The Rewards of Workingat Biogen Idec

Biogen IdecApril 2011

ThisguideprovidesabriefsummaryofBiogenIdec’sbenefitprograms.Itscontentsareforinformationalpurposesonly.Itisnotintendedtoimplyacontractorguaranteeofemployment.Ifthereisadiscrepancybetweentheinformationinthisguideandtheofficialplandocuments,thedocumentswillrule.BiogenIdecreservestherighttochangetheprogramsatanytime.

TABLE of CONTENTS

Total Rewards Designed for You 1

Protection You Can Rely On 2

Protecting Your Health 2

Protecting Your Income 3

Balancing Your Work and Personal Life 4

Planning for the Future 5

Recognizing Your Commitmentand Contributions 5

For More Information 7

Important Reminders 8

Key Contacts 8

“I am very grateful for the benefits that are available to meand my family here at Biogen Idec. I have never found anything

like them at any of the other places I've worked.”

As a leading employer in our industry, Biogen Idec offers a comprehensive and competitive TotalRewards program that focuses on what you care about most – your money, your health, yourcareer and your life. This brochure provides an overview of our Total Rewards program. So whetheryou’re considering joining Biogen Idec or have been here for years, learn how this program can workfor you.

We offer a leading-edge Total Rewards program – one that's competitive with other biotechnologyand pharmaceutical companies of our caliber. It features valuable protection so you can focus onyour work as well as incentives to encourage swift and sound decision-making. We believe that whenyou focus on priorities, you enable Biogen Idec to deliver innovation – to our patients, caregivers,shareholders and colleagues. Most importantly, our program encourages you to work deliberatelyand collaboratively. To that end, we recognize and reward both individual and collective efforts throughthe following programs.

Total Rewards Designed for You

Today’s success enhances our heritage of innovation, but it’s tomorrow’s success that will sustain ourfuture growth. That’s why we challenge you to continue to grow and improve in your career. We'll workalongside you to ensure that our Total Rewards program remains on target. As in the past, we’ll watchdevelopments in the marketplace. And over time, we’ll solicit your input (through focus groups andsurveys) so we can continue to deliver programs that you value most. In doing so, our goal is to:

� Enable you to focus on business priorities and results

� Motivate you to do your best work, and

� Help you succeed at work – and life – by providing a challenging and rewarding environment.

Our Total Rewards Program

Your Money Your Health

� Base Pay and Bonus Programs � Health Insurance

� Long-Term Incentives � Wellness Programs

� Financial/Capital Accumulation � Fitness Centers and Programs

Your Career Your Life

� Talent Management � Culture & Climate

� Career Development/Opportunities � Work Design & Flexibility

� Training & Education � Quality of Work Life

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Protection You Can Rely OnBiogen Idec offers comprehensive benefitprograms that extend choice, quality and value toyou and your family. Beginning on your first dayof work, you’re assured access to the coverageand protection you need. In most cases, as longas you regularly work at least 20 hours perweek, you can elect coverage for whatevercombination of family members makes the mostsense — yourself, your spouse or domesticpartner (same-sex and opposite-sex), and yourdependent children.

Protecting Your Health

Today, most employees value their health carecoverage more than ever. It’s not surprising givenwhat’s happening in health care — ranging fromthe remarkable advances being made in treat-ments and technology to the unprecedented rateat which health care costs are rising. Ourprogram features preventive care and wellnessprograms (so you can stay healthy). At the sametime, you have access to comprehensive careand services when you need them.

� Medical: Choose the medical option that bestmeets your needs. All are available throughBlue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts,recognized nationally for its quality of care andservice. In most locations, we offer two types ofmedical plans: an exclusive provider organization(EPO) and a preferred provider organization(PPO). All the plans cover a similar range ofservices and supplies, including annual exams,office visits, hospitalization and emergencycare. Where they differ is in the level of benefitsprovided and the flexibility you have in choosingyour health care providers. Because of theirdifferences, they also vary in cost.

Note that when you enroll in medical coveragethrough Biogen Idec, you will automatically beenrolled in our prescription drug program,administered by Medco.

Our medical plan also includes two additionalresources called Health Advocate and BestDoctors. Both of these services are available toall employees and their families at no cost.

– Health Advocate is a program designed toprovide assistance with obtaining the rightcare, at the right time, from the right provider.So whether you need help setting up anappointment sooner, navigating throughconflicting guidance from different planproviders, resolving a medical claim or evennegotiating any out-of-pocket medicalexpenses you may incur…then HealthAdvocate will help you “get it right.”

– Best Doctors is a program designed to helpyou feel confident about managing a complexmedical situation. This program puts you incontact with highly-qualified doctors who canhelp make sure you are receiving the besttreatment for your medical condition.

� Dental: Be sure to take advantage of thepreventive dental care available. When you do,routine cleanings and X-rays are covered in full.Plus, you’re likely to reduce the need forserious dental treatment. But, if you need moreextensive dental care, just pay the annualdeductible and Delta Dental covers up to 90%of basic treatment, like fillings, and up to 60%of major services, including crowns anddentures. Plus, up to $2,000 in orthodontiacare is covered, regardless of your age.

