Proxy Statement (definitive) (def 14a)

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

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 (Amendment No. )


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


Waddell & Reed Financial, 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):
ý	No fee required.
o	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:
o	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
o	Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
	(1)	Amount Previously Paid:
	(2)	Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
	(3)	Filing Party:
	(4)	Date Filed:

March 3, 2017

To the Stockholders of
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.:

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.'s 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held in the William T. Morgan Auditorium at the principal executive offices of the Company, 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66202 at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Thursday, April 27, 2017.

At the annual meeting, we will ask you to (1) elect Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Alan W. Kosloff and Jerry W. Walton, who have been nominated by the Board, as Class I directors, (2) conduct an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation, (3) conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on named executive officer compensation, (4) ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year, and (5) transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. The accompanying formal notice and Proxy Statement further discuss the matters that will be presented for a stockholder vote.

We have also enclosed our 2016 Annual Report, which is not a part of the proxy soliciting materials. If you have any questions or comments about the matters discussed in the Proxy Statement or about our operations, we will be pleased to hear from you. It is important that your shares be voted at the annual meeting. If you are unable to attend the annual meeting in person and wish to have your shares voted, you may vote by telephone, Internet or by filling in, signing and dating the enclosed proxy card and returning it in the accompanying envelope as promptly as possible.

We hope that you will take this opportunity to meet with us to discuss our results and operations for the 2016 fiscal year.


		Sincerely,

		Henry J. Herrmann Chairman of the Board

WADDELL AND REED FINANCIAL, INC.
6300 Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, Kansas 66202
(913) 236-2000

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on April 27, 2017

To the Stockholders of
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.:

I am pleased to give you notice that the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company") will be held in the William T. Morgan Auditorium at the principal executive offices of the Company, 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66202 on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at 10:00 a.m., local time.

At the annual meeting, you will be asked to:

1.: Elect Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Alan W. Kosloff and Jerry W. Walton, who have been nominated by the Board, as Class I directors to hold office until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
2.: Conduct an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.
3.: Conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on named executive officer compensation.
4.: Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year.
5.: Transact such other business as may properly come before the annual meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

These matters are more fully discussed in the accompanying Proxy Statement.

The Board of Directors has fixed Monday, February 27, 2017, at the close of business, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting.

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting in person. However, if you are unable to attend in person and wish to have your shares voted, YOU MAY VOTE BY TELEPHONE, INTERNET OR BY FILLING IN, SIGNING AND DATING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD OR VOTING INSTRUCTION FORM AND RETURNING IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE . Regardless of how you deliver your proxy, you may revoke your proxy before it is voted by timely submitting to the Secretary of the Company a written revocation or a proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the annual meeting and giving verbal notice of your intention to vote in person.

The annual meeting for which this notice is given may be adjourned or postponed from time to time without further notice other than announcement at the annual meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.


		BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

		Wendy J. Hills Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary

The accompanying Proxy Statement is dated March 3, 2017 and is first being mailed to stockholders on or about March 10, 2017.

WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.

PROXY STATEMENT

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company"), on behalf of its Board of Directors (the "Board"), for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting"). This Proxy Statement is dated March 3, 2017 and, together with the related proxy card, is being mailed to stockholders on or about March 10, 2017.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS
AND THE ANNUAL MEETING

When and where is the Annual Meeting?

The Annual Meeting will be held in the William T. Morgan Auditorium at the Company's principal executive offices located at 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66202 at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Thursday, April 27, 2017.

What matters will be voted upon at the Annual Meeting?

At the Annual Meeting you will be asked to:

•: Elect Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Alan W. Kosloff and Jerry W. Walton, who have been nominated by the Board, as Class I directors to hold office until the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
•: Conduct an advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation.
•: Conduct an advisory vote on the frequency of advisory votes on named executive officer compensation.
•: Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP ("KPMG") as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year.
•: Transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

What constitutes a quorum?

The presence, either in person or by proxy, of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of our issued and outstanding shares of Class A common stock is required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes, which are described in more detail below, are counted as shares present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.

Who is entitled to vote?

Only stockholders of record of the Company's Class A common stock at the close of business on February 27, 2017, which is the "record date," are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. Shares that may be voted include shares that are held (1) directly by the stockholder of record, and (2) beneficially through a broker, bank or other nominee. Each share of our Class A common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter submitted for a vote at the Annual Meeting.

As of the record date, there were approximately 84,273,657 shares of our Class A common stock issued and outstanding and entitled to be voted at the Annual Meeting. Any shares held in treasury on the record date are not considered outstanding and will not be voted.

What is the difference between holding shares as a "registered owner" and as a "beneficial owner"?

Most of the Company's stockholders hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between registered shares and those owned beneficially:

•: Registered Owners – If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. ("Computershare"), you are the stockholder of record. As the stockholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to the Company or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
•: Beneficial Owners – If your shares are held in a brokerage account, bank or by another nominee, you are the "beneficial owner" of shares held in street name. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting. However, since you are not a stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a "legal proxy" from your broker, bank or other nominee (who is the stockholder of record), giving you the right to vote the shares.

What stockholder approval is necessary for approval of the proposals?

•: Election of Directors

The election of directors requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of our Class A common stock cast at the Annual Meeting. This means that the three Class I director nominees receiving the most votes will be elected. For purposes of this vote, neither withholding your vote (or a direction to a broker or nominee to do so) nor a broker non-vote (as described below) will be counted as votes cast, and therefore, will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors.

Under our Director Resignation Policy, any nominee for director in an uncontested election who receives a greater number of "withheld" votes than "for" votes is required to tender his or her resignation for consideration by the Board. For more detail on this policy, see "Corporate Governance" below.

•: Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation

The advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our Class A common stock cast at the Annual Meeting. For purposes of this vote, neither a vote to abstain (or a direction to a broker or other nominee to do so) nor a broker non-vote (as described below) will be counted as a vote cast, and therefore, will have no effect on this vote. Although this vote is advisory and non-binding on the Board, the Compensation Committee and the Company, we value the opinion of our stockholders and will take the results of this advisory vote into account when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation program.

•: Advisory Vote on the Frequency of Future Advisory Votes on Named Executive Officer Compensation

The advisory vote to determine our stockholders' preferred frequency for holding an advisory vote on named executive officer compensation requires the affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of our Class A common stock cast at the Annual Meeting. This means that the option for holding an advisory vote every one year, two years, or three years receiving the greatest number of votes will be considered the preferred frequency of the stockholders. For purposes of this vote, neither a vote to abstain (or a direction to a broker or other nominee to do so) nor a broker non-vote (as described below) will be counted as a vote cast, and therefore, will have no effect on this vote. Although this vote is advisory and non-binding on the Board, the Compensation Committee and the Company, we value the opinion of our stockholders and will take the results of this advisory vote into account when making a determination concerning the frequency of future advisory votes on named executive officer compensation.

•: Ratification of the Appointment of the Company's Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The ratification of the Audit Committee's appointment of KPMG as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of our Class A common stock cast at the Annual Meeting. For purposes of this vote, a vote to abstain (or a direction to a broker or other nominee to do so) is not counted as a vote cast, and therefore, will have no effect on this vote. Stockholder ratification is not required for the appointment of KPMG because the Audit Committee has the responsibility of appointing the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. However, we are submitting the proposal to solicit the opinion of our stockholders.

As of the record date, directors and executive officers of the Company beneficially owned an aggregate of approximately 3,194,469 shares of Class A common stock representing approximately 3.8% of our Class A common stock issued and outstanding, and therefore, 3.8% of the voting power entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Company believes that its directors and executive officers currently intend to vote their shares (1) FOR the election of Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Alan W. Kosloff and Jerry W. Walton as Class I directors, (2) FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, (3) FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of conducting future advisory votes on named executive officer compensation every year, and (4) FOR the ratification of KPMG as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year.

May I vote my shares in person at the Annual Meeting?

If you are the registered owner of shares of our Class A common stock, you have the right to vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting.

If you are the beneficial owner of shares of our Class A common stock, you may vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting if you have requested and received a legal proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee (the stockholder of record) giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting, complete such legal proxy and present it to the Company at the Annual Meeting.

Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you submit your proxy card or voting instructions so that your vote will be counted if you later decide not to attend the Annual Meeting.

How can I vote my shares without attending the Annual Meeting?

If you are the registered owner of shares of our Class A common stock, you may instruct the named proxy holders on how to vote your shares by completing, signing, dating and timely returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage pre-paid envelope provided with this Proxy Statement, or by using the Internet voting site or the toll-free telephone number listed on the proxy card. Specific instructions for using the Internet and telephone voting systems are on the proxy card. The Internet and telephone voting systems will be available until 11:59 p.m. Central Time, on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 (the day before the Annual Meeting).

If you are the beneficial owner of shares of our Class A common stock held in street name, you may instruct your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote your shares. Your nominee has enclosed with this Proxy Statement a voting instruction card for you to use in directing your nominee on how to vote your shares. The instructions from your nominee will indicate if Internet or telephone voting is available and, if so, will provide details regarding how to use those systems.

If my shares are held in "Street Name," will my broker, bank or other nominee vote my shares for me?

Brokers, banks and other nominees who do not have instructions from their "street name" customers may not use their discretion in voting their customers' shares on "non-routine" matters. The proposal to elect Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Alan W. Kosloff and Jerry W. Walton as Class I directors, the advisory vote to

approve named executive officer compensation and the advisory vote on the frequency of advisory votes to approve named executive officer compensation are non-routine matters and, therefore, shares of our Class A common stock held in "street name" will not be voted with respect to these proposals without voting instructions from the beneficial owners. However, the proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm is considered a routine matter and, therefore, if beneficial owners fail to give voting instructions, nominees will have discretionary authority to vote shares of our Class A common stock with respect to this proposal. You should follow the instructions provided by your nominee in directing your nominee on how to vote your shares.

What is a "broker non-vote"?

Generally, a "broker non-vote" occurs when a broker, bank or other nominee that holds shares in "street name" for customers is precluded from exercising voting discretion on a particular proposal because (1) the beneficial owner has not instructed the nominee how to vote, and (2) the nominee lacks discretionary voting power to vote such shares. Under New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") rules, a nominee does not have discretionary voting power with respect to the approval of "non-routine" matters absent specific voting instructions from the beneficial owners of such shares.

The proposal to elect Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Alan W. Kosloff and Jerry W. Walton as Class I directors, the advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation and the advisory vote on the frequency of advisory votes to approve named executive officer compensation are "non-routine" matters. If you are the beneficial owner of shares of the Company's Class A common stock, your nominee will send you directions on how you can instruct them to vote. If you do not provide voting instructions, your nominee will not vote your shares on these proposals.

How will my proxy be voted?

Shares represented by a properly executed proxy (in paper form, by Internet or by telephone) that is timely received, and not subsequently revoked, will be voted at the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof in the manner directed on the proxy. Henry J. Herrmann and Alan W. Kosloff are named as proxy holders in the proxy form and have been designated by the Board to represent you and vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. All shares represented by a properly executed proxy on which no choice is specified will be voted (1) FOR the election of Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Alan W. Kosloff and Jerry W. Walton as Class I directors, (2) FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, (3) FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of conducting future advisory votes on named executive officer compensation every year, (4) FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year, and (5) in accordance with the proxy holders' best judgment as to any other business that properly comes before the Annual Meeting.

This Proxy Statement is considered to be voting instructions for the trustee of the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan for our Class A common stock allocated to individual accounts under that plan. If account information is the same, participants in the plan who are also stockholders of record will receive a single proxy representing all of their shares. If a plan participant does not submit a proxy to us, the trustee of the plan will vote the shares allocated to the participant's account in the same proportion as the total shares in the plan for which directions have been received.

May I revoke my proxy and change my vote?

Yes. You may revoke your proxy and change your vote prior to the vote at the Annual Meeting.

If you are the registered owner of shares of our Class A common stock, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote with respect to those shares by (1) timely submitting a later-dated proxy, a later-dated vote by telephone or later-dated vote via the Internet (which automatically revokes the earlier

proxy), (2) giving timely notice of your changed vote to us in writing mailed to the attention of Wendy J. Hills, Secretary, at our principal executive offices, or (3) attending the Annual Meeting and giving verbal notice of your intention to vote in person.

If you are the beneficial owner of shares of our Class A common stock held in street name, you may revoke your proxy and change your vote with respect to those shares (1) by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee in accordance with their voting instructions, or (2) if you have obtained a legal proxy from your nominee giving you the right to vote your shares, by attending the Annual Meeting, presenting the completed proxy to the Company and voting in person.

You should be aware that simply attending the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of your proxy.

Who will count the votes?

Our transfer agent, Computershare, will tabulate and certify the votes. A representative of Computershare will serve as the inspector of election at the Annual Meeting.

Who will pay the costs of soliciting proxies?

The costs of soliciting proxies pursuant to this Proxy Statement will be borne by the Company. Proxies will be solicited initially by mail. Further solicitation may be made in person or by telephone, electronic mail or facsimile. The Company will bear the expense of preparing, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement and accompanying materials to our stockholders. Upon request, the Company will reimburse brokers, banks or other nominees for reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding copies of the proxy materials relating to the Annual Meeting to the beneficial owners of our Class A common stock.

The Company has retained Georgeson Inc., an independent proxy solicitation firm ("Georgeson"), to assist in soliciting proxies from stockholders. Georgeson will receive a fee of approximately $10,000 as compensation for its services and will be reimbursed for its out-of-pocket expenses. The Company has agreed to indemnify Georgeson against certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws.

What other business will be presented at the Annual Meeting?

As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board knows of no other business that may properly be, or is likely to be, brought before the Annual Meeting. If any other matters should arise at the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxy holders, Henry J. Herrmann and Alan W. Kosloff, will have the discretion to vote your shares on any additional matters properly presented for a vote at the Annual Meeting. If, for any unforeseen reason, any of the Class I director nominees are not available to serve as a director, the named proxy holders will vote your proxy for such other director candidate or candidates as may be nominated by the Board.

What are the deadlines to nominate directors or to propose other business for consideration at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders?

•: Stockholder Proposals to be Considered for Inclusion in the Company's Proxy Materials

In order for a stockholder proposal to be eligible to be included in the Company's proxy statement and proxy card for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proposal must (1) be received by the Company at its principal executive offices, 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66202, Attn: Secretary, on or before November 10, 2017, and (2) concern a matter that may be properly considered and acted upon at the annual meeting in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and the Company's Bylaws and policies, and must otherwise comply with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

•: Director Nominations and Other Business to be Brought Before the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Notice of any director nomination or the proposal of other business that you intend to present at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, but do not intend to have included in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy relating to the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, must be received by the Company at its principal executive offices, 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66202, Attn: Secretary, not earlier than the close of business on December 28, 2017 and not later than the close of business on January 17, 2018. In the event that the date of the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary date of the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the notice must be delivered to the Company not earlier than the 120 ^th day prior to the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and not later than the later of the 100 ^th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10 ^th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is first made by the Company. In addition, your notice must include the information required by the Company's Bylaws with respect to each director nomination or proposal of other business that you intend to present at the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?

The Company will publish final voting results of the Annual Meeting in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days after the Annual Meeting.

What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this Proxy Statement and multiple proxy or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares of our Class A common stock in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account. If you are a registered owner and your shares of our Class A common stock are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please vote each proxy and voting instruction card that you receive.

What is "householding"?

In an effort to reduce printing costs and postage fees, the Company has adopted a practice approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") called "householding." Under this practice, certain stockholders who have the same address and last name will receive only one copy of this Proxy Statement and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, unless one or more of these stockholders notifies the Company that he or she wishes to continue receiving individual copies. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards.

If you share an address with another stockholder and received only one copy of this Proxy Statement and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, and you would like to request a separate copy of these materials, or you do not wish to participate in householding in the future, please (1) mail such request to Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Attn: Investor Relations Department, 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66202, or (2) contact our Investor Relations Department toll-free at (800) 532-2757. The Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K upon receipt of such request. Similarly, stockholders sharing an address that are receiving multiple copies of the Company's proxy materials may request that they receive a single copy of those materials in the future by contacting the Company at the address and phone number above.

What do I need to do now?

First, read this Proxy Statement carefully. Then, if you are a registered owner of shares of our Class A common stock, you should, as soon as possible, submit your proxy by either executing and timely returning the proxy card or by voting electronically via the Internet or by telephone. If you are the beneficial owner of shares of our Class A common stock held in street name, then you should follow the voting instructions of your broker, bank or other nominee. Your shares will be voted in accordance with the directions you specify. If you submit an executed proxy card to the Company, but fail to specify voting directions, your shares will be voted (1) FOR the approval of the director nominees, (2) FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, (3) FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of conducting future advisory votes on named executive officer compensation every year, and (4) FOR the ratification of KPMG as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year.

Who can help answer my questions?

If you have questions concerning a proposal or the Annual Meeting, if you would like additional copies of this Proxy Statement or our 2016 Annual Report, or if you need special assistance at the Annual Meeting, please call our Investor Relations office toll free at (800) 532-2757. In addition, information regarding the Annual Meeting is available via the Internet at our website ir.waddell.com .

YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY READ THIS PROXY STATEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY. The summary information provided above in "question and answer" format is for your convenience only and is merely a brief description of material information contained in this Proxy Statement.

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. IF YOU ARE A REGISTERED OWNER OF SHARES OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK, YOU MAY VOTE BY TELEPHONE, INTERNET OR BY FILLING IN, SIGNING AND DATING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND TIMELY RETURNING IT IN THE ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. IF YOU ARE A BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK, PLEASE FOLLOW THE VOTING INSTRUCTIONS OF YOUR BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE PROVIDED WITH THIS PROXY STATEMENT AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE.

PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

PROPOSAL NO. 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Board nominates Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Alan W. Kosloff and Jerry W. Walton as Class I directors, to hold office for a term of three years, expiring at the close of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified, or their earlier resignation or removal. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (the "Corporate Governance Committee"), which is comprised of non-employee directors, recommended Ms. Gasaway and Messrs. Kosloff and Walton as nominees for director. All of these nominees are current directors of the Company, and each nominee has agreed to be named in this Proxy Statement and to serve as a director of the Company if elected. The Board believes these incumbent directors standing for re-election are well qualified and experienced to direct and oversee the Company's operations and business affairs and will represent the interests of the stockholders as a whole. Biographical information on each of these nominees is included below in "Directors and Executive Officers."

If any director nominee becomes unavailable for election, which is not anticipated, the named proxy holders will vote for the election of such other person or persons as the Board may nominate, unless the Board resolves to reduce the number of Class I directors to serve on the Board and thereby reduce the number of directors to be elected at the Annual Meeting.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED HEREIN.

OTHER INFORMATION YOU NEED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

Number of Directors and Term of Directors and Executive Officers

The Company's Bylaws provide that the number of directors will not be less than seven nor more than 15 with the exact number to be fixed by the Board. The Company's Certificate of Incorporation divides the Board into three classes of as equal size as possible, with the terms of each class expiring in consecutive years so that only one class is elected in any given year. Currently, there are nine directors with three directors in Class I, three directors in Class II and three directors in Class III.

The stockholders of the Company elect successors for directors whose terms have expired at the Company's annual meeting. The Board elects members to fill new membership positions and vacancies in unexpired terms on the Board. Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, non-employee directors must retire from the Board at the close of the annual meeting of Stockholders following their 79 ^th birthday. Executive officers of the Company are elected by the Board and hold office until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, retirement, resignation or removal.

Directors and Executive Officers

The names of the Company's directors and executive officers and their respective current ages and positions are as follows:

Name	Age	Position

Brent K. Bloss	48	Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Thomas W. Butch	60	Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Sharilyn S. Gasaway	48	Class I Director
Thomas C. Godlasky	61	Class II Director
Henry J. Herrmann	74	Chairman of the Board and Class III Director
Wendy J. Hills	46	Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Alan W. Kosloff	76	Lead Independent Director and Class I Director
Dennis E. Logue	72	Class II Director
Michael F. Morrissey	74	Class II Director
James M. Raines	77	Class III Director
Philip J. Sanders	57	Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer and Class III Director
John E. Sundeen, Jr.	56	Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer – Investments
Jerry W. Walton	70	Class I Director

Below is a description of the backgrounds of the executive officers, directors and nominees for director, including their principal occupation and membership on public or registered investment company boards for the past five years. We have also provided information concerning the particular experience, qualification, attributes and skills that the Corporate Governance Committee and the Board considered relevant to each director and nominee for director that led to the conclusion that he or she should serve as a director.

