x	No fee required.

o	Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(3)	Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

(5)	Total fee paid:

o	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

(1)	Amount Previously Paid:

(2)	Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3)	Filing Party:

(4)	Date Filed:

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•	Fiscal year 2017 base salary levels for our Named Executive Officers remained the same as their fiscal year 2016 levels.

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As described in the Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in February 2017, Mr. Peterson did not receive an annual equity award for fiscal year 2017 and he will not receive an annual equity award for fiscal year 2018. In fiscal year 2016, Mr. Peterson was issued an equity award that was entirely performance-based, with vesting solely contingent on the company achieving a series of stock price targets that were all significantly higher than the closing price for a share of Company common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the grant date of award and greater than the highest trading price for a share of Company common stock reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market prior to that time.

•

For fiscal year 2017, our Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Peterson) were granted annual equity awards that consisted three-fourths of performance shares which vest based on our revenue and earnings-per-share growth over multiple periods, as well as our total shareholder return for the three-year award period relative to our direct industry peers, and one-fourth of time-based restricted stock to facilitate retention and promote shareholder alignment and ownership.

•

For fiscal year 2018, we further increased the performance focus of our equity program by granting our Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Peterson) annual equity awards that consisted entirely of performance shares which vest based on our revenue and earnings-per-share growth over multiple periods, as well as our total shareholder return for the three-year award period relative to our direct industry peers.

•

Our executive bonus program supports the annual and multi-year strategic plan of the Company. The programs for fiscal years 2017 and 2018 measure performance against absolute revenue, earnings per share, and net cash flow goals, which represent key value drivers for our Company. The program also includes a modifier based on our rate of growth for each metric relative to a group of peer companies. In order to further align the Named Executive Officers’ interests with those of our stockholders, the Compensation Committee determined that payments under the bonus program for fiscal year 2017 would be made in shares of our common stock rather than cash for each of the Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Peterson. Payments to Mr. Peterson under the bonus program for fiscal year 2017 would be made in cash because of applicable annual individual equity award grant limits in place under the Microsemi Corporation 2008 Performance Incentive Plan. Fiscal year 2017 bonuses for the Named Executive Officers were determined by the Compensation Committee by applying the objective bonus framework of the fiscal year 2017 executive bonus plan to the Company’s actual performance results.

•	Our change-in-control agreements include double-triggers and the applicable severance multiplier is limited to two times. None of our change-in-control agreements include "single-trigger" benefits that pay out based solely on a change in control.

•	Our Board of Directors has adopted a clawback policy, which allows the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee to recover payments made to the Named Executive Officers under our cash and equity incentive programs in certain circumstances.

•

Under our stock ownership policy, our Chief Executive Officer is expected to acquire and hold shares of common stock of the Company, or time-based vesting Company restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards, with a value of at least three times his base salary (or, if less, 90,000 shares). Each of our other Named Executive Officers are expected to acquire and hold shares of common stock of the Company, or time-based vesting Company restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards, with a value of at least one times the executive’s base salary (or, if less, 15,000 shares).

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•	Record net sales for fiscal year 2017 of $1.81 billion, up 9.5% from the $1.65 billion for fiscal year 2016.

•	Record GAAP gross profit for fiscal year 2017 of $1.16 billion compared to $937.1 million for fiscal year 2016. Non-GAAP gross profit for fiscal year 2017 was $1.16 billion compared to $1.01 billion for fiscal year 2016.

•	Record GAAP gross margin for fiscal year 2017 of 63.9%, up 730 basis points from 56.6% reported for fiscal year 2016. Record Non-GAAP gross margin for fiscal year 2017 was 64.0%, up 310 basis points from 60.9% reported for fiscal year 2016.

•	Record GAAP net income for fiscal year 2017 of $176.3 million or $1.51 per diluted shared. Record non-GAAP net income for fiscal year 2017 of $450.3 million or $3.85 per diluted share.

•	Record GAAP operating cash flows of $474.7 million for fiscal year 2017 compared to $274.6 million for fiscal year 2016.

•	Record free cash flows of $420.0 million for fiscal year 2017 compared to $225.8 million for fiscal year 2016.

•	Our stock price increased by 23% from $41.98 as of fiscal year end 2016 to $51.48 as of fiscal year end 2017 and increased by 27% compared to the Company's closing price on December 18, 2017 of $53.46.

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•	The election of the nine director nominees named in this Proxy Statement to serve until our next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified (Proposal 1);

•	Approval, on an advisory basis, of Named Executive Officer (as hereinafter defined) compensation (Proposal 2);

•	Vote, on an advisory basis, on the frequency of future advisory votes on Named Executive Officer compensation (Proposal 3);

•	Approval of an amendment to the Microsemi Corporation 2008 Performance Incentive Plan (the "2008 Plan") (Proposal 4); and

•	The ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2018 (Proposal 5).

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*	Represents less than 1.0% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

(1)

We determine beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the SEC. We deem shares subject to options that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days after December 18, 2017 outstanding for purposes of computing the share amount and the percentage ownership of the person holding the stock options, but we do not deem them outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person.

(2)	Except as noted in footnotes (1) above and (6) through (9) below, we determine applicable percentage ownership based on 117,502,519 shares of our common stock outstanding as of December 18, 2017.

(3)	Includes 7,000 shares held in a defined benefit plan in which Mr. Leibel has sole voting and investment power.

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(4)	Includes 3,780 shares held by a trust of which Mr. Folino has sole voting and investment power.

(5)	Includes 15,554 shares held by a trust in which Mr. Massengill shares voting and investment power.

(6)	Beneficial and percentage ownership information is based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed on July 10, 2017 by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. The schedule indicates that, as of June 30, 2017, T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., had sole voting power over 2,766,340 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power over 11,921,691 shares of our common stock.

(7)	Beneficial and percentage ownership information is based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed on January 12, 2017 by BlackRock, Inc. The schedule indicates that, as of December 31, 2016, BlackRock, Inc. had sole voting power over 11,488,715 shares of our common stock and sole dispositive power over 11,753,680 shares of our common stock.

(8)

Beneficial and percentage ownership information is based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 10, 2017 by The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Vanguard") on its own behalf and on behalf of its subsidiaries, Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company and Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd. The schedule indicates that, as of December 31, 2016, Vanguard had sole voting power over 226,394 shares, shared voting power over 13,032 shares, sole dispositive power 8,941,673 shares and shared dispositive power over 233,326 shares of our common stock.

(9)

Beneficial and percentage ownership information is based on information contained in a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 14, 2017 by Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. ("Waddell & Reed") on its own behalf and on behalf of certain subsidiaries. The schedule indicates that, as of December 31, 2016, Waddell & Reed, together with its subsidiaries, had sole voting power and sole dispositive power over 7,681,842 shares of our common stock.

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•	approving goals relevant to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, evaluating the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and setting the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation level based on this evaluation;

•	approving all compensation arrangements for our other executive officers;

•	making recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to, and overseeing the administration of, our incentive and equity-based compensation plans and all compensation arrangements for members of the Board of Directors and of committees of the Board of Directors;

•	helping to ensure that our compensation policies and practices create a direct relationship between executive compensation and performance and allow us to recruit and retain superior talent; and

•	reviewing the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section and recommending to our Board of Directors that such section be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into the annual report, and preparing the Report of the Compensation Committee for inclusion in the proxy statement.

