Form 11-K, Savings and Security Plan
Table of Contents


 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 11-K

 

x    Annual Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002

 

or

 

¨    Transition Report Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from                            to                           

 

Commission file number  
1-8607

 

BellSouth Savings and

Security Plan

 

BellSouth Corporation

1155 Peachtree Street, N.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3610

 




Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

Table of Contents

 

     Page

Report of Independent Auditors    2

Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund
Information as of December 31, 2002 

   3

Statement of Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund
Information as of December 31, 2001

   5

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund
Information for the Year Ended December 31, 2002

   7

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund
Information for the Year Ended December 31, 200
1

   9

Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund
Information for the Year Ended December 31, 2000

   11
Notes to Financial Statements    13
Signature Page    24
Exhibit 23—Consent of Independent Auditors    25

Exhibit 99—Statement Required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 

   26

 

1


Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

 

To the Participants and Plan Administrator of

the BellSouth Savings and Security Plan

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the BellSouth Savings and Security Plan (the “Plan”) at December 31, 2002 and 2001, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan’s management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Our audits were conducted for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The Fund Information in the statements of net assets available for benefits and the statements of changes in net assets available for benefits is presented for purposes of additional analysis rather than to present the net assets available for benefits and changes in net assets available for benefits of each fund. The Fund Information has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

 

/s/    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Atlanta, Georgia

 

June 20, 2003

 

2


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH  SAVINGS 

 

STATEMENT  OF  NET  ASSETS  AVAILABLE 

 

December

 

(In Tho

 

     BellSouth
Stock Fund


  

Indexed

Stock Fund


  

Interest

Income

Fund


  

Vanguard

Growth
Index-

Institutional


  

Fidelity

Growth &
Income
Portfolio


   Balanced
Fund


   Bond Fund

ASSETS

                                              

Share of Trust net assets

   $ 704,303    $ 88,532    $ 517,554    $45,571    $ 43,745    $ 21,129    $ 47,668

Investment in BellSouth Savings and Security Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust:

                                              

Shares of BellSouth common stock allocated to participants

     —        —        —      —        —        —        —  

Shares of BellSouth common stock held for future allocation

     —        —        —      —        —        —        —  

Temporary cash investments

     —        —        —      —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  
  

  

  

Total Investments

     704,303      88,532      517,554    45,571      43,745      21,129      47,668

Contributions receivable

     901      257      984    221      196      69      127

Fund, BellSouth Retirement Savings Plan and other transfers receivable—net

     431      184      —      —        —        —        160
    

  

  

  
  

  

  

Total Assets

     705,635      88,973      518,538    45,792      43,941      21,198      47,955
    

  

  

  
  

  

  

LIABILITIES

                                              

Distributions payable

     109      25      45    7      12      1      —  

Fund, BellSouth Retirement Savings Plan and other transfers payable—net

     —        —        733    22      20      —        —  

Notes payable

     —        —        —      —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  
  

  

  

Total Liabilities

     109      25      778    29      32      1      —  
    

  

  

  
  

  

  

Net Assets Available for Benefits

   $ 705,526    $ 88,948    $ 517,760    $45,763    $ 43,909    $ 21,197    $ 47,955
    

  

  

  
  

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integ

 

3


Table of Contents

AND  SECURITY  PLAN

 

FOR  BENEFITS,  WITH  FUND  INFORMATION

 

 31, 2002

 

usands)

 

T. Rowe

Price

Mid-Cap

Growth


 

DFA
U.S. Small

Cap

Value II

Fund


  

DFA
International

Value II

Fund


  

DFA
U.S. Large

Cap Value
II Fund


  

Participant

Loans


   Other

  

Employee Stock

Ownership Plan


   Total

                 Allocated

   Unallocated

  
                                                      
$40,398  

$40,604

   $ 7,105    $ 18,891    $ 33,319    $ 17,840    $ —      $ —      $ 1,626,659
                                                      
—    

—  

     —        —        —        —        460,738      —        460,738
—    

—  

     —        —        —        —        —        42,549      42,549
—    

—  

     —        —        —        —        594      5,831      6,425

 
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

40,398   40,604      7,105      18,891      33,319      17,840      461,332      48,380      2,136,371
185  

151

     34      83      —        —        —        —        3,208
168  

—  

     10      10      1,246      —        —        —        2,209

 
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

40,751  

40,755

     7,149      18,984      34,565      17,840      461,332      48,380      2,141,788

 
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

                                                      
1  

17

     2      17      4      —        41      —        281
—    

18

     —        —        —        17,840      90      —        18,723
—    

—  

     —        —        —        —        —        30,796      30,796

 
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

1  

35

     2      17      4      17,840      131      30,796      49,800

 
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

$40,750  

$40,720

   $ 7,147    $ 18,967    $ 34,561    $ —      $ 461,201    $ 17,584    $ 2,091,988

 
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

ral part of these financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS

 

STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE

 

December

(In Tho

 

ASSETS    BellSouth
Stock
Fund


   Indexed
Stock
Fund


   Interest
Income
Fund


   Vanguard
Growth
Index-
Institutional


   Fidelity
Growth
& Income
Portfolio


   Balanced
Fund


                 

Share of Trust net assets

   $ 1,115,367    $ 129,225    $ 361,691    $ 66,884    $ 54,692    $ 21,940

Investment in BellSouth Savings and Security Employee Stock Ownership Plan Trust:

                                         

    Shares of BellSouth common stock allocated to
  participants

     —        —        —        —        —        —  

    Shares of BellSouth common stock held for future
  allocation

     —        —        —        —        —        —  

Temporary cash investments

     —        —        —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total Investments

