AT&T INC. | 2013 | FY |

NOTE 12. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

Pension Benefits and Postretirement Benefits

Substantially all of our U.S. employees are covered by one of our noncontributory pension plans. The majority of our newly hired employees, longer-service management and some nonmanagement employees participate in cash balance pension programs that include annual or monthly credits based on salary as well as an interest credit. Other longer-service management employees participate in pension programs that have a traditional pension formula (i.e., a stated percentage of employees' adjusted career income). Other longer-service nonmanagement employees' pension benefits are generally calculated using one of two formulas: a flat dollar amount applied to years of service according to job classification or a cash balance plan with negotiated annual pension band credits as well as interest credits. Most nonmanagement employees can elect to receive their pension benefits in either a lump sum payment or an annuity.

We also provide a variety of medical, dental and life insurance benefits to certain retired employees under various plans and accrue actuarially determined postretirement benefit costs as active employees earn these benefits.

In October 2013, we offered a one-time opportunity for certain retirement-eligible employees to elect a full lump sum payment of their accrued pension if they retired as of December 30, 2013. The lump sum value was calculated using the August 2012 discount rates for some pension programs and was equal to the cash balance amount for the management new hire pension program. The lump sum value totaled approximately $2,700, which will be distributed in the first quarter of 2014. We recorded special termination benefits of $250 as a result of this offer.

In October 2013, as part of our 2014 annual benefits enrollment process, we communicated an amendment to our Medicare-eligible retirees that beginning in 2015 AT&T will provide access to retiree health insurance coverage that supplements government-sponsored Medicare through a private insurance marketplace. This new approach will allow retirees to choose insurance with the terms, cost and coverage that best fits their needs, while still receiving financial support as determined by AT&T. We expect that the cost to AT&T for retiree medical coverage in 2015 will be comparable to 2014. Future changes in support, if any, will be based on a number of factors such as business conditions, government actions, marketplace changes and the general consumer inflation rate.

During 2012, approximately 90,000 collectively bargained employees ratified new agreements. For the vast majority of covered employees, the agreements provided for a pension band increase of 1 percent for each year of the agreement. These agreements also provide for continued healthcare coverage with a modest increase to employee costs over the agreement term. There were also modest increases to retiree costs for continued healthcare coverage for retirees.

During 2012, we transferred the funding of the payment of postretirement death benefits not already in the Voluntary Employee Benefit Association (VEBA) trust from the pension trust to the postretirement VEBA trust.

Obligations and Funded Status

For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the “projected benefit obligation,” the actuarial present value, as of our December 31 measurement date, of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered to that date. The amount of benefit to be paid depends on a number of future events incorporated into the pension benefit formula, including estimates of the average life of employees/survivors and average years of service rendered. It is measured based on assumptions concerning future interest rates and future employee compensation levels.

For postretirement benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the “accumulated postretirement benefit obligation,” the actuarial present value as of a date of all future benefits attributed under the terms of the postretirement benefit plan to employee service rendered to the valuation date.

The following table presents this reconciliation and shows the change in the projected benefit obligation for the years ended December 31:

The following table presents the change in the value of plan assets for the years ended December 31 and the plans' funded status at December 31:

On September 9, 2013, we made a voluntary contribution of a preferred equity interest in AT&T Mobility II LLC (Mobility), the holding company for our wireless business, to the trust used to pay pension benefits under our qualified pension plans. The preferred equity interest had a value of $9,104 on the contribution date and was valued at $9,209 at December 31, 2013. The trust is entitled to receive cumulative cash distributions of $560 per annum, which will be distributed quarterly in equal amounts and will be accounted for as contributions. So long as we make the distributions, we will have no limitations on our ability to declare a dividend, or repurchase shares. This preferred equity interest is a plan asset under ERISA and is recognized as such in the plan's separate financial statements. However, because the preferred equity interest is not unconditionally transferable to an unrelated party, it is not reflected in plan assets in our consolidated financial statements and instead has been eliminated in consolidation. At the time of the contribution of the preferred equity interest, we made an additional cash contribution of $175 and have agreed to annual cash contributions of $175 no later than the due date for our federal income tax return for each of 2014, 2015 and 2016. These contributions combined with our existing pension assets are essentially equivalent to the pension obligation at December 31, 2013.