Brent K. Bloss has been Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Company since March 2014. Prior thereto, Mr. Bloss was Senior Vice President – Finance and Principal Accounting Officer of the Company since July 2007 and Treasurer of the Company since January 2006. Previously, he served as Vice President of the Company from April 2004 to July 2007, as Assistant Treasurer of the Company from January 2002 to January 2006, and as Assistant Vice President from January 2002 to April 2004. From September 1995 to December 2001, he served in various roles in the audit practice of KPMG. Mr. Bloss joined the Company in January 2002.

Thomas W. Butch has been Executive Vice President of the Company since January 2010 and Chief Marketing Officer of the Company since joining the Company in November 1999. Prior thereto, he served as Senior Vice President from November 1999 until January 2010. He has served as President of Waddell & Reed, Inc. ("WRI"), a broker-dealer subsidiary of the Company, since March 2005 and as Chief Marketing Officer thereof since March 2002. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President of WRI from January 2000 to March 2005. He has served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Ivy Investment Management Company ("IICO") since December 2002 and as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Ivy Distributors, Inc., a broker-dealer subsidiary of the Company, since March 2003. Prior to joining the Company, he was associated with Stein Roe & Farnham, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, an investment firm where he served in various positions from 1994 to 1999, including President of Mutual Funds and Senior Vice President of Marketing. Previously, he was a First Vice President at Mellon Financial Corporation where he served for 13 years.

Sharilyn S. Gasaway. Ms. Gasaway has been a director of the Company since July 2010. She has served as a director of Genesis Energy, L.P., a Houston, Texas diversified midstream energy master limited partnership, since March 2010 and of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., a transportation logistics company in Lowell, Arkansas, since February 2009. From February 2006 to January 2009, she served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Alltel Corporation ("Alltel"), a U.S. wireless telecommunications network operator, acquired by Verizon Wireless in 2009. She served as Corporate Controller of Alltel from May 2002 to February 2006 and as Controller of Alltel Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of Alltel, from April 1999 to May 2002. Prior thereto, she served as Audit Manager of the former independent registered public accounting firm Arthur Andersen LLP from 1992 to April 1999. Ms. Gasaway is a nominee for director .

As the former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of a Fortune 500 company, Ms. Gasaway has extensive experience in the areas of capital markets, budgeting and forecasting, strategic planning, internal audit, tax and auditing with respect to complex business operations and transactions. As a result, she brings to the Board a breadth of knowledge regarding the financial and accounting functions of the Company's operations, as well as with respect to the Company's financial controls, financial reporting and disclosure, balance sheet management, integration of acquisitions, and accounting. Ms. Gasaway's experience serving as a director for companies within the oil and gas and transportation industries provides her with a diverse perspective on Board-related matters. She has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1993.

Thomas C. Godlasky. Mr. Godlasky has been a director of the Company since July 2010. Mr. Godlasky served as Chief Executive Officer of Aviva North America, Aviva plc's life insurance and annuity business in the U.S. and its property and casualty business in Canada, from July 2007 to March 2010. Mr. Godlasky also served in the dual position as Chief Executive Officer and President of Aviva USA from November 2006 to November 2009. Prior thereto, Mr. Godlasky served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of AmerUs Group, Des Moines, Iowa, a life insurance and annuity business, which was acquired by Aviva plc in 2006, from November 2005 to November 2006 and as President and Chief Operating Officer from November 2003 to November 2006. He also served as a director of AmerUs Group from November 2003 until November 2006, whereupon he joined the Aviva USA Board of Directors until March 2010. Mr. Godlasky earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1992. Mr. Godlasky's term on the Board expires in 2018.

Mr. Godlasky's service as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AmerUs Group, a leading U.S. producer of annuity and life insurance products, provides him with valuable insights on running a complex financial services company with diverse operations and products. He has experience in a number of areas that are critical to the Company, including mergers and acquisitions, information and technology, risk management, long-range strategic planning, expertise in the types of products we offer to our clients and the importance of close cooperation with our regulators. Mr. Godlasky brings strong leadership skills and a valuable perspective on global financial, operational and strategic matters to the Board, as well as maintains a deep understanding of the challenges of operating in a highly regulated industry such as ours.

Henry J. Herrmann has been Chairman of the Board since January 2010 and a Director since March 1998. Mr. Herrmann served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company from May 2005 to August 2016. Prior thereto, he served as President of the Company from March 1998 to May 2005 and as Chief Investment Officer from March 1987 to June 2005. He is also a trustee of the InvestEd Portfolios, Ivy Funds, Ivy High Income Opportunities Fund, Ivy NextShares, Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios and Waddell & Reed Advisors Group of Mutual Funds, all of which are mutual funds managed by the Company. Mr. Herrmann has also served as a director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, a Kansas City, Missouri health insurance company, since 2007 and of the United Way of Greater Kansas City, the local Kansas City, Missouri office of United Way, a global leadership and support organization for community-based non-profit organizations, since June 2007. He joined the Company in March 1971 and earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1977. Mr. Herrmann's term on the Board expires in 2019.

Mr. Herrmann has over 51 years of experience in the financial services industry and is widely regarded as a distinguished leader in the asset management industry. Mr. Herrmann celebrated his 45 ^th anniversary with the Company in 2016. As Chairman of the Board and trustee of the Company's affiliated mutual fund boards, he brings to the Board an incomparable knowledge of, and experience with, the Company and its business, as well as valuable leadership and management experience. Mr. Herrmann's prior oversight of all Company operations and his experience in investment management, annual and long-term business planning, the negotiation and integration of acquisitions, and risk management is an indispensable contribution to the Board.

Wendy J. Hills has been Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of the Company since February 2014 and Secretary of the Company since April 2005. Prior thereto, she served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel of the Company from April 2005 to February 2014, as Assistant General Counsel from April 2002 to April 2005, and as Assistant Secretary from April 2000 to April 2005. From June 1998 to April 2000, she served as the Compliance Officer of Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company ("WRIMCO"). Ms. Hills is also Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the InvestEd Portfolios, Ivy Funds, Ivy High Income Opportunities Fund, Ivy NextShares, Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios and Waddell & Reed Advisors Group of Mutual Funds, all of which are mutual funds managed by the Company. Prior to joining the Company in June 1998, Ms. Hills was associated with the law firm of Klenda, Mitchell, Austerman and Zuercher LLC, in Wichita, Kansas.

Alan W. Kosloff has been a Director of the Company since January 2003 and Lead Independent Director since January 2010. Prior thereto, he served as Chairman of the Board from May 2005 through December 2009. He has served as Chairman of Kosloff & Partners, LLC, Edwards, Colorado, a consulting and investment firm since April 1996. Previously, he served as Chairman of Jones & Mitchell, Olathe, Kansas, an imprinted and licensed sportswear company from October 1997 to March 2005 and as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of American Marketing Industries, Inc., Kansas City, Missouri, an apparel manufacturing, distribution and marketing firm from 1976 to 1995. Mr. Kosloff is a nominee for director.

Mr. Kosloff has over 41 years of experience in executive management, investment, sales and marketing roles, including as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Marketing Industries, Inc. and founder of Kosloff & Partners, LLC. Mr. Kosloff provides the Board the benefit of his substantial financial, management and operational expertise, including with respect to marketing and distribution efforts, corporate governance,

strategic planning and corporate strategy. As Lead Independent Director, Mr. Kosloff has offered valuable insights with respect to strategic planning, executive succession planning and executive development, corporate governance and stockholder communications.

Dennis E. Logue has been a Director of the Company since January 2002. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Ledyard Financial Group, Inc., a bank holding company located in Hanover, New Hampshire, since August 2005. Additionally, Mr. Logue has served as an Emeritus Professor of Management at the Amos Tuck School, Dartmouth College since August 2005. He served as Dean of the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma from July 2001 to September 2005. Prior thereto, Mr. Logue held numerous business-oriented professorships, most recently at the Amos Tuck School, Dartmouth College from July 1974 to June 2001. He has also worked as a consultant and expert witness on various financial matters since 1974. Mr. Logue has served as a director of Abraxas Petroleum Corporation, San Antonio, Texas, a natural gas and crude oil exploration, development and production company since April 2003 and of ALCO Stores, Inc., Dallas, Texas, a general merchandise retailer from May 2005 through September 2014. Mr. Logue's term on the Board expires in 2018.

Mr. Logue is highly accomplished in the field of business management and financial academia, having taught in the areas of managerial economics and finance, corporate governance, financial markets and international finance for 44 years and published over 90 books and articles in the areas of economics, pension plans, corporate and international finance, and capital markets. His past leadership roles in the academic world allow him to bring a wide range of experience and new insights to his service on the Board. As a founding director of Ledyard National Bank, Mr. Logue also has substantial expertise in the areas of the financial services industry, executive management and operations.

Michael F. Morrissey. Mr. Morrissey has been a director of the Company since July 2010. He has been a director of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P., a propane gas marketing and distribution company in Overland Park, Kansas since 1999. He was a director of Westar Energy, Inc., an electric service company based in Topeka, Kansas from 2003 through May 2015. Mr. Morrissey retired in September 1999 after serving 24 years, including 17 years as a partner, with Ernst & Young LLP, an auditing and financial services firm. Prior thereto, Mr. Morrissey worked for five years for another major accounting firm and six years for a motor truck manufacturer. Mr. Morrissey has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1972. Mr. Morrissey has also served as a director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, a Kansas City, Missouri health insurance company, since 2006; of J.E. Dunn Construction Group, Inc., a private construction business located in Kansas City, Missouri, from 2000 through January 2017; of Balance Innovations, Inc., an office management technology company located in Lenexa, Kansas, since 2008; and a special advisor to the audit committee of the Dairy Farmers of America, a farmer-owned milk marketing cooperative located in Kansas City, Missouri from 2000 through August 2014. Mr. Morrissey also serves as a director or trustee for numerous non-profit, civic, and charitable organizations. Mr. Morrissey's term on the Board expires in 2018.

Mr. Morrissey's qualifications to serve as a director include his substantial experience as the Chairman or member of the audit committee of other public companies, his many years of experience as an audit partner of a major accounting firm, and his extensive experience as a director of other large companies, both public and private. Mr. Morrissey brings to the Board significant audit and accounting expertise and a deep understanding of financial statements, corporate finance, risk management and internal audit functions. Mr. Morrissey's knowledge and experience gained as a board member of various public and private companies, as well as not-for profit, civic and charitable organizations provide the Board with a wide range of experience and insights regarding Board actions. Mr. Morrissey is also a Certified Public Accountant (retired).

James M. Raines has been a Director of the Company since July 1998. He has served as President of James M. Raines and Company, San Antonio, Texas, an investment banking firm since September 1988 and served as a director of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc., a San Antonio, Texas outdoor advertising company from November 2005 to May 2010. Mr. Raines' term on the Board expires in 2019.

Mr. Raines' 30 years of experience in the investment banking business gives him valuable perspectives on financial and strategic matters, as well as expertise in capital markets and securities distribution. He has provided investment banking and financial advisory services, including with respect to merger and acquisition and capital raising functions, for numerous public and private companies covering a diverse range of businesses, which provides him with a broad perspective that is an asset to the Board. Additionally, Mr. Raines' tenure on the Board provides him with an important depth of knowledge regarding the Company's business, strategy and culture. His experience in investment banking has been particularly useful when the Board considers its capital and liquidity needs and potential acquisitions.

Philip J. Sanders has been Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company since August 2016 and Chief Investment Officer of the Company since February 2011. He has served as Chief Executive Officer and President of WRIMCO and IICO since August 2016 and as Chief Investment Officer of WRIMCO and IICO since August 2010. Prior thereto, he served as Senior Vice President of WRIMCO from July 2000 to August 2016, Senior Vice President of IICO from April 2003 to August 2016 and Vice President of WRIMCO from January 1999 to July 2000. He is also President of the InvestEd Portfolios, Ivy Funds, Ivy High Income Opportunities Fund, Ivy NextShares, Ivy Variable Insurance Portfolios and Waddell & Reed Advisors Group of Mutual Funds, all of which are mutual funds managed by the Company. Mr. Sanders joined the Company as a mutual fund portfolio manager in August 1998.

Mr. Sanders has over 28 years of experience in the financial services industry, including 18 years with the Company. Mr. Sanders' oversight of all Company operations and his experience in investment management is an indispensable contribution to the Board and provides a critical link between management and the Board.

John E. Sundeen, Jr. has been Senior Vice President of the Company since July 1999 and Chief Administrative Officer – Investments since January 2006. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer from July 1999 to June 2004 and as Treasurer of the Company from July 1999 to January 2006. He was appointed Executive Vice President of Waddell & Reed Services Company in August 2016 and has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of WRIMCO and of IICO since June 2004. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President of WRIMCO from January 1996 to June 2004 and as Head of Fixed Income within the Investment Management Division thereof from January 1994 to June 1999. Mr. Sundeen joined the Company in June 1983.

Jerry W. Walton has been a Director of the Company since April 2000. Mr. Walton served as a business consultant to Hunt Ventures, a group of private companies located in Rogers, Arkansas from April 2010 to February 2016. He served as Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., a transportation provider in Lowell, Arkansas, from October 1991 until September 2009. Prior thereto, Mr. Walton served as a managing partner and a tax partner with KPMG, with whom he had been employed since 1968. Mr. Walton is a nominee for director.

Mr. Walton brings extensive financial, operational and executive management expertise to the Board having served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc., one of the largest transportation logistics companies in North America. Mr. Walton also has significant public accounting experience, including in the areas of accounting, finance and tax, and direct experience in the areas of information and technology services, treasury functions, real estate, human resources and risk management. As a long-time director, Mr. Walton offers a breadth of knowledge about issues affecting the Company and its industry, as well as with respect to its financial statements, balance sheet management, budgeting process and executive compensation. Mr. Walton is also a Certified Public Accountant (retired).

There are no family relationships among any of the Company's executive officers, directors or nominees for director.

Security Ownership of Management

The following table reflects information regarding beneficial ownership of the Company's Class A common stock by each of its current directors (including all nominees for director), the current named executive officers set forth in the Summary Compensation Table and by all such persons as a group, as of February 27, 2017. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, "beneficially owned" means the sole power to vote or direct the voting of a security and the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of a security.

Name of Beneficial Owner			Percent of Class

Brent K. Bloss	209,743	0	*
Thomas W. Butch	248	531,372	*
Sharilyn S. Gasaway	32,027	0	*
Thomas C. Godlasky	32,027	0	*
Henry J. Herrmann	0	1,179,987	1.4%
Wendy J. Hills	170,899	0	*
Alan W. Kosloff	96,949	0	*
Dennis E. Logue	61,796	0	*
Michael F. Morrissey	0	32,027	*
James M. Raines	22,696	0	*
Philip J. Sanders	427,703	0	*
John E. Sundeen, Jr.	315,605	0	*
Jerry W. Walton	81,390	0	*
All Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers as a group (13 persons)	1,451,083	1,743,386	3.8%

*: Denotes less than 1%.

(1): Includes unvested shares of restricted Class A common stock granted under the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (the "Stock Incentive Plan"), for Ms. Gasaway, Ms. Hills and Messrs. Bloss, Godlasky, Kosloff, Logue, Raines, Sanders, Sundeen and Walton of 13,004, 147,599, 159,266, 13,004, 21,585, 13,004, 13,004, 233,500, 108,366 and 13,004 shares, respectively.
(2): Indirect beneficial ownership includes shares owned (a) by the director or executive officer as beneficiary or trustee of a personal trust or immediate family member's trust or (b) by a spouse of the director or executive officer, including as trustee or beneficiary of a trust. Indirect beneficial ownership excludes all shares of the unitized stock fund held in the Company 401(k) and Thrift Plan account of Mr. Butch.
(3): For Messrs. Butch, Herrmann and Morrissey, indirect beneficial ownership includes 206,166, 159,999 and 13,004 shares, respectively, of unvested restricted stock, all of which are owned by their personal trusts.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

We believe that good corporate governance helps to ensure that the Company is managed for the long-term benefit of our stockholders, and we continually review and consider our corporate governance policies and practices, the SEC's corporate governance rules and regulations, and the corporate governance listing standards of the NYSE, the stock exchange on which our Class A common stock is traded.

You can access and print the charters of our Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance Committee, as well as our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, Whistleblower Policy and other Company policies and procedures required by applicable law, regulation or NYSE corporate governance listing standards on the "Governance Documents" link in the dropdown menu on the "Corporate Governance" tab of the "Investor Relations" section of our website at ir.waddell.com .

Director Independence

The Board is composed of a majority of directors who satisfy the criteria for independence under the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. In determining independence, each year the Board affirmatively determines, among other items, whether the directors have any direct or indirect material relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. When assessing the "materiality" of a director's relationship with the Company, if any, the Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances, not merely from the director's standpoint, but from that of the persons or organizations with which the director has an affiliation. Material relationships can include commercial, banking, industrial, consulting, legal, accounting, charitable and familial relationships. The Board also considers any other relationship that could interfere with the exercise of independence or judgment in carrying out the duties of a director.

Applying these independence standards, the Board determined that Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Thomas C. Godlasky, Alan W. Kosloff, Dennis E. Logue, Michael F. Morrissey, James M. Raines and Jerry W. Walton are all independent directors.

After due consideration, the Board has determined that none of these non-employee directors have a material relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries (either directly or indirectly as a partner, stockholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries) and they all meet the criteria for independence under the NYSE corporate governance listing standards.

Pursuant to the independence criteria of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards, the Board has determined that Henry J. Herrmann, who retired as Chief Executive Officer on August 1, 2016, is not an independent director due to his service as an employee of the Company within the last three years.

Board Composition and Director Qualifications

The Corporate Governance Committee periodically assesses the appropriate size and composition of the Board, and whether any vacancies on the Board are expected. In the event that vacancies are anticipated or otherwise arise, the Corporate Governance Committee will review and assess potential director candidates. The Corporate Governance Committee utilizes various methods for identifying and evaluating candidates for director. Candidates may come to the attention of the Corporate Governance Committee through recommendations of Board members, management, stockholders or professional search firms. Generally, director candidates should, at a minimum:

•: Possess relevant business and financial expertise and experience, including an understanding of financial statements;

•: Have the highest character and integrity and a reputation for working constructively with others;
•: Have sufficient time to devote to Board meetings and consultation on Board matters; and
•: Be free of conflicts of interest that violate applicable law or interfere with director performance.

In addition, the Corporate Governance Committee will consider for recommendation director candidates who possess the following qualities and skills, among others:

•: The capacity and desire to represent the interests of the Company's stockholders as a whole and not primarily a special interest group or constituency;
•: Diverse backgrounds with respect to business experience, professional expertise, individual perspectives, gender and ethnicity that support Board dynamics and effectiveness;
•: High level of leadership experience and sound business judgment;
•: Highly accomplished in their respective field, with superior credentials and recognition;
•: The ability to contribute to the mix of skills, core competencies, diversity and qualifications of the Board through notable or significant achievements or expertise in one or more of the following areas: accounting and finance, mergers and acquisitions, investment management, law, financial academia, strategic planning and executive leadership development;
•: Service as a senior officer of, or a trusted advisor to senior management of, a publicly-held company; and
•: Knowledge of the critical aspects of the Company's business and operations.

The director qualifications above are general in nature and may be modified by the Board or the Corporate Governance Committee from time to time as the Board or the Corporate Governance Committee deems appropriate.

In considering candidates for director nominee, the Corporate Governance Committee generally assembles all information regarding a candidate's background and qualifications, evaluates a candidate's mix of skills and qualifications, and determines the contribution the candidate could be expected to make to the overall functioning of the Board. The Board seeks independent directors who represent a diverse mix of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that will enhance the quality of the Board's deliberations and decisions. The Corporate Governance Committee does not have a separate policy regarding gender, ethnicity or other similar diversity criteria in identifying candidates for director nominee, but rather evaluates diversity in a broad sense, recognizing the benefits of gender and ethnic diversity, but also considering the breadth of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences that directors and candidates for director nominee may bring to the Board. In its assessment of the Board's composition as a whole, the Corporate Governance Committee considers whether the Board reflects the appropriate overall balance of independence, sound judgment, business specialization, technical skills, diversity and other desired qualities.

Director Resignation Policy

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines include a Director Resignation Policy pursuant to which any director nominee in an uncontested election who receives a greater number of "withheld" votes than "for" votes will, within five business days following the certification of the stockholder vote, tender his or her resignation to the Chairman of the Board for consideration by the Board. A director whose resignation is under consideration shall abstain from participating in any recommendation or decision regarding that resignation.

