Verizon Savings Plan for Management Employees
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 11-K

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT

OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE

ACT OF 1934

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-8606

VERIZON SAVINGS PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES

VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC.

1095 Avenue of the Americas

NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10036

 

 

 


Table of Contents

VERIZON SAVINGS PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page(s)

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

   1

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2014 and 2013

   2-3

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the Year Ended December 31, 2014

   4

Notes to Financial Statements

   5-23

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE *

  

Schedule H, Line 4(i)-Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

   24

SIGNATURE

   25
EXHIBIT:   

23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

  

 

* All other schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of Labor Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure Under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 are omitted as not applicable or not required.


Table of Contents

LOGO

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Verizon Employee Benefits Committee

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Verizon Savings Plan for Management Employees (the Plan) as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2014. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2014, has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the audit of the Plan’s financial statements. The information in the supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the information reconciles to the financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information in the supplemental schedule. In forming our opinion on the information, we evaluated whether such information, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. In our opinion, the information is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the financial statements as a whole.

/s/ Mitchell & Titus, LLP

June 26, 2015

New York, New York

A member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited

 

- 1 -


Table of Contents

VERIZON SAVINGS PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES

Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits

As of December 31, 2014

(in thousands of dollars)

 

 

     Other
Investments
    ESOP
Shares Fund
Allocated
     Total  

Assets

       

Investments in Master Trusts (at fair value)

   $     19,213,554      $     657,361       $     19,870,915   

Notes receivable from participants

     549,131        —           549,131   

Employer contribution receivable

     151,023        —           151,023   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets reflecting investments (at fair value)

     19,913,708        657,361         20,571,069   

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

     (25,883     —           (25,883
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets available for benefits

   $ 19,887,825      $ 657,361       $ 20,545,186   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

- 2 -


Table of Contents

VERIZON SAVINGS PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES

Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits

As of December 31, 2013

(in thousands of dollars)

 

 

     Other
Investments
    ESOP
Shares Fund
Allocated
     ESOP
Shares Fund
Unallocated
     Total  

Assets

          

Investments in Master Trusts (at fair value)

   $     12,143,607      $     733,160       $     7,896       $     12,884,663   

Notes receivable from participants

     231,525        —           —           231,525   

Employer contribution receivable

     138,766        —           —           138,766   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     12,513,898        733,160         7,896         13,254,954   

Liabilities

          

Notes payable

     —          —           7,516         7,516   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets reflecting investments (at fair value)

     12,513,898        733,160         380         13,247,438   

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

     (20,943     —           —           (20,943
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets available for benefits

   $ 12,492,955      $ 733,160       $ 380       $ 13,226,495   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

- 3 -


Table of Contents

VERIZON SAVINGS PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits

For the Year Ended December 31, 2014

(in thousands of dollars)

 

 

     Other
Investments
     ESOP
Shares Fund
Allocated
    ESOP
Shares Fund
Unallocated
    Total  

Additions

         

Participants contributions

   $ 799,700       $ —        $ —        $ 799,700   

Employer contributions

     796,236         —          9,245        805,481   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total contributions

     1,595,936         —          9,245        1,605,181   

Transfers among funds

     14,617         (10,352     (4,265     —     

Transfers from other plans and other, net

     6,540,234         —          —          6,540,234   

Net investment gain (loss) from investments in Master Trusts

     912,652         369        (3,377     909,644   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total additions

     9,063,439         (9,983     1,603        9,055,059   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deductions

         

Benefits paid to participants

     1,608,395         63,311        —          1,671,706   

Transfers to other plans and other, net

     —           2,371        —          2,371   

Interest expense

     —           —          1,983        1,983   

Administrative expenses

     60,174         134        —          60,308   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deductions

     1,668,569         65,816        1,983        1,736,368   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change

     7,394,870         (75,799     (380     7,318,691   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net assets available for benefits

         

Beginning of year

     12,492,955         733,160        380        13,226,495   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

End of year

   $ 19,887,825       $ 657,361      $ —        $ 20,545,186   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

- 4 -


Table of Contents

VERIZON SAVINGS PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES

Notes to Financial Statements

December 31, 2014

 

 

1. Description of the Plan

 

The following description of the Verizon Savings Plan for Management Employees (the “Plan”) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Summary Plan Description and Plan Document for a more complete description of the Plan’s provisions.

Eligibility

The Plan is a defined contribution plan subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 as amended (“ERISA”). The Plan provides eligible employees, as defined by the Plan Document, of Verizon Communications Inc. (“Verizon” or “Plan sponsor”) and certain of its subsidiaries (“Participating Affiliates”) with a convenient way to save for both medium- and long-term needs.

Covered employees are eligible to make tax-deferred or after-tax contributions to the Plan and to receive matching employer contributions, upon completion of enrollment in the Plan, as soon as practicable following the date of hire. Beginning January 1, 2012, covered employees who are employed by Verizon or its Participating Affiliates on the last day of the year or who satisfy certain other requirements may receive an employer profit sharing contribution under the Plan.

An individual’s active participation in the Plan shall terminate when the individual ceases to be an eligible employee; however, the individual shall remain a participant until the entire account balance under the Plan has been distributed or forfeited.

