printer-friendly

Sample Business Contracts

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan - American Greetings Corp.

Sponsored Links

                         AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION

                     SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

                (As Amended and Restated Effective March 1, 2004)

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                 
ARTICLE I     INTRODUCTION......................................................     1

ARTICLE II    DEFINITIONS.......................................................     2

ARTICLE III   PLAN PARTICIPATION................................................     7

ARTICLE IV    CALCULATION, FORM OF A PARTICIPANT'S ACCRUED BENEFIT..............     9

ARTICLE V     FORMS OF RETIREMENT; ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS.......................    10

ARTICLE VI    DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS; LIMITATIONS.............................    13

ARTICLE VII   DEATH BENEFIT.....................................................    19

ARTICLE VIII  ADMINISTRATION; PLAN MODIFICATION.................................    21

ARTICLE IX    GENERAL PROVISIONS................................................    25


                                       -i-

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE I

                                  INTRODUCTION

1.1      NAME OF PLAN. This Plan shall be known as the American Greetings
         Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (as amended and
         restated effective March 1, 2004). It constitutes a full and complete
         amendment and restatement of, and continuation of, the American
         Greetings Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective
         as of March 1, 1986.

1.2      PURPOSE. The purpose of the Plan is to provide any Executive designated
         to participate in the Plan with a retirement benefit that supplements
         those benefits provided under any other pension, retirement or
         profit-sharing plan maintained by American Greetings Corporation (the
         "Company"). The Plan is being maintained primarily for the purpose of
         providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or
         highly compensated Company employees on an unfunded basis, within the
         meaning of section 201(2) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
         Act, as amended ("ERISA").

1.3      RIGHTS OF FORMER EMPLOYEES. The terms of the Plan, as in effect
         immediately prior to this amendment and restatement, shall control and
         be used exclusively to determine the rights and duties of any Executive
         or former Executive who separated from employment by the Company and
         all Company subsidiaries and affiliates prior to the March 1, 2004
         effective date of this amendment and restatement.

                                     - 1 -

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   DEFINITIONS

         The following words and phrases, where used in the Plan, shall have the
following meanings, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the
context.

2.1      ACCRUED BENEFIT shall have the meaning set forth in Article IV hereof.

2.2      AFFILIATE means any limited liability company, general partnership,
         limited partnership, business trust, or other non-corporate
         organization with respect to which American Greetings Corporation
         directly or indirectly owns at least fifty percent (50%) of either the
         capital or profits interest therein, and directly or indirectly has the
         power and authority to select and appoint, and where applicable remove,
         such organization's managers, general partner(s) and/or trustees (as
         applicable).

2.3      ASSUMED BONUS PERCENTAGE shall mean, for any Fiscal Year, the assumed
         bonus award percentage to which an Executive is entitled under the
         corporate component of the Company's key management incentive plan,
         earned while a Participant, based on his job classification and
         assuming a one hundred percent (100%) of target bonus award is payable
         for said Fiscal Year. For this purpose, the schedule set forth by the
         Company's Board for the various levels of job classifications covered
         by the Company's key management incentive plan shall be used to
         calculate such awards.

2.4      BENEFICIARY shall mean any person or persons designated by the
         Executive to receive payments hereunder in the event of such
         Executive's death. If an Executive fails to designate one or more
         persons as his Beneficiary, or no such "beneficiary" designation is
         held to be lawful and in effect, any Plan benefit becoming due and
         payable to a Participant's Beneficiary hereunder shall be paid over to
         such Participant's estate.

2.5      BOARD shall mean the board of directors of the Company; provided, that
         if the Board by resolution designates a person or a committee to act
         specifically on matters relevant to this Plan, such person or committee
         shall act (and, have the power and authority to act) as the Board with
         respect to such matters.

                                     - 2 -

<PAGE>

2.6      CHANGE IN CONTROL shall mean an event, shall mean the occurrence of any
         of the following events, individually or in combination:

         (a)      American Greetings Corporation, an Ohio corporation ("AGCorp")
                  is merged or consolidated or reorganized into or with another
                  corporation or other legal person, and as a result of such
                  merger, consolidation or reorganization less than a majority
                  of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding
                  securities of such corporation or person immediately after
                  such transition is held in the aggregate by the holders of
                  AGCorp's common shares immediately prior to such transaction;

         (b)      AGCorp sells or otherwise transfers all or substantially all
                  of its assets to any other corporation or other legal person,
                  and less than a majority of the combined voting power of the
                  then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person
                  immediately after such sale or transfer is held in the
                  aggregate by the holders of AGCorp's common shares immediately
                  prior to such sale or transfer;

         (c)      There is a report filed on Schedule 13D or Schedule 14D-1 (or
                  any successor schedule, form or report), each as promulgated
                  pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
                  Act"), disclosing that any person (as the term "person" is
                  used in Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange
                  Act) has become the beneficial owner (as the term "beneficial
                  owner" is defined under Rule 13d-3 or any successor rule or
                  regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act) of securities
                  representing 20% or more of the voting power of AGCorp's
                  common shares;

         (d)      AGCorp files a report or proxy statement with the Securities
                  and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act
                  disclosing in response to Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or any
                  successor schedule, form or report or item therein) that a
                  change in control of AGCorp has or may have occurred or will
                  or may occur in the future pursuant to any then-existing
                  contract or transaction; or

         (e)      If during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who
                  at the beginning of any such period constitute the directors
                  of AGCorp cease for any reason to constitute at least a
                  majority thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for
                  election by AGCorp's shareholders, of each director of AGCorp
                  first elected during such period was approved by a vote of at
                  least two-thirds of the directors

                                     - 3 -

<PAGE>

                  of AGCorp then still in office who were directors of AGCorp at
                  the beginning of any such period.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 12c and (d) above,
         a "Change in Control" shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes
         of this Plan (i) solely because (A) AGCorp; (B) a Subsidiary; (C) any
         AGCorp-sponsored employee stock ownership plan or other employee
         benefit plan of AGCorp; or (D) any family member of Jacob Sapirstein
         (including lineal descendants, spouses of such descendants, the lineal
         descendants of any such spouses, the spouse of any such spouses' lineal
         descendants and trusts (including voting trusts) either files or
         becomes obligated to file a report or proxy statement under or in
         responses to Schedule 13D, Schedule 14D-1, Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or
         any successor schedule, form or report or item therein) under the
         Exchange Act, disclosing beneficial ownership by it of shares, whether
         in excess of 20% of the voting power of AGCorp's common shares or
         otherwise, or because AGCorp reports that a Change in Control of AGCorp
         has or may have occurred or will or may occur in the future by reason
         of such beneficial ownership or (ii) solely because of a Change in
         Control of any Subsidiary.

