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Prepared and filed by St Ives Financial
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<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>UNITED STATES</b></font><br>
<font size="2" face="serif"><b>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</b></font><br>
<font size="2" face="serif"><b>Washington, D. C.  20549</b></font></p>
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<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>FORM 8-K</b></font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>CURRENT REPORT</b></font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</b></font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>November 17, 2005<br></b>Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)</font></p>
<p align="center"><b><font face="serif" size="3">APPLERA CORPORATION</font></b></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>
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<td width="33%"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>Delaware</b></font></td>
<td width="33%"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>1-4389</b></font></td>
<td width="33%"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>06-1534213</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><font size="2" face="serif">(State or other jurisdiction</font></td>
<td><font size="2" face="serif">(Commission</font></td>
<td><font size="2" face="serif">(IRS Employer</font></td>
</tr>
<tr align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td><font size="2" face="serif">of Incorporation)</font></td>
<td><font size="2" face="serif">file number)</font></td>
<td><font size="2" face="serif">Identification No.)</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>301 Merritt 7<br>Norwalk, Connecticut  06851<br></b>(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)</font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>(203) 840-2000<br></b>(Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code)</font></p>
<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>N/A<br></b>(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)<br></font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:</font></p>
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<td align="left" width="3%"><font size="2" face="serif"><img src="emptybox.gif" width="12" height="12"></font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></td>
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  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><img src="emptybox.gif" width="12" height="12"></font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><img src="emptybox.gif" width="12" height="12"></font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></td>
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  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><img src="emptybox.gif" width="12" height="12"></font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</font></td>
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<td><font size="2" face="serif"><b>Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive
      Agreement.</b></font></td>
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<div style="text-indent: 3%">
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(a)(1)  <i><u>Grants of Restricted Stock Units</u>.  </i>At a meeting of the Management Resources Committee (the &#147;MRC&#148;) of the Board of Directors of Applera Corporation (the &#147;Company&#8221;) held on November 17, 2005, the MRC approved the grant of restricted stock units (&#147;RSUs&#8221;) relating to shares of Applera Corporation &#150; Applied Biosystems Group Common Stock (&#147;Applied Biosystems Stock&#8221;) to some employees of the Company and its subsidiaries pursuant to the Applera Corporation/Applied Biosystems Group Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.  The action of the MRC included grants of the following number of RSUs to the following executive officers of the
Company:</font></p>
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<table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" border="0">
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  <td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><u>Executive Officer</u></font></td>
  <td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><u>Number of RSUs</u>&nbsp;</font></td>
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  <td align="center">&nbsp;</td>
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Tony L. White</font></td>
<td width="10%" align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">88,800</font></td>
<td width="60%" align="left">&nbsp;</td> </tr>
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Chairman, President </font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">and Chief Executive Officer</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Catherine M. Burzik</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">43,200</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Senior Vice President and President, </font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Applied Biosystems Group</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Ugo D. DeBlasi</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">12,000</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Vice President and Controller</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Dennis A. Gilbert</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">19,200</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Vice President</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Barbara J. Kerr</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">25,200</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Vice President, Human Resources</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Sandeep Nayyar</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">15,600</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Assistant Controller</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">William B. Sawch</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">31,200</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Senior Vice President and General Counsel</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Dennis L. Winger</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">31,200</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Senior Vice President and </font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Chief Financial Officer</font></td>
<td align="center"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
</tr>
</table>