Plan Mergers

In April 2014, the assets of the Verizon Wireless Savings and Retirement Plan were merged into the Plan. As a result of the plan merger, net assets of approximately $6.5 billion were transferred to the Plan in 2014. The net assets transferred are included in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits under “Transfers from other plans and other, net.”

In July 2014, the assets of the savings plan for employees of EdgeCast Networks, Inc. (“EdgeCast”) were merged into the Plan. EdgeCast was acquired by Verizon in December 2013. As a result of the plan merger, net assets of approximately $6.0 million were transferred to the Plan in 2014. The net assets transferred are included in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits under “Transfers from other plans and other, net.”

In March 2013, the assets of the savings plan for employees of HUGHES Telematics, Inc. (“HUGHES Telematics”) were merged into the Plan. HUGHES Telematics was acquired by Verizon in July 2012. As a result of the plan merger, net assets of approximately $13.8 million were transferred to the Plan in 2013.

Investment Options

Participants direct their contributions to be invested in any of the current investment options.

 

 

 

- 5 -


Table of Contents

Participant Accounts

Each participant’s account is credited with the participant’s contributions, rollovers, matching contributions, profit sharing contributions, and allocations of Plan income. Allocations of Plan income are based on participant account balances. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participant’s vested account balance.

Administrative Expenses

Plan administrative fees may include legal, accounting, trustee, recordkeeping, and other administrative fees and expenses associated with maintaining the Plan. The cost of administering the Plan is paid by participants through a combination of fees allocated to each participant’s account and fees that are paid as part of the investment fees that are allocated to the Plan’s investment options. Participants are provided with a detailed schedule of fees in the annual disclosure notice.

Payment of Benefits

Benefits are recorded when paid. Benefits are payable in a lump sum cash payment unless a participant elects, in writing, to receive payment in one of the following forms: (1) a lump sum in Verizon shares for investments in the Verizon Company Stock Fund, the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”) Shares Fund or the Consolidated Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“CESOP”) Shares Fund with the balance in cash, (2) annual, semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly installments in cash of approximately equal amounts to be paid out for a period of 2 to 20 years, as selected by the participant, or (3) for those participants eligible to receive their distribution in installments as described in (2) above, a pro rata portion of each installment payment in Verizon shares for investments in the Verizon Company Stock Fund, the ESOP Shares Fund or the CESOP Shares Fund, with the balance of each installment in cash.

Participant Loans

The Plan includes a loan provision authorizing participants to borrow an aggregate amount generally not exceeding the lesser of (i) $50,000 or (ii) 50% of their vested account balances in the Plan subject to certain limitations. Loans are generally repaid by payroll deductions. The term of repayment for loans generally will not be less than six months nor more than five years (15 years for a loan to purchase a principal residence). Beginning January 1, 2012, each new loan bears interest at a rate based on the prime rate plus one percent as determined on the last business day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the calendar quarter in which the loan is made. Loans made prior to January 1, 2012 bear interest at a rate based upon the prime rate. A loan processing fee of $50 is charged to a participant’s Savings Plan account upon initiation of a new loan. Participant loans have been classified as “Notes receivable from participants” in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits. Interest rates ranged from 2.75% to 10.50% for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Master Trusts

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Plan participated in the Verizon Master Savings Trust (the “Master Trust”), and owned a percentage of the net assets in the Master Trust. This percentage is based on a pro rata share of the net assets in the Master Trust. The Plan owned approximately 70.3% and 46.6% of the net assets in the Master Trust at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

 

 

- 6 -


Table of Contents

Fidelity Management Trust Company (the “Trustee” or “Fidelity”) has been designated as the trustee of the Master Trust and is responsible for the control and disbursement of the funds and portfolios of the Plan, including the payment of principal and interest on the ESOP note payable. Expenses of administering the Plan, including fees and expenses of the Trustee may be charged to the Plan. Investment fees are charged against the earnings of the funds and portfolios. The Trustee is also responsible for the investment and reinvestment of the funds and portfolios of the Plan, except to the extent that it is directed by Verizon Investment Management Corp. (“VIMCO”) or by third-party investment managers appointed by VIMCO. Investment fees are charged against the earnings of the funds and portfolios.

At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Plan also owned a percentage of the net assets in the Bell Atlantic Master Trust (together with the Master Trust, the “Master Trusts”), for which The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”) is the trustee. The assets in the Bell Atlantic Master Trust include assets which are pooled between defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. The fair value of the pooled assets allocated to defined contribution plans in the Bell Atlantic Master Trust at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $112.4 million and $108.9 million, respectively. The Plan owned approximately 94.7% and 57.2% of the net assets allocated to defined contribution accounts at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Other assets of the Plan that are held in separate accounts in the Bell Atlantic Master Trust are included in the table of the Master Trust’s net investments (see Note 8).

The Plan’s participating interest in the investment funds of the Master Trusts is based on account balances of the participants and their elected investment funds. The net assets of the Master Trusts are allocated by assigning to each plan participating in the Master Trusts those transactions (primarily contributions, benefit payments, and plan-specific expenses) that can be specifically identified as relating to such plan and by allocating, in proportion to the fair value of the assets assigned to such plan, income and expenses resulting from the collective investment of the assets of the Master Trusts.