2.7      COMMITTEE shall mean the Compensation & Management Development
         Committee of the Board.

2.8      COMPANY shall mean AGCorp, together with any successor thereto that
         specifically assumes sponsorship of the Plan by written action taken by
         its board of directors (or comparable governing body). Such term also
         shall include any Subsidiary, or Affiliate (both, as herein defined)
         that adopts the Plan in a written instrument that (a) is signed by such
         Subsidiary or Affiliate (as applicable) and by AGCorp, (b) delegates to
         AGCorp all right, power and authority to act as the "Company" with
         respect to the Plan as the agent and attorney-in-fact for such
         Subsidiary or Affiliate (as applicable), and (c) obligates such
         Subsidiary or Affiliate (as applicable) to reimburse AGCorp for the
         direct and indirect cost of providing benefits to those employees of
         such Subsidiary or Affiliate who participate herein.

2.9      COMPENSATION shall mean, for any calendar year preceding the calendar
         year in which an Executive who is a Participant attains Normal
         Retirement Date (or Late Retirement Date,

                                     - 4 -

<PAGE>

         where applicable), the annual base pay received by such Participant
         from the Company while a Participant. In the event an Executive who is
         also a Participant becomes disabled and is eligible for and receiving
         benefits under the Long Term Disability Plan, such Participant's
         participation in the Plan shall be deemed to continue and, for Plan
         purposes, the "Compensation" attributable to such Participant shall be
         deemed to continue until the close of the calendar year coincident with
         or next preceding the date such Participant no longer receives such
         disability income benefits.

2.10     EFFECTIVE DATE shall mean March 1, 2004. The effective date of the
         Plan, in effect prior to this amendment and restatement, was March 1,
         1986.

2.11     EXECUTIVE shall mean an employee of the Company, or of a Subsidiary, or
         of an Affiliate, who is either a named executive officer, a senior vice
         president, or a vice president, of such Company; provided, that such
         term shall specifically exclude any individual who is (or, is
         classified as) a non-resident alien of the United States during any
         period(s) such individual performs services outside of the United
         States.

2.12     FINAL AVERAGE COMPENSATION shall mean an amount, expressed in dollars
         and cents, determined by the sum of (a) and (b), where: (a) is the
         average of a Participant's two (2) calendar years of Compensation that
         provide the highest average, and (b) is the product derived from
         multiplying (i) that amount determined in part (a) hereof, by (ii) that
         average of such Participant's two (2) Fiscal Year Assumed Bonus
         Percentages which provide the highest average; provided, that for this
         purpose, if a Participant has only one Assumed Bonus Percentage, such
         Percentage will be considered to be the average.

2.13     FISCAL YEAR shall mean that period which begins on March 1 of each year
         and ends on the last day of February of the ensuing year.

2.14     LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN shall mean the American Greetings Corporation
         Long Term Disability Plan, an employee welfare benefit plan sponsored
         and maintained by the Company to provide long-term disability income
         benefits to plan-covered employees.

2.15     PARTICIPANT shall mean any Executive who is, or becomes, eligible to
         participate in the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Sections
         3.1 or 3.2 hereof; provided, that such

                                     - 5 -

<PAGE>

         Executive shall continue as a Participant hereunder only so long as
         such Executive remains eligible to participate in the Plan and has not
         had such participation terminated or suspended in accordance with
         Section 3.3 hereof. An Executive, or other individual, who was a
         Participant shall remain a Participant so long as such Executive or
         individual has a vested interest in the Plan, without regard to whether
         such Executive or individual is then employed by the Company, or a
         Subsidiary, or an Affiliate.

2.16     PLAN shall mean the American Greetings Corporation Supplemental
         Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated effective March 1,
         2004, as set forth in this instrument and as further amended from time
         to time.

2.17     PLAN ADMINISTRATOR shall mean that person identified in Section 8.1
         hereof.

2.18     PLAN BENEFIT shall mean the monthly benefit amount a Participant is
         eligible to receive pursuant to Article IV, calculated in accordance
         with Article V, and payable in the form of a monthly annuity for life
         (with 180 months, guaranteed) in accordance with (and limited by)
         Article VI and the remaining provisions of the Plan.

2.19     SERVICE shall mean that period of time an Executive is in the employ of
         the Company, commencing with such Executive's date of hire and ending
         with the date such Executive separates from Company employment, as
         further determined in accordance with the following rules:

         (a)      Service shall specifically exclude any period(s) when an
                  Executive is employed by a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, unless
                  such Subsidiary or Affiliate participates in the Plan as part
                  of the "Company" in accordance with Section 2.8 hereof, or the
                  Committee by written action specifically recognizes such
                  period(s) of service as Service for Plan purposes.

         (b)      Service shall specifically include any period(s) when an
                  Executive is on a medical, military, family or personal leave
                  of absence that either has been approved by the Company or is
                  required by law to be recognized as employment service for
                  seniority and benefit plan purposes.

                                     - 6 -

<PAGE>

         (c)      Service shall specifically include any period(s) of time an
                  Executive (who is also a Plan Participant) is disabled and
                  receiving benefits under the Long Term Disability Plan, even
                  though no longer classified as a Company employee.

         (d)      Periods of employment by a predecessor-in-interest to the
                  Company or by a predecessor-in-interest to a Subsidiary or an
                  Affiliate, and any periods of employment by a Subsidiary or an
                  Affiliate during which such Subsidiary or Affiliate has not
                  adopted the Plan, shall be recognized as Service only where
                  (and, to the extent) recognized by the Board by written
                  action.

2.20     SUBSIDIARY shall mean any corporation at least eighty percent (80%) of
         whose equity securities (determined either by voting power or by
         interest in profits) are directly or indirectly owned by American
         Greetings Corporation.

