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<TITLE>MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.: '05 DEFERRED COMP PLAN</TITLE>
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<P align="right" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Registration No.&nbsp;333-</B>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR size="1" noshade color="#000000" width="10%">


<P align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Registration Statement</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>under</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B></DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR size="1" noshade color="#000000" width="10%">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 16pt"><B>MERRILL LYNCH &#038; CO., INC.</B>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 8pt"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center">
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    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>DELAWARE<BR>
(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation or organization)</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>13-2740599<BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</B></TD>
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</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>4 World Financial Center<BR>
New York, New York 10080<BR>
(212)&nbsp;449-1000</B>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 8pt"><B>(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant&#146;s principal executive offices)</B></DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR size="1" noshade color="#000000" width="10%">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>MERRILL LYNCH &#038; CO., INC. 2005 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN<BR>
FOR A SELECT GROUP OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES</B>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 8pt"><B>(Full title of the plan)</B></DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><HR size="1" noshade color="#000000" width="10%">



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>Richard Alsop, Esq.<BR>
Merrill Lynch &#038; Co., Inc.<BR>
222 Broadway &#150; 17th Floor<BR>
New York, New York 10038<BR>
(212)&nbsp;670-0180</B>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 8pt"><B>(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</B></DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>


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    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="17" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of securities</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount to</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum offering</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>be registered</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>price per obligation</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>offering price(2)</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registration fee</B></TD>
</TR>


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    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:10px; text-indent:-10px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Deferred
Compensation<br>
Obligations<FONT style="font-size:8pt">(1)</FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">75,000,000</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">100</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">%</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">75,000,000</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">9,502</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>



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<P align="justify" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 8px"><B>(1)&nbsp;The Deferred Compensation Obligations are unsecured obligations of Merrill Lynch &#038; Co., Inc. to pay deferred compensation in
the future in accordance with the terms of the Merrill Lynch &#038; Co., Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for a Select Group of
Eligible Employees.</B>

<P align="justify" style="font-size: 8pt; margin-top: 8px"><B>(2)&nbsp;Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.</B>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><DIV style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000; font-size: 1px; margin-top: 4px">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

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<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000">PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#002">ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#004">ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#005">ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#006">ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#007">ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#008">ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#009">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#010">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="y01019exv5.htm">EX-5: OPINION OF SIDLEY AUSTIN BROWN & WOOD LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="y01019exv15.htm">EX-15: LETTER RE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFO</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="y01019exv23wb.htm">EX-23.B: CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP</A></TD></TR>
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<!-- link1 "PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS" -->
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<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART I</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>



<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">The document(s) containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8
will be sent or given to participating employees as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These document(s) and the documents
incorporated by reference herein pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of Part&nbsp;II hereof, taken
together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

<!-- link1 "PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>PART II</B>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>


<!-- link1 "ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE." -->
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.</B>


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">The Annual Report of Merrill Lynch &#038; Co., Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December&nbsp;26, 2003, Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q for the quarters ended March&nbsp;26, 2004 and June&nbsp;25, 2004 and Current
Reports on Form 8-K dated January&nbsp;15, 2004, January&nbsp;21, 2004, February&nbsp;6, 2004,
February&nbsp;10, 2004, February&nbsp;11, 2004, February&nbsp;20,
2004, February 25, 2004,
March&nbsp;1, 2004 (2 reports), March&nbsp;5, 2004, March&nbsp;16, 2004, March&nbsp;29, 2004,
March&nbsp;30, 2004 (3 reports), April&nbsp;13, 2004, May&nbsp;4, 2004, May&nbsp;5, 2004 (4
reports), May&nbsp;14, 2004, May&nbsp;21, 2004, June&nbsp;1, 2004 (4 reports), June&nbsp;4, 2004,
June&nbsp;29, 2004 (3 reports), July&nbsp;2, 2004,  July&nbsp;13,
2004, July&nbsp;15, 2004, July&nbsp;30, 2004, August&nbsp;2, 2004
(3&nbsp;reports), August&nbsp;4, 2004 (2&nbsp;reports) and
August&nbsp;25, 2004, filed pursuant to
Section&nbsp;13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;), are
incorporated by reference herein. Information furnished under Item&nbsp;9 of Form
8-K is not incorporated by reference herein.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered
have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and
to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in
any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part hereof.

