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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ý

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

o

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

o

 

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

ý

 

Definitive Proxy Statement

o

 

Definitive Additional Materials

o

 

Soliciting Material under §240.14a-12

 

AbbVie Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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No fee required.

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

 

 

(1)

 

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        
 
    (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        
 
    (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):
        
 
    (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
        
 
    (5)   Total fee paid:
        
 

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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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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)

 

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LOGO

MAIN HEAD

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on May 6, 2016

              The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of AbbVie Inc. will be held at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601, on Friday, May 6, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. CT for the following purposes:

Your Vote Is Important

              Please promptly vote your shares by telephone, using the Internet, or by signing and returning your proxy in the enclosed envelope if you received a printed version of the proxy card.

              The board of directors recommends that you vote FOR Items 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the proxy card.

              The board of directors recommends that you vote AGAINST Items 6 and 7 on the proxy card.

              The close of business on March 9, 2016, has been fixed as the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting.

              AbbVie's 2016 Proxy Statement and 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.abbvieinvestor.com. If you are a registered stockholder, you may access your proxy card by either:

              Admission to the meeting will be by admission card only. If you plan to attend, please complete and return the reservation form in the back of these materials and an admission card will be sent to you. Due to space limitations, reservation forms must be received before April 29, 2016. Each admission card, along with photo identification, admits one person. A stockholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a stockholder.

By order of the board of directors.

Laura J. Schumacher
Secretary

March 21, 2016


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LOGO

MAIN HEAD

Table of Contents

Proxy Statement Summary

  1

Information about the Annual Meeting

  7

Who Can Vote

  7

Notice and Access

  7

Voting by Proxy

  7

Revoking a Proxy

  7

Discretionary Voting Authority

  7

Quorum and Vote Required to Approve Each Item on the Proxy

  8

Effect of Broker Non-Votes and Abstentions

  8

Inspectors of Election

  8

Cost of Soliciting Proxies

  8

AbbVie Savings Plan

  8

Information Concerning Director Nominees (Item 1)

  9

The Board of Directors and its Committees

  13

Communicating with the Board of Directors

  17

Director Compensation

  18

Securities Ownership

  20

Executive Compensation

  22

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

  22

Compensation Committee Report

  40

Compensation Risk Assessment

  40

2016 Compensation Decisions

  42

Summary Compensation Table

  42

2015 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

  45

2015 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

  46

2015 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

  48

Pension Benefits

  48

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

  52

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

  52

Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (Item 2)

  55

Audit Information

  56

Audit Fees and Non-Audit Fees

  56

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  56

Audit Committee Report

  57

Say on Pay—Advisory Vote on the Approval of Executive Compensation (Item 3)

  58

Management Proposal Regarding Annual Election of Directors (Item 4)

  59

Approval of Material Terms of the Performance Goals under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan (Item 5)

  60

Stockholder Proposals

  62

Stockholder Proposal on Drug Disposal Report (Item 6)

  62

Stockholder Proposal on Lobbying Report (Item 7)

  63

Additional Information

  67

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LOGO

GRAPHIC

              The accompanying proxy is solicited on behalf of the board of directors for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting will be held on May 6, 2016, at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. This summary highlights selected information in the Proxy Statement. Please review the entire Proxy Statement and the AbbVie 2015 Annual Report before voting.

2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Date and Time: May 6, 2016 9:00 a.m. CT

Location: Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601

Record Date: March 9, 2016

How to Vote: Stockholders as of the record date are entitled to vote via Internet at www.proxyvote.com; by telephone at 1-800-690-6903; by returning a completed proxy card; or in person at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Voting Items and Board Recommendations

 
   
  Board Recommendations
Item 1   Election of Directors   FOR All Nominees
Item 2   Ratification of Independent Auditor   FOR
Item 3   Say on Pay—Advisory Vote on the Approval of Executive Compensation   FOR
Item 4   Management Proposal Regarding the Annual Election of Directors   FOR
Item 5   Approval of the Material Terms of the Performance Goals under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan   FOR
Item 6   Stockholder Proposal on Drug Disposal Report   AGAINST
Item 7   Stockholder Proposal on Lobbying Report   AGAINST

Business Overview and Performance Highlights

Business Overview

              AbbVie was created in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. AbbVie's mission is to be an innovation-driven, patient-focused specialty biopharmaceutical company capable of achieving top-tier financial performance through outstanding execution and a consistent stream of innovative new medicines. AbbVie intends to continue to advance its mission in a number of ways, including: (i) growing revenues through continued strong performance from its existing portfolio of on-market products, including its flagship brands, Humira, Imbruvica and Viekira Pak, as well as growth from pipeline products; (ii) continuing to enhance efficiency by expanding gross and operating margins; (iii) continued investment in its pipeline in support of opportunities in immunology, oncology, and virology, as well as continued investment in key on-market products; (iv) augmentation of its pipeline through concerted focus on strategic licensing, acquisition and partnering activity with a focus on identifying compelling programs that fit AbbVie's strategic criteria; and (v) returning cash to stockholders via dividends and share repurchases.

 

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PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

              AbbVie's products support the treatment of conditions such as chronic autoimmune diseases in rheumatology, gastroenterology and dermatology; oncology, including a leadership position in the treatment of blood cancers; virology, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease; metabolic diseases, including thyroid disease and complications associated with cystic fibrosis; as well as other serious health conditions. Our pipeline includes more than 50 compounds or indications in development across important medical specialties such as immunology, oncology, virology/liver disease, neurological diseases and women's health.

Business Performance Highlights

AbbVie has Delivered Robust Financial Results since Separation

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                        The measures set forth above were calculated as of December 31, 2015.

    *   Net revenues, earnings per share and operating margin are adjusted to exclude certain specified items, which are reconciled in our Form 8-K dated January 29, 2016.    

              AbbVie has delivered a three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% in net revenues and 16.9% in earnings per share (EPS). This performance places AbbVie in the top quartile of its Health Care Peer Group. Additionally, AbbVie has been committed to a robust return of capital to stockholders with an increase of 42% in its dividend since 2013 as part of a balanced and disciplined capital allocation program. AbbVie's total stockholder return (TSR) since inception of 92.4% also places AbbVie among the top of its Health Care Peer Group, and nearly 40 percentage points above the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and more than 33 percentage points above the NYSE Arca Pharmaceuticals Index over the same time period.

 

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PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

              AbbVie has significantly grown revenue, operating margin and EPS since 2013.

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    Note: Net revenues, operating margin and earnings per share are adjusted for specified items and exclude the impact of amortization.

AbbVie also Delivered Strong Business Performance in 2015

              AbbVie has built a strong foundation for its business and 2015 was an exceptional year, as evidenced by a number of 2015 business highlights:

 

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PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

Corporate Governance Highlights

              Our board of directors is committed to strong corporate governance tailored to meet the needs of AbbVie and its stockholders to enhance stockholder value. In connection with our ongoing, proactive engagement with stockholders during 2015 (as described in greater detail on page 29), AbbVie's board of directors has approved:

              Highlights of our governance practices include:

Governance Practice
  For more information
Independent lead director with robust responsibilities is selected by the Board   p. 13
Eight of AbbVie's nine directors are independent and regularly meet in executive session   p. 13
All members of the audit, compensation, nominations and governance and public policy committees are independent   p. 15
Adopted a Proxy Access By-Law provision for 3%/3 years   p. 69
Policy prohibiting hedging and pledging   p. 40
Robust stock ownership guidelines   p. 39
Disclosure of our corporate political contributions and our trade association dues and oversight process   http://www.abbvie.com/responsibility/transparency-policies/corporate-political-participation.html
Clawback authority in the event of financial restatement to recover incentive plan awards   p. 40
Related person transaction policy to ensure appropriate oversight   p. 67
We do not have a stockholder rights plan or "poison pill"   Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws
Our directors are elected by a majority vote of our stockholders for uncontested elections and we have a resignation policy if the director fails to receive a majority of the votes cast   p. 9
We hold an annual say-on-pay advisory vote on executive compensation   p. 58
Our governance guidelines restrict the number of boards our directors may serve on to prevent overboarding   Corporate Governance Guidelines
Annual board and committee self-assessments and annual succession planning   Corporate Governance Guidelines
We are guided by strong ethics programs and supplier guidelines   http://www.abbvie.com/responsibility/home.html
For inclusion on the board, the nominations and governance committee considers diversity of ethnicity, gender, and geography   p. 14

 

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PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

Executive Compensation Highlights

              At AbbVie, the board of directors believes a well-designed compensation program should align executive interests with the drivers of stockholder returns and profitable growth, support achievement of the company's primary business goals, and attract and retain world-class executives whose talents and contributions sustain the growth in long-term stockholder value. Consequently, the compensation committee of the board has designed and implemented an executive compensation program in which a substantial majority of named executive officer (NEO) compensation at AbbVie is performance-based.

              When determining NEO compensation, the committee first considers the median of the competitive marketplace (as derived primarily from the Health Care Peer Group approved by the committee) as an initial benchmark for assessing compensation. The committee then takes into account the company's overall performance against the financial, operating and strategic objectives that were established at the start of the performance period. Finally, specific pay determinations are made for each NEO based on his or her individual performance against goals and contributions to the short- and long-term performance of the company.

              Three primary components make up AbbVie's executive pay program: base salary, short-term incentives and long-term incentives. The structure of each component is tailored to serve a specific function and purpose. The following is a summary of the key components of our 2015 compensation program and changes made for 2016.

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PROXY STATEMENT SUMMARY

Element of Pay
  Changes Made for 2016
Long-Term Incentive Program  

ü

Completed redesign of our long-term incentive program:

   

Added multiple performance metrics, including relative ROE, EPS and relative TSR as criteria for vesting.

   

Removed provision that allowed performance awards to vest if thresholds were met in any 3 of 5 years, creating more risk of forfeiture.

   

Added multi-year performance periods.

   

Changed dividend payment schedule so dividends are paid only at vesting and only on vested shares.

   

Increased use of performance-vested awards from 75% to 80% which, in combination with stock options, ties 100% of our LTI program to performance metrics and stock price appreciation.

   

Refined process for referencing the market median for long-term incentive award decisions.

Performance Incentive Plan  

ü

Added disclosure of our maximum incentive cap of 200% of target.

 

ü

Reduced the CEO's target annual incentive to 150% of base salary.

 

ü

Established a formal payout matrix based on net revenues and operating margin to guide NEO annual incentive awards, beginning with awards for the 2015 performance year.

Peer Comparisons  

ü

Simplified the peer group used for compensation benchmarking, the AbbVie Health Care Peer Group.

 

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Who Can Vote

              Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 9, 2016 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of March 9, 2016, AbbVie had 1,617,735,289 outstanding shares of common stock, which are AbbVie's only outstanding voting securities. Each stockholder has one vote per share. Stockholders do not have the right to vote cumulatively in electing directors.

Notice and Access

              In accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) e-proxy rules, AbbVie mailed a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the "Notice") to stockholders in March 2016. The Notice describes the matters to be considered at the Annual Meeting and how stockholders can access the proxy materials online. It also provides instructions on how stockholders can vote their shares. If you received the Notice, you will not receive a printed version of the proxy materials unless you request one. If you would like to receive a printed version of the proxy materials, free of charge, please follow the instructions on the Notice.

Voting by Proxy

              AbbVie's stockholders may vote their shares by telephone, the Internet, or at the Annual Meeting. If you vote by telephone or the Internet, you do not need to return your proxy card. The instructions for voting can be found on the Notice, on the website listed in the Notice, and, if you received one, on your proxy card. If you requested a printed version of the proxy card, you may also vote by mail.

Revoking a Proxy

              You may revoke your proxy by voting in person at the Annual Meeting or, at any time prior to the meeting:

Discretionary Voting Authority

              Unless authority is withheld in accordance with the instructions on the proxy, the persons named in the proxy will vote the shares of AbbVie common stock covered by proxies they receive to elect the 3 nominees named in Item 1 on the proxy card. If a nominee becomes unavailable to serve, the shares will be voted for a substitute designated by the board of directors or for fewer than 3 nominees if, in the judgment of the proxy holders, such action is necessary or desirable.

              Where a stockholder has specified a choice for or against the proposals to be presented at the Annual Meeting or if the stockholder has chosen to abstain, the shares of AbbVie common stock represented by the proxy will be voted (or not voted) as specified. Where no choice has been specified, the proxy will be voted FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors, FOR the approval of executive compensation, FOR the management proposal regarding the annual election of directors, FOR the approval of the material terms of the performance goals under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan, and AGAINST each of the stockholder proposals.

              The board of directors is not aware of any other issue which may properly be brought before the meeting. If other matters are properly brought before the meeting, the accompanying proxy will be voted in accordance with the judgment of the proxy holders.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Quorum and Vote Required to Approve Each Item on the Proxy

              A majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, represented in person or by proxy, constitutes a quorum. Directors are elected by stockholders in an uncontested election if a majority of the votes cast are "for" a director's re-election at the Annual Meeting, excluding abstentions and broker non-votes. For other matters, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented, in person or by proxy, at the meeting and entitled to vote on a matter shall be the act of the stockholders with respect to that matter, except for the management proposal regarding the annual election of directors which requires the affirmative vote of shares representing not less than eighty percent (80%) of the outstanding shares of capital stock of AbbVie entitled to vote generally in the election of directors pursuant to Article XI of AbbVie's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

Effect of Broker Non-Votes and Abstentions

              A proxy submitted by an institution such as a broker or bank that holds shares for the account of a beneficial owner may indicate that all or a portion of the shares represented by that proxy are not being voted with respect to a particular matter. This could occur, for example, when the broker or bank is not permitted to vote those shares in the absence of instructions from the beneficial owner of the stock. These "non-voted shares" will be considered shares not present and, therefore, not entitled to vote on those matters, although these shares may be considered present and entitled to vote for other purposes. Brokers and banks have discretionary authority to vote shares in the absence of instructions on matters the New York Stock Exchange considers "routine," such as the ratification of the appointment of the auditors. They do not have discretionary authority to vote shares in absence of instructions on "non-routine" matters. The election of directors, the advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation, the management proposal regarding the annual election of directors, the approval of the material terms of the performance goals under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan, and the stockholder proposals are considered "non-routine" matters. Non-voted shares will not affect the determination of the outcome of the vote on any matter to be decided at the meeting. Shares represented by proxies that are present and entitled to vote on a matter but which have elected to abstain from voting on that matter, other than the election of directors, will have the effect of votes against that matter.

Inspectors of Election

              The inspectors of election and the tabulators of all proxies, ballots, and voting tabulations that identify stockholders are independent and are not AbbVie employees.

Cost of Soliciting Proxies

              AbbVie will bear the cost of making solicitations from its stockholders and will reimburse banks and brokerage firms for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with this solicitation. Proxies may be solicited by mail, telephone, Internet, or in person by directors, officers, or employees of AbbVie and its subsidiaries.

              AbbVie has retained Georgeson Inc. to aid in the solicitation of proxies, at an estimated cost of $19,500 plus reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

AbbVie Savings Plan

              Participants in the AbbVie Savings Plan will receive voting instructions for their shares of AbbVie common stock held in the AbbVie Savings Plan Trust. The Trust is administered by both a trustee and an investment committee. The trustee is Mercer Trust Company. The members of the investment committee are Robert A. Michael, William H.S. Preece and Michael J. Thomas, employees of AbbVie. The voting power with respect to the shares is held by and shared between the investment committee and the participants. The investment committee must solicit voting instructions from the participants and follow the voting instructions it receives. The investment committee may use its own discretion with respect to those shares of AbbVie common stock for which no voting instructions are received.

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              The board of directors consists of three classes with each class currently comprised of three directors. Directors of one class are elected each year for a term of three years. The Class I directors are presented for re-election to hold office until the expiration of their term at the 2019 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death or resignation.

              Directors are elected by stockholders if a majority of the votes cast are "for" a director's re-election at the Annual Meeting, excluding abstentions and broker non-votes. For more information on the director majority vote standard, see AbbVie's By-Laws as listed as an exhibit to AbbVie's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. All of the nominees, except Mr. Hart, are currently serving as directors. Mr. Hart was recommended for election by the nominations and governance committee. Mr. Roberts is retiring as a director following the Annual Meeting and is not standing for reelection.

Class I—Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2016

PHOTO
Committees:
Audit
Nominations & Governance

Director since: 2013
Age: 64

    
William H.L. Burnside

Retired Senior Vice President and Director at The Boston Consulting Group
Mr. Burnside is a retired senior vice president and director at The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he currently serves as an advisor. Prior to becoming managing partner of BCG's Los Angeles office in 1987, he worked in BCG's London and Chicago offices, servicing clients in telecommunications, media, defense, financial services, and manufacturing. Mr. Burnside is a director at Audubon California.

Key Contributions to the Board: Through his experience with The Boston Consulting Group, Mr. Burnside acquired knowledge and understanding of corporate finance and capital markets matters, as well as global and domestic strategic advisory experience across a broad base of industries.


