This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, Employee the Estate, but Employee may not assign or pledge this Agreement or any rights arising under it, except to the extent permitted under the terms of the Company plans in which Employee participates. Without Employee’s consent, the Company may assign this Agreement to any successor-in-interest to the Company (a “Successor” ) or Affiliate that agrees in writing to be bound by this Agreement, after which any reference to the “Company” in this Agreement shall be deemed to be a reference to such Successor or Affiliate, and the Company thereafter shall have no further responsibility or liability under this Agreement of any kind.