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(1)

The amounts reported in the "Stock Awards" column of the table above reflect the fair value on the grant date of the stock awards granted to our Non-Employee Directors during fiscal year 2017 as determined under the principles used to calculate the grant date fair value of equity awards for purposes of the Company's financial statements. Pursuant to our Non-Employee Director compensation program, we granted each of our Non-Employee Directors then in office 3,572 fully-vested shares of our common stock on February 14, 2017 (the date of our 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders). The fair value on the grant date of the stock awards granted to Non-Employee Directors was determined based on the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the date of grant which was $53.32. In accordance with our Non-Employee Director compensation program, the number of shares subject to each of these awards was determined by dividing a fixed dollar amount of $195,000 by the average closing price of a share of our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market over a period of twenty consecutive trading days ending on the date of grant which was $54.59. Accordingly, the dollar amount reported in the table above is different from the fixed dollar amount used to calculate the number of shares to be subject to these awards. Pursuant to our Non-Employee Director compensation program, Mr. Beyer was granted 4,666 fully-vested shares of our common stock upon his appointment to the Board on September 5, 2017. The fair value on the grant date of the stock award granted to Mr. Beyer was determined based on the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the date of grant which was $49.52. In accordance with our Non-Employee Director compensation program, the number of shares subject to the award was determined by dividing $231,548 (the fixed dollar amount for his initial equity award grant calculated as described below under "Equity Awards") by the average closing price of a share of our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market over a period of twenty consecutive trading days ending on the date of grant which was $49.62. For additional information on the assumptions and methodologies used to calculate the amounts referred to above, please see the discussion of stock awards and option awards contained in the Stock-Based Compensation footnote to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, included as part of the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC. No stock awards or option awards granted to Non-Employee Directors were forfeited during fiscal year 2017.

(2)	As of October 1, 2017, none of our Non-Employee Directors held any outstanding and unexercised option awards or unvested stock awards.

(3)	Mr. Beyer joined the Board of Directors on September 5, 2017.

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•	Record net sales for fiscal year 2017 of $1.81 billion, up 9.5% from the $1.65 billion for fiscal year 2016.

•	Record GAAP gross profit for fiscal year 2017 of $1.16 billion compared to $937.1 million for fiscal year 2016. Non-GAAP gross profit for fiscal year 2017 was $1.16 billion compared to $1.01 billion for fiscal year 2016.

•	Record GAAP gross margin for fiscal year 2017 of 63.9%, up 730 basis points from 56.6% reported for fiscal year 2016. Record Non-GAAP gross margin for fiscal year 2017 was 64.0%, up 310 basis points from 60.9% reported for fiscal year 2016.

•	Record GAAP net income for fiscal year 2017 of $176.3 million or $1.51 per diluted shared. Record non-GAAP net income for fiscal year 2017 of $450.3 million or $3.85 per diluted share.

•	Record GAAP operating cash flows of $474.7 million for fiscal year 2017 compared to $274.6 million for fiscal year 2016.

•	Record free cash flows of $420.0 million for fiscal year 2017 compared to $225.8 million for fiscal year 2016.

•	Our stock price increased by 23% from $41.98 as of fiscal year end 2016 to $51.48 as of fiscal year end 2017 and increased by 27% compared to the Company's closing price on December 18, 2017 of $53.46.

•	Fiscal year 2017 base salary levels for our Named Executive Officers remained the same as their fiscal year 2016 levels.

•

As described in the Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in February 2017, Mr. Peterson did not receive an annual equity award for fiscal year 2017 and he will not receive an annual equity award for fiscal year 2018. In fiscal year 2016, Mr. Peterson was issued an equity award that was entirely performance-based, with vesting solely contingent on the company achieving a series of stock price targets that were all significantly higher than the closing price for a share of Company common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the grant date of award and greater than the highest trading price for a share of Company common stock reported on the Nasdaq Stock Market prior to that time.

•	As illustrated in the chart on page 26, an average of 88% of the fiscal year 2017 total compensation opportunity for each of our Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Peterson was performance-based and/or linked to

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•

The Company granted annual long term incentive equity awards to the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Peterson) for fiscal year 2017 in October 2016. Three fourths of the shares subject to each participating Named Executive Officer’s annual equity award granted were subject to performance vesting criteria. Performance for purposes of the awards is measured over a three-year period based on Company rankings relative to peer companies selected by the Compensation Committee for growth in Revenue and growth in Adjusted EPS, with a relative total shareholder return modifier applied at the end of the three years.

•

Target bonus opportunity for our Named Executive Officers under our fiscal year 2017 executive bonus plan remained the same as under our fiscal year 2016 plan. Fiscal year 2017 bonuses were determined based on our revenue, Adjusted EPS, and Net Cash Flow for the year, and were paid at 195% of the applicable targeted levels. In order to further align the Named Executive Officers’ interests with those of our stockholders, the Compensation Committee determined that payments under the bonus program for fiscal year 2017 would be made in shares of our common stock rather than cash for each of the Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Peterson. Payments to Mr. Peterson under the bonus plan for fiscal year 2017 would be made in cash because of applicable annual individual equity award grant limits in place under the 2008 Plan. Fiscal year 2017 bonuses for the Named Executive Officers were determined by the Compensation Committee by applying the objective bonus framework of the fiscal year 2017 executive bonus plan to the Company’s actual performance results.

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•	The program is designed to allow the Company to recruit and retain superior talent and to create a direct relationship between executive compensation and performance; and

•	The program provides compensation and benefit levels that create proper incentives to enhance the value of the Company and reward superior performance.

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(1)	Based on each company’s revenue for the last four fiscal quarters completed as of February 28, 2017 as reported in the company’s periodic reports filed with the SEC.

(2)	Based on the closing market price for the company’s securities as of February 28, 2017.

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(1)	For each Named Executive Officer, this amount represents the executive’s total bonus awarded for fiscal year 2017, less the amount of the executive’s "First Half Bonus Paid" (which was paid to the executive in April 2017).

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(1)

These values have been determined under the principles used to calculate the grant date fair value of equity awards for purposes of the Company’s financial statements. The fair value of stock awards granted was based on the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the date of grant. Other than for Mr. Peterson, who was not granted an annual equity award in fiscal year 2017, one-fourth of the aggregate grant date stock award value was attributable to the Named Executive Officer’s time-based restricted stock award and three-fourths of the value was attributable to the Named Executive Officer’s performance-based restricted stock unit award. The grant date value of the performance-based restricted stock unit award was determined assuming the "target" level of performance, and the actual payout of the award (based on performance for fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019) could range from 0% to 270% of the target level as described below.

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(1)	The vesting percentage for the award is limited to a maximum of 270% after giving effect to the TSR multiplier described above.

(1)	The percentage reflects a vesting percentage of 98.1% based on fiscal year 2016-2017 performance, minus 40% previously vested for Period 1 under the award.

(2)	The vesting percentage for the award is limited to a maximum of 270% after giving effect to the TSR multiplier described above.

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(1)

The achievement percentage was determined to be 106.2% before giving effect to the TSR multiplier described above. The Compensation Committee determined that the Company’s TSR ranking over the three-year performance period under these awards (fiscal years 2015-2017) was in the top quartile of the peer group. Accordingly, the 106.2% achievement percentage was multiplied by a factor of 1.2 to produce a total achievement percentage of 127.5%. The revenue achievement percentage for Year 3 remained 100% as there is no reduction under the awards for payouts that occurred in prior years and the 100% achievement percentage for the revenue measure was attained in Year 2 (the fiscal year 2015-2016 performance period).

(2)	The vesting percentage for the award is limited to a maximum of 270% after giving effect to the TSR multiplier described above.

(3)	The percentage reflects a vesting percentage of 127.5% based on fiscal year 2015-2017 performance, minus 100% previously vested for Year 1 and Year 2 under the award.

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(1)

The amounts reported in the "Stock Awards" column reflect the fair value on the grant date of the awards of stock and performance share units granted to our Named Executive Officers during the applicable fiscal year. These values have been determined under the principles used to calculate the grant date fair value of equity awards for purposes of the Company’s financial statements. The fair value of Stock Awards granted was based on the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the date of grant. For additional information on the assumptions and methodologies used to value the awards reported in the "Stock Awards" column above, please see the discussion of stock awards contained in the Stock Based Compensation footnote to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, included as part of the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC. No stock awards granted to Named Executive Officers were forfeited during fiscal years 2015, 2016 or 2017. For information about the stock awards granted to our Named Executive Officers for fiscal year 2017, please see the discussion under "Grants of Plan-Based Awards" below.

