Form 11-K
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 11-K
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þ |
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008
OR
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o |
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 001-06033
A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer
named below:
United Airlines Ground Employee 401(k) Plan
Benefits Administration OPCHR
United Air Lines, Inc.
P.O. Box 66100
Chicago, IL 60666
B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its
principal executive office:
UAL Corporation
77 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60601
(312) 997-8000
UNITED AIRLINES GROUND EMPLOYEE 401(k) PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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NOTE: |
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All other schedules required by Section 2520.103-10 of the Department of
Labors Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 have been omitted because
they are not applicable. |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Trustees and Participants of the
United Airlines Ground Employee 401(k) Plan
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the United
Airlines Ground Employee 401(k) Plan (the 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 Plans management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with 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. The
Plan is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over
financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting
as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for
the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Plans 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, as well as
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets
available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the changes in net assets
available for benefits for the year ended December 31, 2008 in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Our audits were 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, 2008
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 Labors Rules
and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974. This schedule is the responsibility of the Plans management. Such schedule has been
subjected to the auditing procedures applied in our audit of the basic 2008 financial statements
and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the
basic financial statements taken as a whole.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Chicago, Illinois
June 29, 2009
- 1 -
UNITED AIRLINES GROUND EMPLOYEE 401(k) PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007
(In thousands)
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2008 |
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2007 |
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ASSETS: |
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Plan interest in Master Trust, at fair value |
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$ |
1,170,855 |
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$ |
1,686,620 |
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Total assets |
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1,170,855 |
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1,686,620 |
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LIABILITIES: |
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Accrued expenses |
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(67 |
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(51 |
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Total liabilities |
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(67 |
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(51 |
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Net assets available for benefits, at fair value |
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1,170,788 |
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1,686,569 |
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Adjustment from fair value to contract value
for fully
benefit-responsive investment contracts |
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5,652 |
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(1,503 |
) |
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NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS |
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$ |
1,176,440 |
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$ |
1,685,066 |
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See notes to financial statements.
- 2 -
UNITED AIRLINES GROUND EMPLOYEE 401(k) PLAN
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
(In thousands)
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ADDITIONS: |
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Participant contributions |
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$ |
58,520 |
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Rollover contributions |
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902 |
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Employer contributions |
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20,207 |
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79,629 |
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Plans interest in Master Trusts dividend and interest income |
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45,568 |
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Net transfers from other affiliated plans |
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2,085 |
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Total additions |
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127,282 |
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DEDUCTIONS: |
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Net depreciation in value of the Plans interest in Master Trusts investments |
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(526,882 |
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Benefits paid to participants |
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(108,519 |
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Administrative expenses |
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(507 |
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Total deductions |
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(635,908 |
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DECREASE IN NET ASSETS |
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(508,626 |
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NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS: |
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Beginning of year |
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1,685,066 |
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End of year |
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$ |
1,176,440 |
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See notes to financial statements.
- 3 -
UNITED AIRLINES GROUND EMPLOYEE 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008 AND 2007, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008
The following description of the United Airlines Ground Employee 401(k) Plan (the Plan) is
for general information purposes only. Participants should refer to the Plan document for more
complete information.
General and Plan ParticipantsThe Plan is a defined contribution plan covering all employees of
United Air Lines, Inc. (United) who are represented by the International Brotherhood of
Teamsters (Teamsters) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
(IAM) except Mileage Plus, Inc. employees and Maintenance Instructors who participate in the
Management and Administrative Plan. Employees are eligible to become participants on their
date of hire. The Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Trustee and Record KeeperFidelity Management Trust Company (Fidelity or Trustee) is the
Plan trustee and Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc. (FIIOC) is the
transfer agent and recordkeeper of the Plan.