Plan Modification

The Board of Directors of Verizon may terminate or partially terminate the Plan at any time and also may modify, alter or amend the Plan at any time. The most senior Human Resources officer of Verizon also has the right to modify, alter or amend the Plan at any time. The chief legal counsel to the Verizon Employee Benefits Committee may also amend the Plan for changes required by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in connection with a determination letter or voluntary compliance application, changes required for compliance with applicable law, and administrative changes required in connection with a merger, consolidation, or transfer of assets to or from the Plan. No amendment may permit any of the assets held pursuant to the Plan to be used for any purpose other than for the exclusive benefit of the participants and their beneficiaries or for paying reasonable expenses of administering the Plan, except that shares of Verizon common stock pledged as collateral for an ESOP loan may be sold to repay the ESOP loan. In the event the Plan terminates, participants will become fully vested in their accounts. The ESOP loan was repaid in November 2014.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Plan provides investment options for participants who can invest in combinations of stocks, fixed income securities, and other investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market, equity price, and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the financial statements.

 

 

 

- 7 -


Table of Contents
2. Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Accounting

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements, accompanying notes and supplemental schedule. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Notes Receivable from Participants

Notes receivable from participants represent participant loans that are recorded at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. Interest income on notes receivable from participants is recorded when it is earned. Related fees are recorded as administrative expenses and are expensed when they are incurred. No allowance for credit losses has been recorded as of December 31, 2014 or 2013. If a participant ceases to make loan repayments and the Plan administrator deems the participant loan to be a distribution, the participant loan balance is reduced and a distribution is recorded.

Investments in Master Trusts

The Plan’s interests in the Master Trusts are recorded at fair value. The Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits reflects the net investment gain from the Plan’s interests in the Master Trusts which consists of the realized gains or losses and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of those investments, as well as interest and dividends earned. Purchases and sales of investments are reflected as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of average cost. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest earned on investments is recorded on the accrual basis.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The three-tier hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which prioritizes the inputs used in the methodologies of measuring fair value for assets and liabilities, is as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

Level 3 – No observable pricing inputs in the market

Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Plan sponsor’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

 

- 8 -


Table of Contents

Investment contracts are required to be reported at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement of that portion of net assets attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts, as that is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. The Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits present net assets at fair value, with an adjustment to contract value for the investment contracts held by the Master Trust. In addition, net assets available for benefits and the changes in net assets available for benefits per the financial statements will be different from those in the Plan’s Form 5500 due to the adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts, as reflected in the financial statements (see Note 10).

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2015, the accounting standard update related to disclosures for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share was issued. This standard update removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The standard update also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. This standard update is effective in 2016 and should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard update is not expected to have a significant impact on the Plan’s financial statements.

 

3. Non-Participant Directed Investments

 

Information about the net assets and the significant components of the changes in net assets related to the Plan’s non-participant directed investments is as follows (in thousands):

 

            As of December 31,          
     2014      2013  

Net Assets

     

Verizon common stock

     $          50,885         $             27,226   
Changes in Net Assets    Year ended December 31, 2014  

Employer contributions

     $          423,351                    

Net investment loss

     (13,354)                  

Net transfers out

     (70)                  

Distributions paid to participants

     (281,825)                  

Increase in diversification adjustment (Note 4)

     (114,276)                  

Exchange out

     (34,385)                  

Other

     44,218                   
  

 

 

 

Net increase

     $            23,659                    
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 9 -


Table of Contents
4. Vesting and Contributions

 

A participant shall be fully vested in the employer-matching and profit sharing contributions allocated to his or her account or ESOP account and any income thereon, upon completing three years of vesting service or upon death, disability, retirement from Verizon or its Participating Affiliates, attainment of normal retirement age, or involuntary termination (other than for cause).

A terminated employee’s non-vested employer-matching and profit sharing contributions are forfeited and offset against subsequent employer-matching and profit sharing contributions to the Plan. Forfeitures used to reduce employer-matching contributions were $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. On April 11, 2014, as a result of the Verizon Wireless Savings Plan merger, a forfeiture balance of $6.3 million was transferred to the Plan. The balance in the forfeiture account was $20.0 million and $5.8 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Plan is funded by employee contributions up to a maximum of 25% of compensation (16% for highly compensated employees as defined in the Plan Document) and by employer-matching and profit sharing contributions. The employer-matching contributions are equivalent in value to 100% of the initial 6% of the participants’ contributions of eligible compensation for each payroll period. Employees attaining the age of 50 or older can elect to make additional catch-up contributions to the Plan. Effective with the 2012 Plan year, Verizon or its Participating Affiliates may make a discretionary, performance-based profit sharing contribution to the Plan in an amount up to 3% of each employee’s eligible compensation for the Plan year.

Participant contributions may be made on a before-tax or Roth after-tax basis (“elective contributions”) or from currently taxed compensation (“after-tax contributions”). Each participant’s elective contributions for the 2014 Plan year were limited to $17,500. For 2014, the total amount of elective contributions, after-tax contributions, matching contributions, profit sharing contributions, and certain forfeitures that may be allocated to a Plan participant was limited to the lesser of (1) $52,000 or (2) 100% of the participant’s total compensation, and the compensation on which such contributions were based was limited to $260,000. The catch-up contribution limit is $5,500 for participants eligible to make catch-up contributions.

