11-K 1 ltssp_11k.htm AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN ltssp_11k.htm
 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
 
 
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
(Mark One)
 
 
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, 2008
 
 
 
OR
 
 
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from              to
 
 
 
Commission File Number:1-8610
 
 
 
 
A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:
 
     
 
 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND
SECURITY PLAN
 
 
     
 
B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:
 
 
 
AT&T INC.
 
 
 
208 S. Akard, Dallas, Texas 75202
 
 
 

This amendment is being filed due to a re-audit of the plan’s statement of net assets available for benefits as of December 31, 2007.  The plan’s current auditor performed the re-audit because the audit firm which performed the 2007 audit ceased operations and could not provide an updated opinion.

The re-audit resulted in no changes to the plan’s statement of net assets available for benefits and related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits.


 
 
 

 

Financial Statements, Supplemental Schedule and Exhibit

Table of Contents
Page


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
1
   
Financial Statements:
 
   
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2008 and 2007
2
Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits for the
 
Year Ended December 31, 2008
3
Notes to Financial Statements
4
   
Supplemental Schedule:
 
   
Schedule H, Line 4(i) – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2008
19
   
Exhibit:
 
   
      Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
22


 
 
 

 


 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM





To the Participants and Plan Administrator of the
AT&T Long Term Savings and Security Plan


We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets available for benefits of AT&T Long Term Savings and Security Plan as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related statement of changes in net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2008.  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 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 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, 2008 and 2007, and the changes in its net assets available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the financial statements taken as a whole. The accompanying supplemental schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2008, is presented for purposes of additional analysis and is not a required part of the 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 our audits of the financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas
September 4, 2009



2
 

 



 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
 
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
(Dollars in Thousands)


   
December 31,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
ASSETS
           
Investments, at fair value:
           
Investment in Master Trust
  $ 1,017,551     $ 1,323,531  
Participant loans
    31,160       32,311  
Net assets reflecting investments at fair value
    1,048,711       1,355,842  
                 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit- responsive investment contracts
    9,261       1,292  
                 
Net Assets Available for Benefits
  $ 1,057,972     $ 1,357,134  
                 
 
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
               




 

 

AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
(Dollars in Thousands)


Net Assets Available for Benefits, December 31, 2007
  $ 1,357,134  
         
Additions to Net Assets:
       
Contributions:
       
Participant contributions
    32,029  
Employer contributions
    13,173  
Other
    22  
      45,224  
         
Investment Income (Loss):
       
Net loss from investment in Master Trust
    (221,247 )
Interest on participant loans
    2,167  
      (219,080 )
Total Additions, net of investment loss
    (173,856 )
         
Deductions from Net Assets:
       
Distributions
    124,493  
Administrative expenses
    173  
         
Total Deductions
    124,666  
         
Net decrease before transfers
    (298,522 )
         
Interplan Transfers
    (640 )
         
Net Assets Available for Benefits, December 31, 2008
  $ 1,057,972  
         
 
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
       




 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in Thousands)



1.  
Plan Description – The AT&T Long Term Savings and Security Plan (Plan) is a defined contribution plan established by AT&T Corp. (ATTC) to provide a convenient way for eligible non-management employees of participating ATTC companies to save on a regular and long-term basis. The following description of the Plan provides only general information. The Plan has detailed provisions covering participant eligibility, participant allotments from pay, participant withdrawals, participant loans, employer contributions and related vesting of contributions and Plan expenses. The Plan documents include complete descriptions of these and other Plan provisions. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA).

On November 18, 2005, ATTC was acquired by AT&T Inc. (AT&T or the Company). As a result of the acquisition, the AT&T Corp. common stock held in the AT&T Stock Fund was converted to AT&T common stock based on a conversion ratio. Interplan transfers represent participant transfers between company-sponsored employee benefits plans due to changes in the participant's employment status.