The Board will promptly make a determination whether to accept, reject or otherwise act with respect to the tendered resignation. In making this determination, the Board may consider all factors that it deems

relevant, including the underlying reasons why stockholders "withheld" votes for election from such director (if ascertainable), the length of service and qualifications of the director whose resignation has been tendered, the director's contributions to the Company, whether by accepting such resignation the Company will no longer be in compliance with any applicable law, rule, regulation or governing document, and whether or not accepting the resignation is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Board may also consider a range of possible alternatives concerning the director's tendered resignation, including acceptance of the resignation, rejection of the resignation, or rejection of the resignation coupled with a commitment to seek to address and cure the underlying reasons reasonably believed by the Board to have substantially resulted in the "withheld" votes.

The Board shall act on the tendered resignation and shall publicly disclose its decision regarding the resignation within 120 days after the results of the election are certified. If the Board does not accept the resignation, the director shall continue to serve until the end of his or her term and until the director's successor is elected and qualified, or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

Director Recommendations by Stockholders

In addition to recommendations from Board members, management or professional search firms, the Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates properly submitted by stockholders who individually or as a group have beneficially owned at least two percent of the outstanding shares of the Company's Class A common stock for at least one year prior to the date the recommendation is submitted. The manner in which the Corporate Governance Committee evaluates candidates recommended by stockholders is generally the same as any other candidate, although the Corporate Governance Committee will also seek and consider information concerning any relationship between a stockholder recommending a candidate and the candidate to determine whether the candidate will represent the interests of all stockholders.

Stockholders must submit director candidate recommendations in writing by certified mail to the Company's Secretary not less than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement relating to the Company's previous annual meeting. Accordingly, for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, director candidates must be submitted to the Company's Secretary by November 3, 2017. Director candidates submitted by stockholders must contain at least the following information:

•: The name and address of the recommending stockholder;
•: The number of shares of the Company's Class A common stock beneficially owned by the recommending stockholder and the dates such shares were acquired;
•: The name, age, business address and residence of the candidate;
•: The principal occupation or employment of the candidate for the past five years;
•: A description of the candidate's qualifications to serve as a director, including financial expertise, and why the candidate does or does not qualify as "independent" under the NYSE corporate governance listing standards;
•: The number of shares of the Company's Class A common stock beneficially owned by the candidate, if any; and
•: A description of the arrangements or understandings between the recommending stockholder and the candidate, if any, or any other person pursuant to which the recommending stockholder is making the recommendation.

In addition, the recommending stockholder and the candidate must submit, with the recommendation, a signed statement agreeing and acknowledging that:

•: The candidate consents to being a director candidate and, if nominated and elected, he/she will serve as a director representing all of the Company's stockholders in accordance with applicable laws and the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws;
•: The candidate, if elected, will comply with the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines and any other applicable rule, regulation, policy or standard of conduct applicable to the Board and its individual members;
•: The recommending stockholder will maintain beneficial ownership of at least two percent of the Company's issued and outstanding Class A common stock through the date of the annual meeting for which the candidate is being recommended for nomination and that, upon such candidate's nomination and election to the Board, the recommending stockholder intends to maintain such ownership throughout the candidate's term as director; and
•: The recommending stockholder and the candidate will promptly provide any additional information requested by the Corporate Governance Committee and/or the Board to assist in the consideration of the candidate, including a completed and signed Questionnaire for Directors and Officers on the Company's standard form and an interview with the Corporate Governance Committee or its representative.

For a complete list of the information that must be included in director recommendations submitted by stockholders, please see the "Policy Regarding Director Recommendations By Stockholders" by clicking on the "Governance Documents" link in the dropdown menu on the "Corporate Governance" tab of the "Investor Relations" section of our website at ir.waddell.com . The Corporate Governance Committee will consider all director candidates submitted through its established processes, and will evaluate each of them, including incumbents, based on the same criteria. However, the Corporate Governance Committee may prefer incumbent directors and director candidates who they know personally or that have relevant industry experience and in-depth knowledge of the Company's business and operations.

The policies and procedures above are intended to provide flexible guidelines for the effective functioning of the Company's director nomination process. The Board intends to review these policies and procedures periodically and anticipates that modifications may be necessary from time to time as the Company's needs and circumstances change.

Communications with the Board

Stockholders and all other interested parties may communicate with the Board, Board committees, the independent or non-employee directors, each as a group, and individual directors by submitting their communications in writing to the attention of the Company's Secretary. All communications must identify the recipient, the author, state whether the author is a stockholder of the Company, and be forwarded to the following address:

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.
6300 Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66202
Attn: Secretary

The directors of the Company, including the non-employee directors, have directed the Secretary not to forward to the intended recipient any communications that are reasonably determined in good faith by the Secretary to relate to improper or irrelevant topics or are substantially incomplete.

Board Meetings

The Board held ten meetings during the 2016 fiscal year. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board and committees of the Board on which the director served. The Company has adopted a Director Attendance Policy to stress the importance of attendance, director preparedness, and active and effective participation at Board, Board committee and stockholder meetings. All of the directors attended the 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Additionally, the non-employee/independent directors held five executive sessions with Mr. Alan W. Kosloff serving as chairman of each of these executive sessions.

Board Leadership Structure and Role in Risk Oversight

The Board believes that it should have the flexibility to make determinations as to whether the same individual should serve as both the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of the Board, taking into account changing needs and circumstances of both the Company and the Board over time. In determining the appropriate leadership structure, the Board considers, among other things, the current composition of the Board, the role of the Lead Independent Director, and challenges and opportunities specific to the Company. In prior years, the Company has had the same and different individuals serving as its Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at different points in time. Currently, Mr. Sanders serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Mr. Herrmann serves as non-executive Chairman of the Board, while Mr. Kosloff, an independent director, serves as our Lead Independent Director. The Board believes that its current leadership structure is appropriate given the transition of duties as Chief Executive Officer from Mr. Herrmann to Mr. Sanders during 2016, the need for Mr. Sanders to focus on the operations of the Company, Mr. Herrmann's extensive experience as a leader in the asset management industry and intimate knowledge of the Company's strategy and daily operations and the fact that Mr. Herrmann does not qualify as an independent director due to his recent retirement as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sanders consults with Mr. Herrmann on Board matters and issues facing the Company and Mr. Herrmann, in turn, consults with Mr. Kosloff, as Lead Independent Director. Mr. Kosloff serves as the principal liaison between the non-executive Chairman of the Board and the independent directors, advises the Chairman of the Board with respect to agenda items, and presides over executive sessions of the non-employee/independent directors at regularly scheduled Board meetings, as well as presides over Board meetings in the event the Chairman of the Board is unable to attend.

The Board's oversight responsibility with respect to risk management is primarily discharged through the Audit Committee. Pursuant to applicable NYSE rules, the Audit Committee's charter addresses the duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee to review with management the Company's risk assessment and risk management policies, including steps taken to mitigate such risks. The Audit Committee's risk oversight responsibilities are principally addressed through a comprehensive enterprise risk assessment conducted and prepared by the head of our Internal Audit Department, who, along with senior management, is responsible for the identification and assessment of internal and external risks that could materially impact the Company's operations, monitoring identified risks and taking appropriate steps to mitigate such risks. Specifically, the head of our Internal Audit Department leads an annual comprehensive enterprise risk assessment, which is based on input from the Company's Risk Assessment Committee, comprised of division heads and members of senior management, and uses an established risk management framework to identify and characterize various risks based on the significance of their potential impact on the Company's operations and reputation and the likelihood of occurrence. Such risks include internal and external financial, operational, strategic, technological, market, legal and regulatory risks. The Audit Committee reviews and discusses the Company's risk assessment and risk management policies annually. The head of Internal Audit and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm provide regular reports to the Audit Committee regarding the internal and external audit plans and the results of on-going audits, as well as a report on Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. To ensure candid and complete reporting, the Audit Committee meets in separate executive sessions with management, the head

of our Internal Audit Department and the Company's independent registered public accounting firm at least twice annually.

Each standing committee, including the Audit Committee, regularly reports its actions to the full Board and the Board receives financial and operational reports from senior management, including updates regarding legal, regulatory and compliance matters from the General Counsel, at each meeting, which enables coordination of the risk oversight function. The risk oversight function is also supported by our non-executive Chairman of the Board, whose industry leadership, tenure and experience provide a deep understanding of the risks that the Company faces. Collectively, these processes are intended to provide the Board as a whole with an in-depth understanding of risks faced by the Company and enables the Board to provide direction to the Audit Committee and senior management with respect to its approach to identifying, assessing, monitoring and mitigating material risks. The Board believes that the combination of a non-executive Chairman of the Board, who has prior experence in our day-to-day risk management processes, a Lead Independent Director, the Audit Committee, and an experienced senior management team provide the appropriate leadership to assist in effective risk oversight by the Board.

Risk Analysis of Compensation Policies and Practices

The Compensation Committee assessed, with the assistance of management, the Company's compensation policies and practices to determine whether these policies and practices create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

This assessment included a review of the Company's executive and broad-based employee compensation programs, the identification of potential risks that could result from such policies and practices, the identification of factors and controls that mitigate those risks, and an analysis of the potential risks against mitigating factors and controls and the Company's business strategies and objectives. Based on this assessment, the Compensation Committee concluded that our compensation policies and practices do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. In its assessment and conclusion, the Compensation Committee considered the following design features, among others:

•: Overall compensation levels are competitive with the market.
•: The use of multiple financial performance measures that are quantifiable and measurable.
•: The use of performance goals that are reasonable in light of past performance and market conditions.
•: Oversight by a Compensation Committee comprised of independent, non-employee directors with the ability to use negative discretion in determining compensation levels.
•: The use of long-term equity incentive awards, which comprise a significant portion of total annual incentive compensation and are paid in the form of restricted stock that typically vests over a four-year period, and our stock ownership requirements align the long-term interests of our executive officers with those of our stockholders.
•: The ability of management to exercise discretion to reduce payouts, including in connection with extraordinary or unanticipated events.
•: Multiple internal controls and approval processes intended to prevent manipulation of performance.

2016 Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committees

The Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Corporate Governance Committee. Committee members are elected annually by the Board and serve until their successors are elected and qualified or until their earlier death, retirement, resignation or removal. The functions of each committee are described in detail in its respective charter, which is available on the "Governance Documents" link in the dropdown menu of the "Corporate Governance" tab on the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at ir.waddell.com.

For 2016, upon the recommendation of the Corporate Governance Committee, the Board appointed the following members to serve on these committees:

•: Audit Committee, comprised of Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Dennis E. Logue, Michael F. Morrissey and Jerry W. Walton. Mr. Morrissey served as Chairman of the Audit Committee in 2016.
•: Compensation Committee, comprised of Alan W. Kosloff, Michael F. Morrissey, James M. Raines and Jerry W. Walton. Mr. Walton served as Chairman of the Compensation Committee in 2016.
•: Corporate Governance Committee, comprised of Sharilyn S. Gasaway, Thomas C. Godlasky, Alan W. Kosloff, Dennis E. Logue, Michael F. Morrissey, James M. Raines and Jerry W. Walton. Mr. Kosloff served as Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee in 2016.

Additionally, as Lead Independent Director, Mr. Kosloff served as an advisory member of the Audit Committee through October 2016.

Audit Committee. The Audit Committee (1) appoints, terminates, retains, compensates and oversees the work of the independent registered public accounting firm, (2) pre-approves all audit, review and attest services and permitted non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, (3) oversees the performance of the Company's internal audit function, (4) evaluates the qualifications, performance and independence of the independent registered public accounting firm, (5) reviews external and internal audit reports and management's responses thereto, (6) oversees the integrity of the financial reporting process, system of internal accounting controls, and financial statements and reports of the Company, (7) oversees the Company's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (8) reviews the Company's annual and quarterly financial statements, including disclosures made in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" set forth in periodic reports filed with the SEC, (9) discusses with management earnings press releases, (10) meets with management, the internal auditors, the independent registered public accounting firm and the Board, (11) provides the Board with information and materials as it deems necessary to make the Board aware of significant financial, accounting and internal control matters of the Company, (12) oversees the receipt, investigation, resolution and retention of all complaints submitted under the Company's Whistleblower Policy, (13) produces an annual report for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement, and (14) otherwise complies with its responsibilities and duties as stated in the Company's Audit Committee Charter.

The Board has determined that all four members of the Audit Committee satisfy the independence and other requirements for audit committee membership of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards and SEC requirements. The Board has also determined that Ms. Gasaway and Messrs. Logue, Morrissey and Walton are audit committee financial experts as defined by the SEC. The Board determined that these members acquired the attributes of an audit committee financial expert through their experience in preparing, auditing, analyzing or evaluating financial statements containing accounting issues as generally complex as the Company's financial statements; actively supervising one or more persons engaged in such activities; and their experience of overseeing or assessing the performance of companies and public accountants with respect to the preparation, auditing or evaluation of financial statements. In 2016, the Audit Committee met seven times. For additional information concerning the Audit Committee, see "Audit Committee Report" below.

Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee (1) determines and approves the compensation of the Company's executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, (2) reviews and approves the annual performance goals and objectives and rewards outstanding performance of the Company's executive officers, including the Chief Executive Officer, (3) establishes and certifies the achievement of performance goals, (4) oversees the Company's incentive compensation and other equity-based compensation plans, (5) reviews and approves compensation recommendations for the Company's non-employee directors, (6) assesses the adequacy and competitiveness of the Company's executive and director compensation programs, (7) reviews and discusses with management the "Compensation Discussion & Analysis" and recommends whether such analysis should be included in the Company's proxy statement filed with the SEC, (8) produces an annual report on executive compensation for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement, and (9) otherwise complies with its responsibilities and duties as stated in the Company's Compensation Committee Charter.

The agenda for meetings of the Compensation Committee is determined by its Chairman with the assistance of the Chairman of the Board and the Company's Secretary. Compensation Committee meetings are regularly attended by several of the Company's officers, including the Chief Executive Officer. Independent advisors and the Company's legal, accounting and human resources departments support the Compensation Committee in fulfilling its responsibilities. The Compensation Committee has sole authority under its charter to retain, compensate and terminate independent advisors as it deems necessary to assist in the fulfillment of its responsibilities. The Compensation Committee met six times in 2016. For more detail on the Compensation Committee, including its role, see "Compensation Discussion & Analysis" and "Compensation Committee Report" below.

None of the individuals serving on the Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or employee of the Company. The Board has determined that all of the members of the Compensation Committee satisfy the independence requirements of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards and SEC requirements. Additionally, all of the members of the Compensation Committee qualify as "non-employee directors" for purposes of SEC requirements, and as "outside directors" for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC Section 162(m)").

Corporate Governance Committee. The Corporate Governance Committee (1) annually reviews the Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines, (2) assists the Board in identifying, screening and recruiting qualified individuals to become Board members, (3) proposes nominations for Board membership and committee membership, (4) assesses the composition of the Board and its committees, (5) oversees the performance of the Board and committees thereof, and (6) otherwise complies with its responsibilities and duties as stated in the Company's Corporate Governance Committee Charter.

The Board has determined that all of the members of the Corporate Governance Committee satisfy the independence requirements of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. The Corporate Governance Committee met two times in 2016.

Pursuant to the respective charter of the Audit, Compensation and Corporate Governance Committee, each committee may appoint subcommittees for any purpose that the committee deems appropriate and delegate to such subcommittees such power and authority as the committee deems appropriate; however, (1) no subcommittee shall consist of fewer than two members, and (2) the committee may not delegate to a subcommittee any power or authority required by any law, regulation or corporate governance listing standard to be exercised by the committee as a whole.

Compensation of Directors

The Compensation Committee reviews annual compensation for directors who are not officers or employees of the Company or its subsidiaries (the "Outside Directors"). The Company uses a combination of cash and equity compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board. All amounts are pro-rated if a director joins the Board after the commencement of the Company's fiscal year. Outside Directors are not compensated for the execution of written consents in lieu of Board and committee meetings.

In setting Outside Director compensation, the Compensation Committee considers the significant amount of time that directors spend in fulfilling their duties to the Company, as well as the skill level required of Board members. The Compensation Committee also reviews competitive compensation data and analysis provided by Frederic W. Cook and Co., Inc. ("FWC"), the Compensation Committee's independent compensation consultant. In determining Outside Director compensation for 2016, the Compensation Committee retained FWC to provide competitive compensation data and analysis of our Outside Director compensation, including retainers, meeting fees and equity compensation awards, as compared to that paid to the non-employee directors of the Company's peer group. The companies included in this peer group are listed in "Peer Group Analysis" in the "Compensation Discussion & Analysis" below. In determining Outside Director compensation for 2016, the Compensation Committee considered the current compensation structure for Outside Directors, market trends with respect to director compensation, including committee retainers vs. individual meeting fees, and Company stock performance. In December 2015, the Compensation Committee determined that 2016 cash and equity compensation for Outside Directors would remain unchanged from 2015 levels. The Board, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, approves changes to the annual compensation for Outside Directors.

Cash Compensation

For 2016, Outside Directors (other than the Chairman of the Board) received the following cash compensation:

•: An annual retainer of $70,000, other than the Lead Independent Director, who received an annual retainer of $110,000;
•: Meeting fees of $2,000 for each Board meeting attended; and
•: Meeting fees of $1,500 for each committee meeting attended, other than the Chairman of each committee, who received fees of $3,000 per committee meeting.

On August 1, 2016, Mr. Herrmann retired as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, but remained non-executive Chairman of the Board. In connection with Mr. Herrmann's retirement, the Compensation Committee retained FWC to provide market compensation information, including for the Company's peer group, for non-employee directors serving as chairman of the board. The Board, upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee, determined that Mr. Herrmann would receive an annual retainer of $325,000, but would not receive meeting fees or equity compensation due to his significant beneficial ownership of the Company's Class A common stock, including unvested restricted stock that would continue to vest during his service on the Board.

The Company also reimburses Outside Directors for travel and lodging expenses, if any, incurred in attending meetings.

Equity Compensation

Equity awards for Outside Directors are intended to increase their beneficial ownership in the Company to more closely align their interests with those of our stockholders. Pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan, Outside Directors are granted 5,000 restricted shares of the Company's Class A common stock upon their initial election to the Board. Following the first year of service, Outside Directors (other than the Chairman of the Board) are granted $125,000 in restricted stock ($207,500 in restricted stock for the Lead Independent Director) based on the closing market price on the grant date, which is the first business day of January unless otherwise determined by the Board. Accordingly, Ms. Gasaway and Messrs. Godlasky, Logue, Morrissey, Raines and Walton were each granted 4,421 shares of restricted stock, and Mr. Kosloff was granted 7,338 shares of restricted stock, on January 4, 2016. Restricted shares granted to Outside Directors do not have a purchase price, vest in 33 ¹ / 3 % increments annually beginning on the second anniversary of the grant date, and are subject to accelerated vesting upon a change of control, death, disability or mandatory retirement. Beginning in 2017, grants of restricted stock to Outside Directors and employees will vest in 25% increments annually beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date in order to be more consistent with the vesting practices of our peers. Dividends are paid on awards of restricted stock at the same rate that is paid to all stockholders generally.

Other Personal Benefits

In addition to the compensation outlined above, Outside Directors also receive the following benefits:

•: At their election, Outside Directors and their spouses are eligible to participate in the Company's group health insurance plan, which is generally available to all Company employees; a portion of the Outside Directors' premiums are paid for by the Company. Ms. Gasaway and Messrs. Godlasky, Herrmann (beginning August 1, 2016), Kosloff, Raines and Walton made this election for 2016.
•: On certain occasions, an Outside Director's spouse may accompany the Outside Director on Company aircraft when the director is attending Board or committee meetings; no incremental cost is incurred by the Company in these instances. The value of these benefits (calculated pursuant to Internal Revenue Service guidelines) is imputed as income to the Outside Director and included as taxable income on their Form 1099-MISC. See footnote 4(a) to the Summary Compensation Table for additional information regarding the value of personal aircraft useage.
•: The Company maintains director and officer insurance coverage and provides Outside Directors with special indemnification rights in the form of an indemnification agreement that exceeds the general rights provided under our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws.
•: The Company also provides individual or family travel insurance policies for Outside Directors, as well as the executive officers, at a nominal cost.
•: Outside Directors may receive occasional perquisites or personal benefits of reasonable value, such as commemorative items in connection with their Board service, holiday gifts and recreational benefits or other services and amenities when attending off-site Board meetings.

The following table reflects the compensation paid to our Outside Directors for 2016.

