Frequently Asked Questions

The Deferred Compensation Plan is a “nonqualified” plan that allows you to defer pre–tax compensation in addition to the amounts you save in your 401(k) Plan. (Note that Social Security and Medicare taxes will be withheld from your deferrals.)

Generally, a nonqualified deferred compensation plan is an agreement or promise by an employer to pay compensation to the employee at some future date. This allows you to reduce your current federal and state tax liability while focusing on tomorrow's financial needs. 

To keep you from having to pay taxes immediately on the compensation you are deferring, it must remain out of your control. The deferred compensation is held in a special trust. The trust is part of Juniper’s assets and, as a result, the trust would be subject to the claims of creditors if Juniper were to declare bankruptcy.

Each year you decide to participate, you make three elections during your open enrollment window:

• The percentage of your base pay, commissions (if eligible), or cash bonuses you want to defer.


• How to invest those deferrals.


• How and when deferrals are to be paid.

To keep you from having to pay taxes immediately on the compensation you are deferring, it must remain out of your control. You direct how your deferrals are invested, but your deferred compensation is held in a trust that is part of Juniper’s assets.

Enrollment is in December of each year. During that window, you can enroll to defer:

• Up to 50% of base pay and up to 100% of any commissions (if eligible) you will earn in the coming year.
• Up to 100% of cash bonuses earned in the coming year and paid under the Company Performance Bonus or Executive Annual Incentive Plans.
  
  

  Note: Bonuses earned in the current year are paid the following year. To defer the bonus earned in the upcoming year, you must be enrolled in the Plan in the following year for that deferral to happen.

If you are newly hired or become eligible after the enrollment window closes, you can enroll during the first 45 days after you are notified of your eligibility. During that window, you can defer:

• Up to 50% of base pay and up to 100% of any commissions (if eligible) you will earn in the calendar year. No deferral elections for salary and commissions (if eligible) are taken after October 1.
• Up to 100% of cash bonuses earned in the calendar year and paid under the Company Performance Bonus or Executive Annual Incentive Plans. No bonus deferral elections are taken after July 1.

Eligible compensation includes base pay, commissions (if eligible), or cash bonuses paid under the Company Performance Bonus or Executive Annual Incentive Plans. You make separate elections for each type of pay.

No. Once you've made your deferral election, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed.

No. Elections are not evergreen. You must re-enroll each year if you want to participate.

Money in the Deferred Compensation Plan is subject to investment risk and the risk of Juniper’s bankruptcy.

• Your deferred compensation is held in a trust that would be subject to the claims of creditors if Juniper were to declare bankruptcy. In that case, you could lose some or all of your deferrals plus any earnings on those deferrals.
• Because you decide how your deferrals will be allocated among the investment options available, it’s important to know that investing involves risk. The value of an investment option will fluctuate over time, which could affect your balance when it is distributed.

Juniper has designed the 401(k) Plan and the Deferred Compensation Plan to work together so you have more opportunities to save for the future.

• Participating in the Deferred Compensation Plan will lower your pre-tax income.
• If you are participating in both programs, we encourage you to be sure your deferrals to the 401(k) Plan are high enough to receive the benefit of the associated company match.

The law limits changes to the distribution elections that have already been made.

Elections to change must be made at least 12 months prior to the date originally elected to receive payment of the deferral. In addition, the first payment must be deferred for at least five years after the originally scheduled payment date. If you change your election after you have left the company, you can defer your payment for no more than 15 years beyond the date you originally selected.

For example, if you deferred compensation and elected to have it paid in January 2025 but later decide to change that election, your new payment date can be no earlier than January 1, 2031, and your election must be in place by January 1, 2025.

If you elected to receive your money on a specific date while you are still actively employed, your distribution will be paid out on that date, or as soon as is practicable after that date. If your money is paid after you leave Juniper, your distributions will begin no sooner than six months after your termination date.

You can change your investments at any time by logging into your account at www.401k.com. This includes exchanging current balances and adjusting future deferrals. 

No, loans are not available. 

No. Distributions do not qualify for rollover to an IRA or another employer’s qualified or nonqualified plan.

Payments from nonqualified deferred compensation plans are taxed as ordinary income and subject to mandatory federal and state tax withholding when they are distributed to you. Explore Tax Consequences for more details.