     1,115,367      129,225      361,691      66,884      54,692      21,940

Contributions receivable

     1,467      319      613      267      198      64

Fund, BellSouth Retirement Savings Plan and other transfers receivable—net

     183      62      30      —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total Assets

     1,117,017      129,606      362,334      67,151      54,890      22,004
    

  

  

  

  

  

                                           

LIABILITIES

                                         

Distributions payable

     340      47      194      12      15      1

Fund, BellSouth Retirement Savings Plan and other transfers payable—net

     —        —        —        19      11      63

Notes payable

     —        —        —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

  

  

Total Liabilities

     340      47      194      31      26      64
    

  

  

  

  

  

Net Assets Available for Benefits

   $ 1,116,677    $ 129,559    $ 362,140    $ 67,120    $ 54,864    $ 21,940
    

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integ

 

5


Table of Contents

AND SECURITY PLAN

 

FOR BENEFITS, WITH FUND INFORMATION

 

31, 2001

usands)

 

Bond

Fund


   T. Rowe
Price
Mid-Cap
Growth


   DFA U.S.
Small Cap
Value II
Fund


   DFA
International
Value II
Fund


   DFA U.S.
Large Cap
Value II
Fund


   Participant
Loans


   Other

   Employee Stock
Ownership Plan


   Total

                     Allocated

   Unallocated

  

$

25,415

   $ 47,109    $ 23,860    $ 5,351    $ 16,364    $ 38,094    $ 7,004    $ —      $ —        $ 1,912,996
 

 

—  

     —        —        —        —        —        —        811,095      —        811,095

 

—  

     —        —        —        —        —        —        —        136,874      136,874

 

—  

     —        —        —        —        —        —        858      6,739      7,597


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

25,415

     47,109      23,860      5,351      16,364      38,094      7,004      811,953      143,613      2,868,562

 

78

     164      102      24      62      —        —        —        —        3,358

 

107

     —        —        —        12      1,310      —        —        —        1,704


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

25,600

     47,273      23,962      5,375      16,438      39,404      7,004      811,953      143,613      2,873,624


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 
                                                                  

 

5

     5      2      5      9      4      —        202      —        841

 

—  

     296      1      —        —        —        7,004      11      —        7,405

 

—  

     —        —        —        —        —        —        —        66,068      66,068


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

5

     301      3      5      9      4      7,004      213      66,068      74,314


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

$

25,595

   $ 46,972    $ 23,959    $ 5,370    $ 16,429    $ 39,400    $ —      $ 811,740    $ 77,545    $ 2,799,310


  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

 

 

ral part of these financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

     BELLSOUTH SAVINGS

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES

FOR BENEFITS, WIT

 

Year Ended Dec

(In Tho

 

     Bellsouth
Stock
Fund


   

Indexed

Stock

Fund


   

Interest

Income

Fund


   

Vanguard

Growth

Index-

Institutional


   

Fidelity
Growth

& Income

Portfolio


   

Balanced

Fund


   

Bond

Fund


Net Assets Available for Benefits, December 31, 2001

   $ 1,116,677     $ 129,559     $ 362,140     $  67,120     $  54,864     $ 21,940     $ 25,595
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

Employee contributions

     28,799       8,461       63,489       7,125       5,798       2,218       5,783

Transfer of participants’ balances—net

     (116,365 )     (8,860 )     169,715       (6,315 )     1,212       1,582       17,921

Transfer to Cingular Wireless Master Savings
Trust

     (31 )     (7 )     (19 )     (10 )     —         —         —  

Transfer from BellSouth Employee Stock Ownership Plan upon Merger

     121,237       —         —         —         —         —         —  

Supplemental contributions

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —  

Allocation of shares to participants

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —  

Transfer for loan repayment

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

Total Contributions, Allocations and
Transfers

     33,640       (406 )     233,185       800       7,010       3,800       23,704

Share of Trust investment activities

     (326,506 )     (27,569 )     21,778       (15,463 )     (10,533 )     (1,531 )     3,388
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

Total

     (292,866 )     (27,975 )     254,963       (14,663 )     (3,523 )     2,269       27,092
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

Less: Distributions to participants

     118,285       12,636       99,343       6,694       7,432       3,012       4,732

          Interest on notes payable

     —         —         —         —         —         —         —  
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

Net Assets Available for Benefits, December 31, 2002

   $ 705,526     $ 88,948     $ 517,760     $ 45,763     $ 43,909     $ 21,197     $ 47,955
    


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integ 

 

7


Table of Contents

 AND SECURITY PLAN

 

 IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE

H FUND INFORMATION

 

 ember 31, 2002

 usands)

 

T. Rowe

Price

Mid-Cap
Growth


   

DFA U.S.

Small Cap

Value II

Fund


    DFA
International
Value II
Fund


   

DFA U.S.

Large Cap

Value II
Fund


    

Participant

Loans


    Other

     Employee Stock
Ownership Plan


    Total

 
              Allocated

    Unallocated

   
$  46,972     $ 23,959     $ 5,370     $ 16,429      $ 39,400     $     —        $  811,740     $  77,545     $ 2,799,310  



 


 


 


  


 


  


 


 


  5,450       4,672       1,031    

 

2,374

 

     —         —          —         —         135,200  
  5,716       24,858       2,775    

 

6,554

 

     (2,564 )     1,977        (105,568 )     —         (7,362 )
  (2)       —         —         —          —         —          (1,430 )     —         (1,499 )
  —         —         —         —          —         —          —         —         121,237  
  —         —         —      

 

—  

 

     —         —          —         27,411       27,411  
  —         —         —      

 

—  

 

     —         —          55,369       (55,369 )     —    
  —         —         —      

 