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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.</B>


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">Under the Merrill Lynch &#038; Co., Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for a
Select Group of Eligible Employees (the &#147;Plan&#148;), the Company will provide
eligible employees the opportunity to agree to the deferral of a specified
percentage of their cash compensation. The obligations of the Company under
such agreements (the &#147;Obligations&#148;) will be unsecured general obligations of
the Company to pay the deferred compensation in the future in accordance with
the terms of the Plan, and will rank <I>pari passu </I>with other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company from time to time outstanding.
However, because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company,
and hence the right of creditors of the Company (including participants in the
Plan), to participate in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon
its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the
prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims
of the Company itself as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. In
addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &#038; Smith Incorporated, to the Company are
restricted by net capital requirements under the Exchange Act, and under rules
of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">The amount of compensation to be deferred by each participating employee
(each a &#147;Participant&#148;) will be determined in accordance with the Plan based on
elections by each Participant. Each Obligation will be payable on a date
selected by each Participant in accordance with the terms of the Plan. The
Obligations will be indexed to one or more Benchmark Return Options
individually chosen by each Participant from a list of investment media. Each
Participant&#146;s Obligation will be adjusted to reflect the investment experience,
whether positive or negative, of the Selected Benchmark


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
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<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt">Return Options, including any appreciation or depreciation. The Obligations
will be denominated and payable in United States dollars.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">A Participant&#146;s right or the right of any other person to the Obligations
cannot be assigned, alienated, sold, garnished, transferred, pledged, or
encumbered except by a written designation of a beneficiary under the Plan, by
written will, or by the laws of descent and distribution.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">The Obligations are not subject to redemption, in whole or in part, prior
to the individual payment dates specified by each Participant, at the option of
the Company or through operation of a mandatory or optional sinking fund or
analogous provision. However, the Company reserves the right to amend or
terminate the Plan at any time, except that no such amendment or termination
shall adversely affect the right of the Participant to the balance of his or
her deferred account as of the date of such amendment or termination.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">The Obligations are not convertible into another security of the Company.
The Obligations will not have the benefit of a negative pledge or any other
affirmative or negative covenant on the part of the Company. Other than any
trustee under the grantor trust, no trustee has been appointed having the
authority to take action with respect to the Obligations and each Participant
will be responsible for acting independently with respect to, among other
things, the giving of notices, responding to any requests for consents, waivers
or amendments pertaining to the Obligations, enforcing covenants and taking
action upon default.

<!-- link1 "ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.</B>


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">None.

<!-- link1 "ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.</B>


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">Section&nbsp;145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as
amended, provides that under certain circumstances a corporation may indemnify
any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or
was serving at its request in such capacity in another corporation or business
association, against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good
faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, has no reasonable cause to believe such person&#146;s conduct was
unlawful.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">Article&nbsp;XIII, Section&nbsp;2 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company provides in effect that, subject to certain limited exceptions, the
Company shall indemnify its directors and officers to the extent authorized or
permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">The directors and officers of the Company are insured under policies of
insurance maintained by the Company, subject to the limits of the policies,
against certain losses arising from any claims made against them by reason of
being or having been such directors or officers. Like indemnification,
insurance is also provided to those employees of the Company who serve as
administrators of the Plan. In addition, the Company has entered into
contracts with all of its directors providing for indemnification of such
persons by the Company to the full extent authorized or permitted by law,
subject to certain limited exceptions.

<!-- link1 "ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.</B>


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">Not Applicable.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

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<!-- link1 "ITEM 8. EXHIBITS." -->
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.</B>

<DIV align="left">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Sidley Austin Brown &#038; Wood LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">15
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Letter re: unaudited interim financial information.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23(a)
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Sidley Austin Brown &#038; Wood LLP (included as part of Exhibit&nbsp;5).</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23(b)
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on page 5).</TD>
</TR>


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<!-- link1 "ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS." -->
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<P align="left" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.</B>


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">(a)(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:



<P align="justify" style="margin-left:5%; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">(i)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;



<P align="justify" style="margin-left:5%; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">(ii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement;



<P align="justify" style="margin-left:5%; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">(iii)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;

<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt">provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant
pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
<I>bona fide </I>offering thereof.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that is
incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial <I>bona
fide </I>offering hereof.


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions referred to in Item&nbsp;6 of
this registration statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>



<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in The City of New York and State of New York on the 27th&nbsp;day of
August, 2004.

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="58%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="36%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" valign="top" align="left">MERRILL LYNCH &#038; CO., INC.</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">By:
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ E. Stanley O&#146;Neal</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">E. Stanley O&#146;Neal</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><I>(Chairman of the Board and</I></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><I>Chief Executive Officer)</I></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%">Each person whose signature appears below appoints E. Stanley O&#146;Neal,
Rosemary T. Berkery and Ahmass L. Fakahany, individually, as true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution to sign any
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement
and to each Registration Statement amended hereby, and to file the same, with
all exhibits and other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, with full power and authority to perform any necessary or
appropriate act in connection with the amendment(s).