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� Vision care: Set your sights on a range ofvision care services, including regular eyeexams, glasses and contact lenses. When youreceive them from a VSP provider, your out-of-pocket costs can be as low as $15.

� Health care flexible spending account:Contribute up to $5,000 on a pre-tax basiseach year and save on out-of-pocket expensesnot typically covered by health plans. Thanks tothe Tri-Ad debit card, it’s easy to pay and, foroffice visit and prescription drug copayments,no documentation is required.

� Fitness and wellness: Stay as healthy aspossible by taking advantage of the on-sitefitness centers at your location. You can alsoapply our $200 per year health clubreimbursement to your membership at a localgym or fitness center of your choosing.

Protecting Your Income

It’s hard to imagine how an extended illness —or worse still, a death in your family — couldaffect your financial situation. To ensure youand your family have a source of income in timesof financial stress, Biogen Idec automatically

provides Company-paid life insurance anddisability coverage. If needed, you cansupplement this coverage to be sure you havethe right level of financial security for you andyour family.

� Life insurance: Automatically receive basiclife, accidental death and dismemberment(AD&D) and business travel accidentinsurance equal to two times your pay at nocost to you.

– You may also elect supplemental lifeinsurance coverage equal to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6or 7 times your annual pay (to a maximumcoverage level of $3,500,000 for basic andsupplemental coverage combined). Coverageis optional and you pay the full cost. Newemployees may elect 4 times supplementallife coverage up to $2,250,000 (basic andsupplemental coverage combined) withoutproviding proof of good health.

– Dependent life insurance covers yourspouse, domestic partner or children. It’soptional and available even if you do not electsupplemental coverage for yourself. Newemployees may elect up to $100,000 inspouse or domestic partner coverage and$10,000 in child life coverage withoutproviding proof of good health.

� Disability coverage: Automatically receiveshort-term disability coverage up to 100% ofyour pay for the first three months you’reunable to work due to an illness or injury, and70% for the next three months. If yourdisability continues longer, long-term disability(LTD) coverage continues to provide 60% ofyour base pay.

If you want additional coverage, you cansupplement the Company-provided LTDcoverage and elect up to 70% in incomereplacement.

“I got a bone density screenas part of the annualwellness fair and

discovered that I haveOsteopenia. Because of thescreening, I was able to

take steps to start treatingthis condition early.”

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Balancing Your Workand Personal Life

Recognizing you can't turn off day-to-daydistractions at will (or at work), Biogen Idecoffers a range of individual and family supportprograms designed to help you handle life's dailychallenges.

� Vacation and holidays: Take time awayfrom work so you can relax and pay attentionto personal and family matters. Our programincludes 13 paid holidays and at least threeweeks of vacation each year.

You begin accruing an additional day ofvacation on the anniversary of your date of hireand will accrue an additional day until your fifthanniversary. After five years of service, you willbe eligible for four weeks (or 20 days) ofvacation. On your tenth anniversary, anadditional week of vacation will be provided (fora total of 25 days). Plus, you have the flexibilityto buy an additional five vacation days if youthink you'll need them in the year ahead (aslong as you are an active employee by July 1).

Bonus vacation days are awarded to long-service employees at 15, 20 and 25 years ofservice with Biogen Idec.

� Sick leave: You will receive ten sick days percalendar year. You have the flexibility to usethese days for your own illness or to care for asick family member.

� Dependent care flexible spendingaccount: Contribute up to $5,000 on a pre-tax basis each year and save on day careexpenses for dependent children and adults.While you'll still need to provide documentationfor your expenses, use the Tri-Ad debit card asa convenient way to pay.

� Paid bonding time: Biogen Idec providesrobust paid maternity leave benefits for newmothers, as well as financial assistance todefray the cost of adoptions. As a way toprovide quality bonding time for adoptiveparents and fathers of new children, we alsooffer the following paid leave benefits:

– Mothers of newly adopted children areeligible for four weeks of paid bonding leave.Fathers who are primary caregivers of adoptedchildren are also eligible for this benefit.

– New fathers are eligible for one week of paidbonding leave (for births or adoptions).

� Back-up dependent care: Whether you aretraveling to a meeting or need help when yourregular day care provider is sick or on vacation,you can rely on back-up day care providedthrough Bright Horizons. The care can be for adependent child or adult, and can be providedin a center or in your home. You pay a flat,modest copayment and Biogen Idec subsidizesthe rest. There is also priority access to full-timeslots for newborns and toddlers at Bright Horizoncenters, where available.

“There’s no way I could geteverything done in the daywithout the help of benefitslike Circles Concierge andBright Horizons. They reallydo help make my life somuch more manageable.”

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� Employee assistance program: Reach outfor access to a range of resources, programsand professional guidance when you need helpwith life’s serious side. It’s all a phone call away— whether you have financial and legalquestions, want help with drug or substanceabuse and recovery, or need to bolster youremotional health and well-being.

� Tuition reimbursement: Expand yourhorizons and get reimbursed for the cost oftuition and related expenses. The Companywill reimburse annually up to $5,250, then80% thereafter for eligible expenses.

