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, 2005
 

                                                                                           or
 
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
 
For the transition period from _____ to _____
 

Commission file number 1-7657

A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of 
the issuer named below: 
 
 
AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
 
B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address 
of its principal executive office: 

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
Three World Financial Center
200 Vesey Street
New York, New York 10285


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
FORM 11-K
 
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005
 
Index
  Page Number 
      
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms  1 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS   
 
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of   
         December 31, 2005 and 2004  3 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for   
         Benefits for the year ended December 31, 2005  4 
 
Notes to the Financial Statements  5 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE   
 
Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of   
         December 31, 2005  14 
 
Signature  20 
 
Exhibit Index  21 
 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Employee Benefit Administration Committee
American Express Company

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the American Express Incentive Savings Plan (the “Plan”) at December 31, 2005, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 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 audit. We conducted our audit of these statements 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. An audit 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 audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Our audit was conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2005, is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Minneapolis, Minnesota 
June 28, 2006 

1


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Employee Benefit Administration Committee
American Express Company:

We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits of the American Express Incentive Savings Plan as of December 31, 2004. This financial statement is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial statement based on our audit.

We conducted our audit 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 statement is free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Plan’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit 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 statement, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statement referred to above presents fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan at December 31, 2004 in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 
Minneapolis, Minnesota 
June 6, 2005 

2


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
December 31, 2005 and 2004
 
 
    2005      2004 
 
Assets         
 
Investments  $  2,721,729,112  $  3,350,018,888 
Cash  49,142    2,776,504 
Receivables:       
   Investment income  94,086,153    76,024,209 
   Employer contributions -       
         Other than profit sharing  11,467,480    18,945,857 
         Profit sharing  48,083,113    75,321,611 
 
Net assets available for benefits  $  2,875,415,000  $  3,523,087,069 

See notes to the financial statements.

3


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
For the Year Ended December 31, 2005

    2005  
 
Additions:     
Contributions:     
   Employer -     
         Other than profit sharing  $  65,084,696  
         Profit sharing    48,083,215  
   Employee    141,381,264  
   Member rollovers or transfers     7,312,871  
Total contributions    261,862,046  
 
Investment income:     
   Interest and dividends    125,244,117  
   Interest on participant loans    4,893,070  
   Net realized/unrealized appreciation    12,846,211  
Total investment income    142,983,398  
       
 
Total additions    404,845,444  
 
Transfers:     
Transfer from Rosenbluth International,     
   Inc. Savings and Security Plan    34,021,020  
Transfer to Ameriprise Financial 401(K)     
   Plan    (742,877,506 ) 
Net transfers    (708,856,486 ) 
 
Deductions:     
Withdrawal payments    (343,661,027 ) 
 
Net decrease in net assets available for     
   benefits    (647,672,069 ) 
 
Net assets available for benefits at     
   beginning of year    3,523,087,069  
 
Net assets available for benefits at     
   end of year  $  2,875,415,000  

See notes to the financial statements.

4


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Description of the Plan

General

The American Express Incentive Savings Plan (the “Plan”), which became effective June 11, 1973, is a defined contribution pension plan. Under the terms of the Plan, regular full-time and certain part-time employees of American Express Company and its participating subsidiaries (the “Company”) can make elective contributions to the Plan beginning as soon as practicable after their date of hire and are eligible to receive Company contributions upon completion of one year of service.

The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”). The following is not a comprehensive description of the Plan, and therefore, does not include all situations and limitations covered by the Plan. Participants should refer to the Plan Document for more complete information.

On September 30, 2005, the Company completed the spin-off of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (“Ameriprise”), formerly known as American Express Financial Corporation, the Company’s financial planning and financial services business. During 2005, the net assets available for benefits relating to Ameriprise plan participants were transferred to the Ameriprise Financial 401(K) Plan.

Rosenbluth International, Inc. was acquired by the Company in 2003. During 2005, the net assets of the Rosenbluth International, Inc. Savings and Security Plan were transferred to the Plan.

Administration

Ameriprise Trust Company (formerly known as American Express Trust Company) (“ATC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise, is the Trustee and Recordkeeper for the Plan. The Plan is administered by the Company's Employee Benefits Administration Committee (“EBAC”), and the Company’s Incentive Savings Plan Investment Committee (“ISPIC”) selects the investment options available under the Plan and directs the manner in which certain investments of the Plan are invested. ISPIC has the power to appoint investment managers to make investment decisions. Both Committees are appointed by the Compensation and Benefits Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

Expenses

Fees, commissions and other charges attributable to the Plan as a whole are paid by the Plan, unless paid by the Company. Currently, all administrative expenses incurred with regard to the Plan are borne by the Company. Expenses related to the Plan’s investments, such as brokerage commissions, fees, stock transfer taxes and other charges, are generally paid out of the applicable investment fund. The participant pays certain fees and expenses associated with his or her Self-Managed Brokerage Account (the “SMBA”).