2016 Director Compensation

Name (1)

(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)	(h)
Sharilyn S. Gasaway	105,000	125,026	-	-	-	13,097	243,123
Thomas C. Godlasky	102,000	125,026	-	-	-	8,573	235,599
Alan W. Kosloff,	151,000	207,519	-	-	-	8,669	367,188
Lead Independent Director
Dennis E. Logue	105,000	125,026	-	-	-	641	230,667
Michael F. Morrissey	120,000	125,026	-	-	-	641	245,667
James M. Raines	105,000	125,026	-	-	-	8,549	238,575
Jerry W. Walton	120,000	125,026	-	-	-	8,549	253,575

(1): Mr. Herrmann's compensation as non-executive Chairman of the Board is included in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table and described in footnote 4(e) thereto.
(2): Represents the grant date fair value computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, " Stock Compensation " ("ASC 718") disregarding any forfeiture assumptions. All awards are valued based on the closing market price of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant ($28.28 for 2016 awards granted on January 4, 2016). As of December 31, 2016, each of Ms. Gasaway and Messrs. Godlasky, Logue, Morrissey, Raines and Walton held 13,004 shares of unvested restricted stock, and Mr. Kosloff held 32,027 shares of unvested restricted stock.
(3): Represents the incremental cost to the Company of all perquisites and personal benefits, as applicable, including: (a) group health insurance premiums subsidized by the Company for Ms. Gasaway and Messrs. Godlasky, Kosloff, Raines and Walton of $12,456, $8,052, $8,028, $8,028 and $8,028, respectively; (b) travel insurance premiums; and (c) a holiday gift.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Board has adopted a Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of the Company's directors, officers and employees. The purpose and role of this code is to focus our directors, officers and employees on areas of ethical risk, provide guidance to help them recognize and deal with ethical issues, provide mechanisms to report unethical or unlawful conduct, and to help enhance and formalize our culture of integrity, honesty and accountability. As required by applicable law, the Company will post on the "Governance Documents" page under the "Corporate Governance" tab on the "Investor Relations" section of its website at ir.waddell.com any amendments or waivers of any provision of this code made for the benefit of executive officers or directors of the Company.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines to assist it in exercising its responsibilities to the Company and its stockholders. The guidelines address, among other items, director responsibilities, Board committees, non-employee director compensation and stock ownership guidelines.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires each director, officer and any individual beneficially owning more than 10% of the Company's Class A common stock to file with the SEC reports of security ownership and reports on subsequent changes in ownership. These reports are generally due within two business days of the transaction giving rise to the reporting obligation.

To the Company's knowledge, all required Section 16(a) filings were timely and correctly made by reporting persons during 2016, except that due to an administrative error, a Form 4 reporting the grant of restricted shares of the Company's Class A common stock to the wife of Benjamin R. Clouse, the Company's Chief Accounting Officer, who is also an employee of the Company, was not timely filed.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The Corporate Governance Committee is charged with the responsibility of reviewing and pre-approving all "related-person transactions" (as defined in SEC regulations), and periodically reassessing any related-person transaction entered into by the Company to ensure its continued appropriateness. This responsibility is set forth in the Company's Corporate Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

Kurt A. Sundeen, the brother of John E. Sundeen, Jr., our Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer – Investments, is an employee of the Company. For the 2016 fiscal year, Kurt Sundeen received an aggregate salary and bonus of $306,615, a matching contribution of $10,600 under the Company's 401(k) and Thrift Plan, and participated in the Company's active employee flexible benefits plans, which are generally available to all Company employees. Additionally, the Company awarded Mr. K. Sundeen 8,532 shares of restricted stock in April 2016 with a grant date fair value of $190,008 calculated in accordance with ASC 718.

The Corporate Governance Committee has reviewed and ratified the employment of Mr. K. Sundeen in accordance with Company policy. The Company does not view Mr. J. Sundeen as having a beneficial interest in this employment relationship that is material to him, nor does Mr. J. Sundeen believe that he has a direct or indirect material interest in the employment relationship of his brother.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During the 2016 fiscal year, none of the Company's executive officers served on the board of directors of any entities whose directors or officers serve as a director of the Company. No current or past executive officers of the Company serve on the Compensation Committee.

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY

The following table reflects all persons known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's Class A common stock as of February 27, 2017. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, "beneficially owned" means the sole power to vote or direct the voting of a security and the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of a security.

Name and Address

The Vanguard Group (1) 100 Vanguard Boulevard Malvern, PA 19355	6,439,946	7.64	%
Blackrock, Inc. (2) 55 East 52 ^nd Street New York, NY 10055	14,951,719	17.74	%

(1): These shares are owned by various investment advisory clients for whom The Vanguard Group serves as investment advisor, or for whom direct investment advisor subsidiaries thereof serve as investment advisors. The reporting stockholder reports sole voting power with respect to 102,215 shares, shared voting power with respect to 9,167 shares, sole investment power with respect to 6,332,997 shares and shared investment power with respect to 106,949 shares. Information relating to this stockholder is based on the stockholder's Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 13, 2017.
(2): These shares are owned by various investment advisory clients for whom Blackrock, Inc. serves as investment advisor. The reporting stockholder reports sole voting power with respect to 14,747,099 shares and sole investment power with respect to 14,951,719 shares. Information relating to this stockholder is based on the stockholder's Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on January 17, 2017. On July 22, 2016, the Company waived the provisions of the its shareholder rights agreement, which generally limit beneficial ownership of the Company's Class A common stock to less than 15% of the shares of Class A common stock outstanding, solely as the provision applies to BlackRock, Inc., its subsidiaries and the various investment funds and accounts for which BlackRock, Inc. or its subsidiaries act as manager and/or investment advisor (collectively, the "BlackRock Investors"). The waiver agreement provides, among other things, that (i) the BlackRock Investors will not, in the aggregate, acquire beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the Company's Class A common stock and (ii) the BlackRock Investors will only acquire beneficial ownership of the Company's securities in the ordinary course of their business and not with the purpose or effect of changing or influencing control of the Company.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any filings of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") that might incorporate future filings by reference, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following Compensation Committee Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings, and shall not be deemed soliciting material or filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion & Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion & Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Compensation Committee

2016 Members

Jerry W. Walton, Chairman
Alan W. Kosloff
Michael F. Morrissey
James M. Raines

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS

The following information contains statements regarding future individual and company performance measures, targets and other goals. These goals are disclosed in the limited context of the Company's executive compensation program and should not be understood to be statements of management's expectations or estimates of results or other guidance. The Company specifically cautions investors not to apply these statements to other contexts.

Introduction

This Compensation Discussion & Analysis, among other things, provides an overview of our executive compensation program, sets forth the objectives and elements of our executive compensation program, and describes the executive compensation decisions with respect to our seven named executive officers for 2016, which includes our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, our next three most highly compensated executive officers, our former Chief Executive Officer, Henry J. Herrmann, who retired in August 2016, and our former President, Michael L. Avery, who retired in June 2016. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to "executive officers" in this proxy statement means our designated executive officers, including our named executive officers, and references to "current named executive officers" means the named executive officers, excluding Messrs. Herrmann and Avery.

Name		Position

Philip J. Sanders		Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer
Brent K. Bloss		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Thomas W. Butch		Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer
Wendy J. Hills		Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
John E. Sundeen, Jr.		Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer – Investments
Henry J. Herrmann		Chairman of the Board and Former Chief Executive Officer
Michael L. Avery		Former President

Executive Summary

The intellectual capital of our employees is collectively the most important asset of our firm. We invest in people – we hire qualified people, train them, motivate them to give their best thinking to the Company and our clients, and compensate them in a manner designed to motivate and retain them. As an asset manager, our financial results are primarily based upon the strength of our investment performance, the success of our marketing and distribution organization, and careful management of our expenses, all of which are directly dependent upon our people and the intellectual capital they bring to bear.

We believe that the quality, expertise and commitment of our executive officers are critical to enhancing the long-term value of the Company. To this end, a core objective in designing our executive compensation program is to deliver competitive total direct compensation ( i.e. , base salary, annual cash incentive award and annual equity incentive award), upon the achievement of financial and operating performance and individual contributions, that will attract, motivate and retain a high-performance executive team. The compensation awarded to our executive officers is substantially dependent on corporate financial and operating performance, as well as individual performance and contributions, which drives the creation of sustainable long-term stockholder value.

The pattern of high correlation among asset classes continued in 2016 resulting in investors continuing to favor passively managed index and exchange-traded funds over actively managed funds. This resulted in continued outflows for our fund lineup in 2016 and fee pressure on active managers. Given these

challenges, along with the uncertainty caused by the Department of Labor's new fiduciary standard, our senior management team focused on significantly reducing expenses to protect profitability and our dividend, and worked to develop new products in response to investor demands. Key financial measures and operational highlights from 2016 include the following:

•: Earnings per share of $1.78 compared to $2.94 in 2015.
•: Net income of $146.9 million compared to $245.5 million in 2015.
•: Operating revenues were $1.2 billion compared to $1.5 billion in 2015.
•: Operating income of $236.4 million compared to $415.9 million in 2015.
•: An operating margin of 19.1% compared to 27.4% in 2015.
•: Cash and investments at year end remained strong, increasing to $883.9 million from $850.2 million at 2015 year end. Our liquidity position allowed us to return $202.6 million to stockholders in 2016 (compared to $224 million in 2015) through $152.8 million in regular annual dividends and $49.8 million in stock repurchases.
•: We implemented a cost reduction program in 2016 that reduced fixed operating costs by approximately 9% from our annual run-rate.
•: We initiated Project E to modernize our retail broker-dealer platform, including the conversion of certain shares classes of our mutual funds and the implementation of new technology to improve the efficiency of the Waddell & Reed independent financial advisors.
•: We expanded our product offerings by partnering with Eaton Vance Corp. to launch a family of Ivy NextShares® exchange-traded managed funds in October 2016. We also introduced the Ivy Targeted Return Bond Fund in January 2016 and the Ivy California Municipal High Income Fund in October 2016. In addition, we introduced the Ivy IG International Small Cap Fund on January 10, 2017.

The Compensation Committee (the "Committee") believes that our executive compensation program plays a significant role in our ability to drive financial and operating results and align the interests of our executive officers with the interests of our stockholders. Key aspects of our executive compensation program in 2016 included the following:

•: A significant portion of each current named executive officer's total direct compensation – approximately 81% on average for 2016 – was "at risk" compensation, delivered in the form of a short-term cash incentive award and a long-term equity incentive award.
•: A significant portion of each current named executive officer's total annual incentive compensation – approximately 79% on average for 2016 – was comprised of an equity incentive award, which drives long-term performance and aligns the interests of our current named executive officers with those of our stockholders.
•: Equity incentive awards were subject to a four-year vesting period to further emphasize long-term performance and commitment to the Company.
•: The Company's Executive Incentive Plan incorporated multiple financial performance measures that were quantifiable and measurable.
•: Each current named executive officer is employed at-will and is expected to demonstrate strong personal performance in order to continue serving as a member of the executive team.
•: The Committee maintains stock ownership guidelines which, along with the design of equity incentive awards, promotes long-term executive stock ownership and aligns executive interests with those of our stockholders. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, all of the current named executive officers exceed these ownership guidelines.

In connection with Mr. Herrmann's retirement and Mr. Sanders' appointment as Chief Executive Officer in August 2016, the Committee reviewed market data compiled by FWC, the Committee's independent compensation consultant, regarding Chief Executive Officer compensation for the Company's peer group and compensation information obtained from the McLagan Partners' Investment Management Survey (the "McLagan Survey"), a widely used and definitive source for compensation information for a significant number of public and private investment management and advisory firms. The Committee used this market data, Mr. Sanders' prior compensation as Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager, and the compensation of the other current named executive officers to determine Mr. Sander's base salary as Chief Executive Officer. The Committee also considered the Company's historical pay practices for its Chief Executive Officer, as well as feedback from the Company's stockholder outreach in connection with the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, and made the following changes to Chief Executive Officer compensation:

•

Reduced Chief Executive Officer annual base salary from $1,000,000 to $725,000; and

•

Eliminated several benefits historically provided to our Chief Executive Officer, including:

•: The change in control agreement, which provided greater severance benefits than the Company's Severance Pay Plan described under "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control" and included a tax gross up payment for any applicable excise taxes on excess parachute payments;
•: Split-dollar life insurance policy; and
•: Supplemental executive retirement plan benefits.

In addition, the Committee made the following additional changes in 2016 to the Company's executive compensation program:

•: Eliminated tax gross-ups for spousal travel on a Company aircraft when the spouse of a director or officer accompanies the director or officer on Company business; and
•: Adopted a clawback policy that allows the Board to recoup incentive compensation from executive officers in the event of a material restatement of the Company's financial results within three years of the original reporting.

Due to the Company's financial performance in 2016, incentive compensation declined approximately 28%, in the aggregate, for the six named executive officers that participated in the Company's Executive Incentive Plan, including a 55% reduction, in the aggregate, in cash incentive compensation and a 15% reduction, in the aggregate, in equity incentive compensation. The increase or decrease in the components of total direct compensation for each named executive officer varied based on factors affecting each respective officer, as well as the need to provide total direct compensation that remains competitive in the marketplace.

2016 Stockholder Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation

In April 2016, the compensation paid to our named executive officers in 2015 was approved by over 78% of the votes cast on the proposal. Prior to the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders, we contacted our largest stockholders to discuss our executive compensation program. The Committee considered the results of the advisory vote and our shareholder outreach in reviewing our executive compensation program and elected to make the changes described above in the "Executive Summary." The Committee will continue to focus on responsible executive compensation practices that attract, motivate and retain high performance executives, reward those executives for the achievement of short-term and long-term performance, and support our other executive compensation objectives, including long-term career development and retention goals.

Compensation Program Objectives

The Company's executive compensation program is intended to attract and retain highly qualified executive talent, provide rewards for the past year's performance, and provide incentives for future performance to drive the creation of stockholder value. More specifically, our executive compensation program objectives are to:

•: Attract, motivate and retain a high-performance executive team with the appropriate expertise and leadership to build and sustain long-term stockholder value;
•: Incentivize and reward short-term and long-term financial, strategic and individual performance that results in increased value for our stockholders; and
•: Align our executives' long-term interests with those of our stockholders.

The investment management and financial services industries are extremely competitive and experienced professionals have significant career mobility. Our intellectual capital is our greatest asset. Our success, and that of our stockholders, depends on our ability to successfully engage a highly skilled and experienced executive team through a combination of career opportunities, a challenging work environment, and competitive compensation, particularly during the difficult financial and economic conditions experienced during recent years. Our executive officers have developed over a number of years as a cohesive and complementary executive team and are considered an invaluable resource. Historically, we have sought to groom internal personnel for executive positions or recruited external candidates with a high degree of experience and knowledge of our industry, believing that executives with industry knowledge are more likely to excel. However, this limits the recruiting pool and makes retention a key focus of our compensation program.

Considering these objectives and factors, the Committee has developed an executive compensation program that continues to be based on the following principles:

•

Compensation levels should be sufficiently competitive to attract, motivate and retain high caliber executives.

•

Appropriate levels of reward for performance should be tied to and vary with the Company's financial and operational performance, as well as individual performance.

•: A majority of total compensation should be "at risk" in the form of short-term and long-term incentive awards.
•: Long-term awards should constitute a significant portion of incentive awards to encourage executives to focus on the Company's long-term growth and prospects.

•

Retirement benefits should comprise an element of executive compensation, which the Committee believes provides a competitive advantage.

Elements of Our Compensation Program

Each element of compensation paid to the Company's executive officers is designed to support one or more of the objectives described above. Total compensation for the executive officers consists of one or more of the following components:

•: Base salary;
•: Annual performance-based incentive awards, including a short-term cash award and long-term equity compensation award;
•: Retirement benefits; and
•: Personal benefits and other perquisites.

How We Determine Compensation

Each year, the Committee makes compensation decisions using an approach that considers total direct compensation ( i.e. , base salary, annual cash incentive awards and annual equity incentive awards). Base salary is generally the smallest component of total direct compensation, which results in a significant portion of our executive officers' compensation being paid in "at risk" incentive compensation. At the beginning of each year, the Committee designates certain of our executive officers to participate in our Executive Incentive Plan. For 2016, the named executive officers that participated in the Executive Incentive Plan were Messrs. Herrmann, Sanders, Bloss, Butch and Sundeen and Ms. Hills. Mr. Avery did not participate in the Executive Incentive Plan in 2016. Incentive compensation awarded pursuant to our Executive Incentive Plan utilized a cash incentive pool and a restricted stock incentive pool. For 2016, the aggregate cash incentive pool was set at 6% of adjusted operating income and the aggregate restricted stock incentive pool was set at 600,000 shares of restricted stock, the maximum amounts of cash and restricted stock that could be awarded to all individuals participating in the Executive Incentive Plan. The maximum cash and equity incentive award each executive officer who participates in the Executive Incentive Plan is eligible to receive is calculated as the individual percentage of the cash incentive pool and restricted stock incentive pool allocated to the executive officer by the Committee. Upon calculating the maximum cash and equity incentive awards each executive officer is eligible to receive pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan, the Committee may exercise its negative discretion, as it did in 2016, to pay actual incentive amounts that are less than those maximum amounts. In determining total direct compensation, the Committee reviews and considers one or more of the following:

•: The Company's financial and operational performance for the year;
•: Market survey information for comparable public and private asset managers;
•: Recommendations of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, based on individual performance and contributions;
•: The previous year's compensation levels for each executive officer; and
•: Overall effectiveness of the executive compensation program.

The Committee may also consider, as applicable, levels of sustained past performance, performance potential, retention risk and the value of the particular compensation element needed to keep an executive's level of total direct compensation competitive and consistent with our executive compensation program's objectives. Although there is no formal policy regarding the relationship of compensation among the executive officers, the Committee also considers the appropriateness of each executive officer's compensation relative to the other executive officers to reflect differences in the scope of authority and responsibilities among executive officers. The actual cash and equity incentive award paid to each executive officer is determined in the Committee's subjective judgment and discretion, based upon the above factors, and its assessment of such compensation's fairness and adequacy in achieving the objectives of our executive compensation program. This approach enables the Committee to be responsive to the dynamics of the labor market, including the need to retain and motivate a particular executive, and provides the Committee with flexibility to compensate our executive officers in a way that reflects the influence and contributions of each executive individually to overall corporate performance and reinforces our pay-for-performance culture. See "Base Salary" and "Annual Performance-Based Incentive Awards" below for further information on base salaries and the methodology under which annual incentive awards are calculated.

Compensation Consultant

The Committee has the authority to engage independent advisors to assist it in carrying out its responsibilities. For 2016, the Committee engaged FWC to (i) review and assess competitive compensation information regarding total direct compensation and individual pay components for the Company's

executive officers, including the current named executive officers, compared to the Company's peer group, (ii) review and assess Outside Director compensation, including compensation for a non-executive chairman of the board following Mr. Herrmann's retirement as Chief Executive Officer, and (iii) provide input and analysis regarding the proposal at the 2016 annual meeting of stockholders to approve amendments to the Stock Incentive Plan. FWC did not provide any other additional services to the Company or management, meet with any members of management individually, or receive any payments from the Company, other than in its capacity as a consultant to the Committee in 2016. FWC has served as the Committee's compensation consultant since 2004. At the Committee's request, FWC provided the Committee with information regarding its independence pursuant to SEC and NYSE disclosure requirements regarding the independence of compensation consultants. This information, which addressed each of the six independence factors, affirmed the independence of FWC and the partners, consultants and employees who service the Committee on executive compensation issues.

Peer Group Analysis

In making executive compensation decisions, the Committee evaluates its executive compensation program against a broad group of companies in the investment management and financial services industries representative of companies against which the Company competes for executive talent. In 2016, the Committee undertook, with the assistance of FWC, a review of the composition of our compensation peer group and determined that no changes were necessary. With the assistance of FWC, the Committee compared the Company's executive compensation program in 2016 against this peer group, which consists of:

•

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

•

Franklin Resources, Inc.

•

AllianceBernstein Holding L.P.

•

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

•

Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc.

•

Janus Capital Group Inc.

•

Eaton Vance Corp.

•

Legg Mason, Inc.

•

Federated Investors, Inc.

•

T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.

The Committee believes that the Company competes for market share, shelf space, mutual fund shareholders and institutional clients, executive talent and employees with each of these 10 publicly traded asset managers. Additionally, this peer group comprises 10 of the 42 companies in the SNL Asset Manager Index, a composite of publicly traded asset management companies used by SNL Financial for comparison purposes in preparing the Company's stock performance graph. The peer group does not include the 31 additional companies comprising the SNL Asset Manager Index due to their size, business orientation and/or status as a foreign corporation.

The Committee reviews compensation information of the peer group compared to that of the Company based on both the 1 ^st through 5 ^th most highly paid officer positions, and information comparing titled officer positions, if available. In evaluating competitive compensation information of the peer group, the Committee does not target our executives' compensation to be paid at a specific percentile or limit its overall evaluation of competitive compensation to a particular percentile, but does take into consideration, on a non-formulaic basis, various differences between the Company and the comparison companies, including measures such as market capitalization, number of employees, assets under management, revenues, income and profitability (income per $1 billion of assets under management).