         In this document, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the
singular shall include the plural and the masculine gender shall include the
feminine.

                                     - 7 -

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE III

                               PLAN PARTICIPATION

3.1      AUTOMATIC PARTICIPATION, AS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE. Each Executive who
         was a Participant in the Plan on the day before the Effective Date of
         this amendment and restatement shall automatically continue as a
         Participant, as of the Effective Date.

3.2      PARTICIPATION AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE; NEW ENTRANTS. Any Executive who
         does not automatically become a Participant as of the Effective Date
         shall become a Participant on any date, subsequent to the Effective
         Date, that such Executive is designated as eligible to participate in a
         written action taken by the Board. Where a written Board action
         designates an Executive as eligible to participate in the Plan without
         also specifying a date for commencing such participation, the date such
         Board action was taken shall constitute the commencement date.

3.3      TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF PARTICIPATION; RENEWED PARTICIPATION. A
         Participant's continued participation in the Plan may be discontinued
         at any time by the Board by written action, in accordance with and
         subject to the following rules:

         (a)      In the event a Participant's participation herein is
                  discontinued, the terms of such discontinuation shall be set
                  forth in writing and a copy of such terms shall be provided to
                  such Participant, the Plan Administrator, and the Committee.

         (b)      Subject to the provisions of Article VI hereof, if at the time
                  a Participant discontinues participation hereunder such
                  Participant has a right to a Plan benefit based on the term of
                  the Plan then in effect, said right shall not be forfeitable
                  and such Participant shall be entitled to receive such Plan
                  benefit, based on and in accordance with the terms of the Plan
                  in effect at the time of such discontinuation.

         (c)      In the event a Participant whose Plan participation has been
                  discontinued is again designated for participation in the Plan
                  in accordance with Section 3.2 hereof, the Board by written
                  action may specify the terms and conditions under which such
                  Participant's Compensation and Service (and
                  previously-determined Plan benefit, if any) are to be taken
                  into account when determining such Participant's Plan

                                     - 8 -

<PAGE>

                  rights hereunder. In the absence of any direction from the
                  Board, such Participant shall be considered a newly-eligible
                  Participant for all Plan purposes (other than with respect to
                  any Plan benefit such Participant already has qualified to
                  receive); provided, that such Participant's Service shall only
                  be used once.

                                     - 9 -

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV

               CALCULATION, FORM OF PARTICIPANT'S ACCRUED BENEFIT

4.1      FORM OF ACCRUED BENEFIT. A Participant's accrued benefit hereunder
         shall consist of a monthly benefit, commencing on the first day of the
         calendar month coincident with or next following the date such
         Participant attains such Participant's Normal Retirement Date, and
         payable thereafter to such Participant as an annuity for life (with 180
         monthly payments, guaranteed) (the "Accrued Benefit").

4.2      CALCULATION OF ACCRUED BENEFIT. A Participant's Accrued Benefit, when
         payable in its normal form and commencing as provided in Section 4.1
         hereof, is equal in amount to one-twelfth (1/12th) of the product of
         (a) times (b), where:

         (a)      is equal to one percent (1%) of such Participant's Final
                  Average Compensation; and

         (b)      consists of such Participant's years of Service, calculated to
                  the nearest attained calendar month, but in any event subject
                  to a maximum of twenty (20) years of Service.

4.3      CERTAIN COMPENSATION, SERVICE TO BE DISREGARDED. Notwithstanding any
         contrary Plan provision, when calculating a Participant's Accrued
         Benefit there shall be disregarded (a) any Compensation paid to such
         Participant and any Service rendered by such Participant for any Fiscal
         Year (or, fraction thereof) in which such Participant is determined by
         the Committee (acting in its reasonable discretion, following
         consultation with legal counsel) to have violated Section 304 or
         Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. Sections 7243, 7244),
         or other applicable law (including, without limitation, any
         otherwise-applicable faithless servant doctrine), and (b) any
         Compensation received by such Participant that is attributable to any
         period prior to the date such Participant first commences participation
         hereunder as a Participant.

                                     - 10 -

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE V

                   FORMS OF RETIREMENT; ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

5.1      NORMAL/LATE RETIREMENT BENEFIT. A Participant shall be entitled to
         receive a Normal Retirement benefit as of the first day of the calendar
         month coinciding with or next following the date such Participant
         attains age 65. If a Participant retires after attaining age 65, such
         Participant shall qualify to receive a Late Retirement benefit. The
         Normal/Late Plan Benefit payable to a Participant who retires on such
         Participant's Normal/Late Retirement Date shall consist of such
         Participant's Accrued Benefit, determined as of the later of such
         Normal Retirement Date or Late Retirement Date (as applicable).

5.2      EARLY RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

                  A Participant who has not attained age 65 but nevertheless has
         a vested interest in the Plan may retire on the first day of any
         calendar month coinciding with or next following:

         (a)      the date such Participant attains age 55 and completes ten
                  (10) years of Service (at least five (5) of which must be
                  completed while a Participant); or

         (b)      any date certain designated by the Board in writing, acting in
                  its sole discretion or by agreement with said Participant,
                  irrespective of said Participant's age and years of Service.

                  The Early Retirement Benefit payable to a Participant who
         retires under this Section 5.2 shall be in an amount equal to such
         Participant's Accrued Benefit, determined as of the date such Benefit
         commences payment hereunder, but reduced by the appropriate reduction
         factor specified in Schedule A (attached hereto). A Participant seeking
         to receive an Early Retirement Benefit shall otherwise apply for it, as
         provided in Section 6.1 hereof, but shall specify the date such
         Participant wishes to have such Benefit commence; provided, that such
         Benefit can commence no earlier than the latest to occur of: (a)
         (above); or (b) (above); or the first day of the calendar month next
         following the date the Plan Administrator receives such application.