5


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

Contributions

The Plan currently provides for the following contributions:

  Elective Contributions 
 

Each pay period, participants may make before-tax contributions, after-tax contributions (up to 10%), or a combination of both, not to exceed 80% of their compensation to the Plan through payroll deduction. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), imposes a limitation (adjusted annually for cost of living increases) on participants’ before-tax contributions to plans, which are qualified under Code Section 401(k), and other specified tax favored plans. For 2005, this limit was $14,000 for employees under age 50 and $18,000 for employees over age 50. For 2004, the limit was $13,000 for employees under age 50 and $16,000 for employees over age 50. The Plan complied with nondiscrimination requirements under the Code for 2005 and 2004.

 
Company Matching Contributions 
 

Upon a participant’s completion of one year of service and except as described in the following paragraph, the Company matches participants’ before-tax contributions quarterly on a dollar for dollar basis up to 3% of compensation. A participant must be employed by the Company on the last working day of the quarter to receive Company Matching Contributions.

 

Effective January 1, 2005, amendments to the Plan were adopted to provide that certain employees within the U.S. Business Travel, Global Business Travel and Global Commercial Card businesses (“Business Travel Employees”), who were younger than age 40 on December 31, 2004, or who had less than five years of service on December 31, 2004 (regardless of age), receive Company Matching Contributions based on 50% of the first 3% of compensation.

 
Profit Sharing Contributions 
 

Upon a participant’s completion of one year of service, additional Company contributions of 0-7% of the participant’s compensation may be made annually at the Company’s discretion based, in part, on the Company’s performance. Participants must be employed on the last working day of the Plan year (or be disabled under the terms of the Plan) to be eligible for any Profit Sharing Contributions made for that plan year. Contributions to eligible employees are made regardless of whether the eligible employee contributes to the Plan. Profit Sharing Contributions were 4.25% of compensation in 2005 and 2004 (2.25% of compensation for Business Travel Employees in 2005).

 
Company Stock Contributions 
 

Upon a participant’s completion of one year of service, the Company contributes to the Plan on a quarterly basis 1% of each eligible employee’s compensation, regardless of whether the eligible employee contributes to the Plan. This contribution is initially invested in the American Express Company Stock Fund. Company Stock Contributions were $19,498,264 and $19,411,424 in 2005 and 2004, respectively. A participant must be employed by the Company on the last working day of the quarter to receive Company Stock Contributions.


6


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

  Limit on Contributions 
 

For purposes of the Plan, compensation is a participant’s regular cash remuneration up to $210,000 and $205,000 in 2005 and 2004, respectively, before tax deductions and certain other withholdings. Compensation, for the purposes of the Plan, does not include bonuses, overtime, commissions and certain other amounts.


Transfer of Account Balances

Participants’ account balances may be transferred among the Plan’s investment options upon instructions from the participant, except that prior to August 2, 2004, the Company Stock Contributions and amounts held in transfer accounts pursuant to the merger of the American Express Stock Ownership Plan into the Plan on December 1, 1994 (“SOP Transfer Account”), could not be transferred from the American Express Company Stock Fund until the participant had reached age 55. Since August 2, 2004, participants have been permitted to transfer their account balances in the Company Stock Contributions and the SOP Transfer Account to the Plan’s available investment funds.

Participant Rollovers

A Rollover is a transfer to the Plan of a qualified distribution in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. Rollovers into the Plan are not subject to Company Matching Contributions.

Vesting and Forfeitures

Participants are immediately vested in their before-tax and after-tax contributions, Company Matching Contributions, Company Stock Contributions, Rollovers, SOP Transfer Accounts, if any, and investment earnings on the foregoing. Profit Sharing Contributions, and investment earnings thereon, vest after five years of service, upon retiring at or after attaining the Plan’s normal retirement age (65), upon becoming disabled or at death. Company Profit Sharing Contributions not vested at the time of termination of employment are forfeited and used to reduce future Company contributions. Forfeited account balances were $3,918,714 and $3,812,559 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Profit Sharing Contributions were reduced by $4,000,000 of forfeited account balances in 2005.

Plan Termination

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of Plan termination, participants will become 100% vested in their accounts.

Loan Program

Participants are also entitled to apply to the EBAC for a loan from the Plan for a minimum amount of $500 up to the lesser of $50,000 or 50% of their vested balance, subject to certain restrictions set forth in the Plan and the Code. General purpose loans are limited to terms of 59 months. Loans to purchase a principal residence have a maximum term of 359 months. Loan repayment amounts, including principal and interest, are deducted each pay period and allocated to participants’ investment accounts in accordance with the election in effect for new contributions at the time of repayment.

7


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to the Financial Statements

1. Description of the Plan (continued)

Loans are collateralized by a minimum of 50% of the participant’s vested account balance and the interest rate is fixed based on the prime rate for the month prior to the month in which the loan request is being processed. In the event of a loan default, the EBAC may direct the Trustee to treat the outstanding loan balance as an early withdrawal of funds from the Plan, thereby subjecting the loan balance to income tax plus any penalties imposed by the Code.