The Plan participates in the AT&T Savings Master Trust (Master Trust) for the investment of the pooled assets of various funds. In October 2007, AT&T established the AT&T Group Investment Trust (Group Trust) to manage assets of pooled investment options between the Plan and other AT&T sponsored employee benefit plans. The Master Trust began participating in the Group Trust on October 1, 2007. The trustee of the Master Trust and the Group Trust is the Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon). (See Note 6)

During 2008, participants could invest their contributions in one or more funds in 1% increments:


· AT&T Total Return Bond Fund*
· T Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth**
· AT&T U.S. Stock Fund*
· Capital World Growth and Income**
· AT&T International Stock Fund*
· Morgan Stanley International Equity**
· AT&T Stable Value Fund*
· Legg Mason Value Trust Inst**
· Vanguard Windsor II Admin**
· Asset All Strategy Growth**
· Vanguard US Growth Admin**
· Asset All Strategy Balanced**
· T Rowe Price Small Cap Stock**
· Asset All Strategy Income**
· US Bond Market Index**
· Total US Stock Market Index**
· S&P 500 Index Fund**
· Extended US Stock Market**
· Fidelity Magellan**
· International Stock Market Index**
· Fidelity Equity Income**
· Fidelity Dividend Growth**
· Fidelity Low Price Stock**
· Fidelity High Income**
· Fidelity Diversified International**
· AT&T Shares Fund**


* Fund option is an investment fund option of the Group Trust through the Master Trust as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.
** Fund option is an investment fund option of the Master Trust as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.

Participants contribute to the Plan on a pre-tax basis through payroll allotments. The Company contributes to the Plan by matching the participants' contributions based on the provisions of the Plan. All contributions are participant-directed.

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, AT&T 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 that the Plan is terminated, subject to the conditions set forth by ERISA, account balances of all participants shall be 100% vested.

 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)



2.  
Accounting Policies – The accompanying financial statements were prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make estimates that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Benefits are recorded when paid.

 
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 Note 5 for discussion of fair value measurements.  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. 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 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. Cash and temporary assets are stated at fair value. The guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) and the Synthetic GIC’s hold asset backed securities.

Common/collective trust funds 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. Publicly traded partnerships are valued using trades on a national securities exchange on the last reported sales price on the last business day of the year. Participant loans are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.

As required by Financial Accounting Standards Board 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” (the FSP), investment contracts held by a defined contribution plan are required to be reported at fair value. However, contract value is the relevant measurement attribute for that portion of the net assets available for benefits of a defined contribution plan attributable to fully benefit-responsive investment contracts because contract value is the amount participants would receive if they were to initiate permitted transactions under the terms of the Plan. The Group Trust invests in fully benefit-responsive guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) and Synthetic investment contracts (Synthetic GICs). As required by the FSP, the fair value of the GICs is calculated by discounting the related cash flows based on current yields of similar instruments with comparable durations. The underlying investments of the Synthetic GICs are valued at quoted redemption values on the last business day of the Plan’s year-end. The fair value of the wrap contracts for the Synthetic GICs is determined using the market approach discounting methodology that incorporates the difference between current market level rates for contract level wrap fees and the wrap fee being charged. The difference is calculated as a dollar value and discounted by the prevailing interpolated swap rate as of period end. The contract value of the fully benefit-responsive investment contracts represents contributions plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses.

Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on the trade date. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is accrued as earned.

3.  
Tax Status – The Plan has received a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service dated March 28, 2005, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation.  Subsequent to this determination by the Internal Revenue Service, the Plan was amended.  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, as amended, is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt. In addition, the Plan was filed with the Internal Revenue Service for a new favorable determination letter on February 2, 2009 pursuant to, and as a part of, the IRS determination letter filing program (Cycle C).

4.  
Plan Expenses – In general, fees paid for Plan administration, including recordkeeping (except for such services as are attributable to the participant loan program), are paid from the Master Trust. Fees for BNY Mellon’s services are paid out of Master Trust assets. Expenses attributable to the management and investment of each of the investment funds are charged against those respective funds.
 

 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
5.  
Fair Value Measurements – In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (FASB Statement No. 157).  FASB Statement No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of FASB Statement No. 157 are effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Plan adopted this standard as of January 1, 2008 and the impact of the adoption was not significant

The FASB Statement No. 157 framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.  The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under FAS Statement No. 157 are described below:

 
Level 1
Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Plan has the ability to access.
   