                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>

5.3      DEFERRED VESTED BENEFIT.

                  A Participant's right to an Accrued Benefit shall vest after
         completing ten (10) years of Service (at least five (5) of which is
         completed while a Participant), even though such Participant separates
         from Company employment prior to attaining age 55, but only if one (1)
         or more of the following events occur(s) after such Participant's 45th
         birthday:

         (a)      Such Participant's Company employment is terminated
                  unilaterally by the Company; or

         (b)      Such Participant is a member of a class of Company executives
                  (or where applicable, Subsidiary or Affiliate executives)
                  declared by written Board action to be ineligible to
                  participate further in the Plan; or

         (c)      Such Participant is demoted to non-Executive status by the
                  Company; or

         (d)      A Change in Control occurs.

                  Any Participant who vests hereunder (as provided above) but
         separates from Company employment prior to attaining age 55
         nevertheless shall be eligible to commence receiving a Plan Benefit
         either on such Participant's 65th birthday or on the first of any
         calendar month between such Participant's 55th birthday and his or her
         65th birthday (as such Participant may elect); however, the Accrued
         Benefit of a Participant who separates from Company employment prior to
         attaining age 55 shall be computed and frozen as of the date such
         Participant separates from Company employment.

                  The Plan Benefit actually payable to a Participant whose
         Accrued Benefit vests hereunder shall be determined in accordance with
         (i) Section 5.1 hereof, if such Participant commences receiving such
         Plan Benefit on or after attaining age 65; or (ii) Section 5.2 hereof,
         if such Participant commences receiving such Plan Benefit prior to
         attaining age 65 but on or after the date such Participant attains age
         55 (but based on the above determination of such Participant's Accrued
         Benefit).

                  A Participant wishing to commence receiving a Plan Benefit in
         any event shall be required to submit a written request at least sixty
         (60) days before the date on which such

                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>

         Participant wishes to commence receiving such Benefit. Such Benefit
         shall commence the first day of the calendar month so selected.

5.4      DISABILITY RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

                  A Participant who becomes disabled and who is eligible for and
         receiving benefits under the Long Term Disability Plan may retire on
         the later of the first day of the month coinciding with or next
         following:

         (a)      The date such Participant attains age 65, or

         (b)      The date such Participant ceases to receive benefit payments
                  under the Long Term Disability Plan.

                  The Plan Benefit payable to a Participant who retires on a
         Disability Retirement Date shall consist of such Participant's Accrued
         Benefit, determined as of the date such Participant commenced receiving
         benefits under the Disability Retirement Plan. Notwithstanding any
         contrary Plan provision, a Participant who becomes disabled on or after
         attaining age 55 but ceases to be disabled before such Participant's
         Disability Plan Benefit would have otherwise commenced shall be
         eligible to receive an Early Retirement Benefit as provided in Section
         5.2 hereof.

                                     - 13 -

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VI

                      DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS; LIMITATIONS

6.1      COMMENCING PAYMENT. A Participant shall initiate the process of
         receiving a Plan Benefit by applying for it, in a writing dated and
         signed by such Participant and mailed or otherwise delivered to the
         Plan Administrator. Such application, when made, shall thereupon be
         treated as a claim for benefits made in accordance with Section 8.2
         hereof.

6.2      DELAY OF DISTRIBUTION TO PRESERVE ALLOWABLE DEDUCTION. In the event the
         Plan Administrator, after consultation with the Committee but otherwise
         acting in its sole and absolute discretion, determines that one (1) or
         more of the payments to be made to a Participant hereunder cannot be
         claimed by the Company as an allowable federal income tax deduction
         (whether on account of the limitations imposed by Section 162(m) or
         Section 280G of the Code, or otherwise), the Plan Administrator shall
         cause such payment(s) to be suspended and deferred, and paid as such
         time and in such manner so as to permit the Company to claim such
         payment(s) as an allowable deduction for federal income tax purposes.
         In the event any such payment is suspended or deferred hereunder to
         avoid the limitations imposed by Section 162(m) of the Code, and such
         period of suspension or deferment exceeds thirty-six (36) months,
         interest shall accrue on such payment at the rate of one percent (1%)
         per month, simple interest, for each month or fraction thereof; such
         interest shall accrue from the date of initial suspension or deferment
         and shall be paid with such payment, when made to or in respect of such
         Participant.

6.3      PROTECTION OF COMPANY INTERESTS. A Participant's right to receive a
         Plan Benefit hereunder is conditioned upon such Participant engaging in
         conduct (or where applicable, refraining from conduct) so as to
         protect, and not impair, the Company's interests while covered by and
         benefiting from the Plan. Each Participant accordingly shall observe
         and comply with the following rules, covenants and restrictions,
         commencing with the date such Participant first commences participation
         hereunder and ending with the second (2nd) anniversary of the date such
         Participant separates from employment with the Company and all
         Subsidiaries and Affiliates (the "Restricted Period"):

                                     - 14 -

<PAGE>

         (a)      Disclosure of Confidential Information. A Participant shall
                  keep in strict confidence and not directly or indirectly make
                  known, divulge, reveal, furnish, make available or use (except
                  for use in the regular course of such Participant's duties on
                  behalf of the Company) any "Confidential Information," as
                  herein defined, and shall return to the Company any Company
                  property or documents and any other documents or property
                  containing or constituting Confidential Information in such
                  Participant's possession, custody or control as and when such
                  Participant separates from Company employment or ceases to
                  perform any personal services therefor. For this purpose, the
                  term "Confidential Information" shall mean that non-public
                  data and other information (regardless of the form such
                  Information takes) which the Company determines to be a
                  strategic asset of the Company (specifically including,
                  without limitation, customer and personnel lists, licensing
                  agreements, materials sources and costs, and delivery and
                  distribution sources, methods and costs) the disclosure or
                  release of which would financially harm or impair the Company.

         (b)      Solicitation of Workforce. A Participant will not directly or
                  indirectly solicit, encourage, or otherwise attempt to
                  influence, any employee or representative of the Company or
                  consultant to the Company, or of or to any Subsidiary or
                  Affiliate, to terminate his or her relationship, employment or
                  other association with the Company or such Subsidiary or
                  Affiliate (whether or not the purpose of such solicitation,
                  encouragement or attempt at influence is to become an
                  employee, representative or consultant of such Participant or
                  any organization employing, owned by or associated with such
                  Participant).