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(2)

As described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above, the Compensation Committee determined that bonuses for our Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Peterson) under our fiscal year 2017 annual bonus program would be paid in shares of our common stock. Under SEC rules, the grant date fair value of these stock bonus awards are reported as compensation for the Named Executive Officer for the fiscal year in which the bonus is awarded (as opposed to cash awards which are reported as compensation for the fiscal year in which the bonus was earned). Accordingly, the Named Executive Officers’ bonuses for fiscal year 2015 and Mr. Peterson’s bonuses for fiscal year 2017 are reported in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" in the table above for the applicable fiscal year as those bonuses were paid in cash. The bonuses awarded to the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Peterson) in April 2016 based on the Company’s performance during the first half of fiscal year 2016 are included in the "Stock Awards" column for fiscal year 2016 as these bonuses were paid in shares during fiscal year 2016. The bonuses awarded to the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Peterson) in November 2016 based on the Company’s performance during fiscal year 2016, and in April 2017 based on the Company’s performance during the first half of fiscal year 2017, are included in the "Stock Awards" column for fiscal year 2017 as these bonuses were paid in shares during fiscal year 2017 and are also reflected in the "Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table" below. The remaining portion of the Named Executive Officers’ bonuses for fiscal year 2017 were awarded in shares in November 2017 and, accordingly, will be reported in the "Stock Awards" column as part of the Named Executive Officers’ compensation for fiscal year 2018 in next year’s proxy statement.

(3)

The amounts reported in the "All Other Compensation" column of the table above consist of payments in settlement of accrued and unused vacation, payments of premiums under the Company’s health, disability and life insurance policies and auto allowance for each of these executives. The Company is not the beneficiary of the life insurance policies, and the premiums that the Company pays are taxable as income to the applicable executive officer. This insurance is not split-dollar life insurance. The fiscal year 2017 payments made on behalf of or to each of the Named Executive Officers were as follows:

(4)	Represents a bonus paid in shares of our common stock under our fiscal year 2017 bonus program, which was adopted in October 2016.

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(1)

The amounts reported in the "Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards" column reflect the fair value of these awards on the grant date as determined under the principles used to calculate the value of equity awards for purposes of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. With respect to performance share units, the grant date fair value is reported based on the probable outcome (as of the grant date) of the performance-based conditions applicable to the awards, as determined under generally accepted accounting principles. For a discussion of the assumptions and methodologies used to value the awards reported in this column, please see footnote (1) to the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)	These entries represent bonuses paid in shares of our common stock to the Named Executive Officers under our fiscal year 2016 bonus program, which was adopted in October 2015. These bonuses were paid in November 2016 based on performance during fiscal year 2017, less amounts earned and paid based on performance during the first six months of fiscal year 2016.

(3)	These entries represent bonuses paid in shares of our common stock to the Named Executive Officers under our fiscal year 2017 bonus program, which was adopted in October 2016. These bonuses were paid in April 2017 based on performance during the first six months of the fiscal year 2017.

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(1)	The dollar amounts shown in these columns are determined by multiplying the number of unvested shares or units subject to the award by $51.48, the closing price of a share of our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on September 29, 2017, the last trading day of fiscal year 2017.

(2)	The unvested portions of these grants is scheduled to vest in equal installments on October 5, 2017 and October 6, 2017.

(3)	The unvested portions of these grants is scheduled to vest in equal installments on October 12, 2017 and October 12, 2018.

(4)	The unvested portions of these grants is scheduled to vest in equal installments on October 10, 2017, October 10, 2018 and October 10, 2019.

(5)

These entries reflect performance rights granted on October 12, 2015 that may be earned over a three-year performance period incorporating Microsemi’s fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018. This amount represents the number of shares subject to the award that would vest if the maximum performance levels established for the award are achieved (which represents 270% of the original target number of shares subject to the award), less payments of shares for the first two years of the performance period (which payments represent a total of 98.1% of the original target number of shares subject to the award). The original target number of shares granted to each of the Named Executive Officers was as follows: Mr. Peterson - 116,410; Mr. Pickle - 53,128; Mr. Hohener - 43,404; Mr. Litchfield - 46,600; and Mr. Goren - 31,074.

(6)

These entries reflect performance rights granted on October 10, 2016 that may be earned over a three-year performance period incorporating Microsemi’s fiscal years 2017, 2018 and 2019. This amount represents the number of shares subject to the award that would vest if the maximum performance levels established for the award are achieved (which represents 270% of the original target number of shares subject to the award), less a payment of shares for the first year of the performance period (which payment represented 31.1% of the original target

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(7)

This entry reflects performance stock units awarded to Mr. Peterson in fiscal year 2016. 500,000 shares subject to the award are scheduled to vest if the closing price of a share of Company common stock over a period of at least 20 consecutive trading days (or the Company’s share price in certain change in control transactions) equals or exceeds $60.00 within five years after the grant date.  250,000 shares subject to the award are scheduled to vest if the closing price of a share of Company common stock over a period of at least 20 consecutive trading days (or the Company’s share price in certain change in control transactions) equals or exceeds $70.00 within five years after the grant date.

(1)	The dollar amounts shown in this column for stock awards are determined by multiplying the number of shares that vested by the per-share price of our common stock on the vesting date.

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If the executive is entitled to accelerated vesting of his equity awards in connection with the termination of his employment under his retention agreement described above, the performance periods then in effect will be deemed to end on the last day of the fiscal quarter in which the termination occurs, the applicable performance goals will be adjusted by the Compensation Committee as appropriate to reflect the shortened performance period, and the vesting of the award will be determined based on the Company’s performance for the shortened performance periods.

•	If the executive’s employment terminates due to his death or disability, the award will vest to such extent that the total target number of restricted stock units subject to the award (including any units that vested for a performance period that ended prior to the date of the executive’s termination) will be vested as of the termination date.

•

If the executive’s employment terminates due to his retirement (generally defined as a termination other than in the circumstances described above and at a time when the executive is age 65 or older and has at least ten years of service with the Company), the performance periods then in effect will be deemed to end on the last day of the fiscal quarter in which the termination occurs, the applicable performance goals will be adjusted by the Compensation Committee as appropriate to reflect the shortened performance period, the target number of units subject to the award will be prorated based on the executive’s period of service during the applicable performance periods, and the vesting of the award will be determined based on the Company’s performance for the shortened performance periods. In the case of such a retirement that occurs after one or more performance periods has been completed, the offset in the number of vested units by any units that vested for such completed performance period(s) shall be applied based on the number of units that actually vested for such performance periods (as opposed to the prorated number of target units for such performance periods).

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(1)	This column includes the Company’s cost to provide continued medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance for the executive and the executive’s car allowance for two years following the executive’s termination. The account of each of our Named Executive Officers participating in our 401(k) plan was fully vested prior to the beginning of fiscal year 2017.

(2)

This column reports the intrinsic value of the unvested portions of each executive’s awards that would accelerate in these circumstances. For restricted stock awards and performance units, this value is calculated by multiplying the closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market on the last trading day of the fiscal year by the number of shares subject to the accelerated portion of the award. Named Executive Officers did not hold any unvested stock options or stock appreciation rights on September 29, 2017.

(3)

As described above, the performance-based restricted stock units we awarded for fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017 provide for acceleration in connection with a change in control of the Company, and a portion of the long-term incentive equity award granted to Mr. Peterson in July 2016 may also accelerate upon a change in control as described above. For purposes of this table, the value of these awards, as though such a change in control occurred on September 29, 2017, is presented in the "Change in control (no termination)" line for each Named Executive Officer. If a Named Executive Officer’s employment was terminated upon the transaction in an involuntary termination, this value is included in (and is not in addition to) the equity acceleration value presented in the "Change in control & involuntary termination" line in the table above for the Named Executive Officer. If a change in control transaction occurred on September 29, 2017 in which a Named Executive Officer’s outstanding awards were not assumed by the successor entity in the transaction, and all the outstanding awards accordingly became vested pursuant to our 2008 Plan (other than Mr. Peterson’s July 2016 equity award which is not subject to this change in control provision of the 2008 Plan), the value of the awards that would have accelerated in that transaction is the same as the equity acceleration value presented in the "Change in control & involuntary termination" line in the table above for the Named Executive Officer.