Employer-matching contributions and profit sharing contributions are made half in Verizon common stock and half in cash, and the cash is invested in the same options as the participant’s current contributions. The Verizon common stock is held by the Plan in a unitized fund, which means participants do not actually own shares of Verizon common stock but rather own an interest in the unitized fund. For the year ended December 31, 2014, total employer-matching and profit sharing contributions consisted of a stock contribution of 8.3 million shares of Verizon common stock with a fair value at the date of contribution of $403 million and a cash contribution of $403 million. Included in these amounts is a discretionary profit sharing contribution of $151 million, 50% in shares of Verizon common stock and 50% in cash. In Note 3 above, the “diversification adjustment” reflects employer-matching and profit sharing contributions that a participant may elect to transfer into any investment option available under the Plan, subject to the provisions of the Plan Document.

 

 

 

- 10 -


Table of Contents
5. Related-Party Transactions

 

VIMCO, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Verizon, is the investment advisor for certain investment funds and therefore qualifies as a party-in-interest. VIMCO received no compensation from the Plan other than reimbursement of certain expenses directly attributable to its investment advisory and investment management services rendered to the Plan. In addition, certain investments held by the Master Trusts are managed by BNY Mellon as trustee and Fidelity as trustee and record keeper. Therefore, these investments qualify as parties-in-interest transactions. The Plan also allows investment, through a unitized fund, in Verizon common stock, which is a party-in-interest transaction. All of these transactions are exempt from the prohibited transaction rules.

 

6. Income Tax Status

 

The Plan has received a determination letter from the IRS dated April 30, 2015, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and, therefore, the related trusts are exempt from taxation. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification. The Plan administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore, believes that the Plan is qualified and the related trusts are tax exempt.

U.S. GAAP requires Plan management to evaluate uncertain tax positions taken by the Plan. The financial statement effects of a tax position are recognized when the position is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, to be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The Plan administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2014, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The Plan administrator believes the Plan is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2011.

 

7. Employee Stock Ownership Plan

 

An ESOP was established within the Plan. The ESOP purchased Verizon common stock using the proceeds of a loan from Verizon. Verizon and its Participating Affiliates also make annual cash contributions to the ESOP which, when combined with dividends on the Verizon common stock held by the ESOP, are sufficient to repay the principal and interest on the loan. As the ESOP makes loan payments, a percentage of the Verizon common stock held by the ESOP is allocated to the participants’ accounts in the form of employer matching contributions.

In 2014, the remaining outstanding loan balance of $7.5 million was paid. ESOP debt service payments for 2014 were funded with $0.3 million of dividends accumulated on the Verizon common stock held by the ESOP and $7.2 million of cash contributions. At December 31, 2013, 163 thousand shares of Verizon common stock in the ESOP Shares Fund was held as collateral for the ESOP loan. Verizon guaranteed all principal and interest payments on the ESOP borrowings in the event of default by the Plan.

 

- 11 -


Table of Contents
8. Investments in Master Trusts

 

Fair values of publicly traded common stock, commodities and mutual funds are determined by obtaining quoted prices in active markets. The fair values of government securities, corporate debt obligations and other U.S. and international fixed income securities are valued based on yields currently available on comparable securities or issues with similar credit ratings. Fair values of the commingled funds, including the real estate fund, are based on the net asset values (“NAV”) of the shares held as reported by fund managers, which are determined by the fair values of the underlying investments. Hedge fund investments include those seeking to maximize absolute returns using a broad range of strategies to enhance returns and provide additional diversification. The fair values of hedge funds are estimated using the NAV per share of the investments.

The Plan has the ability to redeem these investments at NAV within the near term and thus are classified within Level 2 in the fair value table below. Convertible securities are valued by obtaining dealer quotes, analyzing listed bond and preferred stock prices, and employing sensitivity analysis and adjustments. The real estate fund invests its assets in open-end real estate funds, debt and equity securities of real estate companies, other real estate investments and cash and cash equivalents. The redemption restrictions for the commingled funds, other than the portion of the real estate fund noted below, are summarized as follows:

 

Liquidation
Period

 

Redemption
Frequency

 

Redemption
Notice

 

Redemption
Restrictions

Daily   Daily   Daily   None

For that portion of the real estate fund classified as Level 3 in the fair value table below, redemption requests will be scheduled for payment on the next valuation date which is at least three months after receipt of a written request for redemption (last business day of the quarter). Redemption requests are subject to fund management discretion based on cash available to meet redemption requests. In the event total redemption requests exceed the total cash available to honor such requests, available cash will be pro-rated among the contract-holders eligible for redemption.

The fair value of the fully benefit-responsive guaranteed investment contracts (the “Investment Contracts”) equals the fair values of the underlying assets and the wrap contracts. The underlying assets consist of government securities, corporate debt obligations and asset-backed securities. Fair values of government securities and corporate debt obligations are based on the yields currently available on comparable securities of issues with similar credit ratings. Fair values of asset-backed securities are determined using inputs that include: benchmark yields, reported trades, broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads, two-sided markets, benchmark securities, bids, offers, reference data including market research publications, new issue data, monthly prepayment information and collateral performance.