The Committee also reviews competitive compensation information obtained from the McLagan Survey. It provides detailed analyses of compensation for a greater depth of investment management employees than is available for our public peers and is specifically focused on the asset management industry. Confidentiality obligations to McLagan Partners and to its survey participants prevent us from disclosing the firms included in the McLagan Survey. In addition, the McLagan Survey maintains the

confidentiality of individual company pay practices from other participants. The Committee reviewed the results of the McLagan Survey to account for differences in the scale and scope of operations of participant companies, evaluate the overall competitive position of the Company, as well as its position by business unit and by officer title, and to make comparisons on an officer by officer basis, where sufficient market data was available and an appropriate match of position and responsibilities could be made.

The Committee considers the compensation information derived from the peer group and the McLagan Survey equally relevant and important, with neither source of information being a determining factor in setting executive compensation levels.

Management's Role in the Compensation Setting Process and Other Considerations

Our Chief Executive Officer regularly attends Committee meetings and advises the Committee regarding, among other things, the design and effectiveness of the Company's performance measures, the general competitiveness of our compensation program, information on the Company's business strategies and objectives, financial results and other measures of corporate performance, and historical context regarding the link between the Company's strategic goals and various elements of compensation. The Committee also requests our Chief Executive Officer to evaluate the performance of the executive officers who report directly to him, including the other current named executive officers, and to make recommendations to the Committee regarding their base salary levels and the form and amount of their annual cash incentive award and equity incentive award. In 2016, Mr. Sanders evaluated the performance of the other current executive officers and neither Mr. Sanders nor Mr. Herrmann made any recommendations with respect to his own base salary or, for Mr. Sanders, his performance-based incentive awards.

Mr. Sanders' recommendations are based on his subjective evaluations regarding the individual performance and contributions of each of the other executive officers in furthering the Company's success, building stockholder value and executing individual responsibilities, which may include:

•: Individual performance and contributions to financial and operational measures;
•: Operational management, such as project milestones and process improvements;
•: Internal working and reporting relationships that promote collaboration and teamwork;
•: Leadership, including the ability to develop and motivate employees and personal development; and
•: Individual expertise, skills and knowledge relevant to each executive's position and responsibilities, the potential to assume increased responsibilities, and long-term value to the Company.

With respect to Mr. Sanders' position and responsibilities, the Committee considers his company-wide oversight and management, execution and success of the Company's business and strategic initiatives, the Company's financial and operating results, the creation of stockholder value, leadership of the investment management process, his years of industry experience, the size and complexity of the Company's business, and effective leadership of the Company's management team.

The Committee does not assign individual weight or particular emphasis to any of the above factors; the emphasis placed on any specific factor or individual contribution may vary by executive officer.

Our Chief Financial Officer, Brent K. Bloss, regularly attends Committee meetings and advises the Committee as necessary regarding the Company's financial results or accounting rules that are relevant to incentive compensation or other matters that come before the Committee, and provides the Committee with historical and prospective compensation information relevant to their determinations. Additionally, our General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary, Wendy J. Hills, also regularly attends Committee meetings and provides advice regarding legal and corporate governance matters, details regarding our

stock award and incentive compensation plans, and other requested information related to Committee discussions.

Analysis of 2016 Compensation

The Committee's focus is to set competitive pay levels on an annual basis, and to ensure a significant portion of compensation is performance-based. Consistent with the philosophy that a majority of total direct compensation should be "at risk," the current named executive officers received, on average, approximately 19% of their total direct compensation for 2016 in base salary and approximately 81% in variable incentive compensation (based on the grant date fair value of 2016 equity incentive awards). In 2016, incentive compensation declined 28%, in the aggregate, for the six named executive officers that participated in the Company's Executive Incentive Plan, including a 55% reduction, in the aggregate, in cash incentive compensation and a 15% reduction, in the aggregate, in equity incentive compensation. The increase or decrease in the components of total direct compensation for each named executive officer varied based on specific factors affecting each respective officer, as well as the need to provide total direct compensation that remains competitive in the marketplace.

2016 Operating Environment

Investor concerns regarding, among other things, fluctuating oil prices, ongoing geopolitical risk and the outcome of the U.S. presidential election contributed to a difficult market environment during 2016. The pattern of high correlation among asset classes continued in 2016, resulting in investors continuing to favor passively managed index and exchange-traded funds over actively managed funds. This resulted in continued outflows for our fund lineup in 2016 and fee pressure on active managers.

To protect profitability and our dividend during a period of declining revenues and assets under management, we implemented a cost reduction program in 2016 that reduced fixed operating costs by approximately 9% from our annual run-rate. In addition, our management team has worked to implement the Department of Labor's new fiduciary standard and will continue this work in 2017. Following are key operational highlights during 2016:

•: Cash flow from operations and our liquidity position allowed us to return $202.6 million to stockholders through dividends and stock repurchases (compared to $224 million in 2015), while ending the year with $883.9 million of cash and investments compared to $850.2 million at 2015 year end.
•: We initiated Project E to modernize our retail broker-dealer platform, including the conversion of certain shares classes of our mutual funds and the implementation of new technology to improve the efficiency of the Waddell & Reed independent financial advisors.
•: We expanded our product offerings by partnering with Eaton Vance Corp. to launch a family of Ivy NextShares® exchange-traded managed funds in October 2016. We also introduced the Ivy Targeted Return Bond Fund in January 2016 and the Ivy California Municipal High Income Fund in October 2016. In addition, we introduced the Ivy IG International Small Cap Fund on January 10, 2017.
•: The breadth and quality of our product line, and our flexibility and expertise in marketing it, continued in 2016. We continued progress in product sales diversification, with 19 strategies with more than $1 billion in total assets and six strategies with more than $500 million in total assets by year end. We offer 15 different strategies in our Institutional channel, including two with more than $1 billion in total assets.

We continue to work hard to ensure our firm's ability to compete, succeed and – most important – serve investors well across the many different market cycles and business challenges that companies in our business inevitably face.

Base Salary

We provide our executive officers with a base level of monthly income for the expertise, skills, knowledge and experience they offer to our management team. Base salaries are reviewed annually by the Committee.

Mr. Herrmann did not receive a salary increase for 2016, and had not received a salary increase since 2008. In connection with his promotion to Chief Executive Officer in August 2016, the Committee increased Mr. Sanders' base salary from $525,000 to $725,000, which is approximately 28% lower than Mr. Herrmann's annual base salary when he retired. To determine Mr. Sanders' base salary, the Committee (i) reviewed compensation data provided by FWC for the Company's peer group and market data from the McLagan Survey, (ii) reviewed Mr. Sanders' prior compensation as Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager, and the compensation of the other current named executive officers, and (iii) considered the prior compensation practices for Mr. Herrmann during his tenure as Chief Executive Officer.

The Committee reviewed the base salary of each other named executive officer for 2016 and, based on Mr. Herrmann's recommendations in December 2015, Messrs. Butch, Sundeen and Avery did not receive a base salary increase for 2016. The Committee increased base salaries for Mr. Bloss and Ms. Hills for 2016 approximately 6-7% in recognition of their increased responsibilities and internal pay equity among the executive officers.

For a further description of the base salaries paid to the named executive officers in 2016, please refer to the Summary Compensation Table below.

Annual Performance-Based Incentive Awards

Certain executive officers are eligible to receive annual performance-based incentive awards under the Executive Incentive Plan. These incentive awards, granted from cash and restricted stock incentive pools, provide an incentive for annual performance in building stockholder value, align our executives' interests with that of our stockholders, and encourage retention and a long-term commitment to the Company, all of which are reinforced by the vesting provisions of our equity incentive awards. The size of the incentive pools are determined upon the achievement of pre-established performance goals that are set by the Committee in the first quarter of each year.

The Committee has discretion to designate the executive officers of the Company that are eligible to receive such incentive awards, as well as to set the percentage of the incentive pools each participant is entitled to earn upon achievement of the performance goals, as discussed below. For 2016, Messrs. Herrmann, Sanders, Bloss, Butch and Sundeen and Ms. Hills participated as named executive officers in the Executive Incentive Plan. Mr. Avery did not participate in the Executive Incentive Plan during 2016, as he announced his retirement before the Committee established performance goals for 2016. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, award compensation that is not contingent upon the achievement of performance goals or reduce or eliminate entirely the amount of incentive awards payable to any participant upon attainment of the performance goals, but any such reduction may not increase the awards of another participant. In the event the Committee awards compensation that is not contingent upon the achievement of performance goals, the award may not be deductible by the Company under IRC Section 162(m).

Determination of Incentive Compensation Pools . Since 2003, performance-based incentive awards have been based on incentive pool formulas established under the Executive Incentive Plan. The Committee annually reviews the adjusted operating income percentage used to fund the cash incentive pool, the adjusted ROE percentage threshold, and the number of shares of the Company's Class A common stock available for the equity incentive pool when it sets the performance goals, which it did in March 2016 for the 2016 performance period.

For 2016, the size of the incentive pool available for cash incentive awards was based upon 6% of the Company's 2016 "adjusted operating income," defined as net income (i) increased by interest expense; federal, state and local income taxes; executive cash incentive awards; extraordinary or non-recurring losses ($47.4 million comprised of pension settlement, severance and intangible impairment charges); and losses from publicly-disclosed acquisitions in 2016 (of which there were none) and (ii) decreased by extraordinary or non-recurring gains ($8.5 million curtailment gain related to an amendment to our postretirement medical plan) and gains from publicly-disclosed acquisitions (of which there were none), for a total of $16,510,544.

Operating income is used by the Company and investors as a measure of the Company's underlying profitability and fluctuates with the Company's performance, which in turn creates an incentive pool that moves with the Company's performance. It is adjusted in order to provide a measure of performance that reflects the influence and contributions of each participating executive on a relatively equal basis and excludes items that, for example, may be disproportionately influenced by the business decisions of one executive more than others, or that are not indicative of our business and economic trends. This results in a measure of our executive officers' management of the Company's operating business as a whole. In setting the discretionary 6% threshold, the Committee considered industry practice, recommendations of FWC regarding the performance measure, the number of executive officers participating in the Executive Incentive Plan, historical operating results, the need to have the ability to reward extraordinary performance, when and if achieved, and cash incentive awards granted in prior years.

Equity incentive awards were based upon the attainment of a 20% "adjusted return on equity" or "adjusted ROE" defined as adjusted operating income divided by average stockholders' equity for the year, with ending stockholders' equity (i) increased by executive cash incentive awards, extraordinary or non-recurring losses ($47.4 million comprised of pension settlement, severance and intangible impairment charges), and losses from publicly-disclosed acquisitions in 2016 (of which there were none), and (ii) decreased by extraordinary or non-recurring gains ($8.5 million curtailment gain related to an amendment to our postretirement medical plan) and gains from publicly-disclosed acquisitions in 2016 (of which there were none). Return on equity is a measure of how well the Company uses stockholders' equity to generate net income. Upon the attainment of a 20% adjusted ROE, 600,000 shares of the Company's Class A common stock were eligible for issuance from the restricted stock incentive pool. In 2015, the adjusted ROE threshold was 40%. However, based on the level of stockholders' equity, which had increased significantly over the past few years, and declining revenues based on assets under management, the Committee reduced the threshold to 20% based upon the 2016 forecast. In setting the discretionary 20% threshold and the maximum 600,000 share level, the Committee considered adjusted return on equity for the industry, the number of executive officers participating in the Executive Incentive Plan, historical equity incentive awards, the need to have the ability to reward extraordinary performance, when and if achieved, and the expected difficulty of achieving the desired results. The Company's adjusted ROE in 2016 was 32%.

Percentage Allocations . The maximum percentage of the incentive pools that each participating executive is eligible to receive is based on the Committee's subjective judgment and primarily determined relative to each individual's scope of authority and complexity of responsibilities. The Committee also takes into consideration internal equity within the incentive compensation structures and the overall compensation structure of individual positions.

The Company's Chief Executive Officer has comprehensive oversight and management responsibilities across the entire organization and is held primarily responsible for the Company's financial results. In addition, Mr. Sanders continues to oversee the investment management division, as Chief Investment Officer. The investment management division and our distribution organization, which Mr. Butch oversees, represent the two business units with the most influence on our success and the creation of stockholder value. Therefore, the incentive compensation of Messrs. Sanders and Butch is more variable from year to year compared to the incentive compensation of the other current named

executive officers based on the financial and operating performance of the investment management division and distribution organization, respectively. Prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sanders also served as portfolio manager for several of our mutual funds and various institutional accounts for which he was eligible to receive cash commissions as described below under "Portfolio Manager Revenue Sharing."

For 2016, the Committee designated Messrs. Herrmann, Sanders, Bloss, Butch and Sundeen and Ms. Hills eligible to earn 30%, 20%, 10%, 20%, 10% and 10%, respectively, of the cash incentive pool and 30%, 20%, 10%, 20%, 10% and 10%, respectively, of the restricted stock pool, consistent with the philosophy that individuals with greater roles and the ability to directly impact the Company's performance goals and long-term results should bear a greater proportion of the risk if our performance measures are not achieved. These percentage allocations were established in the first quarter of 2016 while Mr. Herrmann was still Chief Executive Officer.

Use of Negative Discretion . Pursuant to IRC Section 162(m) and the Executive Incentive Plan, the Committee may exercise its discretion to pay actual incentive amounts that are less than the maximum amounts that the executive officers are eligible to receive upon the achievement of the objective pre-established performance goals determined by the Committee. The maximum cash or equity incentive award that each executive officer is eligible to receive, calculated as the percentage of the incentive pools assigned to each executive officer, is not an expectation of actual incentive compensation amounts that will be paid to the executive officers, but a cap on the range of compensation ($0 to the maximum amount) that an individual may be paid while maintaining the tax deductibility of the incentive compensation as "performance-based" compensation for purposes of IRC Section 162(m). The maximum incentive award amount may be awarded under extraordinary circumstances or for extraordinary performance, although the Committee more often determines incentive awards that are less than the maximum amount the executive officer is eligible to earn. This provides the Committee with the flexibility to compensate executives for truly exceptional performance without paying more than is necessary to incentivize and retain our executive officers. The Committee believes that this incentive compensation structure is in the best interests of stockholders because it enables the most prudent use of Company assets by maximizing the deductibility of performance-based compensation while empowering the Committee to pay only those amounts it determines are necessary to appropriately compensate executives.

2016 Cash and Equity Incentive Awards . In determining 2016 cash and equity incentive awards, the Committee considered the Company's financial and operating performance for the year and Mr. Sanders' recommendations based on his assessment of the other current named executive officers' individual performance and contributions.

The Committee determined the level of incentive compensation, if any, to award to Messrs. Herrmann and Sanders based on their service as Chief Executive Officer for a portion of the year. The Committee did not award Mr. Herrmann any incentive compensation for 2016 due to his retirement and eligibility for distributions pursuant to the SERP, as well as the Company's Retirement Income Plan and 401(k) and Thrift Plan. With respect to Mr. Sanders, the Committee reduced his cash incentive award compared to 2015 and provided approximately 85% of his incentive compensation in the form of equity to incentivize the long-term performance of the Company and align his interest with our stockholders.

The Committee accepted Mr. Sanders' recommendations with respect to 2016 cash incentive awards for the other current named executive officers, and awarded Messrs. Sanders, Bloss, Butch and Sundeen and Ms. Hills awards of $500,000, $425,000, $425,000, $350,000 and $350,000, respectively. The cash incentive awards for Messrs. Sanders and Butch decreased by 17% and 43%, respectively, compared to 2015 due to the Company's financial and operating performance in 2016, which is driven by the performance of our investment management division and our distribution organization for which they are responsible, and to align their cash incentive awards with those of the other current named executive officers. The cash incentive awards for Messrs. Bloss and Sundeen remained flat in 2016. Ms. Hills' cash

incentive award increased from 2015 in order to provide more competitive compensation related to her position and the Committee's desire to shift a portion of her incentive compensation from equity to cash based on the relative percentage between the two incentive compensation components compared to the other current named executive officers. The Committee believed that these cash incentive award amounts were appropriate based on Company financial and operating performance and individual performance and contributions as described below.

The Committee also accepted Mr. Sanders' recommendations with respect to equity incentive awards for the other current named executive officers, and awarded Messrs. Sanders, Bloss, Butch and Sundeen and Ms. Hills 120,000, 60,000, 94,500, 55,700 and 60,000 shares of restricted stock, respectively, pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan. The Committee believes that equity incentive awards must be sufficient in size to provide a strong, long-term performance and retention incentive for executives, and to increase their vested interest in the Company. The restricted stock awarded to Messrs. Sanders and Bloss and Ms. Hills pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan represents the maximum number of shares the Committee could grant to each individual based on their respective allocated percentage of the 600,000 share restricted stock incentive pool. However, the Committee desired to increase the total direct compensation for each of Messrs. Sanders and Bloss and Ms. Hills due to their individual performance and internal pay equity among the current named executive officers without increasing their cash incentive compensation pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan. Therefore, the Committee made a discretionary grant of 23,500, 15,600 and 2,600 shares of restricted stock, respectively, to Messrs. Sanders and Bloss and Ms. Hills.

As described above, the value of Mr. Sanders' equity award increased compared to 2015 due to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer and the desire by the Committee to link Mr. Sanders' incentive compensation to the long-term performance of the Company. The value of Mr. Bloss' equity award increased compared to 2015 based on his increased operational responsibilities. The value of Mr. Butch's equity incentive award decreased compared to 2015 consistent with the decrease in his cash incentive award described above. Despite the discretionary grant of restricted stock described above, the value of Ms. Hills' equity award decreased compared to 2015 due to the Committee's desire to shift a portion of her incentive compensation from equity to cash based on the relative percentage between the two compensation components compared to the other current named executive officers. The value of Mr. Sundeen's equity incentive award increased slightly compared to 2015 based on internal pay equity among the current named executive officers and due to his individual performance, including his contributions to product development and fund operations.

These equity awards were granted on December 31, 2016 and vest in 25% increments annually, beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. This is a change from prior awards that vested in 33 ¹ / 3 increments annually, beginning on the second anniversary of the grant date. The Committee modified the vesting schedule in order to be more consistent with the vesting practices of our peers. For a further description of the restricted stock granted to the named executive officers in 2016, please refer to the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table below.

Due to the decline in our 2016 financial performance compared to 2015, incentive compensation declined 28%, in the aggregate, for the six named executive officers that participated in the Company's Executive Incentive Plan, including a 55% reduction, in the aggregate, in cash incentive compensation and a 15% reduction, in the aggregate, in equity incentive compensation. However, the decrease in the Company's stock price during 2016 resulted in an increase in the number of shares granted to each current named executive officer. The Committee believed that these equity incentive awards were appropriate due to Company financial and operating performance and individual performance and contributions, as well as to further align the interests of the current named executive officers with the Company's stockholders.

The 2016 annual incentive compensation awards described above reflect the Committee's determination to (1) award incentive compensation in light of the Company's 2016 financial performance balanced with the need to provide total direct compensation that remains competitive in the marketplace and (2) reflect, as appropriate, differences in the current named executive officers' scope of authority and responsibilities, the assumption of additional responsibilities, and an appropriate balance of total direct compensation between cash and equity.

