Form 8-K

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 31, 2008

 

 

COVIDIEN LTD.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Bermuda   001-33259   98-0518045

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

131 Front Street

Hamilton, HM 12 Bermuda

(Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

441-298-2480

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 5.02. Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On December 31, 2008, Covidien Ltd. amended its Supplemental Savings and Retirement Plan (“SSRP”) to:

 

   

modify eligibility requirements to replace subjective eligibility requirements with a bright-line standard;

 

   

increase the mandatory cash-out amount from $5,000 to $20,000;

 

   

designate a lump-sum distribution as the default form of payment; and

 

   

make various other minor changes, including changes to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A.

The amendments to the SSRP became effective January 1, 2009.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

COVIDIEN LTD.
By:  

/s/ John W. Kapples

  John W. Kapples,
  Vice President and Corporate Secretary

January 6, 2009