The wrap contracts within the stable value fund in the Master Trust are held with insurance companies and banks. In a typical wrap contract, the wrap issuer agrees to pay the fund the difference between the contract value and the fair value of the covered assets once the fair value has been totally exhausted. Though relatively unlikely, this could happen if the fund experiences significant redemptions during a time when the fair value of the fund’s covered assets is below their contract value and fair value is ultimately reduced to zero. Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) rated the issuers of these contracts and the contracts underlying the securities from AA- to A+ at both December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

 

- 12 -


Table of Contents

The contract value of the Investment Contracts represents contributions plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses. The underlying investments of the Investment Contracts are included in the Master Trust’s assets at contract value, which, as reported by the insurance companies and banks, was approximately $1.8 billion and $1.9 billion at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Certain events limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the issuer. These events include the following: (1) substantive modification of the Plan, including complete or partial plan termination or merger with another plan; (2) any change in law, regulation, or administrative ruling that could have a material adverse effect on the fund’s cash flow; (3) the Plan’s failure to qualify under section 401(k) of the Code; (4) bankruptcy of the Plan sponsor or other Plan sponsor events which cause a significant withdrawal from the Plan; and (5) defaults in the debt securities that comprise the covered assets in excess of certain limits. The Plan administrator does not believe the occurrence of any such event is probable at this time.

Wrap contracts accrue interest using a formula called the “crediting rate.” Wrap contracts use the crediting rate formula to convert market value changes in the covered assets into income distributions in order to minimize the difference between fair value and contract value over time. The crediting rate is reset monthly and has a floor rate of zero.

The wrap contracts impacting the Plan had average yields of 2.11% and 2.25% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The crediting interest rates for the wrap contracts were 2.10% and 2.08% at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. No valuation reserve was recorded, or was deemed necessary, at December 31, 2014 and 2013 to adjust contract amounts.

The accounting records of the Master Trusts are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rates of exchange at the end of each accounting period, with the impact of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates reflected as an unrealized gain or loss in the fair value of the investments.

Cash receipts and payments derived from investment trades involving foreign currency denominated investments are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the respective transaction date. Net realized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions result from the disposition of foreign currency denominated investments as a result of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates between the trade and settlement dates and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received.

The foreign exchange effect on foreign currency denominated investments is not segregated from the impact of changes in market prices in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits.

The Plan’s interest in the fair value of the Master Trust and the Bell Atlantic Master Trust and the related investment gains are reported in “Investments in Master Trusts (at fair value)” and “Net investment gain (loss) from investments in Master Trusts” in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits and in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, respectively.

 

 

 

 

- 13 -


Table of Contents

The following table represents the Master Trust’s net investments by investment type measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value measurement levels described in Note 2 as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

     Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2014  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 66,570       $ 555,739       $ —         $ 622,309   

Verizon common stock

     6,913,485         —           —           6,913,485   

Mutual funds

           

U.S. fixed income

     1,302,196         —           —           1,302,196   

U.S. equity

     465,718         —           —           465,718   

U.S. small cap

     347,228         —           —           347,228   

International equity

     288,161         —           —           288,161   

Global fixed income

     224,776         —           —           224,776   

Commodities

     42,182         —           —           42,182   

Commingled funds

           

U.S. equity

     —           4,852,046         —           4,852,046   

Cash and cash equivalents

     —           971,439         —           971,439   

International equity

     —           1,242,031         —           1,242,031   

U.S. small cap

     —           1,019,267         —           1,019,267   

U.S. fixed income

     —           616,711         —           616,711   

Real estate

     —           1,055,495         291,117         1,346,612   

Global fixed income

     —           40,103         —           40,103   

Commodities

     —           54,140         —           54,140   

Common stock

           

International equity

     1,574,625         —           —           1,574,625   

U.S. equity

     2,892,711         —           —           2,892,711   

Fixed income

           

Corporate bonds

     5,669         500,232         6,533         512,434   

U.S. treasuries and agencies

     266,567         137,462         —           404,029   

Asset-backed securities

     —           20,276         —           20,276   

Stable value fund

           

Cash and cash equivalents

     —           18,457         —           18,457   

U.S. treasuries and agencies

     —           934,083         —           934,083   

Corporate bonds

     —           454,162         —           454,162   

Asset-backed securities

     —           476,209         —           476,209   

International bonds

     3,640         586,103         —           589,743   

Convertible securities

     1,882         4,769         —           6,651   

Hedge funds

     —           125,248         —           125,248   

Other

     —           —           1,297         1,297   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments at fair value

     14,395,410         13,663,972         298,947         28,358,329   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

     —           (40,798      —           (40,798
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $     14,395,410       $     13,623,174       $     298,947       $     28,317,531   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 14 -


Table of Contents

The following table states the change in fair value of the Master Trust’s Level 3 assets for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value
January 1,
2014
     Transfer
Out
    Transfer
In
     Acquisitions      Dispositions     Realized
Gain
(Loss)
    Change in
Unrealized
Gain
(Loss)
    Fair Value
December 31,
2014
 

Fixed income

                   

International bonds

   $ 6,467       $ (6,467   $ —         $ —         $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —     

Corporate bonds

     —           —          6,477         —           (3     —          59        6,533   

Other

     —           —          1,843         2,018         (2,466     (28     (70     1,297   

Commingled funds

                   

Real estate

     246,630         —          —           26,692         (15,126     8,008        24,913        291,117   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

   $     253,097       $ (6,467   $ 8,320       $ 28,710       $ (17,595   $ 7,980      $     24,902      $ 298,947   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Assets are monitored to assess the appropriate levels assigned within the fair value hierarchy. Changes in economic conditions, such as bankruptcy, default or delisting, may require the transfer of an asset from one fair value level to another. When such a transfer occurs, it is recognized as of the end of the reporting period. Transfers in Other from Level 2 to Level 3 are primarily due to an absence of observable inputs. Transfers out of international bonds to corporate bonds reflect a change in classification.