—  

 

     —         —          (10,028 )     10,028       —    



 


 


 


  


 


  


 


 


  11,164       29,530       3,806    

 

8,928

 

     (2,564 )     1,977        (61,657 )     (17,930 )     274,987  
  (11,469 )     (7,554 )     (923 )  

 

(3,847

)

     —         (1,977 )      (228,209 )     (36,784 )     (647,199 )



 


 


 


  


 


  


 


 


  (305 )     21,976       2,883    

 

5,081

 

     (2,564 )     —          (289,866 )     (54,714 )     (372,212 )



 


 


 


  


 


  


 


 


  5,917       5,215       1,106    

 

2,543

 

     2,275       —          60,673       —         329,863  
  —         —         —      

 

—  

 

     —         —          —         5,247       5,247  



 


 


 


  


 


  


 


 


$ 40,750     $ 40,720     $ 7,147    

 

$18,967

 

   $ 34,561     $ —        $ 461,201     $ 17,584     $ 2,091,988  



 


 


 


  


 


  


 


 


 

 

 

ral part of these financial statements.

 

8


Table of Contents

     BELLSOUTH SAVINGS

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES

FOR BENEFITS,

 

Year Ended Dec

(In Tho

 

     BellSouth
Stock
Fund


    Indexed
Stock
Fund


    Interest
Income
Fund


   Vanguard
Growth
Index-
Institutional


    Fidelity
Growth
& Income
Portfolio


    Balanced
Fund


    Bond
Fund


Net Assets Available for Benefits,
    December 31, 2000

   $ 1,324,825     $ 177,024     $ 334,727    $ 97,468     $ 67,094     $ 22,941     $ 8,736
    


 


 

  


 


 


 

                                                       

Employee contributions

     40,503       10,001       26,312      8,146       5,785       2,076       2,742

Transfer of participants’ balances—net

     (64,564 )     (21,052 )     50,643      (17,015 )     (3.612 )     434       15,847

Supplemental contributions

     —         —         —        —         —         —         —  

Allocation of shares to participants

     —         —         —        —         —         —         —  

Transfer for loan repayment

     —         —         —        —         —         —         —  
    


 


 

  


 


 


 

Total Contributions, Allocations and Transfers

     (24,061 )     (11,051 )     76,955      (8,869 )     2,173       2,510       18,589

Share of Trust investment activities

     (49,549 )     (20,421 )     20,712      (12,217 )     (6,420 )     (640 )     1,323
    


 


 

  


 


 


 

Total

     (73,610 )     (31,472 )     97,667      (21,086 )     (4,247 )     1,870       19,912
    


 


 

  


 


 


 

                                                       

Less:  Distributions to participants

     134,538       15,993       70,254      9,262       7,983       2,871       3,053

          Interest on notes payable

     —         —         —        —         —         —         —  
    


 


 

  


 


 


 

Net Assets Available for Benefits,
    December 31, 2001

   $ 1,116,677     $ 129,559     $ 362,140    $ 67,120     $ 54,864     $ 21,940    

 

$25,595

    


 


 

  


 


 


 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integ 

 

9


Table of Contents

 AND SECURITY PLAN

 

 IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE

 WITH FUND INFORMATION

 

 ember 31, 2001

 usands)

 

T. Rowe
Price
Mid-Cap

Growth


    DFA U.S.
Small Cap
Value II
Fund


   DFA
International
Value II
Fund


    DFA U.S.
Large Cap
Value II
Fund


   Participant
Loans


    Other

    Employee Stock
Ownership Plan


    Total

 
              Allocated

    Unallocated

   
$ 52,675     $ 13,167    $ 6,123     $ 8,699    $ 41,284     $ —       $ 881,321     $ 123,497     $ 3,159,581  



 

  


 

  


 


 


 


 


                                                                   
  4,801       1,702      706       1,762      —         —         —         —         104,536  
  (3,799 )     8,134      452       7,464      (2,127 )     166       (9,575 )     —         (38,604 )
  —         —        —         —        —         —         —         26,102       26,102  
  —         —        —         —        —         —         65,492       (65,492 )     —    
  —         —        —         —        —         —         (10,109 )     10,109       —    



 

  


 

  


 


 


 


 


  1,002       9,836      1,158       9,226      (2,127 )     166       45,808       (29,281 )     92,034  
  (1,250 )     3,125      (915 )     150      3,222       (166 )     (42,203 )     (8,423 )     (113,672 )



 

  


 

  


 


 


 


 


  (248 )     12,961      243       9,376      1,095       —         3,605       (37,704 )     (21,638 )



 

  


 

  


 


 


 


 


                                                                   
  5,455       2,169      996       1,646      2,979       —         73,186       —         330,385  
  —         —        —         —        —         —         —         8,248       8,248  



 

  


 

  


 


 


 


 


 

$46,972

 

  $ 23,959    $ 5,370     $ 16,429    $ 39,400     $ —       $ 811,740     $ 77,545     $ 2,799,310  



 

  


 

  


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

ral part of these financial statements.

