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GENERAL ELECTRIC CO — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2013
Mar 11, 2013
14789_psi_2013-03-11_3f9d5baa-0ac9-4064-aec8-b8f7e4fc1118.zip
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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DEF 14A 1 ge_def14a.htm DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
x Filed by the Registrant o Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
| Check the appropriate box: | |
|---|---|
| o | Preliminary Proxy |
| Statement | |
| o | Confidential, for Use of the Commission |
| Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) | |
| x | Definitive Proxy |
| Statement | |
| o | Definitive Additional |
| Materials | |
| o | Soliciting Material |
| under § 240.14a-12 |
General Electric Company (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
| Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate
box): — x | No fee required. | |
| --- | --- | --- |
| o | Fee computed on table below per
Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. | |
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applies: |
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forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
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the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify
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Filed: |
main
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
NOTICE OF 2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREOWNERS
| Time and
Date: | 10:00 a.m. Central Time, April 24, 2013 |
| --- | --- |
| Location: | Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center
Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70130 |
March 13, 2013
Dear Shareowners:
You are invited to attend General Electric Companys 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareowners to be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70130, on April 24, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time. Following a report on GEs business operations, shareowners will vote:
- to elect the directors named in the proxy statement for the coming year ;
- to approve our named executives compensation in an advisory vote ;
- to ratify the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm for 2013 ; and
- on the shareowner proposals set forth on pages 44 through 49, if properly presented at the meeting .
Shareowners also will transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.
You are eligible to vote if you were a shareowner of record at the close of business on February 25, 2013. Please ensure that your shares are represented at the meeting by promptly voting and submitting your proxy by telephone or the Internet, or by completing, signing, dating and returning your proxy form in the enclosed envelope.
If you plan to attend the meeting, please follow the advance registration instructions under Information about Attending the 2013 Annual Meeting and Advance Registration on page 51 and watch for an admission card in the mail. You will need this card to enter the meeting.
We will provide a live webcast of the annual meeting from our Investor Relations website at www.ge.com/investor-relations.
| Cordially, | |
|---|---|
| ● | ● |
| Jeffrey R. | |
| Immelt Chairman of the Board | Brackett B. |
| Denniston III Secretary |
GE 2013 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
PROXY SUMMARY
PROXY SUMMARY
This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in the proxy statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider, and you should read the entire proxy statement carefully before voting.
GE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREOWNERS
April 24, 2013 10:00 a.m. Central Time Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 900 Convention Center Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70130
Voting. Shareowners as of the record date, February 25, 2013 , are entitled to vote. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote for each director nominee and one vote for each of the other proposals to be voted on.
| Even if you plan to attend our annual meeting in person,
please cast your vote as soon as possible by: — ● | using the Internet at www.investorvote.com/ge | ● | calling toll-free from
the United States, U.S. territories
and Canada to 1-800-652-8683 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ● | scanning this QR code to vote
with your mobile device | ● | mailing your signed proxy or
voting instruction form |
Admission. GE shareowners as of the record date are entitled to attend the annual meeting. In accordance with our security procedures, all persons attending the annual meeting must present an admission card and picture identification. Please follow the advance registration instructions under Information about Attending the 2013 Annual Meeting and Advance Registration on page 51 to obtain an admission card.
Webcast. We will provide a live webcast of the annual meeting from our Investor Relations website at www.ge.com/investor-relations.
Each shareowners vote is important. Please complete, sign, date and return your proxy or voting instruction form, or submit your vote and proxy by telephone or the Internet.
MEETING AGENDA AND VOTING RECOMMENDATIONS
| Page Reference for More Information | Board Vote Recommendation | |
|---|---|---|
| Election of 17 | ||
| directors | 2 | For each director nominee |
| Management proposals | ||
| Advisory | ||
| approval of our named executives compensation | 20 | For |
| Ratification of | ||
| KPMG as auditor for 2013 | 42 | For |
| Shareowner | ||
| proposals | 44 | Against each |
| proposal | ||
| Transact other | ||
| business that properly comes before the meeting |
GE 2013 Proxy Statement i
Table of Contents
BOARD NOMINEES
| Name | Age | Director — Since | Principal
Occupation | Inde- — pendent | Committee
Memberships — AC | MDCC | NCGC | RC | PRC* | Other
Public — Company
Boards |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| W. Geoffrey Beattie | 52 | 2009 | Deputy Chairman, Thomson Reuters | X | F | | | C | | Maple Leaf Foods Royal Bank of Canada Thomson Reuters |
| John J. Brennan | 58 | 2012 | Chairman Emeritus and Senior Advisor,
The Vanguard Group | X | | | | X | | Hanover Insurance LPL
Financial Holdings |
| James I. Cash, Jr. | 65 | 1997 | Emeritus James E. Robison Professor of Business
Administration, Harvard Business School | X | X | X | | | X | Chubb Wal-Mart |
| Francisco DSouza | 44 | 2013 | CEO, Cognizant Technology Solutions
Corporation | X | | | | | | Cognizant |
| Marijn E. Dekkers | 55 | 2012 | Chairman of the Board of Management, Bayer
AG | X | | | | | | Bayer |
| Ann M. Fudge | 61 | 1999 | Former Chairman & CEO, Young &
Rubicam Group | X | | | | | X | Infosys Novartis Unilever |
| Susan Hockfield | 61 | 2006 | President Emerita and Professor of Neuroscience,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | X | | | X | | X | Qualcomm |
| Jeffrey R. Immelt | 57 | 2000 | Chairman & CEO, General Electric
Company | | | | | | X | |
| Andrea Jung | 54 | 1998 | Former Chairman & CEO, Avon | X | | X | X | | | Apple |
| Robert W. Lane | 63 | 2005 | Former Chairman & CEO,
Deere | X | F | X | | | | BMW Northern Trust Verizon Communications |
| Ralph S. Larsen | 74 | 2002 | Former Chairman & CEO, Johnson &
Johnson | X | | C | X | | | |
| Rochelle B. Lazarus | 65 | 2000 | Chairman Emeritus & former CEO,
Ogilvy & Mather | X | | | C | | X | Merck |
| James J. Mulva | 66 | 2008 | Former Chairman & CEO, ConocoPhillips | X | F | | | | X | General Motors |
| Mary L. Schapiro | 57 | | Former Chairman, Securities and
Exchange Commission | X | | | | | | |
| Robert J. Swieringa | 70 | 2002 | Professor of Accounting and former Dean, Johnson
Graduate School of Management, Cornell University | X | F | | | | | |
| James S. Tisch | 60 | 2010 | President & CEO, Loews | X | | | | X | | Loews and its consolidated subsidiaries (CNA
Financial, Diamond Offshore Drilling) |
| Douglas A. Warner III | 66 | 1992 | Former Chairman, JPMorgan Chase | X | C, F | X | X | | | |
| 2012
Meetings | | | | | 13 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 3 | |
| AC | Audit
Committee |
| --- | --- |
| MDCC | Management Development
and Compensation Committee |
| NCGC | Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee |
| PRC | Public
Responsibilities Committee |
| RC | Risk
Committee |
| C | Chair |
|---|---|
| F | Financial |
| expert | |
| * | Mr. Nunn, |
| current chair of the PRC, is not standing for reelection at the 2013 | |
| Annual Meeting |
Attendance: In 2012, each of our current directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and committees on which the member served during the period the member was on the Board or committee.
Director Elections: Each director is elected annually by a majority of votes cast.
ii GE 2013 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
PROXY SUMMARY
2012 PERFORMANCE AND COMPENSATION HIGHLIGHTS
The MDCC believes that the CEO and other named executives have performed extremely well in a challenging global environment, and that their compensation is commensurate with this performance.
GE outperforms S&P 500. Under Mr. Immelts leadership, GE performed very well in 2012, with total shareowner return growing 21%, well ahead of the 16% growth in the S&P 500. This return reflects the companys strong Industrial operating results, with 10% growth in segment profits, organic segment revenue growth of 8%, accelerating margin expansion, and record-high orders backlog of $210 billion at year-end. GE Capital also had a strong year, with segment profits growing 12%, while at the same time reducing GE Capitals ending net investment by 6% (excluding cash and equivalents). This performance allowed GE Capital to restart its dividend to GE and maintain a strong Tier 1 Common Ratio of 10.2% (Basel 1 U.S.). GE followed a balanced capital allocation plan and returned a total of $12.4 billion to investors in 2012, including $7.2 billion in dividends and $5.2 billion in stock repurchases, increasing the dividend 12% for the fifth increase in three years, and continuing to invest in R&D and infrastructure adjacencies. Senior management also continued to make important changes to position the company for long-term growth, such as launching its Industrial Internet initiative and streamlining the companys operations through its simplification initiative.
GE OUTPERFORMED THE S&P 500 ON EARNINGS, STOCK PRICE AND TSR
$210 BILLION RECORD YEAR-END BACKLOG
Compensation decisions reflect a balanced and responsible pay approach. The MDCC has responsibility for oversight of GEs executive compensation framework and, within that framework and working with senior management, aligning pay with performance and creating incentives that reward responsible risk-taking, while also considering the environment in which compensation decisions are made.
Managements strong performance over the past three years led to an overall above-target achievement for the performance goals under the 20102012 LTPA program. Cumulative Industrial cash from operating activities and 2012 Industrial return on total capital goals exceeded threshold performance levels, and cumulative earnings per share and GE Capital ending net investment goals neared or exceeded maximum performance levels. The LTPA program rewards executives for performance over a three-year period but under SEC rules is reported in a single year, 2012, and pays out in 2013. Considering this payout as well as the value of recent equity awards, the MDCC determined not to grant equity awards to the CEO and vice chairmen in 2012.
In light of Mr. Immelt’s strong performance and leadership in 2012, Mr. Immelt received a $4.5 million bonus in 2012, a 13% increase from the preceding year. He also received a $12.1 million payout under the three-year LTPA program, which concluded in 2012. His salary remained unchanged. Mr. Immelt’s total compensation for 2012 increased from 2011 primarily because of the LTPA payout, which reflects performance over a three-year period. Mr. Immelt’s compensation for 2012 also reflects a $5.2 million increase in pension value, which is predominantly the result of an increase in his service and age and changes in actuarial pension assumptions.
The MDCC believes that its decisions on Mr. Immelt’s pay reflect his outstanding leadership and, consistent with prior years, represent a balanced approach to compensation. In this respect, the committee notes that, over the last five years, Mr. Immelt’s salary has remained unchanged and he twice requested (and the MDCC approved) that he receive no bonus. During this five-year period, GE’s earnings have ranked between 4th and 14th in the S&P 500, while Mr. Immelt’s compensation (excluding pension value change) has ranked between 79th and 329th among S&P 500 CEOs (169th in 2011, the most recent year for which SEC compensation data is available).
GE 2013 Proxy Statement iii
Table of Contents
Compensation decisions for Messrs. Sherin, Neal, Rice and Denniston reflect their strong contributions to the company’s overall performance and that of their respective businesses or functions. Total compensation for these named executives was also significantly affected by the change in pension value and LTPA payouts covering all three years of the 2010-2012 performance period.
SEC total compensation with annualized LTPA payout. GE grants LTPAs to named executives only once every three or more years, in contrast to many companies that grant such awards annually. Nevertheless, pursuant to SEC rules, LTPA payouts are reported in full for 2012 in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Comp. and SEC Total columns in the Summary Compensation Table. To reflect that LTPA payouts reward performance for each of the years in the performance period, we have added the SEC Total With Annualized LTPA Payout column to the right of the table below to show SEC total compensation with the LTPA payout reported on an annualized basis.
Realized pay differs from reported total compensation. Total compensation, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table and calculated under SEC rules, includes several items that are driven by accounting and actuarial assumptions. Accordingly, it is not necessarily reflective of the compensation our named executives actually realized in 2012. To supplement that disclosure we have added the W-2 Realized Comp. column to the right of the table below to compare our named executives 2012 compensation as determined under SEC rules with W-2 income for 2012, which is the compensation our named executives actually received in 2012.
2012 Summary Compensation and Realized Compensation
| Name and Principal Position | Salary | Bonus | Stock Awards | Option Awards | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Comp. | Change
in Pension Value
and Nonqualified Deferred Comp. Earnings | All
Other Comp. | SEC
Total | SEC
Total Without Change in Pension Value | SEC
Total With Annualized LTPA Payout | W-2 Realized Comp. |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Jeffrey R. Immelt | $3,300,000 | $4,500,000 | $0 | $
0 | $12,080,250 | $5,351,595 | $ 574,507 | $25,806,352 | $20,592,769 | $17,752,852 | $7,907,751 |
| Chairman of
the | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Board and
CEO | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Keith S. Sherin | $1,850,000 | $3,500,000 | $0 | $
0 | $ 8,595,563 | $5,953,692 | $ 258,110 | $20,157,365 | $14,302,883 | $14,426,990 | $6,574,575 |
| Vice Chairman | | | | | | | | | | | |
| and CFO | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Michael A. Neal | $2,100,000 | $3,800,000 | $0 | $
0 | $ 9,137,625 | $7,821,436 | $ 343,922 | $23,202,983 | $15,497,598 | $17,111,233 | $6,927,241 |
| Vice
Chairman | | | | | | | | | | | |
| John G. Rice | $2,200,000 | $3,800,000 | $0 | $
0 | $ 9,447,375 | $7,524,925 | $2,075,677 | $25,047,977 | $17,678,431 | $18,749,727 | $8,484,728 |
| Vice Chairman | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Brackett B. | $1,575,000 | $2,650,000 | $0 | $3,040,000 | $ 6,659,625 | $1,909,377 | $ 461,890 | $16,295,892 | $14,401,341 | $11,856,142 | $6,736,113 |
| Denniston III | | | | | | | | | | | |
| SVP,
General | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Counsel
and | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Secretary | | | | | | | | | | | |
For more information on total compensation as calculated under SEC rules, see the narrative and notes accompanying the 2012 Summary Compensation Table on page 32. For more information regarding amounts reported in the W-2 Realized Comp. column, see 2012 Realized Compensation on page 31. For a reconciliation of realized compensation and total compensation as shown above, see Reconciliation of Realized Compensation Table to Summary Compensation Table on page 53. The amounts reported as realized compensation differ substantially from the amounts reported as total compensation in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table and are not a substitute for those amounts.
iv GE 2013 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
PROXY SUMMARY
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Key Features
No individual severance/employment or change-in-control agreements Clawback of incentive compensation No excise tax gross-ups Shareowner approval policy for death benefits Significant executive share ownership requirements and restrictions, including holding period for option shares, and anti-hedging policy
Elements
| Type | Form | Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | Stock options | Options generally vest 20% per year while |
| employed 1-year holding period for net shares | ||
| received upon exercising options 2010 CEO stock options vest over 5 years and | ||
| include a 4-year performance period with 2 objective performance | ||
| measures | ||
| Restricted stock units | ||
| (RSUs) | RSUs generally vest 20% per year while | |
| employed | ||
| Performance share units (PSUs)CEO only | PSUs have a 5-year performance period with | |
| specified, objective performance measures | ||
| Cash | Salary | Generally eligible for increase at intervals |
| of 18 months or longer | ||
| Annual incentive compensation | Based on MDCC assessment of achievement of | |
| quantitative and qualitative goals | ||
| Long-term | ||
| performance awards (LTPAs) | LTPAs generally are granted once every 3 or | |
| more years and have a 3-year performance period with objective | ||
| performance measures | ||
| Retirement | Pension | 5-year vesting; payable at or after age 60; |
| no lump-sum payment | ||
| Supplementary pension | Normally vests at age 60; no lump-sum | |
| payment | ||
| Other | Perquisites | Life insurance, transportation, financial |
| counseling, home security, GE products, annual | ||
| physical |
GOVERNANCE HIGHLIGHTS
| BOARD LEADERSHIP |
| --- |
| Our CEO also serves as the chairman of the Board,
and we have an independent director who is elected by the independent
directors to serve as presiding director, with broad authority and
responsibility over Board governance and operations. See Board Leadership Structure on page 10 for more information. |
| DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE |
| --- |
| Sixteen out of
seventeen of our director nominees are independent. The Board has
satisfied, and expects to continue to satisfy, its objective that at least
two-thirds of the Board should consist of independent directors. See
Director Independence on page 12 for more
information. |
| BOARD RISK
OVERSIGHT |
| --- |
| Our Board has
oversight for risk management with a focus on the most significant risks
facing the company, including strategic, operational, financial, and legal
and compliance risks. See Board Risk Oversight on page 11 for more
information. |
| INVESTOR
OUTREACH |
| --- |
| We conduct
extensive governance reviews and investor outreach throughout the year to
ensure that management and the Board understand and consider the issues that
matter most to our shareowners and enable GE to address them effectively.
For 2013, after considering feedback received from investors, the Board
determined to provide enhanced proxy disclosure regarding our director
recruitment process, director independence determinations, political
contributions website disclosure, conflict-of-interest transaction
approval process and auditor selection process. See Investor Outreach on
page 10 for more information. |
| SUCCESSION
PLANNING |
| --- |
| The MDCC has
primary responsibility for assisting the Board in developing and
evaluating potential candidates for executive positions and for overseeing
the development of executive succession plans. See Role of the MDCC and Executives in Establishing and Implementing Compensation Goals on page 30
for more information. |
GE 2013 Proxy Statement v
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
| Notice of 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareowners | |
|---|---|
| Proxy Summary | i |
| Proxy Statement | 1 |
| Governance | 2 |
| Election of Directors* | 2 |
| Corporate Governance | 10 |
| Board of Directors and Committees | 13 |
| 2012 Non-management Directors Compensation | 15 |
| Stock Ownership Information | 18 |
| Related Person Transactions | 18 |
| Compensation | 20 |
| Management Proposal No. 1Advisory Approval of Our Named Executives Compensation* | 20 |
| Compensation Discussion and Analysis | 20 |
| Compensation Committee Report | 31 |
| 2012 Realized Compensation | 31 |
| 2012 Summary Compensation | 32 |
| 2012 All Other Compensation | 33 |
| 2012 Other Benefits | 33 |
| 2012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards | 34 |
| 2012 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End | 34 |
| 2012 Option Exercises and Stock Vested | 36 |
| 2012 Pension Benefits | 37 |
| 2012 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation | 38 |
| 2012 Potential Payments upon Termination at Fiscal Year-End | 39 |
| Audit | 42 |
| Management Proposal No. 2Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm* | 42 |
| Independent Auditor | 42 |
| Audit Committee Report | 43 |
| Shareowner Proposals* | 44 |
| Additional Information | 50 |
| Voting Information | 50 |
| Proxy Solicitation and Document Request Information | 51 |
| Information about Attending the 2013 Annual Meeting and Advance Registration | 51 |
| Other Information | 53 |
| 2014 Shareowner Proposals | 53 |
| Relationships and Transactions Considered for Director Independence | 54 |
| Acronyms Used in This Proxy Statement | 54 |
| Helpful Resources | 55 |
- To be voted on at the meeting.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY OR VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM, OR SUBMIT YOUR VOTE AND PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement
PART B
Table of Contents
PROXY STATEMENT
General Electric Company 3135 Easton Turnpike Fairfield, Connecticut 06828
We are furnishing this proxy statement to shareowners in connection with General Electrics solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareowners. Distribution of this proxy statement and a proxy form to shareowners is scheduled to begin on or about March 13, 2013.
Your Participation in Voting the Shares You Own Is Important Voting your shares is important to ensure that you have a say in the governance of your company and to fulfill the objectives of the majority voting standard we use for electing directors. See Voting Information on page 50 for information on how to vote your shares.
Important Voting Information for Beneficial Owners If your GE shares are held for you in a brokerage, bank or other institutional account, you are considered the beneficial owner of those shares. Your broker is not permitted to vote on your behalf on the election of directors and other matters to be considered at the annual meeting (except on ratification of the selection of KPMG as auditors for 2013), unless you provide specific instructions by completing and returning the voting instruction form or following the instructions provided to you for voting your shares via telephone or the Internet. For your vote to be counted, you will need to communicate your voting decisions to your broker, bank or other financial institution before the date of the annual meeting. In order to be able to vote your shares at the meeting, you must obtain a proxy from that entity and bring it with you to hand in with your ballot.
More Information Is Available If you have any questions about the proxy voting process, please contact the broker, bank or other financial institution where you hold your shares. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also has a website (see Helpful Resources on page 55) with more information about your rights as a shareowner. Additionally, you may contact our Investor Relations department by following the instructions on our Investor Relations website (see Helpful Resources on page 55).
| Important
notice regarding the availability of proxy materials for the shareowners
meeting to be held on April 24, 2013 | |
| --- | --- |
| ● | ● |
| The proxy statement is
available at www.ge.com/proxy | The annual report is
available
at www.ge.com/annualreport |
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 1
Table of Contents
GOVERNANCE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Board Size and Composition The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (NCGC) assesses Board size and composition each year. Consistent with the Boards Governance Principles (see Helpful Resources on page 55), the NCGC believes that the current size of the Board is appropriate for the company given its size, complexity, and diversity of businesses and markets in which it competes, and the need for a range of Board views and director backgrounds reflecting the companys operations. Over the last 40 years, GEs Board size has ranged from 14 to 20 directors with the median at 17, which the NCGC believes has served the company and its shareowners well.
In assessing Board composition and recruiting and selecting director candidates, the NCGC considers a wide range of factors, including the size of the Board; the experience and expertise of existing Board members; other positions the director candidate has held or holds, including other board memberships; and the independence of each candidate, so as to maintain an engaged and independent board with both broad experience and judgment that is committed to representing the long-term interests of our shareowners. As part of this review process, the NCGC also considers regulatory requirements affecting directors, including potential competitive restrictions and financial institution management interlocks.
The NCGC believes that our directors should possess the highest personal and professional ethics, integrity and values, and be committed to representing the long-term interests of the shareowners. They also must have an inquisitive and objective perspective, practical wisdom and mature judgment. The NCGC endeavors to have a Board representing a range of experiences at policy-making levels in business, government, education and technology, and in areas that are relevant to the company’s global activities. The NCGC’s evaluation of director nominees also takes into account their ability to contribute to the diversity of background and experience represented on the Board, and the committee reviews its effectiveness in balancing these considerations when assessing the composition of the Board.
In light of GEs businesses and structure, the NCGC seeks directors with the following types of experience:
-
Leadership experience. We believe that directors who have held significant leadership positions, especially CEO positions, over an extended period, provide the company with unique insights. These people generally possess extraordinary leadership qualities, and the ability to identify and develop those qualities in others. They demonstrate a practical understanding of organizations, processes, strategy and risk management, and know how to drive change and growth.
-
Technology experience. As a sciences and technology company and leading innovator, we seek directors with backgrounds in technology because our success depends on developing and investing in new technologies and access to new ideas.
-
Global experience. GEs continued success depends, in part, on its success in continuing to grow its businesses outside the United States. For example, in 2012, approximately 52% of GEs revenues came from outside the United States. This highlights the importance of having directors with a global perspective.
-
Finance experience. We believe that an understanding of finance and financial reporting processes is important for our directors as GE measures its operating and strategic performance by reference to financial goals. In addition, accurate financial reporting and robust auditing are critical to GEs success. We seek to have a number of directors who qualify as audit committee financial experts, and we expect all of our directors to be financially knowledgeable. As part of this qualification, we also seek directors who have relevant risk management experience.
-
Industry experience. We seek to have directors with experience as executives or directors or in other leadership positions in the industries in which we participate. For example, we seek directors with financial services industry and regulatory experience because of our ownership of GE Capital, which is supervised by the Federal Reserve. In addition, as GE has expanded its portfolio of businesses in the energy sector, the Board has sought more expertise in this area, including in oil and gas. Our increased focus on the life sciences and early health businesses within our healthcare segment led the Board to seek directors with healthcare experience. Due to the size of our transportation-related businesses, we also seek directors who have experience with transportation, engineering and manufacturing companies.
-
Marketing experience. GE seeks to grow organically by identifying and developing new markets for its products. Therefore, marketing expertise, especially on an international basis, is important to us.
-
Government experience. We seek directors with experience with government because many of GEs businesses are heavily regulated and are directly affected by governmental actions and socioeconomic trends.
2 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
GOVERNANCE
Director Nominees In 2012 and 2013, the NCGC sought to recruit additional Board members who align with the companys long-term growth strategy. Following consideration of a number of candidates submitted by directors, members of management, third-party search firms, shareowners and others, including a comprehensive review of the candidates abilities and qualifications, the NCGC recommended that the following individuals (who were recommended to the NCGC as director candidates by a third-party search firm) be elected to the Board:
- John Brennan. As former chairman and CEO of Vanguard, one of the worlds largest global investment management companies; retired chairman of the Financial Accounting Foundation, a regulatory organization that oversees financial accounting and reporting standard-setting boards; and lead governor of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the U.S. financial industry regulatory body, Mr. Brennan has broad experience in the financial services industry, which the NCGC believes will be a great asset because of GEs ownership of GE Capital;
- Francisco DSouza. As co-founder and CEO of Cognizant, Mr. DSouza has a global background with a leading high-tech company, which is highly valuable in light of GEs increased focus on services, software and analytics and the recent launch of its Industrial Internet initiative;
- Marijn Dekkers. As chairman of the Board of Management of Bayer, Germanys largest chemical and pharmaceutical company, Mr. Dekkers has valuable experience managing a company with significant global manufacturing and marketing operations, which is critical insight given the increasing importance of global growth markets to GE; and
- Mary Schapiro. As former chairman of the SEC and Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), U.S. federal agencies with primary responsibility for enforcing the federal securities laws and regulating the securities and futures trading industries, as well as former chair and CEO of FINRA, Ms. Schapiro has broad experience regulating the financial services industry and financial markets, which provides valuable expertise to the company given the regulation of its financial services and other businesses.
At the 2013 Annual Meeting, 17 directors are to be elected to hold office until the 2014 Annual Meeting and until their successors have been elected and qualified. All nominees are presently GE directors who were elected by shareowners at the 2012 Annual Meeting, except for Messrs. Dekkers, Brennan and DSouza, who were elected to the Board in June 2012, July 2012 and February 2013, respectively, and Ms. Schapiro, whose Board service would commence upon her election at the 2013 Annual Meeting. Current directors Alan G. Lafley, Sam Nunn and Roger Penske are not standing for reelection at the 2013 Annual Meeting. We do not know of any reason why any nominee would be unable to serve as a director. If any nominee is unable to serve, the shares represented by all valid proxies will be voted for the election of such other person as the Board may nominate, or the size of the Board may be reduced.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all the nominees listed.
| ● | |
|---|---|
| W. Geoffrey | |
| Beattie | |
| Age 52 | Independent |
| Director since 2009 | |
| Deputy Chairman, Thomson Reuters, global media and | |
| financial data, Toronto, Canada |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Global experienceformer
president of multinational Canadian company (Woodbridge) Industry and Finance experiencecurrent deputy chairman of large information and technology
company (Thomson Reuters); director and chairman of the Risk Committee
of leading global financial services company (Royal Bank of Canada);
trustee of leading healthcare provider (University Health
Network) |
Mr. Beattie received a law degree from the University of Western Ontario and served as a partner in the Toronto law firm Torys LLP before joining The Woodbridge Company Limited, where he served as president from 1998 through November 2012. The Woodbridge Company Limited is a privately held investment holding company for the Thomson family of Canada and the majority shareholder of Thomson Reuters, where Mr. Beattie has served as deputy chairman and director since 1998. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of Royal Bank of Canada (where he serves as the chairman of the Risk Committee) and Maple Leaf Foods Inc. In addition to his public company board memberships, Mr. Beattie is a director of The Globe and Mail and a trustee of the University Health Network in Toronto.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 3
Table of Contents
| ● | |
|---|---|
| John J. | |
| Brennan | |
| Age 58 | Independent |
| Director since 2012 | |
| Chairman Emeritus and Senior Advisor, The Vanguard Group, Inc., | |
| global investment management, Malvern, | |
| Pennsylvania |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Global experienceformer CEO of global investment
management company (Vanguard) Industry and Finance experienceretired chairman of overseer for
financial accounting and reporting standard-setting boards (Financial
Accounting Foundation); lead governor of U.S. financial services
industry regulator (FINRA) |
Mr. Brennan is a graduate of Dartmouth College and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. He joined Vanguard in 1982, was elected chief financial officer in 1985, president in 1989, and served as chief executive officer from 1996 to 2008 and chairman from 1998 through 2009. He has been chairman emeritus and senior advisor to Vanguard since 2010. Mr. Brennan is a director of The Hanover Insurance Group, Guardian Life Insurance Company of America and LPL Financial Holdings Inc., and lead governor of the FINRA Board of Governors. He is a trustee of The Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program and the University of Notre Dame. Mr. Brennan also served as chairman of the Financial Accounting Foundation.
| ● | |
|---|---|
| James I. Cash, | |
| Jr. | |
| Age 65 | Independent |
| Director since 1997 | |
| Emeritus James E. Robison Professor of Business Administration, | |
| Harvard Business School, Boston, | |
| Massachusetts |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Finance experienceprofessor emeritus
in business (Harvard); director of leading insurance company
(Chubb) Leadership , Global and Technology experienceformer chairman of publishing subsidiary of leading research
institution (Harvard); director of leading multinational retail company
(Wal-Mart); former director of leading technology company
(Microsoft) |
A graduate of Texas Christian University with MS and PhD degrees from Purdue University, Dr. Cash joined the faculty of Harvard Business School in 1976, where he served as chairman of the MBA program from 1992 to 1995, and served as chairman of Harvard Business Publishing from 1998 until 2003. He retired from the Harvard Business School faculty in 2003. Dr. Cash is also a director of The Chubb Corporation and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. He serves as a trustee of the Bert King Foundation, on the board of the National Association of Basketball Coaches Foundation, on the Advisory Council for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and as senior advisor to Highland Capital Partners. Dr. Cash also served as a director at Microsoft, Inc. and Phase Forward, Inc. during the last five years.
