonote which section (or sections) applies to you. Section 3 (Tax Implications) and Section 4(Other Important Facts) apply to all Plan participants – those covered under the final average payformula, as well as those covered under the cash balance formula.Section 1 — Final Average Pay Formula: The first section of this booklet explains your benefitsonly if you have an original hire date with The Hartford before January 1, 2001. This sectiondetails the provisions of the final average pay formula.Section 2 — Cash Balance Formula: The second section of this booklet explains your benefits if:(1) you have an original hire date with The Hartford on or after January 1, 2001; or (2) youhave an original hire date with The Hartford before January 1, 2001 and you work for The3620017 2ii

Hartford beyond December 31, 2008. This section details the provisions of the cash balanceformula.Section 3 — Tax Implications: This section applies to all participants, regardless of whichformula applies.Section 4 — Other Information: This section applies to all participants, regardless of whichformula applies.Key features of both the final average pay and the cash balance formulas are: Income at Retirement — When combined with your Investment and Savings Plan savings,Social Security benefits and other sources of retirement income, the Plan can help providethe financial security you will need during retirement. No Cost to You — The Hartford pays the full cost of your Plan benefit. You make nocontributions. Death Benefits — This Plan provides death benefits to your beneficiary if you die beforepayments begin.The following information describes the provisions of your Plan. It is a “summary plandescription” (SPD) as defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA),and is designed to help you understand how your Retirement Plan works.If you have any questions, please call The Hartford HR Service Center at 1.877.HR.AT.WORK,Monday through Friday (excluding New York Stock Exchange holidays) between 8:30 A.M. andMidnight, Eastern Time, to speak with a Customer Service Associate.3620017 2iii

Table of ContentsSECTION 1 – FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA FOR EMPLOYEES WITH AN ORIGINALHIRE DATE WITH THE HARTFORD BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2001 . 1A. FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: HIGHLIGHTS .1B: FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: SERVICE .3C: FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: PLAN ELIGIBILITY AND MEMBERSHIP .7D: FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: VESTING .8E: FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: RETIREMENT AGES .9F: FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: NORMAL RETIREMENT BENEFITS .10G: FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFITS .15H: FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: DEFERRED RETIREMENT BENEFITS .21I: FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: VESTED BENEFIT AT TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT .22J. FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: DISABILITY OR LEAVE OF ABSENCE .25K. FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: PRE-RETIREMENT SURVIVOR’S BENEFIT.27L. FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: DEPENDENT SPOUSE/DEPENDENT DOMESTIC PARTNER BENEFIT .35M. FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: PAYMENT METHODS .37N. FINAL AVERAGE PAY FORMULA: SPECIAL SERVICE RULES.41SECTION 2 – CASH BALANCE FORMULA FOR EMPLOYEES WITH EITHER: (1) ANORIGINAL HIRE DATE WITH THE HARTFORD ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2001 OR (2)AN ORIGINAL HIRE DATE WITH THE HARTFORD BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2001 AND WHOWORK FOR THE HARTFORD BEYOND DECEMBER 31, 2008. 42A: CASH BALANCE FORMULA: HIGHLIGHTS .42B. CASH BALANCE FORMULA: SERVICE .44C. CASH BALANCE FORMULA: PLAN ELIGIBILITY AND MEMBERSHIP .46D. CASH BALANCE FORMULA: VESTING .48E. CASH BALANCE FORMULA: HOW YOUR BENEFIT IS CALCULATED .49F. CASH BALANCE FORMULA: WHEN YOU CAN RECEIVE PAYMENTS .61G. CASH BALANCE FORMULA: PRE-RETIREMENT SURVIVOR’S BENEFIT .64H. CASH BALANCE FORMULA: HOW YOUR BENEFIT IS PAID .67I. CASH BALANCE FORMULA: SPECIAL SERVICE RULES .72SECTION 3 – TAX IMPLICATIONS . 74SECTION 4 – OTHER IMPORTANT FACTS . 763620017 2

This summary plan description highlights the main features of The Hartford Retirement Plan forU.S. Employees. Complete details of the Plan can be found in the official Plan document andFunding Agreements, which legally govern the operation of the Plan. This summary plandescription applies to individuals who are employed by or are receiving long term disabilitybenefits from The Hartford on or after January 1, 2004. Benefits for individuals who terminatedemployment with The Hartford prior to that date are described in earlier booklets. Theexplanations in this booklet cannot alter, modify or otherwise change these controlling legaldocuments in any way, nor can any rights accrue by reason of any statement or omission of anystatement in this booklet. In the event of any conflict between the official documents and thisbooklet, the official documents will prevail.To obtain the Plan document or summary plan description, log on towww.netbenefits.fidelity.com or call The Hartford HR Service Center at 1.877.HR.AT.WORK,Monday through Friday (excluding New York Stock Exchange holidays) between 8:30 A.M. andMidnight, Eastern Time, to speak with a Customer Service Associate.This summary plan description is not a contract of employment.Definition of the “Company.” For purposes of this summary, the “Company” means TheHartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Hartford Fire Insurance Company, and certain affiliatedcompanies who are specifically designated by the Board of Directors of The Hartford FinancialServices Group, Inc. as participating in The Hartford Retirement Plan for U.S. Employees(referred to in this booklet as the Plan).Definition of “The Hartford.” For purposes of this summary, “The Hartford” means TheHartford Financial Services Group, Inc., Hartford Fire Insurance Company, and any of theiraffiliated companies.v