ContributionsThere are several types of contributions that may be made to the Plan on
participants behalf:
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Employee contributions: Eligible employees may elect to make voluntary pretax
contributions in any whole percentage from 1% to 30% of eligible earnings. Eligible
employees may also make a supplemental election to contribute additional pretax
contributions of 1% to 90% of their net pretax pay. Section 402(g) of the Internal
Revenue Code limits the amount of pretax 401(k) contributions to a maximum of $15,500
in 2008. Lower limits may apply to certain highly compensated participants if the
Plan does not pass certain nondiscrimination tests required by law. Section 415(c) of
the Internal Revenue Code limits the total amount of contributions from all qualified
defined contribution retirement plans to the lesser of 100% of annual compensation or
$46,000. |
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Employer Contributions: For employees represented by the International Brotherhood
of Teamsters, the employer contribution to the Plan equals 4% of each eligible
participants eligible earnings. In addition, United may make an additional
contribution of up to 3.4% of eligible earnings for participants who were employed on
May 15, 2005 (or who were on furlough on that date, but have subsequently returned to
active status) according to a schedule based on the sum of the employees age and
credited service. In the event the total amount of the Uniteds regular and
additional contributions is less than 5% of all participants eligible earnings for
the Plan year, United will make a supplemental employer contribution in the amount
necessary to cause total employer contributions to equal 5% of all eligible
participants earnings for the Plan year. The participant is not required to
contribute to the Plan to receive this direct employer contribution. United does not
make contributions on behalf of employees represented by the IAM to the Plan. |
- 4 -
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Voluntary pretax catch-up contributions: Participants age 50 or older, at any time
during the Plan year, can make additional pretax catch-up contributions to the Plan.
This catch-up contribution is available only to the extent the participant has
contributed the maximum amount of 401(k) contributions permitted under the Plan and
the participant has not exceeded the annual catch-up contribution limit. For calendar
year 2008, the maximum catch-up amount is $5,000. |
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Rollover contributions: Participants may elect to roll over money into the Plan
from certain other qualified employer plans or qualified Individual Retirement Account
(IRA). The Plan will not accept a rollover of after-tax contributions. For the year
ended December 31, 2008, $901,809 was transferred from other qualified plans as
rollovers under the Internal Revenue Code Sections 402(c) and 408(d). |
Participant AccountsIndividual accounts are maintained for each Plan participant. Each
participants account is credited with contributions and Plan earnings, and charged with
withdrawals, an allocation of Plan losses and administrative expenses. Allocations are based on
account balances, as defined by the Plan. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the
benefit that can be provided from the participants vested account.
InvestmentsParticipants elect to invest in one or a combination of the investment funds
offered by the Plan. Additionally, they may subsequently change their contribution rate,
redesignate the allocation of contributions, or transfer existing balances among investment
funds, subject to the limits set forth in the Plan. Investment options offered by the Plan
during the year were:
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Fidelity Equity-Income Fund |
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Fidelity Growth Company Fund |
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Fidelity Government Income Fund |
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Fidelity Asset Manager 50% |
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Fidelity Asset Manager: Growth 70% |
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Fidelity Asset Manager: Income 20% |
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Fidelity Retirement Money Market Portfolio |
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Fidelity U.S. Bond Index Fund |
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Fidelity U.S. Equity Index Commingled Pool Class 2 |
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Fidelity Spartan International Index Fund |
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Stated Return Fund (closed to new investments in 1992) |
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Vanguard Target Retirement Income |
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Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 |
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Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 |
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Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 |
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Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 |
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Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 |
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Individual Brokerage Account (Fidelity BrokerageLink) |
- 5 -
VestingParticipants are vested immediately in their pretax contributions, catch-up
contributions, rollover contributions, and their related earnings thereon. All employees
employed as of May 15, 2005, are 100% vested in Uniteds regular, additional and
supplemental contributions and related earnings. For employees hired after May 15, 2005, a
five-year vesting schedule was implemented beginning with 20% vested after the first year of
service and increasing in 20% increments thereafter. Employees will be 100% vested in employer
contributions upon death or attainment of age 65 while employed by United or an affiliate.