 

10


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES

FOR BENEFITS, WITH

 

Year Ended Dec

(In Tho

 

 

     BellSouth
Stock
Fund


    Indexed
Stock
Fund


    Interest
Income
Fund


   Vanguard
Growth
Index-
Institutional


    Fidelity
Growth
& Income
Portfolio


    Balanced
Fund


    Bond
Fund


 
                                           

Net Assets Available for Benefits,
December 31, 1999

   $ 1,752,157     $ 207,625     $ 351,123    $ 90,650     $ 70,927     $ 25,154     $ 7,715  
    


 


 

  


 


 


 


                                                         

Employee contributions

     50,900       13,445       35,526      11,208       6,589       2,450       744  

Transfer of participants’ balances—net

     (111,811 )     708       37,950      41,946       1,433       (1,784 )     681  

Supplemental contributions

     —         —         —        —         —         —         —    

Allocation of shares to participants

     —         —         —        —         —         —         —    

Transfer for loan repayment

     —         —         —        —         —         —         —    
    


 


 

  


 


 


 


Total Contributions, Allocations and Transfers

     (60,911 )     14,153       73,476      53,154       8,022       666       1,425  

Share of Trust investment activities

     (148,371 )     (17,323 )     20,131      (27,360 )     (1,659 )     798       819  
    


 


 

  


 


 


 


Total

     (209,282 )     (3,170 )     93,607      25,794       6,363       1,464       2,244  
    


 


 

  


 


 


 


                                                         

Less: Distributions to participants

     218,050       27,431       110,003      18,976       10,196       3,677       1,223  

          Interest on notes payable

     —         —         —        —         —         —         —    
    


 


 

  


 


 


 


Net Assets Available for Benefits,
December 31, 2000

   $ 1,324,825     $ 177,024     $ 334,727    $ 97,468     $ 67,094     $ 22,941     $ 8,736  
    


 


 

  


 


 


 


 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integ

 

11


Table of Contents

AND SECURITY PLAN

 

IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE

FUND INFORMATION

 

ember 31, 2000

usands)

 

 

T. Rowe
Price
Mid-Cap
Growth


   DFA U.S.
Small Cap
Value II
Fund


   DFA
International
Value II
Fund


    DFA U.S.
Large Cap
Value II
Fund


    Participant
Loans


    Other

    Employee Stock
Ownership Plan


    Total

 
              Allocated

    Unallocated

   
   

$

20,379

   $ 11,191    $ 5,680     $ 9,221     $ 39,628     $ —       $ 1,063,635     $ 186,131     $ 3,841,216  


  

  


 


 


 


 


 


 


                                                                   
  4,363      1,188      676       864       —         —         —         —         127,953  
  31,734      1,720      783       (749 )     (6,211 )     (1,090 )     (16,035 )     —         (20,725 )
  —        —        —         —         —         —         —         24,861       24,861  
  —        —        —         —         —         —         40,221       (40,221 )     —    
  —        —        —         —         —         —         (9,863 )     9,863       —    


  

  


 


 


 


 


 


 


  36,097      2,908      1,459       115       (6,211 )     (1,090 )     14,323       (5,497 )     132,089  
  2,134      1,055      (4 )     670       9,863       1,090       (96,712 )     (46,159 )     (301,028 )


  

  


 


 


 


 


 


 


  38,231      3,963      1,455       785       3,652              (82,389 )     (51,656 )     (168,939 )


  

  


 


 


 


 


 


 


                                                                   
  5,935      1,987      1,012       1,307       1,996       —         99,925       —         501,718  
  —        —          —         —         —         —         —         10,978       10,978  


  

  


 


 


 


 


 


 


$

52,675

   $ 13,167    $ 6,123     $ 8,699     $ 41,284     $ —       $ 881,321     $ 123,497     $ 3,159,581  


  

  


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

ral part of these financial statements.

 

12


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

1.     Plan Description

 

General

 

The following description of the BellSouth Savings and Security Plan (the Plan) provides only general information. For additional information, participants should refer to the Plan Prospectus/Summary Plan Description, as supplemented (SPD). A copy of the SPD can be obtained by calling the BellSouth Participant Service Center at 1-866-697-1006. In addition, copies of the Plan, trust agreement and other related documents which include details of the Plan can be obtained by writing to: Secretary, BellSouth Savings Plan Committee, Room 13C09, 1155 Peachtree Street, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3610.

 

The Plan was established by BellSouth Corporation (BellSouth) to provide a convenient way for non-management employees to save for their retirement on a long-term basis and to acquire an ownership interest in BellSouth. The Plan consisted of two parts: one is a profit sharing plan which includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement and which is intended to qualify as such under Sections 401(a), 401(k) and 401(m) and related sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code); the second part is an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) which is designed as a stock bonus plan to invest primarily in shares of BellSouth Common Stock and which is intended to qualify under Sections 401(a), 401(m) and 4975(e)(7) and related sections of the Code. Effective January 1, 2002, the Plan includes a third part, an employee stock ownership plan which is designed as a stock bonus plan to invest primarily in BellSouth shares held in the BellSouth Stock Fund and which is intended to qualify as such under Code sections 401(a), 401(k), 401(m) and 4975(e)(7) and related sections of the Code. As such, participants invested in the BellSouth Stock Fund may elect to have their quarterly dividends either reinvested in the fund or passed-through and paid to them outside the Plan in cash as taxable income. Effective March 15, 2002, participants in the Plan were able to diversify their past and future company match, previously held in the ESOP Allocated Shares Fund. All regular full-time and part-time employees of participating BellSouth companies who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and have completed at least one year of service are eligible to participate. The Plan is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

 

Master Trust

 

For investment purposes, the assets of the Plan are held in the BellSouth Master Savings Trust (the Master Savings Trust). The Master Savings Trust also holds the assets of the BellSouth Retirement Savings Plan (BRSP).

 

Investment Options

 

At December 31, 2002, the Plan’s assets were comprised of the following investment vehicles: BellSouth Stock Fund, Indexed Stock Fund, Interest Income Fund, Bond Fund, Balanced Fund and the following mutual funds: Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio, Vanguard Growth Index—Institutional, DFA U.S. Small Cap Value II Fund, T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth, DFA U.S. Large Cap Value II Fund and DFA International Value II Fund. All investments are valued on a daily basis.