� Commuter benefits (where available):Don't let your commute take a toll on yourwallet. Sign up for one of the programs thathelps offset your transportation expenses.

� Adoption reimbursement: Receive up to$5,000 in reimbursement for expenses relatedto an adoption. The benefit is capped at alifetime maximum of $10,000.

Recognizing YourCommitmentand Contributions

Biogen Idec celebratesongoing service as well asexceptional performance intwo ways:

� You are eligible for aService Award whenyou complete 1, 5, 10, 15,20 and 25 years of service.This award recognizes yourcontinued commitment toBiogen Idec – to ourbusiness and its future.

� The ApplauseRecognition Programrewards contributions thatare considered “aboveand beyond.” Anyone cansubmit a nomination (foreither an individual or ateam contribution).

You can use your serviceand/or recognition awardsto select a gift or servicefrom a wide variety ofmerchants. In this way, youhave the flexibility to selecta gift or service that suitsyour individual preferences.

� Education matching gift program: Haveyour contribution to a post-secondary educa-tional institution matched by the Company —up to $5,000 per institution per year.

� Concierge services: The concierge servicesavailable through Circles can help you completethe tasks on your “to do” list. You can makearrangements for personal plans (such as traveland dinner reservations, or tickets to sportsand cultural events) with a simple phone call.

� On-site services: On-site dining, banking,coffee stations, dry cleaning pick-up and inter-campus shuttles are examples of the manyconvenience benefits offered at most of ourlocations. Check out the benefits at your worklocation that will save you time and make yourwork day more enjoyable.

Planning for the Future

Focused on the here and now? Take a breakand spend a few minutes considering howBiogen Idec can help you plan for the future.Participate now and you’re likely to appreciatea more secure financial situation when you needit later in life.

� 401(k) plan: Save for retirement and, alongthe way, earn a generous matching contributionfrom the Company. You can contribute up to40% of your annual pay. When you save on apre-tax basis, Biogen Idec adds $2 for everydollar you contribute, up to 3% of your annualpay. You are immediately vested in theCompany matching contribution. You investyour contributions and the Company’smatching contribution, choosing from a broadrange of professionally-managed investmentoptions.

� Financial education program: Thefinancial advisors at CAPTRUST will help youassess your financial needs, establish goals,set priorities and invest for the future.

“I know I need to paymore attention to myretirement investmentsand financial planning.I recently attended a

workshop and met with anadvisor from CAPTRUST.I came away with a clearplan to help me reachmy financial goals for

the future.”

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� Employee stock purchase plan: BuyBiogen Idec common stock at a discount. Usingconvenient payroll deductions, it’s a great wayto acquire an equity interest in Biogen Idec.

� College savings plan: Set aside funds forcollege expenses in a tax-advantaged way.Through this plan (also known as a 529 Plan),your after-tax payroll deductions can be setaside to pay college expenses for any namedbeneficiary.

� College planning services: Whether yourchild is 12 months or 12 years away fromcollege, College Coach can make the planningprocess a little easier. College Coach offersworkshops, individual counseling and a helpdesk. The services are designed to pave theway in preparing for college and can includeplanning a high school curriculum, identifyingpotential colleges, preparing for entranceexams, simplifying the admissions process andunderstanding your financial aid options. Andbetter yet, the Company covers the entire costof this service.

� Long-term care insurance: Securecoverage that picks up where traditionalmedical plans and Medicare leave off. It’sdesigned to help pay for care when you areunable to perform routine daily activities due toa lengthy illness, disability or cognitive disorder.You pay the full cost of coverage based ondiscounted group rates.

“College Coach provided me with great ideasand information to help my son prepare for the collegesearch and application process. We look forward tocontinuing to work with them in the years to come.”

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For More InformationWant to learn more? It’s easy, just go to the Benergy website for up-to-date information about therange of health, wealth accumulation, work/life balance and income protection programs that BiogenIdec offers. You can also access detailed information from plan carriers, since their websites are justa click away on Benergy.

To access the Benergy website, go to mybenergy.com. The user id is biogenidec and the passwordis benefits.

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Key Contacts

Important RemindersPlan Ahead...

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TABLE of CONTENTS

Total Rewards Designed for You 1

Protection You Can Rely On 2

Protecting Your Health 2

Protecting Your Income 3

Balancing Your Work and Personal Life 4

Planning for the Future 5

Recognizing Your Commitmentand Contributions 5

For More Information 7

Important Reminders 8

Key Contacts 8

“I am very grateful for the benefits that are available to meand my family here at Biogen Idec. I have never found anything

like them at any of the other places I've worked.”

The Rewards of Workingat Biogen Idec

Biogen IdecApril 2011

ThisguideprovidesabriefsummaryofBiogenIdec’sbenefitprograms.Itscontentsareforinformationalpurposesonly.Itisnotintendedtoimplyacontractorguaranteeofemployment.Ifthereisadiscrepancybetweentheinformationinthisguideandtheofficialplandocuments,thedocumentswillrule.BiogenIdecreservestherighttochangetheprogramsatanytime.