Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note 1 – Description of Plan
The following description of the Coca-Cola
Refreshments Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan (the “Plan”) provides only general information. Participants should
refer to the summary plan description for a more comprehensive description of the Plan’s provisions.
General
The Plan is sponsored by Coca-Cola Refreshments
USA, Inc. (the “Company”), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company (“TCCC”). The Plan
was formed effective July 1, 1984 and amended and restated effective January 1, 2002. The Plan is a defined contribution plan covering
certain bargaining employees of the Company, and is subject to the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 as amended (“ERISA”).
Administration
The Plan is administered by The Coca-Cola
Company Benefits Committee (the “Committee”) which, as Plan Administrator, has substantial control of and
discretion over the administration of the Plan. The Plan Administrator has engaged a third party, Mercer HR Services LLC, to
provide recordkeeping and administrative services.
Transfers to Related Plan
During 2015, the Plan transferred account balances
totaling $566,784 for participants whose employment status with the Company changed from bargaining to non-bargaining. These participants
elected to transfer their account balances from the Plan to The Coca-Cola Company 401(k) Plan.
Eligibility
Each employee who is eligible for the
Plan under the terms of a collective bargaining agreement negotiated between the Company and such bargaining unit shall become
a participant on the entry date (the first day of the calendar quarter following date of hire) at which time the participant may
elect to begin compensation deferrals, unless otherwise defined in the Plan.
Contributions
The Plan allows a participant to contribute
1% to 15% of compensation, unless otherwise defined in the Plan. The Company matches participant contributions as provided for
in the various collective bargaining agreements. Contributions are subject to certain Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”)
limitations. All contributions are invested as directed by participants.
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note 1 – Description of Plan
(Continued)
Vesting
Participants are immediately vested in
their contributions plus actual earnings thereon. Vesting in the Company’s matching contribution portion of their accounts
plus actual earnings thereon is based on years of service.
A participant is 100% vested after three
years of credited service, unless otherwise defined in the Plan. All participants become fully vested upon death, total disability
or reaching normal retirement age as defined in the Plan.
Participant Accounts
Each participant’s account is credited
with the participant’s contributions, employer contributions, if any, rollover contributions, if any, and allocations of
Plan investment results; however, each account is also charged with an allocation of administrative expenses. Allocations are based
on participant earnings or account balances, as defined. The benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can
be provided from the participant’s vested account balance.
Notes Receivable from Participants
Participants may borrow from their account
balances subject to certain limitations. The following applies to participant loans unless otherwise defined in the Plan:
|
(a)
|
The maximum amount that a participant may borrow is the lesser of 50% of their vested account balance
or $50,000. The $50,000 maximum is reduced by the participant’s highest outstanding loan balance on any loans during the
preceding 12 months.
|
|
(b)
|
The minimum loan amount is $1,000.
|
|
(c)
|
The loan interest rate is the prime rate, as published in
The Wall Street Journal,
and is
set monthly. The loan’s interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan.
|
|
(d)
|
The loan repayment period is limited to five years for a general
purpose loan and 15 years for a loan used to purchase or build a principal residence.
|
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note 1 – Description of Plan
(Continued)
Employee Stock Ownership Plan
The portion of the Plan invested in common
stock of The Coca-Cola Company is designated as an employee stock ownership plan (“ESOP”) within the meaning of Code
Section 4975(e)(7). Participants invested in common stock of The Coca-Cola Company may elect to receive their entire dividend amount
as a cash payment made directly to them rather than have the dividend amount reinvested in their Plan account. The total amount
of dividends paid directly to Participants was $43,735 during 2015.
Withdrawals and Benefit Payments
Distributions of a participant’s
fully vested account balance shall be made during the period following his or her retirement, total disability, death or termination
of employment.
Distributions to participants shall be
made in a single lump sum or a series of installments over a certain period selected by the participant. The amount of distribution
under the Plan shall be equal to the participant’s vested account balance.
If the participant has any loan balance
at the time of distribution, the amount of cash available to the participant or beneficiary shall be reduced by the outstanding
principal balance of the loan.
Prior to retirement, a withdrawal from the balance of a participant’s
pre-tax contribution account would be available for a financial hardship or from a participant’s rollover source within the
Plan, unless otherwise defined in the Plan.
North America Refranchising Transactions
In conjunction with implementing a new
beverage partnership model in North America, TCCC refranchised territories that were previously managed by the Company to certain
of TCCC’s unconsolidated bottling partners. TCCC expects to complete its refranchising by the end of 2017. The refranchising
will significantly decrease the number of active participants in the Plan.