Mr. Sanders discussed with the Committee the following individual performance considerations that impacted his award recommendations:

•: Mr. Bloss : Mr. Bloss continues to direct the finance division and oversees all financial matters for the Company, including financial performance, treasury management, strategic planning, budgeting and investor relations. He also oversees Human Resources, Procurement, Facilities and Investment Management Operations. Mr. Bloss' financial leadership in a difficult financial market for active managers helped the Company implement a cost reduction program in 2016 that reduced fixed operating costs by approximately 9% from our annual run rate. Mr. Bloss administered the Company's capital management initiatives during the year, including the return of $202.6 million to shareholders through a combination of stock repurchases and regular dividends, resulting in a payout ratio of 138% for the fiscal year. During 2016, Mr. Bloss assumed significant additional responsibilities, including oversight of our Information Technology department and enhanced operational responsibilities to support Mr. Sanders' as he transitioned to Chief Executive Officer. In addition, Mr. Bloss has led our process to implement changes to our business processes due to the Department of Labor's new fiduciary standard.
•: Mr. Butch : Mr. Butch is responsible for all aspects of the Company's distribution strategies and initiatives for the Retail Unaffiliated, Retail Broker-Dealer and Institutional channels, including sales, marketing, product development, and management of the Company's broker/dealer subsidiaries and their strategic relationships with key business partners. The Company's continuing focus on product sale diversification efforts resulted in 19 strategies with more than $1 billion in total assets and six strategies with more than $500 million in total assets by year end. In the Advisors channel, the redemption rate of 11.1% in 2016 remained significantly below industry standard levels. In addition, Mr. Butch led the introduction of the Ivy NextShares family of exchange traded managed funds in October 2016, as well as the Ivy Targeted Return Bond Fund in January 2016, the Ivy California Municipal High Income Fund in October 2016 and the Ivy IG International Small Cap Fund in January 2017. Finally, Mr. Butch led Project E to modernize the operating and product framework within the Retail Broker-Dealer channel and has been instrumental in our process to implement changes to our business processes due to the Department of Labor's new fiduciary standard.
•: Ms. Hills : Ms. Hills directs the Company's legal and compliance functions, coordinates the work performed by inside and outside counsel and represents the Company, as General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer, with external agencies and regulators. She is responsible for the proactive identification and management of legal, compliance and business risks, management of the Company's regulatory and legal matters and related expenses, and the provision of sound legal advice to the Company's Board of Directors and its committees, Company management, and the boards of trustees of the Company's affiliated mutual fund companies. In 2016, Ms. Hills demonstrated strong leadership and advocacy at all levels of the Company, particularly within the legal and compliance divisions, in effectively managing the Company's regulatory and legal matters, including legal expenses. Additionally, she has been instrumental in our process to implement changes to our business processes due to the Department of Labor's new fiduciary standard, and the Company's strategic plans and business initiatives. Ms. Hills continues to be significantly involved in corporate and strategic initiatives and the analyses of legal and business risks, as well as integrating senior members of her staff into that process.

•: Mr. Sundeen : Mr. Sundeen has day-to-day management and oversight responsibility over administrative and operational aspects of our investment management subsidiaries, including strategic analysis and starting in 2016, oversight of investment risk management. In this role, he oversees our subadvisory relationships and leads the Section 15(c) process in which the Board of Trustees for each of our affiliated mutual funds must annually review and approve its investment management agreements. Mr. Sundeen also oversees fund accounting and administration. Related to these roles, Mr. Sundeen is central to analyzing the pricing of the Company's investment products, including investment management fees and other fund expenses. Mr. Sundeen plays a primary role in product development, and was instrumental in the introduction of the Ivy NextShares family of exchange traded managed funds in October 2016, as well as the Ivy Targeted Return Bond Fund in January 2016, the Ivy California Municipal High Income Fund in October 2016 and the Ivy IG International Small Cap Fund in January 2017. In 2016, Mr. Sundeen has been instrumental in our process to implement changes to our business processes due to the Department of Labor's new fiduciary standard.

The Committee believes that the levels of cash and equity incentive compensation awarded to the current named executive officers in 2016 appropriately reflect corporate performance and individual contributions and maintain a high level of incentive for retention and future performance, which is consistent with the Company's executive compensation objectives. This determination is guided by a basic formulaic process, but also involves the exercise of discretion and subjective judgment by the Committee taking into account the above referenced information. For a further description of the incentive awards paid to each of the current named executive officers in 2016, please refer to the Summary Compensation Table below.

Deferred Compensation

Shortly after our initial public offering in 1998, the Company determined that the retirement benefits that previously had been offered to certain executive officers under the benefit plans of our former parent company were insufficient. Based on this determination, the Company adopted the Supplemental Executive Retirement Income Plan, as amended and restated (the "SERP") to supplement retirement benefits provided by the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan, as amended and restated (the "401(k) Plan") and the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Retirement Income Plan, as amended and restated (the "Pension Plan"), to retain executive talent and to maintain a competitive total compensation package. At the time of adoption, three executives were eligible to participate in the SERP, including Mr. Herrmann. In 2007, the Committee determined that retirement benefits payable under the Pension Plan and SERP were sufficient to provide Mr. Herrmann with adequate retirement income, and therefore, no non-formula discretionary contribution would be made by the Company in future years. In connection with Mr. Herrmann's retirement in August 2016, Mr. Herrmann received a lump sum payment of his SERP account balance in February 2017; following which the Committee terminated the SERP.

In addition, the Company administers the Portfolio Managers Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated (the "Portfolio Managers Plan"). Designated portfolio managers and assistant portfolio managers are required to defer 30% of their annual cash incentive into selected hypothetical investment vehicles, which must include one or more of the mutual funds or series of mutual funds managed by the participant, and may include other equity or fixed income funds managed by the Company. Participants' accounts are annually credited (or charged) with an amount equal to the performance of the selected hypothetical investment vehicles since the last preceding year. Mr. Sanders participated in the Portfolio Managers Plan as a portfolio manager in years prior to 2011. The balance of Mr. Sanders' account in the Portfolio Managers Plan was paid to him in January 2016.

For a description of material plan provisions and further information on SERP benefits paid to Mr. Herrmann and benefits paid to Mr. Sanders under the Portfolio Managers Plan, please refer to "Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans" below.

Retirement Benefits

We provide retirement benefits to all of our employees, including the named executive officers, through the Pension Plan and the 401(k) Plan. These plans are designed in combination, along with the SERP, to provide an appropriate level of replacement income upon retirement.

In 2016, the Company made matching contributions for each of the named executive officers under the 401(k) Plan. For a description of material provisions of the Pension Plan, please refer to "Pension Benefits" below.

Portfolio Manager Revenue Sharing

Portfolio managers who manage institutional accounts with certain investment styles are eligible to participate in revenue sharing arrangements in recognition of their direct role in the sales process in the institutional sales market, as well as their continued role in client service throughout the life of the account. Under these arrangements, participating portfolio managers are eligible to receive a percentage, which decreases over a number of years, of the management fees earned by the Company, allocated among multiple portfolio managers who manage accounts of the same investment style. Specifically, participants share in up to 20% of the management fees generated during the first year, up to 15% during the second year and up to 5% thereafter for (1) new accounts owned by institutional clients, (2) contributions to such accounts equal to 20% or more of the account's market value at the time of such contribution, and (3) accounts with daily or weekly net contributions that aggregate, on the anniversary date of the account, to 10% or more of the account's market value.

Mr. Sanders received revenue sharing compensation in 2016 related to his portfolio management responsibilities prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in August 2016, as described in footnote 4(d) of the Summary Compensation Table below.

Personal Benefits and Other Perquisites

The named executive officers are eligible to participate in the Company's active employee flexible benefits plans, which include medical, vision, life insurance and long-term disability coverage and are generally available to all Company employees. Additionally, all of the Company's employees are entitled to vacation, sick leave and other paid holidays, and may be eligible for severance payments under a severance pay plan further described below. The Committee believes that the Company's commitment to provide the employee benefits summarized above recognizes that the health and well-being of the Company's employees contribute directly to a productive and successful work life that enhances results for the Company and its stockholders.

The Company provides all full-time employees with (1) life insurance coverage equal to two times the sum of the employee's current base salary plus the prior year's bonus/commissions, up to a maximum of $2 million in coverage, and (2) long-term disability coverage equal to 60% of the employee's current base salary plus the prior year's bonus/commissions, up to a maximum annual benefit of $90,000 ($240,000 for designated senior executives based on job grade). Prior to his retirement in August 2016, Mr. Herrmann's life insurance coverage under the Company's general program was limited to $50,000 and was supplemented by an endorsement style split-dollar insurance policy, to provide Mr. Herrmann with competitive benefits and replace coverage that was not offered to him under the Company's group life insurance program. This policy was owned, and the premiums were paid, by the Company (with the beneficiary selected by Mr. Herrmann in the event of his death prior to a termination of his service) and was governed by an agreement between the Company and the trustees of Mr. Herrmann's irrevocable trust (the "Insurance Agreement") that entitled the trustees to elect to have the policy transferred to the trust following a termination of the Insurance Agreement (other than due to death), provided that Mr. Herrmann paid to the Company the greater of the aggregate premiums that the Company had paid on the policy or the then net cash surrender value of the policy. Mr. Herrmann was not entitled to any interest

in the cash surrender value of this policy. In connection with his retirement, the Insurance Agreement was terminated and the Company cancelled this policy in 2016.

In addition to the personal benefits discussed above, the named executive officers may receive the following perquisites:

Company Aircraft

Pursuant to the Company's Aircraft Policy, the named executive officers and other management employees are provided use of Company aircraft for business purposes. Additionally, pursuant to an executive security program established by the Committee and approved by the Board, the Company encourages its Chief Executive Officer to use Company aircraft for personal as well as business travel, when practicable. The other named executive officers are provided use of Company aircraft for personal travel in limited circumstances.

From time to time, executives may be accompanied by family members invited to attend business functions, which is deemed "personal use" of the Company aircraft by the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes. Although the Company does not incur any incremental costs for such "personal use," the taxable value of such use, calculated pursuant to Internal Revenue Service guidelines, is imputed as income to the named executive officers. Prior to 2016, we provided tax gross-up reimbursements relating to taxable values imputed to the named executive officers for such "personal use" of Company aircraft. However, beginning in 2016, we eliminated the practice of providing tax gross-up reimbursement for this imputed income. The methodology used to determine the Company's incremental cost for personal aircraft usage is described in footnote 4(a) of the Summary Compensation Table below.

Financial Services

The Company reimburses the named executive officers for financial counseling services, which may include financial, estate and/or tax planning, and tax preparation assistance. The Committee believes providing this perquisite allows the named executive officers to more efficiently manage their time and financial affairs and to focus more time and attention on the Company's business issues.

Other Perquisites

The Company also provides the named executive officers (1) reimbursement of country club membership dues, (2) an annual executive physical, (3) travel insurance policies for the named executive officers and, at their election, their immediate family members, and (4) access to tickets to various sporting, civic, cultural, charity and entertainment events if the event tickets are not otherwise being used for business purposes. For further information on perquisites received by the named executive officers in 2016, please refer to the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table below.

The Committee has determined to offer the above-described personal benefits and perquisites in order to attract and retain the named executive officers by offering compensation opportunities that are competitive with the Company's peers. The Committee believes these benefits and perquisites provide a more tangible incentive than an equivalent amount of cash compensation. In determining total compensation payable to the named executive officers for 2016, the Committee considered these benefits and perquisites. However, as these benefits and perquisites represent a relatively insignificant portion of the named executive officers' total compensation, they did not materially influence the Committee's decision in setting such officers' total compensation.

Equity Compensation Program in General

The Company maintains an equity compensation program for key employees, including the current named executive officers, in order to attract and retain employees who contribute to the Company's success, to provide incentives that enhance job performance, and to enable those persons to participate in the long-term success of the Company. In recent years, these awards have been in the form of restricted stock. Equity compensation awards granted to non-executive officers in 2017 will be comprised of 50% restricted stock and 50% cash-settled restricted stock units ("RSUs"), which are economically equivalent to restricted stock from the recipient's perspective. The Committee granted RSUs to non-executives to preserve the number of shares available for issuance pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan.

Prior to December 2016, restricted stock awards typically vested in 33 ¹ / 3 % increments beginning on the second anniversary of the grant date. However, beginning with awards granted on December 31, 2016, restricted stock awards will vest in 25% increments beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date in order to be more consistent with the vesting practices of our peers. All restricted stock awards are classified in the Company's financial statements as equity awards.

The Committee has approved, and will continue to approve, all grants of equity compensation. Although Company management, including the Chief Executive Officer, makes recommendations to the Committee from time to time on the form and amount of equity incentive awards to be granted to Company employees, such awards are approved by the Committee; the Committee does not expect to delegate such approval authority to the Company's executive officers or any subcommittee in the foreseeable future. Additionally, the Committee determines the grant date of all equity incentive awards; the Company's executive officers may not unilaterally select the grant date of awards. In March 2016, at the same time the Committee approved the 2016 performance goals for executive officers that participated in the Executive Incentive Plan, the Committee set the grant date for the current named executive officers' 2016 equity incentive awards as December 2016. The 2016 equity incentive awards for the current named executive officers were granted on December 31, 2016, the last day of the performance period for which the incentive awards were earned. Equity incentive awards for all awardees, other than executive officers, have historically been awarded in April of each year. The current named executive officers receive their equity incentive awards in December, in lieu of April, for administrative purposes only. Beginning in 2017, equity awards for home office employees, including the Investment Management Division, were granted in January 2017 to more closely align with the grant date for executive officers.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, grants of equity incentive awards have been made in months other than December and April on a very limited basis, but these occurrences did not involve grants to executive officers as an isolated group. The Company does not have a formal policy on timing equity incentive awards in connection with the release of material non-public information to affect the value of compensation. In the event that material non-public information becomes known to the Committee prior to granting equity incentive awards, the Committee will take the existence of such information under advisement and make an assessment in its business judgment whether to delay the grant of the award in order to avoid any impropriety.

Tax Considerations

IRC Section 162(m) places a limit of $1,000,000 on the amount of compensation the Company may deduct for federal income tax purposes in any one year with respect to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the next three most highly compensated officers, excluding the Chief Financial Officer, that were employed by the Company on the last day of the fiscal year. However, compensation that is "performance-based" ( i.e. , compensation that is paid pursuant to pre-established objective performance goals that are based on criteria approved by the stockholders and is determined and administered by the Committee according to related regulations) is excluded from this $1,000,000 limitation and is deductible by the Company.

In reviewing the effectiveness of the executive compensation program, the Committee considers the anticipated tax treatment to the Company and to the executive officers of various payments and benefits, including deductibility under IRC Section 162(m). However, the deductibility of certain compensation payments depends upon the timing of an executive's vesting or exercise of previously granted awards, as well as interpretations and changes in the tax laws and other factors beyond the Committee's control. For these and other reasons, including to maintain flexibility in compensating the executive officers in a manner designed to promote varying corporate goals, the Committee will not necessarily, or in all circumstances, limit executive compensation to that which is deductible under IRC Section 162(m) and has not adopted a policy requiring all compensation to be deductible. For 2016, the shares of restricted Company Class A common stock granted to Messrs. Sanders and Bloss and Ms. Hills in excess of their maximum allocation from the restricted stock pool under the Executive Incentive Plan would not be considered performance-based compensation under IRC Section 162(m). However, Mr. Bloss, as Chief Financial Officer, is not subject to the limitations of IRC Section 162(m) and Ms. Hills' non-performance-based compensation does not exceed $1,000,000.

The Committee will consider various alternatives to preserving the deductibility of compensation payments and benefits to the extent reasonably practicable and to the extent consistent with its other compensation objectives. To this end, the Committee annually establishes performance criteria in an effort to ensure deductibility of the cash and equity incentive awards made under the Executive Incentive Plan. Base salary does not qualify as performance-based compensation under IRC Section 162(m).

Clawback Policy

The Board adopted a Clawback Policy in November 2016. The Clawback Policy provides that in the event a material restatement of the Company's financial results is necessary within three years of the original reporting, the Board will review the facts and circumstances that led to the requirement for the restatement and will take actions it deems necessary and appropriate. The Board will consider whether any executive officer received incentive compensation based on the original financial statements that in fact was not warranted based on the restated financial statements. The Board will also consider the accountability of any executive officer whose acts or omissions were responsible in whole or in part for the events that led to the restatement.

The actions the Board may elect to take against a particular executive officer, depending on all facts and circumstances as determined during its review, include: (i) the recoupment of all or part of any incentive compensation paid to the executive officer, including recoupment in whole or in part of vested and/or unvested equity awards; (ii) the reduction of future incentive compensation to be paid to the executive officer; (iii) disciplinary actions, up to and including termination; and/or (iv) the pursuit of other available remedies, at the Board's discretion.

The Clawback Policy applies to "executive officers" of the Company as defined under the Exchange Act and such other senior executives as may be determined by the Board.

Prohibition on Hedging and Pledging of Company Securities

Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits all directors and "officers" of the Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act, including the current named executive officers, from transacting in put and call options on any Company securities. The policy also prohibits these individuals from engaging in any hedging or monetization transactions or similar arrangements with respect to any Company securities. Additionally, the policy prohibits these individuals from holding Company securities in a margin account or pledging Company securities as collateral for any indebtedness.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

To reinforce the importance of aligning the financial interests of the Company's directors and executive officers with stockholders, the Board has approved minimum stock ownership guidelines for the directors and executive officers, including the current named executive officers. Directors are required to maintain stock ownership equal in value to five times such director's annual cash retainer. The Chief Executive Officer is required to maintain stock ownership equal in value to five times his base salary and the other executive officers are required to maintain stock ownership equal in value to three times their base salary. The value of minimum stock ownership that must be maintained is based upon, and shall be fixed at, the annual cash retainer or base salary paid at the time such director or executive officer initially becomes subject to such ownership guidelines. Directors and executive officers are expected to be in compliance with the applicable ownership level within five years of becoming subject to the ownership guidelines. Stock ownership includes shares of the Company's Class A common stock over which a director or executive officer has direct or indirect ownership or control, including restricted stock or funds invested in the Company's 401(k) stock fund, but does not include shares underlying stock options. Currently, all of our directors and executive officers are in compliance with these stock ownership guidelines.

Change in Control Employment Agreement

The Change in Control Employment Agreement between the Company and Mr. Herrmann terminated upon Mr. Herrmann's retirement in August 2016. None of the other named executive officers are a party to an employment agreement or a change in control agreement.

Executive Compensation in 2017

In December 2016, Mr. Sanders recommended to the Committee that executive salaries for 2017 remain flat with 2016 levels for the other current named executive officers, except for Ms. Hills and Mr. Sundeen, who received 6.7% and 3.9% increases, respectively, in base salary to better align their salaries with their responsibilities and internal compensation equity within the Company. The Committee accepted Mr. Sanders' recommendations, and also did not increase Mr. Sanders' base salary for 2017.

The foregoing discussion primarily describes the compensation philosophies, principles and practices the Committee utilized in setting executive compensation for the 2016 fiscal year. In the future, as the Committee continues to review each element of the executive compensation program, these philosophies, principles and practices may change.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation

The following table summarizes total compensation awarded, paid or earned by our named executive officers who served in such capacities during 2014, 2015 and 2016.

The named executive officers were not entitled to receive payments characterized as "Bonus" payments for the 2014, 2015 and 2016 fiscal years, except for Ms. Hills, who did not participate in the Company's Executive Incentive Plan in 2015. Amounts reflected under "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" are performance-based cash incentive awards determined by the Compensation Committee in December of the respective year, based on performance goals set in the first quarter of the respective year.

The current named executive officers' aggregate base salaries accounted for, on average, approximately 19% of their total compensation for 2016.

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Name and Principal Position

(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)	(g)	(h)	(i)	(j)
Philip J. Sanders,	2016	608,333	-	2,799,685	-	500,000	85,718	348,785	4,342,521
Chief Executive Officer and	2015	525,000	-	1,433,000	-	600,000	45,456	371,648	2,975,104
Chief Investment Officer	2014	525,000	-	2,241,900	-	600,000	113,251	274,401	3,754,552
Brent. K. Bloss,	2016	425,000	-	1,474,956	-	425,000	58,309	16,756	2,400,021
SVP, Chief Financial	2015	400,000	-	1,289,700	-	425,000	19,094	23,443	2,157,237
Officer and Treasurer	2014	375,000	-	1,644,060	-	350,000	84,270	18,923	2,472,253
Thomas W. Butch,	2016	630,000	-	1,843,695	-	425,000	92,054	33,773	3,024,522
EVP and Chief	2015	630,000	-	2,006,200	-	750,000	58,848	99,735	3,544,783
Marketing Officer	2014	600,000	-	2,241,900	-	1,200,000	99,045	47,297	4,188,242
Wendy J. Hills,	2016	375,000		1,221,326	-	350,000	75,928	13,400	2,035,654
SVP, General Counsel	2015	350,000	200,000	1,289,700	-	-	29,399	16,635	1,885,734
Chief Legal Officer
and Secretary
John E. Sundeen, Jr.,	2016	385,000	-	1,086,707	-	350,000	99,776	21,454	1,942,937
SVP and Chief Administrative
Officer – Investments
Henry J. Herrmann,	2016	679,487	-	0	-	0	166,031	184,473	1,029,991
Chairman and Former Chief	2015	1,000,000	-	2,866,000	-	2,250,000	-	145,023	6,261,023
Executive Officer	2014	1,000,000	-	3,238,300	-	3,300,000	-	148,283	7,686,583
Michael L. Avery,	2016	344,010	-	0	-	0	303,758	2,406,480	3,054,248
Former President	2015	680,000	-	0	-	0	87,675	217,768	985,443
	2014	680,000	-	2,491,000	-	0	148,180	297,293	3,616,473

(1): Represents the grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC 718, disregarding any forfeiture assumptions. All awards are valued based on the closing market price of the Company's Class A common stock on the date of grant ($19.51 for awards granted December 31, 2016). Restricted stock awards are subject to accelerated vesting upon a change of control, death or disability.
(2): For 2016, represents the cash incentive awards made under the Executive Incentive Plan, which are discussed in further detail under "Analysis of 2016 Compensation" set forth above in the "Compensation Discussion & Analysis."
(3): For 2016, represents the actuarial increase in the present value of the named executive officers' benefits under the Pension Plan, which were determined based on a lump sum discount rate of 4.60% at December 31, 2015 and 4.39% at December 31, 2016, retirement age of 65 (or current age if greater), Internal Revenue Code Section 417(e) prescribed 2017 mortality rates and discount rate of 5.5% for lump sum conversion, and other assumptions set forth in footnote 9 to the Company's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2017.