On September 9, 2013, the Department of Labor (DOL) published a proposed exemption that authorized retroactive approval of this voluntary contribution. The proposal was open for public comment and we are currently awaiting a final decision by the DOL. Our retirement benefit plans, including required contributions, are subject to the provisions of ERISA.

As noted above, this preferred equity interest represents a plan asset of our pension trust, which is recognized in the separate financial statements of our pension plan as a qualified plan asset for funding purposes. The following table presents a reconciliation of our pension plan assets recognized in the consolidated financial statements of the Company with the net assets available for benefits included in the separate financial statements of the pension plan at December 31:

Amounts recognized on our consolidated balance sheets at December 31 are listed below:

The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans represents the actuarial present value of benefits based on employee service and compensation as of a certain date and does not include an assumption about future compensation levels. The accumulated benefit obligation for our pension plans was $55,077 at December 31, 2013, and $57,010 at December 31, 2012.

Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income

Periodic Benefit Costs

Our combined net pension and postretirement (credit) cost recognized in our consolidated statements of income was $(7,390), $10,257 and $7,288 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. A portion of pension and postretirement benefit costs is capitalized as part of the benefit load on internal construction and capital expenditures, providing a small reduction in the net expense recorded. The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost:

Other Changes in Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the after-tax changes in benefit obligations recognized in OCI and the after-tax prior service credits that were amortized from OCI into net periodic benefit costs:

The estimated prior service credits that will be amortized from accumulated OCI into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is $94 ($58 net of tax) for pension and $1,448 ($898 net of tax) for postretirement benefits.

Assumptions

In determining the projected benefit obligation and the net pension and postemployment benefit cost, we used the following significant weighted-average assumptions:

We recognize gains and losses on pension and postretirement plan assets and obligations immediately in our operating results. These gains and losses are measured annually as of December 31 and accordingly will be recorded during the fourth quarter, unless earlier remeasurements are required.

Discount Rate Our assumed discount rate of 5.00% at December 31, 2013, reflects the hypothetical rate at which the projected benefit obligations could be effectively settled or paid out to participants. We determined our discount rate based on a range of factors, including a yield curve composed of the rates of return on several hundred high-quality, fixed income corporate bonds available at the measurement date and the related expected duration for the obligations. These bonds were all rated at least Aa3 or AA- by one of the nationally recognized statistical rating organizations, denominated in U.S. dollars, and neither callable, convertible nor index linked. For the year ended December 31, 2013, we increased our discount rate by 0.70%, resulting in a decrease in our pension plan benefit obligation of $4,533 and a decrease in our postretirement benefit obligation of $3,161. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we decreased our discount rate by 1.00%, resulting in an increase in our pension plan benefit obligation of $7,030 and an increase in our postretirement benefit obligation of $4,546.

Expected Long-Term Rate of Return Our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets of 7.75% for 2014 and 2013 reflects the average rate of earnings expected on the funds invested, or to be invested, to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligations. In setting the long-term assumed rate of return, management considers capital markets future expectations and the asset mix of the plans' investments. Actual long-term return can, in relatively stable markets, also serve as a factor in determining future expectations. We consider many factors that include, but are not limited to, historical returns on plan assets, current market information on long-term returns (e.g., long-term bond rates) and current and target asset allocations between asset categories. The target asset allocation is determined based on consultations with external investment advisers. If all other factors were to remain unchanged, we expect that a 0.50% decrease in the expected long-term rate of return would cause 2014 combined pension and postretirement cost to increase $262. However, any differences in the rate and actual returns will be included with the actuarial gain or loss recorded in the fourth quarter when our plans are remeasured.

Composite Rate of Compensation Increase Our expected composite rate of compensation increase cost of 3.00% in 2014 and 2013 reflects the long-term average rate of salary increases.