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Francisco | |
| DSouza | |
| Age 44 | Independent |
| Director since 2013 | |
| Chief Executive Officer, Cognizant Technology Solutions | |
| Corporation, global information technology, consulting and business | |
| process outsourcing, Teaneck, New Jersey |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Global experienceco-founder and current CEO of multinational company
(Cognizant) Technology experiencecurrent CEO of
global information technology company (Cognizant); trustee of science
and technology center (New York Hall of
Science) |
Mr. DSouza was born in Kenya and received his undergraduate degree in business administration from the University of East Asia and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. He has been chief executive officer and a director of Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation since January 1, 2007. He also served as Cognizants president from January 2007 through February 2012 and chief operating officer from December 2003 through December 2006. Mr. DSouza joined Cognizant as a co-founder in 1994, the year it was started as a division of The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation. Previously, he held positions at various divisions of Dun & Bradstreet. He is currently a trustee at Carnegie Mellon University and the New York Hall of Science.
4 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
GOVERNANCE
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Marijn E. | |
| Dekkers | |
| Age 55 | Independent |
| Director since 2012 | |
| Chairman of the Board of Management, Bayer AG, global healthcare, | |
| crop science and material science, Leverkusen, | |
| Germany |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Global experiencecurrent chairman of management board
of multinational German company (Bayer) Industry and Technology experiencecurrent chairman of management
board of global healthcare and high-tech materials company (Bayer);
former CEO of life sciences products manufacturing company (Thermo
Fisher Scientific); former director of biotechnology company
(Biogen) |
Mr. Dekkers received his undergraduate degree in chemistry from the Radboud University of Nijmegen (Netherlands) and his PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Eindhoven (Netherlands). He began his professional career in 1985 as a scientist at the corporate research center of General Electric in the United States, gaining experience in various units of the company before joining AlliedSignal (subsequently Honeywell International Inc.) in 1995. In 2000, Mr. Dekkers became chief operating officer and subsequently president and chief executive officer of Thermo Electron Corporation, the worlds leading manufacturer of laboratory instruments (later renamed Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. following the acquisition of laboratory supplier Fisher Scientific). He joined Bayer, a global healthcare, crop science and material science company, on January 1, 2010, first serving as interim chief executive officer of Bayer Healthcare and since October 2010 serving as chairman of Bayers management group. Mr. Dekkers is vice president of the German Chemical Industry Association, Frankfurt, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Federation of German Industry, Berlin. He also served as a director at Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. and Biogen Idec Inc. during the last five years.
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Ann M. | |
| Fudge | |
| Age 61 | Independent |
| Director since 1999 | |
| Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Young | |
| & Rubicam Group, global marketing communications network, New York, | |
| New York |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership, Government and Marketing experienceformer CEO of marketing
communications company (Young & Rubicam); former president of
leading consumer products business units (General Mills and General
Foods); member of advisory body to U.S. State Department (Foreign
Affairs Policy Board); former member of presidential commission
(National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform) Global and Industry experienceformer CEO of large multinational
company (Young & Rubicam); director of global healthcare product,
consumer product and technology companies (Novartis, Unilever,
Infosys) |
Ms. Fudge received a BA from Simmons College and an MBA from Harvard University. She served as the chairman and chief executive officer of Young & Rubicam from 2003 to the end of 2006. Prior to joining Young & Rubicam, Ms. Fudge worked at General Mills and at General Foods, where she served in a number of positions, including president of Kraft General Foods Maxwell House Coffee Company and president of Krafts Beverages, Desserts and Post Divisions. She is a director of Novartis AG, Unilever PLC and Infosys Ltd. She is chair of the U.S. Program Advisory Panel of the Gates Foundation, a trustee of the Rockefeller Foundation and serves on the Advisory Council of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Foreign Affairs Policy Board of the U.S. State Department. Ms. Fudge also served as a member of President Obamas National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 5
Table of Contents
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Susan | |
| Hockfield | |
| Age 61 | Independent |
| Director since 2006 | |
| President Emerita and Professor of Neuroscience, Massachusetts | |
| Institute of Technology, Cambridge, | |
| Massachusetts |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Technology experiencepresident emerita of leading
research university (MIT); former provost of leading university (Yale);
director of global technology company (Qualcomm) Industry experiencepresident emerita of leading research university with
prominent renewable energy program (MIT); leader in health sciences
field; leading research neuroscientist; co-chair of a U.S. Presidential
manufacturing initiative (Advanced Manufacturing
Partnership) |
Dr. Hockfield, who served as president of MIT from December 2004 through June 2012 and since then has served as professor of neuroscience at MIT, received her undergraduate degree from the University of Rochester, and a PhD from Georgetown University, concentrating in neuroscience. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California at San Francisco, she joined the scientific staff at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in 1980. In 1985, Dr. Hockfield joined the faculty of Yale University, where she went on to serve as dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences from 1998 to 2002 and then as provost. Dr. Hockfield is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Hockfield serves as co-chair of the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, a U.S. Presidential manufacturing initiative. She holds a number of honorary degrees, including from Brown University, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Tsinghua University (Beijing), University of Edinburgh, University of Pierre and Marie Curie (Paris) and the Watson School of Biological Sciences at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Dr. Hockfield is also a director of Qualcomm Inc., an overseer of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, a trustee of the Carnegie Corporation of New York and a member of the MIT Corporation.
| ● |
|---|
| Jeffrey R. |
| Immelt |
| Age 57 |
| Director since 2000 |
| Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, General Electric |
| Company, Fairfield, Connecticut |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Global experiencecurrent CEO of large public
multinational company (General Electric) Industry and Government experienceleadership positions in GEs
Plastics, Appliances, Medical and Financial Services businesses; former
director of government-organized financial and monetary policy
organization (Federal Reserve Bank of New York); former chairman of
presidential council (Council on Jobs and
Competitiveness) |
Mr. Immelt joined GE in corporate marketing in 1982 after receiving a degree in applied mathematics from Dartmouth College and an MBA from Harvard University. He then held a series of leadership positions with GE Plastics in sales, marketing and global product development. He became a vice president of GE in 1989, responsible for consumer services for GE Appliances. He subsequently became vice president of worldwide marketing product management for GE Appliances in 1991, vice president and general manager of GE Plastics Americas commercial division in 1992, and vice president and general manager of GE Plastics Americas in 1993. He became senior vice president of GE and president and chief executive officer of GE Medical Systems in 1996. Mr. Immelt became GEs president and chairman-elect in 2000, and chairman and chief executive officer in 2001. He is a trustee of Dartmouth College and a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. Mr. Immelt has been named one of the Worlds Best CEOs three times by Barrons .
6 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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GOVERNANCE
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Andrea | |
| Jung | |
| Age 54 | Independent |
| Director since 1998 | |
| Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Avon | |
| Products, Inc., beauty products, New York, New | |
| York |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Global experienceformer chairman and CEO of large
public multinational company (Avon); current director and former co-lead
director of leading technology company (Apple) Marketing , Industry and Technology experienceformer marketing executive and former chairman and CEO of a
global consumer products company with large and complicated sales and
marketing network (Avon); current director and former co-lead director
of leading technology company (Apple); trustee of leading U.S. hospital
(New York Presbyterian) |
Ms. Jung, a graduate of Princeton University, joined Avon Products, Inc. in 1994 as president, product marketing for Avon U.S. She was elected president, global marketing, in 1996; an executive vice president in 1997; president and a director of the company in 1998; chief operating officer in 1998; chief executive officer in 1999, which position she held to April 2012; and chairman of the board in 2001, which position she held to December 2012. Since January 2013, Ms. Jung has served as senior advisor to the Avon board of directors. Previously, she was executive vice president, Neiman Marcus, and a senior vice president for I. Magnin. Ms. Jung is also a director and former co-lead director of Apple Inc.; former chairman of the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations; a member of the board of trustees of New York Presbyterian Hospital; and has been nominated for election in April 2013 to the supervisory board of Daimler AG.
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Robert W. | |
| Lane | |
| Age 63 | Independent |
| Director since 2005 | |
| Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Deere | |
| & Company, agricultural, construction and forestry equipment, Moline, | |
| Illinois |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership , Finance and Global experienceformer
CEO and CFO of large public multinational company (Deere); supervisory
board member of global European automaker (BMW); director of global
communications company (Verizon Communications) Industry experienceformer CEO of global equipment manufacturing company (Deere);
director of global financial services company (Northern Trust);
supervisory board member of global European automaker
(BMW) |
A graduate of Wheaton College, Mr. Lane also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago. Mr. Lane joined Deere & Company in 1982 following a career in global banking, and served Deere in leadership positions in its global construction equipment and agricultural divisions as well as at Deere Credit, Inc. He also served as Deeres chief financial officer and president, as chief executive officer from 2000 to 2009, and as chairman of the board from 2000 until his retirement in February 2010. Mr. Lane is a director of Verizon Communications Inc. and Northern Trust Corporation, a member of the supervisory board of BMW AG and a member of the board of trustees of the University of Chicago.
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Ralph S. | |
| Larsen | |
| Age 74 | Independent |
| Director since 2002 | |
| Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Johnson | |
| & Johnson, pharmaceutical, medical and consumer products, New | |
| Brunswick, New Jersey |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Global experienceformer CEO of large public
multinational company (Johnson & Johnson); former director of global
technology company (Xerox) Industry experienceformer CEO of company with large medical products business
(Johnson & Johnson); former trustee of leading health and healthcare
foundation (Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation) |
After graduating with a BBA degree from Hofstra University, Mr. Larsen joined Johnson & Johnson in 1962. In 1981, he left Johnson & Johnson to serve as president of Becton Dickinsons consumer products division and returned to Johnson & Johnson in 1983 as president of its Chicopee subsidiary. In 1986, Mr. Larsen was named a company group chairman and later that year became vice chairman of the executive committee and chairman of the consumer sector. He was elected a director in 1987 and served as chairman of the board and chief executive officer from 1989 to 2002. He is a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and a former trustee of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Mr. Larsen also served as a director at Xerox Corporation during the last five years.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 7
Table of Contents
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Rochelle B. | |
| Lazarus | |
| Age 65 | Independent |
| Director since 2000 | |
| Chairman Emeritus and former Chief Executive Officer, Ogilvy & | |
| Mather Worldwide, global marketing communications company, New York, New | |
| York |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Global experienceformer CEO of large public
multinational company (Ogilvy & Mather) Marketing and Industry experienceformer CEO of global marketing
communications company (Ogilvy & Mather); director of global
pharmaceutical company (Merck); trustee of leading U.S. hospital (New
York Presbyterian) |
A graduate of Smith College, Ms. Lazarus also holds an MBA from Columbia University. She joined Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide in 1971, becoming president of its U.S. direct marketing business in 1989. She then became president of Ogilvy & Mather New York and president of Ogilvy & Mather North America before becoming president and chief operating officer of the worldwide agency in 1995; chief executive officer in 1996, which position she held to 2008; and chairman from 1997 until her retirement in June 2012. Ms. Lazarus also serves as a director of Merck & Co., Inc., the American Museum of Natural History, the World Wildlife Fund and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts; is a trustee of the New York Presbyterian Hospital; and is a member of the Board of Overseers of Columbia Business School.
| ● | |
|---|---|
| James J. | |
| Mulva | |
| Age 66 | Independent |
| Director since 2008 | |
| Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, | |
| ConocoPhillips, international, integrated energy company, Houston, | |
| Texas |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership , Finance and Global experienceformer
CEO and CFO of large public multinational company (ConocoPhillips,
Phillips Petroleum); director of global automaker (General
Motors) Industry experienceformer CEO of integrated global energy company
(ConocoPhillips); member of the board of visitors of leading cancer
center (M.D. Anderson) |
Mr. Mulva received a BBA and an MBA in finance from the University of Texas. He served as president and chief executive officer of ConocoPhillips from 2002 to 2004; and president, chief executive officer and chairman from 2004 until his retirement in May 2012, after the split of ConocoPhillips into two independent energy companies. Previously, Mr. Mulva served in various roles at Phillips Petroleum Company, including chief financial officer, chairman and chief executive officer. He also serves as a director of General Motors Company. Mr. Mulva served as chairman of the American Petroleum Institute in 2005 and 2006 and is a member of the board of visitors for the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Mary L. | |
| Schapiro | |
| Age 57 | Independent |
| Director nominee | |
| Former Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, | |
| Washington, D.C. |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Government experienceformer chairman of U.S. federal
agencies (SEC, CFTC); former chair and CEO of U.S. financial services
industry regulator (FINRA) Industry and Finance experienceformer chairman of U.S. federal
agencies with primary responsibility for enforcing the federal
securities laws and regulating the securities and futures trading
industries (SEC, CFTC); former leadership positions with financial
services industry regulator (FINRA); former director of large
multinational energy and food companies (Duke Energy, Kraft
Foods) |
Ms. Schapiro is a graduate of Franklin & Marshall College and earned a law degree from George Washington University Law School. She served as the 29th chairman of the SEC from January 2009 through December 2012. Prior to becoming SEC chairman, Ms. Schapiro served as chief executive officer of FINRA from 2007 through 2008. She joined that organization in 1996, serving as president of NASD Regulation from 1996 to 2002 and as vice chairman from 2002 to 2006, when she was named chairman. Ms. Schapiro previously served as a commissioner of the SEC from December 1988 to October 1994, and left the SEC when appointed chairman of the CFTC, where she served until 1996. Ms. Schapiro also served as a director at Kraft Foods and Duke Energy during the last five years (prior to joining the SEC).
8 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
PART C PAGE HEADER
Table of Contents
GOVERNANCE
MGA TAO
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Robert J. | |
| Swieringa | |
| Age 70 | Independent |
| Director since 2002 | |
| Professor of Accounting and former Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean, | |
| Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University, Ithaca, New | |
| York |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Finance and Industry experienceprofessor of accounting (Cornell, Stanford, Yale); former
member of accounting standards board (FASB); member of board of managers
of private equity fund (Partners Group Private Equity Fund) Leadership experienceformer dean at
leading university (Cornells Johnson Graduate School of Management);
professor teaching corporate financial reporting and corporate
governance (Cornell, Stanford,
Yale) |
Dr. Swieringa received a BA in economics from Augustana College, an MBA in accounting and economics from the University of Denver and a PhD in accounting and complex organizations from the University of Illinois. He taught accounting at Stanfords Graduate School of Business and at the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University before serving as a member of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) from 1986 to 1996. He was then an accounting professor at Yales School of Management from 1996 to 1997 and was the ninth dean of Cornells Johnson Graduate School of Management from 1997 to 2007. Dr. Swieringa has been a professor of accounting at the Johnson Graduate School of Management since 1997. He is a member of the American Accounting Association (AAA), the board of managers of the Partners Group Private Equity Fund, and the board of trustees of Augustana College. Dr. Swieringa is a past president of the Financial Accounting and Reporting Section of the AAA and a past chair of the Graduate Management Admissions Council.
| ● | |
|---|---|
| James S. | |
| Tisch | |
| Age 60 | Independent |
| Director since 2010 | |
| President and Chief Executive Officer, Loews Corporation, | |
| diversified holding company, New York, New | |
| York |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Leadership and Global experiencecurrent CEO of large public multinational company
(Loews) Finance , Industry and Government experiencecurrent CEO of diversified multinational company (Loews);
former director of government-organized financial and monetary policy
organization (Federal Reserve Bank of New York); director of insurance
company (CNA Financial); director of leading U.S. hospital (Mount
Sinai); chairman of offshore drilling and natural gas exploration
company (Diamond Offshore
Drilling) |
Mr. Tisch received a degree from Cornell University and an MBA from the Wharton Graduate School of the University of Pennsylvania. Since 1998, he has been the president and chief executive officer of Loews Corporation, one of the largest diversified corporations in the United States with subsidiaries involved in commercial property-casualty insurance, offshore drilling, interstate natural gas transmission, natural gas exploration and production, and luxury lodging. He also serves as a director of Loews, and Loewss subsidiary CNA Financial. In addition, he is chairman of Loewss subsidiary Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. Mr. Tisch serves as chairman of nonprofit WNET, parent of WNET Channel 13 and WLIW Channel 21. He also sits on the boards of the New York Public Library, Mount Sinai Medical Center, and the Partnership for New York City, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mr. Tisch also was formerly a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
| ● | |
|---|---|
| Douglas A. | |
| Warner III | |
| Age 66 | Independent |
| Director since 1992 | |
| Former Chairman of the Board, JPMorgan Chase & Co., The Chase | |
| Manhattan Bank, and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company, investment banking, New | |
| York, New York |
| DIRECTOR
QUALIFICATIONS |
| --- |
| Finance and Industry experienceformer
CEO of large financial services company (JPMorgan Chase); chairman of
leading cancer center (Sloan-Kettering) Leadership and Global experienceformer
CEO of large public multinational company (JPMorgan Chase); chairman of
leading university investment committee
(Yale) |
Following graduation from Yale University in 1968, Mr. Warner joined Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, a wholly owned subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (formerly J.P. Morgan & Co. Incorporated). He was elected president and a director of the bank and its parent in 1990, serving as chairman and chief executive officer from 1995 to 2000, when he became chairman of the board of JPMorgan Chase & Co., The Chase Manhattan Bank and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company until his retirement in 2001. Mr. Warner is chairman of the board of managers and the board of overseers of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, chairman of the Yale Investment Committee and a trustee of Yale University. Mr. Warner also served as a director at Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Motorola Inc. and Motorola Solutions Inc. during the last five years.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 9
Table of Contents
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Governance Principles The Board and the company annually review GEs governance documents, which are available on our website. These governance materials include the Boards Governance Principles, which include guidelines for determining director independence and qualifications for directors, Board committee charters and statements of committee key practices. The web links for these materials, which are also available in print to any shareowner upon request, can be found under Helpful Resources on page 55. The Board regularly reviews corporate governance developments and, when appropriate, modifies its Governance Principles, committee charters and key practices.
The Board of Directors elected Mr. Tisch as director in June 2010. Under GEs Governance Principles, directors who also serve as CEOs should not serve on more than two boards of public companies in addition to the GE Board to ensure directors have sufficient time to devote to GE matters. The NCGC discussed this requirement and recommended that it be waived for Mr. Tisch because two of the public company boards on which he serves are within Loewss consolidated group of companies. Loews is a diversified holding company whose entire business operations are conducted through its subsidiaries, two of which, CNA Financial (90% owned) and Diamond Offshore Drilling (50.4% owned), accounted for more than 85% of Loewss revenues in each of the past three fiscal years, and are public companies for which Mr. Tisch serves as a board member. Mr. Tischs responsibilities as a board member of CNA Financial and Diamond Offshore Drilling are integrally related to and subsumed within his role as CEO of Loews, and therefore the GE Board believes that his subsidiary board service does not meaningfully increase his time commitments or fiduciary duties, as would be the case with service on the boards of unaffiliated public companies.
Investor Outreach Our engagement program. We conduct extensive governance reviews and investor outreach throughout the year to ensure that management and the Board understand and consider the issues that matter most to our shareowners and enable GE to address them effectively.
Changes for 2013 in response to investor feedback. For 2013, after considering feedback received from investors, the Board determined to provide enhanced proxy disclosure regarding our director recruitment process (see Election of Directors on page 2), director independence determinations (see Director Independence on page 12), political contributions website disclosure (see Political Contributions and Lobbying Expenditure Oversight and Disclosure on page 13), conflict-of-interest transaction approval process (see Related Person Transactions on page 18) and auditor selection process (see Management Proposal No. 2Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on page 42). Also see Investor Outreach and the 2012 Say-on-Pay Vote on page 22 for a discussion of the Management Development and Compensation Committees (MDCC) response to investor feedback on our 2012 say-on-pay vote and executive compensation program.
Board Leadership Structure Our CEO also serves as the chairman of the Board, and we have an independent director who is elected by the independent directors to serve as presiding director, with broad authority and responsibility over Board governance and operations. The presiding director, Mr. Larsen, the former chairman of the board and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, has the following responsibilities, which are set forth in the Boards Governance Principles: (1) to lead meetings of the non-management directors, which are meetings without any management directors or employees present and are scheduled at least three times per year, and to call
10 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
GOVERNANCE
additional meetings of the non-management directors as he deems appropriate; (2) to serve as liaison on Board-related issues between the chairman and the non-management directors; (3) to advise the NCGC on the selection of committee chairs; (4) to approve the agenda, schedule and information sent to directors for Board meetings; (5) to work with the chairman to propose an annual schedule of major discussion items for the Boards approval; (6) to provide leadership to the Board if circumstances arise in which the role of the chairman may be, or may be perceived to be, in conflict, and otherwise act as chairman of Board meetings when the chairman is not in attendance; (7) to make himself available for consultation and direct communication with our major shareowners; and (8) to perform such other functions as the Board may direct. We believe that this structure is appropriate for the company because it allows one person to speak for and lead the company and the Board, while also providing for effective oversight by an independent board through an independent presiding director. For a company as large and diverse as GE, we believe the CEO is in the best position to focus the independent directors attention on the issues of greatest importance to the company and its shareowners. In our view, splitting the roles would potentially have the consequence of making our management and governance processes less effective than they are today through undesirable duplication of work and, in the worst case, lead to a blurring of clear lines of accountability and responsibility, without any clear offsetting benefits.
Board Risk Oversight Risk is an inherent part of GEs business activities and is critical to the companys innovation and success. We reward our executives for taking responsible risks in line with the companys strategic objectives and overall risk appetite. In order to ensure that we are executing according to our strategic objectives and that we only accept risks for which we are adequately compensated, we evaluate risk at the individual transaction level, and evaluate aggregated risk at the customer, industry, geographic and collateral-type levels, where appropriate. Risks identified through our risk management processes are prioritized and, depending on the probability and severity of the risk, escalated to the chief risk officer (CRO). We have general response strategies for managing risks, which categorize risks according to whether the company will avoid, transfer, reduce or accept the risk. These response strategies are tailored to ensure that risks are within acceptable GE Board general guidelines. Depending on the nature of the risk involved and the particular business or function affected, we use a wide variety of risk mitigation strategies, including delegation of authorities, standardized processes and strategic planning reviews, operating reviews, insurance and hedging.
Our Board of Directors has oversight for risk management with a focus on the most significant risks facing the company, including strategic, operational, financial, and legal and compliance risks. At the end of each year, management and the Board jointly develop a list of major risks that GE plans to prioritize in the next year. Throughout the year, the Board and the committees to which it has delegated responsibility dedicate a portion of their meetings to review and discuss specific risk topics in greater detail. Strategic, operational and reputational risks are presented and discussed in the context of the CEOs report on operations to the Board at regularly scheduled Board meetings and at presentations to the Board and its committees by the vice chairmen, CRO, general counsel and other employees.
The Board has delegated responsibility for the oversight of specific risks to Board committees as follows:
| RISK | Oversees GEs management of key risks, including
strategic, operational (including product risk), financial (including
credit, liquidity and exposure to broad market risk) and reputational
risks Oversees the guidelines, policies and
processes for monitoring and mitigating such risks Oversees risks related to our subsidiary,
General Electric Capital Corporation (GE Capital), and jointly
meets with the GE Capital Board of Directors at least four times a
year |
| --- | --- |
| AUDIT | Oversees GEs and GE Capitals policies and
processes relating to the financial statements, the
financial reporting process, compliance and auditing, and jointly meets
with the GE Capital Board once a
year Monitors ongoing compliance issues and
matters Annually conducts an assessment of compliance
issues and programs |
| MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT
AND COMPENSATION | Oversees the risk management associated with
management resources, structure, succession planning, and management
development and selection processes Evaluates the effect the compensation structure may
have on risk decisions |
| NOMINATING AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | Oversees risk related to the companys
governance structure and processes and risks arising from related person
transactions |
| PUBLIC RESPONSIBILITIES | Oversees risks related to GEs public policy
initiatives, the environment and similar matters Monitors the companys environmental, health and
safety compliance |
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 11
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The Boards risk oversight process builds upon managements risk assessment and mitigation processes, which include standardized reviews of long-term strategic and operational planning; executive development and evaluation; code of conduct compliance under the companys The Spirit & The Letter ; regulatory compliance; health, safety and environmental compliance; financial reporting and controllership; and information technology and security. The companys CRO is responsible for overseeing and coordinating risk assessment and mitigation on an enterprise-wide basis. The CRO leads the Corporate Risk Function and is responsible for the identification of key business risks, providing for appropriate management of these risks within GE Board guidelines, and enforcement through policies and procedures. Management has two committees to further assist it in assessing and mitigating risk:
- The Corporate Risk Committee meets periodically, is chaired by the CRO and comprises the chairman and CEO, vice chairmen, general counsel and other senior-level business and functional leaders. It has principal responsibility for evaluating and addressing risks escalated to the CRO and Corporate Risk Function.
- The Policy Compliance Review Board met 16 times in 2012, is chaired by the companys general counsel and includes the CFO and other senior-level functional leaders. It has principal responsibility for monitoring compliance matters across the company.
Director Independence All of our director nominees (listed under Director Nominees on page 3) other than Mr. Immelt are independent, as are current directors Alan G. Lafley and Sam Nunn. The Board has satisfied, and expects to continue to satisfy, its objective that at least two-thirds of the Board should consist of independent directors. For a director to be considered independent, the Board must determine that the director does not have any direct or indirect material relationship with GE. The Board has established guidelines to assist it in determining director independence, which conform to, or are more exacting than, the independence requirements in the New York Stock Exchanges (NYSE) listing standards. In addition to applying these guidelines, which are set forth in Section 4 of our Governance Principles and are published on GEs website (see Helpful Resources on page 55), the Board will consider all relevant facts and circumstances in making an independence determination. In the course of the Boards independence determination, it considered relevant transactions, relationships and arrangements as required by the companys independence guidelines. In particular, with respect to each of the three most recently completed fiscal years, as applicable, the Board evaluated relationships between Board members, their family members and the company, as required by NYSE and GE independence guidelines, which relationships are described in more detail under Relationships and Transactions Considered for Director Independence on page 54.
All members of the Audit Committee, MDCC, NCGC and Risk Committee must be independent directors as defined by the Boards Governance Principles. Members of the Audit Committee must also satisfy a separate SEC independence requirement, which provides that they may not accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from GE or any of its subsidiaries other than their directors compensation. As a policy matter, the Board has determined to apply a separate, heightened independence standard to members of both the MDCC and the NCGC. No member of either committee may be a partner, member or principal of a law firm, accounting firm or investment banking firm that accepts consulting or advisory fees from GE or any of its subsidiaries. The Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee, MDCC and NCGC are independent and satisfy the relevant SEC or GE additional independence requirements for the members of such committees.