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(4)

As described above, if the benefits payable to Mr. Peterson in connection with a change in control would be subject to the excise tax imposed under Sections 280G and 4999 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, our January 2001 agreement with Mr. Peterson provides that we will make an additional payment to him so that the net amount of such payment (after taxes) he receives is sufficient to pay the excise tax due. For purposes of this calculation, we have assumed that the executive’s outstanding equity awards would be accelerated and terminated in exchange for a cash payment upon the change in control.

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For fiscal year 2017, our Named Executive Officers’ annual equity awards (other than Mr. Peterson who did not receive an annual equity award in fiscal year 2017) consisted three-fourths of performance stock units which vest based on our revenue and earnings-per-share growth over multiple periods, as well as our total shareholder return for the three-year award period relative to our direct industry peers, and one-fourth of time-based restricted stock to facilitate retention and promote shareholder alignment and ownership. As we disclosed in our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in February 2017, Mr. Peterson did not receive an annual equity award for fiscal year 2017 and he will not receive an annual equity award for fiscal year 2018.

•	Our equity awards granted to our Named Executive Officers for fiscal year 2018 (other than Mr. Peterson who will not receive an annual equity award for fiscal year 2018) consist entirely of performance stock units.

•

Our executive bonus program supports the annual and multi-year strategic plan of the Company. The programs for fiscal years 2017 and 2018 measure performance against absolute revenue, earnings per share, and net cash flow goals, which represent key value drivers for our Company. The 2017 program also included a modifier based on our rate of growth for each metric relative to a group of peer companies. In order to further align the Named Executive Officers’ interests with those of our stockholders, the Compensation Committee determined that payments under the bonus program for each of the Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Peterson) for fiscal year 2017 would be made in shares of our common stock rather than cash. Payments to Mr. Peterson under the bonus program for fiscal year 2017 were made in cash because of applicable annual individual equity award grant limits in place under the 2008 Plan, but payments to Mr. Peterson under the executive bonus program for 2018 will again be in shares of our common stock rather than cash.

•	Fiscal year 2017 base salary levels for our Named Executive Officers remained the same as their fiscal year 2016 levels.

•	None of our change-in-control agreements include "single-trigger" benefits that pay out based solely on a change in control. Our change-in-control agreements include double-triggers and the applicable severance multiplier is limited to two times.

•	Our Board of Directors has adopted a clawback policy, which allows the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee to recover payments made to the Named Executive Officers under our cash and equity incentive programs in certain circumstances.

•

Under our stock ownership policy, our Chief Executive Officer is expected to acquire and hold shares of common stock of the Company, or time-based vesting Company restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards, with a value of at least three times his base salary (or, if less, 90,000 shares). Each of our other Named Executive Officers are expected to acquire and hold shares of common stock of the Company, or time-based vesting Company restricted stock or restricted stock unit awards, with a value of at least one times the executive’s base salary (or, if less, 15,000 shares).

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•

Increase in Aggregate Share Limit. The 2008 Plan currently limits the aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be delivered pursuant to all awards granted under the 2008 Plan to 41,792,949 shares. The proposed amendments would increase this limit by an additional 9,630,000 shares so that the new aggregate share limit for the 2008 Plan would be 51,422,949 shares. The proposed amendments would also increase the limit on the number of shares that may be delivered pursuant to "incentive stock options" granted under the 2008 Plan by 9,630,000 shares. For purposes of clarity, any shares that are delivered pursuant to incentive stock options also count against (and are not in addition to) the aggregate 2008 Plan share limit described above. As of December 7, 2017, shares available for new award grants under the 2008 Plan totaled 4,337,691 and the proposed amendment would increase the shares available for new award grants under the 2008 Plan as of that date to 13,967,691.

•

Extension of Performance-Based Award Feature. One element of the 2008 Plan is the flexibility to grant certain performance-based awards designed to satisfy the requirements for deductibility of compensation under Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. These awards are referred to as "Qualified Performance-Based Awards" and are in addition to other awards, such as stock options and stock appreciation rights, expressly authorized under the 2008 Plan which may also qualify as performance-based compensation for Section 162(m) purposes. If stockholders approve this 2008 Plan proposal, the Qualified Performance-Based Award feature of the 2008 Plan will be extended through the first annual meeting of stockholders that occurs in 2023 (this expiration time is earlier than the general expiration date of the 2008 Plan and is required under applicable tax rules). (See "Summary Description of the 2008 Performance Incentive Plan-Performance-Based Awards" below.)

•	Extension of Plan Term. The 2008 Plan is currently scheduled to expire on December 2, 2025. The proposed amendments provide for the term of the 2008 Plan to be extended until December 7, 2027.

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•	to select eligible participants and determine the type(s) of award(s) that they are to receive;

•	to grant awards and determine the terms and conditions of awards, including the price (if any) to be paid for the shares or the award and, in the case of share-based awards, the number of shares to be offered or awarded;

•	to determine any applicable vesting and exercise conditions for awards (including any applicable performance-based vesting or exercisability conditions) and the extent to which such conditions have been satisfied, or determine that no delayed vesting or exercise is required, and to accelerate or extend the vesting or exercisability or extend the term of any or all outstanding awards;

•	to cancel, modify, or waive the Company’s rights with respect to, or modify, discontinue, suspend, or terminate any or all outstanding awards, subject to any required consents;

•	subject to the other provisions of the 2008 Plan, to make certain adjustments to an outstanding award and to authorize the conversion, succession or substitution of an award;

•

to determine the method of payment of any purchase price for an award or shares of the Company’s common stock delivered under the 2008 Plan, as well as any tax-related items with respect to an award, which may be paid in the form of cash, check, or electronic funds transfer, by the delivery of already-owned shares of the Company’s common stock or by a reduction of the number of shares deliverable pursuant to the award, by services rendered by the recipient of the award, by notice and third party payment or cashless exercise on such terms as the Administrator may authorize, or any other form permitted by law;

•	to modify the terms and conditions of any award, establish sub-plans and agreements and determine different terms and conditions that the Administrator deems necessary or advisable to comply with laws in the countries where the Company or one of its subsidiaries operates or where one or more eligible participants reside or provide services;

•	to approve the form of any award agreements used under the 2008 Plan; and

•	to construe and interpret the 2008 Plan, make rules for the administration of the 2008 Plan, and make all other determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the 2008 Plan.

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•	The maximum number of shares that may be delivered pursuant to options qualified as incentive stock options granted under the 2008 Plan is equal to the aggregate share limit of the plan, as in effect from time to time (i.e. if stockholders approve this 2008 Plan proposal, this limit on incentive stock options granted under the 2008 Plan will increase by 9,630,000 shares).

•	The maximum number of shares subject to those options and stock appreciation rights that are granted during any one calendar year to any one individual under the 2008 Plan is 1,000,000 shares.

•

The maximum grant date fair value for awards granted to a Non-Employee Director under the 2008 Plan during any one calendar year will be $400,000, except that this limit will be $600,000 as to (1) a Non-Employee Director who is serving as the Independent Chair of the Board or the Lead Independent Director at the time the applicable grant is made or (2) any new Non-Employee Director for the calendar year in which the Non-Employee Director is first elected or appointed to the Board. For purposes of this limit, the "grant date fair value" of an award means the value of the award on the date of grant of the award determined using the equity award valuation principles applied in the Company’s financial reporting. This limit does not apply to, and will be determined without taking into account, any award granted to an individual who, on the grant date of the award, is an officer or employee of the Company or one of its subsidiaries. This limit applies on an individual basis and not on an aggregate basis to all Non-Employee Directors as a group.

•

The maximum number of shares subject to "Qualified Performance-Based Awards" under Section 5.2 of the 2015 Plan (as described in more detail below) granted during any one calendar year to any one participant (including Qualified Performance-Based Awards payable in shares and Qualified Performance-Based Awards payable in cash upon or following vesting of the award where the amount of such payment is determined with reference to the fair market value of a share at such time) is 1,000,000 shares (counting such shares on a one-for-one basis for this purpose). The maximum amount that may be paid to any one participant in respect of all Qualified Performance-Based Awards payable only in cash (other than the cash awards referred to in the preceding sentence) and granted to that participant in any one calendar year is $5,000,000.