(4)

For 2016, represents the following:

(a): Incremental cost to the Company of all perquisites and personal benefits, as applicable, including (i) tax or estate planning, (ii) country club membership dues, (iii) personal use of Company aircraft, (iv) personal use of entertainment tickets, (v) travel insurance policy premiums; (vi) convention allowance and (vii) retirement and holiday gifts.

The value of personal aircraft usage is based on the Company's direct operating costs. This methodology calculates our aggregate incremental cost based on the average weighted variable cost per hour of flight for fuel/oil expenses, mileage, trip related maintenance, crew travel expenses, landing fees and other miscellaneous variable costs. Since the Company's aircraft are used primarily for business travel, this methodology excludes fixed costs that do not change based on usage, such as pilot salaries, the cost of the aircraft, depreciation and administrative expenses. On certain occasions, an executive's spouse or other family member may accompany the executive on a flight when such person is invited to attend the event for appropriate business purposes. No additional direct operating cost is incurred in such situations under the foregoing methodology; however, the value of personal use of Company aircraft is imputed as income to the named executive officer. This value is calculated pursuant to Internal Revenue Service guidelines using Standard Industry Fare Level ("SIFL)" rates, which are determined by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
(b): Company contributions to the 401(k) Plan of $10,600 for each of Messrs. Sanders, Bloss, Butch, Sundeen, Herrmann and Avery and Ms. Hills
(c): Company contribution of $12,631 to Mr. Herrmann's SERP account prior to his retirement in August 2016.
(d): Revenue sharing payments of $335,424 for Mr. Sanders prior to his appointment as Chief Executive Officer in August 2016 and $56,341 for Mr. Avery prior to his retirement in June 2016 related to portfolio management of institutional accounts.
(e): Mr. Herrmann received $139,283 for his service as non-executive Chairman of the Board beginning in August 2016, which was comprised of a $135,417 cash retainer, Company subsidized healthcare premiums since August 2016 and a holiday gift.
(f): Mr. Avery received cash payments of $2,329,539 pursuant to his separation agreement, as described below.

The direct costs of tax or estate planning; country club membership dues; convention allowance; the value of personal use of corporate aircraft (based upon SIFL rates); gifts and travel insurance premiums are imputed to the named executive officers, as applicable, and included as taxable income on their Form W-2s.

Mr. Avery retired on June 30, 2016 after 35 years of service with the Company. In connection with Mr. Avery's retirement, the Company and Mr. Avery executed an Employment Retention Agreement, dated February 1, 2016 (the "Retention Agreement"), in which Mr. Avery agreed to remain employed with the Company and its subsidiaries until June 30, 2016 (the "Retirement Date") in exchange for certain benefits described below in order to assist the Company with the transition of his responsibilities. Pursuant to the Retention Agreement, (i) Mr. Avery received separation pay for six months following the Retirement Date at his current base salary and continued to participate in the Company's health plans during that period, and (ii) subject to fulfillment of his obligations pursuant to the Retention Agreement, Mr. Avery's 103,332 shares of unvested restricted stock of the Company vested on the Retirement Date. After the Retirement Date and subject to Mr. Avery's execution and the effectiveness of a release of claims, (i) Mr. Avery, to the extent permitted by law, released the Company and its affiliates from all claims and is subject to indefinite confidentiality and non-disparagement obligations, a non-solicitation covenant for a period of one year following the Retirement Date and was subject to a non-competition covenant for a period of six months following the Retirement Date, and (ii) Mr. Avery received a lump sum payment of $2 million upon the effective date of the release. Mr. Avery was also entitled to receive standard retirement and pension benefits, subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's 401(k) and Thrift Plan and Retirement Income Plan.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table reflects estimated possible payouts under incentive plans to the named executive officers during 2016. The Company's cash and equity incentive awards are granted to participants in the Executive Incentive Plan based upon pre-established performance goals set annually by the Compensation Committee with a performance period equal to the fiscal year for which the performance goals are set. The Executive Incentive Plan is an annual plan; both cash and equity incentive awards are determined, and generally paid (in the case of cash incentive awards) and granted (in the case of equity incentive awards), in the same fiscal year that such awards were earned.

The named executive officers who participate in the Executive Incentive Plan are eligible to earn a maximum cash and equity incentive award for the fiscal year, calculated as certain percentages of the cash

incentive pool and the restricted stock incentive pool assigned to each such named executive officer. For 2016, Messrs. Herrmann, Sanders, Bloss, Butch and Sundeen and Ms. Hills were eligible to receive a maximum of 30%, 20%, 10%, 20% and 10% and 10%, respectively, of the cash incentive pool and 30%, 20%, 10%, 20% and 10% and 10%, respectively, of the restricted stock incentive pool. Mr. Avery was not eligible for incentive compensation in 2016 due to his retirement in June 2016.

Dividends are paid on awards of restricted stock at the same rate as is paid to all stockholders generally. Pursuant to ASC 718, the right to receive dividends is included in the calculation of the grant date fair value of the equity incentive awards set forth in the following table.

For more detailed information regarding awards paid to the named executive officers, please refer to "Analysis of 2016 Compensation" set forth in the "Compensation Discussion & Analysis" above.

2016 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

															All Other Stock Awards:		All Other Option Awards:

									Estimated Possible Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
			Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards																Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh)		Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)(5)
															Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(4)		Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)
Name	Grant Date		Thres- hold ($)		Target ($)(1)		Maximum ($)(2)		Thres- hold (#)		Target (#)(1)		Maximum (#)(3)		Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)(4)		Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)
(a)	(b)		(c)		(d)		(e)		(f)		(g)		(h)		(i)		(j)		(k)		(l)
Philip J. Sanders		12/31/16								0		60,000		120,000		23,500		-		-		2,799,685
				0		1,651,054		3,302,109
Brent K. Bloss		12/31/16								0		30,000		60,000		15,600		-		-		1,474,956
				0		825,527		1,651,054
Thomas W. Butch		12/31/16								0		60,000		120,000		-		-		-		1,843,695
				0		1,651,054		3,302,109
Wendy J. Hills		12/31/16								0		30,000		60,000		2,600		-		-		1,221,326
				-		825,527		1,651,054
John E. Sundeen, Jr.		12/31/16								0		30,000		60,000		-		-		-		1,086,707
				-		825,527		1,651,054
Henry J. Herrmann		12/31/16								0		90,000		180,000		-		-		-		0
				-		2,476,582		4,953,163
Michael L. Avery		12/31/16								-		-		-		-		-		-		-
				-		-		-

(1): Represents the mid-point of the threshold and maximum possible payout amounts.
(2): Represents the maximum cash incentive award each named executive officer was eligible to receive for 2016 pursuant to the percentage assigned to each such officer for the cash incentive pool. For 2016, Messrs. Sanders, Bloss, Butch and Sundeen and Ms. Hills earned cash incentive awards of $500,000, $425,000, $425,000, 350,000 and $350,000, respectively. These awards are reported in the "Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table above. Messrs. Herrmann and Avery did not receive a cash incentive award for 2016 due to their retirement in 2016.
(3): Represents the maximum equity incentive award each named executive officer was eligible to receive for 2016 pursuant to the percentage assigned to each such officer for the restricted stock incentive pool. For 2016, Messrs. Sanders, Bloss, Butch and Sundeen and Ms. Hills earned equity incentive awards pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan of 120,000, 60,000, 94,500, 55,700 and 60,000 shares of restricted stock, respectively, that vest in 25% increments annually beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date. All awards are subject to accelerated vesting upon a change of control, death or disability. Messrs. Herrmann and Avery did not receive an equity incentive award for 2016 due to their retirement in 2016.
(4): Represents the number of discretionary shares of restricted stock granted in 2016 to Messrs. Sanders and Bloss and Mr. Hills in excess of the maximum number of shares available to grant to each individual pursuant to the Executive Incentive Plan restricted stock incentive pool. These shares of restricted stock were granted pursuant to the Company's Stock Incentive Plan and vest in 25% increments annually beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.
(5): Represents the grant date fair value computed in accordance with ASC 718, disregarding any forfeiture assumptions and based on the number of shares of restricted stock actually granted and the closing market price of the Company's Class A common stock on the December 31, 2016 grant date, which was $19.51.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

The following table reflects outstanding shares of restricted stock held by the named executive officers as of December 31, 2016, the value of which was determined based on the number of shares of restricted stock granted and the $19.51 closing market price of the Company's Class A common stock on December 31, 2016.

2016 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END TABLE

	Option Awards										Stock Awards

Name	Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Exercisable (#)		Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Unexercisable (#)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (#)		Option Exercise Price ($)		Option Expiration Date		Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#)(1)			Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#)		Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested ($)
(a)	(b)		(c)		(d)		(e)		(f)		(g)			(h)		(i)		(j)
Philip J. Sanders		-		-		-		-		-		10,000	(2)		195,100		-		-
												30,000	(3)		585,300
												50,000	(4)		975,500
												143,500	(5)		2,799,685
Brent K. Bloss		-		-		-		-		-		8,333	(2)		162,577		-		-
												22,000	(3)		429,220
												45,000	(4)		877,950
												75,600	(5)		1,474,956
												8,333	(6)		162,577
Thomas W. Butch		-		-		-		-		-		11,666	(2)		227,604		-		-
												30,000	(3)		585,300
												70,000	(4)		1,365,700
												94,500	(5)		1,843,695
Wendy J. Hills		-		-		-		-		-		20,000	(3)		390,200		-		-
												45,000	(4)		877,950
												62,600	(5)		1,221,326
												3,333	(6)		65,027
												16,666	(7)		325,154
John E., Sundeen, Jr.		-		-		-		-		-		4,333	(2)		84,537		-		-
												13,333	(3)		260,127
												35,000	(4)		682,850
												55,700	(5)		1,086,707
Henry J. Herrmann		-		-		-		-		-		16,666	(2)		325,154		-		-
												43,333	(3)		845,427
												100,000	(4)		1,951,000
Michael L. Avery		-		-		-		-		-		-			-		-		-

(1): All unvested shares of restricted stock for Messrs. Herrmann and Butch have been transferred to their personal trusts, other than for value, for estate planning purposes.
(2): These shares will vest on December 31, 2017.
(3): These shares will vest in 50% increments on December 31 ^st of 2017 and 2018.
(4): These shares will vest in 33 ¹ / 3 % increments on December 31 ^st of 2017, 2018 and 2019.
(5): These shares will vest in 25% increments on December 31 ^st of 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
(6): These shares will vest on April 2, 2017.
(7): These shares will vest in 50% increments on April 2, 2017 and 2018.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table reflects shares of restricted stock held by the named executive officers that vested during 2016.

2016 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE

	Options Awards		Stock Awards

Name	Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#)	Value Realized on Exercise ($)	Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#)(1)	Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2)
(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)
Philip J. Sanders	-	-	45,000	877,950
Brent K. Bloss	-	-	34,666	740,579
Thomas W. Butch	-	-	50,000	975,500
Wendy J. Hills	-	-	25,000	550,600
John E. Sundeen, Jr.	-	-	19,333	377,187
Henry J. Herrmann	-	-	71,667	1,398,223
Michael L. Avery	-	-	103,332	1,779,377

(1): The number of shares received by each of Messrs. Sanders, Bloss, Butch, Sundeen, Herrmann and Avery and Ms. Hills upon vesting of these awards, net of shares withheld by the Company to cover associated tax liabilities, was 24,098, 20,955, 28,734, 13,176, 42,507, 61,574 and 16,469 shares, respectively.
(2): The value realized on vesting is based on the closing market price of the Company's Class A common stock on the vesting date.

Pension Benefits

The Pension Plan is a tax-qualified, non-contributory pension plan that covers all eligible employees of the Company who are 21 years of age or older and have one or more years of credited service. Benefits payable are generally based on a participant's years of credited service and their highest average earnings in any five consecutive years during the last ten years of service prior to retirement, or their "5-year average earnings." The retirement benefit amount payable upon normal retirement is calculated as (1) 2% of a participant's 5-year average earnings for each year of credited service (up to a maximum of 30 years), plus (2) 1% of a participant's 5-year average earnings for each additional year of credited service in excess of 30 years (up to a maximum of ten years); this amount is then reduced by a social security offset.

Earnings used to determine benefits include the amount shown in the "Salary" column of the Summary Compensation Table, but exclude all other elements of compensation and, for 2016, may not exceed $265,000 per year pursuant to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code. Because of this limitation, the compensation used to determine benefits payable under the Pension Plan for each of the named executive officers was $265,000.

Benefits under the Pension Plan vest 100% after five years, and are payable monthly for the retiree's lifetime beginning at age 65, or in a reduced amount as early as age 55 with at least 10 years of credited service. Upon their retirement in 2016, Messrs. Herrmann and Avery each elected to take a lump sum distribution of his accumulated benefit in the Pension Plan. Messrs. Sanders, Butch and Sundeen are eligible for early retirement; the early retirement reduction is 1/180 ^th for each of the first 60 months preceding age 65, and 1/360 ^th for each additional month. Upon a participant's retirement, benefits under the Pension Plan may be paid (1) pursuant to a variety of annuity options, which provide benefits during the retiree's lifetime and generally provide continuing benefits to a surviving spouse or other beneficiary, or (2) in a lump sum, which provides for an immediate lump sum equal to the actuarial value of the retiree's future benefits in lieu of receiving those benefits over their lifetime.

Messrs. Sanders, Bloss, Butch, Sundeen, Herrmann and Avery and Ms. Hills are credited with 18, 15, 17, 32, 42.7, 35 and 18.63 years of service, respectively. Under the Pension Plan, participants cannot be credited with years of service in excess of their actual years of service with the Company.

The following table reflects the actuarial present value of accumulated benefits payable to each of the named executive officers, including the number of years of service credited to each such officer, under the Pension Plan. These benefits were determined using a lump sum discount rate of 4.60% at December 31, 2015 and 4.39% at December 31, 2016, a retirement age of 65 (or current age if greater), Internal Revenue Code Section 417(e) prescribed 2017 mortality rates and discount rate of 5.5% for the lump sum conversion, and other assumptions set forth in footnote 9 to the Company's audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2017. Benefits reflected below are estimates; the actual benefit payable is determined upon retirement or termination from the Company.

2016 PENSION BENEFITS TABLE

Name	Plan Name	Number of Years Credited Service (#)(1)	Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($)	Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($)(2)

(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)
Philip J. Sanders	Pension Plan	18	682,110	-
Brent K. Bloss	Pension Plan	15	376,816	-
Thomas W. Butch	Pension Plan	17	732,013	-
Wendy J. Hills	Pension Plan	18.63	401,237	-
John E. Sundeen, Jr.	Pension Plan	32	1,113,691	-
Henry J. Herrmann	Pension Plan	42.7	0	1,685,617
Michael L. Avery	Pension Plan	35	0	1,004,543

(1): Mr. Herrmann had 45 years of actual service to the Company and 42.7 years of credited service under the Pension Plan. He did not receive credit for years of service provided to the Company prior to January 1, 1974, the date upon which the Pension Plan was initially adopted by the Company, or additional benefits resulting from this difference.
(2): Messrs. Herrmann and Avery retired in 2016 and each elected to take a lump sum distribution of his accumulated benefit in the Pension Plan. Mr. Avery's payments during 2016 also include annuity payments to his former spouse.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plans

SERP

The SERP was a non-qualified defined contribution deferred compensation plan that provided benefits that were precluded under the 401(k) Plan and the Pension Plan to certain executive officers, including Mr. Herrmann. During 2016, Mr. Herrmann was the only employee eligible to participate in the SERP.

Under the SERP, each calendar year, the Company credited Mr. Herrmann's SERP account with (1) an amount equal to 4% of his base salary, less the amount of the maximum annual employer matching contribution that could be made on Mr. Herrmann's behalf under the 401(k) Plan, and (2) a non-formula discretionary contribution, as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion, which could be zero. Additionally, each calendar year, Mr. Herrmann's SERP account was credited (or charged) with an amount equal to the performance of certain hypothetical investment vehicles since the last preceding year. These hypothetical investment vehicles are generally available to Company employees participating in the 401(k) Plan; the rate of return for Mr. Herrmann's investment election was 0.01% for 2016. In connection with Mr. Herrmann's retirement on August 1, 2016, his SERP account balance was distributed

to him on February 2, 2017. The Compensation Committee did not make any non-formula discretionary contributions to Mr. Herrmann's SERP account in 2016. The Compensation Committee terminated the SERP in February 2017 following the lump sum distribution to Mr. Herrmann, the sole remaining participant.

Portfolio Managers Plan

Under the Portfolio Managers Plan, designated portfolio managers and assistant portfolio managers are required to defer 30% of their annual cash incentive into selected hypothetical investment vehicles, which must include one or more of the mutual funds or series of mutual funds managed by the participant, and may include other equity or fixed income funds managed by the Company. Participants' accounts are annually credited (or charged) with an amount equal to the performance of selected hypothetical investment vehicles since the last preceding year. Mandatory deferrals required under the plan are protected against investment losses to the extent the aggregate amount distributed from the plan with respect to a deferral is less than the initial deferral amount. Except as otherwise provided in the plan, cash incentive awards deferred under the plan are forfeitable in the discretion of the committee administering the plan if the participant is terminated by the Company or resigns (other than due to retirement). Generally, amounts deferred under the plan and not previously withdrawn are payable in a lump sum within 90 days upon a participant's retirement, total disability, death, resignation or termination without cause (subject to the six month delay on certain termination payments imposed by the Internal Revenue Code). "Retirement" means the date of a participant's resignation on or after the later of his 55 ^th birthday or the third anniversary of participation in the plan. Additionally, at the participant's election, in-service withdrawals begin in the fourth plan year. All distributions and withdrawals under the plan will be made in cash or other property at the plan administrator's discretion. Mr. Sanders is a portfolio manager for four of the Company's mutual funds, and as such, participated in this plan in prior years. However, effective 2011, he was no longer subject to mandatory deferrals under this plan, although he continued to receive distributions of previously deferred compensation until all such compensation was paid out. The balance of Mr. Sanders' account in the Portfolio Managers Plan was distributed to him in January 2016. As previously disclosed, Mr. Avery, a former participant in the Portfolio Managers Plan, received his final distribution in 2011.

The following table reflects nonqualified deferred compensation payable to the named executive officers under the SERP and the Portfolio Managers Plan, as applicable.

2016 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE

Name	Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)	Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year ($)(1)	Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year ($)(2)	Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions ($)	Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year-End ($)(3)

(a)	(b)	(c)	(d)	(e)	(f)
Philip J. Sanders	-	-	-	26,725	0
Brent K. Bloss	-	-	-	-	-
Thomas W. Butch	-	-	-	-	-
Wendy J. Hills	-	-	-	-	-
John E. Sundeen, Jr.	-	-	-	-	-
Henry J. Herrmann	-	12,631	463	-	3,819,887
Michael L. Avery	-	-	-	-	-

(1): Represents the Company's 2016 formula contribution to Mr. Herrmann's SERP account, which is included in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table above.
(2): Represents aggregate earnings on selected hypothetical investment vehicles.
(3): Represents accumulated account values (including gains and losses) as of December 31, 2016. For Mr. Herrmann, includes $29,600, $29,400 and $12,631 reported as compensation in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table for 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. Mr. Herrmann's account balance was distributed to him on February 2, 2017 pursuant to the terms of the SERP.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control

Change In Control Employment Agreement

As previously disclosed, in December 2001, the Company entered into a Change in Control Employment Agreement with Mr. Herrmann, which provided Mr. Herrmann with certain benefits in the event of a "change in control" and a termination of his employment. In connection with Mr. Herrmann's retirement on August 1, 2016, this agreement was terminated.

Severance Plan

The current named executive officers are eligible to receive certain severance benefits under the Company's Severance Pay Plan (the "Severance Plan") if they are involuntarily terminated due to a corporate realignment, downsizing or other event that the Company, in its sole discretion, determines is a qualifying event for purposes of the Severance Plan. Participants in the Severance Plan who receive severance are entitled to periodic payment of their base pay and health care severance pay for no fewer than 12 weeks and no more than 52 weeks (subject to the six month delay on certain termination payments imposed by the Internal Revenue Code) with the number of weeks of severance determined by multiplying the participant's years of service by two weeks. The amount of the health care severance pay will be determined by the Company in its discretion. In addition, the Severance Plan provides participants with payment for any unused vacation, and the Company may provide, in its discretion, career transition services.