ForfeituresUpon termination of employment, participants will forfeit the nonvested portion of
their account balance and such balance will be held in a separate subaccount until the
participant incurs a break in service of five full years, at which time the subaccount balance
will be forfeited. If the Participant resumes employment with United or an Affiliate prior to
incurring a break in service of five full years, such subaccount will be disregarded and the
balance will be included in the participants account. Forfeitures occurring in a plan year
will first be applied to restore the accounts of participants and any remaining forfeitures
will be used to reduce the employers contributions for the plan year in which the forfeiture
occurs. Forfeited nonvested accounts totaled $49 and $33,898 at December 31, 2008 and 2007,
respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2008, forfeitures of $43,845 were applied to
reduce Uniteds employer contributions under the Plan.
Participant LoansActive employees who are receiving regular pay from United may borrow from
their Plan accounts. A loan may not exceed $50,000 minus their highest outstanding loan balance
over the last 12 months or one-half of their total vested Plan account balance, whichever is
less. The minimum that may be borrowed is $1,000. Loans are funded from the participants
account by a pro rata transfer from each investment fund in which the account is invested.
Amounts invested in the UAL Stock Fund or Fidelity BrokerageLink must be transferred to another
investment fund to be available to fund a loan. The loan is repaid through payroll deductions
on an after-tax basis for the term of the loan (a maximum of 60 months) and is subject to an
annual interest rate at one percent above the prime rate listed in the Wall Street Journal on
the business day preceding the effective date of the participant request (interest rates ranged
from 5% to 10% at December 31, 2008). If the participant takes out a loan for the purchase of
the participants primary residence, the maximum term of the loan is 15 years. The amount
repaid is reinvested in the participants account based on the investment allocations at the
time of repayment. Participants may have up to two loans outstanding at one time. Upon the
employees termination of employment, a loan not paid in full within 60 days becomes a taxable
distribution. Loans not paid on the last day of the calendar quarter following the calendar
quarter in which the loan installment payment was due will be in default and the outstanding
balance of the defaulted loan plus accrued interest will be considered a taxable distribution.
An initial fee of $35 is deducted from loan proceeds. In addition a quarterly maintenance fee
of $2.50 is deducted from the participants account.
Payment of BenefitsWithdrawals from the Plan may be made as follows, as applicable to the
participants eligibility, amount requested, and existing balances:
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Participants who have separated from service (for reasons other than death) may elect
payment in the form of a lump-sum, equal periodic installments, or in the form of an
immediate fixed or variable annuity. All or a portion of the amount of the distribution
may be deferred from the participants current taxable income by a direct roll over into
an IRA, qualified plan, an annuity contract or annuity plan under Section 403, and certain
governmental plans under Section 457. Participants with account balances exceeding $1,000
may elect to defer receipt of their benefits until minimum distributions are required to
start no later than April 1st of the year following the year in which they
reach age 70 1/2. |
- 6 -
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Distributions of accounts due to the death of a participant may be taken by the
participants beneficiary in the form of a lump-sum payment or through the purchase of an
annuity, subject to the limitations of the Internal Revenue Code 401(a)(9) |
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In-service withdrawals for participants who are actively employed or are absent due to
reasons of illness, or approved leave of absence that maintain an employer-employee
relationship with United are permitted as follows: |
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Hardship withdrawals, subject to restrictions described in the plan
agreements. |
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After reaching age 59-1/2, pretax contributions, including catch-up
contributions, rollover contributions, and the special employer contributions of
proceeds of Convertible Notes and UAL stock (as adjusted for earnings) may be
withdrawn at any time. |
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Active participants that have reached age 70-1/2 may choose to defer
distribution until termination of employment. |
Generally, withdrawals are allocated pro rata to the balances of each of the investment funds
in the participants account.
2. |
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SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of AccountingThe accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Use of EstimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of net assets available for benefits
and changes therein. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Plan utilizes
various investment instruments, including mutual funds and investment contracts. Investment
securities, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, and
overall market volatility. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment
securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will
occur in the near term and such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the
financial statements.
New Accounting PronouncementsIn September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair
value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair
value measurements. SFAS 157 applies to reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2007.
The Plan adopted SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008. (See Note 9 Fair Value Measurements).