The following table represents the appreciation (depreciation) (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold as well as held during the year) of all Master Trust investments by investment classification for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

Investments

  

Common stock

   $ (96,026

Mutual funds

     (49,433

Commingled funds

     751,903   

Fixed income

     (20,366
  

 

 

 

Total appreciation, net

   $     586,078   
  

 

 

 

Interest and dividends, along with the net appreciation/(depreciation) in fair value of investments, are allocated to the Plan on a daily basis based upon the Plan’s participation in the various investment funds and portfolios that comprise the Master Trust as a percentage of the total participation in such funds and portfolios. Interest and dividend income for the Master Trust was $510 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

- 15 -


Table of Contents

The following table represents the Bell Atlantic Master Trust’s defined contribution net investments in unitized commingled defined benefit and defined contribution investment accounts by investment type measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value measurement levels described in Note 2 as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

                                                                           
     Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2014  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments

           

Commingled funds

           

International equity

   $ —         $ 112,391       $ —         $ 112,391   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments at fair value

   $ —         $ 112,391       $ —         $ 112,391   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The net depreciation of $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014, includes gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held, during the year for the above Bell Atlantic Master Trust investments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 16 -


Table of Contents

The following table represents the Master Trust’s net investments by investment type measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value measurement levels described in Note 2 as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2013  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 110,755       $ 268,339       $ —         $ 379,094   

Verizon common stock

     7,097,529         —           —           7,097,529   

Mutual funds

           

U.S. fixed income

     1,316,368         —           —           1,316,368   

U.S. equity

     551,445         —           —           551,445   

U.S. small cap

     352,733         —           —           352,733   

International equity

     298,767         —           —           298,767   

Global fixed income

     226,725         —           —           226,725   

Commingled funds

           

U.S. equity

     —           4,283,572         —           4,283,572   

Cash and cash equivalents

     —           791,047         —           791,047   

International equity

     —           1,285,779         —           1,285,779   

U.S. small cap

     —           1,039,540         —           1,039,540   

U.S. fixed income

     —           634,590         —           634,590   

Real estate

     —           776,381         246,630         1,023,011   

Global fixed income

     —           123,555         —           123,555   

Common stock

           

International equity

     1,615,634         3,958         —           1,619,592   

U.S. equity

     2,668,279         211         —           2,668,490   

Fixed income

           

Corporate bonds

     5,301         531,968         —           537,269   

U.S. treasuries and agencies

     427,693         160,607         —           588,300   

Asset-backed securities

     —           21,924         —           21,924   

Stable value fund

           

Cash and cash equivalents

     —           16,564         —           16,564   

U.S. treasuries and agencies

     —           913,261         —           913,261   

Corporate bonds

     —           454,533         —           454,533   

Asset-backed securities

     —           542,586         —           542,586   

International bonds

     26         625,727         6,467         632,220   

Commodities

     39,399         45,638         —           85,037   

Convertible securities

     695         5,627         —           6,322   

Hedge funds

     —           130,442         —           130,442   

Other

     137         1,610         —           1,747   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments at fair value

     14,711,486         12,657,459         253,097         27,622,042   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

     —           (49,541      —           (49,541
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $     14,711,486       $     12,607,918       $     253,097       $     27,572,501   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 17 -


Table of Contents

The following table states the change in fair value of the Master Trust’s Level 3 assets for the year ended December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

     Fair Value
January 1,
2013
     Transfer
Out
     Transfer
In
     Acquisitions      Dispositions     Realized
Gain
(Loss)
     Change in
Unrealized
Gain
(Loss)
    Fair Value
December 31,
2013
 

Fixed income

                     

International bonds

   $ 6,482       $ —         $ —         $ 1,365       $ —        $ —         $ (1,380   $ 6,467   

Commingled funds

                     

Real estate

     215,351         —           —           —           (1,783     —           33,062        246,630   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 221,833       $ —         $     —         $ 1,365       $ (1,783   $ —         $ 31,682      $ 253,097   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table represents the Bell Atlantic Master Trust’s defined contribution net investments in unitized commingled defined benefit and defined contribution investment accounts by investment type measured at fair value on a recurring basis by the fair value measurement levels described in Note 2 as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):

 

                                                                           
     Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2013  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Investments

           

Commingled funds

           

International equity

   $ —         $ 108,897       $ —         $ 108,897   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments at fair value

   $     —         $     108,897       $     —         $     108,897   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

9. Derivatives

 

In the normal course of operations, the Master Trust’s assets and liabilities may include derivative financial instruments (futures, options, foreign currency contracts and credit derivatives). These derivatives involve, in varying degrees, elements of credit and market volatility risks in excess of more traditional investment holdings such as equity and debt instruments. The contract or notional amounts disclosed in this footnote provide a measure of the Master Trust’s involvement in such instruments but are not indicative of potential loss. The intent is to use derivative financial instruments as economic hedges to manage market volatility risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk or credit risk associated with the Master Trust’s investment assets or to address investment managers’ views of future market movements. The Master Trust’s fiduciaries do not anticipate any material adverse effect on the Master Trust’s financial position resulting from its involvement in these instruments.