Mr. Immelt is not an independent director due to his employment with the company. Mr. Penske, who is not standing for reelection at the 2013 Annual Meeting, is not an independent director due to his business relationships with the company.
Director Nominee Recommendations The NCGC reviews potential candidates for the Board and recommends the director nominees to the Board for approval. The committee considers all shareowner recommendations for candidates for the Board, which are evaluated in the same manner as candidates suggested by other directors or third-party search firms (which the company retains from time to time, including over the past year, to help identify potential candidates). Any such recommendations should be sent to the NCGC, c/o Brackett B. Denniston III, Secretary, General Electric Company, 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, Connecticut 06828. The information required to be included is set forth in our by-laws, and the general qualifications and specific qualities and skills established by the committee for directors are included in Section 3 of the Boards Governance Principles and discussed under Board Size and Composition on page 2.
Code of Conduct All directors, officers and employees of GE must act ethically at all times and in accordance with the policies comprising GEs code of conduct set forth in the companys integrity policy, The Spirit & The Letter , which is published on GEs website (see Helpful Resources on page 55). Under the Boards Governance Principles, the Board will not permit any waiver of any ethics policy for any director or executive officer. Amendments to the code required to be disclosed under SEC rules will be published on GEs website (see Helpful Resources on page 55). If an actual or potential conflict of interest arises for a director, the director will promptly inform the CEO and the presiding director. Our NCGC is responsible for reviewing any such conflict of interest. If a significant conflict exists and cannot be resolved, the director should resign. All directors are required to recuse themselves from any discussion or decision affecting their personal, business or professional interests.
12 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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GOVERNANCE
Political Contributions and Lobbying Expenditure Oversight and Disclosure As part of its oversight role in public policy and corporate social responsibility, the Public Responsibilities Committee (PRC) reviews annually the companys policies and practices related to political contributions, contributions to campaigns, and contributions to trade associations and other tax-exempt and similar organizations that may engage in political activity. The PRC also receives and reviews, semiannually, reports on the companys political spending, including political contributions and contributions to trade associations and other tax-exempt and similar organizations that may engage in political activity. The PRC issues a report annually on the companys political spending, which is available on GEs Citizenship report website (see Helpful Resources on page 55).
Communicating Concerns to Directors The Audit Committee and the non-management directors have established procedures to enable anyone who has a concern about GEs conduct, or any employee who has a concern about the companys accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, to communicate that concern directly to the presiding director or to the Audit Committee. Such communications may be submitted confidentially or anonymously, and may be e-mailed or submitted in writing to special addresses or reported by telephone to a toll-free telephone number. Information on how to submit any such communications can be found on GEs website (see Helpful Resources on page 55).
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES
Director Attendance The Board held 13 meetings during 2012, including four meetings of the non-management directors of the Board. In 2012, each of our current directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and committees on which the member served during the period the member was on the Board or committee. Information about director attendance at the 2012 Annual Meeting and the Boards policy with regard to director attendance at annual meetings of shareowners can be found on GEs website (see Helpful Resources on page 55).
Board Committees The Board has five standing committees: the Audit Committee, the MDCC, the NCGC, the Risk Committee and the PRC. Each committee meets periodically throughout the year, reports its actions and recommendations to the Board, receives reports from senior management, annually evaluates its performance and has the authority to retain outside advisors in its discretion. The primary responsibilities of each committee are summarized below and set forth in more detail in each committees written charter, which can be found on GEs website (see Helpful Resources on page 55).
| Audit
Committee | |
| --- | --- |
| Selects and oversees the independent
auditor Reviews the scope and results of the audit to be
conducted by the independent auditor Oversees our financial reporting activities,
including our annual report, and the accounting standards and principles
followed In coordination with the Risk Committee, discusses
with management the companys risk assessment and risk management
framework Approves audit and non-audit services provided by
the independent auditor Reviews the organization and scope of our internal
audit function and our disclosure and internal controls Oversees the companys legal, ethical and
regulatory compliance | NUMBER OF MEETINGS IN
2012: 13 |
| | COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Beattie
(F,I) Cash (I) Lane (F,I) Mulva
(F,I) Swieringa (F,I) Warner
(C,F,I) |
| * | Messrs. Lafley,
Nunn and Penske are not standing for reelection at the 2013 Annual
Meeting |
| --- | --- |
| C | Chair of the Committee |
| F | Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined under SEC
rules |
| I | Satisfies the NYSEs and GEs definitions of independent director, as
determined by the Board of Directors |
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 13
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| Management Development and
Compensation Committee | |
| --- | --- |
| Establishes, reviews and approves CEO compensation, and
reviews and approves other senior executive
compensation Monitors our management resources, structure,
succession planning, development and selection process as well as the
performance of key executives Reviews incentive compensation arrangements to
ensure that incentive pay does not encourage unnecessary risk-taking and
reviews and discusses the relationship between risk management policies
and practices, corporate strategy and senior executive
compensation Oversees the incentive compensation program, GE
2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan and any other equity-based compensation
plans | NUMBER OF MEETINGS IN
2012: 9 |
| | COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Cash (I) Jung (I) Lane
(I) Larsen (C,I) Nunn* (I) Warner (I) |
| Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee | |
| --- | --- |
| Selects director nominees for the Board Develops and annually reviews our Governance
Principles Reviews director compensation and
benefits Oversees the annual self-evaluation of the Board
and its committees Makes recommendations to the Board concerning the
structure and membership of the Board committees Reviews and approves or, where warranted, ratifies
transactions with related persons required to be disclosed under SEC
rules Reviews any conflict of interest involving directors or executive officers Oversees risks related to corporate
governance | NUMBER OF MEETINGS IN
2012: 7 |
| | COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Hockfield (I) Jung
(I) Lafley* (I) Larsen (I) Lazarus(C,I) Warner (I) |
| Risk
Committee | |
| --- | --- |
| Oversees GEs and GE Capitals management of key risks as
well as the guidelines, policies and processes for monitoring and
mitigating such risks Reviews and discusses with management GEs and GE
Capitals risk appetite and strategy relating to key
risks Meets separately at least two times per year with
GEs and GE Capitals CROs Receives reports from GEs and GE Capitals internal
audit function on the results of risk management reviews and
assessments Reviews the status of financial services regulatory
exams relating to GE and GE Capital Reviews the disclosure regarding risk contained in
the GE and GE Capital annual and quarterly reports | NUMBER OF MEETINGS IN
2012: 11 |
| | COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Beattie (C,I) Brennan
(I) Lafley* (I) Tisch (I) |
| * | Messrs. Lafley,
Nunn and Penske are not standing for reelection at the 2013 Annual
Meeting |
| --- | --- |
| C | Chair of the Committee |
| F | Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined under SEC
rules |
| I | Satisfies the NYSEs and GEs definitions of independent director, as
determined by the Board of Directors |
14 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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GOVERNANCE
| Public Responsibilities
Committee | |
| --- | --- |
| Reviews and oversees GE positions on corporate
social responsibilities and public issues of significance that affect
investors and other key GE stakeholders Reviews the status of any significant governmental
inquiry or investigation that is not related to any financial
statements Identifies and discusses with management risks
relating to our public policy initiatives, the environment and similar
matters Monitors the companys environmental, health and
safety compliance Reviews the companys policies and practices
related to political and campaign contributions and contributions to
trade associations and other tax-exempt and similar organizations that
may engage in political activity | NUMBER OF MEETINGS IN 2012: 3 |
| | COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Cash (I) Fudge
(I) Hockfield (I) Immelt Lazarus (I) Mulva (I) Nunn
(C,I) Penske |
| * | Messrs. Lafley,
Nunn and Penske are not standing for reelection at the 2013 Annual
Meeting |
| --- | --- |
| C | Chair of the Committee |
| F | Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined under SEC
rules |
| I | Satisfies the NYSEs and GEs definitions of independent director, as
determined by the Board of Directors |
2012 NON-MANAGEMENT DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
The current compensation and benefit program for non-management directors has been in effect since 2003 and is designed to achieve the following goals: (1) compensation should fairly pay directors for work required for a company of GEs size and scope; (2) compensation should align directors interests with the long-term interests of shareowners; and (3) the structure of the compensation should be simple, transparent and easy for shareowners to understand. The NCGC reviews director compensation annually. The table below on non-management directors compensation includes the following compensation elements.
Annual Compensation In 2012, annual compensation of $250,000 was paid to each non-management director in four installments following the end of each quarter of service, 40% (or $100,000) in cash and 60% (or $150,000) in deferred stock units (DSUs). There are no meeting fees. Non-management directors have the option of deferring some or all of their cash compensation in DSUs. Each DSU is equal in value to a share of GE stock and is fully vested upon grant, but does not have voting rights. DSUs accumulate quarterly dividend-equivalent payments, which are reinvested into additional DSUs. The DSUs will be paid out in cash to non-management directors beginning one year after they leave the Board. Directors may elect to take their DSU payments as a lump sum or in payments spread out for up to 10 years.
Audit Committee and MDCC Compensation Additional compensation, equal to 10% of the $250,000 annual compensation, was paid to directors serving on the Audit Committee and the MDCC due to the workload and broad-based responsibilities of these two committees. Directors serving on both committees received additional compensation equal to 20% of their annual compensation. This additional compensation was paid in the same 40%/60% proportion between cash and DSUs, respectively, and was payable in the same manner as the annual compensation.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 15
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All Other Compensation The column showing All Other Compensation in the table below includes the following items:
- Executive Products and Lighting Program. Non-management directors participate in our Executive Products and Lighting Program on the same basis as our named executives. Under this program, upon their request, directors can receive GE appliances or other products. Incremental cost is calculated based on the fair market value of the products received.
- Matching Gifts Program. Non-management directors may participate in the GE Foundations Matching Gifts Program on the same terms as GEs executive officers. Under the GE Foundations regular Matching Gifts Program, subject to limited exceptions, the GE Foundation matches up to $50,000 per year in contributions by any employee, retiree or director to approved charitable organizations. The Matching Gifts Program amounts shown in note 3 to the table below represent all company matches registered by the director with the company in 2012.
- Charitable Award Program. GE maintains a plan that permits each director to designate up to five charitable organizations (excluding a directors private foundation) to share in a $1 million contribution to be made by the company upon the directors termination of service. The company will fund the contribution from corporate assets upon such termination. The award vests upon the commencement of Board service.
- Incidental Board Meeting Expenses. The company occasionally provides travel and sponsors activities for spouses or other guests of the directors in connection with Board meetings.
2012 Non-management Directors Compensation Table
| Name of Director | Fees Earned or Paid in
Cash | Stock Awards | All Other
Compensation | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| W. Geoffrey
Beattie | $ 0 | $ 282,933 | $ 9,436 | $ 292,369 |
| John J.
Brennan 4 | $ 0 | $ 126,740 | $ 0 | $ 126,740 |
| James I. Cash,
Jr. | $ 120,000 | $ 185,193 | $ 92,714 | $ 397,907 |
| Marijn E.
Dekkers 5 | $ 25,000 | $ 76,044 | $ 1,217 | $ 102,261 |
| Ann M. Fudge | $ 100,000 | $ 154,327 | $ 60,640 | $ 314,967 |
| Susan
Hockfield | $ 100,000 | $ 154,327 | $ 29,035 | $ 283,362 |
| Andrea Jung | $ 110,000 | $ 169,760 | $ 62,710 | $ 342,470 |
| Alan G.
Lafley | $ 100,000 | $ 154,327 | $ 55,682 | $ 310,009 |
| Robert W. Lane | $ 120,000 | $ 185,193 | $ 10,149 | $ 315,342 |
| Ralph S.
Larsen | $ 0 | $ 282,933 | $ 56,026 | $ 338,959 |
| Rochelle B.
Lazarus | $ 0 | $ 257,212 | $ 64,599 | $ 321,811 |
| James J.
Mulva | $ 0 | $ 282,933 | $ 61,805 | $ 344,738 |
| Sam Nunn | $ 0 | $ 282,933 | $ 59,903 | $ 342,836 |
| Roger S.
Penske | $ 0 | $ 257,212 | $ 59,026 | $ 316,238 |
| Robert J.
Swieringa | $ 44,000 | $ 237,664 | $ 61,070 | $ 342,734 |
| James S.
Tisch | $ 0 | $ 257,212 | $ 1,416 | $ 258,628 |
| Douglas A. Warner
III | $ 120,000 | $ 185,193 | $ 85,206 | $ 390,399 |
1 This column reports the amount of cash compensation received for 2012 Board and committee service.
16 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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GOVERNANCE
2 This column represents the dollar amounts of the aggregate grant date fair value of DSUs granted in 2012 in accordance with SEC rules, including amounts that the directors deferred into DSUs in lieu of all or a part of their cash compensation in 2012. The grants of DSUs are made following each quarter of service, with the number of DSUs actually granted calculated by dividing the target value of DSUs to be granted by the average closing price of GE stock for the 20 days including and preceding the date of grant. The grant date fair value of the DSUs, which is shown in this column, is the number of DSUs multiplied by the closing price of GE stock on the date of grant, which was $20.07, $20.84, $22.71 and $20.99 for March 30, 2012, June 29, 2012, September 28, 2012 and December 31, 2012, respectively. The table below shows the cash amounts that the directors deferred into DSUs in 2012 and the number of DSUs outstanding at 2012 fiscal year-end. None of our directors had stock options outstanding at 2012 fiscal year-end. We ceased granting stock options to directors in 2002.
| Director | Cash Deferred into
DSUs in 2012 | # DSUs Outstanding at 2012 Fiscal
Year-End |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Beattie | $ 110,000 | 58,564 |
| Brennan | $ 50,000 | 5,804 |
| Cash | $ 0 | 94,803 |
| Dekkers | $ 0 | 3,482 |
| Fudge | $ 0 | 109,831 |
| Hockfield | $ 0 | 50,715 |
| Jung | $ 0 | 99,862 |
| Lafley | $ 0 | 114,338 |
| Lane | $ 0 | 96,155 |
| Director | Cash Deferred into
DSUs in 2012 | # DSUs Outstanding at 2012 Fiscal
Year-End |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Larsen | $ 110,000 | 142,064 |
| Lazarus | $ 100,000 | 142,670 |
| Mulva | $ 110,000 | 78,102 |
| Nunn | $ 110,000 | 178,853 |
| Penske | $ 100,000 | 197,066 |
| Swieringa | $ 66,000 | 121,132 |
| Tisch | $ 100,000 | 30,396 |
| Warner | $ 0 | 99,399 |
3 The following table provides more information on the type and amount of items included in All Other Compensation.
| Director | Matching
Gifts | Other
Benefits* | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Beattie | $ 0 | $ 9,436 | $ 9,436 |
| Brennan | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 0 |
| Cash | $ 50,000 | $ 42,714 | $ 92,714 |
| Dekkers | $ 0 | $ 1,217 | $ 1,217 |
| Fudge | $ 49,750 | $ 10,890 | $ 60,640 |
| Hockfield | $ 8,800 | $ 20,235 | $ 29,035 |
| Jung | $ 50,000 | $ 12,710 | $ 62,710 |
| Lafley | $ 50,000 | $ 5,682 | $ 55,682 |
| Lane | $ 0 | $ 10,149 | $ 10,149 |
| Director | Matching
Gifts | Other
Benefits* | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Larsen | $ 50,000 | $ 6,026 | $ 56,026 |
| Lazarus | $ 50,000 | $ 14,599 | $ 64,599 |
| Mulva | $ 50,000 | $ 11,805 | $ 61,805 |
| Nunn | $ 44,660 | $ 15,243 | $ 59,903 |
| Penske | $ 50,000 | $ 9,026 | $ 59,026 |
| Swieringa | $ 50,000 | $ 11,070 | $ 61,070 |
| Tisch | $ 0 | $ 1,416 | $ 1,416 |
| Warner | $ 50,000 | $ 35,206 | $ 85,206 |
- This column reports the total amount of other benefits provided, none of which individually exceeded the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of benefits included in this table for the director (except as otherwise described in this footnote), such as: (1) participation in the Executive Products and Lighting Program (which, for Dr. Cash, was $31,387); (2) incidental Board meeting expenses; and (3) certain expenses associated with the directors and their invited guests attendance at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, of which GE was an official sponsor.
| 4 | Mr. Brennan was elected to the Board in July
2012. |
| --- | --- |
| 5 | Mr.
Dekkers was elected to the Board in June
2012. |
No Other Compensation Non-management directors do not receive any non-equity incentive compensation, hold deferred compensation balances or receive pension benefits. Since 2003, DSUs have been the only equity incentive compensation awarded to the non-management directors. Directors who are company employees do not receive any compensation for their services as directors.
Share Ownership Requirements All non-management directors are required to hold at least $500,000 worth of GE stock and/or DSUs while serving as directors of GE. Directors have five years to attain this ownership threshold. All directors are in compliance with this requirement.
Insurance GE has provided liability insurance for its directors and officers since 1968. Ace Bermuda Insurance Ltd., Allied World Assurance Company, Ltd. and XL Insurance are the principal underwriters of the current coverage, which extends until June 11, 2013. The annual cost of this coverage is approximately $9.1 million.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 17
Table of Contents
STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION
The following table includes all GE stock-based holdings, as of December 31, 2012, of our director nominees, directors and the named executives, our directors and executive officers as a group, and all those known by us to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of our common stock.
Common Stock and Total Stock-Based Holdings Table
| Directors and
Nominees | Stock 1 | Total 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| W. Geoffrey
Beattie 3 | 27,310 | 85,874 |
| John J. Brennan | 25,000 | 30,804 |
| James I. Cash, Jr. | 18,106 | 112,909 |
| Marijn E. Dekkers | 0 | 3,482 |
| Francisco DSouza | 0 | 0 |
| Ann M. Fudge | 5,874 | 115,705 |
| Susan Hockfield | 0 | 50,715 |
| Andrea
Jung 3 | 7,519 | 107,381 |
| Alan G.
Lafley 3 | 110,534 | 224,872 |
| Robert W. Lane | 14,500 | 110,655 |
| Ralph S.
Larsen 3 | 165,385 | 307,449 |
| Rochelle B.
Lazarus 3 | 39,629 | 182,299 |
| James J.
Mulva 3 | 4,105 | 82,207 |
| Sam Nunn | 96,000 | 274,853 |
| Roger S. Penske | 0 | 197,066 |
| Mary L. Schapiro | 100 | 100 |
| Robert J. Swieringa | 3,788 | 124,920 |
| James S.
Tisch 3 | 440,000 | 470,396 |
| Douglas A. Warner III 3,
4 | 135,880 | 235,279 |
| Directors and Nominees Total | 1,093,730 | 2,716,966 |
| Named
Executives | Stock 1 | Total 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Jeffrey R.
Immelt 3 | 1,921,765 | 4,969,137 |
| Keith S.
Sherin 3 | 3,645,479 | 5,981,566 |
| Michael A. Neal | 4,105,367 | 6,727,813 |
| John G.
Rice 3 | 3,703,534 | 6,181,770 |
| Brackett B. Denniston
III | 4,002,771 | 4,812,478 |
| Named Executives Total | 17,378,916 | 28,672,764 |
| All Directors
and Executives | Stock 1 | Total 2 |
| As a group
(27) 5 | 24,040,027 | 40,202,945 |
| 5% Beneficial
Owners | | Stock 1 |
| BlackRock 6 | | 583,104,477 |
1 This column lists beneficial ownership of voting securities as calculated under SEC rules, including restricted stock held by directors and named executives over which they have sole voting power but no investment power. Otherwise, except to the extent noted below, each director, named executive or entity has sole voting and investment power over the shares reported. None of the shares is pledged as security by the named person. Standard brokerage accounts may include non-negotiable provisions regarding set-offs or similar rights. In accordance with SEC rules, this column also includes shares that may be acquired pursuant to stock options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days as follows: Mr. Denniston (3,640,000), Mr. Neal (3,045,000), Mr. Rice (3,225,000) and Mr. Sherin (3,225,000). No director or named executive owns more than one-tenth of 1% of the total outstanding shares. BlackRock, Inc. owns 5.6% of the total outstanding shares.
| 2 | This column shows
the individuals total GE stock-based holdings, including the voting
securities shown in the Stock column (as described in note 1), plus
non-voting interests, including, as appropriate, PSUs, RSUs, DSUs,
deferred compensation accounted for as units of GE stock and stock options
that may not vest or become exercisable within 60 days. |
| --- | --- |
| 3 | Both columns
include the following numbers of shares over which the identified director
or named executive has shared voting and investment power through family
trusts or other accounts but as to which he or she disclaims beneficial
ownership: Mr. Beattie (27,310), Mr. Immelt (158,772), Ms. Jung (69), Mr.
Lafley (18,446), Mr. Larsen (107,706), Ms. Lazarus (9,300), Mr. Mulva
(3,595), Mr. Rice (1,965), Mr. Sherin (373,507), Mr. Tisch (440,000) and
Mr. Warner (1,200). |
| 4 | Does not include
15 shares of Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred
Stock, Series A, $0.01 par value, of the companys subsidiary, General Electric Capital Corporation, owned
by Mr. Warner and over which he has sole voting and investment
power. |
| 5 | Both columns
include: (1) 18,107,500 shares that may be acquired pursuant to vested
stock options that are or will become exercisable within 60 days, (2)
1,199,840 shares over which there is shared voting and investment power,
and (3) 60,000 shares over which there is sole voting power but no
investment power. The directors and executive officers as a group do not
own more than 1% of the total outstanding shares. |
| 6 | Represents
583,104,477 shares beneficially owned by BlackRock, Inc., 40 East 52nd
Street, New York, NY 10022. The foregoing information is based solely on a
Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock, Inc. with the SEC on February 8,
2013. |
RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions We review relationships and transactions in which the company and our directors and executive officers or their immediate family members are participants and in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 to determine whether such related persons have a direct or indirect material interest. The companys legal staff is primarily responsible for the development and implementation of processes and controls for obtaining information from the directors and executive officers with respect to
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GOVERNANCE
related person transactions and then determining, based on the facts and circumstances, whether a related person has a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction. As required under SEC rules, all such transactions that are determined to be directly or indirectly material to a related person are disclosed in this proxy statement. In addition, the NCGC reviews and approves or ratifies any such related person transaction. As set forth in the NCGCs Key Practices, which are in writing and are available on GEs website (see Helpful Resources on page 55), in the course of its review and approval or ratification of a disclosable related person transaction, the committee considers:
- the nature of the related persons interest in the transaction;
- the material terms of the transaction, including, without limitation, the amount and type of transaction;
- the importance of the transaction to the related person;
- the importance of the transaction to the company;
- whether the transaction would impair the judgment of a director or executive officer to act in the best interest of the company; and
- any other matters the committee deems appropriate, including any third-party fairness opinions or other expert review obtained by the company in connection with the transaction.
Any member of the NCGC who is a related person with respect to a transaction under review may not participate in the deliberations or vote for approval or ratification of the transaction, but such director may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum at a meeting of the committee that considers the transaction.
Related Person Transactions Mr. Penske, who is not standing for reelection at the 2013 Annual Meeting, has a direct financial interest in and controls Penske Corporation (PC), which is privately held. Penske Truck Leasing Corporation (PTLC), an indirect subsidiary of PC, is the general partner of Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P. (Truck Leasing, L.P.). PTLC and Penske Automotive Group, Inc., also an affiliate of PC, currently own directly or indirectly 50.1% of the partnership interests in Truck Leasing, L.P. GE Capital subsidiaries directly or indirectly own the remaining 49.9% interest in Truck Leasing, L.P.
In April 2012, PC subsidiaries and GE Capital subsidiaries established a new limited-purpose joint venture, known as LJ VP Holdings LLC, which issued $700 million in senior notes due 2019 with GE Capital as co-obligor. The proceeds of this issuance were used to effect a recapitalization of Truck Leasing, L.P. Truck Leasing, L.P. then obtained third-party financing and entered into capital markets transactions to replace and repay debt owed to GE Capital under the revolving credit and contingent liabilities agreements (PTL Facilities) described below. As of February 1, 2013, all amounts owed by Truck Leasing, L.P. under the revolving credit agreement had been repaid, and the contingent liabilities agreement had an outstanding balance of $140 million.
Previously, GE Capital and its subsidiaries had extended credit and guarantees to Truck Leasing, L.P. and its subsidiaries under the PTL Facilities, and those totaled approximately $1.35 billion as of December 31, 2012. The largest aggregate principal amount outstanding during 2012 was approximately $7.0 billion. The total amount of principal and interest paid under the PTL Facilities during 2012 was approximately $6.0 billion and $125 million, respectively. Interest rates, which were based on loan duration and currency, ranged from 1.35% to 6.32% in 2012. Funding under the PTL Facilities has been under terms and conditions that are the same as or no less favorable to Truck Leasing, L.P. than those extended to GE Capitals wholly owned operating subsidiaries.
During 2012, as part of the agreement to recapitalize Truck Leasing, L.P., the partnership agreement between GE Capital and PTLC was extended from 2018 to 2023, and the maturity of $35 million of PTLC preferred stock held by a GE Capital subsidiary was extended from 2013 to 2017. In November 2012, Truck Leasing, L.P. approved a five-year extension of an arrangement originally established in 2007, under which PTLC conducts truck leasing activities directly with regional customers in Truck Leasing, L.P.s Baltimore District.
In addition, various GE businesses have arms-length commercial dealings with Penske entities, none of which is material individually or in the aggregate.
The son of Kathryn A. Cassidy, senior vice president and GE treasurer, is a manager in GE Capitals corporate risk group and earned $135,461 in base salary and bonus in 2012. His compensation is commensurate with his peers compensation.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 19
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COMPENSATION
MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL NO. 1 ADVISORY APPROVAL OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVES COMPENSATION
In accordance with Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Exchange Act), we are asking shareowners to approve the compensation paid to the companys named executives, as disclosed in this proxy statement on pages 20 to 41, in an advisory vote.
The Board recommends a vote FOR this proposal because it believes that our compensation policies and practices are effective in achieving the companys goals of rewarding sustained financial and operating performance and leadership excellence, aligning the executives long-term interests with those of our shareowners and motivating the executives to remain with the company for long and productive careers.
This advisory proposal, commonly referred to as a say-on-pay proposal, is not binding on the Board of Directors. Although the voting results are not binding, the Board and the MDCC will review and consider them when evaluating our executive compensation program.
The Board has adopted a policy of providing for annual say-on-pay advisory votes. The next say-on-pay advisory vote will occur at our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareowners.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of the compensation paid to the companys named executives, as disclosed in this proxy statement.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Overview of Executive Compensation Program
How We Determine Incentive Compensation
Annual Cash Bonuses. We pay annual cash bonuses to our named executives based on achieving specific performance goals for each executive, and the bonus amount is driven by the executives success in achieving these goals, as determined by the MDCC. The MDCC puts strong emphasis on evaluating the named executives contributions to the companys overall performance in addition to their individual business or function. Therefore, the specific company financial goals listed below for Mr. Immelt are also the key shared financial goals for Messrs. Sherin, Neal, Rice and Denniston, even though they also have additional performance goals for the businesses or functions they lead. The bonus amounts are not formulaically set at the time the goals are established but instead are determined using MDCC judgment after the completion of the performance period based on the MDCCs assessment of a number of quantitative and qualitative factors. This allows the MDCC to consider all aspects of an executives performance throughout the year, which typically cannot be accounted for under a rigid, formulaic model. Our annual cash bonuses are determined with the prior years award serving as an initial basis for consideration. After an assessment of a named executives ongoing performance and current-year contributions to the companys results, as well as the performance of any business or function he leads, the MDCC uses its judgment in determining the bonus amount, if any, and the resulting percentage change from the prior year. Because we emphasize consistent performance over time, the relative size of our named executives bonuses is driven by current-year, past and sustainable performance, and percentage increases or decreases in the amount of annual compensation therefore tend to be more gradual than in a framework that is focused solely or largely on current-year performance.