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 5%"><B>Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the 27th&nbsp;day of August, 2004.</B>

<DIV align="left">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><U>Signature</U></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><U>Title</U></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ E. Stanley O&#146;Neal<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(E. Stanley O&#146;Neal)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Director, Chairman of the Board and<BR>
Chief Executive Officer (Principal<BR>
Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Ahmass L. Fakahany<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(Ahmass L. Fakahany)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Executive Vice President and Chief<BR>
Financial Officer (Principal
Financial<BR> Officer)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ John J. Fosina<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(John J. Fosina)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">
Controller (Principal Accounting<BR>
Officer)</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ W. H. Clark<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(W.H. Clark)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Jill K. Conway<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(Jill K. Conway)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Alberto Cribiore<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(Alberto Cribiore)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="left">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><U>Signature</U></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><U>Title</U></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ John D. Finnegan<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(John D. Finnegan)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Heinz-Joachim Neub&#252;rger<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(Heinz-Joachim Neub&#252;rger)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ David K. Newbigging<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(David K. Newbigging)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Aulana L. Peters<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(Aulana L. Peters)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 2em">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">/s/ Joseph W. Prueher<BR>
<HR size="1" noshade>
(Joseph W. Prueher)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">6
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">

<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="80%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left"><U>Exhibit No.</U></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left"><U>Description</U></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><U>Page</U></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->

<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">* 5
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Sidley Austin Brown &#038; Wood LLP.
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">8</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">* 15
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Letter re: unaudited interim financial information.
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">9</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">* 23(a)
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Sidley Austin Brown &#038; Wood LLP (included
as part of Exhibit&nbsp;5).</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">* 23(b)
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP.
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">10</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">* 24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included on page 5).</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt">* Filed herewith.