PHOTO
Director Nominee
Age: 46


 

  
Brett J. Hart

Executive Vice President and General Counsel, United Continental Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Hart is the executive vice president and general counsel of United Continental Holdings, Inc. (UAL) and United Airlines, Inc. since February 2012. Mr. Hart also served as acting chief executive officer of UAL and United Airlines, Inc. from October 2015 to March 2016. From December 2010 to February 2012, he served as senior vice president, general counsel and secretary of UAL, United and Continental. From June 2009 to December 2010, Mr. Hart served as executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Sara Lee Corporation.

Key Contributions to the Board: As an executive vice president and general counsel for two large public companies with international operations and having served as an acting CEO, Mr. Hart contributes operational and strategic acumen with expertise in risk management, legal strategic matters, government and regulatory affairs, customer and external facing matters, corporate governance, and compliance.

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INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES

PHOTO
Committees:
Audit
Public Policy

Director since: 2013
Age: 58

    
Edward J. Rapp

Retired Group President for Resource Industries of Caterpillar Inc.
Mr. Rapp served as the Caterpillar Inc. group president for resource industries from 2014 until his retirement in early 2016. He previously served at Caterpillar as group president based in Singapore in 2013 and 2014 and as the chief financial officer from 2010 to 2013, and he was named a group president in 2007. Mr. Rapp is presently a board member for FM Global and Junior Achievement USA. He is currently a member of the University of Missouri College of Business Strategic Development Board.

Key Contributions to the Board: As a result of his tenure as group president and chief financial officer at Caterpillar Inc., Mr. Rapp has acquired management, operational, and financial expertise with extensive global experience and provides the board with an informed perspective on financial and operational matters faced by a complex international company.

Class II—Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2017

PHOTO
Committees:
Nominations &
Governance
Public Policy

Director since: 2013
Age: 65

    
Robert J. Alpern, M.D.

Ensign Professor of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Dean of Yale School of Medicine
Dr. Alpern has served as the Ensign Professor of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Dean of Yale School of Medicine since June 2004. From July 1998 to June 2004, Dr. Alpern was the Dean of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Alpern also serves as a director of Abbott Laboratories and as a director on the Board of Yale—New Haven Hospital.

Key Contributions to the Board: As the Ensign Professor of Medicine, Professor of Internal Medicine, and Dean of Yale School of Medicine, Dean of The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and as a director on the Board of Yale—New Haven Hospital, Dr. Alpern contributes valuable insights to the board through his medical and scientific expertise and his knowledge of the health care environment and the scientific nature of AbbVie's key research and development initiatives.


PHOTO
Committees:
Compensation
Public Policy

Director since: 2013
Age: 70


 

  
Edward M. Liddy

Retired Chairman & CEO, The Allstate Corporation
Mr. Liddy served as a partner in the private equity investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC from January 2010 to December 2015. At the request of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Mr. Liddy served as interim chairman and chief executive officer of American International Group, Inc. (AIG), a global insurance and financial services holding company, from September 2008 to August 2009. From January 1999 to April 2008, Mr. Liddy served as chairman of the board of The Allstate Corporation (insurance). He served as chief executive officer of Allstate from January 1999 to December 2006, president from January 1995 to May 2005, and chief operating officer from August 1994 to January 1999. Mr. Liddy currently serves on the board of directors of Abbott Laboratories, 3M Company, and The Boeing Company.

Key Contributions to the Board: Mr. Liddy's executive leadership at Allstate and AIG and his board service at several Fortune 100 companies enable him to provide our board with valuable insights on corporate strategy, risk management, corporate governance and other issues facing large, global enterprises. Additionally, as a former chief financial officer, audit committee chair at Goldman Sachs and 3M, and a private equity firm partner, Mr. Liddy provides our board with significant knowledge and understanding of corporate finance, capital markets, financial reporting and accounting matters.

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INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES

PHOTO
Committees:
Audit
Compensation

Director since: 2013
Age: 62

    
Frederick H. Waddell

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern Trust Company
Mr. Waddell has served as the chief executive officer of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern Trust Company since January 2008 and as chairman of the board since November 2009. He served as president from February 2006 through September 2011, and as chief operating officer from February 2006 to January 2008. Mr. Waddell served as a board member of Northern Trust from February 2006 to November 2009 prior to becoming the chairman of the board.

Key Contributions to the Board: As chairman and chief executive officer of Northern Trust Corporation and The Northern Trust Company, Mr. Waddell possesses broad financial services experience with a strong record of leadership in a highly regulated industry.

Class III—Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2018

PHOTO
Committees:
Audit
Compensation

Director since: 2013
Age: 55

    
Roxanne S. Austin

President, Austin Investment Advisors
Ms. Austin is president of Austin Investment Advisors, a private investment and consulting firm, a position she has held since 2004. From July 2009 through July 2010, Ms. Austin also served as the president and chief executive officer of Move Networks, Inc., a provider of Internet television services. Ms. Austin previously served as president and chief operating officer of DIRECTV, Inc. Ms. Austin also previously served as executive vice president and chief financial officer of Hughes Electronics Corporation and as a partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP. Ms. Austin is also a director of Abbott Laboratories, Target Corporation, Teledyne Technologies, Inc. and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson.

Key Contributions to the Board: Through her extensive management and operating roles, including her financial roles, Ms. Austin contributes significant oversight and leadership experience, including financial expertise and knowledge of financial statements, corporate finance and accounting matters.

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INFORMATION CONCERNING DIRECTOR NOMINEES

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Director since: 2013
Age: 62

    
Richard A. Gonzalez

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, AbbVie Inc.
Mr. Gonzalez is the chairman and chief executive officer of AbbVie. He served as Abbott's executive vice president of the pharmaceutical products group from July 2010 to December 2012, and was responsible for Abbott's worldwide pharmaceutical business, including commercial operations, research and development, and manufacturing. He also served as president, Abbott Ventures Inc., Abbott's medical technology investment arm, from 2009 to 2011. Mr. Gonzalez joined Abbott in 1977 and held various management positions before briefly retiring in 2007, including: Abbott's president and chief operating officer; president, chief operating officer of Abbott's Medical Products Group; senior vice president and president of Abbott's former Hospital Products Division; vice president and president of Abbott's Health Systems Division; and divisional vice president and general manager for Abbott's Diagnostics Operations in the United States and Canada.

Key Contributions to the Board: As a result of his service as Abbott's executive vice president, Pharmaceutical Products Group, his previous service as Abbott's president and chief operating officer and his more than 30-year career at Abbott, Mr. Gonzalez has developed valuable business, management and leadership experience, as well as extensive knowledge of AbbVie and its global operations. Mr. Gonzalez's experience and knowledge enable him to contribute to AbbVie's board key insights into strategic, management, and operational matters.


PHOTO
Committees:
Compensation
Nominations &
Governance

Director since: 2013
Age: 67


 

  
Glenn F. Tilton

Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the UAL Corporation
Mr. Tilton was chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase & Co. from 2011 until his retirement in 2014. From October 2010 to December 2012, Mr. Tilton also served as the non-executive chairman of the board of United Continental Holdings, Inc. From September 2002 to October 2010, he served as chairman, president and chief executive officer of UAL Corporation, and chairman and chief executive officer of United Air Lines, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiary. Prior to becoming the vice chairman of Chevron Texaco following the merger of Texaco Inc. and Chevron Corp., Mr. Tilton enjoyed a 30-year multi-disciplinary career with Texaco Inc., culminating in his election as chairman and chief executive officer. Mr. Tilton is also a director of Abbott Laboratories and Phillips 66. Mr. Tilton also served on the board of directors of Lincoln National Corporation from 2002 to 2007, of TXU Corporation from 2005 to 2007, of Corning Incorporated from 2010 to 2012, and of United Continental Holdings, Inc. from 2010 to 2012.

Key Contributions to the Board: As chairman of the Midwest for JPMorgan Chase & Co. and having previously served as non-executive chairman of the board of United Continental Holdings, Inc., and chairman, president, and chief executive officer of UAL Corporation and United Air Lines, vice chairman of Chevron Texaco and as interim chairman of Dynegy, Inc., Mr. Tilton acquired strong management experience overseeing complex multinational businesses operating in highly regulated industries, as well as expertise in finance and capital markets matters.

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MAIN HEAD

The Board of Directors

              The board of directors held ten meetings in 2015. The average attendance of all incumbent directors at board and committee meetings in 2015 was ninety-five percent and each director attended at least seventy-five percent of the total number of board meetings and meetings of the committees on which he or she served. AbbVie encourages its board members to attend the annual stockholder meeting. All of AbbVie's directors attended the 2015 annual stockholder meeting.

              The board has determined that each of the following individuals is independent in accordance with the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing standards: Dr. Alpern, Ms. Austin, Mr. Burnside, Mr. Hart, Mr. Liddy, Mr. Rapp, Mr. Tilton, and Mr. Waddell. In addition, the board also determined that Mr. Roberts, who served on the board during the year, was independent under those standards. To determine independence, the board applied the AbbVie Inc. director independence guidelines. The board also considered whether a director has any other material relationships with AbbVie or its subsidiaries and concluded that none of these directors had a relationship that impaired the director's independence. This included consideration of the fact that some of the directors are officers or serve on boards of companies or entities to which AbbVie sold products or made contributions or from which AbbVie purchased products and services during the year. This also included consideration of the fact that some of the directors serve on the board of Abbott Laboratories (Abbott), AbbVie's former parent. In making its determination, the board relied on both information provided by the directors and information developed internally by AbbVie.

              The board has risk oversight responsibility for AbbVie and administers this responsibility both directly and with assistance from its committees.

              The board has determined that the current leadership structure, in which the offices of chairman of the board and chief executive officer are held by one individual and the chair of the nominations and governance committee is appointed to be the lead director, ensures the appropriate level of oversight, independence, and responsibility is applied to all board decisions, including risk oversight, and is in the best interests of AbbVie and its stockholders. The lead independent director is chosen by and from the independent members of the board of directors.

              The lead independent director responsibilities include:


1.

 

facilitates communication with the board and presides over regularly conducted executive sessions of the independent directors or sessions where the chairman of the board is not present;

2.

 

reviews and approves matters, such as agenda items, schedule sufficiency, and, where appropriate, information provided to other board members;

3.

 

serves as the liaison between the chairman of the board and the independent directors;

4.

 

has the authority to call meetings of the independent directors;

5.

 

if requested by major stockholders, ensures that he or she is available for consultation and direct communication as needed; and

6.

 

performs such other duties as the board may determine from time to time.
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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

              All directors are encouraged to, and in fact do, consult with the chairman on each of the above topics, as well. The lead director, and each of the other directors, communicates regularly with the chairman of the board and chief executive officer regarding appropriate agenda topics and other board related matters.

              AbbVie directors have backgrounds that when combined provide a portfolio of experience and knowledge that serve AbbVie's governance and strategic needs. Director nominees are considered based on a range of criteria including broad-based business knowledge and relationships, prominence and excellent reputations in their primary fields of endeavor, as well as a global business perspective and commitment to good corporate citizenship, and ability to commit sufficient time and attention to the activities of the board. They must have demonstrated experience and ability that is relevant to the board's oversight role with respect to AbbVie's business and affairs. They must also be able and willing to represent the stockholders' economic interests and satisfy their fiduciary duties to stockholders without conflicts of interest. For more details on director qualifications, please see Exhibit A to AbbVie's Governance Guidelines.

              In the process of identifying nominees to serve as a member of the board of directors, the nominations and governance committee considers the board's diversity of ethnicity, gender, and geography and assesses the effectiveness of the process in achieving that diversity.

              Each director's biography includes the particular experience and qualifications that led the board to conclude that the director should serve on the board. The directors' biographies are in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Information Concerning Director Nominees."

              The following table highlights our directors' skills and experience. The skills identified below are considered by the Nominations & Governance Committee to be the most relevant to the Board's oversight role with respect to AbbVie's business and affairs and to drive our culture of innovation and responsibility. The specific importance of each skill also is noted.

              Such skills include, among others:

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

Director Skills, Knowledge and Experience Matrix
 
  Healthcare
Industry

  Leadership
  Global
Business
and
Strategy

  Corporate
Governance
and Public
Company
Board

  Finance or
Accounting

  Government
Relations and
Regulatory

Dr. Alpern

  ü   ü   ü   ü     ü

Ms. Austin

  ü   ü   ü   ü   ü   ü

Mr. Gonzalez

  ü   ü   ü   ü   ü   ü

Mr. Burnside

      ü   ü   ü   ü   ü

Mr. Hart

    ü   ü   ü     ü

Mr. Liddy

  ü   ü   ü   ü   ü   ü

Mr. Rapp

    ü   ü     ü   ü

Mr. Tilton

  ü   ü   ü   ü   ü   ü

Mr. Waddell

    ü   ü   ü   ü   ü

Committees of the Board of Directors

              The board of directors has five committees established in AbbVie's By-Laws: the audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and governance committee, public policy committee, and executive committee. Each of the members of the audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and governance committee, and public policy committee is independent.

 
   
   
   
   
 
  Audit
Committee

  Compensation
Committee

  Nominations and
Governance
Committee

  Public Policy
Committee

R. Alpern       GRAPHIC   GRAPHIC

R. Austin     GRAPHIC

 

GRAPHIC

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

 

W. Burnside

 

GRAPHIC

 


 

GRAPHIC

 


E. Liddy

 

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

GRAPHIC

E. Rapp

 

GRAPHIC

 


 


 

GRAPHIC

R. Roberts

 

 

 

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

GRAPHIC

G. Tilton     GRAPHIC

 


 

GRAPHIC

 

GRAPHIC

 


F. Waddell

 

GRAPHIC

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

 

 

Number of meetings

 

6

 

4

 

5

 

4

 

    GRAPHIC
Lead Director
  GRAPHIC
Chairperson
  GRAPHIC
Member
  GRAPHIC
Financial Expert
   

Audit Committee

              The audit committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to AbbVie's accounting and financial reporting practices and the audit process, the quality and integrity of AbbVie's financial statements, the independent auditors' qualifications, independence, and performance, the performance of AbbVie's internal audit function and internal auditors, certain areas of legal and regulatory compliance, and enterprise risk management. Each of the members of the audit committee is financially

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

literate, as required of audit committee members by the NYSE, and the independence requirements set forth in Section 10A(m)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). The board of directors has determined that Ms. Austin, the committee's chairperson, is an "audit committee financial expert."

Compensation Committee

              The compensation committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board of directors in carrying out the board's responsibilities relating to the compensation of AbbVie's executive officers and directors. The compensation committee annually reviews the compensation paid to the directors and gives its recommendations to the full board regarding both the amount of director compensation that should be paid and the allocation of that compensation between equity-based awards and cash. In recommending director compensation, the compensation committee takes into account director fees paid by companies in AbbVie's Health Care Peer Group and reviews any arrangement that could be viewed as indirect director compensation. The processes and procedures used for the consideration and determination of executive compensation are described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" section of this proxy statement. The committee also reviews, approves, and administers the incentive compensation plans in which the AbbVie executive officers participate and all of AbbVie's equity-based plans. It may delegate the responsibility to administer and make grants under these plans to management, except to the extent that such delegation would be inconsistent with applicable law or regulations or with the listing rules of the New York Stock Exchange. The compensation committee has the sole authority, under its charter, to select, retain and/or terminate independent advisors who may assist the committee in carrying out its responsibilities. The compensation committee reviews and discusses with management and its independent compensation advisor potential risks associated with AbbVie's compensation policies and practices as discussed in the "Compensation Risk Assessment" section of this proxy statement. Each member of the committee qualifies as a "non-employee director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and as an "outside director" for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).

              The committee has engaged Compensation Advisory Partners (CAP) as its independent compensation consultant. The independent compensation consultant provides counsel and advice to the committee on executive and non-employee director compensation matters. CAP, and its principal, report directly to the chair of the committee. The principal meets regularly, and as needed, with the committee in executive sessions, and has direct access to the chair during and between meetings. The committee determines what variables it will instruct CAP to consider, including: peer groups against which performance and pay should be examined, metrics to be used in incentive plans to assess AbbVie's performance, competitive short- and long-term incentive practices in the marketplace, and compensation levels relative to market benchmarks. The committee negotiates and approves all fees paid to CAP for these services. AbbVie did not engage CAP to perform any other services during 2015.

              Based on an assessment of internally developed information and information provided by CAP, the committee has determined that its independent compensation advisor does not have a conflict of interest. A copy of the compensation committee report is included in the "Compensation Committee Report" section of this proxy statement.

Nominations and Governance Committee

              The nominations and governance committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board of directors in identifying individuals qualified to become board members and recommends to the board the nominees for election as directors at the next annual meeting of stockholders, recommends to the board the persons to be elected as executive officers of AbbVie, recommends to the board the corporate governance guidelines applicable to AbbVie, oversees the evaluation of the board and management, and serves in an advisory capacity to the board and the chairman of the board on matters of organization, management succession plans, major changes in the organizational structure of AbbVie, and the conduct of board activities. The process used by this committee to identify a nominee to serve as a member of the board of directors depends on the qualities being sought, as described on pages 13-14. From time to time, AbbVie engages an executive search firm to assist the committee in identifying individuals qualified to be board members.