Annual Equity Incentive Awards. We typically grant annual equity incentive awards to our named executives in the form of stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) or, for the CEO, performance share units (PSUs). Equity awards encourage our named executives to continue to deliver results over a longer period of time and serve as a retention tool. In making equity awards, the MDCC follows a similar approach as described above for annual cash bonuses, except that the MDCCs compensation philosophy that puts emphasis on evaluating named executives based on company, rather than business or functional, performance, is even more pronounced with annual equity incentive awards and is more heavily influenced by expected future contributions to the companys long-term success. PSUs, which have formulaically determined payouts, convert into shares of GE stock only if the company achieves specified performance goals.
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COMPENSATION
Long-Term Performance Awards. We generally grant Long-Term Performance Awards (LTPAs) once every three years to our named executives. These awards have formulaically determined payouts, based on four equally weighted performance metrics. For the 20102012 LTPAs, these performance metrics were: (1) cumulative earnings per share (EPS); (2) cumulative Industrial cash from operating activities (Industrial CFOA); (3) 2012 Industrial return on average total capital (Industrial ROTC); and (4) ending net investment of GE Capital (ENI). The value of the awards is set as a multiple of the executives salary and bonus, and they are typically settled in cash after the MDCC certifies the extent to which the performance goals were achieved.
Summary
The MDCC believes that the CEO and other named executives have performed extremely well in a challenging global environment, and that their compensation is commensurate with this performance.
GE outperforms S&P 500. Under Mr. Immelts leadership, GE performed very well in 2012, with total shareowner return (TSR) growing 21%, well ahead of the 16% growth in the S&P 500. This return reflects the companys strong Industrial operating results, with 10% growth in segment profits, organic segment revenue growth of 8%, accelerating margin expansion, and record-high orders backlog of $210 billion at year-end. GE Capital also had a strong year, with segment profits growing 12%, while at the same time reducing GE Capital’s ENI by 6% (excluding cash and equivalents). This performance allowed GE Capital to restart its dividend to GE and maintain a strong Tier 1 Common Ratio of 10.2% (Basel 1 U.S.). GE followed a balanced capital allocation plan and returned a total of $12.4 billion to investors in 2012, including $7.2 billion in dividends and $5.2 billion in stock repurchases, increasing the dividend 12% for the fifth increase in three years, and continuing to invest in R&D and infrastructure adjacencies. Senior management also continued to make important changes to position the company for long-term growth, such as launching its Industrial Internet initiative and streamlining the companys operations through its simplification initiative.
Compensation decisions reflect a balanced and responsible pay approach. The MDCC has responsibility for oversight of GEs executive compensation framework and, within that framework and working with senior management, aligning pay with performance and creating incentives that reward responsible risk-taking, while also considering the environment in which compensation decisions are made.
Managements strong performance over the past three years led to an overall above-target achievement for the performance goals under the 20102012 LTPA program. Considering this payout as well as the value of recent equity awards, the MDCC determined not to grant equity awards to the CEO and vice chairmen in 2012.
In light of Mr. Immelt’s strong performance and leadership in 2012, Mr. Immelt received a $4.5 million bonus in 2012, a 13% increase from the preceding year. He also received a $12.1 million payout under the three-year LTPA program, which concluded in 2012. His salary remained unchanged. Mr. Immelt’s total compensation for 2012 increased from 2011 primarily because of the LTPA payout, which reflects performance over a three-year period. Mr. Immelt’s compensation for 2012 also reflects a $5.2 million increase in pension value, which is predominantly the result of an increase in his service and age and changes in actuarial pension assumptions.
The MDCC believes that its decisions on Mr. Immelt’s pay reflect his outstanding leadership and, consistent with prior years, represent a balanced approach to compensation. In this respect, the committee notes that, over the last five years, Mr. Immelt’s salary has remained unchanged and he twice requested (and the MDCC approved) that he receive no bonus. During this five-year period, GE’s earnings have ranked between 4th and 14th in the S&P 500, while Mr. Immelt’s compensation (excluding pension value change) has ranked between 79th and 329th among S&P 500 CEOs (169th in 2011, the most recent year for which SEC compensation data is available).
Compensation decisions for Messrs. Sherin, Neal, Rice and Denniston reflect their strong contributions to the company’s overall performance and that of their respective businesses or functions. Total compensation for these named executives was also significantly affected by the change in pension value and LTPA payouts covering all three years of the 2010-2012 performance period.
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Investor Outreach and the 2012 Say-on-Pay Vote
We annually undertake a review of the companys corporate governance, and, as part of this review, we meet with our largest investors and solicit their feedback on a variety of topics, including our executive compensation practices. See Investor Outreach on page 10 for more information regarding our investor outreach program. At our 2012 Annual Meeting, shareowners expressed a high level of support for the compensation of our named executives, with approximately 93% of the votes cast for approval of our executive compensation. Following the shareowner meeting, we met again with our investors to review compensation actions for the past year and discuss our say-on-pay vote.
The MDCC reviewed these voting results, evaluated investor feedback and considered other factors used in evaluating GEs executive compensation programs as discussed in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis , including the MDCCs assessment of the alignment of our compensation program with the long-term interests of our shareowners, the relationship between our risk management policies and practices and the incentive compensation we provide to our named executives. In addition, the MDCC considered executive compensation practices at the other component companies of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow 30) as a reference point in its assessment of the types and amount of compensation the company provides. After considering all of these factors, the MDCC reaffirmed the elements of our executive compensation program and policies.
Compensation Actions for 2012
CEO Compensation
Under Mr. Immelts leadership, management delivered the following results on the performance goals set by Mr. Immelt and the Board:
- Achieve strong Industrial segment growth. GEs Industrial segment had a strong year, with solid top-line performance and strong earnings results notwithstanding volatile markets. Full-year Industrial segment revenues were $102.8 billion, an 8% organic increase from 2011, which compares favorably with industrial peers. This was driven by double-digit growth in Power & Water, Oil & Gas, Energy Management and Transportation. The companys Industrial segment growth market revenues increased 11% over 2011, driven by double-digit growth in Russia, Australia/New Zealand, Latin America, China, Sub-Saharan Africa and ASEAN. Full-year Industrial segment profits were $15.5 billion, up 10% from $14.1 billion in 2011, with all segments growing. In addition, orders for the year were up 6% (excluding Wind) overall and 12% in growth regions, and the company ended the year with a record high orders backlog of $210 billion.
- Improve margins. Full-year Industrial profit margins improved by 30 basis points over 2011, from 14.8% to 15.1%, with a 120-basis-point margin expansion in the fourth quarter, which compares favorably with industrial peers. This reflects strong expansion across GEs Industrial businesses, driven by value gap expansion of $330 million, growing service margins and the companys simplification initiative. The Industrial segments, together with Corporate, also reduced SG&A expenses and achieved a 100-basis-point reduction in SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue.
- Restart the GE Capital dividend and build alternative funding sources. GE Capitals segment profits grew 12% to $7.4 billion from $6 .6 billion in 2011 while GE Capitals ENI shrunk to $419 billion (excluding cash and equivalents) at year-end, down from $445 billion at the end of 2011. In addition, Commercial Real Estate returned to profitability in 2012 while reducing assets by 24% or $15 billion. As a result of this strong performance, GE Capital returned a total of $6.4 billion in dividends to GE in 2012. In furtherance of the companys goal to build a stronger, more diversified funding base, management completed the acquisition of MetLifes deposit base and online deposit business. Alternative funding sources, including $46 billion in deposits and CDs, represented 26% of GE Capitals total debt at the end of 2012, up from 22% the year before.
- Execute a balanced capital allocation strategy. GEs TSR grew by 21% in 2012, well ahead of the 16% growth in the S&P 500. Driving this growth was managements execution on the companys balanced capital allocation plan, supported by solid cash from operating activities for the year of $17.8 billion, up 48% from 2011, which included the recommencement of the dividend from GE Capital. GE finished the year with a strong cash position, including cash and cash equivalents of $77 billion. The company returned a total of $12.4 billion to investors during the year, including $7.2 billion in dividends and $5.2 billion in stock repurchases. In December, the company raised its dividend 12% to $0.19 per share, the fifth increase in three years. In addition, GE continued to invest in global growth and infrastructure adjacencies. In the fourth quarter, the company announced a $4.3 billion agreement to purchase the aviation business of the Italian company Avio S.p.A., subject to regulatory approvals.
- Execute on key new product introductions and build software and analytics capability. As a result of the companys substantial long-term investment in R&D, including its Global Research Center network, GE launched several new products in 2012, helping to position the company for long-term growth. These included Power & Water’s FlexEfficiency 60, a new power plant technology, Transportation’s Tier 4 Evolution Series Locomotive, a prototype locomotive that will be the most fuel-efficient freight locomotive in its history, and Home & Business Solutions’ Mission 1 series of technologically advanced, energy efficient appliances. In addition, the company launched its Industrial Internet initiative, introducing nine new service technologies in industries ranging from energy and healthcare to aviation, rail and manufacturing.
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COMPENSATION
The MDCC believes that Mr. Immelt performed very well in 2012 by executing on this performance framework, including against the following fiscal 2012 financial objectives, most of which were met or exceeded.
| Financial Objectives for 2012 (in billions except percentage and per share
amounts) | Goal | Performance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Revenues | 153.0 | 147.4 |
| Industrial segment profits | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| GE Capital segment profits | 7.3 | 7.4 |
| Operating EPS | 1.51 | 1.52 |
| CFOA | 1415 | 17.8 |
| Industrial profit margins (%) | 15.4 | 15.1 |
| GE Capital ENI (target was to reduce) | 440425 | 419 |
| ROTC
(%) | 12.0 | 11.7 |
For a discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, see Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 53.
Mr. Immelts base salary, which was last increased in April 2005, was unchanged for 2012. In light of the MDCCs assessment of Mr. Immelts performance, he received a $4.5 million cash bonus, an increase of 13% from 2011. In addition, he received $12.1 million under his LTPA, based on the companys performance over the three-year period from 2010 to 2012. He did not receive any equity grants in 2012, consistent with the MDCCs determination not to grant equity awards to the CEO and vice chairmen. In making this determination, the MDCC considered expected LTPA payouts in 2013 as well as the value of recent equity awards.
As a result of these actions, Mr. Immelts total compensation for 2012 increased from 2011 primarily due to the $12.1 million LTPA payout, which is reported in full for 2012 pursuant to SEC rules but reflects Mr. Immelts and the companys strong performance over the three-year period from 2010 to 2012. In addition, Mr. Immelts total compensation for 2012 reflects a $5.2 million increase in pension value, which is predominantly the result of an increase in his service and age and changes in actuarial pension assumptions (for example, $1.8 million or 34% of the increase in Mr. Immelts pension value in 2012 was due solely to the reduction in the assumed discount rate).
The MDCC believes that its decisions on Mr. Immelt’s pay reflect his outstanding leadership and, consistent with prior years, represent a balanced approach to compensation. In this respect, the committee notes that, over the last five years, Mr. Immelt’s salary has remained unchanged and he twice requested (and the MDCC approved) that he receive no bonus. During this five-year period, GE’s earnings have ranked between 4th and 14th in the S&P 500, 1 while Mr. Immelt’s compensation has ranked between 79th and 329th among S&P 500 CEOs (169th in 2011, the most recent year for which SEC compensation data is available). 2
A significant portion of Mr. Immelts compensation historically has been delivered in the form of equity grants that are subject to performance goals. If the pre-established performance conditions are not met, these grants are forfeited. The table below shows Mr. Immelts outstanding performance-based equity grants as of December 31, 2012.
Outstanding CEO Performance-Based Equity Grants Table
| Grant Date | Type | Amount (#) | Performance Goals | Performance Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/11/08 | PSUs | 150,000 | 50% meet or exceed S&P 500 TSR | 20092013 |
| 50% 10% average annual growth in CFOA | ||||
| 12/31/09 | PSUs | 150,000 | 50% meet or exceed S&P 500 | |
| TSR | 20102014 | |||
| 50% achieve at least $70 billion in | ||||
| cumulative Industrial CFOA | ||||
| 3/4/10 | Options | 2,000,000 | 50% meet or exceed S&P 500 TSR | 20112014 |
| 50% achieve at least $55 billion in cumulative Industrial | ||||
| CFOA | ||||
| 6/10/11 | PSUs | 250,000 | 50% meet or exceed S&P 500 | |
| TSR | 20112015 | |||
| 50% achieve at | ||||
| least $71 billion in cumulative Industrial CFOA |
As an indication of Mr. Immelts alignment with shareowners, he has purchased over 876,000 shares in the open market since he became CEO in 2001. He has not sold any of the shares he has acquired upon the exercise of stock options or upon the vesting of RSUs or PSUs, net of those required to pay option exercise prices and taxes on such awards, since he became CEO.
1 Based on Bloomberg data for reported net earnings for the years shown.
2 Based on Equilar data for reported SEC total compensation minus the change in pension value. See footnote 7 to the 2012 Summary Compensation Table on page 32.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 23
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Compensation for Our Other Named Executives
Keith Sherin. Mr. Sherin has been our chief financial officer since 1998 and is also a vice chairman of the company. Since he joined GE in 1981, he has assumed roles with increasing responsibilities at many of our key businesses. As the leader of the companys finance organization, Mr. Sherins financial objectives focused on the overall performance of the company and were the same as Mr. Immelts. His strategic and operational goals included continuing to strengthen investor communications, supporting the companys global growth initiatives and strengthening the Finance function, refining the companys capital allocation strategy, driving cost reduction and improving cash flow, and continuing to build an effective enterprise risk management process.
Mr. Sherin had a strong year in 2012. In addition to his contribution toward the companys goals discussed above, the MDCC specifically recognized that he:
- drove GEs balanced capital allocation strategy through investing in organic growth, growing the dividend 12%, returning $5.2 billion to shareowners through share buybacks and completing focused M&A;
- maximized value in GE Capital, contributing significantly to GE Capitals recommencement of the dividend to GE in 2012;
- continued strengthening the Finance function, with significant global talent additions that supported Global Growth & Operations;
- further augmented and refined the risk framework for the Industrial businesses and the companys enterprise risk management processes, and strengthened communications with investors; and
- led simplification and cost reduction initiatives that significantly reduced SG&A expenses and improved working capital efficiency to generate strong CFOA of $17.8 billion.
In light of the MDCCs assessment of Mr. Sherins performance in 2012, he received a $3.5 million cash bonus, an 11% increase from 2011. In addition, he received $8.6 million under his LTPA, based on the companys performance over the three-year period from 2010 to 2012. His base salary also was increased by 11% to $2.05 million, effective January 1, 2013, after an 18-month interval since his last base salary increase, consistent with the companys standard practice for named executives. Mr. Sherins salary is commensurate with his position as a vice chairman and the CFO of one of the worlds most complex and largest multinational companies, and his experience, skills, judgment and sustained performance in executing his responsibilities. He did not receive any equity grants in 2012, consistent with the MDCCs determination not to grant equity awards to the CEO and vice chairmen.
Mike Neal. Mr. Neal has been the leader of our GE Capital business since its formation in September 2008 and is also a vice chairman of the company. Previously, he was the president and CEO of GE Commercial Finance and has held several leadership positions at other businesses since he joined GE in 1979. In addition to the companys overall goals, Mr. Neals financial objectives for the GE Capital segment included lowering GE Capitals ENI and increasing volume, earnings, the Tier 1 Common Ratio and return on investment. His strategic and operational goals included restarting the GE Capital dividend in 2012, continuing to manage GE Capitals regulatory transition, improving Commercial Real Estate performance, generating business at attractive margins, continuing to build a more diversified funding profile and strengthening the Treasury organization.
Under Mr. Neals leadership, GE Capital had a very good year in 2012. In addition to his contribution toward the companys goals discussed above, the MDCC specifically recognized that:
- GE Capital achieved very strong operating performance, with segment profits of $7.4 billion, up 12% from 2011, and all segments were profitable. This included Commercial Real Estate, which earned $0.8 billion in 2012, up $1.7 billion from 2011. GE Capital also improved pretax income, reduced SG&A expenses, and increased volume 7% to $183 billion over 2011, with higher net interest margins compared with financial services peers and attractive returns on investment. These accomplishments positioned GE Capital to restart the dividend and return $6.4 billion to GE in 2012;
- he continued to lead the evolution towards a smaller, more focused and safer GE Capital, with ENI of $419 billion (excluding cash and equivalents) at year-end, 6% lower than 2011, a Tier 1 Common Ratio of 10.2% (Basel 1 U.S.), which compared favorably with financial services peers and was up significantly from 2011 even after payment of dividends to GE, a strong liquidity position and improved portfolio quality. GE Capital also continued to build a more diversified funding profile, with alternative funding up $5 billion to $102 billion, representing 26% of GE Capitals total debt; and
- he continued to enhance GE Capitals risk management infrastructure, with continued build-out in its enterprise risk framework, including Treasurys risk control structure, and to manage GE Capitals regulatory transition.
In light of the MDCCs assessment of Mr. Neals performance in 2012, he received a $3.8 million cash bonus, an 11% increase from 2011. In addition, he received $9.1 million under his LTPA, based on the companys performance over the three-year period from 2010 to 2012. His base salary also was increased by 11% to $2.1 million, effective January 1, 2012, after an 18-month interval since his last base salary increase, consistent with the companys standard practice for named executives. Mr. Neals salary is commensurate with his position as a vice chairman of the company, and his experience, skills and judgment in leading GE Capital, which earned $7.4 billion in segment profits in 2012. He did not receive any equity grants in 2012, consistent with the MDCCs determination not to grant equity awards to the CEO and vice chairmen.
24 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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COMPENSATION
John Rice. Mr. Rice has been the leader of Global Growth & Operations since we consolidated our global operations into this organization in November 2010 and is also a vice chairman of the company. Previously, he was the leader of our Technology Infrastructure business, and since joining GE in 1978, he has served as president and CEO of GE Infrastructure, GE Industrial, GE Energy and GE Transportation Systems. In addition to the companys overall goals, Mr. Rices financial, strategic and operational goals for Global Growth & Operations focused on increasing global revenues with a particular focus on growth markets, reducing operating costs at Global Growth & Operations, strengthening the global leadership team, and launching international centers of excellence. Additional goals included supporting the companys service strategy, establishing a framework for enabling functions, establishing key global partnerships and improving organizational clarity and communication.
Mr. Rice led the Global Growth & Operations organization to a strong performance in 2012. In addition to his contribution toward the companys goals discussed above, the MDCC specifically recognized that:
- international revenues increased to $78 billion, led by solid Industrial segment revenues and a 12% increase in growth market orders;
- he successfully opened important international facilities that help strengthen key partnerships and support business growth. These included global innovation centers in China and Canada and centers of excellence in Aviation and Energy Management;
- he launched simplification efforts outside the U.S. by driving key organizational changes and targeting significant cost reduction projects; and
- Global Growth & Operations supported the companys service strategy, driving regional and commercial focus, opening a training center in Australia, and identifying opportunities to centralize and simplify global service operations.
In light of the MDCCs assessment of Mr. Rices performance in 2012, he received a $3.8 million cash bonus, a 12% increase from 2011. In addition, he received $9.4 million under his LTPA, based on the companys performance over the three-year period from 2010 to 2012. His base salary also was increased by 10% to $2.3 million, effective July 1, 2012, after an 18-month interval since his last base salary increase, consistent with the companys standard practice for named executives. Mr. Rices salary is commensurate with his position as a vice chairman of the company and his experience, skills and judgment in leading Global Growth & Operations. He did not receive any equity grants in 2012, consistent with the MDCCs determination not to grant equity awards to the CEO and vice chairmen.
Brackett B. Denniston III. Mr. Denniston has been our general counsel since 2004 and is also a senior vice president of the company. He previously served as vice president and senior counsel for Litigation and Legal Policy and joined GE in 1996. Mr. Dennistons financial objectives focused on the overall performance of the company and were the same as Mr. Immelts. His strategic and operational goals included resolving major regulatory and litigation matters effectively, continuing to build an effective enterprise risk management process, strengthening the companys intellectual property protection, continuing to support GE Capitals regulatory transition, and supporting the companys simplification and global growth initiatives.
Mr. Denniston had a strong year in 2012. In addition to his contribution toward the companys goals discussed above, the MDCC specifically recognized that he:
- oversaw successful resolutions of investigative matters and effectively managed major litigation;
- strengthened data and intellectual property protection by redefining and enhancing the companys strategy and key processes;
- provided critical leadership in the evolution of the companys risk management and regulatory/compliance infrastructure and oversight in a year in which the company was named for the seventh year in a row as one of the worlds most ethical companies;
- continued to strengthen the legal, governance and compliance functions through organizational realignments and significant global talent additions that supported Global Growth & Operations, while at the same time launching simplification efforts; and
- provided strong leadership of U.S. and global government affairs on important legislative and governmental priorities in trade, energy, healthcare and financial services.
In light of the MDCCs assessment of Mr. Dennistons performance, he received a $2.7 million cash bonus, a 10% increase from 2011, and was granted 800,000 stock options. In addition, he received $6.7 million under his LTPA, based on the companys performance over the three-year period from 2010 to 2012. His base salary also was increased by 10% to $1.65 million, effective July 1, 2012, after an 18-month interval since his last base salary increase, consistent with the companys standard practice for named executives. Mr. Dennistons salary is commensurate with his position as a senior vice president of the company and his experience, skills and judgment in leading the companys legal, governance, regulatory and compliance functions.
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Payout of 20102012 LTPAs
GE grants LTPAs to named executives only once every three or more years, in contrast to many companies that grant such awards annually. In February 2010, we granted contingent LTPAs to approximately 1,000 executives across the company, payable on the basis of the company achieving, on an overall basis for the three-year period from 2010 through 2012, specified goals based on four equally weighted performance metrics shown in the table below. The MDCC adopted these particular metrics because they directly align with the goals set at the companys annual financial and strategic planning session. The awards were payable in cash (or, at the MDCCs discretion, in stock) based on achievement of the threshold, target or maximum levels for any of the performance metrics shown in the table below, with payment amounts prorated for performance between the established levels. Under the terms of the LTPA program, the MDCC could adjust these metrics for any extraordinary items. For a discussion of how the LTPA performance metrics were calculated, see GE’s proxy website (see Helpful Resources on page 55).
Performance Levels for LTPAs Granted in 2010
For each named executive, the award was based on a multiple (i.e., 0.75x at threshold, 1.50x at target and 2.00x at maximum; multiples for other participants start at significantly lower levels) of the named executives base salary in effect in February 2013 plus the discretionary bonus awarded to him in February 2013 for the 2012 performance period. There would have been no LTPA payout for performance below the threshold level. A named executives LTPA was subject to forfeiture if the executives employment terminated for any reason other than disability, death or retirement before December 31, 2012.
As shown in the table above, the companys performance was near the maximum performance level for the EPS goal, was between the threshold and target performance levels for the Industrial CFOA goal, was between the threshold and target performance levels for the Industrial ROTC goal and exceeded the maximum performance level for the ENI goal. Overall, this represented achievement of above-target performance levels. As a result, the LTPA awards were paid out in cash to the named executives at the corresponding 1.55x multiple.
Our Compensation Framework
Our Goal
The goal of our executive compensation program is to retain and reward leaders who create long-term value for our shareowners. This goal affects the compensation elements we use and our compensation decisions. Our compensation program rewards sustained financial and operating performance and leadership excellence, aligns the executives long-term interests with those of our shareowners, and motivates executives to remain with the company for long and productive careers built on expertise.
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COMPENSATION
Key Considerations in Setting Pay
Emphasis on consistent, sustainable and relative performance. Our compensation program provides the greatest pay opportunity for executives who demonstrate superior performance for sustained periods of time. It also rewards named executives for executing the companys strategy through business cycles (for example, maintaining consistent levels of R&D investment through economic cycles), so that the achievement of long-term strategic objectives is not compromised by short-term considerations. All of our named executives have served the company for many years, during which time they have held diverse positions with increasing levels of responsibility. The amount of their pay reflects that they have consistently contributed, and are expected to continue to contribute, to the companys long-term success. In evaluating consistent performance, we also weigh relative performance of each executive in his industry segment or function. Our emphasis on consistent performance affects our annual cash bonus and equity incentive compensation, which are determined with the prior years award or grant serving as an initial basis for consideration. After an assessment of a named executives ongoing performance, and current-year contributions to the companys results, as well as the performance of any business or function he leads, the MDCC uses its judgment in determining the amount of bonus or equity award and the resulting percentage change from the prior year. For annual equity incentive awards, the MDCC primarily considers a named executives potential for future successful performance and leadership as part of the executive management team, taking into account past performance as a key indicator. Because we incorporate current-year, past and sustainable performance into our compensation decisions, any percentage increase or decrease in the amount of annual compensation tends to be more gradual than in a framework that is focused solely or largely on current-year performance.
Emphasis on future pay opportunity versus current pay. The MDCC strives to provide an appropriate mix of different compensation elements, including finding a balance among current versus long-term compensation and cash versus equity incentive compensation. Cash payments primarily reward more recent performance, while equity awards encourage our named executives to continue to deliver results over a longer period of time and serve as a retention tool. The MDCC believes that more of our named executives compensation should be at risk contingent on the companys operating and stock-price performance over the long term.
MDCC judgment. Except with respect to the payout of our LTPAs and the PSUs and performance-based options granted to our CEO, each of which depends on achieving specific quantitative performance objectives, the MDCC does not use formulas in determining the amount and mix of compensation. Rather, the MDCC evaluates a broad range of both quantitative and qualitative factors, including reliability in delivering financial and growth targets, performance in light of risk assumed, performance in the context of the economic environment relative to other companies, a track record of integrity, good judgment, the vision and ability to create further growth, and the ability to lead others. The evaluation of a named executives performance against his stated objectives plays a significant role in awarding the annual cash bonus and also contributes to a determination of overall compensation.
Significance of overall company results. The MDCCs evaluation of the named executives places strong emphasis on their contributions to the companys overall performance rather than focusing only on their individual business or function. The MDCC believes that the named executives, as key members of the companys leadership team, share the responsibility to support the goals and performance of the company. While this compensation philosophy influences all of the MDCCs compensation decisions, it has the biggest impact on annual equity incentive grants. Accordingly, the specific company financial goals listed above for Mr. Immelt are also the key shared financial goals for Messrs. Sherin, Neal, Rice and Denniston, even though they also have additional performance goals for the businesses or functions they lead.
Consideration of risk. Our compensation programs are balanced and focused on the long term. Under this structure, the highest amount of compensation can be achieved through consistent superior performance over sustained periods of time. In addition, large amounts of compensation are usually deferred or only realizable upon retirement. This provides strong incentives to manage the company for the long term while avoiding excessive risk-taking in the short term. Goals and objectives reflect a balanced mix of quantitative and qualitative performance measures to avoid placing excessive weight on a single performance measure. Likewise, the elements of compensation are balanced among current cash payments, deferred cash and equity awards. With limited exceptions, the MDCC retains discretion to adjust compensation for quality of performance and adherence to company values. The MDCC reviews the relationship between our risk management policies and practices and the incentive compensation we provide to our named executives to confirm that our incentive compensation does not encourage unnecessary and excessive risks. The MDCC also reviews the relationship between risk management policies and practices, corporate strategy and senior executive compensation.
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Limited use of compensation consultants and benchmarking data. From time to time, the MDCC and the companys human resources function have sought the views of Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (Frederic Cook) about market intelligence on compensation trends along with its views on particular compensation programs designed by our human resources function. For 2012, the MDCC did not consult directly with Frederic Cook, although the companys human resources function consulted with Frederic Cook to obtain its views and information on market practices relating to compensation and benefits for named executives. In addition, the companys human resources function consulted with Exequity to obtain its views and information on the companys broad-based 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which shareowners approved in 2007 and 2012. These services were obtained under hourly fee arrangements and not pursuant to a standing engagement. The MDCC and the company have adopted a policy that any compensation consultant used by the MDCC to advise on executive compensation will not at the same time advise the company on any other human resources matter. With respect to benchmark data, the MDCC considers executive compensation at the other component companies in the Dow 30 only as one among several factors in setting pay. The MDCC does not target a percentile within this Dow 30 peer group and instead uses the comparative data only as a reference point in its determination of the types and amounts of compensation based on its own evaluation.