Mortality Tables At December 31, 2013 we updated our assumed mortality rates to better predict future mortality improvements, creating an increase of $1,986 in our pension obligation and $679 in our postretirement obligations.

Healthcare Cost Trend Our healthcare cost trend assumptions are developed based on historical cost data, the near-term outlook and an assessment of likely long-term trends. In addition to the healthcare cost trend in 2013, we assumed an annual 2.50% growth in administrative expenses and an annual 3.00% growth in dental claims. Our assumed annual healthcare cost trend rate for 2014 and 2013 is 5.00% and our ultimate trend rate is 5.00%.

A one percentage-point change in the assumed combined medical and dental cost trend rate would have the following effects:

Plan Assets

Plan assets consist primarily of private and public equity, government and corporate bonds, and real assets (real estate and natural resources). The asset allocations of the pension plans are maintained to meet ERISA requirements. Any plan contributions, as determined by ERISA regulations, are made to a pension trust for the benefit of plan participants. As part of our voluntary contribution of the Mobility preferred equity interest, we will contribute $560 of cash distributions during 2014. We do not have additional significant required contributions to our pension plans for 2014.

We maintain VEBA trusts to partially fund postretirement benefits; however, there are no ERISA or regulatory requirements that these postretirement benefit plans be funded annually.

The principal investment objectives are to ensure the availability of funds to pay pension and postretirement benefits as they become due under a broad range of future economic scenarios, to maximize long-term investment return with an acceptable level of risk based on our pension and postretirement obligations, and to be broadly diversified across and within the capital markets to insulate asset values against adverse experience in any one market. Each asset class has broadly diversified characteristics. Substantial biases toward any particular investing style or type of security are sought to be avoided by managing the aggregation of all accounts with portfolio benchmarks. Asset and benefit obligation forecasting studies are conducted periodically, generally every two to three years, or when significant changes have occurred in market conditions, benefits, participant demographics or funded status. Decisions regarding investment policy are made with an understanding of the effect of asset allocation on funded status, future contributions and projected expenses. The current asset allocation policy and risk level for the pension plan and VEBA assets is based on a study completed and approved during 2013 and is reflected in the table below.

The plans' weighted-average asset targets and actual allocations as a percentage of plan assets, including the notional exposure of future contracts by asset categories at December 31, are as follows:

At December 31, 2013, AT&T securities represented less than 0.5% of assets held by our pension plans and VEBA trusts included in these financial statements.

Investment Valuation

Investments are stated at fair value. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. See “Fair Value Measurements” for further discussion.

Investments in securities traded on a national securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price on the last business day of the year. If no sale was reported on that date, they are valued at the last reported bid price. Investments in securities not traded on a national securities exchange are valued using pricing models, quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics or discounted cash flows. Shares of registered investment companies are valued based on quoted market prices, which represent the net asset value of shares held at year-end. Over-the-counter (OTC) securities and government obligations are valued at the bid price or the average of the bid and asked price on the last business day of the year from published sources where available and, if not available, from other sources considered reliable. Depending on the types and contractual terms of OTC derivatives, fair value is measured using valuation techniques, such as the Black-Scholes option pricing model, simulation models or a combination of various models.

Common/collective trust funds, pooled separate accounts and other commingled (103-12) investment entities are valued at quoted redemption values that represent the net asset values of units held at year-end which management has determined approximates fair value.