  Level 2
Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
· Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets;
· Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;
· Inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability;
· Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
   
 
If the asset or liability has a specified (contractual) term, the Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
   
Level 3
Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level with the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.  Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The valuation methodologies described in Note 2 may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values.  Furthermore, while the Plan believes its valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different fair value measurement at the reporting date.  There have been no changes in the methodologies used at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

The only investment held by the Plan (outside of the Master Trust) is participant loans, and is classified as a Level 3 investment in the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2008. There are no realized or unrealized gains or losses on participant loans.  The change from the December 31, 2007 balance of $32,311 consists solely of net issuances and settlements. See Note 6 for fair value hierarchy for the Master Trust’s investments.


 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)


6.  
Investments – During 2008 the Plan held an investment in the Master Trust, and the Master Trust held an investment in the Group Trust.

AT&T Savings Master Trust Investments

The Master Trust was established to manage assets of pooled investment options among various AT&T sponsored plans. Each participating plan’s interest in the investment fund options (i.e., separate accounts) of the Master Trust is based on account balances of the participants and their elected investment fund options. The Master Trust assets are allocated among the participating plans by assigning to each plan those transactions (primarily contributions, benefit payments, and plan-specific expenses) that can be specifically identified and by allocating among all plans, in proportion to the fair value of the assets assigned to each plan, income and expenses resulting from the collective investment of the assets of the Master Trust.

Investment income and administrative expenses related to the Master Trust are allocated to the individual plans on a daily basis based on each participant’s account balance within each investment fund option.

The participating entities and ownership percentages of the Master Trust are listed below:

December 31, 2008

AT&T Long Term Savings and Security Plan
    99.93 %
AT&T of Puerto Rico, Inc. Long Term Savings and Security Plan
    0.07 %
      100.0 %

December 31, 2007

AT&T Long Term Savings and Security Plan
    14.96 %
AT&T Long Term Savings Plan for Management Employees
    84.05 %
AT&T Retirement Savings and Profit Sharing Plan
    0.92 %
AT&T of Puerto Rico, Inc. Long Term Savings and Security Plan
    0.01 %
AT&T of Puerto Rico, Inc. Long Term Savings Plan for Management Employees
    0.06 %
      100.0 %



 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)

The Plan’s percentage interest in each of the investment fund options within the Master Trust is disclosed below.

 
 
2008
2007
AT&T Shares Fund
99.956%
27.749%
Vanguard Windsor II Admin
99.976%
14.660%
Vanguard US Growth Admin
99.987%
11.416%
T Rowe Price Small Cap Stock
99.990%
12.913%
T Rowe Price Mid Cap Growth
99.995%
13.250%
Capital World Growth and Income
99.961%
11.942%
Morgan Stanley International Equity
99.804%
9.962%
Legg Mason Value Trust Inst
99.958%
10.541%
Asset All Strategy: Growth
99.963%
6.426%
Asset All Strategy: Balanced
99.996%
7.484%
Asset All Strategy: Income
100.000%
8.781%
US Bond Market Index
99.914%
11.579%
S&P 500 Index Fund
99.850%
8.256%
Total US Stock Market Index
100.000%
10.550%
Extended US Stock Market
100.000%
8.073%
International Stock Market Index
99.948%
8.318%
Fidelity Magellan
99.760%
11.733%
Fidelity Equity Income
99.993%
10.592%
Fidelity Low Price Stock
99.888%
13.367%
Fidelity Diversified International
99.928%
10.157%
Fidelity Dividend Growth
99.939%
13.023%
Fidelity High Income
100.000%
11.330%



9
 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)



The financial position of the Master Trust at December 31 was as follows:


   
2008
   
2007
 
Interest bearing cash
  $ 2,828     $ 10,854  
Common stocks
    74,657       1,249,715  
Registered investment companies
    195,205       3,305,791  
Common/collective trust funds
    65,606       322,601  
Investment in AT&T Group Investment Trust (at fair value)
    679,998       3,957,831  
Master trust investments at fair value
    1,018,294       8,846,792  
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully
benefit-responsive investment contracts
    9,269       5,823  
    $ 1,027,563     $ 8,852,615  



Net Depreciation in Fair Value of Master Trust Investments and Total Investment Income for the year ended December 31, 2008

   
2008
 
Common stocks
    (199,840 )
Registered investment companies
    (229,747 )
Common/collective trust funds
    (17,589 )
Investments in Group Trust
    (101,706 )
Total net depreciation in fair value of Master Trust Investments
  $ (548,882 )
         
Investment income:
       
Interest
  $ 59,200  
Dividends
    36,996  
Miscellaneous
    265  
Interest income accrual
    15  
Total investment income
  $ 96,476  


 
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Master Trust’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2008, excluding the investment in the Group Trust which is disclosed below.
 