No employment and severance agreements. Our named executives do not have individual employment, severance or change-of-control agreements. They serve at the will of the Board, which enables us to set the terms of any termination of employment. To preserve the MDCCs flexibility to consider the facts and circumstances of any particular situation, we provide limited guaranteed post-termination benefits such as death and disability benefits, which are discussed under 2012 Potential Payments upon Termination at Fiscal Year-End on page 39. We have a policy to seek shareowner approval for any future agreement or policy to pay named executives unearned death benefits, which is discussed under Shareowner Approval of Severance and Death Benefits on page 31. Other than retirement benefits, which serve as a retention tool, post-employment benefits have little bearing on our annual compensation decisions.
Performance objectives and evaluations for our named executives. At the beginning of each year, Mr. Immelt develops the objectives that he believes should be achieved for the company to be successful, which he then reviews with the MDCC for the corollary purpose of establishing how his performance will be assessed. These objectives are derived largely from the companys annual financial and strategic planning sessions, during which in-depth reviews of the companys growth opportunities are analyzed and goals are established for the upcoming year. For example, the sale of NBC Universal and the redeployment of the capital into companies in the growing energy sector was a key strategic goal that was set at the 2009 financial and strategic planning session. The objectives include both quantitative financial measurements and qualitative strategic and operational considerations that are evaluated subjectively, without any formal weightings, and are focused on the factors that our CEO and the Board believe create long-term shareowner value. Mr. Immelt reviews and discusses preliminary considerations as to his own compensation with the MDCC. In developing these considerations, he solicits the input of, and receives advice and data from, our senior vice president, human resources. Mr. Immelt does not participate in the final determination of his own compensation. The other named executives are leaders of individual businesses or functions of the company. As part of the executive management team, they report directly to Mr. Immelt, who develops the objectives that they are expected to achieve and against which their performance is assessed. As with Mr. Immelt, these objectives are reviewed with the MDCC at the beginning of each year and are derived largely from the companys annual financial and strategic planning sessions in which the other named executives participate. Like Mr. Immelts objectives, the named executives objectives include both quantitative financial measurements and qualitative strategic and operational considerations affecting the company and the businesses or functions that the named executives lead. Mr. Immelt leads the assessment of each named executives individual performance against his objectives, the companys overall performance and the performance of his business or function. Mr. Immelt then makes an initial compensation recommendation to the MDCC for each named executive, again with the advice of our senior vice president, human resources. The named executives do not play a role in their compensation determinations, other than discussing with the CEO their individual performance against their predetermined objectives.
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COMPENSATION
Compensation Elements We Use to Achieve Our Goal
Base salary and bonus. Base salaries for our named executives depend on the scope of their responsibilities, leadership skills and values, performance and length of service. Decisions regarding salary increases are affected by the named executives current salary and the amounts paid to their peers within and outside the company. Base salary rates for the named executives are generally eligible to be increased at intervals of 18 months or longer. We pay cash bonuses to the named executives each February for the prior year based upon the evaluation by the MDCC (and the CEO for named executives other than the CEO) of the executives performance against stated goals and objectives, as discussed above.
Stock options and RSUs. The companys equity incentive compensation program is designed to recognize scope of responsibilities, reward demonstrated performance and leadership, align the interests of the named executive with those of our shareowners and retain the named executive. We use grants of stock options and RSUs as a means to effectively focus our named executives on delivering long-term value to our shareowners because options only have value to the extent that the price of GE stock on the date of exercise exceeds the stock price on the grant date, and RSUs reward and retain the named executives by offering them the opportunity to receive shares of GE stock on the date the restrictions lapse as long as they continue to be employed by the company. Unvested stock options and RSUs generally are forfeited if the named executive voluntarily leaves GE and are vested if he reaches age 60 and retires prior to the scheduled vesting. The RSUs pay dividend equivalents prior to the lapse of restrictions, equal to the quarterly dividends on GE stock. None of the named executives, other than Mr. Denniston, received equity awards in 2012. See CEO Compensation on page 22 for more information.
PSUs. Generally, we have compensated our CEO with PSUs in lieu of any other equity incentive compensation because the MDCC and the CEO believe that his equity awards should be based on key performance measures that are aligned with our shareowners interests and fully at risk based on these measures. Dividend equivalents are paid out only on shares actually received. The MDCC did not grant the CEO any PSUs in 2012. See CEO Compensation on page 22 for more information.
LTPAs. Since 1994, we have granted LTPAs generally every three years to our named executives and other selected leaders, except that in 2009 the MDCC postponed the renewal of this program until 2010 and instead focused on equity compensation. These awards have been based on meeting or exceeding long-term performance metrics that the MDCC sets at the beginning of each performance period. We have largely used consistent performance metrics (earnings, cash generation and return on total capital) over the last four LTPA programs. Any change in metrics from program to program has reflected the alignment of our long-term performance programs with our strategic focus (as was the case with the ENI metric in our 20102012 LTPA program). See Payout of 20102012 LTPAs on page 26 for information on payouts under our 20102012 LTPA program.
Deferred compensation. The company has offered periodically both a deferred salary plan and a deferred bonus plan, with only the deferred salary plan providing for payment of an above-market rate of interest as defined by the SEC. These plans are available to approximately 3,500 eligible employees in the executive band and above. Individuals who are named executives at the time a deferred salary plan is offered (the last such plan was offered in 2010 for 2011 salary) are not offered the opportunity to participate. The plans are intended to promote retention by providing a long-term savings opportunity on a tax-efficient basis. The deferred salary plan is viewed as a strong retention tool because executives generally must remain with the company for at least five years from the time of deferral to receive any interest on deferred balances. In addition, because the deferral plans are unfunded and deferred salary and bonus payments are satisfied from the companys general assets, the deferral plans provide a strong incentive for the companys executives to minimize risks that could jeopardize the long-term financial health of the company. The deferred bonus plan allows executives to defer up to 100% of their discretionary annual cash bonus in GE stock units, S&P 500 Index units or cash units. Under both plans, payouts commence following termination of employment.
Pension plans. The company provides retirement benefits to the named executives under the same GE Pension Plan , GE Supplementary Pension Plan and GE Excess Benefits Plan in which other executives and employees participate. The GE Pension Plan is a broad-based tax-qualified plan under which employees are eligible to retire at age 60 or later. The company also offers to approximately 3,500 eligible employees in the executive band and above the GE Supplementary Pension Plan to increase retirement benefits above amounts available under the GE Pension Plan. Unlike the GE Pension Plan, the Supplementary Pension Plan is an unfunded, unsecured obligation of the company and is not qualified for tax purposes. The Supplementary Pension Plan is one of the companys strongest retention tools because participants generally forfeit any benefits under the plan if they leave the company prior to reaching age 60. We therefore believe that this plan allows us to significantly reduce departures of high-performing executives and greatly enhances the caliber of the companys executive workforce. In addition, because the Supplementary Pension Plan is unfunded and benefit payments are satisfied from the companys general assets, it provides a strong incentive for the companys executives to minimize risks that could jeopardize the long-term financial health of the company. Salaried employees who commenced service on or after January 1, 2011, and any employee who commenced service on or after January 1, 2012, are not eligible to participate in the GE Pension Plan or GE Excess Benefits Plan, but are eligible to participate in a defined contribution retirement program. The named executives do not have significant benefits accrued under the GE Excess Benefits Plan.
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Other compensation. We provide our named executives with other benefits, reflected in the All Other Comp. column in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table on page 32, that we believe are reasonable, competitive and consistent with the companys overall executive compensation program. In 2011, at the companys request, Mr. Rice and his family relocated on a non-permanent basis to Hong Kong in connection with his assignment leading Global Growth & Operations, which is headquartered in Hong Kong, and to be closer to major emerging markets. The companys expatriate assignment policy provides benefits for all employees working on non-permanent international assignments in jurisdictions other than their home country. The expatriate assignment benefits provided to Mr. Rice are the same as the benefits provided to all other employees under the policy, although the cost of the benefits varies from country to country and in Mr. Rices case is affected primarily by the high cost of living in Hong Kong. Under the policy, the company will be responsible for any additional U.S. or foreign taxes due as a direct result of the employees international assignment, and Mr. Rice remains financially responsible for the amount of taxes he would have incurred if he had continued to live and work in the United States.
Other Compensation Practices
Role of the MDCC and Executives in Establishing and Implementing Compensation Goals
The MDCC has the primary responsibility for assisting the Board in developing and evaluating potential candidates for executive positions and for overseeing the development of executive succession plans. As part of this responsibility, the MDCC oversees the design, development and implementation of the compensation program for the CEO and the other named executives. Our CEO and senior vice president, human resources, assist the MDCC in administering our compensation programs. The senior vice president, human resources, assists the MDCC and participates in its deliberations about compensation matters by providing advisory services and information, such as past compensation, compensation practices and guidelines, company performance, current industry compensation practices and competitive market information. Information setting forth the total annual compensation of each named executive, and potential retirement benefits accruing to each, is also assembled by the human resources function for the MDCC.
Share Ownership, Holding Period and Anti-Hedging Requirements
We require our named executives to own significant amounts of GE stock. These share ownership requirements are set forth in the MDCCs Key Practices, which are published on GEs website (see Helpful Resources on page 55). The number of shares of GE stock that must be held is set at a multiple of an executives base salary. All named executives are in compliance with our stock ownership requirements. The named executives ownership is shown in the Common Stock and Total Stock-Based Holdings Table on page 18. In addition, they are required to hold for at least one year any net shares of GE stock that they receive through the exercise of their stock option awards. To prevent speculation or hedging of named executives interests in our equity, we prohibit short sales of GE stock, or the purchase or sale of options, puts, calls, straddles, equity swaps or other derivative securities that are directly linked to GE stock, by our named executives.
Equity Grant Practices
The exercise price of each stock option awarded under the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan is the closing price of GE stock on the date of grant, which is the date of the MDCC meeting at which equity awards for the named executives are determined. Board and committee meetings are generally scheduled at least a year in advance. Scheduling decisions are made without regard to anticipated earnings or other major announcements by the company. We prohibit the repricing of stock options.
Tax Deductibility of Compensation
The Internal Revenue Code imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to the companys CEO or any of the companys three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the CFO) who are employed as of the end of the year. This limitation does not apply to compensation that meets the tax code requirements for qualifying performance-based compensation (i.e., compensation paid only if the individuals performance meets pre-established objective goals based on performance criteria approved by shareowners). With respect to compensation reported in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table for 2012, the payments of annual cash bonuses and LTPAs were designed to satisfy the requirements for deductible compensation, but we may make awards that do not qualify as deductible compensation.
Potential Impact on Compensation from Executive Misconduct
If the Board determines that an executive officer has engaged in conduct detrimental to the company, the Board may take a range of actions to remedy the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and impose such discipline as would be appropriate. Discipline would vary depending on the facts and circumstances, and may include, without limitation: (1) termination of employment; (2) initiating an action for breach of fiduciary duty; and (3) if the conduct resulted in a material inaccuracy in the companys financial statements or performance metrics that affect the executive officers compensation, seeking reimbursement of any portion of performance-based or incentive compensation paid or awarded to the executive that is greater than would have been paid or awarded if calculated based on the accurate financial statements or performance metrics. If the Board determines that an executive engaged in fraudulent misconduct, it will seek such reimbursement. These remedies would be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any actions imposed by law enforcement agencies, regulators or other authorities.
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COMPENSATION
Shareowner Approval of Severance and Death Benefits
If the Board were to agree to pay severance benefits to any of the named executives, we would seek shareowner approval of such benefits if: (1) the executives employment was terminated prior to retirement for performance reasons, and (2) the value of the proposed severance benefits would exceed 2.99 times the sum of the named executives base salary and bonus. For this purpose, severance benefits would not include: (1) any payments based on accrued pension benefits; (2) any payments of salary or bonus amounts that had accrued at the time of termination; (3) any RSUs paid to a named executive who was terminated within two years prior to age 60; (4) any stock-based incentive awards that had vested or would otherwise have vested within two years following the named executives termination; and (5) any retiree health, life or other welfare benefits. In addition, the Board will seek shareowner approval for any future agreement or policy that would require the company to make payments, grants or awards of unearned amounts following the death of any of its named executives. This policy does not apply to payments, grants or awards of the sort that are offered to other company employees. For this purpose, future agreement includes the modification or amendment of any existing agreement.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The MDCC has reviewed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis and discussed that analysis with management. Based on its review and discussions with management, the committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2012 and the companys 2013 proxy statement. This report is provided by the following independent directors, who comprise the committee:
| Ralph S. Larsen (Chairman) | Robert W. Lane | Sam Nunn |
|---|---|---|
| James I. Cash, Jr. | Andrea Jung | Douglas A. Warner |
| III |
2012 REALIZED COMPENSATION
The SECs calculation of total compensation, as shown in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table on page 32, includes several items that are driven by accounting and actuarial assumptions, which are not necessarily reflective of compensation actually realized by the named executives in a particular year. To supplement the SEC-required disclosure, we have included the additional table below, which shows compensation actually realized by each named executive, as reported on the named executives W-2 form for each of the years shown.
2012 Realized Compensation Table
| Name and Principal Position | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey R. Immelt | 2012 | $7,907,751 |
| Chairman of the Board and | ||
| CEO | 2011 | 7,822,378 |
| 2010 | 5,666,142 | |
| Keith S. | ||
| Sherin | 2012 | $6,574,575 |
| Vice Chairman | ||
| and CFO | 2011 | 6,760,856 |
| 2010 | 6,147,587 | |
| Michael A. Neal | 2012 | $6,927,241 |
| Vice Chairman | 2011 | 6,893,639 |
| 2010 | 6,896,941 | |
| John G. | ||
| Rice | 2012 | $8,484,728 |
| Vice | ||
| Chairman | 2011 | 6,884,336 |
| 2010 | 5,488,225 | |
| Brackett B. Denniston | ||
| III | 2012 | $6,736,113 |
| SVP, General Counsel and Secretary |
1 Amounts reported as realized compensation differ substantially from the amounts determined under SEC rules and reported as total compensation in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table. Realized compensation is not a substitute for total compensation. For a reconciliation of amounts reported as realized compensation and amounts reported as total compensation, see page 53. For more information on total compensation as calculated under SEC rules, see the narrative and notes accompanying the 2012 Summary Compensation Table on page 32.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 31
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2012 SUMMARY COMPENSATION
GE grants LTPAs to named executives only once every three or more years, in contrast to many companies that grant such awards annually. Nevertheless, pursuant to SEC rules, LTPA payouts are reported in full for 2012 in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan Comp. and SEC Total columns in the Summary Compensation Table. To reflect that LTPA payouts reward performance for each of the years in the performance period, we have added the SEC Total With Annualized LTPA Payout column to the right of the Summary Compensation Table to show SEC total compensation with the LTPA payout reported on an annualized basis.
2012 Summary Compensation Table
| Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary | Bonus | Stock Awards | Option Awards | 3 | | Change in Pension Value and
Nonqualified Deferred Comp. Earnings | All Other Comp. | SEC
Total | SEC Total Without Change
in Pension Value | SEC
Total With Annualized LTPA Payout |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Jeffrey R. Immelt | 2012 | $ 3,300,000 | $ 4,500,000 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ | 12,080,250 | $ 5,351,595 | $ 574,507 | $ 25,806,352 | $ 20,592,769 | $ 17,752,852 |
| Chairman
of the Board | 2011 | 3,300,000 | 4,000,000 | 3,579,250 | 0 | | 0 | 10,254,787 | 447,191 | 21,581,228 | 11,449,617 | 25,607,978 |
| and
CEO | 2010 | 3,300,000 | 4,000,000 | 0 | 7,400,000 | 9 | 0 | 6,338,956 | 389,809 | 21,428,765 | 15,199,762 | 25,455,515 |
| Keith S.
Sherin | 2012 | $ 1,850,000 | $ 3,500,000 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ | 8,595,563 | $ 5,953,692 | $ 258,110 | $ 20,157,365 | $ 14,302,883 | $ 14,426,990 |
| Vice Chairman | 2011 | 1,765,000 | 3,150,000 | 0 | 3,391,500 | | 0 | 7,654,982 | 249,461 | 16,210,942 | 8,645,537 | 19,076,130 |
| and CFO | 2010 | 1,680,000 | 3,000,000 | 0 | 4,070,000 | | 0 | 3,872,410 | 187,031 | 12,809,441 | 9,017,929 | 15,674,628 |
| Michael A.
Neal | 2012 | $ 2,100,000 | $ 3,800,000 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ | 9,137,625 | $ 7,821,436 | $ 343,922 | $ 23,202,983 | $ 15,497,598 | $ 17,111,233 |
| Vice
Chairman | 2011 | 1,900,000 | 3,440,000 | 0 | 3,391,500 | | 0 | 8,199,310 | 375,045 | 17,305,855 | 9,210,135 | 20,351,730 |
| | 2010 | 1,825,000 | 3,250,000 | 0 | 4,070,000 | | 0 | 4,817,038 | 226,639 | 14,188,677 | 9,464,118 | 17,234,552 |
| John G.
Rice | 2012 | $ 2,200,000 | $ 3,800,000 | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ | 9,447,375 | $ 7,524,925 | $ 2,075,677 | $ 25,047,977 | $ 17,678,431 | $ 18,749,727 |
| Vice Chairman | 2011 | 2,100,000 | 3,400,000 | 0 | 3,391,500 | | 0 | 9,787,500 | 1,900,141 | 20,579,141 | 10,931,830 | 23,728,266 |
| | 2010 | 1,825,000 | 3,175,000 | 0 | 4,070,000 | | 0 | 5,006,883 | 248,259 | 14,325,142 | 9,444,779 | 17,474,267 |
| Brackett B. Denniston
III | 2012 | $ 1,575,000 | $ 2,650,000 | $ 0 | $ 3,040,000 | $ | 6,659,625 | $ 1,909,377 | $ 461,890 | $ 16,295,892 | $ 14,401,341 | $ 11,856,142 |
| SVP, General Counsel | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| and
Secretary 10 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1 | Each of the named executives contributed a portion of
his salary to the GE Savings and Security Program, the companys 401(k)
savings plan. |
| --- | --- |
| 2 | This column represents the dollar amounts for the years
shown of the aggregate grant date fair value of PSUs granted in those
years in accordance with SEC rules. Generally, the aggregate grant date
fair value is the amount that the company expects to expense in its
financial statements over the awards vesting schedule. These amounts
reflect the companys accounting expense and do not correspond to the
actual value that will be realized by Mr. Immelt. |
| 3 | This column represents the dollar amounts for the years
shown of the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted in
those years in accordance with SEC rules. These amounts reflect the
companys accounting expense and do not correspond to the actual value
that will be realized by the named executives. For information on the
valuation assumptions, refer to the note on Other Stock-Related
Information in the GE financial statements in the Annual Report on Form
10-K for the respective year-end, as filed with the SEC. See the 2012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 34 for
information on stock options granted in 2012. |
| 4 | This column represents the amounts earned under the LTPA
program, which generally is provided only once every three or more years
and reflects achievement of pre-established performance goals over the
three-year period from 2010 to 2012. See Payout of
20102012 LTPAs on page 26 for additional information. |
| 5 | This column represents the sum of the change in pension
value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings for each of the
named executives. The change in pension value in 2012 was $5,213,583,
$5,854,482, $7,705,385, $7,369,546 and $1,894,551 for Messrs. Immelt,
Sherin, Neal, Rice and Denniston, respectively. The increase in the
pension value for Mr. Immelt is predominantly based on an increase in his
service and age, and changes in actuarial pension assumptions. In
particular, a significant portion (approximately $1.8 million or 34%) of
the increase in Mr. Immelts pension value in 2012 was due solely to the
reduction in the assumed discount rate. If the discount rate had increased
from 4.21% to 4.73%, there would have been no increase in Mr. Immelts
pension value. See 2012 Pension Benefits on
page 37 for additional information, including the present value
assumptions used in this calculation. In 2012, the above-market earnings
on the executive deferred salary plans in which the named executives
participated were $138,012, $99,210, $116,051, $155,379 and $14,826 for
Messrs. Immelt, Sherin, Neal, Rice and Denniston, respectively.
Above-market earnings represent the difference between market interest
rates calculated pursuant to SEC rules and the 6% to 14% interest
contingently credited by the company on salary deferred by the named
executives under various executive deferred salary plans in effect between
1987 and 2012. See 2012 Nonqualified Deferred
Compensation on page 38 for additional information. |
| 6 | See the 2012 All Other
Compensation Table on page 33 for additional information. |
| 7 | In order to show the effect that the year-over-year
change in pension value had on total compensation, as determined under
applicable SEC rules, we have included this column to show total
compensation minus the change in pension value. The amounts reported in
the SEC Total Without Change in Pension Value column differ substantially
from the amounts reported in the SEC Total column required under SEC rules
and are not a substitute for total compensation. SEC Total Without Change
in Pension Value represents total compensation, as determined under
applicable SEC rules, minus the change in pension value reported in the
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Comp. Earnings column
(but including the nonqualified deferred compensation earnings reported in
that column) and described in footnote 5 to this table. |
| 8 | In accordance with SEC rules, the payouts of the
20102012 LTPA program have been included in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Comp. column in full for 2012. As these awards are granted only once every
three or more years and reflect the companys performance over the
three-year period from 2010 to 2012, we have included this column to show
total compensation for the years shown with the LTPAs reported on an
annualized basis (an equal portion of the LTPA payout is allocated to each
of the years in the performance period). The amounts reported in the SEC
Total With Annualized LTPA Payout column differ substantially from the
amounts reported in the SEC Total column required under SEC rules and are
not a substitute for total compensation. SEC Total With Annualized LTPA
Payout represents total compensation, as determined under applicable SEC
rules, minus the LTPA payout reported in the Non-Equity Incentive Plan
Comp. column, and plus one-third of the LTPA payout reported in the
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Comp. column. |
| 9 | In April 2011 we modified Mr. Immelts March 2010 option
grant to add performance conditions. The grant date fair value of these
stock options would have been $6,670,000 if the performance conditions
that subsequently were added by the MDCC had been present on the grant
date. |
| 10 | In accordance with SEC rules, we have excluded Mr.
Dennistons compensation for 2010 and 2011 as he was not a named executive
during that time. |
32 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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Table of Contents
COMPENSATION
2012 ALL OTHER COMPENSATION
We provide our named executives with additional benefits, reflected in the table below for 2012 and included in the All Other Comp. column in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table above, that we believe are reasonable, competitive and consistent with the companys overall executive compensation program. The costs of these benefits, which are shown below after giving effect to any reimbursements by the named executives, constitute only a small percentage of each named executives total compensation. Expatriate tax benefits provided to Mr. Rice are consistent with those provided under the companys policy for all employees working on non-permanent international assignments in jurisdictions other than their home country.
2012 All Other Compensation Table
| Name of
Executive | Other
Benefits 1 | Value of
Supplemental Life Insurance Premiums 2 | Payments Relating
to Employee
Savings Plan 3 | Expatriate Tax Benefits | | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Immelt | $ 348,613 | $217,144 | $8,750 | $
0 | | $
574,507 |
| Sherin | $
105,060 | $144,300 | $8,750 | $
0 | | $ 258,110 |
| Neal | $
91,267 | $243,905 | $8,750 | $
0 | | $ 343,922 |
| Rice | $1,337,686 | $189,624 | $8,750 | $539,617 | 4 | $2,075,677 |
| Denniston | $
103,324 | $349,816 | $8,750 | $
0 | | $ 461,890 |
| 1 | See the 2012 Other Benefits Table
below for additional information. |
| --- | --- |
| 2 | This column reports taxable
payments made to the named executives to cover premiums for universal life
insurance policies owned by the executives. These policies include: (a)
Executive Life, which provides universal life insurance policies for the
named executives totaling $3 million in coverage at the time of
enrollment, increased 4% annually thereafter; and (b) Leadership Life,
which provides universal life insurance policies for the named executives
with coverage of two times their annual pay (salary plus 100% of their
latest bonus payments). |
| 3 | This column reports company
matching contributions to the named executives 401(k) savings accounts of
3.5% of pay up to the limitations imposed under IRS rules. |
| 4 | This amount represents the tax
gross-up payments made on behalf of Mr. Rice in connection with his
non-permanent relocation, at the companys request, to Hong Kong,
consistent with the companys policy for all employees working on
non-permanent international assignments in jurisdictions other than their
home country, as described under Other
Compensation on page 30. The companys expatriate assignment policy
provides that the company will be responsible for any additional U.S. or
foreign taxes due as a direct result of an employees international
assignment, and that the employee remains financially responsible for the
amount of taxes he would have incurred if he had continued to live and
work in his home country. |
2012 OTHER BENEFITS
The following table describes other benefits and the incremental cost to the company of providing them in 2012. The total amount of these other benefits is included in the 2012 All Other Compensation Table above for each named executive.
2012 Other Benefits Table
| Name of Executive | Use of
Aircraft 1 | Leased
Cars 2 | Financial Counseling
and Tax Preparation 3 | Other 4 | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Immelt | $256,301 | $32,913 | $17,300 | $
42,099 | $ 348,613 |
| Sherin | $ 41,441 | $24,656 | $13,800 | $
25,163 | $ 105,060 |
| Neal | $ 72,158 | $ 7,579 | $ 0 | $
11,530 | $
91,267 |
| Rice | $175,617 | $ 0 | $ 7,416 | $1,154,653 | $1,337,686 |
| Denniston | $
6,075 | $30,566 | $20,703 | $ 45,980 | $
103,324 |
| 1 | The calculation of
incremental cost for personal use of company aircraft includes the
variable costs incurred as a result of personal flight activity: a portion
of ongoing maintenance and repairs, aircraft fuel, satellite
communications and any travel expenses for the flight crew. It excludes
non-variable costs, such as exterior paint, interior refurbishment and
regularly scheduled inspections, which would have been incurred regardless
of whether there was any personal use of aircraft. Aggregate incremental
cost, if any, of travel by the executives family or other guests when
accompanying the executive on both business and non-business occasions is
also included. |
| --- | --- |
| 2 | Includes expenses associated
with the leased cars program, such as leasing and management fees,
administrative costs, maintenance costs and gas allowance. |
| 3 | Includes expenses associated
with the use of advisors for financial, estate and tax preparation and
planning, as well as investment analysis and advice. |
| 4 | This column reports the
total amount of other benefits provided, none of which individually
exceeded the greater of $25,000 or 10% of the total amount of benefits
included in the 2012 Other Benefits Table for the named executive (except
as otherwise described in this footnote), such as: (1) car service fees;
(2) home alarm and generator installation, maintenance and monitoring
(which, for Mr. Denniston, was $27,078); (3) participation in the
Executive Products and Lighting Program pursuant to which executives can
receive GE appliances or other products with incremental cost calculated
based on the fair market value of the products received; (4) an annual
physical examination and miscellaneous exercise equipment; and (5) certain
expenses associated with the named executives and their invited guests
attendance at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England, of which GE was
an official sponsor. |
| | With respect to Mr. Rice,
this column also reports the following benefits provided to him in
connection with his non-permanent relocation, at the companys request, to
Hong Kong, consistent with the companys policy for all employees working
on non-permanent international assignments in jurisdictions other than
their home country, as described under Other Compensation on page 30:
(1) cost-of-living adjustment ($290,430); (2) housing and utilities
($696,726); (3) car and driver ($39,544); and (4) other expatriate
allowances and expenses. Any benefits paid in Hong Kong dollars (HKD) were
converted to U.S. dollars (USD) on a monthly basis using the following
average monthly exchange rates for 2012: January7.78 HKD per USD;
February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September7.76 HKD per
USD; October, November, December7.75 HKD per
USD. |
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 33
Table of Contents
2012 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS
The following table provides information about awards granted to the named executives in 2012: (1) the grant date; (2) the number of shares underlying stock options granted to the named executives under the 2007 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which shareowners approved in 2007 and 2012; (3) the exercise price of the stock option grants, which reflects the closing price of GE stock on the date of grant; and (4) the grant date fair value of each option grant computed in accordance with applicable SEC rules.