 

Concentrations of Risk

 

At December 31, 2002 and 2001, the Plan’s assets were significantly concentrated in shares of BellSouth Common Stock, the value of which is subject to fluctuations related to corporate, industry and economic factors.

 

13


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

1.    Plan Description—(continued)

 

The Plan’s other investment options include a variety of stocks, bonds, fixed income securities, mutual funds and other investment securities. Investment securities subject participants to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account balances and the amounts reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund Information.

 

Vesting

 

Participant contributions vest immediately. Employing company matching contributions vest upon a participant’s completion of three years of service. One year of vesting service is earned upon a participant’s completion of 1,000 work hours during any year.

 

Participant Loans (Whole Dollars)

 

Participants may borrow from their fund accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to the lesser of $50,000 minus the highest outstanding loan principal balance over the previous twelve months or 50 percent of their before-tax account balances as defined by the Plan document and any amounts rolled over to the Plan from other qualified plans. Loan balances are secured by the assets allocated to the participants’ accounts and bear interest at various rates which ranged from 5.25% to 10.5% at December 31, 2002. Principal and interest are paid ratably through periodic payroll deductions for active employees and by coupon for nonactive employees.

 

Service Providers

 

State Street Bank & Trust Company serves as the Trustee for the Master Savings Trust. Effective April 30, 2002, Fidelity Investments, Inc. became the record keeper and service center for the Plan, replacing Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.

 

BellSouth Employee Stock Ownership Plan Merger

 

Effective May 1, 2002, the BellSouth Employee Stock Ownership Plan (PAYSOP) merged with the BellSouth Savings Plans. Participant accounts have been moved to the BellSouth Retirement Savings Plan (for management employees) or to the BellSouth Savings and Security Plan (for non-management employees) where each participant’s allocated shares have been placed in the BellSouth Stock Fund. The total assets transferred into the Plan was $121,237.

 

Cingular Wireless Transfer

 

Effective February 1, 2002, participant balances for employees were transferred from the Plan to the Cingular Wireless joint venture via a trust to trust transfer to State Street Bank as trustee for the Cingular Wireless 401(k) Savings Plan. The total asset transfer was $1,499.

 

2.    Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and

 

14


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

2.    Accounting Policies—(continued)

 

changes therein, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

With respect to the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund Information for the years presented, allocated Share of Trust Net Assets includes investments at fair value, accrued interest income, accrued dividends, receivables for investments sold, payables for investments purchased and accrued administrative expenses of the Master Savings Trust.

 

With respect to the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund Information for the years presented, allocated Share of Trust Investment Activities includes the sum of realized gains, net of realized losses, the net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of the fair value of the investments, interest income, dividends, investment manager fees and other administrative fees paid by the Master Savings Trust.

 

The values of investments in the Master Savings Trust are determined as follows:

 

  ·   Shares of BellSouth Common Stock and equity securities underlying the Indexed Stock Fund are valued on the basis of the closing price per share on December 31, 2002 and 2001 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange or, if no sales were made on that date, at the closing price on the next preceding day on which sales were made;

 

  ·   The values of mutual funds, all of which are traded on a national securities exchange, are based on published daily closing net asset values as reported by the respective securities exchanges;

 

  ·   Over-the-counter securities and government obligations are valued based on the bid prices on December 31, 2002 and 2001 from published sources where available and, if not available, from other sources considered reliable;

 

  ·   Annuity contracts with insurance companies and synthetic contracts (derivatives) are fully benefit responsive and are valued at principal plus reinvested interest; and

 

  ·   Future and forward contracts (derivatives) are carried at fair value and reflect the amount that the Master Savings Trust would receive or pay to terminate the contracts at the reporting date.

 

Purchases and sales of securities are reflected as of the trade date.

 

Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on the basis of average cost.

 

Dividend income is recognized on the date the Master Savings Trust is entitled to the benefit. Interest earned on investments is recognized on the accrual basis.

 

Realized gains and losses as well as the current unrealized gains and losses of open derivative contracts are recorded currently to income.

 

3.    Contributions

 

Employee contributions to the Plan are recorded based upon authorized basic and supplemental contributions. The maximum basic contribution rate was $65 per week for 2002 and $60 per week for 2001 and 2000. Participants may contribute up to the IRS limit of their eligible compensation to the Plan on a before-tax basis.

 

15


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

3.    Contributions—(continued)

 

As discussed in Section 3 of the Plan document, participants may also rollover amounts into the Plan from other qualified plans.

 

The employing company makes matching contributions to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in respect of each participant’s authorized basic contribution. The rate of the employing company matching contribution remains in effect for a twelve-month period from April 1 through March 31 and may vary by business unit. The employing company makes a matching contribution that is a percentage of the employee’s basic contribution. The ranges of matching contribution rates for the three years ended December 31, 2002 were as follows:

 

     2002

   2001

   2000

January-March

   65% - 81%    81%    76%

April-December

   55%    65% - 81%    81%

 

4.    Plan Expenses

 

Each participant in the Plan is charged a flat annual fee for Plan administrative expenses, including recordkeeping, trustee and other expenses considered reasonable by the Plan administrator. The fee is divided on a pro rata basis among each investment option of the participant. The per-participant fee was $36.00 for 2002 and 2001, and $35.25 for 2000. Additional fees are charged to individual participants for various services provided by the Plan’s recordkeeper.