In
March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures
about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitiesan amendment of FASB Statement No. 133
(SFAS 161). This Statement changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and
hedging activities. Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why
an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items
are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (SFAS 133) and its related interpretations and
(c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entitys financial position,
financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is effective for periods beginning January 1,
2009, although early adoption is allowed. The Plan is currently evaluating the impact of
adopting SFAS 161.
- 7 -
In October 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. 157-3, Determining the Fair
Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active (FSP 157-3). FSP
No. 157-3 clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in a market that is not active and provides
examples to illustrate key considerations in determining fair value
in such market. The adoption of FSP 157-3 did not have a material
effect on the Plans financial statements.
In
April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position
(FSP) FAS 157-4, Determining Fair Value when the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset
or Liability have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions that are not Orderly
(FSP 157-4), which is effective for the Plan for the year ending December 31, 2009. FSP 157-4
affirms that the objective of fair value when the market for an asset is not active 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 under current market
conditions. The FSP provides guidance for estimating fair value when the volume and level of
market activity for an asset or liability have significantly decreased and determining whether
a transaction was orderly. This FSP applies to all fair value measurements when appropriate.
The Plan is currently evaluating the impact of adopting FSP 157-4.
Investment Valuation and Income RecognitionThe Plans investments are held in the United Air
Lines, Inc. 401(k) Plans Master Trust (the Trust), which was established for the investment
of assets of the Plan and several other plans sponsored by United and administered by the
Trustee. The investments of the Trust are reported at fair value (See Note 9 Fair Value
Measurements). The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount 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 (the exit price).
Purchases and sales of securities are recorded on a trade-date basis. Interest income is
recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Net Appreciation (Depreciation) in Value of InvestmentsNet appreciation (depreciation) in
value of investments includes realized and unrealized gains and losses. Realized and unrealized
gains and losses are calculated as the difference between fair value at January 1, or date of
purchase if subsequent to January 1, and fair value at date of sale or the current year-end.
Administrative ExpensesAdministrative expenses, which are paid by the Plan, represent
administrative and investment manager fees charged by Fidelity, accountant and audit fees, and
recordkeeping fees charged by FIIOC. Brokerage and other investment fees are included as a
reduction of the investment return for such investments. United performs certain reporting and
supervisory functions for the Plan without charge.
Payment of BenefitsBenefit payments to participants are recorded upon distribution. There were
no amounts allocated to accounts of persons who had elected to withdraw from the Plan but have
not yet been paid at December 31, 2008 and 2007.
Transfers Between PlansTransfers between plans reflect the change in employee coverage and
transfer of any related balances between this Plan and other defined contribution plans
sponsored by United, including the United Airlines Management and Administrative Employee
401(k) Plan and the United Airlines Flight Attendant 401(k) Plan.