2012 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table
| Name of Executive | Grant Date | All Other Option
Awards: Number of Securities Underlying
Options 1 | Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards | Grant Date Fair
Value of Option Awards 2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Immelt | | | | |
| Sherin | | | | |
| Neal | | | | |
| Rice | | | | |
| Denniston | 9/7/12 | 800,000 | $21.59 | $3,040,000 |
| 1 | This column shows the number of
stock options granted, which will vest in full one year from the date of
grant due to Mr. Denniston being retirement-eligible. See 2012 Potential Payments upon Termination at Fiscal
Year-End on page 39 for more information on the requirements for an
award to qualify for retirement-eligible accelerated
vesting. |
| --- | --- |
| 2 | This column shows the aggregate
grant date fair value, computed in accordance with applicable SEC rules,
of stock options granted to the named executives in 2012. Generally, the
aggregate grant date fair value is the amount that the company expects to
expense in its financial statements over the awards vesting schedule. For
stock options, fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes value of
an option on the grant date ($3.80 on September 7,
2012). |
2012 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
The following table provides information on the current holdings of stock and option grants by the named executives. This table includes unexercised (both vested and unvested) option grants and unvested RSUs and PSUs with vesting conditions that were not satisfied as of December 31, 2012. Each equity grant is shown separately for each named executive. The vesting schedule for each outstanding award is shown following this table. For additional information about these awards, see the description of equity incentive compensation under Compensation Elements We Use to Achieve Our Goal on page 29.
34 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
COMPENSATION
2012 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table
| Name of Executive | Option Awards — Option Grant Date | Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (Exercisable) | Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (Unexercis- able) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number
of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options | Option Exercise Price | Option Expiration Date | Stock Awards — Stock Award Grant Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have
Not Vested | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock
That Have Not Vested 1 | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number
of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have
Not Vested | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market
or Payout Value of Unearned Shares,
Units or Other Rights That Have
Not Vested 1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Immelt | 3/4/10 | | | 2,000,000 | $16.11 | 3/4/20 | 7/3/89 | 60,000 | $1,259,400 | | |
| | | | | | | | 12/20/91 | 72,000 | 1,511,280 | | |
| | | | | | | | 6/23/95 | 75,000 | 1,574,250 | | |
| | | | | | | | 6/26/98 | 112,500 | 2,361,375 | | |
| | | | | | | | 11/24/00 | 150,000 | 3,148,500 | | |
| | | | | | | | 12/11/08 | | | 150,000 | $3,148,500 |
| | | | | | | | 12/31/09 | | | 150,000 | 3,148,500 |
| | | | | | | | 6/10/11 | | | 250,000 | 5,247,500 |
| Total | | | | 2,000,000 | | | | 469,500 | 9,854,805 | 550,000 | 11,544,500 |
| Sherin | 9/12/03 | 240,000 | | | $31.53 | 9/12/13 | 12/20/96 | 30,000 | $ 629,700 | | |
| | 9/17/04 | 270,000 | | | 34.22 | 9/17/14 | 6/26/98 | 45,000 | 944,550 | | |
| | 9/16/05 | 300,000 | | | 34.47 | 9/16/15 | 7/29/99 | 30,000 | 629,700 | | |
| | 9/8/06 | 250,000 | | | 34.01 | 9/8/16 | 6/2/00 | 30,000 | 629,700 | | |
| | 9/7/07 | 275,000 | | | 38.75 | 9/7/17 | 9/10/01 | 25,000 | 524,750 | | |
| | 9/9/08 | 240,000 | 60,000 | | 28.12 | 9/9/18 | 9/12/03 | 62,500 | 1,311,875 | | |
| | 3/12/09 | 600,000 | 400,000 | | 9.57 | 3/12/19 | 6/5/08 | 20,000 | 419,800 | | |
| | 7/23/09 | 480,000 | 320,000 | | 11.95 | 7/23/19 | 9/9/08 | 20,000 | 419,800 | | |
| | 6/10/10 | 400,000 | 600,000 | | 15.68 | 6/10/20 | | | | | |
| | 6/9/11 | 170,000 | 680,000 | | 18.58 | 6/9/21 | | | | | |
| Total | | 3,225,000 | 2,060,000 | | | | | 262,500 | 5,509,875 | | |
| Neal | 9/12/03 | 180,000 | | | $31.53 | 9/12/13 | 6/24/94 | 60,000 | $1,259,400 | | |
| | 9/17/04 | 210,000 | | | 34.22 | 9/17/14 | 6/23/95 | 75,000 | 1,574,250 | | |
| | 9/16/05 | 240,000 | | | 34.47 | 9/16/15 | 6/26/98 | 45,000 | 944,550 | | |
| | 9/8/06 | 250,000 | | | 34.01 | 9/8/16 | 7/29/99 | 30,000 | 629,700 | | |
| | 9/7/07 | 275,000 | | | 38.75 | 9/7/17 | 6/22/00 | 30,000 | 629,700 | | |
| | 9/9/08 | 240,000 | 60,000 | | 28.12 | 9/9/18 | 7/27/00 | 7,500 | 157,425 | | |
| | 3/12/09 | 600,000 | 400,000 | | 9.57 | 3/12/19 | 9/12/03 | 37,500 | 787,125 | | |
| | 7/23/09 | 480,000 | 320,000 | | 11.95 | 7/23/19 | 7/1/05 | 100,000 | 2,099,000 | | |
| | 6/10/10 | 400,000 | 600,000 | | 15.68 | 6/10/20 | 9/9/08 | 20,000 | 419,800 | | |
| | 6/9/11 | 170,000 | 680,000 | | 18.58 | 6/9/21 | | | | | |
| Total | | 3,045,000 | 2,060,000 | | | | | 405,000 | 8,500,950 | | |
| Rice | 9/12/03 | 240,000 | | | $31.53 | 9/12/13 | 6/23/95 | 45,000 | $ 944,550 | | |
| | 9/17/04 | 270,000 | | | 34.22 | 9/17/14 | 6/26/98 | 60,000 | 1,259,400 | | |
| | 9/16/05 | 300,000 | | | 34.47 | 9/16/15 | 7/29/99 | 30,000 | 629,700 | | |
| | 9/8/06 | 250,000 | | | 34.01 | 9/8/16 | 7/27/00 | 30,000 | 629,700 | | |
| | 9/7/07 | 275,000 | | | 38.75 | 9/7/17 | 9/10/01 | 25,000 | 524,750 | | |
| | 9/9/08 | 240,000 | 60,000 | | 28.12 | 9/9/18 | 9/12/03 | 62,500 | 1,311,875 | | |
| | 3/12/09 | 600,000 | 400,000 | | 9.57 | 3/12/19 | 7/1/05 | 100,000 | 2,099,000 | | |
| | 7/23/09 | 480,000 | 320,000 | | 11.95 | 7/23/19 | 9/9/08 | 20,000 | 419,800 | | |
| | 6/10/10 | 400,000 | 600,000 | | 15.68 | 6/10/20 | | | | | |
| | 6/9/11 | 170,000 | 680,000 | | 18.58 | 6/9/21 | | | | | |
| Total | | 3,225,000 | 2,060,000 | | | | | 372,500 | 7,818,775 | | |
| Denniston | 9/12/03 | 60,000 | | | $31.53 | 9/12/13 | | | | | |
| | 9/17/04 | 75,000 | | | 34.22 | 9/17/14 | | | | | |
| | 9/16/05 | 105,000 | | | 34.47 | 9/16/15 | | | | | |
| | 9/8/06 | 125,000 | | | 34.01 | 9/8/16 | | | | | |
| | 9/7/07 | 150,000 | | | 38.75 | 9/7/17 | | | | | |
| | 9/9/08 | 175,000 | | | 28.12 | 9/9/18 | | | | | |
| | 3/12/09 | 700,000 | | | 9.57 | 3/12/19 | | | | | |
| | 7/23/09 | 700,000 | | | 11.95 | 7/23/19 | | | | | |
| | 6/10/10 | 750,000 | | | 15.68 | 6/10/20 | | | | | |
| | 6/9/11 | 800,000 | | | 18.58 | 6/9/21 | | | | | |
| | 9/7/12 | | 800,000 | | 21.59 | 9/7/22 | | | | | |
| Total | | 3,640,000 | 800,000 | | | | | | | | |
1 The market value of the stock awards and the equity incentive plan awards represents the product of the closing price of GE stock as of December 31, 2012, which was $20.99, and the number of shares underlying each such award. The market value for the equity incentive plan awards, representing PSUs, also assumes the satisfaction of both the cumulative TSR condition and the cumulative Industrial CFOA condition (or, for grants prior to 2009, the average CFOA condition) as of December 31, 2012.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 35
Table of Contents
Outstanding Equity Awards Vesting Schedule
| Name of Executive | Grant Date | Option Awards Vesting
Schedule 1 | Grant Date | Stock Awards Vesting
Schedule 2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Immelt | 3/4/10 | 100% vests in 2015, subject to achievement
of | 7/3/89 | 100% vests on 2/19/21 |
| | | performance conditions | 12/20/91 | 100% vests on 2/19/21 |
| | | | 6/23/95 | 100% vests on 2/19/21 |
| | | | 6/26/98 | 100% vests on 2/19/21 |
| | | | 11/24/00 | 100% vests on 2/19/21 |
| | | | 12/11/08 | 100% vests in 2014, subject to
achievement |
| | | | | of performance conditions |
| | | | 12/31/09 | 100% vests in 2015, subject to
achievement |
| | | | | of performance conditions |
| | | | 6/10/11 | 100% vests in 2016, subject to
achievement |
| | | | | of performance conditions |
| Sherin | 9/9/08 | 100% vests in 2013 | 12/20/96 | 100% vests on 11/15/23 |
| | 3/12/09 | 50% vests in 2013 and 2014 | 6/26/98 | 100% vests on 11/15/23 |
| | 7/23/09 | 50% vests in 2013 and 2014 | 7/29/99 | 100% vests on 11/15/23 |
| | 6/10/10 | 33% vests in 2013, 2014 and
2015 | 6/2/00 | 100% vests on 11/15/23 |
| | 6/9/11 | 25% vests in 2013, 2014, 2015 and
2016 | 9/10/01 | 100% vests on 11/15/23 |
| | | | 9/12/03 | 50% vests in 2013 and on
11/15/23 |
| | | | 6/5/08 | 100% vests in 2013 |
| | | | 9/9/08 | 100% vests in 2013 |
| Neal | 9/9/08 | 100% vests on 5/9/13 | 6/24/94 | 100% vests on 5/9/18 |
| | 3/12/09 | 50% vests on 3/12/13 and 5/9/13 | 6/23/95 | 100% vests on 5/9/18 |
| | 7/23/09 | 100% vests on 5/9/13 | 6/26/98 | 100% vests on 5/9/18 |
| | 6/10/10 | 100% vests on 5/9/13 | 7/29/99 | 100% vests on 5/9/18 |
| | 6/9/11 | 100% vests on 5/9/13 | 6/22/00 | 100% vests on 5/9/18 |
| | | | 7/27/00 | 100% vests on 5/9/18 |
| | | | 9/12/03 | 50% vests in 2013 and on 5/9/18 |
| | | | 7/1/05 | 50% vests in 2015 and upon age 60
retirement |
| | | | 9/9/08 | 100% vests in 2013 |
| Rice | 9/9/08 | 100% vests in 2013 | 6/23/95 | 100% vests on 11/15/21 |
| | 3/12/09 | 50% vests in 2013 and 2014 | 6/26/98 | 100% vests on 11/15/21 |
| | 7/23/09 | 50% vests in 2013 and 2014 | 7/29/99 | 100% vests on 11/15/21 |
| | 6/10/10 | 33% vests in 2013, 2014 and
2015 | 7/27/00 | 100% vests on 11/15/21 |
| | 6/9/11 | 25% vests in 2013, 2014, 2015 and
2016 | 9/10/01 | 100% vests on 11/15/21 |
| | | | 9/12/03 | 50% vests in 2013 and on
11/15/21 |
| | | | 7/1/05 | 50% vests in 2015 and upon age 60
retirement |
| | | | 9/9/08 | 100% vests in 2013 |
| Denniston | 9/7/12 | 100% vests in
2013 | | |
| 1 | This column shows the
vesting schedule of unexercisable or unearned options reported in the
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable and
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised
Unearned Options columns, respectively, of the 2012 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table . The stock options vest on the anniversary
of the grant date in the years shown in the table above, except for
certain options that vest subject to the achievement of performance
conditions (as noted in the table above), which vest on the date the MDCC
certifies the achievement of the performance conditions. The table above
shows an accelerated vesting schedule for Mr. Dennistons and Mr. Neals
options due to their becoming retirement-eligible in 2012 and 2013,
respectively. See 2012 Potential Payments upon Termination at Fiscal Year-End on page 39 for more information on the requirements for an
award to qualify for retirement-eligible accelerated
vesting. |
| --- | --- |
| 2 | This column shows the
vesting schedule of unvested or unearned stock awards reported in the
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested and Equity
Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights
That Have Not Vested columns, respectively, of the 2012 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table . The stock awards vest on the
anniversary of the grant date in the years shown in the table above,
except for certain awards that vest on the date of the named executives
65th birthday or upon retirement at or after age 60 (as noted in the table
above) and certain awards that vest subject to the achievement of
performance conditions (as noted in the table above), which vest on the
date the MDCC certifies the achievement of the performance
conditions. |
2012 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED
The following table provides information for the named executives on the number of shares acquired upon the vesting of RSUs and PSUs and the value realized at such time, each before payment of any applicable withholding tax and brokerage commission. None of the named executives exercised options during 2012. Mr. Immelt has not sold any of the shares he acquired or received upon the exercise of stock options or upon vesting of RSUs or PSUs, net of those required to pay option exercise prices and taxes on such awards, since he became CEO.
36 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
COMPENSATION
2012 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table
| Name of Executive | Stock Awards — Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting | Value Realized on
Vesting |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Immelt | | |
| Sherin | 58,334 | $1,186,323 |
| Neal | 38,334 | $ 823,023 |
| Rice | 38,334 | $ 823,023 |
| Denniston | 101,665 | $2,033,676 |
2012 PENSION BENEFITS
The table below sets forth information on the pension benefits for the named executives under each of the following pension plans:
- GE Pension Plan. The GE Pension Plan is a funded and tax-qualified retirement program that covers eligible employees. As applicable to the named executives, the plan provides benefits based primarily on a formula that takes into account the named executives earnings for each fiscal year. Since 1989, the formula has provided an annual benefit accrual equal to 1.45% of the named executives earnings for the year up to covered compensation and 1.9% of his earnings for the year in excess of covered compensation. Covered compensation was $45,000 for 2012 and has varied over the years based in part on changes in the average of the Social Security taxable wage bases. The named executives annual earnings taken into account under this formula include base salary and up to one-half of his bonus payments, but may not exceed an IRS-prescribed limit applicable to tax-qualified plans ($250,000 for 2012). As a result, for service in 2012, the maximum incremental annual benefit a named executive could have earned toward his total pension payments under this formula was $4,547.50 ($378.96 per month), payable after retirement, as described below. Over the years, we have made special one-time adjustments to this plan that increased eligible participants pensions, but no such adjustment was made in 2012. The accumulated benefit an employee earns over his or her career with the company is payable starting after retirement on a monthly basis for life with a guaranteed minimum term of five years. The normal retirement age as defined in this plan is 65. For employees who commenced service prior to 2005, including the named executives, retirement may occur at age 60 without any reduction in benefits. Employees vest in the GE Pension Plan after five years of qualifying service. In addition, the plan provides for Social Security supplements and spousal joint and survivor annuity options, and requires employee contributions. Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code limits the benefits payable under the GE Pension Plan. For 2012, the maximum single life annuity a named executive could have received under these limits was $200,000 per year. This ceiling is actuarially adjusted in accordance with IRS rules to reflect employee contributions, actual forms of distribution and actual retirement dates.
- GE Supplementary Pension Plan. The company offers the GE Supplementary Pension Plan to approximately 3,500 eligible employees in the executive band and above, including the named executives, to provide for retirement benefits above amounts available under the companys tax-qualified and other pension programs. The Supplementary Pension Plan is unfunded and not qualified for tax purposes. A named executives annual supplementary pension, when combined with certain amounts payable under the companys tax-qualified and other pension programs and Social Security, will equal 1.75% of his earnings credited for retirement benefits multiplied by the number of his years of credited service, up to a maximum of 60% of such earnings credited for retirement benefits. The earnings credited for retirement benefits are the named executives average annual compensation (base salary and bonus) for the highest 36 consecutive months out of the last 120 months prior to retirement. Employees are generally not eligible for benefits under the Supplementary Pension Plan if they leave the company prior to reaching age 60. The normal retirement age as defined in this plan is 65. For employees who commenced service prior to 2005, including the named executives, retirement may occur at age 60 without any reduction in benefits. The Supplementary Pension Plan provides for spousal joint and survivor annuities. Benefits under this plan would be available to the named executives only as monthly payments and could not be received in a lump sum.
- GE Excess Benefits Plan. The company offers the GE Excess Benefits Plan to employees whose benefits under the GE Pension Plan are limited by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code. The GE Excess Benefits Plan is unfunded and not qualified for tax purposes. Benefits payable under this program are equal to the excess of (1) the amount that would be payable in accordance with the terms of the GE Pension Plan disregarding the limitations imposed pursuant to Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code over (2) the pension actually payable under the GE Pension Plan taking such Section 415 limitations into account. Benefits under the Excess Benefits Plan for the named executives are generally payable at the same time and in the same manner as the GE Pension Plan benefits. There were no accruals for named executives under this plan in 2012, and the company expects only insignificant accruals, if any, under this plan in future years.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 37
Table of Contents
The amounts reported in the table below equal the present value of the accumulated benefit at December 31, 2012 for the named executives under each plan based upon the assumptions described in note 1 to that table.
2012 Pension Benefits Table
| Name of Executive | Plan Name | Number of Years Credited
Service | Present Value of Accumulated
Benefit 1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Immelt | GE Pension Plan | 30.532 | $ 1,491,542 |
| | GE Supplementary Pension Plan | 30.532 | 51,691,658 |
| | GE Excess Benefits Plan | 30.532 | 1,590 |
| Sherin | GE Pension Plan | 31.425 | $ 1,380,436 |
| | GE Supplementary Pension Plan | 31.425 | 31,455,583 |
| | GE Excess Benefits Plan | 31.425 | 0 |
| Neal | GE Pension Plan | 33.233 | $ 1,894,815 |
| | GE Supplementary Pension Plan | 33.233 | 45,079,017 |
| | GE Excess Benefits Plan | 33.233 | 5,655 |
| Rice | GE Pension Plan | 34.390 | $ 1,567,032 |
| | GE Supplementary Pension Plan | 34.390 | 41,000,692 |
| | GE Excess Benefits Plan | 34.390 | 0 |
| Denniston | GE Pension Plan | 16.333 | $ 908,186 |
| | GE Supplementary Pension Plan | 16.333 | 13,944,606 |
| | GE Excess Benefits
Plan | 16.333 | 0 |
1 The accumulated benefit is based on service and earnings (base salary and bonus, as described above) considered by the plans for the period through December 31, 2012. It includes the value of contributions made by the named executives throughout their careers. The present value has been calculated assuming the named executives (other than Mr. Denniston) will remain in service until age 60, the age at which their retirement may occur without any reduction in benefits, and that the benefit is payable under the available forms of annuity consistent with the assumptions as described in the note on Postretirement Benefit Plans in the GE financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC. As described in such note, the discount rate assumption is 3.96%. Although illustration of a present value is required under SEC rules, the named executives are not entitled to receive the present values of their accumulated benefits shown above in a lump sum. The postretirement mortality assumption used for present value calculations is the RP-2000 mortality table projected to 2024.
2012 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
The table below provides information on the nonqualified deferred compensation of the named executives in 2012, including:
- Bonus deferrals. Executive-band and above employees, including the named executives, are able to defer all or a portion of their bonus payments in either: (1) GE stock (GE Stock Units); (2) an index based on the S&P 500 (S&P 500 Index Units); or (3) cash units. The participants may change their election among these options four times per year. If a participant elects to defer bonus payments in either GE Stock Units or the S&P 500 Index Units, the company credits a number of such units to the participants deferred bonus plan account based on the respective average price of GE stock and the S&P 500 Index for the 20 trading days preceding the date the Board approves the companys total bonus allotment. Deferred cash units earn interest income on the daily outstanding balance in the account based on the prior calendar months average yield for U.S. Treasury Notes and Bonds issued with maturities of 10 years and 20 years. The interest income does not constitute an above-market interest rate as defined by the SEC and is credited to the participants account monthly. Deferred GE Stock Units and S&P 500 Index Units earn dividend equivalent income on such units held as of the start of trading on the NYSE ex-dividend date equal to: (1) for GE Stock Units, the quarterly dividend declared by the Board; or (2) for S&P 500 Index Units, the quarterly dividend as declared by Standard & Poors for the S&P 500 Index for the preceding calendar quarter. Participants are permitted to receive their deferred compensation balance upon termination of employment either through a lump-sum payment or in annual installments over 10 to 20 years.
- Salary deferrals. Executive-band and above employees are able to defer their salary payments under executive deferred salary plans. These plans have been offered periodically (the last such plan was offered in 2010) and are available to approximately 3,500 eligible employees in the executive band and above. Individuals who are named executives at the time a deferred salary plan is initiated are not offered the opportunity to participate. The deferred salary plans pay accrued interest, including an above-market interest rate as defined by the SEC, ranging from 6% to 14%, compounded annually. Early termination before the end of the five-year vesting period will result in a payout of the deferred amount with no interest income paid, with exceptions for events such as retirement, death and disability. With respect to distributions under all deferred salary plans, participants elected before the salary was deferred to receive either a lump-sum payment or 10 to 20 annual installments.
- LTPA deferrals. The 19941996 LTPAs, which were paid out in 1997, permitted the participating executives to defer some or all of a portion of the payout into GE Stock Units. The terms of this deferral with respect to credits earned and dividend income are similar to the bonus deferral described above. Of the named executives, only Mr. Neal participated in this deferral.
38 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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COMPENSATION
The company makes all decisions with respect to the measures for calculating interest or other earnings on the nonqualified deferred compensation plans. The named executives cannot withdraw any amounts from their deferred compensation balances until they either leave or retire from the company. For 2012, the company did not make any matching contributions into these plans. In addition, no withdrawals or distributions were made in 2012.
2012 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table
| Name of Executive | Type of
Deferred Compensation Plan | Executive
Contributions in Last Fiscal Year 1 | Aggregate
Earnings in Last Fiscal Year 2 | Aggregate
Balance at Last Fiscal Year-End 3 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Immelt | Deferred bonus plans | $0 | $ 342,661 | $ 2,098,920 |
| | Deferred salary plans | 0 | 432,101 | 4,006,021 |
| Sherin | Deferred bonus plans | $0 | $
55,093 | $
521,664 |
| | Deferred salary plans | 0 | 292,935 | 3,062,013 |
| Neal | Deferred bonus plans | $0 | $ 263,492 | $ 1,816,757 |
| | Deferred salary plans | 0 | 382,243 | 3,573,211 |
| | Deferred LTPAs | 0 | 386,956 | 2,208,123 |
| Rice | Deferred bonus plans | $0 | $1,457,221 | $13,122,129 |
| | Deferred salary plans | 0 | 480,805 | 4,970,556 |
| Denniston | Deferred bonus plans | $0 | $
38,276 | $
322,570 |
| | Deferred salary
plans | 0 | 43,164 | 613,043 |
| 1 | The amounts reported are
limited to deferred compensation contributed during 2012. They do not
include any amounts reported as part of 2012 compensation in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table on page 32, which were credited to the named
executives deferred account plan, if any, in 2013, and are described in
the notes to that table. |
| --- | --- |
| 2 | Reflects earnings on each
type of deferred compensation listed in this section. The earnings on
deferred bonus payments and deferred LTPAs are calculated based on: (1)
the total number of deferred units in the account multiplied by the GE
stock or S&P 500 Index price as of December 31, 2012; less (2) the
total number of deferred units in the account multiplied by the GE stock
or S&P 500 Index price as of December 31, 2011; and less (3) any named
executive contributions during the year. The earnings on the executive
deferred salary plans are calculated based on the total amount of interest
earned. See the 2012 Summary Compensation Table on page 32 for the
above-market portion of those interest earnings in 2012. |
| 3 | The fiscal year-end balance
reported for the deferred bonus plans includes the following amounts that
were previously reported as 2010 or 2011 compensation: Immelt ($0),
Sherin ($0), Neal ($0), Rice ($3,005,000) and Denniston ($0). The fiscal
year-end balance reported for the deferred salary plans includes the
following amounts that were previously reported in the 2012 Summary
Compensation Table as compensation for 2010 and 2011: Immelt ($233,129),
Sherin ($170,475), Neal ($196,069), Rice ($266,709) and Denniston ($0).
None of the fiscal year-end balances reported for the deferred LTPAs were
reported as 2010 or 2011 compensation. |
2012 POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION AT FISCAL YEAR-END
As described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis , the named executives do not have individual employment, severance or change-of-control agreements with the company. The information below describes and quantifies certain compensation that would have become payable under existing plans and arrangements if the named executives employment had terminated on December 31, 2012, given the named executives compensation and service levels as of such date and, if applicable, based on the companys closing stock price on December 31, 2012. These benefits are in addition to benefits available generally to salaried employees who joined the company prior to 2005, such as distributions under the GE Savings and Security Program, subsidized retiree medical benefits, disability benefits and accrued vacation pay. Due to the number of factors that affect the nature and amount of any benefits provided upon the events discussed below, any amounts actually paid or distributed may be different. Factors that could affect these amounts include the time during the year of any such event, the companys stock price and the executives age.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 39
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Equity Awards If one of the named executives were to die or become disabled, any unexercisable stock options become exercisable and remain exercisable until their expiration date. In the event of disability, this provision only applies to options that have been held for at least one year. Mr. Immelts performance-based options granted in 2010 become exercisable, subject to achievement of the performance objectives, if death, disability or retirement (discussed below) occurs before the end of the performance period. Remaining restrictions on RSUs that were awarded prior to death or disability may lapse immediately in some cases, depending on the terms of the particular award. PSUs are earned, subject to achievement of the performance objectives, if death or disability occurs before the end of the performance period. In addition, any unvested options or RSUs held for at least one year become fully vested upon either becoming retirement-eligible (reaching the applicable retirement age) or retiring at age 60 or thereafter, depending on the terms of the particular award, and provided the award holder has at least five years of service with the company. Each of the named executives other than Mr. Denniston was below the applicable retirement age as of December 31, 2012. For these purposes, disability generally means disability resulting in the named executive being unable to perform his job. The following table provides the intrinsic value (that is, the value based upon the companys stock price, and, in the case of stock options, minus the exercise price) of equity awards that would become exercisable or vested if the named executive had died or become disabled as of December 31, 2012.
Potential Equity Benefits upon Termination Table
| Name of Executive | Upon Death — Stock
Options | RSUs | Upon Disability — Stock
Options | RSUs |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Immelt | $ 9,760,000 | $9,854,805 | $ 9,760,000 | $1,259,400 |
| Sherin | $12,285,600 | $5,509,875 | $12,285,600 | $ 419,800 |
| Neal | $12,285,600 | $8,500,950 | $12,285,600 | $ 419,800 |
| Rice | $12,285,600 | $7,818,775 | $12,285,600 | $ 419,800 |
| Denniston | $
0 | $
0 | $ 0 | $
0 |
Deferred Compensation The named executives are entitled to receive the amount in their deferred compensation accounts in the event of termination of employment. The account balances continue to be credited with increases or decreases reflecting changes in the value of the GE Stock Units or S&P 500 Index Units and to accrue interest income or dividend payments, as applicable, between the termination event and the date that distributions are made. Therefore, amounts received by the named executives will differ from those shown in the 2012 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table . See the narrative accompanying that table for information on the available types of distribution under each deferral plan.
Pension Benefits 2012 Pension Benefits on page 37 describes the general terms of each pension plan in which the named executives participate, the years of credited service and the present value of each named executives accumulated pension benefit, assuming payment begins at age 60 or, for Mr. Denniston, age 65. The table below provides the pension benefits that would have become payable if the named executives had died, become disabled or voluntarily terminated as of December 31, 2012.