 

 

Investment manager fees are paid by the Master Savings Trust. The Plan’s share of investment manager fees included in allocated share of Trust investment activities in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, with Fund Information for the years presented, were as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,


 
     2002

   2001

   2000

 

BellSouth Stock Fund

   $ 167    $ 246    $ 269  

Indexed Stock Fund

     15      18      (14 )

Interest Income Fund

     181      157      151  

Balanced Fund

     26      43      26  

Bond Fund

     80      45      17  

Allocated ESOP

     70      133      125  
    

  

  


     $ 539    $ 642    $ 574  
    

  

  


 

For the mutual funds, investment manager fees are not paid directly from the Master Savings Trust. However, these investments are subject to mutual fund management fees which reduce the overall return of the respective mutual fund. These fees, expressed as percentages of fund assets, which were assessed against the mutual funds by their respective managers, were as follows:

 

 

     For the Year Ended
December 31,


 
     2002

    2001

    2000

 

Vanguard Growth Index-Institutional

   0.10 %   0.12 %   0.12 %

Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio

   0.69 %   0.66 %   0.67 %

T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth

   0.89 %   0.89 %   0.87 %

DFA U.S. Small Cap Value II Fund

   0.32 %   0.41 %   0.44 %

DFA International Value II Fund

   0.41 %   0.53 %   0.50 %

DFA U.S. Large Cap Value II Fund

   0.26 %   0.31 %   0.37 %

 

16


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

5.    Tax Status

 

 

The Plan was amended and restated effective July 1, 2001 to comply with the provisions of the GUST amendment to ERISA. The following acts are collectively referred to as the GUST amendment: the Retirement Protection Act of 1994, Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997, and the Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.

 

The Internal Revenue Service has determined and informed BellSouth by a favorable determination letter dated January 17, 2003 that the Plan and related Trust meet the requirements of Section 401(a) of the Code and are exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(a) of the Code.

 

The federal income tax effects on participants with respect to the Plan are described in the SPD.

 

6.    Termination Priorities

 

BellSouth intends to continue the Plan indefinitely but reserves the right to terminate or amend it. In the event the Plan is terminated and if BellSouth or its subsidiaries sponsor another defined contribution plan, the participants may elect to have their account balances transferred to the other plan. If BellSouth or its subsidiaries do not sponsor such a plan, the participants would receive a lump-sum distribution of their account balances.

 

7.    Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust

 

The assets of the Plan are held in the Master Savings Trust and are commingled with the assets of the BRSP. The assets of the Master Savings Trust are allocated to the Plan based upon the total of each individual plan participant’s share of the Master Savings Trust’s assets. The Plan’s allocated share of the total net assets of all funds in the Master Savings Trust was 32.99744% at December 31, 2002 and 30.37252% at December 31, 2001. The Plan’s allocated share of the net assets of each fund in the Master Savings Trust at December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows:

 

     2002

     2001

 

BellSouth Stock Fund

   46.29911 %    43.83355 %

Indexed Stock Fund

   13.33533 %    12.65063 %

Interest Income Fund

   28.20512 %    25.93407 %

Vanguard Growth Index-Institutional

   27.95019 %    25.36455 %

Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio

   26.98023 %    25.16737 %

Balanced Fund

   20.79796 %    18.20005 %

Bond Fund

   20.58228 %    14.38763 %

T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth

   25.38960 %    23.89580 %

DFA U.S. Small Cap Value II Fund

   24.14117 %    18.08438 %

DFA International Value II Fund

   19.35542 %    14.70964 %

DFA U.S. Large Cap Value II Fund

   28.16339 %    25.34689 %

Participant Loans

   39.97020 %    35.77935 %

Other

   78.23991 %    25.38325 %

 

17


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

7.    Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust—(continued)

 

The financial position of the Master Savings Trust at December 31, 2002 and 2001 was as follows:

 

Assets:    2002

   2001

Investments at value:

             

BellSouth Stock Fund:

             

Shares of BellSouth Common Stock#

   $ 1,511,311    $ 2,529,043

Temporary cash investments

     9,719      11,323

Distributable shares

     1,412      54

Indexed Stock Fund:

             

Equity Index Fund#

     663,941      1,021,525

Interest Income Fund:

             

General account investment contracts

     223,953      33,422

Security backed investments

     1,549,182      1,313,174

Temporary cash investments

     54,740      41,780

Vanguard Growth Index-Institutional:

             

Securities

     163,044      263,689

Fidelity Growth & Income Portfolio:

             

Securities

     162,135      217,311

Balanced Fund:

             

Securities

     92,402      108,688

Temporary cash investments

     9,191      11,554

Bond Fund:

             

Securities

     208,076      236,785

Temporary cash investments

     51,989      20,791

T. Rowe Price Mid-Cap Growth:

             

Securities

     159,114      197,142

DFA U.S. Small Cap Value II Fund:

             

Securities

     168,194      131,938

DFA International Value II Fund:

             

Securities

     36,707      36,381

BrokerageLink Account@:

             

Securities

     43,767      68,168

Temporary cash investments

     17,358      15,885

DFA U.S. Large Cap Value II Fund:

             

Securities

     67,075      64,562

Participant Loans:

             

Loans to participants

     83,361      106,468

Contribution Account†:

             

BellSouth Common Shares

     3,361      4,830

Temporary cash investments

     1,108      2,886

Distribution Account†:

             

Temporary cash investments

     18,233      19,837

 

(Continued)

 

18


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

7.    Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust—(continued)

 

     2002

   2001

Pass-Thru Dividend Account†:

             

Temporary cash investments

     33      —  

Stale Dated Account†:

             

Temporary cash investments

     1,090      —  

Expense Account†:

             

Temporary cash investments

     —        762

Dividends and interest income receivable

     8,804      8,682

Receivable for investments sold

     —        4,260

Other receivables

     8      —  

Variation margin receivable

     14      318
    

  