Tax Deferrals

As long as the Plan remains qualified and the related Trust (the “Trust”) remains tax exempt, amounts invested in the Plan through participant and Company contributions and Rollovers, as well as the investment earnings on such amounts, are not subject to federal income tax until distributed to the participant.

Distributions and Withdrawals

Upon disability, death or retirement at or after attaining the Plan’s normal retirement age (65), participants or their beneficiaries are eligible to receive a distribution of the full value of their accounts. If employment ends for other reasons, participants are eligible to receive a distribution of their vested account balance. If employment ends, participants (or their beneficiaries) may elect to receive their vested balance as a lump sum cash amount, American Express Company common shares, Ameriprise common shares, shares of any mutual fund available through the SMBA, or a combination of cash and shares. If the account balance is greater than $1,000, participants may elect to defer distribution until age 65. If the account balance is $1,000 or less, a distribution will be made in a lump sum following the end of employment. Participants may request a withdrawal of all or a portion of their vested account balance subject to limitations under the terms of the Plan and certain tax penalties imposed by the Code.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investment Valuation and Income Recognition

The Plan’s investments are stated at fair value except for its benefit-responsive investment contracts and participant loan accounts. Investment contracts are valued at contract value. Contract value represents the face amount of the contract plus interest at the contract rate. Participant loan accounts are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Investments in American Express Company and Ameriprise common shares are valued at the last quoted sales price on the New York Stock Exchange on the last business day of the Plan fiscal year. Investments in mutual funds and collective investment funds are valued at the closing net asset values of the funds on the last business day of the Plan fiscal year.

Purchases and sales of securities are reflected on a trade-date basis. The cost of securities sold is determined using the average cost method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. As required by the Plan, all dividend and interest income is reinvested into the same investment funds in which the dividends and interest income arose.

 

8


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to the Financial Statements

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

The Plan presents in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits the net appreciation (depreciation) in the fair value of its investments, which consists of the realized gains or losses and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on those investments.

3. Investments

Investment Elections

A participant may currently elect to invest contributions in any combination of investment funds in increments of 1% and change investment elections for future contributions on any business day the New York Stock Exchange is open, with the exception of the SMBA. The SMBA has a minimum initial transfer of $3,000 and additional funds must be transferred in increments of at least $500. Future contributions cannot be made directly to the SMBA.

Investment Funds

A brief description of the investment funds available to participants at December 31, 2005 is set forth below:

American Express Company Stock Fund –The American Express Company Stock Fund invests primarily in the Company’s common stock, purchased in either the open market or directly from the Company, and in cash or short-term cash equivalents.

Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Stock Fund – The Ameriprise Financial Stock Fund is available only to participants in the Plan who had balances immediately prior to the spin-off of Ameriprise. The fund invests primarily in common shares of Ameriprise. Amounts held in the Ameriprise Financial Stock Fund may be sold at any time, but the fund will not receive any additional contributions either through investment elections or a fund transfer. The Ameriprise Financial Stock Fund will be held in the Plan for 18 months following the spin-off of Ameriprise, until April 2007, at which time participants may elect to transfer their Ameriprise common shares to the SMBA or have the shares liquidated and the proceeds invested in a default investment fund to be determined by ISPIC.

American Express ISP Income Fund - Invests in various investment contracts, directly or indirectly, offered by insurance companies or other financial institutions. Contracts may be subject to penalties if they are terminated before their stated maturity if the purpose for termination is other than to obtain funds for ordinary participant benefit payments. The average yield on investment contracts was 4.63% and 4.10% for 2005 and 2004, respectively. The weighted average crediting rates on investment contracts was 4.63% and 4.10% at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. ATC acts as investment manager for the ISP Income Fund. The fund also invests in the RiverSource Trust (“RVST”) Stable Capital Fund (which invests primarily in a diversified pool of high quality bonds together with book value contracts of varying maturity, sizes and yields) and the RiverSource Trust Short-Term Money Market Fund I (which invests primarily in short-term debt instruments). The goal of these funds is to maximize current income consistent with the preservation of principal.

9


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to the Financial Statements

3. Investments (continued)

Mutual Funds – The “RiverSource Funds” – the RiverSource (“RVS”) Diversified Bond Fund (previously the AXP Diversified Bond Fund, Inc.), RiverSource Balanced Fund (previously the AXP Mutual Fund, Inc.), RiverSource New Dimensions Fund (previously the AXP New Dimensions Fund, Inc.), RiverSource Stock Fund (previously the AXP Stock Fund, Inc.), RiverSource Global Balanced Fund (previously the AXP Threadneedle Global Balanced Fund, Inc.) and RiverSource Mid-Cap Growth Fund (previously the AXP Equity Select Fund, Inc.) – are mutual funds managed by RiverSource Investments, LLC and distributed by Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Both Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. and RiverSource Investments, LLC are part of Ameriprise. Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund International Equity Portfolio (Class A) is managed by Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asset Management.