- In the event of death before retirement, the surviving spouse may receive a benefit based upon the accrued pension benefits under the GE Pension Plan and GE Excess Benefits Plan either: (1) in the form of an annuity as if the named executive had retired and elected the spousal 50% joint and survivor annuity option prior to death, or (2) as an immediate lump-sum payment based on five years of pension distributions. The surviving spouse may also receive a lump-sum payment under the GE Supplementary Pension Plan based on the greater of the value of: (1) the 50% survivor annuity that the spouse would have received under that plan if the named executive had retired and elected the spousal 50% joint and survivor annuity option prior to death, or (2) five years of pension distributions under that plan. The amounts payable depend on several factors, including employee contributions and the ages of the named executive and the surviving spouse. The survivors of each of the named executives as of December 31, 2012 would have been entitled to receive any annuity distributions promptly following death.
- In the event a disability occurs before retirement, the named executive may receive an annuity payment of accrued pension benefits, payable immediately.
40 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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COMPENSATION
The table below shows, for the named executives, the lump sum payable to the surviving spouse in the case of the named executives death on December 31, 2012. It also reflects the annual annuity payment payable: (1) for the life of the surviving spouse in the case of the named executives death on December 31, 2012; (2) for the named executives other than Mr. Denniston, as a 50% joint and survivor annuity to the named executive in the case of disability on December 31, 2012; and (3) for the named executives other than Mr. Denniston, as a 50% joint and survivor annuity to the named executive payable after age 60 upon voluntary termination on December 31, 2012. The annuity payments upon voluntary termination do not include any payments under the GE Supplementary Pension Plan because it is forfeited upon voluntary termination before age 60. Payments would be made on a monthly basis.
Potential Pension Benefits upon Termination Table
| Name of Executive | Lump Sum upon
Death | Annual Annuity upon
Death | Annual Annuity upon
Disability | Annual Annuity Payable at Age 60
after Voluntary Termination |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Immelt | $ 34,339,545 | $ 55,357 | $ 3,747,643 | $ 103,065 |
| Sherin | $ 27,160,465 | $ 54,046 | $ 2,570,212 | $ 105,850 |
| Neal | $ 31,009,126 | $ 63,245 | $ 2,873,757 | $ 117,972 |
| Rice | $ 33,814,938 | $ 56,641 | $ 3,057,608 | $ 111,267 |
| Denniston 1 | $ 7,819,516 | $ 35,337 | | |
1 As he was retirement-eligible as of December 31, 2012, Mr. Denniston would have been eligible to receive retirement benefits instead of disability or voluntary termination benefits. If Mr. Denniston had retired on December 31, 2012, his annual pension payment, payable as a 50% joint and survivor annuity, would have been $1,040,733.
Life Insurance Benefits For a description of the supplemental life insurance plans that provide coverage to the named executives, see the 2012 All Other Compensation Table on page 33. If the named executives had died on December 31, 2012, the survivors of Messrs. Immelt, Sherin, Neal, Rice and Denniston would have received $19,547,026, $14,869,672, $15,698,480, $15,618,480 and $11,145,358, respectively, under these arrangements. The company would continue to pay the premiums in the event of a disability until such time as the policy is fully funded.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 41
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AUDIT
MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL NO. 2 RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation (including approval of the audit fee), retention and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm retained to perform the audit of our financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting and has selected KPMG LLP (KPMG) as our independent auditor for 2013. KPMG also served as our independent auditor for 2012.
The Audit Committee annually reviews KPMGs independence and performance in connection with the committees determination of whether to retain KPMG or engage another firm as our independent auditor. In the course of these reviews, the committee considers, among other things:
- KPMGs historical and recent performance on the GE audit, including the results of an internal survey of KPMGs service and quality;
- an analysis of KPMGs known legal risks and significant proceedings;
- external data relating to audit quality and performance, including recent Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) reports on KPMG and its peer firms;
- the appropriateness of KPMGs fees, on both an absolute basis and as compared to its peer firms;
- KPMGs tenure as our independent auditor and its familiarity with our global operations and businesses, accounting policies and practices and internal control over financial reporting;
- KPMGs capability and expertise in handling the breadth and complexity of our worldwide operations; and
- KPMGs independence.
Based on this evaluation, the Audit Committee believes that KPMG is independent and that it is in the best interests of GE and our shareowners to retain KPMG to serve as our independent auditor for 2013. KPMG representatives are expected to attend the 2013 Annual Meeting. They will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate shareowner questions.
We are asking our shareowners to ratify the selection of KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm. Although ratification is not required by our by-laws or otherwise, the Board is submitting the selection of KPMG to our shareowners for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the selection is not ratified, the Audit Committee will consider whether it is appropriate to select another independent auditor. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different independent auditor at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of GE and our shareowners.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR ratification of the Audit Committees selection of KPMG as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2013.
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR
On behalf of GE and its affiliates, the Audit Committee retained KPMG to audit our consolidated financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting for 2012. In addition, the Audit Committee retained KPMG, as well as other accounting firms, to provide other auditing and advisory services in 2012. We understand the need for KPMG to maintain objectivity and independence in its audit of our financial statements and our internal control over financial reporting. To minimize relationships that could appear to impair the objectivity of KPMG, our Audit Committee has restricted the non-audit services that KPMG may provide to us.
42 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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AUDIT
Pre-Approval Processes The Audit Committee has also adopted policies and procedures for pre-approving all non-audit work performed by KPMG. Specifically, the committee has pre-approved the use of KPMG for detailed, specific types of services related to: tax compliance, planning and consultations; acquisition/disposition services, including due diligence; employee benefit plan audits and reviews; attestation and agreed upon procedures; consultations regarding accounting and reporting matters; and internal control and other related services. The committee has set a specific annual limit on the amount of non-audit services that the company can obtain from KPMG. It has also required management to obtain specific pre-approval from the committee for any single engagement over $1 million or any services not within the scope of the pre-approved services. The chair of the committee is authorized to pre-approve any audit or non-audit service on behalf of the committee, provided such decisions are presented to the full committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
KPMG Fees for 2011 and 2012 The aggregate fees billed by KPMG in 2011 and 2012 for these various services were:
| Types of fees (in
millions) | Audit | Audit-related | Tax | All other | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2012 | $ 84.8 | $ 7.7 | $ 6.8 | $ 0.0 | $ 99.3 |
| 2011 | 87.1 | 15.1 | 11.0 | 0.0 | 113.2 |
In the above table, in accordance with SEC rules, Audit fees are fees that GE paid to KPMG for the audit of GEs annual financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and review of financial statements included in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, for the audit of GEs internal control over financial reporting with the objective of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects, and for services that are normally provided by the auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. Audit-related fees are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of GEs financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, including services in connection with assisting the company in its compliance with its obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related regulations. Audit-related fees also include M&A due diligence and audit services and employee benefit plan audits. Tax fees are fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, and All other fees are fees for any services not included in the first three categories.
Hiring Restrictions The Audit Committee has adopted restrictions on our hiring of any KPMG partner, director, manager, staff, advising member of the department of professional practice, reviewing actuary, reviewing tax professional and any other persons having responsibility for providing audit assurance on any aspect of KPMGs certification of the companys financial statements. These restrictions are contained in our Audit Committee Key Practices, which are published on GEs website (see Helpful Resources on page 55). The committee also requires key KPMG partners assigned to our audit to be rotated at least every five years.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee reviews GEs financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. Management has the primary responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal financial controls, for preparing the financial statements and for the public reporting process. KPMG, our companys independent auditor for 2012, is responsible for expressing opinions on the conformity of the companys audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles and on the companys internal control over financial reporting.
In this context, the committee has reviewed and discussed with management and KPMG the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 and KPMGs evaluation of the companys internal control over financial reporting. The committee has discussed with KPMG the matters that are required to be discussed under PCAOB standards. KPMG has provided to the committee the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountants communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the committee has discussed with KPMG that firms independence. The committee has concluded that KPMGs provision of audit and non-audit services to GE and its affiliates is compatible with KPMGs independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2012 for filing with the SEC. This report is provided by the following independent directors, who comprise the committee:
| Douglas A. Warner III
(Chairman) | Robert W. Lane |
| --- | --- |
| W. Geoffrey
Beattie | James J. Mulva |
| James I. Cash,
Jr. | Robert J.
Swieringa |
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 43
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SHAREOWNER PROPOSALS
The following shareowner proposals will be voted on at the annual meeting only if properly presented by or on behalf of the shareowner proponent. Some of the following shareowner proposals contain assertions about GE that we believe are incorrect. We have not attempted to refute all of the inaccuracies. However, the Board recommends a vote against each of these proposals for the reasons set forth following each proposal. Share holdings of the various shareowner proponents will be supplied promptly upon oral or written request.
Historically, some of our shareowner proposals have touched upon matters of corporate citizenship. Our Citizenship report, which is available on GEs website (see Helpful Resources on page 55), explains what GE is doing on particular issues and demonstrates how helping to solve global challenges is core to GEs sustainable growth strategy. For our specific objections to the shareowner proposals included in this proxy statement, see the explanation of our Boards recommendation following each shareowner proposal below.
SHAREOWNER PROPOSAL NO. 1 CESSATION OF ALL STOCK OPTIONS AND BONUSES
Timothy Roberts, 3612 Brookhollow Drive, Louisville, KY 40220, has informed us that he intends to submit the following proposal at this years meeting:
While the rest of us were losing our shirts on GE Stock, Vickers reports, Jeffrey R. Immelt Chairman at GE made wise investment decisions. On Sept. 9, 2003 he purchased 96,000 shares of his Companys stock at $8.05 per share and sold 47,836 of these shares for $31.18 per share and made, or netted a profit of $1,106,447. Only two months before that Mr. Immelt lucked out again. On July 29, 2003 he purchased another 96,000 shares at that magic number, $8.05 per share, for a cost of $772,800. On the very same day, he sold the 96,000 shares at $28.43 per share for $2,729,280. Again, Mr. Immelt very wisely made a net profit of $1,956,480. September of 2003 was a lucky month for other Executives at General Electric Corporation. To mention a few Vickers reported that Michael A. Neal and Kathryn A. Cassidy were as fortunate as Mr. Immelt, as they bought thousands of GE Shares at $8.05 and sold thousands of GE shares between $30.79 per share and $31.11 per share on the same day. The 52 week low price of GE Stock as listed on the NYSE was $21.30.
The Proposal: The Board of Directors are requested to consider voting a cessation of all Executive Stock Option Programs, and Bonus Programs. Rewards via a bona fide salary program are a necessity. Salary increases to deserving Executives will reward only those who productively enhance the Companys Business. Only if and when profit increases are published and compiled annually, and verified by a Certified Accounting Firm a realistic salary increase commensurate with the increase in the Companys Business can be considered.
Should there be no increase in the Companys Business, or a decline in Corporate Business is published and compiled annually, and verified by a Certified Accounting Firm, no salary increase(s) will be forthcoming. Rewards via the above measurements will suffice, and remove the bonus and Executive Stock Option Program(s) permanently.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
This proposal is nearly identical to a proposal that was included in GEs 2004 proxy statement and refers to Mr. Immelts exercise in 2003 of expiring stock appreciation rights and stock options that were granted to him in 1993 and which he held until the last day of their exercise period. Since he became CEO, Mr. Immelt has purchased over 876,000 shares of GE stock on the open market. Mr. Immelt has not sold any of the shares he acquired or received upon the exercise of stock options or upon vesting of restricted stock units or performance share units (PSUs), net of those required to pay option exercise prices and taxes on such awards, since he became CEO. The proposal received a 5.9% vote at GEs 2004 Annual Meeting.
The Board believes that GEs executive compensation program is well- designed to achieve the objectives of rewarding sustained financial and operating performance and leadership excellence, aligning executives long -term interests with those of our shareowners and motivating executives to remain with the company for long and productive careers built on expertise . The MDCC exercises careful judgment in making all compensation decisions, after reviewing GEs performance and evaluating each executives performance during the year against established goals, leadership qualities, operational performance, business responsibilities, career with GE, current compensation arrangements, and long-term potential to enhance shareowner value. Equity incentive awards are an integral component of our compensation program because they have strong retention characteristics (for example, stock options and PSUs generally vest over a five- year period) and provide strong performance incentives that are closely aligned with shareowner interests (for example, PSUs are earned based on achievement of specified performance measures). Annual bonuses are important because they give the MDCC the flexibility to consider not only the recent overall performance of GE, but also the performance of a particular business the executive
44 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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SHAREOWNER PROPOSALS
leads or a particular role the executive serves, factoring in developments and market forces outside of managements control in ways that a preset formula cannot effectively address . LTPAs, which are earned based on achievement of pre-established performance goals over a three- year period, are an essential component of our compensation program because they have strong retention characteristics, help drive the companys long-term performance and align executives long-term interests with those of our shareowners. We believe that imposing arbitrary limitations on the MDCCs judgment in structuring GEs executive compensation program, as the proposal suggests, has the effect of unduly restricting the ability to achieve appropriate compensation objectives. Therefore, the Board recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
SHAREOWNER PROPOSAL NO. 2 DIRECTOR TERM LIMITS
Dennis Rocheleau, 460 Papurah Road, Fairfield, CT 06825, has informed us that he intends to submit the following proposal at this years meeting:
Resolved: That the stockholders of General Electric, assembled in annual meeting in person and by proxy, hereby request the Board of Directors to take the necessary steps to adopt procedures that mandate that, effective 6/1/13, no current independent director initially elected to the board after 1997, but prior to 2014, shall be eligible for re-nomination and re-election after he or she has completed 15 years of board service. Those same procedures shall provide that any independent director initially elected to the board in 2014 or thereafter shall be ineligible for re-nomination and re-election after 10 years of board service.
Statement: Term limits apply to the President of the United States and are in effect for directors at a number of Fortune 500 firms. Our Board has countenanced lackluster company stock price performance over the past 5 and 10 year periods, when compared to the S&P 500. When measured against the top 50 large cap performers over those time periods, GEs results are even less impressive. Yet long and short-term compensation for Company executives and Directors have been robust to say the least...while shareowners in the past five years have seen the stock price fall substantially and the dividend dramatically diminished. Moreover, when the Board Chairman or the Nominating and Governance Committee refuses to accept the resignation of directors who are required to submit them by governance bylaws, the shareowners voice and interests are effectively ignored. We need a better Board and the sooner the better. Although the Company has over the past five years repeatedly opposed similar board improvement procedures that were more narrowly crafted than this one, this is still a quite modest proposal to achieve that end. As such, it deserves shareowner support. I urge you to vote Yes and thank you for your consideration.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
The Board believes that it is not appropriate to implement this proposal because it would prevent qualified, experienced and effective directors from serving on the Board. In addition, because the shareowner who submitted this proposal has in the past criticized and targeted specific directors of the company, the company believes that this proposal is motivated by a desire, and is in substance primarily designed, to remove specific directors. GE has a robust and effective director nomination and evaluation process in place. GEs Governance Principles and the NCGC Key Practices provide for an annual evaluation process designed to assess the effectiveness of the Board and its committees. Under GEs current evaluation process, an independent expert in corporate governance solicits comments from each director with respect to the full Board, any committee on which the director serves, individual director performance, and board dynamics . The independent expert seeks input from directors in a wide range of matters and works with the presiding director to organize the input received around options for changes and improvement. This evaluation process has proven to be effective in assembling a Board that represents a range of experience at policy -making levels in business, government, education and technology, and in other areas that are relevant to the companys global activities. In contrast, the Board believes that the arbitrary scheme for establishing term limits imposed by this proposal is counterproductive to GEs ability to retain qualified, experienced and effective directors who contribute to the diversity of background and experience represented on the Board and who ultimately add to shareowner value. Therefore, the Board recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
SHAREOWNER PROPOSAL NO. 3 INDEPENDENT CHAIRMAN
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Pension Plan, 1625 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, has informed us that it intends to submit the following proposal at this years meeting:
Resolved: The shareowners of General Electric Company (GE) request the Board of Directors to adopt a policy, and amend the bylaws as necessary, to require the Chair of the Board of Directors to be an independent member of the Board. This independence requirement shall apply prospectively so as not to violate any Company contractual obligation at the time this resolution is adopted. Compliance with this policy is waived if no independent director is available and willing to serve as Chair.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 45
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SUPPORTING STATEMENT
GEs CEO Jeffrey Immelt also serves as chair of the Companys board of directors. We believe the combination of these two roles in a single person weakens a corporations governance, which can harm shareholder value. As Intel former chair Andrew Grove stated, The separation of the two jobs goes to the heart of the conception of a corporation. Is a company a sandbox for the CEO, or is the CEO an employee? If hes an employee, he needs a boss, and that boss is the board. The chairman runs the board. How can the CEO be his own boss?
In our view, shareholder value is enhanced by an independent board chair who can provide a balance of power between the CEO and the board and support strong board leadership. The primary duty of a board of directors is to oversee the management of a company on behalf of its shareholders. We believe that a CEO who also serves as chair operates under a conflict of interest that can result in excessive management influence on the board and weaken the boards oversight of management.
An independent board chair has been found in academic studies to improve the financial performance of public companies. A 2007 Booz & Co. study found that in 2006, all of the underperforming North American companies with long-tenured CEOs lacked an independent board chair (The Era of the Inclusive Leader, Booz Allen Hamilton, Summer 2007). A more recent study found that, worldwide, companies are now routinely separating the jobs of chair and CEO: in 2009 less than 12 percent of incoming CEOs were also made chair, compared with 48 percent in 2002 (CEO Succession 20002009: A Decade of Convergence and Compression, Booz & Co., Summer 2010).
We believe that independent board leadership would be particularly constructive at GE, where Mr. Immelt ranked near the bottom (200 out of 206 CEOs) in a 2012 Forbes pay for performance survey (Americas Best and Worst CEOs, Forbes, April 4, 2012), and it has been noted that since 2000 GEs value has gone nowhere but down since Mr. Immelt took the top job (Oops! Five CEOs Who Should Have Already Been Fired, Forbes, May 12, 2012).
We urge shareowners to vote for this proposal.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
The Board regularly reviews and assesses our board leadership structure. Based on its most recent review, the Board believes that the present structure, in which our CEO also serves as the chairman of the Board and an independent presiding director is appointed by the independent directors on the Board, remains appropriate for the company because it allows one person to speak for and lead the company and Board while also providing for effective oversight and governance by an independent board through the independent presiding director. Our presiding director, currently Ralph S. Larsen, the former chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Johnson & Johnson, has broad authority and responsibility. The presiding director leads meetings of the non- management directors, calls additional meetings of the non- management directors as deemed appropriate, serves as a liaison on Board-related issues between the chairman and the non-management directors, acts as chairman of Board meetings when the chairman is not in attendance, and performs such other functions as the Board may direct. These other functions include (1) advising the NCGC on the selection of committee chairs, (2) approving the agenda, schedule and information sent to the directors for Board meetings, (3) working with the chairman of the Board to propose an annual schedule of major discussion items for the Boards approval, and (4) providing leadership to the Board if circumstances arise in which the role of the chairman may be, or may be perceived to be, in conflict. The presiding director also makes himself available for consultation and direct communication with the companys major shareowners.
The Board believes that for GE, a large and diversified company with operations around the world, the CEO is most effectively able to represent the company and to ensure that the independent directors attention is devoted to the issues of greatest importance to the company and its shareowners. Our companys overall corporate governance policies and practices combined with the strength of our independent directors serve to minimize any potential conflicts that may result from combining the roles of CEO and chairman. Over three-quarters of the companies in the Dow 30 currently maintain combined chair and CEO positions, and only three companies in the Dow 30 currently maintain an independent board chairman. In addition, according to the 2012 Spencer Stuart Board Index, 77 percent of companies in the S&P 500 do not have an independent board chairman. In the view of the Board, splitting the roles of chair and CEO would have the consequence of making our management and governance processes less effective than they are today through undesirable duplication of work and, in the worst case, lead to a blurring of the clear lines of accountability and responsibility, without any proven offsetting benefits. Therefore, the Board recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
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SHAREOWNER PROPOSALS
SHAREOWNER PROPOSAL NO. 4 RIGHT TO ACT BY WRITTEN CONSENT
William Steiner, 112 Abbottsford Gate, Piermont, NY 10968, has informed us that he intends to submit the following proposal at this years meeting:
Resolved, Shareholders request that our board of directors undertake such steps as may be necessary to permit written consent by shareholders entitled to cast the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize the action at a meeting at which all shareholders entitled to vote thereon were present and voting. This written consent includes all issues that shareholders may propose. This written consent is to be consistent with applicable law and consistent with giving shareholders the fullest power to act by written consent consistent with applicable law.
This proposal topic won majority shareholder support at 13 major companies in a single year. This included 67%-support at both Allstate and Sprint. Hundreds of major companies enable shareholder action by written consent.
This proposal topic also won our 47%-support at our 2012 annual meeting. This 47%-support would have arguably been a majority had our directors refrained from instigating a costly extra solicitation for negative votes or had our directors refrained from making it easier to vote against shareholder proposals than to vote for them. A good part of the blame for this may fall on Rochelle Lazarus, who chaired our corporate governance committee and received high negative votes.
This proposal should also be evaluated in the context of our Companys overall corporate governance as reported in 2012:
GMI/The Corporate Library, an independent investment research firm, had rated our company D continuously since 2009 with High Governance Risk. Also High Concern for our directors qualifications and High Concern for Executive Pay$21 million for our CEO Jeffrey Immelt.
We had too many directors (18)unwieldy board concern and the potential for CEO dominance. Three directors were age 73 to 75. And 11 directors had 10 to 20 years long-tenure. GMI said long-tenured directors could form relationships that may compromise their independence and therefore hinder their ability to provide effective oversight. This was compounded by such long-tenured directors controlling 5 of 6 seats each on our executive pay and nomination committees. And long-tenured directors controlled half the seats on our audit committee.
Roger Penske, 75 who was connected to the Delphi Corporation bankruptcy, received our highest negative votes. Rochelle Lazarus and James Tisch also received high negative votes. Tisch was potentially over-extended with seats on 4 boards. Ralph Larsen, our Lead Director a position that demands increased independence, had long-tenure and was age 73.
Please encourage our board to respond positively to this proposal to strengthen our corporate governance and protect shareholder value:
Right to Act by Written ConsentProposal 4.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
The Board believes that implementation of this proposal is unnecessary given the ability of shareowners to call special meetings, and that implementation of the proposal would not serve the best interests of shareowners. Currently, any matter that either GE or its shareowners wish to present for a vote must be presented at an annual or special meeting of shareowners. Shareowners may propose any proper matter for a vote at our annual meeting, and, in addition, shareowners holding 10% of GEs outstanding voting stock may call a special meeting of shareowners. GE recently amended its by -laws to provide for this 10% threshold. In the Boards view, action at an annual or special meeting supports shareowners interests more than action by written consent. In the context of an annual or special meeting of shareowners, all GE shareowners have the opportunity to express views on proposed actions and to participate in the meeting and shareowner vote. Such meetings occur at a time and date announced publicly in advance of the meeting. These provisions ensure that shareowners can raise matters for consideration while protecting shareowners interests in receiving notice of and an opportunity to voice concerns about proposed actions affecting the company . The proposal, however, would allow shareowners holding a bare majority of shares outstanding to use the written consent procedure to act on significant matters without a meeting, potentially without prior notice to all shareowners, and without an opportunity for fair discussion among all shareowners on the merits of the proposed action. In light of the foregoing, the Board recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal .
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SHAREOWNER PROPOSAL NO. 5 EXECUTIVES TO RETAIN SIGNIFICANT STOCK
Kenneth Steiner, 14 Stoner Ave., 2M, Great Neck, NY 11021, has informed us that he intends to submit the following proposal at this years meeting:
Resolved: Shareholders request that our executive pay committee adopt a policy requiring that senior executives retain a significant percentage of shares acquired through equity pay programs until reaching normal retirement age. For the purpose of this policy, normal retirement age shall be defined by the Companys qualified retirement plan that has the largest number of plan participants. The shareholders recommend that the committee adopt a share retention percentage requirement of 25% of such shares.
The policy should prohibit hedging transactions for shares subject to this policy which are not sales but reduce the risk of loss to the executive. This policy shall supplement any other share ownership requirements that have been established for senior executives, and should be implemented so as not to violate our Companys existing contractual obligations or the terms of any compensation or benefit plan currently in effect.
Requiring senior executives to hold a significant portion of stock obtained through executive pay plans would focus our executives on our companys long-term success. A Conference Board Task Force report on executive pay stated that hold-to-retirement requirements give executives an ever-growing incentive to focus on long-term stock price performance.
This proposal should also be evaluated in the context of our Companys overall corporate governance as reported in 2012:
GMI/The Corporate Library, an independent investment research firm, had rated our company D continuously since 2009 with High Governance Risk. Also High Concern for Executive Pay$21 million for our CEO Jeffrey Immelt.
GMI said our highest paid executives, except one, were given mega-grants of 850,000 time-vesting stock options after receiving one million options the year before. Equity pay given as a long-term incentive should include performance-vesting criteria. Moreover, market-priced stock options may provide rewards due to a rising market alone, regardless of an executives performance. Additionally, not only was every base salary of our highest paid executives at least 60% over the IRC tax deductibility limit, our CEOs salary of $3.3 million continued to be 230% over the limit and was the third highest 2011 base salary for a CEO at a S&P 500 company.
Furthermore, our CEOs $4 million annual bonus was determined subjectively by our executive pay committee. This was compounded by long-tenured directors controlling 5 of the 6 seats on our executive pay committee. GMI said long-tenured directors could form relationships that may compromise their independence and therefore hinder their ability to provide effective oversight. On top of all that, our CEOs pension was increased by $10 million and our company paid $150,000 for his personal use of the company jet.
Please encourage our board to respond positively to this proposal to protect shareholder value:
Executives To Retain Significant StockProposal 5.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
As discussed elsewhere in this proxy statement, our compensation program strives to create long-term value for our shareowners by emphasizing multi-year performance awards, stock options and other equity awards with long vesting periods, requiring senior executives to own significant amounts of GE stock, and offering executive pension benefits that are generally earned and become payable annually only after an executives retirement from the company. Under the MDCC Key Practices, each senior executive (1) is required to hold a significant amount of GE stock, which is set at a multiple of the executives base salary; (2) is required to hold for at least one year any net shares of GE stock that he or she receives through the exercise of stock options; and (3) is prohibited from using hedging techniques on any shares of GE stock he or she owns. GE executives have met and exceeded these requirements .
Since he became CEO, Mr. Immelt has purchased over 876,000 shares of GE stock on the open market. Mr. Immelt has not sold any of the shares he acquired or received upon the exercise of stock options or upon vesting of restricted stock units or performance share units (PSUs), net of those required to pay option exercise prices and taxes on such awards, since he became CEO. Similarly, GEs other senior executives typically hold the shares that they receive under stock options and restricted stock units, net of those shares required to pay taxes or option exercise prices. In addition, as shown in the 2012 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table on page 35, each of our named executives holds a significant number of shares that do not vest until the executive reaches age 65. Thus, GEs existing programs already link shareowner value with direct stock ownership by our executives, discourage excessive risk-taking and promote long-term value creation. Accordingly, we do not believe adoption of the policy requested in this shareowner proposal is necessary and the Board recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal .
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PART H
SHAREOWNER PROPOSALS
SHAREOWNER PROPOSAL NO. 6 MULTIPLE CANDIDATE ELECTIONS
Martin Harangozo, 9531 Farmstead Lane, Louisville, KY 40291, has informed us that he intends to submit the following proposal at this years meeting:
Whereas
One dollar growing seven point two percent during Christ crucifixion would grow to one with sixty zeros, three zeros for each hundred years. Divided by ten billion people would give each one dollar with fifty zeros, much more money than a trillion times Warren Buffets wealth.
The survivorship market grew over ten percent reinvesting dividends over hundred years. Rabbits can compound from two to hundred in one year or five thousand percent. Notwithstanding growth opportunities five thousand children starve daily.
Civil war pensioners enjoy pensions hundred years following war.