         (c)      Solicitation of Customers. A Participant will not directly or
                  indirectly, on his or her own behalf or on the behalf of any
                  other person, firm or entity, solicit or attempt to solicit,
                  or attempt to divert the patronage or business of, any current
                  customer of the Company, any customer that has engaged in
                  business with the Company during the Restricted Period, or any
                  prospective customer to whom (or, to which) the Company has
                  presented a proposal to provide goods or services during the
                  Restricted Period, or any party or entity related to any such
                  customer or

                                     - 15 -

<PAGE>

                  prospective customer (including but not limited to any
                  employees or agents of any such customer or prospective
                  customer).

         (d)      Disparagement of Company, Officers and Directors. Other than
                  with the prior consent of the Company, a Participant will not
                  communicate any false, critical, disparaging or otherwise
                  negative comment(s), statement(s) or information of and
                  concerning the Company, or any of its directors, officers,
                  employees or shareholders, or which could reasonably be
                  perceived or construed as critical, disparaging or otherwise
                  negative, other than comments, statements and information made
                  and published to an individual who is (at the time of such
                  communication) then a Company director, officer, employee or
                  shareholder; provided, that this provision shall not preclude
                  a Participant from testifying under oath in a legal or
                  comparable administrative proceeding.

         (e)      Appropriation of Business Opportunities. A Participant will
                  promptly disclose and report to Company superiors (and where
                  applicable, the Board) any and all business opportunities
                  brought to such Participant (whether internal to the Company,
                  or from persons or parties not associated or affiliated with
                  the Company) or of which such Participant is made or becomes
                  aware, which directly or indirectly relate to or have any
                  commercial, artistic, or conceptual connection to any of the
                  Company's current or contemplated businesses (as discussed or
                  described in any of the Company's strategic or business
                  plans).

         (f)      Sanctioned Personal Conduct. A Participant will refrain from
                  committing, or attempting to commit, any felony; and refrain
                  from taking any other action or engaging in any other conduct
                  that results in the forfeiture of property or a property
                  interest (regardless whether imposed upon such Participant, or
                  the Company, or both).

         In the event the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion,
         determines that a Participant has violated one (1) or more of the
         covenants and restrictions set forth in this Section 6.3, then except
         as provided in Section 6.6 herein, such Participant shall immediately
         forfeit any and all right to any Plan Benefit for which such
         Participant

                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>

         otherwise would qualify hereunder; provided, that no Participant shall
         forfeit a Plan Benefit hereunder, or any part thereof, on account of
         having engaged in (or, agreed to engage in) conduct protected by
         Section 806 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (18 U.S.C. Section 1541A, et
         seq.) and related rulings and regulations.

6.4      POST-EMPLOYMENT PROHIBITIONS. In addition to the restrictions set forth
         in Sections 6.3 hereof and the obligations imposed under Section 6.5
         hereof, a Participant's right to receive a Plan Benefit hereunder is
         conditioned upon such Participant refraining from any of the following
         conduct, following the termination of such Participant's employment by
         the Company (and all Subsidiaries and Affiliates) and for period of ten
         (10) years thereafter:

         (a)      Acquires five percent (5%) or more of the voting stock in a
                  corporation (or a comparable capital and profits interest in
                  an organization that is not a corporation) that competes with
                  the Company, or, without the written consent of the Company,
                  provides personal services to such corporation or other
                  organization as a director, officer, employee, consultant,
                  advisor, agent, member, partner or owner thereof; provided,
                  that for purposes of this provision, a corporation or other
                  organization will be considered to "compete" with the Company
                  if, at the time of such Participant's retirement or separation
                  from Company employment and as determined by the Committee,
                  such corporation or other organization is substantially
                  engaged in any one (1) or more of the production,
                  merchandising, marketing, e-commerce or other business
                  activities in which the Company is then engaged; and

         (b)      Fails or refuses to provide personal services, as a
                  compensated consultant to the Company upon the Company's
                  reasonable written request; and

         (c)      Commences, or threatens to commence, an action seeking
                  recovery of a Plan Benefit that has been completely or
                  partially denied hereunder or to enforce the terms of the
                  Plan, without first signing a binding confidentiality and
                  nondisclosure agreement that commits such Participant to not
                  disclose, publish or otherwise

                                     - 17 -

<PAGE>

                  reveal (other than pursuant to court order, or under oath) any
                  financial, business or personnel information of and regarding
                  the Company, or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof, or any of
                  their respective directors, officers, agents and employees, or
                  the fact of any dispute involving such Participant's claim to
                  a Plan Benefit.

         In the event the Committee, in its sole and absolute discretion,
         determines that the Participant has violated any or all of the above
         conditions, then except as specifically provided in Section 6.6 hereof,
         the Company shall be relieved of any and all obligation to pay, or
         continue payment of, any Plan Benefits to or on behalf of such
         Participant.

6.5      OWNERSHIP OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; ASSIGNMENT OF CERTAIN RIGHTS. So
         long as an Executive remains a Participant in the Plan and remains
         employed by the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof, such
         Participant shall assign and transfer to the Company (or such
         Subsidiary or Affiliate, where applicable law so requires or permits)
         any and all discoveries, inventions and improvements, whether or not
         patentable, which such Participant at any time during such
         Participant's employment by the Company has made or has conceived, or
         may make, conceive, acquire or suggest, whether solely or jointly with
         others, and which (i) relates to any subject matter within the field in
         which such Participant provided personal services to the Company or
         such Subsidiary or Affiliate, and involved the use of resources
         belonging to the Company (or Subsidiary or Affiliate, as applicable).
         Such Participant also shall promptly disclose to the Company (or such
         Subsidiary or Affiliate, where applicable) any and all such
         discoveries, inventions and improvements; and, without charge to the
         Company (or such Subsidiary or Affiliate) but at its expense, shall
         execute, acknowledge and deliver all documents and information
         (including applications for patents) necessary to obtain patents for
         such inventions in any and all countries, and to vest title thereto in
         the Company (or such Subsidiary or Affiliate).

         In the event a Participant is determined by the Committee, in its sole
         and absolute discretion, to have violated any of the above conditions,
         then except as specifically provided in Section 6.6 hereof, the Company
         shall be relieved of any and all obligation to

                                     - 18 -

<PAGE>

         pay, or continue payment of, any Plan Benefits to or on behalf of such
         Participant.