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND ITS COMMITTEES

Public Policy Committee

              The public policy committee is governed by a written charter. This committee assists the board of directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to AbbVie's public policy, certain areas of legal and regulatory compliance, and governmental affairs and health care compliance matters that affect AbbVie by discharging the responsibilities set forth in its charter.

Executive Committee

              The executive committee members are Mr. Gonzalez, chair, Ms. Austin, Mr. Liddy, Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Tilton. This committee may exercise all of the authority of the board in the management of AbbVie, except for matters expressly reserved by law for board action.

Communicating with the Board of Directors

              Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate with the board of directors by writing a letter to the chairman of the board, to the lead director, or to the independent directors c/o AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, AP34, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, Attention: corporate secretary. The corporate secretary regularly forwards to the addressee all letters other than mass mailings, advertisements, and other materials not relevant to AbbVie's business. In addition, directors regularly receive a log of all correspondence received by the company that is addressed to a member of the board and may request any correspondence on that log.

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MAIN HEAD

              AbbVie employees are not compensated for serving on the board or board committees. AbbVie's non-employee directors are compensated for their service under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan and the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program.

              The following table sets forth the non-employee directors' 2015 compensation.

Name
  Fees
Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)(1)

  Restricted
Stock Unit
Awards
($)(2)

  Option
Awards
($)(3)

  Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(4)

  All Other
Compensation
($)(5)

  Total
($)

 
R. Alpern   $126,000   $142,920   $0   $9,109   $0   $278,029  
R. Austin     144,000     142,920     0     0   0     286,920  
W. Burnside   132,000   142,920   0   0   25,000   299,920  
E. Liddy     138,000     142,920     0     0   2,500     283,420  
E. Rapp   132,000   142,920   0   0   25,000   299,920  
R. Roberts     138,000     142,920     0     0   28,457     309,377  
G. Tilton   138,000   142,920   0   0   25,000   305,920  
F. Waddell     132,000     142,920     0     0   25,000     299,920  

(1)
Under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan as in effect during 2015, non-employee directors earned $10,500 for each month of service as a director and $1,000 for each month of service as a chair of a board committee, other than the chair of the audit committee. The chair of the audit committee receives $1,500 for each month of service as a chair of that committee and the other members of the audit committee receive $500 for each month of service as a committee member.
(2)
The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock unit awards granted during 2015, determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. AbbVie determines the grant date fair value of the awards by multiplying the number of units granted by the average of the high and low market prices of one share of AbbVie common stock on the award grant date.
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DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
(3)
No AbbVie stock options were outstanding as of December 31, 2015.

(4)
The totals in this column include reportable interest credited under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan during 2015.

(5)
Charitable contributions made by AbbVie's non-employee directors are eligible for a matching contribution (up to $25,000 annually). For 2015 contributions, the AbbVie Foundation made charitable matching contributions on behalf of the following AbbVie directors: W. Burnside, $25,000; E. Liddy, $2,500; E. Rapp, $25,000; R. Roberts, $25,000; G. Tilton, $25,000; F. Waddell, $25,000. This column also includes reimbursement for certain taxes.
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Securities Ownership of Executive Officers and Directors

              The table below reflects the number of shares of AbbVie common stock beneficially owned as of January 31, 2016, by each director, the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, and the three other most highly paid executive officers (NEOs), and by all directors and executive officers of AbbVie as a group. It also reflects the number of stock equivalent units and restricted stock units held by non-employee directors under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan.

Name
  Shares
Beneficially
Owned(1)(2)(3)

  Stock Options
Exercisable
within 60 days
of January 31, 2016

  Stock
Equivalent
Units

     

R. Gonzalez

  471,782   654,419   0

R. Alpern

  16,045   0   4,549

R. Austin

  30,552   0   0

W. Burnside

  7,486   0   0

B. Hart

  0   0   0

E. Liddy

  12,607   0   14,698

E. Rapp

  9,986   0   7,853

R. Roberts

  27,486   0   0

G. Tilton

  27,042   0   23,067

F. Waddell

  9,486   0   0

C. Alban

  277,254   298,050   0

W. Chase

  218,529   311,481   0

L. Schumacher

  273,316   508,583   0

M. Severino

  172,909   59,597   0

All directors and executive officers as a group(4)

  1,856,074   2,119,418   50,167

(1)
The table includes shares held in the executive officers' accounts in the AbbVie Savings Plan as follows: all executive officers as a group, 1,884. Each executive officer has shared voting power and sole investment power with respect to the shares held in his or her account.

(2)
The table includes restricted stock units held by the non-employee directors. The directors' units are payable in stock as described in footnote (2) to the Director Compensation table.

(3)
The table includes shared voting and/or investment power over shares as follows: R. Gonzalez, 5,050; G. Tilton, 350; C. Alban, 40,442; W. Chase, 501; and all directors and executive officers as a group, 48,086.

(4)
The directors and executive officers as a group own less than one percent of the outstanding shares of AbbVie.
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SECURITIES OWNERSHIP

Securities Ownership of Principal Stockholders

              The table below reports the number of shares of AbbVie common stock beneficially owned as of December 31, 2015 by BlackRock, Inc. and The Vanguard Group (directly or through subsidiaries), respectively, the only persons known to AbbVie to own beneficially more than 5% of AbbVie's outstanding common stock. It is based on information contained in Schedules 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by BlackRock, Inc. on February 10, 2016, and by The Vanguard Group on February 10, 2016. BlackRock, Inc. reported that it had sole voting power with respect to 84,605,586 shares, shared voting power with respect to 20,990 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 99,570,589 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 20,990 shares. The Vanguard Group reported that it had sole voting power with respect to 3,059,030 shares, shared voting power with respect to 169,300 shares, sole dispositive power with respect to 96,367,531 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 3,252,090 shares.

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner
  Shares Beneficially Owned
  Percent of Class
   

BlackRock, Inc.
40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022



 
99,591,579   6.1%

The Vanguard Group
100 Vanguard Boulevard
Malvern, PA 19355

  99,619,621   6.09%
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

              This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (CD&A) describes the pay philosophy established for AbbVie's named executive officers (NEOs), the design of our compensation programs, the process used to examine performance in the context of executive pay decisions, and the performance goals and results for each NEO:

 
Richard A. Gonzalez   Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
William J. Chase   Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Laura J. Schumacher   Executive Vice President, External Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Carlos Alban   Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations
Michael E. Severino   Executive Vice President, Research & Development and Chief Scientific Officer

              Although we describe our programs in the context of the NEOs, it is important to note that our programs generally have broad eligibility and therefore in most cases apply to employee populations outside the NEO group as well.

CD&A Table of Contents

              The CD&A is organized as follows:

I. Executive Summary   23

Compensation Philosophy

  23

Business Overview

  23

Business Performance Highlights

  24

Components of our Compensation Program

  27

2015 Performance Results

  28

Stockholder Engagement

  29

Executive Compensation Program Updates in 2016

  29

Compensation Program Governance Summary

  31
II. Executive Compensation Process   32

Commitment to Performance-Based Awards

  32

Committee Process for Setting Total Compensation

  32

Compensation Benchmarking

  32

Role of the Compensation Consultant

  33

Compensation Risk Oversight

  33
III. Compensation Plan Elements   33

Base Salary

  33

Short-Term Incentives

  34

Long-Term Incentives—2015 Awards

  35

Long-Term Incentives—2016 Redesign

  37

Benefits

  37

Employment Agreements

  39

Excise Tax Gross-Ups

  39

Change in Control Agreements

  39
IV. Other Matters   39

Stock Ownership Guidelines

  39

Clawback Policy

  40

Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies

  40
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

I.    Executive Summary

Compensation Philosophy

              At AbbVie, the board of directors and management believe a well-designed compensation program should align executive interests with the drivers of stockholder returns and profitable growth, support achievement of the company's primary business goals, and attract and retain world-class executives whose talents and contributions sustain the growth in long-term stockholder value. The board believes it has implemented a compensation program that appropriately balances short- and long-term strategic objectives and directly links compensation to stockholder value with more than three-fourths of the total direct compensation paid to NEOs tied to performance.

Business Overview

              AbbVie was created in 2013 following separation from Abbott Laboratories. Our products support the treatment of conditions such as chronic autoimmune diseases in rheumatology, gastroenterology and dermatology; oncology, including a leadership position in the treatment of blood cancers; virology, including hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's disease; metabolic diseases, including thyroid disease and complications associated with cystic fibrosis; as well as other serious health conditions.

              Our pipeline includes more than 50 compounds or indications in development across important medical specialties such as immunology, oncology, virology/liver disease, neurological diseases and women's health.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Business Performance Highlights

AbbVie has Delivered Robust Financial Results since Separation

GRAPHIC

              The measures set forth above were calculated as of December 31, 2015.

    *   Net revenues, earnings per share and operating margin are adjusted to exclude certain specified items, which are reconciled in our Form 8-K dated January 29, 2016.    

              AbbVie has delivered a three-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.2% in revenues and 16.9% in EPS. This performance places AbbVie in the top quartile of its Health Care Peer Group. Additionally, AbbVie has been committed to a robust return of capital to stockholders with an increase of 42% in its dividend since 2013 as part of a balanced and disciplined capital allocation program. AbbVie's total stockholder return (TSR) since inception of 92.4% also places AbbVie among the top of its Health Care Peer Group, and nearly 40 percentage points above the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and more than 33 percentage points above the NYSE Arca Pharmaceuticals Index over the same time period.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

AbbVie also Delivered Strong Business Performance in 2015

              AbbVie has built a strong foundation for its business and 2015 was an exceptional year, as evidenced by a number of 2015 business highlights:

GRAPHIC

    Note: Net revenues, operating margin and earnings per share are adjusted for specified items and exclude the
impact of amortization.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

AbbVie is in the Top Tier of its Peers on Several Financial Measures

              The chart below outlines AbbVie's performance relative to its Health Care Peer Group in 2015:

GRAPHIC

Total Stockholder Return (TSR) Performance

              Over the three years since AbbVie's separation from Abbott, we have delivered a total stockholder return of 92.4%, which places us in the top quartile of our Health Care Peers and surpasses the cumulative total returns of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the NYSE Arca Pharmaceuticals Index, as shown in the graph below. The graph covers the period from January 2, 2013 (the day AbbVie's common stock began "regular-way" trading on the NYSE) through December 31, 2015. The graph assumes $100 was invested in the stock or the index on January 2, 2013 and also assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The stock price performance in the following graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.


Comparison of Cumulative Total Return since AbbVie's Launch

GRAPHIC

              Despite AbbVie's industry-leading three-year TSR, our 2015 TSR of -6.5% did not reflect the company's top tier operational and financial performance and was negatively impacted by both the macro-economic environment that weighed down all stocks and by specific factors that are unique to the company, including uncertainty about the regulatory process for biosimilar competition to Humira.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

AbbVie is Positioned for Future Growth

              AbbVie is well-positioned to deliver strong top- and bottom-line performance through 2020 and beyond. The company has established growth platforms in some of the largest and most attractive market segments, including immunology, oncology, virology and neurology, and has built a compelling pipeline in these areas which will contribute significantly to future performance. AbbVie is committed to top-line growth and operating margin expansion. In October 2015, AbbVie outlined its long-term strategic and financial objectives through 2020, including an expectation to deliver annual double-digit adjusted EPS growth on average, company net revenues of approximately $37 billion in 2020, and an adjusted operating margin profile of greater than 50 percent in 2020.

Components of our Compensation Program

              The compensation committee of the board oversees our executive compensation program, which includes several compensation elements that have each been tailored to incentivize and reward specific aspects of company performance the board believes are central to delivering long-term stockholder value. Key components of our 2015 compensation program are listed below.

GRAPHIC

              In response to stockholder feedback, we redesigned our long-term incentive (LTI) program for 2016, emphasizing multiple, relative performance metrics and multi-year performance periods (see page 37 for a detailed description of the 2016 redesign).

              The committee is dedicated to ensuring that a substantial portion of executive compensation is "at-risk" and variable. Generally, more than three-fourths of our NEOs' total direct compensation is variable and directly affected by both the company's and the NEO's performance.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2015 Performance Results

              The performance targets established under our annual and long-term incentive plans are rigorous and calibrated to a range of potential outcomes, with above target payouts for strong performance and below target payouts (including no payout) for below target performance. Targets are based on expected business, market and regulatory conditions, including expectations for our pipeline. The financial goals shown in the following table were carried by all of the NEOs as part of their 2015 performance goals. The specific weightings for each NEO, other than the CEO, are established at the start of each performance year based on the NEO's role and anticipated contributions to the company's annual objectives.

Financial Goals

Goal and Expected Result(1)
  Result(2)
  Outcome
A.   Non-GAAP Diluted EPS of $4.15   A.   $4.29   Achieved Above Target
B.   Non-GAAP Net Revenues of $24.1BN   B.   $24.1BN(3)   Achieved
C.   Non-GAAP Income Before Taxes of $8.83BN   C.   $9.04BN   Achieved Above Target
D.   Non-GAAP Return on Assets of 20.1%   D.   23.2%   Achieved Above Target
E.   Non-GAAP Operating Margin of $9.49BN   E.   $9.68BN   Achieved Above Target
F.   Humira Sales of $14.4BN   F.   $14.8BN(3)   Achieved Above Target

(1)
Expected results reflect the acquisition of Pharmacyclics, Inc.

(2)
Results achieved reflect certain specified items, which are reconciled in our Form 8-K dated January 29, 2016.

(3)
Net revenues and Humira sales are evaluated on a constant currency basis.

              In addition to the financial goals set forth above, each of our NEOs also has individual performance goals that the committee reviews and ensures are appropriately rigorous and in line with the long-term success of the company. Each NEO achieved or exceeded his or her 2015 goals, which are listed below:

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Stockholder Engagement

2015 Say on Pay Results

              At our 2015 Annual Meeting, the say on pay proposal received support from 95% of our stockholders. The board and compensation committee are encouraged by the continued, consistent stockholder support for our executive compensation program. Our say on pay proposal received 96% support from stockholders in 2014 and 2013.

              AbbVie is committed to regular, ongoing engagement with stockholders to ensure that we continue to understand stockholder feedback about our compensation program and incorporate that feedback into the compensation decision-making process. To that end, in 2015 AbbVie approached and engaged stockholders holding approximately 38% of the company's outstanding shares. In these discussions, the aggregate feedback was generally supportive of the compensation program, consistent with the level of stockholder support for our say on pay proposals in the last two years, and was not prescriptive about our compensation plan design. The feedback informs the compensation committee's continuous assessment of the program design and ongoing discussions with stockholders, which contribute to the evolution of the program.

              After considering stockholder feedback and suggestions, AbbVie's compensation committee, in consultation with management and the committee's independent compensation consultant, has proactively reviewed our policies and compensation program design. For annual awards beginning in 2016, our LTI program has been redesigned, as discussed in greater detail in the following section.

Executive Compensation Program Updates in 2016

              The compensation committee of the board has engaged in a continuous process of evaluation and enhancement of the AbbVie executive compensation program. In the three years since the company's launch, AbbVie has made significant enhancements to its legacy compensation programs, the most recent of which are described in the following paragraphs and on page 37.

              The committee has considered the feedback from stockholders as to the design of its compensation program and competitive benchmarking and, in 2015, undertook a comprehensive revision of the program. The new long-term incentive program will be in effect for equity grants made in 2016. The program consists of equity awards that include 40% performance shares, 40% performance-vested restricted stock awards and 20% stock options. Vesting may occur over a 3-year period based on relative return on equity (ROE) for the performance-vested restricted stock awards and earnings per share (EPS) (with a relative 3-year total stockholder return (TSR) modifier) for the performance shares. The 2016 program eliminates vesting in any 3 of 5 years and provides that awards may vest only over 3 years based on the achievement of the defined performance metrics. Additionally, dividends will not be paid unless the performance criteria

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are met, and then will be paid only on shares that vest. AbbVie believes the new design further strengthens and aligns the performance orientation of senior executive compensation. Highlights of the changes made for 2016 include:

Element of Pay
  Changes Made for 2016
Long-Term Incentive Program  

ü

Completed redesign of our long-term incentive program:

   

Added multiple performance metrics, including relative ROE, EPS and relative TSR as criteria for vesting.

   

Removed provision that allowed performance awards to vest if thresholds were met in any 3 of 5 years, creating more risk of forfeiture.

   

Added multi-year performance periods.

   

Changed dividend payment schedule so dividends are paid only at vesting and only on vested shares.

   

Increased use of performance-vested awards from 75% to 80% which, in combination with stock options, ties 100% of our LTI program to performance metrics and stock price appreciation.

   

Refined process for referencing the market median for long-term incentive award decisions.

Performance Incentive Plan  

ü

Added disclosure of our maximum incentive cap of 200% of target.

 

ü

Reduced the CEO's target annual incentive to 150% of base salary.

 

ü

Established a formal payout matrix based on net revenues and operating margin to guide NEO annual incentive awards, beginning with awards for the 2015 performance year.

Peer Comparisons  

ü

Simplified the peer group used for compensation benchmarking, the AbbVie Health Care Peer Group.

              The new design is discussed in more detail in Section III.