- 8 -
3. |
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INVESTMENT IN MASTER TRUST |
Assets of the Plan are commingled with the assets of the other participating United plans
consisting of the Management and Administrative 401(k) Plan, and the Flight Attendant 401(k)
Plan. Although assets of the plans are commingled in the Trust, the Trustee maintains separate
records for each of the plans. Assets of the Trust are reported at fair value and are allocated
to the following plans at December 31, 2008 and 2007, as follows (in thousands):
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December 31, 2008 |
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December 31, 2007 |
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Amount |
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Percent |
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Amount |
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Percent |
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Ground Employee 401(k) Plan |
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$ |
1,170,855 |
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39.42 |
% |
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$ |
1,686,620 |
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|
39.31 |
% |
Management and
Administrative 401(k) Plan |
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|
762,126 |
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25.66 |
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1,112,146 |
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25.92 |
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Flight Attendant 401(k) Plan |
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1,036,925 |
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34.92 |
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1,491,715 |
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|
34.77 |
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Total |
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$ |
2,969,906 |
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|
100.00 |
% |
|
$ |
4,290,481 |
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|
100.00 |
% |
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- 9 -
Investments of the Trust as of December 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows (in thousands):
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2008 |
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2007 |
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Fidelity Mutual Funds: |
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Magellan Fund |
|
$ |
120,602 |
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$ |
259,982 |
* |
Equity-Income Fund |
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|
89,263 |
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|
174,462 |
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Growth Company Fund |
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|
370,090 |
* |
|
|
680,918 |
* |
Government Income Fund |
|
|
96,507 |
|
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|
37,879 |
|
OTC Portfolio |
|
|
89,153 |
|
|
|
182,712 |
|
Overseas Fund |
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|
165,407 |
* |
|
|
377,924 |
* |
Balanced Fund |
|
|
216,719 |
* |
|
|
368,041 |
* |
Asset Manager 50% |
|
|
22,376 |
|
|
|
35,497 |
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Asset Manager: Growth 70% |
|
|
32,124 |
|
|
|
53,105 |
|
Asset Manager: Income 20% |
|
|
14,698 |
|
|
|
17,288 |
|
Spartan International Index Fund |
|
|
44,235 |
|
|
|
93,779 |
|
Retirement Money Market Portfolio |
|
|
173,922 |
* |
|
|
128,837 |
|
U.S. Bond Index Fund |
|
|
59,498 |
|
|
|
51,831 |
|
U.S. Equity Index Commingled Pool Class 2 |
|
|
198,470 |
* |
|
|
354,128 |
* |
Other Receivables |
|
|
376 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
BrokerageLink |
|
|
47,282 |
|
|
|
52,254 |
|
Stated Return Fund |
|
|
81,147 |
|
|
|
93,828 |
|
Blended
Income Fund (managed by Fidelity) |
|
|
600,345 |
* |
|
|
557,690 |
* |
UAL Stock Fund |
|
|
102,873 |
|
|
|
276,241 |
* |
Vanguard Target Retirement Income |
|
|
6,139 |
|
|
|
4,111 |
|
Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 |
|
|
19,807 |
|
|
|
21,295 |
|
Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 |
|
|
117,901 |
|
|
|
134,113 |
|
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 |
|
|
105,481 |
|
|
|
121,470 |
|
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 |
|
|
50,530 |
|
|
|
61,456 |
|
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 |
|
|
17,538 |
|
|
|
22,824 |
|
Participant Loan Fund |
|
|
127,423 |
|
|
|
128,516 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments, at fair value |
|
$ |
2,969,906 |
|
|
$ |
4,290,481 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment from fair value to contract value
for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts |
|
|
18,717 |
|
|
|
(3,517 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments |
|
$ |
2,988,623 |
|
|
$ |
4,286,964 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
|
Represents an investment greater than 5% of Trust net assets. |
- 10 -
The Trusts investment gain (loss) for the year ended December 31, 2008, is as follows (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Fidelity Mutual Funds: |
|
|
|
|
Magellan Fund |
|
$ |
(131,175 |
) |
Equity-Income Fund |
|
|
(72,939 |
) |
Growth Company Fund |
|
|
(270,880 |
) |
Government Income Fund |
|
|
4,284 |
|
OTC Portfolio |
|
|
(80,311 |
) |
Overseas Fund |
|
|
(167,398 |
) |
Balanced Fund |
|
|
(114,986 |
) |
Asset Manager 50% |
|
|
(10,106 |
) |
Asset Manager 70% |
|
|
(18,893 |
) |
Asset Manager 20% |
|
|
(3,041 |
) |
Spartan International Index Fund |
|
|
(36,478 |
) |
U.S. Bond Index Fund |
|
|
(605 |
) |
U.S. Equity Index Commingled Pool Class 2 |
|
|
(124,461 |
) |
BrokerageLink |
|
|
(22,192 |
) |
UAL Stock Fund |
|
|
(195,166 |
) |
Vanguard Target Retirement Income |
|
|
(909 |
) |
Vanguard Target Retirement 2005 |
|
|
(4,544 |
) |
Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 |
|
|
(39,762 |
) |
Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 |
|
|
(44,875 |
) |
Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 |
|
|
(26,333 |
) |
Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 |
|
|
(8,959 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net depreciation |
|
|
(1,369,729 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends |
|
|
65,764 |
|
Interest |
|
|
30,718 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trust investment loss |
|
$ |
(1,273,247 |
) |
|
|
|
|
- 11 -
4. |
|
GUARANTEED INVESTMENT CONTRACT (GIC) AND SYNTHETIC GIC |
The Trust holds investments in two types of stable value investment contracts: a traditional
GIC as part of the Stated Return Fund and synthetic GICs held by the Blended Income Fund. The
contracts are fully
benefit responsive and, as such, reported at fair value and reconciled to contract value in the
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits as of December 31, 2008 and
2007.