6.6      CONSTRUING FORFEITURE PROVISIONS; DISCRETION TO IMPOSE LESSER SANCTION.
         The Committee, acting in its sole and absolute discretion (but
         otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.6), shall
         determine whether (and, to what extent) a Participant has violated any
         or all of the provisions of Section 6.3, Section 6.4 and/or Section 6.5
         hereof, and if so, whether such conduct warrants imposition of a
         limited monetary sanction, equal in amount to the lesser of (a)
         one-half (1/2) of the present value of the Participant's Plan Benefit
         (determined as of the date of the violation(s)), or (b) one hundred
         thousand dollars ($100,000), as a set off against the Plan Benefit
         otherwise payable and in lieu of the complete forfeiture of such
         Participant's interest (as otherwise prescribed in Sections 6.3, 6.4
         and 6.5 herein, as applicable). Notwithstanding the generality of the
         preceding sentence, the Committee shall be entitled to impose the
         limited monetary sanction described herein only if the Committee,
         acting in consultation with counsel, determines that the financial
         impact on the Company from such violation(s) can be expected to be less
         than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) in the aggregate.

                                     - 19 -

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                  DEATH BENEFIT

7.1      ELIGIBILITY FOR DEATH BENEFIT. A death benefit shall be paid to the
         Beneficiary of any Participant who dies under the following
         circumstances:

         (a)      A Participant then eligible to elect to retire and receive an
                  Early or Normal/Late Retirement Benefit (including a
                  Participant receiving benefits under the Long Term Disability
                  Plan who had attained age 55 on or prior to the date of his or
                  her disability); or

         (b)      A Participant who has retired with an Early Retirement Benefit
                  but has not yet commenced receiving a Plan Benefit; or

         (c)      A former Executive with a vested interest in the Plan
                  (determined in accordance with Section 5.3 hereof), who dies
                  on or after attaining age 55; or

         (d)      A Participant who has retired and commenced receiving a Plan
                  Benefit, but dies before a total of one hundred eighty (180)
                  monthly payments have been made.

                  Where a Participant dies before payment of such Participant's
         Plan Benefit has commenced, payment of a death benefit (as prescribed
         in this Section) shall commence as of the first day of the calendar
         month coincident with or next following the date such Participant dies;
         provided, that if such Participant dies before attaining age 55,
         payment of such death benefit shall commence as of the first day of the
         calendar month coincident with or next following the date such
         Participant would have attained age 55 (had such Participant survived
         until their 55th birthday).

7.2      AMOUNT OF DEATH BENEFIT. The death benefit payable to the Beneficiary
         of a deceased Participant shall consist of one hundred eighty (180)
         monthly payments, commencing with the first day of the calendar month
         next following the date application is made for a death benefit
         hereunder, less any payments made while such deceased Participant was
         still alive (per Section 7.1(d), above). For death benefits not payable
         under the circumstances described in Section 7.1(d) hereof, the monthly
         amount payable shall be

                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>

         calculated as of the date payment of such death benefit commences, as
         if the deceased Participant had retired (or, commenced receiving his
         Plan Benefit) on such date and had then died, based on whichever
         benefit described in Article V would have then applied.

7.3      DISCRETION TO ACCELERATE. The Plan Administrator, after consulting with
         the Committee but otherwise acting in its sole and absolute discretion,
         may accelerate and pay any Death Benefit becoming payable hereunder, in
         a single lump sum representing the present value of such Death Benefit,
         less applicable withholding. When determining the present value of a
         Participant's Death benefit for this purpose, the Plan Administrator
         shall use the interest rate in effect for United States Treasury
         Department debt securities having a maturity of ten (10) years, based
         on the auction of Treasury securities held on the date coincident with
         or next preceding the date of such Participant's death.

                                     - 21 -

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                        ADMINISTRATION; PLAN MODIFICATION

8.1      PLAN ADMINISTRATOR.

         (a)      The Company's Senior Vice President - Human Resources shall
                  act as the Plan Administrator; provided, that if no individual
                  holds such position within the Company, or in the absence of
                  such a position within the Company, such other Company officer
                  as the Committee shall in writing direct.

         (b)      The Plan Administrator shall be responsible for the Plan's
                  general administration and for carrying out the provisions
                  hereof. The Plan Administrator shall have all needed
                  discretionary power, authority and control to carry out the
                  Plan's provisions, including the power and authority to (i)
                  determine all questions relating to whether an individual
                  qualifies as a Participant hereunder, and whether any person
                  found to be a Participant or a Beneficiary hereunder qualifies
                  for or is otherwise entitled to a benefit hereunder
                  (including, without limitation, deciding any and all questions
                  pertaining to claims for benefits made in accordance with
                  Section 8.2 hereof), (ii) resolve any and all questions
                  arising under the Plan, including any questions of
                  construction, and (iii) take such further action as the Plan
                  Administrator deems advisable in the administration of the
                  Plan. Except as specifically provided in Section 8.2 hereof
                  (relating to the appeal of adverse benefit determinations),
                  decisions by the Plan Administrator, made in good faith, shall
                  be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties.

         (c)      In the event the Plan Administrator qualifies as a Participant
                  hereunder, the Plan Administrator shall not make or
                  participate in any decision affecting the Administrator as a
                  Participant; rather, the Committee shall make all
                  determinations with regard to such Participant, as though the
                  Committee were the Plan Administrator, and any appeal or the
                  Committee's decisions shall be reviewed (if at all) by the
                  Board.

                                     - 22 -

<PAGE>

         (d)      The Plan Administrator from time to time may allocate or
                  delegate to any other persons or organizations any or all of
                  its rights, powers, duties and responsibilities with respect
                  to the operation and administration of the Plan. Any such
                  allocation or delegation shall be made in writing and shall be
                  terminable upon such notice as the Plan Administrator deems
                  reasonable and proper under the circumstances.