Effective March 10, 2006, the RiverSource Global Balanced Fund was merged into the RiverSource Balanced Fund. Also, effective March 10, 2006, the RiverSource New Dimensions Fund merged into the RiverSource Large Cap Equity Fund and the RiverSource Stock Fund merged into the RiverSource Disciplined Equity Fund.

Collective Investment Funds – The RiverSource Trust Small Cap Equity Index Fund I (previously the American Express Trust Small Cap Equity Index Fund I), RiverSource Trust Equity Index Fund III (previously the American Express Trust Equity Index Fund III), RiverSource Trust Short-Term Horizon (25:75) Fund (previously the American Express Trust Short-Term Horizon Fund), RiverSource Trust Medium-Term Horizon (50:50) Fund (previously the American Express Trust Medium-Term Horizon Fund) and the RiverSource Trust Long-Term Horizon (80:20) Fund (previously the American Express Trust Long-Term Horizon Fund) are collective investment funds, managed by ATC.

Self-Managed Brokerage Account (Mutual Funds only) – The SMBA gives participants the freedom to invest in a wide variety of mutual funds in addition to the other aforementioned investment options. Participants are provided a list of over 900 mutual funds from which to make choices and investment selections of their own design.

At December 31, 2005 and 2004, investments with a fair value representing 5% or more of the Plan’s net assets were as follows:

Description        2005       2004
American Express Company – Common Shares     $  888,964,450      $  1,221,490,042  
 
RVS New Dimensions Fund   $  378,658,136    $  548,187,556  

10


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to the Financial Statements

3. Investments (continued)

During 2005, the Plan’s investments (including investments purchased, sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) in fair value as follows:

Net realized and unrealized appreciation

  (depreciation) in fair value of investments:        
           
Mutual funds $  (65,689,699
Collective investment funds   25,961,472  
American Express Company Stock Fund   34,468,272  
American Express ISP Income Fund   1,406,231  
Ameriprise Stock Fund 16,699,935
   
  $  12,846,211  

At December 31, 2005, the fair value of investment contracts was estimated to be $396,204,816. Fair value for traditional investment contracts was estimated based upon discounting future cash flows under the contract at current interest rates for similar investments with comparable terms. Fair value for synthetic contracts was estimated based on the market values of the underlying securities. Related wrap instruments for synthetic contracts were valued at the difference between the fair value of the underlying securities and the contract value attributable by the wrapper to such assets. Contracts with maturities of one year or less were valued at contract value, which approximates fair value. This valuation is made in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” and does not necessarily reflect the value that would be realized as a result of premature liquidation of the contracts.

4. Risks and Uncertainties

The Plan invests in various investment securities. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.

5. Income Tax Status

The Plan has received a favorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) dated February 20, 2004 stating that the Plan is qualified, the Trust established under the Plan is tax-exempt and the Plan satisfies the requirement of Code section 4975(e)(7) as an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. Subsequent to this determination by the IRS, the Plan was amended. The Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification. The Company believes the Plan, as amended, is designed and being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore believes that the Plan, as amended, is qualified, the related trust is tax-exempt and the Plan satisfies the requirements of Section 4975(e)(7) of the Code.

11


AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Notes to the Financial Statements

6. Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements at December 31, 2005:

Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements   $  2,875,415,000  
Less: Loans deemed distributed    (1,758,628)  
Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500   $  2,873,656,372  

The following is a reconciliation of withdrawal payments per the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005:

Withdrawal payments per the financial statements   $  343,661,027  
Less: Deemed loans offset by distributions    (826,619)
Withdrawal payments per the Form 5500   $  342,834,408  

The following is a reconciliation of interest on participant loans per the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005:

Interest on participant loans per the financial statements  $ 4,893,070  
Add: Interest on deemed distributed loans    10,409
Interest on participant loans per the Form 5500  $ 4,903,479

7. Related Party Transactions

Certain plan investments are managed by subsidiaries of Ameriprise, the parent company of ATC, the Trustee of the Plan. Therefore, these transactions qualify as exempt party-in-interest transactions.

8. Subsequent Event

During June 2006, the ISPIC approved the replacement of certain investments held by the Plan with new investment options. Participants will be allowed to redirect their account balance to the new investment options until a specified date which is expected to be in October 2006. If participants do not redirect their account balance by the specified date, the investments will transfer into new investment options as predetermined by the ISPIC.