   
Master Trust Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2008
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
                         
Interest bearing cash
  $ 2,828     $ -     $ -     $ 2,828  
Common stocks
    74,657       -       -       74,657  
Registered investment companies
    195,205       -       -       195,205  
Common/collective trust funds
    -       65,606       -       65,606  
Total assets at fair value
  $ 272,690     $ 65,606     $ -     $ 338,296  

 

10 
 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)

       AT&T Group Investment Trust Investments

In October 2007, AT&T established the Group Trust to manage assets of pooled investment options between the Master Trust and the AT&T Savings Plan. During 2008, the trust funding the AT&T Savings Plan became a master trust when other AT&T sponsored employee benefit plans transferred its assets into that trust.  Effective March 1, 2008, the AT&T Savings Plan Master Trust was created and became a participating entity in the Group Trust.  Each participating plan’s interest in the investment fund options (i.e., separate accounts) of the Group Trust is based on account balances of the participants and their elected investment fund options. The Group Trust assets are allocated among the participating plans by assigning to each plan those transactions (primarily contributions, benefit payments, and plan-specific expenses) that can be specifically identified and by allocating among all plans, in proportion to the fair value of the assets assigned to each plan, income and expenses resulting from the collective investment of the assets of the Group Trust.

Investment income and administrative expenses related to the Group Trust are allocated to the individual plans on a daily basis based on each participant’s account balance within each investment fund option.

The participating entities and ownership percentages of the Group Trust are listed below:

December 31, 2008

AT&T Savings Master Trust
    7.4 %
BellSouth Savings and Security Plan
    9.2 %
AT&T Savings Plan Master Trust
    83.4 %
      100.0 %

December 31, 2007

AT&T Savings Plan
    26.9 %
AT&T Savings Master Trust
    73.1 %
      100.0 %


The Master Trust’s percentage interest in each of the investment fund options within the Group Trust is disclosed below.


11 
 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)

December 31, 2008
 
AT&T Total Return Bond Fund
 
AT&T U.S. Stock Fund
 
AT&T Inter-national Stock Fund
 
AT&T Stable Value Fund
 
Group Trust
 
Interest bearing cash
$
-
$
43
$
7,426
$
-
$
7,469
 
Common/collective trust funds
 
-
 
492,060
 
143,162
 
-
 
635,222
 
Corporate and other bonds and notes
 
-
 
-
 
171
 
-
 
171
 
Equities
 
-
 
1,174,101
 
250,366
 
-
 
1,424,467
 
Equities – loaned
 
-
 
(73,570)
 
(13,993)
 
-
 
(87,563)
 
Publicly traded partnerships
 
-
 
1,242
 
-
 
-
 
1,242
 
Registered investment companies
 
752,426
 
23,407
 
4,793
 
5,062
 
785,688
 
Registered investment companies – loaned
 
(37,925)
             
(37,925)
 
Investment contracts (at fair value):
                     
Guaranteed investment contracts
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
23,996
 
 
23,996
 
Synthetic investment contracts
                     
Common/collective trust funds
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
26,927
 
 
26,927
 
Corporate and other bonds and notes
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
2,739,026
 
2,739,026
 
Corporate and other bonds and notes – loaned
             
(8,955)
 
(8,955)
 
Government securities
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
3,765,673
 
3,765,673
 
Government securities – loaned
 
  -
 
  -
 
  -
 
(796,733)
 
(796,733)
 
Investments short sold (proceeds of $97,067)
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
 
(97,762)
 
(97,762)
 
Wrap contracts
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
17,863
 
17,863
 
Common/collective trust funds
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
3,120
 
3,120
 
Unsettled trades and other
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
(158,963)
 