8.2      CLAIMS PROCEDURES. Any application for benefits made under the Plan
         (whether by or on behalf of a Participant or by a Beneficiary) shall
         strictly comply with the following procedures:

         (a)      Making A Claim. Any application for benefits made by a
                  claimant shall be made by sending a letter to the Plan
                  Administrator by first-class mail, identifying the benefit(s)
                  being sought, the terms of the Plan that entitle the claimant
                  to apply for such benefit(s), and such other information as
                  may be reasonably needed to confirm the identity of the
                  claimant and such claimant's eligibility for said benefit.
                  Within ninety (90) days following receipt, the Plan
                  Administrator shall respond to such application letter either
                  (i) by complying with the terms set forth in the application,
                  in their entirety, or (ii) by requesting a sixty (60)-day
                  extension to further consider such application, or (iii) by
                  sending a letter denying some or all of the application, in
                  the manner described in subparagraph (b) hereof. Any claimant
                  whose application has been wholly or partly denied, or
                  believes that such application has been wholly or partly
                  denied, may file an appeal in the manner described in
                  subparagraph (c) hereof.

         (b)      Denying A Claim. Unless an application for benefits is allowed
                  in total by the Plan Administrator, the Plan Administrator
                  shall, within ninety (90) days after such claim is filed (plus
                  an additional period of sixty (60) days, if required for due
                  consideration, so long as notice of such extension is provided
                  within the initial ninety (90)-day period), provide a letter
                  to the claimant, by first class mail, totally or partially
                  denying such application. Such notice shall be written in a
                  manner calculated to be understood by the claimant and shall
                  include (i) the specific reasons for denying the application,
                  (ii) specific reference to the Plan provisions

                                     - 23 -

<PAGE>

                  upon which the denial of the application is based, (iii) a
                  description of any additional materials or information needed
                  to perfect the application and an explanation why such
                  material or information is necessary, and (iv) an explanation
                  of the review procedure specified in subparagraph (c) hereof.
                  A claimant who does not receive any such notice from the Plan
                  Administrator within one hundred (100) days after post-marking
                  such application letter is entitled to conclude that such
                  application has been denied.

         (c)      Appeals. Within sixty (60) days after a claimant's application
                  is denied, such claimant may appeal such denial by filing with
                  the Committee (as a whole) a written request for review of
                  that denial. In the event of such an appeal, such claimant
                  shall be entitled to submit written comments, documents,
                  records and other information pertinent to such claimant's
                  claim(s), and have a reasonable opportunity to examine (free
                  of charge) all documents, records and other information relied
                  upon by the Plan Administrator when considering such claim(s).
                  If a claimant files an appeal within such sixty (60)-day
                  period, the Committee shall conduct a full and fair review of
                  such appeal and mail or deliver to such claimant a written
                  decision on the matter, based on the facts and the Plan's
                  pertinent provisions within sixty (60) days after receiving
                  the request for review (unless special circumstances require
                  an extension of up to sixty (60) additional days, in which
                  case the Committee shall provide written notice of such
                  extension prior to the commencement of such extension). Any
                  adverse decision of an appeal shall be written in a manner
                  calculated to be understood by the claimant, shall state the
                  specific reasons for the decision and the specific Plan
                  provisions on which the decision is based and shall, to the
                  extent permitted by law, be final and binding on all
                  interested persons. During any such review, an appealing
                  claimant shall be given the opportunity to review those files
                  and documents pertinent such claimant's application, and be
                  entitled to submit comments and argument in writing. If a
                  decision on review is not furnished within such sixty (60) day
                  or such one hundred-twenty (120)-day period, as the case may
                  be, such claimant is entitled to conclude that the decision by
                  the Plan Administrator has been upheld by the Committee,
                  following its review.

                                     - 24 -

<PAGE>

8.3      INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall defend, indemnify and hold harmless
         the Board and its constituent members, and the Committee and its
         constituent members, and the Plan Administrator (and its delegatee(s),
         if any) from and against any and all liabilities, claims, demands,
         judgments, tax liens, settlement payments, losses, costs, damages, and
         expenses whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys', consultants' and
         other professional fees and disbursements of every kind, nature and
         description) that such indemnified party may sustain, suffer, or incur
         in connection with, or that may result from, the administration of the
         Plan (including participation in tax liens and levies, bankruptcy
         proceedings, garnishment actions, and foreclosures and other
         creditor-initiated proceedings), so long as such liability, claim,
         demand, judgment, settlement expense, loss, cost, damage or expense
         does not involve bad faith or gross neglect of duty on the part of the
         indemnified party. The Company may, but shall not be required to,
         provide such indemnification through the purchase of fiduciary or
         comparable errors and omissions insurance.

8.4      TERMINATION, SUSPENSION OR AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. The Board may, in its
         sole discretion, amend, suspend, modify, discontinue or terminate this
         Plan at any time. No such amendment, suspension, modification,
         discontinuation, or amendment shall adversely affect:

         (a)      The benefits or rights thereto of any Participant that
                  retired, whether or not such Participant has commenced to
                  receive a Plan Benefit; or

         (b)      The right of any Participant to receive the amount, on an
                  immediate or deferred basis, computed under Article V to which
                  such Participant would be entitled under this Plan prior to
                  its suspension, termination or amendment taking into account
                  such person's age, Service and Final Average Compensation as
                  of the date of such termination, suspension or amendment:

         provided, that subsections (a) and (b) above shall not apply to any
         such termination, suspension or amendment if a change has occurred in
         the law (or in its interpretation) which would adversely affect the
         Company or such Participant if this Plan were to remain in effect and
         unamended in its form immediately prior to such occurrence.

                                     - 25 -

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IX

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

9.1      PLAN IS UNFUNDED; COMPANY HAS NO PREFUNDING OBLIGATION. All interests
         in the Plan are unfunded. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary or
         Affiliate has any obligation to establish any special or separate fund,
         or segregate any of its assets in order to assure the payment of any
         amounts due or becoming due and payable under the Plan. However, to
         provide for the discharge of its obligations under the Plan, the
         Company in its sole discretion may settle and establish a trust or
         other fund in its name, or acquire property or contract rights in its
         name. The right of a Participant or a Beneficiary to receive a Plan
         distribution hereunder shall constitute an unsecured claim against the
         Company's general assets, and no Participant or Beneficiary shall have
         any right in or against any specific Company assets.

9.2      EXPENSES. All costs and expenses incurred in the administration of this
         Plan shall be paid by the Company, except as specifically provided in
         Section 9.3 hereof.