<div style="text-indent: 3%">
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Applied Biosystems Stock at the time the RSU vests.  The RSUs granted to the Company&#8217;s executive officers generally vest in four increments of up to 25% of the total amount following the end of fiscal years 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, based on the attainment of revenue objectives for the Applied Biosystems Group established by the MRC for each of these fiscal years.  Any RSUs as to which the vesting targets have not been attained will be forfeited.  RSUs that have not vested will be forfeited and revert back to the Company upon termination of employment with the Company or a subsidiary for any reason, although the MRC has the discretion to modify the vesting
requirements based on individual circumstances. <b><i></i></b>Prior to the vesting of the RSUs, the recipient will not be deemed to be the holder of, or have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Applied Biosystems Stock deliverable with respect to the RSUs. </font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">(2) <i><u>Amendment to Deferred Compensation Plan</u>.</i>  On November 17, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the Applera Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (Amended and Restated Effective as of January 1, 2002) (the &#147;Plan&#148;).  The purpose of the amendment is to provide for the limited exception to the timing of deferrals under the Plan as permitted by Internal Revenue Service Notice 2005-1, Q&amp;A-21.   </font></p>
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<p align="center"><font size="2" face="serif"><b>SIGNATURES</b></font></p>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>  <table width="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
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<td align="left" width="50%"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td colspan="2" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font><font size="2" face="serif"><b>APPLERA CORPORATION</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
  <td align="left">&nbsp;</td>
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<td width="50%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td width="5%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">By: </font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif"><u>/s/ Dennis L. Winger</u></font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td width="50%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td width="5%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Dennis L. Winger</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td width="50%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td width="5%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Senior Vice President and</font></td>
</tr>
<tr valign="top">
<td width="50%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td width="5%" align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">&nbsp;</font></td>
<td align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Chief Financial Officer</font></td>
</tr>
</table>
<p align="left"><font size="2" face="serif">Dated:  November 23, 2005</font></p>
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Prepared and filed by St Ives Financial
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C.  20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
November 17, 2005
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported)
APPLERA CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
1-4389
06-1534213
(State or other jurisdiction
(Commission
(IRS Employer
of Incorporation)
file number)
Identification No.)
301 Merritt 7
Norwalk, Connecticut  06851
(Address of Principal Executive Offices, Including Zip Code)
(203) 840-2000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive
      Agreement.
(a)(1)
Grants of Restricted Stock Units
.
At a meeting of the Management Resources Committee (the "MRC") of the Board of Directors of Applera Corporation (the "Company") held on November 17, 2005, the MRC approved the grant of restricted stock units ("RSUs") relating to shares of Applera Corporation – Applied Biosystems Group Common Stock ("Applied Biosystems Stock") to some employees of the Company and its subsidiaries pursuant to the Applera Corporation/Applied Biosystems Group Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Incentive Plan.  The action of the MRC included grants of the following number of RSUs to the following executive officers of the
Company:
Executive Officer
Number of RSUs
Tony L. White
88,800
Chairman, President
and Chief Executive Officer
Catherine M. Burzik
43,200
Senior Vice President and President,
Applied Biosystems Group
Ugo D. DeBlasi
12,000
Vice President and Controller
Dennis A. Gilbert
19,200
Vice President
Barbara J. Kerr
25,200
Vice President, Human Resources
Sandeep Nayyar
15,600
Assistant Controller
William B. Sawch
31,200
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Dennis L. Winger
31,200
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of Applied Biosystems Stock at the time the RSU vests.  The RSUs granted to the Company's executive officers generally vest in four increments of up to 25% of the total amount following the end of fiscal years 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009, based on the attainment of revenue objectives for the Applied Biosystems Group established by the MRC for each of these fiscal years.  Any RSUs as to which the vesting targets have not been attained will be forfeited.  RSUs that have not vested will be forfeited and revert back to the Company upon termination of employment with the Company or a subsidiary for any reason, although the MRC has the discretion to modify the vesting
requirements based on individual circumstances.
Prior to the vesting of the RSUs, the recipient will not be deemed to be the holder of, or have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Applied Biosystems Stock deliverable with respect to the RSUs.
(2)
Amendment to Deferred Compensation Plan
.
On November 17, 2005, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to the Applera Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan (Amended and Restated Effective as of January 1, 2002) (the "Plan").  The purpose of the amendment is to provide for the limited exception to the timing of deferrals under the Plan as permitted by Internal Revenue Service Notice 2005-1, Q&A-21.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
APPLERA CORPORATION
By:
/s/ Dennis L. Winger
Dennis L. Winger
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
Dated:  November 23, 2005