(158,963)
 
Market value of securities on loan
 
37,925
 
73,570
 
13,993
 
805,688
 
931,176
 
AT&T Group Investment Trust investments at fair value
 
752,426
 
1,690,853
 
405,918
 
6,324,942
 
9,174,139
 
Unsettled trades and other
 
3,469
 
(636)
 
2,292
 
(5,499)
 
(374)
 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
96,719
 
96,719
 
AT&T Group Investment Trust investments
$
755,895
 
1,690,217
 
408,210
 
6,416,162
 
9,270,484
 
Master Trust’s percentage ownership interest of investments
 
1.8
%
3.1
%
2.1
%
9.5
%
7.4
%



12 
 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
The Master Trust’s percentage interest in each of the investment fund options within the Group Trust is discussed below.
 
December 31, 2007
 
AT&T Total Return Bond Fund
 
AT&T U.S. Stock Fund
 
AT&T Inter-national Stock Fund
 
AT&T Stable Value Fund
 
Group Trust
 
Interest bearing cash
$
-
$
12,771
$
4,289
$
---
$
17,060
 
Common/collective trust funds
 
-
 
353,432
 
60,426
 
-
 
413,858
 
Corporate and other bonds and notes
 
-
 
445
 
-
 
-
 
445
 
Equities
 
-
 
504,399
 
162,289
 
-
 
666,688
 
Equities – loaned
 
-
 
(33,064)
 
(9,098)
 
-
 
(42,162)
 
Publicly traded partnerships
 
-
 
2,622
 
-
 
-
 
2,622
 
Registered investment companies
 
378,875
 
76,596
 
1,358
 
-
 
456,829
 
Registered investment companies – loaned
 
(157,449)
 
  -
 
  -
 
  -
 
(157,449)
 
Investment contracts (at fair value):
                     
Guaranteed investment contracts
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
   64,698
 
64,698
 
Synthetic investment contracts
                     
Common/collective trust funds
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
  48,414
 
48,414
 
Corporate and other bonds and notes
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
 2,341,762
 
2,341,762
 
Corporate and other bonds and notes – loaned
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
 (16,828)
 
(16,828)
 
Government securities
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
 1,559,752
 
1,559,752
 
Government securities – loaned
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
  (455,383)
 
(455,383)
 
Investments short sold (proceeds of $81,273)
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
 
(81,541)
 
(81,541)
 
Wrap contracts
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
       267
 
267
 
Common/collective trust funds
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
  31,637
 
31,637
 
Unsettled trades and other
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
 (98,909)
 
(98,909)
 
Market value of securities on loan
 
157,449
 
33,064
 
9,098
 
 472,211
 
671,822
 
AT&T Group Investment Trust investments at fair value
 
378,875
 
950,265
 
228,362
 
3,866,080
 
5,423,582
 
Unsettled trades and other
 
1,760
 
3,905
 
152
 
  (17,518)
 
(11,701)
 
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
 
-
 
-
 
-
 
     8,346
 
8,346
 
AT&T Group Investment Trust investments
$
380,635
 
954,170
 
228,514
 
3,856,908
 
5,420,227
 
Master Trust's percentage ownership interest of investments
 
30.4
%
98.9
%
93.4
%
69.8
%
73.1
%

Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.  Specifically, the unsettled trades and other account balance is shown below the investments at fair value as these items relate primarily to due to/due from broker receivables and payables.

13
 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)


Net Appreciation (Depreciation) in Fair Value of AT&T Group Investment Trust Investments and
Total Investment Income for the year ended December 31, 2008

   
AT&T Total Return Bond Fund
   
AT&T U.S. Stock Fund
   
AT&T Inter-national Stock Fund
   
AT&T Stable Value Fund
   
Group Trust
 
Interest bearing cash
  $ -     $ -     $ 73     $ -     $ 73  
Common/collective trust funds
    -       (262,119 )     (69,429 )     -       (331,548 )
Corporate and other bonds and notes
    -       -       (7 )     -       (7 )
Equities
    -       (785,039 )     (292,308 )     -       (1,077,347 )
Publicly traded partnerships
    -       (1,991 )     -       -       (1,991 )
Registered investment companies
    (59,157 )     2,002       -       -       (57,155 )
Total net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of Group Trust Investments
  $ (59,157 )   $ (1,047,147 )   $ (361,671 )   $ -     $ (1,467,975 )