Accelerated Vesting of Restricted Stock

The equity incentive awards granted to the named executive officers under the Stock Incentive Plan provide for accelerated vesting upon a "change in control" (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan) unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee prior to such "change in control," whether or not the named executive officer's employment terminates. Equity incentive awards also vest upon the death or "disability" (permanent disability as determined under the Company's long term disability plan) of a named executive officer.The table below quantifies (1) amounts payable and the value of benefits available pursuant to the Severance Plan if a current named executive officer is involuntarily terminated due to a corporate realignment, downsizing or other event that the Company, in its sole discretion, determines is a qualifying event for purposes of the Severance Plan [column (a)] and (2) the value of restricted stock vesting upon a "change in control," death or "disability" for purposes of the Company's Stock Incentive Plan [column (b, all of which assume that the applicable triggering event occurred on December 31, 2016 and where applicable, is based on a stock price of $19.51, the closing market price of the Company's Class A common stock on December 30, 2016. Benefits reflected below are estimates; the actual benefit payable is determined upon termination.

	Payments and Benefits under Severance Plan ($)(1)(2)(3)		Change in Control Events, Death, or Disability Pursuant to Stock Incentive Plan ($)(4)

	(a)		(b)
Philip J. Sanders
Severance Plan Benefits		421,154
Medical and Dental Benefits		8,623
Accrued Vacation		33,796
Career Transition Services		91,250
Equity Compensation Vesting				4,555,585

Total		554,823
Brent K. Bloss
Severance Plan Benefits		228,846
Medical and Dental Benefits		6,707
Accrued Vacation		23,611
Career Transition Services		63,750
Equity Compensation Vesting				3,107,280

Total		322,914
Thomas W. Butch
Severance Plan Benefits		411,923
Medical and Dental Benefits		8,144
Accrued Vacation		35,000
Career Transition Services		94,500
Equity Compensation Vesting				4,022,299

Total		549,567
Wendy J. Hills
Severance Plan Benefits		259,615
Medical and Dental Benefits		2,675
Accrued Vacation		20,833
Career Transition Services		56,250
Equity Compensation Vesting				2,879,656

Total		339,373
John E. Sundeen, Jr.
Severance Plan Benefits		385,000
Medical and Dental Benefits		12,468
Accrued Vacation		26,736
Career Transition Services		57,750
Equity Compensation Vesting				2,114,221

Total		481,954

(1): Severance Plan benefits for Messrs. Sanders, Bloss, Butch and Sundeen and Ms. Hills are equal to 36, 28, 34, 52 and 36 weeks of base pay, respectively, in accordance with the normal payroll practices of the Company.
(2): Reflects career transition services equal to 15% of each current named executive officer's base salary. Pursuant to the Severance Plan, career transition services may be offered in the sole discretion of the Company. Consequently, these amounts may not be payable even if the current named executive officer is otherwise eligible for benefits under the Severance Plan.
(3): Represents accrued vacation of 20 days for Messrs. Sanders, Bloss and Butch and Ms. Hills and 25 days for Mr. Sundeen, which is the maximum number of vacation days each officer could have accrued in 2016.
(4): Includes for Messrs. Sanders, Bloss, Butch and Sundeen and Ms. Hills 233,500, 159,266, 206,166, 108,366 and 147,599 shares, respectively, of unvested restricted stock held as of December 31, 2016.

PROPOSAL NO. 2

ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

This advisory vote gives stockholders the opportunity to approve our named executive officers' compensation, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K.

As described in detail in our Compensation Discussion & Analysis above, a core objective in designing our executive compensation program is to deliver competitive total direct compensation ( i.e. , base salary, annual cash incentive award and annual equity incentive award), upon the achievement of financial and operating performance and individual contributions, that will attract, motivate and retain a high-performance executive team who will drive the creation of stockholder value. The Compensation Committee believes that the Company's executive compensation program reflects a strong "pay-for-performance" philosophy and is well aligned with stockholders' long-term interests. The compensation awarded to our current named executive officers is substantially dependent on corporate financial and operating performance, as well as individual performance and contributions, which drives the creation of sustainable long-term stockholder value. The Compensation Committee will continue to focus on responsible executive compensation practices that attract, motivate and retain high-performance executives, reward those executives for the achievement of short-term and long-term performance, and support our other executive compensation objectives, including long-term career development and retention goals.

Among the important elements of our executive compensation program and features incorporated into our program to achieve our core objectives are the following:

•: A significant portion of each current named executive officer's total direct compensation – approximately 81% on average for 2016 – was "at risk" compensation, delivered in the form of a short-term cash incentive award and a long-term equity incentive award.
•: A significant portion of each current named executive officer's total annual incentive compensation – approximately 79% on average for 2016 – was comprised of an equity incentive award, which drives long-term performance and aligns the interests of our current named executive officers with those of our stockholders.
•: Equity incentive awards were subject to a four-year vesting period to further emphasize long-term performance and commitment to the Company.
•: The Company's Executive Incentive Plan incorporated multiple financial performance measures that are quantifiable and measurable.
•: Each current named executive officer is employed at-will and is expected to demonstrate strong personal performance in order to continue serving as a member of the executive team.
•: The Compensation Committee maintained stock ownership guidelines which, along with the design of equity awards, promotes long-term executive stock ownership and aligns executive interests with those of our stockholders. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, all of the current named executive officers exceed these ownership guidelines.

Due to the Company's financial performance in 2016, incentive compensation declined approximately 28%, in the aggregate, for the six named executive officers that participated in the Company's Executive Incentive Plan, including a 55% reduction, in the aggregate, in cash incentive compensation and a 15% reduction, in the aggregate, in equity incentive compensation. The Committee balanced providing reduced incentive compensation with the need to provide total direct compensation that remains competitive in the marketplace.

The Compensation Committee believes that our executive compensation program has played a significant role in our ability to drive financial and operating results and align the interests of our executive officers with the interests of our stockholders. During 2016, investors continued to favor passively managed index and exchange-traded funds to actively managed funds; therefore, our senior management focused on managing expenses to protect profitability and developing new products in response to investor demands. Key financial measures and operational highlights from 2016 include the following:

•: Earnings per share of $1.78 compared to $2.94 in 2015.
•: Net income of $146.9 million compared to $245.5 million in 2015.
•: Operating revenues were $1.2 billion compared to $1.5 billion in 2015.
•: Operating income of $236.4 million compared to $484.4415.9 million in 2015.
•: An operating margin of 27.419.1% compared to 27.4% in 2015.
•: Cash flow from operations and our liquidity position allowed us to return $202.6 million to stockholders in 2016 (compared to $224 million in 2015) through $152.8 million in regular annual dividends and $49.8 million in stock repurchases, a payout ratio of 138% compared to 91% in 2015. Cash and investments at year end remained strong and increased to $883.9 million compared to $850.2 million at 2015 year end.
•: We implemented a cost reduction program in 2016 that reduced fixed operating costs by approximately 9% from our annual run-rate.
•: We initiated Project E to modernize our retail broker-dealer platform, including the conversion of certain shares classes of our mutual funds and the implementation of new technology to improve the efficiency of the Waddell & Reed financial advisors.
•: We expanded our product offerings by partnering with Eaton Vance Corp. to launch a family of Ivy NextShares® exchange-traded managed funds in October 2016. We also introduced the Ivy Targeted Return Bond Fund in January 2016 and the Ivy California Municipal High Income Fund in October 2016. In addition, we introduced the Ivy IG International Small Cap Fund on January 10, 2017.

You have the opportunity to vote "for" or "against" or "abstain" from voting on the following non-binding resolution:

"RESOLVED, that the stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and the narrative discussion."

While your vote on this proposal is advisory and will not be binding on the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee, we value the opinion of our stockholders and will take the results of this advisory vote into account when making future decisions regarding our executive compensation program.

The Company intends to hold this stockholder advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation annually until the Company holds its next advisory vote on the frequency of stockholder advisory votes on named executive officer compensation as required pursuant to Section 14A of the Exchange Act.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION PAID TO THE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AS DISCLOSED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO ITEM 402 OF REGULATION S-K.

PROPOSAL NO. 3

ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES TO APPROVE
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

In addition to the advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation ("Say-on-Pay"), the Company is asking stockholders to vote, on an advisory basis, on the recommended frequency for which the Company is to hold future Say-on-Pay votes. Stockholders may indicate whether they would prefer, on an advisory basis, a Say-on-Pay vote once every one, two or three years, or they may abstain from voting.

Our stockholders voted on a similar proposal in 2011 with a majority voting to hold the Say-on-Pay vote every year. Consistent with our stockholders' preference, we have held a Say-on-Pay vote every year. We continue to believe that Say-on-Pay votes should be conducted every year so that our stockholders may annually express their views on our executive compensation program.

While your vote on this proposal is advisory and will not be binding on the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee, we value the opinion of our stockholders and will take the results of this advisory vote into account when making decisions regarding the frequency of Say-on-Pay votes.

We are required to hold an advisory vote on the frequency of Say-on-Pay at least once every six years. It is expected that the next vote on a Say-on-Pay frequency will occur at the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders.

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF CONDUCTING FUTURE ADVISORY VOTES ON NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION EVERY YEAR.

PROPOSAL NO. 4

RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has selected KPMG LLP as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm to examine the consolidated financial statements of the Company for the 2017 fiscal year. The Board seeks an indication from our stockholders of their approval or disapproval of the Audit Committee's selection of KPMG as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year.

KPMG has been our independent registered public accounting firm since 1981, and no relationship exists other than the usual relationship between independent registered public accounting firm and client. Representatives of KPMG are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will have the opportunity to make a statement if the representatives desire to do so. If our stockholders do not ratify the appointment of KPMG at the Annual Meeting, the Audit Committee will consider such event in its selection of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm for the 2017 fiscal year. Additionally, even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the 2017 fiscal year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

THE BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF KPMG AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE 2017 FISCAL YEAR.

Audit and Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee or its Chairman pre-approves audit and non-audit services to be rendered to the Company and establishes a dollar limit on the amount of fees the Company will pay for each category of services. Generally, management will submit to the Audit Committee a detailed list of services that it recommends the Audit Committee engage the independent registered public accounting firm to provide for the fiscal year. The Audit Committee is informed from time to time of the non-audit services actually provided pursuant to the pre-approval process. During the year, the Audit Committee periodically reviews the types of services and dollar amounts approved and adjusts such amounts, as it deems appropriate. Unless a service to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee or its Chairman. The Audit Committee also periodically reviews all non-audit services to ensure such services do not impair the independence of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee pre-approved all services provided by KPMG for the 2015 and 2016 fiscal years. These services included the audit of the Company's annual financial statements, audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting, review of the Company's quarterly financial statements, tax consultation services, preparation of corporate tax returns, auditing of employee benefits plans and certain agreed upon procedures. For a discussion of the independence of our independent registered public accounting firm, please refer to the "Audit Committee Report" below.

The following table shows the fees billed by KPMG for audit and other services provided to the Company for the 2016 and 2015 fiscal years, respectively:

	2016		2015

Audit Fees (1)	$	800,000	$	983,994
Audit-Related Fees (2)		148,344		149,286
Tax Fees (3)		155,443		159,557
All Other Fees		-		-

Total	$	1,103,787	$	1,292,837

(1): Audit fees consist of fees for the audit of the Company's annual financial statements, the audit of its internal control over financial reporting, reviews of the financial statements included in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and professional services rendered in connection with the audit of the Company's annual financial statements.
(2): Audit-related fees primarily relate to financial statement audits of employee benefit plans, certain agreed upon procedures and the issuance of SSAE 16 reports.
(3): Tax fees consist of fees for income tax consultation, including tax compliance, preparation and review of corporate tax returns, and other general tax consultation.

The Audit Committee has considered whether the non-audit services provided by KPMG, including the services rendered in connection with income tax consultation and other general tax consultation, were compatible with maintaining KPMG's independence and has determined that the nature and substance of the limited non-audit services did not impair the status of KPMG as the Company's independent registered public accounting firm. KPMG did not bill the Company for any other services during fiscal year 2015 or 2016.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any filings of Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. (the "Company") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), that might incorporate future filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the following Audit Committee Report shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings, and shall not be deemed soliciting material or filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act.

The Audit Committee oversees the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation and integrity of the financial statements, including establishing accounting and financial reporting principles and designing systems of internal control over financial reporting. The Company's independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP ("KPMG"), is responsible for expressing an opinion as to the conformity of the Company's consolidated financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and auditing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.

In performing its oversight role, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed, with management and KPMG, the audited consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. The Audit Committee has also discussed with KPMG matters required to be discussed by Auditing Standard No. 1301, "Communications with Audit Committees" as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the "PCAOB").

Pursuant to the applicable requirements of the PCAOB, the Audit Committee has also received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from KPMG and discussed with KPMG their independence.

Based on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. Audit Committee

2016 Members

Michael F. Morrissey, Chairman
Sharilyn S. Gasaway
Dennis E. Logue
Jerry W. Walton

OTHER MATTERS

Other Business Presented at the Annual Meeting

Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on April 27, 2017

The proxy materials for the Annual Meeting, including the 2016 Annual Report, Proxy Statement and any other additional soliciting materials, are available over the Internet by accessing the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at ir.waddell.com . Other information on the Company's website does not constitute part of the Company's proxy materials.

Where You Can Find More Information

The Company files reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the Company at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) 732-0330 for further information on the public reference room. The SEC maintains an Internet site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company. The Company's Class A common stock is quoted on the NYSE. These reports, proxy statements and other information are also available for inspection at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

You may request a copy of the Company's filings (other than exhibits that are not specifically incorporated by reference therein) at no cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.
Attn: Investor Relations Department
6300 Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, Kansas 66202
(800) 532-2757

If you would like to request documents from the Company, please do so by April 13, 2017 to receive them before the Annual Meeting.

You should rely only on the information contained in this Proxy Statement to vote on the proposals solicited in this Proxy Statement. The Company has not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this Proxy Statement is accurate as of any date other than March 3, 2017.


		BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

		Wendy J. Hills Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer & Secretary

MMMMMMMMMMMM . MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM C123456789 000004 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext 000000000.000000 ext ENDORSEMENT_LINE______________ SACKPACK_____________ Electronic Voting Instructions Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may choose one of the voting methods outlined below to vote your proxy. VALIDATION DETAILS ARE LOCATED BELOW IN THE TITLE BAR. Proxies submitted by the Internet or telephone must be received by 11:59 p.m. (CDT) on April 26, 2017. MR A SAMPLE DESIGNATION (IF ANY) ADD 1 ADD 2 ADD 3 ADD 4 ADD 5 ADD 6 Vote by Internet • Go to www.investorvote.com/WDR • Or scan the QR code with your smartphone • Follow the steps outlined on the secure website Vote by telephone • Call toll free 1-800-652-VOTE (8683) within the USA, US territories & Canada on a touch tone telephone • Follow the instructions provided by the recorded message Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in this example. Please do not write outside the designated areas. q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q Proposals – The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the listed director nominees in Proposal 1, FOR Proposal 2, FOR “1 Year” in Proposal 3 and FOR Proposal 4. + 1. Election of Directors: For Withhold For Withhold For Withhold 01 – Sharilyn S. Gasaway 02 – Alan W. Kosloff 03 – Jerry W. Walton For Against Abstain 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years Abstain 2. Advisory vote to approve named executive officer compensation. 3. Advisory vote on the frequency of future advisory votes on named executive officer compensation. For Against Abstain 4. Ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year 2017. 5. In their discretion, the proxy holders are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Non-Voting Items Change of Address — Please print new address below. Comments — Please print your comments below. Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below When shares are held by joint tenants, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executive administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by an authorized person. Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below. Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box. Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box. MMMMMMMC 1234567890 J N T MR A SAMPLE (THIS AREA IS SET UP TO ACCOMMODATE 140 CHARACTERS) MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND MR A SAMPLE AND + 1 P C F3 2 2 1 7 6 1 02IW1C MMMMMMMMM C B A Annual Meeting Proxy Card1234 5678 9012 345 X IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION

. Dear Stockholder: If voting by proxy, we encourage you to vote your shares electronically this year either by telephone or via the Internet. This will eliminate the need to return your proxy card. Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you had marked, signed and returned your proxy card. When voting your shares electronically by telephone or via the Internet, you will need your proxy card and your control number. The control number is printed in the shaded bar on the front of your proxy card. The Computershare Vote by Telephone and Vote by Internet systems are maintained by our transfer agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. ("Computershare") and can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week up until the day prior to the annual meeting; votes may be cast by Internet or telephone up until 11:59 p.m. (CDT) on the day before the annual meeting. If you do not vote via proxy card, telephone or the Internet, you may attend the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on April 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT) at the principal executive offices of the Company, 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas, 66202 and vote in person. Direct Deposit of Dividends We encourage all stockholders who receive their dividends in cash to participate in direct deposit. To enroll in this service, please mail your request along with a copy of your voided check, to Computershare at the address noted below. Transfer Agent Contact Information Computershare Trust Company, N.A. P.O. BOX 30170 College Station, TX 77842-3170 Telephone Inside the USA: Telephone Outside the USA: TDD/TTY for Hearing Impaired: (877) 498-8861 (781) 575-2723 (800) 952-9245 Important Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on April 27, 2017 The proxy materials for the Company's 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, including the 2016 Annual Report, Proxy Statement and any other additional soliciting materials, are available over the Internet by accessing the "Investor Relations" section of the Company's website at ir.waddell.com. Other information on the Company's website does not constitute part of the Company's proxy materials. q IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED VIA THE INTERNET OR TELEPHONE, FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. q Proxy — Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned hereby appoints Henry J. Herrmann and Alan W. Kosloff, jointly and severally with full power of substitution, to represent and vote, as represented on the reverse side, all shares of Company Class A common stock that the undersigned holds of record or in an applicable plan and is entitled to vote at the 2017 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the principal executive offices of the Company, 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas 66202 on the 27th day of April, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT), or any adjournments or postponements thereof. All shares votable by the undersigned, including shares held of record by agents or trustees for the undersigned as a participant in the Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. 401(k) and Thrift Plan will be voted in the same manner specified and in the discretion of the persons named above, or such agents or trustees, on such other matters as may properly come before the annual meeting. Receipt herewith of the Company's 2016 Annual Report, Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement is hereby acknowledged. THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY SIGNED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH ARE FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2 AND 4 AND FOR “1 YEAR” IN PROPOSAL 3. THE PROXY HOLDERS WILL USE THEIR DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER REFERRED TO IN PROPOSAL 5. THIS PROXY IS REVOCABLE AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT IS EXERCISED. THE PROXY HOLDERS CANNOT VOTE YOUR SHARES UNLESS YOU SIGN AND RETURN THIS CARD. If you vote by telephone or the Internet, please DO NOT mail back this proxy card.

QuickLinks

WADDELL AND REED FINANCIAL, INC. 6300 Lamar Avenue Overland Park, Kansas 66202 (913) 236-2000
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS To Be Held on April 27, 2017
WADDELL & REED FINANCIAL, INC.
PROXY STATEMENT
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROXY MATERIALS AND THE ANNUAL MEETING
PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
OTHER INFORMATION YOU NEED TO MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
2016 Director Compensation
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS OF THE COMPANY
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
2016 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE
2016 OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END TABLE
2016 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE
2016 PENSION BENEFITS TABLE
2016 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE
PROPOSAL NO. 2 ADVISORY VOTE TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
PROPOSAL NO. 3 ADVISORY VOTE ON THE FREQUENCY OF ADVISORY VOTES TO APPROVE NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
PROPOSAL NO. 4 RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
OTHER MATTERS

Waddell and Reed Financial (NYSE:WDR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024

Click Here for more Waddell and Reed Financial Charts.

Waddell and Reed Financial (NYSE:WDR)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024

Market Data

News

Trading Tools

Markets

Discover

Hot Features

Follow Feed

Options Flow

Monitor

WDR Waddell and Reed Financial

Latest WDR Messages

Loading Messages....

Waddell & Reed Financial Inc News

Loading Messages....

Your Recent History

Company

Business

Popular

Get The App

Trending Now

Toplists

Market Data

News

Trading Tools

Markets

Discover

Hot Features

Follow Feed

Options Flow

Monitor

WDR Waddell and Reed Financial

Latest WDR Messages

Loading Messages....

Waddell & Reed Financial Inc News

Loading Messages....

Your Recent History

Company

Business

Popular

Get The App