Plan Termination
Although the Company has not expressed any intent to do so, the
Company has the right under the Plan agreement to discontinue contributions at any time and to terminate the Plan. In the event
of Plan termination, all participants become fully vested and shall receive a full distribution of their account balances.
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting
Policies
Basis of Accounting
The financial statements of the Plan are
prepared using the accrual basis of accounting.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements
in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates that affect
the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Valuation of Investments
The Plan’s investments are stated at
fair value in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”
(“ASC 820”). See Note 3 for fair value measurements.
Purchases and sales of securities are recorded
on the trade date. Interest income is recorded as earned and dividend income is recorded as of the ex-dividend date.
Notes Receivable from Participants
Participant loans, which are classified as
receivables, are stated at the unpaid principal balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest.
Administrative Expenses
Certain administrative expenses are paid by
the Plan, as permitted by the Plan document. All other expenses are paid by the Company.
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note 2 – Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies (Continued)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2015-07,
Fair Value Measurement (Topic
820) - Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities that Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent).
The amendments
in this ASU remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured
using the net asset value per share (NAV) as a practical expedient. This guidance also removes the requirement to make certain
disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share as a practical
expedient. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within
those fiscal years. The Plan should apply the amendments retrospectively to all periods presented. Earlier application is permitted.
The Plan elected to adopt this new standard for the year ended December 31, 2015 and for the prior year presented. The Plan did
not assign a level to the fair values of collective trust funds and Master Trust investment funds as these funds measure fair value
using the net asset value per share as a practical expedient.
In July 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-12,
Plan Accounting: Defined Contribution Pension Plans (Topic 962) - Part I. Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts; Part
II. Plan Investment Disclosures; and Part III. Measurement Date Practical Expedient.
The amendments remove the requirement
to:
|
·
|
Report fully benefit-responsive investment contracts at fair value.
Contract value is the only required measure for fully benefit-responsive contracts.
|
|
·
|
Disclose individual investments held which exceed 5% of net assets
available for benefits.
|
|
·
|
Disclose net appreciation in fair value of investments by type of
investment held.
|
|
·
|
Disaggregate investments reported in the fair value hierarchy table
by class of investment. They may be presented by general type only.
|
The Plan adopted ASU No. 2015-12 for the year
ended December 31, 2015 and for the prior year presented.
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note 3 – The Coca-Cola Company Master
Trust for 401(k) Plans
The Plan participates in The Coca-Cola Company
Master Trust for 401(k) Plans (the “Master Trust”) with similar retirement plans sponsored by TCCC and certain other
subsidiaries of TCCC, whereby investments are held collectively for all plans by the Trustee. Each participating plan’s investment
in the Master Trust is equal to the sum of its participant account balances in relation to total Master Trust investments. The
Plan’s investments include retirement target date funds, equity and fixed income index funds, actively managed equity and
fixed income funds, synthetic guaranteed investment contracts, and common stock of The Coca-Cola Company. The investment structures
include mutual funds, collective trust funds, Master Trust investment funds, and direct ownership of common stock of The Coca-Cola
Company.
The Plan’s investments in the Master
Trust were approximately $103.7 million and $116.6 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Plan’s interest
in the net assets of the Master Trust was approximately 2.3% and 2.5% at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. This was
determined by comparing the Plan’s investment in the Master Trust to total net assets in the Master Trust.
The following table summarizes the net assets
of the Master Trust as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
Collective trust funds
|
|
$
|
2,090,492
|
|
|
$
|
2,173,484
|
|
Mutual funds
|
|
|
156,426
|
|
|
|
165,710
|
|
Master Trust investment funds
|
|
|
632,263
|
|
|
|
720,574
|
|
Common stock
|
|
|
1,284,920
|
|
|
|
1,267,276
|
|
Investments at fair value
|
|
|
4,164,101
|
|
|
|
4,327,044
|
|
Due from broker
|
|
|
137
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
Fully benefit-responsive investment contract at contract value
|
|
|
375,378
|
|
|
|
369,305
|
|
Master Trust net assets
|
|
$
|
4,539,616
|
|
|
$
|
4,696,379
|
|
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note 3 – The Coca-Cola Company Master Trust for 401(k)
Plans (Continued)
The net investment income of the Master Trust for the year ended
December 31, 2015 was as follows (in thousands):
Investment income:
|
|
|
|
|
Net appreciation in fair value of investments
|
|
$
|
16,348
|
|
Interest and dividends
|
|
|
49,607
|
|
Net investment income
|
|
$
|
65,955
|
|
Fair Value Measurements
ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange
price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous
market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also established
a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the
use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are
as follows:
• Level 1 —
|
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
|
|
|
• Level 2 —
|
Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
|
|
|
• Level 3 —
|
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
|
The Plan’s valuation methods used to
measure fair value of its investments may produce fair values that may not be indicative of a future sale, or reflective of future
fair values. The use of different methods to determine the fair value of investments could result in different estimates of fair
value at the reporting date.