9. New Accounting Pronouncement

On December 29, 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued FASB Staff Position AAG INV-1 and SOP 94-4-1, Reporting of Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts Held by Certain Investment Companies Subject to the AICPA Investment Company Guide and Defined-Contribution Health and Welfare and Pension Plans (FSP). The FSP clarifies the definition of fully benefit-responsive investment contracts for contracts held by defined contribution plans and establishes enhanced financial statement presentation and disclosure requirements. The FSP is effective for financial statements for periods ending after December 15, 2006. The Plan intends to adopt the FSP for the year ended December 31, 2006. Under the FSP, benefit-responsive investment contracts will continue to be carried at contract value. However, the fair value of such benefit-responsive contracts will be presented on the statement of net assets available for benefits and the amount representing the difference between fair value and contract value of the investment contracts will be presented as a separate amount on the face of the statement of net assets available for benefits. The statement of changes in net assets available for benefits will reflect income credited to participants in the Plan and net appreciation or depreciation in the fair value of only those investment contracts that are not deemed to be fully benefit responsive.

12















SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE


              
              
 AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
 Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
 December 31, 2005
     (c) Number of       
       Shares / Units or       
(a)  (b)Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party        Face Amount        (d) Cost**        (e) Current Value
Mutual Funds -           
     *       RVS New Dimensions Fund    19,104,850        $  378,658,136  
     *       RVS Diversified Bond Fund  17,689,963        84,911,824  
     *       RVS Balanced Fund  2,940,314        29,020,897  
     *       RVS Stock Fund  4,579,139        92,773,360  
     *       RVS Global Balanced Fund  3,592,617        21,483,849  
     *       RVS Mid-Cap Growth Fund  7,983,138        115,915,157  
       MSIF International Equity (Class A)  6,114,482        124,368,557  
          847,131,780  
 
Collective Investment Funds -         
     *       RVST Short-Term Horizon (25:75) Fund  418,375        8,867,039  
     *       RVST Medium-Term Horizon (50:50) Fund  3,902,810        103,764,011  
     *       RVST Long-Term Horizon (80:20) Fund  1,626,540        45,940,002  
     *       RVST Small Cap Equity Index Fund I  4,636,888        79,137,773  
     *       RVST Equity Index Fund III  2,560,871        88,214,307  
          325,923,132  
American Express Company Stock Fund -         
     *       RVST Money Market Fund I  12,426,527        12,426,527  
     *       American Express Company Common Shares  17,274,863        888,964,450  
          901,390,977  
Ameriprise Financial Company Stock Fund -         
     *       RVST Money Market Fund I  1,074,122        1,074,122  
     *       Ameriprise Common Shares  3,211,862        131,686,342  
          132,760,464  
    
Self-Managed Brokerage Account
 
      75,740,068  
   
     * Indicates Party-in-interest.        
 ** Cost information not required for participant directed investments.

14


         
         
 AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
 Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) (continued)
 December 31, 2005
 
 
     (c) Number of    
    Shares / Units or    
(a)        (b)Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party        Face Amount       (d) Cost **       (e) Current Value
American Express ISP Income Fund -           
*       RVST Money Market Fund I  6,297,410   6,297,410   
*       RVST Stable Capital Fund  1,779,599   36,360,776   
 
       Investment contracts:       
       FNMA TBA 5.00% 1/01/18  1,257,000   1,243,251  
       FNMA 30YR TBA 5.00% 1/01/35  8,675,000   8,403,906  
       FNMA TBA 5.50% 1/01/31  11,000,000   10,890,000  
       FNMA 15YR TBA 6.00% 1/01/14  4,284,000   4,375,035  
       FNMA 30YR TBA 6.00% 9/01/28  26,400,000   26,622,816  
       FNMA 30YR TBA 6.50% 1/01/30  1,344,000   1,378,440  
       FHLMC TBA 6.00% 01/01/36  3,750,000   3,786,035  
       FHLMC GOLD #E92454 5.00% 11/01/17  1,139,349   1,129,907  
       FHLMC GOLD #E96180 4.50% 5/01/13  1,366,558   1,341,764  
       FHLMC GOLD #E96579 4.50% 6/01/13  543,412   530,289  
       FHLMC GOLD #E97248 5.00% 6/01/18  1,003,580   995,465  
       FHLMC GOLD #E99565 5.50% 9/01/18  1,571,729   1,581,685  
       FHLMC GOLD #E99595 5.50% 10/01/18  705,262   710,615  
       FHLMC MTN 3.525% 12/20/07  3,192,000   3,119,973  
       FHLMC 3.00% 1/30/07  3,612,000   3,536,600  
       FHLMC 2.00% 2/23/06  2,704,000   2,694,174  
       FHLMC #G10559 GOLD 7.00% 7/01/11  173,698   180,252  
       FHLMC #G10561 GOLD 7.00% 8/01/11  188,071   195,167  
       FHLMC #C66537 7.00% 4/01/32  312,621   325,695  
       FHLMC #C66594 7.00% 4/01/32  332,633   348,375  
       FHLMC 15YR #E00546 5.50% 3/01/13  300,512   302,817  
       FHLMC GOLD #E00593 5.50% 11/01/13  344,948   347,642  
       FHLMC GOLD #B10777 5.00% 11/01/13  1,315,373   1,310,519  
       FHLMC GOLD #B12280 5.50% 2/01/19  1,037,751   1,044,324  
       FHLMC #2113 6.00% 6/15/28  75,836   75,872  
       FHLMC T-20 A4 CMO 7.57% 5/25/28  450   448  
       FHLB 3.50% 9/15/06  320,000   317,359  
       FHLB 4.125% 4/18/08  6,010,000   5,934,629  
       FED HOME LN BANK 4.625% 1/18/08  6,000,000   5,991,420  
       FHLB 3.00% 5/15/06  3,570,000   3,549,165  
       FHLB 2.50% 2/24/06  6,930,000   6,909,113  
       FED FARM CREDIT BANK 2.375% 10/02/06  3,612,000   3,551,120  
       FEDERAL FARM CREDIT BANK 2.125% 7/17/06  6,972,000   6,883,734  
       FHLMC #E20124 GOLD 8.00% 8/01/09  100,542   105,028  
       FHLMC 2403-DA 5.50% 4/15/29  967,050   973,304  
       FHLMC REF NOTE 5.125% 10/15/08  1,880,000   1,899,387  
       FHLMC REFERENCE NOTES 4.25% 7/15/09  408,000   401,580  
       FHLMC 4.00% 8/17/07  4,815,000   4,758,684  