2016 Compensation Decisions

              The compensation committee's typical practice is to make decisions related to NEO pay at its February meeting, including adjustments to base salary, an annual incentive payment for the prior year's performance, and establishment of a long-term incentive award value. In making its decisions, the committee considers the performance achieved compared to previously established goals as well as changes in industry practice reflected in compensation benchmarking data. The committee made the following decisions about the compensation for Mr. Gonzalez at its February 2016 meeting: (i) his base salary is unchanged compared to 2015; (ii) his annual incentive payment for 2015 performance was $2,976,000; (iii) his 2016 target annual incentive was reset to 150% of base salary; and (iv) his 2016 long-term incentive award grant value was $11,700,000, which was the projected median grant value of the Health Care Peer Group. The resulting changes in target total direct compensation from 2015 to 2016 are shown in the following chart:

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Compensation Program Governance Summary

              In addition to strong alignment of pay with the performance of the company and our NEOs, we maintain and are committed to good governance practices, including the following:

New

ü

Long-term incentive design emphasizing multiple, relative performance metrics and multi-year performance periods (see p. 37 for a detailed description of the 2016 redesign)

Shifted program away from a single, absolute performance metric to a multi-factor model

Incorporates relative total stockholder return

Eliminates extra vesting opportunity that was a part of the prior LTI design

Dividends on outstanding equity awards are paid at vesting and only on earned shares

ü

Annual incentive payout matrix to guide decision-making based on financial performance

ü

CEO target annual incentive reset at 150% of base salary

ü

Robust stock ownership guideline of 5x annual fees for non-employee directors

Ongoing

ü

Majority of NEO compensation tied to long-term performance

ü

Short- and long-term incentive programs closely align pay with performance

ü

Robust stock ownership guidelines of 6x salary for CEO and 3x salary for NEOs

ü

NEOs must hold and not sell equity until the minimum stock ownership requirement is satisfied.

ü

Double-trigger requirements for equity acceleration and other benefits in the event of a change in control

ü

No tax gross-ups in executive compensation program

ü

No duplication of performance metrics in short-and long-term incentives

ü

No repricing of stock options without express stockholder approval

ü

No employment contracts

ü

No guaranteed short-term incentives or equity awards, and short-term incentives are capped at 200% of target

ü

Anti-hedging and anti-pledging policies

ü

Independent compensation consultant that performs no other work for the company

ü

Committee has broad discretion to claw back incentive awards in the unlikely event of a restatement of earnings

ü

Proactive stockholder engagement process

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II.    Executive Compensation Process

Commitment to Performance-Based Awards

              More than three-fourths of AbbVie's NEO pay is performance-based. Specific goals and targets are the foundation of our pay-for-performance process, and this section describes how they apply to each pay component. Though quantitative metrics such as financial and operational results are a central part of our performance assessment, some goals such as leadership and progress against strategic and long-term objectives are difficult to measure using numeric or formulaic criteria. As such, the compensation committee also conducts a qualitative assessment of individual performance to ensure the overall assessment of performance and pay decisions are aligned with the company's true performance over a period of time. A discussion of the decision-making criteria for each pay component follows.

Committee Process for Setting Total Compensation

              Each February, the committee, with the assistance of its independent compensation consultant and AbbVie's management team, determines target pay levels for NEOs. The process starts with a consideration of compensation levels and the mix of compensation for comparable executives at companies in AbbVie's Health Care Peer Group, which are listed below in the section captioned "Compensation Benchmarking." After this benchmark review, the committee establishes NEO compensation—base salary adjustments, annual incentive awards, and long-term incentive awards—relative to the peer median in each instance. Awards can be differentiated from the peer group median based on each NEO's individual performance, leadership, and contributions to long-term strategic performance.

Compensation Benchmarking

              To provide the appropriate context for executive pay decisions, the committee, in consultation with its independent compensation consultant, assesses the compensation practices and pay levels of AbbVie's Health Care Peer Group. The committee chooses to focus on the Health Care Peer Group because its constituents share important characteristics with AbbVie, particularly the global emphasis on research-based pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceutical therapies and the regulatory environment within which they operate. Members of the Health Care Peer Group are AbbVie's primary competitors for executive talent and are companies the committee believes chiefly represent our competitive market:

Health Care Peer Group
Amgen, Inc.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Eli Lilly and Company
Gilead Sciences
GlaxoSmithKline plc
Johnson & Johnson
Merck & Company, Inc.
Novartis AG
Pfizer Inc.

The Health Care Peer Group is a core group of peers that has been consistently used since AbbVie's separation from Abbott in 2013. In 2015, the committee added Gilead Sciences to the Health Care Peer Group.

              Prior to 2016, the committee also periodically considered benchmarking information from AbbVie's High-Performing Peer Group, which consisted of companies operating complex businesses with significant global reach similar to AbbVie, regardless of industry. Generally, members of the High-Performing Peer Group had a five-year average return on equity (ROE) of at least 18% and were similar to AbbVie in size, performance and/or scope of global operations. In 2015 this group consisted of: 3M Company, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Caterpillar Inc., The Coca-Cola Company, Colgate-Palmolive Company, General Mills, Inc., Kellogg Company, Kimberly-Clark, McDonald's Corporation, and

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PepsiCo Inc. The committee periodically reviews the company's peer groups to ensure the companies continue to be appropriate peers for compensation benchmarking purposes. Considering the relevance and primary focus on health care industry practices in making its pay determinations, the committee decided in 2015 to discontinue use of the High-Performing Peer Group. Accordingly, the committee focused primarily on the Health Care Peer Group (described above) in making its 2016 NEO compensation decisions.

Role of the Compensation Consultant

              The compensation committee has engaged Compensation Advisory Partners as its independent compensation consultant. The committee's independent consultant reports directly to the chair of the committee. The consultant meets regularly, and as needed, with the committee in executive sessions, has direct access to the chair during and between meetings, and performs no other services for AbbVie or its senior executives. The committee determines what variables it will instruct its consultant to consider, which include: peer groups against which performance and pay should be examined, metrics to be used to assess AbbVie's performance, competitive incentive practices in the marketplace, and compensation levels relative to market benchmarks.

Compensation Risk Oversight

              The company has established, and the compensation committee endorses, several controls to address and mitigate compensation-related risk, such as employing a diverse set of performance metrics, maintaining robust stock ownership guidelines for its executives and non-employee directors, and retaining broad discretion to recover incentive awards in the unlikely event that incentive plan award decisions are based on earnings that are subsequently restated. The committee identified no material risks in AbbVie's compensation programs in 2015.

III.    Compensation Plan Elements

              Three primary components make up AbbVie's executive pay program: (1) base salary, (2) short-term incentives and (3) long-term incentives. The structure of each component is tailored to serve a specific function and purpose.

CEO Pay Mix   All Other NEO Average Pay Mix


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Base Salary

              The compensation committee sets appropriate levels of base salary to ensure that AbbVie can attract and retain a leadership team that will continue to meet our commitments to customers and patients and sustain long-term profitable growth for our stockholders. Generally, the committee considers the median of the Health Care Peer Group as an initial benchmark, but also references additional information as needed. Specific pay rates are then established for each NEO relative to his or her market benchmark based on the NEO's performance, experience, unique skills, internal equity with others at AbbVie, and the company's operating budget.

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Short-Term Incentives

Performance Incentive Plan

              Annual cash incentives are paid to NEOs through AbbVie's Performance Incentive Plan (PIP), which rewards executives for achieving key financial and non-financial goals that are measured at the company and individual levels. Annual cash incentives are calculated as follows:

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              While the compensation committee relies heavily on objective, quantitative metrics to determine PIP awards, the performance review also includes a qualitative element to ensure the review is comprehensive and inclusive of all individual, strategic, and leadership goals for which assessment is not solely dictated by numeric or formulaic applications. Moreover, while each participant has predetermined goals, the committee also considers relative achievements and/or developments in the company, the marketplace, and the global economy that could not have been foreseen when individual goals were established.

              The compensation committee may exercise negative discretion to adjust PIP awards below the cap set in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m), and is guided by an annual incentive payout matrix that establishes a potential range of final incentive outcomes based on net revenues and operating margin performance. For 2015, net revenue performance was 100% compared to plan, while operating margin performance was 102% compared to plan. As a result of this performance, the annual incentive payout matrix established the potential range of final incentive outcomes at 100% to 150% of target, below the plan maximum of 200% of target and the Code Section 162(m) cap.

Annual Metrics and Goal Assessment

              AbbVie's PIP structure is intended to align NEOs' interests directly with AbbVie's annual operating strategies, financial goals, and leadership behaviors. In doing so, it provides a direct link between the NEOs' short-term incentives and the company's and the NEOs' annual performance results through measurable financial and operational performance and qualitative assessments of clearly defined strategic progress and leadership behaviors. The compensation committee approves pre-established goals at the beginning of each year. The qualitative assessment reflects NEOs' overall leadership, progress on strategic initiatives, advancement of the pipeline, and enhancement of AbbVie's biopharmaceutical culture.

              The financial and strategic/leadership goals and their respective weightings are summarized in the chart below. The specific goals and weightings for each NEO, other than the CEO, are established at the start of each performance year based on the NEO's role and anticipated contributions to the company's annual objectives. The CEO's goals are

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similarly established at the start of each performance year; however, to reflect the CEO's overall accountability for company financial performance and strategic outcomes, the committee considers all financial and non-financial goals holistically, without specific weightings, when evaluating CEO performance.

Annual Incentive Payout Matrix

  Range

Net Revenues

  0% to 200% of target

Operating Margin

  0% to 200% of target

   

Financial Goals

  % Weighting

Earnings Per Share

  20%

Net Revenues, Income Before Taxes, Operating Margin, Humira Sales, and Return on Assets

  20% to 60%

Total Tied to Financial Goals

  40% to 80%

   

Strategic/Leadership Goals

  % Weighting

R&D/Biosimilars

    0% to 50%

Business Development

    0% to 20%

Other (including strategic initiatives, etc.)

    0% to 30%

Total Tied to Strategic/Leadership Goals

  20% to 60%

              Assessments of performance against financial results consider the effect of specified adjustments and/or unusual or unpredictable events, and the appropriateness of these adjustments is reviewed annually by the committee. In 2015, specified adjustments consisted of other revenue, intangible asset amortization, research and development, collaboration and transaction costs, acquired in process research and development, separation costs, restructuring, legal reserves, and other items, as described in Exhibit 99.1 to AbbVie's Form 8-K filed on January 29, 2016.

              The PIP is intended to comply with the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) for performance-based compensation.

Long-Term Incentives—2015 Awards

Performance-Vested Restricted Stock

              Performance-vested restricted stock was 75% of the total long-term incentive (LTI) value delivered to the NEOs in 2015. AbbVie's performance-vested restricted stock awards (or restricted stock units where required outside the U.S.) are subject to the following terms, including a performance metric that prevents awards from vesting if pre-established goals are not met:

Term.  Each award has a five-year term.

Return on Equity (ROE) Performance Metric.  During the term of the award, one-third of the award vests in each year that AbbVie's prior year ROE meets or exceeds the performance goal. Unlike performance-based awards that can increase or decrease relative to a target amount, these are performance-vested awards that cannot be released to the NEO unless the ROE performance goal is achieved during the term of the award. If the thresholds are met in three of the five years, 100% of the performance-vested shares vest. If the thresholds are missed in all five years, 100% of the performance-vested shares will be forfeited.
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Setting the ROE Performance Target.  The compensation committee considers the company's operating plan, the company's historic performance, peer-group performance, the company's pipeline, and anticipated business and market conditions when setting the ROE target.

Dividends.  These awards receive dividends (or dividend-equivalent payments in the case of restricted stock units) during the vesting term.

Non-Qualified Stock Options

              Stock options were 25% of the total LTI value delivered to the NEOs in 2015. AbbVie's stock options are subject to the following terms:

Term.  Each option has a ten-year term.

Price.  The option exercise price is set at or above fair market value on the date of grant. AbbVie has never granted discounted stock options.

Vesting.  One third of the award may vest each year after the date of the grant.

              AbbVie's policy with respect to its annual equity award for all eligible employees, including the NEOs, is to grant the award and set the grant price at the compensation committee's regularly scheduled February meeting each year. These meeting dates generally are the third Thursday of February and are scheduled two years in advance. The grant price is the average of the highest and lowest trading prices of a common share on the date of the grant (rounded up to the next even penny). The grant price for the 2015 annual grant was $58.88. The high, low and closing prices of an AbbVie common share on the grant date (February 19, 2015) were $59.08, $58.65, and $59.00, respectively. All LTI awards are subject to a minimum vesting period of 12 months.

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Long-Term Incentives—2016 Redesign

              AbbVie redesigned its LTI program effective with the 2016 annual grant, based in part on feedback from stockholders. The new design increases the alignment of AbbVie's long-term incentive compensation with key operational and financial initiatives, including sustained EPS growth and generation of superior investment returns relative to peers. In 2016, NEOs received LTI awards with the following characteristics as compared to the 2015 LTI awards:


Evolution of Long-Term Incentive Program

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Benefits

              Benefits are an important part of retention and capital preservation for all employees, helping to protect against the impact of unexpected catastrophic loss of health and/or earnings potential, as well as providing a means to save and accumulate for retirement or other post-employment needs.

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              Each of the benefits described below supports the company's objective of providing a market competitive total rewards program. Individual benefits do not directly affect decisions regarding other benefits or pay components, except to the extent that all benefits and pay components must, in aggregate, be competitive, as previously discussed.

Retirement Benefits

              All eligible U.S. employees, including NEOs, participate in the AbbVie Pension Plan, the company's principal qualified defined benefit plan. NEOs and certain other employees also participate in the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan. These plans are described in greater detail in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Pension Benefits."

              The Supplemental Pension Plan is a non-qualified defined benefit plan that cannot be secured in a manner similar to a qualified plan, for which assets are held in trust, so NEOs receive an annual cash payment equal to the increase in the present value of their Supplemental Pension Plan benefit. NEOs have the option of depositing the annual payment into an individually established grantor trust, net of tax withholdings. Deposited amounts may be credited with the difference between the NEO's actual annual trust earnings and the rate used to calculate trust funding (currently 8 percent). Amounts deposited in the individual trusts are not tax-deferred and the NEOs personally pay the taxes on those amounts without gross-ups.

              The manner in which the grantor trust assets are to be distributed to an NEO upon retirement from the company generally follows the distribution method elected by the NEO under the AbbVie Pension Plan. If an NEO (or the NEO's spouse, depending on the pension distribution method elected by the NEO under the AbbVie Pension Plan) lives beyond the actuarial life expectancy age used to determine the Supplemental Pension Plan benefit, and therefore exhausts the trust balance, the Supplemental Pension Plan benefit will be paid to the NEO (or his or her spouse) by AbbVie.

Savings Plans

              All U.S. employees, including NEOs, are eligible to defer a portion of their annual base salary under the AbbVie Savings Plan, the company's principal qualified defined contribution plan, up to the IRS contribution limits. NEOs also are eligible to defer up to 18 percent of their base salary, less contributions to the AbbVie Savings Plan, to the AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan, which is a non-qualified defined contribution plan. NEOs may defer these amounts to unfunded book accounts or choose to have the amounts paid in cash on a current basis and deposited into individually established grantor trusts, net of tax withholdings. These amounts are credited annually with earnings. Amounts deposited in the individual trusts are not tax-deferred and the NEOs personally pay the taxes on those amounts without gross-ups.

              NEOs elect the manner in which the assets held in their grantor trusts will be distributed to them upon retirement or other separation from the company. These arrangements are described in greater detail in this proxy statement beginning with the section captioned "Summary Compensation Table."

Financial Planning

              NEOs are eligible for a $10,000 annualized benefit associated with estate planning advice, tax preparation and general financial planning fees. If an NEO chooses to utilize this benefit, fees for such services are paid by the company and are treated as imputed income to the NEO, who then is responsible for payment of all taxes due on the fees paid by the company without gross-ups.

Company-Provided Transportation

              NEOs are eligible for transportation perquisites that are designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their work, including the use of a company-leased vehicle and access to company-provided air travel, as appropriate. In some circumstances, these benefits may be used for personal travel, which would then be considered part of the NEO's

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total compensation and treated as taxable income to them under applicable tax laws. The NEOs pay the taxes on such income without gross-ups.

Disability Benefits

              In addition to AbbVie's standard disability benefits, NEOs are eligible for a monthly long-term disability benefit, which is described on page 52 of this proxy statement.

Employment Agreements

              AbbVie does not have employment agreements with any of its NEOs.

Excise Tax Gross-ups

              AbbVie does not provide excise tax gross-ups on NEO compensation.

Change in Control Agreements

              AbbVie has entered into change in control agreements with its NEOs to aid in retention and recruitment, encourage continued attention and dedication to assigned duties during periods involving a possible change in control of the company, and to protect the earned benefits of the NEOs against potential adverse changes resulting from a change in control.

              The change in control agreements contain a double-trigger feature, meaning that if the NEO's employment is terminated other than for cause or permanent disability, or if the NEO elects to terminate employment for good reason, within two years following a change in control, he or she is entitled to receive certain pay and benefits as described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control."