•	Except as described in the next bullet point, shares that are subject to or underlie awards which expire or for any reason are canceled or terminated, are forfeited, fail to vest, or for any other reason are not paid or delivered under the 2008 Plan will not be counted against the share limit and will be available for subsequent awards under the 2008 Plan.

•

Shares that are exchanged by a participant or withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price of an award that is a full-value award granted under the 2008 Plan, as well as any shares exchanged or withheld to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any such full-value award, will not be counted against the share limit and will be available for subsequent awards under the 2008 Plan. Shares that are exchanged by a participant or withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price of a stock option or stock appreciation right granted under the 2008 Plan, as well as any shares exchanged or withheld to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any such award, will be counted against the share limit and will not be available for subsequent awards under the 2008 Plan.

•

As to stock appreciation rights and stock options granted under the 2008 Plan, to the extent that shares are delivered pursuant to the exercise of the stock appreciation right or stock option, the number of underlying shares as to which the exercise related shall be counted against the applicable share limits, as opposed to only counting the shares actually issued. For purposes of clarity, if such a stock appreciation right relates to 100,000 shares and is exercised at a time when the payment due to the participant is 15,000 shares, 100,000 shares shall be charged against the applicable share limits with respect to such exercise.

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•	To the extent that an award is settled in cash or a form other than shares, the shares that would have been delivered had there been no such cash or other settlement will not be counted against the share limit and will be available for subsequent awards under the 2008 Plan.

•

In the event that shares are delivered in respect of a dividend equivalent right, the actual number of shares delivered with respect to the award will be counted against the share limits of the 2008 Plan, but will not be counted against any individual award limit under the 2008 Plan. For purposes of clarity, if 1,000 dividend equivalent rights are granted and outstanding when the Company pays a dividend, and 100 shares are delivered in payment of those rights with respect to that dividend, 241 shares shall be counted against the share limits of the plan after giving effect to the full-value award ratio under the 2008 Plan described above.

•	The 2008 Plan generally provides that shares issued in connection with awards that are granted by or become obligations of the Company through the assumption of awards (or in substitution for awards) in connection with an acquisition of another company will not count against the shares available for issuance under the 2008 Plan.

•	The Company may not increase the applicable share limits of the 2008 Plan by repurchasing shares of common stock on the market (by using cash received through the exercise of stock options or otherwise).

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(1)	Excludes shares subject to outstanding restricted stock units assumed by the Company in connection with the acquisition of other companies of 650,813 at October 1, 2017 and 549,560 at December 7, 2017.

(2)	The actual payout under the awards could range from 0% up to a maximum (either 225% or 270%) of the original targeted level based on actual performance.  At the maximum level of performance, 1,326,230 shares remained subject to the awards as of October 1, 2017 and 1,715,232 shares remained subject to the awards as of December 7, 2017.

(3)

Excludes shares subject to outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights assumed by the Company in connection with the acquisition of other companies of 307,057 (with a weighted average exercise price of $18.59 and a weighted average remaining term of 2.78 years) as of October 1, 2017 and 269,901 (with a weighted average exercise price of $18.44 and a weighted average remaining term of 2.43 years) as of December 7, 2017. There are no shares subject to outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights in the 2008 Plan.

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(1)	The average number of shares was calculated using the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding at the end of each fiscal quarter during the applicable fiscal year.

(2)

Potential payouts of performance-based vesting range from 0% to 270% based on actual performance other than 1,000,000 performance-based vesting restricted stock unit awards granted in fiscal year 2016 with vesting contingent on the Company achieving a series of stock price targets. Performance-based vesting awards have been included in the fiscal year in which the award was granted. For additional detail regarding whether and the extent to which the performance metrics applicable to these awards have been achieved in fiscal year 2015, fiscal year 2016, or fiscal year 2017, please see the discussion as to vesting of awards with performance-based vesting criteria included in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis Sections of this Proxy Statement and of the Company’s Proxy Statements for its Annual Meetings of Stockholders held in 2015 and 2016.

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(1)

As of October 1, 2017, 1,545,124 shares of the Company’s common stock were subject to outstanding restricted stock unit awards, 750,000 shares were subject to outstanding performance-based vesting stock units with vesting contingent on the Company achieving a series of stock price targets, and 376,970 shares were subject to outstanding performance-based vesting stock units subject to other performance metrics. The 376,970 shares subject to performance-based vesting stock units subject to other performance metrics are reported at the target amount less amounts previously vested; at the maximum level of performance,1,715,232 shares remained subject to these awards. There were no stock options or stock appreciation rights outstanding under the 2008 Plan as of October 1, 2017. In accordance with applicable SEC rules, the table does not include (1) 587,567 shares subject to outstanding but unvested restricted stock awards and (2) equity awards that have been assumed by the Company in connection with the acquisition of other companies. As of October 1, 2017, an additional 307,057 shares of the Company’s common stock were subject to outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights assumed in connection with acquisitions of other companies (with a weighted average exercise price of $18.59) and 650,813 shares were subject to assumed restricted stock units.

(2)	All of these shares are available for future issuance under the 2008 Plan. The shares available for awards under the 2008 Plan are, subject to certain other limits under the plan, generally available for any type of award authorized under the 2008 Plan, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, stock bonuses and other stock-based awards.

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(1)	Audit-related fees for fiscal year 2017 consisted of professional services for an audit of carve-out financial statements and consent, comfort letter and review procedures for a registration statement and an offering memorandum.

(2)	Tax fees for fiscal year 2017 consisted of $1,654,479 for tax compliance and $1,377,349 for tax advice and planning. Tax fees for fiscal year 2016 consisted of $966,184 for tax compliance and $1,714,411 for tax advice and planning.

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•	non-GAAP gross profit and gross margin;

•	non-GAAP operating income and operating margin;

•	non-GAAP net income and diluted earnings per share; and

•	free cash flow.

(1)

Manufacturing profit in acquired inventory results from purchase accounting entries to increase the value of inventory acquired to its fair value. As the acquired inventory is sold, the associated manufacturing profit in acquired inventory increases cost of goods sold and reduces gross profit. Management believes it is useful to exclude manufacturing profit in acquired inventory as it does not reflect continuing operations of acquired entities and to facilitate comparability of gross profit between periods. In addition, management excludes the impact of manufacturing profit in acquired inventory in internal measurements of gross profit.

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(2)

Amortization of acquisition related intangible assets is excluded from internal analysis of Microsemi's operations and management does not view this non-cash expense as reflective of the business' current performance. Management believes that utilizing non-GAAP financial measures that exclude this non-cash item is useful in providing an alternate measure that excludes the variability caused by purchase accounting factors.

(3)

Stock based compensation is excluded by management when evaluating operating activities and for strategic decision making, forecasting future results and evaluating current performance. Management believes that utilizing non-GAAP financial measures that exclude this non-cash item is useful in providing an alternate measure that excludes the variability caused by different methodologies and subjective assumptions used in the valuation of equity awards across different companies.

(4)

In accordance with business combination and other relevant accounting guidance, we expense acquisition and divestiture costs as incurred and recognize gains on divestitures upon consummation of the transaction. During the first quarter of 2017, we reduced the $125.5 million gain recognized from our third quarter 2016 divestitures by $1.2 million. Management excludes these expenses and gains when evaluating operating activities and for strategic decision making, forecasting future results and evaluating current performance. Management believes that utilizing non-GAAP financial measures that exclude this item is useful in providing an alternate measure that excludes the variability caused by purchase accounting factors.

(5)

Credit facility issuance and debt extinguishment costs have been excluded as they are discrete charges we incurred to issue our credit facility. Management excludes these expenses from internal measurements of credit facility interest rates and in evaluating current performance. Management believes that utilizing non-GAAP financial measures that exclude these items is useful in providing an alternate measure that is reflective of the ongoing characteristics of the amended credit facility.