   Investment income:
                             
Interest
  $ -     $ 1,085     $ 1,784     $ 271,823     $ 274,692  
Dividends
    51,532       23,597       13,572       35       88,736  
Securities lending
    -       1,632       487       -       2,119  
Total investment income of Group Trust Investments
  $ 51,532     $ 26,314     $ 15,843     $ 271,858     $ 365,547  

 
The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Group Trust’s assets at fair value as of December 31, 2008.
 
 
   
Group Trust Assets and Liabilities at Fair Value as of December 31, 2008
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Interest bearing cash
  $ 7,426     $ 43     $ -     $ 7,469  
Common/collective trust funds
    -       635,222       -       635,222  
Corporate and other bonds and notes
    171       -       -       171  
Equities
    1,334,229       2,675       -       1,336,904  
Publicly traded partnerships
    1,242       -       -       1,242  
Registered investment companies
    742,701       5,062       -       747,763  
Investment contracts:
                               
Guaranteed investment contracts
    -       23,996       -       23,996  
Synthetic investment contracts:
                               
Common/collective trust funds
    -       30,047       -       30,047  
Corporate and other bonds and notes
    208,230       2,521,841       -       2,730,071  
Government securities
    -       2,968,940       -       2,968,940  
Wrap contracts
    -       17,863       -       17,863  
Other
    -       (256,725 )     -       (256,725 )
Market value of securities on loan
    125,488       805,688       -       931,176  
Total assets and liabilities at fair value
  $ 2,419,487     $ 6,754,652     $ -     $ 9,174,139  


14
 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)

Financial Instruments With Off-Balance Sheet Risk
In the normal course of operations, Group Trust assets held in the AT&T Stable Value Fund are invested in financial instruments (futures, options and foreign currency contracts) which may give rise to off-balance sheet risk. These instruments involve, in varying degrees, elements of credit and market risk in excess of the amounts recognized on the statements of net assets available for benefits. The contract or notional amounts disclosed provide a measure of the Group Trust’s involvement in such instruments but are not indicative of potential loss. The intent is to use these financial instruments to reduce, rather than increase, market risk. The Group Trust’s fiduciaries do not anticipate any material adverse effect on the Group Trust’s financial position resulting from its involvement in these instruments.

Futures Contracts
On behalf of the Master Trust in 2007 (beginning October 1, 2007) and 2008,  investment managers for the Group Trust enter into various futures contracts to economically hedge investments in domestic securities. These contracts, which are considered derivatives under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” 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 and the AT&T Master Trust, 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.


At December 31, 2008, open futures contracts held in the Group Trust were as follows:

 
 
Type of Contract
Number of 
Contracts
Buy/(Sell)
 
 
Expiration
 
Notional
Value
90 Day EuroDollar Future
(39)
6/2010
$           (9,580) 
US Treasury Bond Future
(126)  
3/2009
         (17,394)
US 10-Year Treasury Notes Future
(225)  
3/2009
         (28,294)
US 5-Year Treasury Notes Future
835  
3/2009
          99,411
US 2-Year Treasury Notes Future
89
3/2009
          19,408
UK Long GILT Future
127  
3/2009
          22,545
US Treasury Bond Future
(336)   
3/2009
         (46,384)
US 10-Year Treasury Notes Future
362   
3/2009
          45,522
US 5-Year Treasury Notes Future
229   
3/2009
         27,264
US 2-Year Treasury Notes Future
19  
3/2009
           4,143


       At December 31, 2007, open futures contracts held in the Group Trust were as follows:

 
 
Type of Contract
Number of Contracts
Buy/(Sell)
 