9.3      NON-ALIENABILITY OF PLAN INTERESTS.

         (a)      In General. Except as specifically provided in this Section
                  9.3, no Participant or Beneficiary shall have any right,
                  directly or indirectly, to alienate, assign, anticipate or
                  encumber any Plan interest or amount that may be payable
                  hereunder, and no amount or Plan interest shall be subject to
                  voluntary or involuntary alienation, assignment, encumbrance
                  or garnishment, whether by process of law, in equity, or
                  otherwise. Any such attempted alienation, assignment,
                  encumbrance, or garnishment shall be null and void and of no
                  effect. In the event any attempt by a Participant or
                  Beneficiary is made to alienate, pledge or charge any such
                  interest of any such benefit for any debt, liabilities in tort
                  or contract, or otherwise, contrary to the prohibitions of
                  this Section, the Plan Administrator in its discretion may
                  suspend or forfeit the interest of such person and during the
                  period of such suspension, or in the case of forfeiture, the
                  Plan Administrator shall hold such interest for the benefit
                  of, or shall make the benefit payments to which such
                  Participant would otherwise be entitled to, to the

                                     - 26 -

<PAGE>

                  Beneficiary or to some member of the Participant's or
                  Beneficiary's family, acting in its sole and exclusive
                  discretion.

         (b)      Domestic Relations Orders. Notwithstanding the provisions of
                  subsection (a) hereof, a Participant's Plan benefit shall be
                  subject to division and partition in accordance with the terms
                  of a domestic relations order satisfying the requirements of a
                  "qualified domestic relations order" ("QDRO"), as defined in
                  Section 414(p) of the Code and related regulations; provided,
                  that (i) a separate benefit shall be recognized and maintained
                  for any spouse or former spouse determined to have an interest
                  in the Plan as a result of a QDRO; and (ii) all costs and
                  expenses incurred by the Company or the Plan Administrator in
                  connection with such QDRO shall be charged against such
                  Participant's Plan benefit, as an offset in accordance with
                  the provisions of subsection (c) hereof, prior to effecting
                  any such division or partition.

         (c)      Set Off Rights. Notwithstanding the generality of the
                  foregoing, the Company shall have the unrestricted right to
                  set off against or recover out of any payments or benefits
                  becoming payable to or for the benefit of a Participant, at
                  the time such payments or benefits otherwise become payable
                  hereunder, any and all amounts owed to the Company, or any
                  Subsidiary or Affiliate, by such Participant. Any and all
                  amounts that the Company recovers or withholds as a set off
                  hereunder, which are attributable to amounts owed (or, claimed
                  to be owed) to a Subsidiary or an Affiliate, shall be received
                  and held by the Company as agent for such Subsidiary or
                  Affiliate (as applicable).

9.4      NO IMPLIED RIGHTS. No Participant or any other person shall have any
         legal or equitable right or interest in the Plan not expressly provided
         for hereunder.

9.5      NO CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT. The Plan does not constitute a contract of
         employment, nor is it evidence of the existence of any contract of
         employment, or any contractual or other right to continued employment,
         between an individual and the Company (or where applicable, a
         Subsidiary or Affiliate). In addition, the Plan (including specifically
         and without limitation, any participation agreement that an eligible
         Executive signs when

                                     - 27 -

<PAGE>

         commencing participation) shall not be held to have created, or
         evidenced, any right on the part of any such Executive (whether or not
         then a Participant) to be employed, or to continue to be employed, by
         the Company or by any Affiliate or Subsidiary thereof. Rather, the
         Company (or where relevant, the actual employer of any individual,
         whether or not then an Executive) has the right to terminate the
         employment or personal services of such individual (whether or not then
         or at any time an Executive, and whether or not then a Participant) at
         any time, and for any reason or no reason, in the absence of a written
         agreement expressly providing to the contrary.

9.6      GOVERNING LAW. The provisions of this Plan shall be interpreted and
         construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio without
         regard to conflicts of laws, but only to the extent not preempted by
         relevant federal law.

9.7      TAX WITHHOLDING. Where and to the extent the accrual of Plan benefits
         by or for a Participant, and/or the payment and distribution of Plan
         rights or interests to a Participant or Beneficiary, causes a federal,
         state or local tax withholding obligation to be imposed upon the
         Company or the Plan Administrator, or some other party (including
         without limitation, a participating Subsidiary or Affiliate), the
         Company (or such other party) shall have the right to withhold such
         amounts from any Plan benefit(s) due or becoming due and payable to
         such Participant or Beneficiary, and to the extent not unlawful, from
         any regular remuneration paid by the Company to a Participant.

9.8      SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the Plan provisions
         is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, such invalidity,
         illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other Plan
         provision, and the Plan thereafter shall be construed as if such
         invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had never been contained
         herein. In such event, the Committee will designate and substitute a
         lawful provision that most nearly accomplishes the Company's intent.

9.9      NO TAX GUARANTEES. While the Plan is designed to provide deferred
         compensation to Executives who qualify as Participants hereunder, the
         Company makes no representation, warranty or guarantee of any federal,
         state or local tax consequences of participation in the Plan to any
         Participant or designated Beneficiary.

                                     - 28 -

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, a duly elected officer of American
Greetings Corporation, has executed his Plan as of the first (1st) day of March,
2004, by the authority and at the direction of the Board of Directors of
American Greetings Corporation.

                                           /s/ PAMELA L. LINTON
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Name PAMELA L. LINTON

                                     Title SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT-HUMAN RESOURCES

                                     - 29 -

<PAGE>

                         AMERICAN GREETINGS CORPORATION

                     SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

                                   SCHEDULE A

                         REDUCTION FACTORS FOR BENEFITS
                             PAYABLE PRIOR TO AGE 65



AGE* AT WHICH                                                           REDUCTION
BENEFITS BEGIN                                                           FACTOR
--------------                                                           ------
                                                                     
     65                                                                   0.00%
     64                                                                   2.88
     63                                                                   5.76
     62                                                                   8.64
     61                                                                  11.52
     60                                                                  14.40
     59                                                                  17.28
     58                                                                  20.16
     57                                                                  23.04
     56                                                                  25.92
     55                                                                  28.80


-        For completed months of age, straight line interpolation shall be used.