(6)

These amounts represent the foreign exchange effect on non-current foreign tax liabilities recorded for possible assessments by tax authorities. Changes in foreign exchange rates are a non-cash impact to these liabilities that management excludes from internal measurements and from forecasting future results and are not viewed by management as being reflective of the business' ongoing tax position.

(7)

The tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments represents the difference in the provision for income taxes that resulted from non-GAAP adjustments to pretax income and also certain acquisition related and nondeductible stock based compensation items, and non-cash valuation allowance charges and releases related to deferred tax assets. These amounts are excluded as non-GAAP adjustments as the restructuring activities and acquisitions are not viewed by management as being reflective of the business' ongoing tax position.

(8)

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as operating cash flow less cash paid for capital expenditures. We consider free cash flow to be a liquidity measure which provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by the business after our capital expenditures, which can then be used for strategic opportunities including, among others, investing in Microsemi’s business, making strategic acquisitions, reducing debt principal and strengthening the balance sheet. Management uses free cash flow as a supplemental measure to the net change in cash and cash equivalents as presented in Microsemi’s consolidated statements of cash flows prepared in accordance with GAAP which incorporates all cash movements during the period.

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3.1

The Administrator. This Plan shall be administered by and all awards under this Plan shall be authorized by the Administrator. The "Administrator" means the Board or one or more committees appointed by the Board or another committee (within its delegated authority) to administer all or certain aspects of this Plan. Any such committee shall be comprised solely of one or more directors or such number of directors as may be required under applicable law. A committee may delegate some or all of its authority to another committee so constituted. The Board or a committee comprised solely of directors may also delegate, to the extent permitted by Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other applicable law, to one or more officers of the Corporation, its powers under this Plan (a) to designate the officers and employees of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries who will receive grants of awards under this Plan, and (b) to determine the number of shares subject to, and the other terms and conditions of, such awards. The Board may delegate different levels of authority to different committees with administrative and grant authority under this Plan. Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation or the applicable charter of any Administrator: (a) a majority of the members of the acting Administrator shall constitute a quorum, and (b) the vote of a majority of the members present assuming the presence of a quorum or the unanimous written consent of the members of the Administrator shall constitute action by the acting Administrator.

3.2

Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator is authorized and empowered to do all things necessary or desirable in connection with the authorization of awards and the administration of this Plan (in the case of a committee or delegation to one or more officers, within any express limits on the authority delegated to that committee or person(s)), including, without limitation, the authority to:

(a)	determine eligibility and, from among those persons determined to be eligible, the particular Eligible Persons who will receive an award under this Plan;

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(b)

grant awards to Eligible Persons, determine the price (if any) at which securities will be offered or awarded and the number of securities to be offered or awarded to any of such persons (in the case of securities-based awards), determine the other specific terms and conditions of awards consistent with the express limits of this Plan, establish the installment(s) (if any) in which such awards shall become exercisable or shall vest (which may include, without limitation, performance and/or time-based schedules), or determine that no delayed exercisability or vesting is required, establish any applicable performance-based exercisability or vesting requirements, determine the extent (if any) to which any applicable exercise and vesting requirements have been satisfied, and establish the events (if any) of termination, expiration or reversion of such awards;

(c)	approve the forms of any award agreements (which need not be identical either as to type of award or among participants);

(d)

construe and interpret this Plan and any agreements defining the rights and obligations of the Corporation, its Subsidiaries, and participants under this Plan, make any and all determinations necessary under this Plan and any such agreements, further define the terms used in this Plan, and prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of this Plan or the awards granted under this Plan;

(e)	cancel, modify, or waive the Corporation’s rights with respect to, or modify, discontinue, suspend, or terminate any or all outstanding awards, subject to any required consent under Section 8.6.5;

(f)

accelerate, waive or extend the vesting or exercisability, or modify or extend the term of, any or all such outstanding awards (in the case of options or stock appreciation rights, within the maximum six-year term of such awards) in such circumstances as the Administrator may deem appropriate (including, without limitation, in connection with a termination of employment or services or other events of a personal nature) subject to any required consent under Section 8.6.5;

(g)	adjust the number of shares of Common Stock subject to any award, adjust the price of any or all outstanding awards or otherwise waive or change previously imposed terms and conditions, in such circumstances as the Administrator may deem appropriate, in each case subject to Sections 4 and 8.6 (and subject to the no repricing provision below);

(h)	determine the date of grant of an award, which may be a designated date after but not before the date of the Administrator’s action to grant the award (unless otherwise designated by the Administrator, the date of grant of an award shall be the date upon which the Administrator took the action granting an award);

(i)	determine whether, and the extent to which, adjustments are required pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof and take any of the actions contemplated by Section 7.2 in connection with the occurrence of an event of the type contemplated by Section 7.2;

(j)	acquire or settle (subject to Sections 7 and 8.6) rights under awards in cash, stock of equivalent value, or other consideration (subject to the no repricing provision below); and

(k)	determine the fair market value of the Common Stock or awards under this Plan from time to time and/or the manner in which such value will be determined.

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3.3

Binding Determinations. Any determination or other action taken by, or inaction of, the Corporation, any Subsidiary, or the Administrator relating or pursuant to this Plan (or any award made under this Plan) and within its authority hereunder or under applicable law shall be within the absolute discretion of that entity or body and shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons. Neither the Board nor any Board committee, nor any member thereof or person acting at the direction thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with this Plan (or any award made under this Plan), and all such persons shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement by the Corporation in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under any directors and officers liability insurance coverage that may be in effect from time to time. Neither the Board nor any Board committee, nor any member thereof or person acting at the direction thereof, nor the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, shall be liable for any damages of a participant should an option intended as an ISO (as defined below) fail to actually meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), applicable to ISOs, should any other award(s) fail to qualify for any intended tax treatment, should any award grant or other action with respect thereto not satisfy Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise for any tax or other liability imposed on a participant with respect to an award.

3.4

Reliance on Experts. In making any determination or in taking or not taking any action under this Plan, the Administrator may obtain and may rely upon the advice of experts, including employees and professional advisors to the Corporation. No director, officer or agent of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries shall be liable for any such action or determination taken or made or omitted in good faith.

3.5	Delegation. The Administrator may delegate ministerial, non-discretionary functions to individuals who are officers or employees of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or to third parties.

4.1

Shares Available. Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the capital stock that may be delivered under this Plan shall be shares of the Corporation’s authorized but unissued Common Stock and any shares of its Common Stock held as treasury shares. For purposes of this Plan, "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Corporation and such other securities or property as may become the subject of awards under this Plan, or may become subject to such awards, pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 7.1.

4.2	Share Limits. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted to Eligible Persons under this Plan (the "Share Limit") is 51,422,949.

(a)	The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to options qualified as incentive stock options granted under this Plan is equal to the Share Limit as in effect from time to time.

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(b)	The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to those options and stock appreciation rights that are granted under this Plan during any one calendar year to any one individual under this Plan is 1,000,000 shares.

(c)

Awards that are granted under this Plan during any one calendar year to any person who, on the grant date of the award, is a non-employee director are subject to the limits of this Section 4.2(c). The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to those awards that are granted under this Plan during any one calendar year to an individual who, on the grant date of the award, is a non-employee director is the number of shares that produce a grant date fair value for the award that, when combined with the grant date fair value of any other awards granted under this Plan during that same calendar year to that individual in his or her capacity as a non-employee director, is $400,000; provided that this limit is $600,000 as to (1) a non-employee director who is serving as the Independent Chair of the Board or the Lead Independent Director at the time the applicable grant is made or (2) any new non-employee director for the calendar year in which the non-employee director is first elected or appointed to the Board. For purposes of this Section 4.2(c), a "non-employee director" is an individual who, on the grant date of the award, is a member of the Board who is not then an officer or employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries. For purposes of this Section 4.2(c), "grant date fair value" means the value of the award as of the date of grant of the award and as determined using the equity award valuation principles applied in the Corporation’s financial reporting. The limits of this Section 4.2(c) do not apply to, and shall be determined without taking into account, any award granted to an individual who, on the grant date of the award, is an officer or employee of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries. The limits of this Section 4.2(c) apply on an individual basis and not on an aggregate basis to all non-employee directors as a group.

