401(k) plan:  The Company maintains a contributory savings plan that qualifies under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Paychex, Inc. 401(k) Incentive Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) allows all employees to immediately participate in the salary deferral portion of the Plan, contributing up to a maximum of 50% of their salary, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations. Employees who have completed one year of service are eligible to receive a company matching contribution, when such contribution is in effect. Prior to April 2009, the Company matched up to 100% of the first 3% of eligible pay and up to 50% of the next 2% of eligible pay that an employee contributed to the Plan. Effective April 3, 2009, the Company suspended the employer matching contribution. A matching contribution was reinstated in the amount of 50% of up to 4% of eligible pay that an employee contributes to the Plan for pay dates on or after January 1, 2011.

 

The Plan is 100% participant-directed. Plan participants can fully diversify their portfolios by choosing from any or all investment fund choices in the Plan. Transfers in and out of investment funds, including the Paychex, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Stock Fund, are not restricted, with the exception of certain restricted trading periods for individuals designated as insiders as specified in the Company’s Insider Trading Policy. The Company match contribution, when in effect, follows the same fund elections as the employee compensation deferrals.

 

Company contributions to the Plan for fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2009 were $3.5 million and $14.3 million, respectively. There were no Company contributions to the Plan for fiscal 2010 due to the suspension of the employer matching contribution at that time.

 

Deferred compensation plans:  The Company offers non-qualified and unfunded deferred compensation plans to a select group of key employees, executive officers, and outside directors. Eligible employees are provided with the opportunity to defer up to 50% of their annual base salary and bonus and outside directors to defer 100% of their Board cash compensation. Gains and losses are credited based on the participant’s election of a variety of investment choices. The Company does not match any participant deferral or guarantee its return. Distributions are paid at one of the following dates selected by the participant: the participant’s termination date, the date the participant retires from any active employment, or a designated specific date. In fiscal 2009, participants were allowed to make a one-time election for a distribution under the Internal Revenue Service Section 409A transition rules. The amounts accrued under these plans were $8.9 million and $7.3 million as of May 31, 2011 and May 31, 2010, respectively, and are reflected in other long-term liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.