South Dakota Share Appreciation Rights Plan with Amendment is a type of executive compensation program that allows employees to share in the growth and success of a company. It is designed to incentivize and motivate key employees by granting them the right to receive the appreciation in the value of the company's stock. This plan is commonly used by businesses in South Dakota and is governed by the state's laws and regulations. It can be implemented by companies of any size, from small startups to large corporations, to attract and retain top talent. Under the South Dakota Share Appreciation Rights Plan with Amendment, eligible employees are given the opportunity to receive a cash payment or stock upon the achievement of specific performance goals, such as an increase in the company's stock price or a certain level of profitability. The appreciation rights are typically granted subject to a vesting schedule, which means employees will only be able to fully exercise their rights after a certain period of time or upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, such as a merger or acquisition. There are different types of South Dakota Share Appreciation Rights Plans with amendments, each tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses. Some common variations include: 1. Performance-Based Share Appreciation Rights Plan: This type of plan ties the value of the appreciation rights to the achievement of specific performance metrics, such as revenue growth, market share expansion, or earnings per share targets. Employees earn the right to exercise their appreciation rights only if the predetermined performance goals are met. 2. Time-Based Share Appreciation Rights Plan: This plan grants employees the right to exercise their appreciation rights based on the number of years they have been with the company. For example, an employee may be granted 100 appreciation rights each year, and they become fully vested after five years of continuous service. 3. Change of Control Share Appreciation Rights Plan: This plan is triggered by a significant corporate event, such as a merger, acquisition, or change in control of the company. If such an event occurs, eligible employees may be entitled to exercise their appreciation rights and receive the corresponding financial benefits. It is important for companies to consult with legal and financial advisors when designing and implementing a South Dakota Share Appreciation Rights Plan with Amendment to ensure compliance with state laws and regulations.