(d)	Additional limits with respect to Qualified Performance-Based Awards are set forth in Section 5.2.3.

4.3

Awards Settled in Cash, Reissue of Awards and Shares. Except as provided in Section 4.3.1 below, shares that are subject to or underlie awards granted under this Plan which expire or for any reason are cancelled or terminated, are forfeited, fail to vest, or for any other reason are not paid or delivered under this Plan shall not be counted against the Share Limit and shall be available for subsequent awards under this Plan.

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4.4

No Fractional Shares; Minimum Issue. Unless otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator, no fractional shares shall be delivered under this Plan. The Administrator may pay cash in lieu of any fractional shares in settlements of awards under this Plan. The Administrator may from time to time impose a limit (of not greater than 100 shares) on the minimum number of shares that may be purchased or exercised as to awards (or any particular award) granted under this Plan unless (as to any particular award) the total number purchased or exercised is the total number at the time available for purchase or exercise under the award.

5.1

Type and Form of Awards. The Administrator shall determine the type or types of award(s) to be made to each selected Eligible Person. Awards may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem. Awards also may be made in combination or in tandem with, in replacement of, as alternatives to, or as the payment form for grants or rights under any other employee or compensation plan of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries. The types of awards that may be granted under this Plan are (subject, in each case, to the no repricing provisions of Section 3.2):

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5.2

Section 162(m) Performance-Based Awards. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any of the types of awards listed in Section 5.1.4 above may be, and options and SARs also may be, granted as awards intended to satisfy the requirements for "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. An Award (other than an option or SAR) intended by the Administrator to satisfy the requirements for "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code is referred to as a "Qualified Performance-Based Award." An option or SAR intended to satisfy the requirements for "performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code is referred to as a "Qualifying Option or SAR." The grant, vesting, exercisability or payment of Qualified Performance-Based Awards may depend (or, in the case of Qualifying Option or SAR, may also depend) on the degree of achievement of one or more performance goals relative to a pre-established targeted level or levels using one or more of the Business Criteria set forth below (on an absolute or relative (including, without limitation, relative to the performance of one or more other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to one or more other companies) basis) for the Corporation on a consolidated basis or for one or more of the Corporation’s subsidiaries, segments, divisions or business units, or any combination of the foregoing. Any Qualified Performance-Based Award shall be subject to all of the following provisions of this Section 5.2, and a Qualifying Option or SAR shall be subject to the following provisions of this Section 5.2 only to the extent expressly set forth below. Nothing in

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5.3	Award Agreements. Each award shall be evidenced by a written or electronic award agreement or notice in a form approved by the Administrator (an "award agreement"), and, in each case and if required by the Administrator, executed or otherwise electronically accepted by the recipient of the award in such form and manner as the Administrator may require.

5.4

Deferrals and Settlements. Payment of awards may be in the form of cash, Common Stock, other awards or combinations thereof as the Administrator shall determine, and with such restrictions (if any) as it may impose. The Administrator may also require or permit participants to elect to defer the issuance of shares or the settlement of awards in cash under such rules and procedures as it may establish under this Plan. The Administrator may also provide that deferred settlements include the payment or crediting of interest or other earnings on the deferral amounts, or the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents where the deferred amounts are denominated in shares.

5.5	Consideration for Common Stock or Awards. The purchase price (if any) for any award granted under this Plan or the Common Stock to be delivered pursuant to an award, as applicable, may be paid by means of any lawful consideration as determined by the Administrator, including, without limitation, one or a combination of the following methods:

•	services rendered by the recipient of such award;

•	cash, check payable to the order of the Corporation, or electronic funds transfer;

•	notice and third party payment in such manner as may be authorized by the Administrator;

•	the delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock;

•	by a reduction in the number of shares otherwise deliverable pursuant to the award; or

•	subject to such procedures as the Administrator may adopt, pursuant to a "cashless exercise" with a third party who provides financing for the purposes of (or who otherwise facilitates) the purchase or exercise of awards.

5.6

Definition of Fair Market Value. For purposes of this Plan, "fair market value" shall mean, unless otherwise determined or provided by the Administrator in the circumstances, the closing price (in regular trading) for a share of Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market (the "Market") for the date in question or, if no sales of Common Stock were reported on the Market on that date, the closing price (in regular trading) for a share of Common Stock on the Market for the next preceding

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(a)	transfers to the Corporation (for example, in connection with the expiration or termination of the award),

(b)	the designation of a beneficiary to receive benefits in the event of the participant’s death or, if the participant has died, transfers to or exercise by the participant’s beneficiary, or, in the absence of a validly designated beneficiary, transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution,

(c)	subject to any applicable limitations on ISOs, transfers to a family member (or former family member) pursuant to a domestic relations order if received by the Administrator,

(d)	if the participant has suffered a disability, permitted transfers or exercises on behalf of the participant by his or her legal representative, or

(e)	the authorization by the Administrator of "cashless exercise" procedures with third parties who provide financing for the purpose of (or who otherwise facilitate) the exercise of awards consistent with applicable laws and any limitations imposed by the Administrator.

5.8	International Awards. One or more awards may be granted to Eligible Persons who provide services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries outside of the United States. Any awards granted to such persons may be granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of any applicable sub-plans, if any, appended to this Plan and approved by the Administrator from time to time. The awards so

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6.1

General. The Administrator shall establish the effect (if any) of a termination of employment or service on the rights and benefits under each award under this Plan and in so doing may make distinctions based upon, inter alia, the cause of termination and type of award. If the participant is not an employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, is not a member of the Board, and provides other services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, the Administrator shall be the sole judge for purposes of this Plan (unless a contract or the award otherwise provides) of whether the participant continues to render services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and the date, if any, upon which such services shall be deemed to have terminated.

6.2

Events Not Deemed Terminations of Service. Unless the express policy of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, or the Administrator, otherwise provides, as except as otherwise required by applicable law, the employment relationship shall not be considered terminated in the case of (a) sick leave, (b) military leave, or (c) any other leave of absence authorized by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, or the Administrator; provided that, unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or law or the Administrator otherwise provides, such leave is for a period of not more than three months. In the case of any employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries on an approved leave of absence, continued vesting of the award while on leave from the employ of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be suspended until the employee returns to service, unless the Administrator otherwise provides or applicable law otherwise requires. In no event shall an award be exercised after the expiration of any applicable maximum term of the award.

6.3

Effect of Change of Subsidiary Status. For purposes of this Plan and any award, if an entity ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Corporation a termination of employment or service shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to each Eligible Person in respect of such Subsidiary who does not continue as an Eligible Person in respect of the Corporation or another Subsidiary that continues as such after giving effect to the transaction or other event giving rise to the change in status unless the Subsidiary that is sold, spun-off or otherwise divested (or its successor or a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary or successor) assumes the Eligible Person’s award(s) in connection with such transaction.

7.1

Adjustments. Subject to Section 7.2, upon (or, as may be necessary to effect the adjustment, immediately prior to): any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend) or reverse stock split; any merger, combination, consolidation, conversion or other reorganization; any spin-off, split-up, or similar extraordinary dividend distribution in respect of the Common Stock; or any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation, or any similar, unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction in respect of the Common Stock; then the Administrator shall equitably and proportionately adjust (1) the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities) that thereafter may be made the subject of awards (including the specific share limits, maximums and numbers of shares set forth elsewhere in this Plan), (2) the number, amount and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to any outstanding awards, (3) the grant, purchase, or exercise price (which term includes the base price of any SAR or similar right) of any outstanding awards, and/or (4) the securities, cash or other property deliverable upon exercise or payment of any outstanding awards, in each case to the extent necessary to preserve (but not increase) the level of incentives intended by this Plan and the then-outstanding awards.