Contributions keep General Electric pension fund solvent. Can contributions continue hundred years? History provides concerns and answers.
Company Kongo Gumi thrived fourteen hundred years only to succumb to debt and fail teaching earnings with debt is analogous to cheese on a mousetrap with the spring ready to kill any time. Thirty original Dow companies subtract one failed, experiencing three critical business phases, above average growth, below average growth, failure. During Bethlehem Steel bankruptcy, employees lost health benefits addressing Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanokoniosis, and, employees pensions vanished . Notwithstanding General Electric decade long nine one one references, Jeffrey Reeves teaches Investor place October thirty twenty ten the largest debt free companies grew two hundred thirty three percent in five years while the market declined three percent http://investorplace.com/2010/10/debt-free-companies-with-great-returns/. General Electric loaded with debt in two thousand proxy mentions hundred forty eight dollar stock producing trillion dollar valuation. Awe sugar! Stock falls below six losing half trillion. Protected dividends mostly vanish. Trillion dollar milestone is approached closest by debt free Apple. Supreme sustainability eliminates debt thereby bolstering dividend integrity.
One dollar indexed September six two thousand one before General Electric succession becomes dollar thirty eleven years later. With General Electric fifty three cents.
Globally indexing earnings beyond dividends liability free from General Electric creates holding that systematically without human error or bias selects and culls companies solely on their capitalization ensuring survivorship. This has more fiduciary responsibility then trading General Electric losing billions.
Debt free indexing will Control Poke a Yoke General Electric benefiting pensioners, shareholders, employees, suppliers, governments even the world.
Shareholders must act now to correct General Electric so called outperformance polarity, raise performance to market average or better yet the very frothy debt free performance, avoid the Bethlehem Steel demise, perpetually grow. Shareholder failure to jump supports the original Dow thirty trend to disappointment.
History again teaches greatest economies result from leaders earning responsibility via election choices not entitled appointments. Shareholders previously supported victory for candidates they choose. Clearly presidential elections where citizens vote for, against, or abstain only for the incumbent would lack purpose.
Supporting statements avoid recommending ordinary business rather highlight opportunity, harvesting mechanisms, responsibility, and dangerous pitfalls begging attention and freshened oversight.
This proposal recommends the proxy features at minimum two candidates for each available board seat.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
The NCGC currently employs a rigorous and thorough process for selecting the candidates that it nominates to serve on the Board, as described in this proxy statement under Election of Directors on page 2. It carefully evaluates all individuals recommended as candidates to the Board, including individuals suggested by shareowners, in light of multiple factors including each such individuals leadership experience, expertise in finance and financial reporting processes, and technology experience, marketing expertise, experience in government, global business perspective and experience in the industries in which we participate. The NGCC and Board endeavor to have a Board representing a range of experiences at policy-making levels in business, government, education and technology, and in areas that are relevant to the companys global activities. The NCGCs evaluation of director nominees also takes into account diversity of background. The NCGC selects candidates that it believes will complement each other, with each candidate bringing his or her own strengths and areas of expertise to the Board. In contrast, the unique approach suggested in this proposal of requiring that our company present two candidates for each open seat, which approach is not utilized by any company in the Dow 30 or S&P 500, may result in individual nominees being considered in isolation and, thus may produce a board of directors that fails to represent a diversity of experiences and viewpoints. Therefore, the Board recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 49
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
VOTING INFORMATION
How to Vote We encourage shareowners to submit votes in advance of the meeting. You can ensure that your shares are voted at the meeting by following the instructions on the enclosed proxy or voting instruction form and submitting your votes by telephone or the Internet, or by completing, signing, dating and returning the proxy or voting instruction form in the envelope provided. Submitting your instructions or proxy by any of these methods will not affect your right to attend and vote at the meeting.
Voting Standards and Board Recommendations
| Voting Item | Voting
Standard | Treatment of
Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes | Board Recommendation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Election of directors | Majority of votes cast | Not counted as votes cast and therefore no
effect | For |
| Advisory approval of our
named executives compensation | Majority of votes cast | Not counted as votes cast and
therefore no effect | For |
| Auditor ratification | Majority of votes cast | Not counted as votes cast and therefore no
effect | For |
| Shareowner
proposals | Majority of votes
cast | Not counted as
votes cast and therefore no effect | Against |
Majority Voting Standard for Director Elections Each of the 17 nominees for director receiving a majority of the votes cast at the meeting in person or by proxy will be elected (meaning the number of shares voted for a director nominee must exceed the number of votes cast against that director nominee), subject to the Boards existing policy regarding resignations by directors who do not receive a majority of for votes.
Voting Securities Shareowners of record at the close of business on February 25, 2013 will be eligible to vote at the meeting. Our voting securities consist of our $0.06 par value common stock, and there were approximately 10,370,925,219 shares outstanding on the record date. Each share outstanding on the record date will be entitled to one vote for each director nominee and one vote for each of the other proposals to be voted on. Treasury shares are not voted. Individual votes of shareowners are kept private, except as appropriate to meet legal requirements. Access to proxies and other individual shareowner voting records is limited to the independent inspectors of election and certain employees of GE and its agents who must acknowledge in writing their responsibility to comply with this policy of confidentiality.
Manner for Voting Proxies The shares represented by all valid proxies that are timely received by telephone, by Internet or by mail will be voted in the manner specified. When a proxy is received but specific choices are not indicated, the shares represented by all valid proxies received will be voted in accordance with the Boards recommendations. Should any matter not described above be properly presented at the meeting, the persons named on the proxy form will vote in accordance with their judgment as permitted.
GE Savings and Security Program In accordance with the terms of the GE Savings and Security Program (S&SP), any shares allocable to the participants S&SP account on the record date will be voted by the trustee of the S&SP trust in accordance with the instructions of the participant received via telephone or the Internet or indicated on the proxy form. If the proxy form is received on or before April 22, 2013, but a choice is not specified, the trustee will vote shares allocable to the participants S&SP account as the Board recommends. If the proxy form is not received on or before April 22, 2013, and no vote was submitted via telephone or the Internet by that date, shares allocable to the participants S&SP account will not be voted.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Revocation of Proxies A shareowner who gives a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by voting in person at the annual meeting, by delivering a subsequent proxy or by notifying the inspectors of election in writing of such revocation. If your GE shares are held for you in a brokerage, bank or other institutional account, you must contact that institution to revoke a previously authorized proxy. Participants in the S&SP may revoke a previously delivered proxy by delivering a subsequent proxy or by notifying the inspectors of election in writing of such revocation on or before April 22, 2013. The address for the inspectors of election is IVS Associates, Inc., 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
PROXY SOLICITATION AND DOCUMENT REQUEST INFORMATION
Solicitation of Proxies Proxies will be solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors by mail, telephone, other electronic means or in person, and we will pay the solicitation costs. Copies of proxy materials and the 2012 Annual Report will be supplied to brokers, dealers, banks and voting trustees, or their nominees, for the purpose of soliciting proxies from beneficial owners, and we will reimburse such record holders for their reasonable expenses. Morrow & Co., LLC has been retained to assist in soliciting proxies for a fee of $42,500, plus distribution costs and other costs and expenses.
Shareowners of Record Requesting Copies of 2012 Annual Report Shareowners who hold their shares directly with us and who previously have elected not to receive an annual report for a specific account may request that we promptly mail our 2012 Annual Report to that account by writing to GE Shareowner Services, c/o Computershare, P.O. Box 358016, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8016, or calling (800) 786-2543 (800-STOCK-GE) or, if you are outside the U.S., (201) 680-6848. In addition, participants in the S&SP may request copies of our 2012 Annual Report by calling the GE S&SP Service Center at (877) 554-3777.
Delivery of Documents to Shareowners Sharing an Address If you are the beneficial owner, but not the record holder, of shares of GE stock, your broker, bank or other nominee may deliver only one copy of this proxy statement and our 2012 Annual Report to multiple shareowners who share an address, unless that nominee has received contrary instructions from one or more of the shareowners. We will deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of this proxy statement and our 2012 Annual Report to a shareowner at a shared address to which a single copy of the documents was delivered. A shareowner who wishes to receive a separate copy of the proxy statement and annual report, now or in the future, should submit this request by writing to GE Shareowner Services, c/o Computershare, P.O. Box 358016, Pittsburgh, PA 15252-8016, or calling (800) 786-2543 (800-STOCK-GE) or, if you are outside the U.S., (201) 680-6848. Beneficial owners sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of proxy materials and annual reports and who wish to receive a single copy of such materials in the future will need to contact their broker, bank or other nominee to request that only a single copy of each document be mailed to all shareowners at the shared address in the future.
Electronic Access to Proxy Statement and Annual Report This proxy statement and our 2012 Annual Report may be viewed online at GEs proxy and annual report websites (see Helpful Resources on page 55). If you are a shareowner of record, you can elect to access future annual reports and proxy statements electronically by visiting our Investor Relations or annual report websites (see Helpful Resources on page 55) and following the instructions provided therein. If you choose this option, you will receive an e-mail with links to access the materials and vote your shares, and your choice will remain in effect until you notify us that you wish to resume mail delivery of these documents. If you hold your GE stock through a bank, broker or other holder of record, refer to the information provided by that entity for instructions on how to elect this option.
INFORMATION ABOUT ATTENDING THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING AND ADVANCE REGISTRATION
| Date: | April 24, 2013 |
|---|---|
| Location: | Ernest N. Morial Convention |
| Center | |
| 900 Convention Center | |
| Blvd. | |
| New Orleans, LA 70130 | |
| Time: | 10:00 a.m. Central |
| Time |
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 51
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Advance Registration In accordance with GEs security procedures, an admission card will be required to enter GEs annual meeting. Please follow the advance registration instructions below and an admission card will be mailed to you. Upon arrival at the annual meeting, you will be asked to present your admission card and a current government-issued picture identification (such as a drivers license or passport) to enter the meeting. The company may implement security procedures as it deems appropriate to ensure the safety of the meeting attendees. Attendance at the annual meeting is limited to GE shareowners as of the record date, members of their immediate family or their named representatives. We reserve the right to limit the number of representatives who may attend the meeting.
- If you hold your GE shares directly with the company and you plan to attend the annual meeting, please follow the advance registration instructions on the top portion of your proxy form, which was included in the mailing from the company.
- If your GE shares are held for you in a brokerage, bank or other institutional account and you wish to attend the annual meeting, please send an annual meeting advance registration request containing the information listed below to:
GE Shareowner Services 1 River Road, Building 5 7W Schenectady, NY 12345
| Please include the following
information: | |
| --- | --- |
| | Your name and complete
mailing address; |
| | The name(s) of any
family members who will accompany you; |
| | If you will be naming a
representative to attend the meeting on your behalf, the name, address and
telephone number of that individual; and |
| | Proof that you own GE
shares (such as a letter from your bank or broker or a photocopy of a
current brokerage or other account
statement). |
Admission to the Meeting Attendance at GEs 2013 Annual Meeting will be limited to persons presenting an admission card and a current government-issued picture identification. To obtain an admission card, please follow the advance registration instructions above.
| Questions Regarding Admission to the Annual
Meeting? — Visit our Investor Relations
website (see Helpful Resources on page 55) | Within the U.S., call GE
Shareowner Services at (800)
786-2543 (800-STOCK-GE) | Outside the U.S., call GE
Shareowner Services at (201) 680-6848 |
| --- | --- | --- |
Voting in Person at the Meeting We encourage shareowners to submit proxies in advance by telephone, by Internet or by mail. Shareowners may also vote in person at the annual meeting instead, or may execute a proxy designating a representative to vote for them at the meeting. If your GE shares are held for you in a brokerage, bank or other institutional account, you must obtain a proxy from that entity and bring it with you to hand in with your ballot in order to be able to vote your shares at the meeting.
52 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
OTHER INFORMATION
Explanation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures Information on how GE calculates ENI for GE Capital, Industrial CFOA, Industrial ROTC, operating EPS and Industrial segment organic revenue growth, as presented on pages iii and 21 through 26, is disclosed on GEs proxy website (see Helpful Resources on page 55) and on pages 78 to 83 of GEs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC.
Reconciliation of Realized Compensation Table to Summary Compensation Table The amounts reported in the 2012 Realized Compensation Table on page 31 reflect income for the years shown as reported on the named executives W-2 Forms. These amounts differ substantially from the amounts reported as total compensation in the 2012 Summary Compensation Table on page 32 required under SEC rules and are not a substitute for the amounts reported in that table. For 2012, realized compensation represents: (1) total compensation, as determined under applicable SEC rules, minus (2) the aggregate grant date fair value of equity awards (as reflected in the Option Award column), minus (3) the year-over-year change in pension value and nonqualified deferred compensation earnings (as reflected in the Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Comp. Earnings column), minus (4) contributions to the S&SP and medical premiums that are deducted from income on a pretax basis, minus (5) the difference between the cost attributable to personal use of aircraft as calculated under SEC rules versus tax rules, minus (6) the companys S&SP match (as reflected in the 2012 All Other Compensation Table on page 33), plus (7) the value realized from the vesting of RSUs before payment of any applicable withholding taxes and brokerage commissions (as reflected in the 2012 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table on page 37), including the value realized from the payment of any dividend equivalents, plus (8) travel costs attributable to the named executives guests where there is no aggregate incremental cost to the company under SEC rules but there is imputed income for tax purposes. In addition, realized compensation reflects any bonus and LTPA actually paid in the year shown, whereas total compensation under SEC rules reflects any bonus and LTPA earned for the year shown. For realized compensation purposes, most other benefits (as disclosed in the 2012 Other Benefits Table on page 33) are accounted for on a tax year of November through October, whereas these benefits are accounted for on a calendar-year basis under SEC rules. For more information on total compensation as calculated under SEC rules, see the narrative and notes accompanying the 2012 Summary Compensation Table on page 32.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires GEs directors and executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and our other equity securities with the SEC. As a practical matter, GE assists its directors and officers by monitoring transactions and completing and filing Section 16 reports on their behalf. Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms in our possession and on written representations from reporting persons, we believe that during fiscal 2012 all of our executive officers and directors filed the required reports on a timely basis under Section 16(a), except that one Form 4 to report a stock option grant to Jamie Miller was inadvertently filed late due to an administrative error.
2014 SHAREOWNER PROPOSALS
Shareowner Proposals for Inclusion in Next Years Proxy Statement To be considered for inclusion in next years proxy statement, shareowner proposals submitted in accordance with SEC Rule 14a-8 must be received at our principal executive offices no later than the close of business on November 13, 2013. Proposals should be addressed to Brackett B. Denniston III, Secretary, General Electric Company, 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06828.
Other Shareowner Proposals for Presentation at Next Years Annual Meeting Our by-laws require that any shareowner proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in next years proxy statement under SEC Rule 14a-8, but is instead sought to be presented directly at the 2014 Annual Meeting, must be received at our principal executive offices not earlier than the 150th day and not later than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date the company commenced mailing of its proxy materials in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting. As a result, proposals, including director nominations, submitted pursuant to these provisions of our by-laws must be received no earlier than October 14, 2013 and no later than the close of business on November 13, 2013. Proposals should be addressed to Brackett B. Denniston III, Secretary, General Electric Company, 3135 Easton Turnpike, Fairfield, Connecticut 06828, and include the information set forth in those by-laws, which are posted on our website. SEC rules permit management to vote proxies in its discretion in certain cases if the shareowner does not comply with this deadline or, if this deadline does not apply, a deadline of the close of business on January 27, 2014, and in certain other cases notwithstanding the shareowners compliance with these deadlines.
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RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS CONSIDERED FOR DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
| Director | Organization | Relationship | GE
Transaction | 2012 Size |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Beattie | Woodbridge Co. | Former president | Indebtedness to GE | <2% of GEs
assets |
| | Elizabeth Arden | Brother is executive | Purchases from GE | <2% of other companys
revenues |
| | | | Sales to GE | <2% of other companys
revenues |
| | | | Indebtedness to GE | <2% of GEs
assets |
| DSouza | Cognizant | CEO | Purchases from GE | <2% of other
companys revenues |
| | | | Indebtedness to GE | <2% of GEs
assets |
| Dekkers | Bayer AG | Chair of Management Board | Purchases from GE | <2% of other companys
revenues |
| | | | Sales to GE | <2% of other companys
revenues |
| | | | Indebtedness to GE | <2% of GEs
assets |
| Jung | Avon | Former chair & CEO | Purchases from GE | <2% of other
companys revenues |
| | | | Sales to GE | <2% of other
companys revenues |
| | | | Indebtedness to GE | <2% of GEs
assets |
| Lazarus | Ogilvy & Mather | Former chair & CEO | Sales to GE | <2% of other companys
revenues |
| | | | Indebtedness to GE | <2% of GEs
assets |
| Mulva | ConocoPhillips | Former chair & CEO | Purchases from GE | <2% of other
companys revenues |
| | | | Indebtedness to GE | <2% of GEs
assets |
| | | | Sales to GE | <2% of other
companys revenues |
| | Exxon Mobil | Brother is executive | Purchases from GE | <2% of other
companys revenues |
| | | | Sales to GE | <2% of other
companys revenues |
| | | | Indebtedness to GE | <2% of GEs
assets |
| Tisch | Loews | President & CEO | Sales to GE | <2% of other companys
revenues |
| | | | Purchases from GE | <2% of other companys
revenues |
| | | | Indebtedness to GE | <2% of GEs
assets |
| | Four Partners | Brother is executive | Indebtedness to GE | <2% of GEs
assets |
| All
directors | Various
charitable organizations | Executive,
director or trustee | Charitable
contributions from GE | <1% of the organizations
revenues |
ACRONYMS USED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT
| AC | Audit
Committee |
| --- | --- |
| AAA | American Accounting
Association |
| CFOA | Cash From
Operating Activities |
| CFTC | Commodities Futures Trading
Commission |
| CRO | Chief Risk
Officer |
| DSUs | Deferred Stock Units |
| ENI | Ending Net
Investment |
| EPS | Earnings Per Share |
| FINRA | Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority |
| GAAP | Generally Accepted Accounting
Principles |
| IRS | Internal Revenue
Service |
| LTPAs | Long-Term Performance
Awards |
| M&A | Mergers and
Acquisitions |
| MDCC | Management Development and Compensation
Committee |
| NCGC | Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee |
|---|---|
| NYSE | New York Stock Exchange |
| PCAOB | Public Company Accounting Oversight Board |
| PRC | Public Responsibilities Committee |
| PSUs | Performance Share Units |
| R&D | Research & Development |
| RC | Risk Committee |
| ROTC | Return On Total Capital |
| RSUs | Restricted Stock Units |
| S&P | Standard & Poors |
| S&SP | GE Savings and Security Program |
| SG&A | Selling, General and Administrative |
| SEC | Securities and Exchange Commission |
| TSR | Total Shareowner |
| Return |
54 GE 2013 Proxy Statement
Table of Contents
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
HELPFUL RESOURCES
| Annual
Meeting | |
| --- | --- |
| Proxy
statement | www.ge.com/proxy |
| Explanation
of LTPA and non-GAAP financial measures | www.ge.com/proxy |
| Voting | www.investorvote.com/ge |
| Questions
regarding admission | www.ge.com/investor-relations |
| Webcast | www.ge.com/investor-relations |
| SEC website
on proxy matters | www.sec.gov/spotlight/proxymatters.shtml |
| Electronic
delivery of future proxy materials | www.ge.com/investor-relations/investor-services/investor-updates OR
www.ge.com/annualreport |
| Board of
Directors | |
| Board of
Directors | www.ge.com/company/leadership/directors.html |
| Board
committees | www.ge.com/company/governance/board/committees.html |
| Audit Committee
Charter | www.ge.com/pdf/company/governance/board/ge_audit_committee_charter.pdf |
| Audit Key
Practices | www.ge.com/pdf/company/governance/board/ge_audit_committee_key_practices.pdf |
| MDCC
Charter | www.ge.com/pdf/company/governance/board/ge_management_dev_comp_charter.pdf |
| MDCC Key
Practices | www.ge.com/pdf/company/governance/board/ge_management_dev_key_practices.pdf |
| NCGC
Charter | www.ge.com/pdf/company/governance/board/ge_nominating_committee_charter.pdf |
| NCGC Key
Practices | www.ge.com/pdf/company/governance/board/ge_nominating_committee_key_practices.pdf |
| PRC
Charter | www.ge.com/pdf/company/governance/board/ge_public_responsibilities_charter.pdf |
| Risk Committee
Charter | www.ge.com/pdf/company/governance/board/ge_risk_committee_charter.pdf |
| Communicating
concerns to directors | www.ge.com/company/governance/board/contact_board.html |
| Director
independence | www.ge.com/company/governance/board/director_independence.html |
| Policy on
director attendance at annual meetings | www.ge.com/investor-relations/governance/board-of-directors |
| Financial
Reporting | |
| Annual
report | www.ge.com/annualreport |
| Earnings
reports | www.ge.com/investors/financial_reporting/earnings_reports/index.html |
| Financial
reports | www.ge.com/investors/financial_reporting/index.html |
| GE | |
| Corporate
website | www.ge.com |
| Leaders | www.ge.com/company/leadership/executives.html |
| Citizenship
report | www.ge.com/citizenship/index.html |
| Investor
relations | www.ge.com/investor-relations |
| Ombudsperson
process | www.ge.com/company/governance/ombudsperson_process/index.html |
| Governance
Documents | |
| By-laws | www.ge.com/company/governance/by_laws/index.html |
| Certificate
of Incorporation | www.ge.com/company/governance/certification/index.html |
| Code of conduct
set forth in The Spirit & The
Letter | www.ge.com/files/usa/citizenship/pdf/english.pdf |
| Governance Principles | www.ge.com/company/governance/principles/index.html |
| * | Web links and QR
codes throughout this document are provided for convenience only, and the
content on the referenced websites does not constitute a part of this
proxy statement. |
| --- | --- |
| ** | GE, the GE logo,
FlexEfficiency, Evolution Series Locomotive and Mission 1 are trademarks
and service marks of the General Electric Company. Other marks used
throughout are trademarks and service marks of their respective
owners. |
GE 2013 Proxy Statement 55
Table of Contents
IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION
| | | Electronic Voting Instructions Available 24 hours a day,
7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy form, you
may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your
proxy. VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE
BAR. Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be
received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on April 23,
2013. — Vote by
Internet Go to www.investorvote.com/GE or scan the QR code with your mobile device Follow the steps outlined on the secure website |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in
this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. | x | Vote by
telephone Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the United States, U.S.
territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone Follow the instructions provided by the recorded
message |
| Annual Meeting Proxy Card |
|---|
| 6 IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. 6 |
| A | For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - | W. | ||||||||
| Geoffrey Beattie | o | o | o | 10 - | Robert W. Lane | o | o | o | |
| 2 | |||||||||
| - | John | ||||||||
| J. Brennan | o | o | o | 11 - | Ralph S. Larsen | o | o | o | |
| 3 - | James I. Cash, | ||||||||
| Jr. | o | o | o | 12 - | Rochelle B. Lazarus | o | o | o | |
| 4 - | Francisco DSouza | o | o | o | 13 - | James J. Mulva | o | o | o |
| 5 - | Marijn E. Dekkers | o | o | o | 14 - | Mary L. Schapiro | o | o | o |
| 6 - | Ann | ||||||||
| M. Fudge | o | o | o | 15 - | Robert J. Swieringa | o | o | o | |
| 7 - | Susan Hockfield | o | o | o | 16 - | James S. Tisch | o | o | o |
| 8 - | Jeffrey R. Immelt | o | o | o | 17 - | Douglas A. Warner | |||
| III | o | o | o | ||||||
| 9 - | Andrea Jung | o | o | o |
| B | Management Proposals Your Board of Directors recommends a
vote FOR management proposals 1 and 2. | For | Against | Abstain |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1. | Advisory
Approval of Our Named Executives Compensation | o | o | o |
| 2. | Ratification of
Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | o | o | o |
C Shareowner Proposals Your Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST shareowner proposals 1 through 6.
| For | Against | Abstain | For | Against | Abstain | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Cessation of | ||||||||
| All Stock Options and Bonuses | o | o | o | 4. | Right to Act | ||||
| by Written Consent | o | o | o | ||||||
| 2. | Director | ||||||||
| Term Limits | o | o | o | 5. | Executives | ||||
| to Retain Significant Stock | o | o | o | ||||||
| 3. | Independent | ||||||||
| Chairman | o | o | o | 6. | Multiple | ||||
| Candidate Elections | o | o | o |
IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOU MUST SIGN AND DATE THIS FORM IN SECTION E ON THE OTHER SIDE.
Dear Shareowner:
You are invited to attend GEs 2013 Annual Meeting to be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, 900 Convention Center Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70130.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, you can be sure that your shares are represented at the meeting by promptly voting your shares by Internet, telephone or mail as described on the other side of this form.
All persons attending the meeting must present an admission card and a current government-issued picture identification. Please follow the advance registration instructions below and an admission card will be sent to you.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
If you are voting by Internet , you will be able to pre-register at the same time you record your vote. There is no need to return your Proxy Form.
If you are voting by telephone , please complete the information to the right and tear off the top of this Advance Registration Form and mail it separately to: GE Shareowner Services, 1 River Road, Building 5 7W, Schenectady, NY 12345. There is no need to return the Proxy Form.
If you are voting by mail , please mark the box below and complete the information to the right and include this portion when mailing your marked, signed and dated Proxy Form in the envelope provided.
GE Annual Meeting Advance Registration Form
Attendance at GEs Annual Meeting is limited to GE shareowners as of the record date, members of their immediate families or their named representative. We reserve the right to limit the number of guests or representatives who may attend.
ADVANCE REGISTRATION INFORMATION
| Name |
|---|
| Address |
| Zip |
Name(s) of family member(s) who will also attend:
I am a GE shareowner. Name, address and telephone number of my representative at the Annual Meeting:
(Admission card will be returned c/o the shareowner)
GEs Proxy Statement is available at www.ge.com/proxy and the Annual Report is available at www.ge.com/annualreport
IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE .
Proxy Form General Electric Company
Proxy solicited on behalf of the General Electric Company Board of Directors for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareowners, April 24, 2013.
The shareowner(s) whose signature(s) appear(s) below hereby appoint(s) Jeffrey R. Immelt and Brackett B. Denniston III, or either of them, each with full power of substitution, as proxies, to vote all stock in General Electric Company which the shareowner(s) would be entitled to vote on all matters which may properly come before the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareowners and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The proxies shall vote subject to the directions indicated on the reverse side of this form, and proxies are authorized to vote in their discretion upon other business as may properly come before the meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The proxies will vote as the Board of Directors recommends where a choice is not specified.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE GE SAVINGS AND SECURITY PROGRAM
In accordance with the terms of the GE Savings and Security Program (S&SP), any shares allocable to the participants S&SP account on the record date will be voted by the trustee of the S&SP trust in accordance with the instructions of the participant received via telephone or the Internet or indicated on the reverse. IF THIS FORM IS RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE APRIL 22, 2013, BUT A CHOICE IS NOT SPECIFIED, THE TRUSTEE WILL VOTE SHARES ALLOCABLE TO THE PARTICIPANTS S&SP ACCOUNT AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS. IF THIS FORM IS NOT RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE APRIL 22, 2013, AND NO VOTE WAS SUBMITTED VIA TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET BY THAT DATE, SHARES ALLOCABLE TO THE PARTICIPANTS S&SP ACCOUNT WILL NOT BE VOTED. Participants in GEs S&SP may revoke a previously delivered proxy by delivering a subsequent proxy or by notifying the inspectors of election in writing of such revocation on or before April 22, 2013.
(Continued on the other side)
D Non-Voting Items Change of Address Please print new address below. Comments Please print your comments below. Meeting Attendance Mark the box to the right if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. c
E Authorized Signatures This section must be completed for your vote to be counted date and sign below. (When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, give full title. If more than one trustee, all should sign.)
| Date
(mm/dd/yyyy) Please print date below. |
| --- |
| / / |
Signature 1 Please keep signature within the box.
Signature 2 Please keep signature within the box.
IF VOTING BY MAIL, YOU MUST SIGN AND DATE THIS FORM IN SECTION E.