 
Expiration
 
Notional
Value
90 Day EuroDollar Future
117
9/2008
      $  28,229
90 Day EuroDollar Future
(117)
9/2009
         (28,182)
US Treasury Bond Future
(101)
3/2008
        (11,754)
US 10-Year Treasury Notes Future
(375)
3/2008
         (42,521)
US 5-Year Treasury Notes Future
542
3/2008
         59,772
US 2-Year Treasury Notes Future
  (83)
3/2008
         (17,451)
US Treasury Bond Future
 (267)
3/2008
         (31,072)
US 10-Year Treasury Notes Future
366
3/2008
                             41,501
US 5-Year Treasury Notes Future
880
3/2008
         97,048
US 2-Year Treasury Notes Future
283
3/2008
          59,501


15
 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)

 
        Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts
The AT&T Stable Value Fund consists primarily of contracts with various financial institutions and insurance companies that promise to repay principal plus accrued income at contract maturity, subject to the creditworthiness of the issuer. Interest crediting rates are generally established when the contract is purchased and may be periodically reset. The AT&T Stable Value Fund invests in GICs and Synthetic GICs.  Synthetic GICs are also referred to as wrapper contracts. At December 31, 2008 and 2007, the assets supporting the Synthetic GICs were owned by the Group Trust and generally consisted of high-quality fixed income securities. At December 31, 2008 the underlying net assets allocated to the Master Trust had a fair value of $605,630 and a contract value of $614,899. At December 31, 2007 the underlying net assets allocated to the Master Trust had a fair value of $2,688,230 and a contract value of $2,694,053.  For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, the average yield earned by the Master Trust on these contracts was 5.06% and 5.07%, and, the average yield earned by the Master Trust adjusted to reflect actual interest rate credited to participants, was 4.57% and 5.25%. No valuation reserves were recorded to adjust contract amounts as of December 31, 2008 or 2007.

A bank or insurance company issues a wrapper contract that provides preservation of principal, maintains a stable interest rate and provides daily liquidity at contract value for participant directed transactions, in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. Wrapper contracts amortize the realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying fixed income investments through adjustments to the future interest crediting rate. The issuer of the wrapper contract provides assurance that the adjustments to the interest crediting rate do not result in a future interest crediting rate that is less than zero, which would result in a loss of principal or accrued interest. The fair value of the wrapper contracts was $17,863 at December 31, 2008 and $267 at December 31, 2007.

Wrapper contracts’ interest crediting rates are typically reset on a monthly or quarterly basis and are based on the characteristics of the underlying fixed income securities. Other key factors that influence the interest crediting rates are market interest rates, the amount and timing of participant transactions into and out of the wrapper contract, investment returns on the underlying fixed income securities and the duration of those investments. All wrapper contracts provide for minimum interest crediting rate of zero percent. In the event that the interest crediting rate should fall to zero and the requirements of the wrapper contract are satisfied, the wrapper issuer will pay the Group Trust the shortfall needed to maintain the rate at zero, ensuring participants’ principal and accrued interest is protected.

Changes in market interest rates can affect the yield to maturity and the market value of the underlying investments, and can have a material impact on the wrapper contract’s interest crediting rate. Additionally, participant withdrawals and transfers from the AT&T Stable Value Fund are paid at contract value but funded through the market value liquidation of the underlying investments, which also impacts the interest crediting rate. The resulting gains and losses in the market value of the underlying investments relative to the wrapper contract value are represented on the Plan’s statement of net Assets available for benefits as the “Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts and the amount allocated to the Plan totaled $9,261 at December 31, 2008 and $1,292 at December 31, 2007.” If this adjustment is positive, it indicates that the wrapper contract value is greater than the market value of the underlying investments and the embedded market value losses will be amortized in the future through a lower interest crediting rate. If the adjustment is negative, the embedded market gains would cause the future interest crediting rate to be higher.

In certain circumstances, the amount withdrawn from the wrapper contract could be payable at fair value rather than at contract value. These events include termination of the Master Trust, a material adverse change to the provisions of the Plan, if AT&T elects to withdraw from a wrapper contract in order to switch to a different investment provider or, in the event of a spin-off or sale of a division, if the terms of the successor plan do not meet the contract issuers’ underwriting criteria for issuance of a clone wrapper contract. Events that would permit a wrapper contract issuer to terminate a wrapper contract upon short notice include the Plan’s loss of its qualified status, un-cured material breaches of responsibilities or material and adverse changes to the provisions of the Plan. The Company does not believe any of these events are probable of occurring in the foreseeable future.