IV.    Other Matters

Stock Ownership Guidelines

              AbbVie's stock ownership guidelines are designed to further promote sustained stockholder return and to ensure the company's senior executives remain focused on both short- and long-term objectives. Each senior executive has five years from the date of election or appointment to his or her position to achieve the ownership level associated with his or her position. NEOs are not allowed to sell stock, except for tax withholding at vesting or exercise, if they do not satisfy the minimum stock ownership requirement. The minimum stock ownership guidelines for the CEO and other NEOs are as follows:

Executive
  Stock Ownership Requirement
  Requirement Met?
   
Richard A. Gonzalez   6x Base Salary   Yes
William J. Chase   3x Base Salary   Yes
Laura J. Schumacher   3x Base Salary   Yes
Carlos Alban   3x Base Salary   Yes
Michael E. Severino   3x Base Salary   Yes

              In addition, AbbVie's non-employee directors are required to own AbbVie stock valued at five times (5x) the annual fee for service as a director under the AbbVie Non-Employee Directors' Fee Plan within five years of joining the Board or as soon as practicable thereafter.

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Clawback Policy

              While the committee does not anticipate there would ever be circumstances where a restatement of earnings upon which any incentive plan award decisions were based would occur, the committee, in evaluating such circumstances, has broad discretion to take all actions necessary to protect the interests of stockholders up to and including actions to recover such incentive awards.

Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies

              AbbVie has a formal policy that prohibits directors and officers subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, including all of the NEOs, from entering into or engaging in the purchase or sale of financial instruments that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of AbbVie equity securities they hold. AbbVie also has a formal policy that prohibits directors and officers subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, including all of the NEOs, from pledging AbbVie common stock as collateral for a loan.

              In addition, the AbbVie Incentive Stock Program provides that no long-term incentive award may be assigned, alienated, sold or transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or as permitted by the compensation committee for estate planning purposes, and no award and no right under any award may be pledged, alienated, attached or otherwise encumbered. All members of senior management, including the company's NEOs and certain other employees, are required to clear any transaction involving company stock with the General Counsel prior to entering into such transaction.

Compensation Committee Report

              The compensation committee of the board of directors is primarily responsible for reviewing, approving and overseeing AbbVie's compensation plans and practices, and works with management and the committee's independent compensation consultant to establish AbbVie's executive compensation philosophy and programs. The committee reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and recommended to the board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

Compensation Committee

              E. Liddy, Chairman, R. Austin, G. Tilton, and F. Waddell

Compensation Risk Assessment

              During 2015, in collaboration with the compensation committee's independent compensation consultant, AbbVie conducted an in-depth risk assessment of its compensation policies and practices, including those related to executive compensation programs for NEOs. The risk assessment included a quantitative and qualitative analysis of AbbVie's executive compensation programs and broader employee incentive compensation plans. AbbVie also considered how these programs compare, from a design perspective, to programs maintained by other companies. Based on this assessment, it was determined that AbbVie's executive compensation programs are balanced and appropriately incent employees, and any risks arising from the compensation policies and practices are not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on AbbVie. The following factors were among those considered in making this determination:

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              The risk assessment results were presented to the compensation committee by its independent compensation consultant.

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2016 Compensation Decisions

              The compensation committee's typical practice is to make decisions related to NEO pay at its February meeting, including adjustments to base salary, an annual incentive payment for the prior year's performance, and establishment of a long-term incentive award value. In making its decisions, the committee considers the performance achieved compared to previously established goals as well as changes in industry practice reflected in compensation benchmarking data. The committee made the following decisions about the compensation for Mr. Gonzalez at its February 2016 meeting: (i) his base salary is unchanged compared to 2015; (ii) his annual incentive payment for 2015 performance was $2,976,000; (iii) his 2016 target annual incentive was reset to 150% of base salary; and (iv) his 2016 long-term incentive award grant value was $11,700,000, which was the projected median grant value of the Health Care Peer Group. Additional information about the 2016 changes is provided beginning on page 29 of this proxy statement.

Summary Compensation Table

              This section contains compensation information for AbbVie's NEOs for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. The following table summarizes compensation awarded to, earned by and/or paid to AbbVie's NEOs in connection with their service to AbbVie during 2015, 2014 and 2013. Dr. Severino joined AbbVie in 2014. The section of this proxy statement captioned "Compensation Plan Elements" describes in greater detail the information reported in this table.

Name and Principal Position
  Year
  Salary
($)(1)

  Bonus
($)

  Stock
Awards
($)(2)

  Option
Awards
($)(3)(4)

  Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)(5)

  Change in
Pension
Value and
Non-qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(6)(7)

  All Other
Compensation
($)(8)

  Total
($)

 
Richard A. Gonzalez   2015   $1,588,461   $0   $9,747,455   $3,259,808   $2,976,000   $2,447,316   $791,063   $20,810,103  

Chairman of the Board and

  2014   1,595,961   0   8,379,403   2,762,525   3,500,000   5,044,809   723,573   22,006,271  

Chief Executive Officer

  2013   1,500,000   0   9,246,994   3,616,574   3,300,000   41,612   471,614   18,176,794  
William J. Chase     2015     950,385     0     3,298,795     1,103,269     1,358,300     739,381     163,664     7,613,794  

Executive Vice President,

    2014     923,711     0     2,764,853     911,634     1,490,000     1,710,772     121,925     7,922,895  

Chief Financial Officer

    2013     790,000     0     2,034,396     795,752     1,100,000     315,787     76,788     5,112,723  
Laura J. Schumacher   2015   951,538   0   3,073,930   1,028,071   1,358,300   504,413   390,089   7,306,341  

Executive Vice President,

  2014   957,577   0   2,807,018   925,396   1,490,000   2,465,919   402,095   9,048,005  

External Affairs, General Counsel

  2013   900,000   0   2,555,732   1,035,626   1,290,000   944,548   270,392   6,996,298  

and Corporate Secretary

                                     
Carlos Alban     2015     888,461     0     3,036,257     1,015,522     1,200,000     696,390     213,009     7,049,639  

Executive Vice President,

    2014     844,461     0     2,430,109     801,145     1,300,000     2,297,655     1,589,491     9,262,861  

Commercial Operations

    2013     710,000     0     2,034,396     795,752     1,030,000     416,924     148,097     5,135,169  
Michael E. Severino   2015   918,077   0   3,111,604   1,040,621   1,238,700   228,599   66,204   6,603,805  

Executive Vice President,

  2014   503,750   1,000,000 (9) 7,710,065   734,916   1,200,000   188,911   205,104   11,542,746  

Research & Development and

                                     

Chief Scientific Officer

                                     

(1)
The year-over-year difference in base salary from 2014 to 2015 is a function of the number of pay periods in each year. There were 27 pay periods in 2014 and 26 pay periods in 2015.

(2)
In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules, the amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. AbbVie determines the grant date fair value of stock awards by multiplying the number of shares granted by the average of the high and low market prices of one share of AbbVie common stock on the award grant date.

(3)
In accordance with SEC rules, the amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of the awards determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.

(4)
These amounts were determined as of the option grant date using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model. These amounts are being reported solely for the purpose of comparative disclosure in accordance with the SEC rules. There is no certainty that the amount determined using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model would be the value at which employee stock options would be traded for cash. The weighted-average assumptions used to
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Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 
   
Assumption
  All NEOs

Risk-free interest rate

  1.76%

Average life of options (years)

  6.0   

Volatility

  24.86%

Dividend yield

  3.27%

Fair value per stock option

  $9.96   
(5)
The compensation reported in this column for 2015 was earned as a performance-based incentive bonus pursuant to the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan. Additional information regarding the plan can be found in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Compensation Plan Elements."

(6)
Except as provided below, the plan amounts shown below are reported in this column.


The amounts shown beside each NEO's name are for 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, as applicable. The amounts shown for Dr. Severino are for 2015 and 2014. Negative amounts under the AbbVie Pension Plan and the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan are excluded from this column in accordance with SEC rules.


AbbVie Pension Plan


R. Gonzalez: $45,413 / $142,324 / $3,002; W. Chase: $(20,261) / $148,641 / $(43,043); L. Schumacher: $(11,019) / $166,274 / $33,119; C. Alban: $(10,940) / $189,552 / $(42,843); and M. Severino: $15,872 / $18,610.


AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan


R. Gonzalez: $2,230,380 / $4,794,683 / $(717,929); W. Chase: $676,623 / $1,500,464 / $336,946; L. Schumacher: $218,282 / $2,072,222 / $783,337; C. Alban: $541,349 / $1,992,235 / $401,517; and M. Severino: $196,191 / $170,007.


The changes in pension value result primarily from the following factors: (i) the effect of changes in the actuarial assumptions AbbVie uses to calculate plan liability for financial reporting purposes; (ii) additional pension benefit accrual under the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan; and (iii) the impact of the time value of money on the pension value.


Non-Qualified Defined Contribution Plan Earnings


The totals in this column include reportable interest credited under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan and the AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan.


R. Gonzalez: $171,523 / $107,802 / $41,612; W. Chase: $83,019 / $61,667 / $21,884; L. Schumacher: $297,150 / $227,423 / $128,092; C. Alban: $165,981 / $115,868 / $58,250; and M. Severino: $16,536 / $294.

(7)
The amounts shown in this column include the change in pension value during the applicable year, which is attributable to changes in actuarial assumptions (primarily discount rate and mortality tables) and other factors based on plan design (primarily pay, service and age).


The present value of a pension benefit is determined, in part, by the discount rate used for accounting purposes. The discount rate is determined by reference to the prevailing market rate of interest. In 2015, interest rates increased and the discount rate used for the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan was increased to reflect that change. An increase in the discount rate decreases the present value of participants' pension benefits while actual payments to be made to participants are not changed. The discount rate used for 2015 was 4.93% for the Pension Plan and 4.83% for the Supplemental Pension Plan, while the discount rates used for both the Pension Plan and the Supplemental Pension Plan in 2014 and 2013 were 4.45% and 5.36%, respectively. The mortality assumptions that apply for actuarial purposes also affect pension values. During 2014, the Society of Actuaries released new mortality tables reflecting longer life expectancies, which are now in use for Pension Plan and Supplemental Pension Plan accounting. This increase in assumed life expectancy resulted in an increase in the present value of participants' pension benefits in 2014. During 2015, the Society of Actuaries released an improved scale that adjusted the previously released 2014 scale, which AbbVie determined was appropriate to use in determining the funded status as of December 31, 2015.


In addition to the effect of the changes in actuarial assumptions, other factors built into the plans contributed to the change in pension value. The change in pension value numbers reflect the application of the benefit formulas
2016 Proxy Statement   |   GRAPHIC   43

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
(8)
The amounts shown below are reported in this column. The amounts shown beside each NEO's name are for 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, as applicable.


Earnings for Non-Qualified Defined Benefit and Non-Qualified Defined Contribution Plans


R. Gonzalez: $120,030 / $94,209 / $73,532; W. Chase: $75,830 / $50,968 / $22,474; L. Schumacher: $280,224 / $302,097 / $188,374; C. Alban: $142,584 / $137,370 / $79,626; and M. Severino: $437 / $0.


Each of the NEOs' awards under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan is paid in cash to the NEO on a current basis and may be deposited into a grantor trust established by the NEO, net of maximum tax withholdings. Each of the NEOs has also established grantor trusts in connection with the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan and the AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan. These amounts include the earnings (net of the reportable interest included in footnote (6)).


Employer Contributions to Defined Contribution Plans


R. Gonzalez: $79,423 / $79,798 / $75,000; W. Chase: $47,519 / $46,186 / $39,500; L. Schumacher: $47,577 / $47,879 / $45,000; C. Alban: $44,423 / $42,223 / $35,500; and M. Severino: $45,904 / $25,188.


These amounts include AbbVie contributions to the AbbVie Savings Plan and the AbbVie Supplemental Savings Plan. The Supplemental Savings Plan permits the NEOs to contribute amounts in excess of the annual limit set by the Internal Revenue Code for employee contributions to 401(k) plans up to the excess of (i) 18 percent of their base salary over (ii) the amount contributed to AbbVie's tax-qualified 401(k) plan. AbbVie matches participant contributions at the rate of 250 percent of the first 2 percent of compensation contributed to the plan. The NEOs have these amounts paid to them in cash on a current basis and deposited into a grantor trust established by the NEO, net of maximum tax withholdings.


Other 2015 Compensation


The totals shown in the table include the cost of providing a corporate automobile less the amount reimbursed by the NEO: R. Gonzalez: $17,303; W. Chase: $24,001; L. Schumacher: $23,620; C. Alban: $16,003; and M. Severino: $18,265. AbbVie imputes income to the NEO for these costs and the NEO pays taxes on that income in accordance with tax regulations without gross-ups.


The totals shown in the table include the following costs associated with financial planning services: R. Gonzalez: $10,000; W. Chase: $10,000; L. Schumacher: $10,000; C. Alban: $9,999; and M. Severino: $0. AbbVie imputes income to the NEO for these costs and the NEO pays taxes on that income in accordance with tax regulations without gross-ups.


The totals shown in the table include the following costs for non-business-related air travel: R. Gonzalez: $491,188; W. Chase: $6,314; and L. Schumacher: $28,668. AbbVie determines the incremental cost for flights based on the direct cost to AbbVie, including fuel costs, parking, handling and landing fees, catering, travel fees, and other miscellaneous direct costs. AbbVie imputes income to the NEO for these costs and the NEO pays taxes on that income in accordance with tax regulations without gross-ups.


For Mr. Gonzalez, the total includes $73,119 for costs associated with security, determined based on AbbVie's actual costs for such services. The security was provided on the recommendation of an independent security study. AbbVie imputes income to Mr. Gonzalez for a portion of these costs and he pays taxes on that income in accordance with tax regulations without gross-ups.


For Dr. Severino, the total includes $1,598 for relocation costs.


The NEOs also are eligible to participate in an executive disability benefit which is described on page 52 of this proxy statement.

(9)
As part of Dr. Severino's hiring package, this amount was paid to replace a prior employer incentive award.
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Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2015 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

              The following table summarizes the equity awards granted under the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program to the NEOs during 2015.

 
   
  Estimated Future
Payouts Under
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Awards(1)
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
  Estimated
Future
Payouts
Under Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards
Target
(#)(2)(3)

  All Other
Option
Awards:
Numbers of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)

   
   
   
 
 
   
  Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh.)

   
   
 
 
   
  Closing
Market
Price on
Grant
Date

  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards

 
Name
  Grant
Date

  Target
($)

  Maximum
($)

 
R. Gonzalez   02/19/15       165,590         $9,747,455 (4)
  02/19/15         327,290 (5) $58.88   $59.00   3,259,808 (6)
W. Chase   02/19/15                 56,040                       3,298,795 (4)
    02/19/15                       110,770 (5)   58.88     59.00     1,103,269 (6)
L. Schumacher   02/19/15       52,220         3,073,930 (4)
  02/19/15         103,220 (5) 58.88   59.00   1,028,071 (6)
C. Alban   02/19/15                 51,580                       3,036,257 (4)
    02/19/15                       101,960 (5)   58.88     59.00     1,015,522 (6)
M. Severino   02/19/15       52,860         3,111,604 (4)
  02/19/15         104,480 (5) 58.88   59.00   1,040,621 (6)

(1)
During 2015, each of the NEOs participated in the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan. The annual cash incentive award earned by the NEO in 2015 under the plan is shown in the Summary Compensation Table in the column captioned "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation." No future pay-outs will be made with respect to the 2015 awards under the plan. The plan is described in greater detail in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Plan Elements—Short-Term Incentives."

(2)
These are performance-vested restricted stock awards that have a five-year term and vest upon AbbVie achieving a minimum return on equity target, with no more than one-third of the award vesting in any one year. In 2015, AbbVie reached its minimum return on equity target and one-third of each of the awards granted on February 19, 2015 vested on February 29, 2016. The return on equity targets are described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Compensation Plan Elements—Long-Term Incentives."

(3)
Shares of outstanding restricted stock receive dividends at the same rate as all other stockholders. In the event of a grantee's death or disability, these awards are deemed fully earned. Upon a change in control, the treatment of these awards is determined as described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control—Equity Awards."

(4)
The grant date fair value of stock awards is determined by multiplying the number of shares granted by the average of the high and low market prices of one share of AbbVie common stock on the award grant date.

(5)
One-third of the shares of common stock covered by these options are exercisable after one year, two-thirds after two years, and all after three years. The options vest in the event of the grantee's death or disability. Upon a change in control, the treatment of these awards is determined as described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control—Equity Awards." Under the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program, these options have an exercise price equal to the average of the high and low market prices (rounded up to the next even penny) of one share of AbbVie common stock on the date of grant. These options do not contain a replacement option feature.

(6)
The grant date fair value of option awards is determined as of the option grant date using a Black-Scholes stock option valuation model. The assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value are described in footnote (4) to the Summary Compensation Table.
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2015 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

              The following table summarizes the outstanding AbbVie equity awards held by the NEOs at year end.

 
  Option Awards(1)(2)
   
  Stock Awards(1)
 
Name
  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Unexercisable

  Option
Exercise
Price ($)

  Option
Expiration
Date

   
  Number of
Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested (#)

  Market
Value of
Shares of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested ($)

  Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned
Shares
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested (#)

  Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value
of Unearned
Shares
or Other
Rights That
Have Not
Vested ($)

 
                 
R. Gonzalez   18,366     24.2082   02/17/2021         85,907 (3) $5,117,480  
  53,650     29.2265   02/16/2022         108,640 (3) 6,471,685  
  110,476   175,477 (3) 35.8800   02/13/2023         165,590 (3) 9,864,196  
  93,677   187,353 (3) 51.4200   02/19/2024            
    327,290 (3) 58.8800   02/18/2025            
W. Chase     6,600           27.2940     02/15/2017         44,401 (3)   $2,644,968              
      25,500           28.8628     02/14/2018                     18,900 (3)   1,125,873  
      12,800           28.1251     02/19/2019                     35,846 (3)   2,135,346  
      13,400           28.3122     02/18/2020                     56,040 (3)   3,338,303  
      19,000           24.2082     02/17/2021                              
      19,600           29.2265     02/16/2022                              
      77,220     38,610 (3)   35.8800     02/13/2023                              
      30,914     61,826 (3)   51.4200     02/19/2024                              
            110,770 (3)   58.8800     02/18/2025                              
L. Schumacher   66,300     28.8628   02/14/2018     59,202 (3) 3,526,663      
  38,940     28.1251   02/19/2019         23,743 (3) 1,414,371  
  42,533     28.3122   02/18/2020         36,393 (3) 2,167,931  
  38,333     24.2082   02/17/2021         52,220 (3) 3,110,745  
  79,800     29.2265   02/16/2022            
  97,007   48,503 (3) 35.8800   02/13/2023            
  31,380   62,760 (3) 51.4200   02/19/2024            
    103,220 (3) 58.8800   02/18/2025            
C. Alban     45,800           24.2082     02/17/2021         35,521 (3)   2,115,986              
      48,100           29.2265     02/16/2022                     18,900 (3)   1,125,873  
      77,220     38,610 (3)   35.8800     02/13/2023                     31,506 (3)   1,876,812  
      27,167     54,333 (3)   51.4200     02/19/2024                     51,580 (3)   3,072,621  
            101,960 (3)   58.8800     02/18/2025                              
M. Severino   24,770   49,539 (3) 54.4400   06/01/2024         94,416 (3) 5,624,361  
    104,480 (3) 58.8800   02/18/2025         52,860 (3) 3,148,870  

(1)
Four of AbbVie's NEOs were employed by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) prior to AbbVie's separation from Abbott on January 1, 2013 (the "Separation"). When AbbVie separated from Abbott, outstanding Abbott equity awards generally converted into adjusted awards based on Abbott common shares and AbbVie common stock (except to the extent prohibited by local law or with respect to certain awards described below). Such awards are subject to substantially the same terms, vesting conditions and other restrictions that applied to the original Abbott awards immediately before the Separation. Abbott restricted stock awards granted on December 1, 2012 converted in full into AbbVie restricted stock awards as of the Separation, as described in note (e) to footnote (3) below.


Each Abbott stock option was converted into an adjusted Abbott stock option and an AbbVie stock option, with adjustments to the stock option exercise prices that were intended to preserve the value of the original Abbott
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

As a result of the Separation, the NEOs held the following Abbott equity awards as of December 31, 2015:

W. Chase: Vested options to purchase 6,533 Abbott common shares with an exercise price of $27.03 per share.

L. Schumacher: Vested options to purchase 265,906 Abbott common shares with exercise prices ranging from $22.39 to $27.03 per share.

C. Alban: Vested options to purchase 16,033 Abbott common shares with an exercise price of $27.03 per share.

(2)
Except as noted, the stock options are fully vested.

(3)
The vesting dates of AbbVie unexercisable stock options and unvested restricted stock awards outstanding at December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 
  Option Awards
   
  Stock Awards
 
Name
  Number of
Unexercised
Shares
Remaining
from
Original
Grant

  Number of
Option
Shares
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2016

  Number of
Option
Shares
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2017

  Number of
Option
Shares
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2018

   
  Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock

  Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2016

  Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2017

  Number of
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
Vesting—
Date
Vested 2018

 
                 
R. Gonzalez   175,477   175,477—2/14         85,907     (a)    
  187,353   93,676—2/20   93,677—2/20       108,640     (b)    
  327,290   109,097—2/19   109,096—2/19   109,097—2/19     165,590     (c)    
W. Chase     38,610     38,610—2/14                     18,900       (a)            
      61,826     30,913—2/20     30,913—2/20               35,846       (b)            
      110,770     36,924—2/19     36,923—2/19     36,923—2/19         56,040       (c)            
                                  44,401       (e)            
L. Schumacher   48,503   48,503—2/14         23,743     (a)    
  62,760   31,380—2/20   31,380—2/20       36,393     (b)    
  103,220   34,407—2/19   34,406—2/19   34,407—2/19     52,220     (c)    
            59,202     (e)    
C. Alban     38,610     38,610—2/14                     18,900       (a)            
      54,333     27,166—2/20     27,167—2/20               31,506       (b)            
      101,960     33,987—2/19     33,986—2/19     33,987—2/19         51,580       (c)            
                                  35,521       (e)            
M. Severino   49,539   24,769—6/02   24,770—6/02       94,416     (d)    
  104,480   34,827—2/19   34,826—2/19   34,827—2/19     52,860     (c)    
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2015 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

              The following table summarizes for each NEO the number of shares acquired on the exercise of AbbVie stock options and the number of shares acquired on the vesting of AbbVie stock awards in 2015:

 
  Option Awards
   
  Stock Awards
 
Name
  Number of
Shares
Acquired On
Exercise (#)

  Value
Realized On
Exercise ($)

   
  Number of
Shares
Acquired On
Vesting (#)

  Value
Realized On
Vesting ($)

 
         
R. Gonzalez   240,477   $7,359,976     160,026   $9,683,687  
W. Chase     0     0         40,457     2,448,099  
L. Schumacher   0   0     56,673   3,429,486  
C. Alban     0     0         43,554     2,635,573  
M. Severino   0   0     47,209   3,159,698  

Pension Benefits

              During 2015, the NEOs participated in two AbbVie-sponsored defined benefit pension plans: the AbbVie Pension Plan, a tax-qualified pension plan; and the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan, a non-qualified supplemental pension plan. The Supplemental Pension Plan also includes a benefit feature AbbVie uses to attract senior executives who are mid-career hires, which provides an additional benefit to such participants that is less valuable to participants who have spent most of their career at the company. Except as provided in AbbVie's change in control agreements, AbbVie does not have a policy granting extra years of credited service under the plans. The change in control agreements are described in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control."

              The compensation considered in determining the pensions payable to the NEOs is the compensation shown in the "Salary" and "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" columns of the Summary Compensation Table.

Pension Plan

              The Pension Plan is a broad-based plan that covers most AbbVie employees in the United States, age 21 or older, and provides participants with a life annuity benefit at normal retirement equal to A plus the greater of B or C below.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

              The benefit for service prior to 2004 (B or C above) is reduced for the cost of preretirement surviving spouse benefit protection. The reduction is calculated using formulas based on age and employment status during the period in which coverage was in effect.

              Final average earnings are the average of the employee's 60 highest-paid consecutive calendar months of compensation (salary and non-equity incentive plan compensation). The Pension Plan covers earnings up to the limit imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(17) and provides for a maximum of 35 years of benefit service.

              Participants become fully vested in their pension benefit upon the completion of five years of service. The benefit is payable on an unreduced basis at age 65. Employees hired after 2003 who terminate employment prior to age 55 with at least 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 55. Employees hired before 2004 who terminate employment prior to age 50 with at least 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 50. Employees hired before 2004 who terminate employment prior to age 50 with fewer than 10 years of service may choose to commence their benefits on an actuarially reduced basis as early as age 55.

              The Pension Plan offers several optional forms of payment, including certain and life annuities, joint and survivor annuities, and level income annuities. The benefit paid under any of these options is actuarially equivalent to the life annuity benefit produced by the formula described above.

              Employees who retire from AbbVie prior to their normal retirement age may receive subsidized early retirement benefits. Employees hired after 2003 are eligible for early retirement at age 55 with 10 years of service. Employees hired before 2004 are eligible for early retirement at age 50 with 10 years of service or age 55 if the employee's age plus years of benefit service total 70 or more. Mr. Gonzalez, Ms. Schumacher and Mr. Alban are eligible for early retirement benefits under the plan.

              The subsidized early retirement reductions applied to the benefit payable for service after 2003 (A above) depend upon the participant's age at retirement. If the participant retires after reaching age 55, the benefit is reduced 5 percent per year for each year that payments are made before age 62. If the participant retires after reaching age 50 but prior to reaching age 55, the benefit is actuarially reduced from age 65.

              The early retirement reductions applied to the benefit payable for service prior to 2004 (B and C above) depend upon age and service at retirement:

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Supplemental Pension Plan

              The provisions of the Supplemental Pension Plan (which covers AbbVie employees in the United States whose compensation exceeds certain limits under the Internal Revenue Code) are substantially the same as those of the Pension Plan, with the following exceptions:

              Benefits payable under the Supplemental Pension Plan are offset by the benefits payable from the Pension Plan, calculated as if benefits under the plans commenced at the same time. The amounts paid to an NEO's Supplemental Pension Plan grantor trust to fund plan benefits are actuarially determined. The plan is designed to result in AbbVie paying the NEO's Supplemental Pension Plan benefits to the extent assets held in his or her trust are insufficient.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Pension Benefits Table

Name
  Plan Name
  Number of
Years
Credited
Service (#)

  Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefit
($)(1)

  Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year
($)

 
         
R. Gonzalez   AbbVie Pension Plan   35   $501,654   $0  
  AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan   35   12,666,122   2,782,444 (2)
W. Chase   AbbVie Pension Plan     27     452,580     0  
    AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan     27     3,471,108     399,791 (2)
L. Schumacher   AbbVie Pension Plan   25   628,004   0  
  AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan   25   7,590,962   587,336 (2)
C. Alban   AbbVie Pension Plan     29     728,028     0  
    AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan     29     6,018,755     871,300 (2)
M. Severino   AbbVie Pension Plan   2   34,482   0  
  AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan   2   366,198   0  

(1)
AbbVie calculates these present values using: (i) a discount rate of 4.93% for the Pension Plan and a discount rate of 4.83% for the Supplemental Pension Plan, the same discount rates it uses for Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC Topic 715 calculations for financial reporting purposes; and (ii) each plan's unreduced retirement age, which is age 62 under the AbbVie Pension Plan and age 60 under the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan for those participants who are eligible for early retirement benefits and which is age 65 under both plans for other participants. The present values shown in the table reflect postretirement mortality, based on the FASB ASC Topic 715 assumption (the RP2014 Healthy Annuitant table with MP2015 mortality improvement scale), but do not include a factor for preretirement termination, mortality, or disability.

(2)
During 2015, the amounts shown, less applicable tax withholdings, were distributed and deposited into the individual grantor trusts established by the NEOs and included in the NEOs' income. Consistent with the distribution requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A and its regulations, vested Supplemental Pension Plan benefits, to the extent not previously funded, are distributed to the participants' individual grantor trusts and included in their income. Amounts held in an NEO's individual trust are expected to offset AbbVie's obligations to him or her under the plan. Grantor trusts are described in greater detail in the section of this proxy statement captioned "Compensation Plan Elements—Benefits—Retirement Benefits."
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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

              The following table summarizes Mr. Chase's and Ms. Schumacher's non-qualified deferred compensation under the AbbVie Deferred Compensation Plan. No additional contributions have been made to their accounts under the plan since such time as Mr. Chase and Ms. Schumacher, respectively, became officers and ceased to be eligible to contribute to the plan. None of the other NEOs has any non-qualified deferred compensation under the plan.

Name
  Plan Name
  Executive
contributions
in last FY
($)

  Registrant
contributions
in last FY
($)

  Aggregate
earnings
in last FY
($)(3)

  Aggregate
withdrawals/
distributions
($)

  Aggregate
balance at
last FYE
($)(4)

 
           
W. Chase   Deferred Compensation Plan(1)(2)   $0   $0   $758   $0   $71,939  
L. Schumacher   Deferred Compensation Plan(1)(2)     0     0     233     0     383,843  

(1)
Mr. Chase's and Ms. Schumacher's contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan ceased in 2007 and 2002, respectively.

(2)
The plan permits participants to defer up to 75% of their base salary and up to 75% of their annual cash incentives and credits a participant's account with an amount equal to the employer matching contributions that otherwise would have been made for the participant under AbbVie's tax-qualified defined contribution plan. Participants may direct the investment of their deferral accounts into one or more of several funds chosen by the administrator, and the deferral account is credited with investment returns based on the performance of the fund(s) selected. During 2015, the weighted average rate of return credited to the accounts was 1.1% for Mr. Chase and 0.1% for Ms. Schumacher.
(3)
The amounts reported in this column are not included in the Summary Compensation Table of this proxy statement.

(4)
The amounts reported in this column have not been previously reported as compensation in AbbVie's Summary Compensation Tables because they relate to contributions made before the applicable individual became an NEO.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

Potential Payments upon Termination—Generally

              AbbVie does not have employment agreements with its NEOs.

              The following summarizes the payments that the NEOs would have received if their employment had terminated on December 31, 2015. Earnings would have continued to be paid for the NEO's Performance Incentive Plan and Supplemental Savings Plan grantor trusts until the trust assets were fully distributed. The amount of these payments would depend on the period over which the trust assets were distributed and the trust earnings and fees. If the trust assets were distributed over a 10-year period and based on current earnings, the NEOs would receive the following average annual payments over such 10-year period: Mr. Gonzalez, $942,637; Mr. Chase, $615,169; Ms. Schumacher, $543,691; and Mr. Alban, $461,264. In addition, the following one-time deposits would have been made under the AbbVie Supplemental Pension Plan for each of the following NEOs, respectively: Mr. Gonzalez, $1,442,189; Mr. Chase, $556,373; Ms. Schumacher, $786,268; and Mr. Alban, $1,191,408. As of December 31, 2015, Mr. Gonzalez, Ms. Schumacher and Mr. Alban were eligible to retire, and therefore were eligible to receive the pension benefits described above.

              If the termination of employment had been due to disability, then the NEOs also would have received, in addition to AbbVie's standard disability benefits, a monthly long-term disability benefit in the amount of $148,800 for

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Mr. Gonzalez; $67,915 for Mr. Chase; $67,915 for Ms. Schumacher; $60,000 for Mr. Alban; and $61,935 for Dr. Severino. This long-term disability benefit would continue for up to 18 months following termination of employment. It ends if the NEO retires, recovers, dies or ceases to meet eligibility criteria.

              If the NEO's employment had terminated due to death or disability, his or her unvested stock options and restricted stock or unit awards would have vested on December 31, 2015 with values as set forth below in the subsection of this proxy statement captioned "Equity Awards."

Potential Payments upon Change in Control

              AbbVie has entered into change in control agreements with its NEOs. Each change in control agreement continues in effect until December 31, 2016, and can be renewed for successive two-year terms upon notice prior to the expiration date. If notice of non-renewal is given, the agreement will expire on the later of the scheduled expiration date and the one-year anniversary of the date of such notice. If no notice is given, the agreement will expire on the one-year anniversary of the scheduled expiration date. Each agreement also automatically extends for two years following any change in control (see below) that occurs while the agreement is in effect.

              The agreements provide that if the employee is terminated other than for cause or permanent disability or if the employee elects to terminate employment for good reason (see below) within two years following a change in control, he or she is entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three times his or her annual salary and annual incentive ("bonus") award (assuming for this purpose that all target performance goals have been achieved or, if higher, based on the average bonus for the last three years), plus any unpaid bonus owing for any completed performance period and the pro rata bonus for any current bonus period (based on the highest of the bonus assuming achievement of target performance, the average bonus for the past three years or, in the case of the unpaid bonus for any completed performance period, the actual bonus earned). If the employee is terminated other than for cause or permanent disability or if the employee elects to terminate employment for good reason during a potential change in control (see below), he or she is entitled to receive a lump sum payment of the annual salary and bonus payments described above, except that the amount of the bonus to which the employee is entitled will be based on the actual achievement of the applicable performance goals. If the potential change in control becomes a "change in control event" (within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 409A), the employee will be entitled to receive the difference between the bonus amounts the officer received upon termination during the potential change in control and the bonus amounts that would have been received had such amounts instead been based on the higher of the employee's target bonus or the average bonus paid to the employee in the preceding three years.

              Bonus payments include payments made under the Performance Incentive Plan. The employee also will receive up to two years of additional employee benefits (including welfare benefits, outplacement services and tax and financial counseling) and the value of three more years of pension accruals. If change in control-related payments and benefits become subject to the excise tax imposed under Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, payments under the agreement will be reduced to prevent application of the excise tax if such a reduction would leave the employee in a better after-tax position than if the payments were not reduced and the tax applied. The agreements also limit the conduct for which awards under AbbVie's incentive stock programs can be terminated and generally permit options to remain exercisable for the remainder of their term. The compensation committee's independent compensation consultant has confirmed that the level of payments provided under the agreements is consistent with current market practice.

              For purposes of the agreements, the term "change in control" includes the following events: any person becoming the beneficial owner of AbbVie securities representing 20 percent or more of the outstanding voting power (not including an acquisition directly from AbbVie and its affiliates); a change in the majority of the members of the board of directors whose appointment was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the incumbent directors; and the consummation of certain mergers or similar corporate transactions involving AbbVie. A "potential change in control" under the agreements includes, among other things, AbbVie's entry into an agreement that would result in a change in control. Finally, the term "good reason" includes: a significant adverse change in the employee's position, duties, or authority; the company's failure to pay the employee's compensation or a reduction in the employee's base pay or benefits; or the relocation of the company's principal executive offices to a location that is more than 35 miles from the location of the offices at the time of the change in control.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

              If a change in control had occurred on December 31, 2015, immediately followed by one of the covered circumstances described above, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Chase, Ms. Schumacher, Mr. Alban, and Dr. Severino would have been entitled to receive the following payments and benefits under the change in control agreements:

              The amounts shown for Mr. Alban's cash termination payments and additional supplemental pension plan benefits reflect reductions of $289,642 and $179,569, respectively, which would have applied under cutback provisions in the agreement as described above.

Equity Awards

              The AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program was approved by AbbVie's stockholders and covers approximately 7,000 participants, including a broad group of management and professional staff.

              The AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program provides that any unvested stock options and restricted stock or unit awards granted in or after February 2013 may be assumed, converted or replaced on an equivalent basis by the surviving company upon a change in control. If the surviving company does not do so, the vesting of the awards is accelerated. If the surviving company does assume, convert or replace the awards on an equivalent basis, then accelerated vesting of the awards is limited to circumstances in which, during the period from six months before through two years after a change in control, the grantee's employment is terminated without cause or the grantee resigns for good reason. The terms "cause" and "good reason" have the same definitions as in the change in control agreements.

              If a change in control had occurred on December 31, 2015 and the surviving company did not assume, convert or replace any of the awards granted after January 2013, then the unvested equity awards of the NEOs would have vested as follows:

              The value of stock options shown is based on the excess of the closing price of one share of common stock on December 31, 2015 over the exercise price of such options, multiplied by the number of unvested stock options held by the NEO. The value of restricted stock shown is determined by multiplying the number of restricted shares that would vest as of December 31, 2015 and the closing price of one share of common stock on December 31, 2015.

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              The audit committee of the board of directors is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm retained to audit the company's financial statements. On October 8, 2015, the audit committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP to perform independent audit services for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2016. Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2013. In conjunction with the periodic mandated rotation of the audit firm's lead engagement partner, the chair of the audit committee would be involved in the selection of a new lead engagement partner. Further, the audit committee will periodically consider whether there should be a regular rotation of the independent registered public accounting firm.

              Although the audit committee has sole authority to appoint the independent registered public accounting firm, it would like to know the opinion of the stockholders regarding its appointment of Ernst & Young LLP for 2016. For this reason, stockholders are being asked to ratify this appointment. If the stockholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP for 2016, the audit committee will take that fact into consideration, but may, nevertheless, continue to retain Ernst & Young LLP. The audit committee and the board believe that the continued retention of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the company's independent registered public accounting firm is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders.

              Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so. They will also be available to respond to appropriate questions.

              The board of directors recommends that you vote FOR ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016.

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RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS ABBVIE'S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (ITEM 2)

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Audit Fees and Non-Audit Fees

              The following table presents fees for professional audit services rendered to AbbVie by Ernst & Young LLP for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and fees for other services rendered to AbbVie by Ernst & Young LLP for that period.

 
  2015
(millions)

  2014
(millions)

 
   

Audit fees:(1)

  $11.6   $10.0  

Audit related fees:(2)

  0.3   0.2  

Tax fees:(3)

  6.9   5.1  

All other fees:(4)

  0.5   0.5  

Total

  $19.3   $15.8  

(1)
Ernst & Young LLP billed or will bill AbbVie for professional services rendered for the audit of AbbVie's annual financial statements, the audits of AbbVie's internal control over financial reporting, statutory and subsidiary audits, the review of documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, comfort letters, consents and certain accounting consultations in connection with the audits.

(2)
Audit related fees include: agreed upon procedures and audits of certain employee benefit plan financial statements.

(3)
Tax fees consist principally of professional services for corporate tax compliance, expatriate tax compliance and tax advisory services.

(4)
Other fees represent Independent Review Organization services.

Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

              The audit committee has established policies and procedures to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm and its related affiliates.

              Prior to engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for the next year's audit, management will submit a schedule of all proposed services expected to be rendered during that year for each of four categories of services to the audit committee for approval.

              Prior to engagement, the audit committee pre-approves these services by category of service. The fees are budgeted and the audit committee requires the independent registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus the budget periodically by category of service. During the year, circumstances may arise when it may become necessary to engage the independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the audit committee requires specific pre-approval before engaging the independent registered public accounting firm.

              The audit committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report any pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.

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AUDIT INFORMATION

Audit Committee Report

              Management is responsible for the preparation and integrity of AbbVie's consolidated financial statements. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an audit of the consolidated financial statements and expressing an opinion on the conformity of those financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The audit committee reviews these processes on behalf of the board of directors. In this context, the audit committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements contained in the 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K with AbbVie's management and its independent registered public accounting firm.

              The audit committee has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed pursuant to Auditing Standards Section No. 16, Communication with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

              The audit committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent registered public accounting firm required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent registered public accounting firm's communications with the audit committee concerning independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm the firm's independence. The audit committee has also considered whether the provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the independence of the independent registered public accounting firm.

              Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in AbbVie's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Audit Committee

              R. Austin, Chair, W. Burnside, E. Rapp, and F. Waddell

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              Stockholders are being asked to approve the compensation of AbbVie's named executive officers, as disclosed under Securities and Exchange Commission rules, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and related material included in this proxy statement.

              The independent compensation committee of the board of directors, with the counsel of its independent compensation consultant, has thoroughly examined AbbVie's programs, the company's performance related to our industry and peer group, and market factors. The committee has determined that the specific pay decisions for the named executive officers are appropriate given the company's performance, the executives' contributions, and our stockholders' interests.

              While this vote is advisory and non-binding, the board of directors and the compensation committee value the opinion of the stockholders and will review the voting results and take them into account when future compensation decisions are made.

              Accordingly, the board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the approval of the named executive officers' compensation.

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              Currently, AbbVie's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of Incorporation") provides for a classified board of directors divided into three classes of directors, with each class elected for three-year terms.

              After considering the advantages and disadvantages of declassification, including through an open dialogue with our stockholders, the board has determined it is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders to amend the company's Certificate of Incorporation and the Amended and Restated By-Laws (the "By-Laws") to declassify the board. This will result in a fully declassified board by the 2019 Annual Meeting.

              The proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation would eliminate the classification of the board over a three-year period beginning at the 2017 Annual Meeting with directors elected to a one-year term following the expiration of the directors' existing terms and provide for the annual election of all directors beginning at the 2019 Annual Meeting. The proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation would become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which the company would file promptly following the 2016 Annual Meeting if our stockholders approve the amendment. The proposed amendment would not change the present number of directors or the board's authority to change that number and to fill any vacancies or newly created directorships.

              Delaware law provides, unless otherwise addressed in the certificate of incorporation, that members of a board that is classified may be removed only for cause. The proposed amendment would provide that once the AbbVie board is fully declassified as of the 2019 Annual Meeting, directors may be removed with or without cause.

              The proposed Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A. The affirmative vote of the holders of 80 percent of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors on the Record Date is required to approve this proposal pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation. If our stockholders approve the proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, the board will make certain conforming changes to the company's By-Laws.

              The board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the management proposal to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the board of directors for annual elections.

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              We ask that stockholders approve the material terms of the performance goals under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan to satisfy the stockholder approval component of the performance-based compensation requirements under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.

              The Performance Incentive Plan (PIP) provides for awards to designated AbbVie employees based on the attainment of specified performance goals. The main purposes of the PIP are to facilitate the attraction, motivation and retention of key management employees and to encourage them to achieve and exceed the company's established financial, operational and strategic goals by giving them the opportunity to earn annual incentive awards based on company and individual performance against these goals.

              Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the amount of compensation that may be deducted by the company in any tax year with respect to the company's most highly-paid executives. However, certain performance-based compensation that has been approved by stockholders is not subject to this deduction limit. The PIP is designed to provide for this type of performance-based compensation and to permit the company to claim the corresponding tax deduction.

              At the annual meeting, stockholders are being asked to approve the material terms of the performance goals for the PIP so awards paid under the plan will be tax-deductible as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. If the stockholders do not approve the material terms of the performance goals, awards paid to our executive officers under the PIP for the 2016 fiscal year may not be deductible. In such case, however, the compensation committee will consider other alternatives for the overall compensation package being provided to our executive officers.

Description of the Performance Incentive Plan

              Following is a summary of the material features of the PIP. The summary is qualified by reference to the text of the plan, which is attached as Exhibit 10.4 to our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Plan Administration and Participants

              The PIP is administered by the compensation committee of the board of directors. The committee has sole responsibility for identifying the participants, establishing performance objectives, setting award targets and determining award amounts. The committee has designated AbbVie's executive officers as PIP participants for 2016.

Performance Goals

              All awards payable under the PIP are based on the company's consolidated net earnings. If the company does not have consolidated net earnings, no awards are payable under the plan. The amount of a participant's award is determined as follows: the PIP plan document sets the base award allocation for the Chief Executive Officer at ..0015 of the consolidated net earnings of the company for the fiscal year, the base award allocation for the Chief Operating Officer at .0010 of consolidated net earnings, and the base award allocation for any other participant at .00075 of consolidated net earnings. After the fiscal year ends and consolidated net earnings are determined, the compensation committee assesses each participant's contributions and determines the actual awards by adjusting each individual's base award allocation based on his or her performance against company financial, operational and strategic goals and individual goals during the year. The compensation committee has, and frequently exercises, negative discretion to reduce

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APPROVAL OF THE MATERIAL TERMS OF THE PERFORMANCE GOALS UNDER THE ABBVIE PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN

the awards payable to the PIP participants. The PIP does not permit the committee to award amounts that exceed the base award allocations set forth in the plan document.

              Amounts that may be paid under the PIP in the future are not determinable. The Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table set forth in this proxy statement shows the awards paid to the NEOs under the PIP in 2013 through 2015.

Plan Modification or Termination

              The AbbVie board of directors may modify, amend, suspend or terminate the PIP. However, no modification may, without the consent of the participant, reduce the right of a participant to a payment or distribution to which the participant is entitled by reason of an outstanding award allocation.

              The board of directors recommends that you vote FOR the approval of the material terms of the performance goals under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan.

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              Two stockholder proposals will be voted upon at the Annual Meeting if properly presented by or on behalf of the proponent. The address of each of the proponents is available upon request. The proposed resolutions and the statements made in support thereof, as well as the Board of Directors' statements in opposition to these proposals, are presented on the following pages. The proposal may contain assertions about AbbVie or other statements that we believe are incorrect.

              The board of directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposals for the reasons set forth following the proposals.

Stockholder Proposal on Drug Disposal Report (Item 6 on Proxy Card)

              As You Sow, on behalf of The Gun Denhart Living Trust and Samajak LP, and co-filers Congregation of the Divine Providence, Providence Trust, and Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, have notified AbbVie that they intend to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting and that they collectively own 484 AbbVie shares.

              WHEREAS:    Lack of free, convenient programs for proper disposal of unneeded or expired consumer prescription drugs and accessories contributes to water pollution, illicit drug use, drug addiction, and threats to sanitation workers.

              Consumers lacking drug disposal programs in their communities often flush old drugs down the drain or toilet, contributing to water pollution. Numerous studies have found detectable levels of pharmaceuticals in surface and groundwater drinking water sources. Water treatment plants are not equipped to remove such medicines. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises consumers not to flush prescription drugs, but to return medications to a disposal or take back program.

              In 2013, overdoses from prescription pain medications killed more than 16,000 Americans. President Obama says most young people who begin misusing prescription drugs get them from the medicine cabinet. Lack of convenient disposal programs for prescription drugs has been linked to poisoning of children and pets; misuse by teenagers and adults; and senior accidentally taking the wrong medicine. About 3 billion needles are used in U.S. homes annually to deliver medication; their improper disposal leads to needles washing up on beaches and threats to sanitation workers handling waste with used needles.

              Most U.S. communities lack free, convenient, on-going collection programs that could help alleviate these critical problems. The Drug Enforcement Administration has partnered with state and local law enforcement agencies to hold periodic National Take-Back Days for medicines, collecting and disposing of more than 5.5 million pounds of medications in just ten events. But far more convenient and ongoing collection services are needed. The National Drug Control Strategy report calls for establishment of long-term, sustainable disposal programs in communities.

              The concept of producer responsibility calls for company accountability for financing take back of unneeded or expired medications and accessories by the companies that have placed them on the market. Several states have enacted regulations requiring manufacturers of paint, pesticides, and electronics to develop programs for take back and proper recycling or disposal. The province of Ontario, Canada enacted a regulation in 2012 assigning responsibility for end-of-life management of pharmaceutical waste to manufacturers. Many European countries have industry-funded drug take back programs. While the company has published detailed social responsibility statements on issues like energy and water, it has not issued a position on this escalating policy area.

              Resolved:    Shareowners of AbbVie request that the board of directors issue a report, at reasonable expense and excluding proprietary information, reviewing the company's existing policies for safe disposition by users of prescription drugs to prevent water pollution, and setting forth policy options for a proactive response, including

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determining whether the company should endorse partial or full industry responsibility for take back programs by providing funding or resources for such programs.

              Supporting Statement:

              Management may also consider other harms besides water pollution in evaluating take back programs, and whether, in addition to addressing disposition of prescription drugs, such programs should encompass accessories such as used needles and syringes.

Board of Directors Statement in Opposition to the Stockholder Proposal on Drug Disposal Report (Item 6 on Proxy Card)

              The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote AGAINST this proposal.

              At AbbVie, we are committed to developing the highest quality products and ensuring the safety of the patients who use them. We believe that addressing the world's health challenges requires a comprehensive and responsible approach, and we dedicate significant resources to improving healthcare and communities. The issue of secure disposal of hazardous medical waste is part of this commitment. Accordingly, we have proactively taken a number of steps to address this concern in a socially responsible manner.

              AbbVie has a comprehensive collection, containment, return, and waste treatment option for patients using Humira, our flagship product. To mitigate potential risk posed by injection needles, we developed the HUMIRA Sharps Mail-Back Program in 2007. This service provides patients with a safe and environmentally-friendly way to dispose of Humira needles following an injection and includes collection containers and mail-back boxes with pre-paid postage, to each individual who enrolls in AbbVie's program. We believe our proactive approach has created a safer environment for patients and their communities.

              AbbVie believes that effectively addressing industry-wide drug disposal policies requires the collective effort of numerous interested parties, including pharmacies, law enforcement officials, pharmaceutical drug distributors, institutional healthcare providers, and others. In September 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration published final rules concerning secure drug disposal that encouraged partnerships among retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, drug manufacturers, drug distributors and reverse distributors, other community organizations and law enforcement to provide methods of safe drug disposal in the communities they serve. AbbVie supports collective effort on this issue.

              AbbVie and other companies have also been actively engaged with the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America ("PhRMA") and Biotechnology Industry Organization ("BIO") in working to develop an effective solution to the secure drug disposal issue. In February 2015, PhRMA created a working group with the goal of effecting positive change in the area of secure drug disposal.

              The proponent requests that our Board of Directors issue a report to "set forth policy options for a proactive response," among other things. We are one of many participants in a broader industry-wide discussion that continues to develop. Therefore, neither AbbVie, nor any individual company, is best-suited to set forth policy options on this issue. Further, preparation of a comprehensive report on the issue of secure drug disposal, as proposed, would require significant resources and expenditures, which would be better addressed in partnership with numerous interested parties as PhRMA has undertaken. We believe that a report requested by the proposal would neither be an effective use of company resources, nor in the best interests of our stockholders.

              The Board of Directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposal.

Stockholder Proposal on Lobbying Report (Item 7 on Proxy Card)

              Zevin Asset Management on behalf of Janet Axelrod has notified AbbVie that it intends to present the following proposal at the Annual Meeting and that the proponent owns 1,800 AbbVie shares.

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              Whereas, we believe in full disclosure of AbbVie's direct and indirect lobbying activities and expenditures to assess whether AbbVie's lobbying is consistent with AbbVie's expressed goals and in the best interests of stockholders.

              Resolved, the stockholders of AbbVie request the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing:

              For purposes of this proposal, a "grassroots lobbying communication" is a communication directed to the general public that (a) refers to specific legislation or regulation, (b) reflects a view on the legislation or regulation and (c) encourages the recipient of the communication to take action with respect to the legislation or regulation. "Indirect lobbying" is lobbying engaged in by a trade association or other organization of which AbbVie is a member.

              Both "direct and indirect lobbying" and "grassroots lobbying communications" include efforts at the local, state and federal levels.

              The report shall be presented to the Audit Committee or other relevant oversight committees and posted on AbbVie's website.

              Supporting Statement

              As stockholders, we encourage transparency and accountability in the use of corporate funds to influence legislation and regulation. AbbVie spent $8.08 million in 2013 and 2014 on direct federal lobbying activities (opensecrets.org). This figure does not include lobbying expenditures to influence legislation in states, where AbbVie also lobbies but disclosure is uneven or absent. For example, AbbVie spent $615,908 on lobbying in California in 2013 and 2014. AbbVie's lobbying on tax inversions has attracted media scrutiny ("Corporate Tax Dodgers Might Make Congress Actually Do Something," Fortune, July 22, 2014).

              AbbVie is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, which spent over $124 million lobbying in 2014 and has spent over $1 billion on lobbying since 1998. AbbVie is also a member of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and the Business Roundtable, which together spent over $61 million on lobbying in 2013 and 2014. AbbVie does not disclose its payments to trade associations or the amounts used for lobbying.

              Transparent reporting would reveal whether company assets are being used for objectives contrary to AbbVie's long-term interests. For example, AbbVie supports smoking cessation, yet the Chamber has worked to block global antismoking laws ("U.S. Chamber Works Globally to Fight Antismoking Measures," New York Times, June 30, 2015). AbbVie also believes it has an obligation to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, yet the Chamber is aggressively attacking the EPA on its new Clear Power Plan to address climate change ("Move to Fight Obama's Climate Plan Started Early," New York Times, Aug. 3, 2015).

Board of Directors Statement in Opposition to the Stockholder Proposal on Lobbying Report (Item 7 on Proxy Card)

              The Board of Directors recommends that stockholders vote AGAINST this proposal. This proposal is unnecessary, because AbbVie already makes extensive disclosures regarding our lobbying and political activities as required by law and we voluntarily disclose additional related information on our website, as outlined below. AbbVie has already demonstrated transparency with respect to lobbying activities and strong risk mitigation procedures governing such

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activities. The preparation and maintenance of an additional report, as proposed, is neither a good use of resources, nor would it increase stockholder value.

The Board, through its Public Policy Committee, exercises oversight of AbbVie's political and lobbying activities.

AbbVie already makes extensive disclosures regarding lobbying and political activities and has been recognized by a leading organization for transparency in this area.

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              In summary, our robust oversight mechanisms and extensive disclosures address the concerns underlying the proposal, but without the unnecessary business risks and additional resources the proposal would introduce if implemented.

              The Board of Directors recommends that you vote AGAINST the proposal.

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Corporate Governance Materials

              AbbVie's corporate governance guidelines with the outline of directorship qualifications; director independence guidelines; code of business conduct; and audit committee, compensation committee, nominations and governance committee, and public policy committee charters are all available in the corporate governance section of AbbVie's investor relations website at www.abbvieinvestor.com.

Procedures for Approval of Related Person Transactions

              It is AbbVie's policy that the nominations and governance committee review, approve, ratify or disapprove of all transactions in which AbbVie participates and in which any related person has a direct or indirect material interest if such transaction involves or is expected to involve payments of $120,000 or more in the aggregate per fiscal year. Related person transactions requiring review by the nominations and governance committee pursuant to this policy are identified in:

              In determining whether to approve or ratify a related person transaction, the nominations and governance committee will consider the following items, among others:

              This process is included in the nominations and governance committee's written charter, which is available on the corporate governance section of AbbVie's investor relations website at www.abbvieinvestor.com.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

              AbbVie believes that during 2015 its executive officers and directors timely complied with all filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

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Performance-Based Compensation Arrangements

              The Performance Incentive Plan and the Incentive Stock Program, which are described above, are intended to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) to permit deductibility of performance-based compensation.

              The compensation committee reserves the flexibility to take actions that may be based on considerations in addition to tax deductibility. The committee believes that stockholder interests are best served by not restricting the committee's discretion and flexibility in crafting compensation programs, even if such programs may result in certain non-deductible compensation expenses. Accordingly, the committee may from time to time approve components of compensation for certain executive officers that are not deductible.

              While the compensation committee does not anticipate there would ever be circumstances where a restatement of earnings upon which any incentive plan award decisions were based would occur, the committee, in evaluating such circumstances, has discretion to take all actions necessary to protect the interests of stockholders up to and including actions to recover such incentive awards.

Exclusive Forum

              AbbVie is incorporated in the state of Delaware and Delaware law governs the relationship among its directors, officers, and stockholders (also known as the internal affairs doctrine). To provide for the orderly, efficient and cost- effective resolution of Delaware-law issues affecting AbbVie, the company's Certificate of Incorporation provides that unless the board of directors otherwise determines, Delaware courts are the exclusive forum for cases involving the internal affairs doctrine, derivative actions brought on behalf of the company, claims for breach of fiduciary duty, and other matters concerning Delaware statutory and common law. The provision does not apply to any other cases brought against AbbVie.

Other Matters

              The board of directors knows of no other business to be transacted at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, but if any other matters do come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote or act with respect to them in accordance with their best judgment.

Date for Receipt of Stockholder Proposals for the 2017 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement

              Stockholder proposals for presentation at the 2017 Annual Meeting must be received by AbbVie no later than November 21, 2016 and must otherwise comply with the applicable requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be considered for inclusion in the proxy statement and proxy for the 2017 meeting.

Procedure for Recommendation and Nomination of Directors and Transaction of Business at Annual Meeting

              A stockholder may recommend persons as potential nominees for director by submitting the names of such persons in writing to the secretary of AbbVie. Recommendations must be accompanied by certain information about both the nominee and the stockholder making the nomination, as set forth in AbbVie's Amended and Restated By-Laws. A nominee who is recommended by a stockholder following these procedures will receive the same consideration as other comparably qualified nominees.

              A stockholder entitled to vote for the election of directors at an Annual Meeting and who is a stockholder of record on:

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may nominate persons for director, or make proposals of other business to be brought before the Annual Meeting, by providing proper timely written notice to the secretary of AbbVie. That notice must include certain information required by Article II of AbbVie's Amended and Restated By-Laws, including information about the stockholder, any beneficial owner on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is being made, their respective affiliates or associates or others acting on concert with them, and any proposed director nominee.

              For each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting, the notice must also include a brief description of the business to be discussed, the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting, any material interest of the stockholder in such business and certain other information specified in the By-Laws. In addition, in the case of a director nomination, the notice must include a completed and signed questionnaire, representation and agreement of the nominee addressing matters specified in the By-Laws.

              To be timely, written notice either to directly nominate persons for director or to bring business properly before the Annual Meeting must be received at AbbVie's principal executive offices not less than ninety days and not more than one hundred twenty days prior to the anniversary date of the preceding Annual Meeting. If the Annual Meeting is called for a date that is more than thirty days before or sixty days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder must be received not less than ninety days and not more than one hundred twenty days prior to the date of such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of ninety days prior to the date of such Annual Meeting, or, if the first public announcement of the date of such Annual Meeting is less than one hundred days prior to the date of such Annual Meeting, the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by AbbVie. To be timely for the 2017 Annual Meeting, this written notice must be received by AbbVie no later than February 8, 2017.

              In addition, the notice must be updated and supplemented, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided is true and correct as of the record date for the Annual Meeting and as of the date that is ten business days prior to the meeting. Any such update or supplement must be delivered to the secretary of AbbVie at AbbVie's principal executive offices not more than five business days after the record date for the Annual Meeting, and not less than eight business days before the date of the Annual Meeting in the case of any update or supplement required to be made as of ten business days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Procedure for Stockholder Nominations to be Included in AbbVie's Proxy Materials

              AbbVie recently adopted a proxy access By-Law provision to permit a stockholder, or a group of up to 20 stockholders, continuously owning shares of our company for at least 3 years and representing an aggregate of at least 3% of the outstanding shares of common stock, to nominate and include in our proxy materials director nominee(s) constituting up to 25% of the total number of the directors in office, provided that the stockholder(s) and the nominee(s) satisfy the requirements in our By-Laws. Notice must include certain information required by Article II of AbbVie's Amended and Restated By-Laws. To be timely, written notice must be received at AbbVie's principal executive offices not earlier than 150 days and not later than 120 days before the anniversary of the date that the company mailed its proxy statement for the prior year's annual meeting of stockholders. To be timely for the 2017 Annual Meeting, this written notice must be received by AbbVie no later than November 21, 2016 and must include the specific information required by, and otherwise comply with the requirements of, our By-Laws.

Householding of Proxy Materials

              The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries (such as brokers or banks) to satisfy the delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more security holders sharing the same address by delivering a single Notice or proxy statement addressed to those security holders. This process, which is commonly referred to as "householding," potentially provides extra convenience for security holders and cost savings for companies.

              Several brokers and banks with accountholders who are AbbVie stockholders will be "householding" our proxy materials. As indicated in the notice provided by these brokers to AbbVie stockholders, a single proxy statement will be delivered to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from an affected stockholder. Once you have received notice from your broker that it will be "householding" communications to your

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address, "householding" will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in "householding" and you prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, please notify your broker, or contact Broadridge Financial Solutions at 1-866-540-7095, or write to us at Investor Relations, AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064. Stockholders who currently receive multiple copies of the proxy statement at their address and would like to request "householding" of their communications should contact their broker or bank.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

              This proxy statement contains certain forward-looking statements regarding business strategies, market potential, future financial performance and other matters. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The matters discussed in these forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, an expectation or belief as to future results or events is expressed, such expectation or belief is based on the current plans and expectations of AbbVie management and expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated include the matters described in AbbVie's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 under Item 1A, "Risk Factors" and Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations." AbbVie does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements included in this proxy statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, unless AbbVie is required by applicable securities law to do so.

General

              It is important that proxies be returned promptly. Stockholders are urged to vote, regardless of the number of shares of AbbVie common stock owned. Stockholders may vote by telephone, by Internet, or by mail if a printed version of the proxy card was received or requested. Stockholders who vote by telephone or the Internet do not need to return a proxy card.

              The Annual Meeting will be held at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601. Admission to the meeting will be by admission card only. A stockholder planning to attend the meeting should promptly complete and return the reservation form. Reservation forms must be received before April 29, 2016. An admission card admits only one person. A stockholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a stockholder.

    By order of the board of directors.
LAURA J. SCHUMACHER
SECRETARY
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Appendix A


Proposed Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of AbbVie Inc.

              The text of the proposed amendment is marked to reflect the proposed changes.

              AbbVie Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Corporation"), does hereby certify:

1.    Sections 2, 3, and 4 of Article VI of AbbVie's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation are amended to read as follows:

2.    The foregoing amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

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Appendix A

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be executed by the undersigned officer, duly authorized, as of the        day of                2016.

    AbbVie Inc.

 

 

By:

 



    Name:    
    Title:    
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LOGO

AbbVie Inc.
1 North Waukegan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60064 U.S.A.

Notice of Annual Meeting
of Stockholders
and Proxy Statement

Meeting Date
May 6, 2016

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
Please sign and promptly return your proxy
in the enclosed envelope or vote your
shares by telephone or using the Internet.

Reservation Form for Annual Meeting

I am a stockholder of AbbVie Inc. and I plan to attend the Annual Meeting to be held at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601 at 9:00 a.m. CT on May 6, 2016.

Please send me an admission card for each of the following persons.

Name

  Name

Address


 

Address

City


 

City

State


 

State

Zip Code


 

Zip Code

Phone Number (        )


 

Phone Number (        )

If you plan to attend the meeting, please complete the Reservation Form and send it to AbbVie Inc., Annual Meeting Ticket Requests, AP34, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064. Due to space limitations, Reservation Forms must be received before April 29, 2016. An admission card, along with a form of photo identification, admits one person. A stockholder may request two admission cards, but a guest must be accompanied by a stockholder.

To prevent a delay in the receipt of your admission card, do not return this form with your proxy card or mail it in the enclosed business envelope.

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You are receiving this communication because you hold shares in the company named above. This is not a ballot. You cannot use this notice to vote these shares. This communication presents only an overview of the more complete proxy materials that are available to you on the Internet. You may view the proxy materials online at www.proxyvote.com or easily request a paper copy (see reverse side). We encourage you to access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials before voting. Meeting Information See the reverse side of this notice to obtain proxy materials and voting instructions. M99468-P71740 ABBVIE INC. *** Exercise Your Right to Vote *** Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on May 6, 2016. Meeting Type: Annual Meeting For holders as of: March 9, 2016 Date: May 6, 2016 Time: 9:00 AM CT Location: Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park 200 North Columbus Drive Chicago, IL 60601 ABBVIE INC. 1 NORTH WAUKEGAN ROAD NORTH CHICAGO, IL 60064

 


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Before You Vote How to Access the Proxy Materials Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE: How To Vote Please Choose One of the Following Voting Methods Vote In Person: Many shareholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limited to, the possession of an attendance ticket issued by the entity holding the meeting. Please check the meeting materials for any special requirements for meeting attendance. At the meeting, you will need to request a ballot to vote these shares. Vote By Internet: To vote now by Internet, go to www.proxyvote.com. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow (located on the following page) available and follow the instructions. Vote By Mail: You can vote by mail by requesting a paper copy of the materials, which will include a proxy card. Requests, instructions and other inquiries sent to this e-mail address will NOT be forwarded to your investment advisor. Please make the request as instructed above on or before April 22, 2016 to facilitate timely delivery. How to View Online: Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow (located on the following page) and visit: www.proxyvote.com. How to Request and Receive a PAPER or E-MAIL Copy: If you want to receive a paper or e-mail copy of these documents, you must request one. There is NO charge for requesting a copy. Please choose one of the following methods to make your request: 1) BY INTERNET: www.proxyvote.com 2) BY TELEPHONE: 1-800-579-1639 3) BY E-MAIL*: sendmaterial@proxyvote.com * If requesting materials by e-mail, please send a blank e-mail with the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow (located on the following page) in the subject line. Proxy Materials Available to VIEW or RECEIVE: M99469-P71740 .XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX .XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX .XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX NOTICE AND PROXY STATEMENT ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

 

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Voting Items 2. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016 6. Stockholder Proposal - Drug Disposal Report 3. Say on Pay - an advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation 7. Stockholder Proposal - Lobbying Report 4. Approval of a management proposal regarding the annual election of directors 5. Approval of the material terms of performance goals under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan 01) William H.L. Burnside 02) Brett J. Hart 03) Edward J. Rapp 1. Election of Class I Directors Nominees: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the stockholder proposals: M99470-P71740

 


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M99471-P71740

 

 

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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. ABBVIE INC. 1 NORTH WAUKEGAN ROAD NORTH CHICAGO, IL 60064 VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 5, 2016. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 5, 2016. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. ABBVIE INC. ! ! ! For All Withhold All For All Except To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer. M99456-P71740 2. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016 6. Stockholder Proposal - Drug Disposal Report 3. Say on Pay - an advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation 7. Stockholder Proposal - Lobbying Report 4. Approval of a management proposal regarding the annual election of directors 5. Approval of the material terms of performance goals under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan 01) William H.L. Burnside 02) Brett J. Hart 03) Edward J. Rapp 1. Election of Class I Directors Nominees: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the stockholder proposals: ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! For Against Abstain For Against Abstain

 


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Continued and to be signed on reverse side M99457-P71740 Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com. ABBVIE INC. Annual Meeting of Stockholders May 6, 2016 9:00 AM CT This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Richard A. Gonzalez and Laura J. Schumacher, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his/her substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of AbbVie Inc. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 9:00 AM CT on Friday, May 6, 2016, at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park, 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations.

 

 

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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. M99458-P71740 ABBVIE INC. 1 NORTH WAUKEGAN ROAD NORTH CHICAGO, IL 60064 VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. ABBVIE INC. ! ! ! For All Withhold All For All Except To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer. 2. Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as AbbVie's independent registered public accounting firm for 2016 6. Stockholder Proposal - Drug Disposal Report 3. Say on Pay - an advisory vote on the approval of executive compensation 7. Stockholder Proposal - Lobbying Report 4. Approval of a management proposal regarding the annual election of directors 5. Approval of the material terms of performance goals under the AbbVie Performance Incentive Plan 01) William H.L. Burnside 02) Brett J. Hart 03) Edward J. Rapp 1. Election of Class I Directors Nominees: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: The Board of Directors recommends you vote AGAINST the stockholder proposals: ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! For Against Abstain For Against Abstain

 


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Continued and to be signed on reverse side M99459-P71740 Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com. ABBVIE INC. ABBVIE SAVINGS PLAN Annual Meeting of Stockholders May 6, 2016 9:00 AM CT This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors Participants in the AbbVie Savings Plan will receive a voting instruction card for their shares of AbbVie Inc. common stock held in the AbbVie Savings Plan Trust. The Trust is administered by both a trustee and an investment committee. The trustee is Mercer Trust Company. The members of the investment committee are Robert A. Michael, William H.S. Preece, and Michael J. Thomas, employees of AbbVie. The voting power with respect to the shares is held by and shared between the investment committee and the participants. The investment committee must solicit voting instructions from the participants and follow the voting instructions it receives. The investment committee may use its own discretion with respect to those shares of AbbVie common stock for which no voting instructions are received. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors' recommendations.