* Indicates Party-in-interest.
** Cost information not required for participant directed investments.

15


                       
                                 
AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) (continued) 
December 31, 2005
               
            (c) Number of       
      Shares / Units or     
(a)   (b) Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party    Face Amount  (d) Cost **    (e) Current Value 
  FHLMC 4.625% 12/19/08  6,385,000   6,373,954
     FHLMC #780514 ARM 5.014% 5/01/33  793,142     780,745  
  FHLMC (NON GOLD) ARM #782436 4.991% 10/01/34  943,859   933,675  
  FNMA 3.875% 5/15/07    3,738,000         3,697,480  
  FNMA BENCHMARK 5.50% 2/15/06    3,612,000       3,615,366
  FNMA 3.875% 11/17/08  1,674,000       1,638,210
  FNMA BENCHMARK 2.25% 2/28/06  1,674,000     1,667,890
  FNMA 2.15% 4/13/06  3,348,000     3,325,301
  FNMA 3.00% 3/02/07  3,801,000     3,725,216  
  FNMA 4.25% 9/15/07  2,010,000   1,996,232
  FNMA BENCHMARK 4.50% 10/15/08  8,839,000   8,789,970
  FNMA 2.15% 6/02/06  3,444,000   3,409,601  
  FNMA 3.50% 7/27/07  3,639,000   3,570,627
  FNMA 5.30% 10/28/08  4,187,000   4,251,183
  FNMA #190517 7.00% 12/01/08  88,566   90,463
  FNMA #190888 7.50% 7/01/09  404,517   415,985
  FNMA #250800 7.50% 1/01/12  174,864   183,428
  FNMA #252016 7.00% 7/01/28  170,519   178,225
  FNMA 15YR #252260 6.00% 3/01/10  513,484   524,696
  FNMA #254187 5.00% 12/01/08  340,478   339,006
  FNMA #254190 5.50% 1/01/09  66,789   66,867
  FNMA #254369 6.00% 6/01/12  673,902   689,461
  FNMA #254757 5.00% 3/31/13  425,858   421,475
  FNMA #254774 5.50% 3/31/13  583,976   588,759
  FNMA #255413 6.50% 10/01/34  200,000   208,062
  FNMA #255488 5.50% 10/01/14  1,540,525   1,554,665
  FNMA #303567 5.50% 7/01/09  286,520   288,942
  FNMA #360800 5.735% 1/01/09  1,594,396   1,620,917
  FNMA #433679 6.00% 11/01/28  659,220   667,692
  FNMA #535003 7.00% 11/01/14  448,910   466,617
  FNMA #535219 7.50% 3/01/15  341,006   358,594
  FNMA #535802 7.00% 2/01/16  470,724   489,270
  FNMA #545701 7.00% 7/01/12  38,115   38,932
  FNMA #545874 6.50% 8/01/32  899,416   926,978
  FNMA #555343 6.00% 3/01/18  143,597   146,786
  FNMA #635227 6.50% 4/01/32  1,262,545   1,307,158
  FNMA #635894 6.50% 4/01/32  295,009   305,392
  FNMA #636030 6.50% 4/01/32  443,050   456,617
  FNMA #638210 6.50% 5/01/32  334,357   346,147
  FNMA #640996 7.50% 5/01/32  408,976   428,407
  FNMA #646456 7.00% 6/01/32  1,734,389   1,809,943
  FNMA #647989 7.00% 6/01/32  2,233,784   2,331,092
  FNMA #648349 6.00% 6/01/17  1,309,163   1,341,541
  FNMA #653145 6.00% 7/01/17  1,049,436   1,075,390
  FNMA ARM #654285 5.415% 11/01/32  540,676   530,452
 