Alternative investments, including investments in private equity, real estate, natural resources (included in real assets), mezzanine and distressed debt (included in partnerships/joint ventures), limited partnership interest, fixed income securities and hedge funds do not have readily available market values. These estimated fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for these investments existed, and such differences could be material. Alternative investments not having an established market are valued at fair value as determined by the investment managers. Private equity, mezzanine and distressed investments are often valued initially by the investment managers based upon cost. Thereafter, investment managers may use available market data to determine adjustments to carrying value based upon observations of the trading multiples of public companies considered comparable to the private companies being valued. Such market data used to determine adjustments to accounts for cash flows and company-specified issues include current operating performance and future expectations of the investments, changes in market outlook, and the third-party financing environment. Private equity partnership holdings may also include publicly held equity investments in liquid markets that are marked-to-market at quoted public values, subject to adjustments for large positions held. Real estate and natural resource direct investments are valued either at amounts based upon appraisal reports prepared by independent third-party appraisers or at amounts as determined by internal appraisals performed by the investment manager, which have been agreed to by an external valuation consultant. Fixed income securities valuation is based upon pricing provided by an external pricing service when such pricing is available. In the event a security is too thinly traded or narrowly held to be priced by such a pricing service, or the price furnished by such external pricing services is deemed inaccurate, the managers will then solicit broker/dealer quotes (spreads or prices). In cases where such quotes are available, fair value will be determined based solely upon such quotes provided. Managers will typically use a pricing matrix for determining fair value in cases where an approved pricing service or a broker/dealer is unable to provide a fair valuation for specific fixed-rate securities such as many private placements. New fixed-rate securities will be initially valued at cost at the time of purchase. Thereafter, each bond will be assigned a spread from a pricing matrix that will be added to current Treasury rates. The pricing matrix derives spreads for each bond based on external market data, including the current credit rating for the bonds, credit spreads to Treasuries for each credit rating, sector add-ons or credits, issue specific add-ons or credits as well as call or other options.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded as of the trade date. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are determined on the basis of average cost. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

Non-interest bearing cash and overdrafts are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

Fair Value Measurements

See Note 10 for a discussion of fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the pension and postretirement assets and liabilities at fair value as of December 31, 2013:

The tables below set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 pension and postretirement assets for the year ended December 31, 2013:

The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the pension and postretirement assets and liabilities at fair value as of December 31, 2012:

The tables below set forth a summary of changes in the fair value of the Level 3 pension and postretirement assets for the year ended December 31, 2012:

Estimated Future Benefit Payments

Expected benefit payments are estimated using the same assumptions used in determining our benefit obligation at December 31, 2013. Because benefit payments will depend on future employment and compensation levels, average years employed, average life spans, and payment elections, among other factors, changes in any of these factors could significantly affect these expected amounts. Due to our move to a group prescription drug provider plan in 2013 for certain of our Medicare eligible retirees and the move to a private exchange market for all remaining Medicare eligible retirees receiving subsidized drug coverage in 2015, AT&T does not expect to be receiving any direct Medicare Part D subsidies for years 2015 and beyond. The following table provides expected benefit payments under our pension and postretirement plans:

Supplemental Retirement Plans

We also provide certain senior- and middle-management employees with nonqualified, unfunded supplemental retirement and savings plans. While these plans are unfunded, we have assets in a designated nonbankruptcy remote trust that are independently managed and used to provide for these benefits. These plans include supplemental pension benefits as well as compensation-deferral plans, some of which include a corresponding match by us based on a percentage of the compensation deferral.

We use the same significant assumptions for the discount rate and composite rate of compensation increase used in determining the projected benefit obligation and the net pension and postemployment benefit cost. The following tables provide the plans' benefit obligations and fair value of assets at December 31 and the components of the supplemental retirement pension benefit cost. The net amounts are recorded as “Other noncurrent liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets.

The following table provides information for our supplemental retirement plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets at December 31:

The following tables present the components of net periodic benefit cost and other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in OCI:

The estimated prior service credit for our supplemental retirement plan benefits that will be amortized from accumulated OCI into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal year is $1.

Deferred compensation expense was $122 in 2013, $118 in 2012 and $96 in 2011. Our deferred compensation liability, included in “Other noncurrent liabilities,” was $1,118 at December 31, 2013, and $1,061 at December 31, 2012.

Contributory Savings Plans

We maintain contributory savings plans that cover substantially all employees. Under the savings plans, we match in cash or company stock a stated percentage of eligible employee contributions, subject to a specified ceiling. There are no debt-financed shares held by the Employee Stock Ownership Plans, allocated or unallocated.

Our match of employee contributions to the savings plans is fulfilled with purchases of our stock on the open market or company cash. Benefit cost is based on the cost of shares or units allocated to participating employees' accounts and was $654, $634 and $636 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

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