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note
3
–
The Coca-Cola Company Master Trust for 401(k)
Plans (Continued)
The Master Trust assets, measured at fair value on a recurring
basis (at least annually) as of December 31, 2015, were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
|
|
Investments Using NAV Practical Expedient
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock
(A)
|
|
$
|
1,284,920
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,284,920
|
|
Mutual funds
(B)
|
|
|
156,426
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
156,426
|
|
Collective trust funds
(C)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
2,090,492
|
|
|
|
2,090,492
|
|
Master Trust investment funds
(D)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
632,263
|
|
|
|
632,263
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,441,346
|
|
|
$
|
2,722,755
|
|
|
$
|
4,164,101
|
|
|
(A)
|
Investments in common stock are in shares of The Coca-Cola Company and are valued using the quoted
market price multiplied by the number of shares owned as of the measurement date.
|
|
(B)
|
Investments in mutual funds are valued at the publicly quoted net asset value of each fund. The
total value is calculated by multiplying the net asset value per share by the number of shares held as of the measurement date.
|
|
(C)
|
The underlying investments held in the collective trust funds are equity or debt securities held
to replicate the performance of a specific equity or bond market index. The collective trust funds are valued at the NAV per share
as determined by the manager of the funds multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date. These funds have
no redemption restrictions.
|
|
(D)
|
The Master Trust investment funds include the US Large Cap Active Equity Fund, US Small-Mid Cap
Active Equity Fund, and the US Core-Plus Active Fixed Income Fund. The total value is calculated by multiplying the NAV per share
by the number of shares held as of the measurement date. The underlying investments include common stock, preferred stock, mutual
funds, collective trust funds and a short-term investment account. These funds have no redemption restrictions.
|
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note 3 – The Coca-Cola Company Master Trust for 401(k)
Plans (Continued)
The Master Trust assets, measured at fair value on a recurring
basis (at least annually) as of December 31, 2014, were as follows (in thousands):
|
|
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
|
|
Investments Using NAV Practical Expedient
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock
(A)
|
|
$
|
1,267,276
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
1,267,276
|
|
Mutual funds
(B)
|
|
|
165,710
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
165,710
|
|
Collective trust funds
(C)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
2,173,484
|
|
|
|
2,173,484
|
|
Master Trust investment funds
(D)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
720,574
|
|
|
|
720,574
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,432,986
|
|
|
$
|
2,894,058
|
|
|
$
|
4,327,044
|
|
|
(A)
|
Investments in common stock are in shares of The Coca-Cola Company and are valued using the quoted
market price multiplied by the number of shares owned as of the measurement date.
|
|
(B)
|
Investments in mutual funds are valued at the publicly quoted net asset value of each fund. The
total value is calculated by multiplying the net asset value per share by the number of shares held as of the measurement date.
|
|
(C)
|
The underlying investments held in the collective trust funds are equity or debt securities held
to replicate the performance of a specific equity or bond market index. The collective trust funds are valued at the NAV per share
as determined by the manager of the funds multiplied by the number of shares held as of the measurement date. These funds have
no redemption restrictions.
|
|
(D)
|
The Master Trust investment funds include the US Large Cap Active Equity Fund, US Small-Mid Cap
Active Equity Fund, and the US Core-Plus Active Fixed Income Fund. The total value is calculated by multiplying the NAV per share
by the number of shares held as of the measurement date. The underlying investments include common stock, preferred stock, mutual
funds, collective trust funds and a short-term investment account. These funds have no redemption restrictions.
|
During 2015 and 2014 there were
no Level 2 or 3 investments.
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note 3 – The Coca-Cola Company Master Trust for 401(k)
Plans (Continued)
Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contracts
The Master Trust has a separate account (the
“account”) which invests primarily in wrapper contracts (also known as synthetic guaranteed investment contracts) and
cash equivalents. Contracts within the account are fully benefit-responsive and are therefore reported at contract value on the
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits. Contract value represents contributions made under the contracts, plus earnings,
less withdrawals and administrative expenses. As of December 31, 2015, the account consisted of approximately $356,890,000 of wrapper
contracts and approximately $18,488,000 of cash equivalents.