  ** Cost information not required for participant directed investments.    

16


       
              
AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) (continued)
December 31, 2005
 
 
    (c) Number of     
    Shares / Units or     
(a)      (b) Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party  Face Amount  (d) Cost**  (e) Current Value 
    FNMA #659930 6.00% 9/01/32  4,239,944    4,287,475 
  FNMA #667787 5.50% 2/01/18  854,706    860,380 
  FNMA #670891 5.295% 12/01/32  1,367,258    1,340,078 
  FNMA 2002-W4 A3 5.30% 5/25/42  23,012    22,946   
  FNMA 2002-W10 A3 5.00% 10/25/32  104,047      103,983 
  FNMA 2003-W11 A1 6.204% 6/25/33    92,873        93,715   
  FNMA #200394 5.50% 7/25/23  1,766,465      1,772,616 
  FHLMC 2617 HD 7.00% 6/15/16  1,163,642    1,206,587 
  FNMA 2003-W19-1A6 5.29% 11/25/33  3,000,000    2,978,439 
  FNMA 2003-133 GB 8.00% 12/25/26  388,778    412,928 
  FHLMC 2641 6.50% 1/15/18  956,626    1,000,894 
  FNMA 2004-W3 A14 3.50% 5/25/34  324,735    323,466 
  FNMA 2004-W3 A15 5.00% 5/25/34  1,218,000    1,212,720 
  FNMA 2004-60 PA 5.50% 4/25/34  1,655,599    1,661,799 
  FHLMC 2657 NT 5.00% 1/15/16  687,605    688,204 
  FHLMC 2672 NT 5.00% 2/15/16  1,933,717    1,933,791 
  FHLMC 2662 DB 5.00% 2/15/06  703,530    703,331 
  FHLMC 2726 AG 4.50% 9/15/22  596,469    593,203 
  FHLMC 2750 DB 4.50% 5/15/15  2,085,000    2,068,654 
  FHLMC 2770 ON 3.75% 6/15/32  2,338,000    2,257,134 
  FHLMC 2843-BA 5.00% 1/15/18  1,082,851    1,079,275 
  FHLMC 2907-AG 4.50% 3/15/19  1,407,265    1,381,131 
  FNMA #682229 5.50% 3/01/33  4,064,785    4,036,163 
  FNMA #695838 5.50% 4/01/18  952,697    960,103 
  FNMA #702427 5.50% 4/01/33  1,600,656    1,592,417 
  FNMA #703937 5.50% 5/01/18  283,255    285,136 
  FNMA #705304 4.910% 6/01/33  1,018,712    1,003,417 
  FNMA #720399 5.50% 7/01/18  1,290,463    1,300,785 
  FNMA #720422 5.50% 7/01/18  686,622    692,204 
  FNMA #725090 4.805% 11/01/33  1,001,301    967,505 
  FNMA #725284 7.00% 11/01/18  1,041,052    1,081,917 
  FNMA #725815 6.00% 12/01/33  1,989,450    2,010,221 
  FNMA #735057 4.50% 1/01/19  2,031,998    1,981,842 
  FNMA ARM#735160 4.336% 12/01/34  817,665    806,561 
  FNMA #740843 5.00% 11/01/18  707,671    701,337 
  FNMA #741897 5.00% 10/01/33  1,380,010    1,341,950 
  FNMA #745151 6.50% 10/01/35  290,313    297,752 
  FNMA #745265 6.50% 1/01/36  800,000    820,500 
  FNMA #747019 5.00% 1/01/19  683,184    678,948 
  FNMA #754297 4.738% 12/01/33  552,693    539,751 
  FNMA #759123 4.545% 1/01/34  895,961    883,460 
  FNMA #761141 5.00% 12/01/18  3,383,321    3,351,986 
  FNMA #762232 4.714% 1/01/34  1,024,328    1,017,885 
  FNMA #764082 4.773% 1/01/34  1,216,279    1,214,075 
  FNMA #764156 4.922% 3/01/34  986,139    965,362 
  FNMA #776588 6.50% 3/01/34

  276,940 

  284,037 
    
** Cost information not required for participant directed investments.
 
     

17


             
                    
AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
               Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) (continued)               
December 31, 2005    
                 
                 
            (c) Number of       
    Shares / Units or     
(a)  (b) Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party  Face Amount  (d) Cost**    (e) Current Value  
  FNMA #780582 5.243% 8/01/34
FNMA #783213 6.50% 8/01/34
 