 

 

 

 

- 18 -


Table of Contents

The following table presents the effect of gains (losses) with respect to these derivative instruments, by type of derivative. The gains (losses) are located on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits under “Net investment gain (loss) from investments in Master Trusts” (in thousands):

 

     

For the Year ended

December 31, 2014

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

   $ (8,423

Futures

     (2,509

Options

             1,242   

Swaps

     (1,440

Futures Contracts

The primary risk managed using futures contracts is the price risk associated with investments. Investment managers enter into various futures contracts to economically hedge investments in domestic securities. These contracts, which are considered derivatives under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815, Derivatives and Hedging, are agreements between two parties to buy or sell a security or financial interest at a set price on a future date and are standardized and exchange-traded. Upon entering into such a contract on behalf of the Plan, the investment manager is required to pledge to the broker an amount of cash or securities equal to the minimum “initial margin” requirements of the exchange on which the contract is traded. Pursuant to the contract, the investment manager agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded on a daily basis by the trustee as a realized gain or loss equal to the difference in the value of the contract between daily closing prices.

The following table presents open futures contracts at December 31, 2014. The fair value presented in this table includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts, but only the current day’s variation margin receivable/payable is reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits under “Investments in Master Trusts (at fair value)” (dollars in thousands):

 

Type of Contract

   Number of
Contracts
Buy (Sell)
     Expiration    Notional      Fair Value  

Fixed Income: Buys

     1,463       Short-term    $ 285,393       $ 4,583   

Fixed Income: Sells

     (942    Short-term      (138,876      (435

Equity: Buys

     136       Short-term      16,518         (103

Equity: Sells

     (8    Short-term      (1,015      (39

Commodity: Buys

     844       Short-term      33,455         (2,272

Other: Buys

     145       Short-term      1,090                     6   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

         $ 196,565       $ 1,740   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 19 -


Table of Contents

The following table presents open futures contracts at December 31, 2013. The fair value presented in this table includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts, but only the current day’s variation margin receivable/payable is reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits under “Investments in Master Trusts (at fair value)” (dollars in thousands):

 

Type of Contract

   Number of
Contracts
Buy (Sell)
     Expiration    Notional      Fair Value  

Fixed Income: Buys

     1,868       Short-term    $ 295,037       $ (1,759

Fixed Income: Sells

     (1,609    Short-term      (269,591      3,466   

Equity: Buys

     1,075       Short-term      141,829         6,155   

Equity: Sells

     (600    Short-term      (61,008      (2,198

Commodity: Buys

     1,383       Short-term      70,270         (594

Commodity: Sells

     (444    Short-term      (20,032              437   

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Buys

     1,126       Short-term      240,832         (71

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Sells

     (293    Short-term      (28,138      308   

Other: Buys

     207       Short-term      14,884         (216
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

         $ 384,083       $ 5,528   
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Option Contracts

The primary risk managed using option contracts is the price risk associated with investments. Purchased and written option contracts are agreements between two parties giving the owner, under a purchased option, the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a specified item at a fixed price (“exercise” or “strike”) during a specified period and, under a written option, the obligation to sell or buy a specified item at a fixed price. These option contracts are intended to economically hedge the Master Trust’s investments in foreign and domestic securities or to generate additional income, such as from selling covered calls. When the investment manager buys or writes an option contract, a nonrefundable fee (the “premium”) is paid or received by the Master Trust, recorded as an asset or liability and subsequently adjusted to the current market value of the option purchased or written. The premiums paid or received from buying or writing options are recorded as realized gains or losses when the options expire. The difference between the premium and the amount paid or received on effecting a closing purchase or sale transaction is also treated as a realized gain or loss. If an option is exercised, the premium paid or received is recorded as a realized gain or loss if sold or an adjustment to cost of the underlying investment if acquired upon exercise.

 

 

 

- 20 -


Table of Contents

The following tables present the cost (premium received or premium paid) and fair value of written and purchased options held by the Master Trust. The fair value presented in these tables is located in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits under “Investments in Master Trusts (at fair value)” (in thousands):

 

At December 31,    2014      2013  
Type of Contract - Written    Cost (Premium
Received)
     Fair Value      Cost (Premium
Received)
     Fair Value  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ (163    $ (9    $ (24    $ (33

Fixed Income

     (1,388      (2,034      (723      (863
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ (1,551    $ (2,043    $ (747    $ (896
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

At December 31,

   2014      2013  
Type of Contract - Purchased    Cost (Premium
Paid)
     Fair Value      Cost (Premium
Paid)
     Fair Value  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 154       $ 1,622       $ 609       $ 125   

Fixed Income

     1,458         1,724         454         487   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,612       $ 3,346       $ 1,063       $ 612   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

The primary risk managed using foreign currency forward contracts is the foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with the Master Trust’s investments denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign currency forward contracts are agreements to exchange foreign currencies at a specified future date and rate, the terms of which are not standardized on an exchange. These contracts are intended to minimize the effect of currency fluctuations on the performance of investments denominated in foreign currencies, or to actively manage currency exposure as one source of alpha (excess return). Risk arises both from the possible inability of the counterparties to meet the terms of the contracts (credit risk) and from the movements in foreign currency exchange rates (market risk). The contracts are recorded at fair value on the date the contract is entered into, which is typically zero.

