The Cook Illinois Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) is an additional retirement benefit offered to executives working for Cook Illinois Corporation. It is designed to provide an enhanced level of financial security for high-level executives during their retirement years. The SERP serves as a supplement to the traditional pension or 401(k) plans that the company already offers to its employees. The Cook Illinois SERP is a non-qualified retirement plan, meaning that it does not have to follow the same restrictions as qualified plans when it comes to contribution limits and participation requirements. This flexibility allows the company to tailor the plan to meet the unique needs of its executives. One of the key features of the Cook Illinois SERP is the ability to make tax-deferred contributions towards the executive's retirement savings. These contributions are typically made by the company on behalf of the executive and are not subject to current income tax. The funds within the SERP account grow tax-deferred until the executive retires and begins receiving benefits. There are several types of SERPs offered by Cook Illinois, each with its own specific benefits and provisions. One common type is the Top-Hat SERP, which is provided to a select group of highly paid executives. This plan often includes contribution matching by the company and allows for additional benefits such as early retirement options and survivor benefits. Another type of SERP offered by Cook Illinois is the Deferred Compensation SERP. This plan allows executives to defer a portion of their current salary or bonuses, which are then invested and grow tax-deferred until retirement. The Deferred Compensation SERP also often includes employer contributions and can be customized to meet the individual needs of the executive. The Cook Illinois SERP provides executives with a valuable retirement planning tool that goes beyond the traditional pension or 401(k) plan. By offering additional benefits and customization options, this plan helps ensure that executives can retire with financial security and peace of mind.