       5,309,322      6,471,258

Liabilities:

             

Payable for investments purchased

     30,995      81,991

Other payables

     1,562      2,264
    

  

Trust net assets (excluding ESOP Trusts)

     5,276,765      6,387,003

Investment in ESOP Trusts:

             

Shares of BellSouth Common Stock allocated to participants#

     1,027,171      1,953,046

Distributable shares

     1,484      22

Shares of BellSouth Common Stock held for future allocation

     152,130      418,893

Temporary cash investments

     16,801      20,351
    

  

Total investments

     6,474,351      8,779,315

Liabilities:

             

Notes payable

     108,183      212,831
    

  

Trust net assets

   $ 6,366,168    $ 8,566,484
    

  

Investments at cost

   $ 6,762,673    $ 7,366,744
    

  


#   Represents an individual investment which is 5% or more of the Net Assets of the Master Savings Trust.
  These accounts are combined and presented as the “Other” fund in the accompanying financial statements.
@   Prior to May 1, 2002, the Self-Directed option was offered through the Schwab PCRA.

 

The Master Savings Trust is party to derivative financial instruments for purposes other than trading. The most significant of the derivatives, guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) including synthetics, are used to offer a fixed interest rate of return over time, in which the principal and interest components can be accessed at book value. Synthetic GICs are actively managed, collateralized portfolios which offer increased credit quality over traditional GICs. Other derivative instruments, consisting of highly liquid exchange traded equity and debt futures are used primarily to rebalance the fixed income/equity allocation of the Trust’s portfolio. In addition, mortgage rolls (forward contracts) are used in combination with actively managed cash equivalents to provide enhanced yield from mortgage sector bonds.

 

19


Table of Contents

BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

7.    Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust—(continued)

 

Distributions from the BellSouth Stock Fund and the BellSouth Management Savings and ESOP Trust and the BellSouth Savings and Security ESOP Trust (the ESOP Trusts) that are payable in shares of BellSouth Common Stock are separated from the “Shares of BellSouth Common Stock” and “Shares of BellSouth Common Stock allocated to participants” lines and reflected as “Distributable Shares.”

 

Assets in the BellSouth Stock Fund, Bond Fund, Indexed Stock Fund, mutual funds and some of the assets in the Balanced Fund and the BrokerageLink Account are invested in securities which fluctuate in market value, therefore the values of the fund units fluctuate daily.

 

Assets in the Interest Income Fund are invested in the following types of financial vehicles:

 

    Temporary Cash Investments—These are short-term money market investments, maturing in less than twelve months, that are necessary to meet daily liquidity needs.

 

    General Account Investment Contracts—These contracts are also referred to as traditional investment contracts. An investment contract is termed “general account” when the assets committed to the contract are commingled with other general assets of the contract issuer. The contract issuer promises to return the invested principal plus a stated rate of interest upon maturity. The quality of the promise is a function of the financial condition of the contract issuer.

 

    Security Backed Investments—These are generic terms which refer to investment contracts other than “traditional” general account investment contracts as defined above. These investments consist of a combination of marketable securities, owned directly by the Plan or as units of a separate account or trust owned by the Plan, and an investment contract that provides liquidity for eligible employee benefits at book value.

 

    Group Trust Investment Contracts—Group Trust refers to the INVESCO Group Trust for Retirement Benefit Plans. The INVESCO Group Trust contains a series of commingled investment funds, available only to INVESCO clients, constructed to provide a stable value portfolio with the beneficial elements of various fixed income management strategies. The Plan’s investment in any one of the various INVESCO Group Trust Funds is unitized and may be “wrapped” by an independent financial institution through the issuance of an investment contract.

 

    Separate Account Investment Contracts—An investment contract is termed “separate account” when the assets committed to the contract are segregated from the general assets of the contract issuer through the use of a specifically identifiable separate account. The separate account may be comprised of investments from one Plan or Trust, or comprised of investments from multiple qualified retirement Plans and Trusts. Though ownership of the assets held in a separate account is retained by the contract issuer, the assets are protected from liabilities arising from the contract issuers’ general operations. The investment performance of a separate account investment contract may be a function of the investment performance of the investments held in the separate account.

 

    Synthetic Investment Contract—The term “synthetic” investment contract is used to describe a variety of investment contracts under which a Plan retains ownership of the invested assets, or owns units of an account or trust which holds the invested assets. A “synthetic” investment contract, also referred to as a “wrap” contract, is negotiated with an independent financial institution. Under the terms of these investment contracts, the contract issuer ensures the Plan’s ability to pay eligible employee benefits at book value. The investment performance of a synthetic investment contract may be a function of the investment performance of the invested assets.

 

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BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

7.    Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust—(continued)

 

The value of the Interest Income Fund reflected in these financial statements is based upon the principal invested and the interest credited. The fair value of the Interest Income Fund, by investment type, at December 31, 2002 and 2001 was as follows:

 

     December 31,
2002


    December 31,
2001


 

General account investment contracts

   $ 3,508     $ 33,422  

Security backed investments:

                

Underlying assets

     1,867,433       1,358,287  

Wrapper contracts

     (97,807 )     (45,113 )
    


 


Total contracts

   $ 1,773,134     $ 1,346,596  
    


 


 

The contracts held by the Master Savings Trust in the Interest Income Fund are considered fully benefit-responsive in accordance with AICPA Statement of Position 94-4. The crediting interest rate was 4.77% at December 31, 2002 and 5.77% at December 31, 2001. The average yield was 5.16% in 2002 and 6.24% in 2001. Interest rates are reset on a semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis to move the current book value of these investments toward the projected future market value over the life of the contract.