This section applies only to employees with an original hire date with The Hartford before January 1,2001. If you have an original hire date after that date, Section 2 of this booklet applies to you .SECTION 1 – Final Average Pay Formula for Employees with anOriginal Hire Date with The Hartford Before January 1, 2001A. Final Average Pay Formula: HighlightsHere’s a general overview of the highlights of the Final Average Pay Formula under the Plan.If you have an original hire date before January 1, 2001 with The Hartford, you become aparticipant as soon as you have completed one Year of Service with the Company. (Seedefinitions of the “Company” and “The Hartford” in Section 4 of this summary.)Accruals under the Final Average Pay Formula ceased on December 31, 2008; which means thatalthough you can continue to earn additional age and service credits beyond that date for benefiteligibility purposes, only earnings and service through December 31, 2008 will be recognizedfor purposes of calculating your actual benefit amounts. As you continue to work for TheHartford beyond December 31, 2008, you earn additional plan benefits under the cash balanceformula beginning January 1, 2009 (as described in Section 2 of this summary) rather than underthe final average pay formula.You are vested when you have completed three years of Eligibility Service (five years ofEligibility Service if you do not earn Eligibility Service in 2009 or later).You will receive a pension based on your years of Benefit Service, your Final Average Pay, andyour Primary Social Security benefit, calculated as of the earlier of December 31, 2008 or thedate your service ceases.Your benefit formula is 2% of your Final Average Pay for each year of Benefit Service (to amaximum of 60%), reduced or “offset” by up to 50% of your Primary Social Security benefit.13620017 2

This section applies only to employees with an original hire date with The Hartford or an affiliatebefore January 1, 2001. If you have an original hire date after that date, Section 2 of this bookletapplies to you.Normal retirement is generally at age 65 if you have at least five years of Eligibility Service.This is generally the age when you can retire and start to receive your full pension.You can retire early at age 50 or later, if you have completed at least 10 years of EligibilityService and your age plus years of Eligibility Service equal 70 or more—known as the “Rule of70.” If you elect to begin receiving your pension at this time, you may receive a reduced amounteach month because you will be receiving a benefit for a longer period of time.You have survivor benefits for your spouse or other permissible beneficiary as soon as you arevested.23620017 2

This section applies only to employees with an original hire date with The Hartford before January 1,2001. If you have an original hire date after that date, Section 2 of this booklet applies to you .B: Final Average Pay Formula: ServiceYour service with the Company has a direct effect on your Plan eligibility and benefits. It isimportant, therefore, that you understand how, when, and to what extent your service countsunder the Plan.Benefit ServiceBenefit Service — along with your pay — is used to compute the amounts payable under thePlan.In general, your period of employment as a participant in this Plan and while actively at workwith the Company as an eligible employee, up to your actual retirement date (to a maximum of30 years), will count as Benefit Service. Also, employment as an eligible employee with theCompany while you are waiting to become a Plan participant will generally count as BenefitService after you become a participant. In addition, time on certain approved absences, asdescribed later in this section, will count as Benefit Service. However, effective December 31,2008, Benefit Service under the Final Average Pay Formula was frozen; so any servicerendered as an eligible employee of the Company on or after January 1, 2009 will not beincluded as Benefit Service under this formula. (See Section 2 for a summary of benefitsapplicable to service rendered on or after January 1, 2009.)If you are employed by a company that was acquired by The Hartford, generally onlyemployment you complete on and after a specific date determined under special rules applicableto that company will be considered Benefit Service under the Plan and only if specificallyapproved by The Hartford. To find out whether your pre-acquisition service counts as BenefitService, contact The Hartford HR Service Center at 1.877.HR.AT.WORK, Monday throughFriday (excluding New York Stock Exchange holidays) between 8:30 A.M. and Midnight,Eastern Time, to speak with a Customer Service Associate.33620017 2