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7.2

Corporate Transactions - Assumption and Termination of Awards. Upon any event in which the Corporation does not survive, or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock (including, without limitation, a dissolution, merger, combination, consolidation, conversion, exchange of securities, or other reorganization, or a sale of all or substantially all of the business, stock or assets of the Corporation, in any case in connection with which the Corporation does not survive, or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock), then the Administrator may make provision for a cash payment in settlement of, or for the termination, assumption, substitution or exchange of any or all outstanding awards or the cash, securities or property deliverable to the holder of any or all outstanding awards, based upon, to the extent relevant under the circumstances, the distribution or consideration payable to holders of the Common Stock upon or in respect of such event. Upon the occurrence of any event described in the preceding sentence in connection with which the Administrator has made a provision for the award to be terminated (and the Administrator has not made a provision for the substitution, assumption, exchange or other continuation or settlement of the award): (1) unless otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, each then-outstanding option and SAR shall become fully vested,     all shares of restricted stock then outstanding shall fully vest free of restrictions, and each other award granted under this Plan that is then outstanding shall become payable to the holder of such award; and (2) each award shall terminate upon the related event; provided that the holder of an option or SAR shall be given reasonable advance notice of the impending termination and a reasonable opportunity to exercise his or her outstanding vested options and SARs (after giving effect to any accelerated vesting required in the circumstances) in accordance with their terms before the termination of such awards (except that in no case shall more than ten days’ notice of the impending termination be required and any acceleration of vesting and any exercise of any portion of an award that is so accelerated may be made contingent upon the actual occurrence of the event).

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7.3

Other Acceleration Rules. The Administrator may override the provisions of Section 7.2 by express provision in the award agreement and may accord any Eligible Person a right to refuse any acceleration, whether pursuant to the award agreement or otherwise, in such circumstances as the Administrator may approve. The portion of any ISO accelerated in connection with an event referred to in Section 7.2 (or such other circumstances as may trigger accelerated vesting of the award) shall remain exercisable as an ISO only to the extent the applicable $100,000 limitation on ISOs is not exceeded. To the extent exceeded, the accelerated portion of the option shall be exercisable as a nonqualified stock option under the Code.

8.1

Compliance with Laws. This Plan, the granting and vesting of awards under this Plan, the offer, issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock, and/or the payment of money under this Plan or under awards are subject to compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state and federal securities law and federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. The person acquiring any securities under this Plan will, if requested by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, provide such assurances and representations to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries as the Administrator may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal and accounting requirements.

8.2	No Rights to Award. No person shall have any claim or rights to be granted an award (or additional awards, as the case may be) under this Plan, subject to any express contractual rights (set forth in a document other than this Plan) to the contrary.

8.3

No Employment/Service Contract. Nothing contained in this Plan (or in any other documents under this Plan or in any award) shall confer upon any Eligible Person or other participant any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, constitute any contract or agreement of employment or other service or affect an employee’s status as an employee at will, nor shall interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries to change a person’s compensation or other benefits, or to terminate his or her employment or other service, with or without cause. Nothing in this Section 8.3, however, is intended to adversely affect any express independent right of such person under a separate employment or service contract other than an award agreement.

8.4

Plan Not Funded. Awards payable under this Plan shall be payable in shares or from the general assets of the Corporation, and no special or separate reserve, fund or deposit shall be made to assure payment of such awards. No participant, beneficiary or other person shall have any right, title or interest in any fund or in any specific asset (including shares of Common Stock, except as expressly otherwise provided) of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries by reason of any award hereunder. Neither the provisions of this Plan (or of any related documents), nor the creation or adoption of this Plan, nor any action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Plan shall create, or be construed to create, a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and any participant, beneficiary or other person. To the extent that a participant, beneficiary or other person acquires a right to receive payment pursuant to any award hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Corporation.

8.5	Tax Withholding. Upon any exercise, vesting, or payment of any award, or upon the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO prior to satisfaction of the

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(a)	The Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries shall have the right to     require the participant (or the participant’s personal representative or beneficiary, as the case may be) to pay or provide for payment of the amount of any taxes which the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be required to withhold with respect to such award event or payment.

(b)

The Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries shall have the right to     deduct from any amount otherwise payable in cash (whether related to the award or otherwise) to the participant (or the participant’s personal representative or beneficiary, as the case may be) the amount of any taxes which the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be required to withhold with respect to such award event or payment.

(c)

In any case where a tax is required to be withheld in connection with the delivery of shares of Common Stock under this Plan, the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to Section 8.1) require or grant (either at the time of the award or thereafter) to the participant the right to elect, pursuant to such rules and subject to such conditions as the Administrator may establish, that the Corporation reduce the number of shares to be delivered by (or otherwise reacquire) the appropriate number of shares, valued in a consistent manner at their fair market value or at the sales price in accordance with authorized procedures for cashless exercises, necessary to satisfy the applicable withholding obligation on exercise, vesting or payment. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, in no event shall the shares withheld exceed the minimum whole number of shares required for tax withholding under applicable law to the extent the Corporation determines that withholding at a greater level would result in an award otherwise classified as an equity award under ASC Topic 718 (or any successor thereto) being classified as a liability award under ASC Topic 718 (or such successor).

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8.7

Privileges of Stock Ownership. Except as otherwise expressly authorized by the Administrator, a participant shall not be entitled to any privilege of stock ownership as to any shares of Common Stock not actually delivered to and held of record by the participant. Except as expressly required by Section 7.1 or otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator, no adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights as a stockholder for which a record date is prior to such date of delivery.

8.9	Captions. Captions and headings are given to the sections and subsections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Plan or any provision thereof.

8.10

Stock-Based Awards in Substitution for Stock Options or Awards Granted by Other Corporation. Awards may be granted to Eligible Persons in substitution for or in connection with an assumption of employee stock options, SARs, restricted stock or other stock-based awards granted by other entities to persons who are or who will become Eligible Persons in respect of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, in connection with a distribution, merger or other reorganization by or with the granting entity or an affiliated entity, or the acquisition by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, of all or a substantial part of the stock or assets of the employing entity. The awards so granted need not comply with other specific terms of this Plan, provided that the awards shall reflect adjustments giving effect to the assumption or substitution consistent with any conversion applicable to the Common Stock (or securities otherwise subject to the award) in the transaction and any change in the issuer of the security. Any shares that are delivered and any awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Corporation, as a result of the assumption by the Corporation of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an acquired company (or previously granted by a predecessor employer (or direct or indirect parent thereof) in the case of persons that become employed by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with a business or asset acquisition or similar transaction) shall not be counted against the Share Limit or other limits on the number of shares available for issuance under this Plan.

8.11	Non-Exclusivity of Plan. Nothing in this Plan shall limit or be deemed to limit the authority of the Board or the Administrator to grant awards or authorize any other compensation, with or without reference to the Common Stock, under any other plan or authority.

8.12

No Corporate Action Restriction. The existence of this Plan, the award agreements and the awards granted hereunder shall not limit, affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (or any of their respective shareholders, boards of directors or committees thereof, as the case may be) to make or authorize: (a) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the capital structure or business of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (b) any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or change in the ownership of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (c) any issue of bonds, debentures, capital, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the capital stock (or the rights thereof) of the Corporation or

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8.13

Other Company Benefit and Compensation Programs. Payments and other benefits received by a participant under an award made pursuant to this Plan shall not be deemed a part of a participant’s compensation for purposes of the determination of benefits under any other employee welfare or benefit plans or arrangements, if any, provided by the Corporation or any Subsidiary, except where the Administrator expressly otherwise provides or authorizes in writing. Awards under this Plan may be made in addition to, in combination with, as alternatives to or in payment of grants, awards or commitments under any other plans, arrangements or authority of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries.

8.14

Clawback Policy. The awards granted under this Plan are subject to the terms of the Corporation’s recoupment, clawback or similar policy as it may be in effect from time to time, as well as any similar provisions of applicable law, any of which could in certain circumstances require repayment or forfeiture of awards or any shares of Common Stock or other cash or property received with respect to the awards (including any value received from a disposition of the shares acquired upon payment of the awards).

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