Guaranteed Investment Contract
The Stated Return
Fund contains an annuity insurance contract with Prudential Retirement
Insurance and Annuity Company (Prudential). Participants that elect this option may direct permitted
withdrawal or transfers of all or a portion of their account balance at contract value.
Contract value represents contributions made under the contracts, plus earnings, less
participant withdrawals and administrative expenses.
Interest is credited on contract balances using a single portfolio rate approach. Under this
method, a single crediting rate is applied to all contributions made to this fund regardless of
the timing of those contributions. Interest crediting rates are determined according to a
specific formula. Factors that impact the formula include the funds cash flow activity as
well as the expected and actual investment experience of securities held in a commingled
portfolio within Prudentials general account. The minimum crediting rate under the annuity
contract is 1.50%. The average yield credited to participants at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was
4.76% and 4.64%, respectively. Crediting rates are reviewed on an annual basis for resetting.
The fair value of the investment contracts in the Stated Return Fund held by the Trust at
December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $81,146,759 and $93,828,401, respectively. The average yield
for the Stated Return Fund was 4.87% for the year ended December 31, 2008.
The Plans ability to transact at contract value could be limited in the event of contract
termination initiated by the Plan or Trust. There are no instances in which the issuer could
terminate the contract and settle for an amount different than contract value.
Synthetic GICs
The Blended Income Fund holds investments in synthetic GICs comprised of a portfolio of U.S.
Government and other high quality (rated A- or above) debt securities and wrap contracts with
four counterparties. The wrap contracts provide additional assurance that participants will be
able to withdraw funds at contract value in the event that market value declines below contract
value followed by significant participant withdrawals. The fair value of the Blended Income
Fund equals the sum of the market value of the underlying investments plus the fair value of
the wrap contracts, which are calculated by discounting the difference between the contractual
wrap fee and the market value of the rebid fee over the remaining duration of the contract.
The fair value of the wrap was $883,921 and $0 at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Interest crediting rates are determined by comparing contract value and the estimated future
market value of the underlying investment portfolio, which is determined by compounding the
portfolios current yield to maturity over the remaining duration of the fund. The crediting
rate is equal to the discount rate that equates market value and contract value over the
remaining duration of the fund. The minimum crediting rate under the Blended Income Fund is
0%. The average yield credited to participants at December 31, 2008 and 2007 was 3.90% and
4.88%, respectively. Crediting rates are reviewed quarterly for resetting.
The fair value of the investment contracts in the Blended Income Fund held by the Trust at
December 31, 2008 and 2007 was $599,461,454 and $557,689,643, respectively. The average yield
for the Blended Income Fund for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 4.61%.
- 12 -
The wrap contracts limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value upon the
occurrence of certain events, which the Plan sponsor does not believe are probable. These
events include: (i) the Plans failure to qualify under Section 401(a) or 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code; (ii) the establishment of
a defined contribution plan that competes with the Plan for employee contributions; (iii) any
substantive modification of the Plan or the administration of the Plan that is not consented to
by the contract issuer; (iv) complete or partial termination of the Plan; (v) any change in
law, regulation or administrative ruling applicable to the Plan that could have a material
adverse effect on the funds cash flow; (vi) merger or consolidation of the Plan with another
plan, the transfer of Plan assets to another plan, or the sale, spin-off or merger of a
subsidiary or division of the Plan sponsor; (vii) any communication given to participants by
the Plan sponsor or any other Plan fiduciary that is designed to induce or influence
participants not to invest in the Funds or to transfer assets out of the Blended Return Fund;
(viii) exclusion of a group of previously eligible employees from eligibility in the Plan; (ix)
any early retirement program, group termination, group layoff, facility closing, or similar
program; and (x) any transfer of assets from the Blended Return Fund directly to a competing
option.
5. |
|
EXEMPT PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS |
Certain Trust investments are shares of mutual funds managed by Fidelity. Fidelity is the
trustee as defined by the Plan and, therefore, these transactions qualify as exempt
party-in-interest transactions. Fees paid by the Plan for investment management services were
included as a reduction of the return earned on each fund. The administrative fees paid by the
Plan to Fidelity for 2008 were $497,332.
The Plan invests in shares of UAL common stock. UAL is the parent company of United and, as
such, investment activity related to the UAL common stock qualifies as exempt party-in-interest
transactions.
United expects to continue the Plan indefinitely, but reserves the right to terminate the Plan,
in whole or in part, provided that Plan termination is effected by a written resolution adopted
by a majority of the Board of Directors of UAL subject to the provisions set forth in ERISA. If
the Plan is terminated, all amounts credited to a participants account at the time of
termination become fully vested and shall be retained in the Trust and will be distributed in
accordance with the normal distribution rules of the Plan and ERISA.
7. |
|
FEDERAL INCOME TAX STATUS |
The IRS has determined and informed United by a letter dated March 31, 2009, that the Plan and
related Trust were designed in accordance with applicable regulations of the Internal Revenue
Code. United and Plan management believe the Plan is currently designed and operated in
accordance with applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, and the Plan and related
trust continue to be tax exempt. Therefore, no provision for income taxes has been included in
the Plans financial statements.
- 13 -
8. |
|
RECONCILIATION TO FORM 5500 |
At December 31, 2008 and 2007, investment contracts that are fully benefit-responsive are
reported at contract value in the Plan financial statements. However, these investment
contracts are reported at fair value in the Form 5500. The reconciliation between the financial
statements and the Form 5500 is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets available for plan benefits per financial statements |
|
$ |
1,176,440 |
|
|
$ |
1,685,066 |
|
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully
benefit-responsive investment contracts |
|
|
(5,652 |
) |
|
|
1,503 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets available for plan benefits per Form 5500 |
|
$ |
1,170,788 |
|
|
$ |
1,686,569 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended |
|
|
|
December 31, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net depreciation in value of the Plans interest in the Trusts investments |
|
$ |
(526,882 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Change in adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully
benefit-responsive investment contracts |
|
|
(7,155 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
Net depreciation in value of the Plans interest in the Trusts
investments for Form 5500 |
|
$ |
(534,037 |
) |
|
|
|
|
9. |
|
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
Effective January 1, 2008, the Plan adopted SFAS 157 which establishes a fair value
hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs 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 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3
measurement). This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and
minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair
value are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets that
are accessible at the measurement date. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
Quoted market prices of identical assets in inactive markets or
similar assets in active markets; and observable or correlated
inputs for the asset (e.g., interest rates and yield curves
observable at commonly quoted intervals). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entitys own
assumptions about inputs used by market participants in pricing
assets or liabilities. |
- 14 -
Mutual funds and collective trusts represent investments with various investment managers. The
respective fair values of these investments are determined by reference to the funds
underlying assets, which are principally marketable equity and fixed income securities. Shares
held in mutual funds are valued at the closing share
price, which is based on the funds net asset value at year-end. Units held in collective
trusts are valued at the unit value as reported by the investment managers at year-end.
The value of a unit of the Fidelity U.S. Equity Index Commingled Pool Class 2 fund, which is
not an exchange-traded fund, reflects the combined market value of the underlying stock and
market value of the short-term cash position held by the fund. The market value of the common
stock portion of the fund is based on the closing price of the stock on its primary exchange
times the number of shares held in the fund. After determining the market value of the stock
portion of the fund, the market value of the cash position, accrued dividends, expenses and/or
other liabilities are calculated and the total (i.e. shareholder equity) is divided by the
number of outstanding units.
Participant loans are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
Valuation of investment contracts is described in Note 4.
Cash and short-term investments include cash and short-term interest-bearing investments with
initial maturities of three months or less. Such amounts are recorded at cost, plus accrued
interest, which approximates market value.
Common stock, preferred stock, and fixed income securities traded in active markets on national
and international securities exchanges are valued at closing prices on the last business day of
each period presented. Fixed income securities classified as level 2 are valued based on
quoted prices in inactive markets.
The following table presents the Trusts investment assets and liabilities at fair value
categorized in the different levels, as of December 31, 2008. As required by SFAS No. 157,
assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant
to the fair value measurement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Assets at Fair Value as of December 31, 2008 |
|
(in thousands) |
|
Level 1 |
|
|
Level 2 |
|
|
Level 3 |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mutual funds |
|
$ |
1,874,489 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
1,874,489 |
|
Common collective trusts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
198,470 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
198,470 |
|
Cash and short-term investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,314 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,314 |
|
Common and preferred stocks |
|
|
124,321 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
124,321 |
|
Fixed income securities |
|
|
320,961 |
|
|
|
240,525 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
561,486 |
|
Guaranteed investment contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
80,519 |
|
|
|
80,519 |
|
Synthetic wraps |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
884 |
|
|
|
884 |
|
Loans to participants |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
127,423 |
|
|
|
127,423 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investment assets at
fair value |
|
$ |
2,319,771 |
|
|
$ |
441,309 |
|
|
$ |
208,826 |
|
|
$ |
2,969,906 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- 15 -
Level 3 Gains and Losses
The table below summarizes the changes in the fair value of the Trusts level 3 investment
assets for the year ended December 31, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Level 3 Investment Assets |
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2008 |
|
(in thousands) |
|
Synthetic wrap |
|
|
GIC |
|
|
Participant Loans |
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Balance, beginning of year |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
93,828 |
|
|
$ |
128,516 |
|
|
$ |
222,344 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Realized and unrealized gains / (losses) |
|
|
884 |
|
|
|
(9,665 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,781 |
) |
Interest Income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,356 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,356 |
|
Purchases, issuances, and settlements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8,000 |
) |
|
|
(1,093 |
) |
|
|
(9,093 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Balance, end of year |
|
$ |
884 |
|
|
$ |
80,519 |
|
|
$ |
127,423 |
|
|
$ |
208,826 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The amount of total gains or losses for
the period included in net depreciation
in value of the Plans interest in
Master Trusts investments attributable
to the change in unrealized gains or
losses relating to assets still held at
the reporting date. |
|
$ |
884 |
|
|
$ |
(9,665 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(8,781 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* * * * * *
- 16 -
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE
- 17 -
UNITED AIRLINES GROUND EMPLOYEE 401(k) PLAN
FORM 5500, SCHEDULE H, PART IV, LINE 4i
SCHEDULE OF ASSETS (HELD AT END OF YEAR)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008
(In thousands)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Identity of Issue, Borrower, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
or Similar Party |
|
Description of Investment |
|
|
Current Value |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) Investments Held in the Trust, at fair value |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,101,888 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) Participants loan balance |
|
Participant loans earning interest from 5% to 10% maturing from 2009 through 2023 |
|
|
68,967 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully
benefit-responsive investment contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5,652 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,176,507 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(A) |
|
Denotes party-in-interest investment. |
- 18 -
SIGNATURES
The Plan. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Plan
Administrator has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
|
United Airlines Ground Employee 401(k) Plan
|
|
Date: June 29, 2009 |
/s/ R. Douglas Rose
|
|
|
R. Douglas Rose |
|
|
Member
Retirement and Welfare Administration Committee, the
Plan Administrator |
|
- 19 -
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
- 20 -