The following table presents the foreign currency forward contracts held by the Master Trust. The fair value presented in this table is included in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits under “Investments in Master Trusts (at fair value)” (in thousands):

 

     Notional      Fair Value  
At December 31,    2014      2013            2014            2013  

Derivative Assets: Long US$

   $     635,422       $ 696,536       $ 8,875       $ 606   

Derivative Liabilities: Short US$

     955,839             883,290         (18,274          (8,529

Cross Currency (non-US$)

     78,829         64,521         476         212   

Credit Derivatives

A credit derivative is a bilateral contract between a buyer and a seller under which the seller agrees to provide protection to the buyer against the credit risk of a particular entity (“reference entity” or “reference credit”). Credit derivatives generally require that the seller of credit protection make payments to the buyer upon the occurrence of predefined credit events.

 

- 21 -


Table of Contents

These triggering events may include the market standard of failure to pay on indebtedness, bankruptcy of the reference credit, debt restructuring, or the acceleration of indebtedness. The seller of such protection may not be required to make payments until a specified amount of losses has occurred with respect to the portfolio and/or may only be required to pay for losses up to a specified amount.

Credit derivatives are used primarily to help mitigate credit risk in the Master Trust’s corporate bonds portfolio or to address investment managers’ views on the likelihood of future credit events. Through these contracts, the Master Trust either purchases or writes protection on either a single name or a portfolio of reference credits. The credit derivatives written by the Master Trust include credit default swaps (“CDS”).

A CDS is a contract in which, for a fee, a protection seller agrees to reimburse a protection buyer for any losses that occur due to a credit event on a reference entity. If there is no credit default event or settlement trigger, as defined by the specific derivative contract, then the protection seller makes no payments to the protection buyer and receives only the contractually specified fee. However, if a credit event occurs as defined in the specific derivative contract sold, the protection seller will be required to make a payment to the protection buyer.

The Master Trust evaluates the payment/performance risk of the credit derivatives to which it stands as a protection seller based on the credit rating which has been assigned to the underlying reference credit. Where external ratings by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (such as Moody’s and S&P) are used, investment grade ratings are considered to be Baa/BBB or above, while anything below these ratings is considered non-investment grade.

The following table presents the credit derivatives held by the Master Trust. The fair value presented in the table is located in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits under “Investments in Master Trusts (at fair value)” (in thousands):

 

                                                                               
     Notional      Fair Value  
At December 31,    2014      2013      2014      2013  

Derivative Assets

           

Credit default swaps

   $ 5,900       $ 9,900       $ (161    $ (376

Derivative Liabilities

           

Credit default swaps

     148,100         48,000         1,241         590   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Notional Value/Net Fair Value

   $ (142,200    $ (38,100    $ (1,402    $ (966
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table summarizes the key characteristics of the Master Trust’s credit derivative portfolio as a protection seller (in thousands):

 

At December 31,    2014      2013  

 

 
By counterparty    Maximum Potential
Amount of Future
Payments (Notional)
     Fair Value
Payable
     Maximum Potential
Amount of Future
Payments (Notional)
     Fair Value
Payable
 

 

 

Bank/Broker Dealer

   $ 148,100       $ 1,241       $ 48,000       $ 590   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total by counterparty

   $ 148,100       $ 1,241       $ 48,000       $ 590   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

- 22 -


Table of Contents

Credit risk associated with the Master Trust’s derivatives is the risk that a derivative counterparty will not perform in accordance with the terms of the applicable derivative contract. Credit derivatives, including CDS and total return swaps (“TRS”), derive their value from the credit risk on an underlying bond or other financial asset. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Master Trust’s maximum credit exposure (notional value of short position in CDS and TRS) was $148.1 million and $48.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the aggregate fair value of all credit derivative instruments was $(1.4) million and $(966) thousand, respectively.

 

10. Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500

 

The following table reconciles Net assets available for benefits per the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits to the Plan’s Form 5500 Asset and Liability Statement at December 31 (in thousands):

 

     2014      2013  

Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements

   $ 20,545,186       $ 13,226,495   

Adjustment for deemed no post default payments

     (5,641      (4,582

Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

     25,883         20,943   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500

   $ 20,565,428       $ 13,242,856   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following table reconciles the Net change per the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits to net income per the Plan’s Form 5500 Income and Expense Statement for the year ended December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

 

     2014  

Net change per the financial statements

   $ 7,318,691   

Adjustment for deemed no post default payments

     (1,059

Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts

     4,940   
  

 

 

 

Net income per Form 5500

   $ 7,322,572   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 23 -


Table of Contents

VERIZON SAVINGS PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES

EIN: 23-2259884

Plan # 102

Schedule H, Line 4(i) – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)

As of December 31, 2014

(in thousands of dollars)

 

 

Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor,

or Similar Party

  

Description of Investment,

Including Maturity Date, Rate of

Interest, Collateral, Par, or

Maturity Value

   Current Value  

Notes receivable from participants*

   0-15 years maturity at 2.75% - 10.50%    $ 549,131   

 

* Party-in-interest

Cost information is not required because investments are participant-directed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 24 -


Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Verizon Employee Benefits Committee has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

VERIZON SAVINGS PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES

 

By:  

/s/ Marc C. Reed

       Marc C. Reed
       (Chairperson, Verizon Employee Benefits Committee)
Date:   June 26, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 25 -


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 26 -