 

During 1990, the ESOP Trusts issued medium-term notes in the aggregate amount of $850 million to fund the purchase of BellSouth Common Stock to be utilized at later dates to fulfill match obligations. Shares purchased with such funds are released for allocation to participant accounts based on a prescribed schedule coinciding with payments on the ESOP notes.

 

Assets held in the Master Savings Trust are generally unavailable to service the ESOP debt; however, the notes are guaranteed by and are subject to direct recourse against BellSouth. BellSouth contributes to the ESOP Trusts an amount necessary, net of ESOP dividends and interest, to service the ESOP notes. Such contributions are classified as Supplemental Contributions in the accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund Information. These contributions are subject to the claims of holders of debt securities issued by the ESOP Trusts but are held at BellSouth and paid to the ESOP Trusts twice yearly to fund, on a same day basis, required payments by the ESOP Trusts on the notes. Such contributions would not remain in the ESOP Trusts unless there was a default on the debt securities by the ESOP Trustee after having received the required contributions from BellSouth. Therefore, holders of the debt securities should not rely on the assets of the ESOP Trusts in arriving at an investment decision with respect to the debt securities.

 

In addition to Supplemental Contributions, BellSouth contributes amounts necessary to purchase any additional shares required to meet the match obligations after shares released by the ESOP Trusts have been used. Such contributions are classified as Employing Company Contributions in the accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund Information.

 

In lieu of receiving cash dividends earned on shares of BellSouth Common Stock which have been allocated to participants from the ESOP Trusts, participant accounts are credited with equivalent shares of BellSouth Common Stock. Dividends on the related ESOP shares are transferred to the Unallocated ESOP Fund and are applied towards the service of the ESOP notes. The transfer of these earnings is classified as Transfer for Loan Repayment in the accompanying Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits, With Fund Information.

 

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BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

7.    Interest in BellSouth Master Savings Trust—(continued)

 

BellSouth made supplemental cash contributions to the ESOP Trusts in the amount of $84,492 in 2002, $79,477 in 2001, and $75,497 in 2000 for the purpose of servicing the guaranteed debt. A description of each debt issue is as follows:

 

BellSouth Management Savings and ESOP Trust:

 

Title


   Amount

   Interest Rate

   

Due Date


Amortizing Medium-Term Notes, Series A

   $ 275,000    9.125 %   July 1, 2003

Amortizing Medium-Term Notes, Series A

   $ 275,000    9.190 %   July 1, 2003
    

          

Total

   $ 550,000           
    

          

 

BellSouth Savings and Security ESOP Trust:

 

Title


   Amount

   Interest Rate

   

Due Date


Amortizing Medium-Term Notes, Series A

   $ 300,000    9.125 %   July 1, 2003

 

Maturities of the ESOP Trusts’ short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2002 were as follows:

 

     2003

   2004

   Total

Maturities

   $ 108,183       $ 108,183
    

  
  

 

Investment activities of the Master Savings Trust are allocated to the Plan based upon the total of each individual Plan participant’s share of the Master Savings Trust investment activities during the period ended December 31, 2002.

 

The Master Savings Trust investment activities for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000 were as follows:

 

     For the Year Ended December 31,

 
     2002

    2001

    2000

 

Investment Activities:

                        

Dividends on shares of BellSouth Common Stock

   $ 92,105     $ 100,945     $ 112,515  

Interest Income Fund income

     81,497       80,222       70,326  

Other interest

     13,363       19,928       37,067  

Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments

     (1,905,336 )     (802,173 )     (1,575,258 )

Net realized gain on investments

     49,068       227,660       589,455  

Investment manager fees

     (1,905 )     (2,245 )     (1,741 )

Other fees

     (3,701 )     (4,748 )     (3,021 )
    


 


 


Net investment activities

   $ (1,674,909 )   $ (380,411 )   $ (770,657 )
    


 


 


 

8.    Commitments and Contingencies

 

Three substantially identical class action lawsuits were filed in 2002 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against BellSouth, its directors, three of its senior officers, and other individuals,

 

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BELLSOUTH SAVINGS AND SECURITY PLAN

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per-Participant Amounts)

 

8.    Commitments and Contingencies—(continued)

 

alleging violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). The plaintiffs, who seek to represent a putative class of participants and beneficiaries of BellSouth’s 401(k) plan allege that the defendants breached fiduciary duties in violation of ERISA, among other things, by (1) failing to provide accurate information to the plan participants and beneficiaries; (2) failing to ensure that the plan’s assets were invested properly; (3) failing to monitor the plan’s fiduciaries; and (4) failing to disregard plan directives that the defendants knew or should have known were imprudent. The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount of damages, injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees and costs. Certain factual allegations underlying these lawsuits are substantially similar to those in the putative securities class actions captioned In re BellSouth Securities Litigation. At this early stage of the litigation, the likely outcome of the case cannot be predicted, nor can a reasonable estimate of loss, if any, be made.

 

9.    Subsequent Events

 

In June of 2003 the Employee Benefit Committee approved a plan amendment effective July 1, 2003, which will allow participants having shares in their Allocated ESOP fund the election to have their quarterly dividends either reinvested in the fund or passed-through and paid to them outside the Plan in cash as taxable ordinary income.

 

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the BellSouth Savings and Security Plan has duly caused this annual report to be signed by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

BellSouth Savings and Security Plan

By: BellSouth Corporation

 

By:    /s/    RAWDON W. MCARTHUR

                                                                                               

          Rawdon W. McArthur

          Chief Investment Officer

 

Date:    June 30, 2003

 

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