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">7
</DIV>

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MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.: '05 DEFERRED COMP PLAN
Table of Contents
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
Registration Statement
under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
13-2740599
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
4 World Financial Center
New York, New York 10080
(212) 449-1000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC. 2005 DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
FOR A SELECT GROUP OF ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES
(Full title of the plan)
Richard Alsop, Esq.
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.
222 Broadway – 17th Floor
New York, New York 10038
(212) 670-0180
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of securities
Amount to
Proposed maximum offering
Proposed maximum aggregate
Amount of
to be registered
be registered
price per obligation
offering price(2)
registration fee
Deferred
Compensation
Obligations
(1)
$
75,000,000
100
%
$
75,000,000
$
9,502
(1) The Deferred Compensation Obligations are unsecured obligations of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. to pay deferred compensation in
the future in accordance with the terms of the Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for a Select Group of
Eligible Employees.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-5: OPINION OF SIDLEY AUSTIN BROWN & WOOD LLP
EX-15: LETTER RE UNAUDITED INTERIM FINANCIAL INFO
EX-23.B: CONSENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The document(s) containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8
will be sent or given to participating employees as specified by Rule 428(b)(1)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These document(s) and the documents
incorporated by reference herein pursuant to Item 3 of Part II hereof, taken
together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a)
of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
The Annual Report of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (the "Company") on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2003, Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q for the quarters ended March 26, 2004 and June 25, 2004 and Current
Reports on Form 8-K dated January 15, 2004, January 21, 2004, February 6, 2004,
February 10, 2004, February 11, 2004, February 20,
2004, February 25, 2004,
March 1, 2004 (2 reports), March 5, 2004, March 16, 2004, March 29, 2004,
March 30, 2004 (3 reports), April 13, 2004, May 4, 2004, May 5, 2004 (4
reports), May 14, 2004, May 21, 2004, June 1, 2004 (4 reports), June 4, 2004,
June 29, 2004 (3 reports), July 2, 2004,  July 13,
2004, July 15, 2004, July 30, 2004, August 2, 2004
(3 reports), August 4, 2004 (2 reports) and
August 25, 2004, filed pursuant to
Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), are
incorporated by reference herein. Information furnished under Item 9 of Form
8-K is not incorporated by reference herein.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the
filing of a post-effective amendment that indicates that all securities offered
have been sold or that deregisters all securities then remaining unsold shall
be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and
to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement
contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in
any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part hereof.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
Under the Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for a
Select Group of Eligible Employees (the "Plan"), the Company will provide
eligible employees the opportunity to agree to the deferral of a specified
percentage of their cash compensation. The obligations of the Company under
such agreements (the "Obligations") will be unsecured general obligations of
the Company to pay the deferred compensation in the future in accordance with
the terms of the Plan, and will rank
pari passu
with other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company from time to time outstanding.
However, because the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company,
and hence the right of creditors of the Company (including participants in the
Plan), to participate in any distribution of the assets of any subsidiary upon
its liquidation or reorganization or otherwise is necessarily subject to the
prior claims of creditors of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims
of the Company itself as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized. In
addition, dividends, loans and advances from certain subsidiaries, including
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, to the Company are
restricted by net capital requirements under the Exchange Act, and under rules
of certain exchanges and other regulatory bodies.
The amount of compensation to be deferred by each participating employee
(each a "Participant") will be determined in accordance with the Plan based on
elections by each Participant. Each Obligation will be payable on a date
selected by each Participant in accordance with the terms of the Plan. The
Obligations will be indexed to one or more Benchmark Return Options
individually chosen by each Participant from a list of investment media. Each
Participant's Obligation will be adjusted to reflect the investment experience,
whether positive or negative, of the Selected Benchmark
2
Table of Contents
Return Options, including any appreciation or depreciation. The Obligations
will be denominated and payable in United States dollars.
A Participant's right or the right of any other person to the Obligations
cannot be assigned, alienated, sold, garnished, transferred, pledged, or
encumbered except by a written designation of a beneficiary under the Plan, by
written will, or by the laws of descent and distribution.
The Obligations are not subject to redemption, in whole or in part, prior
to the individual payment dates specified by each Participant, at the option of
the Company or through operation of a mandatory or optional sinking fund or
analogous provision. However, the Company reserves the right to amend or
terminate the Plan at any time, except that no such amendment or termination
shall adversely affect the right of the Participant to the balance of his or
her deferred account as of the date of such amendment or termination.
The Obligations are not convertible into another security of the Company.
The Obligations will not have the benefit of a negative pledge or any other
affirmative or negative covenant on the part of the Company. Other than any
trustee under the grantor trust, no trustee has been appointed having the
authority to take action with respect to the Obligations and each Participant
will be responsible for acting independently with respect to, among other
things, the giving of notices, responding to any requests for consents, waivers
or amendments pertaining to the Obligations, enforcing covenants and taking
action upon default.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
None.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as
amended, provides that under certain circumstances a corporation may indemnify
any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or
was serving at its request in such capacity in another corporation or business
association, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person acted in good
faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed
to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, has no reasonable cause to believe such person's conduct was
unlawful.
Article XIII, Section 2 of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company provides in effect that, subject to certain limited exceptions, the
Company shall indemnify its directors and officers to the extent authorized or
permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
The directors and officers of the Company are insured under policies of
insurance maintained by the Company, subject to the limits of the policies,
against certain losses arising from any claims made against them by reason of
being or having been such directors or officers. Like indemnification,
insurance is also provided to those employees of the Company who serve as
administrators of the Plan. In addition, the Company has entered into
contracts with all of its directors providing for indemnification of such
persons by the Company to the full extent authorized or permitted by law,
subject to certain limited exceptions.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
Not Applicable.
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ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.
5
Opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP.
15
Letter re: unaudited interim financial information.
23(a)
Consent of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP (included as part of Exhibit 5).
23(b)
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
24
Power of Attorney (included on page 5).
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(a)(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)      To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)      To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
registration statement;
(iii)      To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-8 and the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide
offering thereof.
(3)      To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
(b)      That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant
to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that is
incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona
fide
offering hereof.
(c)      Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling
persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions referred to in Item 6 of
this registration statement, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore,
unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in The City of New York and State of New York on the 27th day of
August, 2004.
MERRILL LYNCH & CO., INC.
By:
/s/ E. Stanley O'Neal
E. Stanley O'Neal
(Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer)
Each person whose signature appears below appoints E. Stanley O'Neal,
Rosemary T. Berkery and Ahmass L. Fakahany, individually, as true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution to sign any
amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement
and to each Registration Statement amended hereby, and to file the same, with
all exhibits and other related documents, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, with full power and authority to perform any necessary or
appropriate act in connection with the amendment(s).
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on the 27th day of August, 2004.
Signature
Title
/s/ E. Stanley O'Neal
(E. Stanley O'Neal)
Director, Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer (Principal
Executive Officer)
/s/ Ahmass L. Fakahany
(Ahmass L. Fakahany)
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer (Principal
Financial
Officer)
/s/ John J. Fosina
(John J. Fosina)
Controller (Principal Accounting
Officer)
/s/ W. H. Clark
(W.H. Clark)
Director
/s/ Jill K. Conway
(Jill K. Conway)
Director
/s/ Alberto Cribiore
(Alberto Cribiore)
Director
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Signature
Title
/s/ John D. Finnegan
(John D. Finnegan)
Director
/s/ Heinz-Joachim Neubürger
(Heinz-Joachim Neubürger)
Director
/s/ David K. Newbigging
(David K. Newbigging)
Director
/s/ Aulana L. Peters
(Aulana L. Peters)
Director
/s/ Joseph W. Prueher
(Joseph W. Prueher)
Director
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
Page
* 5
Opinion of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP.
8
* 15
Letter re: unaudited interim financial information.
9
* 23(a)
Consent of Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP (included
as part of Exhibit 5).
* 23(b)
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
10
* 24
Power of Attorney (included on page 5).
* Filed herewith.
7