This section applies only to employees with an original hire date with The Hartford before January 1,2001. If you have an original hire date after that date, Section 2 of this booklet applies to you .Eligibility ServiceEligibility Service is used to determine if you are vested. Eligibility Service is also used todetermine if you are eligible for Early Retirement, for the Dependant Spouse/ DependentDomestic Partner benefit, or for coverage under the Plan’s Pre-Retirement Survivor’s Benefit.In general, Eligibility Service includes your entire period of employment with The Hartfordincluding your employment beyond December 31, 2008. You will normally continue to earnEligibility Service until the earlier of the date you retire or your employment otherwise ends forone of the following reasons: You resign; Your employment is terminated by The Hartford; It is the one-year anniversary of the date you started a continuous absence from work ; You die.Special rules may apply if you were employed by a company that was acquired by The Hartford.You can get information about these special rules by calling The Hartford HR Service Center at1.877.HR.AT.WORK, Monday through Friday (excluding New York Stock Exchange holidays)between 8:30 A.M. and Midnight, Eastern Time, to speak with a Customer Service Associate.Years of ServiceA Year of Service is used to determine if you are eligible to become a Plan participant.If you are a full-time, eligible employee of the Company, you will generally have one Year ofService when you have been employed by The Hartford for 12 consecutive months.If you are a part-time eligible employee of the Company, you will have one Year of Service atthe end of the first 12-month period (beginning on the date you are employed by The Hartford)during which you complete at least 1,000 Hours of Service.43620017 2

This section applies only to employees with an original hire date with The Hartford before January 1,2001. If you have an original hire date after that date, Section 2 of this booklet applies to you .Hours of Service are defined as all hours you have worked and for which you are compensatedby The Hartford, including certain hours you have not worked, such as Paid Time Off.Absences from ServiceIn general, approved leaves of absence for family leave, military service, or other approvedleaves will count toward Benefit Service and Eligibility Service. In case of military service, thisprovision will apply only if you return to work, or die after 2006 while performing militaryservice, within the period during which your re-employment rights are protected by law. In allother cases, the provision will apply only if you return to work immediately after the period ofapproved absence has ended. An absence during which you receive long term disability benefitswill count toward Eligibility Service, but on and after January 1, 2010, will not count towardBenefit Service.Breaks in ServiceGenerally, a Break in Service is any 12-month period during which you are not employed by TheHartford. However, if you return to work for The Hartford within the 12-month period followingthe date your Eligibility Service ends, you will not be considered to have a Break in Service. Insuch a case, the period of your absence will count for purposes of Eligibility Service (but not forBenefit Service). (In the case of a participant who does not have Company service after 2005, aperiod of absence will only count as Eligibility Service if the participant returned to work for TheHartford within 12 months of the last day actively at work.)If your employment is interrupted and you are rehired by The Hartford, your Benefit Service andEligibility Service dates will be adjusted to reflect your prior service.Transfers between the United States and CanadaIf you are a participant who has completed at least one Hour of Service with the Company on orafter January 1, 2002, and transfer directly from a payroll of the Company maintained in the U.S.to the payroll of The Hartford maintained in Canada, your period of uninterrupted Canadianemployment rendered immediately after the transfer (but not beyond December 31, 2008) shallbe recognized as Benefit Service under the Final Average Pay Formula, provided you are not53620017 2

This section applies only to employees with an original hire date with The Hartford before January 1,2001. If you have an original hire date after that date, Section 2 of this booklet applies to you .accruing a benefit under The Hartford Fire Insurance Company Retirement Plan for Employeesin Canada (the “Canadian Retirement Plan”) for that period of service.If you transfer directly from a payroll of The Hartford maintained in Canada to a Companypayroll maintained in the U.S., and complete an Hour of Service with the Company on or afterJanuary 1, 2002, effective as of January 1, 2003 or the date you become a Plan participant, iflater, your Canadian Hartford service will count as Benefit Service to the extent such service isrecognized under the Canadian Retirement Plan for purposes of calculating the amount of benefitunder that plan. However, to avoid a duplication of benefits earned under another Hartford Planfor a single period of service, any benefit earned under the Canadian Retirement Plan during thisperiod of service will be used as an offset against the benefit payable from this Plan for the sameperiod of service.Additional details about your Benefit Service, Eligibility Service, and Years of Service may beobtained by calling The Hartford HR Service Center at 1.877.HR.AT.WORK, Monday throughFriday (excluding New York Stock Exchange holidays) between 8:30 A.M. and Midnight,Eastern Time, to speak with a Customer Service Associate.63620017 2

This section applies only to employees with an original hire date with The Hartford before January 1,2001. If you have an original hir

To obtain the Plan document or summary plan description, log on to www.netbenefits.fidelity.com or call The Hartford HR Service Center at 1.877.HR.AT.WORK, Monday through Friday (excluding New York Stock Exchange holidays) between 8:30 A.M. and Midnight,