16
 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)




        Securities Lending
The Group Trust is authorized to engage in the lending of certain assets in the Stable Value Fund. Securities lending is an investment management enhancement that utilizes the existing securities of the Group Trust to earn additional income. Securities lending involves the loaning of securities to a selected group of approved banks and broker-dealers. The fair value of securities on loan was $931,176 and $671,822 and value of collateral held was $954,949 and $684,204 at December 31, 2008 and 2007. The collateral is invested in a common/collective trust fund (classified as Level 2).

In return for the loaned securities, the trustee, prior to or simultaneous with delivery of the loaned securities to the borrower, receives collateral in the form of cash or U.S. Government securities as a safeguard against possible default of any borrower on the return of the loan. Each loan is initially collateralized, in the case of: (a) loaned securities denominated in U.S. dollars or whose primary trading market is located in the U.S. to the extent of 102% of the market value of the loaned securities, or (b) loaned securities not denominated in U.S. dollars or whose primary trading market is not located in the U.S. to the extent of 105% of the market value of the loaned securities. The collateral is marked to market on a daily basis for the group trust.
 
Investment Risk
Investments held by the Master Trust, Group Trust and the Plan are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investments could occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the statement of net assets available for plan benefits. Plan participants’ accounts that are invested in the Company stock fund option are exposed to market risk in the event of a significant decline in the value of AT&T stock.

Additionally, the Group Trust invests in securities with contractual cash flows, such as asset backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations and commercial mortgage backed securities, including securities backed by subprime mortgage loans. The value, liquidity and related income of these securities are sensitive to changes in economic conditions, including real estate value, delinquencies or defaults, or both, and may be adversely affected by shifts in the market’s perception of the issuers and changes in interest rates.
 
Related Party Transactions and Party-in-Interest
Plan assets are invested in AT&T stock either directly or through the Group Trust or Master Trust. Because the Company is the plan sponsor, transactions involving the Company’s stock qualify as party-in-interest transactions.  In addition, certain investments held by the Plan, Group Trust and AT&T Master Trust are managed by BNY Mellon and Fidelity as trustee and record keeper, respectively, as defined by various  agreements. In addition, certain investments are managed by State Street and Fidelity as trustee and record keeper as defined by various agreements. Therefore, these transactions and fees paid to these entities qualify as parties-in-interest transactions.  All of these transactions are exempt from the prohibited transactions rules.


17
 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (continued)
(Dollars in Thousands)

 
7.  
 Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500 - The following is a reconciliation of Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500 as of December 31:

   
2008
   
2007
 
Net Assets Available for Benefits per the financial statements
  $ 1,057,972     $ 1,357,134  
                 
Less: Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
    (9,261 )     (1,292 )
                 
Net Assets Available for Benefits per the Form 5500
  $ 1,048,711     $ 1,355,842  

The following is a reconciliation of total additions per the financial statements to total income per the Form 5500 for the year ended December 31, 2008:
       
Total additions per the financial statements
  $ (173,856 )
         
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts at December 31, 2008
    (9,261 )
         
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts at December 31, 2007
    1,292  
         
Total income per the Form 5500
  $ (181,825 )

Fully benefit-responsive contracts are recorded on the Form 5500 at fair value versus contract value on the financial statements.

 
18 
 

 
AT&T LONG TERM SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

EIN 13-4924710, PLAN NO. 004
SCHEDULE H, LINE 4(i) - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
 
December 31, 2008
 
(Dollars in Thousands)

   
Description of
     
Current
Identity of Issue
 
Investment
 
Cost
 
Value


               
               
*
Participant Loans
 
4.00% - 9.50%
 
**
 
31,160


*     Party-in-Interest.
 
**   Participant-directed investment, cost not required.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
19 
 

 

SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustee (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 


 
AT&T Long Term Savings and Security Plan
   
 
By AT&T Inc.,
Plan Administrator for the Foregoing Plan





By
 /s/ John J. Stephens
 
John J. Stephens
 
Senior Vice President and Controller




Date: October 2, 2009
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 
Exhibit identified below, Exhibit 23 is filed herein as an exhibit hereto.

Exhibit
Number                 

23  
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm