VLO Thrift Plan 11-K 2010
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 11-K


ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010






Commission File Number 1-13175






VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN


VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION
One Valero Way
San Antonio, Texas 78249









 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN

Index
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



All other supplemental schedules required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 are omitted because they are not applicable or not required.



                        




                        












                        

                        

2







REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


Valero Energy Corporation Benefit Plans Administrative Committee:

We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of the Valero Energy Corporation Thrift Plan (the Plan) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. 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. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes 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, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule H, line 4i–schedule of assets (held at end of year) as of December 31, 2010 is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor’s Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan’s management. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.


/s/ KPMG LLP

San Antonio, Texas
June 24, 2011
                        



3

VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
STATEMENTS OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS


 
December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
Assets
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
Valero Energy Corporation common stock
$
248,364,581

 
$
198,925,762

Common/collective trusts
375,834,812

 
346,976,790

Mutual funds
394,357,279

 
356,211,233

Self-directed investments
208,382,101

 
171,383,566

Total investments at fair value
1,226,938,773

 
1,073,497,351

 
 
 
 
Receivables:
 
 
 
Participant loans
40,108,557

 
39,188,060

Interest and dividends
501,089

 
500,245

Due from brokers for securities sold
268,564

 
76,274

Total receivables
40,878,210

 
39,764,579

 
 
 
 
Cash
476,348

 
473,361

 
 
 
 
Total assets reflecting all investments at fair value
1,268,293,331

 
1,113,735,291

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

 
12,632,469

 
 
 
 
Net assets available for benefits
$
1,268,293,331

 
$
1,126,367,760


See Notes to Financial Statements.



4

VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS


 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
Investment income:
 
 
 
Interest income
$
2,180,966

 
$
2,559,899

Dividend income
16,543,699

 
20,396,006

Net appreciation in fair value of investments
148,314,721

 
82,338,217

Total investment income
167,039,386

 
105,294,122

 
 
 
 
Contributions:
 
 
 
Participant
64,971,653

 
71,097,615

Employer, net of forfeitures
35,329,179

 
36,619,217

Total contributions
100,300,832

 
107,716,832

 
 
 
 
Total additions
267,340,218

 
213,010,954

 
 
 
 
Deductions:
 
 
 
Withdrawals by participants
(125,253,072
)
 
(95,746,922
)
Total deductions
(125,253,072
)
 
(95,746,922
)
 
 
 
 
Asset transfers in from
  Valero Energy Corporation Savings Plan
841

 
424

Asset transfers out to
  Valero Energy Corporation Savings Plan
(162,416
)
 
(1,390,703
)
 
 
 
 
Net increase in net assets available for benefits
141,925,571

 
115,873,753

 
 
 
 
Net assets available for benefits:
 
 
 
Beginning of year
1,126,367,760

 
1,010,494,007

End of year
$
1,268,293,331

 
$
1,126,367,760


See Notes to Financial Statements.



5





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN

As used in this report, the term “Valero” may refer, depending upon the context, to Valero Energy Corporation, one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, or all of them taken as a whole.

Valero is a publicly held independent refining and marketing company with approximately 20,000 employees. As of December 31, 2010, Valero owned 14 refineries in the United States, Canada, and Aruba with a combined total throughput capacity of approximately 2.6 million barrels per day. Valero markets refined products through an extensive bulk and rack marketing network and a network of approximately 5,800 retail and wholesale branded outlets in the United States, Canada, and Aruba under various brand names including Valero®, Diamond Shamrock®, Shamrock®, Ultramar®, and Beacon®. Valero also operated 10 ethanol plants in the Midwest with a combined capacity of approximately 1.1 billion gallons per year.

Valero’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VLO.”

The following description of the Valero Energy Corporation Thrift Plan (Thrift Plan) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the plan document for a complete description of the Thrift Plan’s provisions.

General
The Thrift Plan is a qualified profit-sharing plan covering eligible employees of Valero. The Thrift Plan is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA).

Effective November 1, 2009, a portion of the Thrift Plan was designated as an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), as defined in Section 4975(e)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and Department of Labor Regulation §2550.407d-6. The Thrift Plan is now comprised of an ESOP portion and a non-ESOP portion. The ESOP portion consists only of investments in Valero common stock. A dividend payout feature allows participants to elect to receive any future dividends from Valero common stock in cash as taxable distributions or to continue to have such dividends reinvested in the Thrift Plan. The designation as an ESOP has no other effect on benefits under the Thrift Plan.

Valero is the plan sponsor. The Valero Energy Corporation Benefit Plans Administrative Committee (Administrative Committee), consisting of persons selected by Valero, administers the Thrift Plan. The members of the Administrative Committee serve without compensation for services in that capacity. Following the merger of Merrill Lynch Bank & Trust Co., FSB (Merrill Lynch) into Bank of America, N.A. (BANA) on November 2, 2009, BANA became the successor trustee under the Thrift Plan and has custody of the securities and investments of the Thrift Plan through a trust. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, an affiliate of BANA, is the record keeper for the Thrift Plan.

Participation
Participation in the Thrift Plan is voluntary. Employees are immediately eligible to participate in the Thrift Plan and receive employer matching contributions. However, ethanol plant, retail store, and certain other retail employees are not eligible to participate in the Thrift Plan as they are eligible to participate in the Valero Energy Corporation Savings Plan (the Savings Plan), another plan sponsored by Valero.




6





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

In the second quarter of 2009, Valero acquired seven ethanol plants from VeraSun Energy Corporation (VeraSun) and employees of those ethanol plants became employees of Valero (ethanol employees). Beginning April 1, 2009, ethanol employees located at the Valero headquarters became immediately eligible to participate in the Thrift Plan and receive employer matching contributions.

Continuous service begins the first day for which an employee is paid and terminates on the date of the employee’s retirement, death, or other termination from service. If an employee’s employment is terminated and the employee is subsequently reemployed within 12 months, the period between the severance from service and the date of reemployment is generally included in continuous service for vesting purposes. If the employee is not reemployed within 12 months, the employee is deemed to have incurred a break in service.

Asset Transfers
From time to time, asset transfers occur between the Savings Plan and the Thrift Plan due to the transfer or reemployment of employees to or from retail store or ethanol plant positions.

Contributions
Participants can make basic contributions of not less than 1 percent or more than 8 percent of their annual total salary immediately upon commencement of participation. In addition, participants who make a basic contribution of 8 percent can also make a supplemental contribution of up to 22 percent of their annual total salary. Participants may change their basic or supplemental contributions at any time. Annual total salary represents a participant’s annual base salary together with commissions, overtime, job upgrade pay, and shift differential pay and is not reduced for pre-tax contributions for the purchase of benefits and to reimbursement accounts for medical and child care expenses under Valero’s FlexPlan benefits program nor for pre-tax contributions under the Thrift Plan itself. Annual total salary also includes compensation paid by the later of (i) 2½ months after an employee’s severance from employment or (ii) the end of the plan year that includes the date of the employee’s severance from employment, if the compensation would have been paid to the employee during his employment. Unused vacation pay paid to participants following a separation from service is not included in annual total salary. Prior to December 1, 2010, participants had the option to affirmatively elect to include bonus payments as part of their annual total salary. Effective December 1, 2010, participants no longer have the option to make contributions from their bonus award.

Participants elect to make pre-tax and/or after-tax contributions to the Thrift Plan. Participants may also make designated Roth 401(k) contributions to the Thrift Plan, which are included in the participant’s gross income at the time of the contribution.

Any employee may make rollover contributions and eligible Roth 401(k) rollover contributions to the Thrift Plan. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, rollover contributions totaled $2,230,767 and $1,697,958, respectively, and are included in participant contributions.

The Code establishes an annual limitation on the amount of individual pre-tax and/or Roth 401(k) salary deferral contributions. The limit was $16,500 for each of the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. Participants who attained or were over age 50 before the end of the year were eligible to make catch-up contributions of up to $5,500 for each of the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009. All or any portion of an eligible participant’s catch-up contribution can be designated as a Roth 401(k) catch-up contribution.



7





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Through December 31, 2009, Valero made an employer contribution to the Thrift Plan equal to $0.75 for every $1.00 of a participant’s contributions up to 8 percent of annual total salary. Effective January 1, 2010, Valero makes an employer contribution equal to $1.00 for every $1.00 of a participant’s contributions up to 6 percent of annual total salary.

All employer contributions are made in cash and are invested according to the investment options elected for the participant contributions.

Participant Accounts
Individual accounts are maintained for each participant. Each participant’s account is adjusted to reflect participant contributions, employer contributions, withdrawals, income, expenses, gains, and losses attributable to the participant’s account.

Vesting
Participants are vested 100 percent in their participant account at all times. Participants vest in their employer account at the rate of 20 percent per year and are 100 percent vested after five years of continuous service.

On June 1, 2010, Valero sold its refinery in Delaware City, Delaware to wholly owned subsidiaries of PBF Energy Partners LP. On December 17, 2010, Valero sold its refinery in Paulsboro, New Jersey to PBF Holding Company LLC. As a result of these sales, employees at the Delaware City and Paulsboro Refineries were terminated by Valero. Those terminated employees who were participants in the Thrift Plan became fully vested in their employer accounts if they were not yet fully vested.

Effective April 1, 2009, uninterrupted service of each VeraSun employee immediately prior to the closing of the VeraSun agreement was recognized towards vesting rights for participants of the Thrift Plan.

Forfeitures
The Thrift Plan provides that if a participant incurs a break in service prior to becoming vested in any part of his employer account, the participant’s prior continuous service will not be disregarded for purposes of the Thrift Plan until the break in service equals or exceeds five successive years. Upon a participant’s termination of employment for other than death, total and permanent disability, or retirement, the non-vested portion of the participant’s employer account is forfeited upon distribution. In the event the participant is reemployed prior to incurring a break in service of five successive years, any amounts forfeited under this provision may be reinstated.

Valero’s employer contributions are reduced by any forfeited non-vested accounts of terminated participants and increased by the value of prior forfeited non-vested accounts for participants who are rehired within five years from date of termination. Employer contributions for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were reduced by $188,000 and $654,390, respectively, related to forfeited non-vested accounts. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, forfeited non-vested accounts available to reduce future employer contributions were $20,941 and $54,431, respectively.




8





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Investment Options
Participants direct the investment of 100 percent of their participant contributions and may transfer existing account balances into any of the investment options offered. These investment options include Valero common stock, common/collective trusts, mutual funds, and other self-directed investments.

Participants may not designate more than 20 percent of their contributions to be invested in Valero common stock. Transfers into Valero common stock will not be permitted to the extent a transfer would result in more than 50 percent of the aggregate value of the participant’s account being invested in Valero common stock.

Withdrawals and Distributions
Participants may make the following types of withdrawals of all or part of their respective accounts:
one withdrawal during any six-month period from a participant’s after-tax account and rollover contribution account with no suspension of future contributions;
upon completion of five years of participation in the Thrift Plan, one withdrawal from a participant’s after-tax account and employer account, with a similar withdrawal allowed 36 months after the date of a previous withdrawal under this provision, with no suspension of future contributions;
upon reaching age 59½, one withdrawal during any six-month period from a participant’s account and employer account; or
upon furnishing proof of financial necessity, one withdrawal during any six-month period from a participant’s account and the vested portion of the employer account, but, for withdrawals of pre-tax amounts, not to exceed the aggregate amount of the participant’s pre-tax contributions. Individuals who receive a withdrawal for financial necessity will be suspended from making contributions to the Thrift Plan for a period of at least six months.

Upon a participant’s death, total and permanent disability, or retirement, the participant or the beneficiary of a deceased participant is entitled to a distribution of the entire value of the participant’s account and employer account regardless of whether or not the accounts are fully vested. Upon a participant’s termination for any other reason, the participant is entitled to a distribution of only the value of the participant’s account and the vested portion of the participant’s employer account. Distributions resulting from any of these occurrences may be received in a single sum in whole shares of Valero common stock and cash, or entirely in cash. Alternatively, a participant or beneficiary may elect to receive this distribution in the form of equal monthly installments over a period not exceeding the lesser of (i) five years or (ii) the participant’s life expectancy or the joint life expectancy of the participant and the participant’s designated beneficiary. In addition, when the value of a distribution to a participant exceeds $1,000, the distribution may be made prior to the participant attaining age 65 only with the participant’s consent.

Terminated participants may elect to have the Thrift Plan trustee hold their accounts for distribution to them at a date not later than April 1 of the calendar year after which they attain age 70½. In this event, terminated participants continue to share in the income, expenses, gains, and losses of the Thrift Plan until their accounts are distributed.

The Thrift Plan allows participants who are called to active duty military service and who are on military leave for a period of 179 days or more to make withdrawals of all or any portion of their account.




9





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Participant Loans
Participants may borrow a minimum of $500. The maximum loan amount a participant may have outstanding is restricted to the lesser of:
(a)
$50,000, reduced by the excess of (i) the highest outstanding balance of the participant’s loans during a one-year period over (ii) the participant’s then currently outstanding loan balance on the day any new loan is made, or
(b)
one-half of the current value of the participant’s vested interest in his Thrift Plan accounts.
The term of any loan may not exceed five years unless the loan is for the purchase of a participant’s principal residence, in which case the term of the loan shall not exceed 15 years. The balance of the participant’s account and vested portion of his employer account serve as security for the loan. Loans bear interest at a reasonable rate as established by the Administrative Committee, presently at prime plus 1%. As of December 31, 2010, interest rates on outstanding participant loans ranged from 4.25% to 10.5% and maturity dates ranged from January 2011 to December 2025. Loan repayments of principal and interest are made through payroll deductions or as otherwise determined. Participants may have two loans outstanding under the Thrift Plan at any time.

Plan Expenses
The Thrift Plan pays a portion of its administrative expenses, including trustee fees and administrative fees. Plan administrative expenses not paid by the Thrift Plan are paid by Valero. Valero also provides certain other services at no cost to the Thrift Plan. Investment expenses relating to individual participant transactions, such as redemption fees, are deducted from the respective participant’s account.

2.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
    
Basis of Presentation
The financial statements of the Thrift Plan are prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

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 Thrift Plan. The statement of net assets available for benefits presents the fair value of the investment contracts as well as the adjustment of the fully benefit-responsive investment contracts from fair value to contract value. The statement of changes in net assets available for benefits is prepared on a contract value basis. See Note 3 for a discussion of the change to the Retirement Preservation Trust from a fully benefit-responsive investment reported at contract value in 2009 to a short-term bond fund reported at fair value as of December 31, 2010.

Management has evaluated subsequent events that occurred after December 31, 2010 through the filing of this Form 11-K. Any material subsequent events that occurred during this time have been properly recognized or disclosed in these financial statements.




10





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates that affect the amounts of assets and changes therein reported in the financial statements and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Valuation of Investments
The Thrift Plan’s investments are stated at fair value as described in Note 4.

In January 2010, Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” was modified to require (i) separate disclosure of the amounts of significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 and reasons for the transfers and (ii) information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. In addition, ASC Topic 820 clarified existing disclosure requirements for (i) disclosures by class of assets and liabilities and (ii) a description of the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. This guidance was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2010. The adoption by the Thrift Plan of this guidance effective January 1, 2010 did not affect the Thrift Plan’s net assets and changes in net assets, but did result in additional disclosures, which are provided in Note 4.

Income Recognition
Purchases and sales of investments 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 fair value of investments consists of net realized gains and losses on the sale of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments.

Participant Loans
Participant loans are measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest.

In September 2010, ASC Topic 962, “Plan Accounting–Defined Contribution Pension Plans,” was modified to require that participant loans be classified as notes receivable from participants, which are segregated from plan investments and measured at their unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. This guidance was effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2010 and was applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented. The adoption by the Thrift Plan of this guidance effective December 31, 2010 did not affect the Thrift Plan’s net assets and changes in net assets, but did result in the reclassification of participant loans as of December 31, 2009 from investments to receivables.

Withdrawals by Participants
Withdrawals by participants are recorded when paid.




11





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

Risks and Uncertainties
The Thrift Plan’s investments, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, and overall market volatility risk. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investments, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investments will 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 benefits.

3.
INVESTMENTS

Investments that represent 5 percent or more of the Thrift Plan’s net assets available for benefits are as follows:

 
December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
Valero Energy Corporation common stock
$
248,364,581

 
$
198,925,762

Retirement Preservation Trust
  (contract value of $- and
  $186,780,325, respectively)
176,695,457

 
174,147,856

American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund
107,362,293

 
104,366,389

American Funds Growth Fund of America
75,063,564

 
70,572,134


The Thrift Plan’s investment in shares of Valero common stock represents 20.2 percent and 18.5 percent of total investments at fair value as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The closing price for Valero common stock was $23.12 and $16.75 on December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As of June 23, 2011, the closing price for Valero common stock was $24.76.

During the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Thrift Plan’s investments (including gains and losses on investments bought and sold, as well as held during the year) appreciated (depreciated) in value as follows:
    
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
Valero Energy Corporation common stock
$
71,018,433

 
$
(58,956,090
)
Mutual funds
36,654,933

 
81,443,918

Common/collective trusts
24,339,931

 
33,810,049

Self-directed investments:
 
 
 
Common stock
13,122,030

 
18,257,583

Mutual funds
2,886,650

 
7,600,683

Corporate bonds
273,447

 
155,801

Preferred stock
13,374

 
130,621

Government bonds
5,923

 
(104,348
)
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
$
148,314,721

 
$
82,338,217





12





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, dividend income included $2,230,531 and $7,435,942, respectively, of dividends paid on Valero common stock.

Through October 6, 2010, the Retirement Preservation Trust was invested in fully benefit-responsive contracts and reported at contract value. Effective October 6, 2010, the trustee of the Retirement Preservation Trust approved a resolution to terminate the Retirement Preservation Trust and commence liquidation of its assets, changing it from a stable value fund measured at contract value to a short-term bond fund measured at fair value. Effective February 19, 2011, the Thrift Plan transferred all balances in the Retirement Preservation Trust to the Federated Capital Preservation Fund, a collective trust.

The average yield earned by the Thrift Plan on its investment in the Retirement Preservation Trust was 2.35% for the year ended December 31, 2009. The average yield earned by the Thrift Plan on its investment in the Retirement Preservation Trust with an adjustment to reflect the actual interest rate credited to participants in the Thrift Plan was 2.57% for the year ended December 31, 2009.

4.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

A fair value hierarchy (Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3) is used to categorize fair value amounts based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value. Accordingly, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs are based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The Thrift Plan uses appropriate valuation techniques based on the available inputs to measure the fair values of its applicable assets and liabilities. When available, the Thrift Plan measures fair value using Level 1 inputs because they generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value.

The valuation methods used to measure the Thrift Plan’s financial instruments at fair value are as follows:
Valero Energy Corporation common stock, mutual funds, and self-directed investments are measured at fair value using a market approach based on quotations from national securities exchanges and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The money market securities represent interest-bearing cash and are therefore categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Common/collective trusts are stated at fair value as determined by the issuers of the funds based on the fair values of the underlying assets and are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Retirement Preservation Trust for the year ended December 31, 2009, which at that time primarily held investments in fully benefit-responsive contracts, was calculated by the issuer using a discounted cash flow model, which considered (i) recent fee bids as determined by recognized dealers, (ii) discount rate, and (iii) the duration of the underlying portfolio securities. There are no imposed restrictions as to the redemption of these investments.

The tables below present information about the Thrift Plan’s assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the fair value hierarchy of the inputs utilized to determine the fair values as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.




13





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 


Total as of
December 31,
2010
Valero Energy Corporation
  common stock
$
248,364,581

 
$

 
$

 
$
248,364,581

Common/collective trusts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LifePath Index funds

 
143,190,167

 

 
143,190,167

KeyBank Employee Benefit
  Small Cap Value Trust

 
7,917,422

 

 
7,917,422

Equity Index Trust

 
48,031,766

 

 
48,031,766

Retirement Preservation Trust

 
176,695,457

 

 
176,695,457

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign funds
107,362,293

 

 

 
107,362,293

Large-cap funds
185,899,062

 

 

 
185,899,062

Mid-cap funds
30,456,999

 

 

 
30,456,999

Small-cap funds
17,599,889

 

 

 
17,599,889

Bond funds
53,039,036

 

 

 
53,039,036

Self-directed investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic
99,451,752

 

 

 
99,451,752

Foreign ADRs
6,866,163

 

 

 
6,866,163

Other common stock
23,770,128

 

 

 
23,770,128

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity
22,071,334

 

 

 
22,071,334

Debt
9,737,548

 

 

 
9,737,548

Money market securities
43,202,675

 

 

 
43,202,675

Other self-directed investments
3,282,501

 

 

 
3,282,501

Investments at fair value
$
851,103,961

 
$
375,834,812

 
$

 
$
1,226,938,773

 
During the year ended December 31, 2010, there were no transfers between assets classified as Level 1 and Level 2.



14





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

 
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
 
 
Quoted
Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 


Total as of
December 31,
2009
Valero Energy Corporation
  common stock
$
198,925,762

 
$

 
$

 
$
198,925,762

Common/collective trusts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BlackRock LifePath Portfolios

 
123,468,352

 

 
123,468,352

KeyBank Employee Benefit
  Small Cap Value Trust

 
6,564,730

 

 
6,564,730

Equity Index Trust

 
42,795,852

 

 
42,795,852

Retirement Preservation Trust

 
174,147,856

 

 
174,147,856

Mutual funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign funds
104,366,389

 

 

 
104,366,389

Large-cap funds
170,526,875

 

 

 
170,526,875

Mid-cap funds
22,465,663

 

 

 
22,465,663

Small-cap funds
10,736,645

 

 

 
10,736,645

Bond funds
48,115,661

 

 

 
48,115,661

Self-directed investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock
102,968,966

 

 

 
102,968,966

Mutual funds
31,209,873

 

 

 
31,209,873

Money market securities
33,174,124

 

 

 
33,174,124

Other self-directed investments
4,030,603

 

 

 
4,030,603

Investments at fair value
$
726,520,561

 
$
346,976,790

 
$

 
$
1,073,497,351

    
5.
PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS

Certain Thrift Plan investments are shares of common/collective trusts managed by an affiliate of BANA, the trustee of the Thrift Plan and a party-in-interest with respect to the Thrift Plan. In addition, the Thrift Plan allows for loans to participants and investment in Valero’s common stock. Valero, the sponsor of the Thrift Plan and a party-in-interest with respect to the Thrift Plan, provides accounting and administrative services at no cost to the Thrift Plan. These transactions are covered by an exemption from the “prohibited transactions” provisions of ERISA and the Code.

6.
PLAN TERMINATION

Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, Valero has the right under the Thrift Plan to terminate the Thrift Plan at any time subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event of any termination of the Thrift Plan or complete discontinuance of employer contributions, participants would become 100 percent vested in their employer accounts.




15





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

7.
TAX STATUS

The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed the Thrift Plan sponsor by a letter dated March 24, 2009, that the Thrift Plan is designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Code. Although the Thrift Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter, the Administrative Committee believes that the Thrift Plan is designed and is currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code.

8.
RECONCILIATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FORM 5500

Fully benefit-responsive investment contracts are recorded on the Form 5500 at fair value but are adjusted to contract value for financial statement presentation. Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants are recorded on the Form 5500 for benefit requests that have been processed and approved for payment prior to December 31, but not paid as of that date. Deemed distributions of participant loans are recorded on the Form 5500 upon default by participants; such amounts continue to be reported as participant loans in the financial statements until the participants’ termination and actual distribution from the Thrift Plan.

The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan:

 
December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
$
1,268,293,331

 
$
1,126,367,760

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

 
(12,632,469
)
Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants
(475,783
)
 
(473,761
)
Deemed distributions of participant loans
(792,100
)
 
(834,987
)
Net assets available for benefits per the Form 5500
$
1,267,025,448

 
$
1,112,426,543


The following is a reconciliation of withdrawals by participants per the financial statements to the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
Withdrawals by participants per the financial statements
$
125,253,072

 
$
95,746,922

Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants
  as of end of year
475,783

 
473,761

Amounts allocated to withdrawing participants
  as of beginning of year
(473,761
)
 
(345,073
)
Benefits paid to participants per the Form 5500
$
125,255,094

 
$
95,875,610





16





VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

The following is a reconciliation of investment income per the financial statements to the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
Investment income per the financial statements
$
167,039,386

 
$
105,294,122

Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully
  benefit-responsive investment contracts as of end of year

 
(12,632,469
)
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully
  benefit-responsive investment contracts as of
  beginning of year
12,632,469

 
28,009,150

Investment income per the Form 5500
$
179,671,855

 
$
120,670,803


The following is a reconciliation of deemed distributions of participant loans per the financial statements to the Form 5500 Annual Return/Report of Employee Benefit Plan:
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
2010
 
2009
Deemed distributions of participant loans per the
  financial statements
$

 
$
 
Deemed distributions of participant loans as of
   end of year
792,100

 
834,987
 
Deemed distributions of participant loans as of
  beginning of year
(834,987
)
 
(858,161
)
Deemed distributions of participant loans per the Form 5500
$
(42,887
)
 
$
(23,174
)




17

VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
EIN: 74-1828067
Plan No. 002

Schedule H, Line 4i–Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
As of December 31, 2010

 
Identity of Issue/Description of Investment
 
Current Value
 
Common stock:
 
 
*
Valero Energy Corporation
 
$
248,364,581

 
Common/collective trusts:
 
 
 
LifePath Index 2015 Fund
 
13,056,387

 
LifePath Index 2020 Fund
 
25,935,130

 
LifePath Index 2025 Fund
 
34,896,321

 
LifePath Index 2030 Fund
 
26,417,030

 
LifePath Index 2035 Fund
 
15,848,522

 
LifePath Index 2040 Fund
 
12,679,701

 
LifePath Index 2045 Fund
 
6,341,249

 
LifePath Index 2050 Fund
 
3,601,872

 
LifePath Index 2055 Fund
 
128,668

 
LifePath Index Retirement Fund
 
4,285,287

 
KeyBank Employee Benefit Small Cap Value Trust
 
7,917,422

*
Equity Index Trust
 
48,031,766

*
Retirement Preservation Trust
 
176,695,457

 
Total common/collective trusts
 
375,834,812

 
Mutual funds:
 
 
 
American Funds EuroPacific Growth Fund
 
107,362,293

 
American Funds Growth Fund of America
 
75,063,564

 
BlackRock Basic Value Fund, Inc.
 
54,244,547

 
BlackRock Small Cap Growth Equity Fund
 
17,599,889

 
Pioneer Bond Fund
 
53,039,036

 
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund (Investor Class)
 
30,456,999

 
Vanguard PRIMECAP Fund (Admiral Class)
 
56,590,951

 
Total mutual funds
 
394,357,279

 
Self-directed investments
 
208,382,101

*

Participant loans (interest rates range from 4.25% to 10.5%;
   maturity dates range from January 2011 to December 2025)
 
40,108,557

 
 
 
$
1,267,047,330

_________________________________
* Party-in-interest to the Thrift Plan.

See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.



18

SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Valero Energy Corporation Benefit Plans Administrative Committee has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


 
VALERO ENERGY CORPORATION THRIFT PLAN
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Donna M. Titzman
 
 
 
Donna M. Titzman
 
 
 
Chairman of the Valero Energy Corporation
 
 
Benefit Plans Administrative Committee
 
 
Vice President and Treasurer, Valero Energy Corporation
 
 
 
 
Date: June 24, 2011
 
 
 
                    




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