In a wrapper contract structure, the underlying
investments are owned by the account and held in trust for Plan participants. These contracts wrap a diversified portfolio primarily
comprised of corporate and government bonds, and collective trust funds. The account purchases wrapper contracts from an insurance
company or bank. The wrapper contracts amortize the realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying fixed income investments,
typically over the duration of the investments, through adjustments to the future interest crediting rate (which is the rate earned
by participants in the account for the underlying investments). The issuers of the wrapper contracts provide assurances that the
adjustments to the interest crediting rate do not result in a future crediting rate that is less than zero.
Examples of events that would permit a wrapper contract issuer to
terminate a wrapper contract upon short notice include the Plan’s loss of its qualified status, uncured material breaches
of responsibilities, or material and adverse changes to the provisions of the Plan. If one of these events was to occur, the wrapper
contract issuer could terminate the wrapper contract at the market value of the underlying investments.
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note
3
–
The Coca-Cola Company Master Trust for 401(k)
Plans (Continued)
Transactions with Parties-in-Interest
During the year ended December 31, 2015,
the Master Trust had the following transactions relating to common stock of The Coca-Cola Company (in thousands):
|
|
Shares
|
|
Fair Value
|
Purchases
|
|
|
4,047
|
|
|
$
|
169,168
|
|
Sales
|
|
|
3,112
|
|
|
$
|
131,735
|
|
In-kind distributions
|
|
|
1,086
|
|
|
$
|
44,880
|
|
In-kind receipts
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
$
|
1,822
|
|
Dividends received
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
$
|
39,475
|
|
The Master Trust held the following investments in common stock
of The Coca-Cola Company as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
|
|
Shares
|
|
Fair Value
|
|
December 31, 2015
|
|
|
|
29,910
|
|
|
$
|
1,284,916
|
|
|
December 31, 2014
|
|
|
|
30,016
|
|
|
$
|
1,267,276
|
|
Note 4 – Income Tax Status
The Plan has received a determination letter
from the Internal Revenue Service dated September 2, 2009, stating that the Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code
and, therefore, the related trust is exempt from taxation. Subsequent to this determination by the Internal Revenue Service, the
Plan was amended. Once qualified, the Plan is required to operate in conformity with the Code to maintain its qualification. The
Plan Administrator believes the Plan is being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Code and, therefore,
believes that the Plan, as amended, is qualified and the related trust is tax exempt.
Accounting principles generally accepted in
the United States require the management of the Plan to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and recognize a tax liability
(or asset) if the Plan has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the
Internal Revenue Service. The Plan Administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of
December 31, 2015, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability
(or asset) or disclosure in the financial statements. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions. The Internal
Revenue Service is currently auditing the Plan’s operations for 2013 and 2014. The audits remain in the information-gathering
stage. To date, we have not been informed of any issues that would jeopardize the Plan’s tax qualification.
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
Notes to Audited Financial Statements
Note 5 – Risks and Uncertainties
The Master Trust invests in various investment
securities as directed by participants. Investment securities are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market and credit
risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values
of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect participants’ account
balances and the amounts reported in the statements of net assets available for benefits.
Note 6 – Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form
5500
The following is a reconciliation of the
net assets available for benefits per the financial statements to the Form 5500 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:
|
|
2015
|
|
2014
|
Net assets available for benefits per the financial statements
|
|
$
|
109,535,210
|
|
|
$
|
123,091,056
|
|
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
|
|
|
183,137
|
|
|
|
430,989
|
|
Net assets available for benefits per Form 5500
|
|
$
|
109,718,347
|
|
|
$
|
123,522,045
|
|
The following is a reconciliation of investment income from the
Master Trust per the financial statements to the Form 5500 for the year ended December 31, 2015:
Investment income from the Master Trust per the financial statements
|
|
$
|
1,089,485
|
|
Adjustment from contract to fair value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts:
|
|
|
183,137
|
|
Current year
|
|
|
|
|
Prior year
|
|
|
(430,989
|
)
|
Less: Administrative expenses reported at Master Trust level
|
|
|
(129,265
|
)
|
Investment income from Master Trust per Form 5500
|
|
$
|
712,368
|
|
Coca-Cola Refreshments
Bargaining Employees’ 401(k) Plan
EIN: 58-0503352 Plan Number: 003
Note: Column (d) cost is
not required for participant-directed investments.