1,326,371 
432,746
 
  1,312,139
451,004
 
  FNMA ARM #786628 5.678% 7/01/34  750,778    753,731  
    FNMA ARM #790382 4.852% 9/01/34  987,446      987,154  
  FNMA ARM #791961 4.565% 9/01/34  1,494,378        1,465,393  
  FNMA #794787 5.168% 10/01/34  1,303,917      1,292,104  
  FNMA #797168 ARM 4.64% 2/01/35    1,405,894    1,395,433  
  FNMA ARM #799769 5.063% 11/01/34  986,114    979,902  
  FNMA ARM #801344 5.083% 10/01/34  1,072,472    1,061,114  
  FNMA #22092 5.5% 9/01/34  2,230,232    2,213,877  
  FNMA #809216 4.887% 2/01/35  872,456    869,090  
  FNMA #809534 5.069% 2/01/35  1,565,207    1,560,218  
  FNMA ARM #813570 4.398% 10/01/34  1,101,614    1,088,095  
  FNMA ARM #815264 5.249% 5/01/35  2,098,713    2,096,713  
  FNMA ARM #817198 5.203% 5/01/35  773,400    765,057  
  FNMA ARM #817199 5.108% 4/01/35  683,102    675,828  
  FNMA 10/1 HYBRID ARM 5.127% 8/01/35  2,823,626    2,767,295  
  FNMA ARM #820545 5.076% 5/01/35  1,065,799    1,046,701  
  FNMA #821378 5.026% 5/01/35  1,774,381    1,775,017  
  FNMA ARM #826908 5.159% 8/01/35  2,479,607    2,450,402  
  FNMA #836105 6.50% 9/01/35  570,420    585,037  
  FNMA #844705 5.843% 12/01/35  3,550,518    3,576,792  
  FNMA #845092 6.50% 12/01/35  429,480    440,621  
  FNMA #845382 6.50% 1/01/36  500,000    512,815  
  FNMA #849299 5.50% 1/01/36  3,999,600    3,959,604  
  VENDEE 2003-2 D 5.00% 11/15/23  1,045,000    1,046,046  
  U.S. TREASURY BOND 6.25% 8/15/23  3,432,000    4,098,292  
  U.S. TREASURY BOND 6.00% 2/15/26  11,035,000    13,012,682  
  U.S. TREASURY NOTE 3.125% 10/15/08  1,088,000    1,052,428  
  U.S. T-BOND 3.375% 2/15/08  18,037,000    17,665,690  
  U.S. T-NOTE 4.125% 5/15/15  2,114,000    2,067,674  
  U.S. T-NOTE 3.875% 9/15/10  2,720,000    2,663,370  
  U.S. TREASURY NOTE 4.25% 11/30/07  16,210,000    16,162,505  
  U.S. T-NOTE 4.375% 12/15/10  6,880,000    6,885,373  
  FHLMC 3.625% 9/15/06  4,175,000    4,144,936  
  FHLMC CMO 6.085% 9/25/29  1,326,869    1,336,566  
  FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK 4.625% 11/21/08  15,000,000    14,963,580  
  FNMA 2003-W18 1A5 4.610% 8/25/43  1,254,000    1,247,442  
  FNMA 2004-W10 A23 5.00% 8/25/34  1,676,000    1,678,463  
  FNMA #357324 5.00% 1/01/33  3,815,819    3,712,480  
  AIG Financial II Contract #327774 Wrapper 

(8,474,460

  Bank of America #01-132 Wrapper 

 

(7,089,074

  IXIS II #1025-06 Wrapper        

 (9,227,868

 
  ** Cost information not required for participant directed investments.       

18


             
                   
AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) (continued)
December 31, 2005
 
 
    (c) Number of     
    Shares / Units or     
(a)  (b) Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party  Face Amount  (d) Cost** 

(e) Current Value

 
    JP Morgan/Chase I #A1SP01 Wrapper     

(16,507,514

  Met Life #28972 Wrapper     

 

(5,270,388

)  
    Monumental Life II #MDA00633TR Wrapper         

(3,611,827

)  
  Monumental Life V #MDA00375TR Wrapper     

(4,539,483

)  
  Pacific Life #G-26755-00 Wrapper     

(3,177,721

)  
  Rabobank I #060101 Wrapper     

(7,260,784

)  
  RBC I #20903 Wrapper     

(3,919,347

)  
  RBC II #10903 Wrapper     

(7,312,123

)
  State Street II #101063 Wrapper     

 (7,363,797

)  
  UBS III #4227 Wrapper     

  (7,040,072

)
*  RVST Government Income Fund     

23,539,933

 
  Accrued Income       

2,320,165

   
       

348,059,545

   
 
*  RVST Money Market Fund I  2,780,152   2,780,152  
 
*  Loans to Participants       
  Various, 4.00% - 10.50%, due 11/05 - 9/35      87,942,994    
 
           $2,721,729,112

            *Indicates Party-in-interest
      **Cost information not required for participant directed investments.
 

19


SIGNATURE

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

                                                                          AMERICAN EXPRESS INCENTIVE SAVINGS PLAN


By   /s/ Valeria M. Christensen  
          Valeria M. Christensen
        Delegate
        Employee Benefits Administration
           Committee
Date: June 28, 2006


20


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit   
Number    Description   
23.1  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – 
  PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
 
23.2  